The latest episode of the Mars Attacks Podcast contains interviews with Chris Poland of Megadeth fame, and Mike Orlando of Adrenaline Mob. Chris discusses what he is currently up to with Ohm, and Ohmphrey, and addresses his solo work, and why Damn The Machine came to an end. His tenure in Megadeth is not discussed as this portion of the interview will form part of this month’s Classic Albums Column.

Mike Orlando discusses putting Adrenaline Mob together, writing the material for the band’s self titled EP, and what it was brining all of the members into the band among other things.

The episode also contains a review of the Iced Earth, White Wizzard and Fury UK show that host Victor M. Ruiz took in this weekend.

You’ll hear tracks from Megadeth, Adrenaline Mob, Ohm, Damn The Machine, Sick Speed, Dave Reffett and Iced Earth during the episode.

Pictures courtesy of Chris Poland and Mike Orlando.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

Download MP3

Download From iTunes

Dream Theater
On The Backs Of Angels

As mentioned early this week, this single was conspicuously released the same day as Mike Portnoy’s Adrenaline Mob made their EP available. Now I’m not here to take sides, with anything that took place, and I want to mention that as a drummer I loved the audition footage that the band made available a few months back. I also thoroughly enjoyed Black Clouds and Silver linings and so I have attentively been waited to hear what the band does next.

If you’ve seen the aforementioned audition footage, you’ll have heard part of this track. My first impression is for as much as there was made out of these auditions, and as much as Mike Mangini’s incorporation has been talked up, his playing is buried in the mix. This to me a complete shame, especially after seeing his emotions pour out in his playing during the audition footage, and in his comments after being given the spot in the band.

Aside from that the track is very generic. It isn’t a bad track, but their last leadoff single Rite Of Passage had a certain energy about it, the mix, the various transitions, it got you pumped for the album, it made you want to hear the rest of the album. On The Backs Of Angels isn’t bad, the issue is we’ve heard all of this before by the band. The track really makes you conjure up all types of questions regarding the album, and band. Some people may ask why I gave Adrenaline Mob a “pass”, but to me it offers something different, something that at least to me is entertaining. This track is just ok, again, we’ve heard most of this already from the band, and you expect something big out of the box. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how the album shapes up, hopefully the full length has been mixed differently to make Mangini’s playing feel less contained.

Rated: C+

With regards to the Dream Theater versus Mike Portnoy issue, I understand what both parties have been trying to get across. Dream Theater has a core audience that the band wants to continue to satisfy. But be careful of you wish for. Will the band’s treatment of their audience be the same? Will they provide fans with a varying setlist as they have in the past? This made things very personal between the band and their fans, this made being a fan of the band “special”. Early indications are they that they will not, as their setlist has not varied all that much from one show to another on their current tour. Will this back fire on the band?

Dream Theater and their audience might have benefitted from the band talking a few years off. You can look at all of the bands Mike Portnoy mentioned (Motley Crue, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, etc.) but take a look at one specifically, as I feel they match up closest to DT’s audience. The band is Rush, after several years away the band is now bigger than ever, constantly doing well in a live environment, and even venturing over to Europe, something they haven’t done in ages. Saturation is not a good thing, and Dream Theater has been able to saturate the market, and their fans, with their presence. Their fans have allowed for this, due to the personal aspect I mention above, but this can all get shot to hell real fast if they are no longer going to go out of their way to give their fans what they want. Although some may see it as a detriment, not having any radio hits per say may actually benefit the band in the long haul. These are all just a bunch of hypothetical questions/points, we’ll have to see how it all plays out.

Adrenaline Mob
Adrenaline Mob

Russell Allen alluded to the fact that he might be working with Mike Portnoy when I interviewed him late last year. A few days later it was announced that he, Mr. Portnoy and Mike Orlando would be working together. Most of the negative press that has come up is that these three individuals did not put a monster prog album out that will rival what Dream Theather is currently doing, the DT-Slayer if you will. I’m sure that would have been cool, but considering Allen is in Symphony X, recently worked on a Lande/Allen album, and was part of the latest Star One project, why add another prog project to the list? He also mentioned that they had something really cool/special in mind, and he hoped that it would all work out.

That it has, for as much as people (me included) ask for things to be original, different, etc., sometimes something much simpler, and straight to the point gets the point across better. This album, is heavy, has plenty of groove, and enough individualism that it all works, and does a good job at creating enough spaces to highlight each of the players talents.

Russell Allen who has really come into his own with this and the new Symphony X album, although he’s always been a powerhouse, 2011 has brought the best out of him. Another pleasant surprise was that Richard Ward is involved in the project, possibly the most underrated guitarist of his generation; he has constantly put his stamp, his vibe, his tone on everything he’s touched, this EP being no different. Paul DiLeo could be considered the unknown commodity of the group, but he comes across like a monster and fits in perfectly. Mike Orlando provides the right amount of spice to the mix, providing some blazing fretwork, and adds a completely different style to what Mr. Ward brings to the table. And Mike Portnoy? Everyone was waiting to see what he was going to bring to the table after leaving Dream Theater. Yes, I know he was with Avenged Sevenfold for a bit, but that wasn’t “his project”. People where waiting for “his new project”. Could he have gone hog wild on this to show what he’s capable of? Could have set out to put his old bandmates to shame? Yes, and yes, but would that of benefited the music? Seriously, what was he supposed to do, become the Vinnie Vincent of drumming? His playing is spot on, it is complex where it needs to be, and simple where the song calls for things to be straight forward.

