For weeks leading up to the Sleigh Bells concert on Thursday, I was listening to their newest album release, Bitter Rivals, incessantly. When I initially listened to the album, it had a much brighter vibe to it. On a personal level, it reflected my life, in a way. When Reign of Terror was released, I was on a very heavy depressive kick. My life has become much more lifted since then, and somehow Bitter Rivals reflects that. I saw Sleigh Bells live twice for their Reign of Terror tour and then again last week. The feel of their productions may have a slight difference to them this time around, but the performances were equally fucking amazing.

Prior to the Sleigh Bells concert, I had never heard of opening act Montreal-based Doldrums. Their set had hints of '80s synths with tones of UK garage weirdness. The lighting for their performance was simple; red flashing lights reminiscent of a heart rate monitor. The group is comprised by three; the stage was set with a drum set, a Yahmaha and next to the lead singer's mic stand was various electronic equipment. It was a buffaBLOG night out for the Sleigh Bells show. Before Jon Krol, Cliff Parks and I headed downtown to Town Ballroom, I asked them what Doldrums was all about. One of them replied their sound was "sludgy," but in a good way. After the band thanked the audience and made way for the crew to re-set the stage, I wholeheartedly agree that the use of word was perfectly on point.

Sleigh Bells took the stage. This show was different than my previous two, in that it wasn't just Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller, but they were joined by their other guitarist and Poison the Well member Ryan Primack, and drummer Jason Boyer.

"It feels good to be back here!" Krauss told the audience. "Back in this creepy awesome place."

The show was incredible, once again. They played the classics like "Kids" and "Tell Em'" in addition to the Bitter Rivals tunes.

Krauss brought up a fond memory for the Buffalonians in attendance. She described a venue with a name she couldn't remember. The crowd yelled "Mohawk!" She laughed and replied "yes!"

The encore was incredible and I'm pretty sure it was during "Sing Like a Wire" that I threw my back out. I squeezed my way up to the gate to have a closer look and obviously to hear the music at a way louder decibel; the people surrounding me weren't too pleased. I asked one girl if I could scooch my way up a little closer and she said "sorry." Whatever. I stayed where I was and threw myself around like a rogue pinball in a machine. All I could do was laugh and I couldn't see anything because my hair was in the way. The girl who initially declined my request for a better view looked back, smiled and said "here," giving me a small spot to take a step closer.

I left Town Ballroom with ringing ears, a sweaty leather jacket and a sore back that I wouldn't feel until my after-concert beer as I made an attempt to walk across Allen Street.

Until we meet again Sleigh Bells. Until we meet again.