Mad About Rock

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  Belfast heavy rock outfit FOREIGNWOLF are back with new music, announcing their stunning new EP, Merely Mortal, due out on Friday 3rd April. The band have just released their superb new single and video, 'Imposter Syndrome'. Watch the video here: Listen to the band at - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7l7RZ5zg0uqfvmay1Adin0 Formed in 2019, FOREIGNWOLF have been steadily building momentum with their huge riffs, honest lyrics, and powerful vocal delivery. Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the band’s sound pulls from influences like Alexisonfire, Alter Bridge, and Deftones, blending true substance and melody into something that feels both heavy and deeply personal. The four-piece, which features: Gerard McCann (vocals, guitar), Dave Brady (lead guitar, backing vocals), Conor Forbes (bass, backing vocals), and Max Couhig (drums), are a close-knit group brought together by a shared love of rock and metal. Since forming, they’ve played shows across the UK and picked up support ...

  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 ...

  EDIT THE TIDE are on the rise and are loaded with their stunning new EP, 'The Space Between Seconds', out Friday 21st November. We exclusively checked in with the potent alt-metallers and asked the band to give us an exclusively track by track breakdown of the EP: ECHOES "The knowledge that we are such insignificant beings in such a vast universe poses the question “what is our purpose on Earth?”. Are we echoes of the past, will we ever truly know what’s out there or is there a meaning to the mixed-up chain of events we call life?" THE COST OF STANDING STILL "Corruption and austerity are now part of our daily lives whether we like it or not. Why are we wasting time fighting against each other when we should be standing together as one. It’s time for us to stop letting cynicism cloud our judgement and turn our focus to the real villains." Check out the new video 'The Cost Of Standing Still' that was released today 14/11/25: DANCING WITH SHADOWS ...

  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 ...

  Rising Welsh alt-metallers EDIT THE TIDE return with force this autumn, announcing the release of their sophomore EP, 'The Space Between Seconds', set to land on Friday 21st November. Melding the raw power of heavy, driving riffs with the emotional depth of soaring vocal harmonies, the new record is poised to cement the band’s place on the UK alternative scene. Ahead of the EP, the band have now unleashed their powerful new single, 'Dancing With Shadows', out now. Watch the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN1qQaI1hCQ Listen to the band at https://open.spotify.com/artist/7pg0H8fNpMR7zXQjGsMRxQ Formed in 2023 and emerging from Bridgend, South Wales, EDIT THE TIDE have rapidly built a reputation for their high-octane live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting. Their debut EP, Reflections In Sound (April 2024), made a bold impact, earning radio support from Kerrang! Radio and BBC Introducing Wales and receiving critical acclaim in Powerplay and Devolution ...

  Ascending northern alt-rock trio CANE ROUGE unleash their sophomore EP, 'Lights Out', on Friday 10th October. The EP’s title track, 'Lights Out', has just been released as a single, and you can watch the video here: Comprised of Ant Clarke (vocals/guitar), Dale McGee (drums), and Joe Harrison-Brown (bass), we exclusively chatted with the band and asked them to offer up the key songs that have shaped their sound: Ant's Track Choice: Pixies – Gouge Away "This song is like the perfect portrayal of loud quiet loud that our sound is hugely inspired by. The way it builds after that bassline into that chorus is just perfect. As a 3 piece we like to emphasise on the loud and this song is a great example of that." Ant's Track Choice: The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog "Right from the off, the feedback of that fuzzy chainsaw sounding guitar. That’s a massive part of our live sound, I absolutely love feedback. Combined with the enigma that is Iggy. Pu...

  Energetic alt trio ORCHID SYMMETRY are set to light up the scene again with their self-titled new EP, Orchid Symmetry, which is out this Friday 5th September. With that in mind, we exclusively spoke to the band and asked them to give us a track-by-track breakdown of the record: Like the Sun "Like the Sun lures you into a false sense of lust and physical intimacy. But beneath the surface lies something far more unsettling: a reflection on the blurred line between pleasure and destruction, longing and the blood-warm thrill of holding life, and the end of it, in your hands. It speaks to the shadow we all carry, that quiet place where craving and control, ecstasy and cruelty, begin to intertwine." Feeding the Wolves Pt 2 "'Feeding the Wolves'' is feeding your fears. It is something we all have to tackle: the fear of the uncertainty surrounding the challenges we face and ultimately the fear of the unknown. When it feels like the whole world is against you, yo...

Live-wired alternative trio ORCHID SYMMETRY are ready to ignite the scene once again with their self-titled new EP, Orchid Symmetry, dropping Friday 5th September on all major platforms. Ahead of the full release, fans can get a taste of what’s to come with the explosive lead single and video, 'Sadistic', out now. Check out the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49IHCz04HWQ Listen to the band via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vTQWjJNAxlE6v8ZU2cTuF Hailing from the South-west of England, the band – made up of Damian Wilde (vocals/guitar), Chris Hill (drums), and Will Spears (bass) – have been forging a bold, uncompromising path since forming in 2019. Known for their relentless energy, impassioned performances, and genre-blending sound, ORCHID SYMMETRY pull from the raw grit of punk, the crushing weight of metal, and the emotive hooks of alt rock. Their latest self-titled EP marks a powerful evolution in the band’s sound. Building on the aggressive energy and sha...

