Night Demon Heavy Metal Podcast
Welcome to the Night … You think you know Night Demon? Then the Night Demon Heavy Metal podcast is for you. Step into the darkness as we peel back the curtain to give you an unprecedented all-access look into the mind and the heart of the Demon. We’re talking band history, song analysis, studio anecdotes, stories from the road. It’s everything a die-hard Night Demon fan could want, and more. This is the only place to learn the inside scoop, the deep-dive trivia, the untold tales from the band members themselves and those closest to the Night Demon story. Need m...
Episode #304 - King Diamond Tour: On to Houston and a Long Drive to Cincy
This week, we join a roundtable discussion with Night Demon band and crew as they recount their recollections of their fall 2024 North American tour supporting King Diamond and Overkill. They discuss the logistics of being on such a large-scale tour with such a massive production. They also describe their feelings of detachment upon playing a seated show in Houston, TX where the venue was selling their merch for them. And they share memories of a grueling 14-hour drive to Cincinnati, OH under a full moon.
LINKS
Randy's Smokehouse - https...
Episode #303 - King Diamond Tour: Kick off from San Antonio
In fall 2024, Night Demon joined forces with King Diamond and Overkill for a U.S. tour. In this episode, we bring you the tour beginning in San Antonio, TX. All the uncertainty, in terms of budget, logistics, merch and so much more. But you will learn how the King Diamond and crew made the boys feel welcome and settle in to the first night of the tour in Texas, despite the big stage and everything else.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on...
Episode #302 - Interview w/Tom Draper of Birth/Hands of Goro/ex Carcass and Angel Witch (live) - Part 4
This week, we wrap up Jarvis's epic four-part interview with affable guitarist Tom Draper at the Hell's Heroes festival. We pick up the narrative with numerous details about his tenure with Hands of Goro, then pivot to his work with Spell. From there, Tom and Jarvis get into a variety of philosophical topics, from the benefits of performing in different styles to the importance of strong interpersonal relationships in bands to touring goals to the differences between peace and happiness to future goals to an overall assessment of where life is in 2026 for these two musicians. It's a fascinating...
Episode #301 - Interview w/Tom Draper of Birth/Hands of Goro/ex Carcass and Angel Witch (live) - Part 3
This week we bring you the third installment of Jarvis's in-depth career-spanning interview with guitarist Tom Draper. We pick up the narrative with Tom forming Pounder with Matt Harvey, then moving on to Carcass and Spirit Adrift. For each of these adventures, Tom explains how he got the gig, what it was like to do it, and how and why it ended. It's a remarkable story about a remarkable career, packed with all kinds of fascinating nuggets you've never heard before,and all wrapped in Tom's characteristic modest and humble demeanor.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or...
Episode #300 - Three Hundred Episodes!
This marks the 300th weekly episode of the Night Demon Heavy Metal Podcast, without missing a single week. To celebrate this milestone, Jarvis and Nesbit sat down in Ireland for a chat about where the podcast came from, where it is now, and where it is going in the future. They reflect on their initial mindset when the podcast began, the process of trial and error to perfect format and workflows, and podcasts that influenced this one. They talk about meeting listeners and subscribers "in the wild." They ponder the question of whether there is an end in sight...
Episode #299 - Interview w/Tom Draper of Birth/Hands of Goro/ex Carcass and Angel Witch (live) - Part 2
This week we bring you the second installment of Jarvis's informative and insightful interview with accomplished guitarist Tom Draper (Angel Witch / Pounder / Spirit Adrift / etc ) at this year's Hells Heroes festival in Texas. Among other things, you will hear about Tom's early bands Crowning Glory and Primitai. He explains the circumstances that brought him into Angel Witch. And he talks about moving from London to the San Francisco Bay area, with all of the attendant professional upheavals and culture shocks. And he and Jarvis explore the influence of the first Frost and Fire Festival in 2015 on Tom's musical career.<...
Episode #298 - Interview w/Tom Draper of Birth/Hands of Goro/ex Carcass and Angel Witch (live) - Part 1
Last month, Jarvis had the opportunity to interview guitarist extraordinaire Tom Draper (Pounder / Hands of Goro / Spirit Adrift / Spell / Angel Witch) backstage at the Hells Heroes Festival in Houston, Texas. This week, we bring you part one of that chat. Among other things, you will hear about Tom's formative years growing up outside of London, discovering music and going to countless gigs. He also talks about the bands that inspired him and his early musical career careening between London and Sheffield.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Follow us on...
