In this episode of Signals From Mars, I’m joined by Laura Donnelly, vocalist of the incredible Scottish doom metal band Kingwitch. We dive deep into the making of their latest album, III — their most powerful and emotionally resonant release yet.

Laura opens up about the five-year gap between albums, much of which was shaped by family life, creative resets, and the band’s commitment to authenticity. We explore how having a child and taking time away from the road gave them the space to refine their sound and make a record that truly represents where Kingwitch is today.

We also get into the DIY nature of the band — with Laura contributing graphic design and Jamie (guitarist/partner) handling production and mixing duties. You’ll hear stories about recording in their home studio, experimenting with fretless bass, and even using their child’s xylophone on the record!

💬 Topics discussed include:

• Why III took five years to release
• Recording at home and staying true to the band’s vision
• Laura’s growth as a vocalist after becoming a mother
• Using unconventional sounds in the studio (baby toys and cold-induced effects!)
• How Scottish landscapes, folklore, and mythology influence Kingwitch's music
• The role of artwork and symbolism (yin/yang, wolves, light/dark)
• Their return to the stage after a multi-year break
• Reflections on the recent Ozzy/Black Sabbath tribute show
• The power of doom metal to remain diverse, emotional, and expansive

Laura also shares thoughts on the challenges of being a parent and musician, why Kingwitch doesn’t chase trends, and how they're still proudly flying the flag for variety and dynamics in modern heavy music.

🎧 If you’re a fan of bands like Candlemass, Black Sabbath, or Dio, or just love passionate, honest conversations about metal and creativity, this episode is for you.

🛒 Support Kingwitch 🎵 Buy or stream Three:

• Listenable Records Bandcamp (digital, CD, vinyl)
• Kingwitch Bandcamp (CD, vinyl only)

📲 Follow Kingwitch

• Instagram: @kingwitchmetal
• Facebook: facebook.com/kingwitchmetal

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In episode 422 of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes back longtime friend and podcasting peer Joshua Toomey for a deep and candid conversation about the state of podcasting, legacy rock bands, and Toomey’s latest creative projects.

Toomey—co-host of The David Ellefson Podcast, host of Talk Toomey, and member of the reunited Primer 55—opens up about his podcasting evolution, lessons learned from past co-hosts and platforms (including Knotfest), and why his new partnership with Ellefson has been both rejuvenating and surreal.

The episode dives into:

🎧 The golden age of rock and metal podcasting 🎤 Blabbermouth clickbait, misunderstood interviews, and viral clip strategies 🤘 Toomey’s take on recent concerts by Ace Frehley, Quiet Riot, and Slaughter 🧠 Honest discussion on aging rock stars and what it’s like to watch your heroes struggle 🎸 The return of Primer 55 — how it happened, the lineup, and what fans can expect 💬 Memories of getting starstruck, being backstage, and finding lifelong friendships through music

Victor and Joshua reflect on 16+ years in the podcasting trenches, staying motivated through burnout, and how nostalgia and authenticity drive the hard rock and metal community forward.

Whether you’re a fan of KISS, Metallica, Faith No More, or underground legends like Primer 55, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and hard truths from two lifers who live and breathe music media.

📺 Watch or listen to the full episode: https://www.signalsfrommars.com/signals-from-mars-episode-422-joshua-toomey/

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. 🌐 Visit signalsfrommars.com for more episodes, show archives, and extras. 📲 Follow us everywhere: Linktree

#JoshuaToomey #Primer55 #SignalsFromMars #DavidEllefson #HardRockPodcast #MetalPodcast #AceFrehley #QuietRiot #Slaughter #Metallica #KISStalk #PodcastingLife #MusicMedia #RockPodcast #Megadeth #BackToTheBeginning

🎙️ In this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor and Jeremy return with the second installment of “Vinyl Confessions,” diving deep into the records that mean the most to them. Whether it’s about musicianship, emotional connection, or unforgettable stories tied to each LP, this is more than just a show-and-tell — it’s a tribute to why vinyl still matters.

From iconic classics to unexpected favorites, each album comes with personal insights and memories that reflect decades of passionate music fandom. You’ll hear about record store finds, emotional connections to songs, and the joy of passing music down through generations.

💬 Expect laughs, stories, opinions, and a lot of heart as Victor and Jeremy crack open their shelves and invite you into their collections.

🔗 Follow & connect:

Patreon: https://patreon.com/signalsfrommars

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This episode centers on a full fan and panelist breakdown of the Back to the Beginning tribute concert — the final show for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. The panel (Victor, Brad, and Jeremy) reviews performances, band lineups, vocal quality, setlists, and surprises from the event.

