In a new interview with Deutsche Welle, SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine, guitarist Rudolf Schenker and lead guitarist Matthias Jabs were asked what changed their minds about retiring after announcing in 2010 that they would end their career following a three-year farewell tour.

"When you start a three-year farewell tour, you know you've got a long time ahead of you," Meine said. "But that long period went by much faster than we imagined. The closer we got to the goal — Munich in December 2012 — the stronger the feeling was that we hadn't come to the end at all. There were so many images in our minds and so many emotions in our hearts. Everything we experienced between 2010 and 2012, the 200 concerts — it was all so powerful. You stand on stage, look down and see so many fans — including the younger generation, who are really getting into it and saying: 'Guys, this is so cool. We're seeing you for the first time. When will you be back?' It's so motivating and inspiring to play for three generations. We're all having too much fun to put down the guitars."

"The success of the farewell tour bowled us over," Schenker added. "When you see you've got a whole new generation in front of you — lots of 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds — then you get a whole new kick out of it. Essentially, we announced the farewell tour because we didn't want to be standing on stage and not able to deliver what people expected from us."

"At first, there were plenty of arguments in favor of stopping," said Jabs. "But we were quickly overshadowed by the feeling of how much fun it all is. It doesn't matter where we went, the shows were packed — in South America, the U.S., throughout Europe. So, we just thought: This can't really be the end."

Meine told Classic Rock magazine in January 2013 that extending SCORPIONS' current tour was "a gradual decision," explaining, "It's one thing to say, 'This is going to be the end of the SCORPIONS' and another to do it." He went on to describe the band's 2010 album, "Sting In The Tail", as "such a success that a whole new generation of fans joined the party." Meine added: "It was amazing. And you know that with all the best parties it's sometimes hard to find the door?"

Jabs echoed those sentiments in a 2012 interview, telling AZCentral.com: "We called it the farewell tour thinking — believing — it would be the last time we would play the U.S.A., that wherever we played, that would be the last time. But the tour is still going, due to demand from the audience and promoters."

SCORPIONS' latest release, "MTV Unplugged", was made available in North America on January 21 via Sony International. Material for the set was taken from the band's first-ever "MTV Unplugged" show and features new acoustic versions of best-loved classic hits, as well as five brand new songs. "MTV Unplugged" is available in two formats — a standard CD and a deluxe version featuring CD + DVD. "MTV Unplugged" was released in 50 countries, a testament to the German band's iconic status worldwide.

When all is said and done, the art of making people bang their heads comes down to one central component: the riff. The riff has been refined and redefined so many times over the last four decades that ownership of a guitar and half a brain should be all that's required to at least have a decent stab at getting things right, and yet very few people seem capable of tapping into the true essence and ethos of what made Tony Iommi such an all-conquering pioneer and overlord of six-string power and glory. Over the last 25 years, discerning metal fans may have struggled to pinpoint any bona fide contemporary greats amongst the never-ending proliferation of also-rans and wannabes, but as chief composer and guitarist for UK doom metal legends CATHEDRAL, Gaz Jennings has more than earned the mantle of the modern age's most consistent and supremely talented Riffmaster General. A perennial unsung hero of the heavy underground, Gaz has already contributed a vast number of classic songs to the metallic canon, but when CATHEDRAL finally called it a day in 2013 it looked as if another guitar hero was destined to disappear into the shadows. Gloriously, he has now returned with a brand new band, DEATH PENALTY, and an eponymous debut album that once again proves his absolute mastery of the form.

"When CATHEDRAL split I didn't have any intention of getting another band together," Gaz admits. "I wanted to do a record, because Lee [Dorrian, CATHEDRAL front man and Rise Above Records boss] has been saying for years that he'd give me a deal! But all my time was taken up writing stuff for CATHEDRAL. I had a few bits and bobs lying around, so I started writing material a few years back and that's where it all started. And now the album is ready to go."

With such a formidable reputation to uphold, it was absolutely vital for Gaz to select the right musicians to work with in his new band. Enter vocalist Michelle Nocon and Fredrik "Cozy" Cosemans, members of Belgian doom warriors SERPENTCULT; a band that Gaz greatly admires and fellow Rise Above alumni. Although resident in Belgium, Michelle and Cozy were simply the right people for the job and kindred spirits that Gaz suspected would be perfect for helping him to realize his new musical vision.

With the DEATH PENALTY lineup completed by the addition of another Belgian, bassist Raf Meukens, Gaz was now fully equipped to bring his new band into the spotlight. The first results emerged via a debut seven-inch single, "Sign Of Times/Seven Flames", which showcased DEATH PENALTY's fiery blend of old-school heavy metal, subtle doom shades and Michelle Nocon's extraordinary vocal talents. The real meat of the matter will be unveiled upon the release of the band's self-titled debut album, a triumphant tour-de-force of pounding heaviness that brilliantly encapsulates everything that Gaz has brought to the table with CATHEDRAL while veering off on a number of new and distinctly compelling tangents along the way. Fans of the NWOBHM era will find themselves instantly entranced by the likes of "Howling At The Throne Of Decadence" and "Golden Tides", while diehard doom acolytes will be immediately reassured that Gaz's ability to pen timeless riffs remains entirely undimmed, as demonstrated on the grandiose grit of "Into The Ivory Frost" and "Children Of The Night".

The final piece of the puzzle slotted neatly into place when Gaz chose a name for the new band. Anyone that has followed the guitarist's career over the years will recognize that DEATH PENALTY is the title of WITCHFINDER GENERAL's classic 1982 debut album; a record that has long been an essential part of Gaz's inspirational armoury. However, beyond paying homage to his childhood heroes, he freely confesses that the name was simply the first and only credible option and a telling alternative to the countless terrible band names currently doing the rounds.

Once DEATH PENALTY's debut hits the shops (and the nebulous world of online retail, of course), it seems highly likely that everyone from CATHEDRAL fans and old school diehards to new school doom and psych rock admirers will celebrate the arrival of another truly great heavy metal band for the modern age. Quite content to remain an underground concern, DEATH PENALTY are just beginning their journey into the outer limits of refined riff worship and Gaz Jennings' hopes and expectations are every bit as humble and honest as long-time fans will expect.

"Death Penalty" track listing:

01. Grotesque Horizon
02. Howling At The Throne Of Decadence
03. Eyes Of The Heretic
04. Golden Tides
05. Into The Ivory Frost
06. Children Of The Night
07. The One That Dwells
08. She Is A Witch
09. Immortal By Your Hand
10. Written By The Insane

The "Gus G. Tutorials" are a series of guitar lessons from Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, where he shows you how to play step-by-step riffs and solos from the tracks off his debut solo album, "I Am The Fire". In the third episode below, Gus teaches you how to play "Summer Days".

"I Am The Fire" entered the official chart in Greece at position No. 27. The CD sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release.

"I Am The Fire" track listing:

01. My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)02. Blame It On Me (featuring Mats Levén)03. I Am The Fire (featuring Devour The Day)04. Vengeance (featuring David Ellefson)05. Long Way Down (featuring Alexia Rodriguez)06. Just Can't Let Go (featuring Jacob Bunton)07. Terrified (featuring Billy Sheehan)08. Eyes Wide Open (featuring Mats Levén)09. Redemption (featuring Michael Starr)10. Summer Days (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)11. Dreamkeeper (featuring Tom S. Englund)12. End Of The Line (featuring Mats Levén)

The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT, DREAM EVIL).

Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on "I Am The Fire", and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN, LITA FORD), and vocalists Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, ex-JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). "I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include "Eyes Wide Open", "Redemption", "End Of The Line" and "Blame It On Me". The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing.

"Summer Days" tutorial:


"Long Way Down" tutorial:


"I Am The Fire" tutorial:


"I Am The Fire" video:

Fan-filmed video footage of SOUNDGARDEN's July 13 performance at Metropolis in Montreal, Quebec, Canada can be seen below.

It was announced in March that SOUNDGARDEN had tapped veteran drummer Matt Chamberlain to fill in for Cameron on the band's 2014 tour dates, including SOUNDGARDEN's upcoming summer trek with NINE INCH NAILS. Cameron will sit out the shows shows due to his live commitments with his PEARL JAM. Chamberlain was briefly a member of PEARL JAM himself, joining the band for some touring in 1991 before the release of its debut album, "Ten". He can be seen in the video for "Alive".

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell and bassist Ben Shepherd told The Pulse Of Radio that Cameron can step back into the lineup whenever he feels like it. "Whenever he wants to come out, he's coming out," Cornell said. "And he can change his mind, you know, and we can take out a..." Shepherd interjected: "We got another guy with the same initials playing drums for us, so it makes it really easy." Cornell added: "I'm not really sure what his schedule is. For sure though, when we start working on whatever our next record will be, and any decision we make, he's an absolute member of the band, you know."

Chamberlain has appeared on more than 200 records as a session drummer, recording and touring with artists such as Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, the WALLFLOWERS, Fiona Apple, Kanye West, Elton John, Natalie Merchant, John Mayer, Shakira and many others. He was also a member of the "Saturday Night Live" house band during the 1991-1992 season.

Cameron announced last November that he would sit out SOUNDGARDEN's 2014 tour dates due to his PEARL JAM commitments as well as his desire to spend more time with his family at home.

SOUNDGARDEN's co-headlining summer trek with NINE INCH NAILS kicks off on July 19 in Las Vegas, finishing up on August 25 in Los Angeles.

California rockers BUCKCHERRY have announced plans to release a new EP, simply titled "Fuck", on August 19. The record is scheduled for release just days after the band joins GODSMACK, SEETHER and SKILLET on the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival tour.

Pre-orders for the EP are available now at Buckcherry.com and the CD's first single, "Say Fuck It", will go for radio adds in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year, BUCKCHERRY singer Josh Todd told Loudwire about "Fuck": "I'm a huge fan of EPs and I had a lot of 'em when I was a kid, so it's going to be fun to put this one out." Though he did not givie away the concept, Josh did state, "It's nasty and it's raw and it's quintessential BUCKCHERRY … It was a lot of fun writing it and it was great to do this EP for me after doing 'Confessions', 'cause 'Confessions' was so heavy and deep and this EP is just reckless and fun. It's probably one of my most fun little projects to do."

"Fuck" EP track listing:

01. Somebody Fucked With Me
02. Say Fuck It
03. Motherfucker
04. I Don't Give A Fuck
05. It's A Fucking Disaster
06. Fist Fuck

Never a band to play by the rules, BUCKCHERRY has made a career out of pushing the boundaries and buttons of conventional rock music. Whether it's a song audaciously celebrating the finest white flake ("Lit Up"), an homage to unstable and irresistible young ladies ("Crazy Bitch") or an apologetic ballad ("Sorry"), BUCKCHERRY have always done things their own way and it's paid off with six highly successful studio albums and multiple hit singles over the last decade. And apparently they were only getting warmed up!

BUCKCHERRY will return this summer with one of its boldest and most controversial releases to date, "Fuck", a six-song EP that unapologetically rattles the speakers as much as it will the censors. The record features six balls-to-the-wall tracks that erupt with gritty riffs and sharp-tongued lyrics, including the upcoming radio single and riotous cover of Icona Pop's hit song "I Love It", which the band naturally cranks to 11 and renames "Say Fuck It".

Rock's favorite misfits will take their new EP on the road this summer with dates on the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival tour and an appearance at the Monster Energy Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. Additionally, BUCKCHERRY recently launched its "Singles Club" via PledgeMusic, where fans have the opportunity to sign up for a 6-month subscription to receive new, unreleased cover songs the band has recently recorded.

METALLICA's official YouTube channel Metallica TV has been updated with fly-on-the-wall footage shot by a MetOnTour.com reporter on July 4 in Basel, Switzerland. The 22-minute clip includes footage of the band warming up in the Tuning Room and "Ride The Lightning" and "Sad But True" from the show.

The band's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. Battery02. Master Of Puppets03. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)04. Ride The Lightning05. The Unforgiven06. Creeping Death07. Lords Of Summer08. Sad But True09. Fade To Black10. ...And Justice For All11. One12. For Whom The Bell Tolls13. Whiskey In The Jar14. Nothing Else Matters15. Enter Sandman

Encore:

16. St. Anger17. Orion18. Seek & Destroy

As previously reported, METALLICA stars in the latest ESPN "This Is SportsCenter" ad. The clip, which debuted on Monday night (July 14) during this year's All-Star Home Run Derby, plays off the idea that the band members don't know what to do with themselves since Yankees star reliever Mariano Rivera retired last season and took his "Enter Sandman" entrance music with him — so the band begins a desperate search for something else to do. Drummer Lars Ulrich said, "Sometimes it can be quite freeing to put yourself at the mercy of others. ESPN's commercials have a tendency to be hilarious. We were like, 'That sounds like a good time.' The whole thing had an overriding impulsivity to it."

The long-running series of comical "This Is SportsCenter" ads promote ESPN's "SportsCenter" sports news show.

The commercials, which debuted in 1994, are presented in a deadpan mockumentary style, lampooning various aspects of sports and sports broadcasting.

