Radioactive Metal

Every year the nominees for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame always seem to raise eyebrows and get tongues wagging. Over the last couple years, the controversy generally is about what exactly constitutes inclusion. Semantics aside, we enjoy getting "The List" and this year we're taking a cue from "High Infidelity" and making our Top 5 list of choices. Who you got?

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we hit up the "Capt. Comics Expo" and go over the viral Taylor Swift fan divorce video. Musically, we crank some Blitzkrieg, Budgie, The Exploited, Razor, Sadistic Intent, Mean Mistreated, On Fire and introduce trad metallers Dragonrider in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

If you are curious about the "Whamola" Aaron mentioned, you can view it here.

 

Horns Up!

It's that time again. Our little longtime listeners know what the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammies) mean to us. At least the Metal category, being two time judges ourselves. So we're stoked for this year's nominees. Especially since four out of five are Radioactive Metal alum. So in the spirit of the Junos, we go over the list and "cast our vote" over the air. You'll find making a pick to be a Herculean task too.

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we go over the "Back To The Beginning" final Ozzy gig and announce the Manitoba Metalfest. Musically, we crank Deceased, Anciients, Striker, Warpig, Steel Inferno, Pupil Slicer, Drop Off Point, Malefaction and introduce Finland's Steel Machine in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up!

As we move along in life we pick up (hopefully) little bits of information. It's mostly info that isn't too groundbreaking or Earth shattering.

 

But in the context of our beloved genre, these tidbits become downright interesting. Over the past little while we've been compiling out own list of musical trivialities and this week we're sharing a handful of them. We hope we informed as well as entertained.

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have some gear talk and soundtrack speak courtesy of the great Akira Ifukybe. Musically, we crank some Dead Kennedys, MDC, Tokyo Blade, Meliah Rage, Holy Grail, Butcher, Lady Rage and introduce Canadian noise rockers Sweet Beast in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up!

With 1985 celebrating its 40th anniversary, it's time to kick off this year's Deep Dive series on cool albums turning 40.

 

1985 was an interesting year. That year could be argued to be the year that really kick started "hair" metal. And Motley Crue's "Theatre of Pain" was leading the pack. Gone were the studs and satanic imagery replaced by the pink scarves and hairspray. Nikki Sixx was leaning into his palm rock influences while sound wise a few tracks would have been right at home on "Shout At The Devil".

 

This was also a very divisive album. Not just back in the day, but around the RAM offices today. We go through the album track by track and discuss all the going ons when the album hit the tracks.

 

Musically, we crank Nifelheim, Abbatoir, London (!), Odin (!), Archagathus, Ice War, Breakout, Obnoxious Youth and we introduce Seattle's Hyperstrike in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up! 

As dedicated Metalheads, we all have those special albums near and dear to our Metal Hearts. I'm talking that collection of songs that changed our lives. It got us thinking how cool it would have been to be in the studio when these masterpieces took shape. Either as a fly on the wall or giving our 2 cents. Even getting coffee or going on beer runs would've been cool.

 

So this week we share our choices for such ventures. To help us out why not enlist a guy who knows his way around a studio. Mr. Matt Copper is our co-host with our sister show, Wrestling Night in Canada. More importantly, he's the main man behind his home studio, Atomic 29 Productions.

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have some cool gear talk and the goings on in the Exodus camp. Musically, we crank some Raven, DRI, Whipstriker, Mayhem (80s), Twin Temple, Mother of Graves, Rotting and we introduce German trad metallers Hornado.

 

Horns Up!

A new year always means more important anniversaries. We hate to remind our more veteran listeners that the year 1985 is 40 (!!) years old now! It was an important and pivotal year for Metaldom, to which the effects are still being felt today. So this time we're going deep into '85. We're going over some of the fantastic albums that hit the racks and some of the amazing bands that first hit the garage. Great times!

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the LA fires and the "Invoking Yell" black metal found footage film. Musically, we crank Grave Digger, Bloodfeast, Minor Threat, Savage Grace, Impaler, Extreme Noise Terror, Black Lace, Satanic Slaughter, Sadistik Executioner, Axetasy and we introduce ChiTown's Gloryhole Guillotine (!!) in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up!

It's not over until...we've had our Rammy Awards.

 

Basically, the Rammies are our take on the Grammies. Meaning we make our picks for the "Best Of" for the year that was. In the categories that mean the most to Metalheads; Band, Album, Live, News Story a.o. As well, as is tradition, we give our inductions into the RAM Hall of Hall for Band, Album and what we call Myth and Legend. Play along with your picks too.

 

Musically, we crank Warlord, The Rods, Nails, Ghoul, Jaguar, Sentry, Fulci, and Blood Opera.

 

Horns Up and here's to an awesome 2025!

Aaron has become a proud papa again. First when his offspring came into the world. Second when his little girl asked for a skateboard.

 

Excited as we are to commemorate this event, we felt it was a good time to discuss all things skating. We discuss our first decks, "skate" music, Thrasher mag and the skateboards impact on pop culture. We even invited Snowy's board Betsy to sit in with us.

 

Musically, we crank some Septic Death, Beyond Possession, Impaled Nazarene, JFA, Hellripper, Bobbie Dazzle, Woslom, Cuntroaches and we introduce Cruel Force in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up!!

Happy New Year!!

 

2024 is coming to an end, so consider this episode the Radioactive Metal New Year's Eve party. This time we pour some bevvies, crank some tunes and talk about...whatever.

 

You know, like a party. And what's a party without good friends? So we pour a Lemmy for our bud and sister podcast Wrestling Night in Canada co host Mr. Matt Copper. We yap about new movies, Godzilla comics, our fave Star Wars characters and cool shite' on Thunderflix.

 

Musically we crank some Manilla Road, Tankard, Wehrmacht, Nunslaughter, Rottrevore, Heavy Load, Withtrap, Starvation Army, Hogan's Heroes, Lurking Corpses, Torso, Owlbear, Taptore and introduce Philly's Breaker in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns Up!!

The biggest news on the hearts and minds of Metalheads the world over is the retirement of long time Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. Having been behind the kit since the classic '83 record "Piece Of Mind", Metaldom just won't be the same.

 

As is tradition, every significant retirement requires a proper send off. So we decided to have one for our listeners. We go over our fave Nicko skinbeating moments. We also share our choices of who we'd like to fill these big shoes. And finally, we go over Mr.McBrain's menu for his Rock N Roll Ribs restaurant.

 

In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have Xmas Hallmark (!!) movie recommends and some Roller Derby talk. Musically, we crank new Sacrifice, Thunderstick, Rock Goddess, Virtue, Ice War, Cardinal Noire, Raised By Owls and introduce TX tickets Mean Mistreater in our "Indie Spotlight".

 

Horns up!!!

 

 

• Hallowed be thy name - Live After Death - happens at 5:36, start at 5:30

• Rime of the ancient mariner - Snare fill after the interlude - 8:50, last for about 10 seconds. It's a slow build like a an orchestra percussionist morphing into a rock drummer. Starts at 8:48 with a groove.

• Senjutsu - Listen to the taiko drums and then how he blends it in with the kit - first 30 seconds - listening again he sounds like a younger drummer that was influenced by him.
• Revelations - Accents the bass part when it comes in. Starts at 30 seconds as a band, then bass and drums lock in and change the groove at 43 seconds
• Aces High - 22 seconds the way the drums slow down, and then the crak to bring it all back to tempo at 24-25 seconds
• The Trooper - 9 seconds in the drums play in unison with the band, this is something I noticed happens a lot in maiden