Radical Research Podcast

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Episode 46 – For Knobs, For Wires, For Faders: Synth Whores II Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Bust out the Purell and take a healthy dose of penicillin because the whores are back in town. On this special -- and occasionally-recurring -- episode of Radical Research, we stroll alongside a pornographic buffet of sumptuous synthesizer vibrations. For this globetrotting, sweaty-browed sojourn, we’ll travel from Wuppertal to Richmond to Reykjavik to Los Angeles and all points in between, in search of the scintillating, salacious, and sometimes surprisingly-subtle sounds of the synthesizer. Go ahead, turn out the lights, strap on the headphones, and live a little.

Note I: Jeff brainfarted and called Wobbler’s 2017 album “From Somewhere to Silence.” It is, of course, called From Silence to Somewhere. And it is, indeed, one of the best progressive rock albums in decades.

Note II: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast Music cited, in order of appearance: Hoelderlin, “Deathwatchbeetle” (Hoelderlin, 1975) Ethos, “The Players (of the Game)” (Open Up, 1977) Labradford, “Splash Down” (Prazision LP, 1993) Tiamat, “Only in My Tears It Lasts” (A Deeper Kind of Slumber, 1997) Chroma Key, “America the Video” (Dead Air for Radios, 1998) Coil, “Red Birds Will Fly Out of the East and Destroy Paris in a Night” (Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1, 1999) Bjork, “Pagan Poetry” (Vespertine, 2001) Secret Chiefs 3, “Ritual of the Cup: Safina” (Book M, 2001) Wobbler, “La Bealtaine” (Rites at Dawn, 2011) Wobbler, “In Orbit” (Rites at Dawn, 2011) Perfect Beings, “The Love Inside” (II, 2015) episode 47 preview: Porcupine Tree, “The Nostalgia Factory” (On the Sunday of Life, 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 46.

Episode 45 – A Means to an End: The Manes Discography Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

For the 45th episode of Radical Research, we continue our trek north, this time landing in Trondheim, Norway, where we take a close look at the vast and fascinating discography of Manes. Well-respected in black metal circles for their personal and visionary approach to the genre, Manes has spent the last 16 years working through a difficult-to-pigeonhole brew of dark, atmospheric rock and electronic music. Our conversation addresses the band's sprawling body of work, from 1993's ghostly Maanens Natt demo to 2018's stunning Slow Motion Death Sequence. Manes says that "Nobody Wants the Truth," but you're going to get it regardless. Can you handle the truth? Be there or be cool. Note I: As noted in the episode, Manes has a fascination with the end, an ever-present promise of the final nothing. To that end, we unveil the evidence: “Endetidstegn” (English translation: “End Time Signs”; song on Slow Motion Death Sequence) Be All End All (2014 album) How the World Came to An End (2007 album) these songs from 2003 album, Vilosophe: “Nodamnbrakes (One Zero / Endpoint),” “Terminus a Quo / Terminus ad Quem,” “Ende”

Note II: We don’t talk overmuch about record labels. We prefer the music to be front and center while the boringness of business and politics hums away in the background. But for the record, as it regards Manes, these companies have brought Manes music to interested enthusiasts: Debemur Morti; Candlelight; Aural Music; Code666; Hammerheart; Kyrck

Note III: We don’t mention it in this episode, but Manii did release a second album, 2018’s Sinnets Irrganger. Note IV: We had a little fun at our good friend Marty Rytkonen’s expense. He is one hell of a man and actually more open-minded than you know. Visit his Bindrune record label site, all you woodland denizens: https://bindrunerecordings.com/

Note V: BUY MANES MUSIC. There is no excuse for possessing and listening to someone else’s music for absolutely nothing (which includes most streaming services that pay artists a pathetic pittance, at best). Manes is not a charity organization. Buy Link on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/263927-Manes

Note VI: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast Music cited, in order of appearance: “Building the Ship of Theseus” (Slow Motion Death Sequence, 2018) “Night Vision” (Slow Motion Death Sequence, 2018) “Blanket of Ashes” (Be All End All, 2014) “Name the Serpent” (Be All End All, 2014) “I Watch You Fall” (How the World Came to An End, 2007) “My Journal of the Plague Years (Fuckmensch Warmensch)” (How the World Came to An End, 2007) “The Neoflagellata Revision” (View EP, 2006) “Nodamnbrakes (One Zero / Endpoint) ” (Vilosophe, 2003) “Diving With Your Hands Bound (Nearly Flying)” (Vilosophe, 2003) “Ende” (Vilosophe, 2003) “Uten Liv Ligger Landet Øde” (Under Ein Blodraud Maane, 1999) “Til Kongens Grav De Døde Vandrer” (Under Ein Blodraud Maane, 1999) "I Helvetes Haller” (Til Kongens Grav De Døde Vandrer, 1995 demo) “Dansen Gjennom Skuggeheimen” (Ned I Stillheten, 1994 demo) “De Mørke Makters Dyp” (Maanens Natt, 1993 demo) [intro and outro moments from, respectively, “Nodamnbrakes” and “Confluence,” both from Vilosophe]

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 con

Episode 44 – 44th & Magical: Xysma 1989 – 1998 Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

When Uranus falls, once and for all, in the cosmic background will be heard the humming, buzzing sound of a tragically-overlooked group of travelers. Formed in 1988 in Turku, Finland, Xysma waged a decade-long war against expectation and small-mindedness. With phantasm-like stealth, the band moved from scatalogical grind to groovy Sab-death to vendetta rock, as well as all points in between and beyond. On this episode of Radical Research, our 44th, we plumb the depths of Xysma’s bewildering catalog, turning over the stones that pockmark the band’s vast forest of sound. Whether you skew “Pyosisfied” or Pet Sounds, you will find refuge in the wild imagination of Xysma. If this is your first listen to this podcast, we hope it will be magical. For the veterans, go big and win the lotto. Yeah! Note I: We had some frustrating technical issues while recording this episode. We tried to clean it up as much as possible. Our apologies for some rough moments. Note II: Please visit https://www.radicalresearch.org/qa-with-mikko-mattila-on-xysma/ for our Xysma-centric interview with Isten mastermind, Mikko Mattila. Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Pulsating Cerebral Slime” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Gripping Slaughter” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Phrenetic Chainsaw Suicide” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Entangled in Shreds” (Above the Mind of Morbidity, 1990 EP) “Dismemberment in Trance” (Above the Mind of Morbidity, 1990 EP) “Embodiment of Morbidity” (Fata Morgana 7”, 1991) “Aspirations b) First Sunbeams of the New Beginning” (Yeah, 1991) “Above the Horizon” (Yeah, 1991) “Until I Reach the Unattainable” (Yeah, 1991) “One More Time” (First & Magical, 1993) “Uranus Falls Again” (First & Magical, 1993) “Can’t Imagine Your Death” (First & Magical, 1993) “Nice Pale” (Deluxe, 1994) “Le Mans 66” (Deluxe, 1994) “So Divine” (Deluxe, 1994) “Shortest Route” (Lotto, 1996) “New Gel in Town” (Lotto, 1996) “Shoes” (Lotto, 1996) “Honest Love” (Singles, 1997) “Fit” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “Life in the Sea” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “I’m Not Ready to Dance” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “Uranus Falls” (Yeah, 1991) episode 45 preview: Manes, “Death of the Genuine” (Vilosophe, 2003)

Episode 43 – Cut It! Cut It! Dissecting Mr. Bungle’s ‘California’ Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

After recording two mind-bending and defiant albums -- pieced together, ever so precariously, with the bacterial molecules of metal, ska, contemporary music, free jazz, musique concrete, tango, imaginary soundtracks, and the music of the Middle East -- Mr. Bungle returned to the table in 1999 with their fin de siecle masterpiece, California. Breaking from the hysterical invention of the previous albums, California works within a more stable reservoir of sounds, resulting in a luxurious set of songs that presses into service the band’s highly-evolved compositional prowess and nimble musicianship. Over the course of 44 minutes, Mr. Bungle works through the swing-metal of “None of them Knew They Were Robots,” the torch-song noir of “Pink Cigarette,” and the cyborg future-funk of “Golem II: The Bionic Vapor Boy” and addresses such zesty topics as The Hidden God, ritual castration, and the nausea that underpins West Coast “fun in the sun.” One of the last grand analog production feats, we here at Radical Research feel it’s high time this record gets the laboratory treatment. Join us as we dive deeply into the air-conditioned nightmare. Note I: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: [all from California, 1999] “Sweet Charity” “None of Them Knew They Were Robots” “Retrovertigo” “The Air-Conditioned Nightmare” “Ars Moriendi” “Pink Cigarette” “Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy” “The Holy Filament” “Vanity Fair” “Goodbye Sober Day” episode 44 preview: Xysma, “On the Hill of Desecration” (Yeah, 1991)

Episode 42 – Modular Madness: In the Laboratory with Heldon’s ‘Stand By’ Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

