Metalheads Podcast

This episode we welcome Lord Dying bass player and tattoo artist Alyssa Maucere to the podcast. Alyssa chats with us about joining Lord Dying, what it was like to work on the band's new album, Clandestine Transcendence, and developing her punk rock bass sound. She also gives us a peek into her life as an illustrator and tattoo artist, talks about creating her solo metal project, Grigax, and reveals what life is like in the "heavy metal retirement" community of Portland. After the interview, Alyssa shares what 3 albums would help people better understand her as a person and sticks around for a super fun count down of our Top 5 Judas Priest Album Covers. Plus, listener poll results from last episode's Metal Thunderdome, what we've been listening to, the latest in metal news and new releases, and Picks from the Crypt!

Trevor Portz returns to the cast for a record 7th time to talk about Abhoria's sophmore album! He reminisces about nearly freezing his hands off during a video shoot in the mountains, predicts his sad fate in an apocalypse and announces the amazing new vocalist for Ashen Horde! After the interview, Trevor helps us break down the latest in metal news, and we chat about new releases and what we’ve been listening to. Plus, a discussion on AI art, Picks From the Crypt and a Metal Thunderdome kerfuffle between Anthrax - Among the Living and Overkill - Taking Over. 

We start 2024 of hot with Ian Gillings of Rannoch! We talked to him about the big success of the band's 2023 album Conflagrations (including a No. 12 spot on the Metalheads Podcast Top 25), how his music is influenced by acclaimed comic book writer Alan Moore, what it's like to produce his own records and why he longs for the complete destruction of his early band demos. After the interview, we throw back a few more beers with Ian and discuss metal news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, we unearth some gems for Pick From the Crypt and count down our Top 5 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2024!

The most magical time of the year has arrived. The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2023 is here! We've secretly wrapped the very best extreme metal albums and piled them high under the tree just for you. So, wipe the sleep crusties from your eyes, pour yourself a yuletide beverage and nestle into your favorite battle snuggie, because you've got 5 hours of joyous unwrapping to do. Happy Holidays!

This episode we welcome master artist and musician Chuck BB to the podcast. Chuck is the creator of Stone Cold Lazy, a comic strip found in the pages of Decibel Magazine every month, and he co-created and illustrated the epic, Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Black Metal. We talk with Chuck about making comics, getting into metal, creating art for the game company Exploding Kittens and crafting his solo black metal album, Nosk of the Void. After the interview, Chuck helps us break down the latest in Metal News, then we dig into New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also give our initial impressions of the recent lineup announcement for the 2024 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly and we choose our favorite songs on Iron Maiden's Piece of Mind to celebrate the album's 40th anniversary. Plus, we fall down an 80s/90s action film hole, praising the punchery powers of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Ahnold, AND we count down our Top 5 Metal Album Covers of 2023. An explosive 5-hour flight with artist Chuck BB awaits you, dear metalheads. GET TO THE CHOPPA!

This episode we welcome guitar virtuoso Christian Münzner of Alkaloid, Obscura and Eternity's End to the podcast for the first time. He takes us behind the scenes of the new Alkaloid album "Numen" and we discuss his illustrious career in metal.  Chris shares how he started playing guitar by learning AC/DC and Metallica songs, reveals what it's like to live with focal dystonia, and tells us which guitarist's powers he'd want if he had the mutant ability to absorb them!After the interview, Chris helps us break down news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, we unveil a new segment called Pick From the Crypt, Jay locks us into Metal Thunderdome 1986 where Slayer “Reign in Blood” takes on Metallica “Master of Puppets” in a thrash battle for the ages.

This episode we welcome Ed Levitsky of The Anchoret to talk about the band's debut album, It All Began with Loneliness. He shares how he channeled his feelings of isolation and sadness during the pandemic into an outlet for creating the progressive metal record he always dreamed of. Ed also discussed what goes into his writing process, how his Dad influenced his love of prog music, what it's been like to bond with musicians from around the world, how he signed with Willowtip Records and why he can never have enough saxophone in metal.After the interview, Ed helps us break down news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, we turn back the clocks to a time before we were metalheads to count down our Top 5 Albums that Led us to Metal.

This episode we welcome back the incomparable Keith D to talk about his new Dragons of Krull and Panda Kingdom albums! He also gives us an update on the next Unearthed Elf record. We discuss his writing and recording process, where his deep love for Krull came from, what he learned from the mastering genius Maor Appelbaum and how a trip to the dentist led to the discovery of an enchanted realm of metal. After the interview, we cover news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, John delivers a surprise Metal Thunderdome and we chat about the influence of 80s films and TV on us as young metalheads. This ep also features the full Dragons of Krull track, "Prophecy of Krull," AND a complete segment music takeover by Keith D!

This episode we cover the latest metal news and new releases, then reveal what we’ve been listening to lately. Plus, our Top 5 Back-to-Back Albums by Metal Bands and a conversation on gardening and pest control?! Ants. Aphids. Tomatoes. Pumpkins. Japanese beetles. Praying Mantises. Woodchucks. Metal.

We're halfway through the year and you know what that means, dear metalheads... Our Top 25 Metal Albums at Mid-Year is here! 5+ hours of lists, libations and laughs! We're joined by our good friend Justin Riley, AKA the Dr. of Death Metal, as we count down our favorite records released between January and June. Plus, Will returns, delivering his classic caveman charm for the first 30 minutes before heading off to Atlas Brew Works to run a metal show. Fortunately, he leaves his list in the snuggable embrace of Matt, who reads each pick... as Will. This massive episode also features joke revisionism with Jay, George becoming a sexy billboard, Decibel Metal and Beer Fest memories, and an incredibly intelligent discussion on how some albums just hit us right in the nuts.

This episode we are joined by Sami Sati and Tanner Swenson of Oak Pantheon. We start off with an interview and much hilarity ensues. George announces your opportunity to become fashion outcasts, before moving on to the usual traditions of T-Shirt and Beer Check, News, New Release and What We Are Listening To. We reveal the final results of the last Metal Thunderdome before moving on to Matt's Thunderdome opponents: Carcass' Swansong vs Celtic Frost's Cold Lake. Sami and Tanner, clearly suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, choose to stay for the entire episode. 

This episode we preview the 2023 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly with our friends Stacy Ciccone and Justin Riley!  We discuss what bands we're most excited to see, sift through the mighty beer list and talk about how the metal community is mostly fluffy puppies and kitties. We also dig into News, New Releases and What We've Been Listening to. Plus, our Top 5 Death Metal Bands that Have Debuted Since 2015.

This episode we got to hang out with THREE metal guests! Chris Danacek (SKÁLA, Infera Bruo), Karl Chamberlain (SKÁLA, Alcyone) and Galen Baudhuin (Street Tombs, Aridus, Infera Bruo) joined us to discuss their current and upcoming projects. Chris shares his thoughts on the cathartic writing and recording process for his SKÁLA album, we get the low down on the "permanent hiatus" of Infera Bruo, Galen takes us inside his new one-man project Aridus, and Karl declares that no character will ever survive in his lyrics.After the interview, Karl and Galen stick around to talk news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, Markisan dusts off two great solo records by Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford, and makes them battle it out in a fun Metal Thunderdome. AND we feature the return of full songs to the podcast, including tracks from SKÁLA, Street Tombs and the exclusive, world premiere of the first Alcyone single, "Ensconcing Sorcery."

This episode we were down a couple men, but we carried on and crossed the finish line nearly three hours later. George receives the gift of beer, Matt receives an infamous first in D.C., and per usual we cover the News, New Releases and What We Are Listening To. For our Top 5 we count down our favorite deceased artists we are glad we saw live. 

Our first episode of 2023 features honorary Metalheads member, Trevor Portz of Ashen Horde and Abhoria! He chats with us about Ashen Horde's acclaimed new album, Antimony, signing with Transcending Obscurity Records, the strangeness of releasing music years after he's completed it, the ongoing saga of his prog metal album and how he finds the energy to do so many activities with his wife.After the interview we dig into News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also count down the Top 5 Metal Albums We're Looking Forward to in 2023 and pay tribute to Jeff Beck. Plus, our thoughts on the vinyl sale slowdown, Dokken trivia with Jay and Markisan reveals a secret that makes George's heart flutter.