You can be going about your day and out of nowhere something awesome happens like recouping last week’s lottery investment on a scratch-off. Other times it may be a bird that pooped on your car as you were opening the door and some splattered on your new shirt.

But then there are those extremely rare and unheard of instances. Like your old heavy metal band getting a shot at the ultimate dream after being apart for 30 years.

On top of that, a well-known and respected pro-wrestler (and rock star) Chris Jericho says to you “Dude, we’ve gotta capture this on film!”

Yeah, that does not happen every day or to most people. But it did happen to one particular band. And this is the craziest and most unbelievable story in the history of heavy metal music!

I had to honor of sitting down with Ed Aborn, the drummer for the ’80s heavy metal band Siren. And I’m going to share his perspective of the band’s unpredictable turn of events.
I also have our full video interview on my YouTube channel, which you’ll find towards the end of this post.

Ed Aborn and Siren: In the Beginning

Let’s pretend we’re at Blockbuster for a moment. You know, that place you had to go for new releases every Friday night before things like Netflix and Amazon existed. We’re going to press the rewind button and take a little trip back to the early 80s.

We all have our own stories about how we got into heavy metal music so I asked Ed what lit his fire. It all started with Kiss. But that fire burned much deeper; he didn’t want to just listen to this music, he wanted to be a part of it. And he soon found that his magical place was behind a drum set.

From there, Ed’s musical tastes started to morph towards heavy metal bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Riot. This was during a time where there weren’t as many subgenres of hard rock and heavy metal. It was just that fierce, aggressive vibe that we metalheads are naturally drawn to.

Ed eventually started a band with singer Frank Marsh and some other friends. At first they called themselves ‘Metal Gods’ but quickly changed their name to ‘Deceiver,’ both obviously influenced by Priest.

They soon found out that their guitarist had a cousin (Mike Martinez) who was practicing with another band just over the fence. These were a group of older guys and they were in a band called Siren, who Ed and his bandmates revered.
**Hal Dunn, one of Siren’s current guitarists, was also in Siren during this time.

There was one particular day when Siren’s drummer didn’t show up for practice. They also didn’t have a serious vocalist so they asked Ed and Frank if they wanted to jam with them. Little did they know, this was an audition that turned into Siren officially being formed in 1981.

From there, Siren started playing metal covers long with some of their originals. Eventually, the gigs got bigger and the band started playing in clubs. But that became an issue for Ed as he was still in high school. So Ed stepped aside for a season but still hung out with and supported Siren.

Siren continued playing but nothing major was happening. That sought after record deal was nowhere in sight.

Siren’s Rebirth through Underground Heavy Metal Fanzines

Fast-forward a couple of years later, everything started to change in the heavy metal realm. This was mainly due to underground fanzines. These were magazine publications covering metal acts from all over the world.

Almost every metal band was considered ‘underground’ during these days. Bands like Metallica and Slayer were in these underground fanzines as ‘up and coming!’

At this point, Siren had already started to dissolve. However, Ed was in a position where he could pursue music and saw that Siren had a viable opportunity. So he convinced the band to focus on writing some originals and give Siren a real shot at stardom.

Siren decided to go for it and put out a two-song record (vinyl) with ‘Metro Mercenary’ and ‘Terrible Swift Sword’ in 1984.

Siren was also friends with the guys in Nasty Savage. The lead singer, Nasty Ronnie, was ahead of the game and had been making a comprehensive list of these fanzines. He graciously gave his list to Siren to help them gain momentum.

From there, Siren focused on their originals and playing at local clubs. Ed stated that one of their most memorable shows was opening for Savatage at The Ritz in Ybor City (Tampa, FL).

Siren continued working hard on writing songs and getting tighter as a band. They released a demo ‘Iron Coffins’ in 1985 and another demo ‘Dead of Night’ in 1986. Their fanbase grew and even gained worldwide recognition, especially from European countries.

But for whatever reason they never really broke through; they never got the deal. Their guitarist, Faxon Kotz ended up leaving to pursue music opportunities in California. And with no deal on the horizon, Ed decided to step aside.

Lead vocalist Doug Lee kept Siren going for a while. But around 1989 the band eventually fizzled out. It seemed that the pursuit of the ultimate heavy metal dream was over.

Life Goes On for Ed Aborn…or Does it?

I couldn’t help but wonder how it felt for the band to push so hard and be so close only for the band to ultimately die out. This was a tough question but I had to know. I asked Ed if he ever felt that he had traded his true dream for a mediocre life.

You see, this happens to so many. You have those high expectations of being a rock star, fame, fortune but then you wake up one day in a life you didn’t expect (and maybe didn’t want). And you realize that none of those dreams ever came to fruition.

For some, that can lead to years of darkness, resentment, and unfulfillment. But that wasn’t the case for Ed at all. And I was relieved to hear that.

Of course, in just talking to Ed I could tell that he had built an amazing life and then some. His demeanor, attitude, and presence revealed that.

But what I was more relieved to hear is that Ed never gave up on his love for music. Sure, the dreams he once had were left in the past. But he had fulfilled new dreams with an awesome family, meaningful career, and again, he was still plugging himself into several music projects.

Here are some of the projects Ed Aborn has contributed to up to 2021:

• Todd Grubbs – Guitar Parts (demo) – 1989 – Drummer
• Todd Grubbs – Guitar Parts II (demo) – 1990 – Drummer
• Universe – Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (demo) – 1990 – Co-producer
• Fozzy – All That Remains (album) – 2005 – Contributing Lyricist
• Stuck Mojo – Southern Born Killers (album) – 2007 – Contributing Lyricist
• Jennifer Mills – Just Breathe (album) – 2013 – Engineer, Producer
• Jennifer Mills – Tapestry (album) – 2015 – Engineer, Producer
• Intersonic Cyber Symphony – Trials To Triumphs (album) – 2015 – Multi-instrumentalist, Engineer, Producer
• Jason Stallworth – Heavy Metal Workout II (album) – 2017 – Drummer
• Blood Divisions – Cardinal One (album) – 2017 – Multi-instrumentalist, Engineer, Producer
• Intersonic Cyber Symphony – A Christmas Journey (single) – 2017 – Multi-instrumentalist, Vocals, Engineer, Producer
• Jennifer Mills – New Beginnings (album) – 2018 – Engineer, Producer
• Siren – Up from the Depths (triple album) – 2018 – Drummer, Vocals, Orchestration, Engineer, Producer
• Intersonic Cyber Symphony – Hold On to the Promise (single) – 2018 – Multi-instrumentalist, Vocals, Engineer, Producer
• Siren – Back from the Dead (album) – 2020 – Drummer, Vocals, Orchestration, Engineer, Producer
• Kuarantine – “No, No, No”, “Heart of Chrome” (singles) – 2020 – Engineer
• The Wheel Blocks – “Ace’s High” (single) – 2020 – Vocals, Engineer
• James Durbin – Kings Before You (album) – 2020 – Engineer
• Kuarantine – “Love’s a Deadly Weapon” (single) – 2021 – Engineer

“Hey, Are You the Drummer for Siren?”

The heavy metal dream for Siren had died out decades ago. The band members had moved on with their lives, doing different things. But one day, everything turned upside down when the craziest thing happened…

In late 2015, Ed started received several Facebook messages from people all over the world asking if he was the drummer for the 80s metal band Siren. Some were even asking for the original merch and all of them were asking about the history of the band and what happened.

So Ed started reaching out to old band members and started writing a document about Siren’s history. 35 pages later, Ed realized that he had written a book, which spawned an interesting chain of events…

Siren’s Huge Fanbase Germany Still Remained, Even 30 Years Later

As the word began to spread, a superfan from Germany ‘Frank Headbanger’ started the process of getting Siren to play at the Keep it True festival in Germany. Siren had a huge German fanbase that they didn’t even know about.

Ed and Doug discussed this and where it all sounded exciting they weren’t quite sure if they’d be able to pull this off. First, Siren hadn’t played together in 30 years. Secondly, they’d have to find old band members that could play (Siren had gone through multiple lineup changes in their early years).

Lo and behold, they were able to get the band together and started rehearsing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The dream had become a reality for the band, even if it was just for a weekend.

The loyalty of their fans shined even brighter when Siren realized their entire merch table had sold out.

Siren members:

• Doug Lee: vocals
• Ed Aborn: drums, background vocals
• Hal Dunn: guitars
• Todd Grubbs: guitars
• Gregg Culbertson: bass

This event also resulted in an anthology album being produced with four new songs called ‘Up From the Depths.’

Chris Jericho’s Crazy Yet Brilliant Idea to Finance the Documentary ‘I’m Too Old for this Sh*t’

A few months before Siren left for Germany, something else just as crazy happened…

Ed was talking to his good friend Chris Jericho and without any expectations, he just mentioned ‘Hey, by the way, our old band Siren has been asked to play in Germany.’

Chris had the same thought that the band initially had, which was “That’s insane, but is anyone even going to remember Siren?”

Ed, still in disbelief himself, explained that they had somehow maintained a fanbase in Germany.

They had developed a close friendship in the early 2000s through the love they both share for obscure heavy metal music.

A few days later Chris called Ed and asked if he could finance a documentary. The idea was that if this turned out to be a disaster, it will make a great story. And if it turns out to be a success, it’ll make an even greater one.

So Chris hired a director and cinematographer Nathan Mowery and sent a crew to fly to Germany with Siren. The documentary is called ‘I’m Too Old for this Sh*t: A Heavy Metal Fairytale‘

Stream, Buy, and get the Blu-ray on Amazon:
I’m Too Old for this Sh*t: A Heavy Metal Fairytale

*Also available on all major digital platforms

‘Back From the Dead’ Released in 2020 (After Over 30 Years)

With the band reunited, the dream of playing a huge show in Germany in front of thousands of fans, and a documentary under their belt, the next logical option was to record a new album. And that’s exactly what Siren did. ‘Back from the Dead‘ was released in 2020.

The band began working hard at writing songs. I had asked Ed if there were any hiccups or creative differences. But everything just came together perfectly. What’s even cooler is that every member pitched in throughout the writing process.

Ed gives much credit to Siren’s guitarist Todd Grubs, who had continued to pursue music as a career after Siren disbanded in the late 80s. With his experience, he was able to guide the band in the right direction while Ed Aborn acted as the producer.

Ed also shared his admiration for Doug Lee’s vocals. His voice is the one element that makes Siren, Siren.

‘Back from the Dead’ is pure melodic heavy metal holding true to its classic ’80s roots but with a refined sound and vibe.

Listen to/Buy Back from the Dead

Get the CD and download from Bandcamp

YouTube Music

iTunes

Spotify

Amazon Music

What’s Next for Siren?

For Ed Aborn, it all goes back to having gratitude. The dream they had in their early years was getting that record deal and experiencing the fame and fortune that comes with that. But that dream looks much different today, at least for Ed.

Siren’s current plan is to simply take things one step at a time. In talking with Ed, he shared how their story has been an inspiration to others. Things like people picking up an instrument again after giving up on it years ago or taking that leap of faith to pursue something that they’ve always wanted but were too afraid to do.

They were scheduled to play again in Germany in 2020, but of course, the pandemic put that on hold. Aside from that, Siren is ready to play whenever and wherever they can while sharing their experience.

Watch Jason Stallworth’s Chat with Ed Aborn of Siren on YouTube

**If this story inspired you, please share it!

How Ed Aborn and Jason Stallworth Met

I met Ed Aborn back in late 2016. He had started following my Facebook artist profile based on a friend’s recommendation. He sent me a personal message and we instantly hit it off.

As we talked more, I started digging into all of the music projects he’s been involved with, and of course, Siren. And even cooler, he lives in the same area (Brandon, FL).

I was also writing riffs for my 3rd studio album around that time and was wanting to take the drums to the next level for this album.

Ed didn’t have the bandwidth at the time to commit to recording his playing, as this was the time when all of the new and amazing things were happening for Siren. But he did agree to handle the drum programming for that album.

This was an instrumental guitar-based album for the purpose of workout music called Heavy Metal Workout II (a much more aggressive sequel to the original HMW album).

Ed really gave that album a serious boost, and it was awesome to have his perspective. It’s not something I could have accomplished on my own, and we were both pretty stoked with the final product.

From that time, we’ve stayed in touch over the years, supporting one another’s endeavors. I’ve considered Ed a true friend since our first conversation. There was that thing, you know when you just know that this is a person you want to welcome into your life. And beyond his success in the music industry, he’s just one of those dudes that’s awesome to talk to and be around.

Keep it Metal,

Jason

Siren Links:

Album ‘Back from the Dead’
Get the CD and download from Bandcamp
YouTube Music
iTunes
Spotify
Amazon Music

Documentary ‘I’m Too Old for this Sh*t’ (Digital and Blu-ray)
I’m Too Old for this Sh*t on Amazon

Social Media
Siren on Facebook
Siren on Instagram

Website
Siren on Bandcamp

The post An Unbelievable Heavy Metal Story: Chat with Ed Aborn, Drummer for Siren appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

Masterpeace takes you to another world with heavy 7 string riffs, with Cameron Fleury’s double bass madness, and an array of metal vocal styles. 

Lyrically, every song tells an insightful story. One that will captivate you and make you really think about the world we live in. 

Listen While You Read

About Heavy Masterpeace

There’s a LOT of ‘first-times’ with the Masterpeace album.

• My first album with 7 string guitars
• My first album with vocals!!
• Album features one of the top metal drummers, Cameron Fleury

So yeah, this album is extremely exciting!

Initially, you’ll hear hints of bands like Amon Amarth, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, and Arch Enemy. There’s a ‘heavy influence’ (okay, the pun was intended) of this melodic death metal meets metalcore.

But when you really dig in, there are the types of melodies you would expect from bands like Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, and Evergrey.  This is the ‘heart and soul’ of the album.

Pull back the curtain even further, and you’ll notice there’s also a prominent influence of thrash metal in the guitar playing and even some of the vocal parts. Think of Metallica, Megadeth, and Testament.

You’ll notice that there are several vocal styles in Masterpeace. There’s sort of a ‘Johan Hegg meets Dave Mustaine and James Hetfield’ kind of thing going on.

Track List

01 – Dragon’s Flame
02 – Peaceful War
03 – Anthem of Brutality
04 – Masterpeace
05 – Passing Through
06 – Never Enough
07 – The Metalizer
08 – Wings of Destruction
09 – Final Reign

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Behind the Scenes: The Making of  Masterpeace

Now for the personal touch, you’ve been longing for. I’m going to take you behind the scenes of the writing and recording experience of the Masterpeace metal album.

Funny thing is almost half of this album was written several years ago, musically anyway. Back in 2013 when I released my first studio album Apocalyptic Dreams I was writing riffs like crazy. And fortunately, I kept most of them (specifically the core riffs for Dragon’s Flame, Passing Through, Never Enough, and Wings of Destruction, which was at one time called ‘The Dark Ages’).

Metal Album with 7 String Guitars

Being my first album recorded with 7 string guitars, I wanted there to be a melodic death metal vibe. So those songs that were written long ago were transposed, for the most part, to cater to my 7 string.

**The guitar I used for the majority of Masterpeace is the ESP E-II Horizon FR-7.

I also wanted more elements of that fast alternate picking yet keeping the melodic feel. There’s a certain growl you get with 7 string guitars, so I wanted to make sure that was captured but without going overboard on just playing the heaviest notes possible.

Since I had originally recorded the early songs with my 6 string, I naturally had to re-record the solo guitar parts since I re-rewrote the rhythms to fit my 7 string.

The extremely new songs that I had written within the year Masterpeace was released were Peaceful War, the song Masterpeace, and Final Reign. These song ideas literally just came out of nowhere at the time I had decided to start recording this album.

My First Album with Vocals

This was super scary, and I’ll admit I was nervous about recording an album with my vocals. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love singing. But I also know my limitations.

Since my music this round was much heavier than anything I had ever released before, I wanted to have some death metal style vocals. I love that style!

However, there were 2 rules, or standards I set for myself:

1. I did not want the entire album to consist of death metal vocals
2. I want to give you ‘quality’ death metal vocals (not off-key screams or ‘Cookie Monster’ vocals)

Hopefully, I achieved that! And I had a blast singing on this album!

All that said, you’ll notice there are 3-4 different vocal styles throughout the album. And there’s a contrast between these styles in different parts of certain songs.

Why I Hired a Real Drummer

Masterpeace is the first album that I used a real live drummer, and in my own words, I think I hired one of the absolute best metal drummers possible! I’m going to share why I went this route, but first…

Now let me back up and say that I have no regrets with the albums I released prior to Masterpeace. Those were all instrumental metal albums and guitar-driven. And to date, I’ve never heard any complaints about those albums.

But I knew that this album Masterpeace was a different beast. And with it having vocals, it was no longer just all about the guitars. This needed to be well-rounded and have all of the authentic metal components to be respected. And that was a priority to me (to deliver an awesome album to YOU, that YOU can be proud of!).

So I ended up getting connected with Cameron Fleury out of Canada. I met him through another dude in California who I was recording guitar tracks for his album. I saw (and heard) Cameron’s work, and I knew he was perfect for Masterpeace.

And I’m extremely, overly happy with the way Masterpeace turned out. Cameron took what was a great metal album and made it into a superior one (so Cam dude, when you read this, thank you again!).

**You can contact Cameron here on his Facebook (tell him Jason sent you!).

Masterpeace Lyrics

Dragon’s Flame

Fire rules the earth, it only leads to my death

Survival of the strong, crowned by the fear you breed

I’ll find a way to summon you to my world

Where the Dragon’s Flame consumes all that’s wrong

The castles and warriors you see, they all belong to me

Now that I own your soul, tell me, is it hard to breathe?

I find my solace in a place so far away, I’m not of this world

I’ll never fit your mold, and I’ll never try again

Consumed by the Dragon’s Flame

You think you have the right to push everyone around you

It’s just a matter of time, your fall followed by your pride

I’ve found a way to summon you to my world

Where the Dragon’s Flame consumes all that’s wrong

The walls that surround you, they belong to me

Now that you’re trapped inside, you’ll never be free

I find my solace in a place so far away, I’m not of this world

I’ll never fit your mold, and I’ll never try again

Consumed by the Dragon’s Flame

Peaceful War

Rush to the grave, every day’s the same

Trapped between two worlds, broken destiny

The one I always see, the one I can’t escape

Lost to my mind, losing all control

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close

Trying to escape mediocre life

Broken by the rules, perceived reality

The voice I always hear, the voice that haunts me

Lost to this war, dying hope inside

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close

My peaceful war, raging from within

Choice, always there, can’t see the other side

The one I always see, the one I cannot break

Lost to my mind, losing all control

No more time to waste, yesterday is gone

No more running away, too close the end

Anthem of Brutality

Instrumental

Masterpeace

Time, they sent me back, they created me, to destroy

You, everything you’ve built, sabotage your work, eradicate

Path, mission of deceit, eliminate the threat, that never existed

You, you’re the chosen one, end the wars of time, now I see

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Lost, mind has gone astray, never knew the truth, of all you’ve done

Peace, we would never know, never could we see, behind the hate for

Those who do not believe, they cannot control, wretched lies

Fate rests upon our sword, hand in hand we hold, they will die

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Now, I will bring you back, present from the past, we will pour our

Wrath, they will suffer wrath, together we attack, surely they will

Fall, they will take the fall, to the sword we hold, stand our ground

Firm, never shall we move, never will we die, eternal Masterpeace

You see the light in me, and I see the light in you

And I know we’ll make it

Every step we’ve taken through this realm of time

We’ve created this Masterpeace

Passing Through

Thoughts of judgement, sympathetic face

Questions arise, never knowing what lies beneath

This underworld, lies among your streets

Within the cracks, shunned away from society

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

Take what you want, and I’ll take what’s mine

The heart has failed, close your eyes and I’ll disappear

Never asked for much, just a little less time

There’s nothing left, a world of wrongs we’ll never make right

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

You see me from inside, but you’ll never know my name

Just waiting for the light, I’ve been waiting for mine

Can you see past all these lies, can you break this wall of shame

Tomorrow I’ll be moving on, I’m just passing through

Time’s a blur, and the years, they fade

Never stood a chance, this life is an unforgiving dream

Sometimes I think of what could have been

My bottle’s dry, take my soul before I wake

Hand me your dollar bill, but don’t get too close

This disease has no cure, homelessness

I’ll take your change to spare, God bless you all

Failed to belong, hopelessness

You see me from inside, but you’ll never know my name

Just waiting for the light, I’m still waiting for mine

Can you see past all these lies, can you break this wall of shame

Tomorrow I’ll be moving on, I’m just passing through

Never Enough

Embrace your unfulfilling gods, it’s never enough

Follow your dreams to the depths of hell, it will never be enough

Shallow heart and darkened soul, behind your eyes

Reveal the serpent you’ve become, death to your endless lies

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

Pursuit of a life filled with greed, your time will come

Deceit boils from deep within, the grave awaits you

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

In the next life, I’ll find you there

Naked before me, your soul laid bare

And as you reach out, your decrepit soul will fade

Embrace your unfulfilling gods, it’s never enough

Live out the dreams in the hell you’ve made, it will never be enough

You think it’s over, you’ve won the game

Your quest for power, rise to the top on the backs of slaves

You think it’s over, it’s just begun

The life you’ve wasted, blinded by darkness, the toll you must pay

The Metalizer

Instrumental

Wings of Destruction

Under siege, a fallen ancient empire

Invasion, Barbarics take control

Plague, famine, impending death to all

Ravaging, enslaved by their Master

Truths we’ll never know, just look the other way,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

They try to take control of our mind and soul,

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Feeding lies to all, dust thrown in our eyes,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

Two opposing sides, deception is their game,

It’s you that’s falling, falling

This dark age, lives among us now

Bound to chains, driven to rebel

Morale falls, declined society

Ripped to shreds, all freedom stripped away

Truths we’ll never know, just look the other way,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

They try to take control of our mind and soul,

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Feeding lies to all, dust thrown in our eyes,

In ashes, we’re burning to the ground

Two opposing sides, deception is their game,

It’s you that’s falling, falling

(Repeat)

It’s you that’s falling, falling down

Final Reign

One more fight, field of bones

One last rite, sacred ground

Loyalty, treachery, all start to fade

I’m the only one left standing, my final reign

It comes over me, at night while I sleep

They tell me to kill

Spirits appear, visions and dreams

They leave me with emptiness

Unspoken vow, cleanse the earth

Can’t control, must kill all

Battle between good and evil, which one prevails?

I’m the only one left standing, my final reign

It comes over me, at night while I sleep

They tell me to kill

Spirits appear, visions and dreams

They leave me with emptiness

Final chance, to make things right

Stake through my soul, I’m no more, no more

Gear used on Masterpeace

• Guitar: ESP E-II Horizon FR-7
• Guitar: ESP LTD M-1000 Deluxe (used on some Final Reign solos and clean intro to Masterpeace)
• Bass: ESP D5
• Acoustic Guitar: Takamine (used on Final Reign intro)
• Amps/Effects: Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 and BIAS FX
• Bass Amp/Effects: Studio Devil Bass Amp Pro
• Recording Software: Presonus Studio One Pro
• Vocals: Shure SM7B for all vocals, sE Electronics Reflexion
• Core Studio Hardware: Presonus Quantum 2, KRK G5 Rokits, iMac
• Drums: Cameron Fleury recorded drums in his studio in Canada

I’m somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to gear. Part of that is you can find yourself obsessing over different components, taking your focus away from the song, the music, and the overall feel you’re looking for.

I wanted to give you a high-quality metal album, but I didn’t want it to sound ‘overproduced’ and sound like every other metal album out there.

Whereas I did use high-end gear, more focus was put on the structure and performance of the songs.

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Special Thanks

• MY WIFE – I’m super fortunate to have her by my side! She’s always 100% supportive and balances me out when I tend to go over that edge!
• MY FOLLOWERS AND FANS!! I absolutely could not do this without your support, and I love all of you!!
• I thank God for that ‘thing’ that I can’t quite explain, but it’s always been there deep inside and has helped push me to this point of doing what I know I need to do with my life. And I only hope that I impact others in a positive way!
• Cameron Fleury for recording some kick-ass drums fro this album!
• Mike Olson, writer, and guitarist for Ariel’s Attic for another awesome album that he’s mastered! Hey dude, you ‘mastered’ Masterpeace! Ah, yes, bad pun!
• Elizabeth de Zeus for the authentic, genuine, and beautiful album artwork.
• Ed Aborn, drummer for Siren – thank you dude for the last minute suggestions! Those made a world of difference!
• My parents for realizing early on that this wasn’t just some hobby or phase. Thank you for your support, I love you!
• Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman for the honest feedback and what works and what doesn’t – you guys will always be family to me. *Eddie owns the Pipe Nook for you authentic pipe enthusiasts!

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Masterpeace appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

It’s called Heavy Metal and Weights: My Story of Guitar, Weights, Heavy Metal Workout Albums, Passion, and Building Muscle—and it’s available now on Amazon (Kindle and paperback).

Order it here on Amazon

What’s Heavy Metal and Weights About?

In this book, I take you back to where it all started—when I first picked up the guitar and a set of weights. Both of these passions hit me around the same time in my mid-teens (yep, late 80s-early 90s!).

From being a skinny kid getting picked on to building muscle and writing instrumental metal albums, this book is my story—and hopefully, motivation for your story, too.

Behind the Scenes of the Heavy Metal Workout Albums

I go deep into the making of my Heavy Metal Workout and Heavy Metal Workout II albums.

You’ll learn how these albums came to life, what gear I used, and how I merged my love for metal with the energy of fitness.

Workout Programs Included

I couldn’t write a book called Heavy Metal and Weights without giving you some solid training advice.

There are two weight training programs inside:

• One for building muscle and mass
• One for getting lean and shredded

You can start these right away—even if you’re new to lifting.

It’s Not Just a Story—It’s Fuel for Your Passion

This isn’t just a “how-I-did-it” story. Heavy Metal and Weights is about going after what you love. I share lessons and mindset shifts that helped me combine two passions—and turn them into something bigger.

Whether you’re into metal guitar, working out, or just need a boost of inspiration, this book will light that fire.

I poured my heart into this book. If you dig metal music, lifting weights, or want to combine your passions into something meaningful, this is for you.

Grab your copy of Heavy Metal and Weights

Keep it Metal,
Jason

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post Heavy Metal and Weights: My Journey with Guitar, Metal Music, and Building Muscle appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

This is my third studio album—and it’s a heavier, more aggressive follow-up to its predecessor.

Heavy Metal Workout II delivers 13 hard-driving instrumental metal tracks made to fuel your workouts, push your limits, and keep that adrenaline firing. Stylistically, it’s a fusion of old-school thrash metal and melodic death metal… just without the vocals.

From brutal chugs to ripping solos, every track was crafted to hit hard and stay locked in the zone.

Listen While You Read

Or stream it anywhere you listen to music—Click here to listen on other platforms

About Heavy Metal Workout II

Like the first Heavy Metal Workout, this album is packed with melodic hooks and heavy riffs—but HMW II takes things to another level.

It’s faster, more aggressive, and delivers a more intense vibe overall. The riffs are sharper, the drums hit harder (performed by the insanely talented Ed Aborn), and the energy doesn’t let up from start to finish.

So what’s the difference between Heavy Metal Workout I and II?
This one’s juiced. If the first album was strong, this one’s straight-up beast mode. It’s still all-instrumental metal made for the gym—but with a thrashier edge and a heavier punch.

If you’re looking for extreme metal to fuel your workouts—or just love instrumental metal that keeps the adrenaline flowing—HMW II won’t disappoint.

Heavy Metal Workout II – Track List

Release Date: August 18, 2017
Pre-release Single: “Death Lift” – dropped August 4, 2017

1. Death Lift
2. Anabolica
3. One More Round
4. No Pain
5. F’n Brutal
6. Beast Mode
7. Last Rep
8. Go Heavy or Go Home
9. Lean Machine
10. Attack of Quadzilla
11. I Must Break You
12. Start Something
13. Back Off

Click here to listen on more sources

The Making of Heavy Metal Workout II

I never set out to create a series of albums, much less a sequel to the first Heavy Metal Workout. But something shifted right after I wrapped up the original album in February 2016…

The riffs I started writing next were heavier, faster, and way more aggressive.

I found myself drifting toward more extreme metal influences, especially melodic death metal. I had been listening to a ton of Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, and other bands in that space. That energy just started pouring into my writing.

I was also spinning some old-school thrash like Exodus and Kreator—not death metal per se, but still raw, fast, and punishing. And all of that bled into the music for HMW II.

Drums Programmed by a Real Drummer (Wait, What?)

Writing those faster, more aggressive riffs—especially in that melodic death metal style—brought a new set of challenges. I’m not a drummer (not even close!), and the parts I was writing needed a legit metal drummer’s touch.

At that time, I didn’t personally know anyone who could handle the style I had in mind. But then something wild happened…

A dude reached out to me on my Facebook music page, saying he dug my music and videos. We started chatting, and as we got deeper into the convo, I found out I was talking to Ed Aborn—a professional producer and drummer.

Not just any drummer. Ed plays for the band Siren, a metal band with serious history.

Follow Siren:

• Siren on Facebook
• Siren on Instagram

I somehow talked Ed into helping with the drums on Heavy Metal Workout II. And man, he took it to the next level.

Ed Aborn = Game Changer

This was a huge relief. I finally had a real drummer’s perspective—even though we still programmed the drums, it was Ed who designed and arranged them. That made all the difference.

Honestly, HMW II would not be what it is without Ed’s input. Not even close.

Once Ed finished the drum tracks, things got really fun (cue sarcasm). I realized two things:

1. I had to re-record every single bass track to better match the updated drums.
2. Worse—some of my guitar parts weren’t tight enough, and I had to re-track those too.

Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Guitar Riffs and Solos

Most of the lead guitar tracks were recorded while I was laying down the rhythm guitars. I did go back and tweak a few solos here and there—but like the first Heavy Metal Workout album, I held back from soloing over every second of every song.

Trust me, it was tempting.

But I had to remind myself: this is a workout album. It’s designed to keep you focused and motivated—not distracted. And sometimes, shredding non-stop can break that groove. That said, you’ll still hear plenty of ripping solos… and even some dueling lead parts that bring extra fire.

But the rhythm guitars are the real meat and potatoes of this album. They’re the heartbeat. The engine. They keep the energy high and the momentum going.

Of course, you don’t have to only listen to Heavy Metal Workout II while you’re lifting. At the end of the day, it’s just a super heavy instrumental metal album—with a bit of a melodic death metal edge. But if you do throw this on during your workout, don’t be surprised if you crank out a few extra reps.

Album Artwork and Concept

For the Heavy Metal Workout II cover, I wanted something that screamed “lifting meets metal” — and that’s exactly what we created.

I hired my good friend and digital artist Dave Velez to bring the vision to life. I had a rough concept: a 45 lb weight plate with the album title where the brand name would normally go, and two killer metal guitars crossing behind it.

I pieced together some ideas using clip art and a few photos I’d taken, and Dave took it from there. He nailed it.

The cover perfectly captures what this album is all about — strength, intensity, and unapologetic heavy metal.

Gear Used on Heavy Metal Workout II

Here’s the lineup of gear that helped bring this album to life:

• Guitar: ESP M-1000 Deluxe
• Bass: ESP LTD D5
• Amps & Effects:
  • Positive Grid BIAS FX – Satan amp sim (modeled after the Randall Satan)
  • Studio Devil Bass Amp Pro for bass tones
• Drums: Performed/programmed by Ed Aborn
• Recording Software & Interface: Studio One + PreSonus Interface
• Monitors: KRK G5 Rokits

Minimal gear… maximum intensity. That’s the way I like to roll.

Click here to listen on more sources

Special Thanks

To Candy, my beloved soul mate — I’m living proof that it makes a massive difference when you have a spouse who believes in your vision and supports your passion. I couldn’t do this without you.

Huge thanks to Ed Aborn for stepping in and handling what seemed like the impossible — the drums for this aggressive, extreme metal album. Your input, advice, and support took this album to the next level.

To Mike Olson at JMO Services LLC, thank you for mastering this beast of an album with your signature precision (and for also mastering Apocalyptic Dreams).

Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman, you guys have been like brothers to me. Even with the miles between us, you’ve always been a huge part of my music journey. Thanks for your support and honest feedback.

To my parents, thank you for your unwavering belief in my dreams. And to Chuck and El, my in-laws — I appreciate your encouragement more than you know.

And to you, my fans and followers — thank you for listening, lifting, and supporting my music. I couldn’t do any of this without you.

The Bigger Picture

Heavy Metal Workout II was more than just a sequel—it was a breakthrough. I pushed harder, went heavier, and began collaborating with other musicians like drummer Ed Aborn to bring new life to the music. It’s where I started refining my workflow, tightening my tone, and thinking beyond just writing riffs.

If you’re someone who’s into both lifting and playing metal—this whole process might hit home for you.

Want the full story? I dive deeper into how I merged my two biggest passions—metal and weights—in my book, Heavy Metal & Weights. It covers my personal journey, struggles, and everything I learned while creating both Heavy Metal Workout albums.
Check it out on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)

Up Next: Masterpeace

From the gym to the stage… my next release took things to a whole new level.

Masterpeace (2019) was my first album with vocals, and the first time I brought in a real drummer for the full project. It blends traditional heavy metal with thrash and melodic death metal, and features my first recordings using a 7-string guitar.
Behind the Scenes: Masterpeace (2019)

Keep it Metal,
Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Heavy Metal Workout II – A Heavier, Faster, More Brutal Sequel appeared first on Jason Stallworth.

Sure, there are tons of metal workout playlists out there. And hey, I love jamming to bands like Slayer, Exodus, Testament, or even old-school Metallica while training.

But here’s the problem…
A lot of those playlists are all over the place—different tempos, random transitions, and vocals that can pull you out of the zone.

That’s why I created Heavy Metal Workout.
A full album of consistent, high-energy instrumental metal made specifically for lifting, training, and pushing your limits in the gym.

If you love metal and you love to train, this was made for you.

Listen While You Read

Or stream it anywhere you listen to music—Click here to listen on other platforms

What Is Heavy Metal Workout?

Heavy Metal Workout is a 12-track instrumental metal album written specifically to fuel your gym sessions. It’s hard-hitting, melodic, and designed to keep you in the zone.

This album isn’t just metal you can lift to—it was built for lifting.

The vision was simple:
No distractions.
No out-of-place vocals.
Just heavy, driving metal with consistent grooves and energy to match your workout intensity.

Each song has its own vibe—different keys, varying BPMs—but the overall flow is steady and motivating. Whether you’re chasing that next PR or grinding through your early morning session, this is your soundtrack.

And even though it’s made for lifters, it stands strong as a straight-up metal album too. There’s plenty of that chuggy, riff-driven energy with nods to classic heavy and modern djent-style grooves.

Don’t lift? No worries—this might be the album that gets you started.

Heavy Metal Workout Track List

Released: February 2016

01 – Jacked
02 – Maxed Out
03 – Train Insane
04 – Mass Season
05 – Skull Crusher
06 – High Intensity
07 – Shut Up and Lift
08 – Weight of the World
09 – Hour of Power
10 – Grow Time
11 – Pushing and Pulling
12 – Shredded

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

The Making of Heavy Metal Workout

Heavy Metal Workout was my second studio album—and it came from merging two lifelong passions: metal and weights.

I actually had this idea in my head for a couple of years. But after returning from a trip to Thailand in late 2015, something just clicked. The vision sharpened, and I started writing and recording almost every night for about six weeks straight. The music poured out, and the concept came to life fast.

Backstory
Growing up, I was a skinny kid—and an easy target for being picked on. That’s what led me to start lifting weights in my mid-teens. At first, it was about protection and confidence. Over time, it became something much deeper: discipline, consistency, and growth.

Building muscle wasn’t easy, but I stuck with it. Now, decades later, I’m still at it—training five days a week, often before 5 AM.

These experiences are part of what shaped Heavy Metal Workout. The album was written with that inner beast mindset—turning pain into power and channeling your fire into something constructive.

If you want the full story behind both the music and training side of my journey, check out my book Heavy Metal & Weights on Amazon.

Writing and Recording the Music

Once the vision for Heavy Metal Workout was finally locked in, I hit the ground running.

To be honest, I went back and forth on how to position the album. Should it just be another instrumental metal album like Apocalyptic Dreams? Or should I lean into the whole workout music concept?

At first, I worried I might lose some listeners by focusing on the gym theme. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the idea of making a metal album specifically for lifters. Something with intention. Something that pushed back.

Right after our Thailand trip in November 2015, it all became clear. I committed to the original vision, and it lit a fire under me.

I started writing and recording almost every night for about six weeks straight. Riff after riff. Track after track. It just poured out of me.

I don’t think I’ve ever written that much music in such a short time before. But when the inspiration hits and the purpose is real, you make time. And I’m glad I did—this was one of the most exciting and intense creative streaks I’ve ever had.

Guitar Tones

This time around, I didn’t struggle nearly as much with finding the right tone. I had already decided to go with Positive Grid’s BIAS FX for my amp sims and effects. That decision alone saved me a ton of time and second-guessing.

From there, it came down to picking the amp model that fit the sound I was chasing. I went back and forth between a few:

• EVH 5150 III
• Randall
• Mesa Dual Rectifier (aka Treadplate in BIAS FX)

I ultimately went with the Mesa Dual sim—Treadplate—and man, I’m glad I did. It had that perfect mix of punch, saturation, and clarity that matched the energy of the album.

I actually became a little obsessed with it. So much that I’ve already laid down tracks with it for future releases. It just works.

Other Instruments: Drums and Bass

The only real challenge I had outside of guitars was drums.

Ideally, I wanted to bring in a real drummer, but I was on a mission to get Heavy Metal Workout released by a specific date. Since it’s a concept album, I didn’t need crazy fills or flash—I just needed drums that were tight, punchy, and carried the groove.

I ended up going with Metal Machine by Toontrack and spent a lot of time tweaking and arranging grooves that matched the energy of each track. And honestly, I’m pumped with how it turned out. The drums serve the songs perfectly without stealing the spotlight.

I’ll admit—if I had it to do over again, I would’ve hired a real drummer for this album. Starting with Masterpeace, I made that shift, and it’s made a huge difference on every album since. I’ve never really been an advocate of fake drums.

For bass, I used Studio Devil’s Bass Amp Pro plugin. That thing is killer. I was able to dial in a tone that glued everything together—tight low-end, with enough grind to cut through the mix and complement the rhythm guitars.

Simple setup, heavy results.

Album Artwork

One thing I didn’t plan well was the logo and album cover. I had a cool idea in mind, but struggled to bring it to life visually.

So I did what any determined DIY metalhead would do—I took a photo of myself holding my guitar in front of a blank wall (yep, right out by the patio-pool area at our house). I used Apple Keynote to remove the background—free software, nothing fancy—and just started messing around with fonts, layout, and colors.

It definitely wasn’t perfect, but it got the job done. And honestly, the process taught me a lot. If I could go back, I’d hire a pro designer—but I wouldn’t trade the lesson.

Needless to say, I had a much tighter checklist and game plan for the next album!

Gear Used on Heavy Metal Workout

• Guitar: Ibanez RG1570
• Bass: ESP LTD D5
• Amps/Effects: Positive Grid BIAS FX (Treadplate/Mesa Dual amp sim)
• Drums: Toontrack Metal Machine (EZDrummer)
• Recording Software: PreSonus Studio One Pro 2 (hadn’t yet upgraded to 3)
• Interface: PreSonus AudioBox USB
• Monitors: KRK G5 Rokits

It might seem odd that I went with the Ibanez RG1570 for this album. I had my ESP LTD M-1000 Deluxe, which is an absolute beast of a metal guitar. But there was something special about the tone I was getting from the Ibanez—tight, punchy, and super heavy, even with the stock V7 and V8 pickups. And that guitar has a personal history too—it came from my close friend and bandmate Tom, and we’ve always said it would stay in the family.

Outside of the new bass and switching over to BIAS FX, everything else gear-wise was pretty much the same as I used on Apocalyptic Dreams. And just like that album, I kept it simple—minimal gear, maximum output. That’s how I like it.

Click Here to Listen on More Sources

Special Thanks

To Candy, my beloved soul mate—you’ve supported every crazy idea and dream I’ve had. Having a spouse who truly believes in what you’re doing makes all the difference, and I’m living proof of that.

To Mike Olson at JMO Services LLC—thank you for bringing this album to life with your mastering expertise (and for mastering Apocalyptic Dreams as well). Your attention to detail and guidance made a huge impact.

To Eddie Gray and Tom Sherman—you guys are more than friends, you’re brothers. You’ve always been part of this journey, giving honest feedback and pushing me to keep going, even from a distance.

To my parents, Miller and Sherri Stallworth—thank you for supporting my music from the very beginning and always believing in me.

And to Chuck and El, my in-laws—thank you both for your encouragement and support.

Finally, to you, my fans and followers—I couldn’t do this without you. Your support means everything and keeps the fire burning.

Keep it Metal,

Jason

The post Behind the Scenes: Heavy Metal Workout – The World’s First Instrumental Metal Workout Album appeared first on Jason Stallworth.