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

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, Evergrey's Tom S. Englund returns to discuss the band's 14th studio album Theories of Emptiness, due out this Friday, June 7. During our chat, discuess what went into the promotional picture where the band is covered in mud and the experience cleaning all that off after the shoot. We also discuss the music video for “Falling From The Sun” and some of the artistic decisions that went into its creation, Looking to the band's future plans, Englund lists the countries Evergrey will be visiting for the first time on their upcoming South American tour. He also shares how he got Adam “Nolly” Getgood involved in the mixing process early on for the new album, how the constellation on the cover artwork has a direct tie-in to the album title, and some of the projects he's currently working on in the world of video games. Petar goes solo this week as he answers a fan’s email about the recently released docuseries Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza, how the series missed a major change in the industry, my theory on what changed the festival, and how modern music has been formatted since to audiences. Song: Evergrey “Falling From The Sun” Song: Evergrey “Say” Song: Vision of Atlantis “Armada” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are putting a spotlight on one of the more interesting releases so far this year, Crypt Sermon's latest The Stygian Rose, which will release on June 14. To that end, we got Brooks Wilson and Steve Jansson on the show to talk about everything from getting into the studio in 2022 to finally being done with it and ready for release. We'll chat about the pros and cons of going into the studio prepared, how doing that helped capture their sound, and how Brooks created the cover art. They also name the video game they feel would be displayed on a video wall before their shows, how vintage 80’s and 90’s action movies have a language of their own. Brooks also does a deep dive into an interesting regional character to inspire lyrical themes on the record and why you can’t miss these guys on tour when shows are announced in North America. Petar and Sylvia discuss a little WWE and the passing of the the torch for the Women’s Title, Bring Me The Horizon surprise releasing their latest album, our thoughts on bands that choose to do surprise releases, Live Nation’s response to the DOJ’s investigation in their business practices, and how we as fans have to navigate the current monopoly they have on shows. Song: Crypt Sermon “Glimmers In The Underworld” Song: Crypt Sermon “Heavy is the Crown of Bone” Song: Insect Ark “Youth Body Swayed” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guitar wizard and Intervals mastermind Aaron Marshall is our guest on this week's MetalSucks Podcast! We discuss their new album Memory Palace out right now! During out chat, we also tackle the guest performances on the new record, how improvising works in the band when it comes to  studio and live performances, and he attempts to breakdown what makes a prog metal instrumental ballad work. Marshall also shares some of the team building exercises he and his crew use on the road and the surreal moment on their recent tour with Mammoth WVH involving a recipe for bread. Petar and Brandon discuss Sebastian Bach’s statement that reason Skid Row hasn’t reunited is because of a “miscommunication," we attempt to write the email that'll get Mr. Bach back in the lineup's good graces, and we revisit how  how Killswitch Engage’s The End of Heartache changed the game when it came to heavy music in the 2000s. Song: intervals “Galaxy Brian” Featuring J3PO Song: intervals “Mnemonic” Song: Four Stroke Baron “The Witch” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's show features an awesome interview with Joseph Rowland of the mighty Pallbearer! During our chat, we hear all about the new album Mind Burns Alive out this Friday, May 17. We also discuss the band's approach of embracing the “quiet” on many of the songs, the comfort he feels in creating in music in an isolated space, and the approach they take on artwork for album covers. Things also take a turn for the philosophical, as the concept of “fate” comes up, how these days the truth requires compromise to communicate, the power of communication through music, longevity of creating art versus popular content, and the battle with being addicted the our phones. Petar and Sylvia discuss the passing of Steve Albini, the lesson he leaves behind with his approach as a engineer for heavy music, the return of Kittie with their first full length album in 13 years, Serj Tankian’s comments on only wanting to do short tours for the fans, and Kerry King just needing to be a little less upfront of his conversation with Tom Araya. Song: Zao “A Last Time For Everything” Song: Pallbearer “Where The Light Fades” Song: Pallbearer “Endless Place” Song: Fu Manchu “Hands of The Zodiac” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The MetalSucks Podcast, we welcome Brittney Slayes, vocalist of the mighty Unleash The Archers! During our chat, we discuss the band's forthcoming album Phantoma due this Friday, May 10. Some of the topics covered during our conversation includes what went into the creation of the album's concept and overarching storyline, how the protagonist in the story is thrust into horrible situations but that hope is always right around the corner, and how this relates to us having to slow life down in modern times to truly be appreciative. On a more philosophical level, we also tackle how new challenges in life can be scary but necessary, why being happy is a conscious choice that isn’t always easy, the negativity that we have to take daily in so many avenues on the internet, the positive messaging Brittney's tried, and how the positive interactions the band has with fans are a blessing for them. Petar and Brandon discuss the rapper OsamaSon completely ripping off Iron Maiden’s artwork, Deicide’s Glen Benton statement on the modern look of metalhead, and the disturbing allegations made against Knocked Loose’s drummer Kevin Kaine (and his response to those accusations). Song: Unleash The Archers “Green & Glass” Song: Unleash The Archers “Ghost In The Mist” Song: Teramaze “Standing Ovation” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iconic guitarist Marty Friedman is back on The MetalSucks Podcast! We're celebrating his new solo album Drama, which is coming out on May 17. In our chat, we discuss his return to touring North America after the pandemic, look back on the visually arresting livestream he participated in during the Tokyo Jukebox album cycle, and a breakdown on the song structure of the centerpiece track “Mirage." We also discuss how having access to a collection of vintage and rare guitars is beneficial to recording the album, writing his autobiography with the intent of sharing things nobody knows about him, and a ballpark release date for when his autobiography will be available to the world. Before that though, Petar and Sylvia discuss the announcement of the bands on this years Summer Slaughter tour, our thoughts on the reactions that spread all over the metal media, Slipknot’s new look leaning towards the iconic first album, and Motley Crue’s releases a brand new song. Song: Marty Friedman  “Illumination” Song: Marty Friedman “Dead of Winter (English Version) Featuring Chris Brooks of Like A Storm Song: Inter Arma “Desolation’s Harp” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices