Gama Bomb - Untouchable Glory

Best thing about this Gama Bomb album cover? Fucking cobra with a stick of dynamite in his mouth.It's not every day you hear of a thrash band from Northern Ireland. And like any thrash band worth their salt, Gama Bomb don't take themselves too seriously, letting their 21st century audiences into their heads by way of childhood pleasures such as comic books, sci-fi movies, computer games and, with their latest album Untouchable Glory, kung fu movies. Oh yes.

This is classic thrash metal and no mistake, with blistering leads over breakneck riffing and machine gun drums. This is classic stuff in the vein of genre luminaries like Kreator or Testament. And from the opening track Ninja Untouchables to the closer After The Fire it's a speeding freight train of moshable tunes that would have a skate park of punks attempting feats of derring-do all damn day and that's really the point isn't it?

The Bottom Line: Let's face it, this is classic thrash metal, so don't expect anything other than blast beats and speed riffs behind screaming, topical lyrics. And I got NO problem with that. The fact is that Gama Bomb is doing it and doing it well, having amassed a cult following for their talent, humor and generosity (they released an entire album for free download while signed to a label). If you're a thrash fan, you should check them out, or at least help support the cause, you savvy?

- Genghis would love to hoist a pint with these cats some time...

Children of Bodom - I Worship Chaos

Finnish melodeath masters release their latest - and Death is on the cover! Spoooooky.Though I've heard of Children of Bodom - sure, even seen them in concert - I can't say I could identify a COB song despite their worldwide popularity. But I do dig the Finnish melodic death metal stuff and Alexi Laiho is revered as one of today's best shredders so you'd think I'd be all over it. Which brings us to their latest studio album, I Worship Chaos.

From the get go this is pretty standard fare for the genre. I Hurt is energetic, heavy and fast with Alexi Laiho taking over guitaring chores in leiu of erstwhile member Roope Latvala. With the band working as a four piece on this album Alexi has stated that things were a little easier in terms of recording, with him being able to perfectly match his playing rhythym for any additional tracks, and it does sound air tight. But to be honest, I would never have known that this was formerly a quintet, and the production feels appropriate for what you'd expect from this kind of band. While I enjoy the music, it all kind of runs together after a while, which I've heard is a common complaint. Prayer For The Afflicted is one of the few tracks that veers from the formula, sounding like a dirge - almost treading into doom metal territory. By the second half of the album I started getting into it, with Suicide Bomber's slidey intro catching my ear before the heavy churn of the verse. All For Nothing's moody intro provided a nice counterpoint as well, making me think that more of this dynamic interplay would serve the overall sound better. By the time Widdershins rolled around I was changing my mind about this being a one trick pony of an album. This is what I'd like to think of as the COB sound.

The Bottom Line: This is clearly a modern melodic death metal band and album. The production is serviceable, though I think more definition between the vocals and the rhythym guitars would help dispel the idea that all of COB's songs sound the same.The talent's there for the right superstar producer to unearth.

- Genghis wouldn't mind having Alexi's guitar chops, no sir...

Sevendust - Kill The Flaw

Dude, just try to tell me this cover art isn't waiting to be someone's tattoo, Oh and Sevendust is back, by the way.Love me some Sevendust. The coming together of some truly aggressive groove metal riffage and the amazing voice of the one and only Lajon Witherspoon makes for some of my favorite jams. And with the leaving - and subsequent return - of guitarist Clint Lowery, the band's sound has evolved into a more song-oriented approach, giving more dynamics to the otherwise aging formula of the genre, on their latest studio release Kill The Flaw.

Things start out as you might expect, with opener Thank You's bottom heavy rhythym section (courtesy of Vince Hornsby on bass and Morgan Rose on drums) churning the waters as does Death Dance. Forget, however gets a little more interesting construction-wise as a piano interlude sets up a solo section (something I'm not used to with Sevendust), while Letters has a nice touch of the progressive to it. All in all, while I'm still unquestionably a Sevendust fan, I have to ask why the soloing? I mean, I always thought of the lack of soloing as one of the things that made the band stand out, perhaps even forcing them to focus on the groove and power rather than rely on the solos to keep the guitarheads happy. Ah, well. This is still a pretty good album in the end.        

The Bottom Line: After jamming to these cats for nearly 20 years, I still find their particular sound as appealing as the first time I came across them. The addition of solos doesn't thrill me, as Sevendust was one of the few bands that made me forget about them - I didn't even miss them, to be honest, the groove was just so monstrous. But that doesn't take away from the music on this disc, so long time fans should still be pleased.

- Genghis does love the shit out of some good groove metal...

Podcast Interview: Jens Johansson

Tonight, we chew the fat with Jens Johansson, who's one bad mofo on the keys, tell you what.Ragman chats with the one and only Jens Johansson who made a name for himself by playing with some of the best guitarists in the business (Malmsteen, Tolkki, Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, Mike Stern, any of those ring a bell?) and by just being an all around bad-ass keyboardist, be it power metal or jazz fusion. Join us as Jens gabs about how Stratovarius managed after Timo Tolkki left as well as future plans.

And be sure to check out Stratovarius' latest album, Eternal, available from Edel Records. And if you dig their mix of modern and old school power metal, you might consider checking them out on next year's 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Playing with Fire, Shine in the Dark, Lost Without a Trace, Feeding the Fire, and Black Diamond

Jens Johansson Interview

Podcast Interview: Will Crafton

Listen as Ragman discusses Separation's debut album with lead singer Will Crafton.Ragman goes one on one with newcomer Will Crafton, lead singer for Atlanta's Separations, who talks about what it takes to make it as a new property in today's 21st century hard rock scene. Join The Right To Rock as we delve into what this new band is all about, their views on social media, and upcoming tour plans.

And be sure to check out Separations' debut release, Dream Eater, available from Imagen Records. And if you dig their sound, by all means make sure to check them out when they come to a town near you. HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Dream Eater, Promises, Upper Hand, and Revolution

Will Crafton Interview