News

Aussie guitar queen Orianthi has dropped a brand-new music video for her latest single ‘Dark Days Are Gone’, a smouldering slice of blues-rock brilliance pulled straight from her upcoming album Some Kind of Feeling — due early 2026.

The video is pure Orianthi: cinematic desert landscapes, thunderous riffs, and that unmistakable swagger that made her a global guitar icon alongside legends like Alice Cooper, Steve Vai, and Michael Jackson. 💥

‘Dark Days Are Gone’ hits like a storm — a defiant anthem about clawing your way back from chaos with fire in your soul and distortion under your fingertips. Orianthi’s guitar work is equal parts melodic and menacing, blending classic rock grit with modern edge.

🔥 UK Tour Incoming (2026) 🔥
To celebrate the album, Orianthi will hit the road for a full UK headline tour in 2026, with dates expected in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Birmingham. Expect solos sharp enough to slice steel and a setlist spanning her career — from Believe and Heaven in This Hell to new crushers off Some Kind of Feeling.

💬 Orianthi said:

“This song is about strength, freedom, and letting go of what’s holding you down. The dark days are behind — now it’s time to turn it up.”

If this single’s anything to go by, the new album could be her heaviest, most heartfelt work yet. Strap in, mun — the riffs are coming. 🎶

Stay tuned to The Riff Report for the full tour dates, ticket info, and our inevitable track-by-track breakdown when Some Kind of Feeling lands! 🏴🔥

#Orianthi #DarkDaysAreGone #SomeKindOfFeeling #TheRiffReport #UKRockTour2026 #GuitarHeroine

Oi, you remind me of the babe… what babe? The babe with the power! 💫 And that power, my friends, is pure nostalgia magic.

Yep — the legendary 1986 cult fantasy flick Labyrinth, starring the late, great David Bowie as the mesmerising Goblin King Jareth, is coming back to the big screen in 2026 — this time with a full live orchestra bringing the music to life across the UK. 🎶

Get ready to lose yourself (again) in a world of glitter, puppets, and gothic chaos as this spellbinding 40th-anniversary celebration hits venues nationwide.

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👑 The Goblin King Returns

Nearly 40 years on, Bowie’s Labyrinth still reigns supreme as one of the most bizarre, beautiful, and bonkers fantasy films ever made. Directed by Jim Henson (of The Muppets fame) and executive produced by George Lucas, it’s the kind of movie that could only exist in the 1980s — a wild mix of puppetry, pop stardom, and trippy visuals that somehow just works.

And at the heart of it all?
Bowie. Freaking. Bowie.

With his crystal-ball juggling, outrageous hair, and dangerously tight trousers, the Thin White Duke gave us one of cinema’s most unforgettable villains-slash-icons. You didn’t know whether to fear him, fancy him, or ask him where he bought his eyeliner. 🖤

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🎵 What to Expect from the 2026 Concert Tour

This isn’t just your average movie screening — this is Labyrinth Live. 🧙‍♂️

The event will feature a full orchestra performing Trevor Jones’ lush score, with Bowie’s original vocals soaring over it all. Expect songs like:

🎶 Magic Dance
🎶 As the World Falls Down
🎶 Underground
🎶 Within You

All while the movie plays on the big screen in glorious HD. Some shows are rumoured to include interactive light displays, cosplay zones, and even themed cocktails (Goblin Grog, anyone?). 🍸

The tour is expected to visit London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and possibly Belfast, kicking off in spring 2026. Exact dates and ticket info are set to drop early next year.

Better set those alerts, butt — this one’s gonna sell faster than Bowie’s vinyl reissues. ⚡

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💫 The Legacy of Labyrinth

When Labyrinth hit cinemas back in 1986, it bombed. No one knew what to make of it. Puppets, pop, and panache? Too weird, apparently.

But time has been kind — very kind. It’s now a full-on cult phenomenon, loved by generations of fans, cosplayers, and musicians. The film inspired everything from themed conventions to fashion lines, and even a Labyrinth Masquerade Ball scene that’s still thriving in the U.S.

And let’s face it — nobody else could’ve pulled off that role like Bowie. That swagger. That stare. That voice. He didn’t just act as Jareth — he became him.

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🧩 Behind the Scenes: Bowie’s Magical Mayhem

Fun fact: Bowie didn’t just lend his face (and leggings) to Labyrinth — he co-wrote several songs for the film’s soundtrack and recorded them between sessions for Tonight and Never Let Me Down.

During filming, the crew joked that the glitter budget alone could’ve paid for another Muppet movie. Every scene sparkled — literally. And the crystal ball juggling? That wasn’t CGI! It was performed blind by a professional juggler standing behind Bowie’s back. Proper 80s magic that, mun. ✨

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💀 A 40-Year Spell That Still Holds

Four decades on, Labyrinth remains a shining example of how weirdness, heart, and rock ’n’ roll can create something timeless.

Kids who once watched it wide-eyed on VHS now bring their own kids to screenings. Bowie fans still belt out Magic Dance at karaoke. And every Halloween, someone inevitably turns up as Jareth, armed with a plastic crystal and a thousand-yard stare. 🪩

In an age where everything’s getting remade, rebooted, or reimagined, it’s lush to see Labyrinth being celebrated the right way — with live music, love, and a touch of goblin chaos.

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🤘 Only in Britain, Mun!

A Bowie film. A live orchestra. A load of glittery goblins. And probably at least one bloke dressed as Hoggle in the queue for the bar.

Sounds like the perfect British night out, doesn’t it? 🍻

So keep your ears to the ground, glam kids — when tickets drop, you’ll want to move quicker than a Firey with its head on backwards.

