On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, John and Matt sit down with MEZZOA guitarist and vocalist Nacho Maldonado for an in-depth conversation about his journey through the San Diego heavy rock scene.Nacho shares his beginnings as an aspiring musician during the explosive 90s underground rock era, where raw, gritty sounds shaped what would become MEZZOA’s signature style. He dives into his early work with his first band, MAGDALENE, and how that project evolved into MEZZOA, with several tracks originally crafted during that time still living on in the band’s current setlist.We explore MEZZOA’s latest album, TON618, and how Nacho leaned hard into heavier influences, fusing traditional metal and hardcore elements to create an aggressive, textured sound. He opens up about the creative process behind the record, how the band's sound has matured, and what fans can expect from their newest material.The conversation also covers the upcoming 5th edition of Nacho's SoCal Heavy Jam Festival, set to take place this October. Nacho talks about the festival’s growth, its roots in the local scene, and how it has become a destination for fans of heavy underground music. If you're into honest, deep dives into music, artistry, and DIY culture, this is an episode you can’t miss.Catch this wide-ranging conversation about music, history, passion, and community in one of the most dynamic underground scenes in the U.S.#mezzoa #nachomaldonado #heavygalaxyshow #socalmetal #undergroundrock #stonerrock #magdalene #heavymusic #ton618 #metalinterview #hardcoremetal #diyscene #metalbands #socalmusic #rockinterview #metalpodcast #stonermetal #heavyrockscene #sandiegomusic #metalcommunityNOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.Please SUBSCRIBE, click the notification bell, leave a comment or a like, and share this episode!

Rob Traynor of BLACK WATER RISING joins Matt & John on The Heavy Galaxy Show for a deep dive into his journey through the world of heavy rock. From growing up in Brooklyn and frequenting the legendary L'Amour club, to crossing paths and befriending members of bands like Type O Negative, Rob shares the roots that shaped his gritty, riff-heavy sound. He opens up about his early 2000's band Dust To Dust, the influence of Peter Steele, and how that relationship helped guide his career.Rob gives us the inside story on Dust To Dust’s rise and fall—highlighting what it's like to be signed to a major label and the business clashes that followed. He explains how those experiences led to the formation of BLACK WATER RISING and how the band carved out its space in the heavy rock scene. With support from Sirius XM Octane’s Jose Mangin, the band gained momentum fast, being offered and landing deals and pushing forward with a powerful debut.We dig into BLACK WATER RISING's songwriting process, including Rob’s lyrical themes and inspirations behind tracks off their latest album 'The Edge'. Rob also talks about how the band navigates the modern music industry, where rock and metal are often sidelined by younger audiences. He breaks down what it takes to stay relevant and independent in today’s fast-changing music landscape.Rob shares details on his collaborations with Brooklyn metal legend Johnny Kelly and longtime New Jersey riff-maestro Dan Lorenzo and their band PATRIARCHS IN BLACK. We talk about upcoming possible physical releases for 'The Edge', the band's plans for future live performances, and whats in store for BLACK WATER RISING for 2025' and beyond. If you’re into hard rock history, raw stories from the scene, and honest insight into today’s music world, don’t miss this one.

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt & John sit down with iconic frontman Mark Hennessy for a no-holds-barred look at his 30+ year journey in rock music. From his early days in the unlikely grunge hub of Lawrence, KS, to becoming a rising force in the heavy rock scene with Godzillionaire, Mark opens up like never before.We dive into Paw’s explosive entry into the 90s rock world as one of the few non-Seattle bands to grab major label attention. Mark talks about the moment Paw caught the ears of Butch Vig at Smart Studios and how that led to their breakout deal with A&M Records. The band’s debut album Dragline and its MTV smash hit “Jessie” are explored in depth—especially the personal story behind the song's emotional lyrics.Mark doesn’t hold back when it comes to Paw’s follow-up record Death to Traitors, expressing raw honesty about his disappointment in the album’s direction and the fallout that followed, including their drop from A&M. He also shares wild tour stories involving Monster Magnet, tense nights with TESLA, and an unforgettable evening with TOOL’s Maynard James Keenan.The conversation shifts to Mark’s time at MTV with The Jenny McCarthy Show, as well as the creative projects that bridged the gap between Paw and Godzillionaire. The guys dig into the birth of Godzillionaire, a band that has reignited Mark’s passion and found a loyal global following with their 2025 album Diminishing Returns.In a powerful and emotional close, Mark talks about being a Stage 4 cancer survivor, his current health battles, and what lies ahead. This episode is raw, real, and unforgettable. If you care about music, resilience, or just great storytelling, this is one you need to watch.#grungerock #heavymusic #pawband #markhennessy #godzillionaire #dragline #deathtotraitors #90srock #mtvclassics #butchvig #toolband #maynardjameskeenan #monsterband #teslaband #altrocklegends #heavyriff #rockinterview #cancersurvivor #rockdocumentary #undergroundmusicNOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.Please SUBSCRIBE, click the notification bell, leave a comment or a like, and share this episode!