Iconic, veteran rockers MÖTLEY CRÜE will play their final two shows of their thirty-four-year-long-career tonight and tomorrow at Staples Center in their hometown of Los Angeles. To celebrate their mark in rock music's history and in honor of their devoted fans, the band has announced a full-length concert film of the final performance, which will also include exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the last week of the tour, to be released in 2016.

After thirty-four years performing together, "The Final Tour" has seen the band perform all across the globe, visiting an impressive five continents since July 2014 (North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia) for a total of more than 164 shows. Fans alike will be able to enjoy and/or relive the spectacular and cutting-edge production elements of "The Final Tour", such as Tommy Lee's "Crüecifly" drum roller coaster, Nikki Sixx's fire-spitting bass performance, along with all the fan-favorite hits.

Christian Lamb has been tapped to direct the concert portion of the film, while Jeff Tremaine, creator of the "Jackass" series, is confirmed to direct the documentary segment. Produced and distributed by Live Alliance, the film will premier in theaters worldwide, as well as via pay per view in all cable, satellite and digital formats.

MÖTLEY CRÜE first announced plans for their two-year "Final Tour" by signing a Cessation Of Touring Agreement at a press conference in Los Angeles in January 2014, solidifying the end of their touring career with their last show ever on New Year's Eve at Staples Center in their hometown of Los Angeles. Since the announcement the band has been touring tirelessly to say goodbye to fans around the world. The 2014 leg of "The Final Tour" was one of last year's top-grossing tours, selling close to a million tickets across 72 cities and grossing more than $45 million.




(Thanks: NJthrasher)

After releasing three digital singles of new music this year, reactivated '80s rockers AUTOGRAPH will issue a very special five-song EP on January 7.

"Louder" marks the first physical release featuring the new AUTOGRAPH lineup: Simon Daniels, Steve Lynch, Randy Rand and Marc Wieland.

Initially, "Louder" will only be available exclusively on AutographBand.com, and at the band's live shows.

On January 7, AUTOGRAPH will host a CD-release party at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. A meet-and-greet will follow the band's performance, where the group will sign copies of its new release.

AUTOGRAPH will continue to tour throughout 2016, with copies of "Louder" available at all dates.

"Louder" track listing:

01. You Are Us, We Are You02. I Lost My Mind in America03. Every Generation04. Watch It Now05. Turn Up The Radio (live)

The platinum-selling Southern California hard rock juggernauts gave the world the ubiquitous hit "Turn Up the Radio", seminal albums such as 1984's "Sign In Please", 1985's "That's The Stuff" and 1987's "Loud And Clear", as well as unforgettable sold-out shows alongside everybody from MÖTLEY CRÜE and DIO to VAN HALEN and AEROSMITH. Given those accolades, when they disbanded in 1989, they never left the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the globe. Simply put, a reunion was both inevitable and essential.

In 2011, founding guitarist Steve Lynch and bassist Randy Rand decided to meet up at the NAMM show in Anaheim. They rekindled their friendship first, opening up the lines of communication and bonding more than ever before. With the relationship rebuilt, they made a collective decision to jam again.

"We approached our original singer Steve Plunkett about a reunion," recalls Lynch. "Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to join the band again due to how busy his business is. He did give us his blessing to move forward though, and that was important. There are so many eighties bands out there touring and having fun with it. We were one of the few that hadn't been out there. We missed our fans. This is for them."

Fully embracing the future, the remaining members caught some videos of singer Simon Daniels of JAILHOUSE on YouTube. Instantly, they sensed a connection and knew that he was meant for the open spot in the center stage.

"He has big shoes to fill," smiles Rand. "Nevertheless, he was born to front AUTOGRAPH. His hard-edged, bluesy voice and massive riffing sharpen our edge. He's given us a new energy, and he impressed us immediately."

"We all had a euphoric feeling after the first rehearsal," Lynch adds. "These songs hadn't been played in 25 years, and it was indescribable. It was great to be making music with my friends again."

With the lineup solidified, AUTOGRAPH stand poised to shake rock 'n' roll up yet again. It's as if every element has been enhanced from the guitars and drums to the bass and vocals.

Lynch puts it best: "We're much heavier than before. We're not using keyboards and we're tuning down for a much fatter sound. That strengthens everything. At the same time, the melodic vocals and catchy hooks are still an integral part of our sound."

For more information and tour dates, visit AutographBand.com.

Former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz has joined VOICES OF EXTREME, the band led by his longtime collaborator Don Chaffin (RED LAMB). Recording has already started for a new six-song EP, to be followed by live shows in all parts of the world.

Says Spitz: "This powerful and crushing quartet is reminiscent of nothing before, but does fall into the realm of STONE SOUR, SHINEDOWN meets SOUNDGARDEN with a slamming riff master twisting it to a completely new level of new guitar tones, sounds, tapestries and emotional rides. I pray it brings much love to all."

He adds: "There will be more announcements regarding other Christian movements, and projects I am entering into forthcoming that will certainly impact the world once again, and those involved with me are certainly a loving force of historical and legendary proportion."

In addition to Spitz and Chaffin, VOICES OF EXTREME features Steve Nichols (SOLITUDE AETURNUS, GODFEAR) on drums and Steven G. Knight on bass

VOICES OF EXTREME's latest album, "Break The Silence", was released in 2013 via Smash-Mouth Records. The band debuted in 2005 with "Hypocrite", a record that was produced by Spitz.

Chaffin and Spitz completed a 25-date RED LAMB tour in 2013 in support of the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in February 2012. The 12-song effort was co-produced by Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH) and Spitz and was described in a press release as "explosive hard rock, pop punk, alternative rock, with a taste of thrash."

In 2009, Spitz underwent open-heart surgery to repair a main artery in his heart that was said to be "almost completely closed."

The guitarist is a born-again Christian and Messianic Jew who has frequently cited his faith as an influential component to his life.

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's split with singer Joey Belladonna.

MTV Japan conducted an interview with vocalist Marc Hudson and guitarist Herman Li of DRAGONFORCE during the band's September 2015 Japanese tour. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On DRAGONFORCE's musical approach:

Herman: "DRAGONFORCE's music… Our approach is to mix many styles of rock and heavy metal together. But we make sure that the songs are very melodic and [that they have] great singing and melodies, and at the same time a lot of energy. People talk a lot about speed, but that's not what we are only doing — not just fast songs, but really good, memorable songs."

On touring Japan:

Marc: "To me, this is my first tour of Japan. Obviously, I've played [the] Loud Park [festival] before. But, having come here and gone to the smallers shows in the individual cities, I have to admit that I absolutely think that the Japanese fans are some of the best in the world. And I don't see that quiet side at all. I see people that really enjoy the music, and people seem to hang on every word that I say, so everyone's listening to everything and paying you the respect that you should be paid, I think, when you're on stage, instead of talking amongst themselves and everything. And at the same time, yeah, if I ask for a circle pit, I get a circle pit — every time."

Herman: "I think one of the best things about, on this tour, the Japanese fans, compared to the rest of the world, is [that] they're really there to enjoy the moment we give them instead of just taking out their phone and filming. They're not here holding the phone. When we tour in America and Europe, they spend half an hour just holding the phone in the air and watching the screen, trying to film the show. Here, they're actually just trying to enjoy the music when there's a real human being playing in front of them. Why would you look at a little screen? Even if you don't look at it, you're distracted by holding something. You're just there to enjoy it. And that's how I would like to enjoy a show."

Marc: "Yeah, absolutely. It's kind of like going back a bit, in a way, 'cause I think nowadays people tend to film stuff, but they didn't enjoy it on their face, when they're filming it. Whereas every single show we've played [in Japan], I haven't seen any phones out. I think that's so refreshing, because this is the only territory, I think, where that is really… You know, people don't wanna film stuff, 'cause they wanna enjoy it for the moment."

DRAGONFORCE is in the middle of the "Maximum Overload" world tour, which commenced in September 2014 and is due to conclude in 2016.

"Maximum Overload" was released in August 2014 in North America via Metal Blade and in Europe through earMUSIC, the Hamburg, Germany-based international rock label which is part of Edel Group. The CD was recorded at Fascination Street studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with OPETH, THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, AMON AMARTH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK and SYMPHONY X, to name a few. It marks the band's first-ever album involving an outside producer, having historically opted to record themselves in association with Karl Groom.

DRAGONFORCE recently released its debut DVD, "In The Line Of Fire", via Metal Blade. Shot in high definition during the band's show at 2014’s Loud Park festival at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, the DVD was filmed using nine camera angles to capture the raw energy of DRAGONFORCE's show and instrumental dexterity for which they are rightly celebrated worldwide.

IRON MAIDEN guitarist Dave Murray joined members of Alice Cooper's band on stage last night (Thursday, December 31) at Alice manager Shep Gordon's star-studded New Year's Eve benefit bash in Maui, Hawaii to perform the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades". Dave also performed THE BEATLES song "Revolution" with a group of stars that included Sammy Hagar, Pat Timmons and Michael McDonald. Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Every New Year's Eve in Maui, Gordon sponsors a star-studded New Year's benefit bash. And every year, an eclectic array of artists take the stage to raise money for the Maui Food Bank. Last year's show included Alice Cooper (whom Shep has managed for more than forty-five years), Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH, balladeer Sarah McLachlan, a couple of DOOBIE BROTHERS, local hero Willie K, and clown prince Weird Al Yankovic, among others.

Shep's ability to garner such star power for his New Year's dinner and show is testament to his altruistic character and spirit of generosity. He has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the best connected and best-liked figures in showbiz.

For thirty years the New Year's eve event was held at Shep's oceanfront home. But when he realized that more people meant more money to help the hungry, he moved the event to his ever-popular restaurant Mala located at Wailea Beach Marriott, where larger audiences could be accommodated. Over the last seven years the event has grown exponentially; in fact, since 2008, Shep has provided 450,000 meals for those in need of hunger relief.

Shep notes: "Having a successful restaurant business puts food at the forefront. How can we sit down at the dinner table to eat and not share with those who are in need? We're all on the same planet, and we all have the ability to give something. If we all work together, we can stop hunger on Maui."

Members of GUNS N' ROSES, JUDAS PRIEST, GREEN DAY, DISTURBED, SEETHER, SUM 41, MINISTRY, ESCAPE THE FATE, ANTHRAX, BUTCHER BABIES, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, and even smooth-jazz saxophonist Kenny G, share memories and say goodbye to MÖTLEY CRÜE in the eleven-minute clip from Louder Noise below.

MÖTLEY CRÜE played its last-ever concert last night (Thursday, December 31) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

As the show drew to a close, bassist Nikki Sixx said: "Maybe a year from now, somebody's gonna look at you and say, 'Remember that band MÖTLEY CRÜE? They were pretty cool.' And you know what you're gonna say? 'Well, fuck you, because I was at their last concert ever!'"

MÖTLEY CRÜE originally announced plans for "The Final Tour" by signing a Cessation Of Touring Agreement at a press conference in Los Angeles in January 2014, solidifying the end of their touring career as December 31, 2015. Since the announcement, the band spent two years on the road, saying goodbye to fans around the world.

A full-length concert film of the final performance, which will also include exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the last week of the tour, will be released in 2016.

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE paid tribute to iconic MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister during their December 28 performance at Lupo's in Providence, Rhode Island. Check out the clip of the band drinking a toast to "one of the godfathers of heavy metal" during the show, which was part of KILLSWITCH's "Holidaze Rager" run of dates.

Lemmy, who just 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 Monday (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.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has set "Incarnate" as the title of its seventh album, tentatively due out in March on Roadrunner Records.

"WWE Raw" wrestling television program has paid tribute to iconic MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, who died on Monday (December 28) at the age of 70 after a brief struggle with cancer. Check out the clip below.

MOTÖRHEAD performed multiple WWE entrance themes, including Triple H's "The Game", Evolution's "Line In The Sand" theme and the "King Of Kings" music, which debuted at WrestleMania 22 and typically plays The Authority to the ring today. MOTÖRHEAD also played "The Game" live at WrestleMania X-Seven and WrestleMania 21 before Triple H's matches against The Undertaker and Batista, respectively.

Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and other wrestling figures offered their condolences on social media.

Lemmy, who just 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 Monday (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.

The video for "Black Grass Plague", a new song from former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 (real name: John William Lowery), can be seen below. The clip was filmed last summer with John 5's buddies from THE CREATURES — drummer Rodger Carter and bassist Ian Ross — in North Hollywood, California. Directing and producing the video was Coffin Case founder Jonny Coffin, who previously worked with John 5 on the mini-series "Tales From The Crossroads" as well as the DVD for "God Told Me To" in 2012.

The cover artwork for the "Black Grass Plague" single, designed by John 5, can be seen below.

John 5 celebrated 11 years of solo work with a "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" album. The set includes a live DVD, featuring footage of John 5 in concert. John 5 also released three brand new singles, the first of which came out in October.

John 5 in November completed the "Mad Monster Tour" featuring his band JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES. Select dates also featured former MISFITS member Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein and his band DOYLE. JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES kicked off the tour with a special show in Ramona, California on November 4.

JOHN 5 & THE CREATURES toured in support of John 5's eighth solo album, "Careful With That Axe", which was made available on August 12, 2014 through 60 Cycle Hum. The effort features Rodger Carter on drums and Matt Bissonette on bass.

SKID ROW is rumored to have recruited South African-born, British-based vocalist ZP Theart (DRAGONFORCE, TANK, I AM I) to front the band following the departure of Tony Harnell (ex-TNT) earlier in the week.

Theart's band I AM I was the support act for SKID ROW on their April 2013 tour of the United Kingdom. The trek ended in great style at a sold-out Islington Academy on April 13, 2013, with members of SKID ROW, I AM I and fellow support band BUFFALO SUMMER getting up on stage to sing the final SKID ROW song "Youth Gone Wild". Video footage of that performance can be seen below.

A founding member of DRAGONFORCE, Theart made four studio albums and a live record with the band and toured the world for a decade, eventually performing to audiences of up to 85,000 people. His time with the group also saw him nominated for a Grammy in 2009. After his departure from DRAGONFORCE in 2010, ZP worked tirelessly to put together his own group and, after catefully handpicking a set of expert musicians, the result was one of the most exciting new rock bands of 2012, I AM I. A promotional single entitled "Silent Genocide" in the summer was followed by the release of a debut album, "Event Horizon", in September 2012.

Harnell announced his departure from SKID ROW on Tuesday (December 29), writing on his Facebook page: "I'm sorry to inform everyone that I'm no longer the lead singer for SKID ROW. I thank the fans for their love and support!" He added in a separate post a couple of hours later: "I was not fired from SKID ROW. I quit. Being ignored and disrespected isn't my thing. I had a great time performing with the band and singing so many great songs. I don't regret a thing!"

SKID ROW later said in a statement that they "found out about [Tony's] decision the same way all of [the fans] did, via his post on social media. He had posted that he was no longer in the band before informing the band personally." They added: "That being said, we are all moving forward and wish Tony the best in his future endeavors.

Harnell made his live debut with SKID ROW on May 22 at Living Sky Casino in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada.

He officially joined SKID ROW in April as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, who was the band's frontman for fifteen years.

I AM I's "See You Again" video:


TANK's "Valley Of Tears" featuring ZP Theart on vocals:


Members of SKID ROW, I AM I and

Multi-camera video footage of JUDAS PRIEST performing the song "Metal Gods" on December 5 at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden can be seen below.

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford recently told the Q104 radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada about the band's plans to record the follow-up album to 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls": "Well, you know, in rock and roll, you've gotta kind of strike while the iron is hot, and that iron has been burning hot for decades for PRIEST now. It doesn't show any sign of cooling off, I can tell you that. The cool thing about where we're at right now is, of course, having Richie [Faulkner, new PRIEST guitarist] with us and having gone through that first writing experience together [on 'Redeemer Of Souls']. We were so motivated to keep writing as we were going along, but our label had a time schedule for us to keep, so we had to put the brakes on and start recording the songs that we'd written. And with that in mind, we're raring to go again, and I'm sure there'll be another PRIEST record in the not-too-distant metal future."

Asked whether he feels that "the clock is ticking" on JUDAS PRIEST's recording and touring career, Rob said: "Yeah, the clock is ticking, [but] we’re trying to hold it back. [Laughs] But it's great, man. I've gotta tell you, this band is having the time of its life, and we're very excited to be back out on the road after a short break from our last show, in Wacken in Germany at the big heavy metal festival there in front of eighty thousand heavy metal maniacs. So we're still bringing the fire and the metal with us wherever we go."

"Redeemer Of Souls" was released in July 2014. The follow-up to 2008's double-disc concept album "Nostradamus" was billed as a return to JUDAS PRIEST's heavy-metal roots.

"Redeemer Of Souls" sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS paid tribute to iconic MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister last night (Thursday, December 31) by performing the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades" during their concert at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Slash was last joined on stage by Lemmy for a rendition of "Doctor Alibi" during the GUNS N' ROSES guitarist's concert on August 2, 2012 at House Of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts.

"Doctor Alibi" comes off Slash's self-titled solo album, which came out in April 2010.

In a March 2010 interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Slash stated about the experience of recording "Doctor Alibi" with Lemmy, "That was another great moment; having Lemmy come down. Because Lemmy was one of those guys that I so looked up to and I still do. When I was a kid, I was one of those Lemmy fans that would bow in his presence. And we got to be friends and he's always sort of taken me under his wing kind of thing and he's always been really cool. Lemmy is one of those kinds of guys who can have a real serious attitude if he wants to. He's actually a really nice guy in general. I always thought he was sort of intimidating but he was always really nice to me. And I've had a chance to work with him; I've played on one of their records ['March or Die'] and I've done a lot of gigs with 'em. I asked him if he'd be interested and I sent him the thing and he got it right away and he came down to the studio. . . We had bottle of Jack Daniels and a couple bags of potato chips and it reminded me of when I used to show up at sessions. It was great. And the song is all about how the doctor told him how he might have to quit partying and then another doctor said, 'No, you need to continue.' It's a great personal thing; I'm really honored to have it on there."

Lemmy, who just 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 Monday (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 last 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.

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian joined members of The Paul Green Rock Academy on stage on December 30 at BSP in Kingston, New York to perform the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

Ian paid tribute to MOTÖRHEAD frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, who died on Monday (December 28) at the age of 70 after a brief struggle with cancer.

In a letter posted at RollingStone.com, Ian wrote, in part: "MOTÖRHEAD were arguably one of the most important bands in the history of rock music. They were an amazingly hard-working band. They were out there touring every single year. There's nobody else like that out there.

"It's hard to think about a world without Lemmy. It's been a constant in my life since 1980. It leaves a giant hole that will never be filled.

"Even with Lemmy and his lifestyle — and he was 70 years old — there was an air of invincibility about the guy. He truly was a modern-day pirate. As much of a bummer as it is, I'm celebrating his life and the fact that he really did go out on top. He finished a tour two weeks ago playing headline shows at venues in Europe that were some of the biggest shows MOTÖRHEAD had ever done."

Read Ian's entire tribute to Lemmy at RollingStone.com.

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's drum kit malfunctioned during the band's last-ever concert, which took place last night (Thursday, December 31) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Dubbed "The Crüecifly", Lee's drum stunt saw him bolted to a platform that moves on a roller coaster-type track near the arena ceiling, passing the band's inverted-pentagram lighting rig and spiked disco ball and spinning him 360 degrees vertically, rendering him upside-down.

