Shred Sessions Podcast

Brett Stine is a Dallas, TX based guitarist known for playing in Haji's Kitchen as well as the guy that cracked the code for how Allan Holdsworth thinks about scales, harmony and composition. In 2023, "In the Mystery: A Deconstruction of the Harmony, Melody, Compositions and Improvisations of Allan Holdsworth" was released in digital format. Since that time, Brett has updated the book and come out with "In the Mystery Volume 2" which is a compendium of all the scales that Allan Holdsworth used. These books, as well as Brett's Messiaen Etudes books, have proved to be a valuable resource for any guitarist that is looking for fresh ideas and to get inside the world of improvising like Allan Holdsworth did...perhaps to get to the next level and beyond. This exclusive 2 hour conversation with Brett Stine covers Brett's background with music, playing in Haji's Kitchen, jamming with his brother Scott, working with Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, 9 note scales, Messiaen's Modes of Limited Transposition and so much more! Purchase Brett's Transcriptions and Books: https://www.brettstinemusic.net/ Buy Physical Copies from Amazon: In The Mystery Vol 1: https://amzn.to/4en3Jmr In the Mystery Vol 2: https://amzn.to/4vW3A0F Messiaen Etudes: https://amzn.to/4uHg1wj NEW! Messiaen Patterns Vol 1: https://amzn.to/4xx0UIh Support Shred Sessions:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

Rusty Cooley is the original online Shred Guitarist. From his early days of YouTube shred videos, to his "Betchya Can't Play This" Guitar World licks, his Chops From Hell lessons and his solo records, Rusty has been an inspiration to every guitarist who tried to push the instrument beyond what it was currently capable of. Rusty is the OG extended range godfather of shred and he's here with us to discuss how he transformed the super strat into a "super shredder strat," partnering with Dean Guitars and then Ormsby Guitars. We also get into discussing his band Outworld and why they broke up as well as a ton of great practice tips and discussions around improving at guitar while trying to raise a family. If you're into extreme guitar playing at all, this episode is for you!Support the show, grab a T-Shirt:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/Rusty's Website:https://rustycooley.com/Lessons with Rusty:rustycooleysocial@gmail.comDrew's Website:https://lessonswithdrew.com/

Christian Donaldson is the guitarist, mixing engineer and producer for the legendary technical death metal band Cryptopsy. I caught up with Christian on the Decibel Magazine tour with Fulci, Necrot, Blood Monolith and Spirit Adrift on their stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was able to ask Christian about the tour, their newest record "An Insatiable Violence," playing in a band with Flo Mounier and the legacy of the band's 1996 classic "None So Vile." Cryptopsy has remained one of the most respected and chaotic forces in death metal for decades, and Christian Donaldson’s perspective as both guitarist and producer makes this conversation essential viewing for musicians, producers, and metal fans alike.Subscribe for more interviews, guitar lessons, gear breakdowns, and deep dives into the world of death metal and extreme music.

On this episode of the Shred Sessions Podcast, we sit down with legendary guitarist Dave Nassie for a deep 2-hour conversation covering his incredible journey through rock, punk, blues, soul, and heavy music. From performing with bands like No Use for a Name, Infectious Grooves, and Bleeding Through to touring with country star Kip Moore, Dave shares stories from the road, insights into guitar tone, phrasing, songwriting, vintage gear, blues influence, and what it really takes to build a lasting career as a professional guitarist. We also dive into Dave’s current project, Dave Nassie Blues Explosion, his approach to teaching guitar, and the philosophy behind expressive playing and musical storytelling. If you're into guitar tone, classic rock, blues, punk, shredding, session work, or the evolution of modern guitar music, this episode is packed with inspiration and knowledge.Stay in touch with Dave: @DaveNassie https://www.davenassie.com/Support the show, grab a Shred Sessions Shirt:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

Eric Hill is the definition of multi-disciplinary mastery, and this episode proves it.Music producer. Guitar designer and builder at Element Guitars. U.S. sales rep for Skervesen Guitars. Dental implant designer. And somehow… also a legit pizza craftsman. Eric doesn't just wear multiple hats, he's achieved a great deal of success in everything he's involved in.In this episode of the Shred Sessions Podcast, we sit down with Eric to break down his journey through the music world, the guitar industry, and his professional career outside of music. From building high-end instruments to navigating multiple industries at a high level, Eric shares what it really takes to develop elite-level skill across completely different fields.We also get into:-What it’s like working with boutique guitar brands like Skervesen-The mindset behind designing and building custom guitars-Balancing creativity with technical careers-How discipline and curiosity can open doors most people never even seeEric instantly clicked with us, his passion, work ethic, and outlook on life line up perfectly with what Shred Sessions is all about.If you’re trying to level up your skills, build something meaningful, or push beyond average, this episode is going to hit home. Skervesen Guitars:https://skervesen.eu/Element Guitars:https://www.facebook.com/elementguitarsUSA/Eric's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/erockomania/Sabol/Hill Audio:https://www.sabolhill.com/Support the show, order a T-Shirt or mug:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

We let a girl interview a technical death metal band!!! Can you believe it?!?! Claire did an incredible job asking some of the top guitar players in the game some questions about the craft. It was truly amazing catching these guys on the "Chronicles of Lunacy" tour with Organectomy, Scasm and Defeated Sanity. All these bands have top tier musicians and deliver the material on their records with the utmost accuracy. This was truly one of my favorite shows to attend. What band should be interview next, let us know in the comments! 00:00 Intro00:53 How Has the Tour Been So Far?01:48 Heaven Wept Response03:03 Playing Tech Death Live05:11 Recording Heaven Wept06:08 Inferi Guitar Tones07:45 Guitar Tuning and String Gauges08:58 Changing Drummers RIP Spencer Moore10:16 How did Sanjay Get Involved with Inferi11:55 The Artisan Era14:19 How Did Malcolm Start Making Music Videos?17:58 Will There Be a Sheet Happens Tab Book for Heaven Wept?18:23 When You're Not Playing Metal, What are you Doing?20:31 What Drives You To Keep Going?Listen to/Support Inferi:https://inferi.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-weptSupport Shred Sessions, buy a shirt!https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

Here's my interview with one of the icons of death metal, Jack Owen from Six Feet Under. Jack was a founding member of Cannibal Corpse until 2004 when he decided to leave for personal reasons. From 2004 to 2016 Jack played guitar in Deicide but then left to join Six Feet Under with original Cannibal Corpse vocalist. The band released their new record "Next to Die" on Metal Blade Records on 4/24/26. The new record has received positive reviews proving that Jack is a true genius of death metal riffing. Thanks for watching and thanks for your support!Listen to Six Feet Under:https://www.metalblade.com/sixfeetunder/00:00 Intro01:18 Jack's Thoughts on Nicotine Pouches03:20 Ray Suhy's Guitar Solos05:18 Next to Die Writing/Recording Process and Gear!08:15 Unmistakable Smell of Death Lesson10:02 Mutilated Corpse in the Woods Lesson14:50 Hammer Smashed Face Lesson18:38 Tomb of the Mutilated Gear20:55 Overcoming Writer's Block23:30 What Happened to the White BC Rich Mockingbird?26:00 Why Use Budget Gear?27:17 How Jack Records Demos31:25 Jack's Writing Style34:55 Death Metal Career?36:09 Why Bob Rusay Couldn't Continue with CC38:55 Recording with Scott Burns42:45 Does Jack Stay in Touch with Pat O'Brien?45:36 Decency Defied, Festering in the Crypt46:50 Pounded into Dust on Children's Instruments49:08 Why Jack Left Cannibal Corpse50:30 Working with Chris Barnes53:30 Jack is a Hockey FanGo check out Jack's YouTube Channel: @jackowen2906 Support the show and grab some merch:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

Levi Clay is a Glasgow based guitarist, transcriptionist and YouTuber known for his incredible guitar transcriptions and sometimes controversial takes on the online world of guitar. In this video Levi tells us about his guitar journey where he got his start in the world of shred and metal, to his approach to guitar education as well as some areas of the guitar community that he takes issue with. This video is jammed packed with solid advice for aspiring musicians of any genre as well as practice tips for guitar players of any tribe! Support the show: https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/Levi's Website:https://leviclay.com/Get better at guitar here:https://guidedpracticeroutines.com/

On this episode of the Shred Sessions Podcast, I had the distinct honor of interviewing someone I've known for a long time, Luke Granered. Luke is the guitarist and vocalist of alt rock band Better Off. Over the years I've seen Luke work tirelessly on his many music projects from Cash Basket to Twin Stacks and more recently Gorge, a hardcore infused death metal band and his most recent project Meter with his longtime partner Cortney Hale.In addition to all of this, Luke holds it down daily at the Bad Luck Burger food truck, one of the best cheeseburgers you can get in Nashville.

Metal music truly has the power to bring people together, and it's typically always a net positive for the musicians and the fans. Since I started Shred Sessions, I've rekindled lost friendships and reconnected with some of the coolest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Such is the case with my friend Brian Leh, drummer of Chicagoland death metal band Art of the Flesh! Brian is also the drum tech for Hellhammer (Mayhem's drummer) as well as Carmine Appice, the legendary rock drummer. Brian is no stranger to complicated and technical setups, which is why it's no surprise that he's out working with Acid Bath as Zack Simmon's drum tech. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and talk about what it's like drum teching for these legendary drummers. Listen to Art of the Flesh:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kcVRRSy71W2yBSmpXh8KQ?si=8W6yScF7TNigaRHW7T0bdwSupport the show, get some Shred Sessions stuff:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

In this episode of Shred Sessions, we sit down with Zack Simmons, the powerhouse drummer of Goatwhore and current drummer for the legendary Acid Bath for a raw, unforgettable interview recorded INSIDE A CAVE at The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee.That’s right… this entire conversation goes down underground, just hours before Acid Bath’s highly anticipated return to the stage, alongside death metal icons Obituary and Louisiana death thrashers Heraklion.We dive deep into:Zack’s drumming approach in Goatwhore vs Acid Bath-The reality of stepping into one of the most cult-followed bands in underground music history-Behind-the-scenes moments from this historic show-Touring, endurance, and what it takes to perform extreme metal at the highest level-The energy of the Acid Bath reunion and what it means for fansThis wasn’t just a show, it was a moment in metal history. Fans from across the Southeast packed The Caverns for a night that won’t be forgotten, and we captured a piece of it right here.If you're into death metal, sludge metal, hardcore, or extreme drumming, this is a must-watch.🔥 SUBSCRIBE for more in-depth interviews with the biggest names in metal🔥 Full episodes, lessons, and exclusive content available via channel membershipCamera work by Christian Colabelli, interview by Drew Creal. Support the show by becoming a member of this channel or stopping by the Shred Sessions Store: https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

What does it actually take to play guitar in Defeated Sanity?In this exclusive episode of Shred Sessions, I sit down with Vaughn Stoffey, guitarist of the legendary slamming brutal death metal band Defeated Sanity, to break down the real mechanics behind his playing.We go deep into riffs from “Accelerating the Rot” — one of the standout tracks from the band’s 2024 release Chronicles of Lunacy — and unpack the techniques that make Vaughn’s style so brutal, precise, and unique.This isn’t just a surface-level interview… this is a full guitar lesson + breakdown of how these riffs are actually executed.🔥 In this episode, we cover:How Vaughn approaches complex brutal death metal riffingAdvanced pinch harmonic control in extreme temposDifficult power chord movement strategies used in Defeated Sanity songsPicking techniques for tight, percussive rhythm playingA rare tapping technique you won’t see in most metal bandsThe mindset behind writing riffs for modern slam and technical death metalIf you’re into brutal death metal guitar, slam riffs, advanced metal technique, or you’re trying to level up your playing in extreme styles — this episode is packed with insights you won’t find anywhere else.This is one of the most in-depth breakdowns of Defeated Sanity guitar work currently available.Support the show, check out our webstore:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/Catch Defeated Sanity on tour with Infiri and Organectomy this spring:https://defeatedsanity.com/https://metalinsider.net/touring/defeated-sanity-announce-2026-headline-tour

This episode features my longtime friend and mentor Frank Pasquale of Pasquale Custom Guitars. Our friendship first started when Frank built me my first custom made guitar when I was 16 years old. Frank, being a godly man, always had really great advice and encouragement for me when I was a budding shredder in the Chicago suburbs. Come along for the ride as Frank shares his story of moving to LA from Pittsburg, PA in the late 80s to purse his dreams of being a thrash metal rocker, to then become a guitar builder who learned from Mike Lipe, the Ibanez USA Custom shop master builder. In this episode we go through my guitar collection, which has several guitars that Frank built for me over the years, we then go through several of Frank's custom creations from his secret collection and he tells us about his affinity for vintage Kramer guitars, of which he's amassed nearly 20! Frank is a one of a kind, hardworking American that tells it like it is and has built some of the coolest metal machines the guitar world has ever seen.To see more guitars built by Frank, follow Pasquale Custom Guitars on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/PasqualeCustomGuitars/ Support the show by ordering a Shred Sessions T-Shirt or a Mug: https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

On this episode of Shred Sessions, I sit down with Ryan Rado — host of the podcast/show Make It Perfect, vocalist of the cult Nashville hardcore band WORKER, and a visual artist known for his powerful large-scale abstract paintings.Ryan is one of those people who naturally pushes conversations into deeper territory. In this discussion we explore everything from childhood trauma and mental health, to living with Tourette’s syndrome, the influence of mass media and millennial programming, and how these experiences shaped Ryan’s artistic voice in both music and visual art.Ryan also shares stories from the Nashville hardcore scene, the underground following surrounding his band WORKER, and what it means for the band to be reuniting and writing music again after years away.Since beginning his painting career in 2014, Ryan has built a reputation for emotionally intense large-scale abstract paintings that channel personal experience, trauma, and reflection into visual form. In this episode we talk about the connection between art, music, healing, and self-examination, and why confronting difficult topics openly can be a path toward growth.We also dive into a wide range of unexpected topics including:• Ryan’s experience growing up with Tourette’s syndrome• Childhood trauma and emotional processing• The psychology of mass media influence and cultural programming• Fatherhood and identity• The return of WORKER and the Nashville hardcore underground• Art as a tool for confronting personal history• Reflections on the 2026 Super Bowl and media spectacleRyan has a rare ability to ask questions that force you to reflect on your own motivations, identity, and beliefs — which makes this one of the most introspective conversations we’ve had on the podcast.If you're interested in hardcore music, underground culture, mental health conversations, or the intersection of art and personal transformation, you won’t want to miss this episode.About Ryan Rado:Ryan Rado is a Nashville-based artist, musician, and host of the Make It Perfect Podcast. He is the vocalist of the underground hardcore band WORKER and is known for his emotionally charged abstract canvas paintings that have gained attention in the independent art world since 2014.Subscribe for MoreShred Sessions features interviews with musicians, artists, and creators exploring the craft, philosophy, and culture surrounding heavy music and creative life.Support the show:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

I’ve wanted to take a guitar lesson with Karl Sanders for a long time, and in this episode that finally happens. The conversation begins with an in-depth discussion about some of the key chords and riffs in the song "Chapter for Not Being Hung Upsidedown..." including techniques, songwriting tricks with Cubase, and Karl’s approach to creating the brutal and intricate riffs that helped define Nile’s sound. From there, we expand into a broader conversation about the band and what's on the horizon for 2026 for Nile! If you’re a fan of Nile, technical death metal, or extreme metal guitar, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.Support the show by liking, commenting and subscribing or picking up something from the Shred Sessions Store:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/

Brutal hardcore meets technical precision 🔥 In this episode, Drew Creal interviews Fliora, an abrasive and technical hardcore band from Asheville, North Carolina, to talk touring, songwriting, live energy, and the evolving Southeast heavy music scene.Fliora has been tearing through winter tour dates and quickly building a reputation for their tight musicianship, chaotic intensity, and insanely mosh-ready riffs. Every time I’ve seen them live, they deliver the same precision and aggression as their recordings, which is rare for bands pushing this level of technicality. If you’re into hardcore, mathcore, metallic hardcore, or extreme heavy music, this is a band you NEED to keep on your radar.👉 Do not miss Fliora when they hit your city. This interview covers: • Touring life in the Southeast hardcore scene • Writing technical but moshable riffs • Capturing live energy in the studio • Band chemistry and performance intensity • The future of Fliora If you enjoy band interviews, underground hardcore, brutal metal, and discovering rising heavy bands, make sure to subscribe. ***Edited by SEVEN.** Thumbnail Photo by Josh Guim.

Kick Out at Two is a melodic hardcore band from Chattanooga, TN. They stopped by the Shred Sessions studio on their southeast tour with chaotic metalcore act Fliora. Kick Out at Two is currently wrapping up a follow up to their 2024 EP "20th Century Static" which will be titled "Choke." Expect to see that EP out sometime in April or May of 2026. Join us for an interesting conversation on Christian metal, writing and recording music, running a music venue, professional wrestling, and channeling anger into a positive outlet, like hardcore music.

Yo Shred Sessions viewers, Cody was kind enough to share some of his time before the Volcano set at the Vinyl Lounge in Nashville on Feb. 7th 2026. This was a special appearance for the band during a break from Sanguisuggabogg's busy touring schedule. Cody shares with us how he got into music and how he thinks about approaching hardcore and death metal. What a fascinating and inspiring musician in the hardcore/metal scene. This interview wouldn't have been possible without the awesome crew at Badworld Booking for putting on the show and making it happen. Nashville Hardcore came through, making this one of the best shows we have had in the scene in a long time.

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with JT Anderson from Cold Hard Steel, a band consisting of members from all over the Southeast. JT reflects on the impact of how playing hardcore music has made a positive impact on his life, connecting with his friends, family and community through music. Cold Hard Steel opened for Volcano at the Vinyl lounge on Feb 7th, 2026, which turned out to be one of the wildest hardcore shows in recent history for Nashville. Thank you for watching, please comment, like and subscribe for more!

This episode features visual artist and vocalist of the band Worker: Ryan Rado, who also hosts the show "Make it Perfect," Andy Atkins from A PLEA FOR PURGING and Bad Luck Burger Club, Josh Landreth vocalist of Nashville Hardcore band Lethal Method and Adam Easterling, the vocalist of metalcore band ORTHODOX. This episode is special to me because I've known these guys for such a long time, and it's amazing to hear about and see what these guys are up to now. Really cool things on the horizon for everyone. Stoked that we could do this. Please drop and comment below, we'll see you in the next one! Support the show:https://shred-sessions-shop.fourthwall.com/Subscribe to Make it Perfect: @MakeItPerfect Join Bad Luck Burger Club:https://www.badluckburger.club/Listen to Orthodox:Merch Store:https://orthodoxtn.com/Music:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DkKBTgWxBnvYsOXDaoTVP?si=fuUXmpl7QmO2M09Ku04PZgListen to Lethal Method:Merch Store:https://www.badworldanarchy.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/13UhNhMkpvCaxHEbMdqH9x?si=xxLKuY_kTd-fus4jmmctkQ