The Metalsucks Podcast

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we welcome Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small to the show! And if you've been following his work lately, you know we have so much to discuss, including Dethklok’s Dethalbum IV and the new feature film Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. Also we discuss the upcoming tour with Babymetal and if he has any jitters taking the stage. We also chat about his passion for physical media, how DVD audio commentaries taught him to be a filmmaker, the secret legendary screenwriter he collaborated with on the new film, what getting into character feels like for him, and the importance of the very first two episodes of the series to the overall world of Metalocaypse. Petar, Jozalyn, and Sylvia discuss our thoughts about the new Guns N’ Roses single “Perhaps”, and celebrating the 30th anniversary of Type O Negatives “Bloody Kisses”. Song: Dethklok “Aortic Desecration” Song: Capra “Tied Up” Song: Knife “Heaven Into Dust” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a

Maurizio Iacono of Kataklysm is back on the show for a bonus episode! We're here to discuss all things Goliath, the band's latest album, which is out right now via Nuclear Blast Records. During our chat, we also discuss what it was like releasing their previous album Unconquered in the middle of the pandemic, being one of the first bands to tour the United States coast to coast after the pandemic, and the band's goal of getting the new album done and out to fans.  We also chat about his experience in the last year with managing bands and the rising tour cost, the breakdown and reality of what venues are doing with merch cut percentages in modern times, the importance of championing a young band and navigating them through the current climate, and why it is a human right to question authority and have a clear open discussion in these times. Song: Kataklysm “Dark Wings of Deception Song: Kataklysm “Die As A King” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Better Lovers axeman Jordan Buckley is joining us this week on The MetalSucks Podcast! In this week's episode, we discuss the ritual of sleeping and listening to episodes of Forensic Files, his thoughts on the upcoming football season and the potential of his team the Buffalo Bills, and his thoughts on a possibly questionable move by QB Josh Allen in a golfing event. Since this isn't a sports podcast, we also talk about what it's like watching vocalist Greg Puciato jump off a balcony during recent live performances, the pros of recording on the road when your producer is in the band, who is the greatest vocalist of the 90’s in his opinion, and the plans for Better Lovers in 2024. Petar and Brandon tackle Chad Gray’s comment on Mudvayne being nu metal, our feelings on metal sub-genres  representing scene movements instead of the music of the band, Andreas Kisser’s comments on a Sepultura reunion, and Scott Ian’s comments about backing tracks at love concerts. Song: Better Lovers “30 Under 13” Song: Bett

For the 500th episode of The MetalSucks Podcast, we got Jesse Shreibman and Dylan Desmond of Bell Witch on the show! With their 83 minute epic Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate released earlier this year, we discuss what it takes to write a song at this length, what instrument doesn’t stand out to open the composition, letting the notes and instrumentation breathe for effect, and the three album conceptual plan that's tied to Future's Shadow. We also chat about touring with a visual artist on the upcoming tour cycle, some of the modern day touring challenges that bands are facing, and how the extreme metal scene has grown so vibrantly in the last decade. And of course, we couldn't go through this special episode without Petar and Jozalyn celebrating the milestone 500 episodes. As such, we discuss the journey, the players, and give gratitude to all the people at MetalSucks past and present for allowing us the opportunity to be able to add and promote the music we love for close to a decade. So

Fernanda Lira of Crypto is back on the show and she's here to celebrate Crypta's second album Shades of Sorrow. coming out August 4. During our chat, we discuss why writing the debut album  proved to be more challenging than its follow up, how important it was to find the right identity for the project, and some of the major issues bands are facing with high costs and how it effects touring. Speaking of money matters, we chat about Patreon and why it's becoming an important tool for bands, making music videos that are awesome on a small budget, and the importance of album artwork for death metal. Elsewhere in the show, Petar and Sylvia discuss Phil Bozeman’s comments on wanting metal to intimidate him, Deafheaven’s 10 year mark of Sunbather, and Fear Factory celebrating the 25th anniversary of Obsolete. Song: Crypta “Lords of Ruin” Song: Crypta “Trial of Traitors” Song: Voyager “Ultraviolet” featuring Sean Harmanis of Make The Suffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust is our guest this week! We are here to celebrate their 14th studio album Truth Killer coming out July 28. We also perspective that came after the pandemic, the Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas being a hub for heavy music in the late 90’s, how Sevendust feels about releasing new music to the fans, which songs he feel are the most difficult to revisit for him, touring to celebrate the anniversary of Animosity, and how revisiting past records are for him. We also cover which crooner he feels he would love to cover, what it was like releasing a new album during a pandemic, the livestream experience, and some advice on keeping a band together throughout all these years. Petar and Brandon discuss Gary Holt’s comments on Slayer reuniting, the passing of Tony Bennett, and Jacob Shaddix’s comments on what bands will be replacing Metallica after they retire. Song: Sevendust “Everything” Song: Skindred “Gimme That Boom” Song: Ringworm “No Solace, No Quarter, No Mercy” Learn more abou

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we’ve got none other than Austin Haines from Outer Heaven on the show this week! During our chat, we discuss his love for the Alien film franchise, how it may have the best sequel of any series, and how the world create on their new album Infinite Psychic Depths is a prequel to their previous one. We also chat about the album’s artwork, how the band’s two full lengths tie together, the guest vocalist he secretly hoped would commit, and how important it is to stay true to Outer Heaven’s sound. Petar and Jozalyn discuss Ozzy Osbourne dropping off the Power Trip festival and the band announced as his replacement, our thoughts on the impact of a Creed reunion, and Puddle of Mudd releasing a new song that doesn’t really live up to their past. Song: Outer Heaven “Pillars of Dust” Feat. J.R. Hayes of Pig Destroyer Song: Outer Heaven “Liquified Mind" Song: Evile “Reap What You Sow” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oxbow frontman Eugene S. Robinson is our guest this week! We discuss the new record Love’s Holiday coming out July 21, how his lyrical approach changed on the new album, approaching his vocals in an almost live format while in studio, and why he's always been fascinated with artists that have proven to be troublesome humans. We also talk about becoming a father and how he this has made him view his relationship with his father, writing his memoir “A Walk Across Dirty Water And Straight Into Murder’s Row,” his experience of missing out on interviewing Prince, and the importance of not missing band’s you love perform love these in modern times. Petar and Brandon discuss the passing of Drive Like Jehu frontman Rick Froberg, Better Lovers dropping a surprise E.P. to its fans, Frank Bello giving an update on a new Anthrax record, and Mick Mars' latest statement about his former bandmates in Motley Crüe. Song: Drive Like Jehu  Yank Crime Song: “Here Come the Rome Plows” Song: Oxbow “Dead Ahead” Song: Oxbow

Nita Strauss is back on the show! We are here to celebrate her second solo album “The Call of the Void” coming out this Friday, July 7 and as such, we discuss the patience she had to show prior to getting the album released, how the pieces came together to get David Draiman of Disturbed to guest on the album, returning to the road with her solo project last year supporting Black Label Society, and some of the new challenges on road life. She also touched upon having to challenge herself constantly in the ever-changing music industry, receiving a Super Bowl ring when the LA Rams became champions, and why the universe needs to remake the classic Walter Hill film “Crossroads” with Nita replacing Steve Vai. Petar and Sylvia discuss Corey Taylor’s comments on possibly hanging it up in five years with touring Slipknot, Shavo Odadjian once again commenting on the musical hiatus of SOAD, a new study suggesting listening to metal doesn’t help with your college GPA, the tragic passing of Ryan Siew of Polaris, and co

