Author Archives: Fist

About Fist

Greetings and salutations. Call me Fist, I'm a proud Kentuckian and I've used metal to help me get through the suffering of living in the bible belt. I am an encyclopedia of metal. I'm a fan of all types of metal. My main goal here is to help people find more music they will fall in love with. Hope you enjoy our words! \m/

AVATAR Brings The Freak Show To Atlanta, Georgia! [Photo Gallery]

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Avatar has long been one of those bands that dominate in their live shows and leave fans jaws on the floor not only by their sound but their amazingly entertaining stage presence. On this particular night Avatar headlined the Buckhead Theatre with opening acts Hellzapoppin Side Show and The Brains from Montreal Canada. You could say that Hellzapoppin easily fit in with Avatar’s whole theme, they aren’t a musical act but it brought something different to the show that you don’t see very often.  Continue reading →

OF MICE & MEN’S Aaron Pauley “We Knowingly Do Some Stuff Thats Gonna Get The Haters Talking”

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Since their genesis in 2009, Of Mice & Men have become one of the biggest names in the music industry fusing sugary-sweet melodies, captivating hooks, and aggressive, in-your-face energy.  The band released their self-titled debut album in 2010, gaining notoriety with hits like “Second & Sebring” and “Those In Glass Houses”.  Of Mice & Men gained momentum with the success of their sophomore album ‘The Flood’, and used that momentum to cement the Of Mice & Men name into history with the release of 2014’s ‘Restoring Force’ which has come to be known by fans as arguably the band’s “best” album.  With over 100 million cumulative streams, ‘Restoring Force’ packed a heavy arsenal with numbers like “Feels Like Forever”, “Would You Still Be There”, and “Bones Exposed” and made its way all the way to #4 on the Billboard Top 200.  The guys followed up the successful album with another success, 2016’s ‘Cold World’ which sold 19,000 copies in its first week and appeared at #20 on the Billboard Top 200 in the U.S.  ‘Cold World’ would become the last album to feature long-time frontman, Austin Carlile. Continue reading →

Review: The Rise of L.A. Thrash Metal (DVD)

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Throughout history, the San Francisco Bay Area has long been deemed as the epicenter for thrash metal, whereas Los Angeles has invariably been considered the stomping ground for glam and hair metal. True, San Francisco has birthed many exceptional thrash bands since the early ‘80s, but the fact remains – Los Angeles is the rightful birthplace of three of the “Big 4” thrash bands and is the breeding grounds for unconventional thrash/punk-metal bands. From legendary thrash icons Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, to punk/metal renegades Suicidal Tendencies and combative thrash stalwarts Dark Angel and Hirax, they all generated from this pretentious, megalopolis hellhole we call Los Angeles. Continue reading →

Review: ATALA – ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’ [Official Videos]

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Photo by Matt Hall

After honing their chops in other touring bands, the members of ATALA came together in 2013 when frontman Kyle Stratton, who owns two tattoo shops in their hometown, met up with drummer Jeff Tedtaotao, the brother of one of his shop’s tattoo artists. After joining up with their first bassist, the band quickly linked up with producer Scott Reeder (Kyuss, The Obsessed), and released their self-titled first full-length in 2014. In 2016, the band followed up with the release of their well-received sophomore album, ‘Shaman’s Path of the Serpent’, this time with current producer Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon) at the helm. After the departure of their previous bassist, current bassist and fellow tattoo artist Dave Horn joined the ranks. Now signed to Salt of the Earth Records, ATALA seeks to reach new heights and expand their horizons with the 2018 release of ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’, their most charging and conceptualized offering yet. ATALA have truly found their path, and their groove, with ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’. We recently conducted an interview with the band as well which you can read here. Continue reading →

JOHN 5 “I Don’t Really Quit Bands Even When It Gets Really Bad”

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JOHN 5 has worked with a varied range of artists, performing as guitarist for some of the biggest headlining rock bands in the world such as Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, as well as playing session with Paul Stanley, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. John 5 has became what ever band strives for in a guitar player. When he steps into the guitarist role for any band he just doesn’t simply play the notes, but he adds his own style to the music and on stage he gives personality to the instrument and brings the music to life. He is by far one of the most exciting musicians to see live regardless which band he is playing for at the time. Slash has called JOHN 5, “one of the most mind-blowing guitarists around” and Rob Zombie has dubbed him “a fucking shredder”. JOHN 5 has released seven solo albums to date, as well as a remix album, and has written music for the likes of Avril Lavigne, Garbage, Ricky Martin and others. When it comes to genre John 5 has no limitations, he simply isn’t just a rock and metal guitarist. Pop, country, southern rock or even classical he can play and create riffs for nearly any type of music. His current solo venture is John 5 And The Creatures which includes bassist Ian Ross and drummer Logan Miles Nix. John 5 And The Creatures are set to release a brand new live album, ‘It’s Alive!’, on January 25th. ‘It’s Alive!’ is the first album released by the world-renowned guitarist to be featured on vinyl. A stunning 24-page, full color tour book covering the John 5 And The Creatures tour journeys so far will also be available for separate purchase. Pre-orders are available now at www.john-5.com/store

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An Interview With ATALA: “I Think I Was Born To Be The Villain In Real Life!

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Photo Credit: Jenifer Stratton

After years of turning heads in the subterranean metal scene, Twentynine Palms, CA-based sludge/doom metal group Atala are rising above with the release of their most confident album yet – the full-length crusher ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’ out January 26, 2018 via Salt of the Earth Records, the bands first release on the label. This album is a follow up to their previous album ‘Shaman’s Path of the Serpent’ which was released in May of 2016. Atala has an inspiring sound that is made up of various influences. Psychedelic desert sludge combined with crushing doom riffs and stoner rock melodies. Though the band hails from the barren desert of Twentynine Palms they aren’t anything like the standard desert rock bands you may be familiar with, Atala are breaking the mold and solidifying a new sound associated with the desert. As with their last record, ‘Shaman’s Path of the Serpent’, ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’ was produced by Billy Anderson, recognized for his work with colossal bands such as Sleep, Melvins and Mastodon. The album is available for pre-order as digital download, cd, and also on Limited edition black and blue splatter vinyl. Pre-order your copy here today!

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Interview: FOR WE ARE MANY “We Are Next To Bands That We’ve Idolized” [Video]

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This 5 piece metal band formed in 2012 in Michigan and has been making a name for themselves ever since. Last year the For We Are Many won an opening spot on the Chicago Open Air Festival through a contest on Reverb Nation. 1000’s of bands and they came away as the winner which lets you know immediately this band doesn’t mind competition and they certainly showed they are winners. If that wasn’t enough, prior to this the band in a similar contest or audition process also won a slot on the Vans Warped Tour as well a year or so ago. Though the band has had to fight for spots on theses festivals I believe they have now established themselves as an act that stands their ground and can entertain and please a huge crowd of fans. Because of their jaw dropping performance at Chicago Open Air the band was also invited to play the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky which like Chicago Open Air was also organized by Danny Wimmer Presents. For We Are Many has a true melodic metalcore sound that you have to witness in person just to believe.

 

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Folk-Metallers FROST GIANT Release “Curse of Doubt” From Upcoming Album! [Track Stream]

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Inspired by Norse mythology, epic metal, punk rock, and combined with an American hardcore attitude, Frost Giant drops an icy hammer on everything trendy and weak. Formed in 2005 in Philadelphia, PA the band is comprised of Matti Frost on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Scott Breustedt on lead & rhythm guitar, Ty Asoudegan also on lead & rhythm guitar, Armen Koroghlian on drums and Brook Duer on the bass, and backing vocals. The 3 guitar lineup adds a great sound to the band that is reminiscent of old school power metal. The music pays no attention to boundaries, deliberately crossing genres and bringing them all together in one truly unique sound. From the mead-hall sing along choruses to the shredding melodic death metal passages laced with tortured growls and screams, from the pounding double bass to the pop-punk riffs that linger for days, Frost Giant’s music journeys through stories and lore, bringing to light the tales of old in a modern folk-metal context. Continue reading →

Review: APE CAVE – ‘Language of the Earth’ [Album Stream]

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Ape Cave are a talented band from the musically rich city of Portland, Oregon. The band’s debut release was on May 31, 2015 in the form of an EP titled ‘Primordium’. It was engineered by Ryan Grunest and The Human and mixed/mastered by The Human at Human Studios. ‘Primordium’ has been described as an eighteen minute long embarkment spanning over bountiful sonic landscapes – listeners will find themselves immersed in formidable singing, kaleidoscopic guitar solos and rigid rhythms. I have become addicted to their unique sound since hearing their 2016 release ‘Pillars of Evolution’ which also made my best of album list for that year. It was engineered/mixed by Fester at Haywire Studios and mastered by Stephan Hawkes at Interlace Audio. The band describes the album “Prepare to undertake a momentous odyssey through Kashmir’s bluffs, devastating Egyptian plains and volcanic panorama in Ape Cave’s LP ‘Pillars of Evolution.’ The psychedelic guitar work, roaring bass lines, thunderous percussion and dark vocals soaring to pyramidal heights are just a fraction of the elements that will leave listeners captivated. The tale of a wanderer experiencing an intensely hallucinogenic, trans-continental journey is yet to be unraveled.” The band has now released their follow up to that album with ‘Language of the Earth’ which like the last album released on January 1st. Ape Cave continues to bring amazing gifts on January 1st with their album releases and though it’s the first day of the year when December rolls around it will still be in your album rotation. This was true with ‘Pillars of Evolution’ and I’m sure the same will be true with ‘Language of the Earth’. This album was Engineered/mixed/produced by Billy Anderson who has worked with notable acts like The Melvins, Neurosis, Swans, Brutal Truth and many more. Continue reading →

Philip H. Anselmo On First Meeting Dimebag “He Looked Like A Freaking Unraveled Q-Tip!”

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Philip H. Anselmo is a name synonymous with metal. He has been at the helm of several iconic bands that have broken barriers in the music world. One of the hardest working musicians of the generation Phil is a member of several bands each one just as amazing as the next. Pantera got everything started for the singer back in  1986 when he replaced previous singer Terry Glaze and joined forces with brothers Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell Abbott along with Rex Brown. The band blazed new trails in American Heavy Metal and raised the bar of what was expected in regards to modern bands. Phil also went on to form the illustrious supergroup Down which has featured well known members like Jimmy Bower (Eye Hate God), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow), Rex Brown (Pantera), Pepper Keenan (Corrosion Of Conformity), and Pat Bruders (Goatwhore). As if that wasn’t enough of a workload Phil also has Superjoint (Formerly Superjoint Ritual) in which Jimmy Bower is also a member. In the past few years he has also brought two new bands into the realm with Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, and his black metal project Scour. His work history doesn’t end there as he has also been a part of the bands Arson Anthem, Christ Inversion, Southern Isolation, Viking Crown, Eibon and En Minor as well. Around a year ago Phil also stepped in and took over vocal duties for Mike IX Williams of Eye Hate God when he was ill recuperating from a liver transplant. (Mike is now back with the band and is as healthy as ever). In addition to his various bands Phil also runs and owns the label Housecore Records which has an amazing lineup of bands including Author & Punisher, The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight, Child Bite, King Parrot, Crowbar, Warbeast and various others including some of his own projects. Continue reading →