Into The Necrosphere

This week on Into The Necrosphere, Alex "Impaler" Friberg joins me for a wide-ranging conversation covering his journey from discovering extreme metal to founding Firespawn and, ultimately, sharing the stage with one of death metal's most iconic frontmen, the late, great LG Petrov. We also dive into Alex's life beyond music, including his transition into professional tattooing, the story of inking...

On this week’s news rant, The Reverend Karl Hikara joins me to round up new singles by Castle, Psycroptic, Abyssal Rift, Fuming Mouth, Green Carnation, Abyssal Rift, Heretic Cult Redeemer and more for judgement. We also get our first horrifying taste of rent-a-slattern metallers Dogma, put simp culture in heavy metal on blast, and reward made-up complaints about the YouTube algorithm with the Swir...

This week on Into The Necrosphere, I'm joined by Adam Gregory, Festival Director of Bloodstock Open Air, for an in-depth conversation about the past, present and future of the UK's biggest independent metal festival. We discuss the challenge of finding the next generation of festival headliners, Bloodstock's remarkable growth, booking philosophy, the changing landscape of heavy music, and why Adam...

This week I’m joined by former Marduk bassist and legendary producer Magnus “Devo” Andersson for an in-depth conversation about his journey into recording and sound engineering, his years in Marduk, and life beyond one of black metal’s most greatest bands. Then, Drugoth returns for the Weekly News Rant as we break down the latest singles from Samael, Behemoth, Cvinger and Hexbane. We also debate t...

If you'd like to catch the full episode, including my interview with Dødheimsgard mastermind Vicotnik, check out Episode 320. On this edition of the Weekly News Rant, Sheriff Mike Scondotto returns to help me pass judgement on the latest singles from Archgoat, Hulder, Devourment, Faustian and Speedslut. Beyond the music, we discuss the state of modern metal crowds, "Banana-gate", and the hardcore...

This week I'm continuing my coverage from this year's Fortress Festival as I'm joined by the legendary Yusaf 'Vicotnik' Parvez of Dødheimsgard for a wide-ranging discussion. We cover everything from the evolution of his creative process and the making of his recent masterpiece, Black Medium Current, to his reflections on growing older and whether there might be another Ved Buens Ende record somewh...

This week I'm joined by Jason Mendonca, David Gray and Sam Loynes from Akercocke at the Fortress Forum, part of Fortress Festival 2026, to reflect on their seminal 2003 masterpiece, Choronzon. The band reveal lesser-known stories from the making of the album, discuss its enduring legacy, and share their thoughts on how both the metal scene and wider culture have changed since its release. I also a...

This week Catherine and Hamish Glencross join me for a raucous, wide-ranging discussion featuring a deep dive into the making of the new Projections record by Godthrymm. We explore the evolution of the band’s sound across their three-album discography, Catherine’s increasingly prominent role on newer material, and the perks and pitfalls of balancing marriage, family and careers with life in a band...

This week I’m joined by Justin Greaves and Belinda Kordic to discuss the making of the latest Crippled Black Phoenix offering, Sceaduhelm. We dive deep into the album’s influences and the inspiration behind many of its tracks. Along the way, we also explore Justin and Belinda’s individual musical journeys — from Justin growing up around his father’s record store, which helped shape his remarkably...

On this week’s episode of Into The Necrosphere, I welcome Gildas Le Pape of Via Doloris to the podcast for the first time to discuss the band’s blistering debut album, Guerre Et Paix. We dive deep into the writing and creation of the record, including how Gildas linked up with the legendary Frost to perform drums on the album. We also discuss Gildas’ stint as guitarist for Satyricon, what he learn...

Roman V — founder and creative force behind black metal outfit Bizarrekult — returns to Into The Necrosphere this week. We go deep on the creation and themes of the band’s new album, Alt Som Finnes, with Roman opening up about the personal struggles that shaped it, and how unexpected support from a scene legend helped bring it across the finish line. We also cover his experience performing at this...

Steve Brogden of California thrash upstarts Nukem joins the podcast this week to dive into the band’s ferocious new record, The Grave Remains. Beyond the music, Steve breaks down how he landed a dream job as a guitar tech for the legendary Gary Holt, and offers a candid, behind-the-curtain look at life on tour with high-profile bands.  We also talk about the lessons that the new generation can tak...

