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

"Foo Fighters aren't just putting on a show, they're putting on the biggest rock'n'roll celebration on the planet." With a three-hour, 27 song setlist plus a hometown Geezer Butler appearance, Foo Fighters end their UK tour on an almighty high

By Rich Hobson published 28 June 24

Dave Grohl and co. close out their Everything Or Nothing At All UK tour in the Home Of Metal - Birmingham

“We could release a hang-drum odyssey with seagull noises and somebody would still say it sounds like Tool!” Wheel have no time for outdated comparisons

By Rich Hobson published 27 June 24

James Lascelles explains why the Anglo-Finnish band’s third album, Charismatic Leaders, takes on big issues but doesn’t try to offer world-changing solutions

"Justin Timberlake sees us and starts singing Alive": P.O.D. were way ahead of the nu-metal curve but others get the plaudits

By Rich Hobson published 27 June 24

P.O.D.'s Sonny Sandoval on growing up, the joys of collaboration and Justin Timberlake

Sickness, soaring ticket prices and setlist changes: not even the curse of Co-Op Live can stop Pearl Jam at their chaotic but ultimately triumphant Manchester show

By Rich Hobson published 26 June 24

Eddie Vedder might be stricken with illness, but a vocal crowd help make Pearl Jam's Manchester show a success against the odds

Ghost/Oceans Of Slumber/Powerwolf/Fever 333/Harper

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

By Rich Hobson published 21 June 24

Ghost, Oceans Of Slumber and Powerwolf are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

Shavo Odadjian/Charlotte Wessels/Bruce Dickinson/Doubt/Knife Bride

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

By Rich Hobson published 14 June 24

The Black Dahlia Murder, Charlotte Wessels and Bruce Dickinson are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"For 90s alt rock fans, this is the holy grail": Weezer and The Smashing Pumpkins kick off their UK tour with setlists that are a Gen-X wet dream

By Rich Hobson published 10 June 24

Live debuts, surprise covers and all the alt rock hits you could ever possibly want - Weezer and Smashing Pumpkins kick off their UK tour in Birmingham

Heriot/Hammerfall/Oceano/DAMPF/Halestorm

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

By Rich Hobson published 7 June 24

Halestorm x I Prevail, Lamb Of God x Kublai Khan & Malevolence and Heriot are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"I can’t believe we actually managed to pull it off!" Guitar hero Sophie Lloyd has upgraded her debut live show after selling out the original venue in five minutes

By Rich Hobson last updated 7 June 24

YouTube sensation turned guitar hero Sophie Lloyd will now play a bigger venue in Camden in October

"I don't care. I thought it was fun." Peter Tagtgren dismisses plagarism accusations against Croatia's Eurovision entry Baby Lasagna

By Rich Hobson published 7 June 24

In fact, the Pain/Hypocrisy frontman is just happy to see more metal acceptance at Eurovision

"He's a piece of work, that deluded old freak." Disturbed's David Draiman says former Pink Floyd leader Roger Waters is a "monster"

By Rich Hobson published 7 June 24

Disturbed frontman David Draiman has called out Roger Waters over his controversial views and behaviour

"I could see that schism developing." Serj Tankian says he knew System Of A Down had problems as early as 1999

By Rich Hobson published 6 June 24

The System Of A Down vocalist also reveals the artists that inspired his early style before he found his own voice

What happens when members of extreme metal royalty like Meshuggah, Watain and Opeth form an orchestra? Meet the uniquely excellent Bright & Black

By Rich Hobson published 5 June 24

Bright & Black have made one of this year's most compelling albums. We found out how it all came together

Tony Iommi sat and holding a microphone in 2023

"Anything that comes in the future, I always give it a thought." Tony Iommi suggests he'd be open to writing with Ozzy Osbourne in future and picks out the 'special' Black Sabbath riffs - including Eddie Van Halen's favourite

By Rich Hobson published 5 June 24

It's fair to say Tony Iommi knows a thing or two about brilliant riffs

"Even if Tool were to play six nights a week, every week they'd still offer one of metal's most unique live experiences." Tool's 2024 setlist is a prog metal masterclass with cosmic visuals to match

By Rich Hobson published 3 June 24

Tool return to the UK for the second time this decade for a masterclass in mind-boggling imagery and prog instrumentals

All For Metal/Future Static/END/Whom Gods Destroy

4 brilliant new metal bands you need to hear this month

By Rich Hobson published 1 June 24

From sword'n'sorcery loving power metallers All For Metal to Will Putney's all-star metalcore mob END, these are the bands you need to hear in June 2024

Puscifer/Scene Queen/King 810/Entheos/Crucifiction

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

By Rich Hobson published 31 May 24

Bury Tomorrow, Leprous and Puscifer are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"A crowd that likes the idea of The Big Rock Show but find Foo Fighters a bit shouty." Nickelback do exactly what Nickelback do at Birmingham's Utilita Arena - and their fans wouldn't have it any other way

By Rich Hobson published 30 May 24

Nickelback prove they're still one of rock's biggest draws on a sold-out UK arena tour

Nightwish/Babymetal/Zeal & Ardor/Defences/Nothing More

The 9 best new metal songs you need to hear right now

By Rich Hobson published 24 May 24

Nightwish, Babymetal with Electric Callboy and Zeal and Ardor are among the best new metal songs this week. Vote for your favourite!

Desertfest 2024 review: sludge, thrash and hair-raising volume at London’s stoner rock gathering

By Matt Mills published 24 May 24

Masters Of Reality, Suicidal Tendencies and Godflesh lead a surprisingly eclectic lineup for the annual desert rock weekender

The best metal albums of 2024 so far

By Rich Hobson published 22 May 24

From legends like Bruce Dickinson, Judas Priest and Kerry King to modern heavy hitters like Knocked Loose, OU and DOOL, these are the metal albums ruling 2024

"If he starts banging his head, we've got a problem." Watch rangers attempt to scare a bear away from a residential area using Black Sabbath classic Iron Man (it did not work)

By Rich Hobson published 22 May 24

In the battle of Black Sabbath vs black bear, there was a clear winner

Body Count/Powerwolf/Charlotte Wessels/Elvellon/Crossfaith

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

By Rich Hobson published 17 May 24

Body Count, Powerwolf and Charlotte Wessels are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

Kittie/Coheed And Cambria/Vulvodynia/Simone Simons/Hanabie

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

By Rich Hobson published 10 May 24

Kittie, Coheed And Cambria and Hanabie are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

"My band is not a solo project. My band is the band I intend to play with until the end of time.” Kerry King admits that yes, he will be playing Slayer songs this summer, but only select cuts

By Rich Hobson published 7 May 24

Curious about the setlist Kerry King's new band will be playing this summer? The thrash metal legend sheds some light

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
View Archive

Rich Hobson

Get the Louder Newsletter