California Metalfest VI (11/24/12)

Every year, California gets to throw the biggest metal festival this state has ever seen. Featuring bands from all the major metal labels as well as locals and vendors, this event couldn't be bigger and better. This years lineup featured big names such as Bleeding Through, Upon A Burning Body, Darkest Hour, Asking Alexandria, A Skylit Drive, The Great Commission and what everyone was hoping for, the original lineup of Killswitch Engage who played their whole first album Alive Or Just Breathing to celebrate the ten year anniversary of it's release.

Gates opened at eleven in the morning and the line went on forever it seemed. The local bands took the stage early in the day. Some of the locals I have talked of before in my blog played today such as Paradigm and Beneath The Veil. Paradigm attracted a huge crowd as they played. The group presented the concert goers with new tracks such as "Plight of the Black Coats" and "As Ashes" and the new and loyal fans loved. Another good band caught around the same time Paradigm played was Of Legions. Of Legions was a heavy upcoming act that got the early crowd started and ready. Legends Shall Fall and You Only Live Once also were two of the earlier acts that caught a lot of attention. Legends Shall Fall brought their unique brand of deathcore destruction to the stage and You Only Live Once gave their fans a great show with their two female vocalists. Since there was four stages, I couldn't catch every act but I caught quite a few.

Time came that the big acts started playing and one of the first I caught was Attila who come out of Georgia with their "party metal" sound. Playing mostly songs off their recent release Outlawed such as Payback, White Lightning and Light Me Up, many beers, blunts and joints were up in the air. Afterwards I caught the band Veil of Maya. Veil of Maya is a very technical deathcore act and with tracks played live such as Unbreakable, Eclipse and Mowgli, many people gathered to check them out. I was able to catch many other acts such as the electro-post hardcore act I See Stars, the symphonic deathcore giants Winds of Plague, the tech death metal kings The Faceless, hardcore's finest Betrayal, and many others.

Later that night was the part everyone gathered for. Killswitch Engage took the stage and the crowd went insane. Their guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz came out with beer in hand and short cut jean shorts like he has made famous through the years. When vocalist Jesse Leach (original vocalist from the band's start till he left and Howard Jones of Blood Has Been Shed took over) took his place on stage, every camera went off and the start of their set began. They opened with the start of Alive Of Just Breathing and played the full album in it's entirety. With famous tracks like Fixation on the Darkness, My Last Serenade, Life To Lifeless and Vide Infra, the crowd went wild. There was moments of everyone singing along, crowd surfing, relentless pits and people just jumping around. It was amazing to see this performance live and know that a piece of my high school memories is back and not going away.

Another great part was the after party for all the bands, their friends, family and press as well. It was time to mingle with musicians, talk to label representatives and just enjoy a great day of music and metal. I have to say that this event was one of the best years I have experienced through the short but growing years of the annual California Metalfest. I am already looking forward to next year's!

Our Own Accord (11/15/12)

Another band that is not your usual metal outfit is Our Own Accord. Hailing from Whittier, the group has already been making an impact on the local scene. The group consists of Alex Gray on vocals, Julian Bastida and Bobby Cortez on guitars, Eric Yoakum on bass and Vic Karam on drums. The band has put together a great combination of progressive metal and hardcore in their sound.

After playing many events, shows and getting their name out there, the group has put forth more effort than most bands in the local scene. Our Own Accord is constantly seeking out new venues and shows to play and are some of the coolest guys to have a chat with.

The group most recently played at California Metalfest and definitely received a lot of love from the crowd as well as exposed some new tracks. The group keeps the energy flowing through out their stage time and will keep you moving out in the pit. For those who have yet to hear them live, you are missing out.

Thrown Into Exile (11/14/12)

While Thrown Into Exile is a relatively new band from Los Angeles, they have already become the talk of the town with high-profile opening slots for bands including Sepultura, Fear Factory, Chimaira, All Shall Perish, and many more. But it was this past summer's Mayhem Festival that was the biggest proving ground yet for Thrown Into Exile, as they were able to win the “Road to Mayhem” competition over dozens of other bands to secure a slot performing on the same bill as Slipknot, Motorhead, Anthrax, and Slayer which was a dream come true for all five of the hard-working bandmates.

Another sign of good things to come for Thrown Into Exile is the fact that they are currently working on their debut EP, which is being produced by Mike Spreitzer of DevilDriver. As if that were not impressive enough for a band that didn't exist at the start of last year, Thrown Into Exile's members have also received endorsement deals based on their musical skill and high profile from renowned companies such as EMG Pickups, Peavey Amplifiers, Coffin Case, and Pearl Drums.

How does a young band get such a great start? Founding members Mario Rubio and Colin Reed agree that it is all about one simple word: commitment.

For now, that means Thrown Into Exile will be working hard getting out on the road, getting involved in major tours, and writing and recording new music as much as possible. The music itself is whatʼs most important to the band. While not out to win any awards for being the fastest, the most complex, or the most brutal, Thrown Into Exile takes an approach where the song itself is what inspires the performances. The result is a band that does not rely on studio tricks to get their point across; instead, what you hear on the recordings is what you get at the live show. Itʼs not at all uncommon to see a person who would never previously heard of Thrown Into Exile jumping into the pit and getting crazy from their first exposure to the music.

I'd Rather Be Fishing (11/13/12)

I'd Rather Be Fishing is a metal/hardcore band fresh out of Long Beach and was one of the bands that I was able to see at California Metalfest. The band consists of Gaby Worsham on vocals, Cameron Good on guitar, Jacob Roberts on bass and Jerry Valenzuela on drums.

I'd Rather Be Fishing was the winners of the battle of the bands for a spot to play California Metalfest.

With a fusion of ferocious energy, catchy riffs and heavy breakdowns, this band is sure to be a great up and coming band. They are in the process of recording a demo as of now and plan to continue playing.

You Only Live Once (11/11/12)

You Only Live Once is a female fronted post hardcore band from Los Angeles, CA and started in September of 2010. Fronted by screamer Stephanie Isis and singer Ariel Sanson who were also seen on the TV shows The X Factor and America's Got Talent. Guitars are done by Valentine and Jaffy Valkyrie. Drums are done by Jared Salazar and bass is played by Louis.

With their vocalists' appearance on The X Factor and America's Got Talent, their fame skyrocketed. Not being favored by Simon Cowell, they did become favored among the music scene. With a unique mix of Stephanie's screams and Ariel's singing, their music is almost hypnotic in a sense to those who have not heard a female fronted band like Eyes Set To Kill or A City Serene.

Their songs like You Will Never Be Alone, I Should've Known and Look At Us Now all have a different sound but seem to be their popular tracks and played at all their live sets. Have a listen to this group and see why they are growing more and more fans daily.

Vale of Avalon (11/10/12)

A long time ago, in a So Cal city far, far away...well not a long time ago or far away butVale of Avalon was born. Vale of Avalon is from Fullerton and started in 2009.

Two siblings by the name of Richi (vocals) & Michelle Molina (vocals/guitars) were devoted to making their own band. Vale of Avalon started on one random day in September 29, 2009 in the parking lot of a Walmart. Three kids met each other that day while waiting in a Paramore Meet & Greet line. Michelle had camped out to be one of the first in line and was awoken very early in the morning to the sound of strumming. It was none other than Sam Torres (guitars). They spent the rest of the day entertaining the crowd with cover songs and Richi met up with them later & they decided a month later to start a band together.

When starting the band, Vale of Avalon wanted to do something that not many people have done before in the music scene. By mixing screamo/post-hardcore with indie and alternative instrumentals and sounds. Within two years of being a band, they never would of dreamed opening up for bands that inspired them like Falling In Reverse, Oh, Sleeper, Eyes Set To Kill, Aiden, Arms Like Yours, New Years Day, and many more.

This year, the group also embarked on their first tour. They joined in on the Lies & Deception Tour with Aura & Vanity in support of Love On The Lips Of A Whore. Due to their drummer's injury at work before the tour, they brought a different sound by being an acoustic three piece during an all deathcore and metalcore tour. Sadly also this year the band has announced their breakup.

KillGarry (11/7/12)

KillGarry is a unique melodic hardcore/metalcore project from Pico Rivera, CA. Ivan on vocals, Robles and Johnny Boii on guitars, Ferna on bass and Daniel on drums makes up the band. The group got their name from a street in their hometown called Kilgarry Avenue. They thought it would make a unique and meaningful name for their band as well as have a cool name in general.

The band has been a frequent guest at their local venue The Moose Lodge in Whittier since their manager Jesse Goytia books the venue as well for other local bands. The group has made a solid impact on their local scene with quite the dedicated following and hearing their songs, you'll see why.

Earlier this year the group recorded an EP which featured their anthem track "Risen" which has been a fan favorite. For those who have seen them live, you can feel the energy this group brings to the stage and also for myself, I have played two shows in the past with these guys and its amazing seeing their stage presence and feeling the energy they bring. Definitely a band that has the potential to make it far.

Desecrated Adversary (11/5/12)

Desecrated Adversary is a heavy deathcore band from the Los Angeles area. With past members from previous local projects, these dudes aren't just your average local band. Starting in 2010, the group gathered and began writing music right away. The band consists of Torta on vocals, Joe Maldonado and Lester Garcia on guitars, High Hand on bass and Nick Moreno on drums.

The group have been working as a self-managed and self-produced project since day one. It is also a sure bet that any local metal and hardcore show you attend, these guys will be on the bill. Playing shows in Paramount, Huntington Park, East Los Angeles, Maywood, Corona and all over pretty much and they don't plan on stopping.

In late 2011/early 2012, the group released an EP titled Modern Day Slavery which did very well among the local metal scene. The track "Oblige" has been a crowd mover at every show that they have played. If you have not checked these guys out, do so now!

Goliath (11/4/12)

Goliath is a monstrosity of a band. With sold out shows, playing all over with their genre's heavy hitters and releasing Vendetta With The World, Goliath is a force to be reckoned with. Goliath hails from Los Angeles and got their start in 2010. The band features members Alex Sterling and Corey Dunn on dual vocals, Kevin Ricci and Michael Montoya on guitars, Brandon Allen on bass and Chris Morales on drums.

Within a short period of only two years, Goliath has released two EPs. Their first EP, Misanthropy, featured guest vocals from Ricky Hoover of Suffokate which got the group a lot of attention. Their most recent second release Vendetta With The World, has generated a buzz amongst many reviewers and fans alike. Tracks Society's Outcasts and The Cold Hands Of Karma have become their fan favorites as well as anthems for the familiar pit beasts, floor pounders and arm swingers.

