The MetalSucks Podcast

This week our guest is Xasthur mastermind Scott Conner. We talk about what led him to alter his sound from black metal to "doomgrass," how he felt about his final black metal release Portal of Sorrow, how the doomgrass style fits into the metal world at large, his thoughts on separating the art from the artist, the importance of writing songs in an isolated setting, the different kinds of fans his live shows attract and his upcoming record (coming in 2019).  Petar and Brandon discuss Kiss's final tour, the sharp decrease in physical album sales and the rise of streaming revenue, why we think Metallica still sell so many copies of The Black Album, our feelings on Metallica someday playing the Super Bowl halftime show and the Mudvayne reunion conversation. Songs: Xasthur - “You Lose” Xasthur - “Against Your Will” Xasthur - “Slaughtered Useless Beings in a Nihilstic Dream Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we speak with Aborted vocalist Sven de Caluwé about the band's new album TerrorVision, including how the decision came about to name it after the '80s thriller, how awful that film was, how the title isn’t a direct reference to the movie but to the state of the world today and the cheap scare tactics modern-day horror films utilize. We also discuss how people often forget that metal is supposed to be fun, how modern technology can cover up mistakes and the negatives that brings, how Sven has always been a big sucker for artwork, which recent band Aborted toured with whose audience did not receive them well, his feelings about returning to perform at the Bataclan in Paris after the tragedy at the Eagles of Death Metal concert, and which children’s film would make a great concept for a death metal album. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn introduce a new school for air musicians, discuss Glen Benton vs. Mormons, the "bad vibes" Ozzy Osbourne got from Black Sabbath, how we would like to see Ozzy go out, and the Rebel Wizard shirt Jozalyn must own. Songs: Aborted - “Terrorvision” Aborted - “Squalor Opera” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blake Harrison of Pig Destroyer guests this week. We discuss the lengthy break between the band's new album Head Cage and Book Burner (2012), if the title of the record contains any messages about modern society, how a Pig Destroyer show has become an event for our genre, how they got on the Showtime promo for the new Twin Peaks series (while we fanboy hard on David Lynch’s career), playing “Natasha” in its entirety and if there is a demand for that song, his thoughts on doing a Pig Destroyer live record, and turning down an offer to do Prowler in the Yard in it’s entirety (and his take on that general phenomenon). Also this week MetalSucks co-founder Axl Rosenberg calls in to discuss his perfect score for Head Cage, the comments and reviews he's been reading about it and his thoughts on the rest of Pig Destroyer's discography, which Petar unfairly makes him rank on the spot. Petar and Brandon create an ad for the splendid new Atreyu song, discuss Brent Hinds' comments about metal being "the most brutal job" he's ever had (and Devin Townsend’s response), the Sword’s recently-announced hiatus, and our thoughts on the cruel realities of being a non-stop touring musician in 2018. Songs: Pig Destroyer - “Army of Cops” Pig Destroyer - “The Torture Fields” Pig Destroyer - “Mt. Skull” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies is our guest this week. We discuss the band's new record STill Cyco Punk After All These Years, a reimagining of his 1996 solo album, and how the lyrical content is still relevant today. Mike also talks at length on a number of topics including how being a victim is a choice in some peoples' lives, how a surefire way to be miserable is to make other people happy, how most people just want to be right and refuse to communicate, how journalism is more focused on getting a point across instead of reporting news, how extreme people can manipulate others because of human nature, the current dry spell of genre-defining bands, music becoming just background noise instead of the soundtrack to our lives, and how proud he is to get inducted into the skateboarding hall of fame. Petar, Jozalyn, and Brandon discuss Metallica’s new brand of whiskey, the eleven-year-old who was left home alone so his parents could go see a Godflesh concert, Slayer continuing their final tour into 2019, and if new Motley Crue music is something we want to hear. Songs: Suicidal Tendencies - “F.U.B.A.R.” LiveKill - “Demons” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is Revocation mastermind David Davidson. We discuss the band's new record The Outer Ones (which Dave describes as the band's "most death metal album" to date), how the world of H.P. Lovecraft influenced the album, studying the language of jazz and its effects on Revocation, which jazz artist he is most impressed with and the importance of knowing the history of the genre you love.  Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn discuss Marilyn Manson cutting another show short and the fear of his career continuing in this manner, Chris Fronzak of Attila punching a security guard and claiming he'll never play Vegas again, and the sad news that Fronzak may have to come back to Vegas anyway to face charges pressed against him from the incident. Songs: Revocation - “Of Unwordly Origin” Revocation - “The Outer Ones” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our guest this week is legendary drummer Mike Portnoy. We discuss Metal Allegiance and the massive amount of input that goes into a supergroup collaboration, getting Andreas Kisser and Max Cavalera on the same record again, the various vocalists on the band's new album Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty and the process for writing lyrics, the metal drummers who influenced him, an update on Sons of Apollo’s recent festival cancellations, the Winery Dogs hiatus, the album his son Max recommended that's one of his favorites of the year, and his son's band Tallah. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn tackle this week of tragedy with the deaths of Jill Janus (Huntress) and Jonathan Davis's wife Deven. They also discuss the soundproof glass at Heavy Montreal, the church of Satan protesting the ten commandments in Arkansas, Cattle Decapitation vs. true Christians, and what we envision for the future of Killswitch Engage. Songs: Metal Allegiance - “Voodoo of the Godsend” (featuring Max Cavalera) Tallah - “Cottonmouth” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Jill Janus, the vibrant frontwoman of Huntress, as she shares her journey in the metal scene. Jill reflects on the band's impact and the emotional weight of her legacy, mixing heartfelt memories with humor. She dives into the creative process behind their haunting music video 'Sorrow' and discusses the ups and downs of touring while navigating cultural differences in the music industry. Through it all, Jill emphasizes the importance of community and the raw energy of live performances, leaving a lasting mark on fans.

Roy Mayorga is our guest this week! Join us as we discuss the special edition of Stone Sour's Hyrdograd (out August 31), their new single “Burn One Turn One” not making the cut on the original release, the challenge of covering Rage Against the Machine's “Bombtrack,” winning Loudwire’s Best Hard Rock Album of 2017, getting to spend six weeks playing support for Ozzy on his final tour, the first record he recorded with Nausea, how he keeps the legacy of a band like Nausea alive today, guitarist Josh Rand coming back to touring with Stone Sour, how they've help him with his recovery from addiction, his punk rock roots, the shows he was lucky enough to witness, and how the punk rock scene is still alive and thriving. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn also introduce you to the God = Dog sitcom and discuss the changing story of the elderly break out at Wacken Open Air, Phil Demmel not doing any press for Machine Head, the impending release of Warrel Dane’s final record being released, and the difference between Keith Buckley’s From Every Time I Die Cory Brandan from Norma Jean's views on accepting fans of different political backgrounds at shows. Songs: Stone Sour - “Burn One Turn One” Nausea - "Cyber God” Parasite Inc. - “Once And For All” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob "Blasko" Nicholson -- Ozzy's longtime bassist, successful artist manager and founder/host of the A New Level podcast -- is our guest this week. We start out by talking about his latest endeavor and the preparation his guests go through prior to recording the episodes. We transition into a broader music industry conversation: how people consume music these days as opposed to the past, how the new model levels the playing field, why he only trusts music industry people who have been in bands, the reason he likes to stay busy with so many different projects, one young band that he feels has headlining potential, the validation a record contract can bring a young band, the visible record collection vs. the hidden record collection in the '80s, and he tells us about his favorite supergroup. Petar, Brandon and Jozalyn introduce everyone to The Proper Spin Institute and discuss their elderly heroes in Germany, Angus Young needing an escort to pee, and the horribly titled new Behemoth song that we love. Songs: The Agony Scene - “The Ascent and Decline” Islander - “My Friends” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The legendary Dee Snider is our guest this week. We discuss his new solo record For the Love of Metal (which was written and produced by Jamey Jasta), his fears he wouldn't be able to deliver on a contemporary metal record, the inspiration Game of Thrones had on the effort, why he feels no need to make a new Twisted Sister album and how he landed a spot on Chappelle’s Show. He also updates us on the sequel to his film Strangeland, shares his thoughts on censorship coming from the liberal side of America and how artists have to change the truth sometimes to stay politically correct. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn introduce Jimmy Craig to the world and talk about the study showing that frequent concert attendance can extend your life, Every Time I Die's Jordan Buckley saving a life by spitting beer in a fan's eye, Mark Heylmun of Suicide Silence's break from touring with the band, Rob Zombie’s take on Slayer retiring and Behemoth’s tease for their new record. Songs: Dee Snider - “Tomorrow’s No Concern” Dee Snider - “Become the Storm” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices