Defender of the Riff

Grodius Maximus (GWAR) - Weirdo Sh*t Inspiration!

GWAR's Grodius Maximus discusses his first guitar and weird and wacky musical inspirations.

Grodius Maximus' (GWAR) Weird & Wonderful Guitar Playing Style

GWAR's Grodius Maximus shows off his unique guitar playing style, showing his love for weird noises.

Grodius Maximus (GWAR) - Defender Of The Riff

GWAR's own Grodius Maximus took the trip from another galaxy to join Daniel Dekay for a new episode of Defender Of The Riff, live from Beyond The Streets at the 'LET THERE BE GWAR' exhibition.

LET THERE BE GWAR! At Beyond The Streets

GWAR's Grodius Maximus gives us a tour of the band's Let There Be GWAR exhibition at Beyond The Streets, LA.

Grodius Maximus (GWAR) - Defender Of The Riff

GWAR's own Grodius Maximus took the trip from another galaxy to join Daniel Dekay for a new episode of Defender Of The Riff, live from Beyond The Streets at the 'LET THERE BE GWAR' exhibition.

Grodius Maximus (GWAR) - Defender Of The Riff | FIRST LOOK

GWAR's own Grodius Maximus took the trip from another galaxy to join Daniel Dekay for a new episode of Defender Of The Riff, live from Beyond The Streets at the 'LET THERE BE GWAR' exhibition.

DAVE HILL on Meeting RONNIE JAMES DIO

Comedian and guitarist Dave Hill remembers the time when Ronnie James Dio accepted to be his guest in a show, and signing an acoustic guitar for him.

OL DRAKE (EVILE)'s Upbringing on QUEEN, LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE...

Taken from Defender of the Riff LIVE at Download Festival, Evile's Ol Drake thinks back to what music he grew up with - Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and more - and how they shaped him into the musician he is today

OL DRAKE (EVILE)'s Upbringing on QUEEN, LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE...

Taken from Defender of the Riff LIVE at Download Festival, Evile's Ol Drake thinks back to what music he grew up with - Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and more - and how they shaped him into the musician he is today

How BECKY BALDWIN Joined MERCYFUL FATE

Mercyful Fate's Becky Baldwin tells the amazing and hilarious story of the day she got the news that the band wanted her to join as a bass player, right in the middle of a festival she was attending as a fan!

DEFENDER OF THE RIFF Live at DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL (Ol Drake, Becky Baldwin + Dave Hill)

Daniel Dekay hosts the first ever live Defender of the Riff in the UK, at none other than the most legendary annual metal event in the world, Download Festival!

DEFENDER OF THE RIFF Live at DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL | First Look

Daniel Dekay hosts the first ever live Defender of the Riff in the UK, at none other than the most legendary annual metal event in the world, Download Festival!

Chris O'Toole (UNEARTH) on the REAL Role of a BASSIST

Unearth's Chris O'Toole discusses his views on what the real role of a bassist should be, and backs it up in a jam with Daniel Dekay.

Chris O'Toole (UNEARTH) Playing in a KISS Tribute Band

Unearth's Chris O'Toole discusses the key differences between a cover and a tribute band and tells stories of his own time playing in a tribute band to one of the greats of rock & roll, KISS!

Chris O'Toole (UNEARTH) - Defender Of The Riff

Unearth's powerhouse bassist Chris O'Toole joins Daniel Dekay for a new episode of Defender of the Riff, filmed aboard the Headbanger's Boat.

ROBB FLYNN's First Ever Show - Defender Of The Riff

Robb remembers his first ever live show, and why everybody just left the room...

ROBB FLYNN's Signature Picking Style - Defender of the Riff

Robb Flynn details his signature picking style, and how it developed from two of his childhood guitar heroes

ROBB FLYNN's 'Happy Accident' | Harmonics & MACHINE HEAD's Signature Sound

Robb reveals the secret of his signature guitar sound and how it came as a 'happy accident' back in the day

ROBB FLYNN (MACHINE HEAD) - 'The First Riff I Ever Wrote'

Robb remembers back to the first riff he ever wrote for Machine Head, and how this could go on to find their unique sound throughout their career

Defender Of The Riff - Robb Flynn (MACHINE HEAD)

Defender of the Riff - Robb Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) [First Look]

One of the most recognizable musicians of metal's history, at the top of his game for four decades, Machine Head's Robb Flynn joins Daniel Dekay on Defender of the Riff just before the band release their new album UNATØNED, to discuss his distinguished career and all the stories and adventures that have come with it.

SOULFLY's MIKE LEON Growing Up in a Music Lovers' Household - Defender of the Riff

Mike Leon remembers his Saturday mornings as a child, listening along to Led Zeppelin and Van Halen at home, and how this started him off on his musical journey

63 SHOWS in 65 DAYS: Mike Leon's journey with SKELETONWITCH - Defender of the Riff

Mike Leon remembers the craziest tour he has ever been part of, playing 63 shows in 65 days!

SOULFLY's MIKE LEON's Signature ESP Bass - Defender of the Riff

Soulfly's Mike Leon presents his new signature ESP bass and how unique each one is due to its own finish

Defender Of The Riff - Mike Leon (SOULFLY)

Defender of the Riff - Mike Leon (SOULFLY) [FIRST LOOK]

Today, Daniel Dekay welcomes Soulfly's Bass God Mike Leon to Defender Of The Riff where, after crushing 2 glorious sets at the Headbangers Boat, Mike gives his thoughts on playing at sea, and rolling his ankle on the very first jump of the show.

