John Staley

Episode Highlights: * Walking Back the Hot Take: Hosts John Staley and Derek Showerhead get self-aware and revisit a previous, highly critical take they had regarding the legendary Swedish melodic death metal band, Amon Amarth. * Praise for "Gjallarhorn": Derek admits he judged the band's current status too hastily and praises their recent track "Gjallarhorn" (tied to the Upphaf / The Allfather Awakens cycle) as a massive return to their aggressive, Viking metal roots. * Addressing the Backlash: The duo dives into the heat they took from their listeners over their original comments. * Authenticity vs. Gimmicks: The conversation shifts into a deeper discussion about the role of identity in heavy metal and why metal fans aggressively defend authenticity over perceived gimmicks. * Podcasting Confessions: John humorously owns up to his own podcasting ineptitude and admits to a lack of general knowledge regarding the band's extensive back catalog. * Fearing the Horde: Der…

In this episode, John and Derek dig into Amon Amarth’s new acoustic surprise, “upphaf” and debate whether the band’s newer sound is a bold evolution or a step too far from their roots. Longtime fans might argue that Amon Amarth has shifted toward polished, fist-pumping festival anthems and too far away from tracks like “First Kill.” And thus the question comes back again: Are bands able to successfully evolve and change their styles and vibes without alienating their fan bases?

If you already know who Boundaries is, then you know their latest album "Yearning: The Unbeautiful After" is incredibly powerful. If you're not yet familiar with the band, prepare yourself to be introduced to the band that is currently defining what metalcore is: Aggressive, honest and downright brutal. Derek and John break down why this record, rooted in raw emotion and inspired by tragedy, might just be the future of the genre—an unapologetic blast of honesty, grit, and pain. They explore ...

Unlock the raw intensity behind Mastodon's haunting new single "Your Ghost Again." A powerful tribute to loss, grief, and legacy that echoes through the heavy riffs and emotional lyrics. In this episode, John and Derek delve into the deeply personal story woven into Mastodon's latest release, exploring how grief, anger, and remembrance shape the band's sound and message. The Shit Talk buffoons unpack the heartfelt themes of mourning, healing, and the subtle evolution of Mastodon's signature blend.

Most death metal fans haven't heard the full story behind Chuck Schuldiner's legacy—until now. Matt Harvey, the legendary guitarist and vocalist from Exhumed, Gruesome, and now Left to Die, shares candid insights into his journey from learning classic death riffs as a teen to stepping into Chuck Schuldiner's shoes. Discover how one of the most respected death metal figures of all time influences a new generation and why preserving the genre’s brutal yet melodic roots is more critical than ever.

100 Demons have unleashed Embrace the Black Light, a ferocious, anger-fueled record that’s been 22 years in the making. Derek and John get into how this long-awaited album challenges modern rock’s safety and the artistry behind its relentless riffs, raw (yet polished) production and provocative artwork. If you're craving pure heavy, this is their statement—an onslaught of hardcore and metal that refuses to fit into any box. In this review: An exploration into what makes Embrace the Black Light a masterclass in staying heavy—without compromise. How the band's raw authenticity pushes the boundaries of genre and convention. Standout tracks like “Meat for the Beast" and “Spiritual Obliteration,” an unrelenting album closer that embodies pure aggression. Plus some chat about the album’s production, mixing, and the high-octane artwork that complements their sound. This new material isn’t just heavy for heaviness’s sake; it’s a cathartic, anti-establishment roar that cuts through the n…

Most heavy metal bands try to reinvent the wheel — these guys just crush it with old-school thrash that hits like a freight train. Denmark’s Persecutor is redefining the genre, blending fierce nostalgia with modern aggression on their recent album Casualties Of Violence, a 31-minute album packed with relentless riffs and raw energy. Stefan Sorensen, riff meister and long-time member, takes us inside the band's creative process, influences, and the secrets behind their old school crushing sound, what it really takes to stay motivated on the road and just how much they all love Britney Spears. Discover how decades-old riffs can still shape a band's identity, why mixing old-school thrash with death metal elements is a recipe for audacious authenticity, and how their minimalist, no-filler album formula keeps listeners hooked from start to finish. Stefan reveals the band’s unique approach to songwriting—drawing inspiration from the Big Four (Five? Six?) — and how their Danish roots fuel…

Guest Ole Frank is the drummer and producer of Danish prog metal band Deadnate, known for his meticulous approach to recording and mixing, which helped shape the sound of Mosaic—a record praised for its clarity, aggression, and emotional depth.

In this proglicious episode, the Shit Talk yahoos dive deep into A Pale White Dot, examining why even the most polished metal records can feel a little off to some listeners while being absolutely perfect to others. Some tracks blast into your face like a freight train, while others meander into synth-rich territory that leave some folks yearning for more of the heavy. They get into their standout moments from the record—highlighting Will Ramos’s explosive performance on Subhuman and the riff-driven force of Malevolent and explore why experimentation and moving away from a certain style can sometimes feel hit or miss. John and Derek also get into the band’s unconventional songwriting process for this album, how digital tools and AI are transforming music production, remixing, and even artist originality, the shifting expectations of heavy versus mellow, and how personal taste shapes our perception of a “good record” and why the future might see fans customizing their albums, remixi…

In this episode of Sh!t Talk Reviews, John Staley and Derek Showerhead dive into Mosaic, the latest release from Danish metal outfit Deadnate. The hosts hail the album as a potential "Top 10 of the Year" contender, praising its seamless blend of thrash, progressive metal, and raw aggression. They explore the band's unique production process—multi-tracking during rehearsals to maintain a high-energy, DIY feel that rivals big-budget studio releases. Key highlights include the dual-vocal dynamic between Simon Juul and Kenneth Kejlstrup and deep dives into standout tracks like "Neon Burner," "Guilt and Sorrow," and "Funeral Cortège."

The much-anticipated collaboration between grindcore legends Napalm Death and the legendary Melvins is here— but does it live up to the hype? Dive into a raw, candid breakdown of "Savage Imperial Death March," where the consensus seems to be that it's more Melvins than Napalm Death and it lacks the of aggression and the heavy dose of Napalm Death that may leave some fans of either band feeling disappointed. Check why this album feels more like a relaxed Melvins studio session than a true fusion of these intense acts, and why many believe it misses the mark on the velocity and bite expected from their legendary catalogs.

If you're into progressive metal that combines raw intensity with meticulous craftsmanship, Periphery should be high on your list of must listen material. John and Derek get into Mr. God, the first single from Periphery's upcoming album A Pale White Dot. This latest single, on their own 3 Dot Recordings, is a ferocious mix of chunky, heavy baritone guitars, monstrous bass tones, searing vocals and huge drums— all crafted with a level of production that elevates the entire genre.

In this episode of the Shit Talk Reviews Heavy Metal Podcast, hosts Derek and John dive deep into the debut album From Birth To Death by the sludge/doom supergroup Sun Don’t Shine. Featuring a powerhouse lineup including Kirk Windstein and Todd Strange (Crowbar, Down), Kenny Hickey, and Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative), the duo discusses how the record transcends typical genre boundaries. The review highlights the album's unique blend of Black Sabbath-inspired doom, Soundgarden-esque grunge, and surprisingly melodic, Beatles-esque songcraft. They praise Kenny Hickey’s soaring vocal performance and the meticulous, filler-free songwriting that resulted from years of deliberate crafting. It is described as a "soundtrack for introspection and resilience" that elevates the modern metal landscape.

Derek and John recently spent some time with Edge Of Paradise’s singer, pianist and visionary Margarita Monet. Most artists channel their inner sci-fi visionary by dreaming of a full-fledged movie based on their album — but Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise is already on her way. She’s blending heavy riffs, cinematic visuals, the realities and wishes for AI, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human into her band's art and ambitions.

Nashville's metal scene is thriving in ways you never expected—chaotic, intense, and deeply connected. John and Derek sat down for a conversation with Jacob Lilly, vocalist of Chamber, and he pulled back the curtain on their latest album this is goodbye… revealing how chaos, emotion, and raw energy define their sound and their journey. Discover how they push musical boundaries with producer Randy LaBeouf.

Into Oblivion is being hailed as their most vital and cohesive work in over a decade. It’s a 45-minute "precision-engineered slab of groove-driven fury" that tackles the breakdown of the American social contract and the "fractured world" of 2026

In this episode, the Shittalkreviews crew dives deep into the latest release from the band Chamber, titled "this is goodbye..." The hosts provide a comprehensive, track-by-track breakdown of the entire album, offering their unfiltered opinions and individual ratings for every song—from the opening intensity of "Arms of Eternity" to the final notes of "In Revolving Doors." Listeners will get an inside look at the album's production, songwriting, and overall place in the heavy metal scene. The episode concludes with a final verdict for the record. Whether you're a long-time fan of Chamber or looking for your next heavy rotation, this review covers everything you need to know about their newest chaos.

Textures released their latest album Genotype in January of 2026 and because John is an insatiable fan of music that can be hard to tap your toes to, the guys had to get into it. Derek and John spent some time exploring its ambient and progressive metal elements, vocal styles, and production quality. They also got into a bit of the band's evolution, their favorite tracks, and the importance of music in coping with life's challenges.

The "Dream Team" is back! In this episode, we break down Rob Zombie’s 2026 return to form, The Great Satan. With Riggs and Blasko returning to the fold, we discuss whether this record recaptures the raw, industrial magic of Hellbilly Deluxe or if it’s just a nostalgic trip through the dark carnival.

Tweedle Dee (Derek) and Tweedle Dum (John) combined their two brains into a simpleton process to come up with the best metal album of 2025. Watch and listen as these dopes somehow land on a pretty damn good list of Top Metal Albums of 2025.

John and Derek were a little late to the party for this album but had to talk about the power that Dave Davidson and the boys in Revocation brought with their latest outing New Gods, New Masters. They delve into the musicianship of the band, particularly highlighting guitarist Dave Davidson's skills, and reflect on the cultural commentary regarding technology and AI.

John and Derek got their hands on the full Trivium EP entitled Struck Dead.

To start, if you're looking for some soap making, yeti music, this ain't it... In this episode, John and Derek get into the new Lamb of God track Sepsis, discussing its emotional depth, gritty sound, and the legacy of the band. The talk about the song's structure and future releases, all while celebrating the impact of music on personal memories.

In a STR first, Derek brought the new Rob Zombie track Punks And Demons to John for a first-watch reaction. Did John's testies perk up?

Soulfly is back with their first release since 2022. Releasing on 10/24/25, CHAMA brings old school Soulfly vibes with a sprinkling of new school flavor. John came only prepared for Nihilist but Derek pulled a sneak attack with a review on the entire album. If you need a Max fix, this is definitely going to satiate your appetite. If you're new to the Cavalera experience, this album is a great jumping off point. Grab a tasty Caipirinha and settle in to see what the guys think ab...

Derek and John are diving doing back flips over the new Trivium single, "Bury Me with My Screams." Derek also puts on his big boy pants and admits a mistake.

Derek and John talk Ozzy, legacy and ask if there will ever be another Ozzy Osbourne?

The wait is finally over! Derek and John dive into Forsaken, the brand new single from the legendary Biohazard! After 13 long years, the classic lineup of Evan Seinfeld, Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, and Danny Schuler has returned with a track that reminds us exactly why they're one of the most vital bands in metallic hardcore. Forsaken delivers that signature Brooklyn beat with a raw, unpolished energy we've been waiting for. From the opening riff to the dual vocal assault o...

The Deftones return with an absolute banger of a track. Get your rocket skates on as we dig into the latest release from Chino and friends.

Join the guys as they talk Silos, the latest single from the cinematic metal juggernauts Starset. In this episode, they discuss the powerful sound, high-quality production, compelling lyrics that characterize this new release and how Silos reflects some of the band's earlier style. Like and subscribe for more reviews and interviews! www.shittalkreviews.com #starset #starsetonline #starsetsociety #starsetmessengers #dustinbates #metal #starsetmessenger #vessels #rondech...

Derek and John deep dive into the busy Malevolence - Where Only The Truth Is Spoken. Listen to the podcast to get a feel for how the guys grooved to this beast of a record.

Derek & John get into MESHUGGAH whom has released a remastered version of their 2022 release Immutable

The jackwagons hopped in to chat about the latest single from VOLBEAT, By A Monster's Hand.

Charley D and Ryan from Bay Area crushers DOOMSDAY stopped in for a chat with John and Derek.

John and Derek had a chance to spend some time with a true renaissance cowboy: Las Vegas's own Stu Folsom.

Derek and John had the great pleasure of talking with Alan Robert, bassist for Life Of Agony, comic artist, and overall killer dude.

John and Derek were excited to get into a Patriarkh - Prophet Ilja, from the band formerly known as Batushka. Find out what the human farts have to think about the record and hear them insult Dave.

The trifecta of yahoos finally got around to talking about the latest album from Swedish prog giants Opeth - The Last Will And Testament.

Blood Incantation, a band who's been making waves in the heavy music scene since 2011 with their genre spanning releases. With four full length albums and three EPs released 2013, their latest release ABSOLUTE ELSEWHERE

Derek and John love the solid fucking song writing on The Barbarians Of California - And Now I'm Just Gnashing My Teeth.

20th Anniversary of Lamb of God's Ahses of The Wake? Yes please.

Category 7 is an American heavy metal supergroup formed in 2023. Its lineup features Armored Saint and former Anthrax frontman John Bush, Kerry King sideman and former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, Adrenaline Mob guitarist Mike Orlando, Exodus bassist Jack Gibson, and Overkill and Shadows Fall drummer Jason Bittner. John and Derek get into this record and tell you what they think.

We sit down with Grammy nominated lead throat of Shadows Fall, Brian Fair. What a fucking honor!

The guys show their softer side and show that men are not all bone, cock and weapons. We can feel music, even of the softer variety!

We are stoked to sit down with Blake Ibanez of Power Trip and Fugitive. The riff monger shares his thoughts on writing music and his two killer bands.

David Picked P.O.D. Let's see if the guys dig it.

The guys get into Cavalera Conspiracy - Schizophrenia. Track by track we talk about how this might be one of the greatest re-recorded metal albums ever.

Boundaries - Death Is Little More is a bruising record. The guys get into it and sift through the gore to see if you should invest.

Derek has known Johnny Kelly for a number of years and we loved catching up with both Dan and Johnny about everything Patriarchs In Black, Type O Negative, Peter, writing process and technology.

John loves himself some proggy chug. Wheel's Charismatic Leaders is full of all the progressive goodness that one could hope for. Find out what the two turds thought!

John and Derek get into Kerry King's masterful From Hell I Rise.

The guys neglect punk no more. We get into Death Len's new energetic opus Cold World.

John and Derek interview the celestian frontwomen of Frayle, Gwyn Strang.

Daniel Freyberg is a monstrous guitar player and songwriter who has played with Naildown, Norther, Children Of Bodom and Crownshift. He joined Derek and John to talk everything from Crownshift to Chuck from Death!

We love us some Max! We jump in to the first release off the Schizophrenia re-recording of Sepultura's classic.

Melvins Tarantula Heart Review by the guys. The Melvins put out a new album almost every year. The question is, how good is this record. The guys tell you....have a listen.

Motley Crue's Dogs of War is a debacle.

It’s a lovefest this week as the guys get into the debut release from Crownshift. With members from Nightwish, Children Of Bodom, Fintroll and Wintersun

David J and John sit down and yammer on about Warp Speed Warriors, the new album from DragonForce

The guys plop down and dig into the monstrous new album from Enterprise Earth. It's a beast of an album with enough meat on the bone to feed a country or two. Join in the frivolities and witness the majesty of David not knowing who Bruce Dickenson's studio band is, John speaking way out of turn and Derek falling prey to his own innards. Check out all the reviews, podcasts and other nonsense at https://www.shittalkreviews.com. #enterpriseearth #death:ananthology #podcast #albumreview #metal #d...

Judas Priest are in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. With Invincible Shield, they return with a triumph. We give our take on where it stands in their incredible catalog.

This time around John, Derek "Ackbar" Showerhead and David J get into the latest offering from Ministry: Hopiumforthemasses. All of the guys were excited to chat about this album because, well, it's Ministry. (It's hard to go wrong with Al...) Grab some snacky cakes, a tasty beverage and settle in. Swing by https://www.shittalkreviews.com for all the podcasts, written reviews and pick up a sticker pack! #ministry #hopiumforthemasses #industrial #metal #heavymetal #nuclearblast

Lord Dying- Clandestine Transcendence is an opus worthy of your time. Hear what the guys had to say about The Dreamer!

Dave inadvertently picked an album rereleased from 2007.

The dimwitted nimrods are kicking off 2024 with a swim in the Italian doom scene with a chat about Witchsnake

The Top 10 Metal Albums of 2023 list is now live! Who did the three A-Holes pick?

John get's Djenty!

Derek has a surprising top 10 heavy metal albums of 2023 list.

What a great interview. Igor Amadeus Cavalera from Go Ahead And Die, Cavalera Conspiracy and Healing Magic, is a thoughtful and indightful interview.

Killer song. But why? We dig into Ministry’s new political track!

Trevor is the man! Learn a bit about Unearth’s band line up, what they did during, Covid, concept albums and Trevor’s perfect day! There is more but we are baked!

One of the best Rock albums of the year?

Bad ass Metal is bad ass Metal. Is Tesseract’s War of Being have bad assert? Find out!

John, Dave and Derek jump into the fire and give you their thoughts on Panic Attack!

RAMBLE WARNING! This time around, the morons (under the guise of having been busy,) aren’t talking about an album. After some time on the road the Sh!t Talk chuckleheads ramble on (ad nauseum) about their trip to New England,

Polar - Everywhere, Everything - Podcast review. So if you are new to Polar, you will find out if album is worth of a few clicks of your life.

Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon turns 50! Here what the guys had to say about this masterpiece. Or is it? Dave?

Do you like the death metal? Are you down with horror-styled, crushing, heavy music? Then settle in with the guys as they talk about the Celestial Sanctuary's latest album Insatiable Thirst For Torment.

The Sh!t Talk team had the pleasure of virtually sitting down with the brainchild of OneFromTheNorth: the one and only McKeenan.

It's all about Filter this week as the guys talk about The Algorithm. Richard Patrick is back at it with a new record and because it's Filter, they just had to talk about it.

The guys were psyched to get to have a chat with bassist and singer Joe Nally, the frontman for the UK trio URNE.

Urne - A Feast On Sorrow podcast and video review.

Humanity's Last Breath - Ashen - Podcast and video review. Sink your teeth into this juggernaut.

We get into "Wolfies" latest opus, Mammoth II.

We dive head first into two vicious remakes from Cavalera Conspiracy Bestial Devastation and Morbid Visions.

Interview with Boston Hardcore Icon Keith Bennett of Death Ray Vision.

The guys jump into Spirit Adrift - Ghost At The Gallows. A big record with tons to hear.

Eric Morgan of A Pale Horse Named Death and Patriarchs in Black joins us for a fun conversation.

Currents The Death we seek review by the guys. Killer record and we get into it!

Death Ray Vision - No Mercy From Electric Eyes review from Derek, John and Dave. Get ready to bust heads, as this album is a banger with a ton to hear.

Queens Of The Stone Age - In Times New Roman Review with the guys buzzing about....well...you will have to just watch and listen.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation. Yep, that is a mouthful. Let's get into it!

Avenged Sevenfold - Life Is But A Dream Review. IS it as compelling as their previous works? Find out!

Who is Sermon? Nobody knows. Is Sermon worth listening to with your valuable time? Listen and find out. Dave sure as shit likes em!

No Dave. We get to do things our way! Let's cloak up and rock out!

Veil of Maya are heavy metal heavyweights. Do they keep their title with [m]other? Let's find out.

In this episode we're talking about Unearth's latest album The Wretched; The Ruinous.

Derek thinks this is boy band music! What?!

Overkill has been thrash mainstays for many years. They return with a banger!

What an easy album to start Shit Talk reviews with. I mean...it's Metallica. Easy discussion!