🎸 Signals From Mars – Episode 425 (Livestream Recording) 🎸

Join me live on October 3rd with Jeremy and Ed as we dig into the new hard rock and metal releases from September 2025. 🤘

We’ll be sharing our reactions, favorite tracks, and hot takes on the latest albums — from the big names to the hidden gems. Expect debate, surprises, and plenty of music talk!

💬 Jump into the live chat and let us know your thoughts on this summer’s releases — your input could shape the conversation in real time.

Don’t miss it — be part of the live show!

Shout out to my Patrons:

Steven Sailer

Steve Hoeker

Jeremy Weltman

Mike Jones

Brad Dahl

Mark Strigl

Gabriel Ruiz

Chris Vaglio

Metal Dan

Johan Ederström

Ed Ferguson

Anthony Mackey

Toni Espin

Sean Richmond

Thank you for being so supportive!

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#SignalsFromMars #HardRock #MetalReleases #MetalHeads #RockCommunity #MusicTalk

In this episode of Signals From Mars, Victor is joined by Jeremy and Ed to review the new hard rock and metal album releases from July and August 2025. Together, they dive into standout records, hidden gems, and surprising letdowns across a wide spectrum of styles — from thrash and power metal to gothic and progressive sounds.

This is the first live episode in months, marking the start of Year 16 of the podcast. Expect passionate takes, varied perspectives, and plenty of music discovery.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• Kicking off Year 16 + July 2025 album highlights (00:02:30)
• Debating originality in modern metal vs. retro influences (00:16:10)
• Standout picks from mid-July releases, including supergroups and live albums (00:29:45)
• August 2025 highlights: technical death metal, gothic metal, and groove-heavy releases (01:05:20)
• Final thoughts on August’s closing week and recap of each host’s album of the week (01:55:40)

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

1. Explore variety: Don’t limit yourself to one subgenre — standout releases this summer ranged from thrash to gothic to progressive metal.
2. Listen critically: Production quality, originality, and songwriting can make or break an album, even from established artists.
3. Check the underdogs: Independent and lesser-known bands like Mods, Caststrator, and Rust n’ Rage delivered fresh, unexpected quality.
4. Revisit legends: Alice Cooper, Halloween, and Deftones proved that veteran acts can still surprise with strong, relevant material.
5. Look for supergroups: Projects like Nefarious and Firstborne highlight how collaborations between seasoned musicians can produce unique results.
6. Stay open-minded: Some albums that didn’t initially appeal still sparked debate and earned respect on second listen.
7. Use album-of-the-week picks as a playlist starter — each host highlighted their top record for every week in July and August.

📌 Signals From Mars continues its mission to spotlight the best in new hard rock and metal. Whether you’re hunting for fresh riffs or curious about how the classics stack up today, this episode is a must-listen.

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In this episode of Signals From Mars, I’m joined by Laura Donnelly, vocalist of the incredible Scottish doom metal band Kingwitch. We dive deep into the making of their latest album, III — their most powerful and emotionally resonant release yet.

Laura opens up about the five-year gap between albums, much of which was shaped by family life, creative resets, and the band’s commitment to authenticity. We explore how having a child and taking time away from the road gave them the space to refine their sound and make a record that truly represents where Kingwitch is today.

We also get into the DIY nature of the band — with Laura contributing graphic design and Jamie (guitarist/partner) handling production and mixing duties. You’ll hear stories about recording in their home studio, experimenting with fretless bass, and even using their child’s xylophone on the record!

💬 Topics discussed include:

• Why III took five years to release
• Recording at home and staying true to the band’s vision
• Laura’s growth as a vocalist after becoming a mother
• Using unconventional sounds in the studio (baby toys and cold-induced effects!)
• How Scottish landscapes, folklore, and mythology influence Kingwitch's music
• The role of artwork and symbolism (yin/yang, wolves, light/dark)
• Their return to the stage after a multi-year break
• Reflections on the recent Ozzy/Black Sabbath tribute show
• The power of doom metal to remain diverse, emotional, and expansive

Laura also shares thoughts on the challenges of being a parent and musician, why Kingwitch doesn’t chase trends, and how they're still proudly flying the flag for variety and dynamics in modern heavy music.

🎧 If you’re a fan of bands like Candlemass, Black Sabbath, or Dio, or just love passionate, honest conversations about metal and creativity, this episode is for you.

🛒 Support Kingwitch 🎵 Buy or stream Three:

• Listenable Records Bandcamp (digital, CD, vinyl)
• Kingwitch Bandcamp (CD, vinyl only)

📲 Follow Kingwitch

• Instagram: @kingwitchmetal
• Facebook: facebook.com/kingwitchmetal

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