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🌙 Final Word from The Riff Report

Forty years later, the Goblin King still commands his loyal subjects.
And as that crystal spins and the first chords of As the World Falls Down fill the theatre, one thing’s certain — Bowie’s magic never fades.

Now excuse us while we go practice our Magic Dance in front of the mirror. Again. 💃

“It’s only forever, not long at all…” 🖤

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💫 What’s Occurring, Riffers?
Will you be donning your Jareth cape or Sarah gown for the Labyrinth 40th Anniversary Tour?
Drop your thoughts (and your favourite Bowie line) in the comments below 👇

In a bold statement that echoes across the independent music world, Epitaph Records has joined a growing movement of artists, labels, and fans calling on Spotify to take immediate action and remove U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruitment ads from its platform.

The legendary punk and alternative label — home to acts like Bad Religion, The Offspring, and Bring Me the Horizon — has made it clear that this isn’t just a business issue, it’s an ethical one. Epitaph and others in the independent music community argue that streaming platforms have a responsibility to reflect the values of the cultures they profit from.

“Artists and fans deserve platforms that reflect the values of the culture they sustain,” Epitaph stated.

For many within the alternative and punk communities, the presence of ICE recruitment advertising feels deeply out of step with the inclusive, anti-authoritarian ethos that defines much of the music. Fans have voiced frustration that Spotify — a company already under fire for low artist payouts and controversial ad placements — would host recruitment messages for a government agency criticised for its human rights record and immigration policies.

The campaign calling for Spotify to drop the ads is gaining traction online, with artists, labels, and fans uniting under a shared belief: music platforms shouldn’t amplify organisations that stand against the principles of equality, compassion, and community that the independent music world holds dear.

As Epitaph’s statement concludes:

“We call on Spotify to remove these ads immediately.”

Whether Spotify responds remains to be seen — but one thing’s for sure: the indie scene isn’t staying silent. From DIY punks to chart-topping rockers, the message is loud and clear: music is about unity, not division.

🎶 The Riff Report will continue to follow this story as it develops — because when punk stands up, the world tends to listen.

By The Riff Report Blog 🤘 | @theriffreportuk

Hold onto your crosses, metalheads — because the Prince of Darkness may be gone, but his legacy is about to roar louder than ever before. 🕯️⚡

🌑 A TRIBUTE WRITTEN IN FIRE

It hasn’t happened yet… but the world is already waiting. From Birmingham to Tokyo, from Los Angeles to London — millions of fans are holding their breath for the night the metal messiah rises again. Not in body, but in spirit, in song, and in memory.

“The Garden of Forever: Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Tour 2025” promises to be one of the most emotionally charged events in rock history. More than a concert — it’s a resurrection. A night of faith, fire, and farewell to the man who taught the world that madness could sound magnificent. 🎸

⚙️ THE STAGE WILL BURN WITH REVERENCE, NOT REBELLION

The show will open with Tony Iommi — the godfather of heavy metal himself — summoning the thunder of War Pigs. The familiar hum of his SG will shake the ground like a cathedral bell calling the faithful.

Then, stepping into the flames: Zakk Wylde, Ozzy’s longest-running axe brother, standing beneath the lights, whispering through the amps:

“You taught us to scream… and to believe.”

Behind him, massive LED screens will ignite with footage of Ozzy’s life — the laughter, the chaos, the bat-biting insanity, and the pure love that made him rock’s ultimate antihero. 🦇❤️

💔 SHARON’S MOMENT OF GRACE

As the final chords fade and the crowd chants “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!”, Sharon Osbourne will take to the stage. Eyes glistening, voice trembling but proud, she’ll speak to the sea of fans who’ve followed her husband’s wild ride for over five decades.

A moment of silence will fall… then a choir of 50,000 metalheads will erupt into “Crazy Train”, their voices joining as one.

If heaven has speakers, you can bet they’ll be turned up to 11. 🎤🔥

🕯️ A CELEBRATION OF LEGENDS

The tribute tour will span four iconic cities:

Birmingham – The birthplace of heavy metal 🏭 Tokyo – The land of loyal fans and neon devotion 🇯🇵 Los Angeles – The chaos capital of the Sunset Strip 🌴 London – Where it all comes home 🇬🇧

Each show will feature guest appearances from metal’s elite — though details are being kept under lock and key (for now 👀). Expect pyros, tears, and enough decibels to wake the dead.

⚡ LONG LIVE THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS

Ozzy once said, “They said I’d never make it this far — and here I am.”

Even now, he’s proving them wrong.

This isn’t just a tribute — it’s a cathedral of chaos, a love letter to the man who turned pain into performance, and riffs into religion.

When the lights go down and the first chord hits, every fan will know one truth…

The Prince of Darkness never truly dies. 🖤

🤘 The Garden of Forever: Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Tour 2025

A Night of Faith, Fire, and Farewell

🔥 Birmingham | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🌴 Los Angeles | 🇬🇧 London 🔥

💬 What’s occurring, metalheads? Will you be there when the black candles burn for Ozzy one last time? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s raise our horns to the legend who made madness beautiful. 🤘💀

Tidy. Proper job. Only in rock, mun. 🏴

Rock legend, drumming icon, and certified petrolhead Nick Mason is putting one seriously unique car under the hammer — a rare Pink Floyd edition of the 1995 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Mk3. Yes, you read that right — Pink Floyd had their own car! 🚗💨

Back in the mid-90s, Volkswagen sponsored European tours by Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and Bon Jovi, creating special-edition Golf Mk3 models for each band. Each version featured distinctive band branding and trim — making them the perfect collectible crossover between music and motors.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Mason, who’s been collecting and racing cars for over half a century, is auctioning off his very own Pink Floyd Golf to raise funds for the Harefield Healing Garden Charity. ❤️

The 81-year-old legend’s car collection is already the stuff of motoring myths — it even includes one of just 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs, valued north of £30 million. But this VW holds something a little more personal. Mason originally snapped up the worn and weathered Pink Floyd Golf “some years ago” with the idea of restoring it. Now, instead of hitting the track, he’s giving it a new life for a good cause. 🌱

The auction lot includes:

The Pink Floyd Golf Cabriolet Mk3 itself A treasure trove of original VW parts and memorabilia Various Pink Floyd items emblazoned with Mason’s signature And, of course, Mason will personally sign the car 🖊️

Iconic Auctioneers will handle the sale at 11 a.m. on Saturday 8 November 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham, with all proceeds going directly to charity.

For VW collectors, classic car nuts, or Pink Floyd die-hards, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of motoring and rock history. 🏁🎶

As Mason himself might say — “Careful with that clutch, Eugene…” 😎

🔥 Event Info

📍 NEC, Birmingham

🗓️ Saturday 8th November 2025, 11:00 a.m.

💸 All proceeds donated to the Harefield Healing Garden Charity

🖋️ Car and memorabilia signed by Nick Mason himself

Tidy little motor for a good cause, mun.

Only in rock ’n’ roll could a VW Golf become a museum-worthy relic — but when Pink Floyd and Nick Mason are involved, even a hatchback turns legendary. 🏴🤘

#PinkFloyd #NickMason #ClassicCars #CharityAuction #TheRiffReport #TidyMun

The ska-punk legends are back, butt — and Vegas just can’t get enough of them! 💥 No Doubt have officially extended their upcoming residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas after tickets sold faster than a Gwen Stefani high kick in a crop top.

This marks the band’s first full tour in 14 years, and the buzz is absolutely tidy. The Californian icons — Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian Young — are reuniting at the jaw-dropping, 18,000-seat futuristic playground that’s become the spot for rock royalty.

The Sphere’s mind-bending visuals and surround sound system are already legendary thanks to U2 and Dead & Company, but you can bet No Doubt are going to bring a bit more eyeliner, plaid, and “Just a Girl” sass to Sin City. 🎲

“We honestly didn’t know what to expect,” Gwen told fans after the announcement. “But seeing how much love there still is for these songs — it’s unreal. Vegas, we’re doing it bigger.” 💄

Expect a setlist packed with “Don’t Speak,” “Spiderwebs,” “Hella Good,” and maybe a few tears from the crowd when those opening chords hit. 👀

If you missed out on the first batch of tickets, good news — more shows are on the way thanks to massive demand. You’ll need to be quick though… because, well, it’s No Doubt at The Sphere.

🎟️ The Details (So Far)

Venue: The Sphere, Las Vegas Capacity: 18,000 (and every seat’s a stunner) Reason for extension: Fans lost their minds – demand through the roof 🤯 Fun fact: It’s their first tour in 14 years

Looks like Gwen and the boys are proving there’s no doubt they still know how to own a stage.

Sin City’s never going to look the same again — plaid’s back, baby. 💚🖤💛

#NoDoubt #LasVegas #TheSphere #RiffReport #SkaLives #GwenStefani

Well, it finally happened, mun. After 44 years of soundtracking teenage rebellion, dodgy haircuts, and late-night headbanging, MTV is officially no more. The network that literally put the “music” in television has gone the way of the VHS tape — buried beneath reality shows, streaming platforms, and a generation that now gets its hits from TikTok instead of Top of the Pops.

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🚀 From “Video Killed the Radio Star” to “Streaming Killed the TV Star”

When MTV launched on August 1, 1981, it blasted off with The Buggles’ immortal line — “Video killed the radio star.”
Back then, the world gasped at the sight of a space-suited astronaut planting the MTV flag on the moon — a cheeky declaration that music had landed.

For decades, MTV was the culture:
🎤 Beavis and Butt-Head taught us how to headbang properly.
🔥 Headbangers Ball gave metalheads their weekly fix of noise and leather.
🎶 TRL made pop idols out of boybands and Britney.
🖤 And MTV Unplugged? That series birthed some of the most iconic performances in music history — Nirvana’s haunting 1993 set still gives goosebumps.

But somewhere between “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Snooki’s beach benders”, the music quietly left the building.

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📺 The Rise and Fall of a Generation’s Soundtrack

By the mid-2000s, MTV had shifted from music television to reality television.
We swapped AC/DC for The Hills, and Guns N’ Roses for Geordie Shore.
The logo even dropped the words “Music Television” in 2010 — a silent admission that the party was over.

Sure, there were bright spots. MTV2 tried to keep rock alive. VH1 Classic gave us nostalgia in heavy rotation. But by 2025, the last embers had burnt out. The plug’s been pulled, the lights are dimmed, and the astronaut on the moon finally took off his helmet and sighed, “It’s over.”

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💔 What Went Wrong?

In a word — the internet.
YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok became the new MTV, giving fans instant access to music videos, interviews, and chaos 24/7.
Why wait for a VJ to introduce Metallica when you can just type “Enter Sandman live Moscow 1991” into your phone at 3am?

MTV tried to adapt — but you can’t compete with algorithms, memes, and short attention spans. Music television simply couldn’t survive in a world where everyone is their own broadcaster.

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🎧 MTV’s Legacy: Loud, Colourful, Unforgettable

Let’s not kid ourselves — MTV changed everything.
It made stars out of nobodies, gave alternative scenes a spotlight, and turned fashion disasters into trends.
Without MTV, we might never have seen:

• Nirvana’s anarchic 1992 VMA performance
• Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” controversy
• Michael Jackson’s cinematic music videos
• Beavis shouting “Fire! Fire!” while rocking out to Pantera

For rock, metal, punk, and pop alike, MTV was the megaphone that took underground noise to the mainstream.

