Heavy Metal News & Interviews: The Loaded Radio Podcast

James Monteith (Cage Fight, TesseracT) joins Scott Penfold on The Loaded Radio Podcast for a deep dive into the visceral world of Cage Fight's second studio album, Exuvia. Released via Spinefarm Records, the record marks a "moment of rebirth" for the UK hardcore outfit, moving beyond their lockdown origins into a permanent, headline-ready force. Monteith discusses the shift from the technical precision of TesseracT to the raw, 90s-influenced aggression of Cage Fight, the impact of vocalist Rachel Aspe's harrowing lyricism, and the diverse influences—from Machine Head to French pop—that shaped the new sound.

In the second half of the episode, Scott Penfold breaks down a massive week in hard rock and metal news:

• JASON NEWSTED'S TRIUMPH: Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted speaks candidly about his year-long battle with throat cancer, his "free and clear" diagnosis, and his new clear-headed lifestyle as he prepares for a summer tour.

• TYPE O NEGATIVE EXCLUSIVE: Drummer Johnny Kelly and guitarist Kenny Hickey reveal the discovery of a "lost" song from the October Rust sessions found on an old reference cassette.

• GODSMACK 2.0: Shannon Larkin addresses his retirement and the band's "beautiful" transition into a new era with Wade Murff and Sam Koltun.

STAY LOUD: Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok. Get the latest news and listen to our 24/7 digital stream on the free Loaded Radio App or at LoadedRadio.com. Don't forget to check out the Loaded Radio Daily, our 2-minute news blast dropping every Monday through Friday.

COMING NEXT WEEK: A massive legacy episode for Type O Negative fans featuring Johnny Kelly and Kenny Hickey.

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The melodic death metal world changed forever in 2025 with the death of Tomas "Tompa" Lindberg. This week on The Loaded Radio Podcast, we are joined by founding bassist Jonas Björler to discuss the band's final masterpiece, The Ghost Of A Future Dead.

Recorded more than two years ago and held in accordance with Lindberg's final wishes, this album serves as the definitive closing chapter for the kings of Gothenburg. Jonas opens up about the "lost" recording sessions at Fascination Street Studios, his personal memories of his brother-in-arms, and the cold reality of whether At The Gates can—or should—continue without its iconic voice.

In the second half of the show, Scott Penfold breaks down the most explosive news week of the year:

• 🛡️ The Black Sabbath / Earth Settlement: Sharon Osbourne has officially reclaimed the legendary 1969 "Earth" tapes from Jim Simpson. We discuss what this means for the band's legacy and the potential release of these "Holy Grail" blues-metal demos.

• 🎸 Bruce Kulick's Life-Saving Surgery: The KISS icon speaks out on his recovery from a major heart valve procedure. We debunk the "emergency" rumors and look ahead to his return to the stage.

• 💄 Marilyn Manson's "2.0" Lineup: The tour has started, and the lineup is a shocker. From the return of Tim Skold to the departure of Reba Meyers, we analyze the personnel shuffle and the return of deep cuts like "(s)AINT."

• 🤘 Godsmack's Final Curtain Call: Sully Erna reveals the "Godsmack 2.0" era. With original members Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin bowing out, find out who's stepping in and why Sully says new music is coming in 2027.

Join the conversation at LoadedRadio.com. Follow us on YouTube, grab the free Loaded Radio App, and don't forget to check out the new Daily 2-Minute Podcast launching this Monday!

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In today's Loaded Radio Daily Briefing, former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg reveals the cryptic 24-hour window between his first jam and Joey Jordison's departure. Plus, the Metal Gods return as Judas Priest announces a massive 2026 career collection, and Fieldy finally breaks his silence on his current status with Korn.

Today's heavy-hitting headlines:

• Jay Weinberg & Slipknot: Why the 2013 audition was shrouded in secrecy and the truth behind his "no regrets" philosophy following his 2023 dismissal.

• Judas Priest 2026: Full details on the upcoming The Best Of Judas Priest collection, the "Ballad of Judas Priest" documentary, and the band's 2026 European tour dates.

• Fieldy on Korn: The founding bassist clarifies his "retired" status and the specific reasons behind his 5-year absence from the stage.

Join the conversation: Visit LoadedRadio.com for the full deep-dive articles and exclusive metal news.

Never miss a beat: Subscribe to the Loaded Radio Daily Briefing on your favorite podcast app for your 90-second daily dose of heavy. For the unfiltered, long-form deep dives, check out the Loaded Radio Podcast every week.

Stay heavy.

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Fred Durst is declaring war on Coachella with a new "uninvited" festival blueprint alongside Lil Wayne. Plus, we honor the late Bo Lueders (Harms Way/HardLore) and his incredible WrestleMania send-off involving CM Punk and a legendary WWE artifact. Finally, the truth behind John Dolmayan's misdirected fire at Charlize Theron.

