The Metal Command Show

12/23/2024

Merry Christmas! Don’t forget to wear that Christmas Sweater this year!

12/22/2024

To end off 2024, here is one last interview for everyone. It's with Chris Boltendahl from Grave Digger! One of my favorite people and one of my favorite bands! We talk about the new album "Bone Collector" coming out on Rpm-Roar on January 17th 2025, the 45th anniversary of the band next year, the band's history and much more.

Chris has come on my show off and on since 1998. Great guy, and he has been the driving force behind the band for 45 years now. Hard to believe that they have been around that long but they have been one of my favorite bands during this time.

My latest podcast and last interview of 2024 is now here! Enjoy!

12/20/2024

To quote Justin Roth from the band War Curse....musicians have it rough:

"Imagine if everyone was treated the way the world treats musicians.

The quality of your work means nothing. Your value is dictated solely on success and popularity. You will be mocked, ridiculed and denied your opinion for not being more popular or more successful. If you are not at the very top of your field, working for the very best company in your industry, you are worth very little to anyone.

Only a few hundred of you will be able to earn a living this year. The rest of you will be asked to work for free. If you find this unreasonable, see the comment above about your value. You will be reminded of this often.

You won’t have a steady paycheck, health benefits, retirement, or a place to sleep some nights, but you’ll be told that you’re supposed to continue doing it because you love it. All while other people tell you to quit doing it, and other- other people tell you that they’re jealous of what you’re doing. None of this feedback will pay your bills or put gas in the tank.

Last but certainly not least, everything you do will be judged harshly by an audience of people who cannot do it themselves. Imagine a few thousand wise asses standing over your shoulder while you make a spreadsheet or pave a driveway, itching to point out every imperfection in your work. Maybe some drunk idiot will yell “freebird” or “Slayer” while you attempt to ignore them and work. Maybe someone will write an article picking apart everything you did.

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it?"

I couldn't agree more. Justin has come on my show numerous times and hosts the "Heavy Business Podcast" on C Squared Music and he is spot on with this.

12/18/2024

Chris Boltendahl from Grave Digger first came on my show back in 1998. I ended up getting to talk to him yet again this morning and he will probably most likely be my last interview for the year. Chris has always been a super cool guy and not only has Grave Digger put out in outstanding album but they have been one of the most consistent bands in the metal scene.

They have put out an outstanding album “Bone Collector“ and it’s going to be a great start for 2025 

12/17/2024

I am listening to this album and damn, this is one of the best albums musically that Grave Digger has ever done. Really good stuff! Chris Boltendahl will make another appearance on the show soon!

These guys are one of my top 25 favorite bands of all time. Grave Digger are also one of the most incredible live bands I have ever seen. Review coming soon....

12/16/2024

In 1994 Andi Deris replaced Michael Kiske in Helloween and the band wrote the Master of the Rings album in 3 weeks. Here is a clip from my recent interview with Andi he talks about what it was like during this time and why he thinks guys like Michael Kiske and Geoff Tate have the "Perfect Voice" when it comes to the music that they create.

12/16/2024

A clip from my latest Podcast revisiting The Chemical Wedding by Bruce Dickinson. I go into my thoughts on the album, plus I play an interview clip from an interview I did with Bruce Dickinson back in the day talking about why the American Tour for this album never happened and another interview clip from an interview I did with Roy Z in regards to the approach to this album.

12/16/2024

Here is another full episode of the podcast. I talk about Category 7's tour getting cancelled, Marty Friedman getting lowballed by Megadeth, I revisit Bruce Dickinson's "The Chemical Wedding" and I talk about my memories of Warrel Dane and Nevermore. My latest podcast is here....

12/16/2024

I mean....he's not wrong. The cost to tour is ridiculously high these days.

In a new interview with Australia's Silver Tiger Media, KK'S PRIEST vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens once again spoke about the band's decision to not do meet-and-greets on its recent tours. Addressing the fact that KK'S PRIEST has yet to make it to Australia, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET)...

12/13/2024

Warrel Dane passed away 7 years ago today and he is still one of my favorite people I’ve ever had on my show and it is very sad He is not with us anymore.

This poster is from their tour in 1999 when I hung out with all these guys and over the years Warrel would come on my show the last time was when the last Sanctuary album came out.

He will forever be remembered

12/11/2024

It’s a shame that there wasn’t more invested in promoting the band, but this is just another example of how bad the economics are for a band like this and for a lot of heavy metal bands on top of the fact, you have the lack of investment in promoting something that should’ve been promoted a lot better. Such a shame.

With the overwhelming competition for the live show dollar, we feel that our projected ticket sales will not be enough for our tour to be profitable, so we have made the painful decision to cancel our tour in March. The cost of touring continues to go up and while we had no illusion of big profits, at least breaking even was a goal which after speaking to our agent and the promoters of the shows did not seem achievable. We appreciate everyone that is enjoying our music and we will continue to attempt to find a way to bring the live show on the road. In making this decision now it will enable everyone to get refunds before Christmas. All vip purchases will be immediately refunded. Thank you again for the support for Category 7.

12/11/2024

I’ve said this numerous times. The music industry is trash. This is not as uncommon as people may think but it’s a very sad thing to see.

With the overwhelming competition for the live show dollar, we feel that our projected ticket sales will not be enough for our tour to be profitable, so we have made the painful decision to cancel our tour in March. The cost of touring continues to go up and while we had no illusion of big profits, at least breaking even was a goal which after speaking to our agent and the promoters of the shows did not seem achievable. We appreciate everyone that is enjoying our music and we will continue to attempt to find a way to bring the live show on the road. In making this decision now it will enable everyone to get refunds before Christmas. All vip purchases will be immediately refunded. Thank you again for the support for Category 7.

12/10/2024

Happy 65th birthday to the great Wolf Hoffman of ACCEPT!

12/10/2024

Helloween has a new live album "Live at Budokan" coming out this Friday on Reigning Phoenix Music. Here is my review plus some commentary from singer Andi Deris on why they chose to record a live album at Budokan as well as the possibility of future live albums down the road.

12/10/2024

1998: 20 bands I’ve never heard of send me their music. I like 2 or 3 of them.

2024: 200 bands I’ve never heard of send me their music. I like 2 or 3 of them.

12/09/2024

My thoughts from yesterday's podcast on Iron Maiden picking Simon Dawson to replace Nicko McBrain as their touring drummer.

12/09/2024

From the podcast on December 7th. My thoughts on Nicko McBrain stepping away from touring with Iron Maiden. Although at the time his replacement had not been announced I share some of my experiences with him that I had personally when I was doing the radio show and some of my favorite highlights in his career with Iron Maiden.

12/09/2024

Two years ago today Tim Ripper Owens released Ripper “Return to Death Row”

Hands-down, one of the best projects he’s ever done in one of his best vocal performances ever.