UKnowMetal Podcast #002: Van Halen

On the show tonight, we bask in the mighty return of Van Halen! Listen in along with special guest "K.D." as we sample the first new full-length Van Halen record with David Lee Roth since 1984 as well as select songs spanning their entire career.

Download: 2012-02-17-UKnowMetal-Podcast (87min)

Van Halen's "A Different Kind of Truth" arrives in the No. 2 position on Billboard's Top 200 with 187,000 units sold the first week. Van Halen's set is the band's 14th consecutive top 10 album -- stretching back to 1979's "Van Halen II," which topped out at No. 6. The only release in the veteran act's catalog that missed the top 10 was its self-titled 1978 debut, which peaked at No. 19. The group's last studio record, 1998's "Van Halen 3" (with Gary Cherone on lead vocals), debuted and peaked at No. 4 with 191,000 in its first week.

Be sure to visit the following links:
van-halen.com
vhnd.com

UKnowMetal Podcast #001: Jason Becker

On the show tonight, we feature the incredible talent of guitar virtuoso Jason Becker. Listen in as we sample Jason's work over the past 20+ years.

Download: 2012-02-03-UKnowMetal-Podcast (87min)

At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988. Cacophony broke up in 1989 and Becker began doing solo work, having released his first album Perpetual Burn in 1988. He later joined David Lee Roth's band and recorded one album with him. However, Becker's success was hampered by his then-diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and he was given three to five years to live. In 1996, Becker eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Despite his disability, he continues composing by using a computer.

Be sure to visit the following links:
jasonbecker.com
jasonbeckermovie.com
als.net

UKnowMetal Podcast Launches!

After some trials and tribulations we will have our very first (of hopefully many) podcasts featuring the wild, wonderful world of Heavy Music soon! So, join Rick 3, The Captain, Shredmaster Brian and Ready Randy to listen and learn and be sure to tell everyone UKNOWMETAL!