Mad About Rock

  KORN have announced their monumental return to the UK, as they are set to play across the UK in October/ November 2026, marking their first UK & Ireland Tour in over a decade. They will be joined by special guests ARCHITECTS and YOUTH CODE. Korn changed the world with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1994. It was a record that would pioneer a genre, and blur others-leading into a larger cultural movement. Since forming, Korn has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammys, toured the world countless times, and set many records in the process that will likely never be surpassed. Korn has continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans, and generations of artists around the globe. The level of Korn’s reach transcends accolades and platinum certifications. They are “a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now,” attests The Ringer. They represent a new arc...

  ALFONSO CONSPIRACY is fronted by talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Max James. With a debut album, 'The Explicit//The Exploited', set for release on Friday 5th December, we exclusively caught up with Max and asked him lay down the tracks that have shaped his fiery sound: Architects - These Colours Don’t Run "I don’t think the impact of this song and Architects in general can be understated with me growing up. I remember hearing this song when it came out and my older brother put it on and the creepy ambience, the soaring vocals, and of course the breakdown just changed the game for me. It was like a light went off in my head where I was like yeah this is what I love and this is what I do. It's so heavy but so haunting and I still am yet to hear a modern metal song that even slightly touches this." Nine Inch Nails - Reptile "Reptile, The Downward Spiral and Nine Inch Nails in general have massively shaped Alfonso Conspiracy since the day I hear...

  More than 75,000 fans descended on Donington Park this week for an abundance of unforgettable moments at the most anticipated Download Festival ever. Across five sun-drenched days, the site was alive with energy as the Download community came together once again to celebrate the best in rock, metal and alternative music. This year’s festival marked a new chapter, with all three headliners – Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn – taking the top slot for the first time. From chart-topping legends to fast-rising newcomers, the line-up reflected the ever-evolving sound of the scene and the diverse tastes of today’s audience. With packed crowds, electric atmospheres and standout performances across all stages, Download 2025 delivered a week to remember. The Humans of Download returned to Donington to soak up a packed programme of music and entertainment across the Arena and District X. Green Day headlined on Friday with a high-octane, hit-filled set. Sleep Token followed on Saturday, de...

  With less than two months to go until the mighty return of Download Festival, DLXXII has unleashed its ‘Beyond The Bands’ offerings, giving Download-goers an even more exciting experience onsite with brand new food, drink, wellness and sport options. Taking place on 11-15 June 2025 at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, Download will be headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn. You can buy the last remaining tickets here: www.downloadfestival.co.uk. Brand new for this year’s DLXXII are the Mercian Axe brewery bar where you can find locally brewed beers, the Hair Of The Dog pub complete with roof terrace and beer garden, and brand new arena bar The Iron Harp. Our Low & No bar, Bar Zero returns, as well as the Raven Records’ pop-up vinyl store, which also offers alcohol-free options, coffee and heavy metal talking therapy. For the first time, Download will see live blacksmithing workshops, new immersive experience Darkfield Séance and a Heavy Metal Sports Day. There w...

  Download Festival, the greatest rock and metal festival of all time, is now only 100 days away. With the countdown now truly on, celebrate this year's festival with our round up of Download By Numbers. This year’s festival will take place on 13-15 June 2025 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are available now at www.downloadfestival.co.uk . DOWNLOAD BY NUMBERS 22 years of Download Festival 9 stages across the site, offering an array of entertainment across the weekend 120+ artists, from headliners Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn on the Apex Stage, to new talent on the Avalanche and Dogtooth Stages, to DJs and secret sets in District X 90,000+ fans set to descend on Donington Park 100,000 expected mosh and circle pit steps per person 30,000 Download t-shirts in production 6000 new Download patches in production 5000 members of crew needed to build the site in 20 days 3690 barrels of beer and cider being brewed 3000 Download rubber ducks in p...

  Download Festival, the greatest rock and metal festival of all time, returns for its 22nd edition, reborn and recharged in 2025 as DLXXII. Announced today are three first-time headliners—Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn—alongside over 90 more colossal names spanning the full spectrum of rock, metal, punk, emo, hardcore, alternative and classic rock. This year’s festival will take place on 13-15 June 2025 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. General tickets are onsale at 9pm on Thursday 14 November at www.downloadfestival.co.uk . For the first time in Download Festival’s history, next year’s edition will showcase a trio of headliners who are entirely new to topping the main stage. This exciting milestone underscores Download’s unwavering commitment to delivering a fresh, groundbreaking lineup year after year, giving fans even more reasons to be part of this unmissable experience. Also announced today are UK and international heavyweights Weezer, Sex Pi...

  Alt-metal pioneers KORN have announced they will return to the capital to perform for the first time in seven years, with their biggest UK headline show to date at London’s Gunnersbury Park on Sunday 11 August. Joining them at the mammoth outdoor event are special guests Denzel Curry, Spiritbox, Wargasm and Loathe. This is undeniably one of the best line-ups of the summer, and fans are encouraged to buy quickly to avoid disappointment. Tickets go on general sale 10:00AM Friday 12 January from www.ticketmaster.co.uk . KORN has sold 40 million albums worldwide, collected two GRAMMYS, toured the world countless times, and set many records in the process that will likely never be surpassed. Vocalist Jonathan Davis, guitarists James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch, and drummer Ray Luzier, have continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans and generations of artists around the globe. KORN chan...

Orange County alt-metal outfit BI·AS, featuring David Silveria (original drummer of Korn) shares their latest music video for their next single ‘Hesitation’. The single is a preview to their much-anticipated debut EP due out in 2020. ‘Hesitation’ gives an early taste of what the record will bring to the table. This is the first song that singer Rich Nguyen wrote with the band during their worldwide singer auditions. The song is about anxiety and how it can cause a lot of missed opportunities; if you let it. The song talks about overcoming the barriers created by anxiety in your mind and pressing on no matter what. ‘Hesitation’ is an anthem of overcoming anxiety and is meant to be a musical affirmation. Rich Nguyen describes ‘Hesitation’: “This song in terms of sound is the exact middle ground between "Pity" and "Change Your Mind". It has tons of melody and a smidge of aggression musically and vocally. Fans of the other two singles won't be disappoint...

UK based hard rockers In Search Of Sun have released their new video for In The Garden which will be their third video release under iconic record label, Spinefarm Records. The track comes from their 2017 album Virgin Funk Mother which boasts heavy riffs, funky grooves and huge choruses! Since signing to Spinefarm early last year, In Search of Sun have gone on to support Nothing More on the EU leg of their tour, legendary Korn frontman Jonathan Davis on his solo tour. Check out their new video below: “There are plenty of leeches in this world that have no other intentions but to suck the life out of you for their own selfish reasons, especially when they choose to not understand the importance of the ones closest to them striving to achieve something creative and worthwhile, which we all know takes years of mental, physical and financial sacrifice. ‘In The Garden’ is a massive ‘f##k you’ statement to every single self-absorbed individual out there unwilling to let...

On December 4, 2015, California based extreme metal titans, SUICIDE SILENCE headlined a special benefit show in support of Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHLA) at The Observatory in Santa Ana. Now the band has announced that the live recordings from the night will be released under the album 'Live & Mental' on July 12th via Nuclear Blast. SUICIDE SILENCE comments, "Although this benefit show was recorded way back in 2015, with mental health issues as relevant as ever in society today, we felt the desire to further propel the conversation throughout the metal scene, while also allowing fans to share in this special night of unreleased material with us." In celebration of the announcement, the band released a cover of 'Blind'. Watch the live video here: https://youtu.be/C2VHB1DHU4E 'Live & Mental' was produced by the band while mixing was handled by Josh Gilbert (Producer, WOVENWAR, AS I LAY DYING). The cover photos were shot ...

A Killer's Confession is led by former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis. The album was recorded in Kentucky, and the anticipated debut comes thanks to David Ellefson of Megadeth’s EMP Label Group. For their debut, they enlisted some friend's and exciting guests appearances to add to the intrigue which raises the stakes high for their first offering... Opening track 'Awakening' is a short and unhinged scene setter for what lies ahead. Stand out track and latest single 'Rebirth' is atmospheric, melodic and consuming with prominent bass and powerful drums. The first single self-named title track, 'A Killer's Confession' features none other than Brian 'Head' Welch from Korn on guitar. It sounds strange and eerie through the use of electronic sounds and is a must hear. This is one menacing and crushing track which wouldn't sound out of place on an actual Korn album. The second half of the album treats us to more guest collaborations...

So this is the last Stencil mag of 2016 and this is a big one for me! It includes one of the best interviews I have ever done with Dan from Real Friends,  as well as my interviews with Textures, Venom Inc and Steve Dickson, director of Mammothfest Brighton. Here are direct links to all the above: Venom Inc Interview:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/22 Textures Interview:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/30 Real Friends Interview:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/22/114 Mammothfest Interview:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/174 In terms of reviews its that time for best albums of the year and mine went to Opeth! Page: https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/222 Other album reviews of mine include: Korn:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/180 I Prevail:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/181 Tiebreaker:  https://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue40/181 Av...

ANTI-CLONE GO DEEP AND DARK IN DEBUT ALBUM! To open we have the title track, which acts as the atmospheric build up prologue, before demonic drawn out vocals take over and alarming effects, showcasing their industrial sonic nu-metal madness in all its glory... Deracinated flows well following the opener, with intriguing clean vocals, until the technical franticness consumes once again, in this stomping release that will have an unconformable grip on you! Mechanical Heart chuggs away with dark down tempo memorable riffs and guitars. The subject matter, highlights the strong digital influence in the modern world we live in, where everything becomes cold and lifeless, reliant on machines. A very thought provoking number! Astaroth is simply mental, and highly reminiscent of Korn and Slipknot, which isn’t surprising as produced by Matt Hyde (Slipknot 'All Hope Is Gone' - Machine Head 'The Blackening') . With agitated fast guitars, pounding drums and crazed ...