Metallica and Judas Priest have been buds for quite sometime. Over the years, the San Fransisco metal heavyweights have admitted to being greatly influenced by the leather-clad troupe, and have also collaborated with them for a number of live performances. This July, James Hetfield and Rob Halford were even spotted rocking out together at Norway’s Tons Of Rock Festival, which made for a totally wholesome moment.
Their well-documented bond is one of the reasons why we know that this video of Hetfield supposedly “mocking” Priest is all just playful banter. Filmed during the recording sessions for Metallica’s eighth studio album, St. Anger, the behind the scenes Jump In The Studio footage shows Papa Het doing his best attempt at an impression of Priest’s powerhouse frontman Rob Halford.
As guitarist Kirk Hammett jams out the riff to Priest’s 1978 version of Fleetwood Mac’s Green Manalishi, Hetfield tries to sing along, but humorously finds he can’t quite reach Halford’s loftily high-pitched vocal tone – so uses the help of a helium balloon to push his voice just that little bit further, as he belts out notes in between sucks of air.
The results are quite amusing, with the band giggling mischievously, before Hetfield declares, “thank you, goodnight! We are Judas Priest!”.
Thankfully, most viewers in the comments have seen the funny side, with one writing: “Even with the helium James couldn’t hit the note. Sorry James but you’re no Green Manilishi!”, as another says: “This is more like a compliment to Rob’s powerful vocals”. And we have to agree. Check out the video below:
Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!
Elton John has offered an update on the eye infection that he previously said had caused damage to his vision.
Back in September, he stated that the infection he developed over the summer left him with “limited vision” in one eye. Speaking recently with Good Morning America John elaborated: “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France, and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. My left eye is not the greatest.”
John clarified that he is “taking an initiative” to treat the issue, but at the moment the lack of vision has limited what he can and can’t do.
“I can do something like this,” he said, referring to the interview itself, “but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know. Because I can’t see a lyric for start. … It kind of floored me, and I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”
His Thoughts on ‘Elton John: Never Too Late’
In the meantime, John is appreciating the work that is currently coming to light. Earlier this month, he and Brandi Carlile released their collaborative song “Never Too Late,” a piece that was sparked by John’s upcoming documentary Elton John: Never Too Late. The song will feature in the film, which will be released Dec. 13 on Disney+.
“I’m so proud of the documentary,” John said to Good Morning America. “I’m proud of my sons. I’m proud of my attitude towards myself and what’s going on. I’m just very lucky and I’m very grateful.”
Ten Times Elton John Rereleased His Songs With Other Artists
Elton John has made a habit of revisiting old tracks with new friends.
Feature Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
We were definitely in for a challenging job with a topic as large as rebellion put up for review in our classic words and song titles series. If we were to choose songs about rebellion, we would have had to have made a top 1000 list because it’s entirely possible that more than half the songs ever written in rock and roll are about rebellion. We just weren’t in the mood to count, because it would have taken a couple of years, probably So, we paired it down to just the single word “rebel” in song titles to make it a little easier. Still it was pretty challenging to just pick 10. What would be your picks?
# 10 – “Rebel Girl” – Bikini Kill
“Rebel Girl,” a punk rock landmark from Bikini Kill, was released in 1993 across multiple formats, including Pussy Whipped, the New Radio +2 single, and the split LP Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah. The single version, produced by Joan Jett, stands out for her additional guitar work and backing vocals, adding an extra layer of grit to the song’s raw energy. Written collaboratively by the band—Kathleen Hanna, Billy Karren, Tobi Vail, and Kathi Wilcox—the track captures a spirit of defiance and feminist empowerment, offering a powerful tribute to solidarity and queer love. Its visceral energy and unapologetic lyrics have made it Bikini Kill’s signature track, hailed as a defining anthem of the riot grrrl movement and one of punk rock’s most enduring cultural statements.
“Rebel Yell,” the electrifying title track from Billy Idol’s 1983 album Rebel Yell, epitomizes his blend of punk energy and rock flamboyance. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and produced by Keith Forsey, the track features Steve Stevens’s searing guitar riffs, blending perfectly with Idol’s snarling vocals and the driving rhythm section. A bottle of Rebel Yell bourbon inspired the song and became a defining moment in Idol’s career, reaching number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving widespread acclaim.
“Rebel Heart” is a track from Rod Stewart’s 1991 album Vagabond Heart. The song was co-written by Rod Stewart, Jeff Golub, Chuck Kentis, and Carmine Rojas. The production was handled by Bernard Edwards and Rod Stewart. The album features contributions from various musicians, including Jeff Golub on guitar, Chuck Kentis on keyboards, and Carmine Rojas on bass. While “Rebel Heart” was not released as a single, it is part of an album that includes notable tracks like “Rhythm of My Heart” and “The Motown Song,” which achieved significant chart success.
“The Last Rebel,” the powerful title track from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1993 album The Last Rebel, showcases the band’s iconic Southern rock style while exploring themes of nostalgia and resilience. Recorded at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Barry Beckett, the track features Johnny Van Zant on lead vocals, Gary Rossington and Ed King on guitars, Leon Wilkeson on bass, Billy Powell on keyboards, Randall Hall on guitar, and Kurt Custer on drums.
“Rebel With a Cause” is a dynamic track from Gov’t Mule’s 2007 album Mighty High. This album, released on October 16, 2007, showcases the band’s fusion of rock and reggae influences. The track features Warren Haynes on vocals and guitar, Matt Abts on drums, and Andy Hess on bass, with additional contributions from Danny Louis on keyboards. Produced by Warren Haynes and Gordie Johnson, the song exemplifies the band’s versatility and willingness to explore diverse musical landscapes. While it did not chart as a single, “Rebel With a Cause” stands out for its compelling blend of genres and the band’s signature improvisational style.
“Rebel Waltz,” a haunting and unconventional entry in The Clash’s catalog, appears on their ambitious 1980 album Sandinista!. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and produced by the band, the song’s 3/4 time signature and poignant lyrics reflect the group’s fearless experimentation with new sounds and storytelling. Joe Strummer’s expressive vocals are complemented by Mick Jones’s nuanced guitar work, Paul Simonon’s steady basslines, and Topper Headon’s rhythmic precision, creating a song that blurs the boundaries between punk and folk-inspired balladry. The track remains a vivid example of The Clash’s willingness to push their artistic limits.
“Rebels,” a compelling track from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 1985 album Southern Accents, delves into themes of Southern identity and personal struggle. The song was recorded in 1984, during which Petty experienced a significant setback; frustrated with the recording process, he punched a wall and broke his hand, an incident that underscored the intense emotions behind the track.
Produced by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell, the recording features Petty’s evocative vocals and rhythm guitar, Campbell’s lead guitar, Benmont Tench on keyboards, Howie Epstein on bass, and Stan Lynch on drums.
“Surfin’ Rebel” is a dynamic instrumental track from Dick Dale & His Del-Tones’ 1964 album Summer Surf. Known as the “King of the Surf Guitar,” Dale’s innovative playing style is evident in this piece, characterized by rapid alternate picking and heavy reverb, which became hallmarks of the surf rock genre. The album was recorded during a prolific period for Dale, who was instrumental in popularizing surf music in the early 1960s. “Surfin’ Rebel” exemplifies the energetic and rebellious spirit of the era, with its driving rhythms and distinctive guitar work. While not released as a single, the track contributes to the album’s reputation as a classic in surf music history.
“Rebel-‘Rouser,” Duane Eddy’s groundbreaking instrumental, was released in 1958 and became a defining track of early rock and roll. Originally titled “Rabble Rouser,” the song was recorded at Audio Recorders studio in Phoenix, Arizona, with production by Lee Hazlewood. Eddy’s distinctive “twangy” guitar sound is complemented by saxophonist Gil Bernal and the doo-wop group the Rivingtons, who provided yells and handclaps. The track achieved significant commercial success, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the R&B Best Sellers chart. “Rebel-‘Rouser” also appeared on Eddy’s debut album, Have ‘Twangy’ Guitar Will Travel, solidifying his influence on the instrumental rock genre.
“Rebel Rebel,” David Bowie’s glam rock masterpiece, was released as a single in 1974 and later included on his album Diamond Dogs. Written and produced by Bowie, the track was recorded at Olympic Studios in London, with Bowie himself playing the instantly recognizable guitar riff. The song captures the rebellious spirit of youth with its infectious energy and lyrics celebrating individuality and nonconformity. Often regarded as Bowie’s farewell to the glam rock era, “Rebel Rebel” became one of his most enduring hits, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.
Maria “Tristessa” Kolokouri, leader of Athens-based all-female black metal band Astarte, lost her battle against leukemia in 2014. Ultimare Guitar has published a special in-depth feature in tribute to Tristessa’s memory.
In the feature story Tristessa’s widower and occasional writing partner, Nicolas Maiis, revealed that unreleased music from Astarte will surface next year:
“An unreleased, aggressive Astarte album with thrash and death elements recorded by Tristessa and Maiis, named Blackdemonium, will see the light of day in 2025. The voice of the black metal queen will be heard once more.”
“Tristessa was a born leader,” Maiis told Ultimate Guitar. “She always wanted to move forward in music and her style. She was a very confident person and she had much more to offer with her music.”
Ukrainian metal juggernauts, Jinjer, have announced tour dates for Asia, Australia and New Zealand, with Canadian bashers Kittie as support. The complete schedule is available below.
February 6 – P7 Arena – Dubaie, UAE 10 – The Street Hall – Bangkok, Thailand 12 – Reny Alpha – Tokyo, Japan 13 – Meta Valley – Osaka, Japan 14 – Reny Limited – Aichi, Japan 15 – Musina Garage, Seoul, Korea 16 – Legacy – Taipei, Taiwan 18 – SM Sky Dome – Manila, Philippines 21 – The Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, Australia 23 – Hordern Pavilion – Moore Park, Australia 25 – Festival Hall Melbourne – West Melbourne, Australia 26 – Hindley Street Music Hall – Adelaide, Australia 28 – Metropolis – Fremantle, Australia
March 2 – San Fran – Wellington, New Zealand 3 – Powerstation – Auckland, New Zealand
Jinjer recently announced their powerful, long-awaited fifth studio album, Duél, set to be released on February 7 via Napalm Records.
Technical grooves and heavy progressive passages, brutally clear vocals and skillful growls by matchless vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk have garnered the Ukrainian outfit millions of cross-platform streams and views worldwide, as well as revered renown with fans and critics alike. Jinjer have traversed glorious paths of tireless touring and extremely successful album releases, including their most recent chart-topping studio album, 2021’s Wallflowers. Duél showcases the band at the very top of their game and marks yet another matchless milestone in the world of modern metal.
After releasing their single and video “Someone’s Daughter”, followed by the heavy-hitting single “Rogue” earlier this year, Jinjer now unleash another untamed beast with their new track “Kafka”. Dominated by Tatiana’s remarkably clear vocals, “Kafka” is a heavy and slow tamper, digging deep under one’s skin just to break right through with venomous growls in the end.
Tatiana Shmayluk on “Kafka”: “Being an artist is sometimes beautiful but most of the time it’s brutal… as our art is dissected word for word and ripped apart note by note, we‘re expected to be on point all-the-time … and when we aren’t, we are scandalized. A true artist is vulnerable but the crowd is most often plagued with vultures who pick at every single move you make. It’s a slippery slope when music means the world to us but how quickly praise turns into prosecution… We are all Kings and Queens for a day but most of the time it feels like a Kafka novel for a lifetime. It‘s exciting but surreal and absurd at the same time …”
Watch the lyric video for “Kafka”:
While Jinjer’s previous album, Wallflowers, was slightly more alluring and contained noticeably more clean vocals, Duél now takes on a much more aggressive tone. This is proven by songs like “Rogue”, “Green Serpent” and “Dark Bile”, with their brutal and hefty breakdowns. Fans of super-talented vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk’s clear vocals also get their moments, as tracks such as the opener “Tantrum” show the potential of the frontwoman’s outstanding vocal prowess. Duél presents itself way more cruelly – and Jinjer are more vicious than ever before. “Fast Draw” is a wild death metal beast with grooving drums from Vlad Ulasevich, Roman Ibramkhalilov’s one-of-a-kind riffs and Eugene Abdukhanov’s trademark bass wizardry – showing what this band does best: brilliant state-of the-art modern metal.
