FLEETING LIFE Interview | PERMA DEATH EP Breakdown, Video Game Themes & Modern Metalcore Madness! | Metal Maniacs Podcast #159

Metalcore, Nu Metal, Rap Metal, Perma Death EP, Fleeting Life, Michigan Metal, Modern Metalcore, Gaming Inspired Metal, Breakdowns, Metal Podcast

On this episode of the Metal Maniacs Podcast, host Jay Ingersoll sits down with Michigan metalcore powerhouse Fleeting Life to discuss their journey from a small local project to releasing one of the most ambitious independent metal releases of 2026, the crushing new EP Perma Death.

Joining us are:

🎤 Logan Thomas – Vocals

🎸 Jordan Cyr – Rhythm Guitar

🎸 Steven Parent – Lead Guitar

Not here-

🎸 Calen Thibideau – Bass

🥁 Ryan Bontrager – Drums

We dive deep into the band's origins, how Fleeting Life got its unique name, and the evolution of their sound through a catalog of singles that blend metalcore, nu-metal, rap-metal, electronic elements, gaming influences, and massive guest features.

We break down early releases like Leveling Up, Synth-Etic Love, Entities From the Shallow, Freddy Krueger, Star Shopping, and Your Eyes, discussing the experimentation, collaborations, and songwriting that helped shape the band's identity.

The conversation then shifts to their latest release, Perma Death, a massive leap forward in songwriting, production, musicianship, and creativity. We discuss the EP's arcade-inspired artwork, possible gaming influences, and several standout tracks including:

🔥 Advent

🔥 Parasomniac

🔥 Skull

🔥 Would You Kindly?

🔥 Vampire

We talk about the crushing riffs, layered vocals, rap-metal influences, dual guitar harmonies, bass tone, drum production, breakdowns, and the incredible attention to detail throughout the EP.

Other topics include:

⚡ How each song develops from riff ideas to finished tracks

⚡ Writing and arranging solos

⚡ Guest vocalists and collaborations

⚡ Guitar tones, tunings, gear, cabs, and production techniques

⚡ Backing tracks and live performance setups

⚡ Practice routines and band chemistry

⚡ Favorite gaming influences in their music

⚡ Touring goals and upcoming shows

⚡ Worst live show experiences

⚡ What first got the members into metal and extreme music

⚡ Hobbies outside the band

⚡ What's next for Fleeting Life

If you're a fan of modern metalcore, nu metal, electronic metal, Linkin Park, Bring Me The Horizon, I Prevail, Falling In Reverse, Fame on Fire, From Ashes To New, and genre-bending heavy music, this episode is packed with insight and laughs.

🎧 Listen now and discover one of Michigan's most exciting rising heavy bands.

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#Metalcore #FleetingLife #PermaDeath #MetalManiacsPodcast #ModernMetal #NuMetal #RapMetal #MichiganMetal #GamingMetal #Breakdowns #HeavyMusic #MetalPodcast #MetalInterview #IndependentMetal #MetalCommunity

🔥 MICHIGAN METAL FEST • MIDWEST BRUTAL FEST • METAL FESTIVALS • BATTLE CREEK METAL • STEVE MAPLE • SCOTT HAKES • METAL PODCAST • METAL MANIACS PODCAST 🔥

Welcome to Episode 158 of the Metal Maniacs Podcast hosted by Jay Ingersoll!

In this episode, Jay sits down with Steve Maple and Scott Hakes, the driving forces behind two of Michigan's biggest independent heavy music events: Michigan Metal Fest and Midwest Brutal Fest.

We dive deep into the history, growth, and future of these festivals, discussing everything from booking bands and building lineups to sponsorships, VIP experiences, volunteer crews, and what it really takes to run successful metal festivals in today's music scene.

Michigan Metal Fest has become one of the Midwest's premier metal destinations since launching in 2017, bringing together local favorites, national touring acts, vendors, artists, and passionate fans for an unforgettable weekend in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Meanwhile, Midwest Brutal Fest has quickly become one of the region's most exciting new events, offering a unique multi-stage experience, killer VIP packages, and an atmosphere designed for fans of deathcore, hardcore, brutal death metal, nu-metal, and beyond.

Topics discussed include:

⚡ The origins of Michigan Metal Fest and Midwest Brutal Fest

⚡ Building festival lineups and selecting bands

⚡ The realities of festival promotion and logistics

⚡ VIP experiences and fan engagement

⚡ Sponsorships and community partnerships

⚡ Supporting local and regional metal bands

⚡ The growth of Michigan's metal scene

⚡ Volunteer teams and behind-the-scenes challenges

⚡ Future plans for both festivals

⚡ Advice for bands looking to get booked

Featured bands and artists discussed include Green Jellÿ, Psychostick, Crossbreed, Monochromatic Black, Hemlock, Rose Funeral, Gore Pig, Ghost In Motion, Let It Rot, Killcrown, King's Glass, and many more.

Whether you're a musician, promoter, festival-goer, or simply a fan of heavy music, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the curtain at what it takes to build successful metal festivals from the ground up.

🎟️ Get Tickets & Learn More:

Michigan Metal Fest:

https://michiganmetalfest.net

Midwest Brutal Fest:

https://midwestbrutalfest.com

Follow Michigan Metal Fest:

https://www.facebook.com/MichiganMetalFest

Follow Midwest Brutal Fest:

https://www.facebook.com/MidwestBrutalFest

🎧 Listen to Metal Maniacs Podcast:

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If you enjoy interviews with metal musicians, promoters, festival organizers, and members of the heavy music community, be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode.

#MichiganMetalFest #MidwestBrutalFest #MetalFestival #MetalPodcast #BattleCreekMichigan #HeavyMetal #Deathcore #Metalcore #Hardcore #MetalCommunity #MichiganMetal #FestivalSeason #MetalManiacsPodcast #JayIngersoll #SteveMaple #ScottHakes

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This one's for the inner circle. Jay Ingersoll breaks down the biggest — and most slept-on — metal releases from April and May 2026 in this exclusive Patreon member episode. 27 albums. One episode. Zero filler. Every month, Patreon members get Jay's unfiltered takes on the freshest metal releases AND get to throw their own album recommendations into the mix for next month. This is where the real Metal Maniacs conversation happens.

👉 Join the Metal Maniacs Patreon & recommend next month's albums:https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheMetalManiacsPodcast

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🔥 STANDOUT RELEASES THIS EPISODE

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⚡ Dimmu Borgir – Grand Serpent Rising (May 22)

⚡ Periphery – A Pale White Dot (May 15)

⚡ Frozen Soul – No Place of Warmth (Feb 13)

⚡ IATT – Etheric Realms of the Night (May 8)

⚡ Infected Dead – Invicta EP | Prod. V. Santura (May 1)

⚡ Volcandra– Beyond The Will of Mortals | Prosthetic Records (April 24)

⚡ Cognizance – In Light, No Shape (May 1)

⚡ Lago – Vigil | Everlasting Spew Records (May 8)

⚡ Eastern Skylines – Gravity (April 20)

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📋 FULL ALBUM LIST

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• Vomitory – In Death Throes| Metal Blade (April 10)

• Devoid of Thought – S/T (April 24)

• Vomit Forth – In the Name of the Father EP (April 23)

• Portrayal of Guilt – ...Beginning of the End (April 24)

• Six Feet Under – Next to Die (April 24)

• Eyes of Salt – Collapse of the Infinite (April 24)

• Serpent Icon – Tombstone Stories EP (March 6)

• Cage Fight – Exuvia (May 1)

• Sevendust – One* (May 1)

• Detach the Islands – Concrete Jungle EP (May 1)

• No Grave – Suffer EP (May 1)

• Vctms – Pain Processing II (May 1)

• Ingested – Denigration (May 8)

• Jungle Rot – Cruel Face of War (May 8)

• Gadget – Coerced (May 8)

• Darkthrone – *Pre-Historic Metal (May 8)

• Darko US – Oni 2 | Self-Released (May 5)

• Pro-Pain – Stone Cold Anger (May 15)

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🔒 ABOUT THIS PATREON SERIES

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Every month, Metal Maniacs drops this exclusive album review episode for Patreon members only. Catch up on everything worth hearing in heavy music, discover your next favorite band, and drop your recommendations to shape next month's list. The community drives the conversation — your picks might make the next episode.

👉 **[Your Patreon Link]**

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📡 FOLLOW THE METAL MANIACS

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Support underground metal. Share the episode. Leave a review. 🤘

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#MetalManiacs #MetalAlbumReview #NewMetal2026 #HeavyMetal #MetalPodcast #DeathMetal #BlackMetal #Metalcore #DimmuBorgir #Periphery #FrozenSoul #IATT #InfectedDead #Volcandra #PatreonExclusive #MichiganMetal #UndergroundMetal #MetalReviews #HeavyMusicPodcast #ExclusiveContent

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