The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, we have a very special guest: Chris Basile from Pyrexia!!! Chris stops by to discuss Pyrexia's latest crushing release "Gravitas Maximus", advice for bands trying to establish themselves in the death metal scene, his relationship with Unique Leader Records, and much more. You do not want to miss this episode! Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/6NmecOdjzXo   https://uniqueleaderrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gravitas-maximus FB: https://www.facebook.com/PYREXIADEATHMETAL IG: @pyrexiaofficial Pyrexia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QOSKKx9w3eplRxO0XRSZe Demigod Recordings: https://www.demigodrecordings.com/   Intro song: Arioch - "Legion Of The Vortex" www.ariochtn.com IG @ariochtn Arioch Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6arM5kQBsTGWvVe0BNJ10S   Questions? Episode ideas? Contact us at themetalmentality@gmail.com   Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah reflect on 2021, and discuss personal and professional goals for 2022. Bleed! IG @themetalmentality Intro Song: "Legion Of The Vortex" by Arioch IG @ariochtn www.ariochtn.com Comments? Questions? Topic ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Stay brutal! We're now live on YouTube! Watch this entire episode here: https://youtu.be/8aBAjNWPZLE

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah celebrate the show's one year anniversary! Topics include a recap of lessons learned over the past year, significant moments that shaped our lives, greatest love and hate of the death metal genre, future plans for 2022, and more! Questions or comments? Connect with us: IG @themetalmentality Mike - smithblast@gmail.com Elijah - ironveins777@gmail.com   Shameless self-promotion: IG @ariochtn Arioch's 2nd album "Bathos" feat. Hannes Grossmann on drums. Released 10/31/2021. Available for FREE download at www.ariochtn.com "Ravenous/Merciless" official lyric video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSofr1mvIao Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6arM5kQBsTGWvVe0BNJ10S Or, stream wherever you listen to music!

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take another round of listener questions! Topics include managing relationships inside and outside of your band, how to handle constructive criticism of your band's music, and how much of "making it" as a band is hand work vs. luck? Listen to find out. Stay brutal!   Mike: smithblast@gmail.com Elijah: ironveins777@gmail.com IG @themetalmentality   US Copyright reference for music submissions: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ56a.pdf  

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take on listener questions! Are record labels still relevant? Can a musician ever truly stop being a musician? Is the heart and soul still present in modern metal? Listen to find out!   Want to have your question discussed in a future episode? Reach out and follow us on IG @themetalmentality Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com)   Music aggregator service discussed in this episode Distrokid https://distrokid.com/   Bands/labels discussed in this episode Crypta https://www.cryptaofficial.com/   Samothrace https://samothrace.bandcamp.com/music   20 Buck Spin https://www.20buckspin.com/   Music business articles Steve Albini https://thebaffler.com/salvos/the-problem-with-music   Courtney Love https://www.salon.com/2000/06/14/love_7/   Personal Finance 101 (*DISCLAIMER* These links provide basic investing info for US citizens and in no way should be viewed as legal/investment advice. Before investing, do your own research and work with a certified professional!) Roth IRAs https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras   SEP https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-sponsor/simplified-employee-pension-plan-sep   LLC business entity info (*DISCLAIMER* This link provides basic LLC info for US citizens and in no way should be viewed as legal advice. Before starting an LLC, do your own research and work with a certified professional!) https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/limited-liability-company-llc

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss how they decompress outside of work, non-musical hobbies, and the importance of daily discipline to reach personal goals. Stay metal! This episode is dedicated to the memory and legacy of musical giants Dusty Hill, Biz Markie, and Joey Jordison. Rest in power, brothers.   Nashville-based metal bands mentioned in this episode can be found here: Yautja https://yautja.bandcamp.com/album/the-lurch Mortius https://mortiusband.bandcamp.com/album/shepherding-the-weak Bled To Submission https://bledtosubmission.bandcamp.com/ Ghost Gore https://ghostgore.bandcamp.com/ Skin Tension https://skintension.bandcamp.com/    

1991 was a cornerstone year of death metal releases: Suffocation's "Effigy of the Forgotten", Cannibal Corpse's "Butchered At Birth", Death's "Human", Morbid Angel's "Blessed Are The Sick", and many others. Per Mike, "the sun shone differently in those times..." 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of this banner year that laid a permanent foundation for all future death metal to build upon. Mike and Elijah travel back in time and discuss what it was like to be at the center of this massive death metal creative eruption, to include building the community, tape trading, Suffocation's recording of "Effigy" in Tampa's legendary Morrisound studios, and more. What is Mike and Elijah's "desert island" album pick from 1991? Listen to found out. Stay brutal!

