MetalBreak

TMAS is back with a vengeance! Lakes and oceans ended up being the theme in a slightly more free flowing formate. Also, our first Patreon guest Chris joins us! If you want to guest a future TMAS and share a tale of your own, consider becoming a supporter over at patreon.com/metalbreak. Enjoy!

Paky joined Avatar for their brief US run earlier this year, which means that it was MetalBreak on Tour! We talk about the experience and find out wether she will finally go mad and run away to join a circus. Enjoy!

patreon.com/metalbreak

Please consider getting a Jacob memorial shirt. All the money we get from the Jacob designs go to charity:

https://metalbreak.creator-spring.com/listing/jacobbadass

TRIGGER WARNING! LOSS OF PET, DEATH, ILLNESS!

This is a two parter, where we try to keep most of the sadness in part one.

Jacob was the third host of the podcast, and in many ways its biggest star. As he ended up having so many fans among you, we want to make this very public tribute to him. Thank you again, all of you who reached out and showed love.

Please consider getting a memorial shirt. All the money we get from the Jacob designs go to charity:

https://metalbreak.creator-spring.com/listing/jacobbadass

https://www.akcchf.org/

https://www.akcchf.org/how-to-help/purchase-a-purina-brick/

In this episode, we sit down with Sam from Rebellix, talking moving country for music, self discovery, their latest EP, Serpent's Kiss (out now!) and more. Enjoy!

Confess returns! We pick it up right where we left off last time (listen to episode 25 with Nikan if you haven't already), and talk the present and future of one of the most driven and resilient bands you'll ever hear! Enjoy!

Johannes has been on tour. He also got sick. Paky and Johannes unpack the experience together, sharing thoughts and some road stories. Enjoy!

We carve pumpkins and talk metal and other scary music. What more can you ask for? Also, something paranormal may or may not have happened...

Enjoy!

We return to be judge, jury and executioners. Once again Paky has searched through Reddit for some moral dilemmas in the name of metal. Enjoy!

Johannes has a long talk with fellow Swede and podcaster Henke Brannerydh of Rockpodden, trying to solve the mystery behind the phenomena of Swedish metal. Did we get any wiser? You'll be the judge!

Enjoy!

Henke's podcast (in Swedish): https://open.spotify.com/show/5RFZ1vzfbLamNOIn9n3ie7?si=xHtnud4YRqO-tik6dadEmw&dl_branch=1
Rockpodden

For this episode, Paky went lurking the "Am I the asshole"-subreddit for some heavy metal content and in the TRVE elitist spirit, we will be the sole judges! Enjoy!

patreon.com/metalbreak

teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 17:57]

In this episode, Johannes has a long talk with Fear Factory master mind Dino Cazares about latest album Aggression Continuum and the past, present and future of the band and humanity at large. Enjoy!

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

We’ve got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

[Interview starts at 7:41]

In this episode Paky and Johannes have a heartfelt talk with the remaining members of Bodom After Midnight. We talk about the legacy of their colleague and friend Alexi Laiho and the debut EP that came to be their swansong.

Our Patreon: patreon.com/metalbreak

Merch: teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

Photo by Terhi Ylimäinen

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 9.23]

In this episode Paky and Johannes get to talk to the always inspiring, always delightful Anneke van Giersbergen. They talk her latest album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest and all that goes into making such personal work. Enjoy!

Listen to The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6MEBn5n2uktdaned7Zc91o?si=lmRP5V-VSVG2CaDvFE_WGw

We’ve got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

Our patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 09:54]

In this episode Paky and Johannes talks to Joel Ekelöf of Soen about their latest album Imperial. They about the music, the method and the message as well as touching on the spiritual side of things. Enjoy!

Listen to Imperial by Soen: https://open.spotify.com/album/49iLyqy5332uQV3q5qDmA2?si=E3eFouUySVG0jYZ7_AOo1w

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak
We have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

[Interview starts at 14:04]

In this episode Johannes talks to Korpiklaani about their latest album Jylhä, the energy new members can bring and more or less unconventional ways to write a song. Enjoy!

