Podcast #113: Trunk

Say what you will about Jaz, but the man's a snappy dresser.Genghis & Ragman discuss the small but significant empire that metal maven Eddie Trunk has built for himself since his days as an AR rep.  While his radio work has done much for metal, it seems like his TV work is a little too commercial (for lack of a better word) for Genghis' liking.  As for Jim and Don, they're as important as talk show sidekicks have always been... Next the boys rounded up legendary vocalist, Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke), for a one on one.  Jaz discusses the reunion of the original line up as well as their latest release, Absolute Dissent.

1st Beer of the Show: Oskar Blues - Old Chub  (Beer Rating: 3.5)

2nd Beer of the Show:  Ommegang - Adoration  (Beer Rating: 2)

DVD of the Show: Velvet Revolver - Live in Houston, TX

Featured Tracks: Creation's End - Shadow and Flame; Bullet Boys - Smooth Up In Ya; Velvet Revolver - Fall to Pieces; Skid Row - Wasted Time; Tracy G Group - Superstition; Killing Joke - Love Like Blood; Absolute Dissent, The Raven King and Chessboards

Classic of the Show: Dio - Stargazer

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Heed - Enemy

Ragman's Pick of the Show: De Van - Rain

- Ragman and Wifey have found a new love: Beer Pong!

Podcast #113: Trunk

Happy New Year!

From the gang at Nightmare Studios, Ragman and myself, this is Genghis wishing all of you a happy new year.  we hope 2010 was a good year for you guys and that 2011 is an even better one - especially for metal!  Keep it heavy and keep those...

HORNS UP!

- Genghis is looking forward to another year of 'casting and blasting...

Michael Schenker Group - Live in Tokyo: 30th Anniversary Japan Tour

This is the Michael Schenker Group in top form; they're having a good time and it shows.You ever fall victim of the hype machine?  I know I have more times that I like to admit.  The latest thing I got sucked into was the new DVD from Michael Schenker - MSG - Live in Tokyo.  If you go to as many metal news pages as I do, I know you've seen the banner for this DVD looking at you and telling you to check it out.  Some- times these adds are misleading and sometimes you hit paydirt.  I guess it depends on much you dig the artist, to whether you'll check them out or not.  Well I have to say, about every Schenker DVD I've checked out I've dug.  Not all of them blow you away, but the chance to see Schenker wail is always appealing.  Another appealing aspect on this one, is that original MSG vocalist Gary Barden is back in the band.  How cool is that?

Live in Tokyo was filmed, as you might of guessed, in Tokyo on the band's 30th anniversay tour.  The show was filmed in January of this year, so you get a fresh look into what you expect live from the band currently.  I have to say this is one fo the strongest Schenker DVD's that I've seen.  For one, the band is on fire and sound great.  Another thing is the strong set list, which is comprised of MSG classics as well as some UFO and Scorpions tunes.  I dug the film on this one too.  The texture of the film is movie quality, with some nice camera techniques thrown in for good measure.  A solid DVD from a guitar legend.

Bottom Line:  The Michael Schenker Group in top form.  It was very cool to see Barden and Schenker on the same stage rocking.  The band appears to be having a good time and it resonates to the viewer.  Solid DVD.  If you're new to Schenker then this would be a great DVD to cut your teeth on.

- Ragman can't get Lost Horizons out of his head

Creation's End - A New Beginning

A solid punch of hard rock with a metallic edge.Persistence pays off, as I always say, and that is exactly what happened to guitarist Rudy Albert and drummer Dario Rodriguez, who are the driving force behind newbie's Creation's End.  I use the term newbies loosley, since the band is made up of some metal veterans.   Albert and Rodriguez have been compliling tunes since 2003 and just recently went into the studio to record them.  Once the basic tracks were recorded the boys recruited some big names to give them a hand, like vocalist Mike Dimeo (Riot, Masterplan) and guitarist Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie). 

Creation's End bring a nice blend of power with some progressive metal.  I wouldn't say they are a power metal band, because I don't believe they are in the truest sense, part of the genre.  They just bring a solid punch of hard rock with a metallic edge.  The first track on their debut CD A New Beginning, is a track called Of Shadow and Flame which blends the power with the prog.  This is a mid tempo rocker that has some killer guitar work by Sfogli.  It has a catchy chorus and a strong melodic vibe.  The cool thing about this CD, is that all of the songs are written well and contain strong melodies.  A solid CD from start to finish, that gets stronger with each spin.

Bottom Line: A supergroup of sorts, in which each individual shines at their craft.  The music will appeal to hard rock and progressive metal fans alike.  Go get it.

Standout Tracks: Still Life, Of Shadow and Flame, World Holocaust and Forsaken

- Ragman can't believe what a strong metal year this was.

Podcast #112: Suck

Do not be tempted to think Kamelot or Thomas Youngblood have anything to do with suckage. Cuz they rock.Ever wondered what the worst hard rock/metal song was?  There're quite a few, unfortunately, so narrowing it down would be tough.  But join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss some of the biggest misses by some of their favorite artists.  Next, the boys chew the fat with Kamelot guitarist Thomas Youngblood as he discusses the band's latest CD Poetry for the Poisoned, as well as the status of vocalist Roy Khan.

DVD of the Show: Heavy Metal Parking Lot

Beer of the Show: Boulevard Brewery - Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale  Beer Rating: 2

Featured Tracks: Mama Kin - In the City; Tesla - Cummin Atcha Live; Journey - Separate Ways; Judas Priest - Freewheel Burning; Twisted Sister - Leader of the Pack; Two - I Am A Pig; Gene Simmons - When You Wish Upon a Star; Winger - Down Incognito; Rush - La Villa Strangiato, Time Stand Still; Megadeth - No More Mr. Nice Guy; Blue Murder - Itchicoo Park; Kamelot - Silent Goddess, The Zodiac, Necropolis, The Great Pandemonium and Rule the World

Classic of the Show: Sevendust - Black

Ragman Pick of the Show: In This Moment - The Promise

Genghis Pick of the Show: Nevermore - Without Morals

- Ragman will not be watching the playoffs

Podcast #112: Suck