May 15th, 2026 - Feel the Fire of the Back Draught

 

Hello and happy Friday, thrashers, metal maniacs, and craft beer lovers!  The Meista here pairing a delicious Back Draught American Style Pilsner from my friends at Ogden Beer Company and the fast, furious, and heavy hitting "Feel The Fire", the debut album from the mighty Overkill!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Overkill
• Title: "Feel The Fire"
• Recorded: 1985 at Pyramid Studios in Ithaca, New York,
• Release date:  (1st full-length studio album by Overkill)
• Record company: Megaforce Records
• Production: Carl Canedy and Jon Zazula 
• Album cover art: Mark Callisto (photography)
• Personnel: Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (vocals), Bobby Gustafson (guitars), Rat Skates (drums), and D.D. Verni (bass)
• Musical style: Thrash metal
• Sound: Raw, fast, fiery, and full of piss and vinegar, this is where it all began!  These tracks are pure, unadulterated thrash metal joy with a healthy dose of punk influence!  Blitz's vocals peel the paint of the walls while Gustafson's guitar licks metal your face!
• Major themes: Death, aggression, anger, rebellion, violence, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Raise The Dead"
2. "Rotten To The Core"
3. "There's No Tomorrow"
4. "Second Son"
5. "Hammerhead"
6. "Feel The Fire"
7. "Blood And Iron"
8. "Kill At Command"
9. "Overkill"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ogden Beer Company (Ogden, Utah) 
• Website: http://www.ogdenbeercompany.com/ 
• Brew: Back Draught American Style Pilsner
• Style: American Pilsner
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Back Draught pours a clear, bright golden-yellow hue with a 2-finger, bright white, frothy head with great retention and lots of soapy, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a characterized by grainy, malty, and slightly fruity aromas.  There are aromas of freshly cut hay, lightly toasted white bread, Pilsner malt, light biscuit, and a hint of apple.
• Taste: Well-balanced, the Back Draught is a nice blend of bready, grainy, malty, and subtly fruity flavors.  There are notes of toasted white bread, crackery biscuit, .
• Mouthfeel: Light in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is of the Back Draught is crisp and smooth with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing: The inviting and crushable flavors and aromas of the delicious Back Draught American Style Pilsner from Ogden Beer Company is a great brew for the crush whilst banging your head and shaking your fists to the heavy-duty thrash metal onslaught that is the legendary Overkill!  'Nuff said!

Make sure to check out my interview from 2022 with ex-Overkill guitarist Bobby Gustafson here: https://youtu.be/_h-ZAvO_HwE

And check out my interview with the album's producer, the legendary Carl Canedy of The Rods here: https://youtu.be/ntpKr1xwNqM

Cheers and hails!!

May 14th, 2026 - Good News from the Liberty Project

 

Hello and happy Thursday proggers, rockers, and artisan brew fans!  The Meista here this evening pairing the fantastic "The Liberty Project" by the late, great Edward Reekers and a very delicious, complex, and fruity Good News Oak Aged Saison from the fine folks at Home Range Brewing! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Edward Reekers
• Title: "The Liberty Project"
• Recorded: 2023
• Release date: August 4th, 2023 (4th studio album by Edward Reekers)
• Record company: Music Theories Recordings 
• Production: Edward Reekers
• Album cover art: George Grie (artwork) and Gustavo Sazes (logo and layout)
• Personnel: Edward Reekers (keyboards, percussion, and lead and backing vocals) 
• Additional and guest musicians: Johannes Adema (bass), Peter Bauchwitz (backing vocals), Adriaan Breunis (viola), Mark Bogert (guitars), Marcela Bovio (backing vocals),  John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers (lead vocals on "The Disease"), Marieke De Bruijn (violin), Ian De Jong (violin), Marije de Jong (cello), Loes Dooren (violin), Jeroen Goossens (flute and bassoon), Steve Hackett (guitar on "The Clash Of Belief"), Hubert Heeringa (brass and saxophone on "The Break Up"), Koen Herfst (drums), Marcel Jonker (lead vocals on "Money"), Mark Lennon (lead vocals on "Turn To Us, Learn From Us"), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (guitar and bass on "The Disease"), Ben Mathot (violin), Bert Meulendijk (guitar on "The Break Up"), Mark Mulder (viola), Mark Omvlee (choir vocals on "Patients, Have Patience"), Cindy Oudshoorn (lead and backing vocals), PA'DAM (lead vocals on "The Clash Of Belief"), Trevor Reekers (drum programming on "Two Lifetimes"),  Arno Schlijper (piano on "Out Of The Past... (Prologue)", "As Good As Any Goal", and "... Into The Future (Epilogue)"), Joost van den Broek (piano, strings and choir arrangements), Thomas Van Geelen (cello), Stichting Volgspot (children's choir), and Damian Wilson (lead vocals on "Good Citizens" and "Never Again")
• Musical style: Progressive rock, rock opera 
• Sound: Emotive, evocative, complex, expressive, and bold, the album combines progressive rock, rock opera, pop, and maybe even a little Broadway show tune bombast! 
• Major themes: A concept album about a second Big Bang and whether or not it would alter our world and evolutionary tract or create an entirely new parallel world, themes on the album include life and death, evolution, growth, disease, science, the future, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Out Of The Past... (Prologue)"
2. "The Present Day"
3. "Two Lifetimes"
4. "The Disease"
5. "Good Citizens"
6. "Liberty"
7. "Patients, Have Patience"
8. "The Break Up"
9. "Turn To Us, Learn From Us"
10. "The Clash Of Belief"
11. "Money"
12. "We Live To Die"
13. "Remember The Fallen, Celebrate Life"
14. "Onwards And Forwards"
15. "Never Again"
16. "As Good As Any Goal"
17. "... Into The Future (Epilogue)"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Home Range Brewing (Logan, Utah
• Website: https://www.homerangebeer.com/
• Brew: Good News Oak Aged Saison
• Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Good News pours a very cloudy, bright golden-pear yellow hue with a bright white, very frothy 2+ finger head with great retention and lots of soapy, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity, yeasty, malty, woody, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of lemon zest and juice, Chardonnay, Belgian yeast, freshly baked sourdough bread, oak, very soft banana, pink bubblegum, and light hops.
• Taste: Following the nose, the flavor of the Good News Saison is characterized by notes of Chardonnay, pear juice, lemon juice and zest, soft banana, very light bubblegum, Belgian yeast, light cloves, oak, and light hops and grains.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Good News is crisp and refreshing with a dry, slightly tart finish.

Overall pairing: Those intricate and bold, yet very drinkable flavors are perfect for the intricate and compelling sound, depth of songwriting, and musical prowess of the late, great Edward Reekers!  The complexity of the brew is a wonderful companion the artistry, beauty, and genius that is "The Liberty Project"!

Proost!!

May 10th, 2026 - The Era of Kings, Upheaval, and Conflict

 

Hello and happy Sunday metal maniacs, and craft beer fanatics!  The Meista here rocking the hell out with another great pairing for ya... the wonderful "The Era Of Kings And Conflict" DVD by legendary metal band Jag Panzer and a bold and complex Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale from the fine folks at Proper Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Jag Panzer
• Title: "The Era Of Kings And Conflict"
• Recorded: 
• Release date: April 2002 (1st DVD released by Jag Panzer)
• Record company: Century Media Records
• Production: Mark Briody
• Album cover art: Mark Briody
• Personnel: Mark Briody (rhythm and lead guitar and keyboards), Chris Broderick (lead guitar), Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin (lead and backing vocals), Rikard Stjernquist (drums and percussion), and John Tetley (bass) 
• Musical style: Power metal, progressive metal, heavy metal
• Sound: The mighty Jag Panzer is American power metal in the grandest sense of the style!  The tracks presented blend multiple elements of traditional heavy metal, speed metal, and hard rock with strong, heartfelt songwriting, rich melodies, soaring harmonies, and that focused and masterful musicianship Jag Panzer is known for!  In the tradition of Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, the dual shredding guitar work of Briody and Broderick is soaring, paint-peeling, face-melting brilliance!  Their combined tone is perfect, and the soloing is mind blowing!  Conklin's vocal range is huge, honest, and awe-inspiring!  And the combined thunder of rhythm section Stjernquist and Tetley hold it all together with machine-gun fire aggression, passion, and precision!!
• Major themes: Darkness, rebellion, betrayal, sorrow, the future, violence, revenge, etc.
• Notes: "The Era Of Kings And Conflict" DVD was produced by guitarist Mark Briody. It contains live bootleg videos, professional videos, and interviews. The DVD is somewhat rate and was only available during Jag Panzer's 2002 tour with Iced Earth and In Flames.

