Radical Research Podcast

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Episode 66 – The Houde Abides: Kataklysm 1993-1996 May 11, 2021

Show notes

Have you even the slightest notion of mystical reincarnation? Unfortunately for you, as for the rest of we mortals, even after spending hours with the music of Houde-era Kataklysm, it is unlikely that you will have any tighter apprehension of the matter. On this, the 66th episode of Radical Research, we peel back the lacerating layers of one of Canada's most confounding exports. The music that Kataklysm issued from 1992 to 1996 was directed by the scorched, distorted vision of vocalist, Sylvain Houde, whose mongrel utterances vibrate at a pitch that is inaccessible to any other singer, past or present. The band's music, born of a furious confrontation with Houde's offensive, keeps pace with the vocalist's howling incantations, marshaling the cruel resources of the dreaded Northern Hyperblast. Tune in for a lesson in violence Quebecoise.

Note I: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Frozen in Time” (The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation, 1993) “Mystical Plane of Evil” (The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation, 1993) “Shrine of Life” (The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation, 1993) “Whirlwind of Withered Blossoms” (Sorcery, 1995) “Elder God” (Sorcery, 1995) “Dead Zygote” (Sorcery, 1995) “Beckoning of the Xul” (Temple of Knowledge, 1996) “The Awakener” (Temple of Knowledge, 1996) Ep. 67 preview: Arachnoid, “Toutes Ces Images” (Arachnoid, 1979)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

Episode 65 – DVC: God’s Work Reversed in Tallahassee Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Erupting from the wastes of Tallahassee, Florida, DVC (Darth Vader's Church) produced two long-players of low-slung filth and Southside mania. From 1989 to 1992, DVC explored the most shameful, subterranean grottoes of death/thrash and did so in almost categorical secrecy. On Episode 65, Radical Research opens the grave and digs into this band's modest but fascinating body of work. Join us on this adventure of descendant upheaval!

Note I: Manufacture Sound Output Co. also released material by Insect Fear, Singing Spoons, Shatterposts and Gruel. Which doesn’t help anyone or anything, but it’s worth noting, we suppose.

Note II: Go here to go to hell: https://www.discogs.com/artist/708784-DVC Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Cranium Overture” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) “Eve Angel” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) “Mourning Sun” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) “Embalmed in Stone” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) “Bow of Mortis” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) “Ash” (Molecular Shadow, 1992) “Tallow” (Molecular Shadow, 1992) “Sick With Experience” (Molecular Shadow, 1992) “In A Gadda Da Bhagavad Gita” (Molecular Shadow, 1992) “Dissolve in Galaxia” (Molecular Shadow, 1992) “Devious Circus” (Descendant Upheaval, 1989) Ep. 66 preview: Manowar, “The Oath” (Sign of the Hammer, 1984)

Episode 64 – Steve Hackett is the Wizard Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

No anniversaries, no deaths, no reissues, no birthdays, no arbitrary celebrations. This is Hackett for Hackett’s sake! Guitarist Steve Hackett is one of the most extraordinary musicians ever to wield the instrument. Herein we present a clutch of short, sharp shocks from the man’s prolific output, just a sampling of the curious magic he’s capable of. Hackett hacked to bits. Indulge!

Music cited, in order of appearance: Genesis, “The Return of the Giant Hogweed” (Live, 1973) GTR, “Hackett to Bits” (GTR, 1986) Steve Hackett, “Ace of Wands” (Voyage of the Acolyte, 1975) Gordian Knot, “Muttersprache” (Emergent, 2003) Squackett, “A Life Within a Day” (A Life Within a Day, 2012) Steve Hackett, “Clocks – The Angel of Mons” (Spectral Mornings, 1979) Genesis, “…In That Quiet Earth” (Wind & Wuthering, 1976) Genesis, “Inside and Out” (Spot the Pigeon, 1977) Gordian Knot, “Singing Deep Mountain” (Emergent, 2003) Steve Hackett, “Spectral Mornings” (Spectral Mornings, 1979) Ep. 65 preview: DVC, “Luminous Darkness“ (Descendant Upheaval, 1989)

Episode 63 – LunaTechSpiritGasm: Alchemist’s Cosmic Dramas Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

There is simply nothing like Alchemist. Active throughout the ‘90s and into the aughts until their dissolution in 2010, the Australian quartet offered severe heaviness embellished by insanely loopy guitar weirdness and pounding aboriginal rhythms. Their psychedelic metal flew largely under the radar, despite linking with Relapse Records in the second half of their career. Radical Research brings you 15 slices of lysergic Alchemetal in celebration of this most intriguing band. Thank you, Adam Agius, Rodney Holder, John Bray and Roy Torkington. Be there or be cubed.

Note I: We encourage anyone who 1) listens to Radical Research, and 2) wears clothes, to head over to https://www.earthinsound.org/store and buy their Confessor, Disharmonic Orchestra, Ras Algethi and Old Lady Drivers shirts!! Tell ‘em Radical Research sent you.

Note II: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Beyond Genesis” (Spiritech, 1997) “My Animated Truth” (Promo 94) “Closed Chapter” (Promo 94) “Chinese Whispers” (two moments) (Spiritech, 1997) “Eve of the War” (Eve of the War, 1998) “Austral Spectrum” (Organasm, 2000) “Alpha Capella Nova Vega” (Austral Alien, 2003) “Escapism” (demo, 1991) “Abstraction” (Jar of Kingdom, 1993) “Brumal: A View From Pluto” (Jar of Kingdom, 1993) “Clot” (Lunasphere, 1995) “Enhancing Enigma” (Jar of Kingdom, 1993) “New Beginning” (Organasm, 2000) “Spiritechnology” (Spiritech, 1997) “Evolution Trilogy Part 2 – Rampant Micro Life” (Organasm, 2000) Ep. 64 preview: GTR, “Hackett to Bits” (GTR, 1986)

Episode 62 – Under Separate Cover Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

Episode 62 of Radical Research challenges the notions of identity, probes at both the masks and the faces themselves. What biology occurs when the firstborn cleaves to the breast of another? This conversation claws at the God-playing reconstructions of Type O Negative, Ulver, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and Gorgoroth, among others. To do or to undo? That is the question.

Note I: Correction: Jeff quotes a line from A Perfect Circle/Failure’s “The Nurse Who Loved Me” as “say hello to the floor’s topography.” Obviously it’s “the rug’s topography.” We couldn’t be more embarrassed, because that is one of the greatest lyrics in rock history and it deserves better than us. Oops. Note II: Big Dumb Skulls is mentioned in this episode, by way of talking about our pal Matt Johnsen. If you’re uninitiated and curious about the ridiculous project Jeff dreamed up with Matt, check it out here: www.bigdumbskulls.com Note III: This is the fourth Radical Research episode to feature something about Norway’s mighty Ulver. For the record, the other three are episodes 1, 16 and 33. It can’t be too long before we find a fifth excuse… Note IV: We encourage anyone who 1) listens to Radical Research, and 2) wears clothes, to head over to https://www.earthinsound.org/store and buy their Confessor, Disharmonic Orchestra, Ras Algethi and Old Lady Drivers shirts!! Tell ‘em Radical Research sent you.

Note V: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: Anacrusis, “I Love the World” (Manic Impressions, 1991) Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, “Father of Night” (Solar Fire, 1973) Anathema, “Hope” (Eternity, 1996) A Perfect Circle, “The Nurse Who Loved Me” (Thirteenth Step, 2003) Ulver, “Solitude” (Shadows of the Sun, 2007) The Futureheads, “Hounds of Love” (The Futureheads, 2004) Shudder to Think, “So Into You” (Pony Express Record, 1994) Queensryche, “Gonna Get Close to You” (Rage for Order, 1986) Gorgoroth, “Slottet I Det Fjerne” (Destroyer, 1998) Carnivore, “Manic Depression” (Retaliation, 1987) Type O Negative, “Summer Breeze” (Bloody Kisses, 1993) Voivod, “Astronomy Domine” (Nothingface, 1989) Ep. 63 preview: Alchemist, “Closed Chapter“ (Lunasphere, 1995)

Episode 61 – Face the Goat at Sunrise: Dødheimsgard 1995-2015 Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Citizens of a scene that demands innovation and progress, Norway’s Dødheimsgard have assembled a body of work that evidences the evolutionary strides common to Norweird, but have nevertheless remained red in tooth and claw. Episode 61 provides a comprehensive survey of Dødheimsgard’s work, from the icy, elemental black metal of Kronet til Konge to the vast, unknowable psychic landscapes of A Umbra Omega. Over the span of their career, DHG has featured members of such luminary bands as Darkthrone, Fleurety, Ved Buens Ende, Strid, among many others, all galvanized by the leadership of the mysterious Vicotnik. The band’s work deserves celebration and study and, here, we make our best efforts at both. Note I: We note that Aldrahn appears on every Dødheimsgard album except Supervillain Outcast. While he's not technically a full member in that era, he does lend additional vocals to "Foe x Foe" and "Ghostforce Soul Constrictor." Note II: We encourage anyone who 1) listens to Radical Research, and 2) wears clothes, to head over to https://www.earthinsound.org/store and buy their Confessor, Disharmonic Orchestra, Ras Algethi and Old Lady Drivers shirts!! Tell ‘em Radical Research sent you.

Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Å Slakte Gud” (Kronet Til Konge, 1995) “Midnattskogens Sorte Kjerne” (Kronet Til Konge, 1995) “The Crystal Specter” (Monumental Possession, 1996) “The Ultimate Reflection” (Monumental Possession, 1996) “Traces of Reality” (Satanic Art, 1998) “Symptom” (Satanic Art, 1998) “Final Conquest” (666 International, 1999) “Completion” (666 International, 1999) “The Vile Delinquents” (Supervillain Outcast, 2007) “All Is Not Self” (Supervillain Outcast, 2007) “Aphelion Void” (A Umbra Omega, 2015) “Blue Moon Duel” (A Umbra Omega, 2015) Ep. 62 preview: Voivod, “Astronomy Domine” (Nothingface, 1989) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

Episode 60 – God It’s Great to Be Alive: Helios Creed 1985-1992 Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

We at Radical Research have made a habit of descending into the vortices of profound sound, but our adventures with the musical hijinks of Helios Creed make most other sojourns seem, by comparison, like empty gestures. On our 60th episode, we divest ourselves of empty words and, instead, dive headlong into the abysses of FX-saturated deep space sonix. From alien salutations to violet lactations, we invite you to join us on this most radical of research assignments. Note I: We encourage anyone who 1) listens to Radical Research, and 2) wears clothes, to head over to https://www.earthinsound.org/store and buy their Confessor and Disharmonic Orchestra t shirts!! Tell ‘em Radical Research sent you.

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Un-Human Condition” (X-Rated Fairy Tales, 1985) “X-Rated Fairytales” (X-Rated Fairy Tales, 1985) “Superior Catholic Finger” (Superior Catholic Finger, 1989) “Who Cares” (Superior Catholic Finger, 1989) “Nirbasion Annasion” (The Last Laugh, 1989) “Late Bloomer” (The Last Laugh, 1989) “Master Blaster” (Boxing the Clown, 1990) “Big Clown” (Boxing the Clown, 1990) “The Radiated” (Lactating Purple, 1991) “Amenti” (Lactating Purple, 1991) “XL-35” (Kiss to the Brain, 1992) “Kiss to the Brain” (Kiss to the Brain, 1992) Ep. 61 preview: Dodheimsgard, “Regno Potiri” (666 International, 1999)

Episode 59 – At the Oxiplegatz: The Episode Nobody Wanted Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Even in the bizarro wilderness of Radical Research, Alf Svensson’s Oxiplegatz stands out in its peerless freakishness. A founding member of the epochal Swedish death metal band, At the Gates, Svensson used Oxiplegatz as a conduit for his most perverse cosmic fantasies. Built on a chassis of mangled guitar harmonies, “machine drums,” and an operatic battery of vocal styles, Oxiplegatz’s music defies even the most liberal definitions of “metal.” What results is some of the most personal heavy music ever to be committed to tape, produced and packaged with do-it-yourself, idiosyncratic love. If you value artistic bravery and the defiance of convention, we invite you to join us on this positively sidereal journey.

