Zane Roessell on May 11th, 2019

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Returning home after an extensive European tour in support of their latest album “Slaves of Fear,” HEALTH played to a sold-out Teragram Ballroom on Friday night. Their brutal, 17-song performance spanned the entirety of their catalog and more, including choice cuts: “Zoothorns” from their 2007 debut self-titled, “TEARS” off of their “Max Payne 3” video game soundtrack and even a cover of longtime collaborator Pictureplane’s “Goth Star.”

When not a writhing morass in the center of the room, the audience sang along faithfully with front-man Jake Duzik – or were hypnotized, mouth-agape by the rhythmic whirling of bassist, John Famiglietti’s hair. Aside from the absolutely caustic squall that was sure to cause chemical burns, the light show was just short of guaranteeing a seizure. Their combined effect created a disorienting experience that was as visceral as it was unrivaled. 

L.A. industrial duo Youth Code primed the crowd with the scalding howl of lead singer Sara Taylor and hardened synthwave of Ryan George.

BREATHERRR the project of Long Beach multi-intrumentalist Michael Anthony Espinach opened the night with contemplative and atmospheric electronica.

HEALTH returns to the Teragram tonight for a second show.

Setlist: God Botherer, Men Today, Die Slow, Zoothorns, Psychonaut, New Coke, Tears, Salvia, Stonefist, LA Looks, The Message, Goth Star, Feel Nothing, Strange Days, We Are Water, Perfect Skin, Crusher. Encore: Innocence (with Youth Code)

Photos and recap by Zane Roessell