Scott Penfold sits down with Crispin Earl and Shane Lyons for a double-feature podcast episode that delivers insight, passion, and context around two standout heavy releases of 2026. Shane discusses Varials' new album Where The Light Leaves — which arrived on February 27 via Fearless Records — and his influences, including a particular guitarist from Lamb Of God and working with producer Josh Schroeder. Crispin breaks down The Veer Union's Reinvention — released February 20 via Arising Empire — and the band's unique journey, including their outsized success in the U.S. compared to Canada.

In an era where nostalgia runs rampant, both guests feel like they're writing the next chapter — not revisiting the last one. That mindset fuels this episode from the jump.

In this week's Loaded Radio Podcast, Mike Hranica opens up in a raw, introspective conversation touching on The Devil Wears Prada's latest album Flowers, his changing worldview, and the personal evolution that continues to shape both his art and identity.

Mike Hranica joins Loaded Radio for a revealing, unfiltered discussion about Flowers, why some fans don't view it as a "metal" album, how his perspective as an American has evolved, and the deeply personal shift away from the faith that once defined him.

Alongside the in-depth conversation with Mike Hranica, this episode also dives into major developments across the hard rock and metal landscape.

Listeners will also hear:

• Discussion surrounding Arch Enemy's new vocalist and the band's next era
• Reaction to Alex Van Halen's emerging "Eddie Van Halen" project with Steve Lukather
• A featured segment: 13 Artists Every Deftones Fan Needs To Check Out

It's a packed episode balancing artist insight with scene-wide perspective.

Biohazard guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei joins the Loaded Radio Podcast to discuss the band's first new album in years, Divided We Fall, why the record reflects a deeply fractured world, how the band's reunion reshaped their creative chemistry, touring with Sepultura, and his long-standing admiration for Type O Negative — including his openness to participating in a tribute to the late Peter Steele.

In the second half of the show, host Scott Penfold breaks down major hard rock and heavy metal news, including the passing of 3 Doors Down vocalist Brad Arnold, updates on a new Korn album, the cancellation and finality of Twisted Sister, and the evolving Milwaukee Metal Fest lineup.

Legendary bassist and songwriter Bob Daisley joins the Loaded Radio Podcast this week, addressing his exclusion from Ozzy Osbourne's "Back To The Beginning" concert and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, reflecting on his work with Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde, and discussing new music. The episode also features host Scott Penfold breaking down the latest heavy metal news, including the new Bruce Dickinson solo album, Deftones' catalog deal, the Motley Crue/Mick Mars verdict, and the Grammys' ongoing relationship with metal.

I've interviewed a lot of metal musicians over the years, but some conversations carry a different kind of weight. This one does.

This week on the Loaded Radio Podcast, we're joined by Bob Daisley — a foundational architect of heavy metal whose fingerprints are all over some of the genre's most iconic records, yet whose name is still too often left out of the mainstream narrative.

And for the first time in a long while, Bob isn't dodging the uncomfortable stuff.

The "Second Coming" of deathcore isn't just a trend—it's a hostile takeover. As giants like Whitechapel and Lorna Shore redefine the genre's boundaries, Ov Sulfur has emerged as the next definitive force with their sophomore tour-de-force, Endless. In this high-velocity episode of The Loaded Radio Podcast, I sit down with guitarist Chase Wilson to discuss creative bravery, the evolution of blackened deathcore, and why purity in metal is officially dead. Plus, we break down the seismic 2026 news: Mudvayne's hiatus, Chad Gray's solo pivot, and the emotional impact of Megadeth's final studio testament.

The global metalcore landscape is about to shift. This Friday, January 23, 2026, the Japanese juggernauts Crystal Lake will release their highly anticipated new album, The Weight Of Sound. It is a record that doesn't just represent a new chapter for the band; it's a definitive statement of intent from their powerhouse vocalist, John Centorrino.

On this week's edition of the Loaded Radio Podcast, I sit down with John to go deep into the creative process behind the new record, the surreal journey of landing one of the most coveted gigs in modern metal, and the future of the metalcore genre.

Crystal Lake will unleash The Weight Of Sound this Friday. In our exclusive interview, frontman John Centorrino breaks down the vocal intensity of the new tracks and his transition into the group. The second half of the podcast features a full "Nuclear" news breakdown covering the Roger Waters vs. The Osbournes feud, Ken Susi officially joining All That Remains, and a massive week of tour announcements.

The pioneers of True Norwegian Black Metal return. Attila Csihar joins The Loaded Radio Podcast to discuss mayhem's seventh studio album, Liturgy Of Death, arriving February 6, 2026. In this visceral interview, Attila reflects on the band's 40-year legacy of church burnings, murder, and the bleak reality of mortality.

There is "heavy," and then there is Mayhem. Sitting across from Attila Csihar for this episode of The Loaded Radio Podcast, the air in the room felt different. You aren't just talking to a vocalist; you are talking to a man who stepped into the center of a literal crime scene and helped forge it into a global movement.

Liturgy Of Death (2026) is a merciless record that turns the focus toward the finality of existence. It is dark, fast, and entirely without solace. But to understand where they are going, you have to look at the wreckage they left behind. From the suicide of Dead to the internal war that led to the death of Euronymous, this isn't just music—it's a survival story from the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Stick around after the interview for a segment that has been generating a lot of buzz. Host Scott Penfold delivers an incredibly entertaining and in-depth breakdown of the "Bands to Watch in 2026." If you're tired of the same three bands headlining every "new music" playlist, Scott's look at the up-and-coming hard rock and metal acts is the definitive roadmap you need. This isn't a list generated by an algorithm—it's a curated look at the next generation of chaos.

For 15 years, Volumes has stood as a pillar of progressive metalcore, weathering lineup shifts and industry trends to amass over 167 million U.S. streams. Following the success of 2021's Happier?, the band returns with Mirror Touch, an album named after the rare synesthetic ability to feel others' physical pain—a metaphor for the band's deep connection with their audience. Check out the exclusive Volumes interview below to hear Michael Barr discuss the "S.O.A.P." sessions, the lessons learned during his time away from the band, and his upcoming side project that is the total opposite of metal.

As we approach the final days of the year, this episode offers a double dose of heavy metal authority. In addition to the exclusive sit-down with Michael Barr, Loaded Radio's Scott Penfold takes the reins to count down the Top 13 Metal Albums of 2025. It has been a massive year for the genre, and Scott breaks down the essential records that defined the last twelve months, providing the definitive year-end ranking for any serious headbanger. Whether you're looking for the top of the charts or the underground gems of 2025, this countdown is the ultimate look back before we head into the new year.