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We welcome veteran guitarist Kragen Lum from thrash metal outfit Heathen onto the IUF podcast. It's been one decade since Heathen's last record – but things have picked up right where they have left off, maybe even for the better. During the 10 year span, Kragen has grown mentally tough and has gained so much experience in the industry. Playing in bands like Exodus, Prototype, and Psychosis has only elevated Kragens musicianship to a higher level. The experience he took in allowed him to tap into a whole new and evolved sound for Heathen in their newest record “Empire Of The Blind.” So many influences went behind this album and Kragen talks about the the many processes that accumulated into the chapter he and his bandmates are in right now. Listen in to this episode now and make sure to buy/stream Heathen's latest record “Empire Of The Blind” due out September 18th on Nuclear Blast Records.

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Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Uniquely titled and abbreviated in short as Pigsx7, we sit with Matt Baty and Adam Sykes from the psychedelic doom metal
band from Newcastle, U.K Current times can get rough being isolated day in and day out, but creating music will be something they can always get to their fans. Being a live band is important to them, and the atmosphere is unmatched unlike any other when performing in front of the crowd while blasting their own stage energy out in the open. Matt and Adam reminisce about their favorite moments on the road and what it takes to stay mentally tough, whether it's trekking across the country or staying in lockdown during a pandemic. They also talk about the release of their third full length album, titled “Viscerals” and the feeling of bringing that new sound to the live audience in order to feel “complete” for the album as a whole. Listen in to this episode now and pick up Pigs' newest record “Viscerals” out now on Rocket Recordings.

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In episode 2 of Deep Cuts, we bring in seasoned tour manager Steven Garcia. Working with bands like Amon Amarth, Jinjer, Death Angel, and Cradle Of Filth has taught him that hard work and dedication can go a long way. It wasn't the easiest decision transitioning from quitting a 9 -5 job, to driving out to Los Angeles in a van to begin his touring experience – but it was one of the best ones he has made. During the time of a pandemic, touring has taken an abrupt halt, and Steven talks about his appreciation of the tour life what it takes mentally to stay ready when things open back up again. Tour managers are one of the hardest working people out there in the world of live music, and it's important to take a moment and show appreciation. We hope you enjoy this segment with Steven, as he dives into all those experiences as well as some great stories to tell from his life on the road.

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Guitarist Gabe Mangold from deathcore band Enterprise Earth is our guest today. During a time of the unexpected and the uncertainty going forward, Gabe talks about Enterprise Earth's newest EP “Foundation Of Bones” and how he took charge of the recording and production process. Camped out in New Mexico, Gabe, with the help from other members of the band across the nation - put together covers, originals, acoustic sounds, and instrumentals that accumulated into this one of a kind EP. Even though he joined the band a little later in the timeline, he provides an element that is rare and full of musicality in Enterprise Earth's sound. Their new album “Foundation Of Bones” is out on eOne Records and it is streaming everywhere. Pick it up now!

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Guitarist and founder Robin Staps of progressive metal group The Ocean joins us in this episode of IUF. From philosophy, globalization, and writings from Friedrich Nietzsche – Robin takes all of his influences and manifests it into some of the most unique sounds and lyrical content in metal music. It's not even about having a theme anymore for this German metal band's sound, but rather, it's about the literary teachings The Ocean have learned and putting it on display for the world to digest. Telling a story is one thing, but illustrating it into sound and unique dialect is another. Robin talks about the new album “Phanerozoic”, partnering up with guest vocalist Jonas Renkse, and how the new album is divided into two parts. So many topics to take in with this talented musician, and he covers everything that traces back from the beginning of his career. Listen in now and make sure to buy./stream The Oceans newest epic “Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic|Cenozoic” out September 25th on Metal Blade Records.

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“It's a little bit poppy, but it's got edge.” Upcoming pop artist Nikki Jumper is changing the game as she paints her vivid ambitions with us on IUF. Her new single, “Apocalypse Love” has just been released and it's only the tip of the iceberg on what is set to come in the near future from her. Growing up listening to Led Zeppelin, Rancid, and No Doubt - were big influences. As Nikki transitioned from concert photography and touring with bands such as Bring Me The Horizon in her youth, she wanted to take another step of making her presence felt by presenting her passions even further. Creating art that leans into the madness of what's going on in the world was an idea she built, and being a futurist and having a sixth sense in rock/pop fusion, breaking into the scene with endless musicality only seemed like the right thing to do. Listen in to this one of a kind episode as Nikki talks about the long career path of how she arrived to where she's at, and what bigger goals she has set up ahead for herself. Nikki's newest single “Apocalypse Love” is out now, and make sure to keep an eye out for her new EP set to drop very soon.

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When you mix elements of jazz and avant garde black metal together, you're going to turn a lot of heads. As is the case with New York's trio, Imperial Triumphant. We sit with bassist Steve Blanco as we talk about the bands history as well as his own – diving into his influences while combining it with the other members of the band. Steve speaks about being a “sound first, music second” kind of group, and the numerous different paths his band went on when it came to working on the new music or collaborating with other outside talent. He even talks about how movies and a multi-dimensional music mindset can open up so many ideas for him, and it's endless. As Imperial Triumphant grace the cover of Decibel Magazine's latest issue, they know they are doing something no one else has, and it's a whole new otherworldly piece of atmosphere the metal world will be exposed to. Listen in now and pick up their new opus, “Alphaville”, which is set to unleash July 31st on Century Media Records.

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 In our first episode of the Deep Cuts edition, we bring in Amy Sciarretto, owner and founder of Public Relations music firm – Atom Splitter. With over 15 years of experience while working with some of the higher echelon artists in metal, Amy's involvement is a huge factor in getting bands like Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, and Trivium to where they are now. Sure, she may not be as famous or well-known as those said talent, but it's her testament to her craft of public relations that many do not know about, and she deserves every bit of recognition on creating foundations for music artists to get to a certain goal. Even during a time of world crisis, she is busier than ever – listen in to a humble professional as she describes her ever-growing passion for the industry and what she sees down the line in the near future for herself and the music world.

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“First African-American Female Metal Guitarist In Major Publication.” To Diamond Rowe, those are just words – yet it provides even more fuel to the fire to keep up the passion for what she does. Playing in California's metalcore quartet, Tetrarch, Diamond speaks on the bands growth personally and artistically since they first formed in 2006. Now with their 2nd upcoming album “Unstable” set to drop this fall, the appreciation and excitement are important emotions to take into considering the journey she has been on from when she first picked up the guitar. We talk about some great stories from touring, food, the metal culture and what the future may hold for Tetrarch – and it's nothing but positivity and elation that awaits this metalcore band breaking into the scene that will get heads banging hard for sure once live shows become a thing again. Tetrarch is a band to take notice, do it now and check out their newest single “I'm Not Right” streaming everywhere from their newest album “Unstable”- releasing on October 2nd.

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The mesmerizing Jennifer Haben from German symphonic metal quintet Beyond The Black is our guest in todays episode. Haters aren't a group Jennifer has time for, and rightfully so, as she talks about the bands lineup changes and the newest album “Horizons” they have just dropped. Bands can change their sound as they mature over their career, and Beyond The Black has evolved in the area which works to their advantage. Jennifer dives in head first on the challenges they faced and how this album ended up shaping into their potentially best. Many topics are touched on, including the drive-in live concert festival they performed in a few weeks back called LiveSommer 2020 in Germany. Performing in front of parked cars isn't the norm for any live musicians, but Jennifer embraces the opportunity to make the best of the worlds situation. A great episode we have in store here, listen in now and make sure to pick up Beyond The Black's new album “Horizons” out now on Napalm Records.