CD of the Month
  • Mudvayne
    Mudvayne
    by Mudvayne
Inspiration
  • Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
    Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
    by Michael Moynihan, Didrik Soderlind
  • Retribution
    Retribution
    by Shadows Fall
  • Brutal Legend
    Brutal Legend
    Electronic Arts
Tuesday
Dec022014

Scream Park

Halloween is over, but that doesn't mean that you can't watch a good, or in the case of Scream Park, a bad horror flick.  Scream Park has all of the makings of a great scary movie, but falls short, due to some really poor acting.  The movie is about a group of teens and their boss, that get trapped inside an amusement park, with a masked killer.  As you would expect, this one is a slasher film.  The kill scenes are okay, but come off a little cheesey due to the special effects. 

It is one of those films that is trying to be more serious, than cheesey, but because of the poor acting, the cheese starts to ooze.  As I said, the story line is cool, which brings back memories of classic 80's slasher flicks, but the actors just could not get it done.  The bright spots of the movie came from the cameo from Doug Bradley (Hellraiser) as well as Nivek Ogre (Skinny Puppy) apprearance. This one would be a good rental, with a cooler full of beer.

Bottom Line: Scream Park is not terrible, but it ain't that great either.  This one would have might have worked with better actors and a bigger budget.

-Ragman was hoping for more from this one.

Tuesday
Nov252014

Podcast #182: Mainstream

Logan Raskin of The Raskins drops by to tell the lads about the band and such while Genghis plots to get Nita Strauss' phone number out of him.Your old pals Genghis & Ragman talk about surviving Halloween with Leatherface, indulge in a little retrospection on whether metal is now more mainstream than it's ever been, and wax nostalgiac on Italian metal bands while you guys eat turkey leftover sandwiches.

Then, join the lads as they check in with Logan Raskin of The Raskins who discusses working with his twin brother in the band, their new album, and touring with the likes of Alice Cooper and Motley Crue this year.

Video Of The Show: Hammerfall - Gates of Dalhalla

Beer of the Show: Pumpkinator (St. Arnold Brewing Co.)
 
Appearance: 3.5
Aroma: 3.5
Palate: 3.5
Taste: 4.0
Overall: 3.5
"One of the best pumpkin beers going and coming from a local brewery just makes this stout all the sweeter."
 

Featured Tracks: Lordi - House of Ghosts; Hammerfall - Wildfire; Zodiac - Blue Jean Blues; Black Pussy - Swim; DGM - Trust; Labyrinthe - Thunder; House of Spirits - Close To The Edge; The Raskins - We Had it All, Lost in the Dark, We Keep Fighting, Save Me Now, and Stand Up

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Saints And Sinners - Walk That Walk

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Dream Theater - Scarred

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: Temperance - Heavens Above

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Hell In The Club - Beware The Candyman

- Genghis is already working on his Kicks and Kisses list...

Podcast #182: Mainstream

Monday
Nov172014

Mellowtoy - Lies

Italian alt-metal band Mellowtoy rocks a joint nicely. But their album cover makes me think pap smear.While Italy has been steadily increasing and fortifying their musical output for the past decade, it's been predominantly in the progmetal subgenre. One of the latest bands to hit our shores however is Mellowtoy who lean to the alternative metal scene (yes, that's still a thing) but have some pretty impressive credentials behind their equally impressive sound.

Having honed their skills onstage with other genre big names like Papa Roach, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Ill Nino, Alter Bridge, HIM and Fear Factory, these lads know their way around a moody jam. And their fourth studio album, Lies, boasts some tasty bottom-heavy tunes (a la Sevendust) and includes guest appearances from Cristian Machado of Ill Nino (Chain Reaction) and Paolo Colavolpe of Destrage (Bright New World). I have a feeling these boys put on a helluva live show.

The Bottom Line: Carrying the flag for alternative metal, Mellowtoy brings loads of that Italian energy and angst to rock this party into the night. So bring your Doc Martens and lace 'em up good.

- Genghis prolly wouldn't last so long in the pit these days...

Thursday
Nov132014

A Sound Of Thunder - The Lesser Key Of Solomon

A Sound Of Thunder's Nina Osegueda is the secret ingredient in this metal formula that rocks the fuck out of you old school.It's not often that you come across a band that makes you go scrambling for your music player, thinking "woah, who is this?" but A Sound Of Thunder (ASOT) is just such a group. Screaming out of Washington, DC, this quartet is phenomenal. They smack of old school - not retro - as if their manager might be a rogue time lord (yeah, I made a Doctor Who reference, what of it?) who happened upon the 80s looking for tunes. Seriously, this band makes me imagine a parallel universe where Heart and Iron Maiden merge into one kick ass metal band and I can't recommend ASOT's fourth studio album, The Lesser Key Of Solomon highly enough.

The main ingredient in this heavy metal goulash is unequivocally the amazing Nina Osegueda, who packs about 7 feet of Viking shieldmaiden into her 5'2" frame, as illustrated on the last minute and a half of the moody Elijah. What a voice this woman has! But let's not forget the fantastic guitarwork of co-founder Josh Schwartz, whose razor sharp attack gives the band a sound that can hold up to any classic metal band of the last 40 years.

There's the usual material regarding dark and dreadful forces, including a Dio-worthy track, Master Of Pain. But look, this is just some classic American metal with a fantastic new voice in Miss Osegueda and you simply have to check them out if you're a fan of bands like Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden or Motörhead. 'Nuff said.

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to rock the fuck out, old school like the pros, you can't go wrong propping open the windows with your Cerwin Vega speakers and cranking this shit up. I'll bring the beer!

- Genghis is still headbanging long after the music's been shut off...

Friday
Nov072014

Alteras Release New Video

Hey guys, want to check a fresh new band that rocks?  If so, click the link below and check out new comers Alteras and their track, Oh Tragedy, off of the Shapeshifter EP. 

 Here's the link to their new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6yzyTl7a4c

-Ragman is diggin' this new band.