In the concluding episode of our Angel Witch series, George and I take a deep dive into the band’s latest studio album, "Angel Of Light" (2019). As always, we break down clips from key tracks and explore how this release stacks up against the rest of the band's discography. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable journey exploring Angel Witch with George - and this definitely won’t be the last band we analyse in this way. Thanks for joining us! Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Don't Turn Yo...
Jun 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 108
In the penultimate episode of our Angel Witch series, George and I discuss the band's meandering discography of the late 80s/early 90s which didn't produce too much of note, but the main event of this episode is our evaluation of 2012's "As Above, So Below". Touted by most as a return to form, will this album live up to the hype? With Dave Tattum out of the picture, can Kevin Heybourne and his latest batch of hired guns recapture the magic of the self-titled classic from 1980? Listen to find out...
Jun 17, 2025•35 min•Ep. 107
In Part 4 of our Angel Witch series, join George and I as we tackle the second, and final album issued with Dave Tattum as lead singer, "Frontal Assault". Naturally, comparisons are made again between vocalists, but, equally, we try to assess this effort on its own merits. We also play clips from versions of songs on this album that were re-recorded for later releases. We hope you enjoy our investigation into this obscure piece of metal history. Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Front...
May 21, 2025•46 min•Ep. 106
Picking up exactly where we left off, George and I continue our Angel Witch retrospective, looking firstly at the "Loser" single, released in 1981, followed by some selections from "Give It Some Tickle", and "Demo #3". We also explore the musical background of new recruit Dave Tattum (vocals), selecting some tracks from his previous bands Bill The Murderer and Blaque Jaque Shallaque. This episode finishes with an evaluation of the second Angel Witch LP "Screamin' n' Bleedin'", and some compariso...
Apr 23, 2025•51 min•Ep. 105
Picking up where the previous episode left off, George and I dive into Angel Witch’s debut single, “Sweet Danger,” before taking a comprehensive look their seminal, self-titled 1980 debut album. We examine the band’s place within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, draw comparisons with their contemporaries, and explore the lasting impact Angel Witch had on future generations of metal bands. Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Sweet Danger" - Sweet Danger (EP) (1980) 2. Angel ...
Apr 15, 2025•51 min•Ep. 104
In the first installment of a multi-part series, I chat to my good friend, and sometimes co-host, George Silano about the NWOBHM stalwarts, Angel Witch. Throughout this series of episodes, we'll be delving deep into the discography of this influential band, who are sometimes (perhaps unfairly) deemed a one-hit, or one-album wonder. We'll make our way through their releases chronologically, and as such, this episode starts with the 1978 Demo. Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Angel Wit...
Apr 09, 2025•45 min•Ep. 103
After a lengthy hiatus, Feckin' Metal returns to discuss some newsworthy topics, such as the final Black Sabbath show, the upcoming Seven Sisters album, and the return of Irish metallers, Stereo Nasty. I also give my terribly-late and frankly no longer relevant list of favourite releases from 2024. It's great to be back! Clips featured in episode: 1. Seven Sisters - "Heart Of The Sun" - Heart Of The Sun [Digital Single] (2025) 2. Stereo Nasty - "Black Widow" - Nasty By Nature (2015) 3. Judas Pri...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 102
I catch up with Rob, Tim, and Jarvis from Cirith Ungol/Night Demon regarding recent happenings with both bands, and look towards next week's Frost & Fireland Festival in Limerick, Ireland. Learn how the fellas nearly caught Venereal Disease in Australia, made women cry in China, and what James Bond has in common with Cirith Ungol. We also discuss Night Demon's recent touring activity and support slots with Bruce Dickinson and Michael Schenker.
Jul 31, 2024•43 min•Ep. 101
On this episode, I chat to Dave Morrissey: guitarist, and founding-member of Irish trad-metallers Celtic Legacy. This band have been around the block more than a few times and have suffered numerous setbacks, but they're still standing. Dave and his counterpart, Dave "Slim" Boylan have kept the ship afloat during many trials and tribulations, also known as the "Celtic Legacy Curse". Throughout all of this, they have continued to release excellent albums, and kept a positive attitude. Celtic Lega...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 100
On the latest episode of Feckin' Metal, I chat to Graham Killin, one of the two guitarists of NWOBHM band, Bleak House. If you're not familiar with the band, this is the perfect place to start. Formed in the early 1970s, in Hertfordshire, England, they survived many name changes, and the emergence of punk, to release two critically-acclaimed, but relatively-obscure EPs in the 1980s, then disappeared. That was until singer Graham Shaw received a phonecall from Oliver Weinsheimer, organiser of the...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 99
On the latest episode of Feckin' Metal, I catch up with Steven Waddell from Oath Sc, and we discuss recent activity from his band, then delve into recent releases by Blaze Bayley and Bruce Dickinson, with a brief chat about the latest Judas Priest album/tour as well. I also give a detailed rundown of my recent trip to Germany to attend Keep It True XXIV, and a swift rundown of Bruce Dickinson in Glasgow!
Jun 05, 2024•2 hr 29 min•Ep. 98
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 ...
Apr 15, 2024•53 min•Ep. 97
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.
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 96
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...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 95
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 epis...
Feb 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 94
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, me...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 93
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 L...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 92
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...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 91
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! Cl...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 90
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 pro...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 89
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:...
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 88
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 incl...
Oct 17, 2023•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 87
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!
Sep 02, 2023•35 min•Ep. 86
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 "antepenultim...
Aug 23, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 85
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 question...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 84
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 giv...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 83
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 he...
Jul 15, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 82
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.
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 81
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 an...
May 31, 2023•57 min•Ep. 80
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 chinw...
May 26, 2023•56 min•Ep. 79
