Signals From Mars Podcast

<p>🎙️ Signals From Mars – Episode 435</p><p>Hour One: 2025 Hard Rock &amp; Heavy Metal Recap</p><p>In <strong>Episode 435 of <em>Signals From Mars</em></strong>, Victor is joined by longtime patrons <strong>Brad Dahl</strong>, <strong>Jeremy Weltman</strong>, and <strong>Ed Ferguson</strong> for a <strong>spoiler-free recap of hard rock and heavy metal in 2025</strong>.</p><p>This episode continues the <strong>revived Hour One format</strong>, focusing on conversation, reflection, and community rather than rankings, placements, or click-driven takes.</p><p>🔥 Episode Topics</p><p>🎸 Best-Selling Hard Rock &amp; Metal Albums of 2025</p><p>The panel discusses albums that made a major commercial impact, exploring physical sales vs. streaming, genre perception, fan loyalty, and how success is measured today — <strong>without revealing rankings or outcomes</strong>.</p><p>🌍 Top-Grossing Hard Rock &amp; Metal Tours</p><p>A spoiler-free look at touring trends in 2025, including legacy acts, stadium vs. arena strategies, touring economics, and how nostalgia and setlists shape the live experience.</p><p>📰 Biggest Hard Rock &amp; Metal News Stories of 2025</p><p>Victor and the panel reflect on the year’s most talked-about developments, major announcements, and ongoing legacy band narratives. (Deaths are intentionally excluded from this segment.)</p><p>🕊️ Remembering Those We Lost</p><p>A respectful segment honoring influential artists who passed away in 2025, focusing on legacy, impact, and what these losses mean to the rock and metal community — without ranking or sensationalism.</p><p>❤️ Community &amp; Reflection</p><p>Beyond albums and tours, this episode highlights why <em>Signals From Mars</em> exists: music as therapy, shared fan experiences, patron-driven discussion, and keeping the rock and metal community connected across generations.</p><p>🤘 Patron Shout-Outs</p><p>Thank you to the <strong>Signals From Mars Patrons</strong> who help keep the show independent and community-driven:</p><p><strong>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</strong></p><p>Many patrons actively participate in episodes like this one and help shape the show.</p><p>🔗 Connect with Signals From Mars</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com">https://signalsfrommars.com</a> </p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a> </p><p>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars">https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars</a> </p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a> </p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/</a> X / </p><p>Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars">https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars</a> </p><p>Twitch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars">https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars</a> </p><p>Merch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/">https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/</a> </p><p>Podcast Platforms: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/</a></p><p>#SignalsFromMars #HardRock #HeavyMetal #MetalPodcast #RockPodcast #MetalCommunity #YearInReview #MusicPodcast</p>

<p>🎸 Signals From Mars – Episode 434</p><p>October &amp; November 2025 Hard Rock &amp; Metal Albums Review (Livestream)</p><p>Episode 434 of Signals From Mars is a livestream-recorded episode featuring Victor M. Ruiz, joined by Jeremy and Ed, as they catch up on hard rock and heavy metal releases from October and November 2025.</p><p>Recorded on December 12, this episode continues the show’s long-standing mission: supporting new music and keeping the hard rock and metal scene alive. Rather than living only in the classics, Signals From Mars shines a light on both established artists and lesser-known bands releasing new material.</p><p>🎙️ What to Expect (Spoiler-Free)</p><p>Thoughtful discussion on the importance of discovering and supporting new music</p><p>Honest, conversational reactions to recent releases</p><p>A wide range of styles across hard rock and metal</p><p>Friendly debate, differing opinions, and shared enthusiasm</p><p>Personal listening habits and how albums grow over time</p><p>A relaxed livestream atmosphere with real fan interaction</p><p>No rankings, no spoilers — just genuine music conversation.</p><p>🤘 Why This Episode Matters</p><p>In Episode 434, Victor makes the case that new releases are essential to the future of hard rock and metal. Without continued support for current artists, the genre risks becoming frozen in time.</p><p>This episode is about exploration, curiosity, and keeping the genre moving forward, whether you’re into classic sounds, modern production, or underground discoveries.</p><p>🙌 Patron Shout-Outs</p><p>A huge thank you to the Signals From Mars Patrons for making episodes like this possible:</p><p>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</p><p>Your support keeps the conversation going 🤘</p><p>🔗 Connect with Signals From Mars</p><p>Become a Patron: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com">https://signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars">https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/</a></p><p>Twitch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars">https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Merch Store: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/">https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/</a></p><p>Podcast Platforms: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/</a></p><p>Sponsorship: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/sponsorship/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/sponsorship/</a></p>

