Goatwhore @ The Blvd 5-26-2010

Torment Id @ The Blvd 5-26-2010

Goatwhore’s Apocalyptic Nightmare Done Local Style!

Though the night started off to an empty start the crowd that stood watch was intrigued by what they saw…. Some local musicians known as Torment Id who have made their way around town had delivered an impressive 30-minute set up that comprised of such songs as "Infernus Legio Incedo", "Anthem for the Dead", "War of Souls", and "In the Shadow of Satan", among others their set consisted of fast driven guitars with heavy bass blaring beats that kept the music intriguing from start to finish. Front man Joey was the one snarling and growling with all his might while standing in place for the most part at times he presented some energy but could have given it more enthusiasm. Guitarist Beast and bassist Slade had done their own thing presented throughout their set-up doing fast yet steady beats that made the music bounce but still impacted heavy duty material held within. Whereas drummer Dustin provided the bearing feedback of aggressive beats that brought Torment Id’s set to a drawing point ending their tormented set of doom.







As the night progressed onward the so-called foursome of bands that were said to have played did do just that but it was time for the night to end and so it did but on a heavier note because Goatwhore were about to erupt the stage’s empty presents and bring on a night of absolute pain. This pain was indeed brought upon but not by the likes of the usual head banging mania but by a pit of destruction as the center of the room was consumed by a rotating clock of people running, pushing, and shoving their way to the beat of the music while some people ended up falling face first into the stage itself. While some ended up being thrown upon the stage gladly just jumping right back into the crowd. When it was all said and done, Goatwhore had pushed out several tunes both old and new; "Carving Out the Eyes of God", "Blood Guilt Eucharist", "Invert the Virgin", "In Legions, I Am Wars of Wrath", and "Apocalyptic Havoc". Goatwhore's showcase may have started off as an empty spot but ending off filling in the spots that were mislead.

Goatwhore’s Apocalyptic Nightmare Done Local Style!

Though the night started off to an empty start the crowd that stood watch was intrigued by what they saw…. Some local musicians known as Torment Id who have made their way around town had delivered an impressive 30-minute set up that comprised of such songs as "Infernus Legio Incedo", "Anthem for the Dead", "War of Souls", and "In the Shadow of Satan", among others their set consisted of fast driven guitars with heavy bass blaring beats that kept the music intriguing from start to finish. Front man Joey was the one snarling and growling with all his might while standing in place for the most part at times he presented some energy but could have given it more enthusiasm. Guitarist Beast and bassist Slade had done their own thing presented throughout their set-up doing fast yet steady beats that made the music bounce but still impacted heavy duty material held within. Whereas drummer Dustin provided the bearing feedback of aggressive beats that brought Torment Id’s set to a drawing point ending their tormented set of doom.







As the night progressed onward the so-called foursome of bands that were said to have played did do just that but it was time for the night to end and so it did but on a heavier note because Goatwhore were about to erupt the stage’s empty presents and bring on a night of absolute pain. This pain was indeed brought upon but not by the likes of the usual head banging mania but by a pit of destruction as the center of the room was consumed by a rotating clock of people running, pushing, and shoving their way to the beat of the music while some people ended up falling face first into the stage itself. While some ended up being thrown upon the stage gladly just jumping right back into the crowd. When it was all said and done, Goatwhore had pushed out several tunes both old and new; "Carving Out the Eyes of God", "Blood Guilt Eucharist", "Invert the Virgin", "In Legions, I Am Wars of Wrath", and "Apocalyptic Havoc". Goatwhore's showcase may have started off as an empty spot but ending off filling in the spots that were mislead.

California Unites As One with its Fourth Annual Metal Fest

Over 50 different types of bands to perform, over 50 different types, you give one a chance and if you dislike you have over 50 more to explore. This was the case in terms of the California Metal Fest which held its annual festival as it has done over the past three years with this year being its fourth installation and what of an event it turned out to be – for once California all untied as one!

Gathering in metal heads of all shapes and sizes and people of all ages everybody who was anybody had swamped the two location hot spots of where the festivities were about to be consumed, the Fox Theater as well as its partner the Glass House both were the two contributors when it come to the stage set-up located in Pomona, California. The Glass House had done its duties of being known as the “side stage” whereas the Fox Theater had taken its role as being the “main stage”.

With two stages and over 50 acts performing there was no telling as to where this would all end let alone even begin. But with every beginning there is always an ending so with that said, all of the fun and activities went down on the weekend of May 15-16. Day one had done the honorable mentions of hosting the heavier portions of the festival with such acts as… Arsis, Carnifex, Job for a Cowboy, Cattle Decapitation, Whitechapel, Dying Fetus, with headliners of that evening Fear Factory. Whlist the main stage was clearly being taken care of the side stage of the first day of festivities had done its job quite well in the long-run with such performers as Misery Index, Conducting from the Grave, Skinlab, and Gaza among others who gave it all they got when it came to performance technique.

One of the major highlights of the first day of activity was brought on by metalcore death metallers, Carnifex who brought on not just one but a total of three different mosh pits so to get a better idea of what that must have looked like just picture Mickey Mouse’s head and you should get an idea of what went down during their set-up. While each band was given only a 20 minute set each band managed to dish out quite a performance Carnifex being one to take care of that, as well as Arsis, who kept the crowd on their toes throughout their set. The aggressiveness continued with Misery Index and Skinlab as well as with Conducting from the Grave all of which presented themselves quite well delivering an intense but aggressive performance that kept the energy flowing long into the night.

But the night wasn’t quite over yet because with the helping hand of an act that has been around for some time there is not a lot to be said except two words, Fear Factory. While they are known to be quite the entertainers their get-up was well rounded off to be a set-list comprising of a lot of their older material to please the fans who had been there since the beginning – hence the birth of when Fear Factory had begun.

Though all of the fun was now said and done for day number one, what was to become of day number two? Well let’s say a not as heavy performance rooster but a rooster filled with the likes of people wanting to just bounce all day and all night. That’s what went down in this scenario – day number two of the California Metal Festival had gathered nothing but hardcore performers there were a handful of metal related performers within the gap but most of it was given to the hardcore round-up.

While this tended to be a downer at times it wasn’t as impressive as its counterpart – day number two did share its moments here and there with such performances Upon a Burning Body a metalcore act from Texas while the stage had been torn to pieces with the likes of Oceano – both of these bands alone tore everything up with their intensity of performance abilities it was intimidating. After their set-ups had been wiped clean the likes of other bands such as Stick to Your Guns, Born of Orsis, The Faceless, and headliners Bleeding Through, the Fox Theater was the place to be.

Whereas the glass house managed to keep its crowd of on-lookers at bay with such acts as First Blood and Earth Crisis it was clear as day/night as to which of the two stages had its share of viewers. Speaking of which, First Blood who come from up North (San Francisco) terrain had truly kept up the pace and energy throughout their given set time the glass house literally spilling everywhere in sight with fans pushing and tumbling onto one another one fan wanting to get into a fight with the security guards. It was a hell of a sight, as the night continued to roll on but was drawing to a close, Earth Crisis had closed the doors on the Glass House that night delivering an intense but an ever-lasting set that didn’t want to quit.

When their set was all said and done the Glass House had closed its doors and all that was remaining were the doors to the Fox Theater and everybody knew what was going down within its solid walls, the undertone of Bleeding Through! One of California’s finest – Bleeding Through delivered an hour long set exposing to their alluring fans the many hits that have made them who they are today. With the sights and the many sounds of the variety of bands that had been welcomed to play this honorable event it was a day and a night unlike anything you ever witnessed.

Literally showcasing that raw and emotional context of what being in a band is truly all about.

California Unites As One with its Fourth Annual Metal Fest

Over 50 different types of bands to perform, over 50 different types, you give one a chance and if you dislike you have over 50 more to explore. This was the case in terms of the California Metal Fest which held its annual festival as it has done over the past three years with this year being its fourth installation and what of an event it turned out to be – for once California all untied as one!

