Black Sabbath changed the world we know and love with Paranoid. Candlemass defined their career with Ancient Dreams. Pantera were four albums in before they heavily shifted paradigms on Cowboys From Hell. And Mayhem weren't even a band when De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas slithered into metaldom's cellar. Now, Crypt Sermon stand at their crossroads with The Stygian Rose, out June 14 on Dark Descent. It's their time—the culmination of their journey. 


Featuring guitarist Steve Jansson (Daeva, Unrest), vocalist Brooks Wilson (Unrest), drummer Enrique Sagarnaga (Daeva, The Silver), guitarist Frank Chin (Daeva), bassist Matt Knox (Horrendous, The Silver), and keyboardist Tanner Anderson (Obsequiae, Majesties), the Philadelphia-based sextet parlayed their time away into a grander, more mysterious Crypt Sermon. The interflow of doom and heavy metals underpins The Stygian Rose, but these boundaries are effortlessly transcended. "We feel unrestrained now," Wilson says. "We thought, if the word 'epic' in doom metal means anything, it's without constraint. What's more vast than being unconstrained?" Sagarnaga continues, "There's a lot of variety on the album, and I think that's not just because we get bored easily—which we do, actually—but rather this is who we are."


From the commanding rhythm of "Heavy is the Crown of Bone"— which premieres today alongside a ravishing music video by The C.O.I.N..— Crypt Sermon brandish their musical and conceptual prowess.  The song thunders in on cloven hoof before giving way to Crypt Sermon’s muscular doom and stomp.  




Singer Brooks Wilson shares, "This song follows our unnamed protagonist summon an entity from 'The Ars Goetia' as he seeks sacred consummation with the Divine Feminine. We were happy to work with The C.O.I.N. in achieving our concept, adding a visual element to our music that incorporates much of the esoteric symbolism embedded in The Stygian Rose."


The songwriting for The Stygian Rose started in late 2022.  Sagarnaga says, "This is the most prepared our band has been, especially going into the studio. It's about respect for each other's time. We were more patient with one another regarding how we expressed musical ideas. We committed to practicing on a regular schedule—that was important. And as we get older, we hopefully have become better musicians. 'The Stygian Rose' is also the longest time we've had with Arthur Rizk in the studio. Every little detail you hear in the final result of the record is very deliberate."


Crypt Sermon tracked The Stygian Rose at Redwoods in Philadelphia. Arthur Rizk produced, mixed, and mastered, and Aidan Elias (Blood Incantation, Wayfarer) engineered. Since the band and Rizk had previous history, they dialed in sounds quickly and got to work. In contrast to the sporadic two-month process of their last album, The Ruins of Fading Light, Crypt Sermon had just over a week to capture their The Stygian Rose. "We knew we wanted an aggressive sound," says Wilson. "'The Stygian Rose' has way more depth than anything we've done before."


The Stygian Rose follows a character inspired by Paschal Beverly Randolf, an early American spiritualist and sex magician. In The Stygian Rose, the unnamed character seeks to reconnect with his now maybe dead, definitely lost (though intentionally left vague) idealized female, embodying the Sophia/Shakti/Persephone divine wisdom/feminine concept. This lost love is believed to be waiting for him, calling for him from 'the hollow.' Conceived by Wilson, the protagonist's harrowing jaunt starts with album opener "Glimmers in the Underworld" and ends naturally with the title track. The story, as unfurled in the lyrics, is directly connected to the album's artwork and booklet, painstakingly painted and illustrated by Wilson. Clearly, The Stygian Rose and its lyrical and artistic regalia were thought through from the onset.


"I didn't want to feel burdened by heavy metal tropes," reveals Wilson. "I wanted to be able to use them but not be bound by them.”  Jansson continues, "We wanted The Stygian Rose to scratch a lot of itches that aren't being scratched.  That's my goal when I make music. I want to make things that I don't hear other people doing or at least don't hear others doing all in one package. I agree, it also has to have staying power and replay value. That addictive feeling you had when you listened to records as a teenager."


Preorder at the Dark Descent Records webshop.


Artwork by Brooks Wilson:





Tracklisting:


“Glimmers In The Underworld”
“Thunder (Perfect Mind)”
“Down In The Hollow”
“Heavy Is The Crown Of Bone”
“Scrying Orb”
“The Stygian Rose”


“Heavy Is The Crown Of The Bone” video:





Record release shows:


June
14 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
15 – Washington, DC – Pie Shop


(Photo – Scott Kincade)

In a new interview with Scott Itter of Dr. Music, LYNYRD SKYNYRD guitarist Rickey Medlocke spoke about the possibility of new music from the iconic rockers. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Johnny [Van Zant, LYNYRD SKYNYRD singer] and I have been talking. Well, this started before Gary's [Rossington, late LYNYRD SKYNYRD guitarist] passing. We started talking about doing a new record, because we've got all these songs that we wrote together or we co-wrote with other people. Oh my God, we've got a ton of material. And we said, 'Look, let's get this material and let's put it together and let's do another record.' And you know what? Johnny and I have been talking about it. And I think you might see it materialize at some point, because I would like to see some of these tunes that Gary was a part of [getting released]. I mean, we've got tapes, man — we've got tapes of where we're sitting and we're talking and laughing and joking around, and you hear Gary talking. It's great."

Last month, Medlocke told Iridium Rock And Metal Reviews that he and his bandmates had "a dozen and a half, two dozen songs that are just kind of laying around there" for a possible new LYNYRD SKYNYRD album. But he clarified: "It's not in the plans yet. There's a there's quite a few songs — I shouldn't say quite a few; there's quite a lot of songs that we had written, that we had part demos to, maybe started a verse and a chorus, that Gary was involved in. And, man, we've got that stuff laying around."

Medlocke went on to say that LYNYRD SKYNYRD may not go down the traditional route when releasing new music. "I do have I do have a thing about putting out whole albums now, because I think that people will go online or go to iTunes or go to Spotify or whatever, they'll see a whole album, but they're only gonna play one or two songs," he explained. "They might scan over the rest of them, but they'll pick out one or two of their favorite and then that's it. My thing is that's one of the reasons why I like putting out one song at a time, and you see how people would accept it, react to it, or maybe they don't react to it at all. Maybe they don't like it for whatever reason. But I find that you get a lot of mileage out of one song instead of a collective of 10 to 12 songs or more… You can release one every three months or whatever and then you get a collection of it and release the collection. So, all of a sudden, everybody's got a collection of five songs that they can go and grab after they've loved, like, maybe three or four of 'em. And then you've got the collection and you're all the better for it. But we have thought about that. And we've also thought about how long are we gonna take this?"

Elaborating on how long he thinks LYNYRD SKYNYRD can carry on, Rickey said: "I will put this out there. There's one more guy — he's such a hero to me. And I know you're gonna laugh about this, but Gary, Johnny and I figured, people used to ask us, 'How long are you guys gonna take this?' And I always said, 'Hey, look. If THE ROLLING STONES can do it, we can do it.' And I'm telling you — come on, Keith [Richards]. If you can do it, I know I can do it. Come on, Keith. Join us in LYNYRD SKYNYRD and play on stage with us, because there's another one I'd love to see climb up there with us."

If a new LYNYRD SKYNYRD album materializes, it will be the group's first since 2012's "Last Of A Dyin' Breed". The band released a single, "Last Of The Street Survivors", in 2020.

"Last Of The Street Survivors" — which shares its name with what was the time of the song's release supposed to be LYNYRD SKYNYRD's farewell tour — was penned by Rossington alongside Van Zant, Medlocke and songwriter Tom Hambridge, and found the Southern rockers reminiscing about their career and the bandmates they lost.

After four SKYNYRD members were killed in an October 1977 plane crash, Rossington recruited Johnny to fill his brother's shoes a decade later.

Medlocke, who played drums in SKYNYRD in 1970-71 before leaving to lead his own band BLACKFOOT and coming back to SKYNYRD in 1996, defended LYNYRD SKYNYRD's decision to carry on, telling Cleveland.com in May 2023: "People have beat us up over the years: 'Ah, you guys ain't nothin' but a freakin' tribute band' and blah, blah, blah.

"There's a lot of tribute bands out there to LYNYRD SKYNYRD, but none of them holds it as dear to their hearts as the guys who have been there as long as we have," he explained. "We have the history; I played on the first (recording) sessions. We just know that we have to portray the music with the integrity and the sound and the love as close as we can to when it was originally created."

Rossington was the last surviving founding member of LYNYRD SKYNYRD. On March 5, 2023, his bandmates announced the news of his death in a statement shared on their social media.

The guitarist had previously dealt with various heart problems throughout the years, including emergency heart surgery in 2021.

During a press conference in Paris, France to promote ACCEPT's upcoming album "Humanoid", guitarist Wolf Hoffmann addressed the positive side of A.I. (artificial intelligence),particularly as it relates to the potential to drive innovation, streamline processes, enhance productivity and improve decision-making across industries. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET; video by Loud TV): "I wouldn't go out and say it's all good or it's all bad. It's always a mix of everything. Modern technology in general, all the digital aspects of our daily life, there's some amazing aspects of it. I'm traveling a lot, and no matter where I go, I have my little iPhone with me and it has GPS on it. And I can just type in — I don't know; 'Indian restaurant' — and I'm gonna find one two blocks down the street. I would never find that without it. I wouldn't even know where to go. I'm at the airport. I can communicate on the plane with other people. All this is beautiful, I think. Of course there's a negative side of everything. And artificial intelligence sounds a little scary right now, but I'm quite hopeful that we will find a way to deal with it that enables us to take advantage of it without having it all just be negative. I mean, there's always two sides to everything, I believe."

He continued: "The thought of artificial intelligence creating art, that is something that concerns me. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of it, but at the same time, being an artist, I'm thinking, like, 'Is it gonna take all our jobs away one day?' I'm quite hopeful it won't, because I still think only humans can really express emotions.

"I hope that artificial intelligence is not gonna advance that much more that it can actually replace human thoughts and emotions. But am I a hundred percent sure? No," he added. "I never thought it would be that good already, but it's amazing what it can do already. There's gonna be visual art being created, music's gonna be created by it. Of course there's the aspect of it that it's basically you're ripping off existing songs and existing artwork to create the new stuff. When they create 'new' NIRVANA songs, they look at all the old songs and sort of use it as a reference. Will it ever be able to create original 'original' stuff? Maybe. I don't know. I hope not. But can I help it? No. Can I stop time? No. Technology marches on, whether we want it to or not. So it's an interesting time that we live in, I believe. And we yet have to find a way to deal with it. And I think anytime, in history, that there's new technology introduced, whether it's just something like the automobile, people were scared of it. Initially, they thought, like, it's gonna be harmful to people to travel at that speed, you know, because they were just used to horses and buggies. And so the same is true with all this… Anytime something new comes along, people are always like, 'Oh, God. It's gonna destroy everything.' But I don't think it will destroy everything. We have to just catch up and deal with it."

Last month, Wolf told Appetite For Distortion, that he tried using A.I. for lyrical ideas. "And it's scary good, to be honest," he admitted. "You can just say, 'Hey, write me a song lyric' or something, [and] it spits out some pretty amazing stuff. But, of course, you have to say, 'Is this really what I wanted to say? And is it me? Well, then how would I really say it?' So you still have to tweak it and stuff. And we ended up never using any of it, but for songwriting and demoing stuff, I was quite intrigued; I found it intriguing. It gives you a bunch of ideas that you hadn't thought about. And, of course, I've seen some images that were done with A.I. that I thought, 'Whoa.' A designer or a human would have to spend a lot of hours creating that thing, but it spits it out like that."

He continued: "The shadow and downside of this is, of course, that people might lose their jobs over it. And the downside is also that it's not really, truly original. A.I. doesn't really think of this stuff. It just looks at all the other stuff that was created by people and turns it into a different, new version. It uses, in the case of music, for instance, existing songs and creates a new version kind of like it, but it doesn't do it out of the blue sky; it looks at your stuff that somebody created. And there's all kinds of legal issues that come up. So I'm a little concerned about all that, yeah."

Asked if he and the rest of ACCEPT would consider using A.I. in the future to make a music video, Wolf said: "Actually, we are making one right now. It's gonna be released — I don't know — in about a month or so. But you'll see it, and it's interesting. I think it's fantastic just to see it. Of course, we thought, even the first video [for ACCEPT's upcoming album, 'Humanoid'] we made, [for the] 'Humanoid' [title track], has got, in the background — we're performing in front of a gigantic video wall, and the artwork that runs in the background, that was all created by A.I., just because here we are. That's what we're talking about on this album, 'Humanoid', so it seemed to be just a fitting tool to use."

Circling back to the idea that artificial intelligence poses some risks to humanity, Wolf said: "We still haven't quite figured out how this is gonna turn out, how this is gonna pan out in the future. How much of it is good, how much of it is bad. We're still at the infancy."

He added:  "This digital revolution, as they call it, I think it's bigger than the industrial revolution was, and I think it has more far-reaching consequences on society than anything… One thing is for certain: we can't stop it. It's gonna happen whether we want it to or not. It's out, and it's gonna get used. We just have to see how to deal with it. That's what we haven't figured out yet, 'cause technology is so fast. We can't keep up with how society deals with it."

Due on April 26 via Napalm Records, "Humanoid" was once again produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by critically acclaimed heavy metal producer Andy Sneap.

Fans can immerse themselves in the upcoming album on an interactive web site, where they can reprogram the robot that is featured on the album cover, and discover different parts of the album in the process. Pre-save "Humanoid" now to gain access to the web site here.

ACCEPT recently announced a massive European headline tour, with more than 20 shows across the continent for autumn 2024. This summer, ACCEPT will also return to some of the world’s most important rock and metal festivals, like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and more, following their South American spring tour.

In February 2022, it was announced that ACCEPT had inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records.

ACCEPT's latest album, "Too Mean To Die", came out in January 2021 via Nuclear Blast. The LP was the group's first without bassist Peter Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik. ACCEPT's lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, the aforementioned Philip Shouse, who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during 2019's "Symphonic Terror" tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

"Too Mean To Die" was recorded in Nashville with Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH),who has been responsible for the studio sound of ACCEPT since 2010.

Mark Tornillo joined ACCEPT in 2009 as the replacement for the band's original lead singer, Udo Dirkscheider. He can be heard on ACCEPT's last five studio albums, "Blood Of The Nations" (2010),"Stalingrad" (2012),"Blind Rage" (2014),"The Rise Of Chaos" (2017) and "Too Mean To Die".

Nightrage is back once again, delivering one of their best albums in their 23 years of existence, without stopping creating uncompromising music for their devoted fanbase. Remains Of A Dead World is the 10th album of the band and this time they returned to where everything had started, since Nightrage was born in Greece in 2000.


With the great help of their past bandmate and now producer, sound engineer, Fotis Benardo (Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, Sakis Tolis, Nightfall, On Thorns I lay, Suicidal Angels) at his Devasoundz studio in Athens Greece, and with his great producing skills, Remains Of A Dead World is a mixture of all the things that makes Nightrage a beast of integrity, they prove to be one of the last remaining true masters of the melodic death metal genre, fully unstoppable riffing, and great hooks with bigger than life guitar melodies with brutal vocals that represents the honesty and pure musical delivery, that comes straight from the heart.


The album has been mastered by a great friend of the band George Nerantzis (Abbath, Dark Funeral, Pain Of Salvation, Sakis Tolis) and his great skills gave the album a huge sound with clarity, power and analog flavor.




The new album will be released on May 31 via Despotz Records worldwide as CD, LP and digital. Watch a video for the digital single, "A Throne Of Melancholy", below.


About the new single the band had the following to say:


Marios Iliopoulos: "We love great hooks and melodies, and I feel that this song has these 2 elements that we are always trying to portray on our songs, trying to find the perfect balance between ethereal melodies and big metal riffing. The song structure is pretty simple and almost coming to the heavy metal territory, love Konstantinos vocals are very melodic and aggressive with nice overtones, and the chorus hits hard with mine and Fotis Benardo clean vocals, something that I’m trying for the first time on a Nightrage album. The song talks about the fact that even if we are on our worst possible state in our life's journey, there is a lot of hardships that we have to face every day in our lives, but we need to remember that there's a light always shining for us at the end of the tunnel, and no matter what how many times we are down, we need always to find the inner power to stand up and face our fears and live our life for what it is, with courage and patience, with no darker corners and no agendas."


Konstantinos Togas: "The song 'A Throne Of Melancholy' is one of the most melodic songs of our album.  When I first listened to the melodies and heavy riffs that Marios came up in the guitar I instantly realized that this is a song that requires more colorful brutal vocals. Also, the clean vocals that Fotis Benardo and Marios did, enhance this melodic feeling even more without changing the origins of the song.  The lyrics of the song, are dark and gloomy as always, are about seeking hope in a dark state of self and overcoming sorrow.  The balanced combination of the above elements (melodic heavy riffs, colorful vocals and dark lyrics) is what fascinates me the most and proves to be the perfect recipe of a great melodic death metal song!"





Tracklisting:


"Euphoria Within Chaos"
"Persevere Through Adversity"
"Nocturnal Thorns"
"A Throne Of Melancholy"
"Dark Light"
"Echoes Of Broken Words"
"Deadliest Sin"
"Pierce The Soul"
"Obey The Hand"
"Remains Of A Dead World"


"A Throne Of Melancholy" video;

AC/DC have released the video below, stating, "Not aired in 40 years, check out this promo clip of the band performing 'Jailbreak', shot in London in July 1976, remastered in HD!"





On April 1, 1980, AC/DC announced that Brian Johnson would be their new lead singer. In the video below from AXS TV, Brian opens up about the daunting task of filling Bon Scott's legendary shoes on This Week in Music History.







AC/DC’s Power Up Tour launches in Germany in May with support from The Pretty Reckless. When the band announced their first tour in eight years, they said: "We are thrilled to finally announce the 'Power Up' European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff. The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can't wait to see you all out there."





Tour dates:


May
17 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
21 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
25 - Reggio Emilia, Italy - RCF Arena
29 - Seville, Spain - La Cartuja Stadium


June
1 - Seville, Spain - La Cartuja Stadium
5 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Johan Cruyff Arena
9 - Munich, Germany - Olympic Stadium
12 - Munich, Germany - Olympic Stadium
16 - Dresden, Germany - Rinne
19 - Dresden, Germany - Rinne
23 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium
26 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium
29 - Zurich, Switzerland - Letzigrund Stadium


July
3 - London, England - Wembley Stadium
7 - London, England - Wembley Stadium
13 - Hockenheim, Germany - Ring
17 - Stuttgart, Germany - Wasen
21 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Old Airport
27 - Nuremberg, Germany - Zeppelinfeld
31 - Hannover, Germany - Messe


August
4 - Hannover, Germany - Messe
9 - Dessel, Belgium - Festivalpark Stenehei
13 - Paris, France - Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
17 - Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park

Earlier this year, Orange Goblin announced that they had completed work on their tenth studio album, the follow-up to 2018’s The Wolf Bites Back, and the first for new label, Peaceville Records.


The English heavy metal band have issued the following update: "The greatest rock n’ roll is always simple, catchy and straightforward, see AC/DC and Motörhead for example. We are delighted to bring you our first single from the new album. ‘(Not) Rocket Science’ is a straight-ahead, no nonsense rocker with zero pretension and maximum impact. A pounding, foot-tapping anthem that we wrote specifically for you to play loud and bang your head! If this doesn’t get us on Top of The Pops, nothing will! Enjoy!"


"(Not) Rocket Science" will be released on Friday, April 5. Pre-save the single here, and watch the official lyric video, by Matthew Vickerstaff, below:

A new force is awakening, stretching the boundaries of consciousness, and devouring everything in its path. In Aphelion is now ushering in their sophomore album, Reaperdawn, which is due on August 9, 2024 via Century Media Records. 


The black metal brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Sebastian Ramstedt (best known as guitarist and songwriter with Necrophobic) is now unleashing the dark and icy first single from the offering, "When All Stellar Light Is Lost." The song can be found along with a blistering music video, which was created by Claudio Marino and Artax Film.


“This was the first song to be written after the last album,” says Ramstedt. “It's a quite chaotic beast where the music matches the lyrics (written by former Necrophobic member Martin Halvdan) perfectly. Even though it's a short track for In Aphelion, it gives the listener a taste of where the album is going. It is a first glance at a truly epic and violent album.”







Darker, stranger, more epic and progressive than admirers of his work were expecting, this new outlet for enigmatic and artistic expression emerged firmly tethered to the white-knuckle viciousness of benchmark, Northern European black metal, while also exhibiting a profound affiliation with both classic, traditional heavy metal and the black magic of psychedelic repetition. Based around a core line-up of Ramstedt (guitar/vocals), drummer Marco Prij (also Cryptosis), rhythm guitarist Johan Bergebäck (Necrophobic) and bassist Tobias Cristiansson (Necrophobic, ex-Grave), In Aphelion have taken the uncompromising DIY route to their current status as new Century Media signees.


The atmosphere of Reaperdawn is a swirling maelstrom of obsidian sparkle and iridescent grime.


Artwork by Sebastian Ramstedt:





Lineup:


Johan Bergebäck - guitars
Tobias Cristiansson - bass
Marco Prij - drums
Sebastian Ramstedt - vocals, guitars


(Photo - Leo Bergebaeck)

Lake Of Tears guitarist and composer Daniel Brennare embarks on a new sonic adventure with the release of “The Secrets of The Rain” (Movement I), his first solo composition.


This instrumental, orchestral track marks a significant departure for Brennare, showcasing his talents outside the realm of the acclaimed gothic metal band. “The Secrets Of The Rain” also serves as the debut release on Brennare’s own label, roQon, and will be available on all major digital platforms.


Brennare has hinted at a “second movement coming still, and then some,” suggesting that “The Secrets Of The Rain” may blossom into a larger work. For fans seeking a physical memento, the complete composition is included in the limited Forever Autumn Boxset from The Circle Music, available here, as a 7” vinyl. 







The Circle Music express their deepest gratitude to Lake of Tears and Brennare’s fans for their “great love, trust and understanding” throughout the creative process, particularly in light of unforeseen health challenges that Brennare has recently faced, which has resulted in a delay in the release of the limited 7” vinyl. 


As The Circle Music states, “there are far more important things in life than meeting a release date. Certainly, one of them is a composer’s health and vision.”


“The Secrets Of The Rain” is a testament to Brennare’s artistic spirit and unwavering dedication to his craft. Experience this captivating composition for yourself and set your imagination adrift in a world of sonic wonder.

Legendary American rock band DIXIE DREGS will hit the road across the East Coast this spring beginning in April. The lineup of Steve Morse, Andy West, Rod Morgenstein and Allen Sloan will once again be joined by keyboardist Jordan Rudess (DREAM THEATER) for these special shows. Opening the dates will be the STEVE MORSE BAND with Steve Morse, Dave LaRue and Van Romaine.

In a new interview with Indie Power TV, Morse was asked about the possibility of new music from DIXIE DREGS. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I don't know about that because I don't know… We always did it as a band thing rather than as fulfilling-a-contract thing. And the band is a little bit uncertain, 'cause Jordan is doing this [upcoming tour]. Jordan's full time with the DREAM THEATER; they're just taking some time off, I think… So he's gonna be back with them. So we don't know — we don't know exactly how to handle that, and whether that's… We don't have a full-time keyboard player right now. T Lavitz died, and Steve Davidowski had another commitment already for this [time period]. And so we'll have to see. But there's always music being set aside for the band to do."

DIXIE DREGS' last studio album was "Full Circle" in 1994.

The band's fourth LP, 1979's "Night Of The Living Dregs", garnered DIXIE DREGS their first Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".

2024 tour dates:

April 17 - Macon, GA - Capitol Theatre
April 18 - Nashville, TN - CMA Theater
April 20 - Atlanta, GA - Variety
April 21- Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre of Durham
April 22 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
April 23 - Winston-Salem, NC - The Ramkat
April 25 - Ponte Vedra, FL - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
April 26 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
April 27 - Clearwater, FL - Capitol Theatre
May 13 - Red Bank, NJ - The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts
May 14 - Patchogue, NY - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
May 15 - New York, NY - The Town Hall
May 17 - Boston, MA - Somerville Theatre
May 18 - Ridgefield, CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse
May 19 - Albany, NY - Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre
May 21 - Collingswood, NJ - Scottish Rite Auditorium
May 22 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre

2018's "Dawn Of The Dregs" tour saw the original lineup return to the stage for the first time in well over a quarter of a century. Six years later, in 2024, an amended lineup featuring original members Morse, West, Sloan and Morgenstein alongside familiar contemporary Jordan Rudess of DREAM THEATER, returns once again. A Grammy winner and Music Radar's "Best Keyboardist Of All Time", the Juilliard School of Music-trained keyboard wizard will now rejoin some of his longest-tenured peers for a can't-miss celebration of music. The "Anachronicity Tour 2024" brings some of music's most legendary performers to intimate stages, offering an up close and personal opportunity for long-standing and new fans alike to revel in musical proficiency and history, night after night.

Over the course of 40 years, the DIXIE DREGS have released eleven commercial albums of original material, and a number of compilations, reissues, and countless live bootlegs. Along the way, they have garnered six Grammy nominations, an acknowledgement of their elevated status among the musical community. The band has played with several well-known alumni and guests — among others, Jerry Goodman (MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA),Alex Ligertwood (SANTANA),as well as original bandmembers playing and recording on well over 300 releases, including DEEP PURPLE, KANSAS, FLYING COLORS and STEVE MORSE BAND (Steve Morse) and WINGER, JELLY JAM and JAZZ IS DEAD (Rod Morgenstein).

In a new interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson spoke about the stripped-down nature of the upcoming tour in support of his latest solo album, "The Mandrake Project". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we're doing a mix of festivals and headline shows so far in Europe up till July 21, about 40 shows. Luckily, I think most of the headline shows are almost sold out or sold out now. So we're gonna be sold out in most places in Europe. About two-and-a-half-thousand seaters — the average is probably about two and a half thousand, so they're cool-sized venues.

"For me, the whole essence of this is letting the music do the talking, let the music do the storytelling," he explained. "And so I'm not planning on having monsters or pyro or any of that stuff. There will be a screen, and, of course, we'll have a lot of stuff to put on it because we've got a great director and he'll be able to give us some content. But even then, I'm not going to have a show that's choreographed to like a time code or a click track or something else like that. This is gonna be a show where the music and the musicians take the story to people. So, I'm not thinking 2002, I'm not thinking 1982. I'm thinking 1972."

Last month, Dickinson revealed the addition of two new guitarists to his solo touring band, which will hit the road in April in support of "The Mandrake Project". Swedish-born guitarist, songwriter and multi-platinum-credited producer Philip Näslund and Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq (who incidentally played on Dickinson's current single, "Rain On The Graves") will accompany previously announced members Dave Moreno (drums),Mistheria (keyboards) and Tanya O'Callaghan (bass). Bruce's longtime guitarist and collaborator Roy "Z" Ramirez will not be part of the touring lineup.

Earlier this month, Bruce told Paul Anthony of Planet Rock about Roy's absence from the touring band: "[It] is disappointing, but there you are. He had a lot of stuff going on at home. And, basically, there's stuff he could be doing in the studio. We are in the middle of doing Dolby Atmos mixes for all of my back catalog, and that requires quite a lot of stuff, 'cause we're not just remixing; we are also — what's the expression? — reimagining some of the albums. So some of the albums that should have been, frankly, a bit heavier, like 'Balls To Picasso', we can stick some new stuff on, and there's some stuff that didn't get mixed on to the album that was recorded that we can take a view on as well. So there's quite a lot of exciting stuff going on there, so there's gonna be lots for him to get on with whilst we're touring."

He continued: "But we've got two fantastic guitar players, Philip Näslund from Sweden and Chris Declercq, who actually is already on the record, because he played the solo on 'Rain On The Graves'. So he's based in L.A. He's a Swiss guy, but he lives in L.A., [is] based in L. A. And Philipwas based in L.A. but now lives back in Sweden. So it's gonna be an incredible band. I jammed with both guitar players. And I was, like, 'You know, I'm just gonna take both of them.' Obviously, there's a lot of twin guitar parts on the record. And there's also quite a bit of keyboards on the record and lots of stuff. So there'll be no idle hands on stage. But it'll sound magnificent. I've already jammed with Tanya and Chris and Philip and Dave Moreno when I was out in L.A., just to give it a quick once around the houses with some of the tunes, and it was so exciting. It really was."

