In the second part of our interview with Vince Verkay, drummer and co-founding member of death doom legends Evoken, we talk about recording the new album. After nearly 2 decades since the band's Shadows of Night Descending record, the band return to the studio to work with guitar legend and sound engineer extraordinaire, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. Next, we move to an ingenious top 3 list discussion created by Markisan: "When I listen to Evoken I am often transported to hauntingly immersive worlds. I get lost in the sinister tendrils of atmosphere that the band unravels in every song. They tear open passageways to dark and forgotten places, and conjure experiences and feelings both imagined and real. Their music is so sweeping and cinematic that it often reminds me of great film scores, which made me think about the movies I love. So, with that in mind, I think the right question for the countdown is: What 3 films had a significant impact on us emotionally and creatively, and why?" A really great and extended discussion of our top 3 films follows!!

So sit back and enjoy a Toppling Goliath King Sue full-bodied, 8.2 ABV hazy double IPA. The brewery describes this awesome beer as "a citra-hopped with a juicy combination of mango, orange, and pineapple flavors finishing with a grapefruit aroma and ferocious bite."

Music at the beginning of this episode is from the song "Schadenfreude" from Evoken's most recent album Hypnogia released on Profound Lore Records in 2018. At the end, we hear from the title-track to Evoken's classic album The Antithesis of Light released on Peaceville Records in 2005.

In this episode of the Endless Metal Podcast, Markisan and Ben are excited to talk to Vince Verkay, drummer and founding member of death doom masters: EVOKEN. In a two-part interview, we begin by talking to Vince about his earliest exposure to heavy music, playing drums, the origin story of Evoken, and the band's very recent success. Although Evoken isn't a full-time job, the band has hit a number of personal milestones including performing at Roadburn with Winter, playing the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest, and finding Profound Lore, a label that band truly appreciates. While Evoken has not released an album since 2018's World War I themed masterpiece Hypnogogia, things are about to change quick! In the fall of 2025, Evoken is set to release a brand new album that is explores both new sonic terrain and harkens back to a more aggressive rage found on beloved earlier records such as The Antithesis of Light. We also share some laughs and great conversation. So sit back and enjoy a pint of Schadenbrew, a full-bodied, blood-red Belgian dubbel, inspired by Evoken and brewed by Atlas Brew Works!

On this special episode of the Endless Metal podcast, Ben reunites with his very old friend and Boston metal lifer, Brian Keane aka “The Metal Monk.” If you’re interested in a deep history of the Boston metal scene from someone who played gigs at the Rathskeller or more commonly known as “The Rat”—the city’s legendary punk rock club (1974-1997).--as well as dozens of clubs in Boston and the New England region more broadly. We talk about Brian’s latest project Choose Your Power; a realization of his love for big riffs, raging hardcore punk, and huge funk inspired grooves. An active live band that also provides a lyrical outlet for Brian’s ongoing fascination with dystopian technology. We then turn to his origin story that spans playing for decades in bands in and around the Boston scene. So, sit back, find some of that legendary “rat brew,” and enjoy!

On this episode of Endless metal, Ben celebrates his top album of 2024: The masterpiece Lost in Memories, Lost in Grief by My Silent Wake (MSW). In a flowing dialogue with MSW's founding member Ian Arkley (Guitars, vocals) and album producer Greg Chandler of doom death legends Esoteric and owner of Priory Recording Studios, they discuss the recording process, the album's title and lyrics--which are inspired by the memory of Ian's mother--and broader reflections on loss, grief, and the possibility hope in the darkest of times.

We wrap up the year by talking about our three metal albums of 2024! Joining us for this episode, is Ben's very old friend: Jono! The man who turned Ben on to underground metal when they were barely teens in the very early 80s. It was awesome to have Jono join us and hear about his top 3 metal records of the year in the first 90 minutes of the cast. We all had different top 3s! We then turn to honorable mentions, our favorite metal, non-metal, and metal adjacent live shows of 2024, and the metal records we look forward to cranking on the HEAVYS the most in 2025! So crack open the new Dark Earth Mead--a collaboration between BY THE HORNS--the incredible comic book Markisan writes--and the Brimming Horn Meadery. This nectar of gods is a 14% AVB honey wine with dragon fruit and vanilla aged in oak barrels!!!

