Thrash Metal
Mr. Bungle Unveil Derek Cianfrance-Directed Video for “Sudden Death”: Watch
Mr. Bungle, photo by Eric Larsen Mr. Bungle have unveiled a music video for recent single “Sudden Death”. The clip was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Derek Cianfrance. The director is best known for his 2010 drama Blue Valentine and 2013’s The Place Beyond the Pines. He brings striking visuals to what singer Mike Patton called “the least commercial and longest song” on Mr. Bungle’s new album, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo. “That’s where his eyes and ears go,” Patton said of Cianfrance in a press release. The two became friends after working together on Pines, which was scored by Patton. The new video continues a lifelong fandom for Cianfrance, who remembers growing up and blaring Mr. Bungle out of his 1974 Mustang while cruising the streets of Lakewood, Colorado, as a teenager...
Dallas Transitional Home for LGBTQ Youth Named After Power Trip’s Riley Gale
Dallas Hope Charities has announced that a new transitional home for LGBTQ youth will be named after late Power Trip frontman Riley Gale. Donations made in Gale’s honor following his tragic passing in August fast-tracked the purchase of the new youth home, which Dallas Hope Charities are naming after the singer: “Dallas Hope Center – Riley Gale Location”. “We are so grateful for all the donors and supporters that have made it possible for us to own our residence and expand our ability to give peace and dignity to our city’s youth that need support and encouragement to live their authentic and independent life,” Dallas Hope Charities CEO Evie Scrivner said in a press release. Regarding contributions from the metal community, Scrivner told the Dallas Observer: “We had no idea what that would...
GWAR’s Livestream Concert Turns Scumdogs of the Universe into a Virtual Bloodbath: Review
Setting the Stage: Not even a global pandemic can stop the band, the myth, the legend that is GWAR. The intergalactic barbarians just released a remastered 30th anniversary edition of their seminal Scumdogs of the Universe album, and what better way to commemorate this momentous event than a streaming concert on Halloween eve? For those not keeping up with the GWAR universe, following the tragic death of Oderus Urungus (Dave Brockie) in 2014, Blöthar the Berserker (Michael Bishop) took over lead vocals. Many fans originally know Bishop as the man behind bassist Beefcake the Mighty from 1988-1994 but this time around he returned from Scumdoggia as Blöthar to keep the GWAR machine ticking. While there’s no denying Oderus’ iconic status as GWAR’s frontman, the metal act has always had a rotat...
Concert Review: Mr. Bungle’s Streaming Show Masterfully Blends Comedy and Thrash
Setting the Stage: The reunion of Mr. Bungle has been a journey for both the band and its fans. In what feels like another lifetime, founding members Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, and Trevor Dunn revived Mr. Bungle for a reunion tour in early 2020… with a catch: The band would only be playing material from its 1986 thrash metal demo The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny and hardcore cover songs from the era. Furthermore, they tabbed ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian to help execute the demo’s blazing tempos and thrash theatrics. The quasi-supergroup went on a brief tour and then entered the studio to record a new version of the demo. As we remarked in our review of the album, the re-recorded Easter Bunny is a modern thrash classic from an unexpected source. ...
Mike Patton on Reuniting Mr. Bungle, Navigating the Pandemic, and More
Mr. Bungle (Mike Patton center), photo by Eric Larsen Prior to the pandemic, Mike Patton had countless irons in the musical fire. While his touring plans came to a standstill, the singer has soldiered on with his many creative endeavors. One of those projects is the first album in 21 years from his reunited band Mr. Bungle. Mr. Bungle reunited earlier this year for a handful of shows in February, featuring a lineup that included original members Patton, Trey Spruance, and Trevor Dunn, along with thrash titans Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies) and Scott Ian (Anthrax). In addition to the concerts, news came that the same lineup would re-record Mr. Bungle’s 1986 demo The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny. The re-recording, due October 30th, features the songs from original trackli...
GWAR Announce “Scumdogs XXX Live” Streaming Concert
GWAR have announced an upcoming streaming concert dubbed, “Scumdogs XXX Live!”, which will see the intergalactic barbarians performing their 1990 debut album, Scumdogs of the Universe, in its entirety Taking place on Halloween Eve, October 30th, at 8 p.m ET, the concert comes in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Scumdogs of the Universe. Though some as-yet-unnamed special guests will make an appearance during the livestream, there will be no in-person audience. Snger Blōthar the Berserker doesn’t seem to mind, however. “We always wanted to do a concert without an audience in the room,” Blōthar said in a press release. “The audience is always the worst part. Well, that and the fact that we’re constantly being attacked by a bunch of assholes while we try to get through a set. Man, I hop...
