Craig Reynolds

The Downbeat

Music EN ↓ 162 episodes

The Downbeat Podcast is an award-winning heavy music podcast featuring in-depth interviews with the biggest names in metal, hardcore, and alternative music. Hosted by Craig Reynolds, The Downbeat explores metal, death metal, black metal, hardcore, and metalcore through long-form, unfiltered conversations with legendary musicians and rising artists. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, songwriting insights, touring life, and honest discussions from across the global heavy music scene. New episodes feature iconic bands, underground favorites, and the voices shaping modern heavy music.

Author

Craig Reynolds

Category

Music

Podcast website

www.thedownbe.at

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

DEAFHEAVEN: George Clarke on Lyrics, Mental Health, Sobriety & Black Metal 13.10.2025

My guest this week is George Lesage Clarke IV (seriously). George is the vocalist of the pioneering black metal/shoegaze band Deafheaven. A deeply poetic and well read man, we do a deep dive on their latest album Lonely People With Power (my AOTY) his lyrics, the nature of hereditary vices…and Cradle Of Filth.

DYING WISH: Flesh Stays Together, Songwriting, Weddings & Modern Metal Production 29.09.2025

My guests this week are Emma, Pedro and Jeff of Dying Wish. We talk in depth about their new album Flesh Stays Together, Emma’s recent wedding, their hilarious band dynamic which dates back to meeting in high school… and we crack a lot of jokes. Madison is joined by guest producer (and Emma’s groom) Jeremy DePoyster of The Devil Wears Prada. It’s chaos and I’m visibly wet from the chaos of having...

SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL: Alex Terrible + Jack on Bare-Knuckle Fighting, Life in USA & Metal Controversy 08.09.2025

My guests on the podcast this week are Alex Terrible and Jack Simmons of Slaughter To Prevail. In this no-holds-barred episode I talk to the Russian deathcore band about their meteoric success and Alex’s recent bareknuckle boxing injuries - as well as settling into life in the USA, wrestling with bears... and the full story on everything controversial surrounding the band.

JONA WEINHOFEN: From IKTPQ to BMTH - Metalcore History & Touring 18.08.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Jona Weinhofen. Jona is an Australian metalcore guitarist known for his work with I Killed The Prom Queen, Bleeding Through and Bring Me The Horizon. We talk about his history with all of these bands as well as Lego, reading fairy smut… and playing the guitar whilst on the toilet.

AARON GILLESPIE: Paramore, Underoath & the Modern Music Industry 05.08.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Aaron Gillespie, a founding member of the band Underoath and a well established songwriter and producer. We talked the state of the music industry, work ethic, his 5 year stint in Paramore, drums, and much more. Aaron was originally on the audio podcast with an on-location episode that unfortunately had all sorts of technical issues so it was great to have him...

ORTHODOX: A Door Left Open, Metalcore Tours & Collaborating with MASTODON 21.07.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Adam Easterling, vocalist of Orthodox. One of my absolute favourite new modern heavy bands. We talk about their UNREAL new album: A Door Left Open as well as his love of nu metal, extreme weather, dreams (and how they influenced the album) and I mention ONE movie too many times...

KUBLAI KHAN: Personal Loss, Tattoos, and Life on the Road 07.07.2025

My guests on the podcast this week are Matt Honeycutt and Eric English of KUBLAI KHAN. We caught up to talk about their latest album Exhibition of Prowess, Matt’s short stint working at Hot-Topic, tattooing, ghosts, scary movies, fast food and much more...

DAVID GUNN: King 810, Lyrics, Ayahuasca & His Spiritual Journey 16.06.2025

My guest on The Downbeat this week is David Gunn of KING810. An incredibly enigmatic and interesting man, we talk about magick (a lot), King's new album Rustbelt Nu Metal, his many brushes with the law and much much more.

ARIC IMPROTA: Tour Stories, Tool Collabs & Dream Gigs 02.06.2025

My guest this week is Aric Improta, visionary drummer and artist. You might know Aric from his videos where he backflips on a drum kit, you might know him from his paintings and artwork released in many forms under the moniker Hexwave, you might know him from his drumming with bands like Fever 333, Night Verses, or might know him as 1/2 of his new blistering project HOUSE OF PROTECTION whose new r...

ISAAC HALE: Knocked Loose, Grammy's, Meshuggah & Metal Legacy 19.05.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Isaac Hale, guitarist of KNOCKED LOOSE. We talk about how all good music has to be funny, his unrelenting need to create music, fashion, touring, our love for MESHUGGAH, GOJIRA AND METALLICA...and we form the most diverse side project the world has ever seen.

JOSH JAMES: Stick To Your Guns, New Album & His WILD Life On The Road 05.05.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Josh James, guitarist of Stick To Your Guns. A veteran of the hardcore scene, Josh has also played with bands like Eighteen Visions, Evergreen Terrace and Casey Jones. We talk STYG's new album 'Keep Planting Flowers' as well as nearly becoming paralyzed, pooping in boxes at Christmas, and an unorthodox way to teach kids about the birds and the bees....

TOM WILLIAMS: Stray From The Path, Kubrick Stare, and The McDonalds Heist 28.02.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is Tom Williams of Stray From The Path, we talk about our new single Kubrick Stare which is out now!

TRAVIS REGNIER: Spite, Tour Stories, Drumming Secrets & Festival Chaos! 20.01.2025

My guest this week is Travis Regnier. An exceptional young drummer who has played for bands like SPITE, SYLOSIS, and many more. He also has a ripping IG check it out: @travis.r.drummer

DANI FILTH: Ed Sheeran Collab, Horror Movies & Cradle of Filth History 06.01.2025

My guest on the podcast this week is the MASTER of EVIL and OG shock merchant Dani Filth of CRADLE OF FILTH. We talk about Cradle's immeasurable impact on heavy music, as well as their latest single Malignant Perfection, their numerous collaborations (including an upcoming song with ED SHEERAN) and we gush about horror movies and interior design. Bucket list guest for me, loved this one!

DAVE BAKSH: The End Of SUM 41, Touring, Collaborations & Escaping Terror 18.12.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Dave Baksh of Sum 41. We caught up on their FINAL UK tour to talk everything about the band, his brush with cancer, and nearly being on a certain flight that didn't end well...

JOHNNY HEALTH: Meme Culture, Collaborations and High Fashion Rizz 25.11.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Johnny from HEALTH. We caught up after becoming besties earlier in the year to talk fashion, music, and a bunch more unhinged stuff...

SPEED: Songwriting, Touring, Flutes & Martial Arts 11.11.2024

My guests on the podcast this week are most-hyped (and deservedly so) hardcore band SPEED. We talk about their dedication to the Australian Hardcore scene, how NOT to act at a show, their collaboration with Nike, and much more. Insane band. Check them tf out.

FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY: The Nothing That Is, Josean's Double Knee Surgery, and Pat...The Hero 28.10.2024

My guests on the podcast this week are Pat and Josean of Fit For An Autopsy. We talk the band's new album The Nothing That Is, Josean's double knee surgery which left him out of the game physically and mentally, and much more.

BETTER LOVERS: The Birth Of A Supergroup, Band Dynamics & Touring as USA's Silliest Serious Band. 14.10.2024

My guests on the podcast this week are ultra-mega-super group BETTER LOVERS. Better Lovers is what happens if Will Putney snorted the ashes of The Dillinger Escape and Every Time I Die. They're all very funny people. We also did a ludicrous collab vinyl for their new record HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE. Check out their tour dates and grab The Downbeat x Better Lovers here: www.highlyirresponsible.com

TOSH THE DRUMMER: MGK, Fall Out Boy, Lady Gaga - The Most In-Demand Live Session Drummer In The World. 30.09.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is WUNDERKIND drummer Tosh (the drummer). He's the go to session guy for people like MGK, Bad Bunny, The Kid Laroi, Troye Sivan, jxden, Fall Out Boy and much more...he's also disgustingly young for someone doing so much.

IHSAHN: Legendary Musician Talks Emperor, Black Metal History & Spirituality 09.09.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Ihsahn of the legendary black metal band Emperor. We talk about how his music and opinions have evolved since starting Emperor as a teenager to his solo career as simply Ihsahn, as well as revealing some amazing stories from the golden era of black metal, and some great outlooks on life.

Aaron Weaver - Wolves In The Throne Room 26.08.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Aaron Weaver of Wolves In The Throne Room. An interesting and wise man - we talk about the band and their impact on the black metal scene, as well as his unorthodox utilization of technology for producing that is modern but still seems on brand for the genre. We also talk about ghosts and Lars Ulrich... obviously.

Ben Thatcher (Royal Blood) 12.08.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Ben Thatcher, one half of ROCK GODS Royal Blood. We talk about his band of course but also about the time he nearly blinded Taylor Swift and drew a portrait of Kanye West - on the same day.

Mike Kroeger - Nickelback 29.07.2024

My guest on the podcast this week is Michael Kroeger, bassit of Nickelback. We talk about growing up and the origins of starting the band with his brother Chad, his extensive surgeries, the new movie Hate to Love: Nickelback, Jiu Jistu, his reasons for moving to the USA from Canada, medicinal healing, and much more.

The Callous Daoboys 15.07.2024

My guests on the podcast this week are Carson Pace and Matthew Hague of The Callous Daoboys. We talk about their absolutely mental band, how they write, touring, movies and a bunch more. Catch them on tour with See You Space Cowboy this summer!

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