Sam Bean, bassist and vocalist for Into The Necrosphere favourites Werewolves, returns to the podcast this week for a wide-ranging discussion spanning both musical and personal territory. He reflects on his experiences as a musician, shares a surprising update on Australian noise merchants The Berzerker, and offers insight into future plans for Werewolves and Faustian. In a surprise twist, we also...

On April 2nd, 2026, Ultha dropped the surprise follow-up to their critically acclaimed album All That Has Never Been True with no warning, press or prior buildup.   Ahead of its release, I sat down with my good friend Ralph Schmidt, guitarist for Ultha, to dissect the new record, A Light So Dim. Ralph takes us track-by-track through the album, unpacking the personal experiences behind it, the evol...

The legendary Robert Vigna of Immolation joins me this week to dissect one of death metal’s most enduring legacies. We dig into the band’s remarkable longevity, the creative fire that still drives them, and the making of their upcoming album Descent.  Robert reflects on Immolation’s early days in the underground, his decades-long creative partnership with Ross Dolan, and what fans can expect from...

Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution of the Hellripper sound, and how he overcame performance anxiety to emerge as one of metal’s most commanding frontmen. On the Weekly News Rant, I react...

Chris Naughton and Simon Lucas of UK black metal stalwarts Winterfylleth join me to break down the inspiration and themes behind their excellent new album, The Unyielding Season. We also talk about the band’s decision to sign with Napalm Records, their take on how the music industry is evolving, and take a nostalgic detour into the halcyon days of British comedy. On the Weekly News Rant: new singl...

Christian Larson from US black metal legion Necrofier joins the podcast this week to discuss the band’s sensational new album, Transcend Into Oblivion. We dig into Necrofier’s decision to sign with Metal Blade Records, talk about the changing realities of the modern music industry, and Christian breaks down the real cost of touring the United States. We also go deep on his festival Hell’s Heroes,...

This week on Into The Necrosphere, Hellenic black metal legend The Magus joins me to discuss his new album Daemonosophia and his pivotal role in shaping the Greek black metal movement as a founding force behind Necromantia. We revisit the roots of the Hellenic scene, his creative brotherhood with Baron Blood, the occult philosophy driving his work, his devotion to medieval fencing, and his unfilte...

This week sees the long-overdue return of my brother-from-another-mother, Shayan of Trivax and host of the Iblis Manifestations podcast.   We dive into his perspective on everything from the critical response to Trivax’s latest album, The Great Satan, to his vision for the band’s future. We also have a candid and wide-ranging discussion about the rapidly evolving situation in his home country of I...

This week I welcome back the legendary Sakis Tolis of Greek black metal titans Rotting Christ. We discuss the upcoming “Godless IV” tour alongside Behemoth, Immolation and Deicide, the re-recording of the seminal “Aealo”, and Sakis reflects on the early days of his musical journey — plus plenty more.   Then it’s on to the weekly news rant: No/Mas, Metal Church, Down, Slagmaur and Melechesh all get...

This week I'm joined by the legendary Nick Barker, a truly generational talent whose thunderous drumming has defined extreme metal for three decades. From Cradle of Filth to Dimmu Borgir, Lock-Up, Brujeria and beyond, Nick's career speaks for itself.  In this raw, hour-plus conversation, Nick opens up about the serious health struggles he's faced over the past three years. We also dive deep into h...

This week I reveal the official Into The Necrosphere Album of the Year for 2025. Joining me is my friend Mike Hill — fellow Horseman of the Podcasting Apocalypse and the mastermind behind Tombs and Scorpion Throne. We each count down our Top 10 albums of 2025, debate the year’s finest metal releases, and ultimately crown one record supreme.   On the weekly news rant, I tear through the latest sing...

On this episode of Into The Necrosphere, I continue my countdown of the best metal albums of the past twelve months. Joining me for part two is my brother in the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse, Karl Hikara—host of the excellent Sol Nox podcast, with new episodes dropping every Thursday and Sunday. Karl unleashes his Top 10 albums of 2025, while I rip through numbers 20–11 on my own year-end...

I’m back! Kicking off the first episode of 2026 and celebrating the very best releases of the past 12 months, I’m joined by none other than my very good friend Nathan Glover from Graveir. In the first instalment of my countdown of the Best Albums of 2025, I reveal my picks from #30 to #21, while Nathan shares his personal Top 10 of the year. After that, it’s on to the weekly News Rant, where this...