Riffing With Christina

Is 42 the meaning of life? Or is the real, pure and true meaning of life to crack smiles for miles in your wake? Christina and Michele "Rollins with a rack" Madden explore the mystical world of sex, drugs and rock and roll, what it means to be romanced in the 21st century and what the three points of the pyramid to a mighty human experience really are. Dive deep into The Void. 

Your hosts Christina Rowatt and Michele Madden discuss the almighty Henry Rollins, meeting Lemmy and reading WW2 books at Crazy Girls in LA, transformative meetings with Dimebag Darrell as a fourteen year old and sex, drugs and rock and roll in general, including their vastly different approaches to relationships. Also features audio from The Void YouTube special celebrating the international road crew.

In the first ever co-hosted episode of The Void podcast, host Christina Rowatt introduces new co-host, musician Michele Madden, who together riff on life, books, grindcore, bands, the nun life and lots more. This week's featured musical interview guest is singer Nick Holmes of excellent UK heavy metal/goth/doom band Paradise Lost. 

Slayer's Kerry King and Tom Araya reflect on their history, relationships and transformative moments in this compilation of interview moments to commemorate the end of Slayer's incredible run. 

Papa Roach vocalist Jacoby Shaddix reflects on his creative life, overcoming darkness, his close relationship with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and lots more in this conversation with journalist Christina Rowatt.

Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury discusses his side projects with Mastodon, the next Napalm Death album, meeting Napalm Death fan Ronnie James Dio, the early days of international grindcore tape trading and more. This interview also features Napalm Death vocalist Barney Greenway.

Neil Hilborn is an American slam poet who talks frankly and rhythmically about his own experiences with mental illness and the world at large in a way that is unique, hilarious and bone chillingly familiar to anyone who has experienced mental dysfunction.

Iconic drummer Mike Portnoy chats to host Christina Rowatt about musical immortality, his new rock and roll project Sons of Apollo with former Dream Theatre bandmate Derek Sherinian, why drummers like Metallica's Lars Ulrich, KISS' Peter Criss and The Beatles' Ringo Starr get so much heat, and much more.

Liam Cormier from Canadian hardcore/heavy metal band Cancer Bats talks about his Black Sabbath cover band Bat Sabbath, meeting the dark lords themselves, why energetic kids like skateboarding and punk rock, how he met Frank Carter and more. 

Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover from the Melvins chat to Christina Rowatt about their upcoming movie, David Bowie, messy art, secret Mike Patton plans and more.

Steve "Lips" Kudlow of cult Canadian heavy metal band Anvil talks about the documentary that changed everything a decade ago, his life-changing records and lots more.

Ne Obliviscaris' Tim Charles and Xen explore the song by song story of their acclaimed new album, Urn.

Dillinger Escape Plan founding member and guitarist Ben Weinman reflects on the band's history (full minute by minute guide below) as they complete their farewell world tour after 20 years pushing the boundaries of innovation in modern heavy music. He discusses how Mike Patton was the reason singer Greg Puciato joined the band, how current bandmates Greg and Billy have changed him, the meanings behind some of their most played songs, the very early days with a hyper devoted Chris Pennie in a basement, what original singer Dimitri thinks of their sold out finale shows, what they were looking to do when they recorded their first EP "Under The Running Board" and more.

Legendary Brazilian heavy metal musicians Max Cavalera and Iggor Cavalera reflect on their story on the 20th anniversary of their iconic Roots record. 

Ne Obliviscaris violinist and singer Tim Charles chats to Christina Rowatt about making their anticipated new album and shares secrets about some of the band's most beloved songs. He also discusses touring with Cradle of Filth and Enslaved and explores the challenges Australian heavy bands face and what crowdfunding can do to ensure a band's survival. 

Max Cavalera reflects on his favourite and most challenging collaborations with artists including Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Chino from Deftones and Mike Patton of Faith No More back in 2010 with host Christina Rowatt. He also shares his top 5 records, the story of the Queen concert that changed everything for Igor and himself when they were kids, what he believes happens after we die and the spiritual nature of heavy metal concerts.

Ryan Waste of Richmond, Virginia crossover thrash band Municipal Waste chats about the band's new album Slime and Punishment, the early days of the band playing abandoned buildings with a dry ice backdrop, their own statements on the fearsome overlords of modern times, the heady days of the early 2000's, some ridiculous band names and more. Recorded on a tour bus as the band made their way to Mount Rushmore.

The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman, singer Greg Puciato and drummer Billy Rymer (who appears in the last segment) discuss everything from Greg Puciato’s first recordings (a Black Flag tribute), to working with Mike Patton, playing Calculating Infinity on the System of a Down tour, growing up on New York punk rock, working with Max Cavalera and Mastodon, philosophy, art and creativity in this compilation of stories from interviews in 2008, 2012 and 2014. Alex Skolnick of Testament also makes a guest appearance.

Iconic heavy metal singer Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row) talks about his early days, KISS comics, the moment Slave to the Grind debuted at #1 in the charts, his dear friend Dimebag Darrell, falling in love with singing, Trailer Park Boys and more. He also sings some Cole Porter and AC/DC.

Orange is the New Black actress Jessica Pimentel (who plays Maria Ruiz on the show) is also an accomplished heavy metal musician and lyricist with her band Alekhine's Gun. In this week's episode we discuss her character's evolution, her musical story and lots more.