Axl Rose says that he is willing to continue with AC/DC after he has completed playing the European and U.S. shows with the legendary Australian rock band.

The GUNS N' ROSES frontman was recruited for twelve European dates and ten North American concerts after AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was forced off tour by hearing loss.

AC/DC will kick off its European tour in Lisbon on May 7, with the North American shows likely taking place later this year, after Rose completes his summer tour with the reunited lineup of GUNS N' ROSES.

During an interview with BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt, Rose stated about his plans with AC/DC after the European shows (hear audio below): "There's makeup dates in the States, and if I don't get throw out before then, I'm looking forward to doing [them].

"I think after that, it's about what they wanna do. I'm in if they want me in, and we'll sort it out, but right now that's getting ahead of ourselves with everything else that's on the table."

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young told NME in a separate interview that the band "had to act" immediately after learning that Johnson wouldn't be able to finish the tour. "It was a crisis that came then," he said. "We were in Miami at the time, when all of this came up, and unfortunately, when you're in that situation, you've got to make decisions pretty quick, because there are a lot of people waiting. We were supposed to actually play in Atlanta, so you're kind of going, 'What do we do now?' Because of the nature of Brian's deafness, we knew that there was no easy fix. So you've got to then say, 'What do we do here?' The options were very limited, and you think, if we just stop with all of this machinery, it's going to be a hell of a lot of legal entanglement."

Asked if they ever considered pulling the shows, AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams said: "We wanted to finish what we'd started."

Added Angus: "And that was our main goal, especially Cliff and myself, being there the longest. We wanted to complete what we had started. And I mean, you can't call a tour 'Rock Or Bust' and then go bust!"

Angus also talked about a possible AC/DC future with Brian Johnson. He said: "[Brian] has to be very careful of what hearing he's got left. This is what he told us. He was gutted about not finishing [the tour], because he says he would have loved to have gotten through. It was his call, what he wanted. He made that decision himself. He didn't want to be deaf. And I perfectly understand that; when you stop doing this, you want to walk away with all your pieces! I don't even want to leave without my fingernail!"

For the Libson show, Rose will likely still be confined to a throne after snapping his metatarsal bone while singing during GUNS N' ROSES' Troubadour reunion show on April 1. It is the same custom throne Dave Grohl used last year for FOO FIGHTERS concerts after breaking a leg.

Asked how his recovery is going, Axl told BBC 6 Music: "I think we're about halfway there. I feel good. I've only started walking on a little bit on it the last few days, and now I'm starting to put weight on the front. It's inconvenient, but it's also helped me focus on the singing in another way. Other people are, like, 'How do you do that sitting down?' And I'm, like, 'It's a lot easier than standing up.' But I feel like an idiot; I do. I mean, I've done GUNS shows and I feel like a moron sitting there. But I have to ignore that and just get into the songs and do my best on the songs."

Rose met with AC/DC twice in March, in Miami and Atlanta, about doing the shows. Singers from AC/DC tribute acts were also auditioned, and at one point there was talk of having other vocalists alternate with Rose.

Despite a large negative reaction from fans to the collaboration, England's Metal Hammer magazine has listed several reasons why Rose fronting AC/DC is a "brilliant idea," saying, "Anybody who's watched GUNS N' ROSES' version of 'Whole Lotta Rosie' on YouTube must grudgingly admit that he riotously delivers the punch and snarl of the original. There is no debate that Axl has the style and the range to handle the band's current set list."

The magazine added that the eccentric GUNS frontman is "possessed of high intelligence and his own keen survival instinct. No way will Axl blow this."

Photo by Roger Sargent

Former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider says that he would have considered fronting AC/DC if he had been asked to step in for Brian Johnson on the Australian band's upcoming tour.

AC/DC postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American tour after doctors gave Johnson the diagnosis. The band has since announced that it will use GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist" when it resumes its tour this weekend, with Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

In a brand new interview with MetalTalk.net, Dirkschneider confirmed that he had not been approached by AC/DC to fill in for Johnson on the upcoming shows, but added: "To be honest, I really was thinking about this. If they really called me [and asked me], it can maybe happen that I'd say, 'Yes, I'll do this.'"

Dirkschneider, whose band U.D.O. supported GUNS N' ROSES on some U.S. shows in 1988, also seemed to predict trouble when the Axl Rose-fronted version of AC/DC hits the road starting on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.

"I was on tour a long time in America with GUNS N' ROSES," he said with a smile. "We will see what's coming up. [Laughs]"

Johnson was forced to stop touring for now or risk going deaf, with AC/DC immediately beginning a search for a vocalist to complete the European shows and the rescheduled North American dates later in the year.

As previously reported, approximately 7,000 AC/DC fans who bought tickets to see the band on May 16 in Werchter, Belgium have asked for refunds, although those tickets have apparently since been resold.

A spokesperson for AC/DC told TeamRock that the band was not obligated to offer refunds, explaining, "The band made a decision to offer this. As they care about their fans and wanted to do right by them, they instructed local promoters to offer refunds."

AC/DC has taken to social media to address the circumstances surrounding singer Brian Johnson's exit from the band.

Bassist Cliff Williams and guitarist Angus Young, along with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose, who is filling in for Brian, filmed a one-minute video explaining why Johnson had decided to step down as AC/DC's lead singer.

"You get a lot of rumors out there; a lot of people think Brian was fired. [But] that's not the case," Angus said.

"It was mainly his hearing. He already had a very bad ear, and the good ear that he had left was dropping rapidly. I mean, it was an ongoing [issue]… all the way pretty much through the tour from the beginning."

Cliff elaborated: "He had an instance where there was a marked drop in that one good ear and it came back, but not completely. The doc told him this can happen again and it may not come back. So, you know, you kind of… What do you do with that?"

Angus added that the decision to have Brian replaced for the upcoming tour "was out of our hands," insisting that "it was [Brian's] call what he felt" the best way to proceed was.

"We wouldn't win in a lot of situations because if we just stopped, there would have been a lot of people unhappy."

Rose will make his debut with AC/DC on a 12-show European leg starting on Saturday, May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.

"It's a horrible thing [what happened to Brian]," said Axl. "And you hope that he gets better.

"I'm not dancing around about this, because it's not like, okay, somebody said they're gonna go do something else. It's because of an unfortunate circumstance. And that's something I'm very aware of."

In a separate video, Axl spoke about the challenge of replacing Brian for the upcoming shows.

"'Back In Black' is the highest-selling rock album of all time, so it's, like, you'd be measured a lot singing. And there's nothing I can… I can't take anything away from Brian's singing. It is what it is. It's, like, he's one of the rock singers.

"And how many albums have they got? I have a couple. It's, like, I have a couple [laughs], and they have a stack."

Rose admitted that he didn't know if he could do the shows or not. He explained: "For one, it was scheduling. Two, it's, like, just how they do things; I didn't know. Would it work? Would we get along? That kind of thing. And also just the material itself. I hadn't fully listened to certain things. I think in a car or whatever, you can sing part of 'Back In Black', but I never tried to sing the songs fully. I'd sing a little bit of 'Shoot To Thrill', but you always knew it was a really tough song to sing. And I never tried to do it professionally or learn the thing. So, yeah, it's a challenge, and I wanna do right by the band and the fans."

Axl also talked about what it has been like rehearsing with AC/DC for the past few weeks.

"There's no audience in their rehearsals and they're a freight train," he said. "I mean, they rehearse and the first day or [rehearsals], it's, like, 'See you at the end,' and the song starts, and then it's a freight train.

"The rehearsals… it's been really, really cool. It's like now I know the benefits of rehearsals for the first time in my life. [Laughs]"

As previously reported, approximately 7,000 AC/DC fans who bought tickets to see the band on May 16 in Werchter, Belgium have asked for refunds, although those tickets have apparently since been resold.

A spokesperson for AC/DC told TeamRock that the band was not obligated to offer refunds, explaining: "The band made a decision to offer this. As they care about their fans and wanted to do right by them, they instructed local promoters to offer refunds."

Johnson was forced to stop touring for now or risk going deaf, with AC/DC immediately beginning a search for a vocalist to complete the European shows and the rescheduled North American dates later in the year.

GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose says it was his idea to approach AC/DC about helping them complete the last twelve dates of their world tour after Brian Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss".

"I called the day I read about it in the news, that there was a situation going on with Brian's hearing," Axl told BBC News.

"I called a guy who's their production manager right now... because I knew there was going to be a problem with having dates on sale and dates sold and stuff like that. So if I could help, and if I was able to do it, and they were interested, I'd love to help. And that's how it started.

"I wasn't looking at it like, 'I'm singing for AC/DC.' I was looking at it like, 'Y'know, if I can, and if they think I'm able to do it."

Rose also said he didn't know whether he would be able to sing some of the songs that AC/DC has been playing in its set during the "Rock Or Bust" world tour.

"A lot of the 'Back In Black' stuff is really challenging. I'm not here in any way out of any disrespect to Brian. I can't take anything away from his singing at all," he said.

"He's a great singer and it's really challenging to sing it. I'm just trying to do it justice for the fans."

Axl will make his debut with AC/DC this Saturday, May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.

"I'm happy and excited in one sense, but I think it would be inappropriate to be celebrating, in a certain way, at someone else's expense," he said.

"That's not what I'm here to do. It's an unfortunate situation."

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young told BBC News that he had extensive talks with Johnson before the singer decided to step down from the group.

"In his heart he wanted to finish [the tour], but because of that hearing factor he had to make the decision," Angus said.

"It's a hard thing to do, and he'd had the problem since we kicked off touring. It was his call. It was a shock to us too.

"The last thing you want to do is walk away from something, but you don't want someone in a tragic situation; being deaf, or any other affliction."

You can hear Matt Everitt's full interview with AC/DC and Axl Rose on the BBC 6 Music "Breakfast" show from 7:00 BST on Friday, May 6.

Stephen Ambrose, an expert in the field of audio and the founder of Asius Technologies, says that he can help Brian Johnson return to the stage after the AC/DC frontman was forced to stop touring because doctors said he risked total hearing loss.

The legendary Australian rock band postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American tour after doctors gave Johnson the diagnosis. AC/DC has since announced that it will use GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist" when it resumes its tour this weekend, with Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

Ambrose, who invented in-ear monitors, an advanced earbud used by professional musicians on stages around the world, says that he now realizes that his original invention "can cause permanent hearing loss — even when used at what may be considered to be reasonable listening levels." He says he stopped manufacturing the devices in the '90s so that he "could make [his] invention safer."

He has since partnered with the National Health Foundation and 64 Audio to create a device that is said to be the first and only patented in-ear technology that safely delivers a louder, more spacious and richer sound while minimizing the risk of hearing damage.

While Ambrose admits to being "a big fan of Axl Rose's voice," having introduced GUNS N' ROSES to in-ear monitors in 1990, he says he agrees with THE WHO frontman Roger Daltrey in that he "really can't imagine anyone but [Johnson] singing 'Back In Black' — or any other part of the [AC/DC] show, for that matter."

Ambrose created the ADEL (Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens) technology to solve the 77% increase in hearing loss recently attributed to all personal listening devices. By utilizing a revolutionary second ear drum to take the pounding, ADEL technology absorbs the harmful pneumatic sound pressures caused by all personal listening devices and provides a much safer and higher fidelity listening experience for everyone. Formal studies conducted at Vanderbilt Medical Center confirmed that personal listening devices modified with ADEL technology sound louder at lower volumes than anything else on the market. ADEL delivers sound the way it was always meant to be heard — bass sounds deeper, midrange is clearer and highs sound richer than ever.

Ambrose says he hopes Johnson will consider utilizing this new technology to help him "return to the stage, and that, frankly, is something everyone really wants."

Johnson issued a statement on April 19 in which he detailed the hearing problems that forced him to stop touring. While he promised to continue recording, he couldn't say whether he would ever perform onstage with AC/DC again.

Johnson said his hearing problems were interfering with his ability to perform and he added that he has continued to consult with doctors, and was told that he could not "perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness."

Looking forward, he said, "My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."

Johnson has been AC/DC's singer since 1980, when he replaced the late Bon Scott. He made his recording debut with the group on the classic "Back In Black".

AC/DC has been on the road since last year in support of its 16th studio album, "Rock Or Bust".

For years it's been rumored that singer Serj Tankian has been the sole holdout when it came to plans for SYSTEM OF A DOWN to make a new album. Although he's toured sporadically with the band since it ended its four-year hiatus in 2010, there have been no signs of the quartet getting back into the studio for the first time in over a decade.

But speaking with Rolling Stone, Tankian was asked about the status of SYSTEM and replied: "We're communicating and trying to see if we can bring our material together. There's definitely a lot of communication going on, a lot of back and forth. I can't make a statement in terms of whether we're going to have a record or not, because we haven't gone into the studio and done it. But there's definitely communication going on, songs being played to each other and all that stuff, so it's good. We'll see what happens."

Tankian added: "I think it would be great to create something brand new in a new direction. It would be very exciting, but everyone's got to be on board, on the same page, and it's got to be done in a way so that everyone is happy. If we can do that, we'll do it."

The singer also hinted that he had recently written several new rock songs, but wasn't sure where they would end up. He told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he has always preferred to work on new music alone. "Even with SYSTEM, I always wrote the songs by myself in my own studio," he said. "I would write the songs, and have the vocals, have the whole arrangement done, then I'd take it to the band. But I'd still work the song from its inception to full form by myself. This is something I'd been doing for a very long time."Tankian has released a number of solo projects in the past nine years, including four albums on his own, one with the jazz ensemble "Jazz-Iz-Christ" and three soundtracks.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's last studio album, "Hypnotize", came out in November 2005. The group last toured in early 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Tankian has just posted a new song online called "Artsakh", which he wrote in support of Armenian freedom fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan near Armenia.

Blues Pills have revealed the cover artwork for their second album, Lady In Gold, to be released on August 5th. The album will contain 10 brand new tracks (see full tracklisting below).

Bassist, founding member and main songwriter Zach Anderson comments: "The design comes from the dutch artist Marijke Koger-Dunham who already worked with us for the first album cover. We are super proud to have the opportunity to work with such a legendary artist who has even worked with The Beatles, Cream and many more. The original design was made by her 50 years ago. We worked together to adapt the colors to fit the mood of the album. Hopefully our fans will like it as much as we do."

Commented singer Elin Larsson on the choice of the album's title: "Lady Gold is a character who symbolizes death. We wanted a twist on the typical stereotype of death being the grim reaper. So instead we made her a lady in gold."

Tracklisting:

“Lady In Gold”
“Little Boy Preacher”
“Burned Out”
“I Felt A Change”
“Gone So Long”
“Bad Talkers”
“You Gotta Try”
“Won’t Go Back”
“Rejection”
“Elements And Things”

Just as its successful predecessor Lady In Gold was once again produced by Don Alsterberg (Graveyard, Division Of Laura Lee, José González, Jerry Williams). More info to be revealed soon.

(Photo by: John McMurtie)

Following the release last year of a deluxe box set containing three CDs of incredible live performances from 1979, Purple Pyramid Records is proud to announce another superb concert release by guitar god Ritchie Blackmore and RAINBOW. Taking its name from the city and year in which it was recorded, "Boston 1981" features crystal clear audio that captures the vibrant energy and emotion pouring through the band as they offer up scorching versions of "Man On The Silver Mountain", "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" and even the epic "Smoke On The Water", a nod to Blackmore's tenure with DEEP PURPLE. Packaged in a mini-LP wallet for the CD and a gorgeous gatefold double LP set featuring a stitched-in 20-page booklet and threedifferent colored vinyl options (red, blue, and green), this exciting release will be available everywhere starting May 13.

"Boston 1981" track listing:

01. Spotlight Kid02. Love's No Friend03. I Surrender04. Man On The Silver Mountain05. Catch The Rainbow06. Can't Happen Here07. Lost In Hollywood08. Difficult To Cure09. Long Live Rock N' Roll10. Smoke On The Water

Blackmore last year enlisted a new group of musicians to help him perform RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE classics at three European shows this summer. Blackmore will be joined at the gigs by LORDS OF BLACK singer Ronnie Romero, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT).

The U.K. RAINBOW concert will take place on Saturday, June 25 at the Genting Arena in Birmingham. The performance will be Blackmore's first U.K. rock show in over 20 years. The two concerts in Germany will take place at the Monsters Of Rock festival on Friday, June 17 at Freilichtbühne in Loreley and on Saturday, June 18 at Festplatz am Viadukt in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

Metal Church recently hit the US charts with their Mike Howe reunion album XI. The bonus track “The Coward”, from the Deluxe International edition of the album can be heard below:

Check out BraveWords glowing review of XI at this location. A BraveWords review and gallery of their recent New York City appearance can be found here.

“No Tomorrow” video:

Starting this June, Armored Saint will head back out on the road, playing to fans across the world this summer. The first run of dates kicks off in the US, with the band joining Metal Church for a special west coast trek.

Armored Saint's Joey Vera (bass) comments: "We're super excited to go back out for some select dates this summer. The June dates with Metal Church are a fan-made match that is sure to be an amazing time!"

Armored Saint/Metal Church dates:

June
3 - Corona, CA - M15
4 - Hollywood, CA - Whisky-A-Go-Go
5 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick
6 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
8 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
10 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
11 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater

 

 

 

Epica vocalist Simone Simons has checked in with the following update:

"The new Epica album is coming closer. Today we discussed the final details of the artwork. I can tell you that it will be amazing! Yesterday the final sessions for the backing vocals were wrapped. The mixing and mastering will slowly begin. So exciting!

Who would have thought 14 years ago, that I would still be singing on stages all over the world?! Still in high school, nervous and shy to stand in front of a crowd, I can still remember the small list of gigs that we had on our first website, the forum where we communicated with our fans. In between my lessons, I would go online in the computer room to refresh the forum site. Now we are all connected via the phones that are glued to our hands, or stuck in our pants (or in a toilet).

So much has happened since then. Uncountable things to be grateful for. 

Today, I had to go through all the shows of 2013 and 2014 for book keeping and I tried to remember all the shows. Boy, we have toured like crazy since the beginning! I feel very 'rich' when I think about all the great memories that I have created, the lessons that I have learned, the faces that I have seen singing Epica songs.

On to many more years filled with the good, the bad, and the Epic."

Epica recently issued the following announcement:

"On October 1st we will kick off our new album cycle at Epic Metal Fest at the 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands. We will perform with a number of our good friends in Katatonia, Textures, MaYaN and Myrath. Tickets and tickets and new album bundles are available at this location."

Epica recently updated their 2016 tour schedule. It is currently as follows:

June
4 - Re:Public - Minsk, Belarus
5 - MetalFest Open Air - Plzen, Czech Republic
7 - Majestic Music Club - Bratislava, Slovakia  
8 - Postepay Rock - Rome, Italy
10 - Sweden Rock Festival - Norje, Sweden
23 - Refshaleøen - Copenhagen, Denmark

July
23 - Corona Hell & Heaven Metal Fest - Iztacalco, Mexico

October
1 - Epic Metal  Fest - Tilburg, Netherlands

February
4 - Le Zénith - Paris, France

Carcer City are a progressive metalcore band from Liverpool, England. They have created their own brand of 21st century metal that falls somewhere between Linkin Park, Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, Killswitch Engage, and The Amity Affliction.

Their new album Infinite/Unknown is out this September via Stay Sick Recordings and is the band's first global release. The exact release date, tracklisting, cover art, and more will be revealed shortly.

While the band has been building a formidable reputation for itself, thriving and blossoming in the underground of its home country with the self-released The Life We Have Chosen and The Road Journals, Carcer City are just getting their US legs under them.

Check out the song and video for "Infinite/Unknown”, below:

Toronto based heavy metal trio Black Absinthe are surfacing from the basement to unleash new tunes from their debut album Early Signs Of Denial, produced by Dave Baksh (Cross Dog, The Mahones), plus mixed and mastered by Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie). Set for release on May 13th, the album is the band's first professional recording to follow their three self recorded EPs Live At Coalition (2014), Noise Complaint (2014) and Augusta (2012).

Black Absinthe's powerful heavy riffs and bass lines are reminiscent of classic thrash and new wave British heavy metal with a range of progressive to classic rock influence. A full album stream can be found below.

The title Early Signs Of Denial is a conceptual connection to the themes of fear, corruption, and overcoming disparity, which is explored in the album's songs. The record has emphasis of crushing modern tone, polished instrumental sections, soaring vocals and a blending of contemporary and classic metal. With each track, this unique record represents different aspects of Black Absinthe’s diversity in song writing. The band does not tread lightly over their new wave of British heavy metal song style or their technical and progressive metal influences.

 

 

"The Wild"
"Is This Life"
"Berj Khalifa"
"Pigs"
"Now"
"Winter"

Album stream:

Catch Black Absinthe live:

May
13 - Oshawa, ON - The Atria
14 - Toronto, ON - Coalition (CD release show)

 

 

Black Absinthe is: Kyle Scarlett - bass, Jack Cerre - vocals / guitar, Austin Henderson - drums

15 years of heavy metal and you might end up in a wheelchair. Heavy metal music can be dangerous. There is a huge obstacle in front of the Finnish modern melodic metal band, The Hypothesis.

Bassist Markku "Neissu" Ruuskanen has been headbanging for decades and now is facing several spine and cervical vertebra surgeries. According to the Finnish doctors the need of the surgeries is imminent, otherwise he might paralyze and end up in a wheelchair.

"Shit happens! This is a tough brake for the band, but situation could be even worse! I wouldn’t change a day without heavy metal!”, says Ruuskanen.

Finland’s leading doctors and neurosurgeons are deciding the schedules of the surgeries in fastened pace. Band mates and the manager of The Hypothesis hope that their friend will get well soon.

"Let’s hope that he recovers quickly! His headbanging journey ain’t done yet!”, comments guitarist / composer Asko Sartanen.

The Hypothesis recently released their Origin album. Origin is now available in Spotify, iTunes and other download and streaming services. The Origin –album has already gathered excellent reviews globally and radios around the Europe and US have added The Hypothesis on their playlists. Origin is available on CD and digital.

Tracklisting:

“Shades To Escape”
“Leak”
“End Of Your Days”
“Scarface”
“Exit”
“Atonement”
“Eye For An Eye”
“Weak Story”
“Second Chance”

“Eye For An Eye” video:

(Photo by: Valtteri Hirvonen)

Dan Reed Network’s new album, Fight Another Day, will be released on June 3rd. The new song “Champion” is now available for streaming below.

Fight Another Day marks the return of one of the most infectious and gifted bands to come out in the melodic rock world in the second part of the 80's. The new album was recorded primarily in the home town of members of DRN, Portland, Oregon, while most of the writing process took place in Dan Reed's private studio in Prague in the Czech Republic, where Reed currently resides with his family. Demos were sent back and forth between Derek Shulman (A&R for Frontiers), Brion James, Melvin Brannon Jr. and Rob Daiker, making notes and refining the songs over great distances via the internet. This process was not unlike with DRN composed songs back in the late 80's and early 90's as Dan Reed used to demo out songs on his Akai 12 track machine and bring the songs into rehearsals where the band members would then arrange and flesh out the band's classic 'funk rock' sound.

After the tracking was completed, band's keyboardist Rob Daiker went to work editing and mixing each track alongside Shulman and Reed, sending mixes back and forth, making notes and shaping and moulding the album to best represent what DRN sounds like currently, while paying respect to what brought the band to the world's attention back in the late 80's.

"I thought it would be a great experiment and interesting challenge to revisit what endeared the band to so many back in the day and deliver a rock record with funk and soul elements, strong melodies, but this time around incorporate even edgier lyrics while not losing sight that this release needed to be uplifting, infectious, and most of all, powerful when performed live," says Dan Reed. "The title Fight Another Day'represents the fact that after 25 years we were able to gravitate back to the passion we discovered playing together all those years ago, and battle once more!"

The band looks forward to the world's response to this new labor of love, and this testament to the bonds of friendship and musical chemistry! Worldwide touring over the next twelve months will support the album release.

Fight Another Day tracklisting:

“Divided”
“The Brave”
“Infected”
“Champion”
“Ignition”
“Give It Love”
“B There With U”
“Save The World”
“Eye Of The Storm”
“Reunite”
“Heaven”
“Sharp Turn”
“Stand Tall”

“Champion”:

“Divided” video:

EPK:

Tour dates:

June
4 - Oslo, Norway - Hard Rock Cafe (CD Release Show)
6 - Stockholm, Sweden - Gronalund
7 - Goteborg, Sweden - Liseberg
10 - Sweden Rock Festival - Friday, Main Stage
13 - Hamburg, Germany - The Rock Café - St. Pauli
15 - London, England - 100 Club (UK CD Release Show)

Dan Reed Network is:

Dan Reed - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, Piano, Synth Programming, Moog Bass
Brion James - Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Synth Guitars, Synth Programming, Drum Programming
Dan Pred - Drums, Percussion, Videographer
Melvin Brannon II - Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Bass, Electric Contra Bass, Synth Bass
Rob Daiker - Vocals, Keyboards, Synth Programming, Drum Programming

 

Faithsedge is returning with Restoration, their third and most melodic release to date. Fronted by mastermind singer/songwriter Giancarlo Floridia, the band returns with a stellar lineup featuring Stryper bass player Tim Gaines, Ace Frehley / Mr. Big drummer Matt Starr and former Dokken guitarist Alex De Rosso. Both keys and production have been handled by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Revolution Saints).

The approach is very melodic with an old school feel: 80's style hooks, big drums, slamming bass, epic keys and big production. At the same time the album keeps a current up to date feel with lyric content of today’s world mixed with a competitive metal feel. Giancarlo's songwriting approach mixed with each members experience and skills takes the album to new heights.

Tracklisting:

“Never A Day”
“Jennifer”
“You Cannot Give Up”
“Faith And Chris”
“Her Way Back”
“Regret At All”
“This War”
“Taking Our Lives”
“Let You Breathe”
“This Is Everything”

With different supergroups that come and go, Faithsedge is more than just that, the band members worked together as a tight team and the result and chemistry show in the end result.

The album will be released on Scarlet Records in Europe and North America on June 24th and on Spiritual Beast in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on June 15th.  

Steve Hackett’s The Total Experience Live In Liverpool will be released on 2CD+2DVD Digipak, Blu-Ray, and Digital album (audio only) via InsideOut Music on June 24th.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first solo album, Voyage Of The Acolyte, and following his latest Wolflight, the Acolyte To Wolflight With Genesis Revisited 2015 tour was Steve’s effort to represent the many chapters of his career. Featuring two sets - one highlighting his solo work, the second paying tribute to Genesis - the two hour performance was greeted with enthusiasm by both fans and critics.

This release captures the whole show. Two versions will be available; a 2DVD/2CD set and also a stand-alone Blu-ray edition. All copies pre-ordered via HackettSongs will be signed by Steve.

Check out an official trailer for the upcoming release below:

German metal band, Rage, will release their new album, The Devil Strikes Again, on June 10th via Nuclear Blast Records. The band have released the first official album trailer, which can be seen below:

The Devil Strikes Again will be released in various formats: CD / Digibook (2CD)/ Deluxe Digibook (3CD) / 2LP. Pre-order the new album at this location.

Tracklisting:

CD/LP:
“The Devil Strikes Again”
“My Way”
“Back On Track”
“The Final Curtain”
“War”
“Ocean Full Of Tears”
“Deaf, Dumb And Blind”
“Spirits Of The Night”
“Times Of Darkness”
“The Dark Side Of The Sun”

Bonus (Digibook/ Deluxe / LP)
“Bring Me Down”
“Requiem”
“Into The Fire”
“Bravado” (Rush Cover)
“Slave To The Grind” (Skid Row Cover)
“Open Fire” (Y&T Cover)

CD Live 2016 (Deluxe only)
“Black In Mind” (live)
“Sent By The Devil” (live)
“End Of All Days” (live)
“Back In Time” (live)
“Down” (live)
“My Way” (live)
“Until I Die” (live)
“Don't Fear The Winter” (live)
“Higher Than The Sky” (live)

“Spirits Of The Night” lyric video:

“My Way” video:

Studio trailers:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Hamburg-based sludge metal / stoner / power doom band High Fighter have launched another teaser video for their upcoming, first full length album, Scars & Crosses, set to be released June 10th on Svart Records on CD digipak, digital, and LP gatefold. The new teaser focuses on the track “Darkest Days”, and can be found below.

