This episode originally aired on 10/13/12.

Stop wasting your time with corporate-sanitized rock history and hear the actual truth. Mark Nero sent us the worst band in the history of Florida, and it nearly broke the show. Watch Neeley and Chris Akin destroy the legends you’ve been told to worship.

🔥 THE CMS UNLOCK: SEE WHAT YOUTUBE CENSORED
The full, 6-hour uncensored experience lives here. No filters. No corporate bullshit.

👉 JOIN THE VIPs: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com
👉 SUBSTACK (Audio Feed): https://cmspn.substack.com

📚 CHRIS AKIN’S VAULT - GRAB THE BOOKS: Get the inside dirt on the industry from Chris Akin.

Call Me Chris: https://amzn.to/4aZXMeG
Little Victories: https://amzn.to/4cDgFVZ
...And Other Things I Should Not Say...: https://cstu.io/841c87
Cause & Effect: Metallica: https://cstu.io/7b07b2
Cause & Effect: Motley Crue: https://cstu.io/9c8e5a
Cause & Effect: Turbo: https://amzn.to/3MXFlOB

Get a Custom Shoutout from Chris on CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/chrisakin

🤘 ABOUT THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW: Since 1996, THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW has caused global chaos. Neeley and Chris deliver scorched-earth looks at pop culture and the 80s Hard Rock we live for. From Motley Crue to our favorite target, Eddie Trunk—nothing is sacred.

FOLLOW THE CHAOS:

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/c/cms
X: https://www.x.com/cmsrocks

HAIL & KILL! F*CK YOU, PAL! HANDJOB! 🖕

Texas' incendiary crossover thrash metal band LIFE CYCLES is back with a new EP, No One Escapes Death, due out March 27th via 1126 Records. Following a string of relentless singles and EP's and countless ferocious live shows over the last decade, the five-piece continues their warpath, showing no mercy on their latest release, comprised of 6 face-melting tracks that feature the band's signature concoction of brutal thrash, hardcore and death metal. 

Today, the band ups the ante with another sonic assault, "Fatal Path," accompanied by the music video below. 

Vocalist Luis Lopez Jr discusses the track's lyrics:

"'Fatal Path' is about the evil persuasive ways of lust. Letting it drag you to dark places, it tricks you into believing it’s more than just pleasure, ultimately pulling back the curtain and showing that it was all an illusion."

No One Escapes Death Track List: 

1. Hell Beneath (ft. Josh Middleton of Sylosis)
2. Fatal Path
3. No Man’s Land
4. Mouth Of Doubt
5. Soul In Chains (ft. Matt Heafy of Trivium)
6. The End Still Awaits

LIFE CYCLES will join BLEED FROM WITHIN, SYLOSIS and GREAT AMERICAN GHOST on tour this spring in support of the new EP, No One Escapes Death. Tickets are available now at https://www.bleedfromwithin.com/tour-dates/. 

LIFE CYCLES Tour Dates w/BLEED FROM WITHIN & SYLOSIS:

April 2 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
April 3 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Beanfield (SOLD OUT)
April 4 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
April 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
April 7 - Lakewood, OH - The Roxy
April 8 - Millville, PA - Mr Smalls
April 10 - Detroit, MI - St Andrew’s Hall
April 11 - Grand Rapids, MI - Elevation
April 12 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
April 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
April 15 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre
April 17 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
April 19 - Boise, ID - Shrine Social Club
April 20 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
April 21 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
April 22 - Roseville, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
April 24 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theatre 
April 25 - Pomona, CA - The Glass House
April 26 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
April 28 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
April 29 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater 
May 1 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
May 2 - Atlanta GA - The Masquerade (Hell)
May 3 - Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819
May 5 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
May 6 - Baltimore, MD - Nevermore Hall
May 7 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre

About LIFE CYCLES: 

San Antonio thrash prodigies Life Cycles are doubling down on their classic Texas sound with 2026’s No One Escapes Death.
 
The crew’s take on classic Texas thrash is excellent, pairing mean riffs with technical precision while never losing sight of the infectious groove that dominates the sound.
 
“We write music that we genuinely like,” said vocalist Luis Lopez. “That we would listen to, instead of trying to be like something else. This group doesn’t operate in a box—we write the music that we like to hear.”
 
The record perfectly captures the energy of the group’s live shows.
 
“It’s a party when we play,” explained drummer Xavier Rios. “I always tell people that don’t like metal ‘come to these shows’ because you’re going to have a good time.”

New Album 'Louder Than Fate' Out June 5th via Frontiers Music Srl

GET JARED JAMES NICHOLS' LOUDER THAN FATE ON VINYL HERE: https://amzn.to/4l5ZYVv

Today, JARED JAMES NICHOLS is pleased to share his new single, "Killing Time," the third track taken from his upcoming fourth studio album, 'Louder Than Fate,' due out on June 5, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. The single arrives alongside an official video, available below.

Raw, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in the lineage of blues-driven hard rock, “Killing Time” captures NICHOLS at the peak of his creative confidence, channeling grit, groove, and soul with relentless intensity while setting the tone for what promises to be his most powerful and fully realized album to date. The song was written & recorded in Nashville with Roger Alan Nichols (Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Hayley Williams) producing. The video for "Killing Time" was shot in the basement of Halestorm Manor (Lzzy & Joe from Halestorm's house).

JARED comments on the new track:

"‘Killing Time’ is not being able to cut the loss of a relationship when you know you have to move on. It’s about walking a lonely path while hanging onto hope, even when all is lost. Every stripped-down chord echoes the regret of moments thrown away and words left unsaid. Writing this song was a personal reminder that it is OK to close chapters and move on to new beginnings."

A set of record-release shows kicks off in Teaneck, NJ, on May 29th, and a list of his upcoming live dates can be found below.

Produced and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Amon Amarth, Skindred,

and Steel Panther) with additional production by Roger Alan Nichols (Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and Hayley Williams of Paramore), 'Louder Than Fate' balances muscle and melody, combining thunderous riffs, searing solos, and emotionally charged vocals with a modern, punchy production. The songs move effortlessly between hard-hitting rock anthems and more reflective, dynamic moments, showcasing NICHOLS’ ability to fuse classic influences with a contemporary edge. Tracks like “Bending or Breaking” and “Killing Time” expand the sonic palette with subtle keyboards and cinematic string arrangements, adding depth without ever sacrificing power.

Since his breakout debut, JARED JAMES NICHOLS has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying guitarists and performers of his generation. Known for his unmistakable tone, fearless playing style, and commanding stage presence, he has toured extensively across the US and Europe, sharing stages with some of the biggest names in rock and earning praise from fans and critics alike.

'Louder Than Fate' is not just an album — it’s a declaration. A record that speaks to resilience, conviction, and the unstoppable force of an artist who plays every note as if it truly matters. Loud, honest, and deeply human, this is JARED JAMES NICHOLS at his absolute best.

NICHOLS comments on 'Louder Than Fate':

“I’m beyond excited for this record. I’ve been counting down the days until its release like it’s a personal holiday. If the singles are any hint for you, there are plenty of riffs ripping through the speakers like a buzz saw. But going deeper into the record, there are tons of different emotions and sounds that I have yet to explore as a singer/songwriter. I am personally thrilled to share different shades of myself on this record, giving so much more depth and insight to the listener. Get ready for ‘Louder than Fate’."

'Louder Than Fate' Track List:

1. Let’s Go
2. Ghost
3. Way Back
4. Bending Or Breaking
5. Killing Time *
6. Dust N’ Bones
7. Show Me *
8. Looks Like That Felt Good *
9. Runnin’ Hot
10. Pretend