In this episode, Jacques and Fayyaad introduce the encyclopedia of board games, the board gamer’s bible, the wiki of all things hobby related: BoardGameGeek. This amazing website holds many secrets and surprises – so many that it’s going to take your hosts two episodes to get through an overview of its best features. Bookmark this site now, because…

In this episode, Jacques and Fayyaad address the complex and controversial topic of board game weight — a tricksy term board gamers use to explain how difficult a game is to learn and to play. They go into the different kinds of complexity that are included, discuss various examples across the complexity spectrum, and introduce (very briefly) the g…

Board games are competitive, right? Well, actually… they don’t need to be. You have a whole spectrum of options when it comes to the number of players and what “winning” looks like. To celebrate the diversity of board gamers and what they want out of a play experience, Jacques and Fayyaad look at the concept of play modes in board games. Because wh…

For whatever reason, the fourth album from LCD Soundsystem doesn't seem to be a fan favourite. Maybe it's because fans felt betrayed by the band releasing an album after their so-called "last ever gig". Maybe it's the crappy artwork. But for us it's all about the music, so let's see if this album deserves more credit than it seems to get. Give the …

Actions, reactions, phases, rounds, turns... Have you ever found yourself turned around by too many terms that sound like they all mean the same thing? Fear not! If time gets all wibbly-wobbly on you, you can always look up the rules in the game manual. But if you don't have a specific game on hand, it can help to have a general idea what each of t…

Alright here we are then, definitely LCD Soundsystem's LAST EVER ALBUM, so you'd better buy it, and buy tickets to their last ever concert, OK? Except that none of that was true. But we won't hold that against them now, will we? Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes,…

Time flies when you're having fun; even if you're not enjoying the board game you're playing, board games do weird things to the passage of time. But have you ever wondered how to make sense of all the different words used to make sense of time in board games? In the first part of this two-part episode, Fayyaad and Jacques discuss three fundamental…

OK, we're getting the hang of this band now: bleeps, bloops, repetitive robot dance tracks, and the odd punk-inspired freak out. But do we actually like it? Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit www.unshuffledpod.com. Contact us via Twitter (@unshuffled…

At Nerdverse, we love board games with fun, well-designed themes, and themes that are well integrated into our board games. We also love board games that have no theme at all! Perhaps a board game's theme is one of your primary ways of picking a new game, or a completely unnecessary distraction. In this episode, Fayyaad and Jacques look at differen…

Board games don't magically appear just because you want to play a new game. (Trust us, we've tried.) In this episode, Fayyaad and Jacques look at game designers, artists, and publishers and how each contributes to taking a board game from a concept to a physical product you can play with friends. Your hosts discuss a few of their favourite board g…

We try a completely new genre in Unshuffled this episode, as we branch out into the world of electronica with LCD Soundsystem. Will we have anything interesting to say, or will it be like two cavemen trying to discuss quantum physics? Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down. For show notes, credits, and previous epi…

Ever heard a bunch of board game fanatics express strong opinions about something called worker placement games and wished you knew what they were going on about? In this episode, Jacques and Fayyaad get all worked up about worker placement. This type of game has become very popular since it was introduced in 1998 and has resulted in a variety of e…

For our third episode, we take you on a whirlwind tour of as many components as we could think of. Partly because there are many interesting and fun components that exist, and partly because it's impossible to talk about board games without mentioning specific components. We don't go into too much detail about any individual component or type, but …

The 'Point Zero' episodes are where we choose the next band (or two, or three...) to get the album-by-album Unshuffled treatment. Tune in and see who we chose and why, and also to hear about the also-rans. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit www.unshuffledpod.com. Contact us via Twitter (@unshuffledpod) or email (unshuffled…

Released in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Pallbearer's fourth album received widespread critical acclaim and featured on many 'best of' lists for the year. Let's see if it lives up to the hype! Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit www.un…

Do you ever watch a game review and wonder, "But what does any of this mean?" How do you decide whether a board game is for you? Board game mechanics, or mechanisms, are all the moving parts that make a board game a board game. They define what a board game is, how it plays around a table, and what you spend your time doing while you're playing tha…

Join your hosts, Jacques van Heerden and Fayyaad Hendricks, on this episode where we discuss why we love board games and how we believe this podcast can help bring new people into the hobby, how it can help you become part of the conversation, and even help you find the games you’ll fall in love with, too. As a hobby, board gaming has exploded in t…

Pallbearer headed back to their home town of Little Rock, Arkansas to record their third album, Heartless. They took the production of the record back in house too, eschewing big name producers and fancy studios. Let's see if these changes signal a new direction for the band after their crushing first and second albums. Give the album a listen firs…

After their crushing, Sabbath-inspired debut, it was always going to be fascinating to hear how Pallbearer could possibly follow it up. Recorded at Type Foundry Studios in Portland, Oregon, with respected doom producer Billy Anderson on board, let's how their songwriting and sound evolved on their second album. Give the album a listen first, then g…

We're always super excited when we start out with a new band, and we've been meaning to do a doom band for ages so we're doubly excited for this one. Let's see if Pallbearer's first album can deliver! Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit…

And Now... we come the fourth and final album from this legendary and groundbreaking band, The Runaways. Constant lineup changes, different artistic visions, infighting and exploitation have sadly driven The Runaways into oblivion - let's see if it ends with a bang or a whimper. Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it do…

With more lineup changes and another change in producer for their third album, instability and turmoil seemed to follow the Runaways every step of the way through their careers. Let's hear how Waitin' For The night stacked up against their earlier albums. Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For s…

Released in 1977, the second album from the now-legendary Runaways saw a step up in production values and musical sophistication. But did this come at the expense of the raw energy and passion that made the first album such a fun listen? Well, I guess it's time to find out... Give the album a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down …

OK, so we've all heard of The Runaways, but how many of us have actually taken the time to listen to their albums? Well, now's the time. Join us as we do what we do - start with the first album of this legendary band and work our way through their catalogue track by track, starting with this, their self-titled debut. Give the album a listen first, …

The 'Point Zero' episodes are where we choose the next band (or two, or three...) to get the album-by-album, track-by-track Unshuffled treatment. Tune in and see who we chose and why, and also to hear about the also-rans. In this one we theme our selections to ensure we get an old band and a doom band. And stay tuned for the twist at the end! For s…

Denver alt-rockers Abrams recently released a new album, In The Dark, and as we always do on Unshuffled with bands we've covered before, we take a deep dive on this one too. They showed a great deal of evolution and change through their first three albums - let's see if it continues here... Buy the album (available on Bandcamp) and give it a listen…

Cavalera Conspiracy's fourth album, Psychosis, may also be their last, as guitarist Marc RIzzo has recently split from the band. Arthur Rizk handles both bass and production duties on this one, having previously done such a stellar production job with Power Trip. Let's see if he can work his magic here again. Give it a listen via your usual streami…

Cavalera Conspiracy's third album, Pandemonium, was largely overlooked by metal critics, and the few that reviewed it didn't seem to think much of it. But perhaps this one deserves a little more attention than it got at the time. There's only one way to find out... Give it a listen via your usual streaming services (or buy the physical media!), the…

Max and Iggor are back... again! The sheer joy that metalheads felt upon their reunification meant that their first album was received with overwhelming enthusiasm. The obvious question then was: how would they follow it up? Give it a listen via your usual streaming services (or buy the physical media!), then give us a listen as we break it down. F…

The reunification of the Cavalera brothers had the metal world in raptures, and yet somehow... we completely missed it! But that's what Unshuffled is all about - going back and catching up on those bands and albums you missed first time around. Can this album possibly live up to the expectations of the fans? Give it a listen, then give us a listen …

Emerging from the depths of darkness and despair after losing their producer and close friend Kato Khandwala in 2018, The Pretty Reckless channeled their emotions into this February 2021 release. Buy and listen to the album first (or at least check it out on your preferred streaming platform), then join us as we break it down. Join the Unshuffled r…

Ghost are back with the biggest heavy album of 2022, Impera. Can this album live up to the hype and anticipation? Do the Def Leppard comparisons stack up? Where does art finish and entertainment begin? Buy and listen to the album first (or at least check it out on your preferred streaming platform), then join us as we answer all of these questions …

The artwork and lyrics hint at a more emotional and vulnerable album here, but does Who You Selling For, the third album from the Pretty Reckless, succeed in forging a new direction for the band? Well, you'll have to listen and find out. Buy and listen to the album first (or at least check it out on your preferred streaming platform), then join us …

The Pretty Reckless amped up the hard rock and aimed to shock on their second album. Let's find out if it hit the mark. Buy the album first (or at least check it out on your preferred streaming platform), then join us as we break it down. Join the Unshuffled revolution! For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit www.unshuffledpod.…

It's always a thrill when we start out on a new journey with a new band, and this one is no exception. The Pretty Reckless is the most commercial band we've done, our first female vocalist, and our first 'vocal-first' band. There are so many questions, and you'll find all the answers within. Join the Unshuffled revolution! For show notes, credits, …

Nightmare Logic was the highly acclaimed 2017 second album from Power Trip and, tragically, their last studio album before the death of lead singer Riley Gale in 2020. In this episode we analyse the album track by track before discussing Gale's legacy and our hopes for the future of the band. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please v…

Manifest Decimation is the first album by highly acclaimed Texas thrash metal maniacs Power Trip. Released in 2013, it marked them as genuine up and comers in the modern metal scene. Give it a listen, then join Scott and Matt as they talk it over while they pick over the Thanksgiving turkey bones. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, ple…

Crossover thrash? Funereal doom? Black metal shoegaze? Or maybe some dubstep infused metalcore? The 'Point Zero' episodes are where we choose the next band (or two, or three...) to get the album-by-album, track-by-track Unshuffled treatment. Tune in and see who we chose and why, and also to hear about the also-rans. For show notes, credits, and pre…

Released in 2020 as the pandemic was in full swing, the third album from Abrams was critically acclaimed, featuring on many heavy music critics' 'Best of 2020' lists. But was the praise justified? Buy the album (Modern Ways - available on Bandcamp) and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For show notes,…

Have Denver's Abrams managed to make the 'second album leap' that we so often see in a band's career arc? Are they gonna keep the same basic ingredients we heard on their debut, or mix things up a little? And what effect can the change in drummer have on their sound? Buy the album (Morning - available on Bandcamp) and give it a listen first, then g…

There's always an extra spark of energy and excitement in the air when we start out on a journey with a new band, and this time is no different. Denver's Abrams have been getting all sorts of praise in heavy music circles lately, so we'd thought we'd check them out, starting, as always, with their first album. Buy the album (Lust. Love. Loss. - ava…

Gojira are back with Fortitude, one of the most anticipated metal albums of 2021. What direction will they take after the simpler, shorter songs on their previous album, Magma? And can they live up to the lofty expectations? Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For show notes, credits, …

What possible relevance could an album about the most destructive pandemic in human history have in these modern times? What is the link between (arguably) the biggest heavy band of the 2010s and 80s pop icon Irene Cara? And how did the band's breakdown between the last album and this one affect Ghost's music? Find out within... Buy the album and g…

Ghost's third album, Meliora, released in 2015, propelled them from superstardom to mega-super-dooper-stardom, as their unique blend of theatrical arena rock and metal went mainstream. But is this actually a good album, or it all just a bunch of overblown hype? Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down trac…

Everything was bigger about Ghost's second album, 2013's Infestissumam: bigger label, bigger budget, bigger studio, bigger sound, bigger audience, bigger paycheck. But does bigger also mean it's better than their 2010 debut? Let's hope so! Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For show n…

Join us we embark on a new journey with the latest band to get the Unshuffled treatment: Ghost. In this episode we discuss their cleverly titled 2011 debut, Opus Eponymous. They look scary, but is it metal? And more importantly, is it any good? Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by track. For s…

Always some of the most fun episodes to make, the 'Point Zero' episodes are where we choose the next band (or two, or three...) to get the album-by-album, track-by-track Unshuffled treatment. Tune in and see who we chose and why, and also to hear about the also-rans. For show notes, credits, and previous episodes, please visit www.unshuffledpod.com…

Join two of the world's leading experts on The Atomic Bitchwax as we break down their most recent album, Scorpio, released in 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic. This is new guitarist Garrett Sweeny's first Bitchwax album - join us to hear how he performs! Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down trac…

Actual singing!! Shorter songs!! Catchy choruses!! Was 2016's Magma just another natural step in Gojira's evolution, or a shameless grab for mainstream success and fame? Scotty D and Matt put on the party hats for this one, so come and celebrate with us as we reach the end of our journey with this band (so far...). Buy the album and give it a liste…

After a four year break, Gojira's 2012 album L'Enfant Sauvage marks their major label debut and a stepwise evolution in their musical approach. Hell, this album even has a ballad! But has their commercial success helped or hindered their artistic vision? Buy the album and give it a listen first, then give us a listen as we break it down track by tr…