Mike Spreitzer talks new plans for a new DevilDriver album with original lineup before leaving

On this episode, Metalology welcomes Verona on Venus frontman and former DevilDriver guitarist, Mike Spreitzer to the show.

0:00 - Introduction to the episode
2:18 - Introduction to Mike Spreitzer (Verona on Venus/DevilDriver)
3:32 - The Problem with Bagi's eyes
4:53 - Mike Spreitzer
6:15 - Director/Concept Artist, Dane Hallett, talks DevilDriver
6:50 - How did Mike come up with he name Verona on Venus
9:32 - Why Mike decided to sing for Verona on Venus
15:49 - Mike's unrecognizable in the video for "Rodent" (Verona on Venus)
16:59 - Mike's biggest influences in Verona on Venus
18:58 - Separating the sound of DevilDriver from Verona on Venus
20:03 - Failed potential DevilDriver album with original members
21:17 - The struggles of writing for Verona on Venus
22:23 - John Boecklin, Jon Miler, and Mike were planning on a new DevilDriver record
24:03 - Talking about the music for for "No 1"
29:11 - The organic songwriting approach to Verona on Venus
32:50 - Verona on Venus more challenging than DevilDriver
35:12 - Artistic influences on Verona on Venus visually
35:38 - How Wednesday 13 inspired Mike to watch classic horror movies
38:28 - Mike's love for Sci-Fi
44:32 - Mike on how Bill Howerdel's new record influenced Verona on Venus
47:53- How Mike joined DevilDriver
49:32 - How Mike created the climatic final to Verona on Venus' debut show
57:03 - DevilDriver's hunger for success in the early days
58:29 - Anthony shares the story of their first DevilDriver show in 2005
1:00:46 - What song best represents Verona on Venus?
1:01:17 - The story behind Mike's decision to leave DevilDriver
1:05:56 - How the writing process changed on DevilDriver's "Trust No One"
1:07:03 - Mike's talking about how DevilDriver's "Hold Back the Day" led to his influence on DevilDriver's writing
1:09:06 - Mike talking about "I've Been Sober" guitar solo
1:11:37 - DevilDriver's attempt at breaking the record for the largest moshpit
1:14:32 - DevilDriver's WILD show in Moscow, Russia
1:17:56 - Talking intro to "You May Know Me From The Stage" documentary
1:21:17 - One DevilDriver song and one Verona on Venus song that represents Mike as a musician the most
1:23:59 - How Verona on Venus' songs changed overtime vocally
1:26:23 - Mike talking about working with Wednesday 13's Nerophaze: Antidote
1:34:30 - What touring band parties the hardest?
1:40:35 - That time Bagi kept a signed DevilDriver poster from Anthony
1:44:36 - where to find Verona on Venus on socials
1:45:49 - Outro

PART I: Verona on Venus
Beginning with an in depth discussion around Mike's new project, Verona on Venus, his expeirence launching a new band following his departure from such a high profile Metal band (DevilDriver), what inspired him to to tackle vocal duties for the project, being resourceful by utilzing OfferUp to add production value to Verona on Venus' music videos. His organic approach to songwriting for Verona on Venus and a surprising non-metal influence that influenced his work on Verona on Venus' "Popular Delusions" Lp. Mike also discusses Verona on Venus' first show at the Whiskey in Los Angeles in June 2025 and how he created the finale of the show.

PART II: DevilDriver
The second part of the interview, Mike is candid about his experience leaving DevilDriver, a decision he says was "the hardest decision of my life". Mike also shares that there also a new DevilDriver record in the works with original members John Boecklin (Bad Wolves) and Jon Miller (DevilDriver) and how that process led to him leaving the band. Along the way, Mike talks about some his favorite memories during his time in DevilDriver, the Guiness World Record attempt at creating the largest moshpit in history at Download, the writing chemistry between him and the original members of DevilDriver, how the chemistry changed with the following albums, and songs that he is most proudest of writing in DevilDriver's catalog.

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