Camel Clutch Cinema - #49: Predator

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Craig and Guy tackle the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger flick Predator. They discuss Jesse The Body Ventura's role in the film, Jean-Claude Van Damme's lack of role in the film, the weird career of Sonny Landham and make some bad Chris Hansen jokes.

Camel Clutch Cinema - #48: Tommy Avallone

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Craig and Guy talk to filmmaker Tommy Avallone about his Kickstarter for his film I Am Santa Claus featuring Mick Foley. Tommy tells us tales of real beard Santas and gay bear Santas. 

Please support Tommy's Kickstarter

Camel Clutch Cinema - #47: Superman II (Part 2)

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In the final part of our 2 part Superman II discussion we are once again joined by Captain Marvelous and Killenberg from the Off the Ropes podcast. We cover the plot of the movie, Superman's full-frontal shot, fake pirates, superhero themed roller coasters, and Bill Cosby.

Jorney to "13": Numbers 11-13

In anticipation of Black Sabbath's new release "13" I will spotlight 13 key tracks from the 8 studio albums that the band recorded and released with Ozzy Osbourne between 1970 and 1978.

Numbers 8-10

From Sabotage

11. "Symptom of the Universe"

Featuring an in your face riff, a great Ozzy vocal, and a spacey, acoustic break, "Symptom of the Universe" is another wonderful showcase of how much range the band possessed.

From Technical Ecstacy (1976)

12. "All Moving Parts Stand Still"

Past their creative peek with Ozzy, Black Sabbath still produced some good music. "All Moving Parts Stand Still" might sound a little dated but the song has a great feel.






From Never Say Die! (1978)

13. "Never Say Die"

Ozzy's swan song. "Never Say Die" finds the band in straight rock territory. The song has a nice, uptempo pace with uplifting lyrics that match the music perfectly. Ozzy has talked Never Say Die! down, but the title cut is nothing to be ashamed of.

Journey to "13": Numbers 8-10

In anticipation of Black Sabbath's new release "13" I will spotlight 13 key tracks from the 8 studio albums that the band recorded and released with Ozzy Osbourne between 1970 and 1978.

Numbers 4-7

From Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

8. "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"

If every band has a Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in their discography then Sabbath Bloody Sabbath would be Black Sabbath's.

The title track opens the album and it rolls at the listener with a dense, pummeling riff. The chorus brings some light, jazzy playing and the post-solo section doesn't sound like it would be out of place on a 1990's Grunge record.

In addition to all of the wonderful musical things going on the song also features one of Ozzy's best vocal deliveries ever. He seems to be dangerously close to the end of his range but never loses it. It's a great performance that any singer would be proud of.

 9. "Spiral Architect"

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is the most progressive sounding of the original 8 Sabbath albums and
"Spiral Architect" is the perfect way to close it.

Starting with an acoustic intro the song launches into a bombastic progression. Ozzy works at the top of his range again and delivers a real emotive vocal. By the time the strings show up the song has taken the listener on quite an exciting sonic journey.

From Sabotage (1975)

10. "Hole in the Sky"

"Hole in the Sky" finds the band in "groove" mode as they deliver a nice swinging riff. Iommi delivers some dizzying fills, while Ward and Butler hold down the bottom.

Journey to "13": Numbers 4-7

In anticipation of Black Sabbath's new release "13" I will spotlight 13 key tracks from the 8 studio albums that the band recorded and released with Ozzy Osbourne between 1970 and 1978. 

Numbers 1-3 

From Master of Reality (1971)

4. "After Forever"

If nothing else "After Forever" puts to rest any idea that Black Sabbath was a "satanic" band. It contains a pro-religious message that could actually come across as pandering.

The opening of the song depends on both Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler playing complementary parts to create a very memorable riff. The appearance of a synthesizer part played by Tommy Iommi is also of note.

5. "Children of the Grave"

One of the heaviest up-tempo songs from the Ozzy-era, "Children of the Grave" is a longtime staple of the live set. Containing several cool sections, I think it's best to just include my favorite version of the song. Live at the California Jam in 1974.

 From Black Sabbath Vol. 4 (1972)

6. "Supernaut"

Another incredibly memorable riff from another great up-tempo song. Bill Wards percussion work and Tony Iommi's trill-heavy solo are two of the highlights. 

7. "Snowblind"

Not the first Black Sabbath song to focus on drug use, "Snowblind" puts cocaine in the spotlight. It features a nice mid-tempo riff with some excellent Bill Ward drumming throughout. 

Journey to "13": Numbers 1-3

In anticipation of Black Sabbath's new release "13" I will spotlight 13 key tracks from the 8 studio albums that the band recorded and released with Ozzy Osbourne between 1970 and 1978. 

 From Black Sabbath (1970):

1. "Black Sabbath"

With its opening bed of rain and thunder followed by a heavy diabolus in musica riff, "Black Sabbath" is the moment that heavy metal music was born.

Featuring lyrics about encountering a not-quite human "figure in black, several peaks and valleys, and an excellent fast paced climax, the song is the sonic equivalent of a horror movie.

2. "The Wizard"

A hypnotic riff from Ozzy's blues harp starts things off before the band  join with an uptempo, blues-tinged riff. The bluesy, groove-filled aspect of Black Sabbath is often over looked. In addition to serving up heavy riffs the band was really able to fall into loose, blues based feels and "The Wizard" is a perfect showcase for both  aspects of the band's sound.

From Paranoid (1970):

3. "Electric Funeral"

A heavy wah-tinged riff is the focal point of "Electric Funeral". Drummer Bill Ward works with the riff, providing an unconventional beat that showcases why he is so important to the band's early sound.

The latter part of the song with quick Tony Iommi chord changes that lead to bluesy-riffing is another perfect example of Sabbath's unique sound.

Camel Clucth Cinema - #46: Superman II (Part 1)

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In part 1 of a 2 part discussion Guy and Craig join Captain Marvelous and Killenberg from the Off the Ropes Podcast to review Monday Night Raw. Talk quickly turns to Superman II featuring former pro-wrestler Pepper Martin. We cover Pepper's career, wrestlers stealing baseball players name, and refusing to break Kayfabe even in death.

Journey to Black Sabbath's 13: Introduction

Next week Black Sabbath will release 13, their first full-length studio album since 1995's Forbidden.* That alone is cause for celebration, but the fact that Ozzy Osbourne is providing vocals for the first time since 1978's Never Say Die is the real selling point.

In anticipation of the new release (and before I provide a complete track by track review) I will spotlight 13 key tracks from the Ozzy Osbourne era during the next few days. This list will be derived from the 8 studio albums that the band recorded and released between 1970 and 1978. It will not include either of the two studio tracks that the band recorded with Ozzy for the 1998 live album Reunion.

With only 13 songs and such a strong catalog I'll jettison some of the more obvious/popular songs that would normally appear on a list like this. I feel that excluding these songs will open slots for some great songs that I feel are worth covering.

* In 2009 the Dio era lineup recorded The Devil You Know under the moniker Heaven and Hell. The band recorded and toured under this name to avoid creating confusion with the active, yet on hiatus, Ozzy fronted version of the band.