Jamie Colic, Rob Gee, Alasdair Belling, Paul Bloomfield, Anita Agathangelou & Alexander Sims
Every so often, it pays to go back to where you started. That instinct runs through this issue, with Canadian metalcore heavyweights Spiritbox gracing the cover. Guitarist Mike Stringer takes us through the band’s leap from bedroom moshers to arena headliners, their new single “Mourning”, and the six-string revelation that reminded him why he fell for the instrument in the first place.
On the same note, we step inside the Fender Custom Shop’s 2026 Showcase with Master Builder Dennis Galuszka, trace the history of Duesenberg Guitars, and catch up with London-based producer EMEREE about using Ableton as her pen and paper.
It’s also our first look at M.a.A.T.E!, SAE’s new Music and Audio Technology Expo, a free day at its Melbourne campus where the audio community comes together to see what’s possible and where the industry is heading. There’s a lot of great gear and good advice in these pages, and only a glimmer of what you’ll find on the day.
Shredders, tone-chasers, bedroom producers, vintage obsessives – whichever camp you’re in, there’s something in here with your name on it. Kick back, get comfy and dive in.