Radioactive Metal

Happy Halloween! Oct.31st is one of our fave daze of the year. So we want to do something special to celebrate All Hallow's Eve. 80s zombie flick "Return of The Living Dead" is the ultimate in entertainment. Lots blood, boobs and one helluva soundtrack! So this time out, we're going to take a page from those YouTube "10 Things..." type shows. And do our own audio treatment. Just when you thought you might have known everything about this cult classic, we're going to give you some info and trivia that will make you go "Wow! More Brains!!" Musically, we crank some Impetigo, Cauldron, Slasher Dave, Koffin Kats, Send More Paramedics (of course), VHS, Vincent Crowley, The Skirts, Split Dogs (well yeah) and Dracula. Horns Up and Send More Cops! 

"Our childhood is literally dying on us." Its an expression we've said all too often. Unfortunately, we have to say it again. We recently lost the great "Space" Ace Frehley of the legendary KISS. We've never hid our fandom so the news hit us pretty hard. So this time out we're talking all things Ace. All our Frehley faves, the highs and lows and the influence the Acer had on music in general. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the MTV shutdown (??) and The Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. Musically, we crank some DKs, Sigh, Faithful Breath, Zig Zags, Verdalack, Speedslut, Blades Of Steel and we introduce (again) Canadian horror rockers The Bloody Hell in our "Indie Spotlight".  Horns Up!!

Happy Bday to...us!! Hard to believe that a mere 17(!) years ago, RAM was just two guys goofing off talking about what we know best. OK, so not much as changed. But we wouldn't want it any other way. So to celebrate we figured we'd goof off some more. Forbes (!!) recently released their Top 30 Rock Artists Of All Time. We went over the list and scratched the outfits that didn't make the cut for us. And replaced them with the artists that would. C'mon, a list without Bathory = zero cred. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we talk some fave horror flicks and the imminent demise of Monroeville Mall (of "Dawn of the Dead '78" fame). Musically, we crank some Deceased, Castle Rat, Creatures and we introduce Japan's Kamikaze Suicide Attack in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up and have a drink for us.

Last episode we focused on the anniversary of the infamous P.M.R.C. Senate hearings. The Parents Music Resource Centre was a pro censorship organization and they had their own hit list - The Filthy 15. Songs that they decided were a no no for everyone else. The week we thought "Hey, I wonder what other songs post hearings that would've made Tipper Gore's list?" So we got our grey matter moving and came up with our own Filthier 15. Like some classics from Cannibal Corpse, Gwar and that WAP song. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have a political discussion inspired by Living Color appearing on Jimmy Kimmel. Musically, we crank some Exhumed, Hellion, Agent Steel, The Crucifucks, Abominator, Axewitch, Evil Sinner, Blizzen and we introduce Columbia's Tyrants in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

Believe it or not, it's been 40 years since the P.M.R.C. senate hearings. For the young 'ens, The Parent's Music Resource Center was an organization of Senator's wives that were all about censoring music they didn't like. The Senate hearings were a momentous occasion when Frank Zappa, Dee Snider and John Denver (!) stepped up for Freedom Of Speech. Recently it was the anniversary of this dark day for democracy. So we decided to do a deep dive into the hearings. As well, we go over ringleader Tipper Gore's "Filthy 15". A list of "controversial" songs that got Tipper in a tizzy. This is probably our most politically charged episode yet. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we acknowledge the anniversary of the loss of the late, great Cliff Burton. Musically, we crank some Impaler (one of Tipsy's faves), Piledriver, Black Death, Tipper's Gore, Victim and we introduce (Canada's answer to The Mentors??) Powerload in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!  

This summer was the 50th anniversary of a simple fishing movie that scared the Beejeesuz out of the nation. Steve Spielberg's "Jaws" was a groundbreaking film for a variety of reasons. To commemorate this momentous Bday, the flick hit the theatres and we had the best seats in the house. So this time out, we decided to have a "Geek Fix" discussion topic. We go over how we first discovered this classic, our theatre experience and, of course, the iconic theme music. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we attended a screening and QandA of the Harley Flanagan (Cro Mags) documentary "Wired For Chaos". Musically, we crank Desaster, Unholy Grave, Acheron, Diabolic, Squalus, Savage Death, the aforementioned Mr. Flanagan and we introduce Winnipeg rocker Omens in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!   

Due to technical difficulties and schedules, we ended up taking an unforeseen sabbatical. But we're back!! Veteran RAMmers know that cohost Aaron is a killer musician. And his weapon of choice is the bass. So he's been gnawing at the bit to do an episode "all about the bass!" Our Rush correspondent Mr. Mark Buell is also pretty handy with said instrument. So we figured it's a good time to geek out, yacking about the four strings. We go over our discovery of the bass, our signatures and some of our fave bassists. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss Kelly Osbourne and pro wrassler Beck Lynch buttin' heads and remember the short lived "That 80s Show" sitcom. Musically, we crank new and used from The Rods, Tank, Nuclear Assault, Violator, Sacramentum, Social Unrest, Liege Lord and introduce New Jersey bangers Condition Critical  in or "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up! 

*Apologies for the sound of Snowy and Mark's voice. It was the result of the aforementioned technical difficulties. 

The big thing on the minds and mouths of Metaldom is the  huge announcement from Megadeth. It's looking like Dave and the Boyz are pumping out another record, hitting the road and then calling it a career. We're excited for the new album. But we're skeptical of it being their retirement tour. I mean, been there, done that. So this week we're going in deep and dissecting everything. As well, we take a moment out to pay tribute to Kick Axe axeman Larry Gillstrom (Rest In Power). In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the return of "Shin Godzilla" to theatres and Little Golden Books (!). Musically, we crank some aforementioned Kick Axe, Castrator, Ignitor, Dragonsclaw, Savage Thrust and we introduce Olympia, Wa.'s Gunslinger in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

Our 40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series continues. Bay Area legends Exodus are synonymous with old school metal thrashin' madness. And it all started with the underground classic thrash debut "Bonded By Blood". We go back with this record from the moment it hit the new release racks. So we were eager to give it the 411. We start with how we discovered it and that iconic cover. Then we go track by track. Spoiler/No Spoiler - Every tune is a banger. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the music of 007 and pay tribute to Jill Lisson (RIP). Musically, we crank some Black Flag, Havok, Funerus, Hatriot, Elixir, Sintage, Bonded By Blood and we introduce Mexico's Exxecutor in this week's "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!

A wise man once said "Learn something new everyday." Here at RAM we like to think we do just that. In our own special way. This episode Aaron taught Snowy the definition of "reverb". And by extension something called The Reverb Shops. Over the years, veteran musicians can accumulate a hell of a lot of instruments, gear and memorabilia. When it time to maybe unload some of this, enter The Reverb Shop. This week we do a little window shopping in shops from Dave Mustaine, Nancy Wilson and Brian Setzer a.o. Lots of cool stuff for sure. In our "News, Views and Tunes" we ordered some "Back To The Beginning" shwag and pay tribute to Lonnie Anderson (?). Musically, we crank new and used from Deathhammer, Casket Robbery, Gorgatron, Fact, Nightfall, Whispers and we introduce Cedar Rapids thrashers Frontal Assault in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!