The EP consists of five tracks, four original tracks, and the Black Sabbath cover, Mob Rules.

What’s important with this EP is that it works, it’s solid, and it’s entertaining. It could have been more complex, and it could have been boring and really sucked! But it doesn’t, and if this is any indication of the full length, well I can’t wait for it to come out.

Rated: A

On a side note, is it any coincidence that Dream Theater released their single On The Backs Of Angels the same day as the Adrenaline Mob EP? Hmmm, makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Today we reveal an assorted number of members of the musical community that aren’t known for being musicians, and are part of the “big project”. Well the first part isn’t entirely true.
Read more »

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 we speak to Blitz from Overkill and Jose from Bonded By Blood. The original intent was to release this episode sometime back in July, but with all of the circumstances revolving around my life it made things difficult to do so. For those of you that don’t know my wife had been pregnant, and was bed ridden for most of two months. Unfortunately she had a miscarriage a little after this interview was conducted, and life was pretty much put on hold. A little after this happened my company had to make some difficult decision to help the company stay a float, and anyone that had unemployment benefits was let go. And you guessed it I was given the pick slip at the time. With all of this said, things could be worse and as my brother always says, no matter how bad things are, there is always someone that’s worse off than you are. Luckily, things are looking good for the future, so I can’t really complain.

In any event, the interview with Blitz was done back in January before Ironbound, Overkill’s latest album came out. Among the items discussed during this interview are Ironbound, and subsequent tour, the early days of Megaforce Records, the “Big Four”, his 30 year musical partnership with DD Verni, Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, the NY Steel Benefit Show, the project he did with Dan Lorenzo called The Cursed, Hail! and his involvement in Turtlehead!

During Jose’s segment we discuss how the band was started, comparisons to other bands, some of the festivals they were about to play when the interview was conducted, and the recording of their latest album Exiled To Earth

Items discussed during both interviews include:

Korn, Iron Maiden, Angelwitch, Raulph Patland, Cannibal Corpse, Twisted Sister, Brutal Assault Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Suffocation, Thrash Assault Forum, Exodus, Exiled To Earth, Feed The Beast, Alex Lee, Jerry Garcia, Overkill, Forbidden, Big 4, Suffocation, Bobby Blitz, Overkill, Ironbound, DD Verni, Immortalis, Dave Linsk, New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden, Feel The Fire, Killers, Punk Rock, Warbringer, Hardcore, Pop, Green And Black Army, Exodus, NY Steel, In Union We Stand, 9/11, Sid Falk, Sebastian Marino, Merritt Gant, Rob Cannavino, Bobby Gustafson, Tim Mallare, Rat Skates, Joe Comeau, Megaforce, Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, Alex Parialas, Terry Date, Chris Tsangarides, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Anvil, Colin Richardson, Pete Townsend, Peter Tagtgren, Death Angel, Megadeth, Slayer, Kreator, Destruction, Randy Blythe, Lamb Of God, Gigantour, Dave Mustaine, Willie Adler, Chris Adler, Jamey Jasta, Dan Lorenzo, Hades, Non-Fiction, The Cursed, Black Sabbath, Turtlehead, John Ostronomy, Fuse, Motorhead, Mike Portnoy, Frank Bello, Hail!, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Andreas Kisser, Dave Ellefson

The following tracks are featured during the episode:

Bonded By Blood (off of Exiled To Earth) – 600 A.B. (After The Bomb), Genetic Encryption and Prototype – Death Machine

Overkill (off of Ironbound) – The Green and Black, Bring Me The Night, Give A Little

Download MP3

Download From iTunes

During this episode we interview legendary Thrash Icon Bobby Blitz from Overkill. Among the items discussed during this interview are Overkill’s new album Ironbound, and subsequent tour, the early days of Megaforce Records, the “Big Four”, his 30 year musical partnership with DD Verni, Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, the NY Steel Benefit Show, the project he did with Dan Lorenzo called The Cursed, Hail! and his involvement in Turtlehead!

Here is a full rundown of topics covered:

Bobby Blitz, Overkill, Ironbound, DD Verni, Immortalis, Dave Linsk, New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden, Feel The Fire, Killers, Punk Rock, Warbringer, Hardcore, Pop, Green And Black Army, Exodus, NY Steel, In Union We Stand, 9/11, Sid Falk, Sebastian Marino, Merritt Gant, Rob Cannavino, Bobby Gustafson, Tim Mallare, Rat Skates, Joe Comeau, Megaforce, Metallica, Anthrax, Testament, Alex Parialas, Terry Date, Chris Tsangarides, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Anvil, Colin Richardson, Pete Townsend, Peter Tagtgren, Death Angel, Megadeth, Slayer, Kreator, Destruction, Randy Blythe, Lamb Of God, Gigantour, Dave Mustaine, Willie Adler, Chris Adler, Jamey Jasta, Dan Lorenzo, Hades, Non-Fiction, The Cursed, Black Sabbath, Turtlehead, John Ostronomy, Fuse, Motorhead, Mike Portnoy, Frank Bello, Hail!, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Andreas Kisser, Dave Ellefson

During the episode you’ll hear the following Overkill tracks:

Ironbound
Bring Me The Night
Skull & Bones
In Union We Stand

Behind my banter you’ll hear The Green And The Black

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