San Francisco got a full-throttle dose of Bay Area thrash energy as Parabellum unleashed their new EP at a packed-out listening party at the legendary DNA Lounge—and this wasn’t your average stand-and-listen event. This was a full-blown, chaotic, family-style metal celebration.
The UC Theatre had that strange déjàvu hum the second I walked in, like the Oakland Omni reincarnated without the danger tax. Backstage was a maze of hallways and half-lit corners, the kind of layout that makes you feel like you’re sneaking into something even when you’re credentialed.
Berkeley is Testament’s backyard, and Parabellum played like they belonged there. No filler, no hesitation, just a fast, heavy set that pulled the early crowd in and got the floor moving.
Parabellum is proving to be one of the most promising up-and-coming forces in today’s thrash scene—delivering raw energy, precision, and a relentless live presence that sets them apart.
There are weekends that feel like shows—and then there are weekends that feel like a shift. March 28th and 29th in Northern California were the latter. Across two back-to-back nights in Placerville and Concord, a tight lineup of rising bands didn’t just perform—they ignited something, proving that the Bay Area’s new wave of thrash is building momentum in real time.
Northern California’s own Parabellum has been officially added to a massive night of thrash metal history. On April 10, 2026, at The UC Theatre in Berkeley, Parabellum will join thrash legends Testament and German pioneers Destruction for the final date of Testament’s Thrash of the Titans North American Tour.
Kicking off the night, Parabellum made their first-ever San Francisco Bay Area appearance and immediately felt right at home. Their set was sharp, aggressive, and unapologetically thrash, locking into the room from the first riff. They were a crushing “testament” to everything the Bay Area has ever stood for—channeling the ferocity of the legends Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel, while proving that Bay Area Thrash refuses to age, soften, or slow down. Their songs hit like a steel-toothed reminder that the old-school blueprint still fuels the next generation, and Parabellum is carrying that torch with zero hesitation. Keep your eyes locked on them as they continue to push, support, and elevate the Bay Area’s rising thrash battalion.
Parabellum begins recording its third album at Crowkeeper Studio with thrash metal legend Gary Holt producing, marking the band’s heaviest release yet.
From the opening riff, it was clear this wasn’t just another show; it was a statement. The band played with urgency, confidence, and the unmistakable fire of a group leveling up in real time. Every song landed harder than the last, feeding off a crowd fully locked in.
Parabellum — Behold a Pale Horse & The Iron Curtain Behold a Pale Horse:A thunderous gallop through apocalyptic thrash metal. Chug-heavy riffs and warlike drums summon the spirit of Exodus and Testament with a modern snarl. Vocals roar like prophecy, delivering lines that feel carved into stone. The chorus hits like a final warning, while […]
