During this episode we bring you three interviews, Morgan Lander from Kittie, Clay Winthrow of Vangough and Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise. Morgan discusses Kittie’s latest album I’ve Failed you, her gear, touring with the band, playing with Lazarus A.D.’s Jeff Paulick, etc. Clay discusses his transition from solo artist to Vangough, what influence if any Oklahoma Citys has on the band’s music, their latest album Kingdom of Ruin, and being a professor at a local university among other things. A few of the topics Margarita covers includes Edge of Paradise’s album Mask, playing with Tony Franklin and Gregg Bissonette, and what the band’s connection is to Robyn McAuley.

The episode contains music by all three bands, as well as Orange Goblin and Wildestarr.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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During the latest episode of the Mars Attacks Podcast we have two special interviews, one with Doro Pesch, and the other with Straight Line Stitch’s Alexis Brown. Doro came on to lend her comments to the Classic Albums Column, but we ended up veering off into another direction and discussed her collaboration with Peter Steele on the track Decent. How she pulled together the special guests featured on her DVD 25 Years In Rock (which is about to be released in the US). Some upcoming shows in New York and Chicago that will also feature a series of special guests. What it was like for her to jump on stage with Twisted Sister at the end of the NY Steel Benefit show, among other things. She also let’s slip that she’s writing new material that will end up on her next album.

Alexis Brown isn’t your typical singer. Yes she’s featured as one of the “Hottest Chicks In Metal”, but her voice sets her apart from pretty much any other singer that has been featured on Revolver’s list. She has a unique style that was forged by listening to some artists that may not be deemed as “cool” by today’s standards. But she has no issue discussing them with us. Some of the other things she discussed include the recording of Straight Line Stitch’s latest album The Fight Of Our Lives, what it’s been like to tour with the band, the camaraderie with other bands, and even lending a hand to Kittie. She also points out how important it is for the band to make an impression every night on stage.

Throughout the episode you’ll hear assorted tracks from both Doro and Straight Line Stitch.

Thanks to Bill from E1 and Liz from Earsplit Compound(not Ear Splitter like is mentioned during the episode) for setting things up with Alexis and Doro.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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Opeth – The Devil’s Orchard
Mastodon – The Curl Of The Burl
Jane’s Addiction – Irresistible Force
Adrenaline Mob – Believe Me
Dream Theater – On The Backs Of Angels
Trivium – Dusk Dismantled
Anthrax – The Devil You Know
Evanescence – What You Want
The Chariot – Music Of A Grateful Heart
Kittie – Empires (Part 2)
Chickenfoot – Big Foot
Five Finger Death Punch – Under And Over It
Chimaira – Losing My Mind

Did a Q&A Interview for Metal Army America with New Jersey’s own Doc Coyle. For those of you that don’t know he’s the guitarist for God Forbid. You can read the interview here.

On a side note the top picture was taken back in March at B.B. Kings in NYC, while the second shot was taken in June 09 at the now defunct Kobetasonik Festival in Bilbao Spain.

During episode 11 we interview Frank Salvaggio from Anew Revolution and Robbie Crane from Ratt. Both are very stand up guys, very easy to talk to, and furthers my belief of having just a normal conversation with artists as opposed to doing a “Kent Brockman” type interview (sorry I say Trent during the episode).

In any event, we touch on the following items during the interviews, from Frank’s side his past in Slaves On Dope, putting Anew Revolution together, song writing, gear, etc. With Robbie we talk about Juan Croucier, Vince Neil, being in the band for roughly 15 years, Infestation, the drama surrounding the band, etc.

During the episode you will hear parts of the following songs:

Anew Revolution’s “Head Against The Wall” & “Ashes From Stone” both come off of the bands recently released iMerica
Ratt’s “Eat Me Up Alive”, “Best Of Me” & “A Little Too Much” all off of their latest release Infestation

Other items discussed:

