Advertise on podcast: The Asylum Podcast

Kousin Ray is out this week, so Kousin Tim, Kousin Gary, and Kousin Marvin hold down the fort with an extended Now Listening session woven through the Let Me Know music‑history rundown. The Let Me Know segment runs throughout, covering birthdays, album releases, and singles from April 12 through 18. Plenty of side conversations break out. Calls from Bruno from South Africa and Jem from Alabama. What were you listening to this week? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studiosat Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Kousin Ray is out celebrating an anniversary with his better ¾ so the other Kousins went for a random topic. Kousin Gary attended a Corrosion of Conformity concert this week and decided to educate the other two Kousins, who were both quite unfamiliar, on their music. The Kousins also listened to a tune from the opening band, Whores. Calls from Bruno from South Africa, Eugene B Sims from Wheeler’s Dog, Jim from Irwin, Nick Provenzano, Jem from Alabama, and The BCPF! Are you familiar with COC? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studiosat Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

It’s time for another Mt. Rushmore episode. Each Kousin gave their four entries for their drummers of choice, with a song played for each. There wasn’t a collective Rushmore this time around. Perhaps they’ll put one together by next episode? It’s not limited to hard rock or metal drummers, but it was the majority of the drummers’ genre. Calls from Bruno from South Africa, Jim from Irwin, and Nick Provenzano from California. What is your Mt. Rushmore of drummers? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Spinquisition was back with a whole new album to drop on the Kousins. The premise is this: the Kousins put out a call for their dedicated listener base to send in album recommendations. As was put to them(ish): “We will load a long list of albums into the randomizing wheel (we dubbed it ‘Takamata’) with the premise of the episodes being that we have to review an album, start to finish, listening party-style with no prep, no advance notice, and totally at random.” And the listeners came through!  The albums can be any genre as long as they fall in the “Rock” category. Metal, hard rock, grunge, classic rock, current rock, southern rock, new wave, whatever! They can be great, they can suck… all suggestions were welcomed! Takamata was spun and landed on the album Arcade (1993) by Arcade. That album was submitted by Communal Steve (Wright). Arcade was a “supergroup” (yeah, that’s stretching it a bit) formed by RATT frontman Stephen Pearcy, ex-Cinderella drummer Fred Coury, ex-Sea Hags guitarist Frankie Wilsey, ex-Gypsy Rose guitarist Donny Syracuse, and ex-9.0 bassist Michael Andrews. The Kousins spun it and gave an honest review of this album. Calls from Jim from Irwin, Bruno from South Africa, and “Uncle Steve” from Uncle Steve’s Mega Maiden Zone. Have you heard the album? What did you think? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.  

It has been a year since the Kousins did a Gladiator Battle. Oddly enough, one of the albums competing tonight was featured on that one, too. Being as this is the 40th anniversary year of both the first post-DLR Van Halen record and the first post-VH David Lee Roth record, let the two battle it out. So this battle has Kousin Marvin defending Van Halen’s 5150 and Kousin Gary defending Eat ‘Em and Smile. To reiterate the rules, the winner can either go first or defer their pick after a coin flip. The first selector chooses their “gladiator” or song for battle. After a short listen, the opponent chooses the song (or gladiator) to battle the round’s opening song. The other two Kousins then vote for the winner. The two pickers can also change their vote if they choose to. Whichever song has the most votes… wins. If there’s a tie, well, wait and see. Each combatant has two deferrals (outside the opening coin flip) they can use for the battle. And, everyone wish Kousin Gary a happy birthday (March 20)!!! Calls from Apacolypse-Awaiting Bruno from South Africa and Jem from Alabama. How would you defend either album, and what would be the most challenging match up to vote in? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Kousin Ray is on the open seas practicing speaking like a pirate, so the other Kousins discuss this week (March 15) being the FIFTIETH anniversary of the album that really put KISS on the map, Destroyer. This is the sixteenth (not really) time that album has been discussed on this podcast. Discussions on the merits of the instrumentation, the production, the remastering (this was the 45th Anniversary edition), parts we may have missed, or are new. Nothing new under the Asylum sun, just homage and appreciation for the subject that led to the creation of the podcast to begin with. Calls from Bruno from South Africa, Jim from Irwin, Jem from Alabama, and Ze German (Henning). Has Destroyer‘s status changed with you in the last 50 years? Do you still love it? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

