Andy Shaw

WRITER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Andy has been going to gigs for more than 40 years and has a passion for rock music, especially of the extreme variety. He has been shooting and reviewing gigs for a while with MetalTalk, mainly around our beautiful Second City. Andy brings the passion and joy live music gives him via his reporting for MetalTalk.


Andy also has a weekly Extreme Metal Radio show across a number of platforms and a podcast, which exclusively features underground bands and brand-new music. He can also be seen by the side of a football pitch, photographing wherever the mighty Birmingham City travel.

Ingested / Metal Mayhem At The Asylum, Birmingham

Gig Review: Extreme Metal champions Ingested delivered a night of unparalleled brutality at The Asylum in Birmingham on April 18, 2024. Plus Fallujah and MĂ©lancolia. Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @ingested @fallujahsf @melancolia_exe @theasylumvenue

Dagger Threat, Ego And Stitched Bring Cathartic Metal To Birmingham

Gig Review: Dagger Threat - Ego - Stitched - The Asylum 2, Birmingham - 11 April 2024. Hardcore Metal on a Thursday night the perfect way to end the week. Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @theasylumvenue @daggerthreat @ego.hc @stitcheduk

Melanie Johnson Talks Fascinating Second Shooter Debut

Interview: Second Shooter - Fury Made Flesh. A brutal mix of Death Metal, intensity and emotion, powered by the deep growls of Melanie Johnson. A standout album. Interview: @andyshaw16 @secondshooterband

200 Stab Wounds And Vomit Forth – Birmingham Battered But Exhilarated

Gig Review: 200 Stab Wounds - Vomit Forth - O2 Academy2, Birmingham. 16 March 2024. A relentless assault on the senses that left everyone in attendance battered but exhilarated.Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @200stabwounds @vomitforth @o2academybham

Cattle Decapitation and Signs Of The Swarm Punish Birmingham

Gig Review: Cattle Decapitation - Signs Of The Swarm - O2 Academy2, Birmingham. 16 March 2024. With upgraded venue due to overwhelming interest, tonight was unforgettable. Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @cattledecapitation @signsoftheswarm @o2academybham

Devil’s Dog Digbeth / Birmingham’s Most Brutal Music Venue

MetalTalk Venues: Devil's Dog Digbeth. Unleash your inner Metalhead at the Devil's Dog in Digbeth, Birmingham. Experience the brutality of this iconic venue! Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @devilsdog_digbeth

Joanne Shaw Taylor / The blues brilliance of Wolverhampton hometown show

Gig Review: Joanne Shaw Taylor - Connor Selby - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton – 23 February 2024. This is the closest to a hometown show that Joanne would ever do Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @joanneshawtaylor @connorjamesselby

Xentrix Lead Blockbusting Thrash At The Devil’s Dog

Live Gig Review: Xentrix 35th Anniversary Tour of Britain hits The Devil's Dog, Digbeth in Birmingham. Plus Tortured Demon and Elyrean join on a blockbusting night of Metal. Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @xentrix_metal @tortureddemon @elyrean_thrash @devilsdog_digbeth

Saint Agnes / One of the best around play The Devil’s Dog

Live Review: Saint Agnes, one of the best live bands around, play The Devil's Dog, Digbeth. Plus Crashface and Tightie Whities. Kitty a superstar in the making. Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @wearesaintagnes @crashface @tightywhitiesband @devilsdog_digbeth

Xandria And Skarlett Riot Light Up Birmingham Asylum

Live Review: A night of hard rock and symphonic metal at The Asylum, Birmingham, with Xandria and Skarlett Riot. Thrilling and captivating performances. Words and Photography: @andyshaw16 @xandria_official @skarlettriot @theasylumvenue

Andy Shaw

WRITER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Andy has been going to gigs for more than 40 years and has a passion for rock music, especially of the extreme variety. He has been shooting and reviewing gigs for a while with MetalTalk, mainly around our beautiful Second City. Andy brings the passion and joy live music gives him via his reporting for MetalTalk.


Andy also has a weekly Extreme Metal Radio show across a number of platforms and a podcast, which exclusively features underground bands and brand-new music. He can also be seen by the side of a football pitch, photographing wherever the mighty Birmingham City travel.

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