Articles by Merlin Alderslade, Executive Editor, Louder

Louder Together we're Louder

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 is also probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.

Articles by: Merlin Alderslade

Watch Dave Mustaine's very first interview with Metallica back in March 1983

By Merlin Alderslade published 8 December 22

This rare footage from 1983 features the "hot new heavy metal band from LA" introducing themselves, before Mustaine name checks Angel Witch and Venom as his influences

Adam Sandler and Brendan Fraser chatting

Brendan Fraser and Adam Sandler just had an Airheads reunion and it was super wholesome: "that was one of the best shoots of my life"

By Merlin Alderslade published 8 December 22

Airheads stars Adam Sandler and Brendan Fraser reflect on making one of the 90s' most beloved cult movies together

Judas Priest's manager says K.K. Downing "seemed a little bit nervous and almost out of his depth" in recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame performance

By Merlin Alderslade published 8 December 22

Judas Priest's longtime manager has weighed in on the metal legends' recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame performance

Ghost's Tobias Forge isn't done with death metal: "I still feel that urge to partake in it"

By Merlin Alderslade published 7 December 22

Tobias Forge discusses his past in death metal, his ongoing love of the genre - and whether he'd ever bring it into Ghost

Here are all the songs Iron Maiden have never played live

By Dave Everley, Rich Hobson, Merlin Alderslade published 7 December 22

Iron Maiden have recorded 171 songs. 53 of them have yet to be played live

According to DATA, Mötley Crüe were rock's biggest success story in 2022

By Merlin Alderslade published 6 December 22

The success of Mötley Crüe's huge stadium tour has seen them crowned rock music's Artist Of The Year in a new, data-driven report

Metallica's Lars Ulrich discusses whether he could play drums for Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin or Rush: "2112 would probably be too much of a bite of the apple for me"

By Merlin Alderslade published 5 December 22

Lars Ulrich knows he could sit behind the kit for Sabbath, Purple, Zeppelin and AC/DC songs, but admits Rush would be a different kind of challenge

Here's what Metallica's new single Lux Æterna sounds like with the vocals from Hit The Lights (spoiler: pretty awesome, actually)

By Merlin Alderslade published 5 December 22

Some internet genius has dubbed James Hetfield's vocals from 1983 banger Hit The Lights over Metallica's new single - and perhaps unsurprisingly, it works pretty damn well

Elton John to headline Glastonbury 2023

By Merlin Alderslade published 2 December 22

Elton John will play his first ever Glastonbury set as he headlines the Sunday night for his final UK show

Guns N' Roses announce huge London show for 2023

By Merlin Alderslade published 1 December 22

The all-conquering, reunited Guns N' Roses will hit London's Hyde Park in June

Bob Vylan win first ever MOBO Best Alternative Music Act award

By Merlin Alderslade published 1 December 22

London grime-punks Bob Vylan won a historic award at the MOBOs last night

A GG Allin biopic is coming - and it's going to be helmed by Lords Of Chaos director Jonas Åkerlund

By Merlin Alderslade published 1 December 22

GG Allin: Live. Fast. Die. will explore the violence, drug abuse and all-out chaos of one of punk rock's most notorious figures

Fleetwood Mac legend Christine McVie dies aged 79

By Merlin Alderslade published 30 November 22

Christine McVie, who wrote some of Fleetwood Mac's most iconic songs, has died, her family has confirmed

We're alarmed by how well this epic medieval folk metal cover of ABBA's Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! works

By Merlin Alderslade published 30 November 22

German medieval folk metallers Feuerschwanz might be having a laugh with this ABBA cover, but we think it's pretty damn good!

Ishmael Jones and Serj Tankian singing System Of A Down's Chop Suey

Someone's done a slick R'n'B cover of System Of A Down's Chop Suey! and people...seem to quite like it, actually

By Merlin Alderslade published 30 November 22

R'n'B artist Ishmael Jones has created one of the most unique versions of Chop Suey! you'll hear this year