Stone Sour
The House of Blues Anaheim
February 6
Vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root–two of the main masked madmen of Slipknot–join bass guitarist Josh Rand, bassist Shawn Economaki and drummer Ray Mayorga to form Stone Sour, a band built less around chaos than slipknot, featuring four less members. Stone Sour's music is best described as melodic and accessible but still carrying on metal's influence for a mainstream modern rock with an edge type audience. But, don't let that fool you, Stone Sour is way more than jut a side project, having formed in 1992. As a unit, the band showcases the collective talent, musicianship, and songwriting ability that each of its members contributes. This is a band that is definitely not as heavy or dark as Slipknot, but for many fans, just as passionate. Make no mistake about it; Stone Sour is a stripped down, hard rock band where no masks are required.
]
2.Infinite Death/Dawn of Eternity and many others
The Riff Haus
Feb. 8
This show is a good sampling of the extreme underground metal scene in the LA/OC area. These bands within this sub-culture are the real deal when it comes to brutality, dedication to the live shows, and a strong sense of the DIY spirit. Infinite Death is a thrashy death metal band from Whittier, who although are young up-and-comers, certainly can incite a crowd of head bangers like it was the mid '80s. Most of the bands performing are up and comers, but still heavy influences of '80s metal, thrash, black metal, beer, weed, warfare, and the occult are all apparent. Also appearing at this show, along with many other underground extreme metal bands, is Anaheim's own Dawn of Eternity.
3.Devil You Know-Playing as All Devolved Shall Engage
Chain Reaction
Feb. 15
Howard Jones, former vocalist for Killswitch Engage, and Blood has Been Shed has teamed up with former guitarist for All Shall Perish, Francesco Artusato, and drummer John Sankey form Devolved, Divine Heresy and Fear Factory, to form a new band known as The Devil You Know. The band is making its live debut performing under the moniker All Devolved Shall Engage, which combines the names of all the bands to which these guys were formerly a part of. Expect it to be heavy, intense and very crowded. This has the potential to be big so early arrival is recommended. If you are a fan of death metal, metal core or any of the three aforementioned bands, you might want to check this show out.
[
Metal Church
Tiki Bar
Feb. 15
Classic metal invades Costa Mesa for this very intimate show at the Tiki Bar. Metal Church was formed in 1980 in the S.F. bay area and had a strong impact on early thrash and the formation of such bands as Exodus Slayer and Metallica. Known for their signature style of power metal and fast riffs with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal style and sound. The band is still going strong more than three decades deep into heavy metal having released the album Generation Nothing last year. This promises to be a night full of long hairs and head banging. Horns up!
Manowar
Fox Theater Pomona
Feb. 22
Hailing from New York, Manowar is synonymous with epic, majestic power metal. Their cult like status of over past 35 years has been built on crushing guitars, intense symphonic arrangements and anthemic songs. Critically acclaimed as one of the loudest metal bands around, Manowar actually earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1984, for the loudest performance, ' and again in 2008 for the longest heavy metal concert performance, playing just over five hours in Bulgaria.
Although these musical warriors march on in battle in support of all things heavy metal, it hasn't stopped many have criticized the high-ticket prices. Sure, Manowar concerts in the United States are a rare occurrence, but are ticket prices really worth $100 each? Perhaps to the diehards, who can afford it.
See also
10 Punk Albums to Listen to Before You Die
10 Goriest Album Covers
10 Most Satanic Metal Bands
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.
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.