Mad About Rock

  Brit alternative rockers VERSUS have thrown down a serious marker with the release of their enticing new single and video, 'This Is Everything', which is out now – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB3XRUJshOk Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/67pt9vgrdK8u8meLF6B0km Making waves with their high-energy blend of post-hardcore grit and emotionally charged songwriting, VERSUS has quickly built a reputation for live performances that go beyond the typical gig, combining dynamic lighting, powerful visuals, and crowd-driven moments to deliver truly immersive experiences. Drawing on influences from grunge, emo, and heavy rock, the Leeds-based alt-rockers balance raw aggression with melodic accessibility. Vocalist, Shortie states: “This track explores the aftermath of a deeply toxic relationship, where prolonged gaslighting and manipulation suddenly become clear. That moment of clarity forces acceptance of the damage done, reshaping the entire mindset and drivin...

  We checked in with rising UK hard hitters OPENSIGHT and asked the band to exclusively reveal the five songs that have greatly shaped their sound, and here's the lowdown: "Choosing only five songs was difficult, but it was also a really interesting and cool exercise. Opensight has always drawn inspiration from different places: heavy metal, hard rock, cult cinema, vintage video game music, progressive music, spy themes, horror scores and plenty of other corners. Rather than choosing five favourites, we thought it would make more sense to pick songs that connect in some way with the ingredients behind our new album, The Outfit. Of course, that means leaving out a lot of artists who have been hugely important to us, including Faith No More, Iron Maiden, Cynic, Fabio Frizzi, Jerry Goldsmith, Black Sabbath, Henry Mancini, Stelvio Cipriani and many more. Their influence is still there somewhere." OPETH - The Lotus Eater "The entire journey of Opeth has influenced Open...

  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...

  FangSlinger, the chief purveyors of 'UNDEAD REDNECK ROCK ’N’ ROLL', unleash their debut album 'Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon': A band of Vampire Outlaws blending southern grit, gothic atmosphere and cinematic storytelling into a hard rock sound that is rooted in big riffs, blues-soaked grooves and dual-vocal interplay. Their music draws from the swagger of Guns N’ Roses and Black Stone Cherry, with a darker edge that sets them apart from their peers. Released today on 24th April 2026, the 10-track album is available on all major digital platforms and CD format. At the core of FangSlinger is a narrative thread of three outlaws bound by a curse, roaming a fractured Old West in search of souls. While that world adds depth and identity, FangSlinger’s true strength lies in their ability to deliver songs that land just as hard in a packed venue as they do through headphones. Their debut album, 'Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon', brings that vision fully into f...

  AMONGST LIARS triumphantly return with their brand new single and video, 'Repair Myself' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvm4fcbCEgE We exclusively caught up with the band and asked them to throw down the top five tracks that have greatly shaped their sound: Rage Against The Machine - Bulls on Parade "Anything Rage wise kinda helped shape our sound. This is a personal band fave though for sure. So punchy and full of attack! Tom Morello knows how to write a heavy simple riff that sticks in your head. We deffo take some cues from RATM". Bring Me The Horizon - Teardrops "Bit more electronically heavy and very Linkin Park esq I guess both Bring Me and Linkin Park are high up on influences when it comes to style. Bring Me seem ahead of the game all the time making cutting edge tunes and rolling with the times so well. So much respect for that and again it's how we want to be. Keep evolving and never standing still". Highly Suspect - Lydia "H...

  Evanescence are back with a new song “Who Will You Follow” — listen   here  - which was co-written and produced by Zakk Cervini (Bad Omens, YUNGBLD, Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox) and Jordan Fish (Bring Me The Horizon, Poppy, House of Protection, Architects). The track is a preview for their forthcoming album Sanctuary, set for release June 5th — pre-order/save here . The album, which features tracks produced by Cervini/Fish as well as songs produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Korn, Foo Fighters, Rush) will be available from June 5th as a Digital Album, Standard CD, Deluxe CD and limited-edition Box Set. A double vinyl of the album will be released on September 4th. Amy Lee said, “This album is over three years in the making, and finally listening back to it all at once, about to release it to the world, I am so damn proud of every second of it. It’s overwhelming. Working on it has been my outlet for so much that feels wrong and out of control, and a place to ignite ho...

