
The MetalSucks Podcast
The official podcast of MetalSucks, featuring Petar Spajic, Brandon Hahn and Jozalyn Sharp. One featured interview each week with a prominent metal musician, and discussion of the latest headlines in metal news. New episodes every Monday morning.
Latest episodes

Oct 14, 2024 • 1h 10min
#560 - Joakim Brodén (Sabaton)
Oh man, Sabaton's Joakim Brodén is back on the show! He joins us this week to promote the theatrical release of Sabaton’s “The Tour To End All Tours” flick showing exclusively in North American theaters on October 30 and 31! Our discussion begins with the pre-planning that went into the concert film, if the plan will ever release worldwide, and the chances of a band member surprising fans at a screening. We also chat about their current North American with Judas Priest and if he feels Sabaton can keep it going into their 70’s. Naturally, there's also discussion on the most iconic war film and documentary in Brodén's opinion, and a soft timeline on new music.
Petar and Jozalyn discuss Mexican Coke leaving Fentanyl because they didn’t mix well on tour, Forbes magazine listing the 38 top metal bands and our thoughts on the fact that no bands that are less than 20 years old made that list and why, James Hetfield not thinking that Metallica are a legacy band, and Gene Simmons hurting people's feelings by being Gene Simmons on network TV.
Song: Sabaton “Soldier of Heaven”
Song: Sabaton “Stormtroopers”
Song; Ad Infinitum “Outer Space” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 22min
#559 - Jordan Buckley (Better Lovers)
Don't look now, but Better Lovers guitarist’s Jordan Buckley is back on the MetalSucks Podcast! We are all in on their debut full-length album Highly Irresponsible, out Friday, October 25. We begin the conversation with his beloved Buffalo Bills and how he's feeling about this season before moving on to Better Lovers spending Thanksgiving this year on the road. We also discuss what venues we're seeing the mosh pit disappear from, the art of music video magic. and neck pain from head banging. We also chat about whether there are any plans for the “frog” to become a mascot, the confidence Buckley gained for the reaction of the EP, and he goes on the record suggesting that in the future we will discover that “energy drinks” may not be as healthy as we think.
Petar and Brandon are promoting the new Converge live album to help bonfire the victims of Hurricane Helene, Crowbar/Type O Negative supergroup Eye Am changed their name, Mötley Crüe announced a residence in Las Vegas, a bunch of bands pulled out of the Shell Shock Festival because of Kyle Rittenhouse’s involvement while the promoters of the festival think its a win by replacing them with a cover band, and why Judas Priest’s Nostradamus is a great album in Petar’s opinion.
Song: Better Lovers “A White Horse Covered In Blood”
Song: Better Lovers “At All Times”
Song: Dead Icarus “Bearing Burdens and Saving Skin” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 14min
#558 - Juha Raivio (Swallow The Sun)
Swallow The Sun founder Juha Raina is our guest on this week's episode of The MetalSucks Podcast! We start our conversation by discussing what went into following up to the acclaimed Moonflowers album, the intense personal lyrical content on Shining, his need to constantly be move to stay sane, and why living in a reclusive environment is like paradise when he's not on the road. We also talked about how the band connected with Muse and Bring Me The Horizon producer Dan Lancaster for the new album, how Queen influenced some of the songs, and the surprising negativity still's in heavy metal when it comes to same sex representation.
Petar and Sylvia discuss Scotti Hill’s comment of Skid Row reuniting with Sebastian Bach possibly leading to a Jane’s Addiction onstage meltdown, the price tag for Tool’s 30th anniversary of “Undertow” on compact disc, Avenged Sevenfold getting cooler in their old age by sabotaging Journey at Rock In Rio, and Foo Fighters canceling their upcoming performance on short notice.
Song: Swallow The Sun “Innocence Was Long Forgotten”
Song: Swallow The Sun “What I Have Become”
Song: Wind Rose “To Be A Dwarf” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 20min
#557 - Stin and Luther Manhole (Chat Pile)
This week's episode of The MetalSucks Podcast features Chat Pile's Stan and Luther Manhole! In our interview, we discuss what went into following up the impressive God's Country and how the reception to that album was a game changing experience, We also went deep into Uniform’s Ben Greenberg involvement in mixing the new album, how improvisation is a key part in creating music for them, and the reason they never have a set list when they perform live. Stin also shares the anxiety that creeps up when his photography becomes the cover art of the band’s albums.
Petar and Brandon discuss the departure of Mike Dean from C.O.C., Veil of Maya going on hiatus and canceling all touring after this year’s Summer Slaughter tour, Jane’s Addiction calling it quits again and releasing a single after the announcement, Sammy Hagar getting a key to the Las Vegas strip for some reason, Iron Maiden celebrating 50 years of heavy metal next year, and more nonsense from “fans” as they give Power Trip heat for opening for Pantera.
Song: Chat Pile “I Am Dog Now”
Song: Chat Pile “Masc”
Song: Dilemma “Sanctuary” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 17min
#556 - Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)
Dream Theater keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess is back on the MetalSucks Podcast! In this episode, we discuss Rudess' new solo album Permission To Fly, which is available right now! Throughout our chat, we also learn more the contest that lead to his music videos for the album, his daughter's involvement in the album, and the artists that joined the project this time around. We'd be remiss if we didn't chat about the massive Dream Theater tour that's coming up and the future of his solo song on the live stage.
Petar and Sylvia tackle the Jane’s Addiction onstage meltdown, Dave Growl letting the world know he now has a second family, and Bon Jovi saving someone from a tragic decision.
Song: Jordan Rudess “The Alchemist”
Song: Charlotte Wessels “Dopamine” Featuring Simone Simons of Epica
Song: Unto Others “Momma Likes The Door Closed”
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Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 13min
#555 - Elizabeth Zharoff (The Charismatic Voice)
The Charismatic Voice’s Elizabeth Zharoff is our special guest for this week's edition of the MetalSucks Podcast! Here to promote her Kickstarter campaign for the first ever harsh vocal research study featuring some of our genres biggest names. Elizabeth tells us about the journey that started with Will Ramos of Lorna Shore two years ago. She also outlines some of the real stage consideration that will be taken into account, if there is a possibility to find some real damage on any of the participants, which vocal cords are the easiest to damage for a vocalist, and how this science will help doctors with vocal therapy in many cases. We also discuss her opinion on vocalists that use backing tracks in music and if she'll declare a favorite band from all the artists the participate in the research.
Petar and Jozalyn discuss the whirlwind announcement of Linkin Park reuniting, how the single and new vocalist where initially received, followed by a questionable decision made to support a convicted predator, if this will derail the momentum of Linkin Park reuniting. Additionally, we celebrate James Hetfield working in a film version of the excellent Joe R. Lansdale novel The Thicket, and Nita Strauss crossing nine years of sobriety.
Song: Cattle Decapitation “Scourge Of The Offspring”
Song: Whitechapel “I Will Find You”
Song: Human Impact “Destroy To Rebuild” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 2, 2024 • 1h 24min
#554 - Doc Coyle (Bad Omens/God Forbid)
Doc Coyle is back on the podcast! He's one of our favorite personalities in the game and he's here to celebrate his first solo song release “Livin’ On The Edge.” The song came out last week, along with its Falling Down inspired music video. We breakdown his take on a classic film and approach and the joy of creating a music video that references such a great movie. The conversation also heads into our love for film and filmmakers discussing Joel Schumacher, sequels having to always go camp with intense topics in masculinity, how masculinity has changed through the years and how classics films will be seen, and his preference of Tony Scott over Ridley Scott as a filmmaker. We also discuss metal fans being negative towards him being in Bad Wolves because of the elitist mentality in our scene, why he feels jealousy doesn’t play a part in negativity towards legendary bands success, and his upcoming co-headlining tour with Pop Evil in North America.
Petar and Brandon breakdown the week of countdowns that lead us to Linkin Park’s delayed announcement and who the fans would embrace as the new singer of Linkin Park, Michael Sweet’s comment about not knowing any Metallica songs, and the Cancer Christ frontman deciding to spend a decade or more behind bars for some craziness.
Song: Doc Coyle “Livin’ On The Edge” (Aerosmith Cover)
Song: Bad Wolves “ Legends Never Die” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 26, 2024 • 1h 14min
#553 - Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse)
Fleshgod Apocalypse mastermind Francesco Paoli is on this week's podcast! Today's show focuses heavily on the band's first new album in five years, Opera! The album dropped this past Friday and we gave it a pretty strong score, so naturally we wanted to talk about what went into the release. During our chat, we discuss the mountain climbing accident that put Paoli's life on pause, the recovery process, and the tour that helped him feel normalcy again on stage after the accident. We also chat about the personal approach he took on the new album, his experiences with the opera growing up, and we discuss the upcoming North American tour.
Petar and Sylvia discuss Mötley Crüe dropping a Beastie Boys cover and why that choice is a head scratcher in our opinion, Slipknot's Sid Wilson getting burned in an explosion, Korn launching a fan art contest for their 30th anniversary, and all the fall tour cancellations happening in North America.
Song: Fleshgod Apocalypse “Bloodclock”
Song: Fleshgod Apocalypse “Pendulum”
Song: Undeath “Brandish The Blade” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 15min
#552 - Karl Sanders (Nile)
This week, we've got Karl Sanders of Nile back on the show. This time, however, we're here to discuss The Underworld Awaits Us All, the band's 10th studio album. During our chat, Karl gives us insights on the album's pre-production, including its timeline, how it was a unique experience compared to previous albums, and how Mark Lewis has earned the vital importance of earning the band's trust when mixing an album. He also chats about having a song that is needed in sequence to take a breathe from the sheer brutality of the new album, the process to get the artwork and vinyl pressing just right, and touring in 2024 with realities that dictate how to make it a successful run.
Petar and Jozalyn tackle Tommy Lee’s wisdom of being an escort has a down side when it gets to the escorting part of it, Deicide’s drummer defending the use of AI artwork, John 5 getting everyone hyped up for another new Motley Crue song, and Randy Blythe reminding us once again of the power of being in the moment of a live performance.
Song: Nile “Chapter for Not Being Hung Upside Down on a Stake in the Underworld and Made to Eat Feces by the Four Apes”
Song: Nile “To Strike With Secret Fang”
Song: Oceano “The Price of Pain” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12, 2024 • 1h 16min
#551 - Manuel Gagneux (Zeal & Ardor)
Zeal & Ardor leader Manuel Gagneux joined the MetalSucks Podcast this week, We are in for an awesome treat on August 23 when Zeal & Ardor's latest album GREIF is released, so we decided to start our chat with Manuel by discussing the ceremony that influenced the album, if everyone is making the mistake of calling the album "Grief", and if this is the most vulnerable record he's written. We also talk about the different approach taken on the cover art, why he's not been hit with writer’s block throughout his career, and the true story of how Zeal & Ardor were honored with the coveted national Swiss Music Award.
Petar and Brandon discuss the return of Blake Judd and Nacthmystium, his statement that he is making with the release of the new single Predator Phoenix, leaning into a controversial album title and press release statement, and if fans will accept his firebrand approach considering the apology tour most feel the are owed for supporting him in the past.
Song: Zeal & Ardor “Fend You Off”
Song: Zeal & Ardor “Hide In Shade”
Song: The Jesus Lizard “ Hide & Seek” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices