Fri. May 20 -- Contrasting heavy grooves: Max Cavalera's Soulfly and death churners Suffocation, two of my fave vet metal battalions. With Battlecross, Abnormality, Lody Kong, Darksun. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; tickets at door, probably around $25; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Fri. May 20 -- Joe Walsh and Bad Co. How could that not rock? At the Forum, 3900 Manchester Blvd., Inglewood 90305; 7pm; $20-$285; www.ticketmaster.com.
Fri. May 20 -- Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience. Yeah, I know, but Bonham fils is a hell of a drummer. At the Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz 90027; 7:30pm; $40-$93; www.nederlanderconcerts.com.
Fri. May 20 -- Supersuckers rock funny, a rare and valuable combination. With Charlie Overbey & the Broken Arrows, Harmful if Swallowed, House of Rabbits. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; $10; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Sat. May 21 -- For metal fans and "Game of Thrones" fans, Sweden's armored Vikings Amon Amarth fight the primeval battle. The new album's not their best, but it does feature a passionate cameo from Doro and their catalog is deep. With Entombed A.D., Exmortus. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 7pm; $28; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Sat. May 21 -- Guitarist Chris Poland (Megadeth). Drummer Nick Menza (Megadeth). Bassist Rob Pagliari (supertech wizard). Put 'em together and it's versatile space fusion from Ohm. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. May 21 -- Hand drummer Poncho Sanchez automatically wins every award for Latin jazz, cuz his band durnwell cooks. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm; $27; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. May 21 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine delivers the correct brand of 1959-feeling original postbop to go with your steak & Tom Collins. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sun. May 22 -- Big metal show: rad '90s earbleed from Hatebreed; scorching intensity from Dez Farfara and DevilDriver; metalcore supergroup The Devil You Know; ex-Megadethsters Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover in Act of Defiance. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 7pm; $30; 18+; www.attheecho.com.
Sun. May 22 -- If you like to worship rockers and enjoy random jams, you will delectate the Heavy Rock Icon Awards featuring Glenn Hughes, Paul Stanley, Steve Vain, Carmine Appice, Rudy Sarzo, Vinny Appice and more. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; advance tix only, no tix at door, $35-$600; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sun. May 22 -- The abstraction waxes magical with the master trio of bassist Mark Dresser, saxist Larry Ochs and percussionist Vladimir Tasarov. This stuff rewards your complete attention. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Mon. May 23 -- Another supertrio: intense yet ethereal pianist Satoko Fujii, electro-galactic trumpeter Kappa Maki and local drums & percussion genius Alex Cline. We're lucky to have Fujii swing through here once a year or so. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Tues. May 24 -- Ancient (literally '70s) Virginia doom dealers Pentagram break the seal. With King Woman, Wax Idols. At the Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90023; 8:30pm; $20; (213) 413-8200; www.attheecho.com.
Wed. May 25 -- Three session and stage pros who know right where the pocket is: drummer Ralph Humphrey, guitarist Adam Levy and keysman Larry Goldings. The Garage at Los Angeles College of Music, 300 S. Fair Oaks Drive, Pasadena 91105; 8pm; (626) 568-8850; free if you RSVP here.
Wed. May 25 -- Saxist Gavin Templeton brings a touch of Ornette, a slather of lyricism and a compositional brain to a celebration of his new album with a band beyond: pianist Joshua White, bassist Richard Giddens and drummer Gene Coye. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Thurs. May 26 -- Former Manson collaborator Tim Skold has a heavy techno-rock thing of his own, and it's good. With Rachel Lorin & the Blackstraps, Seven Factor, Andrako, There Is No Us. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $15; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.