Speak N' Destroy

HATEBREED. Jamey Jasta on the Black Album; Napster vs. Metallica; the wisdom of Torben Ulrich; what may have caused Metallica to release that Lou Reed album; the impact of illegal downloading on Hatebreed's first major label album, Perseverance; the politics and challenges of putting together a touring package; discovering heavy music as a kid in Connecticut; his first band; his popular podcast; his dream Metallica tour line-up; and why he sells a t-shirt that says, "Lars Was Right."

Ex-ELEKTRA RECORDS. Michael Alago signed Metallica to Elektra Records on September 12, 1984. As a major label A&R executive, he worked with Metallica, White Zombie, Metal Church, Dokken, Nina Simone, Cyndi Lauper, and more. He was a kid with a fanzine about the Dead Boys when he was plucked from obscurity to be a talent booker at legendary New York rock club, The Ritz. Michael talks about his early interactions with James, Lars, Kirk, Cliff, and Jason; “Alcoholica”; signing Flotsam And Jetsam; bringing the reformed Misfits to Geffen; working with John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten; his relationship with Metallica today; and the genesis of the new documentary, "Who the F is that Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago."

LAMB OF GOD. Mark Morton talks with Ryan J. Downey about performing on three continents as part of the World Magnetic Tour; the production extremes between Garage Days, …And Justice for All, and the Black Album; switching from drums to guitar; struggling and persevering through personal tragedy; trying to make sense of life, death, and the mystery of it all; collaborating with the late Chester Bennington; Van Halen; Circus Of Power; crucial regional scenes in the pre-Internet era; and keeping the good riffs flowing.

MACHINE HEAD. Robb Flynn of Machine Head tells Ryan J. Downey about coming of age in the Bay Area during the dawn of the thrash metal scene; seeing Metallica, Exodus, Raven, D.R.I., and other crucial acts in the ‘80s; the highly influential KUSF radio; the prominent role of Dave Mustaine in the early days of Metallica; the formation of his third wave thrash band, Forbidden Evil; supporting Metallica on the Death Magnetic tour; and his small role in bringing Slayer and Metallica together for the Big 4. Flynn and Downey also discuss Black Sabbath, Jason Newsted, “Mechanix” vs. “The Four Horsemen,” the first five Metallica albums, the Load/Reload era, St. Anger, and yes, that Lou Reed record.

JUDAS PRIEST. Rob Halford, legendary frontman for metal icons Judas Priest (a huge influence on Metallica), sits down with Ryan J. Downey live at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California for an in-depth and wide-ranging talk about his career, going all the way back to the band’s humble beginnings in Birmingham, England.

OZZY OSBOURNE. Blasko, longtime bass player for Ozzy Osbourne (and former bassist for Rob Zombie), joins Ryan J. Downey for an in-depth conversation about the early days of thrash metal; seminal Los Angeles shows from Kiss and Slayer; signing to a record label as a teenager with his crossover band, Cryptic Slaughter; his career with Rob Zombie and Ozzy; and of course, Metallica. Blasko is also an accomplished artist manager, representing Black Veil Brides, Zakk Wylde, and Andy Black, among other notable musicians.

SO LET IT BE WRITTEN. Mark Eglinton joins Ryan J. Downey to talk about his new book, So Let It Be Written: The Biography of Metallica’s James Hetfield. Eglinton is the coauthor of recent memoirs from Rex Brown (Pantera) and Nergal (Behemoth) and several other works of nonfiction. Plus: Speak N’ Destroy’s first contest!

AVENGED SEVENFOLD. M. Shadows joins Ryan J. Downey on the first ever episode of Speak N’ Destroy, a podcast about all things Metallica. During a lengthy conversation at the singer’s home in Orange County, the pair discuss childhood, the very early days of A7X, meeting Metallica, the current tour, the unconventional rollout of the band’s new album, The Stage, the state of hard rock/metal in the modern pop cultural landscape, and much more.