Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

October 30th 2015, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles boasts of a plethora of great tribute acts that justify the legacy of their respective original bands. But while in some cases a gimmick or twist in style and presentation is appreciable, in other cases a simple approach true to the original form makes more sense, specially when it comes to a band like Black Sabbath. Gimmick-based Sabbath tribute bands, and those led by guitarists replacing every note with a pinch harmonic, have gone about ruining the magic of this legendary music with their gigs in the Los Angeles area in recent times. True Sabbath worshippers that were exruciated and tortured by these so-called tribute acts were in need of a straightforward, authentic, true-to-form rendition. Bands like Electric Funeral have been worthy flag-bearers in Orange County, but Los Angeles has been bone dry. Enter all-girl Sabbath tribute band Black Sabbitch. Continue reading “All-Female Black Sabbath Tribute Act Black Sabbitch Performs At Viper Room”

By Andrew Bansal

October 28th 2015, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: In the early 1970s, while the world of music was heralding the British invasion, there was an American band that also pioneered the proto doom metal sound. Based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bang released three albums in the early 70s and are considered as influential figures in the genre, at least by those in the underground. After four decades in the wilderness, Bang reunited in early 2014 with two of its original members Frank Ferrara (bass and vocals) and Frank Gilcken (guitar), and Jake Leger on drums. As part of a California mini-tour, Bang returned to the Sunset Strip for their first show since their gig at the Whisky in 1973. They headlined the Viper Room last Wednesday October 28th 2015 with support acts Black Bombaim and The Great Electric Quest, for an event put together by Thief Presents and Reason 666 Presents. Continue reading “Bang Plays First Show On The Sunset Strip In Four Decades”

Review by Darshun, photos by Andrew Hernandez

October 27th 2015, The Regent, Los Angeles CA: Los Angeles-based alt metal/art rock band Failure concluded a three-week US headline tour as a four-piece in support of their latest full-length album ‘The Heart Is A Monster’, with touring guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens Of The Stone Age) who also contributed guitar work for four tracks on the album. In the final week of this tour, Failure arrived in downtown Los Angeles with support acts … And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Local H, to play a long set in front of a packed house at the Regent. Our writer Darshun was in attendance. Check out his review of the show. Continue reading “Failure Performs At The Regent”

By Andrew Bansal

October 27th 2015, Mystery Box, Los Angeles CA: New Jersey progressive rock/metal guitarist Angel Vivaldi has already earned accolades and feature stories in various guitar magazines in a short career that has so far seen three full-length releases. He embarked on his first full North American tour on October 7th 2015, originally billed as a co-headline act with The Algorithm, who had to cancel their participation completely, owing to visa issues. Vivaldi was left with the task of headlining the tour, with Pittsburgh PA based Save Us From The Archon as sole touring support act. Three weeks into the trek, Vivaldi and SUFTA arrived in the Arts District of Los Angeles for a gig at the Mystery Box on October 27th, and were greeted by a sizable prog-loving crowd. Continue reading “Prog Guitar Virtuoso Angel Vivaldi Performs In Los Angeles On First Ever North American Tour”

By Lisa Burke

October 26th 2015, The Mayan, Los Angeles CA: Last Monday night at the Mayan theater in downtown Los Angeles, I attended Ghost’s sold-out show on ‘Black to the Future’ tour, which is partly in support of their newest studio album ‘Meloria’. The name could be a reference to the year Marty McFly travels into the future in the movie ‘Back To The Future’ which happens to be 2015, and also could be relative to time becoming all skewed with singer Papa Emeritus growing younger each time he reinvents his character. Regardless, we are now in 2015 with Papa Emeritus III, and the latest costumes for the five nameless ghouls comprise black uniforms and chromed silver mouthless face masks, with all five elements including Ether symbolized on the chest, while each has the specific element they represent highlighted. Continue reading “Ghost Play Sold-Out Show At The Mayan”

By Andrew Bansal

October 26th 2015, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Japanese metal veterans Loudness embarked on a highly anticipated US headline tour in October 2015, and arrived on the Sunset Strip for a gig at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood last Monday October 26th. With memories from the band’s 2011 Key Club show still strong, their LA area fans flocked to the Whisky with tremendous eagerness and excitement, and Loudness were poised to deliver their much loved and revered brand of old-school heavy metal in front of a completely packed house. Continue reading “Loudness Perform At The Whisky”