This band is a must for those who enjoy good beatdown and deathcore straight outta Cali. Definitely for fans of Suffokate, Liferuiner and Betrayal.

A Love Ends Suicide (11/2/12)

From the city of West Covina, California, A Love Ends Suicide became a quickly growing act as a progressive metalcore band. The group released copies of their self produced 2004 EP throughout most of the United States, which helped build an admirable reputation in today's music scene. Shortly after beginning their full-time journey on the road, the guys of A Love Ends Suicide experienced what it was going to take to successfully bring their music the attention of as much of the world as possible.

The band consists of five members, four of which happen to be brothers. John Cairoli (vocals) has developed an intense, energy-filled stage performance, standing out among many other acts in the scene. Emir Abdo (bass, clean vocals), with intense stage presence on bass guitar, also compliments the intensity of the music with melodic vocal lines. Oscar Cairoli (guitar) helps create a sound like no other with his riveting guitar lines and musical influences combined. Andres Abdo (drums), the youngest of the pack, brings forth a great deal of strength, power, technique, and originality to the music. Matt Garcia (guitar) adds a big sound to the group with neck-breaking riffs and heart-pounding energy.

In May of 2006, A Love Ends Suicide officially signed to Metal Blade Records, with the generous and highly appreciated help of Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying. Their last release In The Disaster was their biggest and best known release as is still heard today. The group broke up in 2009 then later started up with a new name called Lets Fighting after a joke song on the show South Park called "Let's Fighting Love."

Aurora Black (11/1/12)

Aurora Black was a pretty well known, up and coming blackened death metal band from West Covina, CA. They have released three full lengths and an EP before disappearing into the darkness after 2008. The group first gathered in 2003 where later that year they recorded their debut full length The Silence Between Notes. They played local shows with bands from the area such as ExMortus, The Nauseating Stab and Antagonist.

By 2005, they had honed their sound and hit the studio to record Buried In The Sea which I feel is their best release personally. It captured the heaviness and sheer ferocity of death metal and the coldness and speed of black metal. After two years, they returned to record the EP Rest In Fire. The release was their first signed release on OMC Records.

In 2008, the group released their best work to date. The album was titled And The Skies Dreamed Infinite Sorrow which was released through OMC Records. The album showcased the band's full growth and potential that they had been working on. Tracks like Before The Sun Was Created, And The Skies Dreamed Infinite Sorrow and Lake of Organs were the singles from the release.

Intestinal Strangulation (10/31/12)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! For this Halloween, I bring you some local brutal death metal from a band that started in Whittier, CA in 2003. This group is Intestinal Strangulation. The three piece features Damien on guitars and vocals, Nick on bass and Jesus on drums. With energetic stage presence, crazy pits and lyrics that would make anyone want to claw out their own insides, the band was bound to go far.

They hit the studio in 2004 to record their self titled EP which featured vocals completely unheard of with depths that go beyond the depths of hell, chaotic guitars and drums playing faster than the speed of sound. In 2006, they released their debut full length Pathological Brutalistic Fermentation on Prodisc Records. Their debut was their last and latest work that became quickly a macabre masterpiece. With lyrics that sound like a screen play to a demented slasher film, the album fit in amongst the ranks of Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under.

Willow Wisp (10/29/12)

Willow Wisp is a gothic black metal group from Hollywood, CA. The four-piece formed in 1990 and includes M6D6M6A on vocals, Ibex on guitars, Eyajo Joseph on keyboards and Toe Knee on drums. They first released in 1994 a demo titled Variations. They went into hiding to write new songs until 1997 when they released The Building Up and Breaking Down of Matter on Pandaimonium Records. The album was not the group's best work and it wasn't until their 1999 release Delusion Of Grandeur: (A Gathering Of Heretics) that they finally starting getting some followers.

Following after came two EPs titled Continuation of Deterioration in 2002 and Incinerator Bound in 2005 as well as two full lengths titled Enmity in 2007 and Antihuman Manifesto in 2010. Antihuman Manifesto showcases the band's latest hard work into their progression of sound. The track The Dead Man's Ballad is probably the best of all their tracks and with their disappearance yet again, I'm guessing hopefully a new album in the works? Who knows but for now, check them out and enjoy!

Sothis (10/27/12)

Sothis is a symphonic black metal band from Los Angeles/Hollywood, CA. The group incorporates the feel and sound of Norwegian cold and bleak black metal and the haunting melodies of classical. Vocalist Drogoth, guitarists Scathe and Nylock, bassist Keres, keyboardist Asperia and drummer Dross make up the band. The six piece formed in 1999 but finally hit the studio in 2005 to record their self titled demo.

It was not until 2007 that Sothis got signed with Candlelight Records to record De Oppresso Liber and in 2008 they released it. The record did quite well and received rave reviews on many online publications. The group is still active but no word of them recording or anything at the moment.

A very mysterious band for those who have been looking up on them. Not much is to be found but their full length and a music video for the track De Oppresso Liber, Of Night and Silence and Sinister Nation. Hope to see more from this band soon.

