Metal Shop's Backstage Pass

Ian Shelton grew up in the Enumclaw area, but now lives down in LA. Ian plays in a hardcore/powerviolence band called Regional Justice Center that kicks all kinds of ass. He also directs music videos and plays in some other musical projects. We chatted about all these things + much much more.

I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with Vincent Bennett from The Acacia Strain about a variety of topics including – touring during a pandemic, the value of a positive outlook, how he got motivated to get in shape, ska music, early influences and much much more.

JJ Polachek has one of the burliest voices in all of metal. I chatted with JJ about everything from his gateways to metal music, what inspired his death metal growl, the future of 7 Horns 7 Eyes and everything surrounding his main project Nekroí Theoí. Stay tuned til the end for an 11 minute Nekroí Theoí song!

Heaven Shall Burn is a German metal band that has been killin' it since 1998! I spoke with guitarist Maik Weichert via skype about their brand new double album "Of Truth & Sacrifice," releasing an album during a pandemic, his ideal wrestling theme song, some of his favorite all time albums and much more. 

Drawn and Quartered are an institution in Northwest death metal. The band has been going strong since the mid-90's and shows no signs of slowing down. I spoke with guitarist Kelly Kuciemba about the formation of D&Q, his side project Plague Bearer, what keeps him motivated to keep writing killer death metal riffs, how he's doing during the pandemic, plans for the future of the band and much mo...

Ace Stallings is the vocalist for the unique and awesome Richmond, Virginia-based hardcore band Mutually Assured Destruction. He also hosts a RAD podcast called Forum Of Passion. I spoke with Ace about why Richmond has produced so many good bands, going from a more traditional hardcore band to his new project M.A.D, his ideas for his podcast and much much more. 

Jacob Bannon is a creative force in the world of underground music. Even if you haven't listened to his bands, you've definitely seen some of his visual art. Along with making some of the most iconic and striking album covers of our generation, Bannon sings for Converge, Wear Your Wounds and his new death-metal tinged band Umbra Vitae.

We first interviewed All Out War vocalist Mike Score last year after his band released "Crawl Among The Filth." I checked in with Mike to talk about how he's handling everything over in New York during the stay-at-home order, how he's adjusted to being a history teacher via Zoom, some of the albums that help him get through stress and bummer days and much much more. 

Husbandry is an incredible NYC based post-hardcore band that needs to be heard! Their new album "A Port In A Storm" is so good! I spoke with vocalist Carina Zachary about working in the medical field during a pandemic, musical inspiration, origin story of the band + much more. Plus stay tuned until the end to hear a song from Husbandry! 

We chatted with Nate Garrett from Spirit Adrift last year around the time of the release of their incredible album "Divided By Darkness." I caught up with Nate to chat about how his move down to Texas went, staying creative during a pandemic, new music, focusing on Spirit Adrift and much more. 

Texas based metal band CREEPING DEATH came through Seattle two times within the last 6 months and both performances absolutely CRUSHED. I chatted with guitarist Trey Pemberton about his roots in hardcore, what got him into metal, his favorite hip hop artists, his go to karaoke song and much more. 

August Burns Red is a hardworking metalcore band that is known for energentic performances and catchy riffs! Their new album "Guardians" is out now, so I hopped on the phone with guitarist Brent Rambler to talk all things Guardians, inspirations, scars, tour postponements and much much more. 

Abysmal Dawn is a finely tuned technical death metal machine! This LA based band just released their new album "Phylogenesis" on Season Of Mist records, so I hopped on the phone with guitarist/vocalist Charles Elliott to chat about releasing a new album during a pandemic, his big four of death metal, inspiration and much more.   

Noroth is a killer new death metal band from right here in the Pacific Northwest. The recently released their debut album "It Dwells Amongst Us", so I hopped on the phone with guitarist Metal Mike to talk all about the album, life during quarantine, early death metal inspirations and much more. Plus we play 2 songs from the album.   

On Friday April 24th, Sölicitör is releasing their highly anticipated album "Spectral Devastation." Kevin chatted with this rad Seattle speed metal band about postponing tour plans due to the lock down, some of their biggest musicial inspirations, bringing back speed metal and of course - THE ALBUM. Plus stay tuned til the end to hear a brand new songs from "Spectral Devastation." 

Bay area thrash legends Testament recently released their 13th studio album "Titans of Creation" and it kicks major ass! Kevin chatted with vocalist Chuck Billy about the making of the album, recovering from COVID-19, musical inspiration, socially distanced life, his least metal albums in the collection and much more. Thrash! 

You might know Finn McKenty from his popular YouTube channel "The Punk Rock MBA" where he posts videos such as "How Did Fall Out Boy Get So Big" "Pop Punk Bands Who Should've Been Bigger" "How Did Pantera Get So Big" etc. But did you know that Finn made hardcore fanzines at the age of 16? From his humble beginnings in the DIY scene, Finn has made a lane for himself in music media with websites and...

Cirith Ungol is gearing up to release their long anticipated comeback album "Forever Black" next week! Listen to the newest member Jarvis Leatherby talk about how he got the band to reunite and how he joined the band. Plus he gives us a run down of what's up with his other band Night Demon. 

Lindsay O'Connor is a  beast of a metal vocalist who is currently in the bands Coma Cluster Void, Eyes of Perdition and Catenation. She is also a featured vocalist on the new game DOOM ETERNAL. Gnarly! We talk everything from her DOOM experience to a little quarantine chat, her musical inspirations and some of her favorite all time albums. 

We were able to meet Incendiary vocalist Brendan Garrone last year when his band came through on tour. I caught up with him via Zoom app to talk about how he's handling everything during this stay at home order, how things are in NYC and some of his favorite albums to clear his mind. - Kevin

Code Orange recently released their mammoth new album Underneath and executed one of the most unique record release shows ever - an immersive live stream to an empty venue that's an absolute must see. I hopped on the phone with vocalist Jami Morgan to chat about stepping up front and becoming the full time vocalist, the new album, early inspirations and what it's been like working with WWE. - Kevi...

The Black Dahlia Murder is gearing up to release their new album "Verminous" next Friday, so Kevin hopped on the phone with vocalist Trevor Strnad to talk about dropping an album during a pandemic, some of his favorite death metal right now, Dungeons and Dragons and much much more! 

Today is the Day is a very unique and powerful noise rock / metal band that has to be seen live to truly understand. Kevin chatted on the phone with TDIT frontman / mastermind Steve Austin about the band's new album, what it was like to cancel a tour in the middle of it, what his life is currently like, some of his musical inspiration and much much more. 

You might know Tom Sheehan as the vocalist of NYHC bands Indecision and Most Precious Blood. Or you might know him as one of the three hosts of the popular hardcore/lifestyle podcast Axe To Grind. Kevin chatted on the phone with Tom about how things are going in NYC during the stay-at-home order and how he's managing to stay safe and sane while still working his highly essential day job. 

Greyhawk just premiered "Dont Wait for the Wizard" from their upcoming album "Keepers of the Flame" and it's AWESOME! Kevin hopped online to chat with their bassist Darin Wall to talk about the new album, his early musical inspirations, his favorite kinds of beer, his other band Skelator, playing with Ross the Boss, home workouts, the craziness of this pandemic and a little wrestling talk. Stay tu...