Megadeth – Amon Amarth – Suicidal Tendencies: Live At The DCU Center


megadeth-butcher-babies-tour

Megadeth continues their resurgence for their current album Dystopia (Tradecraft). Bolstered by the recent addition of former Soilwork drummer Dirk Verbeuren, Dave Mustaine and company sound amazing live these days from the few times we’ve caught their act in 2016. To pull off a tour of this magnitude (small arenas) in this day an age where some bands are struggling to fill small clubs is admirable. Openers Butcher Babies and Metal Church certainly have their own crowds of fans, but the three main acts couldn’t be better or more evenly matched. Continue reading


Suicidal Tendencies – World Gone Mad


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In the three years since Suicidal Tendencies released their last album, 13 (Suicidal), to a somewhat mixed reception, things have changed substantially once again in the Californian act’s camp. Main man Mike Muir and his trademark bandanna are back of course, but only lead guitarist Dean Pleasants survives from the 2013 line-up. Out go guitarist Nico Santora, bassist Stephen Bruner, and drummer Eric Moore, to be replaced by Jeff Pogan (rhythm guitar), Ra Diaz (bass), and some chap called Dave Lombardo holding the sticks. Continue reading


Hatebreed: Live at The Marquee, Tempe AZ


Hatebreed devildriver tour

2200 hours: People are milling about. They are still buzzed after an exhausting Devildriver performance. The last strains of a sound check happens: drums, guitars, bass, vocals. Hey Hey Yup. Yep. Hey A. The floor fills quickly to the sound of Boston “Rock and roll band… everybody’s waitin’ … getting’ crazy anticipating love… and music… Play Play Play….” Christina says, “I haven’t seen them in a long time. It’s the first time in 19 years seeing them. I’m here to have a good time and see a great band.”

Devildriver, by Melina D Photography

Devildriver, by Melina D Photography

 

2213 hours: The lights go out and the crowd erupts into chants of “Hatebreed! Hatebreed! Hatebreed!” Eerie creepy kid horror music is piped in. “Arizona! Are you ready?” Why yes, Jamey. We are indeed ready! “I’ve been a Hatebreed fan since ’99 when I was in the ARMY. It’s his (points to 7 year old son) first show.”, says Tony. Tony’s son says Hatebreed are “Awesome.” Jamey Jasta hits the stage looking more like Mike Muir. “Destroy everything!” he commands as a pit, a tad smaller and milder than Devildriver’s breaks out. To wit, I think the crowd is a bit tired. They are densely packed yet hardly moving. There are, however, lots of cell phones in the air.

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Jamey reminds his erstwhile captives that the new album The Concrete Confessional (Nuclear Blast) is the #2 rock record and #13 on Billboard charts. Hatebreed then launch into ‘Looking Down the Barrel of Today’. Live, the song has a wicked funk sound and the pocket is strong with Chris Beattie and Matt Byrne. “The party is only just begun!” Jamey tells us. Finally, the pit has grown. The crowd was a slow burn. They fed off the intensity of the band. Multiple crowd surfers rise above the masses. It’s now a packed house on a Monday night. I was told by a Marquee employee that a good 2500 were in attendance. ‘A.D’ causes a proper circle pit to erupt. Live, ‘A.D’ is a psychotically intense old school thrash song. But, alas, a majority of the crowd stood about like deer in headlights. “They know what they do and they do it will. They stick to it.”, says Patrick. Some are bobbing their heads while others just have this glassy look to their face. I guess I’m just a rabid Hatebreed supporter. Such a laid back attitude towards live music is an anathema to me.

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Everyone of us are in it together. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face. Everyone leaves with no voice left from a Hatebreed set.” –Jamey Jasta

Hatebreed are killing it on stage. There is elegant beauty in their brutality. It’s been 3.5 years since they played in Tempe. Live they exhibit a tribal feel. Matt’s drumming is deep and mesmerizing. The light show makes me feel like I’m being inducted into the cult of Hatebreed. There are eight discharge lamp/beam/wash moving head fixtures on stage. They shine and flash to the audience; a code of induction. They illuminate the band from behind making them seem larger than life. I drank the Hatebreed kool-aid a long time ago. But tonight I grabbed the chalice and drank deeply again. “I take this vow of hatred, never to be broken.”

There is no family drama. There’s no death. There’s no suicide. There’s no poverty.” – Jamey Jasta.

People hear the music and they think we’re crazy. This is music. It’s transformative. It helps people.” – Jamey Jasta.

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

 

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

 

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

Hatebreed, by Melina D Photography

 

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WORDS BY VICTORIA ANDERSON

PHOTOS BY MELINA D PHOTOGRAPHY

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Podcast: Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies on The Jasta Show


the jasta show

Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies speaks with Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed, Jasta, Kingdom of Sorrow) of The Jasta Show about his 35 year career, past members of the band, not being able to play cities because of raised insurance premiums for venues of their shows, how they got artistic control from major labels, Body Count’s version of “Institutionalized” and more.


Slayer – Suicidal Tendencies – Exodus: Live at The Palladium, Worcester, MA


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New Englanders are no strangers to low temperatures and the ever growing line of people hiding from the cold winds beside The Palladium in late November to be among the first inside showed a strong resolve. It could have also have just been plain, old idiocy but you do a lot of stupid things for people (i.e. bands) that you love. I was one of said idiots.

