Into The Necrosphere

Sam Bean, bassist and vocalist for Into The Necrosphere favourites Werewolves, returns to the podcast this week for a wide-ranging discussion spanning both musical and personal territory. He reflects on his experiences as a musician, shares a surprising update on Australian noise merchants The Berzerker, and offers insight into future plans for Werewolves and Faustian. In a surprise twist, we also get unexpectedly deep on our respective journeys through adulthood, careers and relationships.

 

On the Weekly News Rant: I rank my favourite drummers and guitarists, and round up the latest singles from Reeking Aura, At The Gates, Cognizance, Behemoth, Wandar and more for judgement.

 

PLUS: SIK’s new single, “Sons of Pestilence”, basks in the glow of the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight, while a chance discovery of a black metal “sketch” list merits a brutal Swirly of the Week—and a one-way trip to the porcelain bowl of justice.

 

Featured Bands:

Werewolves - https://werewolvesdeathmetal.bandcamp.com/    

SIK - https://sikmusic2.bandcamp.com/    

The Antichrist Imperium - https://apocalypticwitchcraft.bandcamp.com/  

 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

On April 2nd, 2026, Ultha dropped the surprise follow-up to their critically acclaimed album All That Has Never Been True with no warning, press or prior buildup.

 

Ahead of its release, I sat down with my good friend Ralph Schmidt, guitarist for Ultha, to dissect the new record, A Light So Dim. Ralph takes us track-by-track through the album, unpacking the personal experiences behind it, the evolution within the band, and how those shifts shaped its final sound.

 

On the Weekly News Rant: I’m answering your questions on hi-fi, grilling the perfect steak, and TV shows, while rounding up the latest tracks by Trelldom, Defiled, Aversio Humanitatis, Mork, Shane Embury and others for judgement. 

 

PLUS: Horsemen of the Podcast Apocalypse capos Mike Hill and Karl Hikara join forces with the mighty Drugoth for Hollow Lands in this week’s Unsanctioned Filth spotlight, and a feeble attempt at trolling backfires spectacularly, earning its author a well-deserved Swirly of the Week.

 

Featured Bands:

Ultha - https://ultha.bandcamp.com/   

Hollow Lands - https://ordotenebris.bandcamp.com/   

Harms Way - https://harmswayband.bandcamp.com/ 

 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

The legendary Robert Vigna of Immolation joins me this week to dissect one of death metal’s most enduring legacies. We dig into the band’s remarkable longevity, the creative fire that still drives them, and the making of their upcoming album Descent.  Robert reflects on Immolation’s early days in the underground, his decades-long creative partnership with Ross Dolan, and what fans can expect from their upcoming tour alongside Deicide, Behemoth and Rotting Christ.

 

On the Weekly News Rant: I tackle your latest questions and round up the latest singles by Doedsvangr, Moonspell, Dimmu Borgir, Nargaroth and more are rounded up for judgment.

 

Canadian black metal insurgents Beholder return to the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight—while another UF alumni finds themselves on the receiving end of the Swirly of the Week.

 

Featured Bands:

Immolation - https://immolation.bandcamp.com/  

Beholder - https://beholderqc.bandcamp.com/  

Ulcerate - https://ulcerate.bandcamp.com/ 

 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution of the Hellripper sound, and how he overcame performance anxiety to emerge as one of metal’s most commanding frontmen.

On the Weekly News Rant, I react to two huge surprises from the past weekend: a new Darkthrone record and the long-awaited return of Neurosis. I also share first impressions of new material from Ashen Horde, High Parasite, and Samael, plus my take on the divisive new Exodus album—and plenty more.

PLUS: Unsanctioned Filth spotlights rising Mexican chaos merchants Ov Darkness I Breed.

 

Featured Bands:

Hellripper - https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/music 

Ov Darkness I Breed - https://ovdarknessibreed.bandcamp.com/ 

Midnight - https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/ 

 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Chris Naughton and Simon Lucas of UK black metal stalwarts Winterfylleth join me to break down the inspiration and themes behind their excellent new album, The Unyielding Season. We also talk about the band’s decision to sign with Napalm Records, their take on how the music industry is evolving, and take a nostalgic detour into the halcyon days of British comedy.

On the Weekly News Rant: new singles from Melechesh, Corrosion of Conformity, Skaphos, Sisyphean, Immolation, Transilvania and Six Feet Under get rounded up for judgment.

PLUS: my six favourite 80s action movies, the fallen legends I’d most like to have shared a drink with, the definitive ruling on whether gas BBQ counts as real BBQ, and more of your burning questions answered.

On this week’s Unsanctioned Filth, I celebrate the launch of new label Serpent Sun Records and spotlight one of their standout signings: Mexico’s Hierophany.

And finally, both Ticketmaster and Metallica are frogmarched—kicking and screaming—towards their first, and long overdue, appearance on the Swirly of the Week.

 

Featured Bands:

Winterfylleth - https://winterfylleth.bandcamp.com/ 

Hierophany - https://hierophanytemple.bandcamp.com/ 

Transilvania - https://transilvania.bandcamp.com/ 

 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.