The riff is the foundation of heavy music, evolving over several decades and styles. Many of our favorite songs started with a single idea and guitar in hand. Anyone can write a riff, but what makes a good riff? Each week, riff disciples Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, & Justin Swindle attempt to answer this question by discussing their favorite riffs, how they came to be, and why we still worship them today.
#176 - Darkest Hour's Mike Schleibaum on Suffer Divine
Melodic Death Metal juggernauts Darkest Hour have returned with their ferocious 11th studio album, Suffer Divine. In this episode, Dylan sits down with founding guitarist Mike Schleibaum to dissect the creation and sonic destruction behind their latest record.
Mike breaks down the songwriting collaboration and methodology that helped shape Suffer Divine alongside producer Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse), balancing the band’s signature melodic death metal stomp, twin-guitar harmonies, and thrash speed with pure hardcore urgency.
Plus, Mike shares what music has been on his heavy rotation lately, including bands like End It, NØ MAN, Angel Du$t, and Comeback Kid!
Suffer Divine is OUT NOW via MNRK Heavy: https://mnrkheavy.com/collections/darkest-hour (https://mnrkheavy.com/collections/darkest-hour)
Photo Credit: Matthew Zagorski (https://www.matthewzagorski.com/)
Follow Darkest Hour
Website: https://darkesthourband.com/ (https://darkesthourband.com/)
Bandcamp: https://officialdarkesthour.bandcamp.com/music (https://officialdarkesthour.bandcamp.com/music)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkestHourDudes (https://www.facebook.com/DarkestHourDudes)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkest_hour_official (https://www.instagram.com/darkest_hour_official)
Twitter: https://x.com/darkesthourrock (https://x.com/darkesthourrock)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@darkesthourdudes/featured (https://www.youtube.com/@darkesthourdudes/featured)
Recommendations:
Undeath (https://undeath.bandcamp.com/music)
Fit For An Autopsy (https://fitforanautopsy.bandcamp.com/music)
Sylosis (https://sylosis.bandcamp.com/music)
Decapitated (https://decapitated.bandcamp.com/music)
Exodus (https://exodusattack.com/site/)
The Black Dahlia Murder (https://theblackdahliamurder.bandcamp.com/music)
Be Well (https://bewellhardcore.bandcamp.com/)
End It (https://flatspotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fsr85-wrong-side-of-heaven)
Angel Du$t (https://angeldustmoney.bandcamp.com/)
Trapped Under Ice (https://flatspotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fsr02-demo-2007)
Turnstile (https://turnstilehardcore.com/)
Fugazi (https://fugazi.bandcamp.com/)
Hammered Hulls (https://hammeredhulls.bandcamp.com/music)
Bed Maker (https://bedmakerdc.bandcamp.com/)
NØ MAN (https://nomanband.bandcamp.com/music)
Comeback Kid (https://comebackkid-hc.bandcamp.com/music)
Hot Water Music (https://hotwatermusic.bandcamp.com/music)
Strike Anywhere (https://strike-anywhere.bandcamp.com/album/nightmares-of-the-west)
Carcass (https://carcass.bandcamp.com/)
The Haunted (https://thehaunted.bandcamp.com/)
In Flames (https://inflamesofficial.bandcamp.com/music)
Follow Riff Worship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/ (https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/)
Twitter: https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod (https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod (https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod)
Check out our Official Playlists:
Riffs on Repeat (Spotify) (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=631b8a90067e4876) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
Riffs on Repeat (YouTube Music) (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvwGr2qsmQQrsJbS8IPgAvs7Lx45gaVs7&si=XAGEfVe1DEjBfjjJ)
Hits from the Crypt (Apple) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
29 Oct 2026
#175 - White Zombie, Primus & 90s VR Horror: Brainscan (1994) Halloween Special
In this Riff Worship Halloween Special, guest David Stepanavicius (Atræ Bilis, Fulci Rots) joins us to dissect the 1994 cult VR horror film Brainscan. Directed by John Flynn and written by Andrew Kevin Walker (Seven) and Brian Owens, this 90s cyber-slasher stars Edward Furlong as a teen trapped in an interactive murder game orchestrated by T. Ryder Smith’s iconic villain, The Trickster. We explore the film's evolution from a 1987 VHS script, behind-the-scenes set friction, and the infamous abomination creature finale cut before theaters.
Beyond the movie, we break down Brainscan’s landmark 90s alt-metal and industrial soundtrack from Columbia/Ruffhouse Records, featuring White Zombie, Primus, Pitchshifter, O.L.D., Tad, Mudhoney, Butthole Surfers, and score composer George S. Clinton!
We wrap up with our seasonal Halloween horror and music picks, including Conch, Algor Mortis, Mad Monster Party?, and The Ghouls.
