No, this isn’t a compilation of random metal songs.
Heavy Metal Workout is the world’s first original instrumental metal workout album—and it happens to be my second studio release. I’m beyond proud of how this one came out.
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
