Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review by Andrew Bansal, live photos by Chris Loomis

October 6th 2015, The Regent, Los Angeles CA: It is extremely rare for two metal bands from New Jersey, completely unlike each other in every aspect, to be co-headlining a North American tour together, but thrash veterans Overkill and progpower champions Symphony X are currently doing just that on a four-week run that began on September 18 in Worcester MA. The tour arrived in downtown Los Angeles to play in front of a packed house at the Regent Theater last Tuesday October 6th 2015. Even though at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of musical style, imagery and personalities, two things Symphony X and Overkill share in common is an arsenal of compelling recent releases, and a reputation for memorable live performances. Los Angeles was more than ready to witness a truly unique combination of two of the most underrated bands in heavy music. Continue reading “Symphony X & Overkill Pack The Regent”

Review by Lisa Burke, live photos & videos by Matt Nielson

October 2nd 2015, El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA: 1988 was quite a significant year in terms of the industrial metal movement as it included the origin of Nine Inch Nails as well as Godflesh. Last Friday October 2nd 2015, a good 27 years later, I had my first live Godflesh experience on their ‘A World Lit Only By Fire’ tour. On this night they played at The El Rey, and with one opening experimental noise act called Prurient. Continue reading “Godflesh & Prurient Perform At The El Rey”

By Andrew Bansal

October 5th 2015, The Rainbow Bar & Grill, West Hollywood CA: In the final week of their massive North American arena tour as sole support act for Scorpions, Queensrÿche rocked a capacity crowd at the Forum last Saturday October 3rd 2015, and two nights later, made a surprise Los Angeles appearance which was announced last-minute, a gig that couldn’t have been any more contrasting than the one they played with Scorpions. To celebrate the release of their latest Century Media Records release ‘Condition Human’, Queensrÿche performed an acoustic set at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood, as this Todd La Torre-fronted lineup showcased a new facet of their musicianship to squash any doubts about them being worthy of representing the Queensrÿche name. Continue reading “Queensrÿche Plays Rare Intimate Acoustic Set”

By Andrew Bansal

Over the past four decades, Motörhead have prolifically and consistently orchestrated a march towards achieving global rock royalty status, through legendary tunes that still dominate households and airwaves, and blissful eardrum-shattering live performances. But besides the musicianship on and off stage which has inspired and influenced countless musicians across several generations and captivated music lovers for all eternity, they’ve also carried a reputation for their iconic personalities, artwork, and the never-say-die rock ‘n roll attitude. Wherever they went, they kept receiving lifetime achievement awards, city council honors and such, but truly took themselves to the next level by launching their very own concert cruise in 2014, aptly titled ‘Motörhead’s Motörboat’, and justifiably branded ‘the loudest boat in the world’. After a successful inaugural edition, the cruise set sail once again from the port of Miami, Florida on September 28th 2015, for a four-day journey through the Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. It featured an undeniably stellar and diverse lineup of popular as well as upcoming hard rock/heavy metal bands. Fans and bands alike had signed up in the expectation of an experience worth remembering for life. It turned out to be that and so much more, and traveling with rising Los Angeles rock ‘n roll quartet Others, yours truly was granted an opportunity to let you experience it vicariously through the following images and words. Continue reading “Motörboat 2015: An Unforgettable Rock ‘N Roll Vacation”

Review by Andrew Bansal, live photos by Karina Diane

October 3rd 2015, The Forum, Los Angeles CA: German rock legends Scorpions are currently on their 50th anniversary world tour, and coming towards the end of its North American leg with Queensrÿche as the support act, they arrived in the Los Angeles area for a nearly sold-out gig at the Forum in Inglewood last Saturday October 3rd 2015, to bring an assortment of classics along with material from the latest album ‘Return To Forever’. Fans paid good money and turned up in huge numbers to experience the 2015 incarnation of Scorpions and be treated to a throwback to the 70s and 80s with songs that have stood the test of time. The Forum was buzzing with excitement, and the stage was set for an epic arena rock show. Continue reading “Scorpions & Queensrÿche Rock The Forum”

By Lisa Burke

October 1st 2015, Fonda Theatre, Hollywood CA: Last Thursday English doom/stoner/psychedelic rock group Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats, came into town to headline ‘The Night Creeper Tour’ based on the release of their latest album of the same title. This happened to be my third night in one week spent at one of the best music venues in Hollywood, The Fonda. Continue reading “Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats Bring ‘The Night Creeper’ Tour To Hollywood”