Bay Area Metal Scene » Archive for November 2009
So many amazing guitarists these days…
If you’ve heard Oakland band All Shall Perish (deathcore done right, in my opinion), you know that these guys are just about as technical as bands get these days. When I heard that renowned shredder Chris Storey parted ways with the band, I immediately thought the band was done for. Recently they replaced him with a kid who probably grew his first pubes not too long ago (I believe he’s 17) named Jason Richardson. I didn’t think the kid would be able to pull it off, but after scouring youtube… I don’t think he’s going to be having any problems: … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Another Supergroup Featuring Scott Ian
A story broke last week that I forwarded on twitter about another supergroup featuring Anthrax guitar player Scott Ian. It’s no secret that Ian has been whoring himself out for pursuing cash now for quite some time, and I can’t really say that I blame him. However, it’s a little hard to get excited about anything that the guy is involved in. He’s not like an awesome guitar player or anything. Anthrax was alright, but they’re … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Watch Devin Townsend’s Home Videos
I came across some home videos on YouTube that Devin Townsend made while he was doing some recording for his last album, Addicted (gotta love his handle, “poopynuggeteer”). His approach to recording seems a little spastic, as you’ll see how he constantly edits and critiques himself in between his singing. But I guess that’s how you do it when you’re the only person recording. Or maybe being cooped-up in a recording studio alone in the woods makes you act strange. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Videos
Some Big Shows To Kick-Off 2010!
Devil Driver / Suffocation / Goatwhore / Thy Will Be Done – January 8th at Slim’s. Behemoth / Septic Flesh / Shining - January 17th at Slim’s. Between the Buried and Me / Cynic / Devin Townsend – January 18th at Slim’s. Slayer / Megadeth / Testament – January 21st at the Cow Palace. Nile / Immolation / Krisiun / Abigail Williams – January 30th at Slim’s. Is it possible to O.D. on awesome music? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tours
Some Videos from the Mastodon / Dethklok Show This Weekend
I captured a couple of quick videos from the concert this weekend. Overall, it was a pretty awesome show. I was way impressed with Mastodon and Dethklok were obviously just out of control. High on Fire were awesome – and friggin’ loud! Converge, I’m sorry to say, didn’t really fit in. They had tons of energy, but it got kind of lost because their vocalist just made the same parrot-squawking noise the whole damned time. You’ll see the fans boo them off the stage at the end of their set. Ouch baby! See the videos after the jump. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Live Music
Friday Metal to Sing Along To
It’s not all growls and screams over here, you know! Occasionally we enjoy a good melodic rock tune or two. Enter Death Pilot – a Los Angeles melodic metal / rock band that blends European metal guitar melodies with traditional hard rock and tops it off with some technical drumming and hardcore groove. Sound complicated? Well, the sound is pretty diverse. Check out the song “Treatment” from their myspace page, or the video below for their song “Until the End“. Death Pilot | MySpace Music Videos … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out
Heathen Announce New Album -
“Evolution of Chaos”
Veteran Bay Area thrash / power metal band Heathen, which currently features Exodus guitar player Lee Altus and bass player Jon Torres from Laaz Rockit, had an announcement today about their new album, Evolution of Chaos: HEATHEN IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR NEW ALBUM “EVOLUTION OF CHAOS” WILL BE RELEASED JANUARY 25, 2010 IN EUROPE AND MARCH 31, 2010 IN THE U.S., WE ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR THE RELEASE DATE FOR JAPAN. YOU CAN PRE ORDER … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Yeti Are Unsigned?
How are these guys unsigned? Sure, they could probably do without the make-up in this video, but they sound pretty rad! YETI | MySpace Video … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out
Ridiculous Band Name of the Day:
“Squash Bowels”
I supposed it’s pretty damned hard to come up with a band name, especially these days. Luckily, if you’re in a death metal band you can pretty much get away with calling yourself anything you want to: “Dying Fetus“, “Anal Cunt“, even the name “Cannibal Corpse” was a pretty shocking name for its time. It goes without saying then that Squash Bowels is a perfectly appropriate name for a grindcore death metal band. It takes … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ridiculous Band Names
CRACKDUST Playing Shows This Month!