A few weeks ago, the Kousins did a retrospective of music (and other pop-culture things) from 1982, focusing on the hard rock genre (available here). The Kousins may be visiting other years (the jury is still out). But, if we do, and before we all move on, it is time to grade the top hard rock albums of 1982 (in their opinion). This time, however, the albums were picked slightly differently. In the past, during grading episodes, the four Kousins voted on 10 and let the chips fall where they may. For this year, the Asylum chat group voted collectively and the top twelve were picked to grade. The albums that were graded (from A+ to F) were (in no particular order): Blackout — Scorpions Creatures of the Night — Kiss Screaming for Vengeance — Judas Priest The Number of the Beast — Iron Maiden Signals — Rush Black Tiger — Y&T Dawn Patrol — Night Ranger Diver Down — Van Halen Never Surrender — Triumph Too Fast for Love — Mötley Crüe Coda — Led Zeppelin Restless and Wild — Accept There were calls from Bruno from the End of Days and Jem from Alabama. What are your grades with this class of albums? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Kousin Ray was out this week, so the other Kousins decided it was time to do some “Now Listening,” or as we call it, “Extended Now Listening,” and do what we usually do and split our regular “Let Me Know” segments and interweave the two. Each Kousin had three tunes and there was some pretty diverse stuff this episode. Calls from Bruno from Blue-Skied South Africa, Ze German, Jim from Irwin, Jem from Alabama, and Nick from Northern California. What has been in your listening rotation lately? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Dateline – The Asylum. The Year… 1982. WHAJ-FM 104.5 came to the airwaves, allowing Kousins Tim and Gary to hear true Top 40 radio for the first time. Both Kousin Tim and Kousin Ray turned 12. Yes, we jumped back instead of forward for this. Upon realizing that 1982 actually had a lot of good stuff and since we started the year retrospectives in 1983, it was time to give 1982 its due. Some of these represent the biggest, or perhaps the most widely known, moments in some artists’ careers, and some debuts. In addition to all the great music, not just hard rock but pop, alternative, and post-punk, the Kousins take on a snippet in time and talk about what 1982 meant to them. Not only is music on the menu for the Kousins, but they also talk about movies, television, sports, and even video games. Calls from Bruno from Absolutely Tropical South Africa, Jim from Irwin, and Trooper Cassius… er, Jem from Alabama. What is your fondest memory, musical or not, from 1982? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Megadeth released their (supposed) final album, self-titled Megadeth, on January 23, 2026. The final hurrah deserved a listening party to get the scope of what Dave Mustaine and his cast of replacement players were up to. Kousin Marvin couldn’t make it, so he’ll have to listen on his own. But, the other Kousins gave reviews, thoughts on Megadeth – new or old opinions, and other Megadeth/Mustaine thoughts. Calls were from Eugene B Sims, Bruno from Volcanically Hot South Africa, Jim from Irwin, Nick Provenzano, and Jem from Alabama. Have you heard the last(?) Megadeth album? What did you think? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Kousins hadn’t done a Mount Rushmore in a long time, so it was time to dust that feature off and go with the ladies. And this isn’t just hard rock female vocalists; this is all-encompassing. Each Kousin made their own lists, and then a collective Mt. Rushmore was tallied from the results. It was an interesting experiment and harder than expected. Calls from Eugene B Sims from Wheeler’s Dog Podcast, Jim from Irwin, Nick Provenzano from Northern California, Bruno from Slightly Overcast but Pleasantly Warm South Africa, and the slick mamajama himself, Jem from Alabama. What is your Mt. Rushmore of female vocalists? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

So, on December 19, Peter Criss released a self-titled album featuring an all-star-ish lineup. Names like Billy Sheehan and John 5 played on this as well as Late Night musician Paul Shaffer. It isn’t yet available on traditional streaming platforms but you can buy it via online music stores. The Kousins obtained a copy and gave each song a listen. The reviews were mixed. But, who leaned which way and who said ridiculous things (on either side of the argument)? Well, you have to listen to find out. A call from Bruno from Reassuredly, Summery, South Africa. Have you listened to the latest Peter Criss album? What did you think? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Spinquisition was back with a whole new album to drop on the Kousins. The premise is this: the Kousins put out a call for their dedicated listener base to send in album recommendations. As was put to them(ish): “We will load a long list of albums into the randomizing wheel (we dubbed it ‘Takamata’) with the premise of the episodes being that we have to review an album, start to finish, listening party-style with no prep, no advance notice, and totally at random.” And the listeners came through!  The albums can be any genre as long as they fall in the “Rock” category. Metal, hard rock, grunge, classic rock, current rock, southern rock, new wave, whatever! They can be great, they can suck… all suggestions were welcomed! Takamata was spun and landed on the album Last Splash (1993) by The Breeders. That album was submitted by Kousin Tim’s wife, Stephanie, aka The BCPF from The BCPF’s Rose Garden of Doom on Camel City Radio. The Kousins spun it and gave an honest review of this album. Calls from Jim from Irwin, Jem from Alabama, and Bruno from Rainy-but-Drought-Ridden South Africa. Have you heard the album? What did you think? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Kousins started off the new year with a heavy hitter! What could have easily been (for three of the four Kousins) a Top 50, they tackled the Top 10. It ended up being 14 because there were a few ties. But the lists were all diverse and, surprisingly, only one “Goocher” as we call any song that gets a vote from all the Kousins. It was fun. There were moments when a couple of Kousins would feign confusion about the outcome of certain songs, and most wanted to change their entries as soon as they were submitted, but they all survived. We had one call, and it was from Jim from Irwin. What are your Top 10 Metallica songs? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

A few weeks ago, the Kousins did a retrospective of music (and other pop-culture things) from 1989, which focused on the hard rock genre (which can be found here). The Kousins may be visiting other years (the jury is still out). But, if we do, and before we all move on, it is time to grade the top hard rock albums of 1989 (in their opinion). The albums that were graded (from A+ to F) were (in no particular order): LA Guns – Cocked and Loaded  Warrant – Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich Mötley Crüe – Dr. Feelgood KISS – Hot in the Shade King’s X – Gretchen Goes to Nebraska Skid Row – Skid Row W.A.S.P. – The Headless Children Great White – …Twice Shy Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine Red Hot Chili Peppers – Mother’s Milk Faith No More – The Real Thing Extreme – Extreme Calls from Eugene of Wheeler’s Dog Podcast, Jim from Irwin, Nick from California, and Jem from Alabama. What would your grades be for those albums? Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862). We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft… This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.