The MetalSucks Podcast

Badass shredder Michael Amott of Arch Enemy is the final guest on The MetalSucks Podcast. We are so excited to get to chat about the band's 12th studio album Blood Dynasty, due out March 28t We start the conversation with how creating music is still the most exciting part of being in a band for him, some of his practices if he runs into writer’s block, the full collaboration with Jens Bogren on the new album, and which Arch Enemy album he would love to put a concert medley together for the fans. We also discuss how adding Joey Concepcion to the band gives them a little fire in the studio, the positive outlook that not being an overnight success brings to him as an artist, his input in the cover artwork for the new album, touring the states for the first time in three years and some of those challenges, and the most intimidating factor for him when he decided to follow his dream of being a musician. Finally, the MetalSucks podcast team sends all our gratitude for all the wonderful years of being able to participate as the official podcast for Metalsucks.net. Being a heavy metal fan that somehow had transitioned into heavy metal media, the great team and family that welcomed us, believed in us, trusted us, and gave us an opportunity that changed our lives. Lastly we send out a huge thank you to the fans as we close this magical and meaningful chapter to our lives and say goodbye. Song: Arch Enemy “Dream Stealer” Song: Arch Enemy “Blood Dynasty” Song: Allegation “Driftwood” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire joins the podcast this week! During our chat, we discuss the new album Shapeshifter coming out March 28! We also chat about their year-long release of singles, fans' reaction to releasing a ton of singles and music videos, and how it benefits the songs individually in the live setting. We also face the idea of full length albums going away in heavy music, the negative affects of celebrating the past if the band just does singles, how the process of performing encores in a live setting have changed through the years, having evil right in front of our eyes constantly in modern America having to be addressed, the dangers of a band going fully independent when it comes to the passion of creating, how they team build to keep the core group together through 15 years, and the huge benefit of a band member being a producer for the band Petar and Brandon discuss the expectations they have for the new film Spinal Tap 2, the decades late sequels that have scarred us, if Sleep Token is going to blow up across the world on the latest album, and Disturbed burning the Chicago Bulls championship banners. Song: Memphis May Fire “Hell is Empty” Song: Memphis May Fire “Chaotic” Song: Katerina Nicole “Catch My Breath” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zachary Ezrin is our guests this week! We are here to discuss the latest album GOLDSTAR coming out March 21st! We start the show be discussing being the last band to record in Colin Marston studio in NYC, getting the album recorded in 5 days this time around, how they got involvement from Dave Lombardo and Tomas Haake on the album, the influence of early cigarette advertisement on the albums artwork, his thought on the modern day protocols when people “bum a cigarette”, traveling really being important to knowledge of people and there lives, the touring memories that stick after doing for over a decade, and the creative impact that the bands choices of “cover songs” as singles the last few years had. Petar and Brandon discuss Mastodon finally moving on with Brent Hinds after 25 years, us both being shocked that it didn’t happen sooner, our hopes that no mud slinging will occur in the future. We also discuss Courtney LaPlante pinpoint the perfect production that does affect current metal core records, Ghost unveiling a billboard in front of a church on the Vegas strip, and him letting fans know that there cell phones won’t be allowed at their upcoming world tour. Song: Imperial Triumphant “Pleasuredome” featuring Dave Lombardo and Tomas Hawke Song: Imperial Triumphant “Lexington Delirium” feat Tomas Haake Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warbringer frontman John Kevill is once again back on the show! We open the discussion on his take on the world we currently live in, how his optimism of seeing positive change in his lifetime has waned in recent times, and how that mindset inspired the song “A Better World”. We also talk about how many of the songs on the new album are based on his experiences, how modern art has a low level of mind control that affects our decision making, how important the next year is for Warbringer, and the toxic mix many artists feel when they are successful in music but it doesn’t translate into financial security. Petar and Brandon discuss the “Cat Bath