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

Download MP3

Download From iTunes

During this episode of Mars Attacks we interview Richard Patrick from the band Filter. I have been a fan of his work starting with Nine Inch Nails, the aforementioned Filter, The Damning Well (which to date has only released the track Awakening on the Underworld soundtrack), and Army Of Anyone. Richard has consistently put out solid music, and has not disappointed with Filter’s new album The Trouble With Angels. Definitely a must have if you’re remotely a fan of the band.

Aside from the new album we briefly touch on the some of the bands mentioned above, playing for the troupes as part of Operation MySpace, the pressures he may or may not feel when writing an album, working with Bob Marlette, etc.

Download MP3

Download From iTunes

Yesterday I gave you a review of White Wizzard’s Over The Top, today I bring you a review of Rob Zombie’s Hellbilly Deluxe 2.

I´ll admit that I´m not the world´s biggest Rob Zombie fan, and when I heard that he named his new album Hellbilly Deluxe 2, I became skeptical like a lot of you. A lot of sequels, just plain suck, but I saw the pre-order come up on iTunes, and figured, hell he´s always good for about four decent songs (minimum) on his albums, so why not? As I result, I pulled the trigger and ordered the album. I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised with the album once it became available.

Now Rob isn´t reinventing anything here, and you know what who cares? Will someone that´s waiting for the Triptikon album to come out enjoy this? Probably not, because it´s more than likely not “metal” enough for them. But I don´t think he´s trying to go after that market, and there´s nothing wrong with that. You usually know what to expect from Rob, and it´s almost always a little weird, a little strange, has a dash of sex, mixed in with a horror or outer space theme, hella fun and very entertaining when it´s on. The music isn´t overly complex, it´s pretty straight forward, and focused, something that hasn´t happened on a Rob Zombie album in a while.
The album starts out with “Jesus Frankenstein”, which sounds like a track that could have made its way onto an old White Zombie album. Then all of a sudden, this acoustic part hits you courtesy of John 5 (will Marilyn Manson ever cop to the fact that he never should have fired him?). Jimmy Clufetos drum track on this song is very raw, as it is throughout an entire album, which also features a drum solo in a latter track. The current single “Sick Bubblegum” is up next, with a traditional chugging guitar/bass riff reminiscent of so many other previous Zombie songs. “What?” is the single that was initially released on iTunes before the pre-order was made available, another catchy tune where Rob applies a distortion effect on his voice. Accompanying them on this track is an organ apropos of a classic horror flick. The next track “Mars Needs Woman”…angry red woman, starts out with an acoustic riff well suited for an episode of Deadwood. Then all of a sudden Zombie jumps in with Clufetos, and John 5 follows suit with the type of playing we´re accustomed hearing from him. Mr. Lowry gives us a mix of chords with a shrieking note over top that sounds as if he´s using a Whammy pedal, but knowing this six string genius, it´s probably something completely different. “Werewolf, Baby” starts out with some classic southern rock riffage (more classic John 5), before Zombie comes in clearly showing off his Alice Cooper influence, before kicking it up a registry for the song´s chorus. The chorus is constructed with a melody that´s difficult to get out of your head (this has been a common theme with releases over the past few months, seems like hooks and melody are back). Did someone say sex and horror? “Virgin Witch” is up next, it is another track that is very reminiscent of his earlier White Zombie work. It is the first track on the album that displays Zombie´s love of overlapping various sounds to create a pallet that is distinctly his. “Death And Destiny Inside The Dream Factory” is a quick little Ramones like tune, that has classic Zombie vocals doubled over top of this sololess song. “Burn” is a track that was made available a little while back as a free download. The best way that I can describe the song is as a mix between old White Zombie, “Thunderkiss” and some Joey Ramone type singing over top of the chorus, with the uh-huh-uh-uh-huh, etc. part. Another track that easily gets stuck in your head. “Cease to Exist” starts out with some Sabbath inspired riffing courtesy of John 5, it is the first song that has an abundant amount of sampling going on over top. Zombie´s vocals are also Ozzyesque on this track, further displaying the Sabbath influence in the track. “Werewolf Woman of the SS” is based on a fake trailer he made for the movie Grindhouse. The clip featured who else, but Rob´s wife Sheri Moon Zombie, if you´re a fan of his, you´re no stranger to her. Another classic Zombie track in the vein of “Superbeast”. “The Man Who Laughs” starts out with horror stylings that come courtesy of a string section. John 5 kicks in with a quick little solo ditty before Clufetos kicks in with, as mentioned above a drum solo! The solo lasts a few good minutes before John 5 and bassist Piggie D, and the string section kick things back into gear before wrapping up the song and album. If you bought the deluxe edition off of iTunes you´ll also receive three mostly forgettable remixes of “What?”, “Jesus Frankenstein”, and “Sick Bubblegum”. I don´t mind remixes, Rob´s put out plenty of good ones in the past, these just aren´t my cup of tea.

If you´re a long time fan of Rob Zombie, this album will be right up your valley. For those of you that don´t know any of his material, and don´t want a greatest hits, this might be a good introduction to the world of Rob Zombie. If you just want to kick back, and listen to some entertaining music while in the car or while kicking back some cold ones, this could be your album of choice!

During this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Ripper Owens, former lead singer of Judas Priest and Iced Earth, the current lead singer for Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls Of The Damned, the super group Hail! and his own solo band. During his interview we discussed the following:

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 Christie, Play My Game, Heaven & Hell, Hannah Montana, Pink.

The following songs are featured during this episode:

Believe – Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens
Death Race – Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens
Save Me – Beyond Fear
Yngwie Malmsteen – Live To Fight (Another Day)
Ten Thousand Strong – Iced Earth
Feed On Me – Judas Priest
Pick Your Self Up – Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens