Podcast #111: Zombied

It wouldn't be Halloween without zombie ass kicker, Sean Peck of Cage!

Yes, Halloween came and went without our usual show - but we promise we had a good reason!  Apparently, that bastard John, jealous that we would even think of doing the show without him this year, did his best to utterly destroy misplace the tapes.  Luckily, they've been found, Blair Witch Project style and the mysteries of our time spent in central Texas killin' zombies and such are yours to be enjoyed.  Sorry about the generator noise, we had a problem with that, but hopefully you'll be able to understand us.  As for Mel...nobody really understands him anymore anyway, right? Then the boys get a call from our West Coast correspondent (hunkered down out East this time), Sean Peck of Cage, whose z-killin' skills are unmatched.  Sean takes a little time out from whoopin' undead ass to tell us some mouth-watering news about the new CD (appropriately titled, War of the Undead) and DVD, and even drops a world premiere exclusive track on ya!  Zounds!

Beer(s) of the Show:  Rouge Dead Guy Ale (Beer Rating: 3); Southern Star - Buried Hatchet (Beer Rating: 4)

Featured Tracks: Fastway - Trick or Treat; Dimmu Borgir - Gateways; Cradle of Filth - The Persecution Song; Amon Amarth - Twighlight of the Thundergod; Slipknot - Duality; Immortal - Mount North; Cage - Scarlet Witch and War of the Undead (World Exclusive); Vinnie Vincent Invasion - Love Kills; Mercyful Fate - Welcome Princess of Hell; Cage - Planet Crusher and Stranger in Black; In Flames - Episode 666; Twisted Sister - Burn in Hell; Slayer - Not of this God

 - Ragman is still cleaning zombie shit off of his shoes...

Podcast #111: Zombied

Podcast #110: Poseurs

Triumph: More than just "that other power trio from Canada"...These days it seems like everybody's throwing the horns up sign like they're running for office, with Hollywood starlets wearing classic (and probably original – meaning they cost $100-200 from some vintage clothing store) metal band t-shirts.  The question is, how should we as metal fans feel about this?  Is it cool?  Is it disrespectful?  Should we be happy or angry?  And what does it mean for the state of metal? Join Genghis and Ragman as they ponder this topic and much more, following with legendary Triumph bassist Mike Levine for a chat.  Mike Discusses Triumph's latest greatest hits package as well as the future of the classic band.

DVD of the Show: Twisted Sister - The Video Years

Beer of the Show:  Rouge - John John Ale   Beer Rating:  3

Featured Tracks: De Van - Shine; Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll; Motörhead - Killed By Death; Testament - The Greenhouse Effect; Triumph - Spellbound, Magic Power, Never Surrender & Follow Your Heart

Genghis' Pick of the Week:  Alejandro Silva - K2

Ragman's Pick of the Week:  Sonic Syndicate - Break of Day

Classic of the Show:  George Bellas - God's Garden

- Ragman is wondering where those Halloween tapes are...

Podcast #110: Poseurs

Podcast #109: Alcohol

Hey, man, *hic* what's wrong with a little alkie-hol between friends?What effect does alcohol have on an artist and their music; does is make it better or worse?  We have lost several of our heroes to the juice - as well as other extra-curricular activities - so is it a good thing or a bad thing?  Considering that some of the best music ever made was by artists under the influence, is it really worth it?  Join Genghis and Ragman as they explore the effects of alcohol on artists and the music they make.  After which, the boys bring in Harry Hess for a one on one as he discusses life after Harem Scarem as well as his latest rock release, First Signal.

DVD of the Show: Black Label Society - Skullage

Beer of the Show: Ommegang - Kup O' Kyndness  (Beer Rating: 2)

Featured Tracks: Soilwork - Let This River Flow; BLS - Crazy Horse; Rush - Camera Eye; WASP - Jack Action; AC/DC - Livewire; Drowning Pool - Turn So Cold; Damageplan - Save Me; Harem Scarem - Stranger Than Love;First Signal - Yesterday's Rain, This City, Goodbye to the Good Time, Part of Me; Harem Scarem - Killing Me

Classic of the Show: Roxx Gang - No Easy Way Out

Genghis Pick of the Show: Red Circuit - Homeland

Ragman Pick of the Show: Black Veil Brides - Knives and Pens

- Ragman is a little behind...

Podcast #109: Alcohol

The Sacred Triangle - Bowie, Iggy and Lou (1971 - 1973)

Believe it or not, some of metal's roots stem from this triangle.Every once and a while we have to check ourselves and go back and research where the music we love came from.  I wouldn't say that some of the artist's featured in this DVD directly influenced metal, but they have indirectly.  Would Glam rock/metal be where it is today without David Bowie? I think not.  Would punk's outrageous stage antics be where they are today without the charismatic Iggy Pop?  Doubtful.  Lou Reed also made an impact on rockers with his unique style and truthful lyrics. 

The Sacred Triangle is a highly entertaining DVD which researches the bond between three musicians and the thread that ties them together.  Believe it or not, these guys were brought together by eccentric artist and cult hero Andy Warhol.  Warhol took a liking to Reed and The Velvet Underground, and from there it seemed that Bowie and Iggy came along for the ride. 

This is a great documentary that shows how three friends, brought together by Warhol, bonded and struggled, but were able to find their musical identities and persevere to become the rock icons that we know today.  This is a very informative documentary that includes lots of rare footage as well as some very informative interviews.  This is a killer watch.

Bottom Line: A great DVD which shows how things were done back in the day.  The comrodarey of these three seems like a rare thing these days.   The music business is so competitive and it was fascinating to learn how each of these guys were instrumental in the other succeeding.

- Ragman is inspired...

Dio - Holy Diver Live (Blu-Ray)

Long live rock n' roll, long live RJD!It still saddens me when I think of Ronnie James Dio's passing.  He was truly a legend in the hard rock and heavy metal community, and he will not be forgotten.  With Ronnie's passing, we the fans, will now have access to some of the greatest moments of the man's career.  One is the re-release of the legendary show, on BluRay, in which the Dio band performed Holy Diver in it's entirety as well as other Dio, Black Sabbath and Rainbow classics.  Holy Diver Live was filmed back in 2005, at the London Astoria Theater, and was originally released on standard DVD in 2006.

Holy Diver Live shocases the 2005 line up in top form.  I have to say, I think this is one of the more solid line-ups that Dio had.  Guitarist Doug Aldrich shines on this DVD and will blow you away with his amazing fretwork.  The set is solid with Dio performing classics like Gates of Babylon (Rainbow) and The Sign of the Southern Cross (Black Sabbath).  Ronnie sounds amazing, as usual, as well as the rest of the band.  The picture is incredible, and is such a step up from the original format.  As I say with most Blu-Rays, you will have a sense of being front and center.  Solid release which was noticably improved by the Blu-Ray format.  Get prepared to throw the Horns Up, cause this DVD rocks.

Bottom Line: One of the last Dio band's live recordings that you can get your hands on.  A monumental night in which a metal god performed one of his masterpieces.  Long live rock n' roll, long live RJD.

- Ragman can't wait to see what is next