Riff Worship

By Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, and Justin SwindleMusic

Riff Worship episodes

January 03, 2024 #38 - Goatwhore - A Haunting Curse
With two albums under their belt and a newly signed deal with the legendary Metal Blade Records, Louisiana’s own Goatwhore were primed for domination. The band was out to make a statement, recruiting a young Zack Simmons behind the kit and extreme music veteran Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal) to help mold their sound. Combined with a bit of spite towards the detractors, Goatwhore were about to let loose an unrelenting fury onto the underground landscape. As our first episode of the year, take a trip down to the Deep South as we discuss Goatwhore’s 2006 violent opus A Haunting CurseRecommendations: Spectral Voice - "Red Feasts Condensed Into One" Day Job - The Auger Hulder - "Vessel Of Suffering"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 15 min
December 27, 2023 #37 - Best of 2023
In our final episode of the year, the guys do the impossible by narrowing down their favorite releases of 2023 including Afterbirth, Baroness, Cannibal Corpse, Predatory Void, Tomb Mold⁠, Zulu⁠, & many more! They also discuss their favorites shows from the year as well as EPs, Splits, "Non-Heavy" releases, & what they're looking forward to in 2024.Listen to Riff Worship's "Best of 2023" PlaylistFor 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
2 hr 8 min
December 20, 2023 #36 - Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas
When reuniting after nearly two decades apart, the last thing fans expected of legendary New Jersey/New York hard rock band Twisted Sister was an ode to the most festive time of year. In 2006 the band released their final album which had a twisted take on all things holly & jolly...What if the Ramones sped up Sinatra? Or Iron Maiden added guitar harmonies to a Bing Crosby classic? Twisted Sister perfectly blends the classics with nods to their heroes for a fun, schlock-filled, hard rock Christmas record!Join Austin, Dylan, & Swindle Claus as they celebrate the holidays with Twisted Sister's A Twisted ChristmasRecommendations: Jarhead Fertilizer - Carceral Warfare Vitriol - "Weaponized Loss" PSYCHO-FRAME - AUTOMATIC DEATH PROTOCOL Baby Chips - demo's Cerce - Cowboy MusicFor 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 13 min
December 13, 2023 #35 - Alice In Chains - Jar Of Flies
Alice In Chains had toured the world with the release of their massively successful sophomore album Dirt. By the time they returned to Seattle, however, two big changes had occurred. The band parted ways with their original bassist Mike Starr and they were unexpectedly evicted from their home. Fortunately, guitarist Jerry Cantrell had booked time with engineer Toby Wright during their tour under the guise of collaborating on new material. Unbeknownst to Wright, the band had nothing. After spending the last few years in front of high-watt amplifiers, ⁠Alice In Chains⁠ felt they desperately needed a palette cleanser. They moved into London Bridge Studio with a few acoustic guitars and their newest member Mike Inez (ex-Ozzy Osbourne) to see what they were capable of creating together. Although they had no intentions of writing a new record, Alice In Chains⁠⁠ emerged with Jar Of Flies: an emotional half-hour packed with rich vocal harmonies and diverse instrumentation combined with the band's classic grit.This week on Riff Worship the guys dote on Alice In Chains⁠⁠, discuss the instabilities before and after this release, and attempt to answer the question: "Does Jar Of Flies⁠ have riffs?"Recommendations: Lamp of Murmuur - Saturnian Bloodstorm Panopticon - The Rime of Memory IV and The Strange Band - Hang Dog Full Of Hell and Nothing - When No Birds Sang Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean - Consumed by the Vitriol of Life The Pogues - If I Should Fall from Grace with God Chelsea Wolfe - "Tunnel Lights" Pest Control - Don't Test the PestFor 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
December 06, 2023 #34 - NOFX - The Decline
As the millennium was drawing to an end and a presidential election coming into play, NOFX’s outspoken songwriter “Fat” Mike Burkett began examining the American sensibility.What he found was selfishness, materialism, and several issues embedded in American culture that struck a chord (or riff) with him. With these themes weighing heavily on his mind and an extensive library of riffs to pull from, Fat Mike set out to create the band's magnum opus… an 18-minute-long, multifaceted, punk rock symphony.This week on Riff Worship, join us in celebrating NOFX’s “The Decline"Recommendations: Carnal Tomb - Embalmed In Decay Escuela Grind - "Ball and Chain" Coliseum - C.L.S.M Infinity ShitFor 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
November 29, 2023 #33 - Coalesce - 0:12 Revolution In Just Listening
In a brief and very volatile time during the '90s, Kansas City's Coalesce released an impressive volume of work that set them apart from their contemporaries in bands like Botch, Cave In, & Converge. This week, Riff Worship discusses their posthumously released album 0:12 Revolution In Just Listening, the chaos that made it, as well as the stand out riffs that helped shape an entire generation of metalcore!Recommendations: Trouble Funk - Drop the Bomb SPINE - Raíces The Gaslight Anthem - History BooksFor 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 11 min
November 22, 2023 #32 - Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction
After unleashing one of thrash metal’s crowning achievements with Rust in Peace, Megadeth were confronted with an important question: “Where do we go from here?” Would they continue down a path of technical precision or shy away from it completely? Anticipating the evolving music trends of the era, Dave Mustaine answered with something in the middle. While retaining the precision of the preceding album, this new release also incorporated more traditional song structures and larger than life hooks resulting in what was to become Megadeth’s most successful album. Join us this week on Riff Worship as we discuss the metal classic: Countdown to ExtinctionRecommendations: Trajectory - Heatseeker EP Closet Witch - Chiaroscuro No/Más - "Spineless" Upon Stone - "Dead Mother Moon" Knoll - "As Spoken" Darkest Hour - "Perpetual Terminal" PSYCHO-FRAME - "THE PLOT TO NUKE THE MIDWEST" Vitriol - "The Flowers of Sadism" Stabbing - Demo 2023For 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
November 15, 2023#31 - Motörhead - 1916
Motörhead had experienced a lot of adversity and change by the time they reached the ‘90s. With a four year gap between releases, the band traded one tumultuous record label relationship for the next and leader Lemmy Kilmister made the continental move from England to LA. This was a time for reinvention, but in true Motörhead fashion that just meant putting out the best version of what the band had to offer and that was loud, fast rock ‘n’ roll. Join us in celebrating a hidden gem of sorts from a band that was known for doing what they wanted, when they wanted, & how they wanted. They were Motörhead & this is ⁠1916
Recommendations:

Worm & Dream Unending - Starpath

Mannequin Pussy - "Sometimes"

Chelsea Wolfe - "Whispers In The Echo Chamber"

Roky Erickson - The Evil One

The Convent (2000)

Job For A Cowboy - "The Forever Rot"

Afterbirth - In But Not Of

IV and The Strange Band - "Hang Dog"

Rivers of Nihil - "Hellbirds"
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 29 min
November 08, 2023 #30 - Neill Jameson (Krieg)
This week on Riff Worship we are joined by Decibel Magazine writer and Krieg frontman Neill Jameson to discuss Ruiner, the band's first full-length record in nearly a decade. In this episode we cover everything from the album's origins, Milwaukee Metal Fest 1998, Portillo's, as well as a riff of his choosing!Ruiner is out NOW via Profound Lore RecordsFollow Krieg on Facebook & InstagramFor 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 6 min
November 01, 2023 #29 - Halloween Special
It's October 32nd and we're diving head first into the holiday season by sharing our favorite horror films & bands that best represent Halloween!
Check out the companion playlist here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0w63gCq6fjP3JPqOaAylNn?si=8699d173f53e41f4

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
2 hr 9 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…