ULTHA: Ralph Schmidt Breaks Down "A Light So Dim" (Track-by-Track) | ITN EP312

This week, I’m honoured to welcome London May, actor, musician and drummer for the legendary Samhain, to Into The Necrosphere. London has a fascinating story that extends well beyond music and we kick things off by exploring his early years as an aspiring actor, a troubled childhood that saw him arrested at just twelve years old, and the unlikely journey that eventually led him to become part of one of the most influential bands to emerge from the American underground. From there, we get into Samhain, the enduring legacy of November Coming Fire, the band’s 2014 reunion and some of the misconceptions surrounding Glenn Danzig. This is a candid, wide-ranging conversation with a man whose story is every bit as compelling as the music he helped bring to life. Then it’s on to the Weekly News Rant, where I’m dissecting new tracks by Sinister, Devastator, Heathen, Tortured Demon, Panzerfaust, Silvertomb and more. I also tackle more of your questions, including the bands that have changed their sound for the worse, my black metal desert island playlist, and some of the records currently dominating my listening rotation. And, on the Swirly Of The Week, self-righteous nitwits melting down over a benign comment by James Hetfield receive short shrift - and a double-dunk down the porcelain bowl of reckoning. Plus: Australian death doom export, Nyctalor, join the register of legends featured on the Unsanctioned Filth segment.

Sam Bean and Matt Wilcock of Australian death metal maniacs Werewolves join me this week to discuss their latest album, You’re Weak And You Know You’re Weak, the band's future plans, and the uncompromising philosophy that drives their music. We also get into the triumphant return of The Berzerker, discussing what it was like to play the band's first show back, revisiting their early days, and examining the circumstances that led to the project falling apart in the first place. On the Weekly News Rant, Mike Scondotto is back to help me dissect the latest singles by Power Trip, Arckanum, Down, Det Eviga Leendet, and Temple Nightside. We share our reactions to the trailer for Mike Flannigan’s new Exorcist movie, and we also get into your questions, including which bands we'd choose if forced at gunpoint to listen to our least favourite metal subgenres, wrapping things up by awarding the second-ever Dutch Shake. Plus: the debut of Australian newcomers, Isartu, on this week’s Unsanctioned Filth segment.

Harri Kuokkanen returns to Into The Necrosphere to discuss the tenth Hail Conjurer album, Abyss & Ekstasis, and the very different creative process that brought it to life. After almost two years between the recording of this album and its predecessor, Order Of Disgrace, Harri deliberately approached the new record from a more structured and premeditated perspective, composing the music, lyrics and arrangements before entering the recording process. We discuss why he felt the need for a fresh approach after a decade of creating Hail Conjurer, the tension between instinct and control that has defined the project since its inception, and how each album has become a process of shedding the skin and becoming something new. Then, on the Weekly News Rant, Karl Haikara joins me to tribute to the late, great Cronos of Venom, reflecting on his enormous influence on black metal and the countless bands who simply would not have existed in the same form without him. We round up new tracks by Wolves In The Throne Room, Arctos, Goat Major and Dumal for judgment, debate the merits of overly literal storytelling and concept-driven lyrics, answer your questions on Elden Ring and our favourite full live sets available on YouTube, and discuss why some of the best live footage can capture a band in a way that studio recordings simply cannot. Plus: a Premiere On The Sphere with Black Flame Altar delivering an exclusive preview of their upcoming release, “Runes of Darkness & Blood”.

This week on Into The Necrosphere, I’m joined by Skyggen of black metal battalion Terrestrial Hospice. Having been a fan of his work for years, the release of the band’s devastating new album Omnicide: Chapter 1 finally provided the perfect excuse to bring him onto the show for his debut appearance. We discuss his journey from discovering King Diamond and Darkthrone as a kid in Poland, forming his first band and becoming immersed in the country’s chaotic black metal underground, to ultimately taking on the role of guitarist and vocalist in Terrestrial Hospice. After that, it’s on to the Weekly News Rant, where I round up the latest singles by Lugubrious Garment, Azarath, Enslaved, Hatesphere and Sarcator for judgment. I’m also answering your questions, including social media’s impact on the metal scene, Blackie Lawless’ alleged use of backing tracks, and the new project Chants featuring former Gaerea guitarist Miguel Vanziller. I also reveal my five favourite video game soundtracks and games, list some of the best newer Norwegian black metal bands, lament the Springboks’ defeat to the Wallabies, and give you my thoughts on the new Resident Evil movie. Plus: One-man black metal project Diem Mortis features on this week’s Unsanctioned Filth segment.

This week I’m joined by Ketil from Red Harvest, the legendary Norwegian band whose uncompromising blend of extreme metal, electronics and experimentalism made them one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the Scandinavian scene. In this conversation, we dig into what happened to the band after A Greater Darkness, the new material that was being developed, the financial realities that ultimately brought Red Harvest to a halt, and the frustrating circumstances that prevented their return. Ketil also looks back at the band’s history, the music they left unfinished, and whether there could ever be another chapter for Red Harvest. Then it’s on to the Weekly News Rant, where I round up the latest singles by Ministry, Dungeon Serpent, Arckanum, Master and Werewolves for judgement. I also answer your questions, including my favourite releases from Gaahl, my top 5 Swedish black metal bands, the greatest action movie of all time and more. Plus: Carson City Nevada’s Dishumane bask in the glory of the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight with a track from their EP, Centurion’s Demise.