Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH's February 29 performance at The Warfield in San Francisco, California can be seen below.

MEGADETH played the title track of its new album, "Dystopia", live for the first time last Friday night (February 26) at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine recently stated about the "Dystopia" title track: "'Dystopia' is probably more along the lines of something from 'Rust In Peace' — kind of 'Hangar 18'-ish. And the same way 'Fatal Illusion' is a lot like 'Black Friday' and 'Bad Omen', this song, really, is us returning a lot to our roots."

"Dystopia" debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200, having shifted 49,000 equivalent album units in the week ending January 28.

In terms of pure album sales, "Dystopia" 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.

In addition to Mustaine, MEGADETH's current lineup includes longtime bassist David Ellefson, LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

The debut album from Shiraz Lane, entitled For Crying Out Loud, will be released on April 15th. Listen to the new track “Same Ol’ Blues” below:

Formed in 2011, Shiraz Lane is a young, energetic, ambitious, authentic hard rock group from Vantaa, Finland. Although wearing inspiration from big masters like Aerosmith, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses on their sleeves, the band has a sound and style all their own. Members of some of the biggest bands in Scandinavia - The 69 Eyes, Amorphis, Children Of Bodom, Lordi and Sonic Syndicate among others - have all described Shiraz Lane as being one of the most entertaining bands they have ever seen in the underground music scene, bringing something new to the table in terms of both music and live performance! Notwithstanding their young age (the band members are all in their 20s), the guys are already veterans of the underground circuit in their homeland and have developed a reputation for being uncompromising, loud and genuine.

"We started working on our debut album in mid-August 2015 after receiving confirmation about details and deadlines from Frontiers Music Srl”, says Miki Kalske. "We were actually extremely busy at the time since we did an extensive Finnish tour in September, so the Shiraz factory was working pretty much around the clock. In retrospect it was good to have a tight agenda, since the songs came out very naturally and with a steady pace. After we felt confident enough with the songs, we joined forces with our producer Ben Varon and analyzed them meticulously, re-arranged parts, rehearsed, re-rehearsed etc. Before hitting the studio to lay down the final tracks."

On the final result, For Crying Out Loud, the band shows they have learned all the tricks in the book and they're now ready to take on the world.

"The album is not conceptual, but it is definitely a tight knitted package so that every song has its own natural place in the running order”, continues Kalske. "All in all the record turned out to be an ass-kicking hard rock gem with a large scope of different emotions and feelings included. Variety would be a good key word to describe the album throughout, although bowing down to our own sound and style. An important notion would be to listen to the lyrics and message we are trying to send to the listeners out there  - we don't wan't to preach, but if our music can act as an eye-opener on some level and send positive vibrations out to the world during these darker times, I would say we have done something right!"

Shiraz Lane debuted with a two song single release, "Out There Somewhere" and "Money Talks" in October 2014. The band expanded upon those two tracks to release a five track EP, Be The Slave Or Be The Change in the spring of 2015. It was extremely well received by both the public and the press in Scandinavia and the single ''Mental Slavery'' could even be described as an underground hit. Following the EP release, the band has put out four music videos, played the biggest Finnish summer festivals and also performed in places like Toronto, Canada, Finland Fest in Tokyo Japan and Wacken Open Air in Germany. In the autumn of 2015, Shiraz Lane did an extensive national tour supporting fellow countrymen Santa Cruz. Although music is not a matter of competition, it should be mentioned the band won the Hard Rock Rising 2014 and Wacken Metal Battle 2015. The hype culminated with an international record deal with Frontiers Music Srl, which was signed and sealed in September.

"We have grown to fill the boots of the endangered Dinosaurus of Rock and continue the legacy of authentic, rocking and meaningful music" concludes Miki Kalske. "We are thrilled to let you guys experience a full-length insight in our musical minds and assure that this is going to be the best possible news for the fans out there after a heartsick and grieving turn of the year. Heads up and play this record loud and proud - we certainly will!"

For Crying Out Loud tracklisting:

“Wake Up”
“Momma's Boy”
“House Of Cards”
“Begging For Mercy”
“Same Ol' Blues”
“Mental Slavery”
“Behind The 8-Ball”
“For Crying Out Loud”
“Bleeding”
“M.L.N.W. - Kill Me (With Your Love)” (Bonus track digital version)

“Wake Up” video:

"Mental Slavery” video:

Shiraz Lane is:

Hannes Kett - vocals
Jani Laine - solo guitar
Miki Kalske - rhythm guitar
Joel Alex - bass
Ana Willman - drums



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Australian hard rockers, Massive, will release their new album, Destination Somewhere, on April 22nd via Earache. The new song, “Made Of Stone”, is streaming below.

Tracklisting:

“One For The Road”
“Blood Money Blues”
“Sinking Ship”
“The Fall”
“Made Of Stone”
“Destination Somewhere”
“Up In Smoke”
“Circus”
“The Way It's Always Been”
“Beaten Dog”

“Made Of Stone”:

Album preview:

“One For The Road” video:

Teaser:

 



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Former ASKING ALEXANDRIA and current WE ARE HARLOT frontman Danny Worsnop has posted audio samples from his upcoming debut solo album, "The Prozac Sessions". Check them out at TheSnop.com.

The singer, who is currently in Nashville seeking a suitable label to release the record, wrote on his Instagram account: "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, album cover A. Every piece of artwork was so perfect that I have decided to use them all, which means there will be four versions of the album, all with different visuals. I am thinking of writing a couple more songs so that each version will have a different bonus track."

Danny told Alternative Press last year about his upcoming solo CD: "[The solo album has] still got some of that typical snotty flair going. I'm still, for the most part, singing the blues. But I went into it with country in mind. I've always loved country. In England, I grew up as a country boy. I was in a small village of two hundred people. The lifestyle goes hand in hand with the music all over the world. [But writing] it just never crossed my mind. Obviously, of late, I've made a lot of life changes, where I'm exploring new things. So it seemed like an appropriate time. I had some time off, I was jamming on the guitar and I had some ideas, and I was, like, 'Fuck it, let's take this and run."

The material on "The Prozac Sessions" was completed with songwriters like Hillary Lindsey (Carrie Underwood) and John Paul White (THE CIVIL WARS), while producer Jim Kaufman sat behind the boards.

"We're definitely going to push to radio a lot, do videos," Danny told Alternative Press. "[The solo project] is definitely something I'd like to make a lot of money doing and get to do more of. If it's not a success, I doubt I'll have much opportunity to do it again. [But] there's no plans to tour, per se. Maybe just shows here and there. So it's nothing that's... I know I've said this before, and it ended with me leaving the band. [Laughs]"

Worsnop revealed he was exiting ASKING ALEXANDRIA in January 2015, explaining in a statement: "Over the last eight years together, we've done some amazing things and created something truly special. I now, same as then, want what's best for the band and at this point in time, that isn't me."

Danny has since been replaced by Ukrainian singer Denis Shaforostov, who gained notoriety posting ASKING ALEXANDRIA covers on YouTube and consequentially inked a deal with Sumerian in his band DOWN AND DIRTY.

French progressive metallers NOVELISTS have released their debut full-length album, "Souvenirs", via Arising Empire/Metalville. The CD was mixed and mastered under the masterful watch of NOVELISTS bass player Nicolas Delestrade (BETRAYING THE MARTYRS) at NDSE Recordings and features guest appearances by Pierre Danel (KADINJA), Lotti Holz and Plini Roessler-Holgate (PLINI).

To commemorate the "Souvenirs" release, the band premiered their new music video for the album's title track.

Says the band, "Pavel's [Trebukhin, director] work is an amazing fit to our music. He manages to transcribe beautifully the emotions we're aiming to share in our music. It's been so easy to work with him and he always comes up with results even better than our expectations."

"Souvenirs" track listing

01. Inanimate02. Earth Grazer 03. Gravity 04. Antares 05. Ouroboros 06. Black Lights 07. Voyager 08. Muchos Touchey 09. Echoes feat. Pierre Danel (KADINJA)10. 5:12 AM feat. Plini Roessler-Holgate & Lotti Holz (PLINI)11. The Lichtenberg Figure 12. Souvenirs13. Twenty Years *14. Heartfelt *

* Bonus tracks

NOVELISTS was founded in early 2013 by brothers Florestan (guitar) and Amael Durand (drums), who quickly joined forces with the former A CALL TO SINCERITY members Matt Gelsomino (vocals), Charly Kelevra (guitar), and Nicolas Delestrade (bass). It was not later than April of that same year when NOVELISTS released their first single, "Twenty Years". From there, the group would go on to release five more singles and numerous videos along the next ten months, culminating in the release of their demo EP.

