Blog
-
Dornenreich – Confirm Acoustic Shows In Germany & Austria
Later this year, in November, Dornenreich will perform several acoustic shows in Germany and Austria. Fellow countrymen Vinsta will be joining them on these dates as support.
Read more⌠-
“I found out through the Internet that I have AIDS. I learned I was dead.” How one final, heartbreaking TV performance marked the end of an era for Alice In Chains – and a swan song for their brilliant but troubled frontman, Layne Staley
30 years ago this week, Alice In Chains played a legendary MTV Unplugged set that has only grown more poignant with time -
Slyder Smith Releases New Single âKilling The Machineâ
UK rock singer-songwriter Slyder Smith returns with his explosive new single ‘Killing The Machine‘, out now, – a hard-hitting, thought-provoking track that tackles the growing fear and reality of technology overtaking human connection and control. Blending gritty guitars, anthemic melodies, and his trademark raw lyricism, ‘Killing The Machine‘ channels both urgency and unease, capturing the tension between […]
The post Slyder Smith Releases New Single ‘Killing The Machine’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.
-
Ural – Unveil ‘Terror Eyes’ Song
Italian thrashers Ural have unleashed “Terror Eyes”, the third advance single from their upcoming long player Anthropic Genetic Involution.
Read more⌠-
2026 Rock + Metal Festival + Cruise Guide
What rock and metal festivals will you check out in 2026? Will you set sail on a rock or metal cruise? See what's coming up in 2026. Continue reading… -
2026 Rock + Metal Festival + Cruise Guide
What rock and metal festivals will you check out in 2026? Will you set sail on a rock or metal cruise? See what's coming up in 2026. Continue reading… -
A View From The Back Of The Room: Ba’al (Matt Bladen)
Ba’al, Cairns & Pluto, Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham, 20.03.26
Almost let this one slip under the radar! Thankfully I actually managed to pull myself together and get it written up before my memory was too faded.
Though on the day itself, I wouldn’t have been telling you much of what happened as two of my bestest buddies and spent most of day preceding the show visiting the Deya brewery alongside a few of Cheltenham’s most appealing watering holes.
Many delightful beers were drunk, some delicious food was ingested and we finally arrived from our odyssey at The Frog And Fiddle which had yet more treats for the taste buds and of course more importantly the ears.
I’ve been to Frog And Fiddle before, however it was for professional wrestling, so this was my first gig at the venue and while the high stage is tightly packed into one end of the room, complete with a big screen on the back to show graphics for the bands. the sound is perfect, coming through the speakers into the cavernous room and it’s imposing wooden beams.
It’s a long and thin venue running the length of the outside bar, which offers seats and refuge from the loud noises inside the gig area. In short more venues should take the time and effort that Frog & Fiddle do as it’s a pleasure to watch bands there.
A particular pleasure when the bands are this good. Presented by promoters Road To Masochist, getting the evening started were Midlands based Pluto, who combine ear bleeding molten sludge with blackened post-metal blasts, thick basslines come with tremolo picking that shifts into heavy grooves.
Squashed onto the stage there was little room to move but their singer commanded the stage with his presence and voice as the rest of the band locked in for this melting pot of genres that created a seam that linked them to the other, more well known I’d wager bands on the bill, but Pluto for my money stood their ground as an opener to get the heads nodding.
Next up though we’re two bands we had seen before, as if in One For Sorrow Plymouth replay it was Manchester band Cairns who took tongue stage yet. Their frontman bemoaning, with tongue-in-cheek, that he was missing football to come and play for Cheltenham, as they dove into their atmospheric post black metal ferocity.
Never a band without a crowd, they seem to bring a dedicated fanbase with them wherever they play and that does give this Manchester band a cocksure attitude that bleeds into how sickly they’re able to storm through their set, playing their 2022 EP Keening in full alongside a brand new song that seems to be of the same high quality musicals offence that Cairns are known for.
The fire was stoked by Cairns ready for the headliners to take to the stage, and as with every show from Sheffield band Ba’al tissues need to be at the ready as their style of blackened post metal is always emotionally cathartic no matter how many times you experience it. That’s the key word for Ba’al they’re a band you experience, rather than listen to, or enjoy, each of their songs if fuelled by trauma, rage, sadness and the search for closure.
These emotions wrought through the intense vocals of Joe Stamps, who lets the music and lyrics overwhelm him. Though it would be just a man screaming without the layered heaviness of guitarists Nick Gosling and Chris Mole, drummer Luke Rutter and bassist Richard Spencer who weave the intricacies of Ba’al’s blackened post metal menagerie.
The bulk of their set coming from their tremendous The Fine Line Between Heaven And Here album, with one from Ellipsism and another from Soft Eyes sprinkled in-between, but as always with Ba’al the whole set is mesmerising, drawing you into in with their introspective aggression that closed a brilliant night of music after a great away day for team MoM.
Cheltenham will be on our gig list from now on as the whole city is buzzing with good times and their music scene is very strong. 10/10 -
A View From The Back Of The Room: Ba’al (Matt Bladen)
Ba’al, Cairns & Pluto, Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham, 20.03.26
Almost let this one slip under the radar! Thankfully I actually managed to pull myself together and get it written up before my memory was too faded.
Though on the day itself, I wouldn’t have been telling you much of what happened as two of my bestest buddies and spent most of day preceding the show visiting the Deya brewery alongside a few of Cheltenham’s most appealing watering holes.
Many delightful beers were drunk, some delicious food was ingested and we finally arrived from our odyssey at The Frog And Fiddle which had yet more treats for the taste buds and of course more importantly the ears.
I’ve been to Frog And Fiddle before, however it was for professional wrestling, so this was my first gig at the venue and while the high stage is tightly packed into one end of the room, complete with a big screen on the back to show graphics for the bands. the sound is perfect, coming through the speakers into the cavernous room and it’s imposing wooden beams.
It’s a long and thin venue running the length of the outside bar, which offers seats and refuge from the loud noises inside the gig area. In short more venues should take the time and effort that Frog & Fiddle do as it’s a pleasure to watch bands there.
A particular pleasure when the bands are this good. Presented by promoters Road To Masochist, getting the evening started were Midlands based Pluto, who combine ear bleeding molten sludge with blackened post-metal blasts, thick basslines come with tremolo picking that shifts into heavy grooves.
Squashed onto the stage there was little room to move but their singer commanded the stage with his presence and voice as the rest of the band locked in for this melting pot of genres that created a seam that linked them to the other, more well known I’d wager bands on the bill, but Pluto for my money stood their ground as an opener to get the heads nodding.
Next up though we’re two bands we had seen before, as if in One For Sorrow Plymouth replay it was Manchester band Cairns who took tongue stage yet. Their frontman bemoaning, with tongue-in-cheek, that he was missing football to come and play for Cheltenham, as they dove into their atmospheric post black metal ferocity.
Never a band without a crowd, they seem to bring a dedicated fanbase with them wherever they play and that does give this Manchester band a cocksure attitude that bleeds into how sickly they’re able to storm through their set, playing their 2022 EP Keening in full alongside a brand new song that seems to be of the same high quality musicals offence that Cairns are known for.
The fire was stoked by Cairns ready for the headliners to take to the stage, and as with every show from Sheffield band Ba’al tissues need to be at the ready as their style of blackened post metal is always emotionally cathartic no matter how many times you experience it. That’s the key word for Ba’al they’re a band you experience, rather than listen to, or enjoy, each of their songs if fuelled by trauma, rage, sadness and the search for closure.
These emotions wrought through the intense vocals of Joe Stamps, who lets the music and lyrics overwhelm him. Though it would be just a man screaming without the layered heaviness of guitarists Nick Gosling and Chris Mole, drummer Luke Rutter and bassist Richard Spencer who weave the intricacies of Ba’al’s blackened post metal menagerie.
The bulk of their set coming from their tremendous The Fine Line Between Heaven And Here album, with one from Ellipsism and another from Soft Eyes sprinkled in-between, but as always with Ba’al the whole set is mesmerising, drawing you into in with their introspective aggression that closed a brilliant night of music after a great away day for team MoM.
Cheltenham will be on our gig list from now on as the whole city is buzzing with good times and their music scene is very strong. 10/10 -
LIVE REVIEW: PAPA ROACH With Special Guests Landmvarks & prepared A Day To Remember

Papa Roach _The Rockpit_METRO CITY, PERTH_210423 Calling a tour âThe Big Rock Showâ is a big call. Through the history of time there have indeed been some big rock shows and tours. This one is a little different though. Itâs celebrating three bands that came to life in three separate decades. The tour could have almost been called the big rock evolution tour. Papa Roach who formed in 1993, A Day To Remember in 2003 and Landmvrks in 2014. Tonightâ was a generational thing and I can proudly say that in the early 2000âs Papa Roach became one of the most important bands in my life, they were there through it all new life, death, sadness and happiness, every realm and variation of these things possible. If you connect with a band like that yourself, then you get exactly what I am saying. The emo styled punk pop fury of A Day To Remember connected with a different generation yet again; but blurred the lines blending the noughties with the tens and beyond. Landmvrks who take a little for the two forementioned bands and levelled it up into this decade. All three bands have such strong connective elements. When you think about it, how could it not be The Big Rock show.
Landmvarks who hail from Marseille in France are no strangers to Australia. In their fourteen-year career they have become no strangers to Australia. This is their third visit to our country in the last three years and they have clearly worked their asses off building a fan base. For a band that I was seeing for the first time there were a whole lot of people who knew exactly who Landmvrks were here tonight. Iâm sure most of them were at the night beforeâs headline sideshow at Stay Gold in Brunswick, Melbourne. A gig in hindsight Iâm regretting I missed.
Purely based on tonightâs set I can understand why Landmvrks are a band on the rise and rising fast. If Iâm honest, I have flirted with the bands catalogue over the last couple of years. The albums have been great but have never struck me hard enough to have them on high or semi-permanent rotation. I appreciated the way they threw a variety of genres together and showed a willingness to adventure towards their own sound and on 2025âs âThe Darkest Place Iâve Ever Beenâ it felt like they were almost there. Live, they are such a beast, they took away what I thought I knew about the band and put an energy on it that you can only feel as itâs impossible to explain. Itâs moments like this that can sway the balance between knowing a band and becoming a fan of the band. Tonight I became a fan of Landmvrks. Frontman Florent Salfati has such a great energy to him, he knows how to hype up a crowd and pull in your engagement. When he asked for a circle pit or a wall of death he got it, whatever he asked of us he got it. Lead guitarist Nicolas Exposito is great to watch and his dirty voice is exceptional, the same goes for bassist Rudy Purkart who is incredible solid and locks into drummer Kevin DâAgostinoâs playing with the same intensity. Itâs the clean vocals and harmonies of rhythm guitarist Paul Cordebrad that add something really unique to Salfatiâs voice and the songs where these more melodic parts shine.
Tonightâs set was a mix of songs from their last two records. This short sharp seven song set was a great way to kick of the show and in hindsight was a modern take on what both headliners bring to the table musically and stylistically as well as going a bit darker and heavier.
Landmvrks are a band that I didnât expect to find a connection with live, however that all has changed. Iâm glad I caught there set; what I saw and heard was one hell of a performance and has taken me from a passing listener to a fan. My advice to anyone checking out this tour is to get there early and catch their set.
Setlist : Creature, Sulfur, La Valse Du Temps, Lost In A Wave, Rainfall, Blood Red, Self-Made Black Hole.
From the moment I heard the lyric âcut my life into pieces, this is my last resortâ and then that guitar riff in 2000. I was taken back and discovered a band that would become one of my all-time favourites bands of the new millennium and a very important band to me. The soundtrack to life as itâs often called. Fast forward to today April 8, 2026 and I am finally seeing the band that has carried me through the last twenty-six years. They have always been there and had a message that resonated with me, whether it be something deeply personal or something that I could relate to in life. Papa Roach were an outlet, a release and an escape from a feeling, an emotion and a pathway to making sense of it all. Papa Roach have done it like no other band when I sit down and think of it, they have been my rock n roll therapy. Add to this the energy their catalogue of songs, their depth has no limits and I owe this band so much.
Explosive from the moment they take to the stage Papa Roach âEven If It Kills Meâ launches this sensory overload. The production is sensational, the level of finesse in the chaos of this show is second to none. Nothing has been spared or compromised for Papa Roachâs set. Fire, Co2 jets, a video wall that works into the stage, the attention to detail is meticulous. Its all class all the way.
Jacoby Shaddix come out all guns blazing as he works the crowd with so much energy. There is something to be said about a band that can keep an audience in the palm of their hand.
The strike of the first four songs is relentless. Constantly revving us all up, encouraging Rod Laver to get up out of their seats because this is a rock show. By âDead Cellâ he had us all up, fists in the air and screaming along with him, pushing us harder and louder with every prompt. If Shaddix didnât have you involved by now why are you here?
Shaddix addressed Rod Laver in the way only he can do âMake some motherf*cking noise for Landmvrks. And I know you guys are ready for our brothers in A Day To Remember. My main question now is do you want some more Papa f*cking Roach?â Rod Laverâs response is deafening. âLetâs see a circle pit and letâs see what you gotâ as the launch into ââŚTo Be Lovedâ all the power and fury is there yet again and the circle pit just ignites. Itâs not only the pit that ignites but it sees Shaddix leave the stage, singing with fans at the barrier and then wandering into the crowd on the left side and up into the seats, shaking hands and singing. Itâs such a cool moment. Sure, itâs nothing new, but this seems to be so genuine, itâs not rushed, itâs at his pace which is great and made sure it connected how it should have. The energy is pure magic, how can you not smile at a performance like this. All capped off by Shaddix saying âNow we got you off your seatsâ. Drummer Tony Palmero even broke his snare, that should tell you how hard Papa Roach are going tonight.
âIf you got demons, they die tonight, they donât belong in this house, no way, no how. Split this crowd in the middle, we are going to exercise them, smash their faces on this dance floor. Open this pit up, all the way to the backâ Shaddix commands us as they rock the hell out of us again with âKill The Noiseâ and the pit just goes wild again. The flames from the stage scorch us for the hundredth time tonight and it just fuels us even more. âGetting Away With Murderâ is another sonic punch that has Melbourne rocking and in fine voice.
âI got a feeling you people here tonight love that shit!! I love it when I see you up on your friends shoulders, I love seeing you in the mosh pit, I love it when I see you guys singing, I love it when I see you guyâs crowd surfing, I just love it seeing you guys having a good time. You guys are here to party tonight. We are a long way from home, but I tell you right now Melbourne is my home. I ainât here for a long time, but I am here for a good time so we going to throw it down. Thank you guys for making us feel at home.â
The band launches into a brief version of 2Pacâs âCalifornia Loveâ introducing the band. Tobin Esperance on bass, Tony Palmero on drums, Anthony Esperance on Keys, percussion and guitar, and this guy is gonna be a daddy, can you believe it, letâs give it up for Jerry as the chant of Jerry starts Jerry Horton on guitar. These four musicians are simply on fire, tight, energetic and deliver the music so damn well. Itâs all live, no tracks and that is the way rock n roll should be. Itâs fun and that is all that matters.
âDonât talk about it, Be about it! Melbourne, letâs see what you got on this oneâ as âLiarâ perhaps wasnât the song I expected with that kind of intro, but the song from their Ego Trip album kind of misses for me, however the crowd doesnât share my thoughts.
âFalling Apartâ rocks us again and the crowd are singing at full voice again. The song is just ear candy, that cool kick of rock with the almost pop chorus and feel. Palmero beats hit drum kit within inches of its life on this one. The last bit of the song sees Shaddix drop to his knees and like reading poetry recites to us all âI keep falling, I keep falling and hurting the people that I love. I keep falling, I keep falling and betraying myself, I keep falling, falling âŚ. But I keep getting back upâ. Itâs a different side to the rock n roll frontman we have enjoyed all night and itâs so powerful.
The screen behind the stage lights the now dark venue with a pre recorded video from Shaddix that talks about mental health, suicide prevention, the effects of suicide; letting us know that it is close to the band and that there is help out there. When they hear someone tell them your music saved my life it makes this cause really important to them, so just by being here tonight, they wanted to give back, and we were a part of it. Papa Roach announce they are making a donation to a local suicide prevention charity in the name of tonight show. For anyone that is in the dark we want you to always know you are not alone, we will always leave a light on for you.
This message alone hit how it should have, and I could imagine how hard it must be to do this live every night. The emotion in this is real. Shaddix asks that we illuminate the place as âthis is for the ones we have lost and the ones left behindâ. This is what I was talking about before, this band has always had something to offer the heart and soul. âLeave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)â is just beautiful. Itâs acoustic with percussion and just chillingly perfect. The moment of silence at the end hits hard too leaving the Arena in pretty much darkness. The effects of suicide has clearly hit Shaddix personally and he has struggled himself. This is the message everyone needs to hear and feel. You couldnât help feel it in his words.
âThis next song I believe saved this bands career, this one brought me out of the darkness personally, this one right here is called Scarsâ. Hearing Rod Laver Arena sing this back is just mind blowing. Not a word missed and a definite highlight of the set.
âyou guys are amazing, what an audience, for real you guyâs murdered Adelaide, I mean slayed Adelaide. You might be the best so far, but not quite yet, Perth was f*cking unrealâ which can gain the response you expect a crowd full of booâs. âOh boo, heâs honest. Câmon Iâm trying to rile you up a little bit. I need your help singing on this next one called âHelpâ and I wanna see some crowd surfersâ. This song from âCrooked Teethâ has to be one of my favourites and it just grooves along. Shaddix tell us we are all mental as a crowd and that we are officially the best audience of the tour.
âThis one is built for the mosh pitâ as the band launches into âBraindeadâ and gives us a taste of the evolution to a new era of Papa Roach and it is brilliant live.
âBorn For Greatnessâ pounds it way through Rod Laver. This is a weird song for me, itâs a little too commercial for me and almost comes across as a Pink song (now thatâs not a bad thing either) ⌠well that is until it kicks you in the face. I kind of feel this song tried too hard to cross over for the band. Itâs a strange choice to close out the main set with too.
Hey good lookinâ plays through the PA along with a cockroach video and the first song of
the encores, is âBetween Angels & Insectsâ with an extended intro. Itâs an obvious choice and show off just how good Shaddixâs voice is. Letâs face it, itâs essential Papa Roach. That chorus âŚ. So damn good. The pit comes alive like it hasnât before tonight. Just WOW.
âWe are going to take you on a little journey right now. We like to call this part of the show the nu-metal time machine. Jump in with me and letâs goâ. The Medley included âBlindâ by Korn, âShove Itâ from The Deftones, Limp Bizkitâs âBreak Stuffâ and System Of A Downâs âChop Sueyâ. Shaddix again left the stage and graced the crowd on the right side of the stage in the seats hi fiving kids and talking to fans along the way. Again, that personal touch is everything and the fans just lapped it up.
Returning to the stage we all realise this is the last song and it could only be one song âLast resortâ which drove Rod Laver to another level. To say this song was nothing short of insane would be an understatement. The perfect song to end an incredible set. It had everything, flames, Co2 jets and a crowd that just bounced.
âWe f*king love you !!!â screamed Shaddix âWe canât wait to do this again with you. Thank you, God bless youâ before taking a final bow. Rest assured Papa Roch I canât wait to do this again with you.
Shaddix in a true ring master, part bad ass rockstar, part showman, part intricate human.
Every song hit where it should the dynamics of the set shape the feel; the energy unleashed from the stage came back 15,000 fold. We fed Papa Roach and Papa Roach fed us back.
Itâs incredible that a band can do this and for an hour plus straight.
I get to see so many shows and I know that I connect with so many of them, however tonightâs Papa Roach set connected on a level of its own. Itâs rare that I fall into the hand of a frontman and am captivated by a whole performance. The raw emotion and energy of Jacoby Shaddix is an exception to the rule. He worked an arena like it was a 400 capacity room and that is no easy feat.
Setlist : Even If It Kills Me, Blood Brothers, Dead Cell, âŚTo Be Loved, Kill The Noise, Getting Away With Murder, California Love, Liar, Falling Apart, Leave A light on (Talk Away The Dark), Scars, Help, Braindead, Born For Greatness.
Encore : Between Angels and Insects, Nu-Metal Medley (Blind, My Own Summer (Shove It, Break Stuff, Chop Suey), Last Resort.
A quick modification of the stage and a change of backline prepared A Day To Remember to take to the stage and show us what they had for us. Backing up a set like Papa Roachâs is not going to be an easy feat and more to the point could they deliver a set that energetic and engaging? Iâm not so sure.
In some ways judging by the initial reaction from the crowd as they tore into âThe Downfall Of Us Allâ the crowd still had a ton to give.
The energy is really high, and I donât think I have ever seen so many crowd surfers over the front barrier in the first song at a show as I did tonight. The infectious pop-punk power of ADTR is enough to bring the want to party back in anyone. These guys are fun and just as fun as the first time I saw them at Knotfest Melbourne in 2025. For me ADTR were the surprise of the day there for me. Their energy and fun vibe won me over instantly. However, a full headline set versus a short sharp festival slot can be a whole different vibe.
While the band have this insane energy and much the same stage show as Papa Roach it was far less interactive or atmospheric. A predominantly static logo image graced the screen with subtle animations and colour changes. The flames were there, the Co2 was there too, and these guys just as they did at Knotfest had confetti and man did these guys use some confetti through the night.
Frontman Jeremy McKinnon is a different kind of frontman to Shaddix. His presence has less intensity and a more relaxed fun feel to it. It embodies that pop-punk vibe perfectly. The band are super tight and a fun watch.
What gives ADTR an edge over their pop-punk peers is that they arenât afraid to push boundaries and crossover into metalcore and dip their toes in alternative radio rock which gives them this broad scoop of fans. Thinking about the crowd they certainly had that broad demographic, goths, punks, emoâs, white collar types and everyday rock radio fans. The crowd clearly a decade younger than myself. I guess itâs about where an artist and their music hits you and where in life you were when you discovered them.
The nineteen-song set tonight featured six songs from their latest album âBig Ole Album Vol.1â which I must admit I havenât really given a lot of time to yet. Itâs great to hear bands feature new music in their sets. 2009âs âHomecomingâ had a great run of five songs from it. This was the album that started this incredible wave for them, and all five songs have earned their place in the set. ADTR have a huge history with Australia, and we were one of the first markets to break them outside of America and they havenât been shy about visiting us and making sure we are looked after.
As with a lot of pop-punk bands there is always some element of fun. From their appearance at Knotfest to now, they have certainly added to the show. Tonight we had a guy dressed as Mario from Super Mario Brothers toss shirts into the crowd during âAll My Friendsâ and two huge basketball hoops placed on either side of the stage and a mass of inflatable basketballs tossed into the crowd and a challenge was set to see which side could shoot more hoops that the other during âLeBronâ, which the right side won with ease.
This is a fun, forget the world outside kind of show and had they played before Papa Roach I think they would have landed differently for me. While I thoroughly enjoyed their set, it just lacked something for me. For the rest of Rod Laver Arena I donât think many would agree with me and thatâs OK.
Sure, the circle pits on the floor were intense, but unless you are in or around them and their chaos, they all start to look the same from the seats and loose some of that magic. But I will say ADTRâs surfing the crowd surfer was super fun to watch.
McKinnon asks the crowd if we like it when bands leave the stage and tease at playing more songs. He hates it and tells us these are the last three songs, the first of which is âIf It Means A Lot To Youâ, the first glance at the band a little more stripped back. Initially goofing with the intro to Nicklebackâs âPhotographâ.
âCloser Than You Thinkâ brings the energy back up leading us to the grand finale of âAll Signs Point To Lauderdaleâ which has it all flames, streamers shot from the stage and the obligatory toss of toilet paper into the crowd from the stage. This is simple fun at its finest, a great time and ADTR know how to deliver a fun show.
I must admit that ADTRâs VIP package must have allowed purchasing fans to stand at the back of the stage and watch the show was super cool. What a unique experience they must have had seeing the show from the band perspective. Itâs these things that certainly keep fans rabid and engaged.
ADTR are a one huge party live, make no mistake about that. I really enjoyed their set, and I will absolutely check them out live again.
Tonight Rod Laver danced, sang, moshed and there were even teeth knocked out in the frenzy of it all.
Landmvrks delivered an incredible set that set the tone. Papa Roach took everything to a new level and ADTR brought the party home. Without sounding tacky all three bands delivered A NIGHT TO REMEMBER and a show I wonât forget in a hurry.
Setlist : The Downfall Of Us All, Iâm Made OF Wax Larry What are You Made Of?, 2nd Sucks, Right Back At It Again, Bad Blood, Paranoia, Miracle, All My Friends, Have Faith In Me, Flowers, Mr. Highwayâs Thinking About The End, Resentment, Itâs Complicated, LeBron, All I Want, The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle, If It Means A Lot To You, Closer Than You Think, All Signs Point To Lauderdale.
Wirth many thanks Dallas Does PR for the media accreditiation
The post LIVE REVIEW: PAPA ROACH With Special Guests Landmvarks & prepared A Day To Remember appeared first on The Rockpit.
-
10 of the Worst Singers in Rock History
The worst rock singers of all time can be a very peculiar situation. They might be poor or downright bad in isolation. However, when combined with the right music and approach, they can shine. This has been seen time and time again throughout the history of music.
Having said that, though, this doesn’t mean the following vocalists were good on their own, which is going to be the focus of this list. It is also worth pointing out that this list is subjective and doesn’t intend to disrespect these people.
1. Johnny Rotten

Rotten back in the day. It is ironic that one of the most iconic bands in history has one of the worst rock singers of all time. Johnny Rotten was the vocalist of the Sex Pistols during the band’s heyday in the 70s, singing some of the United Kingdom‘s most iconic rock anthems of its generation. However, that doesn’t mean that he was a good singer.
The band only made one record, 1977’s “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols“, which became an instant classic in the genre. Rotten‘s singing, on the other hand, was weak, lacking technique, and without any range whatsoever. Yes, there was certainly a lot of attitude, which was a major selling point of punk, but that doesn’t make him a great singer.
This is one of those cases where the vocalist fits with the musical ethos of the band, but it doesn’t mean that he is great on his own. If he were playing a cleaner music style, one that relied a lot more on melody, Rotten wouldn’t have been given the time of day.
2. Dave Mustaine

Mustaine on stage. Dave Mustaine has had one of the most successful careers in rock. Having been fired by Metallica when the latter were starting to release records, he managed to recover from that and enjoy a lot of success on his own with Megadeth. It is an even bigger achievement that he managed to do this despite being one of the worst rock singers of his generation.
Now, this is not to say that Megadeth doesn’t have great music, anyway. And they made it work with Mustaine as a vocalist. However, it is also true that his voice is simply not easy on the ear. It is scratchy, the nasal tone can be quite grating, and doesn’t have the most melodic of approaches. Sometimes the songs can sound quite hard to enjoy because of it.
There is also the fact that aging and years of substance abuse have taken a toll on Mustaine‘s vocal range. This is something that can be heard on the more recent Megadeth albums and tours. So, all of these situations give more context to the struggles he went through as a singer.
3. Vince Neil

Neil in 2026. It’s common knowledge that Vince Neil is one of the worst rock singers of his generation. This may sound harsh, but it is a reality that even Motley Crue fans have come to accept. While his performances in the 80s albums of the band were decent enough, they never compared to other vocalists of the decade’s hard rock scene. His nasal tone, coupled with his lack of power when singing, has always been the subject of criticism.
All of this is focused on his studio performances, though. When it comes to the live shows, he fares even worse. It has become a running joke how much Neil struggles when performing live in recent years, but that was already an issue during Motley Crue‘s prime. The biggest difference is that time and excess have taken a major toll on his performances as well.
There is an argument to be made that Neil was what the band needed at the time. However, when considering how much Motley Crue improved musically with singer John Corabi during the 1994 self-titled album, there is an argument to be made that Neil wasn’t that essential. If anything, he was the easiest member to replace, based on his contributions.
4. Bob Dylan

Dylan back in his prime. There is no denying that Bob Dylan is one of the greatest to ever do it. One of the all-time greats in music. However, there is the paradox that he is also one of the worst rock singers. But this is a case where an interesting debate is raised.
See, Dylan‘s voice isn’t naturally beautiful. From a sound perspective, he is very likely a poor singer. He doesn’t have the most melodic of voices and can’t give you catchy lines like some of the best vocalists out there. And that is something that can be seen as a huge problem. However, there is the counterargument that he excels at conveying emotion and has amazing phrasing. Therefore, this debate can bring up a lot of questions regarding what makes a singer.
From a technical perspective, Bob Dylan isn’t a good voice. Moreover, there is a very good chance that his voice is going to be either loved or hated by a newcomer. It is a matter of personal taste, just like with any other singer on this list. However, there is no denying that he doesn’t have the greatest of voices, which can be a problem for some new listeners. At the end of the day, we all have our own preferences.
5. Anthony Kiedis

Kiedis on stage. The fact that Kiedis has mentioned that he has had a lot of vocal coaches and none of them has managed to help him says a lot. As mentioned in the introduction, being one of the worst rock singers doesn’t mean that you can’t fit well within a band. Kiedis‘ stint with Red Hot Chili Peppers is a prime example of that. There is even a strong argument to be made that he is perfect for the band.
However, that doesn’t mean that he is a great singer. During the early days of the band, he was mostly focused on rapping, which got the job done. It wasn’t the greatest, but it added a flair of innovation for a rock band at the time. But as Kiedis was attempting to sing more melodically, which is something that can be seen in the late 90s and onward, the weaknesses of his voice began to show.
There is also the fact that, like other singers on this list, Kiedis struggled massively on stage. He often had difficulties living up to the quality of the records. And that is the mark of a poor singer. However, it is also worth pointing out that he still managed to thrive with the band. So, at the end of the day, who are we to judge him?
6. David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth during his prime. There is a reason why producer Ted Templeman wanted Sammy Hagar as Van Halen‘s vocalist all the way back during the recording of their 1978 self-titled debut. The producer’s concern was that singer David Lee Roth wasn’t good enough to live up to the task. And being absolutely fair with Templeman, even though he stuck with Roth, he had a point.
A major reason why Roth is one of the worst rock singers is because of his lack of range and inconsistency. When it comes to the range, he struggles greatly to add diversity to the band’s musical palette. And when it comes to the inconsistency, he struggles to stay on key a lot of times. While the first Van Halen could be considered one of the vocalist’s best performances, he still has a hard time staying on key.
This is something that was reflected during the band’s live performances. His singing was not up to the required standard and he was usually struggling with the higher notes. Moreover, during Van Halen‘s prime, alcohol and substance abuse also played a role in his performances. The 1983 US Festival is arguably the best example of this when it comes to Roth.
7. Janis Joplin

Joplin. No disrespect to Janis Joplin as a person since she passed away. But there is no denying that she is one of the worst rock singers of all time. Her legacy is, in a way, defined by her death. She passed away young, with an entire future ahead of her, and that kept her in a somewhat sacred status. However, that has kept people from having a serious discussion about her musical acumen, which wasn’t of the highest caliber.
Joplin‘s voice lacked the power and emotional intensity to compensate for such a raspy tone. While other female rock singers took this singing style and elevated it, with her, it is merely an annoyance. It is a shame because you hear her singing and you can tell there was potential. However, due to her sudden passing, that potential was never seized. And what was left was a lot of uninspired, overrated vocal performances.
This is one of those cases where the mystique comes from the legacy, not the quality of the work. If anything, Joplin comes off as merely another rock and roll singer of the late 60s, albeit without the quality. It happens and it is a shame.
8 . Paul Stanley

Stanley on stage. Paul Stanley might be the best representation of KISS as a whole. None of the members of the original lineup was a virtuoso. However, what they lack in technique, they make up with songwriting and sheer charisma. If classic KISS has something, it is charisma. And it is something that can be seen time and time again with Stanley‘s singing.
He might not be the biggest offender among the worst rock singers, but he is certainly up there. His rough vocals sometimes struggle to fit with the rather melodic approach of the songs. Furthermore, this is complemented by the fact that he has a track record of struggling in live performances. The lack of versatility with his singing can also be seen in the many times KISS has changed music styles.
Paul Stanley is still a rock legend. That can’t be put into question. However, there is also no denying that he is not one of the best singers out there. And that’s fine! He compensated with other virtues. That’s also worth taking into account.
9. Fred Durst

Durst in 2025. The case of Fred Durst is interesting because he actually fits Limp Bizkit‘s rap side quite well. He manages to make it work and their rap metal style flows well because of Durst himself. However, he becomes one of the worst rock singers when he tries a more traditional vocal style.
There are instances throughout Limp Bizkit‘s career where he has attempted clean singing and it simply doesn’t work. He doesn’t have the range, he can’t convey emotion very well, and overall is a bit mediocre when it comes to this. Durst simply doesn’t have the ability to be a versatile singer, unlike, say, Corey Taylor from Slipknot and Stone Sour.
This is an example of a singer who struggles because of a playing style that demands him to be versatile. And Fred Durst simply doesn’t have it in him.
10. Kid Rock

Rock in 2025. Kid Rock is one of the worst rock singers because of his poor live performances. This is something that was recently seen during Turning Point USA’s “All-American” halftime show this last February, where he was performing so poorly that they had to use lip-syncing. That’s how bad it got for him.
Furthermore, this has been a running issue throughout the band’s career. He has always struggled in translating the studio material to the stage, which has hurt his prospects in the long run. It is a pattern that has only gotten worse for him when it comes to his live performances due to aging as well.
In that regard, Kid Rock is an example of aging and not taking care of himself. It happens to even the best out there. However, he is still one of the worst rock singers in the business as of this writing. The fact that he exposed himself that way is a testament to that.
The post 10 of the Worst Singers in Rock History appeared first on Metal Shout.