Episode #297 - Interview w/Steven Intermill of Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick - Part 2
This week we bring you the second half of Jarvis's wide-ranging conversation with Steven Intermill, Director of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick in Cleveland, Ohio. Among the many topics addressed in this segment are superstitions, music as a gateway to witchcraft, the importance of not becoming a prisoner of your own design, the Satanic Panic, posers in witchcraft, and foundational texts. Tune in and you're guaranteed to learn things about witchcraft that you never knew before.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Follow us on Instagram
Like...
Episode #296 - Interview w/Steven Intermill of Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick - Part 1
This week, the podcast takes a slight detour as Jarvis interviews Steven Intermill, who is the Director / Curator of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick in Cleveland, Ohio. In this conversation, you will learn the history of the Museum, including its roots in the 1960s. Jarvis talks about his personal affinity for the Museum and the parallels between a witchcraft museum and heavy metal music. Steven discusses the many types of visitors the Museum receives and how he relates to them on their spiritual journey. You will also hear about Steven's own musical interests, from his background in...
Episode #295 - Interview w/Carlos Cruz of Nails/Warbringer/OHM - Part 2
This week we bring you the second half of Jarvis's in-depth interview with drummer extraordinaire Carlos Cruz (Nails / Warbringer / Powertrip / OHM). In this segment, Carlos walks you through his history and contributions to Warbringer, including insightful tidbits about the band's creative process. He also talks about replacing the late, great Nick Menza in OHM, and offers stories about his history with Machine Head and how he came to join Nails. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about a talented drummer forging a life in heavy metal.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Episode #294 - Interview w/Carlos Cruz of Nails/Warbringer/OHM - Part 1
This week we bring you the first installment of Jarvis' interview with Carlos Cruz, a veteran drummer perhaps best known for his work in Warbringer and Powertrip. The interview begins with Carlos discussing his deep family roots in music, including his grandfather's recorded output. After a detour into the perils and hazards to the human body of playing heavy metal music for an extended period of time, and the corresponding need for self-care and treatment along the way, the interview traces Carlos' musical journey through high school cover bands to the burgeoning LA thrash movement in the early 2000s...
Episode #293 - Interview with Ricky Warwick
This week, we bring you a special treat, as Jarvis sat down for an interview with Ricky Warwick (The Almighty, Black Star Riders, etc.) prior to Ricky's acoustic gig in Northern Ireland. In this wide-ranging and fascinating conversation, Ricky reflects on the many facets of his career, from breaking big with New Model Army to forming The Almighty at an opportune time to opportunities with Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders to the terrifying aspects of solo acoustic gigs. You're guaranteed to learn a lot about the man, his musical path, his motivations and his perspectives on a variety...
Episode #292 - Interview with Robert Garven of Cirith Ungol - Part 3: The Frost and Fire backstory
This week we conclude Jarvis' three-part interview of Cirith Ungol founder / drummer Robert Garven going back through the mists of time to the early days of that legendary band. Rob explains how vocalist Tim Baker came into the fold and talks about the previous singer, Neil Beattie. He goes on to tell the remarkable story of how the Frost and Fire debut album came to be. It was a completely DIY affair, from financing to recording to artwork to pressing to distribution, which was unheard of in those days. Rob also explains how he obtained the legal right to u...
Episode #291 - Interview with Robert Garven of Cirith Ungol - Part 2: Early Days of the Band
This week we continue our in-depth interview with Cirith Ungol founder / drummer Robert Garven. He and Jarvis explore the early days of Cirith Ungol, from rehearsal spaces to 70s-era concerts to demo recordings to experiences seeing or playing with bigger bands. You will learn how the famous orange tape came to be, how the band settled on the Cirith Ungol name, how the first album recordings were financed, and much more. Crack a cold one and take this walk down memory lane through heavy metal history.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts! <...
Episode #290 - Interview with Robert Garven of Cirith Ungol - Part 1: Foundations and Beginnings
This week we bring you the first installment of Jarvis's riveting interview with Cirith Ungol drummer Robert Garven. You will learn about Rob's ancestry and upbringing from his birth in San Antonio through relocation to Ventura and how he discovered rock'n'roll at a tender age with the help of childhood friend and future bandmate Greg Lindstrom. Along the way, Jarvis shares parallels and aspects of divergence between his and Rob's formative years.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook<...
