Podcast: Episode 59: 45 Years of Rainbow's "Rising"

It has been a week of remembrance, being that it was 11 years ago this week that the great Ronnie James Dio left the building, probably on the back of a flying dragon brandishing a sword and singing about rainbows. And as it turns out, I’ll be discussing rainbows today, in particular the band Rainbow, and their sophomore album “Rising”. The album was released 45 years ago this week, and so I’ll delve back in time a little to discuss the elements that brought it together, and play some of the tracks for you as well. So sit back, throw the horns, and let’s get into a little stargazing on Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

 

Podcast: Episode 58: Holding the Ball! Round 9

Week 9 proved to be a shocker for some of the big teams from the 70's and 80's, but impressive from the resurgent clubs at the top of the ladder. After a look back on round 9 I once again turn my attention to that basket case known as the Collingwood Football Club, before showing off my non-existent tipping skills for round 10.

Podcast: Episode 57: The Casual Mankadder: Ball Tampering

In my newly reshaped and retitled cricket sub-podcast titled "The Casual Mankadder", today we will discuss the same thing the rest of the cricket media has dredged up this week, with more discussion about the sandpaper incident of 2018. So let's get it all out there again, and discuss why this keeps being brought up all the time, when every other incident of ball tampering in the history of cricket seems to have been confined to history.

Podcast: Episode 56: In League With the NRL Round 10

Welcome to today’s episode of Thoughts from the Metal Cavern, and in particular this week’s instalment of In League with the NRL. Magic Round has been and gone, and there was plenty of action on the field that we’ll have a short discussion on. Then we’ll move along into week’s Talking Point, which today has a look at the onset of players being chased and signed for next season when we are barely a third of the way through the current season, and also have a sneak peek at what the Cronulla Sharks may do to revive their fortunes next year. And then we’ll finish with me throwing some darts at the dartboard to come up with my tips for next weekend.

Podcast: Episode 55: Album Reviews: Michael Schenker, Alice Cooper, Accept, KK's Priest, Helloween

On today's Album Review segment, we have a look at three 2021 album releases - Michael Schenker Group's "Immortal", Alice Cooper's "Detroit Stories" and Accept's "Too Mean To Die", as well as two singles preceding their album's release, K.K's Priest's "Hellfire Thunderbolt" and Helloween's "Skyfall". Enjoy!

Podcast: Episode 54: Holding the Ball! AFL Round 8

More AFL talk for you diehards who like AFL and like listening to some bozo talking about it. After having a quick look at last week's matches, today's Talking Point delves into the debate over playing strips, both the ones that some restrict one club from wearing, and a discussion on the need for 'clash' jerseys to come into play for all clubs. Finally my tips for next weekend are made available for you to ignore completely.

Podcast: Episode 53: In League With the NRL: Round 9

Round 9 of the NRL competition has been run and won, and I have a look back on the matches played and give a short analysis of what went right and wrong. And in today's Talking Point I look back on the end of the first half of the Eels vs Roosters match, and discuss the ins and outs of refereeing decisions and the worth of the Bunker and what can be done to avoid it happening again.

 

Podcast: Episode 52: Album Review: LORD's "Undercovers, Vol.1"

In the modern age of album releases, having albums entirely consisting of cover versions of other songs is not unusual. What you do hope for is something out of the ordinary, something that sets those songs apart from the originals, and can transcend the fans of both the original band and the one who is covering it. Come in and have a listen to how a high class Australian metal band does it.

Podcast: Episode 51: Should NRL Move To a Conference System

The world of rugby league lost its collective mind again for a few days when those words "Conference System" were mentioned in passing in the circles of the media. And while it has been summarily dismissed by most, is it something worth pursuing? My opinions have been noted here before, but I'm willing to outline them again just for the sake of another podcast episode.

