Signals From Mars Podcast
Signals From Mars Podcast

Signals From Mars Podcast

Victor M. Ruiz

Overview
Episodes

Details

All types of hard rock and metal interviews and music discussions since 2009.Visit us at www.signalsfrommars.com.Linktr.ee/signalsfrommarspatreon.com/signalsfrommars

Recent Episodes

Mark Strigl
MAR 13, 2026
Mark Strigl
<p>In Episode 448 of Signals From Mars, Victor M. Ruiz sits down with Mark Strigl for a conversation centered on some of the biggest talking points in hard rock and metal right now.</p><p>Without giving the interview away, this episode digs into the kind of topics that always spark strong opinions among fans: the idea of Metallica playing the Sphere, Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary and Eddfest, what it means if rock is once again gaining momentum, and the broader impact Talking Metal has had on podcasting in the hard rock and heavy metal space.</p><p>This is a discussion built for fans who care about where the genre has been, where it is now, and where it may be headed next.</p><p>If you’re into hard rock and metal podcasts, music discussion, and longform conversations that go beyond surface-level takes, this episode is for you.</p><p>Topics covered include:</p><p>Metallica and the Sphere</p><p>Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary celebration</p><p>Rock’s recent growth as a genre</p><p>Talking Metal’s place in podcast history</p><p>Follow Mark Strigl / Talking Metal:</p><p>Talking Metal Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://talkingmetal.com/">https://talkingmetal.com/</a></p><p>Talking Metal Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/talkingmetal">https://www.patreon.com/talkingmetal</a></p><p>Mark Strigl Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/markstrigl/">https://www.instagram.com/markstrigl/</a></p><p>Mark Strigl X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/Strigl">https://x.com/Strigl</a></p><p>Talking Metal Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/talkingmetaldigital/">https://www.facebook.com/talkingmetaldigital/</a></p><p>Talking Metal YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/talkingmetal">https://www.youtube.com/talkingmetal</a></p><p>Follow Signals From Mars:</p><p>Signals From Mars Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com">https://signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>Signals From Mars Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Signals From Mars Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Signals From Mars YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars">https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>Signals From Mars X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars">https://www.twitter.com/SignalsFromMars</a></p><p>Signals From Mars Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/</a></p><p>Signals From Mars Follow Page: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com/follow/">https://www.signalsfrommars.com/follow/</a></p><p>I can also merge this back into the full spoiler-free YouTube description.</p><p>Special thanks to my Patrons:</p><p>Steven Sailer</p><p>Steve Hoeker</p><p>Jeremy Weltman</p><p>Mike Jones</p><p>Brad Dahl</p><p>Mark Strigl</p><p>Gabriel Ruiz</p><p>Chris Vaglio</p><p>Metal Dan</p><p>Johan Ederström</p><p>Ed Ferguson</p><p>Anthony Mackey</p><p>Toni Espin</p><p>Sean Richmond</p><p>#SignalsFromMars #HeavyMetal #HardRock</p>
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39 MIN
Philip Shouse
MAR 10, 2026
Philip Shouse
<p>Guitarist Philip Shouse joins Signals From Mars to discuss his first solo EP, Side 1 and the journey that led him to finally release music under his own name.</p><p>Known for performing alongside artists such as Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, John Corabi, Accept, and the Rock N Roll Residency, Philip has spent years on stages around the world. With Side 1, he steps into the spotlight as a solo artist and shares the songs that represent his personal musical vision.</p><p>In this interview, Philip discusses how long he has been working on the material, whether he ever shared the songs with artists he’s collaborated with, and the challenges of being seen as Philip Shouse the artist rather than just the guitarist supporting other legendary performers.</p><p>We also dive into his experiences playing with members of KISS, the unique environment of The Rock N Roll Residency, and what the future holds with Accept.</p><p>Philip also shares his long-term plans for his solo music, whether Side 2 may be on the horizon, and where fans can go to purchase Side 1 and support him directly.</p><p>If you're a fan of hard rock, classic rock guitar, and behind-the-scenes stories from musicians who have shared the stage with legends, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.