The elder statesmen of heavy metal are getting, well, elderly. From the fortysomethings in Metallica and Slayer to the true geezers in Sabbath, Priest, and Maiden, the scent of true metal in 2007 is about as fresh as a bootleg cassette or yellowing fanzine. But in San Francisco, the original home of American thrash, a […]
Nathan Carson
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Troublemaker
Label Boss by Day, DJ Dude by Night
Mike Simonetti cut his teeth in the ’80s hardcore scene in New York City, attending notorious shows and buying records back when “collector’s prices” were pretty much reserved for Elvis 78s. The sheer number of clubs where a savvy dude could DJ in the city at that time was overwhelming. When clubs started closing and […]
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Free at Last
Norwegian Vikings Attack the West Coast
“Fifteen years ago, people in the media didn’t write about [extreme metal] music; just some church burnings and murder and rumors,” explains bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson of Enslaved. “But four or five years ago, the media opened their eyes to the actual music of us and other bands. They were pretty surprised when they discovered that […]
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In No Great Hurry
Yup, Rush Still Rocks
The massively influential and successful power trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart has been drawing lines in the sand of the rock ‘n’ roll desert for over 30 years. Their undeniable chops, complex arrangements, and Mr. Lee’s high-pitched howl have made them a “love it or hate it” act on a global […]
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There Will Be Blood
Goregon Massacre Fest II Rundown
“I have three older brothers that were really into metal in their teenage years and I guess it just kind of rubbed off on me,” explains Josey Kinnaman, the 21-year-old ex-Coloradoan who is spearheading the Goregon Massacre Festival. She’s been living in Portland for five years now, and has already made a name for herself […]
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Unholy Grails
Impurities of the Aloof Instrumentalists
For a group that’s operated out of Portland since 1999, Grails have surprisingly little local recognition. This can be clearly attributed to factors within the band’s control: They don’t overplay the area, concentrating instead on touring and making records for classy indie labels like Neurot, Robotic Empire, and their new home at Temporary Residence. Additionally, […]
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OMMMMMMMMM
Seminal Stoners Yield Mantric Metal
“I have always heard music and riffs internally throughout my life,” says Al Cisneros, bassist and vocalist of San Francisco trance/doom duo OM. He and drummer Chris Hakius have been challenging the definitions of “heavy” since their high school band Asbestos Death morphed into stoner icons Sleep in the early ’90s. When a major label […]
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Dust That Sparkles
Danava’s Demonic Rock Shines On
“I’VE NEVER BEEN a contemporary. I’ve always been in the shadows,” says Dusty Sparkles. The lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, and visionary of Portland-based rock band Danava is rapidly becoming a hot property now, though. After a US tour with Glass Candy (Sparkles does double duty as their drummer), Danava is coming to national attention as […]
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Axes Bold as Love
The Six-String Samurai of 2006
Pullout: “Gods of Guitar” Music Issue
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Fight for Your Right to Shred
The Crossroads of Metal on DVD
Pullout: “Gods of Guitar” Music Issue
Posted inMusic
Metal’s Mountain Men
Mastodon Scale Major Mountains
IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, no underground metal act has had a more driven ascent than Atlanta, GA’s Mastodon. Two members had previously cut their teeth as support members of Today Is the Day, but their combined efforts have made them household names in a world where reality TV and summer festivals are the standard […]
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Rollover RJ Templeton
Disjecta Houses a Mother of a Show
THE RJ TEMPLETON BUILDING is ideal for outsider events because it really only has two neighbors—the Burnside Bridge and its accompanying skatepark. Neither are likely to complain about noise or frivolity. This multi-story space is more cavernous and centrally located than the old Disjecta on NE Russell, and has already featured a Plazm magazine party, […]