Mad About Rock

  Scottish rock band KELOWNA unveil their debut album, 'Superstar', on Friday 28th August. With the band growing and momentum building, we exclusively asked the guys for the songs that have greatly shaped their sound: Rival Sons - Nobody Wants To Die "The song's powerful blend of blues, soul and modern rock struck a chord with vocalist Davy Wilson, while still echoing the timeless influence of Free and Bad Company, two bands that have shaped him enormously as a singer-songwriter. That combination of raw emotion, dynamic musicianship and classic rock spirit is something we strive to capture in our own music. Our track ‘Midnight Rider’ in particular was heavily inspired by this". The Datsuns - Harmonic Generator "The Datsuns debut album was the first album bought by guitarist Paul Mooney with his own pocket money as a kid. He was drawn in by the simplicity of the guitar riff, and how rather than using complex chords or melodies, it's the static rhythm of...

  Scottish alt-rockers STAY FOR TOMORROW have released their alluring new single and video, Nonsense, out now. The track is taken from their forthcoming album, When Hope’s Gone, due Friday 25th September. Check out the video for Nonsense, here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFdj-ROonnQ Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wSKwPQseYDh9uczNFczmY Since forming in 2018, the Dunfermline four-piece have released a string of singles, such as Villains, Breathe and In The Way, and have toured the UK, developing a melodic, guitar-driven sound influenced by The Killers, Panic! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy. Their upcoming album, When Hope’s Gone explores themes of perseverance, resilience and self-belief. Speaking about the album, guitarist Nic Holson says: “This album shows the evolution of Stay For Tomorrow over the past few years, through lineup changes and the growth and solidifying of our sound. It carries a message of hope, resilience, and a reminder to stand up...

  Brit post-hardcore unit MERCERS will unveil their debut EP, 'The Liminal Tapes', on Friday, 17th July. The band have also just released their new single and video, 'New Stockholm'. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwoUNQCAMM8 Listen to MERCERS on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hUc6FIsCsAGv1muQXWDHZ . Formed in 2025, MERCERS bring together vocalist Olly James and guitarist/programmer Phil Bashford, both previously known for their work in nu-metallers, FONY. However, this is not a reunion, but a continuation of a long-standing songwriting partnership behind much of FONY’s material, including Routine Irregular and Circles. What began as an idea to revisit and reshape older material into the form it was always intended to take quickly developed into something far bigger. With the addition of drummer Richard Titheradge and guitarist Simon Glover, the project evolved beyond its original concept and found its own identity. The Liminal Tapes...

  UK metallers FAIL THE ENEMY return with new music and a heavier, synth-driven sound. The band will release a new EP, Sandcastles, out Friday 9th October, alongside their current single, Borrowed Hope, which is out now. Listen to Borrowed Hope, here - https://open.spotify.com/track/5JaYkmazk4o1RHA6wNr5UC , and watch the video, here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPQAbqWqbe8 Since reforming in 2023, the three-piece have been rebuilding their sound from the ground up, bringing together modern metalcore, anthemic rock, and 80s-inspired synth textures. The result is a sound that’s heavy, melodic, and built on contrast and atmosphere. Their new material draws on themes of mental health, love, loss, and the aftermath of difficult years, shaped by what the band have been navigating since getting back together. The upcoming EP has been in the works for around three years, and the band say it’s the closest they’ve come to capturing exactly what they set out to do when they returned. Th...

  XENITH continue their rapid rise with new single and video Killer Instinct, out now. The track is the first to be lifted from their debut album 'To No Avail', due Friday 28th August, and showcases the band’s fierce energy and intent. Watch the video for 'Killer Instinct' here: Check out the band on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JlB8LJTRgdQTgOtO8XVb8 Hailing from Manchester, UK, and comprised of vocalist and guitarist Billy Hourigan, drummer Karim Treifi, bassist Jamo Morris, and guitarist Casey Dennis, XENITH emerged in 2024 with their fiery self-titled debut EP, which blended razor-sharp thrash with bludgeoning melodic death metal. The release introduced a band defined by relentless musicianship and a clear sense of identity. They followed swiftly with the faster and more aggressive single, Swim, before closing the year by sharing the stage with thrash legends, Evile, proving themselves to be a formidable live act. Their debut album, To No Avail, conti...

  LOST VELVET are carving a space between post-rock atmosphere, shoegaze haze, and industrial unease with a sound that feels vast, intimate, and slightly unhinged. They release their debut album Dark Cells on Friday 4th September, led by their brand-new single and video, Right Back, which is out now. Check out the video here: Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/43VZcpziN2RTPNRbrdMgAT Hailing from Reading, England, LOST VELVET are the project of multi-instrumentalist and producer Robert Butcher and vocalist Melissa Morris. The duo blend intertwining guitars, darkwave textures, and dual-vocal interplay into music that feels fragile yet immediate. Taking influence from Radiohead, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack, they build expansive sound worlds rooted in ‘90s alternative music with a darker edge. Since emerging in 2025, the band have drawn strong early attention, including support from BBC Introducing across multiple regions. Their work moves betwe...

  Having wrapped up their vast Arcane Dimensions Tour earlier this year, symphonic metal powerhouse EPICA have now unveiled a soul-stirring live version of their track 'Sirens - Of Blood And Water', featuring the formidable Alissa White-Gluz, Elize Ryd and Charlotte Wessels. This spine-tingling version which was also captured on video, was recorded early this year at EPICA's biggest headline show to date - a sold-out night at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome in front of 10,000 fans. Watch the video for 'Sirens - Of Blood And Water (Live At Ziggo Dome Amsterdam)' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrHXFY3Gzs8 Listen to 'Sirens - Of Blood And Water (Live At Ziggo Dome Amsterdam)' here: https://epica.bfan.link/sirens-of-blood-and-water EPICA - TOUR DATES 29.06.26 | Middenvijver Park | Antwerp, BE w/ Iron Maiden 17.07.26 | John Smith Rock Festival | Laukaa, FI 23.07.26 | Hills of Rock | Plovdiv, BG w/ Sabaton & Savatage 25.07.26 | Release Athens | Athens, GR w/ S...

  Brit hard hitters GARROW HILL charge onwards with their potent new single and video, 'Eaten by Crows', which will be followed by their new EP, 'IX', out on Friday 31st July. Check out the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ZCS97bxC0 We exclusively asked the band to give us the top five tracks that have greatly influenced their sound: Anthrax – Belly of the Beast "The bass tone on Belly of the Beast—that snarling mid-range grind and relentless rhythmic punch—has become a core influence on Garrow Hill. It shaped how we approach low-end presence: aggressive, articulate and always driving the song forward. That sound pushed us toward tighter arrangements, stronger dynamics and a more commanding sense of groove throughout our music." Dead Kennedys – Nazi Punks Fuck Off "The confrontational lyrical attack of Nazi Punks Fuck Off showed us the power of direct, uncompromising songwriting. That influence pushed Garrow Hill toward bolder writin...

  Ahead of the August 7 release of their eighth studio album, Give Me Dirt, six-time JUNO-nominated Canadian hardcore punk heavyweights, Cancer Bats, unleash the blistering new single “Long Tooth”. The track is now available on all digital streaming platforms HERE . Featuring guest vocals from queer indie folk singer-songwriter Brooklyn Doran, “Long Tooth” is about living in the present instead of worrying about the future. Since there’s often little we can do until things unfold, it’s a reminder to enjoy the moment and not take life too seriously. “The chorus reflects a realisation I’ve been having lately,” shares lead vocalist Liam Cormier. “I’m at the halfway point of my life (and yes, I fully intend to make it to at least 92). Like many people, I’ve spent years trying to fix certain parts of myself. Lately, I’ve found myself wondering whether those things really need fixing at all. They’ve carried me this far and have helped shape who I am. At some point, self-improvement g...

  THE LARCHES continue their climb with the release of their biting new single and video, 'Raxidermy', out now. Watch the video here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELxzR2DSSoM The band will also unveil their much-anticipated new EP, Nihilistic Majesties, on Friday 24th July. Hailing from Teesside, THE LARCHES deliver an intense fusion of raw heavy alternative rock and sludge metal. The band are carving out a sound that will resonate with fans of Acid Bath, Eyehategod, and Crowbar, combining punishing low-end weight with earnest emotional intensity. Known for their uncompromising approach, they are rapidly establishing themselves within the modern sludge underground. Their upcoming EP, Nihilistic Majesties, comprises five blistering and brutal tracks that drag listeners through murky soundscapes of despair, defiance, and decay. The record stands as their most unfiltered statement to date, channelling the suffocating atmosphere of early sludge pioneers while pushing further...

  We exclusively caught up with Brit alternative rock trio VEINS who are poised to drop their long-awaited debut album, 'A New Forever', due Friday 5th June. The band have given us this track by track breakdown of the album: “ Criminal is about how life can shift in an instant. Perceptions change with the press of a button. Good becomes evil, and public opinion rules, regardless of the facts. In a world where clickbait is king, reality becomes distorted and the truth is ignored". " Reign Down is about defying the hand you’ve been dealt. Inspired by frontman Stevie Rees’ sister’s battle with neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic disease causing tumors on the brain and spine, the song explores survival, resilience, and the relentless urge to embrace life fully, cherishing every fleeting moment." "I Keep Falling is inspired by the short film Nuit Blanche by Arev Manoukian. It captures a fleeting, magical moment between two strangers, revealing an intense yet...

  Rising from the UK underground, GARROW HILL return with a new release that builds on everything they’ve been developing over the years: heavy, dark, and firmly on their own terms. The band have just dropped their engulfing new single and video, Eaten by Crows, which will be followed by their five-track stunning EP, IX, out on Friday 31st July. Check out the video here: Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HtlCT7j5PgwprquhXHjP5 . The York-based duo formed by lifelong friends Stewart King and P.G. Branton have often been labelled too obscure or too DIY, but GARROW HILL have stuck to their own path, shaping a sound that draws from alternative heavy rock, post-punk, and the harsher edges of ’90s metal. There’s a strong sense of place running through it, reflecting York’s mix of a polished surface with something darker underneath. IX sees that sound pushed further — tighter and more direct, without losing the atmosphere they’ve built over time. Eaten by Crows se...

  Old-school German thrash metallers Bitterness return with their new nine-track album, marking their first time featuring guest musicians. The opener ‘WWH8’ makes for a gripping start with its stomping riffs, while ‘AMOK: KOMA’ uncovers devilish vocals and imbues an ominous, murky sound. ‘Hypochristian’ adds more diversity, featuring audio clips to aid its effect. Track ‘High Sobriety’ features robust vocals from Andreas “Gerre” Geremia (Tankard) and a guitar solo from Michael Goldschmidt and is a changeable offering with shifting tempos, making for a melodic, hard-hitting dose of thrash. Michael Goldschmidt also plays the solo on ‘Win-Windustry’. The title track starts off on an eerie, resonant note and does its job, representing the band and the album superbly. ‘Magnum Innominandum’ is a sombre yet hopeful-sounding instrumental, and they decide to end the album on the unexpected but brilliant Misfits cover with ‘Scream!’, which works well and makes for a different and fun ending...

  Welsh Bilingual nu-metal duo C E L A V I continue their rise with their fiercest release yet, 'PLASTER', which is a cathartic, high-impact anthem that merges raw aggression with captivating hooks. The track is out now and is taken from the band’s highly anticipated upcoming EP, produced by Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Motörhead, Nova Twins). Watch the video here: Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OEzNJIkgsH8PTw0y86ATx Formed by married duo Gwion Griffiths and Sarah Wynn Griffiths, C E L A V I have built a reputation for emotionally charged performances and high-impact releases that explore identity, mental health, and self-expression. Their bilingual approach continues to champion the Welsh language within modern alternative music while pushing into a wider global space. Following support from Metal Hammer, BBC Radio 1, Kerrang Radio, and BBC 6 Music, plus a Match of the Day sync, the band continue to build major momentum. BBC Radio 1 have ...

  Evanescence releases the official music video for their powerful new song “Who Will You Follow” — listen here /watch here Directed by Jensen Noen, the cinematic visual pairs thought-provoking imagery with an emotionally charged performance to explore the overwhelming impact of technology, misinformation, and digital culture, examining how constant online noise impacts us all. Both the lyrics and accompanying video emphasise the importance of seeking authenticity in an era where truth feels increasingly and intentionally corrupted. “Who Will You Follow” has already become the fastest-moving rock radio single of Evanescence’s career to date, entering the Top at US Rock Radio in under 4 weeks and earning the band its first-ever #1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Song Chart. The track was co-written and produced by Zakk Cervini (Bad Omens, YUNGBLUD, Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox) and Jordan Fish (Bring Me The Horizon, Poppy, House of Protection, Architects). album, which features tracks...

  Rising from the UK underground metal scene, IMPERIUM are quickly establishing themselves as a leading modern thrash act. Known for razor-sharp riffs, groove-laden force, and commanding vocals, they’ve built a reputation for explosive live shows. Their engulfing debut album, 'Exodus Unknown', releases via Heavy Metal Records on Friday 17th July, with the title single out now. Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3tPzXOlM34 Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ytn24lvOAoMKq8pbszxO1 After breaking through in 2022 with their debut EP and winning London’s Metal 2 the Masses, which earned the ba.nd a spot at Bloodstock Festival, IMPERIUM have now shared stages with a number of prominent acts and have grown their fanbase nationwide. Now officially signed to Heavy Metal Records and endorsed by Gibson/Kramer/Epiphone, IMPERIUM have entered a new phase in their career and set the stage for their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Exodus...

  Originally released in 2006, Kiss of Death is a ferocious reminder of Motörhead’s uncompromising, no-frills spirit—and a timely nod to the legendary status they’ve earned as one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Driven by Lemmy’s unmistakable growl, backed by Phil Campbell’s blistering guitar work and Mikkey Dee’s razor-sharp precision drumming, Kiss of Death—their 18th studio album—picks up exactly where 2004’s Inferno left off. It’s Motörhead doing what they do best: loud, fast, and relentless. Leaning into the heavier edge of their sound, the album also features guest appearances from Mike Inez (Alice in Chains) and C.C. DeVille (Poison), and delivers standout cuts like 'Sucker', 'Trigger' and the fan-favourite 'God Was Never On Your Side'. Marking its 20th anniversary, this new edition sees the album newly half-speed mastered from the original tapes, with fresh liner notes from Dave Ling paying tribute to the contribution of the legendary Phil C...