“It’s absolutely insane to us that we are booked in these huge, historic and legendary venues!” Malevolence announce Where Only The Truth Is Spoken UK and European tour, featuring their biggest ever headline shows

Malevolence have announced their biggest headline shows to date, in support of their forthcoming Where Only The Truth Is Spoken album.

Having recently announced the imminent arrival of their fourth album, due on June 20 via Nuclear Blast, and shared the Snatch-inspired video for new single If It’s All The Same To You, the Sheffield metalcore quintet have now revealed plans for an 11-date headline tour across Europe and the UK in October/November.

The tour will kick off in Toulouse, France at the Bikini Club on October 27, and close at London’s Brixton Academy on November 9.

In a statement announcing the tour, frontman Alex Taylor says, “We are very excited to announce the biggest headline tour of career yet…It’s absolutely insane to us that we are booked in these huge, historic & legendary venues and we need all of your support to prove to the world of metal that we are capable to smash them as a headliner. We put together the sickest support bill we could possibly find, featuring some of the coolest current bands from across the world – with the goal of creating the biggest and baddest Malev show of all time. We can’t wait.”

Malevolence Where Only The Truth Is Spoken tour

Oct 27: Toulouse Bikini Club, France
Oct 28: Paris Elysee Montmartre, France
Oct 30: Munich Backstage, Germany
Oct 31: Leipzig Felsenkeller, Germany

Nov 01: Berlin Huxleys, Germany
Nov 02: Hamburg Gruenspan, Germany
Nov 04: Tilburg 013, Holland
Nov 05: Cologne Live Music Hall, Germany
Nov 06: Ghent Vooruit, Belgium
Nov 08: Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse, UK
Nov 09: London O2 Academy Brixton, UK


Watch the video for If It’s All The Same To You, featuring Snatch villain Brick Top (Alan Ford), below.

MALEVOLENCE – If It’s All The Same To You (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) – YouTube MALEVOLENCE - If It's All The Same To You (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - YouTube

Watch On


Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Arch Enemy promised they’d throw out the rule book for Blood Dynasty. They didn’t go quite that far, but this is the boldest album of the Alissa White-Gluz era – and it kicks ass

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

During a recent sit-down with Metal Hammer, Arch Enemy architect Michael Amott promised that the Sweden-based firebrands’ 12th album would be a transformative one. “Something we did do was throw out the rulebook,” the guitarist claimed. “Let’s be a little more free in the arrangements.”

It was an eyebrow-raising statement. Where genre pioneers such as In Flames and At The Gates defected or went on extended hiatuses over the years, Michael and co. have saluted the melodic death metal flag unceasingly for three decades. As a result – even through two singer changes, the latest of which saw Angela Gossow pass the mic to Canadian-born Alissa White-Gluz while retreating to a management role – they’ve amassed one of the most consistently blood-pumping catalogues in metal.

Once the needle hits the wax on Blood Dynasty, it takes some time for Arch Enemy’s self-imposed constraints to crumble. Opener Dream Stealer could have enjoyed a space on their previous album, 2022’s Deceivers, Alissa’s debut, War Eternal, or any of this band’s other efforts – but it’s no less invigorating for it. Although the long-standing formula returns, it still packs table-flipping power, with the single charging through sharp guitar chords, imperious roars and a mighty chorus during its four-minute sprint.

The following Illuminate The Path is when Michael’s pledge to deviate starts to reveal itself. It initially slows the momentum to a stomping groove – which, with all its potential for venue-wide headbanging on tour, isn’t outside the usual arsenal – but then bursts into some majestically melodic vocals. Despite her past days in metalcore unit The Agonist, the scream/sing dichotomy has become a rare one for Alissa, making the sudden contrast all the more striking and triumphant.

From there, Arch Enemy’s door reopens to new ideas a handful of times. With the bridge of March Of The Miscreants, the bulletproof metal built by Michael’s blackened riff and Daniel Erlandsson’s double-kick drumming slowly melts away, and it doesn’t return until the band finish a brief symphonic prog jam. The title track’s preceded by an acoustic folk ditty, yet it’s Vivre Libre, originally by French metallers Blaspheme, that stuns the strongest. No screams, no scurrying drums, just a delicate ballad amid the blasts of ferocity.

Of course, this is still Arch Enemy, so the majority of Blood Dynasty remains riotous. Don’t Look Down could threaten Dethklok in the ‘primal melodeath extremity’ stakes. Lightspeed alternate picking is accompanied by the howling of phrases as stereotypically metal as ‘Stand your ground!’ and ‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown!’. A Million Suns relishes in virtuoso soloing, while a midpoint drum fill is the only give in Liars & Thieves’ otherwise thunderous blitzkrieg.

Ultimately, to argue that Blood Dynasty “throws out the rulebook” when so much of it adheres to Arch Enemy’s ever-rampant ways would be to exaggerate. The moments that do reject tradition all prick ears, however, and they suggest that the collective may be entering their most ambitious era yet. Considering 2025 marks their pearl anniversary, that’s a rather rare feat.

Blood Dynasty is out this Friday, March 28, via Century Media

Arch Enemy take us inside new album Blood Dynasty | Metal Hammer – YouTube Arch Enemy take us inside new album Blood Dynasty | Metal Hammer - YouTube

Watch On

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.

Previously unseen Led Zeppelin artwork discovered by same man who found slice of George Harrison’s leftover toast

Led Zeppelin’s most evocative record was one of their best dressed. Designed by Zacron, a former student of Kings Collage of Art who’d known Jimmy Page since the early 60s, Led Zeppelin III came wrapped in a spinning-wheel cover modelled on an old crop-rotation chart and had two Aleister Crowley quotations etched into the inner vinyl groove.

Zacron, born Richard Drew, died in 2012, and a recent sale of items from his estate unearthed some previously unseen original sketches from his work on the album.

The artwork included six previously unseen pages documenting the progress of Zacron’s revolving design, along with his handwritten instructions on how the wheel would function.

The sketches were identified by collector Joseph Robert O’Donnel, who made headlines last month when one of his earlier discoveries, a piece of leftover toast that once “belonged” to The Beatles‘ George Harrison, sold at auction for an undisclosed sum.

After identifying the sketches, O’Donnell reached out to Led Zeppelin collector Brian Knapp, who served as an archival consultant on the recent Becoming Led Zeppelin movie, and the pair came to an agreement on the sale of the sketches. The price of the sale has not been disclosed.

“I couldn’t think of a more fitting home than Brian’s archive for these significant pieces of history,” says O’Donnell. “Zacron’s drawings are legendary, as is Brian’s collection.”

“Zacron was a very important artist, and his friendship and connection with Led Zeppelin are equally significant to the band’s legacy,” adds Knapp. “I am pleased to add these to my collection, which I hope to exhibit at some point in the future.

Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Zacron's sketches for Led Zeppelin III

(Image credit: Joseph Robert O’donnell)

Zacron's sketches for Led Zeppelin III

(Image credit: Joseph Robert O’donnell)

“Not just one of the best British rock albums of all time, but one of the best debut albums ever made”: That time The Darkness added a riot of colour to a grey musical landscape

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

The Darkness – Permission To Land

The Darkness - Permission To Land cover art

(Image credit: Atlantic Records)

Black Shuck
Get Your Hands off My Woman
Growing on Me
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Love Is Only a Feeling
Givin’ Up
Stuck in a Rut
Friday Night
Love on the Rocks with No Ice
Holding My Own

In 2003, there was absolutely nothing to suggest that guitar-worshipping, catsuit-wearing glam rock could permeate the mainstream, but The Darkness’ debut album Permission To Land saw them all but wipe their collective arse with the memo.

A genre for the dreamers and the underdogs, this stuff just isn’t supposed to cross over. Voted the Greatest Song of the Century by Classic Rock readers in 2020, I Believe In A Thing Called Love has rightly cemented itself in rock’s perennial furniture – and we’re all still struggling to nail those rapid chorus lyrics after a few bevvies.

The anthemic Growing On Me isn’t far behind either. With its heavily distorted bluster and bite, Black Shuck is one of the all-time great album openers. Permission To Land’s finest compliment is that it plays more like a greatest hits than the startling introduction of an unknown quantity.

It speaks volumes that Justin Hawkins has said that winning three BRIT Awards – and closing the show in a blaze of pyrotechnics – on the back of Permission To Land is his proudest moment. Save for climate breakdown or nuclear Armageddon, we’ll still be celebrating these songs in 2103.

Lightning bolt page divider

Every week, Album of the Week Club listens to and discusses the album in question, votes on how good it is, and publishes our findings, with the aim of giving people reliable reviews and the wider rock community the chance to contribute.

Join the group now.

Other albums released in July 2003

  • Frail Words Collapse – As I Lay Dying
  • Hot Damn! – Every Time I Die
  • Live – Our Lady Peace
  • Time Will Tell – Robert Cray
  • You Come Before You – Poison the Well
  • Diamond Dave – David Lee Roth
  • Yes Remixes – Yes
  • Season for Assault – 8 Foot Sativa
  • Greatest Hits Live 2003 – April Wine
  • Transformer – Bruce Kulick
  • It’s All in Your Head – Eve 6
  • Special One – Cheap Trick
  • Strays – Jane’s Addiction
  • Three Days Grace – Three Days Grace
  • Tribe – Queensrÿche
  • Killing Joke – Killing Joke
  • Down upon the Suwannee River – Little Feat
  • War at the Warfield – Slayer

What they said…

“This week, for the first time, the Top 10 singles on the Billboard charts are all hip-hop and R&B. By comparison, rock is middle-aged. It has lost its youthful swagger and instead acquired the sheepish vanity that comes with expanding waistlines and thinning hair. Perhaps it was inevitable, but if a mid-life crisis is in the cards, I can’t think of a more entertaining one than the Darkness.” (Pitchfork)

“Songs such as Get Your Hands Off My Woman and Givin’ Up display industrial-strength riffs, vigorous hammer-on guitar solos and a rhythm section that swings like a wrecking ball. Ballads such as Love Is Only a Feeling are rendered with gusto undreamed by metal parodists like Satanicide. Permission to Land is the first retro-metal album that’s worth more than a momentary chuckle. Eighties hard rock is alive and well in the hands of the Darkness.” (Rolling Stone)

“I’ve heard better Happy Meal-metal bands from Saudi Arabia. Nobody’s expecting Too Fast for Love or Pyromania, this is rawk for girls of both sexes, fine, but even by those standards this is a dismal failure. There is not one solo that matches anything on Generation Terrorists, not a single riff that’d cut it on Electric, and the closest thing to a memorable song here sounds like the anorexic cousin of Urge Overkill’s Sister Havana, with an even worse (90s-style) production.” (Stylus)

What you said…

Brian Carr: The only track I recall hearing from the debut album from The Darkness was I Believe in a Thing Called Love. The sound of the music was pretty great, but the vocals made me wonder if the whole thing was a joke. Upon listening to the full album for the first time this evening, I guess it’s just his way of singing. The guitar playing is great, but the vocals are too ridiculous for me to even make it through the album.

Marike Elzinga: Absolutely smashing! Not one bad song on this album, though Black Shuck, Love is Only a Feeling and Love On The Rocks are the ones that stand out. Saw them touring this album in Amsterdam in february 2004 and it was a brilliant show as well. The drummer (Ed Graham at the time) puked his way through the gig but he still managed to rip it somehow.

Gary Claydon: One of those bands that were in the right place at the right time. The early noughties rock and metal scene was a bit grim, a little bit up itself. The Darkness were a crazy splash of colour against the greyness, like a Jackson Pollock on the side of a battleship.

It’s hard to dislike The Darkness, though plenty of people don’t seem to have the same difficulty. They have an endearing silliness and flamboyance about them that channels the lighter side of ’70s glam rock but add a hard rock edge and swagger. Permission To Land was still a surprising monster of a hit, though.

While the vocals might be the focal point, it’s Dan Hawkins’ guitar that carries the album. There is plenty of meaty, sub-DC, riffage and tasty soloing on the likes of Stuck In A Rut (which is the best track here and bears a passing resemblance to So She’s Leaving by Canadian rockers The Trews to my ears), Black Shuck and Love On The Rocks With No Ice to make you forget the garbage of Friday Night and I Believe In a Thing Called Love.

Lyrically it’s mildly amusing even if it does stray into seaside postcard territory at times (but seeing as these guys hail from Lowestoft, that’s understandable!). The most divisive thing about The Darkness is, of course, Justin Hawkins’ vocals. When he reins things in a bit the guy is decent enough. Trouble is, he isn’t inclined to rein things in very often which can lead to the odd fingernails-on-blackboard moments. OTT is very much Justin’s M.O., which is part of what makes him such an engaging and entertaining frontman live.

In the end, I reckon The Darkness (and Permission To Land) are best taken at face value. No use scratching away at the surface because much of what they do is fairly superficial. The band’s fans would probably rail at that – after all, these fuckers won an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting! But strip away the silliness (ie Justin) and what have you got? I suppose there’s a point of reference in the Stone Gods interlude, a band that were capable, solid and produced a decent album but had little, if anything, to make them stand out from the crowd, just a bit forgettable. That’s not something you could ever say about The Darkness.

Chris Elliott: Where do you start with the Darkness? Listening today, it’s okay… strong singles and the rest is harmless enough.

The Darkness always reminded me of 70’s UK glam (more Sweet, Slade than Bowie or Bolan). Fun pop rock singles – bright colours – appear on TV at any hour – Granny’s’ favourite eccentric. The only thing missing was a Chinn and Chapman track.

Their appeal at the time was a throwback alternative to the po-faced grey metal that took (takes) itself seriously – the singles were fun – they had a chorus. They were also of the moment – a brief flash of glitter that didn’t really have anywhere to go (unlike Chinn and Chapman they couldn’t knock out pop-rock songs at will).

It’s hardly going to enter the lists of essential albums – but equally sometimes music should be throwaway and fun for a brief moment

The Darkness – Get Your Hands Off My Woman (Official Music Video) [HD] – YouTube The Darkness - Get Your Hands Off My Woman (Official Music Video) [HD] - YouTube

Watch On

Mark Veitch: Great album, they were never quite this good again. Anyone who needed to question if they were serious or a parody must have a limited knowledge of the genre. Still an excellent live band and a shame they couldn’t maintain the level of success they attained with this album. The brightest stars and all that.

Nigel Taylor: Not just one of the best British rock albums of all time, but one of the best debut albums ever made.

Seriously, it’s up there with the likes of Appetite for Destruction, Welcome To Hell, Black Sabbath etc as it did change the game and brought great music with a sense of fun back into the limelight. Not a single bad moment on the album with every track being absolute gold. God bless The Darkness!

Greg Schwepe: I suggested The Darkness’s Permission To Land for this week’s review because I like it when we pick albums that will elicit responses from those who might like and those who dislike the album and band. I usually stay away from reading the comments until my review is done so it doesn’t look like I “cheated from someone else’s homework” with my take on an album. But when I initially popped onto the page to see what album was selected, one of a first few comments was a “puke” emoji. Mission accomplished! Had a good laugh as right off the bat we got an opinion. And in our little corner of the internet our review group is able to providing differing thoughts on an album with only a smattering of snark!

It seems I had read about Permission To Land before I had actually heard anything from it. The gist of the article was probably “new British band like a cross between AC/DC and Queen and lead singer that uses falsetto at times which might steer people either way on the band.” Hmmm, I immediately thought “Sounds like someone I should check out.” And here we are…

Black Shuck comes charging out of the gate with its riff-heavy intro and four-on-the-floor drumming. By the time the vocals come in and we hear Justin Hawkins for the first time, I’m already a fan. Fast chugging rock that makes you reach for the volume knob. And speaking of Hawkins’ vocals, over the history of rock and roll there have been hundreds of vocalists with unique stylings, so Hawkins “here and there falsetto” is nothing new. You simply decide whether you can stick around for it or not. I choose the former. But the first few listens did I wonder at times? Yes.

Get Your Hands Off My Woman continues with frantic guitar and a bigger dose of Hawkins falsetto. What I start to find that I like about The Darkness is their sense of humour. The title seems rather sophomoric, but the lyrics have a witty take about them without being too cheesy. They don’t take themselves too seriously.

I Believe In A Thing Called Love continues with a big rave-up and more over-the-top guitars and vocals. But hey, that’s The Darkness in a nutshell. Something about two guys in a band that play Les Pauls through Marshalls. Kudos to the guitar on this album.

Stuck In A Rut and Love On The Rocks With No Ice bring about more straight-ahead rock. And by this point you’re in for the rest of album or you’ve bailed.

I can totally see how The Darkness evoke a “like’em or not” vibe. I like them because they bring swagger and attitude to some fun rock. And do I like it that Justin Hawkins has a wee bit of David Lee Roth about him? Sure!

After buying Permission To Land I bought every one of their releases (or ‘saved as favourite’ in streaming services) to this point. Again, a fun band that can rock out and put you in a good mood. And isn’t that what we all like? 8 out of 10 on this one for me.

Mark Herrington: The Darkness are good fun , with great humorous lyrics. They are better as a singles band, for the sugary rush of humour and the Marmite nature of Justin Hawkins vocals. That’s where I struggle over a whole album.

Some great songs on Permission to Land, but a little too much Justin Hawkins all in one go for me. Hawkins’ band with bassist Richie Edwards singing, Stone Gods, are much more listenable for 50 minutes or so. An average score.

The Darkness – Love Is Only A Feeling (Official Music Video) – YouTube The Darkness - Love Is Only A Feeling (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Watch On

Mike Canoe: Permission to Land by The Darkness is an outrageously over-the-top and fun album that came out at a time when there may have been plenty of good music but it wasn’t all that fun. It was a callback to a hallowed time of celebrated excess while ably succeeding in not sounding like retro rock just for the sake of it.

Justin Hawkins has a glorious set of pipes and he’s not afraid to use them and his bandmates confidently back him up. The band weaves plenty of humour into their lyrics and there are several moments of “Did he just say what I think he did?” A strange compliment but Hawkins is a maestro when it comes to weaving profanity throughout the rest of the lyrics.

This is a great “come for…/stay for…” album. Come for the hits like I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Get Your Hands off My Woman, stay for the excellent tell-off song Stuck in a Rut, the power pop gold of Friday Night, and the absolutely devastating Love on the Rocks with No Ice. Givin’ Up may be the best drug anthem since Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Mr. Brownstone and Love Is Only a Feeling is the power ballad for the new millennium.

Yeah, I kinda love it.

Adam Ranger: The Darkness – and this album when it was released – were like Marmite. Lots of people hating it, lots loving it. People weren’t sure if they were real or a parody like Steel Panther (incidentally I saw Steel Panther support the Darkness during their major first headline tour).

I am firmly in the ‘love them’ camp. This album has three great hits. I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Growing On Me and the wonderful power ballad Love Is Only a Feeling. But the rest of the album is just as good. Black Shuck, Friday Night. Get Your Hands Off My Woman… glorious, serious rock. No parody or a joke band. Yes, there is humour and fun in big dollops, but this is a proper old-school rock album

Dale Munday: Pitched somewhere between parody and reverence, The Darkness blatantly showed their love for Lizzy, AC/DC and Queen. I think the important thing is that they were excellent in doing so.

I saw them live at the time of the release of this album and can vouch for that. Justin Hawkins, regardless of whether you like his voice or not, is the consummate frontman. Flamboyant doesn’t really cover it. This type of rock was so against the grain at that time it gave music a good kick up the arse

Philip Qvist: I remember when I first saw their Growing On Me video on MTV in mid-2003 and thinking that this had to be a joke. I mean the guy’s falsetto singing was pure Bee Gees, all while prancing around in a jumpsuit.

Still, I was interested enough to see what else Justin and Dan Hawkins and the rest had to offer because the musicianship was there. So once uber hit I Believe In A Thing Called Love came out, I went out and bought Permission To Land and I can’t say I was disappointed.

Black Shuck is a great way to start off things, the comical (in a good way) Get Your Hands Off My Woman grabbed my attention, while Love Is Only A Feeling is probably my favourite track on the record. Things taper off a bit after that (or were the vocals getting a bit too much?), but I still like it enough for it to be a regular on my playlist.

That all said, The Darkness and this album has “polarising” written all over them – in bright flashing letters in large font. I liked their follow-up album as well, but after that the novelty wore off, and I have never bothered to listen to any of their other stuff. Joke act or not, I like this album – it’s not essential but it’s still fun.

John Davidson: I didn’t get The Darkness when they landed in the charts with the surprise Christmas song I Believe In A Thing Called Love. The music seemed straight-up good, but Hawkins’ singing and visual performance screamed parody. Was this some Spinal Tap thing or just a playful party rock album fronted by an eccentric?

It turns out that it was the latter, and while I have warmed somewhat to the idea in the years since I first sat bewildered in front of my TV watching a jumpsuit-clad Bee Gee look/soundalike writhe about on the screen it’s still not for me. I wouldn’t switch off if a song came on the radio/TV, but it’s never going to be something I play for my listening pleasure.

Thing Called Love has grown on me, and a few of the album tracks aren’t bad, but in general I find Justin Hawkin’s falsetto deeply unappealing. It’s a pity as the lyrics are often clever, insightful and imbued with a savage humour.

I’m going to give The Stone Gods a listen. Burn The Witch was a decent song but I’ve never heard the full album.

Shayne Ashby: The straight man’s Queen and the gay man’s AC/DC. Such a killer album and they have plenty of others just as good. Do it better live too.

Final score: 7.70 (75 votes cast, total score 578)

Join the Album Of The Week Club on Facebook to join in. The history of rock, one album at a time.

Classic Rock is the online home of the world’s best rock’n’roll magazine. We bring you breaking news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features, as well as unrivalled access to the biggest names in rock music; from Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses to the Rolling Stones, AC/DC to the Sex Pistols, and everything in between. Our expert writers bring you the very best on established and emerging bands plus everything you need to know about the mightiest new music releases.

Fifty reasons why three Canadian oddballs became a treasured part of rock history

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

Given that Rush began playing heavy blues rock that saw them pegged as Canada’s Led Zeppelin, it is worth reflecting how far they flew from that worthy starting point. R50 does exactly that.

It is available in five configurations. Most lavish are the Super Deluxe Edition (a golden box containing newly packaged seven vinyl albums, four CDs, two hardcover books and 20 song-inspired prints) and the Rush Backstage Exclusive Super Deluxe Edition (adding “a bonus pack of four lithos”).

The 7LP and 4CD versions also feature some new artwork etc. Finally, there’s a digital option. The visual extras (by the band’s long-time creative director Hugh Syme, naturally) are stunning, but it matters more that R50 is a chronological 50-track anthology that documents Rush’s five-decade arc from their debut single in 1973 to the trio’s final performance in Los Angeles.

Rush – Rush 50 (50th Anniversary) Unboxing Video – YouTube Rush - Rush 50 (50th Anniversary) Unboxing Video - YouTube

Watch On

Perfectly befitting the music of Rush, the devil is in the detail. Ten of the 50 recordings are officially exclusive to R50. Each of the 19 studio albums, plus 2004’s Feedback covers EP, is represented – although only 17 of the 50 are as originally released. Other studio takes are three alternative mixes (of Working Man, The Trees and One Little Victory) plus both newly remastered sides of that long-lost first single – a cover of Not Fade Away backed with You Can’t Fight It, featuring first-album drummer John Rutsey.

The other 28 tracks are live versions (two with Rutsey, also) that include the Alex Lifeson supercharged By-Tor And The Snow Dog from 1976’s All The World’s A Stage. Others are cherry-picked from sets included as remasters bonus discs. It’s a mindboggling ride which has moved Geddy Lee to quip: “I’m exhausted just reading the effin list!”

Track 27, 1982’s Subdivisions, is a watershed ahead of seven synthesiser-dominated studio albums. Those years (up to 1996) are represented by nine of the very best Rush tunes of the era, including New World Man, The Big Money, Time Stand Still and Superconductor – plus the older Witch Hunt (which made its live debut in those times) and Neil Peart’s showcase The Rhythm Machine, the best of three numbers featuring drum solos.

R50 ends with the What You’re Doing/ Working Man/Garden Road medley that closed the final show at the LA Forum in 2015, the grittiest of a dozen guitar-heavy 21st-century recordings of songs old and recent that remind us not only of how Rush began their incredible journey, but also how deeply they’re embedded in our hearts.

Freelance contributor to Classic Rock and several of its offshoots since 2006. In the 1980s he began a 15-year spell working for Kerrang! intially as a cub reviewer and later as Geoff Barton’s deputy and then pouring precious metal into test tubes as editor of its Special Projects division. Has spent quality time with Robert Plant, Keith Richards, Ritchie Blackmore, Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore – and also spent time in a maximum security prison alongside Love/Hate. Loves Rush, Aerosmith and beer. Will work for food.

10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Baby’ In The Title

10 Best Songs With The Word 'Baby' In The Title

Feature Photo: Look Studio

The word “baby” is one of the most frequently used and beloved terms in the world of music. It has been a cornerstone in countless song titles across genres, symbolizing everything from affection and tenderness to heartache and loss. Its universal appeal has made “baby” an integral part of popular music, capturing emotions that resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. From iconic rock ballads to soulful R&B classics, songs featuring the word “baby” span decades and genres, each offering its own unique take on love, passion, and relationships.

In this article, we explore ten of the best songs with the word “baby” in the title. Starting with The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” we dive into a song that defined the Wall of Sound and inspired generations of musicians, including Brian Wilson, whose own track “Don’t Worry Baby” echoes its influence with a tender, reassuring message. Eddie Money’s “Baby Hold On” offers a powerful rock anthem filled with optimism and energy, contrasting sharply with the bluesy depths of Led Zeppelin’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” a song that grapples with emotional turmoil and an inescapable love. Linda Ronstadt’s cover of “Ooh Baby Baby” brings a soulful vulnerability, echoing Smokey Robinson’s original while adding her own heartfelt touch, much like Toby Beau’s soft rock hit “My Angel Baby” captures the innocence and purity of love.

Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” showcases his lyrical genius, offering a poignant farewell wrapped in poetic ambiguity, standing in stark contrast to the playful rock ‘n’ roll spirit of The Beatles’ “Baby’s in Black,” which deals with love and mourning in its own unique way. The Supremes’ “Baby Love” brings Motown’s signature sound into the mix, with its infectious rhythm and soaring harmonies, while Grand Funk Railroad’s “Miss My Baby” carries a heavier, more introspective tone, exploring the pain of separation. Finally, Willie Dixon’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” famously covered by Led Zeppelin, digs deep into the blues, providing an emotionally raw examination of heartache and longing.

These ten songs, while diverse in style and sentiment, all share a common thread—the power of “baby” to evoke strong, universal emotions. Whether capturing the highs of newfound love or the lows of heartbreak, they stand as timeless examples of how one simple word can carry a world of meaning.

# 10 – Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing – Chris Isaak

“Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” by Chris Isaak is the first song on this list of the 10 Best Songs with the Word ‘Baby’ in the Title. Released as the opening track of his 1995 album Forever Blue, this sultry and intense song is one of Isaak’s most provocative works. Co-produced by Isaak and Erik Jacobsen, the track blends rock, blues, and seductive undertones, reflecting the dark emotional themes of the album. The song gained significant mainstream attention when it was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Its sensuality and haunting tone perfectly suited the movie’s enigmatic and erotic atmosphere, further cementing the song’s lasting appeal.

The lyrics of “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” express the torment of a lover wronged by betrayal, encapsulated in the repeated line “Baby did a bad bad thing.” Isaak’s raw vocal delivery adds depth to the emotional conflict, as he explores feelings of love, pain, and revenge. The song’s dark, bluesy rhythm, driven by a driving beat and gritty guitar riffs, underscores the intensity of the lyrics. Isaak’s voice, alternating between a haunting whisper and a powerful cry, captures the sense of helplessness and frustration as he grapples with the reality of the lover’s betrayal.

The song combines themes of obsession, heartbreak, and sensuality. Lines like “You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two?” illustrate the depth of the protagonist’s emotional turmoil. The song’s straightforward, repetitive structure mirrors the obsessive nature of the speaker’s thoughts as he fixates on the betrayal. The slow-building tension in the music reflects the escalating emotional intensity, creating an atmosphere of both longing and despair.

Read More: Top 10 Chris Isaak Songs

# 9 – Miss My Baby – Grand Funk Railroad

“Miss My Baby” is a scorching track from Grand Funk Railroad’s 1976 album Good Singin’ Good Playin’, produced by the legendary Frank Zappa. This track, clocking in at over seven minutes, showcases the band’s raw emotional intensity and blues-rock roots, while also reflecting a more personal, heartfelt side of the band’s music. With Mark Farner on lead vocals and guitar, the song explores the longing and loneliness of missing a lover, drawing listeners in with its simple but emotionally charged lyrics. The band had temporarily disbanded before reuniting to create this album with Zappa, marking a pivotal moment in their career, which adds weight to the themes of loss and reunion present in the song.

The lyrical content of “Miss My Baby” speaks directly to the deep emotional pain of separation. Farner sings lines like “But, I miss my baby, I’m lookin’ for a lady, said I miss my baby, I think I’m goin’ crazy” with a sense of desperation and confusion, tapping into the universal experience of missing someone dearly. Musically, the track starts off slow and builds in intensity, with the steady pulse of Don Brewer’s drumming and Mel Schacher’s powerful bass adding a driving force to the narrative of love and longing. The song’s extended instrumental sections, characterized by soulful guitar work, allow the emotion to breathe, giving the listener time to reflect on the deep sense of loss conveyed by the lyrics.

Recorded in 1976 at MCA Records with the production genius of Zappa, the song also reflects the collaborative synergy between the band and their iconic producer. Zappa, though typically known for his avant-garde and complex compositions, helped to bring out a raw and honest sound in Grand Funk Railroad. His guidance in the studio allowed the band to focus on delivering an emotional punch while keeping the arrangements relatively simple, a style that matched the heart-wrenching message of “Miss My Baby.”

Read More: Grand Funk Railroad’s Best Song On Each Of Their Studio Albums

# 8 –  Angel Baby – Toby Beau

“My Angel Baby” by Toby Beau is a soft rock hit from 1978 that reached number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band’s most successful song. Written by band members Danny McKenna and Balde Silva, this track was part of their self-titled album Toby Beau. The song also gained traction in Canada, where it reached number 10 on the RPM Top 100 chart. With its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, “My Angel Baby” became a quintessential soft rock ballad of the late 1970s, perfectly capturing the era’s focus on smooth, melodic soundscapes.

“My Angel Baby” reflects the emotional turmoil of a love on the verge of ending. The protagonist laments the changes in his relationship, recognizing that his partner may be preparing to leave. Lines like “What’s breaking is my heart, you’ve got leaving on your mind” convey the deep sense of loss and sadness. Despite the pain, the refrain, “But you’re my angel baby, for the rest of the night,” holds onto the fleeting hope of salvaging the relationship, if only for a moment. The lyrics tap into themes of longing, love, and heartbreak, offering a poignant glimpse into the fragility of romantic connections.

The light use of guitar and keyboards, combined with McKenna’s smooth vocals, creates a soothing, melancholic atmosphere. The song’s production, under the RCA label, complements its tender lyrics, making it both a radio-friendly hit and a relatable anthem for listeners experiencing love’s ups and downs. As the third song on this list, “My Angel Baby” stands apart with its gentle melody and introspective lyrics, adding a softer, more contemplative tone to the lineup of ‘baby’-themed songs.

# 7 – Baby’s In Black – The Beatles

“Baby’s in Black” by The Beatles is a melancholic folk rock song from their 1964 album Beatles for Sale in the UK and Beatles ’65 in the U.S. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the song stands out with its unique blend of folk rock and a waltz-like rhythm, and it features the signature harmonized vocals of Lennon and McCartney. Recorded on August 11, 1964, at EMI Studios in London, and produced by George Martin, this track demonstrates The Beatles’ growing experimentation with darker themes and more complex song structures, departing from the upbeat pop sensibilities of their earlier work.

“Baby’s in Black” tells the story of unrequited love, centering on a narrator who pines for a woman dressed in black, mourning a lost lover. The repeated refrain, “Oh dear, what can I do? Baby’s in black and I’m feeling blue,” highlights the emotional weight of the situation, as the narrator is unable to win her affection while she remains fixated on someone else. The song’s sorrowful tone is further amplified by the minor chord progressions and somber melody, reinforcing the themes of heartbreak and loss.

“Baby’s in Black” is characterized by its mid-tempo 6/8 time signature, which gives it a waltz-like feel. The harmonies between Lennon and McCartney provide an added depth to the song, giving it a haunting quality that distinguishes it from the more upbeat tracks on Beatles for Sale. The stripped-back production, featuring simple instrumentation of guitars, bass, and drums, allows the vocal interplay and poignant lyrics to take center stage. Compared to other songs on this list, such as the upbeat “My Angel Baby” by Toby Beau, “Baby’s in Black” offers a more somber, reflective take on love, showcasing The Beatles’ ability to explore a wide range of emotional landscapes.

As the fourth song on this list, “Baby’s in Black” introduces a darker and more introspective tone, contrasting with the lighter themes of earlier entries. Its blend of folk rock and emotional depth makes it a memorable and important addition to the catalog of ‘baby’-themed songs, further highlighting The Beatles’ evolving songwriting and musical maturity during this period.

Read More: Complete List Of Fan’s Favorite Beatles Songs

# 6 – Baby Love – The Supremes

“Baby Love” by The Supremes is a timeless Motown classic, released in September 1964, and written by the powerhouse team Holland–Dozier–Holland. Featured on their second studio album Where Did Our Love Go, the song became an instant hit, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and reaching number one in the UK as well. This success marked the Supremes as the first Motown act to achieve multiple number-one singles in the U.S., solidifying their status as one of the most successful American pop groups of the 1960s.

The song’s production, overseen by Berry Gordy’s insistence for a chart-topping follow-up to “Where Did Our Love Go,” reuses many of the signature elements of that earlier hit. Diana Ross’s soft and pleading lead vocals, backed by Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson’s “baby-baby” harmonies, are complemented by the vibrant instrumentation of the Funk Brothers, with notable foot-stomping effects from teenager Mike Valvano. The infectious rhythm, upbeat melody, and catchy lyrics made “Baby Love” an anthem of young romance and heartache, capturing the quintessential Motown sound that would define an era.

Read More: Top 10 Supremes Songs

# 5 – It’s All Over Now Baby Blue – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” from his Bringing It All Back Home album, is a quintessential folk rock anthem that marks the end of an era both musically and personally for Dylan. Released on March 22, 1965, and recorded with just acoustic guitar, harmonica, and bass, the song features Dylan’s cryptic, poetic lyrics that bid farewell to the mysterious “Baby Blue.” The song’s minimalist instrumentation contrasts with the depth of its lyrics, which are widely regarded as an allegorical farewell, though interpretations vary about the identity of “Baby Blue.” Some speculate it refers to Dylan’s relationship with Joan Baez, while others see it as a break from his folk roots, signaling his transition toward rock music.

The lyrics are rife with Symbolist influences, creating a vivid tapestry of imagery that captures the essence of change and letting go. From “the orphan with his gun” to “seasick sailors,” Dylan paints a picture of a world in flux, one in which the listener must leave behind the past to embrace something new. The repeated refrain, “And it’s all over now, Baby Blue,” underscores the inevitability of this transformation, conveying a sense of melancholy and finality. Dylan’s use of abstract, surrealistic language gives the song a timeless quality, allowing it to be interpreted in multiple ways.

Critically, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” has been recognized as one of Dylan’s most significant songs, standing out for its lyrical complexity and emotional depth. The track became an influential piece for many artists, with notable covers by Them, Joan Baez, and the Byrds. Them’s 1966 version, in particular, became a garage rock staple and influenced countless bands in the genre, while Beck later sampled it in his 1996 single “Jack-Ass.” As the first song on this list, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” introduces a deeply reflective, poetic tone, setting the stage for other songs featuring the word “baby” by offering a more contemplative, metaphorical interpretation of love, change, and farewell.

Read More: Best Bob Dylan Songs of the 1960’s

# 4 – Baby Hold On – Eddie Money

“Baby Hold On” stands as one of Eddie Money’s most recognizable and enduring songs, released in 1977 as the lead single from his debut album Eddie Money. Co-written by Money and guitarist Jimmy Lyon, the track became a major commercial success, peaking at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100, number four on the Canadian Hot 100, and reaching number nineteen on the Kent Music Report in Australia. The song’s upbeat, rock-infused sound helped solidify Money’s place in the rock world and marked his debut as a chart-topping artist.

With its catchy, guitar-driven introduction, “Baby Hold On” hooks the listener immediately. The song builds in intensity as Money’s energetic vocal performance conveys the urgency and passion behind the message. The track urges a lover to remain committed despite the uncertainties of life, with lyrics like “Whatever will be, will be / The future is ours to see,” echoing the famous refrain from the song “Que Sera, Sera.” This subtle nod to a well-known cultural reference gives the song a broader appeal while maintaining its original rock edge. The optimistic tone of the lyrics, encouraging perseverance in love, stands in contrast to some of the other “baby” songs on this list that deal with themes of heartbreak or loss.

Read More: Top 10 Eddie Money Songs

# 3 – Ooo Baby Baby – Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt’s 1978 cover of “Ooo Baby Baby” brought a fresh, soulful energy to a Smokey Robinson and the Miracles classic. Featured on her double-platinum album Living in the USA, Ronstadt’s rendition of the song is notable for its emotional depth and stunning vocal performance. Produced by Peter Asher, the track features a smooth, saxophone-infused arrangement, with a standout solo by David Sanborn that lends a contemporary flair to the original Motown ballad. Released as a single, Ronstadt’s version peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number two on the Adult Contemporary chart, demonstrating her ability to transcend genre boundaries and bring soul, pop, and country elements together.

Ronstadt’s ability to take a beloved Motown classic and infuse it with her unique sound made her cover of Ooo Baby Baby” a timeless piece. The track became one of her signature songs, proving her versatility as a vocalist who could seamlessly move between rock, country, and soul. Moreover, the song’s performance on the charts underscores its wide appeal, as it not only found success on the Hot 100 but also charted on the R&B and Country singles charts. Her performance alongside Smokey Robinson in the Motown 25 special in 1983 further solidified her connection to the song and highlighted its enduring place in popular music.

Read More: Top 10 Linda Ronstadt Songs That Leave You Breathless

# 2 – Tie –  Be My Baby – The Ronnettes / Don’t Worry Baby – The Beach Boys

Released in August 1963, “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes became a defining song of the girl group era and one of the most iconic singles of the 1960s. Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, and produced by Spector himself, the track exemplifies his groundbreaking Wall of Sound technique, a lush and layered approach to production that had a lasting influence on pop music. Ronnie Spector’s captivating lead vocal, paired with the dramatic orchestration, makes this song a timeless classic. The song reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the UK, solidifying The Ronettes as one of the leading acts of their time.

The song’s production is an integral part of its impact. Recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles with Spector’s de facto house band, the Wrecking Crew, it marked Spector’s first time using a full orchestra to achieve his Wall of Sound. The track’s pulsating rhythm, driven by the unmistakable drum pattern played by Hal Blaine, sets the stage for Ronnie Spector’s unforgettable vocals. Her delivery of the heartfelt lyrics, “Be my, be my baby,” carries a vulnerability and power that resonate with listeners to this day. The harmony-laden backing vocals of Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley add richness to the track, though Ronnie’s presence is the emotional core of the song.

The lyrics, simple but deeply emotive, are a plea for love and devotion: “I’ll make you happy, baby, just wait and see / For every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three.” These lines emphasize the song’s message of unconditional love and commitment. The chorus, with its iconic repetition of “Be my baby,” captures the intensity of longing and desire, making it a perfect example of the emotionally charged pop songs of the era.

“Be My Baby” became a touchstone for artists across generations, including Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, who famously cited it as his favorite song and wrote “Don’t Worry Baby” in response. The song’s influence can be heard in countless tracks that followed, particularly in its innovative use of rhythm and orchestration. Its cultural significance has only grown over the years, and in 2006, the Library of Congress added the song to the U.S. National Recording Registry, further cementing its legacy as one of the greatest recordings of all time.

Read More: 10 Ronettes Songs We Love So Much

“Don’t Worry Baby,” released by The Beach Boys in 1964, stands as one of the band’s most beloved and enduring songs. Written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, the song appeared on Shut Down Volume 2 and was released as the B-side to the hit single “I Get Around.” However, “Don’t Worry Baby” managed to chart separately, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song captures Wilson’s signature California sound with a twist of vulnerability, making it a tender and introspective contrast to the band’s usual surf rock anthems.

The inspiration for the song came from Brian Wilson’s deep admiration for the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby.” The rhythmic structure, instrumentation, and overall arrangement of “Don’t Worry Baby” are heavily influenced by Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound technique. Despite these similarities, “Don’t Worry Baby” sets itself apart with its emotive lyrics and introspective theme. In contrast to the boldness of “Be My Baby,” the song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who’s recklessly agreed to a drag race and is filled with anxiety and regret. His girlfriend reassures him with the titular phrase, offering him emotional support in a way that goes beyond the typical themes of teenage love. The sincerity in her words provides the emotional anchor of the song, turning it into a testament to love’s ability to soothe in times of turmoil.

Musically, the song follows a familiar chord progression that echoes the style of “Be My Baby,” but it introduces subtle shifts in key to reflect the evolving emotions of the narrator. Brian Wilson’s lead vocal is one of the most lauded performances of his career, marked by both its purity and fragility. The harmonies, which include contributions from the entire band, enrich the song’s melancholy yet hopeful tone. While the track may initially seem to be about a drag race, the underlying message is one of trust and reassurance in a relationship, with the driving force of the song being love’s ability to transcend fear.

“Don’t Worry Baby” set the stage for later Beach Boys songs that would explore deeper emotional and introspective themes, marking a departure from the carefree surf songs of their earlier albums. It remains a defining moment in Brian Wilson’s songwriting career and has influenced countless artists across generations. Its enduring legacy, along with its connection to “Be My Baby,” makes it a perfect inclusion for a list focused on songs with the word ‘Baby’ in the title. The song’s universal theme of reassurance, set against a backdrop of youthful anxiety, resonates just as deeply today as it did in 1964.

# 1 – I Can’t Quit You Baby – Led Zeppelin

“I Can’t Quit You Baby” is a quintessential blues song originally written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Chicago blues legend Otis Rush in 1956. The song’s raw emotion and slow, twelve-bar blues structure became a blues standard, capturing the pain of a man torn by an adulterous relationship he cannot easily end. Rush’s original recording featured passionate vocals and skillful guitar work, accompanied by a stellar lineup of blues musicians, including Willie Dixon on bass and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. The song’s lyrics reflect the deep torment of a man ensnared in a toxic love affair, a theme echoed in its powerful musical delivery. Rush’s version reached number six on the Billboard R&B charts, marking his arrival as a major blues artist.

Led Zeppelin’s 1969 rendition of I Can’t Quit You Baby, featured on their debut album Led Zeppelin, takes Rush’s original and transforms it with the band’s signature hard rock edge. Although the arrangement closely mirrors Rush’s 1966 re-recording, Zeppelin added their own flourishes, with Jimmy Page delivering a searing guitar solo and Robert Plant’s wailing vocals taking center stage. While Zeppelin stayed faithful to the core blues roots, their explosive energy and instrumentation brought a new intensity to the song, blending blues with the burgeoning blues rock genre. Page’s guitar break in the solo, where he plays unaccompanied for four bars, adds an element of tension before the full band crashes back in, emphasizing the emotional highs and lows of the song’s narrative.

The song’s lyrics, shared by both Rush’s original and Zeppelin’s cover, convey a deep sense of longing and frustration. Lines like “I can’t quit you baby, but I’ve got to put you down for a while” capture the struggle of wanting to break free from a relationship but being unable to fully let go. Both Rush and Plant express this emotional complexity through their performances, with Rush’s more restrained delivery contrasting with Plant’s more unrestrained, visceral vocal style. Zeppelin’s interpretation of the song keeps it firmly rooted in the blues while showcasing their distinctive sound, one that would later influence countless rock bands.

Led Zeppelin regularly performed “I Can’t Quit You Baby” live during their early years, with notable performances featured in their BBC Sessions and the Led Zeppelin DVD. However, as their setlist evolved, the song was eventually replaced by “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” another slow blues number with similar emotional weight. In comparison to other songs on this list, like The Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby,” which offers reassurance and comfort, I Can’t Quit You Baby delves into the darker side of relationships, dealing with betrayal, loss, and emotional conflict.

This song is a cornerstone in both Otis Rush’s and Led Zeppelin’s catalogs. For Rush, it solidified his place in the blues world, and for Zeppelin, it served as a testament to their deep connection to the blues tradition. The continued legacy of “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” with its numerous cover versions and its role as a blues standard, speaks to the enduring appeal of this emotionally charged composition.

Read More: Top 10 Led Zeppelin Love Songs

10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Baby’ In The Title article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2025

DMCA.com Protection Status

“Those sultry licks get weirder and weirder, until they resemble the sound of a UFO taking off.” Masked metal weirdos Imperial Triumphant go straight on new album Goldstar

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

After Imperial Triumphant’s dizzying dissonance reached its most obtuse peaks on 2022’s dense, knotted Spirit Of Ecstasy, it was difficult to see where NYC’s avant-garde trio could go next. Having doggedly toured the festival circuit since, and re-familiarised themselves with the classic songwriting chops of Metallica and Rush on last year’s covers EP, they’ve taken a relatively more accessible approach for their fifth full-length. Of course, you won’t find any radio-friendly choruses or pop hooks here, but there is a notably more immediate, visceral edge to these songs.

The pulverising opener Eye Of Mars and Pleasuredome, featuring both Dave Lombardo and Meshuggah drummer Thomas Haake, make room for gnarly, eminently headbangable death metal riffs among their usual jazzy skronk. Hotel Sphinx kicks off with triumphant heavy metal trills played at blistering pace, like blasting a late-period Death record at double speed, before traversing fusion-informed soundscapes and brutish, Gorguts-esque chugs in under five minutes.

This more economic style of songwriting reaches its logical conclusion on the 47-second improvised grindcore banger Newyorkcity, complete with searingly intense vocals from Bloody Panda’s Yoshiko Ohara. The band’s trademark sprawl creeps back in during expansive closer Industry Of Misery, but even then, there’s space for a crowd-pleasingly bluesy, foot-on-the-monitor guitar lead.

However, that’s before those sultry licks eventually get weirder and weirder, until they resemble the sound of a UFO taking off more than any stringed instrument. Goldstar is easily Imperial Triumphant’s most focused and direct release so far, chock-full of riff-centric bangers that don’t sacrifice any of the band’s extraordinary musicianship or surreal aesthetic.

Existing fans will lap this up, but even those who usually find the band too abstract should find much to latch onto here.

Goldstar is out March 21 via Century Media

IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT – Pleasuredome (feat. Dave Lombardo & Tomas Haake) (OFFICIAL VIDEO) – YouTube IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT - Pleasuredome (feat. Dave Lombardo & Tomas Haake) (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube

Watch On

“It was a middle finger to everyone who’d told us we wouldn’t do anything.” A track-by-track guide to Bullet For My Valentine’s The Poison

British metal had waited years for a band like Bullet For My Valentine. Starting out as Jeff Killed John at the turn of the millennium, the line-up solidified into vocalist Matt Tuck, drummer Michael ‘Moose’ Thomas, guitarist Michael ‘Padge’ Paget and, last to arrive, bassist Jay James in 2003.

An eponymous five-track EP showed these four boys from the Valleys had something special, and by the time they signed to Visible Noise/Sony and headed to Chapel Studios with producer Colin Richardson in late 2004 to record their first album, The Poison, they knew they were heading for success.

Raised on Metallica, schooled by Machine Head and inspired by Killswitch Engage – a band they’d take out as support when celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut in 2016 – Bullet For My Valentine bridged traditional and contemporary metal, landing support slots with the likes of Iron Maiden and Guns N’ Roses, and opening the floodgates for Bring Me The Horizon, Architects and more.

Frontman Matt Tuck looks back on this “bananas” era, and the tracks from the album that changed their lives forever.

A divider for Metal Hammer

1. Intro (ft. Apocalyptica)

“As a brand new band working on our debut album, we had no experience of working with other bands. The guy who signed us, Martin [Dodd] had also signed Apocalyptica too, so when we talked about having this big, movie-style dark heavy metal intro with orchestration he suggested working with them rather than just programming something.

I remember recording all the guitar parts and sending them over [to the Apocalpytica guys] and then this brilliant thing comes back. No amendments, no back and forth, they nailed it first time.”


2. Her Voice Resides

“For a lot of The Poison, I was just focusing on trying to write lyrics. I was excited to be working on an album and really motivated because our dreams were coming true. A lot of these songs didn’t even exist until after we got signed, but a lot of faith was put in us and me as a frontman very early on, when we didn’t even have a lot of songs – just the six we’d already released.

Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

This was our opportunity to get into a studio and work with a producer, so we were under pressure big time. We put our heads together and came up with a bunch of stuff, but songs like Her Voice Resides were basically stories we created that could match the soundtrack we were creating, so there’s no specific topic.”

Bullet For My Valentine – Her Voice Resides (Live At Brixton: Chapter Two) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - Her Voice Resides (Live At Brixton: Chapter Two) - YouTube

Watch On


3. Four Words (To Choke Upon)

“So we wrote this one towards the end of the Jeff Killed John era and the beginning of Bullet For My Valentine. In my head, I was at a point where I knew we’d get to show people who didn’t believe in me, didn’t believe in the boys and in our dream, they were wrong. We knew we could do something special given the opportunity, so I wrote a song for when that would happen.

That’s where the whole ‘Look at me now’ came from. The whole song was based on those four words – a real middle finger to everyone who’d told us we wouldn’t do anything. A ‘fuck you’ song that came from a place of anger and hate – all the things that make a good heavy metal record. It’s never left our sets – I don’t think we’ve ever played a headline show without that song because its important for us, and means so much to fans.”

Bullet For My Valentine – 4 Words (To Choke Upon) (Official Video) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - 4 Words (To Choke Upon) (Official Video) - YouTube

Watch On


4. Tears Don’t Fall

“We did a demo of Tears Don’t Fall in Newport, about 40 minutes from where we grew up. Jeff [Rose] and Ginge [Martyn Ford] from Dub War and Skindred used to do our demos for us because they had this little studio in Newport so we’d go there to have fun, play some music and write songs. They burned us a little CD of the demo and we listened to it in Padge’s car on the way home and just went ‘Fuck!’ It felt like someone else had written the song, we just couldn’t believe it. It was like, ‘We did that?’ We figured if people got to hear that, then it was game on.

The way it was structured, how it sounded… the whole thing was a really interesting and clever piece of music. We knew we had something special – it was undeniable. There was no metal band in 2004, 2005 who had a song like Tears Don’t Fall – nobody else dared to do that kind of thing. We just jumped in headfirst and it might’ve pissed a lot of people off, but it made us stand out too.

With Part 2 on the Fever album, I just wanted to see if I could recapture some of that feeling. It was a challenge to ourselves almost, ‘If we wrote a second Tears Don’t Fall, how would it sound?’ It’s not as special as the original – nothing ever is when you have a song that big, but I just wanted to pay homage to it and write something that could capture that.”

Bullet For My Valentine – Tears Don’t Fall (Official Video) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - Tears Don't Fall (Official Video) - YouTube

Watch On


5. Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do?)

“We wrote Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow at Chapel Studios. We spent a lot of time there working on the songs for The Poison and Suffocating must’ve come about at like 11 O’clock on a Monday night. We’d all had a few glasses of wine and were sitting around a pool table playing guitars. The song’s riff came up and we composed it all in about an hour. Next day we tracked it and it was all done, super quick, super spontaneous and there was no overthinking.

Some songs can take like a month to write, but others can just burst out onto the page and that’s exactly what we needed at that time. There was such a fearless vibe to us at that point. Songs were just coming out of us every day. We felt unstoppable.

Later we got all these offers to get those songs on videogames, movies and whatever. It was like, ‘What the fuck is going on?’ That whole era of the band is bananas – from our touring schedule, who we toured with, getting songs on John Madden [NFL 06], Need For Speed, Saw 3 soundtracks… it was a mind-blowing time for the band. Something we’ve never really beaten, so far as it all felt. Nothing compares to 2004 – 2006, it was such a wild time for us.”

Bullet For My Valentine – Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do) (Official Video) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do) (Official Video) - YouTube

Watch On


6. All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)

“Another big one. I remember writing it on a beat-up 3/4 Spanish guitar in my bedroom. I was strumming the chords and thought it sounded pretty cool, so wrote it on the spot and added some classical guitar parts in. We wanted something big and dynamic, with a bit of shock factor from when that first chorus hits.

Lyrically, I was dating a girl for a long time and she’d gone off to university, so we got separated. That’s kind of what the song is about; being separated from someone you love, and the reason for it being these decisions we’d made that were for our own lives and future, but also hating that fact.”

Bullet For My Valentine – All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) (Official HD Video) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) (Official HD Video) - YouTube

Watch On


7. Room 409

“We wanted something up-tempo and heavy, more of a riff fest. I wasn’t speaking from experience lyrically on this one, thankfully! I wanted something about betrayal, deception and cheating, something that felt like a band called Bullet For My Valentine should write about.

It wasn’t a single or anything, but it stayed in the set for a very long time because of the energy. It was uncompromising and was fun to write, the kind of track where you hope kids are going to want to learn it on guitar.”


8. The Poison

“Another fictional song. I loved the words ‘the poison’ and figured on another piece of fictional storytelling lyrically, while we had a bunch of riffs set aside for this song.

It was our first venture into tapping – we were finding our feet, really and experimenting with different styles of guitar playing. We wanted something anthemic and uplifting, but also had a bit of schnozz in it. It was a bit more experimental for us, but also its one of the songs I love and am most excited about bringing back. There’s a little break before the last chorus hits and the crowd always do their thing, which is great.”


9. 10 Years Today

“When I was 14, a guy in our year at school and one of our close friends took his own life. We had a big group of lads aged from like 13 to 16 all into Nirvana and heavy metal, so we’d all hang out. It was a hideous experience to deal with the fallout of that, trying to compartmentalise it emotionally, asking why and how. We were barely into our teens and dealing with this traumatic event with one of our closest friends. Today, we still don’t really know why it happened, so it was really rough.

Thankfully we were resilient and eventually bounced back, but it was the most chaotic and awful event that I’ve ever had in my life, it was in all the papers and people from the tabloids were going to his house and stealing pictures of him, all the bullshit. So on the album, I wanted to talk about it, about him and how I felt. It’s a great song, but does bring back some painful memories.”

Bullet For My Valentine – 10 Years Today (Live at Brixton 2016) – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - 10 Years Today (Live at Brixton 2016) - YouTube

Watch On


10. Cries In Vain

Cries In Vain was another Chapel special – a song that didn’t exist until we went in to actually write the album. More late nights with glasses of wine and guitar playing. One of my fondest memories of making The Poison is listening back to that after we’d tracked it; it was so fresh and new with no demo format, so our first experience of it was after Colin had done some mixing.

It felt like a well structured, composed piece of music and really gave us all the feels. It also has one of my favourite pieces of music we’ve composed, which is the dual lead in the middle section. Really cool shit!”

Bullet For My Valentine – Cries in Vain Official Music Video – YouTube Bullet For My Valentine - Cries in Vain Official Music Video - YouTube

Watch On


11. Spit You Out

“We wanted something fierce and a title that was nasty, basically! We were writing continuously and decided we needed an intro where the China cymbal would be riding. There were a lot of bands at the time who’d use that big, epic swish sound, so we wanted to carry that. We wanted heavy riffs, big choruses. Anthemic and heavy – that’s how we liked it!

There’s a section towards the end where the bass comes through and it goes to a live section, which was actually from Download 2004. We ripped the audio from a live DVD they’d given us of our performance. That had been our first Download and was really special for us, so we wanted to commemorate it on the album.”


12. The End

“There were a lot of ideas we’d got before we’d even written the album, and one of them was to have a big, long song called The End to close it. We wanted to tap into that dark Metallica/Machine Head moment where there’s just clean guitars that really make it feel like you’ve been on a journey.

They’re really hard songs to write! Once we’d committed to it though it all came together pretty quickly, and I remember thinking I wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. Machine Head were one of our favourite bands at the time – still are – so we wanted that kind of thing and I think it puts a full stop on the album perfrectly.”

Bullet For My Valentine tour North America from March 30 and play Download Festival in June. For the full list of upcoming dates, visit their official website.

Complete List Of ZZ Top Songs From A to Z

Complete List Of ZZ Top Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo:Birgit Fostervold from Arendal, Norge, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

ZZ Top roared onto the rock and roll scene straight out of Houston, Texas, in 1969, quickly becoming one of America’s most enduring and beloved rock bands. Their story began when guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons, fresh from the breakup of his psychedelic group Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with bassist Lanier Greig and drummer Dan Mitchell to form the original lineup. However, it wasn’t long before drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill joined forces with Gibbons, establishing the classic ZZ Top trio in 1970—a lineup that would remain remarkably stable for over five decades.

From the very beginning, ZZ Top embraced their roots in Texas blues, merging Gibbons’ gritty guitar work with Hill and Beard’s tight rhythm section. The band quickly secured a deal with London Records, releasing their debut album, ZZ Top’s First Album, in 1971. Their sound matured rapidly, leading to breakout commercial success with their third studio release, Tres Hombres (1973). The album featured the infectious hit “La Grange,” a song inspired by the famous Texas brothel, that rapidly climbed radio charts and became one of their defining anthems. ZZ Top’s follow-up record, Fandango! (1975), delivered another classic in “Tush,” further solidifying their reputation as authentic rockers with unmistakable Texas swagger.

By the mid-1970s, ZZ Top’s live performances had become legendary, highlighted by their extravagant Worldwide Texas Tour (1976–1977), complete with a traveling zoo featuring Texas wildlife. After a brief hiatus, the band returned in 1979 sporting a distinctive new look—matching sunglasses and long, iconic beards worn by Gibbons and Hill—which soon became their trademark. Musically, they also began exploring new sonic territory, integrating synthesizers and drum machines beginning with their 1981 release, El Loco.

ZZ Top’s commercial peak arrived with the massive success of Eliminator (1983), an album that catapulted them to international stardom. Driven by unforgettable hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,” the record sold over 10 million copies, bolstered by groundbreaking music videos in heavy rotation on MTV. The success continued with Afterburner (1985), another multi-platinum album, featuring hits such as “Sleeping Bag” and “Stages.” The Afterburner Tour became the highest-attended and highest-grossing tour of 1986, underscoring ZZ Top’s global reach and widespread appeal.

Throughout their prolific career, ZZ Top has released 15 studio albums, selling over 50 million records worldwide. Their innovative fusion of blues-rock, boogie rhythms, and modern technology earned the band widespread acclaim. They have won three MTV Video Music Awards, and their immense contributions to rock music led to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Billy Gibbons’ masterful guitar work has also been widely celebrated; Rolling Stone ranked him 32nd among the greatest guitarists of all time, reflecting the respect he commands among fellow musicians and fans alike.

Tragedy struck the band in 2021 with the passing of longtime bassist Dusty Hill at age 72, marking the end of an incredible 51-year period without a lineup change—the longest-running original lineup in music history. Honoring Hill’s wishes, the band continued with their trusted guitar tech Elwood Francis stepping in on bass duties. More recently, in 2025, drummer Frank Beard announced he would temporarily step away from touring due to health concerns, leaving Gibbons as the only original member on the current tour.

Outside the stage and studio, ZZ Top has been consistently committed to charitable efforts. The band has supported organizations such as Childline, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Delta Blues Museum, reflecting their dedication to making a positive impact beyond their music. As they continue touring, ZZ Top’s lasting influence and relentless dedication to their craft have solidified their legacy as true American rock icons—beloved not only for their unforgettable sound and image but also for their enduring authenticity and generous spirit.

Complete List Of ZZ Top Songs From A to Z

  1. 2000 BluesRecycler – 1990
  2. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (Live)XXX – 1999
  3. 36-22-36XXX – 1999
  4. A Fool for Your StockingsDegüello – 1979
  5. Alley-GatorMescalero – 2003
  6. Antenna HeadAntenna – 1994
  7. Apologies to Pearly (instrumental)Rio Grande Mud – 1972
  8. Arrested for Driving While BlindTejas – 1976
  9. As Time Goes ByMescalero (Hidden track) – 2003
  10. Asleep in the DesertTejas – 1976
  11. Avalon HideawayTejas – 1976
  12. Bad GirlEliminator – 1983
  13. Backdoor Love AffairZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  14. Backdoor Love AffairFandango! (Live) – 1975
  15. Backdoor Love Affair No. 2Fandango! (Live) – 1975
  16. BalineseFandango! – 1975
  17. Bang BangRhythmeen – 1996
  18. Bar-B-QRio Grande Mud – 1972
  19. BeatboxXXX – 1999
  20. Bedroom ThangZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  21. Beer Drinkers & Hell RaisersTres Hombres – 1973
  22. Belt Buckle (Live)XXX – 1999
  23. Big Shiny NineLa Futura – 2012
  24. Black FlyRhythmeen – 1996
  25. Blue Jean BluesFandango! – 1975
  26. BreakawayAntenna – 1994
  27. Brown SugarZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  28. Buck NekkidMescalero – 2003
  29. Burger ManRecycler – 1990
  30. Can’t Stop Rockin’Afterburner – 1985
  31. Certified BluesZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  32. ChartreuseLa Futura – 2012
  33. Cheap SunglassesDegüello – 1979
  34. Cherry RedAntenna – 1994
  35. ChevroletRio Grande Mud – 1972
  36. Concrete and SteelRecycler – 1990
  37. ConsumptionLa Futura – 2012
  38. Cover Your RigAntenna – 1994
  39. Crucifixx-A-FlattXXX – 1999
  40. CrunchyMescalero – 2003
  41. Deal Goin’ DownAntenna – 1994
  42. Decision or CollisionRecycler – 1990
  43. DeliriousAfterburner – 1985
  44. Dipping Low (In the Lap of Luxury)Afterburner – 1985
  45. Dirty DogEliminator – 1983
  46. Don’t Tease MeEl Loco – 1981
  47. DoublebackRecycler – 1990
  48. Down BrownieRio Grande Mud – 1972
  49. DreadmonboogalooXXX – 1999
  50. Drive by LoverLa Futura (Deluxe/Best Buy) – 2012
  51. Dust My BroomDegüello – 1979
  52. DustedMescalero – 2003
  53. El DiabloTejas – 1976
  54. Enjoy and Get It OnTejas – 1976
  55. Esther Be the OneDegüello – 1979
  56. EverythingAntenna (European/Japanese) – 1994
  57. Fearless BoogieXXX – 1999
  58. Flyin’ HighLa Futura – 2012
  59. FrancineRio Grande Mud – 1972
  60. Fuzzbox VoodooAntenna – 1994
  61. Gimme All Your Lovin’Eliminator – 1983
  62. Girl in a T-ShirtAntenna – 1994
  63. Give It UpRecycler – 1990
  64. Goin’ Down to MexicoZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  65. Goin’ So GoodMescalero – 2003
  66. Got Me Under PressureEliminator – 1983
  67. Groovy Little Hippie PadEl Loco – 1981
  68. HairdresserRhythmeen – 1996
  69. Have a Little MercyLa Futura – 2012
  70. Have You Heard?Tres Hombres – 1973
  71. Heard It on the XFandango! – 1975
  72. Heard It on the X (Live)Fandango! (2006 remaster) – 1975
  73. Heartache in BlueLa Futura – 2012
  74. Heaven, Hell or HoustonEl Loco – 1981
  75. Hey Mr. Millionaire (Live)XXX – 1999
  76. Hi Fi MamaDegüello – 1979
  77. Hot, Blue and RighteousTres Hombres – 1973
  78. Hummbucking, Pt. 2Rhythmeen – 1996
  79. I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, YouLa Futura – 2012
  80. I Got the MessageAfterburner – 1985
  81. I Got the SixEliminator – 1983
  82. I Gotsta Get PaidLa Futura – 2012
  83. I Need You TonightEliminator – 1983
  84. I Thank YouDegüello – 1979
  85. I Wanna Drive You HomeEl Loco – 1981
  86. I’m Bad, I’m NationwideDegüello – 1979
  87. If I Could Only Flag Her DownEliminator – 1983
  88. Isn’t Love AmazingRhythmeen (Japan) – 1996
  89. It’s Only LoveTejas – 1976
  90. It’s So HardEl Loco – 1981
  91. It’s Too Easy MañanaLa Futura – 2012
  92. Jailhouse Rock (Live)Fandango! – 1975
  93. Jailhouse Rock (Live)Fandango! (2006 remaster) – 1975
  94. Jesus Just Left ChicagoTres Hombres – 1973
  95. Jesus Just Left Chicago (live)Tres Hombres (2006 remaster) – 1973
  96. Just Got Back from Baby’sZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  97. Just Got PaidRio Grande Mud – 1972
  98. Ko Ko BlueRio Grande Mud – 1972
  99. La GrangeTres Hombres – 1973
  100. La Grange (live)Tres Hombres (2006 remaster) – 1973
  101. LegsEliminator – 1983
  102. LeilaEl Loco – 1981
  103. LiquorMescalero – 2003
  104. Live Intro by Ross MitchellXXX – 1999
  105. Lizard LifeAntenna – 1994
  106. LoadedRhythmeen – 1996
  107. Long Distance BoogieFandango! (Live) – 1975
  108. LovethingRecycler – 1990
  109. Lowdown in the StreetDegüello – 1979
  110. Made into a MovieXXX – 1999
  111. Manic MechanicDegüello – 1979
  112. Master of SparksTres Hombres – 1973
  113. Me So StupidMescalero – 2003
  114. Mellow Down EasyFandango! (Live) – 1975
  115. MescaleroMescalero – 2003
  116. Mexican BlackbirdFandango! – 1975
  117. Move Me on Down the LineTres Hombres – 1973
  118. Mushmouth Shoutin’Rio Grande Mud – 1972
  119. My Head’s in MississippiRecycler – 1990
  120. My Mind Is GoneRhythmeen – 1996
  121. Nasty Dogs and Funky KingsFandango! – 1975
  122. Neighbor, NeighborZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  123. Ninja ShackXXX (Japanese edition) – 1999
  124. Old ManZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  125. Over YouLa Futura – 2012
  126. Pan Am Highway BluesTejas – 1976
  127. Party on the PatioEl Loco – 1981
  128. PCHAntenna – 1994
  129. Pearl NecklaceEl Loco – 1981
  130. Penthouse EyesRecycler – 1990
  131. PieceMescalero – 2003
  132. PincushionAntenna – 1994
  133. Planet of WomenAfterburner – 1985
  134. Poke Chop SandwichXXX – 1999
  135. Precious and GraceTres Hombres – 1973
  136. PrettyheadRhythmeen – 1996
  137. Punk Ass BoyfriendMescalero – 2003
  138. Que LastimaMescalero – 2003
  139. RhythmeenRhythmeen – 1996
  140. Rough BoyAfterburner – 1985
  141. SanctifyMescalero (Japanese release) – 2003
  142. Sharp Dressed ManEliminator – 1983
  143. She Loves My AutomobileDegüello – 1979
  144. She’s a HeartbreakerTejas – 1976
  145. She’s Just Killing MeRhythmeen – 1996
  146. ShiekTres Hombres – 1973
  147. Sinpusher (Live)XXX – 1999
  148. Sleeping BagAfterburner – 1985
  149. Snappy KakkieTejas – 1976
  150. (Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your TreeZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  151. SquankZZ Top’s First Album – 1971
  152. Stackin’ PaperMescalero – 2003
  153. StagesAfterburner – 1985
  154. Sure Got Cold After the Rain FellRio Grande Mud – 1972
  155. Tell ItRecycler – 1990
  156. Ten Dollar ManTejas – 1976
  157. Ten Foot PoleEl Loco – 1981
  158. Threshold of a BreakdownLa Futura (Deluxe/Best Buy) – 2012
  159. ThugEliminator – 1983
  160. Thunderbird (Live)Fandango! – 1975
  161. TrampMescalero – 2003
  162. Trippin’XXX – 1999
  163. Tube Snake BoogieEl Loco – 1981
  164. TushFandango! – 1975
  165. Tush (Live)Fandango! (2006 remaster) – 1975
  166. TV DinnersEliminator – 1983
  167. Two Ways to PlayMescalero – 2003
  168. Velcro FlyAfterburner – 1985
  169. Vincent Price BluesRhythmeen – 1996
  170. Waitin’ for the BusTres Hombres – 1973
  171. Waitin’ for the Bus (live)Tres Hombres (2006 remaster) – 1973
  172. What It Is KidMescalero – 2003
  173. What Would You Do?Mescalero – 2003
  174. What’s Up with ThatRhythmeen – 1996
  175. Whiskey’n MamaRio Grande Mud – 1972
  176. Woke Up with WoodAfterburner – 1985
  177. World of SwirlAntenna – 1994
  178. Zipper JobRhythmeen – 1996

Albums

ZZ Top’s First Album (1971): 10 songs

Rio Grande Mud (1972): 10 songs

Tres Hombres (1973): 13 songs

Fandango! (1975): 15 songs

Tejas (1976): 10 songs

Degüello (1979): 10 songs

El Loco (1981): 10 songs

Eliminator (1983): 11 songs

Afterburner (1985): 10 songs

Recycler (1990): 10 songs

Antenna (1994): 12 songs

Rhythmeen (1996): 13 songs

XXX (1999): 14 songs

Mescalero (2003): 18 songs

La Futura (2012): 12 songs

Check out our fantastic and entertaining ZZ Top articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com

10 Best Covers Of ZZ Top Songs

Complete List Of ZZ Top Albums And Discography

Top 10 ZZ Top Songs

Our 10 Favorite ZZ Top Albums

Complete List Of ZZ Top Band Members

Complete List Of ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons Solo Albums And Songs

Top 10 ZZ Top Album Covers

ZZ Top Follows Other Recent Rock Stars In Selling Their Catalogs

ZZ Top’s Bassist Dusty Hill Dies At 72

ZZ Top Drummer Frank Beard to Miss Upcoming Tour Due to Health Issue

Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com

Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory

Complete List Of ZZ Top Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025

DMCA.com Protection Status

“My mother took me to see Saga when I was 15. It was fantastic!”. A glimpse inside Yogi Lang’s prog world

When German prog rockers RPWL released their album Crime Scene back in 2023 singer and keyboard player Yogi Lang was grilled as to what exactly floats his prog boat…


Where’s home?
I live in Freising, a small town north of Munich, close to the airport.

Your earliest memory of prog?
When I was 10 my older cousin recorded some cassettes for me, and on one there was a catchy tune I thought about a lot. It was Dogs from Pink Floyd’s Animals.

What’s the first prog album you bought?
Kraftwerk’s Die Mensch-Maschine, released in English as The Man-Machine, from a big record store here in Munich.

And the last?
Quite some time ago, it was the SACD of Peter Gabriel’s Up.

First prog gig?
Saga, 1982, in Munich. I was 15 years old and annoyed my mother until she took me. It was fantastic! I was amazed by all these synthesisers onstage.

And the latest?It was Genesis on their Calling All Stations Tour [in 1998]. I loved Ray Wilson’s voice.

Sign up below to get the latest from Prog, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

The best prog show you ever saw?
Pink Floyd on their Momentary Lapse Of Reason Tour in 1987. It was so cool to see them perform. This show was like finally reading the end of a novel – their music was a faithful companion throughout my younger days.

What’s your newest prog discovery?
After Jeff Beck died I rediscovered There And Back,
a vinyl album I bought a long time ago. I had forgotten how good it is – extraordinary musical class surrounds that album.

RPWL

(Image credit: Gentle Art Of Music)

Guilty musical pleasure?
Don’t know if this is a guilty pleasure, but I’m a real big fan of the US band The Residents. Honestly, I’m a fan of everything they did!

Favourite prog venue?
Night Of The Prog Festival at the wonderful Loreley [Freilichtbühne]. It’s a real historic place to be in Germany, and is a real pleasure. I saw Manfred Mann’s Earth Band there in the 1980s, and playing at the same place still feels
a bit spooky.

Your prog hero?
Manfred Mann [below]. He was my keyboard hero when I started doing music.

Outside of music, what are you into?
I’m interested in what’s going on in the world. Knowledge is a real good medicine in our modern world filled with populists and conspiracy theorists.

Ever had a prog-related date?
Haha! No!

What is the most important piece of prog music?
I think it’d be Supper’s Ready from Genesis.

Recommend us a good read?
If you want to drift through a wise mind, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a real pleasure.

Which prog album gets you in a good mood?
King Crimson’s Discipline. The sounds on it were so new
and unconventional. It always makes me smile.

What’s your favourite prog album cover?
The Dark Side Of The Moon.

And what are you up to at the moment?
Our new album, Crime Scene, is out now, and after touring with the new material there will be some time for producing other bands again. And, of course, we’re also planning new solo records. It never gets boring!