Anew Revolution, Slaves On Dope, Unloco, E1 Music, Bill Meis, Frank Salvaggio, Joey Duenas, Ozzfest, Taproot, Sugar Ray, 311, Lemonade & Brownies, Snot, Drowning Pool, Nonpoint, Limp Bizkit, Shinedown, Sevendust, Gojira, Marilyn Manson, Hatebreed, Journey, Killswitch Engage, Projekt Revolution, Kittie, Insane Clown Possie, Coolio, Tara McLeod, Ivy Vujic, Randall Amps, Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, ESP Guitars, Metallica, EMG Pickups, Ratt, Vince Neil, John Corabi, Motley Crue, Carved In Stone, Dust Brothers, Brent Woods, Kid Rock, Beastie Boys, Young MC, Tone Loc, Funky Cold Medina, Exposed, Steve Stevens, Paul’s Boutique, Phil Sousan, Out Of The Cellar, Vertex, Stephan Piercy, Al Pitrelli, Juan Croucier, Carlos Cavazo, Quiet Riot, Metal Health, Condition Critical, Robyn Crosby, Bobby Blotzer, Warren DiMartini, Michael “Elvis” Baskette, Roadrunner, Loud And Proud, Infestation, Fender Precision Bass, Rotosound Strings, Marshall Amps, Ampeg Amps, Hiwatt Amps, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Metal Army America, Talking Metal, Mark Strigl Radio, Background Noise, Van Halen, Dan Lorenzo, Hades, Non-Fiction, The Cursed, Misery, Chad Gray, Mudvayne, Cory Taylor, Slipknot

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During this episode you’ll find two interviews, one with Ivy and Tara from Kittie, and another with Mercedes.

The first part of the episode was conducted in March while Kittie was touring with Gwen Stacy and God Forbid. The latter half of the episode consists of an interview that was conducted back in December. Had a great time conducting both, everyone was really down to earth when I spoke to them, and as I mention during both interviews, I feel that they should be considered pioneers.

One thing I really wanted to point out which I forgot to mention during the podcast is Tara’s playing style. During the interview you’ll hear her sort of play down her influences, or better yet things that she listens to outside of metal. The first song in their set starts up, the solo kicks in, and she starts finger picking during the solo, I mean blue-grass style! I don’t know if that’s where she got it from, but it was pretty cool to see her whip that out! And no, I wasn’t expecting midgets….er eh, little people!

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During this episode we interview Rane and Jason from Kings of Modesty, as well as Cory Proctor from Free Reign and the Dallas Cowboys. These interviews were conducted roughly a month ago, and originally were going to air on Mars Attacks Radio. But around that time, we made a conscious decision to listen to the feedback we were receiving, and switch the format so that the radio show is more of a music oriented show, and the podcast (which was launched around that time) became an outlet for the interviews that are conducted for the show. Sans the odd live show, like last week, we will adhere to this format for the foreseeable future. In any event thanks to all of you that listen on a weekly basis to the radio show, and to those of you that have been making the podcast very successful!

That said, let’s get back on track here, Kings of Modesty discuss the making of their full length album, the recording of their previous EP with Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, what it was like to tour with Tarja Turunen and Michael Schenker, as well as their desire to bring Kings of Modesty to North America among other things. On the Free Reign side of things, Cory discusses the differences with playing on stage as opposed to on the field, the process behind recording the band’s first full length album and their EP Tragedy, what it was like to take part in the Golden Gods ceremony a few weeks back, and how difficult it is at times to balance life, football, and music.

Other items discussed:

Samuel Hjelt, Raino Simoinen, Henrik Tuura, Mikael Hjelt, Jason Flinck, Faces of Modesty, Kings Of Modesty, Nightwish, Emppu Vuorinen, Hell or Highwater, Jere Putkisaari, Tarja Turunen, Michael Schenker, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner, Queensryche, Iron Maiden, John Petrucci, Nicko McBrain, Scott Rockenfield, Chipster PR, MSG, Impelliteri, Rainbow, Dream Theater, Amazon, iTunes, CD.com, Free Reign, Dallas Cowboys, Cory Proctor, Super Bowl Shuffle, Mark Colombo, Leonard Davis, Justin Chapman, Alex Gerst, Indian Trails Recording Studios, Vinnie Paul, Dave Lombardo, Joey Jordinson, Taylor Hawkins, Killswitch Engage, Megadeth, Mercedes Lander, Kittie, Steel Panther, Carrot Top, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Gretch, Pearl, Sabian Cymbals, Granada Theater, Orange County Chopper, Dave Mustaine, Lemmy, Pantera, Creed, P.O.D., Golden Gods, Tony Romo, Tragedy, Taylor Hawkins, Bullet For My Valintine, Nub Graphix, Heavier Than Metal.com, Goldengodsawards.com, Journey, House Of Blues, Byron Davis, Doc Coyle, God Forbid, Bill Meis, Chip Ruggieri, Jen Farhood

