The Rock and Metal Profs
Episodes
Episode 70: The Scorpions Part II
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs chat recent rock and metal news, and they examine the Scorpions' records from 1984's "Love at First Sting" to 2022's "Rock Believer." Dr. ...
Episode 69: The Scorpions, Part 1
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE! Undeniably the greatest hard rock/metal band in German history, the Scorpions heralded career spans 60 years...
Episode 68: 2025 Year in Review and the State of Rock and Metal in 2026
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt are back with their admittedly fragmentary best of 2025 concerts and albums. The Profs also discuss recent rock and metal news, and t...
Episode 67: Favorite Drummers and Percussionists with R. Alan Siler
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt have guested on R. Alan Siler's podcast "Modern Musicology" on multiple occasions, and we thought it was time to turn the tables! On ...
Episode 66: Episode 66: Ghost -- The Profs are Back!!!
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well, we decided to bring the show back after a 3-year hiatus. On the eve of Halloween, what better way to celebrate our return to podcast glory tha...
Episode 65: The Evolution of Rock and Metal
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss the origins and evolution of rock and metal!
Episode 64: The Sunset Strip in the 1980s
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oh the excess and bombast of the Sunset Strip in the late-70s and 1980s! The Profs discuss the epicenter of rock and metal in the 70s-80s as the Sun...
Episode 63: KISS in the early-80s
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we know we talk about KISS too often. However, in our defense, those early-80s KISS albums were SPECTACULAR. Court and Matt discuss the iconi...
Episode 62: Rock and Metal Music Festivals
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oh the glory of the all-day music festival. US Fest, Ozzfest, Louder than Life, Wacken and Hellfest. So many festivals and so many bands! The P...
Episode 61: Podcast Producer Tim Williamson Takes over RAMP
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of RAMP, our podcast producer and colleague Tim Williamson takes over the show. We talk about whatever he wants to talk abou...
Episode 60: Metallica in the 90s and Beyond
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yeah, we've heard it all before. After "...And Justice for All", Metallica became a different band, "sold out", and went mainstream. Early Metall...
Episode 59: KISS in the 1980s and beyond
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
KISS fans are a devoted bunch, and much of their love for the band is contingent upon when they started listening to them. For Matt, KISS in the 197...
Episode 58: Guns & Roses: Use Your Illusion, AKA "Court's Delusion"
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Profs discuss one of the more controversial album releases in American music history, "Use Your Illusion I and II." Many rock fans may...
Episode 57: The best albums of 2022
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss some of the best rock and metal music offerings of 2022.
Episode 56: Listener Questions, part 2
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lewis and Matt take questions from the RAMP audience and discuss. Part 2 of 2 episodes.
Episode 55: Listener Questions, part 1
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lewis and Matt take questions from the RAMP audience and discuss. Part 1 of 2 episodes.
Episode 54: The Meaning of Metallica with author William Irwin
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Rock and Metal Profs interview Professor of Philosophy, literary critic and heavy metal scholar William Irwin from King's College in Pennsylvania....
Episode 53: Album Review: DIO -- Holy Diver Deluxe
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The profs discuss the release of the newly remixed and remastered Holy Diver album by Ronnie James Dio.
Episode 52: RIOT: The Band that should have been massive in the U.S. and abroad
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New York-based band RIOT enjoyed modest success in the late-1970s and early-80s. They grew a die-hard following, even as they evolved into one of th...
Episode 51: Interview with Black Sabbath Vocalist Tony Martin
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Tony Martin-era of Black Sabbath is much celebrated amongst fans of the band. Following the departure of Ronnie James Dio in 1982, Sabbath sough...
Episode 50: Black Sabbath: The Tony Martin Era
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1980s and 90s Black Sabbath released 5 outstanding studio records (and a great live one) featuring British vocalist Tony Martin. After the de...
Episode 49: POWER METAL!!!
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time to put those fists in the air! German metalers Helloween have the distinction of being one of the first (if not the very first) Power Metal ban...
Episode 48: Tesla: The Early Years
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Few bands made a bigger impact in the 1980s than Sacramento rockers Tesla. When "Mechanical Resonance" hit the stores, fans compared them to Aerosmi...
Episode 47: Listeners Sound Off Which Version of the Band was Better?
