Metal Matters

This week’s guest is the great Walter Schreifels, a NYC mainstay and legend with bands like Quicksand, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Warzone and so many more under his belt since venturing into music in this pre-teens. Quicksand is currently out on tour in the US playing in support of their new LP Distant Populations. As a result we talked to Schreifels about touring, the addition of Steven Brodsky on guitar, and the perks and downsides of being a music lifer. Stick around!

Today on Metal Matters we are joined by Kowloon Walled City frontman and studio engineer extraordinaire, Scott Evans. Since their inception in 2007, Kowloon Walled City have continually redefined what it means to be a "metal" band. They have expertly harnessed a sound and aesthetic that is equally at home among doom, post metal, and noise rock circles, while not succumbing to a stylistic allegiance to any one genre. The long awaited follow up to 2015's now legendary Grievances will finally see the light of day on October 8th via Neurot Recordings and Gilead Media. We were fortunate to recently have an in-depth conversation with Scott about the advantages and perils of recording your own band, his personal experiences in overcoming the psychic blocks that sometimes prevent one from playing music, and everything in between.This episode is dedicated to Tony Jacome of Shallow North Dakota who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on October 2nd. He will live on eternally through his music and the joy he brought through those songs and performances.

Today we’re excited to welcome guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Nate Garrett, mastermind behind Spirit Adrift and former guitarist of Gatecreeper. Originally formed as a solo project in Phoenix, Garrett began the classic heavy metal project in the wake of his new found sobriety, channelling his energy into a succession of four LPs and 3 EPs released in the span of six years. The latest is 2021’s Forge Your Future, released in late summer via Century Media. We spoke with Garrett about his latest listening habits, the difference between home and tour personas and the true definition of the term punisher. 

We're honored to have multi-instrumentalist, musician and long time favorite Brian Cook on the podcast! Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Cook first became widely known via his involvement in the highly influential Botch, who released two beloved LPs before calling it quits in 2002. From there, Cook participated in both indie rockers Roy as well as post-hardcore favorites These Arms Are Snakes, both of which called it quits in the late 00s. Cook is currently with the much beloved Russian Circles, the massive power trio Sumac and his lates project Torment and Glory, which sees Cook tackling the songs as a solo musician. We sat with Cook to discuss the early days with Botch, the current state of touring and music journalism in 2021. Stick around!

This week we are again joined by Kerry McCoy and George Clarke from the band Deafheaven, in the conclusion of our two part chat with the band. Over the last decade or so, Deafheaven have become an institution of sorts that transcends well beyond their underground metal roots. Constant touring have earned them a dedicated fan base and their propensity for sonic exploration leaves them nearly impossible to shoehorn into any sort of conventional genre trappings. Their upcoming album, Infinite Granite, finds Deafheaven in new territory yet again, fully embracing their love of shoegaze and dream pop in ways the band had only hinted at before. We caught up with Kerry and George to talk about the writing process, coping with anxiety, how external influences outside of music can shape a song, and the importance of an evolving approach to their craft. Stick around!

This week we are joined by Kerry McCoy and George Clarke from the band Deafheaven, in the first of a two part chat with the band. Over the last decade or so, Deafheaven have become an institution of sorts that transcends well beyond their underground metal roots. Constant touring have earned them a dedicated fan base and their propensity for sonic exploration leaves them nearly impossible to shoehorn into any sort of conventional genre trappings. Their upcoming album, Infinite Granite, finds Deafheaven in new territory yet again, fully embracing their love of shoegaze and dream pop in ways the band had only hinted at before. We caught up with Kerry and George to discuss their native Los Angeles, the weird world of touring in 2021, and the advantages of Muppet sleep ASMRs. Stick around!

This week we are excited to welcome a true legend in extreme music, Iggor Cavalera. From his early ascension to the top of the music world with the infinitely influential Sepultura, to his work with Mixhell and latest projects Petbrick and Cavalera Conspiracy, Cavalera has blazed new trails and constantly pushed the boundaries of heavy music. In this episode we talk about inserting disparate influence into his music, the pandemic and his love for finding new bands. Stick around! 

Today we are joined by musician, visual artist, and living legend Dwid Hellion. For many of our listeners, Dwid doesn’t require much of an introduction, as the man behind metallic hardcore pioneers Integrity and harsh noise mainstay Psywarfare, Dwid has been instrumental in shaping the sound and much of the aesthetic within a large corner of extreme music today. He’s a figure often shrouded in myth and mystery, so it might come as a surprise to some how genuinely personable and downright joyful he really is. We were fortunate enough to have a series of long talks with Dwid spanning many topics, so this is gonna be the first of a two part installment. Today we talk about everything from his roots, his admiration for contemporary music, and the perils of skateboarding in your 50s. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Dwid Hellion

Today we are joined by friend of the show and one of our favorite human beings, Max Bowman of death doom titans Mortiferum and death-grinders Caustic Wound. Max is one of those rare individuals whose approach to extreme music is all but fully subverted by his warmth. As the frontman/guitarist of Mortiferum, he has released their much lauded demo, an LP and a split with the vicious Hyperdontia (available on Carbonized Records... don't miss our interview!). And though Caustuc Wound is relatively less active, their Death Posture LP was one of the most lauded of 2020. Oddly enough, we here at Metal Matters befriended Max while he was playing guitar with the Tony Molina Band, a pop band whose extreme metal pedigree rivals many of the deepest heads in the world. We caught up with Max to talk about his roots, what it was like to make a record during the pandemic, and to rip on Molina a bunch. Stay right here!