Listen to Jylhä: https://open.spotify.com/album/2gsQLMCZXvrq3Rlb4S424v?si=tH6UNpuVQVGDDwV_LJVZWQ

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

We have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

In this episode, Paky and Johannes go to space and listen to various disturbing sounds from way out there. David from Soilwork brings us to the morgue and our Patreon-contributor debates wether or not one should pick up hitchhikers from the afterlife. Enjoy!

Our patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak
Merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

Paky and Johannes discuss current trends in metal, trying to guess where we're going, based on where we've been.

Let us know what you think about this long-form episode style! Support us on www.patreon.com/metalbreak!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 11:20]

Paky has a chat with Erlend Hjelvik about his solo debut 'Welcome to Hel', and vikings and metal at large! Enjoy!

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak
We have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

We take a moment to remember and pay our respects to a man gone too soon.

Ancient spirits and haunting battle cries. Paky and Johannes dig through the annals of history for their stories, while Ryan Van Poederooyen unveils some light childhood trauma. Enjoy!

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

We've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

In this episode Paky has a chat with David Andersson of Soilwork. They discuss brand new EP A Whisp Of The Atlantic, religion, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and much more! Enjoy!

Listen to A Whisp Of The Atlantic: https://open.spotify.com/album/39FoTXhyioMJWeNi11dZ4p?si=BcnnDYgNSBm9ThFKliHQ8Q

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

We've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

[Apologies for the sound quality! This was a bit of a guerilla-recording!]

In this episode Paky and Johannes dive deep into the world of witches, while our patron teaches us of the Buck-riders. Our special guests, South Korean Post Hardcore band Monsters Dive, take us to school. Enjoy!

CHECK OUT MONSTERS DIVE:
https://www.facebook.com/MonstersDive/
https://monstersdive.bandcamp.com/album/dive-or-die

FURTHER READING ON TODAY*S STORIES:

https://www.therussianstore.com/
'Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale' by Andreas Johns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malin_Matsdotter

MERCH: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

This week both Paky and Matt Heafy of Trivium take us to ancient Japan, while Johannes drags us along on a trip to Ukraine and a more recent past. Our Patreon contribution brings us inside a haunted childhood home. All of this and some general banter goodness in this second episode of Tell Me A Story. Enjoy!

Check our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

We've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

This is the first episode of our new series, Tell Me A Story! Paky and Johannes compete in spookiness alongside contributions from our dear friends from patreon.com/metalbreak. On occasion we'll also have artist friends dropping by with a story of their own. This time it's the very talented Chiara of Moonlight Haze! Enjoy, and remember to check our new merch over at teespring.com/stores/metalbreak.

Check out Moonlight Haze on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1J9Jg6CEtjR3C4SFXz1elX?si=vD-e4Bt0RcCY9pHhJag_gQ

https://www.moonlighthaze.com
http://facebook.com/Moonlighthazeband/

In this episode Paky and Johannes sit down for they're annual pumpkin carving listening to the academic musings and ghost stories of Karolina Kouvola.

Karolina is a theology master, writing a PhD about Finlands-Swedish belief narratives about the cunning folk. She has written several non-fiction books about historical warrior groups and co-authored a book about Helsinki ghost stories.

Enjoy!

Photo by Suvi Kairulahti

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

NEW MERCH! www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

In this episode Johannes talks with Finntroll frontman Vreth. On top of talking their latest masterpiece Vredesvävd, they also discuss language, Estonian axemen, wether you want to be a Mick Jagger or a Paul McCartney and much more! Enjoy!

Vredesvävd OUT NOW! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7IGCwxXb9x7n2ILyOaE7hZ?si=9SNkm9_fQpuK9ZMc5evapQ

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

In this episode Paky and Johannes follow up their latest Patreon watch-along with a talk about the greatness, impact and personal significance of mockumentary masterpiece, This Is Spinal Tap! Enjoy!

We've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

In this episode Paky and Johannes has chat with good friend Niclas Engelin. They talk about the past with his formative years and early efforts as well as the here and now, playing with We Sell the Dead and dealing with the current state of the world. Enjoy!

Listen to Black Sleep by We Sell The Dead: https://open.spotify.com/album/4SP0pmh8XzJxzM8RnFx6CR?si=LHxlFOG9SxGR7hGvDpvLyQ

WE'VE GOT MERCH! www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

This is the second part of Johannes and Paky discussion the Crow, which they recently watched with their patreons.

They review, reminisce and rejoice in a classic while Paky is laying down the facts. Enjoy!

Check out Soi Dog Foundation!

www.soidog.org/
www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish/
https://www.instagram.com/SoiDogFoundation
https://twitter.com/@SoiDogPhuket
https://www.youtube.com/user/SoiDogFoundation

Follow us!

Patreon.com/metalbreak
Johannes' Twitter: @johannes_avatar
Paky's Instagram: @paky_metalbreak

This is the first part of Johannes and Paky discussion the Crow, which they recently watched with their patreons.

They review, reminisce and rejoice in a classic while Paky is laying down the facts. Enjoy!

Check out Soi Dog Foundation!

www.soidog.org/
www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish/
https://www.instagram.com/SoiDogFoundation
https://twitter.com/@SoiDogPhuket
https://www.youtube.com/user/SoiDogFoundation

Follow us!

Patreon.com/metalbreak
Johannes' Twitter: @johannes_avatar
Paky's Instagram: @paky_metalbreak

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 09:08]
In this episode Paky and Johannes enjoy a conversation with Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon fame. They discuss the upcoming album Transitus (out September 25), the challenges of getting signed doing rock operas in the 90's, working with heroes and geniuses, and much more!

This episode is dedicated to the Soi Dog Foundation. Visit their homepage www.soidog,org to learn more about their work for stray cats and dogs in South East Asia.

You can also follow them on their socials:

www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish
www.instagram.com/SoiDogFoundation
https://twitter.com/@SoiDogPhuket
www.youtube.com/user/SoiDogFoundation

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 10:31]

In the episode Paky and Johannes have a chat with vocalist Chiara Tricarico of Italian symphonic power metal band Moonlight Haze, talking lockdown, the voice as an instrument, ancient legends of the moon and more! Enjoy!

Lunaris is out now! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/610ZRqFz5vnwySLj1c0LuU?si=VFQAVdZkT4-woVYcZOZK-A

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/metalbreak

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 20:12]

In this episode, Paky and Johannes have a great conversation with Smackbound front woman Netta Laurenne. They talk about debuting during a pandemic, their upcoming album 20/20, tricking your bandmates to get naked and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode Johannes gets starstruck as he gets to talk to one of his greatest influences, the legendary Hansi Kürsch! They talk about the latest Demons & Wizards release 'III' and go deep on Hansi's amazing chemistry with collaborator Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth fame. Enjoy!

In this episode Paky sits down with living legend Michael Monroe and up and comer Andrea Brosio of White Cloud Fire to talk talent shows, pure intentions, the ugly side of the music business and much more! Enjoy!

White Cloud Fire - Liberta: https://youtu.be/SYmBgGLFhXM

Michael Monroe - Last Train To Tokyo: https://youtu.be/NZegMf2p1J4

In this episode Johannes meets mr Lordi himself, talking shock, horror, schlager, muppets and much more! Paky digs deep into Johannes' experience recording an album, and together they go on a quest for really shitty metal songs! Enjoy!

In this episode Paky met up with the whole line-up of the Finnish band Crimson Sun. Talking motives, motivation, taking matters in your own hands and what it means to make that second hard album. Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 9:00] In this episode Paky and Johannes meet up with Stix of Steel Panther to talk honesty, longevity, common friends and more. After the interview Paky answers your questions. It’s a great mix of her sharing experiences, values and tastes. Enjoy!

