Wednesday, February 25, 2026
In Memory of ANNIHILATOR singer Coburn Pharr (1962-2025)
Coburn Pharr (Aug 27, 1962 - Feb 25, 2025)
Coburn Pharr sang for the thrash metal band Annihilator on their great 1990 album Never, Neverland. Before Annihilator, he sang for the American heavy metal band Omen on the 1988 album Escape to Nowhere. Below is the Blabbermouth article about Coburn.
Former ANNIHILATOR Singer COBURN PHARR Dead At 62
February 25, 2025
Former ANNIHILATOR vocalist Coburn Pharr has died at the age of 62. Pharr sang on ANNIHILATOR's critically acclaimed and best-selling 1990 release "Never, Neverland", which included such classics as "Road To Ruin", "I Am In Command", "Reduced To Ash" and "Phantasmagoria".
Earlier today (Tuesday, February 25),ANNIHILATOR guitarist and founder Jeff Waters released the following statement via social media: "Sad news in the metal world: ANNIHILATOR's 'Never, Neverland' vocalist, Coburn Pharr, has passed away.
"I won't say anything about the details, as that is the family's business, but I wanted to post this before any misinformation surfaces on the internet.
"Coburn was the singer on our best and biggest record. He had the most unique voice of all our singers, along with Randy Rampage (he also passed, in 2018).
"I had very little contact with Coburn over the years, but was able to get him to play a few songs with us on the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise, 2014ish.
"In 2018, I had Coburn over to our house in the UK for a really amazing visit. He had lost his Mom and sister and was eager to hang out and talk music, life and reconnect.
"Attached are 2 pics from that visit in Aug 2018, along with my favorite 2 of he and I, back in the day (1990). Since 2018, we had been discussing him coming back for some festival shows and even a tour... However, he was having struggles with some personal things, demons, etc... and it was clear that he would not be able to do any of it.
"I was really glad to have had that time in 2018 with him. He was going through a terrible time and the thought of doing music again brought back some real hope and life in his eyes and being.
Thoughts to his wife and family.
"Thank you for the music and memories, Coburn.
"Sail away, Coburn: To Never, Neverland."
Pharr last reunited with ANNIHILATOR in January 2015 when he performed with the band on the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. Pharr took the microphone for the songs "Reduced To Ash", "The Fun Palace", "I Am In Command", "Road To Ruin" and "Stonewall".
ANNIHILATOR's second album, "Never, Neverland" was re-released twice: in 1998, expanded with three demo tracks; and again in 2003 as a two-disc compilation set along with "Alice In Hell", titled "Alice In Hell/Never Neverland", as part of Roadrunner Records' "Two From The Vault" series.
Omen - Thorn In Your Flesh
Annihilator - The Fun Palace
Iced Earth: Iced Earth February 25, 1991
Iced Earth: Iced Earth February 25, 1991
Iced Earth released their self-titled debut album, Iced Earth, in the United States on February 25th, 1991. While the album originally released in Europe in November 1990, the North American release through Century Media was February 25th, 1991, according to Wikipedia.
This is it!
This is the title track, the opening song, and the name of the band itself!
Iced Earth - Iced Earth
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Hesychast - Eastern Orthodox Christian atmospheric black metal
Hesychast (USA) is Eastern Orthodox Christian atmospheric black metal. A commenter on Bandcamp notes: "HESYCHAST play very atmospheric, flowing and melodic black metal, at times even dreamy and with atmospheric elements like Gregorian-like choral chants and untypical instruments. This epic, diverse album is well-suited for constant rotation, as the songs are very interestingly arranged and of a similar quality, never becoming boring." The band says: "Our music is dedicated to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One in Essence and Undivided, and to our Most Holy Lady—the Theotokos, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary and to all the Saints."
For Whom We Sing New Troparia
by Hesychast
FUGITIVE - "Spheres Of Virulence" (Official Video) (Texas, USA thrash)
Megadeth - Tipping Point (Official Music Video)
Megadeth: Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari, James Lomenzo, Dirk Verbeuren
Today, I may bleed, but tonight you will die
Snatched in your sleep, in the blackest night
You buried the truth under layers of lies
There’s no return, now you’ve crossed the line
Push me, I push you back
Tipping Point
Hiding your secrets out in plain sight
Dead men don’t talk, and bullets don’t lie
Watching the life drain out from your eyes
Crossing my heart, how I hope you will die
Push me, I push you back
Tipping Point
I will invade your mind
Make you fear the sound
Of voices that aren’t there
With no one else around
You try to stop the footsteps
And stop the heart that beats
You will beg for silence
You will pray for peace
You won’t defy me, you won’t deny me, I’m at my tipping point
You won’t define me, you’ll never find me, I’m at my tipping point
Megadeth - Tipping Point (Official Music Video)
Megadeth - Let There Be Shred (Official Music Video)
Megadeth: Dave Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari, James Lomenzo, Dirk Verbeuren
Let There Be Shred
The stage has been lit, get up on your feet
Hearts start to pound; everyone get off your seat
My fingers spontaneously combust into flames
Destroying pretenders, only ashes remain
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and "Let There Be Shred!"
The amps start to roar, a tsunami of sound
Controlling the air, shaking the ground
Guitars are all screaming, they squeal with delight
Clawing fretboards away at the speed of light
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and "Let There Be Shred!"
At the end of it all, they are left in my wake
One-by-one they’d fall, one-by-one they’d break
Faster than lightning, a machine gun on meth
Dead on arrival, a guitar beat to death
On the day I was born, a guitar in my hands
The earth started rumbling a thunderous command
To bash and to thrash, to bang my head
To smash my guitar and "Let There Be Shred!"
Salem 1998 album A Moment of Silence on vinyl for the first time
Happy birthday to Wuv Bernardo (P.O.D.)!
EVERMORE - Forevermore (Official Video) (Swedish power metal)
Swedish power metal band EVERMORE will release a new album, their third, on 20 March 2026: Mournbraid. I plan to share some of the new music soon, as I have been listening to the new album.
While we wait for the new album release, here is the song "Forevermore" from their second album from 2023: In Memoriam.
EVERMORE - Forevermore (Official Video)
https://www.facebook.com/EvermoreMetal
HOLLER - Chandelier (Official Video) (melodic hard rock)
Terence HOLLER, the American-Italian vocalist and founding member of the progressive metal band Eldritch, launched HOLLER, to explore a more melodic, classic hard rock and AOR sound.
—ABOUT THE SONG: “Chandelier” is taken from the new Holler album “Next In Line”, released in May 2025 by Scarlet Records – the idea of covering Sia's massive global hit came from the mind of Matteo Chimenti, Holler's keyboardist and main composer. He completely overturned and rewrote the music, minus the vocal line – a real challenge for Terence Holler! The end result is a heavy blues track with a strong impact: a hommage to a great artist & performer, and an amazing ‘new song’ on its own! Written by Jesse Samuel Shatkin & Sia Kate Isobelle Furler Originally performed by Sia Video by Jimmy Burrow Camera: Jimmy Burrow - Lily Waterfull Actress/Dancer/Performer: IRA Ubetta HOLLER Terence Holler - lead vocals Denis Chimenti - guitar, backing vocals Luca Fuligni - guitar, backing vocals Matteo Chimenti - keyboards, backing vocals Leonardo Peruzzi - bass, backing vocals Alex ʻDemonoidʼ Lera - drums HOLLER - Chandelier (Official Video) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553825592623
LEGIONARY - If the Judges Became the Judged (Official Lyric Video) (melodic death/thrash)
March is fast approaching, and the new LEGIONARY will be here soon!