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Had the pleasure of interviewing Ivy and Tara from Kittie last night at BB Kings in NYC. I had interviewed Mercedes from the band right at the end of last year. I have to say that her interview was one of my favorites, as we talked for close to an hour, although about half of that was edited out. Although this interview originally aired back in January, I do intend on releasing both of the interviews together as a podcast during the course of the next few weeks. This was the first time I have caught the band, and they did not disappoint. They played fifteen songs total, you can tell that they are extremely happy with their last album In The Black, as they played six songs off of the album. During the interview Ivy and Tara confirmed that Kittie will indeed be touring with Insane Clown Posse.

Opening for the band was God Forbid, this was my second time seeing them, as I had seen them at the Kobetasonik festival in Spain last June. For those of you keeping score I interviewed guitarist Doc Coyle back in November. At the time things were somewhat in limbo with the band, they were looking for new management, a new label, and working a new guitarist into the fold (Matt Wicklund, who I saw back stage). Byron announced during the show that they were recording a new album which should be out at some point during this year. The set list focused on Earthsblood and IV: Constitution of Treason. Aside from songs off of their previous two releases, they played Pantera’s Mouth For War during their set. After their show I had Doc right behind me sporting a Metal Sucks t-shirt, he was watching Kittie’s show and had someone with him at the time. I didn’t see it prudent to walk up to him and bug him, in any event, will be posting his interview shortly as well.

Opening act was Gwen Stacy, unfortunately, didn’t get to catch much of their show, although they did sound great as well.

Thanks to Bill from E1 for making everything happen.

Tomorrow night’s Mars Attacks will go live, I will have interviews with Joey Z from Life Of Agony/Steromud/Carnivore, Anthony Esposito from Ace Frehley/Lynch Mob, and Mark & John from Talking Metal. This is my second go round with Joey; the last time we spoke was right before L.O.A. went out and did the shows in Jersey and NYC commemorating the twenty year anniversary of the band. The podcast version of the interview is available here:

http://marsattacksradio.com/2010/03/audio/podcast-episode-2-life-of-agonys-joey-z/

The show starts at 7PM EST / 4PM PST exclusively on MarkStriglRadio.com

During the episode we have the pleasure of speaking to Mercedes Lander from Kittie. She discusses the making of their latest album In The Black, former members of the band, Poison Black (the clothing line she started with her sister Mercedes), Pantera, Angela Grossow of Arch Enemy, a few touring stories including the band’s previous stint on Ozzfest.

During the episode you will hear the following tracks by the band:

Cut Throat
Funeral For Yesterday
Run Like Hell
Brackish
Into The Darkness
Now Or Never
Spit
What I’ve Always Wanted

Behind my banter you will also hear:

Red Flag
My Plague
Oracle
Charlotte
Safe (KMFDM Remix)
Ready Aim Riot

As voted by the listeners of Fusion Sonica and Mars Attacks:

Best Track of 2009 – Megadeth – 1,320′

Top 15 Albums of 2009

1. Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
2. Mastodon – Crack The Skye
3. Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings
4. Megadeth – Endgame
5. Deathklok – Dethalbum II
6. Rammstein – Liebe ist fur alle da
7. Ace Frehley – Anomoly
8. Black Crows – Before The Frost…
9. Cannibal Corpse – Evisceration Plague
10. Converge – Axe To Fall
11. Heaven and Hell – The Devil You Know
12. Lamb of God – Wrath
13. Muse – The Resistance
14. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
15. Baroness – The Blue Record

Best albums of 2009 in my opinion:

1. Mastodon – Crack The Skye
2. Baroness – The Blue Record
3. Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
4. Ace Frehley – Anomoly
5. The Crooked Vultures – S/T
6. Megadeth – Endgame
7. The Devin Townsend Band – Addicted
8. Heaven and Hell – The Devil You Know
9. Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. God Forbid – Earthblood

