Back in 2012 Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith teamed up SikTh front man Mikee Goodman to unleash Primal Rock Rebellion; a modern metal monolith that dropped just one album. Although releasing a number of music videos, there were no gigs, and the project disappeared after the release of their excellent album 'Awoken Broken'. "It's one of my regrets", confesses Mikee as we sit down for a chat at Download Festival; "but I was more grateful that I had the opportunity". Chatting working with Smith, his latest project The Sad Season, and SikTh's plans to commemorate their twentieth anniversary, we caught up with Mikee. Friendly neighbour; Eamon O'Neill.
Photo: Press Shot by John McMurtrie.
Hi Mikee, welcome to Download Festival; how are you today?
I feel alright, thanks, man. I haven't had much of a moment to think to myself, and I just did think; "what I'm going to say here on stage?" I try to do a lot of spontaneously talking between songs because I don't like anything to be too contrived, but I still need some kind of basis, but apart from that, I feel good. I've hardly had any sleep, unfortunately.
SikTh headlining the Dogtooth stage today; how does that feel?
It's great. I mean, we are playing later than I thought we were, so that's unfortunate, because Korn are on, so we'll see. We just hope that there's enough faithful to us.
I think there will be because obviously Sikth and Download have got our special relationship. It was the first place you played when the band reunited in 2014, right?
Yeah. I had tears in my eyes at one point. I couldn't actually speak because I was so emotional, because I missed it for so many years. But yeah, then it all just went off from there.
SikTh came out at the end of the '90s, around the hight of nu metal; do you think association helped or hindered you?
Well, I think with the nu metal thing, I think we were considered like a cross over, with bits of that, bits of more extreme metal, and then we were classed as kind of as tech metal amongst a lot of people, and progressive. We're bits of lots of things, but our own thing, so I don't know. We're still getting asked to come around, so we must be doing something right.
I feel alright, thanks, man. I haven't had much of a moment to think to myself, and I just did think; "what I'm going to say here on stage?" I try to do a lot of spontaneously talking between songs because I don't like anything to be too contrived, but I still need some kind of basis, but apart from that, I feel good. I've hardly had any sleep, unfortunately.
SikTh headlining the Dogtooth stage today; how does that feel?
It's great. I mean, we are playing later than I thought we were, so that's unfortunate, because Korn are on, so we'll see. We just hope that there's enough faithful to us.
I think there will be because obviously Sikth and Download have got our special relationship. It was the first place you played when the band reunited in 2014, right?
Yeah. I had tears in my eyes at one point. I couldn't actually speak because I was so emotional, because I missed it for so many years. But yeah, then it all just went off from there.
SikTh came out at the end of the '90s, around the hight of nu metal; do you think association helped or hindered you?
Well, I think with the nu metal thing, I think we were considered like a cross over, with bits of that, bits of more extreme metal, and then we were classed as kind of as tech metal amongst a lot of people, and progressive. We're bits of lots of things, but our own thing, so I don't know. We're still getting asked to come around, so we must be doing something right.
Let's talk Primal Rock Rebellion; I think it was through Adrian Smith's son that you came to the Iron Maiden guitarist's attention.
Well, the odd story is that it all starts with basically, a dude walking along the road, and then a very good looking woman coming up to him and saying; "my son's into that style of music", because he was wearing Machine Head shorts and a Black Sabbath top. She said; "would you come and meet him? He hasn't got many friends into that music". It turned out that it was Adrian Smith's wife's best friend who was that woman. She's a really inspirational, amazing person; one of the greatest people I've ever met in my life.
That's not where I thought the story would start!
Anyway, being just mates and stuff, we started going around Adrian's house, before I was in SikTh or anything. Then when I was in SikTh, I sent one big box of merch with to Adrian, and his son then got into us. Then that same woman, a few years later called me up; "Mikee, would you come and play Dylan's birthday?", and I asked the rest of the band and they were like; "yeah, let's do it!" So we went there, and then a week later, Adrian called me up and he said; "I really like your style; you've got a unique voice, you can't buy that". Then he said; "would you want to jam?" I was; "of course, I'd like to, man!" To be honest with you, when I first went to jam with him, I was literally so nervous. Then it just become, like, over six years, now and again, because we were both busy, and we both doing this and that. It become a really, really nice thing to do.
So Primal Rock Rebellion gestated over a long period.
Yeah, and he become one of my closest friends in that period. I really love Adrian, man. He's the most humble, nice, genuine person, and a great example of a musician who has made it, to other people. That doesn't get projected as much as certain other musicians who've made it, like, the press want to project this 'rock star' or whatever and I mean, Adrian is just a great, great man.
The album was something really different; a meeting of minds between his more traditional style, and your approach.
Well, we were pulling each other in different directions. He wanted double kick drums, and he wanted a vocalist like me who was completely experimental compared to what he's used to before, because he always wants to do something new. And then I was getting influenced by him. He taught me more than anyone else has taught me. He taught me a lot about lyrics and stuff like that, certain things I'm not going to tell which are really, really good tips of how certain sounds go well with certain choruses - I'll say that much - and he worked out the key of my voice and what keys would be best.
Whichwould be strongest for you?
Yeah man, he was all about that, and then he was really, really helping me. So I was a lot more melodic on that album, and I become a better singer through Adrian, and through all of experience, and also just seeing Adrian, what he does, how natural it all comes to him. He just does things. He would do a solo, and he'll make his guitar sing, and I've never said that about anyone else. He does that. I've never experienced it. And he would do the solos you hear on that album; I'd see him make them up on the spot.
Well, the odd story is that it all starts with basically, a dude walking along the road, and then a very good looking woman coming up to him and saying; "my son's into that style of music", because he was wearing Machine Head shorts and a Black Sabbath top. She said; "would you come and meet him? He hasn't got many friends into that music". It turned out that it was Adrian Smith's wife's best friend who was that woman. She's a really inspirational, amazing person; one of the greatest people I've ever met in my life.
That's not where I thought the story would start!
Anyway, being just mates and stuff, we started going around Adrian's house, before I was in SikTh or anything. Then when I was in SikTh, I sent one big box of merch with to Adrian, and his son then got into us. Then that same woman, a few years later called me up; "Mikee, would you come and play Dylan's birthday?", and I asked the rest of the band and they were like; "yeah, let's do it!" So we went there, and then a week later, Adrian called me up and he said; "I really like your style; you've got a unique voice, you can't buy that". Then he said; "would you want to jam?" I was; "of course, I'd like to, man!" To be honest with you, when I first went to jam with him, I was literally so nervous. Then it just become, like, over six years, now and again, because we were both busy, and we both doing this and that. It become a really, really nice thing to do.
So Primal Rock Rebellion gestated over a long period.
Yeah, and he become one of my closest friends in that period. I really love Adrian, man. He's the most humble, nice, genuine person, and a great example of a musician who has made it, to other people. That doesn't get projected as much as certain other musicians who've made it, like, the press want to project this 'rock star' or whatever and I mean, Adrian is just a great, great man.
The album was something really different; a meeting of minds between his more traditional style, and your approach.
Well, we were pulling each other in different directions. He wanted double kick drums, and he wanted a vocalist like me who was completely experimental compared to what he's used to before, because he always wants to do something new. And then I was getting influenced by him. He taught me more than anyone else has taught me. He taught me a lot about lyrics and stuff like that, certain things I'm not going to tell which are really, really good tips of how certain sounds go well with certain choruses - I'll say that much - and he worked out the key of my voice and what keys would be best.
Whichwould be strongest for you?
Yeah man, he was all about that, and then he was really, really helping me. So I was a lot more melodic on that album, and I become a better singer through Adrian, and through all of experience, and also just seeing Adrian, what he does, how natural it all comes to him. He just does things. He would do a solo, and he'll make his guitar sing, and I've never said that about anyone else. He does that. I've never experienced it. And he would do the solos you hear on that album; I'd see him make them up on the spot.
A song like 'No Place Like Home' perfectly illustrates that.
Yeah, some of that really works. You know, when I listen back to some things, I'm thinking; "well, if I did that now, I'd have sung this lower, or I'd have got a bit more of Adrian singing", but he taught me a lot about singing, like in 'Tortured Tone'. I got a lot better. He gave me confidence, and he gave me some good pointers, and I was able to do this in more of a classic style, even though also in my own way.
When you recorded the album, was it a long process? You were saying you were kind of jamming over a six years period.
We were working on demos for years, just now and again. Like, 'Savage World' and 'Search for Bliss'; we did those two demos, and then we didn't work again for about a year and a half, two years, and that was because we were busy. But that was great. Then we started doing more, when it came to the main writing, it was quite a quick process.
Were the drums programmed ?
Well, it wasn't programmed. It was Dan Foord from SikTh, actually, he played them, but he did it on some kit, and then I think there were samples put on it.
That approach suited the sound.
Yeah, I think apart from 'Mirror and the Moon', it suited it. I think if I was picky, I'd have loved 'Mirror and the Moon' to be just pure acoustic. I mean, if I was going to record it again, I'd have it more acoustic sound, but on the rest of it, it was of that moment. It was great. It was very powerful, the modern triggered stuff.
The band was due to play on gig, then word got out, and it was cancelled.
Oh, it was a nightmare. That wasn't meant to be going out as far as it did. It wasn't going to be this kind of major announcement. And do you know what one of my friends said? He said the stupidest words, he said to me; "what's the worst that could happen?" I said; "don't fucking say that! Bad things always happen when someone says that stupid shit!" Half an hour later the the gig was cancelled.
That must have been so disappointing.
Of course, man, and as well, we were going to actually do something later on. We were actually thinking about it,
I was about to ask; were you going to tour?
We were going to. It's one of my regrets. I really wish we did. I wish we were able to. We didn't even put a t-shirt out. So I was upset about that, but I was more grateful that I had the opportunity to learn off him and just be around him as much.
Do you think you would ever get to do anything again, or was that just a one time deal?
Well, that would be up to Adrian. I would if I got the chance to work with them ever again. I would jump at the chance.
For someone who's reading this and has never heard the album, what tracks would you recommend they seek out?
For a chilled out track I would say 'Mirror and the Moon'. I love that track. It's progressive as well. Then it's probably 'No Place Like Home'. 'I See Lights' was a good one, and then 'White Sheet Robes' was really good, lyrically and stuff. I wish I'd made the chorus "Is it easier?" - you know that part? - because it was so that was so catchy. Yeah, I love that. It was so cool and hooky.
Yeah, some of that really works. You know, when I listen back to some things, I'm thinking; "well, if I did that now, I'd have sung this lower, or I'd have got a bit more of Adrian singing", but he taught me a lot about singing, like in 'Tortured Tone'. I got a lot better. He gave me confidence, and he gave me some good pointers, and I was able to do this in more of a classic style, even though also in my own way.
When you recorded the album, was it a long process? You were saying you were kind of jamming over a six years period.
We were working on demos for years, just now and again. Like, 'Savage World' and 'Search for Bliss'; we did those two demos, and then we didn't work again for about a year and a half, two years, and that was because we were busy. But that was great. Then we started doing more, when it came to the main writing, it was quite a quick process.
Were the drums programmed ?
Well, it wasn't programmed. It was Dan Foord from SikTh, actually, he played them, but he did it on some kit, and then I think there were samples put on it.
That approach suited the sound.
Yeah, I think apart from 'Mirror and the Moon', it suited it. I think if I was picky, I'd have loved 'Mirror and the Moon' to be just pure acoustic. I mean, if I was going to record it again, I'd have it more acoustic sound, but on the rest of it, it was of that moment. It was great. It was very powerful, the modern triggered stuff.
The band was due to play on gig, then word got out, and it was cancelled.
Oh, it was a nightmare. That wasn't meant to be going out as far as it did. It wasn't going to be this kind of major announcement. And do you know what one of my friends said? He said the stupidest words, he said to me; "what's the worst that could happen?" I said; "don't fucking say that! Bad things always happen when someone says that stupid shit!" Half an hour later the the gig was cancelled.
That must have been so disappointing.
Of course, man, and as well, we were going to actually do something later on. We were actually thinking about it,
I was about to ask; were you going to tour?
We were going to. It's one of my regrets. I really wish we did. I wish we were able to. We didn't even put a t-shirt out. So I was upset about that, but I was more grateful that I had the opportunity to learn off him and just be around him as much.
Do you think you would ever get to do anything again, or was that just a one time deal?
Well, that would be up to Adrian. I would if I got the chance to work with them ever again. I would jump at the chance.
For someone who's reading this and has never heard the album, what tracks would you recommend they seek out?
For a chilled out track I would say 'Mirror and the Moon'. I love that track. It's progressive as well. Then it's probably 'No Place Like Home'. 'I See Lights' was a good one, and then 'White Sheet Robes' was really good, lyrically and stuff. I wish I'd made the chorus "Is it easier?" - you know that part? - because it was so that was so catchy. Yeah, I love that. It was so cool and hooky.
You're one of a very small number of people that have got to work with Adrian; you must feel quite privileged.
It's a massive privilege to me, man. He's one of the greatest. Look, you can be as famous as Adrian, and there's many people as famous as Adrian or more, and they're not as nice people. He's giving. What a great man, and he's inspiring. Underrated, I would say. Even though he's as big as he is, he's still underrated as a guitarist.
Do you remember what guitars he was using? Did he have the Gold Top Les Paul, for example?
Yeah, he even used one of my acoustic guitars that I have still got home.
Moving things back into the current times, what are you up to now?
I'm doing a band called The Sad Season, which is more like for fans of the classic rock style. It's a bit '70s style, but more with a '90s edge, because it's me doing my thing and my vocal style. It's very melodic, progressive classic rock. It's unique in its own way. It's got its own sound, so I want people to hear that. It's out on now on Spotify. If you check out, tor instance, 'Tungsten Lights', that'll be worth listening to. We're going to be putting them out as we go.
It's a massive privilege to me, man. He's one of the greatest. Look, you can be as famous as Adrian, and there's many people as famous as Adrian or more, and they're not as nice people. He's giving. What a great man, and he's inspiring. Underrated, I would say. Even though he's as big as he is, he's still underrated as a guitarist.
Do you remember what guitars he was using? Did he have the Gold Top Les Paul, for example?
Yeah, he even used one of my acoustic guitars that I have still got home.
Moving things back into the current times, what are you up to now?
I'm doing a band called The Sad Season, which is more like for fans of the classic rock style. It's a bit '70s style, but more with a '90s edge, because it's me doing my thing and my vocal style. It's very melodic, progressive classic rock. It's unique in its own way. It's got its own sound, so I want people to hear that. It's out on now on Spotify. If you check out, tor instance, 'Tungsten Lights', that'll be worth listening to. We're going to be putting them out as we go.
SikTh are also keeping you busy.
We're going to do a full album playback of twenty years since we did 'Death Of A Dead Day'. We're doing that in its full entirety and extra songs, and that's at the forum in Kentish town. So, that's what's happening.
You're clearly very busy.
I'm doing a lot of stuff. I also work in games, man. I do voices for games. I did 'Disco Elysium', and it went mad! It got three BAFTAs, and it sold so many millions! I work in video games doing voices, casting, directing and all that. It's been life-changing, man. When you get in that industry and you start doing what you love doing, which is, I personally love doing voices, finding crazy voices, recording them, it's amazing.
Again, it's that voice that Adrian singled out.
The thing is, I actually got the gig with 'Disco' because this woman, Abi Fry, she was the viola player in Sea Power. They used to be called British Sea Power, and she also played on viola on the Primal Rock Rebellion album. So anyway, this guy was saying; "I'm looking for someone who does crazy voices", and she said; "I know your man!" I gave them 'When Will the Forest Speak...?' [SikTh track], and said; "well, that's what I can do, there", with the spoken word, and that got me in the door. Then I did it, and he loved it. I started doing all this crazy shit, and they loved it! It's more fun because I get to go into weird characters, these different characters. One thing I really, really want to do is brush up on normal characters, because that's what I'm missing. I adore the lunatics, but I could get a lot more work if I did that, but my main thing is recording people, casting people.
It sounds like really fascinating work.
Yeah, it's good, man. I'm on a big agency now, so yeah, it's brilliant.
But right now you're back at, let's call it home, because you're on Donnington, with SikTh.
That's the thing, man. You're at home! I was playing Brighton with SikTh the day before yesterday. and it was just glorious, the energy and the feeling and the good vibes.
SikTh play a brace of dates to celebrate two decades of 'Death Of A Dead Day' in February 2026. For tickets, click here.
We're going to do a full album playback of twenty years since we did 'Death Of A Dead Day'. We're doing that in its full entirety and extra songs, and that's at the forum in Kentish town. So, that's what's happening.
You're clearly very busy.
I'm doing a lot of stuff. I also work in games, man. I do voices for games. I did 'Disco Elysium', and it went mad! It got three BAFTAs, and it sold so many millions! I work in video games doing voices, casting, directing and all that. It's been life-changing, man. When you get in that industry and you start doing what you love doing, which is, I personally love doing voices, finding crazy voices, recording them, it's amazing.
Again, it's that voice that Adrian singled out.
The thing is, I actually got the gig with 'Disco' because this woman, Abi Fry, she was the viola player in Sea Power. They used to be called British Sea Power, and she also played on viola on the Primal Rock Rebellion album. So anyway, this guy was saying; "I'm looking for someone who does crazy voices", and she said; "I know your man!" I gave them 'When Will the Forest Speak...?' [SikTh track], and said; "well, that's what I can do, there", with the spoken word, and that got me in the door. Then I did it, and he loved it. I started doing all this crazy shit, and they loved it! It's more fun because I get to go into weird characters, these different characters. One thing I really, really want to do is brush up on normal characters, because that's what I'm missing. I adore the lunatics, but I could get a lot more work if I did that, but my main thing is recording people, casting people.
It sounds like really fascinating work.
Yeah, it's good, man. I'm on a big agency now, so yeah, it's brilliant.
But right now you're back at, let's call it home, because you're on Donnington, with SikTh.
That's the thing, man. You're at home! I was playing Brighton with SikTh the day before yesterday. and it was just glorious, the energy and the feeling and the good vibes.
SikTh play a brace of dates to celebrate two decades of 'Death Of A Dead Day' in February 2026. For tickets, click here.
RSS Feed