“It’s Actually a Great Time to be Playing Music”: Mountain Tamer discuss Latest Album, Touring, Music Industry, LA Scene and more

Heavy psych trio Mountain Tamer started out in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011, moved to Los Angeles a few years later, and have since become an integral part of the LA underground heavy music community. Comprising Andru Hall (guitar/vocals), Casey Garcia (drums) and Dave Teget (bass), Mountain Tamer has been hitting it particularly hard since the August 2018 release of their second full-length, Godfortune / Dark Matters, and are gearing up for lots more activity. Right now they are getting ready to share the stage with Omega Sun (Slovenia), Captain Caravan (Norway) and Solar Haze (LA) for a free show next Monday May 20 at the Down N Out in downtown Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Metal Assault sat down with Andru and Casey for an in-depth conversation about the band’s latest release and tours, their thoughts on the current state of the music industry, SF vs LA scenes, future plans and more. Enjoy the chat below, along with a taste of the band’s music. Continue reading ““It’s Actually a Great Time to be Playing Music”: Mountain Tamer discuss Latest Album, Touring, Music Industry, LA Scene and more”

Doro Pesch on How a Song Becomes an Anthem: “It Has to Come Straight from the Heart and Soul”

To metalheads, the name Doro Pesch needs no introduction. You would be hard-pressed to find a metal musician so passionate and dedicated towards her craft, as Doro is. Her latest album Forever Warriors, Forever United was released in August 2018 via Nuclear Blast, and she has just landed in the United States with her band, to embark on a co-headline tour with Metal Church. Doro recently spoke to Metal Assault about touring in the States, set lists, anthems, future plans and more. Enjoy the chat below, and catch Doro on tour! Continue reading “Doro Pesch on How a Song Becomes an Anthem: “It Has to Come Straight from the Heart and Soul””

Letting the Good Times Roll: Craig Locicero & Kayla Dixon discuss new band Dress The Dead

Sustaining a group of people through any level of longevity and success is perhaps one of the most insurmountable challenges of the human existence. On the other side of the coin, limiting oneself to a single goal is equally difficult for a talented individual. As you and I know very well, these scenarios very much apply to our world of heavy music. You cannot keep talented musicians quiet for too long, you cannot limit them to a single project. Out of broken-up bands rise new ones, and oftentimes musicians in already successful, established bands stumble upon an exciting side-project. Based out of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dress The Dead combines the individual and collective pedigree of guitarists Craig Locicero (Forbidden, Spiral Arms, Manmade God) and Dan Delay (Drawing Heaven), bassist James Walker (Manmade God), drummer Mark Hernandez (Forbidden), and vocalist Kayla Dixon (Witch Mountain). Channeling the frustrations of the breakups of his previous bands into positive creativity, and finding the perfect group of musicians, Locicero has landed upon something special with Dress The Dead. Earlier this week, even as they were busy preparing for their first Los Angeles show this coming Friday, Metal Assault spoke to Craig Locicero and Kayla Dixon for an interview. Get to know this band through this in-depth chat, along with a taste of the band’s music. Continue reading “Letting the Good Times Roll: Craig Locicero & Kayla Dixon discuss new band Dress The Dead”

Peace and Rock: In conversation with Graveyard frontman Joakim Nilsson

In the last decade or so, Swedish band Graveyard has mastered the art of classic hard rock. From their 2006 inception to now, the group has steadily emerged and built up to become one of the dominant purveyors that are keeping the genre alive and kicking, with their fresh take on an age-old style of music. Graveyard’s fifth and latest studio album Peace was released in 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records, and witnesses the band’s coming of age into one of the finest groups of dynamic songwriters and musicians. Performing songs new and old, Graveyard is currently on a co-headline North American tour with Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats. Last Tuesday March 12, guitarist/vocalist Joakim Nilsson spoke to Metal Assault about all things Graveyard. Enjoy the chat below, get a taste of the new music, and catch the band on tour! Continue reading “Peace and Rock: In conversation with Graveyard frontman Joakim Nilsson”

“The Day You Feel You’ve Got Nothing Left to Learn, it’s the Beginning of the End”: Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci discusses New Album, Touring, Guitar Camps & more

Prog titans Dream Theater released their 14th studio full-length, Distance Over Time, on February 22 via InsideOut Music / Sony, and later this month, will embark on a North American “evening with” tour, playing two full sets, comprising a mix of new and old material, plus Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory in its entirety, to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the iconic concept album’s release.  The band’s newest effort certainly leaves no stone unturned in capturing the essence of what the DT name has meant and represented for over 30 years, but at the same time it also carries a distinctly modern feel, and witnesses the band succeed in attaining the often elusive balance between consistency and evolution. Guitarist, co-founder and songwriter John Petrucci spoke to Metal Assault last Tuesday March 5, about all things DT and JP. Enjoy the in-depth chat below, along with a taste of the new music, track listing, tour dates and everything else. Continue reading ““The Day You Feel You’ve Got Nothing Left to Learn, it’s the Beginning of the End”: Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci discusses New Album, Touring, Guitar Camps & more”

“Live Albums give you an Imagination that Studio Albums Don’t”: A Candid Conversation with Marty Friedman

To readers of this site, the name Marty Friedman needs no introduction. The legendary metal guitarist is releasing his new live album One Bad M.F. Live, his 14th solo album overall,this Friday October 19 via Prosthetic Records. Recorded at Centro Cultural in Mexico City on April 14 2018, this album is the rawest, purest representation and celebration of Marty’s career, as well as the sheer brilliance and class of his band, comprising Kiyoshi (bass), Jordan Ziff (guitar) and Chargeeee (drums). To celebrate the release, Marty Friedman and band will be playing a very special intimate concert at the Viper Room in West Hollywood on October 21. Marty recently spoke to Metal Assault to discuss the new record, his band, his favorite live albums, his memories of the Viper Room, and an obscure solo project from the past. Enjoy the candid conversation below. Continue reading ““Live Albums give you an Imagination that Studio Albums Don’t”: A Candid Conversation with Marty Friedman”

Three Decades and Counting: Paradise Lost vocalist Nick Holmes discusses band’s 30th Anniversary

British band Paradise Lost not only originated a unique cross-section of sub-genres of heavy music, they stayed with it and kept refining it, and have now been doing so for 30 years. Based out of Halifax, West Yorkshire, Paradise Lost combined their inspirations and influences from the worlds of death metal, doom metal and gothic rock to formulate their own signature style and over the years, have given heavy metal enthusiasts a lot to absorb and cherish, releasing as many as 15 studio albums till date, touring around the world many times over, and showing no signs of stopping any time soon. This Fall, Paradise Lost is launching their 30th anniversary tour with a North American headline run, also featuring support acts Solstafir and The Atlas Moth. Vocalist Nick Holmes recently spoke to Metal Assault in a highly insightful, in-depth chat, discussing the band’s 30-year career and lots more. Enjoy the conversation below. Continue reading “Three Decades and Counting: Paradise Lost vocalist Nick Holmes discusses band’s 30th Anniversary”

Playing to Win: In Conversation with Striker guitarist Tim Brown

In this day and age, perhaps no other heavy metal band is as prolific and powerful as Canadian group Striker. Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, this traditional/power metal band was formed in 2007, and has already released five fantastic studio albums in the last 8 years. They are now gearing up to unveil their sixth full-length, Play to Win, set for an independent release on October 26. Guitarist Tim Brown spoke to Metal Assault recently during the band’s ongoing North American co-headline tour with fellow Canadian band Unleash The Archers. Enjoy the conversation below and make sure to pick up a copy of the new album, because every Striker album is satisfaction guaranteed! Continue reading “Playing to Win: In Conversation with Striker guitarist Tim Brown”

“We Want Rock n’ Roll to be Dangerous Again”: In Conversation with Bewitcher bassist Andreas Magus

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, “Satanic speed metal” trio Bewitcher has become a major force to reckon with in the US heavy metal underground since their 2013 inception, and after the 2016 release of their self-titled debut full-length in particular. Known for their relentlessly fast and violent tunes and off-the-chains ritualistic live performances, Bewitcher looks all set to conquer the metal underground and rise above the surface in the foreseeable future. As of right now, Bewitcher is getting ready to embark on the “Western Blasphemy” US West Coast mini-tour. Bassist Andreas Magus spoke to Metal Assault recently about the tour and all other things Bewitcher. Enjoy the conversation below, and join the Satanic speed metal cult! Continue reading ““We Want Rock n’ Roll to be Dangerous Again”: In Conversation with Bewitcher bassist Andreas Magus”

Speed Metal Thunder: Road Rash guitarist talks about Insane Live Shows, Upcoming Tour & more

Based out of Vancouver BC, Road Rash is one of the worthiest flag-bearers of traditional speed metal to have emerged in the last few years. Already making a name for themselves with their high-octane live performances and compelling studio recordings, Road Rash is gearing up for their first US West Coast tour. Rhythm guitarist and designated hype beast Sheldon Byer recently spoke to Metal Assault about all things Road Rash and more. Enjoy the conversation below, along with a taste of the band’s music, and make sure to catch them on their tour which includes a free show at the Slidebar put on by Metal Assault! Continue reading “Speed Metal Thunder: Road Rash guitarist talks about Insane Live Shows, Upcoming Tour & more”