Spinning the Wax

Enrique Sagarnaga, drummer for Philadelphia metal bands Crypt Sermon, Daeva, The Silver, and Head of PR at Relapse Records, brings on the criminally underrated Iron Maiden album "Dance of Death"Enrique shares how much Maiden's music has meant to him throughout his life, and the surprising amount of positive and uptempo songs on this record helped get him through turbulent times. While this album may often be overlooked because of it's infamous art, it's a gateway for both new and veteran Maiden

Friend and Knotfest colleague Tori Kravitz, host of the femme-centric podcast She's With the Band, as well as the behind-the-scenes series Beyond the Breakdown, stops by to listen to Alice in Chain's masterpiece "Dirt".This is a favorite album for both of us and it facilitates some deep and meaningful conversation, in addition to the usual gushing and awing at these songs. Tori discusses the widespread influence of AIC on myriad genres, her entry into heavy music, vulnerability as a women in the

Violinist and singer Andrea Morgan introduces Jon to Buried Inside and their 2005 album "Chronoclast (Selected Essays on Time-Reckoning and Auto-Cannibalism)". Andrea plays in atmospheric and blackened doom metal band Exulansis, as well as Rebecca Vernon's new solo project The Keening, with whom she toured Europe and North America earlier in 2024. She chose to spin a concept album about time and its stranglehold on all things because of the breadth of its art, as well as how influential the music

On this episode of Spinning the Wax, guitarist Sammy Urwin of UK metalcore band EMPLOYED TO SERVE (and founder of the amazing CHURCH ROAD RECORDS) listens to "Close to the Edge" by Yes.A self-described musical magpie, Sammy holds my hand while I listen to a Yes album for the very first time. He talks about how the band were an acquired taste (like a lot of 70s prog) and explains his journey constantly looking for new and interesting sounds. We also chat about how artists balance fans'

It's time to dance under the shadow of the atomic bomb! Hellripper's James McBain joins Spinning the Wax with Beastmilk's impossibly catchy album "Climax." Before permanently changing their name to Grave Pleasures, Beastmilk ushered in a tidal wave of goth-rock, post-punk and nihilistic goodness that many bands have tried to emulate since. James discusses how this album influenced his early songwriting and shaped him into the musician he wanted to be. We also dive in to Hellripper's busy summer,

On this episdoe of Spinning the Wax, vocalist Adrienne Cowan shares the album that taught her who she is: Kamelot's "Epica".Adrienne is one of the most talented musicians you'll ever meet, and uses her talents for the amazing symphonic metal band Seven Spires, in addition to lending them to Avantasia, Sascha Paeth's Masters of Ceremony and Sonic Symphony. In this wide-ranging talk, we discuss her vivid memories discovering herself with this album and how it's still

In this episode of Spinning the Wax, powerhouse guitarist and vocalist Debbie Gough of UK's Heriot brings on the emotionally crippling "Rheia" by Oathbreaker. Though not always an easy listen, Debbie speaks about how the album influences her approach to writing music and how there's so much to take away from it even after countless listens. She also discusses seeing the band live, how true crime influences her lyrics, and how Heriot has been grinding in the underground for years

In the first episode of Spinning the Wax, Undeath vocalist Alexander Jones kicks things off with At the Drive-In's seminal album "Relationship of Command." He talks about his obsession with this album in his teenage years and how the influence of At the Drive-In that resonates to this day. Jon and Alex also discuss Undeath's latest album "More Insane," and how producer Mark Lewis gave him brand new confidence in his voice. They also enter Old Man Corner and tell