In episode 257 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas compares the things that make each sub-genre of metal cheesy and cringe. All of us have a genre of metal we look at as silly, but do we overlook the excesses of our own favorite styles? I'm even going to criticize my beloved death-metal!

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#metal #cringe

In episode 257 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas compares the public's response to  misconduct from rock stars versus people in the Epstein files. Both cases seem to be above the law thanks to their fame and wealth, but people like Marilyn Manson and Till Linderman face much different public controversy and cancel culture than Bill Gates and Elon Musk. Why? Let's discuss it. Tell me what you think!

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#epsteinfiles #metal #cancelculiure

In episode 256 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is breaking down the best new metal albums that released in January 2026! From Black Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Post Metal, Metalcore, Technical Death Metal, and everything in between! If you want some new metal to listen to, check out this month's lineup! 

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
The Ruins of Beverast - https://theruinsofbeverast.bandcamp.com/album/tempelschlaf
Denominate - https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/restoration 
Møl - https://moeldk.bandcamp.com/album/dreamcrush 
Urne - https://music.apple.com/us/album/setting-fire-to-the-sky/1836416932
Eximperitus - https://eximperitus.bandcamp.com/album/meritoriousness-of-equanimity 
Eximperitus AKA - Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum
Hér - https://hersom.bandcamp.com/album/monochrome 

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#metal  #newmetal

In episode 255 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas explains how Megadeth's retirement is a sign of the decline of heavy metal. Who is next to retire? Judas Priest? Iron Maiden? Metallica? Who will take up the mantle and carry the torch for the next generation of heavy metal bands? What happens to a sub-genre when all of it's standard bearers leave a vacuum? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Dave Mustaine Book:
https://amzn.to/49IQ5Jr

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#heavymetal #megadeth #metal

In episode 254 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas breaks down the AI music policies of Bandcamp versus Spotify. We then analyze how payment incentives shape each company's stance on generative AI Music. These factors help explain why each company has different rules concerning AI music. Are you happy or angry that Bandcamp banned AI Music? Let me know in the comments.

Stephen Brewer 'Beyond Desire'
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/stephenbrewer/beyond-desire-feat-jesse-leach?ref=release
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVXhEfFKmtQ 

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Sources:
https://blog.bandcamp.com/2026/01/13/keeping-bandcamp-human/
https://stereogum.com/2485199/bandcamp-bans-ai-music/news
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/bandcamp-takes-a-stand-against-ai-music-banning-it-from-the-platform/
https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-09-25/spotify-strengthens-ai-protections/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/bandcamp-bans-ai-music-on-platform-1236473722/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#ai #bandcamp #spotify

In episode 253 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas reacts to "10 Modern Metal Trends That Need To Stop In 2026" by MetalBIRB. We made a lot of these same criticisms about modern metal and metalcore a little over year ago. It looks like the core kids are starting to agree with me. Let me know what you think!

MetalBIRB's video;
https://youtu.be/7cmEcXP8XSg?si=6z0hQQ1xFByy7CN1

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Substack Articles
https://substack.com/@jonbarbas

#modernmetal #metal #metalcore

In episode 252 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his five favorite metal albums that don't fit the normal criteria. This is the episode where we go outside the normal parameters. You know we like it weird here! My favorite oddball metal albums of 2025!

Get a Sandbar for your calloused hands!
https://amzn.to/3L9irD7

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
Messa - https://messa.bandcamp.com/album/the-spin
Psychonaut - https://psychonautband.bandcamp.com/album/world-maker
Castle Rat - https://castlerat.bandcamp.com/album/the-bestiary
Kardashev - https://kardashev.bandcamp.com/album/alunea
The Devil's Trade - https://thedevilstrade.bandcamp.com/album/nincs-szennyezetlen-sz-p
Calva Louise - https://calvalouise.bandcamp.com/album/edge-of-the-abyss-album

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

#metal #weird #AOTY

In episode 251 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his five favorite extreme progressive metal albums of 2025. This is an extreme metal show, and thus my progressive picks are also extreme... and beautiful. Let me know what you think!

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
Impureza - https://impureza.bandcamp.com/album/alc-zares
Dawn of Ouroboros - https://dawnofouroboros.bandcamp.com/album/bioluminescence
An Abstract Illusion - https://anabstractillusion.bandcamp.com/album/the-sleeping-city
Rivers of Nihil - https://riversofnihil.bandcamp.com/album/rivers-of-nihil
Igorrr - https://igorrr.bandcamp.com/album/amen

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

#metal #progressivemetal #AOTY

In episode 250 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his five favorite black metal albums of 2025, but the title says ten right? This week I am joined by a mystery guest who is also bringing their top 5, which will be radically different from mine. It's a double dose of death metal! Tell us what you think.

Bands;
Empty Throne - https://emptythroneofficial.bandcamp.com/album/unholy
Dormant Ordeal - https://dormantordeal.bandcamp.com/album/tooth-and-nail
Yotuma - https://yotuma.bandcamp.com/album/the-final-void-2
Pathogenic - https://pathogenic.bandcamp.com/album/crowned-in-corpses
Lik - https://likofficial.bandcamp.com/album/necro
Baest - https://baestband.bandcamp.com/album/colossal-24-bit-hd-audio
Cryptopsy - https://cryptopsyofficial.bandcamp.com/album/an-insatiable-violence
Tribal Gaze - https://tribalgazetx.bandcamp.com/album/inveighing-brilliance
Scalpture - https://scalpture.bandcamp.com/album/landkrieg
Allegaeon - https://allegaeon.bandcamp.com/album/the-ossuary-lens

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Metal Digest articles link;
https://metal-digest.com/author/jon-barbas/

#metal #deathmetal #AOTY

In episode 249 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his five favorite black metal albums of 2025! For my tastes I prefer my black metal on the more artistic side versus the raw primal side. This list will reflect my tastes, but fret not... there will be plenty of evil.

December Book Recommendation;
https://amzn.to/4aishwy

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
Lamp of Murmuur - https://lampofmurmuur.bandcamp.com/album/the-dreaming-prince-in-ecstasy
Saor - https://saor.bandcamp.com/album/amidst-the-ruins-2
Deafheaven - https://deafheaven.com/
Sakna - https://hypaethralrecords.bandcamp.com/album/de-syv-d-dssynder
Abigail Williams - https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-void-within-existence

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
https://www.spreaker.com/show/heavy-metal-philosophy
[email protected]
https://mobile.twitter.com/heaviestdoyen
https://www.facebook.com/HeaviestDoyen
https://www.instagram.com/heavy_metal_philosophy/
https://www.threads.net/@heavy_metal_philosophy
https://bsky.app/profile/jonbarbas.bsky.social 

Metal Digest articles link;
https://metal-digest.com/author/jon-barbas/

#metal #blackmetal #AOTY