Articles by Matt Mills, Contributing Editor, Metal Hammer

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.

Articles by: Matt Mills

“We’re maintaining en element of prog but hopefully still being accessible”: Giant Walker chase an audience who wouldn’t normally bother with their style of groovy riffs

By Matt Mills published 19 December 24

With elements of Deftones and Soundgarden in their experimental approach, Newcastle quartet want to preach their prog news at the heavier festivals

Floor Jansen wearing cream coloured hat and white dress

“Nothing is finished yet, but it will come”: Floor Jansen will use Nightwish’s touring hiatus to make her next solo album

By Matt Mills published 17 December 24

No Nightwish shows? No problem! Singer Floor Jansen will still be productive during the symphonic metal titans’ downtime

System Of A Down announce first full tour since 2018

By Matt Mills published 16 December 24

The nu-metal-but-not-really favourites will trek across South America in May

Blaze Bayley in 1995 and Paul Di'Anno in 1981

“In our heavy metal world, he’s almost as important as Elvis Presley”: Blaze Bayley remembers fellow Iron Maiden alumnus Paul Di’Anno

By Matt Mills published 16 December 24

Iron Maiden’s 90s singer pays tribute to his fallen predecessor, who died in October at the age of 66

“We did it!” Anti-Britpop icons Pulp sign first record deal in 20 years

By Matt Mills published 16 December 24

Jarvis Cocker’s pop-rock stars haven’t released a studio album since 2001, but have started debuting new songs live

Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman onstage with Megadeth in 1992

“I was stunned and angry and told them I couldn’t even consider it”: Why Marty Friedman turned down potential Megadeth reunion in 2015

By Matt Mills published 13 December 24

Friedman claims an insultingly low salary offer prevented Megadeth’s most legendary lineup from regrouping 10 years ago

“I think I just need to stick some Christmas words on it and get it out there!” Have The Cure written the feel-bad holiday hit of the year?

By Matt Mills published 13 December 24

Robert Smith claims he’s written a “really catchy” pop song, and it could be the next Christmas chart-topper

Jim Root and Shawn Crahan of Slipknot onstage in 2024

“I keep telling Clown that I’m just gonna throw it up on Youtube”: Slipknot guitarist Jim Root often threatens to leak long-delayed album Look Outside Your Window

By Matt Mills published 13 December 24

Sick of waiting for Slipknot’s atmospheric rock album to come out? So is guitarist Jim Root!

Lzzy Hale onstage with Halestorm in 2024

“I can’t marry you, but we can totally have an affair sometime”: Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale is open to singing with Skid Row again

By Matt Mills published 12 December 24

Hale will probably never join Skid Row full-time, but she says she’ll be there if the glam veterans ever find themselves in dire straits

Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth posing in 2005

Dani Filth’s mum wants Cradle Of Filth’s Nymphetamine played at her funeral

By Matt Mills published 12 December 24

“She’ll be dead by then, so we can change the tracklisting”

Ice-T of Body Count pointing to the camera

“I got so tired of all these different hybrid categories, I created my own”: Ice-T names the one thing he’d change about heavy metal if he could

By Matt Mills published 10 December 24

The outspoken Body Count frontman also names his favourite rap and metal albums in the new issue of Metal Hammer

Nicko McBrain and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden backstage

“I’m sure you all appreciate that I hate you all!” Iron Maiden share heartfelt backstage video of Nicko McBrain’s final concert

By Matt Mills published 10 December 24

After announcing his intention to retire from the live stage, McBrain played his last show with Iron Maiden over the weekend

The next Korn album will take some time: “Maybe next summer, maybe next year, the next winter – I don’t know!”

By Matt Mills published 10 December 24

Korn have a lot written for the followup to 2022’s Requiem – but they aren’t quite sure when it’s coming out

Chino Moreno performing with Deftones in 2024

Deftones announce two more UK headline shows for summer 2025

By Matt Mills published 10 December 24

Didn’t get tickets to Deftones’ blockbuster London date? The quasi-nu metal beloveds have just announced extra stops in Yorkshire and Cornwall

Judas Priest and Alice Cooper performing live in 2024

Judas Priest add UK dates to 2025 Shield Of Pain European tour, including biggest-ever London show with Alice Cooper

By Matt Mills last updated 10 December 24

The Metal Gods will be joined by the master of shock rock when they play at the O2 Arena in July

System Of A Down announce three co-headline stadium shows with Korn, Avenged Sevenfold and Deftones

By Matt Mills published 9 December 24

American and Canadian metal fans will be spoiled next year, thanks to these three blockbuster events

Geezer Butler names one “cringy” Black Sabbath song: “Maybe because I wrote it, and I hate listening to stuff that I’ve written”

By Matt Mills published 9 December 24

The beloved bassist also reveals how Black Sabbath’s lyrics have been “misinterpreted” over the years

Robert Trujillo in 2024 and Ozzy Osbourne in 2022

“He kept sneaking into our studio and hanging out with us. And then, the minder would come in like, ‘Have you seen Ozzy?’” Metallica’s Robert Trujillo explains how he met Ozzy Osbourne

By Matt Mills published 9 December 24

Apparently the Prince Of Darkness enjoyed wandering off when he was supposed to be recording music…

The 10 best black metal albums of 2024

By Rich Hobson published 9 December 24

You may as well rename Ihsahn, Zeal & Ardor and Witch Club Satan “Spinal Tap”, because there was none more black in 2024

Loz Taylor of While She Sleeps singing in 2024

“At any venue, every time, this band play like their lives depend on it”: While She Sleeps reiterate their place among the metalcore elite with exhilarating London show

By Matt Mills published 7 December 24

While She Sleeps’ second of two nights at O2 Forum Kentish Town may not have the scale of their Ally Pally concert last year, but what’s lacking in size is made up for in killer songs and blinding lights