Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal
(photos by Chad Alexander)

March 16th 2017, The Belasco, Los Angeles CA: Two British bands that have been in existence for more than four decades as highly influential groups in the heavy metal realm, UFO and Saxon are currently in the United States on a co-headline tour, switching time slots every night and bringing their respective brands of classic heavy music to their fans old and new. The tour arrived in downtown Los Angeles for a gig at the Belasco Theater on Thursday March 16th 2017, as denim and leather brought us all together in the hope and expectation that these bands would set our spirits free. Continue reading “A Tale of Denim and Leather: Saxon, UFO Bring Co-Headline Tour to Los Angeles”

By Andrew Bansal
(photos by Matt Nielson)

March 10th 2017, The Regent, Los Angeles CA: To promote the release of their ninth full-length studio album ‘Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora’, longstanding Washington D.C. band Darkest Hour embarked on a US headline tour in February, and made their way to Los Angeles with touring openers Ringworm, Tombs and Rivers Of Nihil, on Friday March 10th, the actual release day of the new album via Southern Lord Records. The event took place at The Regent and also featured Black Rheno and Puncture as additional openers, and would turn out to be quite the eclectic treat of great heavy music. Continue reading “Prophets of Violence: Darkest Hour Headlines The Regent on Record Release Day”

By Andrew Bansal

March 8th 2017, The Belasco, Los Angeles CA: In the metal word, long-running Los Angeles based label Metal Blade Records is universally known for its rich history of bands that have majorly influenced the genre, and its continually unmatchable modern-day repertoire of bands on a widespread and diverse roster. Established in 1982, the label marks 35 years in 2017, and to celebrate the anniversary, five of its bands came together to embark on a full US tour this February-March. Headlined by Whitechapel, the much varied lineup also features Cattle Decapitation, Goatwhore, Allegaeon and Necromancing The Stone. The tour visited The Belasco in downtown LA last Wednesday March 8th. Even though these aren’t top-tier bands in the Metal Blade roster, they treated Los Angeles to a worthwhile evening, and their five distinct styles of extreme music combined to put forth an apt celebration of the label’s 35 years in the business. Continue reading “An Extreme Celebration: Metal Blade Records 35th Anniversary Tour visits The Belasco”

Photos by Brad Worsham

March 6th 2017, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Continuing on with their four-show Monday night February-March residency at The Roxy in West Hollywood, glam parody kings Steel Panther played the second of the four shows on March 6th with opening act Them Evils, who put on a high-energy, vintage rock n’ roll performance and got the crowd perfectly warmed up for the headliner. At 10 PM, Steel Panther took the stage to play tunes off ‘Poontang Boomerang’ and ‘Anything Goes’ off of their upcoming fourth full-length ‘Lower The Bar’ (out 3/24), their original classics, as well as a slew of covers. Drew Carey introduced them onto the stage, and guest musicians for this show were Sully Erna of Godsmack and Matt McJunkins of Eagles Of Death Metal, plus comedian Jeffrey Ross  also made an appearance. And of course, there were hot chicks aplenty on stage, and Steel Panther’s signature brand of sleazy humor and banter. Check out our photographer Brad Worsham’s images capturing all the aforementioned protagonists, plus the set list, and catch Steel Panther at one of the two remaining residency shows this month! Continue reading “Photo Gallery: Steel Panther w/ Them Evils @ The Roxy”

By Andrew Bansal
(live photos by Matt Nielson)

March 5th 2017, Complex, Glendale CA: Complex, the only bar/club venue in Glendale CA that supports heavy music, has hosted hundreds of rock/metal shows in the past four years, but last Sunday we witnessed one that was unlike any other, a stoner metal plus pot luck BBQ event put together by Church of the 8th Day. The lineup featured seven great bands from Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, and attendees were requested to bring food supplies to add to the spread. Metal and food is a match surely made in heaven, as was proven by the good times had by all in attendance here for this event. Continue reading “Rock n’ Grub: Complex hosts first SoCal Super Stoner Sunday Pot Luck”

By Andrew Bansal

March 4th 2017, The Observatory Orange County, Santa Ana CA: Following the success of the concept in 2016, Brazil’s most iconic metal brothers Max and Igor Cavalera carried on with the ‘Return to Roots’ tour through a second North American leg in 2017, with support acts Immolation and Full Of Hell. On this tour, the Cavalera brothers were set to perform Sepultura’s ‘Roots’ album in its entirety, and fans in Los Angeles/Orange County came out to witness the final show of the North American run, last Saturday March 4th 2017 at the Observatory OC in Santa Ana. Diehard Cavalera/Sepultura fans were already convinced that it would be a great show, while others were skeptical yet hopeful of a praiseworthy performance. In some ways the show transpired exactly as expected, but also had plenty of surprises in store. Continue reading “Upholding the Legacy: Cavalera Brothers Bring ‘Return to Roots’ Tour to Orange County”