Exodus

First to take the stage were Exodus, fronted by Steve Zetro Sousa once again. This was only my second time seeing the band, the first was while Rob Dukes was still an active member, but they continue to put on a fantastic show for their fans. The crowd belted out the words to newer songs like ‘Blacklist’ as well as tracks like ‘Toxic Waltz,’ an Exodus classic. However, nothing ever seems to hit people quite like ‘Bonded by Blood’ does and the floor always becomes a mass of writhing bodies. Everyone knows and loves that song. Your mom loves that song. Despite line up changes, the machine that is Exodus is still going strong. Can we just take a second to talk about Gary Holt? The man has been doing this since well before I was even born and he’s just as psyched to be out on that stage as ever. He’s like a puppy made of thrash.

Suicidal Tendancies

A band that didn’t quite seem to fit the thrash themed lineup came on next; Suicidal Tendencies. I had never seen them before and I wasn’t sure what to expect since I wasn’t overly familiar with their material but I quickly learned that Mike Muir has far more rhythm than I do. We were treated to a few of my personal favorites in ‘Subliminal’ and ‘War Inside My Head’. As expected, ST performed ‘I Saw Your Mommy’ and the crowd absolutely ate it up. Michael Morgan’s bass playing was a nice surprise as well and I found myself grinning, like an idiot, to a fellow bass loving girlfriend of mine more than once. He was more than adequate in place of the recently passed away Tim “Rawbiz” Williams (RIP). I would definitely love to see them again. Uncle Mike stopped a few times in between songs to give us some life advice that can only come from someone who’s made it out to the other side in (mostly) one piece. It was a very positive experience. If you haven’t caught Suicidal yet, get out there. You’ll have a great time.

Slayer

Last, but not least, came Slayer which saw Holt back in front of the crowd for the second time that evening. The venue was smaller than the arena that they had played in last year, the prices were more reasonable, and fans came out in droves to show their support. Their set opened with ‘World Painted Blood’ and lead into a roughly two hour long performance. I got my favorite song in with ‘Dead Skin Mask’ which always just makes me want to hug the person next to me and tell them how much I love them. Just go with it. Other notable songs included ‘War Ensemble,’ ‘Seasons in the Abyss,’ ‘Disciple,’ and another feel-good favorite of mine, ‘South of Heaven’. The crowd had been moshing all night but ‘Raining Blood’ filled everyone with second, more aggressive, wind as they tore into one another again and again. Much like last year, ‘Angel of Death’ was dedicated to the fallen Jeff Hanneman. There’s been a lot of talk since Jeff’s passing and Dave Lombardo’s departure from the band but they are still worth seeing.

Slayer

I don’t think anyone walked out of The Palladium that night and was dissatisfied with how they had spent their evening. Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies are still going strong and putting on great performances. While Slayer may not be the vicious, wild animal that it was in years past they’re still more than capable of putting on one hell of a show and this perseverance is what keeps them relevant and keeps us coming back for more.

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Slayer on Facebook

Suicidal Tendencies on Facebook

Exodus on Facebook

WORDS: ALEIDA LA LLAVE

PHOTOS: HILLARIE JASON PHOTOGRAPHY


Suicidal Records To Re-Release Seminal Crossover Album By No Mercy


no mercy image

 

Widespread Bloodshed, the ccrossover hardcore/thrash release from Venice, CA band No Mercy will see a re-release later this month from Suicidal Records (Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves). The classic album featured ST’s Cyko Myko Mike Muir on vocals and future (and now past) ST member Mike Clark. Clark would go on to bring the true crossover style to ST, creating thrash metal classics such as How Will I Laugh Tomorrow and Lights… Camera… Revolution! Some versions of these tracks were collected once before on the ST release Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit/Deja Vu (Epic) in 1989, but were not the original versions of the songs.

 

wsbs lrr ST

 

 

 

From The Press Release:

Suicidal Records is proud to announce their plans of re-releasing the entire collective works by legendary crossover outfit, No Mercy, this October.

Founded by Mike Clark in the mid-’80s, before he became a part of the dominating Suicidal Tendencies, No Mercy only released one album amidst touring regionally on the West Coast in the band’s short-lived history, yet those songs left an impressive impact on the scene forever. With Clark handling all guitar duties, joined by bassist (and O.G. Suicidal artist) Ric Clayton, drummer Sal Troy, and Suicidal’s Mike Muir on vocals, Widespread Bloodshed (Love Runs Red) was engineered by Palm Neal and produced by Mike Muir, and after being originally released on LP and cassette by Suicidal Tendencies’ own Suicidal Records in 1987, now, over two-and-a-half decades since it’s been available, the label will reissue these timeless anthems in upgraded quality.

Remastered by “Big Bass” Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, Widespread Bloodshed (Love Runs Red) will be released in the US on October 28th (also Mike Clark’s birthday) on CD, download as well as traditional black vinyl and picture disc LP versions. The record will see release in Europe the day before on CD and digital only.

wsbs ST 2

Widespread Bloodshed (Love Runs Red) Track Listing:

1. We’re Evil

2. Crazy But Proud

3. Master Of No Mercy

4. Day Of The Damned

5. Controlled By Hatred

6. I’m Your Nightmare

7. Widespread Bloodshed-Love Runs Red

8. My Own Way Of Life

9. Waking The Dead

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Suicidal Tendencies – 13


Suicidal-Tendencies-13Suicidal Tendencies first album in thirteen years is the culmination of the legendary hardcore punk/crossover/thrash bands’ resurgence the last few years. The reason the band reached icon status in the first place was their ability to innovate and lead in the early days, change with the times and still be relevant years later. What separates ST from many bands of that era, is that now that they have finally delivered new music, it is as refreshing to hear as it is vital. That’s what makes 13 so very special.Continue reading