Classic Rock

Every month Classic Rock is packed with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features on rock’s biggest names, from Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple, from Guns N’ Roses to the Rolling Stones, from the Sex Pistols to AC/DC and beyond. Each issue plays host to the heftiest rock reviews section on the planet. In an average issue, you’ll find over 150 albums reviewed, all from the ever-varied, multi-faceted world of rock - whether it’s hard rock or heavy metal, prog or punk, goth rock or southern rock, we’ve got it covered.

WELCOME

This month’s contributors

Classic Rock

FIRE AND ICE • Rock stars react to Minneapolis killings.

RIP • Thank you… and good night.

Sly Dunbar • May 10, 1952 – January 26, 2026

Kenny Morris • February 1, 1957 – January 15, 2026A

Francis Buchholz • February 19, 1954 – January 22, 2026

David Hitchcock • Died January 8, 2026

Angels Get Wings Again • Little Angels reunite after 14 years away.

Heep Play Without Box • Illness forces guitarist to pull out of farewell tour dates.

NEWS

Gong • The long-running psychedelic rock, jazz, space-rock and more collective return with the final part of a trilogy.

Tailgunner • If you’re looking for some ‘leather, studs and bullet belts’ classic metal, get in their firing line.

Ozzy Saluted At Grammys • And Sharon hints that Ozzfest might be returning.

Mötley’s Money Mess Resolved • Crüe win their dispute with former guitarist Mick Mars.

NEWS

Kreator • A choir on one of Germany’s Big Four thrash bands’ new album? “We always did our own thing.”

The Molotovs • If a mod revival gets in full swing, this band hope to be on one of the front scooters.

Blondie Maria • Written about “sexual repression causing incredible desire among a school full of boys”, it was a No.1 across Europe, but a US flop.

Dave Mustaine • Mr Megadeth on the band’s final chapter, his love for Ozzy, finger numbness, trading mosh pits for a silver-screen future…

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE • Metallica’s 1984 began with a gear heist and a cancelled UK tour; it ended with them being heavy metal’s Next Big Thing. Then came Master Of Puppets. This is the inside story of the making of that album and the two-year whirlwind that took four “alcoholica” outcasts from the El Cerrito garage to the big time.

NEW ISSUE ON SALE NOW • THE BIGGEST BANDS. THE HEAVIEST MUSIC. WORLD-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS.

COME UP SCREAMING • In 2001, the suicide of Big Country’s Stuart Adamson shocked music fans all over the world. How had the man once lauded by DJ John Peel as ‘Scotland’s answer to Jimi Hendrix’ ended up taking his own life? In an exclusive extract from a new book, we look at the inside story of their debut album The Crossing.

BRIAN ROBERTSON • He’s lived it live and dangerous as part of the classic line-up of Thin Lizzy, lived it loud in Motörhead, ridden his own band Wild Horses, has an impressive list of credits as both session musician and producer… There’s much more to Robbo than you probably think.

HAPPY TOGETHER • After decades of feuding and fall-outs, Chris and Rich Robinson, aka The Black Crowes, have found a groove of brotherly love and rock bravado.

MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH • Puscifer’s driving forces Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round discuss soundtracking the end times and why we all need to put down our phone and pick up a glass of gin.

OUT OF DARKNESS • Danny Bryant has survived alcoholism, divorce and liver disease. The British bluesman and bandleader tells us that his new album Nothing Left Behind is just the exorcism he needed.

EVERY MEET LEMMY? • She shot Alice Cooper, shared a stage with a pre-fame Iggy Pop, sang with Donovan...