Send us Fan Mail

Seasoned guitarist Marko Tervonen from the Swedish death metal outfit, The Crown, is our guest in this episode. Having been playing in the band for 30 years, while undergoing different lineups, name changes, and breakups – Marko is more than grateful that The Crown has overcome many hurdles in it's storied timeline before releasing the new upcoming 10th album, “Royal Destroyer”. Many topics explored in this in-depth back and forth conversation with Marko, from the live concerts played worldwide to the pandemic and to the new album and beyond. Marko talks about the hard work that went behind the new record and how it feels as if this new chapter is exactly what he and his bandmates needed. It's an interesting thought on how things just have a way of working themselves out, and The Crown are not shaken by any adversities thrown in their direction. “Royal Destroyer” is pure, raw, and in your face; It's everything you want in a death metal album. 10 albums in, and they haven't lost a beat. Tune into this episode with Marko now and make sure to pick up the new album from The Crown out everywhere March 12th on Metal Blade Records.

Send us Fan Mail

We begin Season 6 of IUF with another majestic voice in heavy metal – frontwoman Emma Zoldan from the Norwegian band Sirenia. Before joining the symphonic metal quartet, Emma has made a career singing at various operas in France for many years – and this proved to be an amazing learning experience before taking the lead in Sirenia. The band is about to release their 10th album, but this will be Emma's 3rd since she joined them. At the same time, for Emma it seems she's been with the band from the start. The chemistry and the bond she has developed with fellow bandmates Michael, Nils, and Morten couldn't be more sound. Emma talks about the new album “Riddles, Ruins, & Revelations” and the recording process that had a level of convenience due to Morten Veland taking the helm of production. As the writing and conducting grew for the record, Emma was able to provide her own talented elements that shaped the record into what it sounds like today. Tune in now as Emma dives into all these amazing stories with us and be sure to buy/stream Sirenia's new album “Riddles, Ruins, & Revelations” dropping February 12 on Napalm Records.

Send us Fan Mail

One of the more graceful and profound voices in metal today, Simone Simons, joins the IUF podcast to talk about the newest album from the Dutch symphonic metal band, Epica. The eighth and new record “Omega”, went through such a diligent recording process from top to bottom. Simone talks about that experience despite the ongoing worldwide pandemic. She recorded her vocals remotely from the Bader Studios while working with renowned producer Joost Van Der Broek, who also brought in the likes of the City Of Prague Symphonic Orchestra to play such a vital role in Omega. Simone also describes life outside of music, and how it was important to stay invested within many quarantine-induced months – from spending time with her family to updating her detailed blog titled SmoonStyle, which is full of amazing tips and information from cooking to makeup to her own photography. There's so much more to Simone than the music life, so make sure to tune into this episode as she goes into many of the interests that feed her creativity within the band. Buy and stream Epica's new album “Omega”, out February 26, 2021 on Nuclear Blast Records.

Send us Fan Mail

An amazing fact about the Swedish symphonic power metal band, Therion, is that they were first rooted in the sounds of death metal. 17 albums and 3 decades later, the evolved sound you hear today is a testament to their maturity and growth. Vocalist Thomas Vikström joins IUF today to show us a deeper look into their newest album “Leviathan”, and how this album is a culmination of everything the band has endured up until now. Thomas himself has also grown as a musician throughout his storied career – from fronting bands like Candlemass, Stormwind, and Dark Illusion – he still believes he has much left to put out into the world regarding his artistic talents. He and Therion have experienced so much already, and with the newest album, it serves as another new chapter to add to an already cemented legacy. Listen in now and make sure to buy/stream Therion's new record “Leviathan” out now everywhere on Nuclear Blast Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Shredding the guitar chops for over 20 years, Marta Gabriel of Crystal Viper possesses a passion unmatched. We get the opportunity to speak with the Polish artist as she prepares for the 8th album release within her heavy metal outfit. When it comes to writing and conducting music, Marta has a drive within her that stems from influences like HP Lovecraft and Iron Maiden. The new album, titled “The Cult” is a representation of everything she has built up towards during her career – and we dive into more of those countless experiences from touring the world, collaborating with other talented musicians, and the amazing fan experiences she holds dearly to this day. Even though she has been away from the stage a lot as of late just like other musicians, it only means more music for her mind to unleash onto the world, and she has plenty left to create. 8 albums isn't an easy accomplishment, and now that she realizes how far she has come, it only provides more motivation for her to keep growing – personally and artistically. We have a great episode in store for you with our conversation with Marta, listen in now and make sure to buy/stream Crystal Viper's newest album “The Cult” setting to drop January 29 on Listenable Records.

Send us Fan Mail

We welcome back frontman Johannes Persson from the Swedish metal group Cult Of Luna. After dropping their “A Dawn To Fear” masterpiece in the latter part of 2019, 2020 allowed them to flex their skills a little further. The new upcoming EP, titled “The Raging River” comes as an encore and a companion piece to the recent full-length, and this includes releasing it under their newly owned established label by the band, called Red Creek Recordings. The band states, “It has been created as a safe home for our art, but we wanted to do more and offer our experience, expertise and network to the artists we love and believe in.” Johannes talks about the creation of the label alongside the influences and ideas that went behind the new EP. Cult Of Luna looks forward to the day live music can return to the forefront, so as of now – they will still be manifesting creative work behind the stage, because it's what they do, and they do it with passion. We also ask Johannes about his experience in bringing in American singer-songwriter, and musician, Mark Lanegan to perform guest vocals on a song on the new album. It's almost as if it feels like a dream for the band to have worked with such a distinguished artist; So take it from us, it's a song you will not want to miss. Tune into this episode now and make sure to buy/stream Cult Of Luna's new EP “The Raging River” dropping February 5th, 2021 on Red Creek/Metal Blade/Season Of Mist Records.

Send us Fan Mail

For the first time in the history of one of heavy metal's most prominent publications, Decibel Magazine, an all-female band has been featured on the cover – and that is of thrash metal powerhouse, Nervosa. We are joined by vocalist/frontwoman Diva Satanica as she talks about the new album with the newest lineup that she is also a part of. If there was a way to kick start the new year on a positive note, this is it. Diva tells her journey from her experiences performing in other bands such as Bloodhunter and Outreach before joining Nervosa. Even though the band as of today has yet to perform in front of fans with the new lineup, Diva describes the chemistry that the four of the girls have built during the recording process of the new record. “Perpetual Chaos” was written and recorded all in 4 months – it was an intense undertaking. This new chapter in Diva's music career is one she looks forward to presenting to the world, with a fire that's burning at its brightest. Metal saved her life, and we get the opportunity to dive into those details with her, all the way from her influences to her personal goals. The future is bright for this thrash metal quartet, listen in to our conversation with Diva now and make sure to buy/stream Nervosa's newest heavy hitter “Perpetual Chaos'', out now everywhere on Napalm Records.

Send us Fan Mail

One of the more influential and fundamental artists in the world of modern rock/metal music, Devin Townsend, joins us today on IUF. From fronting the highly lauded bands like Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Project – Devin has collaborated with a countless amount of other talented bands/musicians throughout his decorated career. Now that the live concert experience has been on hold for nearly a year, we ask Devin about his touring perspectives that he appreciated the most. One noticeable element about Devin was the presence and passion he always left out on the stage when it came to performing; It was something anyone at any show would remember. The relationship between the artist and fan cannot be overlooked, and Devin speaks out on how much he has valued that over the years. And lastly, we also talk about the quarantine concerts he managed to pull together during the first stages of the pandemic, and how he raised money while donating the benefit proceeds to hospitals and health services. Devin is always striving to make a positive impact within the community – no matter the size. His energy and motivation just seems to be unmatched, and that's a good thing to serve as an inspiration where many have pointed out about him. With new music now on the horizon, Devin looks forward to this new uncharted chapter in hopes of continuing to bring his passionate work out into the world once again.

Send us Fan Mail

We welcome guitarist Adam Zaars from Swedish gothic metal outfit, Tribulation. The 5th and newest album “Where The Gloom Becomes Sound” is set to drop soon, and Adam talks about the stages of the hard work that ensued from the writing process, themes, and the production to bring this album to the surface. Not only is this a follow-up to their 2018's Grammy Award winning album “Down Below”, but this also featured a lineup change just after the completion of the record. Many other challenges were faced - before, during, and after the making of Tribulation's latest masterpiece. Adam talks about how well the group has stayed together and built chemistry over the years, regardless of any hurdles that may have been thrown their way. Influences are also a big part of what makes Tribulation who they are, and this album featured many of them that can date back years and years ago. We dive into plenty of those ideas with Adam, including putting him on the Hot Seat which showcased his knowledge on the band's own lyrical content. Listen in now and be sure to buy/stream Tribulation's newest album “Where The Gloom Becomes Sound” releasing January 29th on Metal Blade and Century Media Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Going on over 3 decades of death metal brutality – vocalist Martin van Drunen from Dutch quartet Asphyx is still doing what he does best, and that is creating music while belting out one of the more memorable screams in metal. Whether it's with Asphyx, Bolt Thrower, or Pestilence, his drive for performing hasn't skipped a beat. We talk to Martin about Asphyx's 10th studio record “Necroceros” getting set to drop soon, and how the studio production dates back as far as 2019, even though time has flown by in a blink for him. What makes Asphyx so memorable is the live presence Martin and his bandmates display on stage, and the energy is entirely different as opposed to performing music via livestream – which is what they are now planning to do after the new album drops. Making the best of this worldwide situation is the road to be on at the time being, and Martin plans to bring a similar energy to the fans who can still enjoy Asphyx in a different version in the comfort of their home. It's a commonality within the music artist in today's world where technology is vital to get the fans involved for a livestream. Martin talks about the whole outlook for himself, Asphyx, and the rest of the music world with us in this brimful episode. Tune in now and make sure to buy/stream Asphyx's new record “Necroceros” unleashing January 22nd 2021 on Century Media Records.