All About Rock & Metal

From Montreal’s rock clubs to a JUNO Award nomination, The Damn Truth are keeping guitar-driven rock alive. Their deluxe self-titled album brings renewed attention, with Bob Rock’s production adding extra appeal. Will this fresh opportunity help the blues-infused rockers finally reach a wider audience?

Eddie 9V transforms George McCrae’s disco classic ‘Rock Your Baby’ into a gritty Southern soul and blues burner. Produced by Dan Auerbach, the track features deep grooves and slide guitar, offering a fresh take on a 1970s hit ahead of Eddie’s new album, Down Here.

Three legendary guitarists unite as Sir Brian May takes lead vocals on ‘My Angels Are Calling’, featuring ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Steve Cropper. The soulful ballad appears on Cropper’s posthumous album Watching The Tide, released today via Provogue / Artone Label Group.

Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi returns with his first solo album in over two decades, revealing From The Dark alongside details of its release, guest musicians and the first taste of what's to come.

Nashville rock band Cinema Stereo will release their debut album, 12:34, on October 2, 2026. Produced by Paul Moak, the 12-track record explores growing up, relationships, ambition and self-doubt, blending atmospheric textures, harmonies, guitars, synths and infectious melodies. The band have also unveiled new single “Expectations.”

Eric Johnson is THE guitarist’s guitarist. He has performed in the past as part of G3 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, as well as a solo artist.

Despite the name, Parker Barrow aren’t inspired by a garden cart in Yorkshire but by Depression‑era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

The fifth and final album in Bernie Marsden’s Inspirations Series, STAGE is out on 21st August 2026 through award winning independent label, Conquest Music.

Canadian roots, rock, and soul band Bywater Call are excited to announce the release “Is This Thing On?”, leading up to the July 29th release of their highly anticipated fourth studio album Broken Souvenirs featuring the critically acclaimed singles “No One Else”, “Only” and “Hold Me Down.”.

Beth Hart walked onto the stage of Frankfurt’s beautiful Jahrhunderthalle and immediately connected with the audience. Opening with ‘Through The Window’, she stood close to the crowd, warmly welcomed from the very first moment, clearly enjoying the connection with the audience.

Post-Midnight Behaviour is Ben Poole’s first studio album of new material in eight years, following 2018’s critically acclaimed Time Has Come. Rooted in blues rock, it also explores new musical ground.

Starting at 9.00pm, the quintet received a great reception as they casually strode onstage before launching into the blistering ‘Waiting For Your Man’, followed by the Bar‑Room boogie of ‘Blame It On The Whiskey’ and the first of many tremendous solos from Henry James Schneekluth. The hard‑rocking ‘Sittin’ Pretty’ maintained the early momentum.

Award-winning UK duo When Rivers Meet release their fifth studio album Rhythm Rust & Static, out now across all major platforms. Known for their distinctive blend of alternative rock and gritty blues, When Rivers Meet continue to push against genre limits. One of a small number of fully independent UK acts to achieve two Official UK Top 10 albums, the duo has built a reputation for defying expectation and carving their own path within the music industry.

Hard rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Jack J Hutchinson returns with brand new single and video ‘Soul Believer’. The track is the first single taken from Hutchinson’s forthcoming new studio album of the same name, Soul Believer, due for release on Friday 22 January 2027 and available to pre-order now.

Two-time JUNO Nominee ‘Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar’ release their new live album A Beautiful Buzz via Gypsy Soul Records on May 22, 2026. Captured during the band’s Love Is All Around tour across Western Canada in 2022, the album documents the raw power, soul, and communal energy that have made Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar one of Canada’s most electrifying live acts.

Bluesy alt rockers When Rivers Meet are ramping up the expectation ahead of new album Rhythm Rust & Static’s June 19th release after dropping heart versus head anthem Caught In The Middle.

"For those seeking the antithesis of AI, look no further than Beth Hart: honest, authentic, original, inspirational and spontaneous. You will not find a more human performer."

"As mentioned in my review of ‘Trouble Coming’ in Fireworks Issue #113 the talented Ms. Cox is single handedly maintaining the Entente Cordiale. Un concert formidable."

George Thorogood and The Destroyers have announced the final tour of the UK, as part of The Baddest Show on Earth tour of North America and Europe. There will be just two shows: Monday 29th June 2026 at University of Wolverhampton at the Civic Hall, followed by Tuesday 30th June 2026 at indigo at The O2 in London. Tickets are on sale now [all links below]. This is the last chance to witness this incendiary performer live on UK stages.

We are extremely excited to be able to premiere 'Make A Deal With The Devil', the new song from the awesome Stargazer.