Some Metalheads Are Gonna Roll

Remission by Mastodon turned 20 years old this week and it is a sleeper hit in Mastodon's discography that I feel gets passed over quite a bit. Adam Schaefer, bassist in Indy's Inferno Sunn, is a Mastodon MEGA-FAN and he and I dish it out for a bit on the band's freshman full length. Looking back, what's your favorite song on this bad boy?

One of the first (and most important) death metal records ever written by one of the most important death metal bands ever. Scream Bloody Gore by Death turns 35 today and it could not possibly be aging any better. For many, this is the kickoff for death metal. You can argue what you like, but what is undebatable is that this record is an absolute monster and it's legacy is felt more than three decades later. What's your favorite track on this classic?

I'm honored to say that I'm joined today by Jason Netherton, bassist of Misery Index, to talk their new record Complete Control. This one is a banger, and even though they've been busy with their recent tour and all that comes with releasing a new album, he still took the time of day to chat with me. If you haven't heard this one yet, you're truly missing out. For those of you that aren't daft, what's your favorite banger on this one?

And no, we're not talking the legendary rematch between Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonardo. We're talking about D.C. death grinders No/Más and their newest release Consume/Deny/Repent and how it hard it fucks. Clocking in at just over 20 minutes, this album is a speedy, slammy mash up of guttural wails, chunky riffage, and lightning fast blast beats. Give this record a listen as soon as you get the chance. That punk kid hidden inside you is due for a nice face melting. What's your favorite track on this record?

The two biggest Testament fans on Earth, Max Barber (Lavaborne, Charonyx, Inferno Sunn) and myself, chatting about another record in the band's lineup! The Ritual turns 30 years old today. We wholeheartedly consider this a vastly underrated record with some sleeper tracks that you need to check out if you haven't done so. If you're familiar with it, what's your favorite off this album?

Artistic titan and Iron Maiden mega-fan Dusty Peterson joins me to look back on Fear of the Dark which just celebrated its 30th anniversary yesterday. This album is a sleeper hit for me and undoubtedly one of my favorites even in spite of initial critical reaction when the record was released in 1992. This one is aging like a fine wine and the outpouring of love I've seen for this record as it turns three decades old has reassured me that my choice in putting this in my Mount Rushmore of Iron Maiden records is a solid one. PSA: I absentmindedly skipped over "Weekend Warrior" while going through all the tracks and I HAVE MAJOR REGRETS FOR THAT. I love that song and I absolutely wanted the chance to talk about football hooliganism in the UK. Another time, perhaps. What's your favorite track on this timeless album?

Rochester, New York's Undeath is absolutely taking the death metal world by storm right now with their second album It's Time . . . To Rise From the Grave, and with good reason. This unrelenting onslaught of old school death metal is sure to hit the spot for any fan of OG death metal that's looking to have their face mashed and their bones grinded to dust. Tommy Wall, the bass player in Undeath, joins me to talk his approach to adding his unique flare to the band on his first record with the group and how this ascent to death metal stardom their on has changed everything for them. 

Sam Hepfer and Adam Schaefer of Indy's Inferno Sunn join me to chat about their inaugural record, Injustice Plagues American Lives, released in January of this year. The Indianapolis metal scene is seething with talented metal acts across the spectrum of styles and sounds. I've already featured a couple bands from the area and this is another welcomed addition to the show. There's a little something for everyone in this band's sound. Thrash, a little groove, some down-tuned Townsend-esque stuff: what's not to love? Give their music a listen and let me know what your favorite moment on the record is. It's hard for me to choose just one.

No one's a Testament slut quite as much as us. That's for damn sure. Their debut album The Legacy turns 35 years old TODAY. It's a record that changed the game for a lot of people. Max Barber is one of them and that's why I've got him here on the show with me today! If you haven't listened to this classic before, I must ask, what are you doing with your life? And if you haven't spun it in a while, I suggest you do so now.

Essential Teutonic thrash metal band Destruction just released their 16th studio album Diabolical a week ago, and it rips. Even though they been a band for over 40 years, their sound is just as diabolical (LOL) as it's ever been and they haven't slowed down at all for this sonic offering. Schmier sounds great and Randy Black is an absolute savage on the skins. What's your favorite track off the new record?