Swiss hard rock / heavy metal artist Rebel Rose has released the debut album ‘In The Dark She Grows‘, now available digitally. Rebel Rose is the project of Sara Runco, who created the band and leads it as vocalist. The album brings together classic heavy metal and hard rock influences with a modern sound, built […]
BMG, in partnership with Rhino Entertainment, announces the release of ‘Totally Twisted – The Studio Albums 1982–1987‘, a celebration of one of the most explosive and influential periods in rock history with a collection that brings together Twisted Sister‘s classic studio albums from 1982 through 1987. Available as a 5-color-LP box set and a 5CD […]
Acid Reign frontman Howard H Smith has spent decades making noise on stage, but these days he is just as likely to be found behind a microphone doing stand-up or podcasting. For The MetalTalk Lowdown, he takes us from getting pissed with Bruce Dickinson and magical nights at Bloodstock to Limp Bizkit, royalties, anxiety and the importance of sleep.
He also discovers that asking a singer what it feels like to write a great riff may not have been our finest moment.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage? Hung out and got pissed with Bruce Dickinson for a couple of hours.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why? Back in the day, we played Birmingham. We were headlining, and we were there all day as other bands were using our kit. It was totally miserable. Nobody wanted to be there, and Ramsey had a cymbal stolen.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why? It is probably a tie between McGonagle’s in Dublin in 1990 and headlining the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock 2016. Why is that? On both occasions, there was magic in the air all the way through the set. Everybody. Security, crowd and band all knew something special was happening.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show? Without doubt a platinum record, because perfect does not exist.
What’s your greatest fear? Anxiety.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself? Short answers.
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians? Selfishness. We’re a team.
Describe yourself in three words. Short, empathetic, entertaining.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Limp Bizkit.
What does a great riff feel like to write? I wouldn’t know. I’m a singer. Who wrote these fucking questions?!🤣
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you? “I thought it was Jayce (producer) singing the beginning of Centre Of Everything.” What the actual fuck, dude! 🤣
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you? That the band would be better off without me. He was killed six months later, so be warned, anyone thinking of giving me a bad review.
If you were not in music, what would you be doing? Stand up. Still do.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love? No one should have to apologise for their musical taste, no matter what genre they are a fan of. I like loads of stuff outside Metal.
When did you last cry, and why? Yesterday morning I watched the new documentary No One’s Disciple about Neil Peart. Blubbering mess by the end.
What keeps you awake at night? Unwanted thoughts.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose? Let’s be practical. Only one of those pays the bills and enables the others to happen. So it would be royalties.
How do you want to be remembered? Lyricist, frontman, stand-up. He came, he saw, he made us laugh.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you? Prioritise sleep over everything. Without it, you cannot deliver, and you cannot enjoy yourself. We are all batteries, and we need charging every night. Adrenaline can only get you so far.
What happens when the music stops? Everyone goes home.
Catch Acid Reign on the Last Daze Of 2026 Tour this November. Tickets are available at linktr.ee/acidreigntour.
Symphonic metal outfit Zornheym have released their brand new studio album Descending Into Madness, which is out now via Noble Demon. Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, as an ambitious vision by its creator, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zorn (ex-Dark Funeral), with the goal of realizing his interpretation of the ultimate concept band – a complete fusion of music,… Continue Reading →
NEW LOCATION Hamburg: The concert in Hamburg on October 22nd, 2026 has been moved from the Inselpark Arena to the Georg Elser Halle. Tickets already purchased remain valid and cannot be exchanged or refunded. In October 2026, two of the most influential forces in extreme metal join together for a monumental live assault: Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir will embark… Continue Reading →
Manchester/Liverpool ,UK-based slam/death metal outfit Spinal Fluid premiere a new single and visualizer titled "7 Minutes", streaming via YouTube for you now below.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
An official lyric video has premiered for Starset‘s newly unveiled single, “t r a n s f u s 1 0 n“. The track continues the platinum-certified cinematic rock outfit’s current penchant for leet speak song titles and can be heard below.
The group are currently on the road as direct support to Breaking Benjamin on a run also featuring K… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
‘Northcore’ outfit ATLAS have released a new track, “Bittersleep“, accompanied by a video from Riivata Visuals. The song arrives without any further comment from the group.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
Australian metalcore outfit Alienist have officially welcomed clean vocalist/guitarist Jacob Churchward into their lineup with their newly unveiled track “Phantom“. A music video for the song has also premiered online via UNFD.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
Recent Facedown Records signees Scroll Eater have premiered a new single titled “Deliver The Word“. The Christian alternative metal outfit are joined by Jackson Scott of Unbroken Reign on the track. The accompanying video was filmed with director Jonathan Franco.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com