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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.