Nate Garrett's Big Riff Energy

WHICH BILLY IS THE BEST BILLY? STRINGS, GIBBONS, OR CORGAN?

CATCHING UP AFTER 6 MONTH HIATUS / LIFE ALTERING VISION QUEST

BEST RIFF(S) OF 1990 (THERE'S A BUNCH)

Album of discussion:

Street Tombs - Existence Is Corruption [2026]

 __________________________________________

Neon Nightmare - vinyl/cd/digital:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/faded-dream

__________________________________________

Spirit Adrift - Infinite Illumination on vinyl/cd/digital:

https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-i...

Psych! We are replacing Fulci on the Decibel Magazine Tour

Top 10 metal drummers of all time? Best riff(s) of 1989? (Spoiler - they're all on Altars of Madness). All will be answered on this episode of Big Riff Energy.

Album of discussion:

Bogside Sniper Squadron - 2023 Demo

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE OVERCOME CANCER:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

 __________________________________________

LAST CHANCE TO SEE US LIVE

https://www.decibelmagazine.com/events/tour/

 __________________________________________

INFINITE ILLUMINATION ON VINYL + CD:

Spirit Adrift just released our last album INFINITE ILLUMINATION and I'm quitting music forever!

Albums of discussion:

Spirit Adrift - Infinite Illumination (2026)

Neurosis - An Undying Love For A Burning World (2026)

Converge - Love Is Not Enough (2026)

Fossilization - Advent of Wounds (2026)

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE OVERCOME CANCER:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

 __________________________________________

INFINITE ILLUMINATION ON VINYL + CD:

https://www.20buckspin.com/spiritadrift

__________________________________________

MERCH + FULL DIGIT...

Testament's Chuck Billy is the greatest thrash metal singer of all time. Join us as we discuss the concert that made him want to play music, how he merged his love of 70s hard rock with his bandmates love of 80s extreme metal, what it takes to have a flawless discography, what it feels like to be the victim of a Direct Energy Weapon, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Testament discography

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE OVERCOME CANCER:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

...

What are the best 6th albums of all time? What bands 6th album is their best album? Also doing a new rig rundown leading up to the next Spirit Adrift show with Crowbar + EYEHATEGOD, big vinyl giveaway, best riffs of 1987, reviewing the new Hallas record, and more!

Album of discussion:

Hallas - Panorama (2026)

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE OVERCOME CANCER:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

 __________________________________________

TICKETS TO SEE SPIRIT ADRIFT w/ CROWBAR & EYEHATEGOD:
https://www.spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

MERCH:
Night S...

TIK TOK GEN Z POSERS AND INSTAGRAM HARDCORE NORMIES HAVE CO-OPTED CROWBAR! (it's a good thing)

Highlighting some great fan-submitted music, breaking down the best riff(s) of 1986, and more!

Album of discussion:

Sundecay - The Blood Lives Again (2026)

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE OVERCOME CANCER:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

 __________________________________________

TICKETS TO SEE SPIRIT ADRIFT w/ CROWBAR & EYEHATEGOD:

https://www.spiritadrift.com

__________________________________________

MERCH:

Night S...

Answering extensive e-mail questions about the upcoming Spirit Adrift album. Determining the best riffs of 1984, talking about the best death-doom bands, pondering whether or not Dave Mustaine is a top 5 riffer, and eulogizing one of the greatest singers of all time Terry Reid with the first-ever BRE listening party.

Album of discussion:

Spirit Adrift - Album 6 TBA (2026)

Terry Reid - Seed Of Memory (1976)

Links below to help my wife overcome cancer:

__________________________________________

GOFUNDME

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

...

Ranking my Top 5 favorite albums of Ozzy's solo career, and discussing the most overlooked Ozzy Sabbath album. Breaking down the best riff(s) of 1983 featuring Dio, Mercyful Fate, and Metallica. Choosing the top 4 best metal lyricists, top 4 best metal lyricists who are also vocalists, what it takes to be a great vocalist, musings on KISS, Ritchie Blackmore, and more…

Album of discussion:

Ozzy Osbourne - solo discography

Bastards of God's Grace - Self-titled (2021)

Links below to help my wife overcome cancer:

__________________________________________

GOFUN...

RIFFING IS MY BIZNESS (LITERALLY)… AND BIZNESS IS GOOD

I am riffing for hire! Does your podcast need a theme song? Do you want to surprise a loved one or mortal enemy with some riffs? Does your band suck and need song ideas? It's like cameo but instead of some lazy meaningless words I'm giving you the gift of riffs.

Also: answering e-mails about Swedish death metal and Van Halen. Best riff (YES RIFF SINGULAR) of 1982, and more!

Album of discussion:

Wytch Hazel - V: Lamentations (2025)

L...

FLEA MARKET BIG RIFF ENERGY

My wife Nicole is beginning cancer treatment and the shit expensive as hell even with good jobs and insurance. Here's how you can help her out:

__________________________________________

1. GOFUNDME (I've done 114 episodes of this show for free, throw her $5 - $10 and we're even)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

 __________________________________________

2. MERCH

Razors In The Night exclusive Neon Nightmare tee (100% of proceeds to Nicole)

https://razorsinthenight.bigcartel.com/product/they-look-like-shadows-tee

Night Shift merch...

My family needs your help! Please watch and donate at the link below if you can. If funds are light, sharing the link or this video is also a huge help to us. We love you all!

Albums of discussion:

Bolt Thrower - The IVth Crusade (1992)

Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal (2005)

__________________________________________

HELP MY WIFE NICOLE IN OUR JOURNEY TOWARD HEALTH:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nicole-a-selfless-soul-in-need-for-cancer-treatment

__________________________________________

BUY MY GEAR TO HELP NICOLE'S JOURN...

Reviewing the massive Back To The Beginning sendoff of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath

Album of discussion:

Evil Army - Evil Army (2006)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Ni...

I saw Acid Bath and boy let me tell ya...

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podcast,

send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

Europe:

https...

Breaking down Metallica's controversial LOAD album in the wake of the band dropping a massive Load box set. Where does the album stand in their catalog? How many truly great songs are on it? How much filler? Is it overrated? Underrated?

Answering e-mails, breaking down the best riffs of 1978, reviewing one of the best metal albums of the year, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Gruesome - Silent Echoes (2025)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the...

Recapping the first Spirit Adrift show in almost 2 years. Lamenting the hipster, wannabe influencer, douche bag, tech bro-induced death of the once-great American city Austin, Texas. Answering a mountain of e-mails including top 10 bands of the 1960's, 3 most underrated bands, best riffs of 1977, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Hallucinate - From The Bowels Of The Earth (2023)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and

get a guaranteed response on the podc...

Ranking the studio discography of the best and most important death metal band of all time… DEATH! Answering a ton of e-mails, and breaking down the greatest riff of 1976.

Albums of discussion:

Death - full discography

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only North American appearance of 2025.

Get your tickets here:

https://wl.seetickets.us/event/spirit-adrift/642967?afflky=EmpireControlRoom

__________________________________________

E-mail...

The world was a better place when Headbanger's Ball was around. A unifying, enlightening, irreplaceable resource for all things relating to the riff. Who would host the show if it were on the air today?

Plus… amending the best riff of 1974, and going over the best riffs of 1975.

Albums of discussion:

Slik Toxik - Doin The Nasty (1992)

Ancient Death - Ego Dissolution (2025)

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only North American appearance of 2025.

...

Nate Garrett's Big Riff Energy Episode 106

Is Turnstile the best rock band in the world at present moment? How will their forthcoming album "Never Enough" compare to their previous smash hit "Glow On?" Examining the 90's/early 2000's nostalgia that is taking over not just music but culture in general. Breaking down the best riffs of 1974, discussing how to get crushing guitar tones and great recordings on a budget, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Turnstile - Never Enough (2025)

Bleed - Bleed (2025)

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

Nate Garrett's Big Riff Energy Episode 105

Reviewing and ranking the new Ghost album Skeleta. Highlighting recent riff heavy releases, including candidates for best death metal album of the year and best black metal album of the year. Breaking down the greatest riffs of 1973, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Ghost - Skeleta (2025)

Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power (2025)

Lo-Pan - Get Well Soon (2025)

LIK - Necro (2025)

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only...

Blake Ibanez, guitarist of Power Trip and Fugitive, joins us to discuss the history and future of Power Trip, his earliest riff inspirations, the sometimes mysterious and magical process of songwriting, taking a band from DIY hardcore shows to a stadium tour with Pantera, news on upcoming Fugitive material, his mount rushmore of riffers, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Power Trip discography

Fugitive discography

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only North American appearance of 2025.

Get...

The #1 most requested BIG RIFFER, Kirk Windstein… the RIFF LORD himself! Kirk discusses the history of Crowbar, the sacrifice and dedication it takes to succeed as a musician, how many Crowbar albums he had to make to reach true professional musician status, the riff that made him want to play guitar, finding the unique Crowbar sound during the era of thrash domination, the imminent recording of the new Down album at Phil Anselmo's home base studio lair, what it's like playing a band with half of Type O Negative, and much more. Bonus appearance by Pepper Keenan as we tr...

Going to see Acid Bath in Florida and Chicago. Musings on reunions/cash grabs. What does it feel like getting turned into clickbait for 2 weeks straight (angry Type O Negative fans, angry Limp Bizkit fans, angry J Dawg fans)? Putting the Fred Durst sandwich incident to rest once and for all. Heaviest/greatest riff of 1972? Albums of discussion:

Mourning Star - Mourning Star (2025)

 https://mourningstardm.bandcamp.com/album/mourning-star

Swamphead - Nightfall (2025)

 https://swamphead.bandcamp.com/album/nightfall

Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar (2025)

...

J DAWG VS NASTY NATE

TWO MEN ENTER

ONE MAN LEAVES

Album of discussion: Savage Master - Dark & Dangerous (2025)

__________________________________________

J DAWG AND NASTY NATE'S ESSENTIAL HISTORY OF METAL

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1970)

Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (1971)

Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1974)

Judas Priest - Stained Class (1978)

Judas Priest - Hell Bent For Leather (1979)

Venom - Welcome To Hell (1981)

Mercyful Fate - Nuns Have...

Rwake is one of the world's most unique and powerful metal bands. The Arkansas powerhouse returns after 13 years with their new album The Return Of Magik, out now on Relapse records. After over a decade of various states of stasis, the deeply psychospiritual power and energy of Rwake's singular sound has evolved into an even more transcendental monster.

Album of discussion:

Rwake - The Return Of Magik (2025)

__________________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only North American appearance of 2025.

Get your tickets here:

Is Bobby Liebling from Pentagram actually the PERFECT doom metal representative to bring the power of the riff to the brain-rotted masses? Are most people in metal bands terrible, disgusting human beings? Is it possible to replace a generational talent like Brent Hinds? Why is J Dawg terrified of Nate Dawg? What's the heaviest riff of 1971? Answers to these questions and much more…

Album of discussion:

Phrenelith - Ashen Womb (2025)

_______________________________________

SPIRIT ADRIFT RETURNS

MAY 31. AUSTIN, TX.

Only North American appearance of 2025.

Get your tickets here: SP...

Nite - Cult Of The Serpent Sun is an strong album of the year contender, and an instant classic. Fusing the majesty, power, and melody of the best black metal with all the best elements of old-school/traditional metal, Nite's third album is an epic, flawless experience from beginning to end.

Album of discussion:

Nite - Cult Of The Serpent Sun (2025)

Order/stream here: https://nitemetal.bandcamp.com/album/cult-of-the-serpent-sun

__________________________________________

Blackened Heavy Metal Starter Kit:

Avinash:

Celtic Frost - To Mega T...

Addressing the recent rumblings of hypothetical Type O Negative reunion/tribute shows, discussing the black sheep of the Pantera discography and pleading a case for an overlooked album being their all-time best, breaking down the best riff of 1970 in a new "best riff of each year" segment, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Dirtmother - Dirtmother (2025)

Mean Mistreater - Do Or Die (2025)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and g...

Fielding a wide variety of intriguing fan questions... heaviest non-metal riffs? The allure of Trouble and other first-wave doom bands? Best doom metal debuts? Best year in the history of metal releases?

Also addressing the fact that after tickets for the Sabbath reunion sold out, the Ozzy camp announces he will only perform "bits and pieces."

Albums of discussion:

Trouble - Psalm 9

Trouble - The Skull

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the...

Talking about the greatest band of all time (again). Discussing the good, bad, and ugly about the Black Sabbath reunion, attempting to set up a charity boxing match with Fred Durst, tier-ranking the Ozzy-era Sabbath albums, reminiscing about seeing Sabbath live over the past 20+ years, and more!

Albums of discussion:

Ozzy-era Black Sabbath albums

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to ht...

Remembering one of the most astounding and significant figures in human creativity, David Lynch.

Albums of discussion (rest in peace John Sykes):

Thin Lizzy - Thunder And Lightning (1983)

Tygers of Pan Tang - Spellbound (1981)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podca...

Sharing an idea about how to make the world a better place... 

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

Europe:

https://www.hrrecor...

Streamed live, best experience on YouTube

Answering questions in the riff dungeon, including updates on the future of Spirit Adrift / Neon Nightmare

Albums of discussion:

Spirit Adrift - LP6 progress (202?)

Death - Scream Bloody Gore (1987)

Fear Factory - Archetype (2004)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

Include your questi...

Reviewing the Austin, TX stop of the Devastation On The Nation Tour… the good, the bad, the ugly, and the REALLY ugly. Answering e-mails about Danzig, the cancellation of Sick New World, how bullshit and money dictate industries that are supposed to have artistic integrity, entertainers drinking their own kool aid and surrounding themselves with yes men, the future of Spirit Adrift, and more!

Albums of discussion:

You choose… drop a comment with whatever you're listening to

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]...

On this episode, we're joined by Dome (guitar) and Edo (drums/samples) from Italy's horrifying death metal powerhouse FULCI. We discuss the making of the band's new album "Duck Face Killings," channeling classic Florida death metal from Cannibal Corpse's "The Bleeding" to Death's "Symbolic," their current US tour (Devastation on the Nation featuring I Am Morbid, Suffocation, Mortiferum, Fulci, and Knoll), personal favorite Lucio Fulci films, which American horror director would make the best inspiration for an extreme metal band, the difference between touring Europe vs. the USA, and more!

Album of discussion:

F...

Brice Leclercq is the man behind the new black metal project From Kaos. He was the bassist for Dissection during the 'Rebirth of Dissection' and Reinkaos album. He also played bass for Satyricon for the Age of Nero tour. We discuss From Kaos debut album. Brice also tells stories of the reformation of Dissection immediately following Jon Nödtveidt's release from prison, the radically different experiences auditioning for Dissection vs. Satyricon, getting shut down at a festival while attempting to play an encore with Attila Csihar, the influence that classic metal bands like Iron Maiden and WASP had on D...

Nate's 2024 AOTY list. Includes a ranked top 10 as well as runner-up albums. Also going over the best live show, guitar riff, vocal performance, drum performance, guitar solo, and film of the year.

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

Include your question in the note/message.

Thanks for supporting the podcast!

__________________________________________

Find Neon Nightmare:

North America:

Is Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal a nu-metal album cosplaying as a death metal album? Thoughts on the passing of Paul Di'Anno, a criminally under-attended Judas Priest show, digging through a mountain of unanswered emails.

Albums of discussion:

Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal (2005)

Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere (2024)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

I...

EXCLUSIVE interview / identity reveal / unboxing / playthrough / album release chaos session / Halloween hang with the man behind Neon Nightmare. Debut album "Faded Dream" out 11/1/24 on 20 Buck Spin.

Album of discussion:

Neon Nightmare - Faded Dream (2024)

__________________________________________

Neon Nightmare - Faded Dream is available on LP+CD here:

https://www.20buckspin.com/neonnightmare

Available in Europe through High Roller Records:

https://www.hrrecords.de/NEON-NIGHTMARE-Faded-Dream-LP-ELECTRIC-AQUA-BLUE-CLOUDY

Also available in Europe through Van records:

https://van-records.com/Neon-Nightmare-Faded-Dream-12-LP_1

...

Arizona's most crushing and exciting new death metal band Eternal recently released one of the best albums of the year, "Cryptic Lust." Guitarist/vocalist Emilio Ortega, and drummer/recording engineer Xander Bridge talk about forming the band, DIY recording, classic heavy metal influences that made first-wave death metal special, channeling the Undertaker and horror films, and more!

Album of discussion:

Eternal - Cryptic Lust (2024)

Buy + stream the album: https://carbonizedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cryptic-lust

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your q...

Memorializing one of the greatest human beings that ever lived, Kris Kristofferson. Reviewing two recent Big Riff masterpieces… one of the best Arizona death metal albums ever released, and an instant stone cold classic of 'CANADIAN METAL.'

Albums of discussion:

Eternal - Cryptic Lust (2024)

Lund - Ancient Steel (2024)

__________________________________________

E-mail all questions/ideas to: [email protected]

To move your question to the front of the line and get a guaranteed response on the podcast, send $10 to https://paypal.me/BigRiffEnergy.

Incl...