Breaking down Metallica’s controversial LOAD album in the wake of the band dropping a massive Load box set. Where does the album stand in their catalog? How many truly great songs are on it? How much filler? Is it overrated? Underrated?

Answering e-mails, breaking down the best riffs of 1978, reviewing one of the best metal albums of the year, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Gruesome - Silent Echoes (2025)

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Recapping the first Spirit Adrift show in almost 2 years. Lamenting the hipster, wannabe influencer, douche bag, tech bro-induced death of the once-great American city Austin, Texas. Answering a mountain of e-mails including top 10 bands of the 1960’s, 3 most underrated bands, best riffs of 1977, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Hallucinate - From The Bowels Of The Earth (2023)

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Ranking the studio discography of the best and most important death metal band of all time… DEATH! Answering a ton of e-mails, and breaking down the greatest riff of 1976.

 

Albums of discussion:

Death - full discography

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

 

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

The world was a better place when Headbanger’s Ball was around. A unifying, enlightening, irreplaceable resource for all things relating to the riff. Who would host the show if it were on the air today?

Plus… amending the best riff of 1974, and going over the best riffs of 1975.

 

Albums of discussion:

Slik Toxik - Doin The Nasty (1992)

Ancient Death - Ego Dissolution (2025)

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Nate Garrett’s Big Riff Energy Episode 106

Is Turnstile the best rock band in the world at present moment? How will their forthcoming album “Never Enough” compare to their previous smash hit “Glow On?” Examining the 90’s/early 2000’s nostalgia that is taking over not just music but culture in general. Breaking down the best riffs of 1974, discussing how to get crushing guitar tones and great recordings on a budget, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Turnstile - Never Enough (2025)

Bleed - Bleed (2025)

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Nate Garrett's Big Riff Energy Episode 105

 

Reviewing and ranking the new Ghost album Skeleta. Highlighting recent riff heavy releases, including candidates for best death metal album of the year and best black metal album of the year. Breaking down the greatest riffs of 1973, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Ghost - Skeleta (2025)

Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power (2025)

Lo-Pan - Get Well Soon (2025)

LIK - Necro (2025)

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

 

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Blake Ibanez, guitarist of Power Trip and Fugitive, joins us to discuss the history and future of Power Trip, his earliest riff inspirations, the sometimes mysterious and magical process of songwriting, taking a band from DIY hardcore shows to a stadium tour with Pantera, news on upcoming Fugitive material, his mount rushmore of riffers, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Power Trip discography

Fugitive discography

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

 

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Black Wolf Triarchy single release for CA wildfire relief:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/track/black-wolf-triarchy

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

The #1 most requested BIG RIFFER, Kirk Windstein… the RIFF LORD himself! Kirk discusses the history of Crowbar, the sacrifice and dedication it takes to succeed as a musician, how many Crowbar albums he had to make to reach true professional musician status, the riff that made him want to play guitar, finding the unique Crowbar sound during the era of thrash domination, the imminent recording of the new Down album at Phil Anselmo’s home base studio lair, what it's like playing a band with half of Type O Negative, and much more. Bonus appearance by Pepper Keenan as we try to determine the best Judas Priest album.

Albums of discussion:

Crowbar discography

Down discography

 

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

 

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Black Wolf Triarchy single release for CA wildfire relief:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/track/black-wolf-triarchy

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

Going to see Acid Bath in Florida and Chicago. Musings on reunions/cash grabs. What does it feel like getting turned into clickbait for 2 weeks straight (angry Type O Negative fans, angry Limp Bizkit fans, angry J Dawg fans)? Putting the Fred Durst sandwich incident to rest once and for all. Heaviest/greatest riff of 1972? Albums of discussion:

Mourning Star - Mourning Star (2025)

 https://mourningstardm.bandcamp.com/album/mourning-star

 

Swamphead - Nightfall (2025)

 https://swamphead.bandcamp.com/album/nightfall

 

Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar (2025)

 

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025!

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

 

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

 

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

 

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Black Wolf Triarchy single release for CA wildfire relief:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/track/black-wolf-triarchy

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________

J DAWG VS NASTY NATE

TWO MEN ENTER

ONE MAN LEAVES

 

Album of discussion: Savage Master - Dark & Dangerous (2025)

 

__________________________________________

 

J DAWG AND NASTY NATE’S ESSENTIAL HISTORY OF METAL

 

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1970)

Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (1971)

Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1974)

Judas Priest - Stained Class (1978)

Judas Priest - Hell Bent For Leather (1979)

Venom - Welcome To Hell (1981)

Mercyful Fate - Nuns Have No Fun (1982)

Mercyful Fate - Melissa (1983)

Metallica - Kill Em All (1983)

Slayer - Show No Mercy (1983)

Celtic Frost - Morbid Visions (1984)

Metallica - Ride The Lightning (1984)

Overkill - Feel The Fire (1985)

Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)

Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (1989)

Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky (1991)

Dismember - Like An Everflowing Stream (1991)

Amorphis - Tales From The Thousand Lakes (1993)

Dissection - Storm Of The Light’s Bane (1995)

Dark Funeral - Secrets Of The Black Arts (1996)

Impiety - Asateerul Awaleen (1996)

Marduk - Panzer Division Marduk (1999)

Malevolent Creation - Envenomed (2000)

__________________________________________

 

Support Hell’s Headbangers:

https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com

 

Subscribe to the rantings of the Dawg:

https://www.youtube.com/@justinhorval8491

 

__________________________________________

 

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

 

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

 

Only North American appearance of 2025.

 

Get your tickets here:

 

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

 

 

__________________________________________

 

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

 

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

 

Black Wolf Triarchy single release for CA wildfire relief:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/track/black-wolf-triarchy

 

Europe:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

 

__________________________________________

 

Find Spirit Adrift:  

https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com

https://spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

 

Find Nate:  

https://www.youtube.com/@BornTooNate

https://www.instagram.com/borntoonate

__________________________________________