Fearghal Traynor, co-host of The Feckin’ Check-In, presents a podcast from Dublin, Ireland which celebrates hard rock and heavy metal, both old and new. Enjoy interviews, reviews, informal chats, and special series arcs spanning multiple episodes.
Episodes
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
On the latest episode of Feckin' Metal, I speak to Nuno, bassist of Portuguese epic heavy metal band Dolmen Gate, to, uncovering his lifelong fascination with heavy metal
We discuss:
- Discovering Iron Maiden on pirate TV at age 13
- Early live shows, including the Communist Party Festival in 1987
- Playing doom/death but longing for traditional heavy metal
- Co-founding Ravensire in 2011
- The breakup of Ravensire and the formation of Dolmen Gate in 2020
- Meeting singer Ana after hearing her cover Deep Purple’s “Burn”
- Inspirations from Slough Feg & his friendship with Mike Scalzi
- And, of course, a discussion about Dolmen Gate’s upcoming album "Echoes of Ancient Tales"!
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Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
In the grand finale of my three-part series with Connor (a.k.a. Riperoo6565), we examine recent releases from Seven Sisters, Angel Fury, and Tyrann. But, in this episode, the music sparks plenty of side-quests: like why nothing beats the energy of a metal gig in a tiny sweatbox venue, the idea that heavy metal “ended” in 1989 for some fans, and how our love for the genre can bend time itself.
Connor’s been an incredible guest throughout this series, and I have a feeling this won’t be the last time you’ll hear his voice on Feckin' Metal.
Clips featured in episode:
1. Seven Sisters - "Astral Prophecies" - Shadow Of A Fallen Star Pt.2 (2025)
2. Seven Sisters - "Heart Of The Sun" - Shadow Of A Fallen Star Pt.2 (2025)
3. Angel Fury - "Angel Fury" - Majic Eyes (2025)
4. Angel Fury - "Majic Eyes" - Majic Eyes (2025)
5. Angel Fury - "The Forsaken One" - Majic Eyes (2025)
6. Tyrann - "Face The Tyrant" - The Slaughter House Tapes (2025)
7. Tyrann - "Don't Make Fashion Of Our Heavy Metal Passion" - The Slaughter House Tapes (2025)
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Listen to Connor's Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6yQJTT88JQUJuDTwmmvvuA?si=2fd0af06a59743b8
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
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)
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Listen to Connor's Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6yQJTT88JQUJuDTwmmvvuA?si=2fd0af06a59743b8
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
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)
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Listen to Connor's Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6yQJTT88JQUJuDTwmmvvuA?si=2fd0af06a59743b8
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
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.
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Connect with Wytch Hazel:
https://wytchhazel.com/
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
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)
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Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
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)
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Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
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)
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Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
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)
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Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
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)
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