Author: admin

By Andrew Bansal

Los Angeles-based progressive rock outfit Phavian have been around for a few years plying their trade in the local underground scene, carrying out their musical ambitions all on their own, writing and performing the kind of music they like to listen to. Their latest release is the ‘Meridian II’ LP which came out last March. Now, they’re gearing up for a massive DIY three-and-a-half month long tour, for which they’re running a IndieGoGo campaign as well. A week or so ago, I caught up with four-fifths of the band, sans guitarist Rob Cubillos, at a little coffee place somewhere in West LA to talk in detail about all things Phavian. Listen to the 23-minute conversation below, check out their music and tour dates using the links below, and contribute to their IndieGoGo campaign if you like what you hear. Continue reading “In-depth Interview With Phavian (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

Los Angeles-based experimental/post metal band Intronaut released their fourth studio album ‘Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)’ via Century Media a couple of months ago, a typically untypical album from this group of diversely talented musicians. As a build-up to the release they did a US tour with Meshuggah and Animals As Leaders, along with their previous adventures opening for Tool. Now they are gearing up to hit the road again on their own headline tour. Recently, I caught up with guitarist/vocalist Sacha Dunable to talk about the recent tours, new album, among other things. Listen to the 15-minute conversation below, and check them out on the upcoming headline tour. Continue reading “Interview With Intronaut’s Sacha Dunable (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

Just like their current tour mates Cannibal Corpse, New York death metal giants Immolation are also completing the 25th year of their journey in extreme music in 2013. Nine albums deep into this career, led by bassist/vocalist Ross Dolan and guitarist Robert Vigna, they remain as strong and relevant as ever and the latest of those 9 albums ‘Kingdom Of Conspiracy’ came out via Nuclear Blast Records just a couple of weeks ago. On the aforementioned tour with Cannibal Corpse, they made a stop at the Observatory (formerly the Galaxy) in Santa Ana on May 16, and a few hours before they crushed that stage, I spoke to Robert Vigna about this tour, the new album, the very early days of Immolation, and more. Listen to the 11-minute chat below, and read my review of the Santa Ana show by following the related link at the bottom of this page. Continue reading “Immolation Guitarist Robert Vigna Discusses Touring, New Album & Early Days (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

In 2013, death metal veterans Cannibal Corpse are celebrating 25 years of their career in delivering crushing extreme metal to the masses. Last year saw the release of their latest album ‘Torture’ on Metal Blade Records followed by a massive Summer Slaughter touring run. Currently, they are on yet another monster lineup with Napalm Death and Immolation, trekking across North America. They stopped by at the Observatory, previously known as the Galaxy, in Santa Ana CA on May 16 for a typically brutal performance. Before the gig, I had a chance to sit down with guitarist Rob Barrett for a 10-minute chat. Listen to the interview below, and check out my review of the Santa Ana show by following the link at the bottom of this page. Continue reading “Interview With Cannibal Corpse Guitarist Rob Barrett (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

San Francisco-based hardcore punk/thrash band Early Graves put out a killer new record called ‘Red Horse’ last October via No Sleep Records, and have been actively touring ever since. A couple of weeks ago, they joined fast-rising Finnish grindcore outfit Rotten Sound for a run of four dates that included a gig at the Joint in West Los Angeles on May 13th 2013. Before the start of the show, I had a chance to catch up with frontman John Strachan to talk about Early Graves’ recent activities, the latest on The Funeral Pyre, vocals, record collection, and a few other things. Listen to the 10-minute conversation below. Continue reading “John Strachan Talks Early Graves, The Funeral Pyre & Record Collection (Audio)”

By Andrew Bansal

Based out of Providence, Rhode Island, doom/sludge outfit Howl made waves in their genre’s sub-culture with their 2010 debut release ‘Full Of Hell’, following which they did a series of high-profile tours including the first edition of the now annual Metal Alliance Tour in 2011, opening for the likes of Saint Vitus and Crowbar. Two years on, they’ve put out their sophomore album ‘Bloodlines’ on Relapse Records. The record came out on May 1st in North America, and is already being regarded as a big step in the right direction from the band, music-wise. A week after the release, I spoke to vocalist/guitarist Vincent Hausman over the telephone about the making of this new album, among other things. Listen to the 11-minute conversation below. Continue reading “Interview With Howl Vocalist/Guitarist Vincent Hausman (Audio)”