Scars & Crosses was recorded live at RAMA Studio in Mannheim, Germany (Ahab, The Hirsch Effekt, Fjørt) by Jens Siefert, and is mixed and mastered by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business) in Los Angeles. Again the band worked with artist Dominic Sohor from the UK, who has already been responsible for the stunning artwork of The Goat Ritual back in 2014, on the band's upcoming album:

Tracklisting:

“A Silver Heart”
“Darkest Days”
“The Gatekeeper”
“Blinders”
“Portrait Mind”
“Gods”
“Down To The Sky”
“Scars & Crosses”

Teaser #1: “Blinders”:

Teaser #2: “Darkest Days”:

After the band formed in the summer of 2014 and in one band year only, High Fighter heavily toured across Europe including UK dates, shared the stages with bands such as Ahab, Mammoth Storm, The Midnight Ghost Train, Corrosion of Conformity or Greenleaf, and played festivals in 2015 such as Stoned from the Underground, Sonic Blast in Portugal, Red Smoke Poland, Hamburg Metaldayz and an exclusive press showcase live at Wacken Open Air 2015.

(Photo by: Peter Kupfer)

Having announced their reformation and return to the live arena last month, British extreme metal masters Akercocke have revealed a run of UK shows, with six dates being added to the already scheduled appearance at Bloodstock Festival in August, including the band’s first performance in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Dates include:

September
30 - London, England - Underworld

October
1 - Southampton, England - Engine Rooms
2 - Bristol, England - The Fleece
7 - Sheffield, England - Corporation
8 - Dublin, Ireland - Voodoo Lounge
9 - Manchester, England - Club Academy
15 - Jersey, Channel Islands - The Watersplash

After a five year break from during which individual members pursued other projects, three founder members – Jason Mendonca, Paul Scanlan and David Gray - have returned to their original purpose; to create new, exciting and innovative music. Complimented by the addition of bass player Nathanael Underwood, Akercocke are presently producing their sixth studio album, which is tabled for a fall release.

Frontman Jason says of the forthcoming tour: “Circus Akercocke returns to the road at last. After our five year break from the live circuit, the band is charged, primed and ready to unleash our signature metal assault. Expect a barrage of rampant beats, face-melting guitar work, fan favorites’ from the past and killer new tunes from the present. See you down the front!”

The band’s new track, “Inner Sanctum”, is streaming below:

Reformed 80s hard rock/heavy metal legends, Q5, will release their third album, entitled New World Order, on July 8th. You can pre-order the album now via Amazon.com (widget below) or iTunes.

Q5 was formed in 1983, comprised of members of two popular Seattle bands: vocalist Jonathan K and guitarist (plus famous guitar tremolo inventor) Floyd Rose from The C.O.R.E. and Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (bass) and Gary Thompson (drums) from TKO. The band released its first album, Steel The Light (on Music For Nations) in 1984, receiving immediate worldwide critical acclaim, and landing them touring spots with Twisted Sister, Y&T and Lita Ford. The success of Steel The Ligh" led them to eventually sign with Polygram/Squawk for their 1985 sophomore release, When the Mirror Cracks. Due to personal differences, the original lineup dissolved shortly after this release.

In 2014, Q5 was asked to perform at Sweden Rock Festival, a performance that the band had agreed would be a "one off" show, but at the completion of the performance, it was obvious that this was not an ending, but merely a beginning. Upon returning to Seattle, The band secured drummer Jeffrey McCormack (former Heir Apparent, Fifth Angel) and guitarist Kendall Bechtel (former Fifth Angel) and began rehearsing formally as Q5. The band's relaunch debuted at the Rock You To Hell Festival in Athens, Greece followed by a headlining performance in Cyprus. The band then returned to Seattle to begin work on music for a new album. Kendall Bechtel, however, was unable to stay with the band due to personal reasons, so the band secured guitar virtuoso Dennis Turner to complete the lineup.

So, while the band’s debut album, Steel The Light  continues to grow in popularity all over the world, the fans are writing from all corners of the globe, eagerly inquiring about the next chapter in the Q5 story. That chapter begins NOW. With their new lineup solidified, and a new album slated for release, Q5 is poised to take its rightful place again in the hard rock/heavy metal hierarchy.

New World Order tracklisting:

“We Came Here To Rock”
“One Night In Hellas”
“The Right Way”
“New World Order”
“Tear Up The Night”
“Halfway To Hell”
“A Prisoner Of Mind”
“Unrequited (A Woman Of Darkness And Steel)”
“Just One Kiss”
“Fear Is The Killer”
“Land Of The Setting Sun”
“A Warrior’s Song”
“Mach Opus 206” (Instrumental)
“Get Next To You” (Bonus Track)

Trailer:

Q5 lineup:

Jonathan Scott K.: Vocals, Background Vocals
Rick Pierce: Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars
Dennis Turner: Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Background Vocals
Evan Sheeley: Bass Guitar, Backgr. Vocals
Jeffrey Mccormack: Drums And Percussion, Background Vocals

 

 

WHITFORD/ST. HOLMES, the collaboration between AEROSMITH guitarist Brad Whitford and Derek St. Holmes, the voice of such early TED NUGENT songs as "Stranglehold" and "Dog Eat Dog", will release its new studio album, "Reunion", on June 3. Today, the super duo has unleash its new single, "Shapes", a rock song with a nod to one of their favorite bands, THE YARDBIRDS. The track can be purchased on iTunes.

It was 1981 when Whitford, who had left AEROSMITH, first teamed up with St. Holmes to release their self-titled debut. Tracks like "Sharpshooter" and "Whisky Woman" carried on the stadium rock and roll style that made them famous. The album received critical acclaim and they did a successful round of tour dates before returning to their respective bands and shelving the duo. Until now!

Recently, the two friends found themselves living in the same town on the outskirts of Nashville. While working on some catch up time, they decided to revamp their collaboration. After writing a number of songs, the duo recruited bassist Chopper Anderson, keyboardist Buck Johnson and TESLA drummer Troy Luccketta to record the album. Produced by Whitford and St. Holmes, the album was recorded at The Castle Studios in Franklin, Tennessee.

Whitford and St. Holmes, who have collectively been part of tens of millions of record sales as part of AEROSMITH and TED NUGENT, know the true purpose of their art. "It's hard to believe we first jammed over thirty years ago," states Whitford. St. Holmes adds: "We are excited for this record to get out there, we want to share it with our friends, all those hardcore rock 'n' roll fans… Like our fans and good whiskey, we all seem to get better with age. These new cuts are bold, brassy and ballsy. We can't wait to play them live." WHITFORD/ST. HOLMES will head out on tour this June with WHITESNAKE. The trek launches on June 3 in Dallas and continues on through Texas, Indianapolis, Ohio, Detroit, Boston and more. This leg of the tour will conclude on July 1 with a headline show.

