Show Recap – 07/19/2025 – Boor / Bong Reaper / Cryptic Derision @ Ya Sure Kombucha – James Cullen Room

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By ÆRæder

I’m back in town! I was in Malmo – but not the city in Sweden. i recently did a write up on Boor’s EP, The Dense Drag (check it out under our “Reviews” section – https://mnbleedsmetal.com/21-spins-boor-the-dense-drag/ ). Doing this and corresponding via bandcamp, we learned of this upcoming show and marked it on the calendar and prioritized making it work. We were not disappointed.

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Venue

https://www.yasurekombucha.com/  – 216 S 8th St, Brainerd, MN 56401

https://www.yasurekombucha.com/jamescullenroom

Over the past year I have noticed a couple metal shows pop up at this place. Being so far away, it was only minimally pinging my radar. Until I learned of a Boor / Bong Reaper show. I was able to pull this off in tandem with a sort of ‘up north’ fishing and boating venture. Once we pulled in, I recognized the place from previous historic downtown Brainderd ventures. No alcohol here, but a number of quality kombucha options. If you need booze or food, there are plenty of bars in this stretch of town within a very short walk.

This place is sweet. Kombucha lounge up front, and the James Cullen (showroom) in the back. Lots of space, quality sound, a sweet stage and lighting, and just a killer ambience. The elevated stage and decor were a plus. Garage dock tucked out of the way; bands could pull right up to it to load and unload gear. Seemed like ample merch table space that didn’t get in the way once the tunes cranked up. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this sorta thing up north, but this place can handle some heavy music. Unsure of the room capacity; seemed like around 2 dozen people were in attendance with ample spacing. I think it could handle 2-3x that…Without the stools in the back (see below).

Sound

No complaints here. Not necessarily the best overall I have heard, but nothing was harsh and earplugs were not necessarily mandatory. At times there was a lack of low end in the bass and kick. Soundbleed was minimal and each mic was clear. The back (where most folks hung out) dropped off in quality somewhat, but the whole room was fairly well balanced back to front and side to side. It looked like some decent sized PA monitors on the stage. Plenty of communication happened between the soundguy and the bands during setup, so I’m assuming the stage mix was solid.

Crowd

I wasn’t sure what sort of turnout would happen here, but apparently Brainderd has a scene. At the end of the show there was a successful marriage proposal! Obviously this place holds some importance and facilitates community. Again, it seemed like 2 dozen folks consistently in attendance. Fairly wide age range. Everyone seemed excited to be there, was vocally enthusiastic, and most seemed to stay from start to finish. But, most everyone stayed in the back and sat on stools. The stools were great between sets, but not sure how you can sit through all this legit good metal. No pit or movement whatsoever. A couple of us went up front and did some minimal headbanging, but I sorta felt like I was blocking everyone else’s view.

Band Mix and Performance Flow

As mentioned above, Boor has been on my radar. Bong Reaper, too, but their shit is harder to track down for someone with a short digital attention span. Cryptic Derision opened, and bookended well with Boor. Each band was very different, but an experimental doom / sludge theme held everything together and managed to make for a very cohesive lineup from start to finish. Not slow and boring, though. A lot of mid tempo heavy. 

Cryptic Derision

A fairly new band with only a couple gigs under their belt, these dudes brought it. Their tags of blackened thrash/doom are valid, with some hints of hardcore punk here and there. They had energy and brought some humor to the stage. The vibe I got was they are still seeking out a sound signature. A couple tunes were introduced in the manner of, this is:  “our thrash song” – “our doom song” – “our punk song” – “our Lord of the Rings song” (I am sorta paraphrasing here). As the set went on, things got heavier, the blackened/thrash/doom definitely became apparent. If these guys can keep playing and delve more into who they are as a band, they will be worth keeping an eye on.

Bong Reaper

Bong Reaper was by far the band most dialed into their sound. I’ve heard of and seen some snippets of them online, but found them hard to track online. We found the three tunes on bandcamp, and were wondering if they had any more to offer or if it would be a short set. It was NOT short, and they stomped out everything they played with a grungy precision and cohesion. Talking with the lead man (Chad Gross?), it seems the bandcamp site is neglected. The Soundcloud site is the place to check them out.

In terms of live action, this group is cohesive. I was very surprised to hear this was a solo project started up during covid. They perform like they’ve been together a decade or two. Heavy shit. I was thinking “Sweet Leaf” during this set, and taking notes for this writeup on the day of Ozzy’s passing, it really hammers in the impact of Sabbath. But, Bong Reaper holds their own unique sound and style, and seeing them live, I’d take them over most stoner-esque bands I’ve heard. Check them out if you have not.

Boor

Click here for my review of The Dense Drag. I am always thrilled when I can see a band whose album I have been able to delve into. I absolutely love when I can come away with a higher appreciation of them. Boor’s EP was good, but seeing them live really emphasized the skill and potential this band has. First off – I COULD HEAR THE BASS! Had a tough time with this on the album, but live and in-person, it is there and it is thundering!

Second would be the vocalist; stage presence, theatrics, and the dude fucking wails on a set of tom’s in a couple portions. Absolutely blows up the drama and emotions experienced in a small venue with this. Fits so well with what the drummer (who can wail) and the songs call for. This and a number of other performance aspects (e.g. synchronicity of the rhythms, stage theatrics, and communication between band members) made the set so entertaining. What stole the show for me, though, was some newer songs toward the end of their set. There is more to come from these dudes.

Highlights 

The venue overall was a highlight. It is legit. I’m so accustomed to going up north and enduring classic rock, country, and cover bands. It was almost shocking to hear metal in a venue that promotes diverse and original music. Keep it happening, Ya Sure Kombucha!

Shade

The stools, and the crowd that sat on them and stayed in the back. Had to be 20 some set up tight in front of the sound booth. In this smaller room, it is a big chunk of the floor space. In my view it promoted non-engagement from the crowd. This music is too good to have that many people stuck back there. Felt a little lonely as there were only a few of us within 15’ of the stage. I realize not everyone can stand for a whole show, so options to take a rest is cool. But, some of the arrangement in the back by the sound and the merch tables could be improved to facilitate a forward flow of the crowd.

Summary

Another solid example of the depth of talent and quality to be found in Minnesota. Follow Ya Sure, and be open to chance a Brainerd Lakes area venture when they bring in some more heavy stuff! And even if not a metal show, the James Cullen Room they have is worth checking out.

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