Bay Area Metal Scene » Featured
Impaled at Thee Parkside 8/6/10
It was cold, foggy and lame heading into the city on a Friday night, anxiously awaiting to see Impaled. I wasn’t that familiar with all the bands on the bill, but I was in an accepting mood. All I had heard of direct support band, Funerot, was that they were breaking up after this tour and that I thought their stuff online was somewhat interesting. I also was assured that Population Reduction were a cool band, but live they were supposed to be hilarious. My apologies to Man Among Wolves, because I hadn’t heard them before the show. Man Among Wolves: The first thing that ran through my mind when I saw these guys setting up was “grindcore 3 piece.” I was right. Immediately, I realized that live grind is not for … Read entire article »
In memory – Makh Daniels (singer for Early Graves)
In fond memory: Today we lost another member of the metal community, Matikeef “Makh” Daniels, 28, of Pacifica, the lead singer for Early Graves. Five Members of Early Graves (San Francisco, CA) and four members of The Funeral Pyre (La Habra, CA) were heading from a show in Eugene Oregon the night before to a show in Reno Nevada. At 5:30 in the morning on Interstate 5 outside Medford Oregon the driver apparently fell asleep, and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Main, News, Sounds of the Underground
Tidal Wave 2010 – videos of all 14 bands
Here are my videos from this year’s Tidal Wave 2010 free outdoor metal festival. I might add another one or two; but at least now i have at least one video up from each of the 14 bands that were spread across the two days. 7.31.2010 – Here are 14 videos so far, one from each of the bands: Witchaven, Vastum, Go Like This, Elk, Giant Squid, Anvil Chorus, Blind Illusion, My Victim, Amber Asylum, Abysmal Dawn, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Live Music, News, Sounds of the Underground, Videos
Upcoming: Corrosion of Conformity(Animosity lineup), Goatsnake, Black Breath, Eagle Twin, Righteous Fool
Corrosion of Conformity(Animosity lineup), Goatsnake, Black Breath, Eagle Twin, Righteous Fool Tuesday, August 10, 20106:00 PM – 11:30 PM @ DNA Lounge. … Read entire article »
Upcoming: ENTHRONED, DESTROYER 666, PATHOLOGY, ESTUARY, NECRITE
ENTHRONED, DESTROYER 666, PATHOLOGY, ESTUARY, NECRITE, Dj Rob Metal Tuesday, August 17, 2010 7:00 PM – 11:30 @ DNA Lounge. … Read entire article »
Some DDP Videos From Last Week’s Soundwave Show
In case you weren’t able to make the Soundwave Studios show last month in Oakland, Roseman has you covered. Well, on the DDP front, at least. It’s all good though, DDP has a new album in the works and besides, getting all those bad-ass Bay Area thrashers on one stage is a feat in itself. ou can see just how close you were able to get to the stage! … Read entire article »
Upcoming: High on Fire, Das Racist, Dublin Death Patrol, Forrest Day, Nocando, Stone Vengeance, New Earth Creeps
Upcoming: High on Fire, Das Racist, Dublin Death Patrol, Forrest Day, Nocando, Stone Vengeance, New Earth Creeps. Saturday June 26, 2010 at Soundwave Studios in Oakland. … Read entire article »
Upcoming: Nihloep, Locusta, Argentinum Astrum, Pale Chalice
Upcoming: Nihloep, Locusta, Argentinum Astrum, Pale Chalice. Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Thee Parkside. … Read entire article »
Upcoming: M.A.I.M.Ed Fest
I have no idea what M.A.I.M.Ed stands for, but there sure are a ton of bands at this one! Check it out: … Read entire article »
Upcoming: Iron Maiden, Dream Theater
It is coming. The birds are singing. Dogs and cats are starting to get along. People are barbecuing and laughing. Certain Bay Area bloggers find it impossible to hide their enthusiasm. It must be that time again. Iron Maiden are returning to the United States. To add some prog icing on the cake, Dream Theater are coming along on the trek too. They’ll be at Sleep Train Pavillion in Concord on Sunday, June 20th. UP … Read entire article »
An Examination of Exodus’ Exhibit B
Jury, have you reached a verdict? Yes, your Honor. How do you find the defendant, Exodus? On the charge of “death by melting the listener’s face off”; We, the Jury, find Exodus guilty as charged! I think I’ll start this review by stating the first thing that comes to mind after hearing this album: and that is the fact that Exhibit B seems to be (one of) the most “melodic” Exodus efforts to date. Sure, there is plenty of … Read entire article »
Video: Hypocrisy at the DNA Lounge
This show brought to you by Iron Man 2 the video game (seriously). The DNA Lounge played host last night to Hypocrisy’s “USA Tour 2.0″. They brought a pretty good line-up overall – Scar Symmetry, Hate, Blackguard and Swashbuckle – Hypocrisy were, without a doubt, the reason most people were there. I actually arrived somewhat on time and got a chance to check out all of the bands; here’s a brief take on each one of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Live Music, Videos
Remembering Ronnie James Dio.
Ronnie James Dio’s fight with cancer has been pretty well documented by the metal community over the past year. Obviously there was utter shock when the news broke, then there was some relief when he made a public appearance at the Golden Gods Awards and he looked pretty good. Then the Heaven and Hell tour got canceled and now we have the official news from his wife and manager that Dio has in fact, passed … Read entire article »
Brain Drill’s New Album An Exercise in Brutal Spasticity
I picked-up a copy of Brain Drill’s new album Quantum Catastrophe this week. I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve heard their stuff, because I forgot how impressive they are with their brutally spastic arrangements. It’s like 4 dudes got together and wanted to write the most insane death metal album you could think of. It almost makes the last Cannibal Corpse album sound like Slayer. Well, maybe I wouldn’t go that far, but you … Read entire article »
Feel The Wrath of Vesuvius…Again…Soon
The Central Valley’s youngest tech death band, The Wrath of Vesuvius just released the artwork and track-listing yesterday for their next album, Portals Through Ophiuchus. Besides getting recently signed to Abal Records and playing a show with Whitechapel the other day, I would say that isn’t too bad for a band that looks like it just grew its pubes out last week (just kidding guys, besides, pubes are overrated anyways). There is no release date for … Read entire article »
Like Bay Area Thrash? (Of Course You Do.) Then You Better Listen To These New Laceration Tunes.
Laceration should change the title of their new album from “Realms of the Unconscious” to “Keepin’ It Real” – as that would be a more appropriate description for how these thrashers approach their metal. Some bands take the melodic approach with guitar harmonies and so forth, which is cool, but Laceration pretty much just beat you in the face with their guitar riffs, growling thrash vocals and syncopated drumming. Not only are the tracks crushing, … Read entire article »
Video: Black Cobra Playing at the Missing Link
Oakland played host to what was perhaps the most “full-bodied” tour of the year this Saturday. I wouldn’t say “heaviest” tour because there have been so many crushing shows so far in 2010, but this one certainly had all the big names: Mastodon, Baroness, Between the Buried and Me, High on Fire, Priestess, Valient Thorr, Black Cobra and Bison B.C. Phew! Recycled myspace photo (not a pic from this weekend). Obviously the show was made even more … Read entire article »
Black Metal Toga Party (videos)
Another weekend, another east bay house show: “Black Metal Toga Party” (at the Dog House). They had metalheads, punks, a keg, bbq, torches, hi-octane liquids, volume… the usual stuff. As always the music varied a bit from crust to doom to fartcore. Let’s start it off with Badr Vogu: Badr Vogu – at Black Metal Toga Party – 5.1.2010 roseman (kevin) | MySpace Video Farticus played last, they are more “fartcore” than anything else. They had the most fireballs … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Sounds of the Underground
Video: Skeletonwitch, Cannibal Corpse at Slim’s
Damn, I was looking forward to this show for a long time! Cannibal Corpse brought the house down at Slim’s last night. They played for about an hour and a half, included all of the favorites (more or less) and basically reaffirmed everyone’s beliefs that they’re the most legendary death metal band of all-time. As if there are any doubts amongst those out there, Corpsegrinder officially gets the trophy for “best metal head-banger”. I mean, just … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Live Music, Videos
Triptykon Breathe Life Back Into Celtic Frost Fans With “Eparistera Daimones”
I feel like it was just yesterday when I was legally buying Celtic Frost’s final album, Monotheist. After hearing they were breaking up, I was unable to smile for a few days. But when I found out about another Tom G. Warrior project would have an album out in 2010, I was ecstatic. Now here I am, listening to what very well could be the heaviest album I’ve heard in a long time. Eparistera Daimones, the … Read entire article »
Lots of Death Angel News – Complete with Bullet Points!
Mark Osegueda from Death Angel did a pretty sweet interview with Full Metal Jackie this week. Aside from a bunch of Death Angel news, Mark goes on to talk for a few minutes about the early days of the Bay Area Metal Scene and more or less how everyone in the world envies it. Here are some news items worth mentioning: Death Angel will be touring later this year with Soilwork. If you weren’t aware, there’s been … Read entire article »
The Tidal Wave 12 (FREE 2-day outdoor metal concert in S.F.) is BACK!! (final update 7.28.2010)
YES!!!!! CONFIRMED, The Tidal Wave (a FREE 2-day outdoor metal concert in San Francisco) is coming back! This is the big news we have been waiting for. (final update 7.28.2010 – link to videos from the show at bottom of post) The Tidal Wave 12 is Saturday & Sunday July 24 & 25, 2010 Noon-6pm @ McLaren Park Amphitheater, S.F. (a.k.a. Jerry Garcia Amphitheater). This is a daytime event, Noon-6pm both days (Saturday & Sunday). Yes, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Live Music, News, Sounds of the Underground
Listen to This New Early Graves Track, “Goner”
If there’s a band that can successfully combine punk, metal and death metal, then it has to be San Francisco’s Early Graves. Albeit there is definitely more metal than punk, I appreciate the rawness and speed that these guys put together. I was glad to finally see them a few weeks ago with Light This City, although I could totally see them touring with a lot of the East Coast hardcore bands that make their … Read entire article »
Poll: Does Metal Make You “Angry”?
A funny thing happened to me awhile back. I was hanging out with some folks at work, talking about music and bands and what-not. One of them just got some new album and the conversation inevitably led to her asking everyone about the different types of music that they liked. I wasn’t really paying attention that much, as they were talking about some singer I’ve never heard of (a number that grows larger by the day). … Read entire article »
LidToker Stoner metal. So very stoner. (video)
Oh my. Another day, another East Bay warehouse show! Here’s Stoner Metal band LidToker, playing at WC. The crowd starts waking up around 11 minutes, just in time for… a pillowfight? LidToker – at WC – 4.17.2010 roseman (kevin) | MySpace Video … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Live Music, Sounds of the Underground, Videos
Brutal Posehn
I just picked-up the latest album by NorCal metal-head / funny man / GQ model, Brian Posehn, today. Fart and Wiener Jokes is 26 tracks of music and comedy ranging in topics from metal, pot, music, Los Angeles, metal, marriage, masturbating, metal, technology, slayer, farting, weed and nerd stuff. Posehn came to San Francisco a few weeks ago for a few stand-ups, and supposedly hit up the Black Dahlia Murder show that night. Unfortunately I was … Read entire article »
Decrepit Birth to Cover Death on New Album
I have a feeling that this new Decrepit Birth album will be outta control! The band just posted a bulletin on myspace listing all of the tracks from their new album Polarity and, low and behold, the band covered See Through Dreams off of Death’s Human album (see video below). That’s such a good Death song, I always feel like it never got the attention it deserved, so it’s cool to see a band like … Read entire article »
Embryonic Devourment Have a Reptilian Agenda
I’m digging the new tracks Militarized Reptoids and Darken Thy Fluids from Embryonic Devourment. The tracks actually came out some time ago, but apparently the final recordings just wrapped up last month and the band is ready to release them on their new album, Vivid Interpretations of the Void – as soon as they find a new label. I’m not sure how easy that endeavor will be, but looking at the big metal fests that … Read entire article »
Gilman’s Rent Goes up $3k / Month – Collecting Donations to Survive.
What kind of landlord raises your rent by $3,000 per month?! Shit, I thought they had rent control in Berkeley – apparently not! From the 924 Gilman Blog: On July 1, 2010 our rent will increase by nearly $3000.00 a month, jeopardizing the future of 924 Gilman. A little background… The club’s rent has been increasing every year for the last twenty three years, and up until now we’ve been able to make the adjustments needed to compensate for … Read entire article »
Meaningless Monday Poll: How Many “The Unforgivens” Are Too Many?
New footage of Metallica performing The Unforgiven 3 live in Norway just surfaced on YouTube. I posted a rant about Metallica’s song-naming convention awhile back (I think that post has since been lost), but basically I was asking why there are three Metallica songs named The Unforgiven? I can’t think of any other band that has done that with a song. Can you imagine Led Zeppelin doing Dazed and Confused 2 or Black Sabbath doing … Read entire article »
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