Vigorously with Val Kleinhans

If you’ve ever been to an Amon Amarth concert, a Týr concert, an Enslaved concert, in the US - you know full well that Americans love a viking moment. But why are we so obsessed? What attracts us to this culture and these stories? Now that we have a new Amon Amarth album out this month, and a new one from Enslaved just a week away, I thought it would be a good time to look into this - vigorously!...

Peekay are one of the fastest growing metalcore groups from India. The eyes of the world are on them right now, and that's something vocalist Prantati Khanna takes in stride. Val and Pranati get into how to go global as a band, how to bridge cultural gaps in music, what navigating an artist visa is really like, new music on the way, and the latest Cast in Chaos EP. Peekay stream: https://open...

In the year of our lord 2026, it's very easy for things to feel very dystopian. If you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to this, THE UNCRTN may have just provided it in their new EP Machine out Friday. Val, Tyler and Sonia discuss shedding old identities, the story behind The Drifter, and the making of “BAD FOR ME,” featuring Ricky Armellino. Plus, we get into the creative vision be...

After a small vacation, Val is back to welcome October the only way she knows how - by honoring the best albums to celebrate the month. Get more Val at https://valkleinhans.com/

Life is hard, but what do you do with it? When you want to accomplish something, do you let the "hard" win? If you ask alternative/electronic/hip-hop fusion group Banks Arcade , it's all about choosing what your "hard" is. Vocalist Joshua O' Donnell joins Val for a chat about what it really takes to launch a band based in New Zealand, the struggles to take the band to...

What else matches the season better than some psychedelia and indie vibes? For your fix this fall, we present Moon Darling . Mike and Eliza join Val for a chat about their biggest fears, navigating being the "new kid in town", all the details on making their latest album Hearts To Blame in a cabin, and what makes Moon Darling so bewitching.  Hearts To Blame is out now. Moon Darling strea...

Halloween playlists might have a problem. Every year, we get the same songs. “Monster Mash.” “Thriller.” Maybe some Rob Zombie if we're feeling particularly dangerous or adventurous…but we’re missing something. If you're a person like Val who actually likes dark and heavy music, there's an entire universe of songs that sound like Halloween without ever mentioning Halloween.  So, tod...

(Originally aired 8/26/24) Lindsay Schoolcraft chats with Val about cats, astrology, and the new music she'd been working on and the singles that formed Harrowing before it became the album we know today. Lindsay Schoolcraft stream: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ZLcdPSxw1fTYJlz3DLrSZ Follow Lindsay: https://www.instagram.com/lindzriot/ Get more Val at https://valkleinhans.com/

The new Slipknot single "Arsenal" has raised many questions about longevity in metal. When should a band hang it up? Are they required to retire at a certain point? Val examines the art of knowing when to walk away using Slipknot, Ministry and Mötley Crüe as case studies.  Follow Val:  https://www.instagram.com/valkleinhans/ Get more Val at https://valkleinhans.com/

In this episode, Val welcomes Jay and Kevin from metalcore band The Moth Anatomy to discuss navigating the industry (with the delicate yin and yang of a moth) in a world that looks vastly different from when they started. Is putting your music on physical media still worth it? What do audiences want today? They also discuss their latest single "Unfamiliar" , shooting the video for it, an...

Modern grunge that hasn't forgotten its roots can be found in Scarhaven .  In this New Music Friday episode, meet the band introducing grunge to the younger masses - Scarhaven.  Singer Michael Saint joins Val for a conversation on the live shows they have coming up, bts on the "Clouds" video, general thoughts on the music industry, and how the grunge of it all was just a happy accid...

Vigorous ones, I’m here to help solve a problem that I’m noticing lately - and that problem is there’s sooooooo much music to go through! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good problem to have, but I get why we’re a little overwhelmed by all of these new releases that (at this point) are year-round.  We need more than a “here’s some bands you should listen to”. We need to have a conversation about how to...

Whimsy is a buzzword at the moment, and it's because today, as a collective, it's easy to feel like we're losing ours. Folk metal duo Forgotten Shrine has the medicine you'll need to reclaim your whimsy! Sofia and Josh join Val for a playful and candid conversation about their upcoming album Nox Aeterna , injecting whimsy into the music you're making, other artists they&ap...

Severing ties isn't always the worst thing in the world. If anyone knows that, it's alternative rockers cut the cord. Val chats with singer Dylan about navigating mental health struggles, sobriety, and making moves in the music industry without having a handbook for any of it! Also discussed is new music on the way. cut the cord STREAM: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3msEGnrGYjEsKUe1Z8c...

Whenever someone lives their life vigorously in public, they’re not immune to feedback or criticism - and that goes for everybody , even the angel that is Dolly Parton…and drummer Travis Barker. Two names we don’t throw in the same sentence a lot, but in this sense share a parallel.  Let’s talk about both of these legends, because there’s a lot to learn from! These two do and have done things vigo...

Val welcomes back Zahna for a very special occasion! Break or Breakthrough is out Friday. Easily Zahna's most aggressive and vulnerable piece of work, Val and Zahna chat about navigating life's hardships, the music industry, and "make or break" points with humor, feist, and humility to celebrate the new album. They also chat about the icons she's shared the stage with whil...

Gåte is slowly introducing the world to their brand of Norwegian folk metal, and we couldn't be more excited! In this episode, Val and vocalist Gunnhild Sundli chat about the upcoming album Sigil , how Gåte made the best of their Eurovision experience, and the stories and legends that make Norway unique. Get more Gåte: https://www.xn--gte-ula.com/ Follow Gåte: https://www.instagram.com/gaate_...

One day you're a fan, the next, you're sharing the studio!  This is the true story of how the collaboration between SAGE and PINKNOISE came to be.  On this New Music Friday, Val and SAGE also get into their lore, horror movie takes, and what the secret to a successful collaboration really is. Follow SAGE: https://www.instagram.com/sagebandnj/ Stream SAGE: https://open.spotify.com/artist/...

There's a lot happening in the rock and metal community these last few weeks. In this solo moment, Val briefly chats about the Madden Brothers controversy and finally examines the STATICA EP from Avenged Sevenfold - and BAY-BEEE, it's a ride! Is genuine artistry about protecting a brand? Or is it about chasing an idea? …wherever it leads.  Val's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Artists sometimes refer to their songs or their albums as their babies. If In Between from Joyous Wolf (out Friday) had to be categorized, you'll find that this "youngest" baby has some eldest responsibilities!  Val chats with guitarist Blake Allard on the new era of Joyous Wolf, what to expect from In Between , the inclusion of new vocalist Pedro Cordeiro, and how their definition...

In this edition of New Music Friday, Chas Huff introduces us to alt-metal project Get Out Alive - and its purpose.  Simply put, the mission of Get Out Alive is to leave anyone who listens feeling better than they were before. You might also find that it's the perfect remedy for a mental health struggle, and your nostalgic 00s loving heart. Something Chas also touches on this episode. Get read...

Identity Crisis are solidifying themselves as the grunge band you need to know - but how is Gen Z receiving them? Val and lead vocalist Reece Gonzales deep dive into why Identity Crisis is resonating on all cylinders - globally and generationally. They also discuss the Starve EP and what's next musically. Hint: it might just be an album. Val and Reece get into it all. Get more Identity Crisis...

Our very first edition of New Music Friday features DARKSTXR .  The boys chat with Val about the rollout process for their new project, their first single "EVERGREEN" their upcoming debut show in South Carolina, why more bands should glaze each other. Get more DARKSTXR: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EUsHqEocZmF9w0hjmEErM?si=4Cvmp9pUTomk6CiIt59VOQ DARKSTXR Instagram: https://www.instag...

Mastodon have been through the wringer lately with the passing of guitarist Brent Hinds.  While addressing "The Mastodon in The Room" and discussing a new album and era for the band, Val dissects what we can learn from the group about processing tragedy and ponders what calls for a band to take on a new identity entirely.  Get more Val at https://valkleinhans.com/

Some of the best elements of Xandria include those famous cinematic and symphonic moments we know and love.  In this episode, Val chats with Marco Heubaum about the sonic evolution of the band, why the album still matters, and what to expect from their brand new release Eclipse coming Friday. STREAM Eclipse: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jzIEzXVJ4p1kFDmio6LEL?si=Q_F7OjR6T16D6oT1SDLYqQ Get more...