Lesser Key Featuring Ex-Tool Bassist Perform At The Whisky
Review by Andrew Bansal [Photos by Carsten Steinhausen], April 15th 2014, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Lesser Key, the new Los Angeles-based rock group featuring the talents of founding Tool bassist Paul D'Amour along with Andrew Zamudio (vocals+samples), Brett Fanger (guitar) and Justin Hanson (drums), released their self-titled debut EP on April 1st via Sumerian Records, and played a hometown headline show at the Whisky last night to present all six tunes on the EP in the live setting. Read more

Voyage Of Slaves, Monolith & Livin Alive Play At Down & Out Bar
By Andrew Bansal, April 14th 2014, Down & Out Bar, Los Angeles CA: Kentucky-based extreme metal band Voyage Of Slaves embarked on a US tour a couple of weeks ago with San Diego's classic metal outfit Monolith, with whom they've put out the 'Beard Splitter' split 7-inch, joining them for the California leg of the itinerary. Last night at the Down 'N Out bar in downtown LA was Voyage Of Slaves' first ever Los Angeles gig, and providing local support for this show, brought to us by underground promoters Church Of The 8th Day and Thee Static Age, were San Gabriel Valley metal quartet Livin Alive. Read more

AC/DC Tribute Band Bonfire Performs At The Whisky For AXS TV Live Broadcast
By Andrew Bansal, April 14th 2014, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Season 3 of AXS TV's "World's Greatest Tribute Bands" series is coming to its home stretch, and last night at the Whisky-A-Go-Go the penultimate episode of the season took place with Los Angeles' very own AC/DC tribute band Bonfire performing in front of a packed house, broadcast live on AXS TV and hosted as usual by Katie Daryl. Read more

Ghoul & Iron Reagan Bring 'Weapons Of Mosh Destruction II' Tour To The Roxy
By Andrew Bansal, April 13th 2014, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Cloaked marauders Ghoul embarked on a short US West Coast run earlier this month titled 'Weapons Of Mosh Destruction II' with Richmond, Virginia-based bands Iron Reagan and Occultist, and along with local opener Witchaven, the touring party made a Los Angeles stop to slay the Roxy in West Hollywood last night, for a show curated by Poor Kids Radio and Goldenvoice. Read more

Dave Mustaine Performs With San Diego Symphony
By Andrew Bansal, April 12th 2014, Copley Symphony Hall, San Diego CA: For the past few decades, heavy metal and symphony have crossed each other's paths as several metal bands and musicians have incorporated symphonic elements in their compositions, some even employing the usage of full orchestras to record and perform live. But the much-anticipated 'Symphony Interrupted' event at the Copley Hall in San Diego promised to be unique and first of its kind, with classical music at the forefront and a heavy metal icon attempting to lend his touch to it. Read more

Tesseract, Intronaut & Cloudkicker Play Sold-Out Show At The Roxy
By Taylor Younani, April 11th 2014, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: While the Roxy Theater in Hollywood has been host to countless metal shows throughout history, never before have they hosted such a splendidly ‘prog’ show. With British tech giants Tesseract headlining in support of their sophomore album Altered State, the marquee atop the Roxy boasted a sold-out sign to let all of Sunset Blvd know that the new wave of progressive metal had arrived in Hollywood that night. Read more