The New Issue Of Classic Rock Is On Sale Now

The latest edition of Classic Rock is on sale now with a cover that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the year thrash metal broke big. We backtrack to the year 1986 as Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer all tell us how they changed the world – in their own words.

The new Classic Rock also comes with a FREE 2012 calendar and a FREE CD featuring the best songs from this year by Motörhead, The Treatment, Mastodon, Opeth, Alice Cooper, Chickenfoot and many more.

Here’s the hot new issue in detail:

Thrash metal – By 1986, thrash had outgrown its violent playground in the dives of San Francisco. Big – and loud and fast – things were afoot. We tell the story of the year that thrash broke big, by the people who were there.

Albums Of The Year – The lines are closed, the votes are in, the arguments have died down. We present 2011’s essential records.

Mastodon – The drummer’s sister committed suicide at 14. The guitarists’s brother died of a heart attack. The singer was beaten to a coma… It certainly hasn’t been an easy ride.

Songs Of The Year – We present an A-Z of the 100 songs that built 2011.

AC/DC – In an exclusive extract from his new book, Dirty Deeds, former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans recalls the beers and brawls behind the making of their second album, and their take-no-prisoners approach when the band hit London in ’76.

Dan Baird – The Georgia Satellites were a classic case of too much too soon. After he bailed out by firing himself, Dan Baird picked up the pieces and spent the past 20 years building a new career.

The Stranglers – From grand follies to Golden Brown, 1981 was the year The Stranglers lived dangerously and found new momentum – with inspiration from UFOs, heroin and cannibalism.

Allman Brothers – After guitarist Duane Allman’s tragic death, the Allman Brothers Band pulled together and triumphed over tragedy when they released a landmark double album: Eat A Peach.

Bill Nelson – Outstandingly prolific, the maverick guitarist has pulled more than just one rabbit out of the hat. “I’m uncomfortable with the stereotyping. Be-Bop Deluxe was 35 years ago.”

Joe Elliott versus Nikki Sixx – Remember the 80s? Amazingly, given past ‘misdemeanours’, the Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard touring partners do – and we got them to compare notes. Health & Safety Warning: beware messy stuff.

Rage Against The Machine – Banned across the US, cleaned up for UK radio, censored on MTV – but it was the record company, not the band, who wanted the expletive-laden Killing In The Name as a single.

The Black Keys – He might have won multiple Grammys, but Dan Auerbach still relishes being the underdog with a chip on his shoulder.

Grateful Dead Buyers Guide – With ‘improvisation’ the byword, the longest-tripping act in showbiz have a back catalogue bigger than most. Which is why you’ll need our help to navigate it without sinking.

All this – and Axl Rose too! Don’t dare miss issue 166 of Classic Rock (cover date January 2012). It’s on sale now.

Gang of four: the cover of the latest Classic Rock.