Lucid Fly - Building Castles In The Air

I'm betting this chick might want to sue her hairdresser.I love me some progressive music, as well you know, almost as much as I love Eva Green (it's true, I always turn off Casino Royale after she leaves for the bank). But like any other genre, it's hard to find something that sets any one act apart when it follows the genre's conventions as closely as new bands tend to do. When one of them adds something new to the mix or simply does what's expected but takes it to a higher standard of quality, that's when jaded old cynics like myself take notice. This is where bands like Lucid Fly come in.

Moving from one side of the country to the other in order to take their music to the next level, the melodic prog rockers have released Building Castles In Air, an album that both impresses and satisfies genre votaries like myself. Part of that credit goes to singer Nikki Layne, whose confident crooning can range from ethereal to ringing as the mood calls for it. Guitarist Doug Mecca however has a deft touch on the rhythymic side of things, with moody textures that never overpower the song as a whole. Apparently, having earned copious praise throughout their expanding realm of influence, they were hand-picked by Mike Portnoy to play on the Progressive Nation at Sea cruise in 2014 which put them in front and alongside many notable bands and upping their exposure considerably. And it is well-deserved, I can assure you.

The Bottom Line: Lucid Fly isn't just a progressive band with a female lead singer, they're a truly well-rounded band in terms of influences and they've got the chops to put out some truly impressive material. Keep an eye on this band.

- Genghis sure does want to go on one of those metal cruises one day...

Podcast #210: Video

The lads decide to take it easy this Hallow's Eve - and talk to Steve Grimmett to boot!This year's Halloween episode started off like any other, only with the boys deciding to spend the evening in the studio with a good old-fashioned horror movie (this one provided by none other than Mr. Lordi himself) and a nice little chat with the man himself, Steve Grimmett of Grim Reaper who discusses the band's tour and career. But strange things are afoot on this stormy evening as paranormal disturbances cause a reality shift for - well, it's probably best that you check things out for yourselves...

NOTE: With the lads' personal lives getting pretty hectic this year, there's not a traditional follow-up Day of the Dead show, but instead they're just skipping on ahead to the impending Christmas spectacular, the 10th Annual Kicks and Kisses show, where G & R pick the best and worst of 2016's heavy metal offerings. Coming soon. Horns up!

Video of the show: Dark Floors (2008) - Starring Mr. Lordi

Beer of the Show: Evil Dead Red (Alesmith Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.0 Overall: 3.0	"A beer that manages to pull off the tricky act of being very complex and balanced at the same time. Kudos to Alesmith!"

Featured Tracks: Lordi - The Kids Who Want To Play With The Dead; The Bloody Hammers - Lights Come Alive; Lordi - Hard Rock Halleluia; Grim Reaper - Fear No Evil; Steve Grimmet's Grim Reaper - Walking in the Shadows and Now You See Me; Grim Reaper - See You in Hell; Fastway - After Midnight; King Diamond - Spider's Lullaby; Trick Or Treat - They Must Die; Rage - Spirits Of The Night; Type O Negative - Wolf Moon

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Slayer - World Painted Blood

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Cradle Of Filth - Her Ghost In The Fog

- Genghis is still kind of trying to get back into the swing of things...

Podcast #210: Video

Dead End Drive-In

Over the last couple of years, the kind folks at Arrow Films have started unearthing some classic 80's horror films.  The latest one to get a makeover is Dead End Drive-In.  Man, I can still remember the trailer for this one as well as the song they played at the end.  Cool stuff.  This one was originally release in 1986, and yes, when you're watching it, it does feel dated, but does it really matter?  One huge improvement from the original is the transfer to 2K restoration.  The film quality looks great, and better than it's original release.

Dead End Drive-In is set in a futuristic city, ala Mad Max, but not quite that apocalyptic.  There is still structure, but the town is full of chaos.  Apparently the town is up to their ears in mischief, so the powers that be decided to imprison the troubled youth, of the town, at a drive-in theater.  Long story short, the kids go to the theater to see a flick, and unbeknownst to them, after the movie is over, they are now trapped.  I know if sounds kooky, but it is a fun watch, especially with the added clarity of the restoration.  Though this one isn't a Halloween or Friday the 13th, it's still a fun one to put on, with some pizza and a cold beer.

Bottom Line: Another cult classic, given the 5 star treatment by Arrow.  A fun flick with lots of action.

-Ragman is re-thinking taking the family to a drive-in, anytime soon.

All Things Must Pass

You all know that I'm a sucker for a good documentary.  The latest one to slide across my desk was All Things Must Pass - The Rise and Fall of Tower Records.  If you were into music from the 60' through the 2000's, then you had to have frequented a record store.  The record store is a sacred place for music lovers.  There is nothing like getting lost in a record store for hours upon hours.  Unfortunately, over the last several years there seems to be fewer and fewer stores to grab the latest disc or LP, from your favorite band.  It is truly unfortunate, because it was such a fun ritual, for me, when I was growing up.  In most major cities, there is probably no big chains like Tower, Sound Warehouse, or even Hastings anymore.  Hastings being the last one to bite the dust.  It is truly ashame.

All Things Must Pass chronicles the rise and fall of Tower Records.  It is the true story of how the mega chain was started, and chonicles all the way to their demise in 2006.  The Tower name lives on, online and overseas.  This documentary features insightful interviews with founder Russ Solomon as well as some of his key employees.  Also, as a bonus, there are some interviews with some of the artists that used to frequent this legendary establishment.  It's the story about how Russ tried to grow his company too rapidly, and then fell prey to the internet and file sharing.  It is ashame, because when I go overseas I can still visit a Tower in Tokyo or Paris, but not one in the USA.  At least there is still some countries that get it.  This is a must see for any music fan. 

Bottom Line: Entertaining, fun, informative and sad all at the same time.  To be able to go to Tower, on Sunset in Hollywood, again; Oh how I wish.  A great doc. that will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish.

-Ragman misses record stores.

Watchtower - Concepts of Math: Book One

They say that if you look in Ron Jarzombek's eye, his iris looks like this. True story.Goodness me, is that a new Watchtower album I see? I remember first listening to the legendary wizards of metal back in college in the late 80s and thinking "this is what it sounds like when insects debate" or some shit like that; the technical prowess was undeniable, but it was more dissonant than I wanted to hear. Which is a common problem I have with technical metal, but I really wanted Watchtower to be the band that would break the mould - if only because they were a local Texas band and I got my Texas pride to keep.

Some 27 years after their last studio album (Control & Resistance, 1989), a new EP has emerged. The 5 song compilation includes previously released digital singles that have been around since 2010 along with one new 10 minute track, Mathematica Calculis. There is a great amount of growth and songwriting maturity on display here, finally catching up to their formidible skills and I couldn't be happier. Bringing back Alan Tecchio after having replaced original frontman Jason MacMaster (Dangerous Toys) was an excellent choice as his voice pairs nicely with the well-orchestrated chaos this album brings.

What I like is that over the years you can see that their tendency to crank the technical aspect to 11 has mellowed, and along with that the music has become more listenable while stille being insanely aspirational to us instrument playing fans.

The Bottom Line: While the majority of this album has been available in some form before, the new closer makes it worth it as a nice capper to this taste of things to come. We hope.

- Genghis will NEVER play this well *sigh*...