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“People in Israel’s government have said that we should wipe out Gaza. It’s disturbing that they represent me.” Orphaned Land’s Kobi Farhi on meeting Metallica, falling out with Disturbed’s David Draiman – and his 35-year quest for peace
The Israeli musician has toured with Palestinian bands, is a fierce critic of Benjamin Netanyahu and has written many songs against bloodshed in the Middle East. But after October 7 and the atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, does he still believe unity is possible?
Sleep Theory's Cullen Moore: The 10 records that changed my life
Sleep Theory have become hot new stars for their mash-up of metal and R'n'B, but Cullen Moore shows its more than just lip service
Justin Hawyard shares surprise cover of Hello, Young Lovers from The King And I
Surviving Moody Blues musician Justin Hayward has shared a surprise brand-new single, a cover of Hello, Young Lovers from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King And I.
Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright: HIs undervalued solo work
He made just two albums and one collaboration record over 18 years, because his real focus was sailing – but that’s no reason to discount the keyboardist’s output
How The Soft Machine got their name: “Get a haircut. Disappear.”
In 1966, Daevid Allen asked postmodern author William Burroughs for permission to use the title of his novel The Soft Machine for his new band. In 2009 the Gong mastermind (who died in 2015) told Prog why it was such a good match with the Canterbury pioneers’ music.
Jean-Michel Jarre announces 50th anniversary editon of Oxygene
French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre has announced that he will release a 50th anniversary edition of his breakthrough album, Oxygene, through BMG Records on November 20.
The tale of the acid classic that psychedelicised black American folk music
The Chambers Brothers' 11-minute classic Time Has Come Today was written after a Timothy Leary lecture and was hated by the record company... until it became a smash hit
Jack White attacks Donald Trump after “small price to pay” controversy
Jack White has criticised Donald Trump again, after the US President appeared to suggest that the destruction of L.A. and San Diego would be a "small price to pay" to ensure an end to his ongoing conflict with Iran.
Watch Nita Strauss return to the stage with Alice Cooper in Las Vegas
Guitarist Nita Strauss has returned to the stage with Alice Cooper for the first time since leaving his band early this year to go on maternity leave.
Jim Bakker, televangelist who inspired songs by Ozzy, Genesis, dead at 86
Jim Bakker, the televangelist who inspired Ozzy Osbourne's Miracle Man Genesis's Jesus He Knows Me and Iron Maiden's Holy Smoke, has died at the age of 86. The news was confirmed in a social media post by Bakker's wife, Lori.
The King Crimson trick that landed Italian proggers PFM a record deal
They had to open for Deep Purple with no introduction and no lights. But their response led to being signed by ELP’s label, partying with Jaco Pastorius and Joni Mitchel, and writing with Peter Sinfield
Why AC/DC's early British shows erupted in frenzy when Angus Young unleashed 'The Human Kangaroo'
AC/DC’s earliest gigs in Britain were memorable for many reasons, not least for spontaneous sightings of ‘The Human Kangaroo’
“There are no rules. You have 12 notes… do whatever you want with them.” Eddie Van Halen, the life and times of a guitar god
When Eddie Van Halen died on October 6, 2020, the world lost a legend. We celebrate the life of the man who changed rock‘n’roll forever
Lammoth: the surprisingly emotional black metal project about a pony from Lord of the Rings
Why am I welling up listening to a dude screaming about Bill The Pony? Blame Lammoth
Roger Waters Presents Legacy: A Pink Floyd Show adds UK and Ireland dates
"I can’t wait for fans to see the special show we’ve created together"
How King Crimson created Starless, complete with the “death of prog” solo
One of their most popular and recognised songs was rejected, plundered for its title then became the star of 1974 album Red – after the line-up who’d made it had disintegrated
The tangled story of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love
Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love: borrowing the blues, happy mistakes, Antiques Roadshow and the classic single that wasn't
Former Foreigner frontman Kelly Hansen joins the Dead Daisies
Former Foreigner frontman Kelly Hansen has been confirmed as the new singer of supergroup collective The Dead Daisies, now billed as The Dead Daisies featuring Kelly Hansen. He replaces former Mötley Crüe man John Corabi, who enjoyed two stints with the band (2015–2019 and 2023–2026).
Every Killing Joke album ranked from worst to best: how four men on a mission to recreate “the sound of the earth vomiting” influenced Metallica, Nirvana, Faith No More, Ministry and more
Killing Joke released their self-titled debut album on October 5, 1980, and rarely put a foot wrong over the next five decades
The Scorpions movie Wind Of Change finally has a trailer and a release date
A trailer for Wind Of Change, the long-awaited biopic about German rock legends Scorpions, has finally been released.
“This single shouldn’t really exist.” Rare 1969 Led Zeppelin single that the band wanted destroyed surfaces on British TV show
A rare vinyl copy of Led Zeppelin's unreleased 1969 single Whole Lotta Love was valued during an episode of BBC television show Antiques Roadshow, broadcast on October 4.
Aerosmith tease imminent live return in Hollywood
Aerosmith appear to be teasing their return to the stage, after posting a video listing 'Aerosmith & Friends' shows on the marquee at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 29 and November 1.
Yes share new video for Ariadne as they announced new digital deluxe edition of Aurora
Prog legends Yes have shared a brand-new video for their song Ariadne, which is taken from the band's most recent studio album, Aurora.
Led Zeppelin III: 25 facts only hardcore fans know
Released on October 5, 1970, Led Zeppelin III confounded the band’s critics but truly brokered their legend
Dave Cousins’ life with Strawbs, Rick Wakeman, Sandy Denny and Led Zeppelin
Prog veteran recalled connecting with Sandy Denny, his band’s attempt to fire him, being loved by Led Zeppelin, why they’ve never had a Steven Wilson remix, the “albatross” of Part Of The Union and the unreleased, more political version
Brian May recalls the moment he learned that Freddie Mercury had played his final Queen gig
Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed the moment that he learned that he, John Deacon and Roger Taylor would never play a gig with Freddie Mercury again.
Glenn Hughes, Lee Aaron and more pay tribute to Sass Jordan, dead at 63
Glenn Hughes, Lee Aaron, and Mike Garson are among the musicians who've paid tribute to Canadian rock star Sass Jordan following her death, aged 63.
Pub Landlord Al Murray didn’t want to be just another punk fan
Comedian and drummer’s record collection started with cassettes of Genesis and King Crimson before taking in Tool, Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats and more
Audience go off-piste on eclectic third album The House On The Hill
Audience wore their soul and R&B influences on their sleeves, but theit originality put them right in the progressive milieu
Classic Rock Tracks Of The Week: October 5, 2026
Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Slash feat. Myles Kennedy, Tony Iommi, Steven Wilson and more
Watch Jack Black and Geezer Butler cover Black Sabbath at Tom Morello show
Geezer Butler made a surprise appearance at Tom Morello's Power To The People All-Dayer on Saturday at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
Ian Anderson’s guided tour of Jethro Tull – Ritchie Blackmore, Steve Harris, Benny Hill, Spinal Tap and more
Band leader shares his thoughts on teamwork, blowing out his voice, caving in to pressure, going mainstream and going a step too far as he revisits their albums from 1968 to 2003
Ov Sulfur might be deathcore brutes, but they've got grand ambitions
If it weren't for Covid, Ricky Hoover would be cutting somebody’s hair instead of speaking to Hammer. When he left his previous band, Suffokate, he was done with music and was happy settling into his new barbering career. Then the world shut down, and his creative urges returned.
How Katatonia became Sweden’s answer to Tool
2012 album Dead End Kings pushed the Swedish band further into prog territory and drew comparisons with Steven Wilson, Opeth and others. They never looked back
One of nu metal's most underrated bands is making a comeback
Snot were cut down in their prime after the death of frontman Lynn Strait. Now they're back and working on new music
How Metallica conquered the Sphere: the first review
The first review of Metallica’s opening two nights at the Las Vegas Sphere is in
Metallica drop a deep cut on night two at the Sphere
Metallica returned to the Sphere for the second night of their Life Burns Faster residency, pulling out some of their biggest songs as well as a track they haven’t played for nearly 20 years.
The rise of the Manic Street Preachers, the glam punk rebels people loved to hate
The Manic Street Preachers were the most controversial British rock band of the early 1990s – and their debut album Generation Terrorists is a classic
This 1967 album laid the foundation for prog – why has it been forgotten?
Think back to 1967, and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album is surely the dominant musical force of that year. But Procol Harum can lay claim to making an astonishing impact.
“It’s a statement. It’s revenge.” The story behind Death’s 1991 album Human
As Human turns 35 this month, we look at how Chuck Schuldiner thirst for revenge helped redefine the sound of death metal
Queens of the Stone Age's John Homme on the genius of Dave Grohl
Queens Of The Stone Age mainman Josh Homme has opened up on his love of working with Dave Grohl – describing his drumming skills as "addictive".
