For years, one of the biggest surprises in hard rock has been how little attention Phil Collen's side project MANRAZE has received. That's a mistake. While most fans know Collen exclusively through DEF LEPPARD, MANRAZE has consistently showcased a rawer, less polished side of his songwriting, and the newly released "Lock Stock & Barrel" five-CD box set is a reminder that this project deserves far more respect than it gets.

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The collection gathers the band's complete recorded output, including all three studio albums, rare tracks, demos, and previously hard-to-find material. For longtime followers of the group, it's the most comprehensive MANRAZE release ever assembled.

And here's the reality: many rock fans have spent decades complaining that modern bands lack personality while simultaneously overlooking projects exactly like this one.

MANRAZE was never designed to be DEF LEPPARD 2.0. That's precisely why it matters.

Featuring Collen alongside bassist-vocalist Simon Laffy and drummer Paul Cook of the SEX PISTOLS, the band blended hard rock, punk attitude, and alternative influences into something that stood apart from the arena-rock formula that made Collen famous.

That difference may actually explain why MANRAZE never achieved the audience it arguably deserved.

Why This Release Matters

1. It's a complete career retrospective
2. It highlights a side of Phil Collen many fans never explored
3. It preserves material that has become increasingly difficult to find
4. It reminds listeners that great music often exists outside the spotlight

In today's streaming era, where attention spans are shrinking and algorithms often dictate discovery, releases like this feel increasingly important. They serve as a reminder that some artists are still willing to take risks rather than endlessly recycle what worked before.

Will every DEF LEPPARD fan love MANRAZE? Probably not.

But dismissing it because it doesn't sound like "Pour Some Sugar On Me" misses the point entirely.

The most interesting artists often produce their best work when they're operating outside the expectations attached to their biggest bands. Collen's willingness to step outside the DEF LEPPARD machine and pursue something different is exactly why MANRAZE remains fascinating.

What Happens Next?

The big question is whether this box set finally introduces MANRAZE to the wider audience it never fully reached the first time around.

With renewed attention on legacy artists and collectors eagerly snapping up deluxe releases, the timing couldn't be better.

What do you think? Have rock fans unfairly overlooked MANRAZE all these years?

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Has MANRAZE been unfairly overlooked?

• YES — It's one of Phil Collen's most underrated achievements
• NO — There's a reason it never connected with most fans
• DEF LEPPARD is the only Phil Collen project that really matters

For years, fans have been told that legacy bands eventually become nostalgia acts. Here's the reality: Deep Purple clearly didn't get that memo. Their new single "Diablo" doesn't sound like a band coasting on history—it sounds like a band still trying to win. And frankly, that's what makes this release so refreshing.

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The track arrives as the latest preview of the band's upcoming album SPLAT!, due July 3 via earMUSIC. The album has already been described as the heaviest Deep Purple record in many years, and "Diablo" only adds fuel to that claim.

What stands out most isn't just the song itself. It's the attitude.

At a time when many classic acts seem content to recycle old formulas, Deep Purple continue pushing forward. The current lineup appears energized, focused, and completely uninterested in acting like a museum exhibit. That's a rare thing in 2026.

Even more intriguing, "Diablo" features special guest guitarist Keith Urban, an unexpected collaboration that could have easily felt forced. Instead, it adds another layer of intrigue to a band that has spent decades refusing to stay predictable.

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The bigger story here may be SPLAT! itself.

When the album was first announced, Deep Purple made it clear this wasn't another routine release. Producer Bob Ezrin returns once again, and the band has openly described the record as their heaviest effort in years while reconnecting with the spirit that defined some of their most celebrated eras.

That matters.

Because one of the biggest challenges facing veteran bands isn't age—it's relevance. Fans can smell autopilot from a mile away. The reaction to the first singles suggests Deep Purple are avoiding that trap completely.

Why This Matters

1. The band is releasing its 24th studio album.
2. They're still writing new music instead of relying exclusively on classics.
3. They're still taking creative risks.
4. They're still creating genuine anticipation.

That's not normal.

Most bands never reach this point. Most don't survive lineup changes, industry shifts, streaming culture, and changing fan expectations. Yet Deep Purple continues finding ways to remain part of the conversation.

And that's why "Diablo" feels bigger than just another single release.

It's evidence that some bands refuse to become their own tribute act.

What Happens Next?

The official "Diablo" video is set to premiere through earMUSIC, and anticipation for SPLAT! continues to build ahead of its July 3 release. Fans will soon decide whether this record truly delivers on the "heaviest in years" promise.

My take?

Never bet against Deep Purple.

Every time the industry starts treating them like a legacy act, they find a way to remind everyone why they've survived for nearly six decades while countless trends have come and gone.

What do you think? Is "Diablo" proof that Deep Purple are still firing on all cylinders, or are fans giving the legends a free pass?

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Has Deep Purple earned the right to keep pushing forward with new music, or should they focus on the classics?

• 🔥 "Diablo" proves they're still one of the best active rock bands
• ⚡ The new material is good, but fans really want the classics
• 💀 It's time to stop making albums and become a touring legacy act

Sharon Osbourne just revealed plans for a permanent AI Ozzy avatar experience, and the rock world is completely divided. Is this preserving a legacy, or are we officially witnessing the death of human rock history for a perpetual corporate paycheck?

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Neeley and Chris break down why this digital ghost trend might completely backfire on legacy bands, how easily these high-tech avatars are actually made behind the scenes, and whether rock and roll can even survive when the legends aren't allowed to naturally end.