In EP304, Tom sits down with Valira of Vesseles to discuss her upcoming album Home, releasing January 16th, 2026, and the deeply personal artistic journey behind her evolving approach to black metal.

Valira opens up about discovering heavy music, gravitating toward darker and more atmospheric sounds, and challenging herself with tracks like Flesh Throne, Eternally Within Us, and Scriptures Until They Are Dust. She explains her passion for creating full-album experiences, focusing on flow, pacing, and emotional progression.

The conversation also explores:

• The origins and evolution of Vesseles

• The creative process using Guitar Pro

• Building a cohesive visual identity through custom latex masks

• Balancing audience expectations and personal fulfillment

• The welcoming nature of the heavy music community

• Touring strategy in the Pacific Northwest and future expansion

• The 12-month plan for Vesseles (shows, festivals, regional push)

• Their album release show – Jan 24 @ Neck of the Woods in San Francisco

This episode is a deep dive into creativity, identity expression, underground metal culture, and the mindset behind building a DIY project from the ground up. If you love black metal, atmospheric heavy music, or stories of artists forging their own path—this episode is for you.

#BlackMetal #Vesseles #Valira #HeavyMusic #MetalPodcast #ExtremeMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #UndergroundMetal #ArtistInterview #MetalCommunity #IdentityAndArt

Vesseles interview, Valira black metal, Home album Vesseles, underground black metal artist, heavy music podcast interview, custom mask artist, Brandy Beast latex masks, Guitar Pro composer, PNW black metal scene, atmospheric metal, Vesseles band 2026, modern black metal evolution

Mike Sanchez of the mighty Acid Bath stopped by during Louder Than Life to talk about what's been happening in the Acid Bath camp and how it feels to play together again. The resurgence of AB has been tremendous and with 2 AB newcomers, they're sounding super tight and getting the crowd hyped.

#acidbath #mikesanchez #louderthanlife #andnowtheband

EP303 | Mike Leon of CKY joins Tom for an energetic and heartfelt conversation about CKY’s resurgence, new music, global touring, and the full-circle moment of joining a band that helped shape his musical identity.

In this episode:

• The making and reception of CKY’s newest single “Can’t Stop Running”
• Recent UK tour + upcoming Australia run + Sonic Temple 2025
• CKY’s healthiest and most focused era yet
• Mike’s years with Soulfly, Crowbar & Battlecross
• Why younger fans are discovering CKY like it’s brand new
• Emotional stories about fan interactions and growing up with heavy music
• World-travel food adventures, including wild nights in Singapore
• The metal cruise community and the “no ego” culture
• Gear talk: Mike’s work with Enki and high-end road cases
• Plans to bring CKY to Louisville’s Portal venue in May

It’s a fun, insightful, high-energy conversation celebrating metal culture, creativity, and the fans that keep this scene alive.

If you love CKY, heavy music stories, or behind-the-scenes tour life — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

CKY interview
Mike Leon CKY
CKY new music 2025
Alternative metal podcast
Soulfly bassist interview
Crowbar touring
Battlecross history
Metal podcast interview
Heavy music storytelling
Sonic Temple Festival
Louisville metal scene
Guitar gear Enki
Metal tour stories
2000s alt metal bands
Heavy music community

#CKY #MikeLeon #MetalPodcast #HeavyMusicPodcast #Soulfly #Crowbar #Battlecross #AlternativeMetal #MetalTouring #SonicTemple #MetalStories #PodcastInterview

In EP302, Connor of Dissentience joins Tom to talk about the band’s creative evolution, their new monster-movie-inspired EP Kaiju, and the challenges of being a genre-fluid metal band in a scene that often demands labels. Connor shares the band’s journey from high school roots to their current sound, shaped by drummer Nick and longtime producer Corey.

They break down the writing process for Kaiju, the band’s most cohesive work yet, written live together for the first time and structured like a classic kaiju film. The conversation explores metal’s shifting trends, the limitations of genre expectations, and how bands like Revocation, Protest the Hero, Deftones, Metallica, and Megadeth influenced Dissentience’s musical identity.

