Interviews

Candice Night On 'Sea Glass', Blackmore's Night's Touring Plans, Rainbow Reissues, & Ritchie's Favourite Band

5/4/2025

It's been a decade since Candice Night last released a solo album, but she's back with 'Sea Glass', her most personal set to date. She's not been idle in the preceding ten years however, working alongside her husband Ritchie Blackmore in both Blackmore's Night and a reactivated Rainbow, as well as being involved in a string of reissue projects. We caught up with Candice - with a few interjections from Ritchie - to talk the new album, the challenges of reissuing 1995 Rainbow album 'Stranger in Us All', her husband's health, and future touring plans. Under a violet moon; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Kristin Metzler

Ricky Warwick on Solo Album 'Blood Ties', Black Star Riders' Hiatus & The Almighty's Return to the Studio

19/3/2025

Ricky Warwick is arguably the busiest man in rock. Front man of Black Star Riders and the occasionally activity Thin Lizzy, he's also been front and centre at the welcome return of The Almighty. As if that wasn't enough, he's a busy solo artist, with March 2025 seeing the release of his latest set 'Blood Ties'. "I desperately proud of this album", he tells us over a chat via Zoom, and with an album laden with catchy hooks and irresistible choruses, why wouldn't he be? Talking the new set, as well as The Almighty's return and Black Star Riders' hiatus, we caught up with the County Down native. Angel of desolation; Eamon O'Neill.

Shaman's Harvest Return Revitalised and Ready for a Busy 2025

14/3/2025

Alt rockers Shaman’s Harvest have had a hell of a ride since their formation in 1996. Releasing seven albums and scoring some staggering stats on Spotify, the Missouri four-piece have also encountered the darkest of times, not least front man Nathan "Drake" Hunt 2012 battle with throat cancer. Out on the road on their 'About Time' tour which sees them hitting the UK and Ireland for their first time ever, we caught up with Nate to discuss their highs and lows, as well as plans for 2025 including a ling awaited new album. Smokin' hearts and broken guns; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Adrienne Beacco

Alex Skolnick Talks Metal Allegiance, Reuniting with Testament & How He Was on Standby for Megadeth!

19/1/2025

What seems, on the surface, a surprising admission, makes perfect sense. As one of the standout talents on the '80s thrash metal scene, Alex Skolnick has since earned a reputation as one of the most diverse guitarists on the scene, winning fans from both his peers and musical elder statesmen alike. Starting out with Testament, he's developed his own jazz trio, as well as guested with many other musicians. Next up though, he joins all-star jam band Metal Allegiance for a date in Anaheim. Discussing this and more, including how he made an unlikely return to Testament almost two decades ago, Alex joined us for a chat. The legacy; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Darren McLoughlin.

Despite Themselves, Headswim Created a Lost '90s Gem; Clovis Taylor Revisits a Changing Time.

27/11/2024

A band with a career of two distinct halves Headswim changed everything for their second release 'Despite Yourself'. Released in 1997, the album's melancholic outlook, loops, and electronic samples were perfect for the times, with the four-piece creating one of the most underrated albums of the era. Getting a reissue and its first ever vinyl release via Trapped Animal records in December2024, we caught up with bassist Clovis Taylor to learn of the heartbreak that informed its creation, and the mainstream success that followed. Moving on; Eamon O'Neill.

Scott Gorham Talks the End of Thin Lizzy & His Continuing Journey into Art.

22/11/2024

Celebrating his continuing success in the art world, Scott Gorham has just released a range of t-shirts featuring a brace of his striking designs. Joining us for the second time this year, the Thin Lizzy guitarist is finally settling into life creating in a newer medium; "I'm kind of getting used to it now", he tells us as we sit down for a chat over Zoom; "my confidence is up and running". Discussing 50 years of Thin Lizzy, who his favourite guitar partners were, who he'd like in a 2025 Lizzy, and the final days of Phil Lynott, we caught up with the Glendale Gunslinger. Bad reputation; Eamon O'Neill.

Jesse Hughes Reveals How U2 Helped Eagles of Death Metal to Take Flight once More.

28/10/2024

For a man that has suffered so much trauma, there's fewer with a sunnier disposition than Jesse Hughes. "We just got to do a rock and roll a show, and now we're talking about it; it doesn't get any better than that", he tells us as we sit down for a chat following the band's set at Aftershock, Sacramento. It's a long way from the terror incident that almost led the musician to quit for good; "for all intents and purposes, I had retired", he admits, candidly. Talking his return to music, and how U2 were instrumental in their resurrection, we caught up with Jesse and bandmate Jennie Vee. Peace, love, death metal; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Steve Thrasher.

Skillet's John Cooper Reveals How Religion and Rock n' Roll Have Always Gone Together.

25/10/2024

With new album 'Revolution' just around the corner, Skillet main man John Cooper has much to be excited about. Coming on the back of of an exceptionally busy 2024 which has seen the band tour Australia, Japan and other far flung places, as they prepare for their twelfth release, it's all about positivity. "It is very empowering, but empowering in a positive way", he tells us as we sit down for a chat at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. Talking all of the above, and how religious beliefs are nothing new in rock and roll, we joined the band leader. Alien youth; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Steve Thrasher.

Blues Man Walter Trout On His Resurrection, Determination & Why He Still Wants to Rock!

4/10/2024

Renowned guitarist Walter Trout has been playing the blues for five decades. Living hard and fast, the former Canned Heat man almost paid the ultimate price a decade ago, when complications from a much needed liver transplant left him brain damaged and unable to speak or walk, much less play. Making a miraculous recovery, he returned to the stage in 2015 and has been a mainstay ever since. "It was very emotional, and there was all kinds of weeping and hugging", he tells us on a Zoom call from his home in Denmark. Talking his resurrection, 2024 album 'Broken', and his love for Rory Gallagher, we caught with the bluesman. The outsider; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Leland Hayward.

Back at the Speed of Darkness, Jesper Binzer Traces D-A-D's History From Cowpunk to National Phenomenon.

4/10/2024

With album number thirteen, Danish rock royalty D-A-D are a band reborn once more. Featuring more of their signature "dirty rock and roll" sound 'Speed of Darkness' sees the four-piece sticking to what they know best. We sat down with front man Jesper Binzer to talk about the band's evolution from punk to glam rock to chart topping mainstream act in their home country, how they navigated Grunge, and hist favourite D-A-D moments. Monster philosophy; Eamon O'Neill.