Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal

Living Colour’s Vivid: When Rock Refused to Play by the RulesWhat happens when a jazz-trained guitar virtuoso teams up with a Broadway-bound singer, adds Mick Jagger as producer, and sets out to demolish the color lines that 1980s radio had drawn around rock music? You get Vivid, Living Colour’s 1988 debut that kicked down every door with “Cult of Personality” and then refused to play by anyone’s rules.This is an album that proved Black musicians could dominate every corner of rock, from shredding metal to funk grooves to social commentary. It reached number six on the Billboard 200, sold two million copies, and launched a Grammy-winning single that still sounds ahead of its time. If you love the genre-blending creativity of Fishbone, the fearless experimentation of Prince, or the socially conscious hard rock of Rage Against the Machine, this episode explores an essential album that changed what rock could be.Vivid isn’t just a great debut album. It’s the story of the Black Rock Coalition, Vernon Reid’s grassroots movement to challenge the segregation creeping into New York’s rock venues and radio stations. At a time when rock stations stopped playing James Brown next to the Rolling Stones, Living Colour asked: why? They answered with an album that opened for the Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels tour, appeared on Headbangers Ball, and influenced everyone from Tom Morello to the entire alt-metal movement of the ’90s.Episode Highlights0:00 – IntroThe final community-voted album of 2025. Vivid wins with 62% of the Patreon vote.3:30 – Personal ConnectionsChip shares his 1989 encounter with Living Colour at a Cleveland record store, where Corey Glover spontaneously sang a song about his date.12:00 – Album FactsReleased May 2, 1988. Produced by Ed Stasium and Mick Jagger. Features Chuck D and Flavor Flav on “Funny Vibe.” Charted globally and appears on every major “greatest metal albums” list.21:00 – Vernon Reid’s Guitar MasteryJay explores Reid’s creative dominance as guitarist and primary songwriter. His riff writing sounds more like the ’90s than 1988, and nearly every melodic hook is guitar-driven.32:00 – The Black Rock CoalitionVernon Reid’s mission to fight radio segregation and get Black rock musicians back into venues and onto rock radio.38:00 – The Beatles as InspirationThe band intentionally created a diverse, non-cohesive album that could work at any party for any crowd, from metal fans to funk lovers.50:00 – Genre Debates: Metal or Not?Who cares? The album won metal awards and hosted Headbangers Ball, but more importantly, it used heavy riffs to expose listeners to funk, R&B, and social commentary they wouldn’t have heard otherwise.1:03:00 – “Cult of Personality”Deep analysis of one of rock’s most iconic opening tracks and why it set an impossible standard.1:08:00 – “I Want to Know” and “Open Letter (To a Landlord)”How the album moves from poppy hooks to six-minute epics that shift between R&B, funk, and aggressive rock.1:22:00 – “Memories Can’t Wait”The Talking Heads cover that provides breathing room and showcases smart song selection.1:35:00 – Production IssuesThe reverb-heavy ‘80s drums that sometimes work against the band’s raw creativity.1:55:00 – Vernon Reid’s InfluenceTom Morello’s clear debt to Reid’s unconventional guitar techniques and willingness to let the instrument do unexpected things.2:07:00 – Social CommentaryLiving Colour sang about gentrification and displacement when most metal bands were singing about nothing heavier than Saturday night.2:28:00 – Final RatingsThe crew debates production, diversity, and nostalgic attachment.Join the Metal UnionSubscribe at digmeoutpodcast.com and join the Metal Union at dmounion.com to vote on future albums, unlock bonus episodes, and join our private Discord community where real music discussions happen every day. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

Motörhead - Ace of Spades: The Bar Band That Redefined Metal (Whether They Liked It Or Not)What happens when you salvage a beaten‑up classic from the graveyard? You discover why Motörhead’s Ace of Spades remains one of the most influential rock albums of all time—even if Lemmy himself refused to call it metal.Recorded in six weeks during the summer of 1980 and unleashed that October, Ace of Spades is 36 minutes of raw, boogie‑infused rock and roll cranked up to 11. On this episode of Dig Me Out: 80s Metal, hosts Jason Ziad, Tim Minneci, and Chip Midnight resurrect this second‑chance poll winner to explore why this album sounds like nothing else—and why that matters.The classic lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, “Fast” Eddie Clarke, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor weren’t trying to invent metal. They were channeling Chuck Berry, ZZ Top, and Thin Lizzy through a blown amp, adding a danceable swing that inspired everyone from Metallica and Slayer to The Hellacopters and New Bomb Turks. This is the sound of a band that knew exactly what they did well and executed it with surgical precision—even when they got sick of playing “Ace of Spades” every night.If you love early Van Halen, AC/DC, the Ramones, or the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, this episode is for you. We break down how Lemmy’s voice became the second guitar, why Eddie Clarke’s playing is criminally underrated, and what it means when an album charts everywhere from Sweden to Greece but barely makes a dent in the U.S.Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro: Why this listener‑suggested album almost didn’t happen01:38 – The “second chance poll” rescue mission and how Testament won the first round05:42 – Chip’s legendary three‑question interview with Lemmy (spoiler: he left to “freshen his drink”)10:09 – Album history: recorded August–September 1980, produced by Vic Maile (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Clapton)14:25 – Lemmy’s time in Hawkwind, The Damned, and as Jimi Hendrix’s roadie17:29 – (We Are) The Road Crew – Why Lemmy’s tribute to roadies still makes crew members cry18:20 – The “Ace of Spades” legend: Why Lemmy sang “eight of spades” for years and nobody noticed19:02 – What Works: Jay breaks down the 70s swing, boogie‑rock energy, and danceable aggression25:14 – Fast and Loose – The ZZ Top‑meets‑Motörhead shuffle that proves this is rock and roll27:07 – How Motörhead influenced thrash, punk, and 90s action rock (Hellacopters, New Bomb Turks)31:54 – The Chase Is Better Than the Catch – The Van Halen‑inspired riff that almost wasn’t34:18 – Eddie Clarke’s guitar genius: Why “Fast” Eddie is the secret weapon of this album37:58 – What Doesn’t Work: Aged lyrics, formulaic moments, and why Lemmy’s voice is an acquired taste42:34 – Why fade‑outs are the album’s worst decision48:53 – Final Verdicts: Worthy Album, Better EP, or Decent Single?55:37 – Gavin Reed gets credit for suggesting this album (and arguing with Jay about whether it’s metal)Keep the Conversation GoingThis album came back from the dead because a listener like you suggested it. What record deserves a second chance? What forgotten classic or underrated gem should we dig out next?Join the Metal Union at digmeoutpodcast.com suggest and vote on future albums. Paid subscribers get access to bonus episodes covering 70s rock, 80s metal, and 2000s rock, plus new release reviews and our private Discord community where the debates never stop.Pick an album and join us on the podcast at dmounion.com.For Jason, Chip, and Tim—thanks for digging with us. We’ll see you next time on Dig Me Out: 80s Metal. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

Before Operation: Mindcrime, there was this.Queensrÿche’s 1984 debut The Warning is the album that almost didn’t happen—at least not the way the band intended. While they were touring Japan, EMI executives remixed and completely rearranged their progressive metal masterpiece without permission, burying the band’s weirdest, most ambitious material deeper in the tracklist. But even with corporate interference, The Warning stands as a pivotal moment in metal history: a Seattle band crafting something that sounded like nothing else in 1984, blending Iron Maiden gallops with Genesis-level prog complexity and Jeff Tate’s otherworldly operatic vocals.In this episode, we break down why this debut matters—not just as a stepping stone to Mindcrime and Empire, but as a document of a band discovering their identity in real time. We debate whether it’s a hidden gem or a rough draft, explore the label drama that reshaped the album’s sequence, and dive into the tracks that reveal Queensrÿche’s DNA: from the Maiden-esque power of “Deliverance” to the robotic sci-fi weirdness of “NM 156.” This is Double-A ball before the majors—you can see the talent, hear the potential, and witness five musicians isolated in Seattle creating something that would change progressive metal forever.If you love Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Fates Warning, or Dream Theater, this episode is for you.Episode Highlights0:00 – Intro: Poll results and how The Warning won the Metal Union vote5:23 – Album context: Queensrÿche in 1984—Seattle isolation and the progressive metal blueprint12:45 – “Deliverance” – The opening track that wasn’t supposed to open the album18:32 – The EMI remix controversy: How the label rearranged the album while the band toured Japan24:15 – “NM 156” – The weird, jazzy, robotic prog odyssey that terrified record executives31:40 – Jeff Tate’s voice at 24: Operatic range, theatrical character work, and why he’s more than just “metal Bruce Dickinson”38:50 – “Take Hold of the Flame” – The anthem that hints at Operation: Mindcrime44:20 – Geography matters: Why being in Seattle (not L.A.) saved this band from breaking up51:10 – “Road to Madness” – Epic ambition or forced prog? Debating the 10-minute closer58:30 – The verdict: EP, worthy album, or rough draft? The hosts cast their votes1:03:15 – What comes next: Rage for Order, Mindcrime, and the evolution into metal immortalityJoin the ConversationThis album won because you voted for it. Now it’s your turn again—what 80s metal album should we break down next? Head to digmeoutpodcast.com to join the Metal Union, vote on future episodes, access bonus content, and join our private Discord community. Keep the show ad-free and help us dig deeper at dmounion.com.Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts. Got a deep cut we need to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments or hit us up on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

