International power metal band Asterise released a new single ‘Fractal‘ on April 10th 2026. ‘Fractal‘ is an almost six‑minute track featuring extensive lead guitar work and epic vocals. The song marks the first collaboration with Herbie Langhans (Avantasia) on vocals and Ronny Milianowicz (Shadowquest) on drums. A playthrough video accompanys the release, offering a closer look […]
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GRAMMY Award nominated Metal icons Sevendust have announced their first UK headline tour in eight years. The band will perform across Europe before heading to the UK and Ireland for a run of dates including Norwich, Glasgow, Manchester and London.
The tour coincides with the release of their upcoming 15th studio album, One, set for release on 1 May via Napalm Records.
Renowned for their powerful live performances, Sevendust remain a vital force in modern Heavy Metal. The new album continues their legacy with a blend of driving riffs, emotional depth and signature melodic intensity.
The album features tracks such as One, We Won and Misdirection, taking listeners on a dynamic journey while reinforcing the band’s identity.
The lead single, Is This The Real You, has already gained strong attention, with its video surpassing one million views shortly after release. “It was as honest, natural, and pure as any song can be,” Sevendust guitarist John Connolly said. “If you really want to know what Sevendust sounds like in 2026, Is This The Real You? gives you a good idea.”
Since forming in 1994, Sevendust have built a loyal global fanbase, with millions of album sales and a reputation for consistency and authenticity in Heavy music.
Pre-sale tickets are available from Monday, 13 April, with general on-sale tickets available on Wednesday, 15 April at 10 am (UK). For all upcoming tour dates, ticket information, and VIP packages, visit sevendust.com/pages/tour.
Sevendust release their 15th studio album, ONE, on 1 May 2026 via Napalm Records. Pre-orders are available from lnk.to/Sevendust-One.
Enter Shikari have surprise released their new album Lose Your Self, available now digitally and physically worldwide via So Recordings. “We’re delighted to present Lose Your Self,” Rou Reynolds said, “and give people the chance to hear a Shikari record like never before – as a cohesive whole. We want people to go on a proper journey with this album and see where it takes them.”
Released without prior singles or promotion, the album spans 12 tracks exploring themes of desolation and hope, delivering one of the band’s heaviest and most introspective records to date.
Frontman Rou described the release as a deliberate decision to present the album as a complete journey, encouraging listeners to experience it in full without preconceptions.
“No lead-up, no singles, and no explanation,” Rou said. “Forcing the listener to actually listen, without being drip-fed ideas out of context, or spoon-fed explanations. We simply present it all, for the listener to immerse themself in.
“Releasing in this way was also a decision to not be distracted by chart races, or accolades and ‘things’.”
Alongside the release, the band have announced a series of intimate UK shows in Liverpool, Kingston and London, offering fans a chance to hear the new material live in smaller venues.
Enter Shikari have also confirmed major touring plans for 2026, including a UK and EU arena tour later in the year, as well as dates in Australia and North America.
Known for their innovative approach and energetic performances, Enter Shikari continue to push boundaries within Heavy music while maintaining a strong connection with their audience.
“We got the No.1 album on our last record,” Rou said. “This is simply about the music being presented in a natural way. Despite turning out to be one of our darkest and heaviest albums to date, it also preaches hope and offers answers.
“Shikari will always offer hope, because without hope, there is no action. We’ll just always offer it with a dose of realism.”
Hills Of Rock 2026 has confirmed that Welsh ragga-Metal pioneers Skindred will join this year’s festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, taking place from 24 to 26 July. The band step in following Nothing More’s withdrawal from summer touring plans.
The festival will host 46 artists across three stages, with a lineup that includes Marilyn Manson, Godsmack, Lamb Of God, Electric Callboy and Black Label Society.
Skindred bring their unmistakable high-energy live show to the event. Formed in Newport in 1998, the band are renowned for their genre-defying fusion of Heavy Metal with reggae, punk, hip hop and electronic influences, a sound they have dubbed ragga Metal.
Fronted by Benji Webbe, Skindred have built a global reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in Heavy music. Their performances are known for their intensity, crowd interaction and unpredictability.
The band are also preparing to release their ninth album, You Got This, via Earache Records, continuing to evolve their sound with powerful riffs, driving rhythms and anthemic hooks.
The album was produced by Grammy‑winner Jay Ruston, whose genre‑hopping pedigree mirrors Skindred’s boundary‑free attack. Watch the You Got This video now and pre‑order the album ahead of its April release.
Hills Of Rock 2026 will also feature a special opening event, BE4 HILLS, on 23 July, with performances from Sabaton, Savatage, Epica and Sevi.
Tickets for Hills of Rock 2026 are on sale now via Ticket Station. For the latest updates on the program, tickets and camping, visit hillsofrock.com, festteam.bg and ticketstation.bg, or follow the official festival social media channels.
The overall programme at Hills of Rock is designed as an immersive three-day experience, running from afternoon through to late evening across all stages in Plovdiv and the 2026 lineup includes Marilyn Manson, Godsmack, Electric Callboy, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Black Label Society, Lamb of God, P.O.D., Nevermore, Paradise Lost, Of Mice & Men, House of Protection, Vended, Deafheaven, Karen Dió, The Toy Dolls, Last Train, Northlane, Orbit Culture, alongside a wide selection of Bulgarian and regional artists includingKhanъ, Vrani Volosa, Tsar Plah, Hellion Stone, Black Tooth, Engineer of Death, Overhook, Django Ze, Neshto Tsvetno, Velian, H09909, P.I.F., Innerglow, Almost Green, Rusita, Koza Mostra, Bazzookas, Lek City Case, Karma Scale, Da Seed, Kontrol, GOTRA feat. VEL, Gigashadow, Lavina, low-key and Sunblinds.
Sunset Strip legends Vaudville release ‘Exit To Hollywood‘, a retrospective of every track the band ever recorded via FnA Records. In 1990, former Rated-X guitarist, Dave LaChance, and drummer, Kelly Ryan, set out to form a band that would not only catch the attention of a thriving Hollywood music scene, but the world as well. […]
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Earlier in the evening and just spitting distance across the road, I was in The Ambassador Theatre, in the company of Status Quo custodian Francis Rossi. Now, in a slick bit of continuity, his Quo bandmate Richie Malone and his band are plugging in to shake the foundations of Fibber Magees basement venue. So it would have been an act of supreme stupidity if I did not wander over, even if the 10:45 pm start is getting on for pumpkin time.
Words: Brian Boyle
Photography: Alice Kiely
Dubliners are proud people. They love their city in exactly the same way a Status Quo fan’s passion and pride for the band runs deep. So when pure blue Dub Richie Malone got the call to join the band following the heartbreaking passing of Rick Parfitt, you can be sure this was a proud moment for fans from this city.
To put it lightly, tonight, The Richie Malone Band were a relentless wrecking ball. They strutted onto the snug stage to the closing chimes of AC/DC’s For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) and quite simply went for the throat straight away.
Juniors Wailing, Roll Over Lay Down and Paper Plane landed like three jabs right to the bridge of your nose. This is how you open a gig, no fluffing about, hit them hard and hit them fast. And that continued with Little Lady, to which you could see Malone really getting into his stride.
There was no let-up. The pace and power left you breathless, and from where I was standing, half deaf. I took the wise choice to move away from the big, ignorant speaker as my fillings started to rattle.
The main man was in riotous form, for the whole night, he had a smile on his face as wide as a Ronald McDonald 50-yard conversion.
His buddies are a nifty bunch of hooligans, too. Apparently, lead guitarist Jay Forbes was nervous. Jaysus, well, nerves suit him.
I do owe bassist Paul Wallace an apology. I had a little look up towards Fibber’s on the way to Rossi, but decided not to go any further due to a suspicious-looking character at the door. I got him wrong, and there was absolutely nothing sus with anything he did here tonight.
And still burning rubber from his eleventh-hour stint with The Rockers all-star band at the Phil Lynott Dedication gig in January, well-seasoned and in-demand drummer Grant Nicholas supplied all the rhythmic ammunition for Malone to fire the bullets.
The momentum dial never dropped. A classic medley of Backwater, Forty-Five Hundred Times, and Gotta Go Home kept the flow of that golden ’70s period material on gas mark eleven.
My attempt to scoot off to the bar for refuelling was then halted by the thump and thunder of Rain, a moment in the night that brought me right back to my parents’ good room’ and clutching that immortal Live album.
Another bar of Parfitt gold followed with the speed-loaded Mystery Song kicking shins in all over the place.
It was not all about the Quo, however. Wedged in at the back in a Beth Lynch inspired leopard skin shirt, sticksman Nicholas made his presence felt as he took the vocal reins for a proper barroom version of Brown Sugar. That party vibe stayed at a constant as Malone did his fellow Dub Phil Lynott proud with Rosalie letting it all hang out.
Those feeling Quo-sick after a two-song absence got rewarded with a Big Fat Mama for their trouble, which is still an absolute belter when it is given the full thrust.
Knowing he would not get to the top of the stairs with his limbs intact if he did not play Rockin’ All Over The World and Caroline, Malone did the right thing and hit the midnight hour with an ecstatic twelve-bar assault.
If you are going to try and top that, Whole Lotta Rosie is a tried and tested way to go about it. Though allowing the crowd real glasses while this boogie stick of dynamite is burning its fuse is dangerous territory. But what a way to end a hell of a night.
And hats off to those who sacrificed a bleary-eyed Wednesday at work to help make it what it was.
But multiple hats are tipped in the direction of those four lads who rounded off a wonderful evening for lifelong Status Quo fans.
Up The Dubs.