Her Demise My Rise (10/26/12)

Not often do we see local bands that feature members from well known bands in them. Her Demise My Rise hails from Rancho Cucamonga, CA and formed in 2006. The lineup is Ryan on vocals, Peter on guitars, Jake from Carnifex on guitars, Tony on bass and Dusty from Rose Funeral and now Make Me Famous on drums. The band previously did start as high school friends wanting to play music and party hard.

They recorded two demos over 2007 and 2008 then got signed to Uprising Records in 2009 which released albums from artists like Fall Out Boy, Emmure, 7 Angels 7 Plagues and many others. They released their debut full length The Takeover in 2010. The debut featured guests such as Riverside area rapper T. Mills and original vocalist Cam. The album went through the roof with many online and hard copy publications.

As of this year, the band is finishing up their most recent release titled Curses which the band says is dues out next year. Many people do not know the current lineup due to many of the members having other projects that they are working on as well.

Pencil Lead Syringe (10/25/12)

So as some of you may ask or know, many people ask, "how can you listen to that music? It sounds like he's burping / the devil / or some other answer along those lines." Well I have been a fan of metal since I was ten and I really got into death metal and grindcore around thirteen. One of my favorite bands upcoming from the late 2000's was Pencil Lead Syringe. I first heard them on a compilation that 187 Records used to put out featuring bands like Elysia, Robinson, Destroyer Destroyer, Ivebeenshot, The Crinn and many others.

Pencil Lead Syringe is a three-piece Brutal Death Metal band from the Inland Empire area of California. Their name comes from a song by a band called Glass Casket. The band formed in the middle of 2005 and has had multiple line-up changes but the current lineup is Ramon Mercado on vocals, Chris Philippsen on guitar and Gerry Flores on drums. They recorded and released their first demo Redrum Is Murder Backwards in 2005. The demo sounded very muddy and hard to hear but displayed the group's unique sound. Shortly after in 2006 came their label debut EP by Dan's Crypt Records called The Agua Mansa Massacre which opened the doors for the band to receive much acclaim and recognition.

In early 2007, Pencil Lead Syringe recorded their debut full length titled Suffocated and Embalmed which featured twelve tracks of chaotic guitar work, unintelligible guttural vocals and machine-gun drums. Many people related their sound to Circle of Dead Children, Ion Dissonance and Decapitated. With the recognition the band was receiving on this release, they came back in late 2008 to release A Loss Of Orientation which featured four all new tracks. The band seemed to have disappeared after the release but resurfaced in 2011 announcing a new release.

This year, the band released a self titled EP available through Black Sessions Inc. The EP showcases the band's evolved sound and better recording quality. If you're a fan of grindcore, brutal death metal or just lyrics about sex, drugs, violence and anti-religion then this band is great for you.

We Are The End (10/24/12)

Another well known band to rise up from the Los Angeles area was We Are The End. We Are The End or also known as WATE to their fans, was a five-piece deathcore band from Los Angeles, CA with members also from the Fullerton/Anaheim area that was born in 2005. The band consisted of vocalist Spencer Aragon, guitarists Brandyn Love and Mychal Wright, bassist Shaun-Matthew Paramore and drummer David Crough.

The band released their first demo The Skies Most Wanted in 2007 which actually featured three guitarists on the recordings. They later went into the studio to record their EP If I Should Die in 2009. The EP gained much acclaim from online metal review sites as well as music publications like Highwire Daze and AP Magazine.

After multiple shows and tours planned, the group was picked up by famous metal label, Metal Blade Records which features artists like Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, As I Lay Dying, Whitechapel and Job For A Cowboy. The band was set to record their debut full length but Brandyn and Spencer left the band which led to loss of interest from the label and they were dropped from Metal Blade. In 2010, the band announced their breakup online.

Brandyn and Spencer decided to continue on with a new project called Inspired By You which is a band as well as a clothing label created by Brandyn.

The Funeral Pyre (10/23/12)

The Funeral Pyre is a blackened death metal band from La Habra, CA. The group has recorded three studio albums, two EPs and two split releases. The band consists of guitarists James Joyce and Justin Garcia, vocalist John Strachan, drummer Alex Hernandez, and bassist Adam Campbell.

The Funeral Pyre got their start in 2001 under the name Envilent. The Funeral Pyre has gained acclaim amongst metal internet press outlets for its Swedish-style melody, ethereal keyboards, and black metal style vocals.

Several demos and an early EP were released under the bands former identity, Envilent, until the independent release of the 2003 EP, October, when the band changed their name to The Funeral Pyre. Soon, the band released its first full length album, Immersed by the Flames of Mankind in 2004, and a split between Oregon's Leech and The Funeral Pyre was released in 2006, with limited quantities as a split 7" called The First Book Of The Kings, released through Forest Moon Special Products. The band released their second full length album The Nature of Betrayal in 2006, recorded at Ulug studios in Costa Mesa, California through Creator-Destructor Records, an independent California based recording studio. In a distribution deal with Prosthetic Records, The Nature of Betrayal was re-released in 2007, due to decent success on the internet.

