Cheri Faulkner

Cheri Faulkner

Cheri Faulkner is a journalist focusing on metal and alternative music alongside gaming and technology. After graduating from university with a degree in English and Journalism in 2012 she created her own outlet, Invicta Media, which has evolved to become a musicians' services provider alongside music reviews and galleries. As well as contributing to Prog, she also has bylines at NME, the Metro, The Loadout, PCGamesN and Tech Radar. She's thoroughly passionate about progressive metal, Irn Bru and cows

Articles by: Cheri Faulkner

Vola

“Witness fulfilled so many dreams… I was in doubt about where to go after that”: VOLA’s battle to find a direction for latest album Friend Of A Phantom

By Cheri Faulkner published

When their acclaimed third record became difficult to escape, guitarist and vocalist Asger Mygind knew what its follow-up needed to be – but had no idea how to make it happen

MHR395 Banner

Metal Hammer's 50 best albums of 2024

By Metal Hammer published

From Judas Priest's Invincible Shield to Nightwish's Yesterwynde and Opeth's return to extremity, these are the metal albums that ruled 2024

The metalcore band Defences

"Defences are still a work in progress, but Shadowlight is a must-listen for metalcore fans." Rising Herts crew Defences are evolving in all the right ways on album number three

By Cheri Faulkner published

Defences haven't quite perfected their formula yet, but if you love yourself a good slice of modern metalcore, you're gonna wanna hear this

Rendezvous Point

“Being a musician, you feel like you’re failing if you don’t achieve your dreams – that’s why we chose Dream Chaser as the album title”: Rendezvous Point face down their fears with their third album

By Cheri Faulkner published

After comparisons with Leprous, because the bands share a drummer, they’re now expecting comparisons with Muse and Rammstein – but the Norwegian quintet believe they have something more cool and fun than that

Mimi Barks press

Doom trap? Trap metal? Nu gen? Whatever: Mimi Bark's debut album proves she's a star

By Cheri Faulkner published

Nu gen queen Mimi Barks is feral and fascinating on debut This Is Doom Trap

Pelagic Festival

Five bands you must not miss at this weekend's Pelagic Records Festival

By Cheri Faulkner published

Pelagic Festival runs from August 24-25 at Maastricht's Muziekgieterij

ArcTanGent

Five bands you mustn't miss at this year's ArcTanGent Festival

By Cheri Faulkner published

This year's ArcTanGent Festival takes place between August 14-17 at Fernhill Farm, Somerset, near Bristol

Radar Festival

Five bands you must not miss at Radar Festival this year

By Cheri Faulkner published

This year's Radar Festival takes place between July 26 -28 at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse

Chelsea Wolfe

“There’s a power in making decisions, even understanding I’ll still make mistakes. At least I’m taking responsibility for my own life”: Chelsea Wolfe’s addiction battle informed her most intimate album yet

By Cheri Faulkner published

With a new sobriety, a new sound, a new label and a new approach to mixing, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She marks a new beginning for the experimental singer-songwriter

Myrkur

“I think a lot of people are left feeling empty and isolated, with a loss of meaning and purpose. That’s something I felt the need to write about." Myrkur tells the story of Spine

By Cheri Faulkner published

On the follow-up to 2020’s more traditional Folkesange, Myrkur’s Amalie Bruun has created an experimental album of contrasts

2023 end of year

Metal Hammer's 50 best albums of 2023 (and the stories behind them)

By Rich Hobson published

Sleep Token, Creeper, Within Temptation: 2023 has been a massive year for metal, and these 50 records represent the very best the year has had to offer

Unprocessed - And Everything In Between

“For a band who previously relied on pretty riffs and delicate vocals, they’ve taken a huge risk, hurling the listener around like a malfunctioning fairground ride”: Unprocessed’s …And Everything In Between

By Cheri Faulkner published

Grit, determination and vitriol – a masterclass in how to evolve as a band

Godsticks

“A lot of the time, ‘prog’ conjures up images of the yesteryear. It’s interesting that prog metal has become bigger than prog”: Godsticks understand why they have to be classified

By Cheri Faulkner published

Bandleader Darran Charles on the highs and lows of making sixth studio album This Is What A Winner Looks Like

Metal albums of April 2023

7 brilliant metal albums you might have missed last month

By Rich Hobson published

Grave Pleasures, As Everything Unfolds and Dodheimsgard are among the albums that might have flown under the radar in April

composite image of Circles, Gaupa, Astrosaur, Grace And Fire and Onsegen Ensemble

5 new prog acts you must hear in January 2023

By Natasha Scharf published

Check out Gaupa, Circles, Grace And Fire, Astrosaur and Onsegen Ensemble – five great new up and coming prog artists

Prog Must

Five new prog acts you must hear this month

By Jerry Ewing, Phil Weller, Francesca Tyer, Matt Mills, Cheri Faulkner published

Check out Polyphia, Exist Immortal, D_Drive, Hekla and Ghost Toast, five great new up and coming prog artists