In this briefing:

• The Anti-Coachella: Why Durst is moving on a 2026 "Experience Gathering."

• Bo Lueders' Last Ride: The story behind the urn at WrestleMania 41.

• SOAD Misfire: Fact-checking the viral quote that sparked Dolmayan's response.

Stay Heavy. Stay Informed. LoadedRadio.com.

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This week on The Loaded Radio Podcast, we sit down with The Amity Affliction frontman Joel Birch for a raw, unfiltered conversation. With the band's ninth studio album, 'House of Cards', set for release on April 24, Joel opens up about the survival of the band following the high-profile departure of longtime member Ahren Stringer. We discuss the addition of Jonny Reeves to the studio lineup, the "volatile" year that led to the split, and why Joel believes this is the most honest material of his career.

In the second half of the show, host Scott Penfold breaks down the most chaotic news week of the year:

• 🛡️ The Suffocation Civil War: Eric Morotti goes "scorched earth" with accusations of toxicity and drug use, but Suffocation fires back with the receipts. We break down the leaked termination email.

• 🥁 Jay Weinberg's Retrospective: The former Slipknot drummer reflects on being a "scapegoat" and the health struggles he faced during his tenure with the Nine.

• 🎹 Evanescence Returns: Official details on the new album, 'Sanctuary' (out June 5), and the lead single "Who Will You Follow."

• 🤘 BMTH & Judas Priest: Quick hits on the Count Your Blessings re-recording and the K.K. Downing documentary cameo.

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Rob Damiani of Don Broco and Brandon Saller of Atreyu join Loaded Radio to break down the mindset behind their latest albums, Nightmare Tripping and The End Is Not The End.

Both bands had momentum—and chose not to repeat it.

Damiani dives into the themes behind Don Broco's most unpredictable release yet, including the politically charged "True Believers," while Saller explains why Atreyu leaned into their heaviest sound to date and how writing sessions in Tokyo and total isolation shaped the record.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level promo. It gets into risk, identity, and why both bands decided to push forward instead of playing it safe.

If you've followed either band for years, this is the kind of insight you don't usually get.

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Chris Barnes joins the Loaded Radio Podcast to dive into the new Six Feet Under album, the creative direction behind it, and what continues to drive him decades into his career.

Barnes breaks down the writing and recording process, how his mindset has evolved, and why Six Feet Under still hits as hard as ever. From staying consistent to pushing forward in today's metal landscape, this is a focused look at where the band stands right now.

Also on the episode, James McBain of Hellripper joins the show to talk about the band's rise, the energy behind the modern extreme metal scene, and what's fueling the next wave.

Two different generations. One conversation about where heavy music is heading.

🎧 Listen now.

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In this episode of the Loaded Radio Podcast, Scott Penfold sits down for a heavy metal interview with Prika Amaral of Nervosa and Guernica Mancini of The Gems.

This week's Loaded Radio Podcast is a Women In Metal special featuring two powerful artists shaping modern heavy music. Nervosa founder Prika Amaral joins the show to talk about the band's upcoming thrash assault Slave Machine, while Guernica Mancini of The Gems dives into the band's second album Year Of The Snake.

Two interviews, two bands, and one episode celebrating women bringing serious fire to the metal world.

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Scott Penfold sits down with Crispin Earl of The Veer Union and Shane Lyons from Varials for a double-feature podcast episode that delivers insight, passion, and context around two standout heavy releases of 2026.

Shane discusses Varials' new album Where The Light Leaves — which arrived on February 27 via Fearless Records — and his influences, including a particular guitarist from Lamb Of God and working with producer Josh Schroeder. Crispin breaks down The Veer Union's Reinvention — released February 20 via Arising Empire — and the band's unique journey, including their outsized success in the U.S. compared to Canada.

In an era where nostalgia runs rampant, both guests feel like they're writing the next chapter — not revisiting the last one. That mindset fuels this episode from the jump.

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In this week's Loaded Radio Podcast, Mike Hranica opens up in a raw, introspective conversation touching on The Devil Wears Prada's latest album Flowers, his changing worldview, and the personal evolution that continues to shape both his art and identity.

Mike Hranica joins Loaded Radio for a revealing, unfiltered discussion about Flowers, why some fans don't view it as a "metal" album, how his perspective as an American has evolved, and the deeply personal shift away from the faith that once defined him.

Alongside the in-depth conversation with Mike Hranica, this episode also dives into major developments across the hard rock and metal landscape.

Listeners will also hear:

• Discussion surrounding Arch Enemy's new vocalist and the band's next era
• Reaction to Alex Van Halen's emerging "Eddie Van Halen" project with Steve Lukather
• A featured segment: 13 Artists Every Deftones Fan Needs To Check Out

It's a packed episode balancing artist insight with scene-wide perspective.

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