Interview Under Fire Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Guitarist and founder Robin Staps of progressive metal group The Ocean joins us in this episode of IUF. From philosophy, globalization, and writings from Friedrich Nietzsche – Robin takes all of his influences and manifests it into some of the most unique sounds and lyrical content in metal music. It's not even about having a theme anymore for this German metal band's so...

Send us Fan Mail Guitarist Gabe Mangold from deathcore band Enterprise Earth is our guest today. During a time of the unexpected and the uncertainty going forward, Gabe talks about Enterprise Earth's newest EP “Foundation Of Bones” and how he took charge of the recording and production process. Camped out in New Mexico, Gabe, with the help from other members of the band across the nation - pu...

Send us Fan Mail  In our first episode of the Deep Cuts edition, we bring in Amy Sciarretto, owner and founder of Public Relations music firm – Atom Splitter. With over 15 years of experience while working with some of the higher echelon artists in metal, Amy's involvement is a huge factor in getting bands like Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, and Trivium to where they are now. Sure, she...

Send us Fan Mail When you mix elements of jazz and avant garde black metal together, you're going to turn a lot of heads. As is the case with New York's trio, Imperial Triumphant. We sit with bassist Steve Blanco as we talk about the bands history as well as his own – diving into his influences while combining it with the other members of the band. Steve speaks about being a “sound first...

Send us Fan Mail “It's a little bit poppy, but it's got edge.” Upcoming pop artist Nikki Jumper is changing the game as she paints her vivid ambitions with us on IUF. Her new single, “Apocalypse Love” has just been released and it's only the tip of the iceberg on what is set to come in the near future from her. Growing up listening to Led Zeppelin, Rancid, and No Doubt - were big in...

Send us Fan Mail “First African-American Female Metal Guitarist In Major Publication.” To Diamond Rowe, those are just words – yet it provides even more fuel to the fire to keep up the passion for what she does. Playing in California's metalcore quartet, Tetrarch, Diamond speaks on the bands growth personally and artistically since they first formed in 2006. Now with their 2nd upcoming album...

Send us Fan Mail The mesmerizing Jennifer Haben from German symphonic metal quintet Beyond The Black is our guest in todays episode. Haters aren't a group Jennifer has time for, and rightfully so, as she talks about the bands lineup changes and the newest album “Horizons” they have just dropped. Bands can change their sound as they mature over their career, and Beyond The Black has evolved in...

Send us Fan Mail We got the opportunity to speak with bassist John Campbell of heavy metal icons Lamb of God. During a time of uncertainty in our world, Lamb of God released an absolute ripper of a new album and John speaks about the ideas and makings behind this record – including bringing in new drummer Art Cruz and other special guest vocals from close friends in the metal community. The perfec...

Send us Fan Mail Southern hard blues is not a familiar genre you tend to hear around France, yet guitarist/singer/songwriter Laura Cox embraces those roots growing up in that music realm. We sit down with the French proclaimed musician about her rise to music fame - from being a You-tuber in her teenage days to headlining shows around Europe with her own band. Influenced by Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Z...

Send us Fan Mail 45 countries, 6 continents, and almost 1900 shows encompassed in nearly 2 decades of playing. Drummer Matthew Greiner from August Burns Red has taken in all that experience that helped shape him into the person he is today. Being a positive influence on the younger generation is a humble notion for him, and yet he still maintains the course to push himself to be a better person an...

Send us Fan Mail Devil With No Name are a band who have no fear to blend black metal along with western elements – and with one of the more unique combinations within that historic realm of the subgenre, they execute their sound to perfection. Andrew Markuszewski and Michal Jusko from the band join the IUF podcast as they dive into details on their first ever self-titled EP, including the origins...

Send us Fan Mail We are joined by California death metal outfit Xibalba – Guitarist Brian Ortiz and drummer Jason Brunes from the band talk about their newest epic “Anos en Infierno” and the experiences they both went through in the 5 year gap from their previous album. A lot of personal growth, friendships, hardships, and life changing occurrences were shared between the members. A band showing d...

Send us Fan Mail U.K. thrash metal group Onslaught are back with a fury with their 7th studio album “Generation Antichrist”. Bassist Jeff Williams joins our podcast today, and this is a conversation you need to listen to believe. One of the more humble artists we've had on our show, he dives into the makings and influences that came into bringing this new record to life – Including his own pe...

