Well Read Metalheads

Which side are you on? Nate and Jacki observe Labor Day (month) with a listening party for the legendary album Kentucky by black metal icon Panopticon. Music Mentions: “Kara no Bara” – Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist – Saidan Moonlight Sorcery Dawn of the Dragonstar – Twilight Force We discuss: Panopticon’s vital stats Austin Lunn’s trademark authenticity Bluegrass meets black metal “Bod...

Nate and Jacki have more to say about the tarot trend in books and music, but first, get ready for a few spoilers for Prince of Swords , the sequel to Arcana Academy . Music Mentions: IKON back catalog is now streaming on Spotify including Destroying the World to Save It Oceans Above, Stars Below by Triosphere Audiobook: My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee We discuss: Nate does a five-card tarot spread to...

The Metalheads give tarot-mantasy a try and dig into Elise Kova’s Arcana Academy, the first book in a planned trilogy set in a world where a lucky few can wield magical tarot cards. The romance is unhinged, the plot is trope-tastic, and the catchphrases fall like rain, but is it metal? We’ll find out! We do our best to spoil the plot, then discuss: The magic system and how it deviates from traditi...

Which side are you on? Nate and Jacki observe Labor Day (month) with a listening party for the legendary album Kentucky by black metal icon Panopticon. Music Mentions: “Kara no Bara” – Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist – Saidan Moonlight Sorcery Dawn of the Dragonstar – Twilight Force We discuss: Panopticon’s vital stats Austin Lunn’s trademark authenticity Bluegrass meets black metal “Bod...

How metal is a retelling of Oliver Twist from the point of view of one of literature’s most harmfully stereotypical villains? Find out as we discuss Fagin the Thief by Allison Epstein. We’ll give you all the spoilers you need, then delve into: Why do authors retell stories? The most impactful additions/changes Epstein makes Epstein’s portrayal of Jacob Fagin’s Jewish roots The Fagin/Sikes relation...

Today we're investigating the most-hyped books and albums of the first half of 2026. We compiled our lists by scouring “Best of Year So Far” rankings and cross-referencing with word of mouth and social media buzz we've heard this year. We listened to the talked-about albums and conducted Kindle and Libby sample chapter tastings of ballyhooed books, and we're reporting back on our experiences. Musi...

Nate and Jacki put The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller to the metal test in this month’s episode. This retelling of the myth of Achilles focuses on the greatest Greek hero’s greatest love, our narrator Patroclus. We spoil the story (it’s okay, you’ve read The Iliad, right?), then get into: The popularity of mythological retellings Romantasy, fantasy, lit fic: what’s in a genre name? Our histor...

The Metalheads discuss a foundational metal-literature crossover today: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Iron Maiden, a 13-minute epic masterpiece that gave new form to the story of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem. We get into: The inspiration behind the song, including a brush with the Satanic Panic Why does this poem work so well translated into song? Plot differences between the song ly...

Quick topic summary: This time, it's personal! Nate and Jacki discuss their metal listening origin stories. We talk about: Nate's secret past as a band guy (Jacki is too intimidated to attempt German words) The defining songs and albums that started our roads to heavy metal Growing up with parental music choices including Steppenwolf, Captain and Tennille, and Garth Brooks CD prices and music disc...

This month we investigate whether or not The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston is metal, and considering this book is inspired by Die Hard and set in a fantasy world based on Bronze Age Scotland, you can probably guess our conclusion. We give spoilers galore, then discuss: The Die Hard inspo World-building and set pieces All druids, all day Youth versus experience and why both are valuable Work-life...

We give a recap and honest review of seeing a show on the Frozen Soul/Fleshgod Apocalypse/Avatar tour (spoiler, we loved it!) We discuss: Going back to concerts after years away The joy of seeing and hearing expertise Stage setup The audience Children at metal shows Frozen Soul: Chad Green’s stage presence, the Texas metal vibe, and one solid death metal beatdown Fleshgod Apocalypse: Veronica Bord...

This month we weigh the metal-ness of Katabasis by RF Kuang, in which a graduate student in magic at Cambridge must take a trip into Hell/the Underworld with her academic rival to get their advisor back after he blew up in a magical experiment gone wrong. We spoil the plot, then talk about: World-building The enduring popularity of Underworld travel narratives Alternative careers for magicians Adv...

Nate and Jacki are two well read metalheads who are out to prove that reading is metal, and you should join them. Featuring monthly readalongs, discussions of favorite authors, books, metal artists, and albums, and reading/listening life conversations and conundrums. Laughs? Yes. Swearing? Also yes (headphones in, please.) Shenanigans? You won't have to ask twice! Book club (readalong/deep dive) e...