Radical Research Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 95 – Bad-Ass Fusion Decapitations Part 3: Time to Kill Apr 15, 2023

Show notes

Herein we present the third and likely final installment of our Bad-Ass Fusion Decapitations series. We repeat two bands previously featured on other episodes (Kraan, King Crimson) and bring you eight more missives from the deepest cosmos. Watch that noggin of yours -- the headhunters are abound tonight! Note I:

As noted within the episode, here’s that link to “Study the Greats”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIXBu_uoCQk

Note II:

As this is likely the final installment of Bad-Ass Fusion Decapitations, here are the first two, in case you missed them or want a refresher course:

Part 1: https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-5-ten-bad-ass-fusion-decapitations-mahavishnu-orchestra-return-to-forever-colosseum-area/

Part 2: https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-73-bad-ass-fusion-decapitations-part-2/

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

Al Di Meola, “Flight Over Rio” (Elegant Gypsy, 1977) Bruford, “Beelzebub” (Feels Good to Me, 1978) Ian Carr, “Remadione” (Belladonna, 1972)

Ain Soph, “Crossfire” (A Story of Mysterious Forest, 1980)

Transit Express, “Disparition” (Opus Progressif, 1976) Herbie Hancock, “Palm Grease” (Thrust, 1974)

Kraan, “Rund Um Die Uhr” (Wiederhoren, 1977)

King Crimson, “Neurotica” (November 22, 2017, Ann Arbor, Michigan) Mats/Morgan Band, “Min Hast” (Live, 2001, recorded 1999)

Soft Machine, “Hazard Profile, Part Five” (Bundles, 1975)

Episode 96 preview: Disillusion, “Don’t Go Any Further” (Gloria, 2006)

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 94 – The Real Freakshow: Psychotic Waltz 1990-1996 Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

Over the course of its previous 93 episodes, Radical Research has banged, thrashed, and decapitated but never before has it waltzed. That ends now. Formed as Aslan in 1985, San Diego's Psychotic Waltz released four full-length albums in the ‘90s, each of which challenges all received notions of "progressive metal." Despite being one the most even-handed of metal bands -- not a weak link in the psychotic chain -- this episode pays particular attention to the uncanny, elegant guitar playing of Dan Rock and Brian McAlpin. Their entangled, spiraling guitar tendrils push the instrument to the point of apotheosis in the context of heavy metal. But there is room for all the rug-cutters at this hoedown. Put on your dancing shoes and come join us.

Note I:

Not anything to do with Psychotic Waltz, but we’ve been informed that….”Hunter Wagner” is protagonist’s name in a concept album by a band called Scapegrace and their The Abyss Swallows album. https://scapegracebc.bandcamp.com/track/the-abyss-swallows

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, many of them recently restocked

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

“And The Devil Cried” (A Social Grace, 1990)

“Another Prophet Song” (A Social Grace, 1990)

“I of the Storm” (A Social Grace, 1990)

“Out of Mind” (Into the Everflow, 1992)

“Into the Everflow” (Into the Everflow, 1992)

“Little People” (Into the Everflow, 1992)

“Haze One” (Mosquito, 1994)

“Cold” (Mosquito, 1994)

“Only Time” (Mosquito, 1994)

“Faded” (Bleeding, 1996)

“Bleeding” (Bleeding, 1996)

“Northern Lights” (Bleeding, 1996)

“My Grave” (Bleeding, 1996) 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 93 – The Sadus ‘Swallowed in Black’ Track-by-Track Batshit-Crazy Attaaaaaack!!! Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

When a member of a fringe Swedish death metal band makes a request, Radical Research heeds the call. To that end, RR episode 93 is a response to Philip Von Segebaden’s (Afflicted) appeal for a song-by-song analysis of Swallowed in Black by California’s preeminent thrash metal assassins, Sadus. Though apparently a bit outside of the RR wheelhouse, our dissection will reveal traces of the weirdness upon which this house is built. Should poser-killing, gravity-defying metal violence be your poison, consider this your invitation to the Last Abide. If not, then Good Rid’nz.

Note I:

The Steve DiGiorgio playlist from the History of Metal magazine (1994) mentioned around the 15-minute mark is as follows: Psychotic Waltz – A Social Grace

Black Sabbath – Never Say Die

Voivod – Nothingface

Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon

D.B.C. – Universe

Possessed – Beyond the Gates

Anacrusis – Screams and Whispers

Rainbow – Rising

Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance

Savatage – Sirens

Note II:

As mentioned, the name Sadus comes from the Frank Herbert novel, Dune. It appears to be the plural form of Sadu. The definition, from the Dune fan wiki: “among the fremen the blessed company of heavenly judges. A Sadu presided over the traditional scales, which here weigh either the soul or the water rendered from the dead, for the scales formed the T of the Tau.”

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

All songs from Swallowed in Black, 1990:

“Black”

“Man Infestation” “Last Abide”

“The Wake”

“In Your Face”

“Good Rid’nz”

“False Incarnation”

“Images”

“Powers of Hate”

“Arise” “Oracle of Obmission”

Episode 92 – Last Crack: The Best of All Our Burning Time Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

Rarely can a rock or metal band be described in terms of open-heartedness, nostalgia, or compassion. But the subject of Radical Research’s 92nd episode defies convention in nearly every way. Madison, Wisconsin’s Last Crack was a band that seemed on the brink of breakout success but, ultimately, condemned to wander the corridors of obscurity. They recorded their second album at Eldorado Studios in Hollywood, and released the results via Roadracer/Roadrunner in 1991. To our ears, Burning Time is a masterpiece of left-field hard rock/metal. A mesh of razor-sharp guitars, a deft rhythm section, and the magisterial wailings of the group’s master of ceremony, Buddo, Burning Time embraces the listener and brings us into its enchanted Midwestern fantasia.

Note I:

Our apologies to Last Crack: ”Mini Toboggan” deserves so much better than some kind of crass comparison to a ridiculously-titled Cannibal Corpse song. We were feeling plucky on this night. But seriously, we do so love this song to the utter ends of our lives, whether we grew up sledding (Jeff) or not (Hunter).

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

All songs from Burning Time, 1991:

“Wicked Sandbox”

“Mini Toboggan”

“Energy Mind”

“My Burning Time”

“Precious Human Stress”

“Love, Craig”

“Kiss a the Cold”

“Love or Surrender”

“Mack Bolasses”

“Blue Fly, Fish Sky”

“Papa Mugaya”

“Down Beat Dirt Messiah”

“Oooh” 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 91 – Atheist 1985-2010: We Believe!!! Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

Occasionally, Radical Research dares to tackle the big questions: what is time, and can we have a piece of it? Can a psychic saw perform brain surgery? Can a metal album have a samba track and several bars of Miami bass hip-grind? On episode 91, a look into the works of Florida’s seminal tech titans, Atheist, we take on these and other pressing matters. Pull up a chair and strap on your trustiest pair of headphones: it’s pizza time.

Note I:

We meant to bring it up in the conversation, but simply overlooked this fascinating, Atheist-related trivia: Atheist’s Kelly Shaefer auditioned for Velvet Revolver, the band formed by members of Guns ‘N Roses. You can check out some Blabbermouth reporting on this event here: https://blabbermouth.net/news/atheist-frontman-talks-about-his-velvet-revolver-audition

https://blabbermouth.net/news/velvet-revolver-2002-kelly-shaefer-vocalist-audition-tape-posted-online

Note II:

Hunter misspoke, and Jeff mis-agreed with him: Kelly Shaefer didn’t stop playing guitar due to tinnitus, of course. He stopped due to carpel tunnel syndrome.

Note III:

Deserts of Hex direct buy link: https://www.radicalresearch.org/product/deserts-of-hex-studies-in-experimental-dark-sound-volume-1-magazine/

Note IV:

Destination Onward direct buy link: https://www.radicalresearch.org/product/destination-onward-the-story-of-fates-warning-book-by-jeff-wagner/

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

“Brain Damage” (R.A.V.A.G.E., On We Slay demo, 1987) “Choose Your Death” (Beyond demo, 1988) “Piece of Time” (Piece of Time, 1990) “Unholy War” (Piece of Time, 1990) “No Truth” (Piece of Time, 1990)

