Mad About Rock

  Welsh heavyweights VIRTUE IN VAIN return to the fold with their engulfing new EP, Nothing Is All I Am, set for release on Friday 23rd January. The record is introduced by the band’s unstoppable new single and video, 'Blood Eyes', out now. Watch the video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOsk1DbFAzE Check out the band via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ysLwiCUToDZJljLCmcINg Renowned for their unrelenting energy and emotionally charged performances, VIRTUE IN VAIN have carved out a fierce reputation across the UK’s heavy music scene. Their blistering live shows and thoughtful songwriting continue to captivate audiences, while each release tells a deeper story rooted in the struggles of the human condition. The band are now poised to complete a compelling trilogy of releases. It began with For All You Know Is The Mask I Wore, a meditation on identity loss. This was followed by Dusk // Dawn, which depicts a chaotic scenario of the worst possibly night one could have. Now ...

  Commanding Welsh riff masters, HOUSE OF HOSTS, are primed to shake the UK metal landscape once again with the release of their blistering new video and single, 'Darkest Days', out now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9W_kqLk5q0 This ferocious new track serves as a compelling prelude to the band’s highly anticipated EP, 'Reckoning', due out on Friday 26th September. Listen to the band now at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DGQkBDGVhIAzKYwSC7AIV Hailing from Swansea, Wales, HOUSE OF HOSTS are rapidly earning a reputation as one of the UK’s most emotionally charged and sonically devastating modern metal outfits. Featuring Daniel Foley-Griffiths (vocals), Jack Hunt (bass), Beth Goodwin (drums), and guitarists James Russell and Ross Davies, the five-piece blend technical prowess and raw intensity, drawing influence from metal heavyweights including Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Disturbed, and Dream Theater. Following the impact of their previous singles, Oblivion an...

  Welsh ragga metal legends Skindred have today announced THE DETOUR a series of UK headline dates for autumn 2025. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 11th June at 10am and will be available via https://skindred.net/#live Regarding the tour drummer Arya Goggin says, “We as a band are extremely conscientious about venturing outside of just the major UK cities to spread the Skindred sound. This October the “Detour” is our attempt to do just that. As a band we love to play live, but there are so many amazing towns and cities with fantastic venues across the country that get forgotten and need to be supported. That’s where our “Detour” comes in! We can’t wait to head back out across the UK this October on our “Detour.” See you there!” 2024 was a whirlwind for the rock icons. Having shot straight to No.2 in the Official UK Albums Chart with their eighth album Smile the previous summer, the four piece went on to receive the Best Alternative Music Act Award at the MOBOs, and won Best UK Act a...

  Fast rising Welsh riff slingers ROOT ZERO will reveal their massively engrossing debut album, 'Dark Rainbow', on Friday 16th May. The popular progressive metallers have just unleashed their powerful new single and video, 'Ignis Fatuus' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2hqk_CU_k4 Listen to the band at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7woGQcgP6EzJobqw0r3ovy Dispatching an array of influences that stem from Soundgarden and Deftones, through to Cult of Luna and Katatonia, ROOT ZERO are a unique and irresistible proposition. The fascinating six-piece draw in from the world of gothic and progressive metal to deliver twisting and atmospheric slabs of sophisticated metal that are fastidiously constructed with precise detail and earnest passion. Initially formed as a solo project by multi-instrumentalist Giacomo Fiderio, ROOT ZERO extended their sound and grew over the years, and by 2022, a full band line up was constructed featuring Sasha Bannister (lead vocals), Giacomo ...

  Welsh metallers King Kraken are unleashing their upcoming second album, 'March Of The Gods,' on 18th April 2025. The eagerly awaited follow-up to 'MCLXXX' (2023). Ahead of the release, the band shared with us, a deep dive into all ten tracks featured on the new album to mark this mighty release. So read on to uncover the meaning behind the songs.... 'March Of The Gods' Tracklisting: 1. Scream 2. El Giganto 3. Berserker 4. March Of The Gods 5. Hero 6. Vigilante 7. Preacher 8. Magnum Opus 9. Chainsaw Saviour 10. Under The Sun Scream The opener to the album is like a smack in the face with a wet towel when you've just dropped off to sleep. It's gonna wake you up and get the adrenaline going. It seems so long ago the riff came to me and started the ball rolling to the usual "put through the ringer" treatment of the Kraken. The end result is a megamix of riffs where we all had a part to play and it's an absolute bangar! This is only one of t...

  Welsh metallers KING KRAKEN have released a brand new music video for their raucous new single 'Berserker'. The track, a slow-burning anthem that captures the raw power of Norse mythology, is the second to be released from their upcoming second album March Of The Gods, due for self-release on 18th April. Pre-save the album here and pre-order here . In Norse mythology, a Berserker is a member of a class of ancient warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before battle, fighting with abnormal fury and courage. KING KRAKEN channel that into this thunderous single, vividly capturing the Viking valour with monolithic riffage, razor-sharp hooks and frontman Mark Donoghue's haunting vocals. WATCH HERE STREAM HERE On the new single, the band comment: "Our latest single is a Viking massacre packed with hooks and melody. The picturesque Norse imagery is prevalent throughout the track evoking a foot stomping assault on your senses, and as the second release from our fort...

  There’s nothing more pissed off and aggressive than a young thrash band! Back in the 80’s thrash manifested from angry teenagers who wanted to rage against the system, the politicians and their lives in general.. Whilst not from the Bay in 1985, Exaust from Cwmbran South Wales, with an average age of 18, show that nearly 40 years later the thrash metal spirit is still going hard, still venomous, still full of vigor and spite and still making us want to mosh! The Band explain ‘BTC (or Bite the Curb) is a track full of drive, aggression and hate. It fits how we as young people feel with the state of some entitled people in the UK and we want to show them a piece of OUR MINDS!! We want you to feel the passion of hate as we do when you listen to this track as we unleash our emotions through the music!’ Recorded at One Louder Studio, Newport Mixed and Mastered by Blacklist & Tone Death Media, Blackpool Artwork by Yarndog Lyric Video by UK Thrashers So strap up those high tops, tu...

  Commanding metallers HELLDOWN charge onwards with the release of their vicious single and video, 'March Of The Damned', out now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93FX2x__9j8 . Listen to the track via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/36W9exJZJQFHPyDswrv5G If you’re new to HELLDOWN, then you’re missing out; the Swansea based squad have been dropping thumping earworms for the past decade. Featuring brothers Ben and Matthew Evans (respective Bassist/Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist), Ross Thomas (Drums) and Lewis Larkman (Lead Guitarist), the compelling riff merchants have a reputation for being one of the fiercest bands to come out of Wales. To date, the popular metal crew have racked up critical acclaim with everyone from Metal Hammer, Powerplay Magazine, Ever Metal, Metal Talk, Moshville, Noizze, Maximum Volume Music, Total Rock, and Kerrang! Radio. The band have also acquired a strong live following abetted by a string of shows with the likes of Phil Campbell, Toxic Holocau...

  Fresh off the back of playing last weekends Download Festival, Welsh four-piece DREAM STATE have announced a UK and European headline tour for Autumn 2024. The band will be supported by Australian band RedHook. on all dates, and will also be playing this years wonderful 2000trees Festival in July. Speaking about the tour the band said "We're so excited to announce that we'll be back on tour later this October and November across UK and Europe, headlining Europe for the first time ever! Join us for some of our biggest shows ever, we can't wait to see you all" You can see DREAM STATE at the following dates: 26th October - Clwb ifor Bach, Cardiff 27th October - Hairy Dog, Derby 29th October - Key Club, Leeds 30th October - The Garage, London 31st October - The 1865, Southampton 2nd November 2024 - Core Festival, Stuttgart 3rd November 2024 - AB Club, Brussels 4th November 2024 - Tsunami Club, Cologne 5th November 2024 - Dynamo, Eindhoven 6th November 2024 - De Hell...

  Welsh ragga metal legends Skindred have announced a UK headline tour for autumn 2024. Tickets are on sale now (May 15th), apart from shows in Leicester and Oxford which will be available from 5pm on Friday 17th May. All tickets will be available to purchase via https://skindred.net/#live Regarding the tour frontman Benji Webbe says, “Myself and my Brothers in Skindred are so excited to be heading back out on the road in the UK. We have had nothing but amazing vibes since we dropped our album Smile and due to the amount of messages we have received we head back out to some of our favourite hotspots in the UK to mash it up again in the way only Skindred can. This heavy metal punk rock reggae sound system is about to rock ya all even more. You might of heard the songs but I swear our live show is some next level energy ting brov, so grab your tickets & your helicopter propels & get involved in this Dred extravaganza. To the older Dredites & the new let’s bring the magic...

  Welsh riff slingers, HOUSE OF HOSTS, have just delivered their mightily impressive new single and video, Oblivion, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3b07HVC5s Formed in Swansea, Wales, and comprised of Daniel Griffiths (vocals), Jack Hunt (bass), Beth Goodwin (drums), James Russell (guitar) and Ross Davies (guitar), HOUSE OF HOSTS solidified their sound and line up in April 2023. The roots of the band, however, stem from friendships born many years ago. The band lift from the power and guile of Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold, from the crossover appeal of Disturbed, and from the depth of Dream Theatre, to pack together a heady blend of pummelling hooks laced with layered riffage, and complemented by sturdy bass and rock solid beats. After vigorously sharpening their set, HOUSE OF HOSTS headed to the studio to work on the track, Oblivion. Guitarist James Russell remarks about the single: “The song started life when I was living in a hotel in Rotherham a few years ago; it was the...

  Highly-flying Welsh post-hardcorers ICANTDIE detail their savage new EP, Errors, on Friday 17th November. The powerful trio have also released a killer new single and video, Follower, out now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7k90c4k_9o Headed by Kyle Smith (Lead Vocals and Guitar), ICANTDIE have been brewing for a number of years. Kyle always wanted to craft a sound that pulled in from Billy Talent, Everytime I Die, and Dillinger Escape Plan, with the added power trio vibe of Muse and Biffy Clyro. Focusing on dispatching music that was both heavy and accessible was key to Kyle’s early manifesto. By enlisting Gav Burrough (Funeral For a Friend) to help with production and also provide guitar, bass and vocals, a standout debut EP entitled Transition/Merger was produced. The release racked up positive responses and assisted in recruiting Adam Kerslake (drums) and Sam Bennet (bass) as permanent members. Numerous rehearsals, infinite writing sessions, and a glut of successful live...

  Making a hugely welcomed return, Welsh metalcore band Continents are today happy to kickstart a whole new era for the band with their brand new single ‘Lifeline’. After announcing the band’s hiatus in February 2019 with a final sold out headline show in April 2019, Continents have taken the time to re-brand and are now ready to continue releasing new music while showcasing a whole new side to the band. “Ask, Listen, Talk” mentions Continents vocalist, Philip Cross. “Lyrically, ‘Lifeline’ is the most open and honest I’ve ever been with letting people into my head space. It takes listeners on an emotional journey through my struggles via the music and lyrics. It comes from the problems caused mainly by social anxiety with being in such a dark and terrifying place where I was unable to breathe, speak properly or leave my house at times. I hope 'Lifeline' resonates with listeners and encourages them to be more mindful of others, whether that be thinking before you speak or just c...

  South Wales newcomers COPEHILL DOWN release a gauntlet with their towering debut EP, The Design, The Disaster: Part One, out Friday 21st April. The UK riff merchants have also just delivered a blistering new single and video, 'World One' - https://youtu.be/h68wQZ6KL40 Formed in 2020 and hailing from Newport, Wales, COPEHILL DOWN pull influence from metalcore heavyweights Unearth and August Burns Red, as well as taking inspiration from self-managed bands such as Parkway Drive. In conveying a sound that merges emotionally charged and thoughtful lyricism with aggressive, dynamic, groove-heavy riffs and a high level of musicianship, COPEHILL DOWN’s music spans from metalcore and Djent, to classic metal. Comprised of Dan Parry (vocals), Neil Mahoney (guitar), James MacDonald (guitar), Dave Warr (bass) and Rhys Thomas (drums), COPEHILL DOWN follow a self-managed ‘DIY’ ethos; they work together to record, mix and master their own songs, craft their own music videos, create their ...