Mandatory Music

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Queens of the Stone Age’s new album Perfecth gets the Mandatory Music treatment. Mike, a lifelong fan, gives it 4.5/5. Seb, a casual listener, gives it 3/5. We cover the kintsugi theme, Josh Homme’s “peace and acceptance” phase, his open tunings, and standout tracks like “Mono”, “Sunday” and “Phantom Limb”. Our combined score is 3.7/5. Mandatory Musi...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text   Tony Iommi’s new solo album From the Dark on The Black Sabbath guitarist is 78 and still writing riffs that sound like they came from someone half his age. They talk about how singer Jørn Lande got the gig and why his voice has that Dio feel, whether this is “grandpa metal,” and why the album fits better alongside Heaven and Hell than the Ozzy era....

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Mike and Sebastian finally dig into Greta Van Fleet on Mandatory Music, Episode 102, with a deep dive into “Saw You Stand” from the new album Palace for the People (out October 9). Sebastian argues it’s the best Greta Van Fleet song to date, and Mike, who’s never been a big fan, admits he’s coming around. They talk about why the singer’s usual “look...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Mike and Sebastian break down Metallica's first two nights at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Mandatory Music, Episode 101. They go through both set lists, including Battery as an opener for the first time since 2014, Shortest Straw, ...And Justice for All, Blackened opening Night 2, and Devil's Dance returning for the first time since 2008. The...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Episode 100! 🎉 We made it — and to celebrate, we're diving into one of our favorite arguments: which legendary bands are actually overrated? Pearl Jam, Coldplay, Led Zeppelin, U2, Nickelback, and Slipknot all get put on trial. Plus: VMAs recap (Taylor Swift's new deluxe album, Madonna's questionable dance moves, Snoop Dogg's... j...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Foo Fighters Concert Review:  A 3-hour, 25-song set at BC Place converted a skeptic into a fan, highlighting Dave Grohl's exceptional showmanship and the band's tight performance. Metallica's "In the Round" Stage:  Metallica uses a central, circular stage for stadium tours, a format pioneered by Def Leppard, to sell all seats...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text After what was supposed to be a one month break turned into 4 months but that's ok. We are back to our normally scheduled programming putting shows out weekly again.  So for our first show back we spend some time catching up a bit talking about Seb's amazing World Cup experience, one check mark off of his bucket list. We talk a little 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...