SIGNUM REGIS was founded in 2007 and stands for finest melodic Power Metal with both progressive and symphonic elements. Their upcoming new and eighth studio album „Beyond Spacetime“ will be released on October 9th through their new label partner Fireflash Records. „Beyond Spacetime“ will feature different vocalists. Among them their current singer Mayo Petranin, who just returned to the […]
Well, after all the brouhaha about cancelled arena shows and downsized venues, Sammy Hagar, the Red Rocker, finally landed on UK shores and is playing solo shows here for the first time in 44 years.
Those rearranged and cancelled shows are a rare business misstep for Sammy, as he has been a very successful man both in music and outside of it. Check the history of his Cabo Wabo tequila brand for evidence.
That tequila connection was the basis for a lot of solo shows over the last couple of decades, but tonight’s theme is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, so it is a different vibe for the most part.
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
With a backing band featuring VH cohort Michael Anthony and surfing alien Joe Satriani, Mr Hagar himself says all he has to worry about is singing, and he does not even seem to worry about that.
He is more of a grey rocker than a red one these days, but his real age of 78 is still a shock to the system when you see how dynamic a frontman he still is up there.
As for the vocals themselves, he had taken criticism over some recent performances. But over a near two-hour show, I heard very few rough spots. He is not perfect, but he is damn good.
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
The setlist had a lot of 5150-era Van Halen contained within it, and opening up with Why Can’t This Be Love is a message that they have so many good songs to play that they do not need to conserve any until later in the set.
Best Of Both Worlds, twinned with F.U.C.K.’s Top Of The World, are stomping, raucous singalongs early in the show, and the crowd are right up for it.
The ARC is a pristine, new venue, and that, added to the fact that the ‘stalls’ section was all seated, made me wonder how the atmosphere was going to be. I need not have worried. The London Hagar massive were up on their feet from the first note and ready for a long, long-awaited party.
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
There was plenty of party up on the stage too, Sammy giving a nod to his old Wabos tours, drinking and dealing out the tequila to the point of pouring it into willing audience members’ mouths.
Mas Tequila was the great celebration it was designed to be, and the other solo tunes from Mr H’s career, like Heavy Metal, and especially There’s Only One Way To Rock, and I Can’t Drive 55, really hit the spot too.
Oh, for a solo material tour to savour one day.
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
There was a spontaneous moment where someone threw a Chickenfoot t-shirt on stage to be signed, prompting the inclusion of a stage-thumping Big Foot, which was a nice addition to the set.
The only nod to Roth-era VH was when the main man took a break, and Mikey sang lead on Ain’t Talkin Bout Love before Satriani also got a Satch Boogie showcase number.
I did like that during an impassioned Right Now, there were various messages put up on the big screen at the back of the stage, and one of them was “Aliens walk among us, and Joe Satriani is one of them!”
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
The spontaneity surfaced again in Good Enough, a little segue to Yes’ Owner Of A Lonely Heart being built in.
This was a band with great chemistry, everyone really enjoying themselves and more than 150 years of rock ‘n’ roll experience on the stage showing up and proving that class never gets old.
An emotional Eagles Fly and Eddie VH tribute tune, Encore, Thank You, Goodnight, and it was all over.
Sammy Hagar – British Airways ARC, London – 9 July 2026. Photo: Manuela Langotsch/MetalTalk
After a decades-long wait for another Sammy Hagar solo UK tour, he did not disappoint, at least on the stage. While the cancelled arena shows rankled with many, I managed to catch two of these shows in smaller halls, and they were so much better than any arena events would have been.
Controversial opinion, but I am glad that is how it worked out in the end.
The wait is almost complete. Years in the making Los Angeles progressive power metal group NOVAREIGN are about to unleash ‘Shifting The Axis Of The World’ next Friday, July 17th. But before doing so the quartet have shared another new song “Thunder & Majesty” to appease the masses or to maybe just further tease fans […]
Japanese band Broken By The Scream will tour through Europe with many festival appearances, check out their upcoming shows. Get your tickets by clicking here.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – On The Rocks, Helsinki, Finland
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken, Germany
Friday, July 31, 2026 – Yuca, Cologne, Germany
Saturday, August 01, 2026 – Petit Bain, Paris, France
Sunday, August 02, 2026 – Downstairs at the Dome, London, United Kingdom
Tuesday, August 04, 2026 – Bitterzoet, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tuesday, August 06, 2026 – Rock Cafe, Prague, Czech Republic
Friday, August 07, 2026 – Klasztor, Wroclaw, Poland
Saturday, August 08, 2026 – Hybrydy, Warsaw, Poland
Monday, August 10, 2026 – Dürer Kert, Budapest, Hungary
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – Szene Wien, Wien, Austria
Thursday, August 13, 2026 – Summer Breeze, Dinkelsbuhl, Germany
Friday, August 14, 2026 – Reload Festival, Sulingen, Germany
On last year’s single “Bien Bien,” Dominican-American singer María Isabel teamed up with the Spanish producer El Guincho, the former Stereogum Artist To Watch who’s become best known as Rosalía’s closest collaborator. Now, El Guincho has executive-produced her new EP.
Finnish melodic death metal force SIGYN have released their sophomore full-length album “From Nation To Chaos”, which is out today via Noble Demon! Following the strong momentum of their acclaimed 2023 debut “Dehumanized”, which secured a place in Kaaoszine’s Top 10 Albums of the Year, SIGYN return with a powerful new chapter that further cements their place among Finland’s most promising melodic death […]
The 21-year-old LA singer nate sib is part of the 2hollis extended universe, and he’s currently opening up Joji’s arena tour. At least one observer has described sib as “hyperpop Justin Bieber.” Sure enough, he sings sweetly about world-altering crushes over jittery, disorienting beats. Could that work? Could “hyperpop Justin Bieber” become an actual thing? We’ll find out soon enough, since nate sib’s debut album reborn is on the way.
This song dives right in with an energetic and intense rhythm that electrifies. The melody possesses an intriguing quality that maintains tension throughout the track. The vocals emerge strong and assertive, featuring a unique timbre that allows listeners to engage deeply with the lyrics. This piece resonates well in today’s world, where uncertainty looms large and a political landscape generates feelings of insecurity.
Listeners may find themselves in a predicament of merely surviving. The frustration arises from the need to remain unnoticed and stealthy to go on with everyday life, or the choice to rebel against these circumstances. This unique feeling does not lend itself to serenity, but rather brings forth an emotional complexity that many can relate to.
Despite the inherent discomfort in its themes, the song manages to encapsulate these sentiments beautifully. It infuses a sense of hope, perhaps through its music and energy. The song stands out as a remarkable rock piece that showcases excellent compositional skills. Its structure invites you to experience a brief pause after about one minute and fifty seconds.
During this interlude, listeners are encouraged to reflect, building an anticipation for the grand finale that follows. This thoughtful break offers a contrast to the intensity that precedes it, contributing to the overall richness of the track. The burst of energy that returns is exhilarating, pushing the boundaries of the listener’s experience.
I Don’t Want to Know – Sound and Atmosphere
The song’s message appears particularly relevant in an age defined by rapid change and disquiet. People are searching for connections in their struggles, seeking articulate voices that resonate with their feelings. This track achieves that, providing a conduit for thoughts and emotions in an often chaotic environment. It acts as an outlet for frustration while simultaneously offering encouragement.
Musically, the arrangement is tight and expansive, effectively balancing the weight of the heavy themes with moments of lightness. The guitar riffs drive the song forward, coupled with an insistent beat that enhances its urgency. This sonic combination creates a framework that supports the lyrical content decisively.
I Don’t Want to Know – Performance and Production
The dynamics shift smoothly, allowing for moments of reflection without sacrificing the vigor that initially drew listeners in. The transition from the introspective section back into the driving rhythm feels seamless, resulting in a thrilling listening journey.
“I Don’t Want to Know” articulates a feeling of being caught between survival and rebellion. It resonates deeply with the contemporary experience while retaining elements of hope and determination. The collective energy exuded by the band creates a strong connection, reinforcing the idea that we are not alone in our struggles.
This song invites listeners to ponder their reactions to a turbulent world while celebrating the power of rock music in conveying complex emotions. This is a track I recommend to everyone, as it captures a vital essence of modern life through its intense rhythm and evocative lyrics.
This is the day that fans of RAVAGED BY THE YETI have eagerly been waiting for: these brutal death metal maniacs unleash that beast of an album “Snowbound Horror” as deviously planned on July 10, 2026. Pre-sale link: https://spkr.store/collections/ravaged-by-the-yeti RAVAGED BY THE YETI comment: “What we have here, is the perfect soundtrack to being torn apart by a rabid yeti”, mastermind Rogga Johansson quips. “This is groovy, […]
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