Pagan doom, Marmite metalcore, genre-smashing hardcore, razzle-dazzle arena metal… this has been the soundtrack to the decade to date

Sid Lives JUNGLE

Retracing Our Steps (2007–2014) KSCOPE

In 1966, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO brought together the worlds of avant-garde art, European cool and downtown rock’n’roll in one explosive package. Sixty years on, the survivors share tales of drugs, breakdowns, burnouts, blocked toilets and hospital beds – and, of course, the creation of some of the most important music ever made. “We only did things our way,” learns Tom Pinnock . “We were arrogant, perhaps, in thinking we knew best. We were also right. We did know best…”

New tribute to their former guitarist Brian James is delivered with real passion.

The prog giants’ much maligned and misunderstood 1973 concept album reappears in deluxe expanded and enhanced form. Mark Blake braves a deep dive.