GRATEFUL DEAD has officially claimed the Guinness World Records title for the most Top 40 albums charted on the U.S. Billboard 200.

After previously making history with their 59th Top 40 entry in February 2024, severing a shortly held tie with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, the group has since extended their own record to 66 Top 40 albums, up to and including the No. 25 debut of "Dave's Picks Vol. 56: Rainbow Theatre, London, England - 3/20/81 & 3/21/81" this past November. Arriving at the culmination of the band's 60th anniversary this year, the achievement further cements the GRATEFUL DEAD's legacy as one of the world's most treasured musical and social phenomenons — a tangible testament to the enduring connection between the DEAD and their ever-growing, generation-spanning fandom.

David Lemieux, GRATEFUL DEAD legacy manager and archivist, and producer and curator of the long-running "Dave's Picks" series, said: "This Guinness World Records title is something that no one could have anticipated 60 years ago when the GRATEFUL DEAD began, but the record demonstrates the dedication, passion, and loyalty of the massive legion of Dead Heads, as well as the consistent quality of the GRATEFUL DEAD's recorded output and archival activities over the past six decades."

Mark Pinkus, president of Rhino Records, added: "We're excited to see the GRATEFUL DEAD reach another milestone with this Guinness World Records title. Rhino has been committed to preserving and honoring the GRATEFUL DEAD's legacy through quality archival releases. What a wonderful way to close out their 60th-anniversary celebrations."

The newly certified Guinness World Records title marks the latest in a series of celebrations that have honored the GRATEFUL DEAD's 60th anniversary throughout 2025, following their commemorations in the 47th class of the Kennedy Center Honorees, as well as the 2025 MusiCares Persons Of The Year during this past year's Grammy Awards. Earlier this fall, the band partnered with Pantone to create "Grateful Red" and "Stealie Blue," immortalizing two colors that have been synonymous with the DEAD and their iconography for the past six decades, while Rhino released the GRATEFUL DEAD's first official greatest-hits compilation, "Gratest Hits", as well as a 60-CD collection, "Enjoying The Ride", a 6LP/3CD collection, "The Music Never Stopped", and more.

GRATEFUL DEAD is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day — one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, the GRATEFUL DEAD had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music with their final tally being 2,318 total concerts. The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994 and received a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. GRATEFUL DEAD celebrated their 66th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart, a feat no other artist has achieved, and was commemorated in the 47th class of the Kennedy Center Honorees as well as the 2025 MusiCares Persons Of The Year honored at the 67th annual Grammy Awards.

In a new interview with Igor Miranda of Rolling Stone Brasil, Paul Rodgers addressed his decision to skip BAD COMPANY's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, which took place on November 8 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The legendary singer said: "About a week prior to leaving for rehearsals for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction and TV show, my blood pressure was very high and I started to have chest pains and heart palpitations. I saw my doctor, who absolutely forbid me to get on a plane. He recommended that I stay home, rest and remain calm, and I feel that I dodged a bullet by doing that. I am in the zen phase of my life and enjoy being immersed in a peaceful and calm life. I can sing again and play daily to a crowd of one."

Mick Fleetwood inducted the legendary hard rock band into the Rock Hall. Founding BAD COMPANY drummer Simon Kirke was then joined onstage by THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson, HEART's Nancy Wilson and AEROSMITH's Joe Perry for a performance of "Feel Like Makin' Love", before Bryan Adams then took over the mic for "Can't Get Enough". After the performance, Kirke gave an acceptance speech, before a video message from Rodgers was played.

Rodgers told Rolling Stone Brasil: "My sister-in-law prepared a wonderful dinner for six and we watched the induction of BAD COMPANY into the Rock Hall on a very large TV. Simon's speech touched my heart and it must have been emotional for him performing as BAD COMPANY with just him."

He continued: "Sometimes reality hits hard. I would like to perform with him again at some point. I thought that everyone who performed — Simon, Bryan Adams, Chris Robinson, Nancy Wilson, Joe Perry, our bassist Todd Ronning and Spike Edney, QUEEN's musical director and keyboardist for, I think, the last 45 years — did not miss a beat.

"I was grateful that the Rock Hall allowed me to record my speech," Paul added. "I was told that they do not usually allow that. However, I was told it was a strict two minutes, no longer. I did not give my entire thanks in just two minutes, so I put my actual speech out on social media. Our friend Mick Fleetwood did a fine job inducting the band and I was very comfortable watching from home in Canada."

Speaking about BAD COMPANY guitarist Mick Ralphs, who died earlier this year, just weeks after finding out the band was going to be inducted into the Rock Hall, Rodgers said: "Mick was such a unique player, such a unique songwriter and such a unique man. I loved everything about him and his sense of humor was with him till the very end.

"I don't know if many fans realize this, but Mick spent the last eight and three-quarter years of his life in bed unable to walk or use his hands," Rodgers explained. "It was no life. He had suffered a major stroke and we tried to get him to hyperbarics, attempted to get acupuncturists and reflexologists in to see him but we were met with opposition, unfortunately. Since we weren't family, we had no control over his medical treatment. I was able to hire a solicitor and have him moved to a home that was in Henley where most of his friends and longtime love all live. Plus it was better suited to Mick's needs.

"I spoke to him often and in fact, the last conversation I had with him was just two days before he passed," Paul revealed. "At that point he was unable to speak, but I did manage to make him laugh one last time.

"Mick was one of those rare guitarists that you can identify by his sound within three notes; you know that it is Mick Ralphs. His tone was so rich and full. What a legacy he leaves behind in his music, his humor and in the way he treated others."

Rodgers also talked about his future plans, saying: "The main project we're working on at the moment are my memoirs. I've been working on it for the past year with a great writer Chris Epting. What we have been doing is approximately once a week we just chat on Zoom and it's become like talking to an old friend. He is so enthusiastic, inspired and interested in my story. These chats have reminded me of stories that were hidden in the way back machine in my mind.

"I had to be convinced to write my memoirs," he admitted. "I really didn't feel that my story was unique or special, I still see myself as just a lad from Middlesbrough, England, who got very, very lucky. Some days after our Zoom chat, I would sit in silence and think wow did that really happen? Think of some of the great guitarists I've played with — Jimmy Page, Paul Kossoff, Mick Ralphs, Brian May, Jeff Beck, the list goes on… Joe Bonamassa... I mean, how lucky am I?

"When I started reading some of the transcripts from the book, I reflected that it has been a unique, magical adventure and it's one that I do want to share," Paul added. "I'm hoping that I can inspire not just musicians, but people who can learn something from my life story. After the book comes out late 2026, we will probably turn our attention to preparing a documentary."

Rodgers and Kirke are the last two surviving members from BAD COMPANY's original lineup. Bassist Raymond "Boz" Burrell passed away in 2006 at the age of 60.

The now-75-year-old Rodgers suffered his first major stroke in 2016 and a second in October 2019, which required him to undergo a major surgery to recover from. At the time, Rodgers underwent a carotid endarterectomy, a procedure to remove plaque from the arteries running through your neck to your brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Ralphs died at the age of 81 due to complications from a stroke he suffered in 2016.

BAD COMPANY had been eligible for induction since 1999 and received its first nomination this year.

Thanks to Igor Miranda of Rolling Stone Brasil for providing original English-language quotes used in this story.

In a new interview with Australia's Jaimunji, host of "Metal On Tap", BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski lamented the fact that many of the biggest hard rock and heavy metal bands have either retired or are close to retirement age. He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Every time GUNS N' ROSES are in town, I'm up and I always go and check it out. With all those legacy bands, be it GUNS, be it AC/DC, be it fucking METALLICA, [IRON] MAIDEN, in the first place I'm a fan of their music. I collect their records. I've always been a fan [of those bands], as far as I remember. And I always tell whoever I talk to, man, just go and see those bands. Buy tickets and go and see [them play], because the time is flying. And it's gonna be in a blink of the eye that METALLICA is no longer, fucking MAIDEN is no longer. You would be, like, 'Oh, shit. I should have gone and gone and seen them.' Yeah, you fucking should. So every time those bands come across Poland or wherever I have a chance, [I] fucking go and embrace that because this era is getting to an end."

He continued: "It's gonna be another few years, hopefully good years for the [afore]mentioned bands and others — there's more, but there's lesser and lesser. It's shrinking, [the list of] big arena rock-star bands that I look up to. I mean, I know PARKWAY DRIVE is probably an arena band now, but it doesn't tell me anything. I don't know what PARKWAY DRIVE is. I don't know what AVENGED SEVENFOLD is. I don't know what — who is SLEEP TOKEN? It's not me. It's not my DNA. I mean, I don't fucking get it. It's probably good music. It's all well played and big productions and stuff, but once those giants leave the earth, leave the stage, let's put it that way — I'm lonely. There's nowhere to go."

Looking ahead, Nergal addressed BEHEMOTH's future and the possibility of his band carrying on into his late 70s. He said: "I'm only 48. But then again, extreme metal is not really heavy metal. It is, sort of. It is a form of heavy metal, just on steroids. Obviously it requires way more energy and stamina and physical vitality or whatever you call it. And it's not easy. It's not getting any easier.

"[On the upcoming Australian tour], you'll see BEHEMOTH at its prime, which means that we exactly know how to do it," Nergal explained. "We know how to level out our physical potential throughout the set. And we still can pull off a 75-minute-long set that's very dynamic and intense, and you won't get bored. You won't go, 'It's a fucking old-school death or black metal band just cashing in on their legacy.' No, no — we put all the force there and we're all in.

"When I look at bands — I don't know — Klaus Meine [of] SCORPIONS, the dude is almost 80 years old," Nergal added. "Hey, my mom is 80 this year, I believe, or 79. And the dude, he looks good. He barely walks [on stage], but his voice is fucking on point. And I'm, like, 'Holy fuck.' So I'm 48, and I'm counting. [I have] 32 years to go. No fucking way! But then again, you never know. But I'm guessing another 10 years. 10 good years of touring and maybe doing another record, even though I'm questioning the sense of recording any new music. Who fucking cares these days about new music? But, anyways, I think BEHEMOTH has at least 10 good years ahead, and we're so looking forward to come back over there [to Australia]."

BEHEMOTH's latest album, "The Shit Ov God", came out in May via Nuclear Blast Records. Production on the LP was helmed by the inimitable Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios (EMPEROR, ENSLAVED, KREATOR, ROTTING CHRIST et al.). Working closely with the band, Bogren's deft hand underscored the band's natural sound while sacrificing none of the mayhem and ferocity which permeates the band's essence. As is always the case with BEHEMOTH, the visuals were as carefully constructed as the sound. The band tapped longtime collaborator and partner in crime Bartek Rogalewicz (BLACK.LODGE.IS.NOW) as well as Dark Sigil Workshop to make the beautifully ominous and unique cover art.

In a new interview with Argentina's Rock & Pop, vocalist/guitarist Matt Tuck of Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, who are supporting LIMP BIZKIT on the Latin American "Loserville Gringo Papi Tour 2025", spoke about the recent passing of LIMP BIZKIT bassist Sam Rivers. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The first that we heard about it was when it was on social media. That's kind of how it is these days. And, yeah, [we were] just shocked. I'd been a fan of LIMP BIZKIT for nearly 30 years. I first saw those guys before 'Three Dollar Bill[, Y'all]' came out in 1997, at home in Wales supporting KORN on the 'Life Is Peachy' tour. And that moment for me was huge as a teenager. That band and that lineup, it's ingrained in my brain and in my musical DNA. And Sam was a huge part of that for LIMP BIZKIT. He was the backbone of the foundation of that band."

Tuck continued: "So, yeah, we feel their loss. We feel their pain. And to be here celebrating him on this tour with them and [BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE being added to the tour] at such late notice [after Yungblud pulled out of the trek], it's kind of a… I don't know. It's hard to explain it. It feels like it's a real moment that means a lot to LIMP BIZKIT. It means a lot to their fanbase. And we're just so honored and proud that they invited us here to be on this tour with them, especially because of what this tour represents for them. And it's just sad — it's just a really sad moment. But they are here, and they're doing it for Sam. And we're just here with them every step of the way and hopefully we add a bit of value to the tour. We met the guys for the very first time in Mexico City a few days ago, and I couldn't describe how humble and normal and how just lovely, beautiful human beings they all are. It's nice. When they say, 'Don't meet your heroes,' on this occasion that's incorrect. They've been nothing but kind and welcoming and accommodating to us, and we're just so fucking honored that we can be here to celebrate this moment for Sam with them. It feels good."

LIMP BIZKIT played its first concert following Rivers's death on November 29 at Explanada Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. Handling the bass duties for the band at the opening show of LIMP BIZKIT's Latin American "Loserville Gringo Papi Tour 2025" was Kid Not (a.k.a. Richie Buxton),a songwriting partner/producer of tour opener Ecca Vandal, who is a singer-songwriter and rapper currently living in Melbourne, Australia.

