Metal Hammer Reviews

"Machine Head live to defy expectations." Robb Flynn and co. conquer Bloodstock with an explosive, emotional headline set

By Rich Hobson published 10 August 25

Machine Head return to Bloodstock for an almighty Saturday night headline set

Lacuna Coil's Bloodstock set shows they are a band operating at the peak of their powers

By Merlin Alderslade published 9 August 25

30 years into their career, Lacuna Coil are writing some of their very best music - and putting on some of their best live shows

Orange Goblin just played their final ever UK festival show - and it was one hell of a goodbye

By Rich Hobson published 9 August 25

Orange Goblin commemorate their 30th - and final - year with a barnstorming final UK festival performance at Bloodstock

One big thing stopped Nailbomb's first UK show being a classic

By Stephen Hill published 9 August 25

Max Cavalera's Nailbomb show why they're so revered in the metal scene, even if sound gremlins scupper their momentum

What happens when a Eurovision band turns to the dark side? Lord Of The Lost’s new album almost answers that question

By Catherine Morris published 5 August 25

The first entry in a planned trilogy, Opvs Noir, Vol. 1 sees Lord Of The Lost shed their vibrant look while retaining their goth/glam bluster

Halestorm reach a career peak with new album Everest

By Dannii Leivers published 5 August 25

Halestorm are still Halestorm on album number six, but the hard rockers have more ideas in their back pockets than ever before

Headlining a major European festival for the very first time, Papa Roach's loud, proud and unbowed Wacken performance is an utter triumph

By Rich Hobson published 2 August 25

Papa Roach deliver a career-defining headline set at Germany's legendary Wacken Open Air festival

Babymetal's new album Metal Forth reaffirms their status as one of metal's most unique and exciting bands

By Joe Daly published 31 July 25

Babymetal team up with a bunch of metal pals to make another bold stride forwards

Priest's biggest UK headline gig is a victorious celebration

By Rich Hobson published 26 July 25

Judas Priest's biggest ever UK headline gig comes tinged with sadness, but also victorious celebrations

This is what it would sound like if The Cure were a death metal band – and it’s brilliantly bonkers

By Matt Mills published 21 July 25

Hesitating Lights, the second album by Swedish noise-makers Floating, pairs post-punk riffs with extreme metal aggression to amazing, disorienting effect

Endorsed by Gojira, Slipknot and King Diamond, Mawiza have just put out one of 2025’s most important debut albums

By Matt Mills published 20 July 25

Chilean groove metallers Mawiza explore their indigenous Mapuche Nation culture on colossal debut Ül

Bush's I Beat Loneliness review: Gavin Rossdale casts his gaze inward after putting the world to rights on The Art Of Survival

By Paul Travers published 19 July 25

Gavin Rossdale proves a bit of earnestness and a whole lot of heart can make all the difference on Bush's I Beat Loneliness

Daron Malakian makes his bonkers, brilliant comeback with Scars On Broadway

By Dannii Leivers last updated 18 July 25

Wild-eyed riffs, insane left-turns and lyrics blurring the surreal and poignant: Daron Malakian is at his best on the new Scars On Broadway album

Introducing Die Spitz, the best new band in the world

By Paul Brannigan published 18 July 25

Introducing Die Spitz, your new favourite band

"With Grizzly, Slaughter To Prevail might complete the Mount Rushmore of great deathcore escapologists."

By Stephen Hill published 18 July 25

Slaughter To Prevail prove they can stand toe-to-toe with breakout stars Lorna Shore, Bring Me The Horizon and Whitechapel with new album Grizzly

The book that Axl Rose doesn't want you to read: Alan Niven’s incredible book takes you inside peak Guns N’ Roses like no other

By Scott Rowley published 13 July 25

Sound N' Fury, due to be published in July, has been pushed back. But it might be the best book about Guns N' Roses ever written.

King Diamond brings horror, heavy metal and a touch of welcome silliness to Rock Imperium Festival

By Catherine Morris published 7 July 25

King Diamond rolls back the years with a bombastic, theatrical showing in Murcia

Black Sabbath's Back To The Beginning: our ultimate review of their triumphant final show

By Rich Hobson published 6 July 25

Our blow-by-blow review of the biggest heavy metal show ever as Black Sabbath triumphantly bow out

Slayer's return to the UK was chaotic but ultimately triumphant

By Rich Hobson published 4 July 25

Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon and Hatebreed supported Slayer for their spectacular UK comeback