Adam Ant (The Blueblack Hussar)

Adam and the Ants, were a punk band, that I got into in the early 80's.  Once Adam dropped the Ants, and went towards more of a pop sound, I checked out.  To be honest, I haven't given too much thought to Adam and Ants, over the past decade or two, but now and again I have pulled out Prince Charming, for a spin.  I really didn't know what Adam was up to, until I got wind of a new documentary about him called The Blueblack Hussar.  Apparently it is a documentary about Adam and his comeback. 

Bueblack Hussar is just what it states, in the press release, a documentary about the return of Adam Ant to the music industry.  Adam is back with a fresh new band called The Good, the Mad and the Lovely Posse.  The doc. gives a behind the scenes look of Adam at home as well as on the road.  It is a very intriguing documentary, that shows who Adam Ant really is as a person.  He is a fun loving guy, who is a little quirky.  It doesn't seem that there is too much that bothers the guy.

The doc. also takes you behind the scenes in the studio.  It is pretty interesting seeing Ant create.  It also showcases a fair amount of live footage, from clubs to over 50,000 at Hyde Park.  Even though Ant is a fun loving guy, his music is full of angst and aggression.  As you will see in the documentary, Ant has very much gone back to his punk roots.  A solid documentary about a guy, who was one top of the world, then hit rock bottom, and now rising from the ashes. 

Bottom Line:  A very entertaining documentary about a punk legend.  I was hoping for more of a chronological type film, but it only touches slightly on Adam's past glories.  A real behind the scenes look of how Adam plans to make a glorious comeback.

-Ragman is looking for his best Napoleon costume.

Podcast Interview: Jens Johansson

Tonight, we chew the fat with Jens Johansson, who's one bad mofo on the keys, tell you what.Ragman chats with the one and only Jens Johansson who made a name for himself by playing with some of the best guitarists in the business (Malmsteen, Tolkki, Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, Mike Stern, any of those ring a bell?) and by just being an all around bad-ass keyboardist, be it power metal or jazz fusion. Join us as Jens gabs about how Stratovarius managed after Timo Tolkki left as well as future plans.

And be sure to check out Stratovarius' latest album, Eternal, available from Edel Records. And if you dig their mix of modern and old school power metal, you might consider checking them out on next year's 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Playing with Fire, Shine in the Dark, Lost Without a Trace, Feeding the Fire, and Black Diamond

Jens Johansson Interview

Podcast Interview: Will Crafton

Listen as Ragman discusses Separation's debut album with lead singer Will Crafton.Ragman goes one on one with newcomer Will Crafton, lead singer for Atlanta's Separations, who talks about what it takes to make it as a new property in today's 21st century hard rock scene. Join The Right To Rock as we delve into what this new band is all about, their views on social media, and upcoming tour plans.

And be sure to check out Separations' debut release, Dream Eater, available from Imagen Records. And if you dig their sound, by all means make sure to check them out when they come to a town near you. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Dream Eater, Promises, Upper Hand, and Revolution

Will Crafton Interview

Act Of Defiance - Birth And The Burial

Now this is some fucking kick-ass heavy metal, people! Check out Act Of Defiance.My favorite genre of metal may be progressive but I'll always have a soft spot for thrash and speed metal from the stately days of yore (the 80s). And Act of Defiance is some damn fine metal that fills me - thrills me - with headbangings never felt before. Why two Poe references in just the first paragraph? I have no idea, just go with it.

Seriously though this is killer tuneage from two erstwhile members of Megadeth, Chris Broderick (guitar) and Shawn Drover (drums). And joined by bassist Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall/Times Of Grace) and vocalist Henry Derek (Scar The Martyr), their debut album, Birth And The Burial, is an opening salvo of metal riffage one should not take lightly. This is a bad-ass album, metalheads.

Opener Throwback sets the thrashy tone right away with a moshabilty rating of 11 (out of 10), and while there's a lot of that headbanging goodness (Thy Lord Belial, Dead Stare, et al), it's not all 80s skateboard park insanity. Tracks like Poison Dream and Obey The Fallen have a grander, gothic atmosphere like classic old school metal bands of my youth - with the former track's solo a master class in sweep picking. And Refrain And Re-Fracture's sweet, dark acoustic arpeggiations that brood under a twin guitar riffage are a haunting reminder of many a happy night spent jamming to Testament. I'm fucking loving this album, man.

The Bottom Line: The synchronicity between Broderick and Drover belies their years in the trenches together, and Derek's vocals transition easily between the death growls and more melodic choruses. And it's perhaps his tenure as guitarist for Shadows Fall that makes Matt Bachand such a rock solid bass man, but in any case, this is a band I hope sticks around for more releases like this heavy masterpiece. Bravo.

- Genghis laments the improbablity that this outfit will tour his hometown...

Podcast Interview: Hendrik Wippermann

Join us as Herr Wippermann takes the mic for a little tête-à-tête about his band Eat The Gun.The boys sit down for a chat with Hendrik Wippermann, lead singer/guitarist of Germany's Eat The Gun, who discusses the band's rise to popularity through the sheer power of touring like madmen. Join Genghis & Ragman as they get to know more about this impressive trio and the vagaries of making it in the music biz in the 21st century.

And be sure to check out Eat The Gun's latest release, Howlinwood, available from Steamhammer/SPV Records. And keep an ear out as Hendrik reveals ETG's any plans for a tour of the United States in a city near you. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: At the End of the Day, Howlinwood, Falling, Electric Life, How Does it Feel and Addiction

Hendrik Wippermann Interview