Interview Under Fire Podcast

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We welcome Timo Rotten, the frontman of Oceans, a rising heavy metal outfit from Germany. Their 2nd album, “Hell Is Where The Heart Is,” has raised the bar for not only themselves, but also for the metalcore genre. We talk to Timo about the origins of the band and the well-deserved breakthrough in their most recent years, which did not come without its challenges. Timo discusses releasing a debut album right before the pandemic, and the thought process of taking the creativity to the next level with a follow up which is quite the strong effort,.“Hell Is Where The Heart Is” follows a unique timeline of a release schedule that was split into three separate EPs, keeping the listeners on their feet as the year progresses. This served a huge advantage as Oceans continued to rack up the stream numbers and a growing fanbase who are eager for more material. Timo also talks about the band's sound, which incorporates a blend of nu-metal, post, progressive, and death metal. Even though the band is still fresh into the scene, “Hell Is Where The Heart Is” showcases impressive strengths and song structures on how solid their true sound really is. Tune in now to this episode with a dedicated and passionate artist in Timo Rotten, and be sure to buy and stream the new album from Oceans, out now worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Oceans, visit: https://oceansofficial.com/, https://www.instagram.com/oceansofficial/ and https://www.facebook.com/oceansofficialDE/

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Welcome to the League! We are joined by the entrancing frontwoman, Anna Brunner, also the founder of heavy metal's latest attraction, League Of Distortion. Anna joins IUF to talk about her newest passion that is setting up for quite the first chapter for this band. Full of a mix between bands like Otep, Linkin Park, and In This Moment – League Of Distortion takes it to a whole new breed of nu-metal that fans will never see coming. Anna starts things off with the origins of the band, which include combining her talents with guitarist Jim Müller of Kissin Dynamite, bassist Felix Rehmann, and drummer Tino Calmbach. The group have formed a chemistry that only seemed to make sense to move forward together, and that includes their debut self-titled album. Anna also briefly talks about her previous band, Exit Eden, and how taking that experience into a new group can serve as an advantage. As the production of the debut album is broken down throughout this episode, fronting a band like League Of Distortion has allowed Anna to tap into an almost 6th sense of musicality that she may not have been able to reach with any other group. So much more than what is seen on the surface of a band that possesses all the potential to go up from here, from songwriting, influences, and impactful themes. Tune in now to our conversation with Anna, and be sure to buy and stream the self-titled debut record from League Of Distortion, out now worldwide via Napalm Records.

Stay connected with League Of Distortion, visit: https://label.napalmrecords.com/league-of-distortion, https://www.instagram.com/leagueofdistortion/ and https://www.facebook.com/leagueofdistortion/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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It's Bloom Season. We welcome UK based metalcore outfit Borders onto IUF. In this episode, we are joined by vocalist Jordan Olifent, bassist Tom Britton, and drummer Dan Hodson as they discuss their highly-anticipated sophomore effort “Bloom Season.” Mixing in elements of hip hop, grime, hardcore and alternative – Borders have seemingly gone on to add a new layer of creativity in heavy metal. While other young bands like themselves are also on a similar trend, there is a uniqueness into what Borders are doing which makes them stand out from that convoluted crowd. Case in point, their debut signing with growing music label, Arising Empire. This only proves that Borders are stepping out of their confort zone and getting original, which is not an easy thing to accomplish in this day of age. The members also talk about their origins on the bands early days and what the exciting future holds, while showing plenty of talent and promise. The band may have been around for a decade, but now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Tune in now to our interview with Borders, and be sure to buy and stream the new album, “Bloom Season,” out now worldwide via Arising Empire.

Stay connected with Borders, visit: https://www.facebook.com/BordersBandUK/, https://www.instagram.com/bordersbanduk/ and https://arising-empire.com/artists/borders

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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The historic career of melodic death metal stalwarts In Flames lives on, with their 14th album on the horizon in a span of three decades, we sat with proclaimed guitarist Chris Broderick during the bands recent Fall tour. The new record, titled “Forgone,” showcases a bulk from In Flames' decorated catalog all into one – making this album one of the most highly-anticipated releases of 2023. Chris talks to us about the recording process and the hard work and determination that went into creating the album, including his own personal journey on days of just being a fan of the band, before joining the lineup. Now that he is officially part of a fan favorite group in contemporary heavy metal, he's excited to take this next step in his music career. Whether you're a fan of the traditional Gothenburg sound or the modern metalcore sound, In Flames brings the best of both worlds together on “Forgone,” in a way it was never done before. Tune in now to this episode and be sure to buy and stream “Foregone,” the new album from In Flames, due out February 10, 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with In Flames, visit:https://www.inflames.com/, https://www.facebook.com/inflames/ and https://www.instagram.com/inflames/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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It's time to “Suffer In Hell,” as we welcome in guitarist Stephen Rutishauser from deathcore outfit Chelsea Grin. 15 years in the game within the heavy metal music community, and Utah-based band continue to release some of the heaviest and grooviest albums to date. Enter the 6th and latest studio release, a double album titled “Suffer In Hell,” and “Suffer In Heaven.” Stephen sits with IUF today to discuss the details and writing/production process behind “Suffer In Hell,” Pt.I of the double record release. While Pt.II (“Suffer In Heaven'') is set to drop in March of 2023, Pt.I is more than enough to keep the fans on their toes with plenty of brutal assault tracks in “Suffer In Hell.” Not an easy thing to accomplish, and having it being the first double album in Chelsea Grins decorated catalog – Stephen is here to tell you that the band is at it's best this time around. And they hold nothing back as they do their due diligence to top 2018's fan favorite in “Eternal Nightmare.” We also talk to Stephen about his personal experience in the music industry from where he started to where he is now, and even though there isn't a single original member left in Chelsea Grin, the successful transition within the lineup changes serve as a testament to the hard work each member has put in to this chapter of the band. Lastly, we ask Stephen about the bands collaboration with the late great Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder on a new track from the record, titled “Forever Bloom,” a topic you will not want to miss. “Suffer In Hell” entails everything any Chelsea Grin fan would want, and then some. Tune in now to our conversation with Stephen Rutishauser and be sure to buy and stream Pt.I, out now worldwide via OneRPM. Pt.II, “Suffer In Heaven,” is due out March 2023.

Stay connected with Chelsea Grin, visit: https://www.chelseagrinband.com/, https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaGrinMetal/ and https://www.instagram.com/chelseagrinofficial/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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In this episode, we were recently joined by an elite frontman in Jason Evans, aka The Slam King of Manchester-based deathcore outfit, Ingested. It's been a long time coming, but that only means the timing is just right. Jason hops on the IUF podcast to discuss all things about the band's 16-year history, all the way to their highly-anticipated 7th studio album, “Ashes Lie Still.” Oh, and about that perfect timing – We ask Jason about their debut outing with the profound music label, Metal Blade Records. Newly signed onto the label, this record serves as a statement for Ingested to show the metal realm that they are here to stay, and to be taken note of. So much, so that bringing on board the likes of Matt Heavy of Trivium to perform guest vocals shouldn't be too far-fetched, right? Jason brings out the fan in him on this topic as he tells the story of how Ingested landed Trivium's frontman on this album. Jason also talks about the chemistry he has developed with bandmates Sean Hynes and Lyn Jeffs over the years, and how this album showcases every inch of their musicianship. Plenty to take in from this brimming episode – Tune in now to our conversation with Jason and be sure to buy and stream the newest heavy hitter from UK's finest, Ingested “Ashes Lie Still,” out now worldwide via Metal Blade Records.

Stay connected with Ingested, visit: https://www.ingested.co.uk/, https://www.facebook.com/ingesteduk/ and https://www.instagram.com/ingested/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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His name is Ryan “Tuck” O'Leary, and he loves being the bassist of Fit For A King. The new album, “The Hell We Create,” showcases the band's best work to date. Tuck talks to IUF about the recording process that challenged him, along with his bandmates, to turn this 7th record into a release to remember. The ups, the downs, and the challenges were there for the band in recent years; results have shown on an emotional and powerful outing. There's a level of nobility here, as Fit For A King has officially cemented themselves as one of the heavy hitters in the metalcore game, and Tuck knows that. Standing on the stage, and performing for the fans who have shown up and shown out throughout the band's career in his eyes has given Tuck a level of appreciation. The fact he gets to do this for a living gives this gig a whole new level of gratitude. “The Hell We Create” is also the band's deepest and most personal record they've ever written, and Tuck talks about his relationship with frontman Ryan Kirby and how his personal experiences have brought the band together more than ever – a unit with uncanny chemistry, on the stage and off. Lastly, we also talk to Tuck about his own podcast show titled “Get Tucked,” and the story of being a co-founder of Featured X. He may be a talented musician in one of the hardest working bands today, but never forget that he is always a fan first. And the passion runs deep. Tune in now with our conversation with Tuck and be sure to buy and stream the new album “The Hell We Create,” from Texas-based band Fit For A King, out now worldwide via Solid State Records.

Stay connected with Fit For A King, visit: https://fitforakingband.com/, https://www.facebook.com/fitforakingband/ and https://www.instagram.com/fitforakingtx/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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“Writing and recording this, saved my life.” In this episode, we talk to frontman Samy Elbanna of the Finnish-based metalcore band, Lost Society. Their 5th and newest album, “If The Sky Came Down,” is their first release with Nuclear Blast Records since 2016's “Braindead.” It only made sense to resign with this heavyweight record label and drop another release, which has shaped up to be their best. Go figure, right? Samy talks about this big move and how grateful he is to take this next step in the band's journey. The sounds of Lost Society are unique, blending in the sounds of groove metal, metalcore, and nu-metal in their compositions. Samy talks about how “If The Sky Came Down” opened up this grander and more well-rounded version of the band. Not only is this album a heavy hitter of 2022, but it's also the most emotional. The sentiment of having the mental release for an album like this gave Samy such an emotional boost, and he describes the production process that opened his ability to reach down deep and put on his best performance on record to date. Songs like “112” and “Awake” proved to be productive elements for him and the band, and the ceiling for Lost Society is at the highest it's ever been. “If The Sky Came Down” is filled with catchy choruses, earth-shaking riffs, and all the breakdowns any heavy metal fan could ever ask for. Tune in now to our conversation with Samy Elbanna, and be sure to buy and stream “If The Sky Came Down,” out now worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Lost Society, visit: https://lostsociety.fi/, https://www.facebook.com/lostsocietyfinland/ and https://www.instagram.com/lostsocietyfi/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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20 years. What a ride it's been for Canadian-based deathcore stalwarts Despised Icon. Frontman Alex Erian sits with us to reflect on the personal journey he has endured since 2002. There's a feeling of nostalgia when looking back on a band that has been around for 2 decades, so much that the latest release “Deterre,” is an EP that was recorded back in 2004. In a way, it's as if this was also a feeling of re-ignition for Despised Icon, as they begin this new chapter of their decorated timeline. This EP is also a salute to the die hard fans, while bringing in the newcomers who have been exposed to the modern hardcore genre. A big part of what makes this unit stand out is the presence of two frontmen, two vocalists, and Alex talks about his chemistry with fellow bandmate Steve Marois and the unique challenges on composing songs that gameplan around the two. We also talk to Alex about his own Montreal-based brewery called Messorem Bacitorium Inc., from how it started to where it is today, what the future holds for this growing company. Plenty to unpack in this episode with Alex, tune in now and be sure to buy and stream the new EP, “Deterre,” out now worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Despised Icon, visit: https://www.despisedicon.com/, https://www.facebook.com/despisedicon/ and https://www.instagram.com/despisedicon/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/

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We're feelin' blue. In a good, Weezer-esque kind of way. Please welcome the upcoming LA-based rock outfit, Fencer. Composed of the talented trio of vocalist/guitarist Field Cate, bassist Scott Sauve, and drummer Cameron Sauve. The three have been in the game since 2016, and as we inch towards their highly-anticipated debut record, we get a chance to chat with the drummer, Cameron Sauve. Cameron takes us through his journey from the band's formation and the early days while releasing some hit singles along the way. Cameron, alongside Scott and Field, has created this modern version of garage rock which has seemingly retooled this genre with its own creative version. Grasping the concept of everything having a Blue theme, songs like “Sanitarium,” “Junebug,” and “Sleepcount,” the 90s rock fan will be exposed to every listener who comes across this talented band. As they continue to make noise (literally) with their music, Fencer has also amassed 1.5 million listens (and still counting) across all streaming platforms. Mixing in the sounds of Third Eye Blind, The Offspring, and Fountains Of Wayne, the trio of Fencer has formed a chemistry that is unmatched. We also ask Cameron about his influences on becoming a drummer, and the challenges of writing a full-length album. It seems that Fencer is more than ready to make the jump to the next level. Tune in now to our in-depth conversation with Cameron of Fencer. You can currently stream their “Growing Up Selfish” EP from 2019 on every streaming platform, and be on the lookout for more exciting news and music from Fencer. Still feeling blue.

Stay connected with Fencer, visit: http://fencerband.com/, https://www.facebook.com/fencerband/ and https://www.instagram.com/fencerband/

Stay connected with IUF, visit: https://interviewunderfire.com/