A-Z release their second album ‘A2Z2′ on June 6 via Metal Blade Records. The band features drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and former Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder.

Babymetal have signed to Capitol Records, which will release the group’s new album, ‘Metal Forth’, on June 13.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive have released the single ’60 Years Ago’, their first new music in over 25 years.

The Divine Comedy release their new album ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ on September 19. The first song from it, ‘Achilles’, was released on April 9.

Nick Drake’s ‘The Making Of Five Leaves Left’ will be released on July 25 via UMR/Island Records. This Nick Drake Estate authorised edition includes over 30 previously unheard outtakes from the sessions which became the ‘Five Leaves Left’ album. It will be available as 4CD and 4LP boxed sets.

Foreigner ‘4′ gets a re-issue in September and it includes a newly recorded song with Lou Gramm called ‘Fool If You Love Him’. The song’s lyrics were started at the original recording sessions but not fully completed until now.

Crown X Recordings release ‘Helix 50 – The Best Of’ in July. It is preceded by a new song from the band, ‘Stand Up’, released on May 16 and an all-star recording of the band’s ‘Rock You’, which is released on May 2.

Helloween release their new studio album ‘Giants & Monsters’ on August 29.

Hinder release their new album ‘Back To Life’ on May 23.

The Hives release their latest album ‘The Hives Forever Forever The Hives’ via Play It Again Sam on August 29.

Kris Barras’ Hollow Souls (pictured) features Kris Barras, Josiah J Manning and Phoebe Jane, and they plan to record with fellow guest musicians. They have premiered their debut single, ‘Borderline,’ which features Jared James Nichols.

Inglorious release their new album ‘V’ through Frontiers on June 6 and have released a second song, ‘Devil Inside’, ahead of the album’s release.

Insania release their new studio album, ‘The Great Apocalypse’, on June 13 via Frontiers.

Robert Jon & The Wreck have announced the release of their ninth studio album, ‘Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes’, which is due out August 22 via Journeyman Records.

Katatonia will release a new album, ‘Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State’, on June 6 via Napalm Records.

The Lemonheads plan to release their new album ‘Love Chant’ in October.

Linkin Park have released a new song, ‘Up From The Bottom’, ahead of a deluxe version of their 2024 album ‘From Zero’ which is due on May 16.

Lynyrd Skynyrd release ‘Celebrating 50 Years: Live at the Ryman’ on June 27 through Frontiers.

The Milk Men release ‘Live at Milk Fest’ on May 16.

My Chemical Romance release ‘Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (Deluxe Edition)’ on June 6th. This expanded edition of their 2004 album will feature new artwork and remixes by Grammy-winning producer Rich Costey.

Papa Roach will release their next album in 2026 and plan to release new music throughout this year ahead of the album’s release.

Pulp release their new album ‘More’ on June 6 via Rough Trade. They released the single ‘Spike Island’ on April 11.

Felix Rabin releases a new six song EP ‘Blue Days’ on April 4.

Bruce Springsteen releases a new box set, ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’, on June 27. It includes seven unreleased LPs recorded between 1983 through 2018 and will be available as a seven CD, nine LPs and digital sets.

Rod Stewart releases a double CD ‘Ultimate Collection’ on June 27 via Warners.

Wet Leg release their second album ‘Moisturizer’ through Domino on July 11.

Wolfskull hav signed with Metalapolis Records (SPV) and release their new album later this year.

Yes are currently working on a new album for a tentative release later in the year.