1. "Intro"
2. "The Silent" (promo video)
3. "Take To The Sky" (promo video)
4. "Cold Is The Blade" (promo video)
5. "King At A Price"
6. "Iron Eagle" (promo video)
7. "Future Shock"
8. "Chain Of Command"
   
9. "Black"
10. "Fate's Triumph"
11. "Making Take To The Sky"
12. "Life On The Road"
13. "Jag Panzer Interview"
14. "Guitar Solo - Downward Fall"
15. "Guitar Solo - Take To The Sky"
16. "Guitar Solo - Rondo Alla Turca"
17. "Guitar Solo - The Scarlet letter"
18. "Guitar Solo - Slap Song"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com/ 
• Brew: Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale
• Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 9.7%
• IBUs: 60
• Pour: The Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale pours a hazy, bright golden orange-yellow hue with a billowy and rocky, eggshell white, 2 + finger head with great retention and lots of sticky and intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose is chalk full of fruity ester, yeasty, earthy, and slightly boozy notes.  There are aromas of pear juice, white grape juice, soft banana peel, white wine, lemon zest, cloves, oat, and wet leather.
• Taste: The taste of the Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale follows the nose with fruity, earthy, herbal, and slightly funky flavors.  There are notes of pear juice, Chardonnay, lemon zest, cloves, Belgian yeast, light banana, and a hint of booze.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale is very crisp, somewhat sharp, and slightly sweet with a dry, slightly boozy but clean finish.

Overall pairing: The fruity, earthy, and bold aromas and flavors of the Upheaval Imperial Saison Ale from Proper Brewing Company are perfect for the heavy metal sonic attack that is the mighty Jag Panzer!!  I also thought the imagery from the DVD cover and beer label worked well together.  'Nuff said!

And if you haven't done so already, make sure to check out my interviews with a few of the Jag Panzer band members from the past few years, the very friendly, very talented, and personable:

• Guitarist Mark Briody here: https://youtu.be/S1E9YWvxZiI
• Lead vocalist Harry Conklin here: https://youtu.be/Jy3QZDJhLac
• Guitarist Ken Rodarte here: https://youtu.be/asQmlmKkNWg

Cheers and hails!! 

May 9th, 2026 - Fortunes Told Here With No Promises... No Debts

 

Hello and happy Saturday rockers, rollers, and beer fans!  The Meista here today rocking out with Golden Earring's underappreciated and excellent "No Promises... No Debts" album and a delicious Fortunes Told Czech Pilsner from the fine folks at Ogden Beer Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Golden Earring
• Title: "No Promises... No Debts"
• Recorded: 1979 in the Netherlands
  Release date: July 1979 (14th studio album by Golden Earring)
• Record company: Polydor Records
• Production: George Kooymans 
• Album cover art: Jeep Bunt
• Personnel: Rinus Gerritsen (bass and keyboards), Barry Hay (guitar, flute, and vocals), George Kooymans (guitar and vocals), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums)
• Additional musician: John Legend (harmonica)
• Musical style: Hard rock, rock and roll, power pop with elements of new wave
• Sound: Wonderfully complex, yet straightforward and rocking, "No Promises... No Debts" is another one of those great unsung rock albums of the late 1970s.  The songwriting is incredibly solid, the band's musicianship is fantastic (as always), and the execution is flawless!  It will get your feet moving and your fists pumping!
• Major themes: Love, lust, desire, rock and roll, relationships, loss, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Heart Beat"
2. "Need Her"
3. "Sellin' Out"
4. "Snot Love In Spain"
5. "Save Your Skin"
6. "D Light"
7. "Tiger Bay"
8. "Weekend Love"
9. "Don't Close The Door"
10. "Don't Stop The Show"
    
11. "By Routes"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ogden Beer Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: http://www.ogdenbeercompany.com/ 
• Brew: Fortunes Told Czech Pilsner
• Style: Czech Pilsner
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Fortunes Told pours a clear, bright golden yellow color with a 1-finger, bright white, frothy head with great retention and lots of soapy, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a characterized by biscuity, bready, grassy, and slightly hop spicy aromas.  There are aromas of toasted white bread, crackery biscuit, freshly cut hay, Pilsner malt, and floral, grassy, and spicy Czech hops.
• Taste: Well-balanced, the Fortunes Told is a nice blend of malty, biscuity, and grassy flavors.  There are notes of bread crust, crackery biscuit, grassy hops, and white pepper with a spicy hop finish.
• Mouthfeel: Light in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and smooth with a very dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing: The bright, tasty, crushable flavors and aromas of the Fortunes Told Czech Pilsner are great for the big and punchy rock and roll prowess of Golden Earring's definitive "No Promises... No Debts" album!  Those crushable, straightforward lager notes go great with Hay's powerful vocals, while the spicier Czech hops go great with the licks of the late, great Kooymans's guitar work coupled with the rest of the band's eloquence and style!  'Nuff said! 

Proost!!  Gezondheid!! 

May 8th, 2026 - There's So Much Room in the Ayreon Universe!

 

Hello and happy Friday rockers, proggers and hop lovers!  The Meista here today rocking out with a pairing of "Ayreon Universe: Best Of Ayreon Live" by legendary Dutch progressive metal project Ayreon and a delicious, juicy, and hoppy So Much Room Hazy IPA from the fine folks at Revision Brewing Company!  Yes!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Ayreon
• Title: "Ayreon Universe: Best Of Ayreon Live"
• Recorded: September 15th through 16th, 2017
• Release date: March 30th, 2018 (2nd live DVD released by Ayreon)
• Record company: Mascot Label Group / Music Theories 
• Production: Arjen Anthony Lucassen
• Album cover art: Lori Linstruth
• Personnel: Marcela Bovio (vocals), Marcel Coenen (lead guitar), John Jaycee Cuijpers (vocals), Ferry Duijsens (guitar), Jeroen Goossens (flute and various woodwinds), Marco Hietala (vocals), Floor Jansen (vocals), Irene Jansen (vocals), Tommy Karevik (vocals), Hansi Kürsch (vocals), Arjen Anthony Lucassen (guitar and vocals), Maggy Luyten (vocals), Ben Mathot (violin), Mike Mills (vocals), Maaike Peterse (cello), Edward Reekers (vocals), Jonas Renkse (vocals), Rob Snijders (percussion), Robert Soeterboek (vocals), Joost van den Broek (keyboards), Lisette van den Berg (vocals), Jay van Feggelen (vocals), Anneke van Giersbergen (vocals), Johan van Stratum (bass), Peter Vink (bass), Ed Warby (drums and backing vocals), Damian Wilson (vocals), 
• Musical style: Progressive metal / rock 
• Sound: With "Ayreon Universe: Best Of Ayreon Live", the master musicians that are Ayreon present some of Arjen Lucassen's most compelling and engaging work.   over a tapestry of wonderful rhythms, grooves, and melodies! 
• Major themes: Life, death, beingness, beauty, music, love, fantasy, magic, time, time travel, space and space exploration, science, mathematics, knowledge, science fiction, aliens, violence, dreams, danger, valor, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Prologue"
2. "Dreamtime"
3. "Abbey Of Synn"
4. "River Of Time"
5. "The Blackboard"
6. "The Theory Of Everything"
7. "Merlin's Will"
8. "Waking Dreams"
9. "Dawn Of A Million Souls"
10. "Valley Of The Queens"
11. "Ride The Comet"
12. "Star Of Sirrah"
13. "Comatose"
14. "Day Sixteen: Loser"
15. "And The Druids Turned To Stone"
16. "The Two Gates"
17. "Into The Black Hole"
18. "Actual Fantasy"
19. "Computer Eyes"
20. "Magnetism"
21. "Age Of Shadows"
22. "Intergalactic Space Crusaders"
23. "Collision"
24. "Everybody Dies"
25. "The Castle Hall"
26. "Amazing Flight In Space"
27. "Day Eleven: Love"
28. "The Eye Of Ra"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Revision Brewing Company (Sparks, Nevada)
• Website: https://revisionbrewing.com/
• Brew: So Much Room Hazy IPA 
• Style: New England-style Hazy India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.2%
• IBUs: 24
• Pour: The So Much Room Hazy IPA pours a very hazy, pale golden-yellow hue with a frothy, bright white, 1-finger head with good retention and sudsy, sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy and tropical with more subtle floral and malt elements.  There are aromas of tangerine, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, lemon zest, lime juice and peel, grapefruit rind, bright mango, apricot, wildflowers, light pine resin, freshly cut hay, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Taste: Fruit-forward and very juicy, the taste of the So Much Room Hazy IPA is citrusy, fruity, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of tangerine, orange juice, orange pith, lime, mango, pineapple, guava, very light pine, and light honey.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp and very juicy, yet smooth and creamy with a dry, slightly sweet, slightly boozy, pillowy-soft finish.

