Radical Research Podcast

For our 126th episode, Radical Research travels to the farthest reaches of our favorite country and we do so with a rare companion, Agalloch lynchpin, John Haughm. In this episode, we dive into the discography of Thule, a progressive rock band that defies the rules of progressive rock. Dark, nocturnal, frozen, magical - Thule's seaborne prog offers the listener glimpses into forbidden worlds. We hope that this episode will seduce you into taking the risk that is well worth the reward.

Note I:

We were stoked as hell to have Agalloch’s John Haughm with us for this episode. As such, we go on even more tangents than when we get up to that nonsense when left alone. So, tangents on Emperor, on Genesis, on ZZ Top, and on much more as we trawl the murky, exotic waters of Thule.

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

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

“Supernova” (Graks, 1997)

“Krigens Ansikt” (as Ultima Thule, I Lovens Navn, 1985 demo)

“Over De Iskledte Fjell” (Ultima Thule, 1987)

“Kolonisasjon” (Ultima Thule, 1987)

“Håp” (Natt, 1990)

“Langfærd” (Natt, 1990)

“Den Store Ordan” (Frostbrent, 1993)

“Aeventyr” (Frostbrent, 1993)

“Daga” (Graks, 1997) into Minus the Bear, “Broken China” (Lost Loves, 2014)

“Soldansen” (Graks, 1997)

“Hjaerteslag” (Graks,1997)

“Liquid” (Liquid [Rock and Roll Dream], 2005

“Aurora B” (Liquid [Rock and Roll Dream], 2005)

Radical Research has risen! For our first episode following the tragic event of Jeff's house fire and the loss of members of his beautiful feline family, we have chosen to return with an exploration of one of the most emotional and intense albums of the 1990's, Anathema's Eternity. This album takes the weight of the profoundest Pink Floyd and marries it with the doom and feedback sorcery upon which Anathema built its reputation. Please join us for this most cathartic and, ultimately, affirmative of episodes.

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Hunter’s Deserts of Hex Volume 2…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

[all selections from Anathema’s Eternity, 1996]

“Angelica”

“The Beloved”

“Eternity Part 1”

“Eternity Part 2”

“Hope”

“Suicide Veil”

“Radiance”

“Far Away”

“Eternity Part 3”

“Cries on the Wind”

“Ascension”

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 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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

“Crosstitution” (Requiem, 1994)

“Immaculate Pinetree Road #930” (Octagon, 1995)

“Schizianity” (Octagon, 1995)

“Sociopath” (Octagon, 1995)

“Deuce” (Octagon, 1995)

As Hunter so aptly calls it early in this short episode: “Fiend for Blood is an EP that is in the process of dying.”

         After the classic Mental Funeral of 1991, Autopsy released the Fiend for Blood EP as its follow-up. Those who were there in 1991 would have already recognized Mental Funeral as a towering achievement of death metal and, indeed, time has proven us right on that score. But Fiend for Blood impressed less. It was even more garage-y, it was a mere 12 minutes, and, at first, it felt like a mere afterthought. In the thinking of at least one Radical Research host, however, it is the band’s second-best recording in their entire discography. We discuss this 12-minute EP in…well, a few more than 12 minutes.

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

“Fiend for Blood” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

“Keeper of Decay” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

“Squeal Like a Pig” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

“Ravenous Freaks” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

“Battery Acid Enema” (Acts of the Unspeakable, 1992)

“A Different Kind of Mindfuck” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

“Dead Hole” (Fiend for Blood, 1992)

Australia’s Vauxdvihl (or, for a short time, Vaudeville) came quickly, evolved swiftly, and left behind a beautiful corpus of 19 documented songs. We have stood in awe for three decades of this short but impressive discography, and episode 123 of our weird little podcast is an attempt to bring you into the Vauxdvihl fold. (Beware of the ridiculous amount of Fates Warning mentions here…or make a drinking game of it.)

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Intro: “Summoning” (Siberian Church Recordings, 2001)

“To Dimension Logic” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“Questions or Misanthropy” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“Separate Ends” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“Comedy of Errors” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“Philosophia Mosaica” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“In Search of Forever” (To Dimension Logic, 1994)

“Assassination” (Vog, 1998)

“The Funeral Party” (Vog, 1998)

“For the Son Has Gone to Hell” (Vog, 1998)

“Plots, (T or F) Are a Necessary Thing?” (Siberian Church Recordings, 2001)

“Isis/Pekt” (Siberian Church Recordings, 2001)

“Movement” (Siberian Church Recordings, 2001) 

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.

