Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Queen’s Live Aid performance has become the stuff of legend – we look back at how the iconic set really happened (LouderSound)

Kurt Cobain was convinced no one could misunderstand the intent of the lyrics to this track. Sadly, many still did (LouderSound)

She’s a household name in her home country, and it was the voice of a fellow metal icon who helped her on her journey (LouderSound)

As frontwoman of tech metal stars Jinjer, Tatiana Shmayluk has manifested an incredible career against the odds (LouderSound)

When you load up Spotify, a great big chunk of the time you can’t think what to play, right? You default back to your old favourites, those albums and songs you played on repeat when you first discovered you could make them yours.  This isn’t about guilty pleasures; it’s about those songs you’ll still be…

You know what’s easier than following around your fave pop stars, day in, day out, to see what they’re up to right that minute? Asking them. This month, we nab Stella Donnelly. 5:30 am → I get woken up by Marcel’s alarm; he works in a bakery, which is worth it for the free bread…

Jenny On Holiday’s day is neatly divided by drinks. “Today I am at my label office drinking cups of tea and answering your questions,” she says. “Later, I will be going to the pub, so the focus today is on different types of drinks.” Right now, life seems to be made up of small pleasures,…

It also officially introduced the world to one of the best vocalists in metal today (LouderSound)

Also in Classic Rock 350: Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Monroe, Jay Buchanan, Joan Armatrading, BB King, Ten Years After, The Mission, The Boomtown Rats, Tyketto, Danny Francis, Peter Capaldi and more (LouderSound)

Deep Purple are to return to the scene of their Concerto For Group And Orchestra live album (LouderSound)

On the back of their first album in 42 years, Atomic Rooster are about to hit the road (LouderSound)

The ex Deep Purple member recalls how he got started in music, and beginning to write Kansas-style songs – long before he accidentally joined them (LouderSound)

With input from Trent Reznor and Ice Cube, I’m Afraid Of Americans was rescued from Showgirls ignominy and given a prescient, unnerving video (LouderSound)

The Darkness frontman attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of The Justin Hawkins Recording Studio (LouderSound)

Chumps is the latest in a long line of politically-charged songs from the Queen drummer (LouderSound)

“They’re lining up six hours before the show. They just scream when you go out on stage as if it’s Beatlemania.” Nine Inch Nails and Korn love them and they might have invented metal’s sleaziest subgenre. This is the story of Health (LouderSound)

Metallica join forces with Dr. Martens for new limited-edition boot and shoe designs – and both are available right now (LouderSound)

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Skindred, Suzi Quatro, Karnivool and more (LouderSound)

As is so often the case, the rock and metal representation at this year’s Grammys was a mix of deserved recognition and total clangers (LouderSound)

Ozzy not being here any more still feels as raw and surreal as ever (LouderSound)

The classically-trained Canadians were wearing their influences with pride by fifth album Sideways. And they were making a concept album about UFOs when their label dropped them (LouderSound)

R.E.M. countered accusations of selling out to a major by using their commercialclout to promote their political activism (LouderSound)

Alan Parsons’ most commercially successful album bore fruit with the sports anthem Sirius and the hits Eye In The Sky and Old And Wise (LouderSound)

The quartet attempted to continue as an instrumental group, then sorted through hundreds of audition tapes, before realising they already had their new vocalist (LouderSound)

Other winners included Yungblud, Nine Inch Nails and The Cure (LouderSound)

Widely regarded as a smart and witty lyricist, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan thinks he could have done better on some tracks (LouderSound)

How Skid Row made their classic debut album (LouderSound)

Founding Kiss drummer Peter Criss was intrigued by a strange phone conversation that led to rock and roll greatness (LouderSound)

Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist breaks down his most famous solo (LouderSound)

He recalled the spark that ignited Thick As A Brick when he decided to publish a lyric book – which he admitted nobody needed, and feared would be a cringe experience (LouderSound)

Peter Gabriel will release new single every full moon at midnight in the build-up to new studio album oi. (LouderSound)

The life and times of Doro Pesch (LouderSound)

The Final Countdown pushed Europe into the pop charts – and not everyone was happy about it (LouderSound)

As they tried to outdo Trevor Horn, with influences including Genesis and Yes, their second album hit No.1 in the US and No.2 in the UK. But they didn’t contribute to Bob Geldof’s world-changing charity extravaganza (LouderSound)

Jett read a prepared statement during a show in New Zealand (LouderSound)

How Faith No More made ‘the least commercial follow-up to a hit record in history’ (LouderSound)

Sick Of It All helped take hardcore into the mainstream (LouderSound)

Even 45 years after its release, this 1981 single remains depressingly relevant today (LouderSound)

How Dio made their iconic 1983 debut album (LouderSound)

Riffs, beats and smackdowns – this is the soundtrack to Ice-T’s life (LouderSound)

With a totally stacked lineup for rock and metal fans, as well as an all-star tribute to Ozzy from Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith and Post Malone, you do not want to miss it! (LouderSound)

This 1992 classic was a turning point for progressive metal (LouderSound)

Baby Queen is back with a new single, ‘I Hope You Don’t Remember Me’, marking the first release from her forthcoming second studio album. Released via Insanity Records, the new record saw Bella Latham seek out new creative avenues by relocating to New York and later LA, where she collaborated with producer Alex Casnoff. Discussing…

Noah Kahan has released his latest single, ‘The Great Divide’, which serves as the title-track for his upcoming fourth studio album. The album -produced by Gabe Simon and Aaron Dessner, recorded primarily at a secluded farm outside Nashville, Gold Pacific Studio in Nashville, and Long Pond Studio in New York – is set to be…

My First Time are kicking off 2026 with the release of their latest single, ‘Picture Of Health’. Following on from recent drops ‘Sippy Cup’ and ‘Brand New’, the track explores the emptiness of modern life via a character (coined The Picture Of Health) desperate to win someone back. “Living vicariously through fitness and financial gurus…

Kim Gordon is set to embark on a series of UK and European live dates in spring 2026. The run is in support of her upcoming album ‘PLAY ME’, which is set for release on 13th March through Matador and features recent single ‘NOT TODAY’. The tour kicks off with performances at the Rewire Festival…

Skindred, Sevendust and Møl spearhead a week of amazing new music. Listen to it all and vote for your favourite song here. (LouderSound)

The Pretty Reckless singer has learned some extremely useful lessons across her unique career (LouderSound)

Great new prog you must hear from Hedvig Mollestrad Weejuns, plantoid, Maebe and more in this week’s Tracks Of The Week (LouderSound)

The 68th annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 1 – here’s how you can watch the evening unfold live from anywhere (LouderSound)

Casablanca Drivers have unveiled their latest single ‘Garage’. The track marks the third release from the Corsican-born, Paris-based indie-pop band’s forthcoming album. The duo, Nicolas Paoletti and Alexandre Diani, say of the track: “The song moves between softness and intensity, carried by strong synth themes and expressive vocals. With its revival electro-clash vibe, it taps…

FOLLOW UPSET ON SPOTIFY “You always worry when you take a break whether people will just move on and forget about you, you know?” says Joyce Manor’s endlessly engaging frontman Barry Johnson. “You worry that when you come back, you’re gonna be significantly smaller – because that can happen. For us, I think a break…

FOLLOW PLAY ON SPOTIFY Pem has the kind of day that makes you want to change your whole life plan. “I’m well, thank you! I’ve been gardening today, planting up a new design with lots of yellow and blue flowering plants,” she says. “It’s been a busy music week, so it’s nice to get back…

Charged with matching The Snow Goose’s surprise success, Andy Latimer’s band wrote a record about themselves – disguising their vocals because they’d been told they couldn’t sing (LouderSound)

1986 was the year where thrash metal broke through. We got the genre’s leading bands to look back on those whirlwind 12 months. (LouderSound)

All the elements of the classic rock’n’roll lifestyle fed into a storming tune about a crazy ex-lover (LouderSound)

Guitarists Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen are preparing to take their side project on the road with shows in the UK and Europe (LouderSound)

H.E.A.T frontman Kenny Leckremo picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and talks a lot about Iron Maiden (LouderSound)

Status Quo frontman surprises himself with unexpected fifth solo album (LouderSound)

She’s hoping for a return next year, with a lineup that goes beyond rock and metal (LouderSound)

Wolf Alice are set to take the stage at the BRIT Awards 2026, joining the lineup with Harry Styles and Olivia Dean. The BRIT Awards 2026, held at Co-op Live in Manchester, will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX on Saturday 28th February and hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall. Wolf Alice have been nominated…

United States Immigration And Custom Enforcement agents have fatally shot two people on the streets of Minneapolis this month (LouderSound)

Madonna has a punk rock past, and we have the receipts (LouderSound)

Deer Shed Festival have expanded their 2026 line-up with a new wave of artists set to perform at the summer event. The North Yorkshire festival, taking place at Baldersby Park from 24th to 26th July, will see DEADLETTER, Joshua Idehen, Madra Salach, Lime Garden, Brown Horse, and Murkage Dave joining the bill. These acts are…

Wunderhorse have announced a series of shows set to take place in August 2026 in Belfast, Cork, and Sheffield. The band will kick off their performances at Belfast’s Custom House Square on 25th August, followed by a show at Cork’s City Hall on 26th August, and will conclude by headlining Sheffield’s Rock n Roll Circus…

Gold Sounds are set to return to the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds for their 2026 edition on Sunday, 3rd May. Known for highlighting emerging talent, this year’s festival will be headlined by TTSSFU, Lots of Hands, and PISS. The festival will also feature local band Gravy, along with other acts including Bleech 9:3 (pictured),…

It doesn’t help that other ex-members have apparently given up their instruments, as well (LouderSound)

Outbreak Fest have announced the Friday line-up for their 2026 Manchester edition, featuring headliners The Front Bottoms, along with Balance & Composure, Tigers Jaw, Free Throw, and more. In addition to the Friday line-up, Outbreak Fest have revealed day splits and new additions to the festival, joining acts such as Alexisonfire, Basement, Hatebreed, Suicidal Tendencies,…

Written and directed by Lemmy’s Wes Orshoski, the rock doc is due to come out later this year (LouderSound)

Marmozets announce first new album since 2018 (LouderSound)

With their sharp songwriting and lyrical flair, Blondie are the pop-punk disco titans who embraced rap before it went mainstream. These are their best albums (LouderSound)

Accused of being a European “knob-turner,” he faced the music establishment’s rejection attitude with a lesson learned from Salvador Dali, and defied expectations by scaling the charts (LouderSound)

Rob Halford recalls how Judas Priest celebrated 1980s materialism – complete with sexy motor imagery and state-of-the-art studio technology (LouderSound)

Mick Mars must pay Mötley Crüe a portion of the advance he received for shows in which he did not subsequently perform (LouderSound)

Robbie Williams has released the video for his latest single, ‘All My Life’, which features scenes from his forthcoming documentary ‘Robbie Williams – Thru a New Lens’. Directed by Charlie Lightening and produced by Lorton Entertainment, the video follows his 16th UK Number 1 album with ‘BRITPOP’, released earlier this month. The album includes collaborations…

SPRINTS have unveiled their cover of Le Tigre’s ‘Deceptacon’. The cover coincides with their North American tour, which kicked off this week and is in support of their recent album ‘All That Is Over’. The band’s frontperson, Karla Chubb, comments, “I’m not sure there’s a womxn in the world who plays guitar that hasn’t been…

Against The Current are set to mark their 15-year anniversary with a series of special shows this spring. The band will perform at six intimate venues across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, revisiting some of the cities where they experienced early success. Chrissy Costanza, the band’s vocalist, commented on the milestone, saying,…

Harry Styles is confirmed to perform at The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard, marking his live TV performance debut at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 28th February. This performance will be Styles’ first at The BRIT Awards since 2023, when he won four awards after the release of his album ‘Harry’s House’, and takes place ahead…

Field Day have revealed the full lineup and stage allocations for this year’s festival. The latest additions include Patrick Mason, Silva Bumpa, Partiboi69, confirmed to join Floating Points, Honey Dijon, Joy Orbison, Interplanetary Criminal and more for the 2026 edition, which will take place on Saturday 23rd May. The stage splits for the festival have…

Bearded Theory have announced the full lineup for their 2026 festival, set to take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire from 20th to 24th May. The festival will feature headline performances by Garbage, Pixies, and Skunk Anansie, while the latest additions to the lineup include Everything Everything, The Horrors, The Twilight Sad, A Guy Called Gerald,…

AURORA is set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her debut album ‘All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend’ with the release of a new hardback book of the same name. This publication follows her previous books for ‘The Gods We Can Touch’ and ‘What Happened To The Heart?’, with general availability from Thursday…

Gretel has officially announced her debut album, ‘Squish’, set for release on 10th April via Breadcrumb Records / AWAL. The album was recorded live over five days at RAK Studios, and delves into self-protection, exploring themes of desire, jealousy, and resilience across twelve tracks. It’s preceded by the title-track. Gretel says of the record, “It’s…

It’s Like That is the third song to emerge from the Black Crowes upcoming album A Pound Of Feathers (LouderSound)

Bruce Springsteen rush-releases song “in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis” (LouderSound)

Kneecap announce UK shows around release of new album Fenian, share video for single Liars Tale (LouderSound)

Belfast-based trio KNEECAP have announced their forthcoming album ‘FENIAN’, set for release on Friday 24th April. This follows their 2024 release ‘Fine Art’ and a self-titled biopic, which received both BAFTA and Sundance awards. Produced by Dan Carey, the album features a “more sinister sound” which reflects the current times. The trio, comprising Mo Chara,…

Even if you take The Beast out of the equation, Bruce Dickinson has had a magical career. Here are his seven albums in reverse-order of excellence. (LouderSound)

TikTok users ensure that Lover, You Should’ve Come Over finally breaches the Billboard Hot 100 chart (LouderSound)

One Reddit user implies that the Charlotte Hornets embarrassed Orlando Magic on the court last week thanks to a recent show filled with “Devil imagery” (LouderSound)

Dave Mustaine understandably isn’t prepared to be pressured into backing down on his contributions to Metallica’s early success (LouderSound)

In 2001, Metallica hired an old army barracks in California to try and record album eight. The songs were scrapped when James Hetfield entered rehab, but many fans still want to hear them finished. (LouderSound)

Boomtown has revealed the second wave of its line-up for August 2026, marking a significant step in its Chapter 5: Radical Redesign. With over 50 new artists announced, the festival continues to highlight its dedication to a diverse and genre-spanning musical experience. The festival will see performances from acclaimed poet and performer Kae Tempest, alongside…

The story behind “the UK’s alternative national anthem”, inspired by heartbreak, David Bowie and Iggy Pop (LouderSound)

The singer also sheds more light on the issues his masks have given him over the years (LouderSound)

Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe lambasts the “open moral collapse” of the US government, joining the chorus of voices criticising Immigration And Customs Enforcement’s actions in Minnesota (LouderSound)

The band leader learned a valuable lesson about himself after an attempt to do his record label’s bidding (LouderSound)

The XCERTS have returned with their latest single ‘do it to myself’, marking their first original release since 2023 and their debut under the new label FLG Records. Vocalist and guitarist Murray Macleod explains, “There’s a desperate urgency about this song. It’s an admission of my fragility and tendency to self-sabotage when things aren’t good…

Ian Anderson talks about Jethro Tull’s latest album Curious Ruminant and ponders the itch to make another (LouderSound)

Maisie Peters has revealed her third studio album, ‘Florescence’, co-produced with Ian Fitchuk. The album features collaborations with Julia Michaels and Marcus Mumford, and is accompanied by a trailer directed by Amelia Dimoldenberg. The follow-up to Peters’ debut ‘The Good Witch’, the album was written and recorded primarily in Nashville, marking her debut as a…

On October 7, 2003, The Darkness released their debut album Permission To Land. Many were resistant to its obvious charms, including us (LouderSound)

BRITs Week 26, delivered by DHL for War Child, has announced additions to its 2026 line-up, featuring Olivia Dean, Spiritualized and The K’s. These acts join the series aimed at raising funds for War Child, which will run alongside The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard, set to take place on 28th February in Manchester. The…

Stooges guitarist James Williamson looks back at this proto-punk ass kicker that opened many a show circa ’73 (LouderSound)

A. G. Cook has unveiled his new single ‘Residue’ from the upcoming album ‘The Moment (The Score)’, composed for A24’s film ‘The Moment’ directed by Aidan Zamiri. The music video, also directed by Zamiri, features appearances from Charli xcx and Kylie Jenner, who are part of the film’s cast. The score for ‘The Moment’ is…

Dead Pony have unveiled a new video for their latest single, ‘Eat My Dust!’, which is now available via ADA. The new track is described by guitarist Blair Crichton as being “written about moving on from negative things in your past, bettering yourself and letting the haters choke on your dust cloud as you pass…

Enter Shikari are set to embark on their largest UK and EU headline arena tour this November. The tour will begin on 3rd November at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, including their biggest German headline show at Düsseldorf’s Mitsubishi Halle. The UK leg starts on 13th November at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, with subsequent performances in Cardiff,…

Dream on and on and on and on (LouderSound)

The story of the cult Seattle band who should have become superstars but couldn’t catch a break (LouderSound)

As nu metal’s commercial power began to wane, major labels desperately signed a bunch of bands with hardcore backgrounds, from My Chemical Romance to Cave In. A lot of them didn’t work out. (LouderSound)

The Black Label Society frontman and longtime Ozzy guitarist penned the tribute in the weeks following Ozzy’s death (LouderSound)

Wayne Coyne and co sold 13 units of 7 Skies H3 in 2011 – and for him, it was just another example of being influenced by Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Radiohead (LouderSound)

FOLLOW UPSET ON SPOTIFY Arcane Roots are back with intent. “It feels like some kind of anime montage,” Andrew Groves says. “We’ve kind of all gone away and sharpened our skills, and now we’re back together, and we’re stronger.” He smiles as he speaks, his rugged beard reflecting the years he has spent living in Iceland.…

Alex Honnold made a playlist of his favourite rock songs for his free solo climb up the 11th-tallest building on Earth last weekend (LouderSound)

For just a moment, this was the record that officially made metal the biggest genre in the world (LouderSound)

The singer also says that Ghost’s shows have more in common with Lady Gaga concerts than “many other rock bands” (LouderSound)

Bombay Bicycle Club are set to headline LIDO Festival 2026 at Victoria Park, London, marking their 20th anniversary. Scheduled for Sunday, 14th June, the band will perform their debut album‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’ as well as its follow-up ‘Flaws’ in full. This special performance will be part of a one-off…

The story of the song about America that’s been a global hit for two different musicians (LouderSound)

Of all those involved with Guns N’ Roses, drummer Steven Adler was the one who most lived up to their Most Dangerous Band In The World reputation (LouderSound)

The previously secret fan – who sneaked prog onto a Spandau Ballet album – helped bring Sex Pistols, Clash and Bowie vibes into Mason’s band, and felt intimidated when Roger Waters guested with them (LouderSound)

Neil Young is providing free access to his digital archive to residents of Greenland in protest at US Goverment threats to annex the nation (LouderSound)

Alice Cooper adds more shows to an already bulging schedule (LouderSound)

Converge’s 2001 classic Jane Doe is one of the greatest albums of the last 30 years (LouderSound)

This was certainly a time of change in the music industry (LouderSound)

Faith No More had already covered War Pigs (LouderSound)

Wolf Alice are set to perform a major homecoming performance at Finsbury Park, London, on 5th July, 2026. This announcement comes as the band celebrate three BRITs nominations, for Alternative/Rock Act, Group of the Year and Mastercard Album of the Year for ‘The Clearing’. They are currently completing an extensive world tour that has spanned…

Open’er Festival has expanded its 2026 lineup to include Martin Garrix, Kneecap andMatt Berninger. Held in Gdynia, Poland, from 1st to 4th July, the festival has also signed up ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, known for his club performances, and songwriter LP. These artists join an already packed roster that includes The Cure, Calvin Harris, The xx, Nick…

It’s the last Monday of the month, which means it’s time for the first monthly edition of Down With Boring. Broadcast tonight (Monday 26th January) on Dork Radio, Overpass join as special guests. We get into their debut album, life on the road, what touring actually does to your brain, and whether they’d happily live…

Sunday (1994) have been announced as the supporting act for The Last Dinner Party’s upcoming European tour. The extensive 17-date tour is set to begin in Lisbon, Portugal on 8th February and will conclude in Oslo, Norway on 6th March. The band have just concluded their own headline UK tour, a 12-date run in November,…

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from the Claypool Lennon Delirium, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Elles Bailey and more (LouderSound)

In 1997, two key releases by two emerging bands had a game-changing impact on the metal scene as we knew it (LouderSound)

Éric Cantona has announced his debut studio album, ‘Perfect Imperfection’. The 11-track collection will be released globally on 13th March via Barclay (Universal Music France) & Fontana, and is available for pre-order now. The former football star has penned and composed nine out of the eleven tracks on the album. The remaining tracks, ‘Avoir le…

The film chronicles the story of one of the most iconic albums in the Boss’s catalogue – and you can watch it from the comfort of your own home (LouderSound)

This band of rock icons were a big deal in the 2000s – but could they have been even bigger? (LouderSound)

Former King Crimson man Pete Sinfield tried to balance prog and pop sensibilities on the 1972 single, and had answers for the criticisms levelled at it (LouderSound)

For a much-loved ballad on 1981’s The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent, UFO turned to the criminal underworld for inspiration (LouderSound)

Hackett was in reflective mood when he released 2019 album At The Edge Of Light – which he described as not remotely progressive, explaining why that was a good thing (LouderSound)

Pretenders’ sidemen James Walbourne and Kris Sonne’s second album as His Lordship is a savage blast of high-octane, garage-rooted R&B (LouderSound)

Could Sweet still produce after dumping Chinn and Chapman? You bet! (LouderSound)

Yungblud responds to fans’ disappointment after a photo appeared online of him with Rammstein’s Till Lindemann (LouderSound)

Lemmy-approved metal queens Girlschool should be way bigger than they are (LouderSound)

When The Who toured the US in 1967, they wanted to “leave a wound” – they succeeded (LouderSound)

Devin Townsend dialled back the aggro with Strapping Young Lad’s 2005 classic Love? (LouderSound)

Kerry Livgren’s existential ballad Dust In The Wind gave pomp rockers Kansas their biggest ever hit (LouderSound)

The disaster of their first album – which remains unpopular with many fans – sent them into a nosedive. Dismissing their vocalist was part of the course correction that made them massive (LouderSound)

Violet Grohl has signed a record contract with Republic Records/Island EMI who say “she represents the next generation of artists” (LouderSound)

With a massive reunion tour on the horizon, Rush icon Geddy Lee is open to making new music with drummer Anika Nilles (LouderSound)

Judas Priest survived cars smashes and epic debauchery to make their US breakthrough album (LouderSound)

Things could have turned out very different if the drummer had his way (LouderSound)

Punk might have been on the rise but Rush, Genesis, Jon Anderson, Van der Graaf Generator, Kansas, Alan Parsons, Camel and Soft Machine released records that became all-time greats. But which one is your favourite – and why? (LouderSound)

Starting out as a synthwave duo, Cwfen pivoted to ethereal doom metal after a fateful stormy night (LouderSound)

Everyone from Ozzy to Voivod has covered this groundbreaking masterpiece (LouderSound)

“It started to get very gruesome for me, it was a total train wreck” (LouderSound)

This week, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan passed away aged 71. We revisit one of the strangest stories involving the Hulkster, which included the world’s biggest metal band (LouderSound)

When these two music giants bumped into each other, one of them was a little overawed by the whole thing (LouderSound)

Future Soul will be released during Tedeschi Trucks Band’s upcoming residency at New York’s Beacon Theater (LouderSound)

Megadeth, Rob Zombie and Poppy are among the best new metal songs this week (LouderSound)

Less than two weeks to go, and Dork’s Night Out with Matilda Mann is already shaping up to be something special. After selling out St. Matthias Church in under 24 hours (honestly: blimey), we’re very pleased to reveal the full line-up for Matilda’s headline show on Thursday 5th February. Joining Matilda on the night will…

In 1970 they gave him Scotch in the morning, a big cash advance and a three-ton limousine. Eventually the man who’d hated the resulting album gave him a platinum disc for its sales (LouderSound)

The story behind viral hit Death Bed (Coffee For Your Head) (LouderSound)

There’s cool new proggy sounds from Esthesis, worriedaboutsatan, Holosoil, JeGong and more in this week’s Tracks Of The week (LouderSound)

These metalcore legends faced an uncertain future following the exit of their much-loved frontman, but all was not lost (LouderSound)

“Though the strings have gone silent, his soul remains in every note he played and in every life he touched” (LouderSound)

CloseUp Festival has unveiled the headliners for its 2026 edition, marking the 11th instalment of the London event. Set to take place from 22nd to 24th May at Colours Hoxton in London, the festival will feature performances by Home Counties, Jimothy Lacoste and Pale Blue Eyes. In addition to the headliners, the line-up includes Only…

Girl Group have announced their upcoming EP ‘Little Sticky Pictures’, set for release on 20th March via Boys Boys Boys. This marks their first vinyl release, presented as a double A-side with their debut EP ‘Think They’re Looking, Let’s Perform’. The announcement is accompanied by the new single ‘SuperDrug’, which “explores our complicated relationship to…

Louis Tomlinson has unveiled his third album, ‘How Did I Get Here?’. The follow-up to ‘WALLS’ and ‘Faith in the Future’, the record – out today, Friday 23rd January – also sees him take his second Dork cover, for March 2026. Commenting on the release, he says, “I sum up it as ‘The record I…

Holly Humberstone has announced her forthcoming second album, ‘Cruel World’. The follow up to her debut album, ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’, released in 2023, the record covers themes of romantic, platonic, and feminine love and will be released on 10th April. Humberstone’s latest single, ‘To Love Somebody’, is accompanied by a video directed by Silken…

RAYE has launched her ‘THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC’ global tour with an opening show at Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland. The tour began with support from her sisters, ABSOLUTELY and AMMA, marking the start of a 51-date sold-out run. The extensive tour will see RAYE perform across major venues in Europe and the…

Latitude Festival has unveiled its latest lineup announcement ahead of its 20th edition this July, and while the big names are certainly headline-worthy – David Byrne! Lewis Capaldi! Wet Leg! The Last Dinner Party! – the real magic, as ever, lies in the bubbling under. Held from 23rd-26th July 2026 in the idyllic surrounds of…

Latitude Festival has extended the line up for this year’s 20th anniversary. The event will take place at Henham Park, Suffolk from 23rd to 26th July 2026, with new additions including: Jalen Ngonda, David Gray, The Undertones, Alessi Rose, The Beta Band, Nathan Evans & The SAINT PHNX Band, James Marriott, Lime Garden, Snapped Ankles,…

FOLLOW PLAY ON SPOTIFY Lime Garden are balancing excitement and nerves as they step into the release of their second album. With ‘Maybe Not Tonight’ arriving very soon indeed, the Brighton four-piece are standing at the edge of a proper step forward, buzzing with anticipation and trying, as Leila Deeley puts it, “to stay grounded…

Inspired by Irish punk and the Smash Hits Awards, Screamager brought Therapy? unexpected fame (LouderSound)

A home with a dark history, Boleskin House has been fully restored after being gutted by fire in 2015 and 2019 (LouderSound)

Drummers: Turning good bands into great ones since time immemorial (LouderSound)

Harry Styles has released his new single, ‘Aperture’. The track serves as the lead track from his forthcoming fourth album. ‘KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY.’ is set to feature 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon, and will be available on 6th March 2026. Pre-orders for limited edition vinyl, CD, exclusive merchandise, and…

Def Leppard say they’ve returned to a rockier sound (LouderSound)

James Blake has released a new track titled ‘Death Of Love’, which is featured on his forthcoming album ‘Trying Times’. Accompanying the track’s release is a live video directed by Harrison & Adair, featuring the London Welsh Men’s Choir. The album – due to be released on 13th March via Good Boy Records – captures…

RAYE has unveiled her forthcoming album, ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’, which is set for release on 27th March. RAYE comments: “Music is medicine, I’ve always said that. I guess I’m in the process of making medicine for myself that I can share with the world. I want us all to say to ourselves that…

The late Holger Czukay discusses the importance of Can’s groundbreaking second album Tago Mago (LouderSound)

Harry Styles is set to embark on a global residency tour. Titled ‘Together, Together’, the run will feature 50 performances across seven cities: Amsterdam, London – for a six-night stint at Wembley Stadium – São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne and Sydney. Styles’ tour will feature special guests Robyn, Shania Twain, Fcukers, Jorja Smith,…

Labubu this, Sonny Angel that – 2025 was the year of the trinket girl. But while most were clipping little teddies to their bag handles, Madison Beer was about a thousand steps ahead. As a lifelong trinket trawler, she’s filled her home with a spectacular array of vintage knick-knacks and memorabilia. “People come over, and…

The Itch have announced their debut album ‘It’s The Hope That Kills You’, set to be released on 10th April via Fiction Records and I OH YOU. Alongside the album announcement, the band have shared their new single ‘Aux Romanticiser’, featuring samples from the viral webseries Subway Takes and Pearson Sound’s WAD. The album’s tracklist…

Footsteps Festival is returning to venues across London from 18th to 22nd May. Now in its second year, events will take place in notable grassroots venues such as The Garage, The Lexington, Oslo Hackney, The Shacklewell Arms, The Grace, and The George Tavern. The newly announced artists include US indie band Ratboys, headlining at The…

Savages are commemorating the 10th anniversary of their album ‘Adore Life’ by unveiling two previously unreleased tracks from that era. The London-based band have shared a piano-led cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ and an original piece titled ‘Prayer’. The foursome comment: “Celebrating 10 years of ‘Adore Life,’ we’re sharing with you two unreleased songs that…

Endorsed by Slipknot, Machine Head and Trivium, Orbit Culture are one of extreme metal’s hottest new bands (LouderSound)

Parklife is set to return to Manchester’s Heaton Park in 2026. This year’s event will take place on 20th and 21st June. Leading the lineup is Calvin Harris, marking his return to Manchester 13 years after his last tour date in the city, as well as Sammy Virji and Skepta. The festival will also feature…

Biffy Clyro are set to headline a major outdoor event at this year’s Edinburgh Summer Sessions. Currently on ‘The Futique Tour’, the Scottish trio will take the stage on 21st August 2026 at the Royal Highland Showgrounds. “Edinburgh, we’re coming for you… this is going to be huge, see you in August,” they comment. Joining…

London-based electro-bass punk duo Shelf Lives have released a new single, ‘tone deF’. It’s a cut from their debut album ‘HypernormaL’, set to be released on 25th February 2026 via their own label, Not Sorry Mom Records. The new track is described by the band as “unfiltered, confrontational, and impossible to ignore”. “‘tone deF’ is…

War Child Records have announced the release of ‘HELP(2)’, a new collaborative album inspired by the 1995 release ‘HELP’ that will support the charity’s efforts to provide aid, education, mental health support, and protection to children affected by conflict. ‘HELP(2)’ – due on 6th March – features contributors including Arctic Monkeys, Anna Calvi, Arlo Parks,…

The 1975 have announced a special tenth anniversary edition of their album ‘I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it’. This anniversary edition will be available as a limited edition pink vinyl, packaged in a six-panel triple gatefold with alternative artwork. Additionally, the release includes 17 art…

The former QOTSA bassist faced a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years (LouderSound)

Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass on the joke which caused the group’s world to crumble around them (LouderSound)

From ominous omens to a horror film that got everyone talking, the legacy of The Number of The Beast is bigger than ever (LouderSound)

Drink cider from a lemon? Grant Nicholas reveals the real inspiration behind Feeder’s hit single Buck Rogers (LouderSound)

Iron Maiden’s second album Killers was a powerful statement of intent, but one cog in the momentum-gathering machine was a little loose and needed replacing (LouderSound)

The late Black Sabbath frontman is now the subject of a dinosaur-themed tribute (LouderSound)

Mick Box will miss his first Uriah Heep shows since 1969: Stand-in guitarist announced (LouderSound)

The White Stripes’ founder has promised to block any followers who tell him to “stick to music” (LouderSound)

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard have announced their nominations. Leading the noms are Lola Young and Olivia Dean, each receiving five nods. Both are recognised for their significant contributions to the British music scene, with Young nominated in categories including Artist of the Year and Pop Act, while Dean’s nominations include Artist of the…

ZAYN has premiered new single ‘Die For Me’ during his seven-show residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, Las Vegas. He has kicked off the series with a setlist that spans all four of his studio albums, alongside the live performance debut of five new songs, including tracks ‘sHe’ and ‘dRuNk’. Fans attending the residency…

Grace Inspace has unveiled her latest single, ‘Helium Balloon’, the latest preview of her upcoming EP ‘Heavy Hair’. The track joins previously released singles ‘Emergency Contact’, ‘Meteor’ featuring Luna Li, and ‘Unrivaled’, with the full collection due on 27th February. According to Grace, ‘Helium Balloon’ explores “the quiet collisions of emotion that make up the…

Louis Tomlinson has unveiled a video for his latest single ‘Imposter’, featuring actor James Nelson-Joyce. The track, which delves into themes of imposter syndrome, is part of his upcoming third album ‘How Did I Get Here?’, set for release on Friday, 23rd January. “Imposter was written in the jungle in Costa Rica,” Louis notes. “Conceptually…

Ahead of launching The Future Bites, he delivered his version of Swift’s The Last Great American Dynasty, hailing her storytelling abilities (LouderSound)

This is an excerpt from our March 2026 cover feature. You can pre-order the full issue, with the expanded Louis Tomlinson interview and full guest edited section right now. Head here to grab your copy. There’s a Costa Rican phrase, “pura vida”, that translates to pure life. It’s more than just a throwaway saying, however.…

Pre-orders for the first cover from Dork’s March 2026 issue are live now – and they come with a big one. Our biggest one, in fact, as the star of the most-ordered issue of Dork EVER, is back to take the reins. Yep, Louis Tomlinson returns to the magazine as our FIRST guest editor. It’s…

The making of Soundgarden’s fourth album was no picnic for the Seattle band (LouderSound)

They’re behind that ‘cough-cough’ mosh call you’ve probably seen all over metal TikTok (LouderSound)

Artio have released their new album, ‘Soul Rot’, through LAB Records. Alongside the album’s release, the Leeds-based alt-rock band have debuted a music video for the track ‘Full On Fight For Fun’, featuring As It Is. They’re also set to tour the UK this March. Vocalist Rae Brazill describes the track as “an ode to…

Love Saves The Day is set to return to Ashton Court on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2026. Among the first wave of acts announced are Sammy Virji, Sub Focus, Confidence Man DJs, Rizzle Kicks, Eve, and Hedex, headlining Bristol’s flagship festival during the May Bank Holiday weekend. Tom Paine, Festival Director, says, “We’ve…

