Feckin’ Metal Podcast

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 me on Installment 2 of Ferg's Quest to find out! 

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 decision by everyone's favourite contrarian, Neil Young.

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 approach to lyric writing, hidden meanings behind song lyrics, and much more!

 

This is also the first episode as part of "Ferg's Quest". This week, we look at the Swedish bands Heavy Load and Nestor!

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 there, done, that, but don't even think he's bought the t-shirt! He's much too cool for that. Enjoy!

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.com, his introduction to the band, his favourite shows he's attended as a fan, standing on the side of the stage watching the band, and multiple personal stories about interactions with band members. Enjoy!

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 something for everyone. Wayne tells me how it all came together. Also, I reveal episode plans for the festive period!

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" studio album, Ronnie James Dio's death, reuniting with Ozzy (again), the messy Bill Ward situation, the studio album "13", and the final days of the band. This episode is absolutely packed with info, so put on a pot of coffee, or open a crate of beer, sit back, and enjoy!