The Smashing Skull Sessions

• Episode 103: Conjurer Interview with Dani Nightingale (Guitar & Vocals)

  The future of British Metal lies in safe hands with Conjurer, who announce their long-awaited new album Páthos, to be released 1st July 2022 via Nuclear Blast. Páthos is not an album for the half-hearted or faint-hearted. Elements of sludge, death, doom, black metal and hardcore influences clash and collide throughout, all masterfully finished by Will Putney's exquisite mix and master. The fifty-minute runtime of Páthos is not without its moments of the sublime. That a band can be at once so triumphantly beautiful and gut-punchingly heavy is testament to Conjurer's quality, and a surefire sign of their future longevity at the top of Britain's heavy music scene. A triumphant return from Conjurer following their world-renowned 2018 debut Mire, Páthos is a band flexing their creative muscles, deepening their approach and thought, and expanding their sound. I got to sit down with guitarist and vocalist Dani Nightingale where we talked about the bands recent visit to Ireland in May with Make Them Suffer, the recording process for their album, 'Pathós', and Star Wars! With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out Conjurer here: https://www.instagram.com/conjureruk/?hl=en Tracks played: 'All You Will Remember', ©️ all rights reserved Conjurer 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 102: The Rising Tide Interview with Phil (Bass) & Cody (Guitars)

  The Rising Tide are a 4 Piece modern deathcore band based out of Manawatu, New Zealand. Originally formed in 2012 and disbanding in 2016, the band returned in 2021 with a new line up and improved heavy sound. The Risings Tide’s sound consists of stupidly low tuned guitars, crushing sub drops, emotional orchestral elements and over the top harsh vocals. Their debut album, 'Trauma', came out the 21st of March, 3 years after their, ''Visions', EP. I got to sit down and chat with Phil and Cody via the power of the internet where we chatted about how the band started, the recording process of their debut album, 'Trauma', and their favourite things about New Zealand. With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out The Rising Tide here: https://www.instagram.com/therisingtide_official/?hl=en Tracks played: 'Sick', ©️ all rights reserved The Rising Tide 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 101: Within Destruction Interview with Howard Fang (Guitars & Vocals)

  Slovenia’s most awesomely audacious, genre defying metal pioneers Within Destruction have officially announced their next chapter with the reveal of their upcoming album 'ANIMETAL'. Speaking on the news of their upcoming album, the band share: “ANIMETAL is a culmination of all the stylistic experimentations that preceded it. These tracks are unapologetically authentic to the band’s identity. With each album released after the band’s deathcore era, we have gradually pushed the boundaries of electronics, clean hooks, and pop sensibility. Each song has a unique identity within the tracklist while retaining the band’s signature heavy-core sound. In previous albums, we experimented with melodic choruses, but with ANIMETAL, they have become a defining feature of our music. Every song has its own hook and appeal, and we hope it resonates deeply with listeners. “Thematically, ANIMETAL explores a wide range of subjects, shifting between fictional, larger-than-life characters and situations, and motifs that are deeply relatable to everyday life. Heavily inspired by anime plots and protagonists, the lyrics often take on a first-person perspective, portraying the struggles these characters face. From the grim battles within one’s own mind to the delusions we sometimes find ourselves lost in, and the crushing weight of the external world, we aim to create a connection with listeners through the storytelling in these tracks.” Building on the momentum of their previous singles ‘DEMON CHILD’ and ‘KANASHIBARI’, WITHIN DESTRUCTION’s fifth studio album, ANIMETAL pushes their sonic experimentation to new heights. Combining their trademark brutality with anime-inspired electronic flourishes, the album reflects their fearless creativity and relentless drive to challenge genre boundaries. I got to sit down with guitarist and clean vocalist Howard Fang where we talked about the recording process for, 'Animetal', playing the bands album release show at Club Asia in Japan, gearing up for European festivals and more! With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed. Avalible on all streaming platforms. Check out Within Destruction here: https://www.instagram.com/withindestructiondm/ Tracks played: 'Cybergirl', ©️ all rights reserved Within Destruction 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 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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