Thanatology is ready for their close up (Photo courtesy of Thanatology’s FB page)
From the top of your head, can you name one of the most metal professions out there? Being a metal band does not count in this case. Give up? Of course, you do because chances are that your answer was nowhere near the medical field! Which brings us to the guest of this edition of our Firey Sides Chat. If you google “thanatology” you’ll get the actual definition of the word. The definition, in a nutshell, is the study of death and the practices of it.
Sounds metal, right? Well, that’s what the frontman/founder of Thanatology,the band, Doctor Jonas Bautista thought as well. If you haven’t heard of Thanatology by now, here’s the very short description. Thanatology is Tijuana’s own death metal/grindcore band and unlike Super Troopers’ Arcot “Thorny” Ramathorn (played by Jay Chandrasekhar) they’re Mexican! Raza!
Even if you haven’t heard of the band, they are going to embark on some big profile tours. The Ugh Metal staff, Jennifer and Santi, had a chance to catch up with Jonas via email right before the band’s busy touring schedule. But even cooler, they’ll be making a pit stop in San Diego on Saturday, May 19 at The Merrow. Without further ado, here’s what we chatted about.
Ugh Metal Staff: Who exactly are the founding members?
Jonas Bautista: Dr. Bautista (me) with Miguel Mercado (drummer) and Guillermo Sanders (guitar). Way back in 1998, these last two musicians are no longer with the project.
UMS: Why did you choose to name the band “Thanatology”?
Bautista: It wasn’t me precisely. The irony of all things. The idea or proposal to change the name of the band (originally called Cadaver) came from the family doctor.
The doctors in Thanatology will now see you… (Photo courtesy of Thanatology’s FB page)
UMS: What inspired the gimmick and the costumes of Thanatology?
Bautista: Well… what inspired the “gimmick” was my day job. I’m a doctor here in Mexico. So, it was easy in a way to choose the image of the band.
UMS: Is there any band or person you would like to collaborate with?
Bautista: Extreme music. Gore metal and grindcore.
UMS: How many parts or chapters could we expect from Un Legado de Negligencia Medica?
Bautista: I really don’t know. But in theory, speaking of lyrical content, we can do a thousand of chapters.
Dr.Bautista of Thanatology ready to tear you apart in their latest video for “El Amor Va De La Mano De Látex” (Photo courtesy of their YouTube channel)
UMS: What inspired the concept behind this latest EP?
Bautista: The reality or rather the history behind the origins of medicine, which was based on the practice and failure, unfortunately.
UMS: This year you’re going to the Las Vegas Death Fest, the Bay Area Death Fest AND the Obscene Extreme Fest in the Czech Republic! First off, congratulations on that, is there any other festival you would like to be a part of in the future? And why?
Bautista: Ah, thanks. And yeah. MARYLAND DEATH FEST. Definitely.
UMS: Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Bautista: I think if we have one it’s getting the uniforms on.
UMS: Any funny or interesting stories that have happened on a tour?
Bautista: Well… there’s too many to mention here. But, funny… definitely, dealing with each other temperaments, humor and personas. And interesting? Going to play in a different place. It’s always interesting.
Ditch them apples and head down to The Merrow on May 19 for a check up you will never forget. And revitalize yourself with their latest EP Un Legado de Negligencia Medica which is available here!
The Killing word is the word! (L to R: Guitarist Matt Mortimer, vocalist Matt Frazier, bassist Michael Horyn and guitarist Maurice Marin)
Local publication The Catalyst dove into the bottom of the barrel and scraped up the last surviving local metal bands on Sept. 30 at The Merrow. Which we are sure they struggled because according to many, San Diego does not have a metal scene…. HAHAHA! *catches breath* Got ya! I bet you thought this was another immature and uber bias article huh? Who do you think we are?! Closes minded metal elitists?! Ugh Metal is most things but NOT closed minded staunches! We love rock/metal and most of its little sub genres especially if it comes out of our own backyard. So chill out, put your battle vest back on because you won’t need to defend Lady Local Metal’s honor this time.
This gig was a great way to enjoy our Saturday night, send off September AND slither back into concerts! That’s right, the broke Ugh Metal hooligans may have chilled and played a great game of catch-up in the beginning of Autumn, but this was a great start. Why? Because you know Ugh Metal has a super soft spot and crippling fetish for local and independent bands who don’t need no (wo)man!
Jenny Oh: What better way to add some spice to our last day of September than a show featuring an all local line up? September was a normal month, but I don’t know about you Klown but my concert bug was giving me the withdrawal shakes. My decrepit body was a little relieved…and yet it missed the abuse. *Ponders*
Chuggo the Klown: The September to remember tour went in full force with a dose of defiance… especially to an authoritarian figure.
J: That’s it Klown? All you have to give is a basic statement? No pizzazz nor inappropriate innuendos? Are you okay Klown? Nevermind, now that I think about it, basic sounds right up your alley. But you know who is not basic? Defy The Tyrants!
Defy The Tyrants are here to win us over one song at a time! (L to R: Vocalist Chris Maddox, bassist Alberto Lafarga, drummer Brandon Lobb, and guitarist Anthony Esparza)
C: Says the bitch who chugs anything pumpkin spice in autumn. But yes the boys from Defy The Tyrants first did a bit of teasing. How inappropriate of them because the Klown knows a thing or five about teasing. Wasn’t all too bad the Klown supposes. Anyway, when they played they gave everyone presents a dose of groove metal!
J: Umm you mean deathcore Klown! Especially when they took us to the brutal “Battlefront.” If Chris Maddox’s interchanging growls aren’t deathcore-esque I don’t know what is.
Chris Maddox of Defy The Tyrants has a voice that comes in several sounds! Each sold separately.
C: The Klown supposes you may be onto something but still thinks you’re full of crap. The Klown was a bit taken aback with their performance. Maddox is quite the showman but guitarist Anthony Esparza took the embodiment of the Joker that was on his hoodie that night. His show-stealing moment spoke to the Klown.
J: Soooo you mean he terrorized the crowd and threatened to give everyone a smile to match his? I don’t remember any of that but I do remember Esparza and Maddox spread the love around the stage and refused to stay in one place! Especially when the band decided to dish out their rendition of Slipknot’s “(sic).” Though Slipknot has not given me any tingles in years, it was a nice surprise to hear this fresh and rougher cover. No clean vocals man and the kid living inside me was happy.
C: Esparza cracked jokes and Maddox gave a good show as a frontman. The other guitarist Alex Ultrilla, aside from chatting it up with the Klown prior to the show, would chime in with his riffs and keep calm. How Zen…? The real treat was when Maddox and the band didn’t know what to play and improvised by performing the Klown’s favorite song of all time.
Alex Ultrilla of Defy The Tyrants knows we’re talkin’ about him.
J: Hmm I don’t recall Defy The Tyrants playing a metal version of Smash Mouth’s “All Star” but I do remember them playing their awesome cover of “Roots Bloody Roots.” Our eyes lit up as if it was Christmas morning. It was a treat especially for those that had never seen these guys before. You can check out the cover in their EP Wrest The Crown which is available on Spotify and you can get the EP here. Stay tuned we ain’t done talking about them!
C: On that note, let’s move on to the next band, sister with an L-shape hand on her forehead. Let’s talk about band from the summer.
J: Ooooh look at you belting out your fave song boi! But enough about you and more about The No Name Gang! We saw this quintet on July 7 and again this time around! These guys were different that Sept. night and were ready to play HARD ball. They were determined to make us remember their name, you are so out Eisenberg! TNNG are the new bad boys in town.
YOU WILL REMEMBER THEIR NAME! (L to R: Bassist Zac Harriot, guitarist John Haskins, vocalist Justin Hendrick, drummer Ryan L’heureux and guitarist Dana Roselli)
C: Yes, indeed. They belted a solid performance and even took it a bit further with new material.
J: That’s right they unleashed “iFear” and it made us feel the opposite of fear! Justin Hendrick’s expressions continued to fuel the intensity of this song. Hell, on this set! Hendrick outdid himself this time and had a passionate presence that could be felt MILES away.
C: Yup… I guess you could say that our survival skills inflamed especially after they played “Survival Enflame.” This incidentally happens to be the new song from these guys. Well… semi-new as it was disclosed by Hendrick right before its performance.
The No Name Gang’s Justin Hendrick SLAYS!!
J: It wasn’t as fresh as “iFear” but they still delivered a crisp version of this song. The No Name Gang was dripping with energy and delivered a performance that left me speechless and felt like I was watching them for the first time again. Don’t you just love that feeling?! They were eager to please and they pleased us and then some! If you want more check out their EP No Man’s Land HERE!
C: Sounds very kinky, the Klown approves. Speaking of approval, the present crowd grew a tad more with First Impressions alumni, Nightshadow. We finally had the opportunity to see these beloved alumni since it couldn’t be done last time. Take that responsibilities and family!
J: You’re such a rebel Klown *rolls eyes.* This time around we grabbed responsibilities right in the pussy and it was also Saturday and we were ready to roll with some sweet ass power metal from these locals. Nightshadow tore a new one in the venue with “Ripper.”
First Impressions alumni Nightshadow perform their last show of the year! (L to R: Guitarist Nick Harrington, Bassist Chris Bader and frontman Brian Dell)
C: The “Ripper” ripped open a new one and definitely had everyone who was familiar with them and casual fans surprised and enjoying this brand new gem. But it wasn’t just that that was premiering, Nightshadow took it a step further and premiered some more songs in between some of their mainstays.
J: They aimed to make their last performance of the year an unforgettable one and did so with “Blood Penance” and “Battle Cry.” Aside from this being Nightshadow’s last show of the year it was also their drummer Nick Mafi’s last show with them. Don’t cry! You can catch Mafi in Malison.
C: Lest the Klown forget the other new song “Strike Them Down” which is a song the Klown could use when playing his videya games or when he’s discussing why metal is better than most genre to common plebian. But their night didn’t end just there, they dedicated one to a mistress.
Nick Harrington and Danny Fang of Nightshadow having a little epic axe battle!
J: Yep that lucky lady had “Mistress of the Pit” sung to her. If you guys haven’t caught these guys live, you are in for a treat because it’s never a dull moment. Danny Fang and Nick Harrington’s respective solos will have you glued to those strings while bassist Chris Bader works his magic all over the stage. MAGIC like their self-titled EP which you can binge on here!
C: Brian Dell, the face of the band, was oozing with an infectious charisma that had The Merrow crowd eating off of the palm of his hand. But most importantly, that Rick and Morty shirt was dope
Brian Dell of Nightshadow was also upset about not getting his hands on that Szechuan McNugget sauce.
(that is what the kids are still saying, right?) it had Summer, Rick and Morty posing as Ghost. They may have lost a brother in drums that night, but the Klown knows that this group is going to be alright. In fact, keep an eye out for these guys they may just surprise you some more. If you have yet to see them, don’t wait too long because you never know what next year will bring and that’s my killing word! Now to move on to the next group! Who were they again?
J: The Killing Word! And they were the word! Is that still a hip thing to say? Anyway, much like Defy The Tyrants, The Killing Word took me back took me back to a time far, far away and back to my youth.
The Killing Word are here to induce major nostalgia with their melodic metal.
C: Jenny Oh no one wants to know or try and figure out your age. But it is agreed, they were a time capsule to the past when guys like Bullet For My Valentine, All That Remains and Killswitch Engage were at the height of their popularity.
J: OH MAN!! The Killing Word hit the nail right on the head with their cover of KSE’s “The End Of Heartache.” It almost felt like I was hearing Howard Jones instead of Matt Frazier! Frazier’s vocals were so damn spot on. It was the first time in years since I’ve heard this song ya know!
C: Same. In fact, the Klown enjoyed Frazier’s work as a showman. He enticed the crowd to sing along to this new classic, right before the song was about to begin. The best part was that once that demand was announced the opening riffs drew us to an infectious synchronized headbanging and singing
Matt Frazier of The Killing Word gets us with classics and his expressions.
J: Another thing I enjoyed from this quintet was their passionate delivery of each song especially with “Stigmata.” Guitarists Maurice Marin and Matt Mortimer’s respective breakdowns and solos were to die for! Hell, the whole band was killer! *winks* They are a great gateway band for potential new metalheads, and will give seasoned heathens a nice dose of nostalgia.
C: Not to mention a perfect environment and sounds to help ease the ladies and dudes into our genre. Let’s face it guys and girls, not all are ready to dive head in and take in the awesomeness that is metal. The Klown noticed and couldn’t help but raise his glass to these gents. Their brand of melodic metal resonated passionately with the whole band. They even solidified their headlining status with a symbolism regarded as kingly and majestic.
The Killing Word had THE final say this night!
J: They raised us high above Pride Rock for the entire animal kingdom to see! They closed this showcase with the empowering “Like A Lion” and it left us feeling mighty. The Killing Word is here to stay especially with their harmonic mainstay and presence. If our metal scene is still considered nonexistent after this night filled with great quality local bands, then we clearly don’t know what a “booming” scene is.
