In this episode of Ampocalypse, Damian FitzGerald is joined by John Robert Centorrino of Crystal Lake to explore the band’s powerful new album The Weight of Sound. John opens up about the emotional depth behind the record, the personal experiences that shaped its intensity, and how stepping into one of Japan’s most respected metal bands has influenced his identity as a frontman. From creative collaboration and cross-cultural dynamics to the realities of touring internationally, this is a deep dive into the mindset behind modern metal at a global level.

We also unpack the evolving Japanese metal scene, what it takes mentally and physically to bring such high-energy music to the stage, and how the band prepares to unleash new material live. As always on Ampocalypse, the conversation takes a turn as we imagine a world reshaped by runaway artificial intelligence. Would creativity survive? Would human connection outlast the machines? And how would John navigate an AI-driven apocalypse?

If you’re into metalcore, Japanese metal, behind-the-scenes touring insight, and thought-provoking conversations with the artists shaping the scene, this episode is for you.

🤘 Like, share and subscribe to Ampocalypse, and let me know in the comments how YOU would survive this AI-fuelled Ampocalypse — and what apocalypse scenario I should explore next.

#CrystalLake #JohnRobertCentorrino #TheWeightOfSound #JapaneseMetal #Metalcore #HeavyMusic #MetalPodcast #Ampocalypse #RockInterview #MusicPodcast

Videographer: Damian FitzGerald

Editor: Damian FitzGerald

Producer: Damian FitzGerald

Social links

Band socials:

https://crystallake-worldwide.com

https://www.instagram.com/crystallake777/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/crystallake777/?locale=en_GB

V13 Media:

https://v13.net

https://twitter.com/v13media

https://www.instagram.com/v13media/

https://www.facebook.com/v13media

https://soundcloud.com/v13media

Damian FitzGerald:

https://v13.net/author/damian_fitzgerald/

https://twitter.com/damolition82

https://www.instagram.com/damolition82/

https://www.facebook.com/damian.fitzgerald1/

https://www.threads.net/@damolition82

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

00:58 The Weight of Sound: A Personal Journey

04:07 Emotional Depth in Lyrics

07:05 Collaborations and Influences

09:59 Cultural Dynamics in Music

12:53 The Metal Scene in Japan

15:49 Preparing for the Upcoming Tour

19:01 Mental Preparation for Touring

22:03 Anticipation for Live Performances

25:01 Surviving an Apocalypse: A Creative Perspective

28:49 AI Takeover and Human Flaws

31:58 The Future of Music in an AI World

In this episode of Ampocalypse, Damian FitzGerald is joined by Tony West of Blacklist Union to explore the stories and scars behind the band’s latest album Slay The Dragon. Fresh from the record’s release, Tony opens up about personal trauma, loss, healing, and how music became both catharsis and confrontation. It’s an honest conversation about transformation, resilience, and finding strength through rock and roll.

We also dive into Tony’s time in the Amazon jungle with the Shipibo tribe, where ayahuasca ceremonies and spiritual discovery reshaped his outlook on life and creativity. From confronting inner demons to accepting chaos in a fractured world, he explains how these experiences directly influenced his songwriting and the emotional depth of Slay The Dragon.

Then the big red button is pushed and the Ampocalypse arrives. With civilisation collapsing and nature reclaiming the earth, would Tony’s real-world jungle experience give him the edge?

🤘 Like, share and subscribe for more in-depth conversations with rock and metal artists — and drop a comment telling us how YOU would survive your own Ampocalypse and who you’d like to see face it next.

Videographer: Damian FitzGerald

Editor: Damian FitzGerald

Producer: Damian FitzGerald

#Ampocalypse #TonyWest #BlacklistUnion #SlayTheDragon #RockPodcast #MusicInterview #HardRock #AmazonJungle #Shipibo #Ayahuasca #Apocalypse

Social links

Band socials:

https://blacklistunion.com

https://www.instagram.com/blacklistunionofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxZvz3BE8RtN8NenLZ67ARw

V13 Media:

https://v13.net

https://twitter.com/v13media

https://www.instagram.com/v13media/

https://www.facebook.com/v13media

https://soundcloud.com/v13media

Damian FitzGerald:

https://v13.net/author/damian_fitzgerald/

https://twitter.com/damolition82

https://www.instagram.com/damolition82/

https://www.facebook.com/damian.fitzgerald1/

https://www.threads.net/@damolition82

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Ampocalypse

01:30 Releasing 'Slay the Dragon'

03:51 Healing Through Music

08:32 Ayahuasca Journeys and Spiritual Insights

19:39 Surviving the Apocalypse

23:15 Messages for the Future

In this episode of Ampocalypse, Damian FitzGerald is joined by Brodie Maguire of Mother Vulture to discuss the release of their new album Cartoon Violence, the evolution of the band’s sound, and the realities of navigating modern music distribution in today’s industry.

The conversation explores the impact of their recent singles, the high-energy creative process behind the video for Treadmill, and what their endorsement with Gretsch Guitars means for the band’s identity and future direction. Brodie also shares his thoughts on the growing presence of AI in music and how artists can remain authentic in an increasingly digital landscape.

As always, the Ampocalypse then hits. In the second half, we find out how Brodie and Mother Vulture would survive when everything falls apart — from chaos and collapse to complete musical mayhem.

🤘 If you enjoyed this episode, like, share and subscribe — and tell us in the comments how you would survive this Ampocalypse and what scenario you’d like to hear next!

Hashtags

#Ampocalypse #MotherVulture #BrodieMaguire #CartoonViolence #Treadmill #GretschGuitars #RockPodcast #MetalPodcast #NewMusic #BandInterview #MusicIndustry

Videographer: Damian FitzGerald

Editor: Damian FitzGerald

Producer: Damian FitzGerald

Social links

Band socials:

https://www.instagram.com/mother_vulture/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/MotherVulture/?locale=en_GB

https://www.youtube.com/@mothervulture

V13 Media:

https://v13.net

https://twitter.com/v13media

https://www.instagram.com/v13media/

https://www.facebook.com/v13media

https://soundcloud.com/v13media

Damian FitzGerald:

https://v13.net/author/damian_fitzgerald/

https://twitter.com/damolition82

https://www.instagram.com/damolition82/

https://www.facebook.com/damian.fitzgerald1/

https://www.threads.net/@damolition82

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mother Vulture and Cartoon Violence

03:03 Exploring the Singles: Knuckles, Phoenix, Treadmill, and Slow Down

05:58 The Evolution of Mother Vulture's Sound

09:13 The Treadmill Music Video Experience

11:55 Partnership with Gretsch Guitars

15:06 Anticipation for the Cartoon Violence Headline Tour

17:49 The Challenges of Modern Music Distribution

21:07 Concerns About AI in Music

24:04 Surviving the Apocalypse: A Fun Segment