Radical Research Podcast

On their 2010 album, 'Angst,' German band Todtgelichter presented a song called "Oblivion," including the lyric "Dead night comes near, this is the fear of being forgotten." Here, on our 152nd episode, we try our best to let them know that they are hardly forgotten: the 'Angst' album is one we both hold in extremely high regard. Join us as we plow through highlights of that album, and also look at where they came from and where they went after this most singular work of metal art.

Note I: Very soon we will finally be offering the second batch of Radical Research t-shirts! After several years of drought, we answer the demand and have added two new designs. Show your love for the greatest musick on earth and support our podcast at the same time. These designs will only be available here, radicalresearch.org, so please keep checking, as they will indeed be posted for sale very soon. Choose from: KEEP METAL WEIRD; KEEP PROG WEIRD; PAN.THY.MONIUM FIRST, FAMILY SECOND; and SORRY MARTY Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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

Music cited in order of appearance: “Von Hass Und Trauer” (Was Bleibt…, 2005) “Aschentraum” (Schemen, 2007) “Café of Lost Dreams” (Angst, 2010) “Bestie” (Angst, 2010) “Oblivion” (Angst, 2010) “Phobos & Deimos” (Angst, 2010) “Neon” [two moments] (Angst, 2010) “Subway” (Angst, 2010) “Moloch” (Angst, 2010) “Allmählich” (Angst, 2010) “Expectations” (Apnoe, 2013) “Ghost” (Rooms, 2016) 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.

Our third in the Permeable Lines series takes a query from a Radical Research listener regarding Voivod's "Rise" and Dodheimsgard's "The Snuff Dreams Are Made Of." We're game...and we invite you to send in your bids for comparison in this ongoing Point 5 series. Music cited in order of appearance: Voivod, "Rise" (Phobos, 1997) Dodheimsgard, "The Snuff Dreams Are Made Of" (Supervillain Outcast, 2007) Stay tuned for episode 152, on Todtgelichter's 2010 opus, 'Angst,' with discussion on the worthiness (or lack thereof) of the albums that bookend it.

Much like their hometown of London, England, Akercocke at once embody urbanity and the bucolic, depravity and erudition -- constantly blurring the lines between seemingly opposite poles. In Akercocke’s world, nothing is quite as it seems. Herein, we dissect the most recent half of their discography, which is some of the most adventurous, beguiling metal we have EVER heard. Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note II: 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 Music cited in order of appearance: “Verdelet” (Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone, 2005) “Shelter from the Sand” (Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone, 2005) “Eyes of the Dawn” (Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone, 2005) “Words That Go Unspoken” (Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone, 2005) “Axiom” (Antichrist, 2007) “My Apterous Angel” (Antichrist, 2007) “Man Without Faith or Trust” (Antichrist, 2007) “The Dark Inside” (Antichrist, 2007) “Familiar Ghosts” (Renaissance in Extremis, 2017) “A Final Glance Back Before Departing” (Renaissance in Extremis, 2017) “One Chapter Closing for Another to Begin” (Renaissance in Extremis, 2017) “A Particularly Cold September” (Renaissance in Extremis, 2017) 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.

