On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, we have a very special guest: Chris Basile from Pyrexia!!!Chris stops by to discuss Pyrexia's latest crushing release "Gravitas Maximus", advice for bands trying to establish themselves i

2022 Goals

Feb 13th, 2022 48m 8s

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah reflect on 2021, and discuss personal and professional goals for 2022. Bleed!IG @themetalmentalityIntro Song: "Legion Of The Vortex" by AriochIG @ariochtnwww.ariochtn.c

One Year Anniversary Episode

Dec 1st, 2021 1h 15m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah celebrate the show's one year anniversary! Topics include a recap of lessons learned over the past year, significant moments that shaped our lives, greatest love and hate o

Listener Questions Pt. 2

Oct 30th, 2021 1h 1m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take another round of listener questions! Topics include managing relationships inside and outside of your band, how to handle constructive criticism of your band's music,

Listener Questions Pt. 1

Sep 23rd, 2021 1h 23m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take on listener questions! Are record labels still relevant? Can a musician ever truly stop being a musician? Is the heart and soul still present in modern metal? Listen t

Goals & Hobbies Outside of Metal

Aug 7th, 2021 1h 15m

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss how they decompress outside of work, non-musical hobbies, and the importance of daily discipline to reach personal goals. Stay metal!This episode is dedicated to t

Time Capsule 1991: 30 Years of Death Metal

Jun 13th, 2021 1h 1m

1991 was a cornerstone year of death metal releases: Suffocation's "Effigy of the Forgotten", Cannibal Corpse's "Butchered At Birth", Death's "Human", Morbid Angel's "Blessed Are The Sick", and many others.Per Mike, "the sun shone differently

Advice For Death Metal Bands

Mar 3rd, 2021 1h 7m

In the Season 2 finale of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah take a fan question from Mike's Facebook page to discuss advice for new and current death metal bands. Topics include establishing a business mindset for managing a

Staying Inspired

Feb 24th, 2021 1h 2m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss methods to create and sustain inspiration throughout the musical lifecycle. Topics include the benefits of working with a mentor, keeping an open mind, practice rou

The Songwriting Process

Feb 17th, 2021 1h 12m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss the intricacies of the metal songwriting process, how to maintain a democratic style when writing as a band, and how to actively create while living a busy lifestyl

Tour Logistics

Feb 10th, 2021 1h 3m

In this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss how to successfully prepare for a band tour. Topics include money management, essential packing items, hygiene, travel etiquette, and more. What are some of Mike's

Pivotal Metal Albums

Feb 3rd, 2021 1h 14m

In the Season 2 kickoff episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss pivotal metal albums. These are the albums that pushed us further into metal, remind us why we love this music, and highlight the positive impact th

Episode 5 - The Importance of Non-Metal Influences

Dec 30th, 2020 1h

In the Season 1 finale of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss listening to music styles outside of metal and how it can improve your playing, the classical and jazz roots of metal, and the elements that have contributed

Episode 4:DIY Home Studio Tips

Dec 16th, 2020 1h 15m

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss the basic steps to setting up a home studio on a budget. Key topics include the importance of investing in a solid recording workstation & mics, DAW preference, how

Episode 3 - Metal Marketing

Dec 9th, 2020 1h 43m

On the third episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah are joined by Ryan Griffin, MBA. Ryan's background includes 16+ years of professional sound engineering in Nashville, TN and music marketing for musicians at all caree

Episode 2 - Hard Work Works

Dec 2nd, 2020 1h 14m

On this episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, Mike and Elijah discuss life lessons gained from their first jobs, the importance of having marketable skills outside of music, the financial reality of playing in a death metal band, and

Episode 1 - Humble Beginnings

Nov 20th, 2020 1h 21m

In the inaugural episode of The Metal Mentality with Mike Smith, we discuss Mike's early days in New York and the founding of death metal legends Suffocation, his incredibly supportive family unit, the importance of maintaining strong bonds in

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