28 Sep Episode 54 – Radical Miscellany: 7 Degrees of Norwegian Metal Separation & Uli Kusch Glorified
part 1:
In which Hunter is assigned a 7 Degrees of Separation task, with these parameters: begin in Norwegian metal, end in Norwegian metal. Betwixt, he was free to roam. We start at Ivar Bjornson (Enslaved) and end with Morty Black (TNT). Hunter’s route is circuitous, but he did it. Good show, Radish! [We won’t reveal the entire chain here…you’ll just have to listen.]
part 2:
In which we celebrate Uli Kusch. We don’t know when his birthday is. We aren’t celebrating an anniversary. And, thankfully, Uli Kusch didn’t just die. We are simply taking a brief look at a German drummer we have always appreciated and consider underrated in the grander scheme. We glance at a few snippets of his work in Mekong Delta, Helloween and Holy Moses, because it’s the right thing to do and the right way to do it.
Note I:
Turns out, Hunter could’ve skipped a whole step! Ivar Bjornson and Einar Selvik have recorded together: under both their names, they released Skuggsjá – A Piece for Mind & Mirror in 2016 and Hugsjá in 2018. But his assignment was seven degrees, not six, and he pulled through righteously.
Note II:
An unintentional link between this episode’s two parts: Uli Kusch now lives in Norway. We would love if he joined TNT and put more wheels within our other wheels within wheels.
Note III:
In the beginning of this episode we talk about the new Ulver book, Wolves Evolve. We urge all Norwegophiles to buy it here: https://www.indiemerchstore.com/item/90855
Note IV:
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Music cited, in order of appearance:
part 1:
Enslaved, “Mardraum” (Mardraum: Beyond the Within, 2000)
Gorgoroth, “Incipit Satan” (Incipit Satan, 2000)
Wardruna, “Hagal” (Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga, 2009)
Exodus, “Pleasures of the Flesh” (Pleasures of the Flesh, 1988)
Metallica, “Through the Never” (Metallica, 1991)
TNT, “Desperate Night” (Tell No Tales, 1987)
part 2:
Mekong Delta, “The Gnome” (The Gnome [EP], 1987)
Helloween, “Revelation” (Better Than Raw, 1998)
Holy Moses, “Current of Death” (entire song) (Finished With the Dogs, 1987)
Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.
This is Radical Research Podcast episode 54