The Metal Hammer Podcast

We promised you we'd do it, and we're here to deliver. On this week's episode, Merl, El and Steve review every single track on Metallica's mammoth-sized Blacklist project. Yes, that's right: all 53 Black Album covers get rated and slated, including fresh takes on Metallica classics by Ghost, Miley Cyrus, Biffy Clyro, Rina Sawayama, Volbeat, The Hu, Royal Blood, Weezer, St Vincent, David Gahan, My Morning Jacket and many, many, many more. We also discuss what makes a great cover, why the rock bands on The Blacklist are at a disadvantage compared to everyone else and which covers might even exceed the originals. Plus, we pick our ultimate Blacklist Tracklist using just one version of each song Visit our sponsors KILLSTAR at http://www.tinyurl.com/HammerKillstar Order our Joey Jordison tribute issue at http://www.tinyurl.com/GetHammer

This week, Merl chats to Mike Schiff, director of upcoming mega-documentary The History Of Metal And Horror! Mike has spent years amassing one of the most impressive castlists ever as he talks to the likes of Slipknot's Corey Taylor, Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Korn's Jonathan Davis, Anthrax's Scott Ian, the maestro of horror John Carpenter, Hellraiser legend Doug Bradley, Friday The 13th favourite Kane Hodder and many, many more about the decades-long relationship between heavy metal and horror movies. Put short: Mike has such sights to show you...Visit our sponsors KILLSTAR at www.tinyurl.com/HammerKillstarFind your nearest copy of our Iron Maiden Senjutsu issue at www.tinyurl.com/FindHammer

The biggest metal album of 2021 has finally arrived, and it's time to go in deep. Merl and Jonathan dissect the 17th studio album from Iron Maiden, Senjutsu, discussing Maiden's journey over the past two decades and how it's led them to this point, why they're never going to be the band that smashes out 10 five-minute bangers, the best songs on the album, how The Writing On The Wall represents Maiden's most interesting single in years, how Darkest Hour's Winston Churchill lyrics represent a unique take on an increasingly divisive character, how Death Of The Celts feels like the ultimate Clansman sequel and much, much more.Find your nearest copy of Metal Hammer magazine at tinyurl.com/FindHammerVisit our sponsors KILLSTAR at tinyurl.com/HammerKillstar

It's one of the biggest Metal Hammer Podcast guests ever as Metallica legend Jason Newsted joins us for the very first time! Jason talks to Steve about some of the biggest moments of his career with Metallica, including his first reaction to hearing his (lack of) bass on ...And Justice For All, how Bob Rock helped to make him understand that less is more for The Black Album, how he feels about the fans' reaction to Metallica's drastic image change for the Load album, what planted the seeds for his eventual exit from the band, the projects with Devin Townsend and Sepultura that never came to fruition and much, much more.

Merl, Steve and Jonathan are back from Bloodstock Open Air 2021 and have just about recovered enough to give you the big review! We go deep on this year's immense bill and decide who stole the weekend, who underperformed (er, hardly anyone really) and who staked their claim as ones to watch in the future.Featuring in-depth analysis of Judas Priest's blockbuster two-hour set - how had they never played One Shot At Glory before?! - plus Kreator's celebratory headline show, Devin Townsend By Request, Skindred, Saxon, Cradle Of Filth, Paradise Lost doing Draconian Times in full, While She Sleeps, Venom Prison, Svalbard, Bleed From Within, Napalm Death, Gloryhammer and many, many more.Buy the latest issue of Metal Hammer magazine starring Iron Maiden at www.tinyurl.com/GetHammerVisit our awesome sponsors KILLSTAR at tinyurl.com/HammerKillstar

Bloodstock is BACK and we're excited about it! Merl and Steve run through the evolution of the festival since its humble beginnings in 2001, plus rake their mitts over this year's excellent lineup. Will Devin Townsend, Kreator or Judas Priest be the headliner of the weekend? Will While She Sleeps win over the Bloodstock crowd?…… Continue reading 176: The Ultimate Bloodstock 2021 Preview

Merl and Steve tackle some questions from you lot - our lovely, loyal listeners! We discuss how new Iron Maiden album Senjutsu will affect their Legacy Of The Beast setlist, the upcoming gigs and festivals we're most excited about (bring on Bloodstock!), underrated musicians, the best five years for metal ever, instrumentals, cover bands, Crystal…… Continue reading 175: Q+A Special – Iron Maiden, Bloodstock hype, Crystal Lake + more

Merl, El and Steve react to the devastating news that Slipknot legend Joey Jordison has died at the age of 46. We discuss his amazing legacy with Slipknot, from standing out as an anomaly of a drummer in the nu metal era to becoming one of metal's most beloved figures. Plus, we chat about Murderdolls and what a bizarre left turn they were for him, his short-lived Scar The Martyr project, his acrimonious departure from Slipknot, his return to music with Vimic and Sinsaenum and his emotional night at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards in 2016.Order the latest copy of Metal Hammer now at tinyurl.com/GetHammerVisit our amazing sponsors KILLSTAR at KILLSTAR.com

Merl and Steve dig into the latest issue of Metal Hammer - a huge celebration of 20 years of System Of A Down's classic second album, Toxicity! Oh, and we also have a similarly massive review round-up to dig into. As well as analysing new Iron Maiden single The Writing On The Wall, we cast our ears over Beartooth's Below album, analyse all the crazy experimentation from latest At The Gates album, The Nightmare Of Being, discuss how Jesse and Adam from Killswitch Engage managed to shift gears for a new Times Of Grace album and froth over the amazing new Backxwash LP. Music's good, isn't it?!Buy the latest issue of Metal Hammer at tinyurl.com/GetHammerVisit our awesome sponsors KILLSTAR at killstar.com

In honour of Bloodstock officially going ahead (though we hope you're all gonna continue to be careful out there...), Merl and Steve count down the 10 greatest festival sets they've ever seen. The only rules? They have to be Metal Hammer-friendly (sorry, Faithless at Glasto 2010), and Slipknot from Download 2009 is exempt because we've talked about it loads already and it's just not fair! Featuring nostalgic trips back through iconic sets by Limp Bizkit, Iron Maiden, Faith No More, Rage Against The Machine, Killswitch Engage and many more.The Metal Hammer Podcast is sponsored by KILLSTAR - head to KILLSTAR.com to see their awesome range of goodies.Pick up the latest issue of Metal Hammer magazine at tinyurl.com/GetHammer

In a world exclusive new interview, Metal Hammer Deputy Editor Eleanor Goodman talks to the legendary 'Godfather Of Nu Metal' himself, Ross Robinson! The influential producer opens up about his turbulent time recording Slipknot's second and explosive album Iowa, from the serious injury that left him in chronic pain during the recording process to the mental state of the band themselves over the course of what proved to be a life-altering experience.Pick up Metal Hammer magazine's Iowa special now via www.tinyurl.com/GetHammerVisit our awesome sponsors KILLSTAR at www.killstar.com

Joining Merl on this week's show is the legendary Sharon Den Adel from everyone's favourite Dutch symphonic metal megastars, Within Temptation! Sharon and Merl discuss Within Temptation's upcoming livestream extravaganza, the band's recent new single Shed My Skin (and how they ended up teaming with Annisokay for it), the long awaited Within Temptation / Evanescence tour and the countries Sharon is still hoping to hit up before all is said and done.The Metal Hammer Podcast is sponsored by KILLSTAR - get your exclusive KILLSTAR discount from www.killstar.com/pages/metalpodOrder the latest issue of Metal Hammer magazine from tinyurl.com/GetHammer

It's a monstrous two-hour podcast today as Merl, El and Steve review this past weekend's history-making Download Pilot Festival. They discuss how the testing and entry conditions worked to get 10,000 people safely back on the sacred grounds of Donington, how it felt to be back in a field with a load of mates again and the experience of seeing a band walk out on a festival stage for the first time in two years. Oh, and there was also plenty more music! The trio review some all-time great sets from While She Sleeps, Creeper, Skindred, Enter Shikari, Bullet For My Valentine, Loathe, Bleed From Within, Employed To Serve and more. One of these bands even got Merl to come out of circle pit retirement, but you'll never guess for which song.We also reveal the brand new issue of Metal Hammer starring Slipknot and get psyched for Metallica's epic Black Album celebrations.The Metal Hammer Podcast is sponsored by KILLSTAR - get your exclusive KILLSTAR discount from www.killstar.com/pages/metalpodet the new issue of Metal Hammer at tinyurl.com/GetHammer

Merl chats to the one and only Benji Webbe from Skindred! We find out what Benji has been up to in lockdown, what prompted his son to put him on a strict, life-changing new regime, why he returned to Earache Records with Skindred over twenty years since first joining them with Dub War and what…… Continue reading 168: Skindred's Benji Webbe Gets Hyped For Download Pilot

Merl, Steve and Jonathan take in some of the latest metal releases you need to know about. We discuss the clusterfuck around Fear Factory ahead of their new album, Aggression Continuum, and debate whether the record lives up to their legacy. Plus, we rate the new Perturbator album and decide whether it's done enough to…… Continue reading 167: Review Round-Up – Fear Factory, Atreyu, Perturbator & more