Articles by Merlin Alderslade, Executive Editor, Louder

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.

Articles by: Merlin Alderslade

"In Flames changed my life." We got Bridear's Kimi to make us a mixtape and it's stacked with classic anthems, J-metal rarities and video game bangers

By Rich Hobson published 21 October 24

Kimi, frontwoman of Japanese power metallers Bridear, makes us a mixtape composed of songs that have shaped her life

Limp Bizkit announce 2025 UK and Ireland tour

By Merlin Alderslade published 21 October 24

Nu metal legends Limp Bizkit are returning to the UK and Ireland next year!

"It's our love letter to the city that raised us." Indian nu metal sensations Bloodywood release thumping new single Nu Dehli, announce UK and Europe 2025 tour

By Merlin Alderslade published 18 October 24

Bloodywood's rager of a new single is a love letter to the "vibrant chaos" of the band's hometown of New Delhi

Order this exclusive Iron Maiden Powerslave shirt and Metal Hammer cover bundle

By Merlin Alderslade published 18 October 24

We're celebrating 40 years of Powerslave - get your limited edition bundle while you can

"A neon-flecked, messy, makeup-smeared stumble through 90s and 00s club culture." Confidence Man's 3AM (LA LA LA) is a trashy, joyous instant classic

By Merlin Alderslade published 18 October 24

The Aussie duo have crafted a career-best album and one of 2024's essential dance releases

"You do not need to be a gamer to enjoy this." Avenged Sevenfold celebrate 25th anniversary by launching a 'digital museum' on Fortnite

By Merlin Alderslade published 18 October 24

One of metal's biggest bands are celebrating a huge milestone in the most Avenged way possible

"You will hear it." Mariah Carey is still hoping to release the secret grunge album she recorded in the 90s

By Merlin Alderslade published 17 October 24

The pop icon recorded the album in 1995, but it is yet to be released into the wild

Get an exclusive Iron Maiden Powerslave Metal Hammer cover only in Tesco

By Merlin Alderslade published 14 October 24

We celebrate one of Iron Maiden's most iconic albums in the new issue

Kerry King posing with a guitar and The Rock at a Disney event

"I like a lot of the stuff he’s in." Slayer legend Kerry King would like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to play him in a movie

By Merlin Alderslade published 14 October 24

When asked who could play Kerry King in a movie, Kerry King picks out a couple of action movie legends

"It felt like I’d known her forever." Symphonic metal icons Sharon den Adel and Tarja Turunen on hearing each other's bands Within Temptation and Nightwish for the first time

By Merlin Alderslade published 14 October 24

The Within Temptation frontwoman and former Nightwish singer would eventually team up for a blockbuster single

The Offspring announce 2025 UK headline tour

By Merlin Alderslade published 14 October 24

Pop punk legends The Offspring will hit the UK next year!

Scowl, Neckbrekker, Dool and Ice Nine Kills

The 12 new metal songs you need to hear this week

By Matt Mills published 11 October 24

From such stars as Dream Theater and Myles Kennedy to an array of up-and-coming talent, hear the best new music of the week – and vote for your favourite!

"Get these boys in a bigger room with a full orchestra." Violin-wielding Swedish metalcore crew Imminence work wonders in London's Electric Ballroom

By Merlin Alderslade published 11 October 24

Imminence dazzle a packed-out Ballroom with their bewitching orchestral metal

Some of the exciting young bands playing Aftershock this weekend

10 excellent upcoming bands to catch at Aftershock Festival 2024

By Merlin Alderslade published 9 October 24

This year's Aftershock is stacked with massive names, but there are some outstanding young bands on the bill that deserve your attention

"A true celebration of heavy metal greatness." Arch Enemy, In Flames and Soilwork bring melodeath magic to the Hammersmith Apollo

By Merlin Alderslade published 7 October 24

A generational bill brings equal parts nostalgia and cutting edge excellence to London

"This pushes the boundaries of what we’ve done before." Arch Enemy announce new album Blood Dynasty

By Merlin Alderslade published 4 October 24

Melodic death metal icons Arch Enemy will unleash their twelfth studio album next year

"Throughout every song, the journey is an undercurrent of rebellion." Lacuna Coil announce new album Sleepless Empire: watch their startling video for new single Oxygen

By Merlin Alderslade published 2 October 24

Lacuna Coil will unleash their tenth studio album next year

"You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along." Oasis announce North American tour for 2025

By Merlin Alderslade published 30 September 24

The biggest reunion on Planet Earth continues as Oasis confirm they will roll into North America next year

"I hated Tom Waits at first." From Aretha Franklin to Gravediggaz, Julie Christmas makes us a soundtrack of her life

By Matt Mills published 30 September 24

Unique noise/post-rock maverick Julie Christmas makes us a playlist and tells us the stories behind her picks

Linkin Park's London O2 show is a celebration of one of 21st century metal's most impactful and important bands

By Merlin Alderslade published 25 September 24

Linkin Park and new singer Emily Armstrong roll out the hits and some promising new material for a delighted London crowd

Jamie Campbell Bower now and Slipknot in 2000

"Someone said, 'If you see them without their masks on, they will come and kill you!'" Why I love Slipknot's debut album, by Jamie Campbell Bower

By Merlin Alderslade published 23 September 24

The Bloodmagic frontman and Stranger Things actor on why Slipknot's first album remains unlike any other in metal

Watch Killswitch Engage reunite with ex-singer Howard Jones at emotional homecoming show in Massachusetts

By Merlin Alderslade published 23 September 24

Howard joined his old bandmates for the performance of three songs on Saturday night

"A true believer, sharp as a knife, heart of gold." A tribute to Michelle Kerr, the ass-kicking, passionate PR legend who helped shape modern metal as we know it

By Merlin Alderslade published 20 September 24

Michelle Kerr, PR for Slipknot, Machine Head, Slayer, Megadeth and many more, died on Saturday. She leaves behind a legacy as one of the metal industry's most beloved figureheads

Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Louder and Prog team up to launch brand new merch store - get exclusive designs, vinyl, signed artist bundles and more

By Merlin Alderslade published 19 September 24

From exclusive band designs you can't get anywhere else to awesome memorabilia and signed rarities, we've got it all

New Iron Maiden art featuring classic Eddie mixed with Somewhere In Time Eddie

"We will likely never play many of these songs again." Iron Maiden announce 50th anniversary world tour for 2025, confirm biggest ever UK headline show

By Merlin Alderslade published 19 September 24

The tour will run into 2026 and exclusively feature material from Maiden's 1980 debut up until 1992's Fear Of The Dark!

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Merlin Alderslade

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