This week on The Metal Maniacs Podcast (Ep 157), host Jay Ingersoll sits down with three‑fourths of heavy post‑hardcore breakout Dog Skull — Brad Jahr (bass), Jackson Filion (guitar), and Chance Reyes (drums) — to talk about life on the road, the grind of DIY touring, and carving a modern sound rooted in underground grit. With Jack (vocals) away this round, the band opens up about everything from their East Coast Tour (4/1 – 4/10) to the writing sessions behind one of Michigan’s freshest heavy releases.

Dog Skull has been turning heads across the Midwest with their fusion of raw emotion, groove‑driven riffs, and punk energy — a sound fans of Helmet, Bad Religion, and Trapped Under Ice will instantly connect with. Recorded and produced with the care of veterans who know “clean doesn’t mean soft,” their self‑titled LP (released July 17, 2025) cements them as a serious force in the heavy underground movement.

We dig deep into the band’s inception and influences, how each member contributes to the crisp production and tight live chemistry, and what keeps them motivated to chase authenticity in a saturated heavy scene. Expect laughs, road stories, and insight into how these guys balance brutal honesty and unshakable fun in their songwriting.

💿 Dog Skull (Self‑Titled, 2025) – Highlights Discussed

1. The Old Man The Boat – Catchy opener with thunderous bass and syncopated drum drive.

2. Pressure – Raw punk energy and tasteful vox placement discussion.

3. Face of God – Hooks for days + the “friends support builds momentum” chat.

4. Animal Race – High‑energy intro to groove transition breakdown.

5. So Perfect – Nu‑metal adjacent rhythms & creative guitar textures.

6. Tied To – Bass stops and bridge breakdown highlight (must‑listen).

7. Excuse for an End – Heavier take with descending riffs and samples.

8. No Friend of Mine – Disco‑beat meets Static X vibes; non‑stop vocals.

9. None, the Wiser – Grunge‑inspired bends and rock drive closer.

🗣️ Interview Segments

- Band origin story & West Michigan roots

- Creative process and riff building

- Songwriting dynamics and production style

- Post‑tour decompression and future plans

- Favorite shows and road moments

- Top heavy records that shaped each member

- Life outside band  🎸☠️

⚙️ SEO Tags / Keywords

Dog Skull Podcast, Dog Skull Interview, West Michigan Post Hardcore Band, Michigan Metal Scene, Underground Hardcore 2026, Metal Maniacs Podcast, Heavy Bands 2026, Post Hardcore 2026, Dog Skull Tour, Midwest Heavy Music, Musicians Interview Podcast, Metal Podcast Dog Skull, New Hardcore 2026, Heavy Post‑Hardcore Band Interview

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About The Show:

The Metal Maniacs Podcast is the Midwest’s underground source for all things heavy — from black, death and hardcore to punk and post‑metal. Hosted by Jay Ingersoll, we sit down with bands, creators, and scene lifers who keep heavy music alive. Every episode dives into the craft behind the chaos — recording stories, gear nerd talk, funny tour moments, and honest discussion about art and life in the underground.

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Sponsers-[https://www.starkrealestatemi.com/](https://www.starkrealestatemi.com/)Get Episodes Early- https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheMetalManiacsPodcastWelcome back to Metal Maniacs, hosted by Jay Ingersoll and Modd. This is Reaction Series #27, where we dig into underground submissions and new releases across the heavy spectrum—Stockholm hardcore/powerviolence filth, modern hard rock/metal, tech-heavy metal drops, post-metal darkness, and forward-thinking prog metal.

If you’re here for new metal bands, underground heavy music, and honest first-time reactions, you’re in the right place. Drop a comment with the band that hit you the hardest and what we should react to next.

Circle of Nerves (Stockholm “filth” / hardcore / powerviolence / nu-metal / HM-2):
Music video: https://youtu.be/oj8Me4vwLvQ

Cognition (Springfield, MO hard rock/metal w/ female vocals — “The Game”):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cognition417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BtueEhpqV/

The Omen Machine (new singles):
“The Wet Bandits” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/track/2v1ox2Oa61CySWLRtKyxNq
Lyric video: https://youtu.be/IbxDUEEofVA
“Delay, Deny, Defend” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/track/2yjA0JRid7VSwC3jzVQXgj
Music video: https://youtu.be/-08zcHZzSos

Piss On Christ (links):
https://linktr.ee/pissonchrist

Scorched Mind (NEPA heavy noise):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scorchedmindband/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@scorchedmindband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scorchedmindband/

Unverkalt (post-metal w/ blackened edge — “Oath Ov Prometheus”):
Video: https://youtu.be/sXOgDZGmu58
Pre-order / pre-save: https://orcd.co/unverkalthereditaire
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/55vU7DZVwI4ks0NpfKDAvK/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@unverkaltofficial/

Only Human (existential prog metal — “Automata”):
Video: https://youtu.be/Pn-DFYukecM
Pre-order / pre-save: https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11Cl9Vdw4xGPUMtcurjgg1
Website: https://onlyhuman.band/

Paradigm Shifter (album demo):
https://www.notion.so/2f57f4fbd4ca80e68136f8005bcf3558?pvs=21

Subscribe/follow Metal Maniacs for more metal reactions, underground discoveries, and interviews.

Episode 155 of the Metal Maniacs Podcast features the return of Detroit progressive metal powerhouse ANNEX VOID. Host Jay Ingersoll reconnects with the band after their last appearance on Episode 84 (Feb 2025), diving into everything that’s changed—from lineup shifts to a sharper, more focused sound.

We kick things off by listening to and breaking down their brand new single “Static Ghost”, out everywhere now. The track showcases Annex Void’s signature blend of intricate grooves, harmonic depth, and raw intensity, pushing their sound further into modern progressive metal territory.

Hailing from Detroit, MI, ANNEX VOID continues to build momentum after their debut EP Will I Dream (April 5, 2024)—a release that made serious waves with production handled by Jonathan Worgan (Poltergeist) and drum tracking by Eric Sills at Stone Soup Studios. Since then, they’ve shared stages as direct support for Leprous, Greylotus, Conquer Divide, Sarah Longfield, ENMY, and more.

We talk about the current lineup:

Gabby – Vocals

Sam – Bass

Rob – Guitar

Stu – Drums

…and what’s evolved since the last episode, including lineup changes and the departure of former members. (With a cameo appearance from Robby of Ghosts In Motion in the room.)

This episode dives deep into:

The creative process behind “Static Ghost”

Writing and recording their upcoming full-length album

Songs that didn’t make the cut—and why

How their songwriting approach has changed (and what they’ve unlearned)

When it’s “too soon” to start writing again

Gear talk including live setup and using the X32

Recent shows (including Mac’s) and building momentum

Upheaval Fest appearance and future plans

What a true “level up” year looks like for Annex Void

Local bands people are sleeping on

What they want new listeners in 2026 to feel when hearing them

Annex Void continues to carve out a unique lane in the progressive metal scene—balancing technicality with emotion, groove with atmosphere, and precision with chaos. If you’re into forward-thinking heavy music, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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🔥 Follow ANNEX VOID:

https://linktr.ee/annexvoid

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#AnnexVoid #StaticGhost #ProgressiveMetal #MetalPodcast #MetalManiacs #DetroitMetal #UpheavalFest #ProgMetal #NewMetal #UndergroundMetal

In Episode 154 of the Metal Maniacs Podcast, host Jay Ingersoll sits down with Michigan metal veterans Withhold The Blood to break down over 16 years of grinding through the underground scene. From their early inception around 2010 to their latest 2026 single Nation of Fallacy, this episode dives deep into evolution, persistence, and crushing riffs.

We talk about the current lineup featuring Jesse (vocals), Eli (drums), and Brandon (guitar), and how the band has stayed alive through lineup changes, limited online presence, and years between releases. Despite the chaos, the passion for heavy music never left.

We revisit their early work including the 2014 EP Detached From Reality, featuring long-form songwriting, massive riffs, and vocal highs reminiscent of Randy Blythe. Tracks like “The Chosen” and “Eye For Misery” showcase their early blend of groove, melody, and raw aggression.

Then we dig into 2018’s Aberration, where the band leveled up—introducing heavier tones, tighter production, double bass intensity, and stronger deathcore influences. Songs like “Impulse to Kill,” “Broken Dreams,” and “Empty Confessions” highlight their growth in songwriting, rhythm, and technicality.

Their newest release, “Nation of Fallacy” (2026), pushes even further—leaning harder into deathcore with relentless vocals, sharp melodic experimentation, and standout guitar work. This track feels like a natural evolution of Aberration while carving a heavier, more refined identity.

We also cover:

The band’s origin and what kept them going for over a decade

Lineup changes including past drummers like Levi Smith, Gary Swaggerty, and Mike Miller

Their writing process, riff development, and solo decisions

Production approach, tone, gear, and tuning choices

Live shows, touring history (including 2019 runs), and recent gigs with Vestigial

Practice routines and collaboration dynamics

Life outside music, gaming, and influences they’re listening to now

What’s next for Withhold The Blood

This is a must-listen for fans of metalcore, deathcore, groove metal, and underground heavy music culture.

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🔥 Follow Withhold The Blood:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39bn5UNKbA5W1egRdqBjSg?si=m_7PjAxpQFqtj7ccLv6WFQ

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Episode 153 of Metal Maniacs hosted by Jay Ingersoll brings in the chaos with Ghosts In Motion—Robby (vocals), Camm (vocals), Devon (guitar), and Preston (guitar). A 7-piece force out of Flint, Michigan, blending metalcore, rap metal, and nu-metal into something aggressive, raw, and real.

We break down what makes this band stand out immediately—vocal variety, insane tones, newer-style riffing, and rock-solid drumming. There’s been talk of “trap metal,” but we call it how it is—this is heavy-first music with just a touch of hip-hop influence, not the other way around.

FFO: Periphery, Slipknot, Motionless In White, Nu Metal

We dive into the band’s origins, the meaning behind the name, and how a 7-member lineup actually works in a live and writing setting. The conversation hits on their evolving sound, why “2-4-6 is the sweet spot”, and how they balance chaos with precision.

We also go deep on their discography and growth:

Early energy on NGIS (2019) with rap-metal elements and raw aggression

The shift in production and djent influence on The End of Indifference (2021)

Slipknot-style groove and breakdown mastery on A Spot of Brother

Breakthrough momentum with Unity / Peace (2022) — huge hooks, clean production, standout songwriting

Experimental vibes on Dead Beat and Luna Rose

Increasing heaviness on Dysfunction (2024)

Maturity and vocal evolution on Emotional Damage (2025)

Latest single Quicksand (Feb 19, 2026) — a defining track bringing everything together

We also talk:

Writing process and how riffs, patterns, and hooks come together

When and why solos make the cut

Guitar tones, tunings, and live setup

Production growth over time

Touring, best/worst shows, and what’s coming next

The upcoming EP dropping later this year

Coming out of Flint with grit and intensity, Ghosts In Motion are building serious momentum—sharing stages with bands like Attila, Chelsea Grin, Born of Osiris, and Traitors—and pushing their sound forward without limits.

If you’re into modern heavy music that blends groove, emotion, and chaos—this episode is a must.

Follow Ghosts in Motion-https://www.facebook.com/ghostsinmotion20

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In This Patreon-exclusive episode of

The Metal Maniacs hosted by Jay Ingersoll dives deep into the heaviest releases from March and April 2026. We break down underground gems, major releases, brutal death metal, technical death metal, metalcore, and black metal while giving honest, no-BS reactions for real metal fans.

This is our monthly Patreon-only series where supporters get exclusive episodes, can join the conversation, and recommend albums for future reviews.

In this episode we cover:

Egregore – It Echoes In The Wild

Poison The Well – Peace In Place

The Good Depression – Where Grace Won’t Grow

Gore Machine – Congealed And Foaming

Protrusion – The Last Suppuration

Only Human – Planned Obsolescence

Party Cannon – Subjected To A Partying

Rivers Ablaze – In External Dread

Corrosion Of Conformity – Good God / Baad Man

Nervosa – Slave Machine

Bloody Valkyria – Requiem: Reveries Of The Dying

Winterfylleth – The Unyielding Season

Multiwomb – Anatomy Of Gorelus

Obscure Fate – Shades Of A Dying World

Mutilation BBQ – Flesh Regenerated

Bilmuri – Kinda Hard

Rats Will Feast – An Evocation

Archspire – Too Fast To Die

Immolation – Descent

Inferi – Heaven Wept

Bodysnatcher – Hell Is Here, Hell Is Home

gif from god – Dissimulation

The Last Ten Seconds Of Life – The Dead Ones

Pissrot – Absolute Form

Reeking Aura – On The Promise Of The Moon

Ethereal Darkness – Echos

Malum – From The Voids

At The Gates – The Ghost Of A Future Dead

Resistor – Bite This!

Obey The Kraken – Apocrypha EP

Terror – Still Suffer

Sepultura – The Cloud Of Unknowing

Sectarian Defacement – Hostile Consuming Rapture

Worship The Sacrifice – Veil Of Revelations

From filthy underground death metal to polished modern metalcore and everything in between—this is one of the most stacked months of 2026 so far.

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If you’re into **death metal, black metal, metalcore, hardcore, and extreme music reviews**, this is your monthly fix.

#MetalPodcast #DeathMetal2026 #Metalcore #BlackMetal #AlbumReview #Archspire #Immolation #Nervosa #MetalManiacs

Episode 151 of Metal Maniacs hosted by Jay Ingersoll and Modd welcomes back a longtime homie and 3-time returning guest—Erikk Stroude.

A producer, guitarist, and relentless drummer deeply rooted in extreme metal, Erikk lives and breathes the underground.

We tap into his journey since Episode 79 (Jan 7, 2025) and go even further back to Episode 26 with The Black Temple. A full year later, we break down everything happening now—and what’s taking priority across his growing list of projects.

With Morbosidad returning from a Mexico and Colombia tour . Erikk talks about the grind, preparation, and what it means to reach this level after years of dedication. From international shows to upcoming US dates, a new split record, and the early writing stages of a new Morbosidad full-length, there’s no slowing down.

We also dive deep into:

The evolution of The Black Temple and the long-awaited full-length album

Belial Infernum, Mercenario, and Underground Onslaught

His one-man project Apocalypse Devastator 666 (dropping March 1, 2026 via Blasphemous Spawn Records)

Writing, recording, gear, and production approaches on THe Black Temple Album

Tracks like Altar of Rotting Flesh, Black Wings of Grace, and Eradication Ritual

Touring experiences and what’s next.

This is a raw, no-BS conversation about commitment to extreme metal, underground culture, and pushing forward no matter what.

Watch/Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDM_7z-GKQ8

More on Morbosidad: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Morbosidad/4297

Blasphemous Spawn Records: http://www.blasphemousspawnrecords.bandcamp.com/

Apocalypse Devastator 666: https://www.facebook.com/ApocalypseDevastator666

Subscribe, like, and follow Metal Maniacs for more interviews, reactions, and deep dives into extreme metal.

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Episode 150 of the Metal Maniacs Podcast is here, and we’re going heavy. Hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd sit down with Drew Slavik of See You Next Tuesday along with CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP (CHOP7TIMES) to break down their brutal collaborative release, “Brothers.”

We dive deep into the creative process behind the EP, how this unique collaboration came together, and what it means to fuse grindcore chaos with noisegrind intensity. Drew gives insight into producing, engineering, and mixing the record, while Chop brings perspective from the raw, one-man noisegrind side of things.

The Brothers EP draws inspiration from The Brothers’ War (Magic: The Gathering lore), telling a split narrative: – Side A (See You Next Tuesday) from Urza’s perspective

– Side B (CHOP7TIMES) from Mishra’s perspective

We talk themes of conflict, creation, destruction, and how those ideas translate into some of the most aggressive music in the underground right now.

About the bands: See You Next Tuesday (Michigan grindcore veterans) return stronger than ever after reforming in 2022, continuing to push boundaries beyond their Ferret Music roots.

CHOP7TIMES (New Haven, CT) brings relentless noise, digital brutality, and pure sonic violence that’s been tearing through the East Coast scene since 2019.

EP Details: – Physical Release: April 20, 2026

– Digital Release: May 15, 2026

– Label: Sundown Records

– Produced/Mixed: Drew Slavik

– Mastered: Jeff McKinnon (Controlled Sound Studios)

Tracklist Highlights: Blossom of Light

Old Thoughts, and Regrets

Thicker Than Blood

Dreams of Glistening Oil

The Butcher

Upcoming Shows (See You Next Tuesday):

June 20 – Toledo Death Fest (OH)

June 28 – Metal Pride Fest (WI)

August 28 – Midwest Death Fest (IN)

If you’re into extreme metal, underground grindcore, noise experimentation, and real conversations with artists pushing the genre forward, this episode is for you.

Follow & Support: See You Next Tuesday: https://instagram.com/cunexttuesdaygrind

CHOP7TIMES: https://linktr.ee/chop7times

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Subscribe for more interviews, reactions, and underground metal content.

Leaving the scene in a better place than when we found it.

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Welcome back to Metal Maniacs, hosted by Jay Ingersoll and Modd. In the 26th installment of our Reaction Series, we dive into a stacked batch of underground heavy music—alt metal, melodic metalcore, modern metalcore, groove metal, hard rock/metal, sludge/doom, and more.

This episode features reactions to:

Absent Light Arena — a two-piece project working between Australia & Sweden, blending atmospheric alt metal and melodic metalcore with cinematic electronics (debut album Fear, Doubt and Disbelief).

Recurrence — heavy Michigan-adjacent heat with the album Art of Survival featuring guest talent including Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork), Peter Wichers (ex-Soilwork), and Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry).

Elijah Kinney — Detroit-area bassist/solo artist bringing sharp modern heavy songwriting and production (including “S.O.S” and the upcoming EP War of Submission).

Mortal Draw — brand new band from Northwest Indiana dropping their first release.

Terror Garden — Long Island hard rock/metal with “Supermodel Virus” and a new EP on the horizon.

Devilz By Definition — groove metal for fans of Lamb of God, Pantera, Machine Head, including the intense “Angel Warfare.”

Sod The Earth — Grand Rapids “dadcore” sludge/doom with Enter The Den (yes, it’s as unhinged as it sounds).

Xemaulc’tha — dark, story-driven heavy metal with “She Walks at Night” (feat. Rikk Hernandez).

If you’re into discovering new metal bands, underground metalcore, and heavy music that doesn’t sound like everyone else—this one’s for you.

Like, subscribe/follow, and drop a comment telling us which band you want us to feature next.

Band Links

Absent Light Arena: Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Linktree

Recurrence: Art of Survival (Spotify) | “Remember Who the Enemy Is” (YouTube) | About | Website | YouTube | Linktree

Elijah Kinney: Website | YouTube | “S.O.S” Lyric Video

Mortal Draw: Linktree | YouTube

Terror Garden: “Supermodel Virus” (Official Video) | Linktree

Devilz By Definition: Website | YouTube | Spotify

Sod The Earth: Instagram | Enter The Den (Spotify) | “The 10th Frame” (Spotify)

Xemaulc’tha: “She Walks at Night” (YouTube) | Spotify | Apple Music

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