Mad About Rock

  The 8th Hammerdown Festival heads to Chalk in Brighton for it’s biggest ever event. This time, it also features a second stage, downstairs in new venue Dust. Founded in 2014, Hammerdown Festival has welcomed the likes of Acres, Fort Hope, Thecityisours, Esoterica, InMe, South Of Salem and many more over the years, providing a platform for local emerging grassroots artists to join these national touring acts on stage. This year, The Raven Age, Dream State, and NWOBHM legends Demon and Tygers Of Pan Tang all head to Hammerdown. Managing Director Harry White said “For 2025, we’re hugely excited to be adding a second stage. It’s been a goal of ours for many years to welcome even more grass roots talent to Hammerdown via the edition of another stage, and the 2 venues we’re working with are state of the art.” Harry’s team also worked through hundreds of applications from bands to play the festival. A judging panel featuring Luke Keast of Esoterica, Adam Leader of In Search Of Sun, and ...

  The Darkness have released their scorching new single ‘Walking Through Fire’ , the latest song to be taken from their forthcoming album Dreams On Toast out March 28th via Cooking Vinyl. Watch the in-the-studio visualizer HERE Pre-order the album now HERE . ‘Walking Through Fire’ is an epic Darkness anthem with signature guitar solos, a thunderous rhythm section and high-flying falsetto flourishes which deliver an amusing ode to the band’s love of rock ‘n’ roll and the state of the music industry in 2025. Regarding the single Justin Hawkins says, “The life of an artist is gruelling endeavour, leavened with rare moments of shining success. We wade through sweet treacle every day, to make things for others to love. For we chosen few, this is akin to climbing a mountain for the glorious view, whilst studiously avoiding looking at the discarded condom that has attached itself to our stylish yet practical hiking footwear. To rephrase in less oblique tones, nothing worthwhile is ev...

  Brit newcomers, TALLBOY, are ready to carve out a prominent name for themselves with the release of their blistering new single and video, 'Name & Shame'. Check out the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sVWXKvalst4vqy2Mtt0m8 and watch their video, 'Name & Shame', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh6JFtnE1ik Hailing from Cumbria, England, TALLBOY dish up a sound that pulls together ballsy modern rock with alluring alt-metal. Despatching mammoth riffery, thoughtful arrangements, and raw and emotive vocal lines, the fast-rising five piece thoroughly ignite and engage their fans. Already lauded for a live show that is relentless and charged with high-octane energy, TALLBOY are injecting something new and exciting into the alternative metal scene. Drawing influence from the genre’s heavyweights, they have inserted a bold, forward-thinking edge to their sound, and this sets TALLBOY apart from others in their field. The powerhouse quintet have a raft...

  Following on from the last two successful events across 2023 & 2024, White Lightning PR is proud to announce the return of Brighton & Hove Pride’s Pride Rock Festival taking place this summer August 1 at Chalk. The all inclusive event originated from a desire to represent musical diversity at Brighton Pride, and showcase rock/alt talents to support the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets are on sale now HERE . Headlining the event is Sophie Lloyd with main support coming from Bex, the final support will be announced at a later date. Sophie is a trail blazing guitarist who has amassed the kind of following that even the guitar gods she grew up idolizing would be envious of, with a reach surpassing 180 million views on YouTube and over 4 million followers across her social channels. “I am beyond excited to headline Pride Rock Festival! It’s an honor to stand on that stage and celebrate the power of music and the LGBTQ+ community. Rock ‘n’ roll has always been about breaking boundarie...

  Much-rated Brit newcomers COBER MOUTH continue their swift ascent armed with their towering new single and video, 'STERIDE' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHJ5dhCmwZg Listen to the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSqUczGbrb3PvTROS66nA . Bursting out of the South West of England, COBER MOUTH announced themselves in 2023. Comprised of lifelong friends Adam Jones (Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Synths, Samples) and Dylan Plenty (Drums), and featuring the talents of Sam Windsor (Bass, Synths, and Samples), COBER MOUTH deliver deeply drenched grooves, colossal riffs, and an unrelenting intensity through both sound and emotion. The trio’s last release, Untethered, garnered strong critical acclaim with Alyx Holcombe championing the band with a Track of the Week award on BBC Radio One’s Introducing Rock. Metal Hammer also widely lauded the rising metalcorers, in addition to Alex Baker placing the band on heavy rotation for Kerrang! Fresh Blood. As well as racking up ex...

