Mars Attacks Podcast

In Signals From Mars – Episode 443, I’m joined by Kat Keo of Hoaxed to talk about the band’s latest album, Death Knocks, and the evolution of their sound and lineup.We get into the sonic jump you’ll hear on this record, the creative process behind bringing April Dimmick into the fold, how that changed what the band can do musically, and how Death Knocks came together after Two Shadows. We also dig into genre labels (hard rock / heavy metal / gothic rock), the realities of coming from the Pacific Northwest, what it means having Relapse Records behind the band, and—most importantly—where you should buy the album to best support the band directly.If you’re into dark, heavy music with atmosphere and hooks, this one’s for you.#SignalsFromMars #Hoaxed #HeavyMetalThank you to my patrons:Steven SailerSteve HoekerJeremy WeltmanMike JonesBrad DahlMark StriglGabriel RuizChris VaglioMetal DanJohan EderströmEd FergusonAnthony MackeyToni EspinSean RichmondThank you for being so supportive!Hoaxed / Kat Keo LinksHoaxedOffici

Signals From Mars – Episode 442January 2026 Albums ReviewEpisode 442 kicks off the 2026 album review season.Victor is joined by Jeremy (UK) and Ed (Kentucky) to discuss selected hard rock and heavy metal releases from January 2026. The month starts slow following the holidays, but quickly builds momentum with several notable releases across thrash, sludge, symphonic metal, traditional heavy metal, and underground death metal.Rather than covering everything released, the show focuses on the albums that stood out most to the panel — including both major releases and lesser-known underground records.Each host shares their personal Album of the Week selections, offering insight into what made those records rise above the rest.If you’re looking for a curated guide to January’s most talked-about metal releases, Episode 442 delivers exactly that.Thank You to Our PatronsSignals From Mars is supported by listeners like you.Special thanks to:Steven Sailer Steve Hoeker Jeremy Weltman Mike Jones Brad Dahl Mark Strigl Gab

In Episode 441 of Signals From Mars, we’re joined by Seattle heavy metal band Greyhawk to discuss their third full-length album, Warriors Of Greyhawk. Since emerging in 2018, Greyhawk has established themselves as one of the most consistently productive and road-tested bands in modern traditional heavy metal, releasing multiple EPs and full-length albums while refining their sound with each release.This conversation focuses on process, evolution, and intent rather than surface-level promotion. We explore how the band approaches songwriting over long stretches of time, how creative chemistry evolves with lineup changes, and whether Warriors Of Greyhawk followed a specific vision or revealed itself naturally during its creation.We also talk about the role of producer Henrik Udd, the importance of bass performance in shaping the album’s identity, and how closely the band collaborated on the album’s striking artwork. Physical media still matters in heavy metal, and Greyhawk shares insight into working with their

Signals From Mars – Episode 440On Episode 440 of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Bones and Rhea of UK heavy metal band Tailgunner to talk about their new album Midnight Blitz and the road that led them there.The conversation explores the band’s collaboration with legendary guitarist KK Downing, how that relationship came together naturally, and what it was like having such a hands-on presence involved in shaping the album. Bones and Rhea also discuss the evolution of Tailgunner since their debut Guns For Hire, balancing classic heavy metal influences with their own identity, and the challenges of building a lineup that truly shares the same vision.The episode also touches on touring, recent shows with Hammerfall, upcoming festival appearances, and what fans can expect when they see Tailgunner live — without giving too much away. It’s a great look at a modern British metal band focused on longevity, growth, and staying true to heavy metal.

Signals From Mars – Episode 439 Fan-Voted 2025 Albums Countdown (Livestream)In Episode 439 of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by members of the Signals From Mars community to recap the results of the fan-voted 2025 albums countdown.Listeners submitted their Top 10 albums of the year, the votes were tallied, and the final rankings were revealed live on air. This episode is driven entirely by the audience — no critics, no editorial lists, just passionate music fans discussing the albums that defined the year for them.Throughout the episode, the panel reacts to surprises, debates placements, and reflects on what made 2025 such a strong year for hard rock and heavy metal. With 80 albums receiving votes, this countdown highlights the depth, diversity, and vitality of modern rock and metal.Whether you agree with the final rankings or not, this episode is about discovery, discussion, and celebrating new music — exactly what Signals From Mars is all about.

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In Episode 432 of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Ulf “Uffe” Pettersson, vocalist of Swedish thrashers Mezzrow, to discuss the band’s powerful new album Embrace The Awakening. Uffe reflects on Sweden’s enduring metal culture, the impact of recent losses in the community—especially Thomas Lindberg of At The Gates—and how Mezzrow rediscovered their spark decades after disbanding.Uffe explains how the band reunited in 2021 after finding an old recording they’d made with their late former guitarist. This led to recruiting guitarist Magnus Söderman and producer/guitarist Ronny Bjarnström, helping Mezzrow evolve while remaining rooted in Bay Area–influenced thrash. The band focused on making a concise, high-quality album, selecting eight of twelve written tracks for maximum impact. They avoided keyboards this time to create a more live, energetic thrash feel, while still blending in subtle influences from jazz, prog, and black metal.Victor and Uffe discuss how the new songs fit alongside Mezzrow classics like “F

Signals From Mars – Episode 431: Rich Knox (Danko Jones)In Episode 431, Victor is joined by Rich Knox, drummer for Danko Jones, to talk about the band’s new album Leo Rising, his journey into the band, working with Marty Friedman, and what keeps the Danko Jones sound sharp after more than a dozen years behind the kit.Rich shares stories about his audition for the band, touring with The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry, the differences between jazz and rock musicians, and how the band writes music while living in three different countries. He also reflects on pandemic-era livestreams, KISS fandom, and what makes a great rock song.The conversation also dives into Rich’s passion for health, mindset, and fitness. Through his project Performers Health, he helps musicians stay healthy on and off the road. Learn more at: https://performershealth.comTopics include:• Making Leo Rising• Collaborating with Marty Friedman• The Danko Jones songwriting process• Minimalist drumming philosophy• Jazz vs. rock approaches• Touri

Signals From Mars – Episode 430: Condition CriticalIn this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Tony Barhoum from New Jersey thrashers Condition Critical! Tony discusses the band’s first new album in nine years, Degeneration Chamber, their connection to New Jersey’s thrash legacy, and how they balance old-school aggression with a modern sound.The conversation touches on the influence of local legends like Overkill and DD Verni, the band’s DIY approach to recording, and how they shaped the album’s late-’80s spirit without sounding dated. Tony also talks about his gear setup, unexpected musical influences, frustrations with streaming platforms, and shares a favorite memory of Ace Frehley.Topics discussed include:• New Jersey thrash roots• Mischief Night traditions• Joining Condition Critical• Why Extermination Plan and Degeneration Chamber are nine years apart• Engineering and producing the new album• Gear talk• Surprising influences• Remembering Ace Frehley• Where to buy Degeneration Chamber to best s

Signals From Mars – Episode 429: Howling GiantIn this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Tom Polzine and Sebastian Baltes from Nashville heavy rockers Howling Giant to discuss their new album Crucible & Ruin, released on Halloween.The band talks about Nashville’s influence, how their sound has evolved since Glass Future, and how the addition of Adrian on keys expanded their creative scope. They share details about writing and recording Crucible & Ruin, favorite gear, and the band’s unique approach to putting their own spin on classic covers.The discussion also reflects on the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, and what Ozzy’s passing means to them as musicians and fans.Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to Howling Giant, this episode offers a deep dive into their creative process, influences, and drive to make timeless, riff-heavy rock that transcends trends.Topics Discussed:• Nashville’s impact on Howling Giant’s sound• The making of Crucible & Ruin• How Glass Future ins

In this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Jeremy and Ed to review the new hard rock and metal album releases from July and August 2025. Together, they dive into standout records, hidden gems, and surprising letdowns across a wide spectrum of styles — from thrash and power metal to gothic and progressive sounds.This is the first live episode in months, marking the start of Year 16 of the podcast. Expect passionate takes, varied perspectives, and plenty of music discovery.Key Topics & TimestampsKicking off Year 16 + July 2025 album highlights (00:02:30)Debating originality in modern metal vs. retro influences (00:16:10)Standout picks from mid-July releases, including supergroups and live albums (00:29:45)August 2025 highlights: technical death metal, gothic metal, and groove-heavy releases (01:05:20)Final thoughts on August’s closing week and recap of each host’s album of the week (01:55:40)Actionable Takeaways for ListenersExplore variety: Don’t limit yourself to one subgenre — standout rel