
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

The ultimate track-by-track guide to The Poison by Bullet For My Valentine
By Rich Hobson published
Frontman Matt Tuck shares the stories behind the songs on Bullet's groundbreaking debut

Metal Hammer's Tracks Of The Week: March 14 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Sleep Token, Cradle Of Filth and Epica are among the best new metal songs this week

Every Jinjer album ranked from worst to best
By Emily Swingle published
We’ve put the five studio records by Ukraine’s sonic wrecking machine in reverse-order of magnificence

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: March 7 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Ghost, Kittie and Volbeat lead this week's best new metal songs

"A band who could contend with Bring Me The Horizon and Sleep Token as the next zeitgeist-setting metal act."
By Rich Hobson published
Spiritbox's second album doesn't just match the instant-classic status of their debut: it surpasses it

The best new metal bands you need to hear in March 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Meet the "deathcore Slipknot" Paleface Swiss, to Danish prog metallers Danefae, concept-driven Texan metalcore mob Cantervice and UK alt metallers Vower

Metal Hammer's Tracks Of The Week: February 28 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Bad Omens, Employed To Serve and Deafheaven lead this week's best new metal songs

"Someone get Papa Emeritus on the phone."
By Rich Hobson last updated
Green Lung's mix of Black Sabbath dread and Ghost theatricality makes them perfectly suited for massive venues

Slayer are teasing a return to the UK
By Rich Hobson published
The thrash metal legends' surprise reunion rumbles on as they confirm shows in Canada and the US, and tease appearances in England and Wales

We're going to miss Ithaca dearly, and this interview with Djamila Azzouz shows why
By Rich Hobson published
Ithaca might be about to head off into the sunset, but not before we get one last brilliantly chaotic interview with singer Djamila Azzouz

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: February 21 2025
By Rich Hobson published
From Hollywood star Vera Farmiga to Black Label Society, Machine Head and Disturbed, these are the best new metal songs this week

50 metal albums you need to hear in 2025
By Rich Hobson published
From Ghost to Babymetal, Halestorm to Sleep Token, these are the metal albums you should keep an eye out for in 2025

Why is buying gig tickets such a terrible experience?
By Rich Hobson published
From the agony of trying to get Black Sabbath tickets to the ongoing Oasis reunion ticketing fiasco, buying tickets to big shows has got worse than ever - here's how to try and navigate the madness

Spiritbox's Alexandra Palace show is the end of an era - and the start of their reign as new metal stars
By Rich Hobson published
With live debuts, old favourites and stunning visuals, Spiritbox's headline show at Alexandra Palace is nothing short of magic

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: February 14 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Ozzy Osbourne, Lacuna Coil and Lordi lead this week's best new metal songs

Metal Hammer's Tracks Of The Week: February 7 2026
By Rich Hobson published
Spiritbox, Arch Enemy and Rivers Of Nihil are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

The Story Behind Scars On Broadway's They Say
By Rich Hobson published
How Scars On Broadway helped Daron Malakian dust himself off after System Of A Down's breakup

How Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine revitalised metal
By Stephen Hill published
How Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine ushered in metal's next generation

The best new metal bands you need to hear in February 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Conquer Divide/Avoid/Defences/Faetooth

New Delhi nu metallers Bloodywood just released a brilliant new video celebrating Indian cuisine
By Rich Hobson published
The Indian viral sensations will release new album Nu Delhi in March - just in time for their UK tour.

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: January 31 2025
By Rich Hobson published
Epica, Jinjer and Bloodywood are among the best new metal songs this week. Plus, vote for your favourite!

10 brilliant but overlooked rock and metal albums you need to hear from 2000
By Rich Hobson published
The year 2000 gave us massive releases from Deftones, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, but these 10 albums flew under the radar

Every Trivium album ranked from worst to best
By Merlin Alderslade published
Rating the storied career of one of modern metal's most important bands as they head out on tour to celebrate 20 years of Ascendancy
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