Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

August 19th 2015, Riverside Municipal Auditorium, Riverside CA: As they prepare to release their twenty-second studio album ‘Bad Magic’, longstanding rock ‘n roll trailblazers Motörhead are celebrating four decades as a band this year, and have embarked on their 40th anniversary North American tour with support acts Saxon and Crobot (Anthrax replacing Saxon on select dates). Starting their journey in 1975, through 21 albums and countless live performances all over the world, Motörhead have been a major inspiration and influence on younger generations and have singlehandedly spawned entire genres and sub-genres of what is now known as heavy metal. This tour is an opportunity for Motörhead to look back at their own discography in retrospect, and with frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s deteriorating health, also a chance to perform on stage as much as they can before it ceases to be a possibility. The first show of the tour took place at the lovely Riverside Municipal Auditorium, and would serve as a true indication of whether or not Motörhead’s live show justifies the enormity of the career milestone, and how the two openers stack up in comparison. Continue reading “Motörhead Begin 40th Anniversary Tour In Riverside With Saxon & Crobot”

By Andrew Bansal

August 17th 2015, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Despite the unfortunate fact that hard rock/heavy metal musicians and fans alike are commonly perceived as social outcasts, this faction of humanity often leads the way when it comes to making a real difference through actions rather than words. Last Monday August 17 2015 at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood, an ensemble of great musicians gathered to raise money for the benefit of a Leukemia-stricken child named Charlotte in Canada. Led by Sunset Strip legends turned global dominators Steel Panther and retaining Whisky Monday night summer residency punk ‘n rollers Barb Wire Dolls on the bill, the event titled ‘A Day For Charlotte’ also included appearances by special guests and promised an enjoyable time for attendees that paid good money to be entertained for a good cause. Continue reading “Steel Panther, Barb Wire Dolls & Special Guests Rock The Whisky To Benefit Leukemia-Stricken Child”

By Andrew Bansal

August 16th 2015, Complex, Glendale CA: Longstanding Los Angeles extreme metal stalwarts Dreaming Dead made a rare local live appearance at Complex in Glendale last Sunday August 16 2015, for a headline show presented by the omnipresent and prolific Church Of The 8th Day in association with Thee Static Age, and featuring Morbid Eclipse, Mysticism and Terraforming as support acts. On one hand was Dreaming Dead, one of the most respected underground bands in town, and on the other hand was Morbid Eclipse from outer space, conquering planet earth at the speed of light. The event was an exciting prospect for LA metal enthusiasts, and by the end they certainly felt fortunate to have been in attendance. Continue reading “Dreaming Dead & Morbid Eclipse Turn Up The Heat In Glendale”

By Lisa Burke

August 15th 2015, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine CA: Cathouse made a special return to Irvine Meadows on Saturday August 15 with some of the classic acts that used to perform back when the original Cathouse club was in business. It originally formed in 1986 in Hollywood and was primarily owned by Riki Rachtman, yet duties were shared by his roommate Taime Downe until he became submerged by the success of his band Faster Pussycat. It was set up as a place for their friends to play rock ‘n roll, and a place for them to pick up women. Rumor has it that Lita Ford vomited in the bathroom on opening night, and Axl Rose once chased David Bowie down the street outside the club. Continue reading “‘Cathouse Live’ Brings Glam Metal Extravaganza To Irvine”

Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Karina Diane

August 15th 2015, Loaded Rock Bar, Hollywood CA: Taking a break from working on their next set of studio material, San Francisco stoner/doom trio Castle began a two-week US West Coast headline run at Loaded Hollywood last Saturday August 15 2015 with local support acts P.D.P., Grand Lord High Master and Aberrance, for a gig put together by Church Of The 8th Day. Even with a multitude of other events occurring simultaneously in and around the Los Angeles area on this extremely busy concert night, the quality of performances at this particular gig vindicated the decisions of those that chose to be in attendance. Continue reading “Castle Holds Hollywood Under Siege”

By Andrew Bansal

August 15th 2015, Fathom Gallery, Los Angeles CA: Heavy metal icon and former Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has spent the past few years developing a ‘rhythm on canvas’ style of art collection titled ‘Absence Of Corners’. The creation of these pieces of art involve Ward setting up his drum kit in a completely dark room and playing colored drum sticks, his movements and the drumming color patterns captured through open shutter photography and rendered on canvas. The collection made its West Coast debut at Fathom Gallery in downtown Los Angeles last weekend, wherein Ward held three sessions to discuss the art in detail. Metal Assault was in attendance for session #2, at 5 PM on Saturday August 15. Continue reading “Bill Ward Showcases ‘Absence Of Corners’ Art Collection In Los Angeles”