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Mandatory Music

Mandatory Music

By: Michael Heide and Sebastian Kwapich
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About this listen

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.

© 2026 Mandatory Music
Music
Episodes
  • From Metal to Maul: A Rabbit Hole Episode
    May 2 2026

    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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • RRHOF 2026
    Apr 18 2026

    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

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Outliers & Overlords: COC Strikes Back
    Apr 10 2026

    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

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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