Mad Ears Productions [Release date : 21.10.26] Mockingbird Hill’s ‘Melting Pot’ is an engaging and at times beguiling album, full of good songs, bluesy grooves and intricate musical detail. I don’t know the reasons why Andy Littlewood originally called his … Continue reading →
Rock icon Rod Stewart has announced that he is retiring from touring for good, with his final shows due to take place next year. Taking in shows across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, Rod’s farewell tour – dubbed The Final Encore – will kick off on April 23 in Dublin, before finishing up on July 24 in Hannover.
“My dear friends, The time has come to say farewell to life on the road,” says the man himself in a statement accompanying the news. “After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last. I’ve been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I’ve had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you.
“It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I’ve given you some fond memories in return. So, may I take this opportunity to thank you for making this extraordinary life possible. I hope you’ll join me.
The announcement comes a few weeks after Rod was forced to cancel all remaining shows on his most recent tour after undergoing a routine coronary stent procedure. The Faces frontman had already cancelled some previous shows on the tour due to health issues.
See the full list of dates for Rod Stewart’s Final Encore tour below. Support on UK and Ireland dates will come from Howard Jones. Tickets for the shows will go on sale first via a Fanclub presale on Tuesday, 29 September, followed by local presales and then, finally, a general sale on Friday October 2. Information on all tickets can be found at Rod Stewart’s official website.
Rod Stewart Final Encore tour dates 2027
Apr 23: Dublin 3Arena, Ireland Apr 27: Belfast SSE Arena, UK Apr 29: Glasgow OVO Hydro, UK May 04: Birmingham Utilita Arena, UK May 06: Manchester Co-op Live, UK May 11: London The O2, UK May 28: Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, Netherlands May 29: Antwerp AFAS Dome, Belgium Jun 01: Berlin Uber Arena, Germany Jun 03: Düsseldorf PSD Bank Dome, Germany Jun 06: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark Jun 09: Helsinki Veikkaus Arena, Finland Jun 11: Rättvik Dalhalla, Sweden Jun 13: Trondheim Sverresboro, Norway Jun 15: Bergen Plenen, Norway Jun 18: Budapest Sportsarena, Hungary Jun 20: Munich Olympiahalle, Germany Jun 22 Pula Arena, Croatia Jun 24: O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic Jul 20: Kraków Tauron Arena, Poland Jul 24: Hannover ZAG Arena, Germany
KISS are marking 50 years of Rock And Roll Over with one of the largest archival releases built around the 1976 album.
The new 50th anniversary collection arrives on November 6, 2026, with two Super Deluxe box sets leading the release. One combines six vinyl records with a Blu-ray Audio disc, while the other includes four CDs and the same Blu-ray component.
Both versions contain 130 tracks in total, including 100 previously unreleased tracks and mixes. Alongside a newly remastered version of the original album, KISS have opened the vault for demos, alternate takes, studio outtakes and live recordings from the bands first Japanese concerts in 1977.
The official announcement from Universal Music confirms a separate seven-inch single arriving on October 16. It pairs Eddie Kramers new mix of “Mr. Speed” with a previously unreleased instrumental demo.
What Is Included In The Super Deluxe Box Sets?
The vinyl and CD Super Deluxe editions use different physical formats, but the core material is the same.
Original Album
The original 1976 stereo mix newly remastered by Bernie Grundman
Eddie Kramer 2026 Mix
A new stereo mix created from the original analog multitrack tapes
Demos And Outtakes
22 demos, alternate mixes, instrumental versions and studio outtakes
Live In Japan 1977
Selections from four KISS performances at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo
Blu-ray Audio
Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and high-resolution stereo mixes
Book And Memorabilia
104-page book plus posters, photos, cards, picks, replica memorabilia and other collectibles
Eddie Kramer Has Remixed The Entire Album For 2026
Eddie Kramer created a new 2026 stereo mix of all ten Rock And Roll Over tracks.
The anniversary edition is not built around another straightforward remaster.
Eddie Kramer returned to the original analog multitrack tapes and created a new stereo mix of all ten songs. Kramer produced and engineered the original album, so the new version comes from the person who was already behind the console when KISS recorded it in 1976.
The complete 2026 mix includes:
I Want You
Take Me
Calling Dr. Love
Ladies Room
Baby Driver
Love ’Em And Leave ’Em
Mr. Speed
See You In Your Dreams
Hard Luck Woman
Makin’ Love
The Eddie Kramer mix will also be available separately on CD and 180-gram black vinyl. The anniversary artwork keeps Michael Dorets original design but reworks the colors in gold, red and black.
The Box Set Opens The KISS Demo Vault
One of the more interesting parts of the set sits away from the finished album.
The collection includes 22 previously unreleased demos, alternate mixes and outtakes, including nine Gene Simmons demos connected with songs and ideas from the period.
Among them are early recordings titled “Burning Up With Fever,” “Daily Planet,” “High And Low,” “Jelly Roll,” “Dreamer,” “Wicked June” and “You’re My Reason For Living.” Paul Stanley is represented by a demo of “I Want Love.”
There are also working versions of songs that eventually appeared on Rock And Roll Over, including extended and instrumental takes of “Take Me,” “I Want You” and “Mr. Speed,” an alternate mix of “Calling Dr. Love” and an outtake of “Hard Luck Woman.”
The most unusual inclusion may be “Queen For A Day,” an unfinished instrumental demo that has never previously received an official release.
The fourth CD, or the final two LPs in the vinyl edition, move from the studio to Tokyo.
KISS played Japan for the first time in April 1977, including a run at the Nippon Budokan. Eddie Kramer recorded those concerts, and the anniversary box pulls performances from four shows held on April 1, April 2 and April 4.
The selections include “Detroit Rock City,” “Cold Gin,” “God Of Thunder,” “Beth,” “Black Diamond,” “Rock And Roll All Nite” and several songs from Rock And Roll Over.
Guitar, bass and drum solos from Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss also appear in the collection.
The live recordings place the album back into the period when KISS were moving through one of the busiest stretches of their career. Anyone working back through the bands catalog can also see where several of these songs sit in our list of the best KISS songs.
The Blu-ray Adds Dolby Atmos And 5.1 Surround Mixes
Both Super Deluxe configurations include a Blu-ray Audio disc.
The original album mix is presented in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and high-resolution PCM stereo, including 192kHz/24-bit and 96kHz/24-bit options.
Eddie Kramers 2026 version also appears in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and 96kHz/24-bit stereo.
That gives the release two separate ways of revisiting the complete album. One preserves and remasters the familiar 1976 stereo mix, while the other rebuilds it from the original multitrack recordings.
The Physical Box Is Packed With KISS Memorabilia
The Super Deluxe box includes a 104-page book, posters, picks, trading cards and replica concert memorabilia.
KISS have also treated the anniversary package as a replica memorabilia set rather than simply filling a box with discs.
Both Super Deluxe editions include a 104-page hardcover book written by Ken Sharp. The book uses new interviews with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Eddie Kramer alongside previously unpublished photography and archival material.
The physical extras include:
Replica 1976 press materials
Black and white press photos
Six art cards
Four double-sided coasters
Four guitar picks
Nine trading cards and a sticker
Replica Madison Square Garden ticket stub
Replica Budokan ticket stub
Duluth concert mini-poster
Tour stage magnet sheet
Four glossy color photos
24 x 30-inch Madison Square Garden concert poster
Halloween paper mask
Vintage-style iron-on
Enamel pin
Lenticular album cover
There is also a recreated Gotham Rock City News newspaper featuring track-by-track interviews with members of KISS and Eddie Kramer.
Several Smaller Rock And Roll Over Editions Are Coming Too
The giant boxes are only part of the 50th anniversary release.
A limited zoetrope picture disc uses the four faces from the album artwork as animated visual elements when the record spins. Only 1,000 individually numbered copies are planned for that edition.
A separate “explosive color” vinyl pressing comes in an embossed foil sleeve with metallic gold details and a new 20 x 30-inch poster. The standard Eddie Kramer 2026 Mix will also be sold separately on black vinyl and CD.
How Rock And Roll Over Became a Defining KISS Album of the 1970s?
Rock And Roll Over arrived in November 1976, only months after Destroyer. Instead of continuing deeper into the elaborate production of that album, KISS moved back toward a harder and more immediate sound.
Eddie Kramer recorded the band at the Star Theatre in Nanuet, New York, using an approach designed to capture more of the energy of a live KISS performance. The album reached No. 11 in the United States and was certified platinum in January 1977. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
It also produced two major KISS singles. “Hard Luck Woman,” sung by Peter Criss and written by Paul Stanley, reached the US Top 20, as did Gene Simmons fronted “Calling Dr. Love.”
For an album built around direct, loud rock and roll, the 50th anniversary edition is enormous. The original record ran for little more than half an hour. The new collection stretches that period of KISS history across remasters, a complete new mix, demos, unfinished ideas, Japanese concerts and enough physical memorabilia to recreate a sizeable piece of the 1976 fan-club experience.
KISS Rock And Roll Over 50th Anniversary will be released on November 6, 2026.
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris on 9 April and includes UK shows in London, Wolverhampton and Manchester.
The tour follows news of DragonForce’s tenth studio album and first self-titled release, DragonForce, which will arrive on 19 March 2027 through Napalm Records. Lead single Hunger Of The Beast is out now.
Local pre-sales for the Europe Tour 2027 begin at 10am CET on 28 September 2026, with the public on-sale starting at 10am CET on 30 September. Tickets are available through dragonforce.com/shows.
“We are so excited to be able to play both our new songs and a special Inhuman Rampage set in Europe,” says guitarist Herman Li. “This is a new era for the band, and I’m so proud of the new record. I can’t wait to bring this new show to Europe!”
Lead vocalist Alissa White-Gluz adds, “Excitement would be an understatement. I’m thrilled to be back in my usual stomping ground and bring this exciting new concert to our European fans. See you soon!”
DragonForce was produced by Jens Bogren and recorded in the US, UK, Canada and Sweden. The release says the album draws on the band’s formative sound while pushing forward with high-energy songs, speed-driven playing and Heavy Metal hooks.
White-Gluz shares lead-vocal duties with Alessio Garavello. The current line-up also includes Herman Li and Sam Totman on guitars, Alicia Vigil on bass, Billy Wilkins on rhythm guitar and Gee Anzalone on drums. Garavello is handling the male lead-vocal role while Marc Hudson temporarily steps back from DragonForce music duties, according to the release.
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris
Event Details
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris on 9 April and includes UK shows in London, Wolverhampton and Manchester.
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris
Event Details
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris on 9 April and includes UK shows in London, Wolverhampton and Manchester.
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris
Event Details
DragonForce have announced a 22-date European headline tour for April and May 2027, with Visions of Atlantis and Wings of Steel joining as special guests. The run begins in Paris on 9 April and includes UK shows in London, Wolverhampton and Manchester.
Before the European run, DragonForce will continue the 20th anniversary celebrations for Inhuman Rampage with a North American tour in November and December 2026.
Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour
13 Nov – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
14 Nov – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
15 Nov – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
17 Nov – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
18 Nov – Houston, TX – House of Blues
20 Nov – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
21 Nov – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
22 Nov – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
24 Nov – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
25 Nov – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
27 Nov – Worcester, MA – Palladium
28 Nov – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
29 Nov – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
1 Dec – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
2 Dec – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
4 Dec – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theatre
6 Dec – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
Yes are to release Keys To Ascension: The Studio Recordings through Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red on January 29. The double vinyl release features the complete studio recordings from both Keys To Ascension albums, on vinyl for the very first time.
The band regrouped following the splintering of Yes after 1994’s Talk, when a new manager struck a deal with the Essential label (a subsidiary of Castle Communications) for a live album as long as the 70s line-up reunited. The new line-up had recorded two lengthy new songs, Be The One and That, That Is, but the record company’s attention was on a new live album.
Three live shows were recorded at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California and the two studio tracks were added to the end of the 1996 live album Keys To Ascension. More new studio material was recorded, but no new studio album was forthcoming. Instead, a second live volume, Keys To Ascension 2, was released in 1997 with more studio material.
Angered by the lack of interest in the new material from the label, Wakeman again left the band, who then recruited current bassist Billy Sherwood and recorded the Open Your Eyes album, which was released on the Eagle label. Wakeman would never again record with Yes, although he did return from 2002 to 2004 for live work, but no new studio recordings occurred. In 2001, a single CD, Keystudio, was released, featuring the studio material.
The new 2LP set will be available as a gatefold double vinyl edition, a limited blue double vinyl edition, and a studio CD edition, featuring brand new material from Roger Dean and new liner notes from Prog magazine’s Jerry Ewing.
The live material is expected to be released at a later date.
Yes: Keys To Ascension: The Studio Recordings 1. Foot Prints 2. Be The One (The One / Humankind / Skates) 3. Mind Drive 4. Bring Me To The Power 5. Sign Language 6. That, That Is (Togetherness / Crossfire / The Giving Things / That Is / All In All /How Did Heaven Begin / Agree To Agree) 7. Children Of The Light (Children Of Light / Lifeline)
