10 amazing metal albums that were too ahead of their time By Will Marshall published 1 November 23 From Black Sabbath’s debut album to Cynic’s Focus, these metal masterpieces were either lambasted or ignored when they first came out
The 10 spookiest heavy metal songs of all time By Emily Swingle published 31 October 23 These songs by Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Ghost could make for the perfect Halloween playlist
The 10 scariest heavy metal album covers of all time By Matt Mills published 31 October 23 These albums by Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Slayer will terrify you before you even press play
The 10 worst creative decisions in heavy metal history By Matt Mills published 25 October 23 From Megadeth’s Risk to that Metallica: Through The Never movie, the heavy metal tapestry is strewn with terrible ideas
“A cop knocked at the door and said, ‘You’ve got to stop!’” Ozzy Osbourne once put a chicken full of antifreeze on his neighbour’s fence and the police thought it was a satanic effigy By Matt Mills published 24 October 23 The Prince Of Darkness’ scheme to stop local coyotes attacking his dogs ended in a visit from the police
"An era of decadence began with a hope, passion and joy centred on music": how Los Angeles in the 1980s became the hair metal mecca By Katherine Turman published 23 October 23 The Sunset Strip sound generated major money for the lucky handfuls of bands who broke big: Many others weren't so fortunate
"You just can’t make it big enough, rude enough or loud enough": Producer Tom Allom on engineering Black Sabbath and helping create the sound of heavy metal By Derek Oliver published 22 October 23 'Colonel' Tom Allom created the iconic tolling bell on Black Sabbath's debut album, although he admits to not liking their music very much
10 hard rock and heavy metal farewell tours that weren’t actually farewells By Will Marshall published 17 October 23 Kiss, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe have all made their goodbyes, only to continue touring and recording anyway
Rob Halford has revealed who he thinks is the first ‘definitive’ heavy metal band. And it’s Judas Priest By Classic Rock published 16 October 23 Judas Priest singer sets the cat among the pigeons on new edition of Marc Maron’s WTF? podcast
“Black Sabbath? Anyone?” Watch Jack Black absolutely nail singing War Pigs on The Tonight Show in 2011 By Matt Mills published 14 October 23 When Tenacious D singer and Hollywood megastar Jack Black stopped by Jay Leno’s chat show, he gave everyone a powerhouse – if brief – rendition of a Black Sabbath classic
Black Sabbath to release vinyl box set, Hand of Doom, featuring their first eight albums on picture discs for the first time By Paul Brannigan published 11 October 23 Black Sabbath's first eight albums, from 1970's Black Sabbath through to '78's Never Say Die, to get yet another reissue, but this time in a picture discs vinyl box set
"Brilliant... so out there that it's wonderful": Sharon Osbourne delivers her verdict on Black Sabbath – The Ballet By Paul Brannigan published 11 October 23
The most played live songs by 25 iconic metal bands By Merlin Alderslade published 5 October 23 From Metallica, Maiden and Sabbath to Ghost, Nightwish and Slipknot, here are the songs these heavyweights have played more than any other
Huge if true: It looks like an interactive Ozzy Osbourne museum and cafe is going to open in Birmingham By Fraser Lewry published 4 October 23 The birthplace of metal is steeling itself for an influx of Ozzy Osbourne memorabilia
“Millions are in love with Metallica and Black Sabbath. I just thought they were great jokes”: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was never a heavy metal fan, but he does have a soft spot for AC/DC By Paul Brannigan published 3 October 23 The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards: great guitarist, brutal critic
The 10 most perfect final albums in heavy metal history By Matt Mills published 3 October 23 These masterpieces by Black Sabbath, Motörhead and White Zombie made sure their careers ended on flawless form
The most played live songs by 25 iconic rock bands By Dave Everley published 30 September 23 Which songs have Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Queen and others played live the most? Spoiler: contains surprises
The Black Sabbath ballet shows Sabbath are still pushing heavy metal into unchartered territories after half a century By Rich Hobson published 29 September 23 Black Sabbath - The Ballet isn't just a meeting of worlds, it's a celebration of one of metal's most iconic groups
Watch Tony Iommi make a surprise appearance to play Paranoid at the opening night of the Black Sabbath ballet in Birmingham, which also had Geezer Butler, Sharon Osbourne, Robert Plant and Bev Bevan in attendance By Merlin Alderslade published 25 September 23 Some rock star royalty were present for the premiere of the Black Sabbath ballet, and the man who inspired the whole thing even appeared on stage
“I woke up and there was this black shape at the bottom of my bed”: Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath – how paranormal activity, horror films and classical music inspired the first heavy metal song By Matt Mills published 21 September 23 Black Sabbath were blues rock also-rans in 1968. One year later, they wrote their insidious self-titled song and plotted the entire future of the heavy metal genre.
