We fly to Tokyo to see Babymetal’s first shows since their hiatus (and grill them about their possible new member) and hang out with their most devoted fans, and we also nip over to a Swedish island to chat to the mighty Sabaton as they march across Europe!

We also visit Bury Tomorrow on the set of their latest video and discover a scene of secret societies, blood oaths, and the possible murder of one of their metalcore peers. Ulp!

Elsewhere in the mag, we look back at the ambitious Roadrunner United album, which gathered together the biggest stars of 2005 to celebrate 25 years of the legendary label. But we have to ask, who the hell thought it was a good idea to have an open bar at the resulting show?

The Metal Hammer Interview this issue is with the incredible Tom G Warrior of Celtic Frost, Hellhammer and Triptykon fame, and we chat to British bruisers Malevolence about their overnight success (that’s only taken 17 years).

We sit down with Delain’s Martijn Westerholt to find out how he’s rebuilt his band, revisit the making of Anchor with Cave In, and hit the studio with Grave Pleasures.

Heriot’s Debbie Gough invites us into her record collection, The Hu’s Gala answers your questions, and Enslaved’s Ivar Bjørnson talks black metal violence, threesomes and lessons learned on the road.

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