Intromental Worldwide is proud to announce the signing of the Swiss melodic prog-metal band, Neverland.


Founded back in 1999, the band released an album in the early 00's, toured around the world and went on hiatus for a long time, due to the death of the vocalist at that time. The band reunited some years ago and wrote their new album, Illusory World. Musically, Neverland is a fusion of ‘spaciousness and vastness,’ which is expressed through atmospheric keyboards, melodic vocals, and a solid rhythm section. In short, Neverland is energetic metal with melody.


Find the video for the song "Legends" below:







Following a reunion of founding members Daniel Huber and Boris Stoll, they decided to start a new chapter in the band’s history. Original vocalist Mike Zotter shared this vision, and they began exchanging ideas. Together with Roland Jost (bass), they worked on new songs. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated the recording process, as cross-border meetings were impossible. The songs were recorded and produced in their own Peakville Studio, with Tommy Vetterli once again handling the mixing. Mastering was completed by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The finished songs caught the attention of Tobias Bruntschi from Powerblast Records, who offered the band a contract.


With the reunion of the founding members and the signing with Intromental, the band is more determined than ever to open a new chapter in Neverland’s history. The band aims for songs that are diverse, balancing straightforwardness and experimental elements, allowing listeners to discover hidden details with each listen. Neverland’s songs are designed to remain fresh and captivating, sparking new interest with each play. Neverland has now laid the foundation for another chapter in their musical journey


Neverla

In a new interview with Mike Palm of TribLIVE, EXODUS and SLAYER guitarist Gary Holt spoke about the status of his memoir, which is due next year via Hachette Books. "A Fabulous Disaster: From The Garage To Madison Square Garden, The Hard Way" is described in a press release as "a no-holds-barred memoir from the preeminent thrasher's life in metal, from its humble (but not quiet) beginnings in the San Francisco Bay Area through today's current resurgence in worldwide popularity, as he lived big, played fast and crashed hard, written in collaboration with Adem Tepedelen."

"I had thought about doing a book for a long time," Gary said. "Just my career arc is very different. Most of your rock books involve starting out, mass success, huge drug use and alcoholism and a spiral down, then redemption. Mine's different. I had moderate success, completely out of music, complete drug addict, and then the redemption. It's really close to the finished stages now. I read the latest version of it. It made me cry a couple of times. It made me cringe a bunch of times because there's some really cringy [expletive] going on. And it made me laugh. It's laugh, cry, on the edge of your seat, like any good movie. That's all you could ask for."

Asked if there were any stories that he left out of the book, Holt said: "I left out anything that would be horrible to a lot of people I know, because if I turned it into a tell-all, I know where all the bodies are buried in thrash metal. I could expose everything. But no one would tell me all that stuff anymore, because Gary's a blabbermouth and he just shared it with the world. I peel the layers back on myself heavily, just like I always have. But I'm protecting the innocent to a large degree. I'm not going into detail about other people's stuff. That's for their own books. And that's their own decision, whether they want to share some of that stuff. And anytime it did involve bandmates, I ran it past them. Some stuff is not a secret, the drug use and all that. … I left tons of stuff out, stuff that would have made the most riveting chapters on Earth, but it would've been damaging to people I care about. And I don't mind damaging myself, because it's my story."

When Holt first shared the news of his upcoming memoir on social media in March 2023, he wrote: "Super stoked!!! The announcement in book circles has gone out today, so I'm sharing it in MY circle! The book about my life is under way, from the beginnings of EXODUS and thrash metal, to the drug fueled fall, to the unexpected and tragic circumstances that led me to @slayerbandofficial to the bounce back to Madison Square Garden with and @exodusbandofficial charting at number 20 on the MAIN Billboard charts, all will be told! No holds barred, all the lows and highs will be retold! Been a project very close to me, and I'm stoked to be working with @ademtepedelen_ @lauramazer @bschafer714 @hachettebooks and @wendysherman to make this a reality!"

Holt joined EXODUS in 1981, shortly after the band's formation, and has been the group's main songwriter ever since. Holt has performed on every EXODUS album, and is considered highly influential in the world of thrash metal.

Holt began filling in for SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman at live shows in 2011, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS. Holt played on SLAYER's final album, "Repentless", which came out in 2015.

In a June 2012 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, SLAYER's Kerry King stated about Holt: "I always regard Gary as the Glenn Tipton of our era — really good, really polished and nobody talks about him. To this day, nobody really references [JUDAS] PRIEST and Tipton that much as guitar players and I feel the same way about Gary. EXODUS have a huge following but a little more overlooked than METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, ANTHRAX — the 'Big Four,' so to speak, so [it is great] to be able to bring him to the forefront and shove him down people's throats and say, 'Hey, this motherfucker kicks ass. Pay attention.'"

EXODUS's latest album, "Persona Non Grata", came out in November 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap. For the third time in the band's history, they returned to Swedish artist Pär Olofsson to create the album artwork.

"Persona Non Grata" was the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

King Diamond's legendary guitarist Andy LaRocque and bassist Pontus Egberg spoke to BraveWords for a Streaming For Vengeance chat recently and talked about their current tour and new music which is expected to completed this spring (2025) and will be released shortly after their European summer festival tour in 2025. 


King Diamond has never performed in front of so many people in their entire career, and there was a point when things looked bleak. But those days are long gone. 


“Yeah, I mean, just follow the flow,” Egberg tells BraveWords in an excerpt from a Streaming For Vengeance chat which airs tomorrow (Thursday, November 13th) at 9AM EST. “When we came over here, the first tour back in ‘86, some of the places we played back then were just small local bars and clubs, actually. There were a few of those, you know, and then it actually has been growing for all those years, except for the very early, I believe 2000s? It was not very big at all. We played some weird places back then too, and actually after. I would say in 2012, after King had his surgery and everything, we started to play a lot of festivals. The whole thing with King Diamond just got a lot bigger since then. It was about 10 to 12 years back that it has been growing quite a bit. Yeah, so I’m amazed by that. We can only think our fans for that. We can only be grateful.”




And the horror of it all, watching the band perform is one of the craziest and scariest events to witness live!


LaRocque laughs: “Well, what can I say? We just try to. These stage sets, they come in a very large part from Kings own head, and incorporate things from the storyline of the upcoming album or albums. It’s just a fun spectacle to watch, I think. There’s a lot of stuff going on. We deliver the music, King the setting, and Jodi (Cachia) of course, the brains of the acting. There’s a lot of stuff going on. And the story and the stage is kind of evolving around a thing called Saint Lucifer‘s Hospital, where everything happens, crazy stuff, you know? And we were actually down at an asylum outside Philadelphia called Pennherst a few days ago to shoot a few parts of the video that’s coming up, in a couple of weeks I believe. We did some video shooting in the grand rehearsal in Dallas right before the tour, did some shooting at the asylum that’s going to be in the video as well, for a song called Spider. Yeah, it’s going to be crazy, I think. The whole stage is like Saint Lucifer’s Hospital.”


King Diamond are performing two new songs called "Spider Lilly" and "Electro Therapy”, but the grand finale is a special moment LaRocque says.  


“I must say though, of course when we play ‘Abigail’ the people go crazy, but the reception of the new songs has been very good. People seem to be really interested in hearing new music, so that’s really nice.”


And about the full album?


“South America tour, all that, you know,” Egberg lays out the master plan. “ Once we get back from the tour, we’re going to try to finish the album, then we have a European solo tour coming up and our own headline shows. Then after that, the album is going to be released, then we don’t really know what’s going to happen. But, I mean Japan, South America, Australia, will be awesome. So, we’ll see.”


Watch King Diamond legends guitarist Andy LaRocque and bassist Pontus Egberg on Streaming For Vengeance tomorrow (Thursday, November 13th) at 9AM EST. 





King Diamond's North American headlining tour will run through December 6 in Dallas, Texas. Support features Overkill and Night Demon. Additional backing vocals for the King Diamond set are provided by special guest, Myrkur.


Secure your tickets at kingdi

Brutal Belgian death metal band Fractured Insanity return home for their new album, and have revealed details of what will be their fifth full-length entitled Age Of Manipulation, which will see the light of day on February 18, 2025 through Xtreem Music on CD and Digital formats.


Check out the first single, "Exaltation Of A Fallen Glory":







Fractured Insanity return to Xtreem Music, where they released their second and third albums, after having been with Massacre Records for their fourth album. The band began its journey in 2004 by releasing its first EP The Ethics Of Nihility (2006), followed by four albums: When Mankind Becomes Diseased... (2007), Mass Awakeless (2010), Man Made Hell (2016) and Massive Human Failure (2020), all of them recorded and mixed at Hertz Studios in Poland. Their style has remained unchanged over the years, with their characteristic mix of brutal death and black metal that will surely delight fans of groups like: Dying Fetus, Behemoth, Suffocation, Hate Eternal, Decapitated, Cattle Decapitation, Aborted, and Benighted.


Age Of Manipulation artwork and tracklisting:

InTheosis is the brainchild of Norwegian Grammy-nominated Extol vocalist, Peter Espevoll, and Australian Gold producer Jon Reichardt. On paper it would seem like an unlikely fit, as the two have found success in very different musical genres, but in reality the collaboration makes perfect sense.





Today, they have shared their third single thus far in the form of "Iconoclast". It boasts quite the chunky groove and features vocal contributions from hip-hop artist, Damien. Watch the lyric video below.




"Our third single, 'Iconoclast,' features vocals from the talented wordsmith himself, Damien," the band states. "While the word 'iconoclast' may conjure up images of literal shattered idols, we wanted to explore how this concept works with long-held paradigms and beliefs that poison your mind. We all have them; sub-conscious or conscious. Patterns of thought that steal our joy, that haunt us during those sleepless nights, that keep us bound from offering our full selves to the gift of life. They are the 'corrupt trees that produce evil fruit.' Fusing dystopian synths with 8-string guitars, aggressive raps, a melodic chorus, all over pummelling drums, this song is an ode to destroying negative thought patterns and beliefs that infect our lives."





InTheosis are also thrilled to share that they are working towards releasing their debut album late 2025.


Yet to be named, the body of work is looking to be a varied smorgasbord of modern metal with strong influences from prog, cyberpunk, hip-hop, and orchestral elements. The duo will continue exploring their core themes of spirituality and mental health. How

I AM MORBID, the band featuring former MORBID ANGEL members David Vincent (bass, vocals) and Pedro "Pete" Sandoval (drums),along with guitarists Richie Brown (EXMORTUS, THE ABSENCE, TRIVIUM) and Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, DORO),kicked off the seventh annual "Devastation On The Nation" U.S. tour on Friday, November 15 at Orpheum in Tampa, Florida. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.

I AM MORBID, which plays material from MORBID ANGEL's "Altars Of Madness" (1989),"Blessed Are The Sick" (1991),"Covenant" (1993) and "Domination" (1995) albums, was added as to this year's "Devastation On The Nation" tour after the previous headliner, MORBID ANGEL, pulled out of the trek "due to unforeseen circumstances", according to the tour organizers.

In October 2022, I AM MORBID parted ways with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (POSSESSED, DIABOLIC, UNHOLY GHOST) and replaced him with Brown.

Brown made his live debut with I AM MORBID at the Grita Fest in Colombia.

I AM MORBID's spring 2022 European tour marked the first time Sandoval and Vincent played together in 12 years.

Sandoval, who now lives his life as a born-again Christian, was forced to leave MORBID ANGEL in 2010 after undergoing surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Vincent told Invisible Oranges in a December 2013 interview that Pete had "found Jesus," which meant that Sandoval and MORBID ANGEL were no longer "compatible."

Prior to joining I AM MORBID, Sandoval had spent a few years recording and touring with TERRORIZER, whose latest studio album, "Caustic Attack", was released in October 2018 via The End Records.

Vincent left MORBID ANGEL in 2015. He has since been replaced by a returning Steve Tucker, who previously handled bass and vocals on MORBID ANGEL's "Formulas Fatal To The Flesh", "Gateways To Annihilation" and "Heretic" LPs.

U.S. TourJust Announced!! #IAmMorbid to headline Devastation On The Nation Tour November 15 to December 14....

Posted by I Am Morbid on Friday, November 1, 2024

Earlier this month, Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY entered a Nashville studio with producer Marti Frederiksen to begin recording the band's eleventh album. On Friday, November 15, BUCKCHERRY issued an update on the recording process, writing on social media: "Today we wrap up an incredible 10 days in Nashville working on album number 11 with Marti Frederiksen. Love this part of the creative process when everything starts to come into focus and cannot WAIT to share new music with you in Spring of 2025! Stay tuned!"

Three months ago, BUCKCHERRY frontman Josh Todd spoke to the "Everblack" podcast about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to the band's 2023 album "Vol. 10". He said: "We already got record eleven written. We have a few more songs that we've gotta… We're about three songs short, and we'll get that done. And we're gonna record in November. And we'll have our eleventh record out next year sometime, probably before the summer."

"Vol. 10" came out in June 2023. The 11-song LP featured 10 new BUCKCHERRY originals and, as a bonus track, a cover of the Bryan Adams classic "Summer Of 69". The album was produced by Frederiksen and recorded at Sienna Studios in Nashville. The album was released in North America by Round Hill Records, in Japan by Sony Japan, and by Earache Records for the rest of the world.

Frederiksen previously produced 2021's "Hellbound" as well as BUCKCHERRY's fourth album, "Black Butterfly", and co-wrote "Sorry", among other songs, with the band.

In November 2023, BUCKCHERRY released a new holiday song called "Tell 'Em It's Christmas".

BUCKCHERRY previously released another holiday song, "Christmas Is Here", back in 2010.

In the summer of 2020, BUCKCHERRY recruited JETBOY's Billy Rowe as its new guitarist. He joined the group as the replacement for Kevin Roentgen, who left BUCKCHERRY in July of that year.

In 2019, BUCKCHERRY enlisted Francis Ruiz as its new drummer. He joined the group as the replacement for Sean Winchester, who exited BUCKCHERRY after laying down the drum tracks on "Warpaint".

Endurance Music Group has announced the January 17, 2025 release of the 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of the double-platinum BUCKCHERRY album "15" on physical and digital formats. Released in 2005, the album featured the four-times-platinum single "Crazy Bitch" and the two-times-platinum single "Sorry". The deluxe edition will be released in North America on a two vinyl LP format featuring the album's 11 original songs as well as four bonus tracks recorded in 2005 and three newly recorded acoustic tracks by Todd and guitarist Stevie Dacanay (a.k.a. Stevie D.)

The album is available for preorder in the U.S. at Amazon and at Real Gone Music.

Outside of North America, the album will be distributed by Earache Records on four exclusive LP colors, black vinyl and deluxe CD formats.

BUCKCHERRY will perform the "15" album in its entirety on all 2025 tour dates which begin in March.

Today we wrap up an incredible 10 days in Nashville working on album number 11 with Marti Frederikson. Love this part...

Posted by Buckcherry on Friday, November 15, 2024

In a new interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, THIN LIZZY/ex-BLACK STAR RIDERS guitarist Scott Gorham was asked if he is involved in any music projects at the moment. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I'm not really working on anything really solid right now, unfortunately. I would really like to get back out, put just an absolute kick-ass THIN LIZZY band together and either tour England again or Europe or something like that.

"I don't think I'm ever going to lose that love for playing that music, just because all of us were so involved in writing it, rehearsing it, recording it," he explained. "And there was a lot of work that — well, everybody, every bandmember will know all the work that has to go into just being able to get out on the road.

"So, we'll see. Hopefully in the near future I'll have some sort of news and I'll get my butt out there and start playing again," Scott added. "So, that's really all I can say right now."

In 1974, the Californian musician moved to the United Kingdom and joined Irish rockers THIN LIZZY. Scott would perform on ten best-selling albums, including "Jailbreak", "Johnny The Fox", "Bad Reputation" and "Live And Dangerous", and on the hit singles "The Boys Are Back In Town", "Rosalie", "Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight)" and "Waiting On An Alibi".

This past April, Gorham unveiled six new works of art, with limited-edition prints available to purchase through the artist's web site. The Scott Gorham World site showcases the first six illustrative works from an archive the now-73-year-old guitarist started creating under the radar as an artist nearly 40 years ago.

Gorham was in BLACK STAR RIDERS for nearly a decade, having formed the band in 2013 with other THIN LIZZY members after deciding to write and record new music under a new moniker. BLACK STAR RIDERS' original lineup was completed by vocalist Ricky Warwick, guitarist Damon Johnson, bassist Marco Mendoza and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso.

BLACK STAR RIDERS announced Gorham's departure in September 2021, with Warwick saying in a statement: "We are very sad to see Scott go, but we discussed a very heavy world touring commitment on the new record and Scott decided he wanted to concentrate just on THIN LIZZY — and being the legend he is, none of us can blame him."

Gorham discussed his decision to leave BLACK STAR RIDERS in a February 2022 interview with "The Hook Rocks!" podcast. He said: "It was right in the beginning of the whole pandemic thing. I know Ricky wanted to do an album straight off the bat. And I said, 'Well, I can't and I won't get on a plane right now, for god's sakes. We've got this thing raging around all of us. It's kind of impossible.' And I did not wanna do an album by Zoom; I didn't even wanna contemplate on that. Plus, I did wanna start concentrating on THIN LIZZY, to get out there and show people these really great songs. So I thought it would be unfair to try to really put a hundred percent concentration and effort into one and then the other is kind of flailing there on the side. So I thought, well, I've done four albums with BLACK STAR RIDERS. I love 'em and I love the guys. I've proved the point with BLACK STAR RIDERS. Now it's time to concentrate a little bit more on THIN LIZZY and see what we can do. 'Cause there are so many really great musicians who want to be in this band called THIN LIZZY. They've listened to the songs their whole life, and to be able to get up on a stage and for real play the songs… It's really kind of heartwarming that I know that I can reach out and there's so many guys who wanna get up there and sit up there shoulder to shoulder with me, paying homage to Phil [Lynott] and Gary [Moore] and everybody else that was in the band. And it's not an easy thing as you would think to pick who's going to do it. It really is picking the right person for the right tour when we do THIN LIZZY."

Jason Bonham says that he won't be rejoining Sammy Hagar's band for any of the upcoming "The Best Of All Worlds" shows.

The veteran rock drummer, son of late LED ZEPPELIN legend John Bonham, recently took part in the U.S. leg of "The Best Of All Worlds", which focused largely on celebrating the music of Hagar's former band VAN HALEN. Unfortunately, Bonham had to leave the tour with four shows remaining on the U.S. leg due to a family issue. The drummer was replaced at the last several dates of the trek by Kenny Aronoff, who had previously played with Hagar, bassist Michael Anthony and guitarist Joe Satriani in CHICKENFOOT.

On Friday (November 15),Jason shared an admat on Instagram for the upcoming November/December 2024 shows with his long-running project JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING, prompting one of his followers to ask him: "C'Mon Jason... Can we get some Los Angeles dates? Also will you be rejoining Best of All Worlds band?" Jason replied: "Sammy has decided to carry on with Kenny so Sadly no".

Earlier this month, Jason addressed his absence from the last few shows of "The Best Of All Worlds" tour, sharing the following statement via social media: "I wanted to take a moment to explain my absence over the past few weeks. As many of you know, my mother has been facing some serious health issues, and it's been an incredibly challenging time for our family. I'm grateful to share that she's on the mend and has been discharged from the hospital! She's now home and recovering, which brings me immense relief.

"It was truly difficult to step away from 'The Best Of All Worlds' tour with only four shows left. The energy, the connections, and the experiences were nothing short of incredible, but my priority had to be with my mother during her fight for life.

"I'm excited to announce that JBLZE [JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING] will be back on tour starting November 19th! I can't wait to see all of you and share this journey together once more.

"Thank you for your understanding and love. See you soon!

"Much love, JB".

In early September, Hagar told Guy "Favazz" Favazza of the St. Louis, Missouri radio station KSHE 95 about how he hooked up with Kenny: "Well, I've known Kenny for a long time. Kenny has been my backup drummer for about — not just me. You talk to Billy Gibbons, you talk to anybody, they're gonna tell you that he's their backup drummer because he's the only guy that you can hand a setlist of 24 songs and in 24 hours he can play 'em."

Sammy clarified that he didn't know ahead of time that Kenny was going to be stepping in for Jason. "Jason's [family emergency] was a sudden thing," he explained. "His mother had a stroke and went into a coma and it's serious. So [his] whole family went over there [to the United Kingdom]. And he held out for two or three days, and he says, 'I gotta go. I gotta go.' I said, 'You go. Go.' So we told Kenny. He had about 24-hour notice. And he came in the first night. He got there at six in the morning. We played that night in Cincinnati. And he did a 90-percent perfect show. I swear to you, I make more mistakes every night than he did. So that's big hats off to this guy."

Aronoff replaced Chad Smith in CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup from 2011 to 2012. Smith was forced to step away from CHICKENFOOT's touring activities due to his commitments with the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

Jason Bonham spent nearly a decade touring as JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE before changing the band's name to JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING. Bonham later explained that the switch was prompted by a request from the LED ZEPPELIN camp, who wanted to use the "Experience" name for a project involving the archive of ZEP live recordings.

JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE was formed in 2009 to pay tribute to Bonham's father, legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980 at the age of 32.

Jason launched JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE two years after taking part in LED ZEPPELIN's one-off performance at London's O2 Arena tribute concert for friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The rare live set, which saw Jason behind the drums in place of his late father, was released in 2012 as "Celebration Day".

Photo credit: Timothy Norris (courtesy of Valeska Thomas at Live Nation PR)

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In a new interview with Eve Pierpont of Mxdwn, MEGADETH guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari was asked if there are plans for the band to work on new music in the near future and whether he is looking forward to being part of that process. He responded: "Yes to both. Yeah, this tour here after the second leg of this U.S. tour ending in late September, I think after that we're gonna take a little bit of time off and start really concentrating on songwriting, and the plans are to go more and more into the songwriting mode next year, where I think we won't have that much touring coming up. So I'm really looking forward to contributing as much as I can. And we've kind of started talking about it already a while back."

He continued: "The first time Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH leader] mentioned that, yeah, he'd be happy to have some of my ideas there and listen to my things, from that moment on, I already took the mindset that, okay, whenever an idea comes to mind, I'm just gonna put it down and record it. And gradually, I've now started doing more and more of that. When we have a day off, at the hotel room I always have my little recording set up and my guitar there. So first I usually just play and film an idea on my phone, and then I have a folder of different ideas, and then when I have that off day at the hotel, then I just record it on my laptop and then have a big folder of riff ideas that I can offer at some point."

This past September, Teemu, who joined MEGADETH more than a year ago as the replacement for Kiko Loureiro, was asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2022's "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" album. He said: "Yeah, actually, already a while back Dave started talking about making the next album and kind of starting to do pre-production. And as soon as he mentioned that, and kind of before that already, once it was clear that I'm gonna be staying with the band, then I kind of started putting my ideas down and just recording any riff ideas that I feel like could be something that could be used in MEGADETH. And by now I have a bunch of riffs and ideas that I've gathered. And then Dave told me that he likes to work the way that everybody does their riffs and then at some point we're gonna get together and then review things and see which riffs are gonna work together and then work out the parts between the riffs to kind of connect things and then that way come up with the skeletons for the songs. And I'm really looking forward to doing that and hearing how he feels about my ideas as well. But what I've done so far is whenever I have a moment to sit down, I usually just record a little video of myself playing a riff idea and then when we have a day off at the hotel, then I would record that properly and then just like have this folder of riffs that we can look into at some point. So, [I'm] really looking forward to that. And Dave has been really supportive and sounds like he wants to have all the guys' input on the next album, which is really exciting."

In August, Mustaine was asked by Chuck Armstrong of "Loudwire Nights" how the dynamic within MEGADETH has changed since Mäntysaari's addition to the band. Mustaine responded: "Well, we are a band again. It doesn't feel like me and some side players or some session guys. Not that it felt like that with any of the previous lineups, but that was one of the fears that I had. I feel like Kiko did us a really huge courtesy by helping us find Teemu because with Kiko needing to step down… I thought I was gonna finish my career out with Kiko, and when things came up with him, he couldn't tour anymore because he needed to be home for his kids. So I see he's touring again, which I'm happy that he's still playing. But he had to go home. And when he did, he introduced us to Teemu. And it was an even closer connection between me and Teemu than Kiko and I had. We'll [Kiko and I] always be friends, but this new relationship I have is — it harkens me back to the days when we had Marty Friedman in the band and the four of us actually felt like a band."

Mäntysaari stepped in September 2023 for Loureiro, who announced earlier that month that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland. It was later revealed that the 37-year-old Finnish musician would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.

Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

Earlier in August, Mustaine was asked by Kyle Meredith what Mäntysaari has brought to MEGADETH that wasn't there before. Mustaine responded: "God, he's such an amazing talent. And as far as being a human is concerned, he's a really humble guy. He's fun to be around because he's kind of — there's this 'greenness' to him, if that's a word, greenness. He makes it really fun because he's gone from being in a band that was pretty well known to being in MEGADETH. And so everything's very new for him at this level. And for us, we get to kind of enjoy ourselves, because we sometimes forget where we're at and then you see other people that, 'Wow, the bread is round and so is the meat,' that kind of shit. And it just makes him really happy, and it just reminds you of how good you have it."

Regarding how much a lineup change like that actually alters the musical DNA of the band, Dave said: "Well, it depends on who the new player is. If they're willing to learn the parts, then the songs either, they stay where they are or they get better. And a lot of times when you have a new player, like when Teemu came in, he played everything identical to the original players. So, he's been one of the best guitar players to step in and play somebody else's stuff. I don't know what his stuff's going to sound like yet, which I'm looking forward to finding out."

This past June, Mustaine told Sakis Fragos of Rock Hard Greece that he thinks Teemu will contribute to the songwriting process on MEGADETH's next studio album. "I think he's gonna be a great addition to MEGADETH," Dave said. "He already has. We're playing more songs now than we were playing before. And that has nothing negative to say about any of the previous lineups. It just says that he knew more about the band and understands the metal backbone of so many of these songs more than some of the other people would understand it."

He continued: "When you're a metal guy, I think you understand metal compositions more than somebody who, say for example, knows progressive rock like [former MEGADETH guitarist] Chris Broderick does, or somebody who knows bossa nova, which Kiko does, or somebody that plays jazzy, like [former MEGADETH guitarist] Glen Drover would play, maybe Al Pitrelli. These guys all have their strengths."

Mustaine added: "I've often thought, although I've never said it, I do believe that when somebody gets singled out by me, that's pretty much it for them. They've been indoctrinated into the world of great guitar players, and from that moment on, their life will change."

In early October 2023, Mustaine told Shaggy of the 94.9 and 104.5 The Pick radio station in Idaho Falls, Idaho about Teemu's addition to MEGADETH: "People are losing their minds over how things are going right now 'cause we have a really good chemistry together."

In September 2023, Mustaine was equally full of praise for Mäntysaari, telling Wes Styles in a separate interview: "He's really great. And I'm super excited with what Teemu has brought. And it's uncanny because he plays a lot like Marty. And it's really exciting. At certain times I just close my eyes during the set and I just hear these songs played, whether like Kiko in the past or Teemu now, it just sounds really magic because these guys have learned these songs and they're not just going out there and just banging their guitar around; they actually learned the solos from some of the virtuosos that I've played with over my career."

Wardruna, the Norwegian outfit known for their evocative, immersive music rooted in Norse history and nature, have released a live video for “Lyfjaberg" (Live At The Acropolis), from the band’s forthcoming concert film, Live At The Acropolis (available on DVD/Blu-Ray on January 24).


Each of Wardruna’s performances bridges the ancient and the elemental, resonating with audiences in a profoundly human and natural way, and this recording of "Lyfjaberg" serves as a powerful example of that connection. Filmed at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the Acropolis in Athens during the autumn equinox on September 21, 2023, the forthcoming concert film captures a once-in-a-lifetime performances.







The song is featured on the Einar Selvik-helmed band’s forthcoming album, Birna (January 24, Sony Music/By Norse Music). Birna was written and recorded over three years, with music by Selvik and longtime collaborator/vocalist Linda-Fay Hella, and lyrics solely by Selvik. Performers on the album include Eilif Gundersen (bukkehorn, lur, flute, backing vocals), HC Dalgaard (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Sondre Veland (percussion, backing vocals), John Stenersen (mora-harp) and Arne Sandvoll (percussion, backing vocals).


Birna and Live At The Acropolis pre-orders are available here, with the new album available on limited-edition vinyl, CD and digitally.


Birna cover, photo by Tuukka Koski with artwork by Øivind A. Myksvoll.





Birna tracklisting:


"Hertan"
"Birna"
"Ljos til Jord"
"Dvaledraumar"
"Jord til Ljos"
"Himinndotter"
"Hibjørnen"
"Skuggehesten"
"Tretale"
"Lyfjaberg"


"Hibjørnen" video:





“Himinndotter” video:





"Hertan" video:





"Lyfjaberg" video:





From the Runaljod album trilogy (2009, 2013, 2016), exploring old Norse myths, traditions, and language through the 24 proto-Norse runes, the sound of Wardruna evolved and blended into the stripped down, acoustic compositions on Skald (2018). The group’s most recent album, Kvitravn (White-Raven) (2021), explored Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, animism, and the act of creation – the ever-interchanging prolific relationship between the skaldic poet and nature itself. The record charted in 13 countries, including #1 in Canada and Austria, and #2 in Germany. Wardruna has performed at multiple manmade historical locations including Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis, Bulgaria’s Ancient Theater of Philipoppolis, as well as locations set amidst natural wonders such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Alongside his work with Wardruna, Einar Selvik has composed music for large tv and game productions such as “Vikings” and “Assassin’s Creed – Valhalla,” he gives tutorials and lectures on Old Norse literature, musicology, instruments and philosophy, and he has worked with renowned artists such as Mari Boine, Tina Guo, Matoma and Eivør, including appearances

Over four decades after its debut, a deluxe edition of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ groundbreaking but often overlooked 1982 album, Long After Dark, was released via Geffen/UMe/Universal Music Canada in October (oder/save here).


A music video for “Never Be You”, a previously unreleased track featured on Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition), is available below. The clip was directed and animated by Jeff Scher.







Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition) features the newly remastered original album from the original analog master tapes, plus 12 rediscovered bonus tracks newly mixed by Petty’s longtime engineer Ryan Ulyate and boasts packaging designed by Grammy Award-winning designer Jeri Heiden, liner notes by legendary rock journalist and Tom Petty Radio host David Fricke, with commentary from Jimmy Iovine and Cameron Crowe and iconic archival photographs by Dennis Callahan, Neal Preston and Aaron Rapoport.


The set is available in a variety of configurations, highlighted by a limited edition TomPetty.com 2LP pressing on 180-gram red with black splatter color vinyl, housed in a numbered foil tip-on jacket with an exclusive lithograph; a 3-disc set featuring 2 CDs, and a Blu-ray audio disc with additional hi-res stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of the album and bonus tracks, also mixed by Ulyate; a variety of additional vinyl options includes a 2LP on 180-gram black vinyl; a limited edition 1LP 180-gram turquoise color vinyl pressing (main album only) with double-sided lithograph of Blaze Brooks’ illustrations (available exclusively at indie record stores).


The album is also available at all streaming, download and HD audio download partners.


For more info, complete tracklisting and to order 2 LP versions and 3 disc set visit the official Tom Petty store, here.








Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition) tracklisting:


Disc 1
“A One Story Town”
“You Got Lucky”
“Deliver Me”
“Change Of Heart”
“Finding Out”
“We Stand A Chance”
“Straight Into Darkness”
“The Same Old You”
“Between Two Worlds”
“A Wasted Life”


Disc 2
“Stories We Could Tell (French TV)”
“Never Be You” *
“Turning Point (Original Drums Version)”
“Don’t Make Me Walk The Line” *
“I’m Finding Out (French TV)” *
“Heartbreakers Beach Party (Extended Version)”
“Keeping Me Alive (French TV)”
“Straight Into Darkness (French TV)”
“Ways To Be Wicked (Denver Sessions)” *
“Between Tw

Today, British rock icons, Magnum, release a new digital single and lyric video, "Kingdom Of Madness". The song is taken from the upcoming live album, Live At KK's Steel Mill, which will be available on January 10.


Singer Bob Catley states: “The title track ‘Kingdom Of Madness’ from our 1978 debut album is one of the most frequently played songs of our career, an absolute fan fave and typical of the music we wrote back then. A true classic and the perfect encore at every show for almost fifty years. A Magnum gig wouldn’t have been complete without this number!"


Watch the lyric video for "Kingdom Of Madness" (Live):







Magnum recently announced the release of the band's final live album with founder Tony Clarkin. Recorded December 10, 2022, Live At KK's Steel Mill was the memorable night when they played the final show of their European tour at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton and, as they had done on all previous nights, wowed their fans from the first to the last note.


The concert was recorded by state-of-the-art audio equipment, which later turned out to be a real blessing because it was – as we now know – the last official live recording starring Tony Clarkin. The guitarist and main songwriter died unexpectedly on January 7, 2024, just a few days before the release of Magnum’s studio album, Here Comes The Rain.


The album presents Magnum as an enthusiastically celebrated act whose repertoire of hits, classics, and newer material could hardly be more varied. “It was the perfect evening,” recalls singer Bob Catley. “We finished our The Monster Roars tour in Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill was packed out and the promoter was a passionate Magnum fan. I couldn’t imagine a more worthy farewell to Tony than those recordings.”


Due to the huge demand and to mark the first anniversary of Clarkin’s passing, Live At KK's Steel Mill will be available via Steamhammer/SPV starting January 10, for the first time on double CD, triple LP, and for digital download (pre-order here).


Live At KK's Steel Mill will be released  in the following configurations:


- 2CD DigiPak incl. 24 pages booklet
- 3LP box bag, 140 g, solid viola vinyl, 6-page colored insert
- Download / Streaming


Pre-order here.


- Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyl color (solid baby blue) only at the Steamhammer shop


Pre-order here





Live At KK's Steel Mill tracklisting:


CD1
"Days Of No Trust"
"Lost On The Road To Eternity"
"The Monster Roars"
"The Archway Of Tears"
"Dance Of The Black Tattoo"
"Where Are You Eden? "
"The Flood "
"The Day after The Night Before"


CD2
"Wild Swan"
"Les Morts Dansant"
"Rocking Chair"
"All England's Eyes"
"Vigilante"
"Kingdom Of Madness"
"On A Storyteller's Night"
"Sacred Hour"


To pay tribute to their late bandleader, Magnum are set to play an exclusive series of ‘Tribute To Tony’ shows in the UK in January 2025. As a special gesture, Clarkin’s daughter Dionne will showcase two of her father’s favorite instruments to the concerts – his red Telecaster and his white custom guitar, hoping that Clarkin will be watching from heaven.


“My father was an extremely modest and humble man who would probably be surprised at how much the large Magnum community continues to love him to this day. He always believed that few people would really care if one day he would no longer be with us. As it turns out, the exact opposite is the case: We all miss him, his huge artistic achievement, and his great empathy as a father, friend and musician!”





Magnum Live 2025:


January
21 - London, UK - O2 Kentish Town Forum
22 - Manchester, UK - Academy 1
24 - Glasgow, UK - The Garage
25 - Wolverhampton, UK - KK's Steel Mill
26 - Wolverhampton, UK - KK's Steel Mill


(Photo - Rob Barrow)

During a November 11 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker was asked if he has been approached about taking part in SCORPIONS' upcoming 60th-anniversary concert on July 5, 2025 at the Heinz Von Heiden Arena in Hannover. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No. I just know that I have been a very big part of creating Rudolf [Schenker, SCORPIONS guitarist and Michael's brother] as a musician. [Laughs] I don't think without me, he would have been there, and maybe the other way around the same way. But the thing is that I have to protect myself from Rudolf. Every time he wants to do something with me or every time they wanna do something big and they need my name, he misuses me. And I'm very sad that he keeps doing that."

Michael continued: "He's seven years older than me. He's a bully. He has been abusive to me for many, many years. He has distorted my image for many years, and he just pretends as if nothing ever happened. I guess, 'cause I asked other people, 'Hey, how does your older brother treat you?' And they say, 'Oh, exactly the same.' So I think it's just the thing they do. They think they own you, they can do with you whatever they want. I'm seven years younger. 'That's just my little brother, nobody, blah, blah, blah.'

"I have no idea how these people, how their heads and their brains work, but the fact is I helped the SCORPIONS, I jumpstarted them, and they forgot everything about it," Michael added. "And it's not the SCORPIONS that are the bad guys — or actually nobody is really the bad guy. It's just Rudolf is just a crazy, weird person. I don't know what drives him. But I don't wanna be connected to it. So I don't wanna be distracted with my vision every time I give in and say, 'Okay, I'll do something with Rudolf,' and then he abuses me or uses me disrespectfully. I don't know why he keeps going like that, but it's just kind of very, very strange. I don't know what's wrong with him. I don't know why it's so important for him to be bigger than his little brother."

Michael Schenker gave a number of interviews in recent years in which he questioned his brother's integrity, going so far as to call Rudolf "a con artist" who "completely adopted" Michael's image as his own. He also denounced the SCORPIONS for "distorting" the story of his brief tenure with the band and lamented the fact that he gave Rudolf his "portion" of the songwriting credit for the classic SCORPIONS song "Coast To Coast". It all came to light, Michael said, when he was approached to help with the 50th-anniversary SCORPIONS reissues.

During an appearance on the April 12, 2024 episode of "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Rudolf said about his brother: "I love him. He's a great person. I watched him since he was a baby, and I love him, and I brought him in into all the bands he had in the earlier times and to care that he's not going downhill. It's up to him. He's a very extreme person. He can't be in a band. He's not a band person. He is an extreme, great guitar player. And that's a different situation."

Asked if he and Michael are in contact at the moment, Rudolf said: "[At] the moment, no. From my side, I would talk [to him] immediately. [Laughs] I even can't be bad with him because I know what the situation is, where he talks from."

Underlining the different philosophies he and his brother have when it comes to creating music, Rudolf said: "My brother wants to be one of the best guitar players in the world. And I said, 'I want to play in one of the 30 biggest rock and roll bands in the world.'"

Host Eddie Trunk also asked Rudolf if Michael copied him when he first picked up a Gibson Flying V guitar or if it was the other way around. Rudolf responded: "This guitar has something to play it this way. I was playing before Michael, this guitar. The point was that Michael, when we had to play a big festival… he came to me and said, 'We can't play. I have no guitar.' I said, 'Oh, you have no guitar?' I was going around, hurrying up and got the [Gibson] Melody Maker and said, 'Okay, here's the guitar.' Then he said, 'I can't play with this guitar.' I said, 'Give me the guitar. You take the Flying V that we can do the concert.' And then he came back from the concert in this festival and said, 'Rudolf, I can't give you back the guitar because it's so good. It sounds so good.' I said, 'All right, you're looking much better with the guitar as a lead guitar player than me playing rhythm and play this guitar.' So in this case, he was playing this Flying V. The first [SCORPIONS album] 'Lonesome Crow', I think, was made with a Les Paul."

This was not the first time Rudolf had publicly addressed Michael's scathing comments about him. In an April 2022 interview with Guitar Player magazine, Rudolf said: "I tell you one thing: I love my brother. He can say whatever he wants to say. He's an amazing guitar player, an amazing person — whatever he wants to say, why not say it? [Laughs] If that is what makes him happy, then okay. I wish him all the best.

"I think, sooner or later, we will all be friends again and we will play together again. My life is too happy to put myself into a dustbin over it. I want to live in the sky. I am so happy for my life."

Five years ago, Rudolf dismissed his brother's criticism, telling Classic Rock magazine: "Look, I love my brother. He's a fantastic guitar player but he knows nothing about business. When we made 'Lovedrive', the band was under contract to Dieter Dierks [producer and manager]. When I asked Michael to play a solo to my composition 'Coast To Coast', we agreed a half-and-half credit, but Dieter wouldn't allow it — this related to publishing and studio costs. Michael had a signed contract with Dieter that gave him one point on the song. And we agreed to pay Michael… he had the money."

He continued: "But in 1985, when [Michael] was completely smashed and had a new MSG with Robin McAuley, Michael lived with me in my house. We flew in musicians, I did all of that for nothing on the understanding that Michael would pay me when a record label came in. But he didn't pay me anything. So I took his half to cover the bills he hadn't paid. Everything is clear. All Michael has to do is ask: 'What's happening here?' But he doesn't; instead, he gives these stupid interviews."

Rudolf added: "I still love my brother but he has always hated business matters and the only person that's to blame here is himself."

Michael has repeatedly said that he has no intention of reconnecting with his older brother, telling Spain's Metal Journal in a 2021 interview: "I love Rudolf as a brother, but social distance is needed, so I don't get tricked into any further inconvenient situation. Rudolf is a bully, and I don't connect with bullies. It creates turbulence, and it's inconvenient… I don't wanna be controlled by them. I have established myself in a way that I don't wanna be tricked into more inconvenient situations. The moment I connect with Rudolf — you have to understand — it will carry on just the way it did when I was 15, and it will never stop. He's a trickster.

"Rudolf and I, we have been separated for 50 years," Michael continued. "We have never actually spent any time together except for the tour dates in the [SCORPIONS] 'Lonesome Crow' period, but that's it. So we're used to that anyway.

"I hope for Rudolf to find his way back to understanding what true life is about. [He's] chasing something that gives you something that in the end is not gonna make you happy, which is fame and money, et cetera, et cetera. It rarely makes anybody happy. I mean, sometimes it kills people — too much fame, it kills people; they just die. And so I don't wanna be involved in that world."

Michael Schenker first appeared on SCORPIONS' 1972 album "Lonesome Crow", earned acclaim in the 1970s on classic UFO albums such as "Phenomenon" and "Lights Out" before rejoining SCORPIONS for 1979's "Lovedrive". He departed soon thereafter to launch MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. And while his sometimes-erratic behavior have derailed parts of his career, Schenker remains one of hard rock and metal's most influential axemen.

Sodom’s cult 1992 album, Tapping The Vein, covered a wide range of lyrical topics amongst its eleven songs and opening track, "Body Parts", deals with the horrors of the organ trade. The lyric writing duties on the album were, for the first time shared out between all three members; Tom Angelripper, Andy Brings and Chris Witchhunter. It was Chris along with a friend of his called Bertrum, who contributed the lyrics to "Body Parts". It was also one of the songs where producer, Harris Johns suggested Tom lowered his voice, which worked perfectly with the bands standard tuning, while still retaining a menacing character.


The new expanded editions of Sodom’s Tapping The Vein feature the original album remastered, it also features a complete remixed version done by Andy Brings with some additional alternative takes of three album tracks, plus three live concerts: Tokyo 1992, Düsseldorf 1992 and Cologne 1992 (Chris Witchhunter´s last show with Sodom) in the super deluxe edition.


Check out a video for the 2024 redux version of "Body Parts":







32 years is a long time in anyone's book. Way too long according to Sodom fans worldwide. But if you ask Tom Angelripper and Andy Brings, those 32 years since the original release of Sodom's sixth album, Tapping The Vein, went by in the blink of an eye. With prices for the original vinyl LP skyrocketing in the collectors world and heated online fan discussions whether the re-release will ever see the light of day, the time has finally come to breathe new life into what appears to be everybody's favorite album by Sodom, alongside Agent Orange and Persecution Mania.


“At the time it was just another album for us,“ says only original band member Tom Angelripper, but the Sodomaniacs all over the world made it a cult classic. It's just sad that Chris Witchhunter is not here anymore to celebrate with us.” Guitar player Andy Brings, who was 20 years old and still in school when he joined the band in 1991, who wrote and recorded his first ever album with Sodom adds: “Bands don't determine what becomes a cult, the fans do. It just happened, and we are very proud of it. 18-year-olds come up to me these days and tell me how much they love that album.”


Not only was Tapping The Vein the last album with original drummer Chris Witchhunter hitting the skins more fiercely than ever before, but it was also a brutal statement from one of the originators of thrash metal, in a time when many bands strayed from their original paths, became too sanitized or caved in to newer trends. Sodom went in the opposite direction and put out what many fans call ‘Sodom's death metal album’, although no one in the band actually listened to death metal at the time. Angelripper: “We just did what we did, not paying attention to what was happening around us. Andy joined the band and we just hammered out these killer songs in no time. It all happened very fast. There were no distractions, just the music.“ Brings: “Tapping The Vein is the result of pure inspiration. I was young, hungry and full of energy and had ideas and that resonated perfectly with Tom and Chris, wanting to show everybody who's really in charge of thrash metal, in an era where not many bands stayed true to their original vision.”





So here it is. Sodom's ‘blue album’ revisited (like any true classic, it can be referred to by only mentioning the color of the artwork, just ask Metallica, Weezer and The Beatles), and the package could not be more complete. With the original album remastered, it also features a complete remixed version done by Andy Brings with some additional alternative takes of three album tracks, plus three live concerts: Tokyo 1992, Düsseldorf 1992 and Cologne 1992 (Chris Witchhunter´s last show with Sodom) in the super deluxe edition. Andy: “We fought and worked very hard for this re-release, I can only hope that  it was worth the wait, but I'm pretty sure it will fill every Sodomaniac´s heart with joy.” Tom: “The fans mean everything to us, and this is really just for them. Working on Tapping The Vein again brought back so many memories, both good and bad, but this is who we were 32 years ago. An amazing trip.”


Tapping The Vein is the story of youth, life, death, friendship and loyalty. It's also testament to a time in your life, when everything was new and exciting, and bands and their music was all you had. When metal was pure, raw and wild. You thought that time would never come back. Until now……


Sodom’s deluxe, expanded reissue of Tapping The Vein is available via Noise / BMG in these formats:


- Super deluxe ‘blood filled vinyl’ edition. Triple LP, double CD deluxe 24 page bookpack (limited to 100 copies via the Noise Records store only)
- Deluxe triple LP red & black swirl vinyl and double CD deluxe 24 page bookpack
- Double, gatefold transparent red vinyl.
- Triple CD digisleeve with 24 page booklet


Orders and exclusive merch available here.


Deluxe Triple LP & Double CD Bookpack Edition Tracklisting:





Tapping The Vein (2024 Remaster) (Disc 1):


"Body Parts"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Bullet In The Head"
"The Crippler"
"Wachturm"
"Tapping The Vein"
"Back To War"
"Hunting Season"
"Reincarnation"


Tapping The Vein (2024 Redux) (Disc 2) Previously Unreleased:


"Body Parts"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Bullet In The Head"
"The Crippler"
"Wachturm"
"Tapping The Vein"
"Back To War"
"Hunting Season"
"Reincarnation"


Live In Toyko 1992 (Disc 3) Previously Unreleased:


"Sodomy & Lust"
"An Eye For An Eye"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Agent Orange"
"Skinned Alive"
"Shellfire Defense"
"The Crippler"
"Bullet In The Head"
"Wachturm"
"Body Parts"
"The Kids Wanna Rock"
"Body Parts" (Alt. Remix Version)
"Wachturm" (Alt. Remix Version)
"Reincarnation" (Alt. Remix Version)
 
Live In Düsseldorf 1992 (Disc 4) Previously Unreleased:


"Sodomy & Lust"
"An Eye For An Eye"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Exhibition Bout"
"Ausgebombt"
"Remember The Fallen"
"The Saw Is The Law"
"Wachturm"
"Bombenhagel"


Live In Cologne 1992 The Final Witchhunt (Disc 5) Previously Unreleased:


"Sodomy & Lust"
"An Eye For An Eye"
"Agent Orange"
"Skinned Alive"
"Better Off Dead"
"Ausgebombt"
"One Step Over The Line"
"The Crippler"
"Bullet In The Head"
"Wachturm"
"Bombenhagel"


Triple CD Edition Tracklisting:





Tapping The Vein (2024 Remaster) (Disc 1):


"Body Parts"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Bullet In The Head"
"The Crippler"
"Wachturm"
"Tapping The Vein"
"Back To War"
"Hunting Season"
"Reincarnation"


Tapping The Vein (2024 Redux) (Disc 2) Previously Unreleased:


"Body Parts"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Bullet In The Head"
"The Crippler"
"Wachturm"
"Tapping The Vein"
"Back To War"
"Hunting Season"
"Reincarnation"
"Body Parts" (Alt. Remix Version)
"Wachturm" (Alt. Remix Version)
"Reincarnation" (Alt. Remix Version)


Live In Toyko 1992 (Disc 3) Previously Unreleased:


"Sodomy & Lust"
"An Eye For An Eye"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Agent Orange"
"Skinned Alive"
"Shellfire Defense"
"The Crippler"
"Bullet In The Head"
"Wachturm"
"Body Parts"
"The Kids Wanna Rock"


Double Red Vinyl Edition Tracklisting:





Tapping The Vein (2024 Remaster) (Disc 1):


"Body Parts"
"Skinned Alive"
"One Step Over The Line"
"Deadline"
"Bullet In The Head"
"The Crippler"
"Wachturm"
"Tapping The Vein"
"Back To War"
"Hunting Season"
"Reincarnation"


Tapping The Vein (2024 Redux) (Disc 2) Previously Unreleased:

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, SHINEDOWN bassist and producer Eric Bass spoke about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the follow-up to 2022's "Planet Zero" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We've already recorded and produced a couple of songs — well, a handful of songs — already for it. [We're] half to two thirds [done writing and recording], maybe. We still have some writing left to do."

He continued: "We're doing this one a little bit differently where we are kind of tracking as we go somewhat. So we'll get some stuff written and then we'll track a few songs, and then we'll get some more stuff written and track a few songs. Usually we wait until everything's compiled and then we start tracking, but we decided to try it a little differently this time. I don't know if I'd do it again. It's a little difficult on the brain to switch gears from writing to producing back to writing. For me, I'm very process driven, so the process of writing, for me and my brain, is way different than the process of engineering and producing and that sort of thing. So, I think that just for my own sanity, I would go back to the way we've done it in the past the next time. But that being said, it's gonna make a very interesting record. And we're super, super excited about the next SHINEDOWN record."

When Meltdown noted that everything SHINEDOWN writes and records falls under the "rock" umbrella but that "there's been some crossover a little bit here and there," Eric said: "I just kind of lump what we do into rock. I can't remember a time when our band ever had a conversation about 'this is this style' and 'that's that style' and 'this is this' and 'that's that'. For me, it's, like, if you think about — 'Second Chance' is a rock song and 'Planet Zero' is a rock song and 'No Sleep Tonight' is a rock song. And I know some of them maybe will skew a little more midtempo or a little more metal or whatever, but I've never, and neither have any of the other guys in the band, we've never thought about it as anything other than just making rock music."

This past September, SHINEDOWN drummer Barry Kerch told the 100.3 The X Rocks radio station about the band's next LP: "We're hoping to release some new music by the end of this year and then an album spring of next year. We're about, I'd say, halfway through the record, give or take. I know I've recorded, like, seven songs for it so far."

He continued: "Every record's different, and this one's gonna be different as well, but you're never gonna change [SHINEDOWN singer] Brent's [Smith] voice. So I'm excited. With the success of ['A'] Symptom [Of Being Human]' [single] and how well that did, we don't wanna really take too much time off 'cause we have a whole new audience with that song that deserve to see us live. 'Cause I think, yes, our records I'm very proud of, and I think they're great, and people latch on to 'em, but they really don't become a SHINEDOWN superfan until they see the live show. So it's time to get out there and let people see the show."

Earlier in September, Kerch was asked by WRIF if he usually works out his drum parts to demo versions of the SHINEDOWN songs. Barry said: "For me, a lot of times, Eric will send the demos over to me with just basic drum machine tracks, just placeholder tracks, and I'll listen to it. Sometimes, depending on the song, I'll make a small cliff-notes chart of, 'Okay, verse, chorus, how many beats per fill here,' that kind of thing, and write out my little Nashville chart. Sometimes I just wing it, and sometimes when we go in, we have the song, but we might wanna make a change or we accidentally stumble across something. So then we'll take it piece by piece. 'Okay, let's get some really good verses. Let's get the choruses, and then let's work on this new section that we're thinking about and just vibe back and forth on it till we make that transition,' maybe a pre-chorus or something like that. So, it varies, but I'm usually sent some sort of a demo form of the song to listen to 'cause I like to come in prepared. Can I play it right then? Yeah. But I wanna be prepared so I've thought about the vibe of the song and drum tones and, 'Hey, maybe this snare would sound good. Maybe these symbols would be the symbols I'd wanna bring and use. And this fill might be cool. This fill might be better.' And then Eric and I fight over it for hours. And then we come up with what we come up with."

Barry went on to say that Brent is "pretty early on the game" in terms of working out the lyrics and the melodies for the SHINEDOWN songs. "The lyrics are usually 98 percent done, if not fully done," he said. "And sometimes in the demo, they're completely done. Those vocals you hear on the final products were the demo vocals. He's just kind of prolific that way. And he really wants to get the vibe out."

He continued: "The way I've always played drums with SHINEDOWN is to the vocals more than anything. So I'm trying to really support what the vocals are and give lead-ins and lead-outs to whatever — I don't wanna step on those vocals. And you can hear it when singers put their lyrics on after the music's been written, that sometimes there can be this battle between drum fills and lyrics and maybe where it should have gone. And I think it steps on it sometimes. Sometimes it makes it cool. Like you listen to a band like TOOL. Most of the music is written, then it's handed to Maynard [James Keenan], and then he writes his vocals over that. So that's how they get that cool… It's just different. And it's, like, only Maynard would have thought to sing that because the music's already there. We're the polar opposite. I wanna support what vocals are already there."

In August, SHINEDOWN's single "A Symptom Of Being Human" became the first song by a band or solo artist to chart in the top 10 on three major Mediabase charts: Active Rock, Alternative, and Adult Contemporary (AC).

In addition to holding Mediabase chart history with the most No. 1s, Top 5s and Top 10s in the Active Rock category, SHINEDOWN has achieved a record-breaking 23 chart-topping songs.

It's rare for a rock band to break into pop music, but SHINEDOWN has always believed that music is universal and doesn't have to be put in a genre box. "A Symptom Of Being Human" is resonating with listeners worldwide because of its uplifting and important message about how we are all a work in progress. Collectively, "A Symptom Of Being Human" has amassed tens of millions of streams across all versions including a live version, pop remix, acoustic version and piano version.

"A Symptom Of Being Human" is the fourth No. 1 Active Rock single from SHINEDOWN's acclaimed seventh studio album, "Planet Zero". The set debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart in July 2022.

Photo credit: Sanjay Parikh

Finnish melodic death/folk metal band; Warfarer; HAVE released their long-awaited debut concept album, A Tale Beyond The Pale, via Inverse Records. It is available via digital platforms here. 
 
The band comments:


"The wait is over. A Tale Beyond the Pale is here — a journey through Finnish myth and legend: jealousy, scheming, Viking raids, and duels under the northern lights. We’ve poured our hearts and souls (or what’s left of them) into this album, and it feels incredible to finally share it with the world.


But this is just the beginning — our to-do list is long and relentless. Warfarer is gearing up to hit the road, bringing our full live sound to stages across Finland and beyond. We’re also deep into the pre-production of our second album, so rest assured, more music is on the horizon.




To our fans, thank you for your unwavering support. See you in the longhalls!"





Tracklist:


"Heir Uncrowned"
"As the Portents Foretold"
"Brotherslayer"
"Bereaver"
"Betrayer"
"In the Gravelight"
"March Through the Endless Snow"
"The Gates to Realms Beyond"


"Brotherslayer"





Born from the frost of Northern Finland in 2013, Warfarer weaves chilling tales of small people's great struggles amidst ancient myths. Their ferocious blend of melodic death metal and symphonic elements bites like the freezing wind and grips you like the flu.
 
After releasing an EP in 2017 and undergoing a complete reincarnation with new singles in 2018 and 2020, the band is more alive than ever, preparing for war with brutal new songs and sharpened axes. Their upcoming

UK heavy metal act Forged In Black have just launched a video for the song "Accusations Of The Innocent", which can be seen below, as a second advance single for the remastered re-issue of their first album, Lightning In The Ashes.


Originally released in 2013, Lightning In The Ashes has been renamed Forged In Black - Remastered MMXXIV, and will be released on December 3, 2024 through Fighter Records on CD and Digital formats, complete with two bonus tracks. 







It’s time to head back to the forge, to the place where it all began, where the smith first brought the hammer down upon the anvil, tempering the British steel that would become Forged In Black! It’s time to celebrate 15 years of real heavy metal, 15 years of indefatigable spirit and musical power! It’s time to reach back into the past and draw the earliest creations of Forged In Black from the cold ashes and thrust them back into the fire, reinvigorating the hellion screams and contagious riff attacks! It’s time for Forged In Black to be born again!


It was 2009 when the first lineup of Forged In Black was assembled, originally under the name Merciless Fail – a moniker that was soon abandoned as the sheer strength of the young band’s material became apparent. After relentless work in the rehearsal room and on the stage, by 2013 the rebranded Forged In Black were ready to record their debut, self-titled album – and it is that monumental piece of history that has now been remastered and expanded, adorned in rejuvenated artwork and unleashed again in celebration of 15 years at the forge!


The original Forged In Black album artwork has been reimagined in vibrant fashion by the band’s guitarist Andy Songhurst, an acclaimed professional tattoo artist in his life away from the forge. The elements of the image will be instantly familiar to longstanding fans of the original album, but the style and approach make the cover fresh and impactful, ablaze with new life and colour - just like the songs it accompanies. 





Tracklisting:


"Intro"
"Reins Of Sorrow"
"Bloodstained Is The Promise"
"Children

Italian symphonic power metallers, Xeneris, have released the deluxe edition of their latest album, Eternal Rising, available digitally on all platforms via Frontiers Music Srl. The focus track and accompanying visualizer video, “The Queen And The Dragons”. are also out now.


Watch the official visualizer for “The Queen And The Dragons” below, and buy/listen to Eternal Rising (Deluxe Edition) here.


Xeneris vocalist Maryan describes the new single: “'The Queen And The Dragons' takes inspiration from a defining moment in Game of Thrones where Daenerys Targaryen, a character embodying strength and resilience, liberates an enslaved army. Moved by her act of freedom, the soldiers pledge their loyalty to her, joining her quest for the throne. The song explores themes of liberation, loyalty, and empowerment, reflecting Daenerys’ transformative journey and her role as a leader fighting for justice.”




Discussing the theme of the album, guitarist Federico Paolini states: “Eternal Rising tells a story of resurrection and resilience narrated through the myth of the phoenix's rebirth: every 500 years, the phoenix dies and rises from its ashes, thus ensuring immortality through this purifying ritual. For us, it's a concept very representative of our musical journey that is reborn and continues, representing also the will to continue our path with renewed passion.”


“Get ready to be transported on a mesmerizing odyssey through the annals of myth and legend. From traversing the Mediterranean alongside Ulysses to beholding the Phoenix's resurrection. Follow Dante's descent into Hades and surrender to the seductive allure of an Arabian night, where the Sahara's gentle zephyrs embrace you in their warm embrace”, adds Federico.


Formed in December 2022, after the disbandment of Kalidia (one of the hottest italian power metal band with over 7 million streams and 5 million YouTube views), Xeneris is the brainchild of Federico Paolini (co-founder, composer, and guitarist) and Roberto Donati (co-founder, bassist).


Coupled with Maryan jaw-dropping vocals and the rhythmic genius of Stefano Livieri. Xeneris manage to honour the Heritage of Kalidia expanding the musical spectrum blending power metal, symphonic metal, and progressive metal into an electrifying blend of irresistible melodies, powerful riffs, and grand arrangements.


Xeneris invites metal enthusiasts worldwide to join them on this epic voyage, as they redefine the boundaries of symphonic power metal. Immerse yourself in a world of myths, real-life and fantasy legends, and introspection from human experiences.





Eternal Rising (Deluxe Edition) tracklisting:


"Barbarossa"
"Before The River Of Fire"
"Eternal Rising"
"Pandora's Box"
"A New Beginning"
"To The Endless Sea"
"Shahrazad"
"Scilla And Carid

STEEL PANTHER singer Michael Starr (real name Ralph Saenz) recently spoke to Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station about "It Won't Suck Itself", the song from the band's 2011 album "Balls Out" which was a collaboration with NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger. Michael said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The most surprising [collaboration we have done], I would have to say, would be Chad Kroeger from NICKELBACK, because he used to come to our shows and hang out with his brother and stuff, and he always used to say, 'Man, I wish I could write songs and be as dirty as you guys, but we can't.' And I remember we were doing our second record and he reached out and he said, 'Hey, I have an idea for a song. You guys should come up here to my studio and we'll work on it.' And we're, like, 'All right.' So we had a show in Vancouver. We went to his place, and he goes, 'I've got an idea for a song.' We're, like, 'Okay, what is it?' He goes, ''It Won't Suck Itself'.' I was, like, 'All right.' And so we started working on it in his studio. And we finished the song that day, did a demo of it. He played drums on it with Stix [Zadinia, STEEL PANTHER drummer] and also sang on it. And then we went and really recorded it in a real studio after that — well, not a real studio, but with our drums and everything — and put it out. And we're actually putting it in our set this coming tour right now because it turned out to be one of the most killer heavy metal songs written with Chad Kroeger. So, it was very surprising and an amazing experience."

Back in April 2019, Zadinia (real name Darren Leader) told the "TODDCast" podcast about "It Won't Suck Itself": "I've gotta tell you, working with Chad was a blast. We went up to his house, and he had a girl there, who, her only job was to roll joints. It was crazy. I swear to God. I'm not kidding. That was her job. I mean, maybe she had other jobs, but that was definitely her job that day. And he was really fun to work with. He was super cool, a very creative dude. And the song came together really fast. We were sitting around and Satchel [STEEL PANTHER guitarist] had a guitar and he came up with that riff. And then I found it really interesting to watch Chad come up with lyrics. 'Cause when you write with somebody new, you never know how it's gonna go. 'Cause writing is very personal, and so when you do that with somebody, especially if you've had that many fucking hits, it was a great experience to watch his fucking mind work. It was really cool."

Asked how the collaboration with Chad came about, Stix said: "I honestly don't remember what direction it went. He had been coming to shows in L.A., and we've known him and he'd gotten up on stage and jammed with us. And at some point… I think it was one of those things that, 'Dude, we've gotta write a song together,' 'Dude, we've gotta write a song together,' and if say it enough times, 'We've gotta write a song together,' we scheduled it to come up. It was a really, really cool experience."

STEEL PANTHER's sixth studio album, "On The Prowl", was released in February 2023.

In September 2022, STEEL PANTHER announced the addition of Spyder as the band's new bassist.

The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."

Sixteen years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.

Bon Jovi frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, has teamed up with global superstar, Pitbull, to release the new single, "Now Or Never", essentially a remix of the Bon Jovi classic, "It's My Life".


The music video for "Now or Never" includes footage from a performance by the two artists at Jones Beach Theater in New York in September 2023. Bon Jovi and Pitbull became friends after meeting at the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.


Stream/download the single here, and watch the official music video below.







Meanwhile, Grammy.com is reporting that the Latin Grammy Awards have a history of surprise moments and last night added to that legacy when Pitbull joined forces with Jon Bon Jovi for an explosive performance of "Now Or Never".


While the pairing seems unlikely, Pitbull and Bon Jovi have a history that dates back to 2017 after meeting at the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Since then, the Grammy-winning artists have performed together a few times, including a Jimmy Buffet tribute concert last April. Back in September, Pitbull and Bon Jovi teased their updated version of "It's My Life" on Bon Jovi's Party After Dark Tour.

Former BON JOVI guitarist Richie Sambora is the featured guest on "Howie Mandel Does Stuff", the podcast co-hosted by the comedian and his daughter Jackelyn Shultz. You can now watch video of Richie's appearance below.

Sambora, who in recent months has shared a slew of new singles, including "I Pray", "Livin' Alone", "Songs That Wrote My Life", "Believe (In Miracles)" and "We'll Get By", said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The writing thing for me, that's the most fun, I think. Because you're kind of making stuff up out of thin air and it materializes into a sonic painting."

Elaborating on his songwriting process, Richie said: "It happens all ways, but usually it starts with a title. I need a story… Because the story is gonna give you a fabric and then the lyric, you're gonna color it almost like it's a movie soundtrack, 'cause there's a sound for hope. You've gotta go dig around and find them, but that's half the fun."

Regarding the decision to release a batch of singles as opposed to a full-length album, Sambora said: "It was an interesting way to do things. This is the first time I've ever done it this way.

"People don't have the time for the album experience anymore," he explained. "So I just started going, like, 'Okay I'm just gonna release one song at a clip and see how it's going.' And so I think in the month of July I released four songs, and then about three weeks ago, I just released a song called 'We'll Get By', which I think is very, very timely for what's going on now. And I'm lucky because I got, like, two albums on ice, kind of thing, sitting in the can… I mean, I have way more than that, actually."

Sambora can currently be seen in "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story", a four-part, all-access docuseries chronicling the life and times of one of the most iconic and recognizable bands in the world, which premiered in April exclusively via Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ around the world. A four-decade rock 'n' roll odyssey, the series follows the group's extraordinary history through 40 years of personal videos, unreleased early demos, original lyrics, and never-before-seen photos that chronicle their remarkable journey from Jersey Shore clubs to the biggest stages on the planet.

Sambora is a true rock 'n' roll icon, best known for his award-winning, multi-platinum-certified work as lead guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer in BON JOVI. Sambora, with BON JOVI, released 12 studio albums, five compilations, and two live albums, with total sales now in excess of more than 130 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Among his credits as co-writer and performer are such worldwide No. 1 albums as the RIAA diamond-certified "Slippery When Wet" (currently boasting U.S. sales over 12 million) and the seven-times-platinum-certified "New Jersey", along with four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits — including "You Give Love A Bad Name", "I'll Be There For You", "Bad Medicine" and "Livin' On A Prayer", the latter of which recently surpassed 1.5 billion worldwide streams via Spotify alone — as well as the Grammy Award-winning "Who Says You Can't Go Home", which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, making history as the first-ever rock band to have reached the top spot on both the rock and country chart.

In addition, Sambora has released a series of acclaimed solo albums boasting total sales now in excess of two million worldwide. A seasoned collaborator, Sambora has joined forces with artists spanning Bo Diddley and LL Cool J to Leann Rimes and Cher, for whom he co-produced 1987's RIAA platinum-certified "Cher". In 2021, Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi were both honored at the Ivor Novello Awards in London with the Special International Award for their decades of songwriting excellence. Last year saw Sambora unveiled as "Jacket Potato" on the U.K.'s hit singing competition series "The Masked Singer", eliminated in the semi-finals of the series' fourth season having regaled British audiences with versions of Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas", Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", THE PRETENDERS' "Brass In Pocket", SANTANA Feat. Rob Thomas's "Smooth", FLEETWOOD MAC's "Go Your Own Way" and more.

Toni Cornell, the 20-year-old daughter of late SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell, will release a single, "Sunset Of Your Love", on November 21.

Toni announced the song's arrival in an Instagram post, adding that the track was written with Mozella and produced by Dave Hamelin. Hamelin is a Canadian musician, songwriter and producer known for his work with indie rock band THE STILLS, as well as his production work on Beyoncé's "16 Carriages".

Back in 2019, Toni shared a track called "Far Away Places".

In April 2022, Toni paid homage to her father with a soulful performance of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U", a cover of the track from the rock legend's posthumous album "No One Sings Like You Anymore", on "The Late Late Show With James Corden".

In 2018, Toni released a duet of her and her father performing "Nothing Compares 2 U" and donated all of the proceeds from the song to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Toni began working with the IRC in 2017 alongside her dad and the Chris And Vicky Cornell Foundation. In 2021, Toni was named the youngest ambassador to be appointed by the IRC.

In April 2017, Toni visited with Syrian and Afghan refugees in Athens, Greece, joined by her mother and father, and later that year returned to see more of the IRC's work in Lesvos, Greece.

In December 2021, Toni performed "Nothing Compares 2 U" on an episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". She was joined on acoustic guitar by Pete Thorn, who had performed with Chris Cornell on tours supporting the SOUNDGARDEN frontman's "Carry On" and "Scream" solo albums.

Six and a half years ago, Toni shared a recording of her and her late father covering "Nothing Compares 2 U" to mark Father's Day.

"Daddy, I love you and miss you so much," she wrote at the time. "You were the best father anyone could ask for. Our relationship was so special, and you were always there for me. You gave me courage when I didn't have any. You believed in me when I didn't. I miss your love everyday. Recording this song with you was a special and amazing experience I wish I could repeat 100 times over and I know you would too. Happy Father's Day daddy, nothing compares to you."

In April 2020, Toni performed an acoustic cover version of TEMPLE OF THE DOG's "Hunger Strike" from her father's home studio during LiveXLive's "Music Lives" global digital music festival.

Chris Cornell was found hanged in his room at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel in May 2017, following a SOUNDGARDEN show at the city's Fox Theatre. His body was found soon after he had spoken with a "slurred" voice to his wife, Vicky Cornell, by phone. The death was ruled a suicide. But his family has questioned the medical examiner's ruling, saying that he had a prescription for Ativan and that a higher than recommended dosage may have caused him to experience suicidal thoughts.

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HALESTORM has teamed up with American country music duo BROOKS & DUNN to record a reimagined version of the latter band's song "Boot Scootin' Boogie", which is included on BROOKS & DUNN's "Reboot II" album, released today (Friday, November 15) via Sony Music Nashville. You can now listen to the collaboration below.

Regarding how HALESTORM got involved with the project, the band's frontwoman Lzzy Hale wrote on Instagram: "Months ago we received an email we were never expecting to receive. @brooksanddunn asking us to create a reimagined version of their legendary song 'Boot Scootin' Boogie'. This, a request too wild to even consider passing on, more than wet our appetite for adventure. We asked if there were any rules for this particular project…and when they replied with a resounding 'NO RULES APPLY', the boys and I knew this was gonna get weird.

"It's such an honor to have earned the trust of these legends, thank you so much to Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Dan Huff, Juice and the entire B&D team for putting your faith in us and letting us throw a wild party in the beautiful house you built."

"Reboot II" is the follow-up to BROOKS & DUNN's 2019 album "Reboot", which provided the Country Hall Of Fame act with its first No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in a decade.

In addition to HALESTORM, "Reboot II" features Megan Moroney, Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Ernest and Warren Zeiders, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, HARDY and Corey Kent, as well as bluesmen Marcus King and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

"What was even more impressive was to sit down with this bunch and turn them loose to do the songs in whatever way fit their artistic vision," BROOKS & DUNN's Ronnie Dunn told Billboard. "The fun part was we weren't chasing the original recordings or arrangements or our versions. We turned them loose to do whatever they wanted to do and, I'm biased, but it was really refreshing."

BROOKS & DUNN's Kix Brooks told Billboard about HALESTORM's version of "Boot Scootin' Boogie": "[HALESTORM] did not disappoint. At this point in our career, we can't really be nervous about that, especially on a record like this, and especially inviting some of the artists we did, like Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram and HALESTORM. HALESTORM is a really badass, really tight rock band and whatever song they come in with heads are going to bang."

"It was fun to see Ronnie go toe-to-toe with Lzzy," Brooks added. "I was, like, 'Good luck, pal' — but he did."

BROOKS & DUNN is one of country's most successful duos with 20 No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart.

They continue to break records, tallying the longest-running country music residency in Las Vegas and criss-crossing North America year after year on their sold-out tours.

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ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has launched a pre-order for the official 1987 Scott Ian Action Figure.

Set to arrive in May 2025, the figure is eight inches tall and fully posable. Scott comes with two different portraits, three different hands and his iconic guitar from the "Among The Living" era. Close attention to detail was paid during the action figure design process, recreating Scott's board shorts, his high tops and a special "NOT" chest hair easter egg. Black or white guitar supplied at random. If ordered two or more, each will be provided.

The official 1987 Scott Ian Action Figure is available only directly from Scott's official store.

Formed by Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four".

ANTHRAX's current lineup includes Ian, bassist Frank Bello, drummer Charlie Benante, singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Jon Donais.

In December 2017, Scott released his second book, "Access All Areas: Stories From A Hard Rock Life" via Hachette Audio as a digital download, and in hardcover and ebook from De Capo Press.

Ian has done and seen a lot in his decades of touring. In his more than 40 years immersed in the hard rock scene, Scott has witnessed haunting acts of depravity backstage, punched a legendary musician, been a bouncer at an exclusive night club, guest-starred with ANTHRAX on "Married With Children", invaded a fellow rock star's home, played poker professionally, gone on a non-date with a certain material girl, appeared on "The Walking Dead", and much more.

Ian told Rolling Stone that his 2014 autobiography, "I'm The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax" wasn't your typical rock-star autobiography, with stories of excess, partying, and drugs. "My story doesn't follow that same storyline that every single book seems to," he said. "My book — I hate to sound cheesy — but it's really a tale about how anyone can do something if they really work hard at it. I swear to God, just out of being a fucking tenacious prick, that's how this band happened. I just never, ever, ever took 'no' for an answer and never stopped working. And I still have that attitude."

ANTHRAX is continuing to work on the follow-up to its latest album, "For All Kings", which was released in February 2016.