Two concerts. Two Swedish power metal giants. Eight songs we NEED to hear live.

With HammerFall and Sabaton both invading the Greater Toronto Area in the same week, Collin and Tom are getting ready the only way they know how: building their dream concert wishlists!

Ahead of seeing HammerFall and Evergrey, the guys each choose two HammerFall songs they hope make the setlist, ranging from fan favourites and personal discoveries to some deeper cuts. Then, they turn their attention to Sabaton and pick another two songs each that they want to hear when the Swedish war machine rolls into town.

Grab your hammer, march to victory, and find out which songs made the wishlist!

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Ean Grimm “Warrior Rising”

Kevin MacLeod “Sneaky Snitch”

HammerFall “The Templar Flame”

HammerFall “Hammer High”

HammerFall “Riders of the Storm”

HammerFall “No Son of Odin”

Sabaton “Night Witches”

Motionless In White “Dragula”

Sabaton “Coat of Arms”

Sabaton “All Guns Blazing”

Sabaton “Father”

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DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

What is the heaviest Gojira song? Apparently, answering that question requires nearly 50 candidates, some serious deliberation… and a rented whale.

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to their Heaviest Songs series to rank the 10 heaviest songs in Gojira’s discography. From the raw aggression of Terra Incognita and The Link to the crushing production of From Mars to Sirius and the technical punishment of The Way of All Flesh, the duo try to figure out what truly makes a Gojira song HEAVY.

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Gojira “The Art of Dying”

Gojira “Deliverance”

Gojira “The Heaviest Matter of the Universe”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

Is Powerwolf’s army of Catholic werewolves a gimmick… or is it genius?

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to “Gimmick or Genius?” to put Powerwolf under the microscope. From church organs, choirs and religious imagery to vampires, werewolves and creatures of the night, Powerwolf has built one of the most recognizable identities in modern power metal.

But does all of that theatricality enhance the music, or has the gimmick become bigger than the songs themselves?

The guys dive into Powerwolf’s sound and lore, revisit albums including “Lupus Dei”, “Bible of the Beast” and “Call of the Wild”, and discuss songs like “Sanctified with Dynamite,” “We Drink Your Blood” and “Moscow After Dark.” Along the way, they explore why Powerwolf’s music and imagery may be impossible to separate — and why that might be exactly what makes the whole thing work.

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Powerwolf “We Take It From The Living”

Powerwolf “Moscow After Dark”

Powerwolf “Reverent of Rats”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

Some bands spend years building toward their masterpiece. Others accidentally set the bar way too high right out of the gate.

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom are talking about bands that peaked too early: artists whose first few albums were so successful, influential, or downright brilliant that everything afterward was forced to live in their shadow.

From Disturbed building an empire on the back of “The Sickness” to Linkin Park unleashing “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora”, the duo looks at bands that arguably reached their defining moment almost immediately, and couldn’t reach that high again. Quiet Riot, Poison, Angel Witch, Dismember, Bring Me the Horizon and Bullet For My Valentine also enter the conversation—but not every suggested band survives scrutiny.

Did Exodus really peak with “Bonded by Blood”? Does Acid Bath even count when their career was cut tragically short? And could Trivium possibly qualify when albums like “Shogun” proved they could come roaring back?

Which metal band do YOU think peaked too early?

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Disturbed “The Game”

Quiet Riot “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)”

Bullet For My Valentine “Tears Don’t Fall”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

Metal and professional wrestling collide once again!

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return for Part 4 of their wrestling series — and another round of metal bands providing entrance music for some of wrestling’s biggest, strangest and most intimidating characters.

There’s only one slight problem: Tom forgot to do his research.

Thankfully, Collin is ready to become his wrestling professor as the duo dive into themes connected to Batista, Rey Mysterio, Roderick Strong, Seth Rollins’ days as Tyler Black, Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt’s terrifying Fiend, The Undertaker, House of Black, IYO SKY, Cody Rhodes and more.

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Saliva “I Walk Alone (Batista)”

Misery Signals “A Victim, A Target”

Poppy “Scary Mask (feat. FEVER 333)”

Prong “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

This episode could not have been more poorly timed.

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, our favourite Canadian duo admit that the U.S.A. has some kick-ass metal bands, and they’re not going to let national pride or a trade war get in the way of that. Continuing on with their series of 6’s, Collin and Tom take a look at their favourites from across the border. Collin showing no mercy with the thrash metal of old and new in Anthrax and Warbringer, while also showing love for Death. Tom, meanwhile, going the opposite direction with two modern metal giants in Trivium and Avenged Sevenfold, with a new addition to his listening with L.A. Prog-Power band In Virtue.

Along the way, the distractions never cease when it comes to these two, such as Tom’s lack of thrash related geographic awareness, and the duo making each other hungry with talk of the best fast-food burgers and pizza joints.

No matter where in the world you’re from, we gotta know: What 6 American bands are YOUR favourites?

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Anthrax “Be All, End All”

Trivium “Insurrection”

Warbringer “Living Weapon”

In Virtue “Tempus Fugue (feat. Chaney Crabb)”

Death “Spiritual Healing”

Avenged Sevenfold “Mad Hatter”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

Which metal artists deserve the Hollywood biopic treatment?

On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom grab the popcorn and put together their metal biopic wish list, looking at the bands and musicians whose careers have enough triumph, tragedy, chaos and drama to make a genuinely great movie.

From the incredible career of Ronnie James Dio and the larger-than-life story of Ozzy Osbourne, to Rob Halford’s journey with Judas Priest, the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and Death, and Dave Mustaine’s ultimate revenge story, there’s no shortage of metal history begging for the big screen.

Tom also makes the case for a very different kind of biopic centred around The Ghost Inside and their recovery and return following their devastating tour bus crash. Meanwhile, the guys imagine movies about Peter Steele, debate whether bands like Rush and Cannibal Corpse would work better as documentaries, and eventually arrive at the endless drama surrounding Slipknot.

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

On this episode of “Are They Rock or Metal?, Collin and Tom turn back the clock to one of the most influential bands in heavy music history. Deep Purple might sound firmly rooted in hard rock by modern standards, but songs like “Highway Star,” “Burn” and “Fireball” helped lay the groundwork for what heavy metal would eventually become.

From the speed and bombast of their riffs to Ian Gillan’s vocals, hard-hitting drums and the unmistakable sound of Jon Lord’s keyboards, the guys dig into just how far ahead of their time Deep Purple really were — and why their influence can be heard throughout generations of metal that followed.

So, where do Deep Purple belong? Are they simply one of hard rock’s greatest bands, a crucial example of proto-metal… or should they officially be welcomed into the metal family?

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

One Touch Edit "Giant Trees" (epidemic sound)

Deep Purple “Highway Star”

Deep Purple “Burn”

Deep Purple “Fireball”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

August 2026 may not have delivered the strongest month for new metal releases, but that isn't stopping Collin and Tom from finding plenty worth listening to!

On this month's “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the guys dig through everything that's been dominating their playlists, from new releases and overlooked albums to old favourites making unexpected comebacks. Collin dives into Norther, Cancer Bats, Electric Callboy, Fen and Kanonenfieber, while Tom brings Cease To Resist, Warforged, Cairiss, Noveria and a return to Canadian prog favourites Protest the Hero.

Plus, listeners bring Metallica, Torpor! and the gloriously named Powerlöad into the conversation, Collin rediscovers Deep Purple, Tom unearths SYRAX, and an increasingly irritating James Hetfield soundbite randomly interrupts the entire episode.

What have YOU been listening to?

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Powerlöad “Bad Girls”

Deep Purple “Perfect Strangers”

SYRAX “Vaettir”

Norther “Frozen Angel”

Cease To Resist “The Rite”

Cancer Bats “Give Me Dirt”

Warforged “Streets”

Electric Callboy “The Way You Are”

Cairiss “Retrace”

Fen “Barrow”

Noveria “Echoes From The Abyss”

Kanonenfieber “Z-Vor!”

Protest the Hero “Tidal”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

Pack your bags, grab your passport and make sure Tom actually remembered everything — Metal Around the World is heading to Cambodia!

Collin and Tom dive into one of the smallest metal scenes they’ve encountered yet, checking out four Cambodian underground bands: Nightmare A.D., Atakheat, Reign in Slumber and Doch Chkae.

From crusty thrash and death metal to black metal so unbelievably lo-fi that it creates an entirely new definition of “underground,” Cambodia proves you don't need a massive scene to find some fascinating heavy music.

And when the journey is over, the wheel decides where Metal Around the World heads next!

Check out more from Collin!

https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/

https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132

https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/

https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/

Check out more from Tom!

https://themetalrobot.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews

https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot

https://x.com/theMetalRobot

https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/

MUSIC:

Nightmare A.D. “Pain is a Master”

Atakheat “ថ្ងៃដែលខ្ញុំស្លាប់ (The Day I Die)”

Reign In Slumber “It Never Left”

Doch Chkae “Dream In Hell”

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.