HOME SWEET HOME
Hey Crunchers. Well, I’m back from my trip to California and more than a little jetlaggin’. Glad to be home but had lots of great adventures. One that stands out is getting to check out Keith Merrow’s new signature KM-7 guitar by Schecter. Keith’s new band with Jeff Loomis, Conquering Dystopia, have finished their album and it’s in the final stages of preparation for release. Expect to have your ass kicked by that one soon. Other random memories from my time in California: spotting David Vincent of Morbid Angel walking around The NAMM Show with a name tag that read ‘Evil D’, testing and providing feedback on a bunch of secret Seymour Duncan prototypes, dining at Billy Gibbons’ favourite Santa Barbara taqueria La Super-Rica (seriously if you’re ever in town you have to go), and bumping into plenty of Aussies like Teramaze guitarist Dean Wells (who has some killer new music out soon).
PERIPHERY & ANIMALS AS LEADERS – WHOA
Holy crap, who caught Animals As Leaders and Periphery last Sunday? What a killer gig. A great showcase of some true instrumental virtuosity and, in Periphery’s case, plenty of energy. Periphery’s new mini-album Clear is out now, with songs written by each of the six band members.
GRINDCORE AT THE BENDIGO
In the mood for some brutal fucking grindcore on a Wednesday evening? Me too. Head along to The Bendigo Hotel on Wednesday February 19 for Confusing Anal Mess, Terror Strike, Stoning and Diplod. Doors at 8:30pm and 8 bucks will get you thoroughly ground and cored.
KILL TV ALBUM LAUNCH
Kill TV are launching their debut single Never Gonna Change on Friday February 21 at Yah Yah’s.
ALICE IN CHAINS/DOWN/WALKING PAPERS
I’m calling it as one of the gigs of the year already: Alice In Chains, Down and Walking Papers playing a Soundwave side-show at The Palace on Thursday February 27. Alice In Chains are, of course, basking in the afterglow of their critically acclaimed latest album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, while Down are the legendary Louisiana supergroup led by one Mr. Phil Anselmo and with a family tree that includes Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar and EyeHateGod. And Walking Papers is a blues-rock band featuring former Screaming Trees/Mad Season drummer Barrett Martin, ex-Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan and vocalist/guitarist Jeff Angell and keyboardist Ben Anderson, both formerly of Seattle favourites The Missionary Position. Tickets on sale Friday January 31.
ROYAL HUNT TO TOUR AUSTRALIA
Acclaimed melodic metal legends Royal Hunt will tour Australia in April for the very first time in their history, performing tracks from their new release A Life To Die For as well as tracks from their back catalog. They’ll be at the Northcote Social Club on Wednesday April 2. Support is from the mighty Vanishing Point. There will be a strictly limited VIP meet and greet fan pack pass available which includes Australian-only exclusive items, available from metalmassacre.com.au, tickets are on sale Wednesday January 15 at metalmassacre.com.au or January 30 from other ticketing outlets.
THE RETURN OF THE ALMOST
After three long years The Almost will be returning to our shores this April. Led by former Underoath drummer and backing vocalist Aaron Gillespie, their third album Fear Inside Our Bones is earning rave reviews. Joining them on the road will be Brisbane’s Young Lions, featuring members from The Dream The Chase, plus Canberra’s Drawing North. They’re at Wrangler Studios (all ages, tickets from oztix.com.au) on Wednesday April 16 and Plastic on Thursday April 17th (tickets at the door).
D.R.I TO TOUR
Crossover thrash/hardcore legends D.R.I will tour Australia in May. They’ll be at The Hi-Fi in Melbourne on Saturday May 3, with tickets on sale from thedrunkpromoter.com soon.
