Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

July 25th 2015, Complex, Glendale CA: Chicago-based instrumental doom quartet Bongripper certainly are the most prolific band in the genre, having released as many as seven full-length studio albums in a career span that currently stands at ten years. But during all this time, they never made it to California for live shows. Much to the delight of their eagerly awaiting California fan base, that changed last week as they did a three-show run through the state. This was the ‘Way Of The Shred’ tour, presented by Thief, the organizers of such stoner/doom/sludge pilgrimages as Psycho California and Night/Day Of The Shred. The Los Angeles area show of this tour was at Complex in Glendale, also featuring local openers Goya and Yidhra, and put together by Thief in association with local promotion machine Church Of The 8th Day. Continue reading “Bongripper Pack Complex On First Ever California Tour”

By Lisa Burke

July 25th 2015, Loaded Rock Bar, Hollywood CA: Last Saturday night at Loaded Rock Bar I had the privilege of seeing bands that all fit within one of my favorite genres of metal, Black Metal. First I must mention that this show was put together by Church Of The 8th Day and The Elegy Ensemble who always understand how to book bands that fit well together, and still put on a variety of different shows. It’s a crucial part of any good show to fit the right bands together because not only is the audience going to enjoy more than one band, but they will also stay for or arrive early to see the other bands, and discover new music which gains all bands new fans. Continue reading “Thorns Of Sin Rule Extreme Metal Night At Loaded Hollywood”

By Andrew Bansal (live photos by Chelsea Lauren)

July 25th 2015, The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles CA: A unique combination of live progressive/symphonic rock and Russian ballet, Heart Of Storm is a theatrical production that brings together the talents of seasoned rock musicians Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Doug Aldrich (guitar), Tony Franklin (bass), Gregg Bissonette (drums), Brent Woods (guitar) and Brandon Fields (saxophone), along with a group of professional ballet performers guided by Russian-Korean choreographer Stanislav Tsoy. Heart Of Storm made its U.S. debut with two nights at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, July 24-25 2015. Both events were filmed for a broadcast on PBS, and complimentary tickets were given out for the local audience. These events were presented by Red Rock Ballet and supported by Los Angeles non-profit organization Jay Nolan Community Services, and courtesy of them, after-show meet-and-greet passes were granted to attendees who made donations. Metal Assault is always on a quest to discover out-of-the-box innovations in the realm of heavy rock/metal music, and this certainly promised to be one of them. Continue reading “Heart Of Storm: Rock & Ballet Unite In Stunning U.S. Debut At The Orpheum”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

July 21st 2015, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Philm and Owl are two of Los Angeles’ most unique musical entities, bands that many may find hard to appreciate but highly gratifying to those who can. After being in existence for a number of years and playing their respective one-off gigs and short touring runs, the two three-piece experimental heavy rock groups finally came together for a one-of-a-kind gig at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood last Tuesday July 21 2015. Continue reading “Double Dose Of Experimental Genius: Philm & Owl Spellbind The Whisky”

By Andrew Bansal

July 19th 2015, Los Globos, Los Angeles CA: Towards the end of a run of US tour dates, longstanding New York punk rock group The Casualties visited their second home, i.e. Los Angeles, for an all-ages matinee gig at Los Globos last Sunday July 19 2015, put together by the ever-industrious local heavy music promotional organization Thee Static Age. They brought with them three street punk bands as support acts, Bad Engrish from Denver CO, Austin TX based Sniper 66, and East Los Angeles’ own Corrupted Youth. Casualties shows in this city are always filled to the brim with youthful energy, and this one promised to be no different. Continue reading “The Casualties Pack Los Globos For Sunday Matinee”

By Andrew Bansal

July 18th 2015, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: Even amidst glorified fake Satan worship and invisible oranges, extreme metal has shown time and again that it cares for life on earth, specially non-human life. Harassor frontman Pete Majors aptly summed it up on stage last night when he said, “We don’t give a fuck about you. But we love animals.” In a constantly ongoing endeavor to do everything they can to help the cause of animal rescue, Hate War Productions organized a metal night at Five Star Bar in downtown Los Angeles last Saturday July 18, a five-band lineup headlined by Venom tribute act Sons Of Satan, with black metal trio Harassor as main support, and openers Savage Reign, Ancestral Awakening and Obsidian. All proceeds from this 21+, $5 show were to benefit two charitable Southern California dog rescue organizations, Furry Tails Rescue and Orange County Pit Bull Rescue. An eclectic and entertaining evening of heavy music was anticipated, and a large crowd gathered here to support the event. Continue reading “Sons Of Satan & Harassor Slay Downtown Los Angeles For Charitable Cause”