
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.
Latest articles by Rich Hobson

Priest's biggest UK headline gig is a victorious celebration
By Rich Hobson published
Judas Priest's biggest ever UK headline gig comes tinged with sadness, but also victorious celebrations

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: July 25 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Sabaton, Hatebreed and Helloween are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

The 50 best Ozzy Osbourne songs of all time
By Rich Hobson published
The Prince Of Darkness, heavy metal's original madman and the architect for an entire genre - these are some of the finest songs Ozzy lent his talents to

The rollercoaster story of Ozzy Osbourne's solo career
By Rich Hobson published
After his turbulent exit from Black Sabbath, it turned out Ozzy's wild story was only just beginning

Rock icon, reality TV star, national treasure: Every Ozzy Osbourne solo album ranked
By Paul Elliott published
A guide to the recorded solo work of the late Prince Of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne

How Wacken became one of metal's biggest and most beloved festivals
By Rich Hobson published
Wacken Open Air returns this year with bands including Guns N' Roses, Papa Roach, Gojira, Machine Head and more

How Judas Rising rebuilt Judas Priest for the 21st Century
By Rich Hobson published
After a decade with Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Judas Priest welcomed Rob Halford back into the fold - and ushered in their second coming

Metal Hammer's Tracks Of The Week: July 18 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Nine Inch Nails, Amon Amarth and In This Moment are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

Black Sabbath's Back To The Beginning: our ultimate review of their triumphant final show
By Rich Hobson published
Our blow-by-blow review of the biggest heavy metal show ever as Black Sabbath triumphantly bow out

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: July 4 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Judas Priest, Lord Of The Lost and Warkings are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

Slayer's return to the UK was chaotic but ultimately triumphant
By Rich Hobson published
Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon and Hatebreed supported Slayer for their spectacular UK comeback

Brilliant new metal bands you need to hear in July 2025
By Rich Hobson published
From the Bring Me The Horizon and Architects approved Amira Elfeky to Nordic folk metal songstress Sylvaine, nu metalcore stars Uncured and industrial metaller Harpy, these are the metal bands you need to hear in July 2025

The 10 greatest metal bands from Birmingham
By Rich Hobson published
10 brilliant metal bands that show Birmingham really is the home of metal

Motörhead ring the changes on Another Perfect Day, initial dismay now a distant memory
By Classic Rock Magazine published
Joined by Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson, Motörhead's Another Perfect Day has increased in stature over the years – just don't mention the shorts

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: June 27 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Lorna Shore, Papa Roach and Witch Club Satan are among the best new metal songs this week, plus new cuts from Sinsaenum, Halestorm, Scene Queen and more.

"You saved my life": Mike Bordin's words of support to Ozzy Osbourne in 1990
By Rich Hobson published
In 1990 Faith No More teamed up with Ozzy Osbourne and James Hetfield to play War Pigs. But after the show, FNM drummer Mike Bordin recalls consoling a downcast Ozzy

Kirk Hammett on his new book, a new solo album and why Metallica will never retire
By Rich Hobson published
Metallica's six-string king has his sights firmly set on the future

Metal Hammer writers name the albums they’d listen to during a zombie apocalypse
By Metal Hammer published
As 28 Years Later lurches its way towards box office success, we suggest the rock and metal albums that would best soundtrack a zombie killing spree

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: June 20 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Biohazard, Omnium Gatherum and Beyond The Black are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

10 classic rock and metal tunes you (probably) forgot were released as movie tie-ins
By Rich Hobson published
From U2 in a Batman movie to Korn in Tomb Raider and Slayer in Dracula, these songs have outshone the movies they were first featured in

8 things we learned at Download Festival 2025
By Rich Hobson published
From Spiritbox and President to Cradle Of Filth, Anaal Nathrakh and erm, The Vengaboys, these are the bands that ruled and defined Download Festival 2025

Korn have finally headlined Download - and it was an absolute triumph
By Rich Hobson published
Metal legends Korn have finally taken the spot they deserve - and to the surprise of no one, they absolutely smashed it

Sleep Token prove their doubters wrong during spellbinding Download headline set
By Rich Hobson published
Sleep Token confirm their status as the biggest thing to hit metal in a generation
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