In the 301st edition of Classic Rock we’re delighted to welcome the return of Def Leppard. And even more delighted to report that they’re back with a bang. As you’ll read in our exclusive feature, we sat down with the quintet to discover how they got the bit back between their teeth and why they are hungrier than ever. Welcome back, fellas.
And that's not all: To celebrate the band's return, the new issue comes with two exclusive gifts: an official sticker sheet, and a double-sided poster (subscribers, UK newsstand, and online orders only).
This issue we also pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins, and discover how Halestorm weathered their enforced hiatus and how they’re back with a vengeance; we venture behind the scenes of the making of Aerosmith’s Rocks album; Rush’s Alex Lifeson introduces us to his new musical project; we talk to Sabbath’s Bill Ward and the Frantic Four’s John Coghlan... and so much more.
Wait! There's more! We've also got a very limited edition Halestorm bundle available, which comes with a bespoke cover plus an autographed lyric sheet hand-signed by the whole band. There's only 200 copies available, and they'll disappear more quickly than Usain Bolt.
Get Classic Rock (Def Leppard cover) | Get The Halestorm Bundle Edition.
Features
Def Leppard
The kind of setbacks that Def Leppard have had to face over the past 45 years would have finished off many bands, either creatively or completely. But, having successfully weathered storms and fought many battles, now they’re on the up again.
Taylor Hawkins
We join the rock‘n’roll community in remembering and celebrating the life of the Foo Fighters drummer, a natural showman and perennial ‘Mister Fanboy’.
Halestorm
Halestorm are back to doing what they love most, what they’d be doing even if nobody cared – and it sounds utterly fierce.
Aerosmith
It was the album that sealed Aerosmith’s legend as the greatest US rock’n’roll band of the 70s. But their drug-addled masterpiece Rocks was also the point where things started to get really messy…
Hellacopters
Returning after a 14-year hiatus, Swedish rock mavericks The Hellacopters look at where it all went wrong, and right.
Bill Ward
Without doubt under-appreciated, if not exactly underrated, drummer Bill Ward was an integral part of Black Sabbath and of heavy metal’s genesis. In conversation with Classic Rock, he reflects on his eventful life thus far.
John Coghlan
The former Status Quo drummer admits his career is coming to an end, but isn’t quite ready to lock the door on it.
Alex Lifeson
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson tells Classic Rock why he couldn’t settle for a retirement on the golf course, and enthuses about the invigorating powers of his latest project Envy Of None.
Shooter Jennings and Yelawolf
Ever the maverick, Shooter Jennings teamed up with rapper Yelawolf. The result is a heartland rock record spiked with thrash, country, electronica and moonshine recipes.
Regulars
The Stories Behind The Songs: Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were out of ideas for the follow-up to the all-conquering The Dark Side Of The Moon, but eventually they delivered what would become one of the band’s defining tracks.
Q&A: Shinedown
Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith on extra-terrestrials, getting terrified before shows, and wanting to make a great chocolate cake.
6 Things You Need To know about... Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse
is Anglo-American roots duo are darting between genres and dancing as the world crumbles.
The £50 Record Store Challenge: Reef
We visit Clocktower Music, nestled in Bridport’s Art & Vintage quarter, to give Brit-rockers Reef money to go record shopping, and to hear about their their sixth studio album Shoot Me Your Ace.
Buyers Guide: Monster Magnet
Throwing space-rock proto-metal, acid-rock and a lot more into the swirling pot, they had gift not for invention, but reinvention.
Rock's Biggest Reviews Section
New albums from Def Leppard, Halestorm, The Black Keys, Michael Schenker Group, Anvil, Bonnie Raitt, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, Graham Bonnet Band, Creeping Jean, Coheed And Cambria… Reissues from The Clash, Suzi Quatro, Bill Bruford, Armored Saint, Sparks, Jade Warrior, Georgia Satellites, Roger Chapman… DVDs, films and books on Patti Smith, Matt Sorum, Bruce Dickinson, Jimi Hendrix, Doobie Brothers, The Police… Live reviews of Royal Blood, New Model Army, Kris Barras Band, The Mysterines, Supergrass, Bad Nerves, The Chats…
The Soundtrack Of My Life: Thunder
Thunder guitarist Luke Morley picks his records, artists and gigs of lasting significance.
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