While working with full force on the production of their first full-length album, the demand for live shows had arisen leading the group to perform at events such as Euroblast festival, Ghostfest and Damage Fest, before hopping on their first tour ever with I, THE BREATHER through Europe at the end of 2014.

A new Twitter account purportedly belonging to former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin has appeared on the social media site, according to The Pulse Of Radio. Two sources have apparently confirmed to The Wall Street Journal reporter Neil Shah that the account is real, with Stradlin himself — or the person behind the account claiming to be Stradlin — tweeting a video of himself playing guitar.

But more importantly, the first tweet from the @IzzyStradlin999 account on February 22nd read, "At this point in time, I've no involvement in the upcoming April 2016 GNR shows."

It's been speculated that Stradlin would have some limited involvement — such as a guest appearance — at some of the upcoming GUNS N' ROSES reunion shows, which currently feature original members Slash, Axl Rose and Duff McKagan.

Fans online have offered "proof" both for and against the account actually belonging to Stradlin.

Evidence of the former includes a never-before-seen selfie of the guitarist, the aforementioned video, reported private correspondence between Stradlin and several friends and a few others on Twitter claiming it's definitely him.

Alleged evidence that the Stradlin account is not real includes some strange and now-deleted tweets, music sites not running his GUNS N' ROSES news despite being tweeted at directly by the owner of the account, and the fact that no one from GUNS N' ROSES has started following him or vice versa.

Rolling Stone got in touch with Izzy, who confirmed the Twitter account was indeed his. "I know there's a lot of questions regarding my Twitter account," Izzy said in a voicemail. "But it's me. I opened the Twitter account. There was just so much speculation going on regarding my involvement and studio recording. There's so much misinformation, so I wanted to clarify that I'm not in the studio recording with any of the GUNS N' ROSES guys. At this point in time, I'm not involved in the actual shows … A lot of stuff [fans] are reading isn't true."

GUNS N' ROSES has six shows scheduled so far, all in April: two at the Coachella Music And Arts Festival, two in Las Vegas and two in Mexico City. The exact band lineup has yet to be confirmed.

Swedish melodic doom/death metallers, October Tide, have released a lyric video for the track “Sleepless Sun”, from their forthcoming fifth studio album, Winged Waltz. Set to be released on April 22nd via Agonia Records, the record will feature eight brand new tracks and cover artwork prepared by Albin Högbom.

Tracklisting:

“Swarm”
“Sleepless Sun”
“Reckless Abandon”
“A Questioin Ignite”
“Nursed By The Cold”
“Lost In Rapture”
“Perilous”
“Coffins Of November”

“Sleepless Sun” lyric video:

Studio video:

Alexander Högbom (vocals) commented on Winged Waltz: "This is undoubtedly the best and most emotionally charged material October Tide has created, in my opinion. I know how much hard work Fredrik (guitars) has put into making this album and you can really feel the thought behind it all. I almost injured myself physically and was close to pass out a couple of times during the recording of the vocals. I gave it all to match the intense music and those powerful lyrics and I'm very happy with the result".

The successor to Tunnel Of No Light (2013) has been recorded, mixed and mastered in Wing Studios (Demonical, Centinex, Diabolical) in Sweden and produced by Sverker Widgren.

Winged Waltz will be available in the following formats:

- Digipack CD
- Regular Black Gatefold LP
- Gold LP with Gold Logo Patch (limited to 113 hand-numbered copies)
- Black T-shirt with white and silver print
- Grey T-shirt with gold print
- Digital formats

October Tide will join forces with Demonical for a tour of Europe starting in September. The co-headlining run will be supported by Finland's cold black metallers, Author. List of shows is available below.

Tour dates:

September
22 - Hultsfred, Germany - Hulingen
23 - Rostock, Germany - Bunker
24 - Lugau, Germany - Iron Eagle
25 - Poznan, Poland - Club U Bazyla
26 - Bielsko-Biala, Poland - Rudeboy
27 - Praha, Czech Republic - Modra Vopice
28 - Wroclaw, Poland - Liverpool
29 - Berlin, Germany - Werk 9
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore

October
1 - Bitterfeld, Germany - Festung

An event page can be found at this location.

October Tide lineup:

Alexander Högbom - vocals
Fredrik Norrman - guitars
Mattias Norrman - bass
Emil Alstermark - guitars
Jocke Wallgren - drums



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Finnish death metal legion, Gloria Morti, will release their fifth album, titled Kuebiko, on March 18th, their first for Willowtip Records. The album track, “The Foul Stench Of Vomiting Blood”, is streaming below.

With Kuebiko, Gloria Morti is back with another solid slice of confrontational Finnish death metal, the band expertly blending thrash, melodic, and black metal, and surreal atmospheric elements into their sound making for a sonic wrecking-ball reminiscent of such bands as At The Gates, Carcass and Fleshgod Apocalypse. Gloria Morti's fifth studio effort, Kuebiko finds the unit traversing grimmer and dirtier grounds than ever before, both musically and thematically.

Tracklisting:

“Syntymä”
“The Foul Stench Of Vomiting Blood”
“Josef Fritzl”
“Chimeral Form”
“Death By A Thousand Cuts (Lingchi)”
“Case No. 1102162”
“Gallows Built In Rows”
“Executioner”
“The Termination Of All Bonds”

“The Foul Stench Of Vomiting Blood”:

    
“Josef Fritzl”:

Pre-orders here.



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Fan-filmed video footage of DOKKEN's February 27 performance at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater in Pompano Beach, Florida can be seen below.

Former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson recently told rock journalist Mitch Lafon about the possibility of a reunion of DOKKEN's classic lineup, featuring Pilson, vocalist Don Dokken, guitarist George Lynch and drummer Mick Brown: "We're actually working really hard to try and pull something together right now. It has to fall in spaces where there is time off [from my gig with FOREIGNER], so I don't know for sure whether it's gonna happen. So let's just say we're all friendly now, we're all past all the decades-old crap, and we all talk and everything's great. Now it really is just down to scheduling and trying to figure it out. Because, you know, you've gotta do it right, if you're gonna do it. We all feel that way."

He continued: "I think we've all come to a place where we're very appreciative of the legacy that DOKKEN has, and we would never wanna just do something for the money and take advantage… 'Cause we get offered a lot of things quite often, and if we wanted to do it that way, we could. But the fact that we don't, I think, is a great sign. I think when we do finally do something, we're gonna try and do it right. Although I don't know if we're gonna ever get to do the big sweeping tour that we've talked about — mostly because of the FOREIGNER commitment — but we're gonna try and do something. So hopefully I'll have something to report sometime soon."

Asked what would be the "right way" for a DOKKEN reunion to happen, Pilson said: "I think, really, to do it right means that when we go out there, we sound good — no matter how many or few shows we do, no matter… new music or old music. I would love to record some new music with DOKKEN; I would love that. I just don't know if we can or will. I have a sense that sometime we will, somehow, but we'll see. Again, it's just down to quality. Doing it right means doing it with quality. 'Cause we were always very quality conscious back in the day, and I don't think any of us wanna let that go now."

Regarding the current relationship between the members of the DOKKEN classic lineup, Pilson said: "No matter how argumentative a band is, no matter how much… I mean, think of all the time we spent together, think of what we accomplished together… I don't care what anybody says; we all love each other — we really do. There is a love in there that's… I mean, sometimes it's two siblings that love and hate at the same time, but there is a lot of love there. So I'm very glad that when I get an e-mail from Don, I'm not [going], 'Oh, God.' I'm excited to read it. George and I have been close for a long time, so that hasn't been an issue for a while. But, yeah, it feels really good."

He added: "We shared something very special together. I think we're all at the point in life where we kind of appreciate it now. And if we ever get a chance to do some more with it, I think… It would be very interesting, because we've never been in a situation where there wasn't animosity, so I don't know. [Laughs] Maybe it won't work. I don't know. [Laughs]"

Don and Lynch appeared on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" together back in May of 2010 in hopes that a reunion of DOKKEN's classic linep would follow. Despite their efforts, the reunion never happened and Don went forward with DOKKEN's current lineup.

All the members of DOKKEN's classic 1980s lineup reunited on stage for the first time in more than a decade on November 29, 2009 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California. Don Dokken appeared on stage and said he had some friends he wanted to introduce. Pilson and Lynch joined Mick Brown for a two-song encore of "When Heaven Comes Down" and "In My Dreams".

Fan-filmed video footage of QUEENSRŸCHE's February 27 performance at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater in Pompano Beach, Florida can be seen below.

QUEENSRŸCHE hired Todd La Torre to replace Geoff Tate in 2012 and has released two albums with the ex-CRIMSON GLORY frontman: 2013's "Queensrÿche" and 2015's "Condition Hüman".

QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton recently told The Glendale Star that the band is stronger than ever after parting ways with Tate and adding La Torre.

"We went through a lot of drama over the past few years and we have been focused on rebuilding this band," Wilton said. "We are the original members and it was important for us to gain control of the name of the band. It was a chance meeting with [La Torre] that brought this together and it is working out great."

He added: "For the past ten years, this band has been more of a dictatorship. Now, with the influence of [La Torre], we have great chemistry and we are now a complete democracy, not a dictatorship."

"Condition Hüman" debuted at No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart, having shifted 14,000 equivalent album units in the week ending October 8, 2015.

The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

"Condition Hüman" was released on October 2, 2015 via Century Media.

An expanded edition of Eclipse’s album, Armageddonize, in conjunction with the band’s appearance at Melodifestivalen in Sweden, is now available in Sweden, and will be available on March 15th in the rest of Europe and April 18th in North America

Armageddonize (Deluxe Edition), the new and expanded edition comes in a 2CD glossy digipak (first pressing only), and includes the song “Runaways”, which the band exclusively performed for the first time during their Melodifestivalen appearance at the Gavlerinken Arena in Gävle, Sweden on the evening of February 27th. Watch the “Runaways” video below.

Besides the new song “Runaways”, the album also includes a bonus CD featuring live songs, two rare cuts (originally b-sides of the “Bleed And Scream” single, only released via Sweden Rock Magazine) and three original, Japan-only bonus tracks.

Tracklisting:

CD1
“I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry”
“Stand On Your Feet”
“Runaways” (Album Version)*
“The Storm”
“Blood Enemies”
“Wide Open”
“Live Like I'm Dying”
“Breakdown”
“Love Bites”
“Caught Up In The Rush”
“One Life - My Life”
“All Died Young”

* Melodifestivalen song / bonus track added to the regular edition

CD2
“I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry” (Live)
“Stand On Your Feet” (Live)
“Wake Me Up” (Live)
“The Storm” (Live)
“Battlegrounds” (Live)
“Breakdown” (Live)
“Wide Open” (Live)
“Blood Enemies” (Live)
“Ain't Dead Yet” (Live)
“Bleed & Scream” (Live)
“Breaking My Heart Again” (Live)
“Come Hell Or High Water” (Bonus Track) §
“Into The Fire” (Bonus Track) §
“The Storm” (Acoustic)**
“I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry” (Acoustic)**
“Battlegrounds” (Acoustic)**

“Runaways” live:

The live tracks are all brand new and unreleased. Bonus tracks listed with "§" have been released only as a B-side of the “Bleed And Scream” CD single for Sweden Rock Magazine. Bonus tracks listed with "**" have only been released in Japan to date.

Band lineup:

Erik Mårtensson – vocals, guitars
Magnus Henriksson – guitars
Magnus Ulfstedt – bass
Philip Crusner – drums



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Los Angeles based experimental/doom/rock group, Deathkings, will release their second full length album, All That Is Beautiful, on March 18th. A lyric video for the album track “Sol Invictus” is now streaming below.

In the wake of their debut album, Destroyer, as well as the recent vinyl 7" split with Rozamov through Midnite Collective, Deathkings descended upon listeners with their bleak, yet enlightening look at the world around them. This state of unrest was developed and channeled into aural and material form with the help of Derek Donley (Bereft, Gravitron, National Sunday Law, You Big Ox, Pigeonwing, Intronaut) at his Ox Cave Studios in Los Angeles. With Donley at the helm, the band steers the listener through the blending of drowning, desperate rage blended with tranquil undertones.

All That Is Beautiful was finished in early 2014 at Donley's Ox Cave Studios. Uniting with the Midnite Collective for the third time, both entities have grouped to carefully craft a visually stunning package, deserving of the music contained therein. The band will unleash aural and visual ruin via digital. CD. cassette tape and vinyl (later in the year) releases starting this spring harvest, 2016.

Tracklisting:

“Sol Invictus”
“The Storm”
“The Road To Awe”
“Dakhma”

“Sol Invictus” lyric video:

“The Storm”:

The band has also announced its Spring Tour MMXVI. Confirmed dates are listed on the poster below:

Lineup:

Drums: Sean Spindler
Bass/vocals: Nicolas Rocha
Guitars: Mark Lüntzel
Guitars: Daryl Hernandez



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For 10 months, the northern German band Mob Rules ensconced themselves in their studio, now they are set to present the results of their hard work: Tales From Beyond, the eighth studio recording by the group, impresses with a deeply melodic mix of progressive and power metal. A new lyric video for the track “On The Edge” can be found below.

When it comes to their lyrics, Mob Rules continue to go their own unmistakable path, influenced by historic events and inspired by literature. The album will be available on March 18th on Steamhammer/SPV as Digipak (including one bonus track + poster), double colored vinyl LP and digital download. In addition, there will be an extra iTunes version including an additional exclusive bonus track called “Ghost Town”, which has also been newly recorded.

Their powerful songs and haunting chorus parts have earned Mob Rules an excellent reputation over the past two decades both in their native country and abroad. Their anniversary boxed set Timekeeper, which arrived at the stores in October 2014, has been incontestable proof of the complexity and uniqueness of their material. Tales From Beyond sees an evolution of the band’s earthy and multi-faceted sound while the Celtic/British influences of their music have been honed even more finely. The current album is marked by a “new directness” which not only goes down well with Mob Rules’ own fans but will also win the group many a new metal fan. This applies all the more as Mob Rules entrusted the production of Tales From Beyond again to the tried and tested hands of sound engineer Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, Firewind, among others).

April will see Mob Rules join Axel Rudi Pell as special guests on his extensive tour, presenting the songs from Tales From Beyond live for the first time.

Tracklisting:

“Dykemaster’s Tale”
“Somerled”
“Signs”
“On The Edge”
“My Kingdom Come”
“The Healer”
“Dust Of Vengeance”
“A Tale From Beyond (Part 1: Through The Eye Of The Storm)”
“A Tale From Beyond (Part 2: A Mirror Inside)”
“A Tale From Beyond (Part 3: Science Save Me!)”
“Outer Space” (Digipak bonus track)

“On The Edge” lyric video:

Trailer:

Live dates:

March
19 - Oldenburg, Germany - Cadillac (Album release show)

On tour with Axel Rudi Pell:

April
1 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit 36
2 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
3 - Nurnberg, Germany - Hirsch
5 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
6 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
8 - Osnabruck, Germany - Hyde Park
9 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
10 - Zwolle, Netherlands - Hedon
12 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
13 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
15 - Erfurt, Germany - Stadtgarten
16 - Prattelen, Switzerland - Z7
17 - Prattelen, Switzerland - Z7



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In the video footage below, Queen guitarist Brian May performs a 12-string acoustic version of “’39” in the studio. The clip is taken from the A Night At The Opera 30th Anniversary DVD.

Queen’s A Night At The Odeon, Live At Hammersmith ’75, is out now on CD (Hollywood Records), and DVD & Blu-Ray (Eagle Rock Entertainment). This show was a culmination of the 26-date Queen Invite You To A Night At The Opera UK tour and the first tour that they had ever performed “Bohemian Rhapsody” on.

The CD, DVD & Blu-Ray package features the band’s full live show, complete with a never heard before ‘second encore’ of “Seven Seas Of Rhye” and “See What A Fool I've Been”. The DVD and SD Blu-Ray versions also contain two special bonus features – Looking Back At The Odeon, a brand new 22-minute documentary featuring a previously unseen interview with Brian May and Roger Taylor by Old Grey Whistle Test presenter Bob Harris about the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon show, plus the rarely seen Live At The Budokan – Japan 1975 footage, featuring three songs (“Now I'm Here”, “Killer Queen” and “In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited”) recorded during their legendary tour of the Far East.

Tracklisting (CD/Vinyl/Digital):

“Now I'm Here”
“Ogre Battle”
“White Queen (As It Began)”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Killer Queen”
“The March Of The Black Queen”
“Bohemian Rhapsody” (Reprise)
“Bring Back That Leroy Brown”
“Brighton Rock”
Guitar Solo
“Son And Daughter”
“Keep Yourself Alive”
“Liar”
“In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited”
“Big Spender”
“Jailhouse Rock” Medley
“Seven Seas Of Rhye”
“See What A Fool I've Been”
“God Save The Queen”
 
DVD and SD Blu-ray formats do not include “Seven Seas Of Rhye” or “See What A Fool I've Been”.

Super Deluxe Box Set edition unboxing:

 

 

 

 

 

 



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Sarke’s fourth album, featuring the icy and grim screams from Darkthrone’s lead vocalist Nocturno Culto, is truly the grandest and most dynamic album from the band to date. Bogefod presents nine tracks that stretch from lingering atmospheric doom to thrash to black metal and technical metal - all within the realms of suberb quality. Check out the new video for “Alternation” below.

It is a highly conceptual album spinning around the evil walking dead Torolv Bogefod from the norse classic Eyrbyggja saga. After an ugly death Torolv breaks out of his tomb. Dead, yet undead, he terrorizes the villagers and causes deaths and devastations. This viking story is a 1000 years old.

Several retrospective musical elements enhance the underlying story, as the warm sound of a 100-year-old guitar colours the otherwise icy and grim atmosphere of Nocturno Culto’s screams. In addition to this, the ballad in the track “Dawning” in between all the ripping and chilling moments throughout the album enriches the contrast and contributes to telling the story’s true and folky nature.

Sarke is in a sense a band formed by legends of the darker metal genre, with the pre-mentioned Nocturno Culto on vocals, Steinar Gundersen (Satyricon) on guitar, Thomas “Sarke” Bergli (Khold, Tulus) on bass and Anders Hunstad (El Caco) on keyboards. Together they have crafted an extremely immersive album surely to draw the listener into a historical and dark universe in a way no one ever have before.

Tracklisting:

“Taken”
“Blood of Men”
“Barrow of Torolv”
“Alternation”
“The Wicked’s Transient Sleep”
“Burn”
“Dawning”
“Evil Heir”
“Sunken”

“Alternation” video:



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Former RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE singer Joe Lynn Turner has once again commented on Ritchie Blackmore's decision to go out and perform the two bands' classic material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more "authentic" lineup.

Blackmore, 70, quit rock and roll in 1997 to form a medieval folk band called BLACKMORE'S NIGHT with then-girlfriend and now-wife Candice Night. Since then, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT has released ten studio albums, with the latest CD, "All Our Yesterdays", arriving last September.

Over the past few years, RAINBOW was the frequent subject of reunion rumors, with Turner — who fronted RAINBOW from 1980 until 1984 and was a member of PURPLE from 1989 until 1992 — claiming that the former RAINBOW and PURPLE guitarist was "itching" to play rock music and insisting that he was in talks with the guitarist about a renewed collaboration.

Ritchie last year surprised everyone by telling a French newspaper that he was contemplating a return to rock music but excluding Turner from the project. "I think that Joe will not be part of the adventure, and he doesn't know it yet," Ritchie said. "He does his thing, I like him, and I made good albums and good songs with him, like 'Street Of Dreams'." The guitarist has since recruited LORDS OF BLACK vocalist Ronnie Romero, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau to accompany him at the upcoming shows.

Now in a brand new interview with Greece's Rock Overdose, Turner slammed his former bandmate, insisting that he was "betrayed" by Ritchie and blaming the guitarist for wasting his time trying to make an "authentic RAINBOW reunion" happen.

Turner said: "I'll tell you what happened…. A very short story. For over a year, I was talking with [Ritchie's] management, and we wanted to have big plans to have an authentic RAINBOW reunion — authentic, meaning with the integrity of the ex-members, with the material, with Doogie [White], Graham [Bonnet], everybody singing, everybody playing. This is what the fans really deserve to see — not what he is doing now, [which] I believe is a cover band. And we wanted… I wanted only to be involved if this was the situation. So when he started to back off of that situation, I just backed off of the whole thing myself and said: 'You know what? If you really want to do this, I am not gonna be involved with it,' because, for me, it's a very… How do you say the word? It's a cheap way of bringing it out. And I don't think the fans deserve it. I think it's a shame that he has to feel this way. So, to make this story short, I just said, 'Look, I'm not involved.' And then he had come with a comment in the Le Parisien newspaper that 'Joe Lynn Turner is not involved and he doesn't know it yet.' Well, I knew it, and it was a classless and very thoughtless way for him to announce that to the world. So I don't respect that very much; I don't think anyone should respect that. But that's his problem."

Despite the fact that he is not involved in Blackmore's return to rock, Turner says that he is "not angry about anything; I just feel that I wasted my time in trying to make an authentic RAINBOW reunion happen, and I was betrayed. So the fact of the matter, really, is that I wouldn't wanna do it any other way. I think it's just… what he's doing now, like I said, it's a cover band, you know. I don't know why he calls it RAINBOW, 'cause it's not RAINBOW, you know. And, to me, he doesn't give anything, really, to the fans. Of course, you go see Ritchie play, but so what? That's it. And I think a guitarist of his stature — he's an icon, he's brilliant, etc. – he sort of had the best way possible to return to some rock and roll. And I don't think he's making a good decision by doing this. But, you know, that's all I can say about it. Ritchie has the right to do what he wants. But I think he's making a mistake in so doing."

According to Joe, Ritchie's announcement that he was going back to playing rock music again has given him a sense of vindication for anyone doubting that he was really part of the RAINBOW reunion talks. He said: "Most of the people [were] saying that I was crazy, I was delusional, I didn't know what I was talking about… I kept talking about his return to rock, and they'd laugh at me. And I was upset about it, but at the same time, I'm not anymore, because I realize that I was telling the truth, I did know what I was talking about, I said what I was talking about. Whether I was involved or not, it's not important. But people should realize, 'Hey, at least Turner said the truth.' And I always say the truth. And what I tell you here today is the truth. I wanted authentic RAINBOW — not this. So good luck, Ritchie. I wish you well."

Turner also spoke about DEEP PURPLE's upcoming induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the controversy surrounding Blackmore's decision to sit out the ceremony because the current touring configuration of the band refuses to perform with the guitarist at the event. Joe said: "[Ritchie is] not allowed, actually, to come to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Because if he comes, Ian Gillan won't come, and the rest of PURPLE won't come. And if you ask me, they're all acting like children, and it's a mess, and it's a shame, and it's terrible for this to happen. But, you know, for me, it shows you exactly what's happening over there — that these people don't know how to grow up and just shake hands and be friends; you know, just stop all the bullshit. And it's a shame; it's making a big circus out of the whole thing. So… I'm gonna be on tour anyway; I'll be in South America for the whole month of April, so I have no problem about what the situation is."

He continued: "I made a statement on my Facebook that describes how I feel [about] the Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame, as I call it. I spoke with ['That Metal Show' co-host] Eddie Trunk about it on [his] radio show the other night, and he happens to agree with me. He said these people are clueless; they have no idea of who's who whatsoever. It's just a Hollywood cabal, it's a Hollywood event, and it really doesn't have much to do with rock and roll anymore; it's more of a celebrity event. In the early days, it was a true, honest… shall we say… organization. But now? I think Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has turned into a kind of a circus show. It's more like the Grammys or something stupid like that. People make the band, and I'm more concerned with the fans and the people. That's who makes the choices, not these organizations. It took them how long to make DEEP PURPLE in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? They should have been in the Hall Of Fame twenty-five years ago."

It should be noted that Gillan has insisted that he has no problems with Blackmore attending the Rock Hall ceremony and has said that he is not opposed to sharing the stage with the guitarist at the event. "We would love to perform with Ritchie, David [Coverdale], Glenn [Hughes] et al on 'Smoke On The Water' in the encore jam," Ian said.

On February 23, Alyona Minkovski of HuffPost Live conducted an interview with '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about her brief exit from THE RUNAWAYS forty years ago after learning that her bandmates were gay, Lita said: "This was in the early '70s, mid-'70s, so I was not aware of homosexuality; I didn't know anything about it. And it was still in the closet; nobody came out and said, 'I'm gay' — nobody came out at that time. And when I found out that the girls were all gay in the band, I wasn't sure how to take it, and I didn't know what it was. I was only sixteen at the time. And I quit the band. I went home and I told my parents that it was the manager's fault; I blamed it all on him and said that he was too weird and I couldn't handle him — he was just too freaky. But that wasn't the case."

She continued: "So I had given it a couple of weeks and thought about it, and I thought, 'You know, it's really no big deal. I shouldn't worry about that. And I hope to God that they call me back and get me back in the band.' Because I was thinking that they would go on to achieve superstar status and that I would just be sitting at home and doing nothing. And thank God they called me back and they said, 'Lita, we can't find anybody that can play guitar like you. Please come back.'"

Asked if there were was any tension between her and her bandmates after her return to THE RUNAWAYS, Lita said: "No, there wasn't. And they knew I was straight. They didn't bother me about it, we didn't bag on each other about it. We just carried on, because it was no big deal. But, to me, it was back then, and it just really threw me for a loop. I didn't know that people do that."

Lita Ford launched a solo career after the breakup of THE RUNAWAYS, which also featured Joan Jett and Cherie Currie.

A movie about THE RUNAWAYS' brief history, starring Dakota Fanning as Currie and Kristin Stewart as Jett, came out in 2010.

"The Runaways" was directed by Floria Sigismondi, who was best known for directing music videos by such artists as DAVID BOWIE, MARILYN MANSON, and SHERYL CROW.

Lita Ford's memoir "Living Like A Runaway", was released on February 23 via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

A Canadian psychology professor has claimed that heavy metal can help promote scientific thinking in the classroom.

In a recently published article, Rodney Schmaltz, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at McMaster University in Edmonton, Alberta, argues that cases where heavy metal has been implicated in graphic and disturbing crimes can provide educators with a way challenge students to consider what evidence they have used to assess the impact of music on behavior.

One of the examples that Schmaltz brings up is JUDAS PRIEST's 1990 subliminal-message trial in Reno, Nevada where the band was found not liable for the deaths of two young men who cited the band's music as the reason they killed themselves. He writes in the open-access journal Frontiers In Psychology for their series "Novel Approaches To Teaching Scientific Thinking: Psychological Perspectives": "[The JUDAS PRIEST] case can lead to an interesting class discussion on how extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The claim that a backwards, subliminal message can lead someone to take their own life is an extraordinary claim. Students can be challenged to describe how they would experimentally test the impact of subliminal messages on behavior, followed by a class discussion of how the actual research was conducted in the field. This is an engaging example to help students better understand variable manipulation, demand characteristics, and issues of generalizability. At least in the case of subliminal messages, students will learn that music does not lead to problematic or harmful behavior."

Schmaltz also discusses the 1996 case where two teenagers were charged in the murder of a 15-year-old girl and later claimed they took inspiration to commit the crime from lyrics in the SLAYER songs "Postmortem" and "Dead Skin Mask". The parents of the victim sued SLAYER and their record label for unlawfully marketing and distributing obscene and harmful products to minors.

The professor writes: "Students should be challenged with providing the nature of the claim, and then exploring the evidence supporting the claim. Is the evidence sufficient to demonstrate a causal relationship between heavy metal and problematic and deviant behavior? One approach to further engage students is to divide the class into groups to act as the prosecutor or defense in a mock trial of the SLAYER murder case. The value in using this case is that the real-world outcome is known. The case did not go to trial, as the perpetrators of the crime had a history of criminal behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, as well as other factors that clearly demonstrated that listening to the music of SLAYER was not the cause of the horrific crimes."

Schmaltz goes on to cite the lack of scientific evidence in support of the argument against heavy metal, pointing out that subsequent research has shown that "people who were fans of heavy metal music in adolescence fared better in many aspects of their adult lives than people who were not fans."

He writes: "The value of using examples in heavy metal is that instructors can refer to the research that sheds light directly on the relationship between harm and this style of music. By using examples from heavy metal music, instructors are able to pose the question of the relationship between harm and heavy metal, allow students to consider the claims, apply critical thinking skills, propose how these claims should be tested, and finally solve the mystery with data from the relevant literature."

You can read Rodney Schmaltz's entire article at the Frontiers In Psychology web site.

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba says that he "loves" the fact that that a partial reunion of GN'R's classic lineup is finally coming together, but hopes that Steven Adler and Izzy Stradlin will also be involved in the band's return.

Ashba, who joined GUNS N' ROSES in March 2009 following the departure of Robin Finck and stayed in the band until last July, was asked during a question-and-answer session on SIXX: A.M.'s Facebook page how he feels about GNR's reunion and guitarist Slash. Ashba responded: "I love it for the fans. However, I hope they bring in Steven, Izzy and even Matt [Sorum] and Gilby [Clarke]!" He added: "I've always been a fan of Slash's playing; that was a big reason why I took the gig!"

GUNS N' ROSES has so far announced six headlining performances in April, including two in Las Vegas and two at California's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan slated to perform together again for the first time in 22 years.

The rest of the band's lineup for the shows — and a potential tour later in the year — remains unclear, although keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboard player Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer are all believed to be involved.

According to Alternative Nation, there is an "oversight management committee" handling GN'R's affair, with Slash, Axl and Duff each having a representative and a fourth person representing the other members.

Fan speculation around the involvement of original members Izzy Stradlin (guitar) and Steven Adler (drums) has been heavy, with Stradlin reportedly not interested in doing extensive touring and the band members not sure whether Adler, who has a longer history of drug problems than any of the other members, can hold it together on the road.

Ashba issued a statement in July 2015 saying that he was leaving GUNS N' ROSES. His statement read in part: "It is with a very heavy heart and yet great pride that I announce that I've decided to close this chapter of my life and encapsulate the wonderful times that I've shared with GUNS N' ROSES into fond memories. I have reached a point in my life where I feel its time to dedicate myself to my band SIXX: A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me."

Ashba added: "I want to take a moment to thank Axl from the bottom of my heart for not only the most incredible experience of my life, but for truly believing in me. You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful. And even as I move on to pursue other endeavors, I will always remain one of your biggest fans. I also would like to thank each and every one of you fans for your love and support throughout the years."

Ashba said earlier in his statement that working with GUNS N' ROSES was "the most incredible journey I could have possibly imagined."

"In a few days we enter the studio to record our third and new full length album," states Subterranean Masquerade. "We don't want to reveal the title just yet but we can say that this album is taking everything you enjoy from Subterranean Masquerade up a notch. It's heavy, complex, rich and full with so much information, it will be a shame to even try to categorize it."

"After a year of the tunes playing in my head, a challenging journey to India, months of band rehearsals and lots of editing and rearranging, this is finally happening and I couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome," says guitarist and songwriter Tomer Pink. "This album is so schizophrenic sometimes I wonder if the tunes are playing with me or the other way around."

"Writing and arranging this new album was a completely different experience than the one I had with The Great Bazaar", says keyboardist Shai Yallin. "With The Bazaar, we had written the album not as a band but rather as individual players; I actually only met Tomer and the guys after the album was recorded, for a PR photography session we held after Kjetil’s vocal sessions. This time around, we’re a real band. My parts have evolved during rehearsals and practice sessions. Some parts were written for me by other players, while I wrote more string parts than on the previous album and even adding some brass and accordion parts. Add to that Tomer’s insistence that we do not repeat ourselves and you get some really interesting combinations of timbres and instruments."

