Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

March 7th 2016, The Avalon, Hollywood CA: German power metal veterans Helloween re-signed to Nuclear Blast Records in 2015, after releasing the albums ‘The Dark Ride’ (2000) and ‘Rabbit Don’t Come Easy’ (2003) and then parting ways with the label. Helloween celebrated their return to Nuclear Blast with the release of their fifteenth full-length studio album ‘My God-Given Right’ in May 2015, and announced a very limited 7-show North American winter 2016 headline run. On the final night of this mini-tour, Helloween played to a packed house at the Avalon in Hollywood last Monday March 7th 2016, marking their first appearance in Los Angeles proper (not counting the show at Grove of Anaheim in 2013) since 2008. Even though ‘My God-Given Right’ came across as largely underwhelming to most fans, the entirety of the LA Helloween/power metal fan base bought tickets to this show, in the hope of the live versions of the new material changing their opinion about the band’s latest album, and of course to enjoy some of their favorite classics. Los Angeles was as excited as ever for Helloween’s appearance here, and it remained to be seen whether this comeback turned out to be a triumphant one. Continue reading “Helloween Make Long-Awaited Return To Los Angeles”

By Andrew Bansal

March 5th 2016, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles-based hard rock quartet DC4, fronted by Armored Saint guitarist Jeff Duncan and featuring in its ranks his brothers Matt and Shawn Duncan along with former Dio guiarist Rowan Robertson, has existed for several years as a side project, and outside of Jeff Duncan’s commitments with Armored Saint, DC4 write music and play shows at every available opportunity. The band performed a headlining set at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood last Saturday March 5th, with a supporting lineup of local rock and metal acts including P.A.I.D. and Attack Of The Rising. The show was free of any cover charge to those that submitted their names for the Will Call list, and as a result, the LA/West Hollywood rock community came out in good numbers to support the event. Continue reading “DC4, P.A.I.D. & Attack Of The Rising Perform At The Whisky”

By Andrew Bansal

March 5th 2016, Harley Davidson, Glendale CA: The ‘Stand Up And Shout’ Cancer Prevention Research Fund, set up in honor of Ronnie James Dio following the great man’s death in 2010, hosts events to raise money on a regular basis, and last Saturday in association with the Harley Davidson outlet in Glendale, they organized one such event, free and open to the public, featuring live performances by Dio Disciples, Gabbie Rae, Budderside and more. Despite threats of rain, a sizable audience turned up to enjoy the live music and support the event. Continue reading “Raising Horns For Cancer Research: Dio Disciples & Gabbie Rae Perform At Charity Event In Glendale”

By Lisa Burke

March 4th 2016, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: Tribute bands on the whole may sound slightly unimpressive as a concept for an adventure, but in a town like Los Angeles I can assure you it’s nothing short of a unique party with the finest talent. Last Friday March 4th 2016, I attended the Viper Room for the first of many nights I plan to be among the clientele this month due to some great events booked, and of course, a Paradise Kitty residency which puts a smile on everyone’s face. March 4th was the first of three Friday night residency shows by the all-female Guns ‘N Roses tribute act (the other shows coming up on March 11th and 18th), but not the first residency they have had at Viper Room and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Continue reading “Paradise Kitty Returns To Viper Room For Friday Night Residency”

By Andrew Bansal

March 1st 2016, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Even as they continue to work on the long-awaited follow-up to their last full-length release ‘XV’ (2008), American progressive hard rock veterans King’s X have re-issued two of their classic albums ‘Gretchen Goes To Nebraska’ (1989) and ‘Faith Hope Love’ (1990) via Metal Blade Records, and completed a short US West Coast run in support of these reissues as well as to present material from the rest of their back catalog. King’s X is one of those bands that rarely play headline shows in the Los Angeles area and aren’t exactly a household name, but they do have a cult legion of loyal fans and followers. On this West Coast run, King’s X took the stage at the Whisky-A-Go-Go last Tuesday March 1st 2016, as the city’s Dad Rock crowd was out in full force to pack the venue to capacity and was in high anticipation of a great show from the band. Continue reading “King’s X Headline The Whisky”

By Andrew Bansal

February 28th 2016, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas NV: Immediately following their globally chart-topping, critically lauded sixteenth full-length studio album ‘The Book Of Souls’, heavy metal monoliths Iron Maiden announced a massive tour that would take them around the planet through 35 countries in 6 continents within a time span of 5 months, and what’s more, the band would travel this journey in their own customized aircraft titled ‘Ed Force One’, piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson, just like they did on the ‘Somewhere Back In Time’ (2008-09) and  ‘The Final Frontier’ (2011) tours, only this time they’ve gone jumbo and upgraded to a Boeing 747-400. The tour began in the United States with the first show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 24th 2016, and following a show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ed Force One with band and crew landed in Las Vegas for a sold-out show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday February 28th. As is the case with most major concert events in Las Vegas, fans had traveled from far and wide to attend this show, and the anticipation for an epic, unforgettable Iron Maiden gig was at its highest. Continue reading “High-Flying Iron Maiden Make Las Vegas Stop On ‘The Book Of Souls’ World Tour”