Ozzy Ozbourne - Speak of the Devil

Easily the best live DVD of the great and powerful Oz this guy's seen in a long time. 'Nuff said!The original Speak of the Devil was released as a live recording from the Ozzy Ozbourne band back in the early 80s, with a show that was also filmed for MTV back in the day.  The live recording was released as a double LP that included Oz doing a full set of Black Sabbath hits - it's even been documented that original guitarist Randy Rhoads (RIP) had opposed the idea and unfortunately didn't live to see the day of the performance.  Fast forward 30 years for the release of Speak of the Devil on DVD this time showcasing the band's regular live set, including tracks from both of Ozzy's albums at the time (Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman), as well as a few Sabbath tunes.

Speak of the Devil (2012) is truly a gem. Where else can you see Ozzy in his prime, sounding this amazing?  Truly a magic moment caught on film - it's just a shame that Rhoads wasn't alive to see [and, more importantly, play] it. Filmed shortly after Randy's untimely death, it's just awesome to see and hear how well they sounded that night.  Stepping in was young axe slinger Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) to assume the role that no one could. And while Gillis may be no Rhoads, he does an amazing job on this DVD. 

The show itself also just looks great. And it's been remastered so well I had to stop and focus on the screen at times to convince myself there were no overdubs. These classic shows are where it's at for me, giving a good sense of the grand production values of a tour that I wasn't able to see back in the day - I think I was studying for a trig test (Doh!).  But now this DVD gives me a chance to jump back to the past with what has to be one of the best live Ozzy DVD's out there today.   A must for any metal fan, this DVD will get frequent viewings at La Casa de Ragman (fancy, huh?).

Bottom Line: The self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness in his prime.  To all of you that wonder why Ozzy is such a metal icon, watch this and you will understand.

- Ragman is wondering if Little John is related to you know who...

Teenage Casket Company - Best Kept Secret

Looking for some great rock music for your summer soundtrack? Look no further than the Teenage Casket Company; power-pop punk done right.Well, it happened again! I found a band that has totally kicked my ass. Teenage Casket Company [TCC] pack a power pop punch unlike any band I have heard in a while. In the late 90s and early 2000s there was an influx of bands that were just one-offs that didn't stick around long enough to really make a name for themselves.  TCC was one of those bands, having formed in 2003 and putting out a couple of releases before sinking into obscurity. Fortunately, there was enough of a demand for the band to strap on the guitars again, resurfacing in 2012 after a 6 year hiatus thanks to a small but loyal following. 

TCC is a hard rock, power pop, trio with a punk edge (sounds cool, doesn't it?) making for a fusion of 80s alternative and hard rock (imagine a punk version of Cheap Trick). Their recent release, Best Kept Secret, is a best of collection consisting of their only 2 releases: Dial it Up and the Eat Your Heart Out EP.  This CD is chock full of melodic songs with catchy-as-hell choruses. From start to finish there is no shortage of killer tracks. 

I think I dig the mid-tempo rocker Cocaine the best, ably driven by a killer riff and an infectious chorus. I really like how these guys blend in the 80s alternative to their sound, as heard in the INXS-flavored Thank You for Nothing. Killer stuff. This CD reminds me a lot of the soundtrack for Not Another Teen Movie from a few years back, itself a compilation of power punk/rock bands doing covers of classic 80s alternative songs.  TCC has that power punk feel, over a solid foundation of 80s alternative mixed with hard rock.  I think this is my official CD for the summer. Great party rock!

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The Bottom Line:  Power pop with a punk attitude. Well-written, fun songs that will stay with you and leave you wanting more.

Standout Tracks: Cocaine, Best Friend is My Radio, Down on Luck and Don't Look at Me Like That

- Ragman recently dyed his hair green. "But you're bald"? Uhh, then don't ask...

Lykaion - Nothin' But Death

Described as a blend of metal, hard rock, thrash and gothic, I'd say this Italian band is a cross between In Flames and Type O Negative. Oh, and they kick ass.The melodeath movement has clearly had a profound influence on European metal - which isn't a complaint, mind you. Italy's Lykaion shows this inspiration on their debut album, Nothin' But Death, while managing to differentiate themselves. True, the juxtaposition of heavy riffs replete with howling harmonics and very singable, melodic choruses are a staple of the melodeath movement. 

After kicking around in various forms since 2003 and putting out a handful of demos, they've put together a damn fine first album. Lykaion's hundreds of live shows have helped it develop into a well-realized rock band with a familiar at first sound that offers more upon subsequent listens. This is just great rock music, folks.

The Bottom Line: Lykaion's gothic vibe hearkens back to [bands like] Type O Negative's surreal moods and atmospheric textures, which makes for an energizing sound with a melodic smoothness to balance it all out. Funny, it's making me think of good beer.

Tracks to Make You Want To Crank It Up at Work: A Cold Summer Day, Free From All Your Fears, Fuck You (I Love Myself) & Together

- Genghis can't believe how much good new music he's discovered recently...

District 97 - Trouble With Machines

I may have a thing for chick singers, but only the ones that sound good. And Leslie Hunt sounds great.I have gone on record before about my penchant for female singers. They simply bring a unique sound to modern metal music with the potential to make any of its subgenres richer by the inclusion.  Case in point: Chicago's District 97, whose sophomore effort Trouble With Machines is one of the best things I've heard in a while, period.

My enjoyment of the band is largely due to Leslie Hunt, who some may remember as a finalist on American Idol a few years back. The band was originally an instrumental prog outfit a lá Liquid Tension Experiment before deciding they wanted to add a vocalist. Leslie's voice (sounding like a cross between Swing Out Sister's Corinne Drewery and Björk) is refreshing, being a rock singer that doesn't downplay the higher registers and soulful timbre of her natural voice within the medium of a heavy (at times) prog rock outfit.  Sure, there are others that resist the temptation to try to compete with the cookie monster roars of their male counterparts, but Leslie isn't afraid to put some real soul into it, providing a beautiful contrast to the often colder, more technical side of such music.

The music alone would still get a high rating from me, reminding me of simliar bands such as Spock's Beard or Gordian Knot with a more guitar-oriented sound.  Guest spots by such prog luminaries as John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia) and Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, Gordian Knot) don't hurt either.

The Bottom Line: This relatively new band scratches my prog rock itch in a big way, and the vocals of Leslie Hunt on top really put things into a refreshingly unique soundspace. I'm loving this band!

Tracks to Make You Search for District 97 on YouTube: Open Your Eyes, The Actual Color, The Perfect Young Man, Who Cares?

- Genghis won't stop playing this album at the office today (suck it, co-workers!)...

Words of Farewell - Immersion

One of the best CDs I've heard in a while. I'm loving this progressive death metal subgenre, dude.Hot damn! Let's hear it for Words of Farewell's debut, Immersion. Following a couple of smaller releases over the last few years, the German prog death metal band has crafted an amazing sounding album full of everything you'd expect from one of my favorite new metal subgenres.

In the vein of classic In Flames or Scar Symmetry, you get the melodies and growly vocals of melodeath but with a progressive twist that makes for interesting music you can enjoy risking whiplash to. While the former may have played a huge part in creating melodic death metal, In Flames sadly strayed away from their innovative formula of heavy rhythms, melodic choruses and - most importantly - technically amazing guitar solos. And while technical death metal gets closer to that formula than most metal outfuits, that subgenre tends to favor dispassionate technicality in lieu of melody. Like Gandalf said, "It is in progressive death metal that we must place our hope."

At least I'm sure that's what he meant.

The Bottom Line: Picking up where melodeath left off, Words of Farewell perfects and improves the formula with a progressive edge that is just what the subgenre needed. One of the best debut CDs I've heard in some time. I can't wait to hear more.

Tracks to Make Your Nickelback T-shirt Wearing Roommate Do a Spit Take: Project: Daybreak, Ever After & Sundown Seranade

- Genghis cannot wait to enjoy some good beer tonight...