by beatmasterspeech (LA)
On the local heroes front, the Los Angeles blackened metal band Lightning Swords of Death will be laying waste to the Relax Bar tomorrow night. If you are a fan of 1349 and the like, give these guys a shot-- pure evil from the city of angels.
Also, if you haven't heard of LA's fucking hard rockin' RTX, I highly suggest you get your ass down to Spaceland this Saturday to be wowed and plowed. They have that something special that reminds you of the 80's and patch-covered denim vests. I have yet to catch them live so you can bet your ass I'll be there. I've heard rumors of animal pelts being worn. As an added bonus, Earthless and often-mentioned Bad Dudes will also be on the bill. Show some love to the LA heavy scene by getting wasted with the above.
On the not-so-local heroes front, we have a sack load of good shows as well. Check 'em out after the jump.
LA show picks 6/19 - 6/25:Thursday 7/10 - Trouble @ Safari Sams [$19]
Friday 7/11 - Lightning Swords of Death, Valdur, Gigan, Blasphemous Creation @ Relax Bar [$10]
Friday 7/11 - Summer Slaughter Tour @ House of Blues, Sunset (The Black Dahlia Murder, Aborted, Despised Icon, Vader, Cryptopsy, White Chapel, The Faceless, Suicide Silence, etc..) [$20.50]
Saturday 7/12 - RTX, Earthless, Bad Dudes @ Spaceland [$10]
Tuesday 7/15 - The Melvins @ Amoeba Music [free]
July 10, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 7/10 - 7/16
June 19, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 6/19 - 6/25
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Oh shit shows for real this time!!!! June 23rd @ The Relax Bar – Torche & Clouds, OH SHIT! Tonight @ The Echo – Earth, OH SHIT! Tonight @ The Smell – Lesbians. Honorable mention goes to June 23rd @ Knitting Factory – Cattle Decapitation, Phobia, Skarp, The Funeral Pyre and many more.
Let’s break it down. You should not miss Torche and Clouds in the intimate setting of the Relax Bar. No, they do not have a pro stage set up there, but Torche will most likely be set up on the floor so you can be face to face with the bomb string explosions. I’m pretty sure this show will sell out so get their early. Larry from Pelican will be DJ’ing between bands. Earth will be cool and Lesbians are always a trip. And you can always get down with the grind if you aint feelin’ the Torche show. Now everyone together, repeat after me... OH SHIT!
LA show picks 6/19 - 6/25:Thursday 6/19 - Earth @ The Echo [tix]
Thursday 6/19 - Lesbians @ The Smell
Monday 6/23 - Torche, Clouds @ Relax Bar
Monday 6/23 - Cattle Decapitation, Phobia, Skarp, The Funeral Pyre and more @ Knitting Factory [tix]
June 12, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 6/12 - 6/18
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Beeeooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww is the sound of the doom string and it's the sound you will hear a lot when you go see a pretty stand up show at The Smell this Saturday. Ancestors, your favorite two keyboardist and gong-related psychedelic doom band, will be warming up The Smell for headliners and fuzz riff masters Earthless. One thing: The Smell does not have a liquor license, soooooooooooo... You shouldn’t be drinking for this kind of show anyways. Try an herbal remedy before you go in. $5 at the door. Beeeooooowwwwwwwwwwww!
Once you’ve harshed your mellow with Saturday night traffic, try driving in Sunday traffic to the Troubadour (Sunday traffic really ain’t much better than Saturday traffic). The Troubadour will play host to recently-hip to the hipsters Russian Circles and the always-fun-to-watch Daughters.
The last time I saw Daughters at the Troubadour, the vocalist made himself vomit a bit in his hand, finished the song, started the next, then slurped up the dripping puke from his hand. His expression did not change at all, but the slight smell of puke (I was up close) almost caused a chain reaction of puking in the venue. I admit, I dry heaved. Good Show. See if he does it again.
LA show picks 6/12 - 6/18:Saturday 6/14 - Earthless, Ancestors @ The Smell
Sunday 6/15 - Russian Circles, Daughters @ The Troubadour [tix]
June 5, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 6/5 - 6/11
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
It's a bum week in LA for metallic music. I got one, only one show on my radar folks... the illustrated metal phenomenon, Dethklok, is in town. Actually, I think Brendon Small (creator, voices, music, man of many talents) lives in town as he's a regular at local metal shows, or at least he was before Dethklok kicked him into a constant busy schedule.
You can find the live incarnation of Toki Wartooth, Pickles the drummer, William Murderface (best name ever), Nathan Explosion, and Skwisgaar Skwigelf at the Wiltern tomorrow night. Soilent Green (major selling point for me, minus their latest artwork) and Chimaira (boo... hisss) are the supporting acts.
LA show picks 6/5 - 6/11:
Friday 6/6 - Dethklok, Soilent Green, Chimaira @ The Wiltern [tix]Continue Reading...
May 29, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 5/29 - 6/4
by beatmasterspeech (LA) by rufus
Hi, I'm Rufus. Much like Black Metal Jim, beatmasterspeech is currently AWOL. Maybe if Mr. Crustcake paid these people they wouldn't disappear. But hey, what the hell do I know?
Anyway, you're gonna have to go it alone this week. No help from crustcake on the LA shows, sorry. You gotta fend for yerself.
I'd suggest trying Oh My Rockness, but sometimes they miss the good metal shows. This might help too...
Now, I'm off to give your mom a sponge bath. She loves it when I do that.
May 23, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 5/22 - 5/28
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Slow for shows this week but there are two good 'uns. Soilent Green will be in the House... of Blues mixing up their batch of southern sludgy death metal with a few friends, but my money will be spent on many drinks at the Knitting Factory saluting my favorite necro-death metallers Anaal Nathrakh. Go rip it up with them, you will not forget it.
Or you could just wait for Maiden next weekend.
LA show picks 5/22 - 5/28:
Saturday 5/24 - Death Angel, God Forbid, Light This City, Soilent Green @ House of Blues, Sunset Strip [tix]Continue Reading...
Wednesday 5/28 - Anaal Nathrakh, Sumeria, Lightning Swords Of Death, Diabolos, Nekcrium @ Knitting Factory [tix]
May 15, 2008
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]
May 8, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 5/8 - 5/14
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Los Angeles is still creepin' on the metal shows, but I'll take quality over quantity any day. Battle-metal masters Turisas are making their US debut as part of the MetalSucks-sponsored Paganfest USA. These guys might be an acquired taste for some, but how could epic triumphant battle metal-- with members in full-out armor and weapons-- be a bad thing? But be warned: most mags and blogs describe these guys as folk metal. I guess I can see that considering all the non-traditional instruments used in their epic battle songs, but it's not like you have anything better to do tonight.
Aaaand, drum roll please... ok, nevermind that. Municipal Fucking Waste will be ripping it at the Relax Bar Friday night (maybe you will see the Terror Shark, footage of the shark in its natural environment can be found below). I dig the Relax Bar, it's just a tiny bar with a small stage and that's about it, but they book good shit. So go. And there is no TicketMaster bullshit for this, so you just need to get there before it's full...
Rare Terror Shark Footage:
LA show picks 5/8 - 5/14:
Thursday 5/8 - Ensiferum, Turisas, Tyr, Eluveitie, Suidakra (Pagafest USA) @ House Of Blues, Hollywood [tix]Continue Reading...
Friday 5/9 - Municipal Waste @ Relax Bar
May 1, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 5/1 - 5/7
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
This happens every year, at least according to my not-so-good short term memory. Coachella comes around, and with it all metal shows disappear or go into hiding for like a week. It's as if the influx of hipsters into the so-cal area freaks the metal promoters out so much that they've become accustomed to laying low during the late April / early May concert season. That or it's just too damn expensive to be on the road right now with the cost of gas and shit.
BUT, there is one cool show to keep us sane during these turbulent times. The Progressive Nation 2008 Tour!!! YeePee. Sweep arpeggios, odd time signatures, concept albums, music for musicians, shredders!!! Yay! Alright, let me lay off the sarcasm a bit.
Us crustcake guys pretty much met over a conversation discussing Dream Theater's Scenes from a Memory, so I'm a closet fan. I haven't followed the band since then, but the line up for this tour should seal the deal even for the non Dream Theater believers. 3, Between The Buried And Me, and, wait for it... wait for it... OPETH!
Fuck yeah, the highlight. I’ve have always been an Opeth fan and I will wave that flag proudly. I'm so excited for the new record, everything I've heard so far has been beyond my expectations. So fucking Friday, be there at the Gibson Amphitheater in dreaded Universal City for epic long songs with epic story lines and epic chord progressions and epic beer prices. And OPETH.
Bye.
LA show picks 5/1 - 5/7:
Friday 5/2 - Dream Theater, Opeth, Between The Buried And Me, 3 @ Gibson Amphitheater [tix]Opeth - "Porcelain Heart":
Continue Reading...
April 24, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 4/24 - 4/30
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Man oh man... Ain't much going down for shows this week. Young disciples of the true school of thrash Warbringer are playing the Whiskey A Go Go tonight. They may be a little green onstage, but their debut LP, War Without End, totally rips.
Warbringer - "Combat Shock":
In effort to keep your buzz going two days straight, you may wish to check out Across Tundras tomorrow night at The Relax Bar. Their sound is a mix of acid, slower classic rock, and a weird desperation. Definitely a cinematic band (but not in the Neur-Isis sense, more like in the western movie sense; does that make sense to y'all?). Just think of open fields right before a mild thunderstorm. Deep, man. Deep.
LA show picks 4/24 - 4/30:
Thursday 4/24 - Warbringer @ Whiskey A Go GoContinue Reading...
Friday 4/25 - Across Tundras @ Relax Bar
April 17, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 4/17 - 4/23
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
This weekend is a biggy! Local metal booker/promoter Church of the 8th Day has once again brought back the Los Angeles Murderfest, coincidentally taking place on 4/20 weekend. There are shit ton of bands that are a must-see for any self-respecting metalhead; so, if you live in LA and are into heavy music, you should be at this or you'll be asked to turn in your metal membership club card.
(I, hypocritically, will not be in town as I’m attending the first annual Crustcake Summit meeting taking place in Nuevo York. I’ll be sure to take notes and present them to all the blog's shareholders.)
Some key players in the festival of murder are: Napalm Death, Converge, Baroness, The Funeral Pyre, Vital Remains, Repulsion, Entombed, Extreme Noise Terror, Meat Shits, Waco Jesus, Today is The Day, Trap Them... the list goes on and on and on. Check out the full lineup and schedule here. I would like to add that the Knitting Factory parking garage is pretty slack on security so don’t be afraid to drink a few down there on the cheap before heading in to the show.
But, if the brutal side of metal ain’t your fancy this weekend, yous gots options my friend. The Sword are jamming the righteous riffs at El Rey Theatre Friday night with Maiden-esque metalers Slough Feg and Brooklyn's Children (featuring members of Early Man and S.T.R.E.E.T.S.).
Download: The Sword - "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians" [MP3]
And it may not be the Helmet we grew up with, but Page Hamilton and Co. will be playing your favorite Helmet jams on Friday as well at the Key Club.
LA show picks 4/17 - 4/23:Friday 4/18 - Sunday 4/20 - LA Murderfest @ Knitting Factory [tix]
Friday 4/18 - The Sword, Slough Feg @ El Rey Theatre [tix]
Friday 4/18 - Helmet @ Key Club [tix]
April 10, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 4/10 - 4/16
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Testament will be at Key Club this Saturday & Sunday, but I'm holding out for their rumored tour with Motörhead, Heaven & Hell, and Judas Priest. Your money will be better spent on that package, and it appears that it'll be going from rumor to reality soon. Fingers crossed!
And as previously mentioned, Keep of Kalessin will be layering on the eyeliner for their Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir supporting slot at The Grove next Wednesday. I have yet to catch the eyeliner assassins but Dimmu and Behemoth usually put on a good show.
LA show picks 4/10 - 4/16:
Saturday 4/12 & Sunday 4/13 - Testament @ Key Club [tix]Continue Reading...
Wednesday 4/16 - Keep of Kalessin, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir @ The Grove [tix]
April 3, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 4/3 - 4/9
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
If once is not enough for you, how 'bout three times? That's right, Ministry and Meshuggah are playing three back-to-back shows this coming weekend at the HoB Sunset (find me there Friday, I will be wearing a black shirt and jeans). Appropriately titled 'C U LaTour,' this tour will be the last for Ministry; they are hanging up the old road dog boots. It's gonna be one hell of a show with Ministry capping it off with a two and a half hour set! Check this quote from Al Jourgensen:
"A Ministry tour is a traveling circus, When we roll into town, everyone hides their daughters, but the freaks roll out the red carpet and a friend or two pops up on stage to add some spice and mayhem to the show. We never know who's gonna walk through the dressing room door at sound check. We rehearse a bunch of 'extra' songs just in case so-and-so shows up..."Download: Ministry – "Let's Go" [MP3]
Download: Meshuggah – "Paralyzing Ignorance" [MP3]
Remember Primus? You better! Well it may not be Primus, but it's a good chunk of them showing up Friday night at the Wiltern... And by 'good chunk,' I mean 'one'-- that is, the one and only Les Claypool. Now, he's done a ton of other projects besides Primus so I'm not sure what to expect; however, good musician + cool twangy voice = good show. On a sidenote, Les Claypool is doing what looks like a comedic take on the popular Rockumentary format with National Lampoon. Looks like someone is making fun of hippies!!! See the trailer for Electric Apricot – The Quest for Festeroo at Claypool's site. Oh Yeah! Let’s try that two word description thing again: Les Claypool = Frets Suck!
And on a quick note... Go get fuzzed out with Fu Manchu Saturday at the up-close-and-intimate Troubadour then cap the crustcake concert week off with some fancy footwork inspired by RJD2 on the ones and twos (man that was lame... or was it?). One more chance for the two word game! Are you getting sick of it? Fu Manchu = Bud Brothers; RJD2 = DJ Shadow??? Ooooooh, snap!
Download: Fu Manchu – "Drive"
Download: RJD2 – "2 More Dead"
LA show picks 4/3 - 4/9:
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - Ministry & Meshuggah @ House of Blues, Sunset [tix]Continue Reading...
Friday 4/4 - Les Claypool @ The Wiltern [tix]
Saturday 4/5 - Fu Manchu @ Troubadour [tix]
Wednesday 4/9 - RJD2 @ El Rey Theater [tix]
March 27, 2008
Crustcake Picks - La Shows 3/27 - 4/2
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Instrumental bliss will be poking its head out of the Echoplex tonight-- Red Sparowes and Russian Circles will be there to show you how it's done sans vokills. If you're reading this blog you are probably at least somewhat familiar with both bands, but let's try and describe each with only two words. Red Sparowes = dark dreams; Russian Circles = progressive salad. Not sure if that worked but I had fun doing it... Kids, do try this one at home.
Download: Red Sparowes – "Our Happiest Days Slowly Began to Turn Into Dust" [MP3]
Download: Russian Circles – "Death Rides a Horse" [MP3]
I will support Middian's legal fund by going and buying a bunch of beer and maybe a shirt Friday night at the Mountain Bar. After all, there's no cover charge. I love the Mountain Bar-- downstairs gives the illusion of blood dripping down the wall, or that just could be my twisted mind's interpretation. But you can bet your ass that with a night of dirty doom courtesy of Indian, Middian, and Ancestors, you too might think it's blood dripping and not a fancy shmancy paint job... Did I mention it was free?
Download: Indian – "Slights and Abuse" [MP3]
Download: Middian – "The Celebrant (sample)" [MP3]
Aaaaaaand there are some other cool shows worth mentioning that could put a hurtin' on my wallet in the coming days. GZA will be spitting hot fire (man that sounded dumb after re-reading it) at the El Rey Theatre [which is Spanish for "The The King Theatre" - Ed.], maybe he'll bust some stuff from the Liquid Swords LP.
House of Blues Sunset will provide dinner and drinks for Soilwork next Wednesday. Let me be honest-- I really just want to hear the Chainheart Machine stuff and then I'll probably go over to The Knitting Factory to catch power duo Jucifer. Let's play that game we did earlier again: Jucifer = downtuned angel (I think I suck at this two word thing... Oh well).
Download: Jucifer – "Hennin Hardine" [MP3]
LA show picks 3/27 - 4/2:Thursday 3/27 - Red Sparowes, Russian Circles @ The Echoplex [tix]
Friday 3/28 - Indian, Middian, Ancestors @ The Mountain Bar [Free!]
Saturday 3/29 - GZA @ El Rey Theatre [tix]
Wednesday 4/2 - Soilwork @ House of Blues, Sunset [tix]
Wednesday 4/2 - Jucifer @ The Knitting Factory [tix]
March 20, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 3/20 - 3/26
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Ok people, I’m fucking swamped with work right now but I care about y'all (as much as passive blogger can) and I want to throw some shit out there so people can get pumped on live music.
Tonight, Relax Bar plays host to highly praised crusty blackened Atlanta outfit Withered who will be supported by local favorites The Funeral Pyre.
The Funeral Pyre - "Wounds":
Withered - "Silent Grave":
Also tonight, get your head smashed at the Key Club with Nile, The Faceless, Suicide Silence, and Nachtmystium. Nile has never let me down in terms of limitless death metal, and what else can be said about Nachmystium? You’ll find yourself humming their riffs for the rest of the week.
Download: Nile - "Lashed to The Slave Stick" [MP3]
Download: Suicide Silence - "Ending Is The Beginning" [MP3]
Saturday, you'll be at Tony’s Bar seeing Intronaut, Yakuza, and The Fucking Wrath (oh shit!!!). If you still haven’t gotten your fix of sweep arpeggios and blast beats, stop by The Whiskey and be pummeled into submission by techy grind masters Beneath The Massacre.
Download: Yakuza - "Cancer of Industry" [MP3]
Download: Beneath The Massacre - "Society’s Disposable Son" [MP3]
Oh yeah, hip hop poet Saul Williams is at The Troubadour on Saturday as well if you need to mix things up a bit.
LA show picks 3/20 - 3/26:Thursday 3/20 - Withered, Snakes Alive, The Funeral Pyre @ Relax Bar
Thursday 3/20 - Nile, Suicide Silence, The Faceless, Nachtmystium @ Key Club [tix]
Saturday 3/22 - Intronaut, Yakuza, The Fucking Wrath @ Tony’s Bar
Tuesday 3/25 - Beneath The Massacre @ The Whiskey A Go-Go [tix]
Tuesday 3/25 - Saul Williams @ The Troubadour [tix]
March 13, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 3/13 - 3/19
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
I'd like to use the word solid to describe two things: 1.) my shit 2.) my upcoming show list. This week is a real doozie... ok, enough of that crap... alright, for real now. Good thing I get paid this week because I’m gearing up for a geek out on merch at the following shows.
Thursday is a double header for you fellow Angelenos. If you haven’t heard by now, Clutch are going to be throwing down their Marlyand swamp stomp at the Henry Fonda Theater OR save a lil’ money on ticket prices and let me know how Danava does it live (they open for Acid Mothers Temple so get their early).
Sunday is probably the best day to catch Exhausted Prayer at the Relax Bar. They'll be sharing the stage with Shining (the one from Norway, not Sweden) and local heroes Winterthrall.
After you have knelt at the alter of the ripping Exhausted Prayer, get in gear for a cinematic experience with Explosions In The Sky at "hard to sneak in outside alc-e-hol" The Wiltern.
However, I think I’m most excited to catch the upcoming Fight Amp with Nadja (new album soon) @ The Scene Bar out in Glendale. The experimental Chicago-ens?, Chicagoians?-- dudes from Chicago Yakuza will be headlining the show.
LA show picks 3/13 - 3/19:Thursday 3/13 - Clutch @ Henry Fonda Theater [tix]
Thursday 3/13 - Acid Mother’s Temple, Danava @ The Echo (early show!!! 6pm!!!)
Sunday 3/16 - Exhausted Prayer, Shining, Winterthrall @ Relax Bar
Monday 3/17 - Explosions in the Sky @ The Wiltern [tix]
Wednesday 3/19 - Fight Amp, Nadja, Yakuza @ The Scene Bar
Download: Clutch - "Brazenhead (live with Per “The Funky Swede” Wiberg of Spiritual Beggars, Opeth)" [MP3]
Download: Yakuza - "Cancer of Industry" [MP3]
Download: Nadja - "By" [MP3]
Download: Explosions in the Sky - "Welcome, Ghosts" [MP3]
March 6, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 3/6 - 3/12
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
The theme for this week is "Less Is More." There aren't many shows but the ones that are happening are definitely "get your but into traffic and go"-worthy. This Friday come get hip to the up-and-coming apocalyptic sounds of Black Math Horseman-- you expect to hear more from these guys (and girl) in the near future. Or scratch crustcake gerf’s nuts by going to check out one of his personal faves, Delta Spirit, at the Troubadour this Viernes.
Fans and folks just finding out about influential so-cal hardcore act Taken will have one more chance to witness the greatness live. They’ve reunited to show folks how it was (and should still be) done and will take the stage with Graf Orlock this Saturday night at Chain Reaction. Better get your tickets now, as this is sure to sell out. And a word to the wise, if a special gal (or guy for that matter) catches your eye, be sure to check their ID as this place is all ages and usually has a line of Soccer Moms in oversized SUVs waiting to pick up their kids from the rock 'n roll show.
Crustcake favorites Big Business are playing Spaceland on Sunday-- you would be destroying your inner chi if you do not go to this show.
Get a (non toxic and animal friendly) whiff of Earth Crisis at the Knitting Factory next Wednesday. A personal fave, Shai Hulud, will be sharing the stage with them as well...
Now I will relieve myself on this computer...
LA show picks 3/6 - 3/12:Friday 3/7 - Black Math Horsemen, The Copperthief @ Relax Bar
Friday 3/7 - Delta Spirit, The Virgins, Port O Brien @ The Troubadour [tix]
Saturday 3/8 - Taken, Graf Orlock, It Prevails, The Ghost Inside @ Chain Reaction [tix]
Sunday 3/9 - Big Business, Red Fang, The Cops @ Spaceland [tix]
Wednesday 3/12 - Earth Crisis, Sworn Enemy, Shai Hulud, Down to Nothing, Recon @ Knitting Factory [tix]
Download: Big Business - "Just as the Day was Dawning" [MP3]
Download: Earth Crisis - "End Begins" [MP3]
Listen: Taken [Reunion MySpace]
February 28, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 2/28 - 3/5
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
LA has somewhat of a "bands of metal’s history" theme this week. Well, Napalm Death are still pumping out records and letting everyone know how to DIY and rise up! Go check out the legends tomorrow @ the House of Blues, Sunset. I would bet you might get a shot at seeing their take on the Dead Kennedys' "Nazi Punks, Fuck Off." After you’ve had your head grinded to a pulp, come find me in the room of doom at the Mountain Bar giving praises to the almighty Ancestors.
Saturday is a day for reflection (and nursing of the hangover) because Sunday you may want to be ready to witness a live set from the equally influential old school death metalers Possessed. I should mention, however, that only the original vocalist, Jeff Becerra, remains. Nonetheless, you can expect them to shred some tunes from their amazing Seven Churches record. Some say that the release of Seven Churches in 1983 may have been the first use of the term "Death Metal" (it’s track 10 on the record).
But if your head is still pounding from Friday’s show hopping, pre-roll some spliffs and get your groove on with Z-Trip @ El Rey Theatre Sunday night.
Aaaaaaaaaaand, the heroes from the Valley, Bad Religion, will be burning up Hollywood at the House of Blues next Tuesday and Wednesday (and a few dates besides). If you're a Bad Religion noob, I would highly suggest checking out some of their older catalog that was just recently remastered and released via Epitaph.
LA show picks 2/28 - 3/5:Friday 2/29 - Devildriver, Napalm Death, 36 Crazyfists, Straight Line Stitch, In Vitro @ The House of Blues, Sunset [Tix]
Friday 2/29 - Ancestors, Animal Charm, Author & Punisher, Council of 7 Lights (feat. Braden from Tarantula Hawk), Tweak Bird, Ox vs. Thunderbird @ The Mountain Bar [Free!]
Sunday 3/2 - Possessed, Sadistic Intent, Letum Ascensus, Witch Haven @ The House of Blues, Sunset [Tix]
Sunday 3/2 - MSTRKRFT, Z-Trip, LA Riots, Diabetic @ El Rey Theatre [Tix]
Tuesday 3/4 - Bad Religion, Broadway Calls, Hi-Fi Handgrenades @ The House of Blues, Sunset [Tix]
Wednesday 3/5 - Bad Religion, Miss Derringer, Del Toro @ The House of Blues, Sunset [Tix]
Download: Bad Religion - Atheist Peace [MP3]
Download: Z-Trip - Live at the Get Back [MP3]
Download: Napalm Death - Scum [MP3]
Download: Napalm Death - Twist the Knife (Slowly) [MP3]
February 21, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 2/21 - 2/27
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
As I sit here with deep dark circles under my eyes and my head pounding from a night of beer testing (I tested only one brand-- i am very thorough) I can’t even begin to think about concerts and loud noises right now. But I guess, if I had to be sensitive to light and sound, this would be the week-- it's been raining a bit, if you haven't noticed, and there is only one show on my radar.
Guys and Gals, apparently LA is a no-fly zone for bands post Presidents Day, however there's one show out and about in Los Angeles is a real doozie. Greek metalers Rotting Christ will be playing at the Galaxy for what appears to be the venue's last show. Immolation and my personal fave, Belphegor (video below), will also be sharing the stage with the Greek gods of metal. It's quite fitting that the "Lucifer Over America Tour" will be stopping by to help close out The Galaxy's impressive run.
LA show picks 2/21 - 2/27:
Friday 2/22 - Rotting Christ, Immolation, Belphegor @ The Galaxy [Tix]
Belphegor - "Bleeding Salvation":
Continue Reading...
February 14, 2008
Crustcake Picks - LA Shows 2/14 - 2/20
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Can you hear me out there crustcakers!?!? Every metalhead, thrash master, gore grinder, and ball-squeezing power metaler's heroes, IRON FUCKING MAIDEN, are coming to LA and fittingly so-- LA is one of few places where you can still see the thrash boots (read: Converse with fat tongues), denim vests with original patches, and big hair (in the Tom Araya sense).
Bruce Dickinson and crew's 'Ed Force One' will be touching down at LAX shortly, bringing Maiden's "Somewhere Back in Time" tour to The Forum next Tuesday. The stage setup is their largest yet and is modeled after the legendary Powerslave tour. Epic:
Maiden will jam out some tracks from the 80's-- stuff we missed on their previous tour for "A Matter of Life & Death," which they played in its entirety leaving little room for the classics. Keep your eyes peeled because Cyborg Eddie has been scheduled to appear.
Also going on this week: Get your V-Day celebration on at The El Rey Theatre with The Black Lips tonight then spark up a spliff in the expensive parking lot behind The Wiltern tomorrow and prepare to be moved by DJ Shadow (responsible for one of my top albums of all time) and Cut Chemist. Next Wednesday, make your way to The Echo for the perfect hump day concert with The Album Leaf soothing souls. You'll need it after being slaughtered by Maiden.
LA show picks 2/14 - 2/20:Thursday 2/14 - The Black Lips @ El Rey Theatre
Friday 2/15 - DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist @ The Wiltern
Tuesday 2/19 - Iron Maiden @ The Forum
Wednesday 2/20 - The Album Leaf @ The Echo
[MP3] The Black Lips - "Lock & Key (live at Amoeba, Hollywood)"[MP3] DJ Shadow - "Midnight in a Perfect World"[MP3] Iron Maiden - "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"
[MP3] The Album Leaf (featuring Jónsi Birgisson or Sigur Ros) – "Over the Pond"