this. is. hammer.

And this is our 300th issue! Think of that! Over three decades we’ve delivered 300 shots of pure, unadulterated heavy metal awesomeness right into your hands. It’s a big-ass milestone by any standard, but given what happened at the end of last year, we do not take for granted how lucky we are to do what we do, and how honoured we are by your support.

And, if you know anything about Metal Hammer by now, it’s that we don’t let milestones roll by halfheartedly.

For issue 300, we decided to put together the single biggest project this magazine has ever attempted: uniting the biggest, the best and the most important names in our world for the ultimate heavy metal State Of The Nation address. From heavyweights like Corey Taylor, Randy Blythe, Jonathan Davis, Dave Mustaine and Scott Ian to the bands blowing up the scene today (hi there, Code Orange, Avatar and Venom Prison!), we put together the most badass panel ever assembled, tackling the burning issues affecting our world in 2017 and asking the biggest question of all: what comes next? It’s a hell of a read that everyone here at Team Hammer busted our asses for, and we couldn’t be prouder to show you the results.

Sadly, there is one colossal black cloud looming over this issue. As Hammer was pulling it together, the shocking news of Chester Bennington’s death reached us. As the metal world still recovers from an appalling loss, we pay tribute to a man who helped kicked down the door for a generation of fans to discover heavy music. We’ll never forget him, or the impact he had, and this issue is dedicated to him. RIP, Chester. And for those struggling, please remember: you are never, ever alone.

Look after each other, and...