My Sleeping Karma - Moksha

This may or may not be Ganesh giving us a horns up. You decide.I won't claim to have useful knowledge about Eastern mysticism. I mean, I am aware of Vishnu and Ganesh as deities in the Hindu pantheon. But the closest I've come to any exposure would be Keanu Reeves' Little Buddha (1993). In any case, German quartet My Sleeping Karma gives instrumental psychedlic rock an appealing Eastern flavor on its fifth studio joint Moksha. In Hindu tradition, Moksha is one of the four goals of human life and basically means emancipation, liberation, or release. So, it wouldn't at all surprise me if this was all some grand concept album, perhaps spurred on by one of the band's members for personal reasons.

Either way, this is some fantastic groove rock, replete with contemplative interludes that sound amazing. Which isn't to say that they took a stoner rock template and threw in some sitars and tablas for an instant Indian vibe. This is still pretty straightforward instrumental tripping, but it seems to have a more elevated purpose to it. Maybe it's just me. But I thoroughly enjoyed this album from the opening track Prithvi's hypnotic verse riff, through the introspective interludes, and down to the final track Agni's energetic finish.

The Bottom Line: My Sleeping Karma's instrumental trip Moksha feels like a journey to musical enlightenment and ultimately release as the album's title implies. This German group knows how to take psychedelic instrumental rock to the next level.

- Genghis is definitely getting a t-shirt with this album's awesome artwork on it...

Island of Death

Island of Death, is about a young British couple, that take a trip to the Greek Isles, for a bloody vacation, and I do mean bloody.  The film was shot back in 1976, but has recently gotten the Bluray treatment.  It was a fairly controversial film, for its time, being banned from some theaters in the UK, back in the day. 

The story starts off, like I said, with a you couple, in love, that has an axe to grind, with about everyone on the island.  They are a murderous Bonnie and Clyde, if you will, but instead of money, their payback, in their eyes, is salvation.  They come off at times, saying they are doing the Lord's, work by killing people with different morals that they have.  Funny thing is, is that they are more degenerate, than the people that they are killing.  The most shocking twist comes at the end, but I'm not gonna spoil it for you. 

I have to say, this is one of the better horror flicks, that I've seen in awhile, and it was released almost 40 years ago.  The acting is solid and the story line keeps you at the edge of your seat, for the whole film.  I never saw the film originally, but the transfer to blueray is beautiful.  So if you're looking for a demented horror flick, for the weekend, than this one's for you. 

Bottom Line: When you see a film like this, it makes you wonder how many more are out there, that you haven't seen yet.  This one was a nail biter from start to finish.  Gory, disgusting and immoral all wrapped up into one movie.  I loved it.

-Ragman is getting ready for Halloween already.

Nightmare on Elmo's Street

Who other than Bill Zebub, would think up a movie, in which puppets were living things, that assaulted or molested people, every chance they got.  Well, welcome to a Nightmare of Elmo's Street.  Unfortunately, Elmo didn't make a cameo, but a few of his friends from the street did.  This is classic Bezbub, because it is a combination of humor, along with some of the freakish shit, that you've ever laid your eyes on; set to a death metal soundtrack.

Nightmare on Elmo street, is about a guy named Barbara (Bezub), disguised as a cable guy, who is working with the puppets, to figure out who the haters are.  Well if he figures out who they are, then he is allowed to rape them, which causes them to die a quick death.  Kooky I know, but Zebub's humor, is so twisted, you can't help from chuckling a time or two, during the course of the flick. The only downside, is that I thought, that the film drug, in a few spots, and I lost interest a few times.  Fortunately that didn't last long, because of all of the weird shit going on.

Bottom Line: Would you expect anything less from Zebub?  If you're not offended and amused, at the same time, then he isn't doing his job, now is he?  I got both out of this one.

-Ragman is still wondering why Elmo, was not in his own movie.  Must of been a contractual problem.

Podcast #192: Cowboy

Yes, metal fans, it's the man himself, Ronnie Lee Keel, here after all these years on An Evening With...Well, it's been a long time coming, but we finally met up with the Metal Cowboy himself for An Evening With...Ron Keel as the lads grab a chat right before he recently took the stage in Houston.  Ron covers the gamut speaking on everything from Keel up to his latest long-term commitment at Badlands Pawn. So kick your shoes off and grab a cold one because this one is a barnburner. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Keel - Back to the City, Streets of Rock N Roll, and Ron Keel - Wild Forever

- Ragman can't thank Ron enough for taking time with us... Ron, you totally rock!

Podcast #192: Cowboy

Meytal - Alchemy

YouTube drumming sensation Meytal Cohen's long-awaited debut album is finally here. No, that is not her on the cover.Say what you want about YouTube, but it has made it possible for talented amatuer musicians of all stripes to show the world what they can do. And while the world may regret showing Justin Bieber some people its attention, there are those musicians that turn out to be genuine and grateful professional artists, such as drummer Meytal Cohen. Her debut album Alchemy comes to the world two years after a successful Kickstarter campaign that funded the Israeli metal fan's dream of becoming a bona fide working musician in America. Followers of Cohen's drum covers (including Mike Portnoy) know she's a huge metal fan, particularly of progressive-leaning bands like Tool and Dream Theater, and it shows in her music.

The whole affair starts out modestly but strong on Breathe with vocalist Eric Emery's lush vocal harmonies providing a contrast to the exotic backing rhytym and a nice wild drum break at around the 3:00 mark. Everybody Hates You Now is one of the more aggressive, fast tempo tracks, featuring some of Meytal's heaviest drumming on the album as well as some nice solo work from lead guitarist Travis Montgomery. This sets the stage nicely for Shadow In Disguise, with its Sevendust meets Scar Symmetry vibe, as things go up a notch right before the introspective Behind These Walls, which makes use of an interesting mix of The Beatles' sugary harmonies and Opeth's dark rhythmic beauty. Dark Side Down is easily my favorite tune and makes me think of a lost track from James LaBrie's latest album Impermanent Resonance (like Slight Of Hand or Amnesia, maybe?) with some really good vocal work from Emery. And Tear Me Apart is a great way to end things on a nice heavy, balls-out note.

Overall, progmetal fans should dig this album as a solid entry in the genre. And though the influences may be too on the nose for some to merit descriptions of "fresh" or "innovative", it would be a huge mistake to dismiss this band as some numetal holdover. But now it's all about the touring (ProgPower USA or even the Warped tour would be a great opportunity) and getting the name out there. In any case, this is a promising start for a young [relatively] unknown with a dream, and that's what this business was always about.

The Bottom Line: Your appreciation for Meytal's debut album may be greatly tied to whether you've been a long time fan of her popular drum cover videos, giving you a sense of shepherding her career through likes and donations over the years. But ignoring all of that, this is an impressively polished and mature songwriting debut from a hardworking newcomer that improves with repeated listenings and gives you a sense of anticipation for what's next in a burgeoning career.

Tracks Probably Soon-To-Be-Covered On YouTube: Shadow In Disguise, Torn In Two, Dark Side Down, and Tear Me Apart

- Genghis hopes to see this band tour through Houston soon...