Well Read Metalheads

We give a recap and honest review of seeing a show on the Frozen Soul/Fleshgod Apocalypse/Avatar tour (spoiler, we loved it!) We discuss:Going back to concerts after years away The joy of seeing and hearing expertiseStage setupThe audienceChildren at metal showsFrozen Soul: Chad Green’s stage presence, the Texas metal vibe, and one solid death metal beatdownFleshgod Apocalypse: Veronica Bordacchini’s next-level voice, Francesco Ferrini’s stellar piano skills, Francesco Paoli’s ferocious performance, classical themes and old world charm, light design, showmanship, inspiration behind the album Opera, Eugene Ryabchenko’s blast beats, stage designAvatar: sets and props, Johannes Eckerström: ringmaster, John Alfredsson’s menace faces and cymbal-hat minions, the murder circus vibes, Jonas “Kungan” Jarlsby’s shred session, expert act pacing, favorite momentsVariety in touring partnersUpcoming Titles in Books:Mudlark by Mary Helen Specht (07/2026)The Mortons by Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbeleister (07/2026) Ship of Death by Kyle Winkler (09/2026)Upcoming Titles in Music:MetalMorphosis by MasterplanHelden X Hymnen by d’ArtagnanAssiege pour l’eternetie by VehemenceThe Venom in the Mouth of God by CombichristBook Club Reminder: In our next episode, we’ll discuss The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston, so grab your copy and get ready to die hard with a druidic vengeance!

This month we weigh the metal-ness of Katabasis by RF Kuang, in which a graduate student in magic at Cambridge must take a trip into Hell/the Underworld with her academic rival to get their advisor back after he blew up in a magical experiment gone wrong. We spoil the plot, then talk about: World-buildingThe enduring popularity of Underworld travel narrativesAlternative careers for magiciansAdvice for the protagonistsIdeal metal musicians to guide you in the UnderworldPetty sins that deserve their own circles in HellOur ideal rulers of the UnderworldWork-life balance in academiaDue to the book’s contents, we may also briefly discuss manipulation and abuse in academia and suicidal ideation.You can find our Spotify profile with our Katabasis playlist at https://open.spotify.com/user/31kosaxlm6j56e44766ijo4ndzjq?si=cdd4a1a247c646e1Special Features: Metal Trivia1985 Date Night MoviesWould You Rather? Underworld EditionDesign-a-HellPick a Hell: Fictitious Character EditionMusic Mentions:Path of Resistance by Primalfrost Year of the Cobra by Year of the CobraWarriors of Greyhawk by Greyhawk* *The departing vocalist from Greyhawk we mention is Rev Taylor, who left the band to focus on his opera career (yes, really) and was replaced by the talented Anthony Corso.Reading Recommendations:Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. HowardThe Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey HartmanThe Incandescent by Emily TeshJuly's Book: The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston. Get ready for a Bronze Age beatdown, Die Hard style, in this grimdark fantasy novel about a palace guard who would die for her oath but prefers to kill for it.Playlist Contents: Katabasis - PersefoneWould You Walk With Me Through Hell? - Lord Of The Lost, Infected RainThe Meadows of Asphodel - Mors Principium EstThe Great Below - Kvaen, Jeff LoomisCrystal Logic - Manilla RoadIn Tartarus - The Night EternalDevil's Light - Novembers DoomHounds of Hell - Dead SoulLethean - KatatoniaDon't Pay the Ferryman - DomainSouls of Black - TestamentBleed In My Arms - SentencedUnderworld - i HäxaThe Descent to the Last Circle - Darkened Nocturn SlaughtercultDis - DaidalosCerberus - Carved MemoriesWill I Deserve It - StructureLethe - Throes Of DawnInked in Blood -SighDon't Come Back from Hell Empty Handed - Oceans of Slumber

Nate and Jacki are two well read metalheads who are out to prove that reading is metal, and you should join them. Featuring monthly readalongs, discussions of favorite authors, books, metal artists, and albums, and reading/listening life conversations and conundrums. Laughs? Yes. Swearing? Also yes (headphones in, please.) Shenanigans? You won't have to ask twice!Book club (readalong/deep dive) episodes post 1st Thursdays starting June 2026.Minisodes (trends, news, upcoming releases) post 3rd Thursdays starting June 2026.