It’s not often you get to see a well-programmed concert at a cemetery on the Fall Equinox. And under the Harvest Moon. But Empty Bottle Presents’ Beyond The Gate was exactly that.

Photo by Danny O'Donnell, @312

Right off the bat, the setting was beautiful—blue lights illuminating the building behind, branches and handmade lit-up orbs adorning the stage, blankets and chairs packed into the lawn with bundled up fans.

Photo by Danny O'Donnell, @312

Once the crowd and the sun’s light settled, Hilary Woods began, twangy guitar accompanying her wispy but resonant voice. The atmosphere she created, especially in the cemetery, was reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti’s music for Twin Peaks—thick, muddy voicings on a keyboard and 50s-sounding guitar (she switched between the two) created structured songs that still allowed there to be an atmospheric, open quality.

Photo by Danny O'Donnell, @312

Mute Duo is Sam Wagster on pedal steel and Skyler Rowe on drums/percussion, but for this special concert, they were the Mute Duo Ensemble, joined by six others. An instrumental group (aside from wordless vocals from Bottle staple Bruce “Hesh” Lamont, who also played tenor sax), the collection of musicians played without breaks, going from unified drones to solos to prickly durations of time that had the many voices peeking out of the combined voice with their idiosyncrasies.

Photo by Danny O'Donnell, @312

Grouper was—in terms of the whole bill—a synthesis of her openers, bringing together chaos and stark songwriting. The fact that it was just a sole musician (Liz Harris) didn’t stop there from being layers and layers of sound enveloping the audience. Grouper’s outside music surrounded and comforted me, the powerful moments—emotionally and sonically—making the near silent moments even more silent, and the silent moments making the powerful even more powerful. The dynamic and emotional range of her performance was flooring, and this was only accentuated by its setting.

While the space and her interaction with it was an instrument itself, it would not have functioned as such without the sources—her elaborate but well-controlled setup of piano, guitar, affected vocals, and samples, all through a mixer she intently controlled. Melting and shifting together, these different instruments often took on similar forms in context of her larger work.

Hilary Woods, Mute Duo Ensemble, and Grouper evoked an unsettling creepiness at their concert space without forcing it at all, their music finding a home at Bohemian National Cemetery and, ultimately, being more moving thanks to the environment. I’m already excited to hear more bands find a home for their music at the cemetery next year.

*A review by Izzy Yellen

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On September 10th, 2015 we returned to the Bohemian National Cemetery on the northwest side of Chicago for the fourth installment of the Beyond The Gate series, which Empty Bottle Presents produces alongside J.R. ROBINSON, leader of Chicago doom collective WREKMEISTER HARMONIES. For this end of summer concert, EARTH, DISAPPEARS and HOLY SONS performed on stage and ROBINSON kept the tone in place with cryptic vinyl selections before and in-between bands. It was a thrill to host such this line-up in such a gorgeous and haunting setting, especially since the skies were clear after a long (and stressful) day of rain. We are incredibly thankful and excited that all of the artists  were as into the idea of performing in this setting as we are.Heavy midday rains put a literal damper on plans, but as the time for Beyond The Gate approached, the sun broke through the clouds and the skies remained clear, giving our surroundings a rich coloration. It could not have been a better - or more fortunate - introductory setting for each group's unique take on enchanting, atmospheric rock music. Bite Café came through with some tasty dogs and slaw, not to mention some delicious, homemade elotes, and we were so happy to work with Half Acre Beer to keep the night loose with their unmatchable brews. Special thanks to Brownshoesonly for the endlessly stellar visual projections that highlighted each band's sonic personality while helping further illuminate the beauty of Bohemian National.After ROBINSON eased us into the night with some droning, atmospheric records, HOLY SONS took the stage for a set of bluesy hard rock that never sounded like the tired "blues-rock" you'll hear some bar bands playing around town. Led by EMIL AMOS, who also plays in GRAILS, OM and LILACS & CHAMPAGNE, the trio worked through lush and complex arrangements that showcased AMOS's chameleonic versatility. Performing songs off their 2014 & 2015 Thrill Jockey releases, HOLY SONS were heavy and hooky, soaring out of the cemetery towards the planes passing overhead.As the sun began to set and the lawn really started to fill up, Chicago staples DISAPPEARS took the stage and once again wowed us (and the large crowd) with a set of stark and chilling post-punk. Their shimmering and clanging guitar work, provided by singer/guitarist BRIAN CASE and guitar maestro JONATHAN VAN HERIK, and driving, Krautrock-inspired rhythms, led by bassist DAMON CARRUESCO and drummer NOAH LEGER, took on a new life at Bohemian National. The confines of the mausoleum walls and the surrounding landscape had the four piece sounding as good as ever, and as day turned to night, Brownshoesonly's static projections gave the environment - and the band - an exhilarating look and feel.  DISAPPEARS performed some of our favorite tracks off their first four records and we were delighted to hear some new numbers, which can only mean a new record will be on the way, hopefully before the end of next year.We've had the pleasure of welcoming Seattle doom/drone metal band EARTH to the Empty Bottle stage a few times over the past couple years, but nothing can compare to witnessing their live show inside the gates of a cemetery. Slowly and methodically, EARTH guitarist and leader DYLAN CARLSON led his band through a set of grinding and thunderous instrumental rock, complete with mountainous guitar chords and crushing rhythms. With low lighting on stage, multi-colored liquid ink projections danced on the walls of the mausoleum, morphing the cemetery into a warped and psychedelic alien landscape. The musicians cast gigantic shadows on the walls behind them, echoing the hugeness of the music they performed for a rapt crowd of nearly eight hundred onlookers. With all three bands performing entirely unique sets, the combination of the musicians, mixed with the projections and the hundreds in attendance, combined to create a truly transcendent experience. It's something we won't forget for a very long time.We're honored to be given the opportunity to present forward thinking, expansive music in a setting so deep in history as the Bohemian National Cemetery.  Endless thanks to Beth, Steve, Rob, and the rest of the staff up there for being so accommodating from day one and believing in the idea that these events are more than just a party in a strange setting. Thank you to everyone in attendance. Your respect for the area is the reason why we are able to continue hosting events there. A portion of the ticket sales go directly to the cemetery and help to maintain the dignity of the grounds for years to come. Would also like to thank Alderman Laurino and the Albany park residents for working with us and continuing to be on board with this series.---------------Words by Brent Heyl & Michael GebelPhotos by Zachary Spinner