Category: Music

We’ve teamed up with The Darkness for two exclusive bundles to celebrate their imminent new album, Dreams On Toast (LouderSound)

Sam Carter admits that he wanted Adam Christianson gone from Architects after the guitarist shared a transphobic post online (LouderSound)

New companion EP Scop features previously unreleased demos from the original Bard sessions and more and will be released in March (LouderSound)

Lydon recently hit out at Sex Pistols’ comeback with Frank Carter on vocals, calling it “karaoke” (LouderSound)

2013’s The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) was a collection of ghost stories in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe, MR James and spooky 70s kids’ TV. He explained each track in his own words (LouderSound)

Warning: Includes bonus footage (LouderSound)

Detroit rock veteran Bob Seger looks back on his early career and his transformation from regional hero to national treasure (LouderSound)

The live version of The Lemon Song was recorded during a soundcheck and is taken from the expanded version of Live At The Greek (LouderSound)

Walkin’ Through Fire is the fourth single to be plucked from The Darkness’s upcoming eighth studio album Dreams On Toast (LouderSound)

Neil Young will tour Europe for the first time since his Rebel Content dates with Promise Of The Real in 2016 (LouderSound)

Hawk has shared an emotional tribute to Nirvana and their frontman, with whom he has a mutual grandson, via social media (LouderSound)

Snarky Puppy’s Bob Lanzetti, Bikini Kill’s Sara Landeau and rock veteran Ben Mauro join Til’s ever-expanding roster of artists (LouderSound)

Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna in Stranger Things, has unveiled a cover of the Sleep Token track Euclid (LouderSound)

Including Battlesnake, Those Damn Crows, Brass Camel, Gorilla Riot and four other artists who don’t happen to be named after animals (LouderSound)

The North Shields singer/songwriter also laments the industry’s treatment of stars in a new interview (LouderSound)

Forge recorded a solo album called Passiflora in 2008, but it was never given an official release (LouderSound)

Supported by thrash metal royalty, Chicago’s nu metal stars will play their debut album in full at some of the biggest venues they’ve ever headlined (LouderSound)

The band believe it’s the moment they began to become significant – and the construction of the 23-minute anthem for 1972’s Foxtrot was itself an epic experience (LouderSound)

Dixie Chicken solidified Little Feat’s reputation before later albums saw them drifting towards a jazzier sound (LouderSound)

The footage was recorded on Black Sabbath’s 13 tour of Australia in 2013 (LouderSound)

Sex Type Thing was originally released as the debut Stone Temple Pilots’ single in 1993 (LouderSound)

No Black Sabbath, no heavy metal as we know it (LouderSound)

In 1985, the reunited Aerosmith had a long way to go to recapture old glories –and Done With Mirrors was the first step (LouderSound)

Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale has been addicted to rock’n’roll since she was a kid (LouderSound)

Billy Corgan’s alt-rock titans were one of the most prolific bands of the 90s. Here’s ten brilliant cuts that never made it onto one of their records. (LouderSound)

Death metal began in the US – but the early 1990s Swedish scene gave it a run for its money (LouderSound)

Starz were one of 70s rock’s greatest near misses (LouderSound)

Disturbed would love to work with rap star Kendrick Lamar on a crossover track to rival Walk This Way and Bring The Noise (LouderSound)

Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear were joined by Post Malone for lively performance of Nirvana’s smash hit from Nevermind (LouderSound)

Mick Fleetwood was a member of Fleetwood Mac from the start – and lived to tell the tale (LouderSound)

Dimmu Borgir sealed their status as black metal’s biggest band with 2007’s In Sorte Diaboli (LouderSound)

How an unfashionable band from the UK defied the critics to become the biggest British hard rock stars of the mid-2000s (LouderSound)

How AC/DC recovered from the death of iconic singer Bon Scott to make the biggest rock album ever (LouderSound)

Are you aware of how many incredible seventh records there are? Introducing the magnificent seven… (LouderSound)

The prog metal giants’ sleek, super-powerful 14th album was a conscious move away from its complex, opinion-splitting predecessor (LouderSound)

From Ginger Baker’s genius to Leslie West’s food roadie, former Cream man Jack Bruce saw it all (LouderSound)

From Hollywood star Vera Farmiga to Black Label Society, Machine Head and Disturbed, these are the best new metal songs this week (LouderSound)

“The WWE 2K25 soundtrack slaps harder than a finishing move!” (LouderSound)

From Ghost to Babymetal, Halestorm to Sleep Token, these are the metal albums you should keep an eye out for in 2025 (LouderSound)

Cosmic Cathedral sees Thompson and Morse hook up with Phil Keaggy and Byron House and they will release debut album Deep Water in April (LouderSound)

Fab new proggy sounds from Andre Drage, Derev, Dave Framcis and more in Prog’s Tracks Of The Week (LouderSound)

From the agony of trying to get Black Sabbath tickets to the ongoing Oasis reunion ticketing fiasco, buying tickets to big shows has got worse than ever – here’s how to try and navigate the madness (LouderSound)

“MGK got a number-one record with a guitar on the cover, which is really cool!” (LouderSound)

Genesis’s 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway will now be released on June 12 (LouderSound)

Recorded while their regular songwriters were away, Fox On The Run gave Sweet a huge hit and a song that would never go away (LouderSound)

Take care of business. Quit your comfort zone. Don’t listen to rock journalists. And never forget you could still be washing cars. Life advice from The Book Of Tremonti (LouderSound)

Manic Street Preachers frontman wasn’t convinced by his fellow Welsh musicians, until he discovered the Steely Dan and Little Feat elements of their 11th album (LouderSound)

David Lee Roth’s precipitous post-Van Halen tail-off is documented on The Warner Recordings 1985-1994 (LouderSound)

Did you know that Pink Floyd and Emerson Lake & Palmer were both instrumental in the creation of Tangerine Dream’s fifth album Phaedra? Read on… (LouderSound)

Folk proggers Steeleye Span will release their new studio album Conflict later in the year (LouderSound)

Ever wanted to write a song with nu metal crew Nonpoint? Your extremely specific dreams may come true! (LouderSound)

Venom Inc., Hellripper and others will also populate the bill in Wolverhampton this December (LouderSound)

Who are President? As usual, Sleep Token’s fan-base have theories (LouderSound)

A history of metal’s fascination with the fanged undead, from Slayer to Cradle Of Filth, Type O Negative and Creeper (LouderSound)

From Crippling Alcoholism to Kælan Mikla, these goth metal up-and-comers show it’s hip to be sad (LouderSound)

From anonymous sixties session men to globe-straddling seventies rock goliaths – the albums that soundtracked Led Zeppelin’s conquest of Earth (LouderSound)

The then-unknown band lost their management, got hurt in a serious road crash and cut a dodgy deal – and that’s why they’re still around today (LouderSound)

An interview with The Mars Volta’s Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (LouderSound)

Bill Bruford looks back on a famously fractious evening (LouderSound)

Sharon Osbourne says turning down the Pirates Of The Caribbean opportunity was her biggest mistake (LouderSound)

King Crimson biographer and Prog writer Sid Smith pays tribute to percussionist Jamie Muir, who died this weekend, aged 821 (LouderSound)

Finnish prog-doomers’ ninth record contains elements of Queen, Marillion, Metallica’s Black Album and pop production – but most of their mesmerising melancholy remains (LouderSound)

“I’m far more archaic,” the founding Slayer guitarist admits (LouderSound)

Cradle Of Filth frontman Dani Filth slams Spotify: “I want my bands to be paid because if they’re not paid, they’re not bands anymore” (LouderSound)

According to a local paper, Birmingham hotels are starkly raising their prices around Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show (LouderSound)

Killswitch Engage go rawer and heavier than they have in some time, led by an impassioned Jesse Leach (LouderSound)

While talking about Skunk Anansie’s new single An Artist Is An Artist, vocalist Skin delivers a passionate attack against the internet’s armchair critics (LouderSound)

45 years on from the death of AC/DC singer Bon Scott, we look back at the greatest rock’n’roll frontman of them all (LouderSound)

The Damned guitarist on spending years ripping off the genre he professed to hate, and the obscure tracks he’d play on Desert Island Discs – if they’d ever let him appear (LouderSound)

Irish band broke the limits of their own ambition when they performed every track of their seventh record at ArcTanGent (LouderSound)

The holy grail footage of Led Zeppelin’s final warm-up show before their historic Knebworth dates was shot in Denmark in 1979 (LouderSound)

Limited to just five copies worldwide, the pure gold edition of Stutter may be expensive but it is playable (LouderSound)

A tale of sexual ambiguity in 60s Soho, Lola provided The Kinks with a worldwide hit at the exact moment they needed it most (LouderSound)

The death of Rick Buckler has been confirmed in a statement from his agent (LouderSound)

Buy the new Hammer with a Killswitch Engage-themed cover and shirt that you won’t find anywhere else (LouderSound)

Why are Black Sabbath coming back? Who else is on the bill? Can I still get tickets? We answer all your questions about this summer’s Back To The Beginning extravaganza (LouderSound)

The trip-hop pioneers will be supported by Air, Forensics and Tirzah, with more names to be announced (LouderSound)

Former Pistol John Lydon says he’s annoyed that the punk icons reunited without him (LouderSound)

Jamie Muir, who featured on King Crimson’s Lark’s Tongues In Aspic before leaving to become a Buddhist monk, has died (LouderSound)

Brian Molko has been hit with a defamation charge after calling the Italian PM a “Nazi” during a performance at Sonic Park festival in 2023 (LouderSound)

Oakland’s groove metal greats will smack you about with their next torrent of riffs in April (LouderSound)

The team-up comes as Spiritbox build up to the release of their much-anticipated second album, Tsunami Sea, next month (LouderSound)

Tom Morello is best known as the guitarist with RATM, but there’s much more of his playing to marvel at than that – and these are his best albums (LouderSound)

Co-founding singer and keyboardist on his prog influences, hiring a shouting woman to conserve his voice, taking a rock-is-dead approach to his final solo albums – and why he doesn’t care if he isn’t remembered (LouderSound)

The artist formerly known as Dave The Rave explains how his disenchantment with Swinging Sixties culture spawned an unlikely solo hit (LouderSound)

As SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary we look back on the show’s 279th edition, which saw Aerosmith appear on Wayne’s World (LouderSound)

Becoming Led Zeppelin in theatres now and has broken one box office record (LouderSound)

The story of how 19-year old Kate Bush became one of the world’;s biggest music phenomenons, with a little help from David Gilmour and Emily Brontë… (LouderSound)

Amazon’s sprawling Presidents’ Day CD & vinyl sale has landed and there’s big money off releases by artists including Mastodon, Linkin Park, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam and more… but you’ll have to be quick to grab them (LouderSound)

You can look good for less with savings on a huge range of rock, metal and pop culture t-shirts on Amazon right now (LouderSound)

Including Tyler Bryant, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Samantha Fish and five other creatures of the rock’n’roll night (LouderSound)

New bands have been added to Black Sabbath’s all-day festival in July (LouderSound)

Never mind the usual drink and drug offences… quirky, eccentric incidents seem to surround some of those who make music the same way (LouderSound)

With live debuts, old favourites and stunning visuals, Spiritbox’s headline show at Alexandra Palace is nothing short of magic (LouderSound)

After being let go by Whitesnake, John Sykes returned with supergroup Blue Murder and a debut album that failed at the box office (LouderSound)

Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning show will take place on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK (LouderSound)

The New York Dolls’ frontman has thanked fans on camera following the launch of a fundraiser to help with his medical costs (LouderSound)

The “Post Nirvana” performance took place at the SNL 50 homecoming concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall (LouderSound)

Violinist discovered MTV and never looked back thanks to the influence of Yes, Rush, Zappa – and the band he’d later join (LouderSound)

Fight! Fight! Fight! (LouderSound)

In 2002, Pink Floyd were effectively over – and David Gilmour was focussing on being a solo artist (LouderSound)

The Radiohead man was being pretty chill when talking about acts who have been influenced by his band… and then he remembered the M word (LouderSound)

The guitarist’s solo debut It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere turns 30 this week but it could’ve been a GN’R album if he’d had his way (LouderSound)

Long before Blaze Bayley joined Iron Maiden, he was a member of British metal lunatics Wolfsbane (LouderSound)

Arthur Brown is the flame-headed singer behind Fire – but that’s only one part of his insane life (LouderSound)

With 2011’s The Hunter, Mastodon ditched the concepts and came up with something different (LouderSound)

Todd Rundgren clashed with Lennon, told RIngo Starr how to drum and helped shape the New York Dolls (LouderSound)

Drummer Matt Sorum was thrilled to perform with Steven Tyler this month but says the singer can’t get back on the road (LouderSound)

Black Sabbath icon Ozzy and Billy Morrison join forces again on reimagined new single Gods of Rock N Roll (LouderSound)

Ozzy Osbourne, Lacuna Coil and Lordi lead this week’s best new metal songs (LouderSound)

Hayley Williams performed Paramore classic crushcrushcrush with Finneas in Nashville last night (LouderSound)

Billy Idol on his nomination for the Rock Hall: “I could’ve never imagined this when I was 30” (LouderSound)

Britpop heroes Pulp sign up for six summer arena gigs (LouderSound)

British punks Gallows may have an album titled Orchestra Of Wolves, but Stewart Copeland now has the real thing guesting as ‘musicians’ on his forthcoming album (LouderSound)

Cool new proggy sounds you from Lights Of Skadi, Sally Potter, Pearl Handled Revolver and more in Prog’s Tracks Of The Week (LouderSound)

“People come up to you and you know what they’re going to say, that it reminds them of their first relationship or the love of their life.” (LouderSound)

Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy will release a new album, Silver Shade, in May, and Swoon is a taste of what’s to come (LouderSound)

Stewart Copeland’s Wild Concerto, a fusing of music and nature with British naturalist Martyn Stewart, is released in April (LouderSound)

Prog metal touches and djent influences shine through the barely-checked aggression on Ukrainians’ fifth album (LouderSound)

Yes’ Jon Davison is among the guests as bassist/singer limbers up for a return to the road after suffering a stroke (LouderSound)

The man who led Zeppelin looks back on Presence, In Through The Out Door and Coda (LouderSound)

A vein of melancholy runs through Manic Street Preachers’ 15th album Critical Thinking (LouderSound)

John Hughes’ 80s teen movies were the kiss of death for every band they featured (LouderSound)

Apparently Saturday Night Live performers finding several rhymes for the word “dandruff” is considered comedy now… (LouderSound)

The pop megastar talks about her early days singing classic rock tunes on the new episode of Hot Ones (LouderSound)

The For My Last Trick tour launches on May 10 in California (LouderSound)

Watch the trippy new video for Thom Yorke and electronic artist Mark Pritchard’s Back In The Game here… (LouderSound)

Here’s my pick of the eye-catching early bargains – t-shirts, vinyl, speakers, collectables, Lego & more (LouderSound)

Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra 50th Anniversary Edition will be released in April (LouderSound)

the world is still here and so are we will be released via Mike Patton’s Ipecac label (LouderSound)

Some of the very best rock music of the new millennium was being made in the UK, and 25 years on, these brilliant albums shouldn’t be allowed to fade into obscurity (LouderSound)

Watch the video for the previously unreleased No Speak, No Slave and listen to the Led Zeppelin classic Bring It On Home (LouderSound)

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s film charting the creative legacy of Sly Stone starring Andre 3000, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip and Nile Rogers hits streaming services. Here’s how you can watch it right now (LouderSound)

After Emerson Lake & Palmer’s High Voltage concert, the drummer shared his thoughts on his former bandmates and pondered an unfulfilled ambition (LouderSound)

Rather than supercars and million-dollar mansions, nu metal’s newest stars put their cash towards much less rock’n’roll items (LouderSound)

How former Giles, Giles & Fripp and King Crimson bass player Peter Giles became a Gold Medal-winning athlete at 80! (LouderSound)

After three decades of changing line-ups, the original G3 – Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson – returned to the stage (LouderSound)

Robert Fripp, Ian Anderson, Steven Wilson, Martin Scorsese, Mike Portnoy, Tom Morello, Trevor Rabin and many others share their thoughts on the Progfather (LouderSound)

From Genesis frontman to solo star and beyond: The rise, fall and rise again of Peter Gabriel, the great innovator (LouderSound)

Melodic rock’s most romantic frontman has a lovin’ message to share (LouderSound)

Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Billy Idol and Mariah Carey are also on the longlist of artists nominated for the Rock Hall in 2025 (LouderSound)

The post-hardcore favourites will play their first shows since January 2017 from June to November (LouderSound)

With a stable line-up since the beginning, Sweden’s Grand Magus have been staunch defenders of the faith for over 25 years (LouderSound)

Grab the new issue of Metal Hammer, featuring an exclusive Lacuna Coil interview, and get a special-edition cover and signed print you won’t find anywhere else (LouderSound)

Geoff Downes new-look Asia line-up will perform Asia, Alpha and Astra on consecutive nights at Trading Boundaries in April (LouderSound)

From collaborating with Wheatus to getting the seal of approval from members of Halestorm, The Prodigy, Skindred and more, Alt Blk Era are breakout stars of the nu gen (LouderSound)

On September 17 1967, The Doors performed live on US TV institution The Ed Sullivan Show. They would not be invited back (LouderSound)

After finding fame in the 2000s, Lacuna Coil’s co-singer needed the FBI to keep over-passionate fans in check (LouderSound)

Jesse Leach opens up the mental health crisis that led to him leaving one of metalcore’s biggest bands (LouderSound)

Meet Døvydas Maščinskas and Karolina Protsenko (LouderSound)

From Free to Bad Company and beyond, Paul Rodgers’ back catalogue is a gold mine, and these are his best albums (LouderSound)

They ditched the kimonos for keyboards and pursued a new, modern sound that had fans bewitched and bewildered in equal measure. Here are some prime examples (LouderSound)

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler reflect on some good, bad and ugly encounters (LouderSound)

A song about being picked up and taken away by aliens, Come Sail Away gave Styx a career boost and eventually took on a life of its own (LouderSound)

Testament’s six-string superstar reflects on the chaos of the Bay Area, guesting with Lamb Of God and studying with jazz legends (LouderSound)

Lacuna Coil go heavier than ever with help from Randy Blythe and Ash Costello (LouderSound)

A chance to hear one of the greatest albums in the punk rock canon performed in full, perhaps for the last time (LouderSound)

The Darkness’ frontman was the “unexpected star” on the latest episode of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (LouderSound)

Spiritbox’s singer has revealed what went through her head when an interviewer confused her for Poppy at the Grammy Awards (LouderSound)

The Rage Against The Machine guitarist held two star-studded charity gigs earlier this month (LouderSound)

Latest line-up’s new album Born Horses is many things, but Jonathan Donahue says it’s not pop-friendly, radio-friendly, pristine, clear, easier to mix… and it’s not de-seagulled either (LouderSound)

They still don’t agree over the contents of their make-or-break 1997 album – except on one thing they did wrong (LouderSound)

Inspired by his late father, songwriter-for-hire Stephen Wilson Jr is now telling his stories with his own voice (LouderSound)

Vince Neil was not on board at the time of the accident (LouderSound)

The Chris Goodwin Band’s GN’R Tee is not about drinking or trucks (LouderSound)

Another 23 shows have been added to Alice Cooper’s ever-growing 2025 schedule (LouderSound)

Celebrating the musical telepathy of the Allman Brothers Band (LouderSound)

The European leg of the Grand National Tour will kick off in Germany in July (LouderSound)

Norwegian prog trio hook up with Elephant9 keyboard player for epic saga (LouderSound)

Fund set up to help the last surviving member of glam-punk legends the New York Dolls as he battles cancer (LouderSound)

Looking back in anger at the news that your Oasis reunion tour tickets have been cancelled? Don’t expect Liam Gallagher to care (LouderSound)

Including Mother Vulture, Sludge Mother, and six other acts whose names don’t contain the word ‘mother’ (LouderSound)

Ozzy Osbourne’s wife/manager says that it was The Prince Of Darkness himself spearheading efforts for the band’s classic lineup to play together again (LouderSound)

Kiss bassist Gene Simmons says rock music isn’t as “fashionable” as it once was because of the popularity of popstars, such as the “fabulous” Ariana Grande and the ‘Jesus-like’ Taylor Swift (LouderSound)

Brandi Carlile shared many tense moments with Elton John during the recording sessions for their new collaborative album Who Believes In Angels? (LouderSound)

Bassist recalls the AOR giants’ progressive early years and explains why he thinks the genre is getting stronger all the time (LouderSound)

Kenny Hickey would be keen for the doom icons to follow the lead of Linkin Park, Suicide Silence and others, paying tribute to their fallen frontman with tribute shows featuring new singers (LouderSound)

The Smashing Pumpkins are set to play a series of incredible venues on their Aghori tour this summer with shows in Gunnersbury Park, Colchester Castle and more (LouderSound)

Papa Roach prove why they’re one of their era’s most enduring and celebrated bands (LouderSound)

The Opeth mainman admits he wasn’t that wowed when he recently got his hands on Kurt Cobain’s “haunted” guitar (LouderSound)

Composer, actor and painter explains why her work is high art in the style of influential writer James Joyce (LouderSound)

Arriving after a difficult gestation, Dust found Mark Lanegan tweaking the Screaming Trees blueprint (LouderSound)

Got money? Like stamps? Then you’ll be delighted with the Royal Mail’s vast range of AC/DC stamp products (LouderSound)

The Black Keys have released The Night Before, their first new song since cancelling their 2024 tour and firing their management company (LouderSound)

The story of Queen + Paul Rodgers’ one-and-done album The Cosmos Rocks (LouderSound)

Overkill’s Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth has spent a life on thrash’s frontlines (LouderSound)

From Alice Cooper to Demi Lovato and her own solo work, Nita Strauss has become a modern metal icon (LouderSound)

Gillan responded by asking Blackmore to join his solo band (LouderSound)

In 2008, Metal Hammer climbed aboard Ed Force One to join Iron Maiden on the tour of a lifetime (LouderSound)

The indie trailblazers’ second album turns 40 this month and sealed their status as one of the best British guitar groups ever (LouderSound)

In 2020, when Pendragon released their eleventh studio album Love Over Fear, we grilled mainman Nick Barrett in The Prog Interview (LouderSound)

In 2010, Ozzy Osbourne released his eleventh solo album Scream – and he had reality TV, reunions and “Jesus Freaks” on his mind (LouderSound)

Exploding the myth that progressive rock’s ‘dinosaurs’were finished off by punk (LouderSound)

“There were death threats flying around. They were burning my effigy at punk bonfires”: The tumultuous story of Peaceville Records, the underground label that helped shape extreme metal (LouderSound)

They might draw on depressing subjects, but Scarborough’s Ante-Inferno find empowerment in black metal (LouderSound)

He’s jammed with Hendrix, hung out with Peter Sellers and ribbed Bob Dylan – you name them, Stephen Stills knows them (LouderSound)

1996 album opens with arguably her proggiest song then delivers figurative lyrics, rhythmic shifts and style change-ups (LouderSound)

If you’ve been wondering what connects Disturbed, Kanye West, The 1975, David Guetta, James Corden, Nas, New Found Glory, Foals, Dizzee Rascal and more then this is the list for you. If you haven’t, you might as well read it anyway. (LouderSound)

Four years, one near-fatal car crash and an ocean of booze in the making, Def Leppard’s Hysteria is the 80s hard rock album against which all others should be measured (LouderSound)

Ticket sales for the Oasis reunion were already mired in controversy – and now some fans have been left heartbroken again (LouderSound)

They’ve had their differences over the years, but Gene Simmons still gives props to The Spaceman for what he brought to Kiss (LouderSound)

Imagine Dragons: Live From the Hollywood Bowl will be screened in cinemas around the world next month (LouderSound)

Spiritbox, Arch Enemy and Rivers Of Nihil are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite! (LouderSound)

Even when you’re a famous and much-in-demand Hollywood star, life doesn’t always work out as you had hoped as Elle Fanning has learned (LouderSound)

Great new prog to enjoy from Phase Transition, you, infinite, Pale Epiphany and more in Prog’s Tracks OPf The Week (LouderSound)

Reunion with Tarja Turunen is a high point on his second solo album, which mixes prog with vintage metal to impressive effect (LouderSound)

Expect big riffs and even bigger names on the next Polyphia album (LouderSound)

Roll With The Punches is the title track from Adams’ 16th album, out later this year (LouderSound)

Prog writer Sid Smith pays tribute to the former Soft Machine founder and keyboard player Mike Ratledge, who sadly died after a short illness, aged 81 (LouderSound)

Becoming Led Zeppelin is in cinemas now (LouderSound)

None shall sleep (LouderSound)

It’s back to the future as Mike Portnoy returns to the prog metal giants – bringing a little of their old magic with him (LouderSound)

Queen’s De Lane Lea demos were recorded before the band were signed and have never been available on vinyl before (LouderSound)

Rare footage and the voice of John Bonham – Becoming Led Zeppelin is cracks opens the door into an unseen world (LouderSound)

A Playground Of Broken Hearts charts the 80s prog revival from 1983 to 1989 and is published in July (LouderSound)

“You’re going to see one icon playing with another icon, doing a Sabbath song and one or two of their own songs, and people playing with each other that you never thought you’d see” (LouderSound)

The self-styled greatest rock band on Earth are covering REO Speedwagon for a charity compilation that comes out Friday (LouderSound)

The newly-released Los Angeles Rising compilation also features previously unheard music from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gary Numan, Devo and more (LouderSound)

Jaimoe, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge and Marc Quiñones have signed up to perform as The Brothers in April (LouderSound)

Why are Black Sabbath coming back? Who else is on the bill? How do I get tickets? We answer all your questions about this summer’s Back To The Beginning extravaganza (LouderSound)

Dream Theater needed something special to justify the hype following Portnoy’s return, and they’ve delivered (LouderSound)

How Scars On Broadway helped Daron Malakian dust himself off after System Of A Down’s breakup (LouderSound)

Jethro Tull will release their 24th studio album Curious Ruminant on March 7 (LouderSound)

Some Black Sabbath albums are epoch-defining classics, some are average, some downright embarrassing, and we’ve ranked them – from woeful worst to brilliant best (LouderSound)

A key moment in the Canterbury band’s history came when the future Gong mastermind made contact with his former collaborator in 1966 (LouderSound)

Luke Spiller picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and reveals the classic album he might record new vocals for (LouderSound)

Who Believes in Angels? features contributions from Chad Smith, Pino Palladino and Josh Klinghoffer (LouderSound)

Soft Machine’s longest-serving member Mike Ratledge, who also worked with Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers, has died after a short illness (LouderSound)

Serena Cherry, frontwoman of British extreme metallers Svalbard, opens up on the experience of having your every move documented on stage (LouderSound)

Good Music To Lift Los Angeles will also feature songs from Tenacious D, Interpol, My Morning Jacket, TV on the Radio, HEALTH and many, many more (LouderSound)

How Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine ushered in metal’s next generation (LouderSound)

Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning extravaganza will take place at Aston Villa on July 5 (LouderSound)

The Polish prog metallers’ fourth live album contains maximum simpatico between band and audience (LouderSound)

The Pogues reveal guest vocalists joining them for their 40th anniversary Rum Sodomy & The Lash tour in May (LouderSound)

Ever wondered what extreme metal bands Alice In Chains jammed to? Jerry Cantrell has the answer (LouderSound)

The members of Guns N’ Roses will always be defined by the music made with the band, but that’s not all they’ve done (LouderSound)

In 2008, eager to mend fences with fans after the Napster debacle, the biggest band in metal played one of the tiniest shows of their lives (LouderSound)

Veteran rockers Uriah Heep are saying farewell to the road, but it’s not the end of the band (LouderSound)

They didn’t mingle with fellow prog pioneers and didn’t clamour for stardom – but co-founder Les Holroyd argues they were highly successful where it mattered (LouderSound)

Benjamin Booker is back with a compelling, experimental new album, and enjoying pulling the strings on his own label (LouderSound)

Filmmaker Bernard MacMahon has revealed the lengths he went to to get Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones involved in Becoming Led Zeppelin (LouderSound)

There’s another new Bob Dylan in town (LouderSound)

Beatrice Laus continues her successful campaign to win hearts and minds across the Atlantic with new ‘The Space In Between’ shows (LouderSound)

From death/doom majesty to streamlined, melodic metal, this is your whistlestop tour through the best of Katatonia’s 12 albums (LouderSound)

Dave Grohl on the musical performance that blew his 11-year-old mind (LouderSound)

There are only 250 Steven Wilson x Prog bundles available, so get yours now! (LouderSound)

Conquer Divide/Avoid/Defences/Faetooth (LouderSound)

Atari Teenage Riot frontman Alec Empire has always believed in the power of music to effect change. Here are 10 incendiary records he recommends as the soundtrack for revolutionary struggles worldwide (LouderSound)

UK space rock legends Hawkwind will release their 37th studio album There Is No Space For Us and tour in support of the new album in April (LouderSound)

UK prog rockers Solstice will release their eighth studio album Clann in April (LouderSound)

Spiritbox’s singer got confused for Poppy on the Grammys red carpet, and the streaming giant seems to be poking fun (LouderSound)

