The Banger Blast

The Newsletter for The Whizbanger Show & Your Gateway to The Heavy Underground

Dearest Whizbanger Supporters and My Favorite Listeners!

A healthy, hearty welcome to the much-awaited launch of The Banger Blast – your gateway to the heaviest bangers from the depths of the underground! Here at Whizbanger Show Headquarters, we believe in the transformative power of community and are thrilled to bring you the latest curated news, reviews, and discoveries in metal and punk on a semi-monthly basis. 

The Whizbanger Show has been a grassroots project of mine for several years now; I always wanted to be a deejay (also a wrestler and a roller derby player), and as my on-air career took flight in 2015 and grew to what it is today, I’ve been able to carve out a little space as a fervent advocate for music that pushes boundaries, challenges norms, and resonates with those of us marginalized by power structures that would have us lapping up commercialized bullshit, compromising our social, cultural, and political integrity. 

For those new to The Whizbanger Show, I welcome you with giant arms open, ready to support you by sharing your art with a global, dedicated listenership. Allow me to unearth hidden gems just for you.

And for those of you who have carried the torch with me, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am excited about what’s to come and to celebrate underground music with you all. 

Stay tuned for exclusive interviews with emerging underground artists, deep dives into groundbreaking releases, and curated playlists that will transport you to otherworldly dimensions (or something cool like that). 

The Banger Blast will roll out all kinds of groovy tidbits you won’t get on social media. If you’re getting this newsletter from someone else, tell them I said Thanks a gobzillion! Then, sign yourself up for the newsletter by clicking HERE.

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Podcast February Schedule:

*Prefunk for February Bandcamp Friday can be heard here. Enjoy and shop your heart away!

February 2, 2024: You’ve Got Mail Edition

February 9, 2024: Grinding Speed Edition

February 16, 2024: 2023 WhizBangers of The Week Roundup

February 23, 2024: Bandcamp Friday PreFunk Edition (fingers crossed for more BCFs)

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Nerd Corner

A new brain teaser created by yours, truly every issue!

Our first puzzle, Doom Unto You, has some fun clues. Have at it and let me know what theme you want next! 

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The Underground Stewpot

Arizona Thrashers Judicator released a power metal cover of Barry Manilow’s Classic Mandy, and it’s every bit of cheeseball heaviness you’d expect. Stream it here, courtesy of Canada’s Asher Media Relations.

West Coast-based heavy rockers Big Scenic Nowhere (with members of Yawning Man, Fu Manchu, and Mos Generator) premiered their cover of Sara Smile (Hall & Oates) from their third full-length album “The Waydown," releasing February 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds. Thanks to Echoes And Dust for streaming the premiere, and extra special love to Purple Sage PR for always sending great promos to The Whizbanger Show!

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Bandcamp Codes!

Artist: Wizard Death ⚔️ Album: I Am the Night ⚔️ Label: Wise Blood Records ⚔️ Release Date: January 26th, 2024 ⚔️ FFO: 3 Inches of Blood, King Diamond, and Judas Priest ⚔️ Download:  https://wisebloodrecords.bandcamp.com/yum

Download codes:

• vfed-yzkr

• gn7v-wp6z

• ywmr-h286

• yp8a-5d7k

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Only one of these for Italy’s doom groove assailants, Warcoe, so be quick on the draw! 

Album: A Place For Demons ⚔️ Label: Morbid And Miserable Records / Helter Skelter Productions ⚔️ Release Date: December 15, 2023 ⚔️ Genre: Doom metal ⚔️ FFO: Black Sabbath, Pagan Altar, Pentagram ⚔️ Download: https://bandcamp.com/yum

Download Code: khz5-bce8

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Central California’s post-punk doom goth sweethearts of The Whizbanger Show, Hexenghül, have graciously shared a bundle of codes for you!

Album: Hexenghül EP ⚔️ Label: Independent ⚔️ Release Date: August 12, 2023 ⚔️ Genre: Gothic Sludge Doom with elements of post-punk and hardcore ⚔️ FFO: Neurosis, Graves At Sea, Acid King ⚔️ Download: https://bandcamp.com/yum

Codes: 

• y237-kn7z

• mvzy-gyp6

• kvv5-yvj6

• k9g9-u98y

• 5atz-y8p6

• za5v-gqj6

• 23bk-7fk6

• 3g9k-knn7

• ktuu-e9uf

• mtz2-yezu

• vav3-jjkk

• y966-uz8y

• 5t32-6mvv

• rzva-k6g8

• zk5v-utmm

• gkt5-7u8q

• 96g5-kyg9

• yyn2-ezuf

• ayt3-y5zu

• 6azu-yzqj

• m5u8-v6zf

• 985y-ggkm

• 3n7y-uuz6

• tn37-knfz

• kamy-kyta

• n68z-6uu7

• ftav-kz88

• mynu-6qmv

• 5n68-6z7n

• g5y2-y6qj

• am3g-vkzf

• 88vz-gykm

• ukg6-jfzg

• vyku-ypku

• 6tza-7ngq

• nut8-vjfz

• 98ty-uufy

• ynnz-jvvf

• y5ak-68ta

• 269k-kfu7

• az32-6mmv

• ku3b-677z

• k5v5-yvq6

• k8g9-7kgy

• zzuu-e9nf

• zy5v-u8vm

• rtva-k688

• m5zy-gge6

• 27k5-766y

• kn2y-jjvf

• 2z9g-j7kg

• z3uf-kffz

• ytaa-ugmm

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This Month in WhizBanger Pod History

We had a great start to the year in January 2023. Reminisce with me: 

#158. 2023 Roll-Out - January 6, 2023

#159. New Doom Review - January 13, 2023

#160. Death Metal Day! - January 20, 2023

#161. Blacker Than The Blackest Black Times Infinity - Jan 27, 2023 

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The (Name Your) Price Is Nice List:

Devil’s Grin from Massachusetts-based Swamphead 

Spite from Australia’s Wicked Sisters (Sydney, Australia) 

Epic Truths & Fantasies from France’s Supertzar

Check out The Sign Records free Label Sampler! Click HERE to nab yours. Featuring the following Sign Records bands (links go to their Bandcamp pages): 

• Åskväder (Sweden)

• Children of the Sün (Sweden) 

• Craneium (Finland) 

• Dun Ringill (Sweden) 

• Grand Royale (Sweden) 

• Green King (Finland) 

• The Hip Priests (UK)

• Hot Breath (Sweden)

• Iron Lamb (Sweden)

• Liar Thief Bandit (Sweden) 

• Lucifer Star Machine (Germany)

• Märvel (Sweden)

• The Riven (Sweden)

• Rockets (Finland)

• Upploppet (Sweden)

• Volcanova (Iceland)

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Parting Note:

As we embark on our sonic adventure, remember that The Banger Blast is your guide through the unexplored gorgeosity of heavy underground music. Let the magic unfold, and may the blast beats of the extraordinary set you ablaze.

Head over to the website (HERE) to explore the podcast archives, and I’ll catch y’all on the flippity flip!

Stay golden, stay tuned, and let the music ease you into your day!

In Robust Love, Health, and Heavy Harmony,

Sara Whizbanger

Host, The Whizbanger Show