Scars and Guitars

Johnny Ciardullo (Angelmaker)

This conversation with Johnny Ciardullo is an opportunity to hear his insights about many aspects of the band such as the integration of the former Rings of Saturn vocalist Ian Bearer into the fold, songwriting, Canadian metal, aspirations for the next stage of the group's evolution and much more.
 
SYLOSIS and ANGELMAKER February 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Tuesday 11th February PERTH, Magnet House
Wednesday 12th February ADELAIDE, Lion Arts
Friday 14th February MELBOURNE, Max Watts
Saturday 15th February SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday 16th February BRISBANE, The Triffid
TICKETS:https://thephoenix.au/sylosis/
 

Terry M. Corso (Alien Ant Farm)

Terry provides his perspective on career longevity, guitar playing, inspiring young guitarists to play metal, and his experiences working with Robert and Dean DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots. He also addresses the possibility of a biography and discusses the events following a 2016 incident in Chester, UK, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting a fan. With over 25 years in the music industry, he offers detailed insights into his career and experiences.
 
Alien Ant Farm and Drowning Pool February 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Friday 7th February BRISBANE, Princess Theatre
Saturday 8th February SYDNEY, Metro Theatre
Sunday 9th February MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Tuesday 11th February ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Wednesday 12th February PERTH, Magnet House
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: https://thephoenix.au

Jimmy Rose (Direblaze/ Rosetin Records/ Emu Valley Studios)

Jimmy Rose discusses the remixing and re-releasing of Direblaze's self-titled album and the Smelted Reformed and Doomed EP as expanded editions, including bonus live tracks and covers. He shares insights into running Rosetin Records, balancing roles as a musician and label manager, and the creative atmosphere at Emu Valley Studios following its relocation. The conversation also covers his roadie experience with King Parrot during the 2023 Pantera tour, plans for Direblaze, and his vision for studio growth. Expect plenty of banter about all things metal, too! 
https://rosetinrecords.bandcamp.com/https://www.facebook.com/direblaze/https://emuvalleystudios.com.au/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4hHLPFVcMpgL73TezRgh70?si=K3gnFHWcS462HCH30Thgrg

Tommy Buoy (Yachtley Crew)

Yachtley Crew are passionate enthusiasts of Yacht Rock, dedicated to bringing the smooth sounds of late '70s and early '80s Soft Rock hits to life. In this interview, Tommy Buoy discusses the upcoming Australian tour, the evolution of Yacht Rock from a quirky novelty to a celebrated aesthetic, and plenty more!
Yächtley Crëw (USA) Australian Tour - May 2025 Dates
Monday, 12th May – PERTH, The Astor
Friday, 16th May – MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Saturday, 17th May – SYDNEY, The Metro
Sunday, 18th May – BRISBANE, The Triffid
Tickets: Available at https://totaltouring.com.au/ 

C.J. Pierce (Drowning Pool)

Drowning Pool will be touring Australia in February 2025 alongside Alien Ant Farm, providing the perfect opportunity to catch up with C.J. In this conversation, he shares his connection with Australia, reflects on the media's portrayal of the band's music being used by the US military, discusses balancing life and career, reminisces about his friendship with Dimebag, and much more.
 
ALIEN ANT FARM and DROWNING POOL February 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Friday 7th February BRISBANE, Princess Theatre
Saturday 8th February SYDNEY, Metro Theatre
Sunday 9th February MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Tuesday 11th February ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Wednesday 12th February PERTH, Magnet House
 
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: https://thephoenix.au 

2024-2025 Almanac featuring Dan Mitchell (Autumns Eyes)

The 2024-2025 Almanac offers Dan Mitchell, AKA Autumns Eyes, and Andrew a chance to reflect on the key moments of 2024 and look forward to what's coming in the new year. Look forward to a mix of insightful commentary, lively banter, and discussions on all the regular subjects, with no shortage of Cradle of Filth discussions as well!
For all things Autumns Eyes: https://autumnseyes.com/ 

Andy Cichon (Billy Joel / Shania Twain / Judge Mercy / Icehouse / James Reyne et al.)

Andy Cichon is an accomplished Australian musician with an impressive career spanning decades. Currently, he serves as Billy Joel’s bassist, following a long tenure with Shania Twain’s band. In his early career, Andy co-wrote the massive hit “Suddenly,” which gained national attention as the soundtrack to the iconic 1987 TV wedding of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan’s characters on Neighbours.
In Australia, Andy fronted Judge Mercy, a hard-hitting blues-metal band that opened for legendary acts such as Iron Maiden and AC/DC. He reflects on the reasons behind the band's disbandment and discusses the possibility of reissuing their debut album, Protocol So Holy, on vinyl or making it available on streaming platforms. Beyond Judge Mercy, Andy’s career highlights include collaborations with Icehouse and James Reyne and his iconic bass performance on Darryl Braithwaite’s hit “One Summer” from the Edge album.
Andy also shares memories of working with Pete Wells and Rose Tattoo, reflecting on the personal impact of those collaborations. From growing up in the suburbs of Adelaide to performing on some of the world’s biggest stages, Andy’s journey is a testament to talent and perseverance. In this episode, he opens up about the defining moments of his career and his insights into sustaining success in the ever-changing world of professional music.
https://www.facebook.com/andycichonbass/
https://www.instagram.com/cichonandy/

'Musicians' Perspective Series' - The Bass Guitar

This inaugural episode of our series pays tribute to the profound influence of musicians who have redefined the musical landscape across diverse genres. It offers a deep dive into the evolution of the bass guitar, spotlighting the trailblazing artists who elevated it from a supporting role to a driving force in the development of funk, disco, and fusion as these styles branched out from their jazz origins.
We begin with Larry Graham, the father of slap bass, whose work on Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You" and Graham Central Station’s "Hair" and "Now Do You Wanna Dance" defined funk’s rhythmic core. Moving into jazz fusion, we spotlight Stanley Clarke, whose innovative bass lines on "Lopsy Lu" and "School Days" demonstrated the instrument's melodic and harmonic possibilities.
The funk and disco world is represented by Bernard Edwards, whose legendary grooves on CHIC classics like "I Want Your Love" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" set a gold standard, alongside Nate Phillips of Pleasure, celebrated for his electrifying work on "Glide." Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson brought slap bass to new heights with tracks like "Get the Funk Out of My Face" and "Stomp!"
We also honour Abraham Laboriel, known for his sophisticated work on George Benson's "Give Me the Night," and Freddie Washington, whose iconic bassline drives Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots." Mark King of Level 42 showcases the fusion of funk and pop with his intricate playing on "Love Games" and "Lessons in Love," while Ron Francois delivers melodic elegance in Eurogliders’ "Heaven."
The episode highlights the subtle genius of Nathan East, whose minimalist grooves in Daft Punk's "Lose Yourself to Dance" and Eurythmics' "Would I Lie to You?" exemplify restraint and precision. We then turn to the soulful power of Doug Pinnick from King's X on "Dogman" and the eccentric brilliance of Les Claypool, who reimagined Stanley Clarke’s "Silly Putty" with Primus.
Finally, we venture into extreme metal with Steve DiGiorgio, whose fretless mastery shines in Death’s "Nothing is Everything" and Control Denied’s "Breaking the Broken," and Tony Choy, whose jazz-inspired lines in Atheist’s "Mother Man" expanded the boundaries of technical death metal. We celebrate Sean Malone of Cynic for his breathtaking solo on "Textures" and remember the late Roger Patterson, whose aggressive style shaped Atheist’s early sound.
This series intentionally excludes titans like James Jamerson, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones, and Jaco Pastorius, who already enjoy widespread acclaim. Instead, the spotlight underappreciated bassists from funk, jazz fusion, dance funk, disco, funk metal and extreme metal, whose artistry has influenced countless musicians, including myself. This episode is a tribute to their enduring contributions and a testament to the profound impact of the bass guitar on modern music. 

Astennu (Covenant/ Lord Kaos/ Carpe Tenebrum/ ex-Dimmu Borgir)

Astennu returns to the show to discuss the triumphant resurgence of Covenant. Alongside reflecting on Covenant’s relaunch, he opens up about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Dimmu Borgir, shares plans for a solo album and reveals what’s next for the legendary Lord Kaos. In this candid conversation, Astennu doesn’t hold back, shedding light on long-standing rumours and unveiling the truth behind narratives shaped by conjecture and misinformation. This episode isn’t for fanboys or those content to believe the noise - prepare for an unfiltered discussion.
Covenant is officially back in action, recently delivering a blistering Nexus Polaris-themed set at Eindhoven. Upcoming appearances include the Karmøygeddon Metal Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal, and more. 
Covenant Booking Information:
For bookings, contact Håkon Grav at Photograve Management: www.photograve.net.
Stay Updated on Covenant’s Latest News:
Instagram: @thetruekovenant
YouTube: TheTrueKovenant
TikTok: @the.kovenant
Explore Astennu’s Official Store:
Visit the Astennu Music Store for exclusive offerings:
Astennu VST Package (Reaper)
Astennu’s IRs
Astennu’s Signature Kemper Profile – Nexus Polaris Live Sound
Covenant Nexus Polaris Guitar Tab Book
Discover Everything Lord Kaos:
Check out their Metal Archives page: Lord Kaos on Metal Archives.Find links to social media, merchandise, and more to stay connected with the band’s latest updates and releases.
Check Out Carpe Tenebrum:
Explore the band’s history and stay connected with their latest updates and releases here:Carpe Tenebrum on Metal Archives.

Sarah Jezebel Deva (Covenant/ ex-Cradle Of Filth)

Sarah Jezebel Deva returns to discuss her experiences with the reformed Covenant and reflect on the band's reunion. She also discusses the development of her philosophies since her Cradle of Filth days, strategies for managing her music career alongside family responsibilities, her view on her legacy in extreme music, and balancing personal and band commitments. The conversation extends to what the future might hold. 
Sarah keeps her Facebook page up to date, so check it out: https://www.facebook.com/SarahJezebelDeva
Covenant: 
https://www.facebook.com/thekovenantofficial/ 
instagram.com/thetruekovenant
youtube.com/@TheTrueKovenant
tiktok.com/@the.kovenant
Also, check out Midvinterblot, her project with Heljarmadr, the lead singer of Dark Funeral: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTIYdCgZE-E