In this episode, I continue my chat with Connor, a.k.a. Riperoo6565, where we discuss some of our favourite releases from the first half of 2025, including albums/EPs by Black Sword Thunder Attack, century, The Riven, and Palantyr. If you’re behind on your trad metal releases this year, catch up with some of our picks, in Part 2 of this three-episode series.    Clips featured in episode: 1. Black Sword Thunder Attack - "The Black Sword" - Black Sword Thunder Attack (2025) 2. Black Sword Thunder Attack - "Gates Of Fire" - Black Sword Thunder Attack (2025) 3. Palantyr - "Shan-E-Sorkh" - The Ascent & The Hunger (2025) 4. Palantyr - "Broken Mirror" - The Ascent & The Hunger (2025) 5. Century - "Fly Away" - Sign Of The Storm (2025) 6. Century - "Sorceress" - Sign Of The Storm (2025) 7. The Riven - "Far Away From Home" - Visions Of Tomorrow (2025) 8. The Riven - "Killing Machine" - Visions Of Tomorrow (2025) 9. The Riven - "Set My Heart On Fire" - Visions Of Tomorrow (2025)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on X https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow Connor:   @Riperoo6565 on X https://x.com/Riperoo6565  @riperoo6565 on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riperoo6565.bsky.social  Riperoo6565 (@quagsiremetalhead1401) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@quagsiremetalhead1401   

In this episode. I bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting back on my own personal history with Black Sabbath and his solo work. However, the meat of this episode, is a chat I recently had with Connor, a.k.a. Riperoo6565, where we discussed standout releases from January to June 2025. Connor, who is older than his years, makes for an excellent guest, bringing knowledge and enthusiasm to his thoughtful picks for this year. This will be the first part in a three-part series.    Clips featured in episode: 1. Templar - "Treacherous Beast" - Treacherous Beast (2024) 2. Templar - "Ringwraith" - Treacherous Beast (2024) 3. "Tenacious D | The Osbournes Promo" - (Posted to YouTube by Tenacious Defense) 4. The Lord Weird Slough Feg - "Knife World" - Traveller Supplement 1: The Ephemeral Glades (2025) 5. The Lord Weird Slough Feg - "Ephemeral Glades" - Traveller Supplement 1: The Ephemeral Glades (2025) 6. Tower - "Under The Chapel" - Let There Be Dark (2025) 7. Tower - "Let There Be Dark" - Let There Be Dark (2025) 8. Tower - "And I Cry" - Let There Be Dark (2025)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on X https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow Connor:   @Riperoo6565 on X https://x.com/Riperoo6565  @riperoo6565 on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riperoo6565.bsky.social  Riperoo6565 (@quagsiremetalhead1401) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@quagsiremetalhead1401 

In this episode, Colin Hendra, singer, guitarist, and founding-member of Wytch Hazel, joins me for wide-ranging conversation on his journey from church halls to leading one of the most distinctive bands in heavy metal today. Colin discusses his early musical education in a free-form academic setting, how it shaped his songwriting, and the surprising ways vocal aerobics tapes helped (and hindered) his singing. We also discuss his stint as a drummer in Eliminator, his college connection with bassist Josh Winnard, and the pivotal moments that shaped Wytch Hazel’s career, including turning down an early record deal and eventually teaming up with Bad Omen Records. Whether you're a fan of the band, a musician yourself, or just love a good heavy metal origin story, Colin brings insight, humour, and heart. New album V: Lamentations “drops” this Friday, July 4th.   Follow me:    @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Connect with Wytch Hazel:   https://wytchhazel.com/

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 Your Back" - Angel Of Light (2019) 2. Angel Witch - "Upon This Chord" - As Above, So Below (2012) 1. Angel Witch - "Death From Andromeda" - Angel Of Light (2019) 1. Angel Witch - "We Are Damned" - Angel Of Light (2019) 1. Angel Witch - "Angel Of Light" - Angel Of Light (2019)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social 

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!   Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Psychopathic" - Psychopathic Demo (1987) 2. Angel Witch - "Dead Sea Scrolls" - As Above, So Below (2012) 3. Angel Witch - "Witching Hour" - As Above, So Below (2012) 4. Angel Witch - "Into The Dark" - As Above, So Below (2012) 5. Angel Witch - "Into The Dark (Live)" - Sinister History (1999)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social 

