The MetalSucks Podcast

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#132: Dream Theater Vocalist James LaBrie Jan 25, 2016

Show notes

James LaBrie of the legendary Dream Theater guests this week. We talk about their new album The Astonishing, the process surrounding making their most ambitious concept record to date, putting together an extensive live production for it, his relationship with fans, how he is able to adjust to touring vs. home life and whether the changing tide in the music industry effects the way he leads his life.

We also talk about VH1 Classic canceling That Metal Show and whether or not it signifies a turn away from metal music in the mainstream. If a major media company does not see the value in keeping metal and hard rock as part of their arsenal what could that mean for the genre as a whole? We also look at declining live ticket sales across the board as another possible indicator of where the last bastion of income for our artists may be headed; are we looking at the beginning of the end, or just a major shift in methodology?

Songs:
Dream Theater - "The Gift of Music"
Holy Grail - "Crystal King"

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#131: Protest the Hero's Tim Millar Jan 18, 2016

Show notes

Tim Millar, guitarist for Protest the Hero, guests this week. Protest the Hero have reinvented the way to make music so many different times we had to talk to Tim about the crowdfunding for Volition, their new subscriber campaign through Bandcamp, whether they realize that they are turning the industry on its head, what the consequences may be for touring and releasing records, and how this new strategy might effect the rest of the bands in the industry who may want to try new things with their music.

We also talk about bands who fall victim to and are stuck in the old model, with all the legal flap around Metallica suing a Canadian cover band and Warner Brothers Records working hard to keep Avenged Sevenfold on their roster. The struggles in the industry are real even for the top metal bands in the world. We talk about the tragic events of the first part of the year -- Lemmy, Bowie, Rickman, Tera Wray -- all turn to dust, and how that kinda sucks.

Songs:
Protest the Hero - "Cataract" (Sample)
Protest the Hero - "Yellow Teeth"
Fleshgod Apocalypse - "The Fool"

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#130: Unsigned Band Review and Thy Art is Murder Finances Jan 11, 2016

Show notes

Back by popular demand, "One Minute to Midnight," in which veteran musician and producer Eyal Levi lends his ear and expertise to two unsigned bands who submitted music for us to pick apart. We give Hasta La Muerte and With Silent Eyes some creative direction and tips and tricks that could make their music better.

Last week Derek Brewer of Outerloop Management wrote an Op-Ed piece for MetalSucks on Thy Art is Murder vocalist CJ McMahon's claim that he wasn't making enough money to live on. We invited Derek on the show to talk a little more in depth about the budgeting numbers he listed, why they' don't apply to everyone and what you can really expect as a growing band out there on the road.

In light of Myrkur mastermind Amalie Bruun's decision to cut her social media presence due to death threats from, as she puts it, "mainly American men," we discuss why these men might have problems with women, or at least women who somehow threaten their sexuality and dominance over the music industry. Are our collective penises so small we need to assault all that we don't like with violence? Why are some of us so obsessed and feel the need to take it to that level?

Songs:
Agoraphobic Nosebleed - "Deathbed"
The Anchor - "The Ghost Inside Makes Sheppard's Pie"

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#129: Lamb of God's Randy Blythe Jan 04, 2016

Show notes

We're back from the holiday break with a guest we have wanted to talk to for quite a while: Randy Blythe of the mighty Lamb of God guests this week on the podcast ahead of their U.S. tour. We only had a short time with him, but we chat about his immense workload, struggles with addiction, his retirement plan, plans for 2016 (including a couple of books) and what he will look like on stage in 20 years.

We also talk about the passing of Lemmy Kilmister, reflecting on his contributions and how there may never be another icon with his gravity in our scene ever again. We talk about whether Motorhead should continue, much like other bands of late who have lost members (we're looking at you, Emmure). How many band members does it take to break a band's brand? Just one? All?

Songs:
Lamb of God - "Embers"
Motorhead - "Killed By Death"
Motorhead - "When the Sky Comes Looking For You"

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#128: The Best Metal of 2015 Dec 14, 2015

Show notes

We wrap up 2015 before the holiday break with our take on the Best Albums of 2015. We posted our lists a while back but we wanted to dedicate a full episode to the albums that turned us on all year. Initially it looked like there weren't going to be enough to cover fifteen records, but a slew of good albums came out in the final month. Hell, the number one album on our lists hasn't even been released yet!

We go a little more in depth on the albums that got under our skin and the ones that you might have missed, but really we just wanted to recognize the stellar achievements and great work so many people in the metal community have done all year. It's been a great year for metal and a great year for us. So thank you for listening and supporting us in so many ways; we appreciate you all sticking with the podcast and all of us at MetalSucks.

Songs:
Cattle Decapitation - "Clandestine Ways"
Amiensus - "One In Spirit"
Deafheaven - "Brought to the Water"
Baroness - "Chlorine and Wine"

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#127: Between the Buried and Me Vocalist/Keyboardist Tommy Rogers Dec 07, 2015

Show notes

Tommy Rogers, lead singer and multi instrumentalist for Between the Buried and Me, guests on the podcast this week. We talk about the challenges and fears of the road, being the father of a young son, bringing his family on tour, how family has changed his writing process, working with the same guys for so long and where BTBAM's latest album Coma Ecliptic fits into the band's legacy (and how it might dictate their future output).

We also try and figure out where Jeremy Wagner of Broken Hope got the cash to buy so many of Jeff Hanneman's guitars. Did he have thousands of dollars just laying around? Or is he looking at this as an investment into his future? We also look ahead to next week's "Best of 2015" episode and start the chatter about our favorite records of the year.

Songs:
BTBAM - "The Coma Machine/Dim Ignition"
Pyramids - "I Have Four Sons, All Named for Men We Lost to War"

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#126: John Baizley of Baroness Nov 30, 2015

Show notes

John Baizley of Baroness guests this week. We've been looking forward to talking with John for a while, and with the release of Purple we talk about the new members of the band, how that affected the writing process, getting back on the road after the horrific bus crash that nearly ended their lives, the impact the crash had on John's everyday life, his struggle with pain and his response to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

We also talk about whether or not guys that are in bands should be managers of others bands. In a recent interview, Rob Dukes (former singer for Exodus) criticized Chuck Billy for having a conflict of interest by managing Exodus and being the singer of Testament. Could that lead to mismanagement by favoring his own band? Or is it beneficial to have someone with that kind of experience doing your bidding? Do you have to trust your management no matter what?

Songs:
Baroness - "Shock Me"
Vision of Disorder - "Heart of Darkness"

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#125: Metallica's Kirk Hammett Nov 23, 2015

Show notes

Our guest this week rounds out the Big Four of metal interviews for the podcast! Kirk Hammett of the mighty Metallica gives us some time to talk about his life, how he keeps his work and life in balance, how he keeps his schedule in line, how he views happiness and success -- both personally and within the band -- and why he decided to start a company to make boutique guitar pedals.

We also argue about the best Metallica songs while trying to figure out which of their song to play this episode, and we discuss the Florida police officer who was fired for his singalong at a Vital Remains concert. In an effort to embrace his community the Chief of Police for Sanford County in Florida got rid of an officer who embraced part of their community. Was he correct? We talk, you decide!

Songs:
Metallica - "Orion (Live)"
Devin Townsend Project - "March of the Poozers (Live)"

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#124: Doc Coyle (ex-God Forbid, Vagus Nerve) Nov 16, 2015

Show notes

This week Doc Coyle jumps in to talk to us, not about Rejecting Our Sickness, but about his new project Vagus Nerve. We have never really "interviewed" Doc on the podcast, so we take the time to talk to him about leaving God Forbid, his relationship with his brother, the experience of being in a band outside of God Forbid for the first time, how moving from one coast to the other has affected his life and, more importantly, his dating life.

We also talk about the situation in Paris; this kind of tragedy can change the entire world, and we speculate about what it might mean to the music industry and live music. We are all vulnerable when we are out seeing live shows, and we never really think twice about it; but should we? If we change our practices at venues are the terrorists winning? Or have we been naive all along?

Songs:
Vagus Nerve - "Do You Know Who I AM"
Hegemon - "Interpreting Signs for War:Aruspicine"

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#123: Chris Jericho Nov 09, 2015

Show notes

Professional wrestler and Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho guests this week. We unlock the secrets to his success, his philosophy for keeping all his projects in check, what it takes to be a rock and roll guy but keep his feet on the ground and, of course, what kind of hair care and skin products keep him looking so dapper. Plus we hear a song from his pet project Blood Divisions which also features members of Nasty Savage.

We also discuss a recent study which claims that folk metal is more misogynistic and racist than any other type of metal. Is the sub-genre really so exclusionary or is it just painting a picture of history and the time before time?

Songs:
Blood Divisions - "Top of the Bill"
Good Tiger - "Where Are the Birds"

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