At present, it seems that every genre from the 70s through to the 90s is attempting a resurgence, or it might be just pure coincidence that bands and acts are getting tours and dates together. Inspired by the news that US thrash-rockers are back in the UK later this year (see our article from earlier this week), we've rounded up the rest of the rocking reprobates from most sub-genres of metal.

Annihilator

Straight out of the blocks this week is Canadian metal-stalwarts Annihilator who, for just over 25 years have been hammering out riffs left, right and centre. The band released their first album in 1989, entitled "Alice In Hell", a none-too-subtle horror-set comprised of songs like "Schizos (Are Never Alone)", "Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade" and "Wicked Mystic". Through time their sound has continued in a similar vein, showing no mercy although a label-change last year has brought them to Earache Records, the home of metal and hardcore. "Annihilator" hit the shops in May and the band will hit some venues in November in Glasgow (14th Nov), Nottingham (17th) and Bristol (18th) - tickets are available now at £11 plus fees.

Cathedral

Of a similar, if moodier and slower ilk, is Coventry's Cathedral. They certainly don't play live too often and have opted for just one date in London on 3rd December at the Islington Academy. Recently the doom quartet released their first double album in their history, "The Guessing Game", a 13-track blast of intense funereal metal - tracks like "The Casket Chasers" and "Requiem For The Voiceless" should give you a taste of what to expect. Tickets are available now, priced at £15.

Blitzkrieg

Now here is a true rarity - a band of near-legend status, back from the dead and appearing live in a special London show. Having quit the scene as early as 1981, a few band-members formed the band Satan, before deciding to hit the studio and finish off what they started, the debut album "A Time Of Changes". Their last album from 2007 "Theatre Of The Damned" has been warmly received by a loyal following and the band have a few dates coming up. The first is in Hull on 3rd October followed by a biggie at the Camden Underworld on 30th October and finally they have a slot at the Hard Rock Hell Festival in Wales on 4th December. Tickets for the London date are just a tenner!

Breed 77

Anglo-Gibraltarian alt-metallers Breed 77 have teamed up with Malefice for their upcoming tour in September in support of recent album activity ("Insects") and further new material. Their tour starts in Newcastle on 11th September, followed by more dates in Cumbria (12th), Glasgow (13th), Manchester (14th), Southampton (15th), London (17th) and finally Birmingham (19th) - expect to pay £12 for all dates.

The Young Gods

Described by most as a post-industrial metal band, Switzerland's Young Gods have made some pretty impressive albums over the years, not least the landmark "TV Sky", "L'Eau Rouge" and "Only Heaven" throughout the early to mid 90s. Strangely, for all their fierce beat-laden excursions back then (and the inspiration for David Bowie's "Outside" album), Young Gods went all acoustic for their last album in 2008, "Knock On Wood". They will do a bit of the same at their one UK date in Manchester on 2nd December. £14 for tickets.

Other rockers on parade...

Glenn Hughes

The original rocker himself Glenn Hughes plays a swathe of dates throughout September and October, the latest confirmed gig being in Reading on 6th October, priced at £20. US hardcore and technical-metallers Thrice are back in the UK for just one date in August - the Electric Ballroom in London on the 26th for £16. These boys don't perform here too often but apart from last year's "Beggars", they have been hard at work writing more new material - good news if you're going to their gig. Don't forget there are tours by Skin, Avenged Sevenfold and Fenix TX also coming up, the latter being a great band for fans of Blink 182 or similar.