How Mastodon transcended tragedy and trauma to make Crack The Skye
The story of Mastodon’s 2009 prog metal masterpiece, Crack The Skye
Features
Latest
10 Britpop-era indie bands we need to reform in 2025
Bummed at missing out on Oasis tickets? Us too. The Verve, Supergrass, Elastica, Super Furries... we need you back now, please
Spooky Tooth’s Ceremony did more for prog than anyone realised at the time (bar the French)
Their 1970 collaboration with avant-garde composer Pierre Henry bombed almost everywhere, but pioneered an approach that later became its own sub-genre
The need to deceive loved ones inspired Caravan’s Paradise Filter
Canterbury pioneers’ 14th album was surprisingly lacking in their traditional Ealing Studios views of England, containing more serious observations on modern life instead
The story of the All Sports Band, Cleveland's favourite gang of nylon-abusing supervillains
It was Ronald Reagan’s fault, really
Why I love AC/DC's Back In Black, by Def Leppard's Joe Elliott
Def Leppard man Joe Elliott on Mutt Lange, Hells Bells and replacing Bon Scott
The Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums you should definitely listen to
One of the great British prog bands, a power trio and a supergroup, ELP left a legacy that includes some classic prog-rock albums
How Ministry’s Al Jourgensen tried and failed to bow out with the George W Bush-baiting The Last Sucker
In 2007, Al Jourgensen was talking about retiring – and it was mostly down to the US President
Charlotte Church: “I love Radiohead more than I could possibly love anything other than my kids.”
“Basically I really like Radiohead”
Producer Flood thought U2 were joking when they wanted to work with him
When U2 came calling for British recording engineer Mark 'Flood' Ellis, he assumed it was an April Fool's joke
Anthony Vanacore left America for China, formed OU and never looked back
The first Chinese prog act to sign to a major Western label, they’re speeding past this year’s II: Frailty and already working on album number three – with an associated animated series
Why your choice of stylus and turntable cartridge matters
Everything you need to know about your turntable stylus and the differences between Moving Magnet, Moving Coil and Ceramic cartridges
How Powerslave pointed the way to Iron Maiden’s epic future
Iron Maiden’s monumental Powerslave album was released 40 years ago today
Anthrax’s Scott Ian explains his lifelong passion for Rush
Thrash metal guitarist recalls being impressed by Canadian trio who sounded like “a more muscular Led Zeppelin”
What AC/DC mean to me, by Kiss's Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons pays tribute to the longevity of AC/DC, a band he first saw at the Whiskey a Go Go in West Hollywood in 1976
The Stooges' songs that provided a perfect blueprint for rock’s future
In 1969 the Stooges shaped the future of rock'n'roll and brilliantly captured a young, fiery generation in turmoil. Punk? Grunge? Glam? So much of it started here
The chaotic night Led Zeppelin jammed with Ten Years After and the Jeff Beck Group
"My last memory was of Bonham’s hairy backside disappearing, illuminated by a spotlight"
How Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine used old rivalries to fuel 2009’s Endgame album
Megadeth‘s 2009 album Endgame capped a killer decade for the thrash veterans
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder on the night he saw Keith Richards pull out a knife backstage
Supporting Keith Richards was a memorable experience for the members of Pearl Jam