Asked how many of the songs from "The Mandrake Project" will be performed live on the upcoming tour, Bruce said: "Well, I wanna make sure that people come to the show and just go away going, 'Well, that was great, cracking. You can't expect people… I mean, it's not like the Sermon On The Mount, where you turn up and it's, like, 'And you're gonna have this, whether you like it or not. So I'm gonna play certainly four tracks off the new record, and we'll just see how it goes. It's not a situation like a MAIDEN situation where, because we have a big show, because we have everything coordinated with the lights and monsters and pyro and everything, once we get out there, the show is pretty much set in stone, what we're gonna play. Well, this one, we can swap it around a little bit. I mean, if we start doing rehearsals and we go, 'Wow, this feels great. Why don't we chop in another song?' I wasn't gonna play anything off 'Skunkworks'. Now I'm not so sure, 'cause it turns out that both guitarists and the drummer are mad, keen fans of that album. So I'd just done an Atmos mix of 'Skunkworks' with the blessing of [the LP's original producer] Jack Endino, and it sounds brilliant. And I was in there with, with Chris and he's, like, 'Oh, can you play that track?' I went, 'How'd you know that track?' He goes, 'I love this album.' 'Wow.' So, there'll be a lot of stuff. There'll be stuff off 'The Chemical Wedding', obviously, gotta play 'Tears Of The Dragon' and so on and so forth, there'll be stuff off 'Accident Of Birth'. So it's gonna be a smorgasbord of the best-of, 'cause it's been 19, 20 years since I've toured live [as a solo artist]. So lots of people have either never seen me live or the ones that have seen me live have forgotten how bad it was, and have bought tickets. [Laughs]"

The first chance to see the six-piece live will now be at The Observatory in Orange County, California on April 15.

Roy played guitar on Dickinson's 1994 album "Balls To Picasso" and went on to produce, co-write and perform multiple instruments on Bruce's subsequent three solo albums, "Accident At Birth" (1997),"The Chemical Wedding" (1998) and "Tyranny Of Souls" (2005).

O'Callaghan is an Irish musician who joined WHITESNAKE in 2021 and toured with the David Coverdale-fronted outfit the following year. She also hit the road with Dickinson last year as part of a performance of Jon Lord's "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" on nearly a dozen dates in Europe and South America.

Californian drummer Moreno previously played on "Tyranny Of Souls" and has worked with BODY COUNT, Jizzy Pearl, Dizzy Reed and Steve Stevens, among others.

Italian keyboard wizard Mistheria has collaborated with an array of artists live and in the studio, including Rob Rock, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Scott Soto and Joel Hoekstra.

"The Mandrake Project" arrived on March 1 via BMG.

Bruce and Roy recorded "The Mandrake Project" largely at Los Angeles's Doom Room, with Roy doubling up as both guitarist and bassist. The recording lineup for "The Mandrake Project" was rounded out by Mistheria and Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce's last solo studio album, "Tyranny Of Souls", in 2005.

Dickinson made his recording debut with IRON MAIDEN on the "Number Of The Beast" album in 1982. He quit the band in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Blaze Bayley, who had previously been the lead singer of the metal band WOLFSBANE. After releasing two traditional metal albums with former MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, Dickinson rejoined the band in 1999 along with Smith. Since then, Dickinson has only released one more solo album (the aforementioned "Tyranny Of Souls") but has previously said that his solo career is not over.

Photo credit: John McMurtrie

Pophouse has today concluded a landmark agreement with the iconic band KISS. Pophouse is the Swedish entertainment and music investment firm renowned for its development of brand-building activities in music and entertainment, such as the groundbreaking "ABBA Voyage" show in London, in which Pophouse is the founding investor.

Pophouse has acquired KISS's artist share of the master recordings and publishing rights. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Fortune reports that the band is being paid over $300 million.

Working closely with KISS, Pophouse will follow its unique, value-add approach of drawing upon its world-class, in-house creative and storytelling expertise to unlock new audiences and revenue streams. Pophouse will use its proven, industry-defining playbook to create new content and experiences to enrich the KISS catalog for fans, old and new, actively seeking to enrich and add value to the brands and artists it partners with. Inclusivity and community have always been vital to the KISS experience, and Pophouse is committed to nurture the close relationship between KISS and its devoted fans moving forward.

Johan Lagerlöf, head of investment at Pophouse, says: "KISS is one of the most recognized and iconic bands in the history of music. They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new uncharted territories. The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our mission is to fulfill the band's vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward. With the help of the fans' energy, the band, our expertise, and creativity we will make that vision happen."

Per Sundin, CEO at Pophouse Entertainment, says: "KISS has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture. The band's enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal. We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavors, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS."

As part of the partnership, Pophouse will create digital versions of KISS that will allow the band and their unique personas to live forever. The project, already underway, was previewed at the final KISS show in Madison Square Garden, New York on December 2, 2023, when, to the audience's surprise, KISS avatars closed the night with a rendition of "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" (resulting in international headlines). Through a magical combination of cutting-edge technology and unrivalled creativity, Pophouse will bring the full, authentic KISS experience to both existing and new fans for years to come. The avatar show is planned to launch in 2027.

Gene Simmons, bassist and co-founder of KISS, said: "We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come. Because what Pophouse is doing, is breaking rules. We already have several plans in development, where the avatar show is one, a biopic another and a KISS-themed experience a third. The future could not be more exciting!"

Paul Stanley, lead vocalist and co- founder of KISS, says: "Our journey with Pophouse is fueled by the desire to eternally resonate across diverse facets of global culture. As we embark on this venture, we aim to weave our legacy into the tapestry of different worlds, ensuring that the KISS experience continues to captivate both our devoted fans and those yet to discover the thrill. This partnership is not just a chapter; it's an eternal symphony of rock 'n' roll immortality."

The partnership with KISS marks Pophouse's second investment outside of Sweden, following the acquisition of Cyndi Lauper's music catalogue, adding a truly global brand with a diverse and dedicated fanbase to the firm's portfolio of international artists.

Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Neil Young are some of the iconic musicians who have recently sold off substantial rights to their music, whether it's just for publishing or the original recordings, known as masters. Investors, major music companies and private equity firms have poured billions of dollars into buying song catalogs, believing that the rise of streaming and growing music revenues will make song rights acquisitions highly lucrative in the long term as they can be exploited for up to 70 years after a musician's death.

Asked in a January 2022 interview with A Journal Of Musical Things if KISS would ever sell its catalog to anyone, Simmons replied: "How much have you got? Bob Dylan sold his stuff for $300-400 million. The problem — and I love the guy and worship the ground he walks on — but [his music] isn't going to mean a lot to a 20-year-old. They don't care about 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 'Maggie's Farm' — they just don't. Very few pieces of music stand the test of time. What KISS has that no other musical entity has is trademarks. Our faces are bigger than the music, bigger than anything.'

The KISS bassist/vocalist continued: "Springsteen just sold for $500 million and what you get is the music, not the imagery. I've never seen a Springsteen cartoon, comic book, or action figures. KISS is the only one. So what you're buying into — if anyone does the right price — you're into buying the imagery that has stood the test of time. Our analogy is Santa Claus/Superman: imagery that is trademarked so that no one can reproduce. And no other musical act has that."

A year earlier, Stanley told Ultimate Classic Rock that the idea of older musicians selling their publishing rights in multimillion bundle deals made perfect sense to him. "As far as I know, we only get one trip on this earth, and you can't take it with you, so I totally get it," he said. "If there's money to be had and it's going to make your life better, then why not? It's a different business model, but it makes total sense... At some point in your career, you look at what you've created and what it's worth. Artists do that; it's what painting's about. You don't stash your artwork — you sell it."

KISS continues to be among the most merchandised bands in history and a pioneering force in the music merchandise and licensing industry, with KISS-branded merchandise available in major retailers around the globe, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Urban Outfitters, Hot Topic, Torrid, Tilly's, Pacsun, Cotton On, Revolve, Nasty Gal, Princess Polly, Target, Walmart and Kohl's, among many more.

Recent KISS deals in North America include Dead Sled Coffee, for pre-packaged coffee in the U.S.; a fashion and accessories collaboration with Robert Graham in the U.S.; high-end apparel with Lauren Moshi in the U.S.; a line of seasonal apparel with Ugly Christmas Sweater for Holiday 2021 in the U.S. In the international marketplace, recent strategic partnerships include Brands For Fans for gin and dark rum in Europe, Japan, and Australia; Metal Departments for real money gambling worldwide; Fexpro for apparel and accessories in Mexico, Central America, and South America; Konnekt for apparel and accessories in Japan; and EastPak for bags, backpacks and accessories in U.S. Europe, Middle East, Asia and Canada; among many others.

BUCKCHERRY's debut album turns 25 this year and the band is celebrating all through 2025.

Beginning April 6, frontman and founding member Josh Todd will take us down memory lane through a series of "The Story Behind The Song And Album" confessionals, giving insight of the songs and the history behind some of the moments writing and recording the album. The videos will be released on the band's socials and web site through the coming months.

Released on April 6, 1999, by DreamWorks Records, "Lit Up", "For The Movies", "Dead Again" and "Check Your Head" were released as singles. After peaking at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, the album has sold in excess of a million copies worldwide. The album was certified gold by both the RIAA in U.S. and in Canada, making it DreamWorks' first gold album.

"Lit Up" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for three consecutive weeks and No. 33 on the Modern Rock Tracks in mid-1999 and peaked at No. 74 on Billboard's Top 200. The song was not without controversy due to the lyrical references to cocaine, which even led to MTV censoring the video for broadcast, but that didn't stop it from becoming one of the most popular rock songs from the era and has since accrued nearly 70 million streams on Spotify and 23 million views on YouTube. It even made VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs" in January 2009, landing at No. 98.

Visit Buckcherry.com and let the celebration begin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

GHOST has shared the first teaser for the band's film project.

According to the 30-second spot, which can be seen below, the movie will be "coming soon to cinemas worldwide".

Last October, GHOST leader Tobias Forge confirmed that footage from the band's September 2023 two shows at the Forum in Inglewood, California will be used as part of the film.