"We are also working on a European tour prior our show at the ProgPower festival in September - so stay tuned for live dates as well."



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Gear Gods conducted an interview with ACT OF DEFIANCE drummer Shawn Drover and bassist Matt Bachand aboard the Axes & Anchors cruise, which set sail from Miami, Florida on February 20 aboard the Carnival Victory, stopped in Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas, and docked back in Miami on February 24. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked how they feel about the term "supergroup" being thrown around in connection with ACT OF DEFIANCE, Matt, who was previously in SHADOWS FALL, said: "We're not a supergroup. We're simply a new band with players that happened to be in other bands. That's all it is. When you say the word 'supergroup,' that usually implies that, you know, you get together, make one record and then it will never happen again. But that is not the case with this. So it's technically not a supergroup, 'cause it's not gonna be a one-off thing. It's a new project that we're going a hundred and ten percent with."

Shawn, who joined MEGADETH in 2004 and played on four of the band's albums, including 2013's "Super Collider", added: "This is a real band, man. This wasn't put together… 'Oh, let's get Matt from that great band.' It wasn't like that at all. Chris [Broderick, ACT OF DEFIANCE and ex-MEGADETH guitarist] and I tried to find the best musicians we could that were available, really. Matt had stopped touring with [SHADOWS FALL], and it was just a matter of coincidence. I found out that Matt wasn't touring as hardcore as he was for twenty years, so I'm, like, you know… Actually, Zeuss was one of the guys… Our producer, Chris Harris — we call him Zeuss — was one of the guys [who said], 'You should maybe talk to Matt.' I was, like, 'Wow! What a great idea. And I just hit him up. But this is a full-on band. We're touring for the record. This is not a one-off thing. With respect to what we've done in the past, we're not living in it. This is a new thing and this is something that we're going forward with. We're not dwelling on what we've done in the past at all."

In addition to Drover, Bachand and Broderick, ACT OF DEFIANCE features ex-SCAR THE MARTYR singer Henry Derek Bonner.

ACT OF DEFIANCE's debut album, "Birth And The Burial", was released on August 21, 2015 via Metal Blade Records. The CD recording was split between three studios in three different states: Broderick handled vocal and guitar production at his own Ill-Fated Studio in Los Angeles, Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, REVOCATION, MUNICIPAL WASTE) worked with Drover tracking the drums in Dexter's Lab in Milford, Connecticut, while Bachand laid down his bass at ManShark, in Southampton, Massachusetts.

Chaotic Riffs Magazine recently conducted an interview with former RATT bassist and current RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER bassist/vocalist Juan Croucier. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On his new band RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER, which also features Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE), Mike Moore and Toni Aleman:

Juan: "This band is not — number one — a cover band. I'm playing songs that I either wrote or co-wrote the majority of. And I'm just singing my songs, and I'm doing my thing. And no, it's not RATT. I would never even pretend it to be RATT, because it's simply not, okay? That's reality. I'm not RATT. There is no single person in the band RATT who's by themselves RATT, okay? That's the bottom line."

On RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer's trademark infringement lawsuit against Croucier in which he claims that Croucier "formed a band which tours around the world under the name Juan Croucier's RATT's [sic] and plays the songs of RATT":

Juan: "I can't really comment on that part of it. I just wanna have a sense of class, and that's the way I kind of like to conduct myself. I can say this though. What we plan on doing is we're going to be making records, and that's what it's all about. And I don't know what the future holds for RATT per se, but I do know that this band is moving forward and nothing and no one is stopping it; there's just no way. And so we're gonna be recording our own material. However, look, I'm a fan. I get how it works. And a lot of people really enjoy the RATT songs. So the idea was to sort of have this RATT material as an introduction to the band, and then slowly what we'll do is we'll incorporate our own songs, as long as they fit well and the people enjoy them. And as we move along, there may very well be a lot more original songs and not quite so many RATT songs. Or the set will just get longer. Instead of, like, and an hour and a half, it'll be two hours. [Laughs]"

On what it was like to rejoin RATT in 2012 after being away from the music scene for more than a decade:

Juan: "That's a really natural thing for me. The weird thing about it is I've never stopped participating in music. The thing about it was when the band broke up originally, there were some really bad things that happened, and I had to resort to making records for a living to sustain myself and to keep my home. I was also a single father of two young boys, who are grown now. But I refused to be an absentee dad. So instead of going back out on the road and thinking of myself in 1997, a big thing I had to consider was the fact that I was a single father of two beautiful boys that really needed their dad and that were counting on me, and that really played a big role in why I did not return to RATT, okay? And mind you, in all seriousness, there were other issues as well that I felt needed to be addressed. At the same time, I've kept playing. As of '97, as I said, I have a studio so I could always jam with anybody and play. I've never stopped playing and I've never stopped writing songs, but I did it on a much more local level. So I have been playing, just not nationally or internationally. But I have been playing. And going back to RATT, my intention was, of course, for the band to really shine as I've always wanted RATT to shine. And, you know, it took its course. So now I'm just… This is a natural progression for me. And it's what I do; I've been doing it so long. I mean, at this point, I've been playing professionally in bands for forty-three years."

On whether he has given any thought to writing a book, like ex-RATT singer Stephen Pearcy and Blotzer have already done:

Juan: "Yes, I have given thought to it, and, you know, if I'm to pursue something like that, sometimes it's difficult, because when you speak as opposed to when you write — and I type, like anybody else does these days… So, yes, I thought about it. I just don't want it to be a really negative thing. I want it to be something that just kind of shows the situation for what it was and explains what happened and does not besmirch others… People look to people like me for fun and a good time and to get away from the really serious and negative stuff that's happening these days. And we don't have to think long about that. There's enough negative stuff out there these days to where you don't need to be airing your dirty laundry or making claims that are kind of inappropriate. I mean, it's just a good time, man. It's rock and roll, you know."

RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER made its live debut on September 24, 2015 at the Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan.

Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Blotzer announced on September 23, 2015 that he was taking control of the RATT name and was planning to hit the road with a new version of the group, which played shows earlier in the year under the name BOBBY BLOTZER'S RATT EXPERIENCE.

RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini in September filed a lawsuit against Blotzer, claiming that the drummer was falsely advertising his "tribute band" as the real thing.

Lita Ford’s long awaited and highly anticipated autobiography, Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir, was released on February 23rd via Dey Street Books, and can be ordered via the Amazon widget below.

In an alternate history, Led Zeppelin would have fired John Paul Jones in 1975 and replaced him with Ford, reports ConsequenceOfSound.net.

In Living Like A Runaway, Ford reveals that Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant offered her the gig after attending a Runaways concert in Los Angeles.

“[He] asked me if I could play bass,” she recounts. “‘For who?’ I asked. ‘Led Zep.’ He might have been drinking or pulling my leg, but he seemed to be dead serious in the ­moment.”

Read more at ConsequenceOfSound.net.

In support of the book, Lita is taking part in a cross-country book tour, including readings, Q&A sessions, book signings and more. Video footage from her February 22nd appearance at St. Vitus in Brooklyn, New York can be seen below:  

Information regarding the book tour events can be found below.

Lita Ford is set to release her latest album Time Capsule via SPV/Steamhammer on April 15th. The very special and unusual recording turns back the clock to a time when honest, down-to-earth rock music was still handmade and recorded without digital tricks and contraptions. Time Capsule is a "throwback" record that boasts identifiable voices and brilliant players jamming without any planning or pressure. Some of the album`s highlights: Billy Sheehan (bass), Rodger Carter (drums), Dave Navarro (mandolin), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander (backing vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass). The first single, "Rotten To The Core" is streaming below and features KISS' Gene Simmons on bass, former KISS axeman Bruce Kulick on guitar and Rodger Carter on drums.

Time Capsule contains ten songs plus an intro and will be available as a digipak as well as an LP version and download. It's Ford's gift to fans who love the ´80s, when thrilling vocal performances, raunchy riffs, and loud, growling guitars were as essential as oxygen. Time Capsule is available for pre-order via the Amazon widget below.