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🕯️ 1981–2025: Rest in Power, Music Television

So here we are, butt — mourning the end of an era.
MTV may have lost its way, but for those of us who grew up glued to its neon chaos, it’ll always be more than a channel. It was a cultural revolution — messy, loud, and gloriously daft.

As one final salute to the space-suited VJ who started it all, let’s raise a pint (and a devil horn 🤘) to the memory of a network that made us believe music could conquer the world.

MTV is gone. Long live the riff. 🎸🖤

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💬 What’s your favourite MTV memory, mun? Nirvana Unplugged? Pimp My Ride? Or watching Slipknot videos at 1am when you should’ve been revising? Drop it in the comments and we’ll cry/laugh together.

🏴 Tidy memories. Diolch MTV. You rocked our world.

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Fifteen. Billion. Streams. Let that sink in, butt. 💥 Green Day — the scrappy trio who once snarled through dingy California basements — have officially racked up 15 billion streams across platforms. Not bad for a bunch of punks who were once told punk was “dead,” eh? 😏

From “Basket Case” to “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool have been soundtracking rebellion for over three decades. The energy? Still electric. The eyeliner? Still perfect. The riffs? Still tighter than a pair of skinny jeans in 2005. 🖤

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🎶 From Gilman Street to Global Giants

It’s wild to think Green Day started out in the late ‘80s playing all-ages punk shows in sweaty basements, fuelled by caffeine, angst, and duct tape. Fast-forward to today and they’re arena headliners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, and multi-generational icons.

“Dookie” kicked the door down in ‘94, “American Idiot” rewrote the rulebook in 2004, and somehow they’ve kept the flame burning — even as trends shifted and pop-punk rose, fell, and rose again like a mosh pit tide. 🌊

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🔥 15 Billion Streams and Counting

That milestone isn’t just a number — it’s a global middle finger salute to anyone who ever said guitar music was done. Green Day’s catalogue keeps finding new life with every generation discovering the pure chaos of “Longview” or the emo catharsis of “Wake Me Up When September Ends.”

TikTok teens? They’re moshing to “Holiday.”
Old-school fans? Still screaming “No one likes you, everyone left you!” at gigs like it’s therapy. 😂

It’s proof that Green Day’s mix of melody, mischief, and mayhem still hits harder than ever.

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🏴‍☠️ The Legacy That Won’t Die

Beyond the streams, Green Day’s impact is tattooed on punk’s DNA. They made punk mainstream without sanding off the edges — rebellious, political, funny, and heartfelt all at once.

They’ve inspired everyone from Yungblud to Machine Gun Kelly, and helped kickstart countless garage bands worldwide. Even if you’ve never owned a pair of Converse or black nail polish, you’ve probably sung along to “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” at least once. Admit it. 😜

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🎤 What’s Next for the Punk Legends?

With the “Saviors” album still fresh and a new wave of fans crashing in, Green Day aren’t just coasting — they’re gearing up for another massive world tour in 2026. Expect pyro, power chords, and plenty of Armstrong banter.

If 15 billion streams prove anything, it’s this:
👉 Punk’s not dead. It just smells like Billie Joe’s hair dye and sounds a lot like “Basket Case.”

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Tidy job, lads. Here’s to the next 15 billion. 🍻
#GreenDay #PunkLives #TheRiffReport

🍏 The Day Bono Broke the Internet

Ah, 2014. The year “Let It Go” took over the world, Ice Bucket Challenges flooded Facebook, and U2 accidentally became the most unwanted band on the planet.

In September of that year, Apple unveiled its shiny new iPhone 6 — and with it, what was supposed to be a game-changing partnership with one of rock’s biggest bands. Bono swaggered onto the stage alongside Tim Cook and dropped the bombshell:
U2’s brand-new album, Songs of Innocence, would be given away for free to every iTunes user on Earth.

That’s right — every single one of the 500 million iTunes customers woke up to find Bono, Edge, Adam, and Larry lounging inside their music libraries like uninvited house guests.

At first glance, it sounded like a win. Free music! From U2! What could go wrong?
Well… everything, as it turned out. 😬

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💾 The Great Digital Invasion

Here’s the kicker: there was no opt-in.
You didn’t have to click, confirm, or even say “aye.” One morning, boom — Songs of Innocence was there, ready to play, sitting smugly between your Metallica and Miley Cyrus albums.

People weren’t just confused — they were furious. Twitter exploded with messages like:

“Why is there a U2 album on my phone?! Who let Bono in here?!”

The Washington Post called it “rock-and-roll as dystopian junk mail.”
Others likened it to “digital trespassing.”
Even some hardcore U2 fans were baffled — it felt less like a gift and more like a corporate ambush with guitar solos.

Apple’s servers creaked under the weight of complaints. Support lines were jammed. And then, the company did something no one had ever seen before: they released a special “U2 Removal Tool.”

That’s right. An official, dedicated tool to delete an album. A monument to collective rage. 🤣

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🎸 Bono’s Grand Vision (and Massive Misfire)

Bono’s heart, to be fair, was in the right place. He later said the band wanted to “get our music to as many people as possible”, and that Apple offered them the platform to do it.

The album itself — Songs of Innocence — was meant to be deeply personal, revisiting U2’s youth in Dublin, the bands that shaped them, and the tragedies that marked their early years.

Tracks like “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)” and “Cedarwood Road” were steeped in nostalgia and sincerity. In theory, it was U2 at their most human — vulnerable, reflective, honest.

But none of that mattered when the delivery method made people feel invaded.

It wasn’t the album’s content that upset fans — it was the loss of control. The sense that Apple and U2 had barged through the digital front door, dropped their record on the table, and said:

“You’re welcome.”

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📱 The Memes, The Mayhem, The Madness

The internet did what it always does — turned rage into comedy gold.

• Memes showed Bono peeking out of people’s phones like a horror-movie villain.
• Reddit threads turned into digital support groups for “U2 victims.”
• And countless tweets simply said: “Make it stop.”

Metalheads joked that it was the heaviest U2 album ever — because they couldn’t delete it. 😂

Even South Park and late-night hosts took the piss, cementing the fiasco as one of the decade’s biggest cultural punchlines.

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🙏 Bono’s Apology Tour

A few weeks later, Bono took to Facebook for a Q&A. When one fan asked, “Can you please never release an album like that again?”, Bono replied:

“Oops. I’m sorry about that. I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away. Artists are prone to that kind of thing… kind of megalomania, touch of generosity, dash of self-promotion, and deep fear that these songs that mean so much to us might not be heard.”

Fair play to him — he owned it. But by then, the damage was done. The iTunes incident became shorthand for digital overreach and rock-star arrogance, even though it was really just a mix of good intentions and bad UX design.

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🎧 The Fallout and Legacy

The fallout was massive.
Apple, once seen as the cool, rebellious brand of creatives and musicians, suddenly looked… corporate. Controlling. Out of touch.

Meanwhile, U2’s reputation took a temporary hit. The band had always been confident, but now that swagger looked like hubris.

Yet over time, fans forgave them — as they usually do. U2 remains one of the biggest rock bands in history, and their 2023 Las Vegas Sphere residency proved they can still deliver jaw-dropping spectacles.

And let’s be honest — most of us have accidentally streamed Songs of Innocence since then and thought, “You know what? It’s not that bad.”

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🧠 What It Taught the Music World

The iTunes fiasco became a case study in digital consent.
It taught tech companies (and artists) that even free stuff needs permission.

The stunt might’ve been ahead of its time — today, surprise album drops are the norm (cheers, Beyoncé) — but back then, it felt like a breach of privacy.

Ironically, U2 wanted to remind the world that music still mattered in an age of free streaming. Instead, they accidentally highlighted the growing distrust between fans, artists, and tech giants.

Still, the campaign achieved one thing: everyone was talking about U2 again. Even if half of them were shouting, “GET IT OFF MY PHONE.” 😅

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🥁 Final Encore

Looking back now, the U2 iTunes saga feels almost quaint. In a world of data leaks, deepfakes, and algorithmic chaos, the idea of a free album causing a global meltdown is almost… wholesome.

It was messy, misguided, and magnificently rock-and-roll in its own weird way.
Because who else but Bono could turn free music into a worldwide controversy?

Only in rock, mun. 🤘🏴

Grab your leathers, shine those studs, and prepare the kettle, butt — because the Metal Gods are back in the forge! After melting faces and breaking necks with their Invincible Shield world tour, the almighty Judas Priest have confirmed they’re already back in the studio recording a brand-new album, set to land in 2026.

Yep, while mere mortals are still recovering from those 2025 tour pyros, Rob Halford and the boys are busy hammering fresh riffs into shape. The Priest never sleeps — and neither should you if you want front-row tickets when the next thunderous chapter of metal history arrives.

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⚙️ THE PRIEST RETURNS TO THE STUDIO

Halford dropped the news like a hammer on social media, posting:

“The Priest never sleeps. Studio sessions are underway. New riffs. New fire. Same Metal Gods.”

Within minutes, the internet collectively screamed, “HELL YEAH!” as fans flooded comment sections with excitement, memes, and cries of “Painkiller 2 WHEN?!”

Reports suggest the band have holed up in a Worcestershire studio, once again teaming with Andy Sneap — the production wizard who co-created the Firepower and Invincible Shield magic. Expect searing twin-guitar assaults, operatic wails, and enough galloping basslines to summon a small army of denim-clad headbangers.

Sneap teased:

“There’s some serious riffage going down. They’re hungrier than ever. This one’s going to surprise people.”

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⚡ RICHIE FAULKNER: BACK FROM THE BRINK, STRAIGHT INTO THE FIRE

Let’s not forget — Richie Faulkner’s story is nothing short of metal legend. After surviving a life-threatening aortic rupture during a 2021 show, the man came back harder, faster, and more determined than ever.

His recent live solos on “Painkiller” and “Electric Eye” felt like statements — not just of survival, but of total dominance. And word is, Faulkner’s leading the charge on the new record’s songwriting.

He told fans in Brazil earlier this year:

“We’ve got something vicious brewing. This one’s got attitude. It’s Priest turned up another notch.”

Consider us sold. 💀

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🏰 50 YEARS OF PURE BRITISH STEEL – AND STILL SHARP AS EVER

Let’s face it — most bands hit 50 years and start releasing unplugged versions of their greatest hits. Judas Priest? Nah, they’re still setting fire to stages, motorcycles, and probably the mixing desk.

From Sad Wings of Destiny to Screaming for Vengeance, from Firepower to Invincible Shield, they’ve never stopped pushing the genre forward while keeping it old-school where it counts — riffs, solos, and leather.

Rumour has it this next record could feature a few metal icons dropping in. There’s buzz about Tony Iommi returning for a guest solo, or even Bruce Dickinson joining Halford for a vocal duel worthy of Valhalla. Whether that’s true or fan dream fuel, we’re absolutely here for it.

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🛠️ WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026

So what’s the vibe? Early whispers describe the album as “darker, heavier, and more dangerous” — think Painkiller meets Firepower with a modern snarl. Some insiders claim the working titles floating around include “Crucible Reborn,” “The Sentinel II,” and “Steel Reign.”

And knowing Priest, you can bet there’ll be an anthemic closer that’ll tear your speakers apart and probably make your nan swear.

Expect a lead single in late 2025, with the full album dropping in spring 2026 — just in time for festival season. 👀

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🌍 WORLD DOMINATION, AGAIN

Of course, Priest don’t just release an album. They launch a global assault.

Rumour has it the band’s next trek could be dubbed the “Defenders of the Future Tour”, hitting every continent that still has functioning speakers after the last one. Expect arena-level firepower, Halford’s trademark bike entrance, and maybe even some deep cuts resurrected from the vaults.

Imagine hearing “Tyrant” or “Exciter” live again… proper lush, that.

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🦾 THE METAL GODS ENDURE

After more than half a century, Judas Priest remain one of the few bands still carrying the true torch of heavy metal — no gimmicks, no nostalgia act, just unfiltered steel.

Halford’s still belting notes that could shatter pint glasses, Ian Hill still holds down the low end like a boss, and Scott Travis remains the engine room of thunder. Add Faulkner’s fire and Sneap’s production, and you’ve got a band still evolving while staying iconic.

As Halford said back in the day:

“Metal isn’t a phase — it’s a life.”

Damn right, Rob. Damn right. 🤘

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🏁 FINAL VERDICT

Priest are proving that Invincible Shield was no final bow — it was just the battle cry before another charge.

🔥 New album. New world tour. Same indestructible legends. 🔥

The Metal Gods march on, and we’re following right behind — heads banging, fists raised, shouting “BRING IT ON, PRIEST!”

Tidy. Proper job. Long live the Metal Gods. 🏴🤘

Right then, strap in butt — this is the definitive, sweat-soaked, beer-fuelled, neck-wrecking rundown of every single album from the Big 4 of Thrash Metal: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.

We’ve listened to them all — the bangers, the blunders, and the baffling experiments that had even Kerry King raising an eyebrow. This list ain’t for the faint-hearted, mun. It’s for those who know their riffs, respect their solos, and aren’t afraid to admit that yes, even the mighty Metallica have dropped a few stinkers along the way.

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🩸 49 → 1: THE BIG 4 THRASH ALBUMS RANKED

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49. Metallica – St. Anger (2003)

Standout track: …None? Maybe Frantic if you’re generous.
Verdict: 💀 “Bin that snare, Lars!”
This one sounds like someone recorded a garage rehearsal through a tin can. Zero solos, zero charm, maximum chaos. We respect the anger, but it’s like being punched repeatedly with a biscuit tin.

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48. Megadeth – Risk (1999)

Standout track: Crush ‘Em (pure cheese).
Verdict: 💀 “Dave, this ain’t pop!”
When Mustaine tried to make radio rock, the universe collectively said “nah, mate.” The only thing risky here was putting it on twice.

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47. Slayer – Diabolus in Musica (1998)

Standout track: Stain of Mind
Verdict: 🤨 “Slayer goes nu-metal… send help.”
You could tell Kerry King was fuming about this one. It’s still Slayer, but you can almost hear the record label whispering “can we get some Korn vibes?”

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46. Anthrax – Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998)

Standout track: Crush
Verdict: 😬 “Identity crisis, butt.”
They were trying something, we just don’t know what. Mid-life crisis in album form — but with riffs.

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45. Metallica – Reload (1997)

Standout track: Fuel (banger live though)
Verdict: 🤷 “Garage rock dads.”
Half riffs, half radio filler. It’s not terrible, but after Master of Puppets this felt like Metallica trying to sell you Lynx Africa.

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44. Anthrax – Stomp 442 (1995)

Standout track: Fueled
Verdict: 😐 “Not quite mosh-worthy.”
Post-Belladonna weirdness. John Bush was solid, but the energy felt flatter than a pint of Carling left out at a festival.

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43. Megadeth – Super Collider (2013)

Standout track: Kingmaker
Verdict: 💀 “Super meh.”
Dave must’ve mixed this during a midlife crisis. It’s not awful — just aggressively average.

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42. Slayer – Undisputed Attitude (1996)

Standout track: Abolish Government
Verdict: 🩸 “Punk covers? Alright then.”
Slayer covering punk songs? It’s chaos, but you can’t fault the attitude. Still, nobody asked for Tom Araya to channel The Germs.

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41. Anthrax – For All Kings (2016)

Standout track: Breathing Lightning
Verdict: 🤘 “Better than expected!”
Modern Anthrax proving they’ve still got bite — even if it’s a bit too clean around the edges.

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40. Metallica – Load (1996)

Standout track: Until It Sleeps
Verdict: 😬 “Where’s the thrash, lads?”
Haircuts, eyeliner, and blues rock vibes. Half the world lost faith here, the other half found new Metallica memes.

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39. Megadeth – The World Needs a Hero (2001)

Standout track: Moto Psycho
Verdict: 🤘 “Back to thrash-ish.”
Post-Risk redemption. Dave’s trying to sound angry again, and honestly, fair play.

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38. Anthrax – Sound of White Noise (1993)

Standout track: Only
Verdict: 🤘 “Underrated Bush-era brilliance.”
Different voice, same mosh. This one’s got groove for days. Tidy!

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37. Slayer – Christ Illusion (2006)

Standout track: Eyes of the Insane
Verdict: 🔥 “Slayer still scary AF.”
Hanneman riffs still bite, and Araya’s screams are pure evil. You’d swear the devil mixed it himself.

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36. Metallica – Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (2016)

Standout track: Moth Into Flame
Verdict: 🤘 “Dad Metallica back on form.”
Big riffs, fat production, too long. Like your uncle getting back into motorbikes at 50 — reckless, but fun.

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35. Megadeth – Cryptic Writings (1997)

Standout track: Trust
Verdict: 💥 “Radio polish, still rocks.”
Dave flirted with the mainstream again, but kept enough snarl to keep the fans happy.

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34. Anthrax – We’ve Come For You All (2003)

Standout track: Safe Home
Verdict: 🤘 “Modern bounce, proper job!”
Slick production, catchy choruses — this one deserved more love.

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33. Slayer – God Hates Us All (2001)

Standout track: Disciple
Verdict: 💀 “That riff tho.”
Dropped on 9/11, by total accident. Brutal, savage, and pure Slayer. The riffs? Filthy. The tone? Disgusting. Lovely stuff.

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32. Megadeth – United Abominations (2007)

Standout track: Sleepwalker
Verdict: 🔥 “Dave’s redemption arc begins.”
Angry, political, and riff-heavy. Proof that Mustaine’s fury fuels the best tunes.

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31. Metallica – Death Magnetic (2008)

Standout track: The Day That Never Comes
Verdict: 🤘 “The comeback we needed.”
Finally, solos! Finally, proper riffs! Shame about the mastering — sounds like it was mixed inside a blender.

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30. Anthrax – Worship Music (2011)

Standout track: Fight ’Em ’Til You Can’t
Verdict: 🤘 “Belladonna’s back, mun!”
Classic Anthrax energy — crowd-pleasing thrash that makes you wanna punch the sky (and maybe a wall).

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29. Slayer – Repentless (2015)

Standout track: Repentless
Verdict: 🩸 “Final fury.”
Hanneman’s gone, but the fire’s still there. Aggressive and defiant till the end. Diolch, boys.

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28. Megadeth – Dystopia (2016)

Standout track: Fatal Illusion
Verdict: 🔥 “Technical thrash perfection.”
Kiko Loureiro joins, and suddenly Dave’s shredding like it’s 1990 again. Fair play!

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27. Anthrax – Persistence of Time (1990)

Standout track: Got the Time
Verdict: 🔥 “Tight as hell.”
Slick, dark, and mature — a sign they were evolving beyond mosh-pit mayhem.

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26. Slayer – Divine Intervention (1994)

Standout track: Dittohead
Verdict: 💀 “Machine-gun thrash.”
Paul Bostaph joins, and the precision here could slice through granite.

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25. Metallica – Kill ’Em All (1983)

Standout track: Seek & Destroy
Verdict: ⚡ “The birth of thrash!”
Raw, scrappy, and full of piss and vinegar. The blueprint for everything that came next.

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24. Megadeth – So Far, So Good… So What! (1988)

Standout track: In My Darkest Hour
Verdict: 🤘 “Drug-fuelled brilliance.”
Unhinged, chaotic, and occasionally genius. Like Mustaine himself.

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23. Anthrax – State of Euphoria (1988)

Standout track: Be All, End All
Verdict: 🔥 “Thrash meets fun.”
Loud, fast, funny — pure Anthrax chaos.

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22. Slayer – Hell Awaits (1985)

Standout track: At Dawn They Sleep
Verdict: 💀 “Satan’s warm-up act.”
You can hear them evolving into monsters. Darker, heavier, filthier. Tidy!

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21. Megadeth – Endgame (2009)

Standout track: This Day We Fight!
Verdict: 🔥 “Mustaine reborn.”
Aggression dialled to 11. Technical, tight, terrifying — just how we like it.

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20. Anthrax – Among the Living (1987)

Standout track: Caught in a Mosh
Verdict: 🤘 “Mosh pit bible.”
Every riff a riot. Every lyric a war cry. I am the Law! still hits harder than your nan’s slippers.

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19. Slayer – Show No Mercy (1983)

Standout track: Die by the Sword
Verdict: 🩸 “Evil begins.”
The first stab of Satanic thrash. Still one of the nastiest debuts ever.

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18. Metallica – …And Justice for All (1988)

Standout track: One
Verdict: 🔥 “Where’s the bass, lads?”
Complex, ambitious, bassless genius. Every song feels like a warzone.

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17. Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction (1992)

Standout track: Symphony of Destruction
Verdict: 🤘 “Thrash gone mainstream.”
Tight, focused, and iconic. Radio metal done right.

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16. Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss (1990)

Standout track: War Ensemble
Verdict: 💀 “Peak Slayer.”
The balance between brutality and groove. A perfect send-off to the golden era.

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15. Metallica – 72 Seasons (2023)

Standout track: Lux Æterna
Verdict: ⚡ “Old dogs, old riffs, still lush.”
Surprisingly brilliant comeback. Proof the lads still have fuel left in the tank (pun fully intended).

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14. Megadeth – Youthanasia (1994)

Standout track: A Tout le Monde
Verdict: 🔥 “Polished and punchy.”
Melodic thrash done right. Dave’s softer side still snarls.

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13. Anthrax – Spreading the Disease (1985)

Standout track: Madhouse
Verdict: 🤘 “C’mon butt, this is a classic!”
Every note screams 80s metal glory. The mosh starts here.

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12. Slayer – South of Heaven (1988)

Standout track: Mandatory Suicide
Verdict: 💀 “Slow, scary, sublime.”
Slayer proves they can chill the blood even when they slow down. Terrifyingly good.

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11. Megadeth – Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (1986)

Standout track: Peace Sells
Verdict: 🔥 “Mustaine’s manifesto.”
Sarcasm, politics, and precision riffs. Essential.

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🏆 THE TOP 10: THRASH IMMORTALITY 🏆

10. Anthrax – Fistful of Metal (1984)

Raw as a sheep’s knee, but energetic and fearless. The spark that started it all.

9. Slayer – Reign in Blood (1986)

The fastest, most unrelenting 29 minutes ever pressed to vinyl. Nothing touches it. 🔥

8. Megadeth – Rust in Peace (1990)

Flawless musicianship, lethal precision. A masterclass in thrash metal wizardry. 🧙‍♂️

7. Metallica – Ride the Lightning (1984)

Thrash grows up. Emotional depth meets pure chaos. “Fade to Black” still slaps, mun. ⚡

6. Anthrax – Among the Living (1987)

Comic book energy, mosh pit madness, and riffs for days. Proper tidy! 🤘

5. Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss (1990)

War. Death. Groove. Slayer’s most complete album. Bow down. 💀

4. Megadeth – Rust in Peace (1990)

Yes, we’re putting it here again because it’s that bloody good. (We said chaos, didn’t we?)

3. Metallica – …And Justice For All (1988)

No bass, no mercy, all killer. Complex as hell and twice as heavy.

2. Metallica – Ride the Lightning (1984)

So good it deserves two mentions. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” still levels cities.

1. Metallica – Master of Puppets (1986)

The Thrash Bible.
Every riff iconic. Every lyric legendary. Every headbanger united under one banner.

Verdict: ⚡ “Bow to the Masters.”
You don’t listen to this album — you live it.

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🎤 Final Words, Butt

There you have it — 49 albums of pure thrash glory ranked, argued, and screamed over by your mates here at The Riff Report. Whether you’re a Megadeth diehard, a Slayer sinner, or one of the faithful still screaming “Metallica sold out!”, remember one thing:

The Big 4 built the bloody foundations of metal.

And for that, we raise a pint (and maybe a middle finger) to the legends who gave us neck pain, tinnitus, and the best music on Earth.

C’mon butt — see you in the pit. 🤘🔥
👉 Read more at staging.theriffreport.co.uk/

Dust off your bandanas and crank up the Aqua Net, because it’s official — Bret Michaels has just confirmed a full-blown POISON 40th Anniversary Tour featuring all the original members! 🥳

That’s right, butt — Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett are reuniting to celebrate four decades of glam rock glory, eyeliner excess, and unstoppable party anthems. 💄🔥

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🎤 The Boys Are Back (Again!)

After teasing fans for months with cryptic posts and nostalgic throwbacks, Bret finally dropped the bombshell: “We’re bringing the band back together for a huge 40th anniversary celebration — the hits, the energy, and the fans who made it all possible!”

Expect all the classics — “Nothin’ But A Good Time,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” “Fallen Angel,” and of course, the timeless power ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” 🌹🎸

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🎶 Why This Reunion Matters

It’s been decades since POISON burst onto the Sunset Strip, defining an entire era of neon-soaked rock ’n’ roll rebellion. Their mix of catchy riffs, party anthems, and glam fashion helped shape the 1980s metal scene — and this tour marks the first time in years that all four original members will hit the stage together.

Fans have waited ages for this, and with the band sounding tighter than ever, this could be the ultimate glam-rock victory lap. 🏁⚡

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🧥 Expect Pyro, Hair, and Mayhem

Word is the tour will feature a stage setup dripping with nostalgia — think massive lights, fire cannons, and more leather than a biker convention in Bridgend. 😅

Bret’s also hinted that some surprise guests and supporting acts are in the works — and if his “Parti-Gras” tours are anything to go by, this will be one big, beautiful, chaotic 80s carnival. 🎪

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🏴‍☠️ UK & Europe Dates Next?

While initial U.S. dates are expected soon, European fans (especially us in Cymru!) are already screaming, “C’mon butt — bring it to Cardiff!” 🇬🇧

If the demand’s anything like their last arena run with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard, you can bet your hairspray can that a UK leg will follow.

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🥂 Four Decades of “Nothin’ But A Good Time”

From smoky LA clubs to global superstardom, POISON’s story is pure rock ’n’ roll magic. They’ve survived lineup drama, solo careers, and enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer — but here they are, still smiling, still riffing, and still ready to party.

So dig out your studded belts and cowboy hats, because the glam kings are back, baby. And in the words of Bret himself — “Every night’s a party when Poison hits the stage!” 🎤🔥

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💥 The Riff Report says:
This tour isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a victory lap for one of the most iconic bands in glam metal history. Get ready to sing, scream, and lose your voice.

Stay tuned for dates, ticket prices, and all the wild details — right here at The Riff Report! 🤘🎸

Rock royalty meets silver screen glory, butt! The Critics Choice Documentary Awards 2025 have dropped their nominations, and the Best Music Documentary category is looking downright legendary this year. 🏆

Among the heavy hitters? Led Zeppelin, nominated for “Becoming Led Zeppelin” — the long-awaited deep dive into their thunderous rise from smoky London clubs to stadium-shaking stardom. Expect rare footage, wild anecdotes, and enough riffs to melt your telly. 🤘🔥

Joining them is Bono, recognised for “Kiss the Future”, the emotional doc following U2’s concerts in war-torn Sarajevo and the power of music to unite a broken city. 🎤✊

Other nominees in the category include projects on icons like Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, and Beck, making it one of the most stacked line-ups in recent memory.

The Critics Choice Documentary Awards will take place later this month in New York City, with fans and filmmakers alike keeping their fingers crossed for a rock ’n’ roll victory.

Either way, it’s tidy to see genuine legends getting their flowers for keeping the music — and the message — alive on screen. 🌟

🎬 Who’s your pick to take home the win — Zeppelin’s thunder or Bono’s heart?

#LedZeppelin #U2 #Bono #BecomingLedZeppelin #KissTheFuture #CriticsChoice #MusicDocumentaries #TheRiffReport