The Riffhard Podcast

The Riffhard Podcast

By RiffhardMusicMusic Interviews
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The Riffhard Podcast episodes

  • Patrick Judge (Demon Hunter)
    Patrick Judge is a guitar player and songwriter known for work with The Showdown, and his current band Demon Hunter. 
    On this episode:
    Working with Aaron Sprinkle
    Patrick’s approach to writing for Demon Hunter
    The trick to not being precious about your songs
    Finishing songs once you start them
    Playing 3-4 hour shows in a country band
    How Eyal defeats writer’s block
    Writing a MASSIVE amount of songs for Demon Hunter
    Working with brilliant songwriters like Ryan Clark
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    53 min
  • Chris Rawson (Stick To Your Guns, Walls of Jericho)
    Chris Rawson is a guitar player, songwriter, and producer who is known for his work in Walls of Jericho and Stick to Your Guns.
    On this episode:
    How Chris got into recording
    The futility of trying to please people with your music
    The luck factor
    The importance of changing your stage clothes
    How Earth Crisis taught Walls Of Jericho the ropes on tour
    Tour etiquette 
    Recording yourself is the BEST way to improve as a musician
    What they don’t tell you about using Evertune guitars in the studio
    When demoitis is a good thing
    What it was like working with Zakk Cervini
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 2 min
  • Michael Wilton (Queensryche)
    Michael “Whip” Wilton is a guitar legend, songwriter, and co-founder of Queensryche.
    On this episode:
    Why Queensryche love working with Zuess
    What does Michael actually look for in a producer
    Old school recording vs. modern recording
    Keeping track of ideas via any means necessary 
    Should you have a backup plan?
    The benefits of being signed to a label
    Why Michael uses Pro Tools for his writing rig
    Get the most powerful computer possible!
    Writing “Operation: Mindcrime” on a Tascam 4 track
    The dangers of demo-itis
    Queensryche’s top priority
    Maintaining a successful band for over 30 years
    Should you go to music school?
    The power of intentionality
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    57 min
  • Trey Xavier (In Virtue, Gear Gods)
    Trey Xavier is the guitarist/frontman of In Virtue, a YouTuber, runs Gear Gods, and hosts the How Songs Are Made podcast.
    On this episode:
    Why Trey started the How Songs Are Made Podcast
    There are no consequences to making something that sucks
    Writer’s block is bullshit
    Using your favorite musicians as mentors
    If you really want to learn something, take notes! 
    You’re going to sound like what you practice the most
    How ear training and theory help with songwriting
    What sets Polyphia apart from other instrumental guitar music
    Virtuosos and songwriters need each other
    How Marty Friedman elevated Rust In Peace
    The genius behind Jeff Loomis’s legendary arpeggios in “The River Dragon Has Come” 
    James Hetfield’s right hand sorcery
    Players who miss the point with music theory
    Dumb excuses for not writing more music
    Why Eyal resurrected DAATH
    Complete Rock and Metal Songwriting + Smashing Writer’s Block: https://bit.ly/HSAMRH
    The 7-Day Riff-to-Song Challenge - Turn 1 Riff into 1 Song in 1 Week, FREE: https://bit.ly/RIFFTOHARD
    In Virtue: https://www.facebook.com/invirtue
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-89P4cCPS2es3UXH2Z2oXw
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geargodsnet/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treyxavier
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 21 min
  • Nik Nocturnal (Termina, NIK NXK)
    Nik Nocturnal is a musician, songwriter, Twitch Streamer, and YouTuber. He is the guitarist for Termina and NIK NXK. Finn McKenty is director of operations for URM and Riffhard, and the man behind the popular Punk Rock MBA YouTube, Twitch, and Podcast. 
    On this episode:
    You can’t predict what people will like
    Is there a difference between music and content?
    The most popular shredders are also the best writers
    What sets John Petrucci and Jason Richardson apart
    Creating online content that connects with people
    Starting with a riff when writing
    How Nik collaborates with Andy Cizek for Termina
    Metal is just a medium and aesthetic 
    Mapping Nik’s trajectory
    Why the DAATH self titled was a mistake
    Writing for the trash
    Not letting online hate get to you
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 1 min
  • Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne)
    Zakk Wylde is a legendary guitar virtuoso who has played with and for some of the best known acts in the business including a decades long stint with Ozzy Osbourne, his own band Black Label Society, and most recently announced as the touring guitar player for the upcoming Pantera reunion. Zakk recently partnered with Riffhard to release “Zakk Wylde Berzerker Guitar Camp,” the ULTIMATE Zakk Wylde guitar course.
    https://zakkwyldeguitarcamp.com
    On this episode:
    Playing other people’s solos with respect and honor
    Why you should know your scales
    Vibrato is the most uniquely identifiable trait for a guitarist
    The real reason that Ozzy picked Zakk
    Why Zakk decided to learn chicken pickin
    The incredible challenge of replicating someone’s tone
    How the No More Tears solo is structured
    How Zakk developed his unique sound on guitar
    Zakk’s writings process: writing on the guitar vs hearing it in his head first
    The devil is in the details when playing guitar. Every detail matters. 
    Why Zakk doesn’t sweep
    If you’re going to invest the time in learning something, make sure it’s something you love
    The one way that piano helped Zakk’s guitar playing
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 1 min
  • Tim Sult and Neil Fallon (Clutch)
    Tim Sult and Neil Fallon are guitarists in Clutch.
    On this episode:
    How Clutch have kept the same lineup for 30 years
    Being on a major label and going the indie route
    The percentage of people who buy cassettes that actually own a cassette player
    How Tim goes about relearning old solos
    How Neil approaches singing and playing at the same time
    Adapting songs to a live setting
    The intense memorization involved in having a 75 song rotation
    Working with Tom Dalgety in the studio
    How Clutch approaches pre pro
    Sponsored by: Neural DSP
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    44 min
  • Dave Davidson (Revocation)
    Dave Davidson is the guitarist in Revocation. 
    On this episode:
    Building up through the underground, one step at a time
    How to stay top of mind with fans
    Touring with Cannibal Corpse, Periphery, and Animals As Leaders
    How to make the most of a 30 minute support slot
    Writing bad riffs on purpose
    Playing the long game
    How to know when a riff is worth keeping
    Working with Jens Bogren
    When the demo version is actually better
    The difference between cool sloppy and sloppy sloppy
    The finer nuance in Slayer’s Angel Of Death breakdown
    Listen to Revocation on Spotify.
    Check out Dave's website.
    Sponsored by: Neural DSP
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 5 min
  • Arjun Gill (Wake)
    Arjun Gill is a guitarist in Wake.
    On this episode:
    Musical influences growing up
    Arjun’s battle with cancer
    What it was like playing heavy music in Saudi Arabia
    Being sent to boarding school in Canada
    Sponsored by: Neural DSP (use code RIFFHARD for 30% off on plug-ins)
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Follow John Browne on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    1 hr 8 min
  • Andy Wood
    Andy Wood is a guitarist, songwriter, and teacher who has supported acts such as Rascal Flatts, Scott Stapp, Gary Allan, and Sebastian Bach. He is also the founder of The Woodshed Guitar Experience. 
    On this episode:
    Getting great by playing with other musicians
    Why practicing in the bedroom isn't enough
    Overcoming your technical shortcomings
    Alternate picking vs legato
    Focusing on your musical obsession
    Andy’s Woodshed Guitar Experience
    Check out Andy Wood's website.
    Check out the Woodshed Guitar Experience.
    Follow Andy Wood on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
    Sponsored by: Neural DSP (use code RIFFHARD for 30% off any plug-ins)
    Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.
    When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
    A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
    Livestream Q&As and other events
    Our private community
    Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.
    Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
    Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    47 min

About The Riffhard Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Riffhard Podcast, Eyal Levi goes in depth with the best guitarists in metal. These are the conversations you always wished you could hear with your guitar heroes.