Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Possessed emerged from the Bay Area metal underground in the early 1980s and quickly became one of the defining bands in the first wave of death metal. After early demos and a growing local reputation, the band released Seven Churches in 1985, a record widely recognized for helping shape the sound and language of the genre. They followed it with Beyond the Gates in 1986 and The Eyes of Horror in 1987 before the original run came to an end that same year.

Jeff Becerra’s story is inseparable from that legacy. After the band’s breakup and the shooting that left him paralyzed in 1989, Possessed remained an influential name in extreme metal, even during long periods of inactivity. When Becerra brought the band back in the 2000s, it marked the beginning of a new chapter that eventually led to Revelations of Oblivion in 2019, the first full-length Possessed album in more than three decades.

This interview picks up from there, looking both backward and forward. It focuses on Becerra’s friendship with Chuck Schuldiner, a relationship he has described in direct and personal terms, and on the current state of Possessed as he continues writing material for a new album. Together, those subjects frame a conversation about history, memory, and the next phase of one of death metal’s foundational bands.

Mortiis, the project of Norwegian musician Håvard Ellefsen, began in 1993 after his departure from Emperor, where he had been the band’s original bassist. From the start, Mortiis developed as a separate creative outlet, first centered on atmospheric, synth-based compositions that stood apart from the black metal scene he came out of. In the years that followed, the project expanded in both sound and form, moving through distinct phases that introduced darker electronic, industrial, and rock influences.

That progression has made Mortiis a career defined by change, with each period reflecting a different approach to mood, structure, and composition. Looking back across those shifts offers a way to talk not only about the development of the project, but also about the writing behind it: how ideas take shape, how methods evolve, and what connects the work across different eras. With that in mind, this interview turns to his career and songwriting process, and to the way his music has changed over time.

* **0:19** – Introduction of Paul Mazurkiewicz and his projects.
* **1:12** – Discussion on the origins of Paul's rock band, Umbilicus.
* **2:34** – Early projects: Path of Man and the search for a 70s-style rock singer.
* **6:15** – Reforming during the pandemic and starting fresh with new members.
* **10:30** – Details on the Umbilicus EP, *Ambiguous*.
* **12:11** – Paul's role as a drummer vs. his history with songwriting and guitar.
* **16:05** – Writing the Cannibal Corpse song "Destroyed Without a Trace" entirely on drums.
* **18:11** – Paul's first instrument: Learning guitar on an acoustic before switching to drums.
* **25:28** – The evolution of Paul's drumming style over 40 years.
* **31:30** – Why "Hammer Smashed Face" is the epitome of the Cannibal Corpse sound.
* **33:01** – The challenge of creating setlists with such a massive discography.
* **40:00** – Staying physically fit for extreme metal drumming as he gets older.
* **49:09** – Looking ahead to upcoming Slayer shows and the future of Cannibal Corpse.

Miljenko Matijevic joins the show for a one-on-one conversation about “Without You,” and his work with Niclas Engelin, the new collaborative album that’s on the way, his voice, and the realities of today’s music business. Best known as the founder and voice of Steelheart, Matijevic reflects on the songwriting, the performance side of singing, and how he approaches recording and longevity as a rock vocalist.

The interview also looks back at Steelheart’s history, from the band’s beginnings in Connecticut under the name Red Alert to their breakout with the 1990 debut Steelheart, followed by Tangled in Reins, the 1992 onstage accident that changed everything, and the later return of the band through new releases and touring. It’s a focused conversation with one of hard rock’s most distinctive singers about past chapters, current work, and the new album coming with Niclas Engelin.

Stephen Gibb, often known as Steve Gibb, is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter with a career rooted in hard rock and heavy metal. Born in London in 1973 and raised in Miami, he is the eldest son of Barry Gibb. Although he comes from a famous musical family, Stephen developed his own identity by pursuing a much heavier sound than the pop style long associated with the Bee Gees.
Throughout his career, Gibb has performed with several well-known rock and metal acts, including Black Label Society, Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow, and Saigon Kick. He has earned respect as a skilled and adaptable musician, contributing both onstage and in the studio. His work reflects a strong commitment to the rock and metal genres, where he has built a reputation based on musicianship rather than family connections.
In addition to his metal career, Gibb has also collaborated extensively with his father in The Barry Gibb Band, adding guitar, vocals, and songwriting support. This side of his career highlights his versatility and ability to move between very different musical styles. Stephen Gibb’s path is notable because he has managed to honor his family’s musical legacy while establishing himself as a credible artist in his own right.