Mad About Rock

  A definitive sound in rock since 1976 and one of the most important bands in music history, celebrate 50 years of punk this winter. Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols once again join forces with Frank Carter for one of the greatest nights out in rock n roll and the closest thing to the original punk experience there is. The Anarchy In The U.K. Tour in December will take in Dublin (3 Arena, Dec 7), Edinburgh (Corn Exchange, Dec 9), Glasgow (O2 Academy, Dec 10), London (Brixton Academy, Dec 18) and London (Eventim Apollo, Dec 20). Described as a “rip-roaring punk rock redux” by The Guardian and “Full throttle pure punk” by The i, Louder said: "With Frank Carter up front, the Sex Pistols sound like the world's greatest punk band once more." And The Standard raved: “They sounded like the slickest garage band you've ever heard.” 50 Years of Punk 1976 was punk’s year zero. Sex Pistols set it off by playing a series of gigs, causing mayhem in their nat...

  Brit alt metallers, TALLBOY, continue their rise with the release of their thumping new single and video, The One Below All, out on Friday 27th February. Featuring Brad Crook (Lead Vocals), Arron Ward-Twinney (Bass Guitar), Jordan Gelling – Guitar), and Adam Twinney (Guitar), and Callum Warren (Drums), the fast climbing metalcorers are ready for a busy 2026. We exclusively caught up with the band and asked them for the tracks that have most influenced their sound: The Plot in You - Spare Me "The intense, raw vocal style in “The Plot in You - Spare Me” conveys a lot of emotion and I’m keen to incorporate something similar into our own music. I strive for vocal variety to avoid sounding one-dimensional." - Brad (Vocals) Polaris - Landmine "I play with a lot of power and energy in my drumming (especially live, I want the drums to punch you in the chest every single hit) I think just about any track by Polaris can sum up where I like to take my drumming: creative fills,...

  Monday 23 February 2026: Download Festival, the greatest rock and metal festival of all time, has today added 14 artists to its already stellar line up for its 23rd edition in 2026. The new additions to the DLXXIII line up include A Day To Remember, THE PRIMALS, Daughtry, Creeper, Hot Milk, DECESSUS and more. Download Festival will take place on 10-14 June 2026 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Day tickets are now available at www.downloadfestival.co.uk . Announced today are Florida pop punk heavyweights A Day To Remember, Final Fantasy XIV’s official band THE PRIMALS (performing outside of Asia for the very first time), Creeper, Daughtry, Hot Milk, Silly Goose, Marmozets, BAND-MAID, Stampin’ Ground, Frozemode, Conjurer, Annisokay, Private School and DECESSUS, the Santiago death metal band fronted by the current Miss World Chile, Ignacia Fernández. The new additions join an already gargantuan line up headlined by Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Lin...

  All Points East and Outbreak Fest announce Deftones will be joined by special guests Interpol, as well as AFI, Salem, Mannequin Pussy, Blawan (live) and Ecca Vandal. Previously announced acts include IDLES, Amyl & The Sniffers, EsDeeKid, JPEGMAFIA, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, Basement, Wisp, Deafheaven and Show Me The Body, with more to be added. Tickets are on sale now. Visit allpointseastfestival.com . Multi-platinum GRAMMY® Award-winning Sacramento band Deftones are set to headline the event following a stellar 2025 that saw them release their tenth studio album, private music, as well as a sold-out global arena tour. Now on their EU & UK tour, the Deftones renaissance is in full swing, with The Guardian describing them as “alt-metal veterans”, giving them a glowing 5 stars. Tomorrow, Deftones will touch down in London for their major O2 show. There’s no doubt that Deftones performance at All Points East presents Outbreak Fest will be a must-see for anyone looking to immerse t...

  Formidable Celtic punk artist NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE (Owen Crawford) continues to rise from the underground with his towering new album, As Everything Else Decays, out Friday 27th February. The new anthemic single, Wasted, has just been released, accompanied by a striking new video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPgmd7hNzT4 Listen to NMNM via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0OnpSg0QUzp3ZB4AJDNT4N . Merging dynamic rhythms, thoughtful structures, and an earnest punk ethos, NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE unleashes a sound that is both deeply compelling and undeniably fun. His anthemic songs tackle unethical regimes, anti-fascism, mental health, grief, and wrong turns—threads that are ultimately stitched together with optimism. A true DIY punker at heart, NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE / Owen Crawford handles every element of his art, from songwriting and production to video design and promoting his own shows. The NMNM manifesto is to push punk and alternative scenes forward while sharing s...