Testament’s Alex Skolnick Unleashes New Rap Song “Wear a F**king Mask”: Stream
This year’s most unlikely political rap star, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, has returned with a second pandemic anthem: “Wear a F**king Mask”. The thrash guitarist surprised everyone last month when he dropped the hilarious “Trump Sucks” rap — a homemade ditty with a clear and direct political message, given the impending November elections. Consider this new track the B-side to “Trump Sucks”. Tragically, the basic safety measure of wearing a face covering during the pandemic has become a divisive political issue, with President Trump remaining defiantly apathetic toward mask regulations despite contracting COVID-19 himself. Well, Skolnick is having none of that. He might not be the most gifted rapper, but that’s part of the satirical humor, as Skolnick himself admits. “My recent home...
Scott Ian: Anthrax Won’t “Put a Record Out Until We Can Play Shows” Again
Anthrax have made it plain and simple: There will be no new album until after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many bands have released new albums throughout the pandemic, but the thrash legends believe it’s better to wait it out. Unfortunately, the spread of the virus hasn’t abated, growing worse in many parts of the United States. Drummer Charlie Benante previously said that there would be no new Anthrax album until a vaccine arrives. Guitarist Scott Ian seemed to confirm that stance in a new interview, but said the band is still working on new material. “We started writing new Anthrax last year — obviously, without a crystal ball knowing what was going to happen in the world, but with the intent of having a record out this year,” Ian siad in an interview with Knotfest.com’s “Mosh Talks With Beez”...
Late Power Trip Frontman Riley Gale Getting Library Named in His Honor
The metal world suffered a tremendous loss in late August when Power Trip frontman Riley Gale passed away suddenly at the young age of 34. Now, the singer is being honored with a library in his hometown of Dallas. The Riley Gale Memorial Library, spearheaded by Jeff and Vanessa Reynolds, will be housed at the Dallas Hope Center, which helps provide inclusive spaces for at-risk, homeless LGBTQ youth. The center is operated by Dallas Hope Charities, which Gale supported throughout his career. In fact, as part of Power Trip’s official statement regarding Gale’s death, the band requested donations be made to Dallas Hope Charities. The goal is to open the full library by December, with donations of new or gently used books currently being sought. As of Thursday (October 1st), the Riley Gale Mem...
Testament’s Alex Skolnick Unveils New Rap Song “Trump Sucks”: Watch
Testament’s Alex Skolnick (photo by Antonio Marino Jr.), President Trump (via YouTube) Testament’s Alex Skolnick has long been regarded as one of thrash metal’s finest guitarists, but now he’s showing off his rap skills. The metal musician spits verses on his new original track “Trump Sucks”. The veteran rocker is not exactly Snoop Dogg when it comes to his flow, but he’s got some clever rhymes that spotlight his gripes with Donald Trump and the current administration in the White House. Skolnick was inspired to write and record the song by certain responses to his recent Instagram post condemning the president. “This song just poured out of me yesterday,” wrote Skolnick about the song. “It was completed in a matter of hours. To all the # Trump2020 and # Maga folks who’ve been floodi...
R.I.P. Brent Young, Former Trivium Bassist Dies
Brent Young, an early member of the metal band Trivium, has passed away. His death was confirmed by Trivium frontman Matt Heafy, who mourned the loss of his former bandmate via social media. Young joined Trivium as their guitarist in 2000, but switched over to bass in 2001. He appeared on their early Blue demo and their 2003 debut album, Ember to Inferno. He was replaced in 2004 by Paolo Gregoletto, who remains Trivium’s bassist to this day. “We have just been given word on the passing of one of the early members of Trivium, Brent Young,” posted Heafy on Twitter. “Having had a couple wonderful years with Brent in the Florida local band scene, doing the Blue demo and ETI together, the very first European mini-tour and first USA tour together — I have nothing but amazing memories of a wonder...
Metallica Perform National Anthem Remotely at San Francisco Giants Game: Watch
The San Francisco Giants have hosted an annual “Metallica Night” the past several seasons, but with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping MLB stadiums vacant, the event didn’t happen this year. Instead, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield played “The Star-Spangled Banner” remotely prior to the Giants game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday (September 23rd). As they’ve done in the past, the duo donned Giants jerseys for the performance, but this time they rocked the anthem from their own headquarters. It’s not exactly Jimi Hendrix, but Hammett and Hetfield gave it a faithful go, synchronizing for a loose and joyous take, delivering a shred-tastic rendition. Heavy Consequence documented last year’s “Metallica Night”, a fond memory of what seems like a bygone age for the MLB. Hetfield ...
