#Shane the Australian Engine

[engineer-gunzelpunk]

"Heavy Harry looks like its about to go postal"

So goes one of the comments under this cartoon by John Draper for the SAR 520 Restoration SteamRanger group.

Going postal would not be too out of character for Heavy Harry, he is very easily angered; '01 for her part looks incredibly outraged, like actually personally offended.

For her part, R761 just looks confused as hell.

As a Victorian gunzel I had a good laugh, just cause seeing my bitter boy in a cartoon, even in a sardonic one is always a hoot. I appreciate the backhanded acknowledgement of both Harry and the Rs being representative of our state's flagship locos alongside '01. It hits just right.

I gotta say, this is one of the strangest comments I have ever seen:

Except that the SAR 520 class has a very strong resemblance to the Pennsylvania Railroad T-1 Class, reflecting SAR Commissioner's William Webb's and CME Fred Hugh Harrison's penchant for American locomotive design and...

...and...

...and...

*reads that last line again*

*blinks*

*Gets visions of a Dalby-esque scene of Heavy Harry derailing*

I MUST DRAW THIS I MUST

Edit: to add link to the SAR Restoration 520 site https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/volunteering-with-steamranger/520-restoration-appeal/

[magicmalcolm]

Advent Calendar Day 13: Shane of Australia.

[little-pup-pip]

Just curious, what requests do you have in your queue/to do currently? If you're ok with saying it that is :]

Oh boy, that's a bigger question than last time someone asked! I have over 200 waiting requests at this point!! Because of that this got very very long, so I put the rest under the cut! Like last time, this is in order of how recently I received the request, and doesn't mean I'm too busy to take new requests!!

Ibara saegusa (enstars)

Monochrome oranges cats and angels

Gloomy bear

Another rockruff (maybe)

Cult of the lamb (specifically the lamb)

Llewellyn Watts (Murdoch Mysteries)

Jake (trailer park warlock)

Cult of the lamb (pet dreaming themed)

Bear therian

Selkie

Ice bear (we bare bears)

Tubbo (maybe)

Snow leopard

Pink

Australian shepherd (pupre)

Cassie (fnaf: ruin)

Draik (neopets)

The rainbow fish

Black kitten + space

Pumpkin head (maybe, needs more research)

Alice in wonderland

Sheep

Someone's OC Avery & siblings

Gothic

Star catcher (MLP)

Masc version of my druid board

Scrooge CG (2009 film)

Beetlejuice

Superstar daycare (fnaf)

1950s + ocean

Pandas + light purple and black

Dandelions

Willy wonka CG (recent movie)

Maki Harukawa (Danganronpa)

Kidcore Halloween + pumpkin puppy Webkinz

Fruit bat

Mermaid

Pastel purple + pandas

Robocar Poli

Brown, lime green and forest green puppy

Weird Barbie CG

Shiny Vaporeon

Where the wild things are

Squid

Dylan (the magic roundabout)

Conner CG (Detroit become human)

Mitsuri kanroji (demon slayer)

Minecraft mooshrooms

Sharks or wolves (haven't decided)

Hot Wheels

Miffy

Fox

Sharks

Zombies

Vincent (dead plate)

Vintage kitty dreaming

Deadpool

Shane CG (stardew valley)

Wolf pup

Celestia and Luna (MLP)

Soft blue and yellow

Pascal (animal crossing)

Pastel blue and pink

Batman CG

Ram

Osamu dazai (bungo stray dogs)

Dylan (the quarry)

Rain/nature + white rabbits

Ox

Penguin + dinosaur

Noah (total drama island)

Vision CG (marvel)

Light blue

Bumble bees + lavender

Yellow + ducks

Bearded vulture

Barn owl

Queen barb (trolls world tour)

Oliver (vocaloid)

Light green light brown and beige

Mind (Chonny Jash/CCCC)

Cinnamoroll + emu otori (project sekai)

Yellow+ chicks and puppy stuffies

Seam CG (deltarune)

Plants vs zombies

Viktor (arcane)

Queen of trash CG (Elmo goes to grouch land)

John Constantine (Justice League Dark)

Aziraphale (good omens)

Scenecore

Musa (winx club)

Leap frog

Hyper feminine puppy

Crow + black cat

Totodile + bodies of water

Bees

Sackboy (Little Big Planet) and or My Melody

Baby crocodile

Animal crossing

Pastel kitten

Doki doki literature club

Keralis (Hermitcraft, maybe)

90s grunge

Tula tones (novi stars)

Eevee + dragons

Kitten + stars

Ratchet (rescue bot academy)

Pastel shark

Mikan Tsumiki (Danganronpa)

Mushrooms

Grey + Ross federman youtooz

Sparkly dragon

Blue and purple + puppies

Ducks + alt/Gothic lean

Cinnamoroll

Shadow (sonic)

Jellyfish

Boyfriend.xml (Friday night funkin')

Puppet (fnaf)

Golden retriever + yellow and blue

Bernese mountain dog

Strawberries

Genshin impact

Len or Miku

Toothless (httyd)

Eddworld

Donnie (rise of the tmnt)

The princess and the grilled cheese sandwich

Pastel goth princess

SpongeBob

Karako Pierot (hiveswap)

Young Michael Afton

Soft fox

Great pyrenees + farm

Ike eveland

Invader Zim + neon green

Julius Caesar (Octavian, night at the museum, waiting until March for this one)

Scorpion

Vampire squid

Golden retriever (again, lol)

Cats + playing outside

Border Collie

Tiger

Argos CG (World of Mr. Plant) 

Pochacco

Mortal Kombat

marble cross fox/forest/fantasy (I'm figuring this one out still)

Puppy + SpongeBob

characters from Project Sekai, Hoshino Ichika, Mochizuki Honami, Akiyama Mizuki and Kusanagi Nene.

Baby vulture

Frog with more fem themes

Rain world/slugcat

Dark academia/cottagecore

Border Collie

Modded smash hit rooms

Crying child (fnaf)

Agent Smith CG (the matrix)

Katamari

Enjolras (les miserable)

Rolfe DeWolfe CG (Rockafire Explosion)

Bugbo

Slime rancher

Puppet (fnaf)

CosMc's

Parado (Kamen Rider)

Tally hall

Gordon (all engines go)

Spinel (Steven universe)

Cater diamond (twisted wonderland)

Rockabilly (probably)

Felix Lee

Jing yuan CG (Hsr)

Charles Xavier CG (X-Men)

Toki wartooth (metalocalypse)

Naoto Shirogane (persona 4)

Kitoto (I don't know what he's from)

17th century dutch

Sirena von boo (monster high)

Jake (miss peregrines home for peculiar children)

Minecraft

Sees behind trees

Allay (Minecraft, I think)

Spinosaurus screenshots or products

Tecchou (Bungo Stray Dogs)

Barbara (genshin impact)

Tasmanian devil

Spamton CG (deltarune)

Spinosaurus

Grunge + lop eared bunnies

Yume-Nikki

Daxter (jak and daxter)

Madness combat for puppies

James Sunderland (silent Hill)

Shirokuma (Danganronpa)

Leo (IDW comic)

[master-of-the-railway]

I feel like talking abt monster Shane this mornin', because he's one of the few that actually attacks everything and he's very much one of the most aggressive known monster engines recorded to date. While he can be his normal very sweet (ESPECIALLY with Aubery and Aiden, his designated coaches) and gentle in his conscious form, his feral form is a literal gamble. He can me commanded and trained...but not easily, and not without putting your and everyone around you's lives at risk. He's protective of his coaches and VERY protective of his territory, but not just when it comes to other engines, it includes people too. And he's not just some cat-like creature, he's a bonafide australian crocodile, with the only difference between him and the regular animal being that his tail and legs are a LOT bigger...his teeth too. Shane has been managed well enough so far that he hasn't killed anybody, but he's managed to break bones and cause some heavy injury to anyone who tries to engage with him while he's feral. He nearly killed Ace and his driver, infact, the two crossed paths on a road one evening when Shane had escaped his yard and it very nearly ended in blood. It didn't, but it could have.

Of course, Shane feels AWFUL about these events when told about them later. Aubery and Aiden confessed they'd heard him crying over it some nights. He doesn't want to hurt people, his entire job is built around people! He loves humans! It pains him to hear he's caused them all so much pain, but he just can't help it, he can't stop himself no matter how desperately he wants to. Which is why he is part of the reason that spurred humanity to begin researching a new specialized tranquilizer that could immobilize the "organic" parts of a monster engine.

[rygoespop]

Thomas and Friends: Tales from Sodor (Story 66): Surf's Up Thomas

Narrator: Surf's Up Thomas

Scene opens with Thomas, puffing through the coast line pulling Annie and Clarabel, as he blew his whistle to greet Arthur, who is playing Salt Vans and Box Cars full of fish

Narrator: The Island of Sodor has lots of Beaches, Holidaymakers tend to go their when on Holiday

Scene transitions to Thomas, puffing into Bluff's Cove, but he was surprised of what he is seeing

Narrator: But one day, Thomas saw something he never seen before

Thomas sees a surfing contest on the beach, where Surfers from around the world surf in the water

Thomas: Woooooow, what is this?

???: Why it's called surfing Thomo!

Thomas: Wait, sounds like..

The familiar voice was revealed to be Shane

Thomas: Shane?! What are you doing here on Sodor?! I haven't seen you since the Sodor Cup

Shane: Well Thomo, your bloomin Sir Topham Hatt asked my Controller, the Australian Controller to see if I can help out on Sodor for the summer!

Thomas: Well, that's great to hear!

Shane: And knowing there's a surf contest on Sodor, I brought Australia's greatest surfer with me, Archie Duggan!

Archie: G'day Thomas, you must be the engine from Sodor

Thomas: Hello, and yes I am! I see your excited for the Surfing Contest

Archie: You got that right Thomas, surfing is like not just for fun, but also for contests, like the story I once surfed against a Shark

Thomas: *shocked* A shark!? Where!?

Archie: Hey, relax Thomas! There are No Sharks here

Thomas: *relieved* Oh

Archie: Anyways, gotta get to catch my wave! G'bye Thomas, see you later Shane! *he ran off to catch his wave*

Thomas: Goodbye Mr. Duggan!

Shane: See ya later Archie!

Thomas: Well, I need to get to Knapford Station, goodbye Shane! *he blew his whistle and puffs off to Knapford*

Shane: G'bye Thomo, see you later!

Scene transitions to Thomas, at Knapford Station

Narrator: Later, Thomas arrived at Knapford, Sir Topham Hatt was waiting

Sir Topham Hatt: Ah, Thomas! There you are! I have an important job for you! I need you to take some Coal Cars from Brendam Docks to Harwick!

Thomas: Yes sir! *he blew his whistle as he puffed off to the docks*

Scene transitions to Thomas arriving at Brendam Docks

Narrator: Later, Thomas arrived at Brendam Docks and he sees a line of Coal Cars

Thomas: Oh, hello Salty and Porter! Are these Coal Cars for me?

Salty: Why of course Thomas!

Porter: They are going to Harwick!

Thomas: Thank you! *he blew his whistle as he buffers up to the coal cars*

Shane: Whoa there Thomo! Those cars can be heavy!

Thomas: Shane?

Shane: *blew his whistle* Allow ol Shane to those Coal Cars from ya!

Thomas: I got this one under control Shane, Sir Topham Hatt's orders! *he blew his whistle as he puffs off to Harwick*

Shane: Wait up Thomo! *he blew his whistle as he followed*

Scene transitions to Thomas and Shane puffing through the Countryside

Shane: Ya know Thomo, Australia does have a countryside!

Thomas: Really? What's it called?

Shane: The Outback, but it's all dust and rocks

Thomas: Well, maybe if Sir Topham Hatt allows another trip for me and five other engines to go around the world, I'd be happy to visit Australia!

Shane: Sure ya do Thomo!

Scene transitions to Thomas and Shane puffing into Bluff's Cove

Duck: *blew his Whistle as he was pulling the Slip Coaches* Thomas look out!

Thomas: Cinders and Ashes! *he slammed on his breaks*

Troublesome Truck: Now its our chance, to make Thomas a surfer!

The Trucks: On on on! *they push Thomas*

Thomas: Oh no!

The Signalman saw what was happening, he quickly changed the points, diverting Thomas to the siding as the trucks push him

Thomas: Whooaaaa! *he crashes into the buffers as he was uncoupled from the cars*

The Surf Judge: *turns and sees Thomas* Oh no! Everyone run!

The Spectators and Surfers got out of the way

Thomas: *sees the water* Cinders and Ashes! NOOOOOOOOO!!! *His Driver and Fireman jumped out just in time as he splashes into the sea*

Shane: Are you alright Thomo?!

Thomas: I think so! *sea water splashes on him* Ugh!

Archie: Thomas, were you trying to become a surfer like me?

Thomas: I'm so sorry I messed up the competition Mr. Duggan!

Scene transitions to Philip, who arrived with Rocky, and Sir Topham Hatt was there

Narrator: Later, Philip came with Rocky to fish Thomas out of the water, Sir Topham Hatt wasn't happy

Sir Topham Hatt: Oh dear oh dear Thomas, what were you thinking? You were suppose to take the Coal to Harwick and now you tried to be a surfer? Engines don't surf!

Thomas: I know sir, and I'm sorry

Shane: Sir! Will it be OK for me to finish up Thomo's work?

Sir Topham Hatt: Not a bad idea Shane! You'll finish Thomas's job while he's at the Steamworks

Shane: Righto sir!

Scene transitions to Shane, now pulling the Coal Cars to Harwick

Narrator: Later that day, Shane finished Thomas's job

Scene transitions to Thomas at the Steamworks on a hoist, getting seaweed and sand out of his Smokebox

Narrator: And Thomas was being repaired

Shane: *blew his whistle as he puffs in* G'day Thomo, I'm sorry about your accident at Bluff's Cove!

Thomas: It's alright Shane, I learned that I can't be a surfer

Archie: Oh Thomas, that's not true! I had a great time, and you being a guest at the competition made it more fun!

Thomas: R-really?!

Archie: In fact, we have a special medal for you, for being our Mascot for the Surf Competition! *he shows it to Thomas*

Thomas: Oh, thank you Mr. Duggan, thank you Shane!

Shane: Your welcome Thomo!

Archie: Hey Thomas, promise us this, you and your friends will visit us in Australia one day!

Thomas: I'd like that idea!

