Mad About Rock

  The much loved and award winning ARCTANGENT Festival returns this summer in August, and can today reveal another host of amazing acts for the event. Starting off with huge ATG fans favourite, the Leicester born, instrumental post rock band Maybeshewill, critically acclaimed Scottish and American mathcore band Frontierer, and recently reformed Welsh post hardcore band Mclusky (who are releasing their new album 'The World Is Still Here and So Are We' in May through Mike Patton's Ipecac label). Joining them in this announcement and in August are Irish post-rock (with a side order of electronics) from County Wicklow, God Is An Astronaut (as an exclusive UK show), hugely exciting (and recent Kerrang! cover stars) Atlanta Georgia sextet The Callous Daoboys (as a UK exclusive festival show), and a few HUGE silent disco sets from Nordic Giants, AK/DK, Yard and JOHN CXNNOR (performing an exclusive Doom Rave DJ-set). On top of the bands, the brand new ARCTANGENT Festival App has no...

  Evanescence has released a brand-new song. “Afterlife,” is co-written by Alex Seaver of Mako and Evanescence’s Amy Lee and co-produced by Nick Raskulinecz and Alex Seaver. “Afterlife” will be released by Netflix where an alternate version will appear multiple times in their new animated series of Devil May Cry. The lyric video dropped yesterday on March 27th, the song is available on all audio streaming services and the soundtrack album for the series will be released on April 3rd. Listen to the track HERE. Watch the lyric video HERE . In this animated adaptation of the popular Capcom game and from the vision of Adi Shankar, sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck. While Evanescence is primarily focused on creating new music this year, they also have some exciting performances planned for 2025, which incl...

  With less than three months to go, Download Festival has revealed its thrilling line-up for District X – Download’s renowned festival within a festival. Featuring iconic pop legends Vengaboys, special DJ sets from festival favourites, intimate acoustic performances, electrifying secret sets, new quizzes, live podcasts, comedy, and unique entertainment experiences, District X promises to take Downloaders into another dimension. Taking place from 11–15 June 2025 at the legendary Donington Park, Download Festival continues to redefine festival experiences beyond the main arena. Last remaining weekend tickets are available now at www.downloadfestival.co.uk . District X expands the Download experience with entertainment running around-the-clock, creating another dimension that sets Download apart. Offering a wide range of activities beyond the music, from immersive performances to interactive events, it ensures festivalgoers have something to enjoy at any hour. This year’s diverse pr...

  2024 was the year of Bruce Dickinson, as he rocked the world with the release of his seventh solo album, THE MANDRAKE PROJECT, and an accompanying tour across Europe and South America. Never content to simply do the expected, Dickinson also released a companion comic series by the same name as an integral part of The MANDRAKE PROJECT identity. The series, which had been brewing in Dickinson’s head for over a decade, was received to thunderous acclaim. Now, Z2 is proud to announce the impending release on August 5th 2025 of THE MANDRAKE PROJECT: YEAR ONE, which collects the first four issues in the series, along with the prologue. (Previously only available in the vinyl release of the single for Afterglow of Ragnarok.) Additionally, the oversized 12”x12”, 184 page volume Deluxe Editions include an extensive series of interviews and essays recounting the road Dickinson and the creative team took in bringing the album, tour, and comic series to life. With an introduction by Sons of...

  Following the recent announcement of MALEVOLENCE’s hugely anticipated new album, the Steel City shredders have revealed the details of their biggest UK & EU headline tour to date, which culminates in a huge show at London's O2 Academy Brixton on Sunday 9th November. Frontman Alex Taylor comments: “Yo! We are very excited to announce the biggest headline tour of career yet… It’s absolutely insane to us that we are booked in these huge, historic & legendary venues and we need all of your support to prove to the world of metal that we are capable to smash them as a headliner. We put together the sickest support bill we could possibly find, featuring some of the coolest current bands from across the world - with the goal of creating the biggest and baddest Malev show of all time. We can’t wait. See you in Brixton Academy!” MALEVOLENCE UK & EU 2025 27.10 - FR, Toulouse - Bikini Club 28.10 - FR, Paris - Elysee Montmartre 30.10 - DE, Munich - Backstage 31.10 - DE, Leipzig ...

  Legendary Leeds-based metal festival GHOSTFEST have dropped their killer second wave of bands for the festival's 2025 edition, taking place on 21st June, 2025 at Leeds University Union. Joining the already killer line-up of bands such as Humanity's Last Breath, Signs Of The Swarm, Desolated & much more, we have: Returning death metal legends Ingested, who serve as the festival's third headliner. Iconic metalcore outfit Heart Of A Coward, also returning after serving as a staple band for the festival in previous editions. New-school beatdown/geezacore pioneers Pintglass, who will be bringing the GTHC spirit to GHOSTFEST for the very first time. Hardcore outfit Demoraliser, for a very special reunion set, performing Reform. Repent. Revenge. in full. And lastly, deathcore newcomers Veiled, who join the festival following the release of their debut album, SE/CT, in late 2024. The festival's 2025 edition and long-awaited return also serves as its 20th anniversary editi...

  BLOODSTOCK’s motto has always been, “by the fans, for the fans.” A new initiative starting in 2025 and being announced today typifies this perfectly. Not only that, BLOODSTOCK is pleased to share two very well-deserving charity partners for 2025’s event, and confirm the return of the CD & t-shirt amnesty, as part of some fund-raising efforts. Read on for more details… BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce The 100! A lucky 50 weekend ticket holders will be chosen at random to be a part of a range of special experiences at this summer’s event! The 50 metalheads selected will have the option of inviting a +1 to join them, providing they are also in possession of a weekend ticket, to enjoy the following complimentary experiences and perks with them: Backstage tour and meet & greet with one of the Festival Directors! Load-in tour – high chances of bumping into and watching one of the headliners load in on the main stage! The 100 Goody-Bag. Includes collectable merchandise and limi...

  Steel City Kings MALEVOLENCE have announced the details of their hugely anticipated new album, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, set to be released on the 20th June via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records. Alongside the news of their new album, MALEVOLENCE have also released the video for their monumental new single 'If It's All The Same To You'. Featuring acting legend Alan Ford, who most famously appeared as Brick Top in Guy Ritchie's classic British gangster film Snatch, the band's new video is their biggest visual production to date. It sees the five-piece take on an elaborate art heist, before engaging in a white knuckle car chase with the Police. There may even be some easter eggs to be found throughout that hint at what MALEVOLENCE have in store for the future. On their new album, the band comment: "'Where Only the Truth Is Spoken’ is a level up in every sense—musically, lyrically, and visually. This was our first time recording outside ...

  Universal Pictures Content Group announce it has commenced production on an official untitled Iron Maiden feature documentary. Universal Pictures Content Group hold global rights and Universal Pictures International is set to release in cinemas internationally in Autumn 2025, coinciding with the band’s 50th anniversary year. US theatrical distribution is yet to be confirmed. The long-awaited documentary is an emotive journey through Iron Maiden’s 50 Year history told from the perspective of both the band and some of their most devoted followers - from longstanding superfans to established names from the worlds of film and music such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Gene Simmons. The documentary will also feature exclusive interviews with pivotal band members including the final interview with original vocalist, Paul Di'Anno, who sadly died last year. Featuring rare archival footage and all-new animated sequences of the band's legendary mascot, Eddie, the film offers a uniq...

  Brit heavy rock crew, GARROW HILL, are making new friends and picking up fresh fans with their hugely pleasing beefy rock merged with captivating hooks and pounding riffery. Igniting glowing comparisons to Iron Maiden, Guns N Roses, and Metallica, GARROW HILL are ready to rise, loaded with their engrossing new single and video, Camouflage, which is out now. Watch the video below:   Check out the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HtlCT7j5PgwprquhXHjP5 Formed in York, England, GARROW HILL are an enticing duo comprised of Stew King (vocals and guitar) and P.G. Branton (drums and vocals). Solid friends since before their teens, the pair grew up together in the mud-soaked festival fields of Download and Leeds, whilst bonding over the decibels and mosh pits. Unapologetically raw and emotive, GARROW HILL fuse alternative rock’s dark romance with post-punk's sharp edges, peppering proceedings with Maiden-esque riffs. The band’s alluring sound echoes the past but also collid...

  Rising from the depths of the outlaw underworld, British theatrical rock act 'FangSlinger' return with their latest single 'Bare Your Teeth'. A raw and untamed fusion of tribal rhythms, heavy guitars and dark seductive vocals. The track delivers an intoxicating blend of hard rock, blues and country swagger, tailor-made for fans of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Ghost. Accompanying the release is a striking music video with it's abstract fever-dream of gothic western splendour that visually captures the essence of the band's dark mythology. The imagery portrays the vampire curse consuming it's host. A haunting representation of transformation, self-expression and rebellion against societal norms. 'Bare Your Teeth' is a battle cry for those who refuse to conform. An anthem for the outcasts, the wild at heart and those who dare to embrace their true nature. 'This song is about shedding the masks society forces upon us' says FangSlinger himself...

  Thames & Hudson are delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of IRON MAIDEN: Infinite Dreams - The Official Visual History, to be published globally in hardback in autumn 2025. A magnificent visual celebration of the first 50 years of Iron Maiden, this new book chronicles the evolution of heavy metal’s most prestigious band, with unparalleled input from band members and management. A truly spectacular and beautiful book, featuring never-before-seen items and photographs, which have been curated with enormous attention to detail over a number of years, it celebrates one of Britain’s most influential and biggest-selling bands, who have become arguably the biggest metal band in the world. Organized chronologically, Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams tells the story of the band from their first pub gigs in 1975 and their first record deal in 1979, through the recording and reception of groundbreaking albums, including their self-titled debut, 1982’s global breakthrough The Num...

  The unstoppable Welsh alternative crew, Revolution Rabbit Deluxe charge on with their thunderous new single and video, 'Parabellum' -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR9lHLMpse4 .  The alt crew recently signed a deal with the indie imprint Bad Monkey Records. Loaded with a new single and with the promise of their sixth album on the way, with the band on the rise, we caught up with the guys to find out more... What is the full band line-up, and who sings and plays which instrument? The line-up is Rev Rabbit (Guitar, Synths, Vox); Max Perera (Guitar, Vox); Lee Titters (Drums) and Tim Lawley (Bass). How and when did the band form? Also, can you tell us anything interesting about your hometown? Rev Rabbit: The band originated as a solo project by Rev Rabbit, but it expanded with members from an autism group that I was attending. Those members have long since departed, but that musical journey led me to Max, our amazing lead guitarist and an awesome drummer, Lee. Sad...