Roman Candle are bringing screamo back - with a nu metal twist
“Fireball, the whisky… I’ll take a shot or two before we play.” Piper Ferrari, singer for Las Vegas hardcore howlers Roman Candle, has an unconventional warm-up routine. “Any other liquor, my throat would be fucked up. But Fireball is thick like cough syrup. I swear by it!”
Lifesigns’ John Young: I sang Yes at work in the bank. I didn’t last long
Keyboardist on Kate Bush’s baking, Frank Zappa’s humour, Patrick Moraz’s romance, Eva Cassidy’s mystery – and buying his own band’s album from Amazon
How Fleetwood Mac made their craziest album – a decade after Rumours
Mick Fleetwood was partying, Stevie Nicks was absent and Lindsey Buckingham was halfway out the door – Fleetwood Mac’s Tango In The Night made Rumours look tame
When Alex Lifeson said he’d “moved on” from Rush
The dark prog-pop band’s second album Stygian Wavs was released in March 2025, complete with the guitar solos he’d left out of their debut. Might that be because he was already working on Rush’s return?
Watch Dave Grohl join AC/DC on stage in New Jersey for performance of Highway To Hell
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl enjoyed what he will surely count as a dream moment when he was invited to join AC/DC on stage this weekend.
I slept through a Tool gig and it still bothers me almost 30 years later
How one writer discovered that it's easy to casually nap through 110 decibels
Metal Hammer’s tracks of the week: October 2 2026
Tony Iommi, A Perfect Circle and Hatebreed are among the best new metal songs in this week's round-up
How Tom Cruise ended up singing Def Leppard songs in a disastrous hair metal musical
Tom Cruise’s new movie Digger has split the critics - but it’s got nothing on 2012’s Rock Of Ages
How AC/DC’s Bon Scott impacted the life of Mastodon’s Brent Hinds
The Beyond The Thunderdome podcast launched in 2021 with a mission to discuss all things AC/DC. Those who've appeared on the show include Airbourne, Simon Wright, Chris Slade, Chris Jericho, Scott Ian, Slash, Dweezil Zappa and Dee Snider, and in March 2021, late Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds was interviewed. Below, podcast co-creator Kurt Squires remembers the encounter.
Last man standing: Buddy Guy looks back on the bluesmen who inspired him
Buddy Guy found his voice in the 50s Chicago blues scene, and continues to carry the torch for the music that made him
“I was in the zone, where everything I was writing was meaningful.” Noel Gallagher’s track-by-track guide to (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, the album that made Oasis superstars
Released on October 2, 1995, Oasis' second album has sold north of 22 million copies, and its best-loved anthems will provide the spine of the band's Live '27 setlist
“As long as there’s electricity, we’ll keep plugging in.” Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators announce new album Flying Blind, share its title track, and unveil 2027 world tour details
Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators have announced their fifth album, Flying Blind, and shared its title track. Set for release on February 26 via Gibson Records, the follow-up to 2022's 4 was recorded largely live with the group's longtime producer Michael 'Elvis' Baskette at Studio Barbarosa in Florida. The album track-list is: 1. Avarice And Greed 2. Good Time Girl 3. Thrill Seeker 4. One Of Your Kind 5. Flying Blind 6. Looking For A Miracle 7. Sweet Kill 8. Here In Babylon 9. Living The Dream
The story behind every song on Radiohead’s Kid A
Released on October2, 2000, Kid A opened up new pathways for Radiohead and moved Thom Yorke's band beyond OK Computer
Greta Van Fleet announce 59-city Into The Beginning tour across North America and Europe
Greta Van Fleet have announced North American and European tour dates for 2027. The Michigan quartet's Into The Beginning tour, in support of their forthcoming fourth album, Palace For The People, will visit 69 cities, beginning on February 3 at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and running through to July 31, when the Kiszka brothers will return home to Michigan to play the Acrisure Amphitheater in Grand Rapids. In the UK the quartet will play arena dates in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Ghost In The Machine may have made The Police global superstars, but it marked the beginning of the end for the group
"All for one, one for all? Fuck that. That's very limited. I'm out for myself and they know it!" By December 1980, The Police were on top of the world. Released two months earlier, their third album, Zenyatta Mondatta, debuted at number one in the UK, with Don't Stand So Close To Me, their third UK number one single, becoming the biggest-selling single of the year. In America, they were set to headline New York's legendary Madison Square Garden, in Australia the album had also topped the nation charts.
Cool new prog from Steven Wilson, Annicke Shireen, Arabs In Aspic and more in Prog’s brand new Tracks Of The Week
Ace new prog you must hear from Maiah Wynne, Dikajee, John Holden, T.A.P. and more in our all-new Tracks Of The Week
“It was a nightmare to stay in tune!” Roxy Music share previously unreleased demo version of 1973 hit Pyjamarama
Roxy Music will reissue their second album, For Your Pleasure, as a four-disc Super Deluxe Edition, double CD, on vinyl and Blu-ray in November
Steven Wilson shares downright creepy video for new song On Chapel Slope
Steven Wilson has shared his eerie new video for new song On Chapel Slope, which gives fans a further insight into the fictional village of Larkstone, the centrepiece of his upcoming album Requiem For A Village.
The first reactions to Metallica’s show at The Sphere are in
Metallica kicked off their residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in epic fashion – and this is what people are saying about it
Blues legend Walter Trout is 75 years old but he’s not about to retire
New Jersey-born Walter Trout played guitar with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat, among others, before hitting the solo trail in 1989. Having re-taught himself to talk, walk and play guitar following a 2014 liver transplant, Trout has long been a statesman and fatherly figure on the global blues scene. We spoke to him on the eve of his latest European tour.
Metallica launch their epic Sphere residency with a classic setlist and retina-searing display
Metallica have completed the first show of their eagerly anticipated Life Burns Faster residency with a retina-searing display at the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas.
Here’s proof that Peter Gabriel is one hero it’s safe to meet
Guy Garvey grew up on Genesis. His family clung to So during a distressing divorce. When Gabriel covered an Elbow song it represented more than could be said
Nine Glenn Hughes albums you should listen to and one to avoid
Half a century of hard-rocking, blues’n’funk alchemy has earned golden-throated bassist Glenn Hughes a place at the top table of British rock - and these are his best albums
The Rolling Stones release Mr Charm video Hollywood’s Alexander Skarsgård
The Rolling Stones have released the latest video from their Foreign Tongues album, and they've plundered Hollywood again to find a suitable personality to lead the performance.
Venom frontman and godfather of black metal Cronos on his brilliantly bizarre double life
Best known as the godfather of black metal, Cronos was also a birdwatcher, a fitness instructor, a multimedia engineer, a pepperhead and a Kate Bush nut
Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale makes powerful statement against sexual assault as Cornell University rape investigation reopens
Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale has published a powerful statement against sexual assault, as New York state prosecutors reopen investigations of the alleged 2024 gang-rape of a woman at Cornell University.
This nearly-invisible prog duo sold 50 million records. How was it done?
Tales of talent, ambition, precision, expensive wine and laminate-wood hi-fi units lie behind The Alan Parsons Project’s amazing and unlikely success
Venom frontman Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant dead at 63
Venom singer/bassist Conrad Lant, better known as Cronos, has died at the age of 63. His band confirmed his death in a statement today (Tuesday, October 1). No cause of death has been given. On Venom’s social media, Lant’s son Nathan thanks fans for the support they gave his father during his more than four-decade career. “I want to thank all of the Legions for all of the support you have given my dad over the years,” he writes. “I know he really appreciated you all. He has laid down his soul, and his music will live on.
How a death metal vocalist became Miss World Chile
Decessus made their Download Festival debut in June - and vocalist Ignacia Fernández shared her incredible journey
“It’s the longest album I have ever put out!” Peter Gabriel will release new album oi in November
Peter Gabriel’s o\i is released three years after i/o, the shortest gap between his studio albums since the early 1980s.
Oasis take legal action to block planned auction of unheard recordings, The Desk Tapes
Oasis have taken legal action to stop a collection of unheard recordings being sold at auction this coming weekend.
Slipknot’s Jim Root responds to backlash against booking Marilyn Manson: “I concentrate on writing and being a guitarist”
The guitarist says he stays out of “the logistics of touring” as his band endure scrutiny for their controversial choice of support act
Amon Amarth's Eight Legs Of Thunder is their best since Twilight Of The Thunder God
As we wade through an era increasingly dominated by bands with only a superficial connection to heavy metal’s cherished principles, there is something hugely reassuring about the ongoing rise and rise of Amon Amarth. With proud death metal roots and an instinctive understanding of what made the genre’s greatest bands endure and prosper, the Swedes have evolved into unassailable avatars for elevated traditionalism.
On the eve of his Iron Maiden-themed tour, Blaze Bayley looks back
Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley on EddFest, Steve Harris, the Maiden movie and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
The Beatles’ Rubber Soul: The pop album as a complete artistic statement
In which the 1960s’ doors of perception cracked open. Rubber Soul, The Beatles’ sixth album, is where their fascinations with American folk and soul fused with their own barrelling beat-pop momentum to create a pivotal Sixties artefact: the pop album as complete artistic statement, and the first buddings of UK psychedelia.
