Podcast #207: Crow

The man with the killer voice - and one seriously sweet 'stache, amirite?It's been a long since we did An Evening With..., so we thought we'd break one out for you. Join the boys as they bring in one of their favorite vocalists of all time, Jorn Lande.  Jorn chats it up with the guys over a glass of wine, covering the spectrum of his massive career. Get the skinny on his latest release Heavy Rock Radio, and the challenges he faced singing some of these classic tunes. Jorn also touches on what it was like playing with Heaven and Hell, after Ronnie James Dio passed away.  You can't miss this show because it's chock full of information you need to know. Dig?

Featured Tracks: Rock N Roll Angel, You're the Voice, Killer Queen, Don't Stop Believing, Hotel California and Tungur Knivur

- Ragman has to see Jorn live - he's the friggin' man!!!!

Podcast #207: Crow

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