We conclude our 2-part, 4-hour deep dive into one of our favorite bands in the universe, the mighty Anathema. This second part looks at their 2001-2017 phase, surveying the six albums they released in that 18-year span. They are no longer active, but they’re very much alive in our hearts and sound systems, an eternal source of inspiration for the hosts of this podcast and their legion of fans across the globe. This is a love letter. Note I: As we were perusing the list of inspiring songs listed on Judgement, in the early part of this episode, we concluded that “Albatross” had to be the Corrosion of Conformity song. While that would certainly track, we’ve come to think it was maybe this Fleetwood Mac song Anathema were referring to instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QooCN5JbOkU Note II: We mention Antimatter, where we saw bassist Duncan Patterson go after leaving Anathema. It should be noted that while Duncan was a huge part of that band’s early years, Antimatter has been driven since inception by co-founder and longtime leader of the band, Mick Moss. Note III: At the 1:01:55 mark, Hunter makes a slight error in the title of the Sieges Even album he’s referring to. It’s ‘The Art of Navigating by the Stars’ (2005). No biggie, but as sticklers for detail, we had to correct that. Note IV: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note V: 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 | Music cited in order of appearance: “Looking Outside Inside” (A Fine Day to Exit, 2001) “Leave No Trace” (A Fine Day to Exit, 2001) “A Fine Day to Exit” (A Fine Day to Exit, 2001) “Closer” (A Natural Disaster, 2003) “Flying” (A Natural Disaster, 2003) “Violence” (A Natural Disaster, 2003) “A Simple Mistake” (We’re Here Because We’re Here, 2010) “Universal” (We’re Here Because We’re Here, 2010) “Untouchable Part 1” (Weather Systems, 2012) “The Storm Before the Calm” (Weather Systems, 2012) “The Lost Song Part 1” (Distant Satellites, 2014) “Anathema” (Distant Satellites, 2014) “Springfield” (The Optimist, 2017) “Can’t Let Go” (The Optimist, 2017) outro: “Restless Oblivion” (The Silent Enigma, 1995) 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.

Liverpool, England’s Anathema are one of the bedrocks of the Radical Research musical adventure. It’s why we’ve chosen to commemorate our 150th episode with a two-part dive into their entire catalog, from the harrowing wretchedness of their early demo work to the graceful final statement of 2017’s The Optimist. We rejoice and weep, praise and cry, as we explore all of their 1990s output in episode 1 of this 2-part indulgence.

Note I: As explained in this episode, we aren’t giving short shrift (whatever shrift is!) to the Eternity album. It’s just that we covered it in great detail on episode 125, which you can find right here: https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-125-do-you-think-were-forever-anathemas-eternity/ Note II: We’ve been doing this for years now, and after 150 episodes, Jeff still can’t get it right: the lack of fidelity on his voice in the first half of this episode is because he had the microphone backwards. He finally corrects this around minute 59. C’mon, Wagner, get with the program already! Note III: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note IV: 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

Music cited in order of appearance: “The Lord of Mortal Pestilence” (An Iliad of Woes demo, 1990) “At One With the Earth” (All Faith is Lost demo, 1991) “…And I Lust” (The Crestfallen EP, 1992) “Crestfallen” (The Crestfallen EP, 1992) “Sweet Tears” (Serenades, 1993) “Sleepless” (Serenades, 1993) “We, the Gods” (Pentecost III, 1994) “Memento Mori” (Pentecost III, 1994) “Shroud of Frost” (The Silent Enigma, 1995) “Cerulean Twilight” (The Silent Enigma, 1995) “The Beloved” (Eternity, 1996) “Re-Connect” (Alternative 4, 1998) “Inner Silence” (Alternative 4, 1998) “Pitiless” (Judgement, 1999) “Judgement” (Judgement, 1999) “Wings of God” (Judgement, 1999) 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.

It's back to Norway for Radical Research, although this time, it's not about weirdness, unless you consider us covering an album like this a little weird. But we adore this band, especially this 30-minute masterpiece. And for years, we’d talked of spotlighting Tell No Tales with none other than Bryon Dudley and Aaron Alcott of the excellent Hair Metal Memories podcast. We finally got down to business and in this episode, we dissect all the beauty, joy, audacity and high, higher, highest of this great band’s greatest album. This collaboration felt really natural, and we might do another one with these guys, dudes who aren’t quite at opposite poles as much as one might assume. As Aaron says here, Tell No Tales is “something that should be known beyond the borders of its genre.” Note I: Led by two gentlemen well-versed in a wide variety of music genres, we encourage our listeners to check out Hair Metal Memories, which explores the genre with nerdy passion and a fresh, informed perspective it rarely receives. Find them here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/hair-metal-memories/ Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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 Music cited in order of appearance: [all snippets from TNT, Tell No Tales (1987)] “Everyone’s a Star” “10,000 Lovers (in One)” “As Far As the Eye Can See” “Sapphire” “Child’s Play” “Listen to Your Heart” “Desperate Night” “Northern Lights” “Tell No Tales” 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.