“Who on God’s green Earth are CRACKDUST?” you ask? They’re only the heaviest death metal band to come out of Botswana, Africa. That’s right, I said a death metal band from Botswana, Africa. They even have a myspace page. So throw away whatever pre-conceived notions you have about Africans and music, because CRACKDUST are bringing the noise and people are listening…I think. Why name the band CRACKDUST? WHY NOT!? It’s fucking awesome! These guys actually can throw … Read entire article »
Filed under: Crackdust
I Was Wondering Where Steve Smyth Was
The last I heard of supreme lead guitarist / chameleon Steve Smyth, he was battling some health issues and had to leave Nevermore. Well, it turns out the ex-Testament, ex-Nevermore, ex-Dragonlord shredder has been writing new tunes with Forbidden, another Bay Area thrash/progressive metal band. Forbidden’s sound is more on the thrash side than the progressive side, but there is still plenty of room for guitar leads and big vocals. Smyth actually joined the band … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Mastodon / Dethklok / High On Fire / Converge This Weekend!
In San Jose! Be there! It’s gonna rule. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Tour From Afar Gets Some Names From Afar
If you want people to horribly butcher your band name, call yourself MICTLANTECUHTLI. HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE THE NAME AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?? Here goes, meekt-lawn-teh-kwoot-ly Mictlantecuhtli. Try it after a few beers, haha. Thank you all for your support. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Mictlantecuhtli is the manifestation of the creator in death. It is the essence of mortality. Mictlantecuhtli is the equilibrium in life. To put it plainly, Mictlantecuhtli is death. Let’s just call them “Mick“. The aforementioned … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tours
Amon Amarth – The Guardians of Asgaard…and Kitties
A non-profit group in Sweden has recruited several bands to partake in a calendar shoot to raise awareness about animal rights. Among the bands included are Amon Amarth, Opeth and Hammerfall. Check out Johan looking totally viking hugging this cat: In this unique calendar 12 Swedish acts takes a stand for the animals. The participating stars, all of whom volunteered for this project, are Amon Amarth, Crucified Barbara, Dead by April, Dia Psalma, Hammerfall, Mando Diao, … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Insanity
This past Saturday was the 2-year remembrance of the passing of Insanity drummer Bud Mills. The guy was pretty shredding on drums, even when the band started out in the early 80’s. His early use of the blast beat helped the band gain some notoriety in the death metal circuit, as you’ll see here in the bands bio: Formed in 1985, Bay Area band Insanity were instrumental in metal’s evolution from thrash to death metal. Drummer … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Keepin’ it REAL
What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when I show you the picture of this band? If you said something along the lines of: “This looks like the worst hip-hop group ever.”, “Word!“, or “Yo man, I dig.” Then you’re not alone. However, I’m willing to bet that almost no one thought, “THE LORDS of HEAVY METAL SOUL!” Find out who these guys are after the jump. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out
Planetary Depravity Tour Starts Tomorrow
The heaviest concert to close out 2009 kicks off tomorrow in Seattle and makes its way through San Francisco on December 13. Oakland’s own Suffokate will be on the bill, supporting a handful of awesome bands. We’ll be there! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tours
Dismal Lapse – “VentriloDeath”
Sacramento Death Metal band Dismal Lapse win the award for “multi-tasking.” Try and find the vocalist in this video: Find him yet!? HOLY…. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out, Videos
The Ugly Side of Music
Today on MySpace I read a bulletin from Wintersong Guitars. Apparently, another guitar manufacturer, Halo, is taking issue with one of their models. Read the supposed letter that they received from Halo: Hello Winter Song Guitars, This is Jeff Lee with Halo Custom Guitars – I need to start a dialogue with the owner of Winter Song Guitars. In case you are unaware, the Heathen guitar model is far too similar to the Halo GVK Series guitars, which … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Michael Jackson Had a Rad Chick Guitarist
The young lady in this video playing guitar is named Orianthi. When she wasn’t opening for people like Steve Vai or producing records, she played guitar for Michael Jackson. When I first saw her in a different video talking I was thinking, “Yeah, ok. She’s hot, Michael Jackson picked her up to have a pretty face and she can probably play a lick or two.” Well guess again, she friggin’ shreds! What the…!? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Videos
Shredding Gorod Video
This video is a little old, but no less shredding. I love their use of finger-tapping without it being too overly “Van-Halen-y”. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Videos
Ardentis – Russia’s New Ambassador
You typically haven’t heard much in the way of metal coming out of Russia in the past. Actually, I can’t think of any bands I’ve ever seen that are from the great land of perma-frost and vodka. I have a feeling that’s about to change though. Russian metal band September in the Dark is trying their hardest to get signed to Roadrunner Records, where they currently hold the #1 metal spot in the “sign me … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out
Like a Little Flamenco With Your Metal?
