Hell Bent For Metal

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#74 – 2 Camp, 2 Fabulous Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

It's a double Camp Classic show, where two proggy Nordic tunes both get analysed from a queer perspective. First up, 'Silver Bride' by Finnish death/doom-turned-folk/prog crooners Amorphis gets a multi-angled view.

hen 'Voices' by Norwegian prog black metallers Borknagar sees Tom and Matt take the same starting point, and then run off in literal opposite directions.

Plus this week's visit to the Hate Crew Gaybar starts with a good natter about the Unto Others show both hosts went to in Leeds (and somehow both survived), before the jukebox gets two new additions. First is Pennyfold Haberdashery & Abattoir Deluxe by Uncle Woe, and second is Striving Toward Oblivion by Vorga.

#73 – A Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell In The Metal Community Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal talks to Ethereal Shroud mainman Joseph Hawker about being out as a gay man in black metal circles. In an in-depth chat, Joseph tells Tom about how his experiences of growing up as queer in a homophobic, racist environment inform what he wants to express in his music, and how dramatically things have changed for gay men in metal in the last decade.

They also chat about how it's really impossible to separate the art from the artist, and how complacent metal has been about the dark corners of its subgenres.

There's two picks for the Hate Crew Gaybar jukebox this week, with Matt picking Caged In Gold by Helpless, and Tom being utterly predictable in picking Dread Reaver by Abbath.

Plus there's news of something very, very special Tom's doing at Roadburn Festival.

#72 – Diamond Head, Diamond Heart Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal returns to one of their favourite topics, Ghost, to discuss how the band did something amazing for the trans community with a Metallica cover.

Speaking of Metallica covers, the seminal NWOBHM classic 'Am I Evil?' by Diamond Head is this week's Camp Classic, with that was a huge influence on the biggest metal band of the lot proving fertile grounds for HBFM's trademark digressions.

Plus this week's visit to HCGBs sees Love And Hatred by Grey Moth, and War Of The Worlds, Pt.2 by Michael Romeo go into the jukebox.

#71 – Hell Bent On Wednesdays Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Yasmine Summan, the music journalist, social media guru, and TikTok star, most famous for their work at Altpress and as one-third of On Wednesdays We Wear Black, guests. They talk about being out as non-binary in metal, about racism and sexism in metal and alternative music (and also the music industry), the weight of expectations, and the foibles of social media platforms.

This week's visit to HCGBs see Close by Messa and Vexier by E-L-R go into the jukebox as promised, plus there's the inevitable inclusion of Impera, the new album from metal's most gay friendly Satanic pop-tastic band, Ghost.

(Oh, and WE'RE UP FOR AN HMA!!!)

#70 – Peace Sells… But Who's Bi-ing? Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal highlights a simple show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community – and the bi community in particular – shown by Ireland's foremost thrash metallers Gama Bomb. Because sometimes simple gestures mean a huge amount.

Swedish pop metallers Amaranthe provide this week's Camp Classic, as 'Drop Dead Cynical' is up for discussion. And it's a conversation that starts off with comparisons to pop goddesses, and somehow moves rapidly into NSFW territory. As you probably expect.

Plus there are two new additions to the Hate Crew Gaybar jukebox, with Let There Be Witchery by Midnight and The War To End All Wars by Sabaton (quelle surprise) going in.

#69 – Village People In Camo Pants Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal welcome Sabaton frontman Joakim Brodén to the show, who's on to chat about how Tom thinks his band look really gay – and why Joakim agrees, and says so on stage.

Triptykon's 'Goetia' is the Camp Classic this week, with Tom G Warrior's imploration to Satan somehow connecting on a queer level with Tom… even if he is scared Matt will think he's crazy.

Plus this week's entries for the Hate Crew Gaybar jukebox are Ein Abbild Der Leere by Kluizenaer, and Damnum by Allegaeon.

(And yes, we know which number episode this is. Help yourselves.)

#68 – "The Chance Of Me Getting Knocked Out Is Not Worth The Risk" Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal hears from its LGBTQ+ audience about their experiences of trying to date as a metalhead, and whether that's a barrier to their romantic lives as queer folk – with a predictably wide range of views getting in touch.

'Broken Cross' by Architects is this weeks' Camp Classic, and it's amazing both how easily the hosts each hear the same thing, and how strongly they both interpret that as being directly relevant to the queer members of the bands' audience.

Plus this week's releases for the Hate Crew Gaybar jukebox are Death Panacea by A Pale December, and Acts Of God by Immolation.

#67 – A Trans Fist In The Face Of Bigots In The Metal Scene Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

With Hell Bent For Metal finally able to do an in person interview, Tom goes to Durham to meet singer, drummer, and trans pioneer in the metal scene, the metal as hell Kat Shevil Gillham. They discuss what playing heavy metal means to Kat, how the scene has changed, and how she is quite happy to piss off people who need it.

The ferocious 'All Hail The New Flesh' by Strapping Young Lad is this week's Camp Classic, which gives the hosts a chance to reminisce about a great band, and also explain why this song reminds them of that guy who just wants everything in him.

Plus the mops are on standby in the Hate Crew Gaybar, as froth is expected about Zeal & Ardor's self-titled album, Metanoia by Persefone, and The Long Road North by Cult Of Luna.

#66 – Is Being A Metalhead A Barrier To Queer Dating? Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal asks whether being a metalhead is a barrier to queer dating life, and the hosts discuss their experiences of this.

They ask if the metal look, metal culture, and not being part of the more stereotypical gay scene, are additional sources of difficulty to queer romantic life. They also invite audience input and will follow this up, so that other parts of the LGBTQ+ community can offer their experiences in a future show.

Plus it's a bumper visit to the Hate Crew Gaybar, with Səni Uzaq Kainatlarda Axtarıram by Violet Cold, Where Myth Becomes Memory by Rolo Tomassi, and Born Of Obsidian by Kurokuma all going into the jukebox.

#65 – Rammstein? New German Hardness? Oh Matron… Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

Hell Bent For Metal returns to one of their favourite topics this week, as Rammstein are up for discussion again. (And not just Tom's appreciation of Richard Kruspe's arms… although that does come up…) This time, the hosts explore the band's varying relationship with homoeroticism – which hasn't always been as deliberate as you might expect.

This week's Camp Classic is 'Silver Tongue' by Light Bearer. And if you're wondering how a 20-minute post-metal epic by a defunct underground band that was part of a planned concept tetralogy of albums speaks to either hosts' queer side, then you're in good company. Because Matt is too.

Plus the Hate Crew Gaybar is open for business once more, with the mournful pairing of The Withering by In Loving Memory, and Flames Of Perdition by Dawn Of Solace going into the jukebox.

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