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By Andrew Bansal

UK thrash metal band Savage Messiah have been around since 2007, releasing three studio albums in the process but they’ve never toured North America so they remain somewhat unknown to fans of the genre in these parts. But currently they are finishing up work on their fourth studio album, the follow-up to 2012’s ‘Plague Of Conscience’, and this new album will be released early next year. Recently, their guitarist/vocalist Dave Silver was at the Carvin Guitars store in Hollywood, taking part in the ‘Shreds Of Insanity’ event put together by Century Media. A few days after the event while he was still enjoying his first ever visit to California, I spoke to him about what’s going on with Savage Messiah, the UK scene, and more. Listen to this fun chat below. Continue reading “Audio Interview With Savage Messiah Frontman Dave Silver”

By Andrew Bansal

Chicago-based melodic extreme metal band Starkill released their debut album ‘Fires Of Life’ and signed to Century Media Records earlier this year, and subsequently, a full North American tour with Wintersun, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Arsis, doing their reputation no harm whatsoever. This band of young musicians simply love writing the kind of music they like to hear, and for that reason alone they are able to connect with audiences, winning over new fans every time they take the stage. Recently, before the Los Angeles show of the Wintersun tour, guitarist/vocalist Parker Jameson did a clinic/performance at the ‘Shreds Of Insanity’ event put together by Century Media at the Carvin Guitars store in Hollywood, and I had a chance to talk to Parker about all things Starkill. Listen to the chat below. Continue reading “Audio Interview With Starkill Frontman Parker Jameson”

By Andrew Bansal

Following their stellar 2010 studio release ‘Relentless Retribution’ and an exhaustive touring cycle that saw them do headline runs and support tours with Anthrax and Testament, San Francisco Bay Area thrash veterans Death Angel are now ready to release the next album ‘The Dream Calls For Blood’, which officially comes out October 11th via Nuclear Blast Records. In many ways it’s a continuation and a sequel to Relentless Retribution. The band kept the same five-piece lineup and with ‘The Dream Calls For Blood’, they’ve simply set out to build on the success of its predecessor. The album release will be celebrated with a North American headline tour starting October 17, with support from 3 Inches Of Blood, Battlecross, Revocation and Diamond Plate. As always, fans can expect a high-octane thrash show from Death Angel. On Friday September 27, I spoke to vocalist Mark Osegueda about this new album, the past touring cycle, future plans, vocals and more. I aired the 12-minute interview on Episode 7 of the Metal Assault radio show on Razor KXRZ in the live broadcast last Wednesday October 2nd 2013, and now the podcast version of the entire episode is posted below. The Death Angel segment begins at exactly the 1:00:10 mark. Check out the full playlist for the episode here. Continue reading “Death Angel Frontman Discusses New Album, Touring & More (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

Los Angeles-based doom metal band Pendulous is not your typical local underground band by any means. Their recent live performances have been among the most mesmerizing and spine-chilling experiences I’ve ever had, and the studio recordings are just as powerful. So far in their short career they’ve released a four-track EP called ‘Mirrored Confessions’, have played some carefully and appropriately selected shows in and around Los Angeles, and will soon be working on a full-length album. I had vocalist Eric Mendoza as my in-studio guest on Episode 7 of the Metal Assault radio show on Razor KXRZ for the live broadcast last Wednesday October 2nd 2013. Now the podcast version of the entire episode is posted below. The Pendulous segment begins at the 1:22:10 mark. Check out the full playlist for the episode here. Continue reading “Audio Interview With Pendulous Vocalist Eric Mendoza”

By Andrew Bansal

One of the best things to have happened to the Los Angeles heavy music scene in recent times, Gypsyhawk are going from strength to strength in their quest for rock n’ roll domination. Following their debut full-length release ‘Patience & Perseverance’ in 2010, this ‘king of the good times’ band  started breaking out of the Los Angeles local scene, but things really started rolling for these guys once they put out their second album ‘Revelry & Resilience’ via Metal Blade Records in early 2012 and began touring actively, sharing the stage with the likes of The Sword and many other great bands. Currently, they are on an all-out rock n’ roll tour with Scorpion Child, Kadavar, Wilson and Mothership, and as I experienced for myself at the LA show of this tour on September 24th, the party vibe emanating from this lineup of bands is strong. A couple of days after the show, I had a chat with singer/bassist Eric Harris to talk about this tour, future plans, covers, and all else Gypsyhawk. Chime in to the conversation below and do yourselves a favor, give these guys a listen. Continue reading “Interview With Gypsyhawk Frontman Eric Harris”