"Nattesferd", a brand new song from Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK, can be streamed below. The track is the title cut of the band's third album, which will be released on May 13 via Roadrunner. The follow-up to 2013's "Meir" was recorded live at Amper Tone Studio in Oslo, Norway (KVELERTAK's first effort to be recorded in the group's homeland) and was produced by the band and mixed/engineered by Nick Terry (LINDSTRØM, TURBONEGRO, THE LIBERTINES).

Commented KVELERTAK frontman Erlend Hjelvik: "We are finally getting ready to release our third album, 'Nattesferd', on the world, and however cliché it may sound, I'm not afraid to say that this is our best one yet. It's an exquisite smorgasbord of riffs infused with everything between the best of classic rock and heavy metal. I'm certain it will blow the minds of both old and new fans."

KVELERTAK's forthcoming third LP has garnered "Most Anticipated" accolades from the press, with Rolling Stone featuring it in the magazine's "25 Most Anticipated Metal Albums Of 2016" round-up. Additionally, Stereogum placed the new LP at #36 on their "101 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2016" while Consequence Of Sound included it in their "20 Most Anticipated Metal Albums Of 2016" preview.

"Meir" topped the official chart in Norway. The CD, which sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, was issued on March 26, 2013 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by CONVERGE's Kurt Ballou and features cover artwork by John Dyer Baizley.

KVELERTAK is Erlend Hjelvik (vocals), Vidar Landa (guitar), Bjarte Lund Rolland (guitar), Maciek Ofstad (guitars), Marvin Nygaard (bass) and Kjetil Gjermundrød (drums).

Fan-filmed video footage of former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach's May 4 performance at Brewster Street Icehouse in Corpus Christi, Texas can be seen below.

Sebastian's "An Evening With…" tour is scheduled to end on June 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bach will follow the trek with the release of his long-awaited memoir, "18 And Life On Skid Row", due out June 28 on Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Speaking about his decision to play two sets during the "An Evening With…" tour, Bach told Billboard magazine: "My true fans that have followed for decades now know that I open with the same song and pretty much done the same set for maybe 25 years now. Not exactly the same, but there's like five or six so-called hit songs that I've got in my catalogue that everybody knows I'm going to do. And then there's the song 'Slave To The Grind', which if you try to replace that as an opener, it obliterates any other songs. [Laughs] It's just such a strong opening tune. So what that leaves me with is I've pretty much done a very similar set, but so have a lot of my favorite bands. Like, KISS does the same kind of set. Lots of bands have a certain specific number of their repertoire that they have to do every night."

He continued: "The industry has changed so much in that when I started out in music, it was all about making a new record and then going out on tours supporting that new record, and then going off the road and then coming up with another new record. I only got to do that three times exactly. That's what it was a long time ago. Now if you're lucky — this isn't a bad thing, but the way the music industry is now is pretty much non-stop touring, like, all the time. Like, I don't ever stop, really. I will stop for a couple of weeks at the most, but I'm still lucky that I'm always playing shows. So I look at my schedule and thank my lucky stars I have around 40 gigs. It's just in the USA. Holy shit, dude, you're going to go to 40 shows, like that's a lot. That's a lot of cities. And I'll be damned if I'm going to go do 40 shows of the same set that I've done for 25 years."

DREAM THEATER's official music video for the song "Our New World" can be seen below. The clip highlights the band's immersive and interactive live show and captures the prog-virtuosos' transcendent performances from their recent world tour.

"Our New World" is taken from DREAM THEATER's latest album, "The Astonishing", which was released on January 29 via Roadrunner. The CD was made available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard 2-CD set, 4-LP vinyl box set and a limited-edition deluxe box set.

Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, with guitarist John Petrucci producing, studio luminary Richard Chycki (AEROSMITH, RUSH) engineering/mixing and legendary arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell orchestrating, "The Astonishing" paints a tale of a retro-futurist post-apocalyptic dystopia ruled by medieval style feudalism. It's a place aching for a Chosen One to rise above the noise and defeat an Empire defined by the endless drone of noise machines and the illusion of safety in bland conformity.

DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess told La Grosse Radio about "The Astonishing": "Well, the story is really about hope and it's about the power of music for healing and bringing good energy and good spirit to people. It was a story that was written by John Petrucci. He originally thought of it, the seed of the idea, about two and a half years ago. And a little over a year ago, he presented it to the band as an idea to do our concept album, and we were all very excited about it; it seemed really great. So after he presented it to us, then we started to work on all the music for it."

Regarding the inspiration for "The Astonishing" story, Rudess said: "Well, I think the inspiration comes from things like 'Star Wars' and 'The Lord Of The Rings' and 'Game Of Thrones' and all these kind of fantasy, sci-fi stories. And it's something that certainly John, who wrote the story, is into and all of us could really relate to. Especially from a musical point of view, to create the music for it, for me it was like doing a score for a film. So I was very comfortable with all the different genres of music that had to be composed, 'cause it was everything from electronic sounds and music — not so much, but there's definitely electronics throughout the album — and also some more classical type of musical ideas to our usual prog kind of metal mixture."

Asked whether making "The Astonishing" forced the members of DREAM THEATER to step outside their comfort zone, Rudess said: "I think it definitely challenged everybody. It was interesting especially because, stylistically speaking, yeah, it has the prog and it has the metal — the usual components of a DREAM THEATER album — but it also has more than that. We also had to bring in electronic sounds, so I had to have some fun and search for cool sounds and get into that mode, and also there [are] some classical elements, so I was very much in my classical headspace. So it kind of brought more styles out of me that I am used to doing, for the most part, but more than I usually get to do with DREAM THEATER. And then there were some things that I hadn't done that we were learning, some stylistic things that we were learning. There's a section that's almost like a military band section — I had to try to score that — and there's a little tango section, and we were learning a little bit about that. It was an education for us to do this album as well."

LACUNA COIL's new song "Ghost In The Mist" can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's new album, "Delirium", which will be released on May 27 through Century Media. The CD was recorded at BRX Studio in Milan between December 2015 and February 2016. The effort was produced by LACUNA COIL bassist and main songwriter Marco "Maki" Coti-Zelati, with engineering by Marco Barusso and additional assistance from Dario Valentini. Coti-Zelati also created the artwork for "Delirium", which is based on an atmospheric session captured by Italian photographer Alessandro Olgiati.

When you preorder a digital copy of "Delirium" at iTunes or Amazon, you are getting access to the songs "Ghost In The Mist", "Delirium" and "The House Of Shame" immediately.

Speaking about the heavier musical direction of"Delirium" compared to some of the recent LACUNA COIL records, vocalist Cristina Scabbia told Planetmosh: "We already had the feeling that this would be a much heavier record, just because we… You see it, when you start to write music, to put down the new compositions, you kind of see the general direction. Of course, everything can change, but at the very beginning, we started to work on something more heavy. And plus, we just realized that even during the live shows, we were enjoying much more to perform the most energetic songs out of the LACUNA COIL catalog. So we definitely wanted to do something different, not only compared to the previous records we did — at least the last ones — but we wanted to do something pretty different from the bands that, in our genre, were doing, in a way, because maybe fans and press, whatever, people were expecting us to go softer and maybe more into a rock direction while we went the other way around and made it heavy. I'm happy that this record is surprising a lot of people — really happy — 'cause that's kind of the reaction that we were hoping for."

