Unsung Podcast

• In Session 12 - Arno Michaelis: Author, Anti-Extremism Activist and Former White Nationalist (Side A) - 360

  This week and next we're joined by a very special guest - Arno Michaelis, author, anti-extremism activist, reformed white nationalist and former singer of the neo-Nazi metal band Centurion. You may have seen Arno recently on YouTube where he did a rather brilliant interview with Business Insider. As long time fans of the pod know, Chris' interest in the far-right is something we've touched upon a lot over the last 7 and a half years. So, when the opportunity presented itself to chat with Arno about not just his past, but how music is used a tool for radicalisation, we couldn't pass it up. In true Unsung fashion, our conversation is deep an extensive, taking not just Arno's past and neo-Nazi music, but a broader discussion about the far-right's position in modern mainstream discourse. In part one, we chat about Arno's early interest in punk rock and hip hop, through his transformation from street punk to neo-Nazi skinhead, where he provides a raw, unfiltered account of his journey. Learn about his transformation into an author and advocate for peace, his reflections on the influence of bands like Skrewdriver and Guns N' Roses, and the dangerous allure of conspiracy theories. Along the way, laugh, cringe, and maybe feel a bit enlightened about the intersections of music, hate, and redemption. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:27 Introducing the Special Guest: Arno Michaelis 01:41 Arno's Background and Books 02:35 Parents for Peace: Mission and Work 04:09 Arno's Neo-Nazi Past and Music Career 06:17 The Role of Music in Radicalization 09:37 Arno's Early Life and Punk Influence 15:12 Transition to White Power Skinhead Movement 19:37 Punk Scene Dynamics and Ideological Conflicts 38:07 The Influence of Skrewdriver and Radicalisation 39:56 The Influence of Skrewdriver 41:32 Musical Roots and Personal Reflections 42:46 The Impact of Skrewdriver's Music 43:37 Skrewdriver's Legacy and Controversies 47:16 Personal Connections and Reflections 52:49 The Role of Music in Radicalisation 01:01:46 Antisemitism and Conspiracy Theories 01:13:14 The Enduring Appeal of Conspiracy Theories

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• Otherness by Alexisonfire - 359

  We've been a bit of a post-hardcore kick this year, so we thought we'd swing to the commercial end of the spectrum and talk about Alexisonfire. Specifically, Mark has chosen their 2022 comeback album 'Otherness' and we have a bit of a barney about it, as Chris and Mark's opinions on the band couldn't be more different. We spend time exploring how this Canadian quintet revolutionised post-hardcore with their three-vocalist approach, and track their evolution from their raw 2002 debut to their thirteen-year recording gap. Mark argues that their latest album is actually their best, while Chris starts off "begging to be hit by a bus" before gradually warming to their more mature sound. Poor old George Pettit (vocals) ranks the band's debut dead last himself, which Chris heartily agrees with. We chat about the Southern Ontario scene that birthed them, the pornstar who (unsuccessfully) tried to sue them over their name, and how their sound evolved over their career. This episode also features a fairly comprehensive look at the band members' various side projects, from Dallas Green's City and Colour (and his random collab with Pink) to Wade McNeil joining Gallows after Frank Carter's departure. Next week we're doing something a bit special - we'll be interviewing Arno Michaelis, former singer of neo-Nazi band Centurion, about music's role in radicalisation. We've been doing loads of prep for this one, and we'll hopefully bring you something thought-provoking. We're also moving to a new underground studio soon (literally underground), so stay tuned for that! Episode Highlights: [02:10] - Teaser for next week's interview with ex-neo-Nazi band Centurion's singer Arno Michaelis [10:00] - Chris confesses he thought Alexisonfire were Scandinavian in some bizarre Mandela effect [11:50] - The story of how Alexisonfire took their name from pornstar Alexis Fire, who then tried to sue them [14:50] - Mark explains how the geography of Southern Ontario created the perfect breeding ground for bands [29:10] - The three-vocalist dynamic that set Alexisonfire apart: Dallas's angelic voice, George's screams, and Wade's "gargling nails" vocals [36:00] - George Pettit ranks the band's self-titled debut dead last in their discography [41:00] - The pivotal role of their 2006 album "Crisis" going Platinum in Canada [50:27] - "I wanted to put the knife in Screamo" - George's controversial statement about moving their sound forward [1:09:00] - The shift to 70s rock influences and the addition of keyboards on "Otherness" [1:30:00] - Chris admits he "started off begging to be hit by a bus" before gradually warming to their later work [1:33:45] - The announcement of our upcoming move to a new underground studio

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• The Bad Wife by Julie Christmas - 358

  This week, we’re talking about Julie Christmas – a woman whose voice could peel paint off the walls one moment and tuck you into bed the next. Known for her work with Made Out of Babies, Battle of Mice, and her collaboration with Cult of Luna on Mariner, Julie’s debut solo album The Bad Wife is our focus here — an underrated little firebomb from 2010 that mixes noise, beauty, and some very sharp edges. We also trace her entire career: from the blood-curdling chaos of Made Out of Babies, to the theatrical collapse of Battle of Mice (complete with a 911 call and possibly a stair-related injury), and finally to Ridiculous and Full of Blood, her triumphant 2024 return. It’s one of those rare episodes where nobody dies, nobody gets sued, and there are no Nazis. Which, if you’re a long-time listener, you’ll know is fairly refreshing. Highlights 00:00 – Cold open and Toast of London chat05:14 – Who is Julie Christmas?10:25 – Vocal Style Breakdown: fragile-to-feral14:45 – Women screaming in heavy bands21:00 – Made Out of Babies discography walk-through36:00 – Battle of Mice and a post-metal relationship collapse41:56 – Mariner – the Cult of Luna collab that actually works44:45 – Ridiculous and Full of Blood (2024)51:30 – Spylcopa, Mouth of the Architect & other collaborations 54:55 – The Bad Wife (2010)

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• The Best of Arvo Pärt - 357

  This week, we’re going in the exact opposite direction as last week talking about one of the most quietly revolutionary figures in modern music: Arvo Pärt. That's right, we're pivoting HARD from death metal to neoclassical music. Strap in! We go deep on his early works, his religious conversion, and his shift into the sparse, meditative style known as tintinnabuli. Along the way we discuss how his music achieves emotional intensity through restraint, why he basically disappeared for several years, and how his minimalist compositions have become unlikely mainstays in film and television. Expect talk about Soviet censorship, spiritual longing, and just how hard it is to make music that seems this simple. If you’ve ever cried to Spiegel im Spiegel, you’ll understand. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 01:13 Discussing Radio Show Introductions 02:39 Highbrow Conversations and Wine 03:19 Introducing Arvo Pärt 03:30 Arvo Pärt's Pronunciation and Popularity 05:44 Arvo Pärt's Musical Journey 15:02 Arvo Pärt's Life and Struggles 34:12 Arvo Pärt's Film Scoring and Return to Music 35:30 Tintinnabuli Technique and Influence 44:56 Exploring the Melancholy Beauty of Arvo Pärt's Music 46:04 The Story Behind 'Für Alina' 46:55 The Technique of Tintinnabuli 51:38 Arvo Pärt's Religious Influence 01:03:37 Pärt's Impact on Modern Cinema 01:24:48 Pärt's Music in Palliative Care 01:29:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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• Whisper Supremacy by Cryptopsy w/ Joe McGlynn from Man Must Die and Go Down Fighting - 356

  Once upon a time Man Must Die released two albums on Relapse Records and toured an absolute shit load. I actually remember when they toured with Machine Head, which is a fairly impressive thing for any metal band to achieve. Man Must Die were a death metal band, and in some quarters they were even called a technical death metal band. A term that vocalist, and our good pal, Joe disputes. And with good reason - technical death metal isn't really his bag. However, he does love Cryptopsy, and he has an extensive knowledge of death metal. And metal in general, really. So this week we thought it'd be a good idea to ask him to come along to talk about Cryptopsy, get his take on the various sub genres of death metal and to generally shoot the shit about a truly technical death metal band. Episode highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:11 The Joe Dilemma 01:05 Cultural Semantics and Humor 01:55 Podcast Dynamics and Editing 02:19 Introduction to Cryptopsy 04:14 Death Metal Deep Dive 11:09 Technical Death Metal Explained 29:07 Festival Chaos and Engineering Challenges 29:39 Dillinger Escape Plan Live Experiences 30:19 Technical Death Metal vs. Chaotic Metal 31:41 Progressive and Melodic Death Metal 34:07 Deathcore and Its Evolution 38:58 Cryptopsy's Journey and Lord Worm's Departure 49:39 Cryptopsy's Discography and Musical Style 01:01:06 The Science of Poetry 01:01:15 Depression and Lyrics 01:01:48 Cryptopsy's Musical Evolution 01:03:16 The Unspoken King Controversy 01:07:37 Return to Form: Self-Titled Album 01:13:42 Whisper Supremacy: A Detailed Analysis 01:22:34 Summarizing Cryptopsy's Impact 01:28:17 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

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