Features

“It was more run by idealism rather than good business sense”: The story of notorious Norwegian record store Helvete

In this exclusive excerpt from black metal historian Dayal Patterson’s new expanded book, Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult, members of Norway’s black metal community remember the inception and impact Helvete, and how “it was not just a record store but a society”…

Bambie Thug: “Eurovision is ‘Gay Christmas’... but it’s also an incredible platform for artists who want to push the boundaries”

Rising ‘Ouija-pop’ sensation Bambie Thug will be representing Ireland at Eurovision 2024 with Doomsday Blue. It’s a win that’s delighted fans, outraged conservative critics and bemused plenty of people in-between, but the Cork-born trailblazer promises they’re more than ready to represent their homeland on the grandest, gayest stage in music…

“The government must act now to protect grassroots music venues”: An open letter from Jeremy Corbyn

For Independent Venue Week, former Labour leader and founder of Peace & Justice Project, Jeremy Corbyn, exclusively explains why it’s so vital to support our grassroots venues...

Maggie Lindemann: “I’m going through life changes and trying to reinvent myself… I’m absolutely not the person I was”

As Maggie Lindemann promises to introduce a whole new era with upcoming EP HEADSPLIT, the Dallas singer-songwriter talks growing up, the wide range of emotions within her latest music, and why she wants to be in a Saw movie…

Alkaline Trio: “It’s like we’re living in the apocalypse… it’s end-of-days stuff out there”

For almost three decades, Alkaline Trio have traded in the darker side of life, telling tales of addiction, depression and loss. Now as the world is seemingly falling apart around them, they’re channelling Armageddon into new album Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs, and rediscovering themselves in the process…

Good For Her: Are we finally realising the power of female rage?

Women are furious – on screen, on the page, in music, in real life – and rightfully so. The 2020s have so far felt like a tipping point, and it seems people are finally paying attention to women’s collective anger.

The People Vs. Greg Barnett: The Menzingers frontman on Scranton pride, literary influences, and why they never seem to play your favourite song

Ahead of The Menzingers’ UK headline tour, we asked for your most burning questions to put to Greg Barnett. So, to the fan who wanted to know if they knew their flies were undone onstage, wonder no more, as the frontman answers a clutch of enquiries…

In pictures: The opening night of Bad Omens’ European headline tour with Poppy

Relive the first night of Bad Omens’ very fiery European headline tour with Poppy with this exclusive gallery.

Jesus Piece: “When I’m onstage, it’s a total purge of all the sh*t I’ve been holding onto”

Aaron Heard has learned to funnel his stresses into Jesus Piece. It’s part of what makes them one of the most exciting bands on the planet right now. We meet the man bringing rage back to hardcore, and find out how it all helped turned his life around…

NewDad are the shoegaze revival’s most exciting young band

Leaving their hometown of Galway to realise their ambitions (and make their debut album) in London, NewDad are primed to become one of the best new dream-rock bands around. Now: someone please give them some even bigger stages to conquer…

Mountain Caller: “Sometimes the story leads the music, sometimes the music writes the story”

British riff experts Mountain Caller have just made the second part of a sprawling concept suite. Quite the achievement, especially when there’s no words. They take us into their world, to explain their big idea…

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes: “I’m looking forward to being the band that we’ve always wanted to be”

Good things come to those who wait. For Frank Carter and Dean Richardson, it’s taken the best part of a decade to find the true meaning of The Rattlesnakes, and that deep, human connection between themselves and their art. New album Dark Rainbow is the first fruit of this next era, but as we find out, they’re only just getting started…

Lucifer’s Johanna Sadonis: The 10 songs that changed my life

Lucifer singer Johanna Sadonis tells all about being turned to the dark side by Danzig, having her mind blown by Metallica, and making mixtapes for her own funeral…

How Convulse Records became a haven for hardcore’s weirdos

From GEL’s sensational debut to giving rising stars Militarie Gun their first-ever release, Convulse Records are on the cutting edge of what’s happening in hardcore right now. But the label is about more than finding the hottest trends, it’s a community of outsiders, united by a desire to push the form and each other…

EKKSTACY is in his own lane… and he’s doing just fine

Vancouver alternative indie-rock star EKKSTACY is about to blow up in a major way. Not that we need to tell you that – he already knows it himself. To mark the release of his self-titled third LP, the musician talks songwriting, scenes, and staying stress-free.

Many Eyes: “This band has been like a drink of water for my soul”

When Every Time I Die split in February 2022, firebrand frontman Keith Buckley was left heartbroken and ostracised, but Many Eyes reignited his passion for music. To mark barnstorming new single Future Proof, we sat down with Keith and bandmates Nick and Charlie Bellmore to talk heavenly influence, the struggles of sobriety and the ear-battering catharsis of moving on…

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