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Mandatory Music

Mandatory Music

By: Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich
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About this listen

Welcome to Mandatory Music! A podcast about the craft of music.
Join Mike and Sebastian as they unravel the depths of song writing, musicianship and great artists. Each season centres on one particular band, with a deep dive into specific songs that delve into their creation, sound and complexity. It is within song and harmony, melody and rhythm that our emotional heartbeat echos.
It has been said that "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. - Plato
So, come for the ride.

© 2026 Mandatory Music
Music
Episodes
  • Episode 83: Days of the New: A Footnote in time
    Jan 7 2026

    We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text

    This week on Mandatory Music, we dive deep into the fascinating and often tragic story of Days of the New—one of the most eccentric and misunderstood bands to emerge from the ’90s alternative scene. From their explosive debut and unique acoustic-driven sound to internal turmoil, creative brilliance, and a heartbreaking unraveling, we trace the band’s journey from promising beginnings to a bitter end. It’s a story of talent, tension, and what happens when success collides with instability. If you remember the music—or want to understand what really happened—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich

    Contact Mandatory Music:
    email us at mandatorymusicshow@gmail.com
    find us on Facebook search mandatory music
    Instagram: mandatory_music1
    Twitter(X) @mandatory_music

    Thanks for listening and keep on rocking

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    30 mins
  • Episode 82: top albums of the Year
    Dec 31 2025

    We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text

    We are back with our top albums of 2025, you might have heard of a few of our choices and both of Mike's were on the more obscure side. Dig in for a real fun episode



    2025 Music Review

    Arch Enemy - Blood Dynasty (Sebastian's Pick)

    • Melodic death metal album praised for its classic 90s metal feel.
    • Key Track: "Paper Tiger" → Recalls Metallica's "Spit Out the Bone."
    • Vocals: Alyssa White-Gluz's growls are clear and intelligible, a key factor for Sebastian.
    • Context: White-Gluz departed the band shortly after the album's release, immediately launching a solo single.
    • Nite - Cult of the Serpent's Son (Mike's Pick)
      • Authentic 80s-style metal with influences from Metallica, Tool, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath.
      • Vocals: "Death metal light" growls are clear enough to understand, which was a key requirement for Mandatory Music.
      • Key Tracks: "Crow" (most-played song of the year) and "The Mystic."
    • Yungblud - Yungblud EP (Sebastian's Pick)
      • Six-song EP with Aerosmith, featuring a cover of "Back in the Saddle."
      • Impact: Youngblood's youthful energy revitalized Steven Tyler's performance, making the collaboration a standout.
      • Suggestion: Youngblood needs a dedicated, world-class guitarist (e.g., a modern-day Slash) to form a classic frontman-guitarist duo.
    • Wucan - Axioms (Mike's Pick)
      • German band playing 70s-style psychedelic hard rock.
      • Instrumentation: Features keyboards, theremin, and prominent flute (noted as distinct from Jethro Tull).
      • Vibe: Described as a modern album that could have been released in the 70s.
    • Miss Monique (Sebastian's Pick)
      • Ukrainian DJ playing melodic house/trance.
      • Format: Releases long (1–2 hour) progressive sets on YouTube, often filmed in remote locations.
      • Style: Subtle, wave-like progression creates a mellow, non-lyrical journey.

    Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich

    Contact Mandatory Music:
    email us at mandatorymusicshow@gmail.com
    find us on Facebook search mandatory music
    Instagram: mandatory_music1
    Twitter(X) @mandatory_music

    Thanks for listening and keep on rocking

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Episode 81: What If
    Nov 22 2025

    We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text

    Ever sit around with friends and start asking, “What if this happened… or what if that had gone differently?” That’s exactly what Sebastian and I dove into this week! We picked a few wild “what if” scenarios and had an absolute blast exploring how things might have turned out.
    Tune in to hear the twists, turns, laughs, and unexpected answers—we had way too much fun with this one!

    Mandatory Music is proudly hosted and produced by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich

    Contact Mandatory Music:
    email us at mandatorymusicshow@gmail.com
    find us on Facebook search mandatory music
    Instagram: mandatory_music1
    Twitter(X) @mandatory_music

    Thanks for listening and keep on rocking

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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