In the Season 2 finale of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take a fan question from Mike's Facebook page to discuss advice for new and current death metal bands. Topics include establishing a business mindset for managing a band, the importance of physical fitness, the pros and cons of grid producing, and what does a band's maximized effort look like? If you are thinking about starting a death metal band, or have been in the game awhile and need some new insight, you do not want to miss this episode! Stay brutal!   The Metal Mentality is now on Instagram! Connect with us @themetalmentality You can also reach out to Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) or Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com) anytime with questions, comments, show topics, etc. We want to hear from you!   Products and services discussed in this episode below: iRig https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irig2/   Distrokid https://distrokid.com/   US Copyright Office https://www.copyright.gov/registration/   PROs (performance rights organizations) https://www.bmi.com/ https://www.ascap.com/ https://www.sesac.com/  

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss methods to create and sustain inspiration throughout the musical lifecycle. Topics include the benefits of working with a mentor, keeping an open mind, practice routines, and knowing when to take a break as burnout sets in. Stay brutal! Questions? Comments? Show topic ideas? We want to hear from you! Reach out to Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) and Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com).    Link to “Mastery” by Robert Greene: https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene-audiobook/dp/B00A6G9CGG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29NW1HWWAZLVY&dchild=1&keywords=mastery+robert+greene&qid=1613834063&sprefix=mastery+%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss the intricacies of the metal songwriting process, how to maintain a democratic style when writing as a band, and how to actively create while living a busy lifestyle. The conversation turns philosophical when Mike and Elijah attempt to answer the age old question: as a songwriter, how do you know when a song is done?   Questions? Comments? Episode ideas? Reach out to us! Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) and Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com). Stay brutal!

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss how to successfully prepare for a band tour. Topics include money management, essential packing items, hygiene, travel etiquette, and more. What are some of Mike's best and worst tour moments? What does Mike consider to be one of his most essential travel items? Listen to find out! Stay brutal!   Questions? Show topic ideas? Comments? Reach out to us! Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) and Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com). 

In the Season 2 kickoff episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss pivotal metal albums. These are the albums that pushed us further into metal, remind us why we love this music, and highlight the positive impact they can have on us during good times and bad. Mike and Elijah also chat about "bridge bands"; those groups out there that help connect us to a wider range of sounds throughout heavy music. Is there a topic you want us to discuss? We would love to hear from you! Reach out to Mike (smithblast@gmail.com) or Elijah (ironveins777@gmail.com). Stay brutal!   *Correction: Mike named Decapitated's guitarist as Vitek (RIP, brother). Decapitated's guitarist is Vogg. 

In the Season 1 finale of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss listening to music styles outside of metal and how it can improve your playing, the classical and jazz roots of metal, and the elements that have contributed to major commercial success of pop and hip hop. Who does Mike consider to be one of the most influential drummers of all time? Who is Elijah's "desert island" choice? Listen to find out! Stay brutal!

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss the basic steps to setting up a home studio on a budget. Key topics include the importance of investing in a solid recording workstation & mics, DAW preference, how to choose the proper interface, and more! Regardless if you're just starting the home recording adventure, or have been in the game awhile and want to learn more, you DO NOT want to miss this episode! Stay brutal!   Links to gear discussed in this episode: https://www.reaper.fm/ https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-40-Professional-Firewire-Interface/dp/B001MZQEZ2 https://tascam.com/us/product/us-16x08/tophttps://tascam.com/us/ https://maxonfx.com/collections/reissue https://www.radialeng.com/product/j48 https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/bundles/dmk57_52 http://www.mogamicable.com/

On the third episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah are joined by Ryan Griffin, MBA. Ryan's background includes 16+ years of professional sound engineering in Nashville, TN and music marketing for musicians at all career levels. The group discusses critical marketing techniques that include how to build better connections with fans via social media, the importance of improving communications within the metal community, and how bands can better position themselves for success in this post-pandemic climate. The time to innovate is now!   Check out Ryan's studio at https://www.griffmix.com/. You can connect with Ryan at ryan@griffmix.com 

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss life lessons gained from their first jobs, the importance of having marketable skills outside of music, the financial reality of playing in a death metal band, and the future of live music. 

In the inaugural episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, we discuss Mike's early days in New York and the founding of death metal legends Suffocation, his incredibly supportive family unit, the importance of maintaining strong bonds in the metal community, and thoughts on the future of death metal.