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...

The Answer - Raise a Little Hell

The Answer, are one of those bands, that just kinda crept out of nowhere for me.  Keep an ear out for these guys, because I think they are going to make a big splash over hear in the U.S., very soon  The band hails from N. Ireland, and has been going strong since 2000, but they just hit my radar, with their latest release Raise a Little Hell.  I know, if you hear a band is from Ireland, you instantly think Thin Lizzy, but though they have a classic vibe about them, they do not sound much like their fellow countrymen.  The Answer is a nice blend of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, with a fresh sound.  These guys put a fresh twist on the classic sounds of yesteryear.

Raise a Little Hell, starts off in fine form, with the opener Long Live the Renegade.  It is an upbeat track, that oozes with melody and attitude.  If that ain't enough, Paul Mahon'ssolo, in this tune, is one of my faves, of the year so far.  The CD shines from start to finish, but with the latest single Gone Too Long, I think these guys might just put themselves, on the U.S. map.  This has been my favorite song, for the past 2 months, and I still can't get it out of my head.  It is a mid-tempo rocker with one of those infectious choruses that will not leave your brain.

The CD is full of rockers, and just one ballad, called Strange Kinda Nothing, which is another one, that will not be easy, to get out of you head.  That is the thing about this band, the songs are so well structured and melodic, that they get in your head, and don't let go.  The band are all so talented and I'm such a fan of vocalist Cormac Neeson'svocals, because he can wail with he best of them.  I have to say, The Answer has just became my favorite new band.  You must check these guys out!

Bottom Line:  Hard rock with a classic vibe.  Well written songs that grow on you, with each listen.  Watch out for these guys, because their about to get big.

Standout Tracks: Gone Too Long, Strange Kinda Nothing, The Other Side and Cigarettes and Regret.

-Ragman was so blown away, by this release, that he went out and bought their whole back catalog.  That's saying something.

Black Veil Brides - Alive and Burning (Bluray)

From the first note of Knives and Pens, just a short 6 years ago, I knew that Black Veil Brides was going to be a force to be reckoned with.  These guys came out of nowhere and kicked my ass, six ways to Sunday.  They brought the look and attitude of early 80's Motley Crue, and mixed it with the force of Bullet for My Valentine.  It was a sound, that I instantly fell in love with.  The band have now been going on strong for the past 9 years and have just released their first ever live DVD, Alive and Burning.  Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to see the band live, so I jumped at the opportunity to check out this Bluray.

Alive and Burning is a very well shot show, and in Bluray, it gives you that feeling of being in the front row.  The video and audio are stellar, in this one, which give you the feeling of true concert experience.  As Genghis and I have discussed many times on the show, these type of bluray's are the next best thing to actually going to the show.  As far as the performance goes, the band is on fire.  The band comes out, all guns blazing, with the more melodic Hearts of Fire, before ripping into a set of power, melody and brutality.  BVB really deliver the goods, and prove to their fans, as well as the naysayers, that they are band that is going to be around for awhile.  If your a fan of big shows, from the 80's, and like your music loud, then this DVD is for you.  Go get it.

Bottom Line: BVD showing that they rock as hard live, if not harder, than they do in the studio.  The band display what great musicina they are, whilst putting on a killer show.

-Ragman can't believe he has still not seen these guys live.