</p><p>Follow Philip Shouse</p><p>Instagram</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/philipshouse">https://www.instagram.com/philipshouse</a></p><p>Facebook</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/philipshouse">https://www.facebook.com/philipshouse</a></p><p>X / Twitter</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/philipshouse">https://x.com/philipshouse</a></p><p>Follow Signals From Mars</p><p>🌐 Website</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com">https://www.signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>📺 YouTube</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.youtube.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>🎧 Podcast</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com">https://signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>🔥 Patreon</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>🛒 Merch</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://signalsfrommars.com/merch">https://signalsfrommars.com/merch</a></p><p>Special thanks to Signals From Mars Patrons</p><p>Steven Sailer</p><p>Steve Hoeker</p><p>Jeremy Weltman</p><p>Mike Jones</p><p>Brad Dahl</p><p>Mark Strigl</p><p>Gabriel Ruiz</p><p>Chris Vaglio</p><p>Metal Dan</p><p>Johan Ederström</p><p>Ed Ferguson</p><p>Anthony Mackey</p><p>Toni Espin</p><p>Sean Richmond</p><p>#SignalsFromMars #PhilipShouse #AcceptBand #AceFrehley #GeneSimmons #HardRock #HeavyMetal #Guitarist #RockPodcast #MetalPodcast #RockInterview #GuitarHero #ClassicRock #MetalCommunity #RockNRoll</p>
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41 MIN
1980
MAR 6, 2026
1980
<p>This episode is a fan-voted countdown of hard rock and heavy metal albums released in 1980.</p><p>All rankings are based on listener submissions and calculated using the same points system used in previous Signals From Mars countdown episodes.</p><p>This episode focuses purely on how the audience voted, highlighting consensus picks, surprise placements, and albums that narrowly missed the cut.</p><p>What We’re Covering</p><p>Listener-submitted Top 10 albums from 1980</p><p>Final rankings based on total points</p><p>Discussion of each album’s placement, impact, and legacy</p><p>Reactions to controversial rankings and omissions</p><p>How 1980 compares to other classic metal years already covered on the show</p><p>Voting Rules Recap</p><p>Only albums originally released in 1980 were eligible</p><p>Studio albums only (no live albums or compilations)</p><p>Points assigned by rank (higher rank = more points)</p><p>Final list ordered by total points</p><p>Livestream Format</p><p>Countdown presented from lowest rank to #1</p><p>Ongoing live chat reactions and debate</p><p>Listener shout-outs as rankings are revealed</p><p>Open discussion once the Top 3 are revealed</p><p>Talking Points to Keep in Mind</p><p>The shift from late-’70s hard rock to early ’80s metal</p><p>Early NWOBHM influence vs established legacy acts</p><p>Albums that aged better—or worse—than expected</p><p>Fan voting vs “classic list” narratives</p><p>Thank you goes out to my Patrons:</p><p>Steven Sailer</p><p>Steve Hoeker</p><p>Jeremy Weltman</p><p>Mike Jones</p><p>Brad Dahl</p><p>Mark Strigl</p><p>Gabriel Ruiz</p><p>Chris Vaglio</p><p>Metal Dan</p><p>Johan Ederström</p><p>Ed Ferguson</p><p>Anthony Mackey</p><p>Toni Espin</p><p>Sean Richmond</p><p>Thank you for being so supportive!</p><p>🔊 Signals From Mars Links</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com">https://www.signalsfrommars.com</a></p><p>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Signalsfrommars">https://www.youtube.com/@Signalsfrommars</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>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/signalsfrommars">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars</a></p><p>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/signalsfrommars">https://x.com/signalsfrommars</a></p>
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139 MIN
Alex Skolnick
FEB 27, 2026
Alex Skolnick
<p>In <strong>Episode 445</strong>, Victor sits down with <strong>Alex Skolnick</strong> for a wide-ranging conversation that digs into creativity, collaboration, and the mindset of a player who never stops evolving. From the unique chemistry behind <strong>Metal Allegiance</strong> to reflections on live performance, artistic curiosity beyond metal, and moments that defined a legendary career, this episode balances deep guitar talk with thoughtful storytelling. We talk Metal Allegiance, Testament, Savatage, Ozzy, and The Alex Skolnick Trio.</p><p></p><p>#AlexSkolnick #MetalAllegiance #SignalsFromMars</p><p></p><p>Thank you goes out to my Patrons:</p><p></p><p>Steven Sailer</p><p>Steve Hoeker</p><p>Jeremy Weltman</p><p>Mike Jones</p><p>Brad Dahl</p><p>Mark Strigl</p><p>Gabriel Ruiz</p><p>Chris Vaglio</p><p>Metal Dan</p><p>Johan Ederström</p><p>Ed Ferguson</p><p>Anthony Mackey</p><p>Toni Espin</p><p>Sean Richmond</p><p></p><p>Thank you for being so supportive!</p><p></p><p>🔗 Artist &amp; Band Links</p><p></p><p><strong>Alex Skolnick</strong></p><ul><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexskolnick">https://www.instagram.com/alexskolnick</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/alexskolnick">https://x.com/alexskolnick</a></li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Metal Allegiance</strong></p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://metalallegiance.com">https://metalallegiance.com</a></li><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/metalallegiance">https://www.instagram.com/metalallegiance</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/MetalAllegiance">https://www.facebook.com/MetalAllegiance</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/metalallegiance">https://x.com/metalallegiance</a></li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Testament</strong></p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://testamentlegions.com">https://testamentlegions.com</a></li><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/testamentofficial">https://www.instagram.com/testamentofficial</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions">https://www.facebook.com/testamentlegions</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/testament">https://x.com/testament</a></li></ul><p></p><p>🔊 Signals From Mars Links</p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com">https://www.signalsfrommars.com</a></li><li>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMars">https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMars</a></li><li>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/signalsfrommars">https://x.com/signalsfrommars</a></li></ul>
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46 MIN
A Wilhelm Scream
FEB 24, 2026
A Wilhelm Scream
<p>In Episode 444 of <em>Signals From Mars</em>, I’m joined by <strong>Ben</strong> and <strong>Nuno</strong> from A Wilhelm Scream for a wide-ranging conversation that dives into the mindset behind their latest album <strong><em>Cheap Heat</em></strong>, the band’s creative process, and the many layers that make up their sound and identity.</p><p>Rather than sticking to surface-level promo talk, this interview explores how the band thinks about album construction, influence, environment, collaboration, and longevity—both musically and personally. From unexpected cultural touchstones to the realities of self-producing records, this is a discussion rooted in experience, honesty, and mutual respect.</p><p>If you’re interested in how bands evolve without boxing themselves into a single genre, how outside perspectives shape great records, or how chemistry inside a band develops over time, this episode offers plenty to chew on—without needing to spell everything out for you upfront.</p><p></p><p>🤘 Signals From Mars Patrons</p><p></p><p>Huge thanks to the patrons who help keep the show independent and listener-driven:</p><p></p><p>Steven Sailer</p><p>Steve Hoeker</p><p>Jeremy Weltman</p><p>Mike Jones</p><p>Brad Dahl</p><p>Mark Strigl</p><p>Gabriel Ruiz</p><p>Chris Vaglio</p><p>Metal Dan</p><p>Johan Ederström</p><p>Ed Ferguson</p><p>Anthony Mackey</p><p>Toni Espin</p><p>Sean Richmond</p><p></p><p>Thank you for being so supportive!</p><p></p><p>🔗 A Wilhelm Scream – Official Links</p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.awilhelmscream.com">https://www.awilhelmscream.com</a></li><li>Bandcamp: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://awilhelmscream.bandcamp.com">https://awilhelmscream.bandcamp.com</a></li><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/awilhelmscream">https://www.instagram.com/awilhelmscream</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/awilhelmscream">https://www.facebook.com/awilhelmscream</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/awilhelmscream">https://x.com/awilhelmscream</a></li></ul><p></p><p>🔗 Signals From Mars – Follow &amp; Support</p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.signalsfrommars.com">https://www.signalsfrommars.com</a></li><li>Patreon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMars">https://www.youtube.com/@SignalsFromMars</a></li><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars">https://www.facebook.com/signalsfrommars</a></li><li>X / Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/signalsfrommars">https://x.com/signalsfrommars</a></li></ul>
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64 MIN