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.

Explosive Heavy Metal Night at The Asylum with Tallah, BVDLVD, and Nameless

Gig Review: The Asylum, Birmingham, hosted a night of intense Heavy Metal with performances by Tallah, BVDLVD, and Nameless. This was loud and uncompromising. Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @tallah___ @bvdlvd @namelessmusicuk @theasylumvenue

Dropout Kings Bring Explosive Trap Metal To The Flapper

Gig Review: The explosive fusion of rap and Heavy Metal at The Flapper, Birmingham, on July 4, 2024, with Dropout Kings, Hacktivist, and Recall The Remains. A night of intense performances and high energy! Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @dropoutkingsaz @hacktivistuk @recalltheremains @theflapper

Asylum Extreme Metal: The Acacia Strain, Judiciary, And Fuming Mouth

Gig Review: The intensity of Extreme Metal as The Acacia Strain, Judiciary, and Fuming Mouth deliver a thrilling night at The Asylum, Birmingham on July 2, 2024. Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @theacaciastrain @judiciarytxhc @fumingmouth @theasylumvenue

Underoath Bring They’re Only Chasing Safety To Life In Birmingham

While England struggled in the Euros, Underoath captivated O2 Institute Birmingham with a stunning performance of They're Only Chasing Safety. Plus Static Dress Words And Photography: @andyshaw16 @underoathband @staticdress @o2institutebham

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 Mélancolia. 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

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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