Classic Metal Show

Chris Akin finally explains the terrifying reality behind his disappearance from CMS.COVID. Pneumonia. Oxygen. Hospitalization. Near death. And here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud… it changed everything.

Then the episode completely spirals.

What starts as a normal CMS catch-up turns into a full-blown time capsule from the early days of internet broadcasting — before streaming was easy, before podcasting exploded, and before anybody knew what the hell they were doing.

Nelson Ledges. Primitive wireless systems. Internet failures. Live disasters. Total technical collapse. The stories get crazier the deeper this goes.

And underneath all of it is the bigger conversation nobody in entertainment wants to admit:

The same culture that made billions from outrage, sex, drugs, and destruction is now pretending it was offended the entire time.

Ric Flair. KISS. Howard Stern. Bill Clinton. Dave Chappelle.Different industries. Same hypocrisy.

Then somehow the conversation gets even darker.

A church empire. Weight loss manipulation. Money. Vanity. Obedience. Cult psychology. HBO’s “The Way Down” exposed one of the strangest religious scams ever built — and the deeper the story gets, the uglier it becomes.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already behind.The full episode, exclusive 3rd segment, and early interviews are on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

VIP members already got the uncensored version.The real conversation isn’t public.

The biggest problem with Operation: Mindcrime 3 isn’t the production. It isn’t the guitars. It’s the brutal realization that some classics should NEVER be revisited.

GET GEOFF TATE: OPERATION MINDCRIME III - https://amzn.to/4dt7pTp

Geoff Tate tried to revive one of the greatest concept albums ever made… and exposed exactly why the original lineup mattered.

The full episode, exclusive 3rd segment, and early interviews are on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

Topics include:

- Why Mindcrime 3 feels hollow- Geoff Tate’s vocal decline- Why the hooks completely disappeared- The fatal mistake behind the entire project- Why nostalgia bands keep making this same error- The one song that almost worked- Why the original can never be recreated

#Queensryche #GeoffTate #OperationMindcrime #Metal #HeavyMetal #ClassicMetalShow

The “justice” system is a total fraud, and this week on CMS, we’re proving it. We’ve got teachers, mayors, and nurses all caught in the same web of bad decisions and even worse excuses. When did “educator” become a synonym for “predator”? From the 27-year-old substitute in Texas with the “Picasso face” to the Louisiana mayor who literally ordered Plan B on DoorDash after a hookup, the industry of “authority” is crumbling.

The mainstream media wants to paint a picture of pure victimhood, but Judge Akin sees through the bullshit. We’re diving into the 7,500 texts that prove these “victims” were enjoying every second of it. If you want the truth about the “Bloodbath” occurring in our schools and local governments—the stuff that gets us flagged and shadowbanned on the “safe” platforms—you know where to find us.

The version you’re seeing here is the ‘sanitized’ edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.

Chris Akin sits down with Geoff Tate for a raw, no-BS conversation about Operation Mindcrime X (dropping May 3rd), the evolution of the story, why the new single “Power” sounds nothing like 1988, and how he’s still living the rock ‘n’ roll dream while balancing family life. From painting audio pictures to the never-ending tour, this is pure CMS-TV gold for every Queensrÿche, Mindcrime, and Geoff Tate fan.

GET QUEENSRYCHE’S OPERATION MINDCRIME ON VINYL: https://amzn.to/41qYkVx

Geoff Tate joins Chris Akin Presents to dive deep into the long-awaited Operation Mindcrime 3 (officially titled X). He reveals the album grew from years of curiosity about the shadowy Dr. X character — the mysterious figure fans never fully knew. Tate calls it a “guilty indulgence” and a true labor of love, co-written with Kieran Robertson through late-night messages across the globe.

He explains how the first two albums focused on Nikki and Sister Mary, while this one flips the perspective to Dr. X’s upbringing and mindset. Musically, “Power” is deliberately modern — bigger dynamic range, not a nostalgia trip — and Tate treats every track like painting an audio scene where music and lyrics lock together perfectly.

Chris presses him on the pressure of following up a legendary concept record, whether he misses quick three-minute singles, and how the theatrical storytelling style has become his signature. Geoff is refreshingly honest: he loves both short songs and deep stories, but this record is exactly what he wanted to make right now.

They also talk touring life — the tour never ends, he loves bringing shows to places that rarely get live metal, and he has zero plans to retire to the couch. Family travels with him when they can, and he’s still all-in on the road. The chat wraps with how he wants fans to experience the new album: headphones on, no distractions, letting the full sonic picture sink in.

A must-watch for anyone who grew up on Operation: Mindcrime, Empire, or Sweet Oblivion. Real talk, zero fluff, straight from the legend himself.

Call to Action:Watch the full interview now, smash that like button, subscribe to The CMS Network, and join us on Locals/Substack for uncensored extras. Drop your favorite Geoff Tate era in the comments — Nikki, Dr. X, or something else?

#GeoffTate #OperationMindcrime #Mindcrime3 #Queensryche #ClassicMetalShow #CMSNetwork #MetalLegends #ChrisAkinPresents

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro & Welcome to CMS-TV00:00:20 - Chris Akin Introduces Geoff Tate00:01:01 - The Excitement Around Operation Mindcrime X00:01:55 - Why This Album Focuses on Dr. X00:03:28 - Is There Pressure Following a Metal Classic?00:03:38 - A Labor of Love – 4 Years in the Making00:04:14 - Co-Writing with Kieran Robertson00:04:53 - Were These Ideas Brewing Since the 80s?00:05:46 - Shifting Perspective to Dr. X’s Side of the Story00:06:29 - First Single “Power” – Modern Sound Explained00:07:48 - Painting Audio Pictures & Song Structure00:08:45 - Theatrical Storytelling vs. Quick Singles00:10:01 - The Challenge of Long-Form Concept Albums00:11:10 - Touring Life & That Athens Pit Story00:12:04 - Will We Ever Get the Full Mindcrime Trilogy in One Show?00:13:27 - The Never-Ending Tour & Bringing Metal to New Places00:14:31 - Family Life on the Road00:16:14 - How to Experience the New Record in 202600:18:23 - More Singles Coming? Final Thoughts00:18:42 - Outro & Thanks to Geoff Tate

Jesse James Dupree is a friend of the show, but friendship doesn’t buy you a pass when you decide to desecrate the altar of Run-DMC. We sat down to listen to Jackyl’s cover of “It’s Tricky,” and what we found was a cringe-inducing attempt to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of “Walk This Way.” It’s not just bad; it’s “chainsaw-revving-in-a-silent-library” misplaced.

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! HERE’S JACKYL’S BEST IN SHOW: https://amzn.to/4dpJQfb

But the rot doesn’t stop with Dupree. We take a hard look at the architects of the “Sell-Out” blueprint: Aerosmith. Since 1987, the Bad Boys from Boston have traded grit for glitter, culminating in Steven Tyler’s absolute surrender of dignity on the American Idol stage. When did rock stars stop being dangerous and start being caricatures of their own grandmothers? We’re pulling the curtain back on the fake drama of reality TV saloons and the “shitty” reality of modern rock covers.

The version you’re seeing here is the “sanitized” edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.

Let’s be real: the “Founding Member” doesn’t mean a damn thing to the suits anymore. We just sat through the absolute train wreck of a Judas Priest documentary discussion, and it’s clear—the industry wants the brand, but they hate the history. Excluding KK Downing and Ripper Owens isn’t just a snub; it’s a rewrite of history that treats a decade of the band’s life like a mistake.

And don’t even get us started on the Van Halen camp. Alex is digging through Eddie’s private vaults, bringing in Steve Lukather—a god on the fretboard, sure—to “finish” what Eddie left behind. If the man who defined modern guitar didn’t finish it, it wasn’t meant to be heard. It’s the same disease affecting The Eagles and Pantera. At what point do you stop being a band and start being a traveling museum of “what used to be”? We’re watching our heroes turn into high-priced tribute acts of themselves, and the fans are expected to just swallow it and buy the 1,700-minute Reload box set.

The version you’re seeing here is the “sanitized” edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.

Let’s talk about the absolute state of 80s legends trying to navigate the modern streaming era. Loudness—Japan’s greatest heavy metal export—just dropped Eve of Dawn, and while the riffs are still sharp, the “gang vocals” have hit a hilarious, unintentional snag.

GET LOUDNESS’ EVE TO DAWN HERE: https://amzn.to/4uu66KO

We took a deep dive into the track “Hang Tough,” and I’m telling you, once you hear it, your ears are ruined for life. Between the accent and the production, the legendary Minoru Niihara isn’t singing a classic anthem of resilience; he’s screaming “HANDJOB!” at the top of his lungs over a “weedle-weedle” guitar solo.

It’s the kind of high-friction, bar-room comedy you can’t make up. We transitioned from that linguistic trainwreck into a power-metal cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” by the Northern Kings that was so over-produced and “too much,” it actually made us miss the accidental filth of Loudness. Is the “substance” of metal being traded for gimmick covers and phonetic failures? We break it all down with the kind of honesty that gets us kicked off the “safe” platforms.

The version you’re seeing here is the “sanitized” edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.

Let’s be real—the music industry is currently a joke. While the mainstream media is busy polishing the turds of industry plants, we’re out here dealing with the raw, unfiltered, and sometimes agonizing truth of the “metal life.”

This week, we deep-dive into the absolute fraud that is modern DIY production. Our long-time “friend” Randy Trask dropped off his new record, Buffonia 2026. But he didn’t just bring the music; he brought a $40 Walmart boombox and a dozen donuts because he’s so technologically finished he can’t even send an MP3.

What follows is a 6-hour descent into madness. We’re talking about “drum sounds” that sound like tin foil in a microwave and “vocals” that resemble a cat being strangled in a gym shower. It’s a total bloodbath of bad timing and zero substance. We love the guy, but someone has to tell the truth: this record is a technical snub to anyone with ears.

“The version you’re seeing here is the ‘sanitized’ edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.”

Paul McCoy is the voice you know from one of the biggest songs in history, but the industry did everything in its power to make sure you only knew him for that. After a brush with death and 25 years in the trenches, the 12 Stones frontman is finally setting the record straight. Why did a Grammy win feel like a curse? How did a label dispute turn him into a “villain” in the eyes of Evanescence fans? We’re digging into the cold, hard truth of the New Metal era and why “World So Cold” is more relevant today than ever.

GET THE FULL TRUTH: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

GET 12 STONES POTTERS FIELD NOW: https://amzn.to/3NI6821

ON THIS EPISODE:

- Surviving the Industry: Paul McCoy’s Health Scare & Re-evaluation- The “World So Cold” Legacy: 20 Years of Staying Relevant- Working with Howard Benson: From Plugins to the Studio- The Evanescence Fallout: Being “Villainized” by the Fans- 12 Stones 2026: The New Album and Hitting the Road

THE CAP MALL

Motley Crue - DR. FEELGOOD 35TH: https://amzn.to/3Je81AA

CMS Wall Canvas: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/listing/the-cms-wall-canvas

...And Other Things I Should Not Say... by Chris Akin: https://cstu.io/841c87

Rush - 50 BOX SET: https://amzn.to/44XV0DS

Dubby Energy Drinks: https://www.dubby.gg/discount/CHRISAKIN?ref=bchdhtbu

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

DON’T FORGET...

GET A PERSONALIZED VIDEO FROM CHRIS: https://www.cameo.com/chrisakin

CHRIS AKIN ON SUBSTACK: https://classicmetalshow.substack.com

FOLLOW CHRIS ON X: https://x.com/cmsrocks

WATCH CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/cms

Is rock and roll officially so easy a toddler can do it, or has the “professional” bar dropped so low that we can’t tell the difference between a superstar and a pre-schooler? In this highlight, we witness 4-year-old Alex Lidster—a kid who likely hasn’t mastered the art of not coloring on the walls—absolutely put the modern rock establishment to shame with an AC/DC cover.

EDDIE MONEY’S THE SOUND OF MONEY ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4uuj2jN

But the real story here isn’t just a cute kid with a microphone. It’s the brutal comparison between raw, unadulterated passion and the over-produced, soul-sucking “tributes” we see from industry veterans. When a kid with a juice box has more “rock star” energy than Eddie Money’s later-day efforts, we have a systemic problem in the industry. We dive deep into the hilarity of this clip, but we also peel back the curtain on why “professional” rock has become a sterilized version of what this 4-year-old is doing naturally. It’s funny, sure, but it’s also a damning indictment of the current state of “legendary” performers who are just punching the clock.

The VIP Bridge: The version you’re seeing here is the ‘sanitized’ edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.