CD of the Month
  • Mudvayne
    Mudvayne
    by Mudvayne
Inspiration
  • Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
    Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
    by Michael Moynihan, Didrik Soderlind
  • Retribution
    Retribution
    by Shadows Fall
  • Brutal Legend
    Brutal Legend
    Electronic Arts
Tuesday
May142013

Craving - Craving

Craving are a new melodic Death/Black Metal band, looking to hit the scene, with their debut full length CD Craving, in a big way.  If you're a fan of high octane tunes ala early In Flames and Children of Bodom then this may be your band.  Though they are heavier than In Flames, they have that early sound.  As with many bands in this genre, the vocals are inaudible for the most part, and it doesn't help that the lyrics are a mix of English, Russian and German, but does it really matter?  The music is phenomenal and very catchy.  The songs offer a nice blend of melody and brutality, which will captivate the listener.  I have to say, it was the guitar solos that pushed me over the edge, with this band.  Guitarist Thorsten Flecken is melodic and very tasteful in his solos.   A solid release from start to finish, that will grow on you with each listen.

Bottom Line: A CD that may not grasp your ear buds, on the fist listen, but after a few spins, you'll be sold.  Solid melodic death with lots of twists.

Standout Tracks:  Ein Funken Abendrot, In the Forest, The Blowing Wind and The Nameless

-Ragman is craving pizza, but why?

Tuesday
May142013

I'm Now - The Story of Mudhoney

Many attribute the creation of grunge, to Nirvana (like yours truly), but the real forefathers of this movement was Mudhoney and I'm Now is there story.  Mudhoney started at the height of hair metal, in 88, and were determined to break away from that mold, with something different, and that they did.   I'm Now - The Story of Mudhoney is a well done documentary about a band, that was overshadowed by the scene that they helped create.  The documentary takes an in depth look into how the band came together, to where they are today.  As many of you know I'm not the biggest grunge fan, and still am not, but I really found this documentary intriguing.  The film shows the highs and low of the band and their label Sub Pop.  The most fascinating part of the film, was when the scene was dying, it showed how the band coped and how they survived.  A solid documentary from start to finish.

Bottom Line: Ever wonder where Grunge came from?  If so or if not, this documentary is worth checking out, because it shows the good times and hard times of a determined band.   

-Ragman was surprised how well he like this one, even though he didn't dig the music. 

Saturday
May042013

Extrema - The Seed of Foolishness

Apparently, Mr. Political Goat is not happy about the current state of affairs in this country.My thrash itch needs scratching every now and then, but damned if Extrema didn't come along and do it wearing a sandpaper glove by way of their new masterpiece, The Seed of Foolishness.  Admittedly, I feel a little sheepish saying that I've never heard of this band considering the fact that they've been around over 25 years. Perhaps their relentless touring is why they have so few albums out, but if this is the kind of material they've been making for a quarter of a century, it's crazy that they aren't more widely known.

The Seed of Foolishness is only the band's sixth studio album, but they've clearly been honing their craft to a razor's edge. Their thrash opus screams with moral outrage in all of its crunchy metal fury at the evils of modern society - particularly about the well-worn subject of government malfeasance. And I can't stress enough my satisfaction in the delightfully heavy rhythyms reminiscient of 80s era thrash legends like Testament or Anthrax. Toss in the occasional Blue Murder-esque harmonized vocals and you've got metal that's right up my alley. 

The Bottom Line: If you're an old school thrash metal fan, you're smack dab in the middle of this album's target audience. So, squeeze into those skinny black jeans and lace up those Chuck Taylors, cuz it's moshin' time. [Note: Skateboard is optional.]

Tracks That May Make You Want to Buy a Jean Jacket: The Politics, The Distance, Again and Again and Ending Prophecies

- Genghis is ready to get back to normal now that school's finishing up...

Wednesday
Apr242013

Podcast #152: Goose

It baffles the mind as to who comes up with award nominee lists; is it the fans, or is it a bunch of folks so out of touch with the scene that they just check to see what's selling on Billboard to make their decisions? Who knows? Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss this year's nominees for Revolver's Golden God Awards. As per usual, the boys' lists are quite different from the execs over at one of their favorite rags, but that doesn't stop 'em from throwing in their 2 cents. Tune in while the boys discuss each category in detail. Next, the boys chew the rag with Hatriot vocalist, Steve "Zetro" Souza, who discusses his new band and their latest CD Heroes of Origin - as well as his great love for horror flicks.

Video of the Show: Zakk Wylde with BLS - Un-Blackened

Beer of the Show: Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana Ale (Rogue Brewing Company)
 
Appearance: 3.5
Aroma: 3.0
Palate: 3.0
Taste: 3.0
Overall: 3.0
"Don't let the description throw you off. This is a pretty good beer with complex flavors that warms up nicely."
 

Featured Tracks: Winger - Pull Me Under; Zakk Wylde - Between Heaven and Hell; Extrema - Bones; Halestorm - Daughters of Darkness; Periphery - Erised; Rush - Seven Cities of Gold; Steve Harris - Lost Worlds; In This Moment - Adrenelize; Of Mice and Men - Ohioisonfire; Slipknot - Dead Memories; Aerosmith - Legendary Child; Black Veil Brides - In The End; Exodus - Scar Spangled Banner; Hatriot - The Violent Times of My Dark Passenger, Suicide Run, Shadows of the Buried, and And Your Children Be Damned

- Ragman thinks the editors of Revolver laid an egg...

Podcast #152: Goose

Monday
Apr222013

Soen - Cognitive

Just looking at the cover of Soen's debut album makes you think "Lateralus". But this is a great album in its own right.First off, Tool fans are either going to love Soen or possibly hate them. I'm not in either camp really because - full disclosure - I never really listened to much Tool. So this either disqualifies me from making an accurate comparison, or it may just provide me with a bit more objectivity in reviewing the progmetal band's debut album, Cognitive.

Hailed as a progressive metal supergroup, drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth), vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree), and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis have crafted an album that sounds fantastic if very...familiar. A Tool fan friend of mine remarked when he listened to this, that while some bands pay homage to their favorite bands with similar riffs or themes, "Soen seems to want to ride in the same limo [as Tool]."

Don't get me wrong, this is a really great album and I'm loving its thrilling mix of Opeth-y vocal arrangements and use of dynamics, Tool's rhythmic power and diversity with a touch of Sevendust's heavy, aggressive sections. Music is sometimes best when it takes separate elements of previous efforts and transmogrifies them into an exciting new experience that starts with the comfort of familiarity, leading into the excitement that comes from challenging your expectations. Nobody's splitting the atom here, but they are making some great music.

The Bottom Line: Tool lovers shouldn't be offended, but embrace the music of Soen as one of the better forms of a particular sound. It's great music in and of itself, and I look forward to more of it.

Songs to Make You Say "This sounds awesome...and familiar": Fraccions, Oscillation, Canvas, and Slithering

- Genghis needs to check out more Tool...