Thrash Time!

Tomorrow night is the Thrashin' West Fest at 118 West Studios in Simi Valley, California. The main headliners include Witchaven, Exmortus and Arizona's very own scifi-esque Vektor. Each of these bands offer their own unique, personal touch to the genre of Thrash Metal. Witchaven reminds the listener of a few early Norwegian Black Metal bands while Exmortus certainly adds a taste of Death Metal to the mix. Vektor is original in the sense that lyrically, they speak of a dark, grim future for all of man kind in a dark, technological manner. Both Exmortus and Vektor have toured together while Witchaven, in their own right, are well known throughout California for their alliances with other Black Metal bands. It is no surprise that it should be a pretty sweet fucking time. For a list of the full lineup visit 118 West Studios Events. Concert review and interview with Exmortus will be posted soon enough. Thrash On! 
Vektor's Myspace, Exmortus Website, Witchaven's Myspace

It's Fucking SLAYER!

I know many of you would claim me to be sick, or (sic), however the hipsters spell it these days but I honestly believe that for the heavy music genres that are still in existence to this very day, Slayer's Divine Intervention is the most important album that the world of metal has seen in almost two decades. It is understood that Dave Lombardo did not play drums on the album but Paul Bostaph did a fabulous job working in all the snare hits, double bass and quick fills needed for Slayer songs. The lyrics are more to the point raging from the political, war content and aspects of a serial killers mind, with very few metaphors being thrown around, during a time when Grunge musicians were doing nothing short of weeping on the mic about their precious feelings. This is the album that becomes apparent to punk and hardcore fans that Slayer's range went far further than simply metal. The best thing about this album is that there isn't a person alive who could not expect these lyrics, filled with there  vulgarity and aspects of morbidity content because the guitar riffs alone introduce these themes.One example is that of the driving force that is the main riff of Sex, Murder, Art. Even as an instrumental you feel as if you have been violated in every orifice, Tom's vocals only confirm this horrific truth when he screams the final words to the blasphemous hymn, "God is Dead, I am Alive!" If you are new to the Slayer church (and God help you if you are) there is no reason to purchase any album before Divine Intervention. In fact, I am confidant enough in my opinion of the band that I would tell you that Reign In Blood is probably the most overrated album of our time. If you feel like pulling nails and grinding rocks, listen to Divine Intervention.I only hope that before they retire that they begin to play more songs from DI in their live performances, considering I have seen them five times and they have yet to play anything from the album except for Dittohead. Hunting! Fighting! Killing Whore! You know thats just a whole lotta bad ass.