EXCLUSIVE ALBUM STREAM: Psychosomatic – “The Invisible Prison”


Long-running California Thrash metallers Psychosomatic will release their new album, their seventh The Invisible Prison, through Nefarious Industries, this Friday August 28th. The band has always funneled their old-school thrash influences through a centrifuge of other genre nods, without losing their unique sound. After the band premiered their last single “Fortune Dealer” features guest vocals by David Sanchez of Havok at Revolver, the band has partnered with us for the full album stream! Jam it out right now!

Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Havok – V


Judging by its title, the latest release by US thrashers Havok is either a bold, singular statement about this being their fifth full-length studio release, or, rather less plausibly, that it’s actually a concept album based on the 1980s sci-fi series about alien lizard people who wear big red jumpsuits. Sadly, it is, in fact, the rather more mundane first option, but that doesn’t stop V (Century Media) from being bigger and almost as frightening than the hairstyles on that show.Continue reading


Havok – Darkest Hour – Cephalic Carnage – Harlott: Live at Camden Underworld, London


 

Thrash has long been perfected on record. Indeed, it’s hard to justify owning many Thrash records made post-Rust in Peace. Live, however, is a different beast entirely. Continue reading


David Sanchez Of Havok Talks Thrash Metal, Thinking For Yourself And More


Havok has become of one of America’s best, most-consistent thrash metal bands. On the back of their excellent 2017 release, Conformicide (Century Media), the band has worked tirelessly to get their music in front of as many new fans as possible. Ghost Cult’s Keefy caught up with frontman David Sanchez at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest last fall to catch up on all things Havok. We also got a special appearance by Sammy from Goatwhore! Look for the band coming to a venue near you in 2018. Videography by Omar Cordy/OJC Photography. Continue reading


Havok – Warbringer – Gorod – Exmortus – Rebellion Bar, Manchester UK


You know it’s going to be a good gig when the first band have already made your jaw drop before you made it into the venue, and they only started playing as you turned around the corner. When it’s a struggle to strap on the camera because of the overwhelming compulsion to play air guitar, you know it’s going to a be a damn fine night indeed.Continue reading


Havok – Conformicide


Conformicide (Century Media) is not Havok’s Master Of Puppets or Reign In Blood moment.

But that’s okay.Continue reading


Former Havok Guitarist Shawn Tyler Chavez Passes Away


shawn chavez havok

Former Havok guitarist Shawn Tyler Chavez has reportedly passed away on April 30, 2015 at the age of 30. Band singer David Sanchez commented:

“It is with deep regret that I must inform fans, friends, and family of HAVOK that Shawn Tyler Chavez, the former lead guitarist of HAVOK, passed away on April 30, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 30 years old. Shawn was the very first lead guitarist of HAVOK and helped forge the band’s sound in the early years. Without Shawn’s dedication during the first 6 years of the band, HAVOK would not be where it is today.
Shawn entered HAVOK just in time for the band’s first scheduled performance, a high school talent show. He was a founding member and gave the band its very first guitar solos and harmonies. He also contributed to many of the lyrics on the “Burn” album. At one of the first meetings I had with him, I remember Shawn bringing a red Strat-style guitar into the rehearsal room with the word “Shawnacaster” tagged onto the headstock in his swirly, graffiti-esque handwriting. Shawn used to wear a tie-dye shirt at least once a week and I will never forget the times we made tie-dye HAVOK shirts to fit his style.
When he was being himself, Shawn was a riot. The guy was super funny and entertaining… He made me laugh a lot with his jokes, slang, witty comebacks, rhymes, and hilarious physical comedy accompanied by beatboxing. I met Shawn when he was a 17 year old Jimmy Page lookalike, so it was quite interesting to see him grow from a shy young man into a flying V-weilding lead guitar player for a heavy metal band. He loved Led Zeppelin and could play just about any Page solo better than Page does on the records!
He was an extremely talented blues player and it’s obvious on songs like “Path To Nowhere”, “Identity Theft”, and “To Hell”. Shawn was VERY smart and I learned a lot from him through our discussions about history, religion, politics, and music. Though we would argue at times, he was quick to let things go and move on with life. This is a quality I admired in him and I wish more people in the world possessed this quality. The usual icebreaker after an argument was a stupid joke that would make me laugh and ease any tension. People that knew him can remember his passion for meaningful debate and a desire to see ideas evolve to their best conclusions. The world would benefit from having more intelligent, funny, charming, kind, thought-provoking individuals like “Shawnathan”.
I would like to wish condolences to his family and those close to him. Shawn was a gentle, likable, sensitive, and well-spoken individual. He was one of my best friends during adolescence and he taught me a lot about an array of topics. It is sad to see him pass at such a young age. Shawn’s contributions can be heard throughout the first HAVOK full-length album, “Burn” and various other early recordings.
May he rock in peace.
–DAVID“

It is with deep regret that I must inform fans, friends, and family of HAVOK that Shawn Tyler Chavez, the former lead…

Posted by HAVOK on Friday, May 8, 2015