Moose and Dews catch up this week with chat about new music releases and upcoming events in the heavy metal scene.

Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine - who is also Music Director at this summer’s Back To The Beginning/Black Sabbath show - has been interviewed recently, and has hinted at surprise superstar guests for the event. The guys speculate on potential appearances by stars such as Rob Halford, Elton John, Jack Black and other notable figures, with one major conclusion; If they’ve ever had beef with Sharon Osbourne, they won’t be there! 

The conversation then shifts to Linkin Park's recent comeback, exploring the challenges they face in ticket sales and the dynamics of the current live music scene. 

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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Hosts Moose and Dewsbury catch up again this week to discuss the innovative - and controversial - phone-free concert experiment to be carried out by Ghost on their upcoming tour.

The thinking is that people who spend entire shows recording on their phones creates a disconnected experience, which the experiment aims to remedy by removing phones from the show, while allowing people to keep hold of their possessions at all times. Is forcing people to relinquish their mobile devices a step too far? Or is it a necessary step to create a better experience for all? The guys discuss the issue, with their differing viewpoints.

The conversation also touches on the recently-announced Powerwolf show at Wembley, updates on new merchandise, and Moose and Dews updating their social calendars for gigs.

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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Moose returns to the podcast, so this week he and Dews catch up, with the main topic of conversation being Download 2025 headliners Sleep Token. The guys ask the question “are they overrated?” and the answer may surprise you.

Given that Sleep Token only debuted in 2016, and that they are soon to release their fourth album proper, it’s remarkable that they are soon to headline the UK’s largest rock festival. Equally remarkable, are the facts that…

• Sleep Token have accumulated over 100M YouTube streams in the last 2 years.
• The Summoning alone has over 30M streams on YouTube, and over 200M on Spotify!
• They have over 1 billion Spotify streams in total.

If questioning whether the band is overrated or not, surely these numbers alone beg the question “who is doing the rating?”; If a band is highly-rated, but literally millions of fans are loving their music, can they be overrated? Moose and Dews explore the dynamics of industry hype in music, discussing the double-edged nature of hype, the importance of organic reach, and the authenticity of music.

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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In the latest episode of Primordial: The Podcast, Moose is away, so Pete joins Dews for his record-breaking fourth podcast in-a-row! And there was much rejoicing.

There’s a whole host of rock news to get into this week, so of course they spend the first 40 mins of the podcast discussing streaming, YouTube, and the dynamics of paid subscriptions. They explore the future of media and content creation, the challenges faced by creators in the music industry, and the downright weirdness of ASMR content.streaming. 

They eventually get on to the news, discussing the recent controversial performance by Tool at a festival, Billy Corgan's innovative new rock opera, and Devin Townsend's ambitious project that aims to redefine live music experiences. The episode concludes with a celebration of successes within the rock scene, emphasizing the shared victories among creators and musicians.

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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The podcast is Mooseless this week, so Dews and Pete get together for a catch up, and to discuss the latest news in the rock and metal scene, including Slayer's upcoming return to the UK, Ghost's new album announcement, and take a brief look ahead to the forthcoming new album from Spiritbox.

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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Could Sleep Token land a spot on the Stranger Things Season 5 soundtrack? With Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna) recently dropping a Sleep Token cover, it’s hard not to wonder if this is more than just a cool crossover moment. Could it be a subtle hint of what’s to come?

This week, Moose & Pete dive into some fun speculation, asking whether Sleep Token could have their own Metallica: Master of Puppets moment in the upcoming season. With their atmospheric and haunting sound, the band feels like a natural fit for the dark, supernatural world of Stranger Things. Tracks like Take Me Back to Eden, Chokehold, and The Summoning seamlessly blend ethereal melodies with crushing intensity - perfect for the eerie aesthetic of the show.

The guys also chat about the legacy of Download Festival and how it has evolved over the years. From line-up strategies to the balance between marketing and artistic integrity, they explore the festival’s adaptability in an ever-changing music landscape. Plus, they discuss the growing role of digital innovations in live music and whether hologram performances are the future or just a passing gimmick.

Episode Breakdown

• Why nostalgia still plays a huge role in music and entertainment
• The rise of Sleep Token and their possible Stranger Things crossover
• How cultural moments can elevate lesser-known bands to prominence
• How Download Festival has adapted to changing musical trends
• The debate over holograms in live performances—innovation or gimmick?
• Why authenticity can’t be manufactured—it must come from real experiences

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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Parkway Drive has announced they will be performing with a full symphony orchestra at the iconic Sydney Opera House. 

In this episode, Moose & Pete look at why this event is so important for Parkway Drive and heavy music as a whole. They reflect on how symphonic elements have shaped the genre over the years, from Metallica’s S&M to Devin Townsend at the Total Albert Hall, more and more bands are putting their spin on a full orchestra show. 

Beyond Parkway Drive, the conversation turns to the festival circuit, with a spotlight on Download Festival's second announcement. The guys analyse the line-up, including the disappearance of Liquid Death as a sponsor and the shifting trends in festival bookings.

There's also discussion about Black Sabbath & Ozzy's final show, with Guns N' Roses, Tool and Jason Mamoa added as host to the line-up. They look at the sheer significance of the event and what will this mean for metal forward without the big names to prop up the scene. 

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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The Vans Warped tour is back in 2025 for a special 30th anniversary run, taking in 3 dates in the U.S. They’re announcing the line-ups in a unique way, given that it’s the 30th anniversary of the festival, so they’re doing 30 days of Warped, drip feeding bands out over the course of a month.

There have been some negative comments online from fans who were hoping to see some bigger-name artists than have (so far) been announced.

In this episode of Primordial: The Podcast, Moose and Dews discuss the evolution of festival lineup announcements, the changing demographics of festival audiences, and the balance between nostalgia and new talent in music festivals. The conversation also touches on the relevance of heritage acts, the economics behind Warped Tour's comeback, and the importance of footwear with proper arch support (looking at you, Vans!)

They also chat about ticket pricing, particularly in relation to the upcoming Black Sabbath final show, and their hopes for a livestream because - let’s face it - the chances of getting tickets are not exactly great!

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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Surviving NIRVANA members - drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Novoselic and touring guitarist-turned-actual-band member Pat Smear reunited onstage last Thursday night (January 30th) during the FireAid benefit concert in LA for a previously-unannounced performance of several of Nirvana’s classic songs.

Filling the lead vocal slot vacated by Kurt Cobain's death almost 31 years ago were guest singers St. Vincent, Joan Jett, Kim Gordon and Violet Grohl, Dave's 18-year-old daughter. There’s plenty of other occasions over the last 30-odd years where the Nirvana guys have played together as well, and with Youtube views of their FireAid performance already well into the millions, it doesn’t feel disrespectful to ask the question; Is it time for a full-on Nirvana reunion? The guys also chat about new releases from Spiritbox and Stray From The Path, along with big announcements from Radar Festival and Arctangent.

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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After a four year investigation, Marilyn Manson will face no criminal charges in regards to multiple allegations made against him. In this episode of the Primordial Podcast, Moose and Dews discuss what impact - or not - this may have on Manson’s career, given the huge response from fans to previously “cancelled” artists such as Phil Anselmo and Falling In Reverse.

The guys also discuss the rising popularity of Electric Callboy and their impact on the music scene and streaming numbers. Are they the heroes that Gotham needs, or the ones that we deserve?

There’s also a look back at the recent Primordial Burns Night event in Stirling, Scotland, that was a roaring success, despite the best efforts of the weather.  

Check out our chosen charity Metal For Good and some of the great charity work they do here https://metalforgood.org/

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