Sahg - Memento Mori

Sahg returns from Norway with some amazing old school metal that sounds fresh and groovy.Just as I mentioned in my review of Sahg's last album Delusions Of Grandeur, the progressive retro metal band really knows how to expertly blend modern metal style with the classic Sabbathy groove that started it all while still sounding fresh. And now the band has released a new album of even more trippy tunes called Memento Mori.

Right out of the gate, the Norwegian quartet pours out a psychedelic vibe like liquid LSD into your ears with Black Unicorn. This is the kind of stuff that reminds me of being high for the first time back in high school. The sonic landscape of Sahg's music is very loose and fluid while maintaining a heavy crunchy foundation that fans of Opeth will surely dig. It's brilliant to be sure, but don't put on this album on a weekend and think "Now to clean the house!" cuz it ain't gonna happen, kids. The lads try to mix things up with the occasional faster, more metally tune like Devilspeed, but sure enough it's followed by something like Take It To The Grave's mellow crooning over its aqueous Pink Floyd acoustic guitar punctuated with an Eastern-flavored riff. And on it flows, as they say.

The most heavy tune is probably Sanctimony, with its Metallica's Sad But True meets Alice In Chains' Would? rhythym culminating in a progressive-tinged solo section before its return to a chorus that sounds so much like Ozzy guest singing it's spooky. But it all just fits together so well, you know what I mean?

The Bottom Line: Sahg isn't doing anything earth-shattering with innovation, they're just taking classic, time-proven elements of the genre and mixing them together in the most satisfying way. Much the same way that a Michelin-starred chef could go into your kitchen right now with the ingredients you have on hand and come out with a meal to blow you way, these guys just know how to make some killer metal.

- Genghis can't get enough of this kind of music...

Podcast #206: Replacement

Pull up a chair and prepare to get sermonized by the one and only Mike Howe.It's been a very big year in the world of metal and we're only half way through it. Who'da thought Guns n' Roses would be back together (sort of), and AC/DC would be replacing Brian Johnson? Not me. Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss who they think should replace Mr. Johnson - as well as the rumors surrounding his departure. Also, the boys tackle the G&R "reunion". Do we really care? Is it really a reunion with only half of the guys returning? Tune in to find out.

Next, the guys round up Metal Church vocalist Mike Howe for a one on on as he discusses his return to the band as well as their current album, XI. So grab a beer and have as much fun as the guys had making this show (Pimples notwithstanding).

Video of the show: Slash with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators - Live at the Roxy

Beer of the Show: 013 Kentucky Habit (Karbach Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 3.5 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 3.5	"One of our favorite local breweries takes a dive into the whole 'aged-in-bourbon-barrels' thing and comes up a winner."

Featured Tracks: The Unguided - Heatseeker, Slash - Bent to Fly; Ted Poley - Hands of Love; Airborne - Live it Up; Rage - Down; Metal Church - The Dark, Sky Fall In, It Waits, Reset, and No Tomorrow

Ragman's Classic of the Show:  Tommy Bolin - Teaser

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Ted Nugent - Tied Up in Love

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Almanac - Reign of Madness

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Myrath - The Needle

- Ragman is ready for another show!!!

Podcast #206: Replacement

It's that time of year...

Not that you'd notice based on our recent track record but we're hitting our summer sabbatical season and us folks at the Nightmare Studios campus will be taking some time off to do our thing for the next couple of months or so. That doesn't mean we won't post anything, it'll just be slower than usual (God knows what that could mean, right?).

Mostly, we'll be working on keeping John out of the loop on our whereabouts. We don't want a repeat of that time he showed up unannounced to one of our family reunions in his custom 4th of July jockstrap. I've never wanted to burn a flag before, but Crimeny!

In the meantime, you might keep an eye on Twitter or Facebook for the latest TRTR info like concert attendances or cool releases, fair enough? Have a great summer everybody, and be safe. It'll probably be our last gasp as a relatively happy country before the election...

HORNS UP!

- Genghis wants to know who the big write-in vote is this year...

Podcast Interview: Laki Ragazas

Ragman chats with Laki Ragazas, guitarist and vest enthusiast.The Ragster chats with guitarist Laki Ragazas (Mystic Prophecy, Devil's Train), who shares his thoughts of all things metal, working on two new albums, and possible tour plans related hereto. Can you dig it? I knew that you could.

And we also recommend checking out the latest offereings from both bands - Mystic Prophecy's War Brigade, and Devil's Train's II - both of which are available online and off in the usual locations. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Mystic Prophecy - Forgotten Soul, 10,000 Miles Away, Metal Brigade, The Crucifix, and War Panzer; Devil's Train - Mr. Jones; Mystic Prophecy - Sign of the Cross

Laki Ragazas Interview

Thunderstone - Apocalypse Again

I was syked when I heard that Pasi Rantanen had re-united with Thunderstone.  I have been a fan of Thunderstone since the band's second record The Burning in 2004.  Pasi left in 2007, after the tour of the phenomenal record 4.0.  The band got a new singer and released Dirt Metal in 2009.  After Pasi left the band, it just wasn't the same for me.  Though Dirt Metal had some solid tracks, I just didn't dig it as much as I did the prior material with Pasi.  In 2013, the band re-joined forces with Rantanen, but it took another 3 years before they released a new album, which is titled Apocalypse Again.

It wasn't until the 3rd track, that I got hooked on this record.  The track Fire and Ice is an uptempo rocker with some solid melody's and a catchy chorus.  There is a sweet keyboard intro by Jukka Karinen, that starts the track, and prepares you for metal annihilation.  Killer tune.  The next track, is the type of track that I love from Thunderstone, because it is slow, heavy melodic metal, but with lots of power.  Check out the track Through the Pain, and you'll hear what I mean.  I love it when the band gets into these powerful grooves, that just embrace you, and don't let go.

Apocalypse Again is a solid offering, which contains a nice variety of up tempo and mid-tempo rockers.  The band seem to have regained the momentun, that they lost with Dirt Metal.  If I have one complaint, it would be that I think that the production is a little soft.  I was hoping to get the heavy sound/crunch of the previous material, especially with the return of Pasi.  Don't get me wrong, the CD sounds good, but I just wish it sounded a little heavier.  A solid CD.  Apocalypse Again has a nice variety, which will make any Thunderstone fan proud.

Bottom Line: With the return of Pasi Rantanen, it seems like the song writing has gotten stronger and the band is sounding better than they have in years.  Great melodic power metal.

Standout Tracks: Through the Pain, Higher, Fire and Ice and Days of Our Lives.

-Ragman must see Thunderstone live.