Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal
(photos by Samuel C. Ware)

April 22nd 2017, The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA: Giants in vastly different realms of the metal spectrum, Anthrax and Killswitch Engage joined forces for a co-headline run through North America this Spring. Aptly and simply titled “Killthrax”, the tour also recruited The Devil Wears Prada as support act on all shows. Jasta served as opening act on the first segment of the tour and then switched with Code Orange for the coveted spot on the latter half of “Killthrax”. The tour arrived in Los Angeles last Saturday April 22nd for a show that was sold out in advance, and close to 2000 metalheads packed the Wiltern Theatre expecting a treat-and-a-half from two of the biggest names in metal. Continue reading “Metal is the Law: ‘Killthrax’ Tour rocks Sold-Out Wiltern Theatre”

By Lisa Burke

April 21st 2017, Complex, Glendale CA: These days as no one is getting any younger, life should be all about seeking out new adventures, and one of the best adventures you can have in the land of heavy metal is seeing newer bands for the first time in a live setting. On Friday April 21st 2017, I adventured over to Complex in Glendale for my first live viewing of Ghost Bath with support by Astronoid, Imperialist and Zephyrplex. Continue reading “Astral Heaviness: Ghost Bath & Astronoid perform at Complex”

By Sebastian Vazquez
(photos by Eddie Vazquez & Sebastian Vazquez)

April 20th 2017, The Palladium, Hollywood CA: Mastodon’s new tour in promotion of their brand new studio release ‘Emperor of Sand’ had a pit stop at the historic Hollywood Palladium. The highly publicized release and subsequent tour landed Mastodon a chance to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this month, and the news has hit just about every press outlet in existence. I caught Mastodon four years ago at the 2013 Download Festival in England when they played on the main stage and performed a set in promotion of their then latest studio record ‘The Hunter’. At the time, I was not won over as a fan, but that could have been because I had not developed a wider and more accepting metal worldview, but that show left a lasting impression on me, exemplifying the particular nature of the band’s sound. Fast forward to 2017, here I was at a sold-out Hollywood Palladium show, in an altogether different atmosphere. Continue reading “Blazing High: Mastodon plays sold-out Hollywood Palladium show with Eagles Of Death Metal, Russian Circles on 4/20”

By Andrew Bansal

April 19th 2017, The Satellite, Los Angeles CA: Swedish classic hard rock perpetrators Horisont have been one of the most prolific and flawlessly excellent bands in the rock/metal realm in their decade-long existence thus far, already having as many as five full-length albums to their name, each one filled to the brim with glorious old-school heaviness. Their latest endeavor ‘About Time’ was released in February 2017 via Century Media Records, and anyone and everyone that let it grace their ears has since been eagerly awaiting Horisont tour news, while listening to the album on repeat non-stop as the sheer quality and class of the band’s musicianship on this effort captivated one and all. Longtime fans and brand new converts in North America were psyched beyond words upon the announcement of a headline tour in this part of the world through April-May 2017. But the Los Angeles show was announced a little later, much to the relief and excitement of Horisont’s LA fans. The band’s previous gig in this town was a strange yet memorable event, and last night’s event at the very aptly chosen Satellite turned out to be that plus so much more. Continue reading “Timeless Warriors: Horisont puts on Unforgettable Show in Los Angeles”

By Sebastian Vazquez

April 14th 2017, The Bancroft, Spring Valley (San Diego) CA: It was one of those Fridays where you are coming home after a long work day and you fire up your social media applications and see a flyer from one of the local bands about a show the same evening about a 10-minute drive from where you currently are. It was a typical ordinary day but this Friday evening really showed something promising; especially for the San Diego metal community. Continue reading “A Dangerous California Metal Meeting: Hell Fire, Nightshadow, Beekeeper & Anti-Hero perform at The Bancroft”

By Lisa Burke

April 14th 2017, West Hollywood CA: With musicians’ schedules as hectic as they are between recording, rehearsing, writing, playing out, and of course still finding time to make ends meet, it can be quite challenging to put a like-minded show together with a cohesive line-up and have it run as smooth as butter. On Friday April 14th 2017 in West Hollywood, I attended a very well fit-together line-up all stemming from the world of the biker blues rock n’ roll. The headliner Junkyard dates back to the ’80s but in my opinion they have always been a standout band for their creative ideas that spawn a unique end result. Also, on this evening were support acts Circus Of Power, Six Gun Sal and Heaviness, among others. Continue reading “Rock n’ Roll Blooze: Junkyard, Circus of Power perform in West Hollywood”