To the close minded haters that say San Diego doesn’t have a metal scene. -Love Ugh Metal and Defy The Tyrants xoxo
Lord Dying on their limited tour at The Merrow! (L to R: Bassist Matt Price, guitarist/vocalist Erik Olson, drummer Chase Manhattan and guitarist Chris Evans)
It was a hot night in July 8, and the Ugh Metal team had the fortune of returning to The Merrow for the second night in a row! The night before we went to the sweet show Metal Assault and Dark Gem Entertainment put together, if you missed out no prob! Read all about it here. If you did not catch our Firey Sides Chat with Lord Dying, feel free to catch up afterwards or during, who are we to judge? We didn’t remise the invitation Lord Dying guitarist Chris Evan and Bret August of Black Arrow Entertainment extended to us. It was truly an offer we could not refuse especially because it was Lord Dying’s limited engagement.
Jenny Oh: We be special! Lord Dying chose to come to our shitty town! *Weeps*
Chuggo: Emphasis on shitty. *Winks* Either way the Klown was looking forward for some booze and Bastard Saints!
J: The members from father’s cult? Why do you care so much about them? They don’t even share their Coronas with us. Bastards!
C: The Klown meant The Bastard Saints. And that’s okay, they can keep their shitty Corona lights! The Klown wants REAL beer. Such as the stuff they serve at The Merrow.
J: So I guess you’re not a beer slut after all, huh? But The Merrow sure serves delicious booze especially when you’re enjoying a nice gig from The Bastard Saints.
The Bastard Saints are far from lame with their brand of thrash! (L to R: Bassist Rowland Bluntz, drummer Nick Trzos, vocalist/guitarist Fernando Ramirez, lead guitarist Jason Trzos)
C: Enough of the gratuitous advertisement of The Merrow’s big ass beer selection! Not that there was much advertisement to begin with. ON TO THE BASTARD SAINTS! They had the ability to bring the old school back to the new school.
J: Fernando Ramirez made us see colors and clouds every time he nailed them high notes! You go, boy! They even played a cool song we will be using for our revenge montage called “Wrath.”
C: Yeah! Death to O’Douls! The Klown shall wear his “Evil Crown,” no longer will he be the jester but the Klown King…
J: Whoa there! Hold on there you angry little man…
C: Wrong concert dumbass! “Evil Crown” touched basis on the Teutonic thrash movement most famously pioneered by Kreator and Tankard. It was a good substitute if you didn’t have the chance to catch Kreator on the Decibel tour earlier this year.
Bassist Nick Trzos and vocalist/guitarist Fernando Ramirez of The Bastard Saints serenade the beer selection at The Merrow.
J: The Bastard Saints ended their set “Ripping the Stitch” which was just as ruthless as the title. This song had a foreboding sense of doom with great riffs from Ramirez and lead guitarist Jason Trzos. Snitches beware!
C: Now we go from raising our drinks to these Bastards and raising our guns!
J: With Raise The Guns! The trio became a quartet for the night by having their buddy, guitarist Chris Kim, join them for this performance. Some fun facts about these guys is that Dylan Marks drums for this band aside from Beekeeper and Eukaryst, and the frontman/guitarist is Bret August. What can’t these guys do?
Raise your drinks for Raise The Guns! (L to R: Guitarist Chris Kim, vocalist/bassist Bret August, drummer Dylan Marks and guitarist John McMillan)
C: The Klown has asked himself the same question but has yet to get an answer. Enough unanswered questions, it’s time to talk about the Guns! They shot off with their own brand of Thrash.
J: Raise The Guns shot up the place…with extreme adrenaline! Especially when they shined the light, the “Light Of Malice.” August’s presence commanded the stage and you knew he meant business and Chris’s enthusiasm was contagious. Who wouldn’t be after they get to play with a cool band?
C: I don’t know some plebeian? Pardon the first person, I’m pretty sober at the moment. Enough about the Klown, the song that stuck out to him was the song that should be made into a law, “Silence By Law.” The opening riff alone is enough to hook anybody!
Bret August of Raise The Guns is your neighborhood badass.
J: Indeed Klown their set was not long enough! But quality over quantity, if you guys ever have a chance you must catch Raise The Guns, it will be a decision you will not regret. Now because it was Sinday eve, we had to receive our Eukaryst.
C: We were treated to our local sacrament, at long last. Worth nothing since the sister already took Dylan Marks away from me as a fun fact, the Klown has one of his own. This is the band that has Belisario Dimuzio as a full time guitarist when Cattle Decapitation isn’t borrowing him.
J: Oh yeah! Well here’s another fun fact Klown, SCREW YOU! Also Dylan Marks was on double duty that night and drummed his heart out for Eukaryst too.
Vocalist of Eukaryst Ben Marotta preaching their prog death metal hymn. (L to R: Guitarist Belisario Dimuzio, vocalist Ben Marotta, and bassist Gino Fontana)
C: They indoctrinated us into their “Lost Tribe” of Prog Death Metal.
J: They added more emphasis on the death metal with “Eucharist.” This unholy beast comes right at you a la Facehugger and is sure to start a pit.
C: The only thing the Klown is thankful for is that there was no actual “Anthropophagy” happening at the time of the performance. He was beginning to think there was going to be some giving the state of some of their possessed congregates.
J: Not even Ben Marotta could resist the power of the Eukaryst and when he wasn’t growling like the creature from the black saloon, he was rolling on the floor succumbing to this possession.
C: I still wish they woulda showed the Klown where the actual “Witch House” was. The Klown needs a booty call.
Ben Marotta of Eukaryst stars in the “Creature of The Black Saloon,” an Ugh Metal Production of course ;P
J: You’re too much of a bitch for her, but enough about you Klown. It was nice to finally see these locals in action especially after hearing so much about them.
C: Indeed*cough*bitch*cough* we were dying a bit from the musty air but the angels of doom, Lord Dying, revitalized us.
J: They started off with their hit “A Wound Outside of Time” which has a starting riff that will give you all the right chills in all the right places. Though to be fair this whole song is teaming with amazing and definitive riffs.
C: Lest the Klown forget the pit it immediately started. He was a little flabbergasted because he is not used to seeing that in a doom/sludge show that often. With that pit it felt like “[All Hopes of a New Day] …Extinguished.”
All hails Lord Dying! (L to R: Bassist Matt Price, guitarist/vocalist Erik Olson, drummer Chase Manhattan and guitarist Chris Evans)
J: Lord Dying resurrected some of their older stuff and briefly triggered a tiny existential crisis with “What Is Not…Is” which totally was where it’s at and it is what it is.
C: Settle down, Jenn-den Smith! Not even today’s top philosopher’s can decipher both of you! Here’s a bit from Klown-fucious, when you think there is light “Darkness Remains.”
J: With your shitty “philosophizing,” enlightenment is just a myth. But this song, however, is the shit especially when Chris Evans and Erik Olson lay down more super sweet guitar solos. Olson’s screaming vocals are sure to give any metalhead enlightenment.
BFFS/ Founders of Lord Dying, Erik Olson and Chris Evans, jamming side by side.
C: Olson’s vocals were harsh, but not too harsh. In fact, they were rather soothing despite of the harshness he incorporates. The rest of the band’s rhythm and melody suited the vocals like the perfect blend from your shitty Starbucks drink, right Jenny Oh?
J: As a newly enlightened person, I will ignore the low blow of bringing Starbucks in to our personal disputes but I will agree with the rest of your statement. I’m sure the rest of the gleeful and/or inebriated moshers would too. The pit was very much alive and well for the entirety of Lord Dying’s set. This special show worked all sorts of magic on the crowd.
C: The Klown concurs although he is weary as to why they sang about the Klown’s ex-girlfriend.
J: The snooty lady clown from Railing Bros.? She didn’t even know you existed. And I don’t think Lord Dying had the misfortune of seeing that three-ring shit show.
C: They may have and that bitch always likes to spread lies about not being with the Klown. She was always expecting the Klown to be “Suckling At The Teat Of A She-Beast.”
J: I doubt they garnered inspiration for this brutal song from your failed endeavors. It was a great song to close their night and yes the pit grew into a mighty whirlpool where fans were having their last hoorah. It was an honor to serve in the court of Lord Dying.
Erik Olson of Lord Dying’s voice is not of this world!
The No Name Gang headlining this party. (L to R: Bassist Zac Harriot, guitarist John Haskin, vocalist Justin Hendrick and guitarist Dana Roselli)
The Merrow was teaming with energy and all sorts of hooliganism on July 7 and not just because of ‘Mericuh’s birthday. Hooliganism on a Friday night? How perfect! Metal Assault and Dark Gem Entertainment kept the 4th of July party alive with local cool kids The No Name Gang and a supporting acts that made the night all the more memorable.
Lighting the first spark of the night was Tijuana heavy metallers Meltdown which happened to be their first time at The Merrow. Frontman/guitarist Ian Roa was the embodiment of old school heavy metal not only because he was donning the tight pleather pants but because he had that charisma metal vets posses. Roa along with bassist Daniel Cázares and guitarist Carlos Savage lit up the stage when they lined up and played side by side and had a mini riff battle.
Meltdown stir The Merrow (L to R: Guitarist Carlos Savage, vocalist/guitarist Ian Roa, and bassist Daniel Cazares)
When Roa wasn’t hitting those impressive high notes and owning the stage, he was sharing stories of their eager fans while they encountered minor technical difficulties. If you think Tijuana doesn’t get down, well think again. Meltdown reinvigorates an old sound with their jovial energy and will certainly spark your interest. The quartet showcases the type of fun and fresh new acts Tijuana is producing that will appeal to both the youngins and the diehard metal OG’s.
After Meltdown finished their impressive set, Long Beach busted out their big guns with Railgun. No, it was not the Klown’s signature move from his short lived days in the Railing Bros. Circus but it was the kick ass band called Railgun! Railgun came out and meant business with their unique brand of thrashy power metal or whatever they classify themselves as, but all yours truly knows is that they’re damn addicting!
IDK what type of genre Railgun identifies themselves as but we lurrrve it! (L to R: Bassist Brice Snyder, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Cole Jones and lead guitarist Luke Cohen)
Frontman/rhythm guitarist Cole Jones wasn’t wrangling onstage like a mad man but his storytelling vocals and diligence in his guitar playing was more than enough to reel you in. Guitarist/back up vocalist Luke Cohen, however, didn’t hold back and let it all out. WHOA THERE! Not ALL out, he is a classy gent! When Cohen wasn’t in a frenzy because of his awesome riffs, he was engaging with fans and playing alongside Jones and bassist/backup vocalist Brice Snyder. These guys certainly gave this night more oomph, not that it needed any.
The night didn’t die there. Not even close! Especially when Livin Alive took over and lived up to their name and stirred the amped crowd some more. Livin Alive shredded with their brand of skater thrash and was the band of cool rockstar kids you went to school with. The vocalist/lead guitarist of the group put the wow in Wowie which is not only his stage name but we’re also going to assume that it’s his birth name ‘cause trust us we be investigators… The drummer Big “This is his real name too…” D, shined brighter than the stage lights by giving us a badass drum solo that resonated even when the show was over. Livin Alive can and will resurrect the dead.
ITS ALIVE!!!! With Livin Alive! (L to R: Bassist Alain Simental, drummer Big D and vocalist/guitarist Wowie)
After we learned to live with Livin Alive, it was time to give in to the secret society of The No Name Gang. Okay they are not a secret society… YET. They are but a “simple” band…ok ok you caught me again! They are NOT just a simple local band. They were the headliners of the night with an alluring moniker. Though the quartet were not the original headliners of this gig, the hometown collective stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park to say the least. Vocalist Justin Hendrick made us feel the profound power of his lyrics as he belted out the songs and shut his eyes channeling each emotion in to the verses. They even premiered a new song called “I Fear,” guess you shoulda been there huh?
There were many things to celebrate that Friday night, aside from it being Friday, ‘Meriuch, and life. Speaking of which, it was a special birthday show for bassist Zac Harriot who was giddy because who wouldn’t be? Harriot was all of us especially because it was his b-day AND he was performing in the headlining band. Someone buy him a shot! Who cares if it’s a month late, buy him an unbirthday shot! You know what, buy everyone in the band an unbirthday shot.
Justin Hendrick of The No Name Gang can’t contain his excitement over that unbirthday shot you promised him…
Though this band has only been around since 2012, they continue to leave an impression on new and old fans alike. The No Name Gang didn’t need any fancy props, lasers or fog machines to reel the audience in. Sometimes all a band needs to catch a crowd’s attention is the simple humility and passion for the craft which is something this band of free spirited dudes has.
Lord Dying may not be a badass new character from Game of Thrones or a new Castlevania villain but they are just as cool! These masters of sludgy doom have risen from their crypt and are preparing to ravage the west coast for three days thanks to Black Arrow Entertainment. This special tour which will kick off July 7 at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, CA, make a stop here in our backyard at The Merrow on July 8 and wrap their limited run on July 9 at the Bootleg Theater in LA.
The Ugh Metal overlords had their personal ASSistants, Jennifer and Santi, chat with guitarist/co-founder Chris Evans before they embark on their tour. After exchanging heartfelt “Thank You’s” and friendship bracelets, the interns asked Chris some burning questions to get to know them a little better.
Chris Evans of Lord Dying (Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s Facebook page)
Ugh Metal Staff: Is there a particular meaning behind the name “Lord Dying?”
Chris Evans: Maybe a little bit. It was a phrase we came up with or whatever. A long time ago, right before this band, we tossed around a lot of band names. We thought this one sounded pretty cool. Erik (Olsen, vocalist/guitarist of the band) and I grew up in Salt Lake City like amongst a lot of Mormons and stuff and all that so it kinda (he chuckled) it kinda was there. A metal response to that in some way.
UMS: It’s really cool and its very Game of Throney, so I really like it.
C: (Laughs) Yeah.
UMS: (Laughs) How did you guys meet? I’m pretty sure there’s no Tinder for bands out there so give us the deetz, man.
C: (Laughs) Well the band…the core of the band has always been me and Erik who is the singer and the guitar player. We met in elementary school in 5th grade. He was wearing like a Metallica shirt or something and we started talking at recess and we’ve been going in bands on and off together since then. We learned how to play guitar together and stuff. So yeah this is kind of the next thing that we did and you know in the meantime we met…we’ve played with a lot of people in this band we’ve had a lot of bassists and drummers kind of in and out just ‘cause of how much we tour and all that. Not a lot of people can keep up with this.
Everyone laughs
C: But currently we’ve got Matt Price (bassist) and Chase Manhattan (drums) on drums and bass they pay in a band called Behold! The Monolith. They’ve been around the group and we’ve already played together It’s been working out really good.
UMS: How was your journey as a band before getting signed to Relapse Records?
C: Like I said, me and Erik have known each other since elementary school so I was trying to start a band here in Portland and I just wasn’t gellin’ with the people I was playing with and Erik was at my house one day and he stepped in and we wrote our first two songs that night. We had a friend who played in a band called Black Elk (ex-bassist Don Capuano) and right around that time they broke up and we asked the bass player to join and he did. Then we were looking for a good double kick drummer in and in Portland, at the time, there really weren’t any but we put the word out and a friend of ours told us a guy had just moved out here from Memphis, he played double kick and was looking for a band and we all just gelled really well and that’s how we got the band started.
Vocalist/guitarist Erik Olson and Chris Evans jammin’ (Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s FB page)
UMS: This one had us a little curious, out of all the subgenres why exactly did you choose sludge metal?
C: Well honestly we don’t choose the sub genre we’ve always called ourselves a metal band. And I guess all the other descriptors come from other people, maybe that’s how it ends up sounding. We’re fans of sludge for sure and doom and all that but we’re never trying to do any particular subgenre of metal.
UMS: What would you consider your main influences?
C: They change all the time. I’d say originally it was, like one band all of us agree on is Slayer and we were always in to like old thrash like Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer. But you know also things like High On Fire and more riffy stuff like Black Sabbath of course. We’re also in to a lot of calmer things, like me and Erik love Pink Floyd and a lot of progressive stuff… And Opeth maybe?
Everyone laughs.
UMS: What new things can we expect to see from Lord Dying in the future?
C: Well right now, except for the three shows were playing in Southern California, we’re pretty much taking a year off the road and we’ve just been writing every day. We’re about halfway done writing the new album so we hope to hit the studio by the end of the year and have a new album next year and hit the road.
UMS: WHOA! Is it possible to know what kind of concept you guys are gonna do on this upcoming album?
C: Well there is but we’re kind of messing with it, the content of the album but it’s a little too early to say what we’re doing right now but it’s certainly, so far, quite a bit different than the stuff we’ve been doing.
UMS: So will you guys be experimenting in this album?
C: Yeah a little bit, we just finally decided to take the time to really sit and write and took our time to focus on like making the songs as good as we can. Some of that has taken a sort of different shape than our last couple of albums. Still heavy and hard but there’s also a lot of calmer stuff and maybe more progressive elements to it but we’re kind of just doing whatever we like at the time.
UMS: Man, it all sounds good either way. We can’t wait to hear what you guys are gonna offer.
C: Yeah we’re really excited about it. We love what we’ve come up with so far.
UMS: Is there a particular artist or band you’d like to collaborate and why?
C: Oh man. *sigh* I don’t know.
UMS laugh
C: I know we’d love to tour with Slayer or Mastodon. Collaboration wise I don’t know, that would be a difficult thing.
Lord Dying and Kirk Windstein from the legendary Crowbar. (Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s FB page)
UMS: What artist or band that is not considered “metal” is your guilty pleasure?
C: I would say the Alan Parsons Project. I think it’s great music I like the idea of that band where Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson wrote all the music and then hired musicians to play it. The concept of the music is all progressive and weird but the concept is super dark and I’ve always been a big fan of them.
UMS: Damn, I was shooting for Kenny G.
Everyone laughs.
UMS: What is the craziest experience you’ve ever had on tour?
C: Hmmm….I’m trying to think.
UMS: Ooooh! Whoa!
C: (Laughs) Oh no! I’m just trying to think there’s been plenty of debauchery. Maybe the craziest that comes to the top of my head is a show we played in LA with Toxic Holocaust it was at an unofficial tire place but they said they hadn’t sold a tire in years. It was in Compton, it got really crazy and the cops were surrounding it and while we played, the ghetto bird with the spotlight on us the whole time, and that was pretty crazy and Erik got to yell “Fuck the police, kill the police!” on stage so that was fun .
UMS laughs
Though Lord Dying has been around for seven years, they have managed to live the dream many bands hope to have one day. Expect to see more of these critically acclaimed doom masters in the future but while we wait, be part of this very special tour and catch them today (July 7) at the Tiki Bar, or for our local peeps catch them tomorrow (July 8) at The Merrow with Eukaryst, Raise The Guns and The Bastard Saints and On July 9 at the Bootleg Theater in the city of demons… I mean angels!
Mictlantecuhtli resurrecting the spirits of both the dead and the living.
April 1 is the American pranking day known as April Fools. Of course, unlike the days when the Klown was growing up, the day of fooling has toned down and is more innocent by comparison like local radio station 91X posting on their Facebook about a Rage Against The Machine reunion tour in 2018. One thing that wasn’t a joke was the Southern Californian based black metal euphoria that was held at The Merrow. This black mass featured bands that were both local and North of the 5 freeway.
The night commenced with the local one man band that has made a previous appearance in Ugh Metal’s domain, Morphesia. Unlike the first time Ugh Metal lent their ears to this man, the artist known as Zombie Thirteen kept it… simple. How? Thirteen simply got on stage with no corpsepaint or the “usual” black metal regalia and performed. It was almost reminiscent to the time KISS ditched their outfits and signature facepaint or, for recent memories, Corey Taylor when he’s doing Stone Sour instead of Slipknot. In lieu of Satan, Thirteen treated to us some Egyptology by invoking the king and god, “Ramses.” It would be one of the few performances that had Thirteen’s black metal vocals. In an act of charity as well Thirteen’s new straightforward approach, he gave away merch such as CDs he’s released, stickers, buttons and his stage banners with the pentagram.
Zombie Thirteen of Morphesia trades in the corpse paint and black metal regalia for a fresh face and Ancient Egyptian gods.
After the royal introduction, Thirteen played “Osiris” which would be one of several instrumental songs. The Klown will admit that it was nice to hear the strictly instrumental songs because it felt like we had a glimpse in the mind of an artist when they are brainstorming or getting ready for a recording by jamming out. The night was closed with “Bast,” and though the night wasn’t filled with “traditional” black metal tunes, the night seemed rather intimate especially for a kick off. The Klown and Ugh Metal will stay tuned for what Morphesia will bring to the table next.
After the one man band cleared the stage, the quintet from Inland Empire,CA known as Sicarius took the stage and unleashed some black metal fury. The Klown is not exaggerating but if you haven’t seen these guys live, words alone cannot describe what a treat these guys were. The quintet opened the night with “Apocrypha” and followed with “Shadowalker” from their EP Scorch The Earth. When the Klown saw frontman Kurt Karcass, he believed that he may have summoned his inner Per “Dead” Ohlin (of Mayhem fame) for his performances.
Speaking of Mayhem, the quintet treated us to a cover of Mayhem’s “Funeral Fog” from the infamous De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas album, making this the second time this year the Klown has heard this song live. Karcass not only had a presence but also did something not too common with front men; he joined fans in the pit. Karcass paced within the crowd like a tiger stalking its prey, and circled around two dudes with punk band shirts and people lacking metal attire.
Kurt Karcass and Merihim of Sicarius invoking the spirit of old school Norwegian black metal.
After the vocalist spared his prey, he hopped back on stage to unleash his strong screaming vocals which were strengthened by guitarists Merihim and Argyris’ growling backup vocals. Lastly, before the Klown moves on to the next set of performers, if you missed these guys or don’t take the Klown’s words seriously, you’re in luck! You’ll get a chance at redemption on the 26th of May when they join the legendary Taake at the Brick!
After Sicarius cleared the stage after a jaw dropping performance, the local blackened death metal band known as Greenskull kept the night going. The residential quartet took us to another worldly realm with their performance and manifestation. Greenskull commenced with an appetite for that otherworldly realm by satiating us and themselves with “Worldeater.” Front man/ lead guitarist Travis Whiting had a towering aura shining amidst the fog fit for a superior. Bassist/ backing vocalist James Jungman and rhythm guitarist Zachary Simsay also flashed their auras to fans as the fog rolled in and covered the stage.
Vocalist/lead guitarist Travis Whiting and bassist James Jungman of Greenskull shine brighter than any crystal skull.
The group indulged us with “Ain Soph” and took it old school with “Primeval.” Greenskull would have felt rather negligent if they wouldn’t have performed the fan favorite “A Skull Shining in Darkness.” This song, which the Klown can say was blacker than death in terms of metal, featured Whiting’s mastery of the stage and talents. Not necessarily leaving Jungman completely behind, the Klown can say that he was energetic and gave a feel of a lieutenant ready to strike on command.
Local black metal trio called Necrochamber flung back the otherworldly aura that was left behind to a time when Norway began sprouting legends. Something worth noting is that Necrochamber has been around since 1998, the Klown was looking forward to see what the seasoned black metallers brought to the table. The group initiated their set with “A Ceremony for the Dead,” and immediately followed up their ritual with some black metal fit for an overlord in the form of “Lord of the Deceased.” Although the front man known as Nocturnal Overlord barely moved, the Klown shall note that what he lacked in motion was made up with his authoritarian charisma and music.
Local black metallers Necrochamber show the masses Norway ain’t the only ones that can black metal, bruh! ( L to R: Bassist Titan, vocalist/guitarist Nocturnal Overlord and drummer Tyson Wotan)
Necrochamber’s live sounds were nearly identical to Darkthrone and not just instrumentally. There was a time when the Klown thought that he was listening to the distinct vocals of Fenriz or Ted “Nocturno” Skjellum. The band kept the momentum going and treated us with “Necrochamber” and finished strongly with “The Fleshripper.” If you really fancy yourself kvlt, the Klown recommends that you keep your eyes peeled for these guys because they will indulge your black metal craving.
Although Necrochamber took us on a black metal ride to die for, the Los Angelino headliners went in for the kill. The five lords of the underworld known as Mictlantecuhtli (which is named after the Aztec manifestation of death) have been reigning the underground scene since 1998. As soon as the majority of the group took the stage, front man Cuauhtemoc would then manifest like a warrior’s spirit seeking retribution. Cuauhtemoc’s appearance seemed like that of a resurrected Aztec general that returned from Mictlan (the Aztec underworld) to prepare a rite fit for a jaguar warrior.
Cuauhtemoc of Mictlantecuhtli dons his armor.
Part of the ritualistic motif can be attributed to the clay chalice filled with smoke incense the vocalist took out in the middle of the performance. Throughout the night, there was a blend of metal and folkloric style influences in their songs and were accompanied with Cuauhtemoc’s powerful screaming vocals. Going back to the Klown’s allegory, the group treated us to the black metal narrative “Night of Sorrow” from the Warrior of the Black Sunalbum.
Staying true to the Aztec roots, the group invoked the god of the sun, Tonatiuh, with “Heart of the Sun” from their debut album, Pillars of Silence and brought a bit of sunshine to the night. Mictlantecuhtli continued to celebrate the Aztec warrior culture by playing “One Last Battle” and as the group left, everyone in attendance fevered like the plebes after witnessing a sacrifice for the gods.
Behold the clay chalice of the underworld!
The collective returned to soothe the masses with their encore performance of “Broken Shields.” The Klown and everyone who was at the show were spoiled rotten and overindulged and the Klown really hopes to see these gents again in our humble abode.
When the Klown first heard of Finding T.H.E.T.I.S. he thought he heard finding titties. He then thought “me too!” He checked them out and it wasn’t smut (damn…!) but it was raw groove metal from San Diego. Before the Klown talks about this band’s material why not indulge in a quick band bio, the way any speed dating acquiesces to.
The quartet was first found by the guitarist Sky Jay and the skinsman, Jesse Nathason about a year and a half ago. Like most musicians, the love and passion for their jamming sessions evolved in to a serious thing. Jay and Nathason didn’t necessarily play straight up metal in these sessions; they’d combine and write various styles of music. Jay and Nathason began to think big and started holding auditions in hopes of adding new players to the mix.
