Ben and Markisan count down their Top 30 Metal Albums released between January and June! In this 1st part of an epic two-part discussion, they share their thoughts on how 2026 is shaping up so far, then rank their favorite records, from number 30 to number 11.

Ben, Jeff and Markisan celebrate one of their all-time favorite bands - Neurosis!* They discuss how the music of Neurosis came into their lives and what it has meant to them over the years. They also talk about the recent reformation of the band with former Isis vocalist/guitarist Aaron Turner and how the new record has impacted the metal universe. Then, they dig deep into the extraordinary Neurosis discography, ranking all 12 LPs (with nods to the Sovereign EP and Jarboe collab) and analyzing the riffs, experimentations, emotion, energy and influence of each album. Welcome to Neurosisology, where all structures collapse, mysteries unfold.*Also check out our awesome long-form dialogue from June 22, 2023 with Neurosis's Steve Von Till!THANK YOU to Evoken for allowing us to use a section from their song, The Last of Vitality, as our opening theme song!

This episode we welcome Lindsay, host and creator of The Heavy Metal Journal on YouTube and writer for The Moshville Times! Lindsay talks with Ben and Markisan about how she discovered metal through VH1 music videos in Scotland, what made her fall in love with history and mythology, why The Undertaker was the person she wanted to be most when she grew up, and how her love for sharing cool shiny things turned into one of our favorite metal shows. We also count down the top 3 metal albums that can fire us up on a Monday morning and help us face the work week ahead!Check out The Heavy Metal Journal on YouTube and follow Lindsay's metal adventures on Instagram at @theheavymetaljournal.Check out Ben's 9 hour+ Exploding Alarm Clock Radio Playlist for a jamming and riff heavy hard rock rock and metal Monday morning wake up THANK YOU to Evoken for allowing us to use a section from their song, The Last of Vitality, as our opening theme song!

Ben and Markisan discuss three recently announced metal band reunions - Subrosa, Nevermore and Warning. They start off talking about the big Subrosa news, chat about how they got into the band, then each name their favorite Subrosa LP. Next, they dive into a discussion about the new Nevermore lineup, including how they feel about the chosen recruits, what they think of the revamped band's rehearsal documentary, why metal fans were divided when a revival was first proposed and what they anticipate from Nevermore going forward. The boys also discuss the highly anticipated return of Warning, who will be releasing a new album 20 years after their legendary Watching from a Distance LP devastated the metal world. Plus, Ben and Markisan count down their Top 3 Metal Albums of 2011, the year Nevermore disbanded.

Jeff and Ben had a blast interviewing Greg Martinis (Vocals) and Dave McJunkins (Bass) of the killer Cleveland-based progressive death-thrash metal band Atomic Witch. We begin with the guys discussing how they got into heavy music, playing in bands, and doing shows in the Cleveland hardcore and metal scenes. We share our mutual love for pro wrestling and its connections to metal--a theme that appears a few times during the interview. Next, we deep dive into the band's latest record, the absolutely pummeling and riff ripping "Death Etiquette"--Ben's #24 album of 2025--released on Redefining Records. We end by picking our top 3 bands with witch in their name. So sit back, listen on your favorite podcast platform, and enjoy a Season of the Witch Hazy IPA from True North Ale Company*Massive thank you to Vince Verkay and his legendary band ⁠Evoken⁠, who graciously allowed us to use a section from their song, ⁠The Last of Vitality⁠, from the classic album ⁠Antithesis of Light⁠, as our NEW opening theme song!

Ben and Markisan put their final stamp on 2025 with a retrospective episode that spotlights some of their favorite albums. They discuss the year in metal and why it was seriously underrated, then instead of just recapping their best of lists, they highlight some excellent albums that fell just outside their Top 25s. Ben and Markisan also discuss 3 albums they both had in their Top 10 lists and talk about 2 records from their Top 10s that they didn't share in common. They conclude the show by chatting about newer records that dropped at the end of December and early January, and name some albums they are most looking forward to in 2026.Massive thank you to Vince Verkay and his legendary band Evoken, who graciously allowed us to use a section from their song, The Last of Vitality, from the classic album Antithesis of Light, as our NEW opening theme song!

Tonight we bring you an episode featuring Daniel and Peter of the band KLPS.  Markisan and Ben discuss their early days in Sweden discovering metal music and playing in various bands like Hearts Alive before they formed the current band, just around the time Covid-19 halted the world. We learn about the band's process for writing records, their commitment to playing every show like it's their last, the story behind Daniel's infamous aftershave shot and how KLPS used the pandemic as motivation to find their phantom center. After the interview, we count down our Top 3 "Comfort in Collapse" Albums. These are important records that helped lift us up after something fell apart in our lives.We had an absolute blast chatting with Daniel and Peter of the band KLPS, and unearthing the history, friendship and heaviness behind KLPS and what went into making one of our favorite records in 2025.

