HardRockChick

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Mad House: Metal Blade 30th Anniversary Party featuring Armored Saint, Sacred Reich, Gypsyhawk and more @ House of Blues Sunset, 11/30/12

dev@hard
December 1, 2012
4
0

As I worked on preparing all of my coworkers for me to be incommunicado for a full week, vacation brain started to lay itself on top of my already hazy mind. But I shook it off to get dressed for what would surely be an entertaining night celebrating 30 years of Metal Blade Records at the House of Blues. As I was thumbing through my closet deciding what to wear, I chose something that comes as close to wearing the band’s shirt to the show, usually a big no-no for me:

Upon arrival and sorting through various layers of laminates and wristbands needed to get to where we wanted to go, we surveyed what would become and ever-growing room full of who’s who in the metal scene. This would be closely followed by “WTF are they doing here?” and “wow, how drunk are they?” More on that later.

First up were my dear friends in Gypsyhawk. It’s been so awesome to watch their upward trajectory over the past year, and coming off a tour with The Sword seems to have made them as fierce as ever. As much as their new album released on Metal Blade this year is great, we were stoked to hear some of their older songs this evening.

At some point after this set, I looked over and suddenly had this song cut into my brain:

Why was Dylan McKay at the Metal Blade party? Apparently Luke Perry is a metalhead. Anyway, he will always be Dylan McKay to me, and I continually sneered at him all night because I hold that character responsible for causing me to be attracted to assholes for way too many years.

Sacred Reich performed next, who were an early signing for Metal Blade in the late eighties. I know zilch/zero/nada about Sacred Reich, but they played a nice cover of “War Pigs”.

It took FOREVER before Armored Saint came on…and during that time rumors started flying about who would be the special guests. Coincidentally, Metallica played over the speakers many times.

By this time everyone was wasted, as they should be at a metal record label party. As Armored Saint took the stage, me and my younger generation friend looked at each other and said, “Are they wearing wigs?!” And, during song two, two of the members indeed took off their wigs, in one of the stranger maneuvers I’ve seen at a metal show.

Before:

After:

Anyway, it was fun to watch the crowd from my perch above go nuts. But the most fun came when the special guests started to come out. First was this little adorable boy on guitar, which I thought was a cool gesture to have on stage representing the next generation of metal. Somewhere around then I could easily see 3 of 4 members of Metallica sitting there, air drumming and banging their heads along. This made it surreal when Amon Amarth vocalist Johan Hegg joined the band onstage for “Hit the Lights”. My friend and I looked at each other and remembered that one time last year when we went crowdsurfing at Amon Amarth.

Then Dug Pinnick from King’s X and Eric Harris from Gypsyhawk came out for a song. We kept eying Metallica, who were comfortably roosted in their seats…and it quickly became apparent that they wouldn’t be setting foot on that stage.

By the time the afterparty started I was already spent; but it was hilarious and worthwhile to hang in there to witness the DJ playing all sorts of rap music that just really did not belong there. And if you thought white people can’t dance….you should try watching a bunch of metalheads attempt to. I may have busted out a move or two myself….

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

A New Level: Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth VH @ SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, 8/25/23

“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…

September 4, 2023
9
0

Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop & The Losers with Grace McKagan @ The Pearl Las Vegas, 4/29/23

“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…

May 29, 2023
8
77

Kill or Become: Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Immolation, Black Anvil at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay 11/25/22

“Living out the days and nights in absolute fearNever knowing when and where thethreat of the undead draws nearThoughts of…

December 3, 2022
8
88

Looks That Kill: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, & Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 9/9/22

“Now, listen up She’s a razor sharp If she don’t get her way She’ll slice you apart Now she’s a…

September 19, 2022
10
32

A Dangerous Meeting: Mercyful Fate, High on Fire, Paradise Lost, Fugitive, Suicidal Tendencies, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, Frozen Soul, Emperor, Mayhem, Carcass, and Wolves in the Throne Room @ Psycho Las Vegas @ Resort World, 8/19-21/22

“Oh, they should have knownNot to play with the powers of HellSome people have lost their waySome people have lost…

August 30, 2022
12
32

Among the Living: Anthrax 40th Anniversary Tour with Black Label Society @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, 7/28/22

“I’m the walking dudeI can see all the worldTwist your minds with fearI’m the man with the powerAmong the living,…

August 19, 2022
6
29

Mad World: Tears for Fears, Garbage @ Kia Forum in Los Angeles, 6/4/22

“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…

June 12, 2022
8
19

She Sells Sanctuary: The Cult, Des Roc @ House of Blues Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay

“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…

May 27, 2022
5
30

Rock You Like A Hurricane: Scorpions, Skid Row @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…

April 15, 2022
5
38

Turbo Lover: 50 Years of Heavy Metal with Judas Priest and Queensrÿche @ Zappos Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas, 3/13/22

“We hold each other closer, as we shift to overdrive And everything goes rushing by, with every nerve alive We…

March 22, 2022
7
16