John Campbell (LAMB OF GOD) - Defender Of The Riff

Lamb Of God's four-stringer John Campbell joins Daniel Dekay on the band's very own Headbangers Boat to discusses the unique floating festival they created, its past and future, and how good it feels to meet friends and fans everywhere on the boat.

GENE HOGLAN - Finding Time to Play Guitar Whilst Being the BEST DRUMMER IN THE WORLD

Gene Hoglan is asked how he had time to get good at guitar whilst already being one of the best drummers in the world. Did you know Gene was also a riff machine?!

Defender of the Riff: Jeremiah Pugh & Connor Grodzicki (VENDED)

Guitarists Jeremiah Pugh (Bass) & Connor Grodzicki from one of metal's hottest prospects, Vended, joins Knotfest host Daniel Dekay live from the 2023 edition of Blue Ridge Rock Fest on Defender of the Riff, the interview & performance show taking a look at what made the musicians who they are today.

3 INCHES OF BLOOD - Shane Clark's MUSICAL UPBRINGING

Shane Clark remembers his childhood, hearing his dad playing the banjo at home with some friends, and how this eventually led to his own musical progression

GENE HOGLAN RIFFING to His Favorite Drum Parts

'The Atomic Clock' Gene Hoglan explains how he had to learn some of his own songs on the guitar so he could solidify his drum parts.

Wayne Lozinak (HATEBREED): Defender Of The Riff

Wayne Lozinak, the legendary shredder for hardcore gods Hatebreed, joins Knotfest host Daniel Dekay at Aftershock Festival '23 for an impromptu episode of Defender of the Riff given that his band weren't even on the bill!

Shane Clark (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) Taking Inspiration From JAMES HETFIELD & KERRY KING

Shane Clark discusses his guitar-picking techniques and how he learned by copying James Hetfield and Kerry King's picking styles, demonstrating it with a 3 Inches Of Blood riff.

TESTAMENT, SLAYER, DEATH - The Great Guitar Heroes GENE HOGLAN Played With

In this segment, Gene Hoglan remembers all the guitar heroes he's had the chance to play with, namedropping some all-time legends of the instrument.

Defender Of The Riff - GENE HOGLAN [First Look]

Everyone's favorite drummer, the legend that is 'The Atomic Clock' Gene Hoglan, joins Daniel Dekay to defend the riff in this new episode featuring an exclusive look at the multi-instrumentalist journeying through his guitar playing

Defender Of The Riff - Gene Hoglan

3 INCHES OF BLOOD Reunited At A WEDDING!

Shane Clark tells the story of how 3 Inches Of Blood started to play music together again after a 10 years hiatus.

Shane Clark (3 INCHES OF BLOOD): Defender Of The Riff

Canadian powerhouse guitarist Shane Clark of 3 Inches Of Blood joins his fellow Canuck Daniel Dekay in an NYC basement before the highly anticipated reunion show.

Cody Chavez (DRAIN): Defender Of The Riff

Daniel & Cody riff together to some of their favorite bands and reminisce over their growing up being introduced to heavy music and first picking up a guitar.

"We Wrote Songs We COULDN'T PLAY" - Morris Kolontyrsky (BLOOD INCANTATION) on Defender Of The Riff

Morris Kolontyrsky of Blood Incantation remembers his teenage guitar buddy with whom he wrote songs they couldn't even play and spending their time off riffing at home.

Defender Of The Riff - Josh Baines (MALEVOLENCE)

In this episode of Defender of the Riff, Knotfest's Daniel Dekay is joined by British metalcore rising stars Malevolence's guitar hero Josh Baines to dive deep into Josh's musical upbringing that started with his parents spinning heavy music at home.

Defender Of The Riff - Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT)

Thrash metal legends Testament's guitarist Alex Skolnick joins Knotfest host Daniel Dekay live from the 2023 edition of Blue Ridge Rock Fest on Defender of the Riff, the interview & performance show taking a look at what made the musician who they are today.

BLOOD INCANTATION's Mesmerising Guitar Tones - Morris Kolontyrsky on Defender Of The Riff

Morris Kolontyrsky showcases some special tones he incorporates in Blood Incantation's music, and divulges how he's always in the search for more unique sounds.

Morris Kolontyrsky (BLOOD INCANTATION) riffing to IRON MAIDEN - Defender Of The Riff

Morris Kolontyrsky of Blood Incantation riffs to his favorite band Iron Maiden with host and buddy Daniel Dekay.

"My Family Escaped the USSR" - Morris Kolontyrsky (BLOOD INCANTATION) on Defender Of The Riff

Morris Kolontyrsky of Blood Incantation dives back to his childhood, telling the story of a family stricken by war and growing up in a musical household that shaped the musician he is today.

Defender Of The Riff - Morris Kolontyrsky (BLOOD INCANTATION) [FIRST LOOK]

Morris Kolontyrsky of modern death metal pioneers Blood Incantation drops by the studio to riff and chat with Daniel Dekay about his career and upbringing by way of first guitars, family influences and way more.

Defender Of The Riff - Morris Kolontyrsky (Blood Incantation)

Grant Truesdell (UNLEASH THE ARCHERS) On the ORIGINS of UtA Riffs - Defender Of The Riff

Unleash the Archers' Grant Truesdell chats with Daniel Dekay in the studio about where he gets his ideas from to write riffs for the band and demonstrates his process

'You Can Give Any Sh*tty Situation a POSITIVE Meaning' - Grant Truesdell (UNLEASH THE ARCHERS)

UtA's powerhouse shredder Grant Truesdell shares how he comes from a belief that every negative experience can have positive meaning and explains his beginnings to the approach