2023

Trauma is on the menu for some heavy-handed hard rock and metal at Sacramento’s Ace of Spades on March 16.

Eddie March 14, 2023 No Comments

Photograph by Joel Barrios

Looking for the ultimate tour package that will please from beginning to end? Look no further: Queensrÿche’s ‘The Digital Noise Alliance’ tour will be making its way around the country and descending into the Sacramento Valley with some big support acts in tow. Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman will be presenting his solo material as part of the show.

The tour’s openers, Trauma, play both new and old music and count late Metallica bassist, Cliff Burton, among its original members. And while Trauma is now sadly down to its only original member, drummer Kris Gustofson, the current touring and studio band are anything but slouches. They count Sacramento’s own Michael Spencer (ex-Flotsam & Jetsam) on bass.

Trauma just released a new video for “Meat” that features late Trauma singer Donny Hillier’s lyrics and music written by guitarist Joe Fraulob. They’re on tour supporting their new record, ‘Awakening,’ which was released in 2022.

The tour winds its way around the states and ends on April 16^th in St. Petersburg, FL. Its March 16 stop is in Sacramento at Ace of Spades. Get to the venue early to get your money’s worth and to see one of the strongest opening acts the tour could have. Tickets are $45 advance can be purchased at www.aceofspades.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. Ace Of Spades is located at 1417 R Street in downtown Sacramento.

(SN&R)

Black Sabbitch, an all-female tribute to Black Sabbath, readies for metal mass at Old Ironsides on March 11

Eddie March 6, 2023 No Comments

Black Sabbath leader Ozzy Osbourne recently announced he’ll be retiring from touring, opening the way for a handful of great tribute acts like Black Sabbitch to carry on his group’s legacy, putting their own spin Sabbath’s groundbreaking sound with great effect.

Not only are Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne fans of Black Sabbitch, which played the inaugural ‘Ozzfiesta,’ the tributers have also been featured at multiple festivals and venerable venues, counting the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl among their admirers.

Black Sabbitch’s current line-up includes drummer Angie Scarpa, bassist Melanie Makaiwi, guitarist Emily Burton and vocalist Alice Austin. Local promoter Brian McKenna, aka Abstract Entertainment, is presenting this ‘one night only’ extravaganza, meaning Sacramento is in for a treat.

Tickets to the band’s upcoming show at Old Ironsides are $15 in advance can be purchased at www.theoldironsides.com. Doors for this heavy metal soiree open at 8 p.m., with the performance starting at 9.pm. This show is for 21-and-over patrons only. Old Ironsides is located at 1901 10th Street in Sacramento’s Southside Park neighborhood.

(SN&R)

Supergroup tribute act, Death To All, gathers March 6 to pay homage to Death’s late bandleader at Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville

Eddie February 28, 2023 No Comments

For those lucky enough to have caught the metal legends Death in a live setting, no introduction to the band’s players is needed; and while its founder, Chuck Schuldiner, passed away from pneumonia and brain tumor complications nearly 22 years ago, his importance in the underground metal scene cannot be understated.

For the uninitiated, the North American Death To All touring band, or DTA, that’s coming to Roseville on March 6 will feature singer and guitarist Max Phelps of Cynic, bassist Steve Di Giorgio of Death, Testament and Sadus, guitarist Bobby Koelble of Death and drum master Gene Hoglan  of Death, Dark Angel and Dethklok.

This year’s tour will also commemorate the 30th anniversary of “Individual Thought Patterns,” featuring fan favorites and deep cuts from the band’s other storied catalog that includes “Symbolic,” “Human,” “Spiritual Healing” and more.

The tour kicks off on March 2^nd in Seattle and concludes in Denver on April 1^st. Special guests include the mighty Suffocation from New York and El Cajon’s own awesome thrash metal entry, Nukem.

Tickets to the Roseville show can be purchased in advance at www.goldfieldtradingpost.com for $35 and a VIP seating option is also available for an extra $25. All ages are welcome. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. Goldfield Trading Post is located at 238 Vernon Street in Roseville. Don’t sleep on this one.

(SN&R)

 Sacramento hometown hero will be on deck for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross on Feb. 18

Eddie February 15, 2023 No Comments

Sacramento’s Maximus Vohland. Photo by Align Media.

Although Sacramento has proven it can bring out record numbers for outdoor motocross at Prairie City’s annual Hangtown event, few riders generally stand a chance of making their name on the pro Supercross circuit, whether they’re from the Capital Region or not.

