The Smashing Skull Sessions

• Episode 100: Unto Others Interview with Gabriel Franco (Guitars & Vocals)

  Unto Others emerged in the summer of 2017, born from the frustration of singer/songwriter Gabriel Franco following the disbandment of his previous group. Initially named Idle Hands, the band served as Franco's creative outlet, allowing him full control over the songwriting process. With the addition of Sebastian Silva, Brandon Hill and Colin Vranizan, the band quickly gained traction in the underground music scene with their blend of old-school Heavy Metal, Goth, New Wave, and Post Punk. Their EP "Don't Waste Your Time" garnered critical acclaim, leading to a European tour and accolades from renowned metal publications. The momentum continued as Unto Others entered the studio to record their debut full-length album, "Mana," produced by Gabe Johnston and Franco himself. The album's release in 2019 marked a significant milestone for the band, with positive reviews and high streaming numbers. Despite facing challenges like visa issues and the pandemic, Unto Others persevered, signing with Roadrunner Records and releasing their sophomore album "Strength" in 2021. The album received widespread acclaim, and the band continued to tour extensively across the US, Europe and UK, supporting bands like Behemoth, Arch Enemy, Carcass and Napalm Death, building a dedicated fanbase worldwide. Building upon the resounding success of "Strength" in 2023, Unto Others introduced "Strength II ...Deep Cuts" featuring six previously unreleased tracks from the same prolific sessions produced by Arthur Rizk. In 2024, Unto Others embarks on a transformative journey with industry titan Century Media for their highly anticipated third album, "Never, Neverland," set to launch on September 20th. Produced by acclaimed Tom Dalgety (Ghost and The Cult), the album not only solidifies Unto Others as successors to Type O Negative and the Sisters of Mercy but also marks them as a band on the verge of something unholy and massive. Building on their underground classics "Mana" and "Strength", the album represents a departure, with harsh light breaking through their darkened gothic and classic metal motifs. Lead singles like "Butterfly", "Raigeki ", the grandiose "Angel Of The Night" and punkish abandon of "Suicide Today" reveal a progression from their earlier sound, blending melodious gloom with punkish abandon. Amidst this pivotal moment, the band's unwavering focus remains steadfastly fixed on extensive tours across Europe, the United States, and beyond. Fueled by relentless dedication and a fiery passion for music creation and audience connection, Unto Others charges forward. Their distinctive sound reverberates through the veins of contemporary heavy metal, solidifying their position in the genre's evolving landscape. I got to sit down with Gabriel where we talked about the bands visit to Ireland in Febuary with Green Lung, the recording process for the bands album, 'Never, Neverland', and camping! With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out Unto Others here: https://www.instagram.com/untootherspdx/?hl=en Tracks played: 'Butterfly', ©️ all rights reserved Unto Others Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast. Like, subscribe and always support the scene. Horns up and stay safe 🤘🤘 The Smashing Skull Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/thesmashingskullsessions/

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• Episode 99: Employed To Serve Interview with Sammy Urwin (Guitar)

  Leading lights of British metal, Employed To Serve, take pride of place on the heavy metal world stage as they return with brand new single 'Atonement' feat. Will Ramos of Lorna Shore, plus long-awaited new studio album, 'Fallen Star', set for release on Friday, April 25th. "We want to fly the flag for heavy metal and the traditions that it holds," offers guitarist and songwriter Sammy Urwin, "But at the same time we want to play our part in taking things forward." Since meeting in their teens on the outskirts of Lurdon, vocalist Justine Jones and guitarist / co-vocalist Sammy have had their sights fixed on the road ahead. At first, it was all about standing with the local scene bands they admired, but before long they were forging a path of their own, lifers with a mission, evolving from the feral mathcore of their early EPs to detonating a full-throttle career high with 2021 album, 'Conquering. And now there's 'Fallen Star', an 11-track tour-de-force that sees the collective ETS vision refined to an even sharper degree... Produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, a longstanding presence behind the desk, it features a number of special guests, including Killswitch Engage's Jesse Leach on 'Whose Side Are You On?' and Svalbard's Serena Cherry on 'Last Laugh'. 'Fallen Star', the band's third album via Spinefarm, is a record of dizzying diversity, yet also one that is utterly uncompromising. I got to sit down and chat with Sammy Urwin where we talked about the recording of the bands new album, 'Fallen Star', working with Serena Cherry, Jesse Leach and Will Ramos on the album and going all the way back to 2021 where we talk about Download fest. With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out Employed To Serve here: https://www.instagram.com/employedtoserve/?hl=en Tracks played: 'Whose Side Are You On? (Feat Jesse Leach)', ©️ all rights reserved Employed To Serve Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast. Like, subscribe and always support the scene. Horns up and stay safe 🤘🤘 The Smashing Skull Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/thesmashingskullsessions/

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• Episode 98: Exhorder Interview with Kyle Thomas (Vocals & Guitars)

  Formed in 1986, Exhorder’s journey has proven exciting, yet tumultuous. Fraught with euphoric peaks and crippling valleys throughout its existence, the band debuted that summer with the do-it-yourself demo recording, “Get Rude”. Swiftly building a strong local following in the New Orleans punk rock scene, Exhorder entered a legitimate 24 track studio in 1987 and crafted their controversial classic demo, “Slaughter In The Vatican”. From there, the international attention the band drew via the world of underground tape-trading was indisputable. However, as fate would have it, the band broke up for the first time in early 1988 due to internal struggles. A reformation ensued later that year, and Exhorder set out once again to pursue its vision. The band soon signed with Mean Machine Records, but the label dissolved before the band’s debut could be completed. The contract was subsequently purchased by R/C Records, a subsidiary of Roadracer/Roadrunner Records. With a small recording budget and repairs to previous sessions, the album version of Slaughter In The Vatican was finally completed in 1990. With the assistance of legendary producer Scott Burns in 1990, Slaughter in the Vatican was finally completed nearly five years after much of the material was written. In the years that followed the relaunch of the band, Exhorder has toured extensively in both the United States and Europe. The reputation the band has carried as a force onstage continues to grow. With a new release in association with Nuclear Blast completed and set for release in 2024, Exhorder are plotting another busy year performing worldwide. I got to sit down with Kyle Thomas before the band played Whelans on the 21st of April where we talked about the band returning to Ireland, the recording process for their new album, 'Defectum Omnium', and his favourite Exhorder songs to play on guitar. With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out Exhorder here: https://www.instagram.com/exhorderofficial/?hl=en Tracks played: 'Wrath of Prophecies', ©️ all rights reserved Exhorder Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast. Like, subscribe and always support the scene. Horns up and stay safe 🤘🤘 The Smashing Skull Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/thesmashingskullsessions/

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• Episode 97: Worm Circus Interview with Ray (Drums) Liam (Guitar) and Blair (Vocals)

  Formed in 2023 by guitarist Liam Myers, Worm Circus emerged as a raw and aggressive force within the Potsdam hardcore scene. In 2024, Liam met drummer Ray Stevens at a local hardcore show, leading to a lineup shift that saw the band scrapping its original material and starting fresh. With Ray behind the kit, they crafted a new sound, heavier and more intense than before. Soon after, bassist Dan Mariano joined the fold, solidifying the instrumental section. Following a lineup change on vocals, Blair Hutchison stepped in to complete the band’s sonic assault. The debut EP from Worm Circus blends unrelenting aggression with emotionally charged dynamics and lyrics through 4 unique songs. With a DIY approach, the release was entirely self-produced and engineered, in addition to being mixed and mastered by close friend and musical companion, Dustin Wright. I got to sit down with Ray, Liam and Blair where we talked about how the band started, the recording of their debut EP, 'Worm Circus', the music scene in Potsdam anmd so much more. With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check Worm Circus here: https://www.instagram.com/wormcircus/ Tracks played: 'Hidden Hand', ©️ all rights reserved Worm Circus Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast. Like, subscribe and always support the scene. Horns up and stay safe 🤘🤘 The Smashing Skull Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/thesmashingskullsessions/

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• Episode 96: Cancer Band Interview with John Walker (Guitar & Vocals)

  For over 35 years UK death metal legends Cancer have been delivering some of the most brutal and uncompromising music in the genre. Now, they return with Inverted World, their highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Shadow Gripped. Set for release on 25th April via Peaceville Records, the album promises a return to their signature blend of serrated riffing, guttural vocals, and relentless aggression. Expect a dark and visceral journey into dystopia, corruption, and existential horror. Speaking on the upcoming release, founding member and vocalist John Walker shared “I started writing the new material shortly after the Covid lockdowns. I nearly always usually start the writing process by basically fooling around on the guitar, then after a while riffs start to turn into musical ideas. The lyrics, I tend to spend some time thinking about a concept and then I pick the vocabulary appropriate to the idea. Inspiration comes from what's happening and what has happened in the world and curious tales that interest me. This album is the bands seventh full length release and I feel very fortunate at my age to still be able to do it, mixed by V. Santura I'm super happy with how it's turned out.” Death metal titans Cancer burst onto the UK extreme metal scene over thirty-five years ago and quickly established a strong global following over the early part of their careers, primarily due to the release of the legendary debut To the Gory End, swiftly followed by the equally revered Death Shall Rise album, which notably also featured death metal maestro James Murphy on lead guitars. The band’s trajectory increased further with follow-up opus The Sins of Mankind, leading to a stint with major label EastWest under Warner Music. 2018 saw the band return after a long period of inactivity for comeback release and Peaceville debut Shadow Gripped, which reunited the original core trio for the first time since 1995 for a stellar nod to the glory days of old; savage, thrash-tinged deathly odes to the macabre, gaining the approval of old fans and a new generation of death metal maniacs alike. In a year which also marks the 35th anniversary of the genre-classic debut, To the Gory End, founding member and vocalist/guitarist/songwriter John Walker leads a now-revamped quartet for Cancer’s seventh full-length album in the form of Inverted World. A relentless attack of masterful song-writing and brutal hooks, Inverted World explores the dark and murky world of manipulation and barbarity both past and present, with themes relating to shadowy entities and cult mentalities, including the brainwashing of people into compliance and the weaponizing of religion. And as an extra treat for the band’s fanbase in particular, the track ‘Corrosive’ also resurrects the old and familiar tale of the acid bath murderer. I got to sit down and chat with John Walker where we chatted about the recording process for the bands new album, 'Inverted World', the bands upcoming gig in Ireland in September and working with James Murphy from Obituary. With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check Cancer here: https://www.instagram.com/cancerofficialband/ Tracks played: 'Corrosive', ©️ all rights reserved Cancer Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast. Like, subscribe and always support the scene. Horns up and stay safe 🤘🤘 The Smashing Skull Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/thesmashingskullsessions/

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