Classic Metal Show

Osad

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  Is Alex Van Halen's $475 Signed Book Really Worth It? 25.09.2026 17min

  Alex Van Halen has a new book coming — and the price tag becomes the real story.GET ALEX VAN HALEN’S BOOK BROTHERS IN HARDCOVER HERE: https://amzn.to/4isjkoENeeley and Chris Akin dig into the book’s expensive signed edition, the unreleased 1974 demo included with it, the option to make monthly payments, and the surprising numbers being discussed when it comes to Van Halen’s alleged net worth.Then the conversation takes a turn into the economics of rock stardom, with comparisons involving Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Don Henley, Darius Rucker, Steven Tyler and Gene Simmons.And if you thought the $20 meal-ticket story was ridiculous, wait until you hear the towel story.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Are Motley Crue Fans Finally Sick of the Reissues? 25.09.2026 16min

  Motley Crue is back with another reissue, and the reaction here is anything but enthusiastic.GET MOTLEY CRUE’S TOO FAST FOR LOVE 45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4AfzHeINeeley and Chris Akin go deep on why they believe Motley Crue has become the king of recycling its own catalog, whether there’s actually anything worthwhile about the latest package, and why the band’s history of anniversary editions has become so frustrating.They also revisit Too Fast for Love, Shout at the Devil, Dr. Feelgood, the influence of Bob Rock, Metallica’s Black Album, and the absurd prices attached to some of the Motley Crue collectibles being sold to fans.And yes, the question comes up: are fans simply willing to keep paying for it?Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Did Grandmaster Flash Really Invent Modern Hip-Hop? 25.09.2026 26min

  What if one of the biggest musical revolutions in history started because a DJ was pissed off that the best part of a record was always over too damn fast?DON'T WAIT! GET YOUR COPY OF GRANDMASTER FLASH'S BOOK BIRTH OF A CULTURE NOW!! https://amzn.to/4bXCiPUThat’s where this conversation gets really interesting.Grandmaster Flash goes deep into the experimentation, science and sheer ingenuity behind the techniques that helped build hip-hop—from extending drum breaks and creating a musical bed for MCs to throwing park parties with makeshift sound systems long before the record industry understood what was happening.He also explains how hip-hop escaped New York, why it took so long for the mainstream to recognize what had been created, and why so many of the people who helped build the culture still aren’t remembered the way they should be.GET ALL THE BEST CMS MERCH HERE: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/And then there’s the really crazy part: techniques invented in the 1970s are now embedded in rock, metal, pop and electronic music all over the planet.It’s a hell of a story—and Birth of a Culture finally puts much of it on paper.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Why Does Harry Whitley Sound So Much Like John Wetton? 25.09.2026 28min

  Walking into Asia as the new vocalist means stepping directly into the crosshairs of fans who know every note, every lyric and every inflection.GET INDIGO FROM ASIA ON VINYL HERE: https://classicmetalshow.locals.comHarry Whitley doesn’t shy away from that pressure. He talks about the John Wetton comparison, the challenge of performing the classic songs, and what changed when he finally got the chance to help create brand-new Asia music with Geoff Downes.Then there’s Indigo — the album that puts his own stamp on the band and forces the obvious question: can a new era of Asia actually satisfy fans who grew up with the classics?Harry also gets into working with some seriously intimidating musicians, the band’s chemistry behind the scenes, touring plans, fan reaction and why buying the music still matters in the streaming era.There’s a lot more going on here than just another new album interview.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Is Slayer Still Better Than Almost Every Metal Band? 24.09.2026 48min

  Slayer is back, but the bigger question is whether a band that supposedly retired can still justify the hype every time it steps onstage.GET SLAYER’S SOUNDTRACK TO THE APOCALYPSE BOX SET HERE: https://amzn.to/46qWmH9Neeley and Chris Akin go deep on why Slayer’s limited appearances may actually make the band more valuable, why the live show remains an absolute assault on the senses, whether six shows a year can make more sense than recording and touring, and why Kerry King’s solo project simply doesn’t have the same pull as Slayer itself.They also revisit the insanity of old-school Slayer shows, the Clash of the Titans era, Seasons in the Abyss, the difference between nostalgia and actually delivering onstage, and the bizarre contrast between Tom Araya’s stage persona and the person they describe away from the microphone.Then the conversation turns to Megadeth, Dokken, lineup changes, and whether some classic metal bands have become little more than the name attached to whoever happens to be in the current lineup.And when they actually watch recent Slayer footage, the reaction is pretty much what you’d expect.Four guys.A ridiculous amount of noise.And Slayer still sounding like Slayer.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Was This 70s Rocker Actually a Satanic Cult Leader? (2018 Archive) 23.09.2026 39min

