Fresh from an acclaimed stripped-back tour alongside Beth Hart, Wille and the Bandits frontman Wille Edwards and bassist Harry Mackaill have recorded a raw and intimate 6-track EP ‘Wille and the Bandit – Acoustic Reversions Volume 1‘ featuring brand-new songs alongside reworked versions of fan favourites, captured exactly as audiences hear them live. The EP […]
Whilst focus across the pond is on the incredible return of the best band Canada has ever produced, and rightly so, another legendary outfit from the same country hits the UK for a series of shows. VoïVod have always been a leader in their field, and similar to Rush, follow no pathway. They are rightly considered out front and on their own.
Although they have a new album to promote, tonight sees the packed audience of diehards on the always slightly unnerving boat in the East Mud Dock, revelling in a journey primarily from the earlier years of the band.
VoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
To that end, most of what we get is the aggressive Thrash-tinged style from the first few albums. Apart from Obsolete Beings from 2018’s The Wake, this is a setlist for the purists with tracks from Nothingface, Dimension Hatröss, Killing Technology and debut War And Pain all featuring.
With the audience still catching breath after the ferocity of Midnight’s onslaught, there is slightly less action on the floor. But that does not prevent the odd swirling pit, whilst most fans are content to sing along with the band as they powered through Experiment, Tribal Convictions and Korgüll the Exterminator in a battering ram opening aural assault.
VoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Chewy, Rocky and Away take the stage to a hero’s welcome, kicking into Experiment ahead of the lurching arrival of Snake, whose leering grins surely unnerve those who are experiencing the band for the first time. He is enigmatic and, like his bandmates, is approaching the veteran stage.
That does not stop his maniacal edge, a cross between an unhinged yet friendly uncle and a madman whose behaviour is completely unpredictable. As it is, he is on great form, vocally and interactively, all evening.
VoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Chewy is on fire, delivering the hottest of riffs and screaming lead breaks whilst Away and Rocky anchor everything. Away’s drumming is mesmeric, effortless despite the sheer pounding that he dishes out.
It is an intense barrage but underpinned by their unique blend of Progressive Thrash and Technical Metal, which has always set VoïVod apart. Tornado leads to War And Pain, and suddenly we are on the Floyd cover Astronomy Domine.
VoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
It is a whirlwind of a set, close to 60 minutes but blisteringly fast. VoïVod finishes things off, the crowd are gasping but happy as their heroes march off the stage.
Everyone should see VoïVod once in their life. They are a force of nature. I am hoping that Symphonique can be brought to the UK for us to experience. Until then, there is a warm glow where another of Canada’s most exquisite bands has warmed.
VoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Midnight
They may not recall having played Bristol before, but the one-man project Midnight have sandblasted this fair city in recent times with a savage show supporting Night Demon at the Exchange, a stone’s throw from Thekla.
Having morphed into a more cohesive unit, this was one savage beasting.
Midnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
There is little let-up over a 55-minute set that rages with an intensity that is matched by the pit monsters. Tonight it seems Bristol has unleashed only the biggest as the pit rocks to many kilos of flesh crashing into more kilos of flesh.
It is unsurprising. Midnight’s visceral assault on Blackened Thrash is relentless. Underneath the masks sit/stand some talented musicians, whose blistering attack punishes.
Midnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
They power through a set drawn from across their discography, jumping, spinning and kicking. Being in the front row, there is a degree of danger as Athenar kicks out on several occasions, causing not just me to duck.
Guttural roars and throbbing bass lines work alongside his drummer who is shrouded in swirling dry ice for the show. Bass, drums and guitar, that is the sum of the parts, and the band really does not need anything else.
Midnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
By the time they get to the Black Ax cover T.A.P. it is a home win for the band, who disappear with distortion ringing and a front row who have fist bumped the entire band. Ferocious, fast and essential. That is Midnight.
Cryptosis
Rebranded in 2020 from an average Thrash outfit (Distillator), Cryptosis completely revamped their sound and style. Bionic Swarm was a superb debut, whilst 2025’s Celestial Swarm maintained the progression. Tonight, they have a limited opportunity to show their worth.
The challenges of IT are many, and getting the band’s intro to run smoothly is not happening. They do not fuss, though, and within minutes, the band from the Netherlands are launching into a short set that displays promise.
Cryptosis – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Cryptosis are still a bit clunky, and Laurens Houvast’s inter-song delivery is a bit clichéd, but otherwise, there is much to like with this band.
They have improved since their last show here supporting Vektor in 2022, and with the slowly growing crowd nodding along, it will not be long before the band are back in these parts again.
Cryptosis – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkVoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkVoïVod – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkMidnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkMidnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkMidnight – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkCryptosis – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkCryptosis – Thekla, Bristol – 10 June 2026 Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkVOIVOD UK Tour 2026 PosterThe post VoïVod, Midnight And Cryptosis Leave Bristol Bruised And Breathless first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.
Heavy metal’s most beloved, hyper-charismatic drumming pioneer is officially stepping out from behind his mountainous cymbal wall to look his global family dead in the eye. Just months after making the emotionally heavy decision to permanently hand over his stadium touring duties with Iron Maiden following a grueling battle with physical paralysis, Nicko McBrain has shocked the rock world by announcing a massive, intimate theater campaign.
Billed officially as “An Evening With Nicko McBrain,” the extensive international spoken-word run will deploy across mainland Europe, Scandinavia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom starting this autumn. Launched in direct celebration of his explosive, laugh-out-loud upcoming autobiography, Hello Boys And Girls!—releasing globally on October 22, 2026, via Harper Nonfiction—the production promises to completely strip away the corporate stadium filters, giving fans an unprecedented, raw look into the wild backstage history of one of the greatest heavy metal institutions to ever walk the earth.
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Want the direct, real-time tracking on Iron Maiden lineup updates, exclusive rock star book excerpts, and breaking autumn tour routing? Turn up the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast on your preferred streaming network to hear Scott Penfold break down Nicko’s new stage chapter, or stream 24/7 high-decibel commercial-free metal directly via our native digital player below.
Walking Down Memory Lane: The Raconteur’s Return
For heavy music purists, Nicko McBrain’s trademark booming voice and gregarious storytelling style are just as foundational to Iron Maiden’s legacy as his legendary, blistering single-pedal bass drum work. Across a historic 42-year tenure and 14 defining studio albums, McBrain served as the emotional, high-energy anchor of the British heavy metal blueprint.
Now, part stand-up comedy performance and part interactive audience celebration, this newly unveiled theater format gives the 74-year-old maestro the space to connect with generations of fans without the brutal physical demands of a two-hour stadium drumming setlist.
“It’s been a real honour to write my very own autobiography, and have the chance to walk down memory lane, revisiting all the experiences that have made me who I am and brought me to where I am today,” McBrain shared in an emotional statement addressing the global community. “And I’m thrilled and delighted to be taking those stories on the road and share them all with you. I feel truly blessed to be able to say Hello Boys And Girls to you all in person later this year. We’re going to have a lot of fun together, so come and join me for a great night out. I’ve got a LOT of stories I want to tell you all!”
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Mapping the Madness: The Complete 2026 Intimate Routing
The structural routing for the spoken-word tour cuts directly through the heart of Europe’s most passionate metal territories. The itinerary officially opens on October 26th at the prestigious Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Germany, moving through four major German theater complexes before swinging through Finland, Norway, Sweden, and a headline appearance at the Malta Metal Festival.
“An Evening With Nicko McBrain” 2026 tour dates:
Oct. 26 – Alte Oper, Frankfurt, Germany Oct. 27 – Tanzbrunnen, Cologne, Germany Oct. 29 – Passionskirche, Berlin, Germany Oct. 30 – Backstage, Munich, Germany Nov. 3 – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands Nov. 8 – Savoy Theatre, Helsinki, Finland Nov. 9 – Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway Nov. 11 – Gota Lejon, Stockholm, Sweden Nov. 13 – DR Studio 2, Copenhagen, Denmark Nov. 15 – Malta Metal Festival, St Julian’s, Malta Nov. 18 – Ambassador, Dublin, Ireland Nov. 23 – Glee Club, Birmingham, UK Nov. 26 – Bush Hall, London, UK Nov. 28 – The Gate, Cardiff, UK Nov. 30 – Komedia, Bath, UK Dec. 1 – Academy 2, Manchester, UK Dec. 3 – Oran Mor, Glasgow, UK
Defying the Odds: The Triumph Over Stroke Paralysis
The underlying significance of this tour is a profound testament to McBrain’s legendary resilience. In 2023, the drumming icon suffered a minor transient ischemic attack (stroke) that left his right side partially paralyzed, forcing him into a grueling, month-long medical rehabilitation cycle just to relearn how to hold a drumstick before hitting the road for Maiden’s massive The Future Past world tour.
While the band successfully transitioned to new drummer Simon Dawson for their ongoing stadium obligations to ensure Iron Maiden’s live engine could safely continue, McBrain’s immediate transition into a headline author and spoken-word performer proves his retirement from the road was far from a permanent retreat. General admission ticket windows for the UK and Ireland branches officially open to the public at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 19, 2026, via the artist’s official portal at nickomcbrain.co.uk.
What is the primary focus of Nicko McBrain’s spoken-word tour?
The tour, titled “An Evening With Nicko McBrain,” is a series of intimate theater appearances featuring unfiltered stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and audience Q&As celebrating his four decades as Iron Maiden’s drummer and the release of his new autobiography.
When does Nicko McBrain’s autobiography release?
His official memoir, Hello Boys And Girls!, is scheduled for a worldwide hardback and digital release on October 22, 2026, published via Harper Nonfiction.
Why did Nicko McBrain stop touring with Iron Maiden?
Following a minor stroke in 2023 that caused temporary right-side paralysis, McBrain chose to step down from Iron Maiden’s intense, high-velocity stadium touring roster in late 2024, allowing the band to move forward with new drummer Simon Dawson.
When classic heavy metal icons transition into spoken-word performers, they join an elite, highly lucrative sub-tier of live entertainment popularized by scene titans like Bruce Dickinson and Henry Rollins. Stripping away the massive sonic wall of a live heavy metal mix allows these veteran musicians to reframe their historical legacies, pivoting from musical icons into living cultural historians.
Because Nicko McBrain has spent nearly half a century recognized as one of the most uncompromised, genuinely funny, and brutally honest personalities in British rock, this theater setting serves as a perfect vehicle for his distinct brand of storytelling. It provides a crucial, historically significant bridge that keeps the golden era of 1980s heavy metal culture vibrant and accessible to contemporary generations.
Now that Nicko McBrain has laid out the official map for his Hello Boys And Girls! spoken-word theater takeover, the floor belongs to the Loaded Radio global family. Are you ready to secure a front-row seat to hear the unfiltered, backstage history of Iron Maiden straight from the source, or are you tracking his upcoming U.S. tribute shows with Titanium Tart? Let us know your favorite Nicko moments and tour expectations in the comments section below!
Stepping to the Front Stage: Legendary Iron Maiden timekeeper Nicko McBrain has officially announced a massive 2026 international spoken-word theater tour titled “An Evening With Nicko McBrain.”
The Literary Foundation: The extensive storytelling trek is launched in direct support of his highly anticipated, deeply personal memoir Hello Boys And Girls!, hitting global bookshelves on October 22, 2026, via Harper Nonfiction.
Unfiltered Heavy Metal History: The tour kicks off on October 26th in Frankfurt, Germany, before tearing through Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Ireland, and a major UK theater block through early December.
The Reality Behind the Curtain: The intimate standalone run marks a major triumphant chapter for the 74-year-old icon, who stepped back from Iron Maiden’s intensive touring lineup following a partially paralyzing stroke.
Never miss an official rock autobiography excerpt, a live tracking breakdown, or breaking international stadium tour updates. Download the free Loaded Radio App for [iOS App Store] and [Google Play Store] today to command our live 24/7 high-decibel digital audio stream and catch our Daily Podcast on demand.
The anonymous, elaborately costumed Montreal microtonal math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine are one of the more charming viral success stories in recent memory. Ever since the band’s KEXP session went nuclear early this year, they’ve been getting the rock-star treatment, including high placement on festivallineups, heavy demand on Record Store Day, huge streaming numbers, and even tribute performances halfway around the world. Before they got famous, the duo won Artist Of The Year at the 2025 Gala Alternatif de la Musique Indépendante du Québec (GAMIQ). But now they are powerful, so their awards-show appearances hit different.
Prolific country-rock megastar Zach Bryan loves to drop a new track without warning or context. Sometimes, that music never even appears on streaming services. Sometimes, it’s just a video of him playing an unreleased song acoustic. Since his self-produced records are so resolutely lo-fi, there’s often little difference between that audio and the stuff that he puts on his records.
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