Talks With Mark Weiss And James Christian on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 466 - The Weiss Guy

Longtime photographer Mark Weiss just published his first book “The Decade That Rocked: The Photography of Mark “Weissguy” Weiss”. Mark is on the show this week to gives us his insights into the music scene and to talk about what inspired him to finally release a book that celebrates the decade that rocked. 

Get your own personalized copy of Mark’s book at: TheDecadeThatRocked.com

Also this week we talk again with House of Lords vocalist James Christian as they release their latest “New World-New Eyes”.

Here's the title track off the new album

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Producer / Engineer Duane Baron Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 378 - Duane Baron

This week Richie sits down with mixer, engineer, and producer Duane Baron. Given the stellar cast of metal musicians that Duane has been able to work with (Dream Theater, Ozzy, Crue, and more) this chat should be a good one.

Track of the week is from “By Blood Sworn” the new release from Ross the Boss.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Gus G & Michael Sweet Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 372 - God Damn Fearless

Double shot of metal goodness once again as we bring not one but two great chats this week. First up we talk with guitarist Gus G about his brand new release “Fearless” and we follow that up with a chat with Michael Sweet about the latest from Stryper “God Damn Evil”. Both of those releases are due to drop this Friday so this ought to get you in the mood for release day.

Here's a taste of what to expect from Gus


and of course some new Stryper

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Former Sounds Writer Garry Bushell on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 367 - Sounds of Glory

This week we sit down with former Sounds writer Garry Bushell. He’s always been a guy we wanted to have on the show but the publishing of his book “Sounds of Glory Volume 1 Rocking All Over The World” was the icing on the metal cake. His Ozzy stories alone more than pay for the price of admission but this week you’re even getting some for free. 

Find out more about Garry and possibly order a book or two head over to: garry-bushell.co.uk

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Sylvie Simmons Returns To Focus on Metal as We Bring You Kerrang! #7

Episode 343 - Kerrang! Episode 7

Our Kerrang! project continues this week as we bring back journalist Sylvie Simmons. Yep, Sylvie had so much great stuff that we couldn’t fit it all in one episode so we brought her back for more (you can thank us later). If you liked her on Episode 341 you are really gonna like this one too. Find out everything she’s up to at SylvieSimmons.com

Here's a great shot Sylvie shared with us from her LA correspondent days with Kerrang!

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

House of Lords guitarist Jimi Bell Guests on The Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 331 - Jimi Bell

House of Lords just released “Saint of The Lost Souls” and this week we have guitarist Jimi Bell on the show to give us the whole story on the album. Jimi also regales us with some great stories from the eighties including a great Ozzy recollection. Get more info at HouseofLordsBand.com

Track of the week is from past FoM guests Wolfpakk from their new one on AFM  “Wolves Reign”. Find em’ at Wolfpakk.net

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always...

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Just posted - Carmine Appice & Azrael's Bane on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 285 - Stick It

Making his third appearance on the show this week it’s Carmine Appice. Carmine just published his autobiography “Stick It!” and he came on to talk about it as well as other stuff he’s got going including VAnilla Fudge and King Kobra. 

Also this week we have Houston based Azrael’s Bane. They just did a nice rerelease of “Modern Day Babylon” and they are working on new stuff right now. I had the whole band on and we had a damn fine metal chat.

Keep up with Carmine at carmineappice.net/ and find out more about Azrael’s Bane and get yourself a copy of “Modern Day Babylon” at azraelsbane.net/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Focus on Metal is damn proud to be part of The Blast Syndicate. You can get this show as well as many other kick ass metal podcasts by clicking the link below.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Online now - Joe Holmes Guests on This Weeks Installment of Focus on Metal

Episode 231 - Joe Holmes

In the the last few years we've seen several great artists return to active duty after being away for several years (sometimes decades) and this week we have one of em', guitarist Joe Holmes. Joe has been out of the music biz for quite a while but he's made a strong comeback with his new band Farmikos. On this weeks show we'll talk to Joe about the genesis of Farmikos and their self titled release as well as his past history with Ozzy and David Lee Roth. 

Go to http://www.farmikos.com/ to find out more about what Joe is up to these days.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio, Metal World Radio, Audio Graffiti

You can hear us Thursdays on Platinum Rock Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Jimmy DeGrasso from Black Star Riders Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 204 - Jimmy DeGrasso

Our guest this week is Jimmy DeGrasso, the man currently occupying the coveted drum seat in Black Star Riders. After a career playing in a ton of legendary bands it looks like Jimmy has settled in nicely in BSR. Jimmy regales us with tales of his storied career and gives us some insight into the new BSR album currently in production.

Get your fix of all things Jimmy at: http://www.jimmydegrasso.com/

Updates on Black Star Riders including tour dates can be found at: http://blackstarriders.com/

Jimmy's San Jose Pro Drum shop is at: http://www.sanjoseprodrum.com

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Grab it now from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Review - Gus G.- I Am The Fire (Century Media Records)

For some people Gus G is Firewind so why bring out a solo effort at all. It's been a couple of years since Few Against Many so why no new album. Others will be curious to see what this actually sounds like. Is it Firewind with different vocalists. Well mostly no. People expecting this to sound like his main band will be sorely disappointed. If anything this is a hard rock album. Tracks like opener My Will Be Done and Blame It On Me sound like something off a Cinderella or Black N Blue album. The title track is more modern sounding. Long Way Down and Just Can't Let Go are great big ballads. Eyes Wide Open sounds like something Glenn Hughes was involved in. Summer Days is Journey. There are two instrumentals, both fast and in your face but they feel a little out of place on this. These are the tracks that could be off a Firewind album. It's as if he had to put something like these on there.

   It's well written and the performances are superb. Gus's playing is incredible and shows a lot more flexibility here then many may have thought he could achieve. He lets the strength of the songs shine through and it's not a wankfest like an Yngwie album where the singing gets in the way of him going off. As an album though it just doesn't flow because of all the guest vocalists. Sure the singers he has roped in fit the style of the song like Mats Leven on the opening track or Jeff Scott Soto on Summer Days. Albums like this tend not to work as people inevitably pick their favorite tracks based on who's singing what. Iommi's first solo album suffered because of this and the same with Jake E. Lee's recent Red Dragon Cartel release. Remember how strong Iommi's follow up Fused was, that's because Glenn Hughes sang on all of it. A solid release but I would love to hear just one vocalist next time.

 http://www.gusgofficial.com/

GUS G. appears on Fuse.tv's "Metalhead to Head"; announces "Ask Me Anything" chat on Mar. 31 via Reddit.com

GUS G. appears on Fuse.tv's "Metalhead to Head"; announces "Ask Me Anything" chat on Mar. 31 via Reddit.com        OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist and FIREWIND mastermind GUS G. recently completely an exclusive interview for Fuse.tv's series "Metalhead to Head". Joined by Mark Heylmun (SUICIDE SILENCE), GUS G. discusses trying out for OZZY OSBOURNE's band while showing off some signature guitar licks. To watch the video, head over to Fuse.tv now: http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2014/03/metalhead-to-head-mark-heylmun-gus-g On Mar. 31, GUS G. will take part in an "Ask Me Anything" chat on Reddit.com. Fans are welcome to submit questions from 9PM CET//12PM PST//3PM EST to 10:30PM CET//1:30PM PST//4:30PM EST. GUS G. comments: "Wanna know why and how I created my debut solo album? Wanna know how I got the gig with OZZY OSBOURNE? Funny tour stories? Wanna talk about cats? Tattoos? Guitars? Gear and playing tips? Heavy Metal? Action heroes? Guitar heroes? Join me on Reddit on March 31st and Ask Me Anything." GUS G. recently released his solo debut, I Am The Fire, worldwide via Century Media Records. To purchase the album, please visit iTunes for a digital copy or CM Distro for a variety of physical formats. For a preview of I Am The Fire, be sure to check out the following videos: --"My Will Be Done (feat. Mats Leven of CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THERION)" music video --"I Am The Fire (Feat. DEVOUR THE DAY)" music video --I Am The Fire EPK  --I Am The Fire track-by-track  GUS G. handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on I Am The Fire, and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that helped bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN), and vocalists Mats Leven (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, ex-JOURNEY). I Am The Fire was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and GUS G.'s home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey through GUS G.'s soulful playing. I Am The Fire track-listing 1. My Will Be Done (feat. Mats Levén) 2. Blame It On Me (feat. Mats Levén) 3. I Am The Fire (feat. DEVOUR THE DAY) 4. Vengeance (feat. David Ellefson) 5. Long Way Down (feat. Alexia Rodriguez) 6. Just Can't Let Go (feat. Jacob Bunton) 7. Terrified (feat. Billy Sheehan) 8. Eyes Wide Open (feat. Mats Levén) 9. Redemption (feat. Michael Starr) 10. Summer Days (feat. Jeff Scott Soto) 11. Dreamkeeper (feat. Tom S. Englund) 12. End Of The Line (feat. Mats Levén) GUS G. w/ Marty Friedman / "Guitar Universe 2" Co-Headline Tour: May 1 - Tampere (Finland) - Klubi May 2 - Helsinki (Finland) - Nosturi May 3 - Stockholm (Sweden) - Stockholm Rocks Festival May 5 - Gothenburg (Sweden) - Trädgårn  May 7 - Malmö (Sweden) - KB  May 9 - Krakow (Poland) - Lizzard King  May 10 - Warsaw (Poland) - Progresja  May 12 - Munich (Germany) - Backstage May 14 - Hannover (Germany) - Musikzentrum May 15 - Essen (Germany) - Turock May 16 - Zoetermeer (The Netherlands) - De Boerderij May 17 - Hasselt (Belgium) - MuziekoDroom     May 18 - Uden (The Netherlands) - De Pul May 20 - Savigny Le Temple (France) - L' Impreinte May 21 - London (UK) - O2 Islington Academy May 22 - Nuneaton (UK) - Queens Hall GUS G. online: http://www.gusgofficial.com https://www.facebook.com/officialgusg https://twitter.com/gusgofficial http://www.youtube.com/firetv

Like.........really!!!!!

   This is metal news!? Proves to me all that is wrong with social media and a lack of editing.

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-lights-kitchen-on-fire-while-making-sandwich/

Richie.

Episode 118 Snakecharmer

Get/Stream Episode 118 Here

What do you get when you mix two parts of the original Whitesnake with parts of Thunder and Wishbone Ash and also throw in a singer best known for AOR in the UK and ice the whole thing with the son of a legendary keyboard player? Snakechamer, thats what. This week we get to talk with Adam Wakeman about Snakecharmer as well as his other two high profile gigs as the keyboard player for Ozzy and Black Sabbath.

Our track of the week is from Ion Vein from their second teaser release "V 2.0". Check out more about the band at http://www.ionvein.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ionvein. You can get Ion Vein V 2.0 for yourself on iTunes.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.