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Starseed” (Fairytales, 1994) “His Time Has Come” (Fairytales, 1994) “Dark Millennium (There Shall Never Be Another Dawn)” (Fairytales, 1994) “Adrift” (Fairytales, 1994) “Oh No” (Fairytales, 1994) “Battle of Species” (Worlds and Worlds, 1996) “Graveyard Dream” (Worlds and Worlds, 1996) “Usurpers” (Worlds and Worlds, 1996) “The End is Nigh” (Worlds and Worlds, 1996) “Abandon Earth” (Worlds and Worlds, 1996) “A Black Hole is Swallowing the Sun” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) “They Learned of Its Existence” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) “Head for That Star” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) “As One Surveys This Ocean” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) “Turning Up the Power, Accelerating Again” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) “This Time Passage Was Violent” (Sidereal Journey, 1998) ep. 60 preview: Helios Creed, “Road Out of Hell“ (The Last Laugh, 1989) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

Episode 58 – Let’s Necromance! Ripping Off Rush With Love Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

If the wild, transcendent music we exalt were a cluttered yet beautifully arrayed galaxy, the artists making that music would be planets and Rush would be its sun. So much of what ticks off all the right boxes for us is inherent in the music of the legendary Canadian trio. We can't imagine life without Rush, and realize we're hardly alone in our fealty. This episode, we explore 15 snippets proving the thread of Rush runs deeply within the molten cores of its orbiting planets. These 15 are only several of numerous examples we could have chosen. We will likely make this a semi-regular feature, as the mood strikes. Note I: This idea was originated by Radical Research listener/supporter Rob Noe. We asked other listeners to offer their suggestions, many of which are included in this episode. We can't thank our RR brethren enough...it's good to know we are hardly alone in this strange universe of ours!

Music cited, in order of appearance: Atheist, “Unquestionable Presence” (Unquestionable Presence, 1991) Manilla Road, “Mark of the Beast” (Dreams of Eschaton, 1981, unreleased album -- issued in 2002 as Mark of the Beast) Watchtower, “The Fall of Reason” (Control and Resistance, 1989) Realm, “Eminence” (Endless War, 1988) Thought Industry – “Alien and Pure” (Short Wave on a Cold Day, 2001) Cardiacs – “Leaf Scrapings” (The Special Garage Concerts, 2005) Dream Theater, “The Looking Glass” (Dream Theater, 2013) Sieges Even, “Tangerine Windows of Solace VI. Disintegration of Lasting Hope” (Steps, 1990) Loudness, “Butterfly” (Disillusion, 1983) Winterhawk, “Revival” (Revival, 1982) Toxik, “Technical Arrogance” (Think This, 1989) Dan Swano, “Encounterparts” (Moontower, 1998) Witherscape, “Astrid Falls” (The Inheritance, 2013) Death, “Perennial Quest” (Symbolic, 1995) Riot, “Racing With the Devil on a Spanish Highway” (1990, The Privilege of Power) episode 59 preview: Oxiplegatz, "Northern Stars" (Fairytales, 1994) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

Episode 57 – Naught Was Anymore Like Before: Atrocity 1990-1992 Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

Germany’s Atrocity have been plying their execrable goth-metal wares since 1994’s precipitously tragic Blut, but the band’s first two albums, 1990’s Hallucinations and 1992’s Todessehnsucht (aka Longing for Death), occupy space in the top tier of death metal’s golden age. Wild, technical, psychotic, and destructive, these two albums document the work of a young band hungry to bend minds and mock convention. On the 57th episode of Radical Research, your hosts offer a guided tour through a prison called Earth. If you’re agile of foot, you may avoid a fatal step and hold out to the end.

Note I: Tangents ahead! Affliction Clothing; brief Galactic Cowboys reference; Tommy Victor serves Hunter food in a sewer (again); too much talk about Blut. Forgive us.

Note II: The title of this episode comes from a lyric in Atrocity’s “Sky Turned Red.” Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books: https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Life is a Long and Silent River” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Fatal Step” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Hallucinations” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Defeated Intellect” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Hold Out (To the End)” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Last Temptation” (Hallucinations, 1990) “Godless Years” (Todessehnsucht, 1992) “Defiance” (Todessehnsucht, 1992) “Sky Turned Red” (Todessehnsucht, 1992) “Necropolis” (Todessehnsucht, 1992) “Todessehnsucht (Reprise)” (Todessehnsucht, 1992) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 57

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