Paky and Johannes make their triumphant return as Paky continues to have Johannes try to make sense out of what goes in to the process of writing and recording music. They also do their best to make the holiday season feel more METAL! Enjoy!

In this episode we carve some pumpkins and entertaining each other with increasingly darker and heavier subject matters all based in horrific acts from the wild world of black metal. Enjoy!

In this episode Paky is picking Johannes' brain about anything and everything regarding writing and recording an album. Enjoy!

In this episode Paky and Johannes meet Clémentine Delauney and Thomas Caser of Visions of Atlantis. We talk about their new album Wanderers, the motivations and musings of epic lyricism, what it means to find home and the long way back for a band that never stopped believing.

Enjoy!

In this episode Paky meets the CEO of the Tuska festival. They talk about the process of running a festival in general and a great independent one in particular. Enjoy!

Paky and Johannes finally have their long anticipated talk with Nikan Khosravi of Confess! This may very well be one of the most interesting and important voices in metal today due to the band's unique story and their members' courage and creativity.

The potential and purpose of metal is defined as Nikan shares stories about his time in solitary confinement in the Iranian prison Evin, his refusal to give in, back down or sell out and their tireless journey to express themselves freely and live their lives as they see fit.

Confess' new single EVIN is out now on every respectable streaming platform! Follow, support and spread the word about Confess via their social pages:

www.instagram.com/confessband.official
www.instagram.com/nikansiyanorkhosravi
www.facebook.com/confessband1
www.twitter.com/ConfessBandIR

ENJOY!

In this episode Paky and Johannes do their yearly breakdown of the Tuska Festival in Helsinki, Finland. While going through the bands they saw they discuss break ups and reunions, metal for children, bad ass front women and much more.

They also found time to meet up with Arejay and Josh of Halestorm for a quick round of the 'Smoke on the water'-game.

Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 15:00]

Paky meets her friend, your friend, everybody's friend Joakim Brodén from SABATON! They talk their coming album 'the Great War', their love for History, the evolution of the band and the random road of chance that in hindsight looks like a formula!

We also talk some news of the metal world and play Johannes' favorite game! Enjoy!

Instagram: @paky_metalbreak

Twitter: @metalbreak_pod

Johannes' twitter: @johannes_avatar

Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 7:07]

In this episode Paky sits down with one of our absolute favorite people ever in music, Devin Townsend and do a deep dive into the motivations behind his latest release 'Empath'. Empathy, fear and forgiveness is discussed as they dig towards the core of what drives a great artist to keep going and find something important to say in his third decade of writing and recording.

Empath is out now and we love it! Check it out on any streaming platform, or get your physical copy today!

Our Instagram: @paky_metalbreak
Our Twitter: @metalbreak_pod
Johannes' twitter: @johannes_avatar

patron.com/metalbreak

In this episode we asked YOU to share your thoughts on common misconceptions about metal, its fans and musicians. Hear our discussion from the trivial to the very deep. Plus we finally find out what band Paky is!

Enjoy!

INTERVIEW STARTS AT 2:41[]

Paky and Johannes sit down with Beast in Black to talk subjects spanning a universe between Anime and David Hasselhoff, as well as their new album 'From Hell With Love'! Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS 06:15 INTO THE EPISODE!]

Johannes had to pinch his arm once or twice as childhood hero and fitness guru Diamond Dallas Page reached out to him to be a guest on Metal Break. Talks are going all over the place but most of all it's about DDP's insane drive. Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 09:02]

In part 2 of Johannes’ conversation with Matt they talk about touring, privacy, social media and what it was like starting out young.

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 5:55]

At the end of last year Johannes sat down with Matt Heafy of touring buddies Trivium to have a chat about fatherhood, social media, shared experiences and everything metal. Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 07:04]

In this episode Paky talks to the fantastic Anneke van Giersbergen. They chat about her latest album Symphonized, her sunshine personality and much more!

Paky and Johannes also go out on quite the tangent talking individual interview styles and bad interview questions. Enjoy!

[INTERVIEW STARTS AT 11:36]

In this episode Johannes has a sit-down with fellow swedes Feffe and Ola from the amazing band Bombus. Lots of subjects are covered and a good time is had by all.

On top of that Paky keeps evolving her ASMR skills and throughout the episode we explore wether or not Gothenburg matters at all.

In this episode we comment and discuss the fact that Emperor stays true to being true and Dee Snider is from America and wants us all to know it. Stratovarius and Voivod are teasing releases and we dig in, reminisce and discover all at once.

We also ponder that even if sobriety might make you a better singer, it doesn’t guarantee you become a better person. We also talk about the best and worst reunions in metal according to us and look forward to new albums in September.

Enjoy!

In this episode you get to hear Johannes chat with Tor Oddmund Suhrke from Leprous at Tuska 2018. On top of that Paky is doing further explorations in to the world of ASMR and digs deep in Johannes' painful past.

Once again we return from the land of the dead and take you on a journey to the land of metal! We went to Tuska 2018 in Helsinki, Finland and do our best to tell you all about it!

We talk about the news of the past week and give our thoughts on the generosity of Metallica, the finality of Slayer's set list, the comedic sensibilities of Five Finger Death Punch and the eloquence of Napalm Death's lyrics. Enjoy!

In this episode we have the pleasure of digging in to a bunch of controversies as metal gets political with Anthrax criticizing Apple, Testament visiting Tel Aviv and Watain doing nazi salutes. Kamelot pick a smoother route and make a dystopian music video.

Speaking of politics, we also take a look at the nominees for this year's Golden Gods awards.

Enjoy and please consider donating to the Caleb Scofield Memorial Fund: https://www.youcaring.com/jenscofield-1149130

After battling crashing WiFis and getting heard through the noise that is the sound of the road, we're finally back with comments on Amorphis' latest single, Dio's hologram, Gene Simmons' change of heart and Glenn Tipton's health. Enjoy!

A new episode after just one week?! You better believe it baby! In this episode of This Week In Metal, Paky and Johannes takes the pulse on a selection of news of the past weeks rubbing them either the right or wrong way. Lots of KISS this time, as well as Tool, Slayer and more!

In this new format, we take the pulse on what's been going on in the metal world in the last week. We comment, argue, agree and digress. Listen and share your thoughts with us!

In this episode we conduct our very first interview for this podcast. Ryan van Poederooyen talks about the end of the Devin Townsend Project, how he got into music, how he stays the most upbeat man in metal today and what the future holds for a man suddenly free to roam.

Paky and Johannes talk about their two favorite forms of brutal onslaught; metal and professional wrestling and how they are connected! No coffee, no mercy!

In this episode Johannes attempts to understand and appreciate 10 albums, sloppily sorted under the umbrella term Hair Metal. Enjoy!

Here's part two of Johannes trying to remember doing Thoughts of no Tomorrow!

Sorry for the delay! To patch things up and get back on track, we're going to crank a whole bunch of these out in a row. We'll start with Johannes sharing some memories from the release of Avatar's Thoughts of no Tomorrow.

(Part 2 of 2)

In this episode of Metal Break, Paky and Johannes take a closer look at the fight between Metallica and Napster in 2000. Are Metallica really the devils everyone made them out to be? And how is it possible that the year 2000 is 17 freaking years ago?!

(Part 1 of 2)

In this episode of Metal Break, Paky and Johannes take a closer look at the fight between Metallica and Napster in 2000. Are Metallica really the devils everyone made them out to be? And how is it possible that the year 2000 is 17 freaking years ago?!

In this very first episode of the Metal Break podcast we take a fresh look at the Judas Priest trial of 1990 where the band stood accused of having caused the suicide and ditto attempt by Raymond Belknap and James Vance.

Struggling with depression, anxiety, self-worth issues? Chat now with a trained HopeCoach. All chats are free, confidential, 24/7 www.thehopeline.com

Suicide crisis lines can be found in many countries worldwide.
Here the list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

Dream Deceivers: The Story Behind James Vance vs. Judas Priest (1992)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104140/