[Japan] HANABIE. Drummer Chika Goes On Hiatus Due To Poor Health
The band announced on July 31 that the drummer will be on hiatus for the time being, with no return date given.
NEWS ARCHIVE — July 2026
Metal and hard rock news published in July 2026.
[Japan] HAGANE Announce Headline Show "HAGANE HALLOWEEN LIVE 2026" In Shibuya On October 27
The Halloween-themed headline show was announced on the band’s official site.
[Japan] East Of Eden Announce Five August Events At Once
A new EP purchase bonus for the August 9 LINE CUBE SHIBUYA show, an August 12 Zepp tour retrospective talk event at HMV&BOOKS SHIBUYA, an August 19 bingo event, an August 21 mini live at Shinjuku Kabuki hall, and an August 28 documentary screening for the additional show.
[Japan] LOVEBITES To Stream A 10-Hour Special Tracing Their 10 Years On Niconico Live August 11
The special was announced as an event for the eve of "Bites Day" on August 12.
GRETA VAN FLEET Announces New Album "Palace For The People", Releases "Saw You Stand" Single
The album arrives via Republic Records, and the ballad "Saw You Stand" taken from it is available everywhere now.
SILVERTOMB, Featuring Former TYPE O NEGATIVE And AGNOSTIC FRONT Members, Announces New Album "The Interpretation Of Nightmares"
The album follows a seven-year gap since the band’s previous release.
ADRIAN VANDENBERG Cancels August 2026 U.S. Tour: "A Bacterial Infection Invaded My Body"
The "My Whitesnake Years" trek, due to launch August 3 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has been called off.
MISS MAY I Shares Music Video For "Hand Me A Halo" From Upcoming "No Place For Me" Album
The new album arrives October 2 via Solid State Records, and the band shared the video for "Hand Me A Halo" the same day.
PRESIDENT Releases Music Video For "Dark Heaven" From Upcoming Debut Album "Blood Of Your Empire"
The masked British rock band is rumored to be fronted by Charlie Simpson of BUSTED and FIGHTSTAR.
Frontierer Premiere "Ultraviolet Parasite" Music Video
Pre-orders for the band’s new album of the same name arrived alongside the video.
Former Elysia Guitarist Danny Lomeli Has Passed Away
Tributes have been shared across the deathcore and metalcore community.
[Japan] BAND-MAID Reveal Full World Tour Plans — Seven North American Cities Plus Two Final Nights At Nippon Budokan
The band announced seven North American tour dates behind a new song, and confirmed NEK! as the opening act for the two Nippon Budokan shows closing the world tour.
ALICE IN CHAINS' "MTV Unplugged" Album Set For New 30th Anniversary Vinyl Pressings
The unplugged album is being issued in new vinyl pressings to mark its 30th anniversary.
New MEGADETH Vinyl Release "Fast Hits" Expected In August
The new vinyl release is expected to arrive in August.
CANDLEMASS Is Working On Material For A New Studio LP: "We've Got Maybe Half Of An Album So Far"
Vocalist Johan Längqvist confirmed in an interview that the band is at work on the follow-up to 2022's "Sweet Evil Sun".
ZOLTAN BATHORY: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Is 'Not Even Close' To Retiring, Tenth Album "Legacy" Due Later This Year
In an interview with Germany's Rock Antenne, guitarist Zoltan Bathory said the band's tenth studio album "Legacy" arrives later this year and that retirement is "not even close".
TURMION KÄTILÖT Announce 12th Studio Album "Resodance" For October 23 On Nuclear Blast
The Finnish industrial metal band's 12th studio album is scheduled for global release on October 23, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.
HELMET's PAGE HAMILTON Is '70% Done' With His First Solo Album
Hamilton said work on his first solo album is nearing completion.
HARM'S WAY, TWITCHING TONGUES And More Announce A BO LUEDERS Memorial Show
The memorial gig for the late guitarist brings together Harm's Way, Twitching Tongues and others; the Hardlore podcast is set to answer questions about Lueders.
[Japan] Zilqy Featured In "WeROCK 114" On August 12 With A New-Song Interview And A Bass Preamp Test Article
The issue carries a new-song interview with Miho (bass) and Kano (drums), plus a bass preamp test feature by Miho.
[Japan] AVENGED SEVENFOLD Official Merch Pre-Orders Open At Gekiclo Ahead Of Their First Japan Shows In 12 Years
Pre-orders for band T-shirts through caps are set to arrive in time for the September dates, and close on August 12 at 23:59 JST.
BLACK SABBATH Legend TONY IOMMI Announces New Solo Album 'From The Dark'
BMG has announced the worldwide release, heralded by the first single "World Alone". Jorn Lande is credited as co-writer on all eight tracks and sings on the album, due later this fall.
DEZ FAFARA Sets Record Straight: 'I Do Not Have A Brain Tumor. I Do Not Have Brain Cancer.'
The DEVILDRIVER and COAL CHAMBER frontman clarified that he has not been diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain cancer, as erroneously reported by some outlets.
TOM KEIFER Cancels Shows After Suffering 'A Severe Vocal Muscle Strain/Injury'
The CINDERELLA frontman canceled the last three shows of his 2026 solo tour after "completely" losing his singing voice, including a July 30 stop in Keller.
Thy Art Is Murder Hit The Stage With A New Frontman At The 'Rockstadt Extreme Festival'
The band appeared with Australian rapper Jerry Grimefeld in Romania. They have yet to address the status of Tyler Miller.
AIRBOURNE Releases New Single 'Here She Comes' Co-Written With MUTT LANGE And BRYAN ADAMS
Making an album that salutes hard rock's past, the band says it made sense to align with writers and producers who helped champion the music.
Machine Head's 'Unto The Locust' Set For 15th Anniversary Vinyl & CD Reissue
The vinyl pressing is limited to 1500 copies worldwide.
OZZY OSBOURNE's Legacy Celebrated With New Universal Studios 'Halloween Horror Nights' Haunted House
Announced by Global Merchandising Services, Ozzy's worldwide licensing agent, following the inaugural "Ozzy Osbourne Day" on July 22. Available at both the Hollywood, CA and Orlando, FL locations.
TEMIC Announces Second Album 'Ceiba'
The international prog supergroup features current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy's SHATTERED FORTRESS and NEAL MORSE BAND.
GODSMACK Announces October 2026 U.S. Tour Dates With DOROTHY
Newly added fall dates extend the band's "The Rise Of Rock" world tour, with DOROTHY joining as direct support.
Former W.A.S.P. Guitarist CHRIS HOLMES Is Battling Prostate Cancer
The 68-year-old, who successfully battled throat and neck cancer in 2022, has begun radiotherapy.
Watch: SAVATAGE Performs With Orchestra In Pompeii
The band played the Amphitheater of Pompeii, one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters, on July 27 accompanied by a live orchestra.
MICHAEL SWEET Reveals OZ FOX Doesn’t Appear On STRYPER’s “Throne Of Thorns”: “I’m Playing All The Guitars On This Album”
Sweet made the comment in a new interview with Canada’s The Metal Voice.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s Serj Tankian Appears On Chilling Cover Of DAVID BOWIE’s “I’m Afraid Of Americans”
Tankian guests on the newly released cover version.
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, YOB + More Announced For Fire In The Mountains Winter Retreat
The event takes place at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.
ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY Are In The Studio For Their Third Album
The band confirmed they have entered the studio.
TOM MORELLO Announces Debut Solo Rock Album "Everyone Gets Everything They Want", Shares "Date Night" Single
The album arrives September 25 via Mom + Pop Music and features Serj Tankian, BEARTOOTH and more.
SOUNDGARDEN Begins Mixing Final Eight-Song Album: "That's All There Is With Vocals", Says MATT CAMERON
Drummer Matt Cameron discussed the album of previously unreleased Chris Cornell vocals on the "Let There Be Talk" podcast.
ALEX VAN HALEN And DAVID LEE ROTH To Reunite At TEDxFargo Event This Thursday
The pair join artist Robert Vargas on July 30 in Fargo, North Dakota; they are not expected to perform.