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 - "Frontal Assault" - Frontal Assault (1986) 2. Angel Witch - "Frontal Assault" - 7" (Single - Bonus Disc) - Angel Of Light (2019) 3. Angel Witch - "Dream World" - Frontal Assault (1986) 4. Angel Witch - "Rendezvous With The Blade" - Frontal Assault (1986) 5. Angel Witch - "Guillotine" - As Above, So Below (2012) 6. Angel Witch - "Religion (Born Again)" - Frontal Assault (1986) 7. Tom Jones - "Delilah" - Delilah (1968) 8. Angel Witch - "Straight From Hell" - Frontal Assault (1986) 9. Angel Witch - "Straight From Hell" - 7" (Single - Bonus Disc) - Angel Of Light (2019)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social 

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 comparisons between Dave Tattum and Kevin Heybourne as vocalists.    Clips featured in episode: 1. Angel Witch - "Loser" - Loser (Single) (1981) 2. "Metal School - Angel Witch" (Clip) - (Posted to YouTube by Metal School) 3. Angel Witch - "Dr. Phibes" - Loser (Single) (1981) 4. Angel Witch - "They Wouldn't Dare" - Give It Some Tickle (1981) 5. Angel Witch - "Evil Games" - Give It Some Tickle (1981) 6. Angel Witch - "Goodbye" - Screamin' n' Bleedin' (1985) 7. Bill The Murderer - "I'd Find You" - Blood On My Hands (Split Compilation) (2021) 8. Blaque Jaque Shallaque - "Revenge Is Sweet" - Blood On My Hands (Split Compilation) (2021) 9. Angel Witch - "Whose To Blame" - Screamin' n' Bleedin' (1985) 10. Angel Witch - "Evil Games" - Screamin' n' Bleedin' (1985) 11. Angel Witch - "Screamin' n' Bleedin'" - Screamin' n' Bleedin' (1985)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social 

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 Witch - "Hades Paradise" - Sweet Danger (EP) (1980) 3. Angel Witch - "Angel Witch" - Angel Witch (1980) 4. Angel Witch - "Confused" - Angel Witch (1980) 5. Angel Witch - "Atlantis" - Angel Witch (1980) 6. Angel Witch - "Free Man" - Angel Witch (1980) 7. Angel Witch - "Angel Of Death" - Angel Witch (1980)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social 

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 Witch" - Angel Witch (1980) 2. Angel Witch - "Baphomet" - 1978 Demo (1978) 3. Angel Witch - "White Witch" - 1978 Demo (1978) 4. Angel Witch - "The Sorceror" - Demo 1979 (1979)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social    Follow George:   @riskygeorgeness on Twitter https://x.com/RiskyGeorgeness @riskygeorgeness.bsky.social on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/riskygeorgeness.bsky.social   

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 Priest - "Devil In Disguise" - Invincible Shield (2024) 4. Judas Priest - "Crown Of Horns" - Invincible Shield (2024) 5. Midnight Force - "Choseon" - Severan (2024) 6. Midnight Force - "Severan" - Severan (2024) 7. Angel Sword - "Weekend Warrior" - World Fighter (2024) 8. Angel Sword - "World Fighter" - World Fighter (2024) 9. "Guile's Theme Street Fighter II Guitar Cover" - (Posted to YouTube by FamilyJules) 10. "Ken's Theme Street Fighter II Guitar Cover" - (Posted to YouTube by FamilyJules) 11. Amethyst - "Queen Of A Thousand Burning Hearts" - Throw Down The Gauntlet (2024) 12. Amethyst - "Serenade (Under The Rising Moon)" - Throw Down The Gauntlet (2024) 13. Writhen Hilt - "Death Undone" - Ancient Sword Cult (2024) 14. Writhen Hilt - "Sorcerer's Gate" - Ancient Sword Cult (2024) 15. Dolmen Gate - "Retribution" - Gateways Of Eternity (2024) 16. Dolmen Gate - "Chambers Of Magic" - Gateways Of Eternity (2024) 17. Pulp - "Common People" - Different Class (1995) 18. Coltre - "Feast Of The Outcast" - To Watch With Hands… To Touch With Eyes (2024) 19. Coltre - "Rat Race" - To Watch With Hands… To Touch With Eyes (2024) 20. Freeways - "Can't Deny Destiny" - Dark Sky Sanctuary (2024) 21. Freeways - "Private Myth" - Dark Sky Sanctuary (2024) 22. Heavy Sentence - "Warriors Of Madness" - Warriors Of Madness (2024) 23. Helvetets Port - "Wasteland Warriors" - Warlords (2024) 24. Helvetets Port - "Golden Axe" - Warlords (2024)   Follow me:   @feckinmetalcast on Twitter https://x.com/feckinmetalcast  @feckinmetal on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/feckinmetal.bsky.social   

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. 

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 Legacy are survivors. They will not back down and will not take no for an answer. And they may just have their best line-up yet. 

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 Keep It True Festival, in early 2021. Since then, they've been on the up and up, and we cover all bases in between.

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!

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)