Legionary
Never-Ending Quest for Purpose
6 March 2026
ABOUT Legionary: Legionary is a melodic death/thrash metal band, that originated in NYC, but now mostly operates out of New Jersey. Legionary once played live regularly, but is currently a one man band headed by mastermind Frank D'Erasmo (Drums/Rhythm Guitar). Frank uses the services of the best metal musicians he can find, and is currently dedicated to just doing studio projects at the moment. Legionary has several releases, mostly EPs, but now has two albums under its belt with this latest release!
LEGIONARY - If the Judges Became the Judged (Official Lyric Video)
Unburier - Survive the Vermin (Official Video) (technical thrash/death)
Monday, February 23, 2026
Vreid - From These Woods (Official Music Video)
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Happy birthday to Helloween drummer Dani Löble!
Daniel Löble - born on February 22, 1973
Since 2005 Dani Löble has been the drummer for legendary power metal foundational fathers Helloween.
In my opinion, in the two decades with Helloween, Dani has proven to be a remarkable trouper, a workhorse, able to adapt to the band's changing visions and goals from album to album and through the big, big personnel changes. He is now the longest-tenured drummer of the band, the other two being, of course, the legendary Ingo Schwichtenberg (RIP 1965–1995) from 1983–1993, and the great Uli Kusch from 1994–2001.
Since joining the band in 2005, Metal Archives shows that Dani has been very busy, making his recording debut on the Mrs. God single and the ambitious Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy album. His extensive discography with the power metal legends spans from Gambling with the Devil, 7 Sinners, Straight Out of Hell, and My God-Given Right, to the celebratory Unarmed anniversary album. He has been a vital part of the band’s "Pumpkins United" era, performing on the massive 2021 self-titled Helloween album and the 2025 release Giants & Monsters.
Dani’s work is also found on singles, EPs, and live documents, ranging from early hits like Light the Universe and As Long as I Fall to more recent anthems like Skyfall, Best Time, and Universe (Gravity for Hearts). His live performances are on releases such as Live in Sao Paulo, United Alive in Madrid, and Live at Budokan audio and video sets, and on massive compilations like United Forces and the 40th-anniversary March of Time or high-energy EPs like The Game Is On, Dani has solidified his legacy.
Before Helloween, Dani Löble spent over a decade on various European metal acts, beginning in the early 1990s with Salvation, where he was credited as "Nanes" on the 1992 release From Where. Throughout the mid-to-late 90s, he maintained a busy schedule with Höllenhunde, contributing to the 1997 EP Alptraum, and simultaneously performing with Glenmore and Element 58. His work with Rawhead Rexx in the early 2000s that caught the underground's attention: as "Dany Loeble," he did percussion for their 2001 self-titled debut and the 2003 follow-up Diary in Black, before he joined Helloween in 2005.
Metal Archives biography: He took his first drumming lessons at 12 years. His first real musical steps were taken at the age of 14 with a garage band. Not too long after that, the first recording session followed at the age of 16. From 1991 on, he played in a number of local bands. From 1993 to 1995 Dani took drum lessons at MSD (Modern Drum School) in Zurich. In 1994 he founded the band Höllenhunde (Hounds of Hell) together with Thilo Hermann. Between 1996 and 1999 Dani studied music at the ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music) in Zurich. During this time he played in the melodic metal band Glenmore. From 1997 to 1998 he played in the acoustic rock band Element 58. From 1999-2005 Dani played drums for Rawhead Rexx. At the same time he also played drums for Iron Maiden's former singer Blaze Bayley (2004-2005).
A night at the Budokan - the Movie 🇯🇵 Helloween in Japan 2023 with Dani Löble
HELLOWEEN - Halloween (Official Live Video)
Saturday, February 21, 2026
In Memory of Legendary Houston Metal Scene Champion BILL BATES (1962-2016)
Bill "The Master" Bates (December 15, 1962 - February 21, 2016)
Bill "The Master" Bates was loved in the Houston, Texas metal music underground. He was important through his role as a host of the metal music show Sweet Nightmares at 90.1 KPFT, starting in the 1980s, a home for extreme metal music on the FM dial: thrash, speed, death and black metal, and doom and prog and some crazy experimental metal, too. Bill championed local metal: Helstar, deadhorse, and Imprecation and man others. He invited unsigned acts to bring in their demo tapes and promoting local club dates at venues like The Axiom and Fitzgerald's.
In the metal music scene in Houston, Bill was loved by musicians, metal music supporters and friends in general. Bill played all types of metal music on the Sweet Nightmares radio show on KPFT 90.1 FM, including Texas bands and there are many local Houston metal musicians whose songs Bill played.
Bill’s love of metal music and music in general goes back a long time and he was practically a walking library of knowledge. Bill was obsessed with metal and other like-minded people would recognize a kindred spirit in Bill, who affectionately was called “The Master,” which is a joke within the name Bill “The Master” Bates. Bill was also very funny and had lots of hilarious and embarrassing stories about your favorite bands, Texas bands, and himself. There is a reason why people genuinely loved Bill and it’s because he was kind. That is the Bill that many of us knew.
The older generation knew Bill through the original metal music show Sweet Nightmares that started in the 1980s and that was hosted by Bill and his friend Wes Weaver (1964-2021). Wes (ex-Imprecation, ex-Infernal Dominion) is the guitarist for the death metal band Blaspherian. For many, the names Bill and Wes, Wes and Bill, were said together as if they were twins. These two metal personalities have played a big role in turning people on to new metal music, especially extreme metal.
Below you will find comments about Bill, a Houston Press article about Sweet Nightmares after Bill died, and a YouTube audio of an old show in which you can hear Bill's voice between songs.
Many people have said wonderful things about Bill and it is impossible to put all those comments together in one place. These are some words that friends and musicians and others said about Bill at the time of his death:
Bill had not been well for a long time, and for the recent period dj Herman García has kept the show going. It is important that Herman has stepped up to do the show.
Many people have said wonderful things about Bill and it is impossible to put all those comments together in one place. These are some words that friends and musicians and others have said about Bill:
Bill The Master Bates, Houston has lost one of the undergrounds most influential radio personal in music. Not only was Bill Bates a radio personal that played some of the most brutal music to ever get radio time by anyone, he was also an energetic fan of the sounds of the underground. I first had the honor and pleasure of meeting Bill when I was in my early 20's Ive always been a fan Of what Bill Bates and Wes Weaver had accomplished on 90.1 Kpft Sweet Nightmares. What these guys did inspired me to be the musician that I became by playing the music that I wanted to hear instead of playing commercial music that was not getting my attention. Thanks Bill for being apart of the Houston Metal Scene and never giving up on the music. What you guys did up at KPFT was establish a ground zero for all local metal heads. Rest easy, and be at peace. \m/
Rivethead Magazine celebrates the life and mourns the passing of our old friend Bill Bates. Early RH staff writer and longtime host of the KPFT "Sweet Nightmares" radio show, Bill was and will always be a legendary icon to the underground Houston scene. Here he writes about Sweet Nightmares from RH Issue #8, June of 1989. Thanks for everything you ever did, brother. Someone should read the last paragraph of this at your funeral.
Herman:
Last night was kind of tough. We played some of Bill's favorite bands including deadhorse, Helstar and Trouble. We talked about some of memories of Bill Bates and then what blew me away was Bill's mom calling to thank us for doing the show and to say she was still in awe of how important her son was to the community. Important indeed. No one can fit in those shoes. But we will keep going at it and I hope all of you continue to tune in. \m/ \m/
One thing a lot of us agreed. Bill Bates must have sensed this time was coming. He was going to shows, he set up shows and he made it to the radio station. It was almost like he was saying his goodbye as he made his final tour. He touched so many but he was trying real hard to show people no matter what you are suffering, you still need to make time for friends, family and most important do what you can to help your friends in the metal community stay strong. This last week I am seeing so many people stand united in their love for Bill. For that say thank you. He would want you all to know that. So tomorrow one more tough day to say our goodbyes. Then we can continue to share our memories of him. He may have passed, but he will never be forgotten.
Wes:
Just got back from the Bill Bates viewing, he looked really good. I had to say a last goodbye since i missed him after his departure from the hospital. Was really sad, but they had him in his sweet nightmares t-shirt, and an astros jacket, kinda fitting with how much he loved the radio show and the astros, well sports in general....Good bye old friend, i'll see you on the other side some time.
sitting at home today, with the baby...remembering the old school days and thinking of all the crazy times with Bill Bates I remembered this video, shot by Sean Sitka, from Vinnie Labella's house (EXHORDER), in 1990 in New Orleans....with bills physical problems,i think the exhorder guys thought it a little funny so Vinnie wrote 'side actions blues' some good natured ribbing and Bill makes his appearance at the 5:25 mark unphased and having a great time...always laughing....
Rubén Elizondo:
I was deeply saddened to hear the news on Bill's passing. He played a huge part in the Houston Metal Scene. He did so much for many people, including myself. In the late 80s he managed Dark Reign. In 1990 Bill got us on the whole Texas Tour with Morbid Angel. By 1991 he got us two dates with Death here in Houston and New Orleans. He supported many bands in Houston by giving them air play, as well as setting up shows. Bill even handled all of the paper work to purchase my house for me and my wife. Thank you for your 30 year friendship Bill, I was honored to get the chance to know you. There will never be another Bill Bates. R.I.P.
Andrew Apollyon:
I hope I'm able to perform the Bill Bates tribute show with my old band Hideously Defleshed. It would be an honour to pay tribute and support a true Houston legend. Bill Bates was a true gentlemen and class act. He always supported hideously defleshed as you can see from the pic below and played our music on k.p.f.t TheEjacula SweetNightmares often. If we are unable to perform the show due to the fact I'm leaving to the Middle East soon and my job may not allow me to take time off from work at the last moment for the show I will make sure we will donate a nice amount of funds to his benefit. Thank you Mr. Bill Bates we ❤ you...
Jerry Warden:
Bill Bates was on the air at KPFT in Houston when I hosted The Metal Show on KNON in Dallas from '86-'89 and he continued to host Sweet Nightmares into 2016. I knew him as a fellow promoter of metal at a time when community radio was the only source for metal music. Later, I was a fan as I listened to him in S.Texas penitentiaries. Upon my return home, I reacquainted myself w/ Bill and conveyed my respect for his longevity on the air. He asked my band, WarlockTexas, to open for Satan as the direct support band at Numbers in Houston and asked me more than once to attend his last show featuring Insecticide, a band we both played on the air and hosted in the '80s. I wish I would've attended your last show, Bill, bc I have the utmost respect for u. U are The ******* Master.
Joshua James Merritt:
Bill Bates, family and friends. I want to apologize for not coming to the service today... I simply cannot do viewings anymore... I want my last visual memory of him to be that happy smile of his sitting on the side of the Fitz stage watching Venom Inc, not of him in a casket... my eyes are watering up just typing this.... and for the record, when I depart, NO VIEWING, please. I will have words for our fallen comrade tonight on my radio show. Bill, we love you and we are all missing you dearly.
Dobber Beverly:
A preshow shot for Bill Bates tonight. A tie that has been the bind for so many of us since we were kids jamming 90.1. Being able to turn that radio on and jam with pals you know and friends you didn't know yet. I wouldn't know half the people I know now if it wasn't for Bill and he was a hell of a dude. Rest in peace my friend and see you cats tomorrow!
Richard Cagle:
Voices came out in 1990... It was a collection of Metal Bands from around the region that I put out on Saturn Records... It was well received in Europe and helped promote the Texas/Louisiana metal scene... Joe Claytor (Band Manager/Local Promoter) and Bill Bates (Sweet Nightmares, KPFT Radio DJ), both helped me put this together... without them, I doubt it would have gotten done or been as successful as it was at the time. With the passing of Bill this week, I've been reflecting on how both Joe and Bill helped and influenced the whole Metal scene in the 90s. They will both be missed... I thank them for all that they did.. Rest in Peace my friends....
John Fossum:
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Bill Bates. A dedicated, passionate music scene pioneer, promoter, fan and friend. When I moved to the Houston area in 1984, Bill was one of the first people I met. I listened religiously to the "Sweet Nightmares" radio show on KPFT that he and Wes Weaver made into a Metal program staple. I'm glad to have known him. It was a true honour. I have no doubt that he is yucking it up with Lemmy right now. Rest in peace, brotherman.
--
Sweet Nightmares: A KPFT Show That Delivers The Metal
DAVID ROZYCKI
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 (Houston Press article)
Local metal fans bored with commercial rock radio stations here in Houston really need to check out Sweet Nightmares, a show hosted by Bryan Posey (aka DJ Metallord) and Gilbert Issac Castaneda (aka Kill Casta), which airs weekly on Thursdays from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on 90.1 FM KPFT and on the web. Many new listeners are surprised to learn that the show has been on the air for 30 years and is one of KPFT’s longest running programs. A cool thing is if you are an early riser and can’t stay up late to listen live on Thursdays you can listen to a few weeks’ archived shows on the KPFT website.
The current hosting team of Posey and Castaneda will celebrate their one year anniversary on Sweet Nightmares together on September 20. For many of the show’s previous years Bill “The Master” Bates co-hosted the show with Wes Weaver of Houston death metal band Blaspherian and then on his own. Bates suffered from a number of health problems late in his life and passed away in February of 2016; he was much loved in the Houston metal community and an all-day memorial concert to help raise money for his family after his death was held at Scout Bar in March 2016.
“We all miss Bill Bates very much, may he rest in peace, but we try and keep this going on in his memory because he would want that,” explains Posey. “This show was very important to him and it’s important to a lot of people man. I really have realized how important it is now doing this on the other side now and it still is relevant to this day.”
A memorial plaque dedicated to Bill Bates is hanging on a wall at KPFT as well as a small pamphlet given out at his funeral. I asked Posey if the show has changed any since Bates passed.
“I always say we keep it updated without outdating it, you know,” explains Posey. “We try to mix the new with the old, and I’ve done polls on Sweet Nightmares Facebook page on what people would rather hear — the old stuff or the newer stuff — and usually it’s 50/50, a little bit of both, so we’re getting really good feedback. I think Bill would be very happy with the way it’s going and what’s going on with it, yes I do.”
Before Posey joined the show, Castaneda co-hosted the show for 3 years with Herman Garcia, who did an excellent job as well but had to leave due to Hurricane Harvey which devastated the lives of so many people in the Houston area.
“He lost his house and everything in the hurricane,” says Posey. “His girlfriend lives in Tennessee so he was like, screw it I don’t have nothing here I might as well move to Tennessee. He didn’t want to do it but they were planning on either her moving down here or him moving up there but there was no sense in her coming down here since the house was gone… He pretty much had to pick up the pieces and start over his life and move there. He really, really didn’t want to go and he hated leaving the show.”
Posey adds that Garcia asked him to replace him on the show since he thought Posey would be the best person to do it with his history within the Houston metal scene, his knowledge of the bands and his previous years of experience as an Internet DJ with Hard Rock Radio Live and his own Nuclear Rock Radio website. Posey also has booked Houston metal shows past and present with his Throne of Metal Promotions & Bookings.
“I didn’t jump on it right away, I thought about it,” explains Posey. “I actually spoke with previous host Wes Weaver before agreeing to do it and he said ‘I think you should take it’ and so that pretty much sealed the deal for me.”
The current hosts of Sweet Nightmares represent two different generations of metalheads, with Posey being in his 40s and Castaneda, who got the shortened nickname Casta because some of his friends had trouble pronouncing his last name, is in his 20s. Posey had been a fan of Sweet Nightmares for many years while Castaneda discovered it more recently.