During last night's show, Lee's roller coaster left the rocker suspended upside down halfway through his performance. As road crew members attempted to fix the structure, Lee said: "It looks like the roller coaster is broken. Well, fuck the roller coaster! Come on, guys, help. Come get me. I can't believe this is happening on the last night. I knew something wasn't right when I took off."

The drum kit was eventually set right and Lee climbed down the roller coaster. The kit was rolled back to the stage without Tommy, allowing the drummer to finish playing the show.

As the concert drew to a close, bassist Nikki Sixx said: "Maybe a year from now, somebody's gonna look at you and say, 'Remember that band MÖTLEY CRÜE? They were pretty cool.' And you know what you're gonna say? 'Well, fuck you, because I was at their last concert ever!'"

MÖTLEY CRÜE originally announced plans for "The Final Tour" by signing a Cessation Of Touring Agreement at a press conference in Los Angeles in January 2014, solidifying the end of their touring career as December 31, 2015. Since the announcement, the band spent two years on the road, saying goodbye to fans around the world.

A full-length concert film of the final performance, which will also include exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the last week of the tour, will be released in 2016.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Taylor Swift may have been the top touring act of 2015 with her "1989" tour grossing $250.4 million worldwide but it was veteran rock act AC/DC that sold the most tickets this year. The rockers sold 2.31 million tickets to beat Swift's total of 2.27 million. AC/DC did benefit from performing 15 more shows than Swift. AC/DC also held down the No. 2 position when it came to gross sales with $180 million.

Guitarist Angus Young told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that AC/DC has never changed its approach to its live shows even as it's played bigger and bigger venues. "Somebody once had said, 'You know, people know what they like and like what they know,'" he said. "In the beginning, we were a, you know, just a rock 'n' roll band, and, you know, when you would play in bars and clubs and stuff, you know, this is what the audience was coming to hear you for."

Some of the other notable acts in the Top 20 included ONE DIRECTION at No. 3 with $158.8, U2 at No. 4 with $152.2 million, FOO FIGHTERS at No. 5 with $127 million, FLEETWOOD MAC at No. 6 with $125.1 million, THE ROLLING STONES at No. 10 with $109.7, MADONNA at No. 11 with $88.4 million, PAUL MCCARTNEY at No. 13 with $77.7 million, ELTON JOHN at No. 14 with $77.6 million, and BILLY JOEL at No. 18 with $69.9 million.

AC/DC's sixteenth studio album, "Rock Or Bust", has sold more than 555,000 copies since debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart back in December 2014.

It's the band's first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who is suffering from dementia. He has been replaced by nephew Stevie Young.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested in November 2014 at his home in Tauranga on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.

Although Rudd played on "Rock Or Bust", he did not appear in photos or videos for the disc.

One-time AC/DC drummer Chris Slade officially joined the band's lineup for its performance on the February 8 Grammy Awards telecast. Slade is also behind the kit for the group's current world tour.

The remaining members of SKID ROW have released the following statement regarding the departure of their singer of the past eight months, former TNT frontman Tony Harnell:

"To the SKID ROW faithful,

"As you may know, Tony Harnell quit the band yesterday. We found out about his decision the same way all of you did, via his post on social media. He had posted that he was no longer in the band before informing the band personally.

"The last we spoke with Tony was on December 17. He was in the hospital being treated for 'bronchitis with asthmatic symptoms.' We were all very concerned and offered any assistance we could to help him get healthy. Due to his condition, we were forced to cancel our show in Chicago on December 19. The next time we heard anything was his post yesterday.

"That being said, we are all moving forward and wish Tony the best in his future endeavors.

"Lastly, amidst all of the rumors and speculation, there has been no talk of a reunion [with former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach] nor are we opening for GUNS N' ROSES.

"That's it for now. We'll keep you updated as best we can.

"Thanks for your support and understanding. See you in 2016!"

Harnell announced his departure from SKID ROW on Tuesday, writing on his Facebook page: "I'm sorry to inform everyone that I'm no longer the lead singer for SKID ROW. I thank the fans for their love and support!" He added in a separate post a couple of hours later: "I was not fired from SKID ROW, I quit. Being ignored and disrespected isn't my thing. I had a great time performing with the band and singing so many great songs. I don't regret a thing!"

Harnell made his live debut with SKID ROW on May 22 at Living Sky Casino in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada.

He officially joined SKID ROW in April as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, who was the band's frontman for fifteen years.

SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo recently told The Aquarian Weekly about the possibility of the band reuniting with Sebastian Bach: "Happiness, to me, is my spirit and my soul is more important to me than having dollars in my wallet. People may [not] believe that and that's okay. Anybody who knows me knows that to be true. I don't think you can place a price on happiness. We've been hit repeatedly over the years with, 'Why don't you do a reunion tour?' And you know what? I understand the question and I get it. I really do, and if I were on the outside, I'd be asking the same question, but no one feels comfortable with that idea."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde has commented on the events of November 13 in Paris, France, when more than 129 people were killed in seven coordinated terrorist attacks.

The greatest number of deaths took place at the Bataclan, a French music venue where EAGLES OF DEATH METAL were performing when terrorists began a siege that ended with 89 people in the club either shot to death or killed in explosions.

A number of artists halted their European treks in the wake of the Paris attacks, including LAMB OF GOD, FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES and others.

During an interview with AMFM Magazine, Wylde was asked if the Paris massacre and the Dimebag murder more than a decade ago made him feel more vulnerable on stage. He responded: "I don't think anybody thinks about it. It's like guys that drive a race car. I think you just get in the race car and go, you know what I mean?

"It's just really insane with the thing that just happened in Paris and Dimebag thing and the John Lennon thing.

"You can't stop mental illness.

"It's crazy that the Dimebag thing happened the same day as John Lennon. The one guy said that Dimebag broke up the band [PANTERA] and stole his songs and the guy with John Lennon figured he would kill him, get his fame, and get a date with Jodie Foster. It's like, 'Bro, I don't know if any chicks are going to want to date you now.' [Laughs]

"You can't stop crazy. If it's not guns, we'll be banning samurai swords or whatever weapon you can get. It's pointless, man. And the thing that happened in Paris, it's ridiculous, man. If you've got a problem with America, get an army together, and try and come over and whoop our ass then instead of this punk shit."

Legendary vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, known for his work with Rainbow, Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen has posted the following message to the fans via his official Facebook page here:

"Attention to all!

