Tom drags Collin kicking and screaming back into a makeshift time machine so the boys can travel back to 1997 — the year Tom was born and the year metal got extremely weird, extremely good, and extremely… 90s. They dig through the absolute chaos of ’97’s metal releases: everything from Strapping Young Lad’s City, Rammstein dropping Du Hast on the world, Devin Townsend going full biomech with Ocean Machine, HammerFall restoring the glory of power metal, and nu-metal bubbling like a pot someone forgot on the stove.

Along the way, they debate battle jackets, diss some questionable albums (sorry not sorry, Six Feet Under), admire black metal extremity, and discover just how many iconic records dropped the year tiny baby Tom was learning how to hold his head up. It's chaotic, nostalgic, and full of questionable time-travel science — aka, a normal episode.

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/

Tom’s list:

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/genre/40-metal/1997/

MUSIC:

Strapping Young Lad “Detox”

HammerFall “Hammerfall”

Dimmu Borgir “Mourning Palace”

Emperor “Thus Spake the Nightspirit”

Gamma Ray “Somewhere out in Space”

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

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.

Oh boy, it’s time we finally bite the bullet. In this special episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom share their final thoughts after listening to the entirety of Sleep Token’s “Take Me Back To Eden”, their most recent album at the time. With twists and turns unexpected, some surprising intrigue and an inability to finish a thought, did they enjoy Sleep Token’s most popular album to date? Did “Take Me Back To Eden” make a fan out of them?

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/

FULL ALBUM REACTION COMING SOON…

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

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.

It’s time to travel back to the dawn of the new millennium — the year 2000 — when frosted tips were cool, nu-metal ruled the airwaves, and Collin was born into chaos.

In this first half of a two-part series, the duo look at the best metal albums from the years they were born, starting with Collin’s birth year. From debut masterpieces like Disturbed’s “The Sickness” and Killswitch Engage’s self-titled, to legendary final chapters like Pantera’s “Reinventing the Steel,” it’s a year loaded with metal history.

Expect hot takes, nostalgia, and a bit of “feel old yet?” energy as Collin counts down his top 3 favourite releases from the year 2000. And will Tom feel even older in part 2 looking back at ‘97’s metallic offerings?

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:

Kittie “Spit”

Stratovarious “Hunting High and Low”

Nightwish “The Kinslayer”

Devin Townsend “Kingdom”

Limp Bizkit “My Way”

Rhapsody “Dawn of Victory”

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

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 special Remembrance Day edition of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom pay their respects to those who served — and what better way to do it than by diving headfirst into the battle anthems of history’s most war-obsessed metal band: Sabaton.

The duo are ranking the top 10 heaviest songs in the Swedish band’s catalog — from “Ghost Division” to “Bismarck” to “Reign of Terror.” Along the way, they get emotional over Sabaton’s version of In Flanders Fields, debate whether The Great War is a concept album or not, and somehow get sidetracked into tank marriage proposals. (Don’t ask. Just listen.)

It’s power metal meets poppy fields — history, humor, and heavy riffs all colliding in one unforgettable episode. Lest we forget.

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:

Sabaton “Bismark”

Sabaton “Hill 3234”

Sabaton “Ghost Division”

Sabaton “Reign of Terror”

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

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.

Collin and Tom crank up the nostalgia and take a detour down memory lane, revisiting the songs that defined their childhood — long before blast beats and breakdowns took over their playlists. From “Bodies” to “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, they unpack the early tracks that planted the seeds of their metal obsession. It’s equal parts heartfelt, ridiculous, and heavy — basically, the perfect Influencers of Metal episode.

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:

Avenged Sevenfold “Chapter Four”

Metallica “For Whom the Bell Tolls”

Drowning Pool “Bodies”

Ozzy Osbourne “Crazy Train”

LINKIN PARK “In the End”

Skid Row “Youth Gone Wild”

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

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.

Collin and Tom find themselves stranded on a desert island after their ill-fated “Titanic Reenactment Cruise” goes down in flames… or, well, waves. With no supplies but two metal albums, the guys show off their ultimate “Desert Island Metal” picks: Devin Townsend’s The Retinal Circus and Demons & Wizards’ self-titled debut. The conversation dives deep into why these albums are timeless, dynamic, and a perfect soundtrack for going feral in paradise… and maybe keep you sane when you’re stranded.

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:

Devin Townsend “Planet Smasher (Live)”

Demons & Wizards “Heaven Denies”

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

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.

As spooky season fades into the grave, Collin and Tom rise from the crypt one last time to talk about what’s been haunting their playlists this October. In this edition of “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the guys recap their favorite spins of the month—from Collin’s doom-soaked return to Pallbearer and the battle hymns of Sabaton, to Tom’s rediscovery of Canadian death metal/core act Sleepwraith and, shockingly, a thrash metal band?!

Add in a record-breaking wave of listener submissions, eerie autumn energy, and more riffs than a graveyard has bones—this is a Halloween sendoff you won’t forget.

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:

Marco Beltrami “Arthur's Theme (The Woman In Black)”

Ólafur Arnalds, Alice Sara Ott “Reminiscence”

An Abstract Illusion “Blackmurmur”

Gutalax “Dvouhlavá prasaň”

Sleep Theory “Static”

Mastodon “Jaguar God”

Pallbearer “The Ghost I Used To Be”

ICE NINE KILLS “The Laugh Track”

Revocation “New Gods, New Masters”

Sabaton “Impaler”

Sabaton “Templars”

Absence “Whispers of Eternity”

Hooded Menace “Save a Prayer”

Testament “Shadow People”

Coroner “Sacrificial Lamb”

Sleepwraith “Transorbital Decay”

Allan Ariza “Beyond the Veil”

Testament “High Noon”

Burned In Effigy “Befouled Benefaction”

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

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.

Horror and metal: two genres forged in darkness, blood, and power chords.

In this Halloween special, Collin and Tom are joined by YouTuber Blackmetal Werewolf to talk about six bands that capture the spirit of Halloween. From Rob Zombie’s iconic mix of music and movies, to Trick or Treat’s lighthearted power metal charm, the trio covers it all. They dive into Ice Nine Kills’ cinematic metalcore love letters to slasher icons, Lordi’s monster-masked mayhem, and so much more! The crew also share horror movies that scarred them for life, the ones they can’t wait to revisit, and debate where “fun horror” ends and “what the hell did I just watch” begins.

Turn out the lights, crank up the distortion, and get spooky—because metal and horror were made for each other.

Check out Blackmetal Werewolf!

https://www.youtube.com/@blackmetalwerewolf9436

https://blackmetalwerewolf.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/theblackmetalwerewolf

https://www.instagram.com/blackmetalwerewolf

https://www.twitch.tv/therealblackmetalwerewolf

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:

Rob Zombie “American Witch”

Trick or Treat “Beware the Train”

ICE NINE KILLS “A Work of Art (feat. Shavo)”

Lordi “Deadache”

Acid Witch “The Halloween That Wasn’t”

Terror Universal “Welcome to Hell”

Jacob Lizotte “Exit Wound”

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

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.

In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom take their passports and dive into the metal scene of Slovakia, thanks to Collin’s dad accidentally picking the right country. What starts as a geography lesson on the Velvet Divorce turns into a full-on exploration of Slovak death, doom, and pagan black metal — featuring bands like Doomas, Signum Regis, Lunatic Gods, Vortex Unit, 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/

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

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.

Gimmick? Or Genius? That’s the question for this new series on the Influencers of Metal Podcast! Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the chaotic, blood-soaked world of GWAR — the alien overlords of shock metal, fake blood, and theatrical carnage.

From their over-the-top costumes to their four-cocked frontman, the duo debate whether GWAR’s outrageousness is just a gimmick… or straight-up genius. Along the way, they unpack the band’s history, their self-built mythology, and why getting drenched in fake blood might just be one of metal’s purest joys.

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.