Listen in tonight from 8-9 p.m. as I bring you a very special Halloween show! I will be playing lots of metal classics, as well as some non-metal favorites to get people pumped for the upcoming holiday.
Click here to tune in via the Web!
Don't forget that every Monday night from 6-10 p.m. is Metal Monday on KRUI 89.7FM. Also while you are waiting for my Halloween show, check out this classic shortened clip of Helloween's "Halloween" epic.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Anthrax and John Bush Reunited?
Man, Scott Ian and Charlie Benante have really been sucking up to John Bush lately. Probably because they realize it's their ONLY hope to make a comeback after firing singer Dan Nelson right before a new album was supposed to come out.
From recent interviews, it sounds like Bush will be rejoining the band.
I have always been a bigger fan of Joey Belladonna than Bush, but I respect his work with Armored Saint and on The Sound of White Noise, which is a total classic.
Hopefully Anthrax gets its shit together and puts out this new album either with Nelson or Bush's vocals. I don't really care.
UPDATE: Looks like Bush will in fact be recording vocals for the new album to replace Dan Nelson's parts. Rob Caggiano stated this in an interview I skimmed over on blabbermouth.net.
From recent interviews, it sounds like Bush will be rejoining the band.
I have always been a bigger fan of Joey Belladonna than Bush, but I respect his work with Armored Saint and on The Sound of White Noise, which is a total classic.
Hopefully Anthrax gets its shit together and puts out this new album either with Nelson or Bush's vocals. I don't really care.
UPDATE: Looks like Bush will in fact be recording vocals for the new album to replace Dan Nelson's parts. Rob Caggiano stated this in an interview I skimmed over on blabbermouth.net.
Helloween Rerecord Classics for 25th Anniversary
Helloween still rocks in my book, even if Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen are no longer part of the band.
The Dark Ride is a phenomenal metal album and contains some of the catchiest metal music of all time. Now the band is going to rerecord some of the most memorable tunes for a new greatest hits package, celebrating 25 years of power metal.
Here is the track list along with some music vids below for the album Unarmed- Best of 25th Anniversary.
01. Dr. Stein
02. Future World
03. If I Could Fly
04. Where The Rain Grows
05. The Keeper's Trilogy
06. Eagle Fly Free
07. Perfect Gentleman
08. Forever & One
09. I Want Out
10. Falling To Pieces
11. A Tale That Wasn't Right
There is no official US release date, but I'm guessing it will be announced soon.
The Dark Ride is a phenomenal metal album and contains some of the catchiest metal music of all time. Now the band is going to rerecord some of the most memorable tunes for a new greatest hits package, celebrating 25 years of power metal.
Here is the track list along with some music vids below for the album Unarmed- Best of 25th Anniversary.
01. Dr. Stein
02. Future World
03. If I Could Fly
04. Where The Rain Grows
05. The Keeper's Trilogy
06. Eagle Fly Free
07. Perfect Gentleman
08. Forever & One
09. I Want Out
10. Falling To Pieces
11. A Tale That Wasn't Right
There is no official US release date, but I'm guessing it will be announced soon.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dave Mustaine to Play Metallica Demos on Megadeth Radio
Oh lord. It seems Dave Mustaine just loves to talk, contradict himself and stir up shit in general. And now he has a radio outlet to help him do so.
Mustaine has a show via the 24-hour Artist Personal Experience radio station. Along with the other members of Megadeth, Mustaine handpicks the songs that are played on the station and also records vocal news, commentary and info to play between songs.
Recently, Mustaine announced he will be playing some tracks off the old "No Life Til' Leather" Metallica demo where he plays lead guitar. He even invited people to compare his work to Kirk's.
C'mon Dave! Give it up! YOU ARE IN A GREAT METAL BAND CALLED MEGADETH!
However, the dude did write Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? and Rust in Peace, so I guess he can do whatever the hell he wants.
Stream Megadeth Radio below. I just tuned in and Faith No More's "Falling to Pieces" was playing, so that's rad.
Mustaine has a show via the 24-hour Artist Personal Experience radio station. Along with the other members of Megadeth, Mustaine handpicks the songs that are played on the station and also records vocal news, commentary and info to play between songs.
Recently, Mustaine announced he will be playing some tracks off the old "No Life Til' Leather" Metallica demo where he plays lead guitar. He even invited people to compare his work to Kirk's.
C'mon Dave! Give it up! YOU ARE IN A GREAT METAL BAND CALLED MEGADETH!
However, the dude did write Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? and Rust in Peace, so I guess he can do whatever the hell he wants.
Stream Megadeth Radio below. I just tuned in and Faith No More's "Falling to Pieces" was playing, so that's rad.
