Heavy Metal Philosophy

In episode 179 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas puts every Opeth album on a tier list. We can even include their upcoming record The Last Will and Testament thanks to scoring an advanced listening stream! Let's discuss the different aspects of each album and where that ranks them in comparison to each other! Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch! https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/ Heavy Metal...

On episode 178 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas breaks down the new Opeth album, The Last Will and Testament. He got an advanced review stream of the album and all your questions can be answered here. Is there screaming on more than just the one song? Is it heavy? What's the story about? How's the new drummer? Watch this episode for more! Opeth official website; https://www.opeth.com/ Get Hea...

On episode 177 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas gives 5 reasons why Gojira's historic show at the Olympic opening ceremony won't be the catalyst that gets Metallica to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show. There's a multitude of factors at play here. Also we'll celebrate the amazing performance and what it means for metal culture. Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch! https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwa...

On episode 176 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas discovers Atlanta's underground metal scene. I've been covering shows in Atlanta for a few years now, but always at big venues.  I went to Atlanta to see Tomb Mold and Horrendous. It took place in a small bar called Boggs Social. I didn't know about this scene but I immediately felt at home. This is where my kind of people go. Here I report what...

On episode 175 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is going meta. It's an inception of music reactions. Rick Beato released a video titled 'The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse', igniting a firestorm of controversy. Anthony Fantono then released his reaction video titled, 'Rick Beato Is Wrong'. THEN! Become The Knight reacted to Anthony's video with a video titled, 'Boomer vs Coomer: a res...

On episode 174 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas recounts the opening night of Fallujah's Flesh Prevails 10th Anniversary Tour in Atlanta at the Masquerade. You'll see the shots he got from the photo pit and hear the story of each band's performance. Fallujah was joined by the progressive metal of Persefone, the deathcore Vulvodynia, and the progressive post black metal of Dawn of Ouroboros. P...

Episode 173 of Heavy Metal Philosophy! I've been saying the past few years that we're living in a death metal renaissance! Well, don't take my word for it. I talked to one of the bands in the vanguard of this movement, Tombstoner. I had a few beverages with the band while they gave me first-hand accounts of today's scene. It may have gone off the rails several times, but it was fun when it did. Yo...

On episode 172 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, join Jon Barbas as we dive into the latest thoughts and insights shared by Nik Nocturnal on the metal scene in 2024. From new trends to controversial opinions, we'll react, analyze, and discuss the ever-evolving world of metal music with a fresh perspective, plus Jon plays guitar riffs that illustrate why rap metal sucks. Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!...

On episode 171 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we dive deep into the roots of modern metal and explore why it can't seem to shake off its past. David Burke (a PhD candidate in Metal Studies), joins us to discuss the philosophical underpinnings that continue to influence today's popular metal scene. From the metal history origins to its evolution over the decades, we examine how political context shapes...

On episode 170 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we explore the fascinating similarities between Metallica fans and Star Wars Fans. Join Jon Barbas as we delve into the shared traits and experiences that make Metallica and Star Wars fans more alike than you might think. Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch! https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/ Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact; https://heavymetalphilosophy.co...

On episode 169 of Heavy Metal Philosophy we delve into the controversial statement made by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek regarding the cost of making music. Join us as we explore the implications of this statement on the music industry and the artists who create the music we love. I also recruited Sarah King who just independently funded an LP to break down the costs. She provides facts, figures, and thou...

On episode 168 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I peek out of my death metal bubble. This week there will be a new Bad Omens album released called Concrete Jungle (OST), and I figured it was the perfect time to take a first listen to their catalog. What I discovered blew me away. I was expecting something like Sleep Token or Bring Me the Horizon, but they've taken their brand of metalcore to a totally d...

On episode 167 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I'll preview Rotting Christ's latest album, 'Pro Xristou' and analyze their growth over their past records. Dive into the dark and powerful world of Rotting Christ as they showcase their evolution and mastery of their craft. Stay tuned for more updates and be prepared to be blown away by Rotting Christ's latest masterpiece! Rotting Christ Website; https://...

