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alecdamiano's avatarARIZONA METAL

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Release Date: March 26, 2013

Label: Frontiers Records

Skid Row’s “Slave to the Grind” is one of my favorite albums of all time. When I heard that I had the opportunity to review Sebastian’s Bach’s latest solo effort, I jumped at the chance.

I had seen Bach live in December 2011 when he opened for Guns N’ Roses. He put on a fantastic show. I also saw Skid Row (with current singer Johnny Solinger) in July 2012, and they also put on a fantastic show. I refused to choose sides in the Bach-Skid debacle.

But “ABachalypse Now” leaves much to be desired.

“ABachalypse Now” is a CD/DVD package, but I was only able to review the audio portion.

The album is two discs. Disc 1 was recorded at Hellfest, France, and Disc 2 was recorded at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles. The latter was broadcasted on AXS TV. Both…

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Welcome to Warhead

Warhead is a speed/thrash metal band based out of Phoenix, Ariz. Their songs are written in the vein of the Big Four of Thrash Metal (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer). They look like they got time-warped into 2013 straight from the 80s, and they sound like it too.

TBOS got the opportunity to interview Warhead and film them as they were rehearsing for their upcoming show. You can also hear their song, “Death Row,” in the video below.

Tomorrow March 15, they will perform at the Rocky Point Cantina in Tempe, Ariz. Other bands on the bill include: Hemoptysis, Scattered GutsExistence AD, and Fail to Reason. The show is all ages and tickets are $5. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Warhead will be touring in May in support of their debut album, “Death Row”. The full-length interview and more concert footage will be posted on TBOS closer to the album’s release date.

Warhead "Death Row" Album Cover

Warhead “Death Row” West Coast Tour 2013:

May 16 –  Phoenix
May 17 –  San Diego
May 18 – Los Angeles
May 19 –  San Francisco
May 21 –  Sacramento
May 22 – Eugene
May 23 –  Portland
May 25 – Seattle
May 26 – Boise
May 27 – Salt Lake City
May 28 – Las Vegas

For more updates, visit their Facebook page.

Hands of a Traitor: High School Metal Heroes

Hands of a Traitor. From left to right: Jacob Ricker (vocals), Kieran Lynch (guitar), Emile Trudeau (bass), Darin Senyk (guitar). Photo by Alec Damiano.

Hands of a Traitor. From left to right: Jacob Ricker (vocals), Kieran Lynch (guitar), Emile Trudeau (bass), Darin Senyk (guitar). Photo by Alec Damiano.

Hands of a Traitor have opened up for legends like Doro Pesch. While many metal bands have to wait until they’re adults in order to accomplish such a feat, HOAT is comprised entirely of high school sophomores.

TBOS got to sit in with the band as they worked with local filmmaker, Gil Tabasa, who will be directing the music video for their single, “Paper Prisons”.

HOAT reflect on how they got their start playing music, why they have become successful, and their upcoming concept series.

You can hear the interview below!

tompabrooks's avatarARIZONA METAL

Your Arizona Metal staff welcomes you to the month of March by giving you another installment of Damage Inc., the best metalcast this side of the Loop-101. John Brady, Tom Kushibab, and noob radio personality Alec Damiano bring you information on the latest metal releases and shows around the greater-Phoenix area, and update you on the shows soon to blow through venues near you. Also, be sure to listen to opinions on women in metal, how relevant metal music might be to the college environment (if at all), and the ongoing power struggles on the interwebz. Damage Inc. airs every Saturday at noon on The Blaze 1330 AM and http://www.blazeradioonline.com, but you can always find the latest episodes right here on Arizona Metal. Now, click that brilliant blue link below and buckle up.

This week’s featured local artist/song: Ursus Colossus – “Eidolon”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ursuscolossus
Bandcamp: http://www.ursuscolossus.bandcamp.com

Damage Inc. 3-2-13 by

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Beliebers, Meet The Real (Concertgoing) World

Justin Bieber was two hours late to one of his concerts, and fan outrage made national news (including CNN)!

WHY is this on a metal blog?

Bands like Guns N’ Roses are notorious for being late to their shows, yet metalheads don’t make a big deal about it. It is wise to plan accordingly when you attend a concert.

This video shows some of the many differences between the pop and metal fanbases.

Interview with Frosthelm

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Frosthelm is number one on the ReverbNation metal charts in North Dakota. They will be working with Ralph Santolla (Death, Decide, Obituary), and are in the process of recording their first full-length album, which will be mixed by Grammy winner Matt Hyde (Slayer, Skeletonwitch).

TBOS got the chance to speak to bassist and co-founder Jim Cherry. You can hear the full chat below!

Their EP, “The North Winds Rend Flesh,” is available on iTunes.

CORRECTION (3/5/13): Ralph Santolla will be working on Frosthelm’s next album. Matt Hyde will be mixing and mastering the current album, not producing it.

An article I wrote for KASC The Blaze 1330 AM.

alecdamiano's avatarARIZONA METAL

From: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Current Members: Fernanda Lira (vocals/bass), Prika Amaral (guitar), Amilcar Christofaro(Torture Squad, Sepultura – drums)

For fans of: Slayer, Exodus, Sepultura

Thrash metal. It’s sweaty, hairy, and usually the domain of men. But Brazilian thrash metal trio Nervosa proves that women can shred just as aggressively as their male counterparts.