After completing a recent European festival run, METALLICA has just one show on its calendar for the rest of 2014, at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal on August 9.

The band is slated to enter the studio and begin recording its 10th studio album this fall.

An audio sample of "Am I One", a new song from FARMIKOS, the Los Angeles-based band featuring former OZZY OSBOURNE and DAVID LEE ROTH guitarist Joe Holmes and vocalist Robbie Locke, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.

FARMIKOS released four digital singles on March 18. "Scapegoat", "Kings Of Dust", "Exit Stencils" and "The Sound Of My Gun" marked Holmes' long-awaited return to the music scene after taking a lengthy break following his five-year stint with Ozzy Osbourne. Recorded at the Mouse House in Pasadena, California with engineer/mixer Rich Mouser (SPOCK'S BEARD, TRANSATLANTIC, VAST), the songs feature guest contributions by Holmes' former Ozzy bandmate, bassist Robert Trujillo (METALLICA), drummer Brooks Wackerman (BAD RELIGION), and writing collaborator Brent Hoffort (MY OWN MACHINE). Stated Holmes: "We've been thinking long and hard about the best way put our music out. Rather than going the conventional route and putting out an album, we are releasing these four tunes digitally and plan on making additional singles available at regular intervals.

"We want people to experience our music as we create it instead of holding it to release all at once. We're excited because this approach allows our audience to grow with us." Holmes goes on to say, "We had another really productive session recently when Robbie was back in town to lay down vocals and work on new material, so more music is in the pipeline ready to be unleashed, leading up to a full-length album later in the year." FARMIKOS is Joe Holmes' first venture under his own flag since first attaining local notoriety with TERRIFF, an L.A. band he formed after taking guitar lessons as a teenager from none other than original Ozzy axeman, Randy Rhoads. Holmes eventually went on to replace ALS-stricken Jason Becker on the 1991 David Lee Roth "A Lil' Ain't Enough" world tour. In 1995, Holmes was brought to the attention of Ozzy Osbourne who was looking for a new guitarist to take over Zakk Wylde's spot for the "Ozzmosis" album touring cycle. Holmes would go on to co-write three songs, "Facing Hell", "Junkie" and "That I Never Had", which appeared on Ozzy's 2001 album, "Down To Earth". Holmes spent the last several years raising his family and eventually started to put together ideas for what would become FARMIKOS. Holmes began collaborating and creating material with Brent Hoffort and then joined forces with vocalist and Arkansas native Robbie Locke in 2011. "I really wanted to do my own thing and once Robbie came into the picture things really started to fall into place," he says. "It's taken us a bit longer than anticipated to get to this point but we're proud to finally present FARMIKOS to the world and letting people hear what we've been working on."

JUDAS PRIEST's 17th studio album, "Redeemer Of Souls", sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

JUDAS PRIEST's 2008 double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", shifted 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 11. This marked the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after moving close to 4,000 units.

JUDAS PRIEST's 2005 CD, "Angel of Retribution", premiered with 58,000 copies in the U.S. to debut at No. 13.

The following are the peak U.S. chart positions for the PRIEST catalog:

#6 - "Redeemer Of Souls" (2014)
#11 - "Nostradamus" (2008)
#13 - "Angel Of Retribution" (2005)
#165 - "Demolition" (2001)
#82 - "Jugulator" (1997)
#155 - "Metalworks" (1993)
#26 - "Painkiller" (1990)
#31 - "Ram It Down" (1988)
#38 - "Priest Live" (1987)
#17 - "Turbo" (1986)
#18 - "Defenders Of The Faith" (1984)
#17 - "Screaming For Vengeance" (1982)
#39 - "Point Of Entry" (1981)
#34 - "British Steel" (1980)
#70 - "Unleashed In The East" (1979)
#128 - "Hell Bent For Leather" (1978)
#178 - "Stained Class" (1978)

JUDAS PRIEST's most successful album to date is 1982's "Screaming For Vengeance", which spent 53 weeks on the Billboard charts, receiving gold RIAA sales certification on October 29, 1982, platinum on April 18, 1983 and double platinum October 16, 2001. The album included the band's only U.S. top 100 hit single, "You've Got Another Thing Comin'".

Other million-seller RIAA certifications for JUDAS PRIEST are "Priest Live" (October 29, 2001), "Turbo" (July 24, 1989), "Defenders of the Faith" (September 26, 1988), "British Steel" (August 9, 1989) and "Unleashed in the East" (November 10, 1989).

JUDAS PRIEST also has gold albums certifications (500,000 sales) for "Stained Class" (November 10, 1989), "Hell Bent For Leather" (November 10, 1989), "Point of Entry" (November 10, 1989), "Ram It Down" (July 18, 1988) and "Painkiller" (January 2, 1991).

In the band's home country of the U.K., 1980's "British Steel" remains their most successful outing, peaking at No. 4 in the charts and launching three hit singles: "Living After Midnight", which peaked at No. 12; "Breaking The Law" No. 12 and "United" No. 26.

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach says that he has stopped drinking alcohol because wants to be "in this for a long time" and "be the best" singer and performer that he can be. Speaking to MikeJamesRockShow.com at the U.K. edition of the Sonisphere festival, which was held July 4-6 at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire, Bach said (see video below): "I know this is gonna come as a shock to the continent of Europe, but I don't drink anymore. Pretty fucking weird and crazy, isn't it? I'm not exactly straight-edge, but I don't drink alcohol. I might have a smoke once in awhile, but I don't drink."

He continued: "Drinking is… You know the game monopoly? Do not pass 'Go,' do not collect $200, go straight to jail? That's, like, what drinking is for me. I just get pretty crazy on it, and I don't know when to stop. Some people can be social and have a drink now and then. When I start drinking, I don't know when to stop.

"I drank every night of my life for probably 25 years — every fucking night. And I loved it. But you have to make a choice of whether you wanna be in this for a long time or not be your best. It's a very challenging environment. So I just wanna be the best I can be. That's pretty much it. I just feel physically better, and I look physically better. When I get fucked up every night, I look like pure hell, like anybody else does.

"I'm friends with guys like Duff McKagan from GUNS N' ROSES; we did many tours together. We [SKID ROW] opened up every show of the 'Use Your Illusion' tour, and we partied quite a bit [laughs], GUNS N' ROSES and SKID ROW. We had a good time. But now he is totally straight. I think his pancreas exploded or some crazy shit. When your pancreas explodes, maybe it's time to change your way of doing things. [laughs] 'Fuck, man, what a great time I had last night. I fucking exploded my pancreas. That's killer.' 'Wow, we really did it big time last night. I've got no fucking pancreas. [laughs] I forgot it at the party.' [laughs]

"But all joking aside, I don't know… I look up to people like Steven Tyler [AEROSMITH] — a guy that keeps screaming and keeps singing in his sixties. I mean, I was lucky enough to be born with this voice, and I will be singing in my sixties. If I live that long, I will be singing, because I'm almost that age. [laughs] So that's easy. [laughs]"

In a 2012 interview with "Friday Night Rocks", Bach revealed another reason he wanted to stay sober. "Even more heavy to me than other musicians [dying after battling alcoholism and drug addiction] and stuff, I've got this girl [his fiancée, model Minnie Gupta, that I'm so into… I'm six-foot-four — I'm a big dude — and she's like, 'Sebastian, you can't drink anymore.' I'm like, 'Why?' She goes, ''Cause you're so big, you're scary. You're in my face, spitting in my face, and your arms are all over the place and you're loud and I think you're gonna get in a fight or get hurt or get in a car crash or go to jail.' And she's like, 'You can either keep doing that, or you can be with me and not do that.' And I totally chose the latter."

Back in November 2010, Bach was charged assault, possession of marijuana and mischief after he allegedly bit the hand of a bartender trying to throw him out of Riley's Olde Towne Pub in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

A surveillance video posted on TMZ.com showed the singer smashing his wine glass on the ground morning and walking towards the entrance of the establishment after he was asked to the leave the bar due to his allegedly rowdy behavior.

A staff member reported Bach bit him on the hand while he was trying to restrain Bach until police arrived.

Bach was in Peterborough dealing with the estate of his father who had passed away.

Interview:


Performance:

"Duisternis", the new video from CHANNEL ZERO, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Kill All Kings", which was released by Metal Blade worldwide (except for the Benelux territories) on June 20 as a digipack CD and digital download.

CHANNEL ZERO comments on the video: "The song 'Duisternis' deals with the World's current state of civil unrest. The word 'duisternis' literally means 'darkness.' We can see clearly, if the human race continues with this sick state of mind — soon there will be only duisternis!!"

Formed in 1990, CHANNEL ZERO started has released five albums and is by far the most successful metal band ever to come out of Belgium.

