Influencers of Metal Podcast
From the shores of the Thrashers Paradise, all the way to the Metal Robot satellites! The Influencers of Metal Podcast brings together Collin Sterling and Tom McKay for a show with laughter, crying, more laughter, and the occasional intellectual discussion. The most fun podcast in metal. Join the fun!
IoMP 193: 6 Orange Metal Album Covers
It's Spooky Time on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, and we're kicking things off with something ORANGE!
Collin and Tom are bringing back the 6 _____ series, and this time we're picking six albums with some seriously orange artwork! From the Wild West thrash of SpiritWorld and the Halloween chaos of First of October to the blackened brutality of Kanonenfieber and Gaerea, we're exploring albums that look just as striking as they sound.
We've also got Alien Weaponry bringing the groove, an underground discovery from Awaiting Sacrifice, and plenty of arguments about what actually qualifies as orange.<...
Metal YouTubers & Content Creators You NEED to Check Out!
Who are the metal content creators you NEED to be watching?
This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom are shining the spotlight on the YouTubers, streamers, TikTokers and online personalities who've helped shape the metal community!
From familiar names like Jared Dines, Stevie T and Nik Nocturnal, to creators like Chris Thrash, Black Metal Werewolf, Bradley Hall, Spectre Sound Studios and many more, we're celebrating the people bringing metal to the internet in their own unique ways.
Along the way, we revisit some classic Metal YouTube moments, share stories...
Metal Around the World – Morocco
We're heading to North Africa for another edition of Metal Around the World! This time, Collin and Tom explore the underground metal scene of Morocco, discovering six bands that prove there's plenty of heaviness to be found beyond the usual metal hotspots.
From the haunting instrumental doom of Hopelessness and the crushing melodic death metal of Suicide Machine, to the Moroccan folklore-inspired black metal of Tagrest, the relentless thrash of Thrillogy, and more, this episode delivers an impressive mix of sounds and styles.
Six bands. One country. A whole lot of metal. Let's explore Morocco!<...
Best of Progressive Metal: The Bands That Define Prog (ft. Tom de Wit)
What makes a progressive metal band truly great? Is it technical mastery, boundary-pushing creativity, unforgettable songwriting, or knowing when to stop showing off?
Collin and Tom welcome Dutch Progressive Metal musician/songwriter Tom de Wit (TDW) for another instalment of their “Best Of” series, this time exploring the wild, wonderful world of progressive metal!
From the groundbreaking influence of Rush and the musical madness of Devin Townsend to the technical brilliance of Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Opeth, TOOL, and more, the trio explores the bands that helped define prog metal and thos...
What Is The Most Metal Guitar Hero Game? Part 11
The quest to find the most metal Guitar Hero game continues! In Part 11, Collin and Tom dive into “Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock”, a game boasting one of the heaviest and most diverse soundtracks in the franchise.
With songs from Megadeth, Slayer, Arch Enemy, Avenged Sevenfold, DragonForce, Rammstein, Dethklok, and many more, the guys examine the game's metal credentials, memorable tracks, and downloadable content. But does “Warriors of Rock” have what it takes to dethrone “Guitar Hero: Metallica” and claim the top spot?
Plug in your plastic guitar and find out in this game-changing installment of the Influ...
TOOL – Are They Rock or Metal?
Is Tool rock or metal? It's time for another potentially controversial episode of Are They Rock or Metal? on the Influencers of Metal Podcast!
Collin and Tom tackle one of progressive music's most celebrated bands, debating Tool's heaviness, experimental songwriting, lengthy albums, and whether their music truly crosses the line into metal. Collin has some VERY strong opinions after listening through their discography, while Tom makes the case for appreciating Tool's musical complexity.
Are Tool progressive metal pioneers, or simply a very heavy progressive rock band? Tune in to hear the debate and find out...
The 1980s – When Metal Became METAL!
The ’80s didn’t just give us mullets, horror movies and questionable fashion choices — they helped turn heavy metal into the monster we know today.
Collin and Tom continue their journey through the decades by looking at the bands that defined metal in the 1980s. From the explosion of thrash and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to the early foundations of death metal, black metal, doom and grindcore, the decade saw metal rapidly evolve into countless new directions.
Which bands best represent one of the most important decades in metal history? Strap in as the...
Do You Need Tattoos to Be a Metalhead?
Tattoos and heavy metal have gone hand-in-hand for decades—but do you actually need ink to call yourself a metalhead?
Collin and Tom take a walk through the tattooed side of metal culture, discussing why tattoos became so closely associated with the metalhead image, how different subgenres approach body art, and whether getting your first tattoo has become something of a metal rite of passage.
Collin shares stories behind his own tattoos and what he's learned from getting inked, while Tom reveals some of the tattoos he's considered despite still being a self-proclaimed "tattoo virgin." Fr...
IoMP 185: Collin Saw Sabaton at the Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto
Sabaton brought tanks, pyro and 18 songs of Swedish power metal to Toronto — but getting through the parking chaos, opening bands and merch prices was a battle of its own.
What Have You Been Listening To? – September 2026
September brought plenty of new music—and apparently enough kick ass late-August releases to force Collin and Tom to rewrite the rules of WHYBLT.
On this month's “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the Influencers of Metal Podcast introduces the brand-new “Dickinson Rule,” allowing each host one chance per year to replace a previous month's #1 when a killer album drops after the episode has already been recorded.
But first, the listeners take over with everything from Death, Megadeth and Children of Bodom to DARKSTXR, Magna Carta Cartel, the Bee Gees, and even some city pop.
Then...
IoMP 183: Collin Saw HammerFall at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto
Collin finally saw HammerFall headline Toronto — and somehow walked away loving them even more.
Our HammerFall & Sabaton Concert Song Wishlists
Two concerts. Two Swedish power metal giants. Eight songs we NEED to hear live.
With HammerFall and Sabaton both invading the Greater Toronto Area in the same week, Collin and Tom are getting ready the only way they know how: building their dream concert wishlists!
Ahead of seeing HammerFall and Evergrey, the guys each choose two HammerFall songs they hope make the setlist, ranging from fan favourites and personal discoveries to some deeper cuts. Then, they turn their attention to Sabaton and pick another two songs each that they want to hear when the Swedish...
What Are Gojira's Heaviest Songs?
What is the heaviest Gojira song? Apparently, answering that question requires nearly 50 candidates, some serious deliberation… and a rented whale.
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to their Heaviest Songs series to rank the 10 heaviest songs in Gojira’s discography. From the raw aggression of Terra Incognita and The Link to the crushing production of From Mars to Sirius and the technical punishment of The Way of All Flesh, the duo try to figure out what truly makes a Gojira song HEAVY.
Check out more from Collin!
h...
Powerwolf – Gimmick or Genius?
Is Powerwolf’s army of Catholic werewolves a gimmick… or is it genius?
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to “Gimmick or Genius?” to put Powerwolf under the microscope. From church organs, choirs and religious imagery to vampires, werewolves and creatures of the night, Powerwolf has built one of the most recognizable identities in modern power metal.
But does all of that theatricality enhance the music, or has the gimmick become bigger than the songs themselves?
The guys dive into Powerwolf’s sound and lore, revisit albums inc...
Did These Bands Peak Too Early?
Some bands spend years building toward their masterpiece. Others accidentally set the bar way too high right out of the gate.
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom are talking about bands that peaked too early: artists whose first few albums were so successful, influential, or downright brilliant that everything afterward was forced to live in their shadow.
From Disturbed building an empire on the back of “The Sickness” to Linkin Park unleashing “Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora”, the duo looks at bands that arguably reached their defining moment almost immediately, and couldn’t...
Most Metal Wrestling Themes, Pt. 2 – Ep. 4
Metal and professional wrestling collide once again!
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return for Part 4 of their wrestling series — and another round of metal bands providing entrance music for some of wrestling’s biggest, strangest and most intimidating characters.
There’s only one slight problem: Tom forgot to do his research.
Thankfully, Collin is ready to become his wrestling professor as the duo dive into themes connected to Batista, Rey Mysterio, Roderick Strong, Seth Rollins’ days as Tyler Black, Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt’s terrifying Fiend, The Undert...
6 Favourite American Bands (Described by 2 Canadians)
This episode could not have been more poorly timed.
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, our favourite Canadian duo admit that the U.S.A. has some kick-ass metal bands, and they’re not going to let national pride or a trade war get in the way of that. Continuing on with their series of 6’s, Collin and Tom take a look at their favourites from across the border. Collin showing no mercy with the thrash metal of old and new in Anthrax and Warbringer, while also showing love for Death. Tom, meanwhile, going the...
Metal Bands/Artists That Deserve Their Own Biopic
Which metal artists deserve the Hollywood biopic treatment?
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom grab the popcorn and put together their metal biopic wish list, looking at the bands and musicians whose careers have enough triumph, tragedy, chaos and drama to make a genuinely great movie.
From the incredible career of Ronnie James Dio and the larger-than-life story of Ozzy Osbourne, to Rob Halford’s journey with Judas Priest, the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and Death, and Dave Mustaine’s ultimate revenge story, there’s no shortage of metal histor...
Deep Purple — Are They Rock or Metal?
On this episode of “Are They Rock or Metal?, Collin and Tom turn back the clock to one of the most influential bands in heavy music history. Deep Purple might sound firmly rooted in hard rock by modern standards, but songs like “Highway Star,” “Burn” and “Fireball” helped lay the groundwork for what heavy metal would eventually become.
From the speed and bombast of their riffs to Ian Gillan’s vocals, hard-hitting drums and the unmistakable sound of Jon Lord’s keyboards, the guys dig into just how far ahead of their time Deep Purple really were — and why their influe...
What Have You Been Listening To? — August 2026
August 2026 may not have delivered the strongest month for new metal releases, but that isn't stopping Collin and Tom from finding plenty worth listening to!
On this month's “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the guys dig through everything that's been dominating their playlists, from new releases and overlooked albums to old favourites making unexpected comebacks. Collin dives into Norther, Cancer Bats, Electric Callboy, Fen and Kanonenfieber, while Tom brings Cease To Resist, Warforged, Cairiss, Noveria and a return to Canadian prog favourites Protest the Hero.
Plus, listeners bring Metallica, Torpor! and the gloriously named Powe...
Metal Around The World — Cambodia
Pack your bags, grab your passport and make sure Tom actually remembered everything — Metal Around the World is heading to Cambodia!
Collin and Tom dive into one of the smallest metal scenes they’ve encountered yet, checking out four Cambodian underground bands: Nightmare A.D., Atakheat, Reign in Slumber and Doch Chkae.
From crusty thrash and death metal to black metal so unbelievably lo-fi that it creates an entirely new definition of “underground,” Cambodia proves you don't need a massive scene to find some fascinating heavy music.
And when the journey is over, the whee...
Our DREAM 5-Band Metal Festival Lineups!
What if you could book ANY five bands for your own metal festival?
This week, Collin and Tom are building their dream festival stages! Because they’re still stuck on the desert island and Tom’s bored. The rules are simple: five bands. One stage. Build your dream festival lineup.
Two stages. Ten bands. Prog, doom, death metal and enough brutality to make the local island wildlife deeply concerned.
Check out more from Collin!
https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/
https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132
https://www.instagram.com...
Is Pizza Thrash a Metal Subgenre, really?
Is Pizza Thrash REALLY a subgenre?
Collin and Tom investigate the bizarre label given to bands like Municipal Waste, Lich King and Gama Bomb and ask whether Pizza Thrash has enough of its own musical identity to qualify as a legitimate metal subgenre—or if it's basically just a meme for fast, fun 2000s thrash.
Plus: Crabcore comparisons, Deathcore slander and a disturbing number of meows.
Check out more from Collin!
https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/
https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132
https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/
<...What Have You Been Listening To? — Best Albums of 2026 So Far feat. Chris Thrash
We're halfway through 2026, which means it's time to find out which albums have survived months of new releases and become the records we actually keep coming back to.
This time, Collin and Tom are joined by Chris Thrash to count down their Top 5 albums of 2026 so far — plus an honourable mention from each of them.
Chris brings plenty of thrash and old-school death metal, while Collin ventures through prog, and death metal. Meanwhile, Tom's picks range from the core, to blackened modern metal and epic MDM.
But this is What Have You Been Li...
Van Halen - Are They Rock or Metal?
It’s the grand finale of Van Halen Week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, and there’s only one question left to answer: Is Van Halen ROCK or METAL?
Few bands have left a bigger mark on hard rock — or had a greater influence on the guitarists who helped shape heavy metal. Eddie Van Halen revolutionized the instrument, David Lee Roth became one of rock’s ultimate frontmen, and songs like “Hot for Teacher,” “Panama,” “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Eruption” helped define an era.
But does that influence actually make Van Halen a metal band?
Collin...
What Is The Most Metal Guitar Hero Game? Part 10
It’s Van Halen Week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, and what better way to kick things off than by asking one very important question: Just how METAL was Guitar Hero: Van Halen?
Collin and Tom return for episode 10 of their ongoing quest to determine the most metal Guitar Hero game ever made, and this time they’re diving into the 2009 band-focused instalment built around Eddie, Alex, David Lee Roth and the music of Van Halen.
Van Halen’s influence on generations of hard rock and metal guitarists is undeniable... but does that actually transl...
6 Great Metal Covers of ABBA Songs
ABBA might not be the first band that comes to mind when you think of heavy metal… but maybe they should be.
On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom resurrect the “Six Great…” series to dive into six metal and hard rock covers that take ABBA classics and deep cuts into much heavier territory.
From thrash and power metal to Ghost putting their unmistakable stamp on an ABBA deep cut, these covers show just how surprisingly well ABBA’s songwriting translates into the metal world.
Along the way, Tom and Co...
What Have You Been Listening To? - July 2026
July delivered one of the most unpredictable months of metal releases so far in 2026—and Collin and Tom’s rankings were still changing during the final week.
In this edition of “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the guys count down their five favourite releases of July, and show how varied the best can get. There are plenty of surprises to find, lots of bangers, and a ton of ways to do this podcast one way or another.
Grab your headphones, gather around the campfire, and tell us: What have you been listening to?
Check...
The BEST Viking Metal Bands
Grab your axes and prepare for battle! Collin and Tom set sail into one of metal's most fascinating subgenres: Viking Metal.
From the legendary pioneers who shaped the genre to modern bands carrying the torch, the guys discuss what actually makes a band "Viking metal," why it's one of the broadest subgenres in heavy music, and which artists deserve a place in every metalhead's collection.
Along the way, they debate Amon Amarth's genre classification, explore Viking mythology, discover hidden gems, and somehow end up talking about German beer, Lego flowers, and dating profiles.
...
The HU - Are They Rock or Metal?
Mongolian throat singing. Traditional folk instruments. Heavy riffs. So... is The Hu Folk Rock? Or Folk Metal?
In this month's “Are They Rock or Metal?,” Collin and Tom are joined by fan-favourite guest The Pumpkin Queen to tackle one of the toughest genre debates yet. The trio dives into The Hu's unique blend of Mongolian folk music and modern heavy music, discusses how songs like “Wolf Totem” introduced millions of people to throat singing, and debates whether the band's songwriting leans more toward rock or metal.
Along the way, they chat about The Hu's collaborations with Pap...
What is Cannibal Corpse's Heaviest Song?
What is Cannibal Corpse's heaviest song? It sounds like an impossible question... until Collin willingly sacrificed his sanity by listening to all sixteen Cannibal Corpse albums.
After narrowing more than 200 songs down to a shortlist, Tom and Collin battle through one of the most brutal discographies in metal history to rank the 10 heaviest Cannibal Corpse songs ever recorded.
From the Chris Barnes era to George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher's reign of terror, the guys debate crushing riffs, monstrous breakdowns, punishing grooves, unforgettable album artwork, and the songs that define one of death metal's most legendary bands.
<...6 Metal Bands That Are Perfect for Summer
Nothing beats an Influencers-2 holiday! Summer is here, the barbecue is fired up, the drinks are cold, and the playlist needs to be loud.
Collin and Tom each bring their picks for six metal bands that perfectly capture the spirit of summer. Whether you're relaxing by the pool, hanging around the campfire, hitting the beach, or hosting a backyard party, these bands prove that metal isn't just for dark winter nights.
From party metalcore and pirate metal to folk drinking anthems, comedy metal, and even some thrash, this episode is packed with great recommendations, plenty...
The Biggest Metal Festivals in the World
Festival season has arrived, and while most people are thinking about food trucks and carnival rides, Tom and Collin have something much louder in mind.
This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, the guys take a tour around the world's biggest and most legendary metal festivals—from Canada's Loud As Hell and the brand-new ProgStorm, to European giants like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Bloodstock, Rock am Ring, Mystic Festival and the legendary 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise.
Along the way they debate surprising headliners, discover a festival that no longer exists halfway through recording, argue ov...
Sleep Token - Gimmick or Genius?
Sleep Token is one of the biggest and most divisive bands in modern metal... but are they actually geniuses, or is the mystery just a really effective gimmick?
In this edition of Gimmick or Genius, Collin and Tom dive into one of metal's hottest debates. They discuss Sleep Token's anonymous image, lore, live reputation, songwriting, fanbase, and whether either of them actually understands what the band's gimmick is supposed to be.
Check out more from Collin!
https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/
https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132
https://www.instagram...
What Have You Been Listening To? - June 2026
The monthly listening party returns! Collin and Tom are back with another edition of What Have You Been Listening To?, breaking down the albums, bands, and songs that have been dominating their playlists throughout June.
This time, the duo is joined by a very special guest — the Pumpkin Queen — who jumps into the chaos as the official audience representative, sharing her thoughts, reactions, and one of her own recent metal discoveries.
From doom metal and hardcore to metalcore, gothic influences, and theatrical metal madness, this month’s WHYBLT proves once again that there is always someth...
The Metal Songs That Would Make Wrestling Entrances Legendary
A great entrance theme can make or break a wrestler. The right song can turn a simple walk to the ring into a full-blown moment of chaos, intimidation, and pure hype.
In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to the world of wrestling and metal by reimagining the entrance themes of six current WWE and AEW wrestlers — replacing their existing music with the perfect metal anthem.
From Scottish brutality to Samoan power and NXT rising stars, Collin puts his wrestling knowledge to the test by matching each wrestler’s pers...
The Birth of Heavy Metal: The Bands That Defined the 1970s
Before the blast beats, breakdowns, and walls of distortion… there was the beginning. Collin and Tom fire up the metal time machine and head back to the 1970s — the decade where heavy metal began crawling out of the blues, putting on leather jackets, turning the amps up to eleven, and scaring everyone’s parents.
In the first episode of their new “Decade Defining Albums” series, the guys explore the bands that helped build the foundation of metal, from the unmistakable darkness of Black Sabbath to the early speed and aggression of Motörhead.
Check out m...
Metal Around the World: Uzbekistan
The Influencers of Metal Podcast is heading back around the globe! This time, Collin and Tom land in Uzbekistan, a country known for its ancient Silk Road history, stunning architecture, and apparently… an absolutely ridiculous amount of black metal.
The boys dive into the underground metal scene of Uzbekistan. From raw black metal to atmospheric darkness, they explore bands including Smärtgränsen, Dark Dimension, Autumnus Aeternus, The Only Survivor, Krsnī, and the mysterious depressive black metal project of “can’t get closer to the voice” known for making everyone sad.
Along the way, they discover th...
Is Crabcore Actually a Genre, Really?
This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom officially hit the “we’re running out of ideas” stage of podcasting and launch a brand-new series: “Is It Really a Subgenre?”
First victim? Crabcore. The legendary 2000s meme born from low squats, synchronized breakdowns, keyboard synths, and enough hair straightener fumes to destroy the ozone layer.
Check out more from Collin!
https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/
https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132
https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/
https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/
Check out...
Is Crabcore Actually a Genre, Really?
This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom officially hit the “we’re running out of ideas” stage of podcasting and launch a brand-new series: “Is It Really a Subgenre?”
First victim? Crabcore. The legendary 2000s meme born from low squats, synchronized breakdowns, keyboard synths, and enough hair straightener fumes to destroy the ozone layer.
Check out more from Collin!
https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/
https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132
https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/
https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/
Check out...
