Heavy Metal News & Interviews: The Loaded Radio Podcast

Wednesday 13, whose real name is Joseph Poole, is a notable American musician and artist celebrated for his contributions to the horror punk and heavy metal genres. Born on August 12, 1976, in Lexington, North Carolina, he developed a deep-seated fascination with the macabre and heavy metal music early in life, which would profoundly influence his artistic career.

One of the key chapters in Wednesday 13's career was his role as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the horror punk band, MURDERDOLLS. The band was formed in 2002 and released their debut album, "Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls," the same year. This album skillfully blended punk and glam rock influences with lyrics that delved into the world of horror, quickly gaining the band a dedicated following.

Following the disbandment of that band in 2004, WEDNESDAY 13 embarked on a successful solo career. In 2005, he released his first solo album, "Transylvania 90210: Songs of Death, Dying, and the Dead." This marked the inception of his solo journey, characterized by music that revolved around dark, morbid, and horror-inspired themes.

Throughout his solo career, Wednesday 13 continued to release numerous albums, including "Fang Bang" (2006), "Skeletons" (2008), "Calling All Corpses" (2011), and "Condolences" (2017), among others. His music incorporated elements of punk, glam rock, and heavy metal, all infused with a horror-infused aesthetic.

In 2010, MURDERDOLLS confirmed their comeback and began working on their second studio album, titled "Women and Children Last," which was released in August 2010.

The reunion marked a significant moment for fans of the band and the horror punk genre. "Women and Children Last" featured the signature horror-inspired lyrics and energetic sound that the group were known for. The album's release and subsequent touring reignited interest in the band, demonstrating the enduring appeal of their unique blend of punk and glam rock with a macabre twist.

Notably, Wednesday 13 cultivated a distinct stage persona marked by a ghoulish appearance inspired by the horror genre. His lyrical content consistently explored themes of death, horror films, and the supernatural, making him a prominent figure in the horror punk and heavy metal scenes.

Over the years, Wednesday engaged in various collaborations and embarked on extensive touring, further establishing his presence in the music industry and gaining a reputation for his electrifying live performances.

He joins us on this week's podcast to discuss his current tour celebrating the 21 year anniversary of MURDERDOLLS, upcoming solo material, hos favorite Halloween horror movies and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winnipeg, Manitoba noise-rockers KEN MODE have the new album "Void" available now, which acts as the direct folow-up to the band's 2022 release "Null".

Across two powerful albums, KEN MODE, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Jesse Matthewson, drummer Shane Matthewson, bassist and vocalist Scott Hamilton, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kathryn Kerr, expressed their reaction to the pandemic with a blend of experimentation, aggression, and captivating noise. "Null," which was released in 2022, marked the beginning of this two-album cycle. Exactly one year later, the band returns with their searing follow-up, "Void."

During the interview, Jesse discusses the difficult process of bringing the two albums to fruition, working through and even overcoming mental and emotional challenges and his pride in waving the flag that is "noise rock".

Los Angeles, California's DEATH DEALER UNION, who recently welcomed Lena Scissorhands of INFECTED RAIN as their vocalist during the summer, recently inked a global deal with Napalm Records. The band's lineup features drummer CC McKenna (who joins us this week), guitarists Valentin Voluta and Doug Weiand, and bassist Jonny Heinz.

Their debut studio album, titled "Initiation," is out now and showcases the pinnacle of gothic power metal.

During the show, CC talks his writing process, how Lena came to join DEATH DEALER UNION and the upcoming plans for the new act.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over two decades, Michael Poulsen, the vocalist and guitarist, has been at the forefront of the Danish rock and roll powerhouse known as VOLBEAT. During this time, the band has released eight full-length albums, sold millions of records, and rocked stadiums across the globe. However, prior to his leadership role in VOLBEAT, Poulsen was the driving force behind the death metal outfit DOMINUS, which unleashed four blistering albums in the mid-'90s.

While crafting songs for VOLBEAT's 2021 album "Servant Of The Mind," Poulsen found himself composing a slew of death metal riffs, which he saved on his phone. Once the VOLBEAT record was wrapped up, he dusted off these rusty gates to unleash Armageddon and began piecing together songs for his new death metal project, ASINHELL. Their debut album, "Impii Hora" (Latin for "Ungodly Hour"), pays homage to Poulsen's beloved old-school bands. These tracks are anchored in punishing riffs yet laced with potent guitar hooks and infectious, chant-worthy refrains.

