The MetalSucks Podcast

Nile mastermind Karl Sanders is our guest this week. We discuss the writing process for Nile's new album, Vile Nilotic Rites, the extensive touring prior to recording it, keeping up that momentum in the studio, the anxiety that comes with releasing new music and what made this album cycle different, how producer Mark Lewis helped strengthen its production, why he isn't interested in playing a classic album in its entirety and more. Sanders also shares the lessons that he brings to life from training in martial arts, his current gripe with modern day reviewers of music, and if there are any secret personal lyrics behind Nile songs. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn tackle the news of Sleep's planned indefinite hiatus, which Matt Pike band we prefer, The Black Crowes reuniting with only Chris and Rich Robinson from the classic band lineup, and Corey Taylor’s thought on writing great music sober. Songs: Nile “Long Shadows of Dread" and “Vile Nilotic Rites” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we chat with film composer and Marilyn Manson producer Tyler Bates. Tyler worked with Manson on The Pale Emperor and Heaven Upside Down and has composed musical scores for the entire Guardians of the Galaxy and John Wick franchises, in addition to films such as Deadpool 2, Watchmen, 300, Halloween (2007), Atomic Blonde and numerous others. We discuss his involvement with the first live action Cirque Du Soleil show, R.U.N., how that process compares to composing films, the multiple TV series he has worked on recently, and the important role The Shield played in inspiring him to compose for television. We also talk about our favorite soundtracks (including Matt Dillion’s City of Ghosts, a personal favorite of Petar's which Tyler composed), his take on Martin Scorsese's comments about the Marvel world not being cinema, if working with Rob Zombie on a film was a different challenge because he is a musician, and the story behind ending The Devil’s Rejects with “Free Bird." Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn discuss the passing of Mercyful Fate bassist Timi Hansen, the reunion of Rage Against The Machine, and why James and Lars of Metallica should not consider using riffs written by Kirk Hammett. Songs: Tyler Bates - “Texas Motel” (Killer Joe score), “Run Baby Girl” (The Devil’s Rejects score) and “Fever Dream” (300 score), Marilyn Manson - “We Know Where You Fucking Live” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we have vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk of Jinjer on the show. We discuss the short gap between the Micro EP and new full-length album Macro, the difficulty of writing lyrics quickly as opposed to taking your time, how deadlines help motivate her, and the lyrics behind the track “Retrospection” and how it is connected with her childhood. Tati also tells us about growing up in the Ukraine as the U.S.S.R. was falling apart in the '90s, how her childhood was creative and happy despite the circumstances, her appreciation for the human element of art in the digital era, the next homecoming show that she will be performing and her idea for a massive stage show she hopes to accomplish. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn have another music episode in store for you guys in response to not one but two listener emails about the MetalSucks 25 Best Metal Albums of 2010 - 2019 list. Songs: “On The Top” and “Pit of Consciousness” by Jinjer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fit For an Autopsy songwriter/guitarist and metal producer Will Putney returns to the show this week to discuss Fit For an Autopsy's new album The Sea of Tragic Beasts. He tells us the dream that motivated the title of the album, how the traumatic issues children in broken homes face influenced it, the positive message that the band tries to put forward, and how he utilizes his artistic output to influence the next generation. Will also recounts the process of producing Body Count’s No Lives Matter, his story of Body Count performing at the Grammys pre-taping, and the story of getting dragged off the stage as fast as possible at the Grammys. Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia break down the statement released by Chris Adler in regards to his departure from Lamb of God, Zakk Wylde not being involved in the new Ozzy solo record, and Danny Carey’s statement about Tool not being a metal band. Songs: “Mirrors" and “Shepherd” by Fit For an Autopsy, “The Last Gasp of Street Rock N’ Roll” by Ramallah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we chat with Cory Brandan of Norma Jean! We discuss his return to Norma Jean after releasing the Hundred Suns project, having the lifer mentality when it comes to the art form of metal, the difficult writing process for Norma Jean's new album, All Hail, how the loss of a fan inspired the creation of many songs, going through the stages of grief while creating songs, comparing the lessons learned from art to those learned to history, the essence of a “fictional reality,” and much more. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn also go through and breakdown the completion of The MetalSucks 25 Best Metal Albums of 2010 - 2019 poll, talk about the album we feel should never have made the list, and share our overall thoughts on each selection. Songs: Norma Jean “Safety Last” and “Landslide Defeater,” “Black Gold” by Infected Rain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we chat with Refused drummer David Sandström. We discuss the band's new album, War Music, the emotional energy needed to write the record, the years of Refused’s inactivity and if he had any clue the band could ever experience a second life, being very obscure in the States during their original run, the legacy and lasting power of The Shape of Punk to Come, and how War Music is his proudest moment as a musician. David also talks about what it's like to be in a band that is a voice on the far left, the shrinking of the middle class in our current economy, and how he's able to ignore artists' personal beliefs and focus on the art itself. Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia attempt to make a Halloween bit, discuss the reveal that Edsel Dope is Xer0 from the reunited Static- X and Dope's subsequent denial, and we speculate on why people are so curious to find out who the masked tribute singer is. Songs: Refused “Blood Red” and “Economy of Death” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GosT mastermind Baalberith is our guest on the podcast this week. We discuss GosT's new album Valediction, having the record start heavier than all his previous one, the limitless possibilities working in the electronic music medium allows, his choice to include vocals on a majority of the album, the recent tour with 3Teeth, and his expectations for heading out with Mayhem and Gaahl’s Wyrd in Europe. We also have some fun creating our own horror film from scratch: we decide the genre that we want to tackle, create the hero we want to see on screen, force ourselves through the difficulty of creating a truly iconic villain, try to find an original weapon for our slasher, the plot that is going to scare the world, and our struggle to find a cool ending. Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia tackle the reality of Chris Fehn hoping he will play again with Slipknot, the reveal of a lawsuit that has completely shut down Fear Factory, our thoughts on how Fear Factory could continue, and how lawsuits affect a band's fans. Songs: GoST - “Wrapped in Wax” and “The Call of The Faithful," Jinjer - “Judgement (& Punishment)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is Gatecreeper frontman Chase Mason. We discuss the band's upcoming new album, Deserted, the insane hand-drawn cover art by Brad Moore and the story behind it, his favorite tour memory with Power Trip, the bromance between Gatecreeper and Iron Reagan, and his take on pornogrind. We also talk about his love for Pauly Shore despite (or perhaps because of) not being much of a film buff, how having a short attention span is responsible for his love of music above other art forms, and his struggle to pack properly for winter touring after growing up in Arizona. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn discuss Jozalyn's recent tour of the midwest and her run-in with a stranger from the past, the death of horror actor Sid Haig, Rob Zombie’s statement about horror and metal being a step above pornography, and James Hetfield checking himself back into rehab. Songs: Gatecreeper - “Everlasting," Gatecreeper - “From The Ashes," and Dawn of Disease - “Procession of Ghosts." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opeth mastermind Mikael Åkerfeldt is our guest this week! We delve into his search for the perfect Latin phrase to name an album, his choice to sing in two languages, King Diamond's influence on the new album, how the term “heavy” has changed throughout his career and his opinion of the phrase, writing the new record in secret without anyone knowing, his refusal to modernize his studio and using old equipment to record, using more samples on this record than all the previous Opeth records combined, the story behind bringing a lute to record on Morningrise, and an update on his possible collaboration with Mike Portnoy. Also: Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia discuss the money pit that was Newsted and the difficulty established artists have when starting over with a new band. They also address a listener's concerns about the lack of comedy bits on the show over the last month, and Dio and Brisco throw down a new rap attacking Uncle Brandon bestowing the "C" word upon their generation. Songs: “Heart In Hand” by Opeth, “Transcendence” by Imperimum Decadenz, and “Valediction” by Insomnium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Ilan Rubin, the talented drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves, as he explores his solo venture, The New Regime. He discusses his innovative choice to release an album as four EPs, focusing on the themes of heart, mind, body, and soul. Juggling multiple projects presents challenges, but Ilan shares his passion for touring and the need for efficiency in today's music landscape. The conversation dives into the emotional depth of his music and the complexities of navigating live performances.