Reviews
Parasomnia
(InsideOut Music)
As a disturbingly–dedicated devotee of everything Dream Theater and Dream Theater-related, the departure of co-founding ‘skins-man’ Mike Portnoy was unexpected, to say the very least. Despite this, I continued to partake in much of their post-Black Clouds & Silver Lin-ings (2009) era with the same ravenous abandon, the resulting input lacked, for want of a more succinct term, a certain something that initially attracted me to their compositional complexities and introspective, thought-provoking lyrical vernaculars. While the slick Dream Theater (2013) and Distance Over Time (2019) era may have temporarily placated my concerns (the group, in my opinion, appeared rej-uvenated), the lackluster The Astonishing (2016) would leave me questioning the very validity of their future. Now, with Portnoy‘s trium-phant return officially upon us and the release of the often ingenious Parasomnia having now come to pass, I once again find myself o-nly more than happy to shamelessly re-indulge in what must only be described as their latest curiously high-octane auditory offering(s).
Interviews
(Dangerous Toys, Ignitor, Watch Tower)
When Dangerous Toys unleashed their self-titled debut in 1989, the future of the Austin, Texas-born group appeared impossibly bright. Led by the oft-charismatic Watch Tower frontman Jason McMaster, they were initially fueled by the singles “Teas’n, Pleas’n”, “Scared” a-nd “Sport’n A Woody”. The release of the Roy Thomas Baker-Produced Hellacious Acres in 1991 (a take on the Bad Company classic “F–eel Like Makin’ Love” remains a highlight) only further entrenched them within the public consciousness. Boldly forging ahead with add-itional ‘projects’ (i.e., Broken Teeth, Gahdzilla Motor Company and Ignitor, to name only a few) in the post-MTV/Headbanger’s Ball eras, only further solidifies his already iron-clad reputation. Recently, the ever-charismatic McMaster, always a man of many words and inter-esting stories, was kind enough to speak with us regarding, among other things, the group’s latest, and quite possibly greatest, Classic Metal ‘accomplishment’ Horns And Hammers (2024). It’s the proverbial trip down memory lane that’s fun, funny and doesn’t disappoint.
Galleries
GeekCasts
