Articles by Rich Hobson

Writer for Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Louder, Rich has never met a feature he didn't fancy, which is just as well when it comes to covering everything rock, punk and metal for both print and online. Passionate about seeing the spread of metal on a global scale, Rich has spent the last decade seeking out emerging acts from around the world, covering everyone from Alien Weaponry and The Hu to Kaoteon, Nine Treasures and Jinjer, whilst also re-examining rock and metal history with bands like Faith No More, Sepultura and Ozzy Osbourne, alongside legendary events like Rock in Rio and the 1991 Clash Of The Titans tour.

Articles by: Rich Hobson

"Will we bring the tour overseas? We’re exploring options..." Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe and Mastodon's Brann Dailor talk their new collab single, their history together and what the future may hold

By Rich Hobson published 12 September 24

We talk to Brann and Randy about their epic new collaboration Floods Of Triton - and whether there's more to come

Folerkammer/Battlesnake/Belushi Speed Ball/Dermabrasion

4 brilliant new metal bands you need to hear this month

By Rich Hobson published 11 September 24

From Folterkammer's femme-dom black metal to Belushi Speed Ball's 'pizza thrash', Dermabrasion's occulty goth rock and the bizarre alt. metal of Battlesnake, these are the bands you need to hear in September 2024

"A lot of songs for the next record are already in demo phases." Kerry King already has his sights set on a second solo album

By Rich Hobson published 9 September 24

The Slayer guitarist also doesn't rule out doing smaller releases around tours going forward

"Chester was one of a kind. Emily is also one of a kind." Mike Shinoda dismisses criticism of Linkin Park's decision to continue

By Rich Hobson published 9 September 24

If it features Linkin Park members, sounds like Linkin Park and carries on Linkin Park's legacy, you can probably just call it Linkin Park

Linkin Park/Opeth/Spiritbox/Jerry Cantrell/Delain

The 14 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 6 September 24

Linkin Park, Opeth and Spiritboxare among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"I had a swastika t-shirt thinking I was Sid Vicious!" The chaotic rise, fall and rise (again) of iconic rasta-punks Bad Brains

By Rich Hobson published 31 August 24

Bad Brains were radical, explosive, controversial and an influence on everyone from Slayer to Foo Fighters and Fever 333

Wind Rose/Charlotte Wessels/Gojira/Zeal & Ardor/Hanabie

The 13 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 30 August 24

Gojira, Zeal & Ardor and Charlotte Wessels are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"Africa is the future of metal." Meet Arka’n Asrafokor, Togo's first heavy metal band

By Rich Hobson published 28 August 24

Arka’n Asrafokor have had to travel 24 hours by bus just to be able to play gigs. Now, they're starting to get the recognition they deserve

"This is the beginning of the journey." Why Stranger Things' Jamie Campbell Bower started an experimental metal band called BloodMagic

By Rich Hobson published 26 August 24

BloodMagic might only have one single out thus far, but they've got big plans going forward

Seven Hours After Violet/Oceans of Slumber/Dampf/Gore./Turmion Katilot

The 11 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 23 August 24

Chat Pile, Oceans Of Slumber and Unto Others are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

4 brilliant new metal bands you need to hear this month

By Rich Hobson published 23 August 24

From NWOBHM-revivalists Tailgunner to existential post-metallers Kollapse, Austrian folk-tinged black metal heroes Perchta and UK hopefuls Defects, these are the new metal bands you need to hear in August 2024

"I had a kind of queer awakening to All The Things She Said." Cassyette picks the 10 records that have changed her life

By Rich Hobson published 23 August 24

Nu gen queen Cassyette talks us through the songs and bands that soundtracked her life so far - from Bring Me To Life to Bring Me The Horizon

“Maybe I’ll be a bro and let them take our spot up there”: Kerry King names the band who could replace Slayer in the Big Four

By Matt Mills published 22 August 24

Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and who?

"Now they’re seeing how deep the rabbit hole can go." Avant-garde metallers Zeal & Ardor have unleashed their adventurous side on the excellent Greif

By Rich Hobson published 19 August 24

Zeal & Ardor stop just short of totally ripping up the rulebook, but fourth album Greif is a bold step forwards all the same

"We did desert shows at this empty pool by a nudist colony": How Fu Manchu spent thirty years preparing for The Return Of Tomorrow

By Rich Hobson published 19 August 24

Going from hardcore punks to stoner rock is a big leap, but Fu Manchu made it – with a little help from Melvins

Heriot/Brothers Of Metal/Defences/Leprous/Fever 333

The 15 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 16 August 24

Heriot, Fever 333 and Leprous are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"Rock ain’t dead. To who?!" Duff McKagan talks Guns N' Roses, punk rock and how Velvet Revolver proved the haters wrong

By Rich Hobson published 16 August 24

From Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver to his solo work, Duff McKagan is still a punk kid at heart - with big ambitions

Clutch/Crypta/Mimi Barks/Eternal Champion/Hatebreed

The 10 bands that defined Bloodstock 2024

By Rich Hobson published 15 August 24

From Green Lung's massive midday set on Friday to Hatebreed's "Ball of Death", these are the sets that defined Bloodstock 2024.

The Exorcist/Saw 3D/Queen of The Damned/Mad Max: Fury Road/School Of Rock/Thor: Ragnarok/Trick Or Treat/Midsommar

The 50 most metal movie moments ever

By Metal Hammer published 14 August 24

From the sinister appearance of Count Orlok to Iron Man rocking out to AC/DC, these are the 50 most metal movie moments ever

"We haven't done anything decent in 15 years. Message received." Opeth embrace the classics in old school Bloodstock headline set

By Rich Hobson published 11 August 24

Opeth's third time headlining Bloodstock shows just how they elevated extreme metal at the turn of the millennnium

“For a pissed-off, disillusioned teenager that hated the government, Banned In D.C. was the moment I found my tribe”: The 10 best Bad Brains songs according to Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach

By Rich Hobson published 11 August 24

Killswitch Engage singer and Bad Brains uber-fan Jesse Leach’s ultimate 10-track Bad Brain playlist

KK's Priest/Blues Pills/Korn/Feuerschwanz/Spiritbox

10 bands that defined Wacken 2024

By Rich Hobson published 7 August 24

From Accept's triumphant trad metal to the flamethrowing folk of Feuershwanz, these were the bands that ruled Wacken Festival 2024

"Not only the biggest crowd of the weekend, but undoubtedly their careers." Amon Amarth conquer 85,000 metal fans with epic, flamethrowing, serpent-bashing setlist at Wacken 2024

By Rich Hobson published 6 August 24

25 years since they first appeared at Wacken, Amon Amarth prove the festival's ultimate conquerors

”Every time you go into the mainstream, I get really uncomfortable”: Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt declined to join an Abba tribute band at Eurovision this year

By Matt Mills published 6 August 24

Opeth’s leader was approached to help celebrate 50 years of Abba’s 1974 Eurovision win, but turned the chance down

"A performance worthy of their own legendary status." Scorpions rock Wacken Open Air like a hurricane

By Rich Hobson published 4 August 24

Scorpions show why they are one of Germany's most beloved rock icons

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