The Rock and Metal Profs

Dr. Lewis and Matt take questions from the RAMP audience and discuss.  Part 2 of 2 episodes.

Dr. Lewis and Matt take questions from the RAMP audience and discuss.  Part 1 of 2 episodes.

The Rock and Metal Profs interview Professor of Philosophy, literary critic and heavy metal scholar William Irwin from King's College in Pennsylvania.  His new book "The Meaning of Metallica: Ride the Lyrics" is a detailed breakdown examining the history and philosophy of the most influential metal band in American history, Metallica.  

The profs discuss the release of the newly remixed and remastered Holy Diver album by Ronnie James Dio.

New York-based band RIOT enjoyed modest success in the late-1970s and early-80s.  They grew a die-hard following, even as they evolved into one of the few American Power Metal bands of the 1980s.  However, line-up changes, tragedy, and a few ill-fated marketing decisions limited the band's appeal and commercial success.  Undaunted, RIOT continued to produce quality music, and despite the odds they simply would not be denied their place in the American rock and metal pantheon.  

The Tony Martin-era of Black Sabbath is much celebrated amongst fans of the band.  Following the departure of Ronnie James Dio in 1982, Sabbath sought out veteran leadership in the form of Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan.  That line-up produced one very good album, but it was not to last.  When Gillan left the band, Iommi and company found stability, talent and tremendous writing chops with British vocalist Tony Martin.  Mr. Martin was generous in agreeing to meet with the Profs prior to the re-release of the Martin-era collection on vinyl and CD.  Martin covers his time with the band, and even offers up a few colorful anecdotes of his time in Sabbath in the 80s and 90s .

In the 1980s and 90s Black Sabbath released 5 outstanding studio records (and a great live one) featuring British vocalist Tony Martin.  After the departure of Ian Gillan after just one album and an ill-fated Tony Iommi solo record featuring Glenn Hughes on vocals, Sabbath turned to Tony Martin, a virtual unknown.  Martin's incredible vocal range and strong song-writing skills gave Sabbath a sound and stability that had been lacking for several years.  His two tenures in the band produced some of Sabbath's finest work, which fans continue to discover even today.  Court and Matt investigate the band's history with Martin as frontman, and discuss the catalog and best offerings on each album.   

Time to put those fists in the air!  German metalers Helloween have the distinction of being one of the first (if not the very first) Power Metal bands, but what exactly is Power Metal?  How does it differ from speed, thrash, and just plain-old heavy metal?  Were German metal outfit ACCEPT a power metal band?  What's with all the power metal bands from Germany?  How and why did American rockers RIOT go power metal in the 1980s?  The Profs do their best to unpack the facts, dispel the myths, and celebrate the greatest power metal acts in this important sub-genre.  

Few bands made a bigger impact in the 1980s than Sacramento rockers Tesla.  When "Mechanical Resonance" hit the stores, fans compared them to Aerosmith, but they forged a style and sound all their own that shaped the American rock sound for decades.  Metallica loved them, girls adored them, and even hardcore metal fans had to admit that they were the perfect blend of hard rock, classic riffs, grit and melody.  Go take your "Edison's Medicine" and listen to the Pod!

We all know that AC/DC and Iron Maiden reached new commercial heights with replacement vocalists, but were versions 2.0 better than the original?  Was Van Halen a better band with DLR or Sammy?  Was Black Sabbath better with DIO or Ozzy? Jake or Zakk? The listeners sounded off, we listened, and we offer our own insight in this fun themed episode!