Mandatory Music

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week we dive into our second album battle between familiar foes Metallica an Megadeth. We had a blast burning this down so tune in and check it out! Track-by-Track Comparison: 72 Seasons vs. Tipping Point: Winner: Split decision. Rationale: Tipping Point is a punchier opener, but 72 Seasons was praised for its dynamic structure. Screaming Suicid...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week, Mike and Sebastian go down the rabbit hole. It starts with Megadeth tackling Metallica’s Ride the Lightning Live , but quickly spirals into a bigger conversation about aging metal bands, artists ditching their biggest hits, and why metal still gets misunderstood. Along the way, they connect metal to classical music, debate creative choices...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and Mike dive headfirst into the latest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. It’s a lively, no-holds-barred discussion as they break down every name on the list—celebrating the legends who were long overdue while also questioning a few picks that didn’t quite hit the mark. Who made the cut? Who sparked debate...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we stepped outside our comfort zone and discovered some new sounds that caught us completely off guard. Sebastian brought in Wet Leg and shared why their quirky, offbeat style has been hitting all the right notes lately. He also introduced the wildly unconventional Angine de Poitrine—a strange but oddly captivating list...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week we get down and dirty and review the new Black Label Society album Engines of Domination. We dig into everything the album has to offer and more!! We also talk a little GnR and their most recent set list. Review Black Label Society's new album and discuss recent music news. Key Takeaways BLS Album Review: Black Label Society's new...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Review Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck." Key Takeaways Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" is a definitive "one-hit wonder," with 33M Spotify listens—10x their next-most-popular song. Its success is due to a "less is more" groove metal style that influenced nu-metal (Korn, Sevendust...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text The State of Movies & The Oscars The 2026 Oscars sparked a debate on the quality of modern cinema. Best Picture Winner: One Battle After Another was criticized for lacking substance despite its length. Preferred Nominees: Begonia : Praised as original and bizarre, with strong performances by Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. F1 : Considered the most...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Sebastian and Mandatory Music discuss the 40th anniversary of Metallica's Master Puppets album, with Sebastian noting the album's significance and Mandatory Music agreeing it is the greatest metal album of all time. They compare it to other influential metal albums like Paranoid by Black Sabbath. Robbie Williams' Ozzy Osbourne tribute...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text I sincerely apologize with the coughing and rough voice, Mike New Music Discovery: P-Mad Artist: P-Mad (Paul Dillon), an independent artist from Ireland. Genre: Dark fusion of post-punk, darkwave, and industrial rock. Influences: Depeche Mode, The Cure, Joy Division. Sound: Haunting, chuggy pace distinct from heavier industrial acts like Nine Inch Na...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we talked all things Super Bowl! 🏈🎶 We shared our candid thoughts on the game, broke down the halftime performance, and debated where it ranks among the greatest halftime shows of all time. We also speculated on who could headline next year’s show—and of course, dove into the biggest moments from the game itself. Tune...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Next up, we dive into our Grammys review! 🎶🏆 In this episode, we break down everything about the awards show—the good, the bad, and the frustrating lack of rock and metal representation on the main stage. We also question one of the night’s biggest head-scratchers: how did the Best Metal category go to a band that isn’t even metal? 🤔 Join us for a...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and I dive headfirst into the brand-new Megadeth album! 🤘 We take you track by track through the high points, the mid moments, and of course… that Ride the Lightning cover , breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between. We’re blunt, honest, and completely candid as we share our real thoug...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Review Black Label Society's new single and discuss related music news. Key Takeaways "Name in Blood" is a 9/10 classic BLS track. Its monster riff, tasteful solos, and "chug-and-groove" pace make it the band's best single in a decade. A BLS show is set for March 17 at the Orpheum. The lineup includes Dario's Dark C...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Alter Bridge - Alter Bridge The band's 8th studio album is a "grower" that improves with repeated listens. Vocal Performance (Miles Kennedy): Critique: Most tracks feature a "showing off" style that lacks authenticity and makes songs sound interchangeable. Exception: "Slave to Master" is raw and emotional, with voca...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we dive deep into the fascinating and often tragic story of Days of the New —one of the most eccentric and misunderstood bands to emerge from the ’90s alternative scene. From their explosive debut and unique acoustic-driven sound to internal turmoil, creative brilliance, and a heartbreaking unraveling, we trace the band...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text We are back with our top albums of 2025, you might have heard of a few of our choices and both of Mike's were on the more obscure side. Dig in for a real fun episode 2025 Music Review   Arch Enemy - Blood Dynasty (Sebastian's Pick) Melodic death metal album praised for its classic 90s metal feel. Key Track: "Paper Tiger" → Recalls...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Ever sit around with friends and start asking, “What if this happened… or what if that had gone differently?” That’s exactly what Sebastian and I dove into this week! We picked a few wild “what if” scenarios and had an absolute blast exploring how things might have turned out. Tune in to hear the twists, turns, laughs, and unexpected answers—we had w...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we’re diving into soundtracks that are way better than the movies they came from! From the hard-hitting riffs of Maximum Overdrive and the electronic brilliance of Tron: Legacy , to Ares , Last Action Hero , Blue Hawaii , and plenty more — we’re breaking down the albums that made mediocre movies unforgettable. Tune in f...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text 🎸 This week on Mandatory Music! 🎸 We’re diving into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ahead of the big ceremony on November 8 . Mike and Sebastian break down each artist’s well-deserved spot in rock history — from the long-overdue legends to the surprise early entries. Who got in right on time, and who maybe could’ve waited? Tune in, tu...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Mike and Sebastian dive headfirst into the massive news from Megadeth — their upcoming album, simply titled “Megadeth.” We break down the tracklist (for better or worse), give our first impressions of the lead single “Tipping Point,” and debate what it says about the band’s direction in 2025. But that’s not all — Megade...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text 🎧 Episode 77 is here! This week on Mandatory Music , Mike and Sebastian dive into Rob Zombie’s brand new track “Punks and Demons.” 👹🔥 We do a first-listen reaction , giving our raw and unfiltered thoughts on the song — no edits, no filters, just pure chaos. 😈 Oh, and there’s a hilarious audio glitch somewhere in the episode… can you spot it? 👀😂...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and Mike try something a little different — their (sort of) first reaction episode! The guys hit play on Black Label Society’s “Broken and Blind” and share their unfiltered thoughts in real time as the song unfolds. From Zakk Wylde’s signature riffs to the moments that hit hard — and the ones that didn’t — it’...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and Michael do the unthinkable — we step way outside our hard rock comfort zone and dive headfirst into Taylor Swift’s brand-new album, Life of a Showgirl . 🤯 From guitar riffs to glitter, we break down the songwriting, production, and emotional storytelling behind one of the world’s biggest pop icons. Can tw...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Sebastian and Michael break down the brand-new collaboration between YUNGBLUD and Aerosmith, a track that bridges generations and genres in one explosive package. From its composition and production choices to the energy and vibe it carries, we explore how the past meets the future in this unexpected pairing. Tune in as we unpack what makes this song...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Nirvana's Impact on Grunge Music Mike and Sebastian discussed the impact of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album, released on September 24, 1991, and its role in the grunge music movement. They noted the significant influence of the album and its lead singer, Kurt Cobain, on the music landscape and youth culture of the time. They also refl...