I have just been made aware of a Brazen Abbot CD/DVD 20 years compilation release. I am very saddened to learn that this “homemade bootleg” release was done without my knowledge, consent or approval. I consider this a breach of trust and fair business practice.

I am looking into the legal aspects of such release and would urge everyone not to purchase this unauthorized product until any and all legal points are negotiated and agreed upon.

I am shocked and disappointed at such unethical practice by Mr. Kotzev and feel this is a direct stab in the back. I have never seen this DVD and was not aware of the fact that Mr. Kotzev decided to release this DVD on his own without any regard or respect to me. This is unacceptable and appalling!

I will ask you all to share this information with everyone to support all true artists who still keep the integrity and standards in this crumbling music industry. Your choice is the only decision that can make a difference.

I appreciate your consideration and understanding in this matter and thank you for your continued love and support!"

Sincerely,
Joe Lynn Turner

Brazen Abbot released five studio albums and one live album between 1995 - 2005. Turner was featured on all recordings except for the 1995 debut, Live And Learn.

Turner, surrounded by George Gakis and his musicians, recently played an acoustic set Ioannina's Perama Cave during Ioannina Rock City Festival, with the main purpose of promoting Ioannina's cultural landscape, since the city is nominated for Europe's Cultural Capital in 2021.

Now you can watch video of the entire performance:



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Renegade black/thrash maniacs, Deströyer 666, return with their long-awaited new manifesto, Wildfire. The album will be released on February 26th via Season Of Mist.

With Wildfire, the band deliver one of 2016's most forceful heavy metal albums. Anthemic tracks such as "Traitor", "Live And Burn", "Hounds At Ya Back" and the title track are feral, full-on ragers that hunt you down, give no quarter, and leave nothing but ash in their wake.

Deströyer 666 is musical violence incarnate, and Wildfire is epic fucking metal.

Tracklisting:

“Traitor”
“Live And Burn”
“Artiglio Del Diavolo”
“Hounds At Ya Back”
“Hymn To Dionysus”
“Wildfire”
“White Line Fever”
“Die You Fucking Pig”
“Tamam Shud”

Band lineup:

KK - Guitar, Vocals
Vox Perra - Drums
Felipe - Bass
Vox Ro - Guitar, Vocals

 



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Italian brutal death metal act, Carnality, have released a video for “Abyssus Abyssum Invocat”, the lead track from their latest album, Dystopia, released via Memorial Records. The new clip can be found below.

 

 

Recorded at Domination Studios by Simone Mularoni, Dystopia is the direct evolution of the previous full-length sound’s with a certain and well-studied usage of melody, especially in guitar solos, to enrich a strong and fierce technical brutal death metal, denoting influences that comes from Nile, Job For A Cowboy and Behemoth.

 

 

Dystopia tracklisting:

"Abyssus Abyssum Invocat"
"Doomsday"
"Fall Of The Human Ratio"
"The Right Of Oblivion"
"God Over Human Ruins"
"A Sysyphus Drama"
"Lord Of Drones"
"Silent Enim Leges Inter Arma Pt.1: A Simulacrum Of Humanity"
"Silent Enim Leges Inter Arma Pt.2: Resignation"
"Silent Enim Leges Inter Arma Pt.3: The Gift Of Anomie"

“Abyssus Abyssum Invocat” video:

"Fall Of The Human Ratio" lyric video:

Trailer:



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Underground Symphony has announced the renewal of a deal with German band, Final Chapter, for the release and distribution of their second album, Legions Of The Sun, the follow-up to their debut The Wizard Queen, published in 2004.

The lineup is composed by leader and keyboard player Andreas M. Wimmer, vocalist Oliver Strasser, guitarist Michael Brettner and drummer Michael Stein.

Legions Of The Sun is a eight tracks of power metal made in Germany, with symphonic arrangements. It will be available in January, released in limited edition in digipak packaging.

Tracklisting:

“Trace Of Fate”
“Sail Away”
“Garden Of Fear”
“Legions Of The Sun”
“Eternal Deep”
“The Key”
“The Journey”
“The Battle”

Teaser:



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Corners Of Sanctuary (COS) has officially released a new video for the song “Left Scarred”, from their recent original album, Metal Machine, which is now available on Metalizer Records Germany in Europe and independently through the band website for the rest of the world. “Left Scarred” is the second single from the album and the release’s first video production.

Filmed entirely in HD, the video predominately features lead singer Frankie Cross amidst an exterior Northeast Pennsylvania backdrop. “Left Scarred” was shot at historic Brooke’s Mine in Nay Aug Park located within NEPA’s Electric City, Scranton, PA. Scranton is also Frankie’s hometown.

When asked about his experience while filming the video, Frankie had this to say, “When action is called you must immediately immerse yourself not only in the music and words but in the reality of the song core itself and stay in that mental combat zone until cut is called. “Left Scarred” is not only the title but a tapestry of horror and hope.”

The video is fast paced and the edits are swift and sharp adding to the black and white motif of the song’s perilous narrative. Produced by Cosmick Productions, the video was edited and directed by the independent, Philadelphia film maker Zen Say.

“It really is an amazing experience to be part of an elaborate process that makes a concept from a song come to life in the form of a music video. This medium creates another unique interpretation of the song’s original meaning as well as giving the fans another form to experience the music,” added guitarist Mick Michaels.

Corners Of Sanctuary takes to the road in 2016 in support of Metal Machine with the Wrecking Ball Tour. A new crowdfunding page has been created to assist in supporting the band’s efforts and is now live, here.

Fans’ financial support is being gifted with several Official COS Metal Machine Merchandise Packages which include autographed photos and CDs, concert shirts, patches and supporters having their names listed on the COS website.

Upcoming 2016 Corners Of Sanctuary shows:

January
2 - The Met - Pawtucket, Rhode Island
16 - Music Rocks Autism Showcase (Live at The Nail) - Ardmore, Pennsylvania
22 - The Grog & Tankard - Stanford, Virginia
23 - The Riff House - Chesapeake, Virginia
30 - Reverb - Reading, Pennsylvania

March
4 - The Maywood - Raleigh, North Carolina
5 - Memories - Waldorf, Maryland

May
13-14 - NEPA Metal Meltdown Fest - Pittson, Pennsylvania



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Stockholm, Sweden-based rockers, Svartanatt, have released their new single, “Dead Mans Alley”, streaming below and available via iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, etc. via The Sign Records.