  70s rock was built on pure degeneracy, but one iconic guitarist allegedly took things to a whole new level of dark, twisted weirdness. From bizarre occult rituals and creepy groupie encounters to accusations of literal black magic, the stories behind Led Zeppelin make regular rock star antics look like Sunday school. Were these guys just completely burnt-out junkies playing mind games, or was there actually something sinister pulling the strings? We dive into the most unhinged allegations from a new tell-all book and break down whether the hype is real or total bullshit.YOU NEED TO HAVE ALL THE LED ZEPPELIN, AND IT’S HERE IN A SINGLE COLLECTION: https://amzn.to/4hkjSuxWatch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Lee Payne: Why Cloven Hoof Thinks Its Best Years Are Happening Right Now 23.09.2026 28min

  Cloven Hoof has been pounding away at heavy metal for decades, but Lee Payne says something very interesting is happening right now: the band may be in the strongest creative period of its entire career.GET NEVER A PROPHET IN YOUR OWN LAND FROM CLOVEN HOOF ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4qogwKWIn this conversation, Lee gets into the new album Never a Prophet in Your Own Land, why Cloven Hoof keeps pushing itself instead of playing it safe, how Harry Conklin completely changed the band’s songwriting possibilities, and why the new record was far from the end of the road.There’s also the story behind that album title—and why it connects to Cloven Hoof’s history, the British metal press, and the late Russ North in a way that’s much more personal than you’d expect.Then we get into songwriting inspiration, cancelled touring plans, the evolution of heavy metal, and why Lee believes the music has survived for nearly 50 years despite everything the industry has thrown at it.If you’re a fan of Cloven Hoof, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, classic heavy metal, or just musicians who still have something to say, this one is worth your time.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Was Evel Knievel’s Snake River Canyon Jump Really A Fake? 23.09.2026 47min

  Was Evel Knievel’s infamous Snake River Canyon jump the real deal—or was it one giant piece of television trickery?GET THE EVEL KNIEVEL STUNT CYCLE TOY HERE: https://amzn.to/4gRInQNA CMS fan sent in a theory that takes the conspiracy route: maybe Evel was never actually inside the SkyCycle when it launched, maybe the whole thing was camera manipulation, and maybe the “failed” landing was part of the plan.Neeley and Chris Akin tear into that theory while watching the original footage, looking at what can actually be seen during the launch, the parachute failure, the crash, Evel’s rescue, and his condition immediately afterward.And then there’s the bigger question: if this was all fake, why would anybody bother staging a failure?The discussion also gets into the SkyCycle’s intended landing, the later recreation of the jump, Evel’s other crashes, Wembley Stadium, King’s Island, and why comparing Evel’s motorcycle jumps with Robbie Knievel’s is a lot more complicated than simply comparing the numbers.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Were Fake Shoes the Best Souvenir From Korea? 23.09.2026 10min

  Chris Akin opens up about one of the strangest souvenirs from his time in Korea: buying ridiculously cheap knockoff shoes and eventually sending around 200 pairs home. That leads into stories about fake Rolexes, custom-made tuxedos, a blood-covered white tux jacket, broken hands, and the very questionable lengths he went to in the 1980s to impress girls.GET ALEX VAN HALEN’S BROTHERS IN HARDCOVER HERE: https://amzn.to/4cGGgwHAnd yes, somehow Corey Hart, Adam Ant, The Romantics and Katrina and the Waves all become part of the story.It’s nostalgia, bad decisions, questionable fashion and classic CMS stupidity all rolled into one conversation.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Is This the Most Unprepared Jeff Beck Interview Ever? 22.09.2026 35min

