Mütter Of All Spectacles: ‘Rammstein: Paris’ Shows Why Concert Films are Still Relevant

By Andrew Bansal

In an age of hi-resolution cellphone cameras and low-quality YouTube uploads, the production of elaborate, professionally shot concert films has decreased quite noticeably, as concert-going humans can now not only record and upload their own personal concert videos but can also easily broadcast them live to their own audience at the tap of a touch screen. Understandably, lesser number of bands are investing in full-on concert films, and many in the heavy metal realm simply purchase footage from music festivals and release them as is without adding any perspectives or flavors unique to the band. Enter Rammstein. Following their previous four concert films ‘Live aus Berlin’ (1999), ‘Lichtspielhaus’ (2003), ‘Völkerball’ (2006) and ‘Rammstein in Amerika’ (2015), the German industrial metal group is back with another breathtakingly spectacular video project. ‘Rammstein: Paris’ is set for release on DVD, CD and Blu-Ray via Spinefarm Records on May 19th, and opened to theatrical screenings worldwide this week, as the first Los Angeles screening was held at the Downtown Independent last night, Thursday March 23rd. Continue reading “Mütter Of All Spectacles: ‘Rammstein: Paris’ Shows Why Concert Films are Still Relevant”

Comic Book Review – Slayer ‘Repentless’ #1

By Andrew Bansal

In the year 2017, there are numerous bands that have sustained themselves successfully for three decades or more, but very few can claim to be more than just bands. Some go on to become brands, broadening their horizons beyond mere music to produce and sell various types of merchandise. Slayer is, without doubt, one such entity, and in addition to everything else they stand for, they are about to venture into a whole new territory: comic book land. Yes, Slayer is putting out a series of comic books via Dark Horse. ‘Repentless’, based on the band’s latest full-length release of the same name, and more so on the music videos created in support of the album, is a graphic story told through a trilogy of issues. Issue #1 is set to hit shelves worldwide on January 25th 2017. The album itself was a mixed bag, to say the least, but the corresponding comic book seems to be an entirely different animal. Continue reading “Comic Book Review – Slayer ‘Repentless’ #1”

From The Archives: An interview with original AC/DC bassist Mark Evans

By Andrew Bansal

In this week’s ‘From The Archives’, we revisit our interview with original AC/DC bassist Mark Evans. This interview was conducted on September 22nd 2011 and originally posted as audio. During this time, Evans was doing press to promote his autobiography ‘Dirty Deeds – My Life Inside & Outside of AC/DC’. In this interview, he gave us a taste of some of the things he writes about in the book, and we thought you would enjoy reading an excerpt from the in-depth conversation here. Continue reading “From The Archives: An interview with original AC/DC bassist Mark Evans”

From the Archives: An Interview with former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno

By Andrew Bansal

Paul Di’Anno @ Key Club 2011 – Photo by Stephanie Cullen

Here’s one from the Metal Assault archives, which many of you folks currently following the site may not have come across when it was originally posted in video form. To start off this new series wherein we will revisit and transcribe some of our old interviews that were published as audio/video, we rewind to January 6th 2011, the day after former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno had played a show at the Key Club in West Hollywood, as part of a tour with Pittsburgh metal band Icarus Witch, who were both his backing band and support act. We sat down with Paul to discuss a whole variety of things, and the honest, straightforward man that he is, he answered our questions candidly. We hope you’ll enjoy this throwback. Delve into Metal Assault’s conversation with Paul Di’Anno below. Continue reading “From the Archives: An Interview with former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno”