Metal Mayhem ROC: Your go to source for everything metal.

In this in-depth conversation, Darryl McDaniels sits
down with Metal Walt to explore the heavy metal and hard rock roots that have
been part of his musical identity since childhood.

Growing up in New York City, DMC discovered rock and metal
through radio, hearing bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest at a formative
age. He explains how those sounds were already embedded in early hip-hop
culture, from DJs digging through crates to the attitude and energy that shaped
Run-DMC from the very beginning.

The discussion revisits key moments such as “Rock Box” and
“Walk This Way,” why rock was always part of Run-DMC’s DNA, and how those
records opened creative doors that still matter today. DMC also talks about his
decision to actively create rock and metal music himself, leading to projects
like HellRaisers and his 2026 solo metal single “She Gets Me High.”

Additional topics include NYC hardcore roots, playing with
Agnostic Front, sharing stages with Sammy Hagar, opening for Lou Reed, and how
creativity, authenticity, and curiosity continue to guide his work.

00:00 Show Open & Pre-Roll Tease
04:23 What Music Sounded Like in DMC’s House Growing Up
05:58 Discovering Rock on WABC and the First Metal Obsession (Black Sabbath)
09:11 Rock and Early Hip-Hop Culture — DJs, Crates, and Crossover
11:23 “Rock Box” and Why Rock Was Always in Run-DMC’s DNA
14:16 “Walk This Way” — History, Impact, and the Permission Moment
25:25 When DMC Decided to Start Making Rock Music
28:10 DMC and the HellRaisers — Live Reactions and Reality
31:25 Rock DNA Across Classic Run-DMC Songs (King of Rock, It’s Tricky, Mary,
Mary, Why You Buggin’)
36:17 “She Gets Me High” — DMC’s Solo Metal Direction and Lineup
47:13 Hardcore Roots — Agnostic Front, NYC, and Underground Energy
56:22 Legacy, Creativity, and What DMC Is About Today
01:09:22 Wrap-Up & Where to Follow DMC

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In this in-depth interview, Scott “Wino” Weinrich of The
Obsessed sits down with Metal Walt to discuss Ritual Arcana, a collaborative
heavy project built around the creative vision of bassist and vocalist SharLee
Lucky.

Rather than another frontman-driven band, Ritual Arcana is
shaped by SharLee’s songwriting, themes, and direction, with Wino contributing
guitar and creative perspective. Wino talks openly about stepping back from
lead vocals, focusing purely on guitar, and how trust and chemistry allowed the
project to develop organically.

The conversation explores the band’s doom and hard-rock
foundations, atmosphere and symbolism, the “power of three” dynamic within the
group, and what’s ahead following the debut release. It’s an honest discussion
about collaboration, intention, and letting the music lead.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at Ritual Arcana’s
origins and creative process, straight from one of heavy music’s most respected
voices.

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JJ French has lived the full arc of
American heavy metal — from club-level survival to global legacy.

As guitarist, co-founder, and longtime
strategist behind Twisted Sister, JJ French reflects on what it actually takes
to last 50 years in a business designed to burn artists out. This is not a
nostalgia interview. It is a candid conversation about discipline, reinvention,
timing, and truth.

JJ discusses the early definition of
success, why the UK embraced Twisted Sister before the U.S., the cultural
divide between punk and metal at CBGB, the PMRC hearings and their real-world
consequences, lineup decisions for the current era, and why the band is
returning in 2026 for select 50th-anniversary performances.

The conversation also covers milestone
performances — including post-9/11 New York City shows, Sweden Rock 2022, and
the Morristown Twisted Christmas concert — along with reflections on
legacy, music licensing, health, and perspective earned the hard way.

Chapters are included for easy
navigation.

 

CHAPTER MARKS

02:59 – Did You Ever Expect Twisted
Sister to Last 50 Years?
04:03 – What “Success” Really Meant in the Early Years
06:00 – When the Band Shifted from Survival to the Long Game
12:12 – Was the Live Album Recorded at That Legendary Show?
13:09 – Why the UK Embraced Twisted Sister Before the U.S.
14:31 – Why Twisted Sister Was Never Accepted at CBGB
19:22 – Why the 2026 Twisted Sister 50th Anniversary Shows Are Happening
21:25 – Choosing the Lineup: Joey Franco & Russell Zuto Explained
22:15 – Why Mark Mendoza Isn’t Part of This Version
23:10 – Setlists Today: Deep Cuts or Greatest Hits?
29:57 – Why the Rochester Show Was Recorded for King Biscuit Flour Hour
33:00 – Reflections on 9/11 NYC, Sweden Rock 2022 & the Final U.S.
Christmas Show
35:17 – PMRC 40 Years Later: JJ French Looks Back
38:09 – Are “We’re Not Gonna Take It” & “I Wanna Rock” the Most Licensed
Metal Songs?
39:22 – What JJ French Hopes This Tour Adds to the Legacy

 

LINKS

Official Twisted Sister Website
https://twistedsister.com

JJ French Official Website
https://www.jayjayfrench.com

Metal Mayhem ROC
https://www.metalmayhemroc.com

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Alycen Rowse joins Metal Mayhem ROC for a wide-open,
unfiltered conversation about life inside the rock ’n’ roll world — beyond the
myths and stereotypes.

Alycen shares firsthand stories from decades spent backstage
and on the road, offering rare insight into groupie culture, navigating
relationships, personal boundaries, and the realities behind rock’s most
extreme moments. From encounters with David Lee Roth and James Hetfield to
reflections involving Nikki Sixx, Robert Plant, and the tragic John Entwistle
incident she witnessed firsthand, Alycen delivers a perspective few ever hear.

She also discusses her book We've Got Tonight: The Life
and Times of Notorious Groupie Alycen Rowse and her YouTube channel Cocktails
& Rock Tales, where she continues preserving rock history in her own
voice.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Alycen Rowse
05:05 Defining a Groupie
07:53 Navigating Relationships on the Road
10:02 Family Reactions and Personal Boundaries
12:42 Rock and Roll Rivalries
15:12 Memorable Encounters and Friendships
19:20 Life Beyond the Stage
22:24 Reflections on Aging Rock Stars
24:23 Intimate Rock Star Moments
30:46 Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll
33:01 Rock and Roll Rivalries and Relationships
33:38 The John Entwistle Incident
37:31 AC/DC Concert Tragedy
39:23 The Book and Future Plans

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Michael Sweet of STRYPER joins Metal Mayhem ROC for an inspiring
and a wide-ranging conversation about the band’s new Christmas album, The
Greatest Gift of All, the importance of keeping faith at the center of the
season, and the powerful message behind STRYPER’s music. Michael also discusses
recent health challenges, the band’s enduring brotherhood, and how new
Generations of fans continue to discover STRYPER.

He goes deeper into the creative process behind reimagining
Christmas classics, writing new holiday originals, and preparing for STRYPER’s
upcoming studio album and future touring plans. Whether you're a longtime fan
or new to the band, this episode delivers honesty, heart, and hope.

 

⏱️ CHAPTERS (FINAL MEGAPHONE
VERSION)

00:00 – Show Open & Vernomatic Intro
04:11 – Introduction to Michael Sweet
05:23 – STRYPER’s 40th Anniversary Reflections
06:23 – Brotherhood, Tension & Band Dynamics
07:29 – Michael Sweet’s Health Update
09:24 – New Generations Discovering STRYPER
13:32 – What Christmas Really Means to Michael
17:02 – Reimagining Classic Christmas Songs
24:34 – What’s Next: New STRYPER Music & Projects
26:04 – Final Thoughts & Holiday Wishes

 

🔗 LINKS

Metal Mayhem ROC
https://metalmayhemroc.com/

STRYPER Official Website
https://stryper.com

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