Interview Under Fire Podcast

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When you are the host of multiple podcast shows, and have played in diverse groups of metal bands, and are also the CEO of a small coffee business (the latter which is still in the works) – you are a busy artist to say the least, let alone releasing new records all the while during a pandemic. Frontman Mike Hill from post-metal band Tombs is doing exactly that. Having already released an EP and LP this year, the commitment from him has always been top-notch. Mike talks about Tombs' latest full length titled “Under Sullen Skies” and how the many different music composition ideas came together so well, but not without the collaboration of his band-mates - Matt, Drew, and Justin. It was also about bringing in the engineers, mixers, and a countless amount of guest musicians that took in part to manifest this record to the surface. Mike's aspirations as a musician seem to have grown more and more throughout his career, and it's a topic we dive into together where many of his experiences (good or bad) have always been a factor into shaping him into the person he is today. Listen in to an episode full of great stories told by Mike himself and make sure to buy Tombs' 5th and latest record, “Under Sullen Skies” out now on Season Of Mist Records.

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IUF welcomes vocalist/frontman Marcus Larsen from the diabolic rock outfit, Demon Head. From acoustic instruments, flourishing mellotron strings, brass instruments, tape manipulation and church organs – Demon Head have created their own signature sound in the world of doom metal. Now getting set to release their 4th studio album in the first month of 2021, Marcus sees it as a new fresh approach to things with a new chapter along with his band-mates – As well as it being the New Year itself. Marcus reminiscences about the touring life on what he missed the most, and now with 2020 in the rear-view mirror, he is hopeful the band will get the chance to present the new album to the fans around the world in a live performance fashion. Marcus has also taken in many different experiences and perspectives in his timeline, from his influences and his writing, to his challenges he has faced throughout that taught him a great deal to be a better composer and artist all-around. Many topics to uncover in this episode for Marcus and the history of Demon Head. Listen in now, and buy/stream their newest album “Viscera” getting set to drop January 29, 2021 on Metal Blade Records.

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It's been nearly a decade since the debut record from New York-based dark rock outfit Vajra. After years and years of self-discovery, intuition, and a mindset of refocusing the band's energy – Vajra have come back with a hauntingly progressive resurgence into the metal scene. We are joined by frontwoman Annamaria Pinna and bassist Dave Sussman from the band as they talk about their personal pathways each of them have traversed to get to this point in their career. Now getting set to release a new album to kick off 2021, they have garnered attention from the likes of profound media outlets such as Rolling Stone, Loudwire, and Metal Injection. If there is such a process to come back into the music platform with a newer attitude, this is the way to do so – and Vajra are making some noise that will turn many eyes and ears in their direction for years to come. Annamaria and Dave also talk about the new record “Irkalla”, which is the first album in a trilogy set of albums that explores consciousness, and some of the strongest themes that surround the writing processes behind it. As they head into the new year, they talk about what the rest of their bright future holds – and it is a combination of elements they cannot wait to unleash onto this world. Tune in now and make sure to buy/stream Vajra's new long awaited album “Irkalla”, set to release January 15, 2021 on Thunder Cult Records.

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It's easy to lose one's mind during a pandemic; It's harder to stay focused on the goals in hand that may have been sideswiped throughout the year. Alan Averill, an Irish music artist/frontman of heavy metal bands Dread Sovereign and Primordial - tells his experiences and outlook from the present and into the beyond. While many people tend to stay optimistic despite the years' massive obstacles, Alan describes the situation as exactly what it looks like. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best attitude is the best way to look into things. While not in the ideal position, Alan talks about Dread Sovereign's upcoming new album “Alchemical Warfare” set to unleash in the first month of 2021, which was intended to release much earlier. Perhaps pushing things back a little sets events up for a better outlook for the New Year. Now, while the music being released was on hold for him and his bandmates, Alan also talked about his new podcast he launched over the summer titled “Agitators Anonymous”. The podcast surrounds topics such as tour stories, politics, the occult, culture, history, travel, dark humor, and of course, heavy metal music. It was a way for him to release his thoughts onto a platform which gave him the productivity and outlet he never knew he needed. In a way, it allowed him a chance to grow as an individual and as an artist. Now with over 30 episodes and 75,000 listens worldwide – Alan definitely made the best of his situation. Listen in to this episode as we go deep into the mind of a talented individual and make sure to buy/stream Dread Sovereign's newest record, titled “Alchemical Warfare” coming out January 15, 2021 on Metal Blade Records.

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Panic. In the year of 2020, that seems to be a common theme. For guitarist Lance Dowdle, the word “Panic” was just a title of the newest album of his own Pennsylvania rock quartet - From Ashes To New. This title was planned in the summer of 2019, and the relevancy to release it in today's time had much irony around it. Lance talks about the different stages from writing, theme structuring, and the production process that took shape prior to the release of this 3rd studio album. From Ashes To New has been making plenty of positive noise over the years, to the point where the band has been compared to the likes of Linkin Park, while earning well-deserved recognition throughout the industry. Furthermore, Lance has taken in a lot of experience throughout his career to where he sees things differently now, in a more positive manner. It's easy to lose sight of certain goals when you are a young artist while making music - but when that artist grows through touring, making new connections, and overcoming struggles, it's the outcome on the other side that opens up a different perspective for the better. Lance has so much left he aspires to accomplish artistically for himself and his bandmates, and even though he has done so already, he is striving to become a better person each day. In which case, there is no panic in him. Listen in now and make sure to buy/stream From Ashes To New newest record “Panic” out now on Better Noise Music.