Shane: Then we'll all hop aboard for a World Tour! *he blew his whistle*

Shane, Archie, and Thomas all chuckled as Steam Clouds rolled in

Story End

[f1]

V8 Supercars teams chase Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 as Red Bull deal could open door for Aussie star

V8 Supercars teams chase Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 as Red Bull deal could open the door for Australian to make short-term return to his homeland  Garth Tander will not renew his deal with Triple Eight Race Engineering The team is owned by Red Bull, who have recently re-signed Daniel Ricciardo The eight-time Grand Prix winner will serve as the reserve driver in 2023  Supercars CEO Shane Howard said sport would 'roll out red carpet' for Ricciardo The Australian was axed by McLaren at the end of a dismal season  Click here for all your latest international sports news at Daily Mail Australia  By Dan Cancian For Daily Mail Australia Published: 09:22, 9 December 2022 | Updated: 09:22, 9 December 2022 Daniel Ricciardo could be in line for a sensational short-term switch to V8 Supercars next season after Triple Eight Race Engineering and Garth Tander surprisingly parted ways on Friday. The Red Bull-owned team said that Tander, a five-time Bathurst 1000 winner, had opted not renew his contract at the end of the season, just two months after triumphing at Mount Panorama alongside Shane Van Gisbergen. Team principal Jamie Whincup said the would speak with 'drivers both domestic and abroad to find the best fit to co-pilot' the number 97 car together with Van Gisbergen. Daniel Ricciardo could be in line for a sensational switch to V8 Supercars next year  He added the search for a replacement driver to share the seat at the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 next year was already underway.  According to News Corp, Tander's unexpected departure could open the door for Ricciardo. The Australian doesn't have a seat on the grid for the 2023 Formula 1 campaign after splitting with McLaren at the end of a difficult season. The eight-time Grand Prix winner signed a deal with Red Bull to be their reserve driver next year and has vowed to secure a seat for 2024. The 33-year-old came through the junior ranks at Red Bull and raced for two years for the drink giant-owned Scuderia Toro Rosso - which has since rebranded to Alpha Tauri - before being promoted to Red Bull's main team.  Garth Tander (left) and Shane Van Gisbergen celebrate winning the Bathurst 1000 Team principal Jamie Whincup said Triple Eight Race Engineering were exploring several options to replace Tander ahead of next season  And his return to the Milton Keynes-based team could facilitate a switch to V8, as the energy drink giant's motorsport arms includes Triple Eight Race Engineering, which is branded as Red Bull Ampol Racing Supercars.  News Corp reported that Supercars have already sounded out Ricciardo about possible appearances at selected events in next year's championship. Fernando Alonso followed a similar path when he raced for McLaren in the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and 2019, while under contract for the team's Formula One team.  Ricciardo will return to Red Bull next season as the team's reserve driver for 2023 In May, Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said the sport would be prepared to roll out of the red carpet for the former McLaren driver. 'If the opportunity presented itself to have Daniel on the grid as a wildcard or otherwise, we would absolutely want it to happen,' Howard told the Herald Sun. 'He is one of the best drivers and most recognised athletes in the world, it would be fantastic to have him race a Supercar at some point. 'We haven’t spoken to Daniel or his management and it would be in the hands of teams to align any opportunities that may present themselves in the future, but for sure it is something we would support.' Share or comment on this article: V8 Supercars teams chase Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 as Red Bull deal could open door for Aussie star via Formula One | Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

[dailyrugbytoday]

Junior Wallabies vs Argentina - Rugby Championship U20s

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/junior-wallabies-vs-argentina-rugby-u20/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/junior-wallabies-vs-argentina-rugby-u20/

Junior Wallabies vs Argentina - Rugby Championship U20s

Junior Wallabies vs Argentina Rugby Championship U20s have named their teams for Round 1 of the TRC U20. Nathan Grey has chosen a 23-man playing group to face Argentina in Thursday’s U20 Rugby Championship opener. Lock Toby Macpherson captains the team, with vice-captain Ronan Leahy playing inside center.

Jack Barrett, who recently made his Super Rugby Pacific debut, tops a front row that includes Bryn Edwards and Tevita Alatini, with Harvey Cordukes joining Macpherson in the engine room.

Aden Ekanayake, an Australian Sevens prospect, joins Reds flanker Joe Liddy and Brumbies number eight Jack Harley in the back row.

Junior Wallabies vs Argentina – Rugby Championship U20s

Australia will face Argentina on Thursday 2 May at Sunshine Coast Stadium (7pm kick off).

The Junior Wallabies vs Argentina U20 rugby match will be shown live and exclusive on Stan Sport.

Time Thu, May 2, 2024, 3:00 PM

Location Sunshine Coast Stadium

Junior Wallabies vs Argentina – Rugby Championship U20s Predictions

Australia performed admirably in the 2023 U20 Rugby World Cup, despite a difficult draw against England and Ireland. Argentina, on the other hand, had a more favorable draw, but faced inconsistent sides in Italy and South Africa.

It could be another tight finish, but I believe Australia will break away late in the game to win by ten or more points.

Australia finished seventh in the 2023 U20 Rugby World Cup.

Australia has won its last two matches, against New Zealand and Wales.

Argentina finished ninth in the 2023 U20 Rugby World Cup.

Argentina won the final two matches of the 2023 U20 Rugby World Cup.

Argentina Pumitas versus Australia:

CORREA , Diego (Club Atlético Estudiantes) 2. VIVAS, Juan Manuel (Los Tordos) 3. RAPETTI, Tomás (Alumni) 4. GARCÍA IANDOLINO, Álvaro (Los Tordos) 5. EFRAÍN, Elías (Jockey Club of Córdoba) 6. PENOUCOS, Juan (Belgrano Athletic) 7. FERNÁNDEZ DE OLIVEIRA, Santos (SIC) 8. BERNASCONI, Juan Pedro (La Plata RC) 9. DI BIASE, Tomás (Deportiva Francaise) 10. DI LUCCA, Santino (La Plata RC) 11. SOLER FILOTY, Valentín (Tala RC) 12. BOCCO, Tomás (Córdoba Athletic) 13. SÁNCHEZ VALAROLO, Faustino (Palermo Bajo) 14. ROSSETTO, Franco (Club Atlético Estudiantes) 15. ELIZALDE, Benjamín (Deportiva Francesa / Tigres RC)

Relacements:  16. CAMERLINCKX, Marcos (Bella Vista Regattas), 17. GARGALLO BAZÁN, Gonzalo (Córdoba Athletic), 18. GALVÁN, Gael (Pucará), 19. ASEVEDO, Luciano (Liceo RC), 20. ROSSI, Julián (RC High School), 21. PODESTÁ, Genaro (Marist RC), 22. FOSSATI, Mateo (Belgrano Athletic), 23. SILVA, Timothy (SIC)

Read more about U20 Rugby Championship Australia U20 vs Argentina U20

Australia U20 team versus Argentina:

