The Heavy Desert Podcast

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I welcome The Captain - Staale Rodvelt, Azul-Josh, Doffy, Bjørn & Bjudas of the mighty Kal-El. In the span of 10 months, Kal-El has released, arguably, two of the heaviest, earth-shattering albums in the heavy underground. Astral Voyager Vol 1 & 2 dropped on  May 16 of 2025 and March 20 2026, respectfully, and we dig into how they shaped their latest space odyssey. We also dig into their influences, the backstory of the band, their upcoming U.S. tour with Goya and Black Moon Cult and so much more! Dunkin’ Donuts, sex appeal and Kal-El - three - things you probably never thought you’d hear in the same sentence! You’ll need to tune in and subscribe to hear what it’s all about!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, James Matheson, Ethan Scott, and Brandon Doucet of Welland’s fuzz‑drenched trio Cannabus roll through the heavy desert. Their debut full‑length Ride the Bus dropped July 3 via Black Throne Productions, and we dig into the band’s roots, influences, and the creative spark behind the record.
Mark Richard returns with a fresh Jam Yeti Music Minute review, and we dive into how Black Throne is shaping the heavy scene up in their corner of Canada.
Cannabus is already cooking up what’s next — subscribe and tune in to hear what’s coming.

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I welcome guitarist and vocalist Jordan Huxtable of the band Heavy on the Ride. Out of Wales in the United Kingdom, Heavy on the Ride released its self-titled debut album on July 24. It was 17 years in the making and Jordan talks about it all, from his influences, the lineup changes, the live performances and everything in between. My only hope is we don’t have to wait another 17 years for a follow-up! And Mark Richard of The Jam Yeti Music Blog returns with a review of the album for another Jam Yeti Music Minute. So make sure to tune in and subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I welcome David Wachsman, Dave Reno and Colin Jaramillo of the band Sönus to the show. Out of the Bay Area in California, Sönus released its third album Planes of Torment on May 22nd and we talk all about it! We also dig into their influences and how David Wachsman started this band as a solo project by recording the first release in his makeshift home studio during the pandemic to where he is now with his bandmates recording their latest album live in an actual studio. David never saw this project going much past his bedroom, and he shares his disbelief with how far this band has got to where it is today.  They also share that feeling of getting their latest release on vinyl for the first time. And Mark Richard of The Jam Yeti Music Blog returns for a review of the album for another Jam Yeti Music Minute. So make sure to tune in and subscribe!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I welcome Christopher Konys & Mark Giuliano of the band Sons of Ghidorah to the show. What started out as a friendship from woodshop in seventh grade, playing thrash shows in the underground Buffalo scene in the 80s, to playing in a band called Demented Dreamscapes, which eventually morphed into what is now Sons of Ghidorah, Christopher and Mark have quite a history in the scene. Their latest album, Raining Fire dropped on June 5th, via Argonauta records earlier this year, and they have no signs of slowing down.
We also talk a little Goo Goo Dolls and how Robby Takac started the Music Is Art festival that Sons of Ghidorah will be performing at on September 12th to help benefit the music programs in the Buffalo and Erie County area. I had a great chat with these two veterans in the scene, so make sure to tune in and subscribe!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, Gavin Zollo of Gav’s Heavily Curated joins the show to talk all about the inaugural In The Key Of Doom Festival, happening October 2–3 at The Meadows in Brooklyn, NY. Gavin’s been involved in the music world since high school, and now he’s stepping up in a huge way with a stacked lineup featuring Bongripper, Insomniac, Greenleaf, Howling Giant, and many more. We cover everything — the lineup, where to stay, eat, explore, and why this event matters for the scene. It was a great chat about the scene as a whole and you won’t wanna miss it! Tune in and subscribe!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I welcome drummer Adam Saitti and bassist/vocalist Jesse Mackowycz, of the band Ol Time Moonshine to the show. Ol Time Moonshine released its fourth album Now I Bleed via Black Throne Productions earlier this year on June 12 and we dig into it, their influences, the backstory of the band, the scene in their neck of the woods in Canada and much more! And, Mark Richard of the Jam Yeti Music Blog returns with a review of Now I Bleed for another Jam Yeti Music Minute. Make sure to tune in and subscribe!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, Evan Diprima, drummer and bassist for the band Moon Destroys joins the show. Moon Destroys upcoming album, Omni, drops on September 4th via Blues Funeral Recordings and we talk all about it! We also dig into his influences, the backstory of the band and how Zach Amster (lead singer and guitarist for Abrams) joined the band. They had a monster 2025 with their debut full-length She Walks By Moonlight, and tours with Elder, Dozer and The Sword! They look to keep that momentum going this year and we talk all about it. Make sure to tune in and subscribe!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, Ryan Garney returns — frontman of High Desert Queen, architect of Ripplefest Texas, head of Lick of My Spoon Productions, and one of the busiest, most relentless forces in the heavy underground.
We dig into everything: the festivals, the projects, the nonstop momentum, the creative fire — including his latest project, Stay Dead!, whose debut album Beneath The Weight of Worlds dropped July 24 via Ripple Music.
This is Ryan’s fourth appearance, and he never comes empty‑handed. So make sure to tune in and subscribe, you won’t wanna miss it!

Today on The Heavy Desert Podcast, I sit down with Alice and Chance Gawlinski of Mothertomb—the vocalist and guitarist behind one of the year’s heaviest debut records, Dying to Live, released July 14. We dig into the album’s creation, their influences, the band’s origin story, and the wild ride of opening for Pentagram.
Chance also shares what it meant to play their album‑release show at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids—a full‑circle moment that hit like a dream come true.
This conversation covers a ton of ground, and these two brought nothing but passion and fire. Tune in, subscribe, and don’t miss this one.