Gathering in metal heads of all shapes and sizes and people of all ages everybody who was anybody had swamped the two location hot spots of where the festivities were about to be consumed, the Fox Theater as well as its partner the Glass House both were the two contributors when it come to the stage set-up located in Pomona, California. The Glass House had done its duties of being known as the “side stage” whereas the Fox Theater had taken its role as being the “main stage”.

With two stages and over 50 acts performing there was no telling as to where this would all end let alone even begin. But with every beginning there is always an ending so with that said, all of the fun and activities went down on the weekend of May 15-16. Day one had done the honorable mentions of hosting the heavier portions of the festival with such acts as… Arsis, Carnifex, Job for a Cowboy, Cattle Decapitation, Whitechapel, Dying Fetus, with headliners of that evening Fear Factory. Whlist the main stage was clearly being taken care of the side stage of the first day of festivities had done its job quite well in the long-run with such performers as Misery Index, Conducting from the Grave, Skinlab, and Gaza among others who gave it all they got when it came to performance technique.

One of the major highlights of the first day of activity was brought on by metalcore death metallers, Carnifex who brought on not just one but a total of three different mosh pits so to get a better idea of what that must have looked like just picture Mickey Mouse’s head and you should get an idea of what went down during their set-up. While each band was given only a 20 minute set each band managed to dish out quite a performance Carnifex being one to take care of that, as well as Arsis, who kept the crowd on their toes throughout their set. The aggressiveness continued with Misery Index and Skinlab as well as with Conducting from the Grave all of which presented themselves quite well delivering an intense but aggressive performance that kept the energy flowing long into the night.

But the night wasn’t quite over yet because with the helping hand of an act that has been around for some time there is not a lot to be said except two words, Fear Factory. While they are known to be quite the entertainers their get-up was well rounded off to be a set-list comprising of a lot of their older material to please the fans who had been there since the beginning – hence the birth of when Fear Factory had begun.

Though all of the fun was now said and done for day number one, what was to become of day number two? Well let’s say a not as heavy performance rooster but a rooster filled with the likes of people wanting to just bounce all day and all night. That’s what went down in this scenario – day number two of the California Metal Festival had gathered nothing but hardcore performers there were a handful of metal related performers within the gap but most of it was given to the hardcore round-up.

While this tended to be a downer at times it wasn’t as impressive as its counterpart – day number two did share its moments here and there with such performances Upon a Burning Body a metalcore act from Texas while the stage had been torn to pieces with the likes of Oceano – both of these bands alone tore everything up with their intensity of performance abilities it was intimidating. After their set-ups had been wiped clean the likes of other bands such as Stick to Your Guns, Born of Orsis, The Faceless, and headliners Bleeding Through, the Fox Theater was the place to be.

Whereas the glass house managed to keep its crowd of on-lookers at bay with such acts as First Blood and Earth Crisis it was clear as day/night as to which of the two stages had its share of viewers. Speaking of which, First Blood who come from up North (San Francisco) terrain had truly kept up the pace and energy throughout their given set time the glass house literally spilling everywhere in sight with fans pushing and tumbling onto one another one fan wanting to get into a fight with the security guards. It was a hell of a sight, as the night continued to roll on but was drawing to a close, Earth Crisis had closed the doors on the Glass House that night delivering an intense but an ever-lasting set that didn’t want to quit.

When their set was all said and done the Glass House had closed its doors and all that was remaining were the doors to the Fox Theater and everybody knew what was going down within its solid walls, the undertone of Bleeding Through! One of California’s finest – Bleeding Through delivered an hour long set exposing to their alluring fans the many hits that have made them who they are today. With the sights and the many sounds of the variety of bands that had been welcomed to play this honorable event it was a day and a night unlike anything you ever witnessed.

Literally showcasing that raw and emotional context of what being in a band is truly all about.

Whitechapel – A New Era of Corruption

Taking their name after the location in London known as Whitechapel, upon what occurred of the infamous Whitechapel murders that were committed by Jack the Ripper. Whitechapel began in 2006 and since then have released three studio albums and three music videos and with every beginning there’s always another tale to tell and this is "A New Era of Corruption".

