Metal Matters

Latest Episodes:

17: Recalibrating the Machine with Chris Alfano and Matt Lupo of East of the Wall Mar 05, 2019

Show notes

At least to me, Jersey has always been the shred capitol of the Northeast with Rochester, NY being a close rival for technical superior, “extreme” metal players. This is the state that gave us Human Remains, Ripping Corpse and Dim Mak to name a few. Despite what Chris Alfano and Matt Lupo may believe, I claim that East of the Wall are part of that Jersey lineage of technical driven, progressive metal bands, with the emphasis more on the progressive elements.

Despite having spent an hour with these guys, I’m still unclear as to when the band actually started and who was in the original lineup; the band seemed to spring, full-formed from two other bands in the area called The Postman Syndrome and Day Without Dawn.

Poised to release their brand-new full-length, NP-Complete on Translation Los, Chris and Matt met up with me somewhere in the wilds of New Jersey to hand out and talk about the record and a variety of other topics.

Intro: “Tell Them I’m Sorry” – East of the Wall, NP-Complete

Outro: “ N of 1” – East of the Wall, NP-Complete

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16: Dani Filth's Dark and Macabre Vision Feb 26, 2019

Show notes

In this week’s episode we have Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth who are about to embark on the US leg of their world tour supporting 2017’s Cryptoriana. Aside from being one of the OG’s in the second wave of Black Metal, Dani has an encyclopedic knowledge of the occult, horror and dark literature.

Intro: “Alison Hell”

Outro: “Wester Vespertine”

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15: Freedom and Darkness a Conversation with Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

The Norwegians and the Swedes get most of the shine when it comes to Black Metal, but there is a vibrant scenes in Greece. If you haven’t checked out the likes of Ravencult, Macabre Omen, Necromantia or Varathron, you’re slipping. Rotting Christ are, in my opinion at least, the kings of “Hellenic Black Metal.”

Their new album, “Heretic”available now on Season of Mist, is a snarling monument to darkness that will not disappoint old fans and will undoubtedly likely capture new fans.

Intro: “Fire God and Fear”

Outro: “Hallowed Be Thy Name”

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14: Gods and Tyrants a Conversation with Vinny Appice Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

I consider Vinny Appice to be part of the hard rock aristocracy, having put in work with Black Sabbath, Dio and a host of other legendary outfits. His discography is impressive to say the least. For a guy like me, who grew up in the early 80’s, the Dio era of Sabbath was some of the first true metal that I experienced, so being able to chat with Vinny was a high point in my career.

Vinny has a new record hitting the streets with his band Last in Line which features his former band mate guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne) and vocalist Andrew Freeman (ex-Lynch Mob). The new record, a follow up to 2016’s “Heavy Crown” is aptly titled “II.”

Intro: “Give Up the Ghost” – Last in Line

Outro: “Turn Up the Night” – Black Sabbath

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13: Continuing Chaos with Al Dawson of Earache Records Feb 06, 2019

Show notes

You can’t mention death metal or grindcore with out mentioning Earache Records, the label that gave us

Napalm Death, Carcass, Entombed, Godflesh and the bands that defined extreme music. I met up with

Al Dawson, the US Label Manager of the US for a hangout and killer lunch at John Brown’s Smokehouse

in Long Island City. We talked about the salad days of the label as well as the new directions Earache is

heading into.

Intro: “The IVth Crusade” – Bolt Thrower

Outro: “Fall from Grace” – Morbid Angel

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12: Classic Records Skin Yard Hallowed Ground Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

When you think of the “Seattle Grunge” scene from the early 90’s, you think of the usual suspects: Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and maybe Alice in Chains. The term grunge was a term coined by generally unimaginative press people and so-called pundits. In the early days, it was just a collection of guys playing in bands that dug classic rock, punk and heavy metal and the weird stew they concocted became known as grunge.

One of the unsung heroes of this was Skin Yard, a band that influenced and even shared members with many of above-mentioned bands. Formed by produced Jack Endino, C/Z Records main man Daniel House and vocalist Ben McMillan in 1985, it is our opinion that they provided the template for what the dreary Seattle sound would become.

We’re going to talk about Hallowed Ground, which is largely considered their crowning achievement.

Intro: “In the Blackhouse”

Outro: “Wither”

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11: Classic Records Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

Black Sabbath are possibly the most important band in the history of heavy metal and extreme music. All of our favorite bands owe a least a little bit to Sabbath. The first four records are untouchable in most opinions.

With that said, Randy and I are going to showcase 1980”s Heaven and Hell as a Classic Record. It was the first record to feature Ronnie James Dio and is a huge departure from the work they were doing in the seventies, additionally, the story surrounding the record is very interesting.

Intro: “Neon Nights”

Outro: “Heaven and Hell”

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10: Diatribes in the House of Snakes an Interview with Pig Destroyer Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

After a six year period of absence, Pig Destroyer deployed their sixth full-length record, “Head Cage” this past fall. In addition to their signature brand of blistering death-grind, “Head Cage” hints at subtle expansions into the realm of noise rock and more traditional “rock ‘n’ roll” styling.

I caught up with the band in the green room on the night of their record release show at Gramercy Theater in New York City this past fall. Usually, I try to limit the conversation to a maximum of three guys, but this time around I was able to get words in from the whole band. It was a little chaotic at times, but still a lot of fun.

Check out Pig Destroyer’s new full-length “Head Cage” available on Relapse Records

Intro: “House of Snakes” – Pig Destroyer off of “Head Cage”

Outro: “Circle River” – Pig Destroyer off of “Head Cage”

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9: Innovator of the Man/Machine Interface, Tristan Shone of Author + Punisher Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

“Industrial Music” started out back in the 70’s as a mixture of harsh electronics, confrontation and punk transgression. As time went on, Industrial Music became a “style” instead of a “statement.”

Every now and then, a true innovator comes along that raises the bar of creativity. Tristan Shone, the man behind the industrial juggernaut Author + Punisher is one such innovator. In a sense, he has picked up where originators like Throbbing Gristle, Z’ev and Mark Pauline (Survival Research Labs) left off. True, Mark Pauline is not a musician, but his version of performance art undoubtedly informs Tristan’s work.

Tristan and I met up before his appearance at The Market Hotel out in the wilds of Bushwick, NY.

Check out “Beastland” the new full-length by Author + Punisher available on Relapse Records. Also, if you aren’t familiar with any of the artists I mentioned above, please check them out.

Intro: “Night Terror” – Author+Punisher off of “Beastland”

Outro: “Nazarene” – Author+Punisher off of “Beastland”

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8: Summoning the Beast with Dwid Hellion Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

For 30 years and counting, Dwid Hellion has been fronting the ever evolving metallic hardcore entity

known as Integrity. Aside from intense metal riffing, guitar solos and lacerating vocals, Integrity has

always been a thinking man’s hardcore band, drawing from many different provinces of extreme

music and the darker recesses of culture. We did manage to talk about music, but most of our

chat was about philosophy, religions and the primal nature of mankind.

Check out the Integrity / Krieg split available now on

Relapse Records.