What exactly constitutes "Radical Research material?" We're gonna test that question with this and the next episode. With episode 148, we answer with more questions: "Is it weird?" "Is it heavy?" "Is it something we enjoy?" "Would most of the music-listening world hate it?" Yes, yes, yes and yes! And lord, do we love us some Cathedral. Especially the early era, which is the 5-year chunk of time investigated here. Herein, we hail Dorrian, Gaz, Griffiths, Lehan and the three drummers that comprise this most potent, powerful era of the UK's legendary lords of doom.

Note I: Something we knew about but failed to mention on this episode: even though the roots of Cathedral are partly based on the fateful meeting of doom-heads Lee Dorrian and Mark Griffiths, it is also rooted in a project that guitarist Gary “Gaz” Griffiths did after leaving Acid Reign. The following is from the mighty Metal Archives, to help fill in the gap here: “Morbid Doom recorded a demo entitled ‘Sorrow's Epitaph’ in late 1989 or early '90, which contained about 9 songs. Two of the tracks on it would later become Cathedral songs: ‘Sorrows End’ became ‘Jaded Entity", and ‘Suffocation of Mankind’ became ‘Phantasmagoria.’ The reworked/re-recorded versions of both ended up on 1993's The Ethereal Mirror album.” Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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 Music cited in order of appearance: “Mourning of a New Day” (In Memorium demo, 1990) “Commiserating the Celebration” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991) “Equilibrium” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991) “Reaching Happiness, Touching Pain” (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991) “Soul Sacrifice” (Soul Sacrifice, 1992) “Autumn Twilight” (Soul Sacrifice, 1992) “Enter the Worms” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993) “Fountain of Innocence” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993) “Phantasmagoria” ” (The Ethereal Mirror, 1993) “Hypnos 164” (Statik Majik, 1994) “Cosmic Funeral” (Statik Majik, 1994) “Voyage of the Homeless Sapien” (Statik Majik, 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.

The scope of Kevin Moore’s genius begins with Dream Theater’s “Space-Dye Vest” and concludes with OSI’s Fire Make Thunder. We try to use the g-word sparingly around here, but truly, Moore’s singular artistic vision is something we attempt to hail and dissect here, for our 147th episode. Join us in celebrating this specific, singular talent.

Note I: Hunter mentions “library music” in response to Chroma Key’s music on the Graveyard Mountain Home album. You can learn more about library music here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production_music Note II: The story we relate from Chris Warunki, at this end of this episode, about his very lucrative sale of Kevin Moore’s pre-Chroma Key release, This is a Recording: Demos 1994-97, is given evidence here: https://www.discogs.com/release/4238872-Kevin-Moore-This-Is-A-Recording-Demos-1994-97 Note III: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: https://radicalresearch.org/voivod Note IV: 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 Music cited in order of appearance: Dream Theater, “Ytse Jam” (When Dream and Day Unite, 1989) Dream Theater, “Wait for Sleep” (Images and Words, 1992) Dream Theater, “Space-Dye Vest” (Awake, 1994) Kevin Moore, “Space-Dye Vest” (demo, 1994) Fates Warning, “A Pleasant Shade of Gray, Part VIII” (A Pleasant Shade of Gray, 1997) Chroma Key, “Colorblind” (Dead Air for Radios, 1998) Chroma Key, “On the Page” (Dead Air for Radios, 1998) Chroma Key, “Astronaut Down” (You Go Now, 2000) Chroma Key, “Come In, Over” (Graveyard Mountain Home, 2004) OSI, “Hello, Helicopter” (Office of Strategic Influence, 2003) OSI, “Go” (Free, 2006) OSI, “Terminal” (Blood, 2009) OSI, “Radiologue” (Blood, 2009)

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.

Our friends Marty and Alan at the Heavy Metallurgy podcast challenged us to a duel, and we fire back. The idea was simple: Offer five different albums, any genre, to cover on an episode. Of their five, we chose the only non-metal album, the stunning, beloved 1983 debut Script of the Bridge by English band, The Chameleons. How did Heavy Metallurgy handle our challenge? Find out here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BnrwkIqJ7OU?si=GHex4X8mqILUSQXn Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note II: 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

Music cited in order of appearance: all snippets from The Chameleons, Script of the Bridge (1983) “Don’t Fall” “Here Today” “Monkeyland” “Second Skin” “Up the Down Escalator” “Less Than Human” “Thursday’s Child” “A Person Isn’t Safe Anywhere These Days” “Paper Tigers” “View From a Hill” 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.

Herein, you will find our tribute to Pan-Thy-Monium. Briefly covered in episode 2, we finally give this very special entity its due. We dive deep into the deeps of Raagoonshinnaah’s dwelling and emerge as awed and dumbfounded as ever. Note I: At the 28:55 mark, Jeff forgets to name the band who released the Death Has Made Its Call album in 1998. The band was called Ashes, which featured PTM guitarist Mourning aka Robert Ivarsson.

Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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

Music cited in order of appearance: “Zenotaffph” (1990, Dawn demo) “II” (1991, Dream II EP) “Raagoonshinnaah” (Dawn of Dreams, 1992) (three moments) “Eepitaffph” (Dawn of Dreams, 1992) “Amaraah” (Dawn of Dreams, 1992) “Jag & Vem” (Khaooohs, 1993) “Khaooohs I” (Khaooohs, 1993) “Utsikt” (Khaooohs, 1993) “IV” (Dream II, CD reissue) “The Battle of Geeheeb” (Khaooohs and Kon-Fus-Ion, 1996) (two moments) “Thee-Pherenth” (Khaooohs and Kon-Fus-Ion, 1996) (two moments)

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.

As noted early in this episode: we’ve always wanted to do an episode focusing on King Crimson, but couldn’t figure out the right approach. Until this idea, where we dissect and decipher all five parts of the band’s “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” song cycle, spanning several decades and three different lineups. Join us as we delve into a musical delicacy better listened to than tasted…

Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note II: 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 Music cited in order of appearance: “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One” (1973, Larks’ Tongues in Aspic) “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two” (1973, Larks’ Tongues in Aspic) “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part III” (1984, Three of a Perfect Pair) “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic - Part IV” (2000, The Construkction of Light) “Level Five” (2003, The Power to Believe) “The Deception of the Thrush” (unsure of year, maybe 2000, maybe 2003, live) 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.

No other band with roots in Swedish death metal did it like Comecon. Not even close. We find a few similarities to Carbonized, but generally, this band is unique, special, and underappreciated enough that we had to come to their rescue for a little over an hour. Headed by brainiacs Pelle Strom and Rasmus Ekman, Comecon cycled through three different vocalists over three different albums (L.G. Petrov, Martin van Drunen, Marc Grewe), and if you have any interest in death metal with a distinct difference, please give this episode a listen… Note I: Listener challenge!! As mentioned in this episode: if you have a solid working knowledge of Comecon-related bands The Krixhjalters and Omnitron, assemble a 10-song episode, 5 songs each band, about 2 minutes per snippet (you can just send us titles and time codes). We’ll do an episode on it! We are sadly ignorant of these bands, but really should know them, given our love of Comecon. ALSO: Enter the Hunt isn’t directly related to Comecon, as Jeff surmised. It did feature Pontius, of Krixhjalters, and indeed, two members of Candlemass from our beloved Dactylis Glomerata/From the 13th Sun period. We still have so much to learn.

Note II: Speaking of having much to learn: we’re not exactly up on the entire vinyl reissue scene, because we didn’t know Comecon’s Fable Frolic was released with the original logo, as Jeff mentions in this episode. Lookie here! https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/30811545 Note III: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note IV: 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 Music cited in order of appearance: “Wash Away the Filth” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Slope” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Armed Solution” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Conductor of Ashes” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Aerie” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Bleed/Burn” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Worms” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “The House That Man Built” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Frogs” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Ways of Wisdom (Serves Two)” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Anaconda Charms Grass Snake” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Canvas of History” (Fable Frolic, 1995)

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.

We all know the big names of prog rock -- they're mentioned numerous time in this episode -- and we all know the music of many other names from all over the world, especially the Italian and Scandinavian progressive gods. And Holland's Supersister! But do you know Babylon, Yezda Urfa or Ethos? Perhaps not. The US prog movement of the '70s happened mid-/late decade, well past the prime/peak of 1972 (ish)...but we haven't forgotten these excellent American contributors to our favorite subset of rock music. Dive in with us as we unearth five of our US prog favorites from that glorious decade...

Note I: Wow, sorry about the quality of Jeff’s transmission in the first three-quarters of the episode…we’re back to the dark ages of early RR episodes there. Our apologies! Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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

Music cited in order of appearance: Babylon, “The Mote in God’s Eye” (Babylon, 1978) Babylon, “Dreamfish” (Babylon, 1978) Cathedral, “Introspect” (Stained Glass Stories, 1978) Cathedral, “The Search” (Stained Glass Stories, 1978) Ethos, “Atlanteans” (Ardour, 1976) Ethos, “Long Dancer” (Ardour, 1976) Yezda Urfa, “Boris and His Three Verses (Including Flow Guides Aren’t My Bag)” (Boris, 1975) Yezda Urfa, “The Basis of Dubenglazy (While Dirk Does the Dance)” (Boris, 1975) Starcastle, “Elliptical Seasons” (Starcastle, 1976) Happy the Man, “Stumpy Meets the Firecracker in Stencil Forest” (Happy the Man, 1977) Happy the Man, “Steaming Pipes” (Crafty Hands, 1978) 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 band is a major cog in the engine that powers us. We’ve said that about Voivod, King Crimson, and Arcturus, and will add Watchtower as a major ingredient of what compels Radical Research. Formed in 1982 by four maniacs whose handle on their instruments was far beyond their years, and with record collections spanning speedy heavy metal as well as wild prog rock and jazz fusion, Watchtower made perhaps the largest impact of any metal band with a mere two full-length albums to their credit. Listen in wonder right along with us, because we’re still trying to figure it all out! Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note II: 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

Music cited in order of appearance: “Meltdown” (Cottage Cheese From the Lips of Death compilation, 1984) “Tyrants in Distress” (Energetic Disassembly, 1985) “Energetic Disassembly” (Energetic Disassembly, 1985) “Cimmerian Shadows” (Energetic Disassembly, 1985) “The Eldritch” (Instruments of Random Murder demo, 1987) “Mayday in Kiev” (Control and Resistance, 1989) “Control and Resistance” (Control and Resistance, 1989) “Life Cycles” (Control and Resistance, 1989) “Coming Home” (Scott Jeffreys audition, 1990) “Technology Inaction” (Concepts of Math: Book One, 2016) 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.

It has taken light years of travel, but we’ve finally reached Arcturus. For our 140th episode, Radical Research dives into the catalog of one of Norway’s longest-running institutions. Over the course of five full-length albums and a clutch of odds and sods, Arcturus has defined and redefined the possibilities of experimental heavy metal. This episode goes all-in, exploring the entire body of work of this beacon of Norweird. Note I: We wondered who released the second Arcturus album, La Masquerade Infernale, in the US, and it turns out, no one did until 5 years after its initial release (Candlelight Records, 2002). Note II: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is finally available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod 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: we touched on Arcturus in these episodes, if you’re wanting more on these legends: Episode 76: Ulver’s Kristoffer Rygg Outside the Wolfpack https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-76-ulvers-kristoffer-rygg-outside-the-wolf-pack/Episode 79: Simen Hestnaes aka ICS Vortex – 25 Years of Agility and Quirk https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-79-simen-hestnaes-aka-ics-vortex-25-years-of-agility-and-quirk/

