Star One - Victims of the Modern Age

Star One is another one of those all star projects that is driven by Arjen Lucassen.  It is a project that is full of progressive and powerful/epic music.  As with most of these types of projects the musicianship is top notch and the songs are well written.  Lucassen has been doing this awhile and has perfected the format to a "T".  Arjen and his many friends have recently released their 2nd CD Victims Of The Modern Age, which is heavier and darker than its predecessor. Star One’s debut, Space Metal, was bit blusier while Victims take it up a notch.

As with all of Arjen's projects, he has assembled a line up of vocalist that would make his mom proud. This guy must have one hell of an address book.  Victims features the following vocalist:  Floor Jansen (ex-After Forever), Damien Wilson (Threshold), Russell Allen (Symphony X) and Dan Swäno (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale).

Victims begins with Down the Rabbit Hole which is keyboard instrumental, which then leads right into the track Digital Rain. Digital is a killer up-tempo track which features Allen and Wilson in a vocal dual.  The song is catchy and well written.  The next track Earth That Was is fueled by a slow heavy riff, full of balls and chunk.  It is a more straightforward and heavier track, than its predecessor, which is complemented by a really strong melodic chorus.  This CD is not much different than what you would typically get from Lucassen.  Progressive songs full of melody, executed by some of the best in the biz.

Bottom Line:  A melodic progressive CD full of strong song songs that will stay with you.  All in all a solid release from start to finish.

Standout Tracks: Earth That Was, Victims of the Modern Age, Human See, Human Do, 24 Hrs.

-Ragman will get caught up one of these days.

Steevi Jaimz - My Private Hell

I have to say I had never heard of Steevi Jaimz, before I heard his latest release My Private Hell.  After a little research, I found out that Jaimz was the former frontman of glam band Tigertailz.  Not being a fan of that band, I still didn't know what to expect, except that I was is for some 80's laden rock n roll, and that is exactly what I got.  My Private Hell is a real treat for fans of 80's hard rock.  The disk is full of catchy rockers in the style of classic Motley Crue and Ratt.  The songs are structured with that classic hair/pop metal sound mixed with a little blues.

The first track on the CD Amazing, starts things off strongly, by setting the stage for what is to come on the disk.  The track is fueled by a cool riff, followed up by a big chorus.  The second track Don't Say It's Over, has a, early Bon Jovi sound to it, with a very catchy melody.  The cool thing about this CD, is that the songs are written well and all have nice hooks.  Jaimz does a nice job vocally, sounding similar to Joe Elliot (Def Leppard), when he sings in the lower register.  The guitarist are not real flashy, instead they are more blues oriented.  I really dug the production on this CD as well.  The songs have a classic 80's sound with an up to date production.   All in all a solid CD.

Bottom Line: If you're looking to get your 80's fix, then this CD is for you.  Solid songs that make you feel like you're back in the day.

Standout Tracks: Still Crazy, Amazing, Something Good, Something Bad and My Private Hell.

-Ragman will be checking out some Tigertailz.

Podcast #119: Size

Wondering how many Z puns we can throw in to this interview? Just wait and Z...Does size matter?  What's more powerful?  A 3-piece or a 9-piece?  Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss band rosters from the smallest to the largest ensembles.  Do more members add to, or take away from the total sound?  Tune in and find out.  Next, the boys round up ZO2 guitarist/vocalist Paulie Z for a heart to heart, as he discusses their upcoming Rock Asylum (www.zo2.com) gig as well as plans for a third season of Z-Rock.

DVD of the Show: Slipknot - (Sic) Nesses - Live at Download

Beer of the Show:  The Right To Rock's Back in Black Bitter   Beer Rating: 2.5

2nd Beer of the Show: Original Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier  Beer Rating:  1.5

Guest Soundman: Turtlehead

Featured Tracks:  Devin Townsend - NY, NY; Slipknot - People = Shit; New York Dolls - Frankenstein; Mötley Crüe - Come On and Dance, Tracy G Group - Boba-Loosia; Iron Maiden - Starblind; Triumph - Never Surrender; Jim Hendrix Experience - Stone Free; Motörhead - I Know How to Die; ZO2 - Isolate, A Million Pieces, I Will be Alright, Painted Lady, and That’s What’s Up

Classic of the Show: Malice - Vice Versa

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Evergrey - Frozen

Genghis' Pick of the Show: All That Remains - Aggressive Opposition

- Ragman is back - in the NY Groove... (G & R should be caned for omitting Kings X)

Podcast #119: Size

Podcast #118: Opera

You can't believe how connected to music Bob is. The guy's done it all.Does Opera fit into the metal schematic?  Can metalheads be sophisticated?   Hell yes!  It started with The Who and Queen and has been taken to a new level with bands like Savatage and Avantasia.  Join Genghis and Ragman as they class this joint up by talking of the arts, metal style.  G & R give you the best options for the more highbrow bands out there today.   Next, the boys are joined by Producers/Musicians Bob Kulick and Brett Chassen for a one on one two as they discuss their latest tribute project, Sin-Atra, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.

Guest Sound Man: Turtlehead

DVD of the Show: An Evening With Frank Zappa - The Torture Never Stops

Beer of the Show: Troubadour Obscura (Mild Stout)  Beer Rating:  3

Featured tracks: Mnemic - March of the Tripods;  Cradle of Filth - Forgive Me Father, I Have Sinned; Steve Vai - Windows to the Soul; Savatage - Black Jack Guillotine; Dream Theater - Overture 1928; Avantasia - The Looking Glass; Rhapsody of Fire - Lamento Eroico [Editor’s Note: This song was referenced incorrectly in the show - Sorry, too many Ales, I’m thinking…]; Manowar - Nessum Dorma; Blind Guardian - Wait For An Answer; [From Sin-Atra] Eric Martin - Lady is a Tramp; Devin Townsend - NY, NY; Glenn Hughes - Under My Skin; Dee Snider - Very Good Year; Dug Pinnick - I've Got a World on a String, Ritchie Kotzen and Janie Lane - That’s Life

Classic of the Show: Mollo/Martin - Time to Kill     

Ragman Pick of the Week: Circle II Circle - Out of Nowhere

Genghis Pick of the Week: Miss May I - Relentless Chaos

- Ragman is stressing...

Podcast #118: Opera

Podcast #117: Extinct

Thanks for some bad-ass music over the years, you crazy Germans.Who's gonna carry the torch once the Priest, Maiden and The Scorpions are done?  Is there really a band out there other than Metallica that can fill an arena these days?   Can the metal dinosaurs still Rock Us Like A Hurricane?  Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss the vets as well as the newcomers.  Did G & R find a successor to Judas Priest?  Tune in and find out.   Next, the boys bring in Oleg and Konstantin from Pushking for a heart to heart as they discuss their first US release as well as the big stars that helped them achieve their goal.

Guest Soundman: Lars

DVD of the Show: Kings X - Live in London

Beer of the Show:  Samichlaus -  Helles  Beer Rating:  3

Featured Tracks: Circle II Circle - Redemption, Kings X - Dogman, Van Halen - Top Jimmy, Lizzy Borden - Under Your Skin, Scorpions - Rock Zone,  Keel - The Devil May Care,  Enuff  Z Nuff - Goodtimes Are Hard To Find,  Slipknot - Snuff, Pushking - I Believe, Cut the Wire, Troubled Love and Heroin.

Classic of the Show: Widowmaker - Widowmaker   

Ragman's Pick of the Week:  Angra - Hollow

Genghis' Pick of the Week:  Yngwie Malmsteen - The Enemy Within

- Ragman vows to get back on track...

Podcast #117: Extinct