MusicMusic Interviews

Metal Queens Podcast

Steve Richards

A podcast featuring the Queens of Metal and Rock hosted by Steve Richards.

Play

Open in

41 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 21 min
English

Episodes 41

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Monday · 20 min
Meredith Buchholtz Interview: Eternal Love, Nightshade & Symphonic Metal | Metal Queens
Meredith Buchholtz: The Voice Behind Eternal Love On this episode of Metal Queens Podcast, host Steve Richards talks with Meredith Buchholtz about the journey from classical singing to the dramatic world of symphonic metal. From her debut single She Waits to her collaborations with Jordan Rea of Dreams of Solace, Meredith is building a musical identity that combines theatrical vocals, cinematic atmosphere, and powerful storytelling. We dive into Eternal Love, her solo release inspired by Keri Lake's dark romantasy novel Nightshade and co-written with her brother, film composer Craig Flaster. Meredith shares what happens when a fictional world leaves a real emotional mark—and how that feeling becomes music. Plus, we get to know the person behind the voice through conversations about family, creative ambition, Superman, The Phantom of the Opera, and the little things that keep an artist grounded. If you love symphonic metal, soaring vocals, dark fantasy, and artists with a story to tell, this conversation is for you. Follow Metal Queens Podcast for more artist interviews and stories from the world of heavy music. #MetalQueensPodcast #MeredithBuchholtz #SymphonicMetal #EternalLove #WomenInMetal #MetalPodcast #FemaleVocalist #HeavyMetal#wornstar#wornstarclothing
Sunday · 23 min
SEPTEMBER MOURNING’s Emily Lazar on “You Oughta Know,” Darkness, Mortem & the Future of Metal
Emily Lazar of September Mourning joins Steve Richards for a deep dive into the dark world behind the music. September Mourning has transformed Alanis Morissette’s iconic “You Oughta Know” into a haunting industrial alt-rock experience — complete with distorted guitars, industrial textures, ethereal vocals and the cinematic darkness of the September Mourning universe. Emily talks about reimagining an iconic song, the mythology of September and Mortem, the connection between music and comics, performing inside an alter ego, storytelling through heavy music, and the evolution of one of alternative metal’s most unique creative projects. This is September Mourning — where music, mythology and the supernatural collide. #SeptemberMourning #EmilyLazar #MetalQueensPodcast #AlanisMorissette #YouOughtaKnow #AlternativeMetal #IndustrialMetal #IndustrialRock #DarkRock #WomenInMetal #WomenInRock #FemaleMetal #HeavyMusic #HardRock #MetalPodcast #Mortem
Saturday · 17 min
Alyona on Metal, Opera & Her Insane Vocal Range | Metal Queens Podcast
What happens when classical vocal training collides with heavy metal?Meet Alyona — vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, classically trained coloratura soprano, session musician and the female lead vocalist of Xe-None.Raised by musician parents, she discovered heavy music early, forming an all-female metal band with her sister. Her musical education eventually took her through classical piano, where she graduated with honors, while her vocal training gave her an extraordinary range stretching from deep, resonant tones to high operatic notes.She's also played bass and keyboards, toured the United States as a hired session musician, worked with guitarists Joey Concepcion and Andrew O'Connor, and opened for legendary guitarist Michael Angelo Batio.Now, with Xe-None, Alyona brings her unique voice to a dance-metal sound and international stages, including performances across Finland and the Netherlands.In this episode of Metal Queens, Steve Richards talks with Alena about:Subscribe to Metal Queens for interviews, stories and conversations with the women shaping the world of heavy music.#MetalQueens #MetalQueensPodcast #Alena #XeNone #XeNoneBand #WomenInMetal #WomenInRock #FemaleMetalVocalist #FemaleFrontwoman #MetalVocalist #HeavyMetal #MetalMusic #FemaleMusician #WomenInMusic #MetalSoprano #ColoraturaSoprano #OperaticMetal #MetalPodcast #HeavyMetalPodcast #TheFifthElement #DivaDance #MetalHead #MetalCommunity #MetalFans #RockMusic #WomenWhoRock #MetalLife #MetalTouring#wornstar#wornstarclothing
November 4 · 23 min
Brooke of Slow Pulse: The Emotion Behind the Aggression | Metal Queens Podcast
Crushing riffs. Relentless breakdowns. Real emotions. Brooke from Slow Pulse, the five-piece hardcore and metalcore band from Austin, Texas, joins Steve Richards on the Metal Queens Podcast for a conversation about the experiences, emotions, and personal battles behind the music. Slow Pulse channels loss, resilience, and inner conflict into a sound built for catharsis. We go beyond the aggression to talk about the human side of heavy music, life in a band, creative conflict, finding your voice, and what it means to keep pushing forward when life gets heavy. Plus, Brooke takes on the Metal Queens lightning round. If you've ever found comfort, strength, or a sense of belonging in heavy music, this conversation is for you. Follow Metal Queens Podcast for more artist interviews, untold stories, and conversations from across the heavy music scene. #MetalQueensPodcast #SlowPulse #Metalcore #Hardcore #WomenInMetal#wornstar#wornstarclothing
November 2 · 21 min
Less Than Perfect’s Kyra Matson on “Casting Stones,” “Never Surrender” & the Power of Resilience
Kyra , vocalist for Colorado alternative metal band Less Than Perfect, joins Steve Richards for a powerful conversation about turning adversity into music. Kyra talks about “Casting Stones,” “Never Surrender,” the band's 2025 album TENET, the upcoming 2027 full-length, performing alongside her father, and the deeply personal message behind Less Than Perfect's music. It's a conversation about judgment, resilience, redemption, finding your voice, and refusing to let your past write the ending of your story. Metal Queens Podcast with Steve Richards — celebrating the women of heavy metal and hard rock. #MetalQueensPodcast #KyraMatson #LessThanPerfect #WomenInMetal #AlternativeMetal #HardRock #Metal #FemaleVocalist #MetalPodcast #CastingStones #NeverSurrender #TENET #WomenInRock #HeavyMusic#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 31 · 20 min
Mecia of Aethoria — Starting Over, Finding Her Voice & Bloodstock
Suffolk, UK's Aethoria are proving that sometimes the best bands are born when you refuse to give up. Vocalist Mecia joins Steve Richards to talk about the band's formation, starting over after a previous project ended, discovering Aethoria's sound, songwriting, vulnerability, massive riffs, soaring vocals and the band's journey to the Bloodstock Open Air 2026 stage. We also get personal about the stories behind the songs, life inside a rapidly growing band, musical influences and the future of Aethoria. Plus: the Metal Queens Lightning Round and our signature question. 🎧 Listen now and discover Aethoria. #MetalQueensPodcast #Aethoria #MeciaJadeHolden #MetalPodcast #HardRock #UKMetal #BritishRock #WomenInRock #WomenInMetal #Bloodstock #RockPodcast #MetalMusic #Tamed #SteppingStones#wornstar#wornstarclothing Photo Credit: Robert Sutton Photography
October 29 · 19 min
Shay from Twisted Lullaby: Haunt Me, Horror, Vulnerability & Australian Alt-Metal | Metal Queens Podcast
On this episode of The Metal Queens Podcast, Steve Richards sits down with Shay, lead vocalist of Australian alternative metal band Twisted Lullaby. Coming out of the Gold Coast/Brisbane scene, Twisted Lullaby combines haunting vocals, atmospheric darkness, heavy riffs and psychologically charged storytelling. Shay takes us behind the band's latest release, “Haunt Me,” and talks about the emotions, imagery and stories that fuel Twisted Lullaby's music. We also dive into “Murder Me,” horror storytelling, vulnerability, life as a female metal frontwoman, the Australian metal scene, performing live, songwriting and what's next for the band. It's a conversation about turning darkness into something powerful — and finding your voice inside it. Watch, Listen, follow, share and discover Twisted Lullaby. #MetalQueensPodcast #TwistedLullaby #ShayRibchester #HauntMe #AustralianMetal #AlternativeMetal #FemaleFrontedMetal #WomenInMetal #MetalMusic #AltMetal #BrisbaneMusic #GoldCoastMusic #MetalInterview #MetalPodcast#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 27 · 21 min
Tina Firefly of Beautiful Skeletons | The Story Behind Pulse/Line/Scar | Metal Queens Podcast
Tina Firefly of Beautiful Skeletons joins Metal Queens Podcast to talk about the band's powerful new album, Pulse/Line/Scar. We get into the real stories behind the record, vulnerability, resilience, identity, loss, healing, the band's unpredictable journey, touring with Yngwie Malmsteen, and what it was like working with legendary producer Ulrich Wild. Tina also opens up about life behind the microphone, the realities of being a woman in heavy music, and the battles artists fight that audiences never see. Plus: tour stories, studio revelations, a Metal Queens lightning round, and some seriously personal questions. Press play and meet the woman behind the voice. #MetalQueensPodcast #BeautifulSkeletons #TinaFirefly #PulseLineScar
October 25 · 21 min
Karina of Godfall: “Default,” Burnout & Breaking the Autopilot Cycle | Metal Queens Podcast
What happens when you're tired of living your life on autopilot?Steve Richards talks with Karina, clean vocalist for Calgary's genre-defying six-piece Godfall, about the band's latest single, “Default.”The song explores burnout, repetition, obligations and the realization that life is happening right now—not someday after the to-do list is finished.Karina also discusses Godfall's unique multicultural identity, their democratic songwriting process, working with vocalist Abel Boban, the band's evolving sound, and the challenge of building an identity while being compared to artists like Bad Omens and Evanescence.Plus, we get personal about creativity, vulnerability, sacrifice and what it really takes to keep pursuing music.Watch and discover Godfall on The Metal Queens Podcast.#MetalQueensPodcast #Godfall #KarinaKhristova #Default #Metal #MetalMusic #AlternativeMetal #GothicMetal #ModernMetal #CanadianMetal #CalgaryMetal #WomenInMetal #FemaleVocalist #MetalPodcast #BadOmens #Evanescence #Spiritbox #BringMeTheHorizon #LinkinPark #RockMusic #NewMusic #Metal2026#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 23 · 20 min
Luisa of Offspec: Breaking Genre Rules & Building a New Heavy Music Community
OFFSPEC is only getting started. On this episode of the Metal Queens Podcast, Steve Richards sits down with Luisa Lyons, vocalist of Charlotte, North Carolina's rising heavy music quartet Offspec. Offspec blends addictive pop melodies, video-game-inspired electronics, crushing riffs, breakdowns, and emotional intensity into a sound that refuses to follow the rules. Luisa talks about the band's origins, their Charlotte roots, their Brazilian and Peruvian cultural influences, the importance of community, and the band's multimedia approach to creating an entire world around their music. We also get into Offspec's newest single “BROKEN,” their debut track “Let You Go,” their collaboration with French alternative metal band ODC on “Welcome to My World,” songwriting, live performance, influences, and what's next for the band. If you're a fan of Bad Omens, STARSET, Memphis May Fire, Vana, or modern alternative/heavy music, Offspec deserves a spot on your radar. Subscribe to Metal Queens Podcast for more conversations with the women making their mark on heavy music. #MetalQueensPodcast #Offspec #LuisaLyons #Broken #HeavyMusic #AlternativeMetal #Metal #MetalMusic #WomenInMetal #FemaleVocalist #BadOmens #STARSET #MemphisMayFire #Vana #CharlotteNC #NewMusic #MetalPodcast #RockMusic #ModernMetal#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 21 · 19 min
Lyric Noel — Metal, Mental Health & Cinematic Storytelling
Lead vocalist and songwriter Lyric Hollar joins Steve Richards for a deep dive into the world of Lyric Noel. Lyric shares her journey from discovering her voice at five years old to becoming the frontwoman of a rapidly growing cinematic metal project. We talk viral covers, songwriting, mental health, theatrical storytelling, the success of "Blood in the Water," collaborations with Butcher Babies, and the new Stitched Up Heart collaboration "Acid Bloom." With millions of social media views and more than 200,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Lyric Noel is building a powerful community around music that explores love, destruction, vulnerability, self-doubt, and the darker side of human experience. #MetalQueensPodcast #LyricNoel #LyricHollar #WomenInMetal #FemaleVocalist #MetalMusic #HardRock #HeavyMetal #MetalPodcast #ButcherBabies #StitchedUpHeart #AcidBloom #JudgeAndJuryRecords #FemaleFrontedMetal #WomenInRock #NewMusic #Metalhead#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 20 · 19 min
Emily Wolfe — “Power,” Guitar, TOOL, Black Sabbath & Breaking Musical Boundaries | Metal Queens Podcast
Emily Wolfe joins Steve Richards on Metal Queens Podcast for a wide-open conversation about her new single “Power,” her forthcoming album, guitar, desire, authenticity, touring, TOOL, Black Sabbath and the evolution of her sound. Emily talks about stripping away self-censorship, the story behind “Power,” becoming a signature Gibson/Epiphone artist, Adam Jones inviting her to open for TOOL, and the challenge of turning Billie Eilish's “Ocean Eyes” into a Black Sabbath-inspired performance. A conversation about guitar, creativity, confidence and making music entirely on your own terms. 🎸 Emily Wolfe — “Power” out now. #EmilyWolfe #MetalQueensPodcast #Power #RockMusic #HardRock #FemaleGuitarist #WomenInRock #Guitar #Tool #BlackSabbath #NewMusic #AustinMusic #wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 18 · 23 min
Metal Queens Podcast: Alice of Mothertomb — Dying to Live, Doom Metal & Welsh Folklore
Darkness. Transformation. Folklore. Doom. Alice of Mothertomb joins Metal Queens Podcast to talk about the band's crushing debut album Dying to Live. We explore the band's Northern Michigan roots, the tragic ice storm that inspired the name Mothertomb, Welsh folklore, occult imagery, songwriting, Alice's work as vocalist and lyricist, creating the album completely DIY, and the band's rapidly growing reputation in the underground metal community. Listen now and enter the Mothertomb. #Mothertomb #AliceGawlinski #DyingToLive #MetalQueensPodcast #DoomMetal #StonerMetal #HeavyPsych #SludgeMetal #OccultMetal #UndergroundMetal #WomenInMetal #FemaleFrontedMetal #MetalPodcast #Doom#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 16 · 22 min
Vanessa — Black Heart Society: Turning Emotion Into Gothic/Alt Metal | Metal Queens Podcast
What happens when pain, vulnerability, powerful melodies, and heavy music collide? Vanessa from Black Heart Society joins Steve Richards on Metal Queens Podcast for an honest conversation about gothic/alt metal, songwriting, emotion, the Orlando music scene, the intensity of performing live, and the band's exciting run of new music coming throughout 2026. Black Heart Society has shared stages with Butcher Babies, Eva Under Fire, Silent Theory, Plush, Jeris Johnson, and Himalayas, earning a reputation as a true live spectacle. Vanessa also talks about working with Bryan Kuznits of Fame On Fire and the band's mission to create music that reminds listeners: You are not alone. #MetalQueensPodcast #BlackHeartSociety #Vanessa #GothicMetal #AltMetal #AlternativeMetal #GothicRock #Metal #MetalMusic #RockMusic #WomenInMetal #FemaleFronted #FemaleMusicians#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 14 · 23 min
Astrum One World (R) Evolution— Reflections Of Resilience & The Power of Reinvention
What happens when resilience becomes music? Astrum Lux Lucis of One World (R)evolution joins Metal Queens for an honest conversation about four decades in music, surviving the reasons to quit, reinventing yourself, ageism, authenticity and discovering that your next chapter may be the most powerful one yet. At 58, Astrum is creating some of the heaviest and most authentic music of her career. We talk about Reflections Of Resilience, an album that unexpectedly became a deeply autobiographical roadmap for the woman she was—and the woman she's still becoming. 🎧 Watch and Listen now and discover why it's never too late to evolve. #MetalQueensPodcast #AstrumLuxLucis #OneWorldRevolution #ReflectionsOfResilience #Metal #WomenInMetal #AlternativeMetal #HardRock #Resilience #Reinvention Photo Credit: Beeandthebarbmedia
October 12 · 16 min
Chelsea Wolfe: Why She Stopped Running From The Dark | The Dark Interview
Chelsea Wolfe has spent nearly two decades turning darkness into something beautiful. On this episode of Metal Queens Podcast, Chelsea talks about The Dark—a deeply personal album about transformation, letting go, relationships, identity, mystery and learning to embrace the unknown. We dive into the creative process behind the album, working with Jennifer Decilveo and Ben Chisholm, collaborating with musicians including Robin Finck and Stella Mozgawa, the séance imagery behind the record, and Chelsea's journey toward becoming more comfortable with who she is. Plus, we talk about bringing The Dark to Asheville's Orange Peel on October 12th. Hosted by Steve Richards. #ChelseaWolfe #TheDark #MetalQueensPodcast #GothicRock #DoomMetal #AlternativeMetal #IndustrialRock #HeavyMusic #WomenInRock #wornstarclothing#wornstar Photo Credit: Magdalena Wosinska
October 10 · 20 min
Hrafnablót’s Hanna on Icelandic Folklore, Magick & Guðlaugar Saga | Metal Queens Podcast
Reykjavík's Hrafnablót are bringing Icelandic folklore, Sagas, magick and folk metal together for their ambitious debut album, Guðlaugar Saga, arriving September 11, 2026. Steve Richards talks with vocalist Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir about the story of Guðlaug, the band's Icelandic roots, the contrast between darkness and light, and the creation of a 48-minute narrative journey blending Nordic folk metal, gothic influences, NWOBHM, melodic death metal and extreme metal. Hanna also discusses Hrafnablót's newest single “Heljarhlíð,” featuring the first harsh vocals from keyboardist Ólafur Daði Jónsson and a powerful clean-vocal performance from Hanna. If you're a fan of Nightwish, Ensiferum, Wintersun, Skálmöld or Eluveitie, step into the world of Hrafnablót. #MetalQueensPodcast #Hrafnablót #FolkMetal #IcelandicMetal #GuðlaugarSaga #MetalInterview #WomenInMetal #NordicMetal #IcelandicFolklore#wornstarclothing#wornstar
October 8 · 22 min
Forgotten Shrine's Sofia Frasz on Folk Metal, Fantasy & Creativity
Sofia Frasz of Forgotten Shrine joins Metal Queens Podcast! Folk-metal duo Forgotten Shrine are preparing to unleash their ambitious concept album Nox Aeterna on November 6, 2026. Sofia Frasz takes us inside the album's fantasy-driven narrative about two guardians defending an ancient shrine devoted to art, creativity, and freedom as darkness begins consuming the world around them. We discuss the album's three-act structure, Sofia's songwriting and vocals, the creative partnership with Josh Alexander, traditional folk influences, fantasy and gaming inspiration, the personal story behind "Loch Lomond," the evolution of "Where Shadows Lie," and the emotional journey through "Nox Aeterna," "Dearly Departed," "Halo," and "End Of The Dream." A conversation about metal, mythology, creativity, storytelling, darkness, adventure — and never losing your sense of wonder. Listen now on Metal Queens Podcast. #MetalQueensPodcast #ForgottenShrine #SofiaFrasz #NoxAeterna #FolkMetal #MetalPodcast #WomenInMetal #MetalMusic #FantasyMetal #ConceptAlbum #HeavyMetal #NewMusic#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 5 · 15 min
Holly F. Royle of DISCONNECTED SOULS on “The Bystander” and Cinematic Progressive Metal
Holly F. Royle of DISCONNECTED SOULS is on Metal Queens Podcast! Holly takes us inside the band's cinematic, progressive and electronic approach to metal, discusses the new “The Bystander” guitar & bass playthrough, and talks about her roles as guitarist, vocalist, keyboardist and programmer. We also go behind the scenes of Fragments of Consciousness, explore the band's genre-defying songwriting, and find out what it means to create music about the disconnect between ourselves, each other and the natural world. 🎧 Listen now and discover DISCONNECTED SOULS. #MetalQueensPodcast #DisconnectedSouls #HollyFRoyle #TheBystander #ProgressiveMetal #CinematicMetal #WomenInMetal #UKMetal #MetalPodcast #MetalInterview #MetalMusic #FemaleMusician #HeavyMusic #ProgressiveMetal#wornstar#wornstarclothing
October 3 · 24 min
Helle Bohdanova of IGNEA — MONUMENTAL, Nostalgia & Ukrainian Metal
Vocalist and lyricist Helle Bohdanova joins Steve Richards to discuss IGNEA's upcoming album Monumental, arriving October 23, 2026 via Napalm Records. Helle takes us inside an album inspired by nostalgia, retrofuturism, Cold War space exploration, modernist architecture, urban decay and the futures humanity once imagined but never reached. We also talk about creating the album in Kyiv during the winter of 2025–2026, writing music during wartime, the collaborations with Andy LaPlegua of Combichrist and Britta Görtz of HIRAES, and the evolution of IGNEA's distinctive blend of technical, industrial, melodic and atmospheric metal. 🎧 Listen now and meet the woman behind the voice and lyrics of Monumental! #MetalQueensPodcast #IGNEA #HelleBohdanova #Monumental #ModernMetal #MetalPodcast #WomenInMetal #UkrainianMetal #NapalmRecords #HeavyMetal #MetalInterview#wornstar#wornstarclothing Photo Credit: Lame Perfect

Showing 1–20 of 41 episodes