Jeff: “Was talking with my friend S. Craig Zahler a few days ago, and we were discussing Sarcofago’s 1987 debut, I.N.R.I. Zahler noted that there are some bewildering timing issues in 'Nightmare,' and how he’d like Hunter ('who is 20 times the drummer I am') to try and identify what the hell’s going on. I put this quandary/query to Hunter and let ‘er rip.”

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Sarcofago, “Nightmare” (I.N.R.I., 1987)

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 episode brings to a close our periodic investigations of the Steven Wilson-curated 'Intrigue' compilation. Covering progressive sounds in UK alternative/post-punk music from 1979-89, 'Intrigue' nails its intention, proving that, while traditional prog rock may have waned in the '80s, that spirit of adventure and invention remained alive through the work of dozens and dozens of UK music-makers in this time period. This episode focuses on Kate Bush, Dif Juz, Cardiacs, Dead Can Dance, SLAB!, Momus, No-man and a host of others.

If you don’t want to hear about our awesome Patreon supporters and how YOU TOO can support us, and if you don’t want to hear about Deserts of Hex #2, which YOU ALSO would love to read…then skip to the 9:07 mark of this show where we finally start talking about the subject at hand: Intrigue compilation, CD 4. Thank you.

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

­­­intro: Talk Talk, “Living in Another World” (The Colour of Spring, 1986)

[all snippets are taken directly from the Intrigue compilation; the following indicates where the songs originally appeared]

This Mortal Coil, “Ivy and Neet” (Filigree & Shadow, 1986)

Perennial Divide, “Beehead” (Beehead 7”, 1987)

The Sisters of Mercy, “This Corrosion” (Floodland, 1987)

Dif Juz, “No Motion” (Lonely is An Eyesore, 4AD compilation, 1987)

SLAB!, “Gutter Busting” (Descension, 1987)

Momus, “Murderers, the Hope of Women” (Murderers, the Hope of Women, 1987)

Dead Can Dance, “The Host of Seraphim” (The Serpent’s Egg, 1988)

The Shamen, “Omega Amigo” (Omega Amigo single, 1989)

No-Man, “Night Sky, Sweet Earth” (Speak, 1999 re-recording of 1989 version, originally from The Girl from Missouri EP)

Kitchens of Distinction, “The 3rd Time We Opened the Capsule” (12” single, 1989)

In this .5 episode (the longest point-5 we’ve done to date), we offer up 6 subjects of previous Radical Research episodes and take a look at their activities since we last put our spotlight on them. (As we explain at the beginning, the sound quality is rough this time, as Hunter is still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s effects on his household's technology.)

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

­­­Hail Spirit Noir, “The Road to Awe” (Fossil Gardens, 2024)

Hammers of Misfortune, “Ghost Hearts” (Overtaker, 2022)

Manes, “End of the River” (Pathei Mathos, 2024)

Diskord, “Cogged Pother” (Bipolarities, split with ATVM, 2024)

Switzerland’s deadliest export, Coroner, which sliced and sawed its way through the metal landscape of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, has finally found its way under the Radical Research microscope. From the savage thrashing mayhem of R.I.P. to the reclined elegance of its final missives, Radical Research dives deeply into the methods and madness of one of metal’s ablest battalions.

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

­­­“Pale Sister” (Mental Vortex, 1991)

“Son of Lilith” (Mental Vortex, 1991)

“Coma” (R.I.P., 1987)

“Absorbed” (Punishment for Decadence, 1988)

“R.I.P.” (R.I.P., 1987)

“Shadow of a Lost Dream” (Punishment for Decadence, 1988)

Canvas Solaris, “Arc-Lite” (Tribute to Coroner, 2010)

“Paralized, Mesmerized” (Grin, 1993)

“D.O.A.” (No More Color, 1989)

“Tunnel of Pain” (No More Color, 1989)

“Read My Scars” (No More Color, 1989)

“Grin (Nails Hurt)” (Grin, 1993)

“Gliding Above While Being Below” (Coroner, 1995)

A quick look at Queen’s “The Prophet’s Song,” its a cappella middle section, and the treatment it was given by one Jeff Scott Soto in various live performances. It’ll all make a little more sense when you listen…

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

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

­­­Queen, “The Prophet’s Song” (A Night at the Opera, 1975)

Jeff Scott Soto (fronting Sons of Apollo), “The Prophet’s Song” (live in Orlando, FL, February 2018)

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.