Airforce (who feature former Iron Maiden guitarist Doug Sampson) release their new album ‘Acts of Madness’ on February 21 through ROAR

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks release a CD/DVD package ‘Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live- Perpetual Change’ on March 14 through Frontiers.

Avantasia’s new album ‘Here Be Dragons’ is released on February 28 via Napalm Records.

Former Survivor vocalist Dave Bickler is planning to release a demos album from Radio City, the band he fronted in the late 80s/early 90s.

Black Spiders release their latest album ‘Cvrses’ on February 28 on Dark Riders via Cargo Distribution.

Bleeding Through release their new album ‘Nine’ on February 14 via SharpTone Records.

BulletBoys are currently working on a new album with original bassist Lonnie Vencent back in the line-up.

Bumblefoot releases an instrumental album ‘Bumblefoot …Returns!’ on January 24.

Close Enemies, the band featuring Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton, release their debut single ‘Sound Of A Train’ on January 17 through TLG/ROCK. The band also features former Babys & Rod Stewart drummer Terry Brock and Peter Stroud, who has been a member of Sheryl Crow’s touring band.

The Cure release ‘Songs Of A Live World Troxy London MMXXIV‘ on December 13 with the band’s royalties donated to the War Child charity.

Days Of Jupiter release their fifth studio album ‘The World Was Never Enough’ on February 7.

Dio re-issue their compilation album ‘The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2′ on January 31.

Dirkschneider, featuring former Accept and current U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider, will be releasing their re-recorded version of Accept’s ‘Balls To The Wall’ via Reigning Phoenix Music on February 28. Guest vocalists include Dee Snider, Doro, Michael Kiske and Biff Byford.

Enforcer have signed with Napalm Records.

Envy of None released a new single, ‘Under the Stars’, on December 11. The band are expected to release their second album next year.

Everon have released a new song, ‘No Embrace’, taken from their new studio album, ‘Shells’, which is released through Music Theories Recordings/Mascot on February 28.

Ex Deo release ‘Year Of The Four Emperors’ EP on January 10 via Reigning Phoenix Music.

Gotthard have released a new single ‘Boom Boom’, ahead of their new album ‘Stereo Crush’ which is released on March 21 through Reigning Phoenix Music.

Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s upcoming album, ‘The Uncertainty Principle’, is now available to pre-order. Pre-orders will get the digital album in March, ahead of the general release in May.

Marko Hietala (ex-Nightwish) releases his new solo album, ‘Roses From The Deep’,  on February 7 via Nuclear Blast.

Inglorious are back and have a new album due in 2o25 on Frontiers. Vocalist Nathan James is joined by returning bassist Colin Parkinson.

Mickey Jupp releases his new album ‘Times Like These’ through Conquest Music on 13 December.

Karmakanic will release their new album ‘Transmutation’ - their first in nine years – through Jonas Reingold’s own label, Reingold Records on March 7.

Lordi release their latest album ‘Limited Deadition’ on March 21 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).

Machine Head are putting the finishing touches to their new album due in April.

MasterPlan have signed with Frontiers who plan to release the band’s new album next year. It will be band’s first new studio album since 2013’s ‘Novum Initium’.

Robin McAuley’s new solo album ‘Soulbound’ is released on February 28 through Frontiers.

Overdrivers release a new album ‘Glory Or Nothing!’ on March 7 through ROAR.

Pallas have announced they have retired from touring, however, they do plan to release at least one more album.

Cassidy Paris is currently recording her second album for release next year via Frontiers.

Perfect Plan release their new album ‘Heart Of A Lion’ through Frontiers on February 28.

Pulp have signed a record deal with Rough Trade Records and plan to release their first new music since 2001 next year.

Raven release a new EP entitled ‘Can’t Take Away the Fire’ on February 14.

Spinal Tap will release a new album in 2025 on the Interscope label to tie-in with the new Spinal Tap movie. Guests on the album include Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Garth Brooks and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith.

Storace reissue their first album, ‘Live And Let Live,’ in a special edition including a bonus live album, on December 13 via Frontiers.

The Stylistics release their first album in nearly twenty years on February 21. Entitled ’Falling In Love With My Girl’ it features guests including Toto’s Steve Lukather, Gene Simmons, Billy Gibbons and Justin Hawkins of the Darkness.

Styx are working on a new album, although no release date has been announced yet.

Former U.D.O. and Sinner guitarist Andy Susemihl will release his new solo album ‘Mihlstones’ via SM Noise Records on February 7.

AOR Blvd release a White Sister box set in May which will include unreleased material.

Steven Wilson releases ‘The Overview’ on March 14 via Fiction Records.

Newly announced UK tours (2025 unless stated):

Adam Ant (Oct, Nov), The Beach Boys + David Essex + Lulu (Sun Jul 20 Englefield House, Berks), the Black Keys (Jul), Black Spiders (Apr), the Boo Radleys (Feb), Boomtown Rats (50th anniversary tour Oct, Nov), Eric Clapton (May), the Corrs (Jun), Crazy Lixx + Toxicrose + the Cruel Intentions (May), Guns N Roses (Jun), Harem Scarem + Cassidy Paris (Mon Apr 28 Underworld, Camden), H.E.A.T. + art Nation + Chez Kane (Jan), Judas Priest (Jul), Kerry King (Jul), King King (Oct, Nov), Millie Manders and The Shutup (Feb-May), Manowar (Sat 17 Jul Brixton Academy), Imelda May (Apr), Michael Monroe (May), Cassidy Paris (US), Pierce the Veil (Sep), Reef (Oct, Nov), Santana (Jun), Satchvai (Jul), Savatage (Jun 16 Shepherds Bush Empire), Tangerine Dream (May), Temperance Movement (Mar), the Teskey Brothers (Jun, Jul), Those Damn Crows (Mar), Train (Jun, Jul), Jack White (Feb, Mar), Zucchero (Jun 27 2026, Wembley Arena),

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced US & European tours (2025 unless stated):

AC/DC (US), Arch Enemy (US), Avenged Sevenfold (EU), Big Big Train (US), the Black Keys (EU), Blacklite District (US), Breaking Benjamin + Staind (US), Close Enemies (US), Coheed and Cambria + Mastodon (US), Coroner + Deceased (US), the Corrs (EU), Elvis Costello (US), Crimson Glory (EU), Danzig + Down (US), the Devil Wears Prada (US), Fozzy (US), Frozen Crown (EU), Helmet (US), Guns N Roses (EU), Harem Scarem + Cassidy Paris (EU), Glenn Hughes (EU), Judas Priest (EU), Kerry King (EU), Kraftwerk (US), Messhugah + Cannibal Corpse + Carcass (US), Michael Monroe (US), Pearl Jam (US), Pierce the Veil (EU), Ross the Boss (AU), Todd Rundgren (AU), Savatage (EU), the Screaming Jets (AU), Gene Simmons (US), Spiritbox (US), Ringo Starr (US), Static X + GWAR (US), Steel Panther (US), Styx + Kevin Cronin + Don Felder (US), System of a Down + Deftones + Avenged Sevenfold + Korn (US), Takida + Those Damn Crows (EU), James Taylor (US), Temperance Movement (EU), Toto + Christopher Cross + Men At Work (US), Train (EU), Tyketto (AU), Shania Twain (US), Tyr (US), Rick Wakeman (US), W.A.S.P. (EU), Whitechapel (US), ZZ Top (AU),

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

Cambridge Rock Festival (31st July–3rd August) at Harlock’s Farm, Ely have announced the first of next year’s line-up which includes Burnt Out Wreck, The Ashley Sherlock Band and Kira Mac.

Forever Now Festival at National Bowl, Milton Keynes, June 2 includes Billy Idol, Krafwerk, Peter Murphy, Death Cult, the Psychedelic Furs, PiL, the Jesus & the Mary Chain, The The, the Damned, Johnny Marr, Happy Mondays and more TBA.

Postponed/cancelled gigs & tours

Striker have cancelled their remaining tour dates for this month supporting Seven Kingdoms due to irreparable damage to their tour van.

Whitechapel vocalist Phil Bozeman has issued a statement revealing that the group will not make their upcoming South American tour as he addresses his personal mental health.

Andy Scott will sit out this month’s UK tour by Sweet due to health issues, with FM’s guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick taking his place.

Falling In Reverse have announced the cancellation of their UK tour dates this month due to visa issues related to frontman Ronnie Radke.

Sum 41 have announced the cancellation of their Australian tour due to Deryck Whibley’s ongoing recovery from pneumonia.

The Americana music based Black Deer Festival won’t take place in 2o25, however, organizers aim to have a 2026 festival.

Dover’s The Booking Hall has been purchased by the Music Venue Trust (MVT) through ‘The National Trust Of Music Venues’.

Linkin Park’s ‘From Zero’ album reached number one in UK albums charts, as well as taking the number one in Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand.

Ozzy Osbourne has stated he would like his final live concert to be with the original Black Sabbath line-up.

‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ will be released exclusively in IMAX cinemas on February 7.

Tigertailz have announced that they don’t intend to play live for the foreseeable future but do have a number of releases planned over the next year or so.

Original Venom guitarist Jeff “Mantas” Dunn has announced his departure from Venom Inc.

Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg has announced he is leaving the band.

Nao is the new bassist in Daytime TV.

Bassist Andy Milburn has left the Treatment to join Hellripper.

Drummer Nicko McBrain has announced he is leaving Iron Maiden, who he joined in 1982. Nicko McBrain suffered a stroke last year. His last show with Iron Maiden was on December 7 in Sao Paulo. British Lion drummer Simon Dawson joins the band as his replacement.

Former My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar.

Guitarist Bob “Slim” Dunlap, one time member of the Replacements.

Former Renaissance bassist Jon Camp, who also toured and recorded with Roy Wood and Robin George.

The reissues and recycling still come thick and fast, not least in the unashamed “reissue” of vinyl – another income stream for the record labels designed to extract more wedge from our hard-pressed wallets.

Here is our round-up of recommended multi-disc sets released in 2024, maybe suggestions for a hopeful Christmas List?

We’ve selected, in particular, releases that reflect artists and/or albums that have perhaps been overlooked over time and are worthy of reappraisal.  In that sense, the recycling can be useful especially for the uninitiated.  The hardcore can merely grit their teeth…

Our thanks to Brian McGowan and Joe Geesin.

 

TONY IOMMI featuring GLENN HUGHES – The 1996 Dep Sessions, Fused

The two albums guitar legend and Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi recorded with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes get a well deserved reissue, as well as a first time release on vinyl. Marvellous.  Joe Geesin ****1/2

For lovers of rifftastic heavy rock

THE PRODUCERS (5-CD box set)

To call them a Supergroup would be a cliché. This collection of musicians transcends tired headlines.  Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of superlative pop rock

BLACK SABBATH – Anno Domini 1989-1995 (4-CD box set)

Almost faultless. A Headless Cross poster and repro full tour program make a good start. Then the book, with notes from Hugh Gilmore, full of quotes from members of the band. Very informative.  Joe Geesin ****1/2

For lovers of non-Ozzy Sabbath

THUNDER – The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-95 (7-CD boxset)

As a definitive snapshot of Thunder’s first six years in the public eye, this boxset will take some beating.  Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of premier division classic rock

PALLAS – Eyes In The Night (The Recordings 1981-86) (7-CD boxset)

The DVD in itself is huge value for money. A now classic Neo-Prog band, at their best, strutting their stuff in front of a thousand fans. It doesn’t get much better than this.  Brian McGowan *****

For lovers of melodic prog

AS I ROVED OUT – THE STORY OF CELTIC ROCK 1968-78 (3-CDs)

And there’s more, some household names… Wishbone Ash, Sandy Denny, Clannad, Gilbert O’Sullivan, David MacWilliams, and some who were equally talented, but were fated to fly below most people’s radar, like Trees, Huw Jones, East Of Eden, Shelagh McDonald, Hergest, Skibereen, and French contributors, Namnetes, Alain Samson and Kyaldan.  Brian McGowan ****

For lovers of seminal folk rock

VARIOUS ARTISTS – I See You Live On Love Street, Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-75 (3-CD Boxset)

…Love Street compiles a faultless collection of tracks from a unique era in the history of popular music. And hearing it now, much of it seems just as relevant today as it did then.  Brian McGowan *****

For lovers of West Coast jangly guitars, singer songwriters, and folk to rock transition.

MAMA’S BOYS – Runaway Dreams 1980-92 (5-CD boxset)

Grounded in Irish folk music, as members of the award winning McManus family collective, their conversion to hard rock came suddenly.

It was the sound – thanks to bands like Thin Lizzy, Rainbow and others – that was dominating the airwaves. The boys were not immune, and so the real story began.  Brian McGowan **** 

For lovers of Celtic rooted hard rock