Metal Maniacs Ep. 161 | Band Swap Reactions: Pure Bliss, Volcandra, IATT, Infected Dead, Axty & BCOG
The Metal Maniacs PodcastShow Notes
Jay Ingersoll and co-host Jeff Wright put a fresh spin on the Metal Maniacs Reaction Series — and this time, nobody knew what was coming. They each hand-picked 3 bands, dropped them on the other person cold, and let the unfiltered opinions fly. Six bands. Zero preparation. Pure underground metal chaos.
Who brought the absolute heat? Who got unexpectedly destroyed by something they never saw coming? This one's a must-listen for any metalhead who loves discovering new music alongside people who actually give a damn about it. 🔥 BANDS COVERED THIS EPISODE
💥 "Pure Bliss" FFO: Acacia Strain | Beatdown Hardcore Beatdown hardcore delivered with zero mercy. Crushing Pantera-worship riffs, suffocating production, and a sonic weight that borders on physically threatening.. 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/album/7em2Wea3qoLDLVgItVdgIK?si=4f9142045c254a66
⚡ AXTY – "Dismay" FFO: Spiritbox, Lorna Shore | Djentcore / Deathcore Completely out of nowhere and absolutely devastating. Unique djentcore with vocals that wreck, haunting clean choruses with an emo edge, strategically placed electronic elements, and deathcore breakdowns that cave your skull in. Blown away doesn't even cover it. 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/0TF2e9vABPwa45lzBxKhVe?si=9dbc0ad3e1534d31
💀 Beautiful Child of God – "Shiver in the Dark" FFO: Vomit Forth, 200 Stab Wounds | Death Metal / Grind Pure, punishing death metal. Incredible vocals, face-melting pig squeals, savage grinds, and a heaviness that puts it firmly in elite company. Think No Cure — but darker, dirtier, and even more death metal. Utterly devastating from start to finish.
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/0xTtNR8dxUDBeQPaFQ1etv?si=3f31524046c54ddb
🌌 INFECTED DEAD – "Organic Monolith" FFO: Defeated Sanity, Abysmal Torment | UK Tech Death Featuring ex-members of Pupil Slicer, Dawnwalker & Overthrow. Their new EP Invicta (May 2026) was produced by V. Santura (Triptykon, Dark Fortress, Obscura). Razor-sharp riffs, cosmic horror atmosphere, and deep underground credibility. This lineup means business. 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/album/16tDJSyLP5HcyxXRQH0Zmd
⚔️ VOLCANDRA – "Rune Sentinel" FFO: The Black Dahlia Murder, old In Flames, At The Gates | Melodic Blackened Death Metal Louisville, KY. Prosthetic Records. Sci-fi storytelling meets melodic blackened death metal at its most majestic and crushing. Their new album Beyond The Will Of Mortals (April 24, 2026) is bombastic, driving, and built for massive riff worship. 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/6SB3Ef7ozpuLHsDQ2Vx9DA?si=3fecee5211e249d0
🌑 IATT – "Drift Away" FFO: Abigail Williams, Opeth, Black Crown Initiate | Progressive Blackened Death Metal Philadelphia's IATT operate on a completely different level. Black Lion Records. Their cinematic album Etheric Realms of the Night drops May 8, 2026 — paired with a full surrealist film releasing July 24, 2026, exploring sleep paralysis and nightmare states. The following isn't massive yet. It will be. 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/25s25VhlI6dz6KzynYhc0n?si=573110ab60b540f4
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