Fathoming Heavy

Ghorot/Uzala guitarist Chad Remains takes us back to his early days moving from city to city with his family, discovering epic heavy music through Rush and Zeppelin, almost seeing Iron Maiden in 1985, living in Idaho, studying a multitude of instruments while taking none seriously, moving to Seattle in the early 90s, and then moving back to Boise and getting serious with Uzala, a band that set two goals, met them both, and called it quits. Chad explains how he hooked up with Ghorot and how playing heavy music continues to act as a profound form of catharsis. We end our conversation revisiting the thing over which we bonded six years ago, the love of Black Sabbath's Born Again. https://ghorot.bandcamp.com/album/loss-of-light https://uzala.bandcamp.com/album/uzala closing music: Black Sabbath - Born Again fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Martin takes us back to his early years growing up in a small Swedish town, discovering metal, hanging out with kids who eventually became well-known players in the Swedish metal scene, experimenting with different forms of heavy and noisy music until forming Domkraft and the release of Domkraft’s brilliant new LP “Seeds”. Along the way we discuss the pros and cons of horror films on VHS vs. Blu-ray, whether cds are going to make a come-back, and the broken wonder that is Mark Lanegan. https://domkraft.bandcamp.com/musics closing music: Screaming Trees - I've Seen You Before fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Join James and me as we dig into the pandemic and other experiences over the past year, his work with harm reduction, and our own stories around recovery. James grew up in a small northern California town and talks about his early affinity for learning through sound, being active in musical theater from a young age, learning guitar through his father’s folk records, discovering heavy music, traveling to shows via freight trains and playing in a bunch of bands until finding the musicians with whom he’d form Exulansis. We get into Exulansis and finally his solo work and the double-edged sword that is record collecting. https://exulansisoregon.bandcamp.com/ https://jameshenderson87.bandcamp.com/releases closing music: Elliott Smith - Between the Bars fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Rhett takes us back to his early days and drum influences, discovering death metal in the late 80s, the rise and demise of Morgion, the sheer, loose joy of Gravehill, and delving into traditional doom terrain with Stygian Crown. He shares stories from along the way as well as some rich perspectives about interpersonal relationships and band dynamics, growing and maturing and dealing with conflicts, and the intangible alchemy or synergy that can only happen with certain specific people at certain specific times. https://stygiancrown.bandcamp.com/ https://gravehill666.bandcamp.com/ https://morgion.bandcamp.com/album/the-relapse-collection closing music: Black Sabbath - After All (the Dead) fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Fathoming Heavy meets up with the Fister Three to discuss personal and band life during the pandemic, the band's upcoming livestream Video Death, and the John Christ collaboration that never was.

Monte and I check in first about the pandemic and protests before delving into his story, including his time in Aberdeen, Washington, moving to Seattle, and discovering death metal and doom. We go deep into the psychology within his creative process, the beginnings of Un, and how his bout with cancer changed him. https://unvibes.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Ahab - The Pacific fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Jake takes us through his formative years, from discovering Ramones and Nirvana, to dissecting Melvins songs, to picking up and putting down the guitar, studying film, his decision to go all-in with music, the evolution of Chrome Ghost, band dynamics, intimacy in live performance, and pride over that 2.75 out of 10 review. https://chromeghost-us.bandcamp.com/ https://chromesludge.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Melvins - Lysol (excerpt) fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Boghaunter guitarist Michael Demers takes us back to his formative years and covers the spectrum from AC/DC to Neurosis. We go deep into the importance of heavy music in his life, and our lives inside heavy music. Check out Boghaunter's ep Writhe through the link below. https://boghaunter.bandcamp.com/album/boghaunter-writhe-ep https://seeingredrecords.bandcamp.com/ and check out Rade Hendrix's KWNK Death special: https://www.mixcloud.com/KWNK/unknown-the-witching-hour-november-10th-2019/?fbclid=IwAR2tW_UdCs7-ykePyJ6cppuoRSz6iqj2feSDzk6hsZZfIm1udZOIhfz8i8g closing music: Neurosis - Times of Grace fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Drummer Colby Byrn takes us on a music-fueled journey from a small town in Iowa to a big town in California, playing drums in punk and metal bands and tapping into some heavy emotional catharsis along the way. https://ailsmetal.bandcamp.com/ https://amarok.bandcamp.com/ https://2084.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Christian Death - Cavity-First Communion fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Swedish musician and writer David Isberg returns to the pod to discuss all things Iron Maiden and updates us on goings-on in his world, from his band bloodofjupiter to his new book (stochastic variables & pain, a settlement) to his association with legendary Swedish metal brethren Mefisto. UP THE IRONS! closing music: Iron Maiden - The Clansman https://bloodofjupiter.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Stevie takes us through her early days in Florida, discovering death metal, playing in Cystic Dysentery, meeting Rob Shaffer and starting Dark Castle, moving to Portland, working with Ash Spungen inTaurus, her creative partnership with Jef Whitehead (Leviathan), the importance of silence and interconnectivity, being a mother, her visual art and the re-opening of her store Devout Records. Check out Stevie's work at: https://steviefloyd.bandcamp.com/ https://darkcastlemetal.bandcamp.com/ https://devoutrcrds.bandcamp.com/ https://natvr.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Death - Painkiller fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Will takes us back to discovering heavy music through, of all people, Miles Davis and especially guitarist Pete Cosey, playing heavy/jazzy improvised music early on, discovering Electric Wizard and doom, moving from Vermont to San Francisco, coming to terms with being non-binary, using music as an outlet for sorting out and expressing some heavy personal experiences, and ways in which the metal scene succeeds and fails in terms of social justice and inclusion. Check out Body Void’s music at : https://bodyvoid.bandcamp.com/ https://transylvaniantapes.bandcamp.com/ https://www.drycoughrecords.com/ Outro Music: Miles Davis - Tatu , Pt. 2 (Dark Magus) fathomingheavy@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/fathomingheavy/?hl=en facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Chris takes us through discovering heavy music in the early 2000s, shifting from saxophone to guitar, his evolution into playing low and slow music and eventually starting Chrch, the importance of doom in today's landscape, and why Yob rules. https://churchdoom.bandcamp.com/ https://cvltnation.bandcamp.com/album/black-sabbath-black-sabbath-the-cvlt-nation-sessions https://www.neurotrecordings.com/ https://transylvaniantapes.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Chrch - The Wizard (from the Cvlt Nation Black Sabbath sessions, link above) fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

In part two of FH's conversation with guitarist Craig Locicero, we discuss Craig's experiences in Manmade God working with Rick Rubin and American Recordings, the shift to Spiralarms, the re-kindling of Forbidden, joining forces with Peter Dolving for Dress the Dead before finding the unlikely but perfect voice in Kayla Dixon. In the midst, we touch on how pivotal moments in Bay Area post-thrash impacted both of us. https://officialforbidden.com/ http://www.dressthedead.com/ closing music: Forbidden - Chalice of Blood fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

In part one of FH's conversation with guitarist Craig Locicero, Craig takes us back to picking up a guitar in the early 80's, forging relationships with like-minded kids (including one Rob(b) Flynn), tells tales of the glory days of the second wave of Bay Area thrash and its demise, touches on triumphs and regrets and primes us for more in our upcoming part two. https://officialforbidden.com/ http://www.dressthedead.com/ closing music: The Beatles - Helter Skelter fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

