214 - CYNIC | Paul Masvidal: Riffs, Death, Kiesel Guitars & Alien Encounters

Garza sits down in-person with Paul Masvidal. Vocalist, guitar player & founding member of progressive metal band CYNIC. https://instagram.com/paulmasvidalSPONSORS: https://neuraldsp.com USE CODE: Garza for 30% OFF!00:00 - Being Left-Handed07:02 - Esotericism, Psychedelics & Journaling12:45 - Thoughts & Self-Awareness14:15 - Acid & Psychedelic Trips18:58 - Childhood // Parents21:05 - Florida to New York25:40 - Meeting the Cynic Guys in School27:45 - Sean Reinert 29:00 - Seaweed Riffs33:45 - Dropping Out vs Finishing School38:50 - Meeting Chuck Schuldiner44:03 - Peavey Bandit48:01 - Death’s Pivotal “Human” Moment51:36 - Processing Grief57:05 - Road Rage1:02:07 - Recording Focus // Hurricane Andrew1:07:22 - Robert Venosa’s Art1:15:14 - Focus1:09:04 - Riff: Veil of Maya1:26:37 - Fractal FM91:34:56 - Synth Guitars & Meris Pedals1:37:39 - Headless Guitars1:40:15 - Kiesel Guitars: Masvidalien MIII1:48:01 - Riff: Evolutionary Sleeper1:53:35 - Patreon Question: Continuing after Bandmates’ Deaths1:59:46 - Patreon Question: Alien Encounters2:06:23 - Pablo Picasso: The Old GuitaristPatreon Questions by: Saint Rigal & BMWoodyWOO

Garza breaks down his favorite moments of the year. Thank you for the support. Love you guys!SWEETWATER: https://imp.i114863.net/rnrmVB00:00 - Going on Vacation05:39 - 2026 Goals09:55 - Reflecting on Career & Life12:02 - PeelingFlesh18:18 - Vogg of Decapitated31:59 - Robb Flynn38:20 - Chevelle55:31 - Deron Miller1:05:27 - Spite1:11:55 - Sanguisugabogg1:23:50 - Despised Icon1:31:11 - Eddie Berg of Imminence1:39:19 - Chris Barnes1:51:15 - Growth & Changes1:56:19 - Bad Drivers During Holidays

Garza sits down in-person with Maurizio Iacono. Vocalist for the death metal band KATAKLYSM. New single “The Rabbit Hole” out now! https://instagram.com/kataklysmbandSPONSORS: https://distrokid.com00:00 - Touring with Vader04:30 - Victims of This Fallen World10:30 - Journey to Success & Mistakes 16:33 - Songwriting & Managing Band19:18 - Since ‘9119:57 - Cigars & Coffee21:58 - Moving to Florida26:20 - Managing Bands28:54 - Navigating Business35:20 - Selling Tickets, Inflation & Competition43:15 - Evolving45:20 - Chemtrails/Contrails 48:33 - Conspiracies // AI54:17 - Social Media Dementia56:40 - Digital Prison & Currency58:13 - Developing Bands1:00:45 - Metal Isn’t Rebellious Anymore1:05:33 - Growing Up in Montreal1:07:09 - Moving from Bass to Vocals1:08:48 - Vocal Injuries & Steroid Shot1:12:20 - Does Honey & Tea Work?1:14:58 - Pre-Show Whisky & Mezcal1:16:57 - Hangovers1:18:33 - Turning 50 & Having Fun1:22:42 - Politics in Music1:25:46 - Canada Trucker Protest // Seized Bank Accounts1:31:15 - Politics on Stage1:34:15 - Censorship & Surveillance in China1:36:17 - The Roman Empire1:38:23 - Ex Deo1:40:58 - Year of the Four Emperors // New Music1:43:58 - Roman Imagery1:46:09 - Rome History, Demise & Inventions1:56:20 - Kataklysm’s Sound Throughout the Years2:07:09 - Future Plans2:08:59 - Being Outspoken2:10:01 - Guiding New Bands

Garza sits down in-person with Bobby Burns & Joshua Toomey from American nu metal band PRIMER 55. https://primer55tour.comSPONSORS: https://neuraldsp.com USE CODE: Garza for 30% OFF!00:00 - Las Vegas Slot Machines04:40 - Early Days in Memphis & Louisville09:20 - Living in Detroit10:18 - Memphis Music Scene12:09 - Toomey Auditioning for Primer 5514:46 - Island/Def Jam20:50 - Writing Loose22:44 - J-Sin Joining Primer 5529:04 - Introduction to Mayhem34:05 - Kicking Out the DJ // DJ Kilmore & Incubus41:08 - Ozzfest // Backstage Fighting46:55 - Tension51:48 - Bobby Hates Band Practice53:39 - Comeback1:00:29 - Near-Death Scare1:08:47 - Working with J-Sin1:13:09 - Animosity Between Bobby & J-Sin1:15:49 - Donny Joining as Vocalist1:20:27 - The Journey1:22:30 - Future1:24:42 - Talk Toomey & David Ellefson

Garza sits down in-person with Josh Hamilton & Alex Wacksman. Josh Hamilton is a rapper, songwriter & best known as Lil Darkie. https://lildarkie.comAlex Wacksman is a producer, songwriter & best known as Wendigo. https://instagram.com/wendigowendigoSPONSORS: DistroKid - https://distrokid.com00:00 - Wendigo’s Pedalboard02:31 - Sobriety09:22 - Political Music13:11 - “Safe” Music18:08 - Freedom of Speech25:32 - Being Hungry28:03 - Growing Up in Woodstock, NY29:45 - How Lil Darkie & Wendigo Met37:18 - DIY Recording Techniques45:45 - Lil Darkie’s Abrasive Style50:56 - Illusion of Free Will & Chaos53:23 - Hinduism1:01:32 - Writing i can see clearly1:13:45 - Psychedelics1:16:45 - Touring Sober1:22:55 - Child-Like Imagination, Death, Spongebob1:29:55 - Journaling1:36:15 - Lil Darkie’s Sketchbook1:41:25 - Lil Darkie/Brahman Character1:46:18 - Taking Time Off1:50:50 - Approach to Guitar1:58:53 - Cheap Microphones // Gear2:01:55 - Lofi Recording Style vs Meshuggah2:05:45 - PeelingFlesh2:07:00 - Online Backlash2:23:21 - Karma, God & Demons2:39:05 - Hate vs Reality2:444:23 - Artist’s Way2:48:55 - Wesley Willis2:54:33 - Attracting Inspiration & Humor3:03:45 - Bad Psych Trips3:12:28 - Early Days, Spider Gang & Genre Crossover3:20:54 - Future of Music3:28:19 - Rap Criticism3:32:05 - Effect of Consuming Art3:41:50 - Lofi Music Videos3:44:45 - Success & Dangers in Career

Garza sits down in-person with Alex Erian & Eric Jarrin from Canadian deathcore band DESPISED ICON. New album “SHADOW WORK” out now! https://despisedicon.comGet Garza’s Guitar Tone on Patreon! https://patreon.com/garzapodcast 00:00 - Despised Icon’s Lineup03:50 - Rebuilding & Journey to Shadow Work09:07 - Over My Dead Body ft. Matt/Kublai Khan TX12:09 - Personal Growth Through the Years14:15 - How Despised Icon Started23:20 - Alex’s Early Days Playing Drums26:06 - How Eric Learned to Play Guitar32:44 - Finding Alex “Grind” Pelletier35:38 - The Healing Process40:05 - Origins of Deathcore55:15 - Suicide Silence, Animosity & Dillinger Escape Plan59:15 - Controlling Emotions, Anxiety & Relationships1:04:14 - Maintaining Career1:07:09 - Getting Out of Canada1:10:47 - Malamor1:12:42 - Antagony1:16:19 - Despised Icon Breakup & Obey The Brave1:18:47 - Last Tour with Mitch Lucker1:20:00 - Bonding & Perseverance1:27:00 - Gold Foil Merch

Garza sits down in-person with Ced Davis & Drew Arnold. Guitar players from Columbus, OH death metal band SANGUISUGABOGG. New album “HIDEOUS AFTERMATH” out now! https://instagram.com/sanguisugaboggbandEnter to win a Quad Cortex at our new PATREON: https://patreon.com/garzapodcast00:00 - Riff: Metallica - Fuel02:28 - Drew’s Pedalboard & Tone03:54 - RAT Pedal & Bass Distortion08:28 - Dunable Guitars12:06 - String Gauges & Baritones16:50 - Nu Metal17:17 - Hideous Aftermath24:06 - Repulsive Demise30:21 - Studio Amps & Gear32:32 - Overdrive Pedal Settings33:49 - Unique Bass Tone Setup42:37 - Emperor Guitar & Bass Cabinets46:15 - Playing Guitar in Low Tunings48:50 - Influences & Bonding53:03 - Riff: Rotted Entanglement54:44 - Riff: Abhorrent Contraception59:06 - Writing Face Ripped Off1:03:56 - Riff: Rotted Entanglement 21:04:55 - Riff: Ritual of Autophagia1:05:33 - Ominous Melodies & Sounds1:07:32 - Self-Criticism1:09:32 - Riff: Dead as Sh*t1:15:12 - Riff: Abhorrent Contraception 21:17:02 - Garza Jams Face Ripped Off1:22:41 - Groove

Garza sits down in-person with Chaney Crabb & Navene Koperweis of alternative metal band ENTHEOS. Catch them on tour now! https://instagram.com/entheosofficial00:00 - Des Moines, IA06:40 - Balancing Marriage & Entheos13:57 - Figuring Out Entheos as a Two-Piece19:54 - Chaney’s Influences // Des Moines Scene25:10 - Navene’s Early Musical Influences27:18 - UB40 & No Doubt29:15 - The “Pingy” Snare33:35 - Early Shows, Animosity & Hoods37:22 - Gold Foil Shirts41:22 - Growing Up In Bay Area45:35 - Fusing Death Metal, Hardcore & Deathcore Origins48:00 - Job for a Cowboy50:27 - Leveraging the Internet58:13 - Djent, Modern vs Raw Production1:02:50 - Evolving1:08:47 - Embracing Yourself as an Artist1:10:50 - I Am the Void1:14:10 - Staying Creative1:15:23 - Finally Finding Their Sound1:16:44 - Navene Being a Metal OG1:21:45 - Perseverance & Success1:24:54 - Children, Career, Life & Death

Garza sits down in-person with deathcore band SPITE. New album “NEW WORLD KILLER” out now! https://instagram.com/spiteofficial00:00 - NEW WORLD KILLER02:28 - Bay Area to Los Angeles04:40 - Working in Restaurants07:56 - Alex & Darius Being Siblings09:02 - Ben Joining the Band11:13 - Travis Living in Canada & Joining Spite24:00 - Improving as a Drummer28:30 - Writing Drum Parts34:23 - Recording the New Album42:00 - Writing Songs, Collaborating & Experimenting47:26 - Being a “Downtempo” Band48:50 - LIGHTS OUT54:26 - Chasing Trends, AI & Real Music1:04:35 - HUGE Drum Set1:08:54 - Travis’ Brainrot Addiction1:20:21 - Catharsis Through Heavy Music1:25:26 - YouTube Video Reactions1:27:53 - Sloppy vs Clean Musicians1:31:46 - Online Trolls & Misinformation1:38:34 - Talking Sh*t & Competition1:43:05 - GAVEL1:46:38 - Writing Caved In1:51:14 - Dave Davidson of Revocation1:52:42 - Horror Movies1:58:50 - Getting a Hernia1:59:48 - Bring SolidSPITE is:Darius Tehrani - VocalsAlex Tehrani - GuitarBen Bamford - BassTravis Regnier - Drums

Garza sits down in-person with Tom Aimson & Jak Maden. From Manchester, UK crossover hardcorel band GUILT TRIP. New single “Burn” out now! https://linktr.ee/guilttriphc00:00 - Growing Up in Manchester02:33 - Moho Live Burning Down06:06 - Manchester Academy/University07:59 - Riff: Burn13:13 - Severance15:25 - Machine Head & Metal in England19:08 - Meeting on Fortnite22:25 - Growth of UK Hardcore Scene26:10 - Jak’s Early Influences & Learning Guitar31:17 - Moshing34:39 - Tom Learning Drums & Guitar38:50 - Jak & Tom’s School Experience41:49 - Deleting First Album // Almost Quitting48:37 - Riff: Thin Ice58:33 - Tom’s Snare Tone1:05:26 - Why Tom Quit Weed1:11:00 - Adidas Impact on Culture1:20:22 - Sublime Shirts1:22:18 - Riff: Burn1:29:27 - Jackson Guitars1:34:11 - Roadrunner Records1:35:24 - Claiming the World’s Biggest Circle Pit