What could be a better pre-Christmas gift than hearing a little Christian/hardcore/death metal?
Hailing from Lewisville, the five chipper young fellows who ply their craft under the moniker Blessed by a Curse will bring their brand of holiday cheer to Club Dada tonight. And while it's difficult to discern the Christian elements in songs such as "Praying for Parasites" and "The Modern Day Failure," this quintet definitely has a panache that sets them apart from the horde of local acts that also claim divine inspiration.
Recently added singer Mike Batson alternates between the standard demonic Cookie Monster roar and a more comprehensible emo rant and that dichotomy is mirrored in the band's music as well. Heavy and uncompromising, Blessed by a Curse may just be one of the area's best metal acts, Christian or otherwise.
Also on tonight's bill are fellow heavy acts Paint the Actor and The Optimast, ensuring that the head banging should go long into early Wednesday morning. --Darryl Smyers