1. Jack Barrett (Waratahs)

2. Bryn Edwards (Waratahs)

3. Tevita Alatini (Brumbies)

4. Toby Macpherson (Brumbies – captain)

5. Harvey Cordukes (Brumbies)

6. Aden Ekanayake (Waratahs)

7. Joe Liddy (Reds)

8. Jack Harley (Brumbies)

9. Doug Philipson (Force)

10. Joey Fowler (Rebels)

11. Xavier Rubens (Reds)

12. Ronan Leahy (Force – vice captain)

13. Jarrah McLeod (Brumbies)

14. Will McCulloch (Reds)

15. Shane Wilcox (Brumbies)

Replacements: 16. Nathaniel Tiitii (Waratahs), 17. Tavi Tuipulotu (Rebels), 18. Nick Bloomfield (Reds), 19. Ben Daniels (Reds), 20. Ben Di Staso (Waratahs), 21. Hwi Sharples (Waratahs), 22. Cullen Gray (Brumbies), 23. Angus Staniforth (Brumbies)

[sbknews]

Mission King Of The Baggers, BellissiMoto Twins Cup And Mission Super Hooligan National Championship Classes Join The Daytona 200. MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has announced a total of 143 entries for the three classes that kick off the 2024 MotoAmerica Championship at Daytona International Speedway, March 7-9. The 82nd running of the Daytona 200 will feature 67 riders with 28 of those from outside the United States. The race can also boast of three past Daytona 200 winners (Josh Herrin, Brandon Paasch and Danny Eslick) on the 2024 entry list. But the Daytona 200 isn’t the only race happening at the Speedway as the Mission King Of The Baggers, BellissiMoto Twins Cup and Mission Super Hooligan National Championship will also be in action on the high banks at the “World Center Of Racing” for what will be the start of their championship seasons. The entry list for Mission King Of The Baggers is 16-riders strong, and it features defending class champion Hayden Gillim aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson as he battles against rivals Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli who represent Harley-Davidson Factory Racing. The other American Big Twin motorcycle company, Indian Motorcycle, are represented by Tyler O’Hara, who is teamed up this year with fellow S&S/Indian Challenger rider Troy Herfoss, a three-time Australian Superbike Champion who will be making his Daytona debut. And speaking of riders from other countries, the pride of Andorra, a MotoGP podium finisher, as well as a World Supersport and World Superbike multi-time race winner, Rubén Xaus is all-in on his Feuling Parts Harley-Davidson. He’ll have to face Bobby Fong, who is back aboard his SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Challenger. Then there’s the three-rider Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson team with Cory West, Jake Lewis, and Travis Wyman. And let us not leave out the surprise signing of the off-season with Hayden Gillim’s teammate Rocco Landers also aboard a RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders is hopeful of duplicating or improving on his podium result from the last KOTB race in New Jersey in 2023 and Trask Performance is fielding Shane Narbonne. Indian insider (he’s an engineer) Kyle Ohnsorg is back aboard a Challenger after a podium-reaching performance at COTA last year. Flat tracker Jesse Janisch is bringing his sideways-sliding style to the Suburban Motors H-D/Slyfox/Trask Performance team. And they will all be joined by Danny Eslick, the four-time Daytona 200 winner who will be aboard his Nowaskey Extreme Performance Harley. Meanwhile, 25riders have entered the BellissiMoto Twins Cup series opener with two races around the 3.51-mile, 12-turn Daytona road course. Defending Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis will start the season as the favorite on his Yamaha YZF-R7, but he will face a considerable challenge from both Aprilia and Suzuki-mounted riders. The Suzuki attack is led by Team Hammer’s Rossi Moor on the new Suzuki GSX-8R with Vance & Hines also fielding Rocco Landers on a GSX-8R. Aprilia, meanwhile, will be well represented by Robem Engineering’s Gus Rodio, who will be teamed up with Italian Alessandro Di Mario and wild-card New Hampshirite Ben Gloddy, who is returning to the team for at least one round (and maybe more?). And, speaking of Italy, new team TopPro Racing has brought in Romeo Chiavini to pilot an Aprilia. Those four will be joined by eight more Ape-riders ready to go “660” on the field of 25. Along with Davis in the Yamaha YZF-R7 camp are former class champion Kaleb DeKeyrel, South African Dominic Doyle, and his Giaccmoto Racing Yamaha teammate Sonya Lloyd, who raced in last year’s Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. program, and British-racer-living-in-Canada Jack Roach returns to MotoAmerica after a hiatus of a couple of years. Thirty-five riders have entered the series opener for the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship with that class featuring 12 different manufacturers doing battle. Making its debut at Daytona is the Yamaha MT-09 SP, a three-cylinder motorcycle that will be piloted by three different riders, including Italian-born, Switzerland-residing FIM Endurance World Championship-winning rider Niccolò Canepa. Defending class champion Tyler O’Hara is back aboard his S&S/Indian FTR1200, Andy DiBrino returns aboard his Competition Werkes/Gray Area/KTM 890 DUKE R, and Stefano Mesa will once again be aboard his Tytlers Cycle Energica Eva Ribelle RS electric bike. Plus, there are seven Harley-Davidson Pan Americas, a couple of BMW R nineTs, two Ducatis, a pair of Suzuki SV1000s, an Aprilia Tuono, a Buell XB12XT, and even a Victory Vegas in the mix.

[fahrni]

NASCAR: Who to watch at Indy

This weekend is pretty special for NASCAR. There are four championship drivers from other countries driving this weekend. 🚘

I’m going to put my money on Shane van Gisbergen having the best finish of these drivers since he won the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race, but I hear Brodie Kostecki is also very good. 😃

Here’s who to watch!

Brodie Kostecki is an Australian professional racing driver. He currently competes in the Repco Supercars Championship, driving the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Erebus Motorsport.

Mike Rockenfeller is a German professional racing driver and was an Audi factory driver competing in the DTM and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Kamui Kobayashi (小林 可夢偉, Kobayashi Kamui) is a Japanese racing driver. He competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing, and in the Super Formula Championship for KCMG.

Shane Robert van Gisbergen is a New Zealand racing driver in the Supercars Championship racing in the Number 97 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 car for Triple Eight Race Engineering. With three Supercars Championship wins (2016, 2021, 2022), 80 wins and 46 pole positions, van Gisbergen is the fourth most successful racing driver in the Supercars Championship history.

[melbournenewsvine]

Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander win the last Holden stand at Mount Panorama

Garth Tander was speechless watching Shane Van Gisbergen do what no one else would do again. The New Zealander now has more wins in Supercars in a season than anyone else, after Van Gisbergen and Tander climbed to their second Bathurst 1000 title in three years after dominating a chaotic race at Mount Panorama on Sunday. It was a fitting farewell to the Holden Commodore, Red Bull Ampol’s Triple Eight racing duo, sending the Lion badge to the top in one last roar around the mountain in one of the best finishes ever. Van Gisbergen withstood a late challenge from Walkencho Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert, with the gap per lap changing by barely a tenth of a second per sector during an extraordinary period. “I don’t really know what to say to be honest. No words now, I really don’t believe it. Shane at the end of the race, how he can do that, his concentration and ability to hit such laps is very impressive,” Tander said. “The last Commodore here in Bathurst, he’s going to sink a little later. I can’t believe it. The car was great. It’s a real credit to [engineer Andrew Edwards]. We didn’t have the tool we needed to do the job last year and he gave us the car we needed to get the job done. All you have to do is give Shane the right tool to do the job and he’ll get the job done.” He sent Shane van Gisbergen to win Holden from Bathurst.attributed to him:GT Tander’s 100th podium finish makes him the seventh man to win at least five times in the Australian Grand Prix, equaling the mark set by Stephen Richards. More won only by Peter Brook, Jim Richards, Craig Lowndes, Larry Perkins and Mark Skevi. For Van Gisbergen, his second victory at Bathurst is closing in on another Supercars championship. He makes near misses for 2016, when he finished just 0.1sec behind Will Davison and Jonathan Webb Commodore, and for 2019, when he was runner-up by 0.7sec, feels like a distant memory. Source link Originally published at Melbourne News Vine

[blaze-aus-steam-lover]

South Australian Railways 520 class

Built from 1943 to 1947 at Islington Railway Workshops, a total of 12 produced. they where designed by Frank Hugh Harrison for the South Australian Railways (SAR).  With a whyte of 4-8-4, theses engines where streamliners making the South Australian Railways 520 class one of four streamlined classes in Australia.  Essington Lewis number 523 and Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey number 520 are the only 2 that have been preserved. the first run for the class was the 10th  November 1943,they where withdrawn from service 1961 to 1971 and the  scrapped numbers 521, 522, 524,525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530 and 531.   Shane from Thomas and friends is of this class of engine. https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/

[sukipershipper]

“And thats how I earned the title, Te Taniwha O Te Awa, it's a VERY interesting tale”

“Bloody Kiwis...”

So on DA, I introduced my Kiwi Engine character, Wiremu, and I thought of bringing him here to show people, cause I haven’t uploaded a pic of an engine in a while (which reminds me, I’m gonna have to upload those others later on)

He is an NZR A-Class, constructed in 1906, he is his country’s premier express engine, and one of the last of his kind still left. He also earned the title, ‘Te Taniwha O Te Awa’ or ‘The Monster of the river’ when he fell into the Rangitata river and when he tried to call for help he was mistaken for a monster, it took them 6 days to realize he was missing and FINALLY fish him out. Oops

He eventually got over the event, and later on, the beam above his head (or whatever the fuck that thing is called, seriously, what is that called, Oliver has one too but I don’t know what its called) was carved with the words ‘Te Taniwha O Te Awa’, and thats how he earned the title.

And of course, he and Shane are On and Off buddies, they don’t hate each other but they like to make fun of each other every now and then (Classic Kiwi-Aussie stuff), but they are good buddies.

And this is it, hope you like him!

[teotalksaboutstuff]

Big World, Big Adventures Railtour Program Part 8: The NWR Shows Off The World

This final part to the BWBA program shows off my headcanons for the engines that came to the NWR to be put on static display during their visit. I’ll delve into the North Western Railway Museum one of these days on this blog, though it is located at Vicarstown and uses the old sheds there.

Nuria (Spain)

Nuria was built in 1892 for the Torralba-Soria railway, and was used as this line’s main source of motive power alongside the rest of her class until about 1941 when the railways were nationalized into RENFE. She was then reallocated to Miranda de Ebro, where she remained until withdrawal. She was placed on static display there, and would do the same when she went to Vicarstown in December 2015.

Nia (Kenya/Uganda)

Nia is listed as two nationalities here because the railway she was built for was in fact for what is now both countries, and was built when Britain was still occupying them. She was built in 1926 as Kenya-Uganda Railway ED1 No. 327. She was present when the Tanganyika (now Tanzania) railway was merged into the East African Railway, and she served with them until withdrawal at an unknown date. What is certain is that said date was before 2005, as she was a static display at the Nairobi Railway Museum at this point. She went to Vicarstown on long term loan between July 2018 and July 2020.

Malcolm (Australia)

Shane in this universe is named Malcom due to the name of his basis, the real SAR 520, being “Sir Malcolm Barclay Harvey”. He was built in 1943 as an express engine for the South Australian Railway, a career in which he served until 1969 when he was withdrawn. The next year, however, he was run by the SAR on special trains all the way until 1998. He went to other owners after that, and went to Vicarstown four times: in May 2016, September 2018, July 2019, and July 2020.

Tamika (Australia)

Tamika visited Vicarstown alongside Malcolm. She is a narrow gauge steam railmotor that was built in 1905 and withdrawn in 1932. She was restored in 1984 and is currently owned by the Pichi Pichi Railway Society.

 Raul (Brazil)

Raul was one of three vertical boilered engines built in 1931 for the Sao Paulo Railway. He worked here until 1959 when he was sent to the Amsted Maxion factory in Cruzeiro, where he worked until 2014. He was withdrawn and preserved, and visited Vicarstown three times: May 2016, May 2019, and June 2020.

Baroneza (Brazil)

Baroneza is the name of Gabriela in this universe, as she is based on Baroneza II, an 0-6-0T built in 1852. There is almost no other information on this engine other than the fact that she currently resides in Nogueira as a static display. She went to Vicarstown alongside Raul.

Maria (Brazil)

Yes, I am aware that a pair of twins were in the canon series, though the engine that survives of their class is No. 215 “Maria Fumaca”, so only one of them survived here. Maria was built in 1912 to work a narrow gauge railway somewhere in Brazil. She is preserved and operated tourist trains in Bras, and she went to Vicarstown in June 2020.

[skyfire85]

-An OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter from the 1st Infantry Division takes off on a mission from Forward Operation Base MacKenzie, Iraq. It is armed with an AGM-114 Hellfire and 7 Hydra 70 rockets. | Photo: SSgt Shane A. Cuomo, US Army

FLIGHTLINE: 130 - BELL OH-58 KIOWA

The OH-58 was an observation and scout helicopter for the US Army from Vietnam through the War on Terror.

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa traces its history back to the US Army’s 1960 Light Observation Helicopter program. Thirteen companies entered the competition, with Bell advancing its Model 206, also known as Design 250 (D-250). The Army announced that Bell, Hughes and Fairchild/Hiller had won the initial competition, and designated the 206 as the YHO-4 (later changed to YOH-4A).

-YHO-4 prototype in flight. | Photo: US Army

The OH-4 lost out to the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, but Bell took the Model 206 and began to refine the chopper, adding 16 cubic feet of room in the back as well as making it a little more aesthetically pleasing, resulting in the Model 206A, nicknamed the JetRanger. In 1967, Hughes was unable to meet contractual obligations for the OH-6, and the US Army reopened the LOH competition. Bell submitted a bid with the new 206A, under cutting Hughes and wining the contract. The Model 206A was designated OH-58, and, following Army custom to name helicopters after Native American tribes, was named the Kiowa.

-OH-58A belonging to the Australian Army at Nui Dat in 1971. | Photo: Australian Army

Production OH-58A models began arriving in Vietnam in August of 1969, in many cases operating alongside the OH-6s that they ostensibly replaced. Many were fitted with M134 Miniguns, giving them some measure of firepower. In addition to orders from the US Army, eight Kiowas were leased to the Australian Army, and 74 were delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces as the CH-136 Kiowa. Beginning in 1978, OH-58As were converted to OH-58C standards.

The OH-58B was an export version for the Austrian Air Force, and was also produced under license as the CAC CA-32 for the Australian Army and Navy.

-Austrian Air Force OH-58Bs. | Photo: Jakub Nanowski

The OH-58C was fitted with more powerful engines, as well as IR suppressors to shield the exhaust from SAMs. The OH-58C were also fitted with the passive wire strike protection system, blades fixed to the upper and lower fuselage to cut wires before they entangle the skids or rotor shaft; the Kiowa was first helicopter so equipped. OH-58Cs were equipped with larger instrument panels, and the panels and cabin lights were compatible with night vision goggles. The Kiowa were the first U.S. Army scout helicopter to be equipped with the AN/APR-39 radar detector, a system which allowed the crew to know if they were being “painted” by enemy radars.

