Explore every episode of the podcast Metal Quest

This week we pick pairs of albums based on the theme of their cover.

Jonathan's theme: Spooky Purple Black Metal Castles

Emperor - Into The Infinity Of Thoughts

Stormkeep - Tales Of Othertime

Daniel's theme: Grim Reapers

Dissection - Storm Of The Light's Bane

Grim Reaper - See You In Hell

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, feelings, riffs, blasts, most metal moments, and/or shameless self-promo at ⁠http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Daniel and Jonathan listen to several albums off of a best of 2022 list.

Blind Guardian - The God Machine

Ghost - Impera

Amorphis - Halo

Darkthrone - Astral Frotress

Deathspell Omega - The Long Defeat

Daniel and Jonathan go over their top and bottom five albums that were picked by The Ritual in 2022 and look back at the first full year of Metal Quest. 

Jonathan and Daniel are back with a new episode from an old recording after a long hiatus. 

MQ Staff Reviews:

Daniel's pick: Tenderizor - Touch the Sword 

Jonathan's pick: Mountain Witch - Burning Village

New releases picked by The Ritual:

ANZV - Gallas

Hetroertzen - Phosphorus Vol I

Arsena - Blood Rusted Mother Earth

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, feelings, riffs, blasts, most metal moments, and/or shameless self-promo at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Daniel and Jonathan discover Conan, a well-known band, by listening to their new album.  Daniel hears his favorite song thus far (from the music picked by The Ritual) and Jonathan listens to what is considered to be one of the greatest metal albums of all time. 

MQ Staff Reviews:

Daniel's pick: Megadeth - Rust in Peace

Jonathan's pick: Mare Cognitum - Luminiferous Aether

New releases picked by The Ritual: 

Conan - Evidence of Immortality

Elliot's Keep - Vulnerant Omens

Anthems of Gomorrah - Aelvica II

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, feelings, riffs, blasts, most metal moments, and/or shameless self-promo at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Daniel and Jonathan air out some listener mail and continue the quest to explore new heavy metal albums.  This week they recommend: Jonathan's Pick: Mare Cognitum -  Luminiferous Aether Daniel's Pick:  Megadeth - Rust in Peace Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual: Morbid Evils - Supernaturals Becoming the Archaetype - Children of the Great Extinction Aronious - Irkalla The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode. Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Daniel and Jonathan take a "Which Heavy Metal Genre Are You" quiz and discuss the picks from last week's The Ritual.  This week they recommend: Jonathan's Pick: Perverted Dexterity - Spiritual Awakening Daniel's Pick: Blood Incantation - Hidden History of the Human Race Albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual: Atramentum - Through Fire, Everything Is Renewed DeathFuckingCunt - Decadent Perversity Yatra - Born into Chaos The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode. Contact us with your album recommendations, comments, riffs, blasts, and shameless self-promo at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Daniel and Jonathan get to experience a bunch of great new traditional Heavy Metal. Daniel has Jonathan do a little shameless self-promotion for the first single "Birth of the Crystal Armor" from his current project Lazer Throne https://lazerthrone.bandcamp.com. And they talk about some sweet book series featuring tales written by heavy metal musicians. This week they recommend: Jonathan's Pick: Final Light - Final Light (Perturbator) Daniel's Pick (he's getting thrown in metal jail for this one): Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin At Dusk Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual: Feiger - III, Ascension A surprise visit by the Metal Police gives us a new album, Winds of War by Iron Brigade.  Ironfame - Where Madness Dwells Consecration - Cinis The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium. The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode. Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact Find all things Lazer Throne at: https://lazerthrone.bandcamp.com Want to read some of the most metal stories? Look no further than https://dmrbooks.com/swords-of-steelheavy-metal

Daniel and Jonathan explore some of the extreme reaches of metal and they explore some more mellow Avante Garde Black Metal.

This week they recommend:

Jonathan's Pick:

Orange Goblin - Time Travelling Blues (Let's keep those motorcycle albums coming!)

Daniel's Pick (he's getting thrown in metal jail for this one):

Dragonland - Under the Grey Banner

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Blut aus Nord - Disharmonium - Undreamable Abysses

Iku Turso - Into Dawnless Realms

The Heretic Order - III

The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium.

The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode.

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Want to read some of the most metal stories? Look no further than https://dmrbooks.com/swords-of-steelheavy-metal

Jonathan joins Daniel once again at Metal Quest Studio North where they turn it up to 11 for a live Episode. They have a scream-off and listen to a recommended lofi heavy metal album, Victory by Hercules, featuring no shortage of epic wails from Greece! 

This week they recommend some old deep cuts 

Jonathan's Pick: 

Isis - Oceanic

Daniel's Pick (he's getting thrown in metal jail for this one): 

Meatloaf - Bat Out of Hell

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Tómarúm - Ash in Realms of Stone Icons

Writhing Shadows - Writhing Shadows

Clegane - White of the Eye

The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium and a new victor sits on the Metal Throne.

