Metalheads Podcast

This episode begins with a lively discussion about brand new albums from Khemmis, Fires in the Distance and Godthrymm. We also share What We’re Listening To and creak open the catacombs to reveal our Picks From the Crypt. Plus, Markisan is in the hot seat for the Wheel of Pain segment, Would You Rather. Find out what imaginative hypotheticals the gang throws at him, then cringe in horror at the terrible choices he's forced to make! 

A new era of the Metalheads Podcast begins! We introduce an exciting structure for the show that includes streamlined discussions of New Releases, What We’re Listening To and Pick From the Crypt. After tackling those familiar segments we unveil THE WHEEL OF PAIN! At the end of each show we’ll take turns spinning a virtual wheel with 30 unique discussion topics. The spinner will then lead the segment selected in the next show! For this inaugural Wheel of Pain, we pre-selected the segment, Behind the Curtain. Led by Jay, we discussed the legacy and impact of legendary producer Mart...

We're back with a special two-hour hang with some of our favorite guests, Temple of Void! Will was on location with the full band in a secret metal dungeon to discuss their crushing new album, The Crawl. Mike, Alex, Jason and Justin talk about the process for writing songs that are redefining their music beyond death doom. Plus, unexpected love for the 90s riffs of Bush, why boxing is truly the sweet science, what D&D character classes best represent the band, the need for exceptional dexterity when shooting music videos and... the power of haiku? All this and...

The 2026 seal shatters with an aerodynamic new episode of the Metalheads Podcast! We start with a discussion about New Releases, highlighted by some long and lively takes on the new Kreator and Megadeth albums, then we share What We’re Listening To and Picks from the Crypt. After the sarcophagus closes, John reveals the top 2025 honors based on stats from our big year-end show. Find out who took home the Frenemies Award, the Get a Room Award, the Clairvoyant Award, The America Fuck Yeah Award, the World Traveler Award, the Jay Award and the coveted Wilson Award. Plus, George ma...

Here come Metalheads, here come Metalheads, right down Metalheads Lane
We got a bag that's filled with toys for boys and girls again
Hear those slay bells jingle jangle, oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed and cover your head, cause Metalheads come tonight!

In the penultimate 2025 episode, our friend Justin Riley joins us to discuss metal news and evaluate a mighty list of new releases, including albums from Coroner, Evoken, An Abstract Illusion, Hooded Menace, Tombs, Wode, Testament and more. Plus, What We're Listening To, Picks From the Crypt, epic homework failures and an elemental monster battle of final albums, as Celtic Frost "Monotheist" locks horns with Bolt Thrower "Those Once Loyal" in a Thunderdome clash for the ages.

This episode we discuss the recent deaths of Ozzy Osbourne, Tomas Lindberg, Brent Hinds and Erik Wunder, and honor their tremendous contributions to metal. We also count down our Top 5 Deceased Artists We‘re Glad We Saw Live, John recaps his time at ProgPower USA XXIV, and we break down the stats and awards from our Top 20 Albums at Midyear show. Plus, News, New Releases, What We’ve Been Listening To, and Picks from the Crypt. So, raise a glass and join us as we commemorate fallen metal legends in this extra-sized In Memoriam edition of the podcast.

On this, the day of our deity of reciprocity, we gather to give special thanks to our treasured Midyear Sun. As an offering for our Podfather, we will today surrender 20 heavy metal albums. As Metalheads take, so Metalheads also give.

This episode we welcome back Dennis Mikula of Ghost Bath! We talk about the creation of his band's new album, Rose Thorn Necklace, how he started his vaporwave label, Geometric Lullaby, why sad depressing music soothes him, and how his obsession for writing songs can sometimes be a health risk.  Dennis also helps us break down Metal News, New Releases, What We’re Listening to and Picks from the Crypt. Plus, for the first time on the podcast, two live albums get locked in the Metal Thunderdome, courtesy of Jay.