Despite being the vocalist for VOLBEAT and previously for DOMINUS, Poulsen decided not to take the frontman role in ASINHELL. Instead, in March 2022, he reached out to his old friend, former MORGOTH vocalist Marc Grewe (also known for his work with INSIDIOUS DISEASE), and invited him to join the endeavor.

When it came to selecting a drummer, Poulsen considered several accomplished musician friends. Ultimately, he enlisted Morten Toft Hansen, the drummer from the Danish group RAUNCHY. Morten not only possesses exceptional drumming skills, but his six-year-old daughter also happens to be friends with Poulsen's daughter, and the convenience of a 10-minute drive to Morten's place "sealed the deal".

These two seasoned musicians began their practice sessions, consistently churning out a complete song nearly every time they got together. However, as Grewe was based in Germany, he had to work on the vocals from home. Poulsen facilitated this process by sending Grewe phone recordings from their rehearsals. Drawing upon their years of experience and a renewed hunger for musical destruction, Poulsen and Toft Hansen managed to capture a ferocious storm in a bottle with ASINHELL.

In the interview, Michael talks about how ASINHELL came together, his absolute love of classic extreme metal, his three essential death metal albums, his admiration of late DEATH frontman Chuck Schuldiner and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CANNIBAL CORPSE, the enduring titans of death metal, are set to release their sixteenth studio album, titled "Chaos Horrific," via Metal Blade Records on September 22.

For over three decades, since their inception in 1988, CANNIBAL CORPSE has spearheaded the world of death metal, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and continuously pushing its boundaries. Their 2021 release, "Violence Unimagined," further heightened their already formidable reputation. Now, in 2023, celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary, the band unleashes "Chaos Horrific" as the follow-up to this monumental album, heralding a new era in their illustrious career.

This latest offering was crafted shortly after the culmination of the "Violence Unimagined" sessions, and listeners can detect the lingering echoes of its predecessor within the powerful soundscapes of "Chaos Horrific."

Band guitarist Erik Rutan has an impressive track record of producing six albums for CANNIBAL CORPSE, dating back to 2006's "Kill." Additionally, this marks Rutan's second release as a full-fledged member, following his official inclusion in 2020.

The album was meticulously recorded at Rutan's Mana Studio in Florida, the band's home state, providing a comfortable and productive environment for all involved. Every member was operating at their peak, fully prepared to pour their energy into the project. Notably, the guitar work on the album went exceptionally smoothly, thanks to Barrett and Rutan's custom guitars, specially designed with longer scale necks to maintain the precise intonation required for lower tunings.

The album's title, "Chaos Horrific," was coined by drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, a choice that resonated with the entire band as a fitting representation of their music. The lyrical themes explored in this release are as dark and intense as ever, including subjects like battling hordes of zombies in "Chaos Horrific," the grim selection of a random individual for dismemberment and sacrifice in "Summoned For Sacrifice," and the brutal retaliation of victims of human trafficking in "Vengeful Invasion." The album's artwork, crafted by the long-time collaborator Vince Locke, encapsulates the essence of CANNIBAL CORPSE, featuring a chaotic tableau of the living and the undead, mirroring the vivid imagery within the title track's lyrics.

During the podcast, Alex discusses everything from the creation of the album to past band members to his personal writing process to his top 3 essential death metal albums.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TYPE O NEGATIVE, the iconic gothic metal band known for their unique blend of dark humor and brooding melodies, delivered another dose of their signature sound with their 2003 album, "Life Is Killing Me." Released on June 17, 2003, this album marked a significant addition to the band's discography.

"Life Is Killing Me" retained the band's characteristic mix of doom-laden riffs, Peter Steele's deep, haunting vocals, and lyrics that often tread the line between melancholic and macabre. The album explored a wide range of themes, from the struggles of daily life to the band's notorious wit, all set against a backdrop of heavy, atmospheric music.

TYPE O NEGATIVE formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 1989. Led by the charismatic and enigmatic frontman Peter Steele, the band gained notoriety for their dark and melancholic sound, blending elements of doom metal, gothic rock, and industrial music.

With a unique blend of dark humor and introspection, their albums, including "Bloody Kisses" and "October Rust," became iconic in the gothic and metal music scenes. Tragically, Peter Steele's death in 2010 marked the end of the band, but their influential music continues to captivate listeners worldwide.

