Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review by Andrew Bansal, photos & videos by Matt Nielson

October 21st 2015, The Glass House, Pomona CA: Following the release of their fifth full-length studio album ‘High Country’ via Razor & Tie Records in August 2015, Austin, Texas riffmongers The Sword announced an extensive North American touring run for the Fall, to present tunes from the new record as well as an assortment of older material, playing a full 90-minute set in headline gigs. Through previous albums ‘Warp Riders’ (2010) and ‘Apocryphon’ (2012), The Sword exhibited changes and progression in their musical style, introducing more and more classic hard rock into the stoner metal sound they started out with on early albums ‘Age Of Winters’ (2006) and ‘Gods Of The Earth’ (2008). With ‘High Country’, they took their tendencies of experimentation to a new level, and for longtime fans and followers it was going to be interesting to observe how the band’s musical journey is reflected in a full live performance. The Sword arrived at the Glass House in Pomona, California for a headline show last Wednesday October 21st 2015 with support acts All Them Witches and Mondo Drag. Fans turned up expecting a great evening, but even diehards could not have predicted the kind of treat they were in for. Continue reading “Rocking In High Country: The Sword Bring Their Best To The Glass House”

By Lisa Burke

October 21st 2015, The Theater at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles CA: Just when you think you have discovered all the music venues in Los Angeles, another one uncovers itself out of nowhere. Last Wednesday October 21st 2015, I went on my first adventure to the theater at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. This particular venue was built in 1927 as a United Artists Theater originally, and is complemented with Spanish Gothic architecture and decor. It was restored in January 2014 to the live music venue it is now, and it certainly served as an appropriate venue for industrial gothic metal band Marilyn Manson. Continue reading “Marilyn Manson Performs In Downtown Los Angeles”

Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Chad Alexander

October 20th 2015, The Warfield, San Francisco CA: Metal gods Judas Priest are currently on a limited run of North American headline dates to continue their ‘Redeemer Of Souls’ touring cycle, with Mastodon as support act for most of these gigs. Bringing forth a set list comprising selections from the latest album along with classics and deep cuts, Judas Priest took the stage in an incredibly intimate setting at the Warfield in downtown San Francisco last Tuesday October 20th 2015. Fans gathered in numbers to sell out this 2300-capacity historic venue, and waited outside the doors in eagar anticipation of a potentially monumental event. Continue reading “Gods At The Warfield: Judas Priest Turn Back The Clock”

Review by Lisa Burke

October 17th 2015, Complex, Glendale CA: One of the earliest bands to form the American doom metal forefront, San Francisco-based Acid King have been in existence since 1993 and have influenced many that came after them. In April 2015, they released their fourth studio album ‘Middle Of Nowhere, Center Of Everywhere’, their first full-length release since 2005. After a successful Europe tour, embarked on their first US tour in nine years, including an appearance on the final night of the massive stoner/doom pilgrimage that was the Southwest Terror Fest in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday October 18 2015, and a Los Angeles area headline gig at Complex in Glendale the night before, presented by Church Of The 8th Day and Omniscient, as the perfect leadup to it. Our writer Lisa Burke was in attendance at Complex to review the show for us. Continue reading “Acid King Performs In Glendale On First U.S. Tour In Nine Years”

By Lisa Burke

October 16th 2015, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: I find it interesting that upon feeding my addiction to live metal on a nightly basis, even with the vast array of venues available I usually end up spending a week in the same location or very close by it. Last week has been a Sunset Strip kinda week, and last Friday night brought me to the Viper Room for the live debut of a newly formed rock ‘n roll band Furiosa with Young Flood, Plastic Rhino, and Pacific Radio also on the bill. Continue reading “Ex Legal Tender Frontman Jonah Nimoy’s New Band Furiosa Makes Live Debut”

By Andrew Bansal

October 14th 2015, White Oak Music & Arts, Van Nuys CA: Swiss death metal duo Bölzer have only been in existence for the past seven years but have already gained a solid reputation in the metal underground through their 2012 ‘Roman Acupuncture’ demo and EP releases ‘Aura’ (2013) and ‘Soma’ (2014). To tie in with their appearance at this year’s California Deathfest in Oakland, Bölzer announced a US West Coast tour, and visited the Los Angeles area for a gig at White Oak Music & Arts in Van Nuys on Wednesday October 14 2015. Presented by Church Of The 8th Day, The Elegy Ensemble, Thee Static Age and Maryland Deathfest, this event was booked seven months in advance, and suffered through two venue changes, moving from its original location at Los Globos to the Black Castle, and finally ending up at White Oak. Since the demise of the famous and historic Country Club in Resada which used to play host to high-profile metal events on a regular basis, Los Angeles metalheads have had no reason to venture out to the San Fernando Valley in recent years, but Bölzer enjoys a dedicated fan-base in LA, and all of them turned up for a show they had been eagerly anticipating for several months. Continue reading “Bölzer Plays Long-Awaited Los Angeles Area Show”