Every metal record should start with a high pitched “YYYEEEAAAAAHH!”. Thankfully, retirement dodging NWOBHM stalwarts Saxon have delivered this with aplomb on 23rd studio album Carpe Diem. Yes. Twenty-third. This is the band who headlined the Whisky A Go Go in LA, supported by a young band making their live debut: Metallica. Since then Saxon…
Legendary NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal for the uninitiated) outfit Saxon have unfortunately had to postpone their remaining shows for this year. Legendary frontman Biff Byford has been diagnosed with a heart condition, and needs to undergo surgery and a period of recovery, making it not practical for them to tour until he’s…
We thought we’d be due another Download Festival 2016 line up announcement before Christmas, and Andy Copping and his team have obliged with a monster of an announcement! Via their often used good friend, Daniel P Carter on the BBC Radio One Rock Show, ten new acts have been added to the festivities at Donington…
Words by James Halstead and Nicholas Holmes, photos by Tess Donohoe. Following on from the two previous days of metal mayhem, capped off on Saturday night by black metal icons Emperor, the Bloodstock Open Air devotees roused their weary bones for one final very worthwhile assault on their senses. If you’d like to catch up…
Ronnie James Dio needs no introduction, his career no summary that hasn’t been done a thousand times already. With the fourth anniversary of his passing shortly to be upon us, his wife Wendy and the Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund founded in his name (https://www.diocancerfund.org/) have assembled an almighty group of Ronnie’s friends and…
The people at Bloodstock Open Air Festival are really spoiling us for the 2014 installment of the festival. Not only have they given us first the mighty Emperor and then the legendary stoner metal of Down as two of the headliners, they’ve now gone and added another three quality acts to the event. First up…
One of the UK’s most iconic metal bands of all time, Judas Priest decided that there was nowhere to finish off the current part of their Epitaph World Tour than at home. London’s famous Hammersmith Apollo, the sight of many great shows over the years was a fitting venue for the tour’s conclusion and the…
Hot on the wheels (sic) of British heavy metal legends Judas Priest’s announcement that they are to play a one off headlining show at the Hammersmith Apollo on May 26th 2012, there is some rather excellent news concerning the support bands for the evening. Those lucky enough to have tickets for the show will get…
