Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

December 20th 2014, Bombay Bar & Grill, Ventura CA: Keeping up their annual tradition of Christmas-themed KISS tribute shows, Kissmas played a hefty set of KISS classics in front of a sizable turnout at Ventura’s Bombay Bar And Grill last Saturday. Featuring in its ranks a quartet of excellent Ventura-based musicians, Kissmas includes Night Demon frontman Jarvis Leatherby in the role of Gene Simmons, and the prospects of a Kisstacular evening were indeed exciting for the local Ventura weekend bar crowd. Continue reading “Christmas-Themed KISS Tribute Band ‘Kissmas’ Rocks Ventura”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal, video by Matt Nielson

December 18th 2014, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles experimental prog luminaries Intronaut have been on an endless run of great tours with like-minded bands. The period from the start of their journey as a local underground band to reach their current status of worldwide recognition has flown by without them or their ever-growing legion of fans realizing it, and already amassed a decade. In celebration of their tenth anniversary as a band, Intronaut ended a North American headline run with a special hometown gig at the Roxy in West Hollywood last night, and brought with them a career-retrospective set for which they would be joined on stage by a guest musician or two. Continue reading “Intronaut Plays Special Tenth Anniversary Show At The Roxy”

By Andrew Bansal

December 18th 2014, Grill ‘Em All, Alhambra CA: To celebrate their upcoming debut full-length album ‘Curse Of The Damned’, Ventura CA old-school metal band Night Demon hosted a special pre-release listening party in association with their record label Century Media at metal-themed restaurant Grill ‘Em All in Alhambra. The entire album was played in its entirety on the PA and the band members hung out to meet fans for an evening of heavy metal and equally heavy food and drink consumption. Continue reading “Night Demon Hosts ‘Curse Of The Damned’ Listening Party At Grill ‘Em All”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal, video by Matt Nielson

December 16th 2014, The Mayan, Los Angeles CA: Devin Townsend, the most eccentric musical personality Canada has ever produced, has enjoyed a highly prolific year of creativity in 2014, and is currently approaching the end of his ‘Abstract Reality’ North American co-headline tour with Los Angeles instrumental prog trio Animals As Leaders, along with UK-based Monuments as the opening act. The trifecta reached Los Angeles for a gig at the Mayan Theatre downtown. The event promised to bring together three diverse interpretations of modern progressive music, by three artists at very different stages of their respective careers. Continue reading “Devin Townsend, Animals As Leaders & Monuments Perform At The Mayan”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

December 13th 2014, Molly Malone’s, Los Angeles CA: Los Angeles’ very own purveyors of progressive, forward-thinking music, Socionic took the stage at Molly Malone’s on the westside of town, along with experimental shred/funk trio Elixir On Mute and a slew of local acts last Saturday. Having witnessed the impressive talents of these two groups on others stages earlier in the year and with both writing and recording new music in the interim, it promised to be different experience on this occasion as they would play newer tunes in their sets and display the development they’ve undergone as songwriters and performers during this period. Besides, getting to attend a gig at this venue for the first time in four years raised the anticipation level further. Continue reading “Socionic & Elixir On Mute Perform At Molly Malone’s”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

December 13th 2014, Exhibit A Gallery, Los Angeles CA: South-central LA-based heavy metal band Vile Descent began as an entity this year. Led by Kevin Angel (ex-Malignant) and Lerry Ortega (ex-Scythe), Vile Descent brings together not only the musical styles of those bands but also the trials and tribulations faced by these individuals over the years of toiling hard in the local underground scene. They played their first gig at the Airliner in May, made a solid first impression on a decent turnout, and have been active ever since. All of their early efforts have culminated towards ending their first year as a band with an invite-only showcase at the Exhibit A Gallery, located in West LA. Continue reading “Vile Descent Plays Showcase Event At Exhibit A Art Gallery”