Dirkschneider - Live at Scout Bar (Houston, TX)

The last time I saw Udo Dirkschneider perform, was all the way back in 1985 with his former band Accept, on the Metal Heart tour.  Of course, I was only 2 at the time (I wish).  Though I'm dating myself, yes I did witness the band at their peak in a small auditorium in Houston, with Keel opening.  What a great night for headbanging.  Fast forward 32 years and I'm seeing Udo performing, with his solo band, in a club in Houston.  Here's the capper though, they're just doing Accept tunes.  Yep, Udo and band have embarked on a world tour performing just Accept tunes, to put the rumors to rest that Udo will be re-joining his former band mates.  Udo will do this tour, and then will return to focussing only on U.D.O.

Udo and band were on fire this past Saturday, ripping through an impressive 24 song set.  The show clocked in over 2 hours.  What a bang for your buck.  The band sounded great, and executed these classic songs perfectly.  Udo himself, was as impressive as he was over 30 years ago.  The man has not lost anything vocally.  The setlist was made up primarily of songs from Restless and Wild, Balls to the Wall and Metal Heart.  They did perform classics like I'm a Rebel and Breaker as well.  It was a well rounded set list, leaving the crowd most pleased.

This was a great show to start the year.  The band was hitting on all cylinders and appeared to be having a blast.  Udo had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.  The feel of the show had a European vibe.  There was lots of sing alongs and chanting going on, which just made this show magical for me.  There are not many artist that can get the crowd going like Udo did.  This is one for the record books.  Catch these guys live before they go back to Germany.

Bottom Line: Udo and band bringing it hard.  This was a perfect way for Udo to close the chapter in his book titled Accept.  Udo also proving that he still has a lot of gas in the tank.  His band was tight and ruled the venue.

-Ragman is looking for some fatigues and a wrecking ball.

Dirkschneider - Live (Back to the Roots)

It is amazing that Udo Dirkschneider and his former band Accept both released live records, within about a month of each other.  It is also ironic that Udo decided to release a live record featuring only Accept tunes.  Coincidence or not, who cares, because this is an awesome live disk.  I have not heard his former band's new record, but to be honest, I was not as interested, because Udo was and will always be the true voice of Accept.  That said, he has had a very successful career, as a solo artist, and continues to put out fresh new music every couple of years.

For this live record, Udo and his band decided to dust off some Accept classics and perform them to perfection, before he closes this book forever.   Yep, this is the last time, Udo and his band will perform Accept tunes, for the most part, and this record was put out to document these classic shows.  After this tour, Udo and band will focus on his catalog from his longstanding solo career.  He has stated that he is ready to close this chapter in his life and move forward.

Live (Back to the Roots) proves that Udo has not lost anything vocally.  He is one of those guys that continues to bring it, even in his 60's.  This 2 disk set captured Udo and his band, on fire, churning through some metal classics.  The set list is a nice collection of tunes from Udo's career with Accept.  The set list covers his first tenure, in the band, spanning from the fist album to Russian Roulette.  It is a nice collection and send off to a great period in Udo's career.  This is a must for Accept fans.

Bottom Line: Udo bidding farewell to his former band in a big way.  A monster live album, that gives you a sense of being there.

-Ragman can't wait to see this live.  Oh yeah, where's the DVD?

Vamp (The First Kiss Could Be Your Last)

Arrow Films continues to release some hidden gems from the 80's horror genre.  The latest movie to be unearthed is the vampire classic Vamp.  It is great to see a film like this, some 30 years later, and really appreciate it.  I remember seeing this one back in the day, and not really enjoying it, but was intrigued when I saw it was getting the Blu-Ray treatment.  I have to say the film has aged well, and I really enjoyed it.

The story line revolves around a couple of college kids that want to get into a frat.  Rather than succumb to the hazing rituals, they vow to bring booze and strippers to the frat's next blow out party, and if they can achieve this they are in with no hazing.  Sounds easy enough.  Well, after getting rejected by several of their female acquaintances, they decide to drive down to the After Dark Club, in a seedier part of town, to find their way into the frat, but little do they know they are walking into a den of vampires.  The head vampire is played by 80's avant garde rocker Grace Jones.  I guess you can kind of firgure it out from there.

As you would guess the story line is a bit cheesy, but could may have been an inspiration for From Dusk Til Dawn.  I'm sure Quintin might have rented this on VHS, prior to creating his classic flick.  That said, this one was highly entertaining.  Though this one is a bit campy, it was an enjoyable watch.  It was nice to see classic special effects, without the help of CG.  A nice horror/comedy flick with lots of action and some gore.

Bottom Line: A classic horror flick getting restored and looking great.  A comedy hooror that could have paved the way for many films to take the genre by storm, back in the day.

-Ragman was glad he gave this one another shot.

Dayshell - Nexus

You're in for a pretty rocking time if you like bands like TesseracT, my friend.Falling into the vein of great progressive groove machines like TesseracT is the compelling sound of Dayshell. This Southern California trio does an admirable job of crafting heavy but lyrical rhythms that are melodic but also shake the floor of the house, and I am loving it.

I have to mention my boy Jordan Wooley, whose bass work is fantastic. It's not Billy Sheehan pyrotechnics, it's just motherfucking bedrock, man. Like it's the meat in this delicious metal sandwich and I can't get enough of the tasty tone he posseses. Seriously, it's a great part of the overall mix. Which doesn't mean to say the rest of the trio are slouchers. Lead vocalist and guitarist Shayley “Dayshell” Bourget is part of the reason for the obvious comparison to TesseracT vis-à-vis singer Ashe O'Hara. 

The Bottom Line: In Dayshell you have sort of a cross between the melody and power of Tesseract with the thrilling aggressiveness of Sevendust. Do not fear this power. Take it in. They will requite your love.

- Genghis wonders if he should have ended this review like he did with a Hamlet quote...

Podcast #214: Forward

Local beer nerd Josh Stewart joins the lads to drop some knowledge on the suds. Nice!The lads celebrate the beginning of a new year and IT'S ABOUT FRIGGIN' TIME, amirite? Join Genghis & Ragman as they head down to one of their favorite gastropubs, The Hay Merchant, for a live New Year's show and interview with Josh Stewart, of the local podcast Interbrews, who really knows his stuff when it comes to drinking beer.

You know the drill: The boys talk about the things they're looking forward to in the world of hard rock and heavy metal in 2017, as well as the world of beer, so pur yourself a tall glass of your favorite winter warmer and sit a spell. HORNS UP!

Beer of the Show: Moo Caliente (Eureka Heights Brewing Company) [CASKED]
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"This casked Mexican milk stout is outstanding. Cayenne and cinnamon never tasted better together."

Featured Tracks: Firewind - Back On the Throne; Skid Row - Slave To The Grind; Iron Maiden - The Red And The Black; Dayshell - Carsick; Annisokay - Hourglass

- Genghis is already wanting another live show from The Hay Merchant...

Podcast #214: Forward