This is a conversation recorded at the inaugural Fortress Forum, part of the 2024 installment of Fortress Festival held in Scarborough, UK.

Dayal Patterson is a British author, music journalist and founder of the excellent publishing house, Cult Never Dies. He has written several non-fiction books about metal, most notably the seminal “Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult”.  You can view and purchase his works here:  https://www.cultneverdies.com/.

Frank Allain aka The Watcher is a legend of the UK black metal scene.  Amongst others he is a member of the highly influential band, Fen, along with Fellwarden who release their new record, “Legend: Forged In Defiance” on Eisenwald on June 14th.  Check it out here:  https://fellwarden.bandcamp.com/