Episode #289 - Frost & Fire V: Afterparty and Aftermath
This week we wrap up our extended coverage of the Frost & Fire V Festival in Night Demon's birthplace of Ventura, California. You will hear about the excellent aftershow highlighted by local throwbacks Ardi and Los Angeles thrashers Serpent. The guys also describe their overall impressions of the festival, their feelings the following day whilst breaking down the equipment, and their aspirations for what is yet to come. We cap off this run of episodes with a full airing of Night Demon's electrifying performance of "Black Sabbath" into "Howling Man" during the first night of the festival.
<...
Episode #288 - Frost and Fire V: Cirith Ungol Returns Home - Part 2
In October 2025, Cirith Ungol returned to their hometown of Ventura, California as conquering heroes with a crushing performance headlining the second night of the Frost and Fire V festival. In this episode, you will hear extensive live clips from that performance, as well as the reactions and reflections of band and crew about that memorable night. Stay tuned until the end and you might hear a little teaser about what could happen in 2026.
Listen at nightdemon.net/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
<...
Episode #287 - Frost and Fire V: Cirith Ungol Returns Home
Of course, it wouldn't be a Frost and Fire Festival without hometown legends Cirith Ungol in the house. At Frost and Fire V, Cirith Ungol headlined the final night of the festival with a monstrous performance that marked their first local appearance in almost 7 years. This week we bring you extensive audio from that gig, as well as Jarvis and Armand's impressions, from an anniversary celebration to pedal issues to the unexpected (but not unwelcome) appearance of a former member in the room.
Become a subscriber today at nightdemon.net/subscriber. This...
Episode #286 - Frost and Fire V: High Spirits
This week, we continue our coverage of the historic Frost and Fire V festival in Ventura, California. We pick up the tale with a couple of interviews with Frost and Fire veterans, giving their impressions of the Festival and explaining its history and importance to this community and to all of us. The remainder of the episode is dedicated to Chicago masters High Spirits. You will hear why it was crucial for Night Demon to book them and why the band was so excited to return. You will also hear extensive audio clips from the gig itself, including massive...
Episode #285 - Frost and Fire V: Intranced, Blind Illusion, Early Moods
This week, we continue our comprehensive coverage of the Frost and Fire V Festival in Ventura, California in October 2025. We resume the narrative on Day 2 with a trio of bands: Intranced, Blind Illusion and Early Moods. For each act, you will hear snippets of their studio output, live audio from the festival, and the impressions and reactions of the Night Demon guys. Listen in to hear about all the highs, the lows, the euphoria, and the snafus.
LINKS
Intranced "Switchblade" - Switchblade
Blind Illusion "Straight as the Crowbar...
Episode #284 - Frost and Fire V: Day 2 Openers Hands of Goro and Night Cobra
This week we continue our extensive coverage of the Frost & Fire V Festival in Ventura, California in October 2025. We pick up the tale on the second day of the fest with interviews, live recordings and impressions of the day's first two bands, Hands of Goro and Night Cobra. As always, you will hear the stories from those who were there, in real time and with no stones left unturned.
LINKS
Hands of Goro - Hands of Goro | Hands of Goro
Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat - Wikipedia
Episode #283 - Frost and Fire V: Day 1 Headliner, Afterparty and Interviews
This week we continue our in-depth coverage of the Frost and Fire V Festival in Ventura, California in October 2025. You will hear why Raven were forced to cancel their headlining appearance, how the legendary Bitch from Los Angeles saved the day, and how the afterparty with Dirty Tricks and Angel Fury turned out to be a huge success. We also air interviews with many bands from Day 1, describing the significance of the festival, how their performances went, and what they have in the works going forward.
LINKS
<...
Episode #282 - Frost and Fire V: Night Demon Deep Dive
In October 2025, Night Demon hosted the fifth installment of their legendary Frost and Fire Festival in Ventura, California. In this week's episode, we dig deep into Night Demon's set at this Festival. The guys describe the magical feeling in the air and they explain all the details of the Ozzy Osbourne and Ace Frehley tributes performed during their set. It's all here, from cowbells to lyrical misadventures, and you'll hear audio of the Ace tune among Night Demon originals. At the end, the band puts the show into context in light of future plans for Night Demon over the...
Episode #281 - Frost and Fire V: Slough Feg and Night Demon
This week we continue our comprehensive coverage of Frost & Fire V in October 2025 in Ventura, California. We resume the story with The Lord Weird Slough Feg's set, as the guys explain their history with and admiration for this truly unique band. Then we pivot to the preparations for Night Demon's headlining set: the stress, the anxiety, the lost batteries to light up Eugene's eyes in the backdrop. We walk you through Night Demon's performance, from fan anticipation to audio clips to band reactions and impressions.
LINKS
Slough Feg website...
Episode #280 - Frost and Fire V: Blood Star, Haunt and Blade Killer
This week we resume our coverage of the Frost & Fire V Festival held in Ventura, California in October 2025. We pick up the narrative with coverage of killer performances by Blood Star, Haunt and Blade Killer. For each band, the Night Demon guys offer context and history of their relationship with the band and why it was important for them to perform at this festival. We also give you audio clips of both studio and live recordings from each band, plus overall impressions of how they went over and what they brought to the Fest.
<...
Episode #279 - Frost and Fire V: Venue, Logistics and False Starts
This week we continue our coverage of the historic Frost & Fire V Festival held in Ventura, California in October 2025. We begin by exploring why Bombay Bar & Grill is the perfect - the only - venue for this festival. It's not only Night Demon's history with the place, but also the physical layout and the relationships with ownership. Then the band and crew talk about logistics, gear, and issues / challenges to devise suitable lighting solutions. The lineup for Day 1 was meant to commence with Saber; however, the band broke up shortly before the festival, so San Diego's Wally World came o...
Episode #278 - Frost and Fire V: Antecedents and Motivations
Night Demon hosted the Frost & Fire V Festival in Ventura, CA in October 2025. In this week's episode, we explain the history of the Festival, including why it started in 2015 and how it was intertwined with the triumphant return of Cirith Ungol. The boys give a brief rundown of each year's iteration of the Fest from 2015 to 2018, and they chronicle why it came to an end then, as well as the international offshoots that followed. Finally, you will hear why the decision was made to resurrect Frost & Fire in 2025.
Links
Ventura...
Episode #277 - Live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Part 3: Performance and Reactions
This week we wrap up our trilogy of episodes chronicling Night Demon's historic performance at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in August 2025. We begin by setting the stage: the location, the vibe, the full moon, the crippling heat. Then we dig into Night Demon's setlist, including Curse of the Damned in its entirety, the special "Black Sabbath" cover, and the unexpected bonus of "Black Widow." The guys discuss the crowd reaction, the Rock Hall reaction, and their own feelings of gratitude for a very special night in a very special place with very special fans. Along...
Episode #276 - Live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Part 2: Cleveland Connection, Supporting Bands and Venue
In August 2025, Night Demon played one of only two American Curse of the Damned anniversary shows at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. In this week's episode, you will learn why it was a unique experience for the band and what made the night so meaningful for them in this city. The guys explain how they wanted the show to be more about Cleveland than Night Demon, and talk about the importance of the Sandy Kruger tribute and Destructor performance that were embedded in the gig. You will hear about the stage conditions and why this night...
Episode #275 - Live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Part 1: History and Context
In August 2025, Night Demon played a historic gig at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, we explore all the whys and wherefores of how this magical night came to be. The guys talk about their history in Cleveland and the incredible bond they formed with the NE Ohio diehards more than a decade ago. They also discuss their view of the Rock Hall, the artifacts they donated to the museum after the Live Darkness record, and the cool aspects of the museum, Then they tell you how this gig came to be, and how...
Episode #274 - WJCU Takeover Part 2
This week we bring you the second half of Night Demon's guest DJ appearance on WJCU's Metal on Metal radio show in Cleveland, Ohio in August 2025. During this episode, the band spins a fistful of songs they have covered, as well as selected tracks from the other acts who were appearing with them the following night onstage at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. Along the way, they tell stories about these songs, their relationship with the fans, their history with legends like Dick Dale and Yngwie Malmsteen, and the recording of the Live Darkness record in Cleveland back in 2017.<...
Episode #273 - WJCU Takeover Part 1
In August 2025, Night Demon played the first of just two U.S. shows commemorating the 10 year anniversary of their Curse of the Damned debut album. The night before that historic performance, the band members appeared on WJCU's Metal on Metal radio broadcast to promote the gig and talk influences and band history. This week we bring you the first part of that radio broadcast, including a fistful of songs by original artists that Night Demon later covered, as well as vignettes from the road and the band members' time as roadies for the late, great Dick Dale. Tune in f...
