Chord Progression Podcast: The Gateway to New Rock and Metal Music

When Zahna made her way to the Chord Progression Podcast 3.5 years ago for the release of her album "Stronger Than Death," we had a deep conversation about the real life struggles, trauma, and adversity that she had to go through in life to keep living, keep her dream alive, and continue to not let the world keep her down. It was not only impactful but a reminder to keep hope and to keep faith in moments of adversity.

Now with 3 and...

We had Travis from Colorblind back on the Chord Progression Podcast last year around this time when the band was releasing their newest EP "Who Sold You This Truth." It was a good time, naturally, but it was just an EP, and he told us that more new music was coming our way.

Now that it is one year later, there is more new music coming our way from Colorblind. And it takes us on a journey of self discovery with self worth, and unders...

Catch Your Breath first burst onto the scene with the smash hit song "Dial Tone" and have not looked back since. The song became insanely popular on Octane, the debut album "Shame On Me" took the band to new heights including large supporting tours, their own successful headlining runs, and the ability to consistently tour across the world.

That success doesn't come without the music connecting heavily with a lot of people. And that...

What is it about the world today that has us less invested in everything that we do? We pass on music after 10 seconds just because the intro to one song was odd, and then never listen to that band again. We record an entire concert on our phones and never look up, failing to live in the moment. We do everything for social media, and are beholden to an algorithm we dont understand.

It wont be until the individual stands up for him/h...

If we think back to the earliest days of recorded music being sent out massively to the public (think the 1950s), artists would release music left and right to try and maximize the amount of money they could make. Elvis Presley released 24 albums and 38 EPs over the course of 21 years, recording many covers and songs written by other people (no disrespect, just a fact). Today, it is a little different.

Quality is at the forefront in...

Artists that we have followed for years on the podcast continue to grow to success that most never thought they would get. And we love to not only show how far they have gotten, but how much more they still have left to go. It is all based on a commitment to making the best music, and a willingness to make the sacrifices to get there.

There is a band that we interviewed all the way back in 2021 that many never knew of. Now, you have...

Being an original rock band in 2026 is no easy feat like it once was. Rock music has an authenticity that could be felt through and through in the past, but now in the days of social media, it is a lot harder to let the authenticity shine when too many artists are pleasing social media & streaming algorithms.

This rock band was on the podcast during the pandemic. It has been over 6 years of waiting for new music. Now we are gett...

Building a setlist for your band is not an easy thing to do correctly and successfully. There are so many different factors at play from the size of the crowd, the type of venue you are playing, the geographic location that you are playing in, and more. But there is one thing more important than others, understanding the emotion of your own music.

As a musician on stage, you are the one playing, and your music is envoking different ...

The debut album for an artist is more important than some artists realize, but not for the reason you think. Most people think that the debut album is meant to show us the true sound of the artist. If you end up like Linkin Park with Hybrid Theory, then yes that assumption is correct. But if you don't end up like Linkin Park, then is it considered a failure of a debut?

That is where the idea is skewed. The debut isn't meant to be an...

All of our favorite musicians have an origin story from when they were kids, finding the inspiration in the music that they would come to love and create along the way. But what if you could discover an artist that is that early in their career, and follow along with them every step of the way?

Well that is what this episode is all about. A 13 year old that has taken the stage with artists like Motionless In White, From Ashes to New...

It has been incredible following along with Future Palace ever since the release of their album "Run" in 2022. We have seen them headline tours throughout Europe, open for Electric Callboy, release the album "Distortion" in 2024, all while tackling topics like imposter syndrome and mental health issues. This band is one of our favorites we have ever discovered here.

So why are we doing an intro like this? Does that mean there is mor...

What if we told you that Midwest Emo exists in the UK? Yes we are telling you the truth on that one. Thanks to Manic Kat Records and the guys at BSB TV, they provided us with suggestions around this band on a consistent basis in 2026. So, it is that time to see what they are made of.

But what do we dive into with a Midwest Emo band? Do we decide to talk about their musical inspirations and how they are feeling connection to more fan...

Hardcore music is still having its moment in the 2020's with artists like Knocked Loose, Kublai Khan, Alpha Wolf, and thrown continuing to grow, play in front of larger crowds, and even break through into the mainstream. Yes; the quality of the music has a lot to do with it. But what else is heping that breakthrough, is connecting with audiences outside of the hardcore genre.

That isnt an easy thing, given the stigmas and characteri...

In 2025, we brought you Katerina Nicole, an artist who started in the Pop and EDM world around 2022, and then pivoted to the heavy music space because it was a musical direction that she needed to take. It led her to working with her producer to introduce us to her sound and voice on the debut EP "Serene in Violent Oceans."

A year and a half has gone by, and you may not remember her or have been wondering what she is up to. Wonderin...

When you have a band with a sound that you loved of their's from the past, what are your thoughts when they release new music that is a deviation from that original album you fell in love with? Are you open to seeing where the sound will expand to? Or are you resistant to change and want them to stick with the sound that made the artist "pop"?

2015, everyone wanted sounds to be classified and segmented, without a deviation from the ...

We have had 2 former members of THE DEV on the podcast in 2026 to see what they are up to in music now, and get you to know them early on in their new ventures. So... what about the other 3? What have they been up to?

Well they have started a new band and have found their sound. But what we discovered from them is that they had the most well thought-out audition process for a new vocalist, that we are surprised that more bands dont ...

In a new world where AI seems to be trying to take any job from anyone, and where uniqueness in rock & emtal music is being celebrated and promoted, it gives the artists a chance to still be unpredictable and become something that AI can't replicate.

So if a metal band from Germany that was created with inspiration from zombie movies, video games, and TV shows wanted to try something new with their sound compared to their first ...

Since the resurrgence of rock and metal back into the mainstream since 2020, we have seen a massive amount of experimentation in the genres. But one thing we are seeing is a large number of bands find common influences in the style of nu metal.

Music is cyclical, where genres that were once popular are making their return, influencing modern bands to create a new & evolved sound. Has this happened in the past? Will this happen i...

Musicians and artists, especially early on, have to deal with two major factors that could derail their creative mentality. Those factors being the pressures to make the project financially successful, as well as mentally being able to process negativity on social media. Success in handling these two factors can lead a band to success. Failure, could destroy the project.

Success means finding happiness and a free flowing nature in t...