The Almighty Defenders blessed their fans with more than just good music. Witness their power above – this photo was not manipulated, it was an act of God. Or a reflection..

CMJ was a hectic weekend for all, and one of the most exciting parties The MST managed to attend amongst all the furor; was the Topman and Jelly organized party, at The Root Studios in the heart of Williamsburg. Jelly are well known for throwing nothing short of incredible, free parties (see this summer’s Pool Parties), and this was no different. The bill included d.j sets by Designer Drugs, NROTB, Finger On The Pulse, and X-wife; while Cale Parks, Neon Indian and The Almighty Defenders took the main stage. This rsvp only (cmj badges did not guarantee admission , much to the dismay of many…) came equipped with a free bar, with bartenders drunker than the punters. The crowd was a mixed bag of Topshop fashionistas and socialites, Williamsburg hipsters, and music industry types.

The predominant draw for the crowd was the recently formed, media proclaimed super-group, The Almighty Defenders. A combination of all the boys from The Black Lips, and King Khan and the BBQ show, performing a take on gospel that wasn’t quite gospel. Despite donning full choir robes and carrying bibles, the trucker caps and gold teeth were a sure fire giveaway to this groups distinctly American rock and rock roots.

The show went just as one could expect, choir style sing-along’s, accompanied behavior that would not be accepted by any religious institution I know. The captivatingly animated performance showed all members sharing vocal duties throughout the show. Joe Bradley’s achingly screamed vocals, with lyrics coming straight from the bible held in his hand, were the most visceral. Cole Alexander’s stage antics were no different from any Black lips show. Renowned for their behavior that has previously made headlines and had them chased out of whole countries (The Almighty Defenders formed, due to a prolonged break in Berlin with King Khan and the BBQ show, after being chased out of India) the Black lips stage performance in normally awash with nudity, fire, and various other glamorous late night style activities that would only be available on TV after the watershed. This performance really was no different, with Cole Alexander lovingly force feeding crowd members (those lucky enough to be at the front) Jameson, and Joe Bradley writhing on the floor regularly throughout the night’s performance. And what a performance it was.

Whether or not The Almighty defenders are destined or possess the desire to be taken as a serious band, the on stage chemistry produced by members who know each other inside and out, this bluesy, wailing “evil gospel” band is one that had the crowd at their beck and call by the end of the evening. Songs such as “Bow down and die”, “Jihad Blues”, and the sing-along marathon chant “All my loving”, demonstrate new levels of creativity enjoyed by the collaboration of two bands from intensely different stylistic backgrounds.

Here’s hoping this formation of a super group so hilariously and brilliantly unique, having-so-much-fun-we-just-want-to-be-on-stage-with-them, tours extensively so we’re not the only ones to catch this newly formed master piece.