  Emerging UK hard rock outfit DEATH WARMED UP are primed to breakout with the release of their blistering debut album Wildcard, arriving Friday 17th April. The band have also just released their electrifying new single 'Inside My Mind'. Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxiNStOeN6I Listen in at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7G3tcNolc8GrTX4INNTiHa . Hailing from Nottingham and formed in 2023, DEATH WARMED UP deliver a fierce blend of hard-hitting, riff-driven rock ‘n’ roll. Fusing the spirit of classic ’80s rock with a sharp modern edge, the band have spent the last two years honing a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly current. Their high-octane live performances have already earned them a formidable reputation across the UK, sharing stages with the likes of Defences, Paradise Sins, and Circus 66. Behind the scenes, the band have been crafting their debut album, and Wildcard stands as a bold and confident statement of intent. Packed with s...

  Rock and metal icon ROB ZOMBIE has unveiled the music video for his latest single, “The Black Scorpion,” taken from his acclaimed new album, The Great Satan. Bathed in eerie green light, Zombie and his crew rip through the blistering punk-metal track, which clocks in at under two minutes. “The Black Scorpion,” along with recent standouts “F.T.W. 84,” “(I’m a) Rock ’N’ Roller,” “Heathen Days,” and “Punks And Demons,” marks ROB ZOMBIE’s return to the forefront of heavy music, further solidifying his already legendary status. Across more than four decades, Zombie has cemented himself as a singular cultural force. Fusing avant-garde aesthetics with monstrous, groove-driven rock, his work has consistently defied convention. With The Great Satan, Zombie extends that legacy, delivering one of the boldest and most fully realized records of his career. Purchase/Stream The Great Satan: https://robzombie.bfan.link/the-great-satan Follow ROB ZOMBIE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | You...

  Brit hard rockers DA are set to unleash their engrossing self-titled debut album, DA, out on Friday 10th April. With this in mind, we exclusively caught up with vocalist Matt Oakman and asked him for a track by track breakdown of the album: Daisy Chains "The first track on the album looks at the ideals and dreams of young people from the 1960s hippy movement, showing how those hopes were often just wishful thinking and naive when faced with real life and people’s desire for power, money, and control. As the darker sides of people’s characters seem to be getting worse in modern times, the outlook for the future does not seem to be improving." Higher "This is a fairly basic song lyrically, about the excitement and buzz of rock 'n' roll and how it can pull you out of a bad situation, even for just a short while, and make things feel better again. It highlights how music can serve as a form of therapy during challenging periods, something many people can relate to....

  UK alternative rock trio VEINS are back with their imposing new single and video, Sunlight, out now. It’s the first taste of their highly anticipated debut album, A New Forever, which arrives on Friday 5th June. Listen to the single at https://open.spotify.com/artist/3cdB9HVNOGp2gbxMxtDz37 , and watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5MIE_W1CPs Formed in Corby, England, VEINS first made waves with their debut single, Ambi, earning national radio support including airplay on BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1. Blending cinematic scope with raw emotional intensity, the band’s sound sits between post-rock expansiveness and modern alternative edge, all driven by textured guitars, brooding melodies and anthemic crescendos. Their early releases, including Blood On My Hands, helped to build the alt rockers’ growing reputation and sharing stages with the likes of Holding Absence, InMe and Press to MECO, also greatly assisted with their rising live presence. Now with Sunlig...

  Fast-rising hard rockers, BURNING CIRCUS, have now released their scorching new single, 'Rodeo'. Listen to the band at https://open.spotify.com/artist/3rPy5Ya22Uq3ZIWWZqSMf4 , and check out the video for the track here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mie_b6JWF0E Hailing from Derby, England, BURNING CIRCUS are quickly making a name for themselves with their passionate, high-energy performances and raw rock ‘n’ roll sound. Influenced by iconic bands like The Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, and Buckcherry, they bring a powerful mix of classic rock grit and modern intensity to every track they create. Since their formation in April 2024, the band has built a dedicated following, thanks to a string of successful releases and their roster of relentless gigs. With a frequent release schedule, BURNING CIRCUS have been on an upward trajectory. Their singles, More Fool Me and Kicking and Screaming, landed in September 2024, with both tracks receiving widespread attention and be...

  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...

  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...

  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...