Ever wondered why some killer 70s rock albums slipped through history’s cracks? This week, Dig Me Out listeners unearth Pluto’s self-titled 1971 LP—an overlooked slab of psychedelic hard rock, boogie vibes, and vintage cosmic groove. Join us as we dig up the story of the London band with festival creds, a jaw-dropping album cover, and a sound that’s part Blue Öyster Cult, part proto-metal pioneers, but all obscurity.Pluto wasn’t a household name, but they were closer to the big leagues than you’d think: opening for Thin Lizzy and T. Rex, dropping a record with colored vinyl (ultra-rare for the era!), and chasing UK stardom with ace basslines and fuzzed-out guitars. In this episode, we debate the lost art of 70s rock vocals, the magic of live-in-the-room dynamics, and why some racks collect dust while others become classics. If you’re into Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult, early Rush, or chasing forgotten bands through dusty record bins, this is your episode.Episode Highlights0:00 – Theme & Intro – Welcome to the 70s Rock spotlight; how Pluto edged out Trapeze, Julian’s Treatment, and Dr. Z in the October poll7:30 – Band Origins & Album History – London roots, the Foundations connection, gigging with scene legends, and a wild album art backstory15:20 – The Sound of the Era – Acid rock vs. proto-metal: where Pluto lands, and why categories were still blurry in ‘7122:45 – “She’s Innocent” – Acoustic/electric interplay and why this track defines Pluto’s subtle power27:10 – B-Side Deep Dive – From “Beauty Queen” to “Mr. Westwood”: the grooves, the jams, and the dream of finding this record for $833:50 – “Ragabone Joe” – The oddball campfire sing-along that splits the hosts—endearing or skippable?39:00 – Better Album, EP, or Single? – The ultimate verdict: trimming, sequencing, and fantasy resurrections with a killer vocalistReady to keep the needle moving? Subscribe, tell your friends, and dig even deeper with us at digmeoutpodcast.com and dmounion.com. Suggest the next lost classic for our polls, join our Discord, and fuel our record hunts across decades. Let’s keep unearthing rock’s forgotten gems—together! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

When Testament finished touring behind their debut album The Legacy, they had zero songs written for a follow-up. The label didn’t care—they demanded another record immediately. Scrambling to fulfill their contract’s 40-minute minimum, the Bay Area thrash band wrote The New Order in the studio, added an Aerosmith cover, tossed in some classical-influenced instrumentals, and somehow delivered one of 1988’s most essential thrash metal albums.In this episode of Dig Me Out 80s Metal, hosts Jason Ziak, Tim Minneci, and Chip Midnight explore how Testament turned deadline panic into precision thrash. They break down Alex Skolnick’s astonishing guitar work (recorded when he was just 19 years old), Chuck Billy’s evolving vocal style, the power grooves that made Testament stand apart from their thrash peers, and why this album should’ve earned them a spot in the “Big Five” of thrash metal alongside Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.If you love Metallica, Anthrax, Overkill, or Bay Area thrash metal, this episode unpacks why The New Order remains a thrash clinic 37 years later.Episode Highlights:0:00 – Introduction to 80s Metal poll results and Testament’s victory over Motörhead, Anthrax, and Blackfoot1:03 – Band history: Testament’s origins as Legacy, their Bay Area roots, and the contract crisis that shaped The New Order3:47 – What works: Alex Skolnick’s classical-influenced precision playing at age 19, the power grooves, and the locked-in rhythm section8:12 – “Into the Pit” – Why Testament’s most-played live song became a thrash anthem (even though it’s not about moshing)12:20 – “Disciples of the Watch” – Breaking down one of the album’s heaviest tracks and Skolnick’s sweeping guitar mastery15:04 – The Aerosmith cover: How “Nobody’s Fault” became an unexpected highlight and showcased Testament’s versatility18:29 – The instrumentals: “Hypnosis” and “The Dirge” as atmospheric breathers that elevate the album’s pacing21:44 – “Trial by Fire” – The single that featured on MTV’s Headbangers Ball and showcased Testament’s unique arrangements24:03 – What doesn’t work: Chuck Billy’s Metallica-influenced vocals and missed melodic opportunities29:59 – Original vs. remastered versions: Why the remaster brings the bass and drums forward for a fuller sound34:47 – Worthy Album ratings across the board and why this is Testament’s quintessential record40:05 – Testament’s evolution from The New Order to their heavier modern sound on 2025’s ParabellumSubscribe to Dig Me Out for weekly deep dives into 70s rock, 80s metal, 90s alternative, and 2000s rock. Join the Metal Union at digmeoutpodcast.com to vote on future albums, access bonus episodes, and connect with fellow rock fans in our private Discord community. Keep the podcast ad-free and support the next episode at dmounion.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe