Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

June 6th 2014, The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA: Having stood strong as the pillars and innovators of all things extreme for the past 25 years, Swedish heavy metal titans Meshuggah are out to celebrate this 25th anniversary milestone with a two-week North American tour of selected markets and festival appearances, along with North Carolina prog luminaries Between The Buried And Me as sole support act, and began this trek last night with a highly anticipated and eagerly awaited show at the Wiltern Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Continue reading “Meshuggah Brings 25 Years Of Musical Deviance To The Wiltern”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

June 5th 2014, Bonnerhaus, North Hollywood CA: Featuring the talents of Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me), Walter Fancourt (Casual Curious, Brand New Life) and Matt Lynch (Eyris) in its ranks, Trioscapes is an instrumental progressive rock/fusion band that started out three years ago, was taken on by Between The Buried And Me’s label Metal Blade, and released their debut album ‘Separate Realities’ in 2012, an album that instantly found an audience amongst prog rock/metal fans. But owing to BTBAM’s prolific schedule, the North Carolina/Georgia based Trioscapes hasn’t been doing a whole lot of live gigs, specially not along the US West Coast. But finally, they were able to work out a couple of shows in our neck of the woods and on the eve of BTBAM’s LA gig with Meshuggah, Trioscapes played a small headline show of their own at Bonnerhaus in North Hollywood last night. Continue reading “Trioscapes Play Intimate Headline Show In North Hollywood”

By Chad Alexander

June 4th 2014, Marquee Theatre, Tempe AZ: Last Wednesday night, Tempe AZ was bludgeoned by the triple attack of Butcher Babies, Devil You Know, and headliners Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society. Continue reading “‘Golden Gods’ Tour Hammers Through Tempe AZ”

Review by Andrew Bansal
[Video by Arturo Gallegos] 

June 2nd 2014, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: Formerly having called Los Angeles home for a number of years, the now Chicago-based atmospheric black metal band Abigail Williams are currently on a North American headline run and visited their old stomping ground for a show at the Five Star Bar along with touring support act Panzerfaust (contrary to the poster above, Lecherous Nocturne did not play this show) and local openers Insentient and Empyrean Throne. Presented by No Clean Singing and local underground promoters The Elegy Ensemble, the gig promised an enjoyable evening for extreme metal fans in Los Angeles. Continue reading “Abigail Williams, Panzerfaust, Insentient & Empyrean Throne Play At Five Star Bar”

Review by Andrew Bansal
[Photos by Brad Worsham]

May 31st 2014, House Of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood CA: Bringing their ‘Victimology’ spring/summer North American trek home, Los Angeles hardcore punk veterans Black Flag headlined the House Of Blues Sunset Strip last night with touring support act Cinema Cinema and local opener The Dollyrots. The night prior to the show, I was at the Loaded Rock Bar in Hollywood, gazing at a poster depicting the marquee of the famous Ramones/Black Flag show at the Palladium on November 17 1984 along with the LAPD riot squad that had to be deployed outside the venue on that occasion. It was at that moment that I realized I’d be seeing Black Flag  in less than 24 hours, which I’ve never done before, although I’d seen a number of hard rock and heavy metal bands playing Black Flag covers live and on studio albums over the years, Sepultura’s cover of ‘Rise Above’, Cavalera Conspiracy’s ‘Six Pack’ and Converge’s ‘Annihilate This Week’ coming to mind straightaway. So, despite the never-ending debates, discussions and criticisms surrounding the band’s current lineup, I was looking forward to my first ever live Black Flag experience. Continue reading “Black Flag Performs At House Of Blues Sunset Strip”

By Andrew Bansal

May 30th 2014, Loaded Rock Bar, Hollywood CA: Following the success of its inaugural edition last February, ‘Tribute To The Gods’ returned to Loaded Hollywood for its second event last night. Presented by Lara Gladstone, the lineup once again featured Electric Funeral and Cliff ‘Em All, paying homage to classic Black Sabbath and Cliff Burton era Metallica respectively, along with new additions Diamonds And Rust, a tribute to Priest, and all-female Alice In Chains tribute act Allison Chains. A good turnout was expected on this Friday night in the heart of Hollywood, and attendees were anticipating a great night of live music. Continue reading “Loaded Hollywood Hosts ‘Tribute To The Gods’ Vol 2”