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Did SickSense Just Become A Completely Different Band?

SickSense isn’t exactly interested in staying in its lane—and the new Funerals EP makes that painfully obvious.

Vicky Psarakis opens up about the band’s darker musical direction, the surprisingly personal story behind A Moment of Violence, and why chasing whatever happens to be commercially popular can be a fast track to sounding like everybody else.

Then the conversation gets downright nasty when AI music enters the picture. Suno, Spotify, musicians skipping the hard work, endless AI-generated albums and the question nobody seems to want to answer: what happens to music when the humans stop being necessary?

Add a new North American tour and a completely DIY approach to keeping the band alive, and this interview goes a hell of a lot deeper than simply talking about a new EP.

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All comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical ...

00:25:59
Does Asia Still Sound Like Asia? Harry Whitley Talks Indigo!

Walking into Asia as the new vocalist means stepping directly into the crosshairs of fans who know every note, every lyric and every inflection.

Harry Whitley doesn't shy away from that pressure. He talks about the John Wetton comparison, the challenge of performing the classic songs, and what changed when he finally got the chance to help create brand-new Asia music with Geoff Downes.

Then there's Indigo — the album that puts his own stamp on the band and forces the obvious question: can a new era of Asia actually satisfy fans who grew up with the classics?

Harry also gets into working with some seriously intimidating musicians, the band's chemistry behind the scenes, touring plans, fan reaction and why buying the music still matters in the streaming era.

There's a lot more going on here than just another new album interview.

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All comments are merely the opinions of...

00:28:38
Why Did This Rocker Really Have A Meltdown In Japan? (2018 Archive)

When classic rock frontmen drop their guard, the real stories finally come spilling out. From the truth behind high-stakes reunion tours and backstage meltdowns to what really goes on when multi-million dollar bands hit the road, nothing is off-limits. Get ready for an unfiltered look at arena rock ego, ridiculous rider demands, and the shocking reality of why your favorite line-ups just can't stay together. You think you know the whole story behind the rock headlines? Think again.

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All comments are merely the opinions of the people speaking them, are for comical performance, and are in no way stated as factual.

01:15:58
DEAD ARTIST LAWSUITS & AIRPLANE SEAT SQUATTERS! (Audio)

Why is everyone still suing Michael Jackson's estate? Neeley and Chris are giving their honest take on the skepticism surrounding the latest legal battle and reviewing the trailer for the upcoming MICHAEL biopic. We're also talking about the tragedy of the woman who fell off the cruise ship and the infuriating new trend of "seat squatting" on planes. Finally, CMS Producer Weezie honors our lost friend, Bob Nalbandian. Share and follow for the metal-fueled truth! Get commercial-free episodes by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!

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DEAD ARTIST LAWSUITS & AIRPLANE SEAT SQUATTERS! (Audio)
Agnostic Front BASSIST on DMC & Their Bold New Sound! (Audio)

Seriously, how do you keep your music fresh when you're a band with a decades-long history? It's tough! Chris chats with Agnostic Front bassist Mike Gallo about their latest, ECHOES OF ETERNITY. They talk about the killer sound improvements, what it was like working with a legend like DMC for the first time, and the guts it takes to try new things as a legacy act. Don't just listen—hit that share button, follow us, and subscribe to Rumble Premium for more! Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!

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Agnostic Front BASSIST on DMC & Their Bold New Sound! (Audio)
LEMMY SMASHES MIXING BOARD! KING DIAMOND'S $26K HANDOUT! (Audio)

What’s crazier: Lemmy destroying a multi-million dollar mixing board with a cheeseburger, or King Diamond getting $26,000 a year from his government just for being an artist? Neeley and Chris tackle these wild metal stories! We also review George Lynch's new single, which he released after admitting he totally lied about retiring. Hint: the guys are NOT impressed. Plus, check out the insane guitar talent from a young private school student. Like, follow, and share this video! Get commercial-free episodes and more by joining Rumble Premium at https://rumble.com/premium. Hail and Kill! Join the rebellion!

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LEMMY SMASHES MIXING BOARD! KING DIAMOND'S $26K HANDOUT! (Audio)

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DID MÖTLEY CRÜE GO TOO FAR WITH THIS MADONNA COVER?

Mötley Crüe covering Madonna's "Like a Virgin" sounds like the setup to a bad joke, but the recording actually exists. The band that gave hard rock fans "Shout at the Devil," "Kickstart My Heart," and "Dr. Feelgood" decided to tackle one of Madonna's most recognizable pop hits. Was this an entertaining experiment, an attempt to shock listeners, or simply a terrible idea? THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW puts the unlikely combination of Mötley Crüe and Madonna under the microscope. Some musical experiments deserve a second chance. Others make you wonder who approved them in the first place.

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Can Scardust Break Metal's Rules? Noa Gruman Talks Symphony, Sabaton & Hellscore
What happens when progressive metal collides with pop music, full orchestras, and a choir that refuses to play by the rules?

What happens when progressive metal collides with pop music, full orchestras, and a choir that refuses to play by the rules?

FULL EPISODE:

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On this episode of CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS, Chris sits down with SCARDUST vocalist Noa Gruman to discuss the band's genre-defying sound, their album Souls, and their ambitious new cover of Clean Bandit's "Symphony," featuring violinist Mia Asano.

Noa explains how SCARDUST builds songs around stories instead of musical formulas, why she embraces pop influences without abandoning her metal roots, and how her metal choir HELLSCORE went from a handful of vocal students to collaborating with bands including Amorphis, Epica, and Sabaton.

She also discusses the band's next album, touring plans for 2027, and what working with Sabaton has taught her about succeeding in the music business.

And when Chris brings up the financial reality of keeping an independent metal band alive, Noa offers a revealing answer about what actually qualifies as a successful year.

Can a band push metal in every possible direction and still maintain its identity?

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NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to form your own opinions.

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Hail & Rekindle: The Week in CMS • November 1–7, 2026
Hail and Kill!
 
Jim Florentine brought the comedy. FORBIDDEN brought the thrash. Michale Graves brought music and a message of unity, while Seth and Chris tried to figure out what the hell happened to the Republicans.
 
Meanwhile, Neeley and Chris worked through rock-star nostalgia, football obsession, and a guy who apparently needed to meet his imaginary girlfriend in person before noticing a problem.
And for the VIPs? Three advance CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS interviews featuring Wraith, Doro Pesch, and Nine Treasures. Your membership gets you through the door before everybody else.
 
Here’s this week’s wreckage.
 

THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW

 
DID THIS DUMMY GET WHAT HE DESERVED? | CMS LIVE 10/24/26
 
Want the whole night? Here it is.
 
Comedian Jim Florentine joins Neeley and Chris for comedy-club horror stories, hecklers, awkward audiences, and rock-star encounters. The guys also dig into Down’s “The Myth,” classic hard-rock favorites, internet nonsense, and some spectacularly questionable decisions.
That includes a football fan accused of restraining his wife so he could watch a game in peace. Apparently, the remote wasn’t the only thing that needed to be out of reach.
 
 
DAMN, ARE YOU 2 PISSED?
 
Chris barely makes it back from seeing Jim Florentine with Seth Williams before it’s time to fire up CMS. Naturally, an evening of comedy leads straight into a discussion about people who make going out in public a miserable experience.
 
Obnoxious audience members, internet trolls, the music business, and the endless supply of people who can’t get out of their own way. Neeley and Chris have thoughts. Restraint remains unavailable.
 
 
Music pick:
 
 
SHOOTIN’ THE SHIT WITH JIM FLORENTINE!
 
Jim Florentine sits down with Chris and Neeley for a conversation about comedy, censorship, and the price of refusing to kiss the right asses.
 
From Howard Stern and Crank Yankers to club hecklers and Hollywood expectations, Jim discusses building a career on his own terms. The guys get into Shane Gillis, advertiser-friendly entertainment, and the joy of editing profanity out of a show built by people who swear for a living.
 
Then it’s on to Def Leppard, Mutt Lange, Tony Iommi, and whether established rock stars have any interest in returning to the club circuit.
 
 
IS ROCK NOSTALGIA STILL ROCKING?
 
Down has new music. Lita Ford has an album preview. Neeley and Chris have several decades of opinions ready to go.
 
The guys check out Down’s “The Myth,” discussing its groove, Phil Anselmo’s vocal production, and how it fits alongside the band’s history. Then Lita Ford’s Dracula preview opens the door to a broader conversation about the songs, image, relationships, and excesses that kept ’80s rock personalities in the spotlight.
 
How much of the legend comes from the records—and how much comes from everything that happened after the show?
 
 
Vinyl pick:
 
 
DID THIS DUMMY GET WHAT HE DESERVED?
 
Two stories. An impressive shortage of good judgment.
 
First, Neeley and Chris discuss allegations that a Virginia football fan taped his wife to a chair so he could watch the game. Then they turn to a Brazilian man who reportedly sold his belongings and traveled more than 1,200 miles to meet a woman who turned out to be an AI-generated character.
Online romance apparently gets complicated when only one person in the relationship exists.
 
Football, domestic drama, artificial intelligence, and decisions that probably deserved a second thought before anyone packed a suitcase.
 
 

CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS

 
DID NORMAN SKINNER SAVE FORBIDDEN’S COMEBACK? GUITARIST CRAIG LOCICERO WEIGHS IN!
 
A legendary thrash band loses its original singer. An unexpected replacement steps in. Suddenly, the conversation moves from revisiting the past to making a new record.
 
FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero joins Chris to discuss Russ Anderson stepping away, Norman Skinner taking the microphone, and the band’s upcoming first studio album since 2010.
 
Craig also gets into creative direction, rebuilding momentum, and the economics of taking a metal band on the road. A recognizable name gets attention. Keeping the whole operation moving takes considerably more.
 
 

CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS — VIP / ADVANCE INTERVIEW RELEASES

 
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WRAITH’S JASON SCHULTZ: THE DARKNESS BEHIND THEIR MOST AMBITIOUS ALBUM
 
Savage thrash doesn’t need another cartoon battlefield.
 
Wraith guitarist Jason Schultz joins Chris to discuss Descent Into Darkness and the human cost of conflict behind its darker themes. They get into deliberate track sequencing, bringing the material to the stage, and what supporting independent metal actually requires.
 
Streaming a few songs is easy. Keeping underground bands alive takes fans willing to show up.
 
 
Free release: December 6, 2026
 
DORO PESCH: WHY DOES THE METAL QUEEN NEVER TAKE A BREAK?
 
More than four decades into her career, Doro Pesch still doesn’t seem interested in taking a vacation.
The former WARLOCK vocalist joins Chris to discuss Wild at Heart, arriving December 11, 2026, her collaboration with Lita Ford on “Queen of Pain,” her duet with Alissa White-Gluz, and the upcoming Magic Winter Tour.
 
They also cover collectible vinyl editions, releasing music more frequently, the breakthrough of Triumph and Agony, and the musicians she’s lost along the way.
 
Retirement? Don’t expect that announcement here.
 
 
Free release: December 5, 2026
 
CAN NINE TREASURES CONQUER AMERICA WITH THEIR UNIQUE METAL SOUND?
 
Traditional Mongolian influences meet thrash, melodic death metal, and progressive metal. Nine Treasures have plenty to explain—and guitarist Ashkan Avagchuud is ready to get into it.
Ashkan joins Chris to discuss the band’s first American tour with Mushroomhead and Fear Factory, its roots in the Beijing club circuit, and the challenge of winning over audiences hearing something unfamiliar.
 
The conversation also covers Metal Blade Records, being a musician in China, and the band’s ambitions for bigger stages. When Chris challenges him about whether smaller bands can get enough attention from a major metal label, Ashkan puts responsibility squarely on the musicians.
 
 
Free release: November 29, 2026
 

THE SETH WILLIAMS SHOW

 
MICHALE GRAVES TALKS MISFITS, NEW TOUR & UNITY — DID REPUBLICANS BLOW THE MIDTERMS?
 
Former MISFITS vocalist Michale Graves joins Seth Williams and Chris Akin to discuss his career and the upcoming Everybody Love Everybody Acoustic Tour.
 
Graves talks about bringing people together through music, revisiting songs from his Misfits years and solo career, and sharing the stories behind them in a more intimate setting.
 
Then Seth and Chris turn to the Republican midterm election losses. What went wrong, and what happens next?
 
Music, politics, and plenty of opinions. Nobody needed a script.
 
Originally aired: November 4, 2026
 
 
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Join CMS VIP on Locals for full, uncensored, commercial-free episodes, advance CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS interviews, THE CUT, CHAT AND KILL during the live show, giveaways, and members-only posts from Chris and Neeley.
 
 
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These shows contain explicit language, adult humor, and potentially offensive opinions intended for mature audiences. Everything said represents the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is presented as fact. Do your own research and draw your own conclusions.
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DID THIS DUMMY GET WHAT HE DESERVED? Football Madness & AI Girlfriend Disaster!
You couldn’t make these stories up!

You couldn’t make these stories up! Chris and Neeley wrap up the night with two bizarre real-world stories, outrageous commentary, and the kind of uncensored conversation that makes THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW what it is.

FULL EPISODE:

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First up: **Did a football fan really restrain his wife so he could watch a game in peace?** A Virginia man named Terry Ward was reportedly arrested after allegedly taping his wife to a chair in the basement while he watched football. Charged with felony abduction and misdemeanor assault on a family member, Ward had a court appearance scheduled for November 10. Chris and Neeley dig into the bizarre allegations, debate the situation, and turn the story into an extended, no-holds-barred discussion about football obsession, relationships, and domestic drama.

Then things get even stranger.

**A man sells his belongings, travels more than 1,200 miles, and discovers his dream girlfriend isn’t real!** Brazilian bricklayer Edamar Martins reportedly believed he had found the woman he wanted to marry. Instead, the woman he pursued, Jessica Oliveira, turned out to be an AI-generated character. After arriving in another city and running out of money, Martins reportedly needed assistance getting home. Even more unbelievably, he hasn’t given up on finding love.

Chris and Neeley tear into the absurdity of the situation, discuss the increasingly convincing world of AI-generated personalities, and question how anyone could sacrifice everything for a relationship without meeting the person first.

Plus, the guys thank comedian Jim Florentine for stopping by, recognize the fans who support CMS, and close out the show with Candlebox’s “Don’t You,” requested by Fuego.

It’s football, artificial intelligence, online romance, questionable decisions, and unfiltered comedy—all delivered the Classic Metal Show way.

**WARNING:** This episode contains frequent strong language, crude sexual humor, adult subject matter, and jokes involving domestic violence. Viewer discretion is advised.

Support THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW on Locals for just $5 per month and get bonus features, music, and exclusive content: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

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NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.

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