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Wyrd Ways Rock Show
Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXL
Season 4, Ep. 440
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Welcome back to another edition of The Wyrd Ways Rock Show.
As you've come to expect we’ve got a sprawling playlist that wanders through the best of what’s new and noteworthy. We kick off with the classic Heavy Metal of Generation Steel and Armored Saint, then drift into the more melodic waters of Black Veil Brides and Holy Wars. The voyage (since we seem to have tapped into a nautical theme) continues with the folk-infused epics of Druidess and Ensiferum, and the sharp, modern punk edges of Mudrat and Hyphen, and the "couture Metal" (yes, that's what they call themselves) of Ana.
The heart of this episode is my conversation with Edie Montana. She's a Berlin-based writer, performer, and co-founder of Slut Riot, whose work combines arts and performance with politics and sex work activism. Since The Wyrd Ways Rock Show is as much about the music, in this chat, we’re focussing on the music that moves her and the experience of going to gigs in Berlin compared to her native Italy. We also dig into her personal playlist and the bands that got her hooked. In fact, some of the most distinctive tracks in this show come directly from Edie’s recommendations: the psychedelic grooves of Villagers of Ioannina City, plus her personal favourites from Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, and Architects. Hearing her talk about why these specific songs matter to her drives home the point of this show: the people society often tries to “other” — sex workers, marginalized communities, outsiders — are already right here in the pit with us, bonded by the same riffs and rhythms. When we share the music we love, the barriers crumble.
As always, this show is dedicated to amplifying the voices that make up the real fabric of our scene, bands and fans. Whether you’re a musician, an artist, a sex worker, or just someone who found solace in a riff, lyric or solo when nothing else made sense, this platform is for you. If you want to share your story or tip me off to a band I need to hear, hit me up via the Contact Page or Instagram.
Turn it up, listen close, and remember: the scene belongs to all of us.
If you’re in a band and want your music played on a future show, get in touch at admin@wyrdwaysrs.com.
The same goes if there’s something you want to hear, or if you’re a fan with a story about how Metal changed your life, especially if you’re part of a marginalised community.
#sexworkiswork #blacklivesmatter #lgbtqia+ #transrightsarehumanrights #decrimnow
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444. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXLIV
02:02:26||Season 4, Ep. 444We've made it to the middle of August, and the last stretch of festival season here in the UK and Europe. Download, Eddfest (for the Iron Maiden fans), Bloodstock and Wacken are a memory, brought back by the sunburn on your skin and the mud in the treads of your boots. Even the ringing in your ears has faded to the usual tinnitus we all have. There's only really Hellfest and Stonedead to come over the next couple of weeks and then it'll be time to clean off your camping gear and put it away for another year.You know what that means, though? Touring season is about to start again. I've already got a ticket for a gig in October. Who else has things booked?Here at The Wyrd Ways Rock Show, it's business as usual. All the very best in new Rock and Metal that's appeared in my inbox over the last few weeks, hand-picked for your listening pleasure. That means contributions from Deep Purple, Wargasm, Sanctuary, Anthrax and Nunslaughter amongst many others.This edition's interview is with one Miss Militia, who some of you may have seen dancing at the likes of Call Of The Wild, as part of The Lost Girls. You might have even listened to her show, Death by Stereo with The Lost Girls on Voodoo Radio. I spend half an hour having a chat about music and general stuff before we get some of her favourite songs.What are you waiting for? Click the button and play it LOUD!
443. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXLIII
02:11:43||Season 4, Ep. 443It's been an eventful few weeks here at Wyrd Ways Rock Show Towers. Not only have we had another heat wave, your "esteemed" host's left eye fell apart again, requiring another dose of emergency retinal surgery. Don't go knocking the NHS anywhere near me - from ringing the Eye Clinic to going under the knife took a grand total of 7 hours, and I didn't have to pay anything beyond what I already pay in the National Insurance contributions that come out of my wage.In terms of music, it's new stuff all the way, from Swedish Heavy Metal Royalty getting back together to a Canadian Power Metal vocalist and American Death Metal band coming together to sing about giant robots that turn into vehicles. There's also some Welsh people and some Mongolians singing in their native languages for good measure.The interview in this edition could be classed as another curve ball, as I have a chat with one Helen Manente. She's a yoga teacher who runs Heavy Metal Yoga sessions and retreats.You might think from that that it's an ecletic show this time out... and it is, but it's Metal all the way down.Turn it up and play it loud.
442. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXLII
02:05:44||Season 4, Ep. 442July rolls around and it's time for another edition of The Wyrd Ways Rock Show.One day I'll get this back onto at least a fortnightly schedule, but sadly that isn't this month. You know how time gets away from you as life gets in the way? This is one of those times.Anyway... loads of new music as usual, including material from the new, forthcoming Masterplan album, the new single by Kai Hansen (meaning there's a decent slab of Helloween in there, without there being a Helloween track), a sample of Marisa Rodriguez of Marisa And The Moths's new project, Mother and something brand new from Vicky Psarakis's post-The Agonist project, Sicksense.A big chunk of this show is devoted to an interview with Leeds-based Burlesque performer, alt/fetish model, events promoter, performance artist and lover of Heavy music, Vita Bohem.Incidentally, if you want to watch the interview as well as just listening to it, you can find it on the Wyrd Ways Rock Show YouTube Channel.Turn it up and play it loud.
441. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXLI
02:08:51||Season 4, Ep. 441Welcome to another edition of The Wyrd Ways Rock Show.Pride Month 2026 is upon us and we have a special shout to previous guests, Porcelain Victoria and Edie Montana for International Sex Worker's Day, which happened on the 2nd.As with every episode, The Wyrd Ways Rock Show focuses on bringing you the best new music from established bands like Armored Saint, Accept and Black Veil Brides and up-and-coming bands like Ana, KrashKarma and The Bitter Pills.The big interview this time out is with James Neeson, Registered Nurse and author of the new self-help book, Mental Health For Metalheads - Rock Your Way To Wellbeing, aimed squarely at people like us. The hardback came out on 1st June, and the paperback and ebook is due 1st July. As always, The Wyrd Ways Rock Show is fully committed to amplifying the voices of the people that make the Heavy music scene what it is. Whether you’re a musician, artist, designer, writer, sex worker... whether you're queer, straight, black, brown... or just someone who discovered the Power Of The Riff when nothing else mattered, this show is for you. If you want to share your story or tip me off to a band I need to hear, drop by the Contact Page or Instagram and share. Crank it up, headphones on, and remember: We're not in here with them... they're in here with us.
439. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXXXIX
02:03:43||Season 4, Ep. 439No interview this time on The Wyrd Ways Rock Show, which means the spotlight falls firmly on the music.This edition delivers a packed mix of heavy hitters and underground discoveries, from the intensity of Infected Rain to the classic Thrash of Exodus to the majesty of the undisputed Finnish Queen of Symphonic Metal Herself, Tarja Turunen. Collaborations add extra weight, with Stitched-Up Heart joining forces with Butcher Babies and Okkultist featuring Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell on new tracks making an appearance in this show.There’s also plenty of bombast and fresh blood, from Skindred to rising acts like Mallavora and Turbowitch—making this a no-frills, all-riffs edition packed with plenty of new music to discover.
438. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXXXVIII
02:00:44||Season 4, Ep. 438Welcome to the latest edition of The Wyrd Ways Rock Show.As always, the focus remains on the music and the push to get diverse voices heard.The centrepiece of this show is an interview I did at SOS 2025 with young Manchester-based band, Dacara. Huge thanks to them for the chat. As is the tradition here, I handed them the keys to the playlist for a bit afterward. You’ll be hearing Nice Try and Rot, plus a guest appearance from Dinosaur Pile-Up on Thrash Metal Cassette.The rest of the set is a mix of new tracks that have caught my attention lately, including new stuff from Rob Zombie and Ruoska, medieval Doom from Castle Rat, and more new releases from Butcher Babies, Venus Grrrls, and the reformed Sister Sin. We’ve also got some Blackened material from Necrofier and Yoth Iria, alongside music from Carla Harvey and Charlie Benante's The Violent Hour and a little something from returning favourites, Toranaga UK.We’re closing the show with a tribute. As you’ve likely heard, Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell passed away a few days ago. Phil was a core part of the band for over three decades and a legend in his own right. It felt only right to end this show with Born To Raise Hell in his honour.As always, I’m looking to amplify the voices of the people who make the Metal scene work, especially the marginalised, such as women, POC, the LGBTQIA+ community, and sex workers. This scene belongs to the outsiders, and we need to stick together and help each other where we can. If you're making music or art (that includes dance, clothing, jewellery, equipment... anything, really), get in touch via the Contact Page or Instagram.
437. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXXXVII
02:05:45||Season 4, Ep. 437This one took a bit longer to put together than expected. Honestly, I wanted to get it together a couple of weeks ago, but just didn't have the spoons.Anyway... As usual, The Wyrd Ways Rock Show is about new music and forcing a woke agenda down your throats. So a lot of the bands have women in them. With today, as I type this, being International Women's Day, I think that's kind of appropriate. So is the final track - the debut of Arch Enemy's new singer, Lauren Hart. By the way, before any knuckle-draggers demand to know, it's 23rd November, OK? If you know how to write or count, you can put it in your diaries.We've also got an interview I did a few weeks ago with Dr Kate Quinn, dyed-in-the-wool Metalhead and one of the founders of Heavy Metal Therapy, an online resource and community of people who find Metal music helpful for mental well being (myself included). It is a place to find and share experiences of how Metal has helped us, the meaning we take from songs or lyrics, and play lists that we have found useful. It is for everyone, so we don’t judge each others metal preferences.Here's the link: Heavy Metal Therapy.As always, except for the three post-interview tracks, every song in this edition of The Wyrd Ways Rock Show is personally chosen by my good self and played because of all the music I get sent by various record companies and pluggers, these are the ones that caught my attention the most. Your choice or your band could be on a future show. If you want anything played, message me via the Contact Page or on Instagram. That includes if you want to tip me off about a band you've discovered.I'm also trying to raise up marginalized voices in the Metal community, so if any women, POCs, sex workers or members of the LGBTQIA+ community fancy a chat about what they do (which also includes musicians, performers, artists and literally anything else), what got them into Rock and Metal and the music they love, get in touch and we'll figure something out either in person or via Zoom.
436. Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXXXVI
02:15:36||Season 4, Ep. 436Wyrd Ways Rock Show CDXXXVI features special guests Anika McRae (one of the head honchoes of City Of Counterculture) and John Marshall joining me in the studio... erm the room at work we recorded in for this edition. Both of them are more than likely to make repeat appearances.As always, there’s a strong focus on new material and up-and-coming bands, but there's also some more experienced hands on deck. Across the playlist you’ll hear music from Helloween, Harpy, Truckfighters, Clawfinger, 5Rand, and Exodus, with 3111 marking the welcome return of Rob Dukes on vocals, following the recent brief blink-and-you'll-miss-it return of Steve “Zetro” Souza.Elsewhere in the show: Vicious Rumors, The Gems, Rob Zombie, Infinitas, Solitary, Bloodride and plenty more from across the underground and established scenes.A broad mix this time around: Power Metal, Alt, Thrash, Hard Rock and Metalcore, just the way you like it.