Mad About Rock

  One of the year’s most highly-anticipated debut albums, Better Lovers’ 'Highly Irresponsible' arrives Oct. 25 via SharpTone Records, and in the lead-up, the band – comprised of Jordan Buckley, Goose Holyoak, Stephen Micciche, Greg Puciato, and Will Putney - has offered up a second preview with today’s release of “Future Myopia” ( https://youtu.be/buhX7go8eQ8 ). “Not that all of them weren’t, but this one was a lot of fun to write,” Greg Puciato says of the explosive track. “The bass-centric part in the back half of the song is one of my favorite moments on the whole record. Shout out to big Mitch. Same with the riff that comes after it. There were a lotta fun pitches to hit/alley-oops to catch for me in this one. Chorus took me a minute so that was a nice puzzle to figure out too. It’s been a joy writing with these guys and having so much different stuff thrown at me.” Better Lovers first previewed the new album news with the release of “A White Horse Covered in Blood,” a sin...

  Italian progressive alt-rock band KLOGR are set to release their highly anticipated new album, 'Fractured Realities.' This compelling collection of music prepares them for a special guest appearance supporting Evergrey on their extensive UK-European tour this November and December. After a seven-year hiatus following their last album, 'Keystone,' KLOGR triumphantly returns with 'Fractured Realities.' Initiated during the lockdown, the album faced several delays due to personal challenges among the members but was finally completed in June 2024. 'Fractured Realities' marks a new chapter for the band, characterised by resilience and innovation. Gabriele 'Rusty' Rustichelli, the mastermind behind KLOGR, shared: "It wasn’t easy to get back on the scene after producing our album, 'Keystone', with David Bottrill (known for his work with Tool, Stone Sour, and Dream Theater) and spending two years touring. The pandemic forced us to pause e...

  There’s nothing more pissed off and aggressive than a young thrash band! Back in the 80’s thrash manifested from angry teenagers who wanted to rage against the system, the politicians and their lives in general.. Whilst not from the Bay in 1985, Exaust from Cwmbran South Wales, with an average age of 18, show that nearly 40 years later the thrash metal spirit is still going hard, still venomous, still full of vigor and spite and still making us want to mosh! The Band explain ‘BTC (or Bite the Curb) is a track full of drive, aggression and hate. It fits how we as young people feel with the state of some entitled people in the UK and we want to show them a piece of OUR MINDS!! We want you to feel the passion of hate as we do when you listen to this track as we unleash our emotions through the music!’ Recorded at One Louder Studio, Newport Mixed and Mastered by Blacklist & Tone Death Media, Blackpool Artwork by Yarndog Lyric Video by UK Thrashers So strap up those high tops, tu...

  Oxford’s fast-rising nu-metal outfit Arimea have today unveiled their brand-new single ‘Liminal’. Using their staple nu-metal approach of modulated guitars and DJ samples, the refreshingly raw quartet sonically take a dark and melancholic turn with ‘Liminal’. Stream the track here or watch via YouTube below. Exploring the lyrical context, bassist Joe Landles mentions, “I began writting lyrics written one late night while researching the occultist Alestair Crowley, eroto-comatose lucidity and the philosophies surrounding them”. Diving deeper on the inspiration behind some particularly visceral lyrical content, Joe reflects that “I wanted to bring those captivating elements of Crowley's beliefs very much to the forefront. Let’s be honest, there’s always a perverse intrigue into the less family friendly practices of the occult, those that address sexuality and attempts to talk a higher power as we do in LIMINAL.” For the first time ever ‘Liminal’ sees Arimea exploring both female a...

  Dutch symphonic metal titans, EPICA, are thrilled to announce a special livestream event for one of their highly anticipated "The Symphonic Synergy" shows, set to take place in Amsterdam with a full orchestra and choir. This unique sold out performance, scheduled for September 20th at 20:00 CEST (19:00 LONDON, 15:00 SAO PAULO, 14:00 NEW YORK, 12:00 MEXICO CITY and 11:00 AM LOS ANGELES TIME), will showcase the band’s signature fusion of their greatest hits and secret fan favourites with soaring orchestral arrangements, guest performers and plenty of surprises including new music! Fans from all around the world who are unable to attend the show in person will now have the opportunity to experience the concert in real time through a professional multicam livestream. The band comments: "We’re beyond excited to bring this special show to every Epican anywhere in the world! 'The Symphonic Synergy' is more than just a concert—it's a celebration of everything Epica...

  Metal band FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY is thrilled to share their brand new single “ Savior Of None / Ashes Of All ”. Along with the track comes a new music video, which fans can watch here: https://youtu.be/sbtQl9dhP7w . “Savior Of None / Ashes Of All” comes from the band’s forthcoming album The Nothing That Is which is set to be released on October 25th via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order/pre-save the album now at https://ffaa.bfan.link/the-nothing-that-is . On the new track, the band shares: “’Savior Of None / Ashes Of All’ is a reflection of the inherent darkness surrounding one’s struggle to find a place of peace within the pressures of existence. The root causes of suffering that leads us to depression, addiction, etc. can be ever-present in everyone. Whether or not it materializes in a controlling way, it certainly exists as a stain on the human psyche. It’s a powerful thought knowing that we all share this potential to self destruct, and how that can bring comfort in not feeling alone, ...

  Award nominated independent rock and metal festival, Takedown Festival has today announced it’s return in 2025. The festival will take place at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th April 2024 with tickets set to go on sale on Friday 30th August 2024 at 9am BST. After announcing the postponement of the 2024 edition due to the basement development works on the Grade II building, Takedown Festival are hugely proud to announce it’s return in 2025 with the prolific Elvana (Elvis fronted Nirvana) headlining the Saturday and former MMA fighter fronted Kris Barras Band headlining the Friday. Joining Elvana and Kris Barras Band for a star-studded lineup will be Welsh alt-rockers Dreamstate, two-time MOBO award nominated Kid Bookie, fast rising UK metalcore stars Acres, Lake Malice, InVisions, URNE, The Nightmares, Ferocious Dog, Blanket and many more. Kai and Sarah Harris of Takedown Festival Ltd said, “We are unbelievably happy to be able to share the line up for Taked...

  Devin Townsend is pleased to announce the release of his forthcoming new studio album ‘PowerNerd’ on the 25th October 2024 (InsideOutMusic). Devin Townsend’s career is one of many distinct eras. He’s been the leader of Strapping Young Lad, the lynchpin of the Devin Townsend Project and the co-architect of country duo Casualties of Cool, all while maintaining his prolific and lauded solo project. Now, the polymath’s newest era starts with ‘PowerNerd’. “It was a conscious thing,” Devin says of his brand-new album, the music on which he wrote in just 11 days. “I thought, ‘I’ve spent so much time overthinking every aspect of my work – what would happen if I didn’t?’ Maybe I would have the opportunity to be a bit more direct with what it is that I’m trying to do. I really wanted to see if I could cut through some of the meandering.” A song that embodies that, is the album’s title track (which features a guest spot from Jamey Jasta), and you can watch the video for that high-speed ramp...

  Exhilarating modern metallers, HollowKin, draw a line in the sand with their colossal debut EP, Confessions & Failures, which is out on Friday 15th November. The unstoppable quintet have also released a blistering new single and video, A Pilgrimage, out now. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwxosskJdoo Listen to the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SvhacCmtmxkd1Np3ww5xa Formed in late 2023, HollowKin immediately put themselves to work, and quickly accumulated a barrage of top-end quality material which allowed the industrious metal crew to begin work on their debut EP. In May 2024, the fiery riff merchants unleashed their debut single, In Hersey. The single spiked strong interest and has paved the way for their upcoming EP, Confessions & Failures. By taking from a slew of influences, HollowKin have created a powerful sound that is massive and completely absorbing. The Bath-based five-piece fuse the groove-drenched riffery of Lamb Of God wit...

  The wait is over. Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have returned with their massively anticipated album, Opera, today! Available for stream and purchase now from Nuclear Blast Records, the baroque operatic band’s 6th record is a ferocious collection of intense, volatile tracks directly inspired by frontman Francesco Paoli’s 2021 near fatal mountain climbing accident. Today, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE unveils the turbulent video for the opus ‘Morphine Waltz’; a turbulent glimpse at the band’s raging stage show. Commenting on the track Paoli says: “‘Morphine Waltz’, THE visionary song par excellence, has a much deeper meaning, which goes beyond its lysergic atmosphere. It’s actually a true anthem to science, which once again has proved itself to be the only reality that counts. But this track is also a perfect demonstration that our new line-up is on a whole new level, showcasing Veronica’s amazing versatility besides Eugene’s and Fabio’s insane technical skills...

  In a striking blend of heavy metal and traditional Taiwanese culture, Efflore, one of Taiwan's strongest emerging metal bands, has released a new single titled "Ì-À-Koo (The Chair Oujia)." The song brings to life a nearly forgotten Taiwanese divination ritual, casting a spotlight on a unique cultural practice that has largely disappeared in modern times. The ritual of "Ì-À-Koo" involved unmarried women using an overturned chair, adorned with symbolic items, as a conduit to communicate with spirits. This ancient form of divination, similar to the Western Ouija board, is believed to have once been a common practice among young women in Taiwan. However, as the years have passed, the ritual has faded into obscurity, known by only a few. Efflore's new single not only revives this fascinating piece of Taiwanese history but also incorporates traditional instruments such as the Yue Qin, also known as the Moon Guitar, and percussion typically heard in Taiwanese t...

  Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols today announce 4 more dates around the UK. Having debuted with 3 amazing fundraising nights at London’s Bush Hall this month, the foursome are ready to take their devastating show to the UK…. Critics were united in their praise for the band, who promptly announced a new London date at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London for 26 September, which sold out in 5 minutes. The new shows are this September at Nottingham Rock City (20th), Birmingham O2 Academy (21st), Glasgow O2 Academy (22nd) and Manchester Academy (24th). The rest of the U.K. can now experience the sonic onslaught of the foursome as they blast out the classic album Never Mind The Bollocks and more. Members of one of the most influential rock bands of all time are joined by the electric frontman Frank Carter to perform the Sex Pistols’ iconic 1977 album Never Mind The Bollocks in full. “There was an overwhelming response on social media from fans askin...

  Celebrating a landmark body of work, iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning heavy rock band Mastodon proudly presents Crack The Skye (15TH Anniversary) editions out October 4, 2024. The group have carefully assembled the ultimate vision of their groundbreaking 2009 concept album, Crack The Skye. Boasting a bevy of exclusive and essential extras, it will be available in multiple configurations: 2LP & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box, 2CD & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box, 2LP Deluxe Vinyl, 2CD Deluxe, and Digital Deluxe. Pre-order/Pre-save HERE All configurations notably feature a newly remastered version of the original album on Disc 1, while Disc 2 houses Crack The Skye: The Score, which includes instrumentals of every track now available in physical format since its initial limited release in 2009. The deluxe limited editions feature brand-new artwork designed by the band's long-time collaborator, Paul Romano. Additionally, the vinyl and CD deluxe limited editions both have exclusive art. The Blu-Ray showc...

  Photo Credit – Abbi Draper-Scott Bloodstock festival continues to grow each year, with 2024's event being their biggest yet. This was evident by selling out weekend tickets and Saturday day tickets, a mighty achievement that was well deserved and expected considering the magnitude of the line-up. Thursday 8th August Tailgunner - Photo Credit - Abbi Draper-Scott New traditional metallers Tailgunner only launched in 2022 and released their debut album, 'Guns For Hire,' in July last year. They have already made a name for themselves. I was very impressed with their performance at a rammed-out tent on the Sophie Lancaster stage, which was the first band on the festival's opening day for me, and what a way to kick things off. The crowd and energy were insane, with constant mosh pits and crowd surfers for the entirety of their 40-minute set, showing just how much support the band have and making them an unstoppable force that is only surely going to rise in the ranks. It ...