IoMP 151: These Bands Aren't Around Anymore (... And We Wish They Were)
Some bands break up quietly. Some implode spectacularly. Some vanish into the void and leave metal fans staring at their Spotify playlists like a recently divorced dad holding a framed wedding photo.
This time on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Collin and Tom tackle one of the most painful topics in heavy music: bands we wish were still around.
The guys dig into legendary acts that left massive holes in the metal world. Bolt Thrower gets praise for their crushing riffs and unmatched death metal atmosphere, while Death is celebrated as one of the most important and influential bands in extreme metal history. The discussion around Death becomes a full-on appreciation session for Chuck Schuldiner’s songwriting genius and the band’s constantly evolving sound.
The conversation also gets surprisingly emotional during discussions about Type O Negative and Huntress. Peter Steele’s larger-than-life presence becomes both a source of comedy and genuine admiration, while the tragic loss of Huntress vocalist Jill Janus leads to one of the episode’s more serious and heartfelt moments.
Meanwhile, the underground scene gets plenty of love too. Collin and Tom revisit their history with Cathartic Demise, whose music helped kickstart some of their earliest collaborations together. They also shout out Raider for effectively becoming “Super Raider” after adding members of Cathartic Demise into the lineup. Because apparently the correct number of death metal musicians is always “more.”
Other bands discussed include Bathory, Black Sabbath, Cannabis Corpse, and Power Trip — with plenty of side quests into hologram concerts, Ozzy’s farewell, movie discussions, and the horrifying realization that Ryan Gosling once starred in a movie about dating a sex doll… yeah, that’s a thing, apparently. Tom is very confused.
At its core, this episode is about why music matters so much to metal fans. Bands become part of our lives. Their music gets tied to memories, friendships, breakups, road trips, heartbreak, and survival. So when a band disappears, it genuinely hurts.
Listen now, and let us know what bands and artists are gone, but you would love to have back (alive or dead.)
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