Twin Terrors Macabre Manor of Mead Metal and Mayhem

Episode 019 -- The Mari Lwyd and Modern Christmas Creatures

Welcome to the second Solstice/Christmas episode!  Enjoy a bit on the Mari Lwyd from Wales and hobby horses, as well as more modern winter beasties! 

James also lets you know how he saves all our lives at the Solstice! 

 

Also, if you like mumming, you might like this song (The Mummer's Song (a Newfoundland Christmas tradition): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzJW65XwKPY .

 

 

Episode 018 -- Ghost Stories and Dreadful Beings of Christmas Time

Welcome to another seasonal themed episode!  We figured with all the Halloween episodes, we could at least do one or two at Christmas.  You may notice a distinct theme, though, as we're still sticking with the spooky stuff.  Enjoy our discussion of the history of telling ghost stories at Christmas, some of the horrific beings that roam the country side in the dark of winter, and a bit on traditions.

Mentioned in the episode are these two articles, for your perusing enjoyment:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/plea-resurrect-christmas-tradition-telling-ghost-stories-180967553/?fbclid=IwAR2PlEeM_VDl7gwlVPRTSzeQro2oSy621phJc5oGTIkG42_0a7LUP1AFROI

https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Crossroads-a-liminal-setting-for-occult-and-supernatural-activities

 

Happy Yule and see you next week with another Christmas theme as we visit Wales!  Wassail!

Episode 017 -- Mead Lore of the Celts!

Finally!  The Terrors discuss part of their title, when they go into the depths of mead (and bees and honey and whats-not), from the ancient Celts to more modern Celtic countries (you know, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the lot).  This is part one of a series of three (although I'm sure we'll eventually do more).

If you do want a bit more, go here: https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Slainte-The-Celtic-Wassail-the-histories-and-folklore-of-mead-and-honey-in-Celtic-lands

 

Episode 016 -- Scrooge McDuck, sharper than the sharpies

Welcome to a week 5 episode!  November has five Fridays, so we thought we'd share our thoughts on the best comic book character ever, Scrooge McDuck!  Okay, James wanted to share this with you -- Jody gives his thoughts on the best characters, too (even if he's wrong).  Although not discussed in the podcast, James also wanted to mention an album (which he owns and enjoys) based on the life and times of Scrooge McDuck by progressive metal artist Tuomas Holopainen: Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge.  

Episode image taken by James from a comic he owns.

Episode 015 -- The Difficulties of Dedicated Listening

Have you ever tried to focus on just one album at a time, getting into the music and the artwork and the time period and the artist's thoughts at the time? It's tough!  We've tried it and it's not so easy, as we discovered.  Join us as we discuss it here.  James gets into Led Zeppelin a bit and we even bring up The Hobbit!

Image file from a poster James owns.

Here's a link to the original NPR article mentioned in the episode: https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/01/16/578216674/too-much-music-a-failed-experiment-in-dedicated-listening

 

Episode 014 -- Thoughts on Kiss' Farewell Tour

KISS has announced their final tour and we have our thoughts on that.  Well, Jody mostly has thoughts on that, but James has his curmudgeon moments, as well.  Also, basic thoughts and history of the band.  If you liked this episode, check we also mention them in our Corpse Paint episode and you might also like more on glam with our episode on The Sweet.

Episode image taken from an album Jody owns.

Episode 013 - The Sweet: the rock, the rage, the glam, the glory

Come with us and explore the glamtastic world of The Sweet!  Known for their hits Ballroom Blitz, Little Willy, Fox on the Run, and many more, those fantastic grandfathers (some might say grandmothers!) of glam metal blistered the eyes and pleased the ears.  We go into detail from their start to their finish, with their hits and their connections... Are you ready, Steve?

Episode 012 -- music and comedy of the '60s (a cultural watershed)

Getting back to non-spooky October topics!  In this, we discuss the cultural watershed that was the 1960s, notably in music (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and others) and comedy (Monty Python), and how it got there from after World War II.  

Episode 011 -- Happy Halloween! True stories of Ouija Boards and Seances!

True and terrifying tales of demonic goodness!  Have a happy Halloween and a sweet Samhain! 

Episode 010 -- Halloween special: Trick or Treat (the 1986 movie)

Welcome to the Manor!  Herein we discuss the 1986 horror-comedy flick "Trick or Treat," which features Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons, but only in very small roles.  Remember, don't ever backward mask! Snicker snicker.