Ep. #83 – Feat. Despyre

The following episode was recorded on December 3rd, 2017 on location at The Kingsland music venue in Brooklyn, NY. Today Matt welcomes Rob Malvagno (vocals) and Kevin Cassidy (bass) from the metal band Despyre. Grabbing a chance to speak with the band before playing The Kingsland, Matt chats with the guys about life on tour and playing live shows with Bobaflex. They also discuss the music video for their first single “Irritation” off their eponymous EP, they chat about their origins as a group—citing the band that influenced their sound—and they describe how having children has kept them on their toes in discovering new music. And so, from the positive and negative effects of the music industry to the inside scoop on their band name, here’s presenting Rob and Kevin of Despyre.

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CCP Ep. #202: Magma by Gojira

Get ready to melt at the sound of MAGMA, the latest release by the Queens-based [France-uprooted] metal band called Gojira. We’ve just got one question: Is Magma as hot as they say? Well, at great risk to our personal safety, today we’re dipping our toes in for a full-fledged analysis to tackle that question. Join us, brave listeners, and don’t fear the heat. Also, stick around [at 1:29:28] for a broad discussion on metal itself. Is metal truly a genre, or is it simply a tool? What can be made of the plethora of sub-genres under the metal banner, and do these labels help or hurt curious metal fans?

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CCP Ep. #189: Metal Resistance by BABYMETAL

Ever hear of BABYMETAL? Well, you have now. A Japanese “idol metal” band fronted by three pop singers — and supported by a killer metal ensemble (Kami Band) — BABYMETAL’s unique blend of heavy metal and J-Pop continues to rock out their fans, and perhaps confuse others, in their latest album Metal Resistance. Let’s meander through the album together, and then tackle our topic of the week: the function of the “death metal growl.” The pinnacle of catharsis? A blight on your music? Let’s bat around some thoughts.

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CCP Ep. #171: Static by Huntress

Thanks to the suggestion of listener & “Scoop Cruise” traveler Jessica Votaw, this week we had a nice long sit with Static, the latest album by the metal band Huntress. A revealing work, skirting some personal challenges, Static certainly tests our “mettle” as we analyze it top to bottom (music, structure, lyrics, & all) and express our feelings along the way. Opinions of your own? Comment below! Finally, to close out the episode, at 1:31:56 we step over to our topic: HYPE. Can’t get enough of that sweet marketing goodness? Or, are you feeling sorely overpumped — just to be deflated in an instant? Let’s cover the pros & cons together, all on the Crash Chords Podcast!

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Ep. #25 – Feat. Alexis Brown of Straight Line Stitch

This week, Matt is joined by Alexis Brown of the metal & hard rock group Straight Line Stitch (based out of Knoxville, TN). As of today, they’ll be celebrating the release of their new EP Transparency. They’ll also be wrapping up their west coast tour, and will now be headed east for the remainder of the summer. Matt and Alexis chat about how she started singing from a very young age, and how she wasn’t always a rock singer. She also discusses her tour life and the social makeup of the ‘touring band’ mentality. The first single on the EP is called “Human Bondage”, which was also accompanied by a video shoot. Hear about how that experience went down and plenty more with this exclusive interview between Matt Storm and Alexis Brown.

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Ep. #24 – Feat. Jose Urquiza of 3 Years Hollow

Today we welcome Jose Urquiza, lead singer of 3 Years Hollow. With Matt, Jose discusses the band’s 2014 LP The Cracks, which was spotted by Matt in a Crash Chords article last year. With a singing talent that dates back to childhood, Jose burgeoned forth with the heavy rock scene, which later shaped his style and sound. Hear Matt and Jose discuss their mutual love for the heavy rock acts of the late 90s and early 2000s. Also hear about Jose’s touring life, the band’s next record, and finally an upcoming tour with SOil and Powerman 5000 (whose lead singers were featured in earlier Autographs interviews).

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Ep. #9 – Feat. Ryan McCombs of SOiL

The “two-time” lead singer of the band SOiL joins Matt today, namely, Ryan McCombs. Formed in 1997, SOiL’s latest album, Whole (August 2013) is the first album since 2004 to again feature the vocals of the reincorporated McCombs. Ryan, who had left the band in 2004, discusses this departure, his interim work with the band Drowning Pool, and his eventual return to SOiL. Matt also prods into Ryan’s infuences and his vocals origins, finally spurring a discussion on the changing landscape of the Metal and Heavy Rock scene.

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CCP Ep. #105: Redeemer of Souls by Judas Priest

You should be very attracted to today’s album if you’re a magnet. It’s our “metal-est” yet! Judas Priest, veteran metal-heads and forerunners of the genre, has never abandoned the stage or their fans — so we think it only fair to check in on their latest work, Redeemer of Souls. Steeped in its own archetype, the iconic guitar solo is a primary feature of the album, built to shred its way into our hearts, if not, at least our curiosity. We take some time then to discuss the solo as a breathing figure of the modern age and a reflection of narrative thought. We also discuss how its moments of inspiration have been captured for posterity.

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Ep. #1 – Feat. Mark Young of Hed PE and Spider One of Powerman 5000

Welcome to the first edition of Crash Chords: Autographs, hosted by Matt Storm. This brand new series takes the “analysis” portion of our primary podcast (CCP) and aims it squarely at the guests, i.e. an “artist’s analysis”. No, this isn’t therapy, it’s a loose and informal interview format that releases guests from the constraints of self-promotion or a dedicated album, and opens the door to… anything their heart desires. This week, we begin with a double feature. Join Matt and Mawk (Mark Young) of Hed PE for the first half, and then Matt and Spider One of Powerman 5000 for the final lap. Both artists are on tour together this August, and both have released brand new albums. So be sure to check out Evolution and Builders of the Future, and of course, the latest content from Crash Chords.

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CCP Ep. #58: 13 by Black Sabbath

We might announce, “All aboard the crazy train,” but that would be a misnomer; Ozzy’s back, true, but not alone! The original Black Sabbath lineup of Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Ozzy himself have released their first studio album since 1978. It’s called 13, and we’re ready to review it. But don’t go anywhere, because then we pursue last week’s introduction to “the roles we assign to musical instruments” by starting us off with some familiar favorites.

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