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The Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast returns with all the Mayhem of May. Join Counterpunch, RodimusConvoy13, Rotorstorm, and Scotty P for an episode filled with laughs, drafts, and even a giraffe?

Episode #145 “May Mayhem“ is available directly and in our RSS Feed, and should appear on iTunes and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

The ongoing Beast Wars re-watch kicks off the show as the cast takes a look at Episodes 12 and 13 of the first season. "Victory" brings us full blown cartoon villain plans gone awry, as no Predacon could ever predict a gorilla with a jetpack coming to save the day. Even viewers could never predict a ship crash landing from right where it took off. We take a look at "Dark Designs" as well, featuring Tankor.

If this gets you in the Beast Wars mood, why not travel back to 2014 and check out the end of Twincast / Podcast Episode 101 where Jon 3.0 and Scotty P got a few minutes to talk with Garry Chalk, voice of Optimus Primal!



With summertime upon us, and most of the major sports in the US winding down, it can only mean one thing: it's about to be draft season! (Well, and baseball season if you like afternoon naps.)

To honor the 20th anniversary of Beast Wars, we proudly present the first ever Twincast character draft. Each podcaster gets three rounds to assemble a team. You'll have to tune in to find out if there were any surprise picks at the top, league-shattering trades, and if Tom Brady somehow managed to cheat to win this too.



This week also yielded two brand new Transformers comics from IDW Publishing. The cast starts their look at these books with the next chapter in "All Hail Optimus", with The Transformers #53



The Counterpunching of recent Transformers comics fiction continues as the cast takes a decidedly critical lens to the pages of More Than Meets The Eye #53. Wipe off the afterglow of all those emotions and prepare for literary critique as the pacing of the "Dying of the Light" arc is called into question.



Sometimes you need some music for when you're reading those comics, and some other times you just want to jam out to the tunes from over the years that remind you of your favorite hobby. With the recent release of "Roll Out", Hasbro and Sony Music want you to do just that. But does this experiment in cross-medium marketing work out, or are we left yearning for more? Spoiler: We're left yearning, it's actually really bland.



We keep up the music discussion a little bit longer and think of how we'd give Transformers media a soundtrack of our own. This conversation goes in lots of different directions, including some mention of our favorite Transformers AMVs (Anime Music Videos) from Youtube.

Be sure to us a link to your favorite Transformers AMV, or to what your "soundtrack" for Transformers sounds like by replying to this thread!



May Mayhem descends upon the show, with in-hand impressions of Combiner Wars Victorion at the ready. In addition to the cast's thoughts about this new fan-built combiner, you can listen as yours truly is as dense as can be in trying to figure out how to fix Pyra Magna.



But wait, has May Mayhem transformed all on its own? Has it instead become Halloween Havoc? For most of us, it sure looks that way, but at least there's Seibertron.com's gallery of Combiner Wars Deluxe Groove to tide us all over in the meantime.



Black Tracks, aka "Loud Pedal" is the next entry in the Transformers Masterpiece series headed our way this summer. Find out if we're looking forward to this repaint and retooling of Masterpiece Tracks and how we think this release measures up to previous Tokyo Toy Show exclusives such as Masterpiece Tigertrack.

Plus don't forget that you can walk down memory lane to look at the reissue version of Black Tracks, the inspiration for Loud Pedal right here on Seibertron.com.



With Robots in Disguise Season 2 having wrapped up a couple weeks ago, the cast takes a short look at the progression of the show from Season 1 to now. Plus, we consider which characters from the cast of the show could make cool toys for the Transformers: Generations line, like Lockdown and Lugnut once did themselves.



One more segment closes out the show, as we get Counterpunched into doing bragging rights. Find out which treasures we recently picked up - they may not be what you expect!



We'll be back soon for more adventures in Transformers podcasting.

Don't forget, the show only gets better if you tell us how. Drop us a review on iTunes and be sure to tell us what you love, what you hate, and what you want to hear!

Not on the show to give your take? Probably not, so don't forget to keep the discussion going on the Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums by simply replying to this post!

