The Downbeat
Craig Reynolds
The Downbeat Podcast is an award-winning heavy music podcast featuring in-depth interviews with the biggest names in metal, hardcore, and alternative music.
Hosted by Craig Reynolds, The Downbeat explores metal, death metal, black metal, hardcore, and metalcore through long-form, unfiltered conversations with legendary musicians and rising artists. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, songwriting insights, touring life, and honest discussions from across the global heavy music scene.
New episodes feature iconic bands, underground favorites, and the voices shaping modern heavy music.
Hosted by Craig Reynolds, The Downbeat explores metal, death metal, black metal, hardcore, and metalcore through long-form, unfiltered conversations with legendary musicians and rising artists. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, songwriting insights, touring life, and honest discussions from across the global heavy music scene.
New episodes feature iconic bands, underground favorites, and the voices shaping modern heavy music.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 19, 2025 • 2h 6min
ISAAC HALE: Knocked Loose, Grammy's, Meshuggah & Metal Legacy
My guest on the podcast this week is Isaac Hale, guitarist of KNOCKED LOOSE. We talk about how all good music has to be funny, his unrelenting need to create music, fashion, touring, our love for MESHUGGAH, GOJIRA AND METALLICA...and we form the most diverse side project the world has ever seen.
May 5, 2025 • 1h 33min
JOSH JAMES: Stick To Your Guns, New Album & His WILD Life On The Road
My guest on the podcast this week is Josh James, guitarist of Stick To Your Guns. A veteran of the hardcore scene, Josh has also played with bands like Eighteen Visions, Evergreen Terrace and Casey Jones. We talk STYG's new album 'Keep Planting Flowers' as well as nearly becoming paralyzed, pooping in boxes at Christmas, and an unorthodox way to teach kids about the birds and the bees...
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 42min
TOM WILLIAMS: Stray From The Path, Kubrick Stare, and The McDonalds Heist
My guest on the podcast this week is Tom Williams of Stray From The Path, we talk about our new single Kubrick Stare which is out now!
Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 33min
TRAVIS REGNIER: Spite, Tour Stories, Drumming Secrets & Festival Chaos!
My guest this week is Travis Regnier. An exceptional young drummer who has played for bands like SPITE, SYLOSIS, and many more. He also has a ripping IG check it out: @travis.r.drummer
Jan 6, 2025 • 57min
DANI FILTH: Ed Sheeran Collab, Horror Movies & Cradle of Filth History
My guest on the podcast this week is the MASTER of EVIL and OG shock merchant Dani Filth of CRADLE OF FILTH. We talk about Cradle's immeasurable impact on heavy music, as well as their latest single Malignant Perfection, their numerous collaborations (including an upcoming song with ED SHEERAN) and we gush about horror movies and interior design. Bucket list guest for me, loved this one!
Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 18min
DAVE BAKSH: The End Of SUM 41, Touring, Collaborations & Escaping Terror
My guest on the podcast this week is Dave Baksh of Sum 41. We caught up on their FINAL UK tour to talk everything about the band, his brush with cancer, and nearly being on a certain flight that didn't end well...
Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 16min
JOHNNY HEALTH: Meme Culture, Collaborations and High Fashion Rizz
My guest on the podcast this week is Johnny from HEALTH. We caught up after becoming besties earlier in the year to talk fashion, music, and a bunch more unhinged stuff...
Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 30min
SPEED: Songwriting, Touring, Flutes & Martial Arts
My guests on the podcast this week are most-hyped (and deservedly so) hardcore band SPEED. We talk about their dedication to the Australian Hardcore scene, how NOT to act at a show, their collaboration with Nike, and much more. Insane band. Check them tf out.
Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 19min
FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY: The Nothing That Is, Josean's Double Knee Surgery, and Pat...The Hero
My guests on the podcast this week are Pat and Josean of Fit For An Autopsy.We talk the band's new album The Nothing That Is, Josean's double knee surgery which left him out of the game physically and mentally, and much more.
Oct 14, 2024 • 1h 23min
BETTER LOVERS: The Birth Of A Supergroup, Band Dynamics & Touring as USA's Silliest Serious Band.
My guests on the podcast this week are ultra-mega-super group BETTER LOVERS. Better Lovers is what happens if Will Putney snorted the ashes of The Dillinger Escape and Every Time I Die. They're all very funny people. We also did a ludicrous collab vinyl for their new record HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE. Check out their tour dates and grab The Downbeat x Better Lovers here: www.highlyirresponsible.com
