Metal Shop's Backstage Pass

Robin Staps is the guitarist and lead songwriter for the German progressive metal band The Ocean. Over the last 20 years, The Ocean has released some incredible genre and mind bending heavy music, amassing a cult-like following in the underground. I spoke with Robin about The Ocean’s new upcoming album, growing up in the straight edge hardcore scene, the importance of the DIY ethics, playing squat punk communes in Europe, early musical influences, life during the pandemic and much more.

Naglfar is a long running melodic black metal band from Umeå, Sweden. They released their first album in 8 years – “Cerecloth” – on May 8th through Century Media Records.

I spoke with guitarist Andreas Nilsson about the new album, getting stabbed, his children’s taste in pop music, the pandemic, the “Big Four” of Swedish metal and much much more.

Will Putney is a hard working producer and metal musician from New Jersey. Most recently, Putney released an album with his band END called “Splinters from an Ever Changing Face.” He is also a member of the band Fit For An Autopsy and has produced hundreds of metal albums from bands such as Knocked Loose, Thy Art Is Murder, Body Count, Demon Hunter and more.

Ulthar is a raging blackened death metal from the Bay Area that recently released a killer album called “Providence” on 20 Buck Spin. I spoke with guitarist Shelby Lermo about the new abum, the importance or protests, death metal influences, bay area music and his other band VASTUM. Listen til the end to hear a brand new ULTHAR song from “Providence.” Turn it up!

Suicide Silence is gearing up to embark on a truly unique venture – an online virtual “world tour” where they are streaming live shows to specific individual cities via Geo targeting. I spoke with guitarist Mark Heylmun about what all goes into making something like this happen, their new album, the “Big 4” of deathcore and more.