In a striking display of discipline, musicianship and athleticism, Kodo’s "One Earth Tour" captivated the audience at West Virginia University’s Creative Arts Center.

The two-part performance consisted of seven separate pieces in all. These ranged from traditional pieces to compositions as recent as 2012 and encased a massive range of styles.

The first piece, "Kaden," gets its name from the musical term, cadenza, in which a soloist performs freely among other sounds.

In it, the drummers exchanged positions, changing soloist constantly but seamlessly transitioning from one drummer to another.

The second, "Monochrome," was perhaps the most musically interesting. Through constant beats, players would maneuver their way around complicated rhythmic patterns and meter changes, gracefully navigating even the fastest and most complex rhythms.

Perhaps most striking was the range of dynamics.

Occasionally, there might be a pulse so quiet it barely made its way through the hall, which would slowly expand into a wall-shaking, heart-pounding tour de force that left the audience in a state of awe when it suddenly ended.

In the second act, the O-Daiko drum was brought out.

This is an enormous drum – four feet across – and it was housed on a large cart. At any time, two performers might simultaneously play the drum, adding to the depth of the rhythms.

Layers upon layers of drums were combined to create patterns that ranged from the most strictly measured and analytical to very danceable and almost jazzy pulses at times.

The occasional addition of cymbals, gongs or bamboo flutes also developed the concert, and when the group performed arrangements of traditional Japanese pieces, it was amazing to see the simple melodies become huge, intricate pieces through just the drums.

The finale, an arrangement of a traditional Japanese tune that included flutes as well as several kinds of drums, utilized a drumming technique unique to Taiko drums.

During a festival called Saitama Prefecture, a two-story cart is pulled from village to village. The Taiko drum is kept in the first story, leaving the drummer sitting in the cramped space.

Kodo truly is a sight to behold. Not only were the pieces viscerally engaging as the huge drums echoed throughout Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre, vibrating the walls, but they were also meticulously staged – almost like a carefully choreographed dance.

With very little onstage aside from the performers and drums, this remained a full-blown spectacle.

The lighting, designed by Katsuhiro Kumada, was ingenious and added to the already stunning performance.

The athleticism of the performers was also showcased throughout the evening.

At no moment were the performers able to stand still, and the intensity of the drumming was clearly strenuous.

This show was an incredible performance in every possible way. It was a dance, a cultural experience and a concert all in one.