Tapping the Ether

Alpine Fault - Iraena's Ashes (2011)

2012-01-11T02:57:00.000-05:00

This is the year I intend to be good and keep up with finding and reviewing new music, and what better way to start with one of the best bands I've heard in a long while. Alpine Fault is from New Zealand (a first for me) and their debut album, Iraena's Ashes, is a concept album inspired by the true story of the mysterious disappearance of Iraena Asher. Now, I'm a sucker for real life

Former Visions Of Atlantis-singer Nicole Bogner passes

2012-01-10T18:53:00.001-05:00

A sad start to the year, Nicole Bognor, singer on the first two Visions Of Atlantis CDs, has passed away after a long, unspecified illness. Full story here: http://loudwire.com/former-visions-of-atlantis-singer-nicole-bogner-passes-away-at-27/

To Fund A Festival.

2011-12-11T03:34:00.001-05:00

Found out about something called Ohio Prog 2012, an attempt to set up an annual prog rock festival in Canton Ohio. I think this is a fantastic idea, and the line-up, which includes Arena, Nightingale, and the resurrected FM, looks stellar. Although the show takes place next Sept., the organizers have partnered with Kickstarter to raise the funds necessary to stage the event. The way it works

Here comes Santa Claus--the bastard!!

2011-11-20T20:37:00.001-05:00

Okay, so not really. Yesterday saw our annual Santa Claus parade wend it's way down main street, bringing joy and incipient exposure to kiddies throughout the city, and long may it do so. Several years ago the city scrapped the mid-afternoon parade for a early-evening illuminated extravaganza. It was a good change: it breathed new life into the proceedings. Great so far. As far as the show

Terry Pratchett article and video

2011-11-02T22:16:00.003-04:00

Sir Terry Pratchett has a new Discworld novel ("Snuff") on the shelves, and The Age has an excellent article (with video) with Sir Terry discussing his work and his struggles with Alzheimers. We'll have a review of the book up soon (yes, I've already read it), but until then, enjoy!

Megadeth dates announced

2011-11-01T17:49:00.000-04:00

Megadeth's 2012 edition of Gigantour hits the road Jan. 28 in New Jersey--AND THEY ARE STOPPING IN KINGSTON! This is awesome news, especially since they will be joined by the legendary Motorhead and one of Tapping The Ether's favourite bands: Lacuna Coil. More news as it becomes available

Metallica does "Lulu"

2011-10-30T03:13:00.000-04:00

The "Pandora's Box" Lulu, not the saccharine songstress from the 70's. Metallica and Lou Reed got together to record a concept album based on the Lulu plays. Sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, wrong. It's shit. It's worse than shit--it's really bad shit. Monotone, meandering muttering from Reed accompanied by sloppy, anemic, directionless musical accompaniment by the merest shell of the band

Jani Lane of Warrent Dead at 47

2011-08-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's just been announced that Jani Lane, former vocalist for 'eighties hair band Warrant, was found dead on Thursday in a Los Angeles hotel. No details concerning the cause of death have been released. The Washington Times has a brief story here. In other sad news, Andrew McDermott, the former vocalist for prog-metal band Threshold, died of kidney failure on Aug. 3 after spending 4 days in a

Loudness bassis Taiji Sawada RIP

2011-07-17T21:01:00.001-04:00

Although the circumstances have yet to be revealed, former X Japan and Loudness bass player Taiji Sawada has reportedly passed away. He was 45 years old. Full details (and admittedly there aren't many details yet) can be found here. Update: Apparently Sawada had been on life support following his attempted suicide attempt, and his family decided to remove him from life support. Story is here.

Website updates.

2011-04-22T20:48:00.000-04:00

Okay, so after an stellar year for updates, this year I've slacked off so far. I've been distracted by other stuff, and I apologize. Both Grazr and HKFlix have gone nipple-up during my absence, so not only are my posts way behind, but all my sidebar eye-candy now has to be replaced. I'll be working on that over the next little while too. Thanks for your patience. Keep watching this space.

The Warrior's Way.

2011-04-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

I saw this movie last week: twice. Cowboys vs Ninjas--how can it fail? Despite being marketed as an action film (and there's lots of action), most of the middle part of the movie is a mixture of introspective drama and love story. The last 30 minutes is non-stop mayhem though.

K.K. Downing out of Priest!

2011-04-22T20:31:00.002-04:00

On the eve of their farewell tour, Judas Priest has confirmed that KK Downing has retired from the band and will not be participating in the "Epitaph" tour. Suitably sincere best wishes have been issued by both sides, but you have to wonder why Downing, who has been with the band throughout their history, would quit when the end is in sight. Not a lot of details, but the story can be found here

The Mechanic: Trailer

2011-01-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

This is the first movie of 2011 I'm looking forward too. Jason Statham in a remake of my favourite Charles Bronson flick--promising.... The Mechanic TrailerUploaded by teasertrailer. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.