Major topics covered:

• 🎤 Commentary on Ozzy's set and vocal performance
• 🥁 The original Black Sabbath reunion with Bill Ward on drums
• 🤘 Highlights and lowlights of participating bands like:
  • Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Tool
  • Halestorm, Rival Sons, Anthrax, Alice in Chains
  • Guest performers: Nuno Bettencourt, David Draiman, Jack Black, Steven Tyler, etc.
• 🎸 Strong praise for Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde, and Jay Buchanan
• 👎 Harsh critiques of Axl Rose, Papa Emeritus (Ghost), and Billy Corgan
• ❓ Speculation on which band was "kicked off" the bill
• 💭 Discussion about whether other bands could pull off a farewell like Sabbath’s: (KISS, Rush, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, ACDC)
• 🧠 Talk of potential future projects (Sabbath avatars, Ozzy recordings, etc.)

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We’re back with a fresh batch of riffs, reviews, and recommendations as we dive into the hard rock and metal album releases from June 2025! In this episode, Jeremy Weltman joins me once again to break down four solid weeks of new music. From well-known acts to rising names and left-field surprises, we take a critical listen and give our unfiltered opinions on what hit hard—and what missed the mark.

Every week brought something unique, and this episode includes a full track-by-track run through the month’s most talked-about (and some overlooked) releases. As always, we each selected our “Album of the Week” for each Friday drop, and there’s no shortage of debate, surprises, and contrasts in what caught our ears.

💡 But that’s not all… We also look back at the first six months of 2025, revisiting all the albums we've highlighted since January. If you've missed any episodes or need a reminder of standout releases, this mid-year check-in is a great way to catch up. There's no clear-cut “Album of the Year” just yet—but some strong contenders are already in rotation.

🔗 Follow & connect:

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In this episode of Signals From Mars, I’m joined by Matt Hartnett and Tanner Poppitt—the creative duo behind the powerful new documentary Lifers.

🎥 Lifers is a raw, heartfelt deep-dive into the lives of musicians who never gave up—regardless of fame, money, or mainstream recognition. These are the road warriors, the underground legends, the unsung heroes of heavy rock who keep doing it for the love of the music. I caught the documentary a few weeks ago and immediately knew I had to speak with Matt and Tanner to hear the story behind the story.

We get into:

• How the idea for Lifers came about and what fueled the project.
• The production challenges and unexpected moments during filming.
• Why Lifers focuses on artists who never “made it big,” but never stopped playing.
• Why they chose a long-form format over a mini-series.
• The influence of the late Bob Nalbandian on Matt’s filmmaking journey.
• Their plans for Lifers II, currently in pre-production and focused on a new crop of working musicians.
• The value of physical media and how collectors can grab one of the limited DVD copies of Lifers.
• Tips for anyone looking to shoot their own independent music documentary.

🎬 As Matt and Tanner say, this isn’t just about nostalgia or documenting history—it’s about capturing the reality of what it means to be a lifer in today’s underground rock scene. If you’re a fan of music documentaries with grit, soul, and truth, this episode (and film) is for you.

📀 Where to Watch or Buy Lifers:

• Bandcamp (Limited Edition DVD): https://onepalmproductions.bandcamp.com
• Streaming: Coming soon to Filmsy.com and (eventually) Amazon Prime Video.

🎧 Soundtrack Playlist: Now available on Spotify — search Lifers: The Movie Playlist to hear music from the featured bands.

🔗 Follow Matt & Tanner:

• Instagram/Facebook: @LifersTheMovie
• Matt Hartnett’s Work: seismic-sounds.com, heavygalaxy.com
• Tanner Poppitt: Poppitt’s Corner (YouTube & Rumble)

🚀🎸 Dive into the Ultimate Megadeth Album Showdown on Signals From Mars! 🎧🌌

🌟 Join our vibrant Patrons community as we debate the greatest albums from thrash metal titans, Megadeth. Our unique ranking system lets Patrons champion their top 10 Megadeth albums, assigning points from 10 to 1. The album with the highest total takes the crown! 🏆

🤔 Wondering if your favorite Megadeth album made the cut — or if it deserved a higher spot? Join the conversation and see how it stacks up! 🎶

🔑 Want to vote and be part of future episodes? Become a Patron today! Discover the perks of joining our Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars

🔥 Stay connected with all things Signals From Mars: https://signalsfrommars.com

🌟 Big News! Signals From Mars is ranked #4 among must-listen-to hard rock podcasts of 2023! See the full list: https://blog.feedspot.com/hard_rock_podcasts/

📅 Catch us live every Friday at 5PM EST for metal talk, fan rankings, and more!