ELECTRIC CALLBOY Turns Nostalgic Boy Band Love Ballad Into Most Unexpected Single Yet With "The Way You Are"
The track comes from their upcoming album "Tanzneid" and is one of its most surprising songs, per the band.
DANZIG's 2010 Album "Deth Red Sabaoth" To Be Reissued In Seven Different Physical Formats
The August 21 reissue continues Cleopatra Records and Glenn Danzig's curation of his catalog.
SHARON DEN ADEL On WITHIN TEMPTATION's Next Album: "The Sound Is Gonna Completely Change, Like 100% Difference"
She spoke to Metal Hammer Germany about the band's musical evolution across three decades.
PRIMUS Has Already "Done A Lot Of Recording" For Upcoming Album, Says New Drummer JOHN HOFFMAN
Hoffman, who joined in 2025 after beating out more than 6,100 applicants, spoke to Rock 'N' Roll Grad School.
ANETTE OLZON Kicks Off Summer 2026 European Tour Focusing On Her NIGHTWISH Era
The tour celebrating "Dark Passion Play" and "Imaginaerum" opened July 25 at Kaaos Festival in Finland.
Agnostic Front Confirm October U.S. Tour With Béton Armé and Restraining Order
The run hits the Midwest and East Coast this October.
PEARL JAM's JEFF AMENT Announces "Since Forever" Photo Book
The bassist assembled the book from decades of his own negatives held in his archive.
[Japan] Zilqy And EMNW Announce Their First Two-Band Show, "Live Natalie: Zilqy × EMNW"
The band’s official site and Natalie announced the concert, which is a first two-band bill for both acts.
[Japan] MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP Announce An Osaka Headline Show At Zepp Namba On October 26
The headline date was announced in connection with the band’s appearance at "FULL METAL JAPAN 2026".
[Japan] Tower Records Launches "TOWER AND THE GLORY" With Nationwide OZZY OSBOURNE Posters On The First Anniversary Of His Death
The posters are the first installment of a new campaign presenting hard rock and heavy metal.
KRALLICE Debut “Living Useless Ritual” From Their New Album “Scout Order”; European/UK Tour Booked
They’ve also returned to Profound Lore.
An AEROSMITH Ballet Will Be Staged Next Year
The contemporary ballet, built around the band’s songs, is set to premiere in Virginia in 2027.
TONY IOMMI Teases New Solo Music; Official Announcement Expected On Wednesday
The BLACK SABBATH guitarist is expected to reveal the first details of his long-in-the-works solo album during a YouTube livestream on July 29.
QUEEN's Budapest Concert Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Newly Restored 4K Release
Sony Music Vision has announced that "Queen Budapest" — the first Western stadium rock show behind the Iron Curtain and QUEEN's final filmed live performance — will be presented in cinemas and IMAX worldwide.
MADBALL Drop 10th Album "Not Your Kingdom" Plus New Single "Don't MisStep"
The NYHC heavyweights have returned with their milestone tenth studio album, out now via Nuclear Blast.
COAL CHAMBER And DEVILDRIVER Frontman DEZ FAFARA: 'They Found A Tumor In My Head' Almost Two Years Ago
In a new interview with The Garza Podcast, the frontman gave a health update two years after COAL CHAMBER canceled a U.S. tour.
BRET MICHAELS Instructed By Doctors To Take 3 To 4 Weeks Of Post-Op Recuperation Following Kidney Stone Surgery
The POISON frontman, currently on his "Live & Amplified" solo tour, experienced severe kidney pain after his recent performance at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Founding SAVATAGE Bassist KEITH COLLINS Is Suffering From Dementia
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the founding bassist, who is battling dementia.
PRIMUS Share Music Video For 'The Ol' Grizz' From 'A Handful Of Nuggs' EP
The official video was directed by Cage Claypool; the EP came out in May.
ROB ZOMBIE's Wife SHERI MOON ZOMBIE Releases Debut Single And Music Video, 'I Love My Robot'
The actress and designer, wife of Rob Zombie, has released her debut single along with a video he directed.
New NEVERMORE Lineup Kicks Off Summer 2026 European Tour At Bulgaria's HILLS OF ROCK Festival
The band's July 26 performance in Plovdiv, Bulgaria opened the run.
ILL NIÑO Postpone Their Russian Tour, Citing A "Family Medical Emergency" & "Escalating War Tensions"
The band now plan to tour the country in 2027.
[Japan] HAGANE Open Orders For JUNNA Birthday Goods Plus One-Of-A-Kind Lottery
The official shop has started taking orders for the 2026 birthday goods, along with a lottery for one-of-a-kind items.
[Japan] LUMiRiSE Added To "In The Family FEST 2026" Fourth Lineup Announcement
The band joins Graupel, C-GATE, CHAQLA. and more in the fourth artist announcement for the ZEPHYREN × SHIBUYA THE GAME festival.
GUS G. "Excited About Creating New Music" With KING DIAMOND
In a video message, the guitarist called joining as Andy La Rocque's replacement "a big, big honor".
LINKIN PARK, RAMONES And THE SMASHING PUMPKINS To Receive Hollywood Walk Of Fame Stars In 2027
The three acts are among the 2027 honorees announced for the Walk of Fame.
[Japan] Zilqy Live Report From Veats Shibuya
Coverage of the band's "From Zero To One" show.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN And FAITH NO MORE Announce 2027 Australia/New Zealand Tour
The joint tour was officially confirmed by both bands.
NEUROSIS Play First Show In Seven Years With New Lineup
The band performed by special invitation at Montana's Fire In The Mountains festival, debuting its new lineup.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Debut Unreleased "Legacy" Title Track Live
The band premiered three songs, including the unreleased title track, at their North American tour kickoff in Camden, NJ.
Andy La Rocque Comments On His Exit From KING DIAMOND
He described the split as "mutual, respectful and friendly" in a social media statement.
Ex-ACCEPT Bassist Peter Baltes Hospitalized After Stage Fall
He suffered three rib fractures in a serious fall during a DIRKSCHNEIDER concert in Germany.
JUDAS PRIEST Kick Off 2026 "Faithkeepers" European Tour At Germany's BOBFEST
The 17-song opening set included two songs from the band's 1970s catalog.
BRUCE DICKINSON's Solo Album To Feature Collaboration With Son Austin
Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con; he called it "one of the key tracks on the record."
GRETA VAN FLEET To Release New Single "Saw You Stand"
The single arrives July 31.
A7X Secretly Play New EP Songs At 2026 North American Tour Kickoff
The songs surfaced as a surprise at the tour's opening show.
METAL CHURCH's New Lineup, Featuring David Ellefson And Brian Allen, Performs In Reading
Footage of the show in Reading, Pennsylvania, has surfaced.
UNDEROATH Announce Los Angeles "Define The Great Line" 20th Anniversary Show
August Burns Red and Atreyu are among the supporting acts.
KING DIAMOND Part Ways With Andy La Rocque — Gus G. Steps In
The guitarist departs after 40+ years since 1985; Ozzy Osbourne/Firewind alumnus Gus G. joins as his successor.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD Surprise-Release Four-Song EP "Statica"
The unannounced EP arrived alongside a backstage-only live set performed under the alias "STATICA".
HELLOWEEN's Next Album Is "Already 90% Done", Says Michael Kiske
Revealed in an interview with Brazil's Rock Mania; the follow-up to "Giants & Monsters" is underway.
INSOMNIUM Announce New Album "Netherworlds"
The first single "Gleam In The Black" is out now.
MASTODON's Troy Sanders On "Marrow Deep", Out August 28
"It feels like the next proper step of our own evolution," the singer/bassist says of the new album.
SLEEP TOKEN's "Take Me Back To Eden" Goes Platinum In The US
The album has now passed two billion cumulative streams.
Japan's BROKEN BY THE SCREAM Release New Single "Hanakabura"
The idol-metalcore unit keeps drawing international coverage.