Chord Progression

Building a setlist for your band is not an easy thing to do correctly and successfully. There are so many different factors at play from the size of the crowd, the type of venue you are playing, the geographic location that you are playing in, and more. But there is one thing more important than others, understanding the emotion of your own music.As a musician on stage, you are the one playing, and your music is envoking different emotions in fans. Ballads bring down the energy and make people feel more emotional. Anthems bring the fans together. Energetic and uptempo songs get people moving and up the energy in the room. You are the conductor, but you have to understand how your music drives people to create the greatest experience possible.Ambre from the German symphonic metal band Xandria joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. The band's brand new album "Eclipse" releases on August 7th, and we go into the live stage on this one. On this episode, we talk about:- Why Xandria's released singles off of "Ec

The debut album for an artist is more important than some artists realize, but not for the reason you think. Most people think that the debut album is meant to show us the true sound of the artist. If you end up like Linkin Park with Hybrid Theory, then yes that assumption is correct. But if you don't end up like Linkin Park, then is it considered a failure of a debut?That is where the idea is skewed. The debut isn't meant to be an artist's fully understood sound and that is it. It is meant to be a benchmark of where the artist is starting, and the discovery of potential of where they can go. If we think about it like that, debut albums can be so much more successful.Alexa from Sorry X rejoins the podcast once again with the release of her debut album, Exes, out now. With the debut album in focus, we talk about:- Discovering what artists should learn from writing their debut album, that it is a setup for a foundation of their sound to grow and not the quintessential sound they must stick to, while not staying

All of our favorite musicians have an origin story from when they were kids, finding the inspiration in the music that they would come to love and create along the way. But what if you could discover an artist that is that early in their career, and follow along with them every step of the way?Well that is what this episode is all about. A 13 year old that has taken the stage with artists like Motionless In White, From Ashes to New, Alpha Wolf, and more. A 13 year old that has been able to start creating music and sharing his sound with the world with a metalcore background. And now, you get it.Kage Archer joins the Chord Progression Podcast, as the youngest artist ever to join the show. With 3 songs out right now, including the most recent "Bonded by Blood", we dive into it on this episode as we talk about:- The backstory of Kage Archer getting into heavy music, how his attempt to scream for $20 led to a viral moment, and how performing Slaughterhouse with Motionless in White on stage inspired him to get int

It has been incredible following along with Future Palace ever since the release of their album "Run" in 2022. We have seen them headline tours throughout Europe, open for Electric Callboy, release the album "Distortion" in 2024, all while tackling topics like imposter syndrome and mental health issues. This band is one of our favorites we have ever discovered here.So why are we doing an intro like this? Does that mean there is more new music coming from this great band? And what is the next step in the journey for Future Palace compared to their first 3 albums? Let's find out.Maria from Future Palace returns to the Chord Progression Podcast for a 3rd time as the band is set to release their 4th album "Resurgence" on July 31st. Join us for an hour with Maria as we discuss:- Future Palace headlining a tour in North America in 2025, and the incredible response mixed with positive energy that the band experienced from US and Canada fans.- How AI and bad business practices have dragged down artist ambitions over

What if we told you that Midwest Emo exists in the UK? Yes we are telling you the truth on that one. Thanks to Manic Kat Records and the guys at BSB TV, they provided us with suggestions around this band on a consistent basis in 2026. So, it is that time to see what they are made of.But what do we dive into with a Midwest Emo band? Do we decide to talk about their musical inspirations and how they are feeling connection to more fans as they grow? Do we talk about what it is like to be a Midwest Emo band in the UK and what to expect when coming to the USA? Do we talk about the band swiping right on each other to form? All of the above.The gents from the Newcaste Midwest Emo band Voted Most Likely join the Chord Progression Podcast, following their most recent release "I'm Still Using My Old MSN Password" (yes that is the name of the song so you know this band has it), we want you to discover this band. Today we discuss:- Writing Midwest Emo music while being quite far away from the origins and hotbed of the ge

Hardcore music is still having its moment in the 2020's with artists like Knocked Loose, Kublai Khan, Alpha Wolf, and thrown continuing to grow, play in front of larger crowds, and even break through into the mainstream. Yes; the quality of the music has a lot to do with it. But what else is heping that breakthrough, is connecting with audiences outside of the hardcore genre.That isnt an easy thing, given the stigmas and characterizations hardcore bands have in their live shows, their energy, and overall aggressive sound. But if a hardcore band can play in front of a different audience, cater their live set to introduce a crowd to their sound, and succeed, you have a winner. This is one of those cases.Blaythe from the Alabama hardcore band No Cure joins the Chord Progression Podcast as the band releases their new album "It Is Going To Get Dark" out now. On this episode, we talk about:- Writing "It Is Going To Get Dark" and being more interested in exploring in depth, what the real sound No Cure truly has, com

In 2025, we brought you Katerina Nicole, an artist who started in the Pop and EDM world around 2022, and then pivoted to the heavy music space because it was a musical direction that she needed to take. It led her to working with her producer to introduce us to her sound and voice on the debut EP "Serene in Violent Oceans."A year and a half has gone by, and you may not remember her or have been wondering what she is up to. Wondering what direction her music has taken over that time, and where you can find her live. Well, we wanted those answers too.Katerina Nicole returns to the Chord Progression Podcast with the releases of her recent singles "Ladybug" and "Black on White" released now. Join us and catch up with Katerina as we talk about:- How she processed grief on the song "Ladybug" and how the more upbeat juxtaposition of the song's melody helps us process the attempts to save a life.- What Katerina has been up to since the release of "Serene in Violent Oceans" by taking the risks of writing the next batc

When you have a band with a sound that you loved of their's from the past, what are your thoughts when they release new music that is a deviation from that original album you fell in love with? Are you open to seeing where the sound will expand to? Or are you resistant to change and want them to stick with the sound that made the artist "pop"?2015, everyone wanted sounds to be classified and segmented, without a deviation from the norm. 2026, experimentation and exploration in music writing is welcome and championed. So, if an artist were to go back to their original album and add on to it, what would happen?The guys from the fantasy metalcore band The Wise Man's Fear join the Chord Progression Podcast right after releasing their most recent EP, "Apocrypha" on June 26th, 2026. Join us for this episode as we dive into:- "Apocrypha," why it is an extension onto "Castle in the Clouds" and how they balanced nostalgia of their older sound, while embracing their new skills and influences in songwriting.- Figuring o

We have had 2 former members of THE DEV on the podcast in 2026 to see what they are up to in music now, and get you to know them early on in their new ventures. So... what about the other 3? What have they been up to?Well they have started a new band and have found their sound. But what we discovered from them is that they had the most well thought-out audition process for a new vocalist, that we are surprised that more bands dont use. What's the secret?Ryan, Chris, & Jon return to the Chord Progression Podcast with their new band The Binding Divide, bringing new lead singer Alyssa with them as well. The band has 2 songs out now, including their most recent single "Satisfied." On this episode, we talk about:- How Alyssa joined The Binding Divide, and why other artists should audition new members by allowing them to show their creative side from the start, not just seeing if they match previously released material.- Writing new songs, and releasing 3 in 2026 that are vastly different from one another, in a

In a new world where AI seems to be trying to take any job from anyone, and where uniqueness in rock & emtal music is being celebrated and promoted, it gives the artists a chance to still be unpredictable and become something that AI can't replicate.So if a metal band from Germany that was created with inspiration from zombie movies, video games, and TV shows wanted to try something new with their sound compared to their first two album, now would be the time to do it. There is no way AI could replicate that.Felix from the German power metal band Dominum joins the Chord Progression Podcast as the band is set to release their 3rd album "Night is Calling" on July 3rd. Join us as we dive deep into:- The difference in sound Dominum created on "Night is Calling" compared to their previous 2 albums, and how being able to test ideas out in a live seting helped create their most eclectic sound & album story to date.- How releasing the singles disproved any anxiety that more experimentation with their metal so

Since the resurrgence of rock and metal back into the mainstream since 2020, we have seen a massive amount of experimentation in the genres. But one thing we are seeing is a large number of bands find common influences in the style of nu metal.Music is cyclical, where genres that were once popular are making their return, influencing modern bands to create a new & evolved sound. Has this happened in the past? Will this happen in the future? Will the internet be a great catalyst of all of this? Yes.Chris Kelly from the metalcore band Hillhaven joins the Chord Progresion Podcast with more new music out, including the newest single "Dead Doesn't Hurt" out now. On this episode, we talk about:- The update from Hillhaven since 2024, why the lineup is now stabilized following the depatrue of other members due to other band commitments, and what will happen with upcoming live shows.- Cyclical nature of trends and music, analyizing why nu metal has resurged in popularity in both metalcore & modern metal, as we

Musicians and artists, especially early on, have to deal with two major factors that could derail their creative mentality. Those factors being the pressures to make the project financially successful, as well as mentally being able to process negativity on social media. Success in handling these two factors can lead a band to success. Failure, could destroy the project.Success means finding happiness and a free flowing nature in the songwriting process. It allows music creation to be the thing that drives you, not the obligation of a 9-5 job that so many artists revile.Mirza from the Danish alt metal band Siamese joins the Chord Progression Podcast as the band is set to release their 8th album, dissolution, on June 26th. Join us for a great conversation as we talk about:- Why different external pressures hinder the creativity in the musicial world, and finding ways to relieve those pressures, especially financial pressures, helps ease the creative process.- Dealing with social media negativity in a band, and

There is a great number of younger musicians out there that are struggling to find their style and find their sound. It could be because they are unsure what sound connects with them, could be that their skillset doesn't match up with the style of music they want to create, or they havent found the collection of people to help bring that sound to life.It is something almost every musician goes through, and sometimes it takes a while for artists to find that sound. What if we told you that there is an artist in the punk rock world that fits all 3? Great story for inspiration right?Steve from the California punk rock band Trash N' Privilege joins the Chord Progression Podcast as the band recently released their Flush EP last week. Join us for this punk rock episode as we talk about:- Why Trash N' Privilege went more gritty and dirty with their overall tone of punk rock to create more of a throwback and rough punk rock feel on the new Flush EP.- The positive reverb of the pandemic, where shifting musical focus b

Plenty of musicians have taken to streaming ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, as a way to deliver their music and their experience through the internet that still has some form of consistent connection to the fans. We have seen Ronnie Radke in Falling in Reverse, Matt Heafy in Trivium, Ryan Kirby in Fit For A King, and many more do something like this. But have they ever live streamed the album creation process?It is a way for the fans to get a first hand look at how an artist would make a song, how a song evolves from beginning to end, and what tools might be used to create all of this. It is something that we really never see anyone else do, but we found an artist that is doing just that.Kevin from the experimental band Annelida joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. After Kevin streamed the writing and song creation process for the band's Unencumbered EP in March of 2026, we dive into this episode with:- How Annelida used livestreaming on Twitch and VYB to show the songwriting process, giving people a

Can rock and metal be considered the most authentic genres in music today? Think about it. We are seeing more and more artists with the freedom to experiment and try new things previously considered taboo, that has caused some bands to massively break through pop culture. Pop music is based off of the popular formulas, popular hip hop has a similar flow and beat in all popular songs, modern county is... well about trucks and beer.So how do rock and metal artists now continue to make more creative music that has the connection to so much more authenticity compared to other genres? Well, its based on how they write, and the freedom that they can.Dylan and Eren from the metalcore band Monument of a Memory join the Chord Progression Podcast today. With new music like the single "All We Made" released now and more new music for a new album coming so you can get into the band with us as we talk about:- New music coming from Monument of a Memory and writing that music through a process of vocal isolation from the in

The second band we ever interviewed on the Chord Progression Podcast back in 2019, and the band that has been a guest on the podcast the most, is back once again. 7 years later, we have seen them grow to play alongside some great artists like From Ashes to New, Nothing More, and Three Days Grace. But one question was on our mind... when are we going to get that album?Well an announcement was made, and a request was issued. Hard rock never dies, and they continue to rise. You can never forget about their unbreakable spirit, and we are here to make sure you are all into it.Jonathan and Aaron from the hard rock band Kingdom Collapse return to the Chord Progression Podcast for the first time since our 500th episode. The band recently announced their new album "Survivor" releasing on October 30th. Join us as we talk about:- The band signing with Mascot Records, finding a lable that was going to let Kingdom Collapse be themselves & get behind the Unbreakable spirit, instead of trying to have them fit into a tre

It continues to be the mission of the Chord Progression Podcast to bring you the best bands in rock and metal in order to discover their music, themselves, and become fans of the aritsts. We have focused on smaller artists always, and larger artists as we grew, but we never stopped showing you new artists to get into.Today, we do that once again going into the alternative rock and grunge style of 1990's Seattle scene, to bring you a band that understands how to make an inspired sound unique to them, and it is all done by experimentation and structure.The guys from the Texas alternative rock & grunge band Identity Crisis join the Chord Progression Podcast today. With more new music on the way, and a more unique take on it blossoming, it is the perfect time to get into the band. On this episode, we discuss:- How they used a more bare bones & down to earth approach for the music video of their most recent song "Risk It All" to encapsulate the raw feeling the song presents, visually.- The inspiration behi

Everyone loves a good comeback story. Whether it is sports, entertainment, or music (like we are into), we all want to see our favorites return and continue to provide us with the moments and memories that made us fall in love with them in the first place. But if there is a comeback happening after 17 years, how should that be done?A full reunion tour? A brand new album to show the what people have missed out on in those 17 years? Rerecording their most famous album as a way to remind friends "we are back"? Well, in 2026, there is a new way that it has to be done... the live album of that famous album.Joe, Dan, and Kyler from the post-hardcore band A Static Lullaby join the Chord Progression Podcast as they are back after 17 years. With their live album return of their most famous album "...And Don't Forget to Breathe" now out, we dive into the band's return as we talk about:- Why A Static Lullaby decided to return with a live version of "...And Don't Forget to Breathe" compared to brand new music or a rereco

Today there is an artist coming on to the Chord Progression Podcast for the 4th time, but now with her new band, and bringing the brand new drummer with them as well. But for a band that is still cutting their teeth out there with new music and life on the road, what is going to help them succeed?Well through an insane story that involves getting tattooed in a corn field during a music festival to test their drummer's ability to hang, and understanding of how band chemistry both on and off stage is necessary for a band's success, & understanding the importance of creating that fan connection live, we know one thing. This rock band is one that you will want to party with.Nikollaj returns with the rock band CloZure to the Chord Progression Podcast, with the new drummer Brad as well. Getting you into a new rock band is what we do. On this episode, we talk about:- Getting you to get to know CloZure's hard rock style, their insane initiation story of bringing Brad into the band as a new drummer, and the import

Nothing captures the classic idea of the American Dream of going after your dreams, always willing to make a sacrifice for the betterment of that dream, and always willing to get better and improve. We know that the dream is not as strong as it once was in culture today, but when we find it, we really want to connect with it.From starting in music with the support of his father and his brother, to making moves in life that will put him in a better position to make his dreams come true, and now releasing a brand new album in a brand new city that is dominated by another genre, we can connect with that story and get behind this artist. He is just like us, trying to make his dreams into a reality.Ike from the garage rock blues band Coiler joins the Chord Progression Podcast today. With the new album "Stonejack" releasing on May 29th, we get you into the band, the man, and the story as we talk about:- The backstory of Ike's start in music from the support and creative nature alongside his dad and his brother, bei