Soldiers Of Hell

20 years of chat has led to a lot of pop culture icons entering the ranks of the Soldiers of Hell. So to celebrate our big birthday, let's make Top Trumps/Dungeons and Dragons/Battle Royale out of it: The Soldiers of Hell Royal Rhumble. (Rumble spelt as Rhumble thanks to PJ & Duncan.) We take 20 heroes - one for every year of the Soldiers of Hell - and pit them against each other one at a time. Who will be the last man or woman standing? And will Andy or Spence be holding the final card? There's only one way to find out...fight! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

Hot off the title reveal of Bond 25 - No Time To Die (Another Day) - we go back to our favourite MI6 agent: James Bond to celebrate some of his moments in other media.  Andy returns to the greatest multiplayer game of all time and discover he's no longer very good at it but at least we can remember our most said catchphrase.  Then Spence talks to regular guest Geeky Guy Dave about the post-Ian Fleming continuation novels whilst losing his way on a dark walk home through the countryside. (Regular listeners that this is not the first time this has happened.) Finally, Andy continues his addiction to Indie Games but playing one of the best retro inspired video games of the last 10 years: Hotline Miami; to which he finds out he's only mildly better at than Goldeneye. Joins us 007 fans as we march towards our 20th anniversary.

Sometimes you cook great food.  Sometimes you get sunshine and beer and laughter. Sometimes you're in the middle of a brilliant series like Stranger Things. And sometimes...on rare occasions...if you're lucky...sometimes you win the Cricket World Cup. In a jam packed few days that also included Frisbee skills that seemed better than we probably were, we learn what the Danish word for such a weekend as this is. We didn't know before, but now we know we lykke it. This month's Soldier of Hell is Eleven from Stranger Things.

What better way to celebrate the month of Eurovision and the 20th Anniversary of the Soldiers of Hell than Andy and Spence reminiscing about Song Contests of Eurovision past from the first one they shared together in May 2000, through to present day.  Hear clips not heard on the podcast before with brand new links. Don't forget to listen on Anchor for the best experience with the Eurovision songs on Spotify.  Michael Ball, Alsou, Katrina and The Wave, Francesco Gabanni and What's a Deal With Europe? the Soldiers of Hell novel all get a mention amongst others.   Buy the novel here:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/spencer-vale-and-andrew-melladay/whats-the-deal-with-europe/paperback/product-22099064.html  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

To celebrate 5 years of the movie we made: Transatlantic Smash, we discuss our memories of the Found Footage Rockumentary (a sub-genre we saying we invented), play some of the tunes and clips from the film, discuss how Beard Envy has entered the zeitgeist (of at least our circle of friends) and chat to co-director Peter Marshall and producer Steve Shooter.   Songs by The Lomos  Watch the complete movie of Transatlantic Smash here: https://youtu.be/h1aZOUAcx_8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

In the last of the current format, Andy and Spence go in to battle with the two top eighties machines. But are they androids, mechanoids, robots or somethings else? Who cares?! The point is they rock out with some glorious synth soundtracks and remind of us other important events in the last few decades. Like Andy and Spence's first Eurovision together and how it led to some eye balls and a spinal column in a glass jar. Or how Indie Video Games might be better than they're retro counterparts. And on the subject of games, The Ledger makes a welcome return this episode.  We also find out which celebrity Andy is most like and discuss some plans for the 20th Anniversary of the Soldiers of Hell. Buckle up and rock out.  We'll be back. Don't forget to subscribe and listen on Anchor for the best experience. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

In another 20th anniversary bonus episode, we treat you to some audio that should never have made it beyond the boundaries of York University campus. Dating back to 1999, this is the first year of the Soldiers of Hell show and in many ways you can tell. It's part of our legacy though and therefore why not give the minidisc archive a dusting down and release it to the masses for the first time in 20 years. And when I say the masses, we mean you and few other people. Witness the birth of the pink haired troll competition, Bond mania, Right Said Fred fan service and some dodgy impressions. This is where it all began. Featuring a special introduction by Dave from the Geeky Guys podcast.

No we never expected to stumble across these two cartoon heroes from the 80s this episode either.  But seen as we have, I wonder who will win the battle between Captain Planet and BraveStarr?  And how did we stumble across them indeed? Well you'll have to stay tuned, but let's just say it was a ramble via Andy's new Nintendo Switch and Marie Kondo.  But there is some linkage there it's not all random. So use your ears of the wolf and listen.

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary year of the Soldiers of Hell, we're going to drip feed audio from the Minidisc archive throughout 2019.  This first one comes with a public health warning.  It's a compiliation of sketches from 2001 reimagining Steps, the pop group, if instead they ran a shop selling escalators. Steps. Geddit? Yes it's a 23 minutes of audio based on one bad pun, but that's pretty much how we filled the airwaves back then. Normal service will resume soon. Don't forget to let us know which pre-2000 heroes you'd like to battle it out in a future episode of our latest series.  We’re proud members of the Batman Podcast Network which you can read all about here: http://www.batmanpodcastnetwork.com/ 

It's Christmas so let's go novelty for this episode. After the broodiness of Batman and the angst of Angel, where better in contrast to go than the puppetry of messrs Basil and Badger; kings of kids TV.  Sort of.  Spence is not convinced by this curveball that Andy has thrown him in the battle of the pre-millenial heroes. But who cares? Grab yourself a novelty ale and lets just go with it!

Some heroes choose themselves; this month's being two them. Yes we know it's hard to believe it but some people used to say we looked like the two Davids Boreanaz and Duchovny. We're talking back in 1999 though. But it's the truth and just like Fox Mulder we're hoping to get the truth out there. So treat yourself to a listen to this month's episode and find out how we've been dining out on these two hunks (metaphorically obviously) for the last 19 years and whether Angel's brow can beat Fox Mulder's quest to rid the world of fake news. Tweet us @soh_podcast or check out more podcasts at https://fossgatestudios.co.uk/ We're proud to say that we've joined the Batman Podcast Network which you can read all about here: http://www.batmanpodcastnetwork.com/ The Geeky Guys also got a mention early on in this episode so why not check out their podcast too whilst you're at it: https://geekyguys.co.uk/

Who would you rather be? Batman or James Bond? Neither you say? Well which version of each character are you talking about? Or do you think there is only one version of each character on film in one continuous story? So many questions, but we think that Lego Batman might have this all worked out. In this episode of the latest series we explore our two favourite characters of all time and in particular the continuity of their movies and whether we learn any worthy traits from them in the process.

Welcome to Season 5 of the Soldiers of Hell podcast. We're suffering from a freak strain of the millennium bug where everything we do seems to send us back to 1999 or earlier. Join us each month as we recruit a mentor with the right skills to send us back to the future. We'll choose 2 pop culture icons and by the end of each episode we'll learn whose retro talents are as relevant today as they were in the 20th century. Only then will they have what it takes to be declared as Soldiers of Hell. And in turn we will become thoroughly modern gentleman. In the first episode of season 5 we recruit He-Man and Superman to give us some brawny advice. Fire up your minidiscs and listen now. Make sure you join us next month by subscribing via Anchor, iTunes or your favourite podcast service. Please send us your suggestions for future Soldiers of Hell via Anchor or Twitter. And if you enjoyed this episode, please give us a rating, review or share it with your friends.

This is the last episode before we dust down the format of the podcast so there's just time to discuss Jason Statham dusting down a shark in The Meg as well as other shark tales (Shark Tales not included). We also visit the Edinburgh Fringe festival, Bluedot festival and grab a soundbite with Robert Crais at his book signing. It's been a busy summer so sit back and enjoy a bit more waffle before our inevitable reboot.

In the latest episode of the Soldiers of Hell show, Spence takes a different walk home, taking the opportunity to dodge some noisy youths but still hang out with a group of birds. This is all leads to the opportunity for Andy to rake over old European coals – and for once this has nothing to do with Brexit. It is the catalyst for a joined up story that includes a cameo from Peter Marshall and The Lomos, which of course links to Transatlantic Smash, and back to Andy again via his roles in said movie: Simon Bull and Simon Coward. All because of the What’s The Deal With Europe? song we hear outtake clips of both characters in the film and their thoughts on PMATL; not before we’ve heard about their adventures in teacup and Peter’s unusual tea making methods. So how could we not give both Simons (who of course have nothing to do with Simon Cowell) a rank in the SoH army?So how could we not give both Simons (who of course have nothing to do with Simon Cowell) a rank in the SoH army?

With the Russia World Cup 2018 on, what better way to stay fit than take inspiration from people at the peak of their powers and pretend you were once good at football by taking up 6-a-side again. In this episode we learn what muscle Spence has pulled and why Andy won't massage it. We also learn what past-time Andy will be taking part in to get his butt cheeks in shape. Does Andy care more about Eurovision than the World Cup? You'll have to stay tuned to find out - and why Gazza is our latest inductee into our hall of fame. Inger-land, Inger-land, Inger-land, Inger-land na na. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

"Crais-y for books" This one is a literary ramble about novels, comic books, and in particular one series: The Elvis Cole and Joe Pike books by Robert Crais (although Bond and Batman obviously get a mention too). We also touch on the novels Armada and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and therefore end up in movie territory territory again. If you want to hear Andy threaten his marriage with comedy anecdotes - this one is for you. And why not talk about shelving solutions whilst we're at it. Yes we're getting to that age as other discussion points will prove in this one (Mountain Warehouse receipt - we're looking at you). Some of the stuff we talk about in this episode: http://www.robertcrais.com/ http://www.ernestcline.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Siege-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846534526 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

A Quest For The Holy Grail. Join our band of merry knights as we set off in search of the world of Spamalot. Also at the Soldiers of Hell round table this week we discuss cult cinema and subject of The Disaster Artist: The Room. Will Spence get the beer he wants? And who is most deserving cult icon to join our chess set this episode? There's only one way to find out listeners... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

Andy + homebrew = Soldiers of Ale. Find out what happens as we review various beers, including the first ever one made by Andy himself. Then find out what happens when you try and make him play Just Dance on the Nintendo Wii when full of said beer. Join us for our beer based odyssey. This week's chess piece is Goose from Top Gun. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message

With great power comes great responsibility. With great responsibility you find it harder to make time for video games. In this episode we talk discuss modern gaming, retro gaming, gaming with kids, whether a socket set is a better present than a NES. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soh/message