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
4 days ago
4 days ago
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/
7 days ago
7 days ago
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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Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
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)
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Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
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)
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Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
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.