The Heavy Galaxy Show – Details, episodes & analysis

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, John and Matt sit down with Todd Severin, founder of the iconic Ripple Music label. Todd opens up about the early beginnings of Ripple Music and what led him to launch the label during a bleak time for the music industry. Despite no clear revenue model, Todd pushed forward, motivated by a deep love for underground rock and metal. The conversation shifts to Ripple’s core mission—supporting authentic, riff-driven rock music that often flies under the mainstream radar. The guys dig into the historic Back To The Beginning event in Birmingham, England, where Black Sabbath's original members reunited one final time. Todd reflects on Sabbath's impact and how their legacy still drives the underground scene that Ripple supports today. He reveals how he chooses bands for the Ripple roster and what makes a group truly stand out in today’s crowded music landscape. As an ophthalmologist by day and music executive by night, Todd discusses balancing two demanding careers while staying true to his creative passions. He also dives into his debut novel, Deadly Vision, a gripping medical thriller that explores the darker sides of science and morality.The hosts explore some of the lesser-known artists on Ripple's roster who deserve more spotlight and recognition from fans of heavy music. Todd gives an exciting preview of what’s on the horizon for Ripple Music in 2025, including new releases and festival appearances. The trio discusses whether Ripple’s own Freedom Hawk has officially entered legacy artist territory in the underground heavy rock world, Todd updates us on new music on the horizon from legendary guitarist/frontman Wino, Ripple's Beneath The Desert Floor series and much more.Whether you're a longtime fan of Ripple Music or discovering it for the first time, this episode delivers insight you won't want to miss.Watch the full interview to hear how one man’s passion built a label that helped carry a genre through uncertain times.If you love underground rock, metal, and the stories behind the scenes, this episode was made for you.#RippleMusic #HeavyGalaxyShow #UndergroundRock #StonerRock #BlackSabbath #HeavyMetalCommunity #DeadlyVisionBook #FreedomHawk #MetalReunion #IndependentLabel #RockAndRollLegacy #2025RockReleasesNOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact.

Please SUBSCRIBE, click the notification bell, leave a comment or a like, and share this episode!

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, filmmaker Matt Hartnett (LIFERS/Seismic-Sounds.com) & curator/promoter John Gist (Planet Desert Rock Weekend/Vegas Rock Revolution) sit down with T.R. Morton from Freedom Hawk, one of the most revered names in the heavy rock scene. T.R. opens up about the band’s origin in Virginia Beach and how their sound evolved into a globally recognized force. He breaks down his unique vocal tone, often compared to Ozzy Osbourne, and shares how he crafted that distinct style.The conversation dives into T.R.’s favorite festival experiences, the highs and lows of being in a rock band today, and how Freedom Hawk continues to thrive in a world where rock no longer dominates the mainstream. He shares how the band’s music has landed in major TV shows like Hawaii Five-O and gives his honest take on the current state of rock in American culture. T.R. also hints at what fans can expect next and whether new music is on the way. This is an unfiltered and insightful look into the life of a true rock veteran.#HeavyRock #FreedomHawk #StonerRock #RockMusic #HardRock #TRMorton #TheHeavyGalaxyShow #UndergroundRock #OzzyVibes #RockCulture #DesertRock #RocknRollNOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.Please SUBSCRIBE, click the notification bell, leave a comment or a like, and share this episode!

Matt and John chat it up with PATRIARCHS IN BLACK guitarist Dan Lorenzo (Cassius King/Vessel Of Light/Non Fiction/Hades) and drummer Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative/Quiet Riot) to talk about the duo's sophomore LP 'My Veneration'. The guys discuss the band's unique approach in selecting multiple vocalists on their first two records and the additional elements that were incorporated into the stellar follow up to 2021's 'Reach For The Scars'. Lorenzo and Kelly discuss the differences between a traditional rock/metal band who writes and records music together in a studio compared to what PIB does with their approach as band members who live a significant distance from one another. The guys discuss their recent Grammy nomination consideration for their cover of the Led Zeppelin track 'Friends' which also features renowned vocalist Militia Vox (Judas Priestess). Kelly fills us in on current happenings with his latest project EYE AM which features fellow Type O Negative member Kenny Hickey and Crowbar guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein. Lorenzo gives us the latest on his other bands Vessel Of Light, Cassius King and much more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt and John chat with HAUNT/BEASTMAKER mainman Trevor William Church. Trevor talks growing up in the music world with his father/legendary bassist Bill 'The Electric' Church (Montrose/Sammy Hagar/Van Morrison) and his soon-to-be-released biography 'THE ELECTRIC CHURCH'. Church discusses the recent reactivation of doom metal masters BEASTMAKER and whether or not they will be releasing new music any time soon. Trevor talks the high-production on HAUNT's most recent full-length release 'GOLDEN ARM', his experiences with John at Stoned & Dusted 2018' with BEASTMAKER and much more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt chats with PRONG mainman Tommy Victor about the band's 13th studio full-length 'STATE OF EMERGENCY'. Tommy discusses the his recent relocation from Los Angeles to New York and how it influenced the songwriting and attitude on the record. Victor discusses going back to the band's roots in terms of the album's songwriting and how Prong continues to be one of the only bands to continue playing the groove metal sound of the 90's. Tommy talks about the band's questionable decision to take musical risks on a major label, how band's such as Fear Factory and Static-X modeled their style after his riffs, playing the parking lot at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey before the recent Metallica concert. tour plans for the new record and more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, John sits down with vocalist Wil Martin from Los Angeles hard rock vets Earshot. The guys chat about the recent singles released by the band and discuss their upcoming full-length expected in Spring 2024'. Wil discusses his foray into music, going from a guitar player to a full-time singer, touring with Filter and experiencing Richard Patrick's difficulties on the road, Earshot's upcoming tour and much more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt & John sit down with guitarist/vocalist Dan Frick and bassist Kip Page from San Diego heavy rockers FORMULA 400. The guys discuss the bands latest release 'Divination' and the inspiration behind the album's first single 'Whiskey Bent'. Frick & Page discuss the band's decision to add a more heavier edge to their overall sound as well as the recent lineup change with the addition of new guitarist Alex Zambon. Page discusses this year's SoCal Heavy Jam and the impetus for putting together the annual festival. The guys get into a discussion about the San Diego scene and how it has grown to become one of the biggest hotbeds for heavy rock over the last two decades. Frick and Page talk about their favorite and least favorite live experiences with the band, challenges for San Diego bands when it comes to touring and much more.

On this episode of THE HEAVY GALAXY SHOW, John Gist returns as he and Matt sit down with THUNDER HORSE guitarist/vocalist Stephen Bishop to talk about the bands new album 'After The Fall'. Bishop talks on what factors inspired the musical direction of their third full-length and what makes guitarist Todd Connally such a force to be reckoned with in the underground heavy rock/metal scene. Stephen discusses his musical journey that began in San Antonio as a late-teen and whats makes the city such a hotspot for rock and metal. Bishop discusses his time as a frontman for Cleopatra recording artists and industrial metal heavyweights PITBULL DAYCARE, how the new album has been able to attract fans across several different sub-genres and much more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt sits down vocalist Karl Agell to talk about new band LIE HEAVY and their debut release ‘Burn To The Moon. Agell discusses the bands formation and musical direction while explaining his vocal approach on the record and how he goes about writing lyrics. The guys discuss Karl’s history as a vocalist that began in the southern Connecticut hardcore-thrash scene back in the mid-to-late 80’s with his bands Seizure and School Of Violence. Agell talks about his time with the legendary Corrosion of Conformity and the band’s iconic ‘Blind’ album as the band successfully transitioned to a different sound and style during the early 90’s. Agell discusses forming LEADFOOT after his departure from COC and talks about the debacle with Roadrunner Records upon releasing their debut album ‘Bring It On’ in 1997. Karl talks about his current projects including celebrating the late-great Eric Wagner in LEGIONS OF DOOM and replacing him as the vocalist for THE SKULL, his appearance on the up-coming PATRIARCHS IN BLACK album, how he has been able to keep his vocal prowess intact after years in the music business and much more.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt sits down with MONSTER MAGNET guitarist Phil Caivano to talk his debut self-titled solo release CAIVANO. Caivano discusses the writing and recording process the took place during the pandemic for the album and how the music compares to what he’s know for musically over the course of his forty-five plus year career. Phil discusses his decades long-relationship with Monster Magnet frontman Dave Wyndorf and how they have been able to maintain a strong friendship and working relationship that started in the late 70’s with the punk band SHRAPNEL. The guys get into a discussion of the New York City heavy rock scene in the early 90’s when Caivano was the frontman for sleaze rock heavyweights BLITZSPEER and discuss the legendary rock club Limelight/Rock N Roll Church where the band recorded a live record for major label Epic/Sony. The guys have a extended discussion on Caivano’s late-friend and former bandmate Todd Youth and his the under the radar musical career that saw him record and play with Danzig, Ace Frehley, Cheap Trick and more. Phil talks about Monster Magnet’s recently completed European tour and the bands upcoming appearance at Desertfest NY, his take on the stoner rock moniker, his plans for the solo record in terms of playing live shows and more.