On Duél, Jinjer continue their long-lasting collaboration with accomplished producer Max Morton, who co-produced, mixed and mastered the album. This new masterwork lives up to Jinjer’s reputation as metal visionaries, once more showing that the band refuses to follow any set rules in their genre, but choose their own path of creativity.
Eugene Abdukhanov, Jinjer bassist on the new album: “First of all, it‘s hard to believe that we’re about to release our fifth full length album. After all the releases we’ve made, finally having Duél in our hands and ready to be shared with the world, makes us very proud that our band still hasn’t run out of creativity and inspiration. The fact that we still challenge ourselves to release the best music we have ever made with each new release, is what keeps Jinjer moving forward. This upcoming album was the longest songwriting process we’ve ever had and it took almost two years to complete. We worked very hard with every free minute we weren’t on tour, recording demos over and over again and always searching for the perfect sound for guitars, bass and drums. It was also the first time that Tatiana did vocal pre-productions, so it’s safe to say that none of our releases were so well thought out and calculated as this one. It pulverizes the boundaries of the modern progressive metal genre but still remains sophisticated, exciting and extreme all at the same time. We took up the challenge to expand our musical horizons even wider than before in order to cement Duél to be the next step in Jinjer‘s musical growth and hopefully the evolution of metal music in general.”
Duél will be available in the following formats:
– 1LP Gatefold Liquid Blood Red Vinyl incl 29x29cm artprint, certificate of authenticity – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – 1LP Gatefold Cristallo Red Splatter Vinyl – strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – 1LP Gatefold White Black Marbled Vinyl – strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – 1LP Gatefold Solid Red Vinyl – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – 1LP Gatefold Solid Red Black Splatter Vinyl – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide – Jinjer Shop exclusive – 1LP Gatefold Cartridge Grey Vinyl – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide – Jinjer Shop exclusive – 1LP Gatefold Black Vinyl – Music Cassette Red (White Print) – strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – 1CD Jewel Case – Digital Album
Over the past 15 years, Jinjer has attained remarkable milestones, touring globally and captivating millions at prestigious festivals like Wacken Open Air and Download UK. They’ve headlined sold-out shows across Europe and North America, and have thrilled audiences in destinations like Dubai, Philippines, Türkiye, Japan and South Africa.
As they continue their journey this year, Jinjer is set to make a major impact on the music scene. Having previously shared stages with the likes of Arch Enemy and Cradle Of Filth, they are ready to kick off as support of Sepultura’s farewell tour in Europe, and conclude their tour with a headline run through Latin America.
Linkin Park – Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain – recently released their comeback album, From Zero. In a recent official band podcast, Armstrong opened up to Shinoda about what it was like being asked to join the band.
Armstrong: “I was trying to be on your level, how cool you guys were just asking me (about doing some live shows). If I was just so over-the-top, I feel like it would have been a little cringe. And you guys were very sweet by asking ‘How does Dead Sara think about it?’ Once we left the studio, that’s when I was just like, ‘Oh my fucking God.’ I was allowed to just throw myself into this new world. It was like I stepped into Disney World. It was like, fucking full of magic and full of opportunity, and everything you could possibly imagine.”
After a year of monumental returns and record-breaking milestones, Linkin Park – Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, Emily Armstrong, and Colin Brittain – announce From Zero World Tour will continue into 2025, with the next leg launching in January of next year. The tour celebrates their new album, From Zero, out tomorrow via Warner Records and hits stadiums and arenas across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The run also includes several notable festival plays around the globe, including Sick New World, I-DAYS, Novarock, and more.
Their 2024 arena run was met with incredible demand, prompting the addition of four stadium dates in Paris, Dallas, and São Paulo. Now, fans worldwide will have even more chances to experience Linkin Park’s raw, high-octane performances with an expanded tour schedule in 2025. Full ticketing and tour info is available below. Special guests Queens of the Stone Age, Spiritbox, AFI, Architects, grandson, Jean Dawson, JPEGMAFIA, and PVRIS will join on select dates.
“Getting back out on the road has been incredible,” says Mike Shinoda. “The fans’ support is overwhelming, and we’re ready to take this energy even further around the world. From Zero is a new chapter for us, and we’re so excited to share it with everyone on a bigger scale.”
Highlights of the upcoming run include the band’s first stadium shows in Tokyo and Mexico City since 2017, a return to Jakarta after 13 years, and performances at Wembley Stadium, Stade de France, and Dodger Stadium, where they’ll perform both new hits like “The Emptiness Machine” and “Heavy Is The Crown” alongside iconic anthems spanning their 20+ year career. Additional ticketing and venue details for South America and Jakarta will be forthcoming.
Following the release of “Heavy Is The Crown”, the official League of Legends World Championship Anthem and their first collaboration with Riot Games, Linkin Park has reasserted their position as one of rock’s defining voices. The song’s hard-hitting rhythm and anthemic energy embody the bold, renewed spirit of the band and have resonated with fans across the globe, paving the way for From Zero.
Linkin Park made their triumphant return to the spotlight with “The Emptiness Machine,” which surged to #1 on both the Billboard Alternative and Mainstream Rock Airplay charts, marking their 13th and 11th chart-toppers on these lists, respectively. The song also debuted at #4 on the UK Singles Chart, achieving the band’s highest UK chart position in their 24-year career, and has held the #1 spot in Germany for an incredible 9 weeks in a row and counting.
Tickets:
– LP Underground fan club exclusive presales start November 18. Get all details and ticketing info here. – North America: The general onsale will take place on Thursday, November 21 at 12 PM, Local Time. – Europe/UK: The general onsale will take place on Friday, November 22 at 10, AM Local Time.
With over 54 million monthly listeners on Spotify and accolades from Billboard, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times on their recent singles, Linkin Park’s comeback has proven they are more influential than ever. The band’s recent late-night performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon showcased their timeless appeal, and their latest music has struck a powerful chord, propelling them to the forefront of rock music in 2024.
From Zero World Tour 2025:
January 31 – Estadio GNP Seguros – Mexico City, MX =
February 3 – Estadio 3 de Marzo – Guadalajara, MX = 5 – Estadio Banorte – Monterrey, MX = 11 – Saitama Super Arena – Tokyo, JP 12 – Saitama Super Arena – Tokyo, JP 16 – Venue TBA – Jakarta, ID
April 12 – Sick New World Festival – Las Vegas, NV * 26 – Moody Center – Austin, TX ^ 28 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK ^
May 1 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI ^ 3 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD ^ 6 – Lenovo Center – Raleigh, NC ^ 8 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SC ^ 10 – Sonic Temple – Columbus, OH * 17 – Welcome to Rockville – Daytona, FL *
June 12 – Novarock Festival -Nickelsdorf, AT * 14 – Rock for People Festival – Hradec Kralove, CZ * 16 – Heinz-Von-Heiden Arena – Hannover, DE ~ 18 – Olympiastadion – Berlin, DE ~ 20 – Bernexpo – Bern, CH 24 – I-DAYS Festival – Milan, IT * 26 – Gelredome – Arnhem, NL $ 28 – Wembley Stadium – London, UK $&
July 1 – Merkur Spiel Arena – Dusseldorf, DE ~& 3 – Rock Werchter Festival – Werchter, BE * 5 – Open’er Festival – Gdynia, PL * 8 – Deutsche Bank Park – Frankfurt, DE ~& 11 – Stade de France – Paris, FR 29 – Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY+
August 1 – TD Garden – Boston, MA + 3 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ + 6 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC + 8 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON + 11 – United Center – Chicago, IL + 14 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI + 16 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA # 19 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA # 21 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN # 23 – Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO # 25 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI # 27 – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN # 29 – CHI Health Center – Omaha, NE # 31 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO #
September 3 – Ball Arena – Denver, CO # 6 – Footprint Center – Phoenix, AZ # 13 – Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA !& 15 – SAP Center – San Jose, CA & 17 – Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA & 19 – Moda Center – Portland, OR & 21 – Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC & 24 – Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA &
October 26 – Venue TBA – Bogota, CO 29 – Venue TBA – Lima, PE
November 1 – Venue TBA – Buenos Aires, AR 5 – Venue TBA – Santiago, CL 8 – Venue TBA – Rio de Janeiro, BR 10 – Venue TBA – São Paulo, BR 13 – Venue TBA – Brasilia, BR 15 – Venue TBA – Porto Alegre, BR
* Festival Performance ! With support from Queens of the Stone Age $ With support from Spiritbox = With support from AFI ~ With support from Architects ^ With support from grandson # With support from Jean Dawson & With support from JPEGMAFIA + With support from PVRIS
Linkin Park’s From Zero will be released tomorrow (November 15). Pre-order / pre-save here via Warner Records.
Tracklisting:
“From Zero” (Intro) “The Emptiness Machine” “Cut The Bridge” “Heavy Is The Crown” “Over Each Other” “Casualty” “Overflow” “Two Faced” “Stained” “IGYEIH” “Good Things Go”
Converse footwear is iconic, with everyone from musicians to movie stars regularly rocking them when they’re doing their thing – and if you’re a fan then you can dive straight into the Converse Cyber Week sale. If you’re in the US, there’s 50% off a wide range of footwear, clothing and accessories, and if you’re based in the UK there’s up to 40% off a huge range of items.
When buying items, you’ll need to apply the code CYBERWEEK at checkout to receive the discount. Then there’s also a whole bunch of member-exclusive deals where you can get 30% off footwear including ‘most-loved chucks’, custom trainers and new arrivals.
Meanwhile in the UK, you can grab a pair of Chuck 70 GORE-TEX for just £69 – that’s down from their usual price of £115… and with the weather currently sweeping across the UK, these are ideal for the winter months.
There’s also money off the Chuck Taylor All-Star Lugged 2.0 XHi Waterproof Leather Platform boots. These are down from £125 to £75, while you can get a pair of classic Chuck Taylor All-Stars for just £42 rather than their usual price point of £70.
For more great deals, don’t forget to check out Louder’s guide to the best Black Friday music deals.
Living heavy metal legends Saxon will be heading back on the road next year for a ten-date tour of the UK and Ireland. The tour will see Yorkshire’s finest play their seminal 1980 album Wheels Of Steel in full, alongside tracks from this year’s well-received Hell, Fire And DamnationLP. Saxon will hit up dates in Belfast, Dublin, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol, Wolverhampton, London and Cardiff, bringing former Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider with them. Dirkschneider will also be performing a classic album in full – Accept’s excellent 1983 breakthrough, Balls To The Wall.
“We first toured with UDO and Accept in the U.S.A on our Crusader tour and have done lots of stuff together since, but we have never toured the UK together so this is gonna be epic,” says Saxon frontman Biff Byford. “Balls to the Wall and Wheels of Steel under the same roof… it’ going to be something really special to witness. Bring it on!”
See the full list of tourdates below. For ticket info, head to the official Saxon website. Reviewing for Metal Hammer, Paul Travers said of Hell, Fire And Damnation: “It won’t change the face of music or knock the world off its axis, but Hell, Fire And Damnation is yet another damned fine addition to Saxon’s ever- expanding catalogue.”
Saxon UK and Ireland tour dates 2024
Nov 04: Belfast, Ulster Hall Nov 05: Dublin, Olympia Nov 07: Manchester, O2 Appollo Nov 08: Sheffield, Octagon Nov 09: Glasgow, O2 Academy Nov 11: Newcastle, O2 City Hall Nov 13: Bristol, Beacon Nov 14: Wolverhampton, Civic Hall Nov 15: London, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith Nov 16: Cardiff, The Great Hall
Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!
Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.
“This is the tour we’ve been working towards.” British metalcore crushers Bleed From Within announce 2025 European tour, including their biggest UK headline shows ever
(Image credit: Press)
Scotland’s greatest metalcore export Bleed From Within are heading out on tour across Europe in 2025, and it’ll be a historic run of shows that will include their biggest UK headliners ever. Joining the five-piece will be two more faves from the metalcore scene, Minneapolis’s After The Burial and Boston’s Great American Ghost.
“This is the tour we’ve been working towards for the last three years,” say Bleed From Within. “The culmination of all our efforts. We’ve been the opening band in a lot of these rooms so finally making the step to headliner is something that we do not take lightly. We can not wait to bring our new headline set to some of our favourite venues in the world, alongside new music and our biggest touring production to date! To top things off, we have After The Burial and Great American Ghost joining us. We first toured with ATB in 2011 and have stayed friends ever since. We met Great American Ghost in 2024 and got on so well that we knew we had to bring them over to Europe. Having this package, on these stages, with our new album on the horizon is a dream combination. We’ll see you out there.”
A new Bleed From Within album is expected in 2025. Their most recent full-length, 2022’s Shrine was released to positive reviews. See the full list of tour dates below. Tickets go on sale at 10am GMT on Friday November 29 via bleedfromwithin.com
Bleed From Within Europe and UK tour dates 2025
Sep 10: BE, Antwerp – Zappa Sep 11: DE, Cologne – Live Music Hall Sep 12: DE, Hamburg – Docks Sep 13: DE, Berlin – Kesselhaus Sep 14: PL, Warsaw – Progresja Sep 16: FI, Helsinki – Tavastia Sep 17: FI, Tampere – Olympia-Kortteli Sep 19: SE, Stockholm – Klubben Fryshuset Sep 20: SE, Gothenburg – Pustervik Sep 21: NO, Oslo – Vulkan Arena Sep 22: DK, Copenhagen – Amager Bio Sep 24: CZ, Prague – Meet Factory Sep 25: HU, Budapest – Barba Negra Sep 26: AT, Vienna – SIMM City Sep 27: DE, Munich – Backstage Sep 28: CH, Zürich – Kompex 457 Sep 30: FR, Villeurbanne – CCO La Rayonne Oct 1: FR, Toulouse – La Cabane Oct 3: PT, Lisbon – LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo Oct 4: ES, Madrid – Salva Mon Live Oct 5: ES, Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2 Oct 7: FR, Paris – Bataclan Oct 8: NL, Tilburg – 013 Poppodium Oct 10: UK, London – O2 Forum Kentish Town Oct 11: UK, Manchester – O2 Ritz Oct 12: UK, Glasgow – Barrowlands
Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!
Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.
21st century rock bands don’t come any bigger than Linkin Park. They might not have the pioneering cachet of Korn or Deftones, and their initial critics churlishly wrote them off as a nu metal ‘boy band’, but their sound – which drew on rock, hip hop, EDM and industrial metal – proved irresistible to the public to the tune of 70 million records and a ton of blockbuster world tours.
The second half of their career saw them take a few stylistic diversions, some more successful than others, but everything was tragically bought to a halt by the death of co-vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017.
His surviving bandmates initially signalled that they had no interest in continuing Linkin Park without their talismanic frontman; that all changed in 2024 when they made a shocking and controversial but ultimately triumphant comeback with From Zero, Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong in tow as the woman to tentatively step into Bennington’s shoes. With From Zero now out in the world to rave reviews, here is Linkin Park’s entire discography – that’s eight studio albums and one special side-project featuring a certain Jay Z – ranked from worst to best.
9. One More Light (2017)
Linkin Park’s final album is also their most incoherent and misguided. After returning to the nu metal approach of their early albums on its predecessor The Hunting Party, the band decided it was time to turn the page again and go full pop. To do this, they brought in outside songwriters who’d worked with Sia, Kelly Clarkson and 5 Seconds Of Summer to give the songs a glimmering sheen, pushing guitars firmly into the background. One More Light is certainly slick and polished, but it’s lacking in the fire and soul of the band’s earlier work. Only Good Goodbye, their team-up with rappers Stormzy and Pusha T, bucks the trend.
Linkin Park’s fourth album marked a dramatic shift, as the hardened sonics of its predecessors were ditched in favour of an expansive, electronic-led sound and a sudden urge for political hand-wringing, the latter signposted by samples of speeches from Martin Luther King and US activist Mario Savio. Artists shouldn’t stand still, but on tracks like The Catalyst and Wretches And Kings, the bold decision to channel U2 and Peter Gabriel was a leap too far for many old school fans.
One More Light wasn’t Linkin Park’s first dalliance with electropop, but on 2012’s Living Things, the blend of those sonics with the band’s nu metal stylings proved far more successful. The band’s second and final album with producer Rick Rubin, it dialled back the expansiveness and experimentation of A Thousand Suns with jettisoning it entirely. Opener Lost In The Echo and Burn It Down have a classic stomping feel, while the band pull off a proper haunting ballad in Castle Of Glass. It’s a little inconsistent, but there are still plenty of highlights.
Album number six was a proper return to nu metal after the wide-ranging excursions of A Thousand Suns and Living Things – so much so that the band actively used their debut album Hybrid Theory as a template. It could never have recreated the youthful power of those early records – angry young man rage is hard to capture when you’re a rich rock star – but the likes of Guilty All The Same and fiery Daron Malakian collaboration Rebellion are the sound of a band rolling back the years and having fun while they do it.
Recorded for the self-explanatory MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups, a show which brought together artists from different musical spheres. In this instance, rapper Jay-Z expressly requested Linkin Park, who immediately welcomed the idea. The two parties got on so well that the original plan to do a couple of tracks was soon expanded to a six-track EP, with the band re-recording their tracks to fit in with Jay-Z’s. The two approaches dovetail perfectly, particularly on Jigga What/Faint and the brilliantly executed Numb/Encore, which some might suggest was so successful it’s now firmly eclipsed both its parent tracks.
Between the decision to continue without Chester Bennington and the background noise surrounding Emily Armstrong, From Zero arrived with a near-unprecedented level of pressure hovering over it. Ultimately, Linkin Park produced an album that crystallised the very best parts of their journey so far while still pushing their sound forwards. From the vintage nu metal dabbles of Heavy Is The Crown, Two Faced and IGYEIH to the stadium-sized electro-pop of Overflow and Stained, this was a true celebration of Linkin Park’s career and a clear sign that the band still had plenty to offer contemporary rock music.
Minutes To Midnight was a transitional but still richly compelling album, marking the shift between Linkin Park’s nu metal past and their more experimental, electronic-based future. The result was a potent cocktail, delivering some brilliant moments, especially the searing Bleed It Out and two soaring lighters-aloft anthems, Leave Out All The Rest and What I’ve Done, which showcase the range of Bennington’s voice. Linkin Park’s transformation into a full-on stadium rock band was pretty much complete.
If there were any worries about Linkin Park’s ability to follow up the gigantic success of Hybrid Theory in 2003, they were dispensed as soon as the jagged riff that powers Meteora’s opening track Don’t Stay kicked in. The band stuck closely to the formula they’d laid down on the debut, re-enlisting producer Don Gilmore and sticking to a short, but sweet tracklisting that’s all done in under 37 minutes. Perhaps it can’t quite match Hybrid Theory banger for banger, but between Faint, From The Inside, Numb, Somewhere I Belong and Breaking The Habit, there’s an abundance of tracks that have rightly remained staples of the band’s live set throughout their career, and as a record, Meteora proved Linkin Park were no fluke.
With some bands there is a debate to be had about what is their finest work, but with Linkin Park, there’s no argument to be had. It’s Hybrid Theory. The band’s 2000 debut album has shifted a casual 27 million copies to date – 12 million of which were sold the year it came out. From the raw power of Papercut and the epic In The End to the powerhouse riffage of One Step Closer and doomy ballad Crawling, there’s not a wasted second on the 37-minute runtime. More than two decades after its release, Hybrid Theory stands a landmark 21st century rock record. Linkin Park never topped it, and few other bands have.
![Good Goodbye [Official Music Video] - Linkin Park (feat. Pusha T and Stormzy) - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/phVQZrb2AdA/maxresdefault.jpg)
![The Catalyst [Official Music Video] - Linkin Park - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/51iquRYKPbs/maxresdefault.jpg)
![BURN IT DOWN (Official Music Video) [4K Upgrade] - Linkin Park - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dxytyRy-O1k/maxresdefault.jpg)
![What I've Done (Official Music Video) [4K Upgrade] - Linkin Park - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8sgycukafqQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
![Breaking the Habit (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE] – Linkin Park - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/v2H4l9RpkwM/maxresdefault.jpg)
![One Step Closer [Official HD Music Video] - Linkin Park - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4qlCC1GOwFw/maxresdefault.jpg)