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Metal bands usually know how to put on a show. It is one of the biggest appeals of the genre. Some of the best groups can deliver stellar live performances, becoming a lot more interesting to newcomers in the process. Moreover, some of the best bands know how to perform their songs live even better than the studio version.

In that regard, here are some of the best metal bands in 2026 when it comes to live performances. So, if you have the chance to see their shows, take it.

1. Helloween

Helloween is one of the greatest German metal bands and for good reason. The band has been going strong since the early 80s, adapting to the times, and going through several strong eras. And in 2017, the group reunited with legendary singer Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen, marking another new era for them. However, current vocalist Andi Deris, who was singing for Helloween since 1994, remained, so they now have three voices.

This combination of events led to arguably the band’s strongest lineup to date. Moreover, this has been reflected in Hellowen‘s live performances. All three vocalists can sing tunes from their respective eras while also teaming up, depending on the track. It is something that allows fans to enjoy songs from their entire history.

2. Sabaton

If there is a word to describe a Sabaton show, that is “energy”. These Swedish musicians have been working their way to the top since the mid-2000s and have gone from strength to strength. Nowadays, they have proven themselves as a consistent and impressive live act. All of that is fitting when considering the group’s war thematic across their body of work.

Be that as it may, the band’s shows excel when it comes to intensity. From the moment the first note is played, Sabaton doesn’t stop until the end. Moreover, most of their songs have a strong melodic element, making them perfect for people to sing along with. Therefore, it is a great experience for those who want to have a great time at a metal show.

3. Beast in Black

Speaking of Helloween, let’s talk about the group that opened for them on their 40th anniversary tour. Beast in Black hail from Finland and made waves as one of those metal bands that combine the genre with 80s synthwave. It was a very notorious style that got a lot of people’s attention, and the band continues to deliver the goods since their debut, 2017’s “Berserker“.

Beast in Black‘s live shows are stellar, with a clean sound, and living up to the quality of their studio displays. Furthermore, vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos, who also has a successful YouTube channel doing covers, is a great frontman and can hit his high notes with excellence. The band’s shows with Helloween prove how professional they can be against a demanding audience.

While this band has already built an audience, there are a lot of people who haven’t given them the time of day. A live show is going to change their minds.

4. Testament

Testament has always been one of the most underrated metal bands out there. When considering the quality of their output, their consistency, and the evolution of their music, it is surprising they don’t get much more recognition. On top of that, they are also an amazing live band.

In that regard, one of the most surprising aspects of Testament as a live act is how well they have aged. Vocalist Chuck Billy even overcame cancer and is still performing very well live. The band as a whole is as tight as they ever were and have even gotten more technical as the years went by.

There is also the fact that Testament‘s new records are amazing as well. Therefore, they have a repertoire that can be quite enjoyable from beginning to end. If you have a chance to see them live, take it.

5. Megadeth

This is a very special case when compared to other metal bands on this list. While it is fair to say that Megadeth are not in their prime anymore, band leader Dave Mustaine announced that this is going to be the group’s last tour. And when considering that they recently released their final record, everything is set for this legendary musical entity to retire.

What else can be said? This is something that happens once in a lifetime. A lot of bands tend to fake their farewell tours, but Mustaine seems to be 100% sure of it. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to see the band and celebrate the legacy of one of metal’s all-time greats.

Therefore, the show has a big chance of being a phenomenal experience. And the last chance to have a great time with a legendary group.

6. Avatar

Among metal bands, a long way to the top is a common journey. Most groups have had to work extremely hard to get recognition and attention and Avatar are no different. Even though these Swedish gentlemen have been gaining notoriety in recent years, they have been performing and recording since the early 2000s. That goes to show how much they have worked to become a much more popular band.

Moreover, there is also the fact that Avatar are an extremely capable act. Whether it’s performing in football stadiums across Europe when opening for bigger bands or playing in clubs, these guys can play even better than their studio counterparts. Add to that the fact that vocalist Johannes Eckerström is a very capable showman, taking inspiration from the likes of King Diamond, Alice Cooper, and also the 1994 “The Crow” movie, based on his makeup.

A good example of the band’s quality when performing live was when they opened for Iron Maiden during the latter’s 2025 tour. Being the opening band for such a big group, let alone Maiden, is always a challenge. And yet, Avatar managed to win over a lot of people who weren’t familiar with their music. That is something that only a great live act can achieve. 

7. Godsmack

Now, this is a curveball. When discussing metal bands to see live, you’re not going to see Godsmack being mentioned very often. Their heyday was a very long time ago and they are from the alternative scene, which, let’s face it, is not the most notorious these days. However, if you go to a Godsmack show, you are going to have a great time.

This is not only because of the sheer intensity of their shows, but also their professionalism. Godsmack shows have a very clean, clear sound that is a joy to listen to. Furthermore, the band’s stage presence is phenomenal and they always get the crowd going, regardless of the context. They can be at a festival or at a venue, and they will still perform extremely well.

Even if you don’t know a single song from them, their shows are worth your time. An older band from the 90s that is still alive and kicking quite well.

8. Gojira

It is fair to say that Gojira is one of those metal bands that have been on the rise lately. Their performance during the 2024 Olympics was a major moment for the genre as a whole. Moreover, they have been releasing quality material for a long time, but their live performances still reign supreme.

The element that defines Gojira‘s show is their technicality. They are a very precise band that maintains a clean sound throughout their concerts. Furthermore, when considering the many ups and downs and ebs and flows that their music has, their shows can be a very fun experience.

9. Iron Maiden

Well, you can’t have a complete list of metal bands to see live without these guys. Iron Maiden‘s concerts are the stuff of legends and have remained consistent since their debut in 1980. This is how they became a sensation even back during their club day. And so many decades later, having achieved so much, they still managed to give their fans a lot of great shows.

The key to a great Iron Maiden concert is their mix of intensity and precision. Their shows can be loud and fast, but there is a precision to their sound that only experience and dedication can give you. Guitarists such as Adrian Smith and Dave Murray have done it all and seen it all and it is shown through their performances, which are almost surgical.

Singer Bruce Dickinson‘s stage presence is the stuff of legends at this point. Even in his sixties and having dealt with cancer, the legendary vocalist is still running around across the stage. The same can be said about bassist Steve Harris, who is still displaying his commanding presence. Add to that the stage show, the different versions of Eddie, and you have a phenomenal concert.

When it comes to metal bands and live shows, Iron Maiden is still the pinnacle. And there is no denying that it is going to be a sad day when they retire.

The post 9 Metal Bands You Have to See Live in 2026 appeared first on Metal Shout.

Rush is my all-time favorite band, so their 2015 hiatus, brought on by Neil Peart’s declining health hit me hard. Peart’s passing in 2020 made it permanent, slamming the door on the Rush I grew up loving. That’s why stumbling across Crown Lands’ 2023 sophomore album Fearless—courtesy of this very blog—felt like a hemispherian void had been filled. The dynamic duo from Oshawa, Ontario, tapped into the essence of prime ’70s Rush better than anyone I’ve heard, much like Greta Van Fleet’s revival of the mighty Led Zeppelin. Naturally, when I learned their third LP, Apocalypse, was on the way, I rushed to the promo sump to claim dibs faster than you can say 2112.

Apocalypse expands the Fearless Chronology that began with “The Oracle” from 2022’s White Buffalo with the same sonic and aesthetic bombast longtime fans expect, while stretching Crown Lands’ sound into territory occupied by other classic rock titans. Taking place a century before the events of Fearless and once again rooted in the spirit of Rush’s “Cygnus X-1” series, Apocalypse often feels like a natural progression of its predecessor even if it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. Through straightforward, radio-friendly anthems, as well as the mammoth self-titled closer, the album’s narrative charts a manipulative, oppressive force that weaponizes fear (“Foot Soldiers of the Syndicate”), then spirals outward into dragons, warriors and interstellar tyrants plunging the world into chaos (“Blackstar”). Amid the destruction, more intimate threads of loss and longing surface in crestfallen ballads (“The Revenant,” “Through the Looking Glass”). Where Fearless opened with its longest track, Apocalypse flips the script, saving its epic for the finale. The 19-minute cut matches the ambition and scope of “The Oracle” and “Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II,” though the record’s bottom-heavy makeup leaves less to uncover in the tracks leading up to it.

It’s unusual to devote an entire paragraph to a single track, but “Apocalypse” earns the word count as its reach accounts for nearly half of the record’s runtime. The piece opens in classic Rush fashion as celestial synths, cascading tom rolls, and shifting syncopation give way to shimmering arpeggios and warm, fluid vocal lines. At first, the track feels poised to deliver on its promise, and as it unfolds, Crown Lands weaves in a myriad of compelling touches, including Pink Floyd’s patented stoner-rock solos and a gorgeous arpeggiated, space-drifting movement with a flute-laden motif that nods to the duo’s Indigenous roots. But the track’s momentum falters at several points, and the songwriting begins to feel choppy as the track progresses. The choral bridge at the six-minute mark is a great idea, yet it’s followed by an overly hectic section where Crown Lands’ instrumental prowess shines but the vocals grate, undercutting what could have become a more transcendent phase. Similarly, the astral section at eleven minutes, with its galactic, vocal harmonies and tribal tom flourishes, is another moment that is abrasive. Although it ends on a high note, “Apocalypse” feels like it needed more time to bake to fully come together.

The unevenness of the self-titled epic would be forgivable if Apocalypse’s remaining tracks consistently picked up the slack. But they don’t. Stronger songs like “Through the Looking Glass” and “The Revenant” rely on Led Zeppelin-esque refrains to cohere into some of their best material to date, while Bowles’ vocal approach primarily hampers “Foot Soldiers of the Syndicate”, “Blackstar,” and “The Fall.” Bowles’ high-register singing—which will no doubt remain as divisive as Geddy Lee’s—can feel forced or strained at times, pulling me out of the otherwise strong songwriting rather than deepening the immersion. Across several key moments, Bowles doesn’t feel fully locked in, leaning instead on playful, almost taunting huffs and puffs (“The Fall”) or siren-like shrills (“Apocalypse”) that never quite find their place. Still, while Crown Lands’ execution isn’t as consistently sharp as Fearless, Apocalypse still offers plenty of quality material for fans to latch onto.

I’ve enjoyed my time with Apocalypse, yet I can’t help but feel somewhat disappointed. Maybe it speaks to the consistency and appeal of Fearless, but this record simply doesn’t resonate in the same way its predecessor did. To their credit, Crown Lands takes risks and pushes into some new territory here, and some of those choices pay off. Nevertheless, Apocalypse lacks the cohesion to keep me coming back, outside of a couple tracks that have burrowed their way into my psyche. It’s a letdown, but one I’m inclined to chalk up to growing pains for now.

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Rating: Good
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: InsideOut Music
Websites: crownlands.bandcamp.com | crownlandsmusic.com | facebook.com/crownlandsmusic
Releases Worldwide: May 15th, 2026

The post Crown Lands – Apocalypse Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Names are important. To name something is to define it. Doing so gives you power. And for years it felt like Dead Pony’s name was all too fitting. They were going nowhere, not fulfilling their potential, never catching a break; flogging, as the saying goes, a Dead Pony. That all changed however with their debut album. Designed specifically to catch attention, its title dared listeners to ‘Ignore This’, with a sound that was inventive and arresting. The gambit worked, so the follow-up uses that same strategy. It’s called ‘Eat My Dust!’. They know how good it is.

Dead Pony are a rock band whose music mixes swaying, swaggery riffs with repeating vocal patterns, but not just that. There’s a thrilling sense of adventure to their music. You’re never quite sure what to expect.

‘What If?’ begins with a repeating piano part, like an evil version of Madonna’s ‘Frozen’. It threatens to head towards pop music territory before descending into buzzing, technical riffing and distorted screams. In doing so, it raises a middle finger to expectations while setting the stage for what comes next. Essentially, each song features a brilliant setup before plunging headfirst into new ideas. It can be heard as the boisterous ‘BOOM!’ shifts gears or in the nest of electronic spiders that replaces a guitar solo on ‘Eat My Dust!’. It’s all slick and never feels unwarranted. Imagine a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat; you know what’s coming but can’t help but be impressed by the flourish.

As the name suggests, ‘Freak Like Me’ is a delightfully weird song that uses soundscapes and an interesting sonic palette alongside chainsaw-like guitars that push Dead Pony into the same sonic spaces as Nine Inch Nails.

The EP is again produced by guitarist Blair Crichton. This is the key. While affording one person such creative control can be risky, here, his wild ideas are expressed with confidence. He also captures an indefinable sense of glee. It’s hard to listen to ‘Freak Like Me‘ or ‘BOOM!‘ without imagining Crichton in the control room, grinning like a torturer as the music contorts into some striking shapes. Even the relatively straightforward ‘Fury’ has every drop of excitement squeezed from it.

Returning to the piano sound that opens the EP, the final song ‘Lost Inside Of Me’ slowly reveals itself to be something of a masterpiece. Drifting on an easy chorus, it uses the phrase ‘Inside me’ as a soft hook. Then, it folds in on itself, internalising that message, resulting in a massive guitar-based nervous breakdown. It’s a superb expression of idea and a great song.

This is Dead Pony with all the dials set to eleven. Their new EP sees them evolving into one of the most exciting rock bands on the scene. It’s the sound of them accelerating away from their peers. ‘Eat My Dust!’ indeed.

IAN KENWORTHY

Bleeker have shared all the details of their upcoming album ‘ELEPHANT’, including its towering title track.

The band’s latest full-length will arrive on September 04 via Known Accomplice, following on from 2024’s ‘Messed Up’.

On the release of ‘ELEPHANT’, frontman Taylor Perkins has shared: 

“We’ve made a few records now, but ELEPHANT feels very special to us. We were largely left alone to make this one with very little distractions. We were also on a prolific writing streak (still are) and going into this one had over 25 song demos or ruff recordings to polish and workshop. If Elephant didn’t sonically set the tone it certainly set the bar, we’ll always try to write albums that have depth and represent who we are as a band, so it feels like to us, we’ve created an album that is just that. This album is like an elephant, It’s an album about that really balances power with sensitivity, and strength with softness.”

Take a listen to the album’s wicked title track below.

Speaking on that stomping new tune, Taylor has said:

“This is the heaviest song we’ve written to date. We wanted its presence on the album to feel undeniable, like an Elephant. It’s big, gritty and moves with weight. The message is equally heavy and dark, It’s about the building rage addressing acts of violence and intimidation committed by someone so pathetic, insecure, and overcompensating for the power they never deserved or ever really had.”

Check out the artwork and tracklisting for ‘ELEPHANT’ below.

1) Feel It Again

2) Great Unknown

3) ELEPHANT

4) Something On You

5) Outside

6) Laundry

7) Boom Boom

8) boring

9) Last Night

10) Wake The Kids Up

11) More

12) Blue

The post Bleeker Announce New Album ‘ELEPHANT’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

Posted on May 14th 2026, 11:46a.m.

Boston stoners Gozu have a new one for us, VI.

Gozu has been doing their thing for about twenty years. As the title of the new record suggests, they have five previous albums out, each one with its own identity and each contributing to an increasingly impressive catalogue. The band is Marc Gaffney (vocals, guitars), Joseph Grotto (bass), Doug Sherman (guitar), and Seth Botos (drums). Talking about the new album, Gaffney says, “We wanted something that really moved and hit a nerve. I was pretty roughed up emotionally while writing. I played guitar more in the past two years than ever before. I would work, go to the gym, come home, eat and then play guitar until I went to bed. […] I think this is more of a soulful, straight forward, guitar-driven album. Lyrically, this took on a whole different feel, and it wrote itself.”

Up-tempo fuzz kicks open the gate on “Corinthian Leatherface.” This song is a groovy desert boogie piece that you don’t ever want to end. It is an idol to stoner rock that gets grittier as it goes along. Damn. “Midnight Express” is haunting doom, and “Killer Khan” is a nutcracker that keeps snapping no matter how much you try to skitter away. “Corner Lariot” whispers in your ear for the first half, then shouts to the heavens in the second.

Side B gives us “Banacek!” Here we have a freakout that ultimately falls to reflection. “They Did Know Karate” is sorrowful and filled with regret in its tones. The movement at the end of the song turns a corner and finds the same forlornity. “Gimme The Lute” is a song that has no discernable lute. It does have a great Black Sabbath riff, what sounds like a saxophone, and it is a monster that could rip the bark off any tree. “Corvette Summer” has the final word. It puts me in mind of the line from The Princess Bride that goes something like “I don’t think it means what you think it means.” It is a fantastic song with pulsing rhythm, amazing vocals, and unbeatable guitar work. This whole album smokes. Highly recommended.

VI is out on Friday, May 15^th through Blacklight Media Records. Listen and buy at the links below.

Links.

Gozu website, https://www.gozubandboston.com/

Bandcamp, https://gozu.bandcamp.com/album/gozu-vi

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/GOZU666

Blacklight Media Records, https://www.blacklightmediarecords.com/gozu/

© Wayne Edwards

The Wilson sisters once walked out of a Led Zeppelin gig. But six years later, Led Zeppelin walked in to a Heart gig to find the sisters playing Led Zeppelin songs

Split Chain have announced that a deluxe reimagined version of ‘motionblur’ is on its way, and it features a fantastically mind-boggling new single.

The album’s new version is set to be released on September 11 via Epitaph Records, and it’s going to be a special one. Each track on the band’s debut album has been reimagined, featuring a whole load of special guests from the next generation of the alt. scene.

So far, all we know is that London hardcore heavyweights False Reality will be leaning a hand on ‘SPIT’, and Las Vegas’ Roman Candle will be making an appearance on ‘Headway’.

Speaking on creating this fresh take on ‘motionblur’, the band have shared:

“We are so, so proud of what we created with ‘motionblur’, and we wanted to come up with a way to celebrate it all over again, in a way that both shows love to the scene that has helped us get where we are now, as well as including many of the friends that we’ve made along the way.

“We get that everyone interprets music in their own way, and so we invited a bunch of mates to feature across the album, so that we could hear their individual interpretations of the songs. It came out so much better than we could have even hoped, and we truly believe the work and energy that every person has done on every song is incredible. The cast of names on this version on this album is sick, and we know people are gonna love it just as much as we do. We’re so incredibly grateful to every single artist that has helped the deluxe become a reality and we genuinely can’t wait to hear what everybody thinks.”

If that wasn’t enough though, the album will also feature a handful of new tracks.

Recent single ‘sylvia (i won’t belong to you)’ is on the tracklist, as well as the freshly dropped ‘scatterbrain’.

Take a listen to that one below.

Speaking a little about their new arrival, the band have shared:

“Like all of our other music, ‘scatterbrain’ comes from personal experiences growing up that we’re sure everyone can relate with to some degree. It’s a song about the slow degradation of friendships, relationships and family ties. How all of a sudden, when things can seem to be at their best, the other person in the relationship, friendship or the family member seems to stop pulling their weight. They start to get caught up in their own thing, get lost in their head, and either consciously or subconsciously pull away without providing any reason whatsoever, leaving the other person with nothing but feelings of abandonment, unrequited love and questions.”

Split Chain will be heading back out on a UK headline tour later this year too, with special guests False Reality and Roman Candle.

Here’s what they had to say about that news:

“Since the band started back in 2023, everything has happened for us so quickly. Before we knew it, we’d signed with Epitaph, put out our debut LP, have spent the past 10 months since release touring across Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. There was a point amongst all of the chaos where we realised that we hadn’t actually toured the UK since way before ‘motionblur’ was released. We decided that we absolutely had to give the album a proper tour at home, and we’re so stoked that it’s finally happening. Not only that, but we also get to tour with some really sick bands in False Reality and Roman Candle, who we all love. We’re genuinely really excited to tour the UK again and can’t wait to get back out on the road.”

Take a look at the full list of dates below.

The post Split Chain Drop Sweeping New Single ‘scatterbrain’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

Posted on May 14th 2026, 11:21a.m.

Sleeping With Sirens‘ Kellin Quinn and Nick Martin treated commuters to a surprise set on a subway platform in NYC yesterday afternoon (May 13).

With the band’s eighth album ‘An Ending In Itself’ set to arrive on June 12, Kellin and Nick popped up in the unlikely spot for an impromptu performance.

Playing through an acoustic version of their latest title track, lucky fans and passers-by were also treated to a cover of The Goo Goo Dolls‘ ‘Iris’.

Check out some footage of the performance below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KNOTFEST (@knotfest)

@szydney Kellin Quinn & Nick Martin of Sleeping with Sirens covering Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls in the nyc subway #sleepingwithsirens @Sleeping With Sirens ♬ original sound – Sydney

It’s not long now until ‘An Ending In Itself’ officially arrives.

Rock Sound recently had a quick catch-up with Kellin to find out a little more about the band’s new era. Read our full chat with the frontman here.

And check out the album’s artwork and tracklisting below.

An Ending In Itself

Forever/Always

God In My Head

Need You Here

Left On Repeat

House Of Matches

Waiting For You

Paralyzed

Process

PTSD

Looking Back At Me

Storm Clouds

The post WATCH: Sleeping With Sirens Play A Surprise Set On An NYC Subway Platform appeared first on Rock Sound.