Matt Heafy’s guide to black metalAs Trivium frontman Matthew Kiichi Heafy unleashes one-man black metal project IBARAKI, he talks us through his love for metal’s darkest subgenre…
GILT: “I’m learning that grief isn’t a linear line of healing”On intense new EP Conceit, GILT tackle the loss of Ash Stixx’s father and examine the unpredictable journey of grief. And not only has it provided an emotional “bubble pop” for the vocalist, it’s a hugely important outlet for listeners, too…
“We haven’t felt like this since 2004”: Simple Plan talk longevity, fundraising for Ukraine and “powerful” new record Harder Than It LooksPierre Bouvier lifts the lid on the awesome Harder Than It Looks – his “favourite-sounding” Simple Plan record to date…
The 26 most metal Star Wars charactersStar Wars is pretty metal, right? But which characters truly embody that metalhead spirit? Let’s find out…
The rise of Architects, as told through their most important gigsIt’s been a hell of a journey for Architects, from ultra-heavy tech-metallers to UK arena slayers. Sam Carter recalls it all through their most important gigs…
“The more out of the box I get, the more room there is for people to hop in”: Inside the hyper-femininity of Scene QueenFrom ruling TikTok to holding knives to boners, pink-loving Scene Queen is showing the world what it means to be alternative, and that you can be whoever you want to be…
Bay Watch: SunamiMore than just a hyperactive Twitter account, Sunami are one of the hardest bands breaking out of the Bay Area scene right now – not that they had any plans to do so at all...
The Regrettes: “We’ve found ourselves, we’re stronger”The rise and rise of The Regrettes looked unstoppable. But paused by COVID, Lydia Night began to wonder about everything. On their journey to rediscovering themselves and making their best album to date, she and guitarist Genessa Gariano actually found just how important this all is to them after all...
Kublai Khan’s Matt Honeycutt: The 10 songs that changed my lifeFrom Toy Story to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kublai Khan vocalist Matt Honeycutt’s record collection has it all…
Bowling For Soup’s Jaret Reddick: Punk rock, perseverance and getting personalAfter nearly 30 years in pop-punk, Jaret Reddick turned his hand to country earlier this year. But as Bowling For Soup release 11th album Pop Drunk Snot Bread, the frontman explains how the two have got more in common than you might think…
Kirk Hammett: “It’s weird, I’m 59 years old and I don’t think I’ve even peaked creatively or musically”Fresh from the release of his debut solo EP Portals, Kirk Hammett talks creativity away from Metallica, the “audio cinematic approach”, and why he’s still got so much left in the tank…
In pictures: The faces of Manchester Punk FestivalThese are just some of the diehard punks that made it out to Manchester Punk Festival last weekend...
Growth, grunge and going against the grain: How Ocean Grove became an “antidote to the mundane”As Melbourne shapeshifters Ocean Grove prepare to release third album Up In The Air Forever, vocalist Dale Tanner reflects on the band’s unexpected journey…
Bay Watch: EntryIn this week’s edition of Bay Watch, we catch up with Entry vocalist Sara G to get the lowdown on her hardcore upbringing and the band’s electrifying abrasion…
Softcult: “We feel a responsibility – almost a desperation – to change things before our time is over”From hard-hitting lyrics to their very own zine addressing important topics, Softcult have already started making an impact. And as sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn continue building momentum, soon there will be no stopping them…
Why Download Festival 2022 will be the most accessible everAhead of the first full-capacity Download in three years, organisers have announced a host of site improvements to ensure that festival-goers with disabilities will get the most from rock’s biggest weekend. We sit down with accessibility representative Katie Hester to get the inside track…