John 5 is set to bring his guitar firepower back to Europe in May 2026, marking his first proper solo run across the region since a handful of appearances back in 2016. For fans of shred-heavy hard rock, this tour is shaping up to be a major moment.
With a career spanning more than three decades, John 5 has built a reputation as one of the most respected and versatile guitar players in the business. His resume includes time on stage and in the studio with names like Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, and Dolly Parton, and he currently holds down guitar duties as part of Mötley Crüe.
The upcoming trek will feature 12 dates across the U.K., plus additional stops in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic, giving European fans plenty of chances to catch his solo performance up close.
John 5 shared his excitement in a statement: “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a tour than this one coming up. I haven’t been there in so long and I can’t wait to say hello and have a great time with everyone. Super SUPER excited.”
Tickets and VIP meet-and-greets will officially go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10 a.m. GMT here.
Swedish hard rock trio The Gems are back with new music and momentum, leading into the release of their second full-length album, Year Of The Snake, out March 13.
The band describes their new track “Gravity” as a straight-up throwback anthem with a modern edge: “’Gravity’ is an 80s-inspired rock anthem about chasing your dreams without compromise – with big hooks, soaring vocals and that timeless rock energy. Featuring Tommy Johansson, two powerful voices unite in defiance and freedom.”
With Year Of The Snake, The Gems continue building on the buzz they earned from their debut. Their first single, “Like A Phoenix”, climbed to #2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts, while their 2024 debut album Phoenix helped establish them as one of the more exciting newer names in the scene.
The band also shared what the album represents thematically: “Year Of The Snake is about facing previous hardships in your life, letting go and moving forward to a brighter chapter. It’s packed with strong and empowering themes, just like a snake shedding its skin and now standing strong in its own power!”
They also framed the record as something written with the stage in mind, built for fans who show up loud: “Year Of The Snake is a homage to our fans at our live shows. We wrote the songs envisioning an excited festival crowd; from our loyal diamonds in the front row, knowing all lyrics by heart – to the crazy headbangers in the back.”
Musically, the band leans hard into classic influences while keeping things current: “The album is packed with Van Halen and Europe-inspired hard-hitting grooves and riffs that will take you back to the 80s. Yet, the production is modern and fresh.”
And they made their approach clear in a world that often feels overly manufactured: “In an increasingly artificial world, we want to stay true to our roots – solid musicianship and songwriting from the heart. Our aim is to always create a great sounding album with the live show in mind.”
The band also delivered a statement that sums up their direction going forward: “The future is live and heavy glam rock is here to stay!”
Across 14 tracks, Year Of The Snake keeps the energy moving fast. The album opens with “Walls”, where the message comes through immediately: “The time to change is now!”
The title track follows with a spotlight on frontwoman Guernica Mancini’s vocals, Mona Lindgren’s heavy riffing, and Emlee Johansson’s driving drums.
“Gravity” stands out as a key moment on the record thanks to the added vocal power of TommyJohansson (from Majestica and formerly of Sabaton), pushing the 80s-inspired sound even further.
Other tracks explore different corners of the band’s style. “Diamond In The Rough” brings a bluesy strength, while “Live And Let Go” aims straight for radio-ready hard rock hooks. Songs like “Clout Chaser” and “Hot Bait” keep things upbeat before the band shifts into the ballad “Forgive And Forget”.
Later cuts like “Go Along To Get Along”, “Math Ain’t Mathing”, “Firebird”, and “Stars” keep the pace strong, with “Buckle Up” and “Happy Water” closing the album with big grooves and a high finish.
In only a few short years, The Gems have moved quickly from new band to serious modern hard rock contender. With Year Of The Snake on the way, they’re clearly aiming to keep heavy glam-inspired rock alive, loud, and built for the stage.
Year Of The Snake can be pre-order here and will be available in the following formats:
1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Purple/Black Splatter Deluxe Edition (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) (strictly limited to 250)
1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Deluxe Edition (The Gems store exclusive) (strictly limited to 250)
Robin Trower’s reputation as one of rock’s most expressive guitar voices started back in the ’60s, first with The Paramounts, then with Procol Harum. But his signature mix of blues, funk, and hard rock fully took shape once he launched his solo career.
After leaving Procol Harum, he formed the Robin Trower Band, releasing Twice Removed From Yesterday in 1973. The breakthrough came a year later with Bridge Of Sighs, an album that cemented his standing as a major guitar force and reached No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard chart. Over the next stretch, the band earned four straight gold albums and built a live reputation that still holds weight with rock fans today.
Now, Trower is marking the 50th anniversary of another key release: Live!, arriving April 3 in a newly expanded edition.
Originally released in 1976, Live! was recorded at Stockholm Concert Hall on February 3, 1975, capturing the Robin Trower Band lineup of Robin Trower, James Dewar onbass and vocals, and drummer Bill Lordan at full power. The original vinyl pressing only included seven tracks due to format limits, leaving much of the performance unheard for decades.
This new deluxe extended release finally presents the complete concert, newly remixed and restored from the original multi-track tapes. The 50th Anniversary Edition adds five previously unreleased tracks from the Stockholm show, delivering the full setlist as it was played that night.
The expanded performance includes live versions of staples like “Too Rolling Stoned,” “Bridge of Sighs,” “Day of the Eagle,” “Rock Me Baby,” “Lady Love,” “Alethea,” and more, with upgraded sound that highlights the chemistry between Trower, Dewar, and Lordan — a lineup often regarded as one of the strongest live power trios of the era.
The release will be available on 2CD, 2LP, and digital formats. It includes both the new 2026 remix and the original 1975 mix, giving fans the option to hear the show in multiple versions.
Remixed by Richard Whittaker and approved by Robin Trower himself, the set also features new liner notes by David Sinclair, including interviews with Trower and Bill Lordan, plus rare and previously unseen photos.
Five decades later, Live! still captures the raw intensity that made Robin Trower a defining guitarist for generations of hard rock and blues-rock players — and this anniversary edition finally opens up the full Stockholm night in its clearest form yet.
The Songwriters Hall Of Fame announced today that John Fogerty will receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award in 2026. The honor will be presented during the induction and awards gala on Thursday, June 11, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The Johnny Mercer Award stands as the highest recognition the organization can give, reserved for previously inducted songwriters whose catalogs have left a lasting mark on music history. Fogerty, inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2005, now joins the select list of artists recognized at this level.
Songwriters Hall Of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers shared a personal statement on Fogerty’s impact: “The first time I heard Creedence Clearwater Revival, I was a mere highschooler. It was also the first time I heard John Fogerty‘s voice, one of the most distinctive ever. To this day I’ve never heard anyone else sound like him. His unique songwriting ability is another quality. He’s one of those rare talents who is unmistakably himself. His style of composition is rock and roll mastery. It’s what I’ve always personally believed in, something I call ‘the art of complex simplicity.’ He’s done what I believe all great songwriters do. He makes us feel. He deserves this award as much as anyone who’s ever received it, or will receive it, in the future. I send my congratulations to John Fogerty.”
Fogerty’s reputation was built through his work as the songwriter, singer, lead guitarist, arranger, and producer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, crafting some of the most recognizable anthems in American rock.
His catalog includes songs like “Proud Mary”, “Fortunate Son”, “Born On The Bayou”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”. Several of these tracks — including “Fortunate Son”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” — have each passed one billion streams, earning Fogerty a place in Spotify’s Billions Club and keeping his music present on charts even decades later.
Beyond Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty built an extensive solo career, releasing 11 studio albums. These include Centerfield, Blue Moon Swamp, The Blue Ridge Rangers, Revival, and The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again.
In 2021, he returned with his first original song in eight years, “Weeping In The Promised Land”, described as a gospel-leaning reflection on the social and political climate.
A major turning point came in 2023, when Fogerty regained the publishing rights to his songs after a fight that stretched over half a century. That victory was celebrated in 2025 with the release of Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, a 20-track collection featuring newly recorded versions of his most iconic material. Produced alongside his son Shane, with executive production by his wife Julie, the album debuted in the top 10 across multiple charts and drew strong praise from major outlets.
Fogerty’s career has already earned him induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the American Music Honors, and multiple awards from BMI, along with NAMM’s “Music For Life” honor. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame back in 1998.
With the Johnny Mercer Award now ahead, Fogerty’s influence as a songwriter continues to stand as one of rock’s enduring foundations — the kind of legacy that still connects with fans across generations, including those in the hard rock and metal world who grew up on timeless riffs and unforgettable hooks.
Japanese metal pioneers Loudness have confirmed a new run of live dates for the spring and summer, continuing their 45th-anniversary celebrations that began back in December. The upcoming shows will take the veteran group across the United States, Japan, and Europe.
Formed in 1981, Loudness quickly became one of the most important heavy metal exports from Japan. After touring North America and Europe in 1983, the band reached a historic milestone the next year by becoming the first Japanese act to sign with an international label, Atlantic Records.
Their legacy also includes major firsts, such as performing at Madison Square Garden and appearing as an opener at a Mötley Crüe concert.
The band’s first international breakthrough came with Thunder In The East in 1985, alongside the single “Crazy Nights”, which achieved chart success both at home and abroad, peaking at No. 4 in Japan and reaching No. 74 on the U.S. Billboard chart.
Over the decades, Loudness has seen several lineup changes, but the current version of the band includes three original members: vocalist Minoru Niihara, guitarist Akira Takasaki, and bassist Masayoshi Yamashita. They are joined by drummer Masayuki Suzuki, who became part of the group in 2009.
The band also continues to honor its history after the loss of original drummer Munetaka Higuchi, who passed away in 2008 following a year-long battle with liver cancer.
With their anniversary in full swing and a new slate of international shows ahead, Loudness remain a defining force in Japanese heavy metal, still carrying their legacy onto stages worldwide.
Loudness Confirmed Tour Dates:
March 19-21 – Hell’s Heroes 2026 – Houston, TX March 22 – The Rock Box – San Antonio, TX March 24 – Whisky A Go Go – W. Hollywood, CA March 25 – Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA April 12-17 – Monstors Of Rock Cruise Rock The Nations – Miami, FL May 06 – Zepp Fukuoka – Fukuoka, Japan May 08 – Zepp Namba – Osaka, Japan May 10 – Kanazawa Eight Hall – Ishikawa, Japan May 12 – Zepp Nagoya – Aichi, Japan May 15 – Zepp Sapporo – Hokkaido, Japan May 17 – Sendai Gigs – Miyagi, Japan May 29 – Zepp Divercity Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan July 3-5 – Barcelona Rock Fest – Barcelona, Spain July 3-6 – Time To Rock – Knislinge, Sweden
American heavy metal veterans Corrosion Of Conformity are finally set to release their long-awaited new double album, Good God / Baad Man, arriving on April 3 through Nuclear Blast.
A lot has changed in the world of Corrosion Of Conformity since their last studio release. Back in 2018, No Cross No Crown landed hard, powered by the long-running lineup of Pepper Keenan, Woody Weatherman, Reed Mullin, and Mike Dean — a group with roots stretching back to their early punk beginnings in Raleigh, North Carolina in the early ’80s.
The band’s early catalog helped shape generations of heavy music fans, from underground staples like Eye For An Eye and Animosity to later classics like Blind and Deliverance. By the time No Cross No Crown arrived decades later, Corrosion Of Conformity had already earned their place as legends across punk, metal, and hard rock.
Then, in January 2020, tragedy hit with the passing of drummer Reed Mullin.
The loss changed everything, and the band faced the question of how to move forward. Like so many others, they were soon stalled by the global shutdown. After that, Mike Dean stepped away, leaving Keenan and Weatherman to figure out what came next.
They regrouped at Keenan’s place in Mississippi, digging back into the music that shaped them — Discharge, Zz Top, Motörhead, Neil Young, Black Sabbath — and eventually started writing again.
The writing turned into something far bigger than expected: a full double album.
“As we went on, we had such a crazy plethora of songs, it was almost like two different directions,” Pepper says. “We knew we had to split it into two different albums. Then we came up with this concept.”
That concept became the title itself: Good God / Baad Man.
“Our producer, Warren Riker, kept calling it “Dark Side Of The Doom””, recalls Pepper. “In my head, it’s a weird love letter to all things rock ‘n’ roll. We used that for the freedom to go in different directions. Each album is its own tiny universe and has its own identity. “Good God” leans toward the heavier/pissed end of the spectrum. “Baad Man” is more on the throwdown rock scope. As we went along, it became clear which songs went on which album.”
To bring the new material to life, the band enlisted drummer Stanton Moore, who previously appeared on Corrosion Of Conformity’s 2005 record In The Arms Of God. They also brought in bassist Bobby “Rock” Landgraf, known for his time with Pepper in Down, alongside his own work with Honky.
“With a lot of these songs, we’re trying to make Reed Mullin proud,” Pepper says. “He was a badass, and a one-of-a-kind drummer. And the stakes were high.”
The first taste of this massive release arrives with the lead single “Gimme Some Moore”. The track features backing vocals from Ministry’s Al Jourgensen and Madonna guitarist MontePittman, and the hook hits with the line: “Struggle is worth the fight/Leather, chains and spikes.”
“Me and Woody wanted to write a song as if we were 17 years old again,” Pepper explains. “We even made a seven-inch for it.”
That seven-inch, released during their Mexico and South American run, carries an early ’80s punk feel, complete with a black-and-white collage design and a Fear cover on the flip side.
The video for “Gimme Some Moore” was filmed by Mike Holderbeast and directed by PepperKeenan.
Produced by Grammy winner Warren Riker — known for work with the Fugees, Down, and Cathedral — Good God / Baad Man was recorded across multiple locations, including Blak Shak Studios in Mississippi, Dockside Studios in Louisiana, and even Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb’s home studio in Miami.
For metal and hard rock fans, this is shaping up as one of the biggest Corrosion Of Conformity releases in years — heavy, personal, and built with the kind of grit only decades in the underground can produce.
German power metal veterans Masterplan have confirmed their return with a brand-new studio album, Metalmorphosis, due out June 26, 2026 through Frontiers Music Srl.
The record marks the band’s first full set of new material since Novum Initium in 2013, and it comes with the release of a new single and video, “Chase The Light”.
Guitarist Roland Grapow explained the meaning behind the track, calling it: “a dark and aggressive track about fear, control, and a world that feeds on pain. It shows how power rises while compassion fades, trapping people in silence and despair. The song pushes through chaos and suffering toward release — a call to break free, heal old wounds, and reclaim your strength”.
The new album represents a major moment for Masterplan, both musically and personally. Grapow spoke about what the title Metalmorphosis reflects for the band: “Metalmorphosis really captures what this album means to us: a transformation, but still true to the spirit of Masterplan”.
He added: “We’ve grown over the years, both as musicians and as people, and you can hear that in the new songs. Some ideas go back many years, and now they’ve finally come to life. It’s powerful, melodic, and emotional — classic Masterplan, but with a new energy”.
Formed in 2001 after Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch exited Helloween, Masterplan quickly became one of the most consistent names in German power metal, known for sharp musicianship, strong hooks, and a modern edge.
After years away from studio releases, the band has returned with a fresh deal through FrontiersMusic Srl, setting the foundation for a new chapter.
Metalmorphosis is being positioned as both a continuation of their signature sound and a heavier step forward, combining aggression with the melodic style that has always defined Masterplan.
With decades of experience behind them and new momentum in place, Masterplan are set to deliver one of the most closely watched power metal releases of 2026.
The 2026 concert calendar just got even busier for Hunnu Rock pioneers The Hu and cello metal standouts Apocalyptica as the bands announce today that they’ll be hitting the road together for a run of shows this May and June.The tour kicks off on May 12 in Silver Spring, MD, and will take them across the country before wrapping in Anaheim, CA, on June 7. Joining The Hu and Apocalyptica will be platinum-selling Finnish rock band The Rasmus.
Public on-sale for the tour will begin Friday, February 13th at 10 AM local time. Official artist presales for The Hu and Apocalyptica will be available starting Wednesday, February 11th at 10 AM local time through Thursday, February 12th at 11:59 PM.
Venue presales will be available on Thursday, February 12th, from 10 AM to 11:59 PM local time. Special VIP packages, including meet and greet experiences and exclusive merchandise, will also be available for purchase. Fortickets and additional information on VIP packages, visit here pre-sale code ‘THEHUN’ and this location pre-sale code ‘CELLOS’.
In addition to closing all shows on this tour, The Hu are celebrating the recent release of their latest single, “The Real You”.
“The Real You single is the representation of our new album, The Hun,” says Temka – Temuulen N (band’s tovshuur player, throat singer). “While we have traditional songs that have our signature rhythm in our third album, there are a few upbeat, fast songs such as this single. We recorded this song thinking of our ancestors, riding fast on horseback through the landscape. Listen to this song to express the feelings you have buried inside and feel the overwhelming energy we pass through to you. Enjoy.”
“The Real You” is one of the few songs from The Hu in which Western music components are prominent. As evident in the wording, the song is asking the listeners not judge others but focus on themselves and to become a better person. Derived from the Mongolian proverb, “Don’t worry about what is on top of a person’s head, just worry about what is not on yours.”
Formed in 1993 at the world-renowned Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, Apocalyptica began life as a loving, lo-fi nod to Metallica from four classically trained musicians with no greater ambition than to explore their favorite band’s music with their chosen instrument.
The project would take on a life of its own when they finally released Plays Metallica By Four Cellos in 1996. Unbeknownst to Apocalyptica, they’d just boarded a rocket ship that would propel them through eight rapturously received records, a staggering six million records sold, and a relentless touring schedule that would see them bringing their uniquely symphonic concept of heaviness to every time zone and countless festival stages around the world. Most recently, following the 25th anniversary of their debut record, the band released their latest album, Plays Metallica, Vol. 2, to widespread acclaim.
The Hu and Apocalyptica Spring 2026 Tour Dates
5/12/2026 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
5/13/2026 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/14/2026 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall
5/15/2026 — Stroudsburg, PA — Sherman Theater
5/18/2026 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave / Eagles Club
5/19/2026 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC Event Center
5/20/2026 — Maplewood, MN — Myth Live
5/22/2026 — Memphis, TN — Minglewood Hall
5/23/2026 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
5/24/2026 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theatre
5/26/2026 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
5/27/2026 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
5/29/2026 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
5/30/2026 — Las Vegas, NV — The Theater at Virgin Hotels
5/31/2026 — Valley Center, CA — Harrah’s Resort SoCal – The Events Center
In a new chat with Finland’s Chaoszine, Megadeth guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari pulled back the curtain on how the band built Megadeth, the group’s self-titled final studio album, released late last month through Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s BLKIIBLK label.
For fans expecting a quick, high-pressure sprint, Teemu Mäntysaari described almost the opposite. The album took time, and the atmosphere inside the room stayed focused and calm: “It was a lengthy process, I guess — 10 months in the studio. [So it was] pretty intense in that sense, but also, I think, very enjoyable, kind of, I’d say pretty relaxed, because we were kind of in this bubble the whole time.”
“It seems like the songs came together pretty spontaneously,” Mäntysaari continued (via Blabbermouth). “A lot of the songs started out as kind of improvised jams with all the guys, and all the bandmembers got involved quite heavily, so that was really nice to have everybody’s contribution included.”
“Going to the recording of the new album, I tried not to stress about it too much,” Teemu explained. “Of course, you could start thinking, what about the legacy of the band? How do you compete with the previous classic albums? But I tried not to think about it too much. Of course, freely taking kind of influence from the different, great eras of the band, but at the same time trying to create something fresh and new. And we felt like trying to include the current bands, really the band sound in there, the sound that we’ve developed now playing together live for a few years, and how tight we’ve gotten together and tried to put that on the album and make the kind of Megadeth album that we would ourselves love to hear as well.”
That mindset becomes even clearer in how pre-production was handled. Teemu said Dave Mustaine wanted the full band involved early, including riff ideas from everyone, and then took the group through a deep catalog study before tracking began.
“My contribution to this album, first of all, was kind of a surprise that Dave wanted to include us bandmembers so much. So pretty early on, he asked me and the guys if we had some riff ideas, and then we should start saving them because at some point we were gonna start recording the album. And so we did,” Mäntysaari recalled.
“And then we basically started pre-production by listening through the whole Megadeth catalog, all the songs, including all the bonus tracks and cover tracks, alphabetically, over 200 songs. We listened, and we made notes, like what we liked in the songs, and what some of the parts were that we could use maybe as an inspiration or a catalyst to inspire ideas for the new album,” he explained. “And Dave was telling us stories, like how he came up with lyrics and little backstories, like how the songs originally came to be. So that was a big inspiration to get the creative minds working.”
“Then we went to the studio late in 2024, and then stayed in the studio until ’25, August, September. In the studio, we had a really nice setup where it was like this one really big room. One corner had the recording equipment in there, all the amps and whatever you need, a recording booth for acoustic guitars and vocals.”
“And then in one side of the big room, we had all our live equipment, so the full live setup, basically, so we could anytime go there and jam with the guys and come up with these ideas, which is then how a lot of the songs kind of started,” Teemu continued.
“We just sat down and maybe had a little snippet of an idea, and then developed that together. Or maybe even didn’t have any idea, but somebody just started playing, and the other guys joined in, and we had the producer recording everything. And then soon we had starting points for a lot of songs.”
The commercial response backed up that approach right away. Megadeth opened at No. 1 on the U.S. chart with 73,000 equivalent album units for the tracking week ending January 29, based on Luminate data. Most of that came from pure purchases, with 69,000 in album sales. It is a strong launch for a closing chapter, and it positions the follow-up to The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! as both a fan-supported release and a collaborative statement from this lineup.
The rock world has lost a major voice this weekend. 3 Doors Down singer and founding member Brad Arnold has died at 47. The news was shared by his bandmates on social media today (Saturday, 02/07).
Back in May 2025, Arnold publicly revealed he was fighting clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a form of kidney cancer. The band confirmed his passing with the following statement:
“With heavy hearts, we share the news that Brad Arnold, founder, lead singer, and songwriter of 3 Doors Down, passed away on Saturday, February 7th, at the age of 47. With his beloved wife Jennifer and his family by his side, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in his sleep after his courageous battle with cancer.”
“As a founding member, vocalist, and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners. Brad‘s songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band’s breakout hit, “Kryptonite”, which he wrote in his math class when he was just 15 years old. His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on.”
“Above all, he was a devoted husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humor, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.
“The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and kindly asks that their privacy be respected. “He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”
For the fans, Brad Arnold was one of those artists whose songs became part of people’s daily lives. His voice and writing connected because they felt real, and that connection is exactly why this loss hits so hard.
