Metal University

The professors list and discuss their favorite five metal albums from different artists. And they learn that they might need to follow up with a look at music from the twenty-first century. (Note: the audio is only wonky for the first ten seconds and then becomes normal.) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors dig into Savatage's entire eleven-studio-album catalog and each determine their top 5 Savatage songs. If you're a Savatage fan, you'll want to hear which deep cuts make the rankings. If you're not a Savatage fan, the lists will give you the perfect place to start listening.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors swap albums, each giving the other something new to them. Chris gives Bryan Symphony X's Paradise Lost, and Bryan gives Chris Overkill's The Electric Age. The professors talk about their initial (and mildly prolonged) experiences with these bands and albums they weren't initially familiar with. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors dig into Iron Maiden's entire seventeen-studio-album catalog and each determine their top 5 Maiden songs. If you're an Iron Maiden fan, you'll want to hear which deep cuts make the rankings. If you're not a Maiden fan, the lists will give you the perfect place to start listening. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors are back with an episode from the vault. Join Bryan and Chris as they discuss the connections between metal music and the horror genre; the professors consider lyrics, album art, and themes among other elements that overlap. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors are back with special guest Dr. Nelson Varas-Diaz to discuss globalization and the metal of the global south. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors explore the various ways in which metal and religion interact, including discussions of religious bands, stigmas on both sides, and the ways in which metal and religion might not be as diametrically opposed as some might think. They also consider metal-based churches and the influences that metal and religion might have on each other. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors continue their series exploring the many subgenres of heavy metal. This time: thrash. Bryan and Chris discuss everything from lyrical content, musical hallmarks, and important bands to the very name itself and why we might call this kind of music thrash. This time, Bryan has been listening to Anthrax and Carcass, and Chris has been listening to Ex Libris. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors discuss the merits, flaws, legacy, and controversy of Metallica's most successful (and potentially most divisive) album. Bryan and Chris consider the often differing opinions of fans and musicians and dive deep into what exactly this album means for Metallica as a band and for metal as an entire genre. This time around, Chris has been listening to Dream Theater's live album cover of the entire Master of Puppets album. Bryan has been listening to Megadeth and shares his thoughts on the Megadeth and Lamb of God show. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

The professors begin their series exploring the many subgenres of heavy metal. Up first: New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Bryan and Chris discuss the formation of the subgenre, the popular and obscure bands who make up NWOBHM, and the reasons why it dropped off in popularity. They also look at its contemporaries and consider how it influenced thrash and glam metal. This time around, Bryan and Chris have both been listening to Iron Maiden. Chris discusses the rare version of "The Wicker Man," and Bryan ranks his top (and bottom) Maiden albums. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris talk about experiences they've had while introducing metal to non-metalheads. What are the benefits of putting ourselves out there to share the music we love? Do metalheads have an obligation to spread the word and introduce new people and groups to metal? This time around, Bryan has been listening to Iron Maiden, and Chris has been listening to Dream Theater and Blackbriar. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris discuss three court cases where metal bands were sued over the actions that their fans have taken that were allegedly inspired by the music and lyrics of the bands. The professors look at lawsuits brought against Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, and Slayer in famous cases involving suicide and murder. Can music make someone do something tragic? Could and should bands be held responsible for the actions of their fans? This time around, Bryan has been listening to Sacred Reich, and Chris has been listening to Trivium. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris discuss alienation and its role in bringing people into metal and also how metal can alienate metalheads from others. Why is metal so scary and off-putting to those who don't know and understand it? Why is there such a stigma for metalheads? Why do people think we are scary or unintelligent or dirty? The professors also talk about the role of the Satanic Panic and the oft-repeated notion that metal is dead. This time around, Bryan has been listening to Ozzy, and Chris has been listening to Adrenaline Mob and Thank You Scientist. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris discuss the concept of scene in metal, from its definition to the core elements of bands, fans, and venues. What does it take to be a part of a local scene, and why might the strength of a scene extend beyond the fans to the bands passing through? This is a topic on which Bryan has literally written the book, and through that lens, the professors explore the role of scholars in scenes. This time around, Bryan has been listening to Jinjer, and Chris has been listening to Redemption and Halocene. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris explore the different ways that metal music uses lyrics, particularly talking about the diversity of lyrical themes and approaches. Why does metal have such a wide range of topics and ideas in its lyrics? The professors consider themes of fantasy, horror, politics, and the ever-popular "metal rocks." They also discuss concept albums and why those might be more common in metal than in other kinds of music. This time around, Bryan has been listening to Alice Cooper, and Chris has been listening to Dark Sarah. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

Bryan and Chris start by discussing their favorite metal songwriters and then transition to the main topic: authenticity in metal music. What does authenticity mean? Is metal more authentic than other kinds of music? The professors examine these questions and also consider the role of songwriting in whether an artist is authentic or not. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support

In the first episode of Metal University, Bryan and Chris share how they got into metal music and explore the concept, pros, and cons of having so many subgenres in metal. Find Chris on Twitter: @valvoch Email us: metaluniversitypodcast@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/metaluniversity/support