Mad About Rock

  Last week, Evanescence performed their hit single, “Afterlife” at The Game Awards, celebrating the intersection of music and gaming. The show was seen by over 100 million people globally. Spotify spotlighted the performance by releasing a special Spotify Single of Gunship’s remix of “Afterlife”. Listen to the track HERE. Singer Amy Lee said “We’ve been looking for an excuse to work with Gunship for too long, and I couldn’t be more excited about this dark new version. Being a part of the Devil May Cry series has been an honour and too much fun”. “Afterlife” dominated the charts upon release reaching the No. 1 spot on both Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and Mediabase’s Active Rock Radio chart in both the U.S. and Canada. The band also appeared at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas event with their special guest K-Flay (performing their collaboration “Fight Like A Girl” and who will be opening their UK dates next year), as well as an appearance by Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shadd...

  Shortly after completing their 'Sleepless Empire UK/EU' tour, Italian metal icons LACUNA COIL continue their live momentum with the announcement of their 'Sleepless Empire US' tour, which is set to start in March 2026. With this run of dates, the band brings their signature dark atmosphere and the emotional intensity of new album Sleepless Empire to stages across North America. LACUNA COIL return to the US with special guests Escape The Fate, as well as VOWWS (24/3 - 13/4) and AXTY (15/4 - 29/4). The tour is set to start in New York on 24th March and concludes in Albany on 1st May. Tickets go on general sale Friday 19th December at 10am local time. See the full list of upcoming tour dates here . The announcement comes with a corresponding new official video for ‘Hosting the Shadow’, that shows LACUNA COIL in full force during their set at Aftershock festival in October 2025. Joining them on stage is Lamb Of God-frontman Randy Blythe, who is featured on the album trac...

  photo credit: Marek Sabogal BATTLE BEAST have announced that long-time vocalist Noora Louhimo will be departing the band. The news was shared on the band’s official social media channels yesterday. While the band bids farewell to a defining voice in its history, BATTLE BEAST are equally thrilled to introduce their new singer: Marina La Torraca. The band states: "One story ends, another begins. We’re excited to start this new chapter and introduce you to the new voice of Battle Beast, Marina.” photo credit: Jord Otto Marina La Torraca is a Brazilian vocalist from São Paulo, best known as the powerhouse frontwoman of modern metal band Phantom Elite and as a member of the symphonic metal project Exit Eden. She began performing in her teens in local cover bands before moving into formal training, including studying musical theatre in New York. Renowned for her versatile, commanding vocal range, Marina effortlessly transitions from dramatic, melodic passages to fierce, harsh screams....

  Fresh off BLOODSTOCK’s inaugural Winter Gathering, this holiday season BLOODSTOCK gifts metalheads something seriously heavy: five exclusive, newly released, pro-shot videos from GOJIRA’s earth-shaking 2025 headline performance, individually re-engineered with the band’s sound engineer to create the best and heaviest listening experience possible. Dropping across the holiday period, these live cuts capture the French titans at full power - a perfect festive binge for fans hungry for riffs. Your essential festive viewing includes “Stranded,” the groove-driven anthem from their 2016 released Magma opus, which airs first, blazing with the ferocity that made it a modern classic. “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!),” which made waves after the band’s blistering performance during the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, drops next. “Only Pain” follows, also taken from Magma, and showcases GOJIRA’s signature blend of precision and emotional weight. Next, the band’s crushing take on “Under The Sun...

  We’re excited to announce 22 new band additions and a venue update for Mangata Festival 2026, taking place on Saturday 5 September 2026 in Nottingham. With five stages spread across three city-centre venues, this is shaping up to be the biggest edition of Mangata Festival yet. We’re pleased to confirm that Mangata Festival 2026 will once again feature five stages, working closely with Rescue Rooms, Rock City, and The Tap & Tumbler. Rescue Rooms will host the Main Stage, with the Red Room stage upstairs, located at Masonic Place, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham (NG1 5LB). Just a few minutes away, Rock City on Talbot Street (NG1 5GG) will host the Beta stage and the Black Cherry Lounge stage. Around the corner, the Tap & Tumbler at 33 Wollaton Street (NG1 5FW) will host our fifth stage, which will be free entry with no ticket required. On the Rescue Rooms Main Stage, joining previously announced Raised By Owls, Red Method, and In Search of Sun, we’re thrilled to welcome our ...

