Mad About Rock

  Download Festival, the greatest celebration of alternative music in the UK, united fans to witness its most expansive and diverse lineup yet. Over five incredible days, Donington Park, the spiritual home of rock, burst to life as the Download community joined forces once again. From returning champions of the main stage, to the genre's most formidable acts and hotly tipped newcomers, this year's festival had something for everyone. The beloved and long-running gathering of rockers, moshers and metalheads was headlined by Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park, while the hardcore haven also stepped into new and exciting territory, shining a spotlight on the buzziest up-and-comers the genre has to offer. Limp Bizkit kicked off proceedings with a barnstorming set on Friday, sparking waves of crowd-surfing as far as the eye could see. Rock and roll legends Guns N’ Roses followed on Saturday with a vast catalogue of classic hits, while Linkin Park, returning 12 years after the...

  Taken from the recently announced expanded 20th anniversary edition of Kiss Of Death, the Lowlands Festival performance of ‘Be My Baby’ is taken from the previously unreleased radio broadcast of Motörhead’s 2007 performance at the hallowed Dutch festival. 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 ...

  Ahead of the August 7 release of their eighth studio album, Give Me Dirt, six-time JUNO-nominated Canadian hardcore punk heavyweights, Cancer Bats, unleash the blistering new single “Long Tooth”. The track is now available on all digital streaming platforms HERE . Featuring guest vocals from queer indie folk singer-songwriter Brooklyn Doran, “Long Tooth” is about living in the present instead of worrying about the future. Since there’s often little we can do until things unfold, it’s a reminder to enjoy the moment and not take life too seriously. “The chorus reflects a realisation I’ve been having lately,” shares lead vocalist Liam Cormier. “I’m at the halfway point of my life (and yes, I fully intend to make it to at least 92). Like many people, I’ve spent years trying to fix certain parts of myself. Lately, I’ve found myself wondering whether those things really need fixing at all. They’ve carried me this far and have helped shape who I am. At some point, self-improvement g...

  THE LARCHES continue their climb with the release of their biting new single and video, 'Raxidermy', out now. Watch the video here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELxzR2DSSoM The band will also unveil their much-anticipated new EP, Nihilistic Majesties, on Friday 24th July. Hailing from Teesside, THE LARCHES deliver an intense fusion of raw heavy alternative rock and sludge metal. The band are carving out a sound that will resonate with fans of Acid Bath, Eyehategod, and Crowbar, combining punishing low-end weight with earnest emotional intensity. Known for their uncompromising approach, they are rapidly establishing themselves within the modern sludge underground. Their upcoming EP, Nihilistic Majesties, comprises five blistering and brutal tracks that drag listeners through murky soundscapes of despair, defiance, and decay. The record stands as their most unfiltered statement to date, channelling the suffocating atmosphere of early sludge pioneers while pushing further...

  We exclusively caught up with Brit alternative rock trio VEINS who are poised to drop their long-awaited debut album, 'A New Forever', due Friday 5th June. The band have given us this track by track breakdown of the album: “ Criminal is about how life can shift in an instant. Perceptions change with the press of a button. Good becomes evil, and public opinion rules, regardless of the facts. In a world where clickbait is king, reality becomes distorted and the truth is ignored". " Reign Down is about defying the hand you’ve been dealt. Inspired by frontman Stevie Rees’ sister’s battle with neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic disease causing tumors on the brain and spine, the song explores survival, resilience, and the relentless urge to embrace life fully, cherishing every fleeting moment." "I Keep Falling is inspired by the short film Nuit Blanche by Arev Manoukian. It captures a fleeting, magical moment between two strangers, revealing an intense yet...

  We’re excited to announce the final band to the Mangata Festival 2026 line up along with some exciting partnerships! Overhead, the Albatross complete our 2026 line up! Overhead, The Albatross seamlessly bridges the familiar and the extraordinary in post-rock, blending ethereal strings, electronic textures, and synths with the raw, unfiltered energy of guitars and drums. Founded in 2009, the band captivated audiences with their critically acclaimed debut album, Learning to Growl. Now re-emerging as a quartet after a reflective hiatus, Overhead returns with their sophomore release, I Leave You This. This album is both a vast, expansive odyssey and an intimately woven narrative, marking a quiet yet profound evolution in the experimental post-rock landscape. Renowned for their explosive live performances, cinematic soundscapes, and atmospheric grandeur, Overhead, The Albatross is poised to continue redefining the boundaries of the post-rock genre—pushing their artistry into uncharted...

  Rising from the UK underground, GARROW HILL return with a new release that builds on everything they’ve been developing over the years: heavy, dark, and firmly on their own terms. The band have just dropped their engulfing new single and video, Eaten by Crows, which will be followed by their five-track stunning EP, IX, out on Friday 31st July. Check out the video here: Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HtlCT7j5PgwprquhXHjP5 . The York-based duo formed by lifelong friends Stewart King and P.G. Branton have often been labelled too obscure or too DIY, but GARROW HILL have stuck to their own path, shaping a sound that draws from alternative heavy rock, post-punk, and the harsher edges of ’90s metal. There’s a strong sense of place running through it, reflecting York’s mix of a polished surface with something darker underneath. IX sees that sound pushed further — tighter and more direct, without losing the atmosphere they’ve built over time. Eaten by Crows se...