Radical Research Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 120 – DBC’s ‘Universe’: Black Hole Spelunking Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Is there an album more representative of this podcast's main focus? Not outside of Norway, there isn’t. Montréal’s DBC (Dead Brain Cells) released ‘Universe’ in 1989, a tech-y cosmic opus of 37:26 that manages to cover the big bang, the evolution of life, the fall of the dinosaurs, man’s eventual dominance on Earth, and humanity's possible future in the album's brief but eventful duration. Join us as we spelunk through the black holes and blocky, monolithic riffs of DBC's second and final album…

Note I:

All Ye Who Enter: Tangents on other Canadian metal bands will happen throughout this episode. And a Swiss one, too. And time machines…and the moon…and Phil Anselmo’s Mind Over Four shirt.

Note II:

Although Hunter claims Garth Richardson (aka GGGarth) produced Helmet’s Betty, the RR fact-checking department can find no evidence that the guy was anywhere near that album. Hunter apologizes and says, “Total brain fart. It was T-Ray [Todd Ray].”

Note III:

The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Note IV:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

[all snippets from DBC, Universe, 1989]

“The Genesis Explosion”

“Heliosphere”

“Primordium”

“Exit the Giants”

“Rise of Man”

“Estuary”

“Humanity’s Child”

“Phobos & Deimos”

“Threshold” “Infinite Universe”

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 119.5 – Death, DiGiorgio, and the Bass on ‘Human’ Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

This is a “careful for what you wish for” kind of thing. For years and years, we hoped that we could hear the mighty Steve DiGiorgio’s bass work with more clarity on Death’s 1991 masterpiece, Human. Once we could, thanks to the 2011 reissue, we relented and realized we preferred the original version after all. We present this mini-episode in good humor and with an anxious heart, because we hope no one, least of all DiGiorgio himself, understands this is not a critique of his playing. The man is a god to us…we just prefer the original sound of the 1991 ‘Human’ over the 2011 reissue. This shit’s important!

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Death, “See Through Dreams” (Human, 1991 [2011 reissue])

Death, “Suicide Machine” (Human, 1991 [2011 reissue])

Death, “Vacant Planets” (Human, 1991 [2011 reissue])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 119 – The Fu*king Champs 1994-2007: Hot-Ass Majesty Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

Operating outside of the metal infrastructure, but heralding its glory and complexity more so than most “true” metal bands, The Fucking Champs, in their 1994-2007 rampage, cobbled together elements of Trouble, Confessor, Don Caballero, and Kraftwerk and reshaped the geometric possibilities of math metal, all with the insouciance of its indie rock roots. Please join us as we attempt to solve this riddle wrapped in a conundrum. You’ve got a thirst, Portland! Note I:

We talk about the various name changes our San Franciscan heroes have endured…from The Champs to C4AM95 to The Fucking Champs. We failed to mention what might be our favorite name, one they never recorded under but adopted for a short spell: The Champs UK.

Note II:

Apologies for the confusion on the tracks we sample from V. You’ll hear the correction within the episode, and the correct song titles are noted below. Drag City, we are pissed! But…we’re already over it.

Note III:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Intro: “Lamplighter” (IV, 2000) “Guns in Our Schools” (Triumph of the Air Elementals demo, 1994)

“So Then I Was All Why’d You Say Fuck My Style” (Songs for Films About Rock demo, 1994)

“Merry Go Round” (Songs for Films About Rock demo, 1994)

“Flawless Victory” (III, 1997)

“Heart to Heart” (III, 1997)

“Tonight, We Ride” (III, 1997)

“These Glyphs Are Dusty” (IV, 2000)

“Esprit De Corpse” (IV, 2000)

“Thor is Like Immortal” (IV, 2000)

“Children Perceive the Hoax Cluster” (V, 2002)

“I Am the Album Cover” (V, 2002)

“Major Airbro’s Landing” (V, 2002)

“A Forgotten Chapter in the History of Ideas” (VI, 2007) “Dolores Park” (VI, 2007) “Earthen Sculptor” (VI, 2007)

ep. 120 preview: DBC, “Infinite Universe” (Universe, 1989)

Episode 118.5 – Better Slit Than Never: Cryptopsy’s ‘None So Vile’ 28 Years Later Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes it takes a while to come around to an album. In our case, it took 28 years with Cryptopsy’s second album, None So Vile. Better late than never. We repent!!!

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Note III:

RR listener Joseph Schafer pointed out that we incorrectly credited the sample at the beginning of 'None So Vile.' It is, in fact, from the film 'The Exorcist III: The Heretic.' Our apologies and thanks, Joseph, for helping us come correct!

Music cited in order of appearance:

All from Cryptopsy, None So Vile (1996)

“Slit Your Guts”

“Orgiastic Disembowelment”

“Crown of Horns”

Episode 118 – There’s Only One Good Song On These Albums! One-Song Metal Albums Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

The one-long-song album is a rare event in the metal genre, and a tough assignment to tackle and get right. We hold up these five albums as the finest examples of the approach. While it’s difficult to convey their scope in snippet form, we tried our best and had a lot of fun doing so. (Incidentally, this also happens to be one of our longest-ever episodes!) Join us, even if these albums only have one good song on them…

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Renaissance, “The Death of Art” (The Death of Art, 1994)

Edge of Sanity, “Crimson” (Crimson, 1996)

Sabbat, “The Dwelling – The Melody of Death Mask” (The Dwelling, 1996)

Fates Warning, “A Pleasant Shade of Gray” part 5 & 11 (A Pleasant Shade of Gray, 1997)

Green Carnation, “Light of Day, Day of Darkness” (Light of Day, Day of Darkness, 2001)

Episode 117.5 – Ginn Loves Gadd Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Our man Ginn loves him some Gadd! In this brief episode, we extract three of Hunter’s favorite moments by his favorite drummer on the planet, Steve Gadd. It results in something we thought we’d never do on this podcast: play a snippet of a Paul Simon song. But you have to admit, Gadd is Badd…Badd Ass!

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Chick Corea, “Quartet No. 2, Part II” (Three Quartets, 1981)

Chick Corea, “Night Sprite” (The Leprechaun, 1976) Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975)

Episode 117 – Steven Wilson’s Intrigue Compilation, Dissection Part 3 Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Pull up a chair and get your ears out! We get giddy when we’re together in the same space, which we were for this episode. You’ll hopefully forgive our exuberance and all the talking over each other in excitement of brotherhood, music, pizza and other various inputs. All in the name of exalting the third of four CDs in the Steven Wilson-curated Intrigue compilation series. Join us for another walk through the fascinating world of progressive-minded ‘80s-era UK post-punk and alternative rock.

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Note III:

If you haven’t checked them out already, we encourage you to listen to our first two Intrigue dissections, conveniently linked for you here:

Music cited in order of appearance:

intro: David Bowie, “Up the Hill Backwards” (Scary Monsters [and Super Creeps], 1980)

[all snippets below are taken directly from the Intrigue compilation; the following indicates where the songs originally appeared]

Twelfth Night – “Three Dancers” (Smiling at Grief, 1982)

Thomas Dolby – “Airwaves” (The Golden Age of Wireless, 1982) Crispy Ambulance – “Are You Ready?” (The Plateau Phase, 1982)

Rupert Hine – “The Outsider” (Waving Not Drowning, 1982)

A Certain Ratio – “Knife Slits Water” (Sextet, 1982) Tears for Fears – “Memories Fade” (The Hurting, 1983) Peter Hammill – “Patient” (Patience, 1983)

Cocteau Twins – “Donimo” (Treasure, 1984)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. Drake – “In a Waiting Room” (Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. Drake, 1984) The Art of Noise - “Close (to the Edit)” (Close [to the Edit] 7”, 1984)

Dalis Car – “Dalis Car” (The Waking Hour, 1984)

Scott Walker – “Rawhide” (Climate of Hunter, 1984)

David Sylvian – “Brilliant Trees” (Brilliant Trees, 1984)

Propaganda – “Dream Within a Dream” (A Secret Wish, 1985)

Ep. 188 preview: Renaissance, “The Death of Art” (The Death of Art, 1994)

Episode 116.5 – King Crimson’s Schizoid Man and the Metal in the Hot Middle Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

In this brief episode, we spotlight the two metal bands brave enough to tackle the middle part of King Crimson's innovative and highly influential 1969 classic, "21st Century Schizoid Man."

Note I:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music Cited in Order of Appearance:

King Crimson, "21st Century Schizoid Man" (In the Court of the Crimson King, 1969)

Voivod, "21st Century Schizoid Man" (Phobos, 1997) Forbidden, "21st Century Schizoid Man" (Distortion, 1995)

Episode 116 — What is Psychedelic Music? The Radical Research Answer to a Vexing Question Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

When it comes to a difficult-to-define concept like psychedelia in music, it's subjective. It’s not all hippies with sitars and lava lamps and bongs…but that’s not wrong either. With a little help from author Michael Hicks and his parameters for what makes music psychedelic, we pose the question: “What is Psychedelic Music?” and offer the Radical Research answer.

Note I:

Note II: Our friend Tom Hailey counts Stupid Dream as his favorite and only truly loved Porcupine Tree album. That’s fine. We love it too. But we love many other Porcupine Tree albums. So, when Hunter said “I’ve gotta be honest with you, I’ve gone full Tom Hailey, there’s really only one Porcupine Tree record that I really love anymore,” it blew Jeff’s gaskets. And then it appeared Hunter said that one album was Signify (“and maybe Sky Moves Sideways”). The whole thing became maddening. After listening back to this torrid exchange (starting at the 1:03:25 mark), Hunter wants to clarify: “Stupid Dream is my favorite Porcupine Tree album, and like I said, I like all ‘90s Porcupine Tree.“ He was being oblique in the recording and it all got a bit out of hand. This is the sort of first-world relationship problem that Radical Research can occasionally suffer. And the world keeps turning!

Note III:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Can – “Halleluwah” (Tago Mago, 1971)

Miles Davis – “Rated X” (Get Up With It, 1974)

Steve Hillage – “Meditation of the Snake” (Fish Rising, 1975)

Joy Division – “Decades” (Closer, 1980) Seefeel – “Time to Find Me (AFX Slow Mix)” (Pure, Impure, 1993)

Beherit – “Summerlands” (Drawing Down the Moon, 1993)

Emperor – “The Loss and Curse of Reverence” (Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, 1997) Coil – “The Dreamer is Still Asleep“ (Musick to Play in the Dark Vol. 1, 1999)

Portal – “The Endmills” (Seepia, 2003)

Steven Wilson – “Significant Other” (Insurgentes, 2008)

Melvins – “The Bunk Up” (Hold it In, 2014) Arcturus – “Crashland” (Arcturian, 2015)

Cynic – “Mythical Serpents” (Ascension Codes, 2021) ep. 117 preview: Crispy Ambulance – “Are You Ready?” (The Plateau Phase, 1982)

Episode 115.5 – Permeable Lines, Part 2 Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

Our second in the Permeable Lines series, and our first point-5 episode since 83.5 nearly two years ago! That enough numbers for you? Join us for a brief dust-up between inspiration and rip-off. You decide. (More numbers: “18 is actually 9…it stuck in his mind….”)

Note I:

Note II: All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Note III:

Let’s take stock. These are our other .5 episodes thus far. Mini-episodes, if you will. Great for late-night Radical snackin’!

Metal Laughs, 83.5 (8 min, 13 sec)

Mystery Snippets Part 2, 41.5 (13 min, 51 sec) https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-41-5-mystery-snippets-pt-2/

Mystery Snippets, 23.5 (9 min, 28 sec) https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-23-5-mystery-snippets/ Riff Similarities (Permeable Lines), 17.5 (10 min, 59 sec) https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-17-5-the-curious-the-uncanny/ The Kiss/Nuclear Death Convergence, 5.5 (7 min, 10 sec) https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-5-5-calling-dr-morpheus-the-kiss-nuclear-death-convergence/

Music cited in order of appearance:

Mercyful Fate, “A Dangerous Meeting” (Don’t Break the Oath, 1984)

Megadeth, “Return to Hangar” (The World Needs a Hero, 2001)

Diamond Head, “Am I Evil?” (Lightning to the Nations, 1980)

Megadeth, “When” (The World Needs a Hero, 2001)

Testament, “Over the Wall” (The Legacy, 1987)

Sieges Even, “Apocalyptic Disposition” (Lifecycle, 1988)