Show Review: Boris, Lack of Interest at The Belasco, 11-22-2025

Boris obliterates a sold out Belasco

I first saw Boris performing Pink in San Francisco before the pandemic forever changed life as we know it. To say that it was incredible is an understatement, as I became not only a fan, but utterly obsessed with the band, having covered them numerous times for this publication as evidence. Of course, when this tour was announced, I had to jump at the chance to cover them again.

In the opening slot, Lack of Interest blasted through probably 28 songs in 30 minutes. That, my friends, is what we call Power Violence. Repetitious, well, yeah, but they had good humor about them and never relented, and that’s what makes it worth it.

Before I get going, I want to say Big Ups to the Front of House mixer, because if there is one thing that can always be said about high-ceiling buildings like the Belasco, it’s that they don’t make mixing easy. The band came out, and as is the ritual, Atsuo banged the large gong behind his kit, signaling the beginning of the performance before the band launched into “Blackout.”

I’ve spoken in many of my reviews about just how incredible the musicianship of this band truly is, and they haven’t dulled even a little bit. I believe it was Jim Jarmusch who commented on how they play off each other like Jazz musicians, and I have to agree with that assessment. They’re so in tune with each other and with each other that they make what they do seem almost effortless, especially when you consider going from a sludgey doom song like “Blackout” right into “Pink,” where Wata shows off her speed and precision.

The first time I saw Boris perform “I just abandoned myself,” I remember a sudden wave of euphoria as my body was washed over by the waves of sound in the long outro piece. I’m pleased to say that this was not a one-time experience, as it happened to me once again.

Someone gave Wata a plushy Buccee Beaver, which she brought out for the encore and placed on her Echo Box next to, what I would discover later is an online merch item, a plushy Frog. Atsuo then announced that this year happened to be the 25th anniversary of another album before they proceeded to launch into At Last–Feedbacker. It was fucking transcendental, and I really love it when they show off their range as musicians.