Expect another Yngwie video? Guess again! Berkeley’s Flametal, who get their name from combining acoustic flamenco guitars and power metal, might just be the world’s first “flamenco metal” band. I’m not sure that’s saying much, but their songs are interesting, to say the least. They get inspiration ranging anywhere from Cacophony and Slayer to George Benson and Paco de Lucia. See for yourself: The band has an album out now that is independently produced. Check their myspace for more info. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out
Rock Out With a Veteran Day
In honor of Veteran’s Day, this day is dedicated to all of those that served in the military or continue to serve. Like Manowar so truely proclaimed, you are the true Warriors of the World! Fight For Freedom There’s a sound heard across the land It’s heard across the sea You’ll only hear it if you listen with your hearts And one day hope to be free To hear the sound of freedom many gave their lives They fought for you … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Razorhoof Want to Trample You With Their E.P.
2009 is going down in the books as the year for independent record labels. The Bay Area has its share of indie bands, but I’ve never seen so many in the “loud/noise rock” genre that all strive to be well, so loud. Inspired perhaps by the success of bands like High on Fire, Saviours and a number of other Bay Area rock bands, Monterey rockers Razorhoof just finished recording a 6-track self-titled E.P. and want … Read entire article »
Filed under: Check These Guys Out, Reviews
Poll: What Do You Want to See Happen to “Death-Core” in 2010?
2009 was indeed a popular year for “Death-Core”. Bands like Suicide Silence, Arsonists Get All the Girls and Winds of Plague all had new albums and a relatively big following (although I don’t know anyone that does – outside of the interwebs, that is). So, what we want to know is… If you don’t really know what “Death-Core” means, this video should help clarify things a bit: … Read entire article »
Filed under: Polls
Another Ahnuld Band?
Ok, making fun of Arnold Schwarzeneggeregererr was funny about 7 years ago, but now it’s just getting old. You already have ArnoCorp, Austrian Death Machine and now Schwarzenator? Please tell me this is a prank. From blabbermouth: SCHWARZENATOR — the self-proclaimed “ultimate Arnold Schwarzenator concept band” featuring guitarist Shane Gibson (KORN) and Rhythm magazine’s “Best Drummer in the World,” Austrian-bornThomas Lang, will showcase their debut EP, “Schwarzenator”, at West Hollywood, California’s Key Club on the Sunset Strip on Monday, December 7 at 10:00 p.m. Melding comedy, irony and a healthy dose of parody with virtuoso musicianship, SCHWARZENATOR manages to lampoon California Governor,Arnold Schwarzenegger’s finest film offerings — ranging from“Kindergarten Cop” to the “Terminator” franchise — while rocking audiences to their endoskeletons. Wow! A heavy metal parody of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies. How original! … Read entire article »
Welcome to San Francisco
This is the stupidest thing I’ve seen all day, and I’ve been awake for at least an hour. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Videos
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