Metalheads Podcast Episode 124: featuring Trevor Portz of Abhoria

This episode we welcomed back our friend Trevor Portz to chat about his band Abhoria and their new self-titled album, as well as his forthcoming Ashen Horde record. We discussed the musical differences between the bands, where the Abhoria name came from, signing with Prosthetic and Transcending Obscurity, and why Trevor has abandoned his devil given name, Vor. After the interview, we dug into Metal News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To, then we entered the Metal Thunderdome, where Opeth’s “Damnation” faced off against Katatonia’s "Discouraged Ones.” Plus, Will becomes a disembodied head, Markisan does the Bango and Matt keeps his palms warm with a new pair of fingerless hand snuggies.

Metal Heads Podcast, pod5George WashburnMarch 1, 2022Abhoria, Ashen HordeComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 121: featuring Phil Pendergast of Khemmis

This episode we had a phenomenal talk with Khemmis frontman and guitarist Phil Pendergast. Our epic interview was led by Will's 10-year-old daughter and Khemmis superfan, Evelyn, in her journalistic debut! We chatted with Phil about his band's celebrated new album "Deceiver," living with depression and how it influenced Khemmis' most personal songs to date, cats vs. dogs, his least favorite Khemmis track and suffering the horrible burden of great hair.

After the interview Phil helped us break down the latest in Metal News and New Releases, then gave us some excellent album recommendations in our What We’ve Been Listening To section. We finished the cast by delivering last rites to ourselves with the spirited countdown - Top 5 Metal Songs You Want Played at Your Funeral!

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnNovember 22, 2021KhemmisComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 118: featuring Hannes Grossmann

Metalheads Podcast Episode 118 is up! We had the pleasure to talk with renowned drummer and producer, Hannes Grossmann! He talks about his many musical projects, his horrible TV watching habits and his favorite cephalopod! We also discuss Metal News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. Plus, Queensrÿche faces off against Iron Maiden in a brand new Metal Thunderdome, the growly whisper power of Kiefer Sutherland and Jay reveals how he ruined his Operation Mindcrime shirt in his first romantic encounter.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnSeptember 6, 2021Hannes Grossmann, Triptykon, Obscura, Alkaloid, Necrophagist, Moral CollapseComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 117: Find Your Place

This episode we talked with listener Justin Riley-Velez. Justin chats with us about getting into metal, working as an interior designer and bingeing all the Metalheads Podcast episodes in the pandemic. He also shares his thoughts on being a gay man in the metal scene, his experience navigating homophobia and finding his place in the community. After our conversation, Justin reveals what 3 albums would help people understand him better as a person. Plus, Metal News, New Releases, Metal Thunderdome results and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also count down our Top 5 Metal Album Title Tracks, John reveals stats and awards from our epic Top 25 Metal Albums at Midyear cast, and Justin schools us on various types of bears in gay culture.

Metal Heads Podcast, pod5George WashburnJuly 19, 2021Comment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 116: Top 25 Metal Albums 2021 Midyear

Once more unto the breach, dear metalheads! We emerge from a deep, metalogical abyss to bring you excavated treasures of heaviness! Listen to us count down our 25 favorite albums released between January and June 2021. Plus, the lyrical lament of Jay, Will can't shut up about Imagine Dragons, intermission ramblings from Markisan and we drink enough to discuss the very real possibility of cannibal camels.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnJune 29, 2021Best of, Best of 2021Comment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 115: featuring Luke Oram

This episode we welcome heavy metal cover artist Luke Oram to the podcast! Luke reveals how he got into drawing and painting, creating album covers for bands like Slugdge, Firelink and Wallowing, and illustrating his first graphic novel, Planet Loss. We also discuss Luke's love for 2000 AD, getting kicked out of bands and what 3 albums would help people understand him better as a person. Plus, a spirited Metal News section, New Releases, What We’ve Been Listening To and a brand new Metal Thunderdome that pits two comeback albums with classic singers against each other. So, throw on a smock because we're about to splash some skull men on this audio canvas.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnMay 18, 2021Luke Oram, Slugdge, FirelinkComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 114: featuring Stone Healer

This episode we talked with Dave Kaminsky of Stone Healer. Dave candidly reveals the difficult life experiences that led to the creation of his band's new record, "Conquistador," and how it set him free emotionally and spiritually. We also discuss Dave's family legacy in music, his album production work, his passion for Alice in Chains, and what 3 albums would help people understand him better as a person. Plus, Metal News, New Releases, Metal Thunderdome results, What We’ve Been Listening To and our Top 5 Baseball Walk-On Songs. So, knock the dirt off your metal cleats and step into the batter's box. Episode 114 with Dave Kaminsky of Stone Healer is on the mound.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnApril 26, 2021Stone HealerComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 113: The Chicago Way

This episode we welcome Stacy Ciccone from the Dead Letter Omissions Podcast to chat about headbangin' in Chicago, her dislike for clean female vocalists in metal, her love for Kvelertak and how she found her way back to heavy music after a long absence.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnMarch 23, 2021Comment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 111: USBM - A Revolution of Identity in American Black Metal

This episode we welcome Decibel writers Daniel Lake and Nick Green to talk about Dan's fantastic new book, USBM: A Revolution of Identity in American Black Metal. In an epic, 3-hour chat, Dan and Nick discuss how they got into metal, what it was like for Dan to interview bands for the book, the continuing evolution of U.S. black metal and how the legendary Tom G. Warrior came to write the book's foreword. They also discuss the early days of Decibel Magazine and what it's like to be a part of the highly respected publisher. After the longest, most comprehensive Q&A in the history of metal, we dig into News, New Releases, What We're Listening To and Albums of the Episode. We also reveal our Top 5 Favorite U.S. Black Metal Albums, John delivers vital stats from our 2020 Top 25 episode and Matt gives us a very divided Metal Thunderdome, pitting Gojira against Mastodon from the comfort of his snuggle dungeon. Plus, anacondas, crocodiles and why Markisan loves space.

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnJanuary 26, 2021USBM, Decibel, Daniel LakeComment

Metalheads Podcast Episode 110: Top 25 Metal Albums 2020 Year End

2020 may have sucked overall, but metal did not. Bands and record labels truly rallied in the 2nd half of the year to deliver us some outstanding audio gifts. So, nestle in to a snug spot by your Christmas tree, pour a tankard of spiked nog and listen to us unwrap the very best metal presents of 2020. Plus, revel in the joy of John's Dork Fartress! Episode 110 – The Top 25 Metal Albums of 2020. Happy holidays to you and yours!

pod5, Metal Heads PodcastGeorge WashburnDecember 29, 2020Best of 2020, Best ofComment