Feckin’ Metal Podcast

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 much more!

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.

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 promoters, and unsavoury establishments. We also co...

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 be given prime billing due to their past glories?...

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!

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 a heavy metal soundtrack to go with it! Something...

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!

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. Expect Steve Harris and Blaze Bayley impressions galor...

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. And last but not least, I take a look at recent...

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 arriving all sorts of conclusions. The quest continues!

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, could they live up to this fantastic debut? Join...

On this episode, in a slight departure from the norm, I take a look at the developing situation with Neil Young, Joe Rogan, Spotify, and a growing cast of characters. I am joined by two semi-regular guests in Nesbit and Philipp Trummer. We look at the ins and outs of censorship, streaming platforms, record labels, selling song libraries, and potential loss of income from this apparently rash decis...

This week, Tony Martin discusses his new solo album "Thorns", as well as a deep dive into his tenure with Black Sabbath from 1987 to 1995. We discuss how Tony became inspired to record an album after connecting with Scott McClellan on Facebook, we discuss the lyrics and songwriting approach to Thorns, we discuss Tony's initial recruitment to Black Sabbath, his coming and going from the band, his a...

This week I reflect on visiting the Keep it True Rising festival in November 2021, and lay out plans for Feckin' Metal in 2022.

This one was put together quickly to discuss the news of Judas Priest continuing as a four-piece. Hear from Jonatan, Melissa, and Nesbit on this urgent topic!

Seeing out 2021 is the interview I conducted with Mick Wall in November of this year. Some of this was included in ArcSabbath episodes 9.0 and 10.0, but there is so much more to my chat with Mick that deserves to be heard! From doing publicity with the band in the 80s, to being a confidant of Sharon Osbourne in the 90s, to writing a biography of Black Sabbath in the 2010's, Mick Wall has been ther...

This week I share the full interview I conducted with Joe Siegler of Black-Sabbath.com on the 16th of March, 2021. Many clips from this interview were used in my ArcSabbath series, but here, for the first time, you can hear the entire thing, including my audio. Joe discusses many interesting points such as his time spent working with Apogee Software/3D Realms, starting the website Black-Sabbath.co...

If you've ever wondered what it's like to organise your own heavy metal festival and all of the complexities, machinations, and responsibilities that go along with it, you're in for a treat! This week, I speak to Wayne Jackson, organiser of ManorFest - a three day heavy metal festival taking place in the UK in May 2022. With bands representing multiple sub-genres of heavy metal, ManorFest has some...

ArcSabbath has finally reached The End™. In this extended episode, I speak to all ten participants from The Arc, as we cover off the final 22 years of Black Sabbath, from 1995 to 2017. We discuss the formation of Ozzfest and its impact on Black Sabbath, Sharon Osbourne's meddling, the legalities and ownership of the name "Black Sabbath", the formation of Heaven and Hell, "The Devil You Know" studi...

In this episode, I speak to Jack, Jamie, and Danny of the UK-based NWOTHM band Eliminator. We have a career-spanning chat which covers the DIY beginnings of the band, playing the Keep it True festival in the early days, multiple singer changes, the role of the producer, sci-fi and Shakespeare, streaming culture, vinyl production, the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal movement, and more! Join me...

This episode of ArcSabbath delves deep into the exit of Ronnie James Dio from Black Sabbath, and the re-entrance of Tony Martin. Also discussed are the final two albums Martin recorded with Sabbath - Cross Purposes and Forbidden. This episode also includes insights from world-renowned rock journalist Mick Wall!

Here it is, the final piece. Part 3 of my Senjutsu review with Andrew. This one is a Trooper of a Beast of a something. Enjoy!

This week, Andrew and I pick up where we left off with "Writing on the Wall", and also discuss the next three songs on Senjutsu. Wild tangents and theories dominate this lively back and forth discussion on Iron Maiden's latest album!

Andrew DuBroy joins me on this episode to review the new Iron Maiden album Senjutsu! We take the long way around to cover the first three tracks on the album, via stories about our heavy metal fandom, memories of the Cart & Horses pub, tangents on political incorrectness in lyrics, discussions on artwork and music videos, and a lot more in between. This lengthy chat covers a lot and is likely...