The Metalsucks Podcast

Avatar frontman Johannes Eckerström joins The MetalSucks Podcast this week! During his chat with our host, Petar, he opens up to us about starting a potential solo album during the pandemic, how metal bands would be nothing without the audience's energy, and their experience recently touring Europe and being one of the first European bands to tour America after the pandemic. They also chat about what it's like to release their latest album Dance Devil Dance on their own label, what went into getting Halestorm's Lzzy Hale to guest on the closing track, and why he stands by the best length for an album is 45 minutes in our genre. The rest of the show features Petar and Brandon discussing the latest MetalSucks news, including Marty Friedman reuniting onstage with Megadeth and how that might not be a one-night thing after all, Mikkey Dee saying Motörhead will never do a reunion tour without Lemmy, Ozzy Osbourne saying his touring status is still up in thew air, and Kiss making the announcement of their final t

Legendary extreme metal vocalist Kevin Sharp in our guest this week! In this episode we discuss Venomous Concept’s “The Good Ship Lollipop,” why it is important that the writing for his projects are loose, the personal impact that he had during the pause in a life of motion, why he hates the term “supergroup,” and why creating music with his long standing friendships is vital to his existence. Petar and Brandon discuss the announcement of the new Fear Factory vocalist, if we feel their will be two touring Fear Factories in the future, our thoughts on the first original track by Kings of Thrash possibly dissing Dave Mustaine, Jeff Young calling Dave Mustaine a pathological liar 30 years after working with him, Ice-T getting his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Crowbar and Type O Negative members creating a new project called Eye AM. Song: Venemous Concept “Fractured” Song: Venemous Concept “Timeline” Song: Acid King “Destination Psych/Beyond Vision” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc

This week The MetalSucks Podcast welcomes Periphery vocalist Spencer Sotelo onto the show! During our chat, we discuss what it's like to create music after starting their own label, how Periphery V was originally a sequel to Juggernaut: Alpha, and how seeing a band live it can easily make them your new favorite band. Spencer also shares his experience going to EDC every year in Las Vegas, how he feels Slipknot’s Iowa is the most visceral metal record, the video game that was the most influential for him as a writer on the new album, and why planning to make a record less than 70 minutes long never works out for Periphery. During the rest of the show, Petar and Brandon discuss the passing of Tim Aymar, Fear Factory finally deciding to let everyone know who is replacing Burton C. Bell after a two year wait, Marty Friedman jumping onstage again with Megadeth, and Slash’s feeling on Guns N’Roses being canceled today. Song: Control Denied” Breaking The Broken” Song: Periphery “Wildfire” Song: Periphery “At

Legendary drummer and metal lifer Charlie Benante is our guest on this week's episode of The MetalSucks Podcast! During our chat, we discuss Anthrax’s current North American tour with Black Label Society and Exodus. The conversation also moved on to other topics, like what he considers which Anthrax's live album is their best, how the album art for the last three Anthrax studio albums tie into a potential comic book idea. Speaking of comics and fandom, Charlie also explains why he's not a fan of the MCU, what classic horror film icon he was never a fan of, how The Joker has evolved through the years, and what film series he feels has the least flawed sequels. As always, Petar and Jozalyn discuss the latest news, including Ozzy Osbourne taking home this year’s metal Grammy, Homeland Security wanting the jack up visas for international artists, and Limp Bizkit using deep fake technology for their latest music video. Song: Anthrax “Blood Eagle Wings”(Live) Song: Anthrax “Breathing Lightning” (Live) Lea

On this week's MetalSucks Podcast, we've got Insomnium guitarist Markus Vanhala as our guest. During our chat, we discuss how the band's latest single, “The Witch Hunter,” almost didn’t make it on the new album Anno 1696. We also learn more about the short story that inspired the concept album, as well as how he felt  releasing singles to the fanbase instead of a complete EP. Speaking of EPs, we got Markus to share his favorite EP’s of the 90’s, how the special edition of Anno 1696 comes with an exclusive EP of bonus songs, what ideas  people feel would be “commercial suicide” working for the band, and his optimistic outlook on the future of the music industry. Also in the episode is a discussion between Petar and Sylvia, where they tackle the sad news that Ozzy Osbourne is retiring from touring due to his health issues, Steve-O pleading with Bam Margera in hopes of choosing recovery over death, their excitement over Jason Newsted working on new heavy music, and Dee Snider’s comments on reunion tours be