While many motocross fans have their eyes on plenty of upper-eschelon names – Cooper Webb, Malcolm Stewart, Christian Craig, Adam Cianciarulo and Jason Anderson to name a few – many Sacramentans are especially rooting for 19-year-old native son Maximus Vohland on his Red Bull KTM.

A fourth generation motocrosser, Maximus is the son of pro rider Tallon Vohland and counts well-known bike-master Tyson Vohland as his uncle. And while Maximus had a disappointing showing in the last Eastern Regional 250 Super cross season (42^nd overall), he did end up finishing an impressive 6^th overall in the outdoor motocross series.

On Feb. 18, Maximus will be racing with the #34 plate at the rescheduled 2^nd round of the 250 Western Regional, an Oakland event happening not far from where he lives in Sacramento. This is a make-or-break year for the young Vohland as his factory KTM ride is set to expire unless his Supercross results turn around.

Maximus only turned pro back in 2021, but his name has been buzzing around Supercross circles ever since. If his lineage is any indication, the Bay’s upcoming Supercross event will be the race to watch. Doors are at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremonies kicking off at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here, with cheaper seats starting at $22 and the more expensive tier topping out at $95. RingCentral Coliseum is located at 7000 Joe Morgan Way in Oakland.

(SN&R)

Sacramento Cat Extravaganza & Adoption Event has the goal of finding good homes during its showcase Jan. 21 thru Jan. 22

Eddie January 16, 2023 No Comments

Photograph by Karina Vorozheeva

Cat lovers unite! This gathering presented by the Loving Cats Worldwide group will span two days and highlight some of the coolest-looking breeds that locals can find anywhere.

Attendees can expect to see judging rings, special demonstrations and expert speakers, along with a tantalizing array of different feline types. There will also be vendors peddling their wares, cat treats and more, though some sellers only accept cash.

Of course, what would this kind of gathering be without an International Cat Competition that allows judges to show-off breeds like the Sphynx, Maine Coon, Bengal, and the British Short Hair. Rarer and newer breeds like Toyger, American Curl and the mysterious Lykoi – or “werewolf cat” – could make appearances as well. Four-legged contestants will vie for the coveted prizes of Best Household Cat, Best Alter, Best Kitten, and Best Cat.

The event’s Saturday door times are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while its Sunday hours last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.lcwwgroup.us. Adult admission is $20; kids and seniors are $17; children under 12 pay $15. The Sacramento Cat Extravaganza takes place at the El Dorado Fairgrounds at the Forno Building. The fairgrounds are located at 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville.

(SN&R)

Technical metal wizards, Blind Illusion, play the Sacramento area’s newly re-opened Boardwalk on Jan. 20

Eddie January 11, 2023 No Comments

Blind Illusion’s 2023 line-up. From left, Doug Piercy, Andy Galeon, Marc Biedermann and Tom Gears. Courtesy photograph

TMI Collaborations, a.k.a., Tina Mattis, delivers yet another solid sender that is sure to please on all fronts: Besides hosting an upcoming 2023 Wacken Battle of the Bands series (four shows in total) at various venues around Sacramento and in the Bay, Mattis is bringing progressive and extreme metal back to The Boardwalk in Orangevale on Jan. 20. She’ll do that by having Blind Illusion headline the festivities.

When singer/guitarist/bandleader Marc Biedermann released his national debut on Combat Records, The Sane Asylum, metalheads at home and abroad were equally in love with, and confused by, the band’s sound. Blind Illusion offers anything but typical heavy metal fare. Their songs change time-signatures while employing a groove that is unique all to itself.

The quartet on that album also featured bassist Les Claypool of Primus, guitarist Larry LaLonde of Primus and Possessed, and famed drummer Mike Miner. And while the line-up has changed significantly since 1988, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Joining Biedermann on the new Hammerheart Records release Wrath of The God – and also serving as the live band – are drummer Andy Galeon, formerly of Death Angel, guitarist Doug Piercy, who played with Heathen, and bassist extraordinaire Tom Gears.

Also on this heavy-handed bill at The Boardwalk are Cemetery Legacy and 24 Gore.

Tickets to the show can be purchased in advance at www.rocktheboardwalk.com for $15 and at door for $20. The Boardwalk is located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. 21 and over patrons only. Doors open at 8pm and doors are at 9 p.m.

(SN&R)