The Metal Hammer Podcast

Yeah yeah, we know it's October, but allow us. We delve into Rob Halford's latest Christmas album, Celestial, and start feeling a little festive.We also say goodbye to drumming legend Ginger Baker, discuss Sepultura's concept albums and get excited about Chelsea Wolfe's UK tour.Plus! We talk power ballads, 24-hour festivals, and what kind of ice cream is most appropriate for funerals.

We won magazine of the year at the Future awards - Thank you to all you loyal readers for your continued support! We review not one, not two but THREE gigs: Merl went to Volbeat + Baroness + Danko Jones, El went to Ice Nine Kills + Cvlt of the Svn and Al went to…… Continue reading 084: Magazine of the year!

Download has announced the first bands for 2020! What do we think and what does this mean for where the festival is at? We take a good look at every one of the headliners... Should System of a Down still have such a high slot, since they haven't released any new music for over a…… Continue reading 083: Download 2020's line-up, our first reaction!

The boys are back in town: Merl and Jonathan take over this week's podcast and chat about all the latest news, including Evanescence and Within Temptation's co-headline tour, SOAD, Machine Head and 55DP. Merl journeyed all the way to the USA and reviews Metallica's S&M2 show, as well as Iron Maiden! Plus, the guys answer…… Continue reading 082: Merl on tour at S&M 2!

El and Al have control of the studio again, and are excited to announce the new issue – out now! – and it's a Babymetal special. Alice checked out Wiegedood's triple album show last week, while both El and Al attended Lacuna Coil's very special album preview at The London Dungeon. Tool kicked Taylor Swift…… Continue reading 081: Have you ever felt sexually attracted to a song?

It's only El and Al in the Hammer studio today, with Merl on a super cool adventure in the US (he'll be reporting back soon!) There have been some absolutely insane tour announcements this week: We are super excited to hear about Lamb of God's return to Europe with Kreator and Power Trip, as well…… Continue reading 080: Killer tours and underrated bands

We're excited to see the release of this month's Metal Hammer cover stars Tool's new album, 13 years in the making, Fear Inoculum – and El gives us an in-depth analysis of the whole record. We also discuss Orange Goblin's drummer/visa application debacle and lament the closure of one of our favourite London rock bars…… Continue reading 079: Tool, Tool and more Tool

We've had an incredible weekend... Merl reviews Metallica in Prague, while Al went to Norway to Midgardsblot, a unique festival where metal meets Vikings, and she reveals all! Plus, Slipknot are number one everywhere... how'd that happen? Roadburn looks bloody good and Ozzy is a mutant!

Merl, El and Alice review all the action from Bloodstock 2019! Plus, we run through our new issue starring the one and only Tool! It's actually happening! We also rate Slipknot potentially getting to number 1, debate the most metal pub in the UK, give some reading recommendations (hey, we're multi-platform) and much more...

El reviews brand new UK tech metal fest, Radar. It's a week of "news" with new Slipknot, new Korn and new Tool (keep listening 'til the end to hear El and Merl discuss the brand new title track). Plus, last but by no means least, we give the ultimate preview of Bloodstock (and yes, we…… Continue reading 076: The Ultimate Bloodstock 2019 Preview!

Merl, El and Alice are all back in the studio! El gives us the lowdown on Bloodywood – the Indian metallers you didn't know you needed in your life. We discuss the latest Tool news – the album will be entitled Fear Inoculum and their entire back catalogue is finally out on streaming services this…… Continue reading 075: The Unholy Trinity

Merl and Alice hide from the heatwave to talk about Alice's adventure at a black metal festival in a castle, plus mull over the new Slipknot single and chat about whether Steel Panther have become #problematic in the modern era.

This week Merl and Jonathan get hyped about our NINE-COVER new Slipknot issue, talk about heavy metal adventures in the Faroe Isles, dare each other to do ridiculous metal karaoke picks, weigh in on Tool vs Bieber and a hell of a lot more.

What the hell is Norwegian Reggaeton? Get your corpse paint on and let us explain, my friend...We also review Rammstein in Milton Keynes. Our faces are still burning from ALL THE FIRE.And! We talk Slayer's final tour, Ghost's arena tour, and alien metal.

Merl went to Glastonbury and reports back on the state of metal at the UK's biggest festival. Meanwhile, El saw Gojira and Babymetal in a more civilised setting. We discuss the new Slayer trailer feat. Danny Trejo... and one of our favourite OITNB stars *might* be involved?! Plus, most importantly, we pick our favourite ice…… Continue reading 071: Glasto, Gojira and Babymetal