Mandatory Music

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.

Mandatory Music is a music podcast hosted by Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich, with 98 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich hosts Mandatory Music, a music show with 98 episodes published.

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  Mandatory Music

  Album Battle II

  May 14, 202655 min

  We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week we dive into our second album battle between familiar foes Metallica an Megadeth. We had a blast burning this down so tune in and check it out! Track-by-Track Comparison: 72 Seasons vs. Tipping Point: Winner: Split decision. Rationale: Tipping Point is a punchier opener, but 72 Seasons was praised for its dynamic structure. Screaming Suicide vs. I Don't Care: Winner: Screaming Suicide . Rationale: The main riff and solo are strong, and the song is better live. Sleepwalk My Life Away vs. Hey, God: Winner: Hey, God . Rationale: Sleepwalk 's intro is great, but the song loses momentum. Hey, God is a solid, mid-90s Megadeth-style track. You Must Burn! vs. Let There Be Shred: Winner: You Must Burn! . Rationale: A sludgy, chuggy gem with a great middle section. Let There Be Shred would have been better as an instrumental. Lux Æterna vs. Puppet Parade: Winner: Puppet Parade . Rationale: A tough matchup. Puppet Parade is a classic 90s Megadeth track with more body. Crown of Barbed Wire vs. Another Bad Day: Winner: Crown of Barbed Wire . Rationale: A unique, sonically different song for Metallica, praised as a "sleeper song." If Darkness Had a Son vs. Made in Hell: Winner: If Darkness Had a Son . Rationale: The intro is a 10/10, despite the song losing steam vocally. Made in Hell 's drum intro was criticized as random. Too Far Gone! vs. Obey the Call: Winner: Split decision. Rationale: One host chose Too Far Gone! for its strong second half. The other chose Obey the Call for its menacing guitar tone. Room of Mirrors vs. I Am War: Winner: Room of Mirrors . Rationale: A complete, sonically distinct song with excellent harmony guitars. Inamorata vs. The Last Note: Winner: Inamorata . Rationale: An epic, doom-metal-influenced song considered one of Metallica's best of the century. 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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  Mandatory Music

  From Metal to Maul: A Rabbit Hole Episode

  May 1, 20261h 3m

  We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week, Mike and Sebastian go down the rabbit hole. It starts with Megadeth tackling Metallica’s Ride the Lightning Live , but quickly spirals into a bigger conversation about aging metal bands, artists ditching their biggest hits, and why metal still gets misunderstood. Along the way, they connect metal to classical music, debate creative choices from major artists, and somehow end up talking Star Wars, new releases, and Hollywood’s reboot obsession. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s exactly what you’d expect. 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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  Mandatory Music

  RRHOF 2026

  Apr 17, 202649 min

  We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , Sebastian and Mike dive headfirst into the latest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. It’s a lively, no-holds-barred discussion as they break down every name on the list—celebrating the legends who were long overdue while also questioning a few picks that didn’t quite hit the mark. Who made the cut? Who sparked debate? And which inductee had one of them shaking their head? Tune in and find out. 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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  Episode #94

  Outliers & Overlords: COC Strikes Back

  Apr 9, 202637 min

  We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week on Mandatory Music , we stepped outside our comfort zone and discovered some new sounds that caught us completely off guard. Sebastian brought in Wet Leg and shared why their quirky, offbeat style has been hitting all the right notes lately. He also introduced the wildly unconventional Angine de Poitrine—a strange but oddly captivating listen that sparked some great conversation. For the main event, we dove headfirst into the long-awaited return of Corrosion of Conformity. After 8 years, lineup changes, and real-life adversity, they’ve come roaring back with a massive double album that demands attention. We break it all down—the sound, the evolution, and whether it lives up to the legacy. Tune in, turn it up, and discover something new. 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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  Episode #93

  Ep93:Black Label Society New Album Review

  Mar 31, 202637 min

  We would love to hear from you!! Send us a text This week we get down and dirty and review the new Black Label Society album Engines of Domination. We dig into everything the album has to offer and more!! We also talk a little GnR and their most recent set list. Review Black Label Society's new album and discuss recent music news. Key Takeaways BLS Album Review: Black Label Society's new album, Engines of Demolition , is a raw, mid-tempo record with a "greasy" production style, a stark contrast to the polished sound of its predecessor. Divergent Ratings: The album received a 4/5 rating for its raw energy and mid-tempo groove, but a 3.5/5 for its lack of dynamic song structure and vocal variation. Guns N' Roses Tour: GNR's new tour features a 26-song setlist, including deep cuts and covers, with The Black Crowes opening. Next Week's Album: The next review will be Corrosion of Conformity's new double album, Good God, Bad Man , their first release since 2018. 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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