The MetalSucks Podcast

Jake Bowen is our guest this week. The guitarist and multi-instrumental tells us all about Four Seconds Ago, his new electronic project with Periphery bandmate Misha Mansoor, from its formation to the differences in the creative process from his day job band to the need he felt to pursue that musical direction. We also spoke about Periphery's decision to start their own label (3 Dot Recordings), the large amount of demos and songs Periphery already have for their next album, the power of Pantera and Jake's MetalSucks article describing Dimebag’s solo on “Throes of Rejection,” his feelings on the band's recent Grammy nomination, and his thoughts on an attorney's use of a Periphery song in a trial of a woman who attacked three people with an axe. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn talk about the 96-year old Holocaust survivor singing death metal, David Gunn’s statement on changes to the King 810 lineup, the DC universe putting out metal songs and why that works better than it would for Marvel, and the passing of Metalocalypse director Jon Schnepp. Songs: Four Seconds Ago - “Fadeaway” Mantar - “Age of the Absurd” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Otep Shamaya returns to the podcast this week. We discuss her upcoming record Kult 45, the intent behind its lead single “To The Gallows" and a whole lot of politics: how important it is not to accept lies from our leaders, how to argue politics with people who have a different viewpoint, when name calling is acceptable and when it's not, how important it is to stand up and fight against injustice, the good in humanity and coming together, and the political landscape of the future. Petar, Brandon and Jozalyn tackle the update from everybody in the System of a Down camp, how we feel about each member's statements, the strange controversy Steel Panther recently ran into and the mighty GayC/DC. Songs: Otep - “Shelter in Place” Ultra-Violence - “Cadaver Decomposition Island” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we talk to Obscura mastermind Steffen Kummerer about the band's new record, Dilvium, why it took four chapters to tell the narrative behind it, the meaning of the title, his approach to making the record sound three dimensional, the importance of a good chorus, his study of German philosophy, which philosopher he feels best represents him today, the difficulty of misinformation, and the misunderstanding about the band breaking up when promoting the new record. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn also tackle the latest drama surrounding The Faceless, Rex Brown’s kind tribute to the late Vinnie Paul, how death brings closure to petty beefs, and whether or not Rex and Phil Anselmo should perform Pantera songs again. Songs: Obscura - “Ethereal Skies” Obscura - “Dilvium” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we talk with Devin Townsend about his latest release Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theater Plovdiv. We discuss Devin's decision to disband the "Devin Townsend Project" moniker, the various albums he's writing now and the 100 songs that are currently in the works, the trial and error process he goes through prior to committing to a project, the autobiography he released in 2016 and what the future may hold for him at this point. As is always the case with Devin, it's quite the interesting chat and a pointed look into the brain of one of metal's most eccentric characters. Pete, Brandon, and Joz share their favorite metal albums of 2018 so far, discussing why these records should all be heard and how established artists sometimes don’t get the credit they should because of nostalgia. Songs: C.O.C - “Cast The First Stone” Harakiri for the Sky - “Manifesto” The Atlas Moth - “Coma Noir” Devin Townsend Project - “Truth (Live)” Devin Townsend Project - “Regulator (Live)” Will Haven - “Winds of Change” At The Gates - “To Drink From The Night Itself” Light the Torch - “The Safety of Disbelief” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dez Fafara from DevilDriver is our guest this week. We discuss his new country covers album Outlaws Til The End Vol. 1, how he handled people who told him it was a bad idea to mix metal and country, why this is a "Volume 1," his trip to Johnny Cash’s cabin, singing on stage with Lee Ving of Fear, masculinity and its representation in country songs and an update on the future of DevilDriver. Pete, Brandon, and Jozalyn talk about the passing of legend Vinnie Paul, our personal experiences with him in Vegas, how important he was to the the younger bands in the scene and the legacy he leaves behind. Songs: Pantera - “I’ll Cast a Shadow” Devildriver - “ Ghost Riders in the Sky” Violent Life, Violent Death - “Backbiter” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jami Morgan of Code Orange is our guest this week. We discuss the band's latest standalone single “Only One Way," the ways he sees the band releasing songs, albums and other content in the future, his fondness for MMA and wrestling, the importance of validation from established artists, touring Europe with System of a Down, which era of hardcore most inspired him and the youthful energy that is irreplaceable in music. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn discuss the latest drama involving The Faceless (and Michael Keene's bogus comment on the ordeal) and our joy about Ghost's recent achievements for our genre. Songs: Code Orange - “Only One Way” Code Orange - “The New Reality” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Ward of Orange Goblin is our guest this week. We discuss the immediacy and sound of the band's latest record The Wolf Bites Back, the reason Ward believes no rock band has captured a generation like in the past, how popular artists rest on their laurels after achieving success, the English metal scene and the unity that used to make it special, why retirement doesn’t make sense for musicians, and the successful crowdfunding campaign he launched to help out Metal Hammer. Petar and Brandon present Kiss toilet paper in ad form and discuss the importance of taking a stand, the dangers of staying neutral in certain situations, and how setting a bad precedent hurts the scene and fans. Songs: Orange Goblin - "The Wolf Bites Back" Iced Earth - "Declaration Day" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we talk to Every Time I Die vocalist Keith Buckley about his new novel Watch. We also discuss his first novel Scale, the authors that influenced him, the importance of writing what you know, the risks he took on the new book, the difference between turning in finished records to labels and books to an editor, the magic behind the song “Map Change," the importance of producer Will Putney on the lyrics of Every Time I Die's latest album Low Teens, an update on new music and much more. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn break down the preview clip released by the reactivated As I Lay Dying. Who is in the band? Will their comeback be successful? We also discuss the Slayer fan who swam back into a a concert after getting kicked out. Songs: Every Time I Die - “Just As Real But Not As Brightly Lit” Every Time I Die - “Map Change” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doc Coyle of Bad Wolves (ex-God Forbid, Vagus Nerve) joins the podcast this week. We talk about Bad Wolves' recent rise to success, the difference between metal and hard rock, the disparity between fans of those genres, how quickly change occurs in life and the anxiety that brings, how the president has become pop culture and the importance of mobilizing young voters. We also talk a whole lot of NBA: why Lebron James is or isn’t the greatest basketball player of all time, if the argument between him and Michael Jordan is fair, which team Lebron should get traded to, how the Golden State Warriors have affected the competition in the game, and much more. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn introduce the world to the Pedro and Pedro Law firm, talk about Marilyn Manson’s claim of pissing on Korn’s catering, Ghost's Tobias Forge stating that the lawsuit brought against him by former members needed to happen, Between the Buried and Me's decision to release their latest record in two parts, and much more. Songs: Bad Wolves - “Better The Devil” Bad Wolves - “Zombie” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bloodbath vocalist Nick Holmes (also of Paradise Lost) is our guest this week. We discuss the North American tour Bloodbath are about the embark on, his passion for Florida death metal and horror films, his fear of checking Twitter after a night of drinking, the challenge of writing “gore” lyrics and an update on the new Bloodbath record. Meanwhile Petar, Brandon, and Joz discuss MS co-founder Vince Neilstein's claim that Ghost will be the next arena rock band, the newly announced Pig Destroyer record, Maynard’s plea on stage for his bandmates to finish the Tool record, and much more. Songs: Bloodbath - “Grand Morbid Funeral” Witch Casket - “Hatred Index” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices