Former DEATH bassist Scott Clendenin has passed away. He was 47 years old.

Eric Greif, the former manager of DEATH and president of Perseverance Holdings Ltd., which manages Chuck Schuldiner's (DEATH, CONTROL DENIED) legacy, wrote on the band's official Facebook page: "With a sense of shock, I'm letting all of you know of the passing today of former DEATH bassist Scott Clendenin. Scott had some health challenges in the last few years but was optimistic about his prospects. Of course he was the skilled player on 'The Sound Of Perseverance' DEATH album, and recently participated in two DTA [DEATH TO ALL] live runs, in 2012 and 2013, including the highlight of his acoustic guitar in a poignant rendition of 'Voice Of The Soul'. Our thoughts go out to Scott's family at this difficult time."

In a 2011 interview, Scott stated about the experience of playing with DEATH and CONTROL DENIED: "It was a great honor to have played with someone so revered as Chuck. I can say it made me a better player and person to be involved in these bands."

Speaking about the ongoing series of DEATH reissues, which are being made available via Relapse, Scott said: "I think it's good to keep Chuck's legacy alive. I think that the fans will have a chance to get his body of work with a whole lot of extra material added to each reissue. Re-releasing a whole catalogue is not something you see done unless it's like THE BEATLES or Elvis [Presley] or someone hugely popular."

Asked in a 2012 interview with Spirit Of Metal what Chuck was like as a person, Scott said: "Very affable, very easygoing, down to earth, animal lover, great cook. [He] just liked to have fun, [and] he wasn't negative. [He led] a healthy lifestyle. That's what kills me… There are so many people who don't try to take care of themselves and live to be 112 and someone who actually does care is stricken with something. But that's a bigger plan than I can speak of, so…"

Oulu, Finland-based extreme metallers, Wrathage, are streaming their new album in full ahead of it’s release. The album, entitled Discipline, will be released on March 30th via Maa Productions.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Dark Matter”
“Born Girt For War”
“Of The Great Chief”
“Walking To Death”
“Unslaved”
“Distortion”
“Reptilian”
“Sadicum”
“The Crawlspace”
“Dawn Of The Angry” (Morbid Angel cover)

VAN HALEN will release its first-ever live album to feature original singer David Lee Roth. Recorded on June 21, 2013 at the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" includes 23 songs, spanning all seven of the band's albums with Roth. It will be released as a double CD; four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl; and digitally beginning March 31, 2015.

VAN HALEN reinvented the sound of hard rock in 1978 with its influential and wildly successful eponymous debut album and then achieved ever greater success six years later with 1984. Both albums would define a generation while selling more than 10 million copies each in the U.S. alone to earn diamond-certification from the RIAA. The band recently went back to the original analog tapes and remastered both of these landmark albums — "Van Halen" and "1984" — which are now also set for release on March 31, 2015 through Warner Bros. Records.

Considered one of the greatest debut albums in rock history, "Van Halen" took the music world by storm in 1978 with an 11-song manifesto that features some of rock radio's most played songs of all time and scorching concert staples like "Runnin' With The Devil", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", "Jamie's Cryin'", the band's signature cover of THE KINKS' "You Really Got Me", and Eddie Van Halen's finger-tapping tour de force, "Eruption". Six years and five albums later, VAN HALEN had become one of the biggest bands in the world around the release of "1984", which includes a number of the band's most legendary songs such as the #1 hit "Jump", "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher".

Mastering engineer Chris Bellman, who remastered the original albums at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, was enlisted for these new versions. In order to produce the original sound the band intended, Bellman cut straight from the quarter-inch tapes for CD; for 180-gram vinyl; and for the digital versions. Newly mastered versions of "Diver Down", "Women And Children First", "Van Halen II" and "Fair Warning" are now being cut (for CD, for vinyl, and for digital) for release later in spring.

"Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" features an electrifying performance by singer David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen. Mixed by award-winning engineer and mixer Bob Clearmountain (THE ROLLING STONES, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ROXY MUSIC, NINE INCH NAILS, and many more), and mastered by Chris Bellman, the album features such classic anthems as "Dance The Night Away", "Beautiful Girls", "And The Cradle Will Rock…", "Unchained" and "Everybody Wants Some!!", as well as blistering versions of "Tattoo", "She's The Woman" and "China Town" from the group's most recent studio album, "A Different Kind Of Truth".

A deluxe collection featuring "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" and the newly remastered "Van Halen" and "1984" albums, as both a four-CD set and a six-LP vinyl set in special packaging, will also be available March 31.

According to Van Halen News Desk, the front and back covers of "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" feature famous paintings by Adolf Mouron Cassandre. Roth loves the art deco era, and chose Cassandre's painting of the SS Normandie for the front cover, continuing with the traveling theme that started with the locomotive on "A Different Kind Of Truth". The back cover is similar to Cassandre's painting of the French cruise-liner L'Atlantique.

"Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" track listing:

01. Unchained02. Runnin' With The Devil03. She's The Woman04. I'm The One05. Tattoo06. Everybody Wants Some!!07. Somebody Get Me A Doctor08. China Town09. Hear About It Later10. (Oh) Pretty Woman11. Me & You (Drum Solo)12. You Really Got Me13. Dance The Night Away14. I'll Wait15. Cradle Will Rock16. Hot For Teacher17. Women In Love18. Romeo Delight19. Mean Street20. Beautiful Girls21. Ice Cream Man22. Panama23. Eruption (Guitar Solo)24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love25. Jump

A newly released audio snippet of the song "I'm The One" from "Tokyo Dome Live In Concert" can be streamed below.

"The Enemy", the new video from guitarist/singer/songwriter Richie Kotzen, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Vicente Cordero.

"My director buddy Vicente Cordero found this abandoned drive-in, which was the perfect location for the video," Kotzen tells Ultimate Classic Rock. "The song is basically a song about loss and cause of loss, which in this case is one's own actions. What ties the song and location together is that we are showing my childhood videos on the screen, which makes the entire piece that much more personal."

"The Enemy" is taken from Kotzen's 20th solo album, "Cannibals", which was digitally released on January 8 via his Headroom-Inc label. "'Cannibals' is an interesting record for me," Kotzen explains, "because much of this material is comprised from recordings that are as old as 10 years. The title track is the most recent song I've written. That was from 2014, but 'Come On Free', for example, was originally recorded back in the early 2000s. I always liked the track, but never knew how to fit it into one of my records. Somehow I thought now was the time, so I went back to the original recording and did a remix. The only new overdub is the chant at the end, which happened recently one night when I was playing the song for my friends. I had a bunch of friends in the studio from Brazil and they all started chanting. I was like, 'ALL THAT!' and put up the microphone and we recorded it with no headphones. Everyone was having a great time. It was so spontaneous. "The track 'Time For The Payment' is also an older recording from 2008. I would have included that on my album 'Peace Sign' back then, but it didn't seem to make sense at the time. That recording is unchanged. I just had it mastered and I think it is a great closer for the record. "'In An Instant' and 'The Enemy' were both written by combining new song ideas with previously recorded material. I wrote 'The Enemy' chorus in 2014 when I originally recorded the song, but I didn't like the verse I had written. After spending a day listening to old song ideas, I found an older song of mine with a great verse idea and intro, and basically copied and pasted that recording into the current recording. Then I sang everything over, made some creative edits, re-wrote some lyrics, and ended up with 'The Enemy'. I probably shouldn't reveal this, but half the song has a drum and guitar performance from several years ago and the rest of the song is comprised of new recorded performances. Crazy concept, but somehow it worked and I ended up with a recording that I'm very happy with. I did the same trick with the song 'In An Instant'. "I suppose my proudest moment on 'Cannibals' is the song I wrote with my daughter, August, called 'You'. I originally released this as a single/video at the end of 2014. It was born from a piano idea she had written when she was 13 or 14 years old. I found the original recording of her piano performance on my computer and wrote lyrics to it last summer. Probably one of my favorite things I've ever recorded. "I also did a duet with someone who I've always been a fan of, Doug Pinnick from KING'S X. I was at a house party and Doug was there, and we were talking about how we should do something together one day. When I went back to the studio I was working on the song 'I'm All In' and then it hit me. I called Doug and asked him if he would trade vocals with me on the tune and we did it! He added a whole other dimension to the track. I'm glad I called him!"


(Thanks: NJthrasher)

Toronto-based hard rockers Harem Scarem have posted the following update via Facebook:


Go to the band's official website here for their tour schedule.

Coming back - after a long hiatus - Harem Scarem's new album Thirteen is a release that was decided by after the band's return in 2013 with the release of Mood Swings II: the re-recorded version of their career defining album Mood Swings, originally released in 1993. Harem Scarem embarked on an international tour and reconnected with all the fans. They were actually very pleasantly surprised about the level of interest in the band and decided to move forward.

"It’s been six years since our last studio album and we’re feeling rejuvenated and couldn’t be more excited about the new tunes!" tells singer Harry Hess and with juices of inspiration flowing it could not have been easier to give birth to a strong musical statement such as Thirteen.

The new album encompasses everything that the fans would expect from Harem Scarem: very addictive guitar riffs and choruses from heaven with big over the top hooks. A definite and true return to the sound that put Harem Scarem on the map over 20 years ago.

With 12 top 40 hits around the world and sales well over a million records in 43 countries, 2015 will see the Harem Scarem touring the world in support of their 13th studio album Thirteen!

Thirteen tracklisting:

Garden of Eden”
“Live It”
“Early Warning Signs”
“The Midnight Hours”
“Whatever It Takes”
“Saints and Sinners”
“All I Need”
“Troubled Times”
“Never Say Never”
“Stardust”
“Garden of Eden” (Acoustic Version – bonus track)

"Early Warning Signs":

Trailer:

Harem Scarem is:

Harry Hess: lead and backup vocals/keys
Pete Lesperance: guitars/bass/keys
Creighton Doane: drums
Darren Smith: Backup vocals

In a brand new interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Steve Thompson, a prominent music producer who has worked with a vast array of rock icons, including GUNS N' ROSES (on "Appetite For Destruction"), KORN (on "Follow The Leader") and SOUNDGARDEN (on "A-Sides") spoke about the mixing sessions for METALLICA's classic 1988 album, "…And Justice For All", and the criticism that record has received for the bass parts being nearly inaudible. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Ultimate-Guitar.com: When you mixed the tracks for METALLICA's "...And Justice For All" album in 1988, was that a totally different experience than working on the "Appetite For Destruction" record?

Steve: "Well, what I wanted to do and what Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] wanted to do was totally different, which kind of upset me a little bit. I loved METALLICA and was very familiar with them. I said, 'These guys are cool.' We got the call to do it and went up to Bearsville Studios in upstate New York and the guys were on the Monsters Of Rock tour at the time. So what they would do is fly in by helicopter, a day here and a day there just to go through things."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Did the band know what kind of album they wanted to make and what they wanted it to sound like?

Steve: "Lars knew exactly the sound and the parameters of everything he wanted on his drums. So he would actually bring his photos of a Klark Teknik's EQ [parametric equalizer] setup because he had a certain way he wanted the drums to sound. I said, 'Michael [Barbiero], why don't you work with Lars and get the drum sound he's looking for? Call me when he's happy.'"

Ultimate-Guitar.com: What did you think when you finally heard them?

Steve: "They called me in and I listened to them and I said to myself, 'These sound like ass. Terrible sounding.' I chased everybody out of the room and redesigned the drum sound and brought the guitars up. [Then-METALLICA bassist] Jason [Newsted] killed it on bass. Perfect marriage with [James] Hetfield's guitars."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Was James happy with what you were doing?

Steve: "I'm putting all the other stuff up and everything like this and Hetfield gives a 'thumbs up.' Lars comes walking in a couple minutes later and listens to about a minute of it and goes, 'Turn that off' and I said, 'What's the problem?' He said, 'What happened to my drum sound?' I said, 'You were serious?' or something like that."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Lars was not happy?

Steve: "We had to get the drum sound up the way he had it. I wasn't a fan of it. So now he goes, 'See the bass guitar?' and I said, 'Yeah, great part, man. He killed it.' He said, 'I want you to bring down the bass where you can barely, audibly hear it in the mix.' I said, 'You're kidding. Right?'"

Ultimate-Guitar.com: He wasn't kidding?

Steve: "He said, 'No. Bring it down.' I bring it down to that level and he says, 'Now drop it down another 5 db.' I turned around and looked at Hetfield and said, 'He's serious?' It just blew me away."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: What did you do?

Steve: "I called my manager that night and I think I talked to Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch [METALLICA's managers] and said, 'I love these guys. I think they're amazing and they've created a genre of their own but I do not agree with the direction Lars is pulling me in. My name's gonna go on it so why don't you find somebody else?' My manager wouldn't have anything to do with that or Burnstein or Mensch."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: But you were ready to walk away from mixing METALLICA?

Steve: "They talked me into being there and my only regret is that we didn't have enough time to at least mix it the way we heard it. I wanted to take 'Master Of Puppets' and blow that away. That was my sonic direction for '... And Justice For All'. It was all there but I think they were looking for more garagey-type sound without bass. And the bass was great; it was perfect. I remember when METALLICA got elected to the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame, they flew us out and I'm sitting with Lars."

Ultimate-Guitar.com: Did you talk to him?

Steve: "He goes, 'Hey, what happened to the bass in '... Justice'?' He actually asked me that. I wanted to cold cock him right there. It was a shame because I'm the one getting the shit for the lack of bass."

In a 2013 interview with Metal Exiles, Newsted stated about his missing bass parts on the "…And Justice For All" record: "There are so many years of water under the bridge with that and I can now see it for what it is.

"There is no real confusion or mystery to me now that I can look back after time and look on the situation.

"When I went in to record 'Justice', I had only recorded one time and that was with FLOTSAM [AND JETSAM] for 'Doomsday'. I was used to recording with the band, you go in together, do it and you're done. With 'Justice', I went into the studio with an assistant engineer and nobody else, no other band members, just go in, plug in and do your best. I plugged into the same shit I did the FLOTSAM record, recorded my parts and loaded my gear and went home. There was nobody there to work parts out with or discuss how this or that was going to sound; it was just 'record your bass' and that's that.

"Being a bass player in FLOTSAM, I did not know about playing to the bass part yet, I just knew about playing bass really fast like guitar, basically everybody playing the same thing like a sonic wall. So it ended up with everything being in the same frequency, my bass and James's guitar battling for the same frequency.

"If I had of known then what I know now, it would have been different, but it became a classic album for what it was; we captured a moment in time and that is all there is about it.

"I used to be pissed about it back then, but that was a long time ago, but the records I have made since then have had some ugly bass parts all over the place on them."

Newsted joined the band in late 1986 after the death of Cliff Burton and made his recording debut with them on 1987's "The $5.98 EP: Garage Days Re-Revisited".

George Kollias, the exceptional Greek drum progeny and NILE percussionist, will release his solo album debut, "Invictus" on May 18 via Season Of Mist

A track from the CD, "Shall Rise/Shall Be Dead", can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.

Kollias comments: "My song 'Shall Rise/Shall Be Dead' hits home at the 260bpm range. It is not too easy, but a lot of fun to play and one of my favourites from my album. I really like that tempo range, which I always thought fits my drumming style well, but I also love the aggression that comes out of this song. It is not just the drumming that does it, but the riffs... the vocals…. or all as one.

"The percussion is really important for 'Shall Rise' and the rest of album as well. I spent plenty of time to find exactly what fits each composition. For this song, I went with big war drums to make it as epic as possible!

"I am very happy how this song turned out exactly how I envisioned it while writing. Yet having George Emmanuel from ROTTING CHRIST adding a guitar solo made this one of my personal highlights. George nailed it!"

Regarding "Invictus", the drummer, who is regarded as one of the world's best by his peers, previously said: "This solo project contains exactly what the word 'solo' describes: one musician writing all music and lyrics as well as performing all the instruments, while inviting some guests to join.

"At first, I composed some songs in order to support my two drum DVDs, but thanks to the support and demand from all the fans out there, it turned into a full album over time.

"I can honestly say the only reason I have recorded this album is the fans asked for this to happen. I am happy that I did it and more excited than ever for the future of this project! I enjoyed recording it more than anything.

"I have got some great plans for my project. I want to get out there and play this album live as soon as possible too! I also had to pleasure to have some really important guests, which made this album even more special to me. I guarantee that this is only the beginning!!"

Most of the songs on "Invictus" were recorded in between the touring breaks of NILE.

The album contains eleven tracks and four bonus songs and features some of the best musicians on this planet delivering guest solos. Two amazing vocalists make an appearance on the bonus tracks.

Epic have uploaded The South American Enigma Aftermovie, created by Bruno Zuppone at VTV Filmes.

 

 

Says the band: “We had a really good time during the South American Enigma Tour. In Sao Paulo we were joined by Bruno Zuppone from VTV Filmes who made this great aftermovie!”

 

Universal has announced the release of Now Your Ships Are Burned, a 4CD collection of Yngwie J Malmsteen and Rising Force’s Polydor catalogue released between 1984 and 1990.

Studio long-players Rising Force (1984), Marching Out (1985), Trilogy (1986), Odyssey (1988) and Eclipse (1990) are all included, along with the 1989 live album Trial By Fire: Live in Leningrad.

Each CD contains (approximately) two albums and all the music has been newly remastered for this release by Andy Pearce. The booklet comes with an essay by Malcolm Dome as well as full album credits for each record.

Tracklisting:

CD1 (Rising Force)
“Black Star”
“Far Beyond The Sun”
“Now Your Ships Are Burned”
“Evil Eye”
“Icarus Dream Suite Op. 4”
“As Above, So Below”
“Little Savage”
“Farewell”

CD1 (Marching Out)
“Prelude”
“I’ll See The Light Tonight”
“Don’t Let It End”
“Disciples Of Hell”
“I Am A Viking”
“Overture 1383”
“Anguish And Fear”
“On The Run Again”
“Soldier Without Faith”

CD2 (Marching Out)
“Caught In The Middle”
“Marching Out”
“Far Beyond The Sun” (live)
“I Am A Viking” (live)

CD2 (Trilogy)
“You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”
“Liar”
“Queen In Love”
“Crying”
“Fury”
“Fire”
“Magic Mirror”
“Dark Ages”
“Trilogy Op. 5”

CD2 (Odyssey)
“Rising Force”
“Hold On”
“Heaven Tonight”

CD3 (Odyssey)
“Dreaming (Tell Me)”
“Bite The Bullet”
“Riot In The Dungeons”
“Déjà Vu”
“Crystal Ball”
“Now Is The Time”
“Faster Than The Speed Of Light”
“Krakatau”
“Memories”

CD3 (Trial By Fire)
“Liar”
“Queen In Love”
“Déjà Vu”
“Far Beyond The Sun”
“Heaven Tonight”
“Dreaming (Tell Me)”
“You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”

CD4 (Trial By Fire)
“Guitar Solo (Trilogy Op. 5/Spasebo Blues)”
“Crystal Ball”
“Black Star”
“Spanish Castle Magic”

CD4 (Eclipse)
“Making Love”
“Bedroom Eyes”
“Save Our Love”
“Motherless Child”
“Devil In Disguise”
“Judas”
“What Do You Want”
“Demon Driver”
“Faultline”
“See You In Hell (Don’t Be Late)”
“Eclipse”

On March 20th, Twisted Sister / Adrenaline Mob drummer A.J. Pero passed away at the age of 55 from what has been reported as a massive heart attack. The following night, Adrenaline Mob went ahead with their scheduled show supporting Drowning Pool at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.

Former Adrenaline Mob drummer Mike Portnoy and Twisted Sister guitarist J.J. French performed "You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll" with the band on the night; New video from Rock Scene can be seen below:

Previously posted fan-filmed video from the event can be viewed below:

X17 spoke with Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider at LAX airport, who was returning early from vacation with his wife Suzette Snider, after hearing about the untimely death of his friend and bandmate A.J. Pero.

Pero was a member of Twisted Sister from 1982-1986, from 1997-1998, and again from 2003-present. Pero performed on Adrenaline Mob latest albums, and was recently confirmed to be working with Four By Fate, featuring former Frehley's Comet bandmates, Tod Howarth and John Regan.

“He had a massive heart attack in his sleep and we lost him," Snider says. "It was the first member of the band to die and it’s very sad.”

When asked how do you replace him Snider said “You don’t. Will we continue to play? Probably for his family. His family will benefit finanically with us playing. But the band is heartbroken."

 

 

The members of Twisted Sister have posted comments about Pero:

Guitarist Jay Jay French: “A.J. Pero was a force, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the chance to play in front of again. His drumming was legendary but his heart, as a human being, was even greater.

“This April 1st would have been his 33rd year as a member. In the Twisted Sister world he was always affectionately known as ‘the new guy’. That is how long and deep our history was/is. In our hearts he will always be the engine that drove the train. I loved him and today my heart has been ripped out. RIP"

Singer Dee Snider: “Today I lost a brother. Anthony Jude Pero passed away. A.J. was the final piece in a band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage. His sledgehammer assault on the drums helped drive Twisted Sister and I to greatness and inspired me to rock every single show. My heart breaks knowing I will never feel the power of his beat behind me, or turn to see his face smiling broadly from the sheer joy he got from doing what he loved. I will always remember that smile. RIP my friend."

Bassist Mark “The Animal” Mendoza: “This morning I received the tragic news about AJ's passing. As anyone would be, I am devastated. With such a loss, even I broke down and cried, allegedly the tough guy in the band. One statement says it all, ‘AJ was my band mate, my friend and my brother and I will miss him forever’.”

Guitarist Eddie Ojeda: “My family, extended Twisted Sister family and I are heartbroken and devastated to hear the news of Anthony Jude Pero's passing. A.J. was a dear friend and brother to me, and in my opinion, one of the most talented drummers of all time. I will always remember the amazing experiences and great laughs we shared. A.J. always had an amazing sense of humor and did his best to please everyone he came in contact with.

“Back in the day, when the band first started touring, we were often room-mates and he never failed to keep me smiling. It's very difficult for me to talk about this right now. However, I feel that out of respect for his legacy, it's important for us to let the world know how we all felt and will always feel about him. I know I will dearly miss him, but I'm grateful to have been his friend and musical partner for thirty three years.

“At this time, my sincerest sympathies go out to his family. Heaven just got a great drummer, one that will live forever in our hearts.

“The Ojeda Family”

The Artisan News Service has uploaded an interview with Pero and he talked about his drumming style, Twisted Sister, and what he was doing for a side-project, Tred, that never made it off the ground:

 

Italian death metallers, Endless Pain, have released their new album, Cosa Nostra, via British label Banksville Records. Cosa Nostra is available in CD form through main mail-orders, digital platforms, specialized shops and the label.

The band recorded at Nefertari Studios in Brescia (Italy), Stefano Morabito mixed the album at 16th Cellar Studio (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse), while Hertz Studio mastered the final product (Behemoth, Vader). Cover artwork created by Marco Hasmann.

In agreement with the record label, moving with the times, the band decided to make the whole album available for free download for their fans at this location, a very good way to reach out to as much audience as possible all around the world.

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Intro (23 Maggio 1992)”
“Nel Nome Del Padre”
“Dishonor Before Death (Burke The Infame)”
“Good Fuckin’ Fellas”
“Murder Of Honor”
“Evil Empire (Cosa Nostra)”
“Omertà”
“Transversal Vendetta”
“The Left Hand”
“Outro (Donna Rosaria)”

 

 

Cosa Nostra release party will take place at Circolo Colony in Brescia on April 11th, during Brixia Metal Fest, featuring IN.SI.DIA and many more.

 

UK’s finest purveyors of melodic rock music, FM, will release their new studio album Heroes And Villains on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America. A new lyric video, for the album track, “Life Is A Highway”, can be seen below:

Heroes And Villains is FM’s first album release since signing to Frontiers Music Srl, and follows the band’s 2014 EP, Futurama, and sell-out UK arena tour with Foreigner and Europe. FM’s UK tour kicks-off at in Bristol on Friday, May 1st, and includes dates in Wolverhampton, Portsmouth, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, with the final night of the tour taking place at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday, May 10th and will be anticipated by the band’s eagerly awaited performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan) Italy on April 11th.

The fourth album since FM reformed in 2007, Heroes And Villains sees FM staying true to their musical legacy, offering their classic sound updated, with great songwriting and performances spiced-up by the golden voice of lead vocalist Steve Overland. Self-produced, the recording session took place at Tremolo Studios, before being mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

Looking forward to the release of Heroes And Villains, Steve Overland said, “I think we have managed to capture the best elements of what the band are about in 2015. We had great fun making the record and we are all very proud of the finished result. There are big rock anthems in tracks like “Diggin' Up The Dirt” and “Fire and Rain”, and many melodic songs with FM’s trademark hooks and vocal harmonies. There are also not one, but two ballads. One of these (“Walking With Angels”) is a stripped-down acoustic song, which is something a little different for us.”

The band’s drummer, Pete Jupp, added, “After our shows in November the band was white hot and the creative juices were in full flow, so the writing and recording process for Heroes and Villains was a prolific and painless affair. We're looking forward to getting back out on tour, straining at the leash.”

Merv Goldsworthy, FM’s bassist, agrees: “All the songs all came together really quickly and the recording of the album went without a hitch. Once we started getting the mixes back of the first few songs we knew we were onto something.  Heroes And Villains is a little rockier and a little more up tempo than Rockville, and that suits me fine! I'm really looking forward to touring this album this year - bring it on!”

Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick confirmed what FM fans already know: “We're on a roll! Some of the tracks on this album are better than anything that the band has ever produced, and Steve’s voice is as good as ever."

Keyboard player Jem Davis, who has given the album a retro sheen by incorporating a Moog, Mellotron and a healthy dose of Hammond organ, is equally excited: “The band is on fire and the new album sounds HUGE! I think this is going to be an amazing year for FM!”

 

 

Tracklisting:

“Digging Up The Dirt”
“You're The Best Thing About Me”
“Life Is A Highway”
“Fire And Rain”
“Incredible”
“Call On Me”
“Cold Hearted”
“Shape I'm In”
“Big Brother”
“Some Days I Only Wanna Rock And Roll”
“I Want You”
“Walking With Angels”

“Digging Up The Dirt” video:

EPK:

Track by track guide to Heroes And Villains, by FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick:

“Digging Up The Dirt” - “A hard-edged song about tabloid sleaze. A track where the band tried to capture a 'big production' sound. We all knew that this was the album opener.”

“You're The Best Thing About Me” - “A late contender for the album by Steve that the rest of band loved immediately. It’s a great driving song that harks back to some of FM's earlier material.”

“Life Is A Highway” - “Steve brought the original idea to rehearsal and then the band all chipped in to create this inspired melodic rocker. One of the band’s favourites on Heroes And Villains.”

“Fire And Rain” - “One of the heavier, riff inspired tracks on the album.”

“Incredible” - “The big FM power ballad of the album, this is a song that Steve and Jim originally wrote and then presented to the band to get the FM treatment. The track also features a string quartet.”

“Call On Me” - “This song was originally written by Merv many years ago and was recorded at the very first session after FM reformed in 2008 at Metropolis Studios for the then untitled Metropolis album. The band was unhappy with the song until a new chorus was written last year. It’s probably the biggest chorus on the album and another great driving song!”

“Cold Hearted” - “A real team effort created this song at a rehearsal. It was the first song recorded for Heroes And Villains and originally debuted on the Futurama EP in 2014. It’s already a live favourite.”

“Shape I'm In” - “A song about a guy who falls apart after his wife/girlfriend leaves him. Power-pop with a big chorus.”

“Big Brother” - “Another heavy track about the ever-increasing Orwellian world that we live in.”

“Some Days I Only Wanna Rock And Roll” - “A fun workout inspired by a great title that Merv had. Listen out for a bit of sax at the end.”

“I Want You” - “Originally an idea of Pete's. A great fun, catchy song, definitely old-school FM, and sure to become a fan favourite.”

“Walking With Angels” - “A first for FM - no drums or bass, just acoustic guitars, a few keyboards, vocals and a string quartet. A haunting track that shows off Steve Overland's voice a treat.”

FM’s live itinerary can be found at this location.

 

 

 

Rock icons WHITESNAKE are set to return with their 12th studio album this spring. "The Purple Album" will be released in Europe on May 15 and in North America on May 19 via Frontiers Music SRL. "The Purple Album" is a re-imagination of classic songs from David Coverdale's time as the lead singer for DEEP PURPLE's Mark 3 and Mark 4 studio albums. The album is currently available for pre-order in various configurations on Amazon: a standard edition, a deluxe edition featuring two bonus tracks, four music videos and a behind-the-scenes featurette on the recording of the album and in a double LP vinyl format. Plans are also underway for a special limited box set edition with memorabilia and merchandise.

The song "Burn" from "The Purple Album" can be streamed below.

"Everyone did their homework, and every performance is done respectfully in honor of [DEEP PURPLE's] musicians," Coverdale told Billboard.com. "Though I focused on the twin-guitar attack of WHITESNAKE, we had a guest keyboard player because a huge part of the DEEP PURPLE sound was Jon Lord playing that amazing Hammond organ."

He continued: "There were respectful nods to the original musicians throughout the album, and it has come out delightfully. It's a tribute to Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore, who gave me my break in the first place. I'd never even made a record when I joined DEEP PURPLE, and my first record went double gold, which was early platinum. They didn't even have platinum records back in those days!"

Coverdale added: "When we were working on it, each one of my musicians said these songs sounded as if they were written yesterday, and none of them were born when I first recorded them! It's a testament to the songs that they stand up. We've Whitesnaked them up and given them a fresh coat of paint, but it's still the same House of Purple." From the opening notes of the classic track "Burn" to album closer "Stormbringer", WHITESNAKE are back and better than ever. Songs like "Lady Double Dealer", "Soldier Of Fortune" and "Sail Away" are given a new energy in the very capable hands of the current WHITESNAKE lineup, featuring David Coverdale on vocals, Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitars, Michael Devin on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums.

A video for the first single, "Stormbringer", can be seen below. "The Purple Album" track listing: 01. Burn02. You Fool No One (interpolating Itchy Fingers)03. Love Child 04. Sail Away05. The Gypsy06. Lady Double Dealer07. Mistreated08. Holy Man09. Might Just Take Your Life10. You Keep On Moving11. Soldier Of Fortune12. Lay Down Stay Down13. Stormbringer Deluxe edition bonus tracks:

14. Lady Luck15. Comin' Home DVD content:

* "Lady Double Dealer" - Music Video* "Sail Away" - Mix Music Video* "Stormbringer" - Music Video* "Soldier Of Fortune" - Music Video* "The Purple Album" Behind The Scenes* "The Purple Album" EPK

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's "Luna Park Ride" live performance will be made available for the first time as an audio CD and standalone video — including over 70 minutes of bonus material.

A trailer for the effort is available below. Imagine an enchanted audience in front of an enormous stage in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thousands of fans screaming just for her: the one and only Tarja. Having their cameras and cell phones ready to film what will become one hell of a performance, Tarja finally appears, dressed fully in black and with the most beautiful smile on her face; she is in full bloom. Let the show begin.

Filmed at stadium Luna Park in Buenos Aires on March 27, 2011 during Tarja's "What Lies Beneath World Tour 2011", "Luna Park Ride" will be released as 2CD, 2LP, DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on May 29 via earMUSIC.

Previously included in a very limited edition of Tarja's live production "Act I", May 29 finally sees the stand-alone release of the breathtaking "Luna Park Ride". For the first time available on audio and video, the fan-filmed material is topped with 14 (!) bonus live performances and offers the full package including previously unseen photos.

Ranging from Tarja classics like "I Walk Alone" to "Until My Last Breath", the high-quality audio mixed by Tim Palmer (U2, PEARL JAM, ROBERT PLANT) and fan video recordings also feature NIGHTWISH rarities such as "Stargazers" and the electrifying medley of "Where Were You Last Night", BELINDA CARLISLE's "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and BON JOVI's classic "Livin' On A Prayer".

The 70-minute bonus material, also mixed by Tim Palmer, takes the fans on a tour of Tarja's festival appearances and club shows from 2010 to 2014: From Tarja's 2010 show at Masters Of Rock in Czech Republic with her band, choir and full orchestra live on stage, to a 2011 performance at Summer Breeze festival in Germany, including a very special gold award presentation, continues with a recent performance in Ekaterinenburg, Russia as well as a performance together with VAN CANTO at last year's Wacken Open Air. The bonus material finishes with three fan favourites — "Never Enough", "Die Alive" and "Victim Of Ritual" — performed at Summer Breeze in 2014.

"Luna Park Ride" track listing: 01. Dark Star02. My Little Phoenix03. The Crying Moon04. I Walk Alone05. Falling Awake06. Signos (SODA STEREO cover) 07. Little Lies08. Underneath09. Stargazers10. Ciaran's Well11. In For A Kill12. Where Were You Last Night - Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Livin' On A Prayer13. Die Alive14. Until My Last Breath15. Wishmaster

Bonus material - CD, DVD and Blu-ray only:

01. In For A Kill - Masters Of Rock / Czech Republic 2010. Featuring Philarmonic Bohuslava Martinû Zlin and choir.02. I Walk Alone - Masters Of Rock / Czech Republic 2010. Featuring Philarmonic Bohuslava Martinû Zlin and choir.03. Archive Of Lost Dreams - Masters Of Rock / Czech Republic 2010. Featuring Philarmonic Bohuslava Martinû Zlin and choir.04. Crimson Deep - Masters Of Rock / Czech Republic 2010. Featuring Philarmonic Bohuslava Martinû Zlin and choir05. I Feel Immortal – Summer Breeze / Germany 201106. The Siren (NIGHTWISH) – Summer Breeze / Germany 201107. Until my Last Breath – Summer Breeze / Germany 201108. 500 Letters - Ekaterinburg / Russia 201409. Damned & Divine - Ekaterinburg / Russia 201410. Neverlight - Ekaterinburg / Russia 201411. Anteroom Of Death - Wacken Open Air / Germany 2014 featuring VAN CANTO12. Never Enough – Summer Breeze / Germany 201413. Die Alive – Summer Breeze / Germany 201414. Victim Of Ritual – Summer Breeze / Germany 2014

On June 2nd, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd on 2CD and digital formats. This classic 1996 Rockpalast concert - released for the first time on CD - features the band performing all their classics: “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Free Bird”, “Working For MCA”, “Saturday Night Special”, “Gimme Three Steps”, “I Ain’t The One” and many more. A 2LP release will follow.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is the ultimate Southern Rock band. Their signature three-guitar attack coupled with superb songwriting and onstage charisma has rightfully earned them a reputation as one of the greatest live bands of all time. The original band infamously had their career cut short by a disastrous plane crash in 1977, which took the lives of three band members (vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines) plus assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray, and seriously injured several others. In 1987, the surviving members reformed the band with Johnny Van Zant taking the place of his brother Ronnie. This concert from 1996 captures the band in top form at Rockpalast’s Loreley Festival on June 23, 1996. The band lineup for this show includes: vocalist Johnny Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, and Hughie Thomasson, keyboardist Billy Powell, bassist Leon Wilkeson, drummer Owen Hale, and backing vocalists Dale Krantz-Rossington, and Carol Chase.  

As a bonus, Sweet Home Alabama also includes extremely rare recordings of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup. Captured at the Hamburg Musikhalle on December 5 1974, vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Ed King, keyboardist Billy Powell, bassist Leon Wilkeson, and drummer Bob Burns deliver incredible versions of “Working For MCA,” “Free Bird,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Sweet Home Alabama proves that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature and sizzlin’ Southern-fried sound was able to enthrall fans the world over. It is a testament to the legendary band’s resilience to tragedy (which would have railroaded many other acts) and their ability to carry on and continue to rock stages with fervor and spirit.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
"Workin’ For MCA"  
"I Ain’t The One"  
"Down South Junkin’"  
"Double Trouble"  
"I Know A Little"  
"Saturday Night Special"  
"Swamp Music"  
"What’s Your Name"  
"That Smell"  
"Simple Man"  
"Gimme Three Steps"  
"Call Me The Breeze"
 
Disc 2
"Sweet Home Alabama"  
"Free Bird" 
Bonus Tracks From Hamburg 1974
"Workin’ For MCA"  
"Free Bird"  
"Sweet Home Alabama"

 

TREMONTI, the band led by CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti, will release its second album, "Cauterize", on June 9 (pushed back from the previously announced May).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. Radical Change02. Flying Monkeys03. Cauterize04. Arm Yourself05. Dark Trip06. Another Heart07. Fall Again08. Tie The Noose09. Sympathy10. Providence

The official lyric video for the song "Another Heart" can be seen below. The track is now available on iTunes.

The follow-up to 2012's "All I Was", TREMONTI's new CD was helmed by producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who previously worked with ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH.

Speaking to the American Forces Network, TREMONTI drummer Garrett Whitlock stated about the band's new album: "We recorded 20 songs for this record, so we're still trying to figure out what we're gonna with all of 'em. But I think it stacks up well against the first one.

"I really do think that we kind of figured out what our strengths were, recording the first album, and with this album, we kind of took that and capitalized on all of it.

"I think, as far as playing goes, everybody was on their 'A' game, and we're really happy with it.

"There's some really good, heavy songs on there; there's some good atmospheric stuff. So we really tried to just take what we enjoyed about the first record and capitalize on that with the second one. I feel like we hit our mark, and we're all really happy with the final product."

VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen joined Tremonti's solo band for touring purposes after ALTER BRIDGE bassist Brian Marshall dropped off the project.

With ALTER BRIDGE and CREED both still active, The Pulse Of Radio asked Tremonti a while back how he knows which songs are right for each project. "I've just gotten this filter, this intuition that tells me what songs go to which band, and with my solo stuff, the rhythm section is so different from the other bands, I think it really stands apart," he said. "I think it's a little more aggressive than both the other bands."

Tremonti recorded "All I Was" using ideas rejected by his ALTER BRIDGE bandmates, who felt some of the material was too "speed metal" for their sound. Tremonti revealed, "I tried it with them about 10 times and it would never stick. I didn't want those ideas to go to waste . . . Now it's a living, breathing band so we gotta keep it going."

Tremonti's other act, ALTER BRIDGE, released its fourth album, called "Fortress", in 2013.

Comprised of a AMEBIX vocalist/bassist Rob "The Baron" Miller, VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin, MISERY guitarist Jon Misery and WAR//PLAGUE guitarist Andy Lefton, TAU CROSS formed in 2013 and recorded its self-titled debut album over several months in 2014 throughout three different countries. The record is slated for a May 19 release via Relapse.

The track "Lazarus", taken from "Tau Cross", can be streamed below. Commented Rob Miller: "The music that evolved over this time is difficult to categorize, as there is clearly a lot of AMEBIX in the songwriting as well as some elements of gothic, JOY DIVISION, PINK FLOYD, BLACK SABBATH, industrial and hard fucking old-school punk rock. This is an entirely original work that is the organic fusion of four unique people.

"We decided to let the songs form themselves around the original demos and allow people to bring themselves into the mix, to allow the bark to grow around the tree. We are all very proud of what we have achieved in this short time and looking forward to working together again as soon as time allows." Miller also talked about the band playing live and signing to Relapse: "TAU CROSS will be playing live over the coming year, we hope to tour in the U.S and Europe, it is still early days but I feel this is going to be an intense live experience.

"We were introduced to Relapse through a mutual friend, Brad Boatright at Audioseige Mastering, and were delighted that they stepped up and took this under their wing straight away. We look forward to working with them in the future."

Track listing:

01. Lazarus02. Fire In The Sky03. Stonecracker04. Midsummer05. Hangmans Hyll06. We Control The Fear07. You People08. Prison09. Sons Of The Soil10. The Lie11. Our Day12. The Devil Knows His Own

TAU CROSS Is: Rob "The Baron" Miller (AMEBIX) – Bass, VocalsMichel "Away" Langevin (VOIVOD) - Drums Andy Lefton (WAR/PLAGUE) - Guitar Jon Misery (MISERY) - Guitar

Swiss hard rock/heavy metal band, Crystal Ball, will release their new album, LifeRider, on May 22nd via Massacre Records as limited edition digipak with exclusive bonus tracks. The band has just debuted the new video for the song "Eye To Eye" featuring Battle Beast singer Noora Louhimo:

LifeRider was once again produced, mixed and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann (Accept, U.D.O.). Thomas Ewerhard created the cover artwork. The album will feature a duet with Battle Beast's Noora Louhimo as well as guest musician Stefan Kaufmann on acoustic guitar.

 Crystal Ball’s Scott Leach commented: "LifeRider will feature 12 fresh and modern songs that deal with the journey through life in form of (musical) snapshots of various stations, similar to a train ride.”

Another new track "Paradise" is streaming below:

 

 

Primal Fear guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who is currently working on his new Free Fall album, has checked in with the following update:

"Today I can cross something off my bucket list! The one and only Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow ex-Deep Purple) sings on Free Fall 2" And it sounds fantastic!"

Stay tuned for more updates on the album in the coming weeks.

Karlsson co-wrote the forthcoming Kiske / Somerville's album, City Of Heroes, due out on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America. Fans can now listen to the second track to debut from the album, “Walk On Water”. The song is available now along with the title track as an Instant Gratification Track beginning today on iTunes worldwide when you pre-order. Watch the “Walk Of Water” video below:

Kiske / Somerville is the musical collaboration between vocalists Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic, Place Vendome) and Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia) and this new recording is certainly going to be one of the highlights of the season in rock music. Kiske’s soaring overtones seem to blend perfectly with the ethereal quality and diverse range of Amanda's voice and this time the results are truly over the top.

City Of Heroes sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with a song contribution “Breaking Neptune” from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself) and with Sinner overseeing the production in various recording studios in Europe. Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear, Pretty Maids, Doro etc.) then took care of the mix of the album ensuring a sonic quality second to none.

The first Kiske / Somerville self-titled album instantly aroused enthusiasm in the rock and metal community. The two videos off the album -“If I Had a Wish” and “Silence” – amassed a total of approximately 3,000,000 plays to date, which means that these songs can legitimately be considered as nowadays rock classics!

Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter from Flint, Michigan whose catalogue of projects, guest appearances and live shows garnered to date is an impressive body of work. Since 1999, she has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands. She co-wrote the metal opera Aina, and has also been a vocalist, songwriter, producer and / or vocal coach for many bands like Avantasia, Epica and Kamelot, giving her more credibility in metal circles than she ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include working with renowned artists Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) and many others.

Hamburg-born singer Michael Kiske is best known as the former lead vocalist for the German metal gods Helloween. After his departure from the band, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Place Vendome and he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist. In late 2009, he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Unisonic, together with his former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and began touring again after 17 years.

City Of Heroes will be released in CD, Deluxe edition with a bonus DVD and 2LP vinyl gatefold sleeve.

Tracklisting:

City Of Heroes"
"Walk On Water"
"Rising Up"
"Salvation"
"Lights Out"
"Breaking Neptune"
"Ocean Of Tears"
"Open Your Eyes"
"Last Goodbye"
"After The Night Is Over"
"Run With A Dream"
"Right Now"

DVD includes:
City Of Heroes (video)
"Walk On Water" (video)
“Making of” documentary

“City Of Heroes” video:

Album trailer:

Musicians:
Lead & Backing Vocals: Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville
Guitars & Keyboards: Magnus Karlsson
Bass & Backing Vocals: Mat Sinner
Drums: Veronika Lukesova

French atmospheric doom metallers Angellore have inked a deal with Shunu Records for the release of their sophomore album, La Litanie Des Cendres, which will be released at the end of August 2015. Just like their debut, Errances, this five-song album was recorded and mixed between July 2012 and April 2014 by Florent Krist (bass player in Cynic's side project Aeon Spoke) at EverTone Studio in France. It was mastered by Markus Skroch (Hel, Nattsol, Elane).

Commenting on the album’s production, the band said: “Creating La Litanie Des Cendres (French for Litany Of Ashes) was a very demanding process, but we can assure you that the result is worth all the efforts we put into it. And it definitely feels great to start anew with a young and welcoming home like Shunu Records. With their help, we will make sure we take Angellore to the next level. We can’t wait to take you on our new musical journey. The best is yet to come!”

Matteo Coppola Neri, founder of Shunu Records has issued the following statement:

“When La Litanie Des Cendres arrived on my desk I was immediately surprised by how these guys could, with absolute nonchalance, extend their music from the early-'90s doom to today’s most psychedelic post-rock, passing through the emotional gothic rock. Within Shunu Records we have a wide range of musical tastes, some of us prefer post-rock, some indie-rock, others progressive, but when we listened to the album we all agreed on one thing: Angellore’s language is universal and their music speaks to everybody, because it goes straight to the heart. We have rarely found records of such beauty.”

For information and updates on Angellore go to this location.

"Final Light", the new video from Brazilian/Italian metallers ANGRA, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Secret Garden", which was released on January 16 via earMUSIC. The CD was pre-produced by Roy Z (JUDAS PRIEST, BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD) and recorded and produced in Sweden by Jens Bogren (KREATOR, ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, DRAGONFORCE).

Directed by Drico Mello, who was also responsible for ANGRA's "Angels Cry 20th Anniversary Tour" DVD and the music video for the first single from "Secret Garden", "Storm Of Emotions", "Final Light" is completely different from everything ANGRA has made until now, recreating World War II air battles with vintage aircrafts and special digital effects, as seen on movies like "Red Tales". The scenes were filmed at the amazing TAM Museum in Brazil, and the entire production, makeup and aesthetics of the video were developed with the idea of having an authentic vintage feel. The immense arsenal of aircrafts in their warehouse was available for the making of the video.

The full "Final Light" music video will be released in the second week of March.

"Secret Garden" "brings together everything that has established ANGRA as one of biggest bands in its style: contemporary sound combined with inspired compositions," according to a press release. It shows the maturity of a band that, after 23 years on the road, continues with the same motivation and passion for music that drove the glorious beginning of the group. The compositions mend together elements that made the band known around the world, foregrounding the unity of seemingly distinct styles and combining in a unique way styles such as rock - in its various forms, classical music and Brazilian music.

"Secret Garden" is yet another masterpiece by the group and promises to become a great classic in the metal world. Like almost all of ANGRA's work, "Secret Garden" is a concept album which brings up the question: can something that does not exist to the eyes, or is not perceived by the senses, be considered as non-existent?

The songs tell the fictional story of scientist Morten Vrolik who fights to restore his happiness after a tragic accident that took the life of his wife. Faced with the harsh new reality, Morten is forced to revise his atheistic beliefs and values in order to recover a sense of personal contentment that was taken away by fate. The sudden change in his routine, the adaptability, synchronicity, loneliness, guilt, hope and the strength to rise anew are some of the topics discussed in the lyrics, always put to light under different perspectives — be they religious, scientific, philosophical or merely aesthetic.

ANGRA, the most representative band of the Brazilian power metal scene worldwide, is back with full power. Italian vocalist Fabio Lione embeds the music with his powerful voice and impressive performance whereas young prodigy Bruno Valverde impresses on drums, giving the group a more modern sound.

One of the great strengths of the album is the variety of great guest musicians: Simone Simons from the Dutch band EPICA divinely interprets the song "Secret Garden" while the great metal diva Doro Pesch sings an exciting vocal duet with Rafael Bittencourt on "Crushing Room". Actually, the various appearances of Rafael's lead vocals make for some of the strongest moments on this album, causing a contrast in tone and interpretation in comparison to Fabio. This also becomes evident in the cover that the band chose to record, "Synchronicity II" by THE POLICE.

The front cover and album design cleverly interlace the music and story into a beautiful artwork — created by designer Rodrigo Bastos Didier, representing the dreamlike moments of the album's story. The entrance to the secret garden, a representation of the unconscious and the whole atmosphere of mystery intend to bring to the fan an experience that transcends merely listening to the songs.

Once again, ANGRA brings to the scene a bombastic, electrifying release, capable of generating new trends, justifying with greatness and elegance why they have been recognized as one of the leading global power and progressive metal bands for over two decades.

"Secret Garden" track listing:

01. Newborn Me02. Black Hearted Soul03. Final Light04. Storm Of Emotions05. Synchronicity II06. Violet Sky07. Secret Garden (feat. Simone Simons)08. Upper Levels09. Crushing Room (feat. Doro Pesch)10. Perfect Symmetry11. Silent Call

SIXX: A.M., the band featuring MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx alongside guitarist DJ Ashba and vocalist James Michael, has released the official lyric video for its cover version of THE CARS song "Drive". The track is taken from SIXX: A.M.'s third album, "Modern Vintage", which was released on October 7, 2014 via Eleven Seven Music.

Regarding the decision to cover "Drive", which was originally a Top 5 hit for THE CARS in 1985, Sixx wrote on the SIXX: A.M. Facebook page:

"James, DJ and I sit around listening to music all the time and talk about great songs. We talk about how, as songwriters, we're woken up in the middle of the night by lyrics and melodies and how that haunts you because you're half asleep and the idea usually vanishes before you can pick up your pen or instrument. Every now and then, if you're really lucky, it comes back to you and you write one of THOSE songs.

"Sometimes you will hear a song in the distance or on the radio and you think, 'I wish I had written that.' I have a handful of songs that I wish I had written. 'Drive' by THE CARS is one of them. This is a song probably only an insane artist would try taking on because, to be honest, it's pretty much perfect.

"For years we've been looking for a song SIXX: A.M. could cover, and for some reason, that was never even brought up. Instead we started laying down basic tracks for ELVIN BISHOP's 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love', but something wasn't quite right. Then one day the melody to 'Drive' popped into my head. I picked up the phone and sang it to James. He said, 'I'll call you right back,' and called DJ, who immediately said, 'Lets go for it.'

"The first task and most important task was to respect and keep the integrity of THE CARS' version. We knew all ears would be on us if we didn't deliver the goods and the pressure was on.

"At the end of the first day of arranging, we felt we had achieved the direction that was right for SIXX: A.M. After that, we just went with our instincts adding a guitar solo, changing the bass parts slightly and layering in sounds that were otherworldly, giving it a thick texture that was perfect for James to soar over.

"When you a cover someone else's song, fans of the original will let you know if you have done it justice."

SIXX: A.M. has hired drummer Dustin Steinke of the Canadian rock band BLEEKER RIDGE to sit behind the kit for its upcoming U.S. tour, which is scheduled to kick off in early April.