During the concert, LIMP BIZKIT paid tribute to Rivers with a short video compilation of some of Sam's onstage moments with his bandmates. The surviving LIMP BIZKIT members turned their backs to the large audience to watch the clip before the words "Sam Rivers, our brother forever" appeared on the screen, then changing to "Sam Rivers, we love you forever." The musicians embraced each other at the end of the touching display of respect for their fallen bandmate.

Before taking the stage in Mexico City, LIMP BIZKIT drummer John Otto shared a moving statement online in which he addressed Sam's absence. He wrote: "Today is going to be tough. A first I never wanted to experience. Especially not now.

"You've been there for so many major firsts in my life. Some of my earliest memories were made with you. We grew up together. Laughed together. Realized our dreams together. And traveled the world together. You've always been there. The godfather to my girls, my best friend — my brother. There will never be another you.

"We're going to honor the life you lived and the love you spread with every show we play. You'll always be with us.

"Thank you to our fans for all the messages of support and tributes to Sam. It means the world to us.

"This one's for you Sammy."

LIMP BIZKIT has a few more shows to play in December as part of the aforementioned "Loserville Gringo Papi Tour 2025". They will perform in Colombia on December 5, Peru on December 9, Chile on December 13, Argentina on December 16, and Brazil on December 20. Support on the trek is coming from BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, 311, Ecca Vandal, RIFF RAFF and SLAY SQUAD.

Rivers passed away on October 18 at the age of 48, He reportedly died in the bathroom of his Florida home, according to an incident report obtained by TMZ. The report revealed that a deputy from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Department in St. Augustine said a caller informed police that she found the musician face down in his bathroom just before she dialed 911.

LIMP BIZKIT, which was founded by Rivers and frontman Fred Durst in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994, announced the bassist's passing in an Instagram post on October 18.

"Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat," the statement began. "Sam Rivers wasn't just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.

"From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced," the statement — which was signed by his bandmates Durst, Wes Borland, Otto and DJ Lethal — continued. "His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous."

The group went on to remember Rivers as a "once-in-a-lifetime kind of human" and a "true legend of legends."

"His spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory," Rivers's bandmates added. "We love you, Sam. We'll carry you with us, always."

Rivers left LIMP BIZKIT in 2015 for health reasons that he later revealed were liver ailments due to alcohol abuse.

"I got liver disease from excessive drinking … I had to leave LIMP BIZKIT in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease," Rivers revealed in Jon Wiederhorn's book "Raising Hell (Backstage Tales From The Lives Of Metal Legends)". "I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me. I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match."

Rivers recalled doctors warning him that he would die without quitting alcohol. "It got so bad I had to go to UCLA Hospital, and the doctor said, 'If you don't stop, you're going to die. And right now, you're looking like you need a new liver.'"

Sam rejoined LIMP BIZKIT in 2018 and remained in the group until his death.

He performed his last concert with LIMP BIZKIT in August at the Leeds festival in the U.K.

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, ARMORED SAINT singer John Bush spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's long-awaited ninth studio album, due next year through Metal Blade Records. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is done. It's mastered and completed. I don't know what our protocol is here regarding telling people what the title is and the songtitles. I'm still kind of trying to figure out, can we do that? What's going on with that? But it'll be soon enough. We'll probably announce it in the new year, realistically. But, yeah, the record's great. It sounds awesome. And we just kind of keep thinking steps up as far as our style and just our whole trip.

"I'm really proud of what ARMORED SAINT has done for the last couple of records," he continued. "We made some really killer albums. [2015's] 'Win Hands Down' was the second-to-the-last record, and then the last one was [2020's] 'Punching The Sky', which is a great album, and this new one, it just kind of keeps building on that. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to being able to talk about that, doing interviews, talking about the record and going out there and playing some shows."

Pressed for some details about the upcoming ARMORED SAINT LP, Bush said:  "Believe me, I wanna talk about it. I'm still kind of confused as to when we're gonna put out a release date on it. We should do a press release very soon… But whatever — when it comes out, it comes out. But, yeah, there's 11 tunes on it, which was something we were struggling with, because sometimes ARMORED SAINT has a tendency to write songs a little too long. And then our label was saying, like, 'Come on, man. Shorter tunes. Shorter tunes.' And we were, like, 'Okay, okay. We're gonna focus on shorter songs,' which is just come in with a slug in the face and make it brief, which we did, actually."

John continued: "Metal Blade, our label, is always great about putting out vinyl on every album. And they just do a great job with the packaging. And at one point Joey [Vera, ARMORED SAINT bassist] was saying, 'Well, we might only have certain amount of songs 'cause of vinyl.' I was, like, 'No way. We haven't put out a record in six years. We cannot put out nine songs. Our fans will kill us if we do that. We need to have all the songs that we wrote and that we finished.' And we ended up doing that. So it's gonna be at least 11 tunes. And the artwork's great."

As for a possible release date for the new ARMORED SAINT album, Bush said: "We were supposed to have a date of April 8th or [April] 9th, but I don't know if that's still in play. So I'm probably still saying way more than I'm supposed to. And I wanna talk about it. Believe me, I wanna send you cuts off the record, so you can hit 'listen' to them. And I will do that when I can."

On the topic of ARMORED SAINT's touring plans in support of the upcoming LP, John said: "We have some stuff booked in Europe for next summer, some festivals, and we're doing some dates with SAVATAGE, which is gonna be really cool. That's a band from our era that we played the Dynamo festival in 1989. And the first time we ever went to Europe was with SAVATAGE on the 'Hall Of The Mountain King' record, which is a killer album. So I'm really excited to go out there and play a couple shows with those guys. And they've always had a huge vibe in Europe. And so, yeah, it's gonna be great. We're gonna be busy."

Two months ago, Bush told Metal Kaoz that ARMORED SAINT's new album was being mixed by Jay Ruston, who previously worked on "Punching The Sky" and "Win Hands Down".

Bush also seemingly ruled out the possibility of ARMORED SAINT performing any of the band's new songs live before next year, explaining: "You could do whatever you want as a band, of course, but usually the label kind of frowns on playing new tunes before the record's released, because with YouTube and everything, people got it, and it's, like, you don't wanna release that until the actual record, or at least the first couple videos come out. I'm sure we'll make a couple videos, and certainly a couple songs will be singles that will come out prior to the actual record release. So, realistically, I would say something like February, you'll probably hear a new ARMORED SAINT song."

In September, Bush told Chel Evah of Art Paparazza & Chel Shock Photography that ARMORED SAINT recorded 11 songs for the upcoming LP. Referencing what will be a six-year gap between "Punching The Sky" and ARMORED SAINT's next album, John said: "It's a long time coming, but I blame COVID, because it pushed everyone back a little bit, 'cause 'Punching The Sky' came out in 2020. Plus we've toured a lot in the last couple years. So, to do some writing in conjunction with touring, it's not easy. Everyone aspires to write on the road, but it's difficult. But we have a bunch of great tunes. We're really excited. The record sounds awesome. And I'm real fired up and I can't wait to go out in '26 and play a bunch of new tunes."

Bush previously talked about ARMORED SAINT's upcoming LP earlier in September in an interview with Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquility. He said at the time: "We went out and toured a lot [in support of 'Punching The Sky']. So, we were able to do that, and did a couple of more tours, and we were really not planning on it. But getting out there and playing was great. And we actually sold so many records and CDs on the road, it was crazy. We actually re-charted because we sold so many records out there. So, kudos to all the fanbase who bought records and CDs and shirts, of course. But it kind of did push things back a little bit. We don't work that quick as it is, quite frankly, but I always said it for years: the quality of the tunes is contrary to the amount, because that's the fact for us. But the new record will be out next year. And I think it's great. It's gonna just kind of build on everything we've been doing."

Circling back to ARMORED SAINT's increased touring activity and how it affected the making of the band's new album, John said: "We toured a lot. We actually put out four videos on the last record. So we've been on the public side maybe more than ever. And really I say this and it's really kind of the truth is ARMORED SAINT's probably bigger than we've ever been. Maybe there was a stretch in 1984 that we were maybe more popular, but honestly we're probably bigger than we ever were. So, we're just riding it. And the new record will be great, and I think people will dig it. And it really kind of shows sophistication in the songwriting, and we really believe in that. We try to kind of bring in all our different influences and styles and use some different instrumentation and take chances with arrangement a little bit. And I'm really proud of it. I think the songwriting is just — yeah, it's built on everything we've done. The origins of the band, our hard rock heavy metal band, but we really kind of feel like we just keep pushing the boundaries. And it's always gonna sound like SAINT. And this one does too. But I don't know. That's my pitch. I mean, of course it comes down to what the fans think."

After Pardo noted that ARMORED SAINT's musical output has been remarkably "consistent" over the group's four-decade career, Bush concurred. "When your band's been around as long as we have, and that goes for all the bands who have a four-decade career, is that usually new music means the opportunity to go take a piss or go get a couple of beers," he said. "But I really feel like people really think our last couple records have been great. And I think for us to keep building on that and keep writing new material that sounds very legit, I think is important. And not everybody can say that. Everybody kind of says it, but how much do you really believe it? And I really believe [it in our case]. I mean, again, it comes down to what the press and what the fanbase says, and they're the ones that make the final decision, really, on it. But at the end of the day, they've been saying ARMORED SAINT's making really great, modern music, so I'm stoked."

At the end of September, the band joined W.A.S.P. for a trio of U.K. shows before returning to the States to support legendary guitarist Michael Schenker on his "My Years With UFO" U.S. tour. ARMORED SAINT was celebrating the 40th anniversary of its second album, "Delirious Nomad", with a five-song micro set of songs from the record throughout the tour.

Last November, ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera told Metal Kaoz about the musical and lyrical direction of the band's new material: "Every record we've made has been a little bit different than the one prior to it, and this one will be the same case where it will be a little different than 'Punching'. But our number one thing is just writing really great songs. We're not so concerned about trying to outdo the last record or do as good as it is or do the same thing. I always think that it's cool to just see where you are at that moment. And these songs that we've written, just like the last three or four records we've made, they all represent a particular time and place for us. So this these batch of songs, they're a reflection of where we are at a time and place right now. We're in post-COVID, we're coming back out of it, back into the world, and different things are influencing me personally than they were in 2014 when I was writing for [2015's] 'Win Hands Down'. So all those things are at play again. I'm trying to take a few chances as well on this, which we always try to do a little bit."

In June 2024, ARMORED SAINT released a rendition of "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)". The classic track was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by PEOPLE in 1970. Additional covers include THE FOUR TOPS (1974),SANTANA (1978) and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (1989).

"One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)" was produced by Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston and mastered by Maor Applebaum.

ARMORED SAINT released the "Symbol Of Salvation Live" CD/DVD in 2021 via Metal Blade Records. The release came in celebration of the seminal album's 30th anniversary. "Symbol Of Salvation Live" was a combination live album and video of the band playing the album in its entirety at New York City's famed Gramercy Theatre during its 2018 tour.

In July 2023, ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

In May 2023, ARMORED SAINT's long-awaited documentary, Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers", had its world premiere in the band's hometown at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Photo by Stephanie Cabral

Legendary BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler recently penned a moving tribute to Ozzy Osbourne for the October 2025 issue of U.K.'s Uncut magazine. He wrote in part: "At the final show [at 'Back To The Beginning' in early July], [Ozzy] was much quieter than I'd ever known him. Looking back now, I think he knew he wasn't long for this world, but not that he'd leave it so soon. He was looking forward to spending his days back in England.

"I am so grateful that we were able to play one final show together, the original four of us, back in our home town. He held on so he could do that gig, to say farewell to the fans. He was very emotional. It was so important to him to say goodbye after illness had prevented him from touring for the past six or seven years. He wanted to see his fans one final time, play with his own band and with SABBATH one last time."

Butler added: "The outpouring of tributes and respect from all walks of music and the love from the fans has been amazing. He was larger than life and his legacy will live forever. He may have been The Prince Of Darkness, but for me he was a family-loving, soft-hearted, best friend anyone could ever have."

You can read Geezer's entire tribute at Uncut.

Two months ago, Geezer was asked by the Gabbing With Girlfriends podcast hosted by his wife and manager Gloria Butler what his initial reaction was to being approached to play at the "Back To The Beginning" event in July at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The concert marked Ozzy's and BLACK SABBATH's final performance before the singer's death a little over two weeks later. Geezer said: "I suppose I was just wondering how everybody would do. I knew Ozzy wasn't in the best of health. I knew Bill [Ward, original SABBATH drummer] hadn't been well for a while. Tony [Iommi, SABBATH guitarist] was up for it, and I was up for it as long as everybody else was. And I said 'yeah' straight away, 'I'll do it.' Especially as it was at Villa Park, [the home stadium of] my football team and one of the earliest places I ever went to and I was a little child."

Geezer went on to say that the event was particularly special because he hadn't been in contact with some of his longtime bandmates for nearly a decade. "Because you and Sharon [Osbourne, Ozzy's wife and manager] had fallen out, I didn't see Ozzy at all for about six years after the last gig," Geezer told his wife during the podcast. "Then you and Sharon [were] talking and everything was okay again, and it was great to finally get to talk to Ozzy again. We used to text each other every day. He used to send me some funny things and I'd send him some funny things. It was just great to be back together again after all these years. I mean, he's probably my oldest friend. I've known him for 57 years, so it was great to get back together again."

Reflecting on the rehearsal sessions for "Back To The Beginning", Geezer said: "When we get together, it's almost like we've just seen each other the week before, even though it's been like six or seven years or whatever. Of course, Tony was joking about Bill 'cause he kept saying he looked like [ancestral Hobbit] Gollum. [Laughs] The only shocking bit was when Ozzy came in. I knew Ozzy was very ill, but I didn't realize how ill he was. We were rehearsing, the three of us. We started — me, Tony and Bill — rehearsed for the first two days just to get all the music together, sort out which songs we were gonna do and everything like that. And then on the third day, Ozzy came in and he was helped in by two helpers. And I was just shocked to see him like that. And, of course, being Ozzy, he had to crack a few jokes and things. And they had like an armchair set aside so he could sit down to sing through the songs, 'cause he couldn't stand up. I think we rehearsed about six or seven songs and picked out four or five. We knew we could only do four or five 'cause of the time limit, and we picked out the four or five songs that sounded the best and which we were most comfortable with. And after that, we fell into the old SABBATH again. Ozzy could only do it once, could only rehearse, go through the songs one time and then he'd leave and we'd sort of carry on. We had to get the solos really well together and stuff like that."

Geezer added that he and the other members of SABBATH picked up where they left off years earlier. "Yeah, we always do," he explained. "There's never any sort of egos or resentments for each other. It's just a bit of a laugh fest when Tony picks up on taking the piss out of Bill as usual. Bill loves being taken the piss out of. It was just funny doing the old jokes, just talking about the same old stuff. It's good."

Referencing the fact that Ozzy died only 17 days after "Back To The Beginning", Geezer said: "I'm so glad it happened like that, that we finished on such a great note."

Ozzy and the other SABBATH members performed four songs for more than 40,000 people at Villa Park in the band's original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.

The "Back To The Beginning" concert, which was hosted by actor Jason Momoa — whose passion for heavy metal music runs deep — also featured performances by METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, SLAYER, TOOL, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and RIVAL SONS.

Less than five months ago, Geezer penned an article for U.K.'s The Sunday Times in which he reflected on his final appearance with Ozzy. Regarding what it was like to rehearse with Osbourne for "Back To The Beginning", Butler wrote: "I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was. He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane — being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones. He didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair. We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old."

Looking back on Ozzy's performance at Villa Park, Geezer wrote in The Sunday Times article: "Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show. But I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans. The love from the fans and all the bands, musicians, singers and solo artists that night was incredible. Everyone had come to pay homage to the Prince. I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him. Of course there are millions of things I will think of that I should have written, but how can I sum up 57 incredible years of friendship in a few paragraphs? God bless, Oz, it has been one hell of a ride! Love you!"

Ozzy died on July 22 of a heart attack, his death certificate revealed. The certificate also reportedly said the 76-year-old musician suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease.

In his tribute to Ozzy on the day of the singer's death, Geezer wrote on social media: "Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun, 4 kids from Aston- who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you."

Formed in Birmingham in 1968, BLACK SABBATH is widely recognized as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time, with a career spanning decades and over 75 million albums sold worldwide, according to the band's web site. Their impact on the genre remains as significant today as it was in the early 1970s, with their music shaping generations of metal musicians.

In 2006, Osbourne and the other members of the original BLACK SABBATH were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Ozzy was also inducted into the Rock Hall as a solo artist in 2024.

The original lineup of SABBATH came together with Iommi, Osbourne, Butler and Ward. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH used Ozzy's touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on SABBATH's reunion album "13", which came out in June 2013.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

SABBATH wrote and recorded "13" and toured it all over the world while Iommi was going through treatment for his illness, with the guitarist having to fly back to England every six weeks.