  Just over a month away from the release of their new album Zenith on 4th April, Bleed From Within are giving fans one final taste of what to expect with the release of mammoth new single 'God Complex'. On 'God Complex', the band comment: "God Complex is the anthem on Zenith. We had a great time putting this together; not over thinking it and letting the groove carry the song. The song always stood out, but Kennedys vocal performance really pushed it to the forefront of the album. It's a song about ego and what it means to us, to you, to everyone. This industry is plagued by those who have a heightened version of themselves but even in every day life, it is clear to see those that put themselves above others." Pre-order and pre-save Zenith now at: https://bleedfromwithin.bfan.link/zenith.ema ZENITH TRACKLIST 1. Violent Nature 2. In Place Of Your Halo 3. Zenith 4. God Complex 5. A Hope In Hell 6. Dying Sun 7. Immortal Desire (ft. Brann Dailor) 8. Chained...

  Urne continue to re-define the world of epic arena metal and the sacred power of The Riff with brand new single, ‘Throes Of Grief’ plus a spectacular cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘I’. Watch the lyric video for ‘Throes Of Grief’ here: https://youtu.be/bt0G80kI1nA Listen to ‘I’ here: https://URNE.lnk.to/ITOG Over the course of two studio albums plus a touring schedule taking in key festival appearances, including Download in the UK, Urne have shown that heavy music can also be heavy with atmosphere and intent…   With new single ‘I’ / ‘Throes Of Grief’, their first release since moving from Candlelight to Spinefarm, the group give a nod to the past whilst keeping eyes set on the future; ‘Throes Of Grief’ is a new original, a tightly-wound three and a half minutes of incessant guitar and vocal fire-power, featuring a signature guest solo from Avatar guitarist Tim Öhrström, while ‘I’ sees the band putting their own weighty stamp on Dio-era Sabbath.   Largely, it’s the Ozzy-era of Sabb...

  Be part of BLOODSTOCK history!! Will you be one of the very first to bear witness to BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING this December?! This brand new, one-day edition of the premier heavy metal summer weekender is set to debut this festive season on 6th December 2025. Raising the roof at the fabled KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton, this not-to-be-missed headbanger’s extravaganza will begin at 2pm in order to pack in as much high quality metal as possible. BLOODSTOCK are proud to announce the main stage headliner will be none other than legendary Swedish doom metal fiends CANDLEMASS . Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the epic five-piece are still taking stages by storm at festivals across the globe. Look out for their awesome upcoming Black Star EP, slated for release in May 2025. CANDLEMASS share, "Candlemass are proud to be a part of the Bloodstock Winter Gathering! We have always felt welcome on British soil and we're excited to be there once again and deliver our special b...

  Unmissable Brit hard rock crew, THE RATTLEBACKS, cannot be stopped. After just completing a mammoth jaunt around the UK in support of their critically acclaimed debut album, Sidewinder, which is out now, the high-flying quintet have also released their captivating new single and video, 'How Calm The Silence' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgCweNPYVeQ Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/02oqr4ZOKETIRvSrPPQgIp Formed in 2021, and hailing from Brighton, England, THE RATTLEBACKS’ arrival on the UK music scene was heralded when the electrifying rock merchants dropped their debut EP, Kink. Garnering the support of music fans and industry tastemakers, the record threw down a real marker. A series of sold-out headline performances soon followed, as well as a glut of highly successful live shows with Tailgunner. With the band’s stock on the rise, THE RATTLEBACKS headed to Lightship 95 Studios to complete work on their debut album, Sidewinder. The record arrive...

  Welsh metallers KING KRAKEN have shared their brand new single and music video for 'Hero'. The track is an emotionally charged powerhouse that the band holds very close to their hearts, playing an important part in the story of their upcoming second album 'March Of The Gods', due for self-release on 18th April. Pre-save the album here and pre-order here . Taking a step away from the thematic and sonic aggression of previous singles 'Chainsaw Saviour' and 'Berserker', 'Hero' is an incredibly personal track for KING KRAKEN. Written about the untimely passing of vocalist Mark Donoghue's father, the lyrics speak of the irreplaceable void left by a loved one and the enduring legacy that they leave behind. Watch the music video here . On the new single, the band comment: "This song came from a very personal place, a deep well of emotion. It's a tribute to Mark's dad, and it's about the profound impact a father has on his c...

  Undisputed Queens of Metal KITTIE have announced headline UK and EU tour dates, taking place in June 2025 alongside their summer festival run. The highly anticipated shows will be the band's first on this side of the world in over a decade, providing fans with an opportunity to celebrate their 2022 reunion and the release of last year's critically acclaimed album Fire , their first new album in thirteen years. KITTIE used 2024 to cement their iconic status, never pulling punches whilst boldly exploring the depths of their artistry. The campaign for the new album saw the band release a string of blistering singles as they reclaimed their metal crowns; ' Eyes Wide Open ', ' We Are Shadows ', which blazed its way through the Active Rock Top 40, ' Vultures ', ' One Foot In The Grave ' and the stunning album title track ' Fire '. Upon its release in June, the record received widespread critical acclaim, with Kerrang! calling it "straigh...

  Flipping the script, shocking the system, and surprising audiences everywhere, A Day To Remember unveil their brand new full-length record, A Day To Remember’s Big Ole Album Vol. 1, today as a Physical-First release exclusively available in Vinyl and CD configurations at various online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores now. Get it HERE via Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Music Group. A Day To Remember’s Big Ole Album Vol. 1 lands at all streaming platforms on March 21, 2025. Kickstarting this chapter, the band will share two new tracks of the album on DSPs—“Make It Make Sense” and “LeBron” this afternoon at 8PM GMT / 3pm EST. Listen HERE . Opening up the record, “Make It Make Sense” uncorks an unbridled blast of aggression and energy. The riff hits with the force of an air raid as an old-school hardcore breakdown tosses and turns beneath guttural screams. It culminates on a concentratedly crushing chant, “Glass half full, but it’s never enough. Make it make sense. Make it make sen...

  Download Festival, the greatest rock and metal festival of all time, has today added a further wave of 22 artists to an already stellar line up for its 22nd edition in 2025. The new additions include Rise Against, Opeth, Myles Kennedy, Shinedown, AWOLNATION, Power Trip, Hatebreed, Palaye Royale, Municipal Waste and more. This year’s festival will take place on 13-15 June 2025 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. General tickets are on sale now at www.downloadfestival.co.uk . Also announced today are Crossfaith, Dirty Honey, unpeople, Smash Into Pieces, MOTHICA, Zetra, Bastardane, Kids In Glass Houses, Elliot Minor, Twin Atlantic, Cattle Decapitation, PRESIDENT and NECKBREAKKER. They join a colossal line up headlined by the mighty Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn, and also featuring the likes of Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Within Temptation, Eagles Of Death Metal, The Darkness and many more. The mighty Shinedown are ret...

  British Geek Rockers Midland Railway released their melodic and quirky self-titled debut album on February 14th 2025. The album touches on some unconventional topics, from Pokémon to serial killers. In this exclusive feature, we uncover Midland Railway's debut album as the band reveals details on all songs, track-by-track! Enjoy the wild ride!  1 - She Loves Ted Bundy The album opener and lead single. This song began life as a joke idea about my girlfriend's serial killer / Ted Bundy obsession. She actually does own a Ted Bundy mug, and had gone through a phase of photoshopping Ted Bundy's face onto everything, including the cats in the album art. This song was incredibly popular from the very first time we played it, and it seems we accidentally tapped into something a lot of people (mostly women) can relate to well. It is the song people seem to know best, and long may they enjoy it.   2 - Bedroom Analysis This one is way darker. It was the first song I ever wrote...

Following the announcement of the all-star extravaganza BACK TO THE BEGINNING celebrating the true creators of heavy metal earlier this month, Black Sabbath have announced a host of further artists to the extraordinary lineup. The sold-out show will see the original Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – return to play for the first time in 20 years on July 5th at Villa Park. BACK TO THE BEGINNING, which will be hosted and compered by American actor Jason Momoa, will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow. The new acts added to the bill include Tool, Guns ‘N’ Roses and Rival Sons, who will join Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Mastodon. The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Andrew Watt, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Dave Ellefson, Vernon Reid (Living Colour) and Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe), will join Billy Corg...

  As the band prepares to release their brand new studio album Sleepless Empire, Italian metal titans LACUNA COIL have released the ultimate single ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ alongside a stunning music video. ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ is about the emotional turmoil and struggle that accompanies toxic relationships. The song’s video, which premieres this evening at 8pm GMT, takes the track’s heavy theme and spins it into a romantic Goth tale just in time for Valentine’s Day. Filmed by Martina L McLean in a church in Capranica, a small town north of Rome, it marks a first in the history of LACUNA COIL: the band performing a choreography! STREAM HERE WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE On the new single, the band shares: “We all have this person we wish never existed, right? We all felt the need to erase the same person from our thoughts, someone who hurt us that it’s still in our mind. We wanted to write heavier lyrics on a happier musical canvas. Also we are a little tired of being politically c...