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about this thing going on down there called the Metal Swapmeet ( www . sdmetal . org / msm ) ( www . facebook . com / sdmetalswapmeet ). It is what it sounds like , a swap meet for Metal aficionado ’ s !
Next up we headed over to the Sperzel booth ( www . sperzel . com ) ( www . facebook . com / SperzelGuitarTuners ) “ We are proud to say Made in the U . S . A . From parts made in our factory in Cleveland Ohio U . S . A . and assembled in our plant by American workers . Our finishing is also done in the states ; Aluminum parts plated in Denver Colorado , Anodizing colors in Indianapolis , black and satin in Mentor , Ohio . Small parts plated at Chromatic , Cleveland Ohio , and Chromium Process in Connecticut New England U . S . A . We are not like some guitar companies or other tuning key manufacturers that Claim Made in U . S . A . See if they will publicly state where they get their parts from ”. These are truly handcrafted and can be custom made for individual needs . A family owned and operated company that brings that family atmosphere to each artist , as every artist who uses Sperzel tuners is family . I met up with Morgan Van Harding ( www . attackoftherising . com ) and looked over the new line of tuners . I told him I have to get some for myself . Impeccable quality tuners they are !
Then Renee and I head over the to the Zemiatis guitar booth area to visit with Alison Metal Babe Mayhem . ( www . metalbabemayhem . com ) ( www . facebook . com / MetalBabeMayhem ). “ With over ten years under her belt , Alison “ MetalBabe ” Cohen has established her name and her brand in the Los Angeles area and worldwide . She continues to follow her dreams and create new goals for herself everyday in an effort to reach the rock n ’ roll community throughout the entire world . Most importantly , Alison “ MetalBabe ” Cohen thanks all of you for your continued support . She truly appreciates every email , message , comment , share , tweet , favorite , and like . She is so happy to see her friends and fans out there supporting and promoting her and Metal Babe Mayhem , and she will continue to love , support , and give back to the music community ” She was showcasing her new “ Studded Star ” guitar strap made by Al Bane 4 Leather . This custom made guitar strap embodies the metal branding she has established and gives the artist who wears it the made in the USA highest of quality ready to go on the road guitar / bass strap !
Now it was time to leave . We both had to rest up and get rejuvenated as tonight ; it was Zakk Sabbath and Kings X at the Grove . So off I go to a friends ’ to eat and power nap .
Jerome , Morgan and I catch an Uber and head out to the Grove . When we get there , we see that the line is , literally wrapped around the building and into the parking lot . We are shocked . We thought we got there “ early ”. Thankfully a good friend of ours allowed us to come into the line where they were . Grateful I am for that . Finally get inside the front area of the Grove entrance , which has been converted to a full blown party layout . DJ Will is there spinning live old school and new school metal . ( www . metaldjwill . com ) ( www . facebook . com / metaldjwill ). As always DJ Will brought it like no other and kept the crowd in full metal jacket mode the entire evening ! Coldcock Whisky ( www . coldcockwhiskey . com ) was a co-sponsor of this event and their booth area section was a madhouse . They had an ice sculpture made just for this event , which had 2 people on each end doing shots straight down the throat . Coldcock Whisky ice shots ! That was a sight to see ! I got my free Monster energy drink on the rocks and chilled out with a friend . He made a comment in his sardonic tone , “ this is the Rainbow on steroids ”. I busted up laughing . It is virtually a who ’ s who of hard rock metal there . Members of the Deftones , Fear Factory , Ministry , ( and many others ) were hanging out . It ’ s time for Kings X and we go inside . All I can say is that it ’ s like a revival of sorts . The storytelling , the music , the presence and atmosphere is all there . Doug Pinnick and his band mates bring us all home and we are safe in the arms of the love present . After Kings X is done I go outside . Get another Monster on the rocks . Hang with various people talking , schmoozing , and during this time Jerome takes a picture of me and it ’ s classic . The expression says it all .
It is now time for Zakk Sabbath . From the first notes it is an Onslaught of power and presence . Zakk is singing in a style like Ozzy , and not his usual gutter growl . It is amazing . I will do my best to put into words what this experience was like . Unimaginable power and presence in every chord , note and solo . He is in complete control , in the zone , and some other dimension , place in time and brings it to us in this time space continuum . The ferocity he plays with in these what the f * ck solos he does is completely mind boggling . It ’ s not some wang dang doodle wanking look at me shred bullshit . Its Pure freedom . Every song , every solo , every aspect of this sonic assault
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