Kelly Gowe

There is a difference between loud punk and necessary  punk. CRIMSON RIOT land firmly in the second category, and with Third Time’s A Charm , they're not just making noise, they are making a point. Out March 20 via Leg Lamp Records, the band’s third full length arrives with clarity, urgency, and a sense that this is the record where everything finally clicks. Let’s start with the centrepiece. State Of Despair does not ease you in. It hits immediately with speed, tension, and purpose....

Manchester Punk Festival 2026 is doing what it does best, packing a ridiculous amount of punk, hardcore, ska and everything adjacent into one weekend across the city. The poster says it all, there are big international names, cult favourites, and loads of bands that are going to turn smaller rooms into the kind of chaos people talk about for months. With clashes basically guaranteed, the smartest approach is to pick a few non-negotiables, then leave enough space for spontaneous choices,...

Kent groove metal crew STRUCK/DOWN have been grafting for this moment. Since dropping From Demons back in 2021 and following it up with To Witches  in 2023, they have quietly built a reputation through Bloodstock appearances and support slots with RAGING SPEEDHORN . Now they are stepping up properly with their debut full length, Queue For The Cure , landing 20th February 2026 as a self-release. If you sit somewhere between MASTODON , LAMB OF GOD , and the crunch of early 2000s METALLICA ,...