Recorded in January and February with producer John Haddad, Wounds was mixed by Erik Rutan and mastered by Alan Douches and was released in 2008. This was the first album to not feature long time keyboardist, Daniella Jones, who was released by the band for "musical differences" and was in turn replaced by a second guitarist, Justin Garcia. However, the band suffered another loss when Garcia left the band, but soon was replaced by Lanny Perelman, formally of Cerberus, who left the band as well. The band has more closely embraced black metal entirely with the release of Wounds, as well as later works. The band released December, mixed and mastered by Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recording during December 2008, a limited EP distributed by Creator-Destructor Records in 2009. A 7" split with Landmine Marathon was released shortly after through Forest Moon Special Products, showcasing a cover of short lived German act, ACME's song "Attempt", as well as another original song.

The band's fourth studio album, Vultures at Dawn was released in 2010. It was generally well received, much of the praise coming from the more experimental songs "Monolith" and "To Watch the Earth Rot", both being further from their normal genre of songwriting known to the audience of The Funeral Pyre.

The Letter Red (10/22/12)

The Letter Red was a well known local band from my high school days. Hearing of a local band playing events like Vans Warped Tour was unheard of back then but this band was not your usual band.

The Letter Red was a metalcore four-piece from Pasadena, CA that got their start in 2004. The band consisted of Jamie on guitar, Travis on vocals, Farrar on bass and Jeff on drums. The group released their first demo in 2005 featuring the track "The League of Extra-Ordinary Men" which became their known single at all shows. The band also recorded a self-titled EP that was never released.

The group has shared the stage with such acts as From A Second Story Window, Every Time I Die, He Is Legend, Scars Of Tomorrow, Nevea Tears , The Acacia Strain, Inked In Blood, Remembering Never, Underoath, The Receiving End Of Sirens, Into The Moat, Throwdown, Suicide Silence, The Faceless, The Human Abstract, Terminal, The Red Death and many more. They have also won quite a few battle of the bands events at high schools and the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands for Warped Tour '06.

The band officially broke up in 2007 but their music still lives on for anyone who was part of the local scene through the 626 area and remembers the days of No Future Cafe in Pasadena. Bands may end but their music is forever.

All Ages Assault/More Than Reason/Disposible Heroes @ The Glass House Pomona, CA (10/20/12)

So I went to see a rarity at the Glass House in Pomona, CA on Saturday which was an all local night. The show was to celebrate the drummer of All Ages Assault, Ramon Burreul's birthday. There was a good sized crowd already waiting for the bands to go on.

As the show started, the first band which was Alive In Shadows which looked to be a younger metalcore group. The group comes from Antelope Valley with their own sound. They took the stage with a burst of high energy with a heavy sound and engaging stage presence. Second up was More Than Reason which I mentioned before in a past post. The lineup has been hard at work with new material which they showcased that night. With the addition of their new drummer, the band sounded a lot more well rounded. The band did a live cover of "A Prophecy" by Asking Alexandria which with people rushing the stage to sing along definitely got the people excited and engaged. To quote their guitarist Alex, they definitely had new "amaz-za-zing" songs and were quite impressive.

Right after was All Ages Assault. The group was quite excited to be playing the Glass House and brought their A-game. The had the crowd going nuts in the pit with bodies flying from left to right and up and down. There was not a moment that there was no movement in the crowd through the band's set. Their vocalist Nick Serki also did a shout out to all the bands playing that night as well as a shout out to my band, Love On The Lips Of A Whore, which was a very cool thing.

Up next was the group I had not heard before called Though I Walk. They are a Christian metalcore band from the Orange County vicinity. With their uplifting and spirited lyrics, people enjoyed their positivity that also did not lack the heaviness that the genre brings. For only being a band for a year, they had a sound that was beyond their time. The Voice Within was up after. A group from Imperial Beach, CA that was also a Christian group. They were quite a good band with words of repentance for sin and acceptance of God which kept the positive atmosphere going.

The closer was Disposable Heroes from Chino, CA. Not to be confused with the Southend, UK metal band of the same name. The group brought a sound with a mix of metal and punk. The music had the heaviness and aggression of metal but the speed and anger of punk rock. The crowd was pumped to see these guys and ready to move.

All and all, the night was full of energy and great upcoming local sounds. I was glad to have been there, meet and listen to all bands that played. I'd also like to say it was great of the Glass House to set up this locals show that looked like it went well. Just remember everyone as a small piece of advice, support all local bands out there because you have to remember, bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, No Doubt and many, many others were bands that practiced in garages and played small local gigs with barely any fans and now they are well known and heard daily on the radio. You never know who you'll see at a show this year and later on find out that they are signed and doing huge tours so...SUPPORT THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE!

Wings of Vendetta by All Ages Assault

Partners in Crime by More Than Reason

A Little About Me / My Music / Writing

So I never really got to tell anyone about me, my music career and writing background. As you all should know by now, I'm Neil Andersen, 25 and I attend Mt. San Antonio College as a Music Major. I have been playing and recording music since 1999 (yes since I was 12 I've been writing and recording).

I first started with my solo project Echoes Of Silence (Info Here) in 1999 but recorded my first album in 2003. I have been doing this solo symphonically influenced metal project from then up to this day. I work mostly with FL Studio as well as using Adobe Mixcraft and Audacity to record. I self taught myself how to use all programs so that I may actually be able to do my own home recordings and mixing.

I am also the vocalist of an upcoming local band called Love On The Lips Of A Whore which I started originally in 2006 but finally got serious with it in 2010 when we recorded our debut full length titled Asylum. We recorded again our EP titled Liars & Cheaters last year at No Mercy Recordings which is available through Your Label Records (hard copy) and Record Union (digital) on iTunes (BUY HERE!). We are currently working on our sophomore full length titled Deception that should be due out late this year or early next year. We have toured twice and most recently did our first headlining tour called The Lies & Deception Tour with Aura & Vanity and Vale of Avalon.

As for my writing experience, I got into writing because of my father Paul Andersen who was a freelance writer and has written for such publications as Long Beach Press-Telegram, LA Times, Entertainment Weekly, LA Weekly, Pasadena Weekly, Pasadena Star-News, and many others. He has interviewed such bands as In Flames, Opeth, Black Label Society, Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Ville Valo of HIM, Blue Oyster Cult, Styx and many many more. I saw how he got to meet and talk to so many amazing musicians through out his career and it made me want to try my shot at it.

At the age of 16, I got my first published article for Entertainment Weekly covering The Blackest Of The Black Tour featuring Danzig, Nile, Opeth, Lacuna Coil as well as other metal acts. I was beyond happy seeing myself published. I later went to write for a short period with AP Magazine, Highwire Daze and Skinnie Magazine and now I am currently a writer for Lovely Robot Media (View Here).

I now am focusing on my blog here that I am writing to you all on as well as trying to further my music. I hope you all now feel closer to me and continue to read! I included a track from both my bands below in case anyone is curious.

Antagonist (10/16/12)

In the rapidly changing and evolving world of heavy music, bands come and go faster than you can get a value meal at a fast food restaurant. Finding bands who are still slugging it out after a decade is a rare occurrence. What’s even more uncommon is finding a band who have recorded their most intense and career defining album 12 years into their career. But, that is exactly the case with Southern California’s ANTAGONIST, and their new album, “World In Decline.”

The band was formed by, then teenage, singer/guitarist Carlos Garcia and drummer Lond Garcia in 1998 and released two albums and three EPs before signing with Prosthetic Records and releasing 2008’s “Exist.” After a few lineup changes through the decade, the current lineup features the (unrelated) Garcias, along with guitarist Roland Leonard and bassist Nick Reyes. The band hit Buzz Bomb Studios in Orange, CA earlier this year with producer Paul Miner (Thrice, Throwdown, Terror) who recorded, mixed and mastered the effort. The band’s sound has gotten tighter, more technical, and angrier on “World In Decline,” while summoning the thrash of early Metallica, the groove of Pantera and the technical death metal of At The Gates, while still holding on to the strings of melody and the guitars have never been more searing and ferocious.

 

Probably the biggest difference this time around with World In Decline is the clean singing (or lack thereof). This is a very pissed off album lyrically and thematically, so they thought it would only be proper to NOT include any clean singing this time around. I know some of you won’t like that, but it’s something the group felt would be necessary to hopefully get their point across.
 

The album Exist had a hopeful message of working together as humans towards a better future. World In Decline is about the realization that things will always be screwed up, people will always be selfish, and this world is going to end at any minute, and we have nobody to blame but ourselves. People grow older and figure out that life doesn’t get any easier and that our own selfishness, carelessness, and ignorance are at the core of our demise.

Antagonist is in the midst of plotting a US tour this year and will be on the road continuously throughout the foreseeable future. It will certainly not be a shock to their system as they’ve put countless miles on their van through continuous touring over their existence with the likes of Animosity, Light This City, The Faceless, Arsonists Get All The Girls, and more.

 

 

Winds Of Plague (10/15/12)

Yes I know they are signed, yes I know they are huge, and yes I know everyone knows about them but I actually grew up knowing them back when they started as Bleak December. So today I talk about the great and all powerful force known as Winds of Plague. They will forever be in my top 5 favorite bands of all time.

Winds of Plague is an deathcore band from Upland, California, formed in 2002. They are best known as one of the only deathcore bands to incorporate symphonic elements into their music along with other acts such as Make Them Suffer.

During the time of the band's inception, its name was originally "Bleak December". However, they changed their name in April 2005, to Winds of Plague", being named after a lyric from the Unearth song, Endless. Shortly following their name change, they recorded their debut album A Cold Day in Hell when they had just finished their senior year at high school. It was released on June 27, 2005 through Recorse Records. It features the single "Brotherhood", which they still play at numerous live shows.

Three years after the release of A Cold Day in Hell, they recorded their first major label album Decimate the Weak, which was released on February 5, 2008 through Century Media Records. The album features the singles "Decimate the Weak" and "Angels of Debauchery", and a music video was shot and released for the song "The Impaler". The album also features four tracks from A Cold Day in Hell that were re-recorded for this album.

Winds of Plague's third album, and second release on the major label Century Media, The Great Stone War was released on August 11, 2009. Though the album features two singles, "Approach the Podium" and "Chest and Horns", no music videos were ever shot for any songs on the album. On October 14, 2009, keyboardist Kristen Randall stated that she would be leaving the band and did so days afterward. The band approached musician Lisa Marx to fill in on keyboard for their Australian/New Zealand tour. Afterwards the band found Alana Potocnik who since then has been inducted as Winds of Plague's keyboardist.

