Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

January 18 2014, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles industrial metal veterans Fear Factory recently completed a North American tour as main support to Megadeth. They played in front of crowds the majority of whom were completely unfamiliar with them, and for hometown fans who attended the Southern California show of that tour at the Grove Of Anaheim, it really wasn’t the ideal atmosphere for a Fear Factory live experience. But a month later, Fear Factory returned to their beloved Sunset Strip and played a headline show at the Whisky-A-Go-Go, as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration month. The band has had a long relationship with the Whisky, and it was only apt for them to partake in the festivities. Going into the show, Fear Factory fans had a good feeling about it being a memorable night, and by all means, it was. Continue reading “Fear Factory Play Special Headline Set At Sold-Out Whisky-A-Go-Go”

By Andrew Bansal

January 18 2014, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: Pasadena’s hard rock road dogs Gypsyhawk have been on a relentless touring run of late, but for a change, they’re in town, and played a show at the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip last night, opening up for The Iron Maidens, the world famous all-female tribute to Iron Maiden. Gypsyhawk play LA shows on a regular basis whether it be as part of tours or as one-offs, but for true rock lovers it’s nearly impossible to get tired of a band like theirs. Last night was another opportunity for LA locals to roll with the good times brought forth by Gypsyhawk, and they not only delivered the goods, they even had a surprise up their sleeve. Continue reading “Gypsyhawk Rock Viper Room As Main Support For The Iron Maidens”

By Andrew Bansal

January 17 2014, House Of Blues, Las Vegas NV: After slaying the masses last summer on the Mayhem Festival, Swedish melodic death metal giants Amon Amarth announced their first US headline tour since the release of their latest album ‘Deceiver Of The Gods’, with support acts Norwegian progressive extreme metal band Enslaved and Ohio blackened thrashers Skeletonwitch. With a lineup as enticing as this, it promised to be one of the greatest metal tours America has seen in a long time, and it all began at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas last night. The fans gathered in large numbers at the entrance of the venue, located alongside the casino section of the lovely Mandalay Bay hotel. The doors opened at 7:30, and these people rushed inside, in anticipation of a great show. Continue reading “Amon Amarth, Enslaved & Skeletonwitch Kick Off North American Tour In Las Vegas”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

January 16 2014, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: After two weeks of great shows, the month-long 50th anniversary celebration for West Hollywood’s oldest rock club Whisky-A-Go-Go reached its mid-point and marquee occasion last night, with January 16 being the exact date the club was opened 50 years ago, and to aptly etch this moment in history, The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger descended to the Whisky to play a headline show with his ‘Jam Kitchen’. But the atmosphere started building up quite a few hours before Krieger and his band took the stage, as a red carpet event was organized at the club’s doorstep. By the looks of it, there was no doubt that this evening meant a lot to everyone involved with the club, and based on how it unfolded, it’s safe to say it lived up to the occasion. Continue reading “Whisky-A-Go-Go Marks 50th Anniversary With Robby Krieger’s Jam Kitchen”

By Andrew Bansal

January 12th 2014, Los Globos, Los Angeles CA: New Orleans sludgelords Eyehategod began their musical journey in the year 1988, and to celebrate the completion of 25 years of heaviness, they’ve embarked upon a run of anniversary shows on the US West Coast, with an Australian tour sandwiched within. After shows in Las Vegas and Phoenix, they made their way to Los Globos in the Silver Lake area in Los Angeles to play a sold-out show with an intriguing supporting lineup of Cattle Decapitation, Nausea, Obliterations and Strong Intention. Eyehategod have always enjoyed a tremendously loyal following in Los Angeles, as was evident from the kind of response they received for their set at Power Of The Riff 2011 at the Echoplex, and the same was expected here last night. It promised to be a special event, and in some ways it was, but in some others it wasn’t. Continue reading “Eyehategod Play 25th Anniversary Show In Los Angeles”

By Andrew Bansal

January 11th 2014, Loaded Rock Bar, Hollywood CA: In what has become somewhat of a regular Saturday night hangout, I made my way to the Loaded bar in Hollywood for this potentially great rock n’ roll show featuring an interesting all-local lineup consisting of headliners Mötochrist and support acts Loup Garou MF, Caveman Voicebox and Bang Feather Bang. Aside from Caveman Voicebox who have been featured on this website in the recent past via an audio interview, I was completely unfamiliar with any of the other three bands, but taking into account the fact that I’ve generally enjoyed the local shows Loaded has hosted in the past couple of weeks, I decided to arrive at the venue early enough to watch the whole show. Saturdays at Loaded are always buzzing with people, and even at 8:30 PM, there was a sizable gathering already in attendance. I had a good feeling about this show, and I wasn’t mistaken. Continue reading “Mötochrist, Caveman Voicebox & Others Rock Saturday Night At Loaded Hollywood”