Red Sparowes @ Stereo, 10 Jul

As any open-mouthed spectator at one of Red Sparowes' past Glasgow shows would tell you, they are a band that have never willingly consented to the somewhat patronising tag of 'side project'. Despite sharing limbs with the likes of Isis and Angel Hair, their mammoth and rousing live shows have seen them earn cult status among a fanbase as fond of the cerebral malevolence of Godspeed You! Black Emperor as they are of any Bostonian metalcore ruffians. The forthcoming visit to the UK should see Red Sparowes leave that aforementioned tag ever further behind, especially in light of the recent departure of Neurosis' visual genius Josh Graham. With a new album currently in production at the hands of Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Tool etc), new material is a certainty. Not that their earlier songs, in all of their ethereal, disturbing and lengthily-monickered glory, were in any danger of getting old.

Read The Skinny's review of Red Sparrowes' Glasgow performance here.

Red Sparowes - Alone and Unaware... (live)