"When I first started putting it together, I was, like, 'Oh my god, I'm going to faint because there's so much to think about,'" Forge told Metal Hammer magazine. "Then it was, like, 'No, no, just don't think about it at all.'"

Both GHOST shows at the Forum were device-free experiences. Use of phones and smart watches was not permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, devices were secured in individual Yondr pouches that were opened at the end of the event.

"I have never seen a crowd interact the way that they did since I was in a club band," Forge said. "They were the best shows I've ever done with GHOST, just because I didn't have to see those fucking mobile phones."

Tobias went on to say that GHOST was "essentially shooting a film. And we used two nights of crowds as extras," he explained. "It's going to be a film with a concert element. So a lot of what you experienced [at the two L.A. shows] is going to be part of this project."

Tobias was also asked if the GHOST film will be similar to METALLICA's "Through The Never", which starred members of the iconic rock band and Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle", "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"). DeHaan played a young band crew member who is sent out on an urgent mission while the band is playing a rousing live set in front of a sold-out crowd and unexpectedly finds his world turned completely upside down. Forge replied: "In the sense that it's a concert with something else combined."

At the Forum shows, GHOST performed the song "Twenties" live for the very first time live. They also played their cover of Roky Erikson's "If You Have Ghosts", which was originally reimagined by GHOST for their 2013 EP "If You Have Ghost". The band's version of the track at the Forum featured two cellists with a piano playing, and it was performed on a separate stage from the rest of the set.

Back in 2019, Forge told Revolver that there was a GHOST feature film in the works. He added, however, that this wouldn't be your typical "rockumentary" or even a concert film, but something else entirely.

"Most films about bands are biographical, and I see no reason to tell our story yet," Forge said. "It's a little bit like premature ejaculation. You have to have a career first and then you can tell the real story, so that was never an option. And when you yank away that, what do you have? Well, that would be a fictional story."

When Forge spoke to Revolver about the GHOST film four years ago, he explained that it would be a while before the project came to fruition.

"The cog wheels are turning on that one," he said. "We're just trying to figure out a lot of the practicalities. Making a film is a big endeavor. Another problem that I have had over the course of my career is that I don't have a shit-ton of time. I've learned over the years that it's really important not to do everything at once."

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THE END MACHINE, the collaborative project featuring former DOKKEN members, guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson, has released the official music video for the song "Hell Or High Water". The track is taken from THE END MACHINE third album, "The Quantum Phase", which arrived on March 8 via Frontiers Music Srl.

"The Quantum Phase" signals a notable change in THE END MACHINE personnel. Singer Robert Mason has officially parted ways with the group, paving the way for Girish Pradhan, the rising superstar vocalist known for his work under the moniker GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES and, more recently, with JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 and FIRSTBORNE. The addition of Pradhan to the band is a testament to the keen discernment of Serafino Perugino, president, and founder of Frontiers Music Srl. Perugino, who serves as the executive producer for THE END MACHINE, recognized the incredible talent and potential in Pradhan and brought him to the attention of the band.

Pradhan comments on "Hell Or High Water": "I still remember how excited I got when I first heard this riff. I imagined that this could be our way of paying homage to the legendary DEEP PURPLE musically.

"The song talks about the adrenaline rush, the energy, and everything involved in performing live and touring. It's about how one can kick negativity out of the window by witnessing a kick-ass hard rock band live.

"Needless to say, I had tons of fun writing and recording this and I hope the energy I put in there reaches our fans!"

Established in 2018, THE END MACHINE released its eponymous debut album, "The End Machine", in 2019, bringing early acclaim for not only contemporary production and a modern attitude, but also their perfectly crafted songs, paying homage to their roots and the music that they love. This attitude and talent was equally on display with their 2021 sophomore album, "Phase2".

In delivering 2024's "The Quantum Phase", THE END MACHINE has not only surpassed expectations but has penned the record of their lives. With each note and lyric, they have exceeded their own artistic aspirations, collectively crafting the album they always wished they had written. This monumental work stands as a testament to THE END MACHINE's evolution, showcasing not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of their creative expression.

More than a year ago, Lynch told MetalSucks about the upcoming THE END MACHINE album: "Girish Pradhan… is unbelievable. We loved Robert Mason [who sang on the first two THE END MACHINE albums], and he's an incredible singer, but we felt it was time for a little bit of a change. So, of all the records I'm working on — and there's a lot — I'm most excited about this next END MACHINE album. It's really powerful, and some of the tracks are downright scary good."

Asked what it is about the upcoming THE END MACHINE album that has him most excited, George said: "When me and Jeff get together, we're just a two-headed songwriting monster. It's crazy, but we finish each other's sentences and understand each other musically. I think that because we've been doing the same thing for so many decades, we know exactly what we're trying to do, but now we have a much better idea of how to get there than we used to. And when I work with other people — and I've worked with some great people — I don't have that connection with any other people like I do with Jeff. It's everything, from riffs, guitar sounds, and composition to putting that together. We're very attuned to each other, and our skill sets complement each other very well, so working on this record is an absolute joy, and it's got me very excited."

"The Quantum Phase" track listing:

01. Black Hole Extinction
02. Silent Winter
03. Killer Of The Night
04. Hell Or High Water
05. Stand Up
06. Burning Man
07. Shattered Glass Heart
08. Time
09. Hunted
10. Stranger In The Mirror
11. Into The Blazing Sun

Produced By: Jeff Pilson for Pilsound Music Inc.
Studio: Pilsound Studios, Santa Clarita, California
Recorded By: Jeff Pilson and Girish Pradhan
Additional engineering: Olivia Pilson
Mixed By: Alessandro Del Vecchio
Mastered By: Alessandro Del Vecchio

Band Members:

George Lynch – Gutar
Girish Pradhan – Vocals
Steve Brown – Drums
Jeff Pilson - Bass

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has released the the digital deluxe edition of "AfterLife", the band's critically acclaimed ninth studio album, via Better Noise Music. The deluxe version includes the original 12 tracks recorded with the band's longtime producer Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE) in addition to four bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of the album's songs "The End", "Judgement Day" and "Thanks For Asking" plus a brand new song, "This Is The Way", featuring the late rapper DMX. An official music video for "This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)", which can be seen below, is directed by none other than highly influential filmmaker Hype Williams, a longtime friend and close collaborator of the late DMX. Hailed by The New York Times in 2024 as "The Nineties Wunderkind," Hype Williams is known for his seminal work with luminaries like Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan and Jay-Z, among others.

"Music is meant to be universal and without boundaries, and it starts at the top with us, the artists," says FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory. "We have always embraced the mixing of genres, whether it be the remake of LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' featuring Tech N9ne as a guest, or our collaboration with blues warrior Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country star Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May, the legendary guitarist of QUEEN, on the song 'Blue On Black'.

"The idea of collaborating with DMX had been in discussion for years, and it was a long and winding road to turn this particular item on our wish list into reality. He was a lyrical warrior, a true original who spoke his mind incorruptibly. We have always viewed DMX as 'the metalhead of hip-hop' because of his aggressive, raw, and untamed style. He growled and snarled, aiming to rattle some cages–an attitude we share, as FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has always been drawn to the fearless and the real. It made all the sense in the world, but today this is more than just a song; it's a salute to a legend, a way to honor DMX's memory."

When playing the song for other hip-hop legends, DMC of RUN-D.M.C., one of the originals to do it first with "Walk This Way" with AEROSMITH, said: "The sound of the music, what Ivan [Moody, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH singer] is singing about, and what X is talking about, is how X lived his life. The struggle, the dark with the light, the bad with the good, the pain with the joy. This song is very emotional, very musical; it's very well rounded."

"AfterLife: Deluxe" track listing:

01. Welcome To The Circus
02. AfterLife
03. Times Like These
04. Roll Dem Bones
05. Pick Up Behind You
06. Judgment Day
07. IOU
08. Thanks For Asking
09. Blood And Tar
10. All I Know
11. Gold Gutter
12. The End
13. This Is The Way (feat. DMX)
14. Judgment Day (acoustic)
15. The End (acoustic)
16. Thanks For Asking (acoustic)

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will be headed to Europe this summer on a headlining tour with special guests ICE NINE KILLS from May 23 through mid-July. The jaunt will see the group on the main stages of many of Europe's biggest festivals, including Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium),Metalfest Open Air Plzen (Czech Republic) and With Full Force Festival (Germany). The band will also continue to join METALLICA on their stadium shows in Germany, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Finland and Spain this summer before returning to the U.S. for a headlining fall run with MARILYN MANSON and SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL from August 2 to September 19.

"AfterLife" is FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's first album with its latest addition, renowned British virtuoso Andy James, who replaced Jason Hook in 2020. James was previously featured on "Broken World", a song that was included on the second installment of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction – Volume 2", which came out in the fall of 2020.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH played its first show as the support act for METALLICA on the "M72" tour on August 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH was originally supposed to support METALLICA on several European shows in the spring of 2022 but ended up canceling the dates in order to allow Moody to fully recover from a hernia surgery.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the supergroup featuring legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH),guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL),has released a new single, "Red Sun". The track is taken from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's highly anticipated fifth studio album, "V", due on June 14.

Available now on all major streaming platforms, "Red Sun" showcases the collective genius of Hughes and Bonamassa, both in its powerful lyrics and profound musical composition. The song is a lyrical journey through the depths of the soul, echoing the struggles and revelations that come with life's challenges. The track's rich narrative and compelling melody are enhanced by the band's signature blend of hard rock and blues, marking yet another milestone in their storied career.

"This band allows me to embrace all of it," comments Bonamassa. "It's funny because the four musicians up here — everybody brings a certain thing to this that’s very specific. Every part is irreplaceable. For me, it's about playing old-style rock guitar, loud."

