Vamp (The First Kiss Could Be Your Last)

Arrow Films continues to release some hidden gems from the 80's horror genre.  The latest movie to be unearthed is the vampire classic Vamp.  It is great to see a film like this, some 30 years later, and really appreciate it.  I remember seeing this one back in the day, and not really enjoying it, but was intrigued when I saw it was getting the Blu-Ray treatment.  I have to say the film has aged well, and I really enjoyed it.

The story line revolves around a couple of college kids that want to get into a frat.  Rather than succumb to the hazing rituals, they vow to bring booze and strippers to the frat's next blow out party, and if they can achieve this they are in with no hazing.  Sounds easy enough.  Well, after getting rejected by several of their female acquaintances, they decide to drive down to the After Dark Club, in a seedier part of town, to find their way into the frat, but little do they know they are walking into a den of vampires.  The head vampire is played by 80's avant garde rocker Grace Jones.  I guess you can kind of firgure it out from there.

As you would guess the story line is a bit cheesy, but could may have been an inspiration for From Dusk Til Dawn.  I'm sure Quintin might have rented this on VHS, prior to creating his classic flick.  That said, this one was highly entertaining.  Though this one is a bit campy, it was an enjoyable watch.  It was nice to see classic special effects, without the help of CG.  A nice horror/comedy flick with lots of action and some gore.

Bottom Line: A classic horror flick getting restored and looking great.  A comedy hooror that could have paved the way for many films to take the genre by storm, back in the day.

-Ragman was glad he gave this one another shot.

Dayshell - Nexus

You're in for a pretty rocking time if you like bands like TesseracT, my friend.Falling into the vein of great progressive groove machines like TesseracT is the compelling sound of Dayshell. This Southern California trio does an admirable job of crafting heavy but lyrical rhythms that are melodic but also shake the floor of the house, and I am loving it.

I have to mention my boy Jordan Wooley, whose bass work is fantastic. It's not Billy Sheehan pyrotechnics, it's just motherfucking bedrock, man. Like it's the meat in this delicious metal sandwich and I can't get enough of the tasty tone he posseses. Seriously, it's a great part of the overall mix. Which doesn't mean to say the rest of the trio are slouchers. Lead vocalist and guitarist Shayley “Dayshell” Bourget is part of the reason for the obvious comparison to TesseracT vis-à-vis singer Ashe O'Hara. 

The Bottom Line: In Dayshell you have sort of a cross between the melody and power of Tesseract with the thrilling aggressiveness of Sevendust. Do not fear this power. Take it in. They will requite your love.

- Genghis wonders if he should have ended this review like he did with a Hamlet quote...

Podcast #214: Forward

Local beer nerd Josh Stewart joins the lads to drop some knowledge on the suds. Nice!The lads celebrate the beginning of a new year and IT'S ABOUT FRIGGIN' TIME, amirite? Join Genghis & Ragman as they head down to one of their favorite gastropubs, The Hay Merchant, for a live New Year's show and interview with Josh Stewart, of the local podcast Interbrews, who really knows his stuff when it comes to drinking beer.

You know the drill: The boys talk about the things they're looking forward to in the world of hard rock and heavy metal in 2017, as well as the world of beer, so pur yourself a tall glass of your favorite winter warmer and sit a spell. HORNS UP!

Beer of the Show: Moo Caliente (Eureka Heights Brewing Company) [CASKED]
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"This casked Mexican milk stout is outstanding. Cayenne and cinnamon never tasted better together."

Featured Tracks: Firewind - Back On the Throne; Skid Row - Slave To The Grind; Iron Maiden - The Red And The Black; Dayshell - Carsick; Annisokay - Hourglass

- Genghis is already wanting another live show from The Hay Merchant...

Podcast #214: Forward

Podcast #213: Holly

Rags up and talks to one of our favorite artists, the man, the myth, the legend: Chip Z'nuff.It's that time of year, to bail John out of the drunk tank get our lists together, check them twice, and bring you all the annual Kicks and Kisses of 2016. Join the lads as they take you through the best and worst of this year in hard rock and heavy metal. HORNS UP!

And stick around for a great interview with the one and only Chip Z'Nuff of Enuff Z'Nuff who gabs with us about the band, their new album, and their 2017 tour plans. We can hardly wait.

NOTE: While normally there's a beer section to this best/worst commentary, we've decided to put that off to our New Year's show - especially since we get to go to The Hay Merchant for a visit with Josh Stewart of the local Interbrews podcast for some suds talk, savvy?

Video of the show: Pornograffiti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown - Extreme

Beer of the Show: Chocolate Hazelnut Porter (Heretic Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"Heretic has made one beautifully balanced porter with subtle chocolate and hazelnut notes that warm very well."

2nd Beer of the Show: Jolly Russian (O'Dell Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"O'Dell does a damn fine job with their barrel-aged series, and this complex but balanced stout is amazing."

Featured Tracks: Tracy G - Jingle Bells; Extreme - He-Man Woman Hater; Tracy G - What Child Is This?; We Wish You A Metal Christmas - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer; Devin Townsend - Stars; Y&T - Open Fire; Last In Line - Devil; Product Of Hate - Blood-Coated Concrete; Mystic Prophecy - War Brigade; Dynazty - I Want To Live Forever; Steve N Seagulls - In Bloom; Pretty Maids - Face The World; Tyketto - Kick Like A Mule; Enuff Z'Nuff - Baby Loves You, Dog On a Bone, One More Hit, Runaway, & Finger on the Trigger

- Genghis is NOT happy about whom we've lost this year...

Podcast #213: Holly

Microwave Massacre (BluRay)

Arrow has just released another lost gem.  Microwave Massacre came out in 1983, but was not seen by many.  It was billed as the worst horror film of all time.  I'm not sure how it got this description, because I thought it was hilarious.  It is not as much of a horror film as it is a black comedy.  It is one of the those lost B-rated gems from the early 80's, that just got lost in the shuffle, due to the explosion of the genre.  The early 80's birthed some of the the most classic horror films or all time, and unfortunely, some films got cast aside. 

Microwave Massacre is about a construction worker named Donald who is in search of normal food.  His wife is hellbent on cooking him gourmet meals, but he would be happy with just a bologna and cheese sandwich.  Well after a day of heavy drinking, Donald comes home and looses it on his wife and ends up offing her.  Not sure what to do after the murder, he decides to cut her up and put her in the freezer to hide the evidence.  Once Donald has disposed of her remains, he get hungry and mistakenly eats part of his wife, and likes it.  Yep, Donald has turned in to a cannibal and goes on a killing spree to maintain his new diet.  This one was fun, but not scary at all.  A perfect bowl of popcorn and a beer movie.

Bottom Line: A campy black comedy full of bad acting and special effects, but just kooky enough to keep you entertained.

-Ragman has abstained from using the microwave.