Send us a text

One of the up and coming artists in the heavy metal world that have been turning heads in their direction are the mighty Vexed from the United Kingdom. From playing local gigs to capturing attention from the likes of Napalm Records, this was no accident. Fronted by some of the most dominant vocals by singer Megan Targett, Vexed is here to stay. We get the chance to chat with this talented artist; Megan takes us through her timeline of stories of the personal struggles and hard-earned victories that landed her the most important friendships with Jay, Willem, and Al to finally form Vexed. The new album “Culling Culture” is an example of a new band coming out swinging from the gates - a vicious, technical, groovy, complex, heavy, and melodic record that will be sure to be a contender for a 2021 favorite. Not only that, but an element of rap and hip-hop is an ingredient that Vexed has blended in so well in their unique sound, and Megan talks about the planning and the process within the songwriting that took place during the production stages. Vexed allowed Megan to be herself when nothing else could have matched this feeling in the past, and now she's taking this opportunity by the horns, and we are ready for the future. Tune into our interview with a passionate individual in her craft and be sure to buy and stream Vexed's highly-anticipated debut headbanger “Culling Culture", due out May 21 on Napalm Records.

Stay connected with Vexed, visit: https://vexedvexedvexed.com/, https://www.facebook.com/vexedvexedvexed/, and https://www.instagram.com/vexedvexedvexed/

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

Send us a text

For over 2 decades, hard rock giants Atreyu have been the household name for many fans in the scene. On their 8th album “Baptize," it's a reminder for those out there to know that the band has continued to excel in the music they've made an impact on. Guitarist Travis Miguel joins us on this episode as he talks about the recent lineup changes and the level of consistency he and his bandmates have continued to hold onto despite whatever hurdles may be headed their way. The name “Baptize” does feel like a new beginning for Travis, and with live shows potentially making the long-awaited comeback in the near future – everything just fell into place for this particular moment to bring the new songs to the stage. At the same time, that lineup change is something Travis is thankful for, since most of this change-up occurred internally within the band, and allowed for new connections amongst this bandmates that he never saw coming, and for the better. We also ask Travis about his side project “Fake Figures”, and how the feeling of staying humble can be tough throughout a successful music career which landed Atreyu on a handful of sold-out headlining tours, including the likes of Ozzfest and sharing the stages with Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold, and Deftones. Oh, and lastly, we test Travis on the highly entertaining “Hot Seat” section to see if he knows his own songs. Plenty of great topics unpacked with a great musician. Tune in now and be sure to buy and stream Atreyu's new album, “Baptize,” due out June 4 via Spinefarm Records.

Stay connected with Atreyu, visit: https://www.atreyuofficial.com/, https://www.facebook.com/Atreyu/, and https://www.instagram.com/atreyuofficial/

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

Send us a text

In this latest edition of IUF, co-hosts Sonny and Cory welcome the highly revered Michigan-based hip hop artist, Twiztid. Jamie Madrox has been through many ups and downs in his career along with his bandmate Monoxide, but he would not trade anything for any different moment. The trials and tribulations the duo have experienced are what have shaped them into who they are today. Jamie tells his perspectives on performing in other groups like House of Krazees, Psychopathic Rydas, and Triple Threat to name a few, and how the music of hip-hop and rap have evolved over the decades. While the sound actually has progressed, Twiztid is a testament to that transcendence. In addition, Jamie dives into the ideas and schemes that he and Monoxide have come up with behind the newest record that dropped on 4/20, titled “Electric Lettuce”. Now with over 15 albums into their decorated catalog, themes are an element that have always been a creative advantage coming from Twiztid, and with another album in 2021 in the works, they don't seem to be letting up any time soon. The legend grows with this duo, and so do their dedicated and diverse fanbase all across the world. Tune into this in-depth episode with a highly positive influential music artist, and be sure to buy and stream the newest Twiztid record ”Electric Lettuce”, out now on Majik Ninja Entertainment.

