MINISTRY's 16th studio album, "Hopiumforthemasses", is out today via Nuclear Blast Records and streaming on all networks. After months of teasing album singles and videos for "Goddamn White Trash", plus "Just Stop Oil" and "B.D.E.", the six-time Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum act also has another new track out today with "New Religion".

See the music video for "New Religion" below.

MINISTRY founder and leader Al Jourgensen states about the track: "All traditional faiths seem to pale in comparison to our new 'Deity' Media."

Jourgensen is joined in MINISTRY by John Bechdel (keyboards),Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars),Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D'Amour (bass).

"Hopiumforthemasses" also has a slew of special guest contributors, including GOGOL BORDELLO's Eugene Hutz, longtime collaborator and LARD companion Jello Biafra and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY frontman Pepper Keenan.

"Just like you or anybody else, I'm simply a passenger in this lifetime," said Jourgensen. "I'm watching social changes, political changes, and economic changes, and I comment on them because I do have a First Amendment right. A lot of people say artists and athletes should shut up and play ball. No, I'm on this trip too. If I see something, I say something. That reflects on where each album goes. Instead of staying sedentary and singing about broken relationships, inner turmoil, or whatever is hurting this week, I comment on what's going on from the perspective of a fellow passenger."

"Hopiumforthemasses" track listing:

01. B.D.E.
02. Goddamn White Trash***
03. Just Stop Oil
04. Aryan Embarrassment**
05. TV Song 1/6 Edition
06. New Religion
07. It's Not Pretty
08. Cult of Suffering*
09. Ricky's Hand

* Featuring Eugene Hütz (GOGOL BORDELLO)
** Featuring Jello Biafra
***Featuring Pepper Keenan

"Hopiumforthemasses" is available in three vinyl variants, a CD jewelcase and digital/streaming platforms. The vinyl variants include: green with yellow splatter (in stores everywhere); blue with pink splatter (nuclear blast exclusive); red with white splatter (band/tour exclusive).

Last June, Jourgensen told Yahoo! Entertainment 's Lyndsey Parker that he was close to putting MINISTRY to bed, more than 40 years after he launched the band in his former hometown of Chicago.

"My career is winding down with MINISTRY," Jourgensen said. "I'm gonna stop MINISTRY in an album or two. I have to. I have other things I wanna do."

He continued: "My public and my band are all in agreement that we are being shackled by… We are taking our genre to the farthest limits it can go, and we're happy with that. And we'll stop when it's time instead of keep going and trying to just recreate the same stuff. We keep trying to push further. So, I figure there's only maybe one more MINISTRY album to go. Maybe two, but probably one."

Jourgensen added: "I have other things to do. I have projects that I'm working on with various people. I have film scores. And MINISTRY, now we're being held to the standard of this new MINISTRY of, okay, either push further or do the most popular stuff over and over and over and over, which we have with 'Psalm 69' or something like that. I'm tired of that. We're all tired of that. Well, we are. The fans aren't. So I think this next year or two is gonna be really transformative in the sense that I'm wrapping a bow on my entire career and saying, 'Drop mic. Thank you. Thank you for buying our t-shirts… Good night. And now I hope you follow me on my next journey."

Al revealed that one of MINISTRY's final recordings will be a 'remake" of the band's first album, "With Sympathy", which he claims he had little control over, with the record company at the time dictating its direction. According to Jourgensen, a new version of "With Sympathy" would "tie a bow on the whole thing, and just say, 'Drop mic. Good night. I'm outta here.'"

This is not the first time Jourgensen has vowed to make a "final" MINISTRY album. 2007's "The Last Sucker" was supposed to be the band's last-ever LP. Then, while working on other projects, inspiring riffs were born that would eventually become 2012's "Relapse". Later that year, Jourgensen began work on yet another MINISTRY album with longtime guitarist and collaborator Mike Scaccia. Three days after leaving the MINISTRY sessions in El Paso, in the early hours of December 23, 2012, Scaccia suffered heart failure onstage while performing with his other band, RIGOR MORTIS, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Scaccia's death both devastated and motivated Jourgensen to return the studio to put the final touches on what they had started in memory of his best friend. The result was 2013's "From Beer To Eternity". Two more albums followed, 2018's "AmeriKKKant" and 2021's "Moral Hygiene".

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley kicked off his 2024 European tour, dubbed "The Tour Of The Circle Of Stone", last night (Thursday, February 29) at Black Lab in Wasquehal (Lille),France. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of Metal Addiction).

Blaze is touring in support of his latest solo album, "Circle Of Stone", which came out on February 23. The LP's title track, "Circle Of Stone", features a guest appearance by Niklas Stålvind of the Swedish metal band WOLF.

The 60-year-old Bayley fronted IRON MAIDEN from 1994 until 1999. The two MAIDEN albums he appeared on, "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI", sold considerably less than the band's prior releases and were their lowest-charting titles in the group's home country since 1981's "Killers".

Since leaving IRON MAIDEN in 1999, Bayley has released a number of albums, including several under the moniker BLAZE and more than a handful under his own name. He also appeared on 2012's "Wolfsbane Saves The World", the first album of new material by WOLFSBANE since the group's self-titled 1994 effort, and a follow-up LP, 2022's "Genius".

Blaze's previous studio album, "War Within Me", came out in April 2021. The LP was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze's studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton's studio in Greater Manchester.

In March 2023, Blaze underwent a quadruple bypass surgery following a heart attack. He later shared details of the massive outpouring of well-wishes he received after his heart attack, including messages from his former MAIDEN bandmates.

"The thing I feel most lucky about is the incredible support I've had from my fans," he told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "All over the world. My WOLFSBANE, Blaze Bayley, the MAIDEN fans. Everybody bought a t-shirt for a tour that was postponed. They still bought it to support me. I'm just incredibly lucky. And the letters people wrote to me. Hundreds of cards from all over the place. It's very humbling."

Blaze continued: "I've always put my whole life into music. It is my life. When people get in touch with you and say, 'I wish you well because your music has gotten me through tough times,' 'Your music meant this to me,' 'I first saw you way back when and it's been the soundtrack to my life,' it's incredible. I got a massive card from the MAIDEN fan club. The [MAIDEN] guys all sent me a message. I'm always in touch with Steve Harris [MAIDEN bassist] anyway, but everyone sent messages of support."

A heart bypass surgery, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is used to improve blood flow to the heart. A surgeon uses blood vessels taken from another area of the body to bypass the damaged arteries.

The term quadruple bypass refers to the number of coronary arteries bypassed in the procedure. In other words, a quadruple bypass means four coronary arteries are bypassed.

The first part of the Tour of the Circle of Stone, February-March 2024. Starting in Lille, France on the 29th, also...

Posted by Official Blaze Bayley on Saturday, February 24, 2024

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser is celebrating four years of sobriety.

Earlier today (Friday, March 1),the 55-year-old Brazilian-born musician took to his account on Instagram to write that quitting drinking in 2020 was "the best decision I made" and one "which opened a new and healthier world for me." He also thanked his family "for always supporting me".

Less than three years ago, Kisser told A&P Reacts that he "quit alcohol right before the pandemic hit. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life," he said. "Not that I was a fucking out-of-control alcoholic, but alcohol was a part of my life, of everything I did. In certain degrees less and more, but it was there. It was taking control of my life, of my choices, of how I dealt with people or with a special occasion or something. Alcohol was involved in everything. And I don't need that. And I proved now that I don't, because I'm having a better life. I'm doing exercises. I have the routine I never had touring."

According to Kisser, "it was very easy" for him to give up the bottle. "Once you have a clear idea in your mind, there's no discussion," he explained. "I didn't put the responsibility on a saint or, let's say, in a church, or 'I will stop for a year' or 'I promise you, my wife, I don't drink anymore.' No. It's not for them. It's a very personal attitude. It's me with me — not more. I don't have to put the responsibility away from myself, in a time period or in a certain religious belief or my family. They don't deserve that. This is my problem, and I resolve it with myself. So I'm in peace with myself with that. It's not something that bothers me. I can be around alcohol, I can be around parties, I can be around backstage, as I did with my KISSER CLAN band here and stuff. People drink around [me], [and] I don't care. I don't even feel the wish to drink, which is great. So I don't have a battle, let's put it that way. I'm not running away from anything. I just decided to stop. That's it."

Kisser is not the only member of SEPULTURA's classic lineup to have gotten sober. Back in 2016, former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera told Metal Insider that he had been "straight edge" at that point for a decade. "I was kind of a mess 10 years ago, drinking and doing a lot of drugs, and it was affecting some of my touring," he stated at the time. "I'm a very extreme guy, so when I do something, I do it all the way. I quit drinking and doing drugs entirely, and when I did it, I realized my passion for metal grew even more. I became more into metal, into new bands and stuff."

Cavalera reflected on his 16-year battle with drug and alcohol addiction in a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer. He told the magazine that he became hooked on prescription drugs not long after his father's death. "I was taking too many of them on a daily basis and then drinking on top of it," he said. "It's a lethal combination, and then I added sleep medicines on top of all that. It's a miracle I am still alive.

"There's a lot of pressure that comes with fame. Record label pressure, fans pressure, and we don’t have a manual or a guide to surviving this shit."

Max continued: "I think for some musicians the pressure of fame gets to them. For me, it started with the death of my father. I became very sad and drinking was one way to deal with my sadness. The drugs — I just liked them. I liked the buzz of a painkiller. The energy it gave me."

Andreas's wife Patricia Perissinoto Kisser passed away on July 3, 2022 after a battle with colon cancer. She had just turned 52 years old one day earlier.

In early February, drummer Eloy Casagrande quit SEPULTURA to join "another project". The news of Eloy's exit came just two months after SEPULTURA announced it would celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024 by embarking on a "farewell tour" which will cover the entire globe. He has since been replaced by Greyson Nekrutman, who has previously played with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.

Photo credit: Bob Wolfenson

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No doubt about it: The world would be a much poorer place without Axel Rudi Pell. On his 22nd studio album, Risen Symbol, the Bochum-based guitarist and songwriter continues to fly the melodic hard rock flag without watering down his style with pseudo-modern stylistic variations or expendable studio gimmicks. At the same time, he is constantly looking for new influences, exciting inspirations, and catchy hooks.


One of the best things about ARP’s anthems is that they are perfectly tailored to the charismatic voice of frontman Johnny Gioeli. The American vocalist is one of the most eminent rock singers worldwide and, together with Pell, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and the two longstanding ARP members Ferdy Doernberg (keyboards) and Volker Krawczak (bass), has been an integral part of a perfectly oiled machine for more than ten years, wowing fans and media alike.


Risen Symbol will be available via Steamhammer/SPV June 14. For all those who can’t wait, April 3 will see the arrival of the lead single, "Guardian Angel", followed on May 22 by "Darkest Hour".







Risen Symbol will be available in the following formats:


- CD DigiPak incl. poster
- 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, neon orange vinyl, printed inner sleeves
- Download / Streaming (pre-order here)
- Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyls only at the Steamhammer shop (pre-order here)
- 2LP Gatefold exclusive colored edition only at the Napalm shop (pre-order here)





Risen Symbol tracklisting:


"The Resurrection" (Intro)
"Forever Strong"
"Guardian Angel"
"Immigrant Song"
"Darkest Hour"
"Ankhaia"
"Hell's On Fire"
"Crying In Pain"
"Right On Track"
"Taken By Storm"





Lineup:


Johnny Gioeli - Lead and Backing Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards
Volker Krawczak - Bass
Bobby Rondinelli - Drums

Leading the way to their new offering, Clear Cold Beyond, to be released on March 8 via Atomic Fire, Finnish melodic metallers, Sonata Arctica, have released this unboxing video:





Clear Cold Beyond is packed with strong songs and fuses the best of all periods of Sonata Arctica's multifaceted work: From high-speed anthems such as the aforementioned "First In Line" and "California" to emotion-laden tracks such as "The Best Things" and the closing title track, this record offers something for each and every Sonata Arctica fan.




The album's artwork, reminiscent of their early works, was created by Niko Anttila and the band returned to mixing engineer Mikko Karmila (Finnvox Studios; Ecliptica [1999] - Stones Grow Her Name [2012]). Final mastering was handled by Svante Forsbäck, who has also been part of other Sonata Arctica productions.


Clear Cold Beyond will be available in the following formats:


- CD-digipak
- jewelcase CD (US)
- 2LP vinyl [winter night marbled (white/black) | icy-blue marbled (transparent/blue)]
- digital


Pre-order the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive "A Monster Only You Can't See" and "First In Line" instantly now, here.





Clear Cold Beyond tracklisting:


"First In Line"
"California"
"Shah Mat"
"Dark Empath"
"Cure For Everything"
"A Monster Only You Can't See"
"Teardrops"
"Angel Defiled"
"The Best Things"
"Clear Cold Beyond"


Bonus Tracks (digipak + vinyl only):
"A Ballad For The Broken"
"Toy Soldiers" (Martika cover)


"Dark Empath" video:





"A Monster Only You Can't See" lyric video:





"First In Line":





Lineup:


Tony Kakko - vocals
Elias Viljanen - guitars
Pasi Kauppinen - bass
Henrik "Henkka" Klingenberg - keyboards
Tommy Portimo - drums

ESP Guitars has released the video below, along with the following message:


"As the founder of pioneering and influential thrash gods Kreator, Mille Petrozza has been at the forefront of metal since 1982. The LTD MK-EC FR is the latest addition to his Signature Series, and it offers all of the menacing design aesthetic and sonic assault you’d expect from this acclaimed guitarist and frontman. The MK-EC FR starts with the familiar single-cutaway shape of the ESP Eclipse, but this monster is indeed its own beast. The body is flat-topped, designed for pure speed with no bevels, horn scoop, or arm cut, and features black binding on the body, neck, and headstock (with a waist cut in back for playing comfort). With neck-thru-body construction at 25.5” scale, and an alder body paired with a three-piece thin u-shaped maple neck, the MK EC-FR offers days of sustain and is able to handle downtuning like a champ. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard features mother-of-pearl dot inlays, Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side markers, and 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets.The all-black hardware on the MK-EC FR includes a Floyd Rose 1000 SE double-locking tremolo with stainless steel screws, precise Grover tuners, and a set of direct-mount EMG 81X (bridge) and EMG 85X (neck) active pickups with brushed black chrome covers. These pickups provide exceptional tones that range from open and organic to blistering and intense, and offer a higher dynamic range than you expect from typical active pickups. Includes deluxe ESP hardshell case."


Find info and specs here.







International metal forces join in a monstrous union between US metal monsters, Anthrax and German thrash titans, Kreator. Completing this unmissable lineup, a very special guest, the Bay Area’s metal machine, Testament.


Each band is renowned for their high energy performances. Get ready for an action-packed night from start to finish…if you’ve got running shoes, we suggest you wear them!


Anthrax stated: "It’s been about four years since we last toured the UK AND Europe, so these dates ARE LONG overdue! And what a line-up – Anthrax, Kreator and Testament – so much f**cking metal! We can’t wait to bring the noise to you, and maybe surprise you with a song from our brand new album coming later this year. So get ready to rage friends, this time, we ARE coming!!


Kreator says: “This is possibly the most irresistible thrash package ever put together, the best of the US and Europe in one night! These will be some of our biggest shows in Europe, so we are bringing a huge production and plan to tear it up every show!’’


Testament add: “As 2024 kicks off, we are thrilled to announce plans to wind down the year in epic fashion: By touring with Kreator and Anthrax, two of the mightiest bands who are also great friends. Our first tour with Kreator was in 2023, and was a perfect fit. Our history with Anthrax dates all the way to our earliest years, through some of our favorite tours of the 2010s. 2024 will mark the first time all three bands tour together as a package. So join us as the heaviest sounds from Europe, the East Coast and West Coast come together to unite the world - Kreator, Anthrax & Testament!"


Tickets available now from anthrax.com, and kreator-terrorzone.de.





Tour dates:


November
21 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
22 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
23 - London, UK - Eventim Apollo
25 - Dublin, Ireland - 3 Arena
27 - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
29 - Paris, France - Zenith
30 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi Electric Halle


December
1 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
3 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
4 - Zurich, Switzerland - Halle 622
6 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
7 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
8 - Berlin, Germany - Verti Music Hall
10 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
11 - Katowice, Poland - Spodek
13 - Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle
14 - Hamburg, Germany - Edel Optics Arena
15 -  Den Bosch, Netherlands - Mainstage

During the bleak and desolate year of 2020, a new creative entity was born within the darkness. Necrophobic guitar duo Sebastian Ramstedt and Johan Bergebäck teamed up with Dutch drummer Marco Prij of Cryptosis to forge brooding and precise sonic hostility under the moniker of In Aphelion.


After releasing a number of singles, the Luciferian Age EP (2021), debut album Moribund (2022), and welcoming bassist Tobias Cristiansson to the lineup, the formation took the natural next step and have now joined forces with Century Media Records, which is already home to Necrophobic and Cryptosis.


In Aphelion is now gearing up to release their sophomore full-length, Reaperdawn, for which more details and new music will be revealed this summer.




Lineup:


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


(Photo - Leo Bergebaeck)

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),will release its highly anticipated fifth studio album, "V", on June 14. To celebrate, fans are treated to the immediate release of the album's heavy funk lead single, "Stay Free", out today on all major streaming platforms.

Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin 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".

The news follows the announcement of the band's upcoming performance at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, March 17. This rare appearance will be the first live performance in America from the band in over 11 years. Presented by Joe Bonamassa's Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, all profits from the concert will be donated to support music education and musicians in need. The band is also set to appear on the Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea cruise, sailing from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico from March 18-22.

"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."

As for BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's touring plans, Glenn said: "If you go back 10 years when I wanted to… well, we all wanted to play more shows. And Joe has been very busy from the get-go of his career. What I want you to know, and I want everybody to know, that, of course, we want to play with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNITY, but Joe's schedule is crazy busy, and we all get it. Unfortunately, that's the way it is. So my priority is playing my own music with my own band and doing what I need to do to have fun on my own."

He continued: "Would I like to play some shows with Joe, Derek and Jason? Of course I would. I think everybody would like that. But what I can't do is say we're gonna do this, this, and that… I've done it before and it didn't happen, so I won't… I'm glad Joe has [said in a recent interview] he wants to do something like that, because I think we all wanna set some time out to do that, and we're hoping that we can play in North America [in 2024]."

Earlier that same month, 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."

Bonamassa went on to say that he is looking forward to performing with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION again. "I'd like to do some live shows with 'em [in 2024]," he said. "I think it would be really fun… Scheduling is the hardest thing, because of what everybody's got [coming up]… [My solo band is] booked almost two years out. But next year, I really wanna at least set aside a week, maybe two weeks, where we can go out and do selected shows, do a couple here in the U.S., go to Europe, do a couple there. 'Cause it is fun."

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's most recent performance took place in February 2018 at the fourth edition of the Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea, which benefits the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Bonamassa's non-profit organization dedicated to providing students, teachers, and musicians with the resources and tools needed to further their music education.

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

Firewind have released their new studio album, Stand United, via AFM. In celebration, the band have issued a music video for the title track. Watch "Stand United" below:





For more than twenty years, Firewind have enthralled heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs by guitar legend Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil), big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.




Their new offering, Stand United, features nine brand new songs produced with Dennis Ward (Magnum, Unisonic), as well as a cover of the 80s pop rock classic "Talking in Your Sleep", originally recorded by The Romantics but giving it a metal twist in the style of Firewind.


Their tenth studio album also bears testament to the band's sheer enthusiasm and lyrical topics that could not be more relevant. “I wouldn’t exactly call Stand United a classic concept album, but the album title indicates what we’re about thematically,” explains Gus G, who has also contributed with more lyric ideas on this one than any album before. “This world seems to be getting more and more out of balance, what with environmental disasters, the pandemic, the wars currently raging all over the globe. In such times, it’s more important than ever for mankind to stand close together instead of fighting each other. That’s what Stand United is about!”


This basic idea is also reflected in the cover artwork courtesy of Costin Chioreanu (Grave, Mayhem, among others). Says Gus: “I always loved the artwork of our debut album, which was based on a real hand painting. With Stand United being our tenth album, I wanted an equally authentic template and that’s how I came across Costin. The collage of faces on the cover represent war, greed, betrayal, but also love and unity, which are some of the album’s lyrical themes. I’m just as proud of the artwork as I am of the songs on our new album!”


Stand United can be ordered here.





Stand United tracklisting:


"Salvation Day"
"Stand United"
"Destiny Is Calling"
"The Power Lies Within"
"Come Undone"
"Fallen Angel"
"Chains"
"Land Of Chaos"
"Talking In Your Sleep"
"Days Of Grace"


"Fallen Angel" video:





"Come Undone" lyric video:





"Salvation Day" video:





Firewind is:


Gus G. (guitars)
Herbie Langhans (vocals)
Petros Christo (bass)
Jo Nunez (drums)

Professionally filmed video of Alter Bridge performing "Blackbird" at Resurrection Fest on June 29, 2023 in Viveiro, Spain can be viewed below.


Previously released footage of the band performing "Metalingus" at the same show is also available.










Premier Guitar's John Bohlinger hung with Alter Bridge’s two-man guitar army, Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy, before the band's sold-out show at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, TN last year. Tremonti and Kennedy showcased some beautiful signature Paul Reed Smith guitars, as well as a not-yet-released PRS signature amp.


Check out the video below.

In a new interview with The Jeremy White Show, longtime FOREIGNER bassist Rick Wills addressed former FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm's claim that "greed" was the reason Lou wasn't listed as one of the songwriters for the band's smash hit song "I Want To Know What Love Is". The power ballad, which is credited solely to FOREIGNER's founding guitarist Mick Jones, was released in November 1984 as the lead single from the group's fifth album, "Agent Provocateur".

"Well, in the case of 'I Want To Know What Love Is', that was Mick's song," Rick said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I mean, it really is. To be perfectly honest, at the time Lou was getting a little bit — he was sort of saying, 'There's too many ballads, Mick. It's too soft. It's all keyboard-orientated. I want more guitar stuff. I want it to be guitar-based and more rocky.' And Mick was just going down that road at the time. He wrote so much stuff on guitar that once he discovered what he could do on a keyboard, and you'll notice, if you know the music, it's mostly in sharps and flats, because he writes everything on the black notes on a keyboard… But that's just the way he writes, and that's the way he does it."

Rick continued: "[Mick and Lou] worked together in a very good way. Mick usually had the musical idea for the song, whereas Lou often had the lyric idea more so than Mick. And as far as I remember, and I think I'm right in saying, Mick had that whole thing in his head, 'I Want To Know What Love Is', it was something he came up with, he knew what he had, and he just wanted us to get it across. The way it came across was right. I mean, it wasn't just done in a heartbeat; it took some time to get it right. Mick's very particular about how things are layered, how things are done. And sometimes that can seem a bit laborious, but nevertheless, it's worked."

Less than two years ago, Gramm discussed his supposed lack of contribution to "I Want To Know What Love Is" during an interview with The Sessions. Speaking about his involvement with "I Want To Know What Love Is" and another FOREIGNER smash hit, 1981's "Waiting For A Girl Like You", he said: "I did help co-write them, although I didn't get any credit for 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.

"I've always loved writing melodies and lyrics," he continued. "I liked working on arrangements and everything too. And [Mick] was the master of arrangements. So we crafted both of those songs together; [I'm] extremely proud of both of 'em.

"After we would record an album, Mick and I would sit down and we'd run down a list of the songs, and he would say, 'What do you think you want on this song?' And I would say, 'I think this one I contributed quite a bit. I would ask for about 40 percent.' And he said, 'That's fine.' And there were a lot of songs, like 'Hot Blooded' and things like that, that were [split] 50-50 — a lot of songs. And 'Waiting For A Girl', he really wrote most of that, but I had a good part of that too. I think that was 65-30, and then Ian McDonald had a little piece of that too. I was fine with it.

"But then 'I Want To Know What Love Is'… The two of us… [Mick's] home was about 15 minutes from my home. So I would drive over to his house and we would work on that song," Gramm explained. "There'd be moments where it was just magic and then we'd hit our head on something creatively that we couldn't get to the next point. And so we almost had to put the song away for a couple of weeks and come back to it again. I felt we had worked our tails off to make that song what it is. And at the end of that album, when it was time to decide what the percentages were, I wrote down what I thought it should be and he wrote down what he thought it should be. I think I wrote down 65-35 — 35 for me, 65 for him. And I opened the little piece of paper that [contained his note on] what he thought [the correct split] was, and he wrote down 95-5. I was so stunned and crushed that he'd think I contributed next to nothing to that song.

"And here's another [detail] for you," Lou added. "[Mick] was working with a choir in one studio while we were recording that song. I was in another studio with an engineer singing the lead vocals. I did them by myself — I did all the ad-libs, I did all the emotional little nuances and stuff. And usually when I'd sing the lead to a song, especially a song as potentially important as that one, he was right in the control room commenting on every line: 'This could be better,' 'You could do that,' 'You could do this.' I did the whole thing myself while he was working with the choir. And that ended up being the lead vocal. I don't even remember him saying, 'Good job, Lou.' But that was the lead vocal. I thought that was a pretty serious accomplishment for me, only to be denigrated to [being] an author of five percent. That put a wedge in us that was the beginning of the end.

"After it was recorded, we would discuss who put what into the song, and here's what the split should be. And for the most part, we were always within five to 10 percent and we'd iron it out. I said 65-35 — 65 to him, 35 to me — and he comes back with 95-5? I should get 25 [percent] just for the vocal performance. All I could think of was greed. It was an awesome song. We all knew it was gonna be a smash. This was his chance to step on me. And you know what I told him after [I saw his proposed split of] 95-5? I said, 'Five, Mick?' I said, 'You should just keep it all.' And he did. He didn't say, 'No. Please. Let's work it out.' I said, 'Five percent for me after all the work I did on the song?' I said, 'You should just keep it all.' And he didn't say anything. He just kept it all. And you know the millions and millions that that song has brought in? Over the years, it's been covered by at least three or four artists who have gone to Number One with that song."

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want To Know What Love Is".

The 73-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary.

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Kelly Hansen in 2005. Jones, the only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012.

Gramm and Jones's June 2013 performance of "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Juke Box Hero" at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City marked the first time the pair performed together in a decade after Gramm left FOREIGNER for a second time. Hansen has fronted the group for the past 19 years.

In a new interview with Larry Mac of the 96.1 KLPX radio station, CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer was asked if he has commenced work on material for the follow-up to his sophomore solo album, "Rise", which was released in September 2019 via Cleopatra Records. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Song ideas kind of come in dribs and drabs and melodies here that I sing into a voice memo and jot down a few lyrics. And those things kind of start to accumulate, and just when you least expect it, when you don't think you really have anything and you start to get in that place, it's, like, 'Oh, man. I'm never gonna make another record again. When's it gonna happen?' And then, all of a sudden, boom, you're making a record. It's just kind of, like, all these ideas will accumulate and then you realize you have something. It's hard to predict when that'll happen. We had thought about and wanted to make a follow-up record to [2013's] 'The Way Life Goes' and we were touring so much behind that one and building this new band out on the road, it just seemed like it was never gonna happen. And, actually, when we got off the road in 2018, without any premeditated planning or anything, we just kind of suddenly found ourselves in the studio and recording the 'Rise' record. And before we knew it, it was done and released. So you kind of just know when the time is right. This period of creativity, at least for me, it just kind of hits you over the head like a bolt of lightning."

Keifer went on to say that he lets his music develop organically. "I've always approached it that way, particularly songwriting," he explained. "And with the solo stuff, I co-write almost everything exclusively with [my wife] Savannah. She's a pretty amazing writer, and she works the same way too. She's not someone that likes to force writing. There's some writers that say, 'I'm gonna get up tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and write a song,' and they're really great at that. It's not how I work or how we work together. Trying to stash away different ideas and inspirations and then, at some point — I don't know — something just kind of comes over you and you go and you look through them and you just go, 'Wow, that's a great idea, and you start to finish them. You take the inspiration and turn it into — it ultimately becomes the song and then [you] record it. And, obviously, the recording and capturing the right energy for the song is a whole other creative process, beyond the songwriting. But before you even consider making a record, for me, the foundation of that is great songs, which start with a great lyric and melody, is always what I'm on the hunt for — more so than even guitar riffs. Writing is always — for me, the lyrics and melody kind of come first, and then what that inspiration or that lyric is about kind of dictates what the music should be, and that inspires the riffs, if that makes sense."

Tom's #KEIFERBAND is rounded out by Savannah Keifer, Tony Higbee, Billy Mercer, Kendra Chantelle, Jarred Pope and Kory Myers.

Last year, Keifer told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he hadn't "recorded anything" new since "Rise". "Some song ideas are starting to bubble," he said.

"The pandemic kind of threw a wrench in everything, obviously," he explained. "We were in the middle of working 'Rise'; we were on the second single, 'Hype', and were about to go out on that 'Big Rock Summer Tour' [with RATT, SKID ROW and SLAUGHTER]. And 'Hype' was kind of moving up the charts, and then everything got shut down. All the creative juices, all the energy during that couple of years just kind of… I know some people got creative; some people didn't. I didn't. [Laughs] So, it's starting to come back now. I think getting back out on the road last year kind of ignited that spark again. But, yeah, we definitely wanna do a follow-up to it.

"I would say records come in their time; I don't like to rush them," Keifer added. "But, yeah, there will for sure be a follow-up. And that antenna is starting to go up and song ideas are starting to kind of come in. Yeah, it's coming."

According to Tom, the pandemic-related break from touring came just at the right time. "I kind of needed it," he said. "We toured so much with this band leading right up to the last tour, right before the pandemic. We were actually out early that year, in 2020, 'cause the 'Rise' tour was still kind of continuing; we were still working the record. So it was 10 years straight for me — or not quite 10 years at that point. But there were three CINDERELLA tours prior to that. So I'd been on the road, like, 12 years straight. So I was crispy by the time that pandemic hit. None of us wanted that forced on us, obviously, but I guess it forced me to take a break, which I probably needed."

Although CINDERELLA hasn't released a new studio album since 1994's "Still Climbing", the band started playing sporadic shows again in 2010 but has been largely inactive for the last few years while Keifer focused on his solo career.

In March 2022, Keifer said that he was "not prepared" for the 2021 passing of CINDERELLA guitarist Jeff LaBar. Jeff was found dead by his wife in July 2021 inside his apartment in Nashville. He was 58 years old.

GODSMACK has released the official music video for the song "Truth". The clip, which was directed by GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna and Francesca Ludikar, can be seen below.

"Truth" is taken from GODSMACK's latest album, "Lighting Up The Sky", which was released in February 2023 via BMG. The LP was co-produced by Erna and Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALICE COOPER).

Earlier this month, Sully told the I-Rock 93.5 radio station about "Truth" (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "If anyone knows anything about me, they know that I always write about real-life events that have affected me on an emotional level, good or bad. And, unfortunately, this wasn't one of the better ones in my life, but it was about as real as it gets. And, ironically, this event happened to me in my life right when I was recording and writing this last record. So we were already in the studio for a month or two, and we were writing and tracking some of these songs. And then this happens to me in my life, where a seven-year relationship gets betrayed. It shut me down, it broke me for a minute. I had to shut down the whole project. The guys were very understanding, but I had to leave at that point."

He continued: "I had built a life there. I had relocated to Florida, living near the [other] guys [in GODSMACK]. We built a recording studio. I was building a life with this person who betrayed me. And then, unfortunately, I had to go and heal. So we took about six or seven months, and I went home to New Hampshire and just kind of processed everything and did my best to get past it. But in that interval, this song came to me. And whenever something like this passes through me, I have to capture it when it's happening or it'll go away very quickly. And I just knew it was gonna be a painful one — it was gonna be raw, it was gonna be emotional, it was gonna be really vulnerable. And I'm sitting there going, like, 'Oh, do I wanna expose this to the public?' But it's such a beautiful song, and I'm thinking, like, 'What do I do?' I wanted to play it for the guys, but I couldn't really even sing it for them, sitting at a piano and trying to perform it for them so they got a sense of what it was. And it was just hard, man. It was hard. I was breaking down a lot because I was still processing this shit. They say that the people that can hurt you the most are the ones that you love the most. So it was that kind of situation.

"But anyways, long story short, man, the song gets done," Erna added. "We track it, and we're just sitting there listening to it. We're going, like, 'Oh, this is a really big, beautiful rock ballad. We have to put this on the record.' And I'm thinking, 'Man, you know what's gonna happen. This song is gonna end up being a Number One [single]. I'll have to sing it for the rest of my life' [laughs] 'and it'll always be that painful moment.' But it is what it is. And it's part of the sacrifice that we give to you people as artists, is baring our souls and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable at times to let you on the inside to let you see that we're no different than anyone else out there. We're humans and human things happen to us just like anyone else, but in the end, we all know that beautiful art sometimes comes from a dark place."

Asked if writing "Truth" was difficult considering that he had just gone through a betrayal or if it was part of the healing process for him, Sully said: "Well, both. I mean, certainly difficult. And everybody, I'm sure, can relate to this 'cause everybody's experienced some kind of betrayal in one form or another in their life, whether it was from a parent or a relationship or a friend. But you sit in that hole sometimes and you've just gotta let time go by. There's nothing you can really do. People can give you the best advice, they can console you, they can try to drag you out — there's nothing you can do. You can't move past it until you move past it. So when you sit in that hole, for an artist, there's just times where you don't wanna get up and go to the kitchen, you don't wanna go to the bedroom, you don't wanna go to the bathroom, you don't wanna eat, you don't wanna watch TV. You're just sitting on a couch thinking and thinking and thinking. A lot of times I'll have an acoustic in my hand and I'm just kind of pedaling and noodling around. So the song comes and I'm, like, 'Ugh, here we go.' But I was just, like, 'Oh, my god. It's so pretty.' In the back of my mind, I'm all upset and bummed out, but I'm thinking, 'Oh, this is really nice. I love these chords. They're dark, they're beautiful, they're heavy, emotional.' And so it just came out. So, yeah, it was hard to write because I was really raw. It was so raw at the time. But then it happens, and you're just happy that it happened. So, it's just both."

Nine of GODSMACK's releases have been certified gold or better and two (1998's "Godsmack" and 2000's "Awake") are multi-platinum. The group has also been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has won 16 of its hometown Boston Music Awards as well as a Billboard Music Award for rock artist of the year in 2001.

Last month, Erna spoke about GODSMACK's announcement that "Lighting Up The Sky" will likely be its final collection of new material. Asked by SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" if there is a chance that he will change his mind about releasing new music in the future, Sully said: "It's funny. I just had this talk with my record label yesterday. We had a meeting about some other stuff, and I told them that, like, listen… 'Cause they're a little bummed out. They're, like, 'Ah, is this the last [album]?' And I said, 'Listen, you can never say never.' But I do know this: [late RUSH drummer] Neil Peart said this to me once — all great things must come to an end eventually. It doesn't matter how great you are, who you are. But all great things are gonna come to an end at some point. And I just never forgot that. And I'm, like, at what point do you just start living your life for you and not always be on a schedule, not always be in a recording studio, not always be signing autographs, taking pictures, touring, playing shows, doing podcasts, doing videos. It's a lot, man. It consumes your life, and it's what I've always wanted, and I'm so proud of it, and I'm so grateful for this career. I have nothing to complain about. But am I gonna do this forever, until I'm in my grave? I don't know. I know right now I'm still good, and I like it. And I'm enjoying it. I'm getting tired. And there is more things I wanna do with my life. Music's not everything I wanna do with my life."

Erna continued: "So, I don't know. I know right now we're gonna finish this album cycle. We'll take a break. I have a feeling I'll end up doing some solo stuff. I don't even know what that's gonna sound like yet, but I may want to do a little bit more of a rock album on the solo side. But I don't know.

"I have a feeling that in time, I'm just gonna be writing," he added. "And I'm gonna do what I've always done. I'll finish a song and it'll go in one folder 'cause it sounds like solo music to me. And I'll finish another song and it'll be banging and heavy and I'll be, like, 'It's going in that folder 'cause that's a GODSMACK song.' And then eventually I'm gonna have a record. And, of course, I'm gonna release it. [Laughs] And then here we go again."

Regarding how he and his GODSMACK bandmates arrived at the decision to make "Lighting Up The Sky" their final album, Sully said: "It's just what we feel at the moment. We tripped across this conversation. The more we thought about it, the more we were like… We're starting to bum out a little bit live because there's a lot more songs that we wanna play. And again, I'm not complaining. We've been very blessed to have a good career and a good run of Top 10 singles — we're at, I think, 27 Top 10 singles with 13 Number Ones. So that means — I don't know — if we get two or three off this record, we're gonna be at 30 Top 10 singles. That means we could do 15 songs a night, play back-to-back nights in the same venue and never play the same single twice, let alone the deep cuts. So we're going, like, 'Fuck, at what point do we honor the catalog and do what we want as fans when we go to see our favorite bands, like AEROSMITH or METALLICA, whatever? Are we really going to see their new record? Hmmm, no. I'm just being honest. I'm glad you put it out. I'm gonna check it out, but am I gonna love it as much as 'Train Kept A-Rollin'' and 'Dream On' and 'Same Old Song And Dance' and 'Walk This Way'? No. That's the shit I'm going to see. I wanna see it. Play those songs. Don't spend 45 minutes playing your new record because that's not the nostalgia of why you've been around for 40, 50 years."

He continued: "So we're just trying to like set ourselves up to at least give our fans what I think they expect us to do. And with this many singles, we're, like, man, how many more things are we gonna pile on our plate here before we can't even get to all of them, which is now. And that's kind of part of the reasoning behind it. So we were, like, 'Yeah, maybe it's the right time. Maybe we just go out and honor the catalog and go play live shows,' which is what we love to do, what the people love to see us do. And, again, if we write some new music, we write some new music. I don't know what's gonna happen with that right now. But we do love playing shows, and that's what we're gonna do for now."

Earlier this month, GODSMACK embarked on the "Vibez Tour". The band is delivering a series of intimate evenings featuring acoustic/electric performances and untold stories in theatres across North America. The first leg kicked off on February 15 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, while the second leg will launch April 9 in Valley Center, California.

The first single from "Lighting Up The Sky", "Surrender", which arrived in September 2022, marked the first release from GODSMACK in four years, following their globally acclaimed and gold-certified 2018 album "When Legends Rise", which earned the Erna-fronted outfit a No. 1 spot across U.S. Hard Rock, Rock, and Alternative album charts.

Finnish melodic metal band, Justice Theory, have released a new single, "Let It Die Tonight", via Inverse Records. An official video for the song can be viewed below.


"Let It Die Tonight" originated in the fall of 2022. Guitarist and singer Valtteri Saharinen comments on the song:


"This song is one of those that writes itself. It flowed out effortlessly in one go, and there was an immediate sense of magic. Unlike usual, the basic idea for the song this time came from the rhythm of the rhythm guitar. On top of that, a captivating amorphis-style melody effortlessly emerged, audible in the mind from the first beat. 'Let It Die Tonight' is a prime example of letting the flow take over and trusting what comes from the heart—letting everything come out.




The song had a dark atmosphere, reminiscent of our earlier track, 'Fade Into The Night'. Starting from this initial setting, I decided to draw lyrics from the same mood. During that time in my personal life, I was in a phase of dealing with letting go—losing something very dear to oneself. I began to express my thoughts on paper about what it feels like when you realize you're standing at a crossroads and you just have to let go, even though it hurts like hell.


The words are straightforward; I didn't write them necessarily to offer comfort or provide answers to life's big questions. This lyric is just one man's thoughts on what it feels like to let go when it's necessary, and there's no turning back. I believe among you listeners, there are those who have felt the same way, perhaps even worse. You know what I'm talking about. And for those of you who haven't yet experienced the feeling of letting go, I want to say, cherish and appreciate what you have. Tomorrow, that moment could change and become the last."


Pick up the single on digital platforms found here.





Justice Theory:


Valtteri Saharinen: Vocals, guitar
Taneli Ahonen: Guitar
Riku Lehto: Bass
Juuso Liukkonen: Drums


Photo by Teemu Myöhänen / Karma Media

Transatlantic progressive metal outfit, Monuments, have released the video below, featuring a performance of the In Stasis track, "False Providence", filmed in Paris, France in 2023:





Monuments' fourth album, In Stasis, was released in April 2022. Order here.







Tracklisting:


“No One Will Teach You” (feat. Neema Askari)
“Lavos”
“Cardinal Red”
“Opiate”
“Collapse”
“Arch Essence” (feat. Spencer Sotelo)
“Somnus”
“False Providence”
“Makeshift Harmony”
“The Cimmerian”


“Makeshift Harmony” video:





“False Providence” video:





"Cardinal Red" video:





“Lavos” feat. Mick Gordon:





In Stasis credits:


Produced, Recorded and Edited by John Browne, Andy Cizek and Mike Malyan
Co-Produced by Mick Gordon
Additional Engineering by Ross Halden, Justin Woodward and Adam Steel
Additional Editing by Charlie Abend and Evan Sammons
Mixing by George Lever at G1 Productions
Mastering by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street

Danish progressive heavy metal band, Manticora, have released an official video for "Día De Los Muertos", featured on the band's new album, Mycelium.


"Día De Los Muertos" has a lyric approach that deals with death in a rather uncommon way. "Upon driving in the mountains of Italy, I had a deep pondering on the vastness of the mountains and about all the souls that had been born, had lived and died while those mountains just stood there", vocalist Lars F. Larsen recalls. "It made me want to write lyrics in Latin about remembering the dead. Turned out to be the Spanish title for "Day Of the Dead" and it fit the concept on the new album Mycelium album perfectly - we thereby pay tribute to the beautiful traditions from all over the world, where people celebrate life, through celebrating death."


In how the song relates to the whole Mycelium concept, Lars says: "The song is about the urgent need for us to remember our dead ancestors, in order to stop a demon invasion from beyond our own realm and the music is really the most trademark Manticora song on the whole album."







Thrash, prog, power, black, death, plus pure heavy metal and everything else your metal heart desires, put into one album, is usually what Manticora is all about. The band, that started out in 1997 - nine albums ago - as a power metal outfit, has transformed and thereby developed their own unique style of heavy metal - a melting pot of everything you want to hear, as a genuine metal fan. Welcome to Mycelium.


After their grandiose two-album concept from 2018/2020 plus a 334-page novel (written by the band's singer Lars F. Larsen), which the albums were based on, the Danes have scaled down a bit and written another majestic concept album, but this time only spanning a 48-minute mark, in total.


Mycelium, the new opus, is less symphonic and with an angrier, raw approach, with aggressiveness as the main-focus. Manticora has created a DIY album, where the only outside influence has been the mastering (done by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios). Everything else is crafted by the band: concept, lyrics, music, production, artwork - you name it, Manticora provides. High-octane metal, which is only recommended for the strong at heart.


Mycelium is available on CD, LP (black vinyl, limited to 500) and digital formats via Mighty Music. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Winter Solstice"
"Necropolitans"
"Demonday"
"Angel Of The Spring"
"Golem Sapiens"
"Mycelium"
"Beast Of The Fall"
"Equinox"
"Mementopolis"
"Día De Los Muertos"


"Mycelium" video:





"Necropolitans" lyric video:





Lineup:


Kristian Larsen - guitars
Lars F. Larsen - vocals
Stefan Johansson - guitars
Kasper Gram - bass

Iconic death thrash metal band Pentagram (Chile) was formed in Santiago, Chile in 1985. At the time, the country was roiling from political upheaval, but that didn't stop Anton Reisenegger, Juan Pablo Uribe, and (former drummer) Eduardo Topelberg from ingesting and eventually emulating the brutalist, evilest forms of metal from around the world.


Pentagram (Chile) recently announced their new album, Eternal Life Of Madness, and today share a lyric video for the track "The Portal". Watch below.


Pentagram (Chile)  is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Anton Reisenegger, guitarist Juan Pablo Uribe, drummer Juan Pablo Donoso, and bassist Juan Francisco Cueto. The band marched forward from their debut The Malefice (2013) while preserving the savage DNA that informed Darkthrone, At The Gates, Dismember, Napalm Death, and many others.




Eternal Life of Madness, which is a far-off salute to the group's classic Spell Of The Pentagram from their 1987 first Demo, features the crushing heft of "Possessor," "El Imbunche," "The Portal," and "Deus Est Machina."


"When the pandemic hit, and I was in lockdown at home in Spain, I started writing riffs for a new Lock Up album," says Reisenegger, who plays guitar in grind legends Brujeria and Chilean groove-thrash masters Criminal. "I realized some of the stuff I wrote had the original Pentagram (Chile) feeling, so I put those ideas aside. They started piling up, so when the Lock Up ’The Dregs of Hades' record was done, I began arranging them and working remotely with our drummer, Juan Pablo Donoso. I didn't even realize I had all that material in me, but it was somehow untapped. We had a 'false start' a few years before when original guitarist JP Uribe, JP Donoso, and I got together and started jamming on some new riffs. 'The Portal' came out of those sessions.”


Though never explicitly political lyrically, Pentagram (Chile) have issued angst-ridden proclamations throughout their 39-year existence. The relics of the waning (and most repressive) years of Augusto Pinochet's reign have long memories, manifesting via supernatural and horrific lyrics. Previous songs, such as “The Apparition”, “Sacrophobia” and “Prophetic Tremors” (all from The Malefice), have dealt with superstition, mental disorder, and cataclysm. The Eternal Life Of Madness is no different. Anton Reisenegger brings to bear his favorite themes, imbuing them with the world's weight. From the folkloric “El Imbunche” and the god-challenge of “Omniscient Tyrant” to the horror-themed “Possessor” and the apocalyptic visions of “No One Shall Survive” these are some of Pentagram (Chile)'s most intense lyrics to date.


Eternal Life Of Madness will be released on April 26, 2024 on Listenable.





Tracklisting:


“El Imbunche”
“Possessor”
“Omniscient Tyrant”
“The Portal”
“Eternal Life Of Madness”
“Icons Of Decay”
“Devourer Of Life”
“State Of Grace”
“The Seeds Of The Deed”
“Deus Est Machina”
“No One Shall Survive”


"The Portal" lyric video:

Eclipse, the Swedish powerhouse of heavy rock, is set to shake the music scene once again with the release of their latest single and video, "Apocalypse Blues".





Brace yourself for a sonic journey set to enrapture audiences across the globe. Described by the band as a fusion of groove amidst chaos, "Apocalypse Blues" offers a soundtrack to navigate doomsday with a smirk and a sway. “Why settle for a sunset when you can dance through a mushroom cloud?”




Scheduled for release on April 5, the exclusive 7’’ promises fans a tangible piece of Eclipse's signature sound, delivering a 360° experience with the exclusive Eclipse Solar Glasses. With "Apocalypse Blues" leading the charge, alongside the equally compelling "Oathbreaker" this limited-edition release is sure to become a collector's item for avid followers and music enthusiasts alike.





Eclipse is thrilled about this exclusive release: "Our inaugural 7-inch! While it might not be the most practical during the apocalypse, at least you can safely witness the Eclipse in April with the bundled glasses, sparing your eyes from harm. That's a win in our book."


Check Out the music video for "Apocalypse Blues" below:





Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by the multi-talented Erik Martensson at Mass Destruction Production studio, "Apocalypse Blues" embodies Eclipse's unwavering commitment to crafting unforgettable anthems. The band's lineup, consisting of Erik Martensson (vocals, guitar), Magnus Henriksson (guitar), Philip Crusner (drums), and Victor Crusner (bass), synergizes seamlessly to deliver a sonic experience that is both powerful and nuanced.


With over a decade of relentless dedication to their craft, Eclipse has garnered a dedicated global following and established itself as one of Sweden's premier rock acts. Their electrifying live performances have graced stages across the globe, from the United States to Japan, Australia, and throughout Europe, including prestigious festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Graspop, and Sweden Rock. Eclipse's versatility and undeniable charisma have seen them share stages with iconic acts such as Aerosmith, My Chemical Romance, and Scorpions.


The band's meteoric rise is further evidenced by its impressive online presence, boasting well over 100 million streams and approximately half a million monthly listeners across major music platforms. Eclipse's impact on the rock landscape is undeniable, solidifying its status as one of the most influential bands of recent years.


As anticipation mounts for the release of "Apocalypse Blues" and the upcoming South American and European tour, Eclipse stands poised to redefine the boundaries of contemporary rock music once again. With their unrivaled passion and unmistakable talent, Eclipse continues to blaze a trail for generations to come.


Pre-Order "Apocalypse Blues" here.


Eclipse tour dates:


March
23 - Slaktkyrkan - Johanneshov, Sweden


April
25 - Teatro Cariola - Santiago, Chile
26 - El Teatrito - Comuna 1, Argentina
28 - Summer Breeze 2024 - São Paulo, Brazil


June
14 - Musikhalle Markneukirchen Betriebs- Markneukirchen, Germany
15 - Apassionata Showpalast München - Munich, Germany
29 - Topfest Slovakia 2024 - Dolný Hričov, Slovakia


July
4 - Piazza Ariostea - Ferrara, Italy
7 - Rock Fest Barcelona 2024 - Barcelona, Spain


August
9 - Alcatraz 2024 - Kortrijk, Belgium
14-17 - Summer Breeze Open Air 2024 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany
24 - Stonedead Festival 2024 - Newark, United Kingdom


Eclipse are:


Erik Martensson - vocals, guitar
Magnus Henriksson - guitar
Philip Crusner - drums
Victor Crusner - bass


(Photo - Jakob Dahlstrom)

Symphonic power metal masters, Rhapsody Of Fire, return with Challenge The Wind - the third part of their Nephilim saga - to be released on May 31 via AFM Records. Pre-order the album here, and watch a video for the title track, below.


Ask any power metal fan and they will remark about how in 30 years, Rhapsody Of Fire not only shaped a genre but developed as a band and created a legacy as the undisputed kings of symphonic power metal.


Having built their standing upon classics like Legendary Tales (1997), Symphony Of Enchanted Lands (1998) or Dawn Of Victory (2000), Rhapsody Of Fire once again show what they do best: epic orchestral arrangements, grandiose choirs, fast and melodic guitars and a gripping story, that ties this opus of symphonic-power-finesse together. For the final touch, Rhapsody Of Fire once again turned to one of the metal scene's most acclaimed sound engineer, Orden Ogan's Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann.







Tracklisting:


"Challenge The Wind"
"Whispers Of Doom"
"The Bloody Pariah"
"Vanquished By Shadows"
"Kreel’s Magic Staff"
"Diamond Claws"
"Black Wizard"
"A Brave New Hope"
"Holy Downfall"
"Mastered By The Dark"


"Challenge The Wind" video:





(Photo - Massimo Battista)

In anticipation of their US tour with headliners and labelmates KK's Priest kicking off next week, Swiss heavy metal force Burning Witches have revealed a new music video for their cover of the Ozzy Osbourne classic, "Shot In The Dark", a bonus track cut from select versions of their recent fifth full-length, The Dark Tower.


Following the album's #7 debut on the US Current Hard Music Albums chart, Burning Witches showcase what fans can expect from their explosive live show with the cover's retro-style music video.


Guitarist Romana Kalkuhl on the the "Shot In The Dark" cover and video: "We are really thrilled to present our cool 80s retro-looking Ozzy cover music video, right before our US tour begins with KK's Priest and L.A. Guns on the east coast! This song influenced our youth and that guitar tone is really timeless - we hope you enjoy the atmosphere and the little drive with us, because:




'For tonight we fight, It's our adrenaline ride, Hold your horns up high,
Hear our battle cry: WE STAND AS ONE!'"





Make sure to catch Burning Witches supporting KK's Priest and special guests L.A. Guns on tour in the US, beginning next week on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dates are selling fast - get your tickets now before they are gone!





Tour dates:


March
7 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
9 - Destin, FL - Club LA
10 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theater
12 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
13 - Buffalo, NY - Riverworks
15 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre
16 - Columbus, OH - King Of Clubs
17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage Ae
19 - Newport, KY - Megacorp Pavilion
20 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
22 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
23 - Patchogue, NY - Patchogue Theatre
24 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre


(Photo - Martin Rahn)

About two decades since the release of their latest studio album Heathen Machine, UK heavy metal titans, Balance Of Power, are back with new band members and a brand new album. Fresh From The Abyss will be released on April 19 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available here.


Founding members Tony Ritchie (bass) and Lionel Hicks (drums) are joined the band's new lead vocalist Hazel Jade as well as guitarists Chris Young and Adam Wardle, who have since taken over the reins from guitarists Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner, with whom the band worked on and recorded the upcoming album Fresh From The Abyss. After Balance Of Power just recently unveiled a first track, "Never Be Here Again", now, they are presenting a music video for their latest, new single "Abyss".


"Abyss" is out now on all digital services. Watch the video below.




"It's a song about being ready to face the world. Standing up and shouting in life's face," says Tony about the new single. "We've all been through some dark things over the last couple of years, which may have dulled our senses, so take a deep breath and go and get some life. The full title of the song was 'Fresh From The Abyss', which is now the album title. The phrase came from a misheard lyric from the band In This Moment. I can't remember which song, but when I checked the lyrics it was nothing like the words I heard. I love the simplicity of the guitar riff. It just works so well."


Written before, during and after the pandemic, the band took a more organic approach and tested themselves with new and different ways of writing their songs. Largely about life and death, Fresh From The Abyss is a collection of songs that either stops the clock and points to a moment in time or stands back and encompasses the vastness of time and space, and living and dying. Welcome back, Balance Of Power!





Tracklisting:


"Last Man Down"
"Never Be Here Again"
"Monster"
"Rage Of Ages"
"Abyss"
"Velocity"
"Deadlands"
"One More Time Around The Sun"


"Abyss" video:





"Never Be Here Again" video:





Balance Of Power is:


Hazel Jade - Lead Vocals
Chris Young - Guitars
Adam Wardle - Guitars
Tony Ritchie - Bass, Vocals
Lionel Hicks – Drums


Album lineup:


Hazel Jade – Lead Vocals
Chris Masimore – Guitars
Stoney Wagner – Guitars
Tony Ritchie – Bass, Vocals
Julien Spreutels – Keyboards
Lionel Hicks – Drums 

Premier Guitar has posted a 50-minute rig rundown with PANTERA bassist Rex Brown and guitarist Zakk Wylde. Check it out below.

Speaking about PANTERA's ongoing world tour, Rex said: "We're having the time of our lives out here. Philip [Anselmo, PANTERA singer] and I said, when it started, it's, like… I've been playing with that kid since he was 18 years old… and we worked really hard to get where we're at as a band, really. And here we are, and it's just an amazing feeling."

Reflecting on his four-decade career, which included a stint with DOWN and a solo album, Rex said: "I took myself out of the game for a little bit. I had some kids to raise and they probably needed a father at that time. And that's just life. That's the way we deal with it. One thing at a time."

PANTERA played the first concert of 2024 on February 3 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The band's 14-song set, which marked the opening show of PANTERA's February North American tour with LAMB OF GOD, included the first performance of the track "Floods" since May 2001.

"Floods" originally appeared on PANTERA's 1996 album "The Great Southern Trendkill". An early mix of the song was released on the 20th-anniversary edition of the LP.

The reformed band — featuring PANTERA's surviving members Anselmo and Brown, along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) — is headlining a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and staging some of their own headline concerts. They are also supporting METALLICA on a massive stadium tour in 2024.

It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who in 2021 said Wylde wouldn't tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It's unclear what changed his mind.

Anselmo and Brown spoke about PANTERA's return to the stage during an appearance on the seventeenth episode of "The Metallica Report", the podcast offering weekly insider updates on all things METALLICA. Philip said: "It's empowering. It is incredibly beautiful, and you feel so much love when you're up there. And if you take it in, it's a great feeling, man. These days, man, that's where me and Rex, you know, we get to dig the shows more."

He continued: "When we were younger, we were at war and when we were on stage; we were just angry and at war, man. Now it's — the songs are there. I can concentrate on singing the fricking songs, number one. Geez, that's a relief for me, man. I don't have to break my fricking body in part anymore."

Anselmo and Brown also talked about Charlie and Zakk being part of the PANTERA team. Philip said: "Them two dudes, so enthusiastic. And they got their damn thing and they got their own damn legacy, both of them, without us. It's an honor to play with them. They're the nicest frickin guys in the world, man. I'm just so... [Laughs] Zakk, he's a crack-up, man. He's a sweetheart. And fricking Charlie, we've known Charlie since '87, man. It's a long time."

Rex chimed in: "The way [Charlie] plays Vinnie's parts is uncanny. I don't think there's any drummer out there that could play the way that Vinnie did. I would close my eyes, because I was trying to get tight, and sometimes if I close my eyes, I can hear a little better; I think I can. And there'd be a tear of joy just coming down, because that was so close to what Vinnie and I used to play. So you have the foundation."

Philip concurred, saying: "The low end sounds so PANTERA, man. It's freaking me out."

When the interviewer suggested that PANTERA in 2023 had Vinnie Paul and Dimebag's "spirit inside it", Philip said: "Only thing I can say is, man, I know for a damn fact Vince and Dime would want us to do this, hands down. They would want the PANTERA brand or the legacy to go on. And I don't know what you believe in, but sometimes, you know, you would like to think that them old fellas are looking down on us, giving us the thumbs-up."

While he was alive, Vinnie Paul had repeatedly dismissed talks of a PANTERA reunion, telling Germany's EMP Rock Invasion in 2014: "People are selfish, man. They want what they want; they don't care what you want. And it's unfortunate that people go, 'Oh, wow, man, they can get Zakk Wylde to jump up there on stage and it's PANTERA again.' No, it's not, you know. It's not that simple. If Eddie Van Halen was to get shot in the head four times next week, would everybody be going, 'Hey, man, Zakk, go play for VAN HALEN. Just call it VAN HALEN.' You see what I'm saying? I mean, it's really selfish for people to think that, and it's stupid. It's not right at all."

He continued: "They call it a reunion for a reason. It's called bringing the original members back to what it was. So there's a lot of these things that they call reunions that aren't really reunions. They've got one dude from the band floating around in them, you know. That's not a true reunion. With PANTERA, it'll never be possible."

He repeated those same sentiments a few months later, telling PlanetMosh in a separate interview: "Without Dimebag Darrell, there is no [PANTERA] reunion. And that's all there is to it. We were a very influential band, and we touched millions and millions of people with that band, but it's over. People really have to come to grips with that, and that's all there is to it. If all of us were still here, then the possibility would truly be there, but since it's not, you know… It's selfish of the fans to want something that they can't have. And they don't ever understand that, and I get it. There's things I want in this world too. You know, people in fucking hell want ice water, but they're not gonna get it."

Up until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.

Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney in 2011 called on Vinnie and Philip to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag.

Vinnie, who was Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Haney told the producers of "Behind The Music Remastered: Pantera" that she forgave the singer after they found themselves unexpectedly face to face at a concert in California.

Photo credit: Epiphone

Greg Prato, reporting for Ultimate-Guitar.com:


April 5, 2024 will mark 50 years since the release of Blue Öyster Cult's third full-length studio effort, Secret Treaties. And while it did not spawn any radio hits on par with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", "Godzilla," or "Burnin' For You", it did include one of their best-known album tracks, the 6-minute-plus epic, "Astronomy," which Metallica would later cover on their 1998 offering, Garage Inc..


While recently being interviewed by Ultimate Guitar, one of the group's two singers and guitarists, Buck Dharma, looked back on the recording of the aforementioned LP, which also spawned such additional fan favorites as "Dominance And Submission", "ME 262", and "Harvester Of Eyes", among other heavy rockers.




"It was recorded in CBS's big studio, which was on the east side of 23rd Street or thereabouts. It was an old church, and was where they used to do their orchestral recordings. When we did the tracks there, we basically had to gobo it down to a size where we could all set up in a stage configuration and relatively close-mic the instruments. Because it was a huge, huge room.


"Also, it abutted to an apartment building, and they had a noise ordinance. You couldn't play beyond a certain hour, because it would annoy the people next door. And it was very quiet, there was not a lot of stuff going on there. In some studios, there's a lot of bustle in multiple rooms and all kinds of people running around. That wasn't the case here. So, we basically had the place to ourselves."


Dharma also shared his thoughts concerning whether he could tell at the time if Secret Treaties was destined to be a classic or not, due to the strength of the material front to back. And what does Dharma think of Metallica's cover of "Astronomy"? Find out at Ultimate-Guitar.com.

Deep Purple drum legend, Ian Paice, has put one of his drum kits up for auction. The money raised will go to helping a local school in the UK. The kit has a starting bid of £5,000.00.


According to the description from the seller, this kit belonging to Ian is kindly being auctioned off to raise funds for Valley Road Primary School in Henley-on-Thames. All proceeds going directly to the school. Ian is very happy to sign inside the shells of the kit and provide pictures with the winning bidder.


This Pearl Masters Custom Drum Kit in white marine pearl finish is owned and has been used by Ian Paice, making it a unique addition to any collection.




The kit features a full set of drums made from high-quality maple wood, providing a rich and warm sound. It is branded with the Pearl logo, a trusted name in the music industry. The kit is suitable for professionals, hobbyists, and musicians of all levels.


Watch the video below, and find the auction page at eBay.

One of the first-ever Christian hard rock/metal bands is the Illinois-based, Whitecross. The band started in the early ‘80s, touring steadily from 1988 to 1994 and averaging 150 performances per year. The Dove Awards recognized Whitecross three times: twice for Metal Album of the Year, and once for Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year. In the process, Whitecross helped forge the style now widely known as “white metal.”


Now the band – singer Dave Roberts, guitarist Rex Carroll, bassist Benny Ramos, and drummer Michael Feighan – is back with a brand new album. Produced by Rex Carroll, Fear No Evil arrives on March 22 via Dark Star Records and can be preordered at integralmerchservices.com.


“Fear No Evil is the first studio album that Rex has had total artistic control of from beginning to end, including the writing, recording, mixing, mastering, and release,” explains the album's Executive Producer, Susan Smith. “Every previous album has at least one song that Rex would have done differently. Rex never relinquished the right to include a guitar solo and finds it a personal challenge to match the success of Nagasake. This album has grown with the influence of Dave Roberts, and while keeping the original heavy rock and roll heart and soul of the first release, adds a nuanced nod to classic bands of the ‘60s and ‘70s.”




Concerning standout tunes from the album, all four members have their particular selections but seem to agree on the beautifully orchestrated power ballad “Wishing Well,” which invokes The Beatles and The Moody Blues. The acoustic ballad entitled “Blind Man” has a “Led Zeppelin feel,” according to Feighan, and of course, there are the expected rockin' tunes in the Whitecross tradition. One of these is the album's first video – the title track – debuted on a three-song demo of Rex and Dave getting a feel for the project. Feighan also adds a disclaimer: “This album is very diverse with songs that have a modern rock touch but still that Whitecross sound that fans know and love.”


And with the band about to hit the road in support of the album, Carroll never forgets how important the band's fans are in the grand scheme of things. “I am continuously reminded every day that it's not about me or the band – it's all about the fans. Many of you have become my good friends via social media, and I'm continuously grateful for your support. You bought the albums and the T-shirts and came to the shows, and I'm grateful for that. Thanks again…follow Jesus!”


As far as how Whitecross's brand of metal fits in with modern-day acts, the guitarist also shared his thoughts. “I follow the muse in my own head. I hear new sounds on the radio, but the songs are still the same as they always were. And by that, I mean new bands pop up on the radio - the sounds are fresh, but it’s the same three chords and it’s the same boy-meets-girl lyrics. Modern sounds and modern production techniques are great, and we have taken full advantage of them on our new album. From a technical standpoint, I believe Fear No Evil is the BEST album I’ve ever been involved with. Love the songs, still pushing myself on the guitar, love the sonic blast from Anthony Focx, love the fans, love my band, love all of it.”


And lastly, what are the band's future plans? “Continue to love God, love people, love the band, love the gigs, love to shred until they lay me in the ground in a guitar-shaped casket.”





Tracklisting:


“The Way We Rock”
“Lion Of Judah”
“Jackhammer”
“Man In The Mirror”
“Blind Man”
“Fear No Evil”
“29,000”
“Saints Of Hollywood”
“Vendetta”
“Wishing Well”
“Further On”


“Man In The Mirror” video:





Whitecross live:


March
22 – Indiana, PA – Freedom Church (Fear No Evil album Release Event)
23 – Brunswick, OH – Grace Baptist Church


July
13 – Billings, MT – Crown Of Thorns Festival


August
16 – Greenfield, MA – SoulFest 2024
30 – Versailles, OH – Immortal Fest 2024 – Part II 

Professionally filmed video of Alter Bridge performing "Metalingus" at Resurrection Fest on June 29, 2023 in Viveiro, Spain can be viewed below.





Mark Tremonti is one of rock’s leading guitarists. As the guitarist of Alter Bridge and Creed, he has met extraordinary success and continues to grow as both a guitar player and songwriter. While Creed was on tour in support of their first record, My Own Prison, Mark was contacted by PRS and asked if he would like to try a guitar.




"I jumped at the idea to play one of PRS’ guitars. PRS was one of those guitars that I could never afford in high school or college and had always wanted to play one." 


PRS sent Mark a McCarty model which he instantly fell in love with. He played that guitar exclusively for a while, but ultimately wanted a guitar that was more suited to his playing style.


Mark Tremonti began to collaborate with PRS on his dream guitar that would soon become the Mark Tremonti Signature. He needed pickups that were a little more aggressive and could complement his rhythm playing which contains a lot of palm muting. The neck of the guitar needed to accommodate his style, influenced by thrash metal, shred, and traditional blues. PRS met these needs with the Pattern Thin neck carve.


Watch along as Mark Tremonti talks about the original development of his signature model, when he first met Paul, why there will always be a tremolo and hardtail option for the guitar, and why there’s been very little change to his signature model across 20 years. 


For more information on the Mark Tremonti Signature PRS model go to this location.

In a new interview with "THAT Rocks!", the YouTube series hosted by Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing was asked how he and his KK'S PRIEST bandmates come up with the setlist for their live shows. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I like to put something down because it's so hard. But the thing is it's also hard to go wrong with all of these [PRIEST] songs. I mean, if we threw all of the songs out that we have been playing and are gonna play and change the set completely, it would still be a great set — because I'd probably put in there 'Blood Red Skies', 'Sinner', 'Rock Hard Ride Free', 'Freewheel Burning', 'Turbo [Lover]'. And plus the other songs, the KK'S PRIEST songs that we haven't played yet. So, yeah, it's pretty hard to go wrong. And also, the [PRIEST] albums that we did with Tim ['Ripper' Owens, who is also in KK'S PRIEST], people still wanna hear 'Cathedral Spires' and 'Hell Is Home' and 'One On One' and stuff like that. People say they would like to hear some of that stuff as well. So it's pretty difficult. But let's face it, we could play a five-hour set, couldn't we, really?"

When Florentine pointed out that the two studio albums Owens recorded with JUDAS PRIEST — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — are not available on the major streaming services, Downing said: "It just seems like they've — the desire is to want to erase those songs, which is extremely unfair, really, because it's a part of my musical history, Tim's musical history, and [it's] very, very sad. Not to make those albums available to the fans is just crazy, really.

"We just did a festival at the end of last year, and we played 'Burn In Hell' [from 'Jugulator']. And I think just that one song from that one festival had about 90,000 hits [on YouTube], and considerably more than other songs that we played in the set — KK'S PRIEST and JUDAS PRIEST songs."

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 after being discovered when the band's drummer was given a videotape of him performing with the PRIEST cover band BRITISH STEEL. JUDAS PRIEST at the time was seeking a replacement for Rob Halford, who has since rejoined the band.

Back in 2019, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill was asked in an interview with "Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon" if the unavailability of the Owens-era PRIEST albums was a rights-related issue or if it was a deliberate attempt to bury that part of PRIEST's past. Hill responded: "It's an odd one, really, because there's some good material on both of those albums. And Ripper is a terrific vocalist, and he did a tremendous job on 'Jugulator' and 'Demolition'. And why they're not for sale has got nothing to do with us — put it like that. Whether it's a contractual thing between Sony and whoever owns the copyrights to those albums, I don't know. But it is a shame, because there's some good material there. And as a band, it's still JUDAS PRIEST. I know it wasn't the trademark lineup, but it was still JUDAS PRIEST nonetheless. So, it's disappointing — if that's true that the material is not available. It really is."

A few years ago, Tim told "Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon" that he was a little miffed by the fact that fans cannot find the music that he made with PRIEST on any of the music-streaming services or other online retailers. "My issue is I would like to buy the records," he said. "I'd like to buy some to even sell when I'm touring solo, but you can't when they're kind of gone. And that's only the thing I talk about… If they were out there, I could maybe buy 'em at cost and sell 'em at my concerts. That would be kind of cool. Then I'd have my whole catalog."

KK'S PRIEST features former JUDAS PRIEST members Downing and Owens, alongside guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST will embark on its first-ever U.S. headlining tour next month. The trek will kick off on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and will feature support from L.A. GUNS and BURNING WITCHES. The tour will be the first of at least a two-leg USA run of shows, planned to continue later in 2024.

KK'S PRIEST made its live debut on July 6, 2023 at Downing's KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

KK'S PRIEST kicked off a five-date "Priests, Killers & Witches" U.K. tour on October 7, 2023 at O2 Institute in Birmingham.

KK'S PRIEST's sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again", came out in September 2023 via the Austrian label Napalm Records.

The art for "The Sinner Rides Again" was created by talented artist Andy Pilkington.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

KK'S PRIEST released its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.

Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

In a new interview with Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com, singer Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) was asked if his progressive metal supergroup SONS OF APOLLO, which also features guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-GUNS N' ROSES),bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS),keyboardist Derek Sherinian (also of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER),is "put to rest for now", considering that Portnoy is once again a member of DREAM THEATER. Soto responded: "I'm not the one to officially state that or to publicly state it. It's Derek and Mike's band. We joined their band — it was their idea; they're the ones that put it together. So, even though we were a band, they were the founders, they were the ones that made all the calls — when we're gonna do things, how we're gonna do it, all that stuff. So I'm not the one to be able to say it's over. It would have to come from them."

He continued: "My personal opinion, my own personal thoughts are, I don't think SONS OF APOLLO and DREAM THEATER can coexist at the same time. I think musically it's too similar, it's too much of the same, and I think Mike needs to focus on the mothership right now, which is great. I'm as happy as the rest of the DREAM THEATER family and the fans are that I think it's a great thing. It was a natural thing that should have, and I knew eventually would, happen, and I'm happy for them. But it's time for all of us to keep doing what we're doing and moving forward. And if for some reason someday they decide, 'Hey, should we do this? Should we continue?' I'm the first one to say yes."

SONS OF APOLLO recorded and released two studio albums over the course of a three-year period but has been inactive since completing a South American tour in August 2022.

In some of his recent interviews, Bumblefoot spoke about SONS OF APOLLO in the past tense and said "everything has its lifespan" with regard to the band's future plans, stirring up speculation that SONS OF APOLLO was all but finished. Sherinian and Thal have since formed new progressive metal outfit WHOM GODS DESTROY, while Soto has also joined Thal in ART OF ANARCHY, with both bands releasing new albums within a month of each other.

Bumblefoot addressed SONS OF APOLLO's status in a recent interview with Jimmy Kay of Canada's The Metal Voice. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we were on tour. Shows, we had doubled our attendances. Just everything was going this way [pointing up]. It was going great. And we got four shows into a 20-show tour in Europe. And we had to pull the plug, COVID and all, and went back home. And then Derek and I and Jeff, we wanted to start working on album number three. It was, like, 'We have all this time now to nurture it.' But not everybody was on board to do that; some people had their own plans and things they wanted to do, which they did. And so, what happened was it split into two bands. Jeff, he offered to be the singer for this band that I had with old friends of mine called ART OF ANARCHY. And he knew that we were just, during the pandemic, we'd get together and record songs. And he said, 'You've had all these problematic singers. You should have just worked with me from the beginning and everything would have been fine.' And I was, like, 'I agree.' So he offered to be the singer. And, of course, the band all said, 'Hell yeah.' So now I have ART OF ANARCHY with Jeff. And Derek and I just continued writing as we did with SONS OF APOLLO where we just write; we write the music. And we kept doing that, and we realized that with certain members not interested, we couldn't really continue with SONS OF APOLLO. I mean, Jeff was interested; he would have loved to do a third [album]. But we found new bandmembers… So [WHOM GODS DESTROY] really started from the ashes of SONS OF APOLLO. We crawled out and we continued writing what could've become a third SONS OF APOLLO album, but it wasn't gonna happen."

Asked if it's easy keeping a supergroup like SONS OF APOLLO together, Thal said: "Nothing is easy. It can be easy if everyone just shuts the fuck up and does their job and, yeah, if people think about the hive and not just their bee-self. If you have the mentality of being a team player and not just a selfish fuck, then a band can easily work and last for decades."

He clarified: "I'm not calling anyone in particular a selfish fuck. I'm just saying that in bands, in every band, you're gonna have the narcissist, usually a drug-addict narcissist, you're gonna have the conspiring, greedy asshole, you're gonna have the one that is just riddled with depression and thinks that every note is the most important thing that happened. And also you have people that forget that if you have four or five people in the band, you should only be getting 25 or 20 percent of your ideas going through, and if you're hogging it up, you're taking away from everyone else. And it's not a fair scenario and someone is gonna feel like they're left out and not being heard and not feel like an equal. So I always say in a band, in a band of five unemployable dysfunctional dudes, if only one out of five of your ideas makes it through, then everything is fair and you have to be able to be okay with that. 20 percent times five — that's how it should be. You have to accept that mentality, and anything beyond that, think of as a bonus and don't look at it like…"

Thal added: "Bands are a really fucked-up marriage."

After Bumblefoot's remarks were published on the Prog web site and the article was shared on the magazine's Facebook page, Portnoy took to the comments section to write: "Obviously Ron is (discreetly) pointing the finger at me (and possibly Billy as well?),but I must publicly squash this rhetoric that is implying SONS OF APOLLO's demise had anything to do with me rejoining DREAM THEATER. That didn't happen until Oct 2023…

"The reality is when the SOA tour got cancelled because of Covid in 2020, by the time there was any talk of writing new stuff and a possible 3rd album, I already had commitments with TRANSATLANTIC, NMB [NEAL MORSE BAND] and THE WINERY DOGS (w Billy as well). I can understand Ron, Derek & Jeff's frustration with this, but the reality is the ONLY way I was ever able to juggle and balance all my bands all these years was to block certain windows in my schedule for each band or project to have time for an album/tour cycle. Sadly, SOA's album/tour cycle window got killed by Covid and by the time the world reopened again, I already was booked with my other bands and projects.

"Anyways, I'm happy for those guys that they were able to continue working together in other musical capacity's…but make no mistake, at the time, it had nothing to with me rejoining DT!"

Sheehan was unable to join his SONS OF APOLLO bandmates on the aforementioned South American tour due to COVID-19 vaccine-related travel restrictions. His replacement on the trek was ANGRA's Felipe Andreoli.

SONS OF APOLLO's second album, "MMXX", was released in January 2020 via InsideOut Music/Sony.

The follow-up to 2017's "Psychotic Symphony" debuted on multiple Billboard charts dated, including Tastemakers (No. 10),Heatseekers Albums (No. 11) and Hard Rock Albums (No. 21).

At the time of "MMXX"'s release, Soto told Billboard: "We absolutely jumped into this as an ongoing commitment from all of us that we were going to follow up on and treat it, with all intents and purposes, as a real band. With the caliber of who we have and what we could come up with, we knew we wanted to dive into this thing fully committed, and not as a one-off."

Regarding the differences in the musical direction between the two albums, Soto said: "I don't think we strayed too far. If you put both albums together as a double album, it would work. The only difference is that I feel that I put a little more personality into the vocal parts. It was a little homogenized on the first album, in terms of playing it safe. I didn't toy around too much with straying from the main ideas.

"On [the second] album, I knew exactly what I wanted to do," he continued. "I knew where we were headed as a band. This time, it was a no-brainer that I should just go for it. The first album was, again, the foundation and the skeletal embryonic stage of the band. Now it's solid and I’ve watched it flourish, and I went in knowing what to do."

Six years ago, Portnoy told Let's Rock about SONS OF APOLLO's chemistry: "I'd like to say that I was surprised by how easy it came together, but, to be honest, I kind of expected that. That wasn't really a surprise. I knew it would work. I knew it would be easy once once we started playing just because I know the guys involved. So, I can't really say there were many surprises. Everything kind of went according to plan. Everybody was kind of chosen for the band because I knew their personalities. And Jeff and Bumblefoot in particular are the two most easy-going guys, and [laughs] that's very rare for a guitar player and a singer. But in this case, you couldn't ask for two sweeter guys. That's a huge part of [the] importance in picking band chemistry. A lot of times, it's well beyond the music. It's more about the personalities and in this case, it's a great group of guys."

Photo credit: Hristo Shindov

In a January 29, 2024 interview with the "Pure Saturation" radio show, drummer Mike Portnoy was asked if he will go back to preparing a different setlists for every DREAM THEATER concert now that he is once again playing with the band or if he will "kind of have to just see how it is for a little bit" before taking the reins in that department. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "You pretty much nailed it right there. Back in the day, that was all my department and the guys were always so cool to give me free rein to — whatever my imagination could think up for the setlist, they went with it. If I said, 'Hey, I wanna cover a QUEEN song tonight,' we would do it. There was never any argument or resistance. So for all those years, the setlists and doing these crazy, unique ideas and shows, that was always my baby and something that I just really, really loved for the band, and I think the fans really liked it and appreciated it too. After I left DREAM THEATER, for the last 13 years or so, from my understanding — I haven't followed it too closely — but from my understanding, they've been more doing static setlists and things like that. So in answer to your question, is it gonna be like the way it used to be? Like you just said at the end of your question, I think I need to just get in and get comfortable first and see where we are at this point in 2024. We're older. It's been a lot of time apart. So I think there'll probably be a process of just getting comfortable and everybody finding their place in the new chemistry. And that being said, I would have no problem with the static setlist for a little while, because it's been so long for me, I've been gone for so long, and there's gonna be a whole new generation of fans coming to these shows that never saw the band with me in it. So even if we went out for this first world tour with a static setlist of doing all the classics, it's been so long for me that each and every night is going to be special and exciting within itself."

Portnoy continued: "For me, changing the setlist for all those years with DREAM THEATER, a lot of it was a reaction to me kind of — I don't wanna say 'get bored', but you get a little complacent playing the same songs over and over and over and over. So I would switch it up a lot, not only for the fans, but for ourselves to keep it fresh. But now, coming back after 13 years, it's gonna be fresh every night for me. So that in itself will be exciting. But all that being said, I think the band really does want to interject those kinds of things back into the live show. They have expressed to me that they kind of have been missing it and that they kind of want me to take the reins with the setlist and with the ideas of crazy sets and crazy shows and unique things. It seems to me — I mean, [DREAM THEATER guitarist] John Petrucci and I talked about it briefly. I think he really wants me to take those reins again. So fingers crossed that it will evolve naturally and organically to get to that point soon enough, because it really is such a unique thing, and I know a lot of the DREAM THEATER fans have missed it in the last decade or so, so it would be nice to interject it back in."

When interviewer Kevin Cassels said he felt like Portnoy's DREAM THEATER bandmates wanted Mike to take charge in those departments, the drummer replied: "I think there's a lot of areas where they're probably very happy with the way they function now, so those would be the areas that I have to be a team player on and take a step back and realize that I'm not running the show like I used to. So I have to respect that. But I think there are other areas where I think they definitely have expressed missing my input in a lot of other areas. And those would be the areas that, if they want me to take the reins, then I will happily do so. But I need to be respectful of the time that I've been away, and I don't wanna step on their toes. But it's exciting — no matter which way you slice it, it's exciting and I can't wait to get back on stage."

Asked what songs he is particularly excited about playing with DREAM THEATER on his eventual first tour back with the band in more than 13 years, Portnoy said: "I'm looking forward to playing anything with them, because I haven't played with them in 13 years. We start work on a new album in about two weeks, and we're going in with a clean slate. That's the way we always — at least in my day in the band — that's the way we always made records towards the end. So many of our albums were written in the studio with a clean, blank canvas to work with, and we just bounce ideas off of each other and build from scratch. So, yeah, that's how we're gonna do this next record.

"And as excited as I am to make a new record and write new music with the guys, personally, the thing I'm most excited about is getting on the road and playing shows," he explained. "That's, to me, the more fulfilling outlet. I love being able to play to an audience and feel their energy and their excitement. And I know the energy and excitement from the fans at these shows are just gonna be electric. I can't even imagine what the vibes are gonna be like. I felt a little bit of it when John Petrucci and I did his solo tour about a year and a half ago. You could really feel the energy and excitement in the room, and we were seeing grown men crying every night, just at me and John just being up there together. But now, to have the five of us up there together and to be playing these classic songs that are such a part of our history, and, like I mentioned earlier, there's gonna be a whole new generation of people, younger people, that never saw this lineup together. So, to me, that's what I'm most excited about, is getting on stage and playing for the fans."

Portnoy co-founded DREAM THEATER in 1985 with Petrucci and bassist John Myung. Mike played on 10 DREAM THEATER albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010.

Portnoy previously talked about his return to DREAM THEATER last December in an interview with Drumeo. Regarding how he ended up back in the band, Portnoy said: "It's been 13 years, and I think time heals all wounds, as the expression goes. It's been many, many years now of kind of rekindling my relationships with the guys, starting with John Petrucci… Maybe five, six, seven years ago or so, we just reconnected. Our families — his wife and my wife were in a band together even before we knew our wives. Our kids have grown up together. My daughter and John Petrucci's daughter shared an apartment together in New York for the last five years. So the families were still close. So John and I inevitably reconnected on a personal level. And I guess it really started to gain some traction during COVID lockdown because I couldn't tour and DREAM THEATER couldn't tour, so John decided he wanted to do a solo album and he asked me to play on it. So that was the first step, I guess, in this direction. So I played on John's solo album. And then a few months later, we did an LTE [LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT] album with, with JohnandJordan [Rudess, DREAM THEATER keyboardist]. So that brought three of us back together. And then the following year I ended up doing John's solo tour, and our wives' band were opening for us. So we had the wives out with us. So it just seemed like it was all starting to come together on a personal level and then the musical level as well. And then I think the final piece was me reconnecting with [DREAM THEATER singer] James LaBrie 'cause James and I hadn't spoken for over a decade."

He continued: "I went to see DREAM THEATER play in New York, I guess around 2022, and that was my first time seeing James in over a decade. And literally, I'm not exaggerating, within five seconds of seeing each other, it was hugs, kisses and it was like any of the drama and bullshit that happened during all of those years of the split, it just melted away immediately. And with James and I buddying up again, it kind of just… it began to seem like an inevitability. It wasn't ever, I don't think, in either of our plans to eventually reunite. In fact, if you would have asked me this five years ago, I probably wouldn't have put money on it. But with the developments of everything I just laid out for you, then it started to really feel like, well, maybe this is inevitable. It just seems like we're in the right place and the right time at this stages of our lives. All those years of DREAM THEATER, we were in our twenties and thirties and forties. And now here we are, most of us in our fifties and some of the members in their sixties, and it just seems like life is too short to not be with the people you love and play the music that is part of your life and your heart and soul. So, yeah, here we are."

 Portnoy went on to say that he had no hard feelings for now-ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini, who has been publicly very supportive of Portnoy's return to the band.

"It was nice to see something like this happen with taking the high road and class and grace and dignity and not a war of words and drama and B.S.," Portnoy said. "This was really handled so well, and I have to give Mike Manginiall the credit in the world for that, 'cause it's not easy being replaced. I can't imagine. He handled it really well, and I guess the things he said were so classy. So, yeah, I was really glad to see how well he took it. 'Cause I was a little concerned about that. But it couldn't have come off any better."

Portnoy noted that he had been "friends with [Mangini] before he even knew any of the guys in DREAM THEATER. He and I were friends in the '90s when he was still playing in EXTREME and stuff like that and we would do clinics together and stuff," he said. "So, yeah, he's an old friend. And I could never get mad at the guy for taking the gig. I mean, how could you not? It was a great opportunity and a great gig. So, yeah, it was nice when all those resentments and all that stuff melted away, because it was a tough couple of years in the start of the split."

As for Portnoy's role during DREAM THEATER's new era, the drummer said: "I think that was the one discussion that John Petrucci and I had. We still to this point even haven't talked about business or money or finances or any of that. It was all about, okay, we know we love each other. We know we wanna play together again. But what is the new dynamic gonna be? Because for all those first 25 years, John and I produced the albums together. We kind of led the band together. I was handling the bulk of the responsibilities and decisions making and things like that. And so when I left the band, I was very much a control freak. And then now the last 13 years or so, obviously they've had to re-design their inner structure and how they function, how they work. I think John produces the albums himself now. So it remains to be seen how the 'new old' DREAM THEATER will function. But I think we're all older and wiser."

He continued: "When I left the band 13 years ago, I was a control freak — absolutely. I'll be the first to admit it. And I think as time has gone on, I've loosened up on all that. All the bands I've done over the last 13 years, I've had to learn how to compromise, how to collaborate, how to let go of things. I've even had these hired-gun gigs with TWISTED [SISTER] and AVENGED [SEVENFOLD] where I just play drums. So, we're just gonna have to find our feet in the new dynamic. I think there will be many areas that I hope I could regain some control, like writing the setlists, it was always a big one for me. But then there's other areas that I'm more than happy to step away and not even be involved with. I'd be happy to not write any lyrics again, which is what I used to always write a lot of lyrics back in the day. But I'd be fine with not doing that. It's a lot of things — designing the artwork or the merchandise. You've gotta pick your battles, and I guess we'll find our feet and see where everybody kind of fits into the structure of the new dynamic."

Portnoy attended DREAM THEATER's concert in March 2022 at Beacon Theatre in New York City. It was the first time he witnessed his then-former bandmates perform live since his exit from the iconic progressive metal outfit 13 years ago.

Mangini joined DREAM THEATER in late 2010 through a widely publicized audition following the departure of Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER 39 years ago. Mangini beat out six other of the world's top drummers — Marco Minnemann, Virgil Donati, Aquiles Priester, Thomas Lang, Peter Wildoer and Derek Roddy — for the gig, a three-day process that was filmed for a documentary-style reality show called "The Spirit Carries On".

Photo credit: Travis Shinn



Here is our interview with the latest member of the Umphrey's McGee family....Mr. Mike Portnoy!! Mike discusses his performance with UM in Chicago on 12/29/23, opens up about the influence Phish has had on his band Dream Theater, and talks Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Yes & more!

PLEASE FOLLOW US on FB AND INSTAGRAM @puresaturationum

The next episode of Pure Saturation airs SATURDAY 3/30 AT 10 PM EST on free, listener-supported JEMP Radio featuring 2 1/2 of Umphrey's McGee music!! You can catch the replay of last week's episode this WEDNESDAY 2/28 at 9 AM.

Intro/Outro & sound editing by Anthony Cassels (@Anthonypros881 on YouTube)

#puresaturationum
#jempradio
#umphreysmcgee
#mikeportnoy
#umphreys
#dreamtheater

Posted by Pure Saturation on Monday, February 26, 2024

During an appearance on the latest edition of "Rock Camp: The Podcast", the all-new official podcast of Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp hosted by David Fishof, Britt Lightning and Miles Schuman, ex-AC/DC drummer Chris Slade was asked if would have been interested in playing with the band again had he been asked to join the legendary hard rockers on their 2024 world tour. The journeyman Welsh drummer, who has spent the past 60 years playing with everyone from Tom Jones to MANFRED MANN and THE FIRM, said: "Of course I know I would've done it. I can't walk, but I can play drums. [Laughs] I don't think Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist] believes that, but who knows? I'd probably play it more like Phil [Rudd, longtime AC/DC drummer] does these days, not like Chris Slade did in the '90s."

Circling back to whether he would play with AC/DC again, the 77-year-old Chris said: "I would've been interested, definitely. But that's the way it rolls, you know."

Last September, it was announced that AC/DC had recruited Matt Laug to perform with the Brian Johnson-fronted outfit at the Power Trip festival the following month. AC/DC has since revealed that Laug will be back behind the kit when the band embarks on the "Power Up" tour in May.

Hours after Matt's addition to AC/DC touring lineup was first revealed, Chris took to his social media to write: "I know Matt as a very nice guy from my days of living in California. He is a very capable, teetotal drummer and will put the drums exactly where Angus wants them..... At the back of the stage. I wish him the best of luck!" A short time later, Slade shared a follow-up message in which he wrote: "An update to my last post and in answer to some people who seem to have misunderstood and made comments which have inferred the contrary.

"I am not bitter or 'whining' and neither did I expect a call from ACDC. I merely wanted to say that I know Matt well and he will do an admirable job, because I knew alot of you would ask me!!

"Apologies for my stupid sense of humour, which some of you didn't get ..... My position in any band in 60 years has always been sitting down at the back of the stage...

The 55-year-old Laug is an American drummer who has played with many bands/artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Vasco Rossi. Matt moved to Los Angeles after graduating from South Florence High School in 1986 and after attending college in L.A., Matt became a sought-after studio drummer.

In 2001, Laug supported AC/DC as part of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT on the North American and European legs of the "Stiff Upper Lip" tour.

AC/DC has offered no explanation for the absence of the band's longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group's comeback album, "Power Up", which came out in November 2020.

Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band's "Rock Or Bust" tour by Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC's drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album "The Razor's Edge".

Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

Following his five-year tenure behind the kit from 1989 to 1994, AC/DC drafted in Slade for the "Rock Or Bust" world tour in 2015 and 2016 as Rudd was sidelined due to his legal issues.

Slade originally followed Simon Wright in AC/DC's lineup, joining in time to play on "The Razor's Edge". When Rudd returned in 1995, Slade was shown the door and harbored some bad feelings about that for a while.