Episode #272 - Action Figure TV Commercial
An exciting accessory to the Curse of the DamnedUltimate Edition boxset is the Axe-Wielding Eugene action figure. To highlight this cool merch item, Night Demon enlisted the services of longtime friend and former Midnight guitarist Shaun Vanek to create a 30-second commercial. In this episode, you will hear all about how that commercial came to be through an entertaining conversation between Shaun and Jarvis. Among other things, they talk about the exchange of ideas culminating in the video concept, the technology employed to create the commercial, the fact that no actual Eugene figure was present during the shoot, the...
Episode #271 - Curse at 10: Axe Wielding Eugene
As part of the 10th anniversary celebration for Curse of the Damned, Night Demon have unveiled their first action figure for Axe-Wielding Eugene, the sinister black-clad figure on the album cover. In this episode, we tackle the questions of why Night Demon decided to do an action figure and how the character came to be named Eugene. The bulk of the episode consists of Jarvis's interview with Kyle, toy designer at Carve the Five who is responsible for creating this timeless piece of Night Demon memorabilia. Listen in as Kyle walks you through his history in the business and...
Episode #270 - Curse at 10: Save Me Now
This week we conclude our 10-year anniversary retrospective on Night Demon's Curse of the Damned track by track, by exploring the album closer, 'Save Me Now." Although this track was covered in depth in Episodes 202-203, we revisit it now and expose new nooks and crannies, details that have never before surfaced. Among other nuggets, you will learn how "Save Me Now" got Dusty the gig as Night Demon drummer, why Jarvis is so proud of it from a writing perspective, how the keyboard / organ sections came to be and when they were reproduced live, how it has the l...
Episode #269 - Curse at 10: Killer
As we continue our track-by-track rundown of Night Demon's Curse of the Damned album for its 10th anniversary, we reach the penultimate song, "Killer." One of the most rarely aired tunes in the band's catalog, "Killer" epitomizes an underrated deep cut. In this episode, Night Demon members discuss the musical and lyrical inspiration for the song, walk you through multiple demos, explain why they view it as a strong album track but not necessarily a strong live track, and present you with a warts-and-all live recording from 2023 in St. Johns, Newfoundland.
Box Set Ordering i...
Episode # 268 - Curse at 10: Run For Your Life
As we continue our track-by-track analysis of Night Demon's influential debut album, Curse of the Damned, for its tenth anniversary, this week we reach the unheralded song "Run for Your Life." Originally intended as the title track of the album, it eventually became relegated to track 9, an overlooked deep cut rarely aired on stage. In this episode, you'll find out why and hear the band members' impressions of the song, in both a studio and live context. You will hear how the song evolved over time and why Night Demon are enthused to bring it back to the setlist f...
Episode #267 - Curse at 10: Mastermind
This week we continue our track-by-track exploration of Night Demon's debut album, Curse of the Damned, on the occasion of its tenth anniversary by digging into the song "Mastermind." A rock/metal hybrid with a distinctive swing and a positive message, "Mastermind" is unique in the Night Demon catalog in multiple ways. You will hear about how the band were influenced to write this song, how and why it came late to the Curse writing sessions, the origins of various parts of the song, and its evolution from early demos to final recording to the live version they play...
Episode #266 - Curse at 10: Livin Dangerous
As we continue our track-by-track exploration of Curse of the Damned in honor of that record's tenth anniversary, we now reach one of the deep cuts. "Livin' Dangerous" is a straight ahead, no-frills rock'n'roll song that Night Demon rarely plays live. In this episode, you will learn why. The guys talk about influences for the song, when it was written, how they woodshedded it live the same night they wrote it, and how the song evolved over time. You will hear whether this track is or is not a ripoff of a Motorhead song, why it was left off...
Episode #265 - Curse at 10: Heavy Metal Heat
This week, we continue our coverage of the tenth anniversary of Night Demon's iconic debut album, Curse of the Damned. We turn our attention to the song "Heavy Metal Heat," perhaps Night Demon's ultimate party anthem. We hear from the guys how the song came into existence, how that riff is fundamental to the band's identity, how it progressed from demos to final version, and why it works so well as a singalong moment in the live set. Night Demon explain how the song is a cry for freedom, a statement that metal is life, and a party anthem...