Time Capsule tracklisting:

“Intro”
“Where Will I Find My Heart Tonight”
“Killing Kind”
“War Of The Angels”
“Black Leather Heart”
“Rotten to the Core”
“Little Wing”
“On The Fast Track”
“King Of The Wild Wind”
“Mr. Corruption”
“Anything For The Thrill”

In support of Time Capsule, Lita Ford has taken to the road with her all-star band for a string of headline dates and special shows. Following those dates, Lita will join up with Halestorm providing direct support on their North America tour. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Lita on the new album and tour: "Time Capsule is some of the best work I've ever produced and written with some of the best of the best musicians and engineers of the '80s, this package is only missing one thing... a tour. But now we have it. It is with great honor and respect that I will be providing direct support to Halestorm with up and comers Dorothy opening the shows. We can all rock out together as this will surely be a tour of the titans. So grab yourself the book and rock out to this buried treasure. Then get ready for this one of a kind tour!"

Lita Ford live:

March
5 - Beverly Hills, CA - Saban Theatre (with Ace Frehley)
6 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl (with Ace Frehley)
19 - Toledo, OH - Savage Arena (with Bret Michaels, Ratt, Warrant, Firehouse, LA Guns, Trixter)
 
Lita Ford with Halestorm:

April
1 - Reading, PA - Reading Eagle Theatre in the Santander Arena
2 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
5 - Huntington, WV - Big Sandy Superstore Arena
6 - Lexington, KY - Singletary Center
7 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
9 - Biloxi, MS - Hard Rock Live
11 - Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theatre
12 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
13 - Wichita, KS - Cotillion Ballroom
15 - Fargo, ND - Fargo Civic Center
16 - Sioux City, IA - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
19 - Huntsville, AL - Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
20 - Spartanburg, SC - Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
21 - Johnson City, TN - Freedom Hall Civic Center
24 - Ladson, SC - 98 Rock Fest



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Bobby Blotzer's new RATT has parted ways with bassist Scotty Griffin (ex-L.A. GUNS) and has replaced him with Robbie Crane. Griffin will play two more shows with RATT — March 5 at Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and March 19 at Rock The Arena in Toledo, Ohio — before stepping down from the group.

Crane previously played bass for RATT from 1996 to 2012 and appeared on the band's 1999 self-titled album and 2010's "Infestation".

Blotzer announced last September that he was taking control of the RATT name and hitting the road with a new version of the group, which played shows earlier in the year under the name BOBBY BLOTZER'S RATT EXPERIENCE.

RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini later filed a lawsuit against Blotzer, claiming that the drummer was falsely advertising his "tribute band" as the real thing.

Blotzer's revamped RATT is rounded out by vocalist Josh Alan (ex-SIN CITY SINNERS) and guitarists Doc Ellis (Jizzy Pearl's LOVE/HATE) and Blaze.

WBS, Inc., the company which manages the business and operations related to RATT, was originally formed by Blotzer, DeMartini and singer Stephen Pearcy. Pearcy lost his share of the name in court after splitting with the group in 2000. He returned to the band in 2006 but exited again in 2014. Blotzer has since expressed his desire to keep RATT alive with a new singer, but explained that DeMartini did not want to tour as RATT without Pearcy.

Roadhouse Interactive, 50cc Games and metal legends IRON MAIDEN have announced that "Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast", an action-packed, free-to-play RPG steeped in IRON MAIDEN mythology, will launch worldwide this summer on iOS and Android platforms.

A trailer for "Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast" is available below.

Following a series of hit action sports titles for Red Bull Media House, "Warhammer 40,000: Carnage", a games workshop ARPG, and "Food Battle: The Game" for YouTube sensations SMOSH, Roadhouse Interactive's development and publishing divisions have been working hand in hand with IRON MAIDEN and their Phantom Music Management team, who have granted unparalleled access to the vaults in order to create a truly authentic IRON MAIDEN game.

Developed in close collaboration with IRON MAIDEN's management, players take on the role of the band's iconic mascot, Eddie, in his many forms — each with unique abilities. Players explore new worlds, travel through time, and battle a cast of dramatic and engaging characters drawn from the expansive catalogue of MAIDEN's albums and art. Gameplay is enhanced with a soundtrack using songs spanning the band's entire career, including previously unheard live recordings of IRON MAIDEN classics adapted for the game by engineer Tony Newton under the close scrutiny of bassist and founding member Steve Harris.

"We always thought MAIDEN's music and imagery with Eddie could be perfect for gaming and it's something we have been looking at doing again since 'Ed Hunter' in 1999. Now in 2016 it can all be done on a smartphone which makes it even more accessible for all our fans and also all the gamers out there," comments Harris.

IRON MAIDEN's latest album, "The Book Of Souls", was released in September 2015 to popular and critical acclaim, hitting the No. 1 spot in over 40 countries and reinforcing their position as one of the most relevant and influential bands in music today. They have just embarked on the "The Book Of Souls" world tour, and with fan excitement at fever pitch, it's the perfect time to expand IRON MAIDEN's legend into gaming.

"Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast" will be available later this year on iOS and Android platforms. See IronMaidenLegacy.com for ongoing releases about the game.

Professionally filmed video footage of DEATH ANGEL's August 2015 performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany can be seen below.

DEATH ANGEL has set "The Evil Divide" as the title of its new album, due on May 27 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was once again recorded at AudioHammer studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof, who previously worked on 2010's "Relentless Retribution" and 2013's "The Dream Calls For Blood". Mastering duties were handled by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City. Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Father Of Lies" and "Lost"

DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda told SFWeekly.com about working with Suecof again: "It's the third time we've used him, and we couldn't really be happier."

He continued: "This time, all the music was written and lyrics were written with the exception of one song, which I purposely saved to write on the spot.

"Sometimes you can get a great vibe from a studio and draw inspiration from that. That song came out great.

Mark added: "It's got the aggressiveness of the last two records, but our songwriting has improved dramatically. Really, it sounds like DEATH ANGEL should."

Osegueda told Rock Hard magazine about DEATH ANGEL's mindset going into the songwriting process for the upcoming CD: "When we started working with Jason Suecof for the last two records, 'Relentless Retribution' and 'The Dream Calls For Blood', we thought we were gonna do two records intense like that and kind of go back [to the more] melodic [direction of 1990's] 'Act III', but the last two records, we've been loving so much writing that style, and the crowds have been enjoying them so much.

"In our minds, even if we think we're being more brutal than we've ever been, it's inevitable that we are obsessed with melody, so there's always gonna be melody that separates us from, say, different thrash bands or extreme bands, because we always veer to a melody and catchy hooks. No matter how brutal we think we're being, we like to throw in hooks, so we're just gonna carry on how we're doing now and try to pick as many of the young punters there and keep our stronghold on the old punters."

"By The Blood", the new video from Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "Hellelujuah", which came out on February 5 via eOne Music. The follow-up to 2013's "Resilience" was recorded with renowned producer Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL).

DROWNING POOL singer Jasen Moreno recently told I'm Music Magazine about "Hellelujuah": "Me and the rest of the guys definitely share [the] opinion [that it is the heaviest DROWNING POOL album since 2001's 'Sinner'] and it was intentional; we went into the studio with that mind set and frame of mind to make the heaviest album that we could and still be within the identity of DROWNING POOL. Obviously, we did not want to alienate any of the fan base by going full out crazy, but we tried to make it the most aggressive and heavy thing that DROWNING POOL has ever done. I hope everyone else feels that way too because that was the goal of this record."

Moreno also spoke about DROWNING POOL's collaboration with Suecof. He said: "It's the first time that any of us have worked with him. We had an early conference call with him and we just vibed; he really spoke the language. It really came across in the conversation that he was going to be able to help us capture what we were going for. We didn't have to try and bring him around to our way of thinking because he was already there. He's worked with a lot of heavy bands and he knew exactly what we were looking for and he knew how to get us where we wanted to be. So it was a no-brainer to work with him, and I think the proof is in the CD. We got pretty damn close with what we wanted to capture and he had a lot to do with that, so thank you, Mr. Suecof. At times, I wanted to strangle the dude and it wasn't because he's a jerk or anything like that. He's a very passionate guy and he was fighting for the record just as much as we were fighting for it. I think you can hear that passion in this record from everyone, not just us but from Suecof as well. He really gave it his all and we’re really grateful to have worked with him on this."