Added singer Andrea Ferro: "That's also one of the reasons why we opened the record with a song like 'The House Of Shame', which is one of the heaviest songs of the record. We really wanted people to say, 'What is this? Is it LACUNA COIL really?' That's exactly the effect that we wanted. We wanted this record to be just another record, just because we have to put it out. We wanted it to be something that said, 'Okay, this is LACUNA COIL in 2016, opening a new chapter in their career and just showing that they're still interested in experimenting with their music,' and going places we haven't been so far."

On the topic of the "Delirium" album title, Cristina said: "The title came from… It actually came out while we were working on the 'Delirium' song; there's a song on the record that has the same title. And while we were working on music and lyrics at the same time, this word popped out and came out and opened a lot of doors, and we started to think about the whole Universe. We thought about the overall idea, we thought about the location, we imagined this asylum, this fictional asylum based on a real abandoned asylum that we visited. So it really came out during the songwriting. It's something that came out in such a weird way, because it really, really let it all start."

Added Andrea: "Basically, once we found the word, we thought about connecting the concept of the record, the concept of the mental illness with the smaller topic of everyday craziness — the craziness you experience personally every day in real life. Some of us went through some depression, some other people had some family problem that forced them to experience a different moment in their life. And so we played with the symptoms and we did a bit of research about the characteristics of each mental illness and then drag it into this concept, which is we imagined a sanitorium, a LACUNA COIL sanitorium, like the record, basically, and every song is like a room of the sanitorium where a patient is facing a different kind of illness. So, for example, in the song 'You Love Me 'Cause I Hate You', we took inspiration from the Stockholm Syndrome, which is when you fall in love with a person that is keeping you prisoner. But, of course, we've never been kept prisoners, so the real story is about a love story, a relationship where you are imprisoned, and even if you know it's very toxic for you, you can't get out of it, because you think it's the right thing, so you try everything possible to save it, to make it work, although you know it's not gonna happen. So this is the kind of metaphors we've been using once we found the concept, basically."

Photo credit: Alessandro Olgiati

Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH's May 5 performance at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland can be seen below.

Drummer Chris Adler was unable to join MEGADETH at the concert due to his commitments with LAMB OF GOD and was temporarily replaced by Tony Laureano (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, NILE, ANGELCORPSE), the veteran extreme-metal skinsman who has worked as MEGADETH's drum tech since 2011.

MEGADETH's current touring lineup is rounded out by Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals) and David Ellefson (bass) alongside Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

Ellefson recently spoke to the South Orange, New Jersey radio station WSOU about how Adler's involvement with LAMB OF GOD creates scheduling conflicts with MEGADETH's shows. He said: "Well, look, we want him as often as we can have him. And there were a couple of shows, as we started on a round-the-world trip back in October that he wasn't able to participate in, 'cause they were wrapping up a LAMB OF GOD tour down in South America. And Tony, our drum tech, but I don't want it… That almost sounds like he's just a work-for-hire employee, but the truth of it is he has his own incredible resumé as a drummer. He's from the Tampa area and played with DIMMU BORGIR and has just a great resumé as a drummer. And he's been kind enough and gracious enough to work, doing some tech work with us. And we realized, 'Man, we've got a terrific drummer in-house' that was able to cover for some shows. Now, coming up, moving forward, LAMB OF GOD has a full year, MEGADETH has a very full year, and we're gonna try to make that work between both of the bands and the schedules. But we'll see how it plays out. Like I said, we want Chris as much and as often as we can have him, especially now that [his contributions can be heard] on [MEGADETH's latest album] 'Dystopia', and I think the fans would love to hear him play those songs with MEGADETH live."

MEGADETH filmed a video for the song "Post American World" late last month. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Dystopia", which came out in January.

"Dystopia" shifted 49,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending January 28. In terms of pure album sales, it opened with 48,000 copies, marking MEGADETH's highest-charting album since 1992's "Countdown To Extinction" debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the chart dated August 1 of that year. "Dystopia" also logged the group's best sales week since 2007, when "United Abominations" landed at No. 8 with first-week sales of 54,000.

MERCYFUL FATE guitar lengends Michael Denner and Hank Shermann have completed the mixing and mastering of their new DENNER / SHERMANN full-length album, "Masters Of Evil", for a June 24 release via Metal Blade Records.

The album cover was painted by Swedish artist Thomas Holm, who also created the "Satan's Tomb" artwork, and who is very well known amongst fans for his standout pieces over the past three decades! The mixing was once again handled by Arnold Lindberg at Sound Industry Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mastering was done once again by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, California. The vintage sound on the new record harkens one back to the days of two-inch tape machines, long nights in dark studios, and huge consoles glowing under dim incandescent light.

"Masters Of Evil" contains eight new Denner / Shermann tracks that continue right where the EP left off. Building upon the musical foundation of the "Satan's Tomb" EP, these songs cover the entire gamut of heavy metal nuances and take the listener down a mysterious path where tales of dark, supernatural fantasies are told, transporting you to places that can only be found in the most vivid, blood curdling nightmares.

"Masters Of Evil" is fully loaded to satisfy the old fans with just what they would expect — and also injected with menacing, sinister, new surprises that could only come from the sonic DNA of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann.

"After 'Satan's Tomb', we continued aggressively writing and recording ideas, except for the short break we took to do all the press for the release of the debut. We are very excited with the outcome, and the full-length album is ready to be unleashed this summer," says Shermann.

Vocalist Sean Peck comments: "This record really has it all, I think. Working with Hank and Michael and the guys creating this record was the ultimate metal thrill ride for me! I can't wait to hear the fan reaction to this sinister sonic salvo of savagery!"

Denner adds: "This new record really shows how the five of us have grown as a band and bonded as songwriters. It contains the kind of compositions I believe our fans would expect from us. I think this release will serve as kind of a tribute to our incredible fans worldwide, as we recognize and acknowledge their die-hard loyalty over the years."

The first single, "Angel's Blood", comes right at you with a sonic sledgehammer! Once the guitars hit your ears, the unmistakable trademark guitar sound of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann is instantly recognized.

With the upcoming DENNER / SHERMANN release comes live touring. Ever since the first announcement that this guitar duo was reforming, many show requests have been received from all over the world. Now with a full complement of original songs to draw from, look for the group to bring those to a city near you very soon.

"Masters Of Evil" track listing:

01. Angel's Blood02. Son of Satan03. The Wolf Feeds At Night04. Pentagram And The Cross05. Masters Of Evil06. Servants Of Dagon07. Escape From Hell08. The Baroness

DENNER / SHERMANN is:

Michael Denner - GuitarHank Shermann - GuitarSean Peck - Vocals Snowy Shaw - Drums Marc Grabowski - Bass

"My Night Sky", a brand new song from California's groove metal juggernauts DEVILDRIVER, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's seventh studio album, "Trust No One", which will be released on May 13 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2013's "Winter Kills" was once again produced by Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER) with assistance from Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL). The new CD marks the group's first release since the departures of guitarist Jeff Kendrick and drummer John Boecklin and addition of axeman Neal Tiemann and former CHIMAIRA sticksman Austin D'Amond. "Trust No One" track listing:

01. Testimony of Truth02. Bad Deeds03. My Night Sky04. This Deception05. Above It All06. Daybreak07. Trust No One08. Feeling Ungodly09. Retribution10. For What It's Worth

Said frontman Dez Fafara: "'Trust No One' is a vicious record filled with huge grooves and big hooks, guitar bass assery and thundering drums!Lyrically it goes to a realistic space exploring a ton of different emotion and headspaces regarding being human and what it means to exist. The band worked long hours writing as well as in the studio along with our producer to forge 'Trust No One'! I hope you turn it the fuck up and enjoy this record from start to finish!"

Added Spreitzer: "'Trust No One' is the record that I’ve been wanting to write for twelve years."

DEVILDRIVER recently tapped former WAYNE STATIC guitarist Diego Ibarra (a.k.a. Ashes) to play bass on its upcoming tour, which kicks off at the end of next month.

Ibarra joins DEVILDRIVER as the replacement for former BURY YOUR DEAD guitarist Chris Towning, who appeared on the Dez Fafara-fronted band's 2013 album "Winter Kills".

DEVILDRIVER will be touring non-stop this year in support of "Trust No One".

Boecklin and Kendrick played their last show with DEVILDRIVER as part of the 2014 Knotfest in Devore, California.

"Winter Kills" sold around 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 32 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Stay", the new video from Mike Tramp, can be seen below. The clip shows the former WHITE LION singer in total isolation, living the life of a forest worker in the beautiful Scandinavian woods.

Says Mike: "With this video, I'm opening a new chapter and taking one step further towards being who I am, and distancing myself even more [from] the past. All the packaging [has] been shaved off and it's just me being me."

"Stay" is taken from Tramp's latest solo album, "Nomad", which was released in August 2015 via Target Records. The follow-up to 2014's critically acclaimed "Museum" was Mike's fourth release for Target.

According to a press release, "Nomad" sees Tramp "complet[ing] what he calls his trilogy on his journey to show who he is and where he stands. With 'Nomad', Tramp reaches the final step on the ladder he started climbing (with 'Cobblestone Street'), with a full band album, from first to last song."

Said Tramp: "Without the no-compromise [approach] on 'Cobblestone Street' and 'Museum', I would never have found my way home to 'Nomad'. Each previous album gave me the freedom to follow the songs wherever they wanted to go, and with 'Nomad', my vision was clear as a bell. Once again, I just had to be who I am."

Mike in February 2015 once again squashed any rumors of a WHITE LION reunion, claiming guitarist Vito Bratta had no desire to play music.

"A WHITE LION reunion is impossible," Mike told the Jakarta Globe. "Bratta has shown a negative response [to the idea]. He stopped playing guitar, stopped recording; he is just not interested in music anymore."

Tramp's last attempt to revive WHITE LION resulted in the 2008 album "Return Of The Pride" with new members Jamie Law on guitar, bassist Claus Langeskov, drummer Troy Patrick Farrell and Henning Wanner on keyboards.

"I really love the album but it's just not the sound of WHITE LION," Tramp told Hot Metal back in 2012. "I never really wanted to record under the name of WHITE LION again because so much of the sound and the songwriting came between Vito and I."

He continued: "Writing a new album is not sitting there and baking bread. The idea has to come to you. That works well when it's Mike Tramp writing new songs. But WHITE LION has restrictions. It's known for an image, for a sound and so on. You're limited already and that's tough when you go in to do that. I don't want to be that as a songwriter. Then it becomes a pre-fabricated product, then you get KISS. That's not what I want to do in this case."

Tramp went on to say: "There's a big difference between going up and playing classic WHITE LION songs and presenting new WHITE LION songs. WHITE LION isn't there. The sound of WHITE LION when it came to songwriting was Vito Bratta and Mike Tramp. That can't be changed and that will never happen again."

Tramp will make a number of festival appearances with his band during the summer, including Sweden Rock, Jelling and Nordic Noise, just before he embarks on a massive solo tour around the U.S., culminating with a performance on the Monsters Of Rock cruise.

MOTÖRHEAD's November 20 and November 21, 2015 concerts at the Zenith in Munich, Germany were professionally filmed and recorded for release this June via UDR.

Titled "Clean Your Clock", the set will be made available in the following formats:

* Colored double vinyl in gatefold with pop-up art* Standalone audio CD* DVD of the show with audio CD* Blu-ray of the show with audio CD* Boxset which contains the colored double vinyl in gatefold with pop-up art, DVD of the show with audio CD and the MOTÖRHEAD metal medal* A limited-edition boxset will be available through the UDR shop and will contain the MOTÖRHEAD medal in silver or gold* Also available as a digital download

"Clean Your Clock" track listing:

01. Start - 00:00:0002. Live Intro - 00:01:0603. Bomber - 00:02:4404. Stay Clean - 00:06:0605. Metropolis - 00:09:4106. When The Sky Comes Looking For You - 00:14:3307. Over The Top - 00:18:1608. Guitar Solo - 00:21:1009. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch - 00:23:0810. Lost Woman Blues - 00:28:3911. Rock It - 00:34:0712. Orgasmatron - 00:36:5213. Doctor Rock Pt 1 - 00:43:2814. Drum Solo - 00:45:1815. Doctor Rock Pt 2 - 00:49:5416. Just 'Cos You Got The Power - 00:52:1117. No Class - 00:58:0818. Ace Of Spades - 01:01:0719. Whorehouse Blues - 01:08:0120. Overkill - 01:14:05

"Clean Your Clock" will be made available on June 10.

A performance clip of the song "When The Sky Comes Looking For You", taken from "Clean Your Clock", can be seen below.

MOTÖRHEAD's final concert took place on December 11, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. Despite suffering from an "extremely aggressive" form of cancer, the band's frontman, Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister battled his way through to the end of the group's European tour.

"He was terribly gaunt," MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee< /b> told Sweden's Expressen. "He spent all his energy on stage and afterwards he was very, very tired. It's incredible that he could even play, that he could finish the Europe tour. It was only [three weeks before he died]. Unbelievable."

MOTÖRHEAD's Berlin concert was originally scheduled to take place on November 27, but was postponed after the group's guitarist, Phil Campbell, was taken ill.

Lemmy, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Christmas Eve (December 24), learned two days later, on December 26, that he was afflicted with an aggressive form of cancer. He died two days later, on December 28, at his home in Los Angeles.

Lemmy had been dealing with serious health issues for the past two years, including getting a pacemaker in 2013 and suffering from a hematoma last year. But despite 40 years of hard living and drinking, he continued to tour and record at a feverish pace.

The band was forced to cancel or postpone a number of shows this year due to Lemmy's poor health, which also forced him to cut back on his drinking and give up smoking.

While MOTÖRHEAD itself was revered by metal and punk fans, Lemmy himself became a rock and roll icon and elder statesman, the embodiment of a musician who lived the rock lifestyle to the fullest and never stopped.

Lemmy told Classic Rock: "I'm pretty happy with the way things have turned out. I like to think I've brought a lot of joy to a lot of people all over the world. I'm true to myself and I'm straight with people."

Asked whether he thought about death in the wake of his recent illnesses, Lemmy replied: "Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don't worry about it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good."