Endless Metal Podcast - We're constantly listening to metal in all its glorious forms !

“I have not, but there’s another genre we have to escape at some point, right?”, he responds after a laugh, referring to the band’s past efforts to distance themselves from the nu metal movement."

-From the interview "We told Deftones singer Chino Moreno what ‘baddiecore’ is and this was his response" by Matt Mills ( Metal Hammer, Louder ) last updated 25 August 2025

This episode is all Deftones. It features Markisan, Ben and the triumphant return of Jeff!!

We begin by hopping into the time machine and discussing "Adrenaline." Deftones debut album that turns 30 this year! Markisan than leads the discussion with some history about the album and music in the early 90s. We share our reactions when we first heard the album and what we think about "Adrenaline" when we spin it today. This leads to a discussion of the nu metal tag in the 90s and how Deftones broke away from it. We then shift to the stunning new Deftones album “private music“! We reflect on the Deftones musical development and how has their sound grown from Adrenaline to private music and where it ranks in their fantastic catalog? We also consider Deftones surging popularity recently today! Other questions that animate this fun and free flowing discussion also include: From blowing up on tiktok to playing arenas, how did this resurgence happened and what does it say about the band’s generational draw? How do we think Deftones has impacted/influenced music and bands over the years? Is the Deftones discography our favorite of all time? Next we open the discussion up to metal adjacent bands we love more broadly--how the Deftones straddle the line between genres and what are some of our other favorite Alt Metal or Metal Adjacent albums released in the last few years. If you dig the Deftones, sit back and crack open a Deftones Phantom Bride IPA from Belching Beaver Brewing: "Named after the ethereal song by the one and only Deftones, Phantom Bride IPA is a blend of Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops delicately balanced for the perfectly drinkable mix of citrus and hoppy goodness. A truly original Deftones/ Belching Beaver collaboration envisioned by Chino Moreno and skillfully crafted by Thomas Peters. Sit back, put on your headphones and drink away. (ABV: 7.1%))."

On this special, end of the year episode, Ben welcomes Ian Gillings of the West Midlands (UK) band Rannoch. After another banner year for metal, Ben selected Rannoch's incomparable epic "Conflagrations" * as his number one album of 2023. The interview was thus an opportunity for Ben to both gush and deep dive into this stunning and, indeed, timeless prog death metal album. In a three hour-plus dialogue, Ben and Ian dig deep into the album's artwork, lyrics, and Ian's process as the band's lead song writer, among other topics.

So sit back, crack open your favorite beverage, and enjoy this special interview to cap off 2023!

*From Rannoch's Bandcamp page:

Accompanied by Australian drumming legend, Dan Presland (Ne Obliviscaris, Black Lava) the seven tracks contained within open up new levels of musicality, punishing aggression, melancholic refrains and winding aural avenues of dark depths and complexity. Produced by Ian Gillings and mixed by James Stephenson (Cradle of Filth, Onslaught, Ghosts of Atlantis) “Conflagrations” represents a new hybrid of progressive death metal.

credits

released July 21, 2023

Ian Gillings - Guitars, vocals, synths and electronics

Richard Page - Guitars

Paul Lloyd - Bass

Dan Presland - Drums

Music included:

Episode introduction: "Conflagrations" (sample)

Post-Interview: "Threnody to a Dying Star"

In this episode of the Endless Podcast, Markisan and Ben had the privilege of talking to the mysterious post-metal artist Thumos. While there are no artist "reveals "in this cast, we had a fantastic time talking to Thumos. We begin with his origin story, development as a musician, and the birth and development of this stunning post-metal project. We talk about Thumos's early works, including last year's riveting and rifftastic EP Atlantis--a record that made both Markisan and Ben's top albums of the 2024. Next, we dive into the creative process that spawned The Trial of Socrates an EPIC double-album released on July 4, 2025 on Snow Wolf Records. After a deep dive into Thumos's approach to crafting songs based on one of the most influential works of ancient philosophy ever produced, the discussion shifts gears. Drawing on a great idea by Markisan, we discuss how some of Socrates's most influential quotes have influenced our own lives. What ensues is an enjoyable and often introspective dialogue by three metal heads posing as philosophers LOL. In all seriousness, we are really thrilled with how this interview came together and the document produced herewith.