Hope you're ready for some death metal destruction, because Sanguissugabogg frontman Devin Swank is the guest for this week's edition of The MetalSucks Podcast. As an Ohio native, we couldnt' help but ask him how he became a die hard Minnesota Vikings fan and the sports chat continued a bit as we asked him what his least favorite sporting event to watch live is. But don't worry — this isn't going to be a strictly jock episode, since we also chat about the last video game he finished and the last book he read. You can rest easy, nerds. We also chat about what it's like to star in a music video where he had to portray heavy violence on band members, as well as the importance of getting to take enough time as a band to complete Homicidal Ecstasy.  Aside from our chat with Devin, Petar and Brandon discuss Pantera getting removed from festivals in Germany and Austria due to his past racist actions, Biohazard reuniting and possibly doing new music, the return of Job For A Cowboy, and Marilyn Manson’s latest l

Grutle Kjellson of Enslaved joins us this week! We discuss the Cinematic Universe Boxset that was released celebrating their livestreams in 2020, performing social distanced concert in large venues, how new album Heimdal has a very introverted feel to the songwriting, taken live music for granted prior to the pandemic, the difficult on touring that bands are currently experiencing, why its crucial for the fans to support live music now more than ever before, and on returning to North America after a long absence with Insomnium. Petar, Jozalyn, and Sylvia also discuss the latest Metallica single “Screaming Suicide”, Danzig Sings Elvis playing a one of show and why we feel this is an event to see, and our expectations on what Danzig will wear and how he will sound. Song: Enslaved “Congelia” Song: Enslaved “Caravans of The Outer Worlds” Song: Ahab “Mobilis in Mobili” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we've got Katatonia frontman Jonas Renkse behind the mic as our guest! In this jam-packed episode, we discuss the creation of the band's album Sky Void of Stars coming this Friday. We also chat about his habit of trying to read as much news as possible and how he had to change that habit during the pandemic, having selective memory in most things not including all the music he created, the music industry still healing after the pandemic, and more.  Speaking of the pandemic, Renske also explains some of the hardships that cropped up from coming back to performing live, including the difficulty of finding crew for tours and his thought on performing livestreams concerts and albums in their entirety. Petar and Brandon discuss the passing of legendary guitar Jeff Beck, our excitement for a John Bush Anthrax tour with guitarist Paul Crook, and Brandon became a first time father with the birth of his son Atlas. Song: Jeff Beck “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” Song: Katatonia “Bi

appy New Year, everyone! We're back with a bang and starting off 2023 with none other than Obituary’s Donald Tardy! He joins us at the perfect time, as the band is set to release its first record in six years, The Dying of Everything. With that in mind, we discussed how having their own studio since 2007 has changed how the create music, what sport always gets in the way of progress in the studio, as well as the emotions he felt after playing his first show post-pandemic. We also get around to chatting abOut his experience recently touring North America with Amon Amarth, why the album's release window is perfect for the band, and why the new album's lead single, “The Wrong Time,” was a perfect track in so many ways. Petar, Jozalyn, and Sylvia discuss Dee Snider’s debate about great frontman versus great performers, Rolling Stones misguided attempt at naming the 200 greatest singers, and John Dolmayan’s comments about SOAD in hindsight should have considered getting rid of Serj Tankian in 2006. Learn mor

