Accept - Blood of the Nations

Their best album in 25 years - and no Udo? Whaaaaa?!I have to admit, when I first heard that Accept had replaced UDO, and they were going to put out new record, I was prepared to hate it.  After speaking to UDO, and hearing the early samples that the band had posted on their website, with new vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex- TT Quick),  it was obvious this was going to end poorly for the metal pioneers from Germany.  Being a fan of the band for so many years, I felt obligated to give their new CD The Blood of Nations a fair shake, and thank goodness I did.  This CD, is pure and simply, amazing.  This could be the best CD the band has put out since Metal Heart (1985).  Not to take away from the records the band did with UDO in the 90's, because there was some solid material on those CD's, but with Blood of the Nations, the band has taken it up a notch, and delivered a classic Accept record.

This CD is a throwback to the classic Accept sound, but with a more up to date production.  Thanks to veteran producer Andy Sneap.  Songs like the first single Teutonic Terror and the title track, will command you to throw your fist in the air and sing along.  Tornillo sounds great and doesn't try to be an UDO clone.  Mark's vocal style is similar to Dirkschneider's, but with better versatility.  We all know that UDO is not the best ballad vocalist, and this is where Mark shines, especially on the track Kill the Pain.  Hoffman and Co. sound great and have returned with a strong enough album to get the Accept machine rolling again.  This CD rocks!  Go get it!

Bottom Line: Accept is back and they are here to stay.  The best CD the band has produced in over 25 years, and believe it or not UDO was not involved.  Nay sayer's must check this one out, because Tornillo delivers the goods vocally and the rest of the band kills musically. 

- Ragman has his balls to the wall

Lights Camera Dead

After the first half hour, it ain't all that bad...Well it is getting closer to Halloween, so it's time to bring in some horror movie reviews.  My latest quest is a B-Rated horror flick called Lights Camera Dead.   LCD is a movie about and aspiring movie director named Ryan, that will do whatever it takes to make a great film.  Ryan and many of his friends have decided to make a horror film named The Music Box.   The Music Box is your classic serial killer/slasher film.  When the film doesn't go as planned, and the whole cast quits, Ryan devises a plan to get the cast back together and film them being murdered one, by one. 

In theory, this is a cool plot that should work, but as with most B-movies, the acting is poor and the special effect leave much to be desired.  The first 35 to 40 min. of the flick, are forgettable, but once the killing starts, things start to turn around.  The movie is not bad, but not great either.  Like I said the acting is poor, but the storyline is just interesting enough to keep you watching.  If you're bored, and are looking for a okay horror movie, then this is your film.

Bottom Line: B-movie that is worth a view, once you fastforward through the first 30 min. or so.  Also, a bonus is that friend of the show Richard Christy (Charred Walls of the Damned, The Howard Stern Show) makes a cameo.

- Ragman got what he expected

Demians - Mute

Unlike their first album, this one is more like background musicHot off the heels of their breakthrough debut CD, Demians is back with their sophomore effort Mute.  Mute is a bit of a departure from Building an Empire, because it is more raw and less polished than the debut.  I think the change in sound is mainly due to Nicholas Chapel electing to ditch the samples and use real instruments for the entire record.  The album is heavier and more modern than it's predecessor.  Songs like Feel Alive and Tidal, could be breakthrough songs, for the band, on Buzz radio, with the proper push. 

There are elements of the first record, like on the track Hesitation Waltz, but for the most part this CD stands alone, and takes the band in a new direction.  Demians toured with Porcupine Tree last year, and it appears that they made a big impression on Nicholas.  There are elements of PT on this CD, mixed with the Demians sound. There is also some experimentation on this record, like on the track Overhead, which has a middle eastern vibe to it, but unfortunately I think there was too much.  I missed some of the more proggier moments, that the first CD brought to the table.  Don't get me wrong, the CD has some strong tracks that will grab you, but unlike the first record, Mute takes several listens before you start to get it.

Bottom Line: One of those records you can just put on and forget about.  It is great background music, that unfortunately doesn't grab you enough to force you to bring it to the forefront.   A good record that will take several listens to get into.  Be patient my freind.

Standout Tracks: Tidal, Feel Alive, Heistation Waltz & Porcelain

- Ragman was hoping for a little more

Podcast #107: Dream

Last time aboard the train that goes around the world...It is still hard to believe that Mike Portnoy has left Dream Theater.  I shudder to think what might happen to the band having just lost a key member.  Yes, they're all talented, but Portnoy was such an integral part in this band's make up, that it will be hard to imagine them without him.  Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss the departure of Portnoy and the future of DT.  Next, the boys rounded up former TNT lead singer Tony Harnell for a one on one as he discusses his current project, The Mercury Train, and their debut CD, Round Trip.  Tony gives an in-depth look into the new CD and discusses the challenges of making an old song sound new.

Beer of the Show: Green's - Endeavor  Beer Rating: N/A

DVD of the Show: Dream Theater - Live at Budokan

Featured Tracks: James Labrie - Slightly Out of Reach; Dream Theater - Home; Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare; Iron Maiden - The Man Who Would Be King; Fates Warning - Eye to Eye; Mekong Delta - A Certain Fool; Dream Theater - Ytse Jam; Blind Gaurdian - Control the Divine; James Labrie - Mislead; Black Label Society - Parade of the Dead; TNT - As Far as the Eye Can See; Tony Harnell & The Mercury Train - Northern Lights, Somebody Told You, 10K Lovers, Ready to Fly & Uninvited; TNT - Too Late

Classics of the Show: Dream Theater - A Fortune in Lies & Vanishing Point - Surreal

Ragman Pick of the Show: System Divide - An Intoxicating Affair

Genghis Pick of the Show: Lemur Voice - Akasha Chronicles

- Ragman is spent

Podcast #107: Dream

Allegaeon - Fragments Of Form And Function

From out of the mountains they came...to conquer!Melodic death metal has been around some years now.  Enough that it's hard to release a debut album and receive critical acclaim right out of the gate.  But everywhere you look these days, you seem to find no shortage of praise for Allegaeon's first full album, Fragments Of Form And Function (their self-titled EP came out a couple of years ago).  I don't know what they're feeding their kids in Colorado these days, but the chops these boys display are phenomenal.

The music itself is both brutal and melodic at the same time - something you'd expect from melodic death metal, but Allegaeon manage to make it sound fresh and powerful without splintering off into yet another hybridization of the genre.  Vocalist Ezrah Haynes performs as expected, with powerful, guttural singing, but it's the twin guitar attack of Ryan Glisan and Greg Burgess that make this album stand out.  Their frenetic exchanges are nothing short of mind-blowing even in an age where guys like Michael Romeo walk the Earth.

The Bottom Line: This is one killer debut from these boys from the Mile High state.  If you're a fan of melodic or technical death metal, you'll probably want to give this a listen.  I only fear what Allegaeon will have to do to top it.

- Genghis will be watching this band from now on