The band released their debut earlier this fall with the song and video “Demon”. On December 28th the band finished the recordings for their debut album, which will be out in late spring 2016. “Dead Mans Alley” was recorded in the spring of 2015 at Slowbeat studio in Gävle by Jonas Strömberg and mixed by Konie Ehrencrona in Studio of Cobra.

“Dead Mans Alley”:

The band holds a classic and timeless sound that can be tracked back in time to the 60s and 70s. With Jani Lehtinen’s sharp vocals on top of organ driven heavy guitar rock the songs come alive and tells a story of their own. Members from Svartanatt have previously been seen in bands as the Scrags, John Duva and Beardfish.



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Poland’s psyched-out black metal mystics, Entropia, have declared the release of their second record, Ufonaut, due February 15th via Arachnophobia Records. The band have also shared the record’s hypnotic lead single "Mandala", which is available to stream below.
 
"Mandala" is at once pummeling and atmospheric, marrying the physical and the spiritual with a ritualistic feel that recalls its namesake. It is immediately apparent that the band’s interest in the spiritual and psychedelic is no aesthetic pose; Entropia have come to their own personal relationship with their subject matter, meaning that "Mandala" and the record as a whole never sound like derivative, shallow psychedelia. This is a band and a record with a wholly unique sound and being.

Ufonaut tracklisting:

“Fractal”
“Samsara”
“Ufonaut”
“Apogeum”
“Mandala”
“Paradox”
“Veritas”
(?) (Bonus Track - Vinyl Only)

"Mandala":

Entropia started in 2007 in Poland as a post-metal band performing music incorporating elements of shoegaze, post-rock and black metal. After the success of their self-released debut album Vesper back in 2013, which had a great response from both fans and the media, the band toured heavily, sharing the
stage with acts such as Mayhem, Altar Of Plagues and Minsk all across Europe. Bolstered by this, the band dedicated themselves to the creation of their next opus, a transcendent, intoxicating album that would become the soundtrack to the lives of a generation of seekers, castaways, shamans and dreamers.
 
Ufonaut is the result of three years' experimentation and, in the words of the band, “delves within a psychedelic vision of the world lacking peace and divine order". The seven tracks included on the album are proof that the band “released itself from any boundaries of convenience and the safety of well-known measures”, which in return allowed them to create an album filled with madness, anger and disdain for trivial reality. Musically, Ufonaut is filled with hypnotic riffs crafted from intricate harmonies and drum patterns. The kaleidoscopic compositions, full of twists and turns, are the legacy of numerous trips within their consciousness and inner selves.

 



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Vocalist Tony Harnell has confirmed that he has parted ways with SKID ROW, less than a year after he first joined the band. Harnell wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday (December 29): "I'm sorry to inform everyone that I'm no longer the lead singer for SKID ROW. I thank the fans for their love and support!"

I was not fired from SKID ROW, I quit. Being ignored and disrespected isn't my thing. I had a great time performing with the band and singing so many great songs. I don't regret a thing! xo TH

Harnell made his live debut with SKID ROW on May 22 at Living Sky Casino in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada.

He officially joined SKID ROW in April as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, who was the band's frontman for the past fifteen years.

In an interview with Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast, SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan stated about the band's split with Solinger: "It was evident [that it was time for us to go our separate ways]. There were certain things going on out on the road that kind of set us thinking… Things had been going on for a little bit."

He continued: "At certain times, you just get the feeling someone isn't putting a hundred percent into things. And SKID ROW is very important to the rest of us. And we wanted to carry on with quality performances and quality songs, so we decided to make a change."

Regarding how Tony Harnell came to be SKID ROW's new singer, Rachel said: "We've known Tony for years — literally, probably since the beginning of our career. And although I wasn't a big TNT fan, I was a Tony Harnell fan, as [were SKID ROW guitarists] Snake [Dave Sabo] and Scott [Scotti Hill]."

He added: "When we made the decision to ourselves that we were gonna start looking, Tony's name came up. And I was, like, man, it's so funny, 'cause a couple of years ago, I was up in New Jersey for Christmas and I met with Tony in New York and I had dinner with him and another friend. And we just started talking. And he's, like… He goes… We'd known each for a long time, but at that point we hadn't spoken for a while. He's, like, 'I hear you guys are doing good things. How's it going?' I said, 'It's going pretty cool.' He goes, 'Man, you guys should have called me when you got a new singer [back in 1999].' And I guess that kind of popped up in the back of my head when we knew we were gonna make a change. And we immediately got in touch with Tony."

Asked if SKID ROW is working with Harnell on a "trial" basis or if Tony is "the guy" for the long haul, Rachel said: "He's the guy. I mean, that's where we're at in our heads. It's not a temporary thing. But, you know… [laughs] if get gets sick of us and leaves, then that'll be a different situation. But things are going really well now. And we're very excited. We're very excited about our future, very excited about getting on the road."

Sabo recently told The Aquarian Weekly about the possibility of SKID ROW reuniting with singer Sebastian Bach: "Happiness, to me, is my spirit and my soul is more important to me than having dollars in my wallet. People may [not] believe that and that's okay. Anybody who knows me knows that to be true. I don't think you can place a price on happiness. We've been hit repeatedly over the years with, 'Why don't you do a reunion tour?' And you know what? I understand the question and I get it. I really do, and if I were on the outside, I'd be asking the same question, but no one feels comfortable with that idea."

Rap/metal pioneers STUCK MOJO have confirmed that they have parted ways with vocalist Bonz and bassist Corey Lowery, a year after playing a well-received reunion show in the band's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Two new members have already been recruited and a new studio album has been completed, with tentative plans to release the CD sometime in mid-2016.

During an appearance on a recent edition of the "Talk Toomey" podcast, STUCK MOJO drummer Frank Fontsere stated about the group's current status (hear audio below): "We did the reunion show [in December 2014], and it was great, and we did a couple of other shows that were great. But it was one of those things — not to go into too much detail — we're gonna continue on, but it's gonna be me and Rich [Ward, guitar] and two other guys. It hasn't been announced yet officially, but I was told that I can say that."

Regarding the upcoming STUCK MOJO record, Frank said: "I think it's the best album we've ever done. I know everyone says that, but I've let a few people preview it, and I know Rich has let a few people preview it, and the responses are from people whose opinions we respect, who have no reason to be dishonest, and were, like, 'Oh my God! This is amazing!' So I really think it will silence any doubters. If anybody hears ,'Oh, STUCK MOJO put out a new record, but it's not with the guys that I want to be in the band, so it can't be any good.' Well, they'll get a surprise when they hear it. This album is not fooling around."