On the eve of Abstracter's first tour of Japan, Mattia takes us back to growing up in Italy, the struggle to find a heavy music community, his early influences, relocating to Oakland because of music, the birth of Abstracter and Atrament and ultimately the labor of love that is his record label. https://abstracter.bandcamp.com/ https://atrament.bandcamp.com/ http://abstracterband.com/ closing music: Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Music business entrepreneur and journalist Matt Bacon takes us back to his dependence on metal while growing up in France, starting his blog, making contacts with industry folks and eventually establishing himself as a manager, consultant and merchandiser. He's only 22 years old but has incredible knowledge, skills and experience. Listen to his story! http://dropoutmedia.net/ https://www.dropoutmerch.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mattbacon666/ https://www.facebook.com/dropoutmedia666/ http://www.twoguysmetalreviews.com/ closing music: Freddie King - Hide Away fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Bay Area metal drummer Will Carroll takes us through the mid-80's thrash scene, learning to play drums left-handed on a right-handed kit, meeting early his bandmates, the dissolution of the scene, thinking ahead in Old Grandad, joining Death Angel and Hammers of Misfortune, his dj gig at Gimmie Radio, and a whole lot about Kiss. https://www.deathangel.us/ https://hammersofmisfortune.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Old-Grandad-1430475877219795/ https://gimmeradio.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInK6IuLLA3QIVAjBpCh2F3ghgEAAYASAAEgJyQPD_BwE#/welcome closing music: Gene Simmons - Radioactive fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Harley shares stories of growing up in Berkeley, his early explorations of hip hop, electronic music and metal, learning to play drums and ultimately starting Wild Hunt, joining Dimesland and later Dispirit, his electronic music project The Samps, and the impact of the unexpected death of a bandmate and friend on his life and creative process. https://wildhunt.bandcamp.com/ https://thesamps.bandcamp.com/ https://dispirit.bandcamp.com/ https://dimesland.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Portal - Black Houses fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Dave takes us through his early years in the Bay Area punk and metal scenes, meeting the musicians with whom he would eventually form Neurosis, keeping busy with projects like Kicker and his collaboration with Krallice, and how spending most of his life in one of the most important heavy bands of all time has inspired, impacted and humbled him. https://www.neurosis.com/ https://kicker.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Sacrilege B.C. - Skinned Alive fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Terry takes us back to discovering Black Sabbath, the pivotal decision he made after an Iron Maiden show, buying his first guitar, joining Disrupt, spinning off, slowing down and slugging it out with Grief, and explains his reasons for returning to slow, heavy music with Come to Grief. https://cometogrief.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/extremesludge/ closing music: Black Sabbath - Disturbing the Priests fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Writer/Wild Hunt bassist Avinash Mittur and I geek out over Judas Priest and discuss their stellar new record, lineup changes, the awesome Firepower tour set list, the landmine that is Nostradamus, and his recent conversations with K.K. Downing, Les Binks and the Metal God himself. http://www.invisibleoranges.com/stained-class-judas-priest/ http://www.invisibleoranges.com/rob-halford-interview/ http://www.invisibleoranges.com/judas-priest-firepower-review/ http://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-tom-allom-jack-ruston-judas-priest-producer/ https://www.eleventhvision.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Sean tells tales of riding the rails, how to get kicked out of church, moving to the Bay Area, and how Badr Vogu works as an outlet for anger and activism. https://badrvogu.bandcamp.com/ http://www.tribunaloftheaxe.com/ closing music: Badr Vogu - Deadweight fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Erik takes us back to his days in the Bay Area thrash scene with Epidemic, through his years with Old Grandad and into his move to Portland and the beginning of Aerial Ruin. He also discusses his contributions to Bell Witch, his DIY ethic and catching Dio with his dad on the Holy Diver tour (Erik's dad, not Dio's dad). http://www.aerialruin.com/ https://aerialruin.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Aerial Ruin-Nameless Sun fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

My first interview ever, nearly 30 years ago, with Sean Killian of Violence. Support Sean as he deals with serious health issues! Go to the Killian on Command benefit on January 20th, 2018 at the Midway in SF. Celebrate his legacy and do what you can to help. https://skilliancharityfund2017.com/ https://www.facebook.com/events/648851575502605/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Nathan Verrill of Cardinal Wyrm discusses growing up in the San Francisco music scene, moving from 80s thrash and post punk to experimental explorations in the 90s to his time with Cardinal Wyrm. https://cardinalwyrm.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Mercyful Fate-Desecration of Souls fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Fredrik takes us back to growing up in Stockholm, discovering his dad's record collection, the impact of Alice Cooper, Nirvana and the Misfits, the heaviness of David Eugene Edwards and Nick Cave, learning the guitar and ultimately starting Nest and joining Society's Decline. https://nestsweden.bandcamp.com/releases https://societysdecline.bandcamp.com/ http://www.tribunaloftheaxe.com/ closing music: Nest-Under the Sword fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Laurie takes us through her move from the east to west coasts in the early 90s, playing in San Francisco punk bands, stumbling upon and having her mind blown by black metal, the joys and challenges of Bay Area living, finding a home in Ludicra, growing as a lyricist, the essential release of performing, and what's in store for Ails. https://ailsmetal.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Bethlehem - Kalt' Ritt in leicht faltiger Leere fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Dino recounts experiences in three seminal underground bands as he talks about music as an essential outlet throughout his life. noothgrush.bandcamp.com/ closing music: Thergothon - Yet the Watchers Guard fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Kenny shares stories of unfortunate on-stage incidents, discovering hard rock through MTV, learning to play guitar though his early bands, the evolution and maturation of Fister, striving to become the adult that the 13-year-old Kenny would most respect, and his deep hatred of Aerosmith. closing music - (mostly) Fister - The Failure fister.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Listen to a post Psycho Vegas conversation about amazing bands, Rebecca's background and introduction to heavy music, how music and literature influenced her as she grew, major life decisions made in the pursuit of creativity, the origins of SubRosa, and wresting with a deep spiritual/moral conflict. closing music: Melvins - Boris https://subrosa.cc/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Justin takes us back to his beginnings, discovering Piece of Mind in his dad's cassette collection, moving from Seattle to Southern California as a teenager, discovering and playing slow, heavy music, the trials and tribulations of late-era Morgion, moving to the East Coast, and life in his current bands Onera and Come to Grief. closing music: My Dying Bride-God Is Alone https://onera.bandcamp.com/releases https://cometogrief.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Nathan takes us through his years in Arizona, the birth and death and rebirth of Graves at Sea, relocating to California, his stint with Laudanum, struggles with addiction, the loss of a beloved companion and his new life in Berlin. closing music: Grief-Depression https://www.facebook.com/GravesAtSea/ https://gravesatsea.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Fathoming Heavy Episode 17: Pranjal Tiwari of Cardinal Wyrm Pranjal and I discuss the fire that destroyed his home earlier this year, what it was like to be a metal kid growing up in Hong Kong, the impact of horror films and literature on him, playing drums by default, creating a mythos around art (and the pitfalls of that), and prevailing themes that run though his music and lyrics. https://cardinalwyrm.bandcamp.com/ intermission music: Sepultura - Slaves of Pain closing music: Joy Division - Exercise One fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Leila takes us back to her teenage years playing with punk bands at CBGB through her migration to the SF Bay Area in the early 2000s, finding a home in the metal and experimental communities, and the inner workings of her current projects, including Vastum, Ionophore and her solo work. https://leilaabdulrauf.bandcamp.com/ https://ionophore.bandcamp.com/ https://vastum.bandcamp.com/ https://cardinalwyrm.bandcamp.com/ closing music: The Great Kat - The Flight of the Bumblebee fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Albert and I chat about his journey through heavy music, leading to his book Choosing Death and the launch of Decibel magazine, about the rough 1990s, becoming older metal fans, and why Kreator still matters. http://decibelmagazine.com/ closing music: Kreator - Storming with Menace fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Chris discusses growing up in the Boston metal and hardcore scene, searching for like-minded doom musicians, finding community in the Bay Area, Fórn's upcoming European tour (their first, including a stop at Roadburn) and progress on the band's new record. closing music: Graves at Sea: The Ashes Make Her Beautiful https://forn.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

James discusses his tumultuous childhood, his entry into religion, the emotional release he found through heavy metal, his love of nu metal in the 90s, making countless recordings with his friends, getting serious with Swamp Witch and Caffa, filming bands, his cassette-only label, the impact of heavy luminaries, and his hatred of Bob Dylan. closing music: Flower Travellin' Band-Satori Part 1 https://transylvaniantapes.bandcamp.com/ http://www.tribunaloftheaxe.com/shop/swamp-with-the-slithering-bog https://swampwitch.bandcamp.com/ https://caffa.bandcamp.com/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Mike and I delve into the ways metal has impacted his life and how it ties much of his world together. He talks about growing up in rural Oregon, how a random philosophy book changed his life, his depression, and how music has helped him navigate it all. fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Avinash and I discuss growing up in the South Bay, the trip to Big Al’s Record Barn that started both his record collection and his interest in audio engineering, how his writing career began as a way to get into shows for free, his Invisible Oranges piece on Lucifer’s Hammer, the longevity of the Bay Area metal scene, the pros and cons of commercial heavy metal, the pros and cons of Rick Rubin, how we listen to music, technological advances in audio technology, how to navigate the vast quantity of music available today, and why the Bay Area music scene is worth celebrating. http://www.invisibleoranges.com/the-story-of-lucifers-hammer-part-1/ fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

In this episode David Isberg talks about growing up in the Swedish death metal scene, his friendship with Dead from Mayhem, seeing Cliff Burton's final show, forming numerous bands, including Opeth, his current project bloodofjupiter, and the catharsis of writing a trilogy of books. https://bloodofjupiter.bandcamp.com/releases Closing music: Opeth-Requiem of Lost Souls, live in 1991 fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

A conversation with Matt Harvey about discovering metal, being in a band for most of his life, why today's kids are alright, and of course the mighty Metallica. fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

I sit down with heavy metal journalist Justin Norton to discuss growing up with metal in Maryland, his entry into metal journalism, how metal can be a complex world to navigate, and why Venom rules. Check out Justin's recently posted piece on Heavy Metal Parking Lot : http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/2016/10/2/parking-lot-eternal-a-belated-elegy-for-dave-donahue fathomingheavy@gmail.com facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Scott Carlson of Repulsion, Cathedral, Death Breath, Church of Misery discusses growing up with music in Flint, Michigan, his thoughts on the now legendary Horrified LP, playing with Cathedral on the Mercyful Fate reunion tour and how music continues to be the driving force in his life. fathomingheavy@gmail.com www.facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

In this episode John and I discuss the early Bay Area thrash scene, SF visits by Mercyful Fate and Venom, Rampage Radio, record shopping and his musical trajectory from early projects through Weakling, The Gault, Asunder and Dispirit. fathomingheavy@gmail.com www.facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy

Ross and I discuss his musical roots, bands (including a brief stint in Wolves In the Throne Room), Kiss, Gwar, his stage diving mom, hanging out with Voivod, and cleaning up cover art for Sodom reissues. In the midst he offers a heartfelt public service announcement about the seriousness of colon cancer. facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy fathomingheavy@gmail.com

A long conversation with Aesop Dekker of Vhol, Worm Ouroboros, Ludicra and Agalloch. facebook.com/fathomingheavy twitter.com/FathomingHeavy fathomingheavy@gmail.com

Episode 3: Russ Kent of Noothgrush & Alaric by Fathoming Heavy

Episode 2: Todd Meister of Dispirit by Fathoming Heavy

Inaugural Fathoming Heavy podcast. I sit down with Dylan Desmond from Bell Witch and discuss doom, Lorca, and everything in between.