Send us Fan Mail Bobby Blitz and Mark Menghi from supergroup metal band BPMD join our show for a good laid back ball-busting conversation about their new debut album - "American Made". The relationship between the two show the chemistry and respect they have for one another as they describe the origins of this project. Along with bandmates Phil Demmel and Mike Portnoy, BPMD have manifest...

Send us Fan Mail 13 records in over 20 years show hard work. Lead vocalist Ralf Scheepers from power-metallers Primal Fear joins the IUF podcast and talks about many of his personal highlights throughout his career. He also dives into details about the new record “Metal Commando”, and the influences and production elements it took to make this sound come to life. Singing for multiple bands has ope...

Send us Fan Mail Hailing from Seattle, we are joined by frontwoman Joy Von Spain from progressive blackened doom quintet Eye Of Nix. Three albums in, Joy discusses the many elements and factors that went behind the new album “Ligeia”, and her influences that accumulated into where she is today personally and artistically. Ligeia is an album that takes the listener through a journey of the beautifu...

Send us Fan Mail Acclaimed guitarist Gus G. from power metal band Firewind is our guest in today's episode. From playing with many other different acts including Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Evil, and Nightrage in his arsenal, the level of consistency within his musicianship is unmatched. Gus talks about Firewind's 9th self-titled album and the challenges they went through to make this record co...

Send us Fan Mail Vocalist/Frontman Schmier (aka Mad Butcher) from German thrash metal outfit Destruction is our latest guest, and with over 40 years of experience in a passion for what he does, these months of isolation can't slow him down. He describes his idea of releasing their newest live album titled “Born To Thrash” for the fans who are at home, and the different aspects of the touring...

Send us Fan Mail Vocalist Sean Harmanis of Make Them Suffer is our humble guest in todays episode. The heavy music scene in Australia is only getting bigger, and bands like Make Them Suffer continue to build with that on their 4th studio album “How To Survive A Funeral”. Sean talks about the new elements brought into this record while still maintaining their roots - including his life during quara...

Send us Fan Mail Norwegian artist Anders Odden from death metal band Cadaver is our humble guest in this episode – With so many projects/bands and a catalog that is rich with his music lore, Anders knows where his intuition lies. Beating cancer has only made him stronger in the end. He talks about his recovering health, including Cadaver's newest EP titled “D.G.A.F' and more new music co...

Send us Fan Mail Grab some ale, a pirate hat, and set sail as we are joined by frontman Petri Lindroos of folk melodic death metal band Ensiferum. 8 albums into their career, and the men from Finland are finding new ways to unleash their creative side. We talk about their new record “Thalassic” and how it accumulates everything from their past catalog with new themes they churned together and put...

Send us Fan Mail Grammy-nominated musician Clint Lowery joins us on the IUF podcast about the surprise solo EP he released today titled “Grief & Distance”. It's important to stay positive during trying times, and Clint reached for utmost creativity and ambition to give the fans something they will greatly appreciate. Clint also dives into his work over the years with Sevendust, his solo p...

Send us Fan Mail New season means new bands coming up to the forefront – And to kick things off, we are joined by vocalist Dave Barrett from Voices Of Ruin. California's melodic death metal quintet have come a long way to get to where they are now. Dave shares many stories in this episode including winning a contest that landed them a spot in the mecca of heavy metal festivals – Wacken Open A...

Send us Fan Mail  Fantasycore. YES, that is a genre of metal/music you cannot ignore – and it is being utilized to a fine and shining slab of armor. We are joined by drummer/songwriter Paul Lierman of The Wise Man's Fear in this episode. Hailing from Indiana, the six-man group just dropped their 3rd full length ripper titled “Valley Of Kings” as this closes the 3-part storytelling adventure o...

Send us Fan Mail Frontman/Vocalist John Kevill of Warbringer shares his insight on his current life with the worlds situation and where the music industry may be heading after all this is over. The thrash metal quintet just released their 6th album titled “Weapons Of Tomorrow” and John goes into the hard work of writing, collaborating, and influential intakes that him and the band go through. On t...