Forbidden Zone

There are some movies best watched inebriated, because if you don't, you'll end up scratching your head for about an hour and a half.  The latest movie to put me in this predicament, was The Forbidden Zone.  Actually, I might have enjoyed this one more, if I was under the influence of something more potent than a beer.  Unfortunately, there were no beers or anything else present, during this viewing.  Just to set the record straight, I'm not advocating drugs or alcohol, but I firmly believe that you need this sort of enhancement, to truly enjoy this movie.  Seeing it clean and sober, just kind of scrambles your psyche.

In a nutshell, Forbidden Zone is a twisted take on Alice and Wonderland.  It is about a girl that steps into an underground dimension, which is located in her family's basement.  Once she arrives, all this weird shit starts happening to her.  Long story short, she becomes hostage to the queen of this underworld, because the king (Herve Villechaise - Fantasy Island (Tattoo) falls in love with her.  It is then up to her very messed up family to rescue her.

As you can see, this is a pretty screwed up plot line.  The movie was entertaining, and I can see why it is a cult classic, but you have to be into this kind of weird shit, to enjoy it.  There are some really messed up things going on in this movie, that will turn the average movie fan off.  If you like cult classic, with a Rocky Horror vibe, then this movie is for you.

Bottom Line: Rocky Horror Picture Show meets Alice in Wonderland.  I can say no more.

-Ragman - I need a drink!!!!

The Black Cat

There has been a recent renaissance of older horror movies, being given the Bluray treatment.  Many of these films have not been thought of for years, but recently Arrow Films has resurrected several lesser known classics and gvien the first class treatment.  The first film I laid eyes on was a classic from Lucio Fulci, called The Black Cat.  The Black Cat is an adaptation of an Edgar Allen Poe short story.  The movie was originally released in 1981, but has just recently been released on Bluray.

As you would imagine, this movie looks dated, but remember it was shot in the 80's.  That said, the transfer to Bluray, looks amazing.  The story is about an inspector trying to find out who is murdering the residents of a small English town.  The murders are highly suspicious, because on several counts, there are no signs of forced entry.  Well, if the name of the movie doesn't spoil it for you, I won't either.  All I'll say is that the killer walks on 4 legs.  The movie was somewhat entertaining, but drug on in spots.  I was hoping for some more gore as well, being that it was an Italian horror flick.  This one is for fans of Poe and his wicked mind.

Bottom Line:  Retro-horror making a come back.  Arrow films unearthing some would be classics and giving them the Bluray treatment.  This may not be the best one, of the collection, due to the dragging story line, but still worth a view.

-Ragman is digging checking out retro-horror.

Podcast #200: Flashback

If only we could've heard those words from the man himself. Alas, we must celebrate without him.After starting with our first podcast on September 4, 2006 (Labor Day), we've finally reached our 200th episode of The Genghis & Ragman Show here at The Right To Rock. Recorded live on the patio at The Hay Merchant in Houston, Texas, the lads enjoy a few wonderful beers - inlcuding the unofficial beer of the show, the Black Maria IPA from To Øl brewery - eat some wings, and reminisce about the highs and lows of two mamalukes making a heavy metal podcast [with no experience at all].

Genghis & Ragman can't thank the fans (both of them, right?) enough for all of their support - and patience - over the last nine years/200 hundred episodes. We won't make any promises we can't keep, but we do hope to see at least another 200 episodes and have no plans at all of quitting this silly hobby we call The Genghis & Ragman Show. So kick back, open a good beer, light up a stogie (or whatever), and listen to the boys wax nostalgic.

NOTE: A quick shout out to our server Tahir (hope we spelled that right) who was absolutely outstanding. If you visit The Hay Merchant on Westheimer, consider yourself lucky if you get one of his tables because he. is. the. man.

Featured Tracks: Grave Digger - We Wanna Rock You; Van Halen - Drop Dead Legs; David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose; The Winery Dogs - The Bridge; Richie Kotzen - Chype Fluxx; Quiet Riot - Stay With Me Tonight and South Of Heaven; SteveN'Seagulls - Cemetery Gates; Goaded - Broken Man; The Answer - Trouble; Hanoi Rocks - Up Around The Bend; Earth - From The Zodiacal Light

- Genghis still enjoys making this stuff after 200 episodes...

Podcast #200: Flashback

Niche - Heading East

A fantastic take on the 70s retro sound - complete with gorgeous, trippy cover art - Georgia's Niche is killing it.Dig if you will a picture of a Georgia-based quintet whose 70s style rock has elements of Thin Lizzy, The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd and even Steely Dan - the product of which exudes the soothing, melodic energy of the time in its twin guitar and three-part vocal harmonies. That's what you get on Niche's third studio album, Heading East. I hadn't heard of these cats before, but I am definitely picking up what they're putting down, cuz this album is great stuff.

Opener Exiled To Islands starts out with a Blue Sky sort of optimism that carries into When I'm Gone, whose turn halfway into the track takes you on a sweet psychedelic jam that must play marvelously live. On Down The Line has a nice bouncy reggae feel, that adds dimension to a keyboard-backed chorus that sounds like it came out of a gospel revival tent. If you're getting the feeling that there's a lot going on with this band/album, you wouldn't be wrong, but don't be mislead into thinking it's disjointed, as the strength of this band seems to be its ability to mix so many seemingly disparate elements into a highly listenable mix I was honestly amazed by. Niche is going on my live band watchlist, I can tell you that.

The Bottom Line: There's few things more musically amazing and enjoyable in this day and age than a band that blends so many different styles and sounds into a single, cohesive presentation that doesn't merely withstand that diversity, but becomes a new measure of expectation. Bravo, guys, bravo.

- Genghis is gonna go camp out for tix right now...

Suhy, Silvergold & Alvarado - Tessellations

The trio of Suhy, Silvergold & Alvarado should satisfy your jazz-rock jones quite nicely.New Jersey based jazz rock power trio Suhy, Silvergold & Alvarado have released an amazing album of eclectic tunes that speak to my instrumentalist heart. Yes, this is ostensibly a metal site, but interestingly guitarist Ray Suhy has been playing rock and metal for years, including playing with East Of The Wall (I've mentioned before how this band seems to be some sort of musical nexus, with the various members of having seeded other bands I've raved about on this site) for a few. The man has chops. His playing is deft and confident, belying the years spent studying the finesse and creativity of masters like Coltrane. He can comp like a champ - Special Cadence is a wonderful seven minute jazz excursion that had me practically smelling the smoke-filled club it evokes - then turn around and rip like a demon - Temporal Landrons recalls the melodic shred of Shawn Lane without letting homage veer into soulless mimicry.

Rolando Alvarado's bass work is masterful, be it the satisfying timbre of plucking the double bass through jazzy tunes like Special Cadence, or the nimble rhythymic understructure he weaves like a spider on tracks like Malachite Dream. The East of the Wall connection here is his avant-metal trio El Drugstore, which featured guitarist Kevin Conway and drummer Seth Rheam, both of the former.

Which brings us to the most amazing member of all, drummer Alex Silvergold, who after only playing drums for the last 7 years is merely [a jaw-dropping] 16 years old. Be it his youth, his extraordinary dedication - or both, his high-energy playing is most impressive. I don't doubt many will be monitoring his career which probably won't even begin slowing down 'til maybe around 2065 (Crimeny!).

The Bottom Line: This New Jersey-based jazz-rock trio is jam-packed with talent and promise. The creative force of its virtuosi is evident on a debut many would hope to achieve just once in their entire careers. This is the real deal, folks.

- Genghis can't stop watching these guys jam on YouTube...