  What happens when you’re supposed to interview the guy who wrote a book about Jeff Beck… and you suddenly realize you know almost nothing about Jeff Beck?Get Steve Rosen’s Jeff Beck Stories: The Original Punk: From Yardbird to The Guitar Shop (Tonechaser) in Hardcover here: https://amzn.to/4AcBnW9 That’s where this conversation goes completely off the rails.There’s also an update on the upcoming CMS book, plans for the 30th-anniversary commemorative logo and merchandise, a brutally honest argument over Pulp Fiction, and a long detour into celebrity-driven sneaker culture involving Nike, Adidas, Puma, Michael Jordan, Run-DMC and Korn.In other words, exactly the kind of conversation you’d expect when nobody is trying too hard to behave.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Can Anything Good Still Come Back? 22.09.2026 28min

  Chris Akin and Neeley open up about a brutal week, from a sudden death in Chris’s circle and his mother’s surgery to the grind of work and the increasingly bizarre world they see around them.GET SLAYER’S REPENTLESS LIMITED EDITION BOX SET ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4r8QDzfFrom there, the conversation goes everywhere: Chris’s ongoing attempt to lose weight, AI-generated thumbnails, the insanity of online comments, kids still wearing masks outdoors, Brandon Herrera’s congressional campaign, the state of American politics, and whether the country has reached the point of no return.And naturally, the show takes a hard left turn into a completely unofficial ranking of the women Grok considers the most popular celebrity “jerk-off” targets.It’s a very CMS conversation: serious one minute, completely ridiculous the next.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  CMS LIVE 9/12/26: Are Legacy Bands Turning Their Fans Into Cash Machines? 21.09.2026 3t 24min

  Slayer destroys Rocklahoma. Alex Van Halen puts a serious price on nostalgia. And Mötley Crüe finds yet another reason to repackage Too Fast For Love.Is this giving fans something worth buying—or just another trip to the cash register?Neeley and Chris Akin break it all down with the usual unfiltered opinions, sarcasm and metal insanity.SLAYER — REIGN IN BLOOD: https://amzn.to/4yswOVYALEX VAN HALEN — BROTHERS: https://amzn.to/4AsqkZhMÖTLEY CRÜE — TOO FAST FOR LOVE: https://amzn.to/46pMihAJoin the CMS Locals / VIP community for the uncensored CMS experience and exclusive content: https://www.theclassicmetalshow.comWARNING: THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW IS OPINION AND ENTERTAINMENT. THE VIEWS, COMMENTS, JOKES, SPECULATION AND ASSHOLE-ERY EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE THE OPINIONS OF THE HOSTS AND CONTRIBUTORS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS FACT, NEWS, OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.#TheClassicMetalShow #CMS #Slayer #VanHalen #MotleyCrue #Rocklahoma #ClassicMetal This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  How Much Do Your Favorite 80s And 90s Bands Cost? (2017 Archives) 21.09.2026 1t 55min

  The concert business is a total joke, and the asking prices for these washed-up acts will make your jaw drop. Weezy leaked an actual 2017 booking sheet showing what 80s, 90s, and classic rock bands are demanding per show. Neeley and Chris Akin run through the numbers, guessing what these guys command versus what they actually pull in. You won’t believe what some of these one-hit wonders and ghost lineups think they’re worth. Is the live music market completely broken, or are promoters actually dumb enough to pay these rates?KILLER! MEGADETH’S SELF-TITLED FINAL RELEASE ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4xsumxPWatch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Is This Medical Crisis the Real Reason for Cinderella's Shocking Cancellation? (2008 Archive) 18.09.2026 25min

  When a massive summer tour suddenly gets pulled out from under the fans, everyone starts pointing fingers. Is it internal band drama, or did a terrifying medical emergency completely derail their comeback? Eric Brittingham steps up to clear the air about what went down in the rehearsal room right before everything imploded, how a sudden throat issue changed everything, and what this means for his own side project, The Naked Beggars. Plus, hear the raw truth about surviving heart attacks, keeping a band together when you’re married to the singer, and why Lemmy Kilmister will always be the ultimate rock god.DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THIS EXISTED!! CINDERELLA - THE MERCURY YEARS HERE: https://amzn.to/4h7RawzWatch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Why Did David Lee Roth Spend $30,000 After Stopping For A Hot Dog? 18.09.2026 53min

