It was great to welcome one of the best drummers of the Irish Metal Scene to the studio last Saturday. Tom and Zhora have released a vicious single called Coke Vulture which knocked us all on our arses and should herald another massive step forward for one of the biggest drawing Metal bands in Ireland. Tom talks about the recording of the new album "Mortals" and the emotions that are forged into those songs. The discussion talked about the frustration of something that’s controlling you or someo...
Jan 30, 2020•47 min•Ep. 57
I travelled up to Belfast on Friday for the Elder Druid record launch and organised to meet Pete Clarke owner of Grindscene Records and singer of Strangle Wire the next day. The venue for the Podcast was the Hampton on Hilton Belfast, though funnily enough I never knew there was two Hiltons and of course Pete was at the other one. It sums up his character that when I realised my error after waiting fifteen minutes on his own, he didn't complain but just laughed and made his way down to where I w...
Jan 23, 2020•49 min•Ep. 56
The Metal Cell Podcast made the short trip up to Limerick to sit down and have a chat with John of Bad Reputation/Siege of Limerick. John along with Ciaran Culhane have put Limerick on the map as a destination for Irish Metal since the Sieges inception in 2008. They have steadily grown the brand of Bad Reputation and The Siege festival for it to be internationally recognised as one of the best indoor free festivals in Europe. A bi-annual event, The Siege of Limerick showcases the best of Irish M...
Jan 16, 2020•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 55
The Metal Cell was delighted to start off 2020 with the first of a series of new acts to look out for in the Irish Metal Scene. Spirit Merchant's Colin Bolger (Vox/Guitars), Leon (Bass/Effects) and Ollie (Drums) all have a wealth of experience between them in their respective bands Zhora, Coroza and Medicant. It was great to sit down with the lads and explore the fundamental building blocks of Spirit Merchant. Having seen their debut last year, I was intrigued to hear how they've progressed as a...
Jan 09, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 54
The Metal Cell Compilation Green Hell Pt.2 is my way of ending 2019 with a solid dose of Irish heft. This year has been an incredible year for the Irish Metal Scene and the 30 tracks in Pt1 & Pt2 I selected are my way of acknowledging the hardwork and craftmanship that goes into making these releases so special. All these bands have Merch for sale and regularly tour around the country so be sure to check out their social media sites. Thanks for all your continued support in 2020. God Alone: ...
Jan 02, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 53
15 awards debated over by myself, Danielle, Jack and Evan whom all endured sleepless nights, transcranial magnetic stimulation to produce the results that concluded one of the best years ever for Irish Metal. Throw in a special guest to receive their award in person and hilarity ensued. Not to be missed over this festive period, I asked the M.C Forum to end 2019 with a bang and they delivered. Enjoy and support your local Metal Scene. Happy Christmas and hope 2020 is another fantastic year for t...
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 52
The Metal Cell Compilation Green Hell Pt.1 (featuring my favourite belter's of 2019) is my way of ending 2019 with a solid dose of Irish heft. This year has been an incredible year for the Irish Metal Scene. The quality of the releases from all our bands has truly brought it to another level in musicianship and professionalism. The amount of bands vying for our attention is incredible, artists created some of their best work ever for album designs and t-shirt's, different genres within the scene...
Dec 19, 2019•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 51
What a fitting way to celebrate the 50th Episode of the Podcast than to catch up with one of my favourite bands Grey Stag. They were down in Cork to also celebrate something; the release of their crushingly heavy "The Boats e.p". Matt, Steve and Gat (Alternative Matt) were soon relaxed enough after the trauma of Cork's traffic, to happily give some key insights into the plans and pre-production of making "The Boats". The discussion around the development of the band was interesting and the recog...
Dec 12, 2019•57 min•Ep. 50
I was delighted to sit down to have a chat the two Andys and the two Richs of Hornets in the luxurious surrounds of the Bodega Bar in Cork. The lads were quick to share their love of playing Cork and we settled in quickly to a great conversation that included the Northern Irish scene, their D.I.Y spirit, Rich's role of singer, artist and contortionist. The band are busy writing new songs and organising a few gigs in 2020. So enjoy the Podcast, there's plenty of laughs and stories to keep everyon...
Dec 05, 2019•30 min•Ep. 49
Black Coast's Chaz (vox), Scott (guitar) and Joe (guitar) join me in The Bodega Bar to talk about their short tour of Ireland with Bailer and Hornets. It was really great to hear how much they loved playing Ireland for the first time. Since forming in 2015 Black Coast have toured relentlessly in the U.K having secured endorsements by Blackstar Amps and Jackson guitars they have gone from strength to strength. The future is in their own hands; the lads talk about new songs, frustrations, a possib...
Dec 05, 2019•36 min•Ep. 48
The Metal Cell Forum Special. Delighted to work with Danielle Daly, Jack O'Neill (Coroza) Evan Prendergast (Worn Out) on this new show. They provided such great insights, humour and years of Metal worshipping that it was hard to contain with the 90 mins showtime. All quality no quantity it's great entertainment and crucially it's about our metal community and the characters that we all come across at some stage going to gigs, towns or cities. Enjoy the first ever Metal Cell Forum and share it ar...
Nov 28, 2019•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 47
Hero In Error have a past that's more unusual than most. Formed in 2007 they released their debut E.P in 2010 “The High Point of New Lows” which created a massive surge in interest in them. Endorsement deals, PR companies and the American label with a famous producer on board swiftly followed. However it came at a cost to founding member Gary and later to singer Anto. New members were drafted in which included close friend of the band Rob from Red Enemy. Then there was the issue of recording an ...
Nov 21, 2019•54 min•Ep. 46
The Metal Cell set up in the historic Triskel Arts Centre Cork to meet Chainey (bass) & Max (drums) of OHHMS before they headed off to play Ritual of the Evil Eye festival by Paranoid Beast Productions. The lads were terrific interviewees and shared some great stories, exclusive news in relation to a new release and general chats about the history of their band. The performance they gave later that night was immense and will live long in the memory for those lucky to witness it. Support The ...
Nov 14, 2019•35 min•Ep. 45
The Metal Cell was delighted to sit down with Andy of The Crawling in the beautiful surrounds of The Triskel. I was fascinated about the many roles he undertakes to help make The Crawling one of the most important bands in the Irish Metal scene. We talk about his Vlogs, production work, creating the bands videos and his work with Kerri and brother Paul from Grindscene Records. The Crawling have put down a busy year with tours both here and the U.K. Andy gives us a great insight into the previous...
Nov 07, 2019•36 min•Ep. 44
The Metal Cell was delighted to have a beer and a chat with guitarist Brendan McConnell of Dublin Death Metal band Vircolac. Brendan offered a great insight into the recording of their latest release of Masque, tour plans are discussed with exclusive news for a tour next year for Vircolac. We talk about Brendans guitar heroes some obvious some not and even weasels are brought into the mix! The Irish Death Metal Scene is certainly as strong as ever and Brendan is one of many great characters enjo...
Nov 07, 2019•43 min•Ep. 43
The Metal Cell was delighted to welcome founding members Sonja (guitars) and Jessica (bass) of Dictated on the show. Having been blown away after watching Hypso, it was a pleasure to have a chilled out conversation with them, whilst supping on a beer or two before their much anticipated appearance at the Siege. Sonja and Jessica gave a great insight into the new album Phobos and the people involved, who helped make it one of the best reviewed Death Metal albums of the year so far. Dictated are a...
Nov 03, 2019•29 min•Ep. 42
The Metal Cell Podcast was delighted to sit down and have a chat with Neil (guitars) and Fredy (vox/guitars) of Nomadus. The lads are off to a flyer with their band, having won over lots of fans with their Metal to the Masses final appearance and about to play in front of an eager crowd at The Siege of Limerick. Nomadus have secured support slots to The Crawling and Elder Druid so the future looks very positive for these Northern Irish Riff Lords. I can only hope they will back up the credential...
Nov 03, 2019•33 min•Ep. 41
The Magnapinna “Live at The Roundy Bar” with Christain (Vox), Ed (Drums) and Howard (Guitar) will be a VHS classic when it gets released. Join the lads as they run through the inner workings of their Cephalopod band and future plans of global domination. Sex tapes, memory sticks and busts of art that can self destruct....it can only be The Magnapinna, recorded live for The Cork Podcast Festival 2019. Songs: Surfs up & Cowboy Disco (c) The Magnapinna 2019 all rights reserved. Support The Meta...
Oct 24, 2019•45 min•Ep. 40
The Metal Cell was delighted to welcome Sean (Vox), Conor (Guitar) and Aaron (Bass) from Arjuna's Eye to the studio with in my opinion a contender for Irish Metal Album of the year “Amalgam” I was keen to get an insight into the stories about the songs and the work that went into the production of it. An album steeped in mythology and themes, the conversation was certainly incredibly entertaining and informative. Arjuna's Eye have certainly delivered with “Amalgam” and it remains to be seen wher...
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 39
The Metal Cell was delighted to invite Dan (Vox) Noel (Guitars) and Rory (Bass) of Following The Signs to talk about their new E.P “Far From Over”. Due to be released on 18th of October courtesy of Too Loud Records/Wormholedeath, it has seven songs on it, all of which are crushingly heavy. The lads discuss the process of getting signed up by the label, the song writing process, themes and exploring the best way of finding an audience for this release. This episode offers a great insight into a b...
Oct 10, 2019•56 min•Ep. 38
The Metal Cell was delighted to welcome bassist Enda, guitarist Cian and vocalist/guitarist Julia to spend a few hours chatting about the new release of their E.P this Thursday 03/10/19. Red Sun Alert have clocked up a lot of miles touring the length and breadth of the country and Julia speaks about her pride in seeing the emergence of so many female fronted bands. The release of their single Live, Laugh, Love which encourages empowerment is another example of a band not afraid to stand their gr...
Oct 03, 2019•56 min•Ep. 37
The Metal Cell Studio travelled to Clonakility to sit down and have a chat with avant-metal band Jambinai. Lee and Choi were preparing for the first show of their four week tour by playing The Clonakilty International Guitar Festival. Appearances at Hellfest, Roskilde, Coachella and the closing of the 2018 Winter Olympics have definitely helped Jambinai along the way. We had a good chat about the new album Onda, tours, social media, horror films and some famous residents of West Cork. Songs feat...
Sep 26, 2019•39 min•Ep. 36
Alex Vinci joined me in the studio to have a terrific chat about his busy live, doing gigs, touring Europe, making records, shooting videos, working in a local Cork company, Apple and his love for his family. Alex is an interviewer's dream, with engaging and interesting stories along with the shared love of music we both have. It makes for a great podcast especially with the build up to the launch of the new EP “The World, Enda Kenny, the Devil, the Vegans and all the Millennials shit” on Septem...
Sep 19, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 35
The Metal Cell was up in Dolans of Limerick, to watch Memoriam crush all before them on their tour of Ireland with support from Ten Ton Slug from Galway and local Limerick band Zealot Cult. I contacted John of Bad Reputation to organise the Podcast which located me overlooking the stage before the gig started. Another local band Steiner, whom I've been following their progress over the last few month's were available for a interview so I sat down first with Josh Guitars/vox and Jack bass/vox and...
Sep 12, 2019•27 min•Ep. 34
Danielle Daly life long Metal fan joined me in the studio to talk about her exciting project developing a Mobile App for the Irish Metal Scene. She also gives a great review of Bloodstock 2019, talks about her life as an avid Metal fan, the many gigs she has been to and the many laugh out loud moments she has experienced with her friends in the Metal Community. Its a great episode and another fine example of someone who wants to create and help build the Irish Metal Scene. Support The Metal Cell...
Sep 06, 2019•52 min•Ep. 33
The Metal Cell Podcast was delighted to sit down finally with the elusive Jim and Liam of the Dirty Casuals before they left for the Overdose Festival. The talk covered everything from new logo's, dresses, the Limerick Metal scene, Late Late Toy Show right through to new songs and to weird gig experiences. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Songs Featured: Light and Dark Matter & Sandwich (c) Dirty Casuals, 2019 all rights reserved. Support The Metal Cell Podcast...
Aug 30, 2019•46 min•Ep. 32
Jim Tobin took some time out from his holiday in Ireland to reminisce about his experience as a promoter and musician based in Cork before moving to his new country of residence Malta. He had to build up his promotions company and web design business from scratch under the blistering heat whilst still avoiding burns on that pale Irish skin. In between that there's plenty of stories from the Cruiscin Lan, local bands, international bands, festivals and the Irish Metal Archive. Another huge plus i...
Aug 23, 2019•51 min•Ep. 31
The Metal Cell was delighted to welcome award winning film & video producer Rob O'Halloran to the studio. I have been a huge fan of Robs talented work so it was a pleasure to listen to him talk about his work with Bailer, Worn Out and his journey to becoming an award wining independent film maker. Rob explains how hard it is to forge a career working in Ireland within the media of film production and his own company Mint Video. I have nothing but admiration for Rob after hearing his story, I...
Aug 16, 2019•53 min•Ep. 30
The Metal Cell Podcast was honored to sit down with Jamie, Laura, Rory and Lyle, straight after their brilliant set to talk about whales, the Edinburgh metal scene, touring stories and the recording process for their new album later this year. Absolutely great company and it was one of those episodes that I didn't want to end. Cannot wait to catch them live again and have a beer afterwards with this class act from Scotland. Support The Metal Cell Podcast...
Aug 08, 2019•23 min•Ep. 29
It was an honour to sit down with the great Sakis of Rotting Christ and talk about Heretics, art, inspiration and the importance of connecting with metal fans through his music. Even though it was a short conversation, I was able to take away from it a man of unshakable faith in the music he creates for his fans, knowing that the joy that he generates for us metalheads playing Rotting Christ's music brings him absolute happiness. Support The Metal Cell Podcast...
Aug 08, 2019•18 min•Ep. 28
