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 N…

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 …

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 r…

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…

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…

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 o…

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 eventual…

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 …

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 resid…

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, ridiculou…

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 …

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, Saxo…

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,…

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, an…

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, offeri…

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!על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

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, featurin…

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 the…

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 bil…

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 an…

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 move…

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 wi…

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…

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.על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

Jarvis Leatherby from Night Demon returns to Feckin' Metal to discuss the recently-released concept album "Outsider". We discuss how this album came about, including the location in Ireland that inspired it, learning from concept albums of the past, the writing process for such an album, and how 35 minutes is the correct length for such a project. …

It's my pleasure to welcome Horley's own Armstrong Gun back to Feckin' Metal. We catch up where the previous interview left off, and discuss the band's new EP "Struck With Steel". We cover off numerous topics, including: songwriting (including incorporating older song ideas), taking a more "metal" approach, delving into a "box of riffs", feedback o…

It's Biff Byford! Need I say more? Well, maybe a small bit. We chat about recent Saxon activity, Biff's early days in bands, his autobiography (Never Surrender, Or Nearly Good Looking), and quite a bit about the Harvey Goldsmith documentary the band did in 2007 (Get Your Act Together). A great chat with a great man.…

On this episode, I talk about recent heavy metal news relating to Ozzy Osbourne, Saxon, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. I also cover recent releases from Tim "Ripper" Owens, Phantom Spell, Luzifer, Konquest, and Scepter. Lots of feckin' metal to digest on this one.על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

On this edition of Feckin' Metal, I chat to Oliver Weinsheimer (Oli), who is the organiser of the long-established Keep It True festival in Germany, along with several other heavy metal festivals over the years. We discuss the early days of the festival and the inspiration behind it, consulting the phone book to find bands, branching out to two fes…

In the final piece of my short run of Irish-themed episodes, I speak to Fergal Holmes, also known as "H", owner of DME Promotions. Fergal has been promoting metal and rock gigs in Ireland since 1999 and takes me from his early beginnings putting on gigs for the love of it, right though the development of a successful and profitable business. This i…

On this episode, I speak to speak to John Bonham, singer in Irish metal bands Old Season and Celtic Legacy, as well as Iron Maiden tribute band - Iorn Maiden. Hear about receiving Skype singing lessons from Tony Harnell of TNT, auditions while having bronchitis, participation in talent show "The Voice", in both Ireland and the UK (and the inner-wor…

On this episode of Feckin' Metal I speak to Máirtín "Fart" Mac Cormaic, a heavy metal aficionado, former record store co-owner, record label owner, serial festival-goer, and friend to many in the heavy metal community at home and abroad. We talk about early introductions to metal, the Irish scene in the 1990s, travelling to festivals, giving up dri…

On the 37th anniversary of his death, Mick Wall and I celebrate the life of legendary Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott. Mick knew Phil back in the 1970s and 1980s, and draws from his extensive catalogue of first-hand stories, as we discuss the greatest Irish rock star of them all.על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

Previously released on Mick's podcast "Mick Wall", here is the chat I had with Mick about all things Maiden, featuring bonus content of our chats before and after the official recording!על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

This episode, recorded in August 2022, but never released, is a conversation between my friend Kevin and I, discussing the eventful day that we travelled by train from Dublin to Belfast to see Iron Maiden in June 2022, and a review of the concert itself. Plenty of stories and shenanigans in this one, and you'll definitely recognise some of the peop…

In this lost episode from the Virtual XI series, I go back in time to April 2022 and excavate an episode that evaded the editing process. In it, Andrew DuBroy and I dissect the missing link of our never-ending Virtual XI story "Don't Look To The Eyes Of A Stranger". Also included is a confessional from me, hoping to adequately explain my lengthy ab…

On this episode, I speak to Andrew and Chris from Nor'easter, a band based in Eastern Connecticut. A band that recorded an album in 1989, and disappeared off the face off the earth. These songs have never been heard, until now! Chris and Andrew talk me through the early days of the Nor'easter, and how they have never played an indoor show. We discu…

On this episode of Feckin' Metal, I speak to all three members of Armstrong Gun, who have recently self-released their self-titled debut album. You can hear all about how that came together, along with the meaning of the word "Scraggard", how Aretha Franklin is linked to the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal, and future plans for the band for the…

In the final part of my pentalogy (it's a thing, I looked it up), with Andrew DuBroy, we tackle the Spanish language, British and Argentinian history, an epic Iron Maiden album-closer, but mostly, our own sobriety. This is, of course, the final track on Virtual XI - Como Estais Amigos. Let us know what you think, on Twitter @feckinmetalcast…

I catch up with Steven Waddell from Oath Sc and we discuss all the goings-on between the release of Computer Warrior, and his current album "Hallowed Illusions". Hear about the reasons why he left Tantrum, working in a band vs. working solo, the recording studio vs. live shows, operating on 4 hours of sleep, merch, vinyl, profits, royalties, and mu…

Your favourite educated fools are back to bring you the fourth installment in our review of Iron Maiden's eleventh studio album, Virtual XI. This one includes listener feedback on the last two episodes, and contains much soul-searching from both Andrew and I.על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

Feckin' Metal has finally returned, and on this installment I speak to Jeff Crossdale, lead singer of Dublin-based heavy rock band Strangers With Guns. Jeff discusses the Irish music scene in depth, and what it's like to be in a gigging, local band. We talk about the concept of paying dues in the music industry, not getting paid for gigs, dodgy pro…

Making his third appearance on Feckin' Metal, is a man who wears many hats in the music industry - musician, band manager, record label owner, and festival promoter, Jarvis Leatherby. In this chat we discuss the machinations of a music festival like Frost and Fireland or Hell's Heroes, and some of the politics that go with it. Should "legacy" bands…

The Virtual Eleven play on, as Andrew and I examine the next song on the album "When Two Worlds Collide". Don't be quick to dismiss this track as a dud. There's a lot going on beneath the surface!על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

In a temporary departure from my Virtual XI series, I interview Andy, creator of the Book of Skulls table top board game, which has strong ties to heavy metal. Learn about how the germ of the idea came about from watching an episode of Community, and allow Andy to guide you through the entire creative process of developing a board game, an app, and…

It's Part 2, or maybe II, of my Virtual XI review with everyone's favourite Canadian Andrew DuBroy. Prepare yourselves for alternate takes on "Lightning Strikes Twice" and "The Clansman", and a truncated Irish history lesson!על ידי Feckin’ Metal Podcast

In Part 1 one of this three-parter, I welcome back Andrew DuBroy, whom regular listeners will remember from our Senjutsu review series back in November 2021. This episode covers some relevant Iron Maiden history, our own initial experiences with this album, analysis of the first two tracks, and copious quantities of shenanigans and tomfoolery. Expe…

In this episode, I review the recent Unto Others gig from Whelan's, in Dublin, Ireland, on the 14th of March. I also look ahead to upcoming festivals and gigs on my calendar for 2022, with a specific focus on Hell's Heroes IV in Houston, Texas in April. On top of that, I take a look at recent releases from Saxon, (the) Scorpions, Ghost, and Sabaton…

Join me, Ferg, as I continue my quest to find great heavy metal, both old and new. After departing from Sweden, I've stopped off in Portland, Oregon, United States, to check in with the gothic metal band Unto Others, previously know as Idle Hands. This episode examines songs across the discography of the band, delving into lyrical themes and arrivi…

In this episode, I delve deep into the obscure, Swedish, 80s metal band Universe, and their follow-up band from the 2010s - Universe Infinity. If you've never listened to the self-titled album from 1985, you're in for a treat. A true hidden gem of 1980s heavy metal. The question is, when they returned to the stage (and the studio) in the late 2010s…