Chord Progression

What makes a song timeless? What makes an artist's music timeless? We listen to artists from the 70's like Queen, from the 2000's like Fall Out Boy, and Bring Me The Horizon's 2013 album, Sempiternal, and they all sound of the time, but they sound timeless today. But why?Is it because they don't use common influences of the time in their music and make something fluid for fans across the years? Is it because the influences of the time are so prevelantly in the music that it marks that point in time? Or is it something else? Well we figure it out, and show you a new band doing it.Dalton from the Arkansas modern metalcore band LEVELS returns to the Chord Progression Podcast with the band's new album "This Will Make You Feel Again" releasing on April 10th, 2026. Discover the new album with us as we talk about:- What happened to LEVELS after the release of the PULSE - EP in 2024, and why writing new music took precedence over live shows, when getting on tours proved harder than anticipated.- What makes music time

When Broadside has been around for over 15 years at this point, their core fans know their sound and casual fans have heard of them. But as costs continue to rise and staying full time as a musician becomes tougher, Broadside was going to have to do something on album number 6 to really make a splash.So did they change their sound? Did they play into what is popular and the wants of the casual music listener? Did they work to please the algorighms of streaming platforms? No, they did something a lot better, with integrity, and wow did it work.Oliver from Broadside joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. With the new album "Nowhere, At Last" releasing on April 10th, we dive deep into how great this album is. We discuss:-How "Nowhere, At Last" feells like the first "record," feeling though patience makes this the quintessential record, delivering a sound for their core audience.- Why Broadside took an audit of their own sound, as an influence to make "Nowhere, At Last" sound like Broadside but bigger, to ele

The music industry is in love with artists releasing singles right now, as streaming platforms have incentivized singles being released to please playlists and algorithms for popularity and discovery. However, rock and metal artists seem to still be holding onto the album. So, who is right.What if we said that it was both? What if we said it was releasing an album to create a full body of work, but also releasing a few singles in between major releases to show continued creativity, growth, and exploration of the sound? Well, that seems about right.Adam from the English Alt Rock & Metalcore band As Everything Unfolds joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. The band is releasing their new album, Did You Ask To Be Set Free?, on April 10th. Join us on this episode as we talk about:- Why As Everything Unfolds is not afraid to take the time in writing music, but know releasing a few singles in between larger releases is smart to show fans bread crumbs in evolution.- How social meida is impacting how we consu

When the pandemic finally broke and concerts came back in 2021, we finally were able to return to mosh pits, our home away from home. Our first mosh pit back was an album release show at the West Chicago Social Club, for a band we hadn't ever heard of. Since then we hace seen that band at least 6 times, and have always wanted to bring them here.Today is the day we make that want a reality, bringing you the leaders of the bad luck crew, who are always bringing a fresh side to heavy music while blending metalcore and hardcore together. With new songs and enw collaborations always coming, keeping their sound adventurous, fresh, and heavy is still strong.Meredith and John from the Chicago metalcore/hardcore band VCTMS are here on the Chord Progression Podcast with us today. With new songs like "devil's // speak" and "burning/bones" releasing to start 2026, we have plenty more to show you from this band. Join us as we talk about:- How VCTMS is blending their metalcore and hardcore style with features from some of

Over 15 years making great thrash metal is not an easy thing to do. As the world of music has changed much since the time of trash metal bands being regarded as mainstays in the pop culture music scene, something has to be done for bands to evolve their sound to still be uniquely them, but also fresh to stand out amongst the crowd.We saw Testament successfully do this in 2025 by bringing in more influences from the modern metal world into their sound. And in 2026, another thrash metal band is doing the same.Prika from the Brazilian thrash metal band Nervosa joins the Chord Progression Podcast. As the band is ready to release their 6th album, Slave Machine, on April 3rd, we have a 30 minute chat with Prika about it. Join us as we talk about:- Prika being proud of where Nervosa is in a career spanning 15 years and 6 albums, taking a path she saw worth taking in life through music, even as the economics of the world is working against artists.- How the new album Slave Machine brings a fresh constructive sound ba

When two artists come together thanks to "band Tinder" (called Band Mix), we have a story of musicians who found another that would be just as dedicated to the band and the craft of creating music. It is what is needed in order from a band to break out from being a local act.But what else is needed beside just dedication and commitment to the music and to the band in order to be successful and grow. Well there are a few things that are needed; a team that believes in you, a group that can be accountable to their actions, and an understanding of how to properly treat the band as a business. So, who is doing this now?Noah and Matt from the Modern Nu Metal band DON'T YOU DARE join the Chord Progression Podcast. Join us to discover this band as we talk about:- The origin story of DON'T YOU DARE, and how Matt & Noah found each other on Band Mix... otherwise known as Band Tinder.- Why DON'T YOU DARE was kept as a two piece with a team built around them, as it allows the guys to manage the proper level of commit

Hardcore music is more popular than ever in 2026, tahnsk to the success of artists like Knocked Loose, Kublai Khan, and Drain making waves in the culture of the music scene, and playing larger & larger venues year over year. But there is something that stands out about hardcore music today that is making it so popular. The heaviness and individuality is standing strong and connecting with fans.So what is this band doing to break through in that noise and become one of those unique hardcore bands that is going to make fans go crazy for them based on their heaviness, and their own unique identity. I could say bringing in a nu metal influence with turn tables, but that doesnt really tell the entire story.Anthony and Ian from the New Your "knuckle dragging wika wiki core" band Resistor join the Chord Progression Podcast today. Their new album, Bite This, is releasing on March 27th and we show you what makes their style of hardcore unique. On this episode, we talk about:- How Resistor is showing everyone who t

Rock music has always had a reputation of "live fast and die young." You saw this taken to the max with so many legendary artists in rock and metal like Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimi Hendrix, and many more. Many of those artists lived life "on the edge" and never looked back.But what about the opposite of living on the edge? What about an artists creating their own music to go after their dreams, regardless of what the genre or the culture is sending them towards? Dreams that make them happy as people, for who they are? Can artists make music that inspire people to do just that? To live... "off the edge"?Bri and Niko from the Los Angeles based neon-rock band S8NT ELEKTRIC join the Chord Progression Podcast today. The band is releasing their debut album OFF THE EDGE on March 20th, 2026 and are taking the "off the edge" mentality seriously. On this episode, we discuss:- The backstory of S8NT ELEKTRIC, how it was started with Bri having no experience as a vocalist, but with a will and desire to achieve their

Everyone that has ever wanted to make music and have it be their career has had dreams of making it big, of becoming a world renowned artist, and have their music reach the masses. It is something that many try, but very few ever achieve.For artists today, is there a prototype or archetype that they can follow in order to achieve their dreams? From what we have seen there is in a basic sense. A sense of consistency, trusting themselves creatively, and building a team around them that will help their sound succeed. And here, is a use case in action.Amon from the German metalcore band Lost In Hollywood joins the Chord Progression Podcast. With the bands self-titled album releasing on March 20th, we make sure you get to know a band that is consistently rising before the release of a new album and European Tour supporting Archers. On this episode we talk about:- This history of Lost In Hollywood, and the importance of staying consistent with their music to continue growing, from writing to performing and everythi

If you are a part of the heavy music scene or alternative scene in any way, Warped Tour has touched your life in more ways that one. Whether it was spending all day in the summer moshing to your favorite bands, discovering new artists, or finding a sense of community where you maybe felt alone. Warped Tour was there. And when it went away after 2018, there was a void, but their legacy lived on.With Warped Tour returning in 2025 and continuing in 2026, not only is the festival's legacy continuing with what they are doing, but their influence across the music scene is undeniable. A new chapter of Warped Tour is here, and it is a beautiful thing.Warped Tour founder, creator, and showrunner Kevin Lyman joins the Chord Progression Podcast today before the start of Warped Tour 2026. Get hyped for your favorite festival as we talk about:- How Warped Tour continues to support bands of all sizes in the heavy music & alternative music scene with grandure, refusing to let the scene fade into the background, while cu

Typically when music fans hear a band decided to get "experimental" on a new album, there is a stigma attached to it that makes fans question the direction. What is this new sound going to be? Is this change going to be a massive shift from what the band has as its core sound?But what would be a word for an album where a band does take those chances and has a lot of natural flowing fun while doing it? Would it match when the sound is rather exploratory but still connective with their core sound? We have it and it is called... adventurous.David and Mauro from the Swiss metalcore band Vicious Rain return to the Chord Progression Podcast for a 2nd time. With their brand new album The Anatomy of Surviving releasing on March 13th, we have to see how they got to this point and get you excited for the new album. Today we discuss:- How receptive new fans have been to the band following the release of the first album, There Is Beauty in Leting Go, through a connective link between the music and peoples' life experienc

20 years ago, the world was graced with the greatest, most crude, and yet hysterical cartoon TV show ever made called Metalocalypse. Following the adventures of Dethklok, it became a cult classic that is still watched and loved by many today. And of course, the creators are more than happy to take this music on the road live to the people today.But what is the legacy of a show if it was made 20 years ago and fans of heavy music are still flocking to it to this day? Especially in a world where content is ever changing and evolving to a mass audience with a much shorter attention span, will it stand the test of time? Well... absolutely!Brendon Small, the creator of Dethklok and Metalocalypse, joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. Dethklok is set to go out on the road in spring 2026 with Amon Amarth to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Metalocalypse, leaving a great time to reflect. On this episode, we talk about:- The way Dethklok is preparring for a tour celebrating 20 years of Metalocalypse, bringing you

Back in 2024, Archers joined the Chord Progression Podcast after so many previous guests said this was a band that you should be listening to. At that time, they were set to release their EP "All That I Have Left." So what has happened to the band since then?Another great EP released in 2025, followed by a number of tours, and a consistent growth that led to Archers continuing to grow in the heavy music scene, and almost 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. So how did this all end up and how did they do this?Well Grayson from Archers joins us on the Chord Progression Podcast once again. With the band announcing their signing to Fearless Records, releasing their recent single "The Dirt," and continued touring, join us as we talk about:- The rise of Archers since the release of their "All That I Have Left" EP in 2024, that led to the band achieving a childhood dream of signing with Fearless Records.- How the band built their success with sustained growth over the long term, using consistent hard work and prope

40 years into any band's career (if they get that far), it is hard to imagine them continuing to innovate, reinvigorate their sound, and create music at such a high level. We have seen great artists play the hits in the twilight of their career, and that is fine as they have earned it.But this band isn't just any other band. They are one that somehow continued to reinvigorate their thrash metal sound as time went on. So much so that when they released their 14th album in 2025, it was considered to be one of, if not, the best albums of the year. So... how did this happen.Chuck Billy from the thrash metal legends Testament joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. With the release of their 14th album, Para Bellum, in late 2025 and a brand new tour in the spring of 2026, we had a chance to catch up with this living legend for a great conversation. On this episode, we talk about:- The songwriting behind Para Bellum and how bringing in a freshness to Testament's legendary sound was done thanks to the influences f

Heavy music, espescially hardcore music, has continually risen not only in quality, but in prominence throught the heavy scene and culture since the early 2020's. Even we have gotten heavily into the music since that time. But why is that? And how are artists in that heavy genre continuing to contribute to this rise?Well with one of best bands in that scene releasing a brand new album to kick off 2026, we not only answer those questions, but see how they are going to be contributing to that rise with their brand new album. Is it going to succeed? Is it their best work yet?Shane from Varials joins the Chord Progression Podcast today! With Varials releasing their new album "Where The Light Leaves" on February 27th, we see how they are going to use this to contribute to that rise of hardcore music in the 2020's. On this episode, we talk about:- Why hardcore music is getting more and more popular by the day, from fans diving deeper into how heavy music can go with their personal tastes, along with artists deliver

The Gloom In the Corner is a band that a lot of diehard metalcore fans know of for their consistently heavy metalcore, and the ability to create an expansive story and world from album to album. It is like trying to make a high quality trilogy story on par with Lord of the Rings, but through albums.Following the release of Trinity in 2023 and globe-trotting tours, it is now time for the band to conclude this last part of the story with a new album. But how will the story end? What is different about the music now compared to then? And did the live reception the band got on the road influence the next sound?Mikey from the Australian metalcore band The Gloom in the Corner is on the podcast today. With the band's 4th full album, Royal Discordance, releasing on February 27th, join us for this epic episode as we discuss:- The story behind Royal Discordance, as it completes the trilogy of Flesh & Bones along with Trinity, focusing in on character emotions throughout the end of the story compared to a presentati

Every single day, it becomes harder and harder for musicians to stand out and be noticed. This is due to a number of factors from increades competition from so many other musicians releasing music, following the algorithms of social media and streaming platforms, and everything else trying to grab your attention.Newer artists have it even tougher as they do not have an established brand or an established identity yet with the masses to be recognized and given that attention outright. So what must they do in order to give themselves a chance online? Create a brand that is uniquely them, but not fall prey to the algorithms and become a "meme band."Austin and Ryan from the emo/melodic hardcore band Everbloom join the Chord Progression Podcast today. With a new band on the horizon for you, we dive deep into this new artist by discussing:- The origin of Everbloom and the importance of finding other band members that are just as invested in the success of it as the rest of the members are.- How important it is to p

The Veer Union has been around for over 20 years at this point and relevant for that entire time, something that very few musicians and artists could ever say. Naturally, the band is not the same as they were back when they started in 2004. If the world isn't the same as it was back then, do you think a band should be the same as it once was?So throughout the span of 20+ years and 7 albums to their name, where is the band now sonically? How has their evolution led to a career spanning 20+ year with no end in sight? Well, there is a simple word... "Reinvention."Crispin from the Canadian hard rock/alternative emtal band The Veer Union joins the Chord Progression Podcast. With the bands 8th album "Reinvention" releasing on February 20th, we have an incredible 30 minute conversation talking all about:- How having belief in yourself and investing in your success while weeding out others who don't believe in your vision led to The Veer Union having a long and successful career so far.- The brand new album "Reinvent

Music has, is, and always will be used as a vehicle to help people all across the world find some sort of emotional positivity in their lives. It helps make people feel better and more self-worth when they are feeling down and out. It makes people feel motivated when they lack the will or the drive to do something in life. It makes them feel positives in the world when negatives protrude the perception of life.And for artists, we know they make their music for the same reasons. Process emotions that make them feel less than their own worth, to find that self-worth yet again. It helps them break through those tough moments in life, and continue to grow through life.Dylan and John from the Pennsylvania metalcore band, Execution Day, join the Chord Progression Podcast. With a brand new single "I Know I'll Survive" to start 2026, and a new album due out soon, we have a great conversation talking about:- The core themes of self-betterment and getting through the tough times in life that Execution Day focuses on wi

It has been 10 years since Capsize released their last record, A Reintroduction: The Essence of All That Surrounds Me. Since then, Capsize went away, and have released a few singles since 2022. But if we are talking about them in an intro like this, there has to be something new coming, right?Well of course there is, but what is that new thing? Is it new music? And if it is new music, what does it consist of? How is writing music now different for Capsize than 10 years ago? And is it going to connect with fans old and new when it finally releases? Let's get the insight for you.Daniel from Capsize joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. With the band's return EP, Under a Hollow Sky, releasing on February 6th, we get you ready for the EP and how the band has changed artistically in the last 10 years. On this episode, we talk about:- The difference between the sound & writing on the new EP, Under a Hollow Sky, and the last album from 2016, stemming from Daniel not having a need to put tunnel vision on mak