Heavy Metal Philosophy

In episode 292 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas recounts with words and pictures one of the best concerts of his life. Live in Atlanta at the Masquerade, Igorrr brought down the house alongside Secret Chiefs 3 and Violent Magic Orchestra. As a concert photographer, I go to A LOT of shows. This one was special. Let me show you why. Get 10% off Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYM...

In episode 291 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas reflects on the passing of Cronos from Venom. Now with Lemmy, Ozzy, and Cronos gone, heavy metal is entering a new era without its pioneers and legends. What does it mean for the art form as it joins other cultural forces like sport and film as "mature" entities with long legacies? Let me know what you think in the comments! Get 10% off Hear's E...

In episode 290 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas shows the concert photography of the latest Castle Rat concert. One thing about this show was horrendously bad for the audience, but so much more was inventive and brilliant. Jon will tell all about it with the photos to illustrate Castle Rat live in Atlanta! Castle Rat Tour Info; https://castlerat.com/pages/tour Get 10% off Hear's Earplugs here...

In episode 289 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas breaks down the differences and similarities between blue-collar and white-collar metalheads. Metal fans have a lot in common, but different work environments create different cultures. Let's have some good-natured fun with the comparisons, let me know what you think! Get 10% off Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSOPHY H...

In episode 288 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Krimh from Septicflesh about the intricacies and logistics of playing a huge symphonic death metal band. From getting visas and clearance to play in historical sites, to how to play with an orchestra without a click track. Septicflesh are about to embark on the Wrath Across America tour with Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Crypta...

In episode 287 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas sits down with Igor "Amadeus" Cavalera and asks what Nailbomb means and why now is the perfect time for this legendary project to return. This is a tale of metal, family, and hardcore punk; join us!  Nailbomb Info: https://www.instagram.com/nailbomb_band_official/ Igor Socials: https://www.instagram.com/fullmoonwizard Get Heavy Metal Philosophy...

In episode 286 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas does lyrical analysis of Green Carnation's "A Dark Poem" trilogy. This isn't just navel-gazing on my part, though; Stein Roger Sordal and Kjetil Nordhus from the band joined to expand on and/or correct my interpretations. We talk dark philosophy, loss, forgiveness, and dystopia. Join us! Green Carnation Links; https://shop.season-of-mist.com/col...

In episode 285 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas analyzes what it means for rock and heavy metal that MTV has officially removed the Best Rock and Metal categories from the VMAs for the first time in 37 years. See why this decision matters for the future of rock music. We examine why excluding rock and metal is a significant cultural moment for music fans.  Get 10% off Hear's Earplugs here: ht...

In episode 284 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas warns metal concertgoers about 2 issues they might encounter on Down's current North American tour with Spirit In The Room and Helmet. Jon photographed the opening night at Atlanta's The Eastern and encountered 2 significant issues on an otherwise amazing night of rock and metal. HMP highly recommends seeing these bands live, but be prepared.  G...

In episode 283 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas analyzes why metal media, and media more broadly, are contracting. Do we even still need print journalists now that we have content creators, influencers, and short-form content? Recently, a lot of metal magazines like Metal Injection, Metal Sucks, Brooklyn Vegan, and more experienced massive layoffs. Are these media layoffs the end of music jou...

In episode 282 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas explains how AI is ruining computers using a tape measure as an analogy. Personal Computers are one of the most important pieces of technology ever invented, and AI is ruining the very thing that makes them so useful. What does a tape measure, a map of Africa, and the Matrix have to do with AI and computers? Join the conversation! Get 10% off He...

In episode 281 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas analyzes the retirement of several legendary metal bands to see why they all keep coming back. From Ozzy, Slayer, Megadeth, Ministry, Mötley Crüe, and Sepultura they always come back. But what are the factors? Let's discuss it! Get 10% off Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSOPHY Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch! https://...

In episode 280 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Keith Kahn-Harris about his book, The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osbourne - How Metal Teaches Us to Live. Ozzy wasn't just a rock and metal icon. His life, struggles, failures, triumphs, and unbelievably poetic final show have a lot to teach us about our own lives. This one isn't just nostalgic and mournful, there's a lot of philosophy t...