Formed in 2010, Nervosa started out as an all-female thrash trio with Fernanda Lira on bass and vocals, Prika Amaral on guitar, and Fernanda Terra on drums.

Three years and two drummers later, they have opened for the legendary Destruction and Exodus. They were also featured in November’s issue of Metal Hammer.

Their 2012 EP “Time of Death” was a success, and rightly so.

The title track showcases Lira’s bloodcurdling vocals, fluctuating between the sound of a female Phil Anselmo and the growls of Angela Gossow.

“Masked Betrayer,” the highlight of the EP, is what…

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DORO, SISTER SIN and More Live in Tempe, Ariz.

Last month, TBOS had the honor of interviewing the Metal Queen, Doro Pesch. The interview was transcribed in four parts, and the audio was featured on Blabbermouth.net.

Doro Pesch onstage. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Doro Pesch onstage. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Saturday, we had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Doro do what she does best–making people headbang till their necks turn sore!

Tempe’s Rocky Point Cantina held an epic mini metal-fest Saturday night, with a total of six bands performing.

Local Phoenix bands Unconscious Minds, Hands of a Traitor, Epyon and NightSphere primed the audience for Sister Sin and DORO.

First up were classic/thrash metal outfit, Unconscious Minds. They made Pantera fans proud with their soaring vocals and melodic bass lines.

Vocalist Manny Lopez of Unconscious Minds. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Vocalist Manny Lopez of Unconscious Minds. Photo by Alec Damiano.

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Unconscious Minds were the first act of the night and played a thrashing set. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Next were metalcore group Hands of a Traitor. They were definitely the youngest out of all the local bands, and they had a dedicated fanbase moshing in the audience. If you’re into newer metal like Asking Alexandria, this band is for you.

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Hands of a Traitor tear it up as their fans moshed in the background. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Epyon played an impressive instrumental set that reminded concertgoers of classic Metallica (think “Orion”) and Death Angel. They also announced that they had found a singer, though the band performed as an instrumental quartet.

Members from Epyon played an instrumental classic metal set. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Members from Epyon played an instrumental classic metal set. Photo by Alec Damiano.

The last local band to perform was power metal act NightSphere. They made an impressive stage entrance with dimmed lights and fog floating through the air.

Power metal outfit NightSphere. Pictured are singer CJ McConnell and guitarist Elsthon Gomez. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Power metal outfit NightSphere. Pictured are singer CJ McConnell and guitarist Elsthon Gomez. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Next were Swedish glam metallers Sister Sin. They played a nine-song setlist, which included tracks from all their albums. Four of the songs were from their latest record, “Now and Forever”. Liv Jagrell interacted energetically with the crowd, actually stepping off the stage to greet fans at one point. The audience was left clamoring for more after they finished.

Liv Jagrell, the amazing frontwoman from Sister Sin.

Liv Jagrell, the energetic frontwoman from Sister Sin. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Finally, at 11:20 p.m., headliners DORO took the stage. They played 20 songs, about half of which were from Pesch’s previous band, Warlock. Highlights from the set were “Hero,” which was written as a tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio, a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law”, and the Warlock anthem “All We Are,” where the members from Sister Sin returned to the stage to sing along and engage with the crowd.

Doro Pesch

Doro Pesch, DORO’s frontwoman and namesake, interacts energetically with the clamoring crowd. Photo by Alec Damiano.

Saturday night was an unforgettable night for Tempe metalheads. The headliners more than delivered and great local talent was also showcased.

Sister Sin joined DORO onstage for a memorable rendition of "All We Are". Photo by Alec Damiano.

Sister Sin joined DORO onstage for a memorable rendition of “All We Are”. Photo by Alec Damiano.

This Week In Metal: Slayer, Machine Head, Mayhem Fest and more

  • In what came as as a shock to metalheads everywhere, Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo was allegedly fired for questioning contractual matters. You can read the full statement on his Facebook page.

Slayer released a statement shortly afterward, confirming that John Dette from Testament will be replacing Lombardo on the upcoming Australian tour. It is unclear when or if Lombardo will be readmitted into the band.

  • Another shocking lineup change. Machine Head bassist Adam Duce has left the band. Robb Flynn remains the sole original member. An official statement released on the band’s website describes the split as “amicable,” and they wish Duce the best in his future endeavors.
  • Loudwire premiered Anthrax’s new cover of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” Their covers album, “Anthems,” will be released March 19.

In other Anthrax news, former guitarist Rob Caggiano performed onstage with Volbeat for the first time.

(link from Blabbermouth.net)

  • Ghost B.C. (formerly known as Ghost) released the music video for their single “Secular Haze”. They also released the album artwork for “Infestissumam,” which goes onsale April 19.

Ghost Artwork

  • A new TV commercial was unveiled to promote the 2013 Revolver Golden God Awards, which will take place May 2. The video features Chris Jericho, Zakk Wylde, Sebastian Bach and others. Metallica is headlining the show. You can vote for the award recipients here.
  • Skid Row debuted a preview of their new single, “Kings of Demolition” and announced that they have signed a deal with Megaforce Records. Their new EP, “United World Rebellion – Chapter One,” will be released in North America April 16.
  • Other bands that have released studio updates this week: Megadeth, Children of Bodom, Steel Panther, Deep Purple.
  • The official Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival lineup for 2013 will be released on March 18. A rumored lineup includes Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Lamb of God, Children of Bodom and Amon Amarth.

Thus concludes this week in metal.