Shit Talk Reviews

Power Trip is back, and holy hell, they didn't miss a step. Derek and John dive headfirst into the Texas thrashers' first new tracks in over five years, “Precinct Three” and “Scavenger.” They break down why these riffs actually hit you in the chest, how the groove stayed fully intact, and why Seth Gilmore steps up and fits this band like a glove. They get into the dirt on both tracks—con...

A 19-minute metal record is turning heads because it shouldn't work this well - and yet A Fate Worse Than Loneliness by Showing Teeth does just that. Addison, the viral TikTok vocalist from Louisville mixes pop instincts, metalcore precision, and full-on death metal chaos into something wild, modern, and strangely accessible. The STR malcontents break down why the album feels so fresh right n...

Starset’s Annihilation sounds huge, polished, and futuristic - but is it actually gripping, or just packaged metal? Derek and John get into the heart of what makes the track work for one listener and fall flat for another, using it as a launchpad for a bigger conversation about modern metal, production, and what actually makes a song hit. John breaks down why Starset’s mix of melodic vocals, chunk...

The Barbarians of California just dropped a record that refuses to sit still. Megatons is heavy enough to flatten you, catchy enough to live in your head for days and accessible enough to win over people who don’t even think they like metal. Derek and John break down why this album feels less like a genre exercise and more like a fully formed world of its own. What makes Megatons so compelling is...

The godfather of heavy riffs. The architect of heavy metal. The guitarist's guitarist. In this episode the Shit Talk duo digs into Tony Iommi’s new single “World Alone” and share their completely unsolicited take on what they think works musically—and what doesn’t.  Get out the pitchforks people, there are hot takes inbound: While both agree the riffs, production, and musicianship are solid,...

Uncover the behind-the-scenes genius of Aaron Bruno — the mastermind blending heavy music, pop sensibility, and wild creativity in ways you’ve never heard before. If you haven’t seen part one of our chat with Aaron Bruno, be sure to start there and then pop back over here! Aaron Bruno, the iconic voice behind AWOL Nation and now the fiery Barbarians of California, reveals how he's breaking th...

Aaron Bruno breaks the mold—and the rules—in a conversation packed with raw honesty, beeline humor, and insider stories music fans will love. From celebrating his journey with AWOLNATION and now The Barbarians Of California to revealing how a hardcore kid’s vocals matured into arena-level skills, Bruno pulls back the curtain on creativity, fame, and the unbreakable bond with his fans—plus, the tal...

In an untraditionally self-aware conversation, John and Derek revisit a previous hot take about Amon Amarth and Derek admits he may have judged the current status of the band too quickly. Derek gets into why he thinks “Gjallarhorn” feels like a return to the band’s aggressive Viking metal roots and John acknowledges his podcasting ineptitude and lack of general catalog knowledge. Along the way, th...

In this episode, John and Derek dig into Amon Amarth’s new acoustic surprise, “upphaf” and debate whether the band’s newer sound is a bold evolution or a step too far from their roots. Longtime fans might argue that Amon Amarth has shifted toward polished, fist-pumping festival anthems and too far away from tracks like “First Kill.” And thus the question comes back again: Are bands able to success...

If you already know who Boundaries is, then you know their latest album "Yearning: The Unbeautiful After" is incredibly powerful. If you're not yet familiar with the band, prepare yourself to be introduced to the band that is currently defining what metalcore is: Aggressive, honest and downright brutal. Derek and John break down why this record, rooted in raw emotion and inspired by...

Unlock the raw intensity behind Mastodon's haunting new single "Your Ghost," a powerful tribute to loss, grief, and legacy that echoes through the heavy riffs and emotional lyrics. In this episode, John and Derek delve into the deeply personal story woven into Mastodon's latest release, exploring how grief, anger, and remembrance shape the band's sound and message. The Shi...

Most death metal fans haven't heard the full story behind Chuck Schuldiner's legacy—until now. Matt Harvey, the legendary guitarist and vocalist from Exhumed, Gruesome, and now Left to Die, shares candid insights into his journey from learning classic death riffs as a teen to stepping into Chuck Schuldiner's shoes. Discover how one of the most respected death metal figures of all ti...

100 Demons have unleashed Embrace the Black Light, a ferocious, anger-fueled record that’s been 22 years in the making. Derek and John get into how this long-awaited album challenges modern rock’s safety and the artistry behind its relentless riffs, raw (yet polished) production and provocative artwork. If you're craving pure heavy, this is their statement—an onslaught of hardcore and metal t...

Most heavy metal bands try to reinvent the wheel — these guys just crush it with old-school thrash that hits like a freight train. Denmark’s Persecutor is redefining the genre, blending fierce nostalgia with modern aggression on their recent album Casualties Of Violence, a 31-minute album packed with relentless riffs and raw energy. Stefan Sorensen, riff meister and long-time member, takes us insi...

John and Derek get into the wild, boundary-pushing world of Greg Kubacki—musician, guitar wizard, and innovator behind the chaos of Sun Guts and Car Bomb. The guys talk about how Greg’s relentless pursuit of sonic destruction redefines modern metal, with riffs so heavy they feel like driving a truck on black ice—unpredictable, powerful and sometimes downright terrifying. If you've ever wonder...

Guest Ole Frank is the drummer and producer of Danish prog metal band Deadnate, known for his meticulous approach to recording and mixing, which helped shape the sound of Mosaic—a record praised for its clarity, aggression, and emotional depth. A lot of heavy bands struggle to balance raw energy with polished production, but Deadnate pulls it off effortlessly—and their latest album Mosaic is a mas...

In this proglicious episode, the Shit Talk yahoos dive deep into A Pale White Dot, examining why even the most polished metal records can feel a little off to some listeners while being absolutely perfect to others. Some tracks blast into your face like a freight train, while others meander into synth-rich territory that leave some folks yearning for more of the heavy. They get into their standout...

If you’re sleeping on Deadnate’s new record Mosaic, do yourself a favor and wake up from that beautiful slumber. This album is a relentless, genre-blending killer that expertly combines thrash, prog, and raw aggression. It’s self-produced but sounds like a big-budget release. If you're tired of overproduced, sterile metal albums, this one will hit hard—sonically massive, thoughtfully arranged...

The much-anticipated collaboration between grindcore legends Napalm Death and the legendary Melvins is here— but does it live up to the hype? Dive into a raw, candid breakdown of "Savage Imperial Death March," where the consensus seems to be that it's more Melvins than Napalm Death and it lacks the of aggression and the heavy dose of Napalm Death that may leave some fans of either b...

If you're into progressive metal that combines raw intensity with meticulous craftsmanship, Periphery should be high on your list of must listen material. John and Derek get into Mr. God, the first single from Periphery's upcoming album A Pale White Dot.  This latest single, on their own 3 Dot Recordings, is a ferocious mix of chunky, heavy baritone guitars, monstrous bass tones, searing...

This time around Derek and John get into the new album From Birth To Death by SUN DONT SHINE. It’s an awesome record that combines doom, killer melodies and subtle grunge influences—all woven together into a powerful heavy rock record that surprises and elevates the metal landscape. The STR malcontents get into the intricate details that make this album stand out. Check out how the band’s lineup,...

Derek and John recently spent some time with Edge Of Paradise’s singer, pianist and visionary Margarita Monet. Most artists channel their inner sci-fi visionary by dreaming of a full-fledged movie based on their album — but Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise is already on her way. She’s blending heavy riffs, cinematic visuals, the realities and wishes for AI, consciousness, and what it truly mean...

Nashville's metal scene is thriving in ways you never expected—chaotic, intense, and deeply connected. John and Derek sat down for a conversation with Jacob Lilly, vocalist of Chamber, and he pulled back the curtain on their latest album this is goodbye… revealing how chaos, emotion, and raw energy define their sound and their journey. Discover how they push musical boundaries with producer R...

Heritage metal band Lamb Of God just released their tenth studio album Into Oblivion. Derek and John got into it and talked about the band's return to form, production techniques, and band evolution. They also questioned why Country Time Lemonade still hasn't answered John's calls but still have no answers. (John is still quite upset.) www.shittalkreviews.com Spotify - https://tinyu...

Nashville mosh metal masters CHAMBER have a new album dropping on March 27, 2026 and in a word, it is INTENSE. John and Derek got their hands on a copy and had to talk about it. This band sits right at the chaotic intersection of mathcore, metalcore, and hardcore and they bring the perfect amount of noise-based goodness to scratch all your itches in just the right way.  www.shittalkreviews.com Spo...