On this episode, I chat to Yves Bradler, guitarist from up-and-coming traditional heavy metal band Amethyst. Amethyst made waves in 2023 with their excellent debut EP "Rock Knights". I chat to Yves about his early exposure to rock music from listening to his parents' record collections, starting to play guitar in his teens, feeling isolated at this time due to lack of likeminded friends, then meeting a new group of people in his 20s when he started attending metal festivals. We also discuss the upcoming Amethyst album, and upcoming festival appearances and gigs for this year. Amethyst are definitely one to watch.

On this episode, I join forces with my friend Melissa from the Metal Chat Podcast to delve into the discography of the original incarnation of Sortilège. We discuss how we discovered the band, rate them against their contemporaries, and examine each of the first three releases: Sortilège, Métamorphose, and Larmes de Héros, playing clips from some of our favourite songs along the way. An ideal introduction for the uninitiated.

This is the third and final part of my interview with DJ Neal Kay. Here, like in previous installments, we discuss many topics, including: -Getting white labels from record companies  (demos) -Suggestion about putting together a compilation  of unsigned bands, which would become  Metal For Muthas -His original vision for the album vs what  was eventually released -His role/job in this -Which roles paid and which didn't -Being an on tour DJ with Iron Maiden -Star Trek convention -The Vietnam War -The Kennedy Assassination -Supporting Rush -Were Motörhead punk? -Do you believe in ghosts?   Buy Neal's book! Contact Stjepan Juras at fanclub@maidencroatia.com   Clips featured in episode: 1. Iron Maiden - "Iron Maiden" - The Soundhouse Tapes (1979)

Continuing on from last week, here Neal covers his first interactions with Iron Maiden, and what set them apart from the rest of the NWOBHM pack. He also talks about his various dealings with record labels and A&R folk (that's artist and repertoire, you know), how Glenn Miller's Orchestra and Buddy Holly influenced heavy metal, Def Leppard's place in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and a lot more.   Buy Neal's book! Contact Stjepan Juras at fanclub@maidencroatia.com   Clips featured in episode: 1. The Damned - "Love Song" - Machine Gun Etiquette (1979)

This episode features the first part of a lengthy interview I conducted with DJ Neal Kay back in December of last year. Famous for his involvement in Iron Maiden's early success, Neal's name will be familiar to many. Here, Neal discusses the early start of his DJing career, and brings us right up to the point where he got a five days per week residency in The Bandwagon, home of the Heavy Metal Soundhouse, in Kingsbury, London. Along the way he tells numerous stories of his early DJing career, mentioning how he felt Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band changed the face of popular music, the influence of Leo Fender and Les Paul, working the Berlin club scene in 1969, music changing again with the evolution of disco and punk, and a serendipitous event which resulted in his five nights per week slot in the Bandwagon. Enjoy!   Buy Neal's book! Contact Stjepan Juras at fanclub@maidencroatia.com   Clips featured in episode: 1. Iron Maiden - "Prowler" - The Soundhouse Tapes (1979)

This episode brings to a close my 2023 wrap-up with George Silano. Here we discuss more releases from 2023, including Tomb Mold, Green Lung, Amethyst (I know it was 2022, before you write in), King Gizzard And The Wizzard Lizard, and more.   Also featuring: Death metal chat, ennui in Swedish metal, Jim Ross references, more learning for me, ridiculous album names, and enormous discographies. Enjoy!   Clips featured in episode: 1. Tomb Mold - "Will Of Whispers" - The Enduring Spirit (2023) 2. Heavy Load - "Ride The Night" - Riders Of The Ancient Storm (2023) 3. Green Lung - "Maxine (Witch Queen)" - This Heathen Land (2023) 4. Green Lung - "One For Sorrow" - This Heathen Land (2023) 5. Amethyst - "Chasing Shadows" - Rock Knights (2022) 6. King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard - "Witchcraft" - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; Or, Dawn Of Eternal Night: An Annihilation Of Planet Earth And The Beginning Of Merciless Damnation (2023) 7. High Spirits - "Til The End Of Time" - Safe On The Other Side (2023) 8. High Spirits - "Now I Know" - Hard To Stop (2020) 9. Night Demon - "Obsidian" - Outsider (2023) 10. Black Sabbath - "Cross Of Thorns" - Cross Purposes (1994)

Rollin' on in 2024, I bring you the second installment of my chat with George Silano from earlier this month. Here, we cover some of our favourite releases from 2023, featuring EPs and albums released last year that we haven't discussed in our previous chats, and things take a rather sinister turn... I also include some audio left off from Episode 88 where I interviewed Damian Kolodiy about his documentary: Immortal Soul - A Riot Tribute And Concert Film.   Clips featured in episode: 1. Primordial - "How It Ends" - How It Ends (2023) 2. Primordial - "Pilgrimage To The World's End" - How It Ends (2023) 3. Primordial - "Victory Has 1,000 Fathers, Defeat Is An Orphan" - How It Ends (2023) 4. Bergfried - "May The Devil Pull Me Under" - Romantik II (2023) 5. By Fire & Sword - "Leave A Little Room" - Glory (2023) 6. "Kenneth Copeland Blasts The Poor & Tells Them to Tithe" - (Posted to YouTube by iThinkBiblically) 7. By Fire & Sword - "Tithe (The Money Song)" - Glory (2023) 8. Weald & Woe - "My Heart To Fear" - For The Good Of The Realm (2023) 9. Riot V - "High Noon" - High Noon [Digital Single] (2023)

On the first episode of 2024, I catch up with my good friend George Silano on the year in metal: 2023. The first of multiple parts, on this installment we focus on festivals and gigs that stood out last year (and look towards some from next year), covering Hell's Heroes, Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest, Keep it True, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Saxon, W.A.S.P., and more! I also mention the passing of Tony Clarkin from Magnum and include some clips and personal history with the band. Enjoy!   Clips used in episode: 1. Magnum - "Brand New Morning" - Brand New Morning (2004) 2. Girlschool - "Race With The Devil" - Demolition (1980) 3. The Black Dahlia Murder - "What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse" - Nocturnal (2007) 4. Iron Maiden - "Death Of The Celts - Live At 3 Arena, Dublin Ireland, 24 June 2023" - (Posted to YouTube by Chromeboy2003) 5. Magnum - "Just Like An Arrow" - On A Storyteller's Night (1985)

On the latest episode of Feckin' Metal, I catch up with Rob Garven for the first time in three years, and speak to Tim Baker for the first time ever, about all of the happenings in Cirith Ungol since late 2020. It's been an extremely busy period for the band, and next year promises to be even busier. We touch on their recently-announced retirement, the departure of guitarist Jim Barazza and who will be his replacement, getting to meet childhood hero Brian Downey, artificial intelligence, and procuring seagulls from the wild! This was a highly enjoyable chat with two very entertaining guests. You can find Cirith Ungol at the links below:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cirithungolofficial Bandcamp: https://cirithungolofficial.bandcamp.com/  Merch: https://eu.kingsroadmerch.com/shop/artist/983    Clip used in episode from the track "I'm Alive", available on the live album "I'm Alive" (2019).

I chat to friend and filmmaker Damian Kolodiy about his upcoming mammoth of a documentary "Immortal Soul", which focuses on the career of the band Riot/Riot V. Damian talks about his own background as a fan of heavy metal, the origin of the documentary idea, the filmmaking process, meeting members of the band and conducting interviews with them, and quite a lot more.   Check out the Immortal Soul trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJWgng5NyHU And Damian's NYC Rocks TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NYCROCKSTV

On the latest installment of Feckin' Metal, I catch up with George Silano to discuss three more NWOTHM releases from 2023. This time we cover the debut album from Tailgunner "Guns For Hire", the fourth offering from Wytch Hazel "IV Sacrament", and the recent EP from Phantom Spell "Tales From The Black Spire".   We delve deep into each release, offering info on the bands, and opinions on the tracks. Featuring several clips, this episode is ideal for those uninitiated with these artists. I also include a recap from Keep It True Rising III, including an airport mishap on my return to Dublin!

On the latest episode of Feckin' Metal, Udo Dirkschneider talks about the recent, excellent U.D.O. release "Touchdown". He also discusses reuniting with former bandmate Peter Baltes, working with his son, Sven, and his relationship with Wolf Hoffmann. A legend of heavy metal speaks!

In the second installment of Feckin' NWOTHM, I'm back chatting with George Silano, and we select three releases from 2023 that fall under the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal banner. We've chosen recent releases by Tanith, Blazon Rite, and Century, giving a nice cross-section of the various styles currently on offer in the NWOTHM scene, featuring many clips and lengthy chat about our chosen releases, and the NWOTHM movement in general. You will also learn the meaning of the word "antepenultimate"! Educational, as always, here at Feckin' Metal.

On this episode, I welcome the members of Armstrong Gun, and Feckin' Metal alumni, to participate in the first ever Feckin' Metal Quiz! An idea that's been floating around in my brain for quite a while, and a recording that's been sitting on my hard drive for slightly less time than that. Feel free to play along with Dan, Cameron, and Lewis, as they compete head-to-head (-to-head?) in an interactive quiz to determine the inaugural champion of what I hope to be a regular event. Plenty of questions about Wayne's World, and a lengthy tangent about Black Sabbath, because why not?

On this episode of Feckin' Metal, I chat to Tom Hewson - bass player, main songwriter, and founding member of UK traditional metallers, Tailgunner. You'll likely have heard their name mentioned recently, whether that's due to being touted as the next coming of Def Leppard by KK Downing, or for their upcoming gigs touring the UK, or being on the bill for Keep It True Rising III in October. But how did we come to this? How did this band appear to achieve great success, seemingly overnight? Tom gives the full back story of the group, and reveals what has been happening behind closed doors to get them to where they are today.

The cultiest of cult bands? The greatest band you've never heard?? On this episode, I return to Ferg's Quest, to explore the discography of mysterious Swedes, Gotham City. But I couldn't do it alone! I had to enlist the help of metal aficionado and Gotham City nut, Chris Coxon, to help me on my way. We delve deep into the discography of the band and discuss the mystique surrounding them, analysing singers, songs, and solos. Plenty of clips in this one for those unfamiliar with the band. Don't hear small sound!

On this episode, the first of a new series, I chat with fellow podcaster and good friend George Silano, to delve into the movement known as the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. We discuss when we first heard the term and early bands we listened to that fall under the banner. We also list some NWOTHM favourites and discuss the future of the movement.

On Episode 80, I speak to Luke Appleton about his recently-released solo EP "Forever Viking." We discuss the tragic situation which inspired the release, take an in-depth look at each of the four tracks, and delve into the songwriting process behind them. We also discuss Absolva, a band which features Luke's brother Chris, his time spent working with Blaze Bayley, and his time spent in Iced Earth. Luke has many stories to tell about working with his family, and writing songs with Blaze Bayley and Jon Schaffer. Luke is also open and honest regarding his exit from Iced Earth and the situation that led to it. All of this makes for a fascinating and informative chat.

In collaboration with The Mick Wall podcast, this episode features Mick and I having a discussion about Iron Maiden, focusing on the period between 1989 and 1999. Our chat covers off the parting of Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson in the early 1990s, until their eventual return in 1999. We examine the reasons why both felt they needed to leave Iron Maiden, and why both eventually returned. With the Future Past tour just around the corner, there seemed like no better time for another Maiden chinwag with Mick!

It's extinction for Dominion, and lights out for Manor Fest, but how did we get here? And what's next for UK metal festivals? I follow the story as it happened and ponder the future.