ZZ Top is a staple in the rock community. These guys have been rocking for almost 40 years and they’re still going strong. These guys define cool in their stage presence and their approach to music with their own brand of nasty, hard rocking blues. It is amazing that the Top have waited this long to unleash their live show to the masses via DVD. The great thing about a DVD like this is seeing the guys that helped pave the road for Texas blues still rocking hard after all of these years. To us Texans, they’re basically living legends.

Live From Texas is shot very well and truly gives you a sense of being at the show. Too many music DVDs these days get too spastic artistic with camera work that threatens to bring on a bad case of vertigo. I like it when the camera focuses on the band without having to creatively catch every angle of the show. As for the sound, the boys are spot on, sounding as good as they did 20 years ago. The funny thing is, when you’re watching the DVD, you realize just how influential and great a band ZZ Top truly is. With the exception of a few new tunes thrown into the set list, you should know every track on this stellar DVD. The band has been out of the spotlight over the last couple of years, putting out a record here and there, but when a fan picks up this DVD, they will definitely be moved to go check them out live again.

Bottom Line: Live From Texas illustrates how the big boys do it, and they do it well. High props to some local legends. Go get it!

- Ragman has legs and he knows how to use them

It has been a long time since I heard the name Mekong Delta, and I was really psyched when I heard they were back together and putting out a new CD. Lurking Fear marks the end of their 11 year hiatus and was released last year only in Europe before the good folks at Locomotive Records brought yet another killer band stateside. I was first introduced to MK on their 1988 release , The Music of Erich Zann, which at the time was the most complex symphonic thrash music I had ever heard - which still might be the case. I was blown away by the musicianship, but was lost in the complexity of the music. It is always interesting to hear how a band has progressed over 20 years.  Which brings us to Lurking Fear.

For Lurking Fear, founding and only remaining original member (and bassist) Ralf Hubert (aka Bjorn Eklund) has assembled an all star band to help keep his metal dream alive. Joining Ralf are Leo Szigiel (ex-Angel Dust) on vocals, Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween) on drums, and Peter Lake (Theory in Practice) on guitars. Lurking Fear doesn’t really offer anything new from the band, but they don’t disappoint either. The interesting thing is that after listening to as much music as I have, I get it better now than I did back in the day. The music is very technical and full of high energy.

The songs on Lurking Fear are progressive and played with a technical prowess that is unmatched, but it may go over several potential fans’ heads. The music seems more accessible than it was back in the day, but it will definitely alienate the average metal head.

Bottom Line: These guys are better than I even remembered and Lurking Fear will cause me to pull out my vinyl copy of The Music of Erich Zann, but after that I’m not sure how often I’ll take this one out for a spin. It’s not bad, it’s just a little busy for me.

Standout Tracks: Society of Dissolution, Rules of Corruption and Symphony of Agony;

- Ragman needs some aspirin

Ihsahn, the madman from Emperor, has just unleashed his second solo opus entitled Angl which will hold over the masses until Emperor starts up again. During the breakups, and just general downtime with Emperor, Ihsahn has been staying busy via a blossoming solo career where he’s able to experiment with different styles of music and truly shows how versatile a musician he is. For the Angl project, Ihsahn has assembled a killer line up featuring drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Borknagar, Spiral Architect) and Lars Norberg (Spirial Architect) on bass, with a special appearance from Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth). It is not known when or if Emperor will get back together, but Ihsahn is staying busy via a solo career and putting out some of the strongest music of his career.

Angl truly builds on what Ihsahn started with The Adversary and its heavier sound should appeal to more Emperor fans. Ihsahn has truly outdone himself for this release by bringing in all of the best aspects of Emperor as well as more traditional metal elements. The CD opens with Misanthrope which totally takes you back to the days when Emperor ruled the black metal scene, offering up lots of pure aggression. The next track Scarab takes you on a more melodic journey and truly exhibits how versatile a guitarist Ihsahn is. There are really cool acoustic passages in the tune that almost give you an Opeth vibe. Did someone say Opeth? Well funny I should mention that because the following track Unhealer features none other than Michael Akerfeldt on lead vocals. Killer track. Next is the progressive sounding Emancipation. From track to track this CD keeps you satisfied with its diversity. Every song is solid and this CD will keep you rocking from the first note to the last.

The greatest thing about Ihsahn as a solo artist is that we get to hear how truly talented a musician he is. There is some killer guitar work on this record as well as some powerful vocals. The songs are well written and sometimes technical. I really dig the progressive vibe throughout the majority of the CD. Don’t get me wrong, it ain’t DT, but it does provide some killer progressive moments. To best describe the music, it sounds like a cross between a mellower Emperor mixed with some Opeth, replete with killer riffs and aggression. Go get it!

Bottom Line: This release will truly solidify Ihsahn as a solo artist. Angl is full of melody and aggression, which will keep the old fans happy as well as recruit a few new ones along the way.

Standout Tracks: Monolith, Scarab, Unhealer and Malediction

- Ragman is feeling the pressure..

With the release of the debut album, Building An Empire [reviewed/lauded by Ragman back in April], Nicolas Chapel is making a place for Demians in the progressive music arena with all of the confidence and poise of a seasoned veteran.  Throw in the fact that he’s a one man show, and the mind reels.  The Right To Rock sat down for a little chat with this brilliant new talent and came away impressed.

The Right To Rock:	First off, I would like to congratulate you on an incredible release.  Can you tell us how the whole project came together?
Nicolas Chapel:	Thank you very much for your comment. Demians started in 2001, but it was not supposed to become a project or a band at the time, nor did i expect to become a professional musician or release an album.I just needed time to write and to see what would happen, some time for myself.The songs came up pretty quickly, just appearing in my head and somewhat teaching me how to make they sound the same way on tape. I found that way of writing very cathartic and learnt a lot in the process, which is still the way i work on my songs to this day.It’s only after a few years and more than 200 songs that i really started working on a first album, which is now “Building An Empire”.I did everything by myself, with whatever gear i could have, rent or buy with my own money. I didn’t go into a studio, i recorded the drums in my cellar, the electric guitars at my brother’s place, vocals in my bedroom, etc…It was a very tough process but once again it was a natural progression and i’m very happy with the results.After completing the album i started searching for musicians to create a live band. It took me a lot of time for finding the right people because i didn’t want Demians live to sound like a cover band, i wanted to find real friends who i’d love to tour with, and it was hard finding people who would be only interested in playing for the songs and respecting the way they were conceived.Now Demians is ready to go on the road, we’ve already plaed a couple of shows, the album came out two weeks ago and the reviews and response are amazing, this is only the beginning but it’s already been a very exciting journey so far.
The Right To Rock:	Where does the name Demians come from and what does it mean?
Nicolas Chapel:	When i decided to start a “career” around my music, and knew i had to find a name, i quickly came to the conclusion that i wouldn’t want to put my name on the cover, because once the music is written and shared with the audience, it’s not about “myself” anymore. I also didn’t want to fool people and lead them to believe it’s a “band” because it was not, at that time.I wanted a name that would describe the songs themselves. My songs are the most important for me, Demians is therefore the name of the songs.I used to go to my Grandfather’s place a lot when i was a kid, and spent a lot of my time reading his books, and i read the book “Demian” by Hermann Hesse when i was very young. It had a big impact on me and in my way of seeing things. The name Demians is not based on the book, but rather on the character of Max Demian. The narrator Emile Sinclair is a kid who’s living a life which is bordered by his parents, school, religion… His very narrow vision of what is “good” and what is “bad” doesn’t put anything in perspective, doesn’t lead him to question anything at all. It’s ony when this kid that he doesn’t know anything of, Max Demian, comes and talks to him, that he starts asking himself what his real purpose and goal in life are. He starts questioning everything, and starts searching for his own place in this world.Since my songs come naturally, and sometimes come talk to me like old friends would do, they are in some way my own Demians.It’s only an “explanation”, and as cheesy as any explanation might sound, a name should just remain a name. But since the person i am today is there “because” and “thanks to” these songs, i thought the name was appropriate.
The Right To Rock:	Having written and produced the CD by yourself, are you also handling the promotion by yourself?  Are there any plans for videos, or digital distribution?
Nicolas Chapel:	Inside Out Music and SPV are handling the promotion for me, and they’re doing a great job, because they know me, know what i’m trying to achieve, who i am and how i work. So this is great to have this great way of communicating with them.The album is already available on amazon and iTunes for digital distribution. And i just shot a video for the song “Temple”, it will be ready in a few weeks, and i really can’t wait until everyone can watch it.