“Unquestionable Presence” (Unquestionable Presence, 1991) “An Incarnation’s Dream” (Unquestionable Presence, 1991) “And the Psychic Saw” (Unquestionable Presence, 1991) “Air” (Elements, 1993)

“Mineral” (Elements, 1993) “Earth” (Elements, 1993) “See You Again” (Elements, 1993)

“Second to Sun” (Jupiter, 2010)

“Fraudulent Cloth” (Jupiter, 2010) 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

Episode 90 – Anekdoten 1993-2015: An Embarrassment of Mellotron Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

This installment finds Radical Research in familiar territory, in the wilds of Scandinavia, this time in pursuit of progressive rock luminaries, Anekdoten. Our study covers not only the group’s six full-length albums but also their inspired, ghostly collaboration with fellow Swedes, Landberk, under the Morte Macabre moniker. Should you be interested in the evolution of one of modern prog’s most serious practitioners, we invite you to join us, as ever. Up the Mellotrons, legions!

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

[all by Anekdoten except where noted] “The Flow” (Vemod, 1993)

“The Old Man and the Sea” (Vemod, 1993)

“Harvest” (Nucleus, 1995)

“This Far from the Sky” (Nucleus, 1995) Morte Macabre, “Sequenza Ritmica e Tema” (Symphonic Holocaust, 1998)

Morte Macabre, “Quiet Drops” (Symphonic Holocaust, 1998)

“Kiss of Life” (From Within, 1999)

“Hole” (From Within, 1999)

“Monolith” (Gravity, 2003) “SW4” (Gravity, 2003)

“King Oblivion” (A Time of Day, 2007)

“In For a Ride” (A Time of Day, 2007) “Shooting Star” (Until All the Ghosts Are Gone, 2015)

“Our Days are Numbered” (Until All the Ghosts Are Gone, 2015)

Episode 89 – Bassically: Metal Bass Guitar Solos That Rip Ass Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

It’s the gutsier, uglier, unwieldier alternative to the heavy metal guitar solo: The goddamn heavy metal BASS guitar solo! We have collected 20 beautifully behemoth examples, laid bare for you to ponder. Sightings are rare, but they’re out there…and we love the hell out of them.

Note I:

As noted in the intro of this episode, RR favorites Hammers of Misfortune have a new album out! Info on Overtaker can be found here: https://hammersofmisfortune.bandcamp.com/

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

Motorhead, “Keep Us On the Road” (Lemmy Kilmister, Motorhead, 1977) Motorhead, “Stay Clean” (Lemmy Kilmister, Overkill, 1979)

Armored Saint, “Released” (Joey Vera, Delirious Nomad, 1985)

Manowar, “Sting of the Bumblebee” (Joey DeMaio, Kings of Metal, 1988)

Manowar, “Mountains” (Joey DeMaio, Sign of the Hammer, 1984)

Sadus, “Torture” (Steve DiGiorgio, Illusions, 1988)

Death, “The Philosopher” (Steve DiGiorgio, Individual Thought Patterns, 1993) Nasty Savage, “Sin Eater” (Richard Bateman, Penetration Point, 1989)

Darkthrone, “Sempiternal Sepulchrality” (Dag Nilsen, Soulside Journey, 1991)

Kataklysm, “World of Treason” (Maurizio Iacono, Sorcery, 1995)

Stargazer, “Hooves” (Damon Good, Psychic Secretions, 2021)

Martire, “Lucixion” (Damon Good, Brutal Legions of the Apocalypse, 2012)

Necrophagist, “Only Ash Remains” (Stephan Fimmers, Epitaph, 2004)

Rainer Landfermann, “Langsam, Hinters Licht” (Mein Wort in Deiner Dunkelheit, 2019)

Dream Theater, “Metropolis – Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper” (John Myung, Images and Words, 1992) Canvas Solaris, “Arc-Lite” (Gael Pirlot, Tribute to Coroner, split 7” w/Pharaoh, 2010)

Cynic, “Textures” (Sean Malone, Focus, 1993)

Spiral Architect, “Excessit” (Lars Norberg, A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000)

Corrosion of Conformity, “My Grain” (Mike Dean, Deliverance, 1994)

Metallica, “Orion” (Cliff Burton, Master of Puppets, 1986) 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 belie