Regarding the "Hellelujuah" album title, Moreno said: "That came from our drummer, Mike [Luce], and he is notorious for his coffee rants, whether it's when we're writing or rehearsing or whatever. He gets on these rants and says all this really wild stuff. One day, we were tracking drums and he was all jacked out on coffee and he started throwing out all of these names. 'Hellelujah' happened to be one of them and we all pounced on it. It's a celebration and obviously a play on the word 'hallelujah' with a DROWNING POOL twist. It has that heavy metal bitterness, if you will; we're not trying to champion any über-positive messages on this record, so 'hellelujah' seem to sum it all up. It summed up all of that bitterness, anger and venom. It's been a rough ride for DROWNING POOL, you know?"

Las Vegas-based metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have released the official music video for their new single "My Nemesis". The video concept was conceived by the band and realized by renowned director Nick Peterson who previously helmed the group's award-winning videos for "Coming Down" (2012) and "Wrong Side Of Heaven" (2014).

"My Nemesis" is the third single from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's current album, "Got Your Six", and has already climbed to Top 20 on the Active Rock radio chart.

The clip's multi-faceted storyline explores the hard and painful choices everyone has to face one time or another in life. The video is focused around the pain and grief involved in overcoming and moving on from emotionally entangled difficult situations — following various scenarios from teenage runaways to drug abuse and domestic violence. Peterson powerfully depicts this impactful message on film, similar to the band's "Wrong Side Of Heaven" video in 2014. That clip was intended to increase knowledge about the plight of veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the crowd-funding campaign to support the cause raised over $ 225,000 at the time.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory states: "In life, everyone has a nemesis… it can be anything… a self-defeating thinking pattern, a bad habit, an addiction, an adversary… something or someone that puts you in an impossible scenario, where you are presented with a fork in the road. Sometimes there is no other choice but making a hard choice. You can give up and just suffer the situation, or you can use your pain to overcome it, as pain is truly the wind in the sails of change.

"We wanted to present a story about moving on, a story that probes and questions compassion and loyalty. Those are beautiful notions, but remember you have to be loyal and fair to yourself as well, so will you sacrifice yourself for another or will you live with the guilt that you didn't."

In support of the video and the song;s message of overcoming our struggles, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is encouraging fans to share their own "Nemesis" on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by completing the phrase — "#MyNemesis is ________ and I will #OVERCOME". Search the hashtag, comment and support your fellow FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH fans.

Fans can visit fivefingerdeathpunch.com/mynemesis to see all of the fan responses and are encouraged to send a positive message to those that resonate with them personally.

Speaking about "My Nemesis", FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook said: "'My Nemesis', that was the second riff-type guitar lick that I set out to make — some sort of signature, identifiable guitar part. And I like it; it's kind of got a wacky little sound and it's instantly identifiable. I thought it was one of our strong tracks of the bunch at the time."

Added FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH drummer Jeremy Spencer: "It was strong vocally, but we thought… [Singer Ivan Moody] was nailing it, nailing it, nailing it, and then when it came to the tagline of the song, he kind of took a left turn lyrically and it kind of threw us. I think it was called 'Dark Genesis' or something like that, initially. And we were, like, 'Dude, you're talking about relationship stuff all the way up to this point, and then you take this drastic left turn lyrically.' It kind of confused us. So we kind of ended up meeting in the middle and ended up with 'My Nemesis'."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will team up with SHINEDOWN for a series of co-headlining shows this May, in conjunction with all of their performances at the biggest U.S. festivals of the year (see below for complete touring schedule).

"Got Your Six" entered the Billboard 200 album chart at No. 2, selling 119,000 copies in its first week of release. This was the band's third straight No. 2 debut, following both volumes of "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell" in 2013. "Got Your Six", however, did rack up the band's best single sales week ever, surpassing the 112,000 copies sold of "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 1", in its first week.

Each of FIVE FINGER's previous albums has been certified gold in the U.S. for sales of 500,000 copies or more.

"The Four Wise Ones", the brand new video from Finnish masters of melancholic metal AMORPHIS, can be seen below. The clip was filmed in late 2015 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands during the band's European tour with NIGHTWISH and ARCH ENEMY.

"The Four Wise Ones" is taken from AMORPHIS's latest album, "Under The Red Cloud", which was released on September 4, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

"Under The Red Cloud" track listing:

01. Under The Red Cloud02. The Four Wise Ones03. Bad Blood04. The Skull05. Death Of A King06. Sacrifice07. Dark Path08. Enemy At The Gates09. Tree Of Ages10. White Night

Bonus tracks (digipak & 2LP):

11. Come The Spring12. Winter’s Sleep

AMORPHIS guitarist Esa Holopainen previously stated about "Under The Red Cloud": "The artwork is done by Valnoir Mortasonge. Valnoir is well known from his works for LAIBACH, PARADISE LOST, WATAIN, BEHEMOTH and many more. It was a great pleasure to work with him as he [captured] the lyrical topics really well. Colors and details describe the music perfectly."

He continued: "'Under The Red Cloud' is produced by Jens Bogren, who did amazing job with the album. There's a lot's of elements in the songs but every note and element is in perfect harmony so that the result is fucking heavy and melodic. All I can say is that 'Under The Red Cloud' will be in my personal Top 3 AMORPHIS albums that we've ever done."

LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page says that he "never heard" the SPIRIT song which he has been accused of stealing for his band's iconic track "Stairway To Heaven" until two years ago.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Page gave a declaration in court last week relating to lawsuit brought by the trust of the late SPIRIT guitarist Randy California which argues that the opening notes of "Stairway To Heaven" are too similar to a few notes from a 2-minute, 37-second instrumental titled "Taurus" from SPIRIT's 1968 album.

Page stated in the declaration: "Prior to hearing a recording of 'Taurus' in 2014 in connection with this matter, I have never heard 'Taurus' or even heard of it. I am very good at remembering music and am absolutely certain that I never heard 'Taurus' until 2014."

The guitarist went on to admit that ZEPPELIN shared the stage several times with SPIRIT. However, in the declaration, Jimmy stressed: "I do not recall ever seeing SPIRIT perform live. Again, though, I am absolutely certain I never heard them, or anyone else, perform 'Taurus'."

In his declaration, Page claimed that the beginning of "Stairway To Heaven" "includes a descending chromatic line chord progression and arpeggios, over which played an ascending line. I consider descending chromatic lines and arpeggiated chords basic skills learned by any student of the guitar. Certainly, as a guitarist, I was aware of descending chromatic lines and arpeggios long before 1968."

Page went on to say that he composed the music for "Stairway To Heaven" with "the intention to create a long work, with multiple different parts, that would unfold with increasing complexity and speed culminating in a guitar solo that was preceded by a distinct fanfare, followed by the last verse concluding a climax to the song."

Page also admitted to discovering a copy of SPIRIT's first album in his record collection but claimed he did "not know how or when it got there," suggesting it "may well have been left by a guest. I doubt it was there for long, since I never noticed it before. But, again, I know I did not hear 'Taurus' until 2014."

In 1997, California told Listener magazine that he thought the song "was a ripoff" of his composition. California died later that year.

"Stairway To Heaven" is said to be one of the most covered rock songs and its worth is estimated to be more than $560 million.

Dr. Charles Fairchild, an American author and senior lecturer in popular music who is part Sydney, Australia's Conservatorium of Music, explained to Fairfax Media that he heard a similarity between "Stairway To Heaven" and "Taurus" in "about 10 seconds" of music. But Fairchild added that he thought the claim was "unlikely to succeed."

"The obvious and only similarity between them is the finger-picked guitar passage that starts off the guitar playing in both songs," Fairchild said. "In the [SPIRIT] version, it starts at 0:43 and in LED ZEPPELIN's it starts off the track. It is that easy, slow descending figure that sounds like a few slow steps down to a nice resting point. This constitutes three measures of music in both songs, which in both cases takes up about 10 seconds or so. However, the two songs go off in completely different directions after this."

He continued: "It seems to me that anyone claiming to have been the first person to have ever written this passage is making quite an ambitious claim. This passage is little more than a stock standard chord progression whose origins would be very difficult to determine. It also happens to be a very easy and satisfying thing to play on any guitar in standard tuning. There are probably a lot of other versions of it out there that would be equally similar."

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