Metal Shop's Backstage Pass

This is a short, but fun one. Unfortunately due to my internet connection being weak, this conversation was cut a bit shorter than I hoped, but it was RAD to catch up with Despise You vocalist Cynthia Nishi. Cynthia is a hairdresser, so we chatted about how she's filling her time while being out of work, some of the shows and movies she has been binging, some of her favorite bands and musicians to...

Anthonie Gonzalez is a musician living in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. Anthonie's band Constrict recently released an awesome EP called "No Eden." We chat a bit about the band, some of his inspirations, his new harsh noise project, the future of his other band God's Hate, Kickback and much more. Stay tuned til the end to hear a new Constrict song. 

Vince Edwards wears many hats at Metal Blade Records - he works in radio promotion, digital media, video editing, social media and much more. I chatted with Vince about what it's like to work at Metal Blade, his journey from college radio to record label life, some of his favorite current artists and he gave some advice to up and coming bands looking to gain some traction with labels. 

Aborted is a Belgian brutal death metal band that is celebrating their 25th anniversary! I spoke with vocalist Sven de Caluwe via skype to chat about their new ep, how he's staying sane, some of his favorite death metal bands and more.

Originally formed in Germany, Lucifer is now based in Sweden and recently released Lucifer III on Century Media Records. I spoke with vocalist Johanna Sadonis about the album, things she loves about Sweden, how her rock n roll loving mom influenced her, some plans for the band and her karoake picks.

I hopped on a zoom conference call with all 3 members of NW band deathCave to chat about their upcoming album and catch up while we're all staying home and staying safe. This podcast includes 2 songs from their demo ep. Rage! 

It's time to thrash! I chatted with Toxic Holocaust mastermind Joel Grind about the pandemic, his favorite albums, future TH plans, and all things thrash.

Rotting Out just recently released their new album "Ronin" after a bit of a hiatus/breakup, so I hopped on the phone to chat with vocalist Walter Delgado about the album, prison, changes in his life, growing up, therapy, hardcore, powerlifting and much much more. 

Ian Shelton grew up in the Enumclaw area, but now lives down in LA. Ian plays in a hardcore/powerviolence band called Regional Justice Center that kicks all kinds of ass. He also directs music videos and plays in some other musical projects. We chatted about all these things + much much more.

I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with Vincent Bennett from The Acacia Strain about a variety of topics including – touring during a pandemic, the value of a positive outlook, how he got motivated to get in shape, ska music, early influences and much much more.

JJ Polachek has one of the burliest voices in all of metal. I chatted with JJ about everything from his gateways to metal music, what inspired his death metal growl, the future of 7 Horns 7 Eyes and everything surrounding his main project Nekroí Theoí. Stay tuned til the end for an 11 minute Nekroí Theoí song!

Heaven Shall Burn is a German metal band that has been killin' it since 1998! I spoke with guitarist Maik Weichert via skype about their brand new double album "Of Truth & Sacrifice," releasing an album during a pandemic, his ideal wrestling theme song, some of his favorite all time albums and much more. 

Drawn and Quartered are an institution in Northwest death metal. The band has been going strong since the mid-90's and shows no signs of slowing down. I spoke with guitarist Kelly Kuciemba about the formation of D&Q, his side project Plague Bearer, what keeps him motivated to keep writing killer death metal riffs, how he's doing during the pandemic, plans for the future of the band and much mo...

Ace Stallings is the vocalist for the unique and awesome Richmond, Virginia-based hardcore band Mutually Assured Destruction. He also hosts a RAD podcast called Forum Of Passion. I spoke with Ace about why Richmond has produced so many good bands, going from a more traditional hardcore band to his new project M.A.D, his ideas for his podcast and much much more. 

Jacob Bannon is a creative force in the world of underground music. Even if you haven't listened to his bands, you've definitely seen some of his visual art. Along with making some of the most iconic and striking album covers of our generation, Bannon sings for Converge, Wear Your Wounds and his new death-metal tinged band Umbra Vitae.

We first interviewed All Out War vocalist Mike Score last year after his band released "Crawl Among The Filth." I checked in with Mike to talk about how he's handling everything over in New York during the stay-at-home order, how he's adjusted to being a history teacher via Zoom, some of the albums that help him get through stress and bummer days and much much more. 

Husbandry is an incredible NYC based post-hardcore band that needs to be heard! Their new album "A Port In A Storm" is so good! I spoke with vocalist Carina Zachary about working in the medical field during a pandemic, musical inspiration, origin story of the band + much more. Plus stay tuned until the end to hear a song from Husbandry! 

We chatted with Nate Garrett from Spirit Adrift last year around the time of the release of their incredible album "Divided By Darkness." I caught up with Nate to chat about how his move down to Texas went, staying creative during a pandemic, new music, focusing on Spirit Adrift and much more. 

Texas based metal band CREEPING DEATH came through Seattle two times within the last 6 months and both performances absolutely CRUSHED. I chatted with guitarist Trey Pemberton about his roots in hardcore, what got him into metal, his favorite hip hop artists, his go to karaoke song and much more. 

August Burns Red is a hardworking metalcore band that is known for energentic performances and catchy riffs! Their new album "Guardians" is out now, so I hopped on the phone with guitarist Brent Rambler to talk all things Guardians, inspirations, scars, tour postponements and much much more. 

Abysmal Dawn is a finely tuned technical death metal machine! This LA based band just released their new album "Phylogenesis" on Season Of Mist records, so I hopped on the phone with guitarist/vocalist Charles Elliott to chat about releasing a new album during a pandemic, his big four of death metal, inspiration and much more.   

Noroth is a killer new death metal band from right here in the Pacific Northwest. The recently released their debut album "It Dwells Amongst Us", so I hopped on the phone with guitarist Metal Mike to talk all about the album, life during quarantine, early death metal inspirations and much more. Plus we play 2 songs from the album.   

On Friday April 24th, Sölicitör is releasing their highly anticipated album "Spectral Devastation." Kevin chatted with this rad Seattle speed metal band about postponing tour plans due to the lock down, some of their biggest musicial inspirations, bringing back speed metal and of course - THE ALBUM. Plus stay tuned til the end to hear a brand new songs from "Spectral Devastation." 

Bay area thrash legends Testament recently released their 13th studio album "Titans of Creation" and it kicks major ass! Kevin chatted with vocalist Chuck Billy about the making of the album, recovering from COVID-19, musical inspiration, socially distanced life, his least metal albums in the collection and much more. Thrash! 

You might know Finn McKenty from his popular YouTube channel "The Punk Rock MBA" where he posts videos such as "How Did Fall Out Boy Get So Big" "Pop Punk Bands Who Should've Been Bigger" "How Did Pantera Get So Big" etc. But did you know that Finn made hardcore fanzines at the age of 16? From his humble beginnings in the DIY scene, Finn has made a lane for himself in music media with websites and...