Mandatory Music

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...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on the podcast, Mike and Sebastian dive deep into the iconic Paranoid album by Black Sabbath. This legendary record holds a special place in our hearts, and we explore its lasting influence on us personally and on the heavy metal genre as a whole. From the rebellious energy of 'War Pigs' to the crushing riffs of 'Iron Man&apo...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode of Mandatory Music , Mike and Sebastian dive deep into Hangman’s Chair’s hauntingly beautiful new single, "2 AM Thoughts." The duo explores the melancholic vibes and atmospheric sounds that make this song stand out, blending doom, post-metal, and introspective lyrics. They discuss their personal interpretations of the lyrics...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text In this episode, Mike and Seb dive into Coldplay's latest album, Moon Music . Mike, with his sharp ear for detail, breaks down the album’s dreamy soundscapes and explores how it pushes the band’s sonic boundaries. Meanwhile, Seb brings his unfiltered takes, questioning whether Coldplay's cosmic themes have gone too far. Expect a lively deba...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Today is the greatest day, to review an album. Mike and Seb discuss the somewhat throw back album to what resonated sonically with fans in the mid 90’s, but with a slight modern tone. We talk about what works, what doesn’t and what the picture on the album cover is all about… Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebasti...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Join us this week as we dive deep into Nightwish's latest album, "Yesterwynde."  We'll unravel the epic tales woven into each track, discuss how the band's sound has evolved, and explore the emotional journey "Yesterwynde" takes listeners on.   From the soaring vocals of Floor Jansen to the intricate orchestral arra...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text The legend himself, arguably the greatest guitarist of all time. Number one on so many top guitarist list. Yes, lets talk about him. He had such a short time here on earth but made one of the biggest impacts in music and those reverberations are still felt to this day. Mike and Seb have one question for you…Are you experienced? Mandatory Music is pro...

We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text Now for something different. Mike and Sebastian unpack the new David Gilmour album released just a couple of days ago. This is proof we are not just metal heads as our appreciation for music flows through many styles and moods. Join us as we explore one of the true masters of songwriting and navigate with us through the tender and soulful solos and r...