In episode 279 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas sits down with Gus Rios of Gruesome, Left To Die, and Cold Slither fame to talk about how Hasbro hired him to remake the 1986 Transformers Movie Soundtrack for the film's 40th Anniversary. Gus was joined by Matt Harvey and Ross Sewage from Exhumed on the project along with some of the master minds of the original soundtrack like Stan Bush and Vi...

In episode 278 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas tells four short stories that reveal the current state of our society. As if influencer culture wasn't bad enough, now we have AI producing even worse versions of it. These stories will illustrate the reality of our current situation, but don't worry, I have good news: a white pill, if you prefer... AND a killer new extreme metal band to showcas...

In episode 277 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas analyzes criticisms of Yungblud coming from rock stars like Justin Hawkins of the Darkness, Machine Gun Kelly, and Ronnie Radke. Is Yungblud a poser? Disloyal? A rich kid? Does it even matter when he makes pop rock? Let me know what you think! Get 10% of Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSOPHY Get Heavy Metal Philosophy...

In episode 276 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas recounts the tale of going to one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Atlanta to see a modern metal show. Jon went to the Buckhead Theatre to photograph Jinjer, Entheos, and Crystal Lake, but the boujee venue made him feel like a fish out of water! Stay awhile and listen. Get 10% of Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSO...

In episode 275 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas sits down  with one half of Fires In The Distance to discuss the philosophy and choices behind their latest album, Circadian Promise. From existential philosophy to the challenges of having a new singer, join us! Fires In The Distance Links; https://firesinthedistance.bandcamp.com/album/circadian-promise https://www.facebook.com/firesinthedistan...

In episode 274 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas attempted to have a 10 minute interview with Ben Hutcherson of Khemmis about their upcoming self-titled album. Ben and Jon then went on an hour long existential and nihilistic spiral... and they did it with smiles on their faces. Do you like cosmic horror and heavy metal? You're in the right place, join us! Khemmis links; https://khemmis.bandcam...

Recently The Metal Meltdown YouTube channel aired a video criticizing the Osbourne family for investing in an Ozzy Osbourne Ai that will supposedly act like Ozzy and interact with fans. The Metal Meltdown took particular issue with the part of the article that made claims about the ability of the Ai to be placed in ads. Shockingly, Jack Osbourne himself commented on the video and a debate ensued....

In episode 272 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas sits down with Mark Menghi (from Metal Allegiance) and Brann Dailor (from Mastadon) to chat about King Ultramega, the all-star collective paying tribute to Chris Cornell. This super group ranges from players like Kim Thayil, Alissa White-Gluz, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, Bill Kelliher, Angel Vivaldi, William Duval, and many others including t...

In episode 271 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is recounting what happened at the Godless IV tour featuring Behemoth, Deicide, Rotting Christ, and Immolation. During Behemoth's set, a prediction that Jon made last year reviewing their latest album was proven true. Follow along to find out more! Get 10% of Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSOPHY Get Heavy Metal Philos...

In episode 270 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is breaking down "Blue Dot Fever" and why it's plaguing pop stars like Meghan Trainor and Post Malone, but not death metal and black metal bands. We go over the numbers, the culture, and what it all means. Let us know what you think in the comments! Get 10% of Hear's Earplugs here: https://www.hears.com/HEAVYMETALPHILOSOPHY Get Heavy Metal Philo...

In episode 269 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is celebrating the five year anniversary of Heavy Metal Philosophy! You all asked me a bunch of really insightful but also unhinged questions. That's what I love about this community, we can plumb the depths of our minds or the toilet humor. Either way it's always fun here. Thank you! The rock band I mentioned was  Ayron Jones Links to books in...

In episode 268 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Nate Garrett of Spirit Adrift and Neon Nightmare. They talk about the band's final album, how metal The Book of Revelation Is, the corruption in underground metal, and what's next for Nate now that Spirit Adrift is ending. Spirit Adrift and Nate Garrett links; spiritadrift.com https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-illuminatio...