Michael Schenker Fest "Live" Tokyo

I have to say, I've seen quite a few Michael Schenker live DVD's over the past several years, and each one is better than the last, and his latest Michael Schenker "Live" Tokyo is no exception.  This latest DVD was filmed in Tokyo on 8/24/16 at Tokyo's International Forum.  This was a very special concert for Michael and his band, because he gathered up some very special guest to help him perform certain periods from his career.  Guests included:  Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley, all which have worked with Schenker in the past.  This new DVD comes in many formats, from CD to Blu-ray to digital.

This latest release from Schenker, may be his best yet.  It is so cool to see Schenker perform with Bonnet, Barden and McAuley all in one sitting.  Each vocalist gave a stellar performance, and kept the crowd/viewer wanting more.  As with the last several DVD's that Schenker has released, he is always spot on and delivers a solid performance.  The DVD looks really nice and the audio on the CD sounds awesome as well.   Schenker and company give a stellar performance and have delivered, once again, a solid live package. 

Bottom Line:  Schenker once again delivering the goods.  Even thought this guy is getting older, he has not skipped a beat, since he cleaned up his act.  This DVD will ensure that he will play to packed houses, where ever he goes.

-Ragman can't believe he's never seen Schenker live.  He's deeply ashamed of himself.

Judas Priest - Turbo 30 (Remastered 30th Anniversary Edition)

It's hard to believe that Turbo, by Judas Priest, came out 30 years ago.  Damn I'm getting old.  As many of you know, this album came as a shock to many long time listeners.  Following the success of it's predecessor Defenders of the Faith, the Priest decided to switch things up and alter their sound, by infusing synthesized guitars.  Their sound transformed from a metal band that your parents hated, to a more commercial and accepting band.  Don't get me wrong, this album still had punch, but it also was more appealing to the masses, due a more commercial sound.  That said, this album has recently been restored, and sounds better than ever.

Ok, I might have been a little harsh, but this album was so different from anything that the band had ever done before, that it was hard to accept back in the day.  Now, I have to say that I'm really getting into the record.  There are your staples like Turbo Lover and Locked In, but there are also some gems like Private Property and Out in the Cold, that really make this album soar.  If that ain't enough, then the new packaging will knock your sock off.  The new package comes with 2 lives discs, recorded on the Fuel for Life tour. I have to say these live discs sound amazing.  Crank these babies up and you'll feel like your in the front row. 

Bottom Line:  Well the Priest have done it again, with another stellar remastered album, with awesome bonus material. Even though you might have this one in your collection, it is worth the rebuy, due to the improvement in audio quality as well as the live discs.

-Ragman wants to see Priest again.  Come back to Texas damn it!

Podcast Interview - dUg Pinnick

The boys recently caught up with an old friend of the show dUg Pinnick to discuss the new KXM album Scatterbrain.  dUg discussed how KXM write on the fly, and create magic, every time he gets together with George Lynch and Ray Luzier.  dUg also discusses the status of King's X and when we can expect a new CD.

And if you dig KXM's music as much as we do, show the band some love by purchasing their latest album, Scatterbrain, from your favorite online store, won't you? HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: King's X - Flies and Blue Skies, KXM - Breakout, Calypso, Obesession, Angel, King's X - Silent Wind

-Ragman is dying to see this band live.

Podcast Interview - dUg Pinnick

The Burningmoore Deaths

Who knew Geoff Tate (Operation Mindcrime, ex-Queensryche) could act?  Well I didn't, until I saw the press release stating his name, in the credits, for the new horror movie The Burningmoore Deaths.  It appears that Tate is branching out since leaving Queensryche.  With his solo band not having the success that his former band currently is; I'm assuming he decided to take up acting.  Believe or not, Tate aint't half band, even though he is in a limited role.  He does offer a nice Rod Sterling type vibe, when he narrates over some of the story line.  We all know that he definitely has the voice for that. 

The Burninghouse Deaths is one of those lost footage type movies, which centers around a home improvement show.  The premise is that Tate is a serial killer, that mass murdered his entire family and then disappeared.  Well as fate would have it, the house that they are filming the reality show, is the house where Tate (The killer) has been residing.  Well, as you might of guessed, Tate knocks off each of the home improvemen folks, one by one.  Not a bad movie, but not a great one either.  No gore to speak of, and some of the supporting cast, weren't the best actors.  If you like your horror PG, then this might grab ya.

Bottom Line: This one may attract Queensryche fans as well as fans of horror, but unfortunately, I don't believe either will be impressed.

-Ragman is thinking Tate should start a reboot of the Twilight Zone.  Dude has the voice for it.

Blackhearts

It has been awhile since I have seen a documentary that has captured my interest as much as Blackhearts has recently.  Blackhearts is a documentary which follows 3 different black metal die hards, and their quests to play at various metal festivals in Norway.  Each musician finds themselves in situations that could potentially crush their dreams of performing in Norway.  One of the guys faces extraction from his native country from Iran, one faces jail time and the other offers to sell his soul to Satan to fulfill his dream of performing in Norway.

This documentary goes in depth with each of the stories.  It is pretty crazy the lengths of how far these guys go to make it in metal.  It's damn right honorable, but all of these guys make huge decisions, which will impact the rest of their lives.  One of the creepiest things in the video, is the guy who sell his soul to the devil to make it.  That said, all of these guys faced major obstacles, to pursue their dream and it paid off.  This documentary is for any music fan.  You don't have to be into metal to get into this one. 

Bottom Line: The quest for metal runs deep in many of us, but these guys take it to the extreme.  Be prepared to be engulfed for about 90 minutes.   This is a thorough documentary, that is not so much about black metal, but the will to succeed.  If you're feeling extra creepy, watch the 30 minute bonus of the selling of the soul ritual.  Creepy!

-Ragman was so inspired that he is going to grab Genghis for a pilgrimage to New York, to be on Sirius.  We we can do it.