Stay connected with Twiztid, visit: https://majikninjaentertainment.com/artists/twiztid/, https://www.facebook.com/Twiztid, and https://www.instagram.com/officialtwiztid/

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

Send us a text

Silver Lake by Esa Holopainen - The record you never thought you needed to hear. We are all familiar with the influential work of Finnish heavy metal legends Amorphis, but guitarist Esa Holopainen from the band has now created an extension of his musicality, personally and artistically. Right around when the pandemic started, music producer Nino Laurenne came to Esa with the million dollar question about releasing a solo album. With an emphatic “YES”, Esa hit the studio in Helsinki with his guitar and Nino and gathered a handful of heavy metal's prominent vocalists to guest-star on Silver Lake. From bringing in the talents of Tomi Joutsen, Jonas Renske, to Anneke van Giersbergen and more, everything came together as if the chemistry had been present from the start. Esa spoke on how his relationships and bonds grew even stronger with the musicians he collaborated with on this record. Even though this is a side project in the end, it has sparked a new flame in Esa that may open the door for more possibilities on a future for Silver Lake going forward. Tune in to our conversation with one of the more humble and down to earth artists we have ever had the honor to host on IUF in Esa Holopainen, and make sure to buy and stream Silver Lake by Esa Holopainen due out May 28 on Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Esa Holopainen and Amorphis, visit: http://www.amorphis.net/, https://www.facebook.com/SilverLakeEH/, and https://www.instagram.com/silver_lake_eh/

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

Send us a text

It's been a busy time for the all-female heavy metal legion of Burning Witches. From a studio album, an acoustic EP, and now back at it with another follow-up LP, this entire last year seemed to fly by in a blink for them. We get the opportunity to bring in the marvelous voice of frontwoman Laura Guldemond onto IUF. For her and the talented ladies, it's business as usual. The creativity within Burning Witches never ceases to stop the momentum they have been building since 2020, despite the world's ongoing issues – this is the time to give the fans and metalheads something positive to look forward to. Now with live music seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, there could not have been a much more well-timed release for a new album. Laura takes us through the wild journeys of Burning Witches that have led up to the release of the new record titled “The Witch Of The North”, and the many clever themes that helped bring this album to life. Not only that, but Laura is a vocal coach, and this album serves as a testament to her craft. From headbanging anthems, to majestic ballads, and the booms of the bass – this album is sure to set a spell on the upcoming summer season to a freezing point with “The Witch Of The North”. Laura was quite the guest here for us and we are grateful for this episode, tune in now and be sure to buy and stream the new Burning Witches album due out May 28th on Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Burning Witches, visit: https://www.burningwitches.ch/, https://www.facebook.com/burningwitches666, and https://www.instagram.com/burningwitchesofficial/

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

Send us a text

On the verge of their 25th anniversary of the band, it was only fitting for the German metalcore giants in Caliban to give their passionate fanbase something unique – An album filled with lyrics sung in their native tongue. Guitarist Marc Görtz from the band joins IUF today to talk about the new music they are eagerly looking forward to unleashing here in 2021, which is plenty left in the tank. The first release centers around the new album “Zeitgeister”, which contains a collection of the bands previous songs in the backlog that are given a new remake/recording as the lyrics are sung in German this time around. But it doesn't stop there, the songs they chose are still previous fan favorites but the new versions are given a renewed life as if they were brand new. Marc talks about how that specific process wasn't an easy one to begin with, but it was still a great experience for him and his bandmates to come together and give the metal community something extraordinary during these challenging times. Marc also talks about the many worldwide touring cycles that have given Caliban the well-deserved recognition and how grateful he has been for each show performed thus far. Let's face it, staying home this past year has really opened up that new found appreciation for the touring life. Lastly, Marc gives us hints and outlooks on another brand new album a bit further down the road after “Zeitgeister” is unleashed – which isn't too far away. The future for Caliban is bright, perhaps the brightest it's been. After 25 years, they are kicking and heavier than ever. Tune into our episode with Marc now and be sure to buy and stream Caliban's newest headbanger “Zeitgeister” out everywhere on May 14 via Century Media Records.

Stay connected with Caliban, visit: https://www.calibanmetal.com/, https://www.facebook.com/CalibanOfficial, and https://www.instagram.com/calibanofficial/

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

Send us a text

Transitioning as an artist from a genre like pop music into heavy metal can be quite the challenge – for someone like a vocalist in Skye Sweetnam, it felt as if she found her calling with that said transition. Having been at this gig for nearly 2 decades, forming the Canadian metal outfit Sumo Cyco in the last 10 years allowed Skye to channel everything within herself to put her artistic visions out there. Now on the verge of dropping the 3rd studio album “Initiation”, Skye speaks with us about the development and writing processes that took place leading up to the release. Along with bandmates Matt Drake, Matt Trozzi, and Oscar Anesetti, this quartet have really come together and have asserted themselves in the metallic and new wave punk-rock sound they have manifested over the years. We also get the chance to talk about the different themes that came into the light within the new music, and how this album opened up new pathways for each individual in the band to continue to grow. Skye has been through plenty at the same time, which also means taking everything she has learned throughout the music industry and applying that experience into what she loves doing the most – being the best she can be, and lastly, being herself in the music she continues to write within Sumo Cyco. Tune into our conversation with Skye and stick around until the end of the episode as we get the opportunity to put her on the “Hot Seat” as she tries to guess the lyrics to her own songs that trace back, waaay back to her days in pop. Sumo Cyco's new album “Initiation” unleashes May 7 on Napalm Records.

Stay connected with Sumo Cyco, visit: https://sumo-cyco.myshopify.com/, https://www.facebook.com/sumocyco, and https://www.instagram.com/sumocyco/

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

Send us a text

"Vive la France" and turn up the volume, as we are joined by guitarist Nicolas Exposito from the French metalcore outfit LANDMVRKS. The new album, “Lost In The Waves” has been through quite the process from start to finish that involved lineup changes and a new collaborative effort in the writing stages. Summer 2019 saw the birthing elements of the new record, and going through the touring cycles with the new lineup and of course, a pandemic - Nicolas talks about how grateful he and his bandmates have been during this timeframe. This unprecedented time away from the stage allowed this lineup a chance to grow together and paved the way to some of the more newer songs on the record. They have not been to the United States as of yet, but the unique sound that this heavy metal quintet have formed will be turning many eyes and ears in their direction in the near future. Make no mistake, it's only a matter of time until LANDMVRKS make their presence felt in metalcore, and they are doing it with a new taste combined with many subgenres incorporated in their DNA. Tune in now to our conversation with Nicolas and be sure to buy and stream the new album “Lost In The Waves” out now everywhere on Arising Empire.

Stay connected with LANDMVRKS, visit: https://www.landmvrks.com/, https://www.facebook.com/LANDMVRKS/, and https://www.instagram.com/landmvrks/

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

Send us a text

It's been over 4 decades in the making of Saga – a Canadian band who have been the cornerstone of the progressive rock world. In that timespan, they have presented 22 studio albums while trekking worldwide performing alongside some of the most notable artists in classic rock. Veteran guitarist Ian Crichton is our guest today on IUF, and he tells us about the many countless and memorable experiences throughout his storied career with Saga. “Symmetry” is the band's newest album in an acoustic setting, and Ian jumps into the unique ideas and processes that took place during the first months of the pandemic which fleshed out the production plans. The record has been out roughly over a month now and Ian and his bandmates are already eyeing new music in the near future. Even though he has been in the game for a lifetime, he doesn't dwell on the past too much because his vision as an artist will always continue to grow as long as he has his guitar by his side – the same can be said for the rest of Saga. Tune into our episode now with a classic musician who's been through it all and be sure to buy and stream the album “Symmetry” out now via EarMusic.

Stay connected with Saga, visit: https://sagagen.com/, https://www.facebook.com/SAGAgeneration, and https://www.instagram.com/saga_band/

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

Send us a text

For anyone who doesn't know – “Diamante”, translated from Spanish means “Diamond”, which inspires the imagination and ingenuity, and the artist we have today embraces both attitudes flawlessly. In this episode, we are joined by the talented sapphire-haired singer-songwriter as she takes us through the journey leading up to her highly-anticipated 2nd studio album, “American Dream”. Dia talks about the pressure she took on after releasing her debut record in 2018, which landed her top spots around the rock-radio world. After receiving endless well-deserved recognition, she decided to rejoin forces with renowned producer Howard Benson and go independently with this new album. Commonly praised as the modern day Joan Jett, Dia has her own dynamic persona that she is confidently asserting out there onto the heavy music scene, and she's doing it effortlessly. “American Dream” allowed her to display her most personal moments in a way she never could have before, and it has shown a whole new and different side of her that will further her musicality and evolution. So many amazing stories unfold inside the world of “American Dream”, tune into our conversation with this rising star in Diamante and be sure to pick up her new record dropping everywhere worldwide May 7.

Stay connected with Diamante, visit: https://www.thisisdiamante.com/, https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsDiamante/, and https://www.instagram.com/thisisdiamante/

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