🎤 Don’t forget Trivia Tuesday on Twitch at 6 PM EST — test your knowledge and win bragging rights! Details: https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars

🔗 Follow & connect:

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#Megadeth #AlbumRanking #SignalsFromMars #ThrashMetal #HardRockPodcast #MusicTrivia #PatreonExclusive #JoinTheCommunity 🤘🔥

🚀 Xander Demos returns to Signals From Mars! 🎸

Back in 2013 he rocked the show — and now he’s back with even more to share:

🔥 XDB — his powerhouse band

🎶 New single: When The Love Is Gone

🎥 His gear & setup

🤘 Collaborations with other artists

⚡ Upcoming album: Gods Of Aliens

Join us live and be part of the chat! 👇

💥 Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars

🌐 Website: https://signalsfrommars.com

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars

📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars

🎮 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/

Don’t miss this killer episode! ⚡🔥

🎙️ #SignalsFromMars #XanderDemos #XDB #GodsOfAliens #HardRock #HeavyMetal #NewMusic #MetalHeads #RockCommunity

May 2025 Albums Review | Signals From Mars June 5th, 2025

🚀🎸 May 2025 New Music Roundup on Signals From Mars with Jeremy Weltman! 🌟

🎧 Jeremy Weltman returns to dive into the fresh beats of May 2025! If you’re a music enthusiast struggling to keep up with the latest tracks, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered on Signals From Mars. 🎶

🔍 We’re breaking down the hottest new releases of May 2025, ensuring you’re in the loop with the latest tunes. Perfect for those who want to stay ahead in the music scene and an essential guide for nailing those year-end polls! 🏆

We'll also be discussing:

Do we want new Tesla music (they say no album)?

Vandenberg plays Whitesnake, Schenker plays UFO, Dirkschneider plays Accept...is this a good thing?

🎤 Tune in and let us be your ultimate music insider, bringing the latest hits straight to your ears. Don’t miss out on the must-hear releases that are setting the tone for the year in music! 🤘

🔗 Connect with us and be part of the conversation:

Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars

Visit our Website: https://signalsfrommars.com

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars

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#NewMusic2025 #MayReleases #SignalsFromMars #MusicPodcast #StayUpdated #2025InHeavyMetal #2025inheavymetalmusic #AlbumsDiscussion #AlbumsReview #HardRock #HeavyMetal #LiveAlbums #Metal #Music #MusicDiscussion #NewAlbums #NewMusic #NewReleases #Opinion #Rock 🌠🎤

Solo Stream: Metal Legends, Setlist Controversies & What My Kids Are Listening To

Tonight marks my first solo show in quite a while, and I’ve got a packed lineup of topics that blend metal nostalgia, modern critiques, and some personal music reflections.

🔊 Here's what I'm diving into:

🎧 Guest Spot on SiriusXM: I was recently featured on The Ultimate Sinner on SiriusXM — I’ll share how that came about and what it meant to me.

🪓 Metallica Under Fire: Some fans are criticizing Metallica's revolving setlist strategy. I’ll look at the arguments and why variety might not please everyone.

🎸 Philly Show Breakdown: Let’s compare the two recent Metallica shows at Lincoln Financial Field — how different were they really, and did the variation justify the tour concept?

⚔️ Dave Mustaine’s Latest Claim: Mustaine’s back in the headlines saying he wrote all the songs that got Metallica started. I’ll break down the facts, the feud, and what it means in 2025.

👹 Iron Maiden’s ‘Run For Your Lives’ Setlist: They promised rare cuts — did they deliver? I’ll analyze what’s in, what’s missing, and whether fans should feel shortchanged.

🚢 Cruise To The Edge 2026: Progressive rock fans, get ready. I’ll talk about the first details and what bands I’d like to see on board.

👨‍👧‍👦 What My Kids Are Listening To: From pop to unexpected rock influences, I’ll share what’s on my kids’ playlists — and how it’s reshaping the way I think about music discovery today.

👥 Join the live chat and share your take — whether you're Team Mustaine, Team Lars, or just here for the prog cruise talk.

#SignalsFromMars #Metallica #IronMaiden #DaveMustaine #CruiseToTheEdge #SiriusXM #HeavyMetalPodcast #MetalNews #RockTalk

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