Mandatory Music

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text A chilling new hymn has emerged from the depths—Ghost’s latest track, Satanized . This week on Mandatory Music , we dive deep into its haunting melodies, cryptic lyrics, and the eerie energy it conjures. How does it compare to their past works? What secrets lie within the song? We break it all down. But first, a bit of unexpected chaos—a discussion o...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we dive into Volbeat's new single, By a Monster’s Hand ! We break down what we liked, what didn’t quite hit the mark, and how Volbeat continues to wear their influences on their sleeves. Plus, we bring back some Metallica talk for the first time in a while—Kirk Hammett has a new book about his legendary guitar coll...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode of Mandatory Music , we dive deep into Arch Enemy’s “Paper Tiger” — a track that delivers pure, unrelenting energy. From the moment Alissa White-Gluz’s ferocious growls cut through the mix to Michael Amott’s razor-sharp riffs, this song is a masterclass in melodic death metal. We unpack the song’s powerful themes of defiance and expos...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text A storm brews on the horizon, and from the depths of darkness emerges Afterglow , the crushing new track from Dark Chapel, led by the formidable Dario Lorina of Black Label Society. Haunting melodies, bone-crushing riffs, and an eerie atmosphere make this song more than just music—it’s an experience. Tonight, we step into the shadows, peeling back th...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we dive into The Deadfall , the latest project from legendary guitarist Joe Holmes. We break down the song’s intricate arrangement, its striking melodies, and its unique use of dissonant notes that set it apart. But we don’t stop there—we explore Holmes’ fascinating journey, from his early days in the music scene to his...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Tonight, we took a deep dive into the haunting track Rooster by Alice in Chains. From its chilling melodies to its raw, emotional lyrics, we explored the song’s powerful storytelling, the personal history behind it, and the way it captures the weight of war and survival. Join us as we break down the eerie atmosphere, Layne Staley’s haunting vocals, a...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Mike and Sebastian dive into the sheer heaviness of Black Label Society’s thunderous track Lord Humungus . From Zakk Wylde’s signature blistering riffs to the song’s relentless groove, they break down what makes this track a headbanger’s dream. They also discuss its Mad Max-inspired themes, crushing guitar tones, and ho...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we take a deep dive into Led Zeppelin’s 'Ten Years Gone.' But before we get into the heart of Zeppelin, we briefly revisit Black Sabbath’s final show. From there, we break down the emotion, composition, and songwriting behind 'Ten Years Gone' and touch on Zeppelin’s live performances. Unfortunately,...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode of Mandatory Music , we journey into the mystical soundscapes of Wardruna’s “Birna” from their newest album. We break down the powerful storytelling, haunting melodies, and the use of ancient instruments that bring their music to life. 🎶✨ But that’s not all—we also reflect on the final Black Sabbath concert , marking the end of an e...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent Grammy Awards, focusing on Gojira's win for best metal performance and their groundbreaking performance at the Olympics. They explore the significance of the Grammys in the music industry, the unique sound of Gojira, and the impact of AI on music production. The conversation also touches on notable G...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, Michael and Sebastian dive into a variety of topics, starting with their frustrations about football and the upcoming Super Bowl. They share personal stories about family bonding during community events, discuss tattoos, and reflect on their gambling experiences. The conversation wraps up with a music recommendation, highlighting the...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and Mike embark on a transformative journey into the haunting world of Puscifer’s Momma Sed . For Mike, it’s a first-time listen that sparks raw, unfiltered reactions, as the duo unravels the song’s hypnotic melodies, poetic lyrics, and the surreal dreamscape it conjures. Prepare for an emotional deep dive int...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of Mandatory Music. Tonight, we venture into the shadowy realm of Iron Maiden’s haunting epic, ‘Hell on Earth.’ As the final chapter of their 2021 album Senjutsu , this 11-minute odyssey pulls us into a world of apocalyptic visions, chilling reflections, and dark philosophical truths. Through cryptic lyrics and soaring...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Join us as we close out the year with our 2024 Year in Review! We reflect on our podcast journey so far, share our most and least popular episodes, and lay out our goals for 2025. Sebastian dives into Kat Von D's captivating new album, while Mike highlights the rising stardom of High Desert Queen. Plus, we revisit some of our favorite music disc...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, we recap Metallica's recent benefit concert, highlighting the electrifying setlist, standout moments, and the incredible work of their foundation, All Within My Hands. Join us as we explore the power of music to unite and inspire, Metallica-style! Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwap...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, we dive into what we've been spinning lately, including a mix of music and audiobooks that have caught our attention. Then, we take a deep dive into David Gilmour's 2006 solo masterpiece, On an Island . From the album's dreamy soundscapes to its reflective themes, we discuss why this release stands out in his legendary...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this week’s episode of Mandatory Music , we dive into Marko Hietala’s captivating new song, Left on Mars . Join us as we explore the song’s themes, musicality, and what it reveals about Hietala’s artistry. Along the way, we share a dynamic conversation covering various topics that music fans won’t want to miss. Tune in for another engaging episode...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Sebastian is back on Mandatory Music! In this episode, we dive into the electrifying announcement of AC/DC's upcoming tour and debate if it’s worth trying to snag tickets. Then, we shift gears to dissect Ghost’s haunting track, "Call Me Little Sunshine," exploring its themes, lyrics, and musical brilliance. Join us for an episode packe...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text With Sebastian under the weather, Mike takes the stage solo for this week’s Mandatory Music . This episode dives into the sounds of four fascinating bands: the darkly enchanting Lucifer, the retro-fueled Sienna Root, the mystic storytelling of Jess and the Ancient Ones, and the electrifying Wucan. Join Mike for a journey through heavy riffs, psychede...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this week’s episode of Mandatory Music , Mike and Sebastian dive deep into Linkin Park’s latest album, They unpack the evolution of the band’s sound, their new themes, and how this album stands up to Linkin Park’s previous work. Plus, we couldn’t resist discussing the recent Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight – and a few other topics that caught our a...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this week’s episode of Mandatory Music, we’re diving into our top 5 movie compilation soundtracks—a mix that spans decades and genres but shares one thing in common: unforgettable music that defined its era. From the timeless soul of Stand by Me to the adrenaline-pumping hits of Top Gun and the disco grooves of Saturday Night Fever , we’re taking...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text What if you could uncover the hidden threads connecting a musical legend and a rock masterpiece? In our latest episode, we honor the unparalleled Quincy Jones, whose recent passing at the age of 91 marks a profound loss in the music world. We share insights into his legendary career, from working with icons like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Michae...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the powerful soundscapes of Shepherds Reign, a band blending Polynesian roots with heavy metal in a way that’s fierce, soulful, and utterly unique. We also tackle the growing trend of no-phone policies at concerts—are these policies helping us live in the moment, or are they just an unnecessary hassle?  Mandatory Mu...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Michael and Sebastian take a journey back to the 1970s as we delve into Side A of Pink Floyd's provocative album, Animals . Join us as we uncover the backstory behind tracks like “Pigs on the Wing (Part 1)” and the sprawling “Dogs,” exploring the biting social critiques, existential themes, and musical complexity t...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode of Mandatory Music , we dive deep into the latest solo release from Jerry Cantrell, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of Alice in Chains. Join us as we explore the album's sonic landscapes, Cantrell's signature guitar work, and how it fits into his legendary career. From grunge roots to evolving solo sounds, we break down...