Mandatory Music
Welcome to Mandatory Music! A podcast about the craft of music.
Join Mike and Sebastian as they unravel the depths of song writing, musicianship and great artists. Each season centres on one particular band, with a deep dive into specific songs that delve into their creation, sound and complexity. It is within song and harmony, melody and rhythm that our emotional heartbeat echos.
It has been said that "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. - Plato
So, come for the ride.
Episodes
93 episodes
Episode 92: Prong "Snap Your Fingers. Snap Your Neck"
Review Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck."Key TakeawaysProng's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" is a definitive "one-hit wonder," with 33M Spotify listens—10x their next-most-popular song.
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Episode 91
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29:27
Episode 90: Iconic Songs in Movies
The State of Movies & The OscarsThe 2026 Oscars sparked a debate on the quality of modern cinema.Best Picture Winner: One Battle After Another was criticized for lacking substance despite its length...
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Episode 90
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36:22
Episode 89: Metallica Sphere Residency
Sebastian and Mandatory Music discuss the 40th anniversary of Metallica's Master Puppets album, with Sebastian noting the album's significance and Mandatory Music agreeing it is the greatest metal album of all time. They compare it t...
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Episode 89
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33:56
Episode 88: Pmad- Blood
I sincerely apologize with the coughing and rough voice, MikeNew Music Discovery: P-MadArtist: P-Mad (Paul Dillon), an independent artist from Ireland.Genre: Dark fusion of post-punk, darkwave,...
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Episode 88
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26:31
Grammys 2026
Next up, we dive into our Grammys review! 🎶🏆 In this episode, we break down everything about the awards show—the good, the bad, and the frustrating lack of rock and metal representation on the main stage. We also question one of the night’s big...
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Episode 87
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28:27
From Kickoff to Curtain Call: Our Super Bowl Breakdown
This week on Mandatory Music, we talked all things Super Bowl! 🏈🎶 We shared our candid thoughts on the game, broke down the halftime performance, and debated where it ranks among the greatest halftime shows of all time. We also specula...
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Episode 88
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38:18
Episode 85: "Megadeth" Review
This week on Mandatory Music, Sebastian and I dive headfirst into the brand-new Megadeth album! 🤘 We take you track by track through the high points, the mid moments, and of course… that Ride the Lightning
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Episode 86
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54:35
Episode 85: Black Label Society: Name In Blood
Review Black Label Society's new single and discuss related music news.Key Takeaways"Name in Blood" is a 9/10 classic BLS track. Its monster riff, tasteful solos, and "chug-and-groove" pace make it the ...
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Episode 85
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40:01
Episode 84: "AlterBridge" New Album Review
Alter Bridge - Alter BridgeThe band's 8th studio album is a "grower" that improves with repeated listens.Vocal Performance (Miles Kennedy):Critique: Most tracks feature a "showing off" style that lacks aut...
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Episode 84
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45:48
Episode 83: Days of the New: A Footnote in time
This week on Mandatory Music, we dive deep into the fascinating and often tragic story of Days of the New—one of the most eccentric and misunderstood bands to emerge from the ’90s alternative scene. From their explosive debut and ...
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Episode 83
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29:50
Episode 82: top albums of the Year
We are back with our top albums of 2025, you might have heard of a few of our choices and both of Mike's were on the more obscure side. Dig in for a real fun episode2025 Music Review Arch Enemy - Bl...
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Episode 82
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48:35
Episode 81: What If
Ever sit around with friends and start asking, “What if this happened… or what if that had gone differently?” That’s exactly what Sebastian and I dove into this week! We picked a few wild “what if” scenarios and had an absolute blast exploring ...
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Episode 81
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52:55
Episode 80 – Soundtracks That Outshine the Movie 🎬🎶
This week on Mandatory Music, we’re diving into soundtracks that are way better than the movies they came from! From the hard-hitting riffs of Maximum Overdrive and the electronic brilliance of Tron: Legacy, ...
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Episode 80
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37:42
Episode 79: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees 2025
🎸 This week on Mandatory Music! 🎸We’re diving into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ahead of the big ceremony on November 8. Mike and Sebastian break down each artist’s well-deserved spot in rock history — ...
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Episode 79
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37:02
Episode 78: Megadeth’s Bold Return — New Album, “Megadeth,” and a Shocking Metallica Cover!
This week on Mandatory Music, Mike and Sebastian dive headfirst into the massive news from Megadeth — their upcoming album, simply titled “Megadeth.” We break down the tracklist (for better or worse), give our first impressions ...
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Episode 78
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32:16
Episode 77 Rob Zombie- Punks and Demons
🎧 Episode 77 is here!This week on Mandatory Music, Mike and Sebastian dive into Rob Zombie’s brand new track “Punks and Demons.” 👹🔥We do a first-listen reaction, giving our raw and unfiltered thou...
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Episode 77
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24:38
🎙️ Episode 76: First Listen – Black Label Society “Broken and Blind”
This week on Mandatory Music, Sebastian and Mike try something a little different — their (sort of) first reaction episode! The guys hit play on Black Label Society’s “Broken and Blind” and share their unfiltered thoughts in rea...
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Episode 76
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28:08
🎙️ Episode 75: Out of Our Comfort Zone — Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl
This week on Mandatory Music, Sebastian and Michael do the unthinkable — we step way outside our hard rock comfort zone and dive headfirst into Taylor Swift’s brand-new album, Life of a Showgirl. 🤯From guitar riffs to g...
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Episode 75
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30:39
MM74: Yungblud x Aerosmith
Sebastian and Michael break down the brand-new collaboration between YUNGBLUD and Aerosmith, a track that bridges generations and genres in one explosive package. From its composition and production choices to the energy and vibe it carries, we...
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Episode 74
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33:58
MM73: A Retrospective. Nirvana Nevermind
Nirvana's Impact on Grunge MusicMike and Sebastian discussed the impact of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album, released on September 24, 1991, and its role in the grunge music movement. They noted the significant influence of the album and its ...
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Episode 72
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35:23
MM72: Will Smith- Pretty Girls
In this episode, Sebastian and Michael dive into the perplexing world of Will Smith's recent musical endeavors. They explore the challenges of staying relevant in the entertainment industry as one ages, using Will Smith's latest song "Pretty Gi...
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Episode 72
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23:59
Episode 71: Gojira- The Shooting Star
In this engaging conversation, Michael and Sebastian explore themes of aging, reflections on the VMAs, the impact of modern rock icons like Youngblood, and the unique sound of Gojira. They delve into the lyrical depth of Gojira's music,...
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Episode 71
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30:36
Album Battle: Megadeth Vs. Metallica
In this episode, Michael and Sebastian return from their month-long break to discuss various topics, including their experiences at Burning Man and a detailed comparison of two iconic metal bands: Metallica and Megadeth. They engage in ...
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Episode 70
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58:24