Mark your calendar now and start planning for August 5th – 8th, 2027.

On Friday night, your Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are MERCYFUL FATE – the Danish legends who helped invent heavy metal theatrics, King Diamond’s falsetto still as unholy as ever. Corpse paint, inverted crosses, and a stage show soaked in occult drama…pay your respects, this is where a lot of extreme metal’s DNA actually comes from. King Diamond has a little update for you, declaring, “Mercyful Fate is honored and looking extremely forward to playing BLOODSTOCK again, last time was awesome, and this time with a brand new album out, FINALLY!!!”

Saturday night parties hard in a totally different fashion, though with no less chaos, as ELECTRIC CALLBOY headline BLOODSTOCK for the very first time. German metalcore collides with EDM and full-blown comedy for one of the wildest and most fun live shows in modern metal. Expect Catton Park jumping in unison like it’s a rave that wandered into a mosh pit. The band say, “Our first ever Bloodstock. Heavy music, questionable outfits, and thousands of metalheads? Sounds like a Perfect fit to us. We’re in. See you there!”

Sunday night closes out with another brand new headliner for BLOODSTOCK, gothic-industrial metalcore giants MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, delivering eye-poppin’ theatrical spectacle two decades in. Chris Motionless leads the charge, turning every note into the catchiest horror movie you can mosh to. Having caught their dazzling last tour, the band go from strength to strength and we can only imagine what plans are afoot for this headline set. Chris Motionless states, “Bloodstock! We were told that we are one of the most requested bands to perform at your legendary festival, so it is with great honor to announce that we are answering the call and will be seeing you next year for our first ever European festival headlining show, and only U.K. show of 2027! Thank you so much! Let the countdown begin.”

Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, Thursday headliners MADBALL are set to pulverize your opening night with 35+ years of pure New York hardcore under their belt. Freddy Cricien’s crew still hits as hard as they did back in ’89, no gimmicks. Friday’s closing slot goes to the mysterious GAEREA, black metal that’s grown more cinematic and crushing with every record. KANONENFIEBER march into Saturday’s top spot: Noise’s German war machine turning WWI diaries into blackened death metal, think trench warfare rendered in sound. And to close it out, as the very final band of the festival, DETHKLOK – born from the animated series Metalocalypse, now a real band tearing through brutally serious, melodic death metal live. They may have had cartoon origins but they bring dead-serious riffs you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a few more you can look forward to seeing on the Ronnie James Dio stage over the festival… 

Friday special guests ACID BATH crawl from the Louisiana bayou, sludge metal pioneers blending doom, blues, and southern gothic dread. Saturday special guests GREEN LUNG conjure folk-horror occult rock, all Hammer-film atmosphere and fuzzed-out riffs… witchy, heavy, and a little unhinged. Sunday special guests CHILDREN OF BODOM return to honor the legacy of the late Alexi Laiho, celebrating the melodic death metal sound that made them Finnish icons. 

The patient are rewarded… DEVILDRIVER finally return, their dark, groove-laden California metal led by Dez Fafara’s signature growl and perfect for record numbers of circle pits. The legendary CORROSION OF CONFORMITY roll in, over 40 years deep into a sound that fuses hardcore punk roots with Sabbath-soaked southern metal. IMMINENCE bring Swedish alternative metalcore, all soaring choruses wrapped around crushing breakdowns. A booking set to delight many – WIND ROSE, Italian folk-power metal built for fantasy battles and beer-hall singalongs. SYLOSIS wield UK thrash-meets-melodic-death precision, courtesy of Josh Middleton’s relentless riffing.  DECAPITATED offer up Polish technical death metal with riffs sharp enough to earn respect from the genre’s toughest critics. WITCH CLUB SATAN could be your new favourites, an all-female Norwegian black metal coven turning theatre training into confrontational, ritualistic chaos. HAMMERFALL bring the true steel – Swedish power metal at its most anthemic. Fellow Swedes, death metal originators HYPOCRISY are still delivering a masterclass three decades in. You can also see THE HALO EFFECT, ex-In Flames members returning to the classic Gothenburg melodic death metal sound that built the genre. Former BLOODSTOCK stage breakers (yes, we remember) TORTURED DEMON are set to give it another go with their pedigree thrash. Are you ready for GUTALAX? Czech goregrind degenerates who’ve built a career on toilet humor and blast beats. HUMANITY’S LAST BREATH also join the bill, Swedish deathcore architects of the crushing, low-tuned “thall” sound. And Liverpool’s self-proclaimed masters of “caveman battle doom” CONAN intend to heft riffs so heavy they practically have their own gravitational pull. 

The Sophie stage will be just as varied. Here’s three more treats you can expect in the big tent! 

DOOL slink in, in a haze of candlelight and doom, weaving in dark rock and post-rock into something hypnotic straight out of Rotterdam plus they’ve just finished writing a new album. Things get ugly (in the best way) with PIG DESTROYER, Virginia grindcore legends who’ll turn your skull inside out with blast beats and JR Hayes’ nightmarish lyrics. And if you haven’t discovered them yet, you soon will – FULCI rise from the grave with old-school death metal soaked in zombie-flick gore, every album a tribute to horror icon Lucio Fulci.