In 2013, the band started to work on its sixth studio album, combined with playing at a handful of summer festivals to try out some of the new songs. On August 10, 2013, an unforeseen tragedy shook the entire metal community when drummer Phil Baheux was found dead in his home due to a rupture of an artery. The boyish, up-to-no-good giant had always been the energetic center of the band. And when the remaining bandmembers played a short acoustic set in honor of Phil at the Brussels Summer Festival, it felt as the final end of the band.

But never give up, never surrender; that was Phil and more. So late fall 2013, the band decided to continue, honoring their friend and comrade. With the new album, "Kill All Kings", CHANNEL ZERO starts a new chapter in their impressive music career. Mikey seems to have become the riff DNA of the band and Franky challenges himself with ferocious vocal eruptions, even in his own dialect with the song "Duisternis" (= darkness). The tracks "Digital Warfare" and "Mind Over Mechanics" prove that CHANNEL ZERO is more combative than ever. And with Roy Mayorga (STONE SOUR, SOULFLY) on drums during the studio recordings they have someone worthy to continue Phil B's legacy.

CHANNEL ZERO's sixth studio album shows a band combining technical workmanship with raw energy and groove. "Kill All Kings" is a thundering musical pinball game between Teutonic trash, snarling groove metal, elusive melodies and that typical and completely unique sharp CHANNEL ZERO edge we have come to love more than anything else.

"Kill All Kings" track listing:

01. Dark Passenger02. Electronic Cocaine03. Burn The Nation04. Digital Warfare05. Ego06. Crimson Collider07. Kill All Kings08. Brother's Keeper09. Army Of Bugs10. Mind Over Mechanics11. Duisternis12. Heart Stop

In a brand new interview with USA Today, AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry praised the support act on the band's "Let Rock Rule" tour, ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash, whose former band was once tipped to follow in the footsteps of their Massachusetts hard rock heroes.

"I had great hopes of GUNS N' ROSES carrying the torch," Perry told USA Today. "I talked to Slash a lot about it and asked his advice because of what he's been through. It would be great for the original band to get back together, but it takes more than great songs to keep a band going. Slash has done an amazing job on his own."

Perry told Guitar World magazine that GUNS N' ROSES "were great and really made a mark in rock and roll history. It's a shame that whatever energy they saw in each other on that first record they couldn't sustain. They made a great record and could have been huge all around the world for as long as they wanted."

The guitarist also touched upon the hardships faced by his own group, particularly the period in 2010 when he and his bandmates said they were looking for a singer to replace Steven Tyler who was working on "American Idol" at the time and seemed unable to commit to AEROSMITH.

"Some of us were teenagers when we put this together," Perry told USA Today. "You can't keep five people who grew up together in a rock 'n' roll band and not have some turmoil. It's amazing we kept this thing going. ZZ TOP is the only other band I know of still doing it this long with the original members."

The "Let Rock Rule" tour kicks off on Thursday, July 10 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, New York.

The bill will also stop in cities like Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas and others before coming to a close on September 12 in Canada.

AEROSMITH released its first set of all-original material in 11 years, "Music From Another Dimension!", in 2012, and toured for much of the year after its release.

Former ALICE COOPER guitarist Dick Wagner was hospitalized on July 8 after he complained of breathing problems. He has since undergone surgery to have artery cleaned up and has gained 30 percent better blood flow, but was still suffering from a severe lung infection after the operation. He remains under observation.

Back in 2007, Wagner suffered a serious heart attack but made a full recovery and returned to the stage five years later.

Dick was most notably the guitarist and co-writer of many of Alice Cooper's biggest hits but was also featured on KISS' "Destroyer" and AEROSMITH's "Get Your Wings".

Wagner was Alice Cooper's right-hand man on the albums "Welcome To My Nightmare", "Goes To Hell", "Lace And Whiskey", "From The Inside" and "DaDa", helping in songwriting, composing, production and playing lead guitar. He also contributed to the making of "School's Out", "Billion Dollar Babies", "Muscle Of Love", "Hey Stoopid", and Alice Cooper's latest album, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare".

In January 2012, Wagner released his book, "Not Only Women Bleed: Vignettes From The Heart Of A Rock Musician", as a Kindle edition. It features a foreword by Cooper.

Colin McQuistan of The Huffington Post conducted an interview with BABYMETAL — the offshoot of the Japanese pop idol group SAKURA GAKUIN that performs a distinctly Japanese mix of schoolgirl J-pop and heavy metal — before the band's sold-out July 7 concert at the Forum in London, England.

