Scars and Guitars

Sebasthian Bentos-Pereira is the vocalist in south-western Sydney via Gladstone, Queensland's excellent blackened groove band, Beleth. On the back of the quality of the epic full-length album Silent Genesis I reached out to the group's publicist for a chat and found Sebasthian to be a phenomenal conversationalist in addition to his talent as a vocalist and songwriter. Beleth is the sound of the un...

Martin Mendez is the colossal bassist in Opeth and the man at the helm of the prog-rock fusion/ death metal outfit White Stones. The sophomore album from White Stones is called Dancing Into Oblivion and Martin is on hand to chat about the record and many other topics such as Opeth. For pre-ordering physical copies go to https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/discography/details/7290758.64...

Chris and the lads in Orpheus Omega have teamed up with Triple Kill for a run of shows on the Australian east coast in June 2021 to support the launch of the split EP Career Suicide, in which the band's cover Blink-182, Fountains of Wayne and other pop/ punk faves. Chris is on hand to discuss everything from the EP, the shows, COVID-19, and a bunch of other worthy topics.

Robyn Ferguson is an extraordinary guitar instrumentalist from South Africa who has just released an EP of introspective piano tunes called The Waking World. The EP showcases Robyn's exceptional talent as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She's on hand to discuss the project and we dive into a heap of other topics relating to society and the world around us.

Miles and Interloper have crafted a killer album called Search Party, a prog infused metallic extravaganza which is very different from what he was doing in Rings of Saturn. We discuss the album, his thoughts on former bandmate Lucas Mann amongst plenty of other choice banter sure to please fans of killer new heavy metal 🤘 Order the album: www.nuclearblast.com/interloper-searchparty Interloper on...

Kai Hansen (Helloween/ Gamma Ray). Helloween's self-titled album is out now and is a serious contender for album of the year 2021! One of the reasons it is so strong is the return of vocalist and guitarist Kai Hansen. After the conversations with Helloween members Sascha Gerstner, Dani Löble, and Markus Großkopf, this chat with Kai caps a momentous opportunity to deep dive into all things Hellowe...

Tommy Krash (The Leviathan Project/ ex- Britney Fox). The Leviathan Project is an extraordinary new band featuring Bobby Koeble (ex- Death), Matt Nardo (Producer), Tk (ex- Britny Fox) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (guest vocals, ex- Judas Priest/ Iced Earth). The group's debut release is an EP titled It's their World. IMHO it is the finest collection of metal songs in many years, easily the standout rele...

Dani Löble (Helloween). A far-reaching conversation with Helloween drummer Dani Löble came about due to the release of the band's self-titled album for 2021. We discuss the album, touring, his thoughts on working with former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley, watching soccer from an unusual vantage point and much, much more. Footage of the conversation is posted to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com...

Sascha Gerstner (Helloween/ Palast). Sasha is the guitarist in German metal legends Helloween. The catalyst for the conversation is the new album from the band, scheduled for release on June 18 2021, titled Helloween. We discuss the new album, his perspective on the return of Kai Hansen on guitars (1984-1989, 2016-present), and lead vocals (1984-1986, 2016-present); and Michael Kiske - lead vocals...

Wes Hauch ( v/ ex-The Faceless/ ex- Black Crown Initiate). Wes Hauch is the brilliant guitarist and songwriter at the centre of Alluvial. The catalyst for our conversation is the release of the new studio album, Sarcoma, out May 28 2021. Sarcoma's lineup consists of Hauch, vocalist Kevin Muller (ex-SUFFOCATION, THE MERCILESS CONCEPT), bassist Tim Walker (ENTHEOS) and drummer Matt Paulazzo (AEGAEON...

Markus Großkopf (Helloween). The band's second-ever self-titled release will be available on June 18, 2021. Markus is on hand to discuss, and we cover a heap of ground. Of course, we chat about the new album, and we wax lyrical about our bass heroes amongst other worthy topics.

Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse/ Hate Eternal/ Alas/ ex- Morbid Angel/ ex- Ripping Corpse). The catalyst for the conversation with Erik is the new Cannibal Corpse album for 2021, Violence Unimagined, which is Erik's first as a full-time member after producing the past five albums. Erik handles the production for the album in addition to the guitars. We cover Violence Unimagined, his time with Morbid A...

Mark Alexander-Erber (Golden Robot Records). Mark is the President & Founder of Golden Robot Global Entertainment. The label's roster includes Gilby Clarke, L.A. Guns, Rose Tattoo, Jefferson Starship, Vanilla Fudge, Dizzy Reed and many new and emerging artists. In this episode, Mark shares his rock n' roll philosophy, what it takes to run the organisation, and the lessons he's learned along th...

Jack Thomas (Burial Pit). Lord Of Limbs from Burial Pit's upcoming debut album Subhuman Scum (out May 21 2021) is a gnarly slice of death/ sludge. on hand to discuss is main songwriter and guitarist, Jack Thomas. he first dives into topics surrounding his day job and then dives into the convo regarding all things Burial Pit.

Lala Frischknecht (Burning Witches). Burning Witches release their new album The Witch Of The North on May 28th Via Nuclear Blast. Lala talks about the band's evolution into a high-quality heavy metal outfit and her Filipino heritage amongst other worthy topics!

Stevie D (Buckcherry). Buckcherry will release their 9th studio album Hellbound on June 25 2021 and Stevie D is on hand to discuss. Expect plenty of album talk, touring during COVID, and some insight on Stevie's Filipino heritage.

Jozef Norocky (Devil Sold His Soul). UK based Ambient Post-hardcore outfit Devil Sold His Soul released their new album Loss on April 9; their first release for Nuclear Blast Records and bassist Jozef Norocky is on hand to discuss the band and the album.

Max Cavalera (Go Ahead And Die/ ex-Sepultura/ Killer Be Killed/ Soulfly). Hot on the heels of a conversation with Max's son, Igor Amadeus, Max shares his thoughts on the debut from Go Ahead and Die, his role as a Godfather of extreme metal and his take on why his family is so well adjusted given their exposure to the life in the music biz. Also... he sings "Procreation of the Wicked" by Celtic Fro...

Dino Cazares (Fear Factory, Asesino, Brujería, Divine Heresy). Aggression Continuum is the name of the new album from Fear Factory, it will be out June 17 2021. The album is a rolled gold opportunity to chat to Dino about all things Fear Factory. Dino is an open book and alongside my conversations with Nick Barker and Stuart Anstis from Cradle of Filth, you won't hear more insight offered into the...

Igor Amadeus Cavalera (Go Ahead And Die). The debut self-titled album from Go Ahead And Die will be released on June 11 2021. Igor is on hand to discuss and dive into a heap of other subjects such as his father, Max, and what motivates him to create music!

Benjamin 'Atlas' Andreassen & Jacob Druedahl Bruun (Steelbourne). The debut from Danish outfit Steelbourne is called A Tale As Old As Time. The lads discuss the album, touring plans, the state of heavy metal in 2021 and much, much more!

Gilby Clarke (ex-Guns N' Roses). Gilby has a brand new album for 2021 which is called The Gospel Truth. The album features legendary Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, as well as drumming from John Mellencamp and Chickenfoot stickman Kenny Aronoff, as well as Stephen Perkins from Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyro & Infectious Grooves. Other topics covered include Gilby's cameo with Michael Jackso...

Raymond McGinley (Teenage Fanclub). The new album from Teenage Fanclub is called Endless Arcade, it is, for those people who aren't familiar, a sunny sounding affair that subtly diverts attention away from the dark subject matter that is the band's trademark. Ray is on hand to discuss the album and a heap of other topics!

Tim Pope (The Amenta). Revelator is the name of Sydney based The Amenta's new album. It's a killer modern extreme metal album that embodies everything an extreme metal fan could ask for in a release. Dave and I cover the album, touring, and our recollections of metal fandom in the early 90s.

Lucas Woodland (Holding Absence). Rising rock/ metalcore troupe Holding Absence have just released the superb, The Greatest Mistake Of My Life. The conversation with Lucas covers a heap of ground, including the new album and what it was like to perform in a covers band. This is definitely one to tune into if you've wanted deeper insight into Lostprophets.