Scars and Guitars

Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod)

This episode features Mike IX from Eyehategod, where he discusses significant milestones from his and the band's career. Mike reflects on the impact of their debut album, "In the Name of Suffering," and looks back on the band's studio reunion with the 2014 self-titled album. He provides insights into making the 1993 epic "Take as Needed for Pain" and shares stories of memorable live shows and touring challenges. Mike also reveals his views on how psychedelics and other psychoactive medicines can help overcome addiction.
EYEHATEGOD with GOATWHORE performing at:
July 23rd – Perth, Amplifier Bar w/ Flesh Prison
July 25th – Adelaide, Lion Arts Factory w/ Sundowner
July 26th – Melbourne, Max Watts w/ Choof
July 27th – Sydney, Crowbar w/ Aglo
July 28th – Brisbane, The Triffid w/ Defiant Ground
EYEHATEGOD is only performing at:
July 30th – Wellington, Valhalla w/ Caldera & Celtic Death
July 31st – Auckland, Mothership w/ Caldera & Slumbug
TICKETS ON SALE NOW at:
PERTH, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY - www.oztix.com.au
ADELAIDE, BRISBANE - www.moshtix.com.au
WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND – www.undertheradar.co.nz 

Andy Scott (Sweet)

Join us for an episode featuring a conversation with Andy Scott from Sweet ahead of their November 2024 Australian shows. We discuss the tour, his perspectives on working with an emerging Iron Maiden, and Sweet's influence on extreme and heavy music and image trends.
SWEET The Farewell Tour: Greatest Hits Dates November 2024
Friday 8th MELBOURNE, Palms At CrownSunday 10th AIRLIE BEACH Music FestivalWednesday 13th TWEED HEADS, Twin TownsThursday 14th TOOWOOMBA, The Empire TheatreSaturday 16th BRISBANE, Princess TheatreMonday 18th ADELAIDE, The GovThursday 21st SYDNEY, Factory TheatreFriday 22nd PENRITH, Penrith PanthersSaturday 23rd THIRROUL, Anitas Theatre
Tickets from: https://metropolistouring.com/sweet-2024/

Daniel Freyberg (Crownshift/ ex-Children of Bodom)

Daniel Freyberg, guitarist of Crownshift and ex-Children of Bodom, discusses the formation of Crownshift, their debut album, and musical influences. He shares experiences that shaped Crownshift's direction and dives into the songwriting process, production challenges, and album artwork significance. Daniel reflects on his transition from Children of Bodom to Crownshift, their long-term goals, and fan connections.
https://crownshift.bfan.link/cslp

New Music Show May 2024

The new music show for May 2024 explores the vast spectrum of metal, uniting classic thrash figures and modern innovators. It starts with Kerry King's "Rage," featuring Paul Bostaph and Mark Osegueda, reigniting the fervour of 1980s California thrash. NOCTURNUS AD follows with "Hod, The Stellar Light," a pinnacle of progressive occult metal from their album Unicursal. EXODUS revisits their legendary 1989 live show with "Fabulous Disaster," recorded at The Astoria in London, celebrating a key moment in thrash history. The show also includes APOCALYPTICA's symphonic take on Metallica's "One" with James Hetfield and Six Feet Under return. The episode features a variety of styles, from the gritty urban trad-metal of RIOT V's "Mean Streets" to the nostalgic rock of Lucifer's cover "I Would Follow You Babe," with heavier sounds from Daath's "Ascension." Gnarly underground stuff from Earsplit PR is a feature, and other highlights include technical displays from bands like CROWNSHIFT and Cognitive, concluding with the dynamism of MY DYING BRIDE and Melbourne's The Omnific.
Full tracklist
 
Artist
Song
Kerry King
Rage
NOCTURNUS AD
Hod, The Stellar Light
EXODUS
Fabulous Disaster
Six Feet Under
When the Moon Goes Down in Blood
APOCALYPTICA
One
SEBASTIAN BACH
Freedom
RIOT V
Mean Streets
Lucifer
I Would Follow You Babe
DEEP PURPLE
Portable Door,
NOTHING MORE
ft David Draiman - ANGEL SONG
Daath
Ascension
CROWNSHIFT
My Prison
Kaosphere
Bring Out The Dead
FUMING MOUTH
Daylight Again
Cognitive
Abhorrence
APES
Coffin
Noroth
Black Serpent
GIANT SPIDER
EXIT PLAN
DARKNESS EVERYWHERE
Retaliation
TROG
RITUAL CORPSE DIVISION
BORER
Bag Seeker
HYEENA
Vampire Tornado
Kerry King
Trophies Of The Tyrant
BAT
Streetbanger
CAVALERA
Escape to the Void
VOIDGAZER
Expectations Management
MY DYING BRIDE
Her Dominion
PALLBEARER
Endless Place
The Omnific
Will-O'-The-Wisp
The Hu
TATAR Warrior (Live at Glastonbury)
BATTLE BEAST
Master of Illusion (Live in Helsinki 2023)
SIMONE SIMONS
Aeterna
Kerry King
From Hell I Rise

Brian 'Itztlakamayeh' Ortiz (Tzompantli)

Learn about the inspiration behind Tzompantli from ringleader Brian 'Itztlakamayeh' Ortiz through his reflection on the band's identity and music. We explore the motivation behind blending indigenous/native rituals, history, and lore into their death/doom metal sound and Brian shares how traditional instruments enhance the band's new album, Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force. We get to the bottom of how cohesion was maintained, with over ten musicians contributing to the album, and explore the significance of collaborating with members from different bands. I also gain insight into the creative process of recording, producing, and mastering the album. 
Beating The Drums Of Ancestral Force is out now on LP, CD, MC, and digital platforms. Orders at the label webshop here.

Acolyte Of The Foul Ones (Altar of Gore)

The Acolyte Of The Foul Ones leads Altar of Gore, a New Jersey death metal band, with its new album, Litanies Of The Unceasing Agonies. We talk about the sound's evolution, drawing from epic fantasy series for lyrical inspiration and exploring obscure cult rites. We delve into how their focus on flesh, blood, and bone over occult spirituality shapes their music and lyrics. Plus, we cover their creative process, visual imagery, and what's ahead for Altar of Gore.
Litanies Of The Unceasing Agonies is now available on LP, CD, and digital platforms. Order now at Bandcamp. The band's collective/label NVNM is also planning a cassette version.

Serena Cherry (Svalbard)

In this episode, Serena from Svalbard joins me for a laid-back conversation. Amidst a whirlwind of interviews, ours stood out as the informal gem among the earnest queries from eager indie journalists. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, we still discussed some intriguing topics, including Australia's unique traits, the prime spots for rollercoaster enthusiasts while on tour, the world of psychedelics, and, naturally, insights into Svalbard's tour.
Destroy All Lines Presents: SVALBARD (UK) w/ special guests RUN Thursday 23.05 - Lynotts Lounge, PERTH Friday 24.05 - Crowbar, SYDNEY Saturday 25.05 - Soapbox, BRISBANE Sunday 26.05 - Howler, MELBOURNE TICKETS: https://daltours.cc/svalbard

Lena Scissorhands (Infected Rain)

In this conversation with Lena of Infected Rain, we explore her experience aboard the 2024 edition of the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, her insights on Australian audiences, and the excitement for the upcoming September 2024 shows with Cradle of Filth. Lena also shares her hopes and aspirations for the future, reflecting on experiences living under the hammer and enduring the long shadow of socialism and the Soviet Union in Moldova.

David Stepanavicius (ATRÆ BILIS)

I caught up with David Stepanavicius from ATRÆ BILIS to discuss their latest album, Aumicide. We talk about the evolution from 2021's Apexapien, the intense themes behind "Inward to Abraxas," and the stunning visuals that bring the track to life. 
David also illuminates the collaboration behind the album's cover art and discusses the raw energy of Aumicide, shaped by Cyberdyne slams and vocal experiments. With more touring on the horizon, we explore their preparation and what fans can expect to live. 
Something else, David is an Aussie ex-pat living in Canada so it was great to hear that he is going great and capturing the attention of extreme metal fans across North America!
https://www.facebook.com/atraebilis

Robert Saler (Theologian, scholar, and author)

Robert Saler is an Associate Dean for Evaluation and Assessment, Associate Professor of Theology and Culture, and Executive Director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence and the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Robert is also an author and theologian who specialises in the intersection of faith and modern society, covering pastoral sabbaticals, theology of the cross, and religion's role in today's culture. Steve Von Till from Neurosis introduced me to Robert, an opportunity I'm thankful for, as I've been eager to find a guest who resides at an intersection of extreme metal and faith for the show. 
It'd be tempting to say this is a different guest from what you are used to, but that isn't true. I was the first journalist to contact Stuart Anstis, who blew the lid off the popular narratives surrounding Cradle of Filth. I'm the only person to interview Trey from Morbid Angel's mother. Across 800 other episodes of the show, you have become familiar with my technique of allowing the guest to brooch topics across all social, political and religious contexts. 
But this conversation goes beyond typical discussions of faith; it's a deep exploration into his path to spirituality, ministry, and scholarly work in theology. I hope this is the first of many insightful discussions with Robert.