Metal Shop's Backstage Pass

Last Friday, Swedish metal masters At The Gates released their 7th studio album “The Nightmare of Being.” To promote the album, I conducted a live interview with ATG vocalist Tomas Lindberg Redant on the official Century Media Records Youtube page on the day of release. Here is the full audio from that video interview.

I caught up with Vitriol guitarist / vocalist Kyle Rasmussen about what he's been up to during the pandemic, spikey guitars, his guitar strap company Steelweather, the awesomeness of Erik Rutan, some of his favorite death metal albums, early inspirations, new Vitriol music and much more. 

Aaron Weaver is one of the founding members of the Olympia-based black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room. The band is gearing up to release their new album "Primordial Arcana," so I spoke with Aaron about recording the album at his home studio, growing up listening to Metal Shop, how he got into black metal, the majestic beauty of the Northwest and much more. 

Olympia based progressive technical death metal band No Living Witness is back with a brand new song to share with us. I caught up with Sam and LJ from NLW and we premier the track at the end of our chat. Support Northwest metal! 

This is a special compilation episode featuring three special guests from very different ends of the globe.   

First up is an interview with the solo rock n roll musician Ricky Warwick who lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Ireland. Ricky also plays with the Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy and has performed with Stiff Little Fingers in the past. 

The second interview is with Paul Martin from the New Zealand based heavy metal band Devilskin. 

And last but not least is Ross the Boss from Death Dealer, Ross the Boss, The Dictators and formerly of Manowar. 

Fresh off the release of their killer new album "Celestial Putridity," I spoke with two thirds of the badass Cleveland death metal band Inoculation. Check out what they have to say about their celestial, mind bending brand of heaviness. 

Ken Escobedo runs an awesome YouTube channel called "Ken's Death Metal Crypt" where he focuses on raw, underground death metal music. Whether it's unveiling old school demos or unboxing brand new vinyl scores, Ken reps death metal to the fullest. I chatted with Ken about his history with metal music, how he got started on YouTube, the upcoming "Crypt Fest", some underrated bands and much much more. 

Animal Schoolbus is an incredibly unique father/daughter grindcore band that made headlines for their recent video "I Can Do One Handed Cartwheels." The band consists of Charlie Sad Eyes (father) and Princess Beast (daughter). I sat down and zoom'd with the band and chatted all about Kids Bop, Mother's Day, jiu jitsu and more. Enjoy! 

French progressive tech death band Fractal Universe is gearing up to release their third full length album "The Impassable Horizon" via Metal Blade on June 25th. I spoke with lead guitarist Hugo Florimond about recording the album during pandemic, live streaming on Twitch, his favorite French metal bands, crying onstage as a kid and much more. 

I spoke with Year of the Knife guitarist Brandon Watkins about musical influences, their newest album "Internal Incarceration," Hatebreed, the Punisher, his graphic design work and much more.