Backstaged: The Devil in Metal

Latest Episodes:

Black Sabbath & The Root of All Evil May 21, 2021

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It’s hard to argue that Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi didn’t lay the foundation of what metal music is today. In this episode, hear from Tony personally, in incredible detail, about the highs and lows of his journey to becoming a metal legend, including the story of an almost career-ending hand injury, which most likely added to the band's dark and demonic sound. Jon Wiederhorn, along with members of Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Pantera, Type O Negative and others share tales and take a deep plunge into the cauldron of molten metal.

The Satanic Verses Vol. 2 May 14, 2021

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As metal music continued to grow in popularity, thrash bands turned up the inclusion of Satanic lyrics and sound in their music. Venom and King Diamond were among those to lead the way. Many metal bands became more extreme, musically and lyrically. Host Jon Wiederhorn speaks with Venom vocalist and bassist Cronos, Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer and King Diamond of Mercyful Fate and many others, as he explores “The Devil in Metal.”

The Satanic Verses Vol. 1 May 14, 2021

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Metal became part of culture and music’s fabric more than fifty years ago. Host Jon Wiederhorn dives into the dark, outrageous and sometimes raw world at what some call “the devil’s music.” Through never-before-heard audio, Wiederhorn takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the history of metal music to hear how the devil brings heaviness and intensity to the music. Hear wild conversations with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, and Coven frontwoman Jinx Dawson, as well as exclusive tales from Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine and Bobby Liebling of Pentagram.

Introducing Backstaged: The Devil in Metal May 05, 2021

Show notes

Hear from the biggest names in metal. “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” is a time machine through decades of metal that examines the origins of metal music, its connection to darkness and negativity, the lifestyle of many of its followers and how the genre has upped the ante on the phrase sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. Bestselling author and music journalist Jon Wiederhorn is the host of “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal.” Through insightful and sometimes outrageous interviews with musicians over 30 years, we’ll take a trip through the various tropes of metal and examine and sometimes celebrate the elements that make metal so appealing. We’ll hunt down the devil within and discover why it’s okay and even necessary to keep metal alive. Listen to “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” for free on May 14th.