The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode.

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Jonathan joins Daniel at Metal Quest Studio North for a live Episode. They read some listener mail and review some shameless self-promo submitted via the contact form.  

This week the recommendation is from a listener mail: 

Hercules - Victory 

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

The Scum - The Hunger

Truchlo Strzgi - Gwiezdny Demon

Swazond - Cursed Inheritance

The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium and a new victor sits on the Metal Throne.

The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases to review next episode.

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, feelings, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

In this Episode Daniel and Jonathan stack up their top and bottom 5 albums picked by The Ritual thus far. Daniel's prediction of Jonathan and him getting abducted by aliens before they receive their first listener mail did not come true as they read their first listener mail. 

Jonathan and Daniel's recommendations:

Daniel’s Pick:

Tribulation - Where the Gloom Becomes Sound

Jonathan’s Pick:

Kryptos - Afterburner

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Beyond The Structure -- Scrutiny

Angel Nation -- Antares

Baalzagoth -- Morbid Persecutions

The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium and a new victor sits on the Metal Throne.

The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of releases from May 2022 to review next episode.

Contact Us with your album recommendations, comments, feelings, riffs, blasts, and pig squeals at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

Last Episode The Ritual selected a Dungeon Synth and Glam Rock album which results in some close calls with the Metal Police. Their quest happens across a rare gem of a Heavy Metal album and they face off in an impersonation battle.

Jonathan and Daniel's recommendations:

Daniel’s Pick:

Vektor - Black Future 

Jonathan’s Pick:

Mare Cognitum / Aureole - Resonance Crimson Void (split)

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Inexistence - In the Mysterious Forest

Mamorlis - Sturdy As An Oak

Wicked - The Last American Rock Band

The bands then face off in the Band Gladitorium and there is a new development with the Metal Throne.  

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of some of the releases from April 2022 to review next episode.

Contact Us with your thoughts at http://metalquestpod.com/contact

In this raw and (mostly) uncut Episode, Daniel and Jonathan record live in Jonathan's garage. Unbeknownst to them, last episode's The Ritual selected an album named "seven" for them to review on their seventh episode. They discuss the release of Elden Ring, alien encounters, The Dark Angle, and last week's selected albums.   

Jonathan and Daniel's recommendations:

Daniel’s Pick:

Pure Wrath - Hymn to the Woeful Hearts 

Jonathan’s Pick:

Earth and Pillars - Earth I

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Mur - Cut the Rivers Vein

Ravenous Death - Visions from the Netherworld

Schwarzer Engel - Sieben 

The bands face off in the Metal Gladitorium and things get shaken up by arcane powers! 

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of some of the releases from February 2022 to review next episode.

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us with your thoughts at: http://metalquestpod.com

In this episode, Jonathan quizzes Daniel to see if he can tell the difference between real or fake gore-themed band names.

Jonathan and Daniel then recommend some obscure and metal-adjacent albums:

Daniel’s Pick:

Bal-Sagoth - Atlantis Ascendant

Jonathan’s Pick:

Dance With The Dead - B Sides: Vol 1

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Band - Album

Necrophagous - In Chaos Ascend

Ereb Altor - Vargtimman

Amenra - De Doorn (Alternate Mix)

The bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and things get shaken up once again! 

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of some of the releases from January 2022 to review next episode.

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us with your thoughts at: http://metalquestpod.com

In this episode Daniel and Jonathan listen to three more albums picked by last show’s The Ritual from a best-of 2021 list. They explore some new-to-them sub-genres, Daniel talks Heavy Metallurgy, and Jonathan shares and demonstrates a spell to turn your body into stone!

Jonathan and Daniel then recommend some of their favorites:

Daniel’s Pick:

Gorement - The Ending Quest 

Jonathan’s Pick:

Sorathian Dawn - Self-titled and Sun of the Deep EP

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Band - Album

Wolves in the Throne Room - Primordial Arcana

Unto Others - Strength

Skepticism - Companion

The bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and have the biggest battle to date! 

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of new releases from January 2022 to review next episode!

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us with your thoughts at: http://metalquestpod.com

In this episode Daniel and Jonathan listen to three albums picked by last show’s The Ritual from a best-of 2021 list. The Ritual betrays them by picking something like itself. Jonathan gets burned out on vocal vibrato and must betray his past self while Daniel grapples with angsty teen poetry and Dream Theater lyrics.

Jonathan and Daniel then recommend some of their favorites:

Daniel’s Pick:

Skaldr - Scythe of Our Errors

Jonathan’s Pick:

Dust Lord - Machine Cult

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Band - Album

Solstice - Casting the Die

Dream Theater - A View From The Top of the World

Rhapsody of Fire - Glory For Salvation

The bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and face the previous victor to find a new champion!

