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"DEER GOD RADIO 80: KURT BALLOU PRODUCTION" NOW AVAILABLE

4/7/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO focused on the production, mixing and engineering work of CONVERGE guitarist KURT BALLOU.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 89: ALICE IN CHAINS" LIVE TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

3/29/2020

parodies by nacrowe

tonight's new episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 8PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is focused on the phenomenal music from both acts of the career fo SEATTLE ALTERNATIVE ROCK icons ALICE IN CHAINS.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

BOOK REVIEW | "OFFICIAL TRUTH: 101 PROOF - THE INSIDE STORY OF PANTERA" BY REX BROWN WITH MARK EGLINTON

3/23/2020

photo by nacrowe

its been over 15 years since DIMEBAG DARRELL's murder, but he's seemingly been omnipresent in the METAL community in spirit ever since. OFFICIAL TRUTH 101 PROOG: THE INSIDE STORY OF PANTERA (DA CAPO, 2013) is PANTERA/DOWN bassist REX BROWN's attempt at making sense of his former band's legacy and laying bare the warts-and-all narrative of how their insatiable drive to succeed over time alienated themselves from each and ultimately led to their estrangement and break up. the bizarre, unforeseen shooting of guitarist DIMEBAG by a mentally ill midwestern fan in DECEMBER 2004 only further heightens the loss felt by fans for this once indomitable juggernaut of a band that basically single-handedly maintained METAL as a cultural entity in the ALTERNATIVE ROCK doldrums of the 1990s.

in essence, BROWN promotes his perspective that PANTERA fell apart due to over touring over a 15 year career that found them rarely taking extended breaks. initially this was due to their commitment to each other to make it in the business, but later it seemed they were worried about maintaining their lifestyle and appeasing fans worldwide. the narrative forwarded by fans in the years after DIMEBAG's murder there has been much blame and consternation being forwarded singer PHIL ANSELMO's way for his issues with heroin and dalliances with DOWN, SUPERJOINT RITUAL and various other side projects. BROWN counters this line of thinking arguing that the reality was that they needed a break and the brothers ABBOT (DIMEBAG and drummer VINNIE PAUL) by the end did not have communication with ANSELMO enough to come to that sort of conclusion.

its funny how many people mocked METALLICA for their documentary SOME KIND OF MONSTER (THIRD EYE, 2004) in which they hired a group counselor to work through interpersonal issues, but they had the last laugh as they are still together performing almost 20 years later. for all their macho, alpha-male posturing, PANTERA couldn't look each other in the eye and admit they needed help reevaluating their business choices in light of physical and mental health concerns.

speaking of which, one repeated line of criticism for this book are the shots BROWN takes at VINNIE PAUL for his immaturity and stubbornness. nobody argued that such were untrue, just that they didn't see the point in kicking a guy down after a family tragedy. i disagree, if anything BROWN comes across as a pretty relaxed, even-keeled and not particularly emotional narrator. i found him to be pretty reliable, but what do i know? his criticism of VINNIE PAUL was done in order to relate accurately the internal dynamics of the band and how there was a clear dividing line between the brothers and BROWN and ANSELMO. what comes across glaringly is the idea that BROWN served as a middle man in PANTERA. a middle man between the band and management, accountants, lawyers and even feuds between members themselves. lots of tough choices that needed an unemotional adult participant often found their way to BROWN, which was ironic given that he rarely talked in interviews, leaving the rest of the band members to give off the impression to their fanbase that they were in control.

this book is sort of his take on everything, and given ANSELMO's reluctance to speak on the issue and the recent passing of VINNIE PAUL years after his brother's murder, this book will likely be the final take on that issue by an actual band member.

tragic story about a great band that i really enjoyed as a teenager. its well-written and overall comes off pretty level-headed. if you are a fan of PANTERA or a lover of METAL in all its forms, SLUDGE METAL, DEATH METAL, THRASH METAL, NWOBHM, DOOM METAL, BLACK METAL, METALCORE and beyond, this book is worth your time.

"DEER GOD RADIO 77: MASTODON" NOW AVAILABLE

3/5/2020

parodies by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO celebrating renownedSLUDGE METAL icons MASTODON.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 75: A DAY TO REMEMBER" NOW AVAILABLE

2/22/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC that was all about FLORIDA hybrid POP PUNK / METAL CORE outfit A DAY TO REMEMBER.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

THROWBACK THURSDAY | THE EASTERN CONDITION "OFF THE M" LIVE PERFORMANCE

2/13/2020

photos by nacrowe

back in the winter of 2019 when we were engaged in the filming, mixing and editing of our live performance video series OFF THE M we came across THE EASTERN CONDITION, which was the POST-HARDCORE/METALCORE house band (of sorts) at TRANS-PECOS. this would prove to be the last one we made and although it is short in length, it punches bigger than its weight in overall brutality and visual effect chaos.

looking back, this series was a blast to make and it was cool getting acquainted with rising bands in the local scene of various genres. looking forward should the opportunity arise again to do something similar.

