
Merlin Alderslade
Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.
Latest articles by Merlin Alderslade

Cyber Monday streaming deals 2024: There's still time to find a new music, film or TV streaming service for less
By Scott Munro last updated
Here's our pick of the best streaming deals you can still get - even though Cyber Monday is over for another year

Sleep Token show London why they've become metal's biggest success story in over two decades
By Merlin Alderslade published
The mysterious masked metallers put on a dazzling second show at a packed-out London O2

Black Friday Marshall speaker and headphones deals 2024: You can still get your hands on Marshall audio gear for a discount
By Scott Munro last updated
Just because Black Friday has come to an end doesn't mean you can't still get Marshall speakers and headphones for less. Here's our pick of the best deals that are still live

Cyber Monday Marshall speaker and headphones deals 2024: Raise the roof with the best Marshall audio gear discounts that are still live
By Scott Munro last updated
Stacks of Marshall's audio gear was heavily discounted for Cyber Monday - and the good news is that some deals are still going strong

Black Friday record player deals 2024: There's still deals to be found even though Black Friday is over for another year
By Chris Barnes last updated
Black Friday is over but there's plenty of turntable discounts still going strong. Here's our pick of the best deals still available

Cyber Monday record player deals 2024: This is your last chance to grab a turntable discount
By Scott Munro last updated
Cyber Monday is over but there are still a number of discounts on turntables, but you'll need to be quick to pick up a bargain

Black Friday vinyl deals 2024: Some vinyl deals are still spinning even though the big sales day has come to an end
By Scott Munro last updated
Black Friday is officially over, but there's still time to stock up on your vinyl collection if you're fast enough

Cyber Monday vinyl deals 2024: The majority of deals are now over, but there are still price drops to be found
By Scott Munro last updated
Cyber Monday brought a huge pile of vinyl discounts to the table and while most of the deals are now over, you can still find something special... if you're quick

Cyber Monday music deals 2024: The big day of sale is over for another year - but you might still find a bargain or two
By Scott Munro last updated
Cyber Monday has closed its doors for another year and most of the deals are done. However, you might still find something if you're very, very quick

Black Friday music deals 2024: The door has closed on Black Friday, but you might still find a deal or two if you're quick
By Scott Munro last updated
Black Friday has wrapped up until next year, but there are a handful of deals still kicking around

There are a ton of retro WWE shirts included in Hot Topic's Cyber Monday sale that are pushing all my nostalgia buttons
By Merlin Alderslade published
You still have a few hours to pick up some vintage WWE shirt designs if you're based in the US

CDs are back! Here are ten essential rock and metal albums you can still get in Amazon's Cyber Monday CD sale before the end of tonight
By Merlin Alderslade published
Replacing beloved classics or jumping on the unexpected CD boom bandwagon? Here are ten discs you need in your collection

Here are the most disgustingly ugly Christmas jumpers you can bag in EMP's Cyber Monday deal - if you have the guts to wear them in public
By Merlin Alderslade published
From a truly atrocious Metallica monstrosity to a One Piece number that'll make your eyes bleed, these are the jumpers to go for on Cyber Monday if you want to ruin Christmas for everyone

Some of my favourite rock and metal records ever are included in Walmart's big Cyber Monday vinyl sale
By Merlin Alderslade published
Maiden, Sabbath, Sepultura and Alice In Chains are just some of the artists whose classic albums are included in these cut-price Walmart deals

Zavvi are running a 3 for £20 deal on Funko Pop! Vinyl, collectables and action figures, so it might be time to finally complete some of those collections
By Merlin Alderslade published
Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Stranger Things, Power Rangers and some horror icons are all included in this special Black Friday Zavvi deal

Here's every Marvel set still available in this year's official Lego Black Friday sale - and whether it's actually a good deal or not
By Merlin Alderslade published
Lego have a nice little wedge of Marvel sets available in their Black Friday sales this year. But which are must-haves?

Arch Enemy will tour the UK and Europe next year and they're bringing a stacked support bill with them
By Merlin Alderslade published
Folk metal heavy hitters and one of America's most exciting young death metal bands will join Arch Enemy on tour in 2025

Saxon will play their classic album Wheels Of Steel in full on UK and Ireland tour next year
By Merlin Alderslade published
Saxon will hit the road next year to play an all-time great heavy metal album in its entirety

Bleed From Within announce 2025 European tour, including their biggest UK headline shows ever
By Merlin Alderslade published
Bleed From Within are making a big step up for 2025!

Every Linkin Park album ranked from worst to best
By Tom Goodwyn, Merlin Alderslade published
From the history-making brilliance of debut album Hybrid Theory to the triumphant comeback of From Zero, we rate Linkin Park's impressive discography

"My girlfriend was a fan and she took me along...it was incredible!" System Of A Down's Serj Tankian on the first metal band he ever saw live
By Merlin Alderslade published
System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian reveals that his first ever metal show involved one of the greatest metal bands of them all

Architects announce new album The Sky, The Earth & All Between: listen to new single Whiplash now
By Merlin Alderslade published
Brighton's greatest metal export will release a new album next year!

Poppy announces 2025 North American tour
By Merlin Alderslade published
Poppy is taking her metalcore era to the US and Canada next year!

"I don’t like comedy heavy metal." Comedian Frank Skinner reveals the beloved British rock band he'd banish forever
By Merlin Alderslade published
British comedy icon Frank Skinner explains why he'd choose to send one of the UK's biggest 21st century rock bands to Room 101

"Negative Spaces is one of the catchiest, most consistent records of 2024." Poppy has gone and made a full-on arena metal album, and it absolutely bangs
By Merlin Alderslade published
Teaming up with ex-Bring Me The Horizon man Jordan Fish, Poppy has crafted an anthem-stacked, arena-ready metal record
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