Summer has arrived, and so has the issue that's going to make you forget you ever had plans. Issue 115 lands with the force of a Marshall stack at full tilt, and trust us, you're going to want to clear your schedule.
On the cover, Ian Gillan and Ian Paice. Two Ians. Infinite rock wisdom. The legendary Deep Purple duo sit down with us to talk all things new album Splat, and the conversation is exactly what you'd hope for from two men who've collectively forgotten more about rock music than most of us will ever learn. Funny, candid, and genuinely surprising, this is the kind of interview that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place. Sharing cover duties is Skillet's John Cooper, who does not disappoint. Samantha Fish walks us through her blues-rock journey with the easy confidence of someone who's at the top of their game. Brent Smith of Shinedown opens up in a rare, deeply personal interview that pulls no punches and leaves nothing on the table.
not enough?
And if that's not enough to make you reach for your wallet, it should be, but let's continue... We don't do things by halves!
Across 164 pages of pure rock and metal content, you'll find: Dominum in our very first interview with Germany's metal rising stars. Tarja, the Metal Queen holds court, and she's magnificent. Suzi Quatro, a rock legend in typically fine, no-nonsense form. YES sat down with us and, yes (pun absolutely intended), they wowed! John 5, Evergrey, Devin Townsend, Rachel Bolan, Sevendust, Elegant Weapons, Erik Grönwall, Kevin Steele, Eric Johnson, Eva Under Fire, Exodus, When Rivers Meet, This House We Built, Virginmarys, Von Groove, Robin Beck, Steve Hogarth, Opensight, Energy, Creye, Fatal Vision, M.ill.ion, and Steve Lowe all combine in Issue 115 to deliver pure excellence.
and that's not all
And that's not all, we have over 40 interviews just waiting for...you!
We also have features that go beyond the interview: A portrait of Stonedead Festival guru Chris Sumby: the man behind the magic, finally in the spotlight himself. The Enthusiasts' Guide turns its attention to Queen, rock royalty in every sense. Fair warning: if Hot Space appears in the top two, we may not survive to issue 116! Joe Lynn Turner takes on our Castaway Classics challenge. Wherever he's going, he's taking some serious tunes. And then there's the crown jewel of our features section: The Story of Pick Withers and Dire Straits' Making Movies. One of rock's most criminally under-appreciated albums, given the deep dive it has long deserved.
"Awesome" doesn't quite cover it, but we'll settle for it.
Your ears deserve the truth!
Reviews: Honest, Unsparing, Occasionally Therapeutic! Our reviews section is in full force, no star inflation, no promotional fluff, no diplomatic fudging. If an album is great, we'll tell you. If it's the sonic equivalent of a rainy Tuesday in a car park, we'll tell you that too. Your ears deserve the truth!
164 pages. 40+ interviews. Features worth framing. Issue 115 isn't just a magazine. It's a statement.