  David Lee Roth has a story for everything — and this one somehow turns a stop at Pink’s Hot Dogs into a $30,000 private-jet bill.GET VAN HALEN’S STUDIO ALBUMS 1978-1984 HERE: https://amzn.to/4iPQuytDiamond Dave goes deep into the Van Halen days, talking supermodels, chili dogs, missed flights, limousines, private jets and the kind of rock-and-roll excess that makes you wonder how any of these guys survived the ‘80s.And the best part? Neeley and Chris Akin are sitting there watching this absolute insanity unfold and loving every second of it.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Is This the Worst Radio Call In History? (2009 Archive) 17.09.2026 4min

  An unruly caller thinks they can step into the ring and command the airwaves, but things take a wild turn real fast. Watch how a simple request turns into complete chaos, unfiltering raw reactions, insults, and classic guitar-shredding showdowns. You have to hear how this caller gets absolutely dismantled on live radio.GREAT NEWS!! PLUSH’S MASS HYSTERIA IS HERE: https://amzn.to/4diD2j2Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Could Classic Rock's Biggest Stars Be Hurting Their Own Legacy? 17.09.2026 46min

  How do you know when a rock star has reached the point where it's time to walk away?SCORPIONS’ BOX OF SCORPIONS AVAILABLE HERE: https://amzn.to/46tCCTrThe Scorpions postponing their Las Vegas residency kicks off a much bigger conversation about aging performers, declining live shows and whether continuing to tour can actually damage the legacy an artist spent decades building.GET ALL THE BEST CMS MERCH HERE: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/But the discussion doesn't stop there. Could artists like David Lee Roth find a completely different way to stay in the spotlight — one built around stories, fan questions and stripped-down performances instead of trying to recreate the past?And what happened to the old-school system where seeing one established band could lead you to discovering the next great one?It's a pretty damn good argument about where classic rock is headed — and whether the old guard knows when it's time to make room.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Can Don Dokken Survive This Stage Feedback Meltdown? (2016 Archive) 16.09.2026 39min

  What happens when a veteran rock frontman loses his cool over bad audio monitor mix issues on stage? Don Dokken found out the hard way after unleashing a viral rant on his own venue crowd. Neeley and Chris Akin dive straight into the brutal fallout from a disastrous Michigan concert where bad sound and outrageous remarks sent half the audience heading for the exit.You Can’t Live Without Dokken’s The Elektra Albums 1983-1987 [5 LP Boxset] - https://amzn.to/4xXFjbLGet the unfiltered backstage truth about what the band members actually said, hear live fan caller reactions from people who were in the venue, and find out if Don Dokken went too far this time.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Is Journey Already Looking For Its Next Singer? 16.09.2026 59min

  John Corabi has finally opened up about what happened with The Dead Daisies — and his explanation has us wondering if walking away was really the only option.JOHN CORABI’S NEW DAY HERE ON VINYL: https://amzn.to/4yh2EoyCorabi says he was told the band was taking a year off, only to see plans change around the Live at Stone Dead release and the timing of his solo album. Did the Dead Daisies move the goalposts, or did Corabi simply decide he’d had enough?And then there’s Journey. A Steve Perry look-alike and sound-alike named Hugo Valentin suddenly appeared onstage in Japan to sing “Faithfully.” Was it just a guest appearance, or could Journey be giving fans a preview of what’s next?Two huge rock stories, two very different situations, and plenty for us to argue about.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe
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  Could Chris Finally Escape The House? 15.09.2026 59min

  Chris has apparently reached the point where the work-home-work-home routine is starting to drive him fucking crazy.So what’s the solution? Get the hell out of the house.GET ALL THE BEST CMS MERCH HERE: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/The guys get into getting back to live music, the shows Chris wants to see, and why HammerFall is finally getting another live appearance after all these years. But the conversation also takes a more personal turn as they talk about losing friends, serious health scares, and the uncomfortable realization that you can get way too comfortable doing absolutely nothing.And naturally, it doesn’t stay serious for long. TVs, smartphones, sleeping with talk radio, true crime, and plenty of completely unnecessary CMS oversharing all make their way into the conversation.Maybe getting out of the house really is the cure.Watch commercial free and without delayed publishing by becoming a CMS VIP at https://classicmetalshow.locals.comAll comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe