Features

South African prog hitmaker tried to tackle apartheid, but admits he failed

By Malcolm Dome published 24 February 26

Creator of a concept album that arrived three years before Graceland insists it doesn’t deserve any respect

Rush’s journey from the last aftershow party of 2015 to the big comeback of 2026

By Philip Wilding published 24 February 26

Prog writer Philip Wilding – who once played Neil Peart’s drums – remained in contact with Lee as a dark decade exploded into new light

How making the follow-up to Bat Out Of Hell nearly broke Meat Loaf

By Paul Rees published 23 February 26

Meat Loaf’s Dead Ringer is no Bat Out Of Hell – but it’s still a great album

Classic Rock's Tracks Of The Week: February 23, 2026

By Polly Glass published 23 February 26

Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Shinedown, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Michael Monroe and more

How a 60s R&B queen fought through personal darkness to make one of the greatest rock’n’roll singles of the 1970s

By Nick Hasted published 23 February 26

How Mick Jagger’s favourite R&B singer leaned into rock’n’roll with an all-time classic

Why Steven Wilson’s new album is designed to be slightly shambolic

By Dave Ling published 23 February 26

The cult college rock band from Boston behind one of the most emotional anthems of the early 90s

By Phillip Wilding published 22 February 26

The story of Buffalo Tom’s Let Me Come Over album – home to the classic Taillights Fade

From David Gilmour to Stranger Things – how Kate Bush became one of the most unique artists of the last 50 years

By Chris Roberts published 22 February 26

Few musicians have had the impact that Kate Bush has had

Martin Barre was as surprised as Metallica when Jethro Tull won a Grammy

By Chris McGarel published 22 February 26

Prog giants weren’t there when controversial 1989 moment came, because they were certain they wouldn’t win. So the guitarist’s wife concocted a last-minute midnight party to celebrate

The legendary album Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt wishes he had made – and the rock band he thinks are a “joke”

By Ali Cooper published 22 February 26

Metal classics, slasher movie soundtracks and Satanic rituals – this is the soundtrack to Mikael Akerfeldt’s life