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Classic Metal Show

Since 1996, THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW has been the ultimate destination for honest, no-holds-barred talk about hard rock, heavy metal, and everything in between.

This isn’t just another channel. It’s an uncensored community.

On our paid tier, you get commercial-free access to all of our daily episodes, plus bonus content, behind-the-scenes insights, and the opportunity to interact with us directly.

If you’re tired of corporate music media and you want the truth from two guys who have been doing this for over two decades, this is your new home.

Disclaimer: If you can’t handle opinions that aren’t your own, you’re in the wrong place. We’re not here to make friends. We’re here to talk metal. Deal with it, crybabies!

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Latest Episodes:

Iron Maiden's Post-Bruce Return Albums Ranked | This List Might Start Arguments Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Bruce Dickinson’s return to Iron Maiden changed everything.

The band entered a new era, released some of their most ambitious records, and sparked years of debate among fans.

But which albums actually deserve the top spots?

Chris Akin counts down his Top 5 Iron Maiden albums released after Dickinson returned to the band, and chances are your ranking looks very different.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late.

The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals:https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

Some fans think Iron Maiden’s best work happened after the reunion.

Others aren’t buying it.

Watch the full ranking and then tell us:

What is YOUR favorite Iron Maiden album from the reunion era?

#IronMaiden #BruceDickinson #HeavyMetal #ChrisAkinPresents #MetalFans

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

King Ultramega: Inside The Most Ambitious Cornell Tribute Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

What happens when musicians who truly LOVE Chris Cornell’s music decide to celebrate it instead of imitate it?

That’s what makes King Ultra Mega so fascinating.

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! SUPPORT KING ULTRAMEGA BY PURCHASING “THE DAY I TRIED TO LIVE” HERE: https://amzn.to/3RlGP74

This isn’t about trying to “replace” Cornell. It’s about understanding why his music connected so deeply in the first place — and finding a new emotional angle to honor it. Metal Allegiance’s Mark Menghi talks about forming this stunning tribute and more!

If you’re watching this here, you’re already behind. The full episode, exclusive 3rd segment, and early interviews are on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

In this episode:

- Why certain Soundgarden songs were intentionally avoided- Richie Kotzen’s emotional connection to Cornell’s music- How Kim Thayil became involved- The pressure of reinterpreting iconic material- Why deep cuts mattered more than obvious hits- How the project evolved over five years

VIPs already saw the full conversation.

#ChrisCornell #Soundgarden #KingUltraMega #RichieKotzen #Grunge #Metal #ChrisAkinPresents

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Something About Modern Fame Feels Completely Broken Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Something about the way we view stardom right now feels completely off. We look at the massive shift from traditional media to digital spaces, and it raises a lot of questions about what it even means to be famous anymore. Is real star power dead, or has it just been fractured into a million pieces?

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

Some fans feel like the old mystique is totally gone, while others think this new era is exactly what the entertainment industry deserved.

Where do you stand on how much things have changed? Let’s talk about it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

The Part Of Beatallica's Success Nobody Saw Coming (2009) Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a parody band stops feeling like a parody?

That question comes up repeatedly during this conversation with Beatallica founder Jaymz Lennfield.

What started as a mashup idea somehow turned into international tours, label deals, growing fan support, and even discussions about future projects that most people never saw coming.

But not everyone loved it.

Some fans embraced the creativity.

Others thought the band shouldn’t exist at all.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late.

The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals:

https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

Did Beatallica become something bigger than a novelty act?

Or was that always the point?

Let us know in the comments.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Asphalt Valentine's Skazz: Fans Really Aren't Agreeing On What Skazz Said About Rock Music (2009) Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Back in 2009, Asphalt Valentine drummer Skazz sat down with The Classic Metal Show and said something that still sparks debate today.

Was hard rock being pushed out of the spotlight?

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Or were bands refusing to evolve?

The answer depends on who you ask.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late.

The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals:

https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

In this conversation, Skazz discusses:

- The frustration of being a hard rock band in Atlanta- Why Asphalt Valentine refused to chase trends- Comparisons to Motley Crue- The decline of MTV as a music platform- Rocklahoma chaos and the infamous storm disaster- Why some musicians succeed by staying authentic

The public clip barely scratches the surface.

The real discussion happened on Locals.

#CMS #AsphaltValentine #ClassicMetalShow #HardRock #Rocklahoma

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

CMS LIVE 5/30/26: The Reality Behind the Stadium Hits and Broken Contracts Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Something about the way the music industry operates right now feels completely broken. This week, an unexpected look behind the curtain exposed the massive gap between stadium rock glory and the brutal financial reality that leaves legacy musicians completely cut off. From hidden contracts to toxic fan entitlement, the walls are closing in on real conversations.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late.The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals:https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

We push past the sterile public relations teams to look at what happens when a musician finally asks the one question labels hate: “Where is our money?”

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Chris Akin's Online Dating Stunt Might Have Gone Too Far Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

We thought we’ve seen it all, but Chris Akin’s fake online dating profile might have officially broken the show. What started as a joke quickly spiraled into a dramatic reading of “Chris A is Fun”—a profile packed with turtle emotions, fake six-figure programming jobs, and some of the most questionable messaging tactics ever recorded. The public clip barely scratches the surface of the absolute chaos that unfolded.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

The real, completely uncensored discussion happened over on Locals, and trust us, some fans think this went way past the line.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

AGE OF EVIL: They Outplayed The Veterans But The Industry Is Broken 2012 Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Traditional heavy metal was supposed to stay buried in the 1980s, replaced by whatever the corporate labels told us to listen to. Then a group of teenagers from Arizona showed up, started playing massive European festivals, and completely rejected the modern scene. Neeley caught up with Jeremy Goldberg of Age of Evil in this interview from 2012. But as things heat up, a bigger question is starting to emerge about where the music industry is actually heading.

GET CHRIS AKIN’S GREAT BOOK CALL ME CHRIS HERE: https://amzn.to/4vjx1cC

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Did Michael Schenker Just Release A Total Cash Grab? 2012 Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Is this really what happens to rock legends? We took a track-by-track listen to the brand new acoustic project from Michael Schenker and Gary Barden, and it raised a lot of painful questions. From tracks that sound like bad Renaissance Fair music to straight-up copying 80s pop hits note-for-note, fans are left wondering if this is a genuine creative shift or just a lazy studio cash grab. Something about this entire release feels incredibly off, and even Schenker’s most die-hard collectors are pushing back hard.

CURIOUS FOR MORE? HERE’S A LINK TO PURCHASE THE SCHENKER BARDEN ACOUSTIC PROJECT: https://amzn.to/43KoMKH

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

He Asked The Wrong Question In A Dead Bourbon Street Bar... Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Something isn’t right with the current state of Bourbon Street. After a week on the ground in New Orleans, the reality of the service industry, empty bars, and bizarre street performers raised more questions than answers about where the culture is actually heading.

If you’re watching this here, you’re already late. The full episode, exclusive third segment, and early interviews are already on Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

From the weird formula behind the local nightlife to the tragic backstory of a local bartender, the public clip barely scratches the surface of what went down.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

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