It’s finally here. The very last MetalSucks Podcast for 2022 and the end of the line for one hell of a year. To celebrate, we’re unveiling this year’s Top 5 Albums and explain they made such an impact on us.  We’ve also got interviews with four of the five artists behind those records, where we chat about the making of, the impact, and what it’s like to play those songs around the world. There’s also a quick look to 2023 and the plans for what comes next. So come join us and see our picks, agree or disagree, and hopefully check out a great album from 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of our favorite times of the year is finally here! Yes, it's time for us at The MetalSucks Podcast to share the collection of bands and music that's been the soundtrack for 2022. Though you're gonna have to listen to the episode to find out what we've chosen, we're willing to give you these hints: there will be one non-metal arena-filling act on the list (it's not Ghost, by the way). There's also a veteran punk rock band from the 90s and for the first time ever, ZERO BLACK METAL. Believe us when we say that shit was completely unexpected, but hey — our list is just what we listened to the most this year. So join us as we celebrate our number 15 to 6 albums on this episode, get interviews with seven of those artists, and play tracks from each in celebration of this wonderful year of heavy music! And make sure to check out all the MetalSucks Best Of contributions this year right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by the one and only Tarja Turunen on The MetalSucks podcast! In our discussion, we chat about her getting to handpick the songs on her “Best Of” compilation album, why she included video of a recent live performance with that album, and the timeframe for her next solo release. We also discuss what it was like doing her annual Christmas Together shows last year as a livestream, how she’s handling having dates to perform in the currently embattled Ukraine, and how fans come up with the strangest questions for her. The show also features Petar and Jozalyn sharing their impressions of the new Metallica song and how the it, the new album, and two years of tour dates were announced seemingly out of nowhere. They also chat about Pantera’s first show back with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, GG Allin possibly getting the biopic treatment, and Nickleback wanting to cover Meshuggah. Song: Tarja Turunen “Dead Promises” Featuring Bjorn “Speed” Strid Song: Tarja Turunen “O Come, O Come, E

This week, we've got Candlemass' inexorable frontman Johan Längqvist on The MetalSucks Podcast! During our chat, we discuss following up his successful return album The Door To Doom, the songs he heard on a jukebox that made him want to be a musician, and the how the recent tour in the States went for the band. Johan also shared the story of getting Tony Iommi to solo on a Candlemass song, he shares which era of Black Sabbath is his personal favorite, and what vocalist he would love to duet with. Petar and Jozalyn discuss the fact that lawmakers are planning to hold a hearing on Ticketmaster's business practices, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold putting some blame on the artists for the Ticketmaster issues, and The Misfits cancelling their Vegas New Year’s Eve Show. Song: Candlemass “When Death Sighs” Song: Candlemass “Sweet Evil Sun” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Travis Stever of Coheed and Cambria joins us this week to talk about his latest project L.S. Dunes. Thoughout the rest of the episode we discuss the origin of the project that eventually would become a supergroup, the energy and excitement of all the songs and how important that is to any project, and the story about establishing a link between his son’s name and a famous English musician. We also discuss his excitement for The Damned going back to there original formation and playing shows, L.S. Dunes first performance ever at Riot Fest, and how Anthony Green was recruited into the project. During other parts of the show, Petar and Jozalyn discuss Ozzfest going to the Metaverse, how we felt watching the video clips, and Maynard James Keenan’s comments about how TikTok “turns to desperation to very quickly.” Song: L.S. Dunes “Permanent Rebellion” Song: L.S Dunes “2022” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we have Corrosion of Conformity bassist Mike Dean on the show! During our chat, we discuss their North American tour running all the way until November 27th, performing on Thanksgiving Day this year, celebrating the band's 40th year, and why frequent collaborator and producer John Custer is vital to their sound. We also learn about that time he was left a Texas Circle K barefoot, how Gene Ween helped with long distant phone calls in the pre-cell phone days, what happened if you performed with the SWANS and smiled on stage in the 90’s, and the tours that he feels were his all time favorites. The show also has Petar and Sylvia discussing the passing of stand-up comedian Gallagher, my opportunity to go onstage and use the famous Sledge-O-Matic, our thoughts on any kind of Type O Negative reunion, and Nergal’s comments about “kids getting a proper job” instead of starting a band. Song: Corrosion of Conformity “Vote With A Bullet” Song: Corrosion of Conformity “Paranoid Opioid” Song: Spirit Adrift