  UK road warriors SILK SPINSTER, are set to drop their self-titled debut EP on Friday 1st August and it’s a potent statement of intent. Ahead of the release, we exclusively spoke to the rising metallers and asked them to give us an exclusive track by track breakdown of the EP: MIDNIGHT LIFE "This is one of our earliest songs. An ode to horror films of the 1980s and other similar songs of the same period such as The Ripper and Killers by Judas Priest and Iron Maiden respectively. A fanciful tale of seeing red which keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek." SILK SPINSTER "This is a fantasy tale about slaying a monster. It is also a song about going on tour. Within this track you can find references to some of our other tracks like Pulling Me Under, Rev It Up, Feel Your Fear and Rockstar - can you find them all?" HOME "A song of love and loss. Reflecting on the past, feelings of betrayal and inadequacy and the loss of a potential future all resonate through th...

  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...

  Led Zeppelin will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their iconic sixth album, Physical Graffiti, with the release of their new Live E.P. on 180-gram 12" vinyl, CD and digital formats on September 12. Also released on the same date will be an updated 50th Anniversary edition of 2015’s Physical Graffiti Deluxe Edition 3LP vinyl set featuring the Companion Audio disc, now including a new bonus replica Physical Graffiti promotional poster (sized 443mm x 610mm). The new Live E.P. features live recordings of “In My Time Of Dying” and “Trampled Under Foot” from Earl’s Court, 1975, alongside “Sick Again” and “Kashmir” from Knebworth, 1979. These live performances were originally released on the 2003 Led Zeppelin DVD and appear on CD / Vinyl / Digital formats for the very first time. Released on February 24, 1975 in the US (and four days later in the UK), Physical Graffiti immediately achieved platinum sales status and has recently been certified 17x platinum. Its commercial success was ...

  Explosive UK alt-metal outfit TALLBOY continue their upward trajectory with the release of their debut EP, House of Glass, out Friday 25th July. In the lead-up, the band have now dropped their blistering new single and video, 'Pressure Point' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW5Qhucj_C8 Check out TALLBOY over at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sVWXKvalst4vqy2Mtt0m8 Formed in Cumbria, England, TALLBOY have rapidly earned a reputation for delivering crushing riffs, emotionally charged vocals, and anthemic choruses that stick hard and hit even harder. Their live shows are a force of nature—relentless, dynamic, and deeply affecting. By fusing classic alternative metal influences with a modern, cutting-edge sound, the band are carving their own path in the UK’s heavy music landscape. Earlier this year, the quintet made waves with the breakout single Name & Shame, which secured national radio airplay and praise from tastemakers across the scene. Now, all eyes are on House ...

  Brit alt-metallers OUR NORTH continue their swift incline with their explosive new EP, 'Everyone For Themselves', out on Friday the 4th July 2025. We caught up with vocalist and guitarist, Dan Feast, and he exclusively gave us their track by track breakdown of the EP: CHOKED TO DEATH "The song reflects a point in life where we face financial struggles, working tirelessly just to make ends meet, yet feeling like we’re not getting anywhere. My dad suffered a severe workplace accident, while my mum worked tirelessly to keep our household running. I recall starting my first job and giving my entire monthly earnings to support her." SOMETHING TO BE "Have you ever felt like you’re not ready to give up on something, but society pressures you to walk away? The message of this song is simple: don’t let go of what you love doing." VIOLENT RULES “Violent rules” is another way of saying “one rule for one, and another for everyone else.” It’s about someone who’s willin...

  The debut EP from UK based Gothic-Western rockers FangSlinger, 'We Are The Night', features 5 haunting tales from the Lost Souls Saloon told through Fangslinger's unique blend of hard rock, western blues & gothic atmospherics. Officially unleashed on 29th July 2025 on both digital & CD format - the EP features all their single releases to date, plus their previously unheard title track. Aside from a standard CD version, the British trio have also launched Special Editions: The FangSlinger, BloodRose and HangMan editions of the EP feature a gift with a personalised perk and handwritten letter from the band. Perks include (but not limited to): a Cursed Playing Card which entitles you to a game of black-jack with the band (whiskey included), a Tarot Card which invites the recipient to a Tarot card reading with BloodRose herself and a miniature noose from the HangMan which provides free entry to shows and meet & greets for life (and possibly the afterlife too!) Pe...

  Emerging UK alternative rock crew, DETROIT RUN, plough forward with the launch of their enticing new EP, Defiance – Part 1, which is out on Friday 30th May. The powerful quartet have also revealed their soaring new single and video, 'Tightrope' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvKkXtJyxRA Listen into the band via - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5oMhlFJXVYuDeX82J2xRRN With a handful of festival appearances already under their belts, DETROIT RUN are poised to step up. Dishing up a sound that is drenched with massive riffery, huge choruses, and astute electronic tones – DETROIT RUN have the skill and determination to reach the forefront of the UK’s buoyant music scene. Born in late 2022 and featuring Tom Haywood (Vocals), Gary White (Guitars), Nathan Dillon (Bass Guitar), and Wes Cunningham (Drums), DETROIT RUN come at you from Liverpool, England, and soon hit the ground running with their debut EP, Room 14. The release emphasised the band’s craft and real potential, mappin...