So retreat to your cave, kick back, and crack open a Hemlock Modern West Coast IPA by New Trail Brewing Company! "Γεια μας!"

***A short selection from the track "Timaeus" from the EP Atlantis appears after the introduction. After the interview concludes, we include The Phaedo"--a song about Socrates coming to terms with his own death--in its entirety. Thumos shared some deep insights into interpreting this climactic moment of the saga into music, so we highly recommend listening!

In this episode of the Endless Metal podcast, Markisan ⁠conducts a solo interview with Jason Roberts, the man behind the expansive doomgaze project ⁠Breaths⁠. This is a companion piece to Jason’s previous appearance on Markisan’s main gig on the Metalheads Podcast⁠. On episode 152, the metalheads go deep into Jason’s musical development and the origin story of Breaths as well as a discussion about last year’s stunning ⁠self-titled album⁠. Here, Markisan and Jason talk about Breaths latest record, “Death Can Wait.” ⁠ In the first half of this episode, they go deep into the writing and recording process of the album—a truly stunning work that finds Breaths spunding darker and heavier but still retaining the melodic atmospheric, indeed, oxygenated “breathy” beauty of last year’s release. As huge fans of nineties music, Markisan and Jason wax about this formative decade in their lives. Presenting a fitting top 10 count down of their all-time favorite records of the 1990s, they come to a deeper appreciation of the bands they grew up loving—metal, pop, hardcore, or otherwise. So kick back and blast a classic 90s records by Tool, Hum, The Gathering, Earth Crisis, Sepultura, etc. and crack open a classic 90s brew (released in ‘89), Full Sail Amber ale⁠!

On this episode of the Endless Metal podcast Markisan and Ben spend nearly 3 hours ranking every full-length album by our favorite death metal band: Incantation! In presenting our rankings, we take our time sharing our love for the band's genius, experiences listening and seeing the band live, and our awe for Incantation's longevity despite numerous lineup changes. For us, Incantation is a legendary band and very underrated band--not just in death metal but all of heavy metal. We also include a summary of both of our complete rankings at the end of the cast. So sit back and crack open your favorite beverage. Markisan opens his last Incantation mead--Goat's Blood--a collab with the incomparable Brimming Horn Meadery!

Ben and Markisan had a great time talking to Southern New Jersey's superb post-black metal band Deadyellow. The band's devastating record "What Was Left of Them" was a feature album stream on Decibel Magazine's website on 1/29/24 (See Decibel's more extended album review below). The album was Jeff's #1 record of 2024 and Ben's #11. What ensues is a free flowing and candid discussion with the super cool band members Paul, James, and Jon. We begin with Deadyellow’s short but eventful pandemic-era origin story. Along the way we deep dive into the band’s creative process and lyrical and conceptual themes.

We talked to the guys the day after they parted ways with their long time bass player, Tim. In the course of the discussion, we learn about the band in a time of great introspection and also creative change and expansion. We learn about the many trials and tribulations the band faced during the creation of "What Was Left of Them." In a word, this is one of the most most human and, for us, best dialogues we ever had with a band. Accordingly, we also decided to include our post-interview reactions.

Some good laughs as well!

We finish the episode with a fun discussion of our Top 3 Black Metal Albums of All Time! So sit back and enjoy a pint of Golden Monkey, a Belgian-Style Tripel brewed by Philly’s own great Victory brewing company.

“What Was Left of Them is the kind of album best enjoyed when one is fully immersed… The album’s first five tracks build to album centerpiece “Fallen Trees,” a stirring 16-minute epic that soars through melodic and emotional highs and lows… melodic and thoughtful in its composition; songs aren’t long just for the sake of length and melody is prioritized over ambience. “What Was Left of Them is an album about change,” Deadyellow tell Decibel. “It’s about embracing darkness and finding the light within to persevere. ‘Birth from death, the light will find a way.'”

- Emily Bellino, Decibel Magazine

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.