On top of the world

Top 20 albums, headlining arenas and that Taylor Swift cover – post metalcore crew I Prevail are dragging heavy music back into the mainstream

Run-ins with riot police, pyro to rival Rammstein and a show at the Sydney Opera House – here’s how five surfer dudes put Aussie metal on the map

Big Thief are jetlagged. The American band, whose sixth album Double Infinity came out recently, are sprawled around a hotel room in King’s Cross, Central London. And singer and chief songwriter Adria

With their new album Bleeds refining leader Karly Hartzman’s raw, astute songs about Southern life, WEDNESDAY ’ s path to indie-Americana stardom looks clear. But this triumphant next chapter has been buffeted by behind-the-scenes dramas – not least the breakout solo success of guitarist MJ Lenderman. “There’s been a lot of shakeups this year,” hears Brian Howe

Gojira, Machine Head and Trivium go for glory at Derby’s beloved metal extravaganza

The first announcements for next year’s festival season have arrived – and we couldn’t be more excited