June 20, 2026

Episode 147 – Crack the Code: Kevin Moore’s Genius

1 hour 37 minutes

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: 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.

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By Jeff Wagner & Hunter Ginn

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