On episode 166 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we dive deep into the world of thrash metal hedonism with the crossover thrash metal band, Insanity Alert! Talking about their new EP of parodies (Moshemian Thrashody), Heavy Kevy surprised me with his insight into history and society. Discover what drives Insanity Alert to bring the ultimate thrash metal comedy to their fans! Find Insanity Alert -  https:...

In episode 165 I'll analyze the meteoric rise of Knocked Loose! Join me as we delve into the 5 key reasons behind their rapid ascent to fame in the music industry. From their raw energy on stage to their powerful lyrics, we uncover the secrets behind Knocked Loose's unstoppable journey to the top. Don't miss out on this insightful analysis of one of the hottest bands hardcore... nay... music today...

In episode 164 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we delve into the contrasting worlds of Death Metal and Metalcore aesthetics. From the dark and brutal imagery of Death Metal to the more melodic and emotional themes of Metalcore, we explore how these genres express their unique styles through visual elements. Join us as we analyze the symbolism, artwork, fashion, and overall vibe of each aesthetic, uncov...

In episode 163 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I speak with the mighty Black Tusk. I was curious where they think punk rock stands in today's music scene. During the conversation, we touched on having great parents and where the motivation to make heavy music comes from when life is good. We wound up making some fun jokes along the way too, because it should come as no surprise that Black Tusk are cool...

On episode 162 of Heavy Metal Philosophy we dive into the dark and dramatic world of Folterkammer! My interview with their singer Andromeda Anarchia takes me on an intense musical journey, blending the powerful elements of operatic vocals with the raw energy of black metal. Folterkammer's new album 'Weibermacht' is set against a backdrop of dominatrix themes, it explores themes of power, control,...

On episode 161 of Heavy Metal Philosophy we explore the intriguing question: "Is It Healthy for Me To Listen to Only Heavy Metal?" From the aggressive riffs to the deep, growling vocals, metal is more than just music—it's an experience. But do our minds and bodies need other inputs? Don't forget to hit that like button, and smash subscribe for more metal musings and philosophical explorations. Get...

On episode 160 of Heavy Metal Philosophy we dissect Ingested's newest album, 'The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams'! Has the band embraced the raw intensity of deathcore, or have they ventured into uncharted territories?  In this episode we'll analyze the evolution of Ingested's sound, and decide whether they've gone full deathcore or if they're redefining the genre. Don't forget to hit like and...

On episode 159 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I'm fixing my blind spots in metal! As a death metal fan, I live in a bit of an underground bubble. I don't know as much as I should about metalcore. So this week I'm exploring the new albums from Boundaries and While She Sleeps. These are two very different bands underneath the Metalcore umbrella and this is also an issue I have. We'll discuss what it mea...

On episode 158 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we dive into a world where history and heavy metal collide! Death metal band and medieval historians Brodequin join us and this episode promises to be as educational as it is electrifying. We explore the dark corridors of history with a death metal twist, uncovering the most surprising facts about torture techniques from the past.  This isn't your typical...

On episode 157 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I recount my experience doing concert photography at The Ocean Holocene Tour. Ever found yourself at a gig, eagerly awaiting your favorite band, only to be met with an opening act that just doesn't resonate with you? We dive into the conundrum of disliking the opening band at metal concerts. What do you do in that situation? Whether it's discovering hidden...

On episode 156 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, we share our experience shooting concert photography at the Decibel Magazine Tour featuring Hulder, Devil Master, Worm, and Necrofier! The bands shattered stereotypes and revealed the unexpected depths of black metal bands beyond their dark and intense appearance. From the unique looks to the intricate melodies that defy expectations, join us as we explore...

On episode 155 of Heavy Metal Philosophy we explore the ever-evolving world of digital art. AI-generated album art has sparked a heated debate. While some hail it as the future, others see it as a flawed innovation. We explore not just the aesthetic shortcomings of AI-generated art in the metal scene but also uncover the more alarming implications of AI technology. From ethical dilemmas about cons...