BABYMETAL kicked off its world tour with a headlining show on July 1 at La Cigale in Paris, France and will support pop superstar Lady Gaga on five shows in July and August.

Asked how how physically draining BABYMETAL's live performances are, one of the band's three members, Yui Mizuno (a.k.a. Yuimetal), said: "When I first started, my stamina could not keep up. I did not know what metal was, so I never headbanged before... I used to have muscle pain that lasted three days... but now I am used to it and I have more stamina now." Her bandmate Moa Kikuchi (a.k.a. Moametal) added: "When [I first became part of the band], I had not danced before [to heavy metal music]. I did not know how to make the choreography look good, and like how Yuimetal was saying, I did not know metal, so the choreography was hard to understand; my neck started to really hurt, it was difficult. But now I have got used to it. I like feeling one with the audience, making the whole venue feel like one, it makes me happy."

BABYMETAL's Suzuka Nakamoto (a.k.a. Sumetal) spoke about the unexpected differences between different European countries, telling The Huffington Post: "Every country, the atmosphere is so different. Like in France, how do I say this... I like Japan or I like 'Idols' fans, but in Germany there were a lot of metal fans. The most shocking moment was at Sonisphere... the stage was so big... and the audience 50,000? We have not stood on such a big stage before... it was our first time. At first, [we thought] 'they won't be able to understand us' [and] 'they will not know what we are saying,' [and it] was making us very nervous. But when we ended the performance, the audience was like this, 'Waa' and clapping; that made me very happy."

BABYMETAL released its debut album on February 26 via Toy's Factory. The effort was made available in regular and limited editions. The CD includes five of BABYMETAL's singles that were released in 2011 - 2013, from "Doki Doki Morning" (digital single) to "Megitsune", their B-sides and three new songs.

"Babymetal" made it to No 3 on iTunes' U.S. rock chart and was in the Top 10 in six other countries, including the U.K. The band's video for the song "Gimme Chocolate" has received nearly 10 million views on YouTube, and BABYMETAL was featured on the cover of the U.K. weekly rock magazine Kerrang!

The band's first major single, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", sold 19,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 6 in the Japanese Orion weekly singles chart.

BABYMETAL released its first-ever concert Blu-ray, "Live ~Legend I, D, Z Apocalypse~", on November 20, 2013 (the limited-edition DVD box was issued on October 19). The set contains footage of the band's performances at Shibuya O-East (October 2012), Akasaka Blitz (December 2012) and Zepp Tokyo (February 2013).


"Gimme Chocolate" video:

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash says that he rarely looks back on his past achievements and insists that he prefers to "keep pushing forward" while living "in the moment."

Slash, who continues to get asked about his former band despite the fact that he hasn't spoken to GN'R lead singer Axl Rose since his 1996 departure, doesn't blame the fans for their continued interest in the classic GUNS N' ROSES lineup, telling the Ottawa Citizen, "Really, the only people that obsess about GUNS N' ROSES is media. I think it's just lack of imagination."

He continues: "I'm an in-the-moment person. I don't look too far in the future and I definitely don't draw on past stuff. Whatever it is that you're doing right this second, just do that and do the best you can at it. And just keep pushing forward, always forward."

Slash will release his third solo album, "World On Fire", on September 15 via Slash's own label Dik Hayd International distributed through Roadrunner Records (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America). Joining him in the studio once again were Todd Kerns on bass, Brent Fitz on drums and ALTER BRIDGE singer Myles Kennedy.

Slash describes his current tour to the Ottawa Citizen as "definitely better" for him than some of the wild days of the past.

"I have a lot less distractions — a lot less, at least, unnecessary distractions — in the situation that I'm in now," he says.

"What I intended to do from the get-go was never really that complicated," he adds. "But success and money and all that kind of stuff, it just makes life complicated."

Slash was also full of praise for Kennedy, saying, "Myles is great. I don't think I've ever met a singer who works as hard as he does."

The guitarist, who has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies and landed in the No. 2 spot, behind Jimi Hendrix, on Time magazine's "The Ten Best Electric Guitar Players of All-Time" list, says that despite all the accolades and commercial success he "was never aspiring to be a rock star. I never fantasized about it when I was a kid. I didn't play air guitar. I always loved that moment where the equipment was on the stage and before the band came on, and, you know, looking at the guitars … that was always really exciting to me."

Groove-heavy rock and roll machine HAZEXPERIENCE, anchored by legendary Y&T drummer Leonard Haze, is preparing to play a string of live dates in advance of returning to the studio to record the follow-up to their 2012 debut album, "Not Purple". The first show is scheduled for July 19 at Bobby D's in Redwood City, California.

The July 19 club date is not just another show, however. It is also the debut of Haze's hand-selected new lineup. Haze has stacked HAZEXPERIENCE with a group of highly-talented, experienced musicians, including guitarist Jimmy DK, bassist David Blakely, keyboardist Ace Olfré and vocalist Jeffrey Winslow.

"I'm excited to start playing shows with this band," said Haze. "I would put this group of musicians up against any five, secure in the knowledge we would hold our own and then some."

Leonard Haze was a founding member and one of the principal songwriters for hard rock band Y&T, co-writing some of their biggest hits, including "Hurricane", "Black Tiger", "Mean Streak", "Rescue Me", "Dirty Girl", "Forever" and MTV staple "Summertime Girls". With Y&T, Haze headlined shows featuring opening acts such as VAN HALEN, MÖTLEY CRÜE, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and a host of other well-known bands, as well as touring the world alongside such acts as AC/DC, AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE and RUSH. He subsequently recorded and performed with the likes of Ronnie Montrose, Tony Iommi, Ian Gillan, and many others. As a member of the Ian Gillan band, Haze embarked on a two-year world tour and performed in 71 countries.

Jimmy DK has been rocking northern California stages for the better part of 37 years as both a guitarist and bassist. He brought his bass skills to the BYRNIE BAKER BAND, LUVHED, and others, and has played guitar and served as songwriter/arranger with a variety of high-profile local acts for decades, including OSSUMPOSSUM, EARLYDAZE and THE SIDE EFFECTS. He has opened for acts such as the CHAMBERS BROTHERS and ELVIN BISHOP.

Bassist David Blakely holds down the bottom end with a fierceness born of his years funking it up with members of LEVERT, DAZZ BAND and George Clinton. He has performed at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with the band SAMMY'S GOOD EYE, and counts Yo-Yo Ma, SOUNDGARDEN, THE BEATLES, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, and KING'S X among his nearly endless list of favorite artists.

A modern-day wizard of electronic and acoustic keyboards, Ace Olfré sets a standard by which others are measured. He is known for his fusion of rock with a myriad of musical styles including pop, Latin, jazz, and world music. He has written and recorded with the likes of music producer Kim Fowley (THE RUNAWAYS, ALICE COOPER, KISS) and rock guitar impresario Mike Pinera (IRON BUTTERFLY, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, ALICE COOPER).

Jeffrey Winslow got his start in the San Francisco Bay Area rock music scene, but really came into his own as a multi-dimensional vocalist fronting Santa Barbara funk-rock quintet PSYCHO GRAFFITI and two gospel choirs. During that time, he earned the nickname "Motown" for the influence of that signature, soulful R&B sound on his rock vocal style. Winslow is best known for his work as the lead vocalist for SYRYM, selling albums worldwide and appearing in magazines and on radio with songs like "Ugly On The Inside", "Foul Mouth Blues" and "What I'm Trying To Say".

For more information, visit HazeXperience.com.

Kerrang! magazine conducted an interview with vocalist James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER at the U.K. edition of the Sonisphere festival, which was held July 4-6 at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if DREAM THEATER would ever playing an "all-request" set the way METALLICA is doing on its current tour, LaBrie said: "We haven't gotten to that point yet. I don't think so. Although we have enough songs that we could do that. It would just probably take a little bit more rehearsals to make sure that we've got all those songs down pat. [Laughs] But I think that's really cool — the fact that they can just pull out any one of their songs from their vast catalog. It would be really cool to do, but, yeah, that's probably later on the road, if ever."

Regarding how DREAM THEATER goes about selecting the songs to perform on each tour and whether they could consider switching the setlist around from one night to the next, LaBrie said: "We have done that in the past, where our sets would differ from each night. I mean, there would be the staples — the ones that we played each and every night — but then there be other ones that we would throw in and kind of mix it up, so that we felt that we were satisfying the fans. But I think, over the years, we've really always been taking that as a priority: What's going on? What's the latest album that we're promoting? And what songs from the previous albums would, more or less, the fans wanna listen to? So it's always something that we're definitely always keeping in mind. But you can only hope that the songs that you did pick are the ones that they're gonna be content with. And so far, I think it's been great."

DREAM THEATER's latest, self-titled album sold around 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on September 24, 2013 via Roadrunner.