Halestorm and The Raven Age brought serious heat to Malahide Castle in Dublin, warming up the crowd ahead of Iron Maiden’s headline slot.Halestorm, fronted by the powerhouse Lzzy Hale, previewed tracks from their upcoming album Everest and proved why their 2025 UK Arena Tour is a must-see. The Raven Age opened with thunderous precision, delivering a melodic Metal masterclass to an eager crowd.

Iron Maiden lit up Malahide Castle in Dublin on their Run For Your Lives Tour, thrilling 20,000 fans in a legendary night of Heavy Metal mastery. Still the best and simply untouchable.

Australia’s Battlesnake return with Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd, a chaotic, theatrical Heavy Metal journey full of demonic vocals, wild concepts, and genre-bending madness. Imagine Rammstein on acid with a Shakespearean flair—this is full-blown Metal mythology.

Bernie Marsden: Icons is more than a covers album—it’s a loving tribute to blues rock greats like Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, and Jimi Hendrix. From soulful vocals to blistering guitar work, this posthumous release showcases the depth of Marsden’s admiration and musical mastery.

XIII Doors brought fire and finesse to Dublin’s Opium, seizing the spotlight with a thunderous half-hour set that showcased their raw talent and rock-solid chemistry.With tracks from Into The Unknown hitting even harder live, the Irish four-piece proved they’re more than hype—they’re the real deal.

Absolva roar back with Justice, a ferocious seventh album bursting with melodic power, guest firepower, and the grit of true British Metal. Manchester's finest have never sounded more focused—or more deserving of the spotlight.

When Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons hit Dublin’s Opium, they didn’t just play—they detonated. With a setlist packed with Motörhead’s fiercest anthems and powered by decades of pure Metal grit, the former Motörhead guitarist and his clan delivered a night of headbanging chaos, sweat, and unfiltered rock 'n' roll reverence.If you weren’t there, you missed a masterclass in how to keep Lemmy’s legacy roaring.

Don Airey unleashes Pushed To The Edge, a thunderous solo album packed with rock brilliance, featuring Carl Sentance and Deep Purple’s Simon McBride. Words: @brian_boyle_72 @donaireykeys @earmusic

Smith/Kotzen return with Black Light/White Noise, proving they've cornered the market on melodic rock with fiery riffs, dual vocals, and pure chemistry. Words: @brian_boyle_72 @richie_kotzen @misteradriansmith @bmgpmuk

The Darkness return with Dreams On Toast, undoubtedly their finest composition since Permission To Land and exquisitely produced by Dan Hawkins. Words: @brian_boyle_72 Cover Photo: @rock_pixs @thedarkness @danhawkinsofthedarkness @justinhawkinsta @cookingvinylpublishing @£cookingvinyl