Dark Matter

From 2000 to 2005, Dark Matter reigned as one of the region's most compelling hard-rock groups, blending chunky grooves, seismic rhythms and John Hindes' charismatic theatrical vocals. Like Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, the riff-driven avant-garde California collective that it bonded with by sharing several bills, Dark Matter transcended simple "metal" categorization. Citing exhaustion, Dark Matter dissolved without farewell-show fanfare, but it returns from the grave on Friday to demand a proper burial. The set list includes material from both Dark Matter records, 2000's Ultimate Killing Machine and 2003's Structure in the Storm. "We recaptured Dark Matter in its purest unbridled form at the reunion rehearsals," bassist Dave Tanner says. "People will appreciate that as we unleash some fury."