Music cited in order of appearance: “My Angel” (My Angel 7”, 1991) “Morax” (My Angel 7”, 1991) “Icebound Streams and Vapours Gray” (Constellation EP, 1994) “Naar Kulda Taar” (Constellation EP, 1994) “To Thou Who Dwellest in the Night” (Aspera Hiems Symfonia, 1996) “Du Nordavind” (Aspera Hiems Symfonia, 1996) “Master of Disguise” (La Masquerade Infernale, 1997) “Ad Astra” (La Masquerade Infernale, 1997) “Deception Genesis” (Disguised Masters, 1999) “Kinetic” (The Sham Mirrors, 2002) “For To End Yet Again” (The Sham Mirrors, 2002) “Evacuation Code Deciphered” (Sideshow Symphonies, 2005) “Hufsa” (Sideshow Symphonies, 2005) “Angst” (Arcturian, 2015) “Demon” (Arcturian, 2015) “The Journey” (Arcturian, 2015) 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.

When we first announced this episode several weeks back, we received several queries from listeners all around the globe who phrased their questions similarly: "Realm? The Milwaukee Realm?": Oh yeah, freaks, the one and only. Near and dear to our hearts, as with other Wisconsin RR favorites Die Kreuzen and Last Crack, this one-hour and 14-minute episode explores, expounds and exhorts the mighty Realm…the Milwaukee one!

Note I: NO JOKE: if you can identify another Wisconsin band referenced in the description above, and explain the reference, RR will send you a Norweird prize package of CDs by Arcturus, Fleurety, Solefald, and Virus. Contact us if you decipher the code… Note II: We forgot to mention “Dick”! We had a blast recording this episode and listening back to the great Realm. And we turned over a lot of stones, but left this one unturned: “Dick”! It’s a song on Suiciety, and it’s easily the worst idea on either of the Realm albums. In fact, it’s the only truly lamentable moment. And really, it’s only the horrid chorus the ruins things. It’s an M.O.D.-wanna-be, and…well, it should be self-explanatory why it’s lame. Otherwise: HAIL REALM. Note III: Finally, after years of toil, Jeff’s Voivod book is finally available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth…ONLY available in the US HERE: http://radicalresearch.org/voivod European distribution is here, please visit: https://rekviem.no/en-us/products/always-moving-the-strange-multiverse-of-voivod-book-preorder Note IV: 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 Music cited in order of appearance: “Second Coming” (Perceptive Incentive demo, 1985) “The Temple” (Final Solution demo, 1987) “Endless War” (Endless War, 1988) “Slay the Oppressor” (Endless War, 1988) “Root of Evil” (Endless War, 1988) “Eleanor Rigby” (Endless War, 1988) “All Heads Will Turn to the Hunt” (Endless War, 1988) “Cain Rose Up (Scream Bloody Murder)” (Suiciety, 1990) “Fragile Earth” (Suiciety, 1990) “Energetic Discontent” (Suiciety, 1990) “The Brainchild” (Suiciety, 1990) “La Flamme’s Theory” (Suiciety, 1990) “One More Red Nightmare” (demo, 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 short episode is one that Jeff has been promising Hunter we’d get to eventually…and we finally did. Herein, Hunter is granted 12 minutes to make a case for this lost and mostly-forgotten ‘90s alterna-metal album, 'Dead to the World' by West Virginia's Chum.

Music cited in order of appearance: “Stepping on Cracks” (Dead to the World, 1996) “Greetings (From the Inner Self)” (Dead to the World, 1996) “Angels in the Snow” (Dead to the World, 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.

