EPISODE 76- UP THE HAMMERS RECAP

April 6, 2026·1 hr·5 clips

Melissa dedicates this festival recap to her brother-in-law Paul, who passed away listening to the Rolling Stones.

Melissa opens the episode by dedicating it to her brother-in-law Paul, who recently passed away, sharing personal anecdotes about his support and humor. She then introduces the recap of the Up the Hammers festival in Athens, Greece, attended with friend Fergal about a month prior. Melissa details her travel to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines, describing the city's cafe culture, craft brewery visit, and polite but reserved locals. Fergal joins to discuss his early-morning flight from Ireland and watching Better Call Saul en route. They both critique Athens for excessive graffiti and dilapidated pavements, with Fergal using Google Street View to show the graffiti's increase over years. The hosts describe the festival's pre-party at An Club, highlighting its darkness, crowdedness, and hazardous unmarked steps. Melissa recounts falling and injuring herself after missing a step, aided by German attendees. They review bands like Leatherhead, Battle Ram, Dexter Ward, and Eternal Champion, praising the latter's set. The conversation shifts to Athens' lack of accessibility for disabled or elderly people, contrasting it with EU regulations. They note the city's cheap and efficient taxis, cheap beer, and friendly locals. The episode concludes with mentions of after-show parties at venues like Escaleto Cafe Bar, playing obscure metal, and a tease for a potential multi-part series.

As heard by us

A loose festival recap that folds travel chaos and grief into the same frame.

Episode 76 starts in Boston, Massachusetts, with winter still in the air, then moves into a recap of the Up the Hammers festival from almost a month earlier.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A grief-shadowed Up the Hammers recap with a pre-dawn airport run, breakfast Guinness, and plenty of personal detours.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Metal Chat with Melissa