Influencers of Metal Podcast

IoMP 160: Sleep Token - Gimmick or Genius?

Sleep Token is one of the biggest and most divisive bands in modern metal... but are they actually geniuses, or is the mystery just a really effective gimmick? In this edition of Gimmick or Genius, Collin and Tom dive into one of metal's hottest debates. They discuss Sleep Token's anonymous image, lore, live reputation, songwriting, fanbase, and whether either of them actually understands what the band's gimmick is supposed to be. Check out more from Collin! https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/ [https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/] https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132 [https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132] https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/ [https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/] https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/ [https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/] Check out more from Tom! https://themetalrobot.com/ [https://themetalrobot.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews [https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews] https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot [https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot] https://x.com/theMetalRobot [https://x.com/theMetalRobot] https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/] MUSIC: Jorge Ferreira “Tiro Liro a Minha Maneira” [https://youtu.be/Rkp8-YgWDKU?si=HmQzJbP8SzxDgkjt] ----------------------------- DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

IoMP 159: What Have You Been Listening To? - June 2026

The monthly listening party returns! Collin and Tom are back with another edition of What Have You Been Listening To?, breaking down the albums, bands, and songs that have been dominating their playlists throughout June. This time, the duo is joined by a very special guest — the Pumpkin Queen — who jumps into the chaos as the official audience representative, sharing her thoughts, reactions, and one of her own recent metal discoveries. From doom metal and hardcore to metalcore, gothic influences, and theatrical metal madness, this month’s WHYBLT proves once again that there is always something new waiting to destroy your speakers. Grab a coffee, summon the Pumpkin Queen, and join Collin and Tom as they ask the most important question: What Have You Been Listening To? What the fuck have you been listening to? Check out more from Collin! https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/ [https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/] https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132 [https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132] https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/ [https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/] https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/ [https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/] Check out more from Tom! https://themetalrobot.com/ [https://themetalrobot.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews [https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews] https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot [https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot] https://x.com/theMetalRobot [https://x.com/theMetalRobot] https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/] MUSIC: Pink Floyd “Comfortably Numb” [https://youtu.be/4FLjT5V5Hog?si=p6CTpPdvugjjj5Ne] Powerwolf “Sinners of the Seven Seas” [https://youtu.be/BM0_MJAwlDk?si=4rJPZCKGcmO4o77M] Stoned Statues “What Can I Say” [https://youtu.be/651l8wFV7aw?si=Ls11ohAwH49PhNGz] NIKA “Tightrope Breathin” [https://youtu.be/adetMu7Qd7k?si=AXCsp-VNvcvHyb6j] Lindsay Schoolcraft “I Wait for You to Fall” [https://youtu.be/OWy6I3t4EY0?si=pNYugKo4MrOg15wO] Khemmis “Invocation of the Dreamer” [https://youtu.be/MYTVQUv0NEI?si=qwvAkZr4-XgfTEgb] Monolord “Inside a Collider” [https://youtu.be/-dbaNv_GCaA?si=RgEGB3Kc4g6yIMQH] Devin Townsend “Enter the City” [https://youtu.be/Ih78rQZT8U4?si=2y23RPhUaBQTdvvk] August Burns Red “S.O.S.” [https://youtu.be/UesRWg1fsUg?si=fJGDLorZEcOIFRjx] The Fifth Alliance “Benandanti” [https://youtu.be/g_HPpKqeQV0?si=v5cd8DXnzWOheqFh] Guilt Trip “Veins” [https://youtu.be/VCYXyABzIBE?si=G6ZBMHMFU_nOMfx8] Lindsay Schoolcraft “Vague” [https://youtu.be/Gpgy9Zn2kH8?si=VxE2nDTCMvMqviy3] Devin Townsend “Prepare for War” [https://youtu.be/wdhwXKtVBR0?si=1h9mnEe-rwGtFgxY] August Burns Red “Behemoth” [https://youtu.be/1P4TAZFpROc?si=qWD14Yycm2y-z-dc] ----------------------------- DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

IoMP 158: The Metal Songs That Would Make Wrestling Entrances Legendary

A great entrance theme can make or break a wrestler. The right song can turn a simple walk to the ring into a full-blown moment of chaos, intimidation, and pure hype. In this episode of the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom return to the world of wrestling and metal by reimagining the entrance themes of six current WWE and AEW wrestlers — replacing their existing music with the perfect metal anthem. From Scottish brutality to Samoan power and NXT rising stars, Collin puts his wrestling knowledge to the test by matching each wrestler’s personality, background, and character with a metal song that could make their entrance hit even harder. Check out more from Collin! https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/ [https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/] https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132 [https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132] https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/ [https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/] https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/ [https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/] Check out more from Tom! https://themetalrobot.com/ [https://themetalrobot.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews [https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews] https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot [https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot] https://x.com/theMetalRobot [https://x.com/theMetalRobot] https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/] MUSIC: Jorge Ferreira “Tiro Liro a Minha Maneira” [https://youtu.be/Rkp8-YgWDKU?si=HmQzJbP8SzxDgkjt] Bleed From Within “In Place of your Halo” [https://youtu.be/42-e9zFmgPA?si=L5oZif5hbu1k-x0w] Hatebreed “In Ashes They Shall Reap” [https://youtu.be/PrUof1R91rI?si=BKM_InrN4Z1iTRjN] Twin Musicom "Way Out West" [https://youtu.be/1jYKETpAu1A?si=vcNsDtOe0bfZY3fN] ----------------------------- DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

IoMP 157: The Birth of Heavy Metal: The Bands That Defined the 1970s

Before the blast beats, breakdowns, and walls of distortion… there was the beginning. Collin and Tom fire up the metal time machine and head back to the 1970s — the decade where heavy metal began crawling out of the blues, putting on leather jackets, turning the amps up to eleven, and scaring everyone’s parents. In the first episode of their new “Decade Defining Albums” series, the guys explore the bands that helped build the foundation of metal, from the unmistakable darkness of Black Sabbath to the early speed and aggression of Motörhead. Check out more from Collin! https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/ [https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/] https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132 [https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132] https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/ [https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/] https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/ [https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/] Check out more from Tom! https://themetalrobot.com/ [https://themetalrobot.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews [https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews] https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot [https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot] https://x.com/theMetalRobot [https://x.com/theMetalRobot] https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/] MUSIC: Rainbow “Stargazer” [https://youtu.be/YmJIccPWnEk?si=noRZsk1bZhK6aEe5] Saxon “Big Teaser” [https://youtu.be/7ctbxAitjuo?si=u2OPPmNfrFz6Ijby] ----------------------------- DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.

IoMP 156: Metal Around the World: Uzbekistan

The Influencers of Metal Podcast is heading back around the globe! This time, Collin and Tom land in Uzbekistan, a country known for its ancient Silk Road history, stunning architecture, and apparently… an absolutely ridiculous amount of black metal. The boys dive into the underground metal scene of Uzbekistan. From raw black metal to atmospheric darkness, they explore bands including Smärtgränsen, Dark Dimension, Autumnus Aeternus, The Only Survivor, Krsnī, and the mysterious depressive black metal project of “can’t get closer to the voice” known for making everyone sad. Along the way, they discover that Uzbekistan’s metal scene is heavily influenced by the darker side of extreme music, with themes ranging from nature and philosophy to war, chaos, nihilism, and existential despair. Check out more from Collin! https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/ [https://indi1015.ca/shows/thrashers-paradise/] https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132 [https://www.youtube.com/@thrashersparadise4132] https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/ [https://www.instagram.com/thrashers_paradise/] https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/ [https://www.facebook.com/Thrashers.Paradise.666/] Check out more from Tom! https://themetalrobot.com/ [https://themetalrobot.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews [https://www.youtube.com/@MetalRobotReviews] https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot [https://www.facebook.com/theMetalRobot] https://x.com/theMetalRobot [https://x.com/theMetalRobot] https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.metalrobot/] MUSIC: Smärtgränsen “The Spirit of the Forest” [https://youtu.be/GHTuJXoPpmE?si=_EXZ4YnALfNr27Bl&t=151] Dark Dimension “Necro Mass” [https://youtu.be/pK0AEJ65UTs?si=La7v_zJM26Mxa6BX] Autumnus Aeternus “When Moss Covers All Names” [https://youtu.be/KHXGZexjC9E?si=3MsMLjlpf_B5WZBv] The Only Survivor “Blade of Armageddon” [https://youtu.be/dwgF8X4xvrY?si=rzhHivUh8-w2HJbQ] Krsnī “Paysage enneigé” [https://youtu.be/TaCHeo_qXtQ?si=sCqKDUDpoDjqlnl2] can’t get closer to the voice “Mudak. Har doim” [https://youtu.be/tyBskaq-Ly0?si=t25Jlh8oX4mykhbA] ----------------------------- DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.