Metalheads Podcast

We start 2024 of hot with Ian Gillings of Rannoch! We talked to him about the big success of the band's 2023 album Conflagrations (including a No. 12 spot on the Metalheads Podcast Top 25), how his music is influenced by acclaimed comic book writer Alan Moore, what it's like to produce his own records and why he longs for the complete destruction of his early band demos. After the interview, we th...

The most magical time of the year has arrived. The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2023 is here! We've secretly wrapped the very best extreme metal albums and piled them high under the tree just for you. So, wipe the sleep crusties from your eyes, pour yourself a yuletide beverage and nestle into your favorite battle snuggie, because you've got 5 hours of joyous unwrapping to do. Happy H...

This episode we welcome master artist and musician Chuck BB to the podcast. Chuck is the creator of Stone Cold Lazy, a comic strip found in the pages of Decibel Magazine every month, and he co-created and illustrated the epic, Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Black Metal. We talk with Chuck about making comics, getting into metal, creating art for the game company Exploding Kittens and crafting...

This episode we welcome guitar virtuoso Christian Münzner of Alkaloid, Obscura and Eternity's End to the podcast for the first time. He takes us behind the scenes of the new Alkaloid album "Numen" and we discuss his illustrious career in metal.  Chris shares how he started playing guitar by learning AC/DC and Metallica songs, reveals what it's like to live with focal dystonia, and tells us which g...

This episode we welcome Ed Levitsky of The Anchoret to talk about the band's debut album, It All Began with Loneliness. He shares how he channeled his feelings of isolation and sadness during the pandemic into an outlet for creating the progressive metal record he always dreamed of. Ed also discussed what goes into his writing process, how his Dad influenced his love of prog music, what it's been...

This episode we welcome back the incomparable Keith D to talk about his new Dragons of Krull and Panda Kingdom albums! He also gives us an update on the next Unearthed Elf record. We discuss his writing and recording process, where his deep love for Krull came from, what he learned from the mastering genius Maor Appelbaum and how a trip to the dentist led to the discovery of an enchanted realm of...

This episode we cover the latest metal news and new releases, then reveal what we’ve been listening to lately. Plus, our Top 5 Back-to-Back Albums by Metal Bands and a conversation on gardening and pest control?! Ants. Aphids. Tomatoes. Pumpkins. Japanese beetles. Praying Mantises. Woodchucks. Metal.

We're halfway through the year and you know what that means, dear metalheads... Our Top 25 Metal Albums at Mid-Year is here! 5+ hours of lists, libations and laughs! We're joined by our good friend Justin Riley, AKA the Dr. of Death Metal, as we count down our favorite records released between January and June. Plus, Will returns, delivering his classic caveman charm for the first 30 minutes befor...

This episode we are joined by Sami Sati and Tanner Swenson of Oak Pantheon. We start off with an interview and much hilarity ensues. George announces your opportunity to become fashion outcasts, before moving on to the usual traditions of T-Shirt and Beer Check, News, New Release and What We Are Listening To. We reveal the final results of the last Metal Thunderdome before moving on to Matt's Thun...

This episode we preview the 2023 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly with our friends Stacy Ciccone and Justin Riley!  We discuss what bands we're most excited to see, sift through the mighty beer list and talk about how the metal community is mostly fluffy puppies and kitties. We also dig into News, New Releases and What We've Been Listening to. Plus, our Top 5 Death Metal Bands that Have Debut...

This episode we got to hang out with THREE metal guests! Chris Danacek (SKÁLA, Infera Bruo), Karl Chamberlain (SKÁLA, Alcyone) and Galen Baudhuin (Street Tombs, Aridus, Infera Bruo) joined us to discuss their current and upcoming projects. Chris shares his thoughts on the cathartic writing and recording process for his SKÁLA album, we get the low down on the "permanent hiatus" of Infera Bruo, Gale...

This episode we were down a couple men, but we carried on and crossed the finish line nearly three hours later. George receives the gift of beer, Matt receives an infamous first in D.C., and per usual we cover the News, New Releases and What We Are Listening To. For our Top 5 we count down our favorite deceased artists we are glad we saw live. 

Our first episode of 2023 features honorary Metalheads member, Trevor Portz of Ashen Horde and Abhoria! He chats with us about Ashen Horde's acclaimed new album, Antimony, signing with Transcending Obscurity Records, the strangeness of releasing music years after he's completed it, the ongoing saga of his prog metal album and how he finds the energy to do so many activities with his wife. After th...

Yippee-ki-yay! It's here. The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2022! Featuring James Lewis of Decibel Magazine! We got together, had a few laughs, drank some beers and counted down our favorite extreme records of the year. So, grab a machine gun and make fists with your toes on the carpet because you're about to be trapped in the Metalheads Plaza for 5+ hours. Welcome to the party, pal.

In this uncharacteristically short episode, Will returns to the cast cancer-free and with a renewed distaste for the Black Album. In lightning-quick fashion we make short work of the News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We announce the winner of last episode’s Metal Thunderdome and with tongue firmly planted in cheek we plow through our Top 5 Complaints About Decibel’s Year-End Lis...

This episode we kick things off with a roundtable discussion on which bands will be the next big hitters in metal. After using our old metal dick powers to predict the future of heavy music, we dive into News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also share our thoughts on the recently announced lineup for the 2023 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philadelphia, and Jay locks Black Sabba...

This episode Will returns! We also welcome Samarth Singh, a new friend we met at Maryland Death Fest in May. We talk to Sam about discovering metal in his home country of India, continuing his education in America and how Will lured him to the dark side at MDF with sweet promises of companionship and beer. After getting to know Sam, we reveal the winner of our last Metal Thunderdome, then dig into...

This episode our friend Steve McDowell returns to the podcast to fill in for Will, who just finished up his radiation treatments. Get better soon, buddy! We kicked things off with a spirited roundtable on bands doing reunions without key members. Then we discussed the latest metal news and new releases, and shared what we've been listening to lately. Plus, John locks us in the Metal Thunderdome wi...

It’s a midyear miracle! This episode we reveal our Top 25 metal albums released between January and June IN UNDER 5 HOURS! Pour a beer and prepare your ears for this aerodynamic countdown of the best metal recommendations around (and no one’s ever gonna keep em down). Plus, Will reads his old love letters from Jay.

This episode our friend Justin Riley-Velez drops by to discuss the Edison Lot lineup for this month's Maryland Death Fest. We also reveal last episode's Metal Thunderdome results and dig into news, reviews, new releases and what we're listening to. Plus, Top 5 One Album Wonders, allergy size comparisons and Matt drinks so much he gets the hiccups... for nearly an hour. Going to MDF? The whole Meta...

This episode we chatted with George's high school metal friend, Josh Aiken. We talked about how Josh got into heavy music, reminisced about the good old days of growing up Gen X and revealed our guilty pleasure bands. After throwing back a few beers and marveling at Josh's beard, we dove into Metal News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. Plus, Sadus – Swallowed in Black goes head-to-h...

This episode we talked with Mark Deeks about crafting his debut Arð album, Take Up My Bones. We discussed the story of Northumbrian monks carrying a coffin around for 200 years that informs the record, his lifelong passion for piano and vocal harmonies, playing in Winterfylleth and why he made a choice to be "musically selfish." Mark hung out after the interview to chat about Metal News, New Relea...

This episode we welcomed back our friend Trevor Portz to chat about his band Abhoria and their new self-titled album, as well as his forthcoming Ashen Horde record. We discussed the musical differences between the bands, where the Abhoria name came from, signing with Prosthetic and Transcending Obscurity, and why Trevor has abandoned his devil given name, Vor. After the interview, we dug into Meta...

This episode we threw back a few beers with Warren Hendrickson, head brewer at Forward Brewing! We chatted with Warren about why he got into crafting beer, how his unfortunate early forays into nu metal led him down a trve metal path and what it’s like to leave a trail of breweries behind in his beer making wake. After we got the lowdown on Warren’s life, we kept the party going with Metal News, N...

Hark! Ye olde hosts of the Metalheads Podcast cordially invite you to our annual holiday party! Help celebrate the year in metal with us as we cheerfully count down our Top 25 Metal Albums of 2021. Six naughty lists! Guessing games! Beer! Wilson! RSVP by streaming or downloading this most festive episode at your leisure. BYOB!