A time machine through the origins of metal music, its connection to darkness and decadence, the lifestyle of many of its followers and how its upped the ante on the phrase "sex, drugs and rock n’ roll." It might be the colossal doom of Black Sabbath, the cutting precision of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden or the graphic lyrics of Slayer, metal is The Devil’s Music. Some fans have fallen under its seductive spell, turning them into rebellious beasts. Bestselling author and music journalist Jon Wiederhorn is your host with insightful and sometimes outrageous interviews with musicians from over 30 years. Take a trip through the tropes of metal and examine — and sometimes celebrate — what makes metal so lasting. Hear from members of Black Sabbath, Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Anthrax, Motley Crue and many more as we hunt down the devil within and discover why it’s okay, and even necessary, to keep metal alive.
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Dio's Wild Ride From Hell To Heaven
Season 1 · Episode 12
Thursday, July 22, 2021 • Duration 01:14:52
Ronnie James Dio is metal music royalty. From his early days in New York playing the trumpet and singing in small bands to becoming a metal vocal powerhouse with Rainbow, the resurrected Black Sabbath and his own band, Dio experienced it all, riding the highs and enduring the lows in every band he played in. Then, an unexpected musical reunion with his ex-Black Sabbath band mates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler brought him the kind of happiness and career stability he always longed for. Tragically, the group abruptly ended when Dio contracted stomach cancer. Though he fought bravely and tried to continue doing what he did best, the disease was incurable. Friends and family rallied by his side, some forming a tighter bond with Dio than ever, as he inched towards his final days. In this episode, host Jon Wiederhorn addresses Dio’s spectacular life and tragic death through interviews with Dio’s widow Wendy, and members of Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell and Dio. Alice Cooper and members of Anthrax, Twisted Sister, and Slayer provide additional commentary.
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Tour Mayhem
Season 1 · Episode 11
Thursday, July 15, 2021 • Duration 54:24
Pointless. Spontaneous. Hazardous. Deadly. That’s what mayhem can be like for some metal musicians. Host Jon Wiederhorn dives into the daredevils of metal music’s outrageous pranks, destructive binges, violent outbursts and near-death experiences. And, sometimes, these antics are so outlandish, they couldn’t be true. From trashed hotel rooms and sunken boats to out-of-control tour buses, find out the truth behind the over-the-top exploits from Alice Cooper, Baroness, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Pantera, Suicide Silence and more.
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The Satanic Verses Vol. 2
Season 1 · Episode 2
Friday, May 14, 2021 • Duration 36:32
As metal music continued to grow in popularity, thrash bands turned up the inclusion of Satanic lyrics and sound in their music. Venom and King Diamond were among those to lead the way. Many metal bands became more extreme, musically and lyrically. Host Jon Wiederhorn speaks with Venom vocalist and bassist Cronos, Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer and King Diamond of Mercyful Fate and many others, as he explores “The Devil in Metal.”
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The Satanic Verses Vol. 1
Season 1 · Episode 1
Friday, May 14, 2021 • Duration 33:41
Metal became part of culture and music’s fabric more than fifty years ago. Host Jon Wiederhorn dives into the dark, outrageous and sometimes raw world at what some call “the devil’s music.” Through never-before-heard audio, Wiederhorn takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the history of metal music to hear how the devil brings heaviness and intensity to the music. Hear wild conversations with Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, and Coven frontwoman Jinx Dawson, as well as exclusive tales from Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine and Bobby Liebling of Pentagram.
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Introducing Backstaged: The Devil in Metal
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 • Duration 03:28
Hear from the biggest names in metal. “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” is a time machine through decades of metal that examines the origins of metal music, its connection to darkness and negativity, the lifestyle of many of its followers and how the genre has upped the ante on the phrase sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. Bestselling author and music journalist Jon Wiederhorn is the host of “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal.” Through insightful and sometimes outrageous interviews with musicians over 30 years, we’ll take a trip through the various tropes of metal and examine and sometimes celebrate the elements that make metal so appealing. We’ll hunt down the devil within and discover why it’s okay and even necessary to keep metal alive. Listen to “Backstaged: The Devil in Metal” for free on May 14th.
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Welcome To Their Nightmares
Season 1 · Episode 10
Thursday, July 8, 2021 • Duration 50:59
Ever since Black Sabbath named themselves after a horror movie and started writing dark, foreboding songs that buzzed with menace and defiance, fans and creators of hair-raising films and metal made a run into the darkness. In this episode, we dare to peer into the darkest parts of human nature through the lens of metal music and horror. Alice Cooper explains how he invented horror rock and Rob Zombie and Dee Snider talk about their entry into the world of horror moviemaking. Members of Pantera, Metallica, Anthrax, Cannibal Corpse and more describe the inextricable link between metal and horror.
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Demon Drink
Season 1 · Episode 9
Thursday, July 1, 2021 • Duration 54:01
The bottle has called to many metal musicians since the genre’s early days. Some artists found it as a way to push the boundaries of excess, and in some cases, numb out physical and psychological pain. The late Eddie Van Halen drank to write and perform. Other artists got caught up in the partying lifestyle. Either way, whether a happy drunk or crappy drunk, going sober for many was an uphill battle. In this episode, hear scary, and sometimes dramatic, tales of blackout drinking and stories of rehabilitation from host Jon Wiederhorn and members of Van Halen, Pantera, Black Label Society, Lamb of God, Megadeth and more.
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The Unflinching True Story of Judas Priest Vol. 2
Season 1 · Episode 8
Thursday, June 24, 2021 • Duration 01:14:16
Judas Priest’s success skyrocketed in the early 1980’s. Along with their boom in fame, came a decline in Rob Halford’s emotional and physical health. In the second episode of the two episode arc, host Jon Wiederhorn delves into Halford’s inability to be himself in the public eye. Eventually Halford would temporarily split from the band, enabling him to explore his music and come out publicly. Hear members of Judas Priest, At the Gates, and Pantera talk about the band and Rob Halford’s journey to becoming a metal music icon.
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The Unflinching True Story of Judas Priest Vol. 1
Season 1 · Episode 7
Thursday, June 17, 2021 • Duration 44:12
As one of the most eclectic and popular British metal bands and pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Judas Priest and their vocal powerhouse frontman Rob Halford will forever be one of the greats. In this episode, the first of a two episode arc, host Jon Wiederhorn discusses the beginnings of Judas Priest with a strong focus on Rob Halford. As a closeted gay man in a heterosexual music world, Halford spent a good portion of his days with the band feeling isolated. Even still, his lyrics and piercing vocals paved the way for future musicians to lean into the aggressive nature of metal music. With exclusive interviews with members of Judas Priest, Diamond Head, Life of Agony, and more, listen to them talk about their experiences with Halford and his many influences on metal.
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Heroin - Absolute Evil Vol. 2
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, June 10, 2021 • Duration 44:49
This episode further explores the impact heroin, a drug some called the angel of death, had on some metal musicians in the 80’s, 90’s and beyond. Host Jon Wiederhorn and many of metal’s biggest names share outrageous stories that include Ministry's drug-fueled visit with William S. Burroughs, Jane’s Addiction’s adventure through New York City’s Alphabet City to score dope, and Guns N’ Roses’ failed attempt to smuggle heroin onto a flight to Tokyo. Included are interviews with Ratt, as the episode also examines the tragic downfall and AIDS and heroin-related death of their guitarist Robbin Crosby. Members of Eyehategod, Pantera, and many more reveal stories of survival and the pains of addiction. This is the second episode of a two episode arc.
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