Interviews

Eric Bell; From Thin Lizzy to Authenticity, the Irish Guitar Legend Talks his Career

19/5/2025

Eric Bell is an Irish rock legend. Part of the original line-up of Thin Lizzy who helped secure the band their early successes including a Number One single in Irish charts, the guitarist recorded three albums with the band before he was 22 years old. Famously leaving after a show in Belfast, he's documented with painful honesty how it all came crashing down on both 'Tales of Thin Lizzy', and 'Away with the Fairies, two of the standout tracks on new solo album. "I was losing a plot. Everything was great and then slowly, but surely, my personal life started crumbling", he confides. Talking 'Authenticity', the last time he saw Phil Lynott, and his journey from Thin Lizzy rocker to solo bluesman, we caught up with the softly spoken Belfast native. Vagabond of the western world; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Press.

Robin Trower Discusses Six Decades in the Business & New Album 'Come And Find Me'

29/4/2025

One of the most respected guitar players of all time, Robin Trower has spent a lifetime in music. Getting his big break when he joined Procol Harem in 1967, he scored huge solo success in the 1970s with albums like 'Bridge of Sighs' and 'For Earth Below'. His new album 'Come and Find Me' sees him fine tune his signature sound to deliver another set of soulful blues numbers. "It's definite continuation", he tells us on the phone from his home in the UK. Talking the new set, the anniversary of one of his biggest albums, and his approach, we caught up with the celebrated soloist.

Photo; Rob Blackham.

Yngwie Malmsteen Talks Strats, Picks & 40 Years of Fighting Wars

19/4/2025

Never the retiring type, either on, or off stage, Yngwie Malmsteen talks like he plays guitar. When he speaks, it's an unbridled barrage, and much like his dizzyingly edge of the rails soloing, it all comes in quick succession, and can go off at a tangent at any minute. To say he's a one-off, would be something of an understatement; "I was completely in my own world", he says as we sit down for a chat over Zoom; "Everything was from within, all the time. I would sit and play, and something came from, call it whatever you want, God, or whatever that felt like a gift". We joined the Swede to talk about his 40 years a solo artist, and his new album 'Tokyo Live'. Relentless; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Warren Blair for eonmusic.

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.