Radical Research Podcast

By Jeff Wagner & Hunter GinnMusic Music Commentary

Radical Research Podcast episodes

September 29, 2025 Episode 134 – We Stand With Ukraine: Drudkh’s Microcosmos & Handful of Stars
Although Ukraine’s Drudkh may be best known for its trance-inducing, minimalist black metal, Radical Research makes a case for the band’s divisive 2009 and 2010 recordings, Microcosmos and A Handful of Stars, which explore new sonic geographies. We believe these oft-maligned records are worth your attention and hope that our discussion will convince you so.
Note I: 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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele book, Soul on Fire…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
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:
“Distant Cries of Cranes” (Microcosmos, 2009)
“Decadence” (Microcosmos, 2009)
“Ars Poetica” (Microcosmos, 2009)
“Dawnfall of the Epoch” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)
“Towards the Light” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)
“Twilight Aureole” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)
“The Day Will Come” (A Handful of Stars, 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 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.
1 hr 1 min
September 22, 2025 Episode 133.5 – Gorguts, “Nostalgia”…and Pearl Jam?
Jeff got this text from Hunter a couple months ago: "Gorguts 'Nostalgia' is a fascinating piece of music. A slice of late '90s avant-death that refers to Pearl Jam, nu metal, noise rock and Indian raga. I mean, Damn!" And I responded, "I mean, damn, that's a great idea for a Point 5 episode." We finally tackle this most important of observations...
Note I:
The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We offer 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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele book, Soul on Fire…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
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:
Gorguts, “Nostalgia” [five segments] (Obscura, 1998)
Today is the Day, “Silver Tongue” (Supernova, 1993)
Pearl Jam, “Oceans” (Ten, 1991)
16, “A Real Piece of Work” (Blaze of Incompetence, 1997)
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.
21 min
August 27, 2025 Episode 133 — Depth of Memories: The 3rd and the Mortal 1994-2002
If this conversation seems easy, it's because we are back in the cold waters of our favorite nation. Herein, we dig into the good deeds of Norway's often vexing but always pleasing The 3rd and the Mortal. We attempt to peel away the band's many layers and untangle its knotty evolution. Should you care about cutting-edge Norweird - and if you have stuck with us for all this time, surely you do - please join us on this most titillating conversation.
Note I:
After all that flugelhorn talk, turns out Jeff mis-horned. It’s actually a crumhorn on Gryphon’s Red Queen to Gryphon Three album. A crumhorn!
Note II:
The Ulver song title we were trying to remember: “I Love You, but I Prefer Trondheim (Parts 1-4) (A. Wiltzie vs. Stars of the Lid remix)” (from First Decade in the Machines, 2003)
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:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele book, Soul on Fire…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Note V:
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:
“Ring of Fire” (Sorrow, 1994)
“Why So Lonely” (Tears Laid in Earth, 1994)
“Death Hymn” (Tears Laid in Earth, 1994)
“In Mist Shrouded” (Tears Laid in Earth, 1994)
“Neurosis” (Nightswan, 1995)
“Commemoration” (Painting on Glass, 1996)
“Persistent and Fleeting” (Painting on Glass, 1996)
“Veiled Exposure” [two parts] (Painting on Glass, 1996)
“Stream” (In This Room, 1997)
“Sophisticated Vampires” (In This Room, 1997)
“Did You” (In This Room, 1997)
“Zeppoliner” (Memoirs, 2002)
“Spider” (Memoirs, 2002)
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.
1 hr 28 min
July 25, 2025 Episode 132 — And Now, You Die! Type O Negative’s ‘Slow, Deep and Hard’
If Radical Research exists to dissect the most esoteric and weird and unique recordings in the spheres of rock and metal, then we are sorely overdue to feature the singular debut by Type O Negative. 'Slow, Deep and Hard' began life as Repulsion's one and only demo, 'None More Negative,' recorded in late 1989 and early 1990. After a name change and a contract with Roadrunner Records, the album was re-mastered, the song order re-configured, and the 7-minute "Glass Walls of Limbo (Dance Mix)" added, 'Slow, Deep and Hard' was born. Join us as we plunge into all the blood, fire and death of this completely unique album in the Type O Negative discography.
Note I:
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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele book, Soul on Fire…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Note III:
Our Youtube channel is firing back up again. Please access it at the link provided and please SUBSCRIBE! You'll be helping us reach even more people with your subscription and views. We'll regularly be adding many more older episodes to the channel for your listening/viewing pleasure. https://www.youtube.com/@radicalresearchpodcast4942
Music cited in order of appearance:
[all from Type O Negative - Slow, Deep and Hard, 1991]
“Unsuccessfully Coping With the Natural Beauty of Infidelity”
“Der Untermensch”
“Xero Tolerance”
“Prelude to Agony”
“Glass Walls of Limbo (Dance Mix)”
“Gravitational Constant”
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.
1 hr 31 min
July 07, 2025 Episode 131 – A Eulogy for Tom Hailey
This was an unplanned conversation about an unplanned, unexpected, shocking event in our lives. It’s just Hunter and I talking about a dear friend that recently passed, one of our own leaving earthly bonds. And in our reveries and remembrances we left out so much: Tom Hailey was the beer/wine buyer at the Raleigh Whole Foods and held that position for many years there, beloved by the entire staff. He had a college radio metal show where he adopted the persona of The Unholy One and spoke to (no, COMMANDED!) his audience in a John Tardy-like roar. We also failed to mention the time Hunter and I, in 2019, listened to Voivod’s Nothingface with Tom, all of us air drumming, air guitaring, air bassing and singing every bit of it, all the way through……these and many more memories only scratch the surface of our friend Tom and why we’re going to miss him so damn much.
Note I:
CLOVER CAT RESCUE donation link: https://tinyurl.com/donate-CCR Please note "In Memory of Tom Hailey" when you give
or VENMO @clovercatrescue
Note II:
We think Tom would be amused by the gaff of a gaff Hunter makes when talking about post-Confessor bands. He said he called Fly Wheel Fly Leaf, when that band was actually named Fly Machine. Hunter knows a lot, and we can’t fault him for not knowing the specifics of post-Confessor tree branches.
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:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books, Hunter’s Deserts of Hex Volume 2…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Music cited in order of appearance:
Die Kreuzen, “Elizabeth” (Century Days, 1988)
Forbidden, “Forbidden Evil” (Forbidden Evil, 1988)
Confessor, “Condemned” (Condemned, 1991)
Carcass, “Feast on Dismembered Carnage” (Reek of Putrefaction, 1988)
The Champs, “Andres Segovia Interests Me” (III, 1997)
The Chameleons, “A Person Isn’t Safe Anywhere These Days” (Script of the Bridge, 1983)
Everything Everything, “Pizza Boy” (Raw Data Feel, 2022)
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.
39 min
June 24, 2025 Episode 130 – Obscure Mindways: Obliveon 1989-1993
When God decides to record his first metal album, he will be disappointed to remember that Obliveon already recorded its masterpiece, Nemesis, in the Year of Our Lord, 1993. On its latest episode, Radical Research conducts a much-belated investigation of the first two albums by Montreal's most underrated sons, Obliveon. In the early '90s, the band treated a small-but-fanatical audience to highly-advanced, cutting edge, cosmic death thrash in the forms of 1990's From This Day Forward and the aforementioned Nemesis. Still unsung after all these years, Radical Research is here to set the record straight and shed light on one of underground metal's true greats.
Note I:
The “pointless, ridiculous 7 inch" Hunter mentions in this episode is this one, a Coroner covers split between his band, Canvas Solaris, and our phurry phriends phrom Pharaoh:
https://www.discogs.com/release/2586288-Pharaoh-6-Canvas-Solaris-Tribute-To-Coroner
Note II:
Speaking of covers: Jeff mentions Agoraphobic Nosebleed’s cover of Voivod’s “Forgotten in Space.” He says the cover if about 6 minutes long, but it’s actually a shorter 3:48. Don’t trust Jeff on ANYTHING he says about 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:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books, Hunter’s Deserts of Hex Volume 2…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Music cited in order of appearance:
“From this Day Forward” (From This Day Forward, 1990)
“Fiction of Veracity” (From This Day Forward, 1990)
“Access to the Acropolis” (From This Day Forward, 1990)
“Chronocraze” (From This Day Forward, 1990)
“Nemesis” (Nemesis, 1993)
“Obscure Mindways” (Nemesis, 1993)
“Factory of Delusions” (Nemesis, 1993)
“Strays of the Soul” (Nemesis, 1993)
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.
1 hr 6 min
June 19, 2025 Episode 129.5 – Drilling Down on Gaahls Wyrd’s “Flowing Starlight”
Norwegian vocalist Gaahl is a man who we deeply admire...his work with Gorgoroth and Trelldom, in particular, has a special place in the blackest ventricles of our hearts. Same, too, for his band Gaahls Wyrd, In our initial listens to the band's freshly-released (as of this writing and recording) Braiding the Stories album, we find ourselves facing one of the greatest post=black metal Norweird offerings in a decade. We are particularly excited by final song "Flowing Starlight," which we dissect here for your enlightenment and/or amusement.
