Mad About Rock

  How about a whole host of excellent BLOODSTOCK news that doesn’t announce a single band? BLOODSTOCKers, we know you’ve been asking, and HQ wants you to have pleeeenty of time to plan the most splendid FANCY DRESS outfits, so without further delay, here are the themes for 2026! On Thursday, we know it’s been done before, but with HEAVYSAURUS on the bill and it being SO MUCH FUN, it has to be DINOSAURS again. That costume you bought a couple years back is now excellent value for money, huh? On Friday, we embrace the dark, the macabre, and the creative… we want to see how you interpret TWISTED FAIRYTALES as a theme! Black widow bitten Miss Muffet? Malice in Wonderland? Goth fairies welcome! Saturday rolls back the clock to the 1980’s! Bring out your best ‘80’s fashion (mullets encouraged, neon leg warmers optional), or be a character from your fave ‘80s movie, TV show, or band! There is no such thing as too much leopard print. On Sunday, there’s a special treat in the RAM Gallery, a...

  Welsh ragga metal legends Skindred, who are universally acclaimed as one of the best live bands on the planet, have today announced a full UK headline tour in support of their brand new album You Got This. Already setting the airwaves and dancefloors of the nation alight with current single ‘Can I Get A’ – which premiered on BBC 6Music, and has just been made Track of the Week on Virgin Radio – Skindred will be bringing the party vibes to Nottingham, Birmingham, Dublin, Belfast and Glasgow later this year, with an extra special show on Halloween at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace. Supporting the band at Alexandra Palace will be nu-metal heroes Alien Ant Farm, along with fellow Californian scenesters Spineshank and Orgy. All three bands will also join Skindred at their Birmingham Academy show on the previous night, with Alien Ant Farm playing additional shows on the tour. Further support acts will be announced for various shows in due course. Arya Goggins, Skindred’s drummer,...

  British metal powerhouse SYLOSIS are preparing to take their monumentally heavy, riff-fuelled live show across the Northern Hemisphere. Next week, the band will be launching head-first into a collosal month-long trek across North America alongside Bleed From Within, Great American Ghost and Life Cycles. To set the stage, SYLOSIS have released a break-neck live video for their track 'All Glory, No Valour', filmed during their career-defining performance last month at The Forum, London, a highlight of their biggest headline tour to-date. SYLOSIS commented: "All Glory, No Valour is a collective favourite from The New Flesh. Since the early demos, the song always stood out as one of the most aggressive that the band has ever put together. Instead of a standard video, we agreed that releasing a live version of it at some point would be best so listeners could really connect with the energy of the track. Filmed at our biggest headline show to date at London's O2 Forum in K...

  No rest for the wicked. Since the release of their latest full-length, The Nothing That Is, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY has remained in constant motion. Today, the band marks the kickoff of their massive US tour alongside headliners LAMB OF GOD by unleashing a brand-new standalone single: 'The Wretch.' Driven by relentless galloping riffs and punishing percussion, 'The Wretch' features the band's trademark earth-shattering breakdowns balanced by haunting, melodic layers in the chorus. It’s the definitive soundtrack for their return to the stage. FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY's Will Putney states, “True to our general nature, "The Wretch" is another relatively pessimistic and grim glimpse into our worldly outlook. In a time where nothing seems to be getting any better at home or abroad, we find there can always be a moment of comfort in the thought of burning it all down. We hope this song is that temporary oasis for you as well. Thank you for listening.” Stream/purcha...

  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...

  Making another major move and breaking down walls once again, the Swedish masters of heavy metal SABATON have joined forces with leading historically accurate naval multiplayer game, World of Warships, and released a brand new single and music video entitled ‘Yamato’ — available in-game and on all DSPs now. It is being released by Better Noise Music on the heels of 2025's Legends, which marked SABATON's first album for the label. ‘Crossing The Rubicon’ (feat. Nothing More) from the album was also the band's first-ever Top 10 single on the Billboard Rock Chart. This song notably marks the second World of Warships collaboration between the band and developer Wargaming following the mega-popular ‘Bismarck’. For the first time, a SABATON-branded Yamato is also available in World of Warships in addition to dialogue by vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström. Along with different bespoke items in game, Brodén can take the helm of the ship while the standard battle soun...

  UK heavy hitters KNOCKED FOR SIX return with their most personal release to date, unleashing the brand-new single and video, 'Faithbreaker', which is out now. Watch the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS2WEmoD6jc Listen to the band via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jY7I6TXZyI0TDuLjnm2Vu   Already making a prominent name for themselves within the UK’s underground metal scene, KNOCKED FOR SIX take everything you love about modern metalcore and hardcore, and seamlessly merge the two to create something genuinely distinctive. Once you listen, you’re hooked. Following the bone-crushing impact of their first three singles: Blackout The Sun, Seraphim Blood, and Decay, the band are now poised to drop their latest single, Faithbreaker, which as expected, doesn’t hold back one bit. Blisteringly heavy and emotionally exposed, Faithbreaker strips everything back lyrically, delivering a brutally honest account of depression, guilt, and the pressure of expectation. Known fo...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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, ...