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

"The clock is ticking so we’d better enjoy the ride while we can": Accept's track-by-track guide to their outstanding new album, Humanoid

By Rich Hobson published 27 April 24

Wolf Hoffmann and Mark Tornillo give us a blow-by-blow on the stories and meanings behind every song on Accept's new album Humanoid

"Like a covers band trialling material in a dive bar": Lee Aaron occasionally shines on otherwise patchy covers album Tattoo Me

By Rich Hobson published 26 April 24

Canada's Metal Queen doesn’t quite cover her bases on 16th album Tattoo Me

Think Blur had it bad at Coachella? The Jesus And Mary Chain may as well have been the Spice Girls so far as Roadburn is concerned

By Rich Hobson published 24 April 24

They might be alternative icons, but The Jesus And Mary Chain prove a bit too mainstream for Roadburn Festival

Graphic videos, disturbing lyrics and a bloodsoaked vocalist: Couch Slut's European live debut at Roadburn Festival 2024 is terrifying yet undeniably thrilling and triumphant

By Rich Hobson published 23 April 24

Brooklyn noise merchants Couch Slut made their first trip across the Atlantic to make their European live debut at Roadburn Festival 2024 - and it was utter carnage

"A doom take on trance by way of Radiohead." Chelsea Wolfe bewitches and delights with spellbinding set at Roadburn

By Rich Hobson published 23 April 24

Chelsea Wolfe brings her latest album She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She to life with a stunning main stage set at Roadburn Festival 2024

Clipping. Daveed Diggs Roadburn Festival 2024

"The line between a Clipping. and Slayer gig is tighter than you'd think." Daveed Diggs' alt hip hop group challenge notions of heaviness at Roadburn Festival 2024

By Rich Hobson published 22 April 24

Clipping. show why hip hop's more extreme edges should be more embraced by the alternative scene

"She looks and feels like a next-gen star." Zambia-born Canadian rapper Backxwash looks to evolve beyond her trap metal roots with surprise set at Roadburn Festival 2024

By Rich Hobson published 22 April 24

A surprise last-minute addition to Roadburn Festival 2024, trap metal star Backxwash shows just how far she's come from her Sabbath-sampling roots

Bring Me The Horizon/Sleep Token live collab 2024

"I think he'd like to see a wall of death": Watch side-stage footage of Sleep Token teaming up with a masked Oli Sykes during Bring Me The Horizon's Brisbane show

By Rich Hobson published 21 April 24

Bring Me The Horizon enlisted Sleep Token guitarist IV for guest vocals during a Sempiternal classic live in Brisbane

Every Judas Priest album ranked from worst to best

By Dom Lawson, Rich Hobson published 16 April 24

Judas Priest are the ultimate defenders of the faith: here's how we ranked their incredible, storied back catalogue

"I honestly can’t find the inspiration to write": Don't hold your breath if you're hoping for a new Jinjer album in 2024

By Rich Hobson published 16 April 24

Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk says she has "99 problems I have to solve" before she can think of working on the band's next album

Kerry King announces UK headline debut with tiny London show

By Rich Hobson published 16 April 24

The legendary Slayer guitarist will be bringing his solo band to the Electric Ballroom in June for the band's first UK headline performance

Leyan Senay/UnityTX/Kerry King/Nothing More/Heavy Temple

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

By Rich Hobson published 12 April 24

Kerry King, Architects and Nothing More are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

With the swagger of Happy Mondays and the politics of Crass, Kid Kapichi's sold out Birmingham show hints they might be Britain's next breakout stars

By Rich Hobson published 12 April 24

With various dates of their UK tour sold out, Hastings punks Kid Kapichi look set for breakout success in the wake of new album There Goes The Neighborhood

"You have no idea the personal battles I was going through." Ash Costello reveals deeply personal reasons New Years Day pulled out of festivals in 2023, fires back at fans who criticised them

By Rich Hobson published 11 April 24

Ash Costello addresses fan backlash over New Years Day cancelling festival appearances in 2023

"Dev Patel was like 'this is Indian, but metal as ****'" Bloodywood just soundtracked 2024's most epic fight scene in new action thriller, Monkey Man

By Rich Hobson published 11 April 24

Indian folk metal heroes Bloodywood appear on the soundtrack to action/thriller Monkey Man, starring (and directed by) Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel

Within Temptation/Arka'n Asrafokor/Kati Rán/Zetra/R.A.I.D.

The 15 best new metal songs you need to hear this week

By Rich Hobson published 5 April 24

Within Temptation, Wadruna and Orange Goblin are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"I didn't think it would be over and done with so quick." Sebastian Bach says he and Skid Row owe it to the fans to reunite

By Rich Hobson published 31 March 24

Skid Row are again singerless after the departure of Erik Grönwall, but former vocalist Sebastian Bach thinks he has the perfect replacement - himself

SeeYouSpaceCowboy/Priest/Reliqua/Allegaeon/Bodysnatcher

The 12 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 29 March 24

SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Fu Manchu and Full Of Hell are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

Peter Steele in the Type O Negative video

“Between girls, drugs and an entourage he’d bring everywhere, Pete was out of his mind more than at any other point.” How I Don't Wanna Be Me gave gothic metal icons Type O Negative their last big anthem, but spelled the start of the end

By Rich Hobson published 29 March 24

I Don't Wanna Be Me is one of Type Of Negative's hallmark songs, but the story of its conception was, typically, surrounded by controversy, mayhem and a dose of black humour

"That was a special adventure – I wouldn’t be here without him": Robert Trujillo says he'd love to work with Ozzy Osbourne again and reveals the classic cult supergroup he wants to resurrect

By Rich Hobson published 26 March 24

Even with a massive world tour looming, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo shares some ideas on how he could keep busy in 2024

"America, we will see you very soon": Mongolian folk metal sensations The Hu to support Iron Maiden on expanded North American Future Past Tour

By Rich Hobson published 25 March 24

Iron Maiden's Future Past World Tour gets bigger with the addition of a new date and support from viral Mongolian metallers The Hu

Motorhead classic line-up: Fast Eddie Clarke, Lemmy and Philthy Animal Taylor

"Ballet shoes and Motorhead don't mix": The history of Motorhead in 12 songs

By Rich Hobson published 25 March 24

From the song that gave the band its name to their tribute to a fellow music legend, these are the songs that tell the story of Motorhead - the greatest rock'n'roll band to ever live

Ozzy Osbourne/Blackbriar/Serj Tankian/Arka'n Asrofokor/Perchta

The 10 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 22 March 24

Ozzy Osbourne, Serj Tankian and Corey Taylor all feature on some of the best new metal songs this week - but not in the way you might think. Plus - vote for your favourite!