Radioactive Metal Podcast

Every year the nominees for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame always seem to raise eyebrows and get tongues wagging. Over the last couple years, the controversy generally is about what exactly constitutes inclusion. Semantics aside, we enjoy getting "The List" and this year we're taking a cue from "High Infidelity" and making our Top 5 list of choices. Who you got?   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we hit up the "Capt. Comics Expo" and go over the viral Taylor Swift fan divorce video. Musically, we crank some Blitzkrieg, Budgie, The Exploited, Razor, Sadistic Intent, Mean Mistreated, On Fire and introduce trad metallers Dragonrider in our "Indie Spotlight".   If you are curious about the "Whamola" Aaron mentioned, you can view it here.   Horns Up!

It's that time again. Our little longtime listeners know what the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammies) mean to us. At least the Metal category, being two time judges ourselves. So we're stoked for this year's nominees. Especially since four out of five are Radioactive Metal alum. So in the spirit of the Junos, we go over the list and "cast our vote" over the air. You'll find making a pick to be a Herculean task too.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we go over the "Back To The Beginning" final Ozzy gig and announce the Manitoba Metalfest. Musically, we crank Deceased, Anciients, Striker, Warpig, Steel Inferno, Pupil Slicer, Drop Off Point, Malefaction and introduce Finland's Steel Machine in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!

As we move along in life we pick up (hopefully) little bits of information. It's mostly info that isn't too groundbreaking or Earth shattering.   But in the context of our beloved genre, these tidbits become downright interesting. Over the past little while we've been compiling out own list of musical trivialities and this week we're sharing a handful of them. We hope we informed as well as entertained.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have some gear talk and soundtrack speak courtesy of the great Akira Ifukybe. Musically, we crank some Dead Kennedys, MDC, Tokyo Blade, Meliah Rage, Holy Grail, Butcher, Lady Rage and introduce Canadian noise rockers Sweet Beast in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!

With 1985 celebrating its 40th anniversary, it's time to kick off this year's Deep Dive series on cool albums turning 40.   1985 was an interesting year. That year could be argued to be the year that really kick started "hair" metal. And Motley Crue's "Theatre of Pain" was leading the pack. Gone were the studs and satanic imagery replaced by the pink scarves and hairspray. Nikki Sixx was leaning into his palm rock influences while sound wise a few tracks would have been right at home on "Shout At The Devil".   This was also a very divisive album. Not just back in the day, but around the RAM offices today. We go through the album track by track and discuss all the going ons when the album hit the tracks.   Musically, we crank Nifelheim, Abbatoir, London (!), Odin (!), Archagathus, Ice War, Breakout, Obnoxious Youth and we introduce Seattle's Hyperstrike in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up! 

As dedicated Metalheads, we all have those special albums near and dear to our Metal Hearts. I'm talking that collection of songs that changed our lives. It got us thinking how cool it would have been to be in the studio when these masterpieces took shape. Either as a fly on the wall or giving our 2 cents. Even getting coffee or going on beer runs would've been cool.   So this week we share our choices for such ventures. To help us out why not enlist a guy who knows his way around a studio. Mr. Matt Copper is our co-host with our sister show, Wrestling Night in Canada. More importantly, he's the main man behind his home studio, Atomic 29 Productions.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have some cool gear talk and the goings on in the Exodus camp. Musically, we crank some Raven, DRI, Whipstriker, Mayhem (80s), Twin Temple, Mother of Graves, Rotting and we introduce German trad metallers Hornado.   Horns Up!

A new year always means more important anniversaries. We hate to remind our more veteran listeners that the year 1985 is 40 (!!) years old now! It was an important and pivotal year for Metaldom, to which the effects are still being felt today. So this time we're going deep into '85. We're going over some of the fantastic albums that hit the racks and some of the amazing bands that first hit the garage. Great times!   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the LA fires and the "Invoking Yell" black metal found footage film. Musically, we crank Grave Digger, Bloodfeast, Minor Threat, Savage Grace, Impaler, Extreme Noise Terror, Black Lace, Satanic Slaughter, Sadistik Executioner, Axetasy and we introduce ChiTown's Gloryhole Guillotine (!!) in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!

It's not over until...we've had our Rammy Awards.   Basically, the Rammies are our take on the Grammies. Meaning we make our picks for the "Best Of" for the year that was. In the categories that mean the most to Metalheads; Band, Album, Live, News Story a.o. As well, as is tradition, we give our inductions into the RAM Hall of Hall for Band, Album and what we call Myth and Legend. Play along with your picks too.   Musically, we crank Warlord, The Rods, Nails, Ghoul, Jaguar, Sentry, Fulci, and Blood Opera.   Horns Up and here's to an awesome 2025!

Aaron has become a proud papa again. First when his offspring came into the world. Second when his little girl asked for a skateboard.   Excited as we are to commemorate this event, we felt it was a good time to discuss all things skating. We discuss our first decks, "skate" music, Thrasher mag and the skateboards impact on pop culture. We even invited Snowy's board Betsy to sit in with us.   Musically, we crank some Septic Death, Beyond Possession, Impaled Nazarene, JFA, Hellripper, Bobbie Dazzle, Woslom, Cuntroaches and we introduce Cruel Force in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!!

Happy New Year!!   2024 is coming to an end, so consider this episode the Radioactive Metal New Year's Eve party. This time we pour some bevvies, crank some tunes and talk about...whatever.   You know, like a party. And what's a party without good friends? So we pour a Lemmy for our bud and sister podcast Wrestling Night in Canada co host Mr. Matt Copper. We yap about new movies, Godzilla comics, our fave Star Wars characters and cool shite' on Thunderflix.   Musically we crank some Manilla Road, Tankard, Wehrmacht, Nunslaughter, Rottrevore, Heavy Load, Withtrap, Starvation Army, Hogan's Heroes, Lurking Corpses, Torso, Owlbear, Taptore and introduce Philly's Breaker in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!!

The biggest news on the hearts and minds of Metalheads the world over is the retirement of long time Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. Having been behind the kit since the classic '83 record "Piece Of Mind", Metaldom just won't be the same.   As is tradition, every significant retirement requires a proper send off. So we decided to have one for our listeners. We go over our fave Nicko skinbeating moments. We also share our choices of who we'd like to fill these big shoes. And finally, we go over Mr.McBrain's menu for his Rock N Roll Ribs restaurant.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we have Xmas Hallmark (!!) movie recommends and some Roller Derby talk. Musically, we crank new Sacrifice, Thunderstick, Rock Goddess, Virtue, Ice War, Cardinal Noire, Raised By Owls and introduce TX tickets Mean Mistreater in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns up!!!   Timestamps for Aaron's "nerd out":   Hallowed be thy name - Live After Death - happens at 5:36, start at 5:30 Rime of the ancient mariner - Snare fill after the i

The annual Montreal black metal festival Messe De Morte is in the books. We never made it out to La Belle Province ourselves, but it's a yearly trek for our good bud and sister show Wrestling Night in Canada co-host "Ducky" Dustin Maruca.   So this week we sat Mr. Maruca in the hotseat to the get the 411 on the fest. We go over the line up, the highs and lows and and the presence of Antifa (!). We're already eagerly awaiting next year.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we get reintroduced to the Partridge Family (!!) and pay tribute to a Canadian Punk legend. Musically, we crank Messe headliners Marduk and Ancient. Plus some Personality Crisis, Faithful Breath, Demon Bitch, Void, The Headless Ghost and introduce Canuck bashers CHUZO in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up! 

Remember when you were a kid and you hated brussel sprouts? As you got older, your palette may change and evolve to where those evil little veggies may not taste so bad. The same can be said for musical tastes. Particularly towards specific artists or even entire subgenres.   We all have those specific bands that really didn't turn our crank at the time. But now you find yourself front row centre. What are some of those artists for you?   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we celebrate music pioneer Wendy Carlos, discuss Knocked Loose on Jimmy Kimmel and call out a domestic abuser! Musically, we crank some Massacre, D.R.I., Sarcofago, Havok, Mutank, Underdog (Ger.), Crossfire, Sidewalk and introduce Gravemass in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!!

Dec. 6th is the last Bandcamp Friday of the year.   One Friday a month, Bandcamp relinquishes their cut of all the sales on the site. Effectively giving the artists 100% of the profits. We've been big supporters of BCF for years now. So this week we figured we'd throw out some of our recommends to add to your collection. But don't just take our suggestions. Run, don't walk, to Bandcamp right now.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we remember the Cabbage Patch Kid riots. Musically, we crank new Anialator (TX), Sign Of The Jackal, Evil Survives, Against Empire, The Pist, Hellfire Club '76, Leatherhead, Hippie Death Cult and we introduce folk metallers Mythbegotten in our "Indie Spotlight".   Snowy's Picks: Hippiedeathcult.bandcamp.com Witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com (Spitfire) Middleearthrockss.bandcamp.com Hellfire76.bandcamp.com Thepist.bandcamp.com   Aaron's Picks: Messer Chups - Don't Worry Be Creepy Rodrigo Y Gabriella Estaurio - Puerta al Sol Mythic - Anthology Echoes of Death  - In The Cemetery Sham

It's no exaggeration when we state that we grew up in record stores. From our early teens right up to this writing, we had a variety of shops that were/are our homes away from home.   These hallowed halls come with a variety of memories you just don't get with streaming. So this week we figured we'd give these cherished shops a "Horns Up" and share some memories. For instance, some of the cool albums we found, autograph signings and the awesome interactions we had some of the awesome people behind the counters. What are some of your cool record store memories?   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we go off on the cancelled Canadian King Diamond dates and our friends appear in the new Toxic Avenger comics. Musically, we crank some new + used from Verbal Abuse, Living Death, Warcollapse, Sabire, Bitch School, Satan's Fall and introduce trad metallers Bronze in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up!

We admit it. We're old.   Actually, we prefer "music veterans". We're veteran enough to have consumed out music on all three physical media formats - vinyl, cassette and CD (and even a few 8 tracks lol). So with these formats we have a number of special albums that we shelled out for all three. Generally the lineage would be from vinyl to cass. to CD. But of course there's no tried and true formula. So this week we'd figured we'd share a list of these special albums. How many albums made your special list?   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss the aftermath of the election and hit up a new record shop. Musically, we crank some Slaughter (Can), Pounder, Hatchet, Asomvel, Poltergeist (Can) and Dissection (Can).   Horns Up!!

We here at RAM have always been vinyl conisseurs. But more and more people are discovering the joys of vinyl. It's really heartwarming when we see the youth of today (that was totally intentional lol) digging thru the racks. That means there's a lot of fertile minds that we feel, as veterans, should be doing our part to enlighten. Vinyl records have basic terminologies every collector should know. For instance: "LP", "hype sticker" and "deadwax". So we gathered a laundry list of said terms. Educational for the young'uns. Entertaining for the vets.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we share our Halloweens and discuss A.I. "music". Finally, we crank some cool tunes from Sacred Reich, Overdrive (Swe.), Witchkiller, Meanstreak, Haunt, Spitboy and Phaethon.   Horns up!!

The passing of ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno was the major topic on the hearts and minds of Metal Heads the world over. Mr. Di'Anno wasn't just a great artist, he was a frontrunner and influence on an entire generation. So it's only appropriate we dedicate our discussion segment to this legend.   We go over how we first discovered The Man. Our fave tunes. And where we think he would be haunting.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we attended the Winnipeg Comic Con and helped christen a new venue.   Musically, we crank Ancients, Castle, Phobia, Desultory, Tailgunner, Juggernaut and Paul Di' Anno's Warhorse and Killers.   Horns Up!

Happy Halloween! We love this time of year. But not only for all the spooky season goodness. Our annual Halloween episode is always a barnburner. For the festivities this year we test Aaron's horror film knowledge with an appropriate number of 13 trivia questions. We also pose the question "Would you buy any records from a serial killer's collection?" And of course, we discuss the Ozzy HOF induction. Musically, we crank a stack o wax with Warfare, MDC, House By The Cemetery, Sadist w/Claudio Simonetti, Vincent Crowley, Savaged, Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre and Necronomicon Ex Mortis. Horns Up and Happy Halloween!!

Love it or hate it, "Hair" Metal is always an interesting topic. Often the subject of ridicule from more modern fans, the impact the subgenre has had on music as a whole cannot be denied. So when Paramount+ dropped the new docuseries "Nothin' But A Good Time: The Uncensored Story of 80s Hair Metal", we jumped right on it.   We go over all three episodes. But not with a fine toothed comb, of course. As well, we use the opportunity to try to come up with our own Hair Metal Big 4. It's harder than you think.   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss RelicRadio.com (old school radio horror) and acknowledge our 17th (!!) birthday. Musically, we crank some Bulldozer, Destruktor, Youth Brigade, Madam X, Warrant (Ger), Poison (Ger) and Toxikull.   Horns Up and Happy Halloween!!

Halloween isn't just about collecting candy and cringy Wednesday costumes. Music plays a big part of the spooky season.   Whether it's awesome horror film soundtracks or horror related guitar rock n roll, music provides the perfect atmosphere sounds for your October. But over the years we've noticed some people's idea of "Halloween" music doesn't quite cut a drunken teenager at Summer camp. So this week we compiled some songs that are debatable and we our "Yay" or "Nay".   In our "News, Views and Tunes", we're off and running with our annual October Horror Movie Challenge and address the Taylor Swift charity guitar incident. Musically, we crank some Municipal Waste, Hallows Eve, Piledriver, Slasher Dave, Subhumans, Messer Chups and introduce Pythonic in our "Indie Spotlight".   Horns Up and Happy Halloween!!