This week on Noise Report, Matt and Brian tackle one of the most celebrated metal releases of the 2000s: Baroness’s 2009 sophomore achievement, Blue Record. After bursting out of Savannah, Georgia, with the raw power of the Red Album, Baroness returned to deliver a 44-minute suite of intricate, twin-guitar-heavy rock.

We break down what makes this album an undeniable masterpiece—from John Dyer Baizley’s iconic artwork to its folk-infused dual-lead solos to its seamless transitions and historical lyrics. Plus, we share modern and classic band recommendations for fans of this essential record.

Featured Tracks:

• FIREBREATHER - "The Blood That I Spill Turns to Fire"
• This Brutal World - "The Battle "

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

GO! On this episode, Chris Hemmah joins Matt and Brian to discuss influential Swedish death metal band At the Gates and their powerhouse album Slaughter of the Soul.

Chris talks ATG concert memories while the guys explore the band’s lofty goals for this album, their influence on 2000s metal, and Tomas Lindberg’s final vocal performance on last year’s The Ghost of a Future Dead.

Need more death metal recommendations? We gotcha covered. Stick around for heavy hitters both old and new.

Featured Tracks:

• Mother of Graves - "Through the Pale Shade"
• Firebreather - "El Cuervo"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

Heavy. Dark. Sexy?!?

Type O Negative blended lots of sounds and themes throughout their influential career. Brian and Matt discuss The Drab Four's twists and turns - from thrash metal to Playgirl cover shoots - and why 1996's October Rust cemented their goth metal legacy.

Featured Tracks:

• STONEBIRDS - "Sea of Sorrow" and "So Far Away"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

With its volatile recording process, brutal sound, vile lyrics, and terrible timing, Slipknot's second album seemed doomed from the start. Yet, Iowa became a mainstream success and, 25 years later, stands as a landmark in heavy music.

Matt and Brian discuss how an album created in pure chaos not only didn't destroy the band but proved to be an absolute Disasterpiece.

Plus, what newer bands do 'Knot fans need to check out? We've got plenty of recommendations, maggots!

Featured Tracks:

• Rise in Vein - "Tearing at the Cracks"
• Deathrow Bodeen - "Circles"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

David Garza from Houston, Texas doom metal band Suffering joins The Noise Report to talk about Arise from Sepultura. We agree Sepultura should always be mentioned alongside other thrash giants like Metallica and Slayer, and we explain why in this episode.

Just like Max and Iggor Cavalera, David started Suffering with his own brother. He tells us what that’s like, as well as how heavy metal saved his life and other bands that Sepultura fans need in their collections.

If you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, the caring counselors at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are here for you. You are not alone. Call or text 988, or get more info at https://988lifeline.org.

Featured Tracks:

• Suffering - "Drowning"
• PAURA - "Purity in Heresy"

Gravitoyd Heavy Music

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

Doom metal frontman JD Dureell from Houston heavy hitters Direlands joins the show to discuss NOLA, the instant classic debut from Down.

We get into the backstory of this Southern metal supergroup featuring members of Pantera, Crowbar, Eyehategod, and Corrosion of Conformity. Plus, we talk about how the swampy air of New Orleans and Houston produces some “GODDAMN” heavy music and why the Texas scene is one for metalheads to keep an ear on.

Direlands Links:

direlands.com

YouTube

Instagram

Gravitoyd Heavy Music

Gravitoyd.com

facebook

Featured Tracks:

• Direlands - "Leviathan"
• Suffering - "Peaks of Despair"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

Deftones' lengthy career spans numerous excellent albums, including Adrenaline, White Pony, and Around the Fur. This week, Matt and Brian delve into 2012's Koi No Yokan and explain why this less obvious pick is Deftones' finest work.

If you dig Koi No Yokan, the end of the episode provides plenty of recommendations: influences, modern torchbearers, Chino Moreno side projects, and whatever the hell nu-gaze is.

Pull on some oversized Dickies, and enjoy this Deftones deep dive!

Featured Tracks:

• MØL - "DREAM"
• Direlands - "Iron God"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify

Are Queens of the Stone Age metal? Maybe, maybe not. But screw it ... We love this band and want to share our love witchu!

From the ashes of Kyuss rose this hard-to-pin-down band that's had mainstream success while staying kinda weird. Brian and Matt were immediately captivated by "If Only" in the late '90s and have remained QOTSA fans ever since.

They reveal their favorite albums and the stories behind them, from Josh Homme's near-death experience to the vast cast of characters that have shaped the sound of these desert rock titans.

The guys share personal stories and recommend bands both new and old, so get ready to branch out and rock out to all kinds of fuzzy goodness!

Featured Tracks:

• Rise In Vein - "Low Signal"
• Lust Ritual - "Solitude"

NOISE REPORT LINKS:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube

Support the show: Check out the Noise Report merch shop, and find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org

Rock out to The Noise Report playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify