Riff Worship

By Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, and Justin SwindleMusic

Riff Worship episodes

March 13, 2024 #48 - Discordance Axis - The Inalienable Dreamless
Sometimes a record comes along that changes the way you perceive extreme music. Whether it intended to or not, Discordance Axis’ third & final album rewrote the book on grindcore which influence can be felt today.After a two-year hiatus, Discordance Axis recorded, mixed, & mastered their epitaph in just four days. No click track. No headphones. Just a lightning in a bottle recording session with three musicians firing on all cylinders. It combined the emotional and impactful lyricism of Jon Chang backed by the undeniable fury of Rob Marton and Dave Witte.Join us this week on Riff Worship as we discuss Discordance Axis’ The Alienable Dreamless
1 hr 18 min
March 06, 2024 #47 - Sean Ingram (Coalesce)
From splits with The Get Up Kids to western-inspired instrumentals, Coalesce has never bothered to ask “Why?” but rather “Why the hell not?” That seems to be the mindset behind their appearance at this year’s Furnace Fest, their first live performance in nearly 12 years.
This week we are joined Coalesce frontman Sean Ingram to discuss the upcoming festival date as well as some future reissues through Relapse Records, his newest project Heirs, skateboarding, and more!
Follow Coalesce on Facebook, Instagram, and X
Follow Heirs on Instagram
For all updates on the show, follow us here: @distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to our Riffs on Repeat playlist here!
2 hr
February 28, 2024#46 - Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache
After the release of the now-classicAlive or Just Breathing, Western Massachusetts-based Killswitch Engage experienced a set back that could stifle many bands on the verge of success.
With the sudden departure of original (and current) frontman Jesse Leach, the band was forced to find a suitable replacement. Through an extensive search, they found their vocalist in Blood Has Been Shed’s Howard Jones who quickly joined the band on the road as well as the studio to craft their follow-up album. The rest, as they say, is history.
Join us in celebrating a landmark metalcore album and Killswitch Engage’s commercial breakthrough, The End of Heartache
Recommendations:

Edhochuli - Higherlander

Hate Force - "Hateful Creator"

Necrot - "Cut the Chord"

High On Fire - "Burning Down"

Gatecreeper - "Caught in the Treads"

Black Tusk - "Brushfire"

Pelagius - Pelagius
For all updates on the show, follow us here: @distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to our Riffs on Repeat playlist here!
1 hr 36 min
February 21, 2024 #45 - Nick Schendzielos (Job For A Cowboy)
In a matter of days, death metal veterans Job For A Cowboy will unleash their long-awaited album Moon Healer. To celebrate, we sat with bassist Nick Schendzielos to discuss the record, horror films, have an existential crisis, & more!

Moon Healer drops February 23rd via Metal Blade Records

Follow Job For A Cowboy on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter

For all updates on the show, follow us here: @distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to our Riffs on Repeat playlist here!⁠
45 min
February 14, 2024#44 - Sammy Duet (Goatwhore)
This week Riff Worship is honored to welcome our first guest of 2024, the legendary Sammy Duet of Goatwhore! As a follow-up to our “NOLA” trilogy, Sammy shares stories from the Goatwhore archive as well as his time playing with fellow Louisiana titans Acid Bath and Crowbar. We cover what not to wear when appearing on Headbangers Ball with Jamey Jasta, getting heckled by Tom G Warrior, "Big Daddy Rouge", & more!
Recommendations:
Cultes des Ghoules - Henbane
For all updates on the show, follow us here: @distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to our Riffs on Repeat playlist here!
1 hr 13 min
February 07, 2024 #43 - Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Shortly after the release of their major label debut, Seattle's Soundgarden found themselves at a crossroads. Founding bassist Hiro Yamamoto parted ways with the band, leaving a massive hole to fill. Moreover, Soundgarden had exhausted their entire vault of songs on previous releases, compelling them to start from scratch.In early 1991, however, guitarist & vocalist Chris Cornell experienced an unprecedented wave of creativity which birthed new ideas for Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and an upcoming Cameron Crowe film set in Seattle. Despite the daunting search for Hiro's replacement, newcomer Ben Shepherd proved himself more than capable of the role, injecting a unique punk edge and energy into the band.Starting from nothing wasn't necessarily a bad thing either, as it forced the band to take creative risks on their next album. No idea was too crazy. These new songs were packed with intricate rhythms, soaring vocal performances, and, of course, riffs.The result of these sessions set the pace for everything to come. The Soundgarden as we know them today had finally arrived. Join us as we delve into Soundgarden's 1991 opus, Badmotorfinger.Recommendations: Nails - Abandon All Life Maafa - Because We Are Tad - Inhaler Narzissus - Akt III: ErlösungFor all updates on the show, follow us here:@distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIFFS ON REPEAT PLAYLIST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=8529ae1e880d442c⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
1 hr 30 min
January 31, 2024 #42 - Bolt Thrower - War Master
Alongside their English contemporaries in Carcass & Napalm Death, Coventry’s Bolt Thrower helped define extreme music throughout the late 80s & 90s. Their 3rd full-length, War Master, bridged the gap between their frantic grindcore roots and the pummeling, mid-paced death metal of future releases. Songs like “Profane Creation”, “Cenotaph”, and the album’s titular track make the listener feel as though they’re on the battlefield of an epic, futuristic war with the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. Join us this week on Riff Worship as we celebrate Bolt Thrower’s thunderous 1991 album War MasterRecommendations: Punch - Nothing Lasts Rong - wormhat Pelagius - PelagiusFor all updates on the show, follow us here:@distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIFFS ON REPEAT PLAYLIST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=8529ae1e880d442c⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
56 min
January 24, 2024 #41 - Eyehategod - Dopesick
Eyehategod's approach to extreme music quickly set them apart from their contemporaries in the New Orleans scene. While many of these groups took influence from band's like Black Sabbath and the Melvins, Eyehategod's feedback-fueled sound was far more abrasive, bleaker, and grating. The lyrics, while satirical at times, dove head first into themes of addiction and trauma. This was reality, and the music reflected it.With a few full-lengths, 7-inch's, & splits under their belt, the band worked alongside producer Billy Anderson (Buzzoven, Neurosis, Sleep) and scene veteran Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity, Down, Graveyard Rodeo) to help shape their third album. While this definitely elevated the recording, the raw intensity never faltered. From those initial glass-shattering, tortured screams of Mike IX Williams, the listener knows they're in for a rude awakening.Join Austin, Dylan, & Swindle as they discuss Eyehategod's landmark album DopesickRecommendations: Chelsea Wolfe - "Everything Turns Blue" Upon Stone - Dead Mother Moon Slimelord - "The Beckoning Bell" Ingested - "Paragon of Purity" Theophonos - "Ashes in the Huron River"For all updates on the show, follow us here:@distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIFFS ON REPEAT PLAYLIST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=8529ae1e880d442c⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
1 hr 28 min
January 17, 2024 #40 - Crowbar - Odd Fellows Rest
As our Sammy Duet trilogy comes to a close, we look to his first of three albums with Louisiana legends Crowbar. By 1998, Crowbar had proved they were beyond capable of writing earth shattering riffs. On their 5th album, however, they sought to evolve this sound through dynamics that previous albums had lacked. This is especially evident on tracks like “December’s Spawn” and the sludge metal anthem “Planets Collide”. These songs not only make room for atmosphere and melody but manage to retain the band’s classic heaviness. It’s both a celebration of the past and look at what was to come. Join us this week as we celebrate Crowbar’s sludge metal staple Odd Fellows Rest.Recommendations: Eye Flys - "Bananarchy Zoo" Knoll - "Portrait" Sheer Mag - "Moonstruck" Necrofier - Burning Shadows in the Southern Night Sacrificer - Life After Death Mother of Graves - Where the Shadows Adorn Vitriol - "Shame and its Afterbirth" Guiltless - "All We Destroy" BIG|BRAVE - "i felt a funeral" Gouge Away - "Stuck in a Dream" Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman - "Right Back to It"For all updates on the show, follow us here:@distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIFFS ON REPEAT PLAYLIST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=8529ae1e880d442c⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
1 hr 26 min
January 10, 2024 #39 - Acid Bath - When the Kite String Pops
In this 2nd installment of our Sammy Duet trilogy, we look back to where it all began. While bands like Crowbar and Eyehategod were starting to make waves in the city of New Orleans, a group of outliers were creating noise well ahead of their time further south. They wore their influences on their sleeves combining the grooves of Sabbath, the intensity of Discharge, and the artistry of The Doors. No idea was left on the table, which made for a very eclectic debut release. With artwork that perfectly matched the album's dark lyrical themes, it instantly made a statement in the underground. Due to their brief history as an active band, their discography (as well as their story) has long been a topic of discussion amongst diehard circles. As we approach its 30th anniversary, join us in celebrating Acid Bath's landmark debut record When the Kite String PopsRecommendations: Stress Positions - Harsh Reality Bucket Full of Teeth - I / II / III / IV Immortal - At The Heart Of WinterFor all updates on the show, follow us here:@distortion891 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tune in LIVE to Vocal Distortion, Mondays at 6PM CST on FM89, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WONC.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RIFFS ON REPEAT PLAYLIST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=8529ae1e880d442c⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
1 hr 18 min

About Riff Worship

From the publisher's feed

The riff is the foundation of heavy music, evolving over several decades and styles. Many of our favorite songs started with a single idea and guitar in hand. Anyone can write a riff, but what makes a…