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...

Podcast #189: Fretted

The man that introduced Genghis to the phenomenon known as the bass solo, Joey Vera, is on deck tonight.It's another round of Thrash of the Titans at The Right To Rock, where two similar bands, artists, or icons are pitted against each other in a fight to the finish. Join Genghis & Ragman as they duke it out to decide which guitar (including all related models) is truly the greatest contributor to rock music: Gibson or Fender.

Next, the lads chat with bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning) about his latest project with Motor Sister as well as the new Armored Saint album Win Hands Down coming out this summer as well as tour plans.

Video Of The Show: Asking Alexandria - Live From Brixton

Beer of the Show: Boulevard and Odell Silver Anniversary Ale (collaboration ale)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.5 Overall: 3.0	"This tasty collaboration ale's malt profile helps to balance out the hoppy front, though Ragman thinks it's a bit on the watery side."

Featured Tracks: Motörhead - Heartbreaker; Asking Alexandria - Reckless and Relentless; Hanoi Rocks - Boulevard of Broken Dreams; We Are Harlot - Denial; Greg Howe - Kick It All Over; Gary Moore - Empty Rooms; Blue Murder - We All Fall Down; Yngwie Malmsteen - I'll See The Light Tonight; Ace Frehley - Space Invader; Yngwie Malmsteen - Deja Vu

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Led Zeppelin - Fool In The Rain

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Tesla - Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: U.D.O. - Untouchable

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Brandt Bjork and the Low Desert Punk Band - Buddha Time (Everything's Fine)

- Genghis is gonna be Screamin' In The Night this weekend...

Podcast #189: Fretted

AC/DC Every Which Way (40 Years of Rock)

As we all know, AC/DC has been killing it, for over 40 years.  The band keeps churning out that signature sound, and the fans continue to love it.  With their recent release of Rock or Bust, I was pretty excited, when I heard that there was a new documentary coming out about the band, called Every Which Way.  It appeared by the box, that this film would document their 40+ year existence.  Little did I know that this documentary was not sanctioned by the band, and that it would not include any of the bands music.  Argh!  That said, I still decided to give this one a chance.

The DVD takes you back to the very early days of the Young brothers, and documents their early beginnings, up until they created AC/DC.  The only actual AC/DC members interviewed, for the film were the original lead singer Dave Evans, as well as original drummer Colin Burgess. There are also a few clips of an interview with Bon Scott.  Other than the members of AC/DC you may not of heard of before, the documentary is filled with interview footage of friends of the band.  Malcom Dome is also featured quite abit in this rock doc.  What good rock doc doesn't have Malcom?  

The documentary isn't bad, but does include a little false advertising.  It states that it covers 40 years, but in reality, doesn't pass the Back in Black record.  That said, this is not a bad documentary.  It was pretty interesting to hear about the early days of the band, as well as hear from the earlier members.  This one will be for core fans of the band, die hards, if you will.

Bottom Line:  An interesting insight into the early beginnings of one of the greatest rock band of all time.  Unfortunately, since this was not sanctioned by the band, then there is no AC/DC music or performance footage, or interviews with current members.

-Ragman would like to see Banger Films do a documentary on the band.