Much like a commitment, finding the right partners isn’t always easy especially when this duo had no specific subgenre to identify with. Vocalist Andy Chavez fell in place by blowing them away with his screaming vocals and by that point, they knew that the groove subgenre was their calling. After the voice was found, Bryce Guiliani completed the band’s need for a bassist, who to their happened to be a multi-instrumentalist.
The acronym in the name stands for Trying to find the Harmonic Equal To Internal Sound. (To the smart asses, just shuffle the “find” bit to the front.) According to Jay, the band plays for themselves but would love to play for others. The Klown has had the pleasure of listening to some of their things and he’s got to say that it is catchy as hell far as raw, new talent goes.
Their song “Crawl,” reminded the Klown of Iraqi metal sweethearts, Acrassicauda if Faisal Moustafa took up more harsh and growling vocals. “Valkyrie” was also a good song too, the Klown really took a liking to the opening riffs and reminded the Klown of Avatar’s “Hail to the Apocalypse.” If that’s what Finding T.H.E.T.I.S sounds like when they are playing for themselves, the Klown can only imagine if it were for conformity sake! If you don’t believe the Klown, you can check out their soundcloud and hear it for yourselves.
Lastly, before this Pennywise impersonator sounds off, he would like to announce that Jay and his boys are currently working and recording brand new material at this moment. Also, if you’re looking for an opening act or a band to play at your Quinceañera, Bar Mitzva or whatever the event, these guys would do the honors because they love to play!
Fellow San Diegans can see these dudes in action at The Merrow on April 29!
The Klown may not have found the “titties,” but he discovered something just as good. (L to R: Vocalist Andy Chavez, bassist Bryce Giuliani, drummer Jesse Nathanson and guitarist Sky Jay) Photo courtesy of Finding T.H.E.T.I.S FB page
Seize the Vatican
If you keep up with us, then Seize the Vatican shouldn’t surprise you. The Klown, however, will indulge you further on this up-and-comer from Maine. Luckily, our fetish for new metal and * insert other “devil music” genres here* acts along with our stalking journalism, we’ve gotten some more info on these bros. So without further ado here’s the quick bio.
First off, if you’re from Maine you definitely know the history better than most. They are a quintet that is attempting to challenge Stephen King’s monopoly on Maine. In their local metal scene, they are considered somewhat of a supergroup. The band first started off as two bands named Salvo and A Constant Battle. Salvo consisted of lead and rhythm guitarists Pat Sawyer and Scott Stetson respectively, and vocalist Dustin Faloon while A Constant Battle had bassist Jason Moody and drummer Joe Ronco.
Although both bands dissolved, the Klown will note that Moody wasn’t the original bassist of the group. Moody was already friends with the members and naturally joined the band after the original bassist departed. Soon after they officially formed, these Mainers busted out a four song self titled EP but hit a familiar road block most artists face, getting that creative process going.
Before releasing their debut studio album, Advent of Annihilation, the band’s original intention was to be offensive but not of the Anal Cunt pedigree. Not necessarily for the sake of shock value but for the sake of storytelling and making a point to their intended and potential audience. Although they confessed that they struggled and had difficulty making this album, the rewards that they reaped made them feel justified.
For you Mainers and others passing through there, they’ll be playing a free show at the Sapphire Nightclub in Auburn on March 31st and the 3-day NYDM Annual 2017 in New Jersey on Thursday, August 17.
Seize the Vatican will make you a believer! (L to R: Lead guitarist Pat Sawyer, drummer Joe “Nacho” Ronco, bassist/ backup vocalist Jason Moody, lead vocalist Dustin Faloon, rhythm guitarist Scott Stetson) Photo courtesy of Lennyvision on YouTube
Demon Seduction
Demon Seduction are currently unsigned and released their debut independently. The German quartet started out on the premise of combining thrash and death metal with hardcore and deathcore influences. The band was founded by the vocalist Kevin Leyendecker and drummer Erik Mülhberger in 2009 but they weren’t known as Demon Seduction till 2012 when guitarist Arnold Klaus and bassist Fabian Stangenberg joined.
By that point the band was developing a sound and an identity that on May 2013, they made an impact. The collective impressed at a talent competition in Essen and later that year, the band did a self organized event to continue to stand out. Demon Seduction continued to blow invited guest which among them were the organizers of the Grind the Mine Festival where they landed a spot as openers.
Despite the feel good story and quick success the band was enjoying, Stangenberg unfortunately departed from the band. Some time in 2014, current bassist Marcel Dreher would join the mix and worked tirelessly through the following year to put themselves out there again by joining contests. By June 2015, Demon Seduction released their self titled EP and premier their songs at the Rage Against Racism Open Air Festival. By 2016, the band continued to play more shows and began taking steps towards recording, ultimately producing their debut album Dissolution which came out not long ago.
Lastly, nothing new to note from this group other than they are currently touring to promote their current release. If you happen to be in Germany, the band will be in Duisberg and Oberhausen on May 6th and 20th, respectively. If not, check out their bandcamp and find out what the Klown thought of Dissolution.
Demon Seduction may look innocent but just wait till you hear them growl and shred… (L to R: Drummer Erik Mühlberger, bassist Marcel Dreher, vocalist Kevin Leyendecker, guitarist Arnold Klaus) Photo Courtesy of Demon Seduction’s FB page
Goatwhore brings some NOLA magick to The Merrow. (Pictured left to right: Vocalist Ben Falgoust, bassist James Harvey, and half of guitarist/vocals Sammy Duet… Sorry Sammy)
Metal heads rejoiced because Goatwhore returned to San Diego on September 23 straight from The Big Easy… and no I’m not talking about Chuggo for once. The quintet from NOLA played their 15 song set list to a buzzing and inebriated crowd cause FRIDAY NIGHT! Now before we get to the hellishly good set Goatwhore brought to The Merrow, let’s talk about that (be)foreplay(?).
Local band Orphic Eye started off and knew exactly how to get everyone in the mood with their blend of death metal and extreme grindcore. The tousled vocals on this band will keep you on your toes and will pull you in to the chaos.
Local extreme death metal band, Orphic Eye warm up the crowd at The Merrow.
According to their Facebook page, the quintet is fairly new with nearly a year under their belts. New or seasoned, these guys have a lot to offer especially with their off the charts energy. Orphic Eye guarantees a good time whether it be moshing with their front man in the pit or just simply and gladly be blasted by his piercing growls all at once.
Local melodic black metal celebrities Ruines Ov Abaddon came up next and didn’t need much of an introduction. ROA effortlessly opened a pit and wasted no time, kicking things off with “Tongue Ov the Lamb” off of their latest EP Chaos Reborn.
ROA not only performed their recent material off their EP, but also went back to the basics playing several tracks off their last album such as “Remorseless Light Ov The Black Moon,” “To Hell With your God,” and the anthem “Kill For Satan.”
