Jex Thoth at Irving Plaza

Jessica Toth

Vocalist Jessica Toth started out in a band called Totem in 2005 in Slab City, California. After two years and one EP, the band evolved into Jex Thoth, which became Toth's new name as well as the band's new name, and relocated to Madison, Wisconsin. Jex Thoth released its second album, Blood Moon Rise, in 2013.

At Irving Plaza tonight opening for Agalloch, Jex Thoth opened with the ambient "To Bury" from the current album. Bathed in darkness, with only silhouettes to be seen, the vocalist walked center stage wearing a long cape over a black dress and seemed to hold a small fire in the palm of one hand. As she sang brooding, hypnotic vocals, the band played thudding, slow-burning doom metal. As the band jammed, she moved like a small flame, often covering her face with her long hair. She sang mysterious lyrics clearly with a soulful angst, the guitarist played thick, clear and fluid leads, and the organist played full-sounding rides on the keys like Deep Purple's Jon Lord. As the band alternated between droning riffs and sparkling leads, the singer repeatedly played with matches, at one point walking through the audience holding lit incense. The dense music was often slow and heavy, but as the music began to get interesting, the singer became a distraction, particularly because the stage was too dark for the audience to really view the musicians. Jex Thoth is a promising band seeking its path.

Visit Jex Thoth at www.jexthoth.net.