The Crown guitarist Marko Tervonen is our guest this week. We discuss the band's upcoming album, Royal Destroyer, and how their previous one, Cobra Speed Venom, was a comeback album of sorts, why having an outside producer this time around was helpful, writing a tribute song to late Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, and how the band's new lineup has given them a new dynamic and added momentum. Marko also tells us how his son finds younger bands that still inspire him, shares some memories of the Swedish metal scene in the '90s when every band seemed to inspire one another, and reveals which concert he regrets missing out on during the explosion of the Swedish metal scene.

Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia talk about the lawsuit brought on Attila’s Chris Fronzak by two security guards he attacked at a show, our thoughts on the comments about encores by Korn's Brian “Head” Welch, and our vote for our favorite Ozzy Osbourne guitar player.

Thanks to this episode's sponsor, The Punk Rock MBA Podcast!

Songs: The Crown - “Motordeath," “We Drift On," and Baest - “Abbatoir”

Brand of Sacrifice guitarist Michael Leo Valeri is our guest this week! We discuss the band's new album, Lifeblood, the various guest spots on the album (members of I Prevail, Emmure, Shadow of Intent, Traitors and Viscera), the chemistry of writing the record with so much distance between band members, their plans to tour endlessly when live shows return, and the importance of having a digital-first mindset and leaning into social media to keep momentum going during this time. Michael also shares how the band originated as a fun side-project, shares his thoughts on how he thinks younger bands have a certain responsibility to be positive to the scene, why the band will wait it out to tour instead of doing a livestream concert, and the positive beauty of music to modern times and culture.

Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn try to break down the innovator who made a guitar out of a human skeleton, the recent study showing heavy metal can help with anxiety, Marilyn Manson’s music getting a boost after abuse allegations, and Brandon hates on the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame again despite Iron Maiden getting nominated this year.

Songs: Brand of Sacrifice - “Animal" and "Lifeblood," and Enforced, “Hemorrhage"

Epica vocalist Simone Simons is back on the show! We discuss the band's new album, Omega, why the addition of a children's choir on the record was a bucket list item for them, the alternative ways they are looking to promote and present the album during the pandemic, the decision to record the album acoustically in addition to its standard version, how the downtime last year flew by despite the fact they couldn’t tour, and how she is really antsy to get back on the road to play songs from Omega live. We also talk about writing the Essence of Epica book during the pandemic and the importance of getting many different sides of each story from each band member, as well as the story of a family member giving Simone negative feedback on her singing when she was 16.

Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia talk about the allegations against Marilyn Manson from exes and peers alike and the massive blowback that has occurred, and we share our thoughts on all the details we saw last week via social media.

Songs: Epica - “Freedom - The Wolves Within," “Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity," Sirenia - “We Come To Ruins”

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Johannes Persson of the mighty Cult of Luna is back on the show! We discuss the band's new EP, The Raging River -- which Johannes describes as an artistic continuation of their previous album, A Dawn To Fear -- writing songs based on instincts instead of the clear start-to-finish approach they utilized in the past, how coming up with new ideas has become more difficult over the years, and the band's collaboration with Mark Lanegan. Johannes also talks about the decision to release The Raging River independently and the amount of work that went into creating the band's own record label, Red Creek, as well as his passion for directing film and the energy he'd like to put into completing a screenplay.

Petar, Brandon, and Sylvia discuss the sad catfish story of a woman who thought she was engaged to Bret Michaels, Machine Head's Robb Flynn defending their last album, Catharsis, Maynard James Keenan's thoughts on social media, and Ozzy’s daughter Aimée’s decision to opt out of the family's infamous reality TV show.

Songs: Cult of Luna - “Three Bridges," Soen - “Illusion”