It’s really hard to fathom we are now upon the last three months of 2019. The fall season and festivities of Halloween await. Like most months out of the year, October brings with it so many metal shows to the Orange County area; there are actually too many to list. If you love your live music heavy, you’re in luck this month. From black metal to death metal, and power metal to hardcore, we got it all covered in this month’s best metal shows.
10. Abbath, Obituary, Midnight and Devil Master Oct. 4 @ the Observatory
As former frontman of the mystical, over-the-top black metal band Immortal, Abbath is bringing his iconic stage presence and vocal performances with his solo act. Expect the ultra heaviness he is known for, with extra punch and kick. Speaking of punching and kicking, old school Florida death metal vets Obituary will bring the violence and noise in a slowed down groovy sort of crunch that makes them unique among extreme metal. Don’t get it wrong, Obituary also throw in some sped-up jams, but either way the songs about death and gore are sure to get headbangers moving. Don’t miss opening American Satanic thrashers Midnight as well as black metal punks Devil Master. Unfortunately, this Santa Ana show is sold out, but if you are a fan of extreme metal and lucky enough to have a ticket, every band is worth experiencing.
9. Madrost and Friends Oct. 5 @ The Regal Inn
OC-based thrashers Madrost will make a live appearance for this special show in Lakewood (The Regal Inn is at 6763 E. Carson St.). Featured will be some of their peers and friends among the underground local and regional metal scene. Arizona thrashers Motive will also play the show, as well as LA’s crushing heavy metal band Sirenhex, power prog metal band Symbolic from San Diego, the old school LA heavy metal band Warwitch and an LA metal band called DarkStone. For fans of underground high energy local heavy metal in a truly intimate bar setting, this is a show not to miss.
8. Kamelot, Sonata Arctica and Battle Beast Oct. 5th @ the Grove of Anaheim
Hailing from Florida, Kamelot have been serving up a healthy and heavy dose of power metal in the traditional form but also incorporating elements of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, European symphonic hard rock, prog and more into mystical, magical songs that are brought to life by the live experiences. This band has been going about it since the early ’90s and even got to play with their idols, Iron Maiden, years back in Southern California. Be sure to catch openers Sonata Arctica and Battle Beast, which are metal bands from Finland, on this Kamelot “The Shadow Tour” North America 2019 stop.
7. Delain and Amorphis Oct. 11 @ the Grove of Anaheim
Delain is a Dutch symphonic heavy metal band that at one time featured members of Within Temptation. The band brings its intense live performance to local fans along with Amorphis, a band that began in Finland in the early ’90s as a death metal act but has evolved to blend various elements into its music.
6. DragonForce Oct. 11 @ Observatory
Power metal virtuosos, and amazing musicians, DragonForce will share with fans in Santa Ana the super melodic speed metal that is over-the-top for even the most extreme of guitar players. The London band is currently on tour to promote its eighth full-length album, appropriately titled, Extreme Power Metal.
5. Immolation with Blood Incantation and more Oct. 11 @ Malones
For three decades now, New York death metal vets Immolation have been laying waste to fans with an ultra brutal brand of sick and monstrous, evil death metal madness. The band hasn’t stopped and is still revered among the underground among fans of extreme music. This time, the band brings its musical sickness to Santa Ana for a show, along with Denver death metal band Blood Incantation and SoCal extreme metal bands Saprophagous, Crematorium, Icon of Phobos, Transtorno and Asphyxia.
4. D.R.I. with Intent and Graf Orlock Oct. 13 @ Chain Reaction
If you haven’t yet gotten the chance to see a band like D.R.I. yet, do it, and go to this show! Aside from the history of three decades in the punk/hardcore scene, this Houston band (whose initials stand for Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) literally created crossover, the blending of punk and metal music and cultures based on slam dancing. Be there and be ready to be in a circle pit; D.R.I. shows at Chain Reaction in the past over the years have been legendary. Don’t miss Arizona thrashers Intent, and local sci-fi movie themed extreme metal group Graf Orlock.
3. Alien Weaponry Oct. 20 @ Chain Reaction
As an up-and-coming band of young musicians from New Zealand, Alien Weaponry have been seeing mounds of success lately on the international heavy metal circuit.The band formed just under 10 years ago and has been able to rise to the level of playing numerous festivals in Europe and touring North America with Ministry. This show in Anaheim will be a great intimate setting to see a thrash metal band from the new generation.
2. Arch Enemy with Thrown Into Exile Oct. 24 @ the Observatory
This melodic death metal group underwent a major lineup change in 2014 when vocalist Angela Gossow exited and current singer Alissa White Gluz stepped up.The band has been on fire, pounding out music and touring the world, and this time they bring their epic show to Santa Ana for a special performance. Joining the band will be LA metal band Thrown Into Exile.
1. Counterparts and more Oct. 26 @ Chain Reaction
Canadian hardcore band Counterparts have been raging in the hardcore/metal scene for a dozen years now and with that hard work and dedication, the tours keep coming. It’s appropriate the band plays in Anaheim at this venue, as Chain Reaction has a history of underground, explosive shows from hardcore bands, and this will be no exepction. Also on the bill: Stray From the Path, Varials, Chamber and Dying Wish.
Alex Distefano is an established freelance writer and music blogger from the Los Angeles area. With over a dozen years under his belt as a published Journalist, he covers the worlds of heavy metal music, punk rock, current events, cannabis culture, comedy, radio, food, tattoos, the paranormal, and ‘conspiracy theories.’ He graduated from California State University Long Beach in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Journalism and Ancient History. Aside from his professional writing endeavors, Distefano works as an Educator, and delivery/rideshare driver.
Steven here with Motive. THX U for covering our show with Madrost and all the other great bands, appreciate that!