[Podcast] Ep. 43: [Interview] with KELLY SHAEFER of Florida (US) Death-Metal Gods ATHEIST.
Intro/Some Appreciation:
Hi All!
If you’re new to ISC, welcome, and do please feel free to kick around the joint and check things out. We have a wealth of reviews, interviews, gig reviews, album reviews, opinion pieces/articles/brain-dumps (referred to on here as ‘Riffs’) across the broad spectrum of heavy/alternative music.
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If you like what you’ve viewed, seen, read etc here today - consider joining our community via our social media links, Youtube channel, Spotify/alternative podcast platforms, Twitch and the like. Links at bottom of article, and top-right.
Bonus: For those who stick around, I have a huge announcement coming out shortly about the ISC project later today - thankfully, it’s positive! (No unexpected entire-website-deaths, thankfully/fingers crossed).
You’ll note we have a particular focus on promoting and highlighting independent and smaller creative professionals (musicians, artists, tabletop RPG designers). Evidently, for example with today’s interview, we also don’t shy away from BIG opportunities either!
Feel free to email us if you’d like to be interviewed, have your hobby/music products reviewed - or you’re just a mad fanatic and want air-time to give this podcast host a proper schooling on something that interests you!
Broken record - but an incomprehensibly huge thanks to Kelly for his time and an extensive, broad discussion as you’ll soon see. I can’t quantify or properly elaborate the magnitude of awe, gratitude and humility with which I give thanks for our chat together yesterday. Atheist are a band I’ve been into for decades, and few have influenced the breadth and depth of my metal journey as themselves. Not to mention the gigantic influence on myself as a bassist!
While we’re at it… BIG props to Anthony Blayney, owner of YourMateBookings.com. Anth has been absolutely destroying the Australian heavy music circuit, and anyone willing to persevere through the numerous financial and logistical challenges of bringing bands like
Finally, and on that note - please see the episode notes for a bunch of links and information related to their upcoming Australian tour. Be quick though, tickets are selling like hotcakes!
Okay. I’ve done the ADHD thing enough - enjoy the interview!
Happy Easter. <3
Peace, Love, Jazz-Fusion and OSDM/Easter-Egg Overdose xoxo - Brady
LINKS:
VIDEO INTERVIEW
(via the Inner-Strength Check YT Channel):
AUDIO-ONLY VERSION
(via Spotify - see below for alternative podcast hosts):
Note: ISC Podcast is also available on: Our Youtube Podcast Page, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, GoodPods, iHeartRadio, PocketCasts and RadioPublic.
Official Artist Images in this article are all care of Atheist and YourMateBookings.com.
ATHEIST (USA) Announce First-Ever Australian Tour in June 2025
ATHEIST, the legendary pioneers of technical death metal, are set to make their long-awaited debut in Australia in June 2025. The iconic band, known for their groundbreaking contributions to the genre, will perform four dates across Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, marking the first time the band has toured Australia.
Joining ATHEIST on all dates are two of Australia's finest extreme metal acts: ANOXIA from Sydney, delivering their high-energy brand of early '90s-style death metal, and VEXATION from Melbourne, who blend death metal, thrash, and progressive elements with unrelenting intensity.
Tour Dates:
31/5 Perth, WA (Lynotts Lounge)*
5/6 Canberra, ACT (The Baso)
6/6 Sydney, NSW (The Underground)
7/6 Brisbane, QLD (Soapbox Beer)
8/6 Melbourne, VIC (The Gaso)
Tickets available from: www.yourmatebookings.com
*Vexation not playing Perth
PRESENTED BY YOUR MATE BOOKINGS IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXTREME MANAGEMENT.
ATHEIST BIO
Originally forming in the mid-1980s as the thrash metal band Oblivion, which later became R.A.V.A.G.E, ATHEIST emerged from Florida's vibrant death/thrash scene. The band, consisting of founding members Kelly Shaefer (vocals/guitar), Steve Flynn (drums), Roger Patterson (bass) and Rand Burkey (guitar), recorded their debut album Piece of Time at the iconic Morrisound Studios, in 1988. The album became a genre-defining release in the death metal world, hailed for its complexity and musicianship, setting ATHEIST apart from their peers.
ATHEIST's follow-up album, Unquestionable Presence (1991), further solidified their reputation as innovators in the genre, combining technical prowess with progressive elements that pushed the boundaries of death metal. Unfortunately, during the height of their success, tragedy struck when bassist Roger Patterson died in a car accident. The band continued, bringing in Tony Choy, a former member of CYNIC, to replace Patterson. ATHEIST's third album, Elements (1993), marked the band's creative peak before disbanding shortly thereafter, but their influence on the technical death metal genre was already firmly established.
ATHEIST's legacy continued to grow, inspiring bands like NECROPHAGIST, OBSCURA, and FALLUJAH. After a 17-year hiatus, the band returned in 2010 with Jupiter, reasserting their place in the metal world. In 2019, ATHEIST reformed with a new lineup. Alongside founding member and vocalist Kelly Shaefer, Yoav Ruiz-Feingold (Bass), Alex Haddad (Guitar), Jerry Witunsky (Guitar) and Dylan Marks (Drums) launched successful tours in South America, North America, and Europe.
Atheist’s entire discography was reissued by Nuclear Blast Records in 2023, and the band continues to tour and develop new material, maintaining their standing as pioneers and architects of the technical death metal genre.
About ANOXIA
Formed in 2019, ANOXIA is a Sydney-based death metal band known for their crushing sound influenced by classic '90s death metal. With fast riffs, punishing rhythms, and guttural growls, they have already made a significant impact in the Australian scene and are gearing up to release their debut full-length album in 2025.
About VEXATION
Formed in 2017, VEXATION is a Melbourne-based band blending death metal, thrash, and progressive elements. Known for their intense live shows and technical proficiency, VEXATION’s unique sound draws from classic thrash and death metal influences, creating a brutal and progressive experience for their fans. Their latest album, Trepidation Reigns (2022), further solidifies their place as one of Australia's most exciting extreme metal acts.
ARTIST LINKS:
Linktree Profile - Merch, International Touring, Streaming, Album Order etc
Lastly - An Announcement.
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