The Right To Rock:	Have you always approached making music as a one-man operation or did it just turn out that way?
Nicolas Chapel:	Well, i’ve always been very introverted and shy, so it’s always been somewhat natural for me to approach doing anything alone. I now deal with that way better than i used to do, but it’s not always been easy.For these songs it turned out that way, simply because everything is highly personal in Demians. These songs are my fears, hopes, passions, dreams, they are who i am. I’m taking the risk of sounding pretentious when saying that, but nobody else but myself can know how my dreams, fears, passions, etc… can sound like, and therefore how the songs should be.So i just wanted to have no interferences between my original idea for the song, and the results. No ego problems, no waiting for someone to come up at the rehearsal, no technical difficulties… I just wanted the songs and nothing else.I’ll actually keep on working that way. My musicians are very talented, but this is just something else. If i happened to work on songs with other musicians, it would be for them to share ideas and stuff, but in the case of Demians, everything is very accurate in my mind and it would be pointless trying to go against that.
The Right To Rock:	Are you formally trained in any particular instruments or studio engineering?
Nicolas Chapel:	Not at all. I mean, i’ve spent probably more hours in my life playing the guitar, the piano or putting mics in front of amplifiers than doing anything else, even breathing. It’s a matter of trying, and trying again.It doesn’t sound right? Put the mic elsewhere or try another one. The take doesn’t sound like what you had in mind? Work on the part and the instrument, and you’ll find what you’re looking for at some point.i’m not the best musician in the world, but i know how to play the songs the way they appear in my mind. To me there is no worse thing than “knowing”. I just wanted to try, not “knowing” what would happen.
The Right To Rock:	How would you describe Demians’ music to a new listener?
Nicolas Chapel:	I would talk about anything but music. I don’t understand the comparisons between Demians and other bands. Most of the time i happen to like some of the bands Demians is compared with, but it’s not something i find obvious.i’d tell the new listener that my music sounds like, one morning you wake up, and you don’t like your job, you don’t like the clothes you wear, you don’t understand how your like lead you this way and you really want to find where you fucked things up. You want to enjoy your life again, you want to live it to the fullest. My music sounds like this morning would.
The Right To Rock:	Is there any sort of underlying concept behind Building an Empire?
Nicolas Chapel:	I’d say No and Yes at the same time.No because it’s no concept album in the first place, it doesn’t have a storyline, characters, a beginning or an end to a story. Each song has its own space and identity, and i was not interested in linking them more than musically. Everyone can find their own meaning into the songs without being blinded or guided by a storyline that would put borders around their imagination.But if i should say yes, it would be because i think every album is a concept in itself, as it represents who the author/writer was at the time he wrote it;This is the case for this album, it’s completely me as who i was at the time, what i wanted to deal with, and what i wanted to share with people. It could also be considered as a concept in the way the album was made, completely handmade with nothing else than hard work and will.My message through it could be: anybody can do that, if you want to do something, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, do it and never look back.
The Right To Rock:	What would you say was made easier or more difficult by handling everything alone?
Nicolas Chapel:	I’d say the only thing that’s been very difficult has been the same for every band: the lack of money. Sometimes the choice was tough: it was either buying something to eat or buying a new strings set for recording the cello.Everything else went too quickly and was so interesting it was almost easy.
The Right To Rock:	Did you ever get over-whelmed during the course of the project?
Nicolas Chapel:	If by project you mean the album, not at all. If by project you mean since i started writing songs, yes, many times. I almost gave up after just 3 or 4 songs because what i was telling to myself in those songs was almost scary. Very cathartic. And sometimes you tell yourself some things you’re not prepared to hear.
The Right To Rock:	Were there any outside influences in the songwriting or production, or was it all your vision?
Nicolas Chapel:	Nobody else was involved in the creation of the album or in any other songs.My friend Rémy took part in the mixing sessions with me because i asked him to, so that i could concentrate on the creative aspects of it.
The Right To Rock:	Do you pattern yourself after other sort of visionary artists like Trent Reznor or Prince?
Nicolas Chapel:	I respect these people a lot, but not at all. I actually don’t pattern myself after anybody. The main interest i have in Demians is that there’s actually no pattern for  anything, I’m free to do anything.
The Right To Rock:	Who are some of your musical influences?
Nicolas Chapel:	Anything can potentially influence me in any way, being musical or not, and i can’t really tell.But I listen to anything that gives me goosebumps or makes me feel alive. It can be Stars Of The Lid, Neurosis, Devin Townsend, Bass Communion, the Goo Goo Dolls, Stockhausen, The Flaming Lips or Gojira, i don’t mind the music “genre” as long as i’m enjoying listening to the music.
The Right To Rock:	Based on your experience with this album, do you think you’ll approach your next project as a band or solo?
Nicolas Chapel:	I’m open to anything, but as of right now, Demians will always be the songs i have in my head and nothing else.
The Right To Rock:	I really love the way you start out tracks like Sapphire and The Perfect Symmetry acoustically, then towards the end of the song it crescendos with the electric guitars.  How do you put your songs together?  Do you have several ideas that you meld together or do you go in with a deliberate formula to start out mellow and then get heavy?
Nicolas Chapel:	The songs basically appear in my head, and i feel the urge to record them right away.There’s absolutely no formula at all, the songs are free to go anywhere.I have to tell you though that most of the songs in this record are some of the very first songs i ever wrote and developed. I wrote more than 200 songs since i wrote The Perfect Symmetry, but i was so proud of this song that i knew i wanted it to open my debut album.All the songs in this album are dealing with many tough subjects i had to deal with in the past, and letting these things go. So afterwards, when i listen to the album, i think the whole crescendo thing in most of the songs comes from that point of view. You have what you think is a problem, you lead it somewhere else, then you bring it back and touch the sky, and finally smash it to the ground so that you never have to live through that again.This is not the way it was supposed to be written, just an analysis of mine years after writing the songs.No formula, just expressing feelings through music in its purest form.
The Right To Rock:	To tour you have assembled a band (for obvious reasons).  Tell us who will be in your touring line up.
Nicolas Chapel:	In the live band, Michaël Roponus is playing the drums and Antoine Pohu is playing the bass.We already performed a few shows since the album came out, and the response was amazing.We’ll be touring later this year and we’re all looking forward to that!
The Right To Rock:	What will you be handling live?
Nicolas Chapel:	I’ll be handling the guitars and vocals, with sometimes a piano part or two.
The Right To Rock:	Out of all the instruments you’ve played, what would you consider your main instrument?
Nicolas Chapel:	I could say my main instrument is the guitar, because it’s the one i’ve been playing the longest, and i usually take a guitar for checking what is playing in my head.But as i told you, there is no recipe, and i don’t sit down and write my songs, they just build themselves naturally in my head, and it’s just a matter of transcribing them and putting them to tape. I don’t really think “instruments” when building a song, i think mostly “colours” or “textures” and most of all “feelings”. I have no musician ego, i have songs that have no guitars, no lyrics or no drums, just because it sounds right that way.
The Right To Rock:	Did you find yourself being protective of turning over the instrumental duties to other players for the live band?
Nicolas Chapel:	Yes. Extremely, but that’s something anybody could understand i believe.To me, every instrumental part of these songs are like characters in a movie.You could choose Jack Nicholson for his incredible talent and charisma for playing a role, if he doesn’t stick to it, understand it, and get completely involved in it, instead of improvising, the character is smashed and the movie can go to hell.This is why i spent so much time searching for the right musicians that i would love to bring on tour with me and grow up as a musician with.These guys understand the way i work, they understand the highly personal value and the years of hard work for bringing these songs to life before i met them.So i didn’t want to choose people at random or to hire session musicians that would be replaceable. So it too a while, but i’m very happy with the way it turned out. And it’s only the beginning.
The Right To Rock:	Any advice to aspiring musicians who may be considering their own one-man productions?
Nicolas Chapel:	Just don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can not do. There are no rules, you don’t need expectations, and you don’t have to be afraid of being yourself.I’m just starting my career and i feel like i haven’t even started scratching the surface of what i’d like to say, but I’m really proud of this first album and the way it’s been made, so that proves once you want to achieve something, nobody can tell you otherwise.

Jon Oliva’s back and he and Pain are ready to scorch the earth with Global Warning. If you’re not familiar with Jon’s work, how could you not be, he was and now is the current vocalist and mastermind of Savatage. During the hiatus of Savatage and in the midst of his work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, Jon still finds time to use Pain as an outlet to sew his metal oats. Thank you Jon! Global Warning marks Jon’s third release under the Pain moniker and it also marks his second release with co-writes from his late brother Criss Oliva. Just like his previous release Maniacal Renderings, Global Warning contains several tracks which were conceived from previous ideas that Jon and his late brother Criss had worked on back in the day. If you’re not aware, a few years back Jon discovered a shoebox containing hours of ideas that he and his brother Criss had worked on before Criss’ untimely passing. Rather than let these tracks lay in the dust, Jon has has finished these ideas and turned them into full tracks, so that they can finally be heard.

Global Warning is a little different CD for Jon, in that there is a bit of experimentation on the CD, but fans should eat it up. The CD has a total 70’s classic progressive rock vibe, but with a punch. The opening track, which happens to be the title track, has a Yes feel to it, which is brought on by the Tony Kaye-esque type keyboards. The track is basically an instrumental, but still includes a few vocals. The interesting thing about this CD is that you can hear elements from each progression of Jon’s illustrious career, with the exception of a few surprises. One minute you’ll be hearing Streets era Savatage with the track Before I Hang, my personal fave, and then the next you’ll be hearing a modern experimental track like Master, where Jon is transformed into a demented robot. The CD is diverse, but it will keep you intrigued throughout.

Global Warning truly embodies everything that Jon Oliva has stood for over the years, good solid music. The 70’s vibe may throw you off for a while but with repeated listens the CD just keeps getting stronger. It is interesting that Global has taken more of the Streets approach, rather than its predecessor, which had more of a Hall of the Mountain King type sound. The CD truly takes you on a musical journey through Jon’s career, especially with tracks like You Never Know that has a Power of the Night type vibe to a song like No More Saturday Nights, which takes you back to the Siren days. The songs on Global Warning are well written and melodic and are everything you would expect from the Mountain King.

Bottom Line: Jon has never sounded better, be sure to check out the track O to G and you’ll see what I mean. (For the scoop behind that track and more, stay tuned to the Genghis and Ragman show for an exclusive interview with the Mountain King himself. - Coming Soon…) Jon Oliva truly shows his fans where he is at in his career. He is taking chances and wearing his influences on his sleeve. Global Warning emobdies all of the best aspecst on Jon’s career and more. If you’re a fan of Savatage or any of Jon’s past work you will not be disappointed.

Standout Tracks: Before I Hang, You Never Know, No Matter Saturday Nights and Someone (Check out the Killer Solo)

Ragman is in the hall…..of the mountain king!