My written review of the Darkness’ new album Dreams On Toast will take some time, as there are 29 tracks to discuss. 29 tracks?! Why yes, including the five studio bonus tracks, six live ones, and eight acoustic demos. Nevermind that it’s one of the best new releases of 2025. These things take time!
Don’t worry though. Tim Durling has you covered. On Tim’s Vinyl Confessions, they already reviewed the album, and now I’m here to tell you about the bonus tracks. Let’s rip through ’em all like something that’s hot on your tail. Check this video for all the bonus track details for Dreams On Toast!
Who better to talk about extra songs than Mr. Bonus Tracks himself, namely Mike Ladano of @GrabAStackofRocK! We attempt to sort through the various paths and travels one must make to procure all of the Darkness goodness of 2025. Or something like that.
A record-setting Grab A Stack of Rock Good Friday afternoon was had yesterday afternoon! With co-hosts Johnny Metal and Ash Geisler (awake at 4:00 AM just to do this show!), we had views exceeding the legendary 2023 Good Friday show that featured, as Jex’s mom put it, “a good view”.
Unfortunately Jex Russell was heading out of town for his Easter weekend, and was unable to attend (though Johnny Metal had him on a shirt). Ash showed off some cool Australian finds, from pop punk to harder edged tunes. Johnny Metal’s new arrivals included the complete CD catalogue of Dr. Kathryn Ladano, so we spent a little time talking about brain injuries and the album Anatomy of the Recovering Brain. Of course, Johnny Metal also brought plenty of metal, including one LP that tied into 50 Years of Iron Maiden.
As for me, I had three main things to focus on:
A brand new record sent to me by Dan Chartrand, from OfftheCharts…and some bonus music, of his own band Dead Culture Society!
A batch of new music that arrived this week. My thoughts on Epitaph by April 16th, Dreams On Toast by the Darkness, and Rock N Roll Party Tonite by Mystique.
An absolutely epic purchase of rock CDs from old friend Len Labelle. More to come on this in a future video showcasing even more CDs from the bulk purchase.
If you liked this episode, then join us next week for our 100th. We’re going to have a party!
Good Fridays Past:
Good Friday Afternoon April 7 2023: @MarriedandHeels and Jex Russell began the tradition for a special episode celebrating California music, Easter manicures, and shiny silver boots! Our first Good Friday afternoon episode, we did it at this time slot to enable @MarriedandHeels to join us from California. It was a fun afternoon, and look how shiny those boots are!
Good Friday Afternoon March 29 2024: Top 5 Albums From Our Birth Years with Jex Russell and Uncle Meat. This was a special episode! Jex and I wanted to continue the Good Friday tradition, but this was a special reunion for Meat and I, who had not done a show together in a year and a half. Jex surprised me – and my surprise is in the thumbnail image! A blessed good show!
NEXT WEEK: OUR 100TH EPISODE! A LIVE MIX TAPE WITH JEX, HARRISON AND JOHNNY METAL!
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man Episode 99: Good Friday Afternoon – New Music Mania with Ash Geisler and Johnny Metal
A Good Friday tradition: For the third time, Grab A Stack of Rock goes LIVE this afternoon with special guests and special music! We have a ton of new music here to discuss at Grab A Stack of Rock HQ. You’ve heard all about the new Darkness album Dreams On Toast? Well now it’s my turn. I have SEVEN COPIES (six physical and one digital) to get all the tracks, and I will be discussing my impressions. I also have the new Rock N Roll Party Tonite EP by Mystique, and some vinyl from Dan Chartrand from OfftheCharts to unbox! What could be inside? You’ll be electrified. Time permitting, I may also show off my massive haul from a forthcoming video on a big, BIG purchase.
We’ll see how much we can get through, because joining me will be Ash Geisler and Johnny Metal, with their own new musical scores to show off. What could be new in southern Australia and the state of Alabama? We’ll find out this afternoon!
The Good Friday afternoon episode is a tradition now in its third year (see below). Sadly, Jex Russell could not be with us this time, but Ash and Johnny should be up to the task, even if the time zones make it tricky. Remember, this episode is LIVE so join us for the fun and let us know in the comments that you’re with us! See you this afternoon to Grab LOTS of Stacks of Rock!
Friday April 18 at 3:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 4:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.
Good Fridays Past:
Good Friday Afternoon April 7 2023: @MarriedandHeels and Jex Russell began the tradition for a special episode celebrating California music, Easter manicures, and shiny silver boots! Our first Good Friday afternoon episode, we did it at this time slot to enable @MarriedandHeels to join us from California. It was a fun afternoon, and look how shiny those boots are!
Good Friday Afternoon March 29 2024: Top 5 Albums From Our Birth Years with Jex Russell and Uncle Meat. This was a special episode! Jex and I wanted to continue the Good Friday tradition, but this was a special reunion for Meat and I, who had not done a show together in a year and a half. Jex surprised me – and my surprise is in the thumbnail image! A blessed good show!
NEXT WEEK: OUR 100TH EPISODE! A LIVE MIX TAPE WITH JEX, HARRISON AND JOHNNY METAL!
I came home from work last Friday to find not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE parcels containing new music! Of course, if you unbox something these days, you have to do it on camera. All of this music will receive a closer look on our annual Good Friday Afternoon Show on Grab A Stack of Rock, tomorrow! However, nothing can top the first look at a musical surprise!
Catch my reaction as I look at:
Six versions of the Darkness’ Dreams On Toast album, which will be discussed in more detail on Friday.
A brand new EP of previously unreleased music by Mystique!
Killer metal from the UK.
A surprise gift of a Japanese import.
A very special gift from Blotto!
All here in this spontaneous and magical unboxing video! Tune in tomorrow for our Good Friday show and a deep dive into all this new music, and much more!
mikeladano.com 