The Cover Story

ZAND: “This is for the underdogs and weirdos that feel like they don’t belong”

ZAND stands at the forefront of a new wave of fearless alternative artists. From noisy sex-positive anthems to shoving a green middle finger in the face of abusers, they are giving a voice those who feel like they don’t belong. With new music on its way, it’s time to properly meet the ‘ugly pop’ superstar-in-waiting…

Enter Shikari: “There’s always some form of hope ready to be grasped, there’s always a possibility of something better”

Releasing their previous album into the void of the pandemic, Enter Shikari were lost at sea. But, after a lengthy period of “soul-searching” they have returned with their most uplifting album yet, A Kiss For The Whole World, and a new vision for the future. On the eve of its release, Rou Reynolds reveals all…

Metallica: “In the past every single thing had to be fought over… now the band is a safe space and everyone is very protective of it”

Eleven albums and four decades into being the biggest metal band of all time, Metallica are showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, things are changing for the better. With new LP 72 Seasons waiting in the wings, we find the legendary thrashers taking stock of what’s important, what’s left to achieve, and why their music will live forever…

Linkin Park: “We were out to prove this was our band and our style… That’s what Meteora became”

With a seminal, era-defining debut album under their belts, in 2003, all eyes were on Linkin Park to follow-up with something equally as groundbreaking. And boy did they deliver. 20 years on from the release of the monumental Meteora, the band share the hidden history behind one of our world’s most beloved records…

Bury Tomorrow: “I want to promise you, our band is never giving up”

When all was crumbling down, it could have been easy for Bury Tomorrow to walk away, but they haven’t fought this long and hard to throw the towel in now. Instead they found a light in the darkness, pushing on to create their most ferocious album to date. On the eve of its release, Dani Winter-Bates explains why it’s not over yet – not by a long shot…

Fall Out Boy: “So often people are comparing eras, but this is the start of a new thing”

Several years in the making, this week Fall Out Boy will finally release their incredible eighth album So Much (For) Stardust. To celebrate, they reflect on the magic of their creative brotherhood, the band’s stratospheric journey so far, and why Star Wars usually has the answer...

100 gecs: “We started out doing the goofiest shit… and we’re still just two friends having fun”

100 gecs are the most exciting name in hyperpop. Love them, hate them or simply don’t ‘get’ them, either way they’re impossible to ignore. On the eve of brilliant new album 10,000 gecs, Dylan Brady and Laura Les dive into their journey so far, coping with pressure, and how they’re hoping for EGOT status…

Softcult: “In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself”

With their dreamy, shoegazy alt.rock, Softcult are channelling the history and impact of riot grrrl for a new generation. Armed with righteous indignation, DIY attitude and a superb new EP, twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix are shining a light on the climate crisis, toxic masculinity and why change comes from within…

ZULU: “People expect us to be angry, but there’s a lot of joy that we emit”

ZULU are one of the best new bands in the heavy scene today. On the eve of their debut album A New Tomorrow, vocalist Anaiah Lei meets Kerrang! to talk about his life in music, Los Angeles, and most importantly love…

Cassyette: “You have to earn your stripes – I’ve worked my arse off to get to this point”

As Cassyette unleashes new “big pit energy” banger Boom, the Essex-born alt. star hits the cover of Kerrang! for the first time to talk success, sobriety and self-belief…

Code Orange: “Listen to what we do, look at what we do – we don’t fit in anywhere”

Are you ready to go back down the rabbit hole? After a three-year absence, Code Orange are returning to the Underneath with a stunning remix album. Rather than a backwards step, however, Jami Morgan sees it as another phase in the band’s unending evolution, and one that sets them even further apart from the pack…

Pierce The Veil: “We’ve built this whole world where we can do anything creatively, and it’s so satisfying and comforting”

It’s been a seven-year wait, but Pierce The Veil’s fifth album The Jaws Of Life is finally here. On the eve of release, frontman Vic Fuentes dives deep into its creation, and reflects on how exciting a place it is for the band right now…

Dawn Ray’d: “You don’t have to ask for permission to make things better”

British black metal trio Dawn Ray’d have received both high praise and death threats for their anarchist beliefs. On their new album, To Know The Light, they rail against the things they see as keeping us down, just as much as they suggest liberating solutions. And as chaotic as everything looks, they refuse to back down…

Meet Me @ The Altar: “You know you’re making it when people are just talking sh*t for no reason… Every successful person gets hate”

It’s been a long time coming, but Meet Me @ The Altar are finally releasing their debut album. With all eyes on them, waiting to see if they can live up to the hype as the future of pop-punk, we sit down with a surprisingly relaxed Téa, Edith and Ada, who are simply taking global domination in their stride…

Bad Omens: “Most stuff people in our space are doing is kind of boring… I want to challenge myself and struggle when I create”

Through years of graft and experimentation, Bad Omens have graduated from plucky tour openers to one of the most talked about bands in metal. Ahead of their long-awaited return to the UK, Noah Sebastian and Jolly Karlsson reflect on their rapid ascension and why being the outsider is a good thing…

You Me At Six: “Showing pain doesn’t make you weak. You’re just human”

Over the past year, Josh Franceschi has been posing himself questions both personal and professional. And in getting his life back on track while creating You Me At Six’s eighth album Truth Decay, he’s come to learn that honesty really is the best policy…

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