Rising Canadian metalcore stars Spiritbox talk about the year ahead, only in the new issue of Metal Hammer (LouderSound)

Thought Jinjer might have used their growing popularity to write an album of big, catchy bangers? Nah. No chance (LouderSound)

Plus Bill Bruford, Dream Theater, Readers’ Poll Results, Jon Camp, Neal Morse, Mogwai, Tiger Moth Tales, White Willow, Matt Berry, Marko Hietala, Ritual and loads more (LouderSound)

Arctangent Festival 2025 is stacking up their bill with over 50 names, including Clown Core, Leprous, Mew, Slift, Green Lung and many more (LouderSound)

Also in this issue: Larkin Poe, Gillan, Manic Street Preachers, Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, King Crimson, The Knack, Ricky Warwick, Shaman’s Harvest, Brian Fallon, Von Hertzen Brothers and more (LouderSound)

Papa Roach are about to bring their biggest-ever show to the UK and Jacoby Shaddix still has something to prove (LouderSound)

In 1976 the US prog rockers found themselves in the upper reaches of the US charts with drivetime classic Carry On Wayward Son – which nearly fell victim to lethargy (LouderSound)

Whether it’s almost changing their name to Stalingrad or filling their biggest hit with whistling, there’s always a sting in the Scorpions’ tale (LouderSound)

The No Rain No Flowers tour finds The Black Keys moving their show into more intimate venues (LouderSound)

The reported Aerosmith reunion failed to materialise, but this year’s Jam for Janie show was still an all-star affair (LouderSound)

Including The Wildhearts, Saxon, Manic Street Preachers and five other red rockers, purple hazers and golden goddesses (LouderSound)

Now one of the most powerful and influential men in the music industry, once upon a time super-producer Rick Rubin was just another punk rock guitarist in a terrible band (LouderSound)

The French metal stars beat Metallica, Judas Priest, Spiritbox and Knocked Loose x Poppy to take home the prize (LouderSound)

Wakeman solo albums Six Wives Of Henry VIII and King Arthur to get airing on upcoming October tour (LouderSound)

On the cusp of retirement, the singer looks back on how the 1988 split came about, how it could have been avoided, and how his debut solo record Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors rose from the ashes (LouderSound)

Come for the incredibly awkward interview, stay because LaPlante handled it like a champ (LouderSound)

The new run of European shows is in addition to AC/DC’s previously announced North American schedule (LouderSound)

In which former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore attempts to forge a new career in the post-NWOBHM rock landscape and also writes some ballads (LouderSound)

The multi-faceted guitarist looks back on a career including stints with Robert Fripp, John Cale, Kevin Ayers and others (LouderSound)

Let the arguments commence (LouderSound)

Toto’s Dogs Of Oz tour is currently in the UK before heading off to Europe, with dates to follow in Australia, New Zealand and North America (LouderSound)

Playing their classic 2005 albums at the O2 in London, the metalcore icons indulge everyone’s nostalgia while proving themselves as arena headliners (LouderSound)

“Time stopped as I lifted the album from the bin and stared at the cover. I thought, What is this?” Album artwork matters: ask Belinda Carlisle (LouderSound)

Deftones’ eighth album, Gore, was one of the most difficult records they made (LouderSound)

Horslips put celtic rock on the map and paved the way for U2 (LouderSound)

The grunge superstars learned a lot when they teamed up with the rock veteran to make his 1995 album, but they regret not putting their name on it (LouderSound)

The epic story of Simple Minds, the Scottish rock band who conquered the world (LouderSound)

Six months before Black Sabbath released their landmark debut album, another band were praising Satan (LouderSound)

The Dan has a sonic wingding in 1975 (LouderSound)

The late, great Marianne Faithfull had a life like no oth (LouderSound)

Swedish prog metal supergroup on why they flew the flag for classic songwriting values and honest live performances with 2019 release (LouderSound)

What happened when Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones teamed up in Them Crooked Vu.tures (LouderSound)

Zakk Wylde’s love of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young knows no bounds (LouderSound)

Sharing the stage with Page, giving Hendrix a guitar, being mistaken for Jagger – these were some of Jeff Beck‘s most memorable friendships (LouderSound)

From Prince to Joni Mitchell and Macca to the Bee Gees, the stars who were in such a creative purple patch that they had classics going spare and shopped them elsewhere. (LouderSound)

War, liberty, controversy – Five Finger Death Punch face it all down (LouderSound)

Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine is the first song to emerge from Luke Spiller’s debut solo album (LouderSound)

The release of Def Leppard’s version of Stand By Me follows the staging of the FireAid concerts in Inglewood (LouderSound)

The Indian viral sensations will release new album Nu Delhi in March – just in time for their UK tour. (LouderSound)

Epica, Jinjer and Bloodywood are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite! (LouderSound)

Pink proves once again that she is one of pop music’s great voices with a flawless take on a Led Zeppelin classic (LouderSound)

After channeling Nick Drake and Bert Jansch on his first record, the Swedish guitarist’s pivot from extreme metal brings him to a Kate Bush-like world (LouderSound)

Cool new proggy sounds from Bruit ≤, Nebula Nine and more in this week’s Tracks Of The Week… (LouderSound)

LA funk-rock superstars Red Hot Chili Peppers play first show together since the 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, to help support fundraising efforts for those affected by the devastating fires in their hometown (LouderSound)

John Etheridge’s arrival adds a harder, defined edge to the band’s 1976 album (LouderSound)

The four-disc Andy Summers and Robert Fripp’s Complete Works 1981-1984 features previously unreleased material and new mixes (LouderSound)

Joan Jett, Kim Gordon and St. Vincent also joined Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear onstage at the charity fundraiser in Los Angeles (LouderSound)

Guitars, guitars and more guitars (LouderSound)

Sound and vision elements of 1989 pay-per-ew show brought together in clamshell (LouderSound)

Yes, no Squire (LouderSound)

Saturday Night Live will also celebrate half century with Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Arcade Fire, Devo and The B-52s (LouderSound)

Musicians across the globe have paid tribute to Marianne Faithfull, who has passed away in London (LouderSound)

Jered Threatin has released a new single, Die Young, with a video that chronicles his fight against life-threatening illness (LouderSound)

The death of singer, actress, author and icon Marianne Faithfull has been confirmed by her spokesperson (LouderSound)

Black Country, New Road will release their new album Forever Howlong in April (LouderSound)

Inspired by a passion for Bond movies, she investigates movie glamour, fake mediums, teenage drinking and her smutty partner in her third solo album – the first one she’s made at home (LouderSound)

I’ve written about Sleep Token, Metallica and Bring Me The Horizon many, many times, but this is the first time I’ve done a list with a time-travelling slug on it (LouderSound)

Here’s why I think Tango In The Night is Fleetwood Mac’s greatest record (LouderSound)

Roger Waters’ The Dark Side Of The Moon Redux Super Deluxe box set features the original album on gold vinyl, a live version and more (LouderSound)

No-one tell Liam Gallagher that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy aren’t real, the poor lamb is still getting over the shock of learning that Spinal Tap aren’t who he thought they were (LouderSound)

Nick Cave nominates the “amazing work of art” that he’d like played to soundtrack his passing into the afterlife (LouderSound)

Welsh metal band’s drummer Arya Goggin hails the Genesis icon and reveals some of his secrets (LouderSound)

In 2008, just days before he was sacked by Velvet Revolver, Scott Weiland told the uncensored story of his deteriorating relationship with the band (LouderSound)

SNL’s first night: Drugs, obscenity, and a fight for the soul of America (LouderSound)

The best songs by Bad Company, the supergroup who took blues rock to the stadiums of America (LouderSound)

From greedy politicians to male mental health, Massive Wagons stuck their necks out on 2024’s Earth To Grace album (LouderSound)

Your Move / I’ve Seen All Good People comes from the upcoming live album Live – Perpetual Change (LouderSound)

Wishbone Ash – At The BBC 1970-1988 features eleven discs of BBC sessions and a live DVD of Old Grey Whistle Test performances (LouderSound)

The world’s premier Irish language hip-hop trio announce fall tour plans (LouderSound)

Eddie Van Halen was the master of shredding, but he was capable of so much more as well, says Testament’s longtime guitarist (LouderSound)

The year 2000 gave us massive releases from Deftones, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, but these 10 albums flew under the radar (LouderSound)

Listen to Bring Me The Horizon put a metal spin on a Britpop classic here (LouderSound)

“Come out, cut a rug, sweat with us” (LouderSound)

Formed of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam, Alt Blk Era are spinning metal, hip hop and EDM into irresistibly fun new shapes (LouderSound)

America, the Sex Pistols are coming for you, again (LouderSound)

Sleep Token headlining Download! A long-awaited Mastodon album! Polyphia x Babymetal?! This is why forward-thinking metal will have a banner year in 2025 (LouderSound)

How Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp wound up featuring on Oasis’ first blues song (LouderSound)

All the evidence you need to be convinced the hard-living singer-songwriter was as progressive as they come (LouderSound)

In 1969 an exciting new supergroup was born – but the story of Humble Pie is one of frustration and crushing disappointment (LouderSound)

Steve Lukather on the band’s younger audience, the continued success of Africa, and that weird art installation in the Namibian desert (LouderSound)

Would you like fries with that? (LouderSound)

Vivian Campbell missed Def Leppard’s recent show in Leon, Mexico, as he recuperated from a bone marrow transplant (LouderSound)

Rush 50 celebrates the band’s half-century in a variety of formats featuring seven previously unreleased tracks, out in March (LouderSound)

Burdened with debt, ignored by their label and used as a sweetener in a hush-hush deal, the band delivered one of the most progressive records of all time to no avail – but always believed it was an artistic success (LouderSound)

Want to get into Australian psych-wizards King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard but intimidated by their 26 album-strong catalogue? Fear not, we’ve whittled down the lot to their finest five for your listening pleasure in this definitive list (LouderSound)

Listen to Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap’s H.O.O.D. re-imagined for 2025 in even more intense, hard-hitting fashion (LouderSound)

Peal Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready covered a Bob Dylan classic at one of the most star-studded concerts ever staged in New York, then headed out for beers with the folk-rock legend (LouderSound)

UK prog rockers IQ will release their twelfth studio album Dominion in March (LouderSound)

“British music fans have a special place in the world of music, and I’m privileged that my songs are a part of that,” Haywards says as he announces October dates (LouderSound)

Incensed by the band having a song cut from their set last-minute, Tim Commerford marched into the dressing room of guest host Steve Forbes and drew the ire of the Secret Service (LouderSound)

Alice Cooper’s new dates come in addition to his already-announced European tour schedule (LouderSound)

Fuelled by jazz, socialism and an absurdist slant on the world around him, the retired Canterbury icon’s instincts served him well during a remarkable career (LouderSound)

Led Zeppelin may be the greatest rock band of all time, but they weren’t perfect – and here’s the proof (LouderSound)

Nick Cave chose eight favourite songs on the long-running BBC Radio show (LouderSound)

For Luck And Strange David Gilmour assembled a team that produced “the best album I’ve made since The Dark Side Of The Moon” (LouderSound)

Orianthi was originally brought in to replace Nita Strauss on Alice Cooper’s upcoming tour (LouderSound)

Rating the storied career of one of modern metal’s most important bands as they head out on tour to celebrate 20 years of Ascendancy (LouderSound)

Steven Wilson will release The Overview, a concept album featuring two long-form pieces of music, on March 14 (LouderSound)

The California blackgaze darlings will release Lonely People With Power, their first album in four years, on March 28 (LouderSound)

Including Larkin Poe, Ricky Warwick, the Doobie Brothers and five other rockin’ rebels, rampagers and rioters (LouderSound)

Pick up a 2LP version of Wardruna’s shamanic new album, along with a signed memento you won’t find anywhere else (LouderSound)

Carlos Alomar and George Murray to undertake the D.A.M. Trilogy – Back To Berlin Tour in November and December (LouderSound)

The design also references Brazilian culture and Slipknot’s late founding drummer, Joey Jordison (LouderSound)

The annual Teenage Cancer Trust shows will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in March (LouderSound)

Released in between Pink Floyd’s Animals and The Wall, David Gilmour’s self-titled solo album laid the groundwork for future releases (LouderSound)

Bizarre instrumentation and avant-garde construction made Mike Patton and co’s second album a curveball of epic proportions (LouderSound)

Children Of Bodom did as much as HIM and Nightwish to put Finnish metal on the map (LouderSound)

Watch all the action unfold in Worcestershire’s rowdiest kitchen (LouderSound)

Timothée Chalamet has been widely praised and Oscar-nominated for his portrayal of the young Bob Dylan (LouderSound)

Rock And Roll Party Cowboy comes from The Darkness’s upcoming eighth studio album Dreams On Toast (LouderSound)

Lead vocalist Kobi Farhi explains why 2018 album Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs echoes the ancient message: “dictators live forever – only the good die young“ (LouderSound)

They started the 80s in drug-addled disarray and ended it bigger than ever (LouderSound)

The alt-metal classic that came out of nowhere and changed everything (LouderSound)

The award-winning Shameless, Silk and The Village actress finds inspiration in the genre’s theatrics – and explains why she feels it’s a summertime experience (LouderSound)

They ended the 1960s opening for Led Zeppelin in the US and ended the 70s headlining multiple nights at Madison Square Garden (LouderSound)

Had he not seen the light, we would’ve been deprived of one of the synth-rock titans’ all-time great songs (LouderSound)

The story of the second coming of Celtic Frost (LouderSound)

John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells – Blues Brothers and former SNL icon Dan Aykroyd knows his blues (LouderSound)

There were revelations galore about Steve Hackett’s twenty-fifth studio album At The Edge Of Light (LouderSound)

Jesse Leach tried to write “words of wisdom” for Killswitch Engage’s next album, but it ended up containing the angriest songs of their career (LouderSound)

The story of Scott Weiland’s final Stone Temple Pilots album (LouderSound)

Oli Sykes pulled himself of the darkness for BMTH’s 2015 album That’s The Spirit (LouderSound)

The Machina standout, which turns 25 next month, marked the beginning of the end for the alt-rock heroes’ first phase (LouderSound)

Playing with Bowie and Sabbath,. boozing with Keith Moon, hanging out with Lennon – Rick Wakeman has done it all (LouderSound)

The album that kicked Motley Crue to the next level – and nearly killed them (LouderSound)

Listen to Roger Taylor’s isolated drum tracks from three different versions of Queen’s first album highlight Liar (LouderSound)

After a four year investigation, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman says sexual assault charges levelled at Marilyn Manson could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt (LouderSound)

World, meet the Red Hot Chili Peppers, you’ll be seeing quite a lot of them in the future, like it or not (LouderSound)

Dark Nordic folk collective’s sixth album takes the listener into hibernation and on to the new spring (LouderSound)

Burned out in 2021, Big Brave’s Robin Wattie looked to accounts of “women, people of colour and queers” to draw strength and inspiration to keep going (LouderSound)

The nu metal titans have released the footage to promote an a cappella version of latest album From Zero (LouderSound)

Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage and Electric Callboy lead a stacked week of brilliant new metal singles. Plus, vote for your favourite! (LouderSound)

The now-Suicidal Tendencies drummer played two Slipknot songs during a recent clinic in Paris (LouderSound)

Pennyghael House, a nine-room mansion on the Isle of Mull once owned by Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, is up for sale:, and in need of some love and attention (LouderSound)

Despite picking up awards at film festivals all over the world in 2024, Kneecap’s biopic hasn’t made the Oscars setlist (LouderSound)

In 1999, longtime Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain threatened to leave the band over the prospect of an extra guitarist (LouderSound)

Great new prog to enjoy from Penelope Trappes, Mission Jupiter, Liquid Bear and more… (LouderSound)

As one of the leading figures behind the Nordic folk renaissance, Einar Selvik returns to claim the crown with Birna (LouderSound)

His 13th album, self-performed except for drums, is another example of his fathomless imagination and instrumental prowess (LouderSound)

Love Linkin Park but hate the music? This is the album for you! (LouderSound)

Julie Christmas explains the weird and wonderful processes behind Ridiculous And Full Of Blood (LouderSound)

The film tells the story of Sly & The Family Stone’s rise and fall, and examines the difficulties facing successful Black artists in America (LouderSound)

11th album, which follows No.1 hit As The Love Continues, is a confident and competent helping of their curiously uplifting dourness (LouderSound)

Boston legends Aerosmith will play at a charity event early next month (LouderSound)

In 1980 Stevie Nicks stepped out of Fleetwood Mac with a hit-laden debut solo album that showed she could fly just as high on her own (LouderSound)

Nashville siblings return with an album as earthy as the dust blown up by a Tennessee gale (LouderSound)

Acoustic Sessions features original vocal parts from Lynott paired with brand-new pieces from founding guitarist Eric Bell (LouderSound)

10cc’s new single also features the first new song from Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley in nearly 20 years (LouderSound)

The weather in the UK at the moment is awful – but with EMP offering up to 60% off clothing, it’s the perfect time to get wrapped up (LouderSound)

Vocalist with a one-off voice talked writing hits, co-founding Streetwalkers, going solo and overseeing the emotional reunion as he marked the launch of his most recent album (LouderSound)

Body Count frontman and self-professed Slayer superfan Ice-T talks the return of the Big Four’s most notorious band (LouderSound)

“Everything that I always say about this can be related to sex in some way,” the legendary guitarist admits (LouderSound)

“These hues are our grunge heroes with a sexy AF personality.” Of course they are hun (LouderSound)

Influenced by the confusion and hostility that followed 9/11, Kreator wrote an anarchic thrasher that continued their 2000s comeback (LouderSound)

As Musk denies throwing a Nazi salute at the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, the singer of Lamb Of God puts the “complete ***hole” on blast (LouderSound)

When Chicago founder Terry Kath accidentally killed himself, the world was robbed of one of its greatest guitarists (LouderSound)

“This band can save rock”, At The Drive-In’s record company boldly declared as the Texan post-hardcore band prepared to release their third album, Relationship of Command. But six months later, the band fell apart. Now we know why (LouderSound)

Listen to the previously unheard Hot For You Baby, which comes from the 40th anniversary edition of Tina Turner’s classic Private Dancer album (LouderSound)

From ska-punk/metalcore crossovers to industrial threesomes, these team-ups showed metal is more collaborative than ever (LouderSound)

They’ve got a ballsy singer and catchy songs. Sharon Osbourne was their manager, Guns N’ Roses were their mates. So why aren’t The Quireboys living in mansions? (LouderSound)

Iron Maiden have written songs about dinosaurs, the Second World War and many, many things in between. So, here’s the history of Planet Earth as told through the metal legends’ lyrics. (LouderSound)

Dream Theater’s will release Parasomnia, their first new album with Mike Portnoy for 16 years, in February (LouderSound)

Beck’s touring Stratocaster also sold for over £1 million – and the money will all go to help baby animals (LouderSound)

The tour will feature guest appearances from Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Little Feat, Duane Betts and more (LouderSound)

Coldplay share 44-minute “multimedia tapestry” A Film For The Future (LouderSound)

“This band had at its very core a contradiction…” (LouderSound)

Will Ramos of Lorna Shore can be seen screaming his guts up and, in a real rarity, singing his heart out in the video for Employed To Serve’s excellent new single, Atonement (LouderSound)

One Metal Hammer writer looks back on the scarring effects of the video for Metallica’s One, released on January 22, 1989 (LouderSound)

New version of post-rock legends Talk Talk’s Best Of has been re-ordered to run chronologically (LouderSound)

Original bassist Mark Andes embraces what they achieved – but regrets they weren’t able to offer the support that “keystone” member Randy California needed (LouderSound)

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have confirmed they’ll be trotting across the globe from June to September (LouderSound)

Pure punkoid speed: Bad Nerves at London’s Electric Ballroom (LouderSound)

A superlative slab of CD-slinging convenience – with a soft sting in the tail (LouderSound)

Toto guitarist Steve Lukather shares what he thinks of Weezer’s take on their 1982 classic Africa, says that he tried to reach out to Rivers Cuomo but “it just got weird” (LouderSound)

The London metal crew will play in Europe and the US in spring and summer, and then… that’s all, folks! (LouderSound)

The original lineup of Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward will join just 50 others in being recognised as Freemen by the City Of Birmingham (LouderSound)

“It’s not a movie, it’s a cultural movement.” The story behind Ice Nine Kills’ ultra-gory Terrifier 3 tie-in A Work Of Art (LouderSound)

Leading lights of the UK’s psychedelic revolution, Hawkwind’s early days were a fug of good trips, bad trips, free-form chaos and dancing gazelles (LouderSound)

Five prog musicians explain the lasting impact of Andy Latimer’s band (LouderSound)

From wowing audiences at Eurovision to selling out dates of her headline tour, 2024 was a massive year for Bambie Thug – and they’re just getting started (LouderSound)

A rare interview with the late John Sykes, who died this week at the age of 65 – and some personal memories from Myles Kennedy (LouderSound)

The Let’s Do It Again tour will be Peter Frampton’s third since his supposed final dates in 2020 (LouderSound)

Faith No More haven’t played live since 2015 and co-founder Bill Gould admits that he’s as clueless as anyone else as to whether the band have a future (LouderSound)

Keyboard player Garth Hudson, who also played with Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Roger Waters and more, has died aged 87 (LouderSound)

Kraftwerk will release a new Dolby Atmos mix of Autobahn on Blu-ray and digitally, as well as their first official vinyl picture disc in March (LouderSound)

It’s a new era for ‘old’ tech, as evidenced by these forward-thinking portable CD players from FiiO, Lenco, Philips and more (LouderSound)

When their acclaimed third record became difficult to escape, guitarist and vocalist Asger Mygind knew what its follow-up needed to be – but had no idea how to make it happen (LouderSound)

Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley fell down many, many times…and once even almost died on stage (LouderSound)

The Iron Maiden singer faced off against a three-time Olympic medallist and concluded, “He’s not bad.” (LouderSound)

Mikael Åkerfeldt looks back on the time he was starstruck after meeting fellow Swedish legend, Agnetha Fältskog from ABBA (LouderSound)

We’ve all had rough days at work, but walking up to your shop’s window and seeing it covered in faeces is a new level of nightmarish (LouderSound)

“‘Do you see them in 10 years being the greatest thing since sliced bread?’ No, not a chance!” (LouderSound)

Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd have also announced a Canadian tour with The Outlaws (LouderSound)

When the Sex Pistols re-formed with three original members plus singer Frank Carter, they hadn’t sounded so vital in years. And there’s more to come (LouderSound)

System Of A Down have a storied career, and Serj has spoken on one of the most challenging support slots the band experienced in their early days (LouderSound)

Twists of fate prevented him from following his original ambitions – but his band still use Robert Fripp’s music at sound checks (LouderSound)

Life isn’t always easy leading the yellow and black attack (LouderSound)

With over 2.2 billion views on YouTube, Guns N’ Roses’ epic video for November Rain is one of the most-watched rock videos in history. Guitarist Slash has vivid memories of the shoot, not least because he thought that it might be his last day on earth (LouderSound)

The death of John Sykes, whose contributions to Whitesnake spurred them to become one of the biggest-selling bands of the eighties, has been confirmed (LouderSound)

Katatonia’s upbeat, up-tempo Sky Void Of Stars was born from the need for adrenaline at a time when the stage felt very far away…. (LouderSound)

From Joni Mitchell to David Bowie via Billy Bragg, Led Zeppelin and Frank Zappa, here are eight songs that made Du Blonde the bold and brilliant artist that she is (LouderSound)

During an appearance on BBC News ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Kid Rock couldn’t quite contain himself over hearing the sound of a female journalist’s voice and invites said professional skiing (LouderSound)

Including Skunk Anansie, Billy F Gibbons, Thundermother and five other storm bringers and lightning riders (LouderSound)

We catch up with Ukrainian metallers Jinjer ahead of new album Duél (LouderSound)

R.E.M frontman Michael Stipe is calling for a boycott of all Meta-owned social media platforms due to policies allegedly enabling a rise of far-right content across America (LouderSound)

Nightwish might not have been on the road in 2024, but they still put out one of the year’s best albums (LouderSound)

Mick Jones steered Foreigner to instant success, but with a self-confessed “bit of a control freak” at the helm it was often far from plain sailing (LouderSound)

The best albums from producer Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange, unparalleled audio perfectionist and man with the Midas touch, whose sonics sent the careers of AC/DC and Def Leppard soaring (LouderSound)

Return To Ommadawn was a fresh exploration of the ideas on his third album – complete with a vinyl gatefold sleeve offering “hours of enjoyment” (LouderSound)

Blonde On Blonde is the album that saw Bob Dylan complete the transition from folk to rock artist (LouderSound)

Vivian Campbell has missed both shows Def Leppard have played since the finish of last year’s Summer Stadium Tour (LouderSound)

How a sci-fi obsessed British rock group influenced a key track on Trivium’s breakthrough Ascendancy album (LouderSound)

The birth of American rock’s original Crazy Gang (LouderSound)

“The producer was saying, ‘You guys suck! You can’t play!’ I don’t know if that was a tactic to get us to perform better!”: How Cathedral reinvented doom metal for a new generation (LouderSound)

Lzzy Hale grew up watching 80s rock stars on TV. In 2024, she got to be one, playing with a beloved childhood band (LouderSound)

Launching his career in middle-age, he found a huge range of kindred spirits like John Hackett, Sally Minnear and Oliver Wakeman – who understand he doesn’t need to make money, but doesn’t want to lose it either (LouderSound)

It’s 30 years since the Athens, Georgia legends began a huge tour to support Monster and frontman Stipe had no choice but to up the flamboyance in his frontman game (LouderSound)

Sober for 14 years, Lamb Of God frontman says he of all people can’t complain about drunkards getting on his nerves (LouderSound)

Tool’s Fear Inoculum won praise from just about everyone –but Hatebreed singer Jasta was not a fan (LouderSound)

And no, it’s not by Metallica, Slayer or Mercyful Fate (LouderSound)

A 2013 audience with an unexpectedly calm and approachable Dave Mustaine (LouderSound)

Grand Magus’s JB Christoffersson, Wardruna’s Einar Selvik and mediaeval history lecturer Simon Trafford explain why heavy music can’t get enough of Viking culture (LouderSound)

Bowie, Bolan, Thin Lizzy – producer Tony Visconti has worked with them all (LouderSound)

Thom Yorke first performed the band’s much-loved 1995 single with his previous group Headless Chickens, and there’s video evidence (LouderSound)

“We were weeping like little babies, trying to figure out whether to continue, and if so how”: How HIM pulled back from the brink to make their final album Tears On Tape (LouderSound)

If I Could Only Remember My Name, created during a challenging time in the folk rock icon’s life, demonstrated joy in artistic freedom as he pushed boundaries to prove his uniqueness (LouderSound)

The band brought together members of Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Screaming Trees and they emerged with one of the most underrated rock records of the 90s (LouderSound)

Scorpions were due to commence their Planet Hollywood residency next month (LouderSound)

Drugged up, boozed up and almost washed up, Mötley Crüe went into rehab, came out and recorded a classic of the late-80s LA metal scene: Nikki Sixx takes us back (LouderSound)

Architects, Alien Weaponry and Whitechapel are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite! (LouderSound)

They achieve the feat in the video for disorienting new single Lexington Delirium, which features spoken-word narration from Meshuggah’s Tomas Haake (LouderSound)

Trent Reznor testifies to the mind-expanding wonders of his teenage record collection (LouderSound)

New year – new prog, from Tiberius, Rendezvous Point, Seventh Station, Teramaze and more… (LouderSound)

Haken’s Charlie Griffiths will release his second solo album Gods Of Pangea under the Tiktaalika banner in March (LouderSound)

Classics by Judas Priest, Metallica, Black Sabbath and more all make the cut (LouderSound)

Released in 1971, the African-tinged record pioneered what would become world music, and took prog into fresh new waters too. (LouderSound)

The announcement of The Dust Coda’s new frontman comes ahead of a UK tour in March (LouderSound)

A shiny gold vinyl release as Frank Black’s crowning solo glory hits 30 (LouderSound)

Canadian maverick Devin Townsend names his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and reveals the music he listens to while mowing the lawn (LouderSound)

The Red Rocker is ready for residencies (LouderSound)

FireAid will raise money for those affected by Californian wildfires and efforts to prevent future disasters (LouderSound)

On 1988’s Document album, ‘the thinking person’s rock band’ ditched the jangling guitars for distortion, power chords and arena rock singles (LouderSound)

A drunken fist-fight, childhood tragedy and an all-star producer all helped Mastodon channel their melodic tendencies on Oblivion (LouderSound)

From Eyehategod and A Day To Remember to 50 Cent and Dave Matthews Band, these songs have shaped Brat vocalist Liz Selfish (LouderSound)

Billie Joe Armstrong’s side-band pay tribute to the bands and anthems that shaped their lives (LouderSound)

Alex Lifeson reveals he and Geddy Lee have weekly jam session – and they record the results (LouderSound)

The brief encounter wasn’t what anyone could have predicted – but it was enough to give the younger singer a tantalising idea. (LouderSound)

‘The Metal Factory’ at Summa College in Eindhoven lets pupils study heavy metal vocals, as well as the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard (LouderSound)

The Doors were stars but their Sunset Strip peers Love deserved to be equally famous (LouderSound)