True to form, Red 7 is bringing in high caliber heavy hitters to ring your ears into the New Year. Instrumental trio Russian Circles balances bombastic, soaring riffs with metallic feedback lullabies and swirling atmospherics that seem to spin across the horizon into foggy clouds of dust, the likes of which those who witnessed their exceptional performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 will not soon forget. more ›

On Saturday night, Emo's played host to some ear shredding metal from all over the state, and our photographer Ryan Pollack braved the pit for these shots. This series begins with Baron Grod, followed by Venemous Maximus, Maleveller, and then Eagle Claw. more ›

TTonight, Acrassicauda, the ultra-dedicated Iraqi heavy metal band, slams into Red Seven. They braved a harrowing journey prior to settling in the United States and recording their impressive EP, Only the Dead See the End of the War (2010). Very few, if any, bands have lived for music like Acrassicauda. They played shows amidst the firefights and missile strikes (one of which destroyed their practice space in Baghdad), during the worst years of the US led war in Iraq, and fled to Syria and Turkey prior to being granted refugee status by the United States. Their early years in Iraq and Syria are documented in the outstanding film, Heavy Metal in Baghdad. There’s a lot to do tonight; if early Metallica, Slayer and Black Flag float your boat, this show is definitely for you. more ›

We’ve been enjoying the live videos from Fun Fun Fun Fest nightly but as enticing as it sounds, repeated viewings of this priceless performance by The Jesus Lizard or this epic Les Savy Fav clip at home shouldn’t be a part of anyone’s Friday evening agenda. Especially since Red 7 is hosting a handful of top-notch local rock acts that will surely expunge any lingering post-Fun Fest lethargy. But be warned, the sounds resonating from the venue this night are not for the weak of heart. Eagle Claw bring the thunder early on with an ample supply of sizzling guitar licks, Woodgrain’s chiming experiments continue the sonic onslaught, and the always impressive Tia Carrera bludgeon through lengthy doses of psych-metal in the penultimate slot. Black Cock’s thumping electro-rock brings down the curtain on this exceptional noise-laden bill, adding some vocals to all the racket along the way. Chock-full of resonating keys and immaculately layered vocals, the band’s debut full-length Robot Child With A God spawns ominous soundscapes that might not usher in the end of days just yet but are disconcerting enough to imply impending doom and darkness. We chatted with Black Cock’s ringleader Chico Jones earlier this week to learn more about the band’s recording process, and their hopes and dreams. more ›

The versatile and prolific Rob Crow has been a part of quite a few acclaimed projects (Pinback, Heavy Vegetable, etc.) over the course of his esteemed career. He goes by Lord Phallus when delivering thunderous sludge-metal via the hilariously named San Diego five-piece Goblin Cock. Scorching riffs, humorous lyrics, and Crow’s distinct vocals constitute the heart of band’s tongue-in-cheek (?) product but one best incorporate the imagery in tow, such as the thematically appropriate fantasy art by Mike Sutfin that adorns Goblin Cock CD sleeves as well as the mysterious allure generated by the five cloaked members, to fully grasp the band’s vision. Check out the album cover for Come With Me If You Want To Live on Sutfin’s blog and the video for “We’ve Got A Bleeder” on Vimeo. more ›