  We exclusively caught up with Edinburgh’s masked metalcore outlier OBELISK who releases his debut album, 'Brushed By Darkness', on Friday 12th December. Check out the below track by track breakdown: Slifer the Executive Producer "An instrumental track which shows the beautiful components that can then turn ugly." Where do you end? "This is a song at its core that’s about people that pick and choose. Whether that’s a narcissistic person who can’t admit they’re wrong, or a religious person who likes to pick and choose their morals when they see fit. Lots of energy in this one." Karameleon "This one is about good old karma. I worked in an industry that was full of cliques, and this is what it’s written about. People throw stones in glass houses, talking from a throne when they have no idea others are doing the same. The fitness industry is a callous and cold place." Working Class Zero "Written quite clearly about the disparity of wealth, and ...

  Much-acclaimed Celtic punk artist NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE (Owen Crawford) returns with his most personal and powerful work yet. His new album, As Everything Else Decays, arrives Friday 27th February, led by the gripping new single and video, 'A Demon In The Dark', out now. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_t6yCi2Ubo Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0OnpSg0QUzp3ZB4AJDNT4N . Blending energetic rhythms, intricate instrumentation, and heartfelt punk authenticity, NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE delivers a sound that’s both serious and fun. Expect gripping anthems tackling corrupt governments, anti-fascism, mental health struggles, loss, and bad decisions — all infused with hope — alongside songs about everyday absurdities: being intimidated by teenagers at the skate park, politicians’ bedroom habits, and trying not to be a poser (with a beer in hand, of course). A true DIY punk powerhouse, NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE handles every aspect of his craft — from...

  The Darkness merrily announce their new single ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ out now via Cooking Vinyl. Arriving on this 5th day of Advent, the beloved British rock band peel open the door to reveal a delicious new take on Cliff Richard’s yuletide song. Listen here / watch the video here . As the cracker pops, synths dance to the unmistakable melody, heavy strung-out riffs plough through as bells ring, and a powerful rhythmic stomp explodes as Justin Hawkins’s passionate vocal performance rings out, all bolstered by delightful choral harmony. Regarding the single Justin says, “Season’s greetings! Children, roasting on an open fire, their eyeballs all aglow, are weeping in awe of our latest seasonal offering. ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ represents a musical departure for The Darkness as we reimagine Richie Clifton’s timeless classic and add a few sprinkles of shoegaze and drone. Jack Frost staring at his toes? You will be too. In a good way.” The release closes out yet another triumphant yea...

  #1 Global Power Metal Band and one of Sweden’s most successful bands SABATON today release their latest video, 'Crossing The Rubicon'. It’s taken from their brand new studio album LEGENDS, out now via Better Noise Music, marking the band’s label debut. SABATON released a special version of 'Crossing The Rubicon' to radio in September featuring singer Jonny Hawkins and guitarist Mark Vollelunga of Nothing More. The track is currently positioned at #17 on the Billboard “Mainstream Rock Airplay” chart and #18 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart. Listen to the album version of 'Crossing The Rubicon' here and watch its corresponding truly epic video here . As bassist Pär Sundström says, it was filmed at a historic location in Italy. “This was one of the most enjoyable music videos we’ve ever made. Everything flowed smoothly thanks to the amazing energy of the actors and the unique charm of the location. We spent two days filming in Sabbioneta, Italy, at the Tea...

  SCRATCH ONE GRUB emerge from the valleys with their debut album One, arriving Friday 27 February. Blending progressive ambition, alt-metal grit, and raw emotion, the Welsh six-piece stake their claim as one of the UK’s most exciting new heavy acts. Their new single, #1, out now, delivers biting rhythms, big hooks, and intricate musicianship — a bold introduction to their sound. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uGqee_0lAY Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FET2hG6ku5SehywtEQ2NX Formed in Aberdare, South Wales, SCRATCH ONE GRUB comprises Aled Trigg (Vocals), Lewis Griffiths (Drums/Vocals), Sean ‘The Grub Man’ Barry (Samples/Vocals), Evan Cook (Lead Guitar), Alex Lewis (Rhythm Guitar), and Zac Cross (Bass). Since their formation, the band have quickly earned a reputation for their genre-defying sound and visceral live energy — blending the expansive scope of modern progressive metal with the urgency and heart of the alt scene. Sharing stages with th...

  Legendary metal titans MEGADETH have teamed with Trafalgar Releasing for MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK, a cinematic legacy event that will debut on screens worldwide Thursday, January 22—on the eve of the release of the band’s final studio album out January 23. The film will screen in over 1,000 cinemas across 35+ countries. Tickets go on sale Thursday, December 11 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET with a trailer available for viewing on the same day. For more information and to sign up for updates, fans can visit megadethfilm.com. In MEGADETH: BEHIND THE MASK, Dave Mustaine pulls back the curtain on 40 years of MEGADETH, sharing untold stories of the band’s past and the creative fire that drives them. Interwoven throughout, audiences will get to experience the world premiere of MEGADETH'S new self-titled album in full, brought to life with a 40-year retrospective career-spanning interview and Mustaine’s own track-by-track reflections about the band’s final studio album. This o...

  Evanescence will be hitting the road again in 2026, playing North American dates before heading across the pond for UK and European dates. Special guest Poppy will support on all UK & European shows with Nova Twins opening outside the UK. K-Flay, who features on Evanescence’s latest single, “Fight Like A Girl,” will open the UK shows. The UK dates will be presented by AEG while the European shows, other than Paris, will be presented by Eventim. Paris will be presented by Saloni Productions and AEG. Evanescence has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1/£1/€1 from every ticket sold will support organizations providing humanitarian aid and medical relief to those in need around the world. Fans can access pre-sale codes HERE from 12 p.m. local time on 2nd December while the general on-sale begins at 10 a.m. on 5th December – with all tickets available HERE . Singer Amy Lee said “This year has been so inspiring in so many ways, creating so much new music, playing some bucket-list s...

Diverse thrash metallers DeathAssault are poised to unleash their genre-expanding sound, fusing aggressive riffs with towering, atmospheric soundscapes. The band will release their self-titled debut album, DEATHASSAULT, on Friday, 13th February. Ahead of the album drop, DeathAssault have delivered their explosive new single and video, We Will Remain. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/kzcOIb0Eqyw?si=GfHZtWeNFAo631J8 Listen to the band on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PEMSqx7qRx6RpSrjlcUUT Formed in 2022 in Plymouth, DeathAssault are comprised of Darrell Baker (vocals), Bill Mander (guitar), Jake Ackrell (guitar), Wiktor Osiecki (bass), and Levi Spry (drums). Together, the quintet channel a broad spectrum of influences into a sonic assault that thrives on chaos, emotion, and unpredictability. Known for their erratic, energy-fuelled live performances, DeathAssault have quickly earned a reputation as one of the most visceral and exciting acts to emerge from the UK metal un...

London, UK, 10:00AM Monday 1 December 2025: Arizona rock icons Jimmy Eat World have announced their live return to the UK with their biggest ever UK show to date at London’s Gunnersbury Park on Sunday 16 August 2026, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic fourth studio album, Bleed American. Jimmy Eat World will be joined by special guests Rise Against, The Get Up Kids and Jay Som. Artist presale begins on Tuesday 2nd December at 10am GMT - fans can sign up at jimmyeatworld.com . Tickets go on general sale from Friday 5 December at 10am GMT via www.ticketmaster.co.uk . The show will be one of the first chances for UK fans to see Jimmy Eat World perform Bleed American in full, in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Fans can also expect to hear rarities and hits from across the band’s catalogue, presented with a bigger production than ever before. Bleed American stands as a landmark album that helped push alternative rock into the mainstream, cementing Jimmy Eat World as pion...

We have ALFONSO CONSPIRACY, the savage new project fronted by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Max James, who drops his powerful debut album, The Explicit//The Exploited, on Friday 5th December. Max exclusively talks about the record and gives us this unique track by track breakdown: “The Explicit//The Exploited is an album of two halves, literally. After years of re-releasing old songs, remixes and different projects, it came to taking the next step with Alfonso Conspiracy. I wanted to stare at the two things that have impacted me most in the eyes. I address trauma, play devil’s advocate and tell my story all in one. It is something I genuinely struggle listening to from start to finish, and wanted that feeling to come through not only with the lyrics but within the music also. Viral Infection "Viral Infection sets the theme both musically and lyrically. I like the idea of never really knowing what’s in store for you pressing play on my music. Predictability sells too well, an...