The Ex + Liturgy

Throughout its 32-year career, Dutch collective the Ex has tweaked its rhythmic postpunk sound almost continuously. With an open-door policy toward new sounds, the group has invited collaborations with Tortoise, Sonic Youth, and avant musicians like Ken Vandermark and Han Bennink, and delved into the realms of free improv, African folk music and, most recently, Ethiopian jazz and funk. It's newest is Catch My Shoe, produced by Steve Albini. Opening is Liturgy, a local avant-black-metal outfit, whose forthcoming Thrill Jockey debut, Aesthethica, is one of the most arresting albums of the young year.