The Dark Side of the Moon is in their third week at #1 Anaria is at #6 this week, but they're also at #30 with the biggest move of the week, up 7 with "Spark of Life."

Similarly, The Warning is at #29 but debuts a new song at #40: "Kerosene," from their latest album. New at #37 is Freeze the Fall their follow-up "Broken Glass." The highest entry this week is from Kamelot, who enters at #33 with "New Babylon," featuring Melissa Bonny on additional vocals. And would you look at that - Melissa is also on lead vocal duties at #1 with The Dark Side of the Moon, AND at #4 with her solo hit, "I'm a Monster." But the most edxxciting new addition is at #38, It's the first charted hit here from a young woman from Romania, Alexandra Căpitănescu. She had the distinct honour to represent her country at this year's Eurovision contest, and this song gave her a third place finish. Personally, I think it should have been the winner! Just listen to the vocal and songwriting chops this young performer has. Now, the version charting here is from the finals of the competition. However, we've located a number of other versions that differ widely in arrangement and vocal style:

• Official Eurovision Video: Alexandra Capitanescu - Choke Me | Romania | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2026
• Piano version: Alexandra Capitanescu - Choke Me (Piano Version) | Official Video
• A harder rendition, live in Bucharest: Alexandra Capitanescu - Choke Me (Live in Bucharest) #Eurovision
• Epic orchestral version (not an official version but fan-made): Alexandra Capitanescu – Choke Me | Epic Orchestral Version AI Cover
• AI mashup cover: Alexandra Capitanescu - CHOKE ME × Moment of Silence - Ovidiu Anton
• Dark ethno epic reimagining: What if Alexandra Capitanescu's "Choke Me" was a Dark Ethno Epic?
• Another AI fan adaptation, in German: Alexandra Capitanescu - Choke me (Fan Tribute) | Eurovision 2026

There's a new Crystal Ball article this week, focusing on As December Falls. We'd also like to acknowledge the recent passing of Bonnie Tyler, who gave us such classics as "Holding Out for a Hero," "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and let's not forget "It's a Heartache." Her gravelly voice enthralled us while she belted her way into our hearts, and made herself a legend. Bonnie was 75 years old.

We told you something was new, something that had never happened before in the history of Rock Rips top 50s. And it's this - once again Xandria lands at the top, for the second year in a row! Come see what else is new for a year when we changed over to a top 40 format, and learn a little more about what goes on behind the scenes to determine who gets into the Top 50.

View this week's chart videos, in order from 1 to 40, on YouTube!

For years we've said "We're still working on a series of playlists at our Youtube account..." yada yada. But now this feature will be expanded to include additional years, so you can go back and see the charts not only how they looked but to see what songs were where on every week. Until then, here's the Rock Rips #1s of 2000 and 2001, in order from our very first chart of September 23, 2000. Step back in time and see what made us happy years ago!

You've been patient - now here's what you've been waiting for. It's the top 50 artists from our charts between 2000 and 2010. The last time we published this chart was 2007 and lots has changed. Bands that slid down the chart for years, such as Default, experienced career success in recent years, and they're stronger than ever. Come look for your faves by clicking on the title above.

Springfield MO Greensburg PA Allentown PA Arlington VA Naperville IL Los Angeles CA North Port FL Las Vegas NV Portland OR Dallas TX San Antonio TX Beaumont TX Orlando FL Anderson Lake CA Richmond VA Wichita KS Nashville IN Mayfield/Johnstown NY Coral Springs FL Lafayette LA Charlotte NC Boston MA Bolton MA Troy OH Ashland KY Secaucus NJ Oakland CA Butte MT Rochester NH Lake City FL Newton MA Fargo ND Spencer MA Louisville KY La Farge WS Philadelphia PA Texarkana AR Tiffin OH Hershey PA Erie PA Carrollton TX Sheboygan WI Aurora CO Chicago IL Sterling CO Phoenix AZ Searcy AR Waycross GA Knob Lick KY Darien IL Anchorage KY Providence RI

Penticton BC Red Deer AB Surrey BC Kitchener ON Regina SK Calgary AB Edmonton AB Nunavut Montreal QC Toronto ON Lincoln ON Sudbury ON Estevan SK Salmon Arm BC Ottawa ON North York ON Quebec City QC Wolfville NS Salmon Arm BC Grande Prairie AB

Prudnik Poland Warsaw Poland Malaysia Burgos Spain Frankfurt Germany Hamburg Germany Leuven Belgium Capetown South Africa Den Haag Netherlands Konya Turkey Cork Ireland Bahrain Rome Italy Chhattisgarth India Berlin Germany Eschweiler Germany Halifax UK Braga Portugal Singapore Bolivia Rotterdam Netherlands Ankara Turkey Belper UK Essenden UK Embsay UK Istanbul Turkey Luxembourg Vilnius Lithuania Tarragona Spain Sydney Australia Valbonne France Tilburg Netherlands Porto Portugal Copenhagen Denmark Philippines Scunthorpe UK Larisa Greece Adelaide Australia Moscow Russia Israel Newcastle Australia Versailles France Alrewas UK Capetown South Africa Arezzo Italy Bratislava Slovakia Stockholm Sweden Brussels Belgium Palma Spain Maribor Slovenia Mannheim Germany Dublin Ireland Lucerne Switzerland Toulon France Tilburg Netherlands Romania Hong Kong China Odivelas Portugal Tumhout Netherlands Grain UK Manila Philippines Auckland NZ La Paz Bolivia Mintabie AU Hobart AU Monterrey MX Canberra AU Wien AT Wendover UK The Hague NL