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.

Articles by: Rich Hobson

Watch Robb Flynn and Trivium cover Metallica and Iron Maiden in a tiny bar in 2005

By Rich Hobson published 17 March 22

That time Robb Flynn gatecrashed a Trivium bar show to cover Metallica, Sepultura and Iron Maiden

Slipknot make blazing return in first show of 2022

By Rich Hobson published 17 March 22

Hits, rarities, a song from their new album and a tribute to Jinjer - Slipknot's first show of 2022 is exactly what we need right now

The 10 albums that kept heavy metal alive

By Rich Hobson published 17 March 22

The 90s were a dark time for traditional metal bands, but these 10 albums kept heavy metal alive and kicking

Watch Maynard James Keenan totally slam it onstage with Rage Against The Machine

By Rich Hobson published 16 March 22

Ever wondered how Tool's Maynard James Keenan wound up making a guest appearance on Rage Against The Machine's Know Your Enemy?

12 albums that prove 1982 was punk's greatest year

By Rich Hobson published 16 March 22

Punk might have been more popular in '77, but the class of 1982 changed the landscape of music forever

10 things you didn’t know about Trivium’s Ascendancy

By Rich Hobson published 15 March 22

Ascendancy was the album that took Trivium out into the wider world, but here are 10 things you probably didn't know...

10 obscure but brilliant 2000s bands who should have been massive

By Rich Hobson, Dave Everley, Kevin Stewart-Panko, Stephen Hill, Adam Rees, Eleanor Goodman published 15 March 22

For every Avenged Sevenfold and Killswitch Engage, there were hundreds of 2000s bands the world has forgotten. Here are 10 who should have been massive

Conjurer's new single It Dwells is a soundtrack to crushing your inner demons

By Rich Hobson published 11 March 22

Conjurer talk brutal new single It Dwells, inner demons and why it has taken them four years to release a follow-up to Mire

These are the best, worst and most WTF Twitter reactions to the new Rammstein single

By Rich Hobson published 11 March 22

Rammstein released new single Zeit and Twitter had a meltdown, because of course it did

We broke down Rammstein's insane Zeit video and we have some theories

By Rich Hobson published 11 March 22

Rammstein tackle existentialism and age with Zeit. Here's our shot-by-shot breakdown of the music video

Rammstein's Till Lindemann once set Tool's stage on fire

By Rich Hobson published 10 March 22

Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann took his love for pyro too far when he accidentally torched Tool's stage in 2011

Former Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler calls ex-bandmate Mark Morton “a f**king douche”

By Rich Hobson published 10 March 22

Ex-Lamb Of God bandmates Chris Adler and Mark Morton get into it on Twitter – but is it beef or banter?

Vote for the greatest nu metal album of all-time

By Rich Hobson published 4 March 22

From Korn and Deftones to Linkin Park and Slipknot, we want your help to determine the best nu metal album ever

That time Korn played a gig on a plane because nu metal was wild

By Rich Hobson published 3 March 22

From playing on a plane to performing on SNL and losing Brian 'Head' Welch, 2005 was a weird year to be in Korn

Tuomas Holopainen and Alexi Laiho and Mickey Mouse

Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen once took Alexi Laiho to Disneyland and the pair had a lovely, lovely time

By Elizabeth Scarlett, Rich Hobson published 2 March 22

Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen recalls the wholesome time he spent at Disneyland with his good pal Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom

Five sublime Mark Lanegan 'moments' which will bring you closer to God

By Paul Brannigan, Rich Hobson published 28 February 22

The late, great Mark Lanegan passed away on February 22, aged 57. Here are five reminders why he was one of the most gifted, soulful and best-loved singers of his generation

Metallica's first setlist of 2022 shows they're not f**king about

By Rich Hobson published 28 February 22

Metallica's hit-filled Vegas setlist with supports Greta Van Fleet and Ice Nine Kills is giving us a FOMO overload

Decolonial metal: the Latin American movement fighting oppression

By Rich Hobson published 25 February 22

How bands like Flor de Loto are using metal to confront their colonial past and present oppression to build a better future

Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith: my life in 10 songs

By Rich Hobson published 25 February 22

Iron Maiden axeman Adrian Smith talks a life of heavy metal and blues rock worship via Maiden, A.S.a.P. and Smith/Kotzen

9 essential New York bands you need in your life

By Rich Hobson published 25 February 22

Whether born there or adopted by the city, these nine New York bands wouldn't be the same without a bite of the Big Apple

Everything you need to know about the Foo Fighters' horror comedy Studio 666

By Rich Hobson published 23 February 22

The Foo Fighters horror movie Studio 666 made its London premiere and Hammer were there to pass judgement

Lamb Of God, NIN, Poppy to feature on new HEALTH album

By Rich Hobson published 18 February 22

The new HEALTH album DISCO4 PART II will feature collabs with Nine Inch Nails, Poppy, Backxwash, Ho99o9 and more. Hear new single Cold Blood featuring Lamb Of God now

Raise your oars for the epic new Amon Amarth single Put Your Back Into The Oar

By Rich Hobson published 17 February 22

The new Amon Amarth single Put Your Back Into The Oar is a tribute to fans and their first new song since the release of 2019's Berserker

Every Korn album ranked from worst to best

By Stephen Hill, Rich Hobson published 15 February 22

From Korn’s landmark debut to 2022’s Requiem, this is the nu metal pioneers’ back catalogue arranged in order of greatness

Rudolf Schenker reveals how Scorpions thrived during the grunge years while peers flopped

By Paul Brannigan, Rich Hobson published 11 February 22

Exclusive Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker explains the secret behind his band shrugging off the impact of grunge in the 1990s

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