Emerging from a web of poststructuralist philosophy and electronic fetishism, France’s Heldon -- whose name is derived from Norman Spinrad novel, The Iron Dream -- functioned from 1974–1979 as a vehicle for Richard Pinhas’ wildest aural fantasies. The group’s first six albums work through an esoteric maze of analog synthesis and post-Fripp guitar histrionics, from the curiously pastoral second album, Allez Téia, to the cryptic violence of 1977’s Interface. This episode, however, trains its gaze on the last album of the band’s original run, 1979’s singular and masterful Stand By. Here, Pinhas, abetted by principal confidantes, Patrick Gauthier and Francois Auger, offers up the most confident set of arrangements of his career. Stand By harnesses the tactile synth textures of previous albums and binds them to songs that anticipate techno, home-listening electronica, doom rock, and other future sounds. Underrated at best, but mostly unheard altogether, Radical Research looks to settle the score and give these Gaulic Goliaths their proper due. Note I: Heldon was preceded by Schizo!, who released two singles and mined a heavy psych rock sound, with flourishes of proto-metal and electronics. Note II: Heldon employed a wider range of musicians than described above, including Jannick Top of Magma, who played on “Towards the Red Line,” the sidelong composition that concludes the band’s fifth album, Un Reve Sans Consequence Speciale.

Note III: Buy links to Discogs page for Stand By. Do it right! https://www.discogs.com/Heldon-Stand-By/master/28550 Note IV: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: Heldon, “Bolero” (three moments) (Stand By, 1979) Heldon, “Une Drole De Journée” (Stand By, 1979) Heldon, “Stand By” (two moments) (Stand By, 1979) episode 43 preview: Mr. Bungle, “None of Them Knew They Were Robots” (California, 1999)

Episode 41.5 – Mystery Snippets pt. 2 Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to the second installment of this occasional episode in the margins...we have fun trying to fool each other by playing an unlabeled, unmarked piece of music. For diehard Radical Research enthusiasts only!

Music cited in this episode Sorry, you'll need to listen to find out.

Episode 41 – Express Bullet Train to Obscurity Town: Sindrome, Epitaph, Mid-Evil, Embrionic Death, Paraxism Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

Let’s face it: we live in a world bereft of justice. And so it falls on the shoulders of Radical Research to shine a bit of light into this dim world. On this, our 41st episode, we give a voice to the voiceless and spotlight 5 unsung greats. From the Great Lakes to the land of Ten Thousand Lakes, from Marshalls to Moogs, this episode draws back the curtain to reveal the important but mostly ignored work of five late 80s and early 90s bands working in extreme metal. We will discuss the harrowing thrash of Sindrome, the Atrocity/Demilich smear-tech of Embrionic Death, and much more. So, as a matter of moral obligation, please join us on this journey deep into the underground. Note I: Our title is somewhat of an homage to detestable-yet-lovable celebrity chef, Guy Fieri. We like a lot of his ridiculous phrases, and used that to create our own off-the-hook concoction. The real deal, bro. Note II: Buy links to several bands featured on this episode: Sindrome: https://www.discogs.com/Sindrome-Resurrection-The-Complete-Collection/master/967409 Embrionic Death: https://www.discogs.com/Embrionic-Death-Regurgitated-Stream-Of-Rot/release/3636297 Paraxism: https://www.discogs.com/Paraxism-Xism-Excursion/release/1376752

Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: Sindrome, “Rapture in Blood” (Into the Halls of Extermination, 1987 demo) Sindrome, “Astral Projection“ (Vault of Inner Conscience, 1992 demo) Epitaph, “Quantum of Solace” (1992 demo) Epitaph, “Inbred” (1992 demo) Mid-Evil, “Botanic Wisdom“ (1992 demo) Mid-Evil, “Memoirs“ (1992 demo) Embrionic Death, “Sperm to Egg“ (Stream of Solidarity, 1993 demo) Embrionic Death, “Savoir-Faire” (Stream of Solidarity, 1993 demo) Paraxism, “Smooth Hate“ (Selected Works, 1995 demo) Paraxism, “Values” (1997 demo) episode 42 preview: Heldon, “Bolero“ (Stand By, 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. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 41.

Episode 40 – Temptations So Wild: Gorgoroth’s ‘Incipit Satan’ Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Departing from the tractor-beam blasphemy of their seminal first four albums, Bergen, Norway’s Gorgoroth offer a more panoramic approach to (a career in) evil on their daring fifth missive, Incipit Satan. IC absorbs influences from death industrial, morbid rock and roll, and melodic death metal, and transmits them with an elegant cruelty. The album stays true to the band’s revolving-door membership and is the first to feature bassist, King ov Hell, as well as the menacing and mysterious Sjt. Erichsen on drums. Most importantly, Incipit Satan is the first Gorgoroth to feature a full-album performance by vocalist Gaahl, who handles the music with Attila Csihar-like nuance and flexibility. Join us as we dig into this singular album from Norway’s most terrifyingly-depicted agents of destruction. Note I: In listing his favorite black metal bands during the episode, Wagner forgot Emperor. They’re firmly in that top 5: Bathory, Deathspell Omega, Mayhem, Gorgoroth and Emperor. Hunter offers his 5 favorites as follows: Emperor, Mayhem, Abigor, Bathory, Gorgoroth. Note II: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Incipit Satan” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “A World to Win” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Litani til Satan” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Unchain My Heart!!!” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “An Excerpt of X” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Ein Eim Av Blod Og Helvetesild” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “Will to Power” (Incipit Satan, 2000) “When Love Rages Wild in My Heart” (Incipit Satan, 2000) episode 41 preview: Paraxism, “Dive” (Selected Works, 1995 demo) 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 40.

Episode 39 – In The Woods… Family Tree Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

Greetings from the nativity. This podcast began as an examination of the vast and nebulous frontier of Norwegian post-black metal. In that spirit, episode 39 of Radical Research probes the tentacles of the In the Woods... diaspora and gives an ear to Drawn, Stille Opprör, Naervaer, Transit, and Green Carnation. These artists give light to the polyglot transmissions from the distant North and reveal the flexible expressions of Norway’s most progressive artists. As always, we invite you along on this journey into the deep regions of recorded sound. Note I: There are yet more branches of the ITW tree that we didn’t focus on, including Animal Alpha and Soxpan. Members have also played in more well-known names such as Carpathian Forest, Manes and Atrox. Note II: How do we address the fact of this new In the Woods…, the one that returned around 2015 featuring the Botteri brothers (bass, guitar) and Anders Kobro on drums, and a vocalist that is not Jan Kenneth Transeth, and the one that now only features Kobro from the original lineup?!? We steer clear. Our In the Woods… is 1993-2000. We have difficulty enjoying or identifying with the current iteration.

Note III: We love the fact that In the Woods…/Drawn/ Stille Opprör man Christer-André Cederberg was a de facto member of Anathema on their Weather Systems and Distant Satellites albums.

Note IV: “Naervaer” = “Presence” Note V: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: paypal.me/rrpodcast CORRECTION: Anders Kobro DOES play on Green Carnation's The Quiet Offspring. Music cited, in order of appearance: Green Carnation, “My Dark Reflections of Life and Death” (Journey to the End of the Night, 2000) Green Carnation, “Light of Day, Day of Darkness” (Light of Day, Day of Darkness, 2001) Green Carnation, “Purple Door, Pitch Black” (The Quiet Offspring, 2005) Stille Opprör, “L Tune” (S.o2, 2008) Stille Opprör, “Reconnect” (S.o2, 2008) Naervaer, “To Plan” (Skiftninger, 2001) Naervaer, “En Som…” (To Magic… compilation, 2000)

Transit, “Bleed on Me“ (Decent Man on a Desperate Moon, 2008)

Transit, “You and Me and Then Some” (Decent Man on a Desperate Moon, 2008) Drawn, “This is My Day” (Plan Be, 1998)

Drawn, “Rivawella Form“ (A New World?, 1999)

Drawn, “A-Scape“ (A New World?, 1999) episode 40 preview: Gorgoroth, “Will to Power“ (Incipit Satan, 2000)

Episode 38 – Fathom by Fathom by Fathom: Kayo Dot’s Blasphemy Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Toby Driver’s path to the present has been circuitous and inscrutable, which is to say, in keeping with music he has written over the last 25 years. His work in Maudlin of the Well, Kayo Dot, and as a solo artist has encompassed metal, chamber music, serialism, aleatoric composition, electronics, folk, sci-fi soundtracks, and beyond. For this episode of Radical Research, we will be taking a detour from our normal practices to investigate an album not yet released (at time of recording), Kayo Dot’s ninth album, the estimable, Blasphemy. A work of remarkable accomplishment, and surely one of the year’s very best albums, Blasphemy distills and refines the characteristics that have shaped the band’s last two albums, Coffins on Io and Plastic House on Base of Sky. Note I: As a supplement to the podcast episode, you’ll find our interview with Kayo Dot leader Toby Driver on the Radical Research blog: https://www.radicalresearch.org/an-interview-with-kayo-dots-toby-driver/ Note II: The title of this episode comes from a lyric within Blasphemy song “Turbine, Hook and Haul.” Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: [all Kayo Dot except where otherwise noted] Maudlin of the Well, “He Who Breathes the Soil” (Begat of the Haunted Oak: An Acorn, 1997 demo) “Magnetism” (Plastic House on Base of Sky, 2016) “Ocean Cumulonimbus” (Blasphemy, 2019) “The Something Opal” (Blasphemy, 2019) “Lost Souls On Lonesome’s Way” (Blasphemy, 2019) “Vanishing Act in Blinding Gray” (Blasphemy, 2019) “Turbine, Hook and Haul” (Blasphemy, 2019) “Midnight Mystic Rise and Fall” (Blasphemy, 2019) “An Eye For a Lie” (Blasphemy, 2019) “Blasphemy: A Prophecy” (Blasphemy, 2019) episode 39 preview: Drawn, “Marygold” (A New World?, 1999)

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