The MetalSucks Podcast

This week's episode features Mikael Stanne, of Dark Tranquillity! Yes, he's back on the podcast, only this time to celebrate the impending release of Endgame Signals, out August 16. During our chat, we discuss the Moment album cycle and how coming back to normalcy was a breathe of fresh air as a creator, why coming across as an honest creator is a high priority for his band, and how being aware of his vulnerability in his art and the journey to get there. We also discuss whether there will ever be another metal scene like the one he experienced in Gothenburg, how festivals have been a part of every tour cycle for him at this stage in his career, and navigating all the new projects he's a part of. Sylvia and Petar discuss the news of a new Opeth album and the expectations that are brought after the first single is released, Better Lovers and Many Eyes news seeming always happening in unison, Marilyn Manson returns with a new song and video, our feelings about what the future holds for him, and the truth of polarizing artists in our scene having loyalty from their fanbase no matter the documented issues of their past. Song: Dark Tranquillity “Unforgivable” Song: Dark Tranquillity “ Not Nothing” Song: Lamb of God “Another Nail For Your Coffin (Feat. Kublai Khan TX and Malevolence) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mushroomhead lifer Steve “Skinny” Felton joined the podcast this week! We are all in on the latest album from Mushroomhead titled Call The Devil, due out August 9! In this episode, we discuss the many meanings fans can take from the album title and artwork, what he was going for when that was created, deciding on the vocal approach in songs when you have multiple vocalists in a project, and the improvisation and file sharing approach that was a part of creating Call The Devil, among a litany of other things. Petar and Brandon discuss the one of a kind moment metalheads the world over experienced with Gojira’s performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, how this spark can change the genre for future audiences, and seeing something we never thought possible for heavy metal. Song: Mushroomhead Fall In Line Song: Mushroomhead Prepackaged Song: High Parasite “Grave Intentions” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got returning podcast guest Matthew Greywolf of Powerwolf on the show this week! With the new album Wake Up The Wicked set to release on July 26, Powerwolf is poised to get your attention in the coming days. As such, we discuss with Greywolf the cinematic music videos that accompany each new album track, the band's decision to use practical effects instead of CGI, and when he first discovered the story of Peter Stump  would have an influence on the storytelling of the album. We also chat about what it feels like to be featured on a billboard in Times Square, the return of Powerwolf to North America after the successful run in 2023, the importance of bringing justice to your past catalog every time you write a new chapter of songs for fans, as well as a whole lot more. Petar, Sylvia, and Jozalyn tackle on the hectic week that lead to the hiatus of Tenacious D, we breakdown the off color improvised joke Kyle Gass said, the immediate reaction from the fans in Australia and bandmate Jack Black, the apology the Kyle Gass put on his Instagram, and then us reacting to him removing the apology days later. Song: Powerwolf “Sinners Of The Seven Seas” Song: Powerwolf “1589” Song: AFI “Malleus Maleficarum” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gaerea are gearing up to make a major announcement and we are excited to be a part of it! On this week's episode of The MetalSucks Podcast, we have an interview with Gaerea to discuss the band's next chapter, the release of their latest single “World Ablaze,” and how it was liberating to put that song out into the world. We also chat about the process that went into finding an identity in the heavy metal world and fighting to make sure it's not a toxic environment. Gaerea is nearing its 10th anniversary as a band, so the conversation took a bit of an introspective turn as we discuss how they want to continue making art, how they wish they can have the artistic talent of drawing, and how they're being more comfortable with the idea of letting some of the mystique of Gaerea slide so they can connect with fans at live shows. Petar and Sylvia discuss Serj Tankian’s indifference if System Of A Down continues without him, Armored Saint vocalist John Bush giving Metallica praise for taking chances in their career, Nikki Sixx responding to criticism over Motlëy Crüe’s single “Dogs of War”, and Oxbow breaking up in a way that just plain sucks. Song: Gaerea “World Ablaze” Song: Wretched Blessing “Spurious Ovation” Song: Sugar Horse “Office Job Simulator” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marcus Vik from Invent Animate discusses the challenges of touring, connecting with bands, and being mistaken as Australian. The podcast also covers emotional hobbies like watching tearjerker films, celebrating successful albums, and sharing favorite metal tracks of the year.

Clémentine Delauney of Visions Of Atlantis is our guest this week! She's here to put a major spotlight on the band's latest album Pirates II: Armada, which comes out on July 5! We begin our discussion on the writing process for this record and how it was tied in the the previous album, the transition internally in the songwriting team for those records, her passion for storytelling, and the opportunity she got for the music video scripts. She also goes into the in-depth research and designs she did to complete the look for the universe, touring North America during the last cycle, and the immediate impact it made with fans out here. Brandon and Petar are here to urge the fantastic idea of and Ozzy and Lemmy cartoon to drop the “superhero” concept before going into production, Rick Rubin once again not having fans after his work and our thoughts on that, and Andreas Kisser of Sepultura putting out a invite to the Cavalera brothers giving us all a little bit of hope for the original Sepultura reuniting for a moment. Song: Visions of Atlantis “Monsters” Song: Visions of Atlantis “Armada” Song: Gasket “Syndicate” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on a very special .5 episode of the podcast we have Ken Candelas of Homerik to discuss the project ten years in the making “The Circle Of Dead Children” with release dates for the album and art book on September  20th and novel October 31st. We delve into the collaboration with artist David “Max” Millgate in the imagery of the project, the narration of master storyteller Jonathan Kruk’s, how the classic tune “Laid To Rest” by Lamb of God fit the storytelling process and so much more. Go to homerik.com for all the information and we also discuss all his work including his podcast on his metal mastermind.com brand!  Song: Homerik “Godless: A Song of the Night, Part II Song: Homerik “Laid To Rest” Song: The Barbarians of California “Far Out, Bro” Featuring Daryl Taberski of Snapcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seven Spires axeman Jack Kosto is joining the show this week to discuss the band's newly released album A Fortress Called Home. We begin the discussions with Jack on his role on the mixing, mastering, and producing of the album, as well as how he gained the trust of the band to take on those responsibilities. We also discuss the album's visual aspect, Adrienne’s lyrical content having a distinct vulnerability this time around,  the approach Seven Spires have when creating music on tour, and the steps it will take to get a headlining tour in the states for the band. Petar and Brandon discuss our recollections of the 25th anniversary of Limp Bizkit’s multi platinum selling Significant Other, James Hetfield possibly writing more “Unforgiven” tracks, bands needing to do more full album “medleys” in concert, and getting food poisoned at a major festival sounding like a hellish experience. Song: Seven Spires “The Old Hurt of Being Left Behind”” Song: Seven Spires “Architect of Creation” Song: In Hearts Wake “Orphan (lᴉʌǝp ǝɥʇ)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Powerhouse vocalist Lzzy Hale of Halestorm talks about band dynamics, positive relationships with bandmates, love for animals, impact of diehard fans, bravery in music industry. Also discussed: The Black Dahlia Murder's new song, Serj Tankian's System of A Down comments, and health scare with Refused's Dennis Lyxzén.

Orange Goblin’s Ben Ward is joining the MetalSucks Podcast this week! Their first new studio album in six years Science, Not Fiction is dropping on July 19 and we're here to discuss that and more! We talk about Ward's one and only chance meeting with the late Ronnie James Dio, which is a story in itself. We also get to talking about recording the metal lifer anthem and second single “Cemetery Rats”, how fitness infiltrating the scene has made a much more positive situation for many metalheads, playing shows sober and how it had a little bit of a learning curve. Naturally, we also talked about the mainstream media, the lies they present, and trying to discover the truth about events. Among other things, we also discuss how the band has its 30th anniversary approaching and some of his thoughts on that milestone. Petar and Brandon tackle Sebastian Bach’s attack on fans' T-shirts at a recent concert, then his decision to double down on social media to explain why he was being a dick, Bon Jovi stating the obvious about Lzzy Hale performing with Skid Row, and this goddamn overpriced Slayer cooler that Petar’s going to end up buying. Song: Orange Goblin “Cemetery Rats” Song: Kissin’ Dynamite “The Devil Is A Woman” Song: X-Cops “Light Em Up” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices