Welcome to the rock history class you actually want to take!

In this installment, Michael and his dad are charting a course from the underground metal scene to the landmark sounds of the early 2000s and back to the foundations of soul.

We kick things off with The Art of Discovery, our mission to find your next musical obsession. This week, we’re featuring three powerful independent acts: the atmospheric black metal of Ashbringer, the progressive stoner-doom weight of Puerto Rico’s Moths, and the intricate, Barcelona-based progressive metal of Permyon.

Next, we dive into our main topic: Finch’s 2002 powerhouse debut, What It Is To Burn. This record was a defining moment for the post-hardcore explosion. We thoroughly explore this visceral ...