Japan Nick's Rock and Metal Pandemonium

JNQP 87 071022 Gates to the Morning Sean Meyers interview Gates to the Morning is a New Jersey based black metal project founded by Sean Myers They have just released their second album Walk Between Worlds which is the first album in a planned trilogy of albums. ( 2019’s Return to Earth was the debut album but not part of this trilogy) We discussed songs from the album such as Moon in the Mid Day Sky, Paradigms Fall, Chapel Perilous and Chasing the Shadows. The philosophy of the song title Return to Earth was examined. We spoke about the cover photo. We finished the dialogue with a discussion of how to know as an artist when a song is finished.

JNQP 86 052222 Villins Bodies Interview We spoke about how their past year was and how their song "Bodies developed. We spoke about the feeling of Alice In Wonderland in different mediums. We finished things up with a discussion about the Akashic Records and how they would use it.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 85 050822 Heterochrome interview JNQP 85 050822 Heterochrome Interview We spoke with Heterochrome’s Mida and Arash to hear about their early years growing up as music fans in Iran. We heard about how they were led to music through their families. They spoke about how the band formed. We covered the various countries the album was recorded in from Iran, Finland, Canada, Spain, and South Korea. We spoke about instruments native to Iran they would like to see more of in today’s music like the Taar, Santoor, and Kamaancheh. We spoke about different songs recorded for the album. I inquired if they plan to write about the struggles of Asian Americans as well as Ukrainians. They was discussion about performing at the Shab Shanheba Festival. We finished things off with some dialogue about their most cherished Heterochrome possession.

Blister Brigade is a 4 piece rock band from Sweden. We heard them tell stories about getting their first instruments and valuable lessons they learned from being in the music education program growing up. We heard about how Blister Brigade formed. We spoke about their new single "Carousel," and the band's history with the establishment. We also spoke about their writing process for their music.

JNQP 83 041922 Madrost Tanner Poppitt Interview We spoke with Madrost Guitarist/vocalist Tanner Poppitt about his first guitar. He told me about how valuable the lessons he had when he was younger shaped him as a musician. He told me about the history of his band and favorite memories over the years. I asked him about his favorite guitarist, the best album they were on and what made the album so amazing. We talked about writing/recording techniques using odd time signatures, experimenting with arpeggios, palm muting and things of that nature for the writing of Charring the Wrotted Earth? We spoke about the origin of Poppitt’s Corner and what makes a great podcast as well as viewpoints on his 3 favorite interviews he had recorded. We spoke about his favorite podcast. We also delved into his favorite print zine in his collection. We chatted about most cherished California albums. He told me his favorite Madrost related possessions. We spoke about his favorite urban legend or ghost story from Southern California.

This is the second interview with Gravehuffer’s guitarist Richie Randall from Missouri. The first one was in July 2020. Since then the band has released another split in 2020 with Souls of Hades containing 2 songs from the Your Fault album sessions. We talked about the lyrics on the new album (NecroEclosion) containing many elements of historical content. We spoke about in depth the tracks Ghost Dance, Sights to the Sky, and Smaller than Death. Ghost Dance speaks about the Wounded Knee Massacre from the nineteenth century. Sights to the Sky is about astronaut Buzz Aldrin's life. Smaller Than Death is about legendary superstar wrestler Andre the Giant. We ended the dialogue with a fun urban legend from the South.

Drew Rizzo is the drummer and founder of Midnite Hellion(2011). We spoke about Drew getting his first drumkit and schooling he received over the years. He has been trained to play the piano, violin, tenor saxophone, and trombone. On his own he learned to play the drums, bass and guitar. In his High School years, he studied drums under Tony DeNicola. He got accepted into college playing tenor saxophone. He told me about his sound system to listen to music. During the playback for Kingdom Immortal he listened back on different sound systems to check the levels. We discussed which three albums Alex Perialas was a part of that made him realize Alex was the right choice to record his album. Drew discussed how he wanted an old school approach to recording this album and was not recorded with a click track. All the preproduction was done before the sessions with Alex. A lot of the album was recorded on a 1980 Les Paul Custom that Alex had at his studio. We discussed the Lich King show in Baltimore as well as thoughts on the current national/worldwide concert discussion after Japan’s Loudness show was postponed to 2023. He spoke about his most cherished musical possessions which do include some major Megaforce related rarities. We finished the dialogue with a fun urban legend from New Jersey.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 80 030622 Interview Ungodly Rest interview. Ungodly Rest is a black metal band from Mexico. I had an interview with their singer Peste Nocturne. We spoke about his influences as well as favorite Mexican metal bands. There was mention of Greg Wilkinson producing the album.

JNQP 79 030622 In This House of Mourning Interview We spoke with In This House of Mourning’s Ben Ianuzzi. He spoke about getting his first guitar. There was some discussion of using the metronome with the recording of Penance. We talked about blogs Ben looks at to stay up to date on current bands. Ben told me the style of his band that fans of bands like funeral doom, My Dying Bride etc would be fans of his band. We talked about the debut of ITHM’s in online press. We also spoke back and forth with discussion on listening back to past recordings of yours and what can be gained. We learned about the most ambitious song on the release. We spoke about an urban legend from New Jersey.

We had an interview with Wayne Abney (Vocals, Bass), Michael Huebner (Guitars), and Anthony Walker (Drums) to speak about the new Life of Scars EP Crate of Sins. We talked about what’s been going on with Life of Scars since 2019. The guys spoke about how often practice is and what it’s like being a musician in the DFW area right now putting on shows? There was discussion on what they have been listening to as of late while recording the new EP Crate of Sins and spoke about the order on how they formed. Mike as well as Wayne spoke about some fun urban legends

JNQP 77 021422 Shield of Wings Interview James Gregor (guitarist), Aaliah Daye (Vocals), Lara Mordian (Vocals), and Alex Luke (Bass) were interviewed by Japan Nick. The band all spoke about their first instruments, as well as any music education that they received when they were younger. We spoke about various songs like Mind of Myth, The Scarred Clay Reshaping, Breathe, Wetland. We talked about shooting new videos and feelings on the various seasons of the year. We ended the interview with a fun talk about urban legends and ghost stories in Chicago from each of the bandmembers.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 76 021322 Xanadoo Zach Su Remember the Wall Interview We spoke about Zach's first guitar and early education he had in Singapore. We spoke about him moving from Portland Oregon to Montreal Canada. Thjere was some dialogue on some festivals he saw in Canada like the RRRROOOAARARRRGGGHHHHH Fest. We looked at updates on his various bands from Xanadoo, Skum Strike, and Serpant Corpse. We discussed his philosophy on using metronomes and also spoke about some ghost stories from his days in Singapore.

Interview with Firebreather's singer Mattias Nööjd. We spoke about the new album Dwell in the Fog. We talked about transitioning to new bassist Nicklas Hellqvist, and what his style is like and the songwriting dynamic of the album has changed and more.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 74 010922 Canada Striker Pete Klassen Interview We spoke about Pete getting his first bass, and lessons he took early on. Pete spent 2013-2018 in Japan and spoke about various earlier bands he was in. We talked about his rehearsal to become the bassist for Striker in 2019 . We also talked about the Alive in the Studio album he was on along with the single "Deathwish" We finished things up with a fun story from Japan.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 73 Home Style Surgery There is Only You and Me Interview Interview with the band's two guitarists Joonas Hiltunen, and Jussi Keränen. We learned about their first guitars, and how Home Style Surgery formed. various concerts played and this year's album Brain Drill Poetry (2021) and discussed various songs from the album and learned about the guys favorite solos on the album. Also heard a fun ghost story at the end.