The MetalSucks Podcast

Opeth mastermind Mikael Akerfeldt guests on this week's podcast to talk about their new album that drops in June, his life, how his kids take to metal and whether or not he is done with "death metal" altogether. Chuck and Godless also discuss the week's news about As I Lay Dying and the new project without Tim Lambesis, and they try to figure out why the band members keep having unfortunate missteps with their soon-to-be incarcerated lead singer. Plus, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of KISS this week, Chuck and Godless argue about who the first ten inductees into the Metal Hall of Fame would be. Not bands, individuals. Not hard rock, not R & B, not heavy metal, but METAL! It's harder than you think! Songs:Opeth - "Slither"Trap Them - "Salted Crypts" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vince and Axl sit down with the spandex-wrapped vessel of hair metal, Steel Panther. They don't get to talk for long, but they don't need much time to make you laugh, and, for that matter, cry. They talk about the new Steel Panther album, inspiration for their hit songs, and their talents for flatulence. Chuck and Godless talk about the rash of performers getting caught on video completely blotto on stage and discuss whether it cheats the fans or makes for 'special' moments you will never see again. We also invited MS contributor Grim Kim to offer a serious discussion about women in the metal scene and metal journalism, we talk about how musicians treat young women, but also how young women metal fans are viewed in general and ways to address the stereotypes every female metal fan must confront. Changing lives one podcast at a time! Songs:Steel Panther - "Gangbang at the Old Folks Home"Misery Index - "The Calling" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Jones, ex-Killswitch Engage and current Devil You Know vocalist, is our guest this week. We talk about his bout with depression, his reasons for leaving KSE and his new project, and we generally atempt to psychoanalyze a way too humble man. Chuck and Godless also talk about the cuttlefish in the room, the death of Dave Brockie; what his death means to them and what it might mean for the band -- Godless already thinking about their future and Chuck stuck in the past. They also let you hear the new supergroup Killer Be Killed which they can't help but like, and they discuss the reasons why bands try to make something new when they already have a good thing going (or if that is even the point of the exercise?). Songs:Devil You Know - "Seven Years Alone"Killer Be Killed - "Wings of Feather and Wax"GWAR - "Maggots" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trevor Strnad, lead screamer of the Black Dahlia Murder, is our guest this week. We talk about death metal bands versus scene metal bands, his run-ins with fans about buying albums, what he has tattooed on his ass and what his mom would have named the band. Chuck and Godless also talk about the big news of the week: Angela Gossow's departure from Arch Enemy and how the band handled the transition. Did they do it the best way possible? If you have a female vocalist, should you replace her with another female vocalist? They also try and figure out if Down losing Kirk "Riff Lord" Windstein has harmed their sound forever. Songs:The Black Dahlia Murder - "Raped In Hatred by Vines of Thorns"Down - "We Knew Him Well" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wendy Dio is our guest this week. We talk about Ronnie James Dio's final days and his legacy, their relationship, her mission with the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund and the new tribute album coming out in April featuring Motorhead, Metallica, Anthrax, Rob Halford and many more. Chuck and Godless had to make a few adjustments to their recording this week with the wicked SXSW festival in their fine city of Austin, but Chuck tries to defend his other passion -- terrestrial radio -- and make the case for its relevance, although Godless doesn't buy it (ane we're not sure if anyone else will either). Songs:Motorhead (Feat: Biff from Saxon) - "Starstruck"Indian - "Directional"   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil Bozeman of Whitechapel guests on the podcast this week. We talk about Phil's incredibly troubled childhood, from both of his parents dying at a young age to the severe anxiety problems he experiences to this day. Of course we talk about the new Whitechapel album as well.  Chuck and Godless also talk about how Emmure caved to pressure by changing the title of one of the songs on the new record and whether that is a tell-tale sign of metal losing its balls; should we (the royal ‘metal’ we) be afraid of offending people? We also talk about SXSW and whether it's relevant for you or your band in general, musically, professionally or otherwise, and the most important thing to consider during the conference: tacos and beer. Songs: Whitechapel – "The Saw is the Law"Destrage – "My Green Neighbour" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Nuñez of Torche joins our podcast this week; we talk about the ease of recording in his own home, having Kurt Ballou as the go-to guy for their albums, plans for their next record and which bands reached him at an early age. Chuck and Godless also tear down the Revolver Golden Gods Awards nominees, and they try to be kind to all of you A7X lovers out there -- but really just try -- and cover a few other big headlines of the week like the Lambesis guilty plea and Malevolent Creation's "gay" drummer controversy. Songs:Torche - "Without a Sound"Whitechapel - "The Saw is the Law" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

KEN mode brothers Jesse and Shane Matthewson sit in on this episode. We talk about their recent Converse video; the realization that they're both accountants as are their parents, what it's like to put everything on tour in terms of dollars of merch sold, and whether or not their extremely high frequency of touring is worth while or not. Chuck and Godless also revisit the topic of the mosh pit and audience safety in light of the $1.4 Million judgement against Fishbone, the fan arrested at a Bring Me the Horizon show and the security collapse during the Thy Art is Murder set at Soundwave festival. Who is to blame? Songs:KEN mode - "Your Heart Warming Story Makes Me Sick"Hark - "Black Hole South West" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Ian drops in for this week's episode to talk about his upcoming Speaking Words tour, crowd funding his new DVD, Anthrax reclaiming their spot on the big four, getting made up as Jack the Ripper for Kirk Hammett's FestEvil and most importantly where his child was conceived. SO many news items to cover, Chuck and Godless focus on the band changes going on, The Faceless, Dave Lombardo and Slayer and what the hell happened to Newsted and Mustaine with the Soundwave Festival?   Songs: Anthrax - Got the Time Junius - Battle In the Sky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chuck and Godless spent a week floating around the Caribbean with 40 bands and 2000 metalheads on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, and they've got a couple stories to tell... at least what they can remember. Soilwork, The Haunted and 70,000 Tons of Metal organizer Andy Pillar are the special guests on this week's podcast: Chuck and Godless get into how Soilwork deal with equipment issues, how the members of The Haunted handle the At the Gates reunion taking up so much of their band, and how a festival on the open seas can happen without as much as a hiccup. Songs:The Haunted - "Eye of the Storm"Soilwork - "Spectrum of Eternity" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices