Radioactive Metal

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!!

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!!