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of the best of 2021 to review next episode!

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us with your thoughts at: http://metalquestpod.com

Talk all things Metal Quest: https://facebook.com/groups/metalquest

In this episode, Daniel quizzes Jonathan on his knowledge of different Heavy Metal genres, and they soon realize Jonathan doesn’t know anything! Daniel reveals his favorite Heavy Metal band and Jonathan struggles to produce one band on the spot, but is eager to continue the quest.

Jonathan and Daniel then recommend some of their favorites:

Daniel’s Pick:

Angel Sword – Neon City

Jonathan’s Pick:

Lascar - Absence / Depths

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Band – Album

Kill City – Last Man Standing

Bryan Eckermann -- Plague Bringers

Nightland – The Great Nothing

The bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and face the previous victor to find a new champion!

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked from a pool of the best of 2021 to review next episode!

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us at: http://metalquestpod.com

Talk all things Metal Quest: https://facebook.com/groups/metalquest

Daniel has Jonathan put some Christmas characters through a battle to the death to find the ultimate Christmas warrior to calibrate for Jonathan’s tastes. Jonathan and Daniel then swap some albums they’ve been listening to and suggest a shared deep cut:

Jonathan’s Pick:

Band: Knife

Album: Knife

Daniel’s Pick:

Band: Rapid Fire

Album: Brace Yourself  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYPjtGQRKQ

Team Pick:

Artist: The Lord Weird Slough Feg

Album: Traveller

Next, they review the albums picked by last episode’s The Ritual:

Band – Album – Genre

Order – The Gospel – Black Metal

Extreme Cold Winter -- World Exit -- Death Doom

HolyGod Throne -- Power of God -- Unblack

This week's bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and the victor battles it out with the previous champion!

Finally, The Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked for next episode!

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us at: http://metalquestpod.com

Talk all things Metal Quest: https://facebook.com/groups/metalquest

Jonathan quizzes Daniel to find out his favorite genres and Schwarzenegger movies to calibrate for his tastes. Jonathan and Daniel then swap some albums they listen to:

Jonathan’s Pick:

Band: Pure Wrath -- https://purewrath.bandcamp.com/

Album: Ascetic Eventide

Daniel’s Pick:

Band: Ensiferum -- https://ensiferum.com

Album: From Afar

Reviews of the albums picked from last week’s The Ritual:

Sagrado -- Abysmal Slaughter of the Dead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPCFnEqZeRY

https://pathologicallyexplicit.bandcamp.com/album/sagrado-abysmal-slaughter-of-the-dead

Burning Point -- Arsonist of the Soul

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_momuNGxnYZDa2NGYOdhzMEVShkh0X_CBA

https://www.facebook.com/burningpointfinland

1914 -- Where Fear and Weapons Meet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u3MOvWuLH4

https://x1914x.bandcamp.com/album/where-fear-and-weapons-meet

The bands then face off in the Metal Gladitorium and a victor is found!

Finally, the Ritual is ran and three new albums are picked for next week:

Band -- Album -- Genre

Order -- The Gospel -- Black Metal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY_OiV0FT6E

Extreme Cold Winter -- World Exit -- Death Doom

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mfvlQwZVzML0jKbFpdDmPjKjaLdg2xPEc

HolyGod Throne -- Power of God -- Unblack

https://downtuneconproductions.bandcamp.com/album/power-of-god

You can find all things going on with the show and Contact Us at: http://metalquestpod.com

Talk all things Metal Quest: https://facebook.com/groups/metalquest

Daniel shares his Heavy Metal journey and Jonathan scratches the surface of over three decades of listening to and playing all kinds of music. They discuss their plan to listen to and review brand-new metal albums. They run the first pass of The Ritual and randomly pick three albums to listen to. You can find all things with the show and contact us at: http://metalquestpod.com Talk all things metal quest: https://facebook.com/groups/metalquest You can find Daniel at: http://twitch.tv/corpsehammer Tune in next Friday, November 26 2021 for next week’s review. In the meantime, listen to the albums we will be reviewing: Band -- Album -- Genre Sagrado -- Abysmal Slaughter of the Dead -- Brutal Death Burning Point -- Arsonist of the Soul -- Melodic Power 1914 -- Where Fear and Weapons Meet -- Blackened Death / Doom YouTube / Band links: Sagrado -- Abysmal Slaughter of the Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPCFnEqZeRY https://pathologicallyexplicit.bandcamp.com/album/sagrado-abysmal-slaughter-of-the-dead Burning Point -- Arsonist of the Soul https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_momuNGxnYZDa2NGYOdhzMEVShkh0X_CBA https://www.facebook.com/burningpointfinland 1914 -- Where Fear and Weapons Meet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u3MOvWuLH4 https://x1914x.bandcamp.com/album/where-fear-and-weapons-meet