Heavy Metal Philosophy

Heavy Metal Philosophy

An exploration of philosophy with heavy metal themes. The intersection between the dark, powerful, and introspective. Tune in every Tuesday!

Episodes

April 22, 2025 22 mins
In episode 215 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas sits down with Wednesday 13 about Horror Punk, his new album 'Mid Death Crisis', and being a weirdo in the South. What started as me wanting to learn more about horror punk turned into us relating over religious parents and taboo metal. Join us!

Wednesday 13 links;
https://wednesdaythirteen.bandcamp.com/album/mid-death-crisis
https://officialwednesday13.com/
https://x.com/officialwed...
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In episode 214 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is joined by Philosophy Professor and fellow metalhead Krista Thomason. Dr. Thomason is a Professor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College, and she wrote the book, 'Dancing With The Devil; Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good'
The book argues that negative emotions aren't something to avoid but rather embrace. This advice goes against conventional wisdom, so I was excited to ask her quest...
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In episode 213 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is joined by Sofia Frasz of symphonic blackened power metal band, Exiled Hope. Sofia is currently in law school studying to be a music attorney. I was curious to know why someone who is trained to know how predatory the music industry can be would want to make music herself. Once we got to talking about the new Exiled Hope album, Apocrypha, the subject of free will versus determi...
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April 1, 2025 19 mins
In episode 212 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is joined by one of the anonymous members of Wrath of Logarius. They coined the term "Formless Black Metal" and I wanted to know what that is. What better way than to ask them? They appeared suddenly with their EP 'Necrotic Assimilation' and were immediately signed by Season of Mist. The buzz from their unique sound put them in a strange position. How do you tour when you're in s...
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In episode 211 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas tells the stories of five notorious bandmates whose toxic behavior caused chaos, harm, violence and ultimately led to the downfall of their groups. Rock n roll is full of insane stories, but these are at the top of the most unbelievable.

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Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: h...
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In episode 210 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas weighs the good and the bad of the rise of social media platforms. Viral memes have become a powerful force in shaping trends and influencing artists. But how exactly are these memes impacting the music industry? From Sleep Token to Pentagram, let's examine some cases together!

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Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
ht...
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In episode 209 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas takes a closer look at the unexpected exit of Brent Hinds from the legendary band Mastodon. What led to this significant change in one of metal's most beloved groups? We’ll explore various angles, including past interviews from Brent Hinds, Brann Dailor, and Bill Kelliher. Also Brent Hinds silently updated his Instagram which is a giant clue! We aim to uncover the reasons behind ...
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In episode 208 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Dawn of Ouroboros who take black metal into new territory by incorporating smooth jazz elements. Join us as we delve into the creative process behind this unique blend, showcasing how the band masterfully intertwines heavy riffs with sultry melodies. We'll discuss how their experiences in nature and their day jobs in molecular biology and tech influence their concepts....
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In episode 207 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas inquires into the world of Pantera and Phil Anselmo with his unexpected venture into black metal with his band Scour. Join us as we explore the motivations behind Anselmo's bold musical shift, and the creative process of crafting a black metal record. Bassist John Jarvis provides insights from band members, behind-the-scenes work, and commentary on the evolution of Anselmo's soun...
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In episode 206 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas asks Jonas from Spawn of Possession and Retromorphosis about their name change. What prompted this transformation, and what does it mean for their music and identity? Join us as we explore the band's journey, the significance of their new name, and what fans can expect from their upcoming projects. We discuss the evolution of their sound and how this change reflects their goals g...
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In episode 205 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Alan Averill of Primordial fame. He was kind enough to have me on as a guest on his podcast late last year. We had a great chat about politics and culture war issues, in particular in the metal scene. We wanted to have him on Heavy Metal Philosophy afterwards, but we decided to wait until after the election... and whooo boy did that make for eventful conversation!

Alan'...
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In episode 205 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas chats with Alan Averill of Primordial fame. He was kind enough to have me on as a guest on his podcast late last year. We had a great chat about politics and culture war issues, in particular in the metal scene. We wanted to have him on Heavy Metal Philosophy afterwards, but we decided to wait until after the election... and whooo boy did that make for eventful conversation!

Alan'...
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In episode 204 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas tackles the controversial topic of gatekeeping in the metal community. Is it really a thing, or is it just a myth? After explaining what gatekeeping is and how people mistake it, two illustrious guests join the show to give their feedback on the idea, both positive and negative. 

Lindsay info;
https://www.youtube.com/@UCshFgJJSpsxnPJhH57sm-8w 
https://www.instagram.com/lindsay_c88_/
...
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January 28, 2025 84 mins
In episode 203 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is joined by Stephen Brewer of Lions At The Gate to dive into Metallica's controversial album, St. Anger, and challenge the common perceptions surrounding it. Many fans have strong opinions about this polarizing record, but are those memories accurate? Join us as we explore the album's themes, production choices, and the context in which it was released. We'll uncover the reasons...
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January 21, 2025 11 mins
In episode 202 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas delves into the history, sound, and philosophy behind Post Black Metal. From its origins in the 1990s to its modern-day interpretations, we'll examine the key characteristics, notable bands, and albums that define this intriguing genre. Whether you're a seasoned metalhead or just curious about the minutia of heavy metal sub-genres, this will be a fun and educational episode about...
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In episode 201 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas laughs at last year's craziest and weirdest moments in heavy music. Some of these musicians did things that defy belief. Then at the end Jon will give a theory on why life is so strange lately.

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Heavy Metal Philosophy Contact;
https://heavymetalphilosophy.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heavymetalphilosophy
http...
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In episode 200 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas dives into his top ten favorite oddball metal albums of 2024! From experimental sounds to unique blends of genres, these records didn't fit neatly into our normal death metal, black metal, thrash metal, and progressive categories.

Join us as we explore each album, sharing what makes them stand out and why they deserve a spot on your playlist. Don’t forget to let me know your thoug...
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In episode 199 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, I share my top 10 picks for the best prog metal albums of 2024! Join me as I explore each album and what makes them must-listens this year. Share your own favorites in the comments below—I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
Chapel of Disease - https://chapelofdisease.bandcamp.com/album/echoes-of-light
Octoploid - https://...
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In episode 198 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his fifteen favorite death metal albums of 2024! That's right, fifteen! It seems the death metal renaissance that we've been enjoying isn't slowing down anytime soon. The most brutal genre deserves the extra love!

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall.com/

Bands;
Defeated Sanity - https://defeatedsanity.bandcamp.com/album/chronicles-of-l...
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In episode 197 of Heavy Metal Philosophy, Jon Barbas is counting down his ten favorite black metal albums of 2024! For my tastes I prefer my black metal on the more artistic side versus the raw primal side. This list will reflect my tastes, but fret not... there will be plenty of evil. Also a true surprise will be on this episodes "dealer's choice" segment. Join me!

Get Heavy Metal Philosophy Merch!
https://jonbarbas-shop.fourthwall....
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