Chris Hannah is the singer, guitarist, lyricist and co-founder of Canadian hardcore veterans Propagandhi. On episode eight of Heavy Stories, he sits down to talk about the impact of his childhood on airbases, including how it shaped his political beliefs and veganism. We discuss how Propagandhi was formed as a “progressive thrash” band and the distaste they quickly developed for the punk scene around them, especially the jocks and skateboarders they encountered in California after signing to Fat Mike’s Fat Wreck Chords. This hatred led to them becoming proud bear-pokers, antagonising crowds at gigs and even the KKK. Other topics covered include new album At Peace, the four-piece’s musical evolution over four decades and Chris’ thoughts on American politics under Donald Trump’s second administration. (Image: Dwayne Larson)

Lzzy Hale is the singer, co-guitarist and co-founder of Grammy-winning and Platinum-selling US rock four-piece Halestorm. On episode seven of Heavy Stories, she talks about the band’s formation and journey up the rock’n’roll ranks, starting with their early days as a family affair featuring her brother Arejay and dad Roger. She discusses playing her first gigs in churches, why organised Christianity wasn’t right for her in the end, the tumultuous making Halestorm’s of 2009 debut album and winning a Grammy with the single Love Bites (So Do I) in 2013. She also goes deep on writing songs about sex, coming out as bi via social media, her wildest fan interactions, meeting the legendary Ronnie James Dio and her experiences as a woman in the massively male-dominated 2000s and 2010s metal scene. (Image: Jimmy Fontaine)

Kim Song Sternkopf is the lead singer of Danish genre-testing black metal band Møl. On episode six of Heavy Stories, he talks about his childhood growing up in oppressive cults, where what he read and listened to was heavily monitored and he was prophesied as a “chosen one”. His family moved house more than 50 times as they transitioned from community to community, sometimes giving up everything they had to worship under new, narcissistic preachers. He remembers the psychological effect that this all had on him and his four siblings, how his parents’ search for “meaning” was manipulated by leaders, and how he finally broke the cycle in his mid-to-late 20s. He also discusses the impact of his recent diagnosis with ADHD as well as his band’s brand new album, Dreamcrush. (Image: Rolf Meldgaard)