Got a question for the Twincast? We take all of them, we just don't take them all seriously! Leave a question in the Ask the Twincast thread and, if it makes the cut, it may get read and answered on the show.

Got my comics this morning. Gotta say, you're dead on the money. RiD is all over the joint, MtmtE is uber slow. Though Ejects action with Chromedome made me smile. Bit of emotion there. LOVED that he clocked Hotrod though and called him an enabler!

I want that black Tracks. But honestly, I'm thinking of paring down the ol' MP collection. Road Rage will likely be first to go, along with my pristine Rodimus Convoy. But I really, really want Loud Pedal!

And I'm sorely tempted to pick up Victorion as my one combiner from Combiner Wars.

Groove is up on Amazon.com for $16.99 + free Prime shipping!
http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Gene ... rds=groove

Big Grim wrote:And I'm sorely tempted to pick up Victorion as my one combiner from Combiner Wars.

You could definitely do a lot worse! Really fun weapons and the feet for the combiner are the best official ones that have been done by a mile.

mazingaspidey wrote:Groove is up on Amazon.com for $16.99 + free Prime shipping!
http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Gene ... rds=groove

It's been flashing in and out of stock, I was excited when I caught it this afternoon in-stock only to then realize my BBTS preorder shipped out at almost double the money a couple hours ago. Oh well, win some and lose some, I just hope everyone gets one that wants it. It's the #1 seller in toys and action figures on Amazon right now which is just crazy to me. Groove of all bots, Groove! Number 1! I'm sure that won't last but I couldn't have imagined that demand.

Okay, stuff.

I have many comments on the Roll Out album, as I enjoyed quite a bit of it - good for light exercise, in any case - though I think there might be an issue of genres appreciation here. The bands were asked to write stuff inspired by the Transformers, not about them (except House on Fire, that one was sampled). In a similar way to that Atlantic article from last podcast episode, I feel, some of these are just things that people associate - musically - with what the brand does in their own style. I dunno. I'm not a super fan of the album, but I thought it was a nice start to an even more multimediatic range for TFs.


But that all leads me to a different type of question: there is a lot of association between rock/metal and Transformers, and I get why that is the case given past history. But do you think that is something that should remain, going forward? You made the passing hip-hop comment, what if that were the case? Why not (actual, proper) rap, grime, or some electronic/techno/EDM tracks, or even poppy stuff?

Take, for example:


I am not saying it's good, or that I like it, but it's something out there that exists. Transformers have a fairly big pop cultural influence, Optimus in particular, and Bumblebee through intensive marketing. There's bound to be a botload of different people, with different interests, getting into TFs and producing their own music, art, writing inspired by the franchise. No?


AMV:




Comics wise, I said a lot of what I wanted to say in the review for MTMTE53, and agree with a lot of what ScottyP and the cast said for TF. As for Wreckers, I'm waiting to see how a conclusion will make this story cement itself into a continuity that is already established as - for now - inconsequential. I feel that is the biggest obstacle for some readers.

Though it seems to be catching the eye of the wider comics world more and more, too! I dropped this in an email thread a while ago:

Kieron Gillen wrote:Kieron: My aim this year is to tie up a lot of projects in the first half. Then my aim is to as I kind of free up space, not to take anything more on. That's my aim. Especially that I don't take on any more work for hire books. And I've ended up saying no to a series of dream books. I've been offered stuff inside the superhero genre, stuff outside the superhero genre, a lot of it very well paying. Stuff of which is iconic to me and I've managed to say no to it all. I haven't been offered Transformers though. And I'd feel bad for how well reviewed they are. It'd be a difficult act to follow. Clearly, on some level, all I want to do is write Impactor, but Nick Roche is obviously a friend, so there's no way I'd go anywhere near the Wreckers even if I was asked. But no. Not doing anything. I've turned down stuff I love more than Transformers, so I suspect if IDW dropped me a line I'd keep my will true. And I do love Transformers. I think I can safely say, never say never. Down the line? Who knows. Like what did my friend say? Screw you if I can't have any fun.

http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/ ... len-2.html

and

Jason Aaron wrote:What are some of your current favorite readings? Been loving @ruckawriter 's Lazarus, one of the best stuff out there nowadays.

Everything by Rucka. Spider-Woman. Transformers by @jroberts332. Power-Man and Iron Fist. All things Groo.

https://twitter.com/jasonaaron/status/7 ... 4668924929


I do, however, definitely agree with the thoughts on the comics no longer being accessible to an outside audience. The MTMTE fandom is big and multiform, but it'll eventually stop growing - unless the books are translated further outside Anglophone and Anglophile countries, then we'll have a boost of sorts. For a while.

--

For people interested in the MTMTE soundtrack, as suggested by Roberts: http://open.spotify.com/user/zaine2003/ ... MAO9WMz5AW


Also, I adore Victorion. Was that clear yet?

Dr Va'al wrote:Okay, stuff.

I have many comments on the Roll Out album, as I enjoyed quite a bit of it - good for light exercise, in any case - though I think there might be an issue of genres appreciation here. The bands were asked to write stuff inspired by the Transformers, not about them (except House on Fire, that one was sampled). In a similar way to that Atlantic article from last podcast episode, I feel, some of these are just things that people associate - musically - with what the brand does in their own style. I dunno. I'm not a super fan of the album, but I thought it was a nice start to an even more multimediatic range for TFs.


But that all leads me to a different type of question: there is a lot of association between rock/metal and Transformers, and I get why that is the case given past history. But do you think that is something that should remain, going forward? You made the passing hip-hop comment, what if that were the case? Why not (actual, proper) rap, grime, or some electronic/techno/EDM tracks, or even poppy stuff?

I think my issue with Roll Out is that it's supposed to be inspired but sounds, in the case of most of the songs, like anything else those bands would put out. They feel inspired in the same way I feel inspired to mow the yard on the weekend, which is that they weren't but someone gave them a paycheck anyway (or in my case with yard work, a chore gets done and out of the way anyway.)

I'm glad you bring up EDM as that's a genre I appreciate very much. I always thought this one could have been (it isn't, for the record) inspired by memories of messing around with Metroplex or Fort Max. Or maybe some kind of Cybertron theme? Anyway, here's my preferred remix of it, it's psytrance so you have to give it a bit and not click away after 30 seconds for it to be any good:


This song actually made me think about making a SG Alpha Bravo custom, but he'd be named Gamma Zulu or something like that:

Honestly, the recent synthwave/retro-electro genre of EDM renaissance evokes so much of a futuristic, robotic, yet still soulful tone that it almost feels custom made for Transformers. Maybe a result of young EDM artists coming in that got grabbed by the movies then dug deeper?

On that note, I also mentioned the Kung Fury soundtrack in the show. Being a love letter to the 80s/early 90s, I guess it's an obvious choice, but dang, how could this not go right in? I MEAN COME ON HE DRIVES FREAKING SIDESWIPE-KIND-OF AND THEN USES HIM AS A SURFBOARD TO TAKE OUT AN EVIL ROBOT:


And good 'ol regular trance feels "Transformer-y" to me too. Dramatic build leading to a crazy dogfight in the sky scene anyone?


I think poppy-alt rock can have a place too, for instance I think this Metric song would make a great theme for "Dying of the Light", though I guess the fact that it has that as a lyric influences that a bit. Regardless, still feels right:


Rock can definitely have a place, I just didn't think Roll Out hit it. AOR like Stan Bush can absolutely be a great fit for dramatic tension, but for other times, Transformers makes me think of heavy freaking metal if we're gonna go all out with drive on the electrics:


Maybe for parts of a Bay movie it would have. Oh, and that Optimus and me video was completely freaking amazing, Va'al!

Oh, and one more suggestion: J-Pop/K-Pop is sorely underused outside of openings and closings for the Japanese versions of the TV shows. In other words, how has this not been used (looking at you, Gundam: Build Fighters. I am disappoint.):


Right then, AMVs. As if I hadn't embedded enough here already. I couldn't really think of a Tranformers one I like off the top of my head, so I went and found one:


This was hilarious, I thought:


Here are the two I mentioned, starting with this old Gundam inspired one, which has finally gotten me to start watching Turn-A Gundam. The sampling quality of the backing track hasn't aged well, but this is beautiful and inspiring regardless. Oh, and major total spoilers for a bunch of the Gundam series, at least any of the shows that existed pre-2010:


And the Gundam 0083/Top Gun mashup, of which the one with Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone has been blocked in the US now because of course it is, so here's the still cool but not quite Danger Zone cool one for the 2nd OP:

ScottyP wrote:I think my issue with Roll Out is that it's supposed to be inspired but sounds, in the case of most of the songs, like anything else those bands would put out. They feel inspired in the same way I feel inspired to mow the yard on the weekend, which is that they weren't but someone gave them a paycheck anyway (or in my case with yard work, a chore gets done and out of the way anyway.)

Heh. But that may very well just be how they process the inspiration, no? They're not bands I'd usually listen to myself, though I have been partial to some Burt sometimes (his Carnivore EP is catchy, if anything). It does sound a lot like the generic indie poppy rock output of Americana/British/Canadian emerging/recent bands.

it's psytrance so you have to give it a bit and not click away after 30 seconds for it to be any good:

I'm used to prog rock/metal, I know the feeling.
You made some comments on the episode about the FoC trailers, and I went to check out the Metroplex one again - but I still prefer the Puscifer teaser.

Honestly, the recent synthwave/retro-electro genre of EDM renaissance evokes so much of a futuristic, robotic, yet still soulful tone that it almost feels custom made for Transformers. Maybe a result of young EDM artists coming in that got grabbed by the movies then dug deeper?

Stuff about heavy things.

So what are your thoughts on things more on the soft side, even going into older new wave stuff, or Brit Pop, as Roberts has been pushing since MTMTE began? This one was suggested during the Overlord arc.



And as much as I dislike Zimmer (don't ask), this could also fit the Dying of the Light arc, especially with the building up of the siege scenes.



On an entirely different note, why not also try delving into punkier styles - I can see some ska fitting in nicely with certain members of the Lost Light. Note to Self is also so very early Megatron/Impactor.




Plus, I still maintain this fits wonderfully with Scott and Barber's Starscream, as Sarah Stone suggested:



This was running through my mind with Tarantulas in Sins, the Noisemaze, and his feeling of abandonment and resentment towards Prowl.



And, at no one's request, I present you with the Italian theme song for Beast Wars.
I do not apologise in advance. I just cry.

I mostly like all those suggestions. Orchestral is always nice! And that Beast Wars theme is pain. Or great. I have no idea which. Maybe it's both.

Oh, and Lorde? That 40 year old man from Colorado?

ScottyP wrote:I mostly like all those suggestions. Orchestral is always nice! And that Beast Wars theme is pain. Or great. I have no idea which. Maybe it's both.

Huh. My answer disappeared.

What I said was: Biocombat was my introduction to the world of Transformers. I think that explains a lot about me.

[The Maximal leader was called Black Jack, his feline teammate Ghepard, Rattilus the rodent - and the bounty hunter Abysses went after experimental Predacon Granchior. I mean..]

This is the kind of music I'd like to hear with Transformers. Porcupine tree is that right blend of proggy/metal that would work great, I think.

Ooooh Wilson.

Dr Va'al wrote:Ooooh Wilson.

You mentioned Prog Metal, so I figured you might be a fan.

I'm a wee bit late to the party since I missed this somehow, but a few things:

I do agree about MTMTE being a bit slow at this point. But I think the conclusion and the follow up should help out and be pretty cool.

Wreckers: It is a good read and I'm curious to see where it ends up. And, there could be some sort of major thing done by the book, as save for like a panel Prowl has yet to be seen again and what about Verity. Big things could happen, but they may just be a bit under the radar at the current stage in exRiD due to spoilers for this story.

Victorion is awesome.

The music for all of the fall of Cybertron trailers were awesome. Cities in Dust by the Everlove is a favorite of mine, and the Pusifier was a good song too. very dramatic. But i also recommend this one: the Way by Zack Hemsey.


Sorry bout posting like 2 weeks after y'all were done

You want a proper "inspired" by track, look up Miracle of Sound track "Roll Out"!