Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review & photos by Joe Dolan

March 19^th, 2014, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood, CA: John Corabi made his trek westward in 1983 from Philadelphia with the single notion of getting his music heard. As a songwriter, a front man, a guitar player and a hard rock soul – is there any other course of action? From the theoretical small town USA to becoming the face of one of hard rock’s most legendary bands, Motley Crue – John Corabi has conquered feats nearly every rock artist on the planet aspires to challenge; launching his latest tour at the Whisky on this Wednesday night, Corabi showed patrons that the proof of what a musical artist’s worth is comes from the songs themselves. Appearing almost on the same night that he last appeared at the Whisky 20 years earlier for the release of  Motley Crue’s Self Titled CD listening party, John gave his all with an acoustic guitar to grand fanfare. Continue reading “John Corabi Plays Acoustic Show At The Whisky”

Review by Darshun

March 19th 2014, The Echo, Los Angeles CA: Hailing from Brooklyn NY, hard rock band Mutoid Man played at the Echo last Wednesday March 19th on their West Coast tour with local support from Lightsystem, Black Mare and Mossbreaker, and our man Darshun was in attendance to review the show for us. Continue reading “Mutoid Man, Lightsystem, Black Mare & Mossbreaker Play At the Echo”

Review by Darshun

March 18th 2014, The Satellite, Los Angeles CA: Swedish hard rock trio Truckfighters are currently on a short US headline touring run in support of their latest album ‘Universe’, which delivers a 45-minute slab of the fuzzy desert stoner rock they’ve been known for ever since their inception in 2001. As part of this US tour, they played at the Satellite in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles last Tuesday March 18th, and quite appropriately so. Support came from their tour mates in Pottsville PA-based band Crobot, and local opener Black Belt Karate. Our man Darshun was in attendance to review the show for us. Continue reading “Truckfighters, Crobot & Black Belt Karate Perform At The Satellite”

By Taylor Younani

March 18th 2014, House Of Blues, Anaheim CA: Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero made their way to Anaheim’s House of Blues located in the heart of Downtown Disney for what was sure to be an excellent night of metal. It was clear to me from the second that I arrived at the venue that everyone was in high spirits. Between being able to walk around Downtown Disney before the show or have a beer on the outdoor patio and listen to street musicians cover classic Otis Redding tunes; very few things could have ruined my excitement. Continue reading “Protest The Hero, Battlecross, The Safety Fire & Intervals Play House Of Blues Anaheim”

By Jason Williams

March 18th 2014, Mirror Image Studios, Anaheim CA: Tuesdays, Thursday or even on the ‘dreadful’ Mondays, local shows are one of the true foundations of live concerts.  Especially when it comes to metal. The scene, back in the day was full of trading tapes, intense and passionate sold-out shows and amazing fans rocking out to their favorite bands. Tonight was an example of a somewhat low-key show on a Tuesday night, as Chicago’s own metal trio Diamond Plate made their way to Southern California on their co-headlining tour with East of the Wall. Before this show I never attended a show at the Mirror Image Studios venue despite living only a few miles away. With the highly anticipated Destruction show very soon and the Kataklysm/Aborted show in mid April at this venue, I was excited to hear some new bands I’ve haven’t had the chance to hear, as well as this surging new venue.  Continue reading “Diamond Plate Rock Mirror Image Studios In Anaheim”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

March 18th 2014, The Troubadour, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles-based power trio Philm is headed by Dave Lombardo on drums and features in its ranks Pancho Tomaselli on bass and Gerry Nestler on guitar/vocals. Of late, the trio have laying low to work on new material, and last night at the Troubadour was their first proper LA show since their headline jaunt at the Roxy in May 2013. It was nearly four years ago at the Troubadour itself that I got to witness a live Philm show for the very first time, and aside from being a showcase of sorts for the band’s new material, last night’s gig had nostalgic value for some of Philm’s cult fan base. Continue reading “Philm Performs At The Troubadour”