There are literally hundreds of bands in and around the LA area, and recently we've been spending some time delving a bit deeper into this complex network of musicians.  The current trends in metal revolve around two seemingly diametric but actually similar ideas, that is neo-thrash and deathcore, and Los Angeles is full of these kinds of bands, and most of them sound the same.  Actually, the reality of the situation is that the metal world as a whole is heavily bloated with junk, so most things we find looking around in the dark like this are going to be less than great.  In our search anything between bad and mediocre is more likely to turn up, but every once in a while we discover a band that makes the search completely worth it.  On that note, we'll assume that if you've been reading this column even a little bit, you already know about Sadistic Intent and other classic LA bands such as Rise and Resuscitator, so we're compiling a list of local band reviews in order to possibly expand our horizons a bit.  Without further ado, here's what we discovered this week:

Wilmington California's Unholy Lust

Abysmal Dawn, Los Angeles: This is actually a deathcore band (and a fairly insipid one at that), meaning it's a mixed blend of melodic death / black metal, Suffocation- or Pestilence-style technical metal, and generic speed-death riffs.  The songwriting process for deathcore bands involves nothing more than throwing together some brutal-sounding metuhl riffs, mysterious solos and "black metal" parts (just because), and having your vocalist go high and low so people with less discernment don't notice that the music is actually really bland.  (At least there weren't any sick breakdownz, to their credit.)  Ironically their album is called "Programmed to Consume."  We are eagerly awaiting the day when people stop consuming music like this and wake up to the real stuff again.

Unholy Lust, Wilmington: Both in aesthetic and song construction this band is similar to a more elementary version of early Sadistic Intent.  The music easily resembles early speed / death hybrid bands like Slayer or Possessed, leaning more toward sinister three-note progressions and riffs that highlight themselves with spiraling conclusions, as well as good old percussive speed riffs anchoring it all together.  They've only released some demos and two live albums, oddly enough, so we'll assume they'd be good band to watch in a live setting.

Mictlantecuhtli, Los Angeles: At first listen coming off as somewhat metalcore-ish, we'll give these Aztec metal warriors the benefit of the doubt and refer to them as melodic black metal.  Sentimental, speed-picked melodies combine with dark and stormy rolling black metal (not unlike Avzhia at times), and then reappear in the context of longer, repetitive songs, creating an effect of nostalgia for something better but long gone, complementing this band's concept adroitly.  The songs are the least bit obvious but still they manage to be one of the better current bands in our area, and have the honor of being the best of this bunch.

Merciless Death, Canyon Country: A fun but cookie-cutter retro "thrash metal" act.  Everything is well done but nothing stands out; there's not much else to be said.

Gravespawn, Los Angeles: Metalcore disguised as black metal, but they're actually not bad.  The music draws from various strains of metal and rephrases riffs into a mesh of melodic black metal songs that whirl through an almost random series of repetitive riffs to emphasize contrast.  The production is fairly clean and the vocals are a little sterile with vocal patterns being somewhat obvious, but the band could have potential if they continue to hone their songwriting style, write more creative melodies, and listen to (even) more Demoncy.

For more info: That's it for now, tune in next week for more local band reviews as we dig deeper into the chaotic realms of Los Angeles underground metal.  Visit my column for more articles, show announcements, band profiles, and anything related to metal in Los Angeles.