Follow Atræ Bilis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atraebilis/ (https://www.facebook.com/atraebilis/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atraebilis/ (https://www.instagram.com/atraebilis/)
Follow Fulci Rots
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulcirots/ (https://www.instagram.com/fulcirots/)
Recommendations:
Brainscan (1994) (https://youtu.be/9FYXNFiWezU?si=yG_fBHKCmheQ7biP)
Brainscan Soundtrack (1994) (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqu5b2PteZ4miinf5dc8Qb0pSyWuoRpTw&si=LzPQL1B7vpTRMaZW)
尼浊累CONCH - 2022 Shanghai Demo (https://kutongyinyue.bandcamp.com/album/2022-shanghai-demo)
The Lair of the White Worm (1988) (https://youtu.be/H9QSDuew2eo?si=0RDqhiFYn0IA673l)
Algor Mortis - The Art Of Suffering (https://onlybigrecords.com/collections/algor-mortis)
Samhain - Samhain III: November-Coming-Fire (https://archive.org/details/november-coming-fire)
Hubie Halloween (2020) (https://youtu.be/kY3SuNvqQPw?si=nm61vaSma_0eYFqW)
The Ghouls - Halloween With The Ghouls (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_msZl9BDoAtdZs9T2xrWSX0F8mlieKPsAs&si=Vt1kZMQVrXKBAdG6)
Mad Monster Party? (1967) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WagZ-yqC0ng)
Dead Astronauts - Shallow Grave (https://deadastronauts.bandcamp.com/album/shallow-grave)
Usipian - Dead Corner of the Eye (https://youtu.be/Nbwt2hhJMW8?si=t-hJGazW96RbdAsB)
The Cleansing - Poisoned Legacy (https://youtu.be/nDvjFmfTq-4?si=NfGE34YZmlqwtzjk)
Racer X - Street Lethal (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kLDTJy27o2E_QwhT3Na8Jjg3G4TMcZUis&si=QEDBTiIviMPJ3Bas)
Sanguine (2026) (https://youtu.be/5RgLW8hiHOI?si=FjUuLHOL_4DLBgiB)
Cemetery Man (1994) (https://youtu.be/I6o0TJNC77I?si=FkVE85f3nYRasEMM)
The Day of the Beast (1995) (https://youtu.be/pD7_zxXe06w?si=7DVoCzuykCmccfDi)
Follow Riff Worship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/ (https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/)
Twitter: https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod (https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod (https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod)
Check out our Official Playlists:
Riffs on Repeat (Spotify) (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=631b8a90067e4876) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
Riffs on Repeat (YouTube Music) (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvwGr2qsmQQrsJbS8IPgAvs7Lx45gaVs7&si=XAGEfVe1DEjBfjjJ)
Hits from the Crypt (Apple) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
22 Oct 2026
#174 - Dream Unending, NØ MAN & Darkest Hour: October 2026 Extreme Music Releases
This week on the Riff Worship podcast, we highlight our most anticipated extreme music releases of October! From atmospheric death-doom to blistering hardcore punk, we break down the albums you need on your radar this month.
In this episode:
Dream Unending – Certain Uncertainties (20 Buck Spin)
Release Date: October 30th
We review the highly anticipated third album from the atmospheric death-doom duo. Listen in as we discuss how Justin DeTore and Derrick Vella transition from their previously glacial, epic sound to a leaner, nocturnal atmosphere packed with blues, jazz, and desert-rock guitar explorations.
NØ MAN – Between the Sword and the Neck (Iodine Recordings)
Release Date: October 30th
We explore the visceral hardcore punk energy and heavy d-beat rhythms of the band's fourth full-length album. We also delve into the record's urgent themes surrounding the ethnic cleansing in Gaza, delivered through the powerful, deeply personal vocal performance of Maha Shami.
Darkest Hour – Suffer Divine (MNRK Heavy)
Release Date: October 30th
We tackle the metalcore pioneers' latest ferocious offering, highlighting its relentless melodic death metal roots, intricate dual-guitar harmonies, and menacing breakdowns.
Recommendations:
Dream Unending - Certain Uncertainties (https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/certain-uncertainties)
NØ MAN - Between the Sword and the Neck (https://nomanband.bandcamp.com/album/between-the-sword-and-the-neck-2)
Darkest Hour - Suffer Divine (https://officialdarkesthour.bandcamp.com/album/suffer-divine)
Selenoplexia - Beneath the Lunar Tyrant (https://selenoplexia.bandcamp.com/album/beneath-the-lunar-tyrant-2)
Last - Potent Desperation (https://lastmusic.bandcamp.com/album/potent-desperation)
Subserviency - Observing the Ancestral Twilight EP (https://newstandardelite.bandcamp.com/album/subserviency-observing-the-ancestral-twilight)
Revocation (https://revocationband.bandcamp.com/music)
Follow Riff Worship
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/ (https://www.instagram.com/riffworshippod/)
Twitter: https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod (https://x.com/RiffWorshipPod)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod (https://www.youtube.com/@RiffWorshipPod)
Check out our Official Playlists:
Riffs on Repeat (Spotify) (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37W4wEyb5ELf2y0YYlhRy2?si=631b8a90067e4876) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
Riffs on Repeat (YouTube Music) (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvwGr2qsmQQrsJbS8IPgAvs7Lx45gaVs7&si=XAGEfVe1DEjBfjjJ)
Hits from the Crypt (Apple) (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hits-from-the-crypt/pl.u-8aAVXvauoNWybL)
Who has been a guest on Riff Worship
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Zach Reini
Richie DeVon
Shaune Kelley
Zachary Ezrin
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
74,165
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
32 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 88 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
95
Social presence
94
YouTube
85
Engagement
71
Contact Riff Worship
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