The Metal Cell Podcast

It was terrific to host Rónán (Vocals), Sean (Guitars) & Pavol (Bass) of the legendary sludge merchants Ten Ton Slug at The Metal Cell Studios. As you can imagine, cans were cracked open, riffs were talked about, stories of the making of 'Colossal Oppressor' were shared and craic was had. The lads have crafted one of the most important releases in the Irish Metal Scene in years, so join us as we herald the arrival of Ten Ton Slugs first album release 'Colossal Oppressor', the slime is real! Band link and buy stuff here: https://tentonslug.bandcamp.com/album/colossal-oppressor All songs played © Ten Ton Slug, all rights reserved.

I was joined by Craig Murphy, Marcelo Varge, Jason Hodgkins and Sebastian Sparr of Uragh for this much awaited track by track overview of their incredible progressive metal/metalcore debut album 'Maelstrom'. It's no secret how much I admire this band and the lads were in top form as they joined me to talk through this very important release for the Irish Metal Scene. It was great to dig deep into the tracks to find out how the dynamics, emotions, rhythms and music were crafted and balanced along with the stories that formed 'Maelstrom'. I hope you enjoy the episode and show some love to Uragh by clicking on their bandcamp page below! Band Link: https://uragh.bandcamp.com/album/maelstrom All songs played © Uragh, all rights reserved. *Please SUBSCRIBE to the THE METAL CELL YOUTUBE PAGE! Thanks! Richie.

The Donnys are an exciting vibrant five piece rock and roll experience born and bred in Kilkenny. Ranging in age from 18 to 19, their combined musical talent and aspirational drive leaves no doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with. Since forming in late 2021, The Donnys have proven themselves as an ambitious and ever growing force securing support slots with Irish legends such as Kerbdog, The Undertones and The Stunning as well as frequently packing out numerous home town bars with their high-octane performances. They have just released their debut album featuring twelve songs called 'Get Active' on April 5th. Oisín (Vocals/Guitars), Ethan (Bass), Adam (Keyboards), Niall (Lead Guitars) & Eoghan (Drums) chatted with Letty who met them outside Hacketts in Kilkenny on the first night of their Get Active Tour. Song featured: Active! © The Donnys, all rights reserved. Band link: https://www.instagram.com/thedonnysband

It was a pleasure to welcome Pete Craig guitarist and one of the founding members of the brilliant Deathcore band Nihilanth to the show. We discuss a lot of topics on the show, I asked Pete about his time with his previous band Death of a Salesman, how he met Aidan Thompson, who now is the current singer of Nihilanth after hanging up his bass playing duties, the creation of their excellent debut EP 'Destroyer of Worlds', recording with JSR Studios and many more interesting stories that cropped up during the chat. I hope you enjoy the show and please hit that 'SUBSCRIBE' button on The Metal Cell YouTube channel! Thanks. Band link: https://nihilanthriff.bandcamp.com/album/destroyer-of-worlds Songs played: Traitors of the State © Nihilanth, all rights reserved. A Stranger Called Death © Nihilanth, all rights reserved.

THE METAL CELL FORUMS ARE BACK! Danielle, Evan, Howard & Letty join me for a live stream on The Metal Cell YouTube channel in yet another great excuse to chat about our favorite subject 'METAL'. The topics covered were the Siege of Limerick - Earrach MMXXIV at Dolans, Limerick, we debate 'what is the perfect setlist time for established bands playing live.....30mins, 45mins, 60mins.....or who wants shorter sets? There was plenty of people commenting on all of the above along with some hilarious stories that came to light as the show continued to it's conclusion. I hope you enjoy it and thanks again for all your support! Once again please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube Channel if you haven't already! Thanks!

Cherym is a 3-piece band from Derry. They take influence from Charly Bliss, Bikini Kill, PUP and Pixies. The band members Hannah (she/they) Alannagh (she/they) and Emer (she/her) all met in college and formed the band over a love for pop punk and garage music. The bands debut album, “Take it or Leave It”, came out the 16th of February, 2024. Letty got to sit down and chat with them in The Academy before their gig opening for Enter Shikari. Band link: https://cherym.bandcamp.com Song played: ALPHA BETA SIGMA © Cherym, all rights reserved.

It was a pleasure to welcome Dan (Vocals), Mike (Guitars) & Eoin (Bass) of legendary Limerick Death Metal band Trenchknife on to the show! The lads were in top form as we settled down to talk about the new music that will be coming out in 2024, some of their upcoming gigs and we take a look back at the bands history in some of the many of the topics we covered on this episode. Please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel if you haven't already and check out Trenchknife on the link below! Band Link: https://www.instagram.com/trenchknifeband Song played: The Absent Dead © Trenchknife, all rights reserved.

Recoil are a rising 5 piece Alt/Rock band from Wexford. Here's the official blurb about the band: Recoil are an explosive teenage Punk/Rock Band, high energy with rocking original music. They have been featured on BEAT 102 103 with their single, 'RIP YOU OUT', which had over 42,000 plays on Spotify. Letty has a chat with the lads about their singles, influences, gigs and future plans of the Wexford band. Band link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091964864990 Song played: Rip you out: © Recoil, all rights reserved.

Belfast band Gravity Well, have released their stunning new album 'Negative Space' which is a psych-infused doom odyssey, heaving with dense grooves and hypnotic rhythms to inspire severe bouts of head nodding. I talk to singer/synths, Fionnuala McGlinchey, along with guitarist Tom Finney, bassist Michael McFarlane and Ciaran O'Kane on drums. We go over the history of the band, take a look at the recording of the amazing new album and discuss influences and future gigs. Hope you enjoy the episode and please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel. Thanks! Gravity Well link: https://gravitywellni.bandcamp.com Songs played: Delirum: © Gravity Well, all rights reserved. So Below: © Gravity Well, all rights reserved.

Psykosis are an Irish Thrash Metal Band that started up in late November 2008 in Ballybrack. The band honed their sound, playing shows and supporting big international acts such as D.R.I., Evile, Nuclear Assault and more. They have one full length release 'Welcome to the Psyko Ward' out in 2016 and released a single 'Tossed to the Dogs' in 2020. Psykosis are currently finishing their second album, ‘Mindgames’ (TBA). Letty got to catch up with the band before they hit the Main room in Whelans playing support to UK thrashers, Evile. Band link: https://www.facebook.com/Psykosisthrashmetal Track played: Mutant Mass © Psykosis, all rights reserved.

Forming in 2010 and re-establishing in 2020, Dublin's own Jet Fuel Chemistry are becoming one of the most talked about bands on the Irish music scene, with each release getting more and more traction. Their debut EP, ‘Sign of the Times’, got massive coverage to match its quarter of a million streams worldwide. Their 2023 single, ‘Heartbreaker’, got attention from BBC Radio One, and the release of their new EP, ‘BURNOUT BIBLE’, picks up right where the band left off. Letty catches up with singer Dan, bassist Stephen, and drummer Emmet before their gig in Whelans on the 23rd of February with Idle Discourse. Band Link: https://m.youtube.com/@jetfuelchemistry Song played: Heartbreaker © Jet FuelChemistry, all rights reserved.

DJ Tricky Dicky from the Lone Star State of Texas came on as a guest host to interview one of the most exciting, hard drinking, guitar slingin', and plumb crazy rodeo band in the world, Uncultivates for a special on The Metal Cell Podcast. Boot, Dr.Eli Gravedigger, The Prospector & Colonel Goon hooked up with DJ Dicky for a hog-killin' time and to bend an elbow with some of the strongest Goon shine you can imagine. It certainly was a wild fandango but with them boys one has to acknowledge the corn by sayin' you need to see a live Uncultivates rodeo before you pop your clogs! Hope you enjoyed this special recording and please 'SUBSCRIBE' if you haven't already partner! Song played: Second Rodeo © Uncultivates, all rights reserved. Band link: https://uncultivates.bandcamp.com Show sponsors:Helio Gas Detection.

Forming in 2021, Idle Discourse are a heavy hitting, genre-hopping five piece that are challenging the norms of contemporary music. With a wide range of influences spanning multiple genres, this five piece band has created a diverse sound full of pop choruses, rap verses and exciting melodies. Listeners are keep entertained and reeling in anticipation for more. Idle Discourse have seemlessly created a sound that is both refreshingly innovative and authentically Irish. In 2022, Idle Discourse released their debut EP: 'Volume One'. It has since accumulated more than 70K+ Spotify streams, paired with a sold out merchandise line. A follow up to this release is currently in production, set for release in 2024. Letty got to sit down with Craig, Donal, Rob & Leigh of the band before they performed in the Main Room in Whelans supporting Jet Fuel Chemistry the 23rd of February. Song played: Rotten Egg © Idle Discourse, all rights reserved. Band link: https://idlediscourse.bandcamp.com/album/volume-one

Letty Sharp caught up with Chris Ryan (Bass), Martin Gazur (Drums) & Mike McLaughlin (Guitars) of PaRtY-CaNnOn before they hit the stage at The Grand Social, Dublin. The Scottish Slam/Brutal Death Metal band were on a killer tour around Ireland as special guests of Gama Bomb. Letty had a great chat with the lads about their band, new material and other interesting topics that fans would enjoy along with some newly converted Irish PaRtY-CaNnOn Metalheads. As always please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell Podcast if you haven't already on 'YouTube'. Hope you liked the episode. PaRtY-CaNnOn link: https://party-cannon.com https://www.facebook.com/PartyCannonUK Song Played: Grass Obliteration (Feat. Don Campan) © PaRtY-CaNnOn, all rights reserved.

It was great to welcome back Fraught back onto the podcast. Fans of the band will remember that they were previously named 'Drought'. I was joined by Dave (Guitars) & Podge (Drums) of the experimental death/sludge Dublin metal band. “Transfixed on Dying Light” was released onthe 24th November 2023 via Argonauta Records and immediately received critical acclaim from all corners of the globe. The five piece band that recorded the release are completed by Andy on bass/sludge vocals; along with ex- members Mark on vocals and Garóg on guitars. They are all huge fans of death metal, black metal, doom and sludge so we discussed how they all brought a different element of those influences to the table and weaved it into their own sound and direction. We covered the build up to the release “Transfixed on Dying Light” along with record label changes, gigs and many more interesting topics along with Mark and Garóg leaving. Please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel and share this with your mates if you enjoyed it. Fraught link: https://fraughtband.bandcamp.com/album/transfixed-on-dying-light Songs played: Increments Of Humiliation © Fraught, all rights reserved. Sublimated Misanthropy © Fraught, all rights reserved.

Letty caught up with Dublin shoegaze/alt rock band Fulvetta before they went on stage at The Grand Social supporting U.S band post hardcore band Drug Church. The four piece consisting of AJ (Guitars/Vocals), Dylan (Drums), Grace (Bass) & Sam (Guitars) is Dublin’s answer to the reincarnated shoegaze sound. The melancholic gloom of the 90s alternative echoes throughout as brooding guitar riffs drenched in reverb and fuzz intertwine with whispered layers of vocals to create an intense, yet melodic, wall of sound. Drawing influences from shoegaze pioneers Slow Dive, My Bloody Valentine, Hum and The Smashing Pumpkins, Fulvetta create a bite-size piece of 90s alt-rock nostalgia. Band link: https://fulvettaband.com Song played: Disregard © Fulvetta, all rights reserved.Labelled as, ‘heavy-shoegaze', Fulvetta is Dublin’s answer to the reincarnated shoegaze sound. The melancholic gloom of the 90s alternative echoes throughout as brooding guitar riffs drenched in reverb and fuzz intertwine with whispered layers of vocals to create an intense, yet melodic, wall of sound. Drawing influences from shoegaze pioneers Slow Dive, My Bloody Valentine, Hum and The Smashing Pumpkins, Fulvetta create a bite-size piece of 90s alt-rock nostalgia. Band link: https://fulvettaband.com Song played: Disregard © Fulvetta, all rights reserved.

Urban Assault Special 2024. I was delighted to be joined by Steve Maher (Vocals/Guitars) of Abaddon Incarnate, Frank Brennan (Vocals/Guitars) of Mourning Beloveth and festival organizers Danny Fitz & John O'Brein for a great chat about the upcoming festival in Cork. After a 4 year hiatus Urban Assault is back with a vengeance on Saturday, February 24th starting at 16:00 till late in the legendary An Spailpín Fanach! Featuring sets from Hasturian Vigil, Strangle Wire, The Grief, For Ruin, Mourning Beloveth and Abaddon Incarnate, it's certainly going to shake the foundations of Cork! This year along with Urban Assault merch and band merch, there will also be stalls from Invictus Productions and Sentinel Records with cassettes, vinyl's and clothing for sale. All of the above are discussed on the show and we get some updates from Steve & Frank in relation to their respective bands. Get your tickets here for this brilliant line-up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-assault-2024-tickets-619394153587?fbclid=IwAR0JmQ5KhMyttpBagSvhlS0M6Y2P5JYleaBwn5v5AgcRzPxu8vXn7gI59-o Merch and ticket bundle here: https://urbanassaultcork.bigcartel.com/product/ticket-t-shirt-collect-at-the-show-urban-assault-2024 Abaddon Incarnate link: https://abaddonincarnateband.bandcamp.com/album/the-wretched-sermon Mourning Beloveth link: https://mourningbelovethofficial.bandcamp.com/music

Welcome everyone to The Metal Cell Live YouTube Stream for February. Joining me was Danielle, Evan, Howard, Letty and our special guest was Pat O'Regan ex-host of The Smashing Skull Sessions. We talk to Pat about his incredible two years as host and some of the fantastic bands he had on. Pat had a huge influence on converting many of us to the very unique and insanely talented musicians that inhabit the post metal/post rock scene worldwide. We delve into some of Pats favourite memories as well as some great stories. Pat has handed over the torch to new host Letty for a different direction musically and Letty will put her own unique stamp on The Smashing Skull Sessions, as Pat did. We also talk about a few positive changes to The Metal Cell in relation to episode output and creativity. The topic of the night was a look at and cost breakdown of some of our favorite festivals to look forward to in the summer months of 2024. Thanks as always for the support and please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell/Smashing Skull Sessions YouTube channels! Thanks, Richie.

It was a pleasure to welcome Thea (Vocals), Dave (Guitars), Sam (bass) & Patryk (Drums) of Wexford Metal band Death Can Wait to the podcast. The lads were on the show to promote their upcoming EP release 'Slowly Sinking' and I got to talk to Thea and Sam, the newest members of the band about their reasons for joining. We covered plenty of other interesting topics including mental health, the artwork for the EP, Reggie of 12 Gauge producing and mixing it, future plans and the upcoming launch show with 12 Gauge Outrage, War Of Attrition and Dead Memories at The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy on February 10th, Doors 19:00 and tickets only €10. There's plenty of banter thrown in also so check out Death Can Wait on the link below and please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube Channel for more content like this. Thanks, Richie. Death Can Wait link: https://hyperfollow.com/deathcanwait Song played: Slowly Sinking © Death Can Wait, all rights reserved.

Beithíoch is a death/black metal solo project from the northwest of Ireland with a name that, translated from Irish, means ‘Beast’. Beithíoch's music, spanning several releases, is as unsettling as it is captivating, marked by unusual old Irish, Greek and Norse inspired lyrics and stories. Existing on the fringes of black/death metal, it does not fully apply to the core essences of this type of music which makes for a fascinating for the listener. We discuss the inception of the solo project, the themes and lyrics of Beithíoch's latest brilliant ep 'Beowolf'. I also talk to him about his approach to writing music, the next step in the evolution of Beithíoch, his views on the current metal culture/scene in Ireland and many more insights into the artist know only as Beithíoch. Hope you enjoy the interview and please 'SUBSCRIBE' to The Metal Cell YouTube channel. Thanks Richie. Link to Beithíoch: https://beithioch.bandcamp.com Songs played: Headhunter © Beithíoch, all rights reserved. Into the Lair of the Beast © Beithíoch, all rights reserved.