In the interview, Kenny and Johnny discuss the turbulent times while making the "Life Is Killing Me" album, they're favorite TYPE O NEGATIVE songs, a possible live album and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KILL DEVIL HILL is set to unveil its third album, "Seas Of Oblivion," on September 20th. This LP, meticulously crafted by engineer Chris Collier, who handled production, engineering, mixing, and mastering duties, seamlessly blends classic hard rock with elements of metal. The result is a musical journey that bridges the gap between contemporary and classic metal, reminiscent of iconic bands like SOUNDGARDEN and ALICE IN CHAINS.

With "Seas Of Oblivion," KILL DEVIL HILL demonstrates its versatility, fearlessly experimenting with various styles, and pushing the boundaries of expectations to deliver a fresh and exhilarating experience for their devoted fans.

Prior to the album's release, KILL DEVIL HILL has already treated fans to a taste of what's to come with the launch of four singles: "Playing With Fire," "Blood In The Water," "You Can't Kill Me California," and "Before The Devil Knows."

Formed in 2011 by legendary drummer Vinny Appice (formerly of BLACK SABBATH and DIO) and bassist Rex Brown (PANTERA), KILL DEVIL HILL has undergone a couple of lineup changes, yet continues with a pummeling vengeance. The band's current roster includes Johnny Kelly (formerly of TYPE O NEGATIVE) on drums, Zavon on guitar, Dewey Bragg on vocals, and Matt Snell (formerly of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) on bass.

In the podcast, Mark discusses the evolution of KILL DEVIL HILL, the band's new additions, his love for Wolfgang Van Halen and much more.

Hailing from Pensacola, Florida, OCTOBER NOIR emerged onto the music scene in 2016 as a gothic/doom metal ensemble. Since their inception, they have crafted and shared their unique sonic vision through three full-length albums and an impressive collection of nine stand-alone singles.

The brainchild of Tom Noir, OCTOBER NOIR was conceived in late 2016, and their inaugural album, "The Haunting and the Powerful," saw the light of day on October 19, 2017. Following the album's release, Tom Noir welcomed talented musicians into the fold for their live performances. Drummer Daniel "Stickz" Bryant, guitarist Troy Lambert, and keyboardist Jackie "Jaxxx" Daniel added depth and energy to the band's live shows.

In 2018, OCTOBER NOIR expanded their repertoire by releasing two remarkable singles, both of which were captivating covers. "Pictures of Matchstick Men (RIPeter)," a reinterpretation of the classic by STATUS QUO and TYPE O NEGATIVE, graced listeners' ears on April 14, 2018. Subsequently, on July 5, 2018, they offered their rendition of "Lips like Sugar," originally by ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, showcasing their versatility and creative prowess.

In the second portion of the podcast, Tom discusses the band's influence, the new album "Letters To Existence", his use of torture devices and more.

Tune in via the player below or wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hailing from York, North Yorkshire, ASKING ALEXANDRIA emerges as an influential English rock band, composed of notable members: Ben Bruce and Cameron Liddell, the skilled guitarists; James Cassells, the rhythmic drummer; the charismatic lead vocalist, Danny Worsnop; and the accomplished bassist, Sam Bettley.

Their latest offering, titled "Where Do We Go from Here?", stands as the band's eighth studio album. This remarkable musical creation was unleashed on the 25th of August, 2023, courtesy of Better Noise Music, with production credits attributed to the talented Matt Good.

Danny Worsnop joins us to discuss the new album on this week's edition of The Loaded Radio Podcast, delving into such subjects as ASKING ALEXANDRIA's writing process, his upcoming solo work, the use of A.I. within the music creative process, artists using backing tracks while performing live and much more.

Tune in via the player below or wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SIGNS OF THE SWARM, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an American deathcore band that came together in 2014. The group is made up of drummer Bobby Crow, vocalist David Simonich, guitarist Carl Schulz, and bassist Michael Cassese.

Over the years, they have delivered four compelling studio albums, with their bludgeoning fifth album, titled "Amongst the Low & Empty," hitting shelves on July 28, 2023, via Century Media Records.

In the podcast, David discusses the band's being signed by Century Media, the personal pain and struggles which fueled some of the album's brutal tracks, the upcoming tour with CARNIFEX and much more.

Formed in 2004 in Huddersfield, England, EVILE is a prominent thrash metal band with a rich history of line-up changes. Amidst these shifts, drummer Ben Carter has been the sole constant member from the original formation. Presently, the band's lineup includes Carter, the talented lead guitarist and vocalist Ol Drake, bassist Joel Graham, and rhythm guitarist Adam Smith, who took over from Ol Drake's older brother Matt in 2020.

