Mad About Rock

  UK alternative rock band MERCERS unveil their captivating debut EP, The Liminal Tapes, out everywhere on Friday 17th July. The band have just revealed their fiery new single and video, 'Cleanse / Repeat'. Check out the video here: Formed in 2025, MERCERS are comprised of two members from nu-metallers FONY. But this is not a reunion; it’s a continuation of the long-standing partnership between vocalist Olly James and guitarist/programmer Phil Bashford, key songwriters behind FONY’s Routine Irregular and Circles. What began as a creative purge, reworking older material to finally realise its original intent, has quickly evolved into something larger. With the addition of Richard Titheradge (drums) and Simon Glover (guitars), MERCERS found a new identity. While the EP includes reimagined versions of FONY tracks, A Satire for the World and January Zen, these sit alongside new material that defines the band on their own terms: more open and expansive, and shaped by time and per...

  UK alt-rockers VERSUS have just dropped their stunning new single and video, 'This Is Everything', which is out now. Check it out below: With the band on the up, we exclusively checked in and asked the guys which tracks have greatly influenced their engulfing sound: Bring Me The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart "The intro to this just has that special ‘something’ with the synths and drums giving such an immense build up to hit the first verse and the raw and aggressive vocals deliver such crushing lyrics that just kick this shit out of everything else – how could anyone listen to this track and not want to pick up a guitar and write something that is completely outside the box?" Dayseeker - Crooked Soul "That guitar intro blows us away every single time. The emotional weight on the vocals just adds to those lead lines in the background. Rhythm section is so tight throughout which really gives you the impact in the breakdown that everyone needs, and we lo...

  London, 5th May 2026 - The Rolling Stones today announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album Foreign Tongues, arriving 10th July from Polydor/Universal Music. The incredibly vibrant 14-track collection follows less than three years after the band’s universally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and achieved multi-platinum success. The new album will be introduced by the upbeat and infectious lead single ‘In the Stars’, released digitally on 5th May alongside the album’s opening track ‘Rough and Twisted.’ In The Stars receives a physical release on 15th May. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are set to attend a media launch for Foreign Tongues later today in Brooklyn, New York. In the lead-up to the announcement, the band have been subtly building anticipation for the new project, including the limited white label release of the track ‘Rough and Twisted’ only on vinyl under the name The Cockroaches. Circul...

  Canadian hardcore heavyweights Cancer Bats have announced they will release their new album, ‘Give Me Dirt’, on August 7th. The band have joined forces with the formidable Marshall Records for the release. “We are beyond excited to be joining the Marshall Records Roster! From the amps that helped define the sound of our favourite bands, to their support of independent venues and their absolute punk rock approach to everything they do, we feel like this is the perfect home for Cancer Bats! Can't wait to work with them on our new album and many more to come!” said the band. Steve Tannett, Director of Music Platforms at Marshall Records, adds: “We are so chuffed to have the legendary Cancer Bats join the Marshall Records roster in our 10th year, which coincides nicely with the band's 20th year. The new studio album Give Me Dirt is testament to a band built on solid rock foundations, and we look forward to a brilliant release and lots of incredible shows - just how we like it!” ...

Alternative/nu-metal force A Killer’s Confession has joined forces with internationally acclaimed producer Zardonic for a high-octane reimagining of “In Case Of Emergency (ft JMANN).” The remix brings Zardonic’s signature aggressive drum & bass sound to the track, bridging the raw intensity of modern metal with the pulse and precision of global bass music. The original track joined A Killer’s Confession vocalist Waylon Reavis with fellow former Mushroomhead vocalist JMann, and was the first single from AKC’s early 2025 album Victim 2. For A Killer’s Confession, the remix continues the band’s evolution into hybrid soundscapes that blend industrial textures, electronic elements, and emotionally charged songwriting. The track further expands the sonic universe of their ongoing Victim album trilogy, which explores the psychological tension between morality and darkness. In addition, A Killer’s Confession sets off on their U.S. Tour with Kottonmouth Kings today. Full dates are: May 5 ...

  As Everything Unfolds, Tropic Gold, TheCityIsOurs and FOXHAUNT confirmed Novacaine Festival has revealed the first wave of artists for its 2026 edition, signalling a major step forward for the fast-rising UK alternative event. After a hugely successful debut on Saturday 4 October 2025, Novacaine Festival quickly established itself as a new platform within the UK alternative music scene. The inaugural event was headlined by The Five Hundred, with main support from Bleed Again, alongside a diverse line-up including DACRA, Night Thieves, Reckoner, Broken Empire, and local rising artists Reanimate, Our North, Dead Demons and Ocean Thieves. With the 2025 event coming close to selling out, the festival’s mission was clear from the outset: bring together established touring bands and emerging talent from across the UK while delivering an uncompromising live experience for fans. Now, Novacaine Festival returns on Saturday 28 November 2026, raising the bar once again. Headlining the event...

  Brit alternative rockers VERSUS have thrown down a serious marker with the release of their enticing new single and video, 'This Is Everything', which is out now – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB3XRUJshOk Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/67pt9vgrdK8u8meLF6B0km Making waves with their high-energy blend of post-hardcore grit and emotionally charged songwriting, VERSUS has quickly built a reputation for live performances that go beyond the typical gig, combining dynamic lighting, powerful visuals, and crowd-driven moments to deliver truly immersive experiences. Drawing on influences from grunge, emo, and heavy rock, the Leeds-based alt-rockers balance raw aggression with melodic accessibility. Vocalist, Shortie states: “This track explores the aftermath of a deeply toxic relationship, where prolonged gaslighting and manipulation suddenly become clear. That moment of clarity forces acceptance of the damage done, reshaping the entire mindset and drivin...