METAL BREAKDOWN DAILY: Bruce Dickinson’s 'Mandrake' Returns + Poison’s 2027 Tour Update & Death Vets Sign to Relapse
Heavy Metal News & Interviews: The Loaded Radio Podcast
Release Date: 05/21/2026
Heavy Metal News & Interviews: The Loaded Radio Podcast
On today’s edition of the Metal Breakdown Daily, host Scott Penfold dives into a massive multimedia expansion from the Iron Maiden camp, a promising update for Poison fans, and a return to "Ground Zero" for death metal. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has officially announced The Mandrake Project: Year Two. The 184-page graphic novel arrives this October via Z2 Comics, taking the saga into what Bruce describes as "really weird" and surreal territory. Next, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett addresses the band's "comedy of errors" and explains why a 2027 tour is looking more likely than a...
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On today’s episode of the Metal Breakdown Daily, host Scott Penfold delivers a high-octane look at the massive moves hitting the metal world this May. We lead off with Mongolian titans The HU, who have officially revealed their third studio album, HUN, alongside a crushing new single featuring Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More. Plus, the "Master of Horror" John Carpenter trades his iconic synths for heavy riffs on his first-ever metal project, Cathedral. And in a historic moment for the pit, 99-year-old "Gangster Granny" Pauline Kana officially enters the Guinness World Records for the oldest...
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On this Tuesday morning edition of the Metal Breakdown Daily, Scott Penfold covers a series of sudden developments across the metal and rock world. First, Static-X has issued an urgent message to fans, canceling all remaining 2026 tour dates due to "serious medical issues" within the band camp. Next, John 5 reveals the reality of his current relationship with Rob Zombie since jumping ship to join Motley Crue, confirming that the two haven't spoken in nearly four years. Finally, the legendary, metal-fueled 1993 DOOM soundtrack gets a historic induction into the U.S. Library of Congress, joining...
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On this edition of the Loaded Radio Podcast, Scott Penfold sits down with the undisputed "Queen of Symphonic Metal," Tarja Turunen. In an incredibly raw and revealing conversation, Tarja discusses her tenth solo studio album, Frisson Noir (Free-sohn Nwahr), which she confirms is the heaviest and most aggressive work of her entire career. Tarja opens up about the "Sisu" (See-soo) spirit of Finnish perseverance, her recent high-profile European tour reunion with former Nightwish bassist Marko Hietala, and why she has officially retired from performing in high heels. From her early days...
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On this morning's edition of the Metal Breakdown Daily, Scott Penfold breaks down three massive stories shaping the rock and metal landscape today. First up, The Smashing Pumpkins lay Billy Corgan's "Zero" persona to rest and announce a massive 27-date 30th-anniversary tour for 'Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness' featuring two unique sets every single night. Next, masked alternative metal icons Sleep Token continue their absolute domination of the US charts, securing a spectacular trio of new RIAA Gold certifications for 'Even In Arcadia.' Finally, we take an emotional first look at the...
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On today’s Metal Breakdown Daily, Scott Penfold breaks down a massive thrash metal comeback, a definitive answer to a 35-year-old Metallica mystery, and a legendary honor for the "Rebel Yell" icon. IN THIS EPISODE Anthrax Ends the Hiatus: The "Big Four" icons have officially broken their 10-year studio silence. We dive into the premiere of their brand-new single, "It’s For The Kids," and reveal the details behind their upcoming 12th studio album, Cursum Perficio, arriving this September via Megaforce Records. Find out why Charlie Benante says this record "destroys" everything they’ve...
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On today’s Metal Breakdown Daily, Scott Penfold dives into a massive Thursday update featuring the biggest names in heavy music. Puscifer & A Perfect Circle Go Global: Maynard James Keenan’s camps are officially taking over 2026. We have the full breakdown on Puscifer’s autumn European headlining run for Normal Isn’t and A Perfect Circle’s newly added dates in Japan, Hawaii, and Australia. Plus, we have the artist pre-sale codes (PSC26 and PERFECT) you need to secure your spot in the "Pacific Ring of Fire." Korn’s 40-Song Arsenal: Guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer reveals the...
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The Metal Breakdown Daily: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Today on the Metal Breakdown, we look at the legacy of a legend as Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain prepares to tell his full story. Following his emotional 2024 retirement, Harper Nonfiction has announced the release of Nicko's autobiography, "Hello Boys And Girls!" We discuss why the 73-year-old icon felt he could no longer do the Maiden catalog justice after his 2023 stroke and what fans can expect from this deeply personal memoir hitting shelves this October. Next, we head to Sin City where Gene Simmons is launching a rock-and-roll...
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The Metal Breakdown Daily: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Today on the Metal Breakdown, we dive into the "what if" that could have changed music history. Tool guitarist Adam Jones reveals that the band was originally tapped to open the Las Vegas Sphere in 2023, but "Game of Thrones-style band politics" forced them to walk away. We break down the latest on those ongoing residency talks and why the next Tool studio album is the key to it all. Plus, the wait is finally over for Anthrax fans. The thrash legends have officially announced their first new music in a decade. We have the release date for the...
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On today’s episode of the Metal Breakdown Daily, Scott Penfold breaks down a weekend of high-stakes performances and heavy-hitting revelations from the world of metal. The Stories: MASTODON’S Path of Turmoil: Brann Dailor confirms that work on the band’s ninth studio album is officially finished. After the tragic passing of Brent Hinds and the loss of Dailor's mother, we look at the "hard and emotional" journey to this record and why it features zero contributions from Hinds. DRAGONFORCE’S Baptism of Fire: With Marc Hudson sidelined by hearing issues at Welcome To Rockville, Alissa...
info_outlineOn today’s edition of the Metal Breakdown Daily, host Scott Penfold dives into a massive multimedia expansion from the Iron Maiden camp, a promising update for Poison fans, and a return to "Ground Zero" for death metal.
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has officially announced The Mandrake Project: Year Two. The 184-page graphic novel arrives this October via Z2 Comics, taking the saga into what Bruce describes as "really weird" and surreal territory.
Next, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett addresses the band's "comedy of errors" and explains why a 2027 tour is looking more likely than a 40th-anniversary run this year. Rikki also discusses his new project, The Rockett Mafia, and their plans to perform Look What the Cat Dragged In in its entirety.
Finally, the Death tribute supergroup Left To Die—featuring Terry Butler and Rick Rozz—signs with Relapse Records. We have details on their upcoming debut album, Initium Mortis, which exhumes legendary Mantas and Death demos for a new generation.
Today’s Highlights:
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Bruce Dickinson: Inside the "mystical madness" of The Mandrake Project: Year Two.
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Poison: Rikki Rockett’s 2027 tour optimism and The Rockett Mafia deep cuts.
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Left To Die: Why Initium Mortis is the "alternate-universe" version of Scream Bloody Gore.
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New Music: First impressions of the new single "Archangel."
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