EVILE holds a significant place in the thrash metal resurgence of the mid-to-late 2000s, earning high praise from Kerrang! for shouldering the genre's revival. Their impressive discography boasts six studio albums: "Enter the Grave" (2007), "Infected Nations" (2009), "Five Serpent's Teeth" (2011), "Skull" (2013), "Hell Unleashed" (2021), and the recently released "The Unknown" (2023).

During the second part of the show, Ol Drake joins us to discuss their latest LP "The Unknown", working with famed METALLICA producer Flemming Rasmussen and the significance of thrash metal as a genre.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEVENDUST, the Grammy Award-nominated band, is set to unleash their highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, "Truth Killer," on July 28 through their new label, Napalm Records. Following the success of their 2020 album, "Blood & Stone," the upcoming release was once again recorded at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida, under the guidance of esteemed producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette. With an impressive track record collaborating with artists like ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, among others, Baskette's expertise promises to add further depth and power to SEVENDUST's latest musical endeavor. Fans can expect another compelling and hard-hitting offering from this iconic band.

From the introspective opening of "I Might Let The Devil Win" to the classic SEVENDUST sound of "Fence", the twelve songs on "Truth Killer" demonstrate the diverse style that has won the band a legion of loyal fans. "Truth Killer", "Everything" and "Holy Water" combine elements of the classic SEVENDUST sound with modern updates, pointing their lyrical lens at the world today.

During this week's show, John discusses in-depth his working with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, SEVENDUST singer Lajon Witherspoon's upcoming solo album, the return of nu-metal and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and RAVEN frontman John Gallagher join us on this week's Loaded Radio Podcast.

This week's edition of THE LOADED RADIO PODCAST features two veterans within the genre of heavy metal. Michel "Away" Langevin from Canadian experimental thrashers VOIVOD as well as frontman John Gallagher from New Wave Of British Heavy Metal icons RAVEN.

In 2023, VOIVOD are commemorating their remarkable 40-year journey with a momentous milestone: the release of the special anniversary studio album titled "Morgöth Tales," which arrived on July 21 through Century Media Records. This album, once again recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio, mastered by Maor Appelbaum, and produced by VOIVOD themselves, showcases a captivating collection of fresh studio re-recordings. The band's current lineup carefully handpicked these selections, delving into their extensive and diverse musical catalog from 1984 to 2003. Additionally, "Morgöth Tales" features an all-new song and the eponymous title track, adding another layer of excitement.

Hailing from Jonquière, Québec, VOIVOD is a prominent Canadian heavy metal band. Over the years, their musical style has undergone various transformations since their formation in the early 1980s. Initially rooted in speed metal, VOIVOD incorporated elements of progressive metal and thrash metal, forging a distinct and innovative metal sound. They are widely recognized as one of the "big four" Canadian thrash metal bands, alongside SACRIFICE, RAZOR, and ANNIHILATOR. Throughout their illustrious career, VOIVOD has attained significant influence and acclaim, making them one of the most revered metal bands from the 1980s. Their impact has transcended boundaries, garnering praise and inspiring numerous bands across a wide array of genres.

The second portion of the show features a talk with John Gallagher from RAVEN who have their new studio album "All Hell's Breaking Loose" available now.

RAVEN demonstrated incredible productivity from the early '80s to the late '90s, consistently delivering a new album every year or two. Following a hiatus that lasted a decade, they resumed releasing fresh material in 2010. Their latest offering, titled "All Hell's Breaking Loose," proudly stands as their fifteenth studio album.

The foundation of RAVEN has always rested upon the talented Gallagher brothers: John on vocals and bass, and Mark on guitar. Throughout their journey, the band has seen several drummers come and go, but since 2018, they have been accompanied by the skilled Mike Heller (known for his work with FEAR FACTORY and MALIGNANCY). Heller's presence on board marks his second album collaboration with RAVEN, with "All Hell's Breaking Loose" being recorded at his studio in Los Angeles.

In 2023, RAVEN's musical direction remains faithful to the path they carved during the glorious era of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). However, they harness their decades of experience and combine it with modern production techniques when crafting the songs that adorn "All Hell's Breaking Loose." This fusion allows them to uphold their musical roots while embracing the advancements of the present day.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices