City of Ships - Ultraluminal

Spaced between Brooklyn and Austin, this trio knows how to blast some alt-rock.City of Ships is a three-piece outfit with members that aren't even living in the same town together. Not that it stops them from making some pretty bitching alternative, post-rock jams on their third studio album, Ultraluminal. And while you'd be tempted to fear a 90s retread, you'd be selling them short. This is pretty good stuff along the lines of a punkier Smithereens.

I only occasionally dabble in noise rock, but while the wall-o'-sound™ thing can sometimes be a turn-off, it's the melodic substructure of this band's music I dig (and it's not . There's a definite almost pop sensibility to the music, as if The Fray or John Mayer were playing their tunes while Mudhoney were also jamming on stage? Somehow it all works, though I am tempted to wonder if turning up the mix to favor the pop side a little more would make those tracks music more rewarding. Still, don't think I'm panning this. Songs like Metadata Blues or Illawarra Escarpment make you realize how good this band is, and that the noise rock stuff is merely one side of their style. Alternative rock may get a lot of shade thrown at it these days, though it's perhaps the fault of writers (Doh! That includes me doesn't it?) who can't seem to properly quantify some bands' sound, but good music is where you find it rather than what you call it.

The Bottom Line: City of Ships is an alternative band with a lean towards a grungier time in music, but there's plenty of good to be heard on Ultraluminal that might be missed if you approach it with a limited musical view.

- Genghis is wondering if these cats might be on to something...

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*...