Metal Assault: Interviews

By Andrew Bansal

Motor Sister is a brand new Los Angeles-based rock ‘n roll ensemble that comprises Scott Ian (guitar), Joey Vera (bass), John Tempesta (drums) and Pearl Aday (vocals), along with frontman Jim Wilson on guitar and vocals, whose old band Mother Superior is the music this new group is bringing back to life. Motor Sister first performed together as a one-off for Scott Ian’s fiftieth birthday party, but then recorded a whole album called ‘Ride’, full of Mother Superior songs and slated to release via Metal Blade Records on March 10th. They have also announced a select few live shows to present the band and its music on stage, including a gig at the Whisky-A-Go-Go on March 11th. Last week, I spoke to Joey Vera about Motor Sister. Enjoy the conversation below and check out our ticket giveaway for the LA show at the bottom of the post. Continue reading “Joey Vera Talks About New Band Motor Sister”

By Andrew Bansal

Los Angeles-based progressive thrash metal quartet Desecrate have been in existence for longer than most people in the scene realize. Aside from utilizing their natural abilities to write compelling heavy music, the band has worked tirelessly to stay together and stay relevant. Veterans of the local club circuit, Desecrate are preparing to play at the Troubadour on Saturday March 21st along with Diamond Lane, Delta Rose, BrainDead, Future Villains and The Sahns, for a show put together by Lara Gladstone. For Desecrate, the show marks the release of their long-awaited and well thought-out third full-length album ‘Of Death And Damnation’. Last week, I sat down with Nick Simile (vocals/guitar) and Chase Becker (guitar) for a detailed chat about all things Desecrate. Enjoy the conversation below and LA folks can purchase tickets here to check them out at the Troubadour. Continue reading “In-depth Interview With Desecrate”

By Andrew Bansal

Norwegian progressive metal group Enslaved is constantly on an introspective mission to explore and expand their musicianship, and the latest result of their creative efforts is their thirteenth studio album ‘In Times’, slated for release via Nuclear Blast Records on March 10 2015. A follow-up to the magnificent 2012 release ‘RIITIIR’, the new album comprises six tracks of songwriting brilliance, giving extreme metal a new level of accessibility even to non-fans of the sub-genre, by intertwining its elements with soaring clean melodies. To present material from ‘In Times’ and from their back catalog on stage, Enslaved are about to embark on a North American headline tour with support acts Yob and Ecstatic Vision, and will play a record release show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Friday March 6th (purchase tickets here). A few weeks ago, I spoke to guitarist and principal songwriter Ivar Bjørnson to discuss the album, among other things. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “Enslaved Guitarist Discusses New Album ‘In Times’ + More”

By Andrew Bansal

In 2014, Los Angeles-based quintet Diamond Lane made a rapid rise as a force to be reckoned with in the hard rock and heavy metal scene in their hometown and beyond. For Diamond Lane, 2014 was centered around the release of their latest full-length effort ‘Terrorizer’, a nine-track offering of quintessential American ‘working class’ heavy music. In addition to mind-blowing local performances at venues such as Loaded and Troubadour, Diamond Lane frequent Las Vegas and the California desert, and in their attempt to branch out into newer territories in 2015, they’ve already announced their participation in the upcoming Rocklahoma festival. I recently caught up with singer Brandon Baumann to talk all things Diamond Lane and more. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “True American Firepower: In Conversation With Diamond Lane Singer Brandon Baumann”

By Andrew Bansal

Known and revered as Stryper frontman for three decades, along with a solo career that has existed for almost as long, vocalist. guitarist, songwriter and producer Michael Sweet has launched a new collaborative side-project with guitar virtuoso George Lynch, a project that also features the rhythm section of Brian Tichy on drums and James Lomenzo on bass. The ‘Sweet & Lynch’ debut album ‘Only To Rise’ was released in late January 2015 via Frontiers Records. I recently had a chance to talk to Michael Sweet about this new project, production, singing, future plans and more. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “Michael Sweet Discusses New Collaboration With George Lynch & More”

By Andrew Bansal

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Blackwitch Pudding have been propagating their fuzzed out cosmic party doom wizardry on earth for the past 600 years, and recently completed a successful ‘Magic Up Your Butt’ US headline tour. The tour included a Los Angeles stop at the Five Star Bar on February 6th, and a few hours before they took the stage and cast their spells on the fortunate ones in attendance, I sat down with guitarist/vocalist Space Wizard and drummer/vocalist Wizard Wizard to discuss the tour, the wizardry, the live rituals, the parties and their latest album ‘Covered In Pudding – Volume 1’. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “Wizards Of Fuzz: An Interview With Blackwitch Pudding”