“If it weren’t for Josh (Rivera) from Thraxis I wouldn’t even know about this gig,” explains Castaneda. “He told me I have a great radio voice and how would I like to put it to use? That’s how I got hooked up for this gig and ever since then I’ve loved it. Every week that I’m here I’m learning about new jams.”
Posey and Castaneda get up to the station an hour to an hour and a half before the show each week and talk about music and what they are going to play on the show; they work together like a well-oiled machine at this point.
I asked the guys how they became such big fans of metal music in the first place.
“When I was way young, when I was a kid, I grew up in a house full of girls with four sisters and my mom so they were always playing pop, hip-hop, or R&B, but I knew that none of that was my cup of tea,” explains Castaneda. “I remember what got me hooked was hearing on the radio on a classic rock station was Twisted Sister’s ‘I Wanna Rock’ and that was the song that was pretty catchy to me and I thought it was really good but I didn’t know what other music that was similar to that to listen to at that time. I was jamming to some hard rock and some alternative jams and I was just thinking like some of these are good but I feel like it needs more aggression, and I’m that type that started exploring more music on the Internet, and then I went to my cousin’s house and he had all these vinyl albums and CDs, stuff like Dethklok, Exodus, Warbringer, CKY, a variety of different types of metal that he got me hooked to. Then I got into some classic metal and the new wave of thrash metal and it just expanded from there.”
Years earlier Posey discovered metal music from a relative as well.
“When I was a kid, my uncle had all these vinyl albums — rock music, hard rock music. I’m talking stuff like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, I mean literally like hundreds if not thousands of albums,” Posey explained. “I was just fascinated. I remember being 8 or 9 years old looking at Ozzy Osbourne’s Diary of A Madman album going ‘wow dude this looks cool!’ And then Kiss was the band that really started me into hard rock and stuff. As I got to be a teenager, I discovered Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, all that stuff, and then it just got harder and more extreme. I was there for the birth of thrash metal, the second wave of punk, a lot of the New York City hardcore stuff, and death metal. It became an obsession and it’s a part of me, it’s like my being… rock metal music, it’s always been there for me and it’s helped me through a lot of things.”
Posey and Castaneda like metal so much they both became drummers, playing in several different bands over the years and they both agree the music is a very big and important part of their lives, not just some trivial or slight thing.
“This is me, this is how I am and I always will be until they throw the freaking dirt on me,” explained Posey. “I didn’t want to be a doctor, I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I wanted to be a freaking rock star.”
The extreme metal music played on Sweet Nightmares is an obsession to their listeners as well; people all over the world listen to the show via the Internet, in addition to the local fans who listen live on the radio and call in to win free tickets to shows each week. The program even has a number of fans who are serving time in prison; Posey showed me some of the letters they have sent in to the show thanking Sweet Nightmares for the music they play.
Posey and I are about the same age and we reminisced a little bit about how some people thought metal music was literally evil and earnestly satanic back in the 80s; the metal music scene was also more of a boy’s club back then while today it is a lot different.
“It’s really changed now because there are a lot of women fronting bands and there are certain women who are freaking shredders and just unbelievable guitarists,” explained Posey. “The ladies hold their own man. I know some gals that are heavier than some dudes you know that are into metal. The reason [my wife and I] got together was because of rock and metal music. We’ve been married for 20 years now.”
“In the metal community, everyone just makes you feel like family, especially when you’re at shows,” said Castaneda. “Sometimes people like to be judgmental just because they see a guy with long hair…but whenever you go to a metal show it just makes you feel like you’re with your family, with your brothers, your sisters. It’s a metal bond that everyone has.”
Sweet Nightmares airs weekly on Thursday nights starting at 11 p.m. on 90.1 FM KPFT and online at kpft.org
sweet nightmares bill bates
Friday, February 20, 2026
In Memory of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij (1974-2024)
Vitalij Kuprij (July 4th, 1974 - February 20, 2024)
Vitalij Kuprij was a classically trained pianist that studied at the Mykola Lyssenko Music Academy in Ukraine, the Basel Conservatoire in Switzerland and Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Amongst metal fans, he is known for his work with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and lightning-fast neoclassical shred style. His metal discography includes progressive metal albums with Artension, such as Into the Eye of the Storm (1996), Phoenix Rising (1997), and Forces of Nature (1999). He was also in Ring of Fire, performing on The Oracle (2001), Dreamtower (2002), and their 2022 comeback Gravity, while releasing solo albums like High Definition (1997), Extreme Measures (1998), and Progression (2020). Below is the article from Blabbermouth
from BLABBERMOUTH
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Keyboard Maestro VITALIJ KUPRIJ Dead At 49
February 21, 2024
Ukrainian-American maestro Vitalij Kuprij, a classically trained virtuoso who has played with progressive metal bands ARTENSION and RING OF FIRE and toured with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, has died at the age of 49. No cause of death has yet been revealed.
Kuprij's passing was confirmed by his longtime friend, Finnish guitarist, songwriter, and producer Lars Eric Mattsson, who wrote on his Facebook page: "Woke up to really sad news this morning as my dear friend and keyboard maestro Vitalij Kuprij has passed away last night. The Ukranian born virtuoso was living in Philadelphia and recently came off another hugely successful tour with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA.
I have known and worked with Vitalij for over 20 years and he always talked about seeing me here in Finland to go fishing, which was his second love after music. We have recorded together several times, first time was for the debut album of BOOK OF REFLECTIONS 20 years ago and then later for my MATTSSON concept album War. My record label Lion Music Record Label has released a lot of his music including three solo albums, his band ARTENSION and more.
"You will be deeply missed my friend!"
Earlier today, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA released the following statement: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and bandmate, Vitalij Kuprij. He was a world-renowned classical pianist and composer.
"In 2010, Vitalij joined TSO for the inaugural 'Beethoven's Last Night' tour and seamlessly became an integral part of the band. His flawless and energetic performances consistently captivated audiences, and many of you came to know and love him as much as we did. Beyond his musical prowess, Vitalij was an accomplished chess player, an avid fisherman, and simply a fun-loving soul. His absence will be profoundly felt by all.
"Rest in peace, Vitalij. You will be deeply missed."
Kuprij, born 1974 in Volodarka, Kiev, Ukraine, has international acclaim for his classical background and training while also transitioning seamlessly to neo-classical, progressive rock and metal.
A graduate of the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia and a resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, Kuprij was an in-demand musician throughout the United States and abroad. He had performed in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. The recipient of many distinguished musical honors in several countries, he won the prestigious first prize as the youngest person to compete in the All-Union Chopin Competition held in the Soviet Union, the gold medal in the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Mykola Lyssenko Competition in the Ukraine. He also received first prize in the Geneva Duo Competition for Violin and Piano as well as the gold medal in the Piano 80 and Swiss Youth Competition, the Chicago Piano Competition, the New York Piano Competition, and the Cleveland Piano Competition.
In 1999, he was selected as the soloist to perform composer Liszt's Piano Concerto #1 with the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall. He later had his solo Carnegie Hall debut where he played two encores followed by performances at Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall.
Although well-known for his classical training and technique, Kuprij's crossover ability into neo-classical and rock made him a famous name amongst his peers. He had numerous albums under the Marquee Avalon and Yamaha labels, hits on the Japanese charts, and has given master classes and workshops at colleges and universities across the country. He began touring with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA in 2009, after being discovered through Internet clips of his incredible keyboard work. The ORCHESTRA, although best known for its renditions of Christmas songs, is a touring progressive rock group which brought back the rock opera with its dazzling pyrotechnic light show.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wish Liszt - Featuring Vitalij Kuprij and Jane Mangini (in memory of VK)
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(from the 2015 album Letters from the Labyrinth)
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Vitalij Kuprij - Encores
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