Linkin Park have shared impressive footage of new singer Emily Armstrong performing recent single Heavy Is The Crown in the studio.
The short clip shows the vocalist, who replaced the late Chester Bennington last year, tracking the song’s extended howl and seemingly nailing it on the first take. Watch below.
From Zero was the California nu metal band’s first album since One More Light in May 2017. It marked the debut of both Armstrong and new drummer Colin Brittain.
Linkin Park entered an unofficial hiatus in October 2017, after playing a tribute concert to Bennington, who died aged 41 that July. Rumours of the band returning with a female singer began to swirl in spring 2024 and were confirmed the following September.
They announced their return with a surprise Los Angeles concert, the single The Emptiness Machine, the announcement of From Zero and the confirmation of a short world tour from September to November.
Armstrong’s appointment was met with some controversy. Shortly after her unveiling as Linkin Park’s new singer, photos of her at a Scientology gala went viral. She was also accused of supporting Scientologist Danny Masterson during a trial where the actor was found guilty of raping two Jane Does.
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In a statement, Armstrong distanced herself from Masterson and retracted her past support of him. Though she did not confirm whether she is or has ever been a Scientologist, the BBC reported that lyrics in songs by her other band Dead Sara seem to reject the Church Of Scientology’s teachings.
See dates and details of Linkin Park’s 2025 tour below.
Linkin Park 2025 tour dates:
Jan 31: Mexico City Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico Feb 03: Guadalajara Estadio 3 De Marzo, Mexico Feb 05: Monterrey Estadio Banorte, Mexico
Feb 11: Tokyo Saitama Super Arena, Japan Feb 12: Tokyo Saitama Super Arena, Japan Feb 16: Jakarta TBA, Indonesia
Apr 12: Las Vegas Sick New World, NV * Apr 26: Austin Moody Center, TX ^ Apr 28: Tulsa BOK Center, OK ^ May 01: Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena, MI ^ May 03: Baltimore CFG Bank Arena, ND ^ May 06: Raleigh Lenovo Center, NC ^ May 08: Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena, SC ^ May 10: Columbus Sonic Temple, OH * May 17: Daytona Welcome To Rockville, FL *
Jun 12: Nisckelsdorf Novarock, Austria * Jun 14: Hradec Kralove Rock For People, Czech Republic * Jun 16: Hannover Heinz-Von-Heiden Arena, Germany ~ Jun 18: Berlin Olympiastadion, Germany ~ Jun 20: Bern Bernexpo, Switzerland Jun 24: Milan I-Days, Italy * Jun 26: Arnhem Gelredome, Netherlands $ Jun 28: London Wembley Stadium, UK $& Jul 01: Dusseldorf Merkur Spiel Arena, Germany ~& Jul 03: Werchter Rock Werchter Festival, Belgium * Jul 05: Gdynia Open’er Festival, Poland * Jul 08: Frankfurt Deutsche Bank Park, Germany ~& Jul 11: Paris Stade De France, France
Jul 29: Brooklyn Barclays Center, NY + Aug 01: Boston TD Garden, MA + Aug 03: Newark Prudential Center, NJ + Aug 06: Montreal Bell Centre, Canada + Aug 08: Toronto Scotiabank Arena, Canada + Aug 11: Chicago United Center, IL + Aug 14: Detroit Little Caesars Arena, MI + Aug 16: Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center, PA # Aug 19: Pittsburgh PPG Paints Arena, PA # Aug 21: Nashville Bridgestone Arena, TN # Aug 23: St Louis Enterprise Center, MO # Aug 25: Milwaukee Fiserv Forum, WI # Aug 27: Minneapolis Target Center, MN # Aug 29: Omaha CHI Health Center, NE # Aug 31: Kansas City T-Movile Center, MO # Sep 03: Denver Ball Arena, CO # Sep 06: Phoenix Footprint Center, AZ # Sep 13: Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, CA !& Sep 15: San Josa SAP Ceter, CA & Sep 17: Sacramento Golden 1 Center, CA & Sep 19: Portland Moda Center, OR & Sep 21: Vancouver Rogers Arena, Canada & Sep 24: Seattle Climate Pledge Arena, WA &
Oct 26: Bogota TBA, Colombia Oct 29: Lima TBA, Peru Nov 01: Buenos Aires TBA, Argentina Nov 05: Santiago TBA, Chile Nov 08: Rio De Janeiro TBA, Brazil Nov 10: São Paulo TBA, Brazil Nov 13: Brasilia TBA, Brazil Nov 15: Porto Alegre TBA, Brazil
Festival performance * With Queens Of The Stone Age ! With Spiritbox $ With AFI = With Architects ~ With Grandson ^ With Jean Dawson # With Jpegmafia & With Pvris +
Louder’s resident Gojira obsessive was still at uni when he joined the team in 2017. Since then, Matt’s become a regular in Prog and Metal Hammer, at his happiest when interviewing the most forward-thinking artists heavy music can muster. He’s got bylines in The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Guitar and many others, too. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him skydiving, scuba diving or coasteering.
(Image credit: Papa Roach: Bryson Roatch/Employed To Serve: Bethan Miller/Nova Twins: Nicole Chen/Cradle of Filth: Jakub Alexandrowicz/Electric Callboy: Christian Ripkens)
We are so back. It’s a few weeks into the New Year and already the calender is filling in with new tours and releases, which naturally means an immense increase in the number of new singles being put out. But that’s not a problem: that’s what we’re here for! Cutting through the chatter, we’ll continue to bring you a round-up of some of the finest new metal singles around each week, asking you to crown the very best in a fan vote.
Speaking of which, here are the results of last week’s vote! Our first round-up of the year brought forth a diverse spread of acts, (relative) newcomers Conquer Divide knocking metalcore heavyweights Architects off the podium when they took third place with Bad Dreams. In second place were returning Maori metallers Alien Weaponry with Mau Moko, but top spot was undisputed, the gruesome snarls of Whitechapel’s Hymns In Dissonance earning them the crown by a good way.
This week is an impressively stacked roster of new releases with everyone from Killswitch Engage and Papa Roach to Dream Theater, Employed To Serve and Cradle Of Filth weighing in. As ever, we want you to tell us which songs excite you most, so don’t forget to cast your vote below!
Papa Roach – Even If It Kills Me
If anyone can tell you a thing or two about survival, it’s Papa Roach. Breakthrough stars at the height of nu metal, Papa Roach have stuck around – and thrived – long enough to see both the subgenre’s demise and its return almost 20 years later, refining their anthemic alt. metal offering to still pull massive crowds around the world. Ahead of their appearance at Wembley Arena in a couple of weeks – and a Wacken Festival headline slot this summer – the band have put out new single Even If It Kills Me, a stomping sing-along that perfectly captures their thundering dancefloor-filling sensibilities.
Papa Roach – EVEN IF IT KILLS ME (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube
“If I can’t have you, no one can.” It’s with that chilling sentiment Employed To Serve go for the throat on new single Atonement, capturing the toxic, possessive sentiments all too many will recognise. More than that though, it’s a glimpse at the anger and power ETS are bringing forth on upcoming fifth album Fallen Star, clearly drawing on their time in arenas and at massive festivals like Download and Bloodstock to create one of their hookiest singles to date (which is saying something). Add to that guest vocals from deathcore star Will Ramos, and it’s a clear recipe for success.
Employed To Serve – Atonement (feat. Will Ramos) – YouTube
Trust Killswitch Engage to return with a ray of hope in dark times. The band with perhaps the biggest claim to helping establish metalcore’s mainstream crossover potential, it’s hardly surprising that nine albums and 25 years in they’re still producing some of the genre’s most chest-beating, audience-uniting sing-alongs. I Believe is very much exemplar of that, Jesse Leach’s powerful vocal soaring over choppy guitars and chug-along drum beats that put truth to the idiom “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. With new album The Consequence coming in just a few weeks – on Feb 21 to be exact – we expect there’ll plenty more of this in the tank for Killswitch this year.
With their first two albums, Nova Twins established themselves as a fast-rising, genre-blurring sensation. If new single Monsters is anything to go by, they’re going for broke on album three. Built around a gargantuan hook and thrumming with subtle electro-rock energy, the track feels like the kind of song written to completely dominate both radio and venues around the world. Considering how effective Nova Twins rise has been so far, we’d say this marks another big step forward for the London duo.
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Nova Twins – Monsters (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Is it just us that gets a massive Metallica One vibe at the start of Dream Theater’s new Midnight Messiah? We’re not saying the prog metal masters are aping thrash’s biggest success story, of course, but the twinkling high notes and spoken word intro (all about being trapped, no less!) certainly puts it in the same spiritual realms. And that’s by no means a bad thing – if anything it’s a reflection of DT’s colossal ambitions, the prog metal masters’ own flirtations with thrash shining through on a track that bursts with vigour and brilliance, giving us plenty to be excited about with Parasomnia‘s arrival on Feb 7.
Infernal and majestic as ever, Cradle Of Filth announced the impending release of their new album The Screaming Of The Valkyries on March 21. By this point, every metal fan should know what to expect from the British extreme metallers; goth-tinged extreme metal brilliance, driven on thumping riffs that could fall anywhere between Venom and Iron Maiden and delivered with blackened, evil tones that betray the band’s black metal roots. It’s superb, and upholds the brilliant standards set by recent stand-out singles like Crawling King Chaos and Malignant Perfection.
Electric Callboy – Elevator Operator
Let’s face it, Electric Callboy are a law unto themselves. Viral hits like Hypa Hypa and Pump It turned them into a long overdue sensation in the run-up to 2022’s Tekkno and the Germans have only gotten bigger since. With appearances at Slam Dunk Festival set for May and an Alexandra Palace headline performance set for November 1, it makes sense they’re ramping up activity in 2025 with a brand new single in Elevator Operator, a typically addictive electro-enhanced blast of metalcore that’ll rattle around your brain endlessly.
Electric Callboy – ELEVATOR OPERATOR (OFFICIAL VIDEO) – YouTube
After the trials and tribulations that inspired their third record, its gratifying to hear Norwegian-Iranian extreme metallers Confess firing on all cylinders again as they release follow-up Destination Addiction this week. After Goliath shows the propulsive blackened death metal crossover the band have as a foundation remains powerful as ever, a prowling riff providing the perfect launch point for a thumping, headbanging track.
Confess – After Goliath (feat. George Kollias & Marzi Montazeri) [Official Lyric Video] – YouTube
The metalcore boom that started in the late 2000s shows no signs of slowing in 2025. But, when you’ve got talent like Spiritbox, Architects, Bleed From Within and Bury Tomorrow all releasing exceptional new material, we’re hardly complaining. Bleed From Within’s latest single A Hope In Hell is another sign that the Scottish band are pushing into bold new territories with new album Zenith, picking up on the exceptional production and songwriting craft they honed on 2022’s Shrine and somehow making them even more anthemic. Even if they hadn’t just played as support to Slipknot on their UK tour, this song feels cater-made to arenas.
BLEED FROM WITHIN – A Hope In Hell (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube
It’s been a long wait for a new album from Eluveitie, but the Swiss folk metal veterans are officially back, new album Ànv due on April 25. Clearly there’s been some soul searching in the six years since their last release though; The Prodigal Ones isn’t a total departure from their folk metal roots, but the jauntiness has been toned right the way down to make way for a more explosive melodeath style rager, with some gorgeous melodic breakout moments that suggest the band are taking a very different approach for this new album.
ELUVEITIE – The Prodigal Ones (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube
It’s been a sad week for British stoner/doom, with longterm champions Orange Goblin announcing their impending split at the end of 2025. The return of Liverpool crushers Conan is a reminder that OG helped pave the way for subsequent generation of low-end beasties however, and sure enough Frozen Edges Of The Wound is exactly the kind of lumbering, sludge-tipped burst of filth that has helped foster a new school of heft in British doom. With new album Violence Dimension set for an April 25 release, we’d say your fix for utterly abyssal metal is covered for the coming months.
CONAN – Frozen Edges Of The Wound (2025 new single) // HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records – YouTube
Destruction might be slowing down the pace on new single A.N.G.S.T. but the Teutonic thrashers aren’t mellowing out. Instead, the track is a stomping, prowling beast given an extra malevolent edge by Schmier’s yelping, curled lip snarl. New album Birth Of Malice is out March 7 and if you thought America had the market cornered on thrash, you need to educate yourself on the German masters.
DESTRUCTION – A.N.G.S.T. (Official Video) | Napalm Records – YouTube
Staff writer for Metal Hammer, Rich has never met a feature he didn’t fancy, which is just as well when it comes to covering everything rock, punk and metal for both print and online, be it legendary events like Rock In Rio or Clash Of The Titans or seeking out exciting new bands like Nine Treasures, Jinjer and Sleep Token.
Ex-Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has released pro-shot footage of a clinic he held in Paris last October, which includes him playing two songs from the Iowans’ 2019 album We Are Not Your Kind.
The clinic, which took place at the venue Le Trianon on October 27, saw Weinberg perform the tracks Spiders and Solway Firth. It was the first time he played songs by the band in public since he parted ways with them in 2023.
Watch footage of the performances below.
Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014, replacing late founding drummer Joey Jordison. He appeared on three of their albums – 2014’s .5: The Grey Chapter, 2019’s We Are Not Your Kind and 2022’s The End, So Far – before his exit.
The drummer’s departure was announced by the band in a social media statement which described the parting as a creative decision. Percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan explained further in March 2024, saying that Weinberg’s dismissal was not due to personal reasons.
“There’s many reasons for it,” he told Knotfest Australia. “It’s not to be confused. It doesn’t matter what the situation may seem like. Unless you’re in the band and understand – there’s no hard feelings; there never was. We just went our way. There was really no bad things. That’s as much as I can say.”
Weinberg issued a statement of his own shortly after news of his Slipknot departure broke, saying that he was “heartbroken and blindsided”.
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“I’m at kind of a point where I’m not quite yet really ready to talk about it,” he said. “And that’s not to dismiss the conversation, but I’ve spent time, and [am spending] time, just processing the entire experience. And the experience not being the last six months, but really the last 10 years [of playing with Slipknot]. And finally, in a way, processing all of that.”
After his Slipknot stint ended, Weinberg joined crossover thrashers Suicidal Tendencies. He played the California band’s songs Freedumb and Cyco Vision during his Paris clinic.
The drummer also performed tracks by Norwegian metal band Kvelertak, whom he toured with in 2013, and the Bruce Springsteen song Candy’s Room. Weinberg is the son of Springsteen’s longtime drummer, Max Weinberg.
If you ever dreamed of living in a mansion in Scotland formerly owned by Genesis, we have excellent news: there’s one on the market right now, and it’s going for a song
(Image credit: RightMove)
A nine-room Scottish mansion formerly owned by Genesis is up for sale, though we should advise potential buyers that it may need some work.
Located on the Isle of Mull, Pennyghael House, purchased by Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford in 1985, is currently listed by estate agents RightMove, who are seeking offers of over £180,000 from interested parties. Given that the members of Genesis are reported to have invested in excess of £500,000 for the estate, which includes “about 11.9 acres” of land, and that the property was put on sale for offers of more than £5 million in 2021, this seems like quite a bargain, but the present owners admit that the historic country house is in need of some love and attention.
According to The National, after selling the mansion in 1997, Genesis were accused of allowing the house to fall into a state of dereliction: in 1992, civic trust director John Gerrard told Scottish newspaper The Herald, “The building is listed and known to be in a poor state of repair. Its owners are responsible for keeping it in a better condition.”
A spokesman for the progressive rock superstars responded: “The house was damp. Genesis meant to demolish the two wings and restore the main building. However, restrictions imposed by the trust and steady criticism has halted the work. Why the house is listed baffles me. It would probably cost more today in recession to restore the house than the whole estate is worth on the market.”
The RightMove website listing states, “Once the focal point of Pennyghael Estate, the house now lies in a derelict state but offers a wonderful opportunity for the next custodians to either restore the current house or develop a new property elsewhere on the site, subject to the necessary permissions being obtained. Planning permission was granted in 2007 for the demolition of parts of the existing building and restoration of the remainder.”
Well, that clears that up, in case anyone was worried that the estate might be a land of confusion.
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A music writer since 1993, formerly Editor of Kerrang! and Planet Rock magazine (RIP), Paul Brannigan is a Contributing Editor to Louder. Having previously written books on Lemmy, Dave Grohl (the Sunday Times best-seller This Is A Call) and Metallica (Birth School Metallica Death, co-authored with Ian Winwood), his Eddie Van Halen biography (Eruption in the UK, Unchained in the US) emerged in 2021. He has written for Rolling Stone, Mojo and Q, hung out with Fugazi at Dischord House, flown on Ozzy Osbourne’s private jet, played Angus Young’s Gibson SG, and interviewed everyone from Aerosmith and Beastie Boys to Young Gods and ZZ Top. Born in the North of Ireland, Brannigan lives in North London and supports The Arsenal.
Mantar will release a brand new full-length, Post Apocalyptic Depression, on February 14 via Metal Blade Records. In the new video below, Mantar dive into the history of the band over the last 12 years, leading up to their new album.
2022’s Pain Is Forever And This Is The End saw the German duo bring a sonic richness to their madly heavy blackened death-punk grooves, assisting the record to its position at #2 on Germany’s Official Top 10 album chart. The record added smoother, calmer, more harmonic textures to Mantar’s expanding palette, but on 2024’s Post Apocalyptic Depression, the band smashes the palette and punches a hole in the canvas.
“We wanted to do everything different from the last album,” affirms guitarist/vocalist Hanno Klänhardt. “The last album was very produced. A huge sounding record with clean production. Display of power. That was what we wanted and felt at that time. Now we are trying to destroy what we’ve built up with the last album. There is a certain beauty in disappointing people’s expectations.”
One earful of monster-grooving punk ‘n’ roll opener “Absolute Ghost” confirms that disappointment is an implausible reaction to the wildly energized righteous blood-shakers assembled here. Mantar has already eaten up the road all over Europe, the US, Japan, Latin America, and South Africa, as well as all the major European festivals and American festivals over their ten-year existence, but these tunes are destined for especially visceral live connection.
The ethos is clear from the first two words Hanno uses to describe the recording process: “Quick and dirty. We didn’t even bring our own gear to the studio, and just used the equipment that we would find there. There was zero planning involved in the making of this album. We wanted to keep it as primitive as possible. We were bolder this time and literally cut any shit off the songs that we didn’t think was necessary. I think you can hear that and playing these new songs is more fun. I feel very connected with my punk roots on this album. Very punk rock production and next to our first album definitely the most raw sounding one.”
Further reconnecting Mantar with the spirit of their 2014 debut Death By Burning, the new front cover is again painted by renowned artist Aron Wiesenfeld, whose haunting aesthetic lends the band such distinctive and striking visual impact. It feels like a band coming full circle, drawing to a close the first ten years of Mantar.
As for that intensely full-on title, Hanno defines Post Apocalyptic Depression as “the feeling you get after a mass hysteria. The feeling you get once you’ve invested all your power in a mass hypnosis and suddenly realize there won’t be no salvation. Also, it refers to a very one-dimensional and basic human feeling we all know. Being just burned out after a very tedious and exhausting period of life. Post Apocalyptic Depression also can be taken as the insight that people just refuse to learn. Besides that, it’s a damn catchy and cool name for an album that sounds exactly the way these words sound.”
Post Apocalyptic Depression is available on CD, and digitally as well as vinyl in the color variants below and a limited-edition box set:
– Rose/White Splatter (US – Ltd. 300) – 180g Black (EU) – Pink (EU) – Grass Green Marbled (EU – Ltd. 500) – Neon Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) – Rose/White Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) – Birthday Cake Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300) – Pale Skin Marbled (EU – Ltd. 300) – Box Set (EU – Ltd. 1000) – includes standard album on CD and vinyl, bonus 7″ w/ two exclusive cover tracks, back patch, signed 12″ art print on thick cardboard, + 12″ booklet incl. lyrics
“Absolute Ghost” “Rex Perverso” “Principle Of Command” “Dogma Down” “Morbid Vocation” “Halsgericht” “Pit Of Guilt” “Church Of Suck” “Two Choices Of Eternity” “Face Of Torture” “Axe Death Scenario” “Cosmic Abortion”
“Halsgericht” video:
Mantar will join Kvelertak for a short run of live shows this February with more dates to be announced in the weeks to come.
Formed in 2013, Mantar has been recognized as one of the hardest working among the German extreme metal underground. Mantar manages to sound heavier than most five piece bands you may know, in spite of the fact that no bass guitar is used on this record. Just drums and guitar set for destruction. Forget about rock ‘n’ roll. This will hurt. Flogging beats and blackened melodies meet feedback orgies and doom mayhem. Early Melvins, Motörhead, Darkthrone. You name it. Don’t call it sludge though…
Mantar lineup:
Hanno Klänhardt – guitars, vocals Erinc Sakarya – drums
Today, Rise Against return with their first new music in three years. Out now on Loma Vista Recordings, “Nod” is a rally cry and call to action, fueled by compassion, camaraderie and the collective urge for change.
“‘Nod’ is about the solace we find in community,” says lead vocalist and lyricist Tim McIlrath. “It’s about the comfort in knowing that we are not alone. This comfort can temper our anger and our frustration, at least temporarily.”
Produced by Catherine Marks (Boygenius, Foals, Manchester Orchestra, St. Vincent) and mixed by Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age, The Killers), “Nod” serves as a searing statement of intent, arriving at the outset of Rise Against’s inspired next chapter. Just as the stakes could not be higher, the Chicago punk rock band is back bigger, louder and more progressive than ever, imploring listeners to replace reactions with action.
“I swear to God this can’t wait,” Tim McIlrath proclaims at the top of the song’s chorus. “Not one more minute, one more day.” Now is the time to resist the constant stimuli that stokes division: stop lashing out, start joining together to consider who benefits from our blind anger. “Are you saving the world so desperately, or are you holding a gun demanding peace,” he asks in the second verse. “Because the line that is drawn between nightmares and dreams is thin like a razor, and we’re fast asleep.”
Read more in Tim McIlrath’s newly published manifesto here, via the band’s Transistor Revolt newsletter and broadcast channel.
Following 2021’s Nowhere Generation – an album confronting the daunting social injustice and economic instability that has been dealt to America’s youth – Rise Against continue to meet the moment. Like the body of multi-Gold and Platinum hits that have come before it, “Nod” further amplifies the type of invigorating music, outspoken messages and bulletproof melodies that have earned billions of streams, filled arenas, topped charts, broken records, and, above all, united millions of diverse fans in a necessary embrace of vital issues.
Later this month, band members Tim McIlrath (lead vocals/guitar), Joe Principe (bass/vocals), Zach Blair (guitar/vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums) will hit the road for an extensive run of shows across the EU and UK, before playing dozens of US arenas, amphitheaters and pavilions with Papa Roach, as part of the co-headline Rise of The Roach Tour.
Steel Panther have released the new video below, along with the following message:
“You didn’t think we were done celebrating, did you?! Join us as we take a look back at the album critics hailed as, “An exercise in taking a joke too far!” Let’s take a deep dive on all things Feel The Steel! In this episode, Michael, Satchel and Stix reflect on making the transition from cover band to writing original music.”
Snag your copy of the 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Feel The Steel at steelpanther.com.
Get ready to crank up the volume, because the worlds of high fashion and rock ‘n’ roll are about to collide in a blaze of glory at NAMM 2025 in Anaheim, California. Riot Stitch, the couture brand that brings the thunder to rock stage wear, is pumped to announce its debut Metal Catwalk on January 25 at 2 PM in Hall D, Booth 4234.
Riot Stitch’s showcase, at the NAMM 2025 convention will be an exclusive feature at the 3rd Annual Ellefson Coffee Co. Rock & Roll VIP Lounge at Booth #4234 in Hall D. The lounge is hosted by legendary bassist David Ellefson, and is an exclusive experience buzzing with rockstar appearances throughout the week, offering attendees the perfect mix of caffeinated energy and rock ‘n’ roll excitement.
This ain’t your average runway show – it’s a full-throttle spectacle! Expect jaw-dropping designs and jaw-dropping looks that push the limits of rock fashion into uncharted territory for 2025. Fans and industry insiders will witness a dazzling display that fuses the glitzy vibes of ’80s Hollywood glam with the free-spirited essence of ’70s boho, all set to the backdrop of a mini rock concert that’ll have you shouting for more!
“Rock ‘n’ roll isn’t just music – it’s a way of life, a fierce statement, and pure art. I’m bringing that raw energy to the catwalk like you’ve never seen before,” said Sherri Lu, Owner of Riot Stitch.
Prepare for a show that’s destined to shake the foundations of fashion as Michael Starr, the legendary frontman of Steel Panther, lights up the stage alongside models who embody the very spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
Event Details:
What: Riot Stitch’s First Metal Catwalk When: January 25, 2 PM Where: NAMM Convention, Anaheim, California – Hall D, Ellefson Coffee Co Rock & Roll VIP Lounge Booth #4234
Open to all NAMM attendees and press members, this is a wild ride you won’t want to miss. For those who can’t be there in person, don’t sweat it – Riot Stitch will be streaming the highlights on its official social media channels.
Strap in and get ready to rock hard with Riot Stitch’s Metal Catwalk!
About Riot Stitch:
Sherri Lu has had a lifelong passion for fashion and an intoxicating love of rock ‘n roll. After moving to L.A. 20 years ago, Sherri discovered her talent for creating custom fits that celebrate all body types and styles. Officially launching Riot Stitch in 2020, she has since collaborated with international touring bands, delivering designs that embody the spirit of the genre and high-quality stagewear.
Make sure to visit Booth #4234 in Hall D for the Ellefson Coffee Co. Rock & Roll VIP Lounge and experience the perfect fusion of fashion, music, and coffee. Don’t miss this unforgettable week of rock ‘n’ roll magic!
UK Progressive Rock group, Frost*, is pleased to share a new stand-alone single, “Western Atmosphere”. This song was originally featured as a Japanese-only bonus track on the album Life In The Wires, and sees band leader Jem Godfrey joined by Randy McStine (Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree – live guitarist), Mike Keneally (Devin Townsend), and Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train).
Godfrey says this about the track: “I sometimes wonder what would have happened had I stayed in bed 10 minutes longer than I did on Monday 11th of January 2010. Perhaps my life would have gone in a completely different direction and Frost* would have ended up with the lineup of myself on keys, vocals and bass, Mike Keneally on guitar, Nick D’Virgilio on drums and Randy McStine on guitar and vocals. We’ll never know, I guess.”
Stream/download “Western Atomosphere here, and check out a visualizer below:
Madfish Music proudly presents Wishbone Ash At The BBC 1970-1988, an extraordinary collection of iconic performances, rare recordings, and behind-the-scenes gems, captured over nearly two decades from one of the most celebrated bands in rock history.
Four years in the making and shaped by the input of devoted fans and band members alike, this long-awaited release is the definitive archive of Wishbone Ash’s unforgettable relationship with the BBC. The set will be available on March 25.
Packaged in a protective slipcase, the audiovisual book set is comprised of:
– 11 CDs of electrifying live material including never-before-heard sessions and performances, expertly restored and remastered by Pete Reynolds. Includes iconic shows from the Paris Theatre, Glasgow Apollo and Hammersmith Odeon, as well as performances on John Peel’s Sunday Concert, Sounds of the Seventies, Top Gear + more. – A DVD of Old Grey Whistle Test footage from 1971, 1977 & 1980. Includes rare outtakes, full performances, and behind-the-scenes moments. – A beautifully bound 72-page hardback book, complete with rare photos, session documentation from the BBC vaults and exclusive insights from the band.
For fans, collectors, and newcomers alike, this is the ultimate treasure trove of Ash’s signature melodic twin-lead guitars and progressive rock mastery. The wait is over.
View the complete tracklisting and pre-order your copy, here.
Feature Photo: Kreepin Deth, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Metallica’s journey from a fledgling Los Angeles metal band to global rock titans is one of resilience, innovation, and unyielding energy. Formed in late 1981, the band was born from a newspaper advertisement placed by Lars Ulrich, a Danish drummer with a love for the emerging thrash metal genre. James Hetfield, a guitarist and vocalist with a raw, commanding presence, answered the ad, creating the foundation of what would become one of the world’s most influential heavy metal bands. The original lineup also included lead guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney, though both positions would soon change as the band evolved.
In 1982, bassist Cliff Burton replaced McGovney, bringing a unique compositional approach that would define Metallica’s early sound. A year later, Kirk Hammett replaced Mustaine, marking the final change to their classic lineup. Burton’s untimely death in a 1986 bus accident was a devastating blow, but the band persisted, welcoming Jason Newsted as their bassist. Newsted remained with Metallica until 2001, when Robert Trujillo joined, solidifying the current lineup of Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett, and Trujillo.
Metallica’s studio discography spans 11 albums, each showcasing their evolution. Their debut, Kill ‘Em All (1983), laid the groundwork for thrash metal with its aggressive riffs and relentless energy. Albums like Ride the Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets (1986) expanded their thematic and musical scope, earning critical acclaim. The watershed moment came with Metallica (1991), also known as The Black Album, which catapulted them to global stardom. Tracks like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” became anthems, bridging the gap between metal and mainstream rock.
The band has released several multi-platinum albums, including Reload (1997), Death Magnetic (2008), and Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016). Their most recent release, 72 Seasons (2023), demonstrates their continued relevance and ability to captivate audiences with innovative soundscapes. Singles such as “The Unforgiven,” “One,” and “Sad But True” have become synonymous with their legacy, celebrated for their intricate musicianship and emotional depth.
Metallica’s accolades include nine Grammy Awards, recognition from MTV, and their 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their 1999 collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony, documented in the S&M album, showcased their versatility and willingness to explore new frontiers in music. This spirit of reinvention has kept them at the forefront of the industry for over four decades.
Outside of music, Metallica has made a profound impact through philanthropy. Their All Within My Hands Foundation has provided millions of dollars to support workforce education, disaster relief, and hunger alleviation. The band’s commitment to giving back reflects their understanding of the powerful platform they occupy.
(A – B)
“2 X 4” – Load (1996) “53rd & 3rd” – We’re a Happy Family: A Tribute to Ramones (2003) “72 Seasons” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Ain’t My Bitch” – Load (1996) “All Nightmare Long” – Death Magnetic (2008) “All Within My Hands” – St. Anger (2003) “Am I Evil?” – Creeping Death (1984) “Am I Savage?” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “…And Justice for All” – …And Justice for All (1988) “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Astronomy” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Atlas, Rise!” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Attitude” – Reload (1997) “Bad Seed” – Reload (1997) “Battery” – Master of Puppets (1986) “Better Than You” – Reload (1997) “Blackened” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Bleeding Me” – Load (1996) “Blitzkrieg” – Creeping Death (1984) “Brandenburg Gate” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Breadfan” – Harvester of Sorrow (1988) “Broken, Beat & Scarred” – Death Magnetic (2008)
(C – D)
“The Call of Ktulu” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Carpe Diem Baby” – Reload (1997) “Chasing Light” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Cheat on Me” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Commando” – St. Anger (2003) “Confusion” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Crash Course in Brain Surgery” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) “Creeping Death” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Cretin Hop” – St. Anger (2003) “Crown of Barbed Wire” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Cure” – Load (1996) “Cyanide” – Death Magnetic (2008) “Damage Case” – Hero of the Day (1996) “Damage, Inc.” – Master of Puppets (1986) “The Day That Never Comes” – Death Magnetic (2008) “Devil’s Dance” – Reload (1997) “Die, Die My Darling” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Dirty Window” – St. Anger (2003) “Disposable Heroes” – Master of Puppets (1986) “Don’t Tread on Me” – Metallica (1991) “Dragon” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Dream No More” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Dyers Eve” – …And Justice for All (1988)
(E – H)
“The Ecstasy of Gold” – We All Love Ennio Morricone (2007) “The End of the Line” – Death Magnetic (2008) “Enter Sandman” – Metallica (1991) “Escape” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Eye of the Beholder” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Fade to Black” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Fight Fire with Fire” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Fixxxer” – Reload (1997) “For Whom the Bell Tolls” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “The Four Horsemen” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Frantic” – St. Anger (2003) “The Frayed Ends of Sanity” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Free Speech for the Dumb” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Frustration” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Fuel” – Reload (1997) “The God That Failed” – Metallica (1991) “Halo on Fire” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Hardwired” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Harvester of Sorrow” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Hate Train” – Beyond Magnetic (2011) “Hell and Back” – Beyond Magnetic (2011) “Helpless” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) “Here Comes Revenge” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Hero of the Day” – Load (1996) “Hit the Lights” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Holier Than Thou” – Metallica (1991) “The House Jack Built” – Load (1996)
(I – L)
“I Disappear” – Mission: Impossible II (2000) “Iced Honey” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “If Darkness Had a Son” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Inamorata” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Invisible Kid” – St. Anger (2003) “It’s Electric” – Garage Inc. (1998) “The Judas Kiss” – Death Magnetic (2008) “Jump in the Fire” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Junior Dad” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Just a Bullet Away” – Beyond Magnetic (2011) “Killing Time” – The Unforgiven single (1991) “King Nothing” – Load (1996) “Last Caress/Green Hell” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) “Leper Messiah” – Master of Puppets (1986) “Little Dog” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Lords of Summer” – Lords of Summer single (2014) “Loverman” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Low Man’s Lyric” – Reload (1997) “Lux Æterna” – 72 Seasons (2023)
(M – P)
“Mama Said” – Load (1996) “ManUNkind” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Master of Puppets” – Master of Puppets (1986) “The Memory Remains” – Reload (1997) “Mercyful Fate” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Metal Militia” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Mistress Dread” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “The More I See” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Moth into Flame” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Motorbreath” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Murder One” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “My Apocalypse” – Death Magnetic (2008) “My Friend of Misery” – Metallica (1991) “My World” – St. Anger (2003) “No Remorse” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica (1991) “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” – St. Anger (2003) “Now That We’re Dead” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “Of Wolf and Man” – Metallica (1991) “One” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Orion” – Master of Puppets (1986) “The Outlaw Torn” – Load (1996) “Overkill” – Until It Sleeps single (1996) “Phantom Lord” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Poor Twisted Me” – Load (1996) “The Prince” – Harvester of Sorrow single (1988) “Prince Charming” – Reload (1997) “Pumping Blood” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011) “Purify” – St. Anger (2003)
(Q – S)
“Rebel of Babylon” – Beyond Magnetic (2011) “Remember Tomorrow” – Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden (2008) “Ride the Lightning” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Ronnie” – Load (1996) “Ronnie Rising Medley” – Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life (2014) “Room of Mirrors” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Sabbra Cadabra” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Sad but True” – Metallica (1991) “Screaming Suicide” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Seek & Destroy” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Shadows Follow” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Shoot Me Again” – St. Anger (2003) “The Shortest Straw” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Sleepwalk My Life Away” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Slither” – Reload (1997) “The Small Hours” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) “So What?” – The Unforgiven single (1991) “Some Kind of Monster” – St. Anger (2003) “Spit Out the Bone” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016) “St. Anger” – St. Anger (2003) “Stone Cold Crazy” – Rubáiyát: Elektra’s 40th Anniversary (1990) “Stone Dead Forever” – Hero of the Day single (1996) “The Struggle Within” – Metallica (1991) “Suicide & Redemption” – Death Magnetic (2008) “Sweet Amber” – St. Anger (2003)
(T – Z)
“That Was Just Your Life” – Death Magnetic (2008) “The Thing That Should Not Be” – Master of Puppets (1986) “Thorn Within” – Load (1996) “Through the Never” – Metallica (1991) “To Live Is to Die” – …And Justice for All (1988) “Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World” – St. Anger single (2003) “Too Far Gone?” – 72 Seasons (2023) “Too Late Too Late” – Hero of the Day single (1996) “Trapped Under Ice” – Ride the Lightning (1984) “Tuesday’s Gone” – Garage Inc. (1998) “Turn the Page” – Garage Inc. (1998) “The Unforgiven” – Metallica (1991) “The Unforgiven II” – Reload (1997) “The Unforgiven III” – Death Magnetic (2008) “The Unnamed Feeling” – St. Anger (2003) “Until It Sleeps” – Load (1996) “The View” – Lulu (2011) “The Wait” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987) “Wasting My Hate” – Load (1996) “We Did It Again” – Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (2002) “We’re a Happy Family” – St. Anger single (2003) “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” – Master of Puppets (1986) “When a Blind Man Cries” – Re-Machined: A Tribute to Deep Purple’s Machine Head (2012) “Where the Wild Things Are” – Reload (1997) “Wherever I May Roam” – Metallica (1991) “Whiplash” – Kill ‘Em All (1983) “Whiskey in the Jar” – Garage Inc. (1998) “You Must Burn!” – 72 Seasons (2023) “You Really Got Me” – See My Friends (2010)
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Metallica articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
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