Overall pairing: The So Much Room Hazy IPA from Revision Brewing is a punchy, yet very smooth, drinkable, and refreshing hoppy brew... great for pairing with the progressive brilliance that is the legendary Ayreon!  The citrusy hops and sweet fruit elements of the beer align well with the high energy of the live performances and the brightness and brilliance of fantastic lyricism and note progressions!  I also love the look of "Ayreon Universe: Best Of Ayreon Live" DVD cover art juxtaposed against the cool beer can label!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!! 

May 3rd, 2026 - It's Double Trouble for the Fruit Creep!

 

Hello and happy Sunday rockers, rollers, and hop creeps!  The Meista here pairing Gillan's fantastic "Double Trouble" album with a Fruit Creep Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA from Illuminated Brew Works!  Hell yes!  Oh, and this pairing is dedicated to my friend Dustin Mitchell... cheers brother!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Gillan
• Title: "Double Trouble"
• Recorded: August 1981 at Kingsway Recorders in London, England, and March 4th, 1981at the Rainbow Theater in London, England and August 29th, 1981 at the Reading Festival in Reading, England
• Release date: October 30th, 1981 (5th studio album by Gillan)
• Record company: Virgin Records
• Production: Steve Smith 
• Album cover art: Jean Luke Epstein (design and artwork) and Jon Prew (photography) 
• Personnel: Janick Gers (guitars on all studio tracks and live tracks 1-4 and 6-8), Ian Gillan (lead vocals), John McCoy (bass), Bernie Tormé (guitars on live tracks 5 and 9-11), Colin Towns (keyboards), and Mick Underwood (drums)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal
• Sound: Fast-paced and fun as hell, the sound on "Double Trouble" is straight-forward rockin' goodness!  Both Gers' and Tormé's guitar work is angry and punchy, yet wonderfully rich and compelling, McCoy and Underwood lay down some heavy-duty rhythms, Towns' keys soar, and Gillan is at the top of his game here!  This album is such a joy!
• Major themes: Violence, anger, rebellion, war, life, death, desire, sex, joy, music, etc.
• Tracks: 

Studio LP:  

1. "I'll Rip Your Spine Out"
2. "Restless"
3. "Men Of War"
4. "Sunbeam"
5. "Nightmare"
6. "Hadely Bop Bop"
7. "Life Goes On"
   
8. "Born To Kill"

Live LP: 

1. "No Laughing In Heaven"
2. "No Easy Way"
3. "Trouble"
4. "Mutually Assured Destruction"
5. "If You Believe Me"
6. "New Orleans"
7. "Bite The Bullet"
8. "On The Rocks"
9. "Mr. Universe"
10. "Vengeance"
11. "Smoke On The Water" (Deep Purple cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works (Chicago, Illinois)
• Website: http://www.ibw-chicago.com/
• Brew: Fruit Creep Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA) / Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.5%
• Ingredients: Motueka, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria hops
• Pour: The Fruit Creep pours a very murky, bright orange (it looks just like orange juice!) with a creamy, 1-finger head with good retention and sustained spider web lacing.
• Nose: Lots of great citrus and sweet malts in the nose of this one.  There are big aromas of juicy orange, lemon, grapefruit, caramel/toffee, and fresh bread.
• Taste: Like the nose, the flavor is a really well-balanced blend of huge juicy and hoppy citrus, tropical flavors, and sweet malts.  There are big citrusy notes of orange, tangerine, grapefruit, along with tropical notes of mango, pineapple, papaya, pear, melon, guava, and more subtle notes of soft caramel, butter toffee, cereal, and slight hints of herbal tea.
• Mouthfeel: Well-carbonated, this light to medium-bodied brew is crisp, smooth and refreshing with a clean finish.

Overall pairing: Those punchy, citrusy, fruity, and slightly bitter flavors of the Illuminated Fruit Creep Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA just work so perfectly well with the amazing heavy rock and roll stylings of the might Gillan!  The soaring vocals and guitar work shines even brighter with the citrus notes, while that hoppy bite is right in line with the lyrics and thunderous rhythm section!!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!

May 2nd, 2026 - The Cold Slither of Hop Venom

 

Minions of Cobra... and metal maniacs and hop heads of all ages!  It is I, Cobra Commander!  I've commandeered this silly blog from that bubbling fool, the Meista to post the only pairing that matters... "Cold Slither", the kick-ass, self-titled debut album by Cold Slither, a band that I masterfully created, produced, and promoted and a hoppy and delicious Hop Venom Double IPA from the slaves of Cobra at Boneyard Beer!  Hell yeah!! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Cold Slither
• Title: "Cold Slither"
• Recorded: 2025 
• Release date: July 25th, 2025 (1st studio album by Cold Slither)
• Record company: Reigning Phoenix Music (now a subsidiary of Cobra)
• Production: Gus Rios, who will claim he produced this album, but it was me, Cobra Commander!
• Album cover art: Steve Beach (as "persuaded" by Destro and Dr. Mindbender)
• Personnel: Buzzer aka Andy Selway (drums), Ripper aka Matt Harvey (guitars), Torch aka Ross Sewage (guitars), and Zartan aka Gus Rios (bass and lead vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal
• Sound: Steeped in 1980s metal and hard rock, the sound on "Cold Slither" is as rockin' as it is nostalgic!  Sure, this is silly, but silliness perfectly executed by master musicians from the likes of Exhumed, Ghoul, Gruesome, Impaled, Left To Die, KMFDM, Pounder, etc.!  While the lyrics may be silly, the music and musical prowess of these guys is definitely not... the guitars are fiery, the bass is heavy, and the drums are thunderous!
• Major themes: With songs based on mid-1980s G.I. Joe (clowns!) cartoon plots, themes on the album include anti-establishment, rebellion, mind control, the unstoppable Cobra, the Dreadnoks, crime, light terrorism, revenge, new world order, greed, danger, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Welcome To The Swamp (Intro)"
2. "Cold Slither"
3. "Knock 'Em Dead"
4. "Thunder Machine"
5. "Zartan's Revenge"
6. "Snakes On The Bayou"
7. "Torched"
8. "Under The Dreadnok's Spell"
9. "Master Of Disguise"
10. "The Ballad Of Buzzer"
11. "These Fluffies Are Fatal"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Boneyard Beer (Bend, Oregon)
• Website: https://boneyardbeer.com/
• Brew: Hop Venom Double IPA
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 9.0%
• IBUs: 60
• Ingredients: Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook, and CTZ hops
• Pour: The Hop Venom pours a hazy, amber hue with a frothy, off-white, 1-finger head with good retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, dank, earthy, herbal, malty, and floral.  There are aromas of tangerine, orange zest, grapefruit rind, pine resin, cedar, fresh herbs, wildflowers, and burnt toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Hop Venom follows the nose with lots of punchy, hop-forward, citrusy, herbal, and malty flavors.  There are notes of tangerine, pink grapefruit juice, light mango, pine, black tea, burnt toffee, and bitter herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Hop Venom's mouthfeel is very crisp and hoppy with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and aggressive, yet fruity and complex flavors and aromas of the Hop Venom Double IPA is sure to get you all charged up for the (snake) pit!  And that my friends is exactly the kind of beer you want when blasting the highly intense, powerfully rockin' sonic punch that is the mighty and indelible Cold Slither!  I also think the album artwork and the can label work well together. 

Hail Cobra!!  I will rule this world, and you will all bow before me!

"We're Cold Slither; you'll be joining us soon. A band of vipers playin' our tune. With an iron fist/ And a reptile hiss/ We shall rule! CHORUS: We're tired of words! We've heard it before. We're not gonna play the game no more! Don't tell us what's right, don't tell us what's wrong! Too late to resist, 'cause Cobra is strong. We're Cold Slither, heavy metal machine Through the eyes of a lizard king you will dream. When the venom stings/ A new order brings/ Our control!"