-US Army OH-58C at the World Helicopter Championship in 1986. | Photo: Mike Freer - Touchdown-aviation

In 1975, the US Army, anticipating the replacement of the AH-1 Cobra by the AH-64 Apache, developed requirements for a new Advanced Scout Helicopter which would:

“...possess an extended target acquisition range capability by means of a long-range stabilized optical subsystem for the observer, improved position location through use of a computerized navigation system, improved survivability by reducing aural, visual, radar, and infrared signatures, and an improved flight performance capability derived from a larger engine to provide compatibility with attack helicopters”.

Congress provided no funds for the ASH program, however, and in 1979 the Army decided to shelve it in favor of the Near-Term Scout Helicopter (NTSH) program, which would utilize existing designs fitted with Mast-Mounted Sights (MMS) instead. Bell offered their Model 406 while Hughes proposed an upgraded 500D, the improved civilian version of the OH-6. In 1981 the NTSH had resulted in the Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP), and in September of that year Bell was awarded a development contract for the OH-58D.

-Diagram of an OH-58D showing subsystems and contractors . | Illustration: US Army

-An orthograph of the OH-58D. | Illustration: FOX 52

The most distinctive feature of the OH-58D Kiowa is the MMS, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas, through mergers production of the MMS has passed to Boeing, then to Leonardo DRS. Perched atop a pylon above the rotors, the beach-ball shaped sight is gyroscopically stabilized and mounts a TV camera with low-light capability, a thermal imager, and a laser rangefinder/designator.

-The OH-58D’s MMS. | Photo: Leonardo DRS

Being mounted above the main body of the helicopter, the MMS allows a Kiowa to hide behind a terrain feature, but maintain surveillance of a target, or, if working in concert with an attack chopper, the spotter can designate a target for the AH-64's Hellfire missile while both helos are behind cover.

OH-58Ds were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1988 as part of PRIME CHANCE, the escort of oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War, and were also involved in JUST CAUSE, the 1989 invasion of Panama. As part of DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, 115 Kiowas were deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, achieving the lowest ratio of maintenance hours to flight hours of any combat helicopter in the war. Based of experiences from these conflicts, the Army began the Kiowa Warrior program, which involved fitting first new build aircraft and later retrofitting existing OH-58Ds with modular weapons pylons on both sides of the aircraft, allowing the mounting of M296 .50 caliber machine gun pods, Hydra-70 unguided rocket pods, AIM-92 Stingers for self defense and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, allowing the Kiowa Warriors to act as armed scouts.

-An OH-58D Kiowa Warrior operating from the USS Lake Erie during a joint-training operation. | Photo: Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Hageman, USN

OH-58Ds were again deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, amassing 72 and 80 flight hours per month respectively. This also marked the last combat deployment of the Kiowa, which was retired beginning in 2013, with the last OH-58C trainers expected to be withdrawn some time in 2022.

Replacement of the OH-58 was first anticipated with the LHX program in the early 1980s, but the 2004 cancellation of the RAH-66 Comanche undid those plans. Cost overruns also killed the Bell ARH-70 in 2008, which was also due to replace the Kiowa. In 2012, the Army tried again with the Armed Aerial Scout program, which looked at the AH-6i, AAS-72X/X+, MD 540F, Sikorsky S-97 Raider and AW139M as possible replacements, as well as the OH-58F, which incorporated new engines as well as numerous avionics upgrades, as well as a new nose-mounted sensor array in place of the MMS.

-The OH-58F prototype at an expo. | Photo: Worldwide-Military.com

The AAS program fell to cost issues, and the Army divested itself of the Kiowa fleet as a cost-saving measure, with the scout duties carried by drones and the AH-64E. In 2018 the Army began the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, with the AVX/L3 CCH, Bell 360 Invictus, Boeing, Karem Aircraft, and the Sikorsky Raider X competing. On 25 March 2020, the US Army selected Bell and Sikorsky to move forward to develop flying prototypes, with expectations on having a fly-off some time in 2022.

[parasighting]

Top 20 albums of 2020

New place for Parasighting (here you can find the old blog), as it seems that Facebook and several social media platforms in general don’t very much agree with Blogger. Oh well, if we don’t change we die, isn’t that what they say? So, this will be the new place for posts from now on, including the Rodon Underground playlists (that is, if I manage to wrap my head fully around how Tumblr actually works). For now, and as a fitting starting post, here are the best 20 albums of 2020, always in my opinion and always in a mood for fisticuffs:

1. Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

This normally shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it’s not like we haven’t had our fair share of scares in our lifetime when we’re dealing with a sophomore album following after an explosive debut. Last year’s Dogrel gave everyone what they wanted/expected, since basically it was, more or less, a gathering of all the great singles Fontaines D.C. had released in a 2-year period prior to that. As it seems, we are indeed dealing with an absolute gem of a band that, this time around, did anything but staying safe with an already tried-out and successful formula. Instead, they chose to give all weight to feeling, proving their songwriting genius at the same time. A Hero’s Death doesn’t contain intended typical radio hit songs (although it plays a lot on today’s radio, something hopeful for the music industry in general), instead it’s full of meaningful introvert compositions saturated in melody and atmosphere, while Fontaines D.C. themselves, despite their huge and abrupt success the last years, keep a low profile and support their material exemplary. This record is music history, and one to be mentioned for years or even decades from now in music in general.

Listen to A Hero’s Death

2. C.O.F.F.I.N. - Children Of Finland Fighting In Norway

Many have wondered about the air in Australia. Or the water. Or maybe it’s the crazy wildlife that makes one either to be on their toes all day or to “yolo” it like there’s no tomorrow. These lads right here sure seem to be the latter. It would be futile to try and get right now into the history of Australian music and what this country has offered the world, especially when it comes to garage/punk. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that C.O.F.F.I.N. have released this record this year but, then again, uncontainable excitement gets usually mistaken for surprise. It’s not that they had been under the radar or something until now, but Children of Finland Fighting in Norway is the flag all Turbojugends around the world should gather behind this year. This album is the Apocalypse Dudes of the band and, mind you, I’m not talking about copying Turbonegro or anything like that. I’m talking about the spontanity and the pure energy that is emitted here throughout. The band, although they surely step on the foundations of (especially the scandinavian) rock ‘n’ roll history, the final result can’t be mistaken with any other band. A look on the videos the band has put out will give you a total idea that here we’re dealing with original Aussie craziness, and that is something not to be messed with, if you ask me.

Listen to Children of Finland Fighting in Norway

3. Napalm Death - Throes Of Joy in The Jaws Of Defeatism

I don’t think that the name Napalm Death needs much introduction, even to those who have little contact with the extreme sound in general. Pioneers of hardcore punk, grindcore and so many sub-genres at their birth, they have been shaping much of the contemporary extreme music scene through the years. And, in order for this to be achieved, it couldn’t be without constant musical unrest and experimentation. Shane Embury & co returned in 2020 with their 16th album, in which they push their (and music’s in general) boundaries to new territories. Of course, this in no way means that it is a soft or mellow record, even for Napalm Death standards. Instead, the band incorporates even more diverse elements from bands that one could say have been their followers, only to prove once again that they are the true pioneers. Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism is a full record where something exciting happens each minute, and this is the chance for any listener that (maybe has been living in a cave up until now and) hasn’t yet captured the grandeur that a band like Napalm Death exhales.

Listen to Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism

4. All Them Witches - Nothing as the Ideal

What is “rock” anyway? If there was a faceless recipe, then everyone would be able to just follow the rules and do it. Instead, through the over-production in today’s music, it’s damn hard to find something original and spontaneous, as most bands can’t do anything better than copying a “recipe” or reverse-engineering their idols, at best. And this is why bands like All Them Witches shine brightly and justly from within the pile. Nothing as the Ideal elegantly showcases that this band basically carries a significant amount of all the weight of today’s rock music. Yes, they started off having been labeled as “stoner” or “desert” or whatever, but the signs were always there. Dying Surfer Meets His Maker was the first blast, but, with this one, All Them Witches establish themselves among the leaders. After all, how can you go wrong with a band that sounds better playing live than on their studio recordings?

Listen to Nothing as the Ideal

5. Hurula - Jehova

It’s safe to say that the name Robert Petersson is nothing short of a landmark when it comes to Swedish punk. Showcasing some fine moments of hardcore skate-punk with Epileptic Terror Attack, hardcore rock ‘n’ roll with Regulations, melodic punk with Masshysteri (among others), finally Hurula is his personal musical vehicle, where he is in absolute command of everything. And, although this is already his fourth full-length release and, thus, it’s not like we had no idea about the potential, Jehova proves to be his grand opus so far, in a sort of unexpected way. The general orchestration remains “rock”, but the multiple melodic layers all over make for a unique experience for the listener who is not limited within specific musical genres or styles. The Swedish lyrics throughout might make it a bit unaccessible to many, but don’t let this minor detail keep you from discovering an incredible record.

Listen to Jehova

6. Wailin Storms - Rattle

Wailin Storms are a “where had they been hiding up until now?” case. Although they released their debut album not before 2015, Rattle is already their fourth one, and what a kick in the head it was for me discovering them last year! Going through their discography in retrospect, one should not be surprised, of course. The North Carolina rockers always carried their certain and specific type of lyricism amid their heavy and, at times, almost noise/sludge guitars. Fitting all this alongside the mystical atmosphere and Justin Storms’ agonizing vocals, the speakers exhale a strangely attractive as well as condemning dark beauty through the speakers. Many things come to mind as to what one could say Wailin Storms sound like through their definitely personal identity; in my ears, it’s kind of like the Black Angels jamming with Unsane and smoking whatever Electric Wizard passed them through. If this doesn’t make you want to check out Rattle, I have no idea what could.

Listen to Rattle

7. The Hawkins - Silence Is A Bomb

All those that know me, also know what a huge sucker for swedish rock ‘n’ roll I am. But, ever since the great scandinavian rock ‘n’ roll revolution by Gods like the Hellacopters and Gluecifer started to happen, a lot of things have also happened in the meantime. Especially to the younger rockers, the aforementioned bands now carry a “classic rock” label, but then again that kind of makes sense if you were born around the years Supershitty to the Max! was released. Time for the new generation to show what they’re worth, then. Through the flood of copycat and mediocre bands (justifiably, in a way), luckily from time to time there will be one or two cases to stand out, and these four kids from Arboga, Sweden surely make the cut. Although their debut album three years back was definitely a beautifull high-energy record, Silence Is a Bomb is what adds a special kind of maturity in rock ‘n’ roll, while still maintaining its edge. The Hawkins take their Hellacopters, but they also add several doses of Queen in them, maybe making the final mix too soft for purists; but who cares about them anyway?

Listen to Silence Is a Bomb

8. Chubby & the Gang - Speed Kills

It feels like nothing short of a fresh breath of life, a feeling that there is still hope in this damn world, when debuts like this one right here appear out of nowhere. Chubby & the Gang are just some kids from West London who, with Speed Kills, give you, if not something else, a feeling that here we’ve struck pure gold. Carrying a hardcore tone, apart from that they’re just a bunch of absolutely fresh and fun punk rock ‘n’ rollers, and, if this is not exactly what we need these days, I just don’t know what is. With gang vocals throughout the whole record and with the average running track time below two minutes, this band has automatically climbed near the top of my bucket list of bands I want to see live at first chance.

Listen to Speed Kills

9. This Is Nowhere - Grim Pop

Plainly put: In a fair world, This Is Nowhere would be globally greeted as one of the greatest bands of today’s psychedelic heavy rock; and this is not an exaggeration. Then again, them being from Greece and their members being scattered in three different countries are not factors that objectively help. Even at that, it’s astonishing how they’ve obviously achieved a certain chemistry between them through the years in order to achieve such a feat, like Grim Pop definitely is. Their two previous albums contained a significant amount of all the mystical energy the band emits on stage, but, if you ask me, there was always something missing; something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Well, with Grim Pop, it’s like everything is finally falling into place. This Is Nowhere have irrevocably and definitively left terms like “stoner” or “psychedelic rock” behind; instead they have unrepentantly dived into the ‘60s, distorted everything they found there through their personal prism and created an inviting sound vortex ready to suck you into its very own black hole. Who cares if we never return?

Listen to Grim Pop

10. Στράφι (Strafi) - Παραδομένοι στη Γιορτή (Paradomeni sti Giorti)

If you asked me some years back, I could never imagine myself including a street punk record in a yearly music list. I have to admit that Strafi being from my hometown Larissa played its role; but this role played a part only for me to take note of them. Because genre-wise, the band’s sophomore release is just perfect. Having gone over the somewhat general “shyness” of their beautiful debut album, here the band presents an absolutely confident and sturdy face. The sound production contains no faults, the compositions are meaningful and inspired, the lyrics carry a level of poetry rarely found in the genre (and yes, one would have to speak Greek in order to enjoy them, unfortunately for many). Really, this is one of the cases that there’s not much to be said, as music takes over all the talking. We need more music coming straight from the heart, and Strafi are here to deliver exactly this.

Listen to Παραδομένοι στη Γιορτή

11. Minerva Superduty - In Public

Another Greek entry, one that the world definitely has to discover. I find it a bit strange how Minerva Superduty started their discography, which was with an instrumental metal record that, amid its creativity, left the listener with a somewhat lack of closure and fullness. 2016′s Gorod Zero came to showcase a new potential for the band, and In Public, coming just days before last year’s end, fulfilled this potential to the fullest; well, until their next album, at least. Minerva Superduty merge their mathcore foundations with Converge-like hardcore and, under just 20 minutes, they deliver the absolute soundtrack for the chaos 2020 has left the world with. Do not let this gem pass by.

Listen to In Public

12. Yovel - Forthcoming Humanity

Blackmetal is a genre that has been through a lot. Of course, through its extremity, it has given way to experimentations that could never have taken place within other kinds of music but, on the other hand, this very extremity has always served as a twisted fortress for far-right and generally fascist ideologies. Yovel emerged in 2018 to rectify this problem and restore part of blackmetal’s infamy. Hɪðəˈtu had made clear of these intentions of the band, but Forthcoming Humanity drops like a milestone to declare that this was anything but a one-time wonder. Yovel take blackmetal forms and orchestrations but add atmospheric (not shoegazey) elements borrowed from folk music and create a concept album that speaks loudly against racism, fascism, bigotry, oppression. Interludes dressed with poetry and melody give place to wrecking sound outbursts and, if there is one thing they do, that’s passing on the message clearly and successfully. Yovel are here to stay, and that’s one encouraging thing about extreme music today.