Other topics include:

• Vinyl production issues, merch pricing & fan accessibility

• Scene challenges in the Valley vs. the Northeast & New England

• Winning shows, promoter challenges & why varied lineups matter

• Label delays and 2026 plans for shows and touring

• The importance of performance energy and musical diversity

If you love technical metal, progressive thrash, or genre-breaking heavy bands, this episode is packed.

#Dissentience #KaijuEP #MetalPodcast #ThrashMetal #DeathMetal #TechnicalMetal #ProgMetal #UndergroundMetal #HeavyMusic #MetalBands #MonsterMovies #GodzillaInspired #MetalInterview #Revocation #ProtestTheHero #MetalEvolution #VinylPressing #metalscene

• Dissentience

• technical metal podcast

• thrash metal interview

• death metal band

• progressive thrash

• Kaiju EP

• underground metal scene

• heavy music discussion

• vinyl production issues

• metal band touring

In EP301, Blood Of The Earth join Tom for a wide-ranging conversation covering new music, band growth, touring memories, and the underground metal community. Jeff, Katie, Christian, and John break down their December and January recording schedule, tracking drums, guitars, bass, and keys, plus their upcoming sessions with Ryan Bosch at Kandor Studios in Tampa. They also discuss preparing for Doomfest at Deviant Libation and the excitement of playing as a two-piece before heading back into the studio.

The episode also touches on Tom’s personal stories about aging as a lifelong music fan, Detroit’s economic rise and fall, and reconnecting with family. The band shares future touring plans, European festival goals, collaborations with members of Crisis, their musical evolution beyond doom and stoner roots, and the importance of having fun while creating heavy music.

If you’re into doom, sludge, stoner, post-metal, or behind-the-scenes looks into underground heavy bands, this episode is a must-listen.

#BloodOfTheEarth #DoomMetal #StonerDoom #UndergroundMetal #MetalPodcast #HeavyMusic #Doomfest #LouisvilleMetal #RecordingStudio #MetalBands #SludgeMetal #PostMetal #KandorStudios #RyanBosch #DeviantLibation #MetalMonday #MusicInterviews #HeavyScene

• Blood of the Earth

• doom metal podcast

• underground metal interview

• heavy music stories

• stoner doom band

• metal recording process

• touring metal bands

• Doomfest

• heavy underground community

• metal festival talk

For EP300, Tom sits down with Mike and Carly of Radian at Louisville’s iconic Mag Bar just before they take the stage for Metal Monday. They talk about Carly’s path into the band, her deep connection to heavy music, and how she became part of Akron’s sludge/doom scene.

Mike shares behind-the-scenes updates about brand-new Radian material currently in mastering, giving listeners a rare real-time glimpse into the band’s creative process. They also recap a recent standout show with Rwake, Ohlm, and Lordship at Portal Louisville, discussing the energy, performances, and crowd reaction.Fans of sludge, doom, post-metal, and underground heavy music won’t want to miss this one — new music and tour plans are coming soon.#Radian #AkronMetal #SludgeMetal #DoomMetal #MetalMonday #MagBar #HeavyMusicPodcast #UndergroundMetal #AndNowTheBand #NewMetal2025 #Rwake #Ohlm #Lordship #OhioMetalScene

• Radian podcast interview

• Akron sludge metal

• heavy music conversation

• doom metal band new album

• sludge metal artists

• underground heavy scene

• live metal performance

• new sludge metal 2025

• metal musician interview

• Mag Bar Louisville

In Episode 299, Tom is joined by Mark of Massa Nera to break down the band’s acclaimed new album, The Emptiness of All Things, released on Halloween to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Mark discusses the band’s experimental approach to composition, the intentional push beyond screamo and post-hardcore conventions, and how they crafted an album that moves from chaos to reflection with purpose.

Tom and Mark explore the modern landscape of heavy music — from the disappearing boundaries between metal and punk to the growing inclusivity of the underground scene. They share stories about shows, influential bands, musicianship, and the sense of community that extreme music fosters.

The conversation dives into experimental music, free-form creativity, and the intellectual + emotional side of heavy music. Fans of screamo, post-metal, black metal, punk, and genre-bending underground music will find a ton to love in this episode.

#MassaNera #TheEmptinessOfAllThings #Screamo #PostHardcore #BlackMetalInfluence #ExtremeMusic #UndergroundMetal #ExperimentalMusic #ConvergeFans #HeavyMusicPodcast #AndNowTheBand #PostMetal #MetalPodcast #ScreamoRevival

• Massa Nera podcast

• post-hardcore experimental

• screamo album discussion

• heavy music creativity

• metal and punk crossover

• boundary-pushing heavy bands

• extreme music community

• experimental songwriting

• modern heavy underground

• emotional heavy music

In Episode 298, Tom is joined by Tommy and Louis of Razor Attack, a rising Swedish heavy metal band championed by NWOTHM fans worldwide. The band breaks down their long-term strategy leading up to their planned 2026 album release, including how limited practice time, strong songwriting, and smart release timing have helped them build momentum in Europe.

They discuss their growing fanbase in Germany and the Netherlands, the success of their single “Armageddon,” the impact of Antos’s viral heavy-metal kids-cartoon cover, and their debates about whether streaming numbers actually translate to real fans. Tom and the band explore how email lists, merch updates, and consistent communication can help bands stay connected with listeners.

The episode also dives into the members’ musical backgrounds, their views on AI in music and artwork, the importance of album-focused metal fandom, and some fun side conversations about celebrity sightings, Halloween, and chaos on stage.

A great listen for fans of NWOTHM, traditional heavy metal, and anyone interested in modern DIY band strategy.

#RazorAttack #NWOTHM #SwedishMetal #HeavyMetal2024 #TraditionalMetal #MetalPodcast #AndNowTheBand #UndergroundMetal #MetalInterview #BlueGrapeVibes #HeavyMusicCommunity #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #MetalFans

• Razor Attack podcast

• NWOTHM interview

• Swedish metal scene

• metal band marketing

• heavy metal festival strategy

• underground heavy music

• new traditional heavy metal

• metal album creation

• band fan engagement

• European metal fandom

In Episode 297, Tom sits down with Flynn of GASKET to dig into the band’s self-titled debut album, releasing soon on Blue Grape Music. Flynn talks about the band’s rapid growth since forming in 2022, how they’ve built momentum through heavy DIY touring, and what fans can expect from the new record.

The two discuss GASKET’s massive 26-shows-in-31-days DIY U.S. tour with X Gargoyle X, standout moments like their wild Orlando show with Watts, and the process of crafting songs for their first full-length. Flynn also previews their January 6th release show at Songbird in DC, an upcoming February festival, and a March tour with Mile End.

If you love discovering rising heavy bands, hearing real stories from the touring world, or following Blue Grape Music artists, this is a must-listen episode.

Keywords

• Gasket interview

• Blue Grape Music podcast

• heavy music podcast

• DIY touring stories

• hardcore band interviews

• new metalcore bands

• debut album 2024

• underground heavy music

• music scene interviews

• band tour experiences

Tom sits down with Arthur “Arty” Shepherd—vocalist/guitarist of BEINN, co-founder of Saint Vitus Bar, and longtime member of bands like Mind Over Matter, Instruction, and Errortype:11.

In this deep-dive conversation, Artie opens up about:

• Building the new BEINN album Perpetual Architecture

• How Saint Vitus Bar became a global destination for heavy music

• The story behind the 2015 secret Foo Fighters show

• Life inside the major-label system during the 2000s

• Touring with Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, Three Days Grace, and Korn

• The resurgence of shoegaze and modern bedroom-production culture

• Creating music later in life with new inspiration

• The evolution of the NYC and Brooklyn rock scenes

• Why live shows feel different post-pandemic

• Setlist collecting, festival memories, and band chemistry

  
  

This episode is essential listening for fans of shoegaze, post-hardcore, 90s alt-rock, NYC music history, Saint Vitus culture, and anyone obsessed with how records, venues, and scenes truly come together.

Follow the show for more conversations with underground, heavy, and influential artists.