Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers

Is there anything better than an old band making an awesome comeback record?

Razorback Killers is the best CD the band has done since the passing of vocalist Carl Albert back in 1995.  While the band has put out several CDs since his passing, they've been unable to recapture the fire they once had when Albert was fronting the band.  And while the band has had many incarnations over the years, I think they may have finally found the winning formula again.  This has got to be the strongest lineup VR has has since the 90s.  And it didn't hurt that founder/guitarist Geoff Thorpe brought in former guitarist Marc McGee for a couple of tasty guest solos - they were a force to be reckoned with in the early 90s.  And if that wasn't enough, there are cameos by guitarists Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) and Eric Peterson (Testament).

The CD starts off with the track Murderball, an uptempo rocker that sounds like it could have come off the self-titled record from '91.  It has that cool, Don't Wait for Me vibe, which totally set the tone for this new record; powerful and melodic all at the same time, pure VR at their best.  The CD has a nice variety of thrashers, slow heavy crushers and mid-tempo rockers.  They've really gone back to their roots on this one, which is evident on the track Let the Garden Burn which evokes the vibe of Lady Took a Chance (Digital Dictator). 

Vocalist Brian Allen, with his soaring vocals, has been able to take the band back to the glory days.  And while great production and solid songwriting have made this one a keeper, I can't go without mentioning the killer axework all over this CD which is just friggin' amazing.  My only critique is that there is a small lull with tracks 3 and 4, but after that this CD doesn't let up until the end.  All in all, a really solid CD and the best thing the band has done in years.

Bottom Line:  Vicious Rumors are back and better than ever.  After a few hiccups over the last few years, the band seems to be back on track sounding the way they should.  Allen, the best vocalist the band has had since the passing of Albert, along with some strong songwriting has been able to get this band on track, making them a viable metal force once again.

Standout Tracks: Murderball, Black, Pearl of Wisdom and Let the Garden Burn

- Ragman is geeking over these solos...

Podcast #115: Expectations

We talk to Mr. Superfantastic himself, Eric Martin. Such a cute kid.Happy New Year!  We're only 6 weeks late, but would you expect anything else?  Join Genghis and Ragman as they bring in the new year Right To Rock style, by discussing what they're looking forward to in 2011.  There're a lot, so get your crayons and construction paper ready.  Next, the boys get a call from Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin for a heart to heart.  Eric discusses Mr. Big's upcoming new CD What If, including what it was like recording with Kevin Shirley.

Featured DVD of the Show:  Mr. Big - Back to Budokan

Beer of the Show:  Red Hook - Eisbock  Beer Rating: 4

Featured Tracks:  Distorted Wonderland - Never Had Nothing; Mr. Big - Take Cover; Van Halen - Dirty Movies; Dio - Straight Through the Heart; Anthrax - Armed and Dangerous; Ozzy - Killer of Giants and Let it Die; Mr. Big - Blame it on My Youth, Undertow and Next Time Around

- Ragman's fingers are starting to cramp up, so enjoy!

Podcast #115: Expectations

The Poodles - In The Flesh

Fans of Talisman and Swedish Glam/Hard Rock should definitely check this out.If you're not familiar with The Poodles, you should be.  They are a Swedish Glam/Hard rock band that pack some punch.  The band was originally formed by some ex-Talisman guys (Guitarist Pontus Norgren and Drummer turned Vocalist Jakob Samuel).  The amazing Norgren left and is currently a member of Hammerfall.  The Poodles formed in 2006 and made an instant impact overseas.  They have 3 studio albums and are about to release their fourth.  A great way to get introduced to the band is their recent DVD release, via Frontiers Records, titled In the Flesh.  The DVD was filmed during the band's 2009 tour for Clash of Elements.

In the Flesh is a concert film/documentary that gives you a taste of what the band is like live as well as some behind the scenes stuff.  Some of the more compelling footage included in the video is the one on one interviews with the band members.  You really get a sense of what these guys are about.  This DVD is shot very well and the concert footage is amazing - and the band does sound great live.  They don't blow you away with their performance, but they do sound like they do in the studio.  All in all a very enjoyable watch.

Bottom Line: A great way to get introduced to The Poodles.  You get a taste live as well as some behind the scenes.  If you want to get to know the next big thing in Glam/Hard rock, then check this one out.

- Ragman is still baffled as to why they call themselves The Poodles...

The Defaced - Anomaly

What a treat to get another album from these crazy death metal-ing Swedes - and it does not disappoint!It has been about 8 years since The Defaced released their phenomenal album Karma in Black.  I have often wondered what happed to these guys and if they would release another new record.  The band is a supergroup of sorts, being made up of several heavy hitters from the Swedish death metal scene, but the driving force of the band comes from the brains behind Darkane (Vocalist Jens Broman and Guitarist Klas Ideberg).  These guys have been busy with their day jobs, so it makes sense that it took so long to get a new release.

The Defaced is a departure from the brutal sound of Darkane, because there is more melody involved.  The songs are still brutal and heavy like the 'Kane, but just more melodic.  To say I'm geeked to hear they have a new record would be an understatement, because I am totally psyched.  The band have just released their 3rd full length CD Anomaly. Let's see if they've still got it...

Anomaly starts pummeling the senses from the lead track Remaining Eternal and doesn't let up until the last note of The Test.  This is an incredible record and a great return after such a long hiatus.  The songs on this record range from thrashy to just mid temp crushers.  There is one ballad of sorts on the CD titled Renewal Defined; it's a slow rocker that starts off somewhat slow and mellow, but then gets heavy for the chorus.  The great thing about this band is that they can slow things down while staying heavy. This song kind of reminds me of something Opeth might do.

Vocalist Jens Broman has a great clean vocal style as well.  He can bring it heavy and guttural, but then change on a dime and throw in the clean vocals like its childsplay.  I can't say enough about this record because it is such a nice blend of heavy and melody.  All the songs on the CD contain great riffs and catchy melodies.  The Defaced sound like a more tamed Soilwork.  Don't get me wrong, they bring it heavy, but there are more grooves and melodic stuff going on than with the 'Work.  All in all a great CD.  This my co-MVP CD of the month.

Bottom Line:  The best CD I have heard in some time.  Every track rocks. The best aspect of all Swedish melodic death metal wrapped up on one disk.  Great heavy tunes with great melody and monster riffs.

Standout Tracks: Can't pick one - they all rock!

- Ragman gives this one a big HORNS UP!

Nelson - Lightning Strikes Twice

Matt and Gunnar do their best to make lightning strike twice, but did they? Eh, not so much.Nelson are one of those one hit wonders from the early 90s that were never given a real shot to repeat the success of their debut.  After the Rain is one of the melodic rock classics from back in the day that spawned several hits and put the brothers on the hard rock map.  Unfortunately for them, and many others, grunge began to rear its ugly head and effectively killed the music we loved.  Gone were the hairspay and the make up, and in were flannel shirts and baggy jeans.  I think we all can say that there needed to be a change, but this one came so abruptly that none of us knew what hit us. 

Since their debut the Nelson brothers have continued to put out material that veered from their initial sound.  Their albums over the last 20 years have been hit or miss, with most of them being misses.  Fast forward to 2011 and the band have just released what is being called the official follow up to After the Rain.  The new CD is entitled Lightning Strikes Twice, and hopefully it'll be able to recapture the old sound that made them a household name in the 90s.

Lightning Strikes starts off a with a different vibe than their debut.  The songs are less punchy and have more of a classic rock vibe to them which, for the most part, are okay with a few stand outs.  It is standard Nelson, with big choruses and catchy melodies, but the songs on this CD just don't capture the magic of the debut.  It goes without saying that the songs will be somewhat "bubble gummy", but that's okay - as long as the songs are well-written.

The CD starts to get going around track 3 with Ready, Willing and Able, but it wasn't until How Can I Miss You that I started getting into it; it's a mid-tempo rocker with a darker feel to it.  It's catchy and sticks with you more than most of the tracks on the disk while the rest are a variety of rockers and ballads.  I think the strongest things about this disc are the cool guitar harmonies that are intertwined in most of the tunes on the album.  All in all, not a bad record, just not a great one either.  The songs seem more poppier than back in the day and have more of a classic rock vibe to them than they did in the 90s.

Bottom Line: A mediocre return from the Nelson twins, but something to build on.  The songs are poppy, but do carry some weight due to some excellent axework.

Standout Tracks: How Can I Miss You, You're All I Need Tonight, When You're Gone and Change a Thing

- Ragman wonders if the boys will grow out their locks for the next one...