Therapy? - 18 July 2016. Irish-Anglo three-piece Therapy? have been preaching from their disquiet church of noise for over two decades now. We caught up with the band leader Andy Cairns at the Stone Free Festival in London, to chat guitar solos, difficult follow ups, and more.
Stuck Mojo- 16 July 2016. Stuck Mojo are genuine crossover pioneers. Back with latest album ‘Here Come The Infidels’. We caught up with guitarist and main man Rich Ward to talk about the release, and their impending appearance at Bloodstock, as well picking up an exclusive on U.K. dates this coming December.
Buck & Evans- 10 July 2016. Fast rising stars Buck & Evans have been making big noises in the rock world of late. Now adding a slot on this years’ Download Festival to their CV, the band are gearing up to finally release their debut album. All in good time though, as singer / keyboard player Sally Anne Evans tells Eamon O’Neill backstage at the Midlands’ festival.
Anthrax- 8 July 2016. Anthrax are one of the biggest and most respected names in metal. Deservedly crowned with the ‘Inspiration’ award at this years’ Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, we caught up with founder Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante and bassist Frank Bello on the red carpet at the event in London.
Billy Sheehan- 8 July 2016. David Lee Roth’s ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’ is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week. Featuring the virtuoso talents of Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan, it's rightly regarded as a classic. In this interview from the vaults, we caught up with Billy in 2014 to talk about the album and how he came to join the band in the first place.
Grand Magus - 7 July 2016. Purveyors of ‘Viking Metal’ and hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Grand Magus know a thing or two about swords and longboats, not to mention heavy guitar riffs and pounding rhythms. We caught up with drummer Ludwig Witt at Download Festival, to chat about the new album, vinyl hunting, and the love of Iron Maiden.
Mike Portnoy- 1 July 2016. Mike Portnoy is about to get to work with some close friends, as well as his idols. With dates with both Metal Allegiance &Twisted Sister approaching, we caught up with Mike to chat about the shows, and find out if there’s anyone left that he has yet to work with.
Faith No More - 27 June 2016. Faith No More have been being “kind of stupid in a different way” for over three decades now. We caught up with founding bassist Billy Gould at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London, to discuss their remarkable career, and find out what the future might bring.
Rival Sons - 24 June 2016. Rival Sons have been on a steady rise since their inception in 2009. Achieving mainstream success with 2014’s ‘Great Western Valkyrie’, follow-up ‘Hollow Bones’ looks set to cement them as one decades greatest success stories. We caught up with guitarist Scott Holiday backstage at Download Festival to discuss the new album, touring with his heroes, and the love of vinyl.
Ray Wilson - 9 June 2016. Beginning his career with overnight success of Stiltskin, Ray Wilson is perhaps best known as the singer who took up the poisoned chalice of replacing the iconic Phil Collins in Genesis. We caught up with Ray to discuss his new album 'Songs For A Friend' and his incredible career.
Testament - 2 June 2016. Testament are genuine Thrash Metal Icons. Gearing up for the release of their eleventh studio album ‘The Brotherhood Of The Snake’, the thrash metal icons are preparing to hit the U.K. for their most extensive tour in aeons. We caught up with vocalist Chuck Billy to chat about the band’s history, as well as what lies ahead.
Steve Hackett - 30 May 2016. Fresh from another successful bout of touring, Steve Hackett is preparing to delve back into his past, with the release of deluxe editions of his late 1970s’ ‘Charisma Years’ albums. We caught up with guitarist to chat about the early days of his solo career, and find out what it was like stepping away from his former band.
Dan Reed Network - 15 May 2016. Back together after an astonishing quarter of a century, the Dan Reed Network are about to release their new album. Living to fight another day, we caught up with Dan Reed to get the story on the album, the band’s history, and that earth shattering controversial 1989 haircut.
Corrosion Of Conformity - 2 May 2016. Evolving from hardcore punk pioneers to sludgy southern metal behemoths, Corrosion of Conformity are best known for their celebrated ‘Deliverance’ line-up. With plans for a new album from the four-piece line-up - their first in over a decade - it's exciting times for Corrosion of Conformity. We caught up with bassist Mike Dean to discuss the new album, and some C.O.C history.
Incite - 20 April 2016. As the son of former Sepultura and current Soulfly front man Max Cavalera, Incite's Richie Cavalera may have heavy roots, but the weight of expectation isn’t something he worries about; “I have expectations of myself to have a great career and make great records”, he says. About to release their latest album, we caught up with Richie to talk about 'Oppression'.
Diamond Head - 12 April 2016. Diamond Head are one of the most influential metal acts of all time. Spearheading the early 1980s' NWOBHM movement, it looked like big things were ahead for the four-piece. lt wasn't meant to be, however they're back with a new line-up. We caught up with founder guitarist Brian Tatler to discuss playing with AC/DC at Bon Scott's final gigs, influencing Metallica, and their illustrious history.
Exodus - 25 March 2016. San Francisco’s Exodus have banging heads that do not bang since 1983. Having welcomed back vocalist Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza in 2014, the thrash metal pioneers have gone from strength to strength, as seen on latest release ‘Blood In, Blood Out’. We caught up with Zetro in Dublin, to talk about the band’s long history.
Saxon - 3 March 2016. Having weathered their fair share of musical storms during an almost forty year career, Saxon are about to release 'Eagles And Dragons'; a set that covers their stormy 1990s' era. We caught up with band leader Biff Byford to talk about the box, and the chequered history that created it.
The Iron Maidens- 19 February 2016. As far as tribute bands go, they don’t come much bigger than the Iron Maidens. Having played gigs all over the world, the Iron Maidens are about to make their U.K. debut with a show at the Islington Academy on 14th April. We caught up with singer Kirsten ‘Bruce Chickinson’ Rosenberg to talk about the show, and unwittingly influenced the direction it might take.
Soulfly - 12 February 2016. More than thirty years since first bursting onto the metal scene with Sepultura, the song still remains insane for Max Cavalera. Leader of Soulfly, as well as a host of other projects, the Brazilian native is one of the genre’s most innovative figures. On tour to promote Soulfly’s tenth album ‘Archangel’, we caught up with Max to discuss his lengthy career, working with family and keeping things fresh.
The Winery Dogs- 9 February 2016. A former member of Dream Theater, and percussionist with Transatlantic, self-confessed “workaholic” Mike Portnoy has found a new lease of life with The Winery Dogs. We caught up with Mike to discuss the new album, the impact of David Bowie’s death and the possibility of reuniting with Dream Theatre.
Darren Hayes - 27 January 2016. He may have come a long way in the twenty years since they formed, but Darren Hayes is still best known for being one half of Savage Garden. Formed in Brisbane in 1996, Hayes along with partner Daniel Jones went on to conquer the globe, selling thirty million albums. Celebrating the release of a new retrospective, we caught up with Darren to chat about the band, and their painful split.
The Mute Gods - 24 January 2016. Nick Beggs has straddled many musical universes. A member of Steve Wilson’s touring band, his prog rock leanings are counterbalanced by his earlier output as founder of eighties pop giants Kajagoogoo. Now launching The Mute Gods, we caught up with Nick to discuss the project, as well as his illustrious output.
Fun Lovin' Criminals- 22 January 2016. Fun Lovin’ Criminals first burst onto the music scene back in 1996, with their hit multi-genre spanning ‘Come Find Yourself’ release. We caught up with ever upbeat, uber-cool frontman Huey Morgan to discuss the album's 20th anniversary, the tour, and as his mixed feelings about his role on Sky Arts’ ‘Guitar Star’ series.
Michael Schenker- 18 January 2016. Michael Schenker first rose to prominence as a member of The Scorpions; a band formed in his native Germany by older brother Rudolph in the late 1960’s. Later joining UFO, he now leads Temple Of Rock. We caught up with Michael to discuss his incredible career.
