Interview
Nikodém István from Stoner.Blog.Hu
We started following Stoner.Blog.Hu early on. Perhaps due to fact that I loved Budapest so hard, had friends there, but also because I quickly realized it had a great write-ups about everything going on in the Heavy Underground. And the focus on Hungarian and Eastern Europe bands was grandiose. Something we always thanked the blog for. So when the honorable man behind it asked if he could send me questionnaire, I felt honored and humbled. Of course I agreed, but only if he would answer some of my questions as well. And that he did. A beautiful insight to the life and times of Nikodém István, the man behind Stoner.Blog.Hu, part of Stonerforgács and Fémforgács…
- Tell me a bit about yourself. How is life where you live? And how is the music life where you live?
Hi! It’s actually hard to say a few short things about myself. In many ways, I was born at the right time. My youth was defined by constant change – the world was boiling in every sense. Here in Hungary, communism was just collapsing, and I experienced that transition firsthand. So I know what it feels like to live in an oppressive atmosphere, and that’s why I truly value change and freedom.
Musically, the ’80s and ’90s were the most exciting decades. Technologically too – I lived through the moment when radio turned into television, then came computers, the internet, and everything after that. But it’s important to know that here in the Eastern Bloc we were always 10–15 years behind the West.
As for the music scene: back then, because of all this, it was actually more colorful and exciting, especially in socialist countries. Rock music was more tolerated or even forbidden than supported, so we went to clubs that existed only because the authorities looked the other way. One of these was the legendary Fekete Lyuk (Black Hole), which was even written about in the Western press at the time. It was a very intense era. You could fill pages with stories – from police harassment to anarchist lifestyles, everything was there.
- And how did you become addicted to music? Whats your history in music discovery?
My very first musical memory was a Hungarian band called Ős-Bikini. They were an alternative/punk band with funny lyrics – or at least I thought they were funny back then. Listening again as an adult, I realized they were actually system-critical, just hidden cleverly. What really turned me toward rock music for good was Led Zeppelin’s Presence album. I heard it at one of my father’s friend’s places – he was a doctor, so he could afford a turntable and records. That changed everything.
- What’s your very first musical memory?
The already mentioned Ős-Bikini, then Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden – Powerslave, and mostly Hungarian-language records, because those were the ones you could actually get your hands on. Foreign records were very rare. We also had The Animals and Rolling Stones records, but because they arrived years late, the magic wasn’t quite the same anymore.
- What was the album that lead you along the rabbit hole into the Heavy Underground?
Stoner and the heavy underground arrived quite late here. For a while I worked at a record label with my friend Rico. We got promo CDs, but rarely anything stoner or heavy. The first album that really hit us was El Caco – Viva, then came Monster Magnet – Powertrip and Electric Wizard – Dopethrone. There wasn’t internet everywhere back then, so Rico and I used to go to internet cafés, because you could download songs from stonerrock.com there – not full albums, just tracks. Rico had a band called BORN33 (Youtube). They started as a glam-style band, then moved into heavier stuff like Floodgate and Pantera. They were really ahead of their time, but unfortunately not truly understood back then.
- And is that album still your very favorite one? Or have you since discovered an album or band from the Heavy Underground, that you love even more?
I still love those, but I don’t really have a single favorite. Sometimes a new album completely takes over, sometimes an old one comes back years later and I listen to it endlessly. My taste is always changing.
- How come you started Stoner.Blog.Hu all the way back in 2008?
Because these albums gave me such strong experiences that I wanted others to feel the same joy and intensity – anyone who has even a small love for rock music.
- What is your balance like when it comes to the blog and music, and all the other stuff that goes on in life?
When our twins were small, it was really difficult. There were periods when nothing happened for weeks. Now the kids are older, my wife is very supportive, and I finally have more time again for music.
- It was always in Hungarian, but nowadays, part of it is in English. What was the reason for this direction?
Because English allows us to reach a much wider audience.
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How is the scene in Hungary?
It’s mostly scattered. And that’s something we’re trying to fix. We want to create a unified underground community, where there is dialogue – where listeners can talk to musicians and musicians actually answer. We’re thinking in terms of interaction. That’s why we created the Stonerforgács Sessions together with the Fémforgács webzine. Each session features one band, almost like a meet-and-greet, where they talk about the stories behind their important songs. At the last event, a new song was born on stage from audience shout-outs. That’s exactly what we want: to bring music closer to the people, so they feel they are an active part of the underground.
- Is Stoner.Blog.Hu well known among the scene in Hungary?
I could say “quite well”, but honestly, I’m not sure. I’m not really present visually on social media, so people don’t recognize me at concerts. But when they find out which magazine I edit, they usually say they know it. That’s a good feeling, but what’s even better is seeing a lot of people at concerts – that’s what really strengthens the scene.
- What would you love to accomplish with your blog?
I want the emotions that music creates to reach people. I want them to experience the catharsis a great album can give. I also want Hungarian bands who deserve it to become known abroad, and to build long-term collaborations with foreign magazines – maybe video check-ins, video interviews, things like that.
- What are your favorite Hungarian bands at the moment?
Eugene Tooms
Muddy Roots
Space Cadet
- What was your list of favorite albums from 2025?
Borracho – Ouroboros
(Number 11 on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2025)
Lorquin’s Admiral – Lorquin’s Admiral
(Interview with Dawn and Dandy Brown)
(Lorquin's Admiral Review)
Komatsu – A Breakfast for Champions
(Number 12 on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2025)
(A Breakfast for Champions Review)
(A story about A Breakfast For Champions)
- What are your feelings about the state of the Heavy Underground and what are your feelings about the zine, blog, podcast side of all that?
I think the time and the situation are right for the international heavy underground to strengthen. AI can even be useful if used well – it could work like a filter, the way big labels used to. My only fear is that with too much content being too easy to create, the scene might get diluted. But in the end, the audience will decide.
- If time and money weren’t an issue, what would you love to do with Stoner.Blog.Hu?
I would improve the technical background first – cameras, sound, recordings. I would invite international artists and bloggers for public meetups, and I would invest in education so the younger generation understands the importance of music.
- Where do you see Stoner.Blog.Hu five years from now?
I hope we can create exciting events for a wider audience and become a serious presence on the international scene.
- What was the best moment for you when it comes to Stoner.Blog.Hu?
There were many. But interviews stand out. It’s a great feeling when someone answers an interview request with “of course”. Or when Dandy Brown started talking to me online – who am I that such a legend would talk to me? And yet, he did. It also means a lot when a label, a blogger, or a band reaches out or asks for my opinion. Those moments are good for the ego. And on my 50th birthday, three bands gave me a surprise concert – that was pretty amazing too.
- And same question for you, What advice would you give to younger writers or those starting a stoner rock blog today?
It’s not easy, and perseverance doesn’t guarantee money. This can only be done out of love. Not for yourself – but for the music. Music gives so much, that whatever you can give back, you should. It’s worth it. AMEN!
P.S.: If anyone has questions after this, write to me – I’ll answer everything. Just bring beer and rock’n’roll!
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Stonerforgács
Thank you Nikodém, for answering these questions, spending your time and energy on this. Thank you for all you do for the scene and especially the Hungarian Heavy Underground. Which feels like it continues to blossom! And I desperately hope to one day bump fists and share war stories in person… Egészségére!