Newly announced UK tours (2025 unless stated):

the Amazons (Oct, Nov), British Lion + Stray (Nov, Dec), Death Angel (Jun), the Divine Comedy (Oct), Fields Of The Nephilim (Oct, Nov), Hollow Souls (Oct, Nov), Larkin Poe (Oct), My Bloody Valentine (Nov), New Found Glory (Oct), Felix Rabin (Apr), Those Damn Crows (Oct), Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts (Sep), Bobby Weir with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (Royal Albert Hall, Sat June 21), Wet Leg (May), When Rivers Meet (Sep-Dec),

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

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

Architects (US), Blink-182 + Alkaline Trio (US), Breaking Benjamin + Three Days Grace (US), Alice Cooper + Judas Priest (US), the Darkness (US), Death Angel (EU), Faster Pussycat (US), the Hives (AU), Lamb of God (US), Larkin Poe (US,EU), Marilyn Manson (US), Stevie Nicks (US), Night Ranger (JP), PowerWolf + Dragonforce (US), Todd Rundgren + Heart (US), Sex Pistols & Frank Cater (US), Sparks (US), Stryper (MX, BR, AR, CO), Symphony X + Sonata Arctica (US), 10CC (US), ZZ Top (US),

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

Randy Bachmann and Burton Cummings have been in talks about a Guess Who reunion tour in 2026.

Pete Best, the original drummer for the Beatles, has announced his retirement following the completion of a recent US tour.

Postponed/cancelled gigs & tours:

Lou Gramm will fill in for Kelly Hansen on Foreigner’s south American farewell tour.

The unveiling Andy Edwards’ 2.25m bronze statue of Lemmy will now take place at 4pm on Friday 9 May, out of respect for the 80th celebrations of VE Day on the previous day.

A two-part documentary on Billy Joel entitled titled ‘And So It Goes’ airs on US channel HBO this summer.

‘Slade In Flame’, newly remastered to celebrate its 50th anniversary, premieres at BFI Southbank on May 1 and there will be nationwide screenings throughout May.

Kurt Cobain Unplugged will be hosted at the Royal College of Music Museum from June 3 to November 18. Amongst the exhibits will be Cobain’s Martin guitar, as played during Nirvana’s classic 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, on display in Europe for the first time.

Godsmack have confirmed the departure of the band’s long-time drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola.

Guitarist Doc Coyle and bassist Kyle Konkiel have left Bad Wolves and replacing them are returning guitarist Chris Cain and new bassist Kevin Creekman.

Bassist Mike Leon has left Soulfly.

The Who have fired drummer Zak Starkey who had been in the band for nearly thirty years.

Engineer Terry Manning who worked with ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and many more.

Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen.

Blondie drummer Clem Burke, who also recorded with Iggy Pop, Eurythmics and many more.

Former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks.

A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation.  We try and pick out a cross-section of albums that reflect the range of genres reviewed at the website.

PERFECT PLAN Heart Of A Lion

Heart Of A Lion is a superb, beautifully crafted melodic rock recording, mixing keys and guitars in varying measures, creating the classy AOR that engages the casual fan as well as the obsessive.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

STONE FOUNDATION The Revival Of Survival

Stone Foundation are up there, jostling elbows with the best that soul music has to offer.

Review by Brian McGowan

CRAZY LIXX Thrill Of  The Bite

These are additional evidence that the memories of pop metal’s illustrious past have never faded. Loudly and skillfully, Thrill Of The Bite confirms this.

And it has done so by delivering an album of highly melodic, declamatory pop metal at its finest. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

JULIET’S NOT DEAD This World Is Ours

…hard hitting rhythmic rock and had a big nod to the metal lovers. It is very fresh and current and I feel it would appeal to the new generation of rock fans as well as old.  ****

Review by Lucy Parr

THEA GILMORE These Quiet Friends

Thea Gilmore has crafted an album here that imbues a haunting acoustic sheen to well known songs and, indeed, enhances the iconic status of many of them – her voice, as ever, is peerless and the acoustic guitar and piano a perfect accompaniment.

Songs to inspire, songs to comfort and songs that calm – they’re all here, delivered with breathtaking skill and empathy by an artist at the top of her game.    *****

Review by Alan Jones

MORGANWAY Kill The Silence

Morganway have an album here with a wide appeal and a few supports/joint headliners with the likes of say Brave Rival or Skerryvore would help their fanbase grow even bigger. What a great musical start to the year. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Albums of the Month (Main index)