The Cover Story

Holding Absence: “Music is and always has been my life – it’s the only thing that’s ever understood me”

Ahead of Holding Absence’s new album, Lucas Woodland is in the midst of a revelation. Using music to confront his perceived weaknesses, we meet the “very emotional person” on a journey of self-discovery, digging deeper than ever before, finding a new beauty in life and the confidence to be the person he believes he can be…

The Armed: “This was always supposed to be magical and bizarre, but never just f*cking pretend”

After years as the slipperiest enigma in alternative music, The Armed are finally setting the story straight. Well, kinda. Strapping ourselves to the anarchic collective as they kick off celebrations for fifth LP Perfect Saviors, K! finds there’s still no easy way out once you’ve fallen into their intoxicating tangle of politics and philosophy, muscle and mayhem…

Skindred: “We’re not hailed like a lot of bands, but it’s supposed to be like this. We’re the alternative”

Despite a stellar discography and consistently brilliant live show, Skindred have often been taken for granted by rock fans in their 25 years as a band. But no more. On the eve of the release of their fantastic eighth album Smile, the Newport heroes cast their minds back over their journey so far – and reveal why they’re hungrier than ever for the future…

Beartooth: “Life is about loving the process, loving all the different seasons and the ups and downs”

Ten years in the making, Beartooth’s fifth album finds Caleb Shomo coming face-to-face with something that’s eluded him all this time: self-love. Having always used music as an outlet for his pain and depression, today we find a man at peace with himself, having finally escaped the depths and ready to breach the surface…

The Dirty Nil: “We despise and cackle at the carnival game that is the music industry”

The Dirty Nil are through playing games. After a period of mismanagement and being forced to jump through industry hoops with no actual benefit, they’ve rediscovered what really matters: rock’n’roll. With a newfound lust for loudness, the Canadian punks are back doing things on their own terms and will fight any deity who gets in their way…

Svalbard: “I can’t imagine not using the band as a way to express my eternal hell”

For years Svalbard have carved a name for themselves with their biting, brutalising sociopolitical attacks. Now, on The Weight Of The Mask, Serena Cherry is looking inward, exploring her deep, dark battles with depression with unflinching honesty, coming out the other side their most pained, personal and powerful record yet…

Spiritbox: “We’re still figuring out what we are, and I don’t even know if I want to find out”

Two whirlwind years since debut album Eternal Blue, Spiritbox are rolling into the UK stronger than ever with a sold-out tour ahead of them. Barely taking time to breathe, Courtney LaPlante is finally taking time to reflect on their stratospheric rise, the lessons they’ve learned, and why their evolution has only just begun…

Jesus Piece: “Our music calls to something dark in people. It pulls out that primal side”

Jesus Piece’s Aaron Heard only truly understood hardcore once he’d thrown himself headlong into its visceral, violent live arena. In the aftermath of their soul-shuddering set at Outbreak, he explains how the focus and ferocity that accompanied new album …So Unknown is taking that cathartic carnage to another level.

Bob Vylan, Witch Fever and High Vis are propelling punk into a vital new era

Next month, 2000trees will bring together everyone from rock veterans to breakout stars for the ultimate celebration of the scene. Ahead of the festival, and to applaud just how incredible UK punk is right now, Bob Vylan, Witch Fever and High Vis come together to put the world to rights…

PVRIS: “You constantly kill off different versions of yourself”

Next month, PVRIS return with EVERGREEN, a brilliant new album. And a hyper-candid one at that. Kerrang! joins Lyndsey Gunnulfsen as she gets to grips with, well, Lyndsey Gunnulfsen…

Pupil Slicer: “We’re welcoming to everyone. If you don’t agree with that, leave”

Their breathtakingly heavy music might catch you off guard, but if there’s one thing Pupil Slicer want, it’s to make people feel comfortable in themselves. And in future metal icon Kate Davies, there’s no-one more perfect for the job…

Empire State Bastard: “I’ve been needing to make a record like this for a long time”

You might know them as the frontman and live guitarist for Biffy Clyro, but together, the duo of Simon Neil and Mike Vennart make a much heavier, angrier beast known only as Empire State Bastard. Upon the announcement of their debut LP, we meet the metal-loving pair to find out why this is more than just a side-project…

Nessa Barrett: “I want to help people because I know there’s a lot of people that felt the same way that I did”

Growing up with severe mental health issues that her uber-religious family didn’t understand, Nessa Barrett has always felt different. But through dealing with traumatic loss and finding new connections in therapy, the Gen Z superstar-in-the-making has finally found a place to belong and be happy…

Avenged Sevenfold: “Just say your message and put the art out there. Artists should do what they want and explore deeper rabbit-holes”

Avenged Sevenfold have become one of modern metal’s biggest bands by forever doing things their own unique way. In a world-exclusive interview, frontman M. Shadows and guitarist Synyster Gates lift the lid on new album Life Is But A Dream… and the band’s fearless, fantastic latest chapter.

Polyphia: “We can do whatever we want. That’s all I know how to do”

Certain corners of the press may have you believe that guitar music is dead, but Polyphia are here to say otherwise. At the beginning of a sold-out UK tour, off the back of knockout LP Remember That You Will Die, the Texan instrumentalists are taking heavy music to new horizons and inspiring a new legion of fans along the way…

Drain: “It’s about a good group of friends saying, ‘We can do this sh*t. We can make something bigger!’”

Three years that changed the world. That’s all it took to lift Drain from underground-popping cult heroes to bona fide hardcore superstars. On the eve of slamming second album Living Proof, frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro explains why the Santa Cruz scene leaders are still just getting started…

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