Alive, or Just Blethering

The last of our weekly, and first of our monthly episodes; Lav brings a classic metal album that has been making the rounds on social media, thanks to 'Stranger Things', Metallica's third studio album from 1986, the unmistakable 'Master of Puppets'. Their last album before the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton, this album defined 80's thrash metal and continues to influence and inspire metalheads today as it did from the day it was released. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This band has come up numerous times over the last few months, and it was only a matter of time before we had to cover an album of theirs... and this week, Keith takes us into 'Come Clarity', the eighth studio album by Swedish metal pioneers 'In Flames', released in 2006 via Ferret and Nuclear Blast records. There's a lot of love for this band and their contribution to the genre over the decades, but 15 years later, how does Come Clarity hold up amongst their huge 13 album discography (and album #14 coming soon!).DISCLAIMER: Due to a cock up, Lavs audio has not recorded to our usual standards, sorry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Time to get a little messy at AOJB, this time with Dayton, Ohio's 'The Devil Wears Prada', and their debut album Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord. There's no escaping this album is a far cry from the band they grew into over their 15 years of performing together, but it's very interesting to look back and see where it all began. Released in 2006, it was also an early record for producer Joey Sturgis, setting the tone for entire wave of Metalcore that carried many listeners into 2010's and beyond. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oh boy. Here we go. Dream Theatre are a world renowned progressive metal band, with over 3 decades of albums and material at their disposal, surely there's something for everybody? So, why was Lav hesitant at the end of last weeks episode, when Keith wanted to bring the 2003 album "Train of Thought" to the pod? And do you think it's enough to bring a 30-something who has dodged this band for years, into the DT fold? Listen in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 2 of our Slipknot special with Alan Swan is available now! It's our biggest episode to date and one we've been excited to talk about for a long time.Join us along with our special guest Alan Swan (Photographer, Videographer) as we go through the entire Slipknot catalogue, discussing how we discovered them, to how each album has impacted us along the way. Listen now and discover our personal journeys, and don't for get to check out part 1!Do you remember when and where you were when you first heard Slipknot? And can you remember what impact the nine left on you? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here it is, our biggest episode to date! So big, we had to break it up into two parts! Join us along with our special guest Alan Swan (Photographer, Videographer) as we go through the entire Slipknot catalogue, discussing how we discovered them, to how each album has impacted us along the way. Listen now and discover our personal journeys, and don't miss part 2, coming next week!Do you remember when and where you were when you first heard Slipknot? And can you remember what impact the nine left on you? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We got heavy throughout 2006, now we get melodic, with the second studio album 'Mirrors' by Wisconsins 'Misery Signals'. Released following the departure of Jesse Zaraska, it's the first album to feature Karl Schubach and the first one that Lav heard just as it was released. So what will Keith make of this album? Is it something a little more thoughtful and progressive for his tastes? Listen now to find out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another album on 'Alive, Or Just Blethering' that we thought not enough people talk about it, so we made a podcast, and therefore we are very thankful for it's existence. Death Pop Romance is the third studio album by Danish metal act 'Raunchy', released in February 2006, on Lifeforce Records. Throughout this episode, Keith is going to explain why he thinks this band are still extraordinary, while Lav will draw comparisons to other acts of the time that he measured them against. Listen in to find out more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Lav picks an album that was the second studio release for Douglasville's Norma Jean, and their first with their new vocalist, Cory Brandon, to talk about the impact this album made on our listening experience. Through the episode we will discuss the many 'faces' of Norma Jean as they went through multiple transitions through their decades of existence. So, with 8 studio albums at the time of recording, which is our favorite in 2022? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the word go, you know that Keith absolutely adores this album, there's no other way to put it. And Lav does to. When Canada's 'Protest The Hero' released their debut album 'Kezia', we immediately saw it as the masterpiece it was and played it non-stop in our Saxo's and Corsa's respectively. But it's almost 17 years later, does it still hold up today? And how has our relationships with Protest The Hero changed in all this time? Listen in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join us as things start to get heavy, from the land down under, with Parkway Drive and their 2005 debut album 'Killing With a Smile'. With more breakdowns than a bank holiday weekend, this album set the bar for melodic hardcore metal and put a spotlight on the ever growing Australian scene. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2005, 4 "captains" lead 56 artists from 45 bands to create 18 tracks to be released for the 25th anniversary of Roadrunner Records. With so much talent, from the captains Dino Cazares (Fear Factory), Rob Flynn (Machine Head) Joey Jordison (Slipknot) and up and coming "newbie" Matt Heafy (Trivium), could they make an impactful and fitting tribute to the labels heritage? Well, Keith certainly thinks so, and wants you all to join us as we dive into this fascinating piece of modern heavy metal history. But, how well does 2005's 'The All-Star Sessions' hold up in 2022? Listen in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After exploring some mid-2000's metalcore, Lav is bringing the podcast back to some early 2000's hardcore now, with the 2002 sophomore release from Florida's 'Poison The Well'. From a back catalogue of almost flawless releases, why are we discussing this album? What makes it so memorable for Lav? Is it just the nostalgia talking? Join in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After discussing Bullet For My Valentine in our Trivium episode a few weeks ago, it was only a matter of time before we would need to re-visit 'The Poison', the 2005 debut album from the welsh metalcore-ers. How do you think we'll take listening to this album 17 years later? Will it be a welcome return, or bring some dark flashbacks from being awkward teenagers? Listen in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This weeks episode Lav is bringing Washington D.C. thrashers Darkest Hour, and their fourth studio album 'Undoing Ruin'. An album that is bursting with riffs, face melting guitar solos and blast beats from start to finish, leave an album that even gets an approval from Keith. Can you remember the first time you heard the shred of Darkest Hour? Join the conversation to find out more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Well here it is, the reason 'Alive, or Just Blethering' exists, all because Keith didn't think enough people were talking about this album. Join Keith as he reminisces fondly about 'Of Love and Lunacy', the debut album from Grand Rapids metalcore act, Still Remains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you remember the first time you heard the infectious hardcore riffs, coupled with sing-along lyrics and gang chants for days? Lav does, and this was where it all began. 2005's 'Wake The Dead', the second studio album from Canadian hardcore punkers, Comeback Kid. Join us as we talk about a very influential album on his journey as a spritely 19 year old and see where it leads! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

