Summer of Thrash tour comes to the Southwest featuring Kings of Thrash, with guests
Gravel. Three local bands opened the show and got the crowd worked up for the featured
band. The event was held at The Rockhouse Dive Bar Kitchen in El Paso, Texas. The bar is well known in the area for bringing in the best rock outfits to the city. Opening bands were Among the Living, Invader, Burning Sunday and Kings of Thrash brought with them Gravel.
Among the Living
A band from El Paso, Texas, that I covered in an article in November 2023 when they released their new album, Closing the Casket, produced my Muzzle Records. The six-piece band broke the silence as soon as they hit the stage, performing some hits from their latest album, but also a few older songs. They threw in a few covers but pretty much did all the original stuff for the crowd. They are one of the hardest working bands in the area as they keep moving and changing positions on stage, sometimes the stage cannot even contain them, and they spill out into the crowd.
It was good to see my friends still bringing in the crowd whenever they hit the stage. If you
want to hear them perform and you're not in the area, you can go to Muzzle Records and
order their album or you can go to the following sites to listen to a few samples.
Invader
A three-piece band with the drive to be a powerhouse band. Featuring killer guitar riffs
and slamming bass chords; they command the stage. This is the third time I have seen
them perform and every time I am floored by the tight sound, great vocals and tireless drummer that just doesn't know when to stop. They have been playing together for just over two years, mostly at small venues in and around El Paso, Texas. I think it is time for them to spread their wings; perhaps they'll play a few venues in New Mexico soon.
You can find Invader at the following sites:
Burning Sunday
These guys are continuingly burning up the stage. Their summer has already been busy and they're forging ahead. They're writing new music, aiming to release their next album in September and hosting festivals. What is next? A trip to California for the New Mexico invasion of Whiskey A Go Go and the Rainbow Room. Burning Sunday is a leader in the local music scene of southern New Mexico. When not performing or touring, they are helping young bands develop, assisting bands laying down tracks and providing performance opportunities at various festivals they host. Watch for this band; you may find them in a city near you someday.
You can find Burning Sunday at the following sites.
Gravel
A Colorado City band touring with Kings of Thrash has a unique style. The hard
rock group brings out the smoke and sparks at every show. With high energy and a
classic rock 'n' roll style, these performers are favorites at motorcycle rallies and have
performed at places like Sturgis and Virginia’s Thunder in the Valley. The list is a mile long
of who they have share stages with. Their music has been featured on a variety of TV shows like "American Horror Story," "NCIS" and "9-1-1." Their full-length album, “Let's Do This,” hit No. 22 on the nationwide SMR FM rock charts. Their single “All I Want” can be found on all major streaming platforms.
As hardcore and crazy on stage they bare if they had time in town I would have invited to my house for dinner. These guys are asked to perform everywhere, and some people will travel miles just to capture their shows.
Look these guys up, they will have you on your feet.
Kings of Thrash
You don't get that name by sitting idle. These musicians are legends of the thrash movement. GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist David Ellefson along with guitarist
Jeff Young, pioneers of thrash. These two iconic musicians both early in their career were members of the mega thrash band, Megadeth, honing their skills to truly be the kings of thrash. They bring together lead singer Chaz Leon and drummer Fred Aching to perform classic thrash songs left unheard for years. The Summer of Thrash tour revives the spirit of an era that launched one of heavy metal's greatest genres.
From the moment they hit the stage, fans flooded the floor, pushing against the gates to get close to the stage. Songs like “Orange Light” and “Into the Lungs of Hell” started the night as they traversed thrash metal history, playing “Skulls beneath the Skin” and “Darkest Hour," ending the show with “Black Friday.” It was like opening a time capsule from when Thrash was kings. This tour is something you have to see to believe,
Let's thank Ellefson and Young for keeping thrash alive for a new generation to experience the energy of rock in its heyday.
Kings of Thrash can be found everywhere but to narrow it down look up these links.
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