Frank Zappa - The Torture Never Stops

I'm just gonna say it: "This mother had some invention!" Eh? EH?!I have to admit I am not the biggest Frank Zappa fan.  The most notable thing that I can remember Zappa doing was fighting the PMRC in the 80's and that Steve Vai played with him for a short time.  Other than those two items, I'm clueless.  I couldn't name a song or hum a melody, even if I had a gun to my head.  Zappa has always intrigued me, but never brought me to the point where I said to myself, "I have to check this guy out".  It wasn't until the recent release of The Torture Never Stops (TTNS), that I decided to see what all the hype was about.  TTNS is a 1981 MTV concert, filmed on Halloween, from the New York Palladium; a concert that has not been available in its entirety, until just recently.

To say Zappa and his band were eccentric is quite the understatement.   On a scale of 1 to 10, these guys were an 11 - and being that it was Halloween just made these guys even kookier.  Don't get me wrong, even though these guys look a bit off, they are all excellent musicians in their own right.   Not being a fan of the band beforehand, I feel this DVD is a good introduction in to the twisted world of Zappa.  I had heard that Zappa was a good guitarist, but never got the chance to witness his playing until this DVD, and I have to say I was impressed.  I can't say that the songs or his vocals blew me away, but I did enjoy watching he and the band do what they do.  If you're a Steve Vai fan, you will love this DVD, because you get to see some very early footage of this living guitar legend.  Also, if you listen closely, you will realize what a huge influence Zappa was on Mr. Vai.  All in all a very enjoyable watch that'll keep you entertained throughout.

Bottom Line: Zappa and his band looking freakier than ever on this Halloween bash.  A well-shot vintage video that has resurfaced for a reason...because it rocks.

 - Ragman can't believe Frank could play like that...

Horno

There are some movies out there that just try to get your attention by the name, especially B-Movies.  Without the promotion of a big entertainment company, small filmakers have to do what they can to try to catch the average Joe's attention.  The title has to be racy and provocative.  You all know that I'm a B-Movie freak, so I try to check out the oddest titles possible.  The latest one I decided to check out, was the film Horno.  Horno is a film about a guy that wants to revolutionize the adult film industry, by making the first adult horror film.

Horno comes off as a second rate Bill Zeebub flick.  The movie is filled with bad acting and cheap effects, but lacks some of the twisted humor that makes Bill's movies somewhat watch able.  Horno takes place on location in a hotel room for a mock zombie porn flick, but when some suspicious pills are taken, the cast and crew are taken over by the undead.  In theory, not a bad plot line, but when poorly acted, it can get painful, and this one did.  This wasn't a total disaster, but pretty close.  The movie drags in points and is just too idiotic to try to comprehend at times.  You know a movie is bad if your praising how short it is.  This one comes up around 53 min.  Pretty bad flick when that is the high point of the DVD.  I will say this, the latter part of the movie makes it tolerable, but as a whole... not so much.

Bottom Line:  A bad, bad movie.  Bad acting, cheap effect and bad humor.  That about sums it up. 

-Ragman is still wondering why he wasted an hour on this flick.

Podcast #114: Yuletide

Our thanks to Don for a great interview. "Here's to you..."It's that time of year again as Genghis & Ragman reveal their annual Kicks and Kisses List.  Find out what events, albums, or whatever in the world of metal were kicks or kisses [to the balls] in 2010.

Next, the boys chat with comedian Don Jamieson from VH1 Classic's That Metal Show who discusses the show as well as his upcoming record on Metal Blade.

Beer of the Show:  Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve Beer Rating: 2.5

DVD of the Show:  Saxon - To Hell and Back Again

Featured Tracks: Steel Panther - Sexy Santa; Ronnie James Dio - God Yest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Saxon - Batallions of Steel; Dimmu Borgir - Chess and the Abyss; Dio - The Last in Line (Live); Taking Dawn - Time to Burn; James LaBrie - Misled; Judas Priest - Desert Plains; De Van - Shine; Accept - Teutonic Terror; Blind Guardian - Tannerlorn; Rage - The Beggar's Last Dime; AC/DC - Let's Get it Up; Various Artists - We Wish You a Metal Christmas.

 - Genghis and Ragman hope that all had a great Christmas (several weeks ago)...

Podcast #114: Yuletide

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...