When you think of the music associated with football, you’d probably think it’d more hip-hop leaning. That might be the case, but not if Free Reign had anything to do with it. Forming when all of its members were Dallas Cowboys, Marc Colombo, Leonard Davis, and Cory Proctor (along with guitarist Justin Chapman), put out two albums that were a blend of active rock and metal along the lines of Staind or Metallica. The best metal band? Absolutely not. The best band featuring any professional athletes? Definitely. With Colombo retired and the other members geographically spread apart, it’s not apparent whether or not they’ll keep playing, but they definitely had a good run.

Video Premiere: Telling Secrets – “Faith”
Alternative rock outfit Telling Secrets have teamed up with Metal Insider to premiere a video for their latest single, "Faith." Written by Vik Kovacs (Telling Secrets) and Matt McAndrew (Rain City Drive), "Faith" explores themes of doubt, resilience, and...

Blackbraid announces new album ‘Blackbraid III’
Blackbraid will release Blackbraid III on August 8, 2025, continuing the indigenous black metal project’s raw journey from the Adirondack wilderness. The album features artwork by Adam Burke and Adrian Baxter, with production by Neil Schneider. Ahead of its release, a...

Interview: Epica’s Simone Simons on Aspiral, vocal growth, and embracing the unexpected
Dutch Symphonic metal giants Epica released their ninth studio album, Aspiral, on April 11th via Nuclear Blast, and it has quickly gained momentum as one of 2025's standout records in the genre. With its intricate arrangements and themes of renewal and reflection, the...

New & Noteworthy: The Releases Lens – 4/4/2025
New & Noteworthy is Metal Insider’s weekly column highlighting some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. Kicking off April’s release schedule are new albums from the likes of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Bleed From Within, L.A. Guns,...

New & Noteworthy: Release Dynasty – 3/28/2025
New & Noteworthy is Metal Insider’s weekly column highlighting some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. The final New Music Friday of March sees highly anticipated albums from The Darkness, Arch Enemy, Memphis May Fire, Sick Puppies and...

New & Noteworthy: The Screaming Of The Releases 3/21/2025
New & Noteworthy is Metal Insider’s weekly column highlighting some of the newest rock and metal releases coming out each week. The first New Music Friday of spring features highly anticipated albums from Cradle of Filth, The Horrors, Gates to Hell, Lordi and Pop...
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