Why didn’t Hades make it bigger than they actually did? The band is probably the most underrated thrash band of all time. Alan Tecchio alone is one of the greatest metal voices of all time, why isn’t he held in the same regards as John Bush, Joey Bellodonna, Chuck Billy, or others like say a King Diamond that didn’t venture into thrash? The rest of the band on this DVD is tremendous. It consists of Dan Lorenzo and Scott LePage on guitar. The rhythm section consists of T. Coombs on drums, and Non-Fiction’s Kevin Bolembach. I see this DVD as a celebration of the band, its fans, and what should be an eye opener for most that previously didn’t know the band. This DVD is raw, and live, just the way I like it! For so many years you’ve seen bands mask/enhance who they are, by using CGI, by paying go-go dancers to fill in the crowd, by giving away 90% of their tickets via radio contests, or redoing all of the audio in the studio. But with this DVD what you see is what you get. Again, raw, live, sweaty thrash.

The DVD kicks off with an intro from comedian Don Jamison. From here the band starts things off by quickly ripping right into Widow’s Mite, and then one of my favorite Hades’ tracks The Leaders? The show is sprinkled with all types of cool tracks like Exist To Resist, The Cross, and Resist Success, whose main riff has been borrowed by countless bands over the years. Continuing this theme, during Sweet Revenge you hear a section that sounds a lot like Time by Anthrax, which was released years later. The Hades portion is wrapped up by a killer version of Nighstalker.

The bonus section contains a cover of the Fleetwood Mac/Judas Priest classic The Green Manilishi (With The Two Pronged Crown) and rehearsal footage of the band prepping for the show.

As a bonus you also get a few tracks off of the Non-Fiction reunion show from a few years back. Tracks for this part of the DVD include Preface, the single In The Know, and Peaked. Cool to see the genius in Dan Lorenzo transition from the thrash of Hades to eerie/ominous riffs he composed and played while in Non-Fiction. Watch this section and try to categorize a band that was a few years ahead of its time.

I recommend this DVD to anyone that is remotely interested in either band, old school thrash, or live shows. My only complaint is I wish Non-Fiction’s version of the Black Sabbath classic Voodoo appeared somewhere on the DVD! For those interested, you can purchase Re-United & Re-Ignited directly from here on Dan Lorenzo’s site.

Ron Scalzo, AKA Q*Ball of Return To Earth, Bald Freak Music, and Q*Ball Fame is featured during the latest episode of Mars Attacks Podcast.

During the episode we discuss all of the bands mentioned above, his label Bald Freak Music, his relationship with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, his desire to score a movie soundtrack and more.

During the episode you’ll hear snippets of the following songs:

Return To Earth – Get Your Knife
Wayne – Let Us Kill Ourselves
Return To Earth – Automata
Return To Earth – The Altercation Of Man
Bumblefoot – Invisible
Return To Earth – Night Of Exploding Razors

Other items discussed:

Ron Scalzo, Ron Thal, Bumblefoot, Guns N Roses, Return To Earth, Q*Ball, Trent Reznor, Pretty Hate Machine, How To Destroy Angels, Inception, Nothing, Interscope, Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Danny Elfman, Oingo Boingo, Ennio Morricone, Ministry, Meshuggah, Chris Pennie, Brett Aveni, Devin Townsen, Tom Araya, Slayer, Bono, Dave Gahan, Depeche Mode, Steve Vai, Ki, Ziltoid, Jason Flom, Kid Rock, Back Street Boys, Creed, Three Doors Down, Nickleback, Kevin Richardson, Beastie Boys, Andy Carp, Caddy Shack, Sigur Ros, Peter Gabriel, Coheed & Cambria, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Billy Preston, Abby Road, Rubber Soul

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Wayne – Let Us Kill Ourselves
The More I See – Smack My Bitch Up
Captain T – Moongate
The Eyes – Wake Up Steel
The Greatest Fear – Aberration
Star One – Earth That Was
Amon Amarth – War Of the Gods
Lazarus A.D. – American Dreams
Assaulter – Slave To King
Hades – Exist To Resist
Wrathchild America – Climbin’ The Walls
Cradle Of Filth – The Fire Still Burns

LAZARUS A.D. is the most recent casualty in a slew of unfortunate band robberies to claim theft of their personal items and money from their touring van. The incident took place last night in Southampton, UK. After breaking a window to enter the band’s van, the burglars stole roughly $1,500 in cash, all of the bands personal items including Social Security cards, birth certificates, and clothing, and even their personal hygiene items. The band members luckily had their passports in their pockets and their gear inside the venue; otherwise they fear that those items would have been taken as well.

LAZARUS A.D. have many dates remaining on their tour with Bonded By Blood, so having no money or personal items will be a great strain on the band financially and personally. A PayPal donation link has been set up in order for fans to donate to the band in this time of need. Please head to this link to donate what you can spare.

Check out their latest video:

The band has released one of 2011′s best albums, and will appear shortly on Mars Attacks.

Please do what you can to help them out.

During this episode you’ll hear interviews from Symphony X lead singer Russell Allen, and ex-White Wizzard/The More I see lead singer Peter Ellis.

During the Russell Allen portion he discusses Symphony X’s current plans, what it was like to record the latest Allen Lande album, and his desire to tour with Star One, among other things. The interview was recorded right before his big announcement with Mike Portnoy, and although he brings the project up, he doesn’t disclose much.

Peter Ellis discusses getting involved in former Prodigy guitarist Giz Butt’s thrash band The More I See. How he met Jon Leon, his involvement in Flying Tigers the soon to be released White Wizzard album, and sets the records straight as to why he is no longer in the band. He also discusses what the future has in store for him.

During this episode you’ll hear songs from Allen/Lande, Symphony X, Star One, White Wizzard, and The More I See

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