Episode 143 – Comecon 1992-1995: Frogs, Worms, Anacondas

No other band with roots in Swedish death metal did it like Comecon. Not even close. We find a few similarities to Carbonized, but generally, this band is unique, special, and underappreciated enough that we had to come to their rescue for a little over an hour. Headed by brainiacs Pelle Strom and Rasmus Ekman, Comecon cycled through three different vocalists over three different albums (L.G. Petrov, Martin van Drunen, Marc Grewe), and if you have any interest in death metal with a distinct difference, please give this episode a listen… Note I: Listener challenge!! As mentioned in this episode: if you have a solid working knowledge of Comecon-related bands The Krixhjalters and Omnitron, assemble a 10-song episode, 5 songs each band, about 2 minutes per snippet (you can just send us titles and time codes). We’ll do an episode on it! We are sadly ignorant of these bands, but really should know them, given our love of Comecon. ALSO: Enter the Hunt isn’t directly related to Comecon, as Jeff surmised. It did feature Pontius, of Krixhjalters, and indeed, two members of Candlemass from our beloved Dactylis Glomerata/From the 13th Sun period. We still have so much to learn.

Note II: Speaking of having much to learn: we’re not exactly up on the entire vinyl reissue scene, because we didn’t know Comecon’s Fable Frolic was released with the original logo, as Jeff mentions in this episode. Lookie here! https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/30811545 Note III: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note IV: The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Music cited in order of appearance: “Wash Away the Filth” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Slope” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Armed Solution” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Conductor of Ashes” (Megatrends in Brutality, 1992) “Aerie” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Bleed/Burn” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Worms” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “The House That Man Built” (Converging Conspiracies, 1993) “Frogs” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Ways of Wisdom (Serves Two)” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Anaconda Charms Grass Snake” (Fable Frolic, 1995) “Canvas of History” (Fable Frolic, 1995)

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.