According to the Statesman Journal, JOURNEY drummer Deen Castronovo has been sentenced to four years probation after pleading guilty to domestic abuse. The 51-year-old musician, who replaced Steve Smith as JOURNEY's drummer in 1998, was arrested last June after an altercation at his Salem, Oregon, home.

Castronovo pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in the fourth degree constituting domestic violence, two counts of menacing constituting domestic violence, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion. He has been ordered by a Salem judge to undergo domestic violence and drug counseling and risks five years in prison is he violates any of the terms of his sentence.

Castronovo was initially arrested on June 14 and charged with fourth-degree assault, coercion and menacing.

After being released on $20,000 bail on June 15, Castronovo called the victim 35 times and sent her 122 text messages, despite being under a court order to have no contact with her. He was arrested again on June 29 on a grand jury indictment which charged him with five counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of first-degree rape, two counts of menacing, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree sex abuse, one count of coercion, one count of second-degree criminal mischief, and three counts of contempt of court.

At a July 1 bail hearing, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gardiner said that Castronovo threw the woman into a wall 14 times, pulled her hair and forced her to have sex with him.

It was also revealed that, upon Castronovo's arrest on June 14, he was first taken to Salem Hospital because he had overdosed on methamphetamine.

JOURNEY hired drummer Omar Hakim to sit behind the kit for the band's summer tour of North America. He made his live debut with the group at their June 20 concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has once again insisted in a new interview that he is quite capable of playing a full concert with the group, despite the bandmembers themselves saying the opposite. Ward stepped away from the SABBATH reunion in early 2012, while the group hinted that he was not in good enough physical shape to either record or tour.

Speaking with Rei Nishimoto of Ghost Cult magazine, Ward said: "I was never in a position where I was never able to drum. It's really sad that those statements made about me that inferred that I wasn't able to drum.

"When I'm in the studio, I can play in the studio. I was laying down tracks. We settled in 2011. By August 2011, I was already training and getting trained. You have to ramp up to go out on tour so that takes a different attitude. I started getting into shape for a tour. Touring is completely different to me than being in the studio. So I was already doing that work."

He reiterated: "Never at any time was my drumming impaired, my health impaired or my ability to play drums. I'm so angry about those suggestions and that was going on."

Ward also discussed the specific health setbacks that he has been dealing with, including previously disclosed shoulder issues. He explained: "The one thing that did stop me, of course — it stopped everything — was in 2013 when I had something called perforated diverticulitis, which is a very, very serious illness. That came out of the blue. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to have a couple of surgeries. I was on death's door and I died. There was no way I could have played drums or sang or done anything else. I couldn't even stand up. I actually had a lot of people helping me at that point. I'm very grateful I had a lot of love in my life and good doctors and everything, and they pulled me through."

He continued: "As soon as I was able to come through the perforated diverticulitis, I started playing again. The only issue that I had with my health at that time was that I had a shoulder operation. Four days before I had the perforated diverticulitis, I had a shoulder operation! The shoulder operation was something that's pretty common with drummers, as we're getting older like me. It was basically an outpatient — you go in, take care of some things, come out and that was it. It wasn't a big deal, but because I had the perforated diverticulitis, which was life-threatening; they couldn't do much about the shoulder. Normally, you go ahead and look at the shoulder and do all of these exercises I couldn't do that because I was in the hospital dying. So when I came back to life in February of 2014, we had to deal with the shoulder getting back into shape as well. I'm doing very well with it."

BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne told The Pulse Of Radio during the band's last tour that Ward was not in shape to participate. "Bill Ward has got the most physically demanding job of the lot of us, 'cause he's the timekeeper," he said. "I don't think personally he had the chops to pull it off, you know. The saddest thing is that he needed to own up to that, and we could have worked around it, whether we had a drummer on the side with him or something."

Ward was reportedly insulted when SABBATH offered him a contract stipulating that he would only play a portion of the show each night, with another drummer along to take over.

Bill told Ghost Cult that Osbourne's comments were unwarranted. He said: "Whatever Ozzy expected of me, I expect far more than Ozzy expected of me. I expect far more of me. If anybody's going to drive me, it's me. I'm going to drive me. For being the best possible shape I could be in and play a good show."

Brad Wilk played drums on SABBATH's latest album, "13", while Tommy Clufetos was behind the kit for the group's world tour.

SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler appeared in public with Ward for the first time since late 2011 at the Ivor Novello Awards in London, England on May 21. The members of the legendary metal act were on hand to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. Iommi accepted on the band's behalf, confirming that SABBATH will embark on a "final tour" next year.

Osbourne was not present at the ceremony, which has celebrated British songwriting and songwriters annually for 60 years.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has revealed that he is working on his second book.

Mustaine autobiography, "Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir", which came out in August 2010, landed at position No. 15 on the New York Times "Hardcover Nonfiction" best sellers list. The book was released in the U.S. via HarperCollins's It Books imprint (focusing on pop culture, sports, style and content derived from the Internet). The U.K. edition, "Mustaine: A Life In Metal", hit bookstores in the U.K. in September 2010.

During a Twitter chat with fans, Mustaine was asked if he ever planned to write another book. He responded: "Yes. In fact, I started over last summer. It will be a while [before it is released] though."

When one of Mustaine's Twitter followers asked if the MEGADETH leader could recommend any other rock autobiographies, Dave responded: "Sad to say most of my peers memoirs are self-promoting fuck/drug-ologues of how high they got or how low they scrape."

"Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir" was co-written by New York Times journalist Joe Layden who also authored "The Last Great Fight" about what is considered by many to be the biggest upset in the history of boxing: James "Buster" Douglas' tenth-round knockout win over Mike Tyson in 1990.

In an interview with Exclaim!, Mustaine stated about the process of writing his autobiography, "It was really cathartic. When you're putting your life down into a book, you wonder what you're gonna leave behind you. I want to leave a legacy of achievement but one that says you can overcome anything. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had to work my ass off to get what I have and I love what I have. I'm very grateful for it and I don't take it lightly."

He added, "Telling the truth is hard for anybody. The only uncomfortable thing about this was putting the stuff in there that made me look bad, but I had to in order for it to be the truth. I could have written a book that was all about, 'Oh, I love me. I'm so beautiful and wonderful,' but that wouldn't be true. I don't think I'm that great and the beauty of the book is that I am fallible. "

Regarding the legal aspects of telling his life story in book form, Mustaine said, "There were a lot of other things legally we had to look at because there were a lot of people in my life that, if I tell the story, they're going to jail. It's not about getting pissed off. They're going to jail. Nowadays when you tell a story... say there was a dude I had an encounter with [but] we don't know each other anymore. I [relate] the story and all of a sudden someone goes sniffing into that person's life. It's an invasion of privacy so there's that and there's the fact that there are ambulance chasers everywhere. We had to word it in a way that the information got out but still told the same story. Legally, the same thing being said one way is totally malicious another way. That's something I had to learn."

He added: "It's very bizarre, for lack of a better word, trying to figure out how to tell a story two different ways and keep it the same story. When you see somebody who's an attorney working somebody in the witness chair, they need to ask the right questions to get the right information out. That's basically what happened. We had to word it in a way that the information got out but still told the same story. Legally, the same thing being said one way is totally malicious another way. That's something I had to learn."

Spooky Pinball, LLC will release the Rob Zombie Spookshow International pinball game in 2016. The production run will be limited to 300 and will include 10 classic Zombie songs and custom speech by the artist himself. "The Devil's Rejects" actor Sid Haig will also lend his voice to the machine. Spooky has outsourced artistic talent to Alex Horley and toy design to Back Alley Creations. In the game you can battle Captain Spaulding to survive the House Of 1,000 Corpses!

A preview of the Rob Zombie Spookshow International pinball game artwork by Horley is available below.

Rob Zombie Spookshow International pinball game pricing:

* $5995 for Pro Model (250 Pro models are going to be built)* $6495 for LE (50 LE models are going to be built) (Different back glass and side armor)

Highlights of the pinball machine:

* 10 classic Rob Zombie songs

- "Dragula"- "Never Gonna Stop (Red Red Kroovy)" - "Living Dead Girl"- "Demonoid Phenominon"- "American Witch"- "What?"- "Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown"- "Feel So Numb"- "Superbeast"- "House Of 1,000 Corpses"

* Game speech by Rob Zombie* Art by Alex Horley

Check out a trailer below.

MASTODON's Troy Sanders has has revealed that his wife, Jeza Sanders, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July, which is also when the band canceled its summer tour due to a "personal family matter."

In a post on MASTODON's official Facebook page, Troy wrote: "Although I generally keep to myself and am very private with my personal life, I recognize this as something bigger than me and needs to be shared.

"My wife Jeza was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of this year. She has already begun treatment and her prognosis is very, very good. Early detection saved her life! It may save your life, too.

"Please encourage the ladies in your life to get screened today."

The same post included a letter from Jeza in which she described in more detail how she first detected a lump and how it affected her mentally.

She wrote: "Breast cancer runs in my family, so I've been neurotically checking and re-checking since my early 30s (now 41). I have yearly mammograms like clockwork. This year was no exception. Nevertheless, it came as a complete shock when just a few short months later, I felt a big, fat, weird mass. I immediately ran, clutching my boobs, to the nearest gynecologist who sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and was diagnosed shortly thereafter with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (&%#$@!!!). I was told that this was the 'common' type of breast cancer — as if this was somehow supposed to make me feel better and less cancer-y. This particular type starts in the milk ducts and spreads into the surrounding tissue. I should mention that depending on the location of the tumor it sometimes has to become a certain size before you can feel it and can often times be entirely undetectable by mammography because the tumor itself blends in with the breast tissue (as was my case in both scenarios).

"I was anxious to get it out of me as fast as humanly possible and to start the treatment after as little healing time as possible. I chose breast conservation (known also as lumpectomy). However, I have yet to be genetically tested for the BRCA gene. If positive, a bilateral (double) mastectomy is recommended.

"Having technically defied death at this point, I can accept and face just about anything. My boobs served their original and intended purpose magnificently, not to mention having looked pretty cute in alarmingly small bathing suits so I have come to terms with bidding them farewell if necessary. As of this moment though, I face treatment.

"Having lived all this time blissfully unaware of my own mortality and now being faced with it, I’ll do absolutely anything to survive.

"Breast cancer is one of the most researched cancers and for that I feel immensely lucky and eternally grateful.

"Early detection is optimum, although with all of the advances in science, even later detection can be highly treatable, which leads me to my initial reason for writing this.

"No matter how old or how young you are, always listen to your body and always pay attention to your intuition. Over 85% of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history and are taken by complete surprise. There is no rhyme or reason to these malignant cells, so in addition to yearly mammograms, please do monthly self checks and if you ever notice anything unusual, have it looked at by your doctor. If, for whatever reason, they disregard it, get a second opinion. You are your only advocate and awareness is everything. Everything.

"Empower yourself, take control and read about the signs and symptoms and early detection at www.nationalbreastcancer.org."

In a brand new interview with Australia's TheMusic.com.au, former IMMORTAL frontman Olve Eikemo (a.k.a. Abbath) spoke about the circumstances surrounding his departure from the band and his decision to launch a new group simply called ABBATH. "I feel like I've been fired," he said. "It was never my intention to go solo but I really feel like I've been forced into it. Apparently they [lyricist/guitarist Demonaz and drummer Horgh] are going to continue on [as IMMORTAL] without me and that's fine — but it was very disappointing that no one, not even [IMMORTAL's record label] Nuclear Blast, wanted to hear my side of the story. The other guys wanted to do things solely on their timetable and also claimed that I need to go to rehab, which was just nonsense, because I've always delivered, live and in the studio — always. My plan was to go into the studio last year. If I had my way, IMMORTAL would have been on tour right now."

He continued: "I just think they ended up being in it for the wrong reasons. They weren't showing any passion for what we were doing.

"Even though my new band is called ABBATH, it finally feels like I'm in a real band — part of a group of musicians who have a great dialogue and share a passion for the music. It didn't feel like that in IMMORTAL for a long time."

ABBATH will release a seven-inch single, "Count The Dead", on December 11 via Season Of Mist. The A-side features the title track while the B-side consists of a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Riding On The Wind".

"Count The Dead" will be released in two versions, which are both limited to 500 copies worldwide and exclusively available for pre-order through the Season Of Mist shop.

Bass duties for ABBATH are being handled by a man familiar to metal fans across the world — Tom Cato Visnes, more widely known as King Ov Hell and main composer for several GORGOROTH albums as well as his own bands OV HELL, with singer Shagrath from DIMMU BORGIR, and GOD SEED, with exceptional black metal vocalist Gaahl. His fellow GOD SEED member and BORKNAGAR percussionist, Baard Kolstad, has also joined ABBATH on drums.

In a brand new interview with Australia's Heavy magazine, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde credited BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne for making it possible for Wylde to have a successful career in the music industry.

"Without Ozzy, I wouldn't be talking here with you right now," Wylde said. "I've always loved Ozzy. He's always been one of the coolest guys and he's like an older brother and it's truly a blessing. I still talk to Ozzy, 'cause he's family to me. Just because BLACK LABEL is full time, it doesn't really matter. Because if [current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist] Gus G.'s wife was having a baby and Ozzy wanted me to fill in, I'd do it."

He continued: "The thing is, with Ozzy, he introduces you to the world, and whatever you want to do is up to you. What are you gonna do? We all gotta have jobs and pay bills. Ozzy offered me an opportunity and introduced me to the world, and you just gotta role your sleeves up and get to work instead of sitting on the couch, talking about how you're gonna be bigger than McDonalds."

Speaking to Guitar International in May 2011, Zakk was asked how well he thought Gus had filled his shoes in Ozzy Osbourne's band. "Gus is doing awesome, man," Zakk replied. "Anyone that goes to their show is just like, 'Gus is amazing, man.' He is. And he's super-cool. Gus is in FIREWIND, which is ridiculously slammin', too. I think Gus is doin' awesome. And everybody in the BLACK LABEL family is behind Gus, anyway. We're all rooting for him."

Ozzy told Classic Rock magazine in a June 2009 interview that he was on the lookout for a new guitar player to replace Zakk Wylde.

As for why he wanted to break away from Wylde, who had played with Ozzy on and off since 1988, Ozzy said, "I haven't fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk's got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I just felt like I wanted a change, y'know?"

In an interview with a Eugene, Oregon radio station in July 2009, Zakk slammed Ozzy over his Classic Rock comments, saying in part, "I've gotta be honest with you. The boss hasn't even given me a phone call, so I mean... I'm just like... I don't know what's going on over there. Are we doing this thing or are we not doing it?... I mean, it's like, dude, you don't wanna play with me anymore? Fine. Play with whoever the hell you wanna play with. I couldn't give a rat's ass. Like I'm gonna get all jealous or whatever. But you know what?! Man up and give me a phone call and tell me what the hell's going on."

Wylde's answer after that abruptly turned into an obscenity-filled rant directed at Ozzy that had to be heavily bleeped by the station.

GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump says he will stop using AEROSMITH's 1973 breakthrough hit, "Dream On", at his campaign events.

AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the campaign, claiming that Trump does "not have our client’s permission to use 'Dream On' or any of Tyler's other songs" and that it "gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump's presidential bid… We are unaware of any public performance license granting Trump For President the right to perform 'Dream On' in connection with the campaign. If Trump For President has any such license, please forward it to our attention immediately."

Trump tells TMZ that he has read the cease-and-desist letter from Tyler's lawyer, but claims that he bought the right to use the song, along with many other tunes, in public assemblies. But since Tyler has been "such a good friend and supporter over the years," according to the gossip site, Trump says he will no longer use the track.

Trump was given 24 hours to acknowledge receipt of the letter, with Tyler's team specifying: "If Trump For President does not comply with our demands, our client will be forced to pursue any and all legal or equitable remedies which our client may have against you."

Steven Tyler is a registered Republican and attended the first GOP debate back in August. The Hollywood Reporter posted that Tyler's attorney, Dina LaPolt, explained that Tyler's problem with Trump's use of the song goes beyond politics, and has to do with copyright control. "Steven works tirelessly with both Republicans and Democrats regarding copyright reform and his position has always been consistent regarding copyright and intellectual property," she wrote. "Simply, one must get permission from the music creators. Steven wrote 100 percent of 'Dream On', and this is about the unauthorized use of his property."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tyler and Trump are friendly: "Tyler was once a judge at Trump's Miss USA pageant and they reportedly once traveled to Russia together." Trump tweeted about attending an AEROSMITH concert and raved about the show.

Both Neil Young and R.E.M. have publicly slammed Trump during the campaign for using their music at their events.

Strapping Young Lad founder Devin Townsend has issued the following update:

"Blood Music has some real nice limited edition SYL vinyl re-issues up for Alien and City, ready to pre-order now and ready to ship around December. Both records are available in standard black and a blue edition."

Release dates will be on or around December 14th. Go to this location for details.

Machine Music recently caught up with Towsend. In the excerpt below, he discusses the now defunct Strapping Young Lad, the band that established Townsend as a force to be reckoned with for many people.

On SYL's City album: "I think the thing about City, and about the whole Strapping Young Lad thing, is that was a particular style of music that snuck up on me. It was not something that I was fluid in prior to that, I had to kind of study that back in the early 90s, because it was, of the choices that I had presented to me in order to continue doing music after [working with Steve] Vai. The more melodic Ocean Machine side wasn't getting attention from any label. But the heavier side, that I just sort of haphazardly made demoes for, did."

"So, with the first Strapping record I was kind of trying it on for size and experimenting with those sorts of extremes. But with City, and I think that a lot of what you express there defines Strapping in general, that there's a sense of irony to it, where you are self-aware of what it is to the point of almost humor. It doesn't necessarily, it doesn't negate the quality of it necessarily, but it just makes it, I don’t know if insincere is the right word, but certainly detached."

"You see, Strapping Young Lad was meant to be a reflection of the things that I was afraid of. Because, as I mentioned earlier, I am highly neurotic and highly insecure about a lot of things. But also the only way I've felt I've been able to move, maybe because my emotional intelligence is so low, is to actualize these things and then observe them after the fact. So, you know, I think with Strapping there's an element of that detachment that serves it. But ultimately, was I ever that? I guess the answer is yes, absolutely, it's just that, I mean, I don't find any of it particularly easy, but I find most of it quite humorous."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Photo by Omer Cordell (Trailight)

Revocation recently announced the reissue and release of the band's debut album, Empire Of The Obscene.

The album will be released November 13th via Metal Blade Records and can be pre-ordered now at this location. "Summon The Spawn" is streaming below.

Founding member and frontman Dave Davidson on the re-release: "Back in 2008 we self released our debut record Empire Of The Obscene only pressing 1,000 copies at the time, now thanks to the good folks at Metal Blade and the demand of our fans it will be available worldwide! We are very excited to finally give this record a proper release and can't wait for everyone to hear the newly remixed and remastered tunes courtesy of Pete Rutcho. We're also including the elusive Summon The Spawn demo from 2006 as well as newly revamped cover art to make this release extra special."

"Summon The Spawn:

"Empire Of The Obscene":

 

 

On November 27th, the highly anticipated new Danzig album Skeletons, featuring cover versions of songs by: ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Elvis Presley and many more, will be released in digipak and vinyl formats (in four different colors) via AFM Records; pre-orders are currently being accepted at this location.

Skeletons tracklisting:

"Devil’s Angels" (Davie Allan & The Arrows cover)
"Satan" (Theme from Satan’s Sadists)
"Let Yourself Go" (Elvis Presley cover)
"N.I.B." (Black Sabbath cover)
"Lord Of The Thighs" (Aerosmith cover)
"Action Woman" (The Litter cover)
"Rough Boy" (ZZ Top cover)
"With A Girl Like You" (The Troggs cover)
"Find Somebody" (The Rascals cover)
"Crying In The Rain" (The Everly Brothers cover)

A labor of love that dates back to 1979, Danzig pulls back the curtain behind his influences on this new album. “These are my skeletons,” he affirms. “You may or may not know that I dig these songs. You could say that some of this music is the actual basis and skeleton of what I listened to growing up - ultimately informing the kind of music I like. It’s the foundation. If you took Elvis and Sabbath out of my life, I probably wouldn’t be the Glenn Danzig you know! I’m glad both sides are represented on this record.”

In live news, Danzig is currently in the midst of The Blackest Of The Black Tour, along with Superjoint, Veil Of Maya, Prong, and Witch Mountain; remaining dates are as listed:

October
12 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
14 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
16 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
17 - Worcester, MA - ‘Rock & Shock’ The Palladium
18 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
20 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
21 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theatre
23 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
24 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
25 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
27 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre
29 - San Jose, CA - City National Civic
31 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theatre

 

 

 

On October 10th, Children Of Bodom performed at the Loud Park festival in Tokyo, Japan. Fan -filmed video from their set can be viewed below. The setlist on the night was as follows:

"I Hurt" 
"Are You Dead Yet?" 
"Sixpounder"
"Morrigan" 
"Halo of Blood" 
"Hate Me!" 
"Lake Bodom"
"I Worship Chaos" 
"Angels Don't Kill" 
"Hate Crew Deathroll" 
"Downfall" 
"In Your Face"

"Volume", the video for the title track of the new album from the Welsh "ragga metal" act SKINDRED, can be seen below. The CD will be released on October 30 via Napalm Records. In the U.S., the deluxe edition of the album containing the "Rude Boys For Life" film as a bonus DVD will be made available as a Best Buy exclusive.

"Volume" was recorded at The Strongroom studio in East London and was produced by longtime collaborator James "Lerock" Loughrey, who has previously worked with WHITE ZOMBIE, DEPECHE MODE and MANIC STREET PREACHERS.

"Volume" track listing:

01. Under Attack02. Volume03. Hit The Ground04. Shut Ya Mouth05. I06. The Healing07. Sound The Siren08. Saying It Now09. II10. Straight Jacket11. III12. No Justice13. Stand Up14. Three Words

"Rude Boys For Life" looks at life on the road, its ups and downs, celebrations, festival appearances and headline shows, studio access and their Polish Woodstock headline show where the band played to over one million people.

Directed by SKINDRED's Dan Sturgess, "Rude Boys For Life" offers a revealing and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of rock music's best live bands. Taken from over 1000 hours of footage filmed by the band over its 17-year career, "Rude Boys For Life" chronicles the band's rise: through the making of all six studio albums, including the new album, "Volume", to exclusive, unseen, behind-the -scenes footage of five world tours; through the early days — touring the USA in a van, to the birth of the now infamous Newport Helicopter at Download festival 2011, culminating in their headline set to a million people at Polish Woodstock. It is a must for any SKINDRED fan, offering unparalleled access to the band's life on the road, with SKINDRED members talking candidly about the highlights, the pitfalls, and how they've maintained inter-band relationships over the course of their career.

SKINDRED has announced a full U.K. headline tour in November. After a sold-out arena run with STEEL PANTHER, a remarkable Camden Rocks performance, two sold-out Hit The Deck headline slots and a host of European festival shows (including Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany with FOO FIGHTERS and SLIPKNOT), SKINDRED will be hitting the road with CROSSFAITH, YASHIN and HED PE as support.

According to BBC News, Steve Mackay, the saxophonist who appeared on The Stooges' 1970 album Fun House, has died at the age of 66. He had been touring with the group since their reformation in 2003, but developed sepsis after undergoing surgery last month. Frontman Iggy Pop issued the following statement via Facebook:

"Steve was a classic '60s American guy, full of generosity and love for anyone he met. Every time he put his sax to his lips and honked, he lightened my road. He was a credit to his group and his generation. To know him was to love him."

Like the rest of the Stooges, Mackay hailed from Michigan, and grew up inspired by jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker and John Coltrane.

He met Iggy Pop at art school and, in his brief tenure with The Stooges, contributed memorable tenor saxophone parts to songs such as Fun House and 1970.

Mackay left the band near the end of 1970, but appeared with them in concert throughout the years and rejoined officially during their 2003 reunion.

He contributed to the comeback albums Ready to Die (2007) and The Weirdness (2013); and collaborated with acts including the Violent Femmes, Sonny Vincent Snakefinger and Commander Cody.

Mackay is the third member of the Stooges to die in the past decade, following guitarist Ron Asheton and drummer Scott Asheton.

Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL will release their new album, "Hellelujuah", on January 22 via eOne Music. The follow-up to 2013's "Resilience" was recorded with renowned producer Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL).

"We’re excited as hell to announce the release of our new record titled 'Hellelujah'," says the band. "This is the most metal record from DROWNING POOL to date. Be on the lookout for the new single. Can we get a Hellelujah? Amen!"

DROWNING POOL earlier in the year embarked on the second leg of its "Sinner Unlucky 13th Anniversary Tour", on which the band played its 2001 debut album, "Sinner", from start to finish.

The "Sinner" album arrived in June 2001 and featured the monster single "Bodies", plus follow-up rock radio hits "Sinner" and "Tear Away".

Original DROWNING POOL frontman Dave Williams, who sang on "Sinner", passed away from heart disease on the band's tour bus in August 2002, while the group was out promoting the record.

In January 2004, the band announced the addition of singer Jason "Gong" Jones. Their sophomore effort, "Desensitized", followed several months later. In 2006, Ryan McCombs assumed the vocal duties, and a year later they released "Full Circle", followed by a self-titled album in 2010. McCombs, the only singer to ever record more than one album with the group, departed the following year, and was replaced by SUICIDE HOOK vocalist Jasen Moreno, who made his official debut on "Resilience".

"The Metal Meltdown" recently conducted an interview with former QUEENSRŸCHE and current OPERATION: MINDCRIME singer Geoff Tate. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below.

Asked what he would like to be remembered for in a hundred years' time, Tate responded: "Well, I think that's one of the things that's really fantastic about music — is that what you do write lives on past your own life. And that's sort of a comforting feeling for me, to know that my thoughts, my dreams, my hopes, my fears, all the things that I've thought about and wrote about in my music will be there for future generations to ponder and wonder what the hell I'm talking about. [Laughs]"

OPERATION: MINDCRIME's debut album, "The Key", was released on September 18 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Perhaps one of Tate's most ambitious recordings to date, "The Key" examines what one might do if they discovered "the key" to changing the way we view the world, the way we look at time, the way we travel, and could essentially change the human condition... for better or for worse. Fresh from the creative mind of Geoff Tate, "The Key" features a dozen songs and marks part one of an epic musical trilogy that initiates that very question within a web of international politics, the world economy and social ethos. Joining Tate on "The Key" are a hard-hitting cast of familiar faces and new collaborators: bass players David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and John Moyer (DISTURBED, ADRENALINE MOB), drummers Simon Wright (AC/DC), Scott Mercado (CANDLEBOX) and Brian Tichy (BILLY IDOL, OZZY OSBOURNE), guitarists Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE) and Scott Moughton (Geoff Tate's solo band), keyboardist Randy Gane (MYTH) and vocalist Mark Daly (THE VOODOOS). Tate makes one point exceptionally clear — OPERATION: MINDCRIME isn't a band, it is a musical project of like-minded people uniting to achieve a common goal. While the songwriting rests predominantly on the shoulders of Tate, Gray and Gane, it's up to every contributor to add their influence and help color the landscape. The videos for the songs "Burn" and "Re-Inventing The Future" were produced and directed by Seattle filmmaker and documentarian Jamie Burton Chamberlin (of Black Dahlia Films), who previously worked with DUFF MACKAGAN'S LOADED on "The Taking" series.

Brazilian power metallers Hibria have posted a new live video of “Tightrope” from their Tokyo concert during their Japanese tour earlier this year that was in support of their fifth and latest self-titled full length release this past summer.

Hibria, formed in 1996 in Porto Alegre/Brazil, has been recognized worldwide, both by the media and the audience, after the release of the debut album Defying The Rules in 2004 and a highly successful journey began. With a lot of attention in their home country, the Brazilians were able to establish itself as superstars in Asia and especially in Japan, where each of their albums ended up in the Top 100 charts and where they are easily able to fill the largest venues at their live performances for over a decade. Meanwhile Hibria is a real international force and a hot contender when it comes to climb the global metal throne.

Hibria are currently touring North America in support of their fifth and upcoming self-titled full length. Tour dates can be seen on the poster below:

Hibria is:

Iuri Sanson (Vocals)
Abel Camargo (Guitars)
Renato Osorio (Guitars)
Benhur Lima (Bass)
Eduardo Baldo (Drums)

Relapse Records has announced that Incantation's 2000 full-length The Infernal Storm will be receiving the deluxe vinyl reissue treatment this November, Though first released at the turn of the century, The Infernal Storm has more than weathered the test of time and still stands as a punishing, top-tier extreme metal release today. Fifteen years since its release and since its first and only vinyl pressing, The Infernal Storm will now be repressed on Relapse 25th anniversary silver vinyl and black vinyl housed in deluxe gatefold packaging. The reissue will also include liner notes by the band's John McEntee, expanded artwork, and an album art poster.

The reissue is due out November 13 worldwide via Relapse. Preorders are available via Relapse Mailorder.

Incantation will also be playing two shows with death metal legends Autopsy this coming October and November, including an appearance at Housecore Horror Fest alongside Relapse artists Zombi, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, and Cripple Bastards:

October
23 – Chicago, IL – Reggies

November
15 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater (Housecore Horror Festival)

The reissue of Incantation's The Infernal Storm is a part of Relapse's ongoing 25th anniversary reissue series, which is featuring numerous classic and long-out-of-print releases, many of which are being repressed on vinyl for the first time in a decade or more.

The Infernal Storm reissue trailer:

Dødheimsgard's early iconic albums are set for release on Peaceville Records, commencing with the 1995 debut, Kronet Til Konge on December 11, on 2CD and vinyl. Monumental Possession and a specially expanded version of the Satanic Art EP will follow in 2016.

Marking 20 years since its original release, Dødheimsgard's classic and highly-regarded debut is presented as a special 2-disc package, including a bonus CD in the form of an extremely rare rehearsal session recorded in 1994 on the run up to the album studio session, with raw renditions of tracks from the trio of Vicotnik, Aldrahn and Darkthrone's Fenriz on bass. The included booklet features unseen photographs, and liner notes from all 3 members, sharing their memories of the band's formation and early history.

To fans of black metal, Dødheimsgard need no introduction, being as they are one of the great purveyors of the Norwegian Black Metal creative evolution. The band was formed in 1994 by Aldrahn (Thorns, The Deathtrip) and Vicotnik (Ved Buens Ende). The early incarnation was that of a raw and at times melodic black metal band. Over time they became known as one of the premier avantgarde black metal acts, as recently cemented on the band's mighty fifth album, A Umbra Omega released earlier this year.

Kronet Til Konge tracklisting:

“A Slakte Gud”
“En Krig A Seire” 
“Jesu Blod” 
“Midnattskogens Sorte Kjerne” 
“Kuldeblest Over Evig Isode” 
“Kronet Til Konge” 
“Mournful Yet And Forever” 
“Nar Vi Har Dolket Guds Hjerte”
“Starcave, Depths And Chained” 
“When Heavens End” 
“Outro”

CD2 – 1994 Rehearsal:
“Nar Vi Har Dolket Guds Hjerte” 
“On Swords” 
“Jesu Blod” 
“Kuldeblest Over Evig Isode” 
“Kronet Til Konge” 
“Midnattskogens Sorte Kjerne” 
“Starcave, Depths And Chained” 
“Mournful, Yet And Forever” 
“A Slakte Gud”

Vinyl tracklisting:

Side A 
“Intro” 
“A Slakte Gud” 
“En Krig A Seire” 
“Jesu Blod” 
“Midnattskogens Sorte Kjerne” 
“Kuldeblest Over Evig Isode” 

Side B 
“Kronet Til Konge” 
“Mournful Yet And Forever” 
“Nar Vi Har Dolket Guds Hjerte” 
“Starcave, Depths And Chained” 
“When Heavens End” 
“Outro”

Preorders are available at this location.

Norway progressive metal band Pagan’s Mind has released a new live video “Hallo Spaceboy”, taken from their upcoming live DVD/CD Full Circle – Live At Center Stage.

Guitar player Jørn Viggo Lofstad says about the song: 

"Often when you hear a song you like, you start imagining how it would come out if your own band covers it. That's exactly what happened when we watched a DVD close to ten years ago, and experienced David Bowie perform ‘Hallo Spaceboy’. It was an inspiring moment and the ideas started flowing, and we eventually released our own version on our CD God's Equation in 2007. We later got word from Bowie himself, through his publisher, saying that this was the best cover he had heard of ‘Hallo Spaceboy’. Here it is in all its glory, a moment we are proud of, from our upcoming Blu-ray, DVD and LP Full Circle - Live At Center Stage."

The live DVD/CD will be released on October 16 as a 2CD/DVD digipak version, Blu-ray/2CD version, 2LP Gatefold version and download through Steamhammer /SPV.

Tracklisting:

2CD/DVD
“Approaching”
“Through Osiris’ Eyes”
“Entrance Stargate”
“…Of Epic Questions”
“Dimensions Of Fire”
“Dreamscape Lucidity”
“The Seven Sacred Promises”
“Back To The Magic Of Childhood I: Conception”
“Back To The Magic Of Childhood II: Exploring Life”
“In Brilliant White Light”
“Aegean Shores”
“The Prophecy Of Pleiades”
“New World Order”
“Intermission”
“Enigmatic Mission”
“Live Your Life Like A Dream”
“Hallo Spaceboy”
“Full Circle”
“Walk Away In Silence”
“Eyes Of Fire”
“God’s Equation”
“United Alliance”

Trailer:

Lineup:

Nils K. Rue – vocals
Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars
Ronny Tegner – guitars
Steinar Krokmo – bass
Stian Kristoffersen - drums

DEEP PURPLE is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording its follow-up to 2013's "Now What?!" album for a 2016 release.

"We've been working on the material, several writing sessions, and we have one more session before we actually start recording," DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse told the "GuitCast" podcast. And the recording is gonna be about the middle of January; [we'll] start with the tracks."

Morse also confirmed that DEEP PURPLE's next album will once again be helmed by Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, PETER GABRIEL, ALICE COOPER, KANSAS), who produced "Now What?!".

"We've kept in touch with Bob," DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover previously told Ultimate Classic Rock. "Bob has actually become a very good friend. He really enjoyed making the record with us, so it's a no-brainer really that we're going to do it again."

Glover also described the actual writing process, telling Ultimate Classic Rock: "We jam and jam and jam, and if we find something that we like to play or that works well or inspires us, then we'll try to knock it into some kind of arrangement. Then, once we've got that, Ian [Gillan, vocals] and I will figure out what the song's really all about, and write the lyrics and all of that stuff."

You can listen to Morse's entire interview with the "GuitCast" podcast at www.guitcast.com.

"Now What?!" sold 4,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 115 on The Billboard 200 chart. The album was released in North America in April 2013 via earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group.

"I know, it's not really surprising. Everyone knows what an amazing enrichment Oliver 'the Hitman' Hartmann has been for Avantasia since the beginning. In fact, he is not only a super cool, funny and great character, but also a friend and for sure one of the most complete musicians you could possibly meet. He's an amazing singer, perfect pitch, and a guitar player with a magic tone who's capable of doing anything you can imagine, and many things you even can not imagine. I am so happy to have Olli on board. Sometimes, when there is so much talent in one's inner circle, we tend to take it for granted and forget how blessed we should be. Sascha Paeth and Oliver Hartmann are the best "guitar twins" that could happen to Avantasia. Different in style they compliment each other to become an amazing unity.
Just like Sascha, Olli will appear on the forthcoming album and also do the full tour. I feel blessed!
-Tobi"

During the promotional tour for his new solo album Higher Truth, which was released September 18th via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell sat down for an in-depth interview and acoustic performance in the SiriusXM Studios for an Artist Confidential and performed his new hit song "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart".

Produced by Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Neil Young), Higher Truth showcases Cornell's constant evolution as a master songwriter, lyricist and musical craftsman - telling human stories, which transcend musical genres.  Inspired by the stark arrangements of musicians like Nick Drake, Daniel Johnston and White Album-era Beatles, Cornell creates a musical universe unlike anything he has done before.

Tracklisting:
 
“Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart”
“Dead Wishes”
“Worried Moon”
“Before We Disappear”
“Through The Window”
“Josephine”
“Murderer Of Blue Skies”
“Higher Truth”
“Let Your Eyes Wander”
“Only These Words”
“Circling”
“Our Time In The Universe”
 
Bonus Tracks
“Bend In The Road”
“Wrong Side”
“Misery Chain”
“Our Time In The Universe” (Remix)

Cornell kicked off the Higher Truth acoustic tour on September 18th in San Diego, CA, crossing North America before winding down on November 4th in Phoenix, AZ at the Orpheum Theatre, stopping at famed venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Massey Hall in Toronto and more. A list of remaining dates can be found below.

October
14 - Strathmore Music Theatre - N. Bethesda, MD
15 - Merriam Theatre - Philadelphia, PA
17 - Kirby Center For The Performing Arts - Wilkes Barre, PA
18 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY
21 - Shubert Theater - Boston, MA
23 - Grand Opera House - Wilmington, DE
24 - Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center - York, PA
26 - Atlanta Symphony Hall - Atlanta, GA
27 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
29 - The Knight Concert Hall - Miami, FL
30 - The Mahaffey Theater - St Petersburg, FL

November
1 - The Majestic Theatre - Dallas, TX
2 - Austin City Limits Live At The Moody Theater - Austin, TX
4 - Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, AZ

Cornell will tour Australia and New Zealand in November/December 2015 in an unplugged, up close and personal setting.

Tour dates:

November
20 - Isaac Theatre - Christchurch, New Zealand
23 - Michael Fowler Centre - Wellington, New Zealand
26 - ASB Theatre - Auckland, New Zealand
30 - QPAC Concert Hall - Brisbane, Australia

December
4 - Palais Theatre - Melbourne, Australia
7 - Festival Theatre - Adelaide, Australia
8 - Perth Concert Hall - Perth, Australia
11 - Opera House - Sydney, Australia
12 - Opera House - Sydney, Australia

 

 

Transatlantic progression metal conglomerate Zierler, featuring members of Beyond Twilight, Fates Warning, Scar Symmetry, and Circus Maximus, have released a lyric video for the song “No Chorus”, the first single off the band’s long awaited debut album, ESC, out October 16th via Vanity Music Group. 

“”No Chorus” is about breaking norms and conventions.  Whether it’s approaching music, song structures, life, culture or solving problems in new innovative ways. Articulating a point of view in relation to a particular situation in ways we had never thought of before. Most of all, it’s about encouraging people to foster the ability to look at things differently from the way we typically look at them,” explains mastermind/keyboardist Finn Zierler the inspiration behind the song.  

”The track itself is written without a chorus. The line, "I'm so sick of verse, bridge and chorus" expresses the sentiment at the core of it all. Writing a song without a chorus and making it work as a song is hard.  Writing a song without a chorus and making it work so that the listener doesn’t notice is really hard! “No Chorus” seemed like a fitting title as the line, 'this song has no chorus' actually takes on the role of the chorus although the song lacks a traditional chorus. Music nerds won’t be disappointed.”

His first new album in a decade, ESC is Finn Zierler’s most mature as well as his most daring musical work to date.  Drawing from a wide array of influences that bring to mind everything from the unabashed pomp of classic Queen and the madness of Devin Townsend, to the virtuosity of Dream Theater and the eclectic stylings of Hollywood wizard Danny Elfman, Zierler masterfully walk the fine line between genius and insanity, combining a powerful, multi-layered progressive metal foundation with an often dark, majestic orchestral feel. The result is an intricate musical tour-de-force that took the better part of two years to complete.Joining Finn on ESC are Swedish guitarist Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry, Kaipa) - the first to come aboard - and Norwegian bassist/vocalist Truls Haugen (Insense, Circus Maximus) on the Scandinavian side. Finn also reached out across the pond to a pair of Texas standouts, drum veteran Bobby Jarzombek, whose stellar resume includes the likes of Fates Warning, Halford, Riot, and Spastic Ink and vocal powerhouse Kelly Sundown Carpenter, who sang on Beyond Twilight's 2005 album, Section X, and was last seen with Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G's band, Firewind, as well as Darkology.

The album's stellar mix comes courtesy of another Beyond Twilight alum and long-time friend, noted studio whiz Jacob Hansen, best known for his  affiliation with Danish superstars Volbeat as well as his work with Amaranthe and Destruction amongst others.  Last but not least, acclaimed London-based graphic artist Rob Sindermann has been tapped to create the stunning visuals for the ESC  album packaging which includes an elaborate 28-page deluxe booklet.

ESC tracklisting:
 
“A New Beginning”
“Aggrezzor”
“Darkness Delight”
“Dark To The Bone”
“Evil Spirit”
“Married To The Cause”
“No Chorus”
“Rainheart”
“You Can't Fix Me No More”
“Water”
“Whispers”

 

 

 

 

 

Marking almost 25 years to the day since the now-legendary show, and to be released on November 27, this new 25th anniversary edition of Mayhem's Live In Leipzig will come on 2CD and vinyl formats by Peaceville Records, including liner notes and recollections from band members Hellhammer and Necrobutcher, among others from the scene, as well as some rare pictures and letters surrounding the event. 

The CD edition notably contains a bonus disc featuring the official release of the band's performance in Zeitz, Germany as part of the same tour in November 1990. Also features the original iconic cover artwork from the album's first pressing in 1993. The first vinyl pressing will be limited to 1000 copies on coloured vinyl.

This is one of very few releases to feature this line-up - vocalist Dead committed suicide the year after the show, and guitarist Euronymous was killed in 1993.

CD tracklisting:

“Deathcrush”
“Necrolust”
“Funeral Fog”
“The Freezing Moon”
“Carnage”
“Buried By Time And Dust”
“Chainsaw Gutsfuck”
“Pure Fucking Armageddon”

CD2
“Deathcrush”
“Necrolust”
“Funeral Fog”
“The Freezing Moon”
“Carnage”
“Buried By Time And Dust”
“Chainsaw Gutsfuck”
“Pagan Fears”

Vinyl tracklisting:

Side 1
“Deathcrush”
“Necrolust”
“Funeral Fog”
“The Freezing Moon”
“Carnage”

Side 2
“Buried By Time And Dust”
“Pagan Fears”
“Chainsaw Gutsfuck”
“Pure Fucking Armageddon”

Live In Leipzig is available for preorder at  this location.

Polish industrial groovers Thy Disease have started the recordings to the successor of Costumes Of Technocracy, released in February 2014 via Mystic Production.

The band holed up at Creative Music Studio in Krakow, Poland to record tracks for their seventh album. The new release will contain ten songs with additional bonus tracks.

Tomas Zalewski, responsible for the last three albums, will mix and master the record and the album is expected for release in spring 2016.

Thy Disease begins a tour on October 16 across Europe going through such countries as Slovakia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and Poland.

Global Technocratic Europe Tour 2015:

October
16 – Trnava, Slovakia – City Klub
17 – Bjelovar, Croatia – Klub Bjelovar
18 – Tuzla, Bosnia – Caffe Galerij Bunt
19 – Banja Luka, Bosnia – Klub Kulture Bunker
20 – Zagreb, Croatia – Kest
21 – Pula, Croatia – Club Uljanik
22 – Split, Croatia – Kocka Klub
23 – Mostar, Bosnia – Duradzik
25 – Podgorica, Montenegro – Montenegro Caffe Pub
26 – Nis, Serbia – Black Stage Caffe Club
27 – Subotica, Serbia – Clash Club
28 – Szeged, Hungary – Live Club
29 – Arad, Romania – Flex
30 – Bratislava, Slovakia – U Ocka
31 – Banska Bystrica, Slovakia – Tartaros

November
13 – Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia – Kolotocovo Pub
14 – Popad, Slovakia – Rock Fabric
20 – Kosice, Slovakia – Collosseum Club
21 – Zilina, Slovakia – Oldies Pub
27 – Przemysl, Poland – Fort XXII
28 – Krosno, Poland – Iron

December
4 – Stalowa Wola, Poland – Labirynt
5 – Sandomierz, Poland – Lapidarium
11 – Debrecen, Hungary – Kaptar Music Club
12 – Cluj Napoca, Romania, La Tevi Pub
13 – Targu Murez, Serbia – Jazz & Bluse
16 – Bacau, Romania – The-Stage
18 – Kiszyniev, Moldova – Albion Club

US rockers Britny Fox have returned from a long hiatus fully charged and ready to rock! The band is currently writing for a new album, and are currently touring the US. Check out fan-filmed video footage of the band performing “Girlschool” at Vamp’d from Las Vegas, NV on October 8.

 

Tour dates:

November

7 - Farm Rock - Atlanta, GA
13 - Blackthorn 51 - Elmhurst, NY
14 - Theatre Of The Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA

In late 2014, Billy Childs reunited with former 2007 manager/tour manager, Wayne “Doobie” Dubay. Childs and Doobie then reunited with vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tommy Paris and original drummer Johnny Dee (now with Doro). Due to commitments original lead guitarist Michael Kelly Smith has been replaced by Chris Sanders.

“How can I tell you how great it is to be back with these guys, and working on a new album? It is fantastic,” explains Billy Childs, bassist. “Johnny and I basically grew up in this business together and the tightness we have had over the years as a rhythm section is still there. Tommy Paris hasn't lost a step, lyrically or vocally. Chris is a breath of fresh air for the band, and adds elements that were never there before, but very much in line with us as we prepare to bite down even harder this time around. Doobie is the guy that pulled us all together and said 'Get your heads out of your asses and make another Bite Down Hard.' He's pretty big, so best just to agree with him! For other reasons as well though, we all agreed it was time.”

The band is currently in studio writing and recording a follow up to the Bite Down Hard album. This musical jewel is a definite game changer on the classic Britny Fox sound that originally exploded in 1988. Bite Down Hard is a much harder rock tone featuring Zakk Wylde and Rikki Rocket. Rikki performs a percussion solo with Johnny Dee on the "Midnight Moses" track and Zakk plays the lead guitar outro on "Six Guns Loaded".

"It's awesome playing with Billy and Johnny again - Chris fits right in perfectly with us freaks,” exclaims Tommy Paris. “The new songs are ass kicking, fun, heavy rock! It's a great time hanging out with Doobie, writing new tunes and putting a new show together! Can't wait to get back out on stage!"