Two years after the release of "This Is Exile", (2008) Whitechapel had written brand new material for their follow-up 'A New Era of Corruption", having chosen to work with producer Jason Suecof guitarist Alex Wade had stated this "I think this record truly represents where we are as musicians at this point in our career. A New Era of Corruption is the heaviest and most aggressive material we have written to date."
After naming the album after a derived passage in the lyrics of their song "Possession" from their previous album “This Is Exile” (2008) this would be the first Whitechapel album that didn't feature a title track as the main title for an album.

With that said, the album consists of 11-tracks the concepts and lyrical themes traveling into the boundaries of where previous Whitechapel albums never met. Take the band's very first offering "The Somatic Defilement" (2007) that was based on the narrative of Jack the Ripper, while "This Is Exile" (2008) was more political/religion based. So this third installment goes into saying that Whitechapel has taken a whole another direction in terms of writing, lyrical content, as well as it not being even a concept album. It generally focuses upon the negative issues, like take "Devolver", for instance, though it is written within a concept of devolution in a society that is crafted of violence and hatred. Another song "Breeding Violence", delivers a more corruption based theme in terms of society driven attics that goes back into dealing with the time of the 9/11 crisis.

"Murder Sermon", is another song that sticks out above the others that were also mentioned, except this one is written about the death of vocalist, Phillip Bozeman's mother. Not only does it consist of discussing those logics but it features The Acacia Strain's frontman Vincent Benett contributing his aspects upon this new and improved Whitechapel context. When it’s all said and done Whitechapel have delivered a new era of music one of which that will only be tested upon the next untitled release.

Aiden - From Hell...With Love

In a little of over seven years Seattle, Washington formed Aiden in which during that time span a series of events had commenced in just a matter of moments. Being lead by front man Wil Francis (vocals, guitar, piano, lyrics), Jake Davison (drums), Nick Wiggins (bass), and Angel Ibarra (lead guitar) Aiden had expressed their talent through music thus taking the world by storm with EPs, LPs, and a everything in between there wasn't anything that these guys could not do.

After the New Year had begun Aiden set off on a tour and made a pit stop in Chicago there stood a venue known as there stood the Bottom Longue music venue where this foursome of musicians would be given their lives to the likes of the Devil. “From Hell…With Love”, takes what Aiden has done over their seven year run and comprises it all into a double-disc set. The DVD for one consists of the 10 song set taking material between the time span of 2009's "Knives" all the way to the far reaches of the past with fan favorites like "World By Storm", "Die Romantic", and "The Last Sunrise". Front man Wil Francis doesn't ask the crowd to participate as much as he'd like but rather orders his followers to destroy everything in sight. The crowd, which is always in frame, looks like a blur every so often until “Scavengers of the Damned”, when Francis demands that his fans join him upon the stage and they do just that in a great number too. It's during these precise moments that you realize that Aiden is a band that continues to thrive. In despite of how tired, sore, or sweaty they may be, everybody in attendance seems to want to out-scream the other just to grab the band's attention. One fan looks like a exact replica of Francis during the era that was "Nightmare Anatomy". It's quite clear that this show is the fans home than a show perspective.

In addition to this, Aiden offers its fans their entire music video catalog as well as adding on an interview segment, documentary piece as well as some in-depth performance clips of their more down to earth acoustic moments. Aside from the DVD being the main contender here, the CD portion takes the concert segment and allows the listener to relive Aiden’s concert experience over and over again.

Lacrimas Profundere’s Interview to Nowhere

Gothic heavy metallers Lacrimas Profundere have accomplished so much since their formation seventeen years ago, with the release of seven videos, and ninth full-length studio album releases, there is nothing this band cannot get away with doing. Except perhaps drowning in their own tears since their name means "to shed tears". But this little mishap doesn't cause as much damage as one may think. Whilst Lacrimas Profundere may have lyrics that are wallowing in pain and sorrow that does not dismiss them for developing such raw and emotional content that cannot be missed. Guitarist Oliver Nikolas Schmid spoke with me about the band's latest release as well as how the band came to be and everything in between.

1. First of all I'd like to ask you to give us brief information concerning the history of Lacrimas Profundere for all of the music fans that haven't heard of you yet!

Oliver: Take 4 crazy guys, a bottle of jack and meet them on Skid row show 15 years ago with Pantera, Him and Sentenced as support acts and start a band next day. I think that’s what we did. Kind of…We love playing music and we are still enthusiastic fans of good bands. We try to combine our influences with things we discover every day, good and bad. A song can be very melancholic and slow but also heavy as hell.

2. There have been big expectations for your new album "The Grandiose Nowhere". Please tell us more about the album itself and also about its progress.

Oliver: This record is different! Different in development, the condition and the approach! Beginning of 2009 we wanted to dissolve the band, because nobody wanted to speak or stay in the same room with one of the others! We all got kind of a burn out, I had to clear my brain of all the After show parties and assimilate all the things that happened at our Gigs in Spain, Mexico, UK, Russia, France, Hungary, Swiss and all the others! It was fuckin worse that I couldn´t remember some of it, because I was so drunk! We lost the sight to the basics! So, this record describes the mood I was in, during the writing process! I didn´t know, in which direction I wanted to continue, which members are still in the band, or if I should continue!

After some month, watching TV, I thought to myself let’s write some new songs and call the others to ask if they are still alive, to do a band rehearsal, or speak about the past! To come to the point: This album is the most important record in the history of the band, because it combine the band again to a unit with its deep, heavy riffs it draws you down and spit you out, and we got it back: this dangerous rock´n´roll feeling and we´re back: bigger, better and deeper than ever before! We were always a bit wicked and dirty, but now it feels like the drunken brother of “HIM” with biker boots that nobody wanted at the family celebration, or the sweet sister of “Paradise Lost” who has a sideline at the table dance bar next door! Laugh!



3. You made a video clip for ‘The Letter’. Can you tell us about the atmosphere and the making of the clip?

Oliver: It was a bit stressful! We had to shoot the clip between our day off at our tour together with our friends The 69 Eyes in January in Germany and in February in UK and The Netherlands! It´s our second clip we shoot in a Green box and we like this “The Matrix” feeling the clip has for me!

4. Can you tell us about the artwork of the album and the link with the title ‘Ave End’?

Oliver: We had this idea with this homeless person in front of a big tower and at the first second I had my friend Niklas Sundin in mind! He really likes the idea. In the past he did so many great covers for his own Band Dark Tranquillity or In Flames or our AVE END for example that I really knew that he is the right decision for the job! I wanted to go back to the AVE END record regarding the suspense, the mood, the choice of Songs: Midtempo and Fast forward and the cover art! The cover is the visual thing, the first touch! It´s the colour of the music! We´re on the same wavelength!

5. When will we be seeing Lacrimas Profundere out on the U.S. soil?

Oliver: Yeah, we have some plans to visit US West coast for about 8 concerts in October!!!

6. Have you ever considered touring with The 69 Eyes and HIM?

Oliver: We toured together with The 69 Eyes in 2005! HIM would be amazing, so, waiting for your call, Ville!

7. What does the future have in store for Lacrimas Profundere?

Oliver: I stop to think about the future while I play in this band! I just finished my first interview for the Playboy magazine, so, what better could I get?

8. With every record you evolved a bit more to an open rock sound and from an underground band you became more professional with every album. What are the slight differences between ‘Songs for the Last View’ and ‘The Grandiose Nowhere’?

Oliver: The sound, the working process and the studio! Retrospective I have to say that “Songs for the last view” is a bit to polish over-produced! John Fryer (HIM, Depeche Mode, Cradle of Filth) our producer said the same, so we try to bring the “dirt” back!

9. Can you tell us all about the writing process of the songs this time? When did you start writing and who were the main composers?

Oliver: I always start to write songs soon after the recordings are done!



10. Are there any songs you want to emphasis or can be seen as your personal favourites?

Oliver: My fave tracks are “My Little Fear” because this was the last song I composed for the album and it has this special feeling for me and “Not for Love” because this is my tribute to my fave bands like Buckcherry and Motley Crüe!

