The Metal Cell Podcast

Back in May 2020, Elder Druid joined me on The Metal Cell Podcast at a very different point in their story. The band had just released their critically acclaimed album Golgotha, launched it to a packed Voodoo Room in Belfast, had vinyl pressed, shows booked and looked ready to take the next step. Then COVID happened. The momentum that had been building suddenly disappeared, and the years that followed brought plenty more challenges. But Elder Druid never disappeared.

In this episode, I catch up with Jake, Brien and new guitarist Robbie to talk about the road from Golgotha to where the band finds itself today.

We get into the impact of COVID, keeping the band relevent through live shows, the changes in the lineup and Robbie's arrival.

We also talk about Armada and Coffin Dropper, two new Elder Druid songs performed live at The Crypt of The Riff, featuring their departed brother Daniel on vocals.

This is a conversation about what happens when the plans change, people change, and circumstances change — but the music keeps pulling you back.

Episode dedicated to Daniel Santiago Zanker Ovalle (Rest In Power DZO!)

Elder Druid link:

https://elderdruidband.bandcamp.com

This is a update for Spotify and other streaming sites featuring Solothurn instead of the Shortest Straw clip that somehow made it onto the Solothurn 381 episode.

Emerging from Belfast's thriving underground scene, Solothurn return to The Metal Cell Podcast to discuss their brilliant new EP, High Priestess. This isn't just another release—it's a significant step forward in the band's development.

We discuss the evolution of Solothurn's sound, the writing and recording process, working with acclaimed artist October Midnight on the EP artwork. This is a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about heavy music, creativity, the world around us and why High Priestess represents the band's darkest and most ambitious release to date.

Featuring:

• Ryan Adair – Vocals

• Dee Cleland – Rhythm Guitar

• Jamie Wright – Lead Guitar

• Marty Elley – Drums

Band Link:

https://solothurn.bandcamp.com

If you're a fan of Tool, Mastodon, Alice In Chains, atmospheric sludge, progressive metal and check Solothurn out.

Subscribe to The Metal Cell Podcast for more interviews with the best artists from Ireland and beyond.

Solothurn #HighPriestess #TheMetalCellPodcast #IrishMetal #NorthernIrelandMetal #ProgressiveMetal #SludgeMetal #DoomMetal #Tool #Mastodon #AliceInChains

Cian (Riffs/Vocals) & Emmett (Bass) of Bucket talk to Letty Sharp of The Metal Cell podcast before their show supporting Knocked Loose at a sold out The Academy in Dublin June 23rd 2026.

Bucket are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Dublin underground in recent years. They sit at the crossroads of punk, noise rock, hardcore and industrial intensity rather than traditional metal. Think of them as existing in the same broad ecosystem that produced bands like Gilla Band, but with a younger, more abrasive DIY energy.

Mosaic was released on 29 April 2026 via A Baker's Dozen and is the follow-up to their debut EP Muck (2025). It contains five tracks and represents a significant evolution in their sound, incorporating more electronic textures, breakbeat influences and ambitious song structures while retaining the band's trademark noise-rock intensity.

Band link:

https://bucket.band

This week on The Metal Cell Podcast, Richie sits down with Paul O'Rourke (Vocals), Brian Gribben (Guitar), Daryl Hill (Bass) and Lucas Todesco (Drums) from Belfast heavyweights Shortest Straw.

With their debut EP A New Normal arriving on 11 August, the band discuss far more than breakdowns and blast beats. They reflect on finding their identity, balancing aggression with honesty, writing songs with purpose and building a band that values authenticity over imitation.

The conversation explores the creative process behind the EP, working with producer Josh Sid Robinson (JSR Audio), the realities of starting a heavy band in 2026, preparing for their Irish tour with Dead Mob and Carynx, and why live performance remains the heartbeat of Shortest Straw.

Upcoming Shows:

• 03 August – Limelight 2 supporting Vio-Lence

• 20 August – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast

• 21 August – Sin É, Dublin

• 22 August – Fred Zeppelins, Cork

• 24 October – Northern Dissonance, Limelight 2, Belfast

Shortest Straw link:

https://linktr.ee/shorteststrawuk

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