Interview Under Fire Podcast

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Former drummer of hard rock giants - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Jon Wilkes, joins IUF to talk about his current growing passion project titled Kingdom Of Us. Not only is he now fronting his new band as a vocalist, but he also dives into the role he plays on being an activist on making the world a better place. Sounds cliché? Perhaps, but Jon partnered up with One Tree Planted, a Non-Profit Organization focused on global reforestation. For every dollar donated, a new tree is planted on the donors behalf. Amazing stuff here. Additionally, the new music from KOU has just been receiving well-deserved global recognition for songs like “Tranquility,” which shows his collaboration with the Sass Brothers. Lastly, Jon also takes part in music production in live settings, and he takes us through every avenue up to this point in his storied career. From the different experiences and perspectives, being an activist, and in addition to being a musician - this sort of outlet has allowed someone like Jon to tap into a whole different dimension of himself that he may have not been able to tap into before. Plenty of inspiring things to unpack with a dedicated individual. Times like these (let's be real, every-time, rather) are when we need people like him. Tune into this one of a kind episode with Jon, alongside IUF co-hosts Sonny and Julie – and be sure to stay on the lookout for more exciting news from Kingdom Of Us. Donate now and head over to One Tree Planted, join the Revolution and save Her.

Stay connected with Kingdom Of Us, visit: https://kourevolution.com/, https://www.facebook.com/koumusic, and https://www.instagram.com/kingdomofusofficial/

Plant YOUR tree today, visit: https://businesspartners.raisely.com/t/kou

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Seasoned guitarist Francesco Artusato joins us in today's episode as he and his band, Light The Torch, get ready for the drop of their sophomore beast of a record, “You Will Be The Death Of Me.” Joining forces with Ryan Wombacher, Alex Rudinger, and one of modern metal's more recognized voices, Howard Jones – Fran talks about how complete this record feels now more than ever. Even with the pandemic being an obstacle for him, it was just another test to the band's might to put everything on this album that translated from their blood, sweat, and tears. Fran takes us through his own personal journey which involves his work and dedication as a 3D artist, all the while working on the album art with the new music that heavily involves themes and in-depth concepts. Their previous debut album landed Light The Torch #4 on the Billboard US Independent Albums Chart and at #10 on the Hard Rock Albums Chart. Pressure to write the follow up? Perhaps, but with the arsenal of talented musicians surrounding Fran – he knew they were in good hands with this new record. Tune in to our conversation with Francesco now and be sure to buy and stream metalcore's rising stars in Light The Torch with “You Will Be The Death Of Me,” due out June 25 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Light The Torch, visit: https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/4852686.light-the-torch.html, https://www.facebook.com/LightTheTorchOfficial, and https://www.instagram.com/lightthetorchband/

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

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When you spend two days all alone shooting a music video in extreme conditions - seventy meters underground with 7°C inside the Gouffre de Poudrey, which is France's largest equipped cave, that is dedication to your art. In today's episode, we chat with frontman Vince Wilquin from French progressive metal outfit Fractal Universe. Vince talks about the band's newest upcoming album, “The Impassable Horizon,” and the experiences on shooting a music video inside a cave that really showcased the band's aesthetics on getting the themes and concepts of the record into a visual representation. Vince also incorporated something fresh and unique into Fractal Universe's sound – and that is playing the saxophone. This new element has really expanded the band's catalog while adding another dimension to the overall sound, and Vince takes us through his experiences from Day 1 when he first picked up the brass instrument, into making it a permanent playing habit. A dedication to the art, and Vince, with his bandmates, are all in. Tune in now and be sure to buy and stream “The Impassable Horizon” from Fractal Universe, due out June 25 on Metal Blade Records.

Stay connected with Fractal Universe, visit: https://www.fractaluniverseband.com/, https://www.facebook.com/fractaluniverseband/, and https://www.instagram.com/fractaluniverseband/

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

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It's been a productive 2021 for the West-coast progressive heavy metal trio, Interloper. From gaining recognition on their previous EP “A Revenant Legacy,” the signing with Nuclear Blast Records, to their forthcoming debut full-length titled “Search Party,” it's a pedal to the metal attitude from the start. We are joined by vocalist Andrew Virrueta in today's episode as we take a journey with him through the beginnings of the band that went through quite the process to solidify their final lineup into what it is today. Perhaps, the title “Search Party '' correlates to each of the band members' personal experiences that ended up shaping the album into its final form. We also ask Andrew about the handful of other bands he took a role in before joining Interloper, and how this band is exactly what he feels matches up to his full potential as an individual and a musician. From the detailed artwork, vivid themes, music influences, and the production process behind this album-of-the-year contender in the progressive metal genre – it's all dissected and explored and it will be sure to keep the replay value alive for all the listeners for years to come. The future is bright for this trio. Tune in now as we go through the Dreamlands with Andrew and Interloper, and be sure to buy and stream their debut album “Search Party,” due out June 11 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Stay connected with Interloper, visit: https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/7122231.interloper.html, https://www.facebook.com/InterloperOfficial, and https://www.instagram.com/interloperofficialgram/

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

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Frontman Terry Nikas from Greek heavy metal outfit Scar Of The Sun joins IUF today to talk about the newest album “Inertia.” Fellow Greek metal artists such as Rotting Christ , Seth, and Septicflesh have praised the works of this band and they sure have come a long way to get to this point. Terry takes us through his own personal journey on life in Greece - ranging from politics, social injustices, and the music scene that has transformed over the years. All of this has translated into what the new album “Inertia” dwells on, and we get the chance to dig deep into the album artwork, themes, and concepts that were set in place. Having said all that, it's another album of the year contender, and with a label like Napalm Records backing them, the future is bright and the bar is set high for this band. Tune in now with our conversation with Terry and be sure to pick up Scar Of The Sun's latest scorcher of an album, “Inertia,” out now everywhere via Napalm Records.

Stay connected with Scar Of The Sun, visit: https://scarofthesun.com/, https://www.facebook.com/scarofthesun, and https://www.instagram.com/scarofthesun/

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

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No school like the old school. In this case, we mean the old school black-death-thrash sounds from German metal quartet Desaster. Guitarist and founder of the band, Infernal, joins us today to talk everything about “Churches Without Saints,” the 9th studio album getting set to drop this summer. Infernal has been at this for over 3 decades, and not a single day goes by that he doesn't take this life for granted. We get the opportunity to talk with him about the multiple touring cycles and the records Desaster have unleashed throughout their career. Staying true to their sound yet keeping things fresh is something they have conquered during all this time, keep in mind, this band has been around for 30-plus years so that serves as proof to their work ethic. In between the raw and powerful production of the record, Infernal also takes us through the ideas and themes which were manifested into “Churches Without Saints.” This is an album you need to hear for yourself, and before you do, let Infernal take you through the darkest corners of the origins from their background - it's something you won't want to miss. Tune in now and be sure to pick up Desaster's “Churches Without Saints,” due out June 4th via Metal Blade Records.

Stay connected with Desaster, visit: http://www.total-desaster.com/, https://www.facebook.com/666Desaster666, and https://www.instagram.com/desaster_official/

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We are joined by the visionary frontman from the Finnish dark metal outfit Cvlt Ov The Svn. Newly signed to Napalm Records, he sits with us and touches on how grateful he has been for this opportunity, given the chance to put his creative mind and artistic abilities to the forefront of metal. And taking the title of a certain stagename in the works, it gives the music he manifests a theatrical effect. Portraying the music in the visual presentation gives it the strongest impact on the audience, and with bands like Ghost and King Diamond putting their works on display – COTS is creating his own work of art in that same retrospect. “When I wrote these songs, I wanted to push people’s boundaries.”, is what he mentions about his debut record titled “We Are The Dragon.” We ask him about the origins and influences that were set in place for him mentally that brought this unique album to the surface. 12 songs, 12 dark stories. A sound so raw, and powerful. Different themes ranging from films and writers like The Exorcist and HP Lovecraft were some strong tendencies that came into play within the album's creation, and it's a discussion you will not want to miss. Tune in now with an extraordinary artist, and be sure to buy and stream Cvlt Ov The Svn's debut album “We Are The Dragon,” out now everywhere via Napalm Records.

Stay connected with CVLT OV THE SVN, visit: https://label.napalmrecords.com/cvlt-ov-the-svn, https://www.facebook.com/cvltovthesvn/, and https://www.instagram.com/cvltovthesvn/

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

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Four years in the making for a debut studio album and it was worth every second. We welcome the talented Molly Rennick from the gothic industrial-rock band Living Dead Girl. The new album titled “Exorcism” is everything that exemplifies her entire personality into what she is about – to put it simply, it's “...one wears baby pink and Hello Kitty and listens to pop music, and the other a goth girl in fishnet stockings who listens to dark heavy metal.” Channeling her inner thoughts and creativity into Living Dead Girl is just the beginning; As she brings in bandmates John Ellis, Jordan Storring, and Ryan Claxton alongside her, the four have formed a chemistry and sound that will keep the mosh-pits alive and well. Additionally, working with Mitchell Marlow and Howie Weinberg has allowed Molly and Living Dead Girl to expand on the musicianship while bringing out the best of their abilities on the new album. Tune in now and be sure to pick up the new album “Exorcism” due out June 11 – and with tours opening back up in the near future, keep an eye out for Living Dead Girl as they are one of the more highly anticipated live acts who will put on a show to remember.

Stay connected with Living Dead Girl, visit: https://www.livingdeadgirl.ca/, https://www.facebook.com/LIVINGDEADGIRLBAND, and https://www.instagram.com/livingdeadgirlofficial/

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

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We end Season 7 of IUF on a high note (literally) with frontman Robin Baumann from German metalcore band, Venues. Kerrang UK has lauded this band as “German metal with a mission and a message.” - Yeah, they weren't wrong. From the creative theatrical themes, songwriting, and production, Venues put 1000 percent into their delivery and execution of the hard work they put together. Watch their music videos, “Shifting Colors,” “Rite Of Passage,” and “Uncaged Birds.” They are quite the spectacle. On the new upcoming album “Solace”, we get the opportunity to chat with Robin on the wild path this band has been through that got them to the current position they are now in, and this includes the exciting story of finding Robin's counterpart vocalist and frontwoman, Lela Gruber. The two have formed quite the chemistry in the vocal department since her arrival in Venues, and Robin is grateful for this chance the band has been given. A present-day chapter came into the light with this lineup change while writing new material, and Venues could not have asked for a better situation. We also ask Robin about the album artwork, and the different outside interests that feed into his creativity within Venues, including his love for films. It's an episode you don't want to miss. Tune in now to listen to how deep Robin had to dive to bring his and his bandmates' artistic visions to life within Venues, and do not miss the new album “Solace." due out August 27 via Arising Empire.

Stay connected with Venues, visit: https://venues.bigcartel.com/, https://www.facebook.com/VENUESofficial, and https://www.instagram.com/venuesofficial/

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

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We welcome multi-dimensional artist, Jeremy Spencer, the Devil Daddy himself in this episode. Best known for doing work behind the drums in the hard rock band Five Finger Death Punch, Jeremy has now found a new sense of passion that has previously stayed dormant throughout his storied career. After a back injury that ended his drumming days, including his run with FFDP, it resulted in a new pathway which opened up: The industrial goth-esque dark rock outfit, Psychosexual. We ask Jeremy about the wild ideas and the fiery themes that rose to the surface which began Psychosexual, including him taking on the persona of Devil Daddy on vocals and really bringing that edge and going over the top with the creative thematics. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, he is doing what he is doing because he can. Growing up and listening to the likes of David Bowie and Prince, how could you NOT want to put on your own personality on display which will be remembered, right? It's as if this sort of transition allowed Jeremy to tap into this whole new side of himself that he finds comfort in, and more importantly, getting the chance to share his passion with everyone else. And lastly, we speak with Jeremy on how his bestselling book “Death Punch'd: Surviving Five Finger Death Punch's Metal Mayhem” provided a sense of closure and an outlet to put his past into perspective, which ended up being a helpful mental tool of support for many different readers. Jeremy has been through plenty, and yet, he is just getting started. Tune into our episode with Devil Daddy now and be sure to keep an eye out for Psychosexual's newest album “Unholy Hymns For The Children” due out July 2nd on 6ex Records.


Stay connected with Psychosexual, visit: https://psychosexualmusic.com/, https://www.facebook.com/thedevilsmusic666/, and https://www.instagram.com/psychosexualofficial/

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