Chord Progression

Every now and again, we have an artist join the podcast to talk about their new music releasing, that gets so in-depth that you sit there, enamored that such a powerful sound can be manifested from great trauma and tragedy.After 6 years of not releasing music and processing through a good deal of emotion, a record from the depths of a man's soul is about to come out with an evolved sludgy deathcore sound, with so much more behind it than meets the ear.Tyler from the deathcore band Traitors joins the Chord Progression Podcast witht he release of the new album "Phobias" coming out on February 21st. With this episode, go deeper into a deathcore record than you ever have as we discuss:Why Traitors has not released new music since "Repent" came out in 2019, through "Phobias" coming out in 2025.Analyzing what the potential Tik Tok ban in the United States will impact heavy music, and all musicians, alike along with the impact of losing the platform's organic reach going forward.How Tyler's personal psychological jo

When you account for all the bands and artists that have ever made music and tried to succeed in their endeavors for life, a select few do. And amongst those select few, only a small handful are able to succeed in this for 25 years or more. But what causes that success?A heavy band that has been around since "metalcore" was a term knows this and with their latest album coming out more than 25 years after their first release, they know the reasons behind why their music succeeds, and why people still connect with it for all this time.Brandan from the metalcore band Bleeding Through joins the Chord Progression Podcast with their 9th album "Nine" due out on February 14th. On this episode join us as we discuss:Why "Nine" is Bleeding Through's favorite record and their pride behind the record, having an additional take on their continued sound.The "Negatively Positive" emotions at the core of Nine, and why heavy music as a whole encapsulates turning negative emotions into positive results.Brandan's cockiness on th

When we see a band begin to appear on radio and end a year charting on the Billboard Rock Charts, we have questions that need answering. Questions like who are they, what have they done to get that success? And what can we learn from their success to help us out?Well, fear no more everyone. Because not only do we have a band that has achieved that success to close 2024 and is still growing, but has a story that will inspire your creative side to thrive, and why you need to keep learning.Nils from the rock band Velvet Chains joins the Chord Progression Podcast. As their single Dead Insided ended 2024 at 31 on the Billboard Rock Charts, we set out to deliver you a new band to call your favorite. Check it out as we show you:The history of Velvet Chains from the iffy origin story of their name, starting as a grunge cover band that changed to original music during the pandemic, and how constructive criticism led to their eventual success.Dead Inside's creation, and why Velvet Chains gives their producers creative

The music world in 2025 is vastly different than it was before social media became a thing. Yes, there is a lot more opportunity to be discovered and be creative, but fans may focus more in on the brand and the image that is created rather than the music itself. This can cause a band to shift promotion and creative ideas, setting themselves up for burnout.However, with a fresh release in 2025, one band said "screw that" and went as aggressive and creative as ever with their 8th record, rediscovering the passion they had for music like they did when they were 15 years old. And how was it received by the fans? With calls for an Album of the Year award already.Josh from the hardcore punk band Stick To Your Guns joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. With the new album, Keep Planting Flowers, recentlty released, we sit down with Josh and discuss the album with:How "Keep Planting Flowers" took Stick To Your Guns off of artistic autopilot 20 years into their career and why they have the passion for music like i

Rock and metal is not dead, and it is clear to see that when artists from outside genres are either trying their hand in rock and metal, or embracing their rock and metal influences from a young age. It is moments like this that let us know, rock and metal is thriving again.We have seen hip hop artists make this jump with varying degrees of success like MGK, and have seen artists make the jump with a lot of success like Jaali Cypher and Ekoh (both have been on the Chord Progression Podcast prior). Today, we talk to another.Doobie makes his debut on the Chord Progression Podcast. With a new rock-focused album coming and the first single out now, discover Doobie as we talk about:How Doobie grew up in the rock and metal world during his life though the influence of his mother, and how the memory of his father influenced him to be a part of the hip-hop world as well.The process Doobie is taking to make his brand new album with much more of a rock-focused approach, and how the first single 'Early Bird Gets The Whi

We all know that humans follow trends, but why? It is out of a want and desire to fit in and be accepted by others that are around you, to not feel like an outcast. Artists and musician are humans so the same applies to them, but is that something they should overcome for the sake of their art?Today we have a band that has lived through both. They lived through small success and always trying to follow what was trendy and popular to continue that success. They also lived through what happens when you create your own sound without trendy influence. Guess which one they still do?The guys in the alternative rock band The Lucky join the Chord Progression Podcast. After a 2024 where they released their newest EP "Wait It Out," we bring you a brand new band to get into as we discuss:The history of The Lucky, how the guys all met on the same dorm room flow, gained a little success with a previous band Hand Made House, and rediscovered the momentum post-COVID with The Lucky.How the concept of trial & error led th

When a longtime member departs from a band (this time on good terms, thankfully), what does the future look like for that band's music? Will it change, will it stay the same, or will it evolve with a new member added into the mix?These are the questions that keep fans up at night, and keep the artists wondering, working, and experimenting to continue the legacy that is their sound. And right now, that rings true for this band.Kristen Sturgis of Conquer Divide joins the Chord Progression Podcast today, as the band is kicking off their 2025 on the road in Europe. In this quicker episode, we get into it as we:Recap some of the epic tour pranks that Conquer Divide has pulled in their time as a band, leading them to legendary status amongst the scene.Discuss Janel's departure from Conquer Divide, if you might see her on tour with the band in the future, and how the band is going about possibly finding a replacement or forging ahead as a 4 piece in the future.Get a very early look at the third Conquer Divide album

When music has a formulaic feel to is, us as music fans tend to shy away from it. That is because it feels repetitive, feels overdone, and has this sense that it has already been done before, and probably for the better too. Why else would that formula be seen as one that works?But when artsists write music with no formula in mind, just purely based off of the inspiration that they are feeling at that time, that is when greatness comes. That is when something new is created, and the emergence of a new "formula" that others try to use emerges.Oli and Jamie from the English pop metalcore band TheCityIsOurs join the Chord Progression Podcast for the first time since 2021 with their brand new album Will You Still Love Me? releasing on January 31st. With this episode, enter this album with us as we dive deep into:The creation process behind the songs on Will You Still Love Me? and why it was written without any expectations or formula in mind.How a few songs were created, including the tough vocal track on Enough

How many rock and metal fans are out there that are fed up with the amount of artists focusing on the release of singles compared to an entire album? Or fed up with the number of singles released before a full album? We have heard that grief plenty over this podcast's lifespan and always ask "why?"Not only did we bring back an artist to the Chord Progression Podcast that will easily be able to answer that question for you with their band's new release, but how the delivery of music in that way leads to the longevity of a record from recording, to live shows, to full release.Matti from the German modern metal band Blacktoothed returns to the Chord Progression Podcast for the first time since 2022. With the release of the new album Headway coming out on January 24th, we dive deep into everything around the release of this album with:An in-depth look behind the economonics of releasing more singles on an album than before, how this helps maintain a band's growth and notoriety in the streaming age, and why playin

Being fully open and vulnerable in your music is something that has always frightened artsits to their core. This is because humans are afraid to expose their inner feelings to strangers, in fear of that information being used against them. But typcially with music, that vulnerable mindset leads to not only great music, but a better reception from fans.The journey of self-reflection by going deep into the dark and angry emotions in your life, only to come out of purging those feelings with a feeling of healed freedom is shown on this band's new album. And it is one that we can all get into, and believe.Janine from the Scottish rock band Vukovi joins the Chord Progression Podcast, ahead of the release of the band's 4th album My God Has Got A Gun. On this episode, we go deep into the album by discussing:How artists need to manage and temper their expectations & anxieties during a music release cycle, as the band is currently going through on such a vulnerable album.The journey Janine went on in the making o

As musicians progress through their careers, eventually they change focus from creator to either a teacher or a mentor. They still can create, but there is a focus on giving back and fostering the next generation of musicians. But what if that creative process continues to exite, energize, and inspire the musician because there is so much they still have to say?That is what we have here with not only one of the greatest voices in rock music in the 21st century, but also one of the most consistent musicians of all time with 2 highly successful bands, and 1 incredible solo exploration project.The one and only Myles Kennedy joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. You know him from Alter Bridge or Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, but the topic of the day is his latest solo record, The Art of Letting Go. On this episode, we talk with Myles about:Myles witnessing the reaction to his newest album The Art of Letting Go being more rock & riff based, continuing to show range in his overall art

Music and art always gives us a chance to reflect on our lives, discover something new, and possibly find the person that we truly are. We all know what that feels like when music is such an important part of our lives. But what is it like for the artists themselves?For the artist, it is time for them to discover their true selves, find what makes them happy from both an artist and and individual side, as well emerge as a much more confident version of themselves than ever before.Echos joins the Chord Progression Podcast today with her new album Quiet, In Your Place releasing on January 17th. In this episode, join us and discover Echos as we:Reflect on the past 3 years from her previous album release, and why trusting in her tastes & her sound have allowed her to become more connected and confident in herself as a person and artist.Discuss the duality of the art that is transmitted from the person and that person themselves, showing the beauty in the separation of the art and the artist themselves.Look at

Over the course of history, it has been the musicians and artists that have challenged us with their music, while maintaining a great deal of artistic integrity behind it, have gone to be great. Recently, think of Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, Sleep Token. They all have done this.We always want to find the next bands and artists that have a chance to challenge people with their music, and we found one that is planning to do that while progressing through their own different eras. Now that's art.The guys in Spirit Leaves join the Chord Progression Podcast today! This is where you are going to discover a band with ballooning artistry as we discuss:How the band came together in an Avengers-like team-up, and how it showed XZYLO that the want to do music is still there.The focus on artistry in their music to evolve their sound through different eras as time progresses.Writing music that evolves the band artisically, and challenges the listener.Once again, another great band for you to discover is right here on

When this band released their second album, it was a week before the entire world shut down in 2020. When they released their third album in 2022, the entire thing had to be written remotely to follow government mandated distancing restrictions. So when writing the fourth album started, what would that process be like?How about creating an album all together again, with past and current members fully engrained in the process all together, and having the drummer produce it? That would certainly help create a definitive sound that any artists would be passionate about.Dale from the Australian band Ocean Grove is on the Chord Progression Podcast. After releasing the new album Oddworld back in Novermber, check out how Ocean Grove created their definitive sound as we talk aboutThe release story of Oddworld from 2 previous albums heavily impacted by the COVID pandemic, and the changes made to make this album as good as possible.How past and current members came together to work on, and create, an all-encompassing a

Every musician and artist has a want and a dream to make it big in whatever genre or industry they are in. But one thing that we all know is that only a few ever achieve that dream. But what do those artists and musicians have in common, they are willing to adapt their delivery of their art, and be genuine in it.One UK alternative metal band decided to pivot their marketing technique in order to ensure that the delivery of their latest album was going to have more of a chance to succeed than their previous releases. And upon release of that album, it has proven to have worked.Cherry from the alt metal band Defences joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. The 2024 album Shadow Light is out now, and we reflect on it with Cherry in this episode by talking aboutThe reaction to the fan's positive reaction to the album, and the discovery of Shadow Light by many new fans.What Defences changed in their presentation and marketing of Shadow Light that led to the band's greater rise throughout 2024.How the concept of

As we close out the first half of the 2020's, it is clear that rock and metal are back on the rise as bands creating authentic music like Bad Omens, Sleep Token, and The Warning. More people are heading out to shows and checking out the new bands because of the inspiration that this time period is creating.This band is planning on capitalizing on that with a more experimental metalcore sound that will make them break through the saturation of sound in the metal scene. And this is all done while creating an EP that hits on that sonically, but also connects to those listening all around the concept of a deep loss.Evan from the Los Angeles metalcore band Thrown Into Exile joins the Chord Progression Podcast. The new EP, Passageways, is available now and we dive into what has made this EP by talking about:Releasing new music in metal in a time when pop culture is taking more and more of an interest in the rock and metal genres as time goes on.Evan's return to Thrown Into Excile, and music as well, after 6 years,

It is human nature to fear death. Death is the ultimate end to life as we are aware of it. And because of that, along with human nature having us focus on the negative, we tend to miss out on many of the positives life has to offer.Music is one of those things we have that can help us relate to death to find the positivity in life. The melodies, the lyrics, the flow, help us all connect to the beatuy in life, when faced with the end. And that alone can inspire us.David and Matt from the band Stoneside join us on the Chord Progression Podcast today. Diving deep is on the agenda when it comes to life and music as we discuss:The moments that led Stoneside to music, with a stress on the importance of finding your life's passion in your own way.Why Stoneside writes about death to find the beauty in life, and how it comes from their deep, personal experiences.An importance of not living your life be dictated by the will of others, and why life can't be lived while sitting behind a desk.Getting deep is on the agenda

There is a quote out there that says "good things take time, but great things happen all at once." This quote always rung true to us, but when meeting this band and bringing them to you, it continued to show its truth.From an origin story that starts all the way back to Rockfest 2023, to signing a record deal less than a year into their existance, and a wilingness to create the most chaotic moments on stage, it is true that great things happen all at once.The guys from the Minneapolis-based post hardcore band Impossible Prom Kings join the Chord Progression Podcast. Discover this great new band and see that great things happen all at once as we talk about:How the band formed because of a cigarette at Rockfest 2023, and why their orgin story is of a bunch of misfits coming together.Signing a record deal with Ghost Killer Entertainment in under a year of being a band, and why they were signed.The Dopamine enducing live shows, and the crazy ideas that we come up with to amplify them in the moment.What to expect

It is not surprising to hear a story about anyone in a creative space having to deal with adversity and roadblocks in order to acheive their dreams. They inspire us to keep going, energize us to know that it is worth it, and invigorate our creative spirit.But what if that story includes getting dropped by a major record label in less than a year, going through the legal process to get the rights to your music back, dropped by your management because you didnt make them enough during a worldwide pandemic, and classified as "damaged goods"? Now that is a band you want to get behind.Steph and Paul from the Irish Emo band Greywind join the Chord Progression Podcast today, on the heels of the rerelease of their debut album Afterthoughts to give it the proper release. On this episode, join us for an insane half hour talking about:The insane origin story of Greywind and how it is one that would have made so many others quit (yes, we summarized the story, but there is so much more).Rereleasing the debut album Afterth

Every year in the rock and metal world, we all find that one band that we were not expecting to see, come out of nowhere and start to truly make a name for themselves. It is done through hard work, and moments that make you never forget them.This is one of those bands as we found out about them at a random show, only to see them get signed to a great record label, and go viral before 2024 ended. With 2025 on the horizon, this band is poised to explode.The dual frontwomen tandem of Lizzie and Liv from Not Enough Space join the Chord Progression Podcast today. To recap a great 2024 and preview an even more explosive 2025, join us as we discuss:The emergence of Not Enough Space into metal culture in 2024, from fans reacting to a band with 2 frontwomen, signing with Thriller Records, and going viral.Writing a brand new album while freely expandning their sound and pushing the boundaries of what they think their music can be, putting new music on Album of the Year watch.Releasing the single Primitive, going viral,