Alice Cooper says that addiction to crack cocaine almost killed him
After more than four decades of sobriety, Alice Cooper has spoken about how his addiction to drugs almost killed him.
Tony Iommi receives MBE at Windsor Castle, releases new single Stormwatcher
Tony Iommi collected his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier today, September 30.
U2's Bono addresses the controversy over rapper Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour
Bono on Ed Sheeran and Macklemore
What happened when we went wine drinking with Airbourne in Barcelona. “Lemmy wanted two big bottles of Jack Daniel’s, some onion rings and a limousine”
To celebrate their new album, we joined Aussie hard rockers Airbourne in Spain to uncork a few bottles and shoot the rock’n’roll breeze
Slam Dunk and ArcTanGent announce headline acts for 2027
Slam Dunk and ArcTanGent festival have revealed details of their 2027 events. Bowling For Soup, Killswitch Engage, Simple Plan, Sleeping With Sirens, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, The Interrupters, The Used, Hot Milk, Four Year Strong and Beartooth are among the acts who'll appear at Slam Dunk on the weekend of May 29 (Leeds Temple Newsam) and 30 (Hatfield Park). More artists will be announce in the coming weeks.
“Love is like a mental disease that everybody wants to catch”: How Opeth made Sorceress
Released on September 30, 2016, Opeth's 12th album found Mikael Åkerfeldt taking new risks: "The idea of stagnating, of writing a record simply to feed a career, that’s scary"
When Star Trek icon William Shatner made an all-star prog album
Knowing some people would never get over the novelty, Billy Sherwood decided to go for broke with Ponder The Mystery, featuring Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, Nik Turner, Edgar Froese and others
Nicko McBrain’s pastor urged him to continue with Iron Maiden despite Satanic panic controversy: “If it’s something God doesn’t want you to do, He’ll let you know”
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain says that his pastor urged him to remain with the heavy metal masters after he converted to Christianity in 1999, despite the band having once whipped up a Satanic panic with their album The Number Of The Beast.
“For the first five minutes, it’s euphoria. During the last five minutes, it’s hostile – they’re throwing quarters at our dicks!” Tom Morello looks back on Rage Against The Machine’s infamous naked protest at Lollapalooza ’93
On July 18, 1993 RATM staged one of the most memorable protest acts in modern music history. Tom Morello has vivid memories of the day
“A ghost of something interesting:” Pink Floyd’s early movie work
Soundtracks from the band’s first seven years illustrate how many directions were open to them over the period from 1965 to 1972
The complicated, cross-Atlantic story of Black Magic Woman
Santana made a hit of Peter Green's Black Magic Woman, but that's only a small part of the song's journey
“New tunes, new dance moves, new hair hats. Figure it out.” A Perfect Circle announce North American tour, share new single To Whom It May Concern
A Perfect Circle have shared a new single, To Whom It May Concern, and announced an extensive North American tour for 2027.
A Roger Waters-sanctioned Pink Floyd Show will tour North America next year
Legacy – A Pink Floyd Show will be performed by the Harry Waters Band, led by Roger Waters' son
America's Got Talent winner Nene Royal on performing with Linkin Park, supporting Avenged Sevenfold, and how a Deep Purple classic changed her life
"I want to collab with legendary artists!”
Kristoffer Gildenlöw: I got my brother back after Pain Of Salvation split
Latest album [Humanised] is a confident return to his prog roots. And he has no bad blood left; just a cautious optimism for the world’s future
Six essential Rod Stewart albums every rock fan needs in their collection
Forget the Great American Songbook series – these are the albums that prove Rod Stewart is one of rock’s greatest voices
We dared to choose the 10 best Yes songs of the 70s. Dare you disagree?
In a decade when they redrew the prog map and could sail wherever they want to, here are the best musical journeys of them all
Slipknot’s Jim Root says new album is “gonna hurt some feelings”, agrees with harsh criticism of The End, So Far
Slipknot guitarist Jim Root has offered a juicy update on the band’s upcoming album via social media, warning fans that it’s going to “hurt some feelings”.
The secrets of Iron Maiden’s Somewhere In Time album artwork laid bare
As Somewhere In Time turns 30, we reveal the secrets hidden in Iron Maiden's most intricate album artwork
“I genuinely don’t know when I’ll play shows again.” Frank Turner to take a break from touring following his tenth and final Lost Evenings festival next year
Frank Turner has announced his intention to take a break from live performances following the tenth edition of his bespoke Lost Evenings festival next year, telling fans that he genuinely doesn't know when he might return to playing shows.
Little Angels release first new music in more than three decades
Much-loved Brit-rockers Little Angels have released their first new music in more than three decades. Hero (That Was Then, This Is Now) comes from the band's upcoming Big Bad & Back EP, which will be released on November 6. It's their first new music since the Too Posh to Mosh, Too Good to Last! album in 1994.
Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and the very best of Sub Pop records
Sub Pop: the best releases from Seattle's game-changing record label
Life in the fast lane: The triumph and trauma of Faster Pussycat
When Faster Pussycat hit the Sunset Strip in the mid-80s, tails up and cocky as hell, glam metal superstardom beckoned. Just six years later, it was gone
“The second Eddie heard our guitars were stolen he insisted I play his.” How Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder came to the rescue when a young Irish band had all their equipment stolen on their first American headline tour
When, back in June, Florence Road announced dates for their first ever North American headline tour, it was something of a dream come for the young Irish quartet, who only graduated from school in County Wicklow three years ago.
Oasis reveal streaming release date for Don’t Look Back in Anger documentary
Oasis have revealed that their acclaimed Don’t Look Back In Anger documentary will be available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu on October 9.
Even Marillion can’t understand their weirdest-ever video
One of the highlights of Marillion’s second album Fugazi was its top 30 second single, Assassing, which remains regarded as a high point of the band’s Fish era. Its video, however, was less well-received – especially by the band. When they spoke to Prog n 2021 they seemed as bewildered about it as they’d been when it was released in 1984.
“Life is meaningless – so embrace it”: Steven Wilson looks at Planet Earth
His challenging return-to-prog album The Overview contrasts the collapse of a nebula with a bursting grocery bag in Swindon, all to illustrate that space is “nothingness; it’s scary; it’s death”
Get an exclusive Chelsea Wolfe bundle featuring a special magazine cover and limited edition key ring
Celebrated US alternative singer-songwriter Chelsea Wolfe recently released her ninth studio album The Dark to much critical acclaim, and to celebrate, Metal Hammer has teamed up with Chelsea for an exclusive new bundle that you won't find anywhere else.
Slipknot announce 2027 world tour - including Wembley Stadium show
Slipknot have announced a 2027 world tour that will see them headline the biggest venues of their entire thirty-year career. Taking place from July to September, the tour will fill stadiums in cities around the world including London, Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Bogotá.
Metal Hammer to mark 40th anniversary with year-long celebration
Metal Hammer, the world's biggest metal media brand, is turning 40 and will be marking the occasion by kicking off a full year of celebrations. Starting with an exclusive industry party set to take place in London this week, Hammer will be unveiling a series of special events, collaborations, tie-ins, new brand extensions and more, with 40 separate activations in total set to launch across the coming twelve months.
Watch Nirvana reunite on stage and pay tribute to Kurt Cobain as they accept their MTV award
The surviving members of Nirvana - Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear - reunited on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards last night, accepting a special award on stage and using the opportunity to celebrate their much-missed bandmate and Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain.
“The time has come to say farewell.” Rod Stewart announces final ever tour for 2027
Rock icon Rod Stewart has announced that he is retiring from touring for good, with his final shows due to take place next year. Taking in shows across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, Rod's farewell tour - dubbed The Final Encore - will kick off on April 23 in Dublin, before finishing up on July 24 in Hannover.
Yes to release complete studio recordings from both Keys To Ascension albums, on vinyl for the very first time
Yes are to release Keys To Ascension: The Studio Recordings through Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red on January 29. The double vinyl release features the complete studio recordings from both Keys To Ascension albums, on vinyl for the very first time.
Vinegar Joe’s Six Star General: Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer shine
Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer shine on Vinegar Joe's final album
Classic Rock Tracks Of The Week: September 28, 2026
Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Clutch, Europe, the Temperance Movement and more
Oasis instantly sell out all 42 shows on Live ’27 tour
Oasis have sold out all of the shows on their Live '27 stadium tour. Eager fans snapped up the tickets for the 42 shows – which include a run of 11 shows at Manchester's Etihad Stadium and conclude with a six-night stretch at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire – during three sales windows over the weekend. The tour will also visit Ireland, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy and the US, but no further dates will be added.
Botanical rhapsody: Brian May launches Red Special gin
In recent months, Queen guitarist Brian May has turned into something of a serial collaborator, working on projects with Steve Cropper, Billy Gibbons, William Shatner, Daniel May (his grandson), TV "Supervet" Noel Fitzpatrick and Graham Bonnet, and he's not done yet.
Toyah and Robert Fripp unleash cover of the MC5’s classic Kick Out The Jams
Internet legends Toyah and Robert Fripp have returned to action with an extremely lively version of the MC5's Detroit classic Kick Out The Jams.
Moby and his punk-hating guitar teacher agreed over Steve Howe and Yes
In 2018 musician and producer Moby – whose career extends across multiple genres from electronica and ambient to rock and punk – told Prog why Yes had mattered to him since his childhood, and particularly guitarist Steve Howe.
Slipknot are teasing some big news – and it involves Wembley Stadium: “If you’re 555…”
Slipknot are teasing a mystery announcement – and it looks like being revealed imminently . Iconic London venue Wembley Stadium posted an image of the band’s logo together with the date .09.28.26 on its official Instagram page. The post also features the words:“If you’re 555…” – a lyrics from the band’s classic 2001 song The Heretic Anthem. While there are no clues as to what the announcement is about, the date – September 29 – suggests it will be revealed tomorrow (Monday). Earlier this week, cryptic Slipknot posters appeared across Euopre,
How Bad Brains pushed punk to breakneck speeds on their 1980 debut single
Fugazi’s Ian MacKaye called this Washington, D.C. quartet “the greatest band in the world”
“The sight of Cliff wading into the insane mass of scrapping people with a hammer was legendary.” Cliff Burton’s hammer, an angry schoolgirl, and the 1984 Metallica show that turned into a mass brawl
In the Tarvashovi rock club near Lieto, south-west Finland there's a commemorative plaque bearing Metallica's original logo and the words 'Metallica was here 14.12.1984'. Metallica's first ever Finnish gig, three weeks into the Bang That Head That Doesn't Bang tour, was undoubtedly a memorable occasion for the 150 paying customers in attendance, and for the band too, not least because of the mass brawl that broke out on the night.
The Evanescence album that saw Amy Lee take control of her band and her life
Evanescence’s The Open Door was the follow-up to their multi-platinum breakout debut Fallen – and the point where Amy Lee finally took charge of her destiny
10 terrible ’90s albums by 10 brilliant rock bands
How Iron Maiden, Slayer, Megadeth and more lost their way as Seattle grunge took over the planet
Pure Reason Revolution’s Terrifying Angels: OCD, anger and heavenly heavies
Pure Reason Revolution linchpin Jon Courtney revealed the title for Terrifying Angels – the band’s seventh studio album – came to him after he and his family attended an Easter church service in his adopted home city of Berlin last year.
Mudvayne’s Chad Gray on the best tip he got from James Hetfield
What Chad Gray has learned from more than 25 years on metal’s front line with Mudvayne and Hellyeah!.
The story of the Bellamy Brothers’ happiest hit, Let Your Love Flow
Neil Diamond's guitar tech Larry E. Williams wasn't a songwriter by trade, but then he came up Let Your Love Flow, an upbeat tune that sold millions
How Paul McCartney ended up singing on one of Linkin Park’s biggest hits
Linkin Park’s Meteora sealed their status as the 21st century’s biggest rock bands – and led them to working with Jay-Z and a Beatle
Drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. performs with members of Pearl Jam ahead of band’s Ohana Festival slot
Abe Laboriel Jr. performed with members of Pearl Jam in California on Friday night in what is being seen as the unveiling of the band's new drummer.
How a desire for vengeance led Dropkick Murphys to set me up to be arrested for a crime I didn't commit
And the moral of this story is: don't mess with the Dropkick Murphys
Mastodon’s transit from triumph to tragedy and back on The Hunter
The follow-up to Crack The Skye was a non-concept change of direction with more melody and less complexity. But it was still a prog record, carrying a message of apology to their loved ones
How Duff McKagan became on honorary member of Motorhead
You did a ‘Lemmy Forever’ dedication ceremony at Download, where some of his ashes were enshrined in a fruit machine. How did you meet Lemmy?
Metal Hammer’s tracks of the week: September 25 2026
Alissa White-Gluz makes her Dragonforce debut, Bullet For My Valentine eye up arenas and Clutch go hard on bravado in this latest best new mtal songs round-up
Meet punk’s best-kept secret, a band handled by Iron Maiden’s manager
Prior to shepherding Iron Maiden to global megastardom, Rod Smallwood managed a band who, despite all efforts, largely failed to capture the imagination of the record-buying public.
“A nice, cheerful subject!” Peter Gabriel ponders mortality on new single Face The Wall
Peter Gabriel has shared his latest single from his upcoming o\i album. After the relatively upbeat previous single, One By One, Face The Wall finds the 76-year-old singer pondering death.
Ritchie Blackmore addresses the reaction to his Deep Purple reunion
Ritchie Blackmore has opened up about his recent surprise reunion with Deep Purple. The 81-year-old guitarist joined his former bandmates onstage at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York on August 12, where he played Purple classic Smoke On The Water. It was his first appearance with the band since 1993, and followed decades of often bitter estrangement. Now the guitarist has addressed the reaction to his appearance, which was teased by his wife Candice Night the day before the show.
Watch video for Clutch track Wasted Lands from upcoming album of the same name
Clutch have released details of their upcoming 14th album along with a video for the title track Wasted Lands.
How Napalm Death condensed the power of grindcore into a 1.316 seconds
You Suffer appears on the band's 1987 debut album, Scum
Blues, drugs, cops, jail, death: the incredible story of The Red Devils
The greatest American blues band of the early 90s, The Red Devils were as short-lived as their frontman, Lester Butler, was mortally fated
Soundgarden release official footage of Seattle halftime show
Grunge legends Soundgarden returned to the stage earlier this month at Lumen Field in Seattle – with Taylor Momsen and Mike McCready
Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott on duetting with Taylor Swift on a rock classic
Years before she released Patient Zero, Taylor Swift teamed up with Def Leppard for a joint TV performance of an all-time rock banger
“Tony took all his clothes off and was hitting his guitar strings with the crosses that he wore around his neck.” The chaotic birth of Black Sabbath’s Vol 4, the dark masterpiece that almost destroyed the band
Exhausted and near breaking point, Black Sabbath were in no fit shape to make a record in 1972, but fuelled by a mountain of narcotics, they somehow held it together to create the classic Vol 4
“The sound of the future is what we’re most interested in. It doesn’t exist yet. It’s ours to make.” Every U2 album ranked from worst to best
How four school friends from Dublin armed with a fearless appetite for reinvention became the world's biggest rock band
Is Ghost’s Tobias Forge secretly recording a new death metal project? “He’s sitting in his studio again and no one’s allowed in. He’s doing something!”
Multiple collaborators and industry figures have dropped hints regarding the hit-maker’s future in recent weeks
Master drummer Carmine Appice looks back on his wild career
Carmine Appice played with Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, BBA, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart and Blue Murder – and co-wrote one of the biggest disco-rock hits in history
Peter Hammill is singing is about his dead dog, but what’s his album about?
Peter Hammill’s Tears In Time – his 37th solo album – arrives five years after his last solo release, 2021’s covers album In Translation, and nine years since 2017’s From The Trees, his last collection of original material. But the first thing to clear up is how to pronounce the new title – is it “tears” as in rips or as in crying?
Linkin Park’s Unshatter is vulnerable, powerful – and one of the best documentaries ever made by a heavy metal band
It’s something we’ve seen time and time again over the last few years: a massively successful band venturing into cinemas with a movie that’s part concert film, part documentary. Everyone from Ghost to Pulp has given it a go, and while it’s often gratifying seeing such stars unload their hits on the big screen, the behind-the-scenes looks sometimes lack. Like autobiographies with glaring omissions, these self-produced reflections give subjects the chance to downplay difficult truths.
Great new prog sounds from The Flower Kings, Lesoir, Crown Lands and more in Prog’s brand new Tracks Of The Week
Cool new prog you must hear from Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, Pilotinthepicture, Shy, Low, Rainburn and more in our all-new Tracks Of The Week
Jamey Jasta reveals advice from Metallica’s James Hetfield that helped him quit drinking: “you just have to know that you can do a show sober”
Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta has opened up about the conversation with Metallica’s James Hetfield which encouraged him to quit drinking.
Tom Morello teams up with Serj Tankian, Kneecap and Beartooth
Tom Morello has spent decades as one of rock’s greatest guitarists, but instead of leaning on his trademark riffs, his latest solo album pulls together every chapter of a career that stretches from Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave to The Nightwatchman and his recent run of high-profile collabs, with 15-year-old son Roman sharing songwriting credits on five tracks.
How Fish’s last Marillion album matched the spirit of his final solo album
Released after several delays, 2020’s Weltschmerz was designed to be a work of beautiful melancholy. Long before it was finished he knew how his farewell had to feel
Watch Anika Nilles lose stick during Tom Sawyer fill and recover beautifully
Could we love Anika Nilles any more? Probably not
U2 announce Carnaval de Luz album featuring Dolly Parton
Irish superstars U2 have announced details of their 16th album. Carnaval de Luz, the follow-up to 2023's Songs Of Surrender will be released on November 15, and is preceded by the second single from the album, Silencio. The first single from the album, Street Of Dreams, arrived in July.
How Pink Floyd regrouped to make The Division Bell
Pink Floyd explored the theme of communication on 1994 album The Division Bell – despite their infamous communication issues
“I’d tell people, You don’t understand, life as we know it is going to change.” Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan, Josh Homme, Melissa auf der Maur, Stone Gossard and Chris Cornell on Nirvana’s Nevermind, the record that revolutionised the ’90s
Released on September 24, 1991, Nirvana's second album Nevermind turned the music world upside down
Watch the trailer for Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning film – and find out which of the songs performed that day will make the cut
Footage from every set at Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert will be included when the film hits cinemas on October 28
Watch Linkin Park perform The Emptiness Machine with America’s Got Talent winner Nene Royal at last night’s grand final results show
Linkin Park teamed up with America’s Got Talent winner Nene Royal for a performance of 2024 single The Emptiness Machine during the results show of the US talent competition last night.
Get the ultimate Imminence fan bundle through Metal Hammer: exclusive Axis Mundi double-vinyl, magazine cover, plus sticker set
Celebrate the imminent release of Imminence’s new album, Axis Mundi, with an exclusive Metal Hammer bundle!
How The Alan Parsons Project made Tales Of Mystery And Imagination
A tea-break chat at Abbey Road Studios 50 years ago brought Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson together – leading to a genre-busting catalogue that’s sold over 50 million units
Bullet For My Valentine announce new album featuring Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos, debut lead single and title track Social Apocalypse
The Welsh metalcore band have also detailed 2027 tour dates with Pendulum
Noctule's Extinguish Thy Flame is a black metal epic worthy of the big screen
In her recently deactivated post-metal band Svalbard, singer/guitarist Serena Cherry’s lyrics tackled such hard realities as mental health and abuse. You can’t blame her for retreating to fantasyland every now and again. Her solo outlet Noctule offers her refuge in videogames, and this second album takes the perspective of the bosses from Elden Ring, the hit RPG that helped Serena through her depression.
How Green Lung made 2026’s best occult metal album
Brit doom heroes Green Lung’s new concept album, Necropolitan, is inspired by occult London and its great cemeteries – and they’re giving us a guided tour
Canadian lyricist and Rush collaborator Pye Dubois dead at 77
Pye Dubois, the Canadian lyricist and poet most famous for his work with Rush and Max Webster, and later with Max Webster frontman Kim Mitchell, has died at the age of 77.
The complicated, uncompromising life of Angry Anderson
A small man with a big voice, the late Angry Anderson was the last man standing from the original Rose Tattoo. In 2018, he told Classic Rock his story
Europe sound renewed and re-energised on Come This Madness
What’s the adage? You can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Not to compare Europe to an ageing bloodhound enjoying its dotage – although they did rock a few poodle perms in their time – but in the nine years since they last released a new album, something vital and new has shaken Europe up. Forget the ethereal noodling that made The Final Countdown a worldwide hit and phenomenon; Come This Madness is a much steelier proposition – harder, faster, and with a Mike Fraser (AC/DC, The Cult) mix it glimmers like a fresh paint job on a classic car.
Hayley Williams pays tribute to New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert, her ex-husband, saluting the late guitarist for his positive influence on the pop-punk and hardcore scenes
Hayley Williams has paid tribute to her former husband, New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert, following the guitarist's death on September 20.
The messy story behind Primal Scream's game-changing, genre-fluid masterpiece Screamadelica
As Screamadelica turns 35, we look back at how Primal Scream made one of the truly essential albums of the '90s
A beginner’s guide to grunge
Five albums that define the grunge era, from its brilliant beginning to the bitter end
How Motionless In White achieved one of metal's greatest glow-ups
Hard as it is to believe, Motionless In White have now been around for over two decades - and get stronger with each passing year
Rejoice! I’m Dead! – How Gong’s Daevid Allen prepared for his passing
HIs idiosyncratic vision defined the band for almost half acentury until his death in 2015. But he’d assembled a new line-up to lift the baton, who addressing their weighty expectations with transitional 2016 album Rejoice! I'm Dead!
Oasis extend their 2027 world tour with new dates
Oasis have added four new shows to their Live '27 tour plans. Last week, the Manchester band announced 38 dates for their second reunion tour, which is scheduled to run from late May to mid-September, kicking off at Celtic Park in Glasgow on May 21. Due to "phenomenal demand" the tour will now expand to 42 shows, with the Gallagher brothers' band booking two additional nights at Knebworth (September 25, 26), a third night at Munich’s Allianz Arena (July 6) and a third night at Rome's Stadio Olimpico (July 26)
Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain recalls meeting Ozzy Osbourne – and how the Prince Of Darkness saved his life
Semi-retired Iron Maiden drummer has recalled the moment he met Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, and the late singer’s claim that he once saved McBrain’s life.
Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson dead at 79
Angry Anderson suffered a cardiac arrest while on tour with Rose Tattoo in Germany last month
FEAR: The album that took Marillion back to the top of the charts
They hadn’t seen the top 10 since 1994’s Brave, but F.E.A.R. changed that. Ahead of its release in 2016, Steve Hogarth provided a track-by-track breakdown
Nine Pat Travers albums to listen to and one to ignore
Never one to repeat himself, Canadian guitar hero Pat Travers boasts a prolific, genre-shifting back catalogue – and these are his best albums
Rush donate $785,000 to secure Neil Peart Memorial in Lakeside Park
A campaign to raise $1 million to secure a permanent Neil Peart memorial in Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ontario, has reached its target after Rush donated $785,000 to the cause.
Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
East Bay Ray, founding guitarist with San Francisco punk legends Dead Kennedys, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The news was announced by the band's management team on social media.
“These really violent kids started to tear the place apart. It was like The Shining, with axes coming through the walls.” The Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson on his band’s wildest early show
The Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson has recalled one of the wildest shows he has ever played. During an interview with YouTube personality Rick Beato, Robinson and his brother Rich reminisced about their formative years as teenage musicians pre-Black Crowes, when they played clubs and house parties in their hometown of Atlanta with their first band, Mr. Crowe’s Garden in the mid '80s.
Dragonforce announce first album with new singer Alissa-White Gluz, release lead single Hunger Of The Beast: “unlike any Dragonforce album you’ve ever heard, and unlike any metal albums out there”
UK power metal six-piece Dragonforce have announced their first album with new singers Alissa-White Gluz and Alessio Garavello and unveiled its lead single.
Why Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi is Metallica frontman James Hetfield’s ‘riff lord’: “He is the one that has inspired me the most for my rhythm playing and songwriting”
Metallica frontman James Hetfield has hailed Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi as his personal ‘riff lord’.
When The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord became a rock star
After watching Steven Wilson and Opeth rise to the big leagues, he was bewildered but still hopeful. Then 11th album Your Wilderness provided the change of fortunes he’d been looking for
The birth of Queens Of The Stone Age, and the dawning of a new age of American rock 'n' roll
Released on September 22, 1998, Queens Of The Stone Age's debut album was the start of a wild new adventure for the 'Ginger Elvis' Josh Homme
Phil Collins: His omnipresent solo era and what he really thinks of Genesis
After recovering from the health issues that nearly killed him, he won’t rule out new music
Slipknot appear to tease new tour as cryptic posters pop up across the Americas
Cryptic Slipknot posters have appeared across North, Central and South America, possibly hinting at a new tour from the Iowa nu metal outfit.
Judas Priest transport London to the golden age of heavy metal with their biggest hits – and lashings of leather: “Breaking The Law is unabashedly joyous and Painkiller lands like a meteor strike”
Well, isn’t this snug? The last two times Judas Priest played the capital, they topped the bill at Wembley Arena and co-headlined the O2 with Alice Cooper. The final date of their Faithkeepers tour at the 5,300-cap Hammersmith Apollo is pokey by comparison. Maybe the self-anointed metal gods want to treat the true believers, or maybe, having headlined Bloodstock six weeks ago, they’re scared of saturating the market. Either way, tonight is sold out, and West London is strewn with enough vintage rock t-shirts to overstuff a warehouse.
Devin Townsend on health, happiness, and the making of The Moth
As Devin Townsend gears up for a UK tour, he tells us about the trauma behind the making of his latest album, The Moth
Slade’s movie was supposed to set their career alight: It didn’t
Now regarded as a classic, Slade In Flame was an uncharacteristically dark film that absolutely nobody expected
Nightwish leader Tuomas Holopainen thinks the symphonic metal superstars could continue without him: “Nightwish has always been more than the sum of its parts”
The keyboardist co-founded the Finnish giants and is their primary songwriter – but he doesn’t want to be their be-all, end-all
“I got to a point where whatever shred of liking I had for myself was lost. I was on a fast path to death.” Celebrating Trent Reznor’s long, hard road out of hell, as heard on Nine Inch Nails’ masterpiece The Fragile
Released on September 21, 1999, Nine Inch Nails third studio album, The Fragile, remains a fascinating piece of outsider art
Is Carrie Underwood working on a secret rock album with Axl Rose?
Country star Carrie Underwood has a well-documented history of onstage collaborations with Guns N' Roses.
‘Dolly Parton Day’ to be celebrated in Nashville and in California on September 25, aka 9/25
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed off a state bill to officially recognise September 25, aka 9/25, as a day to celebrate the life, music, philanthropy and legacy of Dolly Parton.
NWOBHM god Brian Tatler: What prog stars Gentle Giant did for me
This guitarist will forever be hailed as a leading light of NWOBHM. He says it might never have happened without the group who started six years before him, and 150 miles away
Ozzfest confirms US return for 2027
Ozzfest will return to the US in 2027. The reactivating heavy metal festival, founded by Sharon Osbourne and her late husband Ozzy in the mid-90s, has confirmed that it will make its way Stateside next year. The news follows the announcement of a UK edition for 2027, which will take place at Villa Park in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham, where he played his last show before his death in July 2025. No performers have been announced for either edition at time of publication.
The albums we’d blast during a zombie apocalypse: “Metallica would give me the energy to headshot long into the night”
As Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil tops the UK box office, Metal Hammer writers pick their ideal soundtracks for zombie-slaying
Prog’s essential guide to this year’s Be Prog! My Friend Festival
The bands, the times, how to get there, what to do when you are here... Everything you need to know about Be Prog! My Friend, but were too afraid to ask
Every Judas Priest album ranked from worst to best: which is the Metal Gods’ finest hour?
They’ve defended the faith since 1974 – here are Judas Priest’s 19 studio albums, in reverse-order of excellence
Dave Mustaine reveals how Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley and James Hetfield rallied round him after being diagnosed with cancer: “Hearing from James just as I was about to begin treatment, when I was at a pretty low point, meant a lot to me”
Exclusive: In this extract from his upcoming book, Dave Mustaine reveals the unexpected support he got from an old frenemey in the wake of his 2019 cancer diagnosis
How I Stand Alone took Godsmack from nu metal second-stringers to chart-topping success
With a little help from Duane "The Rock" Johnson, Godsmack became a household name - and ultimately got to fulfil their childhood dream
Proggers Babe Ruth accidentally become dance music pioneers on First Base
Led by guitarist Alan Shacklock and singer Janita Haan, Babe Ruth experimented with blues, hard rock and prog and ended up popular in early hip hop circles
Classic Rock Tracks Of The Week: September 21, 2026
Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Greta Van Fleet, Dirty Honey, The Pineapple Thief and more
Post-rock icons Blueneck’s 10-year fight for their sixth album
Duncan Attwood explains the decade of derailments that delayed them, why being given a musical tag was positive, and why playing Glastonbury was only okay
Watch William Shatner cover Metallica, Ozzy, Motörhead at Riot Fest warm-up
Willian Shatner has made his debut performance as a heavy metal frontman. The 95-year-old Star Trek veteran performed with his backing band The *uckers at a Riot Fest warm-up show at the 1000-capacity Park West in Chicago, covering songs by Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Motörhead alongside three original songs from his upcoming album What the F Is Heavy Metal?
New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert dead at 45. “While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived”
Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist with Florida pop-punks New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45. The news was shared by the band on social media.
“I walked into the room, and they were all stoned off their tits!” The story of Vivian Campbell’s life-changing audition for Dio
Phone calls in the dead of night rarely bring good news. In rural areas of the North of Ireland in the early 1980s, the shrill ring of a household rotary phone breaking the silence in the wee small hours usually signified either a) the solemn announcement of a death in the family, b) a neighbourly warning about escaped livestock or c) an alert from the Royal Ulster Constabulary with concerns over paramilitary activity in the area.
That time all of Metallica dressed up as Lemmy to play his 50th birthday gig
In 1995 Lemmy celebrated his 50th with a special Motörhead club gig in LA. The support act: The Lemmys… aka Metallica
“I’m not real keen on using my music in films.” How Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor curated the film soundtrack that changed the ’90s, and set him on the path to Oscars glory
The story behind the Natural Born Killers soundtrack
Kate Bush’s Never For Ever: The story of her first No.1 album
From cheating husbands and returning to the womb to saving the planet, her third record explored a diverse range of subjects, ensuring it was far more than just a pop piece
How Guns N’ Roses teamed up with a Hollywood star to make one of the most iconic videos of the 90s
Need to launch your hugely anticipated new album? Call Arnie!
Watch Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan reveal vision behind video for new Slipknot single Arsenal
Shawn 'Clown' Crahan has revealed his vision behind the video for the band's new single Arsenal. The percussionist directed the promo video for the track, which Slipknot surprise released earlier this month. A few days later, guitarist Jim Root said the song would not appear on the upcoming eighth album because it is "not really representative" of the rest of the material the band is working on.
“When they saw me with Metallica, they knew they were getting everything, every ounce of sweat left on that stage”: How Jason Newsted survived Metallica
From Flotsam And Jetsam to the world’s biggest metal band and beyond, this is the remarkable life of Jason Newsted
Vardis are older and wiser but still party like it’s 1979. “I shed a tear when I cut my hair, even though it was dropping out a fair bit”
A boogie-rock trio formed in Wakefield in 1973 and originally called Quo Vardis, Vardis predated the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but happily accepted a leg up from the movement. They released three albums between 1981 and ’86 before band leader, guitarist and singer Steve Zodiac walked away from music.
Symphonic metal vocalist Amanda Somerville diagnosed with “malignant and aggressive brain tumour”
Symphonic metal star Amanda Somerville has been diagnosed with a "malignant and aggressive brain tumour" her family have revealed.
John McLaughlin’s life outside the lines
Surrounded by genre-breakers from an early age, the Mahivshnu Orchestra mastermind learned quickly about ignoring critics – but never stops reminding himself of his own incapabilities and ignorance
Meet Alyssa Bonagura, a storyteller driven by rock’n’roll and country
Alyssa Bonagura has been covered by Steven Tyler, spent years in Liverpool playing with Pete Wylie, and duetted with Kenny Rogers when she was 10
10 obscure but brilliant 90s bands who deserved to be bigger, from the forgotten grunge heroes who Nirvana supported to the ‘radio-friendly Deftones’
The 90s might have been a golden age for alternative rock and metal, but these 10 bands never got the dues they deserved
The meaning of Coheed And Cambria’s The Father Of Make Believe
The 10th of 12 planned albums brought completion of The Amory Wars saga into sight. It also left leader Claudio Sanchez pondering his future outside a prison he’d built for himself
Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine was riding high until he was diagnosed with cancer. This is what happened next
The Megadeth frontman opens up to Metal Hammer about his cancer diagnosis – and what helped get him through it
The story behind the song: Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden, from their album Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden's eponymous anthem would go on to inspire their mascot Eddie and closes their set to this day
Metal Hammer’s Tracks Of The Week: September 18 2026
Trivium, Ministry and Godflesh are among the best new metal songs this week
“It’s their first real test as torchbearers for metal’s future.” Spiritbox beat Sleep Token, Ghost and Bring Me The Horizon to get into arenas - but they’re still finding their feet
With support from Jinjer and Dying Wish, Spiritbox's first full arena tour of the UK feels like a changing of the guard for metal
Why Starcastle’s third album, Citadel, is a minor masterpiece
In the late 70s, pomp rock bestrode the US like a keyboard-laden colossus. Unstoppable and immovable, Styx, Kansas and their like dominated the charts with a succession of epic, inflated albums that captured the imagination of a generation that had progressive inclinations but wanted more obvious, radiorock charm.
“It seemed like there were a million people there. The police thought there would be some kind of riot.” How a free gig in central London’s largest Royal Park became Queen’s unofficial coronation
Queen's September 18, 1976 concert in London's Hyde Park confirmed their ascendancy into British rock's gilded elite
As Lonely Robot ends, John Mitchell turns to his first Asia album
He planned three records based on his space traveller concept, but wound up making six. Strangely, he still thinks of Lonely Robot as a trilogy
“Another masterpiece from one of modern music’s most essential voices.” Sounding like Toris Amos jamming with Alice In Chains and Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle’s These Killing Times is a gorgeous and emotional journey
Six solo albums into a career that also includes numerous collaborations, her work as a member of Red Sparowes, Marriages and more, Emma Ruth Rundle has amassed one of the most impressive back catalogues of any current musician.
The definitive guide to every Soundgarden album, from Ultramega OK to King Animal
One of the most influential bands of their generation, Soundgarden's restless creativity and refusal to recognise boundaries has ensured that their music will never grow old
David Gilmour’s Rattle That Lock was his ‘day in the life’ story
2015 solo album explored war, loss and hope for the future, as he explained why he regarded his career as being over, why he didn’t want to talk about Pink Floyd, and why he’s a David and not a Dave
“Moonspell might still be goth metal’s best kept secret, but for one night, they feel like the kings of lusty, dark allure.” Portugal’s biggest metal band make history with a sold-out gig on a royal estate
Moonspell celebrated the release of their thirteenth album with a majestic gig in their home country
Keith Richards joins pop star PinkPantheress, rapper Travis Scott, country giant Morgan Wallen on Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album
Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards has contributed a a cover of Jimmy Reed’s Bright Lights, Big City to the forthcoming soundtrack album for Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rising stars Dirty Honey announce third album Catch My Butterfly. “We’ve made mistakes, gotten over past regrets, lived more, and become better songwriters”
Rising Los Angeles rockers Dirty Honey, have announced details of their third album. Catch My Butterfly is the follow-up to 2023's Can’t Find the Brakes, and will be released via Dirt Records on January 15 next year.
Cool new prog from Steven Wilson, The Pineapple Thief, Kalandra and more in Prog’s brand new Tracks Of The Week
Ace new proggy sounds you need to hear from The Ocean, Sometime In February, John Holden, Jonathan Crossley, David Kollar and Lukas Ligeti and more in our all-new Tracks Of The Week
“I got beat up by the cops for being a metalhead. I bled for this.” Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltan Bathory grew up in communist Hungary, but he always dreamed of stardom
From self-building his own guitar to moving to a roach-infested hotel in New York, Zoltan Bathory put it all on the line to build Five Finger Death Punch
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson pay tribute to Neil Peart at film premiere
Neil Peart: No One's Disciple premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, in Canada
Amy Lee says we have COVID to thank for the greatest album ever made
Evanescence singer Amy Lee picks her records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and reveals the worst record she's ever made
Pink Floyd to release special San Tropez orange vinyl reissue of Meddle for National Album Day
Pink Floyd have announced they will release a new San Tropez Orange Marble vinyl edition of their landmark 1971 album Meddle, for this year’s National Album Day, through Sony Music on October 17.
A beginner’s guide to stoner metal
Spark up a fat one – these are the albums that built stoner metal
Anthrax return with new album Cursum Perficio after a decade-long drought
Damn, this has been a long time coming. Five years elapsed between 2011’s Worship Music and 2016’s For All Kings, but Scott Ian and co. have managed to double the wait time and taken a full decade to deliver this, their twelfth studio album. However, the drought has ended with a glorious tsunami of prime Anthrax.
Beat’s Adrian Belew on survival, orchestra music and Frank Zappa
King Crimson offshoot Beat leader and Bowie, Shatner and Hancock collaborator has long been confident that the future is secure on the road – which pleases him because he loves it
4 Non Blondes’ hitmaker Linda Perry’s life and career explored in new film Let It Die Here
The documentary will be available to watch from September 18 - here's everything you need to know
How a Bruce Hornsby song about racism in the South became an unlikely No.1
The Way It Is was inspired by Bruce Hornsby’s home town of Williamsburg, Virginia – and had a second life on Tupac Shakur’s biggest hit
“Before our first show, I thought I was going to die!” The new issue of Metal Hammer features Nightwish on the cover
As Nightwish celebrate three decades of symphonic metal, we travel to the small Finnish town of Kitee, where it all began. Known for moonshine and, now, riffs, Tuomas Holopainen and Floor Jansen reflect on a journey that’s involved everything from controversial singer swaps to opulent royal banquets.
The wild past and crazy transformations of RØRY – rock’s new “ADHD bitch”
Folk pop, Charli XCX collabs and a Top 10 album of her own - nu-gen’s latest heroine has done it all
Tool’s first 20 years: freaks, malcontents or psychopaths?
Sacred geometry, lunar currents, media baiting, arena shows… there’s enough complexity in their first four albums to fill several lifetimes’ worth of study
Hanoi Rocks announce The Complete Collection 1981-1984. “I recommend this box set to everybody!” says Michael Monroe
The great Michael Monroe thinks you should buy the new Hanoi Rocks box set and so do we
Why TesseracT had to make War Of Being as big a deal as possible
While the band asked their audience, ‘Who are you?’ via their fifth album, they were also asking themselves, ‘Who are we?’ And they admitted doing it in a geeky fashion
Judge set to preside over sexual assault lawsuit against Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler stands down two weeks ahead of scheduled trial
The sexual assault court case against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will have to be rescheduled, as the judge due to preside over the legal proceedings has unexpectedly stepped down.
Metallica’s M72 tour returns - with Limp Bizkit and Avatar
Metallica have announced another run of North American M72 dates for 2027. The quartet will play a dozen stadium shows in May and June next year, kicking off at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on May 8, and concluding on June 19 at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nine Warren Zevon albums to listen to and one to avoid
Warren Zevon could have carved out a career as a mainstream piano man were it not for his caustic wit, chemical-induced instability and general contempt for the world. These are his best albums
Genesis’ surprise when the 23-minute track Supper’s Ready actually worked
He talks about their early character clashes, the studio trick he learned from Brian Eno, recording versus playing live, and why he got the blame as the band became more musically streamlined
How Mastodon survived two of the worst years of their lives and rebuilt the band
Mastodon have risen above tragedy with new album Marrow Deep
Brian May is weighing up the pros and cons of an Abba Voyage-style avatar show for Queen. “The doors are open, but I don’t know if we’re gonna walk through.”
Brian May says that he's still weighing up the idea of an ABBA Voyage-style immersive avatar show for Queen.
Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning movie is finally being released in October
Relive the “greatest day in heavy metal history” and Ozzy’s emotional swansong
Kelly Osbourne reveals the final conversation she had with Ozzy: “He got to say goodbye. And then he let go.”
Kelly Osbourne has opened up about the last time she spoke to her dad Ozzy Osbourne before he died. Ozzy passed away on July 22, 2025, just 17 days after he played his last ever show at the Back To The Beginning gig at Villa Park in his hometown of Birningham. In an emotional interview with on the We Need To Talk podcast, Kelly reveals that doctors had warned Ozzy not to play the Back To The Beginning Show “They told him, ‘If you do this show you’ll die’, but he chose to do it anyway” she tells host Paul C Brunson.
Trainspotting director Danny Boyle wanted to reunite the original Undertones and Sex Pistols line-ups to play the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony
Film director Danny Boyle wanted to reunite the original Sex Pistols and The Undertones line-ups to perform at his opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Nightwish got blamed for ugly Tarja Turunen split “for good reason”, Tuomas Holopainen admits: “It was like we were these evil neanderthals who’d hurt our wonderful ex-singer”
Nightwish keyboardist, co-founder and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen admits that the band were blamed “for good reason” for how they handled the dismissal of original lead singer Tarja Turunen.
“Jason and I have committed ourselves to creating a final Enid recording.” The Enid announce their retirement from touring and one final album
The Enid have announced they will no longer perform as a live band, and that Robert John Godfrey and fellow Enid musician Jason Ducker are currently working on a farewell album from the band
“He had a cast of a human skull, because he was interested in the occult”: the life and legacy of At The Gates’ Tomas Lindberg, the godfather of melodic death metal
The Gothenburg screamer died one year ago today. His At The Gates cohorts talk about his life and career – and how his influence continues to echo in modern metal.
Ian Gillan reveals all about Ritchie Blackmore’s recent Deep Purple cameo. “It was a public demonstration of friendship and good memories”
Behind the scenes of one of rock's least likely reconciliations
Watch Angine de Poitrine debut new song on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
On September 14, papier-mâché-headed alien duo Angine de Poitrine made their US TV debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Def Leppard launch previously unreleased cover of The Beatles’ Revolution
The fourth volume of Def Leppard's album box sets brings their story up to date – and includes an extensive selection of rare tracks
“You’re an idiot!” Fleetwood Mac producer reveals which member of the band tried to strangle him during the recording of Rumours classic Go Your Own Way
The making of Fleetwood Mac's masterpiece Rumours was a famously fractious time
I experienced the new Ozzy Osbourne Haunted House attraction at Universal Studios, and it’s far from the lazy cash-in you might have feared
Boarding the crazy train, escaping werewolves and a giant bat biting Ozzy’s head off - here’s what it’s really like inside Universal’s brilliant, Ozzy-themed haunted house
Every Deftones album ranked from worst to best: three decades of brilliance from the world’s sexiest metal band
From Adrenaline to Private Music, this is your definitive guide to Deftones' studio albums, re-reviewed and ranked
Could a cult prog band with Roxy Music and Gong links return 51 years on?
Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera is considering the re-establishment of his prog quartet Quiet Sun, after they reconvened to oversee the expanded reissue of their only album, 1975’s Mainstream.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger might be the best film ever made about music’s ability to emotionally impact vast crowds. It’s also brilliant, Olympic-level marketing for 2027’s biggest tour
Dovetailing with the announcement of the band's 2027 world tour, Oasis' new film is a genius piece of marketing. But it's also so much more than that
Evanescence’s biggest ever London show is a triumphant spectacle powered by Amy Lee, an iconic team-up and some all-time anthems
Evanescence's O2 headline set feels like a long time coming, and they didn't disappoint
Slaughter to Prevail’s Alex Terrible addresses Nazi accusations again
As a teen in Russia, the Slaughter to Prevail frontman fraternised with right-wingers and football hooligans
“I was concerned Ozzy was going to blow himself out.” Why Tony Iommi initially didn’t want to play Black Sabbath’s final show - or record a new Sabbath album
Tony Iommi has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to record a final Black Sabbath album with the band's original lineup.
Satyricon once played their heretic black metal at a Norwegian fashion show: “I have no idea who came up with the idea!”
Satyricon vocalist Sigurd “Satyr” Wongraven has looked back on the strange night his diabolical black metal band played at a Norwegian fashion show.
Why the Flamin’ Groovies won’t forget the night they met the Sex Pistols
San Francisco rock'n'rollers the Flamin' Groovies are about to embark on a UK tour to celebrate 50 years of their classic Shake Some Action single
“I’d go into a record shop and I’d want Blodwyn Pig and Wishbone Ash and Traffic and Soft Machine – but which one do you choose?”: Punk pioneer Captain Sensible loved plenty of prog... but had to hide it
The Damned guitarist on spending years ripping off the genre he professed to hate, and the obscure tracks he’d play on Desert Island Discs – if they’d ever let him appear
Billy Morrison’s wild tales of Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Billy Idol and more
Billy Morrison partied with Ozzy, got a bollocking from Sharon, shot up with Nick Cave, choked on Cypress Hill’s weed smoke, and wastasked with Lemmy’s backstage rider. These are his stories
Watch David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen reunite for TEDx event
Founding Van Halen members David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen have appeared together at an event organised by the TEDx Program, an initiative that hopes to research and discover "ideas worth spreading."
“Sometimes peaceful protest is not enough. Kicking a few shop windows in helps as well.” How Muse aimed to fight the power with The Resistance
Released on September 14, 2009, Muse's Grammy Award-winning fifth album saw Matt Bellamy's band deliver a soundtrack for those "fighting back against malevolent interests"
The bizarre ’80s supergroup that links the Misfits, Yngwie Malmsteen and Skid Row
While ex-Misfits singer Glenn Danzig went onto solo stardom, his former bandmates Jerry Only and Doyle launched forgotten ‘Christian metal’ band Kryst The Conqueror
“They were forming chords from tapping beer bottles, tearing newspapers for a rhythm, letting off aerosol cans for a hi-hat”: Was Pink Floyd’s attempt to make an album from found sounds just a delaying tactic?
Roger Waters argued there was no difference between playing guitar or a water tap. But after exploring the concept of Household Objects over four years, they abandoned their early experimental era for ever
Oasis announce mammoth Live ’27 world tour. “After a period of reflection ‘The Most Damaging Pop Cultural Force In Recent British History’ has declared itself fit for purpose and will once again return to lift the spirits of the people.”
“Demand for Oasis Live ’27 is expected to be extremely high” might be the understatement of the year
Porcupine Tree’s The Incident: “A band can be a frustration”
No one knew the 2010 album would be the band’s last word for 12 years. But there was plenty to keep fans busy trying to identify Steven Wilson’s full range of influences
Sick Of It All guitarist Pete Koller addresses the band’s future following his brother Lou’s death
Sick Of It All guitarist Pete Koller has addressed the iconic New York hardcore band’s future in the wake of death of his brother, frontman Lou Koller.
Every Oasis album ranked from the worst to the best: the Gallagher brothers’ songs that will live forever
As Oasis gear up for their second world-conquering reunion tour in summer '27, here are the Manchester superstars' studio albums ranked from worst to best
“My first crush was this little Amish boy.” Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger talk covers records, hair care and the Halestorm songs they’ve definitely played too much
Since joining forces in 2003, Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger have built Halestorm into one of rock's brightest bands
Halloween director John Carpenter wants to make a Metallica music video
John Carpenter, the auteur filmmaker behind horror classics Halloween and The Thing, is open to making a Metallica music video.
My Chemical Romance bring King Diamond onstage to ‘knight’ them in Texas: “Anyone can be a dictator, but not everyone can be a king!”
My Chemical Romance treated the crowd at the Texas stop-off of their The Black Parade anniversary tour to a brilliantly bizarre sight when they brought out King Diamond to ‘knight’ them onstage.
Gentle Giant’s Octopus represents all of progressive rock’s virtues
Gentle Giant's Octopus can be something of an acquired taste, with its multi-faceted approach and highbrow subject matter
Classic Rock’s Tracks Of The Week: September 14, 2026
Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Steven Wilson, The War On Drugs, Twin Temple and more
Rick Springfield reflects on killing a man during trip to Vietnam
Singer-songwriter Rick Springfield has spoken about killing a man during a visit to Vietnam in 1968. Springfield, who was 18 at the time and a member of the band Rockhouse, had been hired to entertain American troops and spent four months in the country.
Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome dead at 71
Cheetah Chrome, founding guitarist with legendary Cleveland punks the Dead Boys, has died at the age of 71. The news was confirmed by the band in a social media post.
When true rebels were prog fans: Five essential neo-prog albums of the 80s
The second-wave movement didn’t last long – but its bands revitalised the genre with an attitude and energy that’s still being felt today
The chaotic birth of Guns N’ Roses and the wild road to Appetite For Destruction: “If Axl thought someone was looking at him weird, he would just haul off and smack ’em”
Sex, strops and strippers – how a bunch of feral LA rockers became The World’s Most Dangerous Band
“A lot of people think they’ll lose their jobs if they get creative. But our career is based on doing what we want”: When Opeth gambled on their future by ditching metal and embracing prog on Heritage
In 2011 the Swedes, bored with the scene they were part of, took a new direction with their 10th album
The wild prog classic inspired by a mythical king, Ziggy Stardust and a heart attack
The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur was Rick Wakeman’s most ambitious solo album
Zombie metal lunatics Dominum are here for everyone who loves Sabaton, Ghost and The Walking Dead: “There’s pirate bands, there’s Viking bands, why is there no zombie band?”
With their albums invading the top 10 at home in Germany, Dominum's brand of zombie metal is proving infectious
The unhinged techno-rock anthem that sounds like ‘Satan’s own spin class’ and saved a rock legend’s life
Glenn Hughes was on his uppers – and then electronic maverick duo The KLF came knocking
“Whatever they’re on, I want some!” That time Slade legend Noddy Holder reviewed Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Nick Cave and more for a UK music magazine
Slade's former frontman Noddy Holder is a national treasure. Would anyone in Britain even remember the annual celebrations marking the birth of son of God, Jesus Christ, were it not for the Walsall Warbler bellowing "It's Chriiiiistmaaaas!" at us from mid-November onwards? Unlikely.
Nicko McBrain would be “delighted” to drum on Iron Maiden’s next album – on one condition
Semi-retired Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain wants to record with the band again, despite stepping down from their live lineup in December 2024.
New Slipknot track Arsenal “not really representative” of songs that will appear on upcoming album
Slipknot's new single Arsenal is "not really representative" of the rest of the material the band is working on for their upcoming eighth album, says guitarist Jim Root.
In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, the Chinese Army turned on studentdemonstrators in Tiananmen Square, and Steve Hogarth replaced Fish in Marillion
The seemingly insurmountable quandary that confronted Marillion in late 1988 was exactly how they could replace their frontman, Fish, and which singer would have the audacity and the balls to even try. After all, Fish was more than just the singer; his gregarious personality and lyrical prowess had created the powerful image and identity that the band had traded on for six years.
Flesh & Blood: the story of the short-lived melodic rock supergroup
Featuring members of Touch, Tyketto, Saraya and Asia, Flesh & Blood only released one album and never played live
Mastodon slam “meritless lawsuit” which claims band used late Brent Hinds’ likeness to promote new album
Mastodon describe a lawsuit filed by the estate of the late Brent Hinds as "meritless" and say that they "strongly deny allegations of ill intent on our part".
“Overcoming darkness is a beautiful thing”: How My Chemical Romance battled ghosts, addiction, the Daily Mail and Kasabian to take over the world with The Black Parade
20 years on, the story behind My Chemical Romance's transformation from cult punks to global superstars with The Black Parade
How Motley Crue created the album that invented 80s hair metal
Motley Crue’s Vince Neil on the debut album shaped an entire decade
“There was a giant, red welt on my chest, and at my feet there was a huge pig’s foot with a big toenail on it.” How the world’s weirdest band went from cult outsiders to MTV mainstays
From auditioning for Metallica to writing one of TV's most iconic theme tunes and irritating a Hollywood star, Primus are the world's weirdest band - and proud