I've always had a soft spot for bands that could push the envelope when it came to songwriting and musicianship in the world of metal and rock. Those that could incorporate the ferocity and speed of extreme music while doing so have always been  held in high regard. Not every band featured in this episode are "prog-" in the 70's King Crimson/Mahavishnu Orchestra style of bombast and complexity; nor do many lean into the classical and jazz territory as much as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Return to Forever. All those bands, and many others (Rush?!?), were the bedrock upon which modern progressive metal was born and I love them dearly. Tonight's episode is not that.  Tonight, I highlight some of my favorites that have taken those influences and run with them in recent years. 

So sit back, have a drink and a smoke, and dive in. This is the longest episode of The Distorted Emporium so far.  Given the topic of discussion, I guess that's to be expected.  

As always, you can follow me on Instagram @thedistortedemporium or reach me via email at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Tonight's playlist can be found here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Y26lGNtDSu7xhoHa42x6n?si=bf7d3625fc134fcf

Cheers!

It's almost impossible to imagine a world without Celtic Frost. What would metal even sound like? Sure, we'd have bands following in the footsteps of artists like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, and Slayer, but what would it sound like without the riffs and imagination of Thomas Gabriel Fischer, or Tom G. Warrior? I honestly don't know and I'm glad we don't have to worry about that.

In this episode, we dive in on some covers of classic Celtic Frost and Hellhammer songs and discuss the wide ranging influence the band had across multiple genres of heavy music. Black metal, death metal, doom, stoner rock, etc... Bands of all extreme genres pay homage to, and steal from, these titans of riff and doom, and rightfully so.

As always, you can follow me on Instagram @thedistortedemporium or reach me via email at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Tonight's corresponding Spotify playlist can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0lLdtDHkkmWWiPIyCMi6AY?si=a79de99d41d346ed&pt=be18f9945591e0ff98b1f88761ffb98e

Cheers!

Without a doubt, Nu-Metal stands as one of the most polarizing genres of hard rock to ever exist. Despite it being reviled more any other sub-genre metal, hair metal included, it continues to sell albums, sell out arenas, and influence music to this day. With this episode, I've tried to showcase some of the bands, or at least particular songs, that stood out from the heap of generic, derivative dribble that permeated the mid- to late 1990's. 

This episode is definitely not for everyone, and that's fine. I had many friends in that era that would have nothing to do with anything that I discuss here. In my humble opinion, that was their loss. As I mention in the show, many people were quick to write these bands off as simply de-tuning their guitars and rapping over it, and that was certainly the case in some instances; however, after putting this show together, I'm hard-pressed to name another genre that was as capable of pulling from so many different genres in such a cohesive fashion. Not to mention, along the way it completely changed the sound of metal as we know it. For proof, look no further than some of the most recognizable names in the game at the time. They certainly took notice and changed their approach, as well, and most are still revered.

Whether for nostalgia, or simply out of curiosity, grab a drink, have a smoke and dive in.

Cheers!

As always, you can follow me on Instagram @thedistortedemporium or reach me via email at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

The corresponding Spotify playlist can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1u0JGWNKHImPSb6aOmo6kj?si=72f19446e77540e5&pt=873dbff6cac263a5aabff152a999af06

2022 was another remarkable year for extreme music in the post-shutdown landscape. This episode highlights some of the best I came across last year. We discuss some old timers, some newcomers, and a local Bakersfield band that I think is on the cusp of greatness. Despite what some say, I feel heavy music is in a great place right now so dive and find some bands!

As always you can follow me on Instagram @thedistortedemporium or reach me via email at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Spotify playlist : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xeX479WQhq0p1Ez3kEFIH?si=c2c0788f75854594
Cheers!

1992 - The year heavy metal infected the world. Or at least that's  how  it appeared to us kids growing up in Southeast Texas. Grunge ruled the world, but as we watched Headbanger's Ball and scoured the various mags we could find at the department stores and gas stations, it became obvious that something incredible was taking place. Every corner of the globe seemed to have a scene,  or something that the writers in the metal mags could spin into an interesting story. 

It took years for me to truly put into perspective how important 1992 actually was in the annals of extreme music. I turned 14 in November of that year so I certainly didn't have the best vantage point, however, it is the year, in hindsight, that broke my brain. Somehow, it continues to do so.

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0v5Ot0yLUswoqeNNn5A4ww?si=1670117498474e02

You can always find me on IG @thedistortedemporium

or email me at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Cheers!

Where does one even start with the passing of a musician that is guaranteed a spot on the Mt. Rushmore of their chosen instrument? Not since the death of Eddie Van Halen in October 2020, has the guitar world been so shaken and felt such a loss. 

The impact Jeff Beck had on the world of rock and guitar-driven music is beyond reproach. Once he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds, on three days notice, no less, he followed up with a 7 decades-long career that morphed and evolved in a way like no other to pick up the instrument. I'd say he's the guitar equivalent of Miles Davis. Psychedelic rock, English blues, jazz fusion, rockabilly, electronica... and on and on. Like Miles with a trumpet, Beck knew no bounds with a guitar.

Up until his passing on January, 10, 2023, he stayed relevant. Just last year saw the release of a full-length album with none other than Johnny Depp and a high-profile collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne on what may prove to be the final release from the Prince of Darkness,  Patient No. 9 . Those along with a very successful tour alongside ZZ Top kept us thinking he would continue to blow minds for years to come. Such wasn't the case...

It's a sad day for many of us and I hope you guys find something new here, or just gain further appreciation for one of the best to ever do it. 

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LQf9msNDgenp6croDnGsy?si=116d458cdad04450

You can always find me on IG @thedistortedemporium or email me at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Cheers.

Whether in Sepultura, Soulfly, or his countless other projects, Max Cavalera has always embraced collaboration. While the obvious move would have been to explore the songs in which he brought in guest musicians on his own material  (which is an amazing list in and of itself),  I chose to dive into his catalog of guest appearances on the songs of other artists. This ended up being a very fun, and at times surprising, show to put together. 

Lifer. That sums up Max. That sums up you and I. So, regardless of your thoughts on Cavalera's work the last few decades, dive in. You'll be as surprised as I was. The dude has been a beast since '86 and is still going strong.

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cRlEKk5m6fu8M5wSCRRb1?si=af04c4cbc09d41a0

You can always find me on IG @thedistortedemporium or email me at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Cheers!

Southern California. The land of scenic beaches, beautiful people, never-ending sunshine... and one of the most vibrant and explosive music scenes to exist in the late 1970's and 1980's. It was a bastion of creativity consisting of kids that were, if only temporarily, putting down their surfboards and skate boards and picking up instruments. Once bands like the Ramones and The Damned started coming through LA, there was an explosion of bands that formed in the wake. And much like the melting pot that is Los Angeles, these bands pulled from a diverse range of influences creating a wide variety of approaches and sounds that would forever change punk, hardcore, and every other form of aggressive and extreme music to come... all the while sounding exactly like California.

So here you go. Here's 24 bands, some of which you may have never heard, that define SoCal punk rock, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Spotify Playlist : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2b3oRpA9x7HOXk747dFgj8?si=154e330295a44cfd

You can always reach me on IG  @thedistortedemporium or email me at thedistortedemporium@gmail.com

Bones of Brundage : https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B083BBPJ1B/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Cheers!