He continued: "We've done some experimental things in the past. Any artist wants to push the boundaries of what they do and what they're known for, so they try different things, and sometimes those things don't work out. But this record, you can depend on… The kind of thing that you want to hear from our band, if you're a fan, you will hear on this record. Let's just say, if you're a STUCK MOJO fan, you've got nothing to fear."

Asked if the new STUCK MOJO album will be released independently or if it will be made available through one of the established rock/metal labels, Frank said: "We're gonna do it on a label. I don't know who it is yet. We have some offers. That's all between Rich and our management and the labels and everything. I don't really participate in that process, because, you know, I think it's important for every ship to have a captain, and Rich, when it comes to STUCK MOJO, is definitely the captain of the ship. It's not a dictatorship; he wants input. He'll ask me all the time, 'What do you think about this? What do you think about that?' And I will definitely be glad to give him my opinion. I think I've steered him away from some wrong decisions in the past, creatively and business-wise, and he's definitely open to other people's suggestions. But when it comes down to it, you have to have somebody who has the veto power, you have to have somebody who says, 'Okay. I've heard everything. I appreciate everybody's opinion, but I've weighed it all in my head, and this is the way we're going.' So when it comes to all the label decisions and business decisions, that's between Mark Willis, our manager, and Rich; they make that decision. So I basically wait to hear what's gonna happen. But I know we'll be doing it on a label and we'll be putting the record out, hopefully, sometime in the summer."

As has been well documented, Ward and Bonz have had strained and often turbulent relationship, resulting in Bonz being dismissed from the band on two occasions, most recently in July 2006. Ward at the time blamed the split on the frontman's alleged substance-abuse issues, saying that the vocalist's illicit drug use "affect[ed] [Bonz's live] performance," in the process "transform[ing] a guy we loved into someone that no one in the band wanted to be around." Ward added: "To gamble the band's future on someone who is the source of such instability is not an option anymore." Bonz was eventually replaced by Lord Nelson.

In 2014, the "classic" STUCK MOJO lineup reunited for reunion shows, and work on a new album has commenced. Bonz was also active with his own band, BONZ, having released the critically acclaimed "Broken Silence" album this past February on Eternal Sound Records and Pavement Entertainment. A lyric video for the title track sheds light on his relationship with Ward through a clever use of STUCK MOJO songtitles.

Ward recently gave an interview to the "Talking Metal" podcast, in which he said about STUCK MOJO's cross-cultural musical mish-mash: "I never tried to be a funk guitar player; I was a metal guy. It was just how my influences cross-sectioned with our funk/reggae bass player and our rapper, who couldn't sing anything, 'cause he had no idea about melody. He was just a pissed off black guy who had a rough life, who had been in prison, who just had… he had a story and had an outlook on life that I just had no idea even existed."

In response to Ward's comments, Bonz released a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET in which he said that he "was simultaneously shocked, hurt and angered when I read the most recent comments that Rich Ward has stated about me publicly. I am not totally surprised, as this has been a point of contention for several years.

"Both my private life and my public persona are very important to me, and I do not appreciate either being questioned or attacked. "I am not sure where [Rich's above-mentioned quote] comes from, or quite how I am supposed to interpret it, but it is not something that I would expect to come from him in 2015. This was a stark reminder of how things ended up in 2006, the last time that we worked together.

"I have worked too hard to establish myself in this business to have anyone besmirch my name over and over again.

"The last three years have been some of my most productive. Forming a new band, recording an album that I am damn proud of, getting the opportunity to be supported by great labels, and traveling the country playing and performing music for fans, I believe proves any of the past derogatory statements to be 'questionable.'

"I chose to respond to these comments, as in the past I chose to remain silent and take the 'high' road.

"After traveling around the country and reconnecting with many old friends and fans along the way, I was alarmed at the stories and rumors that were out there. I want to make sure that my thoughts and feelings are conveyed and that the public is exposed to both sides of the story."

STUCK MOJO played its first reunion show on December 26, 2014 at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. The concert took place more than four years after the band completed its "Here Comes The Monster" tour of Europe with a lineup that featured Lord Nelson on the mic, Ward on guitar, Sean Delson on bass and Frank Fontsere on drums.

Lowery has spent the past few months touring with SAINT ASONIA, the new act featuring ex-THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier and STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok.

Pictured above (from left to right): Corey Lowery (bass), Bonz (vocals), Frank Fontsere (drums) and Rich Ward (guitar)

Veteran Canadian metallers ANNIHILATOR have re-signed with UDR Music for two more studio albums. The band's leader, Jeff Waters, states: "That will put us at 17 studio CDs when that deal is over! Add that to the mega-package(s) we are planning in 2016 and it's gonna be a fantastic four more years with them, us and the fans!"

In other news, ANNIHILATOR is planning to release its first full-length, full-production concert Blu-ray. The set will tentatively be filmed in April, most likely in Germany. Waters says: "It would be a very special event for fans, as we are (apparently!) discussing all the ways to make it so!"

Another ANNIHILATOR project that is in the works is a full CD/DVD of a dozen or so acoustic songs. Waters says: "There would be six musicians involved in this live acoustic show but we are thinking of doing it live in my recording studio in Ottawa; something along the lines of the bonus acoustic video material on the latest VAN HALEN release."

ANNIHILATOR will announce another European tour in January. The trek will include dates in Russia, Denmark and Germany that were canceled by "the Lufthansa strike, a venue issue and one night off for a bad throat!" according to Waters.

ANNIHILATOR's fifteenth studio album, "Suicide Society", was released on September 18 via UDR Music. As he has in the past, Waters handled all songwriting duties, played all guitar and bass, engineered, produced, mixed and mastered "Suicide Society", and he is also back commanding lead-vocal duties, as he did on the critically acclaimed "King Of The Kill" (1994), "Refresh The Demon" (1996), "Remains" (1997) and other ANNIHILATOR albums over the years.

Waters previously stated about his return to vocal duties: "Dave [Padden, ANNIHILATOR's vocalist from 2003 to 2014) and I have, essentially, been ANNIHILATOR since 2003 but he resigned last December, citing having had enough of touring, being away from home and other commitments. I thank him for his 11 years with ANNIHILATOR. That said, ANNIHILATOR and I are known for never giving up and, occasionally, coming up with something even better than its former offering(s): this is undeniably the case with 'Suicide Society'!"

Drummer Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, THE CULT) has penned the following tribute to MOTÖRHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister:

"Today we lost the greatest badass in the history of rock 'n' roll, Lemmy Kilmister. He was a man who lived his life with no apologies and lived the dream of a life on the road playing music to thousands of fans worldwide. Lemmy loved rock 'n' roll and his fans. Never took them for granted and rocked as hard as he could night after night. With his opening line at every MOTÖRHEAD show, 'We are MOTÖRHEAD and we play rock 'n' roll.'

"I met Lemmy in '89 when playing with THE CULT in London in a small rock club called St. Moritz. He opened his arms to me as I was new to the big leagues at that point. I felt accepted by him and that meant everything to me. The years ahead with GUNS N' ROSES, THE CULT and VELVET REVOLVER and travels on the road, it was always a good time crossing paths with him. Likes pirates on sailing ships. He was someone that carved the way and we followed by example. Stick to what you believe in, never waver and everybody else can fuck off.

"I got the call to play with MOTÖRHEAD in 2009 and took the invitation meeting them in D.C. with no rehearsal. Although somewhat nervous the fans would kill me if I didn't do the music justice, I played with the toughest rock 'n' roll band in history and definitely the loudest . The best time was on the bus with countless stories from the very intelligent Lemmy. A well-read man and history buff. It made you really love him like an elder statesman that you looked up to. A classic gentleman, really. That's what he was for me. He taught me to respect myself and have respect and gratitude for the life we'd been given.

"He will always remain in my heart as a guide to push on. Take no prisoners and never give up.

"The world of rock is shaken today, but thank God Lemmy was here to teach us how it's supposed to be done.

"My condolences to his band mates Phil and Mikkey and his family and close friends.

"Godspeed, my friend. I love you and will miss you."

Former MOTÖRHEAD guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke says that "the world seems like a really empty place" following the passing of the band's mainman, Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister.

Lemmy found out on December 26 that he was suffering from "an extremely aggressive" form of cancer. The 70-year-old rock icon died two days later at home in Los Angeles with his family by his side.

Clarke was a member of MOTÖRHEAD from 1976 until 1982. He was one-third of the band's classic lineup, which also included drummer drummer Philthy "Animal" Taylor, who died last month of liver failure.

Clarke says: "I have just been told that Lemmy has passed away in L.A. Like Phil, he was like a brother to me. I am devastated.

"We did so much together, the three of us. The world seems a really empty place right now. I am having trouble finding the words... He will live on in our hearts. RIP Lemmy!"

Clarke, Taylor and Lemmy appeared on five albums together: MOTÖRHEAD's 1977 self-titled debut, 1979's "Overkill" and "Bomber", 1980's "Ace Of Spades" and 1982's "Iron Fist".

Last year, Clarke spoke about the disappointment he felt after he was fired from MOTÖRHEAD. He said: "Some things you just don't get over. I had imagined dying onstage with MOTÖRHEAD, so it was a blow when they didn't want me any longer."

In a 2011 interview, Lemmy talked about the circumstances that led to Clarke's final departure from MOTÖRHEAD. He said: "I like Phil; he was my best mate. Eddie was kind of a friend except he was always complaining about something. It got kinda tedious. Last time he left, we laid low. Before, one of us would go off and bring him back. It was a shame. He shouldn't have done that; we had a lot going for us back then. He should have stuck though it. It was the Wendy O. Williams thing and I couldn't understand that (reference: recording 'Stand By Your Man', a cover version of the Tammy Wynette with Wendy O. Williams). He just gave up on it, because Wendy wasn't immediately perfect on it, she just needed to go through it a few times and he left the band over it. I couldn't fucking believe it. I think he was expecting to be talked back in. Phil came in the room and said, 'Eddie's left again.' I said, 'Whose turn is it to go talk to him?' [Laughs] I said, 'Fuck it, I'm not doing it.' That's the way it went. Wrong decision on his part."

EMP Live TV recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On what he would do in life if he wasn't a musician:

Alexi: "Oh, God. I don't even wanna know. Maybe I'd be in jail or in some sort of mental institution, but music has definitely saved my life. So I have no other options; I never really did. I mean, I knew it since I was a kid that I was gonna… this is what I wanted to do, this is what I need to do. So I dropped out of school when I was fifteen, and I got a job and everything, but I, basically, just… All I did was just concentrate on playing, practicing, writing music. In 1993, we were, like, thirteen and fourteen years old, me and my drummer, and we started making demo tapes and stuff like that. And then the bass player, he joined in 1995, and then blah blah blah. Then we basically got a record deal in 1997 and then the rest is just history."

On whether he remembers the exact moment when he thought, "This is what I wanna do for a living for the rest of my life":

Alexi: "I kind of do, yeah, actually. Well, I was probably four years old or something like that, and I heard… My dad was playing a DIRE STRAITS record or something like that. And I went up to my dad, like, 'What is that?' I heard the riff, and I'm, like, 'That's so awesome.' I thought it was the best thing ever. He's, like, 'That's guitar.' And I was, like, 'That's what I wanna do.' No bullshit. Well, I started playing violin when I was seven years old, so I started with that. But at the same time, I sort of already had developed this obsession for guitar. I just knew that one day I was gonna play guitar. And I sort of kept bugging my parents about it for years and years, and finally when I was eleven years old, my dad got me my first guitar, and then, you know, there you go."

On the heavy metal music industry has changed since CHILDREN OF BODOM first started:

Alexi: "Well, it's changed a lot, actually. Ever since our first album came out, I could see the metal scene going up and getting more popular. Let's just say from the mid-'90s, the scene was pretty much dead, especially extreme metal; it was very underground and the shows weren't that big. And then it started to get a lot bigger pretty much everywhere. I mean, not just in Europe but U.S. as well. So I could see the change, which was awesome. But now, obviously, music business has changed a lot because of the Internet and all that crap, which I don't really wanna get into it too much, 'cause I don't wanna be one of those guys who are bitching and whining about it. You know, it is what it is, right? Okay, fine, people download shit, but you've just gotta play along. If you're just gonna cry about it, you're never gonna get anywhere. I've always said that if you know how to play your instrument, if you know how to fucking kick ass live, and if you can handle a lot of touring, you're always gonna be fine. And that's what we do. I mean, CHILDREN OF BODOM has always been a live band; we've always been about touring. We've been on the road since we were, like, eighteen and seventeen years old, so we basically grew up living like this. I'm thirty-six now, but it's, like, fuck, I don't wanna go home. This is what I do."

CHILDREN OF BODOM's latest album, "I Worship Chaos", was once again recorded at Helsinki, Finland's Danger Johnny Studios and was produced by CHILDREN OF BODOM and Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their earlier albums "Halo Of Blood", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll". The CD was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

CHILDREN OF BODOM in May announced the departure of the band's guitarist of the past decade, Roope Latvala.