Mad About Rock

  London’s NIGHT THIEVES are coming in hard and fast, and they’re not easing up for anyone. The alt-metal four-piece have been building serious momentum off the back of a sound packed with crushing riffs, razor-sharp hooks, and huge, fist-in-the-air choruses. Their debut album 'Metaxis' is out now, and it’s a clear statement of intent. The band have just unleashed a new single 'See You on the Other Side' (featuring Jessie Powell from Dream State), which is also out now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek1eL0mu0_ Listen in via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/42azirKNGgnSrqW10zeJju Already picking up heavy support from Metal Hammer, Planet Rock, Kerrang!, BBC Radio One and more, the band are quickly forcing their way into the conversation around the UK’s next wave of heavy hitters. On stage, they’ve been earning their stripes too, sharing bills with the likes of Marisa and the Moths and Chuggaboom. Following 2024’s Polarity EP, NIGHT THIEVES teamed up once again wi...

  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...

  Diverse powerhouse hard-hitters, OPENSIGHT, announce their breathtaking new album, The Outfit, set for release on Friday 15th May via Inertial Music. The band have also just released the engulfing new single and video, 'In Plain Sight'. Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqEDqzO9Qlw Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nuByHPiaXckms2WRkAYTX Known for their immersive sound and emotional weight, OPENSIGHT blend atmosphere with urgency, drawing influence from the genre-defying experimentation of Faith No More, the dynamic heaviness and depth of Opeth, and the melodic power and drive of Iron Maiden. The result is a sound that feels cinematic yet visceral, balancing intensity, melody, and invention. Already critically acclaimed by Metal Hammer, Powerplay Magazine, Moshville Times, and other respected media outlets, and following on from the success of their previous album, Mondo Fiction, OPENSIGHT are ready to push further forward with the...

  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...

  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,...

  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...

  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, ...

  BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's epochal debut album The Poison truly solidified the band's status as modern British metal frontrunners. But, the scene was set and foundations were laid by their exploratory early recordings, unearthed publicly in 2004's EP Hand Of Blood. An unparalleled and enduring career has since followed and, in doing so, the group changed the landscape and supercharged the trajectory of alternative music. Today, the band have revealed that the Hand Of Blood EP will be reissued as a standalone release, paying homage to the early spark in their career that has now become a roaring flame. “I honestly can't believe it's been twenty years since the release of The Poison and Hand Of Blood, and what an incredible twenty years its been,” says frontman Matt Tuck. “I feel so proud of what we've achieved as a band in the last two decades and it all started with those recordings.” Their meteoric rise saw The Poison hit #21 in the UK album charts, becoming a...

  SCRATCH ONE GRUB hail from the valleys of South Wales and are set to deliver their debut album 'One', arriving 27 February. The record blends progressive ambition, with alt-metal grit. We exclusively caught up with Lewis Griffiths (Drums/Vocals) and Sean Barry aka The Grub Man (Samples/Vocals) from the band, and asked them to talk about five songs that have greatly influenced their sound: Slipknot - Eyeless "The chaotic nature of this song captures everything that we love about metal. The musical technicality especially the drums and blood curdling vocals, sonically projects an unfathomable level of hatred and aggression. The random lyrics in the chorus are unorthodox yet very catchy, which ensures us that it's possible to go down a similar path creatively, as it has worked well for others." Children Of Bodom - Living Dead Beat "Alexi Laiho was a creative and technical genius, especially when it comes to the music theory he applied to his endless catalo...

  UK hard hitters PREMIER JESTER just can’t be stopped. The dynamic quintet have unveiled their towering new single and video, 'Pac’d Out'. Check out the band on Spotify at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4k5uMt8u8HbmXHzaVWJmnj and watch the video for ‘Pac’d Out’ here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqkzWxtMvXU Formed at the start of 2025, the five-piece have wasted no time making noise, quickly building a loyal following off the back of a run of hard-hitting singles. Taking influence from Electric Callboy, 3OH!3 and Lorna Shore, PREMIER JESTER blend modern metal aggression with the high-energy bounce of European electronicore. Expect crushing riffs, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, massive breakdowns and hooks that stick. The new single, Pac’d Out, shows the band pushing things further. Co-vocalist Jimmy Martin explains: “The song started with a synth that instantly made us think of retro video games. We wanted to do something more fun and different, so we used the idea of a gam...

  Welsh heavyweights VIRTUE IN VAIN continue to build momentum and will release their new EP, Nothing Is All I Am, on Friday 23rd January. The EP is preceded by a thumping new single and video, Between Reflections and Silence, which is out now. Hit up the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBi4NKH3U2Y Listen to the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ysLwiCUToDZJljLCmcINg Already known for their savage live performances, VIRTUE IN VAIN, have earned a strong reputation across the UK metal scene. Their intense shows and emotionally driven songwriting continue to connect with audiences, with each release exploring different aspects of the human condition. The band are now completing a trilogy of releases. For All You Know Is The Mask I Wore began with a focus on loss of identity. Dusk // Dawn followed, portraying an anarchic descent through one of the worst nights imaginable. The final chapter, Nothing Is All I Am, is an emotional and honest look at collapse and rebui...

  Firing straight out of the nation’s capital, British alt-metal upstarts NIGHT THIEVES continue their rapid ascent with pounding riffs, soaring choruses, and a slew of arena-ready hooks. The quartet are gearing up to release their hugely anticipated debut album, 'Metaxis', landing Friday 20th March. Ahead of the album, the band have just released their formidable new single, 'Mycelia', out now. Watch the video here: Listen in at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/42azirKNGgnSrqW10zeJju Renowned for their high-octane blend of striking alt-metal and heartfelt, dynamic songwriting, NIGHT THIEVES have already earned acclaim from tastemakers including Metal Hammer, Planet Rock, Powerplay, Kerrang!, BBC Radio One, Total Rock, Fireworks Magazine, Rock Radio Magazine, and ERB Magazine. Their rapid ascent has also seen them share stages with Marisa and the Moths, Chuggaboom, and more, further cementing their status as one of the UK’s most exciting and compelling new metal acts....

  We exclusively caught up with Edinburgh’s masked metalcore outlier OBELISK who releases his debut album, 'Brushed By Darkness', on Friday 12th December. Check out the below track by track breakdown: Slifer the Executive Producer "An instrumental track which shows the beautiful components that can then turn ugly." Where do you end? "This is a song at its core that’s about people that pick and choose. Whether that’s a narcissistic person who can’t admit they’re wrong, or a religious person who likes to pick and choose their morals when they see fit. Lots of energy in this one." Karameleon "This one is about good old karma. I worked in an industry that was full of cliques, and this is what it’s written about. People throw stones in glass houses, talking from a throne when they have no idea others are doing the same. The fitness industry is a callous and cold place." Working Class Zero "Written quite clearly about the disparity of wealth, and ...

  SCRATCH ONE GRUB emerge from the valleys with their debut album One, arriving Friday 27 February. Blending progressive ambition, alt-metal grit, and raw emotion, the Welsh six-piece stake their claim as one of the UK’s most exciting new heavy acts. Their new single, #1, out now, delivers biting rhythms, big hooks, and intricate musicianship — a bold introduction to their sound. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uGqee_0lAY Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FET2hG6ku5SehywtEQ2NX Formed in Aberdare, South Wales, SCRATCH ONE GRUB comprises Aled Trigg (Vocals), Lewis Griffiths (Drums/Vocals), Sean ‘The Grub Man’ Barry (Samples/Vocals), Evan Cook (Lead Guitar), Alex Lewis (Rhythm Guitar), and Zac Cross (Bass). Since their formation, the band have quickly earned a reputation for their genre-defying sound and visceral live energy — blending the expansive scope of modern progressive metal with the urgency and heart of the alt scene. Sharing stages with th...

Diverse thrash metallers DeathAssault are poised to unleash their genre-expanding sound, fusing aggressive riffs with towering, atmospheric soundscapes. The band will release their self-titled debut album, DEATHASSAULT, on Friday, 13th February. Ahead of the album drop, DeathAssault have delivered their explosive new single and video, We Will Remain. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/kzcOIb0Eqyw?si=GfHZtWeNFAo631J8 Listen to the band on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PEMSqx7qRx6RpSrjlcUUT Formed in 2022 in Plymouth, DeathAssault are comprised of Darrell Baker (vocals), Bill Mander (guitar), Jake Ackrell (guitar), Wiktor Osiecki (bass), and Levi Spry (drums). Together, the quintet channel a broad spectrum of influences into a sonic assault that thrives on chaos, emotion, and unpredictability. Known for their erratic, energy-fuelled live performances, DeathAssault have quickly earned a reputation as one of the most visceral and exciting acts to emerge from the UK metal un...

  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...

  British post-hardcore outfit KEEP THIS UP charge forward with unstoppable momentum, and have just revealed their towering new single and video, 'Remedy' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq67kD8vVM0 Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HplGXpBPq2q0KciEc5Ncz Hailing from Peterborough, England, KEEP THIS UP blend melodic singalongs, thunderous breakdowns, rapid-fire riffs, and raw, emotive screams, crafting a sound that’s both punishing and powerfully heartfelt. Their intense energy and razor-sharp songwriting have quickly made them one of the UK’s most exciting emerging heavy acts. Although originally formed in 2019, the band truly hit their stride in 2022 with the release of their acclaimed debut EP, Paper Houses. The release propelled them into the spotlight, earning spots on the Kerrang! Charts, global radio airplay, and strong support from BBC Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe. Since then, KEEP THIS UP have delivered a steady stream of hard-hitting singles and ...