SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSAULT PART 1

California is fucking huge. To those who have no idea, let’s just say it takes around 12-14 hours to go from San Diego to the Oregon border. And it might even take longer if you hit one of the death trap freeways here is Southern California, or even up in Northern California sometimes. So I’m just going to cover the Counties going from San Diego, up to Ventura. I’m going to talk about the bands that I enjoy and that I have seen or heard that are good in my opinion. Do I know every single fucking band? NO! But I know quite a few, and as those who know me can attest, I enjoy supporting these local bands. Are all metal bands great around here? NO! Those of you reading this might not even like some of the bands that I will cover on this assault. But in my opinion, these are some killer bands that deserve recognition. Obviously, I can’t cover every band that has asked me to, or that I know. That is not the point of this article. There might even be some bands that I forget or that I don’t have room for. So don’t feel bad if I know you and your band doesn’t get mentioned here. I will do a few parts of this assault, when I deem necessary. I will keep it to 6 bands at at time. There are always good bands coming and going around here so be patient. Now please, as I mentioned in my first post. DO NOT ASK ME TO COVER YOUR BAND ON HERE! I do this out of my love for this and I cover bands that I listen to on a regular basis. I support bands that have the same ideals and outlook that I do usually as far as styles and taste. I usually lean towards the old school. In rare exceptions, I will cover a band that might be a bit different than what I usually like, but don’t count on it. I’m a close minded, crusty old metal freak. I like the ancient traditions and genres. I DON’T like ALL types of “death metal” or “black metal” or “thrash metal” or whatever. Some of the bands that call themselves these styles suck balls, YES even around here.  It’s OK, because some people think Gravehill sucks balls. And I don’t really give a flying fuck and neither should you! Just because I don’t cover your band on here also doesn’t mean that I don’t like you or you are in that ball sucking category. I’m picky and specific with this. I promise to always give my honest opinion here. This assault is not to bash bands. It is to support bands that I like and want to spread word about their music that I enjoy. These are maily bands that are young and hungry (sometimes old and hungry too!haha). Bands that have not been around very long. Plus, there are quite a few bands that are already established and have been around for quite a while playing the bigger shows around here and already signed to labels that are more mainstream, or work with larger promoters, and larger management companies, and play every fucking major tour that passes through the local venues. Does this mean that you suck and I won’t cover you? NO! I might feature some bands like this here sometimes. But what I’m trying to do here is promote the deep underground bands that really need to get out there. This is the next wave of metal here in Southern California.Our future. So all of you killer local bands, THIS IS FOR YOU! OK, with that being said, let’s get to the fucking bands!

CREPITUS come to us from right here in my backyard of Orange County. Death Metal and Orange County go hand and hand like Paul Mooney at a KKK Rally, but that is changing. Part of this new wave of bands, these guys play an older style of death metal that is more like Edge Of Sanity, older Deicide, and Dissection. They are a band that would be good for both new and old school death metal fans.Tons of killer riffs and quite a bit of melody that isn’t lame or too much. The perfect amount of brutal and atmosphere. Singer Nick Jones is a highlight with his Kam Lee-esque ARGHHHH growls. The old school Glenn Benton screams are also there at times that add a good twist on the vocals. The riffs are catchy and easy to get into, but not too simple or boring, at times technical. Crepitus has a full length self financed CD release that you can buy from them as well as shirts in the future if you like the CD. The CD is good but does not do them justice as to their live shows, which are great and full of energy. Get in contact with these maniacs at: www.myspace.com/crepituswantsyourblood

Next up is WITCHAVEN from the Inland Empire area of SoCal, which has seen a build up of some killer thrash metal bands the last few years. But Witchaven has remained the best of the bunch. These Black Thrashers have been at it since 2002 with their crazy style of throwback 80s thrash mixed with black, death and even crust punk. Fans of Sodom, Aura Noir, Destruction and old Bathory take notice. Witchaven is an endless invasion of neck breaking metal. Total relentless and ripping. From the fast bangers, to the slower mid paced bangers. They have had a few self financed demos passed around the underground through the years and will now finally release their debut full length album “Terrorstorm” on March 6th. They have an upcoming full U.S. Tour called “The Ultimate Desecration Tour” with Bay Area thrashers Hatchet starting March 6th as well. Live, Witchaven kill with front man Henry leading the black thrash assault with his shrieks of terror. They also have a few different shirt designs and patches as well. When they come to your town the next couple of months, watch out, you might get run over by this killer black/thrash death machine! Hunt them down at: www.myspace.com/witchaven

UNHOLY LUST come out of the South Bay/Wilmington area of Los Angeles and play a vicious old school death metal/black thrash style similar to Possessed, Sadistic Intent and Nunslaughter. After playing the L.A. backyard gigs, then playing the start of the L.A. Thrash revival, Unholy Lust have been playing some high profile shows and even the famed Gathering Of The Bestial Legions Fest last year. These fuckers also hit the stage with leather and spikes all old school style as well so points for that! The hellish vocals of Alvaro match well with the sick guitar work of Franco. Later this year these maniacs will unleash their debut full length album “Taste The Sin, Through The Fire” on the great Swedish label Blood Harvest. 3 of the songs are posted on their myspace site right now, and they fucking slay so go check it out. Big things are expected from these maniacs so keep an eye out for them. Also if you like what you hear, hit them up about their new shirts! www.myspace.com/unholylust

Back to the depths of Orange County/Long Beach hell comes DESTROY JUDAS. These veterans of the Socal scene (with ex and current members of Mindrot, Phobia, Eyes Of Fire, Winterthrall) decided to play a slow and atmospheric style of metal that sounds like the soundtrack to the apocalypse. But! MAKE NO MISTAKE! These fuckers play heavy and loud. The sound is beautiful yet crushing. Played with conviction and a ferocity that matches any “faster” or “more extreme” metal band out there. It’s hard to say what bands might be comparable to Destroy Judas, but think Godspeed!You Black Emperor or Mogwai, maybe even Pink Floyd, gone heavy as fuck metal played on Motorhead’s or Manowar’s equipment. The soundscapes are quite amazing and the punishing drums of Nicky, who still over powers the 10,000,000 watts of sound with his power, is fucking great. This is the best band in Southern California that is unsigned BY FAR! Maybe even the best out of all the bands around here. Go check these guys out now and see what I’m saying. More songs will be on the way soon from what I’m told. If you ever get a chance to see Destroy Judas live, DON’T BRING EARPLUGS! THEY DON’T HELP. BRING THOSE EAR GUARDS THAT NHRA DRAG RACE MECHANICS WEAR DOWN ON THE TRACK! www.myspace.com/destroyjudas

Now we go black metal with L.A.’s GRAVESPAWN. In my opinion, Gravespawn is at the top of the heap of the new black metal bands around here, and we have some good ones. Their self financed CD “Praetorian Maleficus” is out now and has some killer black metal dirges in the olden tradition of the greats from Norway and Sweden. I’m not the type of guy that follows every single band that calls themselves “black metal”, but Gravespawn caught my ears and stand out as I said. The songwriting and song structures are top notch and the vocals of Lord Malkuth and drums of Mattias are stand outs. The music is violent and aggressive yet still dark and has a good atmosphere which is the case with good black metal such as this. Since black metal is still somewhat trendy, and major labels still signing bands, I would say that Gravespawn better at least gets on a good label and gets some exposure out there. So far Gravespawn has only played around the local SoCal area but that should change. They also have some killer shirts so hit them up about that. www.myspace.com/gravespawn

The last of these locals is SANGUIS IMPEREM. True tyrants of death metal, they have been carpet bombing people with their vicious metal of death attack for 4 years now. These maniacs also play with Damon Bloodstorm in the great Bestial Warlust tribute band Holocaust Wolves Of The Apocalypse. Their music is like a fucking Panzer Tank rolling through France like a knife through cheese. At times, they remind me of a darker, more evil Bolt Thrower. And other times very Incantation. But Sanguis Imperem are no rip off band, they stand on their own. The music is down tuned and heavy as fuck with good slow parts and mid paced parts. But they also blast away with the best of them and have a relentless attack regardless of what speed they play on. They released their own CD “Stagnation of Centuries” in 2008, will do a split album (CD/LP) “Imperial Impurity” with another sick local band Nocturnal Blood (who will be featured soon!) on Nuclear War Now! Records in a couple of months. There are shirts out as well so drop a line to these heathens! www.myspace.com/sanguisimperem

Before I go, I want to drop a line about a magazine that will be out in print (YES!PRINT YA FUCKERS!) this month called BULLDOZER MAGAZINE. I helped out with some interviews and reviews and the mag features interviews with: Asphyx, Fenriz/Darkthrone, Chris Reifert of Autopsy/Abscess, Jim Durkin of Dark Angel/Dreams Of Damnation, Deceased, Unanimated, Manes, Piledriver, Infinitum Obscure, Fatalist, Sanguis Imperem, Defiled, Ritual Torture and others. There are also music release and show reviews in there so keep an eye out for this Magazine at: www.myspace.com/bulldozermag or www.bulldozermagazine.com