By Andrew Bansal

May 13th 2013, The Joint, Los Angeles CA: The last time Finnish grindcore band Rotten Sound visited North American shores was on the Finnish Metal Tour, where they were on the fourth band on a bill consisting of Finntroll, Ensiferum and Barren Earth. They released an album called ‘Cursed’ at the end of that tour, and two years on, they’ve put on their new ‘Species At War’ EP. They’re back in the States as a headline act this time, with a rotating support slot filled by the likes of Black Breath, Early Graves, Enabler, Abigail and Speedwolf. I enjoyed their set on the Finnish Metal Tour last time around, so I was stoked for this show and wanted to find out how they cope with being the headline act and what kind of turnout they got here at the Joint in West LA, on a Monday night. Continue reading →

By Andrew Bansal

May 11th 2013, The Vex, Los Angeles CA: After its fifth edition in 2010, LA’s most popular thrash metal festival Thrasho De Mayo took a brief hiatus. Even though LA is never short on gigs, the underground community definitely felt the desire to see the revival of Thrasho. Finally, after 3 years, it became a reality and the 6th edition of the festival was upon us. This time it featured the 25th anniversary celebration of headline act M.O.D., the first ever West Coast appearance of Morbid Saint, Ghoul headlining the Poor Kids Radio stage, and a multitude of other bands part of the 2-stage lineup. The Vex was the venue chosen for the occasion. The doors opened at 3, by which time there was already a line of people waiting to get in. Looking at that, I knew that the turnout was going to be great, and the atmosphere was set for an intriguing 10-hour thrash fest. Continue reading →

By Andrew Bansal
[Photos by Chad Alexander]

May 9th 2013, House Of Blues, Anaheim CA: Until last night, it was nearly five years since I last saw Yngwie J. Malmsteen perform on stage, at the Avalon in Hollywood sometime in October 2008. Time flew by, he did a tour here in 2011 that I had to miss out on, and finally the day had arrived when I would get to witness his virtuosic guitar show. When I got to the House of Blues in Downtown Disney around an hour before doors opened, there was no queue of people waiting to get inside, and the tickets weren’t sold out by any means. But by the time the show was ready to start, there was a more than decent sized gathering of people here, ready to have the fury unleashed onto them. Continue reading →

By Andrew Bansal

May 8th 2013, The Roxy Theatre, Hollywood CA: Following the release of their sophomore album ‘Meir’, rapidly rising Norwegian extreme metal/rock outfit Kvelertak are currently bringing their tour to North American audiences, and made the inevitable LA stop of the tour at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood last night. Cancer Bats and Black Tusk were the support acts, along with local openers Killing California. When I first heard it, I really thought Kvelertak’s newest effort is a stellar release and would go down well in the live setting too. The album has maintained its impact over repeated listens, and I was about to find out whether or not it holds up in the live setting in the manner I expected it to. Despite the fact that all three of these bands tour so actively, strangely enough I’d never really seen them before. So this night promised to be an entirely new experience altogether. Continue reading →

By Andrew Bansal

May 7th 2013, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: After scoping out venues on the Sunset Strip and a few other places over the past 15 days, I was back at the good ol’ Five Star Bar in downtown LA. I used to live a few blocks away from this place in the past, and this was one of my favorite hangout spots. I love the weirdness and intimacy of the venue, and it has been host to some interesting shows. Last night it was Toronto-based classic heavy metal band Cauldron stopping by on their ‘America’s Lost’ tour. They’re on their first full North American tour since the last time I saw them open for Holy Grail in 2011, and this time they’re headlining with local support in each city. I’ve enjoyed them every time I’ve seen them, and was looking forward to see them as a headliner for the first time ever. Continue reading →