
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 50 best metal songs of 2024
By Rich Hobson published
Ghost, Judas Priest, Babymetal, Gojira, Knocked Loose... 2024 was a massive year for metal songs. But which song did you vote as the very best?

How Shavo Odadjian ditched nu metal for deathcore with Seven Hours After Violet
By Rich Hobson published
Shavo Odadjian hadn't released an album in almost 20 years, but a chance encounter at a party gave birth to his heaviest project yet

Ice-T on Body Count, dream collabs and the rage behind Cop Killer
By Rich Hobson published
Ice-T reflects on the rage behind Cop Killer, the best rap and metal albums and dream collabs as he answers your questions

The 20 best metal albums of 2024 - as voted by the readers of Metal Hammer
By Rich Hobson published
From Judas Priest to Opeth, Poppy to Bring Me The Horizon, these are the metal albums you said defined metal in 2024

Metal Hammer's 50 best albums of 2024
By Metal Hammer published
From Judas Priest's Invincible Shield to Nightwish's Yesterwynde and Opeth's return to extremity, these are the metal albums that ruled 2024

‘He said, ‘You can’t afford me!’” Steven Wilson isn’t on Opeth’s album. Ian Anderson is
By Rich Hobson published
Mikael Åkerfeldt and guitarist Fredrik Åkesson regret that people focus so much on one element of their sound, when there’s so much more to The Last Will And Testament

We went backstage with Powerwolf, Hammerfall and Wind Rose on the power metal tour of the year - and it was absolutely ludicrous
By Rich Hobson published
Inside the biggest (and most over the top) power metal tour of 2024

The 10 best death metal albums of 2024
By Rich Hobson published
From the cosmic death exploration of Blood Incantation to the welcome return of Nails and Job For A Cowboy, these are the 10 albums that defined death metal in 2024

Bullet For My Valentine's Matt Tuck and Trivium's Matt Heafy answer your questions
By Rich Hobson published
Two of metal's best Matts answer questions from their biggest fans (and no, we still don't know who the next Metallica is)

"I had one mate who was massively into Deep Purple but they were a bit too proggy for me." How Frank Skinner became a born-again metalhead
By Rich Hobson published
Frank Skinner on the "inspirational" Judas Priest, playing in a cult Birmingham band and the heavy metal sitcom that never was

Serj Tankian on System Of A Down, heritage and the importance of staying active
By Rich Hobson published
Although System Of A Down haven't released a new album in almost 20 years, that hasn't stopped frontman Serj Tankian from remaining a prolific force

Vote for the best metal album of 2024
By Rich Hobson published
Whether you've loved Judas Priest or Linkin Park, Poppy or Kerry King, we want to know what albums have excited you most in 2024

King Diamond to tour Europe and the UK with Paradise Lost, Angel Witch and Unto Others
By Rich Hobson published
Paradise Lost, Angel Witch and Unto Others will support King Diamond at select headline shows in 2025

Kerry King rules out future Slayer activity
By Rich Hobson published
Kerry King reaffirms that Slayer won't be making a full-scale comeback

Introducing Crossbone Skully, Tommy Henriksen's avenging superhero from outer space
By Rich Hobson published
Welcome to Alice Cooper guitarist Tommy Henriksen’s Mutt Lange-produced 80s-rock-leaning project

The 10 best black metal albums of 2024
By Rich Hobson published
You may as well rename Ihsahn, Zeal & Ardor and Witch Club Satan “Spinal Tap”, because there was none more black in 2024

The 10 best prog metal albums of 2024
By Matt Mills published
Leprous, Opeth, Slift and others have presented some truly forward-thinking excellence this year

Vote for the best metal song of 2024
By Rich Hobson published
From Judas Priest to Poppy, Spiritbox, Ghost and beyond, 2024 has offered some great new metal tunes. But now we need your help deciding the best of the best

Cyber Monday CD player deals 2025: Save a bundle on a brand new CD player
By Scott Munro last updated
I've picked out a selection of excellent discounted CD players that are perfect for your ever-growing CD collection

Cyber Monday CD deals 2025: It's the perfect time of year to expand your ever-growing CD collection for less
By Scott Munro last updated
Pick up new CDs and much-loved classics at a reduced price this Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday record player deals 2025: Our pick of the best turntable discounts around
By Scott Munro last updated
Got some new vinyl this year? The how about grabbing a new record player while you're at it? Here's our top Cyber Monday turntable bargains to suit all budgets

Cyber Monday vinyl deals 2025: Our pick of this year's most sublime discounts on classic wax and collectible boxsets
By Scott Munro last updated
Cyber Monday always brings piles of vinyl discounts to the table - and this year is going to be no different. Here's what you need to know

Cyber Monday music deals 2025: The big day of discounts is almost here - here's everything you need to know
By Scott Munro last updated
Cyber Monday lands on December 1 and will bring with it deals galore on tech, collectables, merch and more - and we're here to cover it all

4 brilliant new metal bands you need to hear in December 2024
By Rich Hobson published
From Italian power metallers Alterium to French psych metal from Slift, Brighton's prog metal mavericks El Moono and death metal horror fanatics Fulci, these are the bands you need to hear in December 2024
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