2010 In Memoriam

2010-12-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

As always, the saddest part of the year is the annual list of the fallen. The Etherverse lost a few heroes this year. We fondly remember the following: Peter Steele: Bassist for Type-O Negative Frank Franzetta-Fantasy Artist Ronnie James Dia-one of the THE voices of Metal Dennis Hopper- Actor and professional badass Dino De Laurentiis: Producer of some of the best awful movies ever. Leslie

Holiday Programming.

2010-12-14T00:19:00.000-05:00

Since this year Xmas falls squarely on the weekend, in addition to my having to work my wage-slave job that day, I've decided to go with the majority at the station and have a repeat broadcast. The same goes for New Year's Eve. Have yourselves a happy and above all SAFE holiday season. A Merry, Metal Xmas to all!

R,I.P. Ingrid Pitt (1937-2010)

2010-11-23T18:44:00.000-05:00

Ingrid Pitt, Hammer film's favourite heroine, has died aged 73 in south London. The Polish-born actor, right, who survived imprisonment in a concentration camp during the second world war, found fame as the blood-splattered, often blouseless star of films such as Countess Dracula, and The Vampire Lovers The Guardian, among others, did a nice little tribute Another tribute, slightly more

I want one of these...

2010-11-12T23:19:00.000-05:00

I don't know who Mr. Soles is, but he's one talented SOB, as demonstrated by the Lovecraft inspired Carnivian Mask. I would happily hang this on my wall. Carnivean Mask by ~MrSoles on deviantART

Jim Clench (1949-2010) R.I.P.

2010-11-05T19:49:00.001-04:00

Jim Clench, best known as the bassist for April Wine, has died of lung cancer at the age of 61. Clench replaced original bassist Jim Henman after April Wine's debut album, and played with them until 1975. In 1978 he joined BTO, appearing on two albums with them. Rejoining April Wine in 1992, he stayed with them until late 2006 before resigning again. Clench died of lung cancer on Nov. 2.

Burke And Hare Trailer

2010-10-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

The upcoming comedy "Burke And Hare" looks like it's going to be a doozy. Check out the trailer.

James Bond--The Best And The Worst

2010-10-02T00:40:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I've been sick as a dog most of the week, and I don't know whether it's the medication, or the boredom, or the exhaustion, but for some reason my mind chose this week to think about James Bond movies. I thought it might be cool to make my personal list of the best and worst that the canon has to offer. Despite a few givens, Bond flicks generally give rise to intense argument--pro--

Rush on CNN this morning.

2010-09-30T14:01:00.001-04:00

CNN personality John "Don't call me "JD"" Roberts got to jam with Rush, doing a passable version of Limelight. Way to go JD! Here's the video:

Twenty years on Pt. 2....Who shares our birthday?

2010-09-17T02:03:00.001-04:00

Here's a list of bands that started the same year as Tapping The Ether. I'm only including the bands who I've played on the show: Anathema : We played stuff from "Pentecost III" quite a bit At the Gates: Although we received both of their albums, only "Slaughter Of The Soul" got extensive airplay. Dark Tranquility (then Septic Broiler) : To this day, "Projector" is the only DT CD in the library-

Bruce Dickinson has a new gig....

2010-09-17T01:47:00.000-04:00

Bruce Dickinson, singer of Iron Maiden, has a new gig: marketing director of Astraeus, the Gatwick-based charter airline where he's been a pilot for years. For the full story, click here

Dani Filth is top ‘Suffolk icon’

2010-09-16T23:01:00.002-04:00

DEATH metal star Dani Filth is running away with the race to be named Suffolk’s top icon, it emerged today. Dani Filth is top ‘Suffolk icon’ - News - Evening Star Congratulations to Dani on the achievement--I can't imagine how it must feel to be considered more famous than a swimming pool. Still, credit where credit is due. Cradle Of Filth have a new album on the horizon, so every little bit

Roger Waters kicks of "The Wall" 30th anniversary tour in Toronto

2010-09-16T19:42:00.005-04:00

TORONTO – Roger Waters tore down the house Wednesday night in Toronto as he kicked off the 30th anniversary world tour for Pink Floyd's "The Wall." He walked out to thunderous applause beginning with the first track of the seminal concept album, "In the Flesh," and the adulation never stopped. Synchronized pyrotechnics, Orwellian imagery and marching hammers culminated with a plane flying into