After finishing the set and leaving the crowd thirsty for more, Goatwhore took the reins on the dark stage and kicked off strongly with older material such as “End To Nothing” and “Collapse In Eternal Worth” off of their second to last album Blood For The Master and ventured farther back with “Alchemy Of the Black Sun Cult.”
After kicking off with some classics, the band dove in to some of the more recent material off of their last album such as “Poisonous Existence In Reawakening,” “Reanimated Sacrifice” and a special song dedicated to the metal ladies in the crowd, “FBS” which is a love song about intimacy with the big red man from the fiery pit in the ground…It was very touching :,)
Vocalist of Goatwhore, Ben Falgoust reels audiences in at The Merrow
Front man of Goatwhore, Ben Falgoust, riled up the crowd with his showmanship and blaring which was more than enough to command a pit. Falgoust’s desire to interact with fans not only fed the enthusiasm but it also made it a one of a kind experience.
Before closing with “Baring Teeth For Revolt,” Falgoust mentioned his distaste of the constant presence of cell phones in his face. Before some bricks were about to be collectively shat by everyone, the front man clarified and said he had nothing against pictures and was thankful that all in attendance were actually enjoying the show and not through a screen and was glad to see a minimal amount of phones and cameras. Phew! Till next time, Goatwhore!
Headliners and local black metal crusader Ruines Ov Abaddon at their EP release of Chaos Reborn.
Black metal defenders Ruines ov Abaddon, created a storm of their own on August 20 with a memorable performance and a brand new EP Chaos Reborn. The band may have finished off the show that would make them worthy enough to sit on the dark throne, but they had a little help from their friends.
To kick off the festivities of this unholy EP release party were desert rockers Mortar. Though this trio comes straight from our very own beach city, they captured an adventurous vibe à la High on Fire. Though their instrumentals can make the most active metal head simmer down momentarily and maybe even mesmerize them, their groove has a kick to it with their biting riffs.
Once the mellow haze dissipated another local black metal gem, Mythraeum, took the stage. This quartet needed no introduction having a loyal legion of their own thanks to their presence and tireless promotion. With their final show of 2016, the band’s charismatic front man Hugh “Void” Marshall along with his counterparts, gave it their all and expertly commanded the stage.
For those that are not familiar with Mythraeum, the size of their growing congregation should come to no surprise thanks to the exposure they’ve had opening for thrash legends Venom Inc in January and Norwegian black metal deities Taake in June to name a few.
Vocalist and guitarist of black metal band Mythraeum, Hugh “Void” Marshall killing it on their last show of 2016.
Poland may have the renowned bad asses known as Behemoth, but San Diego is crafting their very own black metal legends in the making with Mythraeum. It should come to no surprise if these devils star (or should we say pentagram) continues to rise.
After Mythraeum concluded their mayhem of 2016, prog rockers Fadrait stepped in as a cushion after the chaos. Filling in for another band at the last minute, this well rounded band laid down their eclectic sound like a bunch of Prog pros.
Though Fadrait placated the storm, Ruines Ov Abaddon followers gathered around the stage bursting with an insatiable energy ready for the black mass. In honor of their EP release, the sextet played all three songs and unleashed havoc with the heaviness of “Attack.”
Ruines Ov Abaddon also gave some love to their older tracks from their 2011 debut studio album King of The Bottomless Pit, such as the “King of the Bottomless Pit” and who can forget the Anton LaVey approved anthem to our dark lord and savior, and no I’m not talking about Ronald McDonald or Chthulu for once, we mean…well its called “Kill For Satan.”
Though these renowned local heathens have been around for eight years, they prove the crustiest local metal band “expert” wrong and are not slowing down any time soon. Having been one of the supporting acts for Taake and Swedish black metal veterans Marduk on their Japanese tour in 2013 AND with plenty of national tours under their belts, it’s only a matter of time till these guys get the recognition they deserve.
Sorry for the delay of this show. Man… that was some week, Pennywise have mercy! Y’know it was a good fourth of july weekend, when you wake up in a ditch somewhere in Baja California, no vital organs or valuables missing. Of course the return home being an adventure all on its own. Enough about THAT weekend. At this point let me tell you about the last thing I do remember before waking up in a ditch in Baja. On the night of July 2 this hot mess’s pregamed with some independent artists.
The night kicked off with Revolt-Chix at The Merrow and be warned, these local ladies aren’t to be taken lightly. These Chix prove that gender doesn’t matter when it comes to kicking ass. This was even more apparent when the band played “Reality of Hate” and “Riot in the Streets.” Kriss Roth’s piercing and powerful vocals accompanied with Tera White’s back up vocals and bass give the band strength.
(Far left) guitarist and backup vocalist, Gaylene Goudreau playing the guitar. (Center) Kriss Roth performing vocals. (Far Right) bassist and backup vocalist, Tera White playing bass
Gaylene Goudreau’s guitar and Nikki Lomas drumming gives the band further life to pump out the much needed energy that punk is known for. If you haven’t heard this band play, you’re missing out especially if you are a true die hard punker. After Revolt Chix’s performance, the temple came to us in the form of thrash.
Christ Killer, proving that a slur can do no harm unless you let it, kicked off their sabbath with their “Thou Shalt Thrash” because their Torah’s commandment goes up to eleven for us metal heads. Us goyims got some more kosher when they performed “Yom Kippur/ Bong Ripper”, “From the Dreidel to the Grave” and “Masel Tov Cocktail”. Definitely worth wearing a yamulke for their upcoming July 24th performance at the Brick.
Shifting gears from Channukah to Christmas in July, Santa Claus took the stage right on after. Although bassist Dave Quinn’s absence was noticeable, his role was filled in by another local legend, Legion of Thrash’s Cesar Rivero. The band lived up to their namesake persona and busted out the debut performances of two new tracks, “Set Phasers to Riot” and “You Are Saved.” After that special treat and just like their previous performance at the Brick, Santa Claus proceeded to do what they do best, kick ass!
The headliners, Sculpins, were definitely no fish out of water. The local punk perennials are a definition that punk is not dead and will rise again and is serve as an outstanding soundtrack to the current status of our nation. These guys did not waste any time kicking off their performance with “Everything on the Menu.”
Right before the performance officially began, vocalist Adam Gomez assured audience member that the song was about the Holocaust. Whether Gomez and company were intentionally trying to turn heads or be incredibly provocative, they certainly caught all in attendance’s attention in true punk fashion. True punkers will definitely enjoy these guys through and through, most likely get a circle pit started whether the space is provided or not. With that said, it was great commemoration for Independence Day.
Ugh Metal 