Radioactive Metal

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!   

Our 40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series continues. This time we tapped one of the most important albums in 80s underground thrash. The amazing Megadeth debut "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good" introduced mainman Dave Mustaine's new project to a both curious and eager audience. Little did the underground know what a behemoth Dave and the (interchangeable) Boyz would become. Along with their contemporaries in the "Big 4". So this week we do a deep dive into this album that is still a fave today. We go into how it first hit our turntables and go into all the track by track goodness. Is this your fave 'Deth record? In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the reborn "Heavy Metal" magazine and the "Back To The Future" guitar. Musically, we crank new and used from Dying Fetus, Laaz Rockitt, Conflict, Chris Poland, War//Plague, Tyran, Vomitor and we introduce Washington's Generation Decline in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!  

Heavy Metal has always had it's share of misunderstood meaning in it's lyrics. Yes, some of the lyrics are quite clear: sex, old Beelzebub, and rock n roll. But there are a number of classic tunes that Joe and Jane Average lost the plot with. Tunes from Ozzy/Sabbath, Maiden and Twisted Sister have has their unjustified criticisms. Songs that got their panties in a bunch but all knew better. So this week we made a list and are "counting them down". In our "News, Tunes and Views", we examine the close connection between "Star Wars" and "Carrie" and perform an air drum solo over the air. Musically, we crank some Nuclear Assault, Razor, Mantas (pre Death), Quartz, Eviction, Crusader and we introduce Canuck metallers Cruzer in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!