CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC ALERT BEEP BLOOP BEEP. Justin and Alex discuss Demilich's discography and Maximum the Hormone's "Yoshuu Fukushuu" from the previous week's assigned listening, before answering a listener's question regarding genre differences. The episode's main topic focuses on the validity of the oft-maligned nu-metal explosion of the early 2000s and if there was any positive influence from one of the darkest sagas of metal history.

Justin and Alex discuss Trivium's "Shogun" and Gotsu-Totsu-Kotsu's "Mouryou" as the previous week's assigned listening, before embarking on the rather broad topic of death metal as a whole. Join the duo as they explore the history of the genre and some of the most notable bands in the industry, along with a curious career trajectory that seems all too common within the genre.

Author's Note: Justin was sick as hell during this recording, so he's a bit nasally here. Additionally, Justin makes a huge deal about how difficult the MTH album was to find, but he noticed it was actually on Spotify about 2 hours later and now he feels incredibly stupid. The Demilich compilation is also on Spotify, and they will probably end up discussing the whole thing, so get on it.

The metalheads continue the odyssey of dissecting every big 4 album from 1983-1990. Allegiances are questioned, Metallica is made fun of. Par for the course, really.

The metalheads continue the odyssey of dissecting every big 4 album from 1983-1990. Allegiances are questioned, Metallica is made fun of. Par for the course, really.

Justin and Alex discuss Inter Arma's "Paradise Gallows" and Watchtower's "Control and Resistance" before embarking on easily the most focused discussionin the history of the podcast. The goal? Dissection of each of the Big 4 of Thrash Metal albums in release order up to 1990's Seasons in the Abyss. Opinions are had, some shocking, and thrash metal month will never be the same.

Justin and Alex discuss Inter Arma's "Paradise Gallows" and Watchtower's "Control and Resistance" before embarking on easily the most focused discussionin the history of the podcast. The goal? Dissection of each of the Big 4 of Thrash Metal albums in release order up to 1990's Seasons in the Abyss. Opinions are had, some shocking, and thrash metal month will never be the same.

Justin and Alex discuss the previous week's assigned listening, diving further into thrash month by exploring the so-called "Big 4" of German thrash, the "Next 4" of American thrash, and then decide that this Big 4 crap is ridiculous. Concert stories abound, too.

The metalheads ring in the new year and thrash metal month with two ripping albums. The discussion turns to the duo's history with one of the more popular subgenres, including stories from way back before the dawn of time when they were first discovering the magic of metal.

Justin and Alex talk about holiday acquisitions, life outside of podcasting, and the previous week's assigned listening. After a brief wrap-up of power metal month, the discussion turns to year-end lists and the struggle of composing a list of really good albums or slightly above mediocre ones.

Justin and Alex talk about the previous week's assigned listening before embarking on a Nevermore reminiscence to pay tribute to the almighty Warrel Dane (RIP). Ancient history is raised from the dead, such as a circa 2010 list of the 20 best Nevermore songs. Finally, the discussion evolves to talk about minute genre differences between European and American power metal.