Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Genre: Heavy metal/thrash band from Hollywood, CA

Band Members: Art Geezar Nick Ertel Adrian Geezar Brice Snyder

Biography: Dark Angeles is not just a clever wordplay; it reflects the underlying truths of life in the City of Angels. Art of Shock embodies the relentless spirit needed to navigate the complexities of the California dream. As guitarist and frontman Art Geezar observes, “There’s a desperate heartbeat that comes with life in Los Angeles. People arrive with grand aspirations but little else, which often leads them to make questionable choices just to survive. It’s a desperate place.”

Art of Shock's debut album, Dark Angeles, captures the raw energy of a city filled with fallen dreams. The band’s journey began in Mexico City, where brothers Art and drummer Adrian Geezar were influenced by classic thrash and metal bands, shaping their early musical aspirations. Their move to Los Angeles became a pivotal moment for the burgeoning band. “I booked a show at the Whiskey A-Go-Go without even having a full band!” Adrian recalls. Gathering a makeshift lineup, Art of Shock began to carve out a niche for themselves in Hollywood. “It’s one of the three places you know to go to play music,” Adrian explains, noting the convenience compared to New York and London. The brothers embraced their status as outsiders, focusing on making connections and performing wherever they could. “For a time, it felt like we were the house band at The Whiskey,” Arturo states. “We didn’t care about the prestige of the venues; we just wanted a stage.”

Through determination and perseverance, Art of Shock earned a slot on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. After sending a cold email to tour founder Kevin Lyman, they secured a position on the Ernie Ball stage in exchange for cooking at the post-show barbecues. “It was the best way for us not to lose money!” Adrian laughs, recalling the arduous but rewarding experience of feeding hundreds each night. They found themselves as the outliers on the tour, a metal band performing for audiences there for pop punk and screamo, yet they managed to sell 3,000 CDs.

The band’s efforts gradually paid off. Performing around Southern California and opening for notable acts like Trivium and Cavalera Conspiracy helped establish Art of Shock as one of L.A.'s leading metal bands, distinguishing them from other local acts. “We started on the Sunset Strip and are proud of it,” Art asserts. Their performance at The Roxy, opening for Sacred Reich and Hirax, caught the attention of Century Media Records, leading to a signing shortly thereafter. “Century Media was a name we grew up with,” Adrian recalls. “Our 'Inner Kid' was incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with them!”

What followed was nearly a year of intensive songwriting and revisions as Art of Shock embraced the challenges of their new label. They crafted, refined, and sometimes discarded material in their cramped North Hollywood rehearsal space, ultimately emerging as a stronger, more cohesive unit. This preparation led them to Nashville, where they collaborated with producer Mark Lewis, known for his work with Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, and The Black Dahlia Murder. “Mark really pushed us to the limits,” says Arturo. “He knew how to extract the best performances from us.”

“We aimed to create an album that transcended typical thrash,” Adrian explains. Influenced by a diverse range of rock, punk, and metal, they sought to incorporate these elements into their sound while maintaining a contemporary feel. Lewis's guidance was invaluable in achieving this vision.

From the explosive opening riff of “Cast a Shadow,” it’s clear that Art of Shock’s debut full-length album is a heightened experience that surpasses expectations. The album features powerful drumming, compelling guitar work, and Art’s distinctive vocals, blending intensity with melody. Tracks like “Execution Song” shift into mid-tempo grooves, while the title track accelerates into searing sonic landscapes. Throughout, the band maintains a balance between aggression and musicality, with Art’s slightly accented vocals giving rise to passionate sing-along choruses reminiscent of classic Megadeth, infused with the energy of early Sepultura. The album also includes a spirited cover of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life,” which resonates well with the themes of their journey.

Reflecting on their experiences, Art notes, “Even those who have succeeded here often carry a bit of bitterness about this place. It’s a tough city, but we’ve learned not to succumb to that – we must confront every challenge head-on!” He adds, “The process of making this album truly solidified the band. We’ve become a close-knit group – we all live together now!” Art of Shock’s narrative mirrors the classic tale of a band arriving in Los Angeles, tackling every obstacle with integrity and a defiant attitude. Their journey is far from over, and they remain committed to their path.