And about 100 more bands yet to be announced… 

RUN DON’T WALK to get your ticket!

Early bird standard weekend tickets are available at the main entrance box office throughout the festival, priced £210.00 with no booking fee. Once they’re gone (and there’s a high chance these will sell out on site), the price rises to £235 plus booking fee, with general on-sale kicking off on Monday 10th August at 9am – so grabbing your early bird at the festival could save you a cool £34 per ticket. 

Wednesday early access is also available for 2027 for some campsites, as are child tickets, and children under 4 can attend for free! The instalment scheme, allowing you to spread your purchase of some ticket types over several payments, will also return, going on sale on Wednesday 12th August. Coach packages will be available from Monday 10th August.

VIP and Campervan tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 12th August at 9am. New for 2027! There are now two luxury VIP areas at BLOODSTOCK! You can choose to pitch your tent in the Serpent’s Lair VIP campsite (or book a pre-erected tent), or you can book a range of deluxe pod pads in the brand new Serpent’s Lair VIP Sanctuary! Set within a series of picturesque glades just a short 5-minute stroll from the Serpent’s Lair VIP campsite and the main arena, the Sanctuary offers a peaceful retreat from the mayhem of the festival without ever being far from the action. Wake up surrounded by nature before heading back into the heart of BLOODSTOCK whenever you are ready!

Visit the official website for all the latest information including all ticket packages and options. 

BLOODSTOCK 2027 will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 5th – 8th August, 2027

The new video was mostly filmed on July 7 in Lisbon, Portugal when the multi-GRAMMY® Award-nominated New York hard rock titans – Scott Ian (guitar), Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass), Joey Belladonna (vocals), and Jonathan Donais (guitar) – toured with Iron Maiden in Europe. It features live performance footage and behind the scenes backstage fun with cutaways to classic B&W boxing footage that underline the song’s central lyrics: “Everybody’s got a plan/That’s until they get punched in the face…” Watch the video HERE and listen to the incendiary song, with its massive riffs and ferocious vocals, HERE.

“‘Everybody’s Got a Plan’ has always been one of my favorite songs on Cursum Perficio,” Benante says. “The video basically shows the band on and off stage in a montage of video clips that kinda matches the velocity of the song.  ‘Everybody’s got a plan/That’s until they get punched in the face’ is such a great line, and so true!”

“Most of this video was shot opening for [Iron] Maiden in Lisbon, Portugal at Estádio da Lu on July 7, 2026,” Ian notes.  “We wanted to capture us having fun on tour and what better way to do that? That was a plan that didn’t end up with a punch in the face! Have fun watching my friends!”

Bello adds, “This video is a great representation of a day in the life of Anthrax on tour.”

Pre-order Cursum Perficio here: https://anthrax.bfan.link/cplp
Stream ‘Everybody’s Got A Plan‘ here: https://anthrax.bfan.link/ebgap

Anthrax have previously released two singles and videos from Cursum Perficio: ‘It’s For The Kids‘ a classic Anthrax ripper locked and loaded with buzzsaw-sharp riffs, explosive drumming, and a howling and head-banging hook. It undoubtedly has all the makings of a future live staple. Listen HERE and watch the official music video HERE. It was followed by ‘The Edge Of Perfection‘, highlighted by clean guitar echoes and cymbals that gently shake until a blastbeat blows open the doors. Guitars buzz like a motorboat on the River Styx, making waves through the darkness. In their wake, a crushing rhythm trails the melody of lead singer Joey Belladonna‘s lament, “My heart breaks…I’m on the edge…I’m on the edge of perfection.”  Listen to “The Edge Of Perfection” HERE and watch the official music video HERE.

Meanwhile, the group recently announced they were rolling out uniquely animated short clips based on the album cover, with the first clip shared July 28.  They worked with artist Mark Stritzel for the striking cover and the animation was done by Emmanuel Cappellini. Mark initially worked with the band’s Charlie Benante on the characters featured on the album cover. Watch the first clip HERE and listen to the story HERE. Every Tuesday, the group will unveil the individual stories of each character featured on the album. Beyond the Magician’s story, subsequent weeks will reveal more about the Woman In White, Dog, Winged Skeleton, and concluding September 1 with Hands.

Cursum Perficio marks the band’s first record in ten years since 2016’s For All Kings, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The phrase Cursum Perficio is Latin for “My journey has come to an end,”“My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.” It proves apropos for such a complete body of work.  

The band dove into recording Cursum Perficio in earnest during 2022, working out of Dave Grohl‘s Studio 606 in Los Angeles. They carefully pieced together what would be this magnum opus, mining their history with reverence, delivering on fan expectations tenfold, and broadening the scope of their signature sound. Produced by Jay Ruston and Anthrax, the result is an album that’s as angry, aggressive, and alive as their most celebrated fare.

Their journey has brought them to Cursum Perficio – a powerful, pummeling, and poetic milestone in Anthrax‘s 45-year career.

The CURSUM PERFICIO track listing is as follows:
 
Persistence of Memory
The Long Goodbye
It’s For the Kids
Everybody’s Got A Plan
The Edge Of Perfection
Infectious
NYC93
Cursum Perficio
T.O.M.B
Watch It Go
My Victory

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WATCH THE VISUALISER FOR ‘SPACE PLATFORM’

STREAM/DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE ‘SPACE PLATFORM’

Harmonic Mind, the band’s 17th studio album, is another welcome chapter in the ever-evolving Ozric’s story. Named after the geometric structure and harmonic nature of existence, the album weaves together soaring guitar melodies, intricate rhythms, lush synth textures and deep, hypnotic grooves into the kind of free-flowing psychedelic odyssey that has become their trademark.

Recorded at the band’s home studios as it gradually took shape across Scotland, Devon and finally Glastonbury, Harmonic Mind also captures something a little different. Featuring the full touring line-up – including drummer Pat Garvey, bassist Corey Wallace, percussionist Paul Hankin and multi-instrumentalist Saskia Maxwell – the album has a natural energy that reflects the chemistry of the band’s live performances, with each player bringing their own voice to the music. 

HARMONIC MIND WILL BE RELEASED EVERYWHERE ON CLASSIC BLACK VINYL LP, TRANSPARENT BLUE VINYL LP, CD AND DIGITALLY. PRE-ORDER HERE.

A LIMITED PURPLE VINYL LP EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH OFFICIAL KSCOPE AND OZRIC TENTACLES STORES.

From the driving pulse of “Guardstones” to the cosmic momentum of “Space Platform”, Harmonic Mind is packed with the flowing musicianship and exploratory spirit that fans have come to expect and adore. “Malachite” pays tribute to one of Ed Wynne’s favourite minerals, while also giving centre stage to his custom sandalwood acoustic from Kif Wood Guitars, complete with a beautiful malachite inlay around the sound hole. It’s one of many moments that highlights the warmth and detail running throughout the album, alongside the fluid interplay between Ed Wynne’s guitar and Silas Neptune’s ever-shifting synth landscapes.

Produced by Ed Wynne and Silas Neptune, with mastering handled by Silas for the first time, the album feels both fresh and reassuringly familiar. Even the return of the beloved Erp on the cover art offers a knowing nod to longtime listeners. There’s no radical change of direction here, just Ozric Tentacles doing what they do best.

Ozric Tentacles – Harmonic Mind

1. Guardstones [06:40]

2. Space Platform [05:57]

3. Harmonic Mind [09:12]

4. Malachite [07:52]

5. Tillamook [09:11]

6. Sumipad [04:54]

Since emerging from the UK’s festival scene in the early ’80s, Ozric Tentacles have remained one of psychedelic music’s true originals. More than four decades on, they’re still pushing forward, still exploring new sonic possibilities, and still making music with the same spirit of curiosity and freedom that first set them apart. 2026 sees Ozric Tentacles continue their extensive touring schedule with a large run of Autumn/Winter shows and a number of co-headline shows alongside The Orb. 

OZRIC TENTACLES TOUR DATES

2026

22nd August – Down the Hill Festival, Aarschot, Belgium
31st August – Honey Fest, Honeystreet, Devizes, England

4th September – Existence Festival, Tetbury, England
17th September – Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, England
18th September – Equinox Festival, Coningsby, England

16th October – Gazarte Ground Stage, Athens, Greece
17th October – WE, Thessaloniki, Greece

11th November – Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, England
12th November – Boilershop, Newcastle, England (with The Orb)
13th November – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Scotland
14th November – Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow, Scotland (with The Orb)
15th November – Platform, Morecambe, England
18th November – Social, Hull, England
19th November – O2 Academy, Leeds, England (with The Orb)
20th November – O2 Academy, Liverpool, England (with The Orb)
21st November – Bodega, Nottingham, England
22nd November – Club 85, Hitchin, England
25th November – Con Club, Lewes, England
26th November – O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England (with The Orb)
27th November – O2 Academy, Bristol, England (with The Orb)
28th November – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, England

2nd December – The Church, Ipswich, England
3rd December – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, England
4th December – O2 Ritz, Manchester, England (with The Orb)
5th December – O2 Kentish Town Forum, London, England

2027

25th February – De Helling, Utrecht, The Netherlands
26th February – De Pul, Uden, The Netherlands
27th February – Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

19th March – Shiiine Weekender, Skegness, England

2nd–9th April – Cruise to the Edge, Miami, USA

BUY TICKETS

Harmonic Mind will be released on 18^th September on Kscope, pre-order here.

Ozric Tentacles

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For “The Last Will and Testament Exclusive Summer 2026 Concert Series”, Opeth selected venues across Europe befitting the complexity and dynamics of their music, venues that wouldn’t be on the tour schedule of many bands. 

From Anfiteatro Degli Scavi in Pompei to Sequoie Music Park in Bologna, OLT Rivierenhof in Antwerp to the magnificent setting of The Piece Hall in Halifax, England, Sunday 2^nd August saw a sold out Bord Gáis Energy Theatre host the fifth stop of eight in a venue located in Dublin’s Docklands that holds the accolade of being Ireland’s largest fixed-seat theatre.

Opeth’s last visit to these shores was in 2019 where The Olympia Theatre on Dame Street was the venue for the “In Cauda Venenum” tour . A lot has changed in the world since then, including Opeth’s drummer; Waltteri Väyrynen replacing Martin Axenrot in 2022. 

Tonight’s support is fellow Swedes Hällas who bring a tinge of the 1970’s to proceedings. 4 albums into their career the band is named after the main character in a storyline running through their early lyrics, that of a knight from a parallel, medieval universe. Bedecked in long, dark cloaks with a backdrop scene envisaging the fantasy world of their imagination, complimented with the mix of modern and retro equipment, we are entertained, enveloped in an atmospheric soundscape of psychedelic synthesiser and dual guitars, conjuring memories of vintage Genesis, Hawkwind and Wishbone Ash.

A superb performance that, judging by the reaction of the crowd, will have earned them many additions to their fanbase.

As always, an Opeth gig brings forth a stark contrast between the intensely heavy versus the atmospherically sublime. Sprinkle in a tasteful portion of Mikael Åkerfeldt’s humour and you know you are in the presence of progressive royalty and witnessing one of the gigs of the year in a refined setting all whilst admiring a chic line in fashion modelled by both Mikael and Martín Méndes, who are sporting dapper headwear.

As the lights dim, the buzz of the crowd builds in anticipation as the intro, “Seven Bowls” by Aphrodite’s Child provides an eerie but powerful start as the band members take up position; Waltteri Väyrynen and Joakim Svalberg are first to appear behind their respective raised banks of keyboards and drumkit, followed closely by the frontline trio of Martín Méndez (bass), Fredrik Åkesson (guitar) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (guitar) who casually saunter on to a rapturous reception.

Strategically placed screens both as a backline and evenly distributed across the stage in front of Joakim and Waltteri’s risers spring to life displaying artwork from “The Last Will and Testament”, family portraits in some, depicting characters from the album’s storyline as the footsteps and creaking door opens to Mendez’ pulsating bass line at the start of “Paragraph 1” which is swiftly followed by Walt’s drums, Joakim’s keys and the first chuggingly heavy Opethian riff of the night as the much heralded return of death growls from Mikael repeat the cleanly sung opening line “Draped in death, the howl of lore”.

The setlist is taken from ten of Opeth’s fourteen studio albums, “Orchid”, “Morningrise”, “Pale Communion” and “Sorceress” the four not represented. We brush up on our Swedish for “Hjärtat vet vad handen gör” from 2019’s “In Cauda Venenum” album before a blast from the past in “Godhead’s Lament” from 1999’s “Still Life” album. 

Another perk to a night in Opeth’s company is being regaled by tales from Mikael laced with his legendary, witty, dry humour. He jokes about his shoe size and it’s relationship proportionally to his “little” Mikael. The painstaking trek from last night’s gig in Halifax is recounted due to it’s awkward logistics and we find out some Opethians present were also in Halifax. 

Introducing “Paragraph 7” Mikael introduces Ian Anderson’s presence, alas on tape only, providing spoken words in the song; the only tape used as the band do not use click track nor any other form of backing tapes. The ever changing graphic displays and lighting add spectacular effect as we proceed through “The Devil’s Orchid”, the beautiful “Windowpane”, “The Grand Conjuration”, “Demon of the Fall” and “Paragraph 3”.

Dublin, and the inseparable connection to Thin Lizzy is recognised between songs with Mikael paying particular tribute to Gary Moore and his influence on him, “Out in the Fields” being singled out and his album “Blues for Greeny” recorded using Peter Green’s 1959 Les Paul Standard which is now in the possession of Kirk Hammett.

Next up we get three covers, Napalm Death’s “You Suffer”, Napalm Death’s “You Suffer”, and Napalm Death’s “You Suffer”; played on repeat until we all got the lyrics right and witty as ever, Mikael self depreciatingly referring to it being a proper song compared to Opeth’s own “shitty” songs while introducing “The Drapery Falls”.

Set closer “Hex Omega” heavily blasts forth, before a time and vibe shift as Mikael sings “Two years in your heart, One moment of doubt”.  Throughout we shift between heavy and tranquil, the contrast between lighter, ambient shades and heavy passages taking us to the set conclusion in seven minutes of beauty.

Quite possibly there isn’t another song in Opeth’s repertoire so deserving to serve as encore as “Deliverance”. Breathtaking in its composition, it is near fourteen minutes of perfection, heavy yet relaxing and culminating a gentle acoustic strum and the gently sung “Deliverance, thrown back at me…Deliverance, laughing at me…Deliverance, thrown back at me…Deliverance, laughing at me”. And that closing instrumental four minutes? Spectacular!

What a night in a venue many wouldn’t be familiar with, a point noted by Mikael who implored everyone to relax and be themselves in the posh surroundings. The intensely, intricate heavy music contrasting with lighter passages and countered with Mikael’s between song repartee is complemented by visuals and lighting. 

A stunning show performed by a band at the top of its game and practically peerless.  

Photography by Eamonn Smyth for MPM

Out 4th September, 2026, via Napalm Records, Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 marks ACCEPT‘s 50th anniversary with 19 iconic tracks reimagined alongside 50 legendary guest artists. ‘Save Us’ stands out as one of the album’s most compelling moments, breathing new life into a hidden gem from the band’s catalogue while celebrating both ACCEPT‘s lasting legacy and the heavy metal genre they helped shape. Powerful and timeless, the album proves that ACCEPT remain as vital and influential as ever.

Wolf Hoffmann about ‘Save Us’:
“Tobias was not really on my radar. Obviously, I know Ghost, and they’re huge, but last year he turned up at one of our shows when we played in Stockholm, and we were chatting a little bit, and he said that his favourite song was ‘Save Us’, and at one point he was considering using it as a cover song on one of their albums, but it never panned out. ‘Save Us’? I don’t even remember that song. Nobody has even mentioned that song! I had to go back and listen to it. After I saw a Ghost show it all made sense to me. It really fits his style and I could really imagine him doing that song really well.

“He’s right, it’s a fun song!”

Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/Accept-TeutonicTitans/napalmrecords

German heavy metal legends ACCEPT celebrate 50 years of pure power, bringing together the scene’s A-list musicians for a landmark release. Teutonic Titans 1976–2026 stands as a definitive statement of the band’s legacy, forged in steel and driven by unmistakable riffs. Arriving 4th September via Napalm Records, the album delivers some of the most iconic songs ever written in heavy music.Led by guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, the longtime architect of ACCEPT‘s sound, the band are joined by a staggering 50 guests across 19 reimagined versions of their biggest tracks. Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 is ACCEPT‘s most ambitious and star-studded release to date, reaching far beyond their country’s borders. Featuring the biggest names in heavy music paying tribute to the German icons, the record cements the band’s standing on the global stage.

This is more than an album; it is a manifesto of metal. Pre-orders are now available in various exclusive formats.
  
Wolf Hoffmann about Teutonic Titans 1976-2026:
“There is no better way to celebrate this 50-year anniversary than to have our musical peers, friends, and inspirations come together with us to record these classic ACCEPT songs, which I am honored and proud to share with the world. I hope everyone enjoys this very special record as much as we all enjoyed making it.”

Chronologically progressing through albums from their formative years, from I’m a Rebel (1980) to Eat the Heat (1989), ACCEPT present their songs with an all-new, all-star lineup, alongside the signature voice of Mark Tornillo and Wolf Hoffmann‘s unmistakable riffs. By enlisting a Who’s Who of metal, no two songs on Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 are the same. Every track features a different combination of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums, giving each classic a fresh edge.
 
Tobias Forge delivers a commanding performance on the track ‘Save Us’ (I’m a Rebel, 1980), joined by Ray Luzier on drums. Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, and Mikkey Dee tear through the speed metal classic ‘Fast As A Shark’ (Restless and Wild, 1982). ‘Balls to the Wall’ surges with the powerful range of Metal God Rob Halford, alongside the guitar work of Matthias Jabs, while the reimagined ‘Love Child’ is elevated by Billy Corgan and David Ellefson (both songs from Balls to the Wall, 1983).
 
Other guest stars on ACCEPT‘s extraordinary release include K. K. Downing, Bobby Blitz, Hansi Kürsch, Chris Jericho, Ralf Scheepers, Billy Sheehan, Ola Englund, and Jeff Loomis. The album also features a re-recording of ‘Hellhammer’ (Eat the Heat, 1989), performed by ACCEPT‘s current lineup: Wolf Hoffmann, bassist Martin Motnik, guitarist Philip Shouse and drummer Christopher Williams, joined by Jason McMaster on vocals. The album masterpiece was produced, mixed and mastered by legendary producer Zeuss.

Tracklisting: 

Restless and Wild

Fast as a Shark

Balls to the Wall

Aiming High

Run If You Can

Hellhammer

Metal Heart

Losers and Winners

Save Us

Up to the Limit

Wrong Is Right

Starlight

Fight It Back

Love Child

Breaker

Demon’s Night

T.V. War

London Leatherboys

Monsterman

ACCEPT are:
Wolf Hoffmann – guitar
Mark Tornillo – vocals
Philip Shouse – guitar
Martin Motnik – bass
Christopher Williams – drums

Watch ACCEPT in the UK:

27.08.26 UK – Wolverhampton / KK’s Steel Mill
28.08.26 UK – London / Indigo at The O2

ACCEPT online:
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NAPALM RECORDS

Until We Disappear’ Track listing

1. Like You
2. Until We Disappear
3. Everything Hurts
4. Peace of Mind
5. Lifeline
6. Down Under 
7. All That Remains
8. Through Hell
9. Blown Away
10. Neverborn

Any Given Sin online
 
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As we make our way into Belfast the city is busy due to the Fleadh however, with only a few diversions we make it to the Limelight in good time.

Once parked we notice the Pieter Smit Entertainment Logistic Mini Buses outside the venue. I didn’t realise until after the show that as we walk in that members of Vio-lence were sitting outside the Limelight having a pre-show drink. Entering the venue we are greeted by the legend that is James Loveday, the mastermind behind The Distortion Project. If it wasn’t for James we wouldn’t have the opportunity to see such a variety of Metal Bands in Belfast and we’d have no other choice but to travel to Dublin more frequently.  We check out the Merch and we see various Shortest Straw, Cutthroat and Vio-lence items on display in order of tonight’s line up. The Merch was reasonably priced around £20/5 per t-shirt. There is a decent crowd for a Monday night especially given that it is the summer holidays and also the Festival Season.

Once seated we wait for Shortest Straw to take to the stage. Early Bay Area Thrash blasts through the PA which was co-ordinated tonight by Brian. There is a variety of Thrash Metal band T-shirts such as Forbidden and Death Angel and Vio-lence amongst the excited gathering. The majority of the crowd are in the older age bracket which would indicate the die-hard love amongst us for Thrash Metal here in Belfast. It’s great to see that it is still alive and kicking!! Next thing Shortest Straw take to the stage with Paul O’Rourke on vocals, Lucas Todesco on drums, Daryl Hill on Bass and Brian Gribben on guitar. Not knowing that the lads are local I assume they are American and have been playing for a while due to how well they perform on stage. Songs like Spinkick, Hostility and new track Narcissist’s Prayer get the crowd going. The professionalism is inspiring for such a new band and they are tight in their sound and rhythm, especially the blast beat drumming which was impressive. 

Paul’s presence and metal core singing style is well honed and reverberates through the Limelight. Paul is a sound fella who is more than happy to chat about the band and their journey from 2024 to date including, releasing three singles, competing in Metal for the Masses and how they appreciate the support from James Loveday regarding support slots at gigs. Despite a hilarious and traumatic story from life on the road, Shortest Straw have survived to tell the tale and have a new EP – A New Normal, due for release on 11/08/26 and are excited to be going out on their own Headline Tour. I have had the privilege of listening to the new EP ahead of its release and it’s an absolute cracking collection of heavy duty tracks. Don’t miss Shortest Straw on their upcoming tour. Shortest Straw appear at the Merch Stand and take time to chat with the fans during whilst Cutthroat are carrying out their sound check on the stage. 

The LA/Sao Paulo lads take to the stage at 8.30pm and play for 45 minutes. They blow us away with their mix of hard-core and thrash metal cross over. Neil Roemer (vocals) is a force to be reckoned with as the stage wasn’t big enough for him to bounce around. Three songs in, Roemer is in the pit with the fans and really giving it his all, involving the crowd in the bands performance as the fists pound the air. Tracks such as Nothing to Prove, Bulletproof and Trash have the Limelight bouncing along. It was a great sight to see both the vocalist and the fans involving an eager fan in his wheelchair amongst the fun. Roemer himself comments on how beautiful a country we live in and talks about how about how music creates unity and brings us all together – dedicating the song to Belfast. That’s what a Metal gig is all about looking out for one another. The rest of the band brothers Dan (guitar) and Art (drums) Banura and Jesse Gomez (bass) remain on stage delivering sheer Brazilian beats from Sao Paulo intense and technical yet raw.

They bring to mind Ratos de Porao from Brazil. Cutthroat capture our attention from start to finish and we would like to hear more!! I would definitely like to see the lads on a headlining tour. Neil invites the fans to meet him at the Merch Stand after their set saying that they have some nice vinyl for sale. The band request a group photo from the stage ‘for a fucking memory of this tour’. Chatting with Neil after the intense show I am not surprised to learn that he is close friends with Billy Graziadei of Biohazard whom has produced Cutthroats first two records. The Biohazard influence is evident throughout the set. They will be touring with Biohazard in Manchester next week so don’t miss the opportunity to catch these fellas on tour they are a powerhouse. They have a new EP out entitled The Purge check it out.

The Limelight is warmed up and we are all ready now for the main reason we are all here tonight. I have always loved Thrash and Vio-lence’s ‘Eternal Nightmare’ released in 1988, was the ultimate Thrash Metal Album for me. I still have it on Vinyl and it possesses some killer tracks. In the early days Vio-lence were a part of the Thrash Scene alongside Death Angel, Sanctuary and Nuclear Assault all signed by Megaforce records. Sean Killian vocals remains the original member and they have had numerous other well-known musicians playing in the band over the years such as Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel of Machine Head. The current band members are all serious musicians in their own right consisting of Nick Souza (Hatriot) on drums, Ira Black (Dio Disciples and Metal Church) on lead guitar, Jeff Salgedo (Psychosomatic) on bass and Claudeous Creamer (Possessed) on rhythm guitar. 

When the boys take to the stage and get the music blasting, Sean then appears on stage with a cracking battle jacket with patches from all his favourite bands. The dedicated vocalist lives, sleeps and breathes Thrash Metal. The highlights of the Setlist for me are Eternal Nightmare, Calling in the Coroner and Serial killer. Sean chatted throughout the set with the fans and as he is picking out the names of individuals he met pre show. The calibre of bands such as Vio-lence is clear – whether it’s a Festival or a small pub or an arena they appreciate the fans and do not charge for meet and greets. They spend time with their tribe and share the love of Metal. Similar to another gig this year I feel transported back in a time machine to my youth when Thrash bands were big players in the World of metal. It was great seeing the vintage t-shirts worn proudly this evening.

The energy reflects from the stage to the pit- Sean commands a mosh pit and the Belfast gathering were happy to oblige. The frontman tells us “I’ll Look you right in the fucking eye this is what this shit is about, it’s how it started and how this shit will continue as long as I am playing this crazy music”. The calibre and talent amongst the Vio-lence fellas is intense and the sound is amazing from start to finish. It’s fantastic to hear the fans singing along and singing the lyrics for the Sean – fist pumping the air with great nostalgia. Once off the stage Vio-lence were humble, walking about meeting people taking the time to ask the fans their names and distribute plectrums. A shout out to Jeff who took the time to come and meet a mate with mobility issues, this kind gesture made his night. Our journey home is filled with conversations of tonight’s three bands, not only enjoying a fantastic night of music but meeting the bands and chatting and getting photos which was something else.

07/08/26 – Jaroměř, CZ – Brutal Assault (Festival)
08/08/26 – Vienna, AT – Viper Room
09/08/26 – Munich, DE – Backstage
12/08/26 – Košice, SK – Colosseum
13/08/26 – Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse
14/08/26 – Zabok, HR – Cuk Regenerator
 
Russia & Asia:
16/08/26 – Moscow, RU – Pravda Club
17/08/26 – Saint Petersburg, RU – Kosmonavt
20/08/26 – Shanghai – Cave Art Venue
21/08/26 – Wuhan – Three Live
22/08/26 – Tianjin – Liu Li Space
23/08/26 – Taipei – Pipe Live House
24/08/26 – Tokyo – Koenji High
25/08/26 – Tokyo – Koenji High
28/08/26 – Seoul – JS Art Hall

More dates TBA. For more information, visit Vio-lence’s official social media pages: Instagram (@vio_lence_official) and Facebook (Vio-lence).

The album is available to pre-order now here.

Through heavy, immersive soundscapes and raw lyrics, the London by way of Portugal duo Jason Payne (vocals, guitar) and Joanna Hyde (vocals, bass) channel the experience of feeling detached in a world which seems increasingly distant.

Incorporating influences from post-grunge, metalcore and the alternative sphere, each song on their new album Is This Worth Living For?, produced by Grammy-nominated Romesh Dodangoda (Nova Twins, Bring Me The Horizon), serves as confrontation to the pressures to conform, the relentless drive for superficial perfection, and the weight of solitude.

Brand new single ‘Toxic’ out today sees the band delivering a barrage of heavy riffs and menacing synths among a pounding rhythm, as the vocals range from soaring in the anthemic chorus to gruesome growls, it all leads towards the brutal breakdown and scorching guitar solo finale.

It finds Electron coming out fighting for truth and authenticity within society as Jason explains, “‘Toxic’ goes out to everyone who’s felt betrayed, broken or beaten up by this “social media” culture. We’re living in strange times, where we don’t know what’s real or not, tons of disinformation, everyone seems to have strong opinions about everything online… It’s the polarisation of society and its decay that fuelled our energy throughout this track.”

Is This Worth Living For? includes highly acclaimed singles such as ‘Trap’, which opens the record with epic heaviness paired dark electronics, alongside the crushing post-hardcore of ‘Echoes Of A Dying World’, the heavy and aching ‘Lie To Me’, and ‘You Betray’ which delivers a gut punch breakdown before fighting back with a searing guitar solo.

Elsewhere on the album, Skindred frontman Benji Webbe joins Electron for guest vocals on the punishing nu metal track ‘Taken’. As Electron weave their way through their heavy take on the world’s existential struggles on the album, they wrap the record up with live versions of ‘Burning Inside’, ‘Echoes Of A Dying World’ and ‘You Betray’, solidifying the power Electron hold on and off record.

Electron have completed numerous headline tours throughout the UK and Europe following the release of their debut album Defiance in 2023. They have more live dates to be announced soon to showcase their huge expansion of sonics on the new record, with the shows sure to provoke as chaotic scenes as heard on Is This Worth Living For?.

IS THIS WORTH LIVING FOR? TRACK LISTING

1. Trap
2. Lie To Me
3. Dying To Feel Alive
4. You Betray
5. Toxic
6. Echoes Of A Dying World
7. Taken feat. Benji Webbe
8. Insomnia
9. Tether
10. Bleeding Heart
11. Burning Inside (live)
12. Echoes Of A Dying World (live)
13. You Betray (live)

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Driving guitars, striking changes in tempo and strong melodies come together in a direct blend of heavy metal, punk and rock’n’roll. As the second track on the album, “Welcome To Life” makes it clear early on just how diverse Born With A Hammer is set to be. 

Lyrically, the song is about accepting life as it is, not dwelling on what is missing and making the most of what you have. Hansen combines this outlook with his unmistakable guitar playing, an infectious sense of spontaneity and the spirit of a road trip through life.

The official lyric video brings this idea to life as a Mustang tears through a heightened, hell-tinged world. Its imagery follows the song’s shifting dynamics and puts its sense of freedom firmly on the road.

Born With A Hammer was produced by Eike Freese, Kai Hansen and Alexander Dietz. The album was recorded with Eike Freese on guitar, Heaven Shall Burn’s Alexander Dietz on bass, Carcass drummer Dan Wilding and Induction guitarist Tim Hansen.

Across 10 songs, Born With A Hammer combines powerful heavy metal with punk attitude, hard rock drive and strong melodies. “Welcome To Life” represents the album’s more immediate and carefree side, expanding the picture of this new solo chapter following “Feeding The Beast.”

Following the worldwide success of Helloween’s recent reunion era and its major international tours, Born With A Hammer sees Kai Hansen return his focus to his own musical world. “Welcome To Life” shows that this world is firmly rooted in his history while continuing to forge a path entirely of its own.

Listen to “Welcome To Life” HERE.

Pre-order Born With A Hammer HERE.

FEEDING THE BEAST TRACK LISTING:
“Feeding The Beast”
“Welcome To Life”
“Don’t Care”
“Wait And See”
“Born With A Hammer”
“I.D.G.A.F.”
“End Of The Road”
“Triple Trouble”
“Invaders”
“Wonderland”

FORMATS:
CD Digipak
Black LP Gatefold (180g)
Limited Picture Disc LP (180g)

Kai Hansen is one of modern heavy metal’s most influential creative forces. As co-founder of Helloween and founder of Gamma Ray, he shaped the sound and spirit of power metal and continues to influence artists and fans worldwide. His work with Helloween has brought him back to the biggest stages around the globe, while Born With A Hammer reveals another side of his creative drive — personal, direct and fully charged.

The HU are a fantastically unique force of nature. A musical sensation formed in 2016 in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, the quartet are the pioneers of the genre Hunnu Rock, with almost 900 million global streams to their name – and counting. 2019’s debut album The Gereg put them on the map: not just in their home country, where they were the first group ever to be awarded the prestigious Chinggis Khaan Order, but even a galaxy far, far away, contributing an original song to the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order soundtrack. 

Two years later, their name sat alongside the likes of Elton John, St. Vincent and Ghost on the epic tracklist to The Metallica Blacklist record, performing a distinct, formidable cover of ‘Through The Never’ at the personal request of the metal legends. And 2022 follow-up album Rumble Of Thunder took The HU to iconic stages such as England’s Glastonbury Festival, and into North American arenas supporting Iron Maiden.

These captivating first two records made good on the band’s promise of sharing their beautiful heritage – indeed, their lyrics are entirely, and very deliberately, all in Mongolian. “If you learn the language and translate our lyrics, you’ll understand the context even more – the background of why we chose these words,” explains frontman Gala, who is the group’s throat singer and morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) player. “Hopefully we will encourage people to speak more Mongolian and become interested Mongolian culture. It’s a very rich culture and it needs to be represented.”

Now, as The HU gear up for the release of their highly-anticipated third album in 2026, they’re taking things even further. Knuckling down to work at their second home of Nature Sound Studio in Ulaanbaatar – a place so familiar and comfortable that “sometimes we take off our shoes, it’s that level of freedom”, grins Gala – the band have been pushing their limits, describing this latest work as an “enriched” take on Hunnu Rock.

“We took our time to do this right, and I’m so glad that we’re almost ready to release what we have worked on these past few years,” Gala says. “As well as always staying true to ourselves, the most important thing for us is longevity. That has been the case since the beginning of the band. We don’t just want a song that will be in the charts for a week and then drop off. We want to create something that will last for decades.”

In the more immediate future, though, The HU have plotted a busy summer in Europe on their Incarnation tour, with slots at festivals such as France’s Hellfest, Germany’s Graspop Metal Meeting and Denmark’s Roskilde. Beyond that, they hope to return to the States, and “tour around the world” to celebrate a whole new era of the band. 

“We are focusing on the performances and working out a brand-new setlist,” teases Gala. “We want to play bigger venues so we can do extensive production, and bring in some amazing elements of our culture, and play these ideas to our fans. And, as well as our third album, we have some amazing ideas for another album already!”

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