BOAT! RUDDER! STRANGE! MOUNTAIN! We dove into a classic metalcore album from 2005, the sophomore Trivium breakthrough record 'Ascendency'. Joined by our special guest Robbie Letelier, we talk Trivium albums, old and new, and what this band means to us in 2022. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This weeks episode is one far from the beaten track of this (mostly) rock and metal podcast. Lav brings us 1996's 'Richard D James album', by Aphex Twin. Don't let the hypnotic yet heavy dance beats fool you, there's a dark side in much of this album and it must have left an impression on Lav's tastes to be talking about the album almost two decades later. Join us as Keith gets flashbacks of the Windowlicker video and scratches his head how anyone could enjoy this well structured and beautiful noise. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As another aside from our usual rock and metal discussions, this week Keith brings 'Hello Nasty', the 5th studio album from the 'Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Inner Excellence' also known as the 'Beastie Boys'. This 1998 album represented a high point in their career and clearly left an impression on our Keith, after he stole it from his brothers CD collection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

And Now for Something Completely Similar! Another episode of Alive or Just Blethering where this time Lav takes us to the skate punk pioneers that is San Francisco's 'NOFX' and their 8th studio album 'Pump Up The Valuum'. After dabbling in the cheery pop punk tones of Blink-182, Green Day, New Found Glory and Less Than Jake, imagine your brain when you discover NOFX. Join us as Keith wants to chop off his own ears while Lav also gets side tracked into a 10 minute conversation about Japanese anime.... never a dull moment on AOJB! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we have Paul Walsh as a special guest, who brings us 'The Remote Part' by Idlewild. Their 3rd studio album which took a distinct turn to becoming the anthemic and radio friendly rock album that thrust them (almost) to the top of the UK album chart.Join us as we look back to 2002 where we each discovered this album in our own ways, whether that be channel hopping through the music channels to going on holiday without any CDs.Disclaimer: Due to some technical difficulties, the audio quality of this recording may be lower than usual. Thanks to Keith for for picking up the pieces. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Keith is winding the clock back to 1998 with 'Americana', the fifth studio album from California punk-rockers 'The Offspring'. The songs from this album were worldwide smash hits and well and truly thrust the band into the mainstream. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @aojbpodcast and let us know what you think! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happens when a nu-metal band misses the fad by a bawhair, and needs to reinvent itself to remain relevant? You get the groove metal infused riffs of Chimairas second studio effort, 'The Impossibility of Reason'. Has time been kind to this album, or will it remain forever in its 2004 purgatory? Listen in and find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On 18th January 2022, Buffalo hardcore band Every Time I Die, unceremoniously called it a day. After over two decades of nigh-on flawless albums and songs, the band broke up within a barrage of finger pointing and in-fighting. A truly iconic band who had organically built a loyal and devoted following, their break-up left many feeling empty and confused.In this special episode, along with our friend Craig Russell, we are going to talk about the band, their discography and what they meant to us over the last 20 years. It's an emotional one, come join us as we decay with the boys. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are fully into to the swing of 2004, and our music taste just keeps getting heavier! Keith brings us Caliban's fourth studio effort, and first on Roadrunner Records, 'The Opposite From Within'. Germany's answer to Killswitch Engage definitely opened our eyes to another level of metal at the time, but how much does that reflect in the music we listen to today? Listen in to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy new year! Welcome back to Alive, or Just Blethering. And where else to start but 2004's influential and iconic 'Waking The Fallen' by Avenged Sevenfold. Their second studio album but the first to officially feature the talent of Synyster Gates. Come take a trip down memory lane and relive the album that for some, started it all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As 2021 draws to a close, we have picked their top 5 albums from the ones discussed this year. So, which ones do you think left an impression, rekindled our love or completely changed our opinions on? Join us for our end of year special and find out!

We have a very special guest for a very special album, as we discuss the third studio album 'Follow The Leader' from the godfathers of nu-metal, KoRn. Does this album need any more of an introduction? We don't think so.

Taking you back to 2004, Keith brings the fifth* studio album by Orange County metal-ers Eighteen Visions to the table for discussion. This is an album Keith has wanted to talk about since we first discussed starting a podcast, and it has a legacy for both of us, as unbeknown to us at the time, it was the first time we both likely crossed paths in the same venue. So how does the album hold up in 2021? Will we be listening to Eighteen Visions again in the future?

Here, Lav serves up a dosage of 'experimental metal' with the 2003 debut from British Prog band 'SikTh'. It's undeniable this band and the sounds they created went on to influence some of the biggest metal acts in the mid-2010's, so were they before their time? Were people just not ready for the frankly bonkers sounds created for this album? Join us as we explore this wild one and realise just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Episode 26 and Keith brings the third studio album from Chicago punk rockers, Rise Against, and their 2004 release "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture". An album we both remember fondly as a soundtrack to your late-teenage years playing Playstation 2 and it's presence in games like Need For Speed Underground 2 and Burnout 3. Come join in for the nostalgia and reminisce of a time when Life was a lot Less Frightening.

For our 25th episode Lav brings "Watch Out!", the second studio album by Canadian post-hardcore outfit 'Alexisonfire' released in 2004. Join us to find out how we both discovered Alexisonfire, and how our very different journey's have left us with differing opinions on the band and their material. What was your favourite Alexisonfire album? How long should we wait till the next one!?

Join us in this episode as we talk about Wilmington, North Carolina's 'He Is Legend', and their debut album 'I am Hollywood'. With one of us never listening to this until now, and the other finding it to tick many, many boxes, this episode see s us comparing it favourably to so many other bands and albums of the time, but perhaps not having the same longevity. Listen in to find out more!

It's hard to convey how influential Texan band At The Drive-In's 2000 album 'Relationship of Command' really is, at least, that's what Lav thinks. Join us as we discuss the band and the album that was making all the sounds and statements that influenced an entire generation of post-hardcore. Whether it be 'Biffy Clyro' in Scotland to 'Touche Amore' in LA, so many artists in today's music can thank 'At the Drive-In' for making the mould.

Another episode where we couldn't just pick one album, so instead we discuss the whole lot! From Self-titled debut to their final swan song Renegades. Joined by our special guest Gary Clinton (professional composer), we talk about how Rage Against The Machines 4 studio albums left a lasting impression on all of us; from the music we learned to play on guitar and bass, our music tastes at the time, through to the music we listen to today.

Blink-182's Untitled album is Keirs choice for this weeks episode, originally released in 2003, an album with some iconic Blink-182 tracks and a defining moment in their careers. Join us as Keir takes us into the gritty details of this album, as we discover what sets this apart from all other releases.

Our 20th episode, and Keith takes us into '36 Crazyfists' second major label studio album 'A Snow Capped Romance', released in 2004. A nostalgic pleasure, or an outdated throwback? Come join us as we explore this album, the bands it lead us to, and the place this band holds in our memories.

Join us as we discuss an album, absolutely oozing with nostalgia for one of us; Reuben's 2004 debut album 'Racecar Is Racecar Backwards'. An album that came out during a transitional time for both of us, as we flowed between nu-metal, emo, hip-hop, metalcore and beyond. What was the journey to this album, and where did it take us afterwards? Listen in to find out more.

We are joined by our good friend and producer Jamie Turnbull to talk about two very influential British emo acts from the early 2000's; Hell Is For Heroes and Hundred Reasons. Two bands of similar origins taking two very different paths, and now both reunited and touring together!

A very special episode this time round, not only is it our name sake (if you hadn't guessed where 'Alive, or Just Blethering' came from), but also out first ever episode recorded together in person. We discuss the admittedly HUGE influence Killswitch Engage had on our musical tastes from 2002 onwards, then the massive impact guitarist Adam D (as a producer) had on the bands we continue to listen to today.

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Keith delivers a curve ball and we veer into DJ Format's first studio album 'Music for the Mature B-Boy'. In the episode, we discuss our experiences dabbling in the genre all those years ago and how this has changed our perceptions of the music we listen to, and perhaps encouraged us to venture out of the comfort blanket of the rock/metal we listened to mostly, at the time. So grab yourself a plate of bacon, eggs and chips, smack your lips, and see if there's something you don't know.

With our special guest Toni Martone, founder of Scottish indie label 'Wasted State Records', we take a look back on the 2nd studio album by US desert rockers Queens of the Stone Age, 'Rated R'. Widely regarded as their breakthrough album, listen in to find out why this album was picked by Toni and how QOTSA stood out amongst the noise of brit-pop in the UK, and post-grunge in the states. Also, find out how to pronounce Josh Homme's name correctly.

In our 14th episode we have gone back to 1997 to discuss the origins and creation of Foo Fighters second studio album 'The Colour and the Shape'. An album that almost got binned after initial recording, resulted in a band member leaving, all while frontman Dave Grohl was dealing with a divorce!

This week we take a look at 2000's "supergroup" Audioslave and their eponymous debut album 'Audioslave'. As fans of Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden, how did Audioslave fill the gap? Join us in the Shadow Of The Sun as we Set It Off... Like a Stone.

Episode 12 see's us go back to 2001 and discuss the fourth studio album by Arizona's Jimmy Eat World 'Bleed American'. Listen in to discover more about the albums creation and the journey of the band up to that point. Now 20 years later, how has this album gone on to influence the 2010's emo revival and other pop punk efforts? Listen in to find out how the band and producer Mark Trombino worked as equals to make this landmark album, and also find out why the album had the eponymous title 'Jimmy Eat World' for 7 years.

Here we are continuing our ever growing emo streak and take a look back on the fondly remembered 'What It Is To Burn', the debut album by Finch. How does it stack up against the other albums from it's day, and what about in 2021? Listen in to find out what we thought!

Our tenth episode and we are joined by our first ever guest Pedram Valiani, guitarist in Sectioned and Frontierer. In this episode we aren't just covering one album, we are covering Funeral For a Friends back catalogue. Join us as we get look at the bands early days, see them through their breakthrough albums up until their 2016 break up. 

Join us as we continue to delve into the music we found and loved growing up. Episode 9 sees us attempt to deep dive into the band Tool's 3rd studio release, the ever complex and winding enigma that is Lateralus.

In this episode of Alive or Just Blethering, Keith discusses Morning View, the fourth studio album released by alt-rockers Incubus in 2001. Join us as we look back on this well respected work that could be the peak for some listeners, and just the beginning for others. Listen in to find out where we stand on this album in 2021!