In Episode 251, Martin complains about 'lazy' songwriting and 'underwritten' songs. AC/DC – “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’” Van Halen – “Source of Infection” Deep Purple – “Never Before” Ted Nugent – “Backstrap Fever” Thin Lizzy – “Are You Ready” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 250, Martin ponders the question "when has a band 'found' their future sound in one song/album?" Ted Nugent’s Amboy Dukes – “Living in the Woods” Rolling Stones – “If You Can’t Rock Me” Rush – “Anthem” Scorpions – “In Trance” The Saints – “Memories Are Made of This” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 249, Martin pays homage to Black Sabbath's song "I" and explores some "self centered" songs. Thin Lizzy – “Soldier of Fortune” Blue Oyster Cult – “Flaming Telepaths” The Damned – “These Hands” Iron Maiden – “Running Free” Black Sabbath – “Trashed” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 248, Martin dissects the first verse of the first track of some seminal metal gods. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze” Montrose – “Rock the Nation” Judas Priest – “One for the Road” Diamond Head – “Lightning to the Nations” Metallica – “Hit the Lights” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 247, Martin wonders aloud about the meaning and intent of tracks that wrap up albums. Rush – “La Villa Strangiatto” Slayer – “Raining Blood” Black Sabbath – “Lonely Is the Word” Van Halen – “Happy Trails” Queen – “More of That Jazz” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 246, Martin explores the whys and hows of band who included cover songs on their debut album. 38 Special – “Around and Around” Winger – “Purple Haze” Kiss – “Kissin’ Time” Great White – “Substitute” Cheap Trick – “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 245, Martin continues his dive into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep in reviews of their albums. Black Sabbath – “Laguna Sunrise” The Who – “How Many Friends” Yes – “Sound Chaser” Electric Light Orchestra – “Last Train to London” Status Quo – “Too Far Gone” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 244, Martin focuses on the first four Led Zeppelin albums. He delves into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep within reviews of those albums covering 1969 to 1971. Jeff Beck – “Let Me Love You” Blue Cheer – “Second Time Around” Rolling Stones – “Live with Me” Faces – “Around the Plynth” Jefferson Airplane – “Triad” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 243, Martin focuses on bands that are referenced to compare Black Sabbath to, for better or worse. Cream – “N.S.U.” Grand Funk – “Paranoid” Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” Todd Rundgren – “Black Maria” MC5 – “Miss X” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 242, Martin explores bands who replicate the magic of Judas Priest's seminal 1980 album British Steel with a simplified, straightforward killer album. Megadeth – “Countdown to Extinction” Yes – “Owner of a Lonely Heart” Black Sabbath – “Neon Knights” Whitesnake – “Would I Lie to You” Saxon – “Stand Up and Be Counted” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 241, Martin proves to himself that he may not be as contrarian as he thinks while he picks *his* favorite albums from artists whose catalogues he knows well. Alice in Chains – “Rain When I Die” Stranglers – “The Raven” Rolling Stones – “Lies” Ozzy Osbourne – “You’re No Different” Dio – “Night People” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 240, Martin celebrates late, great producer's Chris Tsangarides' catalog. Judas Priest – “Victim of Changes” Thin Lizzy – “Angel of Death” Tygers of Pan Tang – “Slave to Freedom” Lords of the New Church – “Kiss of Death” Y&T – “Breaking Away” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 239, Martin ponders who are the biggest LIVING heavy metal stars. Black Sabbath – “Shock Wave” Judas Priest – “Reckless” Guns N’ Roses – “Bad Apples” Kiss – “Any Way You Slice It” AC/DC – “This House Is on Fire” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 238, Martin explores artists who are "creative geniuses" who surround themselves with the best musicians, collaborators and influences. Peter Gabriel – “The Family and the Fishing Net” King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair” Robert Plant – “Come into My Life” Bjork – “Black Lake” David Bowie – “Love Is Lost” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship. Frank Zappa – “No Not Now” Snowy Shaw – “Nachtgeist” Elvis Costello – “New Lace Sleeves” Adrian Belew – “1967” Queen – “Flick of the Wrist” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear. Wings – “Rock Show” Kiss – “Baby Driver” Nirvana – “Serve the Servants” Samson – “Bright Lights” Whitesnake – “Love Ain’t No Stranger” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 235, Martin looks at "low energy crooners" whose singing may not always be the most powerful. Blue Oyster Cult – “Mirrors” Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” Yes – “Arriving UFO” Kate Bush – “Sat in Your Lap” ZZ Top – “Rhythmeen” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 234, Martin looks at "boogie rock" influenced bands who tightened or shifted their focus. Rolling Stones – “She’s So Cold” Status Quo – “Jam Side Down” Foghat – “Too Late the Hero” AC/DC – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” The Black Crowes – “Ozone Mama” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs. Van Halen – “Get Up” Kiss – “I’m Alive” Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” White Lion – “Let’s Get Crazy” Mr. Big – “Colorado Bulldog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit. Gillan – “I’ll Rip Your Spine Out” Led Zeppelin – “Poor Tom” Judas Priest – “Heading Out to the Highway” U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds. Judas Priest – “Never Satisfied” Trapeze – “Way Back to the Bone” Necromandus – “Nightjar” Quartz – “Pleasure Seekers” Diamond Head – “Starcrossed (Lovers of the Night)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Queen – “Keep Yourself Alive” ZZ Top – “Avalon Highway” Blue Öyster Cult – “Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver” Thin Lizzy – “The Pressure Will Blow” Rush – “The Analog Kid” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Led Zeppelin – “Down by the Seaside” Black Sabbath – “Megalomania” Judas Priest – “Hell Bent for Leather” AC/DC – “Girls Got Rhythm” Queen – “Dead on Time” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab. Lou Gramm – “Just Between You and Me” Eric Martin – “These Are the Good Times” Fee Waybill – “Saved My Life” Kane Roberts – “Twisted” Tommy Shaw – “Lonely School” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices