As Trail of Dead opened, Webster Hall was still half empty – it was an early start at 9pm. However, soon the hall filled as frontman Conrad Keeley began bounding around the stage while screaming into the mic. Keeley began flawlessly delivering material from their latest album Century of the Self and the now veteran band did not miss a beat.

Then as the show progressed, the increasingly lively audience were given a jolt as Jason Reece charged out from behind the drums.  After a short but brilliant vocal performance, Reece began decantering multiple bottles of water over the attentive fans. However, for Reece this was not enough. With the mic grasped in his hand, he descended onto the masses and began moshing with the loyal fans until the security dragged him out. The crowd where enthralled, and after the intense chain of events, Trail of Dead stepped off the stage to allow their equipment to be cleaned up.

Then, after returning to the stage to deliver a grande finale, the drummers crossed their sticks in the air and drew them down in complete unison with the guitarists thrashing under the stage spotlights. Not to mention Clay Morris’ perfectly timed pounding of his keyboard. I was in complete awe of their ability to stay so fresh after such an extensive tour (we also caught them at All Points West). And considering they formed in 1995, it is impressive that they are still determined to provide a good show (and succeed).  Although Reece’s incredible energy and unpredictability could keep any band on their toes…

Trail of Dead are at the top of their game and I cannot think of a direct competitor for their style and loyal fan base. The question left on my mind is where do they go from here? Speaking to one fan, she delivered five minutes of praise but then tentatively asked if they should quit while ahead. This question conjures fantasies of Trail of Dead going out as the indie legends they are now, frozen in glory. But who ever quits while ahead?? And if a seventh album is as well received as the sixth – Century of the Self, imagine the loss if they decided to stop.

Whatever the future holds, catch the band in their full maturity now. However, their American Fall Tour is just coming to an end, so you may have to wait a while – the last date is 10.23.2009 in Oklahoma.