11. Lamb of God – Wrath
12. Warrior Soul – Chinese Democracy
13. City of Fire – S/T
14. Ripper Owens – Play My Game
15. Street Sweeper Social Club – S/T
16. Snail – Blood
17. Slayer – World Painted Blood
18. Autumn Hour – Dethroned
19. New Keepers Of The Water Tower – Chronicles
20. Swashbuckle – Cruise Ship Terror
21. Arkaea – Years Of Darkness
22. Throwdown – Deathless
23. Steel Panther – Feel The Steel
24. Seventh Void – S/T
25. Municipal Waste – Massive Aggressive
26. High Spirits – S/T
27. Paradise Lost – Faith Divides Us (Death Unites Us)
28. Kittie – Into The Black
29. Struck By Lightning – Serpents
30. Kiss – Sonic Boom
31. Lacuna Coil – Shadow Life
32. Mob Research – Holy City Zoo
33. Shadows Fall – Retribution
34. Austrian Death Machine – Double Brutal
35. Divine Heresy – Bringer Of Plagues
36. Kreator – Hordes Of Chaos
37. Marilyn Manson – The High End Of The Low
38. Shrinebuilder – Shrinebuilder
39. The Agonist – Lullabies For The Dormant Mind
40. Immortal – All Shall Fall

Non-Metal

1. Franz Ferdinand – Tonight Franz Ferdinand
2. U2 – No Line On The Horizon
3. Wolfmother – Comic Egg
4. Pearl Jam – Back Spacer
5. Muse – The Resistance

Best albums in 2009 recorded by national groups from here in Spain:

1. Wayne – The Moon Effect
2. Hell’s Fire – Eleven Roads To Hell
3. Aloud – Regeneracion
4. Guldin – Moralia
5. Blood – Seppuku

Best tracks of the year in my opinion:

1. Mastodon – Divinations
2. Lamb Of God – In Your Words
3. God Forbid – Empire Of The Gun
4. New Keepers Of The Water Tower – Pursuit of Yeti
5. Ace – Sister

6. Seventh Void – Closing In
7. Fear Factory – Power Shifter
8. Megadeth – This Day We Fight
9. The Devin Townsend Band – Addicted
10. Mastondon – Oblivion

11. Them Crooked Vultures – Scumbag Blues
12. Alice In Chains – Check My Brain
13. Killswitch Engage – The Reckoning
14. Baroness – Swollen and Halo
15. Warrior Soul – The Fourth Reich
16. Lamb Of God – Fake Messiah
17. City Of Fire – Carve Your Name
18. Megadeth – 1,230
19. Municipal Waste – Mech-cannible

20. Snail – Mental Models
21. Ace – Too Many Faces
22. Devin Townsend – Supercrush!
23. Dream Theater – A Rite Of Passage
24. The Company Band – Spellbinder
25. Shrinebuilder – Science of Anger
26. Baroness – A Horse Called Golgotha
27. Street Sweeper Social Club – Promenade
28. Heaven and Hell – Neverwhere
29. Marilyn Manson – I Have To Look Up To See Hell
30. Alice In Chains – Your Decision

31. God Forbid – War Of Attrition
32. Them Crooked Vultures – No One Loves Me Like I Do
33. Swashbuckle – Scurvy Back
34. Trivium – Down From The Sky
35. Autum Hour – Techcceleration
36. Slayer – Americon
37. Sepultura – We’ve Lost You
38. Alice In Chains – Last Of My Kind
39. City Of Fire – Gravity

40. Snail – Sleep
41. Danzig – Thirteen
42. Austrian Death Machine – In Need Your Cloths, Your Boots, Your Motorcycle
43. Chevelle – Sleep Apnea
44. New Keepers Of The Water Tower – Rise Of The Lizard King
45. Devin Townsen – Awake!
46. Megadeth – 44 Minutes
47. Ripper Owens – Death Race
48. Alice In Chains – All Secrets Known
49. God Forbid – Walk Alone

50. Immortal – Rise Of Darkness
51. Mushroom Head – Your Soul Is Mine
52. Slayer – World Painted Blood
53. God Forbid – Stockholm Syndrome
54. Hatebreed – Ever Lasting Scar
55. Slipknot – Psycho Social
56. Bruce Kulick – No Friend Of Mine
57. Shadows Fall – Still I Rise
58. Them Crooked Vultures – Gunman
59. Echos Of Empires – Ten Swords

60. Steel Panther – The Shocker
61. Otep – Rise, Rebel, Resist
62. Wayne – Till Death Do Us Part
63. Alexis On Fire – Young Cardinals
64. Alice In Chains – Acid Buble
65. Street Sweeper Social Club – The Oath
66. Lacuna Coil – I Survive
67. Cycle Of Pain – Dead Man Walking
68. New Keepers Of The Water Tower – The Three Headed Cow
69. Mob Research – Tribe

70. Kiss – Say Yeah
71. Shadows Fall – King Nothing
72. CKY – Hellions On Parade
73. Dream Theater – The Shattered Fortress
74. Killswitch Engage – Never Again
75. Keator – Hordes Of Chaos
76. Halford – Get Into The Spirit
77. Living Colour – Ass Hole
78. Mastodon – The Last Baron
79. Heaven And Hell – Eating The Cannibal

80. Ray West – No State Of Grace
81. Seventh Void – Heaven Is Gone
82. Slipknot – Sulfer
83. Static-X – Lunatic
84. Sylosis – After Lifeless Years
85. Arkaea – Locust
86. Baroness – War, Wisdom and Rhyme
87. Warrior Soul – She’s Glaswegian
88. Lamb Of God – Set To Fail
89. Yngwie Malesteen – Live To Fight
90. Megadeth – Headcrusher

91. Arkaea – Beneath The Shades Of Grey
92. Throwdown – The Scythe
93. Swashbuckle – Cruiseship Terror
94. Lazarus A.D. – Last Breath
95. Marilyn Manson – We’re From America
96. Heaven & Hell – Bible Black
97. Ace Frehley – Outerspace
98. Chimaira – Frozen In Time
99. Satyricon – Black Crow On A Tombstone

100. Mastodon – The Czar
101. Municipal Waste – Wrong Answer
102. The Agonist – Thank You, Pain
103. ZO2 – Painted Lady
104. Believer – The Brave
105. Otep – Smash The Control Machine
106. Divine Heresy – Facebreaker
107. Leeches Of Lore – I Am The Raptor
108. Arkaea – Years In Darkness
109. The Agonist – Waiting Out The Winter

110. Anvil – Bombs Away
111. Rammstein – Rammlied
112. Evile – Now Demolition
113. Them Croocked Vultures – New Fang
114. Devin Towsend – Disruptr
115. Red Fang – Prehistoric Dog
116. Throwdown – Tombs
117. Struck By Lightning – The Watchful Eye
118. Paradise Lost – Universal Dream
119. Ace Frehley – Pain In The Neck

120. The Elite – Kill The Sun
121. Immortal – All Shall Fall
122. Freakshow – Everyone
123. Masters Of Reality – King Richard THL
124. Dream Theater – A Nightmare To Remember
125. Devil Driver – Pray For Villains
126. Devin Townsend – The Universe In A Ball!
127. Heaven & Hell – Eating The Cannibal
128. Killswitch Engage – Starting Over
129. Alice In Chains – A Looking In View

130. Lamb Of God – Contractor
131. Motley Crue – Saints Of Los Angeles
132. Queensryche – Silver
133. Satyricon – Wolfpack
134. Street Sweep Social Club – The Oath
135. Sepultura – What I Do
136. New Keepers Of The Water Tower – The Strafing Lobster
137. Slipknot – Butcherhook
138. Snail – Via
139. Kiss – Modern Day Delilah

140. Them Crooked Vultures – Mind Eraser, No Chaser
141. Trivium – Into The Mouth Of Hell We March
142. Leeches Of Lore – Black Cognac
143. Warrior Soul – Don’t Believe
144. Steel Panther – Eyes Of The Panther
145. Queensryche – Man Down!
146. Black Pyramid – Mirror Messiah
147. Kiss – All For The Glory
148. Motley Crue – Mother Fucker Of The Year
149. Autumn Hour – End User

150. Heaven & Hell – Atom & Evil
151. Autumn Hour – Everyday
152. Ripper Owens – Believe
153. Ace Frehley – Foxy & Free
154. Amorphis – Silver Bride
155. Cycle Of Pain – Cycle Of Pain
156. Dream Theater – The Best Of Times
157. Kreator – War Curse
158. Lacuna Coil – Spellbound
159. Marilyn Manson – Four Rusted Horses

160. Megadeth – Endgame
161. Mob Research – Wambulance
162. Seventh Void – Slow Decent
163. Austrian Death Machine – Gotta Go
164. Cave In – Retina Sees Rewind
165. Chevelle – Jars
166. Chimaira – Coming Alive
167. Divine Heresy – Bringer of Plagues
168. Gallows – Crucifucks
169. Ripper Owens – Pick Yourself Up
170. Sirenia – Path To Decay