For a person experiencing IAMX for the first time, it is an awakening into the beautiful world of dark fantasies. With front man Chris Corner, IAMX executed a short, but fierce performance last Saturday, November 3, at the El Rey Theatre on Wilshire Boulevard. They are on the North American leg of their tour for The Alternative.

The concert opened with Culture Killers, a true rock n’ roll band. The next set was by Miss Derringer, a unique mesh of old country and rockabilly sentiments. Just before IAMX came out on stage, they riled up the audience with an instrumental version of “Spit It Out.” Finally, after the red sea of curtains parted, IAMX exploded onto the arena, opening with “The Alternative,” the namesake of their second album. It was clear the crowd became instantly enamored, especially when “President” was performed; it was perfectly fitting that Chris Corner crooned “For all you lonely boys / I will be President” to devoted fans, most of whom had been waiting almost an hour for the first glimpse of their inimitable leader.

The other band members donned outfits in black and yellow variations, in accordance to the motif of their album cover. Chris Corner stood alone, with a black and maroon jacket buttoned at the neck, only teasing the audience with a hint of his bare torso. In addition to the aforementioned imagination stimulator, he sported a glitzy top hat, a bed of feathers around his neck, and the signature black dots on at least one side of his face.

 Corner dripped with sex appeal. His stage charisma is reminiscent of Dave Gahan’s allure, captivating the crowd as if he was their Personal Jesus. It isn’t so much watching Chris Corner on stage as it is having your eyes locked on him, unable to do much else but be mesmerized by the sharp, controlled chaos of his performance. It is reasonable to expect that IAMX will be catering to audiences as overwhelming as Depeche Mode’s fan base in a just few years.

The experience of seeing IAMX on stage is like discovering a trendy lounge that’s still underground—you immediately want to share news of this finding with your friends, but a part of you also wants to keep this treasure for yourself. The synergy was fantastic. Individually, each member engaged beautifully in their own art, and collectively, IAMX reigned in what can only be described as harmonic pandemonium.

Most songs were from The Alternative, although there were a select few from Kiss + Swallow, their debut album. The song list was as follows:

The Alternative
Bring Me Back a Dog
Negative Sex
Skin Vision
President
After Every Party I Die
Kiss + Swallow
Nightlife
Spit It Out

Encore
Clash
Song Of Imaginary Beings
Your Joy Is My Low

IAMX’s music has been compared to other powerhouse bands like Muse and Nine Inch Nails. While the associations are flattering, IAMX does have a sound of their own. It is industrial, but with less grit and more glam. It is metal, twice distilled and more refined.  It is techno, minus the headache. Eletronica with soul. Synth-pop with razors.

IAMX is the alternative.

IAMX is still currently on tour for The Alternative.  For dates and other information, visit http://www.myspace.com/iamx or http://www.iamx.co.uk. All photos courtesy of Ryan Aylsworth.