Podcast: Episode 50: Why Josh Lawson Should Get An Oscar for Mortal Kombat

Haven't seen the reboot of Mortal Kombat yet? Well, not only are you missing out on an entertaining film with lots of enjoyable death sequences, you haven't seen what should be the first role nominated for next year's Academy Awards - Josh Lawson's portrayal of Kano. So today's podcast is the start of my efforts to have this come to fruition, to publicise the excellence of this performance. F*%king whoops!

Podcast: Episode 49: Holding the Ball! AFL Round 7

The ins and outs of the 7th round of the AFL gets the microscope placed over it... well, the broken pair of binoculars anyway - and we discuss who the winners and losers of the round were. Today's Talking Point sadly focuses on the continuing disaster that is Collingwood's 2021 season, and what may happen going forward as we look at the coaching and recruiting situation the Club faces.

Podcast: Episode 48: In League with the NRL Round 8

We've reached round 8 of the NRL, and we look back on the round as it took place and see how the teams are travelling. Then on this week's Talking Point, I discuss the overkill of utilising the broadcast of what is occurring inside the dressing sheds, and the outcry of emotion over Brett Morris not being able to end his career 'the way he deserves to'.

Podcast: Episode 47: 40 Years of Van Halen's "Fair Warning"

40 years seems like a long time, not just after the loss of EVH last year. But that's how long has passed since the release of this iconic album. Today we take a look back on some of the great songs spawned by its release, and discuss whether it is as great as some fans believe.

Podcast: Episode 46: Holding the Ball! AFL Round 6

Anzac Day is done and dusted, and there have been some surprising results over recent weeks that has thrown the whole competition into mass confusion - or perhaps that's just me. Today I have a look at where we stand after six rounds of the 2021 premiership. And in today's talking point, I discuss what has happened to Collingwood and GWS, less than two years after they played one of the best preliminary finals ever, to both now looking at a long long season ahead.

Podcast: Episode 45: In League With the NRL Round 7

We've made it almost a third of the way through the season, and the big guns are starting to flex their muscles. We discuss how a few of the teams are travelling and what may be their strengths and weaknesses after round seven. And on today's Talking Point, I rave on about the amount of wasted time that carries on in the modern game, and how some of these aspects are slowly starting to destroy the enjoyment of the game.

Podcast: Episode 44: Album Review: Smith/Kotzen's "Smith/Kotzen"

The pandemic in 2020 has already brought forth a few gems when it comes to new albums, and this pairing from beloved guitar gods Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith is one of the most unlikely ones. The music is blues-based which may be slightly left of field, but if you come in for the guitar solos, you won't be disappointed. I offer my opinion on what is produced in this episode.

Podcast: Episode 43: What Does the Contract List Say About Australia's Cricket

This week, Trevor Hohns announced the 17 players who have been offered Australian contracts for the next 12 months. And it has raised some questions not only about how Australia's players look going into that 12 months period, but what the selectors see as to our prospects in that time period. None of it appears positive, as we ramble on about in this episode.

Podcast: Episode 42: Album Review: The Offspring's "Let the Bad Times Roll"

The Offspring never left the building, but it seems to have been forever and a day since we got some new material from the band to shine some light on a grey day. Well fear no longer, as the lads are back with their new album. In today's episode I run the rule over the new songs, and decide if the band still has the fire and anger that made it one of the best bands from the 1990's.

Podcast: Episode 41: Does Anzac Day Footy Need a Shakeup?

It's that time of year again when we wake up before dawn, bow our heads silently, knock back an early beer, and settle in for the Anzac Day traditions of footy. But every year we already know who is going to be playing each other. Has that become a tiresome tradition? Is there a need to change this up and see other matches take centre stage on the day? Or should we be happy with what we have and just get on with it. If you have 15 minutes or so, I'd like to give you my opinion on it all.

Podcast: Episode 40: Album Review: Blaze Bayley's "War Within Me"

Blaze Bayley has just released his tenth studio album, entitled "War Within Me". On today's episode we have a listen to a couple of the tracks and give an opinion on whether it makes the grade or heads down the toilet.