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By Andrew Bansal

Unrelenting in their quest for metal domination, Canadian quintet Striker are ready to release their fifth album, a self-titled effort, on February 24th, even as they continue to savor the success of their fourth full-length ‘Stand in the Fire’ which came out less than a year ago. Striker are currently scorching stages across the United States, playing headline shows on the way to getting on board the 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise. They put forth a scintillating 14-song set at Complex in Glendale CA last Tuesday January 24th 2017, and before the show, Metal Assault caught up with guitarist Tim Brown for an in-person interview to discuss the ongoing tour, ‘Stand in the Fire’, the upcoming self-titled release, songwriting, and more. Listen to the chat below: Continue reading ““There’s Never a Drought of Songwriting Ideas”: In Conversation with Striker guitarist Tim Brown (audio)”

By Sebastian Vazquez

Based in the heart of San Diego, and needing no introduction to metalheads in San Diego, Symbolic is a progressive/power metal quintet that is just about to put out their fifth record titled ‘5ive’, on Saturday January 28th. They will be playing a hometown show at the Brick By Brick in celebration of their upcoming studio release and have been making serious waves in the metal scene for several years. They have shared the stage with national acts like Adrenaline Mob, Fates Warning, UFO, Brian Wheat of Tesla, Philm with Dave Lombardo, Resurrection Kings, Flotsam and Jetsam, Holy Grail, and many others. Continue reading “The Power of 5ive: In Conversation with San Diego prog metal group Symbolic”

Interview by Jason Williams

Formed in 2010 and based out of San Francisco, California, Deafheaven is described as post-metal, shoegaze metal, atmospheric black metal or “blackgaze”, but genre tags aside, they are only rising further in heights of popularity, first catapulting into widespread success and acclaim with their 2013 sophomore effort ‘Sunbather’ and continuing to move in the right direction with the subsequent full-length release ‘New Bermuda’ in 2015. In 2017, they are set for tours across North America and Europe, but as a special treat for LA fans, on January 12th and 13th, they took over the Echoplex for two sold-out shows. Our man Jason Williams was on site for night #1, and before the show, sat down with vocalist George Clarke for a chat about all things Deafheaven. Enjoy the conversation below: Continue reading ““We Pressure Ourselves to Not Repeat the Same Record”: In Conversation with Deafheaven vocalist George Clarke”

By Andrew Bansal

One of the finest voices in the stoner/desert rock realm for nearly three decades, John Garcia is known for his singing contributions to bands such as Kyuss, Vista Chino, Slo-Burn, Unida and Hermano, but he also launched a solo career with his eponymous debut in 2014. He is back with his second solo effort, but this time a fully acoustic one, ‘The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues’, set for release on January 27th 2017 via Napalm Records. Aside from Garcia’s immaculate vocal delivery, the record also features Ehren Groban on acoustic guitar, Greg Saenz on percussions and Mike Pygmie on bass. Last Sunday January 15th, John Garcia spoke to Metal Assault to share his thoughts on this release. Enjoy the conversation below: Continue reading ““This Record is Not For Everybody”: John Garcia Discusses New Solo Acoustic Album”

By Andrew Bansal

German thrash titans Kreator have been unrelenting in their quest for global domination since their 1982 inception. This is not your average ’80s nostalgia act, and the band is just as relevant in the modern day as they were when they first broke through in the mid-80s. Even in recent years, they’ve been one of the fiercest live bands on stage and a highly dynamic unit in the studio, thanks to the creative direction of vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza. Kreator’s 14th full-length studio album ‘Gods Of Violence’ comes as eagerly awaited, five years after the previous effort, and is set for release on January 27th 2017 via Nuclear Blast. The band is also ready to scorch stages in Europe and North America. Mille Petrozza recently spoke to Metal Assault in a very candid conversation about the album and lots more. Enjoy it below: Continue reading ““In order to Stay Creative, You Need to be Open-Minded”: In Conversation with Kreator frontman Mille Petrozza”

By Andrew Bansal

German old-school metal band Grave Digger have been in existence since 1980, but 35 years and 17 albums later, they finally did their first North American tour as support act to their fellow Germans in Blind Guardian, and gave their legion of fans in this content a taste of what they’re like as a live band. Amidst their two highly successful North American runs as well as tours worldwide, Grave Digger also completed their 18th full-length studio album ‘Healed By Metal’, releasing today, January 13th 2017 via Napalm Records. Metal Assault recently spoke to vocalist Chris Boltendahl, to discuss the new album and lots more. Delve into the conversation below and get healed by metal! Continue reading “Metal Healers: Grave Digger Frontman Discusses New Album & more”