Strip' Metal

Cannibal Corpse founding bassist Alex Webster and Order Of Ennead bassist Scott Patrick joins Skull Sessions regular and author Joel McIver and Skull Sessions host Bob Nalbandian in this hour-long discussion about extreme/technical death metal. Alex and Scott discuss their early influences, Cliff Burton, the emergence of thrash/death/black metal and what the future holds for extreme metal.

This episode features a 4-way discussion with legendary Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, Roadrunner Records VP of A&R Monte Conner, and metal enthusiast David Tedds as they join Skull Sessions host Bob Nalbandian in this mesmerizing and historic exploration into the first decade of Black Sabbath, commonly referred to as the “Ozzy-era.”  The four discuss the entire catalog, from Sabbath’s groundbreaking 1970 debut leading up to 1978’s Never Say Die release. This is perhaps the most compelling Skull Sessions discussion yet. A MUST LISTEN for any Sabbath fan!

This special episode features two great segments; the first features a conversation with author Bill Hale regarding his new book Metallica: The Club Dayz 1982-1984 along with author Joel McIver regarding his latest book To Live Is To Die: The Life and Death of Metallica’s Cliff Burton. The second segment of this episode features a balls-out debate between author Joel McIver and host Bob Nalbandian regarding Joel’s other recently released book The 100 Greatest Guitarists In Metal. In this no-holds-barred debate the two butt-heads about the true meaning of Metal! This is easily the most heated and controversial Skull Sessions debate so far! A must listen for metal guitar fanatics!

Skull Sessions host Bob Nalbandian is joined by book author/journalist Martin Popoff and classic metal enthusiast and former publishing editor of Metal Rendezvous magazine John Strednansky on this great discussion about the classic hard-rock/metal band Uriah Heep. The three deliberate on the entire Heep catalog from their 1970 debut through their latest 2008 release Wake The Sleeper.

Ozzy Osbourne bassist Blasko, who also heads Mercenary Music Management, and Trevor Phipps, vocalist for Unearth and head of Iron Clad Recordings, join host Bob Nalbandian to discuss the general state of the recording industry.

 Get ready as Exodus' Gary Holt joins Ron Quintana, William Howell and host Bob Nalbandian to talk about the formative years of the Bay Area thrash scene. Gary lays down some of the funniest tales from the era, while Ron and William grant us some beautiful commentary.

Metal fans, industry insiders, and music fans of all stripes have been talking about Metallica’s new album, "Death Magnetic." This week we put all three together to for an unusual discussion. Joining host Bob Nalbandian this week is Skull Sessions regular Joel McIver, the British metal maven journalist and author of the book And Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica. The Skull Sessions also welcomes its first academic, William Irwin, associate professor of philosophy at King's College. Irwin was the editor and co-author of the book Metallica And Philosophy” A Crash Course in Brain Surgery. Finally, former Roadrunner head of new media and current master of the digital domain at Sony/BMG's RCA Records Ed Rivadavia joins the podcast for the first time. Rivadavia has been one of the most-prolific contributors to the metal genre at AllMusic.com.

Host Bob Nalbandian takes a break from debate this week to answer the voluminous amount of email from Skull Sessions fans. Listen up to hear if he answered you. Also, get your chance to win a David Ellefson signature Peavey bass guitar by guessing the identity of 10 metal riffs.

The history of metal would be sorely diminished without Thrash. Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Slayer, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, and much deeper into the underground all changed what we view as metal today. Enter Rick Ernst, for years with Headbangers Ball, freelance director and producer and current video head at Roadrunner Records, and Rat Skates. Maybe you know him from Overkill. This week both Rick and Rat join Bob Nalbandian to talk about their documentary film HYPERLINK "http://www.getthrashed.com/"Get Thrashed now out on DVD. They hit up all the bands mentioned above, plus a ton more featured in the film. Also, we’re extending the David Ellefson signature Peavey bass guitar contest for couple more weeks so you still have a chance at winning that custom bass guitar! 

Skull Sessions host Bob Nalbandian is joined by Neeley from The Classic Metal Show and Nadir D’Priest from London/D’Priest in this episode as they discuss the Sunset Strip rock/metal scene of the ‘80s.