Lenny Sasson goes light and dark for UnderOath with CHAUVET Professional

Creativity lives on the edge, or so the saying goes. It is in that uncertain area, balanced between two opposite, and often contradictory, forces, that that new ideas seem to flow more freely, and blossom more beautifully. Lenny Sasso has no argument with that. The prolific designer, who has worked for a number of popular metal and alternative bands, finds that his creations become more powerful, and better reflect the music of his clients, when he threads the needle between lightness and darkness. “It’s funny, I got into this business because I love light, but as time’s gone on, I’ve found myself being more drawn to using darkness as a design tool,” said Sasso. “Playing with shadows makes the darker moments feel darker, and the brighter ones feel brighter.” Sasso has been balancing these opposite forces to conjure up some edgy and deeply evocative looks for UnderOath, on the Grammy‐nominated band’s current 24‐city Blind Obedience Tour. Critical to creating the light that plays out on the stage against the shadows, often from side or off‐center back angles, are 13 CHAUVET Professional COLORado PXL Bar 16 motorized tilting battens, which, like the rest of the rig, was supplied by Sonus Productions. “I have the PXL16s side loaded to cover a sidewashed look,” said Sasson. “This has allowed me to create some very cool half lit shadows on the band members’ faces that gives you a sense that they’re somewhere between light and darkness. I am also using the battens for some very moody silhouette looks. We carefully chose the right color for every moment.” Sasso added that everything in the show “was intentional” in its delivery… including the ever‐important placement of shadows and dark space.

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Photo © Randy Edwards, @randyedwardsphotos