IRAN, RACISM, FAMILY AND MUSIC WITH NINA SAEIDI: Lowen singer on Middle Eastern heritage, bringing weapons onstage, US–Iran War, the time someone died on her

WHY KARNIVOOL TOOK 13 YEARS TO MAKE AN ALBUM: Ian Kenny reveals the story behind In Verses

Ian Kenny is the lead singer of Australian progressive metal icons Karnivool. On episode 14 of Heavy Stories, he explains why the band took 13 years to make their new album, In Verses. From mental health issues to practical struggles and balancing life as a family man, he goes deep into the reasons for the decade-plus dry spell, and teases that it won’t take another 13 years for their next project to come out!

THE BEST METAL ALBUMS OF 2026 SO FAR!

It’s June, which means we’re already (nearly) halfway through 2026! The passage of time is as relentless as it is terrifying, but at least we can distract ourselves with all the top-notch metal we’ve been handed since the New Year. Join Matt and fellow music journo Pavel Kondov as they details the albums which have rattled their ears the best this year!

HELLRIPPER TALKS SCORCHING RIFFS AND SCOTTISH FOLKLORE: James McBain on new album Coronach, Metallica vs Megadeth, Anthony Fantano, myth and more

The last few episodes have been heavy even by our standards, with discussions of war, anxiety, suicide, being attacked in the street, ADHD and attempted murder. So, for episode 12, we got Hellripper leader James McBain to talk about fast riffs and Scottish myth, and how both shaped his new album Coronach. We also chatted about the review he got from Anthony Fantano, Metallica vs Megadeth and his isolated life in the Highlands.

DAN TOMPKINS’ JOURNEY WITH ADHD: Tesseract singer on neurodivergence, police past, new project Prince of Failure and more

Dan Tompkins is the singer of British progressive metal luminaries Tesseract and rock two-piece Prince of Failure. On episode 11 of Heavy Stories, he talks about his recent diagnosis with ADHD and life as a neurodivergent person. We also discuss the new Prince of Failure album, his early days in Tesseract, his nine years as a policeman and plenty more.

HOW EINAR SOLBERG CONTROLS HIS ANXIETY: Leprous frontman opens up on mental health, confronting worrying thoughts, family, meeting Ihsahn and more

Einar Solberg is the singer/guitarist in Norwegian progressive metal band Leprous and a solo artist. On episode 10 of Heavy Stories, he discusses his history with anxiety, including how it was exacerbated by being attacked on the street aged 16 and the death of his father when he was 19. He also reveals some of his coping mechanisms and how he was able to stop his mental health from dominating his life. Image: Leo Liberti.