Episode 55 – Wicked Webs Weaved: The Works of Hammers of Misfortune

Herewith we present an overview of one of the most beguiling bands to emerge from American soil. Part doomed epic metal, part gothic grandeur, peppered with prog, and very much in the spirit of our other chameleonic favorites, we run through Hammers of Misfortune’s works beginning in 1998 -- when they were called Unholy Cadaver -- and ending with their most recent work, 2016’s Dead Revolution. We hail leader John Cobbett and his revolving cast of mischievous misfits. As ever, this should be considered an overview only. We leave the serious deep diving up to you.

Note I: You can buy all Hammers of Misfortune albums at the band’s own Bandcamp page, where the money goes directly into their pockets. There is no better way! https://hammersofmisfortune.bandcamp.com/music

Note II: Check the Radical Research Blog on www.radicalresearch.org in a week or two: we’ll have an interview with Hammers of Misfortune ship captain John Cobbett up there as a supplement to this episode. Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast We also have a webstore where you can find shirts, CDs, and books:

Music cited, in order of appearance: “The Waif With Sunken Eyes” (as Unholy Cadaver) (Demo Number One, 1998) “You Should Have Slain Me” (The Bastard, 2001) “Sacrifice / The End” (The Bastard, 2001) “Rainfall” (The August Engine, 2003) “A Room and a Riddle” (The August Engine, 2003) “The August Engine Part 2” (The August Engine, 2003) “Trot Out the Dead” (The Locust Years, 2006) “Chastity Rides” (The Locust Years, 2006) “Motorcade” (Fields / Church of Broken Glass, 2008) “The Gulls” (Fields / Church of Broken Glass, 2008) “The Grain” (17th Street, 2011) “The Day the City Died” (17th Street, 2011) “The Precipice (Waiting for the Crash)” (Dead Revolution, 2016) “Here Comes the Sky” (Dead Revolution, 2016) ep. 56 preview: Genesis, “Ravine” (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, 1974) 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 55