Somewhere near Brighton, under a sky that refuses to cooperate, Joe Nally is exactly where you’d expect a modern metal frontman to be: embracing the gloom, laughing at the chaos, and riding high on the release of Setting Fire to the Sky.
Who are you and where are you from? How’s the weather?
Uh, I’m Joe. I play in N. The UK? Surprisingly rubbish—drizzling, as usual. I live near Brighton, so yeah… that’s expected..
Your new record is out! How does it feel?
It’s amazing! I’m really happy with it. Seeing people enjoy it—that’s the main thing.
Setting Fire to the Sky—first title that came to mind?
Yeah, it came from a song first. I was reading a book about Ronnie James Dio, and the title just hit me—it felt big, grand, perfect for the album.
The lineup changed—what’s new?
We recorded this as a three-piece, now we’re finally a four-piece. Curtis Bagley joined on guitar and vocals—he’s brought layers and textures we really needed.
You compared the album’s attitude to Metallica in 1988. What do you mean?
Attitude. They didn’t care what people thought—they just did their thing. That’s what we aimed for too: make music that makes us happy.
How’s the album being received?
Glowing reviews! Metal Hammer, Kerrang—my favorite writer, Dom Lawson, loved it. It’s our bestselling album and it charted in the UK, which is amazing.
Be Not Dismayed encourages young fans not to feel intimidated. How important is that?
Very. I remember seeing Slayer for the first time—adrenaline, fear, excitement. I want younger fans to feel that same buzz, not be scared to be at a show.
How did your production team shape the sound?
Justin Hill produced, Johan Meer mixed, Tony Lindstrom mastered—it gave us a modern, big, impactful sound. We also had Dan Zinger do the artwork, which looks amazing.
Two very different videos: Be Not Dismayed vs Breathe. Why?
Be Not Dismayed shows live energy, franticness, the album’s power. Breathe is subtle, mellow, atmospheric—giving it space to breathe. Both show what N can do.
How did guest musicians fit in?
Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Joe Quail added flavor without changing the band’s identity. Troy nailed the epic parts, Joe Quail brought extra color to Breathe.
Favorite song at the moment?
Spirit Alive. It set the album’s tone—positive, fun, melodic. It also pushed me to sing more, not just shout.
How do you handle live bass and vocals?
Simple setup: one pedal and a tuner. I’ve learned to balance screaming and singing—it took lessons, confidence, and encouragement.
If 1988 Metallica showed up at your Camden Assembly show?
I’d give them my tuner—they can tune by ear. But not my bass. Without it, I’m useless!
Touring in the US?
I’d love to, but it’s tricky right now. Fingers crossed—we might see each other at something like 70,000 Tons of Metal.
Final words?
Setting Fire to the Sky is our most ambitious record yet. As long as people enjoy it, that’s all that matters.
Bottom Line: Whether it’s shredding epic riffs, belting melodic choruses, or blowing up the stage with pure UK metal swagger, URNE is on fire. Setting Fire to the Sky isn’t just an album—it’s a full-throttle experience. Crank it loud, feel the energy, and keep your eyes on Joe Nally and the gang—they’re just getting started.
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