Radioactive Metal

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!!

The massive success of the "Back To The Beginning" fest got us thinking. There are a number of other legendary artists in the twilight of their careers and are deserved of this kind of tribute treatment. We immediately thought of the Master of Shock Rock - Alice Cooper. Like Ozzy, Alice really took off in the early 70s and is one of the most influencial artists ever. So this week we fantasy promote our own Alice Cooper tribute fests. Which artist, their setlists, which Alice cover, etc. And of course Alice's own headline set. The ideas are endless. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the "Fantastic Four: First Steps" flick and the whole coldplay thing. Musically, we crank new and used from Terror (HC) Ghoul, Entrails, Anvil Bitch, The Pist, Caustic Christ, The White Swan, Jaded Lady, H Bomb and we introduce Philly crust punkers Psych-War in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!      

There is only topic on the hearts and minds of the citizens of Metaldom. So for this special episode dedicated to the immortal Ozzy Osbourne, we decided to forego all of our usual segments and music and just focus on all things Ozzy. We share our favourite "Ozzy moments. Go over how we first discovered the "Prince of Darkness". Our fave album and song and how Ozzy expanded beyond the Metal world and into mainstream pop culture. It was definitely a hard episode to get through. R.I.P. Ozzy. Your legacy will rock on forever. Horns Up!

We're sure everyone was quite pleased with the "Back To The Beginning" show. But you can't please everyone, all the time. With every festival, someone has said "I wish Band X was on the bill." The Ozzman's influence is so great they couldn't possibly have squeezed everyone onstage. That's not going to stop us from sharing who we would've loved to have seen paying tribute at The Big Event. We go over which artists, which songs and which Sabbath/Ozzy song we'd love to see them tear up. Our choices would make an awesome festival themselves. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have some Gear Talk and and discuss the new "Superman" and "Jurassic World" flicks. Musically, we crank Wytch Hazel, Saint Vitus, Viogression, Day Glo Abortions, Witchcraft, Terrifier, St. Elmo's Fire (!) and introduce Nashville's (!!) Savage Attack in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up! 

Realistically, there could only be one topic this week. Arguably, the most important event in all of Metaldom just went down in the form of the Back To The Beginning fest. The line up was a Who's Who in the genre. Most importantly, the world witnessed the final sets from Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. It was an all day PPV extravaganza that had us glued to the screen. So we do a deep dive into the whole event; set by set, highlight by highlight. What was your highlight? In our "News, Views and Tunes", we celebrate "Return of the Living Dead" Day and the National Day of Rock n Roll. Musically, we crank some Trouble, Lucifer's Friend, Nefarious, Pig Pen, serpent Rider and we introduce Australia's Thraxas in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!!  

Do you want to play a game? For years, teens have been playing the classic "2 Lies and a Truth" party game. We here at the RAM offices have vast amounts of experiences in Metaldom. Be they as fans at live shows, working as a roadie/stagehand or just everything that goes into creating this very show for the last 17 years. So we though we would put each other to the test and play a few rounds. Hey, we're too old to grow up now. In our "News, Views and Tunes", Aaron shares stories from his recent road trip. Musically, we crank no less than 5 (!) for RAM alum including Crystal Viper, Kickaxe, Death Sentence, Cauldron, Nocturnal Departure, Speed Queen, November Grief and we introduce Greek metallers Drunkard in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns up!!

Five episodes ago we discussed artists that Metaldom discovered first before mainstream success. Arguably, we left Faith No More off the list. FNM dropped their debut record "We Care A Lot" in '85, well before their "epic" break thru. So that makes this album a great candidate for our on going "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We get into each track, discuss the impending influence this record would have and dive into the FNM camp. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we celebrate the 50th (!) anniversary of "Jaws" and discuss The Care Bears (!!). Musically, we crank some new Gruesome, God's Hate, First Jason, Slaughter Messiah, Harlot's Webb and introduce Poland's Witch Hound in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!   

For diehard music connoisseurs a vast discography is always aces. But releasing a lot of albums doesn't always mean a banger every time out. Some artists do achieve that "sweet spot". An era of three or more fave albums in succession. So this week we go over our picks of the artists and albums throwing Three Strikes = Homerun! In our "News, Views and Tunes", we share our Friday The 13th and Father's Day experiences. Musically, we crank some Gwar, Cryptopsy, D.R.I., Indestroy, Oral (!), Lunatics Without Skateboards Inc., Riff Randells, Ascendancy and we introduce Australia's Sharpshooter in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up! 

One of the most important moments in Metaldom history is fast approaching. July 5th will be the legendary Ozzy Osbourne's last gig. To commemorate  this momentous event is the "Back To The Beginning" fest. Commencing out of Oz' hometown of Birmingham, some of the biggest names in our genre will be there to pay tribute. Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains, Anthrax and Ozzy himself will be doing double duty with Black Sabbath a.o. And it will be available on streaming. So this week we go through the line up and whatever else crosses our mind about this once in a lifetime event. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we reminisce about the days of overnight lining up for concert tix. Musically, we crank some Dead Kennedys, Dark Angel, Pentagram, Pagan Altar, Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre, Iron Man, Temptress, Chernobyl Wolves and we introduce NY's Mykey Massacre in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!