Power Trip (supporting Terror) @ Union, Los Angeles CA 7/28: When it comes to thrash/speed metal, Dallas, Texas group Power Trip have developed a reputation of being the fiercest of them all in their eight-year career thus far, specially through the tours they’ve done since the release of their 2013 debut LP ‘Manifest Decimation’. On this summer 2016 tour supporting hardcore band Terror, Power Trip stepped on stage in Los Angeles, (which also happens to be the headliners’ hometown) with only one aim: total destruction. They were completely in the zone right from the outset and the speed and ferocity of the music played on stage was matched in full by that of the mosh pit. Terror were not flawed in their performance by any means, but were simply faced with an insurmountably daunting task of following a Power Trip set, which absolutely no active band on the planet can do.
Blade Killer (supporting Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper & Thrust) @ Complex, Glendale CA 11/22: Los Angeles based traditional metal quintet Blade Killer always choose the right shows to play and the right bands to open for, this being another such occasion for them, as they provided local support for a show at Complex featuring Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper and Thrust. Plenty of horns and fists were raised high, as this mostly denim-and-leather clad crowd was very much in approval of Blade Killer and their righteous old-school metal tunes. But a set that was initially perceived as an ideal start to the show eventually ended up being remembered as the best part of it, Blade Killer standing out as far better than the rest in terms of the quality of musicianship, energy level and stage presence. As much as musical talent, it takes courage for a new, young band to pursue a musical style whose fans would much rather prefer to remain stuck in the nostalgia of the ’80s and listen to and watch the same old bands over and over, but Blade Killer make the impossible seem possible, and show how it’s done.
Enforcer (supporting Dark Tranquillity & Swallow The Sun) @ Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim CA 11/30: Swedish traditional metal stalwarts Enforcer started the year touring North America and ended it doing the same, opening for their fellow countrymen Dark Tranquillity and Finnish doomsters Swallow The Sun for the latter. If one were to seek the living, breathing embodiment of heavy metal perfection, Enforcer would certainly be it, whether it be in the music, the dress sense, the mannerisms or the crowd interaction. Enforcer is everything a metalhead loves about metal and their live show brings it forth on stage in a manner unmatchably captivating and undeniably impressive. Vocalist/guitarist Olof Wikstrand, guitarist Joseph Tholl, bassist Tobias Lindqvist and drummer Jonas Wikstrand were all at the peak of their powers at this Anaheim show, individually and as a group, the impact of their short yet perfectly orchestrated set so indelible that it not only made Swallow The Sun look and sound like the most boring band on earth, but also vastly outdid Dark Tranquillity’s efforts. Despite performing to a new audience, Enforcer reigned supreme and emerged triumphant.
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