Dee Calhoun Interview: Former IRON MAN Vocalist Talks Angry Old Man, Acoustic Doom, and Heavy Music Without Filters
By Zach Moonshine | Metal Devastation Radio
When people talk about heavy music, they usually talk about volume, distortion, and...
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Dee Calhoun Interview: Former IRON MAN Vocalist Talks Angry Old Man, Acoustic Doom, and Heavy Music Without Filters
By Zach Moonshine | Metal Devastation Radio
When people talk about heavy music, they usually talk about volume, distortion, and stacks of amps. Dee Calhoun proves none of that is required to hit hard. The former vocalist of doom metal legends IRON MAN joined The Zach Moonshine Show – Heavy Metal Reloaded for a brutally honest conversation about his latest album Angry Old Man, life after IRON MAN, acoustic doom, underground credibility, and why heaviness starts with truth.
This wasn’t a polished press stop. This was a lifer talking to lifers.
From KISS and Black Sabbath to a Life in Doom Metal
Dee Calhoun’s musical roots trace straight back to the holy trinity of hard rock and metal.
“I saw Kiss on TV when I was 9. It made me want to play music. That led me to Black Sabbath. That made me want to play dark and heavy music.”
Judas Priest soon followed, locking in his vocal identity and pushing him further down the heavy path. Horror films, dark imagery, and a fascination with the sinister shaped his artistic instincts early on.
“I was immersed in all things dark and sinister at a very young age, so it only made sense that music would follow.”
That road eventually led him to IRON MAN, where his voice became a defining element of the band’s later era, particularly on the album South of the Earth.
IRON MAN, South of the Earth, and Creative Survival
Looking back, Dee describes his time recording South of the Earth as emotionally intense and creatively raw.
“It was a very chaotic time in my life when we were recording that, and I think all that did was fuel me creatively.”
Pain became a tool rather than an obstacle.
“It served a purpose. It helped me come across on record the way I wanted to.”
That approach still defines his work today.
Angry Old Man: Acoustic Doom with Nowhere to Hide
Released via Black Doomba Records, Angry Old Man strips doom metal down to the essentials. Acoustic guitar. Voice. Harmonica. No distortion. No safety net.
“This one was really about the state of the world.”
Unlike previous releases, the album avoids heavy storytelling and leans into blunt reaction.
“Throw a dart at a newspaper, see what pissed you off, and write a song about it.”
That mindset produced some of the most confrontational material of his career, including the unapologetically titled “Kill a Motherfucker.”
“Kill a Motherfucker is about exactly what you think it’s about.”
No metaphors. No disguises.
“You’re either in the pocket or you’re not. There’s nothing to hide behind.”
A True One-Man Album
One of the most striking aspects of Angry Old Man is that Dee recorded the entire album himself.
“Everything on Angry Old Man is me. All the bass tracks, the keys, the guitars, the harps. Everything.”
Even the harmonica parts, which have become a standout element of his live performances, were learned specifically to expand the sound.
“It just adds another element, another bit of color into the music.”
Minimalism with intent. Nothing wasted.
Black Doomba Records and Underground Integrity
Angry Old Man found its home with Black Doomba Records, a label known for passion, detail, and dedication to the underground.
“It’s definitely a different flavor from everything else on the label, but he believed in it.”
The album also marked a milestone for Dee.
“This was my fifth solo record and the first one that got a vinyl release.”
For an artist who values physical media and presentation, that mattered.
Touring Europe with David Ellefson
Fresh off a European tour opening for David Ellefson, Dee talked openly about the physical toll and emotional payoff.
“It was exhausting. I was in a tremendous amount of pain.”
Still, the experience was overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s never lost on me how fortunate it is as a music fan to be able to do this.”
He also credited his wife April as essential to making the tour happen.
“I would not have gotten through this trip without my wife.”
Legacy, Loss, and Why Heavy Music Still Matters
The discussion naturally turned to Al Morris III, founder of IRON MAN, and the legacy he left behind.
“I don’t know that this solo thing would have gained footing the way it did if Al hadn’t reached out to me.”
For Dee, music has always been about connection.
“Somewhere out there someone might hear that song and say, ‘I’m not the only one who feels that way.’”
That belief fuels everything he creates.
“We stand the chance of improving someone’s life, even if it’s just misery loves company.”
Final Word: Heaviness Is Earned, Not Engineered
Dee Calhoun doesn’t chase trends or soften edges. He creates because he has to.
“I sing ‘Kill a Motherfucker’ instead of going out and killing a motherfucker.”
That’s the point.
And Angry Old Man proves that doom metal doesn’t fade with age.It sharpens.
Track List:
Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:
1 - Bound To Prevail - Consecrated Perdition2 - Mistress - Terrified eyes3 - Sonic Volt - breaking out master4 - ANTISAINT - SNAFU5 - MOTORGOD - Fire in the Sky6 - Adeline Gray - Cold Void
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 - Ozzy Osbourne - Breaking All The Rules/Shot In The Dark/Sweet Leaf (Live)8 - Burnt Witch - Glass Eye
Dee Calhoun - Interview featuring Angry Old Man/Kill a Mother Fucker
9 - Iron Man - Hail to the Haze/South of the Earth10 - The Red Mountain - N.I.B.11 - Rails To Roads - Rock This Life Away/Darkest Hero12 - L.A. Guns - Kiss My Love Goodbye/Rock Candy13 - Black Moon Cult - Stoned Ape14 - Horror Scene - Yeah You15 - Six Feet Under - My Hatred/Sick In The Head16 - East Ov Eden - Boundless
Full show streaming now on Mixcloud:
The interview is also available on YouTube, Spotify etc
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Super massive thanks to the 121,188 metal maniacs that tuned in to the live broadcast Friday night!
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