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Houston, TX based rapper Hyro The Hero joins us in this edition of IUF. From blending elements of hip-hop/rap/rock/metal, this is as good as it gets. We all know of the nu-metal genre originating from the early 90s, and now in the midst of a resurgence of that particular sound, Hyro has incorporated his own unique sense that stands out from the rest of the palate. He recently joined forces collaborating with Disturbed's frontman David Draiman and Hellyeah's frontman Chad Gray to release some of the most genre fusing singles you will ever hear. Having other artists outside his own field to create music alongside him has allowed Hyro to tap into a whole new dimension that he was even unaware of – and the result is testing his limits to expand on what Hyro The Hero is really capable of. We discuss these singles and so much more that lead into the new album he has set in store for the dedicated fanbase in the coming year. Tune in to this episode now and make sure to stream the newest singles from Hyro The Hero titled “We Believe” and “Fight” out now on Better Noise Music.

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Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann joins us in this episode. Over 4 decades of playing with a “Balls To The Wall” attitude – Wolf's name has already been etched into the history of heavy metal as we know it. Hailing from Solingen, Germany – Accept has been widely praised as one of the most influential and pioneering bands of the genre in the music timeline. Now as they are getting prepared to release their 16th studio album “Too Mean To Die”, it adds to an already star-filled heritage. From playing in some of the biggest festivals like Wacken, 70k Tons, and Bloodstock – the passion to create the music they love has never been a vacant notion. When you have musicians like Kirk Hammett of Metallica citing Wolf as an inspiration – you know that alone is certification on a legacy built. Wolf Hoffmann reminiscences about all his experiences that led him to where he is currently at (that includes the hair metal days of the 80s), and playing guitar is what he does best, and it doesn't seem like that will ever be a fire capable of being put out. As Accept continues to build their discography, the memories will be built even higher. Listen in now to our conversation with Wolf and be sure to buy/stream Accept's newest upcoming metal masterpiece titled “Too Mean To Die” out January 15, 2021 on Nuclear Blast Records. Start the New Year on a bright and heavy note.

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The live music experience has been on a standstill for the majority of 2020 due to a pandemic – Swedish doom metallers Avatarium are making sure they can still give that experience to the fans in any given fashion. Guitarist and producer extraordinaire from the band Marcus Jidell joins us to talk about the newest live album they have just dropped, titled “An Evening With Avatarium”. Marcus has taken in so much experience throughout his music-storied career, that releasing a live album provides another exquisite chapter in his catalog. The concert they have recorded was executed to perfection before Covid ever hit, so the timing was impeccable. Even though this is a live album, it also serves as a snapshot of where he is at a certain time in his life, for better or worse that allows him a chance to grow as an individual and as an artist. Tune in to this episode now and make to buy/stream Avatarium's newest live epic, “An Evening With Avatarium” out now on Nuclear Blast Records.

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One of our most humble guests return to IUF! Vocalist Shawna Potter from War On Women has been one of the more hard working individuals this year – from releasing a new album titled “Wonderful Hell”, to leading training programs set to combat alcohol-facilitated sexual violence, to publishing a new book titled “Making Spaces Safer”, and starting a new podcast called “But Her Lyrics” – Shawna tells her journey as she continues to strive to make a positive difference in the community and the world through her art - professionally and personally. There is a rewarding aspect to working hard as it is easy to lose track of where you are at during a certain point in your career – We revisit those points with Shawna and she describes how she is very appreciative of the highly well-deserved positive feedback she has been getting from the community. Shawna's a public speaker, activist, author, consultant, small business manager, mostly vegan and an ordained clergy person. It's been a long road to get to this point, and it's still a lengthy one ahead as this world turns the page into the new year – and Shawna is ready to take things head-on. Listen in now and make sure to buy/stream War On Women's newest album “Wonderful Hell” out now on Bridge 9 Records.

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It's the most wonderful time of year. The Swedish power metal quartet Majestica return with their newest sophomore effort – but with a little seasonal twist this time around as a special treat for the fans. We are joined by bassist Chris David as he dives into details on the new record appropriately titled “A Christmas Carol”. Chris talks about the many steps that were taken to make this record come to life – from renting out a house in the middle of Nowhere, Sweden, to dressing up as Old Kris Kringle himself, and watching nonstop Christmas films to get into the holiday spirit with the band members. In a year where so much has happened in the industry and the world in a negative aspect, Majestica have come together to release a Christmas album that will be remembered for a long long time. Grab some eggnog, put on that Santa hat, and crank up Majestica's newest wonderland gem “A Christmas Carol” releasing December 4 on Nuclear Blast Records.