11. When in your life did you pick up the music of Lacrimas Profundere and what did it mean to you?

Oliver: Yeah in 1995 I had this idea to found a band because I was sick of playing alone with my songs books Overkill and Slayer songs! I met our former bass player at a Metal Pub in my hometown, he had a friend who plays rhythm guitars and I had a friend who plays drums! My brother looks like a singer and a week later we had our first rehearsal in this bog called rehearsal room! Now we entered the German Charts, toured together with fantastic bands like Lacuna Coil, The 69 Eyes, or Apocalyptica and we have met all our idols, like Paradise Lost, Type O Negative, and Overkill and have visited such countries as Spain, The Netherlands, Mexico, Russia and the UK. I never regret my decision to find this band!

12. Anything else you want to add for our readers…

Oliver: Thank you very much for supporting us. Stay dark and check out THE GRANDIOSE NOWHERE at the end of April 2010 at your dealer next door! Find more information and Song snippets at: www.myspace.com/lacrimasprofundere

Arcanium – The Architects

When it comes to the likes of royalty you would never think that metal and hard rock would be involved but as you'll discover there is a time and place for everything. Which brings to mind the heavy metal styling’s of Arcanium, their leading frontman Sinn covering vocal duties, while Cate works on the guitar and vocals, The Mystress covering the keyboards, Messiah on bass and vocals and Thommy Razor on drums and programming. When this is all said and done you are left with the band's debut release "The Architects".

Which by itself is quite impressive the blaring blast beasts of the drum attics with overpowering guitar riffs compels the music into this haunting yet melodic heavy as hell sound wave its hypnotic. Some songs that really pull the listener into its surroundings includes, “Gone Away,” “Ruined,” “Strangled Heart,” and “The Knife” are the band's calling card possessing the band's enigmatic live presence with becoming steady crowd pleasures and likeable favorites in terms of the live setting meets the recording version. Unleashing this clashing of the two versions if you will which showcases its own accord what Arcanium is really capable of.

Arcanium has taken the stage several times over the course of their musical careers having the honor and privilege of performing with such bands as DevilDriver, Devine Heresy, In This Moment, Hed PE, and Firewind and recently just toured with Airbourne, Chiodos, and british heavy metallers Bullet for my Valentine, now that is saying something.

With countless touring routes and the successful unleashing of their debut CD, Arcanium has been increasing in size obtaining a national amount of airplay, and an incredible source of live material that will master itself in no time.

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots or often known as STP is an American rock band comprising of Scott Weiland (lead vocals), brothers Robert DeLeo (bass guitar, vocals) and Dean DeLeo (guitar), and Eric Kretz (drums, percussion). Since their formation twenty-four years ago all hope was lost when the band disbanded back in 2003 but then something happened as would any band disbandment - STP reformatted and reformed once again in 2008 and has been kicking it old school ever since.

Let us back track a bit, during the time when STP were taking the world by storm frontman Scott Weiland was dealing with drug offenses causing multiple concert cancellations band separations. These setbacks resulted in the creations of various side projects, by each of the individual band members, (The Magnificent Bastards, Talk Show, Army of Anyone, and Velvet Revolver) with the Weiland himself releasing two solo albums; while percussionist Eric Kretz would go on to launch the Bomb Shelter Studios in Los Angeles. As the years progressed the band's separation in 2003 lasted five years but bounced back with the reunited formation of April 2008 thus the rebirth of STP was underway.

Now that the past is dead and gone and the future is upon them the band's sixth studio album, a self-titled release it’s the first all-new effort since 2001's "Shangri-La-Dee-Da". With that amongst us, all that’s left is to have a listen in… Opening up with "Between The Lines", the debut hit single sweeping the radio waves and internet highway, STP has rebuilt their musical talents with this more modern hard rock that never seems to want to quit. For instance "Hazy Daze", continues this pattern of hard rock with raw vocal shouts with powerful guitar rhythms it keeps the music fresh. “Fast As I Can”, takes STP’s style up a notch having it progress even further with a more matured sound and unique style it’s recreated what Stone Temple Pilots were known to established ever so long ago.