Dream Theater/Iron Maiden

Sorry about the lateness of this review, but come on, you know the deal...  It's Dream Theater and Iron Maiden.  How can you expect anything less than amazing music?  Best of all, there were no attractive women to distract me and only me at said show.  What a relief, huh?  That said, let's get to the nitty-gritty.

Having been a fan of DT for the last 20 odd years, it's pretty difficult for them to disappoint me live.  I've never heard a bad show from these guys, even if the quality of their discography is a source of contention amongst its fans (for the record, I actually liked Falling Into Infinity a lot).  Long story short, they played a nice mix of their catalog (A Rite of Passage, off their latest album, sounded great live), but no solos from any of the ridiculously talented members as they blazed through a good 45 minute show.

You can guess the quality of the mix being that they were the opening act.  But for the most part, they sounded good, played their asses off to an ecstatic crowd and everyone came away from the experience happy from what I could see.  I only wish I could have gotten me one of their 25th anniversary shirts before I left, but I will bide my time...

I've written so many times about Maiden before, and what can I tell you except that their show was another fantastic live experience from one of the best metal acts in existence.  Think about it, Iron Maiden has been around since 1975 and they're still putting out albums that are able to stand on their own merit.  I'm not saying they're breaking down any barriers or forging new ground in metal - shit, much of their music is some of the ground that other metal bands have stood on for years!  But I'm simply attesting to the pedigree these guys bring to the table in terms of heavy metal concerts.  They are simply one of the best touring bands in existence; you never feel like they're phoning it in, and these guys have been doing in since the early 80s.  Rags felt like the set list was lacking, as they played more than a couple of numbers from Dance of Death, admittedly one of their weaker albums.  I honestly didn't notice, as I was enthralled by yet another amazing set inspired by the sci-fi theme of their upcoming release, The Final Frontier.  Alien monster Eddie was in full effect.  And the irons?  Bitches, they were UP!

Bottom line, if you've never seen an Iron Maiden show, but have been to other, newer metal bands' shows, go see the masters at their game.  And get me a DT hat!

- Genghis is looking for some online t-shirt deals now...

Podcast #101: Dio

Ronnie James Dio (1942 - 2010)Genghis and Ragman remember Ronnie James Dio in a podcast devoted entirely to the man, the legend, and Metal God in his own right.  Ronnie was not only a great musician, vocalist, and lyricist, he was also a great human being.  Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss Dio and the musical legacy he left behind.  And if that ain't enough, the boys are joined by Tracy G, Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Donnie Vie (Enuff Z'Nuff), Paul Shortino, Richard Christy (Charred Walls of the Damned) and Rudy Sarzo (Blue Oyster Cult, Dio) to share their stories and experiences in celebration of the man who was Ronnie James Dio.

Beer(s) of the Show: Holy Diver (Young's Double Chocolate Stout with a shot of Frangelica Liqueur), Petrous

DVD(s) of the Show: Dio - Holy Diver Live and Heaven and Hell - Radio City Music Hall Live

Featured Tracks: Dio - King of Rock N' Roll, Invisible, Blood From a Stone; Rainbow - Stargazer; Dio - We Rock; Rainbow - Man on the Silver Mountain; Dio - Rainbow in the Dark; Black Sabbath - Neon Knights; Dio - I Could Have Been a Dreamer; Tenacious D - Dio; Dio - Egypt (The Chains are On), Wild One, Holy Diver, Just Another Day, Push; Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell; Dio - Rock N' Roll Children; Heaven and Hell - Bible Black; Black Sabbath - Falling Off the Edge of the World; Dio - End of the World; Rainbow - The Gates of Babylon; Black Sabbath - After All (The Dead); Dio - Born on the Sun, This is Your Life

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Black Sabbath - The Sign of the Southern Cross

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Black Sabbath - Mob Rules

- Genghis and Ragman will miss Ronnie James Dio.  Rest In Peace, Ronnie. 

Podcast #101: Dio

Holy Diver

In memory of our beloved Ronnie James Dio, our resident chef and beer recipe specialist, Turtlehead, has concocted a simple and delicious drink to honor the man and the legend.  Built on a foundation of Young's Double Chocolate Stout for boldness and flavor, an ounce (or two) of Frangelico hazelnut liqueur - named for an Italian, 17th century hermit monk - is poured into the depths to create a drink that's a perfect end to a perfect meal.

• 1 bottle Young's Double Chocolate Stout
• 1oz. Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

- Genghis insists before you drink it, hold your glass high, and say 'Here's to you, Ronnie.  Horns up!'

Green [Apple] Tinted Sixties Mind

Our newest creation from the kitchens of The Right To Rock calls forth the tastes and smells of a summer fair - most notably, that venerable mainstay of carnivals, the caramel apple.  I chose the delicate fruitiness of Unibroue’s Epherme beer for its obvious green apple effervescence and paired that with the sublime simplicity of Häagen-Dazs’s Dulce De Leche (or, caramel) ice cream for a combination that rewards the adventurous drinker.  On a hot Louisiana day, this is the apéritif for what ales you…

• 1 pint of Unibroue Éphémère
• 2 scoops of semi-melting Häagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche

The Agent Orange Creamsicle

• 1 scoop of Häagen-Dazs® Hawaiian Lehua Honey and Sweet Cream Ice Cream
• Buffalo Bill Brewery’s Orange Blossom Cream Ale

Turtlehead dropped this in our e-mail today and we thought we’d pass it along. Just imagine coming in from a hot day after mowing the lawn, resurfacing the pool, or burying a body in the Bonneville Salt Flats and kicking back with a well-deserved respite of this concoction. The beer’s orangey taste (originating from orange peel, honey and even a little orange flower extract for good measure) is complimented nicely by the sweet ice cream’s intoxicating Lehua honey payload. It’s like an orange creamsicle that gives you a buzz (well, after enough of them maybe). Enjoy the summer, kids.