The Great Metal Debate Podcast

In Daughters of the Night, Nocturna may be redefining symphonic power metal with a grand new innovation. The intreguing aspect to Nocturna is how they utilize two two lead vocalists - the the formidable Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight. Both have unique voices; in the context of Noctura, they use similar vocal approaches and roles; and neither is eclipsed by the other. Much like Judas Priest’s g...

In the final episode of the year, Gomthog counts down the best metal albums of 2021! Intro music by CONTRA; intro voice by Veronica Ortiz Rodriguez. The Xhamain track "Eternal Soedad" (Na Alma, 2021) used with permission from the artist; the Everdawn track "Heart of a Lion" (Cleopatra, 2021) used with permission via Earsplit PR. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037...

The Metal Debate journeys to Knoxville TN to talk with Gog and Blind from epic black metallers Summoner's Circle, discussing their latest album "Chaos Vector" and upcoming European tour! Excerpts from the Summoner's Circle track "Chaos Vector" (Blood Blast Distribution, 2021) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://fe...

Tucker Thomasson from Throne of Iron joins the show to talk about the band's history, the metal scene, and future plans prior to a performance at Black Circle Brewing in Indianapolis IN. Excerpts from the Throne of Iron track "Crypt Of Blades" (2019) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/s...

The Great Metal Debate podcast is back with the debut self-titled album from Catalyst Crime. Catalyst Crime describe themselves as cinematic symphonic metal; however, I’m not a huge fan of the ‘cinematic’ descriptor, as I’m not clear on what that word is trying to communicate. Maybe epic metal, orchestral metal, even soundscape metal, but the term cinematic is literally about the visual scope, so...

Mike Bell and Nina Laderote of Alberta symphonic power metal project Hyloxalus join the show to talk the band's origins, current vision, and future plans! Cover photo used courtesy Dana Zuk Photography; excerpts from the Hyloxalus track "Voices from the Septic Hollow" (Aposematic, 2021) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id103787481...

Recently Summoner’s Circle released their third full-length album titled Chaos Vector. I’m really impressed with this release… there’s a lot of elements to like here and I’m excited about the direction the band is going with their music. I’m not certain how best to categorize the music of Summoner’s Circle, and definitely don’t want to pigeonhole them into some genre designation that might limit t...

Floridian power metal band Seven Kingdoms joins the show following their sold-out set at Mad With Power Fest, to talk what they've been up to during COVID as well as their upcoming tour supporting Unleash The Archers! Excerpts from the Seven Kingdoms track "Monster" (Empty Eyes, 2020) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814...

Gabriel Guardian and Carlos Zema from US power metal crew Immortal Guardian join the show in this interview recorded prior to the band's performance at Mad With Power Fest! Excerpts from the Immortal Guardian track "New Day Rising" (Psychosomatic, 2021) used with permission from Asher Media Relations. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundclo...

Matt and Jason from mid-west blackened speed metallers Wraith join the show prior to their performance on day two of Transplant Productions Tri-State Terror Fest! Excerpts from the Wraith track "Cloaked In Black" (Undo The Chains, 2021) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:user...

In the latest episode Xander and Gomthog talk attending recent concerts in South Dakota, Cincinnati, and Atlanta, including their experiences getting beaten up in the mosh pit. The songs “Spectral Procession” by Graveslave (No Center, 2021), “Scarlet Queen” by Ethereal Exile (Soul Beyond Time, 2020), and “Atoms Divide” by Graveripper (Radiated Remains, 2021) each used with permission from the arti...

This time around we have a review of French metallers Álfheim and their debut album Viking Soul. This is Álfheim’s first album, so I don’t have access to a back catalogue to use in centering this band musically. Their social media profile describes the music as intense melodic death metal, so for time being we’ll use that as the starting context. Álfheim hails from France which, while not quite ri...

In this interview recorded July 16, 2021, Xander checks in with the guys from North Dakota death metal act Gorgatron prior to their performance at Slamdakota Death Fest 2021. Excerpts from the Gorgatron track "Usurpation" (Pathogenic Automation, 2020) used with permission from Andrea Roberts. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/us...

Singer and bassist Lutachrist Dupre of Industrial Metal act Fractured Fairytales joins the show to talk his musical history, current projects, and what's coming up next! Excerpts from the Fractured Fairytales track "Nether Man" (Egregore, 2014) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcl...

Singer Bruna Rocha of Brazilian symphonic power metal band Revengin joins the show in this interview recorded May 28, 2021, to talk about their new as yet untitled album! Excerpts from the Revengin track "Dance Around The Flames" used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:66031...

I’ll admit I’d not heard of Bloodbound until I saw them a few years back on the bill at ProgPower USA. I came away very impressed with their live performance, and subsequently devoured their back catalogue of material which is, in all honesty, is a mixed bag. Bloodbound have had some great albums – and then some so-so albums. Their newest release is entitled “Creatures of the Dark Realm”, and foll...

Singer and guitarist James Delbridge of Ottawa heavy/power act Lycanthro joins the show to talk about the history of the band as well as their debut full-length release, Mark Of The Wolf! Excerpts from the Lycanthro track "Crucible" (Alone Records, 2021) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-metal-debate-podcast/id1037874814 http://feeds.soundcloud.com/use...

Gomthog is joined by Xander to debate the merits of American groove metal band Lamb Of God. Along the way the guys play play killer tracks by Annihilate The Hero, Into Chaos, and Burn The Gates! Intro music by CONTRA; intro voice by Veronica Ortiz Rodriguez. The tracks "Double Agent” (Burn The Gates, 2019), “Wrong Constellations” (Into Chaos, 2017), and “Dissonance” (Annihilate The Hero, 2018) eac...

In this interview recorded April 29, 2021, frontman Dallas Toler-Wade of Narcotic Wasteland talks about the band and their upcoming shows in northern Kentucky and Indianapolis! Credits: Intro music by CONTRA. Photo of Dallas used courtesy of Omar JC/ OJCPICS. Excepts from the Narcotic Wasteland track “Return To The Underground” (Delirium Tremens, 2017) used with permission from the artist. Thanks...

In this episode Gomthog is joined by metal fan Erik to talk expectations for the coming year in metal. Plus, the guys play great tracks by MaelstroM, Zero Degree, MaelstroM, and Sorceress Of Sin! Intro music by CONTRA; intro voice by Veronica Ortiz Rodriguez. The songs “Briar Patch” by Zero Degree (Black Hole Illumination, 2020), “Empyre of Stones” by Sorceress Of Sin (Mirrored Revenge, 2020), “Ba...

Ten strong metal tracks. That’s what we have with the new release titled Future Shock by American west coast thrash act and former Wacken Metal Battle US champions Monarch. This is their second full-length release, the sequel to 2017’s Go Forth… Slaughter. We’ve been talking thrash recently on the podcast, and so I wanted to highlight another promising release in that genre. Plus, I got to see one...

In this special Thrashcast episode Gomthog plays a number of sick thrash metal tracks and is joined for debate by Randy Thrashover! Credits: intro music by CONTRA; intro voice by Vernoica Ortiz Rodriguez. The songs “Dirty And Mean” by Act Of God (Dirty And Mean, 2019), “World Domination” by Thrashwall (Thrashwall, 2020), “Ad Astra” by Kobold (Masterpace, 2019), “Alien Spring” by Decimator (Alienis...

Sindre Johnsen from Norwegian melodic death metal act Deception joins the show in this interview recorded Feb. 14, 2021, to talk about the band and their new album "The Mire". Credits: photo of Sindre used courtesy of Helge Knutsen. Excerpts from the Deception track "Return Of The Baphomet" from the album The Mire (2021, Rob Mules Records) used with permission from the artist. https://itunes.apple...

Today on The Great Metal Debate Podcast – our review of Angelus Apatrida’s new self-titled album. Angelus Apatrida is a thrash metal band hailing from Spain. I’d heard the name before, as well as some of their music, but prior to this honestly hadn’t made myself familiar with their entire catalogue which includes six previous full-length albums dating back to the mid-2000s. Stylistically, Angelus...

Today on The Great Metal Debate podcast we’re reviewing Jylhä from Finnish folk metallers Korpiklaani, I’ll confess this review may be somewhat biased by my own, very strong love for folk metal. Along with sex and pizza, folk metal is something that even when it’s not great, it’s still pretty damn good! In that sense, for me the bar is set quite low for Korpiklaani to present at least a competent...