We honor "The Headmaster" Martin Birch on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 470 - The Headmaster

This week we opted to honor legendary engineer and producer Martin Birch. Of course we could have done some long discussion on his legacy but being FoM we had do something a little different. So we are going old school FoM with a full discussion episode as we compare what we think are the top five Martin Birch albums. Rest in peace Headmaster.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Martin Popoff Guests on This Weeks Bonus Episode of FoM

Episode 458 SE - Denim and Leather

Yep, another bonus episode. This time we sit down once again with author and perennial guest Martin Popoff. Martin always has a steady stream of hard rock and metal titles rolling out and this time we focus on the two latest ones.

First we look at the first one in his upcoming massive Rush trilogy “Anthem:Rush in The ’70s” which looks at the early years. After that we get to his first book focusing solely on Saxon, “Denim And Leather:Saxon’s First Ten Years” which focuses on the band through 1989.

These will sell fast so grab your own copy direct from the source at MartinPopoff.com

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Camden Cruz of Seven Kingdoms on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 428 - Seven Kingdoms

This week lots of discussion since we’re just coming off a break but also this week we talk with guitarist Camden Cruz of Florida power metallers Seven Kingdoms. I’ve been waiting to talk with this band for a while and since hey have just kicked off their latest Kickstarter campaign for the upcoming EP “Empty Eyes” it gave me the perfect opportunity.

Support the bands Kickstarter campaign at: kickstarter.com

Get all your Seven Kingdoms merch and past releases at: sevenkingdoms.bigcartel.com/

Hey did we mention that we got named to Feedspot.com's 

Top 20 Metal Music Audio Podcasts & Radio You Must Subscribe and Listen to in 2019

Check out the entire esteemed list of shows on that list as well as all the rest that Feedspot has to offer at: blog.feedspot.com/metal_music_podcasts/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Martin Popoff & Jim Santora Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 425 - Summer Reading, Metal Edition

We here at FoM thought we would give the listeners a little steer towards some metal flavored summer reading. First up is our perennial guest Martin Popoff. Martin has several great books out there including his two latest ones, “Riff Raff: The Top 250 Heavy Metal Songs of The ’70s” and “Aces High: The Top 250 Heavy Metal Songs of The ’80s” also on the show is first time guest Jim Santora who just published “Underrated Rock Book” the top 200 most overlooked albums from 1970 to 2015 which on release was the number 1 ranked new release in its category on Amazon.

Get all your Martin Popoff books at MartinPopoff.com

Head to UnderRatedRockBook.com for all the links to get your copy of Jim Santora’s “Underrated Rock Book”.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Accept's Wolf Hoffmann and Connor Garrity from All Hail The Yeti on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 401 - All Hail The Wolf

First up this week we talk with Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. The band just released “Symphonic Terror, Live at Wacken 2017” on Nuclear Blast and Wolf will give us all the details. After that we talk with Connor Garritty of All Hail The Yeti. The band just put out “Highway Crosses” their third studio effort.

Track of the week is from former FoM guests Reverence from their latest “Vengeance is…Live”

Track down Accept at http://acceptworldwide.com/ and find Wolf at https://www.wolfhoffmann.com/

Connor and All Hail The Yeti can be found at https://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti/

Reverence is at http://www.reverencemetal.com/home/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Chris Brooks From Like A Storm on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 383 - Catacombs

Way back on Episode 262 we had Matt Brooks of Like A Storm on the show while they were on tour promoting their new release “Awaken The Fire”. Three years and 121 episodes later they have a new release “Catacombs” and we welcome vocalist Chris Brooks on to talk all about what’s been going on in the interim as well as giving us the rundown on the new music.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Former Sounds Writer Garry Bushell on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 367 - Sounds of Glory

This week we sit down with former Sounds writer Garry Bushell. He’s always been a guy we wanted to have on the show but the publishing of his book “Sounds of Glory Volume 1 Rocking All Over The World” was the icing on the metal cake. His Ozzy stories alone more than pay for the price of admission but this week you’re even getting some for free. 

Find out more about Garry and possibly order a book or two head over to: garry-bushell.co.uk

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Rich "The Duke" Ward from Fozzy Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 357 - Rich “The Duke” Ward

Fozzy put out their seventh release “Judas” via Metal Blade back in October. This week we have guitarist and band founder Rich Ward on the show to tell us all about it.

Here's The Title Track

Get more Fozzy including the latest tour dates at: FozzyRock.com

Track of the week is from AFM artist Shakra from their new release “Snakes & Ladders”

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Riverdogs Bassist Nick Brophy is Our Guest This Week on Focus on Metal

Episode 340 - Riverdogs

Riverdogs just released their latest “California” via Frontiers Records and this week we have bassist Nick Brophy on the show to give us the complete story. That chat starts at roughly the 27:47 mark.

Since we’ve had a few weeks off we also do a bit of discussion on a few shows we went to during the break.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

dUg Pinnick of KXM on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 327 - dUg Pinnick

Rat Pak Records just released the sophomore effort from KXM “Scatterbrain” This week we have bassist and vocalist dUg Pinnick as our guest to discuss the release as well as give some insight into future plans with King’s X.

Keep up with dUg at: dugnation.net/ 

Order up your own copy of “Scatterbrain” at ratpakrecordsamerica.com/kxm

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Esteemed Metal Journalist Malcolm Dome Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 315 - Kerrang Episode 1

This week we kick off our special project for 2017 and this year we turn our attention to the venerable Kerrang! magazine. Our first guest on the project is the legendary rock and metal writer Malcolm Dome. Malcolm spent quite some time with Kerrang! and gives us some great insight into his years there.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Online Now - Focus on Metal 233

Episode 233 - A Bit o' Maiden

Discussion on a podcast, what a concept. Yep, this week is all discussion and it's a favorite subject around here, Iron Maiden. So settle back with a Trooper beer and enjoy the rare all discussion episode.

Track of the week is from Hammer King off their Kingdom of The Hammer King release on Cruz Del Sur Music.  

Feed your Maiden addiction at https://www.ironmaiden.com/ and enter the Kingdom of The Hammer at http://www.hammer-king.com/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio, Metal World Radio, Audio Graffiti

You can hear us Thursdays on Platinum Rock Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Review - 2 Minutes To Midnight An Iron Maiden Day By Day- Martin Popoff (Backbeat Books)

   Right Martin. I want to know Dave Wright's address and alarm code. You see after reading this book with all those numerous and yummy memorabilia pictures I want to let's just say look and "borrow" some of his stash. You really have to see all the stuff in here from his private collection to believe it. Class A Maiden porn. Ten out of fucking ten. Posters, backstage passes, one off gig t-shirts, promo stuff, signed pictures, picture discs. What pisses me off is some of the stuff I should have bought when it came out and for various practical and silly reasons I didn't. He did, the jammy bastard. Martin has his share of memorabilia in the book too.

   That's just the icing on the cake as the text is also top notch. Much like his two Deep Purple Chain Of Events books this one chronicles the bands history from the early years right up to recent events in 2013. It's all about the when's rather then the how's although the various interview pieces do flesh the story out a bit more. The Derek Riggs sections on his album and singles covers is a welcome addition. It also includes the solo and various side projects done by the band members over the years. It is sad though how Paul D'Ianno has gone from Maiden to various band projects to singing on tribute albums to himself.

   It's hardback and big and heavy and in color and will warrant repeated viewings. A book on Maiden for Christ sake done by one of the premier hard rock and metal authors out there. Ok Santa I'll have one please. How he churns out so many books a year and all of high quality is beyond me. There's a similar one just out on Metallica. Now Martin lets's get back to Dave Wright again........

Richie.

www.martinpopoff.com

http://www.amazon.com/Minutes-Midnight-Maiden-Day-Day/dp/1617135658

Clive Burr r.i.p

 Here's a great article about Clive Burr from Classic Rock Magazine from a couple of years ago.

http://archive.classicrockmagazine.com/view/february-2011/32/when-drummer-clive-burr-was-ousted-from-iron-maide

   Break out those first 3 Maiden albums and crank it up.

Richie

Here's where it started

   I gave a brief history of how I got into metal on my first podcast with Scott a couple of months ago. This forum gives me the chance to list the specific albums that did it. Some you may agree with and others not. Some may even leave you scratching your head wondering why I picked THAT one. That's ok because if we all liked the same stuff the world would be a very boring place and what would we have to talk about then.

   One other thing, just because I list an album here doesn't mean I think it's the best in the catalogue. I may not even like the band anymore. Ok here goes, one at a time.......



   This is the album that got me hooked on metal. After listening to this it was goodbye pop and hello to a whole new world. Everything about this is great. Aces High, 2 Minutes to Midnight, The Trooper and a much faster and heavier Powerslave. You have to hand it to the band, they gave value for money with great artwork and a gatefold sleeve. I could recite the lyrics for every song so that's how much I played it. I still have it on vinyl. Haven't spun it for a couple of years. Now like most bands they release a live cd/dvd combo after every tour. I'm not really a fan of live albums anymore.

Richie.

Christmas on Wikimetal

For those of you that haven't caught this monster metal podcast yet, now's the time.

This week's episode is unbelivable! A truly Heavy Metal Christmas special. 

Our metal brothers from Wikimetal dedicate the whole episode  to three legendary bands: Motörhead, Kiss and Iron Maiden! They talk about cool facts about the bands and ask for amazing sounds that you can't miss. 

The bands were chosen accordingly to the 3 amazing Christmas gifts Wikimetal will be offering: A poster signed by the one and only, Steve Harris from Iron Maiden; A collection of 4 action figures featuring Kiss; A Motörhead photo book that comes with a Vinyl, a Blu-Ray, a DVD and a double CD.

What other metalcast does that?

 Oh yeah one small detail. this puppy is from Brazil so if ya don't speak the language you are SOL on the discussion, but the the music is killer in any language.

Get your fill here or on the Cast Iron Ring

Latest release from Bible Of The Devil to hit shelves in May

Bible of The Devil's sixth full length release "For The Love of Thugs & Fools" on Cruz Del Sur Music shows a band unafraid to to display their roots.

In all honesty I had never heard of Bible of The Devil before this release but the press release had the magic words "two guitar attack" and "anthemic vocals" and told me I had to give this one a listen. I'm glad I did. The last release these guys had was 2008's "Freedom Metal" and it's evident they have used the intervening years very well.

Guitarist/singer Mark Hoffman's vocals sit somewhere between Udo and Ace Frehley and not in a bad way. Although I would not describe them as anthemic they fit with the subject matter of the songs and serve them well.  

So what about those guitars? I hear classic hard rock and metal influences all over this album. Iron Maiden is very much in evidence here. The dual leads on "Night Street" are on example. "Anytime" and "Yer Boy" echo the timeless two guitar attack of Thin Lizzy. "Out For Blood" is a mix of old school Kiss mixed with Motley Crue.

All in all this is classic riffage that doesn't disappoint or overwhelm.

All in all this is one solid collection of songs. Mark Hoffmann states, "The few years since the last full-length have been like a dare. A dare to create a soaring, punishing rock 'n' roll record of this magnitude. It is a dare that we have been forced to answer ourselves." They have delivered on that. If I were to knock anything it would be the intro piece "Sexual Overture". In my opinion it didn't seem to connect with the track that followed and it is totally different from the rest of the disc.

For those of you that listen to lyrics, this one will give you some great stuff. These guys are from the rough side of Chicago and their songs deal with the life they see around them. There's some weighty stuff in here. "Can't Turn Off The Sun" is a good starting place to delve into the lyrical content.

So if all this sounds good to you then go grab "For The Love Of Thugs & Fools" when it gets released on May 8. Besides the aforementioned intro track there isn't a bad song on here. And be sure to keep an eye out for them on tour this year as well.

For more info on the band head to their official site or support them on Facebook