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Music journalist Paky Orrasi (Metal Maniac, Metal Hammer) and Avatar frontman Johannes Eckerström do deep dives into the world of heavy metal music. MetalBreak features interviews, discussions and commentary, all based on the culture of the sub-culture.

Paky Orrasi


    • Jan 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from MetalBreak

    MetalBreak Episode 81 | Paky asks Johannes follow-up questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 45:32


    Sometimes in interviews, answers warrant follow-up questions. Many times they don't happen. Paky has found a few quotes by Johannes that were left unscrutinized. We're here to fix that. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 80 | Listening Circle - Testament - Dark Roots of Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 83:47


    We invite our patreons into our retrospective review of Testament's Dark Roots of Earth. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 79 | Tuska 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 82:05


    As is tradition, we review this years rendition of the Tuska festival. Along some puppy asmr and opeth single review, everybody wins! Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 78 | Listening Circle - Korn - Korn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 82:28


    Mixing our own thoughts with our beloved supporter on Patreon, we discuss maybe one of the most important metal albums that we're not really that in to. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 77 | Listening Circle - Opeth - Orchid

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 68:54


    The listening circle returns, as we share our and our Patreon supporters' opinion on Opeth's legendary debut, Orchid. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 76 | Listening Circle - At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 66:59


    Join the listening circle, and add your voice to the conversation! patreon.com/metalbreak In this very first listening circle, we dig in to what many would call the quintessential album of the Gothenburg sound. Slaughter of the Soul by At the Gates redrew the metal map in countless ways, and has stood the test of time like few others. It has also been a huge influence on Avatar, alongside so many other bands. Together we our patreons, we discuss and dissect one of our absolute favorites. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 75 | Jussi Helenius of Turku Saatanalle

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 53:25


    Metallihelvetti is a revered institution in the Finnish metal underground, and in its heart you find Jussi Helenius. Together with his partners in crime he has made Finland in general and Turku in particular a much more extreme place for decades. Turku Saatanalle is the flagship festival of the organisation, and we talk its history, as well as its current state, while also diving into some old school Brazilian metal among many other things. Turku Saatanalle XI takes place March 1-2 2024 at Utopia in Turku. More info can be found here: https://www.metallihelvetti.net/ Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 74 | Let's Get Deep

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 80:29


    In this episode, we play a round of Let's Get Deep, and it get's... deep. Got time had by all! Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 73 | The Crow Is Being Rebooted, And We Have Thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 76:29


    In this episode, Paky has found out about about next year's reboot of her beloved the Crow. We talk, and try to unpack how this is doom to failed, or if there is any hope at all. Bill Skarsgård will be in it... we like him. And how do we get Avatar on the soundtrack (Hollywood money this way please!). Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 72 | Matt McGachy Of CRYPTOPSY + Halloween!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 57:30


    In this episode we talk with Cryptopsy's Matt McGachy as well as doing some damage control for what would have been our Halloween special! Good times! Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 71 | Nakkeknækker

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 39:40


    [Interview starts at 3:50!] In this episode, Paky interviews Danish death metal band Nakkeknækker. We are head over heals with them and blown away by what they are doing already now. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 70 | Jean-Paul Gaster From Clutch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 45:59


    INTERVIEW STARTS AT 11:34! Paky talked to Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster, and that led us to talk about stuff. Good times are being had by all. Enjoy!

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    MetalBreak Episode 69 | Dr Owen Coggins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2023 72:53


    Dr Owen Coggins of the International Society for Metal Music Studies joins us to talk metal in academia and academia in metal. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 68 | Summer Metal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 60:25


    In this episode, we talk about the metal we gravitate towards in the summer, while trying to unpack what makes certain metal sound more like summer than others. Enjoy! PLAYLIST WITH MUSIC WE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6AKwzbIDM8mSIxx77Bskli?si=BQ3yUfBiQxKEgJ5K2LS5Yg MINDFALL'S CLASSIC 2003 DEMO FROM THE BARREN: https://youtu.be/jnVf88JEtUE

    MetalBreak Episode 67 | Our Guilty Pleasures

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2023 89:55


    PLAYLIST WITH ALL THE SONGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tzn9dPdojlr6gwJlEZPDC?si=cee7d2d7333a4c93 In this episode, we play each other some of our favorite guilty pleasures in music. A lot of pop, and of course a dash of musical theater, Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 66 | Our Patreon Members Asks Johannes About The New Album

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 108:28


    With Avatar's Dance Devil Dance coming out February 17, Paky collected the questions of our fantastic supporters over at Patreon. This giant blue whale of an episode is the results. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 65 | 2023 Predictions And Predicaments

