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Hey guys, I had a chance to check out an awesome show at the Stork Club in Oakland last night, so how about a show review, eh?
First off, if you haven’t been to the Stork Club yet its time to change that. A great dive that is a few blocks from the 19th ave Bart Station, The Stork Club delivers abrasive music whether it is on stage or through a very deep jukebox and provides a dingy, bizarre atmosphere that I think most metal-heads will enjoy. I personally like the extensive collection of barbie dolls that adorn the back wall of the bar. It provides a funny contrast to the gruff, tattooed bartenders that slide bottles of PBR towards you. Protip – bring cash, as the Stork Club doesn’t take credit cards. There’s an ATM in the corner but, like most, it charges a $2 convenience fee.
ASHKIRA
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Ashkira, and I don’t expect it to be my last. The North Bay thrash-metal-quartet delivered a blistering set, including a crushing new tune that isn’t on their most current release, The Honor Of Defeat. It seems like every show Ashkira puts on eventually leads to a mosh pit, and like clockwork the crowd became a violent whirlwind of bodies about 15 minutes in.
Ashkira, calmly letting everyone know that moshing is encouraged
Titan’s Eve
In their Oakland, California debut, Vancouver’s Titan’s Eve showed that Canada has got a lot more than just hockey and maple syrup. Apparently they’ve also got a penchant for making great metal. The band is currently touring the United States in support of their new album The Divine Equal, and made a strong case to bring their sound back to the Bay Area. I would say their songwriting left the biggest impression on the crowd, which had great elements of groove and power metal crossed with old-school thrash. If you missed them this time around, don’t worry. I fully expect them to be back in the near future.
Titan's Eve, bringing their sound across the Canadian border and into your face
Insanity
The night ended with classic Bay Area death-metal pioneers Insanity. Those unfamiliar with the band were probably unsuspecting of lead guitarist / vocalist Dave Gorsuch. He is, after all, a bit older than he was in 1985 and one of death metals’ shorter alumni. Then his fingers started to tear through balls-to-the-wall solos in-between bouts of demonic-sounding vocals. A truly brutal sounding band that has influenced some of grindcore and death metal’s best-known-acts, its great to be able to see them still playing despite all the tragedy they have faced (as of 2011, two of Insanity’s founding members have died).
Dave Gorsuch of Insanity shows the kids how its done
We are all waiting for the weekend here at the BAMC so we can head down to the Last Day Saloon and check out Thought Vomit! If you haven’t heard the band yet be sure to add them on facebook.: THOUGHT VOMIT
So we know you are all familiar with BAMC members Ashkira. But do you know about the Canadian Metal Band Titan’s Eve? Catch them both at the Stork Club in Oakland on May 28th. We’ll be there covering the show.
Some info on Vancouver’s own Titan’s Eve:
Their album The Divine Equal hit # 1 a few weeks ago on Canadian college Loud Charts and is #2 Loud for the month of March for overall play. The band is currenlty doing a Canadian and US tour to support the Thrash-Metal album.
North Bay Metal Fans will be pleased to know that THOUGHT VOMiT is having its cd release party at Aubergines in Sebastopol tonight. Ashkira, Simoom, Nuclear Tempest, and A Cure for Kindness contribute to what is a really amazing bill. Everybody in the area go check this show out!
Hey Metalheads! Looking for something to do this Friday? How about a kickass lineup of Coalition Members RUN AMOK and HELL FIRE along with SF metal band MIDNIGHT CHASER playing KIMO’s Bar & Penthouse Lounge right here in San Francisco! Come on out to the show for some killer metal and cheap drinks!
Fear The Fiasco will be having their CD release party at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma tonight. Its an all ages show, everybody should definitely check it out!
There were many titles I considered for this post. Most of them lousy (“Happy Hell-idays”, “Merry Metal-Mas”) but the out of office response makes the most sense. As you can tell, we’ve been on vacation for the past few weeks and plan on keeping a low profile until the new year. I’m doing a good bit of traveling (New Orleans last week, Los Angleles tomorrow) and Damien has had a lot of work this month.
But next year is right around the corner! And we have plans, oh yes we have plans. Expect a Concert Calendar dedicated to local bands, more album and show reviews and, eventually, our own shows. So stay tuned, thanks for visiting the site and we’ll see you all in 2011.