Remember When: Drain STH
I can't say I was ever totally into Drain STH in the '90s (I know the group was on Ozzfest). But I was doing some YouTube browsing and decided to check out some videos of them. Pretty cool music with sort of an Alice In Chains vibe.
They have some heavier tunes, but this one was the best quality. I wonder what this band is up to now?
Update: After doing some research, I found out that apparently this band is no more. The members broke up after what I believe was their second album. The singer married Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and the rest are playing music in other bands.
They have some heavier tunes, but this one was the best quality. I wonder what this band is up to now?
Update: After doing some research, I found out that apparently this band is no more. The members broke up after what I believe was their second album. The singer married Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and the rest are playing music in other bands.
Monday, October 19, 2009
MIDTERMS SUCK!
Hey, sorry for the lack of updates. Expect the usual updates later in the week, being busy with school is never fun.
Also tune into the Metal Show tonight from 8 to 9 p.m. on KRUI 89.7FM.
-Randy
Also tune into the Metal Show tonight from 8 to 9 p.m. on KRUI 89.7FM.
-Randy
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Skeletonwitch Music Video: "Repulsive Salvation"
"Repulsive Salvation" comes off Breathing the Fire, which is out now. The band will be appearing in IC alongside The Black Dahlia Murder and Toxic Holocaust next Thursday October 22.
Watch 500.000 rock & metal videos on ROCKTUBE
Watch 500.000 rock & metal videos on ROCKTUBE
Monday, October 12, 2009
Baroness Blue Record Album Review
Modern Day Epic
Baroness creates an atmospheric rock album with hints of Queen, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
Baroness
Blue Record
**** out of *****
Chances are anyone outside of the underground music scene has never even heard of Baroness.
The band, which started up in 2003, often gets lumped into the “sludge metal” category, where bands are quickly born and forgotten. On the 2007 offering Red Album there were some decent songs, but overall the music lacked the diversity to hold listeners attention. However, on Blue Record Baroness sheds most of its metal shell and enters the realm of psychedelic progressive rock.
While there are still some heavy tunes (“The Sweetest Curse” and “War, Wisdom and Rhyme”), there are also plenty of sprawling musical interludes and acoustic tracks such as the Pink Floyd-esque “Steel That Sleeps the Eye.”
“Jake Leg” and “A Horse Called Golgotha” condense the formula of latter-day Led Zeppelin into three to five minute rock songs that provide some epic background music, suitable for throwing on when doing work or just hanging out.
The bright dual guitar harmonies on instrumental songs like “Bullhead’s Psalm,” “Ogeechee Hymn,” and “Blackpowder Orchard” sound more like something that could be found on Queen’s back catalog than say, the doom of Black Sabbath.
Baroness knows the important art of creating a cohesive album. On Blue Record each song flows together to make the listening experience feel more like a complete package rather than on more recent albums that tend to sound like they contain songs recorded one at a time for iTunes.
Even the cover art, which features two women, some fish, and tons of the color blue (big surprise), has a sense of a classic painting, that works to tie everything together.
That being said, this album is certainly “a grower,” so don’t expect to be hooked on the first listen. But for those listeners willing to spend time with Blue Record, they will find the band has crafted an album that is more than just another “sludge-metal record”. It is a modern day rock opus that calls to mind the musical greats of old.
Randy’s Picks: “The Sweetest Curse,” “Jake Leg,” “A Horse Called Golgatha.”
Baroness creates an atmospheric rock album with hints of Queen, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
Baroness
Blue Record
**** out of *****
Chances are anyone outside of the underground music scene has never even heard of Baroness.
The band, which started up in 2003, often gets lumped into the “sludge metal” category, where bands are quickly born and forgotten. On the 2007 offering Red Album there were some decent songs, but overall the music lacked the diversity to hold listeners attention. However, on Blue Record Baroness sheds most of its metal shell and enters the realm of psychedelic progressive rock.
While there are still some heavy tunes (“The Sweetest Curse” and “War, Wisdom and Rhyme”), there are also plenty of sprawling musical interludes and acoustic tracks such as the Pink Floyd-esque “Steel That Sleeps the Eye.”
“Jake Leg” and “A Horse Called Golgotha” condense the formula of latter-day Led Zeppelin into three to five minute rock songs that provide some epic background music, suitable for throwing on when doing work or just hanging out.
The bright dual guitar harmonies on instrumental songs like “Bullhead’s Psalm,” “Ogeechee Hymn,” and “Blackpowder Orchard” sound more like something that could be found on Queen’s back catalog than say, the doom of Black Sabbath.
Baroness knows the important art of creating a cohesive album. On Blue Record each song flows together to make the listening experience feel more like a complete package rather than on more recent albums that tend to sound like they contain songs recorded one at a time for iTunes.
Even the cover art, which features two women, some fish, and tons of the color blue (big surprise), has a sense of a classic painting, that works to tie everything together.
