Late Megadeth Drummer Gar Samuelson (R.I.P.) By Jesse Striewski

I’ve made no secret over the years how I was the stereotypical, Beavis and Butt-Head watching metal head type growing up in the ’90s. Yet by the time the late ’90s had arrived and I had relocated to Volusia County, FL, I had no idea at the time that I was neighboring at that point with legendary metal drummer Gar Samuelson of Megadeth, who was now residing right next door to me in nearby Orange City.

After performing on the first two, now-classic Megadeth albums – 1985’s Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good! and 1986’s Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying?, Samuelson was abruptly dismissed from the group along with guitarist Chris Poland for substance abuse issues in 1987. Yet his playing on each of these records was enough to earn him a rightful spot alongside the the greats within the thrash metal world.

Samuelson briefly played in an act called Metalist prior to relocating to central, FL and forming Fatal Opera in 1990, alongside his brother Stew Samuelson on guitar, Dave Inman on vocals (and later Andy Freeman), Travis Karcher on bass, and guitarist Jeff Bloom (and later, Billy Brehme). The band released two albums throughout the ’90s – 1995’s Self-Titled effort, and 1997’s The Eleventh Hour, before Samuelson’s untimely passing from liver failure in 1999 at the age of just 41. (Former Megadeth bandmate Dave Mustaine would later announce Gar’s death at the Woodstock festival that same year, and the reissue of the first album in 2002 would ultimately be dedicated to him). A belated third effort titled Fatal Opera 3 was also released years later in 2022.

Needless to say when I first heard about all of this sometime later in the 2000’s, I was intrigued, and eventually started slowly but surely checking out his work with Fatal Opera, which was all fairly solid enough in its own right. Fast forward to 2020, I started retracing of sorts some of Gar’s steps, visiting the area (as best as I could anyway – see photo below) where Gar turned a former barn in Orange City into a recording studio, and opening communication with bassist and former Fatal Opera bandmate Travis Karcher.

For whatever reason, life got in the way though, and the project more or less just fizzled out. But alas, I’m not one to let things go by the wayside no matter how much time might’ve passed, and it was finally time to pay tribute to Samuelson the only way I knew how (and in time for what would’ve been his 68th birthday on February 18th no less, too), and began talking to Karcher once more about resurrecting the project.

When I initially spoke with him nearly six years ago now, we of course discussed that previously-mentioned recording studio, to which Karcher said; “I think the band would be flattered to hear it called it a studio, since we built it out of an old tractor barn/metal shed. (Laughs) Gar called it Headstone Heavy Recorders, and most of the experience was self-taught. I’d be surprised if the building is still there, although it may be, but I doubt it’d still be in the condition it was when we used it.”

Location of the former Headstone Heavy Recorders in Orange City, FL, built and utilized by the metal band Fatal Opera in the 1990’s. (Photo by Jesse Striewski, October 2020)

Once I started talking with Travis again recently in late 2025, I wanted to go back even further, and hear how he and Gar had originally met. He informed me; “I met both Gar and Stew through a friend of mine, John, who was a rock memorabilia collector, specifically guitar pics. He was thumbing through the Volusia County phone book one day and found Gar and called him, and was surprised when he actually answered. Gar said he didn’t have anything for him, but that he was looking for a bass player for a band he was starting with his brother. I went and auditioned on a Tuesday, and came back again two days later for another rehearsal. After that, my equipment didn’t leave Gar’s house for ten years. I was nineteen at the time and fresh out of high school, and Gar and Stew were in their 30’s.”

He continued; “In that time there were a lot of lineup changes, but the core of Gar, Stew, and myself always stayed the same. We also had a record contract with the German label Massacre Records (which also had King Diamond on it), and put out two albums on their label.” He continued further; “I still talk to (guitarist) Bill Brehme, and actually asked him to play leads on some of the current material I’m working on. Bill and I were involved in a minimal role in Fatal Opera 3, but it was mostly Andy’s show. I really haven’t spoken to Andy in a few years. Most of us are not too thrilled with the way that project came out.”

Still unsure if I had ever caught the band live during their ’90s run, I was also wondering what venues the band had played “back in the day.” Karcher stated; “We played a lot of shows around Florida. We started at a small bar near the Naval training center in Orlando called the Sunburst Pub. We also played at the Fairbanks Inn, The Beacham Theater, The Fern Park Station, and probably a few more I’m forgetting about. And we also played a lot of Daytona gigs, a few shows in Tampa and Jacksonville, and some road trips down south to Melbourne, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers.”

Fatal Opera flyer from the personal collection of bassist Travis Karcher.

A few more things I was definitely curious about was whether or not Fatal Opera ever played any Megadeth covers in their set lists or not, as well as what Gar’s thoughts were on the band’s material released after his tenure with them. Karcher explained; “We never played any of the Megadeth stuff, nor was it ever talked or thought about. I think we all understood that Fatal Opera was its own project.”

He continued; “Of course Gar thought So Far, So Good…So What! would’ve been better with him playing on it, but I think he liked Rust in Peace since we heard it before it came out via a demo and listened to it around the studio. I also remember him saying Countdown to Extinction was a little too commercial, though I know Gar really liked and respected Nick Menza.” And as far as what Gar might’ve (hypothetically) thought on Megadeth’s latest, final studio album if he were still here with us today? Karcher stated; “I think he would’ve thought that it was more or less Dave solo with hired guns?”

And last but not least, regarding what Travis has been up to himself these days musically that we touched upon earlier? He informed me; “I’ve been working with an electronic music producer friend of mine who comes from the EDM world. We are working on some crossover style music in the same vein as Nine Inch Nails or Stabbing Westward. I don’t really know what to call it at the moment, but it’s loud and aggressive, just the way I like it!”

We’ll definitely keep an eye out for any and all upcoming music from Travis (and be sure to do the same!), and happy heavenly birthday, Gar!

Series Review: Shifting Gears Season 2 (ABC/Shaky Gun Productions/Lost Marbles/20th Television)

By: Jesse Striewski

For as long as I can remember, Tim Allen has been an American institution. First introduced on the small screen to most of us in the early ’90s via Home Improvement, then cementing his status as a comedy legend with such classics as The Santa Clause and Toy Story. And Kat Dennings, blessed with both beauty and wit, has earned her own place inside many households since 2 Broke Girls in the 2010’s. Put the two of them together, and you’ve got a (mostly) winning combination.

The first season of Shifting Gears was enjoyable enough from what I remember – though I actually spent much of it watching from a hospital bed at the time, so my memories are not as clear for obvious reasons. But season two seems to have really hit its stride, focusing on everything from young love, to deeper issues centered around post-loss relationships (Newcomer to the series Jenna Elfman is undeniably likeable here as Allen’s character Matt’s new love interest).

Highlights that stick out from this latest season include a brief Home Improvement reunion of Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning on the season premiere, and some fairly fun seasonal episodes centering around both Halloween and Christmas. There’s even a humorous episode (simply titled “Danger”) that revolves around a nuisance raccoon that allows the young Maxwell Simkins of the recent Mighty Ducks: Game Changers to shine again as well.

Sure, some laughs may fall flat, while a few others might even feel a bit forced at times. But overall, there’s way more cringe-worthy things to behold on prime time TV these days other than Shifting Gears.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Book Review: Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum By Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry (Flatiron Books)

By: Jesse Striewski

As an avid fan, I’ve read several of Michael J. Fox’s previous books over the years, in addition to of course growing up watching his films and shows. But I had a feeling that Future Boy – which fully chronicles landing the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future whilst juggling his already-established role of Alex P. Keaton on the hit sitcom Family Ties in the mid-’80s, would be one hell of a ride. (To this day the original remains one of my personal favorite films of all time)

From initial doubts and hesitations, to almost covertly becoming McFly while Actor Eric Stoltz was still more or less in the position of said lead role, to the ultimate aftermath/snowball effect the eventual decision to just go for it would ultimately have, there’s not a single moment of boredom to be found in between the front and back covers here.

The pace of that time frame in his life, zipping from a full day’s work at one set to another with little to no reprieve in between, is both commendable, and at times in many ways even relatable (my long lost days as a single father kept popping in my head while relieving some of Fox’s own struggles here).

Fox even narrows down several interesting thoughts about BTTF itself I had never considered before. For example – the ending of the original film, where Marty returns to his own time frame and finds his lackluster family now suddenly successful; is it truly a “happy ending,” knowing he now was not a part of any of the shared memories they all have together? (Deep stuff indeed)

To be given the type of insight on a specific moment of time that has had as huge of a cultural influence as Back to the Future has, truly feels like a gift here, and the tenacity that Fox has displayed – both then and now – deserves much respect. Thank you for sharing, Michael.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Album Review: Rave In Fire – Square One (High Roller Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Truth be told, I’m always on the lookout for more talented, up-and-coming metal bands that check all the right boxes. Madrid’s Rave In Fire certainly get the job done (despite the fairly cheesy cover of their second full-length effort here), delivering solid tracks often in the same vein as Dio, Scorpions, or early Iron Maiden.

The instrumental “Prologue of a Delirium” sets things up nicely before “Dark Poison” and “Crown of Stars” each take respective command of their listeners. Other highlights such as “Untiring Eagles” and “Knightwalker” set a perfect tone in their own right as well.

In a genre with such a vast, already-established history such as heavy metals,’ it’s not always easy to stick out from the rest of the crowd. But when you’re authentic and paying tribute to what’s come before without completely ripping it off or becoming just another cliche/parody (plus when each of your two female members have the ability to turn a head or two – sorry, but ultimately I’m still just a guy!), it’s hard not to take some notice. Looking forward to seeing what else is in store in the near future for this act indeed.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Album Review: Megadeth – Self Titled (BLKIIBLK/Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

By: Jesse Striewski

To be perfectly honest, several recent personal factors have made the writing process just a tad on the difficult side for me as of late, to say the least (call it what the old-timers used to if you like – writer’s block). But I had hoped that a showing of the limited-release film Megadeth: Behind The Mask, in which the band’s history is chronicled in full and their seventeenth and final studio album, simply titled Megadeth, is revealed, would be enough to snap me out of it, if only for a short time. Thankfully I was right.

I had been following the singles leading up to the release of their historic last magnus opus as best as I could. “Tipping Point” and “Let There Be Shred” were likable enough, while “I Don’t Care” felt a little too juvenile and forced (though the video is on the fun side).

But once you dive in, there’s way more to discover and like, albeit still the occasional filler track or two. Highlights include “Obey The Call,” the extremely relatable “Another Bad Day,”and possibly my favorite of the bunch, “I Am War,” which reaches anthem-like epic proportions. “The Last Note” makes for a fitting grand finale, while a bonus track cover of Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning” is frontman Dave Mustaine’s ode to his own past.

I could feel a wave of sadness coming over me as I knew the end was approaching though; not only at the thought of saying goodbye to a band that has been there throughout so many fond memories during my lifetime, but at the thought of an old friend and fellow fan of mine, whose recent passing not even two weeks ago hit me like a ton of bricks (remember those “personal factors” I had alluded to earlier?) Still, I’ll forever be grateful for the time I’ve had with both. Thanks for everything Dave, and see you on the other side, Daniel.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Series Review: Stranger Things Season 5 (Netflix)

By: Jesse Striewski

Few shows in recent memory have come along and reached the pop culture phenomenon status the way Stranger Things has (The Walking Dead comes to mind in comparison, although that turned out to be a case of not knowing when to quit while you’re still ahead for sure).

When Stranger Things first dropped on Netflix in 2016, it felt like this nostalgic little secret that the wife and I (and eventually our son) stumbled upon that was of course a fun ride, though none of us could’ve possibly ever predicated then just how huge this show created by The Duffer Brothers would become.

Fast foreword to season five, where audiences have by now seen the beloved group of friends enter the upside down and fight evil in more ways than one by now. I honestly had some doubts at the onset of the season, where many of our heroes are now looking far too old to pass as believable high school students still getting bullied the way Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) is in the first episode.

But as things progress, the season gets steadily better. This time around, the entire town of Hawkins is under military control after the events of the fourth season, with the entire gang keeping a steady eye on both them, and the upside down while Hopper (David Harbour) prepares Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) for her ensuing final battle. Meanwhile, there’s another “bad guy” in the form of Dr. Kay (played by an over-the-top Linda Hamilton) trying to to catch El in the middle of it all.

There’s one subplot after another, as the evil Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), disguising himself now as “Mr. Whatsit” to a select few of the town’s children, imprisons a group of kids lead by Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) – Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy’s (Natalia Dyer) younger sister – who at one point finds herself in the same world as the still-comatose Max (Sadie Sink), who shows her the way to navigate through this new world.

This all leads to one final, huge confrontation with Vecna (who we also learn some more backstory on along the way), which I’ll stop at here before giving away any potential spoilers. (Though be advised, there are certainly a few tearjerker moments.)

Aside from all those previously mentioned, many other familiar faces return here, including (among others) Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Steve (Joe Keery), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Robin (Maya Hawke), and of course Winona Ryder returns as Joyce once again, though her character feels a bit pushed to the wayside here. And of course the “coming out” of Will (Noah Schnapp) has been much-talked about, which is fine and all because it feels like a natural progression for the character, but the moment itself just feels a bit forced and awkwardly placed. Newcomer Jake Connelly also adds some much-needed comic relief as Derek.

It’s bittersweet to watch the series come to its inevitable end after all that it’s meant to so many over the years (my aforementioned kid once went as Dustin for Halloween one year at the top of its hype, and I cannot count the number of collectible items that have since been accumulated in our household). Watching the finale on the big screen with the family among a packed theater felt like the only way to say goodbye to this show that has meant so much to so many, truly felt like the only way to do so.

The show that once filled countless minds with so much wonder and had us all united in longing for a bygone era known as the 1980’s, is now a part of the history books itself. And what a ride it has been.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Film Review: Silent Night, Deadly Night (Wonderwheel Entertainment/New Dimension/Rebel 6 Films/White Bear Films/StudioCanal)

By: Jesse Striewski

I was really hoping for yet another diamond in the rough horror film in the same vain of this year’s Black Phone 2. Unfortunately with this latest update to 1984’s Silent Night, Deadly Night, there’s more “rough” than anything else here.

First the pros; the visuals and atmosphere are fairly spot on, and even some of the eerie music from the original film (see, “Santa’s Watching”) is used, which brings a nice touch to the proceedings. And Rohan Campbell is actually pretty convincing as the disturbed drifter Billy, as is Ruby Modine as his love interest, Pam (for the most part, anyway).

Now the cons; it’s an-over-the top gorefest where any chance at actual art is pushed aside to make way for another stab at shock value. We’re expected to accept an unrealistic and exaggerated reality where anyone religious/bearing a cross is seemingly inherently evil in a fairly insulting manner. Even the gimmick of Billy hearing and responding to an inner voice named Charlie (voiced by Mark Acheson) quickly becomes fairly tiresome here.

Sure, the original film was far from perfect (I won’t even get into the various levels of its sequels right now, either) and you won’t ever hear me claim otherwise. But where part of Billy’s traumas were the result from the abuse he encountered from the head nun at the orphanage he was raised in, there was also the contrast from the younger, decent nun who wanted to actually help Billy and see him thrive in life. Here there’s nothing like that, just another dumbed-down excuse for excess violence.

What starts with a decent concept, quickly gets muddled by excess violence and a predictable ending. The potential was there, but the execution is simply not as clever as the filmmakers had hoped it would be here.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Album Review: Stryper – The Greatest Gift Of All (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

By: Jesse Striewski

With Christmas just days away, it felt like as good of a time as ever to finally sit down and give the all-new Stryper album dedicated to the season, which came out roughly one month ago now, a fair try.

The Greatest Gift of All gives longtime fans of The Yellow and Black Attack what they’ve always wanted; a full album of traditional and original Christmas numbers with a rocking edge at a time when the world can surely use them.

While I’ve never been too big of a “Little Drummer Boy” fan, tracks like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Joy to the World” still hold up well, and the likes of “Still The Light” and “On This Holy Night” are hard not to like here.

Admittedly I may not be the prime example of a practicing Christian by any means, but I’m trying to do better in my older years now. And with all the evil lurking out there in the world these days, it’s not such a bad thing to get a little holy now and then.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Film Review: A Merry Little Ex-Mas (Heartbreak Films/Netflix)

By: Jesse Striewski

I had initially planned on watching a very different kind of Christmas movie (the new Silent Night Deadly Night remake, to be specific) before I settled on watching a newer Netflix romantic family comedy (of course with my own family) the other night titled A Merry Little Ex-Mas, starring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson.

The plot is nothing all that original; recently divorced (or “uncoupled” as they prefer to call it) husband and wife Everett and Kate (Hudson and Silverstone) conflict as they try to co-parent their two adult children (and one child’s quirky Harry Potter-obsessed boyfriend, played by Timothy Innes) at Christmas with their own new significant others (played by Jameela Jamil and Pierson Fode).

Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame and Geoffrey Owens from The Cosby Show also add to the ordeal, and for the most part things stay pretty harmless (albeit predictable) and the proceedings never get too over the top like other similar affairs have in the past (Lindsay Lohan’s Falling For Christmas in 2022 comes to mind). Far from perfect, but worth at least one watch this Christmas season.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Film Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Blumhouse Productions/Universal Pictures)

By: Jesse Striewski

It should come as no surprise to those who saw the first film that Five Night’s at Freddy’s 2 is not a straight forward horror/slasher movie, but there’s just something about creepy old arcades that keeps us coming back to them time and time again.

This time around, we get a little more backstory, and a new villain in the form of The Marionette, another feature of the fallen pizzeria possessed by a young girl named Charlotte (Audrey Lynn Maire) in the early ’80s, coincidentally once a friend of Vanessa’s (Elizabeth Lail) from the first film.

Aside from Lail, Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Matthew Lillard all return from the original, with Skeet Ulrich and Wayne Knight adding some intrigue and/or fun to the proceedings. It’s much more fast-paced and straight-to-the-point, and much like the recent Black Phone 2, a step above its predecessor.

Look, I didn’t go into Street Fighter, the PG-13 video-game based film aimed at preteens back in the day, expecting to see Bloodsport, and no one should go into FNAF2 expecting the equivalent of a gore fest, either. It’s just scary enough for the smaller kids, while also keeping it safe enough for the whole family to enjoy, and aside from its abrupt ending, is an overall solid film.

Rating: 3/5