ALTER BRIDGE are ecstatic to announce their long-anticipated return to Europe! Their biggest headline shows yet, the 24-date tour treks 15 countries and kicks off on November 4, 2016. Produced by Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette, Alter Bridge’s fifth studio album is planned for release in October 2016, via Napalm Records. Fortress, …

Headline Maniac is a new project from three members of Eddie and the Hot Rods – Ian ‘Dipster’ Dean, Chris Taylor and Simon Bowley.  They actually put the power trio together as the opening act on the Eddie and the Hot Rods 40th anniversary shows, and after getting a good …

The night after Tarja headlined the Rock on Green festival at the Forum, she played a very different show at a recording studio in West London.  In front of a tiny audience of maybe 30-40 people she played material from both her new albums – the newly released “The Brightest …

I spoke to Tarja while she was in London having performed at a one-day festival and then at a special intimate show that was being filmed. We talked about her new album “The Brightest void” and the album due out soon, “The shadow self” as well as touring and other …

In September last year the classic Ayreon album, The Human Equation was brought to life on stage at a theatre in Rotterdam for just one weekend.  Billed as The Theater Equation, as with the album, there was a large cast of singers including James LaBrie, Marcela Bovio, Anneke van Giersbergen, …

German heavy metal legend Doro Pesch really knows how to celebrate an anniversary.  For her 20th and 25th anniveraries she put on special shows with a load of special guests.  They weren’t your typical 90 minute show either – the 25th anniversary show was well over 3 hours, and both …

I spoke to Delain singer Charlotte Wessels at Download to talk about the band’s first time at the festival, and their new album due later this year.    

I spoke to Lorna Thomas from Skinny Lister about the band’s appearance at Download festival – probably the first time a folk band has played the festival, and their new album due for release later this year.  

I spoke to The Amorettes shortly before they played Camden Rocks and Download festivals to talk about their new album, White Hot Heat.  Hear what they had to say….      

I interviewed the lunatics from Lawnmower Deth at Download festival not long after their performance on the third stage which saw them joined for three songs by Kim Wilde.  An interview with these guys is normally a bit chaotic, but when they’re on a massive high after that sort of …

I spoke to Nightwish bassist, Marco Hietala briefly at Download festival not long before the band played the main stage. So, Nightwish are playing the main stage today at Download, just before the headliners, Iron Maiden – a good spot on the bill. It seems like it yes, we just …

Tonight’s gig was a band I thought I’d never get to see – Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.  It’s a long time since Ritchie Blackmore has played rock, so this mini-tour of three dates in Europe (none announced for anywhere else in the world so far) was a very rare chance to …

First up tonight were the opening act, Slydigs. Vintage Trouble singer Ty Taylor came on stage to introduce them, then on they came.  Straight away you got the idea that they’re big fans of The Who and The Rolling Stones from the way they dress, and that impression was confirmed …

Support tonight comes from New wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) band Angel Witch.  With a curtain blocking off most of the stage, Angel Witch were confined to a small area at the front of the stage.  Although they have just one original member left in the band (Kevin Heybourne), …

Tonight’s gig opened with a set from The men that will not be blamed for nothing.  I’d seen them at Download little more than a week earlier and enjoyed their set, so it was nice to get another chance to see them, and to see them with a longer set …

Today at Stone Free was all about Prog on the IndigO2 and arena stages.  Sadly travel problems meant I arrived late and missed the first bands on the entrance and IndigO2 stages (Broken Witt Rebels and Cats in space), and arrived in time to see Knifeworld who had been recommended …

This was the first day of the inaugural Stone Free festival.  Held at the O2 in London, it offers a big advantage over other festivals – the fact it’s indoors means the traditional British summer weather isn’t going to dampen spirits.  Of course there are equally big downsides – the …

The opening act tonight is Scottish band The King Lot.  Sometimes they play a full electric set, but tonight they’re doing an acoustic set.  A three-piece, you have two guitarists and a drummer (tonight playing a cajon).  All three of them also do vocals, and when the three of them …

Not long before Sixx A.M were due to play, along with a few other photographers, I headed to the main stage where we were met by Lawmower Deth and their special guest – Kim Wilde.  We were then escorted onto the stage (to the puzzlement of the crowd) to get …

Royal Republic (7) are the perfect Lemmy stage opening band for the weekend – fun, energetic and with a Volbeat-esque vibe to boot, they’re able to get things going in the best way possible. Finishing song Full Steam Space Machine is a particular highlight and the band look certain to …