On this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with JohnParadiso and Vince Verkay of the legendary funeral death doom band Evoken.  Celebrating over 33 years as one of theseminal bands in the genre, we had the opportunity to talk about the most recent release, Mendacium released last month on Profound Lore Records.    The interview took place on Halloween, so we begin with some stories about scaringtrick or treaters and the creative lengths Vince went to one year. We then move into concept of the new record.  I wasfortunate to get access to the promo and the limited-edition vinyl from the great Decibel magazine so I had the opportunity to spin the album a lot before talking to the guys.  My original plan was to deep dive into the lyrical themes on each track and the album, but Vince and John are very much in demand these days, so we only had about an hour totalk.   While the episode is considerably shorter than the two-part interview with Vince that Markisan and I completedearlier several months back. In some ways, this interview can be considered a companion to that one.  Specifically, wetalk about return to longtime producer and metal guitar god Ron Bumblefoot Thal.  Specifically, Ron was recentlyinterviewed on the wildly popular Rick Beato’s YouTube channel.  In a remarkable surprise, Ron mentions Mendaciumand a humorous dialogue ensues over the meaning of “doom metal.”   We then talk about the new video for the album’s second single “None,” it’s an incredible piece of cinematic art crafted by Obsidian Studios.  Major props the killer performances by friends Joe the tattoo artist and Chloe Rose, who did a terrific job playing the central characters in the album’s blasphemous tale of a dying Benedictine monk’s inner turmoil and crisis of faith. We also dig deeper into None’s music arrangement and the revelation of Vince Verkay’s phenomenal debut vocal performance.  We learn that it was lead vocalist guitarist and song writer John who convincedVince to go for it!  John and Vince also talk about their collaborative approach he uses to bring Vince’s lyrics tolife.  A little peak inside an musical process that began over 30 years ago!  I personally love Vice’s harsh blackened throat on Mendacium and hope we get to hear him on future Evoken albums.  We also talk about Bumblefoot’s multi-instrument appearance and arrangement wizardry on the mesmerizing and crushing instrumental Prime.  We then explore the ncomplex album opus Sext—a song where Bumblefoot’s mix brought it all together—including what would becomekeyboardist Don Zaros’s haunting intro—a move Don didn’t know about until after the album recording sessions were finished. All in all, this fun chat, especially for me becauseMendacium has been on near constant rotation on my turntable for more than 2 months now.  I was really glad to give the guys their flowers for over three decades of releasing consistently amazing music.  Evoken is one of my all time myfavorite metal bands, their dedication to a scene before there was a scene, and the guy’s devotion to their loyal fans.  Likeother more well-known underground death metal artists from the great New Jersey/New York scene of the early 90s—guys who I deeply admire like John McCantee from the legendary death metal titans Incantation-Vince and John are such down-to-earth guys and passionate artists. Even after 33 years this interview makes plain how devoted to their craft and grateful they remain.  I also recommend to anyone listening to pay the $30+ for the vinyl.  It’s an exceptional package with cover artwork done by the artist ⁠Worthless ⁠and Summer Lacy’s exceptional gatefold layout design. While I do stream metal, and don’t buy vinyl like I used to, this record is 100% wax worthy!  So sit back and enjoy a Black habit Dark Ale brewed by the Benedictine Brewery beer—you guessed it—a brewery owned and operated by Benedictine monks of the Mount Angel Abbey in Mount Angel, Oregon. Enjoy!

We celebrate All Hallows Eve and the Day of the Dead with a special episode featuring our Top 3 favorite metal songs about zombies! We also chat about our first experiences with the undead and discuss our Halloween plans. Plus, lots of love for the stouts from Burial Beer and Markisan recaps his time at the HalloWolfbat show in Asheville, North Carolina, which featured 12-foot tall bloodthirsty, interactive puppets. Happy Halloween!

“I have not, but there’s another genre we have to escape at some point, right?”, he responds after a laugh, referring to the band’s past efforts to distance themselves from the nu metal movement."-From the interview "We told Deftones singer Chino Moreno what ‘baddiecore’ is and this was his response" by Matt Mills ( Metal Hammer, Louder ) last updated 25 August 2025This episode is all Deftones. It features Markisan, Ben and the triumphant return of Jeff!! We begin by hopping into the time machine and discussing "Adrenaline." Deftones debut album that turns 30 this year! Markisan than leads the discussion with some history about the album and music in the early 90s. We share our reactions when we first heard the album and what we think about "Adrenaline" when we spin it today. This leads to a discussion of the nu metal tag in the 90s and how Deftones broke away from it. We then shift to the stunning new Deftones album “private music“! We reflect on the Deftones musical development and how has their sound grown from Adrenaline to private music and where it ranks in their fantastic catalog? We also consider Deftones surging popularity recently today! Other questions that animate this fun and free flowing discussion also include: From blowing up on tiktok to playing arenas, how did this resurgence happened and what does it say about the band’s generational draw? How do we think Deftones has impacted/influenced music and bands over the years? Is the Deftones discography our favorite of all time? Next we open the discussion up to metal adjacent bands we love more broadly--how the Deftones straddle the line between genres and what are some of our other favorite Alt Metal or Metal Adjacent albums released in the last few years. If you dig the Deftones, sit back and crack open a Deftones Phantom Bride IPA from Belching Beaver Brewing: "Named after the ethereal song by the one and only Deftones, Phantom Bride IPA is a blend of Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops delicately balanced for the perfectly drinkable mix of citrus and hoppy goodness. A truly original Deftones/ Belching Beaver collaboration envisioned by Chino Moreno and skillfully crafted by Thomas Peters. Sit back, put on your headphones and drink away. (ABV: 7.1%))."