That being said, this album is certainly “a grower,” so don’t expect to be hooked on the first listen. But for those listeners willing to spend time with Blue Record, they will find the band has crafted an album that is more than just another “sludge-metal record”. It is a modern day rock opus that calls to mind the musical greats of old.
Randy’s Picks: “The Sweetest Curse,” “Jake Leg,” “A Horse Called Golgatha.”
Billy Milano Plays SOD Classic "United Forces" With Lamb of God
Not much more to say. Can I get a Ric Flair? WOO!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Misfits Return on Halloween (Sort of)
Misfits have released so many Halloween-appropriate songs there is no way that you can leave them off the party playlist.
Now the band's current lineup - consisting of bassist Jerry Only, guitarist Dez Cadena and drummer Robo - is preparing to release Land of the Dead.
The single, which contains the brand new songs "Land of the Dead" and "Twilight of the Dead", will be available on iTunes and other digital shops on October 27. Just in time for Halloween.
The cover artwork is pretty cool too, the classic Misfits skull with a zombie twist (courtesy of Marvel Zombies artist Arthur Suydam). Hopefully just focusing on two tracks means that the music will be solid as well.
Now the band's current lineup - consisting of bassist Jerry Only, guitarist Dez Cadena and drummer Robo - is preparing to release Land of the Dead.
The single, which contains the brand new songs "Land of the Dead" and "Twilight of the Dead", will be available on iTunes and other digital shops on October 27. Just in time for Halloween.
The cover artwork is pretty cool too, the classic Misfits skull with a zombie twist (courtesy of Marvel Zombies artist Arthur Suydam). Hopefully just focusing on two tracks means that the music will be solid as well.
Black Label Society Back in Action
It looks like Zakk Wylde is recovering from the rare blood clotting disorder, which put him into the hospital a little while back.
Black Label Society will be in the studio around January/February, recording music for a new CD due out in Spring 2010.
Good to see Zakk is alive and kicking. Strength Determination Merciless Forever!
Black Label Society will be in the studio around January/February, recording music for a new CD due out in Spring 2010.
Good to see Zakk is alive and kicking. Strength Determination Merciless Forever!
Friday, October 9, 2009
CONCERT ALERT: Gojira @ the Picador
Make sure to check out Gojira at the Picador, 330 E. Washington, if you are in the Iowa City area. Doors open at 6 p.m. It should be a badass show, even if it does coincide with University of Iowa's Homecoming.
Also, it looks like Blabbermouth picked up one of the stories which I write as my alter ego for The Daily Iowan.
I'll hopefully be rockin' out front row at the concert!
Also, it looks like Blabbermouth picked up one of the stories which I write as my alter ego for The Daily Iowan.
I'll hopefully be rockin' out front row at the concert!
Friday Rocks
So does the newest Slayer track "Hate Worldwide". World Painted Blood will soon be here.
Alice In Chains Unplugged 2
High quality unplugged performance from Alice In Chains. Congrats to the band for making it to No. 5 on the Billboard Charts with "Black Gives Way to Blue".
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Baroness: Influential or Overrated Part II
Around the time "Crack the Skye" was released I pondered whether Mastodon was overrated or not.
Now I am wondering if the band Baroness is in the same category, with Decibel magazine and the Web site Metalsucks.net both hailing the new record as "album of the year".
I haven't listened to much of it yet, so I still have to decide what I think about it.
Preview a couple of the new tracks below and listen to the whole album NOW on the band's MySpace page.
Now I am wondering if the band Baroness is in the same category, with Decibel magazine and the Web site Metalsucks.net both hailing the new record as "album of the year".
I haven't listened to much of it yet, so I still have to decide what I think about it.
Preview a couple of the new tracks below and listen to the whole album NOW on the band's MySpace page.
Steel Panther: "Feel the Steel"
So I entered the radio station two weeks ago and was greeted with a package from Universal Records. The following is what I pulled out of the packing envelope:
Now you also can "FEEL THE STEEL"!
Now you also can "FEEL THE STEEL"!
KISS BOOM onto Billboard Charts
Well not yet, but the new KISS album Sonic Boom is expected to sell between 150,000 and 175,000 copies, which would make it land at #1 on the Billboard Charts.
The CD is actually pretty good and the extra DVD and rerecorded classics don't hurt the $12 Walmart price tag. When you think about it KISS's loyal fans probably went out to buy this in droves, so it's no surprise it is selling, but this number is pretty high for today's standards.
Check out KISS playing "Modern Day Delilah" on The Late Show with David Letterman. Paul's voice may be getting a bit raspy, but the band still puts on a great show.
The CD is actually pretty good and the extra DVD and rerecorded classics don't hurt the $12 Walmart price tag. When you think about it KISS's loyal fans probably went out to buy this in droves, so it's no surprise it is selling, but this number is pretty high for today's standards.