Against the World, the band's fourth album, was released on April 19, 2011 to widespread critical acclaim. "Refined in the Fire" and "California" have been released as singles, as well as music videos for "Drop the Match", "California" and "Refined in the Fire". The band also appeared on the soundtrack for the game Homefront performing a cover of the Buffalo Springfield song "For What It's Worth". A cover of "Zombie" by The Cranberries was included in an iTunes EP for "California".

Winds of Plague is currently in the studio recording their fourth full length album for Century Media Records.

At The Skylines (10/14/12)

I've been lucky enough to personally know and watch these guys grow from back in the day when they were playing locals shows. I bring to you today one of my close personal favorites and great friends at that, At The Skylines.

At The Skylines was formed in 2009 and play a melodic not your usual post-hardcore. They’re all based in Southern California around Huntington Beach. They produced a self titled EP in 2009 with producer Kris Comeaux. They’re a six-piece band who write from their souls. They recently got signed to Roadrunner Records and their debut album The Secrets To Life was released May 8, 2012.

Their live shows boast two incredibly talented front men that completely cover the brutality of metal while still bringing forth the catchy sounds of near pop status choruses in a way that can still be presented tastefully and admirably. Energetic would be a lackluster way of describing their live performance, which is driven by non-stop interaction between band and crowd. No one on stage is standing still, and neither is the crowd. The music captures great melody, yet is technically sound enough to achieve respect and loyalty from fans across multiple genres. Overall, it’s the songs that are going to get the band to connect with their audience and ultimately point them to success. The lyrical content isn’t short-sighted or based around petty topics. This is a mature band with a mature sound that has put together real songs. 

 

A Welcome Distraction (10/13/12)

A Welcome Distraction is an alternative rock/Metal band that uses catchy lyrics, heavy metal shreds with an amazing live show that appeals to a younger crowd to those that grew up in the height of the 90’s alternative rock scene.

The four members began their musical careers playing with different bands in different music scenes. Javier, the vocalist/rhythm guitar/song writer, began his career in music just over ten years ago and was the singer and songwriter for the punk band ‘R.V.’ Alex, the lead guitarist, has put together a number of bands and projects in the heavy metal underground of Los Angeles and has been signed to four different record labels.

The latest addition to A Welcome Distraction is Cole on drums and Vince on bass guitar. Cole has played with numerous bands before and during his time at Musicians Institute where he was one of twenty-three to graduate in percussion. Vince is the bass guitar prodigy from award winning bands from around Orange County and is bringing his experience to A Welcome Distraction in the quest to take over the rock scene and kick off a new wave of rock to emerge from California.

A Welcome Distraction’s music is forged from the depths of human emotion, energy, and is rapidly becoming a powerful force in the Los Angeles and Orange County rock scene. The music has already caught the ears of people around the globe with the self-titled debut album. The second album is in the works so you can bet A Welcome Distraction is here to stay.

A Piece of The Action (10/12/12)

A Piece Of The Action was started in Los Angeles, CA by Adam Morales in Jan. 2009 with the idea of getting together some of the best musicians and friends anyone could ever ask for. In his search, guitarist Steve Castellanos, his long time friend, had joined the line up. Steve and Adam had shared the stage together before in another previous band known as Soverbia. Later, guitarist Andy Olson, from Minot, North Dakota, moved to Los Angeles and found that A.P.O.T.A. was holding auditions for an additional guitarist. He came down, and was the perfect fit. 

In the following months bassist Dale Rosales, Adam's long time friend from High School, quickly stepped in. Dale, prior to joining A.P.O.T.A. , used to be in a band known as Doja with Adam's older brother. With the best fans a band could ask for, several tours under their belts, an astounding sound, and the desire to conquer the world, A Piece Of The Action continues to write and record music that makes the ears cheer that there is a metal band out there that is unlike any other.

Eden's Onslaught (10/11/12)

Eden's Onslaught is a unique band. They have been around for a while and to hear their music and think to yourself, "HOLY CRAP! THAT GIRL MADE THOSE VOCALS!?" is an understatement. The band originally formed in 2004 in the general San Gabriel Valley location with members Jaye Vampira on vocals, the Guitars of Di'Brom and Zerion, the Drums of Blackheart and the Bass of Raeon. After moving to Los Angeles, the band went into the studio to record their debut self titled full length in 2007. After much acclaim and high reviews, they continued to dominate the local metal scene playing venues like The Whiskey, The Viper Room, The Key Club and many others.

After more writing and more shows, the group stepped back into the studio to record their sophomore album Dimension 9. The album did very well and received more superb reviews. Many magazines and online review sites have stated that they could not believe the sheer ferocity that Jaye creates with her vocals. The band fuses the lines between the cold and bleakness of black metal and the brutality of death metal. 

The band is still hitting the venues and stages anywhere they can play. Word of a third release is in the works so stayed tuned and check them out!

At Your Funeral (10/10/12)

At Your Funeral is a deathcore band out of Lynwood, California. They came to life in late summer of 2005, by Emilio and Diego on guitar, Chris on vocals and Brian on drums. Soon after a few months, Chris announced his departure from At Your Funeral in Late of 2005. In early 2006, Miguel joined in on vocals and Brian was kicked out of the band due to lack of dedication. Soon after Brian’s departure from the band, Sal came in on drums fitting perfectly into the group's sound. For a while, At Your Funeral continued to play without a bassist until the middle of 2006 Peter came in on bass. In 2007, Peter was also released due to lack of commitment. Again, the band continued to play without a bassist until Damian decided to join. 

