Episode 348: Belfast Hardcore Rises: Steve & Robbie of If It Bleeds on their formation, debut EP & Bloodstock 2025.
In this episode, I sit down with Steve (drums) and Robbie (guitar) from the 5-piece hardcore-infused metal outfit If It Bleeds – one of the most exciting names rising out of the Belfast heavy scene.
We dive deep into:
• How the band was formed
• Steve and Paddy’s shared history in Heal of Achilles
• Their debut WE CAN KILL IT EP — 13 minutes of crushing, high-impact metal mixed & mastered by Josh Robinson
• Capturing raw live energy in both their recordings and chaotic, DIY music videos
• A creative, uncompromising approach to heavy music
• Bringing Belfast Hardcore to Bloodstock 2025
• And their passion for making real connections in the metal and hardcore scenes
This band is as real and raw as it gets — loud, aggressive, and unapologetically themselves.
🎧 Whether you're into hardcore, metalcore, or anything heavy, this one’s a must-listen.
🩸 If it bleeds… you know the rest.
🔗 Watch/listen now, drop a like, subscribe, and support independent heavy music!
IfItBleeds #MetalPodcast #WeCanKillItEP #JoshRobinsonAudio #BelfastHardcore #Bloodstock2025 #HardcoreMetal #UKMetalScene #MetalInterview #SupportTheScene #DIYMetal
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Episode 346: Ketos brought the riffs, the laughs….and the chaos. Dwayne Close (guitars) and Pete Crenshaw (vocals) talk all things heavy!
Join us for a wild and unfiltered chat with Dwayne Close (guitars) and Pete Crenshaw (vocals) from Belfast groove/thrash metal heavyweights Ketos! We dig into the band's origins, the evolution from their Rise EP to the full-length onslaught that is First Strike, and explore the themes and sound of their latest singles.
We also dive into the incredible Irish metal scene, shouting out some of the bands that are absolutely killing it live and helping put Ireland firmly on the global metal map.
Expect raw stories, loud laughs, and unexpected moments—including a surprise guest appearance from one of the musicians who happened to be playing with Pete just before the interview and managed to get a few words in despite Pete being... well, a few pints deep. It’s chaotic, it’s candid, and it’s Ketos.
Turn it up, crack one open, and get ready to dive into the madness behind the music.
Ketos links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ketosband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ketos_metal/?hl=en
Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/user/ketos-merch
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/59Iot61Gb7q2B4w6BxqRKO
THRASH VALHALLA GIG TICKETS: https://secure.waterfront.co.uk/24725/24726?z=0
Ketos #MetalInterview #GrooveThrash #FirstStrike #BelfastMetal #PeteCrenshaw #DwayneClose #MetalScene #DrunkInterviews
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Episode 345: Tide7. 'Rinse, Repeat, and Rise” Letty interviews Mark, Luca & Aaron about their progress so far.
Episode 344: Exclusive Interview with Jen Vaughan (Vocals), Darren O’Keeffe (Rhythm Guitar) and Scott McGowan (Lead Guitar) of Alt-Rock/Metal band Shadows Calling from Cork.
In this episode, I sit down with Jen Vaughan (Vocals), Darren O’Keeffe (Rhythm Guitar) and Scott McGowan (Lead Guitar) of the band with Mike Jordan (Bass) & Barry English (Drums) making up the rest of Shadows Calling, one of Ireland’s most exciting rising bands blending alt-rock, grunge, and metal into a sound entirely their own.
We dive into how the band came together—born during the 2020 lockdown as the brainchild of Mitchelstown native Darren O’Keeffe. He began writing original material for the first time and teamed up with his sister Jen Vaughan, a seasoned frontwoman with 20+ years in the music industry. Darren later discovered Cork guitarist Scott McGowan through an online musicians’ platform, igniting the dual-guitar foundation that drives the band’s hard-hitting sound.
Their debut EPs, Spirit Shifter and These Scars, showcase their raw energy, collaborative songwriting, and genre-blending edge. All lyrics are co-written by Darren and Scott, with music crafted collectively by the entire band.
We also talk about the creative process behind both EPs—produced and mixed by John Murphy (For Ruin) and mastered by Marco Tervonen of The Crown (Sweden)—plus stunning artwork by Colin Bolger (Spirit Shifter) and Giulia Benvenuti (These Scars).
From studio sessions and live tour reactions to Jen’s perspective as a female vocalist in metal and what 2025 has in store, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and authenticity.
🎧 Follow Shadows Calling:
▸ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowscalling/
▸ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadowscalling13
▸ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1T4NZVz7bX6IzMH2VBnqKC
▸ Merch: https://shadowscalling1.bandcamp.com
📲 Follow the Podcast:
▸ New episodes weekly – Subscribe: https://www.themetalcell.com
▸ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themetalcellpodcast/?hl=en
ShadowsCalling #IrishMetal #AltRock #GrungeMetal #FemaleFrontedMetal #CorkBands #MarcoTervonen #TheCrown #ColinBolger #GiuliaBenvenuti #MetalPodcast #IrishMusicScene
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Episode 347: MONKFEST 2025 LIVE STREAM SPECIAL: Rodger of Cursed Monk Records & Eoghan of Slung From a Tree talk us through this years stellar line-up & what to expect in Limerick on July 5th.
Monk Fest 2025 will take place on July 5th in Pharmacia Bar, Limerick, to honour the memory of Rodgers niece Ash who was so well looked after by Temple St. in her final months.
All money raised will be donated to Temple St. Children's Hospital and will go to the Play Therapy Department.
• Tickets are €20 each and will allow access to the live performances upstairs in the venue beginning at 6pm with doors at 5.30pm.
• The From The Depths Lane Party will begin at 3pm and will be free to attend.
• There will be a BBQ at the Lane Party with fairly priced meat and vegetarian options.
• A Cursed Monk Records stall, and a band merch stall will be upstairs in the venue.
• The raffle will take place during the live performances with tickets available at the Cursed Monk Records stall.
Bands playing are Zhora, Nomadic Rituals, Coroza, Oldd Wvrms, Fraught, Tooms, Molarbear and Noosed.
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1546795539345713
Irelands premier and award winning Metal Music Podcast. The Metal Cell Podcast sets out to promote the Irish Metal Scene by talking to the bands, promoters, artists and fans of this musical genre. I hope to interview as many generations as possible involved in the Irish Metal community from those who create the music, design the artwork, promote the gigs or simply fans of the music itself. It's one of the most exciting times ever to be a Metal fan in Ireland with so many home grown and international metal bands touring our cities and releasing incredible music. This Podcast has become a solid link in communicating our voices throughout the world wide Metal community. The bonds forged in the Metal Scene are strong, loyal and lasting. Friendships created that traverse oceans and continents, which saw the podcast charting in Europe, the America's, and Asia. Thank you all for listening and for your support, Richie. #supportyourlocalmetalscene
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