Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 5/15 - 5/21

by beatmasterspeech (LA)

If I wasn't feeling like a plugged-up piece of shit right now, I'd be preparing for the Abysmal Dawn CD release show tonight at the Knitting Factory. Their new album Programmed To Consume is out now and is one fine example of modern death metal.

Supporting them tonight is another personal fave, Dreaming Dead (formerly known as Manslaughter). This amazing blackened thrash band features Elizabeth Schall (Winterthrall, The Iron Maidens) and Mike Caffell (drums, Exhausted Prayer). You definitely do not want to miss the best of LA's local brutality. And look out for our upcoming interview with Abysmal Charles (vocals/guitar, Abysmal Dawn).

Now, if you've got the coin for it, some of the old school heavy hitters are in town, Megadeth and Metallica.



Metallica is coming down from the bay to take part in KROQ's annual "Weenie Roast y Fiesta." Tickets are sold out by now but you can always try eBay or Craigslist. But honestly, check out the line up first... you have to sit through some serious top 40 modern 'rock' until Metallica takes the stage and even then you don't know if it's gonna be a St. Anger set with one oldie or a completely killer set from the Black Album and before... It may be too pricey and risky (lawn tickets start at $55!).

Gigantour makes its LA area stop this year at the Long Beach Arena (featured in the classic Live After Death Iron Maiden DVD). This year's Gigantour features High On Fire, Job For A Cowboy, Children of Bodom, In Flames, and of course tour organizers Megadeth. I'm on the fence with this one. I love High On Fire but in an arena it might not be as awesome... The others I'm just meh about... I mean Megadeth is awesome but it depends on how Dave is feeling that night, you know?

LA show picks 5/15 - 5/21:

Thursday 5/15 - Abysmal Dawn, Letum Ascensus, The Cauterized, Dreaming Dead, Isolation Infamy @ The Knitting Factory [tix]

Saturday 5/17 - Metallica (KROQ's Weenie Roast) @ The Verizon Wireless Ampitheater (Irvine,CA) [tix]

Wednesday 5/21 - Gigantour @ Long Beach Arena [tix]