Hughes adds: "We make music for the five of us. We make music that we love and like, hoping it registers with everyone else. We don't make it for record companies, or this guy or that guy." Sherinian credits producer Kevin Shirley for keeping the band's creative energies focused, adding, "We got to give Kevin Shirley massive credit because he controls. He keeps it all flowing."

"Red Sun" is a profound piece in BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's discography, showcasing the band's growth and mutual respect. It stands as a beacon of their shared philosophy — to create music that is authentic, heartfelt, and a reflection of their collective experiences and musical prowess.

Produced by Shirley, "V" marks a monumental chapter in the band's storied career, embodying a renewed spirit and an evolution of their unmistakable sound. Shirley captures the essence of the band's journey, stating: "For a band that started out as a collection of the best practitioners of their instruments, they very quickly found a unique sound. This time around, it has more purpose, the riffs are tougher, and there are hooks! Yes, hooks! It's the most cohesive record, full of soul and grit, and I think this is the one that's going to be the benchmark for BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION." Glenn agrees: "In my opinion, we had the best time recording this record at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, tons of fun and a magical recording. Meet you inside the music.”

"Stay Free", the lead single, is a powerhouse track that blends hard rock's raw energy with a heavy dose of blues, channeling the spirit of legends like AC/DC and LED ZEPPELIN. It sets the tone for what fans can expect from "V" — a testament to the band's dynamic synergy and creative evolution.

Since their debut in 2010, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION has delivered a series of critically acclaimed albums, each showcasing the group's ability to fuse British blues-rock with American soul in a way that captivates audiences worldwide. Their return with "V" and the single "Stay Free" reaffirms their status as rock royalty and showcases their growth as musicians and storytellers.

Shirley's insight into the recording process highlights the unique chemistry and camaraderie within the band. "When we convened in 2023 to start recording the album 'V', it really was like picking up the day after the most recent gig," Shirley reflects. "The camaraderie is immediately evident. Once they start playing, everyone is deadly serious, and the music sounds like this band, and nothing else sounds like it."

"V" is a milestone that celebrates the journey, talent, and vision of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. As the band embarks on this new chapter, they invite fans old and new to join them in experiencing the depth and power of "V" and the electrifying energy of "Stay Free".

"V" track Listing:

01. Enlighten
02. Stay Free
03. Red Sun
04. Restless
05. Letting Go
06. Skyway
07. You're Not Alone
08. Love And Faith
09. Too Far Gone
10. The Open Road

During an appearance on an August 2023 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Hughes stated about the musical direction of the new BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION material: "It sounds like BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. There's not too many left turns, there's nothing happening that's weirdly different. We followed a vibe of the first four albums, so it it's an extension, but it's really a progression, if you can call it a progression. Everybody's playing out of their skin. The vibe in the camp has never been so friendly and fun. It's a really, really great vibe in the band. And we had a great time at Sunset Sound [studios] in Hollywood. And I can't wait for you to hear it."

Bonamassa told "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about the new BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION album: "The thing about BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, whether you like the way we sound or not, when we all get together, it has a very specific thing that it does. Everybody brings a very specific thing to the table, and it's a special band."

According to Joe, he brought the BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION members back together to make the follow-up to "BCCIV", which was released in September 2017 and marked BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's first studio effort since 2013's "Afterglow". "I was the one that kind of initiated the text, be, like, 'Hey, is there anybody interested in doing a fifth one?'" he said. "And Derek got back to me. Jason got back to me pretty quickly. And Glenn called me and said, 'I can't do anything until this DEAD DAISIES situation goes one way or the next.' And I said, 'Fair enough.' So when Glenn left THE DEAD DAISIES [in 2022], that was kind of the green light for us to get back together."

Regarding the songwriting process for BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's fifth album and how it compared to that on the band's previous efforts, Joe said: "This was the same. I went over to Glenn's house about six times and we hashed out some ideas — pretty rough, loose ideas. Nothing in stone. And so I had a playlist on my phone, voice memos, BCC 1 through 10. And that was it. So, so day one, we just [said], 'Okay, let's start with BCC 1.' And we sat in the courtyard at Sunset Sound — they have this really nice courtyard with a bunch of chairs — and we sat out there with an acoustic guitar and a couple of things and we just bashed out the arrangement. We were, like, 'Okay, that's cool.' We went in, played it three or four times and that was it. Nobody charted anything; we just kind of memorized it and did it. And we would go into the control room, listen a little bit, maybe tweak something, but once it fired up and after the second day, we really hit our stride, going, 'Okay, the band's back.' 'Cause we hadn't played together in six years."

As for the recording process for the new BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION disc, Joe said: "There's not a lot of overdubs. I rarely double the guitars, 'cause Glenn's bass sound is so big and distorted, you know what I mean? It's, like, why do I need to double the guitar? Same thing with Derek. It's almost like playing in the band FREE. All of the sound comes from the four of us. And Jason takes up a huge amount of bandwidth; he's such a big drummer."

In a September 2022 interview with Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3, Bonamassa stated about what it is about a "band situation" that appeals to him, considering he has spent most of his career as a solo artist: "I like nothing more than to be a member of a band and playing guitar. I don't have to front it; I don't have to sing all the time. And it's a lot less pressure than being the front person. Being the person in front is a special skillset. You have to be an entertainer. You can't just sit up there and stare at your guitar and go, 'Wow. Look, I can play guitar pretty good.' That's not gonna fill the theater. You have to put on a show. And to put on a show requires being an entertainer. So being in a band, the sum of the parts is greater than the single entity. So this thing where Glenn co-fronts BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, I can just sit back and play rhythm guitar and watch him do his thing. He's a legend. And then conversely, Glenn doesn't have to sing all night; I'll sing three or four [songs]. So we kind of spread out the whole workload a little bit."

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's inception took place when Hughes and Bonamassa fused their styles on stage in Los Angeles for an explosive performance at Guitar Center's King Of The Blues event. With the help and guidance of Shirley, they further added to their rock lineage by recruiting Bonham and Sherinian.

In a 2017 interview, Hughes talked about the chemistry between the BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION members, especially since all the musicians have had successful careers prior to launching the group.

"This band was meant to be," Glenn said. "It was formed out of a friendship with Joe and I. We got the [other] guys to come in, and it's always been a strong brotherhood. And we're just very lucky and fortunate to have met. I've known Jason since he was [a kid]. I just think that these four guys in this band are the right guys to play in the band."

Photo by Rob Bondurant

DAUGHTRY has released the official music video for its latest single, "Pieces". The song is the second track to be made available from the band's upcoming EP, due later this year on Big Machine Label Group.

DAUGHTRY is the band fronted by Chris Daughtry and has been winning fans around the globe since he burst on the scene in 2006. The new single "Pieces" is a deeply personal song for Chris as it was written shortly after the loss of his mother and daughter. The evocative lyrics "I'll never get over it. It's hard to move on, but I'm learning to live with the pieces of me" are delivered with passion and is sure to be another chart-topping hit for the band.

"At some point in our lives, we will all experience trauma of some kind," explains Chris Daughtry. "Something that chips away at the essence of who we are. Sometimes it's an event so devastating that it shatters our reality and rips a hole through our soul. This is about finding the strength to pick up those broken pieces, face the darkness head on, and fight your way toward the light."

DAUGHTRY has plenty of touring planned for 2024 and will see the band play various headline dates while also sharing stages with BREAKING BENJAMIN, STAIND and CREED, among others, the rest of the year.

DAUGHTRY had previously reached No. 1 over the years on other Billboard airplay charts, including four on Adult Pop Airplay ("It's Not Over", "Home", "Feels Like Tonight" and "No Surprise"),one on Pop Airplay ("It's Not Over") and one on Adult Contemporary ("Home").

DAUGHTRY's latest album, 2021's "Dearly Beloved", debuted at No. 4 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and has earned 88,000 equivalent album units to date, according to Billboard.

DAUGHTRY's debut album, the self-titled "Daughtry", was the top-selling album of 2007 and was the fastest-selling rock debut album in SoundScan history. It was also nominated for four Grammy Awards and won four American Music Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards, including "Album Of The Year". Subsequent albums "Leave This Town" (2009),"Break The Spell" (2011) and "Baptized" (2013) have all gone platinum, with "Cage To Rattle" (2018) certified gold. "Dearly Beloved" marked a return to DAUGHTRY's rock roots and a return to the top of the rock charts with their singles "World On Fire", "Heavy Is The Crown" and "Changes Are Coming", each reaching the Top 10 on Billboard's Rock Airplay chart.

Photo credit: Darren Craig

The music world has been buzzing ever since it was announced that an extraordinary collection of musicians would be recreating in its entirety King Crimson’s 1969 prog rock classic, In The Court Of The Crimson King, including such luminaries as Todd Rundgren, Megadeth’s Chris Poland, Deep Purple's Ian Paice, Rainbow's Joe Lynn Turner, Dream Theater's James LaBrie, Cactus's Carmine Appice and others.


Among this elite group are two artists who are perhaps closest to the King’s inner circle, vocalist/guitarist Jakko M. Jakszyk and saxophonist/flautist Mel Collins, who together with Jakko’s son Django Jakszyk, have teamed up for a powerful new rendering of In The Court Of The Crimson King’s most haunting track, the enchanting "I Talk To The Wind".


Jakszyk and Collins are, in fact, long-time collaborators, having performed and recorded together numerous times in the hugely popular King Crimson offshoot 21st Century Schizoid Band as well as on Jakszyk’s solo albums. Their undeniable artistic chemistry shines through on this sumptuous track with Collins’s brilliant flute playing providing the perfect complement to Jakszyk’s otherworldly voice and guitar work with Django’s bass guitar rounding out the low end. It’s a thoroughly enchanting interplay between two artists who continue to keep the King Crimson legacy alive and well.




Stream/download the single here; listen below:





Set for release on April 19, Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson King unites an astounding mix of musical virtuosos and creative collaborators that’s as eclectic and far-reaching as King Crimson’s own noble cortege. Guests include all of those mentioned above plus current King Crimson vocalist/guitarist Jakko Jakszyk, Joe Lynn Turner, James LaBrie, Marty Friedman, and Carmine Appice. Adding to this stellar lineup are rock and prog giants such as Steve Hillage, known for his work with Gong, and Jah Wobble, the post-punk bass maestro and PIL & Eno collaborator; and the Hawkwind alumni trifecta of Alan Davey, Paul Rudolph, and Nik Turner, infusing the project with a cosmic touch!


This album is not just a tribute; it's a celebration and reinvention of a musical masterpiece, bringing together the past, present, and future of rock music. Don't miss this unparalleled musical journey.


Order the CD/Vinyl here; pre-order/pre-save the digital here.





Tracklisting:


"21st Century Schizoid Man" feat. Todd Rundgren, Arthur Brown, Mel Collins, Chris Poland & Ian Paice
"I Talk To The Wind" feat. Mel Collins, Django Jakszyk & Jakko M Jakszyk
"Epitaph" feat. Alan Davey, Paul Rudolph, Nik Turner, Adam Hamilton & Danny Faulkner
"Moonchild" feat. Joe Lynn Turner, Marty Friedman, Jah Wobble & Chester Thompson
"The Court Of The Crimson King" feat. James LaBrie, Carmine Appice & Steve Hillage


Bonus Tracks (CD only):


"21st Century Schizoid Man" feat. Arthur Brown, Brian Auger, Chris Poland & Ian Paice
"21st Century Schizoid Man" (Instrumental Version)


"21st Century Schizoid Man":

Gene Hoglan has shared the video below, featuring Death To All performing Death's "Zombie Ritual", originally featured on Death's 1987 album, Scream Bloody Gore. The footage was shot last month in Santiago, Chile.





Death To All is a unique opportunity for a new generation of metalheads to experience the genius of Death and Chuck Schuldiner first-hand.




Gene Hoglan says, "Death To All is really excited to be hitting the road on The Scream of Perserverance Tour with special guests Cryptopsy. The North American tour will bring three different, special and exciting shows encapsulating the two equally important eras of Death."


The Scream of Perserverance Tour features unique two-night stints in multiple cities, where the first night will be an old-school, brutal night featuring, in its entirety, the album which started the Death legacy, Scream Bloody Gore, as well as classic tunes from Leprosy and Spiritual Healing.


The second night will feature the finishing touch in Death’s history, The Sound of Perseverance, as well as timeless classics from the technical and more melodic era of Death, Human, Individual Thought Patterns and Symbolic.’Also, in certain cities, the sets will be From First To Last, where Death To All play the mightiest bangers from every Death album.


Gene Hoglan adds, "We’ll be joined by our good friends, the legendary Cryptopsy, who have some special plans of their own for this tour. Death To All is extremely pleased to be bringing these special nights to the fans of the one and only Chuck Schuldiner... as only Death To All can... his entire Death legacy! As Chuck liked to say, 'let the Metal flow.' You’ll want to catch every night possible.”


Cryptopsy shares, “Cryptopsy is very much looking forward to sharing the stage with the iconic and symbolic Death To All band! Since the tour will be hitting major US markets two nights back to back, we plan on giving the fans two unique setlists. One that consists of classic old school first generation Cryptopsy tracks and a second that’ll focus more on the newer generation. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Death’s legacy alongside Death To All. We welcome you all to bear witness to this epic tour!”





The Scream Of Perseverance Tour dates:


May
18 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest **
19 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest *
21 - Columbus, OH - The King Of Clubs ***
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of Living Arts ***
23 - New York City, NY - Gramercy Theatre *
24 - New York City, NY - Gramercy Theatre **
25 - Boston, MA - The Middle East *
26 - Boston, MA - The Middle East **
28 - Montreal, QC - Le National *
29 - Montreal, QC - Le National **
30 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre *
31 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre **


June
1 - London, ON - London Music Hall ***
2 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick ***
4 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall *
5 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall **
7 - Lawrence, KS - The Granada ***
8 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater *
9 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater *
11- Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall ***
13 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre *
14 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre **
15 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile *
16 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile **
18 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre *
19 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre **
21- Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone *
22 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone **
23 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst ***
25 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick *
26 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick **
27 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater *
28 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater **
29 - Phoenix, AZ - The Nile Theater ***


* Scream Bloody Gore in its entirety plus old school Death classics from Leprosy and Spiritual Healing
** The Sound Of Perseverance in its entirety plus the new school Death classics from Human, Individual Thought Patterns and Symbolic
*** From First To Last - the Greatest classics from every Death album


VIP upgrades here.





Founded in 1984 by Chuck Schuldiner under the original name of Mantas in Altamonte Springs, Florida, Death was among the more widely known early pioneers of the Death metal sound, along with California’s Possessed. Inspired by Nasty Savage, Death was among the first bands in the Florida Death metal scene. In the late 80s, the band was both a part of and integral in defining the Death metal scene which gained international recognition with the release of albums by a number of area acts.


Death To All operates as a tribute band to the original Death, which dissolved in 2001 following the passing of the group’s founder and frontman Chuck Schuldiner. The backbone of Death To All is singer/guitarist Max Phelps (Exist, Cynic), drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Testament, Dethklok), bass beast Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Sadus) and Bobby Koelble (Death).


Here's a taste of the live magic... watch "The Philosopher":





(Photo - Alex Solca)

With two powerful singles "Alda" and "Myrkur" already released, Iceland’s Drungi is set to unleash their debut album Hamfarir Hugans. Drungi's commitment to exploring mental health struggles through their music is evident throughout the eight-track album, which presents bleak topics with haunting music that is inspired by the dramatic landscape of the island. The band hopes that fans will consider this release worth the wait, and find it deeply satisfying. It is a ride filled with Icelandic lyrics, heaviness, and nature-inspired lyrical content. 


With the album they are planning a local tour and comment on what to expect:


“We put on a show, the majority of the band, including drummer, bassist, vocalist and guitarist have a background in theatrics and we bring those talents into our shows giving our audience an immersive show where they get pulled into the band. Be it the bassist walking around the venue or the singer pulling the audience closer, the people will find a great show with Drungi.”




With Hamfarir Hugans, Drungi wanted to create an album that speaks to the heart of those grappling with mental health challenges. Their music reflects the harsh beauty of Icelandic nature, intertwined with the raw, emotional realities many face daily. Throughout each of the exclusively Icelandic language tracks has been poetically inspired by folklore, Icelandic nature, and the mental sufferings that so many of today’s people suffer from suicidal thoughts, depression, anger, schizophrenia, etc.


The album was produced, mixed, and mastered by Stephen Lockhart and the album artwork, a merger between the mind and Icelandic nature, was done by bassist Magnús Addi Ólafsson and guitarist Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson. Self-reflection and powerful music await in “Hamfarir Hugans”, which is recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Gojira, and Manowar.


BraveWords is hosting the full stream premiere of Hamfarir Hugans; listen below!


Hamfarir Hugans by Drungi


Hamfarir Hugans is due out on April 5, 2024, and is available for preorder on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Alda”
“Þoka”
“Ófærð”
“Skriða”
“Frost”
“Skjálfti”
“Kvika”
“Myrkur”


“Alda” video:





“Myrkur” video:





(Photo – Hvergiland Photgraphy)

Former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin have banded together with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and explosive Tool drummer Danny Carey for the first time to create Beat, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s King Crimson albums - Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. Beat will be performing the music of 80s King Crimson on tour.


Vai has shared the following message alonhg with the photo above:


"Here with Father Robert Fripp at McCabe's Guitar Shop 3.3.24 where he gave an enlightening talk with David Singleton to a packed house of enthusiastic ears, mine being a pair of them. I was fortunate he was in town and accepted to meet with me. I respect and admire this man tremendously. Since 1969, his brilliant musical mind reinvented a music genre twice. His fiercely disciplined and unique guitar technique is untouchable to all but him and he is a marvel.




We had a lovely chat about BEAT and I was relieved and thrilled to know he gave it his blessing, and even suggested the name. When I asked him what he had thought when he heard I was in the band, he replied 'You are the only one that can play my guitar parts.' I found myself in a rare state of gob-smacked speechlessness because I know that nobody can play Robert's guitar parts like him."


https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-4k-video-of-judas-priests-krakow-concert-during-2024-metal-masters-tour





The vision for this undertaking emanated from initial dialogue between Angelo Bundini aka Scrote and Adrian Belew. Tour Producer Bundini recalls, “When Adrian called me to help bring his idea to fruition, I immediately thought it best to focus on the 80s albums: Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. These three records famously marked Adrian and Tony's entry into King Crimson. Their fluid, melodic virtuosity, and Fripp's and Bruford's dramatic precision created a totally unique, dynamic push and pull that would influence nearly every rock musician and/or band going forward for years, if not decades, to come.”  


Both a meet & greet and a VIP tour package will be available for purchase. The M&G includes one premium ticket in the first five rows, early entry, pre-show meet & greet, personal photograph captured, limited edition autographed poster, Beat challenge coin, tote bag, an exclusive merch item, and an official laminate and lanyard. There is limited availability with pricing set at $200.00. For the VIP tour package, buyers will receive one premium reserved seat in the first 15 rows, a limited edition Beat tour poster autographed, the challenge coin, an exclusive tour merch item, and a commemorative laminate and lanyard. Availability is limited at $100.00.


Ticket links at beat-tour.com. Dates and a video trailer can be found below.





Tour dates:


September
12 - San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic
13 - Napa, CA - Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
14 - Los Angeles, CA - The United Theater on Broadway
15 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove of Anaheim
17 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey’s Concerts
18 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
20 - Austin, TX - The Paramount Theatre
21 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Centre
22 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
24 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
26 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Parker
27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
28 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
29 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall


October
1 - Charlotte, NC - Knight Theater
2 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre of Durham / Fletcher Hall
4 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
5 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
6 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
8 - Richmond, VA - Carpenter Theater in Dominion Energy Center
9 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Center
11 - Boston, MA - Shubert Theatre
12 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
14 - Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohen Auditorium
15 - Moncton, NB - Casino New Brunswick
17 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Maisonneuve
18 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
19 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center
21 - Albany, NY - The Egg
22 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre
23 - Reading, PA - Santander Performing Arts Center
25 - Cleveland, OH  - Agora Theatre
26 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
27 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
28 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
30 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre


November
1 - Chicago, IL - Copernicus Center
2 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
3 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theater
4 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre
6 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
8 - Las Vegas, NV - The Theater at Virgin Hotels


Adrian Belew - “The 1981 through 1984 King Crimson created a music all its own. Timeless. Beautiful. Complex. Fierce. For the fans who lived through it then, and the ones who never got to witness it, our aim is to bring it to life again. A monumental task but we’re going for it!  There are not enough exclamation points to express my excitement!”


Steve Vai - “Being a part of this ensemble is an extraordinary privilege and opportunity to perform some of the most beloved, timeless, and monumental music of the 80’s (and beyond) with truly inspired musicians. This music resonates deeply with me. Adrian, Tony and Danny are unique musicians with an otherworldly insight into presenting rich musical complexities in a very accessible way, and I am looking forward to searching each other’s musical minds in real time on stage. I’m sure sparks will fly.” He continues, “Father Robert Fripp is one of our historical geniuses. His highly specific and exceptionally brilliant guitar technique is studied and revered. His contribution to the quality of my musical life, and so many others is supreme. I can assure the fans of KC that I will be putting my best foot forward to respect this great music with the care and intensity it deserves. Did I say ‘sparks will fly?’”


Tony Levin - “This is going to be quite a tour. Revisiting some of my favorite music is a treat in itself, but in company of this stellar lineup, I expect to have my musical butt kicked! And it’s also great that we’re not just playing a few shows, we’re hitting it hard. So, Road Dogs are coming to your area soon.”


Danny Carey - “I am very excited to share the stage with three of my favorite musicians on the planet. Tony, Steve and Adrian have always been a source of inspiration for me since the beginning of my career, and now to be able to share a bit of my musical journey with them is a dream come true. There’s nothing better to make some sparks fly and light a fire under your ass than getting out of your musical comfort zone, and I can’t think of any other three guys I’d rather do this with.  I think I can speak for all of us when I say I hope all of our fans are as excited as we are about this tour.”

Judas Priest's "Devil's Child", taken from the Screaming For Vengeance album, has been given the bluegrass treatment by Postmodern Jukebox vocalist Robyn Adele Anderson and her band. Check out this new rendition of the song below.


Robyn: "In honor of their new album that came out last month, I’ve decided to cover my very first Judas Priest song! But of course I had do a little word-play based mashup. Enjoy!"







Judas Priest is back on the Billboard charts this week with their latest album, Invincible Shield, reports Forbes. The set returns them to a number of rankings that they’ve hit before... but it also helps them appear on another list that somehow, they’ve never made it to - even though it would seem to be a great home for them.


On this week’s edition of the Hot Hard Rock Songs - Billboard’s ranking of the most-consumed hard rock tunes in the US - Judas Priest scores a very important hit. The title track from their new album, “Invincible Shield”, debuts at #16.


Shockingly, “Invincible Shield” marks Judas Priest’s first placement on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. That is due largely to the fact that the tally is relatively new - at least newer than most of the band’s biggest hits.


Judas Priest has now reached just two of Billboard’s rock charts - excluding radio lists. They’ve also sent a pair of cuts to the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales ranking. That small number includes their first top 10 hit on that purchase-only list, “Panic Attack,” which reached #10 last year.


Read more at Forbes.


Invincible Shield can be ordered here.





Tracklisting:


"Panic Attack"
"The Serpent And The King"
"Invincible Shield"
"Devil In Disguise"
"Gates Of Hell"
"Crown Of Horns"
"As God Is My Witness"
"Trial By Fire"
"Escape From Reality"
"Sons Of Thunder"
"Giants In The Sky"


Deluxe edition bonus tracks:


"Fight Of Your Life"
"Vicious Circle"
"The Lodger"


"Invincible Shield" video:





"Panic Attack" video:





"The Serpent And The King" video:





"Trial By Fire" video:

Dive into Totengott’s dark and genre-defying sound in Beyond The Veil. A heavy, melodic journey that shatters expectations and redefines extreme metal.


Totengott and Hammerheart Records have presented the artwork and details for Beyond The Veil. The epic artwork is crafted by Khaos Diktator Design (Gaerea, Spectrum Mortis, Saor), is mixed by Javier Felez at Moontower Studios (Balmog, Altarage, Crisix) and is Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Sólstafir, Paradise Lost, Cathedral, Ghost).


Beyond The Veil is set for a release in July, pre-orders will start later this month and the first single drops in May.







Tracklisting:


“Inner Flame”
“Sons Of The Serpent”
“Marrow Of The Soul”
“The Architect”
“Beyond The Veil Part I: Mirrors Of Doom”
“Beyond The Veil Part II: Necromancer”
“The Golden Crest (The Ritual, The Curse, The Path, The Light)

On April 26, 2024, German thrashers Darkness will release their brand new studio offering, Blood On Canvas, via Massacre Records. The presale is available here.


Blood On Canvas marks the band's most ferocious album to date, the new Darkness songs seem to be more aggressive and heavier than anything else in the band's discography to date. Following the previously-released, first album appetizer "Roots Of Resistance", today, the Essen-based five-piece has premiered a music video for their latest single, the furious album opening track "Wake Up In Rage".


Guitarist Arnd about the song:




""Wake Up In Rage" is a song about getting up and the morning. The idea comes from the morning itself and describes what goes through the lyricist's mind before and during his first coffee. You could call him a morning grouch, but that doesn't do it justice.


“The alarm clock rings, you are woken from your sleep, have slept far too little once again and struggle out of bed with the prospect of having to spend most of the damn day dealing with some irrelevant shit. You meet people who get on your nerves with their penetrating good humor. You ask yourself why you don't burn it all down and go back to bed.


“‘Wake Up In Rage’ is a somewhat exaggerated but realistic depiction of what should happen before 12:00 AM. The song lets the listener participate in the dark thoughts during the beginning of the day. The morning is not the best time of the day, at least on weekdays, and it deserves this song.


“The good news is: So far, no one has been seriously harmed in the morning."


Musically, Darkness deliver the uncompromising and fast thrash metal they have been known for since their debut album Death Squad in 1987. However, the compositions on their forthcoming album are more complex and detailed than usual, without losing any of the aggression, heaviness and authenticity.


The nine songs were produced at Rambado Recording Studios in collaboration with Cornelius "Corny" Rambadt, with whom the previous albums First Class Violence and Over And Out were produced. For Blood On Canvas, Darkness and producer Corny set out to create an aggressive and powerful, but also honest sound. The cover artwork was once again created by Timon Kokott, with whom Darkness are collaborating for the third time.


Blood On Canvas formats:
- CD Digipak
- Ltd. Vinyl LP 
- Ltd. Box Set (content: CD Digipak, flag, patch, signed autograph card)
LP Colors: black, blue, clear (+ available via the band only: red)





Tracklisting:


“Wake Up In A Rage”
“A Couple Of Kills”
“Night In Turmoil”
“Human Flesh Wasted”
“This And My Heart Beside”
“Truth Is A Whore”
“Defcon Four”
“Roots Of Resistance”
“Blood On Canvas”


“Wake Up In Rage”:

Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel previously announced their third studio album Charismatic Leaders, which arrives on May 3. Today they have launched the album’s second single “Porcelain”.


Vocalist and guitarist James Lascelles comments, "'Porcelain' ended up being about social norms and how the values of the past seem abhorrent by modern standards. In turn, our current values will likely be seen as primitive, careless or even cruel in the future. I think we would all like to imagine that if we had been born long ago, we would have the same world view that we do now but this would likely not be the case. We are all shaped by our surroundings and social conformity, probably more than we would like to admit. It was a humbling topic to dig in to and the more I thought about it, the more empathy I was able to find for our ancestors."


The album's first single "Empire" was released last month, and the video currently has over 220k views.




The album was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel’s ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist James Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala’s third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.


Lyrically, it is about media empires and the effect they have on wider society - all of us are influenced to some degree, even if we would rather not admit it. Issues that require nuance are presented as binaries and opposing views are made into caricatures - a target for us to rage at that far too often, doesn't even exist. This is not a new phenomenon by any means but it is one that seems to have been catalysed by the modern landscape of media, the internet and populist politics. As you might be able to tell from the mood of the song, this pisses me off immensely and it was cathartic to vent about it.”


Charismatic Leaders clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the Rumination EP tracks as bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems). Pre-order your copy here.





Tracklisting:


"Empire"
"Porcelain"
"Submission"
"Saboteur"
"Disciple"
"Caught in the Afterglow"
"The Freeze"


"Porcelain" visualizer:





"Empire" video:





The band will be celebrating the release of their new album with their first ever shows in Australia (supporting label-mates Caligula’s Horse), as well as their first ever North American headline shows. Later in the year the band will return to Europe for further headline dates, which have just been announced. Find the band's live itinerary here.


(Photo - Anastasia Korol)