This episode our friend Nick Pingel joins us to chat about how he first discovered the Metalheads Podcast, the power of underwear hugs and what the metal scene is like in Iowa. We also reminisce about our time at the recent Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly and break down Metal News, New Releases, What We’re Listening to and Picks from the Crypt. Plus, in one of the most personal segments ever recorded on the podcast, we reveal the real life stories behind our Top 5 Albums That Make Us Feel Nostalgic

This episode we discuss the big announcement that Brent Hinds has parted ways with Mastodon, plus news about Iron Maiden's new visual history book and documentary, Acid Bath reuniting, Tool potentially being sued by fans, and Danzig being Danzig. We also review new releases from Havukruunu, Nite, Warbringer, Jesse Stiletto and Rwake, share What We've Been Listening To, and kick open the metal mausoleum to reveal our Picks from the Crypt. Plus, Skepticism - Stormcrowfleet squares off against My Dying Bride - The Angel and the Dark River in Markisan's Metal Thunderdome battle of two great doom albums from 1995...

This episode we welcome back Carey Vaughn, Brent Delaney and Harry Hogshead from Skaldr to talk about their new album, Saṃsṛ. We also chat about the latest Metal News, discuss New Releases from Phrenelith, Dream Theater, Saor and Mantar, share What We've Been Listening To, and blow the dust off old albums for Picks from the Crypt. Plus, we count down our Top 5 Bands that Should Reunite! 

We kick off 2025 in grand style with our annual Metalheads Stats and Awards! Find out who won the World Traveler Award, the Get a Room Award, the Jay Award, the Wilson Award and more! We also discuss the latest News and New Releases, reveal What We've Been Listening To, and unearth our Picks from the Crypt. Plus, we discuss the deep cuts Iron Maiden should play on their Run For Your Lives World Tour and George drops a turbocharged bomb on the cast with his surprise Metal Thunderdome! 

Dashing through the snow
Six metalheads ready to slay
O'er the mics we go
Laughing all the way
Sounds of metal ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to drink and sing
Our Top 25 lists tonight!

This episode we talk with writer, editor and avid Metalheads Podcast listener, Holly Interlandi, about writing Gene Simmons' Dominatrix and her Last Song comic books, her time as editor on Famous Monsters of Filmland, and how she got into heavy music. Holly also reveals the 3 Albums that Would Help People Get to Know Her Better, then helps us break down the latest in Metal News, New Releases and What We've Been Listening To. Plus, Picks from the Crypt and Top 5 Bands We Want to Play at Decibel Metal & Beer Fest Philly. 

We're back at last! No guest this episode, just your favorite six hosts talking Metal News, New Releases, What We've Been Listening To and Picks from the Crypt. Plus, John recaps his time at ProgPower USA XXIII, Will locks us in a new Metal Thunderdome with Primordial and Behemoth, and we wax poetic about Winger.

Jason Roberts joins the podcast to chat about writing and recording his new BREATHS album, navigating several band implosions and starting his new post-doom sludge band, Violescent. He also shares his varied rock and metal influences over the years, and talks about what it was like to play shows with Slipknot when he was a teenager in the nu-metal band, Eighth Ground. After the interview, Jason reveals what 3 albums would help people better understand him as a person, then he sticks around to talk Metal News, New Releases and What We've Been Listening To. Plus, John breaks down all...

Half of 2024 may be extinct, but the Metalheads Podcast has carefully preserved the best metal artifacts from the 1st six months in our Top 25 Metal Albums at Midyear! Discover our favorite heavy records of the year so far in this 5+ hour countdown episode of archeological metal wonder, filled with unique excavations, glorious gems and exploratory merriment. Featuring the historic return of Matt as Brew Metal Will!

We celebrate a decade of podcasting, brotherhood, community and metal with a special anniversary blowout episode! We kick off the show by asking George 10 questions about the origins of the Metalheads, reveal our podcast origin stories and share what the hell we were all up to 10 years ago. We also reminisce about our favorite cast moments, give our predictions for the next 10 years in metal and count down our Top 10 Metal Albums of 2014! Plus, we share all the voice messages we received from YOU, our amazing listeners. 10 years. 150 episodes. What a journey it's been. Thank you to everyone out...

This episode we are joined again by David Gregor of Morta Skuld. David talks about the latest album, Creation Undone, the band’s tour in South America, Alice Cooper, and his love of pizza (as well as what make acceptable toppings.) We also talk about the recent Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in Philadelphia, and we learn about the origin story for TR’s newest nickname, The Linchpin. And of course all the usual segments: News, New Releases, What We Are Listening To, T-Shirt and Beer Check and finally, Picks from the Crypt. 