“And she became a completely different woman…” With that line, Italy’s Monumentum sums up the Radical Research Christmas spirit circa 2025. Supernatural hokum or divine prophecy told by madmen? Either way, screw all this shopping nonsense and screw your reason for the season: this 1995 album by one of the most enigmatic of all Italian enigmas blasts a blasphemous light on everything sacred. And we, here, right now, at the end of a year that began in torture, shine a light. We don’t celebrate anniversaries -- not of the musings of Mammarella & company nor of the birth of the bastard child. Still, we acknowledge the 30 years this uncanny album has sustained us in a way no other can. Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, 'Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,' is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth...Available HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note II: 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 Thank you to Rob Kachluba and Joe for recent donations! Note III: Any mention of John Norum and the Monumentum song “Terra Mater Ofranorum” are purely coincidental.

Music cited in order of appearance: all snippets taken from Monumentum, In Absentia Christii (1995), except where noted Visage, “Fade to Grey” (Visage, 1980) “Battesimo: Nero Opaco” “A Thousand Breathing Crosses” “Consuming Jerusalem” “Fade to Grey” “On Perspective of Spiritual Catharsis” “Σελυνης αγγελος” “From These Wounds” “Terra Mater Ofranorum” “Nephtali” “La Noia”

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.

Led by the estimable Percy Jones on bass and supported by a cast of elite co-conspirators, England's Brand X released a covey of essential fusion albums in the '70s and early '80s. Blending rock and jazz with uncommon aggression and dexterity, Brand X cuts across genres and decapitates rivals. Join us on this deep dive into one of fusion's oft-overlooked champions.

Note I:

Jeff’s Voivod book, Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod, is finally available. Taking orders now for this 540-page, 3-pound behemoth…ONLY available HERE: https://www.radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note II: 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

Music cited in order of appearance: “Nuclear Burn” (Unorthodox Behaviour, 1976) “Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria” (Unorthodox Behaviour, 1976) “Disco Suicide” (Moroccan Roll, 1977) “Macrocosm” (Moroccan Roll, 1977) “Access to Data” (Masques, 1978) “The Ghost of Mayfield Lodge” (Masques, 1978) “Don’t Make Waves” (Product, 1979) “Dance of the Illegal Aliens” (Product, 1979) “Act of Will” (Do They Hurt?, 1980) “Fragile” (Do They Hurt?, 1980) “Triumphant Limp” (Do They Hurt?, 1980) 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.

For years (yes, we've been doing this a while now), various Radical Research listeners around the globe have asked us, "When is the Dark Millennium episode coming?" For Hunter, this would have been an easy answer: Anytime! For Jeff, a crash course in this interesting, challenging, wholly unique band was in order. Having boned up on the details, Jeff joins Hunter and those RR freakazoid listeners in hailing this band's first two albums, which we dissect readily in this episode. Tangents on Therion and graphite included...

Note I: Finally, after years of toil, Jeff’s Voivod book is finally available. Taking pre-orders now for this 540-page, 3-pound behemoth…'Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of

Voivod' is ONLY available HERE: https://www.radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note II: 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 III: We are regularly posting newer and older episode to our Youtube channel. Please check that out here and please subscribe if you wanna aid in getting all our coverage into more people's feeds: https://www.youtube.com/@radicalresearchpodcast4942

Music cited in order of appearance: “Below the Holy Fatherlands” (Ashore the Celestial Burden, 1992) “Spiritual” (Ashore the Celestial Burden, 1992) “Inside the Sunburnt Thoughts of Frost” (Ashore the Celestial Burden, 1992) “The Atmosphere” (Ashore the Celestial Burden, 1992) “Dead in Love” (Diana Read Peace, 1993) “Brotherhood Sleep…Back to Treasureland” (Diana Read Peace, 1993) “Fatehistory” (Diana Read Peace, 1993) “Peace in My Hands” (Diana Read Peace, 1993) episode 137 preview: Brand X, “Not Good Enough…See Me!” (Product, 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.