Radioactive Metal

In the immortal words of Brenden Frazier in the classic flick "Airheads" - "Whose side did you pick in the DLR/Van Halen split?" At the time, Metaldom was divided. Now forty years later the question is still in conversation. The VH camp seemed to be going in one direction. While David Lee Roth was still in the classic VH mode. Case in point - DLR's full length solo effort, "Eat 'Em and Smile". And seeing as this record is celebrating it's fourth decade (!), we're featuring it in our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We go all out dissecting the album track by track and everything going on in the DLR camp. Who did you pick in the split? Musically, we crank some new and used from Left To Die, Split Dogs, Nocturnus, Aus Rotten, Devil Lee Rot, Pandemonium and we inroduce Canadian rockers Powerload in our "Indie Spotlight. Horns Up!! 

As citizens of Metaldom, we love our concerts and gigs. But try as we might, we can't see all the shows we want to check out. So we all have that "Bucket List" of artists which we just never got to. So this week we cry in our beers together discussing these elusive shows. Hopefully we'll get to them someday. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the faux holiday National Day Of Rock n Roll. Musically, we crank some Anvil, L7, Belphagor, Toxic Holocaust, Warlord, Savage Grace, Virus, Lawnmower Deth and we introduce New Jersey's Midnight Hellion in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

This episode needs little in the way of introduction. The mighty Metallica's third full lengther "Master Of Puppets" is one of the greatest Metal albums of all time. And it represents the height of our fandom. This year also marks the 40th birthday of this important platter. So this week we're giving it the deep dive treatment in our on going "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We go track by track and leave no stone unturned. "Master...Master!!" Admit it, you read that is Jaymz' voice. Musically, we crank some new and used from Destructor, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Budgie, Slaughter (Can), Virgin Steele, Bitches Sin, Avulsed, Gruesome Stuff Relish and we introduce Canadian thrashers W.M.D (When Minds Develop) in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

We're back! Due to technical and scheduling snafus, we found ourselves taking a minor sabbatical. During that time we were saddened to learn of the loss of Jennifer Finch of the mighty L7. Not only were the band a highly influential outfit, these pioneers held a special place in our hearts and record collections. So we felt it was time to feature L7 in our Band Spotlight episodes. We tackle a variety of related topics including our first discovery of L7, fave material, "Camel Lips" and the so called controversies surrounding their illustrious career. Which we hope isn't over yet. Musically, we crank some new and used from the aforementioned L7, Blasphemy (Can), Zoetrope, Wrathchild (UK), 7 Year Bitch, Iron Flame, The Shocker, Steelion and we introduce hometown black metallers Piss Chalice in our "Indie Spotlight". Rest In Power, Jennifer

All Hail the Exalted Piledriver!! The career of the influential Canadian outfit Piledriver was short but sweet. Two fantastic albums of Quality over Quantity. This year marks the 40th (!) birthday of record #2, "Stay Ugly". So it's appropriate to tap this record for our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We discuss all things Pilely then do a track by tack deep dive into this amazing platter. Rest In Power, Gord! We miss you. In our "News, Views and Tuners", we discuss the new "Masters Of The Universe" and "Jaws 2" films. Musically, we crank some Piledriver, Xentrix, War On Women, Desecration, Tyrann, Convict, Skelator, Iron Kingdom and we introduce Montreal bashers Shroud in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

We all gotta start somewhere. For underground Metal bands in the 80s, the Metal Forces magazine "Demolition" section was a great place to start. It exposed artists demo tapes to their readers and got them going in the tape trading dept. And a number of then unknown artists appearing would go onto become known. Namely legends like Slayer and Megadeth. But that's just the tip of the Metalberg. This week we're going thru the first ten issues of that essential British rag and sharing all those "names" that appeared. Prepare to say "Wow!" In our "News, Views and Tunes", we attend a record release gig and Snowy takes a liking to a country (!!) artist. Musically, we crank new and used from The Accused, Agent Steel, Hirax, Necronomicon (Ger.), Cripple Bastards, Solanum, Evil, Shaved Ape and some Xecutioner (pre Obituary '85 demo). Horns Up!!  

Around the RAM offices, vinyl is King. The CD is our silver medalist. And finally, the cassette is still a thing in metallic lives. So this week we're discussing all things cassette. Do we still collect and how many do we still have? Our first and faves. And our mix tape making abilities. Don't hit the FF button in this episode. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we take in our first "Black Flag" gig and the Manitoba Metalfest. Musically, we crank the aforementioned Black Flag, Jello Biafra, Gatecreeper, Nocturnal Departure, Septic Death, Black Death, Eternal and we introduce Italy's Propaganda Of Terror in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

We're not exactly spring chickens around here anymore. Retirement from our "money jobs" will be here sooner than later. So what are going to do with all our free time? Maybe start a fanzine. How about volunteering with our local indie promoter? For you tech types, how about gear restoration? There's so much a dedicated Metalhead can do for the betterment of Metaldom. We hope this episode gives you some cool suggestions. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we get into some more Gear Talk and our "Free Comic Book Day". Musically, we crank some Nunslaughter, Sadistic Intent, Genocide Pact, MainEEaxe, Killer, Get The Most, Demon Spell, Runn Amucks and we introduce Italy's Phantom Menace (!) in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

The vocalist is the face and voice of a musical group. The Wonderful World of Heavy Metal have a gazilion frontpersons that are both super talented and are quite the characters. This week we figured we would once again call upon the fantastic "High Infidelity" flick and present our "Top 5" of Metal vocalists. We share some legendary names. And have a few dark horses too. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we checked off a Bucket List concert and discuss Nicko McBrain's wrasslin niece. Musically, we crank some Bathory, The Exploited, Necrophagia, Bitch, Sortilege, Mortuary, Putred, Rotheads, The Whatevermen and we introduce Arizona 80s rocker Show 'N Tell in our "Indie Spotlight". Raise your voices and Horns Up!!

NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden recently got tapped to go into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame. So with Bruce and the Boyz on the minds of Metalheads the world over, we figure it's a great time to discuss one of their classic albums. "Somewhere In Time" recently turned 40. So we decided now was the time to feature the effort in our ongoing "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight". We go over the "this and thats" and do a track by track deep dive. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss Maiden in the HOF and the Morotti/Suffocation sitch. Musically, we crank Blitzkreig, Satan, Thunderstick, Tailgunner, Witchburner, Atomic Aggressor, Helvetets Port, Brainwash Victims and we introduce Italy's Alcatrax in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!