"DEER GOD RADIO 80: KURT BALLOU PRODUCTION" LIVE TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

2/2/2020

parody by nacrowe

tonight's new episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 8PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is dedicated to the stellar production and mixing work of KURT BALLOU, guitarist of POST-HARDCORE / METALCORE veterans CONVERGE.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 70: MIKE PATTON" NOW AVAILABLE

1/25/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO dedicated to the enigmatic, wide-ranging career of the singular musical talent of MIKE PATTON, easily one of my all-time favorite musicians for his work in FAITH NO MORE, MR. BUNGLE, TOMAHAWK, FANTOMAS, PEEPING TOM and his various other collaborations over the years. this playlist really only scratches the surface of his impact and legacy.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

BOOK REVIEW | "I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX" BY SCOTT IAN

1/20/2020

photo by nacrowe
to access our review of SCOTT IAN's other 2017 memoir ACCESS ALL AREAS click HERE

much like his other release ACCESS ALL AREAS: STORIES FROM A HARD ROCK LIFE (DA CAPO PRESS, 2017), which i covered in a previous review, legendary THRASH METAL guitarist SCOTT IAN of ANTHRAX is a more than capable narrator of his own life story in his debut book I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX (DA CAPO PRESS, 2014), which sees him overcome a troubled childhood with a neurotic mother, two failed marriages and surviving the music industry over 30 years with his mind and band intact.

it may be due to his long-term sobriety (minus a few PANTERA and OZZY tours) that the detail of his recollections seem to be precise and noteworthy. i made the point before in the other review that his writing style is very utilitarian, much like his guitar playing and this is holds true with this book as well. he tends not to embellish and hold himself to account for past misjudgments and moral lapses, which only further gains his voice credence in the reader's mind.

of interest to me with this book, which is very much a traditional chronological affair (unlike ACCESS ALL AREAS which is more a series of interesting stories), is the beginnings of THRASH METAL and MEGAFORCE RECORDS. specifically the stories IAN chooses to tell about his friend and legendary bassist/composer CLIFF BURTON (R.I.P.) and the formative years of METALLICA and ANTRAX. sharing the same indie label and manager provided him a front row seat to their early development which is compelling in historical terms. you really get a sense of the brotherhood of that early scene that carried on throughout their entire career, most famously in the BIG 4 concerts that happened this past decade.

i have to say that i also enjoyed his humor. too many times METAL bands take themselves and their image way too seriously (i'm looking right at you SLAYER) and even though ANTHRAX come off juvenile and goofy from time to time, in the end they come across as themselves: a bunch of METAL dudes from NYC.

and i can't fault them for that.

if you're interested in THRASH METAL, this book is worth your time and is a painless read, which is not always the case (cough, cough COREY TAYLOR).

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | RED FANG

1/17/2020

photo manipulation by nacrowe

the OREGON-based SLUDGE METAL/STONER ROCK band RED FANG is renowned as much for their comically infantile yet ingenious music videos often depicting such blue collar staples as SASQUATCH, DAGORHIR, TIME TRAVEL and PABST BLUE RIBBON as they are for their crushing BLACK SABBATH meets MELVINS sound.

just an awesome consistent band that keeps on delivering. check out their music.

DOUBLE-BILL DEER GOD RADIO TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

1/16/2020

parodies by nacrowe

tonight starting at 8PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC there will be a double-bill of two separate DEER GOD RADIO episodes showcasing both the progged-out master riffage and sonic mayhem of MASTODON and the innovative, creations of post-war GERMANY now commonly referred to as KRAUTROCK. gonna be an intense night. enjoy1

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

MASTODON

KRAUTROCK

"DEER GOD 75: A DAY TO REMEMBER" LIVE TODAY AT 6PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

1/13/2020

parody by nacrowe

today's new episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 6PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is all about FLORIDA hybrid POP PUNK / METAL CORE outfit A DAY TO REMEMBER.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 68: NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL" NOW AVAILABLE

1/11/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO focused on the legacy of the NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL, a very influential era that progressed from vintage BLACK SABBATH with more propulsive drumming and uptempo songs that led the way for THRASH METAL and modern DEATH METAL. if you aren't familiar with these bands, they are definitely worth your time checking out! check out the show.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | TORCHE

1/3/2020

photo manipulation by nacrowe

one of the things that always turned me off of METAL and ALTERNATIVE ROCK in general were the fans. i don't think i'm all alone in that. too often the atmosphere at ROCK shows seemed to cater to some dumbed down, conservative mindset that wasn't inclusive of women or multiple varieties of masculinity. in fact, i can remember going to OZZFEST years back in high school, pre 9/11 and feeling this weight of all the total right-wing bullshit that was flying around both on-stage and from the crowd. had these people never read OZZY's lyrics to "War Pigs" or maybe the better question is could they read those lyrics.

TORCHE is a powerful, anthemic modern STONER ROCK/SLUDGE METAL outfit from MIAMI whose members had previously played in respected underground bands FLOOR and CAVITY. for me their music hits that emotional sweet spot that splits the difference between the brutality and advance technicality of modern METAL while also indulging in sustained feedback and looped harmonics that are indicative of SHOEGAZE. seems almost besides the point (and really, who cares?) to mention that vocalist/guitarist STEVE BROOKS is one of the few openly gay men in METAL. much like ROB HALFORD before him, my hope is that this increased exposure will end this common denominator, caveman-like posturing that has plagued METAL shows forever. has no place now unless you live in TRUMP country. in that case, drag you knuckles away.

TORCHE is a tremendous band and their new album ADMISSION just takes it all to another level. highly recommended.

"DEER GOD RADIO 65: DEVIN TOWNSEND" NOW AVAILABLE

12/29/2019

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO dedicated to mercurial, eccentric world of PROG METAL wizard DEVIN TOWNSEND.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!