IoMP 68: WHYBLT - 2025 so far (w/ Lindsay Schoolcraft + The Pumpkin Queen)

In this special mid-year edition of Influencers of Metal, Collin and Tom are joined by not one, but two incredible guests — Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Lindsay Schoolcraft and returning favourite The Pumpkin Queen. Together, the crew dives into their top 5 favourite releases of 2025 so far, showcasing a wide-ranging playlist of 24 songs across metal and beyond. From the symphonic highs of Epica and the crushing intensity of Whitechapel, to darkwave collabs, pirate metal antics, and even a bit of BABYMETAL chaos, no subgenre is left untouched. Along the way, we chat about Lindsay’s Juno nomination, the power of listening outside your comfort zone, and whether or not pirate metal deserves a place on our lists (spoiler: Lindsay says no). It’s over two hours of passionate discussion, laughs, unexpected picks, and heartfelt appreciation for the music that’s moved us in 2025 so far. Whether you’re into death metal, prog, symphonic, or just looking for your next obsession — this episode’s got something for you.Big thanks to Lindsay Schoolcraft for coming on the show!https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ZLcdPSxw1fTYJlz3DLrSZhttps://www.facebook.com/schoolcraftofficial/https://www.instagram.com/lindzriothttps://x.com/lindzriothttps://www.youtube.com/@schoolcraftofficial/https://www.schoolcraftshop.com/Her latest single “Lighthouse” is out now! https://youtu.be/3d0L4oV-YPkCheck out more from Collin!https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/Check out more from Tom!https://themetalrobot.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviewshttps://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobothttps://x.com/theMetalRobothttps://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/R.I.P. Ozzy Osbourne \m/MUSIC:FKA twigs “Girl Feels Good”BABYMETAL & Electric Callboy “RATATATA”Trick Or Treat “Ghosted”Heaven Shall Burn “War Is the Father of All”The Birthday Massacre “Sleep Tonight”Vampires Everywhere! “Cry Little Sister (Revamped)”Paleface Swiss “River Of Sorrows (Unplugged)”Dormant Ordeal “Halo of Bones”Halsey & Amy Lee “Hand That Feeds”Epica “Cross the Divide”Nightfall “For The Expelled Ones”Whitechapel “Hymns in Dissonance”Dread Majesty & C Z A R I N A “GEMINI”Eluveitie “Awen”Alestorm “Banana”Vortex “When Humans Defy the Void”Spiritbox “Ride The Wave”Alestorm “Goblins Ahoy!”Alien Weaponry “Myself to Blame”Epica “Arcana”Scowl “Special”Lindsay Schoolcraft “Lighthouse”Warbringer “The Sword And The Cross”Dream Theater “The Shadow Man Incident”-----------------------------DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.