Mars Attacks Podcast

In Episode 445, Victor sits down with Alex Skolnick for a wide-ranging conversation that digs into creativity, collaboration, and the mindset of a player who never stops evolving. From the unique chemistry behind Metal Allegiance to reflections on live performance, artistic curiosity beyond metal, and moments that defined a legendary career, this episode balances deep guitar talk with thoughtful storytelling. We talk Metal Allegiance, Testament, Savatage, Ozzy, and The Alex Skolnick Trio.#AlexSkolnick #MetalAllegiance #SignalsFromMarsThank you goes out to my Patrons:Steven SailerSteve HoekerJeremy WeltmanMike JonesBrad DahlMark StriglGabriel RuizChris VaglioMetal DanJohan EderströmEd FergusonAnthony MackeyToni EspinSean RichmondThank you for being so supportive!

In Episode 444 of Signals From Mars, I'm joined by Ben and Nuno from A Wilhelm Scream for a wide-ranging conversation that dives into the mindset behind their latest album Cheap Heat, the band's creative process, and the many layers that make up their sound and identity.Rather than sticking to surface-level promo talk, this interview explores how the band thinks about album construction, influence, environment, collaboration, and longevity—both musically and personally. From unexpected cultural touchstones to the realities of self-producing records, this is a discussion rooted in experience, honesty, and mutual respect.If you're interested in how bands evolve without boxing themselves into a single genre, how outside perspectives shape great records, or how chemistry inside a band develops over time, this episode offers plenty to chew on—without needing to spell everything out for you upfront.

In Signals From Mars – Episode 443, I'm joined by Kat Keo of Hoaxed to talk about the band's latest album, Death Knocks, and the evolution of their sound and lineup.We get into the sonic jump you'll hear on this record, the creative process behind bringing April Dimmick into the fold, how that changed what the band can do musically, and how Death Knocks came together after Two Shadows. We also dig into genre labels (hard rock / heavy metal / gothic rock), the realities of coming from the Pacific Northwest, what it means having Relapse Records behind the band, and—most importantly—where you should buy the album to best support the band directly.If you're into dark, heavy music with atmosphere and hooks, this one's for you.#SignalsFromMars #Hoaxed #HeavyMetalThank you to my patrons:Steven SailerSteve HoekerJeremy WeltmanMike JonesBrad DahlMark StriglGabriel RuizChris VaglioMetal DanJohan EderströmEd FergusonAnthony MackeyToni EspinSean RichmondThank you for being so supportive!Hoaxed / Kat Keo LinksHoaxedOfficial Site: https://www.hoaxedband.comBandcamp: https://hoaxed.bandcamp.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoaxedband/Kat KeoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat_keo/Relapse (Album / Store info)Relapse album page: https://www.relapse.com/pages/hoaxed-death-knocksSignals From Mars LinksWebsite: https://www.signalsfrommars.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMarsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/signalsfrommars

Signals From Mars – Episode 442January 2026 Albums ReviewEpisode 442 kicks off the 2026 album review season.Victor is joined by Jeremy (UK) and Ed (Kentucky) to discuss selected hard rock and heavy metal releases from January 2026. The month starts slow following the holidays, but quickly builds momentum with several notable releases across thrash, sludge, symphonic metal, traditional heavy metal, and underground death metal.Rather than covering everything released, the show focuses on the albums that stood out most to the panel — including both major releases and lesser-known underground records.Each host shares their personal Album of the Week selections, offering insight into what made those records rise above the rest.If you're looking for a curated guide to January's most talked-about metal releases, Episode 442 delivers exactly that.Thank You to Our PatronsSignals From Mars is supported by listeners like you.Special thanks to:Steven Sailer Steve Hoeker Jeremy Weltman Mike Jones Brad Dahl Mark Strigl Gabriel Ruiz Chris Vaglio Metal Dan Johan Ederström Ed Ferguson Anthony Mackey Toni Espin Sean RichmondYour continued support keeps the show independent and growing.Join the Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommarsConnect with Signals From MarsWebsite: https://www.signalsfrommars.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/signalsfrommarsSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your preferred podcast platform.

In Episode 441 of Signals From Mars, we're joined by Seattle heavy metal band Greyhawk to discuss their third full-length album, Warriors Of Greyhawk. Since emerging in 2018, Greyhawk has established themselves as one of the most consistently productive and road-tested bands in modern traditional heavy metal, releasing multiple EPs and full-length albums while refining their sound with each release.This conversation focuses on process, evolution, and intent rather than surface-level promotion. We explore how the band approaches songwriting over long stretches of time, how creative chemistry evolves with lineup changes, and whether Warriors Of Greyhawk followed a specific vision or revealed itself naturally during its creation.We also talk about the role of producer Henrik Udd, the importance of bass performance in shaping the album's identity, and how closely the band collaborated on the album's striking artwork. Physical media still matters in heavy metal, and Greyhawk shares insight into working with their label to bring Warriors Of Greyhawk to fans on vinyl, CD, and cassette.The discussion touches on Seattle's deep and varied musical history, including influences that may not be immediately obvious, and wraps up with practical ways fans can support the band directly and stay connected going forward.If you're interested in how modern heavy metal albums are actually made, this episode delivers a thoughtful, in-depth conversation without giving anything away.

Signals From Mars – Episode 440On Episode 440 of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Bones and Rhea of UK heavy metal band Tailgunner to talk about their new album Midnight Blitz and the road that led them there.The conversation explores the band's collaboration with legendary guitarist KK Downing, how that relationship came together naturally, and what it was like having such a hands-on presence involved in shaping the album. Bones and Rhea also discuss the evolution of Tailgunner since their debut Guns For Hire, balancing classic heavy metal influences with their own identity, and the challenges of building a lineup that truly shares the same vision.The episode also touches on touring, recent shows with Hammerfall, upcoming festival appearances, and what fans can expect when they see Tailgunner live — without giving too much away. It's a great look at a modern British metal band focused on longevity, growth, and staying true to heavy metal.

Signals From Mars – Episode 439 Fan-Voted 2025 Albums Countdown (Livestream)In Episode 439 of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by members of the Signals From Mars community to recap the results of the fan-voted 2025 albums countdown.Listeners submitted their Top 10 albums of the year, the votes were tallied, and the final rankings were revealed live on air. This episode is driven entirely by the audience — no critics, no editorial lists, just passionate music fans discussing the albums that defined the year for them.Throughout the episode, the panel reacts to surprises, debates placements, and reflects on what made 2025 such a strong year for hard rock and heavy metal. With 80 albums receiving votes, this countdown highlights the depth, diversity, and vitality of modern rock and metal.Whether you agree with the final rankings or not, this episode is about discovery, discussion, and celebrating new music — exactly what Signals From Mars is all about.

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In Episode 432 of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Ulf “Uffe” Pettersson, vocalist of Swedish thrashers Mezzrow, to discuss the band's powerful new album Embrace The Awakening. Uffe reflects on Sweden's enduring metal culture, the impact of recent losses in the community—especially Thomas Lindberg of At The Gates—and how Mezzrow rediscovered their spark decades after disbanding.Uffe explains how the band reunited in 2021 after finding an old recording they'd made with their late former guitarist. This led to recruiting guitarist Magnus Söderman and producer/guitarist Ronny Bjarnström, helping Mezzrow evolve while remaining rooted in Bay Area–influenced thrash. The band focused on making a concise, high-quality album, selecting eight of twelve written tracks for maximum impact. They avoided keyboards this time to create a more live, energetic thrash feel, while still blending in subtle influences from jazz, prog, and black metal.Victor and Uffe discuss how the new songs fit alongside Mezzrow classics like “Frozen Soul,” how the band approaches setlist balance, and why intimate festivals such as Muskelrock remain personal favorites. Uffe also reacts to press comparisons to modern Testament and Coroner, a compliment he embraces proudly—especially after sharing a stage with Coroner in Bulgaria.Mezzrow keeps fans updated through active social media, and the best way to support the band is by purchasing merch directly from their official shop.

Signals From Mars – Episode 431: Rich Knox (Danko Jones)In Episode 431, Victor is joined by Rich Knox, drummer for Danko Jones, to talk about the band's new album Leo Rising, his journey into the band, working with Marty Friedman, and what keeps the Danko Jones sound sharp after more than a dozen years behind the kit.Rich shares stories about his audition for the band, touring with The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry, the differences between jazz and rock musicians, and how the band writes music while living in three different countries. He also reflects on pandemic-era livestreams, KISS fandom, and what makes a great rock song.The conversation also dives into Rich's passion for health, mindset, and fitness. Through his project Performers Health, he helps musicians stay healthy on and off the road. Learn more at: https://performershealth.comTopics include:• Making Leo Rising• Collaborating with Marty Friedman• The Danko Jones songwriting process• Minimalist drumming philosophy• Jazz vs. rock approaches• Touring stories & festival moments• Pandemic livestream memories• Health, wellness & Performers Health• Staying grounded as a touring musician

Signals From Mars – Episode 430: Condition CriticalIn this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Tony Barhoum from New Jersey thrashers Condition Critical! Tony discusses the band's first new album in nine years, Degeneration Chamber, their connection to New Jersey's thrash legacy, and how they balance old-school aggression with a modern sound.The conversation touches on the influence of local legends like Overkill and DD Verni, the band's DIY approach to recording, and how they shaped the album's late-'80s spirit without sounding dated. Tony also talks about his gear setup, unexpected musical influences, frustrations with streaming platforms, and shares a favorite memory of Ace Frehley.Topics discussed include:• New Jersey thrash roots• Mischief Night traditions• Joining Condition Critical• Why Extermination Plan and Degeneration Chamber are nine years apart• Engineering and producing the new album• Gear talk• Surprising influences• Remembering Ace Frehley• Where to buy Degeneration Chamber to best support the band

Signals From Mars – Episode 429: Howling GiantIn this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Tom Polzine and Sebastian Baltes from Nashville heavy rockers Howling Giant to discuss their new album Crucible & Ruin, released on Halloween.The band talks about Nashville's influence, how their sound has evolved since Glass Future, and how the addition of Adrian on keys expanded their creative scope. They share details about writing and recording Crucible & Ruin, favorite gear, and the band's unique approach to putting their own spin on classic covers.The discussion also reflects on the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, and what Ozzy's passing means to them as musicians and fans.Whether you're a longtime listener or new to Howling Giant, this episode offers a deep dive into their creative process, influences, and drive to make timeless, riff-heavy rock that transcends trends.Topics Discussed:• Nashville's impact on Howling Giant's sound• The making of Crucible & Ruin• How Glass Future inspired their next steps• Gear talk and production choices• Sebastian's journey to joining the band• Their take on cover songsConnect with Howling Giant:

In this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Jeremy and Ed to review the new hard rock and metal album releases from July and August 2025. Together, they dive into standout records, hidden gems, and surprising letdowns across a wide spectrum of styles — from thrash and power metal to gothic and progressive sounds.This is the first live episode in months, marking the start of Year 16 of the podcast. Expect passionate takes, varied perspectives, and plenty of music discovery.Key Topics & TimestampsKicking off Year 16 + July 2025 album highlights (00:02:30)Debating originality in modern metal vs. retro influences (00:16:10)Standout picks from mid-July releases, including supergroups and live albums (00:29:45)August 2025 highlights: technical death metal, gothic metal, and groove-heavy releases (01:05:20)Final thoughts on August's closing week and recap of each host's album of the week (01:55:40)Actionable Takeaways for ListenersExplore variety: Don't limit yourself to one subgenre — standout releases this summer ranged from thrash to gothic to progressive metal.Listen critically: Production quality, originality, and songwriting can make or break an album, even from established artists.Check the underdogs: Independent and lesser-known bands like Mods, Caststrator, and Rust n' Rage delivered fresh, unexpected quality.Revisit legends: Alice Cooper, Halloween, and Deftones proved that veteran acts can still surprise with strong, relevant material.Look for supergroups: Projects like Nefarious and Firstborne highlight how collaborations between seasoned musicians can produce unique results.Stay open-minded: Some albums that didn't initially appeal still sparked debate and earned respect on second listen.Use album-of-the-week picks as a playlist starter — each host highlighted their top record for every week in July and August.

In this episode of Signals From Mars, I'm joined by Laura Donnelly, vocalist of the incredible Scottish doom metal band Kingwitch. We dive deep into the making of their latest album, III — their most powerful and emotionally resonant release yet.Laura opens up about the five-year gap between albums, much of which was shaped by family life, creative resets, and the band's commitment to authenticity. We explore how having a child and taking time away from the road gave them the space to refine their sound and make a record that truly represents where Kingwitch is today.We also get into the DIY nature of the band — with Laura contributing graphic design and Jamie (guitarist/partner) handling production and mixing duties. You'll hear stories about recording in their home studio, experimenting with fretless bass, and even using their child's xylophone on the record!

In episode 422 of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes back longtime friend and podcasting peer Joshua Toomey for a deep and candid conversation about the state of podcasting, legacy rock bands, and Toomey's latest creative projects.Toomey—co-host of The David Ellefson Podcast, host of Talk Toomey, and member of the reunited Primer 55—opens up about his podcasting evolution, lessons learned from past co-hosts and platforms (including Knotfest), and why his new partnership with Ellefson has been both rejuvenating and surreal.The episode dives into:

This episode centers on a full fan and panelist breakdown of the Back to the Beginning tribute concert — the final show for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. The panel (Victor, Brad, and Jeremy) reviews performances, band lineups, vocal quality, setlists, and surprises from the event.Major topics covered:

We're back with a fresh batch of riffs, reviews, and recommendations as we dive into the hard rock and metal album releases from June 2025! In this episode, Jeremy Weltman joins me once again to break down four solid weeks of new music. From well-known acts to rising names and left-field surprises, we take a critical listen and give our unfiltered opinions on what hit hard—and what missed the mark.Every week brought something unique, and this episode includes a full track-by-track run through the month's most talked-about (and some overlooked) releases. As always, we each selected our “Album of the Week” for each Friday drop, and there's no shortage of debate, surprises, and contrasts in what caught our ears.

In this episode of Signals From Mars, I'm joined by Matt Hartnett and Tanner Poppitt—the creative duo behind the powerful new documentary Lifers.

May 2025 Albums Review | Signals From Mars June 5th, 2025

Solo Stream: Metal Legends, Setlist Controversies & What My Kids Are Listening ToTonight marks my first solo show in quite a while, and I've got a packed lineup of topics that blend metal nostalgia, modern critiques, and some personal music reflections.

Anthony Scinto from the Hooligan Nation Podcast joins the show as we dive into the biggest topics in rock and metal this week.Topping the list: the official announcement from KISS — KISS Army Storms Vegas.Here's what's going down:To celebrate 50 years of the KISS Army, the band is throwing the wildest fan festival Vegas has ever seen.

February 2025 Albums Review | Signals From Mars March 7th, 2025

January 2025 Albums Review | Signals From Mars February 7th, 2025

Jason McMaster Joins Signals From Mars to Discuss His Career, Influences, and Future Projects On the latest episode of Signals From Mars, Jason McMaster dives deep into his journey as a musician and his various creative endeavors. Here's what you can expect: - Ignitor's latest release, Horns And Hammers, and the strong NWOBHM influence behind it. - Collaborating on the cover of the Saxon song "Machine Gun" with Marc Lopes and Ross The Boss. - Insights into his podcast, Talk Louder, and how it connects with his musical ventures. - Being the go-to frontman for bands like Ignitor, S.A. Slayer, Watchtower, Armored Saint, Accept, and more. - The future of Cassius King—what's next for this exciting project? Tune in to Signals From Mars for this exclusive interview where Jason McMaster shares his experiences, influences, and what's ahead in his storied career. Don't miss it!