Cover Story

The Cover Story

Empire State Bastard: “I’ve been needing to make a record like this for a long time”

You might know them as the frontman and live guitarist for Biffy Clyro, but together, the duo of Simon Neil and Mike Vennart make a much heavier, angrier beast known only as Empire State Bastard. Upon the announcement of their debut LP, we meet the metal-loving pair to find out why this is more than just a side-project…

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The Cover Story

Nessa Barrett: “I want to help people because I know there’s a lot of people that felt the same way that I did”

Growing up with severe mental health issues that her uber-religious family didn’t understand, Nessa Barrett has always felt different. But through dealing with traumatic loss and finding new connections in therapy, the Gen Z superstar-in-the-making has finally found a place to belong and be happy…

The Cover Story

Avenged Sevenfold: “Just say your message and put the art out there. Artists should do what they want and explore deeper rabbit-holes”

Avenged Sevenfold have become one of modern metal’s biggest bands by forever doing things their own unique way. In a world-exclusive interview, frontman M. Shadows and guitarist Synyster Gates lift the lid on new album Life Is But A Dream… and the band’s fearless, fantastic latest chapter.

The Cover Story

Polyphia: “We can do whatever we want. That’s all I know how to do”

Certain corners of the press may have you believe that guitar music is dead, but Polyphia are here to say otherwise. At the beginning of a sold-out UK tour, off the back of knockout LP Remember That You Will Die, the Texan instrumentalists are taking heavy music to new horizons and inspiring a new legion of fans along the way…

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Drain: “It’s about a good group of friends saying, ‘We can do this sh*t. We can make something bigger!’”

Three years that changed the world. That’s all it took to lift Drain from underground-popping cult heroes to bona fide hardcore superstars. On the eve of slamming second album Living Proof, frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro explains why the Santa Cruz scene leaders are still just getting started…

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ZAND: “This is for the underdogs and weirdos that feel like they don’t belong”

ZAND stands at the forefront of a new wave of fearless alternative artists. From noisy sex-positive anthems to shoving a green middle finger in the face of abusers, they are giving a voice those who feel like they don’t belong. With new music on its way, it’s time to properly meet the ‘ugly pop’ superstar-in-waiting…

The Cover Story

Enter Shikari: “There’s always some form of hope ready to be grasped, there’s always a possibility of something better”

Releasing their previous album into the void of the pandemic, Enter Shikari were lost at sea. But, after a lengthy period of “soul-searching” they have returned with their most uplifting album yet, A Kiss For The Whole World, and a new vision for the future. On the eve of its release, Rou Reynolds reveals all…

The Cover Story

Metallica: “In the past every single thing had to be fought over… now the band is a safe space and everyone is very protective of it”

Eleven albums and four decades into being the biggest metal band of all time, Metallica are showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, things are changing for the better. With new LP 72 Seasons waiting in the wings, we find the legendary thrashers taking stock of what’s important, what’s left to achieve, and why their music will live forever…

The Cover Story

Linkin Park: “We were out to prove this was our band and our style… That’s what Meteora became”

With a seminal, era-defining debut album under their belts, in 2003, all eyes were on Linkin Park to follow-up with something equally as groundbreaking. And boy did they deliver. 20 years on from the release of the monumental Meteora, the band share the hidden history behind one of our world’s most beloved records…

The Cover Story

Bury Tomorrow: “I want to promise you, our band is never giving up”

When all was crumbling down, it could have been easy for Bury Tomorrow to walk away, but they haven’t fought this long and hard to throw the towel in now. Instead they found a light in the darkness, pushing on to create their most ferocious album to date. On the eve of its release, Dani Winter-Bates explains why it’s not over yet – not by a long shot…

The Cover Story

100 gecs: “We started out doing the goofiest shit… and we’re still just two friends having fun”

100 gecs are the most exciting name in hyperpop. Love them, hate them or simply don’t ‘get’ them, either way they’re impossible to ignore. On the eve of brilliant new album 10,000 gecs, Dylan Brady and Laura Les dive into their journey so far, coping with pressure, and how they’re hoping for EGOT status…

The Cover Story

Softcult: “In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself”

With their dreamy, shoegazy alt.rock, Softcult are channelling the history and impact of riot grrrl for a new generation. Armed with righteous indignation, DIY attitude and a superb new EP, twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix are shining a light on the climate crisis, toxic masculinity and why change comes from within…

The Cover Story

ZULU: “People expect us to be angry, but there’s a lot of joy that we emit”

ZULU are one of the best new bands in the heavy scene today. On the eve of their debut album A New Tomorrow, vocalist Anaiah Lei meets Kerrang! to talk about his life in music, Los Angeles, and most importantly love…

The Cover Story

Cassyette: “You have to earn your stripes – I’ve worked my arse off to get to this point”

As Cassyette unleashes new “big pit energy” banger Boom, the Essex-born alt. star hits the cover of Kerrang! for the first time to talk success, sobriety and self-belief…

The Cover Story

Code Orange: “Listen to what we do, look at what we do – we don’t fit in anywhere”

Are you ready to go back down the rabbit hole? After a three-year absence, Code Orange are returning to the Underneath with a stunning remix album. Rather than a backwards step, however, Jami Morgan sees it as another phase in the band’s unending evolution, and one that sets them even further apart from the pack…

The Cover Story

Pierce The Veil: “We’ve built this whole world where we can do anything creatively, and it’s so satisfying and comforting”

It’s been a seven-year wait, but Pierce The Veil’s fifth album The Jaws Of Life is finally here. On the eve of release, frontman Vic Fuentes dives deep into its creation, and reflects on how exciting a place it is for the band right now…

The Cover Story

Dawn Ray’d: “You don’t have to ask for permission to make things better”

British black metal trio Dawn Ray’d have received both high praise and death threats for their anarchist beliefs. On their new album, To Know The Light, they rail against the things they see as keeping us down, just as much as they suggest liberating solutions. And as chaotic as everything looks, they refuse to back down…

BackNext

Empire State Bastard: “I’ve been needing to make a record like this for a long time”

Nessa Barrett: “I want to help people because I know there’s a lot of people that felt the same way that I did”

Avenged Sevenfold: “Just say your message and put the art out there. Artists should do what they want and explore deeper rabbit-holes”

Polyphia: “We can do whatever we want. That’s all I know how to do”

Drain: “It’s about a good group of friends saying, ‘We can do this sh*t. We can make something bigger!’”

ZAND: “This is for the underdogs and weirdos that feel like they don’t belong”

Enter Shikari: “There’s always some form of hope ready to be grasped, there’s always a possibility of something better”

Metallica: “In the past every single thing had to be fought over… now the band is a safe space and everyone is very protective of it”

Linkin Park: “We were out to prove this was our band and our style… That’s what Meteora became”

Bury Tomorrow: “I want to promise you, our band is never giving up”

100 gecs: “We started out doing the goofiest shit… and we’re still just two friends having fun”

Softcult: “In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself”

ZULU: “People expect us to be angry, but there’s a lot of joy that we emit”

Cassyette: “You have to earn your stripes – I’ve worked my arse off to get to this point”

Code Orange: “Listen to what we do, look at what we do – we don’t fit in anywhere”

Pierce The Veil: “We’ve built this whole world where we can do anything creatively, and it’s so satisfying and comforting”

Dawn Ray’d: “You don’t have to ask for permission to make things better”

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