There was a total solar eclipse. Six planets aligned across the morning sky. And, just when the universe had exhausted its supply of unlikely events, Ritchie Blackmore walked onto a stage with Deep Purple. Yes, It really happened… On August 12, Blackmore joined Deep Purple at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, to perform “Smoke on the Water”. It was his first appearance with the band since leaving in 1993 — 33 years ago. Carrying his yellow Fender Stra

Across nineteen editions, Hellfest has grown into one of the most important heavy music festivals on the planet. This year, close to 200,000 fans descended on Clisson over four days to witness 183 bands spread across six stages. Yet Hellfest has always been about far more than numbers. Photo by Jose Crespo What makes this French giant truly special is its near-flawless organisation and a unique identity that sets it apart from every other festival in the world. The two main s