Interview Under Fire Podcast

Send us Fan Mail We sat down with Oskar Jacobsson , frontman of Swedish heavy metal outfit Ambush , to dive into their latest release, Evil In All Dimensions . Hailing from Eksjö, the band channels the spirit of classic metal while infusing it with their own energy — think the grit of Judas Priest with the flair of Europe. Since forming in 2013, Ambush have carved out their place in the scene, and...

Send us Fan Mail We sat down with Niklas Karlsson , lead vocalist of Swedish heavyweights Orbit Culture , to discuss their powerful new album Death Above Life . The band has been on a rapid rise, earning spots on major tours and festivals around the globe — and it’s no surprise why. With this record, Orbit Culture prove they’re carrying the torch for melodic death metal, keeping the genre’s roots...

Send us Fan Mail As 2025’s Album of the Year conversations begin, let us put forward a strong contender — Born of Osiris’s Through Shadows . The Illinois-based progressive metalcore veterans have done it again with their seventh studio release, delivering a record that is both sonically ambitious and deeply refined. Joining us is Nick Rossi — primarily the band’s guitarist, but truly a multi-instr...

Send us Fan Mail Let's take a time machine back to the 90s. We’re joined by Bobby, Dave, Kevin, and Andrew of New England’s rising metalcore force, Dreamwake. Blending the intensity of metalcore with the atmosphere of synthwave, they’ve crafted a sound that’s entirely their own. Their new album, The Lost Years , delivers everything that first drew listeners to Dreamwake, while pushing their m...

Send us Fan Mail “We burned down the limitations we had previously put on ourselves and restarted our writing process with a singular goal — to sound like Fox Lake.” ALL GAS NO BRAKES. We welcome Nathan Johnson , frontman of Colorado-based hardcore outfit Fox Lake , to IUF. With their second full-length album New World Heat , the band leans into a raw, genre-blending sound that fuses heavy grooves...

Send us Fan Mail We caught up with frontwoman Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands to talk about their debut release, SEVEN — a record that marks a bold new chapter for the duo hailing from Long Island, New York. We got into the writing process, personal insights, influences, and what this album means after the early years of pushing boundaries alongside her bandmate CJ Arey. An insightful, intense, and rea...

Send us Fan Mail We’re joined by guitarist and founding member Maik Weichert of German metal titans Heaven Shall Burn , as the band returns with their latest and most striking release to date— Heimat . Known for fusing unrelenting heaviness with deep social and political themes, Heaven Shall Burn once again proves why they’ve remained one of the most respected voices in modern metal. In this conve...

Send us Fan Mail Back into the creative theatrics we go! We’re joined once again by Jacob Charlton of Thornhill , marking his return to IUFduring an exciting new chapter for the band (currently on tour at the time of this recording). With the release of their latest album Bodies , Thornhill continues to evolve—exploring new sounds, deeper emotion, and a refined creative direction. Jacob talks abou...

Send us Fan Mail We’re joined by bassist and vocalist Adam Biggs of Rivers of Nihil , as the band makes a thunderous return with Rivers Of Nihil , their self-titled album— their first in four years . Despite major lineup changes, Rivers of Nihil show no signs of slowing down. In fact, they’ve delivered what may be one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking metal releases of the year. Keeping t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 18! We’re excited to welcome back two of the most fearless voices in UK heavy music—vocalist Justine Jones and guitarist Sammy Urwin of Employed to Serve —for their second appearance on IUF. Over the last 14 years, the band has built a fierce reputation through relentless touring, standout performances at major festivals, and a discography that keeps pushing heav...

Send us Fan Mail We’re joined by one of the most dynamic voices in heavy metal—Chrigel Glanzmann, frontman of the legendary folk metal pioneers, Eluveitie . After 23 years of trailblazing innovation, the band continues to elevate the genre, redefining the boundaries of folk metal with every release. Their latest album, " Anv ," marks yet another powerful chapter in a legacy built on pass...

Send us Fan Mail Epica returns in full force with their 9th studio album, Aspiral — a testament to their evolution as symphonic metal mainstays. We recently caught up with powerhouse vocalist Simone Simons to discuss the journey behind the record, shaped by over two decades of experience and artistic growth. Drawing from the joys and challenges of motherhood and the rhythm of everyday life, Simone...

Send us Fan Mail From a Quiet Town to a Powerful Presence: Katerina Nicole Has Arrived Hailing from the small town of Summertown, BC, independent artist Katerina Nicole is making a bold entrance into the heavier realms of music. Drawing from an eclectic mix of influences—Celine Dion, Paramore, and Lamb of God among them—Katerina has crafted a sound that’s as emotionally resonant as it is sonically...

Send us Fan Mail A new chapter in post-metal has begun with the arrival of Camille Contreras, the latest voice of French progressive metalcore outfit Novelists. Taking on the role of lead vocalist is no small task—especially following a line of predecessors who helped shape the band's identity. Yet, Camille steps into the spotlight with remarkable poise and undeniable talent. For over a decad...

Send us Fan Mail A debut album can be a defining moment for any band, but for seasoned vocalist Vicky Psarakis, it's just another challenge to take head-on. When we last spoke with Vicky in 2022, she was fronting melodic death metal outfit The Agonist while simultaneously developing her nu-metal side project, Sicksense. Following The Agonist's breakup, Vicky fully committed to Sicksense,...

Send us Fan Mail Thrash Metal Lives On: Kragen Lum Talks Heathen’s Bleed The World Seasoned guitarist Kragen Lum returns to IUF to discuss Heathen’s electrifying live album, Bleed The World. It’s been five years since our last conversation, and now, with the dust of the pandemic finally settled, Kragen is more than ready to unleash new music. This live release breathes new life into Heathen’s cata...

Send us Fan Mail Killswitch Engage’s Justin Foley on This Consequence and the Band’s Enduring Legacy  This Consequence , the latest album from metalcore legends Killswitch Engage, marks another milestone in the band's storied 26-year career. We sit down with drummer Justin Foley to discuss his personal and professional journey as part of one of the most influential bands in heavy music. Over...

Send us Fan Mail Traitors Unleash "Phobias": A Conversation with Tyler Shelton The wait is over—"Phobias," the highly anticipated fifth album from Tampa-based deathcore powerhouse Traitors, has arrived. We sit down with frontman Tyler Shelton for a jam-packed conversation covering his deep passion for music, film, his formative years, and the influences that shaped him. Known f...

Send us Fan Mail Finnish artist Marko Hietala has navigated a career filled with both triumphs and challenges, and now, after an illustrious four decades in music, he returns with a solo album that encapsulates his journey. Roses From the Deep is a heartfelt homage to his roots, drawing from the timeless influence of classic rock. Known for his tenure with legendary acts like Nightwish and Tarot (...

Send us Fan Mail We are joined by vocalist Sam McCauley and bassist George Lewis of British rock upstarts Oversize, as they gear up for the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Vital Signs . Since their formation in 2019, the band has spent six years carving out their identity, culminating in a milestone moment—signing with the renowned SharpTone Records. The excitement surrounding the...

Send us Fan Mail Echos: Finding Solace in Sound In the depths of darkness, solace emerges. Echos, a rising singer-songwriter from Washington, invites listeners on a transformative journey with her latest album, Quiet, In Your Service . Known for blending EDM and dance into her earlier work, Echos has embraced a new direction, infusing ambient rock elements to define her true sound in 2025. With ov...

Send us Fan Mail A great comeback story always resonates, especially when it involves a band that’s caught the attention of prominent music outlets like Revolver Magazine , who dubbed them a “Band You Need to Know.” Meet Gore, a breakthrough four-piece metalcore outfit from Houston, Texas, and their dynamic frontwoman, Haley Roughton. In this episode, Haley opens up about the journey that led to t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the 'Emotional Rodeo': A Conversation with Janet Devlin We are thrilled to welcome back the gifted Irish singer-songwriter and author, Janet Devlin, for another insightful conversation. It’s been three years since our last chat, and during that time, Janet has continued to explore a rich tapestry of music genres, from folk and indie to Celtic and pop. Now, wit...

Send us Fan Mail “Universal Tales”: A New Chapter for Xandria The symphonic metal powerhouses Xandria have unveiled their latest work, Universal Tales , and we are thrilled to welcome their extraordinary frontwoman, Ambre Vourvahis, to today's podcast. Since joining the band in 2022, Ambre has stepped into a legacy spanning back to Xandria’s formation in 1994. Taking on the role of lead vocal...

Send us Fan Mail Yesterwynde , a word crafted to evoke the essence of time, history, memory, and a connection to past generations, is the latest title from symphonic metal legends Nightwish. Behind this inventive title is Troy Donockley, the band’s versatile multi-instrumentalist. Now with 10 albums and nearly two decades together, Nightwish raises the bar once again, and we had the opportunity to...