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<p>In Episode 432 of Signals From Mars, Victor welcomes Ulf “Uffe” Pettersson, vocalist of Swedish thrashers Mezzrow, to discuss the band’s powerful new album Embrace The Awakening. Uffe reflects on Sweden’s enduring metal culture, the impact of recent losses in the community—especially Thomas Lindberg of At The Gates—and how Mezzrow rediscovered their spark decades after disbanding.</p><p>Uffe explains how the band reunited in 2021 after finding an old recording they’d made with their late former guitarist. This led to recruiting guitarist Magnus Söderman and producer/guitarist Ronny Bjarnström, helping Mezzrow evolve while remaining rooted in Bay Area–influenced thrash. The band focused on making a concise, high-quality album, selecting eight of twelve written tracks for maximum impact. They avoided keyboards this time to create a more live, energetic thrash feel, while still blending in subtle influences from jazz, prog, and black metal.</p><p>Victor and Uffe discuss how the new songs fit alongside Mezzrow classics like “Frozen Soul,” how the band approaches setlist balance, and why intimate festivals such as Muskelrock remain personal favorites. Uffe also reacts to press comparisons to modern Testament and Coroner, a compliment he embraces proudly—especially after sharing a stage with Coroner in Bulgaria.</p><p>Mezzrow keeps fans updated through active social media, and the best way to support the band is by purchasing merch directly from their official shop.</p><p>🎙️ Patron Shout-outs</p><p>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.</p><p>Connect with Mezzrow:</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.mezzrow.black/">http://www.mezzrow.black/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mezzrowswedishthrash/">https://www.instagram.com/mezzrowswedishthrash/</a></p><p>🔗 Connect with Signals From Mars:</p><p>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com">https://signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars">https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Twitch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars">https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars">https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/</a></p><p>Merch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/">https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/</a></p><p>Podcast Services: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/podcast-services/</a></p><p>Sponsorship: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/sponsorship/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/sponsorship/</a></p>

<p><strong>Signals From Mars – Episode 431: Rich Knox (Danko Jones)</strong></p><p><strong>In Episode 431, Victor is joined by Rich Knox, drummer for Danko Jones, to talk about the band’s new album Leo Rising, his journey into the band, working with Marty Friedman, and what keeps the Danko Jones sound sharp after more than a dozen years behind the kit.</strong></p><p><strong>Rich shares stories about his audition for the band, touring with The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry, the differences between jazz and rock musicians, and how the band writes music while living in three different countries. He also reflects on pandemic-era livestreams, KISS fandom, and what makes a great rock song.</strong></p><p><strong>The conversation also dives into Rich’s passion for health, mindset, and fitness. Through his project Performers Health, he helps musicians stay healthy on and off the road. Learn more at: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://performershealth.com"><strong>https://performershealth.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Topics include:</strong></p><p><strong>• Making Leo Rising</strong></p><p><strong>• Collaborating with Marty Friedman</strong></p><p><strong>• The Danko Jones songwriting process</strong></p><p><strong>• Minimalist drumming philosophy</strong></p><p><strong>• Jazz vs. rock approaches</strong></p><p><strong>• Touring stories &amp; festival moments</strong></p><p><strong>• Pandemic livestream memories</strong></p><p><strong>• Health, wellness &amp; Performers Health</strong></p><p><strong>• Staying grounded as a touring musician</strong></p><p><strong>🎙️ Patron Shout-outs:</strong></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p><p><strong>🔗 Connect with Signals From Mars:</strong></p><p><strong>Patreon: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars"><strong>https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</strong></a></p><p><strong>Website: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com"><strong>https://signalsfrommars.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Facebook: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</strong></a></p><p><strong>YouTube: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars"><strong>https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars</strong></a></p><p><strong>Twitch: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars"><strong>https://www.twitch.tv/signalsfrommars</strong></a></p><p><strong>Twitter: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars"><strong>https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars</strong></a></p><p><strong>Instagram: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/"><strong>https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/</strong></a></p><p><strong>Merch: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/"><strong>https://signals-from-mars.creator-spring.com/</strong></a></p><p></p><p><strong>🎵 Follow Danko Jones &amp; Rich Knox:</strong></p><p><strong>Official Site: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.dankojones.com"><strong>https://www.dankojones.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Instagram: @danko_jones | @richknoxdrums</strong></p><p><strong>Performers Health: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://performershealth.com"><strong>https://performershealth.com</strong></a></p>