Backstaged: The Devil in Metal

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Ronnie James Dio is metal music royalty. From his early days in New York playing the trumpet and singing in small bands to becoming a metal vocal powerhouse with Rainbow, the resurrected Black Sabbath and his own band, Dio experienced it all, riding the highs and enduring the lows in every band he played in. Then, an unexpected musical reunion with his ex-Black Sabbath band mates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler brought him the kind of happiness and career stability he always longed for. Tragically, the group abruptly ended when Dio contracted stomach cancer. Though he fought bravely and tried to continue doing what he did best, the disease was incurable. Friends and family rallied by his side, some forming a tighter bond with Dio than ever, as he inched towards his final days. In this episode, host Jon Wiederhorn addresses Dio's spectacular life and tragic death through interviews with Dio's widow Wendy, and members of Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell and Dio. Alice Cooper and members of Anthrax, Twisted Sister, and Slayer provide additional commentary. FROM THIS EPISODE: Alice Cooper talks about Dio's onstage charisma. Exodus and former Slayer guitarist Gary Holt remembers listening to Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and hearing Dio's vocals for the first time. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider praises Dio for his powerful voice and humble personality. Ronnie James Dio explains his pride and satisfaction in playing metal music. Dio's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio talks about Dio's use of the sign of the horns, how he got his surname, when she and Dio fell in love, and Dio's sometimes rocky relationships in Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio. Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler talks about how Dio hated Rainbow ringleader Ritchie Blackmore. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi discusses how Dio joined the band after they fired Ozzy Osbourne. Guitarist and co-founder of Anthrax Scott Ian marvels at the greatness of Black Sabbath's comeback album Heaven and Hell. Dio drummer Vinny Appice remembers a set malfunction during a Dio concert and shares his experience at Ronnie James Dio's funeral. Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Wendy Dio address Ronnie's battle with cancer and candidly address how he bravely fought the disease and details about the last three weeks of his life. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Pointless. Spontaneous. Hazardous. Deadly. That's what mayhem can be like for some metal musicians. Host Jon Wiederhorn dives into the daredevils of metal music's outrageous pranks, destructive binges, violent outbursts and near-death experiences. And, sometimes, these antics are so outlandish, they couldn't be true. From trashed hotel rooms and sunken boats to out-of-control tour buses, find out the truth behind the over-the-top exploits from Alice Cooper, Baroness, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Pantera, Suicide Silence and more. FROM THIS EPISODE: Baroness vocalist and guitarist John Dyer Baizley recalls a tour bus accident that nearly took his and his bandmates' lives. Alice Cooper sets the record straight on the infamous chicken situation that occurred at one of his concerts. Ozzy Osbourne shares when one of his daughter's teachers claimed he drank a bowl filled with the audience's spit at one of his concerts. The late Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali talks about the pranks he played on Iron Maiden and W.A.S.P.. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi recalls the time a prank went wrong and he set drummer Bill Ward's legs on fire. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian recounts the band's most expensive instance of destruction. Guitarist Zakk Wylde tells the story of when he and Ozzy Osbourne destroyed a hotel room and were left with an expensive bill for repairs. Pantera bassist Rex Brown recalls when he and Dimebag Darrell destroyed an expensive Japanese hotel room with loaded Uzis. The late Suicide Silence lead vocalist Mitch Lucker talks about the time his band trashed a fan's house during a drunken knife fight. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Ever since Black Sabbath named themselves after a horror movie and started writing dark, foreboding songs that buzzed with menace and defiance, fans and creators of hair-raising films and metal made a run into the darkness. In this episode, we dare to peer into the darkest parts of human nature through the lens of metal music and horror. Alice Cooper explains how he invented horror rock and Rob Zombie and Dee Snider talk about their entry into the world of horror moviemaking. Members of Pantera, Metallica, Anthrax, Cannibal Corpse and more describe the inextricable link between metal and horror. FROM THIS EPISODE: Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo says horror movies and extreme metal are outlets for people who don't deny death and accept the pain and tragedy of life. Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett celebrates the darkness and gloom of metal music and horror and says guitar playing acts as a form of therapy and saved his life numerous times when he was younger.. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian explains his love for the catharsis and excitement of metal and horror and considers them to be two sides of the same coin. White Zombie founder and filmmaker Rob Zombie explains how he's been drawn to horror and metal music since he was young. Alice Cooper talks about how he sustained real injuries during his shows' choreographed switchblade fights. Twisted Sister's Dee Snider is baffled by the love his character Captain Howdy in the 1998 horror film Strangeland gets from young women. Film composer and Zombi bass guitarist Steve Moore states he views metal music as a reflection of the political, ecological and social traumas of the ‘90s. Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz says he and his bandmates always sought out the most extreme entertainment they could find, both in film and music. Horror author Jeremy Wagner explains his fascination with horror and death.  Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The bottle has called to many metal musicians since the genre's early days. Some artists found it as a way to push the boundaries of excess, and in some cases, numb out physical and psychological pain. The late Eddie Van Halen drank to write and perform. Other artists got caught up in the partying lifestyle. Either way, whether a happy drunk or crappy drunk, going sober for many was an uphill battle. In this episode, hear scary, and sometimes dramatic, tales of blackout drinking and stories of rehabilitation from host Jon Wiederhorn and members of Van Halen, Pantera, Black Label Society, Lamb of God, Megadeth and more.   FROM THIS EPISODE: Longtime Pantera photographer Joe Giron recounts how the band enjoyed outdrinking their friends and fans.  Van Halen guitarist and songwriter Eddie Van Halen explains how his father recommended drinking to deal with performance anxiety while onstage. Singer Ozzy Osbourne remembers how vulnerable he felt during the beginnings of his sobriety. The late Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul describes the band's nightly meet and greet drinking routine while on the road. Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine thinks back to the drunken antics that led to him being kicked out of Metallica. Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian recalls some of Dave Mustaine's drunken outrageous moments. Slipknot and Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor describes how he used alcohol to drown away his unhappiness and how it took a long time for him to gain the confidence to go sober. Lamb of God's lead vocalist Randy Blythe explains that even though alcohol helped him write, drinking became an all-consuming obsession that led to bodily damage. Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde recounts his near-death experience with blood clots caused by drinking. Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers talks about how his drinking got so bad that he eventually needed a liver transplant. Exodus songwriter and former Slayer guitarist Gary Holt says drinking alone during the pandemic pushed him to go sober. Filmmaker Rat Skates, who also co-founded Overkill, theorizes musicians' creative, obsessive nature may lead them to alcoholism. Listen to how Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth like most of his peers was captivated by the allure of partying and in the mid-90s he spent years emulating other metal bands he admired. The late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell explains the source of his rowdy nature. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Judas Priest's success skyrocketed in the early 1980's. Along with their boom in fame, came a decline in Rob Halford's emotional and physical health. In the second episode of the two episode arc, host Jon Wiederhorn delves into Halford's inability to be himself in the public eye. Eventually Halford would temporarily split from the band, enabling him to explore his music and come out publicly. Hear members of Judas Priest, At the Gates, and Pantera talk about the band and Rob Halford's journey to becoming a metal music icon. FROM THIS EPISODE: Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford talks about losing control to alcohol and drug addiction. Hear the story of when he set off a fire extinguisher in a Japanese businessman's hotel room and the high octane stage stunts Judas Priest put on during their tours. Halford remembers the people the metal industry lost to suicide and his traumatic experience with overdosing. And, how the gay community was used as a scapegoat during the AIDS epidemic. Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill recalls the unravelling and eventual break up of Judas Priest. Guitarist Glenn Tipton shares about touring less and dealing with depression after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Pantera's vocalist Philip Anselmo talks about how it must have been a relief for Rob Halford to perform after coming out and that fans still loved him. At the Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg discusses the importance of Judas Priest album “Stained Glass” to him as a singer. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

As one of the most eclectic and popular British metal bands and pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Judas Priest and their vocal powerhouse frontman Rob Halford will forever be one of the greats. In this episode, the first of a two episode arc, host Jon Wiederhorn discusses the beginnings of Judas Priest with a strong focus on Rob Halford. As a closeted gay man in a heterosexual music world, Halford spent a good portion of his days with the band feeling isolated. Even still, his lyrics and piercing vocals paved the way for future musicians to lean into the aggressive nature of metal music. With exclusive interviews with members of Judas Priest, Diamond Head, Life of Agony, and more, listen to them talk about their experiences with Halford and his many influences on metal.  FROM THIS EPISODE: Judas Priest lead vocalist Rob Halford talks about not being able to recieve sexual intimacy when he was closeted. He also shares the emotional turmoil he endured after being sexually abused as a child and how “Raw Deal” was the only Judas Priest song that truly referenced his homosexuality. Hear Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill talk about the band knowing Rob Halford was gay but waiting until he was ready to come out. Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler describes the influence Judas Priest has on his music. Lead vocalist of Pantera Phil Anselmo goes into detail describing what makes Rob Halford such a powerful vocalist. Life of Agony's lead vocalist Mina Caputo explains how the system didn't allow people to reach their full potential and be true to their nature. Listen to Judas Priest lead guitarist Glenn Tipton recount a story of a prank gone wrong with a group of Hell's Angels. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This episode further explores the impact heroin, a drug some called the angel of death, had on some metal musicians in the 80's, 90's and beyond. Host Jon Wiederhorn and many of metal's biggest names share outrageous stories that include Ministry's drug-fueled visit with William S. Burroughs, Jane's Addiction's adventure through New York City's Alphabet City to score dope, and Guns N' Roses' failed attempt to smuggle heroin onto a flight to Tokyo. Included are interviews with Ratt, as the episode also examines the tragic downfall and AIDS and heroin-related death of their guitarist Robbin Crosby. Members of Eyehategod, Pantera, and many more reveal stories of survival and the pains of addiction. This is the second episode of a two episode arc. FROM THIS EPISODE: Eyehategod vocalist Mike IX Williams describes his self-destructive mentality behind doing drugs. Hear Alan Niven, former manager of Guns N' Roses, recall an incident when members of the band tried to smuggle drugs on a flight to Japan. Pantera's vocalist Philip Anselmo describes how he felt broken after taking heroin and other narcotics to deal with the pain of a back injury. Lead guitarist of Jane's Addiction Dave Navarro walks through when he and the band scored drugs before a big show at Madison Square Garden. Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen recollects how William S. Burroughs wouldn't let the band into his house unless they had brought heroin. Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer recounts how guitarist Robbin Crosby couldn't hold it together during recording sessions due to his struggle with addiction. Deeply affected by guitarist Robbin Crosby's death, Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy says that was the reason he admitted himself into rehab. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In the 80's and 90's metal scene, musicians used heroin to push the limits of excess and chase away their demons. The drug took its toll on some of metal's greatest artists. Many ended up spiraling into the hellish chaos of addiction, some not making it out alive. It was during this period of time that heroin truly became the devil in metal. In this episode, host Jon Wiederhorn interviews members of Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, Pentagram, and Motörhead who share their horror stories and near-death experiences. This is Episode 1 of a 2-Episode arc. FROM THE EPISODE: Alice in Chains lead singer Layne Staley laments on the fact his drug use had come to define him in the public eye. Author and former Black Sabbath publicist Mick Wall shares how drug use incapacitated Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward for three months. Listen as Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx tells how writing in his diary helped him cope during the height of his drug addiction. Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro talks about his near death experience due to a heroin overdose Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine recalls how the band relied on drugs as an escape from their dire financial situation. Hear former Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson describe his downward spiral into a life of addiction. Pentagram lead singer Bobby Liebling recalls when he suffered a near-fatal overdose during a gig in Washington, DC. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll...and girls. All part of metal music's culture. In the five decades of metal, there have been groupies and partying around the clock. The 1980's saw an avalanche of a culture of partying, sex, and overall debauchery. Host Jon Wiederhorn tells how metal profited off that spirit, creating an aesthetic of peak hedonism within its music. Members of KISS, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Ratt, Skid Row, Biohazard along with Lita Ford, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and many more share stories of the wild, and sometimes lonely sexual exploits of metal musicians.  FROM THE EPISODE: KISS vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley explains the meaning of partying in the 1980's. Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth describes the sexual energy Van Halen brought to rock and roll. Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony talks about his first encounter with infamous groupie “Sweet” Connie Hamzy. Eddie Van Halen admits he grew tired of the partying scene and was ready for something more stable. Biohazard vocalist Evan Seinfeld shocks Kiss' Gene Simmons with his photo album of sexual exploits. Sharon and Ozzy Obsourne share the foundation of their love, respect, and devotion to each other. Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock, the co-authors of the New York Times bestseller “Nothin' but a Good Time,” describe how 80's metal bands tapped into the decade's cultural spirit. Learn the meaning of metal music's code of conduct from Ratt singer Stephen Pearcy. Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach recalls the making of the “Eighteen and Life” music video. The Runaways lead guitarist Lita Ford goes into detail on why she became fed up with the record business. Rapper, rocker and actor Ice-T reminisces about when he wandered into a trailer full of groupies. Hear Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna go into detail about the addictive nature of partying and groupies.  Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Black Sabbath and lead guitarist Tony Iommi laid the foundation for metal music. In this episode, Tony shares highs and lows of his journey to becoming a metal legend, including the story of an almost career-ending injury that actually added to Sabbath's dark, demonic sound. Members of Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Pantera, Type O Negative and others share tales and take a deep plunge into the cauldron of molten metal. Black Sabbath's legendary guitarist Tony Iommi recounts the hand injury that almost ended his career. Black Sabbath lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne condemns the hippy movement. Learn how Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler switched from playing guitar to bass for the band. Pantera vocalist Philip Anselmo praises Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi for their fearless sound. Anthrax guitarist and co-founder Scott Ian explains how Tony Iommi is responsible for every riff written in metal. Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. Written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn. Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman. Consulting Producer: Andrew Kalb. Production Assistant: Anita Okoye. Social Media Manager: Stephen Tompkins. Instrumental guitar music by Scott Waxman. Editing by Chris Schreiner. Technical Producer: Clem Fandango. Director of Marketing and Business Development: Jacob Bronstein. Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis. Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA. Learn more about Backstaged at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

As metal music continued to grow in popularity, thrash bands turned up the inclusion of Satanic lyrics and sound in their music. Venom and King Diamond were among those to lead the way. Many metal bands became more extreme, musically and lyrically. Host Jon Wiederhorn speaks with Venom vocalist and bassist Cronos, Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer and King Diamond of Mercyful Fate and many others, as he explores “The Devil in Metal.” This is Episode 2 of a 2-Episode arc.   FROM THE EPISODE:   Venom vocalist and bassist Cronos shares what led him and the band to their style of metal.   Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer talks about his early days on the road.   Mercyful Fate's King Diamond reveals what was behind some of the band's pro-Satanic music.   Morbid Angel's Trey Azagthoth reviews the band's occult rituals.   Atheist frontman Kelly Schaefer goes over some of the crazy “stuff” he saw backstage.   Behemoth frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski reveals if he's a Satanist?   Vincent Crowley, former Acheron frontman, talks about being a member of the Church of Satan.   Mayhem bassist Necrobutcher talks about a very disturbing 1991 incident.   Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio.   This season is written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn.   Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman.   Our Consulting Producer is Andrew Kalb.   Production assistance from Anita Okoye and our Social Media consultant is Stephen Tompkins.   The Instrumental guitar music is by Scott Waxman and editing by Chris Schreiner.   Clem Fandango is our Technical Producer and our Director of Marketing and Business Development is Jacob Bronstein.   Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis.    Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA.   Learn more about the podcast at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Metal became part of culture and music's fabric more than fifty years ago. Host Jon Wiederhorn dives into the dark, outrageous and sometimes raw world at what some call “the devil's music.” Through never-before-heard audio, Wiederhorn takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the history of metal music to hear how the devil brings heaviness and intensity to the music. Hear wild conversations with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, and Coven frontwoman Jinx Dawson, as well as exclusive tales from Megadeath's Dave Mustaine and Bobby Liebling of Pentagram. This is Episode 1 of a 2-Episode arc.   FROM THE EPISODE:   Learn how Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Lynch was turned onto metal music by his brother.   Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares shares how the Satanic Panic of the 1980's played a role in his teen years.   Exodus and Slayer member Gary Holt tells tales of blood brother rituals.   Coven frontwoman Jinx Dawson talks about how controversial the band was.   Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler reveals how the band's interest in Ouija boards, tarot cards and black magic derived from curiosity.   Pentagram frontman Bobby Liebling talks black arts, occult and Satanism.   Megadeath frontman Dave Mustaine shares what led to the song “The Conjuring.”   Backstaged: The Devil in Metal is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio.   This season is written and hosted by Jon Wiederhorn.   Produced and directed by Mark Francis and Scott Waxman.   Our Consulting Producer is Andrew Kalb.   Production assistance from Anita Okoye and our Social Media consultant is Stephen Tompkins.   The Instrumental guitar music is by Scott Waxman and editing by Chris Schreiner.   Clem Fandango is our Technical Producer and our Director of Marketing and Business Development is Jacob Bronstein.   Executive Producers: Scott Waxman and Mark Francis.    Special thanks to Oren Rosenbaum at UTA.   Learn more about the podcast at DiversionPodcasts.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Hear from the biggest names in metal. “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” is a time machine through decades of metal that examines the origins of metal music, its connection to darkness and negativity, the lifestyle of many of its followers and how the genre has upped the ante on the phrase sex, drugs and rock n' roll. Bestselling author and music journalist Jon Wiederhorn is the host of “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal.” Through insightful and sometimes outrageous interviews with musicians over 30 years, we'll take a trip through the various tropes of metal and examine and sometimes celebrate the elements that make metal so appealing. We'll hunt down the devil within and discover why it's okay and even necessary to keep metal alive. Listen to “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” for free on May 14th. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com