Water” merchandise release by Belushi Speed Ball, MTV Unplugged streaming now on Paramount+ and us remembering those episodes in real time, Buckcherry’s Josh Todd believing in rock n roll, and some Hatebreed drama surrounded the exit of Chris Beattie. Song: Warbringer “The Sword And The Cross” Song: Warbringer “A Better World” Song: Alien Weaponry “1000 Friends” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dani Filth of the iconic Cradle of Filth is back on the podcast! We are here to celebrate the new album The Screaming of the Valkyries coming out March 21st! We begin our conversation on writing music post pandemic and Dani’s lets us know they are already writing for a new album before this one drops, we continue to discuss all the new social media platforms and how that is to navigate for established bands, the sad realization that going to a record store has zero magic for him in modern times, the years of him skateboarding in an English village, his disdain for any kind of graffiti that is not art, the marriage of two members of Cradle of Filth and having newlyweds in the band, and he tells us his favorite 80’s action hero. Petar and Brandon discuss Dave Murray’s comments on Iron Maiden knowing when its time to hang it up, if Iron Maiden would announce a final tour, Triple B Records having to tell fans not to trust an AI Mindforce merch website, and Jinjer’s bassist letting us all know again that musicians are on the bottom of a pyramid scheme. Song: Cradle of Filth “To Love Deliciously” Song: Cradle of Filth “Malignant Perfection” Song: Nite “Crow (Fear The Night) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through is our guest this week! We discuss the latest record Nine that came out this past Friday and if they picked that date on purpose. We also chat about the story behind is signature roll on stage and if he plans on retiring it, why this latest record is his favorite, what he liked about the indie label packages from the band's early days and what he doesn’t miss about it, the sense of freedom that comes from being able to say "no" in the music industry, all the guests on the record, and what he picked up on when revisiting the classic album The Truth. Aside from the interview, Petar and Brandon discuss the past week's news stories on MetalSucks, including: Soundgarden getting a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Killswitch Engage’s Mike D’Antonio getting upset about people confusing his artwork as AI generated, Danzig making the statement that he may not be recording any new music, and the weekend reader's poll on high ticket prices for major metal concerts. Song: Bleeding Through “Path Of Our Disease” Song: Bleeding Through “Dead But So Alive” Song: Grima “Flight of the Silver” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, Lacuna Coil vocalist Cristina Scabbia joins the show! She's here to discuss the band's latest album Sleepless Empire coming out this Friday, Feb. 14! We discuss if there was any plans for releasing the album on Valentine’s Day, the challenge of creating after the experience they had with previous album Black Anima, and making sure to celebrate the past in a way that looks to the band's creative future. We also chat about the single Lacuna Coil recorded with members each band from their upcoming North American tour, her favorite visual filmmakers that leave an impression on her, and why its so hard to pick a setlist for a show after 10 albums. Petar and Sylvia discuss the final performance of Black Sabbath being booked July 5, the revelations of his health being in a bad place, the dream lineup playing the final show, the concerns that we have despite it being all for charity and all the bands sharing the stage, Gojira taking home the Grammy for the Best Metal Performance, Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox doing a brilliant Poppy impersonation, and the major missed opportunity for System of a Down by not making a new album for our scene. Song: Lacuna Coil “Gravity” Song: Lacuna Coil “Oxygen” Song: Mantar “Rex Perverso” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage is our guest this week and we're here to make sure everyone out there picks up their upcoming album This Consequence, coming out February 21. The conversation starts with the journey from Atonement to the latest album, re-releasing the debut record with new ears and years behind it, growing up in the New England metal and hardcore scene, and how the bands brought vulnerability and positivity to an entire genre that lacked much of both. We also talk about the importance of truth to our lives and how the definition adapts and changes as we grow older, how the coldness of technology can limit a revolution of the heart and being human, and the hardcore and punk bands that influenced him in so many ways, and if Killswitch would ever tackle an unplugged type of performance. Petar and Brandon discuss the smells that come to mind when thinking about nu metal, how James “Munky” Shaffer is changing the narrative of that smell by releasing his new fragrance, the return of Spineshank and Snot, and Shavo Odadjian’s statement on System of a Down "testing the waters" with their 2025 tour plans. Song: Killswitch Engage “Forever Aligned” Song: Killswitch Engage “I Believe” Song: Year of the Cobra “War Drop” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bjorn “Speed” Strid is our guest this week on the podcast! He joins us to help shine a spotlight on the latest album by The Night Flight Orchestra, Give Us The Moon! The discussion starts with if he thinks he would fair well if he chose a career as a steward for an airline, what job he wanted when he was a child, if there's a customer service element in being in a traveling band, the journey of creating music again after the passing of his bandmate and one of his best friends David Andersson, the dream stage show for The Night Flight Orchestra if there was no budget restraints, the plans to bring the project to North America after seven albums, and which power ballad he would love to tackle one day. Petar and Sylvia discuss songs with ridiculous sexual innuendos in rock that we weren’t aware of in our youth, the current status of Faith No More being a mystery, our thoughts on the only way Mike Patton would want to do another Faith No More tour, Orange Goblin calling it quits after 30 years of kicking ass, and Rob Rivera of Nonpoint having a medically emergency due to coffee. Song: The Night Flight Orchestra “Way To Spend The Night” Song: The Night Flight Orchestra “Give Us The Moon” Song: The Hellacopters “Leave A Mark” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harakiri for the Sky vocalist JJ is back on the podcast celebrating the latest album Scorched Earth out January 24! We open the conversation on the three pillars of life that influence him lyrically, having the reestablished his personal identity after life changing during the pandemic, leaving isolated in a cabin in the woods when creating songs for the album, listening to music in a nostalgic realm assisting positive life memories, the guest vocalist he get on the new album including Serena Cherry of Svalbard, why they choose to cover Radiohead this time around, and combing all of the previous album covers into one for the presentation of Scorched Earth. Petar and Jozalyn discuss the passing of iconic filmmaker David Lynch, the lessons he provided future artists, and how the future film fanatics will permanently cement his works and learn from them as a true generational artist. Song: Fantômas “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” Song: Harakiri for the Sky “Keep me Longing” Song: Harakiri for the Sky “With Autumn I’ll Surrender” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we welcome guitarist Niclas Engelin of The Halo Effect to the show! In our interview, we discuss the overwhelming response to the band's debut record Days of the Lost and how that momentum lead to their latest release March of the Unheard. We also discussed what it's like being bandmates with people he went to high school with and who in the band was the best student back in the day. There's also some talk about how a marching band inspired some material on the new album, the importance of having fun and squashing any negative energy when working in a band, his passion for collecting vinyls and the story of the artwork on the latest album. Petar and Sylvia address the ongoing wildfires in California, the possible musical collaboration of James Hetfield and Jerry Cantrell and the issues the Petar think would arrive if that came to fruition, our thoughts on three members of Jane’s Addiction creating new music, and Dan Lilker not regretting any of the material he created with S.O.D. Song: The Halo Effect “Detonate” Song: The Halo Effect “March of the Unheard” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh James of Stick To Your Guns is our guest this week! We are here to discuss the latest album Keep Planting Flowers coming out January 10th! The conversations starts with Josh enjoying no stereo system in his truck, how silence is a commodity in headphone culture, the listening and viewing habits of interacting music and films, the rise of subtitles on for watching movies and television, and what genre you should never have subtitles on when watching. Then we segue into the title of the new album and his view on the artwork created. How the new album was never truly planned and the rest button that helped the band getting into writing mode, the guest vocals that join them this time around, and the reality of branding when it comes to being in a band these days. Petar and Brandon discuss the out of nowhere return of Nevermore, the drama that followed involved Jim Sheppard not being contacted about it, Tommy Lee showering one day a week, Patrick Mameli’s nonsense regarding AI artwork being acceptable for album covers, and Five Finger Death Punch’s Chris Kale taking the microphone to make people laugh. Song: Stick To Your Guns “Keep Planting Flowers” Song: Stick To Your Guns “Severed Forever” Song: Eidola “Prodigy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After giving you guys the first half of our Top 15 Best Albums of 2024 last week, it's time to round out the list with the best of the best. This week, we discuss our personal picks from number 7 all the way to coveted number 1 spot. Additionally we let you know what our favorite album cover of the year is! This episode is packed with interviews with four of those artists. We're making this episode just one big celebration with every band getting a shout out! We also get to play some killer music this episode to help close out the year in style. So go listen and see if you agree with our picks, and share yours in the comment section. We can’t wait to bring you new episodes next year and wish everyone a kind and peaceful conclusion to the year that was 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's officially that time of year again here on The MetalSucks Podcast! Time for Petar, Brandon, Jozalyn and Sylvia to get together and discuss the best music of this past year. We're so lucky to have been able to interview some of the artists featured in our list, so to celebrate we're playing tracks from each band and recounting some of our conversations. This week we're presenting albums numbered 15 to 8 and we are naming the best EP of the year as well. So come check out which obvious releases and dark horses made the cut while we attempt to pick artists from across the entire metal spectrum. Interviews in this week's episode include our chat with legendary figures and underground artists we love, including Jerry Cantrell and Brendan Murphy of Counterparts. Check it out because next week we'll release the rest of our favorites of 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we've got Bartek Krysiuk and Monk Boruta of Patriarkh on The MetalSucks Podcast! Their debut album Prophet Ilia coming out January 3! We begin the conversation with the historical figure that they cover, choosing to use regional instruments while recording, and how the first vision of the album completely changed over the two years it took to create it. We also discuss which modern figure can be seen as Prophet Ilja, if there's a documentary outside Poland on the figure they recommend, and performing the album in its entirety being something they feel it needs. We also discuss potential worldwide touring plans they'd like to do, and why Prophet Ilja was the perfect fresh start for them. Petar and Brandon also tackle Shavo Odadjian’s comments about “cheesy bands” ruining nu metal, Primus looking for a new drummer and how intimidating it would be to even send an audition tape to Les Claypool, Otep calling it quits on her music career and why we feel the timing is right, and King Diamond canceling a fair amount of shows on his current North American tour. SONG: PATRIARKH “WIERSZALIN III” SONG: PATRIARKH “WIERSZALIN IV” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Vaughn Stoffey of Defeated Sanity joins us on The MetalSucks Podcast! We are all in on the new album Chronicles of Lunacy, out this Friday, November 22! We start the conversation on the Taxi Driver sample used on the latest single “Accelerating The Rot”, embracing cult horror, and what determines the line of tasteful to tasteless in gore. We also discuss the passing of the iconic Tony Todd and some of his amazing performances, overcoming fear being something artists can get addicted to when creating, the band's touring plans for next year, and the inner workings of the album artwork. Petar and Sylvia discuss CKY getting kicked of a tour with Alien Ant Farm because of a physical altercation, Download announcing the headliners for the festival next year, Down and Scour reportedly releasing new music in 2025, and Sebastian Bach embarrassing his family on the internet because he is “not perfect”. Song: Defeated Sanity “Accelerating The Rot” Song: Defeated Sanity “Temporal Disintegration” Song: 1349 “The God Devourer” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Neon Nightmare mastermind Nate Garrett joins the MetalSucks Podcast! He's here to discuss the release of Faded Dreams! In our chat, we discuss the excellent music videos created for the project and what inspired them. Other points of conversation include how 90’s goth culture had a ridiculous aura associated with it, the negative experience of touring post-pandemic that he's not willing to partake in, and the genetic gift that some people have in conning people. We also discuss the Big Riff Podcast he's been doing the last year, and the model of news sites in modern times relying on the headline or quote. Petar and Sylvia discuss the exciting nominees this year for the Best Heavy Metal Performance Grammy Award, our picks for the winner we want to see and why, Geoff Tate deciding to create an Operation: Mindcrime III as a solo artist, Dino Cazares airing out more of Fear Factory’s dirty laundry to its fans, Mötley Crüe helping out lives with a massive donation to the Covenant House, and the open invitation to the Cavalera Brothers to jam at the final Sepultura gig. Song: Neon Nightmare “They Look Like Shadows” Song: Neon Nightmare “Lost Silver” Song: Counterparts “A Martyr Left Alive” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Make Them Suffer's Sean Harmanis joins the podcast this week! The band's self-titled album is coming out this Friday, so we got together to chat about their success with releasing singles over the last two years. We also discuss how it's been touring almost non-stop and why he says the new record feels like a greatest hits album. Interestingly enough, he also shares the concept of the latest music videos being a rebranding of the band in many ways, as well as the visual influences ranging from Akira to Magic The Gathering. Other topics include whose caffeine intake in the band has him a little concerned and why deadlines are so important for Make Them Suffer's creative process. Petar and Jozalyn also discuss Shadows Fall's plan to release a new single on December 6 and our expectations for the single, Headbanger’s Boat announcing next year's line up, the worst metal subgenre to be on a cruise ship with, the hierarchy of rock and metal fanbases that have the most money to throw away, and Ice T’s opinion about Donald Trump. Song: Make Them Suffer “Doomswitch” Song: Make Them Suffer “Mana God” Song: Frozen Crown “Steel And Crown” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's episode features Biohazard and Powerflo axeman Billy Graziadei! He joins the show to talk about Powerflo’s second album Gorilla Warfare coming out on the Day of the Dead (November 1)! We start our conversation discussing what it's like to juggle so many projects at once and his duties in the process, what sporting event gets the songwriting process flowing for Powerflo, his role as a producer in the songs and how that works for Powerflo, touring the project this time around with Biohazard backing full swing. We also chat about how it's hard to be anything but humble thanks to his opportunity to keep hitting stages in 2024, being a huge Cypress Hill fan and ending up in a band with Sen Dog, and what it was originally like to release Biohazard's Uncilivization on one of saddest days we experienced in our country Petar and Brandon discuss the passing of original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’anno, Erik Rutan from Cannibal Corpse losing 90% of his belongings, Jon Schaffer addressing his role in the insurrection after getting sentenced, Biohazard and Life of Agony bringing the noise to Europe, and Kamala Harris getting the ICP endorsement! Song: Iron Maiden “Wrathchild” Song: Powerflo “Gorilla Warfare” Song: Powerflo “War Machine” Song: League of Distortion “Galvanize” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Legendary Melvins drummer Dale Crover is back on the show and this time he's bringing some friends! AAL and EHA of Low Flying Hawks are making their podcast debut to celebrate two new albums: Low Flying Hawks' Makebelieve coming out October 25 and Dale Crover’s awesome new solo album Glossolalia, out now! In our chat, we talk about the writing process for the latest LFH album, the residual affects of the pandemic that still linger for artists, taking two years to create the album this time around, and the idea that mystique brought something tangible to music and artists. Then we sequel over to Dale Crover’s awesome guests that he got on his latest solo record, the story of how he got Tom Waits to say “yes” to being a part of the title track, him opening as a DJ on the upcoming Red Kross European run, and the pros of modern music recording compared to the time crunch the Melvins had early on. Petar and Sylvia discuss Kerry King’s answer in who he thinks can portray him in a Slayer biopic film, Sick New World coming back to Vegas and bringing an Acid Bath reunion with it, just accepting their would never be an Acid Bath reunion years ago to our surprise, Jake E. Lee getting shot while walking his dog, and Deftones setting a record with there demo tape on Discogs. Song: Low Flying Hawks “Suspension of Disbelief” Song: Low Flying Hawks “Out for Blood” Song: Dale Crover “I Quit” Featuring Kim Thayil of Soundgarden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices