Kamelot - Haven

Them metalheads are at it again with their riffin' and their singin'. Nice to see Kamelot getting better and better.Kamelot's one of those bands that's so good at the particular sound they're doing, you naturally confuse them with other bands. And by that I mean their symphonic metal sound is so European-sounding (a very good thing), I was genuinely surprised to find out they're from Tampa. And yet, I've been listening to them since Siége Perilous back in 1998.

Now that they have Swedish vocalist Tommy Karevik, who joined them back before Silverthorn, German keyboardist Oliver Palotai (who's been with the band since 2005), and guest vocalists from Nightwish and Delain, the European connection is stronger than ever.

And things start off nicely with Fallen Star, as the band's expert technique gives a taste of what to expect: moody keyboard-driven backdrops to songs about restlessness, oppression and subsequent rebellion sharpened with the aggressive metal edge of Thomas Youngblood's meaty riffing. This carries throughout the album with slower ballads like Under Grey Skies and Here's To The Fall to provide dynamics. I'm really digging the power of Liar Liar(Wasteland Monarchy) with Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz providing some of her bad-ass growl. All in all, things are falling in to place with Karevik after the loss of erstwhile vocalist Roy Khan, who was with them for a really great run. Haven isn't perfect by any means, but it's clear Kamelot is on a comeback trail, and I couldn't be happier about it.

The Bottom Line: Haven shows a steady improvement of the band's symphonic power metal sound since the loss of Khan as new vocalist Karevik explores the soundscape a bit more over the band's world-class rhythym section. I'm looking forward to future albums from one of my favorite old school bands.

- Genghis missed seeing these guys thanks to Rush's R40 tour (not complaining)...

Turbowolf - Two Hands

Bristol rockers Turbowolf know how to fuck your brain up with some killer grooves. Puff, puff, pass.If you haven’t had enough of that sweet, sweet psychedelic punk rock that’s been floating around for the last few years, you’re gonna be happy with the Turbowolf’s latest album, Two Hands, yessir. And that the British rockers know how to lay down a seriously hip groove, there is little doubt. But let’s get to the particulars of this sophomore outing.

What gives Turbowolf its power is the unstoppable energy of its music. And while raging tracks like Rabbit’s Foot and Nine Lives can keep a crowd jumping, the counterpoint of mellow trips such as the Ennio Morricone-meets-Alice Cooper shimmer of MK Ultra prove this band isn’t a one trick pony. There’s even the interesting diversion of what seems like a lost Nintendo soundtrack in the 44 second Toy Memaha to cleanse the palate for the second half of this surreal feast. This is trippy stuff in the best way.

The Bottom Line: For every given sub-genre of rock music, there’re countless bands jumping on the bandwagon hoping to cash in on the popularity. Turbowolf is NOT one of those bands. These cats epitomize cool with every bad-ass bass line and fuzzy guitar riff that cook behind frontman Chris Georgiadis’ manic mojo. Check ‘em out.

- Genghis can’t even imagine how crazy this band is live…

Podcast #190: Feud

This episode we talk to the one and only Carl Canedy of The Rods. It's possible his hair no longer looks like this.Like the infamous enmity between the Hatfields and McCoys, there's nothing like a feud to capture the interest of fans in the music industry. Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss some of the biggest and latest feuds in the rock industry, including how current technologies like Twitter and Facebook make it even more public.

Next, the boys check in with drummer Carl Canedy (The Rods) who discusses his band, touring plans and his experiences in the world of heavy metal. It's old school talk up in here from a veteran rocker, so grab a beer and settle in. Horns up!

Video Of The Show: Jorn Lande - Live In America

Beer of the Show: Tripel Perfection (Ommegang Brewery)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.5 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"One of our favorite brewers of all time does it again with a delicious, well-balanced Belgian tripel. Exceptionnel!"

Featured Tracks: Revolution Saints - Locked Out Of Paradise; CPR (Coven, Pitrelli & Reilly) - CPR; Jorn - We Brought The Angels Down; Winger - Battle Stations; Lion - Hands on Heaven; Slash with Myles Kennedy - Wicked Stone; Thin Lizzy - Cold Sweat; Alice In Chains - Check My Brain; Metallica - Trapped Under Ice

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Scorpions - Restless Nights

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Living Colour - Elvis Is Dead

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: Flying Colors - The Fury Of My Love

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Cyrax - Cockroach

- Genghis is saving all of his energy for Rush this week...

Podcast #190: Feud

Kamelot - Haven

Man, I love Kamelot - and if you're a power metal fan, you probably love them too.Venerable power metal band Kamelot has been kicking substantial ass for so long I had always assumed they were some old school metal band - like straight out of Germany or somewheres. Funny thing is, I often have looked them up only to see they're from freakin' Tampa, but whenever I don't listen to them for a while and a new album comes out I totally forget they're not European (Yeah, I know Tommy Karevik's Swedish, and Oliver Palotai's from Germany).

My point is, Kamelot's brand of power metal has always been of that particularly European variety, full of the emotion and grandeur that defines that specific sub-genre. I often conflate them with Italy's Labÿrinth, who also were formed in the early 90s. Which brings us to their latest effort, Haven.

Tracks like Veil of Elysium have that great galloping rhythym that's a (personally beloved) hallmark of European metal. But where Iron Maiden, who popularized the technique, would make straight ahead metal, power metal bands introduce the emotional component that lends the overblown themes a kind of gravitas that's easily missed. this is one of Kamelot's greatest strengths; making epic, even operatic metal songs that still rock and without verging into the realm of self-parody. It's consistently good stuff, and metalheads should be on this tip already.

The Bottom Line: What can I say? It's Kamelot, and they've been around long enough to deserve metalheads' appreciation. Newcomers should just know that this is classic power metal from an American band that's so good at it, you'd swear they're European. Got it?

- Genghis knows these dudes are gonna be here in December *rubs hands together*...

One-Eyed Doll - Witches

In a world where so much music is processed media packaging, it's nice to know One-Eyed Doll exists and thrives.Vocalist/Guitarist Kimberly Freeman and drummer Jason Rufus Sewell (AKA "Junior") together form the goth punk duo One-Eyed Doll, but there's so much more to the story than that - probably more than I can adequately explain here, actually. Suffice it to say their unique blend of metal, punk, and indie rock is an acquired taste that may be your new jam if you're in the mood for something truly off the beaten path in today's saturated music business.

Their latest album Witches is actually a concept album based on the Salem witch trials of colonial America, with lyrics featuring direct quotes from the original handwritten witch trial court documents. True to their artistic nature, the music was written all at once almost completely on banjo and mandolin in the Redwood Forest near Santa Cruz, California, which vocalist Freeman says provided "this great 'forest metal' vibe". Tracks like Prayer and Remember serve to drive this idea home, coming off like a foreboding cross between Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. But don't worry that the band's gone straight up folky, as tunes like Black In The Rye often break in with their heavy chunk counterbalancing Freeman's fierce, beautiful voice. There be moshing here.

And it's the clever juxtaposition of so many disparate elements that is ultimately the true appeal beyond the enjoyable quirkiness of the band itself. Less talented performers would be quickly crushed under the weight of such ambition. There's Freeman's childlike stage persona versus her obvious (though downplayed) sexiness, the barebones live setup of guitar and drums versus the complex musical structure of their recordings, and the Rob Zombie-esque combination of horror, humor and showmanship that holds it all together. And for all of their artsy weirdness, their tireless DIY efforts clearly demonstrate that these people are totally legit. You got a new fan right here, kids.

The Bottom Line: One-Eyed Doll is an indie band filled with dichotomies. And it is the seamless - and successful - interplay between those dichotomies that makes this band so fascinating. If you get the chance, check them out live. In the meantime, here's to the true artists (in every sense of the word) of today's music scene.

- Genghis doesn't know if he's got what it takes to see these kids live...