Welcome to Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches which is a show that explores all genres of music. As someone with autism, I bring a unique perspective to my interviews, aiming to create an authentic and engaging experience for both artists and listeners.Thanks for watching and please subscribe to help me keep bringing new content to you!

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I was hacked & my Youtube chanel was removed! Here are the steps to getting it back!

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Stevie D says Buckcherry is already looking ahead, with the next album planned as part of the band’s schedule for next year. He outlines the steps involved in moving that record forward, from writing and early planning to getting into the studio and shaping the final songs. The focus is on keeping momentum going while making sure the material is ready before recording begins.Outside of Buckcherry, Stevie D is also staying busy producing other projects, expanding his work behind the boards and helping develop music beyond his role as a guitarist. At the same time, he’s putting energy into recording D’Molls music, showing that project is part of his creative life as well.The interview also touches on the tragic accident involving the band’s bus, adding a more serious note to the conversation. Stevie D acknowledges the incident as a difficult moment, set against an otherwise forward-looking discussion about new music, production work, and what’s coming next.

BUCKCHERRY'S Stevie D on new album status, producing, D'MOLLS.& the tragic bus accident that happened.

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Cloven Hoof have spent decades building a legacy as one of the enduring names in British heavy metal, earning a reputation for power, character, and a sound that has remained unmistakably their own. Across changing eras, the band have continued to carry forward the spirit that first defined them, combining classic metal force with a strong sense of identity. That history gives every new release added weight, and it is exactly that sense of legacy that makes this next chapter stand out.The new album, Never a Prophet in Your Own Land, arrives as a statement of purpose — one that reflects both experience and ambition. The title alone suggests conflict, perseverance, and the challenge of standing firm in the face of doubt, all themes that fit naturally within the world Cloven Hoof have built over the years. It feels like an album shaped by conviction, carrying the strength of the band’s past while pushing forward with renewed intent.For longtime listeners, this release represents more than just another record in the catalogue. It is a continuation of the band’s story, rooted in the traditions that helped establish their name while still finding room to expand and evolve. There is a sense of momentum around Never a Prophet in Your Own Land — the sound of a band drawing on its foundations without simply looking backwards.In this episode, we look at the history behind Cloven Hoof, the road that led to Never a Prophet in Your Own Land, and what this album means within the broader arc of the band’s career. We also explore how this release connects past and present, and why it stands as an important moment for a band that continues to hold its place in heavy metal with authority and purpose.

Cloven Hoof  Never a Prophet in Your Own Land — a new album rooted in legacy, power, and conviction.

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In this episode, we talk about Forbidden, the new album that marks an important turning point for the band. Built on the history, sound, and identity that have defined the group over the years, Forbidden reflects both where the band has been and where it is headed next. It is a record shaped by growth, change, and a clear sense of purpose.We also discuss the arrival of the band’s new singer and what that means for this next chapter. Their voice brings a new energy and dimension to the music while staying true to the foundation that longtime listeners will recognize. Forbidden represents that balance between legacy and evolution, holding on to the core of the band while opening the door to something new.The episode also looks ahead to the new tour and what fans can expect from this era live. More than just a new release, Forbidden signals the beginning of a new phase for the band — one that connects its history to its future in a way that feels natural, ambitious, and ready for the stage.

Forbidden marks the next era. Album and tour coming soon.

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Dan Lilker is a highly respected figure in heavy music whose career has stretched across thrash metal, hardcore, crossover, and grindcore. He first came to wider attention as a founding member of Anthrax and performed on the band’s 1984 debut album, Fistful of Metal. Although his time in Anthrax was brief, it placed him at the beginning of a major moment in American thrash and helped establish his place in metal history.He went on to build an even deeper legacy through Nuclear Assault, the band most closely linked to his name, and through Stormtroopers of Death, whose aggressive and sarcastic style became hugely influential in crossover metal. Lilker later expanded into grindcore with Brutal Truth, showing how easily he could move between different extremes of heavy music. Across the years, he has also been involved with many other bands and side projects, which has made him one of the most recognizable and versatile musicians in the underground scene.What makes Dan Lilker stand out is not just the number of bands he has played in, but how often he has been part of important chapters in metal’s evolution. From early thrash to crossover and grindcore, his bass playing, songwriting, and personality have left a real mark on the genre. Even after stepping back from regular road touring, he remains an important and respected presence whose influence continues to be felt across the metal world.

Dan Lilker on Joining Instagram, His Band History, Guest Jams, and Life After Road Touring.

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Max Cavalera is one of metal’s most influential figures, first rising to prominence as the co-founder, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of Sepultura. Emerging from Brazil in the 1980s, Sepultura helped reshape extreme metal with landmark albums like Beneath the Remains, Arise, Chaos A.D., and Roots, blending thrash, groove, punk, and tribal influences into a sound that reached far beyond the underground. Cavalera’s fierce delivery, percussive guitar style, and instinct for reinvention made him a defining voice in heavy music.After leaving Sepultura in the mid-1990s, Cavalera launched Soulfly, a band that gave him room to push even further into groove, nu metal, hardcore, and world-music textures. Over the years, Soulfly has become a long-running creative outlet and touring force, with Max continuously evolving the lineup and sound while staying rooted in aggression, rhythm, and identity. His career has also included projects like Nailbomb, Cavalera Conspiracy, Killer Be Killed, and Go Ahead and Die, reinforcing his reputation as an artist who never stops moving.In this interview, Cavalera reflects on life on the road, the enduring mission of Soulfly, and the gear and tuning choices that helped shape his signature heaviness — from Drop D riffing to the raw power of 4-string guitars. He also opens up about the idea of revisiting older material, including the growing conversation around re-recording classic Sepultura-era albums. The result is a wide-ranging discussion with one of metal’s true lifers: honest, loud, and deeply connected to the music that built his legacy. https://www.soulfly.comhttps://www.cavaleraconspiracy.net

Max Cavalera on Touring, Soulfly, Drop D, 4-Strings & Re-Recording Old Sepultura Albums.

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Possessed emerged from the Bay Area metal underground in the early 1980s and quickly became one of the defining bands in the first wave of death metal. After early demos and a growing local reputation, the band released Seven Churches in 1985, a record widely recognized for helping shape the sound and language of the genre. They followed it with Beyond the Gates in 1986 and The Eyes of Horror in 1987 before the original run came to an end that same year. Jeff Becerra’s story is inseparable from that legacy. After the band’s breakup and the shooting that left him paralyzed in 1989, Possessed remained an influential name in extreme metal, even during long periods of inactivity. When Becerra brought the band back in the 2000s, it marked the beginning of a new chapter that eventually led to Revelations of Oblivion in 2019, the first full-length Possessed album in more than three decades. This interview picks up from there, looking both backward and forward. It focuses on Becerra’s friendship with Chuck Schuldiner, a relationship he has described in direct and personal terms, and on the current state of Possessed as he continues writing material for a new album. Together, those subjects frame a conversation about history, memory, and the next phase of one of death metal’s foundational bands.

Possessed's Jeff Becerra: Remembering DEATH’S Chuck Schuldiner & Writing New Possessed Album!

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Mortiis, the project of Norwegian musician Håvard Ellefsen, began in 1993 after his departure from Emperor, where he had been the band’s original bassist. From the start, Mortiis developed as a separate creative outlet, first centered on atmospheric, synth-based compositions that stood apart from the black metal scene he came out of. In the years that followed, the project expanded in both sound and form, moving through distinct phases that introduced darker electronic, industrial, and rock influences. That progression has made Mortiis a career defined by change, with each period reflecting a different approach to mood, structure, and composition. Looking back across those shifts offers a way to talk not only about the development of the project, but also about the writing behind it: how ideas take shape, how methods evolve, and what connects the work across different eras. With that in mind, this interview turns to his career and songwriting process, and to the way his music has changed over time.

MORTIIS The Rise and Evolution of Mortiis in 2026

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* **0:19** – Introduction of Paul Mazurkiewicz and his projects.* **1:12** – Discussion on the origins of Paul&#39;s rock band, Umbilicus.* **2:34** – Early projects: Path of Man and the search for a 70s-style rock singer.* **6:15** – Reforming during the pandemic and starting fresh with new members.* **10:30** – Details on the Umbilicus EP, *Ambiguous*.* **12:11** – Paul&#39;s role as a drummer vs. his history with songwriting and guitar.* **16:05** – Writing the Cannibal Corpse song &#34;Destroyed Without a Trace&#34; entirely on drums.* **18:11** – Paul&#39;s first instrument: Learning guitar on an acoustic before switching to drums.* **25:28** – The evolution of Paul&#39;s drumming style over 40 years.* **31:30** – Why &#34;Hammer Smashed Face&#34; is the epitome of the Cannibal Corpse sound.* **33:01** – The challenge of creating setlists with such a massive discography.* **40:00** – Staying physically fit for extreme metal drumming as he gets older.* **49:09** – Looking ahead to upcoming Slayer shows and the future of Cannibal Corpse.

Cannibal Corpse Paul Mazurkiewicz on Umbilicus history and new EP and Cannibal Corpse playing shows!

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Miljenko Matijevic joins the show for a one-on-one conversation about “Without You,” and his work with Niclas Engelin, the new collaborative album that’s on the way, his voice, and the realities of today’s music business. Best known as the founder and voice of Steelheart, Matijevic reflects on the songwriting, the performance side of singing, and how he approaches recording and longevity as a rock vocalist. The interview also looks back at Steelheart’s history, from the band’s beginnings in Connecticut under the name Red Alert to their breakout with the 1990 debut Steelheart, followed by Tangled in Reins, the 1992 onstage accident that changed everything, and the later return of the band through new releases and touring. It’s a focused conversation with one of hard rock’s most distinctive singers about past chapters, current work, and the new album coming with Niclas Engelin.

Steelheart’s Miljenko Matijevic on the New Single and Upcoming Album with Niclas Engelin!

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Stephen Gibb, often known as Steve Gibb, is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter with a career rooted in hard rock and heavy metal. Born in London in 1973 and raised in Miami, he is the eldest son of Barry Gibb. Although he comes from a famous musical family, Stephen developed his own identity by pursuing a much heavier sound than the pop style long associated with the Bee Gees.Throughout his career, Gibb has performed with several well-known rock and metal acts, including Black Label Society, Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow, and Saigon Kick. He has earned respect as a skilled and adaptable musician, contributing both onstage and in the studio. His work reflects a strong commitment to the rock and metal genres, where he has built a reputation based on musicianship rather than family connections.In addition to his metal career, Gibb has also collaborated extensively with his father in The Barry Gibb Band, adding guitar, vocals, and songwriting support. This side of his career highlights his versatility and ability to move between very different musical styles. Stephen Gibb’s path is notable because he has managed to honor his family’s musical legacy while establishing himself as a credible artist in his own right.

Stephen Gibb KILL THE ROBOT and super music deep dive of his life!

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alor Kand is a musician known for his work with Christian Death, where he became a central creative figure as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. His presence helped define the band’s identity for decades, and he became closely associated with its intense sound, theatrical style, and confrontational themes. In addition to performing, he played a major role in shaping the group’s direction and keeping it active across multiple eras. As an artist, Kand brought a forceful and dramatic approach to Christian Death’s music. His work often emphasized heavy guitars, dark atmosphere, and lyrics that drew on religion, power, violence, and social tension. The result was a sound that felt severe and deliberate, combining gothic imagery with a harder musical edge. His style gave the band a sense of scale and intensity that remained a consistent part of its character. Beyond individual albums or performances, Valor Kand’s significance lies in the way he sustained Christian Death as an ongoing artistic project. He was not simply a performer within the group but one of its main drivers, responsible for much of its continuity, image, and output over time. His name remains tied to the band because of that long-term creative leadership and the strong imprint he left on its music.

The World of Valor Kand and Christian Death

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* **00:00** - Intro and Welcome* **00:35** - Meet Hardip (Lead Guitar) and Ben (Vocals)* **00:57** - Band History and First Releases* **02:22** - The Bond Between Band Members* **04:13** - Influences and Finding Their Sound* **06:58** - Playing Alongside Different Genres* **10:37** - Working with Tony (VENOM INC ) on the New Album* **15:15** - Album Release Details* **17:42** - Upcoming Shows and Bloodstock Festival* **21:28** - Advice for Young Bands and the Reality of Touring* **23:39** - The Importance of Playing Live* **28:44** - Outro and Farewell

IMPERIUM Unleash the new album EXODUS UNKNOWN

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!Jesse Hughes has described Eagles of Death Metal as a creative partnership built with Josh Homme from the start, and in interviews he has spoken openly about how closely they write together. Hughes said he and Homme write the songs together, while also calling Homme his best friend and praising the chance to work in a Joshua Homme production session.On the gear side, Hughes’ documented live setup is very specific: he has used custom Maton guitars, including an MS500 with lightning-bolt styling and hotter-wound humbuckers, and paired them with Orange amps onstage. A recorded rig rundown says he used both an Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIII and an Orange Dual Dark 50, with Hughes explaining that placing amps on both sides of the drummer helped create a stereo sound live; the same feature also noted that he recorded direct with a vintage Mosrite Fuzzrite and an original Orange Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz.

Jesse Hughes on new EODM with Josh Homme, deep dive on audio gear and tour of his new home!

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* **00:00** – Introduction and welcome to Dave Rude from Tesla* **00:22** – Discussing the new album and the &#34;economy of albums&#34; in rock today* **01:28** – Why Tesla chooses to release singles versus full albums* **02:17** – How the new covers record came together &#34;by accident&#34;* **03:03** – Exploring the vocal-focused direction of the new album* **04:48** – Balancing original sound with the essence of cover songs* **06:03** – Upcoming tour details with Mötley Crüe and Extreme* **07:44** – The experience of headlining versus playing larger package tours* **11:13** – Rehearsing for the tour and updating the stage production* **13:16** – Why classic bands feel the need to play the &#34;hits&#34;* **15:56** – The challenge of making new music feel &#34;classic&#34; in the streaming era* **19:09** – Dave Rude’s solo projects and performing on the Monsters of Rock Cruise* **23:32** – Recording guitar parts in hotel rooms and dressing rooms on the road* **28:24** – Closing remarks and tour dates summary

Tesla's Dave Rude talks new album HOMAGE, Motley Tour and  original  music recording  challenges

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Paul Booth is an American tattoo artist and multidisciplinary dark surrealist from Boonton, New Jersey, whose career has spanned nearly four decades. After beginning his tattoo journey in the late 1980s through an apprenticeship in New Jersey, he developed a signature black-and-gray style centered on macabre, psychological, and surreal imagery. Rather than follow standard flash trends, Booth built his name through large custom pieces that explored horror, religion, trauma, and the darker side of human nature. By the 1990s and 2000s, Booth had become one of the most influential names in tattooing, especially within metal and alternative culture. His work attracted high-profile musicians and performers, while his broader practice expanded into painting, sculpture, film, and music. He also earned recognition beyond tattoo culture, helping push tattooing toward wider acceptance as a serious art form. A major part of Booth’s legacy is the world he built around Last Rites in New York, an immersive tattoo and gallery space that became iconic in dark art culture. In 2000 he co-founded the Art Fusion Experiment, bringing tattooers and fine artists together in collaborative work. His fine art later reached international exhibitions, including a solo show at the H.R. Giger Museum in 2011 and a major museum exhibition in Paris in 2014–2015. Although Last Rites closed in 2020 during the pandemic, Booth remains a defining figure in the crossover between tattooing, outsider art, and dark contemporary art

Paul Booth: The Dark Art Visionary Who Redefined Tattooing, Horror, and Creative Expression

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I spoke with Karl Agell about the story behind Legions of Doom, a band born from a heavy kind of history. In the aftermath of Eric Wagner’s passing, what could have remained only a tribute to the past slowly became something more active and alive. Karl talked about how the project grew out of grief, friendship, and unfinished creative momentum, with musicians choosing not to let that chapter simply close.What makes Legions of Doom compelling is that it does not feel like a band built to imitate what came before. It carries the weight of that history, but it is not trapped by it. Karl made it clear that the group came together with real purpose: to honor the spirit of the music, to give shape to material that still deserved to be heard, and to move forward without pretending the past can be replaced.There is a real sense of continuity in the band’s foundation. The people involved bring shared history, but also the kind of experience that lets them turn loss into creation. In talking with Karl, that seemed to be the heart of Legions of Doom — not just remembrance, but resolve. It is a band connected to legacy, but driven by the need to make something new out of what was left behind.

Karl Agell on Legions of Doom and Carrying the Legacy Forward

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Davy Vain’s story starts before Vain the band ever broke out. He first built a name behind the scenes as a producer, then stepped forward as a frontman and songwriter when he formed Vain in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986. After early buzz, club shows, and a growing reputation, the band signed with Island and released No Respect in 1989, an album that never became a huge chart smash but earned lasting respect for its raw, hungry sound. When label turmoil stalled the band in the early ’90s, Davy kept moving—briefly linking up with Steven Adler in Road Crew before reviving Vain and pushing on through years of lineup shifts, underground releases, and cult-level loyalty. Across every era, from Move On It and Fade to All Those Strangers, Enough Rope, Rolling With the Punches, and 2024’s Disintegrate Together, Davy has remained the engine of the band: its voice, songwriter, and constant creative center.

VAIN / Davy Vain Opens Up About Disintegrate Together, Band History, Songwriting, and Reptiles ....

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Boris T. is the online name of Boris Behara, a Croatian musician and YouTube creator best known for metal-focused videos and for leading the one-man project Tryglav. His channel originally started as “Tryglav Official” before expanding into broader content about extreme metal, music culture, and underground scenes.As a musician, he is tied to black/death metal, with Tryglav described as a Croatian one-man project formed in 2018. His work blends aggressive black/death metal with horror-inspired themes, and he has also discussed side projects beyond Tryglav.His video content mixes music, behind-the-scenes material, and metal travel/history features. Recent examples highlighted online include videos about Scandinavian black/death metal culture, including exhibitions, gravesites, and locations connected to bands such as Bathory, Mayhem, and Dissection.https://ruthlesstalent.com/exclusive-creator-boris-t/https://www.patreon.com/tryglav/abouthttps://tryglav.bandcamp.com/album/the-ritual

Boris T of Tryglav and youtube channel Boris T. Talks new music, YouTube and his future!

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Wino is officially heading back into the studio to begin work on a new The Obsessed record, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for one of doom’s most enduring voices. With fresh material now taking shape, the upcoming album promises to carry forward the band’s signature weight, soul, and uncompromising spirit while opening the door to what comes next.At the same time, Ritual Arcana is deep in the writing process, with new songs already underway. The creative momentum behind both projects reflects a period of renewed energy and focus, as Wino continues to push forward on multiple fronts with the same intensity and vision that have defined his work for decades.There is also more on the horizon for fans of The Obsessed beyond the studio. Touring plans are currently in the works, with live dates announced with more coming. More details on the new record, additional music from Ritual Arcana, and upcoming tour news will be revealed soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfPMjLm5v8https://www.wino-art.com/https://www.theobsessedofficial.net/https://www.ritualarcana.com/

The Obsessed & Ritual Arcana: The Obsessed return to the studio before launching a major tour.

Early access on music news clips, funny artist shorts and brand new interviews!

Welcome to Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches which is a show that explores all genres of music. As someone with autism, I bring a unique perspective to my interviews, aiming to create an authentic and engaging experience for both artists and listeners.Thanks for watching and please subscribe to help me keep bringing new content to you!