During this episode we have interview with Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, and James Luna, lead singer of Holy Grail, and former lead singer of White Wizzard. Holy Grail have just released a great new album called Crisis In Utopia. During Luna’s portion of the interview we discuss the making of said album, his influences, playing Waken, and his time in White Wizzard, where he goes into detail to discuss the issues he and former member of the band (James LaRue, and Tyler Meahl both in Holy Grail) had with Jon Leon. Now before anyone jumps to conclusions I did try and contact Jon to get his side of things so that people can determine for themselves what really happened. One of the things that I love about doing interviews for my podcast is that listeners can directly from an artist. It isn’t like playing telephone where things are sensationalized just to put another notch in someone’s proverbial gun. Had I of been able to interview Jon people would have been able to (again) choose for themselves whether what all of these former members are saying is true, or not. Maybe Jon has a good reason that isn’t coming across? Or maybe things are cut and dry, exactly like all of the former members are saying, and is why the label, and Jon himself has decided to not come on the show.

Ripper’s interview was conducted late last year, it is one of a handful of interviews that were conducted for MarkStrigleRadio.com and has yet to be released as a podcast. During this episode we discuss Hail!, his solo album Play My Game, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls Of The Damned, and the abrupt end to his tenure in Iced Earth. Tim is very forth coming, and honest when talking about John Schaffer, and what was promised to him when joining IE, and how it differs to how Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen approached him.

I recommend both interviews to anyone that has been following the dysfunctional history of Iced Earth or White Wizzard, or are fans of either one of these two great lead singers.

During the episode you’ll hear the following tracks:

Holy Grail – Nocturne in D Minor
White Wizzard Shooting Star
Holy Grail – My Last Attack
Holy Grail – Requiem
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens – Death Race
Beyond Fear – Save Me
Judas Priest – Blood Suckers

Overall we touch on the following topics:

Hail!, David Ellefson, NAMM, Samson Wireless, Andreas Kisser, Jimmy Degrasso, Mike Portnoy, Paul Bostaph, Ray Mayorga, Soulfly, Stone Sour, Spinal Tap, Sepultura, Alice Cooper, Testament, Simon Wright, Motorhead, Pantera, Judas Priest, Accept, Wendy Dio, Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery, John Comprix, Steve Stevens, Jeff Loomis, Michael Wilton, George Lynch, John 5, Scott Ian, Vinnie Paul, Rudy Sarzo, Billy Sheehan, Bobby Jarzombek, Road Runner Records, Road Runner United, Jeff Waters, Cory Taylor, The Grammys, Beyond Fear, SPV Records, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Schaffer, Matt Barlow, Judas Priest, Ian Hill, K.K. Downing, Rob Halford, Charred Walls Of The Damned, Richard Christy, Play My Game, Heaven & Hell, Hannah Montana, Pink,Amon Amarth, Exodus, Mahevilant Creation, Deep Purple, Klaus Meine, Scorpions, Manowar, Merciful Fate, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Slayer, Witchfinder General, Racer X, Testament, Lamb Of God, Jeff Loomis, Nevermore, Danny Lohner, Nine Inch Nails, Metal Blade Records, Angkor Wat, Waken Festival, Matt Hyde, Steve Evetts, Nuclear Blast, Side One Dummy, Prosthetic Records, Exodus, Kiss, Erik Kluibert, Jon Leon, Sleaze Roxx, Metal Sucks, Metal Sludge

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This is the playlist for episode 46 of Mars Attacks Radio

Kiske/Somerville – Nothing Left To Say
Helloween – Kids Of The Century
Issa – I’m Alive
Doro Pesch – I Had Too Much To Dream
Monster Magnet – Gods And Punks
Monster Magnet – Powertrip
Halford – Till The Day I Die
Judas Priest – Blood Stone
Holy Grail – My Last Fight
Witchfinder General – Witchfinder General
White Wizzard – Shooting Star
Def Leppard – Let It Go
Overloaded – Feeling Overloaded

During this expanded edition of the Mars Attacks Podcast we bring you an extra special interview with none other than John Bush, the legendary lead singer of Armored Saint, and ex-lead singer of Anthrax. We obviously discuss his years in Armored Saint, their latest album La Raza, his tenure in Anthrax, almost joining Metallica, and how Armored Saint has been mentioned incorrectly during Metallica’s documentary Some Kind Of Monster, and Motley Crue’s The Dirt.

Here is a complete list of items that we touch upon:

Santana, Mars Volta, Dave Jerden, Cannibal Corpse, Mike Patton, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Radiohead, Rainbow, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Great White, Ratt, Black Sabbath, Ed Trunk, Dan Nelson, Symbol Of Salvation, La Raza, Anthrax, Dan Nelson, Revelation, March Of The Saint, David Pritchard, Rainbow, Six Feet Under, Radiohead, Thom York, Ronnie James Dio, Soilwork, Dimebag Darrel, Phil Anselmo, Peter Wichers, Volume 8, The Dirt, Metallica, Motley Crue, Some Kind Of Monster, Fates Warning, Joey Vera, Gonzo Sandoval, Kill Em All, Joey Belladonna, Faith No More, Soundwave, NY Steel, Talking Metal, John Ostronomy, Mark Strigl

During the course of the episode you will also hear tracks from throughout John’s career. Songs off of not only La Raza, but Revelations, Symbol of Salvation, and a re-worked version of the classic track March Of The Saint. You will also hear some Anthrax, and tracks that he collaborated with Peter from Soilwork, and Six Feet Under.

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This is a recap of the first anniversary show, during the show we played the following tracks:

Armored Saint – Reign Of Fire
Filter – So I Quit
Hades – Absorbed
Non-Fiction – Reason To Die
Life Of Agony – My Eyes (Live)
Testament – F.E.A.R.
Overkill – Necroshine
Judas Priest – One On One
Iron Maiden – Afraid To Shoot Strangers (Live)
Guns N Roses – Riad N’ The Bedouins
Quiet Riot – The Ritual
Bruce Kulick – Need Me

This was originally going to be posted on another site, but for some reason was vetoed. In any event this is what I put together.

ACCEPT
Blood Of The Nations

I had the pleasure of speaking to WOLF HOFFMANN a few weeks back regarding this album for my Mars Attacks Podcast. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties the interview was not saved. In any event, I was able to discuss this album at great length with him, along with the insertion of new lead singer MARK TORNILLO, silencing the pro-UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER critics, etc.

Interestingly enough he mentioned that the band got back together again sort of by accident. He and PETER BALTES had decided to jam, and write some music just for fun, and see what came out of it. Shortly after that a mutual friend introduced them to Mark, and there was really no turning back, no audition process what so ever, they knew he was going to be a great fit, and is he ever! As like many ANDY SNEAP produced albums Blood Of The Nations is strong throughout, and in my opinion right up there with some of their classic UDO fronted albums.

Before delving deeper into the album, let me quickly touch upon the UDO subject. I have no issue with ACCEPT continuing without him. The main songwriters in the band have always been Wolf and Peter. Udo did not want to work with them any longer, so why should the band just sit around and do nothing if he’s only interested in his solo career? Also, listen to the material, its much stronger than anything Udo has done throughout what I deem to be a mediocre solo career. Being that I’m also a Hispanic that is originally from New Jersey like Mark (his last name means screw, as in nail, screwdriver, hammer, etc.) helps their cause as well!

Blood Of The Nations does two things, it captures the band’s classic sound, and brings it into the now, making it very fresh and relevant for 2010. As I’ve mentioned this a bunch of times with groups that have been around as long (or longer) than ACCEPT, this is exactly what you want as a fan. I’ve reviewed albums by such bands as RAGE who try and do the same, but it just ends up sounding very thin, and dated. MOTLEY CRUE is another, where they’ve tried to go with what’s hip today, and not stick to what got them to the dance. Again this at least for me it comes off sort of cheap. Similar to how Mark was brought into the band Andy Sneap contacted the band, and offered his services as a lifelong fan of the band. No other producers where even considered, the end result is instant classic worthy material.

Standout tracks in my opinion are the opening track “Beat The Bastards”, the anthemic “Teutonic Terror” which is guaranteed to stick in your head for a few days, “The Abyss” which was the very first track I heard off of the album, the title track “Blood Of The Nations” and “Pandemic”. This album is easily one of the best that has come out in 2010.

Grade: A+
Victor M. Ruiz

During this episode we bring you two interviews, one with Chris Howorth from In This Moment, and another with Patrick Kennison from Heaven Below. During Chris’ portion we discuss the making of In This Moment’s latest album Star Crossed Wasteland, what it has been like to tour with the likes of Ozzy, Dave Mustaine, being part of Talking Metal on Fuse, and his feelings towards Maria Brink’s involvement with such things as the Hottest Chicks In Metal, and what affect, if any, it has on the band. During Patrick’s interview portion we discuss his former band Union Underground, what it was like to put Heaven Below together, working with Ben Moody, and some misconceptions people may have about artists whose songs are frequently used on TV.

During the episode you’ll hear the following songs in this order:

Heaven Below – Heartbreaker
Union Underground – Across The Nation
Heaven Below – When Daylight Dies
In This Moment – The Gun Show
In This Moment – Just Drive
In This Moment – The Great Divide

Topics discussed include:

Warped Tour, Mayhem Fest, Blondie, Nine Inch Nails, Prince, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Chimera, Stone Sour, Union Underground, Heaven Below, Dave Mustaine, Megadeth, Schecter Hellraiser, EMG Pick Up, Krank Amps, Dunlop Pedals, In This Moment, The Dream, Star Crossed Wasteland, Chris Howorth, Kyle Kontiel, Jesse Landry, Trent Reznor, Hottest Chicks In Metal, Maria Brink, Talking Metal On Fuse, Blake Bunzel, Ernie Ball, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Lacuna Coil, Blondie, Disturbed, Lincoln Park, Drowning Pool, Static-X, Ozzy Osbourne, Countdown To Devil, Reworking The Devil, White Stripes, Cher, Peavy, B.C. Rich, Coal Chamber, Korn, Marshall, VHT Pitbull, TC Electronics G-Force, Lexicon MPX2, Ozzfest, Marilyn Manson, WWE, Ben Moody, Motorhead, Bob Dylan, Chris Isaak

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Here’s a link to an album review I did for for Metal Army America. The group is called Locusta and the review is for their self titled album. You can read the review here.

Static X – Push It
Stabbing Westward – Falls Apart
Shotgun Messiah – Violent New Breed
Prong – Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
Prick – Animal
Powerman 5000 – Nobody’s Real
Orgy – The Odyssey
Marilyn Manson – Burning Flag
KMFDM – Juke Joint Jezebel
Killing Joke – Pandemonium
Nine Inch Nails – Gave Up
Filter – Sand & Welcome To The Fold
Ministry – Life Is Good