IT JUST DIDN’T SEEM REAL

WE’D JUST BEEN putting some finishing touches to

MEET THE BAND

RICH HOBSON WRITER We reunited Rich with the

IOWA STATE OF MIND

TRAVIS SHINN IN 2016, METAL Hammer headed to

WHAT NEXT?

As UK venues reopen their doors for full-capacity shows, Hammer spoke to Music Venues Trust CEO Mark Davyd about the return of live music and how we can all help to keep venue doors open

10 THINGS WE LEARNED THIS MONTH

What’s been blowing our tiny brains

WAS THE PAIN OF YOUR FACIAL PIERCINGS WORTH IT?

Al Jourgensen has manned industrial legends Ministry for four decades, surviving near-death experiences, wild tours and industry bullshit – but can he survive your questions?

SERENA CHERRY

The Svalbard and Noctule mastermind talks shredders, expansive extreme metal and being a power metal nerd

JØRN ‘NECROBUTCHER’ STUBBERUD

False rumours, controversies and the joys of being a grandad – unsurprisingly, the bassist and founding member of Norwegian black metal legends Mayhem has learned a lot in life

ROLO TOMASSI

Expect more ambience and beauty from Sheffield’s post-hardcore beloveds this time – and some fat fucking riffs

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SUICIDE BY ORANGE GOBLIN

Songs about wizards and the cosmos were out, and the plague was in. But Orange Goblin’s grimmest record also set them up for some of their happiest moments

JOEY BEING GONE FUCKING SUCKS

…was just one of a number of very fair points you lot made to us this month

THE BIG DEBATE

In issue #349, black metal legend Satyr suggested that a lot of young metal fans aren’t engaging with the spirit and history of the genre. Our readers had some thoughts

HAMMER STEREO

What’s been blowing our office speakers

KING WOMAN

Graceful, brutal, triumphant and devastating – King Woman’s Celestial Blues draws on an intense Christian upbringing and a determination to shun mediocrity

BLANKET

Post-metallers’ second release explores the trappings of social media

HOARD ALMIGHTY

Box sets, underground oddities and all the essential merch you need this month

FOREVER # 1

On July 27, 2021, music was rocked by the unthinkable: Joey Jordison, founding member of Slipknot, heavy metal icon, had died at just 46 years old. Hammer writer Paul Brannigan-the first UK journalist to ever meet Joey - pays tribute to a legend, helped by some of those who knew him best

THE SONGS THAT MADE A LEGEND

From Slipknot to Murderdolls to his final songs, here are the tracks that defined Joey’s career

'HIS HEART WAS AS BIG AS HIS DRUMMING'

Murderdolls bandmate and dear friend Wednesday 13 opens up on Joey’s impact on him as a musician and as a person

DRUMMER. METALHEAD. LEGEND

Joey’s friends, peers and biggest fans remember the man behind the kit

THE BIGGEST METALLICA PROJECT EVER*

*(ER, THAT DOESN’T REALLY INVOLVE METALLICA)

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS...?

Since fleeing Ukraine seven years ago, Jinjer have become one of metal’s biggest international success stories. But vocalist Tatiana is still figuring out where she belongs

"SOMETHING MAGICAL HAPPENS WHEN TATIANA RECORDS"

Longtime producer and fellow countryman Max Morton explains why he can’t get enough of Jinjer

BELIEVE The Hype

Spiritbox are the most celebrated young band in metal right now. But these ain’t no overnight sensations; frontwoman Courtney LaPlante has had to battle upheaval, false starts and her own demons to get here

BEST. BLOODSTOCK. EVER.

We went to Bloodstock 2021 and all we got was… a bloody lovely time! Birthday cakes! Stage invasions! Brian Blessed! Here’s everything that went down over five crazy days

SPIRITBOX

EternalBlue RISE

TRIVIUM

In The Court Of The Dragon ROADRUNNER

ALIEN WEAPONRY

Tangaroa NAPALM

ASKING ALEXANDRIA

See What’s On The Inside BETTER NOISE MUSIC

SMALL MERCIES

Where EP is short

CARCASS

Torn Arteries NUCLEAR BLAST

DANA DENTATA

pantychrist ROADRUNNER

EMPLOYED TO SERVE

Employed To Serve offer another counter-strike Conquering SPINEFARM

KATATONIA

Katatonia eke out all the shades of gloom

KK’S PRIEST

EX1 Judas Priest’s unforgettable axeman finally returns to the metal fray

MINISTRY

Mad Al Jourgensen keeps playing his Trump card

SLEEP TOKEN

This Place Will Become Your Tomb

UNTO OTHERS

Unto Others rise from their crypt Strength ROADRUNNER

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

THE PALLADIUM, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

ONSLAUGHT

MEMORIAM/DECREPID

PRIMORDIAL

SAOR/HELLRIPPER/FEN/THE INFERNAL SEA

LEPROUS

NOTODDEN THEATER, NORWAY It’s another night for the

VOICES

RED METHOD/LOST BRETHREN THE BLACK HEART, LONDON

GINGER WILDHEART THE WILDHEARTS

The frontman on potential jail time, crowdfunding and horror movies