Lime Garden have unveiled their forthcoming second studio album, ‘Maybe Not Tonight’, set to release through So Young Records. The Brighton-based quartet have also shared lead single ’23’, and details of an October UK tour. Tickets for these dates will be available from 10am on Friday, 23rd January. Vocalist and guitarist Chloe Howard says: “’23’…

A fascination with occult magic did nothing to help David Bowie’s sanity in the mid ’70s (LouderSound)

The Scratch have released their latest single ‘Pullin’ Teeth’. It’s a cut from their forthcoming album ‘Pull Like A Dog’, which will be released on 13th March via Sony Music Ireland and Music For Nations. The song began with a riff inspired by an older piece and was performed live the same day it was…

Japanese-British artist Miso Extra has unveiled her latest single ‘Right Here’. The track marks her first release since her debut album ‘Earcandy’, and was produced by harrry and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Ricky Damian. Miso Extra wrote ‘Right Here’ in Paris, and the accompanying music video was directed by Victor Ivanov in Tokyo, following her…

Public Service Broadcasting have announced their largest headline show to date at London’s Alexandra Palace on 26th September 2026. This event marks a celebration of over a decade since the release of their album ‘The Race For Space’, which chronicles the American and Soviet space race through nine tracks incorporating archival audio from the British…

Nashville-based band Free Throw have revealed plans for their upcoming album ‘Moments Before The Wind’, set to be released on 27th March 2026 via Wax Bodega. The record was produced by Brett Romnes, known for his work with Hot Mulligan and The Movielife, and the band recorded the album in two sessions around their touring…

Gia Ford has unveiled her latest single, ‘How Do I Reply?’, released through Chrysalis Records. This track follows her previous release, ‘God’, which came out in October last year. Both singles mark her first new music since her debut album, ‘Transparent Things’, in 2024. Discussing the song, Gia Ford says, “It’s about as no-frills as…

It’s easy to forget about wired headphones due to the rise in Bluetooth devices, but I’ve picked out a selection worth a closer look (LouderSound)

A look back at one of the most chaotic gigs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll (LouderSound)

“We thought no-one would play it.” The story behind one of the great ’90s alt. rock singles, The Breeders’ Cannonball (LouderSound)

These Manchester doom punks are the latest band to reveal the hardships facing touring musicians (LouderSound)

Rory Gallagher left a tremendous legacy of albums studded with real gems – and these are the best of them (LouderSound)

The guitarist was never against the band going in new directions, but feels he had to fight to be heard on every album from Signals to Presto (LouderSound)

Reflecting on both success and rancour, identical twins Michael and Jay Aston look back on their time in the band – and at each other’s throats (LouderSound)

All thanks to a warm, evergreen slice of pure pop genius (LouderSound)

Manchester doom punk outfit are the latest band to reveal the hardships facing touring musicians (LouderSound)

After 11 studio albums, Buckcherry are on a roll – and Josh Todd is getting good grades (LouderSound)

Louis Tomlinson has unveiled his latest single ‘Imposter’. Written in collaboration with Nico Rebscher and Dave Gibson, the song explores Tomlinson’s personal experiences with imposter syndrome. The accompanying video, starring actor James Nelson-Joyce, is set to premiere tomorrow. Tomlinson says of the track, “Imposter was written in the jungle in Costa Rica. Conceptually it leans…

Courtney Barnett has announced her forthcoming album‘Creature of Habit’, due 27th March, marking her fourth studio release. The album features ten tracks – including the newly released single ‘Site Unseen’, which sees Barnett collaborating with Waxahatchee – and was written following her move from Australia to Los Angeles and the closure of her label, Milk!…

Noah Kahan is set to release his new single ‘The Great Divide’ later this month. Coming via Mercury Records, the track is set to arrive on 30th January, having previously been unveiled live during Kahan’s 2024 ‘We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour’. This release follows his 2022 album ‘Stick Season’, which featured the 4x Platinum…

Bring Me The Horizon have unveiled their latest project, ‘L.I.V.E. in São Paulo (Live Immersive Virtual Experiment)’, a cinema event capturing their largest headline performance to date at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque Stadium. This event, presented by Trafalgar Releasing, Sony Music Vision, and RCA, will see screenings in cinemas worldwide on two exclusive dates, 25th…

Harry Styles has revealed plans to release a new single, ‘Aperture’. The track will serve as the lead track from his forthcoming fourth album. The single is scheduled for a global release on 22nd January at midnight GMT. The album, titled ‘KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY.’, is set to feature 12 tracks and is…

Snail Mail is set to release her third album, ‘Ricochet’, through Matador Records this spring. Due on 27th March, this marks Lindsey Jordan‘s first album in five years and explores themes of time, mortality, and the transient nature of life. She’s also shared the album’s lead single, ‘Dead End’. Of the video, she says, “We…

Cardinals have shared their latest single ‘I Like You’, ahead of their debut album ‘Masquerade’. Set for release on 13th February via So Young Records, the album will be celebrated with a UK and Irish headline tour in March. They will also return to the US in May to perform at Salt Lake City’s Kilby…

Dead Dads Club, led by Chilli Jesson, have released ‘That’s Life’, the final single from their forthcoming self-titled debut album, due out via Fiction Records on 23rd January. The album explores Jesson’s experiences following the death of his father, with production by Carlos O’Connell of Fontaines D.C. Chilli Jesson commented on the track, stating, “There…

A$AP Rocky has announced his 2026 ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ world tour, marking the rapper’s return to the live stage with his first full-length release in eight years. The 42-date tour begins in North America on 27th May at United Center in Chicago, before concluding this leg on 11th July at Prudential Center in Newark, New…

Rush’s Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson all appeared on Canadian satire show The Mercer Report over the years (LouderSound)

What happens when nu metal legends team up with hip hop icons? Music video gold (LouderSound)

Listen to Violet Grohl’s haunting new single What’s Heaven Without You (LouderSound)

Their fourth studio album came at a point of high tension. Instead of taking the break they needed, they were sent back into the studio. It took decades to resolve the issues that blew up (LouderSound)

A bottle of wine, a thesaurus and a rhyming dictionary sent his career out of the doldrums, into the Top 5, and helped make 1983 album Crises a success (LouderSound)

New reissue of Rush’s tenth studio album, Grace Under Pressure, features new Terry Brown mix of the album and a full 1984 Toronto concert recording (LouderSound)

Bloodywood went from the underground to being India’s biggest ever metal band (LouderSound)

If you’ve seen the film, you know it has one of the most surprising and bonkers heavy metal needle drops ever (LouderSound)

From school to hellraising in short order – all enabled by a story of a whirlwind intergalactic romance (LouderSound)

Back with a new album after 14 years, and on a differentmusical tack to their thrash metal of the 80s and 90s (LouderSound)

Thin Lizzy went from being stone broke to recording the two albums that came to define their career, but bad luck always seemed to be lurking in the shadows (LouderSound)

The footage sees Pink Floyd playing Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Money on their North American tour in 1977 (LouderSound)

From some French metal titans reaching a new peak to incredible bands we wish were still making records, here are some albums that blew our tiny minds ten years ago (LouderSound)

Out of the darkness, light, and one of the most memorable anthems of the ’90s (LouderSound)

In 2000, one of the strangest festival bookings in history unsurprisingly ended in chaos (LouderSound)

NOFX pair may soon be facing one another in a Californian court (LouderSound)

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from The Sheepdogs, Black Stone Cherry, Bryan Adams and more (LouderSound)

Disney+ is home to unmissable music documentaries, epic live shows, new and classic movies, the entire Star Wars and Marvel universes and much more – and you can grab a sub for as little as £3.99 a month for 3 months (LouderSound)

“Trump is obviously very evil, but now he’s demented as well as being very evil” (LouderSound)

How Avenged Sevenfold embraced heavy metal and wrote the song that took them to the next level (LouderSound)

Wolf Alice are set to open the 2026 Eden Sessions, performing at the Eden Project Biomes on 16th June. This announcement follows the release of their Number 1 album ‘The Clearing’, which was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Greg Kurstin. “So excited to be playing down in Cornwall at the Eden Project this year!…

Charli xcx has released a new track titled ‘Wall Of Sound’. The song is set to appear on her upcoming album ‘Wuthering Heights’, which is part of the soundtrack for Emerald Fennel’s feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, offers a fresh take on the classic tale of…

Bleech 9:3 have released their new single ‘Cannonball’ via Ra-Ra Rok Records. The track is the third single from the band, which is fronted by Baz Quinlan and Sam Duffy, following last year’s ‘Ceiling’ and ‘Jacky’. Discussing the new single, Quinlan explains, “It was written down the back of Sam’s house one day after we…

Wings of Desire are embarking on a new project for 2026. The duo – Chloe Little and James Taylor – will release a new single on each new moon throughout the lunar calendar, culminating in a full album on 9th December. They’ve kicked off the run with their latest track ‘Whisper’, the video for which…

Other musical cities celebrate their musical heritage – so why not the birthplace of heavy metal? (LouderSound)

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s down-home anthem was a retort to Neil Young’s Southern Man, but decades on it’s soundtracked everything from KFC to video games (LouderSound)

Keyboard maestro admits he gave a “very poor” performance during 1979 session, and Bob Ezrin was right to kick him out (LouderSound)

The one where the cracks in the Beatles’ armour began to appear and quality control took a back seat (LouderSound)

Sphere at National Harbor, Maryland, will be a scaled-down version of the groundbreaking Las Vegas venue (LouderSound)

“I realised I had passed into the land of greatness”: John Fogerty tells the story behind the creation of his first great song (LouderSound)

Hollywood Vampires have confirmed a run of European dates for the summer (LouderSound)

Abandoning attempts to dial down his own drama, he delivered a moving and multifaceted collection of collaborations in 2023. He immediately wanted to do it again (LouderSound)

There was more to The Tubes than White Punks On Dope (LouderSound)

HammerFall helped keep traditional metal alive during the early 2000s (LouderSound)

The story of the 1976 single that fired the starting pistol on British punk (LouderSound)

How The Prodigy’s The Fat Of The Land bought aggro to dance music and rave culture to metal (LouderSound)

Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian had big ambitions when they teamed up with Guns N’ Roses, Mr Big and Journey alumni (LouderSound)

How shock turned to rage and, years later, rage turned into one of this rock quartet’s biggest hits (LouderSound)

Johnny Cash’s career was on the skids in the 1990s – and then he met Rick Rubin (LouderSound)

The song that bridges the gap between Nirvana and Lamb Of God (LouderSound)

They’re barely even a cult band – but the Dirty Strangers have the Keith Richards seal of approval (LouderSound)

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson never intended to quit – but Balls To Picasso changed his mind (LouderSound)

The Manhattan quintet whose emergence in 2001 opened the floodgates for a whole new generation of guitar bands (LouderSound)

How Lars Ulrich and co gave a leg up to a cult early 80s British metal band (LouderSound)

Label: ColumbiaReleased: 16th January 2026 The most Robbie thing about ‘BRITPOP’ is that it’s simultaneously both an ego project and a pop-up confession booth. Even when he’s strutting about like a primetime version of himself, you can hear the little internal narrator tugging his sleeve, going, ‘Mate, are you sure?’ Big choruses, “everyone sing” contours, but…

From Ghost to Sleep Token, Babymetal to Spiritbox, these are the albums you said defined metal in 2025 (LouderSound)

Dave Grohl has proven himself as a hell of a songwriter, but it took some support from his dear friend Kurt to get some self-belief (LouderSound)

Listening to heavy music and lifting heavy stuff apparently go hand in hand. Who knew?! (LouderSound)

Truck Festival’s Band App competition is set to make a return in 2026, open to emerging artists and offering prizes such as festival slots and studio credit. The competition is judged by a panel of music industry experts, including Radio X’s John Kennedy, and applications are open until 28th January. To enter, visit eu.jotform.com. As…

Mitski has announced her eighth studio album, ‘Nothing’s About to Happen to Me’, set to be released on 27th February via Dead Oceans. The album, supported by a live band and orchestra, explores the story of a reclusive woman. While she appears deviant outside her home, inside she finds freedom. The announcement is accompanied by…

Gorillaz have released a new track, ‘Orange County’, featuring Bizarrap, Kara Jackson, and Anoushka Shankar, alongside ‘The Hardest Thing’, which includes vocals from the lateTony Allen. These tracks are described as being central to the themes of grief and hope explored throughout their upcoming ninth studio album, ‘The Mountain’, set for release on 27th February…

Iris Gold, the British-Danish artist, has released her new single ‘Sugar On My Lips’, featuring Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. The track, co-written and produced by Stewart, emerged from a personal experience, Iris explains. “I think a lot of people see me as this tiger – very bombastic, very strong. But with this song, I…

Dublin-based band Cable Boy have announced their debut album, ‘Forever’, set for release on 17th April. The group – Semilore Olusa, Liam Murray, Corneille Tshibasu, Jason Aikhionbare, and Fionn McLoughlin – are shifting towards a heavier sound, described by the band as ‘goth disco’. Of lead single ‘Something In My Head’, they explain, “‘Something in…

Queen at Glasto? Don’t hold your breath (LouderSound)

By the time Jason took to the stage with Metallica near the end of 2000, it was so clearly already over (LouderSound)

“I don’t think I’d have enjoyed a stay in a South American prison” (LouderSound)

Sticking to compositions of around four minutes, the musicianship and production remain exemplary. But it’s too often funnelled into predictable patterns (LouderSound)

The surprising tale behind the pop-influenced, Oscar-winning director-approved punk rock classic (LouderSound)

Leigh-Anne has announced the release of her new single ‘Most Wanted’, featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Valiant and super-producer Rvssian. Leigh-Anne explains, “Most Wanted started as a song written by Odeal that was sent to me and from there RVSSIAN and I got together, worked on it and made it my own. Valiant felt like the…

Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLIXXII will be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray in February (LouderSound)

GHOST have made their cover of Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ available on digital streaming platforms for the first time. Originally a bonus single on the 7” vinyl edition of the band’s 2018 album ‘Prequelle’, the release coincides with the band’s track ‘Lachryma’ being nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.…

PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have released a music video for their track ‘Stateside’. Directed by Charlotte Rutherford, the video features a mannequin version of PinkPantheress in a ‘Fancy That’-themed shop window, which springs to life, leading to a performance disrupted by Zara Larsson. The track is part of PinkPantheress’ project ‘Fancy Some More?’, which features…

Big names, rising stars and underground favourites go head-to-head in Metal Hammer’s tracks of the week (LouderSound)

FOLLOW PLAY ON SPOTIFY “I’ve always loved taking pieces of whatever I’m inspired by in any given moment,” Robin Skinner, aka Cavetown, admits. “I think that’s why a lot of my music is so genre-mish-mashed. I’ll hear a sound that tickles my brain in a nice way in whatever music I’m listening to, and I’ll…

BTS have announced the title of their forthcoming album, ‘Arirang’, due 20th March. The name is derived from a traditional Korean folk song known for its themes of connection, distance and reunion, with the record itself exploring BTS’ identity and roots. The announcement of the album title follows the launch of digital billboards in major…

Robbie Williams has unexpectedly released his new album ‘BRITPOP’, now available through Columbia Records. The record – which marks Williams’ 13th studio album and includes the singles ‘Rocket’, ‘Spies’, ‘Human’, ‘Pretty Face’, and ‘All My Life’ – was originally set for release on 6th February. The album features collaborations with notable artists such as Coldplay’s…

Madison Beer has released her latest album ‘locket’ under RCA Records UK, accompanied by the official music video for her single ‘bad enough’. Earlier this week, Madison premiered ‘bad enough’ with a live performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The album ‘locket’ includes her singles ‘make you mine’, ‘yes baby’, and ‘bittersweet’. The…

Master Peace has teamed up with Declan McKenna for a new single, ‘Fuck It Up’. The single – which is part of Peace’s forthcoming EP ‘Stupid Kids’, due on 27th February – follows his recent drop ‘Good Times’, and tracks from the FC26 soundtrack such as ‘Spin The Block’ and ‘There’s No More Underground’ Peace…

Westside Cowboy have unveiled their second EP, ‘So Much Country ‘Till We Get There’, via Island Records imprint Adventure Recordings. The release is accompanied by a new music video for the track ‘The Wahs’, directed by Liam Barton and featuring a cameo from Horsegirl’s Nora Cheng. Recorded in New York with producer Loren Humphrey, known…

It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock’n’roll, but Fury’s Interceptor album should push them in the right direction (LouderSound)

Gluecifer bring Scandinavian action rock (back) to the Man on sixth album Same Drug New High (LouderSound)

A chance to test your knowledge of one of the most pivotal chapters in The Beatles’ story (LouderSound)

Their bassist quit, then the band split after one more record. Nearly four decades on, their ambitious post rock album is regarded as a masterpiece (LouderSound)

Living Colour’s biggest hit was boosted by Mick Jagger, adopted by wrestling’s CM Punk, and used to make a point by Jimmy Kimmel (LouderSound)

The three-day festival will return to Ohio State Reformatory from July 17 – 19 (LouderSound)

Awesome new prog from Fågelle, Jagged City, Sum Of Seven and more in this week’s Tracks Of The Week (LouderSound)

Harry Styles has announced details of his fourth studio album, ‘KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY.’, which will be released on 6th March 2026. The 12-track album follows 2022’s ‘Harry’s House’, which won Album of the Year at the GRAMMY Awards and was supported by the extensive Love On Tour run. Since then, Styles has…

A. G. Cook has unveiled ‘Offscreen’, the second single from his forthcoming album ‘The Moment (The Score)’. The new album was created for A24’s film ‘The Moment’, directed by Aidan Zamiri. The score is set to be released on 30th January alongside the film via A24 Music. ‘The Moment’ is based on an original concept…

Static Dress have announced their signing with Sumerian Records, marking the new chapter with the release of a new single, ‘human props’. The band released their debut album, ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’, in 2022, and are currently on tour across the UK and EU with Paleface Swiss and Stick To Your Guns. On the signing, Sumerian…

Twenty One Pilots have released a new trailer for their upcoming film. The duo are set to release their concert film ‘More Than We Ever Imagined’ in IMAX and cinemas worldwide on 26th February, with special IMAX previews available on 25th February. The film, produced in collaboration with Trafalgar Releasing, offers a look at a…

“Tom Jones is the greatest singer Sabbath have ever had” (LouderSound)

Appleton are marking their return with the release of ‘Falling Into You’, their first new single in 23 years. The duo – Nicole and Natalie Appleton – reissued their 2003 debut album ‘Everything’s Eventual’ back in 2023. They will also take the stage at the Mighty Hoopla festival in May. The single was co-written with…

Belfast-based post-punk duo CHALK have announced their debut album ‘Crystalpunk’. The full-length is set to be released on 13th March via ALTER Music. The announcement comes alongside the release of their latest single ‘I.D.C.’, too. Ross Cullen describes ‘I.D.C.’ as “a fictional night out – self-destruction disguised as celebration, knives twisting beneath the strobe. It’s…

Brighton-based quintet SLAG have unveiled their latest single ‘Face Off’, marking their first release with the indie label Big Scary Monsters. The track is the lead from their debut EP ‘Losing’, slated for release on 6th March, prior to the band’s first nationwide headline tour later that month. Lead singer Amelie Gibson comments on the…

Hemlocke Springs has released a new single, ‘w-w-w-w-w’. This track comes in anticipation of their debut album ‘the apple tree under the sea’, set for release on 13th February, a concept album exploring themes of self-discovery and liberation. “I grew up very religiously – Christianity is very pertinent in Nigerian culture and the Black community…

Megadeth frontman admits that metal is going through “a changing of the guard” (LouderSound)

Lamb of God’s first album in four years will be released in March (LouderSound)

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson own the limelight all year, or can King Crimson, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Crown Lands and The Pineapple Thief grab headlines? (LouderSound)

Recording outside Germany for the first time, Warlock’s swansong would also launch an international metal icon (LouderSound)

Swapping champagne and private jets for a rundown farmhouse on the Welsh border (LouderSound)

Indie rocker, who was once in a prog band, lists his heroes of the genre (LouderSound)

A story of punk rock, John Peel and some misspelt graffiti (LouderSound)

Turned on by Genesis, Beefheart, Zappa and Can, theformer member of The Fall and The Creepers continues to smuggle prog into his radio shows (LouderSound)

San Franciscan guitar genius Ronnie Montrose never quite lived up to his promise, yet he inspired a legion of imitators (LouderSound)

Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on Anglophilia, AC/DC, and the song no one else wanted on the album (LouderSound)

Overpass are set to release their debut album ‘Elsewhere, Always’ on 5th June. The Birmingham-based indie-rock band are teasing the release with new single ‘Union Station’, of which vocalist and guitarist Max Newbold shares, “‘Union Station’ started with hearing someone say ‘it’s a dog-eat-dog world’ like it was just normal.” He continues, “That idea of…

Danny L Harle has released a new single, ‘Raft In The Sea’, featuring Julia Michaels. This track is taken from his upcoming debut album, ‘Cerulean’, which will be available on 13th February via XL Recordings and also features contributions from Caroline Polachek, Clairo, PinkPantheress, Oklou and MNEK. Harle comments on the collaboration, “I was incredibly…

Kim Gordon is set to release her third solo album, ‘PLAY ME’, on 13th March via Matador Records. The album continues Gordon’s exploration of art and noise. “We wanted the songs to be short,” Gordon comments on her collaboration with LA producer Justin Raisen. She adds, “I have to say, the thing that influenced me…

Listen to Traffic Lights, Flea’s new solo single, featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke (LouderSound)

Label: Adventure RecordingsReleased: 16th January 2026 There’s a particular kind of band that only really make sense when you catch them mid-stride. ‘So Much Country’ Till We Get There’, the second EP from Westside Cowboy, feels exactly like that: five songs written, recorded and released by a band moving too quickly to stop and overthink what…

Label: Futures Music GroupReleased: 16th January 2026 Cavetown is a songwriter who started out making tender, bedroom-sized songs and somehow ended up becoming a generational constant. On ‘Running With Scissors’, his latest album, he sounds more curious and playful than ever, pushing his sound in a bunch of different directions and clearly having a great time…

Label: Transgressive RecordsReleased: 9th January 2026 Jenny On Holiday is the solo project of Jenny Hollingworth, best known as one-half of Let’s Eat Grandma, but ‘Quicksand Heart’ makes it immediately clear that this is not a side note or a casual detour. It’s a properly nailed pop record, full of high-definition feelings, and Hollingworth sounds entirely…

Label: 4ADReleased: 9th January 2026 On their third album, ‘Secret Love’, Dry Cleaning are a band fully formed. There’s no sense of provocation for its own sake here, no anxiety about sprechgesang novelty. Instead, it unfolds with a quiet confidence, as though the group have developed a proper appreciation of how the music actually feels when…

Label: PIASReleased: 9th January 2026 There comes a point in long band careers where momentum stops being a virtue and starts becoming a habit. On ‘Selling A Vibe’, The Cribs sound acutely aware of that distinction. This is not an album driven by the urge to prove relevance, reclaim ground or summon the ghosts of past…

Kim Gordon’s follow-up to 2024’s The Collective is incoming (LouderSound)

Arlo Parks has announced her upcoming album ‘Ambiguous Desire’, set to be released on 3rd April via Transgressive Records. The album sees Parks exploring new musical territories, drawing inspiration from the queer hedonism of NYC’s Paradise Garage and the moody beats of The Streets and Burial. Reflecting on the creation of the album, Parks says,…

Pem has released a new single titled ‘milk, blue’. The track is part of the Bristol-based multidisciplinary artist’s upcoming EP, ‘other ways of landing’, which will be released on 30th January 2026 via Fascination Street Records. “This is about the Moon, I’m very in awe of the moon,” she says. “My dad passed away on…

Los Angeles band The Sophs have announced their debut album, ‘GOLDSTAR’. The six-piece outfit – who last year released the singles ‘I’M YOUR FIEND’, ‘SWEAT’ and ‘DEATH IN THE FAMILY’ – will released the full-length on 13th March via Rough Trade. Frontman Ethan Ramon describes the title-track as “the worst person you know yelling at…

“Five minutes later the phone rings, and someone goes, ‘Dude, turn on CNN’” (LouderSound)

Kittie’s breakthrough single made them accidental trailblazers in a nu metal scene dominated by men (LouderSound)

In 1996, the leaders of two of the biggest metal bands on the planet sat down to discuss their respective journeys in music (LouderSound)

Peter Gabriel will release live albums In The Big Room in March and Live At WOMAD 82 in May (LouderSound)

From an overpacked tent at Download Festival to selling out their first UK tour, President’s first year in office has been nothing short of a success (LouderSound)

When Alex Lifeson got back from a journey his bandmates presented him with a jam piece that finally gelled when they added Morse code to the intro (LouderSound)

Cardiacs defied classification for decades, but new album LSD – finished five years after the death of creative lynchpin Tim Smith – was widely hailed as one of the best albums of 2025 (LouderSound)

The Sex Pistols weren’t the only authority-baiting band to storm the charts in 1977 (LouderSound)

Charlie Puth has announced his ‘Whatever’s Clever!’ 2026 World Tour, featuring headline shows across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The tour will take in nearly 50 performances, including stops in San Diego, Phoenix, San Francisco, Vancouver, Boston, Nashville, Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris, London, and Warsaw, among others. Charlie says, “I feel like I’ve worked…

Madison Beer is set to embark on ‘The Locket Tour’, covering North America, Europe, and the UK. This marks the first live performances of her soon-to-be-released album, ‘locket’. The tour includes headline shows at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, Kia Forum in Los Angeles and The O2 in London. Madison…

BRITs Week 26, in partnership with War Child and delivered by DHL, has unveiled its initial lineup for 2026. The event coincides with the BRIT Awards, which will take place on 28th February in Manchester, marking the first time the event has moved out of London in its nearly 50-year history. Proceeds from the concerts…

DEADLETTER have released a new single, ‘It Comes Creeping’, marking the second track from their upcoming album ‘Existence Is Bliss’, due 27th February. Frontman Zac Lawrence explained the concept behind the song, stating, “A spectre haunts us all. Your spectre may well be different from mine, from your mother’s, but we all feel the wrath…

BTS have unveiled plans for a world tour spanning 2026-2027. Beginning in Goyang, South Korea, the tour will proceed to Tokyo, Japan. The North American leg will comprise 28 shows across 12 cities, including Tampa, El Paso, Mexico City, Stanford, Las Vegas, and East Rutherford, before concluding with a four-day stint in Los Angeles. In…

