because there really was a lot happening in 1986

Phil and Ray continue the discussion of 1986 albums, delving a little deeper and a little wider across what was happening 40 years ago. We can't cover everything, but we do our best to cover most of the highlights

1986, 40 Years on. Part 2...

Turns out there was a lot going on in 1986

Metal Minutiae is back for season 3. It is 2026, and Phil and Ray are looking back on 1986 and which albums are turning 40 this year. A year where quite a lot happened in the world of heavy metal. The conversation was a very long one, so the episode has been split into two parts.

1986, 40 years on. Part 1...

Our highlights of the year that was

Phil and Ray return after what has been a very busy second half of the year. Lots to catch up on, lots to talk about, lots of highlights from the year, but also far too much to fit in an hour or so. Please forgive us for the many things we skipped - send through your highlights if you are so inclined No playlist for this episode. Probably safest bet is for you to just put on some Black Sabbath

The End of 2025

Ray chats with Dan from Essence about what to expect for the 2025 edition

Ray chats with Dan Nahum, the organiser of Essence Festival in Canberra, set to be held October 3-5 at The Baso. We discuss what went well last year, what will be different this year, and what some of the highlights might be for the 2025 iteration. There is also a brief guest appearance from Dan from Irreparable who wandered by while we recorded in The Tote beer garden. Essence:In the traditions of Canberra's Metal for the Brain and SoundOut, as well as Dark Mofo, Essence is a diverse underground music festival, taking in various metal subgenres (death, black, doom, sludge, and more) as well as other genres: noise, post-punk and post-rock, experimental, industrial, ambient, improvised, and even dark and contemporary takes on traditional music. The bill is from across the Australia and features a mix of impressive live stalwarts, cult artists that perform only rarely, and new and exciting acts. Many have never performed in Canberra before. This year Essence is co-presented by NSW/Qld label Gutter Prince Cabal, and has also added an explicitly visual element in the form of NSW visual artist Greallach. Links:Tickets<a href="https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/8e1e8ce6-2061-4037-8f12-285520dc45f4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/8e1e8ce6-2061-4037-8f12-285520dc45f4</a> Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/essence_festival" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/essence_festival</a> Playlist<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6AiuxATeB2UGdNkk16cL6g?si=2ed3ac3ba03847b1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6AiuxATeB2UGdNkk16cL6g?si=2ed3ac3ba03847b1</a> Full band listLife Cult Pod People Diploid Contaminated Convulsing Tir Growth Teeth Dreams Golgothan Remains Mammon’s Throne raven ZCluster Nontinuum Bacchus Harsh Burden Man Živa Shay Doe and Jack Napier Josh Shipton Oar Lithik Bruxist Knife Marlēné Claudine Radice Fukno Canary Bones Atavus Infectum External Organ Futility Essentia Vermis Friday night pre-fest: Destruktor Aglo Hebephrenique Grotesque Bliss Leaker

Guest Episode - Essence Festival 2025

3 Classic Albums with Ed from Aardvark 

Phil and Ray sit down with Ed from Aardvark to talk about what Aardvark have been up to and also discuss three classic albums important to Ed Aardvark's coming Sydney show with Bengal Tigers<a href="https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/event/bengal-tigers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/event/bengal-tigers/</a> and Flitcraft with Bengal Tigers in Melbourne<a href="https://theleadbeaterhotel.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/c2ae7bdb-3062-410f-bd46-99bef5801c70?Event=219393" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://theleadbeaterhotel.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/c2ae7bdb-3062-410f-bd46-99bef5801c70?Event=219393</a> No playlist for this episode but be sure to listen toAccept - Metal HeartThin Lizzy - ChinatownJudas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance

Guest Episode - Aardvark with Ed Vaark 

Songs that are Epic in both sound and length

Phil and Ray tackle one of their favourite song types - the heavy metal Epic. Whether it be 7 minutes, or 8 minutes as the cut off, there is nothing small and or lacking in these songs Episode Playlist<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1DBN0O41gq1MbpAnjZvhvM?si=d72c992502f94ed3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1DBN0O41gq1MbpAnjZvhvM?si=d72c992502f94ed3</a>

EPICS

More Essential Alchemical Elements Essential for an Excellent 'Eavy Metal Experience

Phil and Ray are back after a bit of a break with even more Secrets of Steel. Finally actually creating a part 2 episode to go along with all those part 1s from last year. Strap yourself in for some classic heavy metal ingredients and be sure to let us know about any excellent examples we missed, because we always want more! The gigs Ray mentioned are:Spectral Wounds, with Pestilential Shadows and Golgothan Remains June 13 at Metro Social in Sydney<a href="https://www.metrotheatre.com.au/event/spectral-wound-dark-mofo-sideshow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> tickets here</a>The Veil, Lithik, Irreparable, Futility at The Tote July 26 in Melbourne <a href="https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/0dfc8d4b-5b53-4f9b-9d4e-d13881efb923" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tickets here</a> Episode playlist <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3rtonFC5mwACDbkUP5FFq8?si=1a2b49edfe11474a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>

The Secrets of Steel - Part 2!

Can new albums diminish a legacy?

Phil and Ray discuss a wide range of bands that either maybe should have stopped, or they are grateful only had a brief period of being productive and grapple with the question, does not wanting more of a band you like make any sense? No, of course not. But we aren't always rational beings. Upcoming gigs that were mentioned Hobart March 8 Pestilential Shadows, Permafog, Midnight Odyssey, Portcullis <a href="https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a3feb1c4-9aec-4f6c-a347-6c63fa52042c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a3feb1c4-9aec-4f6c-a347-6c63fa52042c</a>Melbourne Dethfest March 9 <a href="https://tickets.cornerhotel.com/outlet/event/3db93de4-eab1-4c18-84fc-6f7821922a84" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tickets.cornerhotel.com/outlet/event/3db93de4-eab1-4c18-84fc-6f7821922a84</a>Sydney April 12 Destruktor, Pestilential Shadows, AftermatH, Petrol <a href="https://allevents.in/marrickville/destruktor-%7C-factory-floor-sydney/200027790152024#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://allevents.in/marrickville/destruktor-%7C-factory-floor-sydney/200027790152024#</a> Black Sabbath tickets on sale Feb 14<a href="https://www.livenation.co.uk/show/1561056/back-to-the-beginning/birmingham/2025-07-05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.livenation.co.uk/show/1561056/back-to-the-beginning/birmingham/2025-07-05</a> Lots of other things mentioned, I'll try and get a playlist done when I can, but there is a lot covered in this one!

Wondering what could have been, or having more than you'll ever want?

Stu comes in Full Force with a Power Metal Supreme Masterplan to Conquer and Command

Phil and Ray are back in 2025 chatting with Stu from Silent Knight, while they are in town as the national support on Hammerfall's Australian tour. Stu was crashing on Ray's floor while he was in town, so we thought we might as well record an episode. This episode did require significant editing as Ray and Stu are brothers, and apparently like to bicker at each other, which is no fun to listen to - just ask Phil. We cover Iron Saviour, Atlantean Kodex, Dragonland and more. Playlist for the episode is here <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02yzXsb4c2M6DMSnG04WbD?si=b8e2b0d14fe24c81 " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02yzXsb4c2M6DMSnG04WbD?si=b8e2b0d14fe24c81 </a> Check out Silent Knight <a href="https://silentknightband.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://silentknightband.bandcamp.com/</a>

Guest Episode: Stu McGill from Silent Knight

The Heavy Metal Podcast

Phil and Ray diving deeper and farther into the details of heavy metal minutiae, in a lighthearted but also deadly serious manner.

Metal Minutiae

Follow