Mad About Rock

  Rising from the UK underground metal scene, IMPERIUM are quickly establishing themselves as a leading modern thrash act. Known for razor-sharp riffs, groove-laden force, and commanding vocals, they’ve built a reputation for explosive live shows. Their engulfing debut album, 'Exodus Unknown', releases via Heavy Metal Records on Friday 17th July, with the title single out now. Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3tPzXOlM34 Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ytn24lvOAoMKq8pbszxO1 After breaking through in 2022 with their debut EP and winning London’s Metal 2 the Masses, which earned the ba.nd a spot at Bloodstock Festival, IMPERIUM have now shared stages with a number of prominent acts and have grown their fanbase nationwide. Now officially signed to Heavy Metal Records and endorsed by Gibson/Kramer/Epiphone, IMPERIUM have entered a new phase in their career and set the stage for their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Exodus...

  Diverse Alternative quartet Opensight are back with their highly anticipated follow-up to 2022's 'Mondo Fiction'. With their new album 'The Outfit', they exhibit more purpose and creativity, expanding on their unique and engaging sound. The first full song, 'Killer Outfit', is very diverse, enthralling, and incredibly catchy, especially aided by the wah-wah guitars, making it hard to resist. 'In Plain Sight' is a fun, infectiously melodic offering that embraces a 70s vibe and is highly memorable, getting its hooks in. Changing the tone with the cinematic 'Defying Eye' with a more dark sound, which is vast and immersive. Further in, they mesmerise with the atmospheric 'Mantra', which is a striking and intriguing track. The alarming and alluring 'Heist' is an eerie yet beautiful progressive track which is very reminiscent of Opeth, and you can easily lose yourself in. The final track, 'Delusion' is rich and layered, so...

  With less than one month to go until the mighty return of Download Festival, DLXXIII has unleashed its ‘Beyond The Bands’ offerings, giving Download-goers an even more exciting experience onsite with brand new food, drink, gaming, wellness and fitness options. Taking place on 10-14 June 2026 at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, Download will be headlined by Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park. All weekend tickets are now sold out, but last remaining Saturday day tickets are available here: www.downloadfestival.co.uk. Brand new for this year’s DLXXIII are some huge new collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and Fourth Wing. District X will host a Final Fantasy XIV Online stand, where rich storytelling, shared adventures, epic battles and a vast world await. Over in the arena, there will be a groundbreaking collaboration with Fourth Wing, where Download-goers and fans of the Rebecca Yarros novels can visit the General’s Office and bag an exclusive merchandise item. In...

  Following the release of their crushing 2024 demo, ‘Temples Of Pestilence, ’ the Saint-Petersburg quartet has crafted their anticipated debut album, and it doesn’t disappoint! After an atmospheric intro we land at the ‘Epitome Of Fear’ which showcases their sinister, raw and no nonsense death metal, which leaves a lasting impression and leaves you eager to dive further into the dark abyss with the likes of the savage doom-esque offering ‘Devilish Prophecies’ and be hit with the unrelenting groove of ‘Decapitate The Saints’ which is armed with menacing riffs. ‘Ascent to the Crucifixion’ will consume you as you get lost amidst its overpowering, gloomy rhythms and melodies, while ‘Invocation’ will alarm you with its ominous and skilled guitarwork. The final blow, ‘Father Of Sin’, is foreboding, untamed, and powerful, a great way to end. They deliver an impressive, crushing debut album with their authentic old-school death metal infused with thrash, leaving a deep, brutal mark in a s...

  Hard rock giants BREAKING BENJAMIN are back with a brooding and haunting new single, ' Something Wicked ', signalling the latest chapter for the band and the tease of a forthcoming full-length album. Marked by their signature blend of atmospheric tension, thunderous instrumentation, and raw emotional weight, the track finds the band pushing deeper into their darker sonic territory while staying rooted in the sound that has defined them for years. 'Something Wicked' builds from a simmering, introspective opening into a powerful, anthemic crescendo, showcasing frontman Benjamin Burnley’s unmistakable vocals as they shift between vulnerable restraint and explosive intensity. Speaking on the single, Burnley shares: “'Something Wicked' is a quick look into our influences both musically and thematically. We challenged ourselves especially hard on this record and on this song. We pushed every boundary we’ve previously had as far as it will go, then pushed a little m...

  Originally released in 2006, Kiss of Death is a ferocious reminder of Motörhead’s uncompromising, no-frills spirit—and a timely nod to the legendary status they’ve earned as one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Driven by Lemmy’s unmistakable growl, backed by Phil Campbell’s blistering guitar work and Mikkey Dee’s razor-sharp precision drumming, Kiss of Death—their 18th studio album—picks up exactly where 2004’s Inferno left off. It’s Motörhead doing what they do best: loud, fast, and relentless. Leaning into the heavier edge of their sound, the album also features guest appearances from Mike Inez (Alice in Chains) and C.C. DeVille (Poison), and delivers standout cuts like 'Sucker', 'Trigger' and the fan-favourite 'God Was Never On Your Side'. Marking its 20th anniversary, this new edition sees the album newly half-speed mastered from the original tapes, with fresh liner notes from Dave Ling paying tribute to the contribution of the legendary Phil C...

  UK alternative rock band MERCERS unveil their captivating debut EP, The Liminal Tapes, out everywhere on Friday 17th July. The band have just revealed their fiery new single and video, 'Cleanse / Repeat'. Check out the video here: Formed in 2025, MERCERS are comprised of two members from nu-metallers FONY. But this is not a reunion; it’s a continuation of the long-standing partnership between vocalist Olly James and guitarist/programmer Phil Bashford, key songwriters behind FONY’s Routine Irregular and Circles. What began as a creative purge, reworking older material to finally realise its original intent, has quickly evolved into something larger. With the addition of Richard Titheradge (drums) and Simon Glover (guitars), MERCERS found a new identity. While the EP includes reimagined versions of FONY tracks, A Satire for the World and January Zen, these sit alongside new material that defines the band on their own terms: more open and expansive, and shaped by time and per...