Fcukers are set to release their debut album ‘Ö’ on 27th March via Ninja Tune. The album, produced by Kenneth Blume, formerly known as Kenny Beats, was recorded over a two-week period last year and features contributions from Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs on three tracks, and mixing by Tom Norris, known for his work…

The Canterbury scene veteran had known the end was near, and set about ensuring his vision would continue in his absence – which it has, despite initial reluctance (LouderSound)

The story behind Queen’s first Top 10 single (LouderSound)

Borderland is more eclectic than ever as they celebrate the uplifting vibes of loud, aggressive music. But how did a band from the heaviest country in the world get so deeply into prog? (LouderSound)

Megadeth’s self-titled swansong drops on January 23, and you can get it on vinyl in a bundle with the latest issue of Metal Hammer (LouderSound)

One of the most unlikely collaborations in Grammys history was also one of the most cursed, but they pulled it out of the bag (LouderSound)

The dubious accolade didn’t tarnish the achievements of a British singer who was once supported by Supertramp (LouderSound)

New year. New noise. Hype is back on the hunt, digging through the chaos, the chatter and the late-night tip-offs to find the acts who aren’t just next up, but about to detonate. Dork’s Hype List is our annual spotlight on the artists who’ve started to really stand out – not because they’re destined for…

After losing Max Cavalera, Sepultura found a new singer in the unlikeliest of places. This is the story of the song that brought Derrick Green to the dance. (LouderSound)

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins is currently on the road with his Justin Hawkins’ Rides Again… Again! tour (LouderSound)

The story of an ironically titled epic that acted as a condensed history of rock’n’roll (LouderSound)

With singer Brad Delp’s future in Boston uncertain, Tom Scholz hired a secret replacement. Four decades on, he’s finally telling his story (LouderSound)

Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff will bring the party to seven cities that aren’t Las Vegas this summer (LouderSound)

“It was unhealthy and unreal and dishonest to carry on” (LouderSound)

The first Down With Boring of the year broadcasts tonight (Monday, 12th January 2026), recorded live at Rockaway Beach. Kicking off the new year properly, this episode comes straight from Butlin’s in Bognor Regis, with Antony Szmierek and Prima Queen joining us on stage for a loose, chaotic chat about the year just gone, what’s…

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from The Black Crowes, Alter Bridge, Starbenders and more (LouderSound)

Axl Rose’s integrity stunned an old friend who played a part in Guns N’ Roses’ early days (LouderSound)

The progressive metal singer is sick and tired of being pitted against other women in the scene (LouderSound)

The French artist says he sold his Tesla after the world’s richest man became part of Donald Trump’s cabinet last year (LouderSound)

This classic 90s industrial metal banger is also one of the angriest (LouderSound)

The one where the deer terrorises a troop of Boy Scouts (LouderSound)

Meet Luna Marble, the soulful, 70s-inspired group born from adversity and a blossoming romance (LouderSound)

The Road To Hell fuses Chris Rea’s weather-beaten blues instincts with serious songwriting smarts and a sharp-eyed sense of social unease (LouderSound)

“When AC/DC give you a nickname, you stick with that!” (LouderSound)

Alex Van Halen opened up to Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain about what it was like seeing Black Sabbath in the early 70s (LouderSound)

He expected to live at least three other lives. But subculture signposts led him to a career as a band leader who never made enemies – and a brief period as Tony Iommi’s boss (LouderSound)

Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead has died from underlying lung issues months after cancer battle (LouderSound)

Terry Sullivan joined Renaissance in 1972 and was a member of the band’s much-loved classic lineup (LouderSound)

South London post-punks evolve their sound, stay utterly unique (LouderSound)

Steve Harris discusses the band’s amazing career, celebrating 50 years and what the future may yet hold for metal’s most celebrated band (LouderSound)

Megadeth will be missed, but what a final record to leave us with (LouderSound)

New year, new metal tunes from Alter Bridge, Hanabie, Lord Of The Lost and more! (LouderSound)

People thought the Red Hot Chili Peppers were just zany frat boys who sang about sex and partying – until they released a gentle and heartfelt ballad about heroin (LouderSound)

The pair had been planning to revisit 1995 album Outside before Bowie’s death took fans, friends and colleagues by surprise in 2016 (LouderSound)

“Today the USA is a disaster” (LouderSound)

Dave has unveiled the official music video for his single ‘Raindance’ featuring Tems. The release follows his latest album ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ and ‘Chapter 16′ featuring Kano, with the video shot in Lagos, Nigeria. This release also comes after Dave’s appearance in Tems’ video for ‘Mine’. Dave is set to start his…

Claire Rosinkranz has unveiled her latest single, ‘Chronic’, as the final release leading up to her forthcoming second album, ‘My Lover’. The track explores the tension between healing and the comfort found in remaining unwell, and follows recent singles such as ‘Kiss’, ‘Dancer’, ‘Lucy’, and ‘Crazy Bitch’. Reflecting on the creation of ‘Chronic’, Claire Rosinkranz…

Erin LeCount has released her latest single, ‘I Believe’, today via Atlantic Records. This track follows her previous releases ‘808 Hymn’ and ‘Machine Ghost’, both of which came out in late 2025. Describing the new single, Erin LeCount says, “‘I Believe’ is a cynical, existential song about apathy, passiveness in your own life, disillusionment with…

Bruno Mars has released a new single titled ‘I Just Might’, accompanied by an official video directed by Mars and Daniel Ramos. This release comes ahead of his upcoming fourth solo album, ‘The Romantic’, which is set for release on 27th February. Alongside this, Mars has announced ‘The Romantic Tour’, marking his first global headline…

The Heritage of London Trust has acquired the childhood home of David Bowie, located at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, South London. The restoration project, expected to be completed by late 2027, aims to return the house to its early 1960s state. Curator Geoffrey Marsh, known for co-curating the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘David Bowie Is’…

The February 2026 issue of Dork is available to order now, kicking off our new year with three cover stars: Chloe Qisha, Madison Beer and Poppy. A long time Dork fave, Chloe Qisha lands at a genuine turning point. After a relentless run of releases that has taken her from online discovery to major stages…

Yes, Dear Reader. While others are still pretending interviews are a serious business, we’re busy discussing imaginary ski trips, soap-based flirtation tactics, bagfuls of small dogs, cupboards in the Kremlin and why Paul McCartney absolutely keeps dying. Zac Lawrence from DEADLETTER, everyone. What is your earliest memory?I’m skiing, but it’s weird, because I’ve never been…

Prog-friendly venue Trading Boundaries announces a new prog cruise venture up and down the Rhine for July (LouderSound)

1994’s Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck was a hit, but it wasn’t enough for the hardcore-turned-metal band’s big-label bosses (LouderSound)

Fronted by the magnetic Aimee Echo, the four-piece had a major record deal and were close friends with Korn. But their career was sadly short-lived. (LouderSound)

FOLLOW PLAY ON SPOTIFY “Would you just stop printing photos of me covered in blood, please?!” laughs Ryan Jarman, recalling the chaotic, heady days of the mid-noughties when his band The Cribs were at the epicentre of a golden age for British guitar music. The numerous larger-than-life characters that populated the music scene felt like…

The demise of the world’s biggest rock band coincided with two prog icons’ descent into bewilderment. The only evidence of their existence is four unreleased demos and a few other hints at what might have been (LouderSound)

1998 single Sugar brought the future nu metal superstars to the dance – and they were weird as hell (LouderSound)

From ‘nu deathcore’ pioneers Autumn Lies Buried to Finnish black metallers Svarta Havet, Black Label Society side project Dark Chapel and psychedelic sludgers Witchrot, these are the metal bands you need to hear in January 2026 (LouderSound)

It’s more of the same on Alter Bridge’s self-titled seventh album, but who’s complaining when their same is this good? (LouderSound)

Recorded on 9/11 and once voted the Greatest Song Of The Twenty-first Century So Far, I Believe In A Thing Called Love could have been a hit in any decade (LouderSound)

Beyond his work with Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Rick Wakeman and others, plus comparisons to Rush, ELP and krautrock, a commitment to audacious experimentation ran through the true icon’s entire life (LouderSound)

The video tells Tony Iommi’s story through archive footage and present-day interviews (LouderSound)

A Pound Of Feathers is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Happiness Bastards – The singles Profane Prophecy and Pharmacy Chronicles are out now (LouderSound)

Cate Le Bon has revealed a new single titled ‘Always The Same’, featuring St. Vincent. Le Bon describes the single, saying, “‘Always The Same’ needed a little more elbow room than the album would allow but it is cousin to the song cycle of ‘Michelangelo Dying’, coming into formation in the same breath. “Special to…

Iron Maiden legend Nicko McBrain has hosted an epic interview with Alex Van Halen (LouderSound)