This episode we welcome Lord Dying bass player and tattoo artist Alyssa Maucere to the podcast. Alyssa chats with us about joining Lord Dying, what it was like to work on the band's new album, Clandestine Transcendence, and developing her punk rock bass sound. She also gives us a peek into her life as an illustrator and tattoo artist, talks about creating her solo metal project, Grigax, and reveals what life is like in the "heavy metal retirement" community of Portland. After the interview, Alyssa shares what 3 albums would help people better understand her as a person and sticks...

Trevor Portz returns to the cast for a record 7th time to talk about Abhoria's sophmore album! He reminisces about nearly freezing his hands off during a video shoot in the mountains, predicts his sad fate in an apocalypse and announces the amazing new vocalist for Ashen Horde! After the interview, Trevor helps us break down the latest in metal news, and we chat about new releases and what we’ve been listening to. Plus, a discussion on AI art, Picks From the Crypt and a Metal Thunderdome kerfuffle between Anthrax - Among the Living and Overkill - Taking Ov...

We start 2024 of hot with Ian Gillings of Rannoch! We talked to him about the big success of the band's 2023 album Conflagrations (including a No. 12 spot on the Metalheads Podcast Top 25), how his music is influenced by acclaimed comic book writer Alan Moore, what it's like to produce his own records and why he longs for the complete destruction of his early band demos. After the interview, we throw back a few more beers with Ian and discuss metal news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, we unearth some gems for Pick From the Crypt and...

The most magical time of the year has arrived. The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2023 is here! We've secretly wrapped the very best extreme metal albums and piled them high under the tree just for you. So, wipe the sleep crusties from your eyes, pour yourself a yuletide beverage and nestle into your favorite battle snuggie, because you've got 5 hours of joyous unwrapping to do. Happy Holidays!

This episode we welcome master artist and musician Chuck BB to the podcast. Chuck is the creator of Stone Cold Lazy, a comic strip found in the pages of Decibel Magazine every month, and he co-created and illustrated the epic, Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Black Metal. We talk with Chuck about making comics, getting into metal, creating art for the game company Exploding Kittens and crafting his solo black metal album, Nosk of the Void. After the interview, Chuck helps us break down the latest in Metal News, then we dig into New Releases and What We’ve Been Li...

This episode we welcome guitar virtuoso Christian Münzner of Alkaloid, Obscura and Eternity's End to the podcast for the first time. He takes us behind the scenes of the new Alkaloid album "Numen" and we discuss his illustrious career in metal.  Chris shares how he started playing guitar by learning AC/DC and Metallica songs, reveals what it's like to live with focal dystonia, and tells us which guitarist's powers he'd want if he had the mutant ability to absorb them!

After the interview, Chris helps us break down news, new releases and what we've been li...

This episode we welcome Ed Levitsky of The Anchoret to talk about the band's debut album, It All Began with Loneliness. He shares how he channeled his feelings of isolation and sadness during the pandemic into an outlet for creating the progressive metal record he always dreamed of. Ed also discussed what goes into his writing process, how his Dad influenced his love of prog music, what it's been like to bond with musicians from around the world, how he signed with Willowtip Records and why he can never have enough saxophone in metal.

After the interview...

This episode we welcome back the incomparable Keith D to talk about his new Dragons of Krull and Panda Kingdom albums! He also gives us an update on the next Unearthed Elf record. We discuss his writing and recording process, where his deep love for Krull came from, what he learned from the mastering genius Maor Appelbaum and how a trip to the dentist led to the discovery of an enchanted realm of metal. After the interview, we cover news, new releases and what we've been listening to. Plus, John delivers a surprise Metal Thunderdome and we chat about...

This episode we cover the latest metal news and new releases, then reveal what we’ve been listening to lately. Plus, our Top 5 Back-to-Back Albums by Metal Bands and a conversation on gardening and pest control?! Ants. Aphids. Tomatoes. Pumpkins. Japanese beetles. Praying Mantises. Woodchucks. Metal.

We're halfway through the year and you know what that means, dear metalheads... Our Top 25 Metal Albums at Mid-Year is here! 5+ hours of lists, libations and laughs! We're joined by our good friend Justin Riley, AKA the Dr. of Death Metal, as we count down our favorite records released between January and June. Plus, Will returns, delivering his classic caveman charm for the first 30 minutes before heading off to Atlas Brew Works to run a metal show. Fortunately, he leaves his list in the snuggable embrace of Matt, who reads each pick... as Will. This massive episode also features...

