Features

The story of Mr Bungle: how Mike Patton’s ex-high-school band made one of the strangest debut albums in heavy metal history

By Simon Young Published 13 August 26

On this day in 1991, Mr Bungle’s self-titled debut came out – confusing many but inspiring Korn, Avenged Sevenfold and other greats

How Rush refound their rock spirit in the 1990s – only to be blindsided by personal tragedy

By Dave Everley Published 13 August 26

Rush refound their rock spirit in the 1990s – only to be blindsided by personal tragedy

Watch Roadie, the cult 1980 movie featuring Meat Loaf, Blondie and Alice Cooper

By Paul Brannigan Published 12 August 26

Watch Roadie, the only film ever to star Meat Loaf, Blondie and Alice Cooper

The explosive story of Ritchie Blackmore’s bitter exit from Deep Purple

By Dave Everley, Neil Jeffries Published 12 August 26

If Ritchie Blackmore really does rejoin Deep Purple onstage for the first time in 33 years, it will be an incredible turnaround

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson quizzed by Yes, Genesis, ELP stars and others

By Dave Everley Published 12 August 26

Discover his thoughts on three-fingered guitar playing, a rock icon asking for his autograph, hot chillis, abandoned rabbit suits, never learning to drive, retirement, the 70s codpiece – and why he took up flute in the first place

The stories behind every song on Metallica’s Black Album

By Joe Daly Published 12 August 26

35 years ago, Metallica cemented themselves as the biggest metal band on Earth. This is your track-by-track guide to their landmark moment.

“It could be more amazing than U2’s triumph in Las Vegas. I think you could even blow that out the water”: Can Youth persuade David Gilmour to stage a live show with The Orb?

By Julian Marszalek Published 12 August 26

Producer discusses his reboot of 2010 collaboration Metallic Spheres as Metallic Spheres In Colour

The life and times of Tony Iommi, metal’s indestructible dark lord

By Malcolm Dome Published 12 August 26

If it wasn’t for Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, the world would sound very, very different

Poor Man’s Moody Blues: The story of a prog rock diss track

By Malcolm Dome Published 11 August 26

Les Holroyd is proud of BJH’s band’s first era – except for the time they rose to the bait of being compared to a rival band, and then he had to face one of its members

Metal Hammer's tracks of the week: July 31 2026

By Rich Hobson Last updated 11 August 26

Tony Iommi makes a long awaited return, Electric Callboy channel their inner boyband and Sheri Moon Zombie strikes out as a solo artist in this week's best new metal songs round up