Episode 82 - Scene Of The Crime (ft. ZZ Top, Mortal Sin & Malice)

In this episode the Tico Torres Tombola of Topics and Themes set the lads the task of finding three albums or bands that were in some way linked to criminal acts. And not just misdemeanours, thank you very much - these had to be crimes for which jail time would not only be inevitable, but also very lengthy.

So, enter stage left Richard, clutching a copy of ZZ Top's Deguello (you'll have to listen to the episode to discover how it meets the brief). It marks a change of direction for the Texas boogie crew as they shifted away from their early blues and bluegrass brand of rock and roll to a more mainstream sound. 1981's El Loco would open the band up to mass awareness, and two years later the singles-packed Eliminator would become both golden goose and millstone. Welcome then to one of rock music's most significant commercial stepping stones.

Next up, Mark. 1986's Mayhemic Destruction, from Aussie thrash merchants Mortal Sin was their recording debut after solid work on the local gig circuits around Sydney and the wider locale. It also contains two absolute nailed-on thrash gems. Prepare for Steve to go into an advanced state of priapism.

Finally, Steve brought something as familiar and much loved as an old winter comforter, walking through the studio door with License To Kill, the 1987 sophomore effort from Amercian power rockers Malice. With a clutch of songs that could strip paint from the wall, this episode would get both loud ... and weird.