This episode we are joined by Sami Sati and Tanner Swenson of Oak Pantheon. We start off with an interview and much hilarity ensues. George announces your opportunity to become fashion outcasts, before moving on to the usual traditions of T-Shirt and Beer Check, News, New Release and What We Are Listening To. We reveal the final results of the last Metal Thunderdome before moving on to Matt's Thunderdome opponents: Carcass' Swansong vs Celtic Frost's Cold Lake. Sami and Tanner, clearly suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, choose to stay for the entire episode. 

This episode we preview the 2023 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly with our friends Stacy Ciccone and Justin Riley!  We discuss what bands we're most excited to see, sift through the mighty beer list and talk about how the metal community is mostly fluffy puppies and kitties. We also dig into News, New Releases and What We've Been Listening to. Plus, our Top 5 Death Metal Bands that Have Debuted Since 2015.

This episode we got to hang out with THREE metal guests! Chris Danacek (SKÁLA, Infera Bruo), Karl Chamberlain (SKÁLA, Alcyone) and Galen Baudhuin (Street Tombs, Aridus, Infera Bruo) joined us to discuss their current and upcoming projects. Chris shares his thoughts on the cathartic writing and recording process for his SKÁLA album, we get the low down on the "permanent hiatus" of Infera Bruo, Galen takes us inside his new one-man project Aridus, and Karl declares that no character will ever survive in his lyrics.

After the interview, Karl and Galen stick around to tal...

This episode we were down a couple men, but we carried on and crossed the finish line nearly three hours later. George receives the gift of beer, Matt receives an infamous first in D.C., and per usual we cover the News, New Releases and What We Are Listening To. For our Top 5 we count down our favorite deceased artists we are glad we saw live. 

Our first episode of 2023 features honorary Metalheads member, Trevor Portz of Ashen Horde and Abhoria! He chats with us about Ashen Horde's acclaimed new album, Antimony, signing with Transcending Obscurity Records, the strangeness of releasing music years after he's completed it, the ongoing saga of his prog metal album and how he finds the energy to do so many activities with his wife.

After the interview we dig into News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also count down the Top 5 Metal Albums We're Looking Forward to in 2023 and pay tribute to Jeff Be...

Yippee-ki-yay! It's here. The Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2022! Featuring James Lewis of Decibel Magazine! We got together, had a few laughs, drank some beers and counted down our favorite extreme records of the year. So, grab a machine gun and make fists with your toes on the carpet because you're about to be trapped in the Metalheads Plaza for 5+ hours. Welcome to the party, pal.

In this uncharacteristically short episode, Will returns to the cast cancer-free and with a renewed distaste for the Black Album. In lightning-quick fashion we make short work of the News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We announce the winner of last episode’s Metal Thunderdome and with tongue firmly planted in cheek we plow through our Top 5 Complaints About Decibel’s Year-End List. Make sure to stock up on your own top complaints, because our Top 25 Albums of 2022 will be coming in December.

This episode we kick things off with a roundtable discussion on which bands will be the next big hitters in metal. After using our old metal dick powers to predict the future of heavy music, we dive into News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. We also share our thoughts on the recently announced lineup for the 2023 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philadelphia, and Jay locks Black Sabbath’s Born Again and Motorhead’s Another Perfect Day inside a bloody Metal Thunderdome. Plus, some of us may or may not spontaneously burst into song...

This episode Will returns! We also welcome Samarth Singh, a new friend we met at Maryland Death Fest in May. We talk to Sam about discovering metal in his home country of India, continuing his education in America and how Will lured him to the dark side at MDF with sweet promises of companionship and beer. After getting to know Sam, we reveal the winner of our last Metal Thunderdome, then dig into Metal News, New Releases and What We’ve Been Listening To. Plus, Jay and Matt share stories from Psycho Las Vegas, and we count down the To...

This episode our friend Steve McDowell returns to the podcast to fill in for Will, who just finished up his radiation treatments. Get better soon, buddy! We kicked things off with a spirited roundtable on bands doing reunions without key members. Then we discussed the latest metal news and new releases, and shared what we've been listening to lately. Plus, John locks us in the Metal Thunderdome with two of the best post metal albums of all time - Neurosis "Through Silver in Blood" Vs. Isis "Panopticon" - and Steve's wife Maggie makes a surprise appearance at the end...