With this perfect line up, they continued to make their music more experimental by mixing gravity blasts and half times. Their music is filled with heavy riffs from some of their death metal influences, slams & skull crushing breakdowns. 

Playing & Headlining various shows in the state of California, At Your Funeral built a sizable fan base bringing death metal and hardcore together with rotting emotions and anger which is the subject of their lyrics. In spring of 2008, At Your Funeral played the main stage at their first fest, Spring Breakdown. In summer 2008, the band did their first and final tour.

Jameson (10/8/12)

Jameson is a band that I remember seeing back in the day at The Whiskey in Hollywood multiple times pulling in huge crowds with the upbeat energy. Formed in Hollywood, California in February of 2006, Jameson’s very first EP, Keep the Change had fans hailing them as, “One of the best metal bands to come out of southern California in over a decade!” Jameson has five members influenced by heavy metal, blues, jazz, classic/southern rock, grunge and even hip-hop. 

The genesis of Jameson began when Ryan Dial (guitar) and Dan Ranada (guitar) met at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Before long, Jason Brennan, Dan’s roommate and a bass student at MI, began jamming with them. The trio wrote the riffs that would become Keep the Change, Jameson’s first EP. Fortuitously, Matt Bomb, a singer from the New Jersey metal scene exploded on the L.A. landscape and caught the band’s attention. Matt’s lyrics and vocals kicked it up a notch. Matt introduced the band to his roommate and M.I. percussion student, Chad Keith. Chad’s solid, high-speed, but most of all violent drumming technique gave Jameson the groove that took them to the next level. 

The group uses a unique writing technique. They utilize a guitar-driven writing style. The group produce metal that’s abrasive and fast, with a groove that can grab hold of any fan, anytime, anywhere. Now, this quintet of trained musicians brings a high level of professionalism, consistency and energy to their live shows at clubs like The Whiskey A Go-Go in West Hollywood and the Joint in Los Angeles, giving their audience a once-in-a-lifetime experience each and every time they perform. 

Dead & Dying (10/7/12)

So I have been on a fix of looking up some bands that were coming up into the scene from the earlier days like the high school backyard show days I used to play and go to. One of the forgotten bands from back then was Dead and Dying which happened to have popped up on my iTunes while I was at home. Here's the info on them.

Dead and Dying was formed in Hollywood, CA in the spring of 2007 by veterans of the Hardcore scene. Members include Rick Rigney on drums/vocals (ex-Dying Breed), Boonie on guitar/vocals, Davey G. on vocals, and Dan Ryan on bass. The result of this combination is a heavy familiar sound from the TROYCORE streets. In 2008, the group released a demo which caught the attention of many. They infused the intensity and speed of punk while keeping the heavy and fast-paced energy of hardcore.

The lyrics speak the truth while the music creates intensity allowing listeners to relate and decimate. Influences such as Iron Maiden, Sheer Terror, Sick Of It All, Cro-Mags, Carnivore, Agnostic front, Breakdown and their own scene has sparked an interest in hardcore while Dead and Dying carry on the TROYCORE tradition that they have been veterans of since the beginning.

Heartist (10/6/12)

In celebration of their recent signing, I thought I'd share a great band called Heartist. Heartist started in early 2011 with two guitarists, Tim and John. They had come from another band that had recently broken up, and they decided to give it another shot. They originally were going to do a couple of demos, but the more stuff they wrote, they decided to shoot for an EP. They had Matt on drums, who at the time was playing with Norma Jean, track for them.  Matt ended up leaving Norma Jean later on, after a little convincing by the group. They picked up their bassist very late last year to complete the lineup.

They are now the newest band to be signed to Roadrunner Records. The band consists of vocalist Bryce Beckley, guitarists Jonathan Gaytan and Tim Koch, drummer Matt Marquez and bassist Evan Ranallo. Their self-produced, six-song EP, Nothing You Didn't Deserve, will be available on iTunes on October 16. In the meantime, get to know the band on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check HeartistBand.com for updates; the band will be rolling out lyric videos for each track from the EP in the coming weeks.

The Modern Prometheus (10/5/12)

After spending one of my band's tour dates sharing a stage with these guys, I felt like they deserved a lot more recognition than what they were receiving so I bring to you today something new and refreshing.

The Modern Prometheus is a melodic deathcore band that originates from Fullerton, California. The band was founded in 2010 by members Rodolfo Calderon, Robert DeVito, and David Vasquez, and later joined Allen Vannordstrand and Jimmy Steedman. After many local shows and pre-production in the studio in 2011, The Modern Prometheus parted ways with vocalist Jimmy Steedman only to pick up experienced vocalist Tommy McCarthy who got his fame from well known deathcore band Knights Of The Abyss.

After re-writing their EP with the band's new vocalist, The Modern Prometheus finished up their first album in June of 2012 with Isaiah Pritchard at Juggernaut Recordings and put it up for free download in July 2012 on their Reverbnation page. The EP received high reviews from many online outlets such as Pure Deathcore, Total Deathcore and Steve Shoots Shows.

The Modern Prometheus is currently unsigned, in high hopes of joining a record label soon here after.