Blogs

By the summer of 1986, Donington had already cemented itself as Britain’s sacred metal meadow. But compared to 1985, the ’86 bill was unquestionably stronger, broader, and more internationally formidable. The result? Over 70,000 metal pilgrims descending on Castle...

In 1978, Edward Van Halen didn’t just play a great guitar solo—he detonated the entire rulebook. Eruption rewired what rock guitar could be: two-handed tapping, fluid legato, impossible speed, and a sense that the instrument had suddenly leapt a decade into the...

It all started with a handful of metalheads who wanted to hear – and make – the most repulsive, ungodly racket possible: Death Metal. In the late ’80s, thrash metal had already stretched rock to its breaking point. Bands like Slayer, Possessed, and Kreator were upping...

When we celebrate Monsters of Rock 1985, we not only pay tribute to the incredible bands who took the stage at Donington that year, but also to the legends who—according to John Tucker’s Monsters of Rock: The Official Illustrated History 1980–1996—were considered,...

What was your first legendary venue gig? For every fan, there’s that one place — the sticky-floored, sweat-drenched hall where music hit harder, louder, and somehow felt like it was meant for you. These weren’t just buildings. They were temples of noise, shrines to...

When Ink and Attitude Ruled the Scene Before blogs, before YouTube, before algorithms served you soundbites, there was the printed page — loud, glossy, opinionated, and essential. Rock magazines didn’t just report on music. They curated culture. They made heroes,...

Before the internet turned everything into algorithms and autoplay, rock fans had to hunt for their heroes. They tuned in religiously, flipped through creased magazines, and stayed up late hoping for a glimpse of their favourite bands on telly. If you were part of the...

Before Amazon wishlists and algorithmic playlists, discovering music was a ritual. For rock fans in the UK during the 1980s, that ritual often began at the local record shop — equal parts treasure trove, social hub, and rite of passage. This post dives into the vinyl...

The supergroup has been a staple of rock since the mid-60s – there have been great ones, good ones, and ones that should never have gotten out of the rehearsal room.   A supergroup is a very fragile thing. Balancing oversized egos from the get-go it can lead to huge...

It’s a familiar story. Band announces farewell tour. Tickets go on sale. Fans pack arenas thinking it’s their last chance to see the band. Merch sales go through the roof as fans want the souvenir. A few years later they’re back again.  Farewell tours are one of the...