Bailey - Long Way Down

Nigel Bailey is really making a name for himself on the melodic rock scene. And this album cover is fucking classic.Nigel Bailey may be a relatively new name in the genre (unless you're a Three Lions fan), but he's steadily making a name for himself as a purveyor of that classic melodic rock sound. And his new self-titled album, Long Way Down, has all of the hallmarks of the genre in spades, from driving rhythyms, flashy solos and huge, anthemic choruses in the vein of classic Mr. Big or Bad English.

Now, while I am totally behind this album in terms of genre and even songwriting, I do have a few nags. Bailey is a good singer, sounding like a cross between a young Paul Stanley and Jack Blades (with maybe a touch of John Waite thrown in). And I'm not honestly sure whether Nigel plays the solos too or if it's the guitar work of Mario Percudani, but it hits the right tone and is very well-suited to Bailey's songwriting style. What this album really could've benefited from however is some high-level production. It's not bad here, but with the gloss of a veteran like, say Mutt Lange, this could be a stellar album. Looking forward to more from this band.

The Bottom Line: Fans of the hard rock/melodic metal genre will find a lot to like on Nigel Bailey's solo debut even if the production needs a bit more polish.

Tracks To Wash Your Camaro To At Full Blast: In The Name Of The King, Bad Reputation, Love Falls Down and Dirty Angel

- Genghis did a lot of fist-pumping during this review...

Podcast #183: Tech

Technology and heavy metal aren't necessarily mutually exclusive terms, ya know.In the thick of the holidays, as the lads work on their Kicks and Kisses lists for the end of the year show, join Genghis & Ragman for their last little chat of 2014. As usual, the conversation gets a little weird from time to time (read: John and McCheese are involved), but somewhere in there is a discussion about technology and its connection with metal. There's a popular assumption that metalheads aren't the smartest people in the crowd, with metal having no appreciable effect on the sciences, but Genghis begs to differ.

Video Of The Show: Blind Guardian - Imaginations Through The Looking Glass

Beer of the Show: Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Stone Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.5 Overall: 3.5	"Brewers, take note: This unique, delicious milk stout shows how important it is to balance your ingredients."

Featured Tracks: Blind Guardian - Into The Storm; Allen/Lande - Down From The Mountain; Stratovarius - Kiss Of Judas; Lacuna Coil - I Forgive (But I Won't Forget Your Name); AC/DC - War Machine

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Vanishing Point - Forgotten Self

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: King's X - Lost In Germany

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: Planet Hard - Play Harder

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: A Sound Of Thunder - Udoroth

- Genghis is looking forward to recording the next G&R show...

Podcast #183: Tech

Podcast #182: Mainstream

Logan Raskin of The Raskins drops by to tell the lads about the band and such while Genghis plots to get Nita Strauss' phone number out of him.Your old pals Genghis & Ragman talk about surviving Halloween with Leatherface, indulge in a little retrospection on whether metal is now more mainstream than it's ever been, and wax nostalgiac on Italian metal bands while you guys eat turkey leftover sandwiches.

Then, join the lads as they check in with Logan Raskin of The Raskins who discusses working with his twin brother in the band, their new album, and touring with the likes of Alice Cooper and Motley Crue this year.

Video Of The Show: Hammerfall - Gates of Dalhalla

Beer of the Show: Pumpkinator (St. Arnold Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.5 Palate: 3.5 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 3.5	"One of the best pumpkin beers going and coming from a local brewery just makes this stout all the sweeter."

Featured Tracks: Lordi - House of Ghosts; Hammerfall - Wildfire; Zodiac - Blue Jean Blues; Black Pussy - Swim; DGM - Trust; Labyrinthe - Thunder; House of Spirits - Close To The Edge; The Raskins - We Had it All, Lost in the Dark, We Keep Fighting, Save Me Now, and Stand Up

Ragman's Classic Of The Show: Saints And Sinners - Walk That Walk

Genghis' Classic Of The Show: Dream Theater - Scarred

Ragman's Pick Of The Show: Temperance - Heavens Above

Genghis' Pick Of The Show: Hell In The Club - Beware The Candyman

- Genghis is already working on his Kicks and Kisses list...

Podcast #182: Mainstream

Update on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 4:49PM by Genghis

If you're having trouble downloading the podcast from iTunes, you may have to unsubscribe, resubscribe, then refresh the podcast in order to fix that. Don't know what's up with that, but that's what someone suggested and it seems to work. That is all.

Mellowtoy - Lies

Italian alt-metal band Mellowtoy rocks a joint nicely. But their album cover makes me think pap smear.While Italy has been steadily increasing and fortifying their musical output for the past decade, it's been predominantly in the progmetal subgenre. One of the latest bands to hit our shores however is Mellowtoy who lean to the alternative metal scene (yes, that's still a thing) but have some pretty impressive credentials behind their equally impressive sound.

Having honed their skills onstage with other genre big names like Papa Roach, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Ill Nino, Alter Bridge, HIM and Fear Factory, these lads know their way around a moody jam. And their fourth studio album, Lies, boasts some tasty bottom-heavy tunes (a la Sevendust) and includes guest appearances from Cristian Machado of Ill Nino (Chain Reaction) and Paolo Colavolpe of Destrage (Bright New World). I have a feeling these boys put on a helluva live show.

The Bottom Line: Carrying the flag for alternative metal, Mellowtoy brings loads of that Italian energy and angst to rock this party into the night. So bring your Doc Martens and lace 'em up good.

- Genghis prolly wouldn't last so long in the pit these days...

A Sound Of Thunder - The Lesser Key Of Solomon

A Sound Of Thunder's Nina Osegueda is the secret ingredient in this metal formula that rocks the fuck out of you old school.It's not often that you come across a band that makes you go scrambling for your music player, thinking "woah, who is this?" but A Sound Of Thunder (ASOT) is just such a group. Screaming out of Washington, DC, this quartet is phenomenal. They smack of old school - not retro - as if their manager might be a rogue time lord (yeah, I made a Doctor Who reference, what of it?) who happened upon the 80s looking for tunes. Seriously, this band makes me imagine a parallel universe where Heart and Iron Maiden merge into one kick ass metal band and I can't recommend ASOT's fourth studio album, The Lesser Key Of Solomon highly enough.

The main ingredient in this heavy metal goulash is unequivocally the amazing Nina Osegueda, who packs about 7 feet of Viking shieldmaiden into her 5'2" frame, as illustrated on the last minute and a half of the moody Elijah. What a voice this woman has! But let's not forget the fantastic guitarwork of co-founder Josh Schwartz, whose razor sharp attack gives the band a sound that can hold up to any classic metal band of the last 40 years.

There's the usual material regarding dark and dreadful forces, including a Dio-worthy track, Master Of Pain. But look, this is just some classic American metal with a fantastic new voice in Miss Osegueda and you simply have to check them out if you're a fan of bands like Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden or Motörhead. 'Nuff said.

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to rock the fuck out, old school like the pros, you can't go wrong propping open the windows with your Cerwin Vega speakers and cranking this shit up. I'll bring the beer!

- Genghis is still headbanging long after the music's been shut off...