We chat to ‘bimbocore’ heroine Scene Queen (gatekeepers can skip ahead to our excellent tribute to Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman, 10 years on from his tragic death), and celebrate 20 years of Download with the people who’ve made it the best festival in the world. We discuss the Indian metal scene with its godfather, Sahil ‘Demonstealer’ Makhija; welcome Royal Thunder back from extinction (their new album is stunning); and try to get inside the head of Maynard James Keenan as we look back at the making of Puscifer’s Vagina Mine.

Sevendust’s Lajon Witherspoon tells us tales of their imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated, and Devildriver/Coal Chamber legend Dez Fafara gives us his life lessons.

We hit the studio with Corey Taylor; check out Atreyu frontman Brandon Saller’s record collection; and meet Elegant Weapons, the supergroup featuring members of Judas Priest, Rainbow and Pantera.

We persuade Skindred’s Benji Webbe to sit still for five minutes to talk about rescuing pups and going viral on TikTok, investigate metal’s growing fascination with masks, and report back from the frontlines of Sabaton’s enormous arena show.

All this, plus all the essential news and reviews from the world of metal.