Sources are reporting that former Saxon drummer Nigel Durham passed away last Sunday (April 26th) at the age of 60. A cause of death has yet to be disclosed. Durham joined Saxon in 1987 and stayed for nearly two years, during which he recorded only one album, Destiny (1988), before leaving the band around 1989. Nigel later resurfaced in Saxon-related projects such as Son Of A Bitch and Oliver/Dawson Saxon.
Read more…

Metallica have announced that they are celebrating their classic album ‘Reload’ with a remaster and a special limited-edition box set.

‘ReLoad (Remastered)’ will be released on June 26, and they have packed so much stuff into this HUGE box set.

Starting with a numbered pressing on 180g double vinyl of the remastered album, it will also include a ‘The Memory Remains’ 7”, and Live at Ministry of Sound ’97, a 140g triple album recorded live.

Then there are 15 CDs, ranging from the remastered album to never-before-released collections of riffs, demos, rough mixes, B-Sides, rarities, and live material. Then four DVDs showing off loads of behind-the-scenes, in-studio and live footage, on-air and television appearances, pop-up performances, visits around the world, and more.

And finally a whole load of memorabilia, including a pack of 13 Rorschach Test cards, an 11×17 Gimme Fuel poster, a sticker, a Pushead print, a 10-pack of guitar/bass picks, lyric sheets, three laminated tour passes and a deluxe 128-page book with never-before-seen photos and stories.

Phew. Comprehensive, to say the least.

You can pre-order the box set right here.

And to give you a taste of what to expect from that content, here is the remastered version of ‘The Memory Remains’.

And here it is being performed live in Philadelphia back in 1997.

The announcement comes just as the band are getting ready to make their way around Europe on the latest leg of their M72 World Tour.

MAY

09 – ATHENS Olympic Stadium *
13 – BUCHAREST Arena Națională * 
19 – CHORZÓW Stadion Śląski *
22 – FRANKFURT Deutsche Bank Park *
24 – FRANKFURT Deutsche Bank Park +
27 – ZURICH Stadion Letzigrund*
30 – BERLIN Olympiastadion, Germany*

JUNE

03 – BOLOGNA Stadio Renato Dall’Ara*
11 – BUDAPEST Puskas Arena + 
13 – BUDAPEST Puskas Arena *
19 – DUBLIN Aviva Stadium+
21 – DUBLIN Aviva Stadium * 
25 – GLASGOW Hampden Park, Scotland* 
28 – CARDIFF Principality Stadium, Wales* 

JULY

03 – LONDON London Stadium, UK*
05 – LONDON London Stadium, UK+ 

* Gojira and Knocked Loose support

+ Pantera and Avatar support

And that’s all before the band take over the Las Vegas Sphere for a residency in the Autumn. The show, entitled ‘Life Burns Faster’, will take place on October 01 and 03, 15 and 17, 22 and 24, and 29 and 31, and will align with the ‘No Repeat Weekends’ of their M72 World Tour, meaning no song will be repeated over the two nights of each Thursday and Saturday performance.

The post Metallica Announce Remastered Edition of ‘ReLoad’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

The wait for the next chapter of Swedish rock royalty is over. After nearly a decade in the shadows, Europe has officially announced their twelfth studio album, Come This Madness, slated for a global release on September 25, 2026, via Silver Lining Music.

Marking their first full-length effort since 2017’s Walk The Earth, the band isn’t just returning to the fold—they are evolving. With a lead single featuring a legendary Hollywood actor and a guest list that bridges the gap between classic arena rock and modern progressive metal, Europe is proving that their legacy is far from a nostalgia act.

The Return of Europe: What You Need to Know

• The Release: Come This Madness arrives September 25, 2026.
• The Single: “One On One” is out today, featuring an orchestral-driven riff and modern edge.
• The Video: Stars acclaimed actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, John Wick 2, Armageddon) in a stark, cinematic performance.
• The Collaborations: Features guest appearances by Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth).
• The Tour: Includes a massive celebration for the 40th Anniversary of The Final Countdown, kicking off September 30 in Glasgow.

‘One On One’: A Modern Anthem with a Hollywood Edge

The album’s lead single, “One On One,” serves as a high-velocity reintroduction to a band that sounds more focused than ever. Built around a driving bass riff and soaring melodies, the track opens with an orchestral intro before exploding into a classic hard rock groove.

“The power and feel is fresh, but some of the melodies bring me back to where it all began,” says frontman Joey Tempest. Unlike the escapist themes of their 80s heyday, Tempest notes that the new lyrics are a direct reflection of modern times.

The music video, directed by Patric Ullaeus, takes a bold turn away from traditional performance clips. Instead, it features a raw, “battered and broken” performance by Peter Stormare. Tempest explains the choice: “We always knew Peter loved rock music… we wanted to approach this from a different angle—something more stripped back and unexpected.”

We Also Recommend – W.A.S.P. Band Facts, Members, History And What They’re Known For

A Technical Masterclass: Ghost and Opeth Connections

Europe didn’t pull any punches in the studio for this cycle. Come This Madness was recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm (founded by ABBA’s Benny Andersson) and produced by Tom Dalgety, the man behind the board for Ghost and Rammstein.

The inclusion of Tobias Forge and Mikael Åkerfeldt as guest stars signals a shift toward a heavier, more atmospheric sound. To ensure the record hit with maximum impact, the band brought in recording legend Mike Fraser—the engineer behind AC/DC’s most iconic mixes—to handle the final sonic polish.

The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour

The album release coincides with one of the most significant milestones in rock history: the 40th anniversary of their 1986 multi-platinum masterpiece, The Final Countdown.

Starting September 30 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the band will embark on an extensive headlining run. The setlist promises to unite the massive hits that defined the 80s with the renewed energy of the Come This Madness era.

Get your tickets at this location.

‘Come This Madness’ Official Tracklist

1. One On One
2. The Cult Of Ignorance
3. Come This Madness
4. This Time Of Year
5. In A Different World
6. Scandinavian Eyes
7. Takin’ It Back
8. In The Absence Of Grace
9. The Angels Must Have Flown
10. The Devil’s Back
11. Nothing Can Follow This

STAY LOUD: Want 24/7 non-stop hard rock and metal? Stream the Loaded Radio live feed right here. [Launch the player].

The Signal & The Aftershock

With ‘Come This Madness,’ Europe is making it clear they have no intention of standing still. By recruiting modern heavy-hitters like Tobias Forge and Mikael Åkerfeldt, the band has successfully modernized their sound without sacrificing the melodic DNA that made them global superstars. This isn’t just an album for the “mags” who remember 1986; it’s a landmark hard rock statement for 2026.

Check This Out – Beyond the Big Hair: 13 Obscure Hair Metal Bands That Actually Ripped

Europe ‘Come This Madness’ Cheat Sheet: TL;DR

• First album in 9 years: The follow-up to 2017’s Walk The Earth.
• Star Power: Music video features Peter Stormare; songs feature Tobias Forge (Ghost).
• Production: Produced by Tom Dalgety and mixed by Mike Fraser.
• Visuals: Artwork by Storm Studios (Pink Floyd, Muse).

The post THE FINAL COUNTDOWN REBOOTED: Europe Shatters 9-Year Silence With New Album ‘Come This Madness’ and Cinematic Single ‘One On One’ appeared first on Loaded Radio.

It's the Swedish rockers' first studio album in nearly a decade. Continue reading…

After nine years, Europe return with ‘Come This Madness‘ – their 12th studio album and their most powerful, uncompromising statement to date. ‘Come This Madness‘ is set for release on September 25th via Silver Lining Music / Hell & Back Recordings. Europe have seen it all. Pushed forward. Never stood still. And still, they rise […]

The post Europe Announce New Album ‘Come This Madness’ Out September 25th appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

Holy Motors are a band from Estonia named after a surreal French art film, but the music that they make is dreamily mythic Americana in the Mazzy Star/Cowboy Junkies mode. That’s fun to think about! For a while now, Holy Motors have been missing in action. Way back in 2018, the band’s debut album Slow…

The post Holy Motors – “Heaven’s Night” appeared first on Stereogum.

In 2023, Citizen released their fifth album, Calling The Dogs. Mat Kerekes shared his fourth solo LP, To Dream Of Something Wicked, the following year. Now the Toledo emo band is back with the announcement of Halcyon Blues, arriving in August. “It’s about unexpected change,” Kerekes says of the record. “You think you know everything,…

The post Citizen Announce New Album <em>Halcyon Blues</em>: Hear “Highs And Lows” appeared first on Stereogum.

The post Album Review: Devenial Verdict – Old Blood – Fresh Wounds appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

In 1991, three kids from Aberdeen, Washington, didn’t just release an album; they reset the clock on rock history. The grunge era officially killed the hair metal dragon and replaced it with raw, feedback-drenched introspection.

From the basement-born grit of Sub Pop to the massive arena-filling choruses that defined a generation, we have ranked the 13 albums that are the absolute lifeblood of the genre. Whether it’s the atmospheric, metal-fused sludge of Alice in Chains or the technical, arthouse heaviness of Soundgarden, these are the records that built the foundation of modern alternative rock.

Understanding the Seattle Sound: Beyond the Flannel

To truly grasp the grunge era, one must look beyond the media-driven “anti-style” narrative. The grunge music style was a volatile chemical reaction between the unpolished aggression of punk rock and the down-tuned, “Sabbathian” sludge of 70s metal.

In 2026, this raw expression has seen a massive resurgence. A new generation is seeking the “unfiltered” feel of the grunge rock bands listed below—ditching synthetic pop for the high-gain energy and emotional honesty that defined the Pacific Northwest.

We Also Recommend: Grunge’s Grunge-iest: 13 Bands That Defined the Genre

13. Mudhoney – Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988)

Before the genre was a commercial juggernaut, it was defined by “gritty vocals and roaring Marshall amps.” Mudhoney were the purists who kept the sound intentionally dirty and unrefined. Named after two of the most popular distortion pedals of the era, this release acts as the definitive bridge between 70s garage punk and the emerging Seattle Sound.

Mark Arm’s slurred, growling delivery helped establish the grunge music style before it was ever polished for MTV rotation. If you want to hear the raw, feedback-laden energy that first defined grunge rock bands—before the major labels got their hands on it—this is your essential starting point.

12. L7 – Bricks Are Heavy (1992)

Grunge was never just a “boys’ club,” and L7 proved they could out-riff anyone in the Northwest flannel pack. Produced by Butch Vig (the same architect behind Nirvana’s Nevermind), this album is a masterclass in heavy, distorted jangle-pop infused with a fierce punk edge.

It represents the grunge era at its most confrontational and unapologetic, blending catchy hooks with a “venomous bite” that resonated with a generation tired of synthetic 80s pop. Tracks like “Pretend We’re Dead” showcased that the band could balance radio-ready melodies with a low-slung, dirty guitar tone that remains a benchmark for the genre.

11. Screaming Trees – Sweet Oblivion (1992)

Often called the “Testament of Grunge,” Screaming Trees featured the legendary baritone of Mark Lanegan, adding a psychedelic and bluesy depth that many of their peers lacked. Sweet Oblivion stands as their most polished work, featuring the massive anthem “Nearly Lost You” and proving that the genre could be soulful and melodic without losing its distorted, heavy teeth.

Lanegan’s hauntingly weathered voice gave the band a unique gravitas, positioning them as the sophisticated, darker poets of the Seattle scene. While they never reached the skyscraper heights of the “Big Four,” this record is a mandatory pillar for any serious collector.

10. Hole – Live Through This (1994)

Released just four days after the death of Kurt Cobain, this album is a raw, jagged masterpiece of survival. Moving away from the gnarled, noisy ruckus of their debut, Live Through This combined fierce distortion with sharp, undeniable melodies.

Courtney Love’s performance is a masterclass in “beauty-meets-beast” dynamics, oscillating between vulnerable whispers and skin-stripping screams. It stands as one of the most essential documents of the era’s visceral female perspective, proving that the anger and disillusionment of the 90s weren’t limited to the men in the scene.

9. Mad Season – Above (1995)

This was the ultimate grunge “supergroup” experiment, featuring members of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Screaming Trees. This spontaneous explosion of creativity yielded the hauntingly beautiful “River of Deceit,” showcasing Layne Staley’s most vulnerable and spiritual vocal performance.

It is a somber, atmospheric record that captured the genre’s penchant for tragic introspection, using hypnotic keys and grounding rhythms to create a sense of stark emotional realism. For many, Above serves as the final, weary breath of the original Seattle movement before tragedy began to dismantle the scene.

8. Mother Love Bone – Apple (1990)

This is the “lost” masterpiece that bridged the gap between 80s glam excess and 90s Northwest grit. Fronted by the magnetic and flamboyant Andrew Wood, Apple mixed “runny-mascara glam” theatricality with a heavy, sludgy foundation.

Wood’s tragic death just months before its release fundamentally changed the course of music history—leading his bandmates Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament to eventually form Pearl Jam. This record is mandatory listening for anyone researching the origins of the Seattle sound; it contains the DNA of stadium rock hidden inside the heart of a club band.

7. Temple of the Dog – Temple of the Dog (1991)

Born from the collective grief surrounding Andrew Wood’s passing, this one-off collaboration between members of Soundgarden and the future members of Pearl Jam is a sacred text for the genre. It features the legendary, earth-shaking duet between Chris Cornell and a then-unknown Eddie Vedder on “Hunger Strike.”

The album successfully moved the Northwest sound into the Billboard Top 10, proving that the scene was a tight-knit community built on genuine mutual respect and shared artistic tragedy. It remains one of the most poignant “tribute” records ever recorded.

6. Melvins – Houdini (1993)

If you want to understand exactly where the “heavy” in grunge originated, you must listen to Melvins. Houdini is their most representative work, vividly capturing their unreconstructed power, bizarre time signatures, and massive, sludgy guitar textures.

As the band that famously served as the primary inspiration for Kurt Cobain, their influence on the darker, slower, and more rhythmic side of the grunge era is immeasurable. They are the reason grunge bands tuned their guitars down and slowed their riffs to a crawl. They remain the undisputed kings of the sludgy Northwest underworld.

5. Soundgarden – Badmotorfinger (1991)

For the metalheads who felt alienated by the rise of “alternative rock,” Soundgarden offered a heavy, technical sanctuary. Badmotorfinger is cerebral, arty, and devastatingly heavy, attacking the listener with the precision of a wrecking ball.

Between Chris Cornell’s legendary four-octave wail and Kim Thayil’s “chainsaw” guitar riffs (often played in avant-garde tunings), this breakthrough third album proved the band didn’t have to compromise their “Sabbathian heaviness” to achieve multi-platinum success. It remains one of the most musically sophisticated records of the entire era, standing as a bridge between classic heavy metal and the new Seattle frontier.

4. Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)

Released just as the scene was reaching its boiling point, Ten brought an expansive, arena-rock scope to the genre’s inherent angst. Driven by Eddie Vedder’s soulful, booming baritone and the band’s penchant for classic hard rock riffs, it transformed personal trauma into massive, anthemic communal experiences.

Songs like “Even Flow,” “Alive,” and “Jeremy” used raw, live-focused imagery to emphasize a major shift from synthetic 80s pop toward emotional honesty. It remains one of the best-selling and most celebrated rock debuts in history, proving that grunge could be both intimate and massive.

3. Soundgarden – Superunknown (1994)

This represents the absolute peak of Soundgarden’s creative and commercial powers, expanding their global reach with Grammy-winning singles like “Black Hole Sun.” Superunknown debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and is lauded for its haunting, heavy, and psychedelic atmosphere.

It represents the genre at its most experimental, featuring virtuoso musicianship and “GOAT-tier” production quality that sounds just as massive and relevant in 2026 as it did thirty years ago. It is a dense, 70-minute journey through the mind of Chris Cornell at his most brilliant and troubled.

2. Alice In Chains – Dirt (1992)

The undisputed darkest masterpiece of the grunge era. Dirt is a visceral, unflinching look into the abyss of addiction and existential despair, anchored by the chilling, unique vocal harmonies of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. Moving away from their early glam-metal roots, the band arrived at a “sludgy metallic murk” that perfectly suited the nihilistic themes of the record.

Tracks like “Down in a Hole” and “Rooster” are slow, crushing anthems of emotional revulsion that remain some of the most honest and vulnerable moments in rock history. It is an album that doesn’t just play; it haunts.

1. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)

There can be only one. Nevermind didn’t just top the charts; it “epitomized the grunge scene” and reset the global musical clock. Kurt Cobain’s uncanny ability to weave raw punk aggression into infectious, undeniable pop structures famously bumped Michael Jackson from the #1 spot, signaling a massive “sea change” in pop culture.

From the opening four chords of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to the hidden chaos of “Endless, Nameless,” this record is the flagship of the subculture and the singular reason why grunge became a household name. It is the perfect, essential “holy grail” of the 90s.

Check This Out: Layne Staley’s Enduring Legacy – 13 Facts About Alice In Chains’ Iconic Voice

The Signal & The Aftershock

The grunge era wasn’t just a trend; it was a necessary cleansing of the musical palate. The 13 albums listed above did more than just sell millions of copies; they gave a voice to a generation that valued authenticity over artifice. While the fashion runways might still borrow the flannels and ripped denim, the true heart of grunge remains in the distortion, the “sludge,” and the raw vocal performances that refused to be silenced. These pillars continue to influence every heavy band that picks up a guitar in 2026.

STAY LOUD: Want 24/7 non-stop hard rock and metal without the fluff? Stream Loaded Radio live right now. [Launch the player here].

The Best Grunge Albums Cheat Sheet: TL;DR

• The King: Nirvana’s Nevermind remains the definitive entry point and cultural reset.
• The Dark Horse: Alice in Chains’ Dirt is the most visceral and “heavy” documentation of the era.
• The Foundation: Mother Love Bone’s Apple is the essential precursor to the Pearl Jam sound.
• The Technique: Soundgarden’s Superunknown showcased the highest level of musicianship in the scene.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Grunge History

What is the best grunge album for beginners? Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten are the definitive entry points due to their massive melodies and cultural impact.

Is Soundgarden considered metal or grunge? Both. While they are a pillar of the grunge era, albums like Badmotorfinger and Superunknown are widely considered landmark alternative metal records.

Why is Alice in Chains often called “darker” than other bands? Their lyrics on Dirt directly addressed drug addiction and mental decline with a “raw production quality” that was more “vulnerable” than the mainstream polish of the time.

The post THE NORTHWEST INVASION: Best Grunge Albums Ranked – The 13 Most Essential Pillars of the Seattle Sound appeared first on Loaded Radio.

The post Kindred Found Fractured Hearts Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.