Check out KISS playing "Modern Day Delilah" on The Late Show with David Letterman. Paul's voice may be getting a bit raspy, but the band still puts on a great show.
3 For 1 Thursday: New Videos from Converge, Scar Symmetry and All That Remains
Lots o' videos. The Converge one is pretty artsy and interesting to watch. When I interviewed Jacob Bannon he seemed like an awesome dude.
Not a huge fan of All That Remains and the Scar Symmetry is pretty good. I figure someone might dig em' especially if they are all in one place!
P.S. Check out a new Mudvayne track "Beautiful and Strange" on the band's MySpace page. It actually sounds decent.
SCAR SYMMETRY - Noumenon And Phenomenon
Forever In Your Hands
Not a huge fan of All That Remains and the Scar Symmetry is pretty good. I figure someone might dig em' especially if they are all in one place!
P.S. Check out a new Mudvayne track "Beautiful and Strange" on the band's MySpace page. It actually sounds decent.
SCAR SYMMETRY - Noumenon And Phenomenon
Forever In Your Hands
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Straight Line Stitch: Badass Hardcore
It was only recently that I heard of Straight Line Stitch, a hardcore band that has an amazing female vocalist named Alexis Brown. I was blown away by the energy of the band and Brown is one of the better female vocalists that does the whole growling thing.
Below are two videos. The first is a new video for the song "Taste of Ashes" featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. The second is a previously released video for a kickass track called "Black Veil".
Below are two videos. The first is a new video for the song "Taste of Ashes" featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. The second is a previously released video for a kickass track called "Black Veil".
WOLF: "Speed On" is Killer Metal!
"Speed On" is a solid track from Swedish metal band WOLF. It comes off the latest album Ravenous. Check out the video below.
Evile Bass Player Mike Alexander Passes Away at Age 32
Evile is an up and coming thrash metal band that recently released its second album Infected Nations a few weeks ago. While they have gotten some shit for sounding too much like Metallica and Slayer, I think they are an awesome band.
Today it was announced that bassist Mike Alexander passed away after being hospitalized while the band was touring. I heard a rumor it was from a blood clot, but at this point I'm not sure (UPDATE: Death believe to be cause by a cerebral hemorrhage).
Either way, it's always tragic when someone so young passes away, especially when he is a brother in metal.
Check out the unreleased track "My Parasite" from Infected Nations. I really dig the ending riffs!
RIP Mike Alexander (1977-2009)
Today it was announced that bassist Mike Alexander passed away after being hospitalized while the band was touring. I heard a rumor it was from a blood clot, but at this point I'm not sure (UPDATE: Death believe to be cause by a cerebral hemorrhage).
Either way, it's always tragic when someone so young passes away, especially when he is a brother in metal.
Check out the unreleased track "My Parasite" from Infected Nations. I really dig the ending riffs!
RIP Mike Alexander (1977-2009)
The Gates of Slumber: "Ice Worm" Music Video
I'm not sure why a music video came out for this song (which is off 2008's Conqueror) rather than a track off the new one Hymns of Blood & Thunder, but either way, it's a badass tune and the new album contains some great stoner/doom metal.
I get bored easily by the genre, but The Gates of Slumber do it right.
I get bored easily by the genre, but The Gates of Slumber do it right.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe 2: "Sick Bubblegum"
"Sick Bubblegum" bleeds Rob Zombie through and through. I'm not sold on the other new song "What?!" yet though.
So far 1 solid tune and one mediocre one, so the album could go either way. Zombie still puts on a damn good live show though.
I remember someone in the Blabbermouth saying to play a drinking game where everytime Rob Zombie says "Yeah!" in a song to take a shot. I think you would die of alcohol poisoning by the end of this song. Maybe shots of beer would work better.
So far 1 solid tune and one mediocre one, so the album could go either way. Zombie still puts on a damn good live show though.
I remember someone in the Blabbermouth saying to play a drinking game where everytime Rob Zombie says "Yeah!" in a song to take a shot. I think you would die of alcohol poisoning by the end of this song. Maybe shots of beer would work better.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Zakk Wylde's Hellfire Halloween Bash
While he hasn't made a truly great album with Black Label Society since The Blessed Hellride, it is good to hear that Zakk Wylde is recovering from having blood clots and performing with a new Epiphone axe called the "Graveyard Disciple".
Apparently Wylde's Halloween Bash is a free event put on by Hard Rock Cafe New York on Halloween. Should be a cool time for anyone in the New York area.
Looks like the coffin guitar would be difficult as fuck to play sitting down, but should be cool when performing.
I was going to put up the studio version of this song off 1919 Eternal, but the riff from this live version just kills and the lyrics are emotional, even if Wylde isn't the greatest live singer.
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