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 57:53


    We pull out our crystal ball and tell you EXACTLY what's going to happen in the next 365 days. No side tracks or second guesses here. You can thank us later. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 64 | Singles Vs Albums

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2022 63:14


    Paky and Johannes discuss the album format being challenged by single releases in today's fast paced society. They agree to disagree but also agree. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 63 | Paky's Bday And What We Did This Summer Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 98:05


    In this episode Paky answers questions from you for her birthday and we get caught up on what the hell happened this summer.Thanks to you, a donation of 430 USD has been made to the AKC Canine Health Foundation in our Jacob's memory. A engraved brick paver is being put in his name and the money goes towards research in the fight against the disease that took him from us.If you consider donating yourself, you can visit https://www.akcchf.org/donate2015/chf-donate.htmlThank you, and enjoy the episode.

    MetalBreak Episode 62 | What We Did This Summer Pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 67:21


    We return from a summer constantly on the move, and we're here to tell you all about it! Enjoy!patreon.com/metalbreakteespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    Tell Me A Story S02E02

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 56:04


    We return once again to the warmth of an open fire in a thunder storm, to tell you tales of hauntings and the Devil himself. We also have our Patreon friend Rob with us who shares some excellent writing of his own. Enjoy!Read more Rob goodness here: reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/570ceu/is_ed_real_or_am_i_crazy_part_1andnightmaresoup.com/products/the-nightmare-society-volume-2

    Tell Me Story S02E01

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2022 52:19


    TMAS is back with a vengeance! Lakes and oceans ended up being the theme in a slightly more free flowing formate. Also, our first Patreon guest Chris joins us! If you want to guest a future TMAS and share a tale of your own, consider becoming a supporter over at patreon.com/metalbreak. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 61 | Tour Talk Pt. 2 - Paky Hits The Road With Avatar

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 61:29


    Paky joined Avatar for their brief US run earlier this year, which means that it was MetalBreak on Tour! We talk about the experience and find out wether she will finally go mad and run away to join a circus. Enjoy!patreon.com/metalbreakPlease consider getting a Jacob memorial shirt. All the money we get from the Jacob designs go to charity:https://metalbreak.creator-spring.com/listing/jacobbadass

    MetalBreak Episode 60 | Tour Talk Pt. 1 - In Loving Memory Of Jacob

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 20:05


    TRIGGER WARNING! LOSS OF PET, DEATH, ILLNESS!This is a two parter, where we try to keep most of the sadness in part one.Jacob was the third host of the podcast, and in many ways its biggest star. As he ended up having so many fans among you, we want to make this very public tribute to him. Thank you again, all of you who reached out and showed love.Please consider getting a memorial shirt. All the money we get from the Jacob designs go to charity:https://metalbreak.creator-spring.com/listing/jacobbadasshttps://www.akcchf.org/https://www.akcchf.org/how-to-help/purchase-a-purina-brick/

    MetalBreak Episode 59 | Samuel Honkavaara Of REBELLIX

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 46:37


    In this episode, we sit down with Sam from Rebellix, talking moving country for music, self discovery, their latest EP, Serpent's Kiss (out now!) and more. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 58 | Nikan And Arash Of CONFESS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 72:30


    Confess returns! We pick it up right where we left off last time (listen to episode 25 with Nikan if you haven't already), and talk the present and future of one of the most driven and resilient bands you'll ever hear! Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 57 | Touring During Covid And Getting Covid On Tour

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 60:29


    Johannes has been on tour. He also got sick. Paky and Johannes unpack the experience together, sharing thoughts and some road stories. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 56 | The Halloween Pumpkin Carving Special 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 95:11


    We carve pumpkins and talk metal and other scary music. What more can you ask for? Also, something paranormal may or may not have happened...Enjoy!

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    MetalBreak Episode 55 | "Am I The Asshole?" Metal Edition Pt 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2021 60:22


    We return to be judge, jury and executioners. Once again Paky has searched through Reddit for some moral dilemmas in the name of metal. Enjoy!

    MetalBreak Episode 54 | Trying To Understand Swedish Metal With Henke Brannerydh

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2021 81:25


    Johannes has a long talk with fellow Swede and podcaster Henke Brannerydh of Rockpodden, trying to solve the mystery behind the phenomena of Swedish metal. Did we get any wiser? You'll be the judge!Enjoy!Henke's podcast (in Swedish): https://open.spotify.com/show/5RFZ1vzfbLamNOIn9n3ie7?si=xHtnud4YRqO-tik6dadEmw&dl_branch=1Rockpodden

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    MetalBreak Episode 53 | "Am I The Asshole?" Metal Edition Pt 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 42:59


    For this episode, Paky went lurking the "Am I the asshole"-subreddit for some heavy metal content and in the TRVE elitist spirit, we will be the sole judges! Enjoy!patreon.com/metalbreakteespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 52 | Side Stage With Dino Cazares Of Fear Factory

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 107:37


    [INTERVIEW STARTS AT 17:57]In this episode, Johannes has a long talk with Fear Factory master mind Dino Cazares about latest album Aggression Continuum and the past, present and future of the band and humanity at large. Enjoy!Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

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    MetalBreak Episode 51 | SIDE STAGE With Bodom After Midnight (RIP Alexi Laiho)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 49:51


    [Interview starts at 7:41]In this episode Paky and Johannes have a heartfelt talk with the remaining members of Bodom After Midnight. We talk about the legacy of their colleague and friend Alexi Laiho and the debut EP that came to be their swansong.Our Patreon: patreon.com/metalbreakMerch: teespring.com/stores/metalbreakPhoto by Terhi Ylimäinen

    MetalBreak Episode 50 | Anneke Van Giersbergen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2021 53:07


    [INTERVIEW STARTS AT 9.23]In this episode Paky and Johannes get to talk to the always inspiring, always delightful Anneke van Giersbergen. They talk her latest album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest and all that goes into making such personal work. Enjoy!Listen to The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6MEBn5n2uktdaned7Zc91o?si=lmRP5V-VSVG2CaDvFE_WGwWe’ve got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreakOur patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

    spotify johannes anneke giersbergen paky interview starts at
    MetalBreak Episode 49 | SIDE STAGE With Joel Ekelöf of SOEN

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 43:19


    [INTERVIEW STARTS AT 09:54]In this episode Paky and Johannes talks to Joel Ekelöf of Soen about their latest album Imperial. They about the music, the method and the message as well as touching on the spiritual side of things. Enjoy!Listen to Imperial by Soen: https://open.spotify.com/album/49iLyqy5332uQV3q5qDmA2?si=E3eFouUySVG0jYZ7_AOo1wOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    stage johannes imperial ekel soen paky interview starts at
    MetalBreak Episode 48 | SIDE STAGE With Korpiklaani

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 43:51


    [Interview starts at 14:04] In this episode Johannes talks to Korpiklaani about their latest album Jylhä, the energy new members can bring and more or less unconventional ways to write a song. Enjoy!Listen to Jylhä: https://open.spotify.com/album/2gsQLMCZXvrq3Rlb4S424v?si=tH6UNpuVQVGDDwV_LJVZWQOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    Tell Me A Story S01E05 Featuring David Andersson Of Soilwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2021 67:03


    In this episode, Paky and Johannes go to space and listen to various disturbing sounds from way out there. David from Soilwork brings us to the morgue and our Patreon-contributor debates wether or not one should pick up hitchhikers from the afterlife. Enjoy!Our patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakMerch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 47 | 2020, The 2000's And The Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 123:49


    Paky and Johannes discuss current trends in metal, trying to guess where we're going, based on where we've been.Let us know what you think about this long-form episode style! Support us on www.patreon.com/metalbreak!

    MetalBreak Episode 46 | Erlend HJELVIK

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 48:38


    [INTERVIEW STARTS AT 11:20]Paky has a chat with Erlend Hjelvik about his solo debut 'Welcome to Hel', and vikings and metal at large! Enjoy!Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe have merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

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    In Memory Of Alexi Laiho

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021 16:09


    We take a moment to remember and pay our respects to a man gone too soon.

    Tell Me A Story S01E04 Featuring Ryan Van Poederooyen Of Imonolith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2021 69:14


    Ancient spirits and haunting battle cries. Paky and Johannes dig through the annals of history for their stories, while Ryan Van Poederooyen unveils some light childhood trauma. Enjoy!Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 45 | David Andersson Of Soilwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 64:56


    In this episode Paky has a chat with David Andersson of Soilwork. They discuss brand new EP A Whisp Of The Atlantic, religion, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and much more! Enjoy!Listen to A Whisp Of The Atlantic: https://open.spotify.com/album/39FoTXhyioMJWeNi11dZ4p?si=BcnnDYgNSBm9ThFKliHQ8QOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    Tell Me A Story S01E03 Featuring Sangwan Of Monsters Dive

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2020 64:52


    [Apologies for the sound quality! This was a bit of a guerilla-recording!]In this episode Paky and Johannes dive deep into the world of witches, while our patron teaches us of the Buck-riders. Our special guests, South Korean Post Hardcore band Monsters Dive, take us to school. Enjoy!CHECK OUT MONSTERS DIVE:https://www.facebook.com/MonstersDive/https://monstersdive.bandcamp.com/album/dive-or-dieFURTHER READING ON TODAY*S STORIES:https://www.therussianstore.com/'Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale' by Andreas Johnshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malin_MatsdotterMERCH: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreakOUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

    Tell Me A Story S01E02 Featuring Matt Heafy Of Trivium

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 46:58


    This week both Paky and Matt Heafy of Trivium take us to ancient Japan, while Johannes drags us along on a trip to Ukraine and a more recent past. Our Patreon contribution brings us inside a haunted childhood home. All of this and some general banter goodness in this second episode of Tell Me A Story. Enjoy!Check our Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakWe've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    Tell Me A Story S01E01 Featuring Chiara Of Moonlight Haze

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 32:48


    This is the first episode of our new series, Tell Me A Story! Paky and Johannes compete in spookiness alongside contributions from our dear friends from patreon.com/metalbreak. On occasion we'll also have artist friends dropping by with a story of their own. This time it's the very talented Chiara of Moonlight Haze! Enjoy, and remember to check our new merch over at teespring.com/stores/metalbreak.Check out Moonlight Haze on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1J9Jg6CEtjR3C4SFXz1elX?si=vD-e4Bt0RcCY9pHhJag_gQhttps://www.moonlighthaze.comhttp://facebook.com/Moonlighthazeband/

    MetalBreak Episode 44 | Halloween Special - "Tell Me A Story" With Theology Master Karolina Kouvola

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 66:52


    In this episode Paky and Johannes sit down for they're annual pumpkin carving listening to the academic musings and ghost stories of Karolina Kouvola. Karolina is a theology master, writing a PhD about Finlands-Swedish belief narratives about the cunning folk. She has written several non-fiction books about historical warrior groups and co-authored a book about Helsinki ghost stories.Enjoy!Photo by Suvi KairulahtiOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreakNEW MERCH! www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 43 | Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns of Finntroll

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2020 65:51


    In this episode Johannes talks with Finntroll frontman Vreth. On top of talking their latest masterpiece Vredesvävd, they also discuss language, Estonian axemen, wether you want to be a Mick Jagger or a Paul McCartney and much more! Enjoy!Vredesvävd OUT NOW! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7IGCwxXb9x7n2ILyOaE7hZ?si=9SNkm9_fQpuK9ZMc5evapQOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 42 | We Watched This Is Spinal Tap

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 75:03


    In this episode Paky and Johannes follow up their latest Patreon watch-along with a talk about the greatness, impact and personal significance of mockumentary masterpiece, This Is Spinal Tap! Enjoy!We've got merch: www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreakOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 41 | Niclas Engelin

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2020 65:25


    In this episode Paky and Johannes has chat with good friend Niclas Engelin. They talk about the past with his formative years and early efforts as well as the here and now, playing with We Sell the Dead and dealing with the current state of the world. Enjoy!Listen to Black Sleep by We Sell The Dead: https://open.spotify.com/album/4SP0pmh8XzJxzM8RnFx6CR?si=LHxlFOG9SxGR7hGvDpvLyQWE'VE GOT MERCH! www.teespring.com/stores/metalbreak

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    MetalBreak Episode 40 | We watched the Crow (a retrospective) pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2020 46:16


    This is the second part of Johannes and Paky discussion the Crow, which they recently watched with their patreons.They review, reminisce and rejoice in a classic while Paky is laying down the facts. Enjoy!Check out Soi Dog Foundation!www.soidog.org/www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish/https://www.instagram.com/SoiDogFoundationhttps://twitter.com/@SoiDogPhukethttps://www.youtube.com/user/SoiDogFoundationFollow us!Patreon.com/metalbreakJohannes' Twitter: @johannes_avatarPaky's Instagram: @paky_metalbreak

    MetalBreak Episode 39 | We watched the Crow (a retrospective) pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2020 49:20


    This is the first part of Johannes and Paky discussion the Crow, which they recently watched with their patreons.They review, reminisce and rejoice in a classic while Paky is laying down the facts. Enjoy!Check out Soi Dog Foundation!www.soidog.org/www.facebook.com/SoiDogPageInEnglish/https://www.instagram.com/SoiDogFoundationhttps://twitter.com/@SoiDogPhukethttps://www.youtube.com/user/SoiDogFoundationFollow us!Patreon.com/metalbreakJohannes' Twitter: @johannes_avatarPaky's Instagram: @paky_metalbreak

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