Listen to Forthcoming Humanity

13. Oily Boys - Cro Memory Grin

Ahh Australia again. And a debut that has surely turned heads. Oily Boys come from Sydney and this is their hopeful debut, that being an understatement. This new band delivers an outburst of a record, bringing to mind New York hardcore at one time, taking you to sick psychedelic noise rock at the next. It all feels so cold and unhospitable in here, yet something urges you to look at it straight in the eyes. Of course, there are a lot of Converge elements in here, but this never stays in that place, as, before you know it, it jumps to post-punk and to other experimental lengths, always maintaining a chaos that may be baffling but, then again, you don’t exactly want for it to fall into order. Fans of Old Man Gloom will also find many things they like in here. Bizarre listen for bizarre times. It’s an uncomfortability we just cannot ignore.

Listen to Cro Memory Grin

14. The Good the Bad and the Zugly - Algorithm & Blues

The Norwegians with the funny and long name (one can only wonder after how many beers it was conceived) struck for the fourth time in 2020. Although their debut Anti-World Music in 2013 made an impact in the scene breathing Turbonegro with a hardcore twist, personally I can’t say the same for the next two albums; it always felt to me that something was amiss. Maybe it was that humor was taking over a bit too much or something. Mind you, the Good the Bad and the Zugly are not a joke band by any chance, but the playful sarcastic elements were always a basic ingredient in their overall sound. Coming on to Algorithm & Blues then, I think this time around thay have managed to balance it all out perfectly. With Ivar Nikolaisen being the lead vocalist of the mighty Kvelertak for a couple of years now, this might be a factor that has made the band mature compositionally. Algorithm & Blues is more melodic, more substantial, more sing-along-y, but it never loses its humorous charm, preserving the band’s identity. And with song titles like “Fuck the Police” and “The Kids Are Alt-Right”, you know they’re also on the right side.

Listen to Algorithm & Blues

15. Pallbearer - Forgotten Days

One of the most tired genres of extreme music is definitely doom metal. Ever since the “stoner” plague came into existence, the world has been saturated with kids that, discovering the pentatonic scale, thought they were the new messiahs drowning us in a sea of boredom. It was not all bad of course, but, having to surf through oceans of mediocrity in order to find something that stands out, can be quite tiresome. Pallbearer from Little Rock, Arkansas surely did stand out at the start of the last decade but I think it’s taken them a while to perfect their craft. Alas, Forgotten Days. The monster riff that starts off the opening title-track is more than enough to set the mood straight. Black Sabbath riffology, Candlemass atmospheres, even Electric Wizard and Cathedral hooks; all done in a modern manner breathing life into the genre which, with bands like Pallbearer, can look hopefully into the future. The incredible cover artwork and the lamentful lyrical themes revolving around family loss surely add to the big picture. This is the definite release of 2020 for doom fans.

Listen to Forgotten Days

16. Video Nasties - Dominion

Another debut of another band to definitely watch out for. Video Nasties from UK start off looking like they know exactly what they’re out for. The whole image is brought out from ‘80s horror video tapes and this is enhanced by the movie samples all over the place paying homage to John Carpenter. Musically, here we have some exceptional death/black ‘n’ roll, and what a pleasure it is when done right. Yes, the band takes a lot from Swedish melodic deathmetal but, to my relief, they surely sound like they detest metalcore and its sub-genres as much as I do. Dominion is an absolutely enjoyable record that flows beautifully, always maintaining its theme and atmosphere and calling for repeat plays. Fans of death, black, thrash and extreme genres in general will surely feel at home here. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.

Listen to Dominion

17. The Frights - Everything Seems Like Yesterday

The Frights from San Diego, California started in 2013 as garage surf punks carrying their own distinct feeling and melody. They were always enjoyable with the lyrical themes being more esoteric, something that set them apart from the usual stuff in the genre. At first, the songs of Everything Seems Like Yesterday were intended to be released by the band’s main man Mikey Carnevale as a solo effort, but something apparently changed his mind. Many were obviously surprised by this new acoustic direction the name Frights has taken, but, setting aside specific expectations, the best thing one has to do is appreciate the artistic worth independently. And how rewarded they’ll be doing that with this album! Everything Seems Like Yesterday is a beautiful introvert, substantial and entirely acoustic album, ideal to keep you company after a hangover or through many types of hard times. It’s one of those times that this type of quiet sounds just liberating.

Listen to Everything Seems Like Yesterday

18. Umbra Vitae - Shadow of Life

With Jacob Bannon from Converge and Jon Rice from Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats on board, here we’re dealing with nothing short of a super project. And especially when Bannon (apart from all his many other musical projects) decides to venture into death/black metal areas, this is absolutely something you don’t want to miss. Shadow of Life is anything but your average deahmetal fix, and it demands your undivided attention throughout. Explosive in its grim and dark temperament, and with stunning artwork dressing it perfectly, this is an album that grabs you by the throat. Not that you haven’t offered it willingly in the first place.

Listen to Shadow of Life

19. Idles - Ultra Mono

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for many years, there is no way that you’re ignorant on the Idles phenomenon. After Brutalism and Joy as an Act of Resistance, I don’t know what we all expected from them. It’s not the easiest task to surpass two albums that have set new standards in today’s punk music (”punk” being used as broadly as possible, as a term). And, to put it bluntly, Ultra Mono doesn’t do anything like that, like, it would be something impossible, especially so soon. Then again, Idles are a band just incapable of releasing a bad record and, although it didn’t make it to the top spots of 2020′s list, Ultra Mono is an Idles-trademarked sharp and edgy album (musically and politically) that preserves them at the top where they indicate to the rest of the world where music is going.

Listen to Ultra Mono

20. Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today

Protomartyr from Detroit have always served their unique blend of post-punk. In Ultimate Success Today, they continue their gloomy journey in symphony with this dark world. Joe Casey, always carrying a Nick-Cave-like vibe in his tone, delivers his grim lyrics atop the heavy basslines, the strange drumbeats and the almost free-jazz saxophone. Always melancholic and dystopic, Protomartyr is the band this world needs and deserves.

Listen to Ultimate Success Today

[glennethph]

They’re showing bts of My Engineer and there are clips of the couples. Man, Ram’s face when King tells him to go away is just heartbreaking. Especially because they were the fun couple and this was just almost OOC for this ship.

TBH I’m surprised that I didn’t like the main ship. It’s right in my wheelhouse to like Ram/King tho because they are cute and adorable. What surprised me was Thara/Frong - but I realized from this bts, Shane (Frong) is a hotass and I have a crush on him.

Speaking of crushes. I got a link to Perth/Ram’s youtube channel - he’s so cute. I didn’t know he’s part Australian but ‘Perth’ should have clued me in lol

Anyway, this ‘Summer Trip’ bts is most likely from the special mini-season of My Engineer. Five episodes to resolve Thara/Frong and Ram/King.

(Huh, Mek is missing. I googled and the actor is runored to be not coming back. And also, that’s why he was dubbed - he wasn’t Thai, he was Chinese).