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that AC/DC and Iron Maiden reached new commercial heights with replacement vocalists, but were versions 2.0 better than the original? Wa...
Episode 46: Epic Album Trios: The Scorpions
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this very special edition of RAMP, Matt interviews childhood friend and long-time Scorpions fan Bruce Miller. They discuss the classic album triu...
Episode 45: Women in Rock and Metal: Part II
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt examine the contributions and monumental impact of women in Rock and Metal in the 90s and 2000s. The 21st century is a brave new worl...
Episode 44: Women in Rock and Metal: Part I
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Profs discuss the incredible contributions of women who Rock! In the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and metal was a boys club. However, there...
Episode 43: Ozzy Osbourne: Part II -- the Jake and Zakk Years
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part 2, the Profs look at the incredible work that Ozzy produced with Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde in the 80s and 90s.
Episode 42: Ozzy Osbourne: Part I
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Madman is back! Matt and Dr. Lewis research the career and legacy of the great Ozzy Osbourne. The Profs analyze his time in Black Sabbath, his...
Episode 41: Foo Fighters
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
By Request, the Profs examine the history, impact and legacy of the Foo Fighters. Friend to the show and long-time supporter Greg Hill in Escondido ...
Episode 40: Alice Cooper Part II
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs handle Alice Cooper's later catalog, history, and legacy.
Episode 39: Bonus Episode: Court interviews Cello The Black Pearl
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lewis interviews Detroit's Cello "Tha Black Pearl" in this bonus pod.
Episode 38: Alice Cooper
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Dr. Court Lewis gets to talk about one of his favorite artists, the legendary Alice Cooper. The master of shock rock, Alice's storied care...
Episode 37: The Best Bands and Albums of 2021
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt discuss the bests albums and artists of 2021.
Episode 36: Van Halen: The David Lee Roth Era
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody Wants Some! Has there ever been a more impactful and transformative band than Van Halen? When Eddie, Alex, Michael and DLR hit the Los A...
Episode 35: System of a Down
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
System of a Down are a band that tackled serious issues. Their outspoken criticism of Turkey's government and the Armenian Genocide is well-document...
Episode 34: Judas Priest: the 1990s and 2000s (Episode 3 of 3)
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs examine the tumultuous 1990s and how Judas Priest reinvented when Halford left the band. Like most metal acts in the 90s, JP struggled to ...
Episode 33: Judas Priest: The 1980s
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When 1982's "Screaming for Vengeance" hit the U.S. and England, it was a smash. Up until that point, the Birmingham metal outfit had modest success,...
Episode 32: Judas Priest: the 1970s - Episode 1 of 3
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs mine the data to present the history and philosophy of heavy metal progenitors Judas Priest. Like their fellow Birmingham mates in Black S...
Episode 31: Rock N Pod Interviews: Vinnie Appice, Producer Toby Wright and Tora Tora
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More interviews from Rock N Pod August 2022. Matt and Court interview legendary drummer Vinnie Appice of Black Sabbath and DIO, Producer Toby Wright...
Episode 30: Rock and Pod Interviews: Resist and Bite and Pamela Des Barres
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt interview members of the rock outfit "Resist and Bite" (featuring Tommy Skeoch of Tesla) and legendary rock muse and groupie Pamela Des...
Episode 29: Vinnie Vincent
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vinnie Vincent has the distinction of being one of the most beloved, reviled and criticized rock artists of the last 40 years. When he hit the Los A...
Episode 28: Kansas
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs examine the incomparable Kansas. Were they classic rock? Were they early prog rock? Were they a pop band? Kansas was challenging to ...
Episode 27: Iron Maiden: Part II
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs take a 2nd look at the monumental British metal band Iron Maiden. Often considered one of the greatest of the "New Wave of British Heavy M...
Episode 26: Rockumentaries with Tommy Ellis
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Matt chats with writer, editor, publisher and music fan Tommy Ellis. In Tommy's longtime role as a magazine editor and publisher, he's had...
Episode 25: Ronnie James Dio: Part II
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well, you knew we were going to circle back to DIO. We couldn't possibly cover such an iconic artist with such an illustrious career in one episode....
Episode 24: AC/DC: The Brian Johnson Years
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs examine the tragic death of Bon Scott, the band soldiering on, Brian Johnson's humble beginnings, and the band becoming bigger than anyone c...
Episode 23: AC/DC: The Bon Scott Years
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most downloaded episodes in the show's history, we underestimated just how many people around the world LOVE AC/DC! The profs discuss the...
Episode 22: Black Sabbath: The Ozzy Years
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss the history and philosophy of the progenitors of an entire genre of music, the great Black Sabbath. Recorded a few years prior to ...
Episode 21: Guitar Gods
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss the rise of the guitar virtuoso in the 70s and 80s. From Ritchie Blackmore to EVH, Randy Rhoads and Yngwie, the rock and metal gen...
Episode 20: Queensryche
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Court and Matt discuss Seattle metal pioneers Queensryche. When this quintet hit the music scene in the early 80s with their 4-song EP, fans knew th...
Episode 19: Body Count
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss hardcore metal act Body Count and the impact Ice T. and his bandmates made when they hit the scene in the early-90s. From the begi...
Episode 18: The RUSH experts - Chris Christianson and Dr. Reynaldo Rojo Mendoza
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by long-time friends and hardcore RUSH fans, Chris Christianson and Dr. Reynaldo Rojo Mendoza. The trio have a fun conversation about...
Episode 17: Interview with Rob De Luca from Spread Eagle, UFO and Sebastian Bach
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Road warrior, bassist, songwriter and founding member of Spread Eagle Rob De Luca joins the Profs to talk about the current incarnation of the band, h...
Episode 16: Spread Eagle
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When New York's Spread Eagle hit the metal scene in 1989, many early fans recognized that they were different from the established glam and sleaze met...
Episode 15: Rush part 3
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Matt invites on a couple Rush experts and long-time friends, Dr. Reynaldo Rojo Mendoza and Mr. Chris Christianson. Were it not for Chris, ...
Episode 14: Rush part 2
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs are back with part 2 in a 3-part series featuring the GLORIOUS music, history and philosophy of Rush.
Episode 13: Rush part 1
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have some listeners who are going to LOVE this one. Court and Matt unpack the music, history, philosophy and legacy of the greatest Canadian powe...
Episode 12: Stryper
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For Heaven's Sake, it's Stryper! Stryper proved that a Christian rock band can hit the mainstream, find continued success, and rock! An equal oppo...
Episode 11: Alice In Chains
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time to Bleed the Freak! The Profs take on the history and philosophy of one of Seattle's greatest exports, the one and only Alice In Chains. AIC ...
Episode 10: Anthrax
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the Profs are Caught in a Mosh! Time for some east coast thrash! Anthrax are considered one of the "Big 4" acts in metal, and it is wel...
Episode 9: Coheed and Cambria
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week a deep dive into an incredibly talented band that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. Coheed and Cambria have made a nice career releasin...
Episode 8: Iron Maiden
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Profs investigate the career of one of the most heralded bands of all time, the incomparable Iron Maiden. Matt and Court recount the band's ris...
Episode 7: KISS: The KISS LIST
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This one is for the hardcore KISS Fan! Court and Matt discuss lyrics and how the band's songs have aged, as well as a multitude of esoteric facts that...
Episode 6: KISS: Part II
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs discuss the band's meteoric rise to rock greatness in the 70s, line-up changes, taking off the make-up (or more acccurately, applying the ma...
Episode 5: KISS: The Early Years
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the 70s and 80s no band influenced Court and Matt more than KISS. In this first episode in a 3-episode series, the Profs look at the history and ...
Episode 4: Ronnie James Dio
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Often venerated as one of the greatest rock vocalists in history, Ronnie James Dio's storied career is as fantastic as the lyrics he penned about drag...
Episode 3: UFO
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Profs examine the career of UFO, your favorite band's favorite band. UFO has the distinction of influencing dozens of the biggest names in rock ...
Episode 2: Megadeth
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Rock and Metal Profs discuss Megadeth. There is no denying the seismic impact that Megadeth made with Peace Sells, So Far, So Good, ...
Episode 1: Metallica - Back to the Beginning
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Rock and Metal Profs Podcast! After a few years hiatus, Court and I have decided to re-release all episodes of the show! Movin...