The Metal Cell Podcast

It was a pleasure to welcome Jim Hodge (Vocalist) of sludge, grind and hardcore band Mastiff. I witnessed Jim and his band Mastiff put on a face melting performance at Damnation Festival in 2022. Mastiff have had the music press across the UK bestowing praise on them for the 2021 release, 'Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth'. It's a crushing mixture of raging doom/hardcore/sludge that builds upon all their previous releases since they formed in 2013. I happened to met Jim after the gig and ended up having a great chat with him. When he said he had visited Cork before, the invitation was immediately handed out to come on the show to talk about his band, his life and that infamous visit to Cork. Hope you enjoy the episode and hit 'SUBSCRIBE' to the Metal Cell YouTube channel, if you haven't already!

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The best of Irish Metal in 2022! This episode was pre-recorded on the 12.12.22. Join myself, Danielle, Joe & Howard as we try to figure out who impressed us the most in the various categories listed below, throughout the year and what an incredible year it was! There was absolutely loads of releases, gigs and activity in our scene in 2022 compared to the previous problems through Covid related issues in 2021 so it really was something to celebrate as we got down to the difficult choices we faced in trying to pick out winners in the following categories:

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It was a pleasure to welcome back Molarbear on the podcast. Adi (Drums), Andy (Riffs), Dave (Bass) & Rowan (Vox/Riffs) have released one of my favorite albums of the year 'You will need Gods'. The five piece completed by Darragh (also Riffs) smashed 'The Crypt of the Riff' festival in Belfast with huge slabs of riffs, infectious grooves, a rhythm section like a Panzer tank division and vocals that whipped and sliced through the baying crowd. It was an incredible night to witness Molarbear at the top of their game and with a new album to promote through 'Cursed Monk Records' the lads were in top form as we did a track by track run through for the Podcast. No stone was left unturned as the lads crumbled under my intense questions. It was the equivalent of opening a portal into the dark, mysterious yet wonderful soul of Molarbear, one which many more Metalheads will be converted to around Ireland in 2023 I bet. If you like this show please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube page and buy Molarbears album on the below links:

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Kevin Byrne it's fair to say is a veteran of the Irish Metal Scene stretching back to the formation of Valediction in 2005. Myself and Kevin cover those years leading up to the release of their acclaimed debut album 'The Primitive Architecture' recorded in 2010/20011, by a relatively young Mick Richards at Track Mix Studios. In fact that bond with Mick was to prove fruitful when Valediction went their separate ways, with Kevin approaching Mick with plans for his solo project 'Sonus Mortis'. Six albums in nine years is an incredible outlay for an solo artist and there is plenty to cover in relation to how Kevin approaches song structures, lyrical themes and the build up to his current brilliant release 'Collapse The Mountain'. I hope you enjoy the episode and please 'SUBSCRIBE' to the channel if you haven't already. Thanks Richie.

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James McBain of Hellripper makes a welcome return to The Metal Cell Podcast. Myself and Joe have a great chat with James about the latest Hellripper tour, which included seventeen dates across Europe and of course the tour Hellripper did around the UK supporting Joes band, Gama Bomb. It's been an incredible 2022 for Hellripper with the band getting some incredible write ups and shirt sales in the Metal Scene. I was delighted to get an exclusive low-down with James about the new album that has been completed for early 2023. We get to hear the album opening track 'The Nuckelavee' and it's a great example of what to expect off the album as myself & Joe talk through the influences and inspirations behind 'Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags'. Fans of the band will be delighted to hear that it's an absolute face ripping ride of frenzied riffing and solo's with the trademark Hellripper sound stomped all over it. It will certainly be at the top of the best Metal releases in next years polls and we here at The Metal Cell Podcast wish James continued success with Hellripper! All hail the Goat!

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The first part of two episodes with bands from Scotland that have formed strong bonds with Irish Metal bands. This episode myself and Evan catch up with Keith and Luke of Dog Tired. The band have announced two dates in Ireland with local supports from Nomadus, Gravity Well & Lock Horns (The Deers Head, Belfast), Slung from a Tree & TOOMS (Dolans, Limerick). They have also been busy completing an album, so we get some updates on that and I surprise them with a quiz to test their knowledge on Ireland.....some craic with that! If you haven't got tickets for these shows you are seriously missing out on face melting riffs and a heaviness that is both brutal and unrelenting. Hit 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel if you haven't done already and thanks for the support Richie.

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It was a pleasure to welcome back Jack Penders of Rotlaust to the podcast. Jack's an incredible musician and we talk about his new release 'The Dirge' which will be up there competing for the Irish Metal album of the year for me. A lesson in sheer brutal Death Metal and a sharp contrast to his last compelling release 'Covenant' which dwelled a lot in the post rock genre. I talk to Jack about this change in style, we talk about the guest musicians on 'Dirge' and Jack shares his insights into each song on the album. Special mention to the video of the first single 'Nascent' which is simply one of the best Irish Metal videos out there. Check it out if you haven't already. Hope you enjoy the episode and hit up Rotlaust at the link provided. As always thanks for your support and hit 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel. Richie.

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The Metal Cell Forums. Join myself, Danielle, Evan and Joe as we talk about the Metal Scene and discuss topics related to our favorite music....METAL! In this episode we have a look back at The Siege that myself & Danielle attended and Evan played in. Having returned from Damnation Festival in Manchester, I give my thoughts on both nights. The main topic of the night was cash vs cashless for punters/bands in relation to gigs and festivals. We reviewed five quality releases from Apogean Tide, Elder Witch, Enoshie, Fierce Shook and The Blessing Way. Hope you enjoy the show, as always thanks for your support and be sure to 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel in case you haven't already. Richie.

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Myself and Howard talk to Sam Ellis the guitarist/vocals of Ilenkus about his new project 'Apogean Tide'. Sam did everything himself - writing, recording, mixing, mastering and brought in Rory of Ilenkus to help with the drums/programing. We cover a lot of subjects in this chat, his time touring with Ilenkus, how he approaches his new solo work, what's it like to work on his own away from the dynamics of a band and what forms his ideas for lyrics. He readily admits that this is a learning experience with the end goal of him becoming a better producer. He is currently in the process of releasing a single every couple of months. Hope you enjoy the episode, if so hit 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel. Thanks Richie.

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Myself and Howard welcomed the three sonic elders of Yurt to the show: Boz (Bass/vocals), Bushey (Drums) and Steve (Guitars/backing vocals). The lads are veterans of the Dublin underground punk/metal scene, having played in so many different bands and having being able to go to gigs since their early teens. It was almost inevitable that their paths would cross through their love of music. From creating fanzines and incredible art, Boz gives us an insight into his creative side along with his unique writing style. Steve gives us a run down on his rig and guitars that he used on the upcoming album 'Upgrade to Obsolete'. Bushey talks about some of his heroes on drums and we investigate the jazz elements that may influence his playing. Yurt defy categorisation despite myself and Howards best attempts, instead just sit back and relax as we do a track by track preview of the album with the lads as we build up to their album launch on the 12/11/22 in the Bello Bar, Dublin. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear/see more like it please 'SUBSCRIBE' to the show on The Metal Cell YouTube channel.

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