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"

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Step into the barbed-wire steel cage with us! We talk with Calvin Mathis, aka Ultimo, singer/guitarist for the wrestling-themed hardcore band Tongan Death Grip, about heavy music's many connections to professional wrestling. We discuss early wrestling memories, what makes a great entrance theme, and how Tongan Death Grip uses wrestling references to get their political views across in unique ways.

NOTE (from Matt): We recorded this episode just a few days before the passing of Every Time I Die guitarist and pro wrestler "The Butcher" Andy Williams. He was one of the artists I meant to mention, but in the course of the conversation, it slipped my mind. Apologies to my fellow ETID / Butcher fans for that glaring omission. And of course, condolences to his friends and family. Rest in Peace, Andy Williams.

Featured Tracks:

• Tongan Death Grip - "Brainbuster"
• Tongan Death Grip - "Lita’s Baby"

Noise Report Links:

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Megadeth's Rust in Peace is a thrash metal landmark that tackled greed, power, and corruption in a way that feels as relevant today as it did in 1990. Matt and Brian dissect this album's greatness, highlight other Megadeth catalog standouts, and offer recommendations for further listening.

They also review the band's final, self-titled album and discuss Dave Mustaine's most frustrating quality. Despite some hard truths, the conversation ultimately steers in a positive direction and celebrates the legacy of this thrash metal giant.

Featured Tracks:

• PAURA - "Their History Still Bleeds"
• Miscreance - "Vision"

Noise Report Links:

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

Interact with fellow metalheads in the Noise Report YouTube Community.

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From the ashes of Sleep rose High On Fire, one of the most influential doom metal bands of the 21st century. This episode reflects on the band's sound, lyrical themes, and lasting influence.

Matt and Brian cover topics ranging from Matt Pike’s guitar artistry to conspiracy theories to whether you need to be stoned to enjoy stoner rock. We have tons of fun breaking down this consistently powerful metal force and recommending more bands for High on Fire fans.

Featured Tracks:

• Grin - "Liquefaction"
• Lammoth - "Farewell, Good Beast of Burden"

Noise Report Links:

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Nirvana released Nevermind, and rock music changed overnight, right? Well, that’s only part of the story.

They didn’t alter the mainstream landscape alone. They had help from many punk-minded outfits, including Soundgarden. Released just weeks after Nevermind, Badmotorfinger gave metal fans a true alternative to the Auqanet-infused schlock dominating the mainstream.

From bulldozing guitar work to Chris Cornell’s incredible vocals to mature lyrics that stand the test of time, Matt and Brian dive deep into why this record remains an unbeatable fusion of psychedelic rock, punk ethos, and Sabbathian heavy metal. Plus, the guys cover some grunge rock history and offer plenty of band recommendations.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available right now. You can call or text 988 or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support 24/7.

Featured Tracks:

• WyndRider - “Motorcycle Witches”
• WyndRider - “Space Paper/Acid Saloon”

Noise Report Links:

thenoisereport.com

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

Interact with fellow metalheads in the Noise Report YouTube Community.

Find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org.

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The Acacia Strain is one of the heaviest and most unrelenting forces in extreme music. Blending elements of hardcore, doom, and deathcore, their music is a brutal soundtrack for anger, frustration, and existential misanthropy.

In this episode, Matt and Brian dive deep into this Massachusetts metal act and their iconic 2010 album Wormwood. They touch on their iconic artwork, diverse guest features, and why we try to avoid gatekeeping on this show. As always, they offer new band recommendations, from metalcore pioneers to today's vicious upstarts.

Get ready for "kielbasa-fueled RAGE!"

Featured Tracks:

• Lammoth - "A Gardener"
• Freya - "Who Has Passed Into Spirit Life"

Angryblue's website

Noise Report Links:

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It was damn near impossible to choose just one Lamb of God album for this episode. We went with Sacrament, but we cover plenty of overarching factors that make them one of this century’s best metal acts. From deep lyrics to a perfect groove-to-heaviness ratio to Randy Blythe’s stoic wisdom, there’s a lot to love about Lamb of God. If you’re not already into this band, consider this your motherf_cking invitation!

Featured Tracks:

• Demons My Friends "The Isolate"
• Illimitable Dolor "Soil She Bears"

Listen to the Loud Lit episode on Randy's Blythe's Dark Days

Noise Report Links:

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ARRRRE YOOOOU READYYYY?!?

From new sounds to the rawest of emotions, Korn introduced the music world to a whole new style. On this Noise Report, Matt and Brian break down what Korn's 1994 debut meant to them as middle schoolers and how this groundbreaking album resonates today. Plus, they deliver band recommendations that Korn fans need to hear.

Featured Tracks:

• Grin - "Fuller"
• Split Shift - "Wrist"

Gravitoyd Heavy Music: gravitoyd.com

Noise Report Links:

thenoisereport.com

Watch on YouTube.

Rock out to the Noise Report playlist.

Interact with fellow metalheads in the Noise Report YouTube Community.

Find metal book recommendations at Bookshop.org.

Start your own podcast with Captivate.