  Leeds post-hardcorers KILL THE SILENCE are back with their hugely captivating new EP, Resolve, set for release on Friday 17th April. The band have also just released their alluring new single and video, 'The Final Word' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Z5rsDi_dU Listen to the band at https://open.spotify.com/artist/190ULwkT4wrUba7vLSo4Bv . Formed by vocalist Jason Walsh and lead guitarist Sam Rickerby during their college days, the band completed their line-up in 2018 with Ian Souch on bass and John Wallis on drums, and made their initial impact with their debut EP, Bloodlines, which helped build their formidable reputation as a compelling live act. The following years saw KILL THE SILENCE support the likes of We Came As Romans and Mallory Knox, while releasing the dynamic singles: Inevitable, Sinner, and Lost At Sea. Rhythm guitarist Daniel Ridding also later joined the band, adding yet another layer and dimension to their already engaging sound. After time spent writi...

  After an unforgettable debut last year, BLOODSTOCK’S WINTER GATHERING storms back this winter, bringing the spirit of the UK’s premier metal festival indoors once again for a full day of festive heaviness. Returning to take over KK’s Steelmill, Wolverhampton, on Saturday 5th December 2026, this one-day celebration promises towering riffs, intimate chaos, and all the community magic that BLOODSTOCK is known for. Just a 20-minute walk from Wolverhampton station, with all-day parking nearby for a couple of quid, KK’s Steelmill is easy to get to. Alongside a stacked lineup of crushing bands, there’s a range of food available to help you keep up your energy for 8 hours of solid headbanging, plus a fully stocked bar serving drinks throughout the event, with cash, card, and contactless all accepted. And because December is definitely coat weather, there’s a cloakroom available too - drop off your big coat and warm up in the pit! Doors will open at 2pm, with bands performing from 3pm – 1...

  Rising British hard rock outfit DEATH WARMED UP are ready to make serious noise with the announcement of their debut album, Wildcard, out on Friday 17th April. The fast-rising Nottingham crew have also unveiled a brand-new single, Gods Of Rock N Roll, and accompanying video. Check out the video: Listen to the band via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7G3tcNolc8GrTX4INNTiHa . Formed in 2023 and hailing from Nottingham, England, DEATH WARMED UP deliver loud, extravagant, no-holds-barred rock ’n’ roll. Drawing inspiration from authentic old-school rock while injecting a sharp modern edge, the five-piece have spent the past two years relentlessly honing their sound, style, and image. Known for their high-octane live performances, the band have already toured extensively across the UK, sharing stages with Defences, Paradise Sins, Circus 66, and more. Alongside building a formidable live reputation, DEATH WARMED UP have been hard at work in the studio...

  There is no stopping electro-metalcore crew PREMIER JESTER who continue their rapid ascent and are primed to unleash their irresistibly charged debut album, 'Turn You On', due out Friday 24th April. The energetic five-piece have also just dropped their belting new track, ‘Pac’d Out’. Watch the video here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqkzWxtMvXU  or see below: With the band on the rise, we exclusively asked the dynamic metalcorers for the songs that have greatly influenced their sound: Limp Bizkit – Rollin "I grew up on Limp Bizkit and it didn’t matter what mood you were in, they lifted you up and got you moving. They were aggressive without being too serious and were (for me) one of the first main cross-genre bands who really pushed musical boundaries, all whilst having a lot of fun! I feel this is a BIG influence on the style PJ adopts" – Jimmy Martin (Harsh vocals) Scooter - Posse "Scooter is one of my biggest influences. I’m a huge fan of techno a...

  Papa Roach have just released a brand-new single called “Wake Up Calling,” and unveiled the next wave of their ‘Rise Of The Roach’ world tour, with dates confirmed across Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Europe, and now the UK & Ireland. The band has just announced their return to the UK later this year for another headline run, following their biggest shows yet last year, including a sold-out Wembley show. The tour will kick off at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 1st November through to Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on 9th November, with a stop at London’s The O2 along the way. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM – Friday, 13th February 2026 HERE . Last year’s UK dates garnered fantastic reviews across the board: “…with this kind of longevity, our suspicion about them being armageddon-proof doesn’t seem quite so daft after all. Long live Papa Roach!” – Kerrang “Papa Roach - still so undeniable all these years later. Still learning, still living, still loving and still looking for that next thing to...

  Captivating thrashers DeathAssault unleash a diverse and expanding sound that fuses fiery riffs with formidable, gripping soundscapes. The band will release their self-titled debut album, DEATHASSAULT, on Friday 13th February. Ahead of the album’s arrival, DeathAssault have released their savage new single and video, Falling Down, out now. Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljlK7DV-FkYY Listen to the band at https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PEMSqx7qRx6RpSrjlcUUT . Formed in 2022 and hailing from Plymouth, DeathAssault features Darrell Baker (vocals), Bill Mander (guitar), Jake Ackrell (guitar), Wiktor Osiecki (bass), and Levi Spry (drums). Drawing from a wide spectrum of influences, the band deliver a powerful sound fuelled by angst, passion, and volatility. Fast becoming renowned for their intense, energy-charged live performances, DeathAssault are emerging as part of a new wave of metal bands poised to break through. Inspired by the likes of Sepultura, La...

  Now this is BIG news! Sabaton are thrilled to announce that their concert film 'Sabaton – The Tour To End All Tours' has officially landed on Amazon Prime Video , Apple TV and YouTube in a wide range of territories. This means you can now experience The Tour To End All Tours - which travelled across Europe in 2023 and hit cinemas worldwide in 2024 - from the comfort of your own sofa, bringing the Sabaton energy straight into your living room. So round up the troops… and let’s go! BOUT 'SABATON – THE TOUR TO END ALL TOURS' 'Sabaton – The Tour To End All Tours' means a great deal to the band. It was recorded at a completely sold-out Ziggo Dome in 2023 in Amsterdam, where thousands of fans came together to share an unforgettable night. For those who know Sabaton’s story, this concert carried special significance. When they first played in the Netherlands – six years after they formed – it was in front of a handful of people. Looking back at that moment and comp...

  Towering Celtic punk artist NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE (Owen Crawford) continues to climb from the underground with his stunning new album, 'As Everything Else Decays', out Friday 27th February. The new anthemic single, 'Wasted', is out on Friday 20th February, accompanied by a striking new video. We caught up with Owen and exclusively asked him to name the top five songs that have influenced his sound: The Rumjacks - Bullhead "It’s hard to pick from the tons of Celtic Punk songs that I love and have clearly influenced me, but this one is an absolute favourite. The drop out breakdown in the middle is something I use a lot, and switching from accordion to banjo, as well as writing about the Irish War of Independence as I do in “Rebellion” from my first album." Bad Religion – American Jesus "One of the things that Bad Religion do SO well is vocal harmonies and crossover vocal lines with different melodies and lyrics being sung at the same time between th...

  Canadian heavy music pioneers KITTIE have announced their return to the UK and Europe. Following an incredible 2025 that saw the band perform their first shows on this side of the world in over a decade, the heavy metal queens will be bringing their fierce brand of aggression to five lucky cities across the continent for some intense and explosive shows in August. Since making their long-awaited return to the live circuit, the band have sharpened their teeth all over the world with earth-shattering headline shows and stunning performances at renowned festivals including Sick New World, Welcome To Rockville, Sonic Temple, Louder Than Life, Hellfest, Download Festival and many more. KITTIE have re-established themselves as one of metal's finest live acts, and they're set to reinforce that claim this year. Speaking on the announcement, vocalist and guitarist Morgan Lander shares: “Having the opportunity to come back to the UK and Europe for headline shows this August means every...

  Metal titans Mastodon return to Europe in Summer 2026 for an extensive run of festival appearances and headline shows, cementing their status as one of the most influential and uncompromising bands in modern metal. Mastodon have spent over two decades redefining heavy music with a sound that is both technically fearless and emotionally massive. With multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations, critically acclaimed albums such as Leviathan, Crack the Skye, The Hunter, Emperor of Sand, and Hushed and Grim, and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands on the planet, Mastodon continues to push creative and sonic boundaries as only they can. The Summer 2026 European tour will see the band performing on iconic festival stages and their own headline shows across Europe and the UK. Be sure to catch Mastodon at one of the following dates: JUNE / JULY Wed 3 Jun – Prague, CZ – O2 Universum (Headline Show) Fri 5 Jun – Nürburg, DE – Rock am Ring Sat 6 Jun – Gdansk, PL – Mystic Festival (...

  Fiery British slayers CARTOONS CAN’T DIE unleash their explosive new album, Rebirth, on Friday 6th February. Ahead of the release, the diverse metal crew have revealed their vicious new single and video, 'Bodysnatchers', out now. Hit up the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rGx-6lzrHo Listen to the band via https://open.spotify.com/artist/5cEIMcDNZTLuZ41eZoYJ9S Already drawing warm comparisons to Lamb of God, Whitechapel, Periphery, Devin Townsend, and Rammstein, CARTOONS CAN’T DIE are as diverse as they are refreshing. Now operating with a fully committed lineup consisting of Mac Gaisford (vocals), Maria Megally (vocals), Dan “Danny 5” Berber (guitar), and Ryan Shepherd (drums), the band are united by a clear manifesto: to break musical boundaries, push modern heavy music into new territory, and create a sound that truly challenges the norm. One of the band’s defining trademarks is their dual-vocal dynamic, Mac’s raw, abrasive fury colliding with Maria’s soaring, ...