Podcast #210: Video

The lads decide to take it easy this Hallow's Eve - and talk to Steve Grimmett to boot!This year's Halloween episode started off like any other, only with the boys deciding to spend the evening in the studio with a good old-fashioned horror movie (this one provided by none other than Mr. Lordi himself) and a nice little chat with the man himself, Steve Grimmett of Grim Reaper who discusses the band's tour and career. But strange things are afoot on this stormy evening as paranormal disturbances cause a reality shift for - well, it's probably best that you check things out for yourselves...

NOTE: With the lads' personal lives getting pretty hectic this year, there's not a traditional follow-up Day of the Dead show, but instead they're just skipping on ahead to the impending Christmas spectacular, the 10th Annual Kicks and Kisses show, where G & R pick the best and worst of 2016's heavy metal offerings. Coming soon. Horns up!

Video of the show: Dark Floors (2008) - Starring Mr. Lordi

Beer of the Show: Evil Dead Red (Alesmith Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.0 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.0 Overall: 3.0	"A beer that manages to pull off the tricky act of being very complex and balanced at the same time. Kudos to Alesmith!"

Featured Tracks: Lordi - The Kids Who Want To Play With The Dead; The Bloody Hammers - Lights Come Alive; Lordi - Hard Rock Halleluia; Grim Reaper - Fear No Evil; Steve Grimmet's Grim Reaper - Walking in the Shadows and Now You See Me; Grim Reaper - See You in Hell; Fastway - After Midnight; King Diamond - Spider's Lullaby; Trick Or Treat - They Must Die; Rage - Spirits Of The Night; Type O Negative - Wolf Moon

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Slayer - World Painted Blood

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Cradle Of Filth - Her Ghost In The Fog

- Genghis is still kind of trying to get back into the swing of things...

Podcast #210: Video

Watchtower - Concepts of Math: Book One

They say that if you look in Ron Jarzombek's eye, his iris looks like this. True story.Goodness me, is that a new Watchtower album I see? I remember first listening to the legendary wizards of metal back in college in the late 80s and thinking "this is what it sounds like when insects debate" or some shit like that; the technical prowess was undeniable, but it was more dissonant than I wanted to hear. Which is a common problem I have with technical metal, but I really wanted Watchtower to be the band that would break the mould - if only because they were a local Texas band and I got my Texas pride to keep.

Some 27 years after their last studio album (Control & Resistance, 1989), a new EP has emerged. The 5 song compilation includes previously released digital singles that have been around since 2010 along with one new 10 minute track, Mathematica Calculis. There is a great amount of growth and songwriting maturity on display here, finally catching up to their formidible skills and I couldn't be happier. Bringing back Alan Tecchio after having replaced original frontman Jason MacMaster (Dangerous Toys) was an excellent choice as his voice pairs nicely with the well-orchestrated chaos this album brings.

What I like is that over the years you can see that their tendency to crank the technical aspect to 11 has mellowed, and along with that the music has become more listenable while stille being insanely aspirational to us instrument playing fans.

The Bottom Line: While the majority of this album has been available in some form before, the new closer makes it worth it as a nice capper to this taste of things to come. We hope.

- Genghis will NEVER play this well *sigh*...

Corduroy - Honky

Women always tell me wearing corduroy just isn't attractive. Uhhh...The retro thing still lingers in hard rock and heavy metal music, but that's not necessarily a bad thing any more than hearing a neo-classical band. As long as the band has the goods and isn't cashing in, it's a genuine pleasure to listen to that kind of groove when the mood strikes. And so it is with Corduroy, which features JD Pinkus, Bobby Ed Landgraf and drummer Trinidad Leal, and it's album Honky.

This is some serious Southern groove metal replete with tasty riffs, cotton candy fuzz, and boogie-woogie beats galore - I mean the third song on the album has a fucking horn section! And this shit works, man. Pull this album out at a your next party, get your mind right, and fucking jam, baby. There's a sweet ZZ Top vibe beneath the layers of meaty distortion that keeps things light and loose from a rhythym angle, and while this album ain't breaking any rule books (though there's some tasty shreddage lurking amongst the double-stops), it's some damn fine groovin' hard rock, ya savvy?

The Bottom Line: Remember the roots of modern metal and hard rock are found in the kind of music Corduroy's putting out, with a healthy dose of shuffling and grooving, with tongue in cheek, that owes much to the blues. Check these boys out if you're looking for a good Southern-style party album.

- Genghis is in the mood for some barbecue and beer...

Podcast #209: Razors

Mr. Vapor does a little one on one with Ragman, and gets his mind right,Before our annual Halloween show, we thought we'd sit down for a chat with Mikey Vapor of Chains Over Razors, the hard rock band that's sweepin' the land (hey, I'm a poet!) to discuss what's new with them (i.e. their new album, Crown The Villain) and what sort of touring plans are in the works as the fall finally starts to kick in. so, pour yourself a tall cold one and sit deep in your comfy chair by the fireplace for An Evening With...!

Featured Tracks: Damnation, Promises of War, Monster, Subtle Words, and Devil's Eyes

- Ragman is hoping a new Halloween show will get us back on track...

Podcast #209: Razors

Podcast Interview: Titus Hjelm

Ragman chats with Titus Hjelm of Thunderstone who clearly needs to replace some light bulbs at home.Ragman chews the fat with Mr. Titus Hjelm of Thunderstone who discusses the band's latest album and tour plans this fall with Stratovarius. It's some good stuff with some great music as well, so check it out.

And if you dig their music as much as we do, show the band some love by purchasing their lastest album, Apocalypse Again, from your favorite online store, won't you? HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Thunderstone - Ghosts of Youth, Fire and Ice, Through the Pain, The Path, and Holding on My Pain

Titus Hjelm Interview