See Ben's and Jeff's Top 10 of 2024 here! Ben's Top 11-20 of 2024 here, Top 21-30 of 2024 here and 31-40 of 2024 here!!!

Markisan's incredibly detailed Top 40 with Bandcamp links for every album on the Metalheads podcast site! Enjoy!

Ben's celebrates his #7 album of 2024--Liminal by Leaving--with a wonderful free flowing chat with guitarist/vocalist Greg Colson--formerly of Funerary--the band who released the heart wrenching and massively atmospheric death doom record Starless Aeon in 2014. While forged in the pandemic, this is not at all an obvious record. Rather Liminal is a sublime work of moody and shimmering doomgaze. Greg takes Ben inside the album and the band and the incredible performances, including guitarist/vocalist Jackson Heath of death doom geniuses Lycus ability to nail everything in one take. They then gush over Leaving's drummer Chiyo Nukaga Jacobus--the force of nature once behind the kit of the Bay Area underground legends Noothgrush. On Liminal, Chiyo plays with both power and a stunning slow-motion fluidity that adds to the album's deep and hypnotic pulse.

The dialogue doesn't shy away from the dark emotions of the pandemic. Gregg and Ben take a brief detour and reflect on that terrible experience as parents of young kids who grew up in that time of lock downs and dread. But the interview as a whole is anything but grim. Rather the discussion is an opportunity to celebrate a special album between friends--Ben looks forward to meeting up with Greg and seeing Leaving live one day. Enjoy!

In this top albums of 2024 spotlight, Ben had the pleasure of talking to Sylvain Bégot founder of the prolific sci-fi death doom band Monolithe . The interview focuses on the band's incredible new tech noir inspired concept album Black Hole District. A record released by Hammerheart Records in November that Ben ranked as his #6 of 2024. We also discuss the history of the band and the origins of the band's name. This discussion also delves into a number of interesting topics, including the dystopian threat of AI--a central theme of Black Hole District--and the band's total rejection of the technology in the crafting of their albums. I also invited Sylvain to share his top 3 Sci-Fi albums of all time. Please enjoy!

*Music on this episode comes from the song Those Moments Lost in Time from Black Hole District

Welcome to Endless Metal. This is Ben, and today Markisan and I are bringing you the gift of Warrel Dane on a special episode that celebrates his life, music, and the tremendous impact he's had on both heavy metal and on us. This episode, we're also joined by two of our friends, both massive fans of Warrel's music, particularly Nevermore - Ian Gillings of the progressive, melodic death metal band, Rannoch, And John Comisky, co-host with Markisan on the Metalheads Podcast.
If you're already a fan of Warrel Dane, we think you'll enjoy hearing us reminisce about the seminal albums and songs he was a part of. And if you're new to Warrel's music, we hope we can inspire you to spend some time listening to his amazing bands, Nevermore and Sanctuary, as well as his solo material.

So sit back and enjoy a Goose Island 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout: Skål!

On this episode we pay tribute to the SoundGod Steve Albini. The late and great recording engineer on countless killer albums by a diverse array of bands heavy and otherwise. Ben, Jeff, and Markisan dug deep into Albini's discog and, in the process, came to a deeper appreciation of not only his unrivaled engineering prowess but the deep emotional connections we have to so many of the records recorded in his legendary Chicago studio, Electrical Audio. Taking on an almost impossible task, the boys pick their gun-to-the-head-must-pick top 4 Albini recorded albums of all time. We had an absolute blast recording this one and hope you will as well. So kick back and crack open an Allagash Curieux Tripel, a Belgian-style golden ale aged in bourbon barrels!

What are the 3 most haunting metal albums of all time? An obvious question for All Hallow's Eve...But Ben, Markisan, and Jeff present very different choices that are not at all obvious. What transpires is a fun and deep discussion of the visceral emotional connections that feed our metal hearts (reference to Accept intended!). We begin by talking about recent shows we've seen. Ben gushes about seeing Opeth live for the the first time! Markisan is knocked out by Amorphis! Jeff is blown away by Boris on their Amplifier Worship Anniversary Tour! And then we present our top 3 choices and honorable mentions. It's so much fun to share our deep passion for this incredible and emotional music! Metal is life, life is metal. So sit back and crack open a New Trail Double Zombie Double Pumpkin Ale!