Note I:
The Radical Research Patreon page is 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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele biography, Soul on Fire...…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Music cited in order of appearance:
Gaahls Wyrd, "Flowing Starlight" (Braiding the Stories, 2025)
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.
19 min
May 28, 2025 Episode 129 – Mat Kvohst McNerney (Dodheimsgard, Hexvessel, Beastmilk, Grave Pleasures, Code)
Restless creative spirit Mat Kvohst McNerney has been roaming esoteric realms since the mid '90s, giving voice to a wide variety of bands, be it the international collective Code, Norweird supernovas Dodheimsgard, the Beastmilk/Grave Pleasures hauntings, and the incomparable Hexvessel, We feature these projects and more in this survey of one of the most distinctive vocalists we've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
Note I: 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:
Vomitorium, “Rhapsody in Blasphemy” (Hauriam Oscula De Te demo, 1994)
The Tragedians, “Stoneblind” (Krull demo, 1996)
Void, “Pathogen Bombshell” (Posthuman, 2003)
Code, “A Cloud-Formed Teardrop Asylum” (Nouveau Gloaming, 2005)
Code, “I Hold Your Light“ (Resplendent Grotesque, 2009)
Decrepit Spectre, “Stranded Angels” (Coal Black Hearses, 2008)
Dodheimsgard, “Apocalypticism” (Supervillain Outcast, 2007)
Dodheimsgard, “Chrome Balaclava” (Supervillain Outcast, 2007)
Gangrenator, “Cyclops Tribes of Inner Earth” (Tales from a Thousand Graves, 2010)
Beastmilk, “Fear Your Mind” (Climax, 2013)
Beastmilk, “Surf the Apocalypse” (Climax, 2013)
Grave Pleasures, “Infatuation Overkill” (Motherblood, 2017)
Hexvessel, “Bog Bodies” (Kindred, 2020)
Hexvessel, “A Cabin in Montana” (Polar Veil, 2023)
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.
1 hr 19 min
April 25, 2025 Episode 128 – What Doesn’t Kill GRINDCRUSHER Makes GRINDCRUSHER Stronger.
Inspired by Jeff's soot-damaged, waterlogged, promo-punched copy of his treasured US CD version of this 24-song behemoth, we take an hour and 40 minutes to revel in this intensely special 1990 compilation. The epitome of the Earache label at its peak, this was a fun episode to record, captured partly in Savannah while we hung out at Hunter's and partly remotely, from our separate outposts. From the ruins of a devastating fire...GRINDCRUSHER lives on Radical Research!
Note I:
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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books, Hunter’s Deserts of Hex Volume 2…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Music cited in order of appearance:
Morbid Angel, "Chapel of Ghouls"
Repulsion, "Radiation Sickness"
Carcass, "Exhume to Consume"
Godflesh, "Streetcleaner"
Terrorizer, "Dead Shall Rise"
Hellbastard, "Justly Executed"
Carnage, "Malignant Epitaph"
Naked City, "Osaka Bondage"
Filthy Christians, "Extremely Bad Breath"
Old Lady Drivers, "Colostomy Grab-Bag"
Intense Degree, "I"ve Got a Cure"
Sore Throat, "Horrendify and Kill"
Napalm Death, "Malicious Intent"
Entombed, "But Life Goes On"
Nocturnus, "BC/AD"
Bolt Thrower, "World Eater"
Lawnmower Deth, "Satan's Trampoline"
Cadaver, "Hypertrophian"
Sweet Tooth, "Fat City"
Mighty Force, "Thrashing a Dead House"
Spazztic Blurr, "He-Not-A-Home-Me-Marco"
Heresy, "Release"
Unseen Terror, "Divisions"
Napalm Death, "You Suffer"
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
1 hr 42 min
March 24, 2025 Episode 127 – Genesis ‘And Then There Were Three’ is Total Prog!!
We're incorrigible Genesis fans. We hail every bit of output from 1970 to 1978. We even go further than that. But here, for episode 127, we stop and lovingly gaze at the band's final album of the '70s, the first after the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett, and a work that some mark as the band's departure from prog rock. Not so, say we! Spectral, ghostly, gauzy, playful, lush as all get-out...and total prog. We laud this fascinating transitional effort by one of the greatest bands of all time...prog or otherwise,
Note I:
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 II:
All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books, Hunter’s Deserts of Hex Volume 2…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org
Music cited in order of appearance:
All songs from Genesis, And Then There Were Three (1978)
“Down and Out”
“Undertow”
“Ballad of Big”
“Snowbound”
“Burning Rope”
“Deep in the Motherlode”
“Many Too Many”
“Scenes from a Night’s Dream”
“Say It’s Alright Joe”
“The Lady Lies”
“Follow You, Follow Me”
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.
1 hr 4 min