Based in Orillia, Ontario, BLEEKER RIDGE was previously signed to the Canadian branch of Roadrunner Records and recently completed work on a new album with Michael at the production helm, due later in the year via the Eleven Seven label.

Steinke made his live debut with SIXX: A.M. on February 19 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan as part of Vampark Fest hosted by the rock band VAMPS.

Support on SIXX: A.M.'s first-ever headline tour will come from Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA and Japan's VAMPS.

"Drive" lyric video:


James Michael and bassist Nikki Sixx talking about "Drive":

X17 spoke with TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider as landed at Los Angeles airport this weekend, returning early from vacation with his wife, Suzette Snider, after finding out about the untimely death of his friend and bandmate, TWISTED SISTER drummer Anthony Jude "A.J." Pero.

Said Snider (see video below): "[A.J.] was out on tour with a band called ADRENALINE MOB, and he had a massive heart attack in his sleep and we lost him. He was the first member of the band to die, and it's very sad."

Asked how you replace someone like Pero, Snider said: "You don't. I mean, will we continue to play? Probably, for [A.J.'s] family. 'Cause his family will benefit from us playing, financially."

He continued: "It was all five original members of TWISTED SISTER, and he's the first one we lost. And the band is heartbroken."

Pero died at the age of 55 while on tour with the band ADRENALINE MOB. After members of that group failed to rouse him on their tour bus Friday morning (March 20), he was taken to a Poughkeepsie, New York hospital and pronounced dead of an apparent heart attack.

Pero joined TWISTED SISTER in 1982, leaving the band in 1986 but returning in 1997. He remained a member of the group, which has toured on and off over the past 15 years, to this day. He played drums on six of the group's seven studio albums, except for 1987's "Love Is For Suckers".

TWISTED SISTER rose to prominence from the New York club scene in the early 1980s. Their biggest album, 1984's "Stay Hungry", contained the hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock".

In addition to touring with TWISTED SISTER and ADRENALINE MOB, Pero also recently played with former and current members of IRON MAIDEN and DISTURBED in a band called THE FOUNDRY. He also hosted drum clinics and seminars.

Adrenaline Mob frontman Russell Allen has posted the following message online in the wake of drummer A.J. Pero's tragic passing at age 55:

"I lost a dear friend today. A man who I looked up to. A man who's humility and sincere companion for his fellow man was truly inspiring. Oh, and did I mention he was one of the greatest rock drummers of all time? 

His accomplishments on stage are legendary and it was an honor to share the stage with him every night. But it was his love for his family and friends that I connected with. We spent many nights talking about our families and how much we missed them. His work ethic was unmatched, he would bust his ass playing a show and afterwards help the crew load the trailer with the ALL the gear. That's the kind of guy he was. Always willing to help and always putting others before himself. 

I will miss his quick witted sense of humor and those late night talks we'd share while we watched the world go by. God speed AJ Pero! RIP my brother.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family in the moment. He's pictured here with my son Jack and my daughter Ava. They loved him.

The members of Adrenaline Mob collectively posted the following message:

"We write this with tears in our eyes and our hearts broken to pieces. Our beloved brother AJ Pero peacefully passed away in his sleep this morning on the bus. We are in complete shock and our hearts and prayers go out to his family. It has been nothing short of an honor to have shared the stage with such a beautiful soul & legend! We love you AJ, rest in peace."

Former TYPE O NEGATIVE and current DANZIG drummer Johnny Kelly has posted the following statement regarding the passing of TWISTED SISTER and ADRENALINE MOB drummer A.J. Pero:

"I'm absolutely crushed about A.J. Pero passing away.

"So many things come to mind thinking about this.

"I first met A.J. when I was 18 years old. He was always great to me. He would help us younger players out with anything he could. Letting us use his Vistalite kit, giving us sticks and cymbals.

"I still have the Zildjian Earth Ride I got from him! I was even able to tech for him a few times. I was also able to convince him into giving me lessons! He taught me things that I still carry with me even now.

"To see him play in a rehearsal room or a small club was nothing short of amazing! They were drum lessons themselves! He had the perfect blend of grace and power. Lots of power!

"He really was such an accomplished player.

"His mother's house was like a shrine to him. There were tons of trophies, awards and other accomplishments of his all over the place!

"He was doing things as a child that most won't ever accomplish!

"The people that had the opportunity to play with him will tell you how he was the real deal.

"Whatever band he was playing with, he made them a million times better.

"Until they saw him play, I know my friends grew tired of me telling them how good he was.

"When I first joined TYPE O, he helped me out with contacts and pointers on how to handle situations professionally. He also helped me out years later with Sabian.

"Just recently, he was telling me how proud he was of me and I made him accept the fact he played a big part in who I am as a drummer. He didn't have to say that. It's just who he was. He was always the same great guy wherever he was or whoever he was with.

"I'm trying to wrap my head around what has happened. A bunch of memories are swirling around right now.

"My condolences to his bandmates.

"My heart is truly broken for his wife and his children.

"If you knew him, you know how big of a loss this truly is. Rest in peace, my friend."

Pero died Friday morning (March 20) of what appears to be a massive heart attack, his longtime agent Dan Stanton told CNN.

"He had been complaining of a sore arm all week and took a few days off from his tour with the band ADRENALINE MOB," Stanton said.

The 55-year-old Pero was a member of TWISTED SISTER from 1982 to 1986, from 1997 to 1998, and again from 2003 until his death. Pero performed on ADRENALINE MOB's last two albums and recently joined FOUR BY FATE, also featuring former FREHLEY'S COMET members Tod Howarth and John Regan.

Twisted Sister announced yesterday that drummer A.J. Pero has passed away at age 55. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Pero was a member of Twisted Sister from 1982-1986, from 1997-1998, and again from 2003-present. Pero performed on Adrenaline Mob latest albums, and was recently confirmed to be working with Four By Fate, featuring former Frehley's Comet bandmates, Tod Howarth and John Regan.

The members of Adrenaline Mob have posted the following message:

"We write this with tears in our eyes and our hearts broken to pieces. Our beloved brother AJ Pero peacefully passed away in his sleep this morning on the bus. We are in complete shock and our hearts and prayers go out to his family. It has been nothing short of an honor to have shared the stage with such a beautiful soul & legend! We love you AJ, rest in peace.

We will cherish this last picture we all took together on tour forever! What a great night we had. We'll miss you buddy!"

The members of Twisted Sister have posted comments about Pero:

Guitarist Jay Jay French: “A.J. Pero was a force, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the chance to play in front of again. His drumming was legendary but his heart, as a human being, was even greater.

“This April 1st would have been his 33rd year as a member. In the Twisted Sister world he was always affectionately known as ‘the new guy’. That is how long and deep our history was/is. In our hearts he will always be the engine that drove the train. I loved him and today my heart has been ripped out. RIP"

Singer Dee Snider: “Today I lost a brother. Anthony Jude Pero passed away. A.J. was the final piece in a band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage. His sledgehammer assault on the drums helped drive Twisted Sister and I to greatness and inspired me to rock every single show. My heart breaks knowing I will never feel the power of his beat behind me, or turn to see his face smiling broadly from the sheer joy he got from doing what he loved. I will always remember that smile. RIP my friend."

Bassist Mark “The Animal” Mendoza: “This morning I received the tragic news about AJ's passing. As anyone would be, I am devastated. With such a loss, even I broke down and cried, allegedly the tough guy in the band. One statement says it all, ‘AJ was my band mate, my friend and my brother and I will miss him forever’.”

Guitarist Eddie Ojeda: “My family, extended Twisted Sister family and I are heartbroken and devastated to hear the news of Anthony Jude Pero's passing. A.J. was a dear friend and brother to me, and in my opinion, one of the most talented drummers of all time. I will always remember the amazing experiences and great laughs we shared. A.J. always had an amazing sense of humor and did his best to please everyone he came in contact with.

“Back in the day, when the band first started touring, we were often room-mates and he never failed to keep me smiling. It's very difficult for me to talk about this right now. However, I feel that out of respect for his legacy, it's important for us to let the world know how we all felt and will always feel about him. I know I will dearly miss him, but I'm grateful to have been his friend and musical partner for thirty three years.

“At this time, my sincerest sympathies go out to his family. Heaven just got a great drummer, one that will live forever in our hearts.

“The Ojeda Family”

The Artisan News Service has uploaded an interview with Pero and he talked about his drumming style, Twisted Sister, and what he was doing for a side-project, Tred, that never made it off the ground:

Tod Howarth states: “The news of course is out. A.J. Pero has passed away... I learned of it this morning and had just spoken with him yesterday pertaining to the Four By Fate recording schedule for May. Twisted Sister's solid drummer was a great guy in the short time that John Regan and I got to know him..... Thoughts, prayers out to his family first, friends and fans - perhaps all in the same.”

Says Jeff Scott Soto: “I'm not believing this... just got info that brother A.J. Pero, drummer for Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob, has passed away!!! No other info or details but I am in shock... I just met the man a few months ago, we were instant bros, I am so sad for his family and bandmates... damn!”

Sean Kelly (Crash Kelly, Gilby Clarke, Helix, Four By Fate) states: “Deeply shocked and saddened to hear this news... RIP A.J., you were an inspiration.”

Says Slash bassist Todd Kerns: "So sad to hear of the passing of A.J. Pero. He was a good man and a monster drummer. So happy I got to share the stage with him. Big love."

Back in February, A.J. performed a Twisted Sister medley with The Foundry (featuring Blaze Bayley) at Rippers Rock House in Akron, Ohio. Video can be seen below.

Stay tuned for more details on this shocking news.

Guitarist/vocalist Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) has checked in via Facebook with the following update on his forthcoming solo album:


In the clip below Caffery discusses the just completed TSO tour, his upcoming solo album, Savatage news, as well as a Forgotten Favorites segment as he and Pete Pardo both take a look back at the classic Doctor Butcher album from 1995. In addition, he looks at new releases from Blind Guardian, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Tarot, Oceanwake, and Judas Priest, plus Martin Popoff's new Whitesnake book.

Caffery is currently in the studio working on his next solo album. He recently offered a look inside the production:

"Back to guitar land today. Gonna rest the voice a lil. I also have a few more songs I need to get to Mr. Tichy for drums, 'Damned If You Do, Dead If You Don't' being one. Very metal. 'Too Soon To Be Too Late' is another. Plus another 3! I still have time before May but if I don't get these drums my masters will be too late!

This record is a lot like Faces where it has a wide spectrum of songs. I have 13 with vocals, styles ranging from really heavy to an acoustic instrumental."

 
 

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Post by Chris Caffery.

Caffery recently commented on Savatage's upcoming reunion show at the Wacken Open Air:

"Savatage will close the festival that night following TSO's first ever European festival appearance. I have been waiting for them to announce this for weeks. It was hard to keep it a secret! Yes, legion, our patience has finally paid off..."

Wacken Open Air 2015 will take place July 30th - August 1st in Wacken, Germany.

Acts confirmed for the 2015 edition of this legendary yearly event include: Trans-Siberian Orchestra (exclusive European show), Savatage (exclusive European show), Running Wild, In Flames, In Extremo, U.D.O. (orchestra show), Sabaton, Amorphis (special Tales From The Thousand Lakes show), Death Angel, Powerwolf, Ensiferum, Kataklysm, Cannibal Corpse, Sepultura, Thyrfing.

More details at Wacken.com.

Check out the second in a set of three limited edition skate decks from Bat Skates. Like the previous Samhain deck, there will only be 222 #'d Misfits decks. This is the second of a set of three as there will be 222 Misfits decks, 222 Samhain decks, and 222 of the first 'ever' official Danzig skate deck for a total of 666 decks. Go to BatSkates.com to order.

Measuring 9.875" wide x 29" long, these 7-ply hand crafted "made in Los Angeles" maple decks are always hand silkscreened nose to tail.

 

 

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine is the focus of the latest episode of VH1 Classic's "Rock Icons", an original documentary series profiling the most legendary artists in the history of rock music. You can now watch the full episode below. A few Mustaine quotes from the show follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On what has kept him going all these years:

"For me, wanting to be the best is something that has driven me for a very long time. And wanting to be the biggest band in the world… well, that's not gonna happen. But having some self-respect, being able to know that there aren't very many people that can do what you do… that's cool."

"I've always been somebody who… I try to stand for what's right with people. I still stand by what I believe in, and I think that if you don't have something to believe in, you don't really have any purpose. And if you do believe in something, you need to be willing to fight for it."

On band dynamics:

"Here's the thing that I think that ruins most bands. When your goal isn't the most important thing. Sometimes bands will get together and it'll be like four friends from high school. And they'll play for a little while, but one of 'em sucks. And they never make it, because their friendship is more important than their desire to be successful. And sometimes you've gotta tell people, 'Hey, you know what?! You're my best friend. I love ya. We're gonna be friends forever. But you're out of the band.'"

On being part of METALLICA's early incarnation:

"There was a feeling that James [Hetfield, METALLICA's guitarist/vocalist] and I had when we would stand next to each other and play. I think people saw that there was a real brotherhood there. We were a really great guitar duo."

On his decision to form MEGADETH after being fired from METALLICA:

"Growing up and having all of the defense mechanisms I'd gotten over the years, I was pissed. I was gonna fight. I mean, when you're scratching and clawing to have something to eat, someone takes away your livelihood… This means war."

"I don't really know that when MEGADETH started that it was anything other than just pure revenge. It was all about, 'You know what? You're not gonna make me that kid, the one that's picked last again.' We wanted to be the utmost heaviest, ultra-furious metal band. Period. It doesn't sound like my last band. I wanted to do it for me — not because of something I lost. It was because of what I still had."

On MEGADETH becoming a commercial success:

"When 'Rust In Peace' came out, we realized it was like a mighty oak; that was what the band was becoming. It went to platinum, and it was just mindblowing for us. All we needed to do as MEGADETH was just stay tight as a unit. The outside world would go away."

On what caused MEGADETH's classic lineup to fall apart:

"At that particular time, it was drug addiction. The story of MEGADETH and heroin addiction, that was a big part of our past.

"My problem was that I had money. I was able to stay intoxicated."

On reporting from the Democratic National Convention for MTV News during the 1992 election and appearing in "Rock The vote" public service spots to encourage rock fans to vote their conscience:

"As much it did give me credibility in certain things, it also was an albatross around my neck with responsibility to not write pablum. And when you talk about things that matter and put it in a way someone can understand, that was my new personal goal."

On being honest in his interviews:

"Truth is the most radical thing that you can do — speaking the truth. That's why people get so upset with me when I say stuff, because I don't really have a filter. I just say what I think."

On MEGADETH's accomplishments:

"MEGADETH's music and myself, we're just a testimony of being victorious."

"When you look at everything that's happened, where this has all come full circle right now — making money, doing the wine. It's a celebration of life."

"When you get knocked down on the ground, you have a choice — to stay there or to get up. And my sensei told me, 'You get knocked down six times, you get up seven.' And that's always been my motto."

"No matter what, don't take shit from anybody. Don't ever give up. Keep fighting."

WHITESNAKE mainman David Coverdale spoke to Billboard.com about his decision to "re-imagine" classic songs from his time as the lead singer for DEEP PURPLE's Mark 3 and Mark 4 studio albums on WHITESNAKE's forthcoming "The Purple Album" set, to be released in Europe on May 15 and in North America on May 19 via Frontiers Music SRL.

"Everyone did their homework, and every performance is done respectfully in honor of [DEEP PURPLE's] musicians," Coverdale said. "Though I focused on the twin-guitar attack of WHITESNAKE, we had a guest keyboard player because a huge part of the DEEP PURPLE sound was Jon Lord playing that amazing Hammond organ."

He continued: "There were respectful nods to the original musicians throughout the album, and it has come out delightfully. It's a tribute to Jon Lord, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore, who gave me my break in the first place. I'd never even made a record when I joined DEEP PURPLE, and my first record went double gold, which was early platinum. They didn't even have platinum records back in those days!"

Coverdale added: "When we were working on it, each one of my musicians said these songs sounded as if they were written yesterday, and none of them were born when I first recorded them! It's a testament to the songs that they stand up. We've Whitesnaked them up and given them a fresh coat of paint, but it's still the same House of Purple."

"The Purple Album" features David Coverdale on vocals, Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitars, Michael Devin on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums.

A video for the first single, "Stormbringer", can be seen below. "The Purple Album" track listing: 01. Burn02. You Fool No One (interpolating Itchy Fingers)03. Love Child 04. Sail Away05. The Gypsy06. Lady Double Dealer07. Mistreated08. Holy Man09. Might Just Take Your Life10. You Keep On Moving11. Soldier Of Fortune12. Lay Down Stay Down13. Stormbringer Deluxe edition bonus tracks:

14. Lady Luck15. Comin' Home DVD content:

* "Lady Double Dealer" - Music Video* "Sail Away" - Mix Music Video* "Stormbringer" - Music Video* "Soldier Of Fortune" - Music Video* "The Purple Album" Behind The Scenes* "The Purple Album" EPK