Reviewing a band's performance in which you've never heard of is always a risky proposition. Of course, you do some research before heading to the show, familiarizing yourself with the band's work but still, there's always that chance that the band is going to be horrible.

The flipside to that - there's the possibility the band will be spectacular. Such was the case Sept. 28 as I pulled into Phoenix, Ariz.'s The Rhythm Room to check out The Black Angels.

The six-piece, Austin, Texas based The Black Angels have slowly but surely built a name for themselves playing festivals like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and South by Southwest this year, as well as sharing the stage with the Smashing Pumpkins and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

I couldn't tell you what the maximum occupancy at the Rhythm Room is but I can tell that as the opening bands went through their sets and the evening progressed, the venue reached near standing room only capacity, and the buzz around the smoking patio and the bar was on The Black Angels.

"Have you heard of these guys?" some disembodied voice asked.

"Um, no, can't say I have," came a weak, almost sheepish reply.

"Oh, they're fuckin' amazing man, they'll totally blow you away," went the chatter at the bar as those in the know informed the newly acquainted.

In total darkness, two old 8mm film projectors kicked to life spilling split images onto the white sheet serving as a backdrop. Some spaghetti western competed with black and white images of war, as the hypnotic guitar of Christian Bland laid down the foundation of "Young Dead Men," from the bands most recent release, Passover.

Immediately I was hooked, engaged in a way totally unfamiliar to me in concert going experiences. Instead of the raw, raucous energy I'm so accustomed, the band reached out from the stage, reaching inside, grabbing me at the base of my spine, forcing me to pay attention.

The Black Angels ply their trade rooted deeply in the psychedelic form of the 60's. Think Haight Street, San Francisco before the hippy movement became a movement, or the Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol or Jim Morrison in his most heroin induced haze, and you'll start to get an idea of what these guys sound like. Vocalist Alex Maas' voice is cool and comforting; he's that friend you've always known, that voice you hear in the hush and whispers before you fall asleep rarely rising above a conversational tone. On the few occasions where Maas' voice did cry out, the effect was almost a slap in the face that brought you out of your music induced trance, back to the band.

For over an hour The Black Angels worked their haunting magic, running through songs from Passover and various others tunes.

After completing a run up the west coast culminating in the Download festival in San Francisco, the band heads to Boston where they'll begin a month long stint opening dates for Queens of the Stone Age. Absolutely, positively, catch these guys when they hit your town. Take a chance on a band you've never heard of before, you will be blown away.