Episode 88 – Hieronymus Bosch, Russian Tech-Death Band, 1994-2008 (The Painter is Pretty Great Too) Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

We admit that, in all our geographic music spelunking, we haven’t scaled many of the mountains offered by Russian noisemakers. So, if we say that “Hieronymus Bosch is our favorite Russian band,” it’s true, but it’s also based on a slight bit of ignorance. If we say that “Hieronymus Bosch is our favorite Dutch artist of the late 1400s/early 1500s,” we can rest easy knowing that will probably hold for the rest of our lives. But c’mon, we think H.B., the band, are outstanding!!! Show us a Russian band that’s better. Bet you can’t. Here, we survey their output, from early demo emanations to their final album, the great Equivoke, of 2008.

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, many of them recently restocked:

https://www.radicalresearch.org/shop/

Music cited in order of appearance:

“Near Death Experience” (Petra Scandali demo, 1994)

“The Apogee” (The Human Abstract, 1995)

“Mental Perfection” (The Human Abstract, 1995)

“The Gardens of Earthly Delights” (The Human Abstract, 1995)

“Interference” (Artificial Emotions, 2005) “Escape from Primitivity” (Artificial Emotions, 2005)

“Heartbeat Seismology” (Artificial Emotions, 2005)

“Zero on a Dice” (Equivoke, 2008)

“Monad Hecatomb” (Equivoke, 2008)

“Tracer Bullet Falling Star” (Equivoke, 2008)

Episode 87 – Dax Riggs & Deadboy 2003-04: It’s Just All Illuminated Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

When onetime Acid Bath and Agents of Oblivion vocalist Dax Riggs took himself to the outermost reaches of his imagination with Deadboy & the Elephantmen, he reached the highest of creative and emotional heights. After the first Deadboy album (If This Is Hell Then I’m Lucky, self-released, 2002), Dax and band went through a number of changes before arriving at the more stripped down and, in our opinion, disappointing We Are Night Sky (Fat Possum, 2006). This episode focuses on the incredible material Dax/Deadboy were working on in their most transitional and obscure phase. The total godhead.

Note I:

We urge you to witness this performance of “Evil Between the Numbers”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIaA387CnXA

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 from a Dream in Which We Die Before We Wake:

“Evil Between the Numbers,” Grant St. Dance Hall, Lafayette, January 24, 2004 “Filling Empty Holes,” Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, April 25, 2003 “Never Mind the Scenery, It’s Only Bleeding,” demo 2004 “Wicked Tongue,” demo 2004

“Thing in a Jar,” Mermaid Lounge, New Orleans, April 18, 2003 “Fly on the Eye of the Lamb,” Grant St. Dance Hall, Lafayette, January 24, 2004

“Sigh of Wolves” aka “Burn Before You,” Grant St. Dance Hall, Lafayette, January 24, 2004

“What the Stars Have Eaten,” demo 2004

“Quiet Doom,” Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, April 25, 2003

“Stranger to Reason,” Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, April 25, 2003 “Scarlett of Heaven nor Hell,” Grant St. Dance Hall, Lafayette, January 24, 2004

Episode 86 — The Forrest Pitts Takeover! Sep 25, 2022

Show notes

We know many Radical Research listeners partake in music we’re not totally familiar with. As much weird/left-field/inventive rock/metal as we digest or are aware of, there’s so much more that we have no experience with. Thus, we invited listeners to submit samples of an artist, or multiple artists, they’re certain we have no familiarity with. So it is that Mr. Forrest Pitts -- writer, thinker, dreamer, master of disaster, headspinner general – fucked with our heads this entire episode. Five snippets each by three different artists. We had a blast, and think you’ll find this a rather fresh and unusual episode. Come with us!

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/

You can go directly to the purchase page if you're interested in Jeff's new Fates Warning book, 'Destination Onward': www.fateswarningbook.com

Music cited, in order of appearance:

We will refer you to the end of the episode, where all will be revealed. We hope you’ll come on this mystery train with us.

We highly recommend the first and third band. Forrest made us fans. Thank you, Forrest.

We close with a snippet of a version of Yes classic, “Roundabout,” played by the Wrigley Field organist in Chicago June 4, 2022, before the game began. A field recording by Jeff Wagner.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected