Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Lisa Burke
(photos by Robert De Anda)

May 4th 2017, Echoplex, Los Angeles CA: “Keep it in the family” is either an Anthrax song or a way of life for some longstanding heavy metal icons such as Max Cavalera, who happens to be the main topic here, still reigning strong as lead singer for Soulfly which was the main attraction of my evening at the Echoplex on May 4th 2017. In direct support was Gruesome, and additional support came from Lody Kong, and Thrown Into Exile. This entire package worked excellently as a whole as you’ll understand more on why later, but for now just know that this night was action packed and filled with surprises. Continue reading “Savage Metal: Soulfly & Gruesome perform at Echoplex”

By Lisa Burke

May 1st 2017, The Regent, Los Angeles CA: Heavy stoner doom and sludge are quite popular heavy metal genres these days and last Monday May 1st 2017, the Regent in downtown LA hosted a stacked line-up of bands that fit this style well. Weedeater’s tour with Primitive Man and The Obsessed’s own tour with Karma to Burn and Fatso Jetson crossed paths and ended up on the same combined bill for their respective LA shows. Headliner for this evening was Weedeater, followed by The Obsessed, Primitive Man, Karma To Burn and Fatso Jetson. Continue reading “Stoner Metal Valhalla: Weedeater, The Obsessed join forces for LA Show”

By Andrew Bansal
(Photos by Samuel Ware)

May 1st 2017, The Echo, Los Angeles CA: Stoner desert rock veteran and legend Brant Bjork embarked on a U.S. headline tour in support of his latest album ‘Tao of the Devil’, and ended it with a show at the Echo in Los Angeles on Monday May 1st. Along with his band he brought Royal Thunder and Black Wizard as opening acts, and Barrows, who have a Monday night residency at the Echo, were added as local support for this gig. The show was originally slated for the Echoplex, the bigger of the two sister establishments in Echo Park, but was moved to the smaller room, which was clearly the right move because it made for a far better and more intimate setting that suited this lineup to perfection. Despite a directly competing show (Weedeater, The Obsessed, Primitive Man, Fatso Jetson and Karma to Burn) occurring at the Regent not far from this venue, an appreciable number of people turned up to bask in the stoner riffs of Brant Bjork and the musicianship of the diverse supporting lineup. Continue reading “Evening Jams: Brant Bjork, Royal Thunder & Black Wizard conclude U.S. tour in LA”

By Rosie Walker

April 30th 2017, Diamond Pub Concert Hall, Louisville KY: Cut into a corner of Louisville, Kentucky that is still inhabited by old factories and warehouses; rests a venue called Diamond Pub and Billiards. This unsuspecting spot continues to attract local metalheads by the talents they are able to bring in. Last Sunday night was no exception. A line of folks dressed in black wrapped around the place waiting impatiently for the doors to open. Cold rain started to sprinkle, but it didn’t deter any fan from keeping their place in line, because the mighty Sabaton was in town. ‘The Last Stand’ tour with opening acts Leaves Eyes and Battle Beast arrived in the States only 10 days prior to this event. This European package already sold out five out of their nine shows, proving North America is a big fan of the supreme Sabaton. Continue reading “European Invasion: Sabaton, Leaves’ Eyes & Battle Beast visit Louisville KY on North American Tour”

By Andrew Bansal
(photos by Matt Nielson)

April 28th 2017, The Glass House, Pomona CA: The ever-adventurous, ever-prolific Canadian musician and composer Devin Townsend released ‘Transcendence’, the latest album under The Devin Townsend Project name, in 2016. Following a Europe tour earlier this year, he is now on a U.S. mini-tour in support of the album, playing a short string of headline dates with opening acts Thank You Scientist and Oni, leading into a run where DTP themselves will open for Opeth and Gojira for a few shows. This tour started at The Glass House in Pomona, California last Friday April 28th, and the “Pomonians”, as Devin Townsend kept calling them, came out in large numbers in high expectance of the kind of show only he and his band can deliver. Continue reading “Pomonians in Hyperdrive: Devin Townsend begins U.S. mini-tour at Glass House”

By Lisa Burke

April 26th 2017, The Echo, Los Angeles CA: Death metal is alive and well in 2017, if you know where to look. On Wednesday April 26th, the best place to look was at The Echo. This venue is actually pretty divey despite the $10 drink prices, with an old-school appeal that lends itself well to an old-school death metal show. The headliner on this evening was Asphyx who came all the way from the Netherlands to completely melt all of our faces with some brilliantly written speedy jams. Due to the size of the venue, a sold-out death metal show means the entire floor becomes a mosh pit, so everyone needed to stay alert to survive while pushing through wall to wall people to get to the urination chambers. This place does however have a nice escape patio smokers’ lair that even has a small unused stage. Between sets you can go out there to breathe the fresh smoke-filled air and take in the reggae tunes happening, probably at the Echoplex which is a much larger set up, for an odd change of pace. The American support acts this night were Skeletal Remains, Gravehill and Ruin. Continue reading “Forerunners of the Apocalypse: Asphyx make rare Los Angeles appearance”