Russian Circles, Helms Alee & KEN Mode Perform At The El Rey
Review & photos by Andrew Bansal [Videos by Matt Nielson], March 10th 2014, The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA: Chicago-based instrumental heavy rock trio Russian Circles have been going from strength to strength in recent years, and since the last time I saw them headline the Troubadour in December 2011, they've traveled quite a fair distance as a band, literally and figuratively. Their latest album 'Memorial' has gained widespread praise and as a consequence, they've been getting booked on plenty of tours both as headliners and opening act. Read more

The Ocean & Scale The Summit Co-Headline The Lyric Theatre In Los Angeles
By Andrew Bansal, March 8th 2014, The Lyric Theatre, Los Angeles CA: Based out of Houston TX and Berlin, Germany respectively, Scale The Summit and The Ocean have both made a habit of touring America on a regular basis, and still on the touring cycle for their spectacular latest album releases, the two bands came together for a co-headline tour, along with support acts The Atlas Moth from Chicago and Los Angeles' own Silver Snakes. Read more

Video Recap - Gravehill, The Funeral Pyre, Old Coven & Savage Reign At The Complex
Videos by Arturo Gallegos, March 8th 2014, The Complex, Glendale CA: Southern California's Gravehill have been spreading their brand of crushing yet entertaining extreme metal to the masses for well over a decade, and are one of the more enjoyable live bands going around in the LA scene. The quintet released their new album 'Death Curse' via Dark Descent Records and played a headline show at the Complex in Glendale last Saturday in celebration of its release, along with the ever-amazing The Funeral Pyre and opening acts Old Coven and Savage Reign. Read more

Video Recap - Dark As Death, Sakrificer & More At Five Star Bar
Videos by Arturo Gallegos, March 7th 2014, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: Last Friday, downtown Los Angeles' Five Star Bar played host to an underground extreme metal gig presented by The Elegy Ensemble and promising to showcase some great local talent. Los Angeles death metal veterans of 25 years Dark As Death were the headline act of this event, along with main support from Sakrificer and opening acts Horrid, Bestial Slaughter and Sanatanas. Read more

Christian Mistress, Gypsyhawk & Night Demon Rock The Slidebar
By Andrew Bansal, March 5th 2014, The Slidebar, Fullerton CA: It had been quite a long while since Seattle, Washington-based traditional heavy metal band Christian Mistress played a gig in Southern California, but the wait for them and their cult fan base was finally over as they visited the Slidebar in Fullerton for a free show last night, along with Los Angeles-based support acts Gypsyhawk and Night Demon. For fans of old-school hard rock/heavy metal in the area, the lineup was nothing short of mouthwatering and promised to deliver a memorable show. Read more