Madeleine Liljestam and Rikard Ekberg of Eleine joined us on this week's episode of The MetalSucks Podcast! We discuss their new album We Shall Remain coming out July 14, the mindset that they were in during the recording of their previous album Dancing In Hell, the surprise diagnosis Madeleine received during the pandemic, how important the fans on their Patreon were during that time and now. We also discussed the current touring situation regarding the rising costs of touring for European bands coming the North America, why they feel merch cuts by venues is an evil practice, and winning over those fans that initially look miserable at the beginning of their set. Petar and Brandon debate Trent Reznor’s comments on releasing new NIN music, celebrating the 30th anniversary of both Morbid Angel’s Covenant and Death’s Individual Thought Patterns. Song: Eleine “We Are Legion” Song: Eleine “Never Forget” Song: Enforcer “Nostalgia” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's MetalSucks Podcast, we've got Fascination Street Studio Founder Jens Bogren on the show!  During our discussion, we chat about his and Ihsahn’s course at URM Academy “How It’s Done” available until July 12th, why he decided to put together a step by step course, and how much of the actually course was scripted. Of course, we had to have a deeper discussion about his experience in the studio, so we asked him about things like: when spending a lot of time on pre-production makes sense, what it's like when bands enter the studio with “demo disease," and what he feels are the most overused elements in demos. We also talked about studio tech and the considerations that go along with it, like what it takes to adapt modern technology in his studio, if he has ever lost an entire song when a hard drive crashed, what he feels can be the most tedious step in recording, and why capturing clean singing in a metal band is vital to the song when needed. Petar and Brandon discuss Dani Filth calling “Spot

This week's edition of The MetalSucks Podcast features Mlny Parsonz of Royal Thunder! In our discussion, we discuss the band's first album in over five years Rebuilding The Mountain, the ability to shake off negativity before a performance, having extra time to write and record being good and bad at times, and how the album artworks colors and texture go through the approval process. On a more personal level, we talked about her transition to sobriety and her taking steps to stop the negative cycles in life and focusing on having hope. Petar, Jozalyn, and Sylvia discuss all the news stories surrounding Slipknot this week Craig Jones leaving the band, his replacement, a throwaway surprise E.P., and Corey Taylor planning on taking all of 2024 for his solo project. Song: Royal Thunder “The Knife” Song: Royal Thunder “Fade” Song: Black Spiders “Alright, Alright, Alright” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder is our guest for this week's edition of The MetalSucks Podcast! He's here to discuss his latest solo album II, coming out June 9. As such, we discussed when he had time to focus on following up What The Water Wants, why it’s more difficult for him to write music for his solo project as opposed to Fates Warning, and why he decided on calling the record II. We also get to chatting about the long break from touring he's currently experiencing, how he adapts to change in modern times compared to his youth, if there are any plans for Fates Warning’s 40th anniversary next year, and an update on all his other current projects including Fates Warning and A-Z. This week is a music episode and we present our mid-year best of list, and play a track off of every album we feel you need to listen to before moving into the summer! Song: Insomnium “White Christ” Featuring Sakis Tolis Song: Enslaved “Congelia” Song: Venemous Concept “Fractured” Song: Sermon “Golden” Song: Ray Alder “

On this, the Memorial Day episode of The MetalSucks Podcast, we've got Leprous frontman Einar Solberg on the horn! In our interview with him, we discuss his debut solo album 16, out June 2. Our conversation also takes us along what  the writing process was like for the single “Over The Top” and revisit many memories from his formative years, and if he can remember emotions or moments more when looking back. We also talk a bit of shop, asking him when he started working for songs on what became his solo project, what it was like collaborating with Ihsahn through the years, his plans on touring for his solo project, and an update on a new album from Leprous. Petar and Sylvia discuss the passing of original Saint Vitus bassist Mark Adams, Foo Fighters announcing the drummer who will be replacing the late Taylor Hawkins, Corey Taylor’s comments on AI music, and Burton C. Bell’s upcoming solo tour featuring a lot of Fear Factory songs. Song: Saint Vitus “Born Too Late” Song: Einar Solberg “Over The Top” So

Legendary thrash metal bassist David Ellefson is our guest this week on The MetalSucks Podcast! In our chat, we discussed how his new project Dieth came to be, if there ever was a competitive nature between thrash and death metal bands in the late 80’s, and why Dieth will not be playing on songs from the members previous bands. He also elaborated on how when starting a new project each member's role is defined, how he grew out of his role in Megadeth, and his thoughts on laptops and backing tracks in modern live metal and rock shows. Petar and Sylvia discuss seeing Avenged Sevenfold's first performance in five years, watching Danzig Sings Elvis in a Vegas lounge, the Sick New World festival experiencing sound issues during performances, and how to manage the Vegas heat at all day music festivals. We then read our fan email’s, answering questions, and promoting some of bands and business ventures. Song: Dieth “To Hell And Back” Song: Dieth “Don’t Get Mad…Get Even” Song: Sleep Token “The Summoning” Son

In this special half episode of The MetalSucks Podcast, we get a quick chat with M. Shadows and Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold! Co-host Sylvia Alvarado got them to sit in on her show at KOMP 92.3 to discuss their latest album Life is But A Dream… coming out on June 2.  During their chat, they discuss how the album is an existential crisis in audio form, why they want to take every possible left turn when creating music at this stage, how Avenged Sevenfold can be viewed and a legacy band to many fans, and their influences behind the new single “We Love You.” Song: Avenged Sevenfold “ We Love You” Song: Avenged Sevenfold “Nobody” Song: Gozu “Tom Cruise Control” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we’ve got ProgPower USA promoter Milton Mendonca on the show! During our chat, we discuss how he started out as a fan before becoming a promoter, the process of booking bands for a festival, what a possible VISA hike from the United States government would do to bands, and the financial challenges of doing exclusive North American shows.  Like most interviews these days, we also discuss the impact of having to take a two year break due to the pandemic, what he thinks is the secret to maintaining a festival to keep making money after 20 years, shutting his phone off to watch certain bands, and the hardest lesson he learned promoting a festival every year. Petar and Brandon discuss the impact Anthrax’s “Sound of White Noise” on its 30th anniversary, Vince Neil judging anyone in anything in life on National TV, Vulvodynia drummer almost getting “murdered” by his singer, and the singer releasing an apology before explaining why he almost killed his drummer. Song: Beas

Dez Fafara of Devildriver is our guest this week on The MetalSucks Podcast! In this episode, we celebrate their new album Dealing With Demons Vol. 2, emoji’s making their way in business communication, the income a band would get for plays 20 years ago compared to today, and younger audiences embracing late 90’s bands. We also talk about what it was like touring with Type O Negative in the early 2000’s, the lesson Peter Steele gave him one night while drinking wine, how he gravitates to people in music without ego, his take on the feature of releasing new music for the heavy scene, and how the Devildriver fanbase has accepted any direction he feels his art should go through the years. Petar also tackles Paul Stanley’s comments on gender identity as being a fad, Dee Snider getting remove from the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade because of his support of Paul Stanley, Dustie Waring of BTBAM addressing rape allegations, and Rage Against The Machine getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Song: Devildri

Burning Witches vocalist Laura Guldemond is our guest this week on The MetalSucks Podcast! We discuss the writing process for their latest record The Dark Tower, the lyrical inspiration that Countess Bathory played, the importance of the comic book style cover art the band strives for with each release, touring on a cruise, getting sea sick and still performing, the importance of social media for bands in modern times, the craziest time she had at a metal show as a fan, and if she gets more energy from the audience singing or moshing during live shows. Petar and Brandon breakdown the video of Crazy Town singers getting into an ugly fight, Hed(P.E.) kicking them off the tour because of the video, and Bam Margera threatening to kill his family before turning himself into the police. Song: Burning Witches “The Dark Tower” Song: Blood Ceremony “Ipsissimus” Song: Dave Lombardo “Inner Sanctum” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we've got Cattle Decapitation axeman Josh Elmore as our guest on The MetalSucks Podcast! We discuss what it's like having to answer the same questions in interviews, the process of getting a Cattle Decapitation song passed by all of the band members, and which member sends memes in the group texts. We also talk shop, as he shares his experience touring the European festival circuit last Summer, if he thinks taking an opening slot on a tour to grow the band is a good idea at this stage, merch cuts being a reality of touring for the past 10 plus years, and what he feels is the best way to support a band. Petar and Jozalyn also talk about last week's headlines, including the new band featuring ETID and Ex-Dillinger Escape Plan members, our reaction to their first single and name of the new band. They also discuss Foo Fighters announcing a new album and Mötley Crüe gong back in the studio to work on new music. Song: Cattle Decapitation “We Eat Our Young” Song: Cattle Decapitation “Scourge Of The