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By Andrew Bansal

Even in their short two-year career span so far, Richmond VA crossover thrash/hardcore punk group Iron Reagan have transcended themselves far beyond being known as a side-project or supergroup of members from other bands such as Municipal Waste and Darkest Hour. On the 2013 full-length debut album ‘Worse Than Dead’ and a couple of other EP/split releases, Iron Reagan’s music has come across as concise and hard-hitting, and these qualities are all the more evident in their live performances which have made them one of the most devastating live acts to have surfaced in these last two years. The unstoppable Iron Reagan are now ready to release their second full-length ‘The Tyranny Of Will’ on September 16th via Relapse Records, and last week I spoke to vocalist Tony Foresta to discuss this 24-track, 30-minute rager and lots more. Enjoy the conversation below.  Continue reading “Vocalist Tony Foresta Discusses New Iron Reagan Album ‘The Tyranny Of Will’”

By Aniruddh ‘Andrew’ Bansal

Hailing from Karachi, Pakistan, doom metal band Dusk have been around for nearly two decades, easily one of the oldest South-East Asian bands in the genre, and this year they teamed up with fellow doom veterans Dying Embrace from Bangalore, India for a split album called ‘Through Corridors Of Dead Centuries’ which was released recently via Indian label Cyclopean Eye, featuring five crushing tracks each from Dusk and Dying Embrace. Last night, I had a Skype conversation with the ever-articulate Dusk frontman Babar Sheikh to discuss the making of this split, the Motörhead cover, doom as a means of liberation, his favorite doom bands and future plans. Read the conversation below. Continue reading “In Conversation With Babar Sheikh Of Pakistani Doom Band Dusk”

By Andrew Bansal

Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Canadian band Striker formed in 2007 and have already played their part in waving the flag of classic heavy metal through some excellent music and a solid amount of touring across Canada and Europe, presenting songs filled to the brim with righteously old-school metal and decorated with enjoyably cheesy lyrics. Their third full-length album ‘City Of Gold’ is set for release in North America on September 9th via Napalm Records, a set of tunes that sees the band blend thrashier elements along with the signature classic style they’ve portrayed over the past seven years. Last week, I spoke to vocalist Dan Cleary to discuss the new album, Canadian metal, touring, lyrical themes, great vocalists and other things. Read the conversation below. Continue reading “Interview With Striker Vocalist Dan Cleary”

By Andrew Bansal

Known for his multiple stints in seminal English space rock group Hawkwind, Nik Turner has been an innovator and an inspirer in the genre, and still continues to deliver the Hawkwind experience to fans and curious observers who didn’t exist to witness his original tours with Hawkwind back the late 60s and early 70s. Focusing primarily on the ‘Space Ritual’ album and its corresponding live show, Turner puts forth a mind-blowing exhibition of rock and psychedelia, just like he did at the Viper Room in West Hollywood last week, on the second show of his ongoing North American headline tour which he started off by playing a gig on his 74th birthday in Oakland CA. An hour before he took the stage with his backing band Hedersleben, I sat down with Turner to firstly smoke a joint and then do an interview. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “Nik Turner Delves Into ‘Space Ritual’ & Lots More”

By Andrew Bansal

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, doom metal band Witch Mountain are preparing for a major change with the imminent departure of singer Uta Plotkin, but they’ve delivered one final treat to fans before doing so, in the form of their fourth full-length studio album ‘Mobile Of Angels’ which is set for a September 30 release via Profound Lore Records. Currently they’re out trekking across North America on their final tour with Plotkin as support act to Nik Turner’s Hawkwind, presenting this new material. The second show of this tour was at the Viper Room on August 27, and a few hours before they combined with Turner for a truly mind-bending show, I sat down with drummer Nathan Carson and guitarist Rob Wrong for a detailed chat about touring with Nik Turner, the new album, future plans, van tips and lots more, Enjoy the conversation below and catch Witch Mountain on this unmissable tour. Continue reading “In Conversation With Nathan Carson & Rob Wrong Of Witch Mountain”