Into The Void

Where can you go to hear stories about your favorite bands and musicians — stories that you've likely never heard before? Autobiographies (aka memoirs) are the prime source for in-depth stories on the lives and careers of such legendary musicians as Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Scott Ian and many, many others. On this episode of Into the Void, Dave Manack and JayMan discuss their favorite autobios of all time, and some of the best stories they've read along the way. Plus, don't miss the exclusive interview with veteran journalist and author Jon Wiederhorn, who co-wrote books with Scott Ian and Al Jourgenson. His newest book, "Raising Hell: Backstage Tales from the Lives of Metal Legends" is out now, and Jon discusses this book and some great stories involving the heavy music legends he's worked with over the years.

Was it the worst year in the modern history of mankind? Yes, yes it was. In addition to a global pandemic, we lost arguably the greatest rock guitarist and rock drummer of all time: Eddie Van Halen and Neil Peart. And of course, there were other losses that hit us hard as well. But it wasn't all bad in 2020: We did see some great new releases, and some amazing online concerts, too. The guys were having some fun — and some drinks — so enjoy it with us! 

It may be almost Christmas, but the guys are still reeling a bit from a post-Halloween hangover. The cure? An episode all about masks and makeup! Over the past 40-plus years, a handful of bands have stood out from the rest — everyone from Alice Cooper to KISS to Gwar to Slipknot — by accentuating their personas in ways no one had seen before. In this episode, Dave Manic, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and Jay Man talk about the history and impact of masks and makeup in rock music. One band emerges as the top choice for best mask/makeup ban of all time — can you guess which one? The episode concludes with an insider's perspective on the formation of mask-wearing legends Slipknot from a guy who was there and saw it all happen, drummer and Iowa native Dan Spain of Downthesun and Deadfront. 

Finally ... after several months in existence, the Into the Void music podcast dedicates an entire episode to the godfathers of all that is heavy: Black Sabbath! With the 50th anniversary of "Paranoid" combining with the anniversary of the release of Nativity in Black, the Black Sabbath tribute album released in 1994, it was the perfect time for Dave, Wild Bill, Lord Gates and JayMan to discuss the lasting importance of Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill and the genre they helped to create. The guys list their top 5 Sabbath albums (will a Dio album make the cut?), while the feature interview includes Bob Chiappardi of Concrete Marketing, the man who was responsible for producing "Nativity in Black." And wait until you hear his Ozzy story!

On this episode of Into the Void, the guys are talking about the fateful day of September 24,1991, the day Nirvana's "Nevermind" was released ... and '80s hard rock was pronounced dead. But, was that fair to those talented bands who had released albums toward the end of the '80s and into the early '90s? Bands like Circus of Power, Love/Hate, Lynch Mob, Warrior Soul, Junkyard and many more, bands who were ultimately "expunged by grunge"? We say no — which is why we're taking this episode to extoll their virtues and tell you, our listeners, why their music is still worth checking out even three decades later. We also have a feature interview with Alex Mitchell, lead singer of Circus of Power (and also author of his first book!). 

On this episode of Into the Void, the guys get a bit more personal as they talk about growing up in New England, and how that factored into their lifelong love of heavy music. The fall weather, horror movies, high school football, outdoor keggers and great live venues — all of these things and more set the gents on their path toward the 'dark side.' The guys also list their top 5 all-time New England bands ... and let's just say, Wild Bill and Lord Gates practically vomited at one of Dave's choices. In the feature interview, the guys interview lead singer and rhythm guitarist Marc Gaffney of the New-England-based band Gozu, who opens up about the very personal lyrics on their latest album "Equilibrium."

On this episode of the "Into the Void" music podcast, we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the classic album "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead, and their legendary frontman, Lemmy Kilmister. It was recently announced that a 40th Anniversary Ace of Spades Box Set is set to be released in late October, and the guys — Dave Manack, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and Jay Man — discuss this landmark album and the impact Lemmy had on the world of heavy music. Lord Gates and Dave also offer their stories about the time they each got to meet Lemmy, and the four go toe-to-toe with their top 5 Motorhead songs of all time. The show concludes with an interview with Ian Gainer, veteran drum tech, who spent three years as the personal tech for Lemmy during the last three years of Lemmy's touring life. Ian shares some intimate stories that few have ever heard, so don't miss it! 

On this episode of the Into the Void music podcast, Dave, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and Jay Man talk about the reasons why some great bands have flown under the radar, whether it was unfortunate timing, issues with record labels, or simply the refusal to "sell out." The guys each name five "under the radar" bands that they feel strongly about while offering some of the reasons why these bands may have flown under the radar — and why you NEED to check them out! The episode is capped off by a feature interview with one of the bands on Wild Bill's list, Skinlab, and their main man Steev Esquivel. 

On this episode of the Into the Void music podcast, the 20th anniversary of the release of the Deftone's breakthrough album "White Pony" has the guys talking Nu Metal. How did the Deftones figure into the Nu Metal movement, and why were they inspired to make such a huge sonic shift? The guys also talk about Nu Metal pioneers Korn, while the "Great Debate" sees Dave, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and Jay Man listing their top 5 Nu Metal albums of all time. In the feature interview, Bill and Dave catch up with Dan Spain of Nu Metal band Downthesun (and Dogs of Neptune), a band whose self-titled album Bill lists in his top 5. Which Nu Metal singer did Dan accidentally punch in the face? Find out on this episode of the Into the Void music podcast!

Headlined by an exclusive interview with Matt Pike, it's all High on Fire and Sleep on this episode of the Into the Void music podcast. Is Sleep the first "stoner rock" band, and if not, who is? And what's the key to Matt Pike's crushing guitar tone? Plus the guys — Dave, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and Jay Man —debate the top 5 High on Fire tunes of all time. The show concludes with that exclusive interview with Matt Pike, as Dave and Wild Bill talk to Matt about his COVID downtime, the history of High on Fire, and what's next — if anything — for Sleep.

On this episode of the "Into the Void" music podcast, the guys are talkin' thrash. Inspired by the recent release of the music documentary "Murder in the Front Row," an in-depth look into the birth of the thrash scene in Northern California in the early '80s, the guys talk about this doc as well as other must-see music documentaries. The "Great Debate" sees Dave, Lord Gates, Wild Bill  and Jay Man reveal their top 5 thrash albums of all time, and the episode ends with an exclusive interview with the legendary Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth, frontman of Overkill and his new "cover band," BPMD. And remember, bang that head which does not bang!

June 22 sees the second anniversary of the passing of legendary Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, while Pantera/Down/Superjoint frontman Phil Anselmo celebrates his 52nd birthday on June 30. Those two dates gave the guys the perfect opportunity to discuss the history of Pantera and exactly why the band broke up, and whether or not Phil and Rex should even consider any kind of Pantera tour without Dime and Vinnie. The guys also reveal their personal encounters with the Abbott brothers with two hilarious stories, and the Into the Void “Great Debate” has the guys listing their top 5 all-time Pantera songs. Finally, in the “Feature Interview,” the guys talk to Bob Chiappardi, Founder and President of Concrete Marketing and the Foundations Forum heavy music convention. Chiappardi and Concrete worked PR and management for Pantera for several years, and helped launch “Cowboys From Hell” at the 1991 Foundations Forum convention.

On this inaugural episode of the Into the Void music podcast, the guys discuss the current trend of online concerts, both live and archived. Is this the future of live music, at least for the coming months? And how can bands improve their online show experience? And as the guys lament the loss of live shows, the Into the Void “Great Debate” sees Dave, Lord Gates, Wild Bill and JayMan list their favorite and least favorite live shows of all time. Finally, in the “Feature Interview,” the guys talk to veteran drum tech and roadie Ian Gainer, who’s worked with everyone from Halford to Anthrax to Seether to Motorhead over the past 18 years. Gainer offers some great "insider" touring stories, and gives his input on what will happen when live shows finally return.