Going Underground

In the mid 1960's, in the UK, an underground movement began which changed a generation.  A group of radicals united, because they were sick and tired of the norm, and wanted to shake things up a bit.  The documentary, Going Underground (Paul McCartney, The Beatles and the UK Counter Culture), explores this explosive scene, as well as some of the bands, that helped shape it.  Paul McCartney and John Lennon, at separate times, help push this movement into the mainstream.  The late Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd) did his part as well.  This film dives into this scene, and exposes it, and the bands, that help shape it.

Going Underground, was a very an entertaining film, even though it didn't focus on The Beatles, as much as advertised.  The film focuses not only on The Beatles, but it also takes a look at Pink Floyd, as well as art rock band AMM.  This was a very interesting doc, that will hold your interest, from beginning to end and that is a tough feat, especially with this thing, clocking in over 2hrs.

Bottom Line: An interesting look into the Avant Guard movement of the mid to late 60's in England.  An informative and entertaining documentary.

-Ragman, liked this one better, than he thought.

Podcast #160: Cruise

Edgar Ramos and his band Message to Venus are just part of (yet) another megashow.What is going to be the next great live experience? Hard to tell, but our money may be on the Rock Cruise. How cool would it be on a boat, in the Caribbean, with 15+ bands and 1,500 crazy metalheads? Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss this latest thing, trend or fad? Tune in to find out. Next, the boys welcome in Message to Venus bassist Edgar Ramos for a one-on-one as he discusses the band's EP, The Envelope, as well as the upcoming full length debut. After which G & R continue their discussion on metal cruises as well as some in depth discussion on the current happenings in hard rock and metal. HORNS UP!

Dave Felton starts over with a powerful new band in Kridiaz, and we've get the skinny as a bonus.The Bonus Plan: It ain't over yet, because the boys also wrangled in Kriadiaz guitarist Dave Felton (Ex-Mushroomhead) for a heart-to-heart as he discusses how he put this powerhouse together as well as what it is like to start over.

DVD of the Show: Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder Live (Eagles Over Wacken)

Beer of the Show: Prairie Ale (Prairie Artisan Ales)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 2.5 Palate: 2.5 Taste: 3.5 Overall: 3.0	"Everything about this beer is fantastic, except for the peppery Saaz Hops that leave a little too much spice on the palate."

Featured Tracks: Thunder Tribe - Part of the Black; Saxon - Sacrifice; SpiralArms - Blackmoon Morning; The New Black - The Superhuman Mission; Anathema - Untouchable Pt. 1; Message to Venus - Change; Stripped, The Show, Universal You, and The Smile; Kriadiaz - 10 Lives, Feed the Rats, Suffer, and Bloodline

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Sinergy - Midnight Madness

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Shotgun Messiah - The Explorer

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Devil's Train - The Answers

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Bangladeafy - Show Me the Gold

- Ragman is thinking the fans better not get used to this (6 shows in 6 weeks? This is a new record!)...

Podcast #160: Cruise

Lalu - Atomic Ark

Frenchman Vivien Lalu has cranked out an even more impressive album than his debut with more guest talent than you can shake a baton at.Merde alors! If you don't know about Vivien Lalu, the French prog wizard, you're missing out on some amazing music. Yeah, yeah, everyone knows about progressive metal music - and, to be honest, it's not like there's a lot of new stuff to be discovered in the genre. But when someone comes along with an album of this kind of depth, fully realized (and backed by some of the best genre specialists in the business) you can't dismiss it as just another also-ran.

And such is the case with Lalu's second album Atomic Ark. This is progressive music of some of the highest quality, showcasing much of the genre's breadth in terms of mood as well as musicianship - all composed by one guy. No stranger to colloborations or even film and TV work, Lalu knows how to make a record. But for every pensive or brooding piece of music, there is at least an equal amount of heavy, dynamic, progmetal bombast that reminds you this dude can rock some ears, man. And the work of artists Martin LeMar (Mekong Delta), Mike LePond (Symphony X), Simone Mularoni (DGM), Virgil Donati (Planet X), in addition to countless guest contributions from people like Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment) and Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie) really give this CD the sound of a seasoned, well-oiled metal machine. I can hardly imagine what Lalu could do to top this.

The Bottom Line: If you like the progmetals with more of a European flair, Lalu has delivered in fine form. With the help of some of his buddies (themselves some of the best in the genre) handling some the instrumental chores, this French master gets to concentrate on some really great arrangements. Check it out!

Tracks to Make You Excited About the New Wave of European Progmetal: Greed, War on Animals, Deep Blue, Bast, and Momento

- Genghis was wide-eyed at many points listening to this album...

The Quill - Tiger Blood

Swedish rockers The Quill aren't another retro band, they're the real deal, bro. Winning!No doubt many are guilty of pigeon-holing Swedish hard rockers The Quill as being another band riding the retro craze - as am I. But as it turns out, The Quill have been doing their thing since the 90s. And their sound is really more accurately compared to classic bands of that era like The Cult. "But those bands are still basically doing a Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin thing!" Right, I know, but there's a big difference between the retro thing and being basically a band from that era. Like reviewing The Sabs' 13 album with a phrase like "they really capture that old Sabbath-y retro sound", it would be redundant to judge The Quill as such.

The selling point of Tiger Blood, the band's 7th studio album, is its musical depth. Rather than a simple, classic rock romp from start to finish, there are mellower tracks like Land of Gold and Honey with it's Embryonic Journey-esque acoustic riff and simple, effective harmonized vocals, and the use of strings on Purgatory Hill provide an almost Kashmir-ish energy that implies a more thoughtful and mature approach to the songwriting you don't find on simple, coattail-riding, retro bands. These guys are simply the real deal.

The Bottom Line: Not to be dismissed as just another retro band, The Quill has been making music for over 20 years, and their latest effort shows the kind of refinement and maturity that lesser bands riding the retro craze normally lack.

Tracks To Make You Consider Getting Your Bell Bottoms Out Of The Back Of The Closet: Death Valley, Land of Gold And Honey, Darkest Moon

- Genghis may have to grow some big-ass sideburns to go with his 'stache...

Podcast #159: Rÿche

When two brothers fight over the last turkey leg at Thanksgiving dinner it can get pretty brutal. Same applies to rock n roll, believe it or not; when bands split into two separate factions which entity is the true owner of the name? Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss what seems to be a growing trend for some of their favorite bands, like Queensrÿche. And the boys talk about their summer's lack of concert experiences due to high ticket prices. Next, the boys welcome the "Mountain King" himself, Jon Oliva, back to the show for a one-on-one as he discusses his first solo album, Raise the Curtain. HORNS UP!

DVD of the Show: Queensrÿche - Mindcrime at the Moore

Beer of the Show: State Pen Porter (Santa Fe Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.5 Palate: 3.5 Taste: 3.5 Overall: 3.5	"A really nice porter, rich in aroma and flavor. Toasty with a little bitterness at the end but not unpleasant."

Featured Tracks: Coldspell - Dark Reflections; Bad English - Straight to the Heart; Queensrÿche - Gonna Get Close to You; Zodica - Coming Home; Pamela Moore - Melt Into You; Geoff Tate’s Queensrÿche - Cold; Queensrÿche - Where Dreams Go to Die; Savatage - On The Run; Oliva - Can’t Get Away, Ten Years, I Know and Father Time; Savatage - Warriors

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Jorn - Something Real

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Tesla - Shine Away

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Sacred Mother Tongue - Demons

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Toxic Holocaust - Metal Attack

- Ragman is saving his allowance, so he can go to a concert soon...

Podcast #159: Rÿche