Our guest Kirk Windstein of the mighty Crowbar discusses his 25 years with the band, how he needed to change his focus away from Down towards his family and Crowbar, and the influence Exhorder had on Crowbar's sound in the early days.

Chuck and Godless also talk about their favorite albums of 2013 -- as much as they could in this "extended" episode -- and they discuss KEN Mode's threat to fans who text at their shows and how that relates to a terrible Fear Factory performance Chuck saw last week.

This is the final episode of the year, so thank you for listening. We have a lot of good stuff lined up for 2014!

Troy Sanders of Mastodon guests on the podcast this week. We talk about Mastodon's new DVD Live at the Brixton, why the band looks prettier in this one than on Live at the Aragon, Troy's kids and family growing with the band, and also how it feels to be the second sexiest hunk in metal.

Chuck and Godless also discuss whether bands should evolve away from where they originally started, if those moves should be accepted or shunned, or even if such a change calls for a band to start over. The 50 Hunkiest Dudes in Metal list gets a once over, and we try and decide if it is too sexist toward the beastly gender or exactly the right amount of what we deserve.

Songs:
Mastodon - "All the Heavy Lifting"
Disfiguring the Goddess - "Industrial Quarter"

Our guest this week: the legendary Matt Pike of High on Fire! Not only did he play a show with his shirt on, but he allowed us a glimpse into his mind post-rehab, how his life is shaping up without drugs and booze, and how he handles some serious situations that come up on the road.

We also try and shake off the Thanksgiving hangover by talking about the sickness that is Ian Watkins and the Lostprophets mess, and we discuss whether an album that came out two months ago should even be considered as the best metal album of all time.

Songs:
High on Fire - "Slave the Hive"
Wax Audio - "South of the Grapevine"

Our guest this week is the always-controversial Billy Milano, former lead singer for S.O.D. and current frontman for M.O.D. We hit record in mid-sentence and find out about his dog, Buster, who just passed away, his history with animals, his family, food, and how he gets mis-represented as the character he portrays in his stage life.

Chuck and Godless talk about the stagedive heard round the world by some dude named Watsky. He lived, but he hurt a few people in the audience and apparently has no idea about the "miracle" of gravity and physics. We also try and figure out why we needed a metal tribute to Michael Jackson, or, for that matter, any tributes at all.

Songs:
S.O.D. - "Kill Yourself"
Chuck Billy/Various - "Thriller"

This week Mark Osegueda of Death Angel fends off Godless' advances as we talk to him at a stop of Death Angel's latest tour. We chat about their rise to to the forefront of thrash metal, the bus accident that led to their break-up in 1991, Mark's time managing a vintage clothing store and more.

Chuck and Godless also discuss how lesser known bands can get attention from blogs, zines and critics and they completely disagree about the best methods. Good music and recording vs. drama and boobs? We argue, you decide!

Songs:
Death Angel - "Fallen"
Weekend Nachos - "No Idols and No Heroes"

This week we get to know the day to day operation of Gojira with our special guest, Joe Duplantier. Joe gives us insight into how they structure their tour runs, which brother is Mom's favorite and gives us a sneak peak at a song they were working on before we rudely interrupted.

We also share some adventures from FunFunFun Fest, give a salute to our retired military for Veterans Day and somehow relate advances in the technology of war to the technological advances of music -- creating it, recording it and playing it live.

Songs:
Gojira - "Liquid Fire'
Dethklok - "Blazing Star"

Tom Araya of the legendary Slayer is our guest this week; we speak about life in small town Texas where he lives, his family and experience with loss surrounding Jeff Hanneman and how it has affected his songwriting, and why bands need to get over themselves and lose the egos.

We talk about Broken Hope's apology to Glen Benton of Deicide (and take a little credit for working through the drama), we examine Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through's letter of disappointment to himself and his fans and hope he isn't trying to slit his wrists because of a facebook comment, and we discuss whether bands should stick to the hits on tour, play full albums, or just perform the new stuff.

Songs:
Slayer - "Evil Has No Boundaries"
Suicide Silence - "No Pity for A Coward"

This week Chuck and Godless talk to Rody Walker from Protest the Hero about his obsession with Star Trek (chosen poorly, in Chuck's opinion), their uber-successful crowdfunding campaign, the new album Volition and how he doesn't know anything about writing music.

We also talk about the Broken Hope stabbing incident in El Paso and whether or not we need to stop circle pits altogether, we cover our experience at the Housecore Horror Film Fest and we discuss why Orgy should have never expected to make more than ten bucks with their effort to regain former glory.

Songs:
Protest the Hero - "A Life Embossed"
Disfiguring the Goddess - "The Pathway to Everlasting Nothingness"

Controversy erupted this week when Deicide's Glen Benton kicked Broken Hope off their current tour. Broken Hope shared their side of the story on the Interhole, so we decided to talk with Benton to get his side of the story. After covering the controversy, Benton shared all sorts of other info with us about his life, Deicide, and more. 

Chance Garnette calls in to talk about the new Skeletownitch album that drops next week, what it's like touring with the band ten years in, and who his Mom actually comes to see when he and his brother are playing live.

We also discuss Metallica's ongoing willingness to take risks in the context of the flop of Through the Never; whether a music festival, movie or a terrible record with Lou Reed, you can't deny that they're pushing the envelope... or can you? Godless explains why "doom" or "occult" rock sucks -- or at least isn't trying very hard -- and Chuck just wants to listen to yacht rock.

Songs:
Skeletonwitch - "Serpents Unleashed"
Noctum - "Liberty In Death"

This week we try and make sense of the White Wizzard controversy with one of our guests Joeseph Michael, the ousted singer of the band who has been the focus of most his former band mate Jon Leon's misery. We also have Adam D from Killswitch Engage on to talk about the upcoming tour with Lamb of God, their album with returning singer Jesse Leech, and whether or not metalcore is dead. We also try to figure out why Danzig is a douchebag (we could do a whole show and not find the answer) after he tells his audience to go after another fan filming his performance, and whether or not you need to put your damn phone away during a live show.

Songs:
Killswitch Engage - "Beyond the Flames"
Protest the Hero - "Without Prejudice"

Our guest is the legendary Gene Hoglan. Not only is he the nicest guy in metal, but he has the longest list of active projects of anyone ever (including Testament and Dethklok). Gene gives us his thoughts about Jeff Hanneman's funeral, why he isn't drumming for Slayer, his struggle with weight and how his latest round of clinics, The Gene Hoglan Experience, is not just for drummers.

We also discuss Metallica's new concert flick Through the Never; unbelievably it kinda lives up to some of the hype the band has been building around it. We also try to figure out which band could be the next band to do something on this scale... never say never.

SONGS:
Fear Factory - "Powershifter"
Toxic Holocaust - "Out of the Fire"

This week Vince ventures into the mind of the mad genius Devin Townsend; they talk about his latest work, Casualties of Cool, the Retinal Circus live DVD, and his uncanny ability to multitask so many different projects at once while staying somewhat sane.

We invite Kurt Brecht, lead singer of D.R.I. and Pasadena Napalm Division, into the studio to help us figure out why metal singers and lyric writers have stopped using their pulpit for politics, or at least have shifted away from calling out Regan and Pol Pot by name in favor of a more introspective attitude. Have bands gotten heavier and lyrics gotten softer?

Songs:
Pasadena Napalm Division - "Terror Cell"
Devin Townsend Project - "Lucky Animals (Live)"

This week our guest Oderus Urungus of Gwar explains why the Cyrus family actually have bred the anti-christ, Tim Lambesis and his legal troubles and how we shouldn't judge him (yet), and gives us the skinny on the new record <em>Battle Maximus</em>, their first without Flattus Maximus (Cory Smoot) on guitar.

Inspired by Deafheaven's recent appearance in an iPhone commercial, Vince and Axl chime in on metal becoming more mainstream and whether we should be scared of our way of life being co-opted by big business and society in general. Some new music from Gwar and Pig Destroyer.

Songs:
Gwar - "Madness at the Core of Time"
Pig Destroyer - "The Octagonal Stairway"

We couldn't be any more excited about this week's guest: Bill Steer of the legendary Carcass. Just back from a one-off show in South America, Bill talks about how the metal industry has changed since Carcass's last go-round, how the songs on Surgical Steel were written, how Swansong is not their best record, the rise of nu-metal that led to the band's demise and more, all while we gaze lovingly into his pretty eyes.

We also discuss why metal bands have no message control during public controversies, focusing on the recent Necrophobic domestic abuse and As I Lay Dying Facebook scandals. Should bands learn better PR techniques? Should they stop beating the crap out of their women (allegedly)? Should they cut off their Facebook accounts before one of their members makes them look stupid?

Songs:
Protest the Hero - "Clarity"
Carcass - "Unfit For Human Consumption"

We couldn't be any more excited about this week's guest: Bill Steer of the legendary Carcass. Just back from a one-off show in South America, Bill talks about how the metal industry has changed since Carcass's last go-round, how the songs on Surgical Steel were written, how Swansong is not their best record, the rise of nu-metal that led to the band's demise and more, all while we gaze lovingly into his pretty eyes.

We also discuss why metal bands have no message control during public controversies, focusing on the recent Necrophobic domestic abuse and As I Lay Dying Facebook scandals. Should bands learn better PR techniques? Should they stop beating the crap out of their women (allegedly)? Should they cut off their Facebook accounts before one of their members makes them look stupid?

Songs:

Protest the Hero - "Clarity"
Carcass - "Unfit For Human Consumption"

This week Chuck sits down with Philip H. Anselmo to chat about football, the use of his full name, the brand new solo record, the legendary Bruce Corbitt, Housecore Records and of course the possibilities of a reconciliation with Vinnie Paul Abbott.

We also discuss the merits of the upcoming Stryper fan weekend, what others bands should and could do such a weekend the right way and whether Red Fang and their label are insane for the price point of the vinyl edition of their new record.

Playlist:

Red Fang - "Blood Like Cream"
Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals - "Bedridden"

This week Vince and Axl get to the bottom of the God Forbid breakup by chatting with the man at the center, Doc Coyle, and they discuss what God Forbid's legacy ultimately may look like. Chuck and Godless invite comedian Mike Bobbitt in to help try and figure out why anyone in their right mind might think Avenged Sevenfold did anything other than copy and paste their new record. Gravy checks in with a Black Sabbath concert review, and we pay our respects to Eyehategod Drummer Joey LaCaze, who passed away Friday night.

Playlist:

Avenged Sevenfold - This Means War (or Sad But War - Mashups are fun)
Eyehategod - Metaphetamine

This week's guest is Dez Fafara of DevilDriver; we talk about the upcoming album Winter Kills, the departure from the band's longtime label home at Roadrunner, his return to off-tour regular life, how to maintain an ego-less lifestyle, passing on music to his kids, and whether or not there is a future for Coal Chamber.

We also explore the breakup of God Forbid, whether God demanded The Chariot to stop, another blog reading from The Varg, and the recent Facebook spat between The Ocean Collective and Ash Avildsen over restrictive policies at shows.

Playlist:
God Forbid - The End of the World
Devildriver - Sail

Greg tells us about how he first got into metal, his early love for Guns N' Roses, Metallica and Bad Brains, what the term "DIY" means today, the band's recent decision to finally hire a manager, staying in creative control, the band's best performances and almost burning down the Mohawk last time they were in Austin.

Also: Chuck and Godless discuss the winner of the Shat Bracket, Varg Vikernes' latest rant and Phil LaBonte's recent non-nonsensical Tweetings. 

This week Chuck sits down with Corey Brandan of Norma Jean sits down and talks Christian Metal, kids, and the Beastie Boys during the Summer Slaughter tour. Chuck shares his miserable, sweltering experience from the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and wonders whether that festival's low ticket sales (as well as the poor sales of Gigantour) signal the end of the era of the American touring metal festival. David Drainman screamed at the rain much like our old buddy Dave Mustaine and backpedals from calling out Lemmy but doesn't shy away from criticizing Roger Waters and Dallas Coyle. The Lemmy deathwatch goes on high alert with Motorhead cutting the Wacken Open Air performance short due to his health problems, plus we make jokes about Slayer, which is always fun.

Tunes:
Motorhead - I Know How To Die
Norma Jean - If You Have It at Five, You Have It at Fifty

This week Axl spends some time with Mark Hunter as the new Chimaira album is ready to drop, discussing Hunter's country music upbringing, the metamorphosis of the old lineup of Chimaira into the new lineup, the writing of the new album and more, and we also listen to another new Chimaira song. Chuck covers his Summer Slaughter and Black Sabbath experience in all of their glory, and Godless found "The Varg" to read you some of his poetic blog entries. We also get you a new tune from All Pigs Must Die because it should be on your short list or you'll really be missing out.

Tunes:

Chimaira - Transmigration/Crown of Phantoms

All Pigs Must Die - Silencer

This week Vince has a chat with Misha from Periphery, in which, after discussing the band's early days and how the lineup came together, Vince and Misha rap about the current state of the metal industry, crowd-funding, what record labels are doing wrong what they're doing right. Misha even put pants on for this one. We also discuss (and defend) Varg Vikernes after his release from jail, how Altar of Plagues is ruining it for everyone and how Carcass rule all things metal. We run long, so only a couple of songs this week:

Playlist:

Periphery - Scarlet

Carcass - Captive Bolt Pistol

This week Axl finishes off his Luc Lemay interview with details about the new album Colored Sands, we examine the first rounds of the "Most Needlessly Shat Upon Bands" bracket, we talk about our missed interview with Chris Barnes, Ben Weiman's superhuman return to Dillinger just in time for the Summer Slaughter tour and whether Banjo should be a metal instrument. Of course we couldn't skip the empty amp cabinet controversy either.

Playlist:

Revocation - Invidious

MachineHead - Beautiful Mourning

Gorguts - Le Toit du monde

This week Axl interviews Luc Lemay from Gorguts, we discuss the need for a memoir from someone other than Randy Blythe, Iron Maiden Beer sells one million pints (we are still waiting on our keg), and the MetalSucks Most Needlessly Shat Upon Band Bracket gets examined.

Playlist:

Gorguts - "Forgotten Arrows"
Autopsy - "Mangled From Below"
Hellyeah - "Alcohaulin' Ass"

This week's guest comes straight from planet Venus: Valient Thorr's Valient Himself. We chat over tea, about growing up nerdy, metal concerts, the new record and how he is a sexy bitch. We also discuss the importance -- or lack there of -- of album covers in the modern age, the best albums of 2013 so far, and jam new tracks by DevilDriver and Norma Jean!

On this week's editions of The MetalSucks Podcast, Chuck and Godless cover the past week's headlines including Lemmy's heart troubles, Lamb of God's financial problems resulting from the Blythe manslaughter trial, ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones' new band and more. The latter inspires a discussion about moving on from your old band gracefully (Jones) vs. hanging on to the past for way too long, i.e. Geoff Tate.

Playlist:

Battlecross - "Flesh and Bone"
Mammoth Grinder - "Paragon Pusher"
James LaBrie - "Agony"
Revolution Harmony - "We Are"
Mouth of the Architect - "Sharpen Your Axes"

Should Austrian Death Machine keep working on -- and eventually release -- their new album in light of all of Tim Lambesis' recent troubles? 'Roid rage be damned, Chuck and Godless bravely wrestle with this issue on the latest edition of The MetalSucks Podcast! They also tackle the latest headlines, including Dave Lombardo guesting on the new Sepultura album, Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman’s broken hand, signed versus unsigned bands utilizing crowdfunding, the best and worst live albums of all time, and how Insane Clown Posse need to take a dirt nap.

Did the three Japanese teenage girls in Babymetal just one-up every current metalcore and deathcore band with their infectious blend of J-pop and metal? Chuck and Godless debate that very topic in this week's podcast. Gravy the Stuttering Insult Comic makes a guest appearance with a dead-on review of Megadeth's new album.

Chuck and Godless also cover the latest headlines, including the lineup for the Housecore Horror Film Festival, Protest the Hero hiring Lamb of God's Chris Adler as a fill-in drummer, Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman's broken hand and Dave Mustaine's latest profane stage-rant against a fan.

Playlist:

Megadeth - "Built For War"
Chthonic – "Supreme Pain for the Tyrant"
Babymetal - "Megitsune"
Chelsea Grin – "Right Now" (Korn cover)
Fuck the Facts – "Vent Du Nord"

On this week's edition of the MetalSucks Podcast Chuck and Godless cover the latest headlines, including Tim Lambesis' release on $2 million bail, Paul Bostaph's return to Slayer for a third run (and the hilarious Facebook comments from Slayer fans that followed the announcement) and Huntress' crazy crowd-funding attempt for a tour bus. They also debate the merits or lack thereof of the re-thrash movement, "hipster black metal," albums that you play so much you wear out, and more.

Playlist:

Amon Amarth - Shape Shifter
Autopsy - Arch Cadaver
Havok - Give Me Liberty or Death
Altar of Plagues - God Alone
ASG - Castlestorm

On this week's episode Chuck and Godless discuss the public drama between System of a Down and their bassist Shavo Odadjian, Nuclear Blast's signing of the legendary Carcass, the Jeff Hanneman memorial service, how ethnicity plays a role in the sound of a band's music, and what a metal songs needs to have to get you to play it over and over again obsessively. 

Playlist:

Children of Bodom – "Bodom Blue Moon"
Kylesa – "Unspoken"
Orphaned Land – "Let the Truce Be known "
Darkane – "Sinister Supremacy"
Power Trip -- "Conditioned to Death"

The very first episode of the MetalSucks Podcast! Chuck and Godless cover the week's headlines, including the latest on the Tim Lambesis trial, and interview MetalSucks co-founders Axl Rosenberg and Vince Neilstein about MetalSucks trolls, the MetalSucks Mansion, the future of the podcast and more. Playlist:

The Dillinger Escape Plan - "One Of Us is the Killer"
The Black Dahlia Murder - "Raped in Hatred by Vines of Thorn"
Five Finger Death Punch with Rob Halford - "Lift Me Up"
Phil Anselmo - "Usurper's Bastard Rant"
Valient Thorr - "No Strings Attached"