Influencers of Metal Podcast

We're halfway through 2026, which means it's time to find out which albums have survived months of new releases and become the records we actually keep coming back to.This time, Collin and Tom are joined by Chris Thrash to count down their Top 5 albums of 2026 so far — plus an honourable mention from each of them.Chris brings plenty of thrash and old-school death metal, while Collin ventures through prog, and death metal. Meanwhile, Tom's picks range from the core, to blackened modern metal and epic MDM.But this is What Have You Been Listening To?, so obviously the rankings are only half the story.Which albums have defined the first half of 2026? Which picks completely blindside the room? And can Tom survive putting a deathcore album in front of two thrashers?Grab a beer and find out.Check out Chris Thrash!https://www.thrashed.cahttps://www.youtube.com/@ThrashedTVhttps://www.instagram.com/chrissthrashhttps://www.youtube.com/@BangerTVCheck 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/MUSIC:Bullet Trauma “Zero Tolerance”Jungle Rot “Blade Of Betrayal”Frozen Soul “Chaos Will Reign”Warsenal “Feeding the Wildfire”Devin Townsend “Enter The City”Threat Signal “Revelations”Monstrosity “Fortunes Engraved in Blood”Myrath “Echo of the Fallen”August Burns Red “Cerebral Malfunction (ft. Make Them Suffer)”Nukem “Policies Of Hate”Gaerea “Hellbound”Ov Sulfur “Vast Eternal”Hellripper “Hunderprest”Frozen Soul “Absolute Zero”Philipp Klein “The Journey”Gaerea “Phoenix”Exhumed “Shovelhead”Growth “Remember Me As Fire”Atavistia “Seeker of Time”-----------------------------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.

It’s the grand finale of Van Halen Week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, and there’s only one question left to answer: Is Van Halen ROCK or METAL?Few bands have left a bigger mark on hard rock — or had a greater influence on the guitarists who helped shape heavy metal. Eddie Van Halen revolutionized the instrument, David Lee Roth became one of rock’s ultimate frontmen, and songs like “Hot for Teacher,” “Panama,” “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Eruption” helped define an era.But does that influence actually make Van Halen a metal band?Collin and Tom dig into the band’s late-’70s beginnings, their connection to the rise of glam and hair metal, Eddie Van Halen’s massive impact on generations of metal guitarists, and the surprisingly heavy moments hiding throughout their catalogue. At the same time, there’s no denying the catchy hooks, arena-sized choruses and unmistakable hard-rock swagger at the heart of Van Halen’s sound.So after an entire week celebrating one of the most influential bands in rock history, where does Van Halen belong? The Halls of Rock? Or the Caverns of Metal?Listen now to hear the verdict — and find out which legendary band is heading into the Rock or Metal courtroom next!Check 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/MUSIC:Van Halen “Hot for Teacher”Van Halen “Runnin’ with the Devil”Van Halen “Eruption”-----------------------------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.

It’s Van Halen Week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, and what better way to kick things off than by asking one very important question: Just how METAL was Guitar Hero: Van Halen?Collin and Tom return for episode 10 of their ongoing quest to determine the most metal Guitar Hero game ever made, and this time they’re diving into the 2009 band-focused instalment built around Eddie, Alex, David Lee Roth and the music of Van Halen.Van Halen’s influence on generations of hard rock and metal guitarists is undeniable... but does that actually translate into a metal Guitar Hero game?The guys dig through the tracklist and uncover some surprisingly heavy additions, including Alter Bridge, Killswitch Engage, Tenacious D, Judas Priest and Deep Purple. There’s metalcore courtesy of “The End of Heartache,” classic heavy metal with “Painkiller,” proto-metal history with “Space Truckin’”, and even more to dive into.Check 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/MUSIC:Van Halen “Eruption”Mark Snow "Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme (Main Title)"Alter Bridge “Come to Life”Tenacious D “Master Exploder”Deep Purple “Space Truckin’”Jacob Lizotte “Blackhole”-----------------------------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.

ABBA might not be the first band that comes to mind when you think of heavy metal… but maybe they should be.On this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom resurrect the “Six Great…” series to dive into six metal and hard rock covers that take ABBA classics and deep cuts into much heavier territory.From thrash and power metal to Ghost putting their unmistakable stamp on an ABBA deep cut, these covers show just how surprisingly well ABBA’s songwriting translates into the metal world.Along the way, Tom and Collin get into what actually makes a great cover, why changing the music can completely change the feeling of the original lyrics, and how some covers become so closely associated with the new artist that people forget they were covers in the first place.Check 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/MUSIC:Jonathan Young “Dancing Queen (ABBA Cover)”Hyperia “Gimme Gimme Gimme”Fozzy “Sos”Black Ingvars “Waterloo”-----------------------------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.

July delivered one of the most unpredictable months of metal releases so far in 2026—and Collin and Tom’s rankings were still changing during the final week.In this edition of “What Have You Been Listening To?”, the guys count down their five favourite releases of July, and show how varied the best can get. There are plenty of surprises to find, lots of bangers, and a ton of ways to do this podcast one way or another.Grab your headphones, gather around the campfire, and tell us: What have you been listening to?Check 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/MUSIC:Jacob Lizotte “Gates Of Hell”Amon Amarth “Gjallarhorn”The Tragically Hip “Little Bones”Moonspell “Our Freedom to Fall”Omnivide “Arise”Protest the Hero “Mouthpiece”TodoMal “Mare Ignis”Eaten by Sharks “In Tidal Chaos”Protest the Hero “Fishhook”Nunslaughter “Die Your Own Death”Motionless In White “R.I.P.”Motionless In White “Sunglasses At Night”Left to Die “Witch of Hell”Black Sites “Blades (For the Chosen Ones)”Galneryus “Echoes Of Fate”Haserot “Advent of Suffering”-----------------------------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.

Grab your axes and prepare for battle! Collin and Tom set sail into one of metal's most fascinating subgenres: Viking Metal.From the legendary pioneers who shaped the genre to modern bands carrying the torch, the guys discuss what actually makes a band "Viking metal," why it's one of the broadest subgenres in heavy music, and which artists deserve a place in every metalhead's collection.Along the way, they debate Amon Amarth's genre classification, explore Viking mythology, discover hidden gems, and somehow end up talking about German beer, Lego flowers, and dating profiles.Check 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/MUSIC:Berserkers - VIKING | WAR MUSICBathory “A Fine Day to Die”Enslaved “The Watcher”Einherjer “Bloodborn”Skálmöld “Ullur”-----------------------------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.

Mongolian throat singing. Traditional folk instruments. Heavy riffs. So... is The Hu Folk Rock? Or Folk Metal?In this month's “Are They Rock or Metal?,” Collin and Tom are joined by fan-favourite guest The Pumpkin Queen to tackle one of the toughest genre debates yet. The trio dives into The Hu's unique blend of Mongolian folk music and modern heavy music, discusses how songs like “Wolf Totem” introduced millions of people to throat singing, and debates whether the band's songwriting leans more toward rock or metal.Along the way, they chat about The Hu's collaborations with Papa Roach, Halestorm, and Nothing More, why not everyone connects with the band, and somehow end up talking about bubble cigarettes, summoning The Pumpkin Queen, and teasing the next Rock or Metal battle.Who's right? You'll have to decide for yourself.Check 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/MUSIC:The Hu “Wolf Totem”The Hu “Lost Soul (feat. Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More)”-----------------------------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.

What is Cannibal Corpse's heaviest song? It sounds like an impossible question... until Collin willingly sacrificed his sanity by listening to all sixteen Cannibal Corpse albums.After narrowing more than 200 songs down to a shortlist, Tom and Collin battle through one of the most brutal discographies in metal history to rank the 10 heaviest Cannibal Corpse songs ever recorded.From the Chris Barnes era to George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher's reign of terror, the guys debate crushing riffs, monstrous breakdowns, punishing grooves, unforgettable album artwork, and the songs that define one of death metal's most legendary bands.Can slower Cannibal Corpse songs actually hit harder? Which albums dominate the rankings? Does the band's biggest hit deserve a place near the top? And which song ultimately earns the title of the heaviest Cannibal Corpse song ever?Plus, expect plenty of ridiculous tangents, questionable humour, Pumpkin Queen reactions, and Collin becoming just a little too committed to the cannibalism theme.Check 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/MUSIC:Joseph Bishara “Ritual casting (The Conjuring)”Cannibal Corpse “Drain You Empty”Cannibal Corpse “Funeral Cremation”Cannibal Corpse “Scourge of Iron”-----------------------------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.

Nothing beats an Influencers-2 holiday! Summer is here, the barbecue is fired up, the drinks are cold, and the playlist needs to be loud.Collin and Tom each bring their picks for six metal bands that perfectly capture the spirit of summer. Whether you're relaxing by the pool, hanging around the campfire, hitting the beach, or hosting a backyard party, these bands prove that metal isn't just for dark winter nights.From party metalcore and pirate metal to folk drinking anthems, comedy metal, and even some thrash, this episode is packed with great recommendations, plenty of laughs, and enough questionable jokes to keep things interesting.Check 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/MUSIC:Jorge Ferreira “Tiro Liro a Minha Maneira”Electric Callboy “Hypa Hypa”Korpiklaani “Vodka”TrollfesT “Piña Colada”-----------------------------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.

Festival season has arrived, and while most people are thinking about food trucks and carnival rides, Tom and Collin have something much louder in mind.This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, the guys take a tour around the world's biggest and most legendary metal festivals—from Canada's Loud As Hell and the brand-new ProgStorm, to European giants like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Bloodstock, Rock am Ring, Mystic Festival and the legendary 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise.Along the way they debate surprising headliners, discover a festival that no longer exists halfway through recording, argue over pronunciation (again), and somehow end up talking about fairy security, Def Leppard's drummer, and Fairly OddParents.Whether you're planning your first metal pilgrimage or just adding to your bucket list, this episode is packed with enough festivals to keep your passport busy for years.Check 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/All festivals mentioned:https://loudashell.cahttps://sites.google.com/journeymanproductions.org/home/hyperspace-metal-festivalhttps://www.progstorm.comhttps://www.wacken.com/en/https://hellfest.frhttps://bloodstock.uk.comhttps://deathfests.comhttps://www.rock-am-ring.com/enhttps://rockinriolisboa.pt/enhttps://70000tons.com/home/https://www.mysticfestival.pl/en/home/MUSIC:Jacob Lizotte “Exit Wound”-----------------------------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.

Sleep Token is one of the biggest and most divisive bands in modern metal... but are they actually geniuses, or is the mystery just a really effective gimmick?In this edition of Gimmick or Genius, Collin and Tom dive into one of metal's hottest debates. They discuss Sleep Token's anonymous image, lore, live reputation, songwriting, fanbase, and whether either of them actually understands what the band's gimmick is supposed to be.Check 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/MUSIC:Jorge Ferreira “Tiro Liro a Minha Maneira”-----------------------------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.

The monthly listening party returns! Collin and Tom are back with another edition of What Have You Been Listening To?, breaking down the albums, bands, and songs that have been dominating their playlists throughout June.This time, the duo is joined by a very special guest — the Pumpkin Queen — who jumps into the chaos as the official audience representative, sharing her thoughts, reactions, and one of her own recent metal discoveries.From doom metal and hardcore to metalcore, gothic influences, and theatrical metal madness, this month’s WHYBLT proves once again that there is always something new waiting to destroy your speakers.Grab a coffee, summon the Pumpkin Queen, and join Collin and Tom as they ask the most important question: What Have You Been Listening To?What the fuck have you been listening to?Check 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/MUSIC:Pink Floyd “Comfortably Numb”Powerwolf “Sinners of the Seven Seas”Stoned Statues “What Can I Say”NIKA “Tightrope Breathin”Lindsay Schoolcraft “I Wait for You to Fall”Khemmis “Invocation of the Dreamer”Monolord “Inside a Collider”Devin Townsend “Enter the City”August Burns Red “S.O.S.”The Fifth Alliance “Benandanti”Guilt Trip “Veins”Lindsay Schoolcraft “Vague”Devin Townsend “Prepare for War”August Burns Red “Behemoth”-----------------------------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.

A great entrance theme can make or break a wrestler. The right song can turn a simple walk to the ring into a full-blown moment of chaos, intimidation, and pure hype.In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to the world of wrestling and metal by reimagining the entrance themes of six current WWE and AEW wrestlers — replacing their existing music with the perfect metal anthem.From Scottish brutality to Samoan power and NXT rising stars, Collin puts his wrestling knowledge to the test by matching each wrestler’s personality, background, and character with a metal song that could make their entrance hit even harder.Check 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/MUSIC:Jorge Ferreira “Tiro Liro a Minha Maneira”Bleed From Within “In Place of your Halo”Hatebreed “In Ashes They Shall Reap”Twin Musicom "Way Out West"-----------------------------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.

Before the blast beats, breakdowns, and walls of distortion… there was the beginning. Collin and Tom fire up the metal time machine and head back to the 1970s — the decade where heavy metal began crawling out of the blues, putting on leather jackets, turning the amps up to eleven, and scaring everyone’s parents.In the first episode of their new “Decade Defining Albums” series, the guys explore the bands that helped build the foundation of metal, from the unmistakable darkness of Black Sabbath to the early speed and aggression of Motörhead.Check 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/MUSIC:Rainbow “Stargazer”Saxon “Big Teaser”-----------------------------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.

The Influencers of Metal Podcast is heading back around the globe! This time, Collin and Tom land in Uzbekistan, a country known for its ancient Silk Road history, stunning architecture, and apparently… an absolutely ridiculous amount of black metal.The boys dive into the underground metal scene of Uzbekistan. From raw black metal to atmospheric darkness, they explore bands including Smärtgränsen, Dark Dimension, Autumnus Aeternus, The Only Survivor, Krsnī, and the mysterious depressive black metal project of “can’t get closer to the voice” known for making everyone sad.Along the way, they discover that Uzbekistan’s metal scene is heavily influenced by the darker side of extreme music, with themes ranging from nature and philosophy to war, chaos, nihilism, and existential despair.Check 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/MUSIC:Smärtgränsen “The Spirit of the Forest”Dark Dimension “Necro Mass”Autumnus Aeternus “When Moss Covers All Names”The Only Survivor “Blade of Armageddon”Krsnī “Paysage enneigé”can’t get closer to the voice “Mudak. Har doim”-----------------------------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.

This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom officially hit the “we’re running out of ideas” stage of podcasting and launch a brand-new series: “Is It Really a Subgenre?”First victim? Crabcore. The legendary 2000s meme born from low squats, synchronized breakdowns, keyboard synths, and enough hair straightener fumes to destroy the ozone layer.Check 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/MUSIC:I Set My Friends On Fire “Ravenous, Ravenous Rhinos”Asking Alexandria “The Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel)”-----------------------------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.

The quest to find the MOST METAL Guitar Hero game of all time continues!Collin and Tom dive into Guitar Hero 5 — the game with a gigantic setlist, questionable metal representation, and somehow BOTH Iron Maiden and Band Hero energy at the same time.From Children of Bodom, Darkest Hour, Megadeth, Rammstein and Dethklok… to Limp Bizkit, Faith No More, Motley Crue and GWAR doing GWAR things… the boys try to figure out if Guitar Hero 5 has enough QUALITY metal to overcome its lack of quantity.Check 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/MUSIC:Darkest Hour “DEMON(S)”Daron Malakian And Scars On Broadway “They Say”Triumph “Lay It On The Line”P.O.D. “Boom”-----------------------------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.

In this episode of “Are They Rock or Metal?”, Collin and Tom tackle one of the hardest bands to classify in heavy music history: Faith No More. From “The Real Thing” and “Angel Dust” to “King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime” and “Sol Invictus”, the guys break down how the band constantly shifts between genres while somehow still sounding unmistakably like Faith No More.Are they too weird for rock? Too funky for metal? Too heavy to sit comfortably beside the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Or are they simply one of the greatest alternative metal bands ever?Check 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/MUSIC:Faith No More “Malpractice”Faith No More “Cuckoo for Caca”-----------------------------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.

On this gloriously unhinged episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to one of their favorite recurring topics: absolutely baffling metal covers. From Blind Guardian somehow making “Mr. Sandman” sound majestic, to Sodom covering “Surfing Bird,” the guys dive headfirst into the weirdest “why did this band cover THAT?” moments in metal history.Along the way, they discuss DragonForce turning Titanic into speed metal, Exhumed doing Madonna with a backing track and frog vocals, and Children of Bodom somehow making Eddie Murphy songs work. Plus: pirate metal folk songs, Megadeth covering Nancy Sinatra, Wind Rose accidentally creating a dwarf metal empire through Minecraft, and so much more.Check 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/MUSIC:Blind Guardian “Mister Sandman”Children Of Bodom “Party All The Time”Arsis “Sunglasses at Night”Megadeth “These Boots”-----------------------------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.

Breakups suck. Whether it’s your ex leaving you because you spent the mortgage payment on Cannibal Corpse vinyl variants… or your favourite metal band calling it quits forever. In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom dive into the bands they wish were still around, from legendary icons like Death, Type O Negative, and Dio to underground favourites like Cathartic Demise and Astaroth Incarnate.The episode spirals gloriously out of control with debates about hologram concerts, Peter Steele’s impossible charisma, Ryan Gosling dating a sex doll in Lars and the Real Girl, and why Cannabis Corpse may secretly be one of the greatest joke bands ever created. Along the way, the guys celebrate the music, the memories, and the emotional scars left behind when incredible bands disappear.It’s heartfelt, chaotic, weirdly wholesome, and somehow educational. Just another normal day at the office.Check 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/MUSIC:Bolt Thrower “Mercenary”Type O Negative “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend”Huntress “Eight of Swords”Cannabis Corpse “The 420th Crusade”-----------------------------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.

In the May 2026 edition of WHYBLT, Collin and Tom dive into the albums, songs, and discoveries that dominated their playlists over the past month.Along the way, they discuss listener submissions from Municipal Waste, Brojob, and Motionless in White, highlight honorable mentions from Faith No More and Breaking Benjamin before counting down their Top 5 albums and songs of the month, featuring Frozen Soul, Jungle Rot, Venom, Castle Rat, Dimmu Borgir, Kryptosis, Atavistia, Pro-Pain, and more.Check 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/MUSIC:Municipal Waste “Wave of Death”Brojob “SLOBBER TO PREVAIL”Kevin MacLeod “Thinking Music”Motionless In White “Playing God (feat. Corey Taylor)”Faith No More “Everything’s Ruined”Breaking Benjamin “Something Wicked”Venom “Metal Bloody Metal”Castle Rat “WIZARD”Pro-Pain “STONE COLD ANGER”Dimmu Borgir “The Exonerated”Atavistia “Mystic Tavern”Slackjaw “Vicious Cycle”Jungle Rot “Blade Of Betrayal”Frozen Soul “No Place of Warmth (feat. Gerard Way)”Frozen Soul “Ethereal Dreams”Cryptosis “Faceless Matter”-----------------------------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.

Love is in the air. So are emotional breakdowns, questionable seduction tactics, and at least one man trying to romance a cathedral.This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the world of metal power ballads — from the tearjerking sorrow of “Snuff” by Slipknot and “Hickory Creek” by Whitechapel, to the arena-sized heartbreak of “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison, and a lot more.Check 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/MUSIC:STEELHEART “She’s Gone”Slipknot “Snuff”NanowaR of Steel “... And Then I Noticed That She Was a Gargoyle”Yngwie Malmsteen “Hold On”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom dive headfirst into one of metal’s most dangerous gambles: replacing the vocalist. Sometimes it destroys a band. Sometimes it accidentally creates legends. From Howard Jones elevating Killswitch Engage to arena-status dominance, to Bruce Dickinson transforming Iron Maiden into metal royalty, the guys break down the greatest vocalist replacements that actually worked.Along the way, they debate the eternal Howard Jones vs. Jesse Leach argument, uncover shocking “wait… they weren’t the original singer?” moments involving Rob Halford and James LaBrie, and praise the absolute game-changing impact of Angela Gossow joining Arch Enemy.Check 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/MUSIC:Parry Music “Hillbilly Banjo”Killswitch Engage “Rose of Sharyn”Arch Enemy “My Apocalypse”Pantera “5 Minutes Alone”-----------------------------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.

This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom dive headfirst into one of their most gloriously nerdy discussions yet: TV show themes that would absolutely rip as metal songs. The guys break down why certain themes already flirt with metal energy, which bands could pull off the perfect covers, and how cartoons from the ‘90s and 2000s had no business going that hard.Check 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/MUSIC:Kevin Macleod “Sardana”Nerf Herder “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme”Mr Dooves “Dave the Barbarian Theme (From “Dave the Barbarian”) - A Cappella”Keith Ferreira “Maybe Tomorrow (From “The Littlest Hobo”)Exodus “Low Rider - War Cover”-----------------------------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.

This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the beautifully brutal world of Metalocalypse and its legendary band Dethklok to answer one simple question: are they a gimmick… or absolute genius?From the origins of the show on Adult Swim, to the musical insanity of Brendon Small and Gene Hoglan, the guys unpack how a cartoon band somehow became one of the tightest live acts in metal. Along the way, they discuss discovering Dethklok through Batmetal videos in high school, the cultural impact of Metalocalypse, seeing the band live in Toronto, and why the music genuinely stands on its own without the show.Check 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/MUSIC:Dethklok “Awaken”Dethklok “Bloodlines”Dethklok “SOS”-----------------------------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.

Collin thought this episode was doomed from the start.Tom thought otherwise.In this chaotic installment of the “What Is _____’s Heaviest Song?” series, the duo tackle one of the weirdest challenges yet: ranking the ten heaviest songs by Finnish cello-metal legends Apocalyptica.What starts as pure skepticism slowly transforms into genuine shock as the duo dives deep into distorted cellos, crushing riffs, Dave Lombardo appearances, unexpected grooves, and one absolutely devastating collaboration with Gojira.Check 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/MUSIC:Apocalyptica “Cell-0”Apocalyptica “Fatal Error”Apocalyptica “Bring Them to Light (feat. Joseph Duplantier)”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom return from the Amonklok Conquest Tour in Toronto with stories of soaring Viking anthems, animated brutality, theatrical doom metal wizardry, and merch prices capable of physically stunning a grown adult.The duo break down their full experience at the Great Canadian Casino Resort venue, including the surprisingly spacious layout, the controversial cashless setup, and the overall concert atmosphere. While the venue impressed with comfort and organization, getting blindsided by cashless-only purchases definitely added a side quest nobody asked for.Check 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/MUSIC:Castle Rat “SIREN”Amon Amarth “Raven’s Flight”Amon Amarth “Saxons and Vikings”Dethklok “Deththeme”Dethklok “Aortic Desecration”Dethklok “Face Fisted”Dethklok “Go Into The Water”-----------------------------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.

This month’s “Are They Rock or Metal?” debate dives into early-era Evanescence — specifically their first two albums, Fallen (2003) and The Open Door (2006).Collin and Tom break down the band’s explosive rise, fueled by hits like “Bring Me to Life”, and debate whether Evanescence truly crosses into metal territory—or if they live comfortably in the gothic hard rock world.Along the way, they explore the early 2000s “everything heavy = metal” problem, the influence of nü metal and why bands like Slipknot and System of a Down complicated genre labels, and Amy Lee’s role as a defining force in the band’s sound.Check 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/MUSIC:Evanescence “Haunted”Evanescence “Cloud Nine”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom are scrambling out the door for the “Amonklok Conquest Tour” in Toronto—but not before squeezing in a chaotic, last-minute episode of What Do We Want to Hear?With Dethklok and Amon Amarth set to take the stage, the guys break down the ONE song each they’re dying to hear from both bands. From epic Viking anthems to animated death metal insanity, expectations are high—and so is the risk of Collin not even making it to the show thanks to real-life responsibilities.Will Collin make it? Will Tom’s battleaxe be allowed in the casino? And will “Murmaider II” summon the water god, live?It’s rushed. It’s ridiculous. It’s metal.Check 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/MUSIC:Metalocalypse: Dethklok “Murmaider II: The Water God”Metalocalypse: Dethklok “Birthday Dethday”Viking Chants “Blood and Iron”Amon Amarth “The Pursuit of Vikings”Amon Amarth “The Great Heathen Army”-----------------------------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.

Collin shows up late… with a championship trophy, zero sleep, and the energy of a man who’s been on a two-week bender. Naturally, that derails things immediately.Once the beer-league victory lap settles down (slightly), Collin and Tom dive into April’s WHYBLT (What Have You Been Listening To?)—featuring listener submissions, copyright chaos, cursed YouTube music, and a surprisingly stacked month of metal releases.From Quebec’s weirdest breakout band to lightning-fast tech death, thrash domination, and one of the most unexpected metalcore surprises of the year—this episode covers it all.Check 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/Register for the WTFREF Beer League:https://wtfref.com/register/MUSIC:Kevin Macleod “Sneaky Snitch”ICE NINE KILLS “Assault & Batteries”Angine de Poitrine “Fabienk”TheDooo “Drunk Driving”Immolation “False Ascent”Atreyu “Children of Light (feat. Max Cavalera)”Warsenal “Mass Grave Mass”Battlegrave “Bonesaw”Archspire “Limb of Leviticus”Winterfylleth “Heroes of a Hundred Fields”Myrath “Les Enfants Du Soleil”Archspire “Red Goliath”Growth “Slings That Shatter”Threat Signal “Death Will Find Us All”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom take a nostalgic (and slightly unhinged) trip through record store culture—sparked by a visit to Mourningstar Records in Hamilton. From bizarre $2 finds like Dream Theater covering Number of the Beast to Arnold Schwarzenegger-themed death metal (yes, really), the episode dives into why record stores still matter in 2026.They explore the value of physical media in a streaming-dominated world, the sense of community record stores provide, and why owning music just hits different. Plus: broken CDs, cassette comebacks, and a passionate defense of flipping through shelves like it’s still 2003.Check 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/-----------------------------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.

It’s 4/20, and Collin and Tom are celebrating the only way they know how—by pretending to be absolutely baked and diving into the hazy world of stoner metal.From the legendary influence of Black Sabbath to modern heavy hitters like High on Fire, Mastodon, and The Sword, the guys break down what makes stoner metal such a unique and immersive genre.They also explore the iconic sounds of Sleep (yes, including that very long song), debate genre lines, shout out bands like Baroness and Acid King, and somehow end up talking about robots getting secondhand high.No substances were consumed… probably.Check 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/MUSIC:Niodjo “Psychedelic Rock”Black Sabbath “Sweet Leaf”High On Fire “Electric Messiah”Baroness “The Iron Bell”Mastodon “High Road”Castle Rat “WIZARD”Bongzilla “King of Weed”-----------------------------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.

What happens when metalheads start ranking video game characters by how brutally metal they are? You get this episode.Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the wild world of gaming to break down the most metal video game characters of all time—from the obvious picks like the Doom Slayer and God of War’s Kratos, to the unexpected chaos of Isabelle from Animal Crossing somehow being canonically tied to pure demon-slaying destruction.Check 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/MUSIC:RichaadEB “KK Metal”Mick Gordon “Bfg Division (DOOM OST)”Bear McCreary “God of War (God of War Soundtrack)”Megadeth “Duke Nukem Theme”Capcom Sound Team “ダンテ事務所7ヘルズ戦闘 (Dante's Office 7 Hell's Battle)”-----------------------------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.

Are Mötley Crüe rock… or metal?Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the chaos of one of the most infamous bands of the 1980s. From the outrageous party stories and scandals to the massive arena shows and iconic riffs, Mötley Crüe helped define an entire era of heavy music.The discussion covers legendary albums like Dr. Feelgood and Shout at the Devil, their influence on the hair metal explosion, and why songs like Kickstart My Heart and Girls, Girls, Girls still dominate playlists decades later.Along the way, the conversation spirals into discussions about stadium rock energy, the economics of strip clubs (yes, really), and whether hair metal might secretly be the official soundtrack of strip clubs everywhere.Check 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/MUSIC:Mötley Crüe “Girls, Girls, Girls”Mötley Crüe “Dr. Feelgood”Mötley Crüe “Live Wire”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom return for Part 8 of the Most Metal Guitar Hero Game series, diving into the nostalgia-packed Guitar Hero Smash Hits.Unlike previous games, Smash Hits doesn’t introduce new songs—it’s a curated collection of the most memorable tracks from earlier Guitar Hero titles, all remastered for newer consoles. But the big question remains: how metal is it?The duo breaks down highlights from the tracklist, including iconic metal staples like “Raining Blood,” “The Trooper,” “Cowboys From Hell,” and “Through the Fire and Flames.” Along the way, they debate surprising inclusions, discuss Guitar Hero difficulty nightmares, and relive the glory days of plastic guitars and rage-quitting during DragonForce solos.But does a greatest hits compilation deserve a high placement… or is it cheating the system?Check 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/MUSIC:Anthrax “Caught In a Mosh”The Sword “Freya”EXTREME “Play With Me”DragonForce “Through the Fire and Flames”-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom return to their Metal Around the World series and land in the mountainous heart of Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan. With only a handful of bands listed on the archives, the duo dives headfirst into a surprisingly black-metal-dominated scene.From the folk-infused epic black metal of Darkestrah to the raw underground chaos of Faustus, the duo explore every active band they could find. Along the way they uncover thrashy surprises like Melissa Dead, death-metal brutality from Shahid, and plenty of lo-fi occult vibes from Ornugle.It’s a journey through black metal, death metal, and thrash emerging from one of the most unexpected corners of the metal world. Plus, the wheel spins again to determine the next destination in the series.Expect chaos, questionable pronunciation attempts, and a lot of black metal.Check 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/MUSIC (Spotify Links):Darkestrah “Nomad”MØRFER “Christ Is Not Risen”Faustus “Leipzige Mitternacht”Melissa Dead “Time to Die”Kashgar “Half a Devil”Ornugle “Satans private dance”SHAHID “Гимн рабов”-----------------------------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.

Are video game metal covers a gimmick… or pure genius?In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom resurrect their Gimmick or Genius segment to debate one of metal’s most beloved nintendocore bands: Powerglove.Known for shredding through classic video game soundtracks and beloved pop culture themes, Powerglove has built a cult following by transforming nostalgic melodies from games and TV into high-energy instrumental metal.The duo dives deep into the band’s origins, their unexpected beginnings as a melodic death metal project, and how covering classics like the Mega Man 2 “Dr. Wily” theme helped kick off their career. They also discuss the band’s love of ‘90s nostalgia with tracks from shows like Animaniacs and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, plus their epic take on gaming staples like Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Along the way, the conversation spirals into childhood gaming memories, cursed Wii Miis, Smash Bros. mains, and the cultural power of nostalgia. Tom also shares a personal story about how Powerglove’s cover of the Animaniacs theme became unexpectedly meaningful during a difficult time in his family.Check 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/MUSIC:Powerglove “The Power Rangers Theme”Powerglove “Animaniacs (feat. Mike Mills)”Royal Philharmonic Orchestra “Rule, Britannia (Instrumental)”Powerglove “Super Smash Bros. Brawl Theme (feat. Brittney Slayes & Ty Christian)”Powerglove “Tetris” -----------------------------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.

Collin, Tom and TheBlyzzrd break down the metal dominating their playlists, from Exodus and Monstrosity to atmospheric heaviness from Gaerea and Temple of Void.

Collin and Tom attempt to predict the winner of the 2026 Juno Awards… and immediately remind everyone why their prediction record belongs in the trash.After getting sidetracked by Hamilton traffic, tea experiments, and existential confusion about time itself, the guys break down this year’s metal nominees—including Cryptopsy, Despised Icon, Counterparts, Unreqvited, and Silverstein. Will the legends finally get their due? Will a wildcard shock everyone again? Or will the JUNOs once again prove they operate on pure chaos energy?Check 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/MUSIC:Cryptopsy “Until There’s Nothing Left”Unreqvited “The Starforger”Despised Icon “The Apparition”Counterparts “No Lamb Was Lost”Silverstein “Convession”-----------------------------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.

This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast… we go back to Japan. Again.This time, Tom brings in a suggestion inspired by the Pumpkin Queen: Versailles Philharmonic Quintet — a visual kei power metal band that looks like a gothic opera and sounds like it scored every anime opening ever made.So naturally… we ask the question: Are they rock or metal?…and immediately realize… yeah, this one might’ve been decided before we hit record.Check 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/-----------------------------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.

Is metal really for kids… or are we all just raising tiny future headbangers?In this special interview episode, we sit down with Adam from Odin Conquers All, alongside his son Odin—the internet’s most metal four-year-old—to talk about what it’s actually like growing up with heavy music.We dive into everything from bedtime music video rituals to first concerts, internet backlash, and how a mix of Disney soundtracks and bands like Behemoth can somehow coexist in one household.Adam breaks down the reality behind the viral videos, explains how metal exposure really works for kids, and shares his long-term vision of turning the project into a nonprofit supporting families and music education.Check out OdinConquersAll!https://linktr.ee/OdinconquersallCheck 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/-----------------------------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.

Collin has officially hit DEFCON 1.In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Tom tries (and mostly fails) to contain Collin’s full-blown meltdown over the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance—and yeah… it gets ugly.From Dream Theater’s triumphant return with Parasomnia, to Ghost doing Ghost things, to the ongoing disrespect toward Spiritbox… things spiral fast.And when the actual winner is revealed to be Turnstile… yeah… that’s where the episode goes completely off the rails.Check 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/MUSIC:Dream Theater “Night Terror”Ghost “Lachryma”Sleep Token “Emergence”Spiritbox “Soft Spine”Turnstile “BIRDS”-----------------------------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.

What happens when two metal fans try to determine the heaviest songs by System of a Down?Apparently… chaos.In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom take on the long-awaited installment of their “What Is ___’s Heaviest Song?” segment. After starting with 37 songs from across the band’s entire discography, the guys brutally narrow the list down to 10 of the heaviest tracks the band ever released.Along the way they revisit albums like Toxicity, System of a Down, and Steal This Album!, discovering something surprising: the band’s heaviness doesn’t always live in the hits.Instead, the real brutality often hides in the deep cuts, packed with frantic riffs, punk energy, and the kind of unhinged songwriting that only System could pull off.By the end, the guys crown the single most consistently heavy System of a Down song in their catalog.Check 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/MUSIC:David Robson "Torture Chamber"HIM “Join Me In Death”System of a Down “She’s Like Heroin”System of a Down “Dreaming”System of a Down “Fuck the System”System of a Down “War?System of a Down “X”-----------------------------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.

In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom throw subtlety straight into the mosh pit and unleash some of their boldest and most controversial metal hot takes.From calling out the oversaturation of mediocre metalcore and deathcore, to debating whether Tool is wildly overhyped, the duo isn’t holding anything back. Along the way they tackle everything from the legacy of Howard Jones vs. Jesse Leach in Killswitch Engage, to whether Glenn Danzig should finally retire, and even why the metal community desperately needs an official Metal Hall of Fame.Is this insightful commentary… or pure rage bait? Probably both. Listener discretion is advised.Check 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/-----------------------------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.

Collin and Tom hit the road to London for a night of pure thrash metal chaos as Megadeth, Anthrax, and Exodus tear through Canada Life Place.From the greatest merch-buying experience of their lives (complete with early access, no lineup, and a surprisingly chill merch worker), to debating the quirks of a cashless arena that still somehow takes cash at the band table, the duo relive every moment of the night.They also dive into the venue itself—how the arena handled sound, seating, and the unfortunate moment when their usher wiped out on the stairs mid-escort (don’t worry, she was okay).Finally, the main event: the bands. The guys discuss how Exodus, Anthrax, and Megadeth delivered on a stacked thrash lineup, what made each set stand out, and why this Canadian tour felt like something special.It’s road trip stories, merch addiction, thrash metal, and a whole lot of laughter.Check 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/MUSIC:Ozzy Osbourne “Crazy Train” (music box cover)Exodus “The Toxic Waltz”Slayer “Raining Blood”Anthrax “Madhouse”Ean Grimm "Warrior Rising"Anthrax “Indians”Megadeth “Tipping Point”Megadeth “Sweating Bullets”Megadeth “À Tout le Monde”Megadeth “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due”-----------------------------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.

It’s the February 2026 edition of WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO? — and somehow the Pumpkin Queen has seized production control. Tom is wearing cat ears. There are Valentine’s stuffies involved. Collin is holding an object under threat of supernatural consequence. And Megadeth is tomorrow. It’s a February WHYBLT!In between the absolute nonsense, we dive into listener picks, Collin’s picks, Tom’s picks, and more.It’s sophisticated. It’s chaotic. It’s WHYBLT.Check 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/MUSIC:Motionless In White “Afraid of the Dark”Myrkur “Touch My Love And Die”Megadeth “Hey God?”Graveworm “In Honour of the Fallen”Krateros “The Performer”Tailgunner “Midnight Blitz”Threat Signal “Non-Essentials”Mors Verum “Canvas”Megadeth “The Last Note”MØL “DREAM”Winterfylleth “Misdeeds of Faith”Castle Rat “WOLF I”URNE “The Spirit, Alive”Jacob Lizotte “Gates Of Hell”Jacob Lizotte “Path Of Destruction”Megadeth “Made to Kill”Dio “Gypsy”-----------------------------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.

The year of thrash is upon us. With Megadeth, Anthrax, and Exodus all releasing new material in 2026, Collin and Tom are gearing up for their first concert of the year — February 28th in London, Ontario. From deep cuts like “Medusa” to thrash staples like “Tornado of Souls,” the guys break down what they’re hoping makes the setlist… and predict if they’ll be hearing some new Anthrax music live.Check 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/MUSIC:Megadeth “Dystopia”Megadeth “Sweating Bullets”Megadeth “Hanger 18”Megadeth “The Last Note”Megadeth “Good Mourning / Black Friday”Megadeth “Tornado of Souls”-----------------------------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.

Can Guitar Hero: Metallica finally dethrone the long-reigning king of metal rhythm games?Collin and Tom dive headfirst into the pit to rank Guitar Hero: Metallica against the rest of the franchise. Featuring Metallica, Slayer, Mastodon"], Merciful Fate, The Sword, System of a Down, and a metric ton of Metallica.Check 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/MUSIC:Corrosion of Conformity “Albatross”The Sword “The Black River”Trey Xavier “Animaniacs (Metal Cover)”Mercyful Fate “Evil”Slayer “War Ensemble”Metallica “All Nightmare Long”Sam Fonteyn “Pizzicato Playtime (Ren and Stimpy Soundtrack)”-----------------------------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.

Groove metal once ruled the pits, the charts, and your CD binder—and then vanished like your favorite MySpace band.In this episode, Collin & Tom dive headfirst into groove metal: where it came from, why it dominated the late ’90s and early 2000s, and how it somehow died… without ever really dying.From Pantera redefining heavy music forever, to the rise of bands like Lamb of God, to groove being slowly absorbed into metalcore, nu metal, and everything else with a breakdown—this episode asks the big questions. Was groove metal ever truly a genre? Or was it just the rhythm that metal couldn’t live without?Check 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/MUSIC:Jacob Lizotte “Face To Face”Pantera “Cowboys from Hell”Lamb of God “Into Oblivion”Static-X “Push It”Amon Amarth “The Pursuit of Vikings”-----------------------------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.

In this edition of Are They Rock or Metal, Collin and Tom wade directly into the gothic grey zone to answer one deceptively simple question:Is HIM a rock band… or a metal band?What follows is a surprisingly deep (and wildly unhinged) discussion about love metal, gothic aesthetics, distorted guitars, drum velocity, Type O Negative comparisons, Ghost gatekeeping, and whether a slow dance to “Right Here In Your Arms” counts as romantic metal or just emotional damage.Check 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/MUSIC:HIM “Join Me In Death”HIM “Wicked Game”HIM “Wings of a Butterfly”HIM “Right Here In My Arms”-----------------------------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.