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we've got the one and only Devin Townsend back on the show! This time around, we sat down to discuss his recent effort to use social media to reach out to fans to check in on them, the reality of the modern economy for a mid-level touring band, and how sometimes his creative compulsions go against his fanbase. Our discussion also veers into other directions like what his thoughts are on embracing a section of his audience that desires brutal music, the need in our genre to categorize artists and albums, and recognizing that there is a fracture that needs to be healed for us as a collective. In the show, Petar and Brandon also discuss Darkthrone’s comments that they'd rather never play live than be rich, Metallica being the worst band of all time according to a pop singer, and Rob Halford watching the Glam metal movement as a closeted gay man. Song: Devin Townsend “Lightworker” Song: Devin Townsend “Moonpeople” Song: Warkings “To The King” Learn more about your ad

On this special Halloween edition of The MetalSucks Podcast, we've  scared up one Hell of an interview, as we've got the legendary  Slayer/Testament/Dead Cross drummer Dave Lombardo back behind the mic! In this week's episode, we chat with the legendary drummer as we discuss his role in helping complete the second Dead Cross album, why it's important to be a glass half full person, and some of Mike Patton's live antics on the first Dead Cross North American tour. We also get down to talking about how important it is for artists to sometimes navigate through issues that everyone can relate to, the power of listening to the right album at the right time in life, watching bandmate Mike Crain defeat cancer while recording II, and his gratitude to the fan base for gravitating to any of the albums he's performed on throughout his career. This show also features Petar and Sylvia discussing the week's biggest news, including Bruce Dickinson’s on stage meltdown over some weed smoke at an Iron Maiden show, Dez Fa

On this week's edition of The MetalSucks Podcast, we sit down with Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Comalies. In this special episode, we discuss how important that record was for the band when they were starting to reach a larger audience, how an identity of a band comes to fruition, the breakout tour that changed everything, and their decision to reimagine and record new versions of classic songs. We also go over the lessons they learned over the pandemic, the future of live-streaming for them as a band, and the reimagined track they are most excited for us to hear on Comaliex XX. Later on in the show, Petar and Jozalyn also discuss the story that Zakk Wylde hasn't learned Pantera material yet, Ivan Moody’s rant on retiring from heavy metal, and Paul Stanley calling out Kanye West about him spewing hate speech. Song: Lacuna Coil “Swamped XX” Song: Lacuna Coil “Tight Rope XX” Song: Wednesday 13 “Good Day To Be A Bad Guy” Learn more about your ad

With the weekend ahead of us, we've managed to wrangle Will Ramos, of Lorna Shore, to join us for a very special end of the week episode!  In today's episode, we discuss if he remembers when he was taught to ride a bike, the first video game he ever defeated, and his opinion on if he has a good memory. Oh and we also talk about important things too, like the process that Lorna Shore implemented when writing Pain Remains, what artist was most influential for his music, and how sometimes it is helpful to write something passionately and true then deciding not to hit send and deleting it. Song: Lorna Shore “Pain Remains II: After All I’ve Done, I’ll Disappear” Song: Lorna Shore “Pain Remains III: In A Sea Of Fire” Song: Ingested “ From Hollow Words” featuring Sven De Clauwé (Aborted) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti joins the show! While chatting with our host Petar, the two discuss whether the band's new album Pawns & Kings is influenced by recent world events, the importance of passing down knowledge from each generation, and how the pandemic was a creativity killer for the first six months for him. They also discuss how Tremonti's passion project would be covering Frank Sinatra songs, the excitement of finally doing a tour with Alter Bridge since the world paused, the side projects that all members have and the positive energy those bring the Alter Bridge, his love for Halloween decorations, and his last great costume that he got to wear. Later in the episode, Petar and Sylvia discuss the Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson media back and forth, and why we feel Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail To The King” has captured so many streams despite its the obvious criticism about that album. Song: Alter Bridge - "This Is War” Song: Alter Bridge - “Pawn