Zombi, who recently announced the March 22 release of their new album, Direct Inject (Relapse Records), have shared a second song from the album: “Bodies In The Flotsam.”


“To me, this song feels like ‘classic Zombi,’ something we’d have written back in the early ‘00s,” Steve Moore says of the 3-minute track. “Lean and mean – just drums, eight-string bass and synth. Nothing programmed or sequenced.”


Direct Inject, which was self-produced by Moore and Paterra, also features guest percussionist Jeff Gretz (Zao/From Autumn To Ashes), and guitar player Phil Manley (Trans Am).




“In 2022, after our tour with The Sword, we posted up in our friend’s studio in Clearfield, PA for a week of diner breakfasts and gas station BBQ,” shares Moore. “We would record every day and improvise until we found ideas we liked. We then took these ideas back home to Albany and Chicago to give them structure. A few months later, after our tour with Om, AEP went back to Clearfield to record final drum tracks. Everything else was recorded at my home studio. The only exceptions are ‘Sessuale I’ and “Sessuale II,” which were both written in the early ‘00s but never officially released.”


Album pre-orders are available now, with Direct Inject available on several limited-edition vinyl variants, CD, and digitally, here.





Direct Inject track list:


"Direct Inject"
"So Mote It Be"
"Bodies In The Flotsam"
"Kamichi & Sandy"
"Sessuale II"
"Improvise Adapt Overcome"
"The Post-Atomic Horror"
"Insurmountable Odds"
"Sessuale I"


"Bodies In The Flotsam":





"The Post-Atomic Horror"





Zombi has simultaneously announced their first tour dates in support of Direct Inject, with a US/Canadian trek coming this April. Tickets are on-sale this Friday at 10 AM, local time. Overcalc opens on all dates.





Zombi is Steve Moore (synth/bass/guitar) and AE Paterra (drums/percussion/electronics). Formed in 2001, the Pittsburgh-founded, instrumental duo have released seven full-length albums including their most recent offering, 2020’s 2020 and the 2022 covers collection, Zombi & Friends, Vol.1, which saw the pair cover songs from Neil Diamond, Dionne Warwick and the Alan Parsons Project. Known for their distinctive style, which blends prog rock, electronics and an affinity for ‘70s and ‘80s era horror films, Zombi create music that’s both retrospective and futuristic, expansive, and intimate. Each release has seen the band refine and evolve its sound, exploring different textures and moods while staying true to their core aesthetic.


(Photo - Shawn Brackbill)

Morta Skuld will release their new album, Creation Undone, on February 23 via Peaceville Records. The album will be released on LP, limited edition Green LP, CD and digital. Pre-order the album here. New single and video for "Perfect Prey" is streaming below.


"The song ‘Perfect Prey’ is about control and how the powers that be can really put a stronghold on us as humans, I felt it was like shooting fish in a barrel and that we as people were the perfect prey," Dave Gregor, Morta Skuld


Scribe Greg Pratt scored the album a 7.5 in his review – read here.




Scaling new heights of brutality for the longstanding US death metal veterans, Creation Undone is the latest work of inspired extremity from frontman and mastermind Dave Gregor and co. In a time when the band’s iconic and celebrated debut Dying Remains reaches its thirty year milestone, and with recent live activity on both sides of the Atlantic seeing the quartet performing to a ravenous fanbase of metalheads both old and new, Morta Skuld now returns with a ten track opus of pure death metal in their unrelenting and unwavering pursuit of heaviness, still going strong after three decades, as the band unleashes their successor to 2020’s Suffer For Nothing.


With themes exploring an increasingly savage, corrupt and destructive state of the world in present times, and executed with a razor-sharp precision, with ferocious and hook-laden compositions to match and even exceed any of their highly regarded early output, Creation Undone was recorded and mixed at Belle City Sound Studios by Chris Djuricic, with mastering work conducted at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero.


Morta Skuld formed in Milwaukee in 1990, quickly producing two demos before going on to release three albums on Peaceville Records (initially via legendary sub-label Deaf Records) in the early-mid 90's. Many years later, and with a new lineup, founder and main-man David Gregor then reunited with Peaceville for the opuses Wounds Deeper Than Time, and Suffer For Nothing, showing that none of the brutal & inspired magic of the band's former years had been lost.





Tracklisting:


"We Rise We Fall"
"The End Of Reason"
"Painful Conflict"
"Unforeseen Obstacles"
"Perfect Prey"
"Soul Piercing Sorrow"
"Into Temptation"
"Self Destructive Emotions"
"Oblivion"
"By Design"


"Perfect Prey" video:





"We Rise We Fall" video:

Arizona death metal specialists make their triumphant return with their first new track since 2021’s An Unexpected Reality. “Caught In The Treads” is heavily rooted in the high-powered energy that fuels the contagious atmosphere that they have encountered in their recent global live endeavors. The single, produced and mixed by Kurt Ballou of Converge fame, features infectious guitar melodies and drum passages that audiences will cling to with their refined attitude as the purveyors of the new wave of American death metal.


Chase H. Mason states, "Lyrically the song is about a supernaturally charged fleet of tanks that have been possessed by the souls of fallen soldiers. It's about revenge and crushing your enemies." Expanding on the music video he mentions, "As soon as we finished recording, we started sneaking this song into our live set. We brought along our own VHS camera and had our friends film the shows where they could."







Stream “Caught In The Treads” on all streaming platforms now.


Gatecreeper will tour the U.S. with headliners and label mates In Flames.





Dates:


May
1 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
2 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
3 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
4 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
5 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
7 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
8 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall
9 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead
10 - Daytona, FL - Rockville
12 - Huntsville, AL - Mars Music Hall
14 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
17 - Buffalo, NY - The Town Ballroom
18 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple
19 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest
21 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews
22 - St. Louis, MO - The Hawthorn
23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
24 - Austin, TX - Emo's
25 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
26 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues

JETHRO TULL has announced the departure of guitarist Joe Parrish-James. Parrish-James will officially exit the band at the end of February to concentrate on his own band ALBION, which recently released a new album, "Lakesongs Of Elbid". He will be replaced by Jack Clark, who previously played bass and second guitar for TULL at various live shows in the last couple of years.

In a social media post, JETHRO TULL wrote: "Sadly, at the end of February, we must bid farewell to guitarist @josephgwilymparrishjames who joined the band in 2020, just in time for Covid! Now, 4 years later, Joe has decided to leave to concentrate on his own recording and producing work and to further the development of his folk-rock band @albionofficialuk

"All of us in the band and crew wish Joe all the best and thank him for his hard work and creativity on stage as well as on the last two TULL albums in 2022 and 2023.

"His place will be taken from March onwards by Jack Clark who has performed on bass guitar during some tours with the band in the last two years as well as currently playing second guitar, covering the keyboard parts while John O'Hara is temporarily unavailable.

"Joe will keep us updated and informed as to his future work - check out his latest album with ALBION, you can find links to stream 'Lakesongs of Elbid' on the band's Instagram at @albionofficialuk".

JETHRO TULL released its 23rd studio album, "RökFlöte", in April 2023.

JETHRO TULL later launched the alternative stereo mixes of the album by Bruce Soord (THE PINEAPPLE THIEF) on digital services worldwide.

Following 2022's "The Zealot Gene", the group's first LP in two decades, Ian Anderson and his bandmates returned with a 12-track record based on the characters and roles of some of the principal gods of the old Norse paganism, and at the same time exploring the "RökFlöte" — rock flute — which JETHRO TULL has made iconic.

"The Zealot Gene", released in January 2022, was JETHRO TULL's 22nd studio album and it garnered critical acclaim across the board. Reaching No. 9 in the U.K. album charts, a feat the band hadn't reached since 1972, it also debuted at No. 4 in Germany, No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 5 in Austria, No. 8 in Finland, as well as top 10 in the U.S. album charts, Current Album charts and Rock Album charts.

With more than 30 albums to their credit and sales totaling more than 50 million, JETHRO TULL are one of the most successful rock bands of all-time with a catalog that contains classics that still resonate today.

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A post shared by Jethro Tull / Ian Anderson (@jethrotull_)

This Friday, February 23, Austrian Death Machine - the unmissable brutal metal project helmed by As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis - will return with their first new album in a decade, Quad Brutal. Featuring 10 tracks of heavyweight thrash-infused extremity and sprint-worthy speed, the album will instantly have listeners coming back for more - ready for endless reps and skipping nothing (except maybe leg day).


Today, Austrian Death Machine racks up their fourth and final single from Quad Brutal, entitled "Judgment Day". Ricky Hoover of deathcore unit Ov Sulfur lends his vocal attack to unrelenting ripper - one of the new album’s most spine-tingling, breakneck tracks with an unforgettable chorus and a punishing closer of unmatched brutality.


Tim Lambesis says about "Judgment Day" and its video:




"Neeyahhh! The over-the-top visual theme behind the 'Judgment Day' video represents our promise to keep marching forward and persist in having a good time no matter what happens, until the final moments of Judgment Day make that impossible. Until then, don't be too serious and find a way to keep going! I've found a community of good friends that make it easier to stay on my feet - I wouldn't have made Quad Brutal without my band mates reminding me that I don't need to create Austrian Death Machine songs alone like I've done with many songs before this album."


In historic Austrian Death Machine fashion, Quad Brutal is supported by a slew of guests on each track - in addition to vocal contributions from Dany Lambesis (HELLBØRN), tracks on Quad Brutal are supercharged by professional bodybuilders and vocalists Craig Golias and Rob Bailey, vocalist Ricky Hoover (Ov Sulfur, ex-Suffokate), guitar virtuosos Angel Vivaldi, Clayton King, Brandon Richter (Bleeding Through), Joey Alarcon (Wolves At The Gate, Born Through Fire) and more. Oh, and Ahhnold himself, of course.


Absolute units like relentless debut single “No Pain No Gain”, hammering “Get Down”, apocalyptic harbinger “Judgment Day” and massive “I Never Quit” blister and groove with unmatched fury, while death-meets-metalcore burners like “Destroy The Machines”, “MeatGrinder” and “Don’t Be Lazy” explode with the colossal strength of Ahhnold himself. On the other end of the weight bench, large and in charge head-spinners like “Conquer” and “Hey Bro Can You Spot Me?” bring the brutality without sacrificing melody, and will have fans of Lambesis’ other projects turning their heads.


Lambesis says about Quad Brutal: "Being commissioned by The Govournator to sonically encompass the brutality of 80s action, bodybuilding, and judgment day into one album is a task that comes with great responsibility. First, I had to make it brutal of course. Then, I had to make sure to include choruses so that people don't forget the great wisdom of Ahhnold's words. And since it's the fourth album, I had to really work on my quad strength at the gym to someday be ready to carry the weight of the world from the album cover when it's passed along to me someday. The result is an album that is much more diverse than any ADM album I've written, and in the spectrum of heavy, it is the most brutal by a long shot when you hear all 10 songs."





Quad Brutal will be available in the following formats:


- CD Digisleeve
- 1LP Blue Gatefold Vinyl
- 1LP Transparent Marbled Violet Gatefold Vinyl + Art Print and Slipmat (Napalm mail order only, limited to 300)
- Digital Album


Pre-order here.





Quad Brutal tracklisting:


"No Pain No Gain (feat. Craig Golias, Angel Vivaldi)
"Conquer (feat. Hellbørn, Clayton King)
"Hey Bro Can You Spot Me? (feat. Craig Golias, Alarcon)
"Judgment Day (feat. Ov Sulfur)
"Everybody Pities The Weak (feat. Hellbørn)
"Don't Be Lazy (feat. Craig Golias)
"Get Down (feat. Craig Golias)
"Destroy The Machines (feat. Dany Lambesis)
"MeatGrinder (feat. Hellbørn)
"I Never Quit (feat. Kill Rob Bailey, Craig Golias, Bleeding Through)


"Judgment Day" video:





"Destroy The Machines" video:





"Don't Be Lazy" video: 





"No Pain No Gain" video:

2023 JUNO Award-winners, Voivod, performed at the 2023 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band performing "Rebel Robot" at the festival. Watch below:





Voivod's Morgöth Tales album is nominated in the "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" category for The 53rd Annual JUNO Awards. This year’s winners will be revealed in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 23 and The JUNO Awards Broadcast on Sunday, March 24, live on CBC. Find a full list of nominees here.




Voivod and Prong are are set to embark on their much-anticipated co-headline trek. This tour marks a reunion of sorts for the two bands, who have long admired each other's work and have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to hit the road together once again.


The decision to embark on this tour was an easy one for both bands, united by their fresh and acclaimed new records. Voivod, the Canadian heavy metal connoisseurs, recently released their latest album, Morgoth Tales, under the banners of Century Media, The Orchard, and Sony Music. This record is a testament to their enduring impact in the metal scene, showcasing their evolution and prowess.


The upcoming tour promises to be an exhilarating experience, as both Voivod and Prong are known for their dynamic and powerful live performances. Fans can expect a blend of new hits and classic favorites, delivered with the raw energy and passion that both bands are renowned for.


Tickets can be purchased here.





Dates:


February
28 - Columbus, OH - King of Clubs
29 - Milkwaukee, WI - The Rave


March
1 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
2 - Kansas City, MO - recordBar
3 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater
4 - South Salt Lake, UT - The Commonwealth Room
6 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
7 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
8 - Eugene, OR - John Henry's
9 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre
10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre
12 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick
13 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
15 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
17 - St. Louis, MO - The Golden Record
20 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
21 - Fort Wayne, IN - Piere's Entertainment Center
22 - Knoxville, TN - The Concourse
24 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater

In a new interview with Thiago Rahal Mauro of Brazil's Metal Musikast, Tarja Turunen spoke about what it was like to team up with her former NIGHTWISH bandmate Marko "Marco" Hietala to perform a cover of "The Phantom Of The Opera" during their special open-air concert in July 2023 at Z7 Summer Nights in Pratteln, Switzerland. Tarja and Marko both played individual sets at the event, with their rendition of the main theme from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical coming during Turunen's portion of the show.

"I got a call from a promoter to take part in one festival in Switzerland last year in a European summertime in July," Tarja said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). And then I got to know, when I had accepted to be the artist of the evening, then I saw that they had also invited Marko and Marko's band to perform in the same festival. So I thought, 'Hmm.' And I was actually sending a message that I wished to reach Marko, because I didn't have his contact any longer, to ask him to perform with me 'The Phantom Of The Opera' in my show. And he responded 'yes.' So, after 18 years [laughs], we were about to sing the song together. And it was super exciting. It was really beautiful. The people got very emotional about this.

"We had met already before — we had been singing on a few occasions in Finland a few years before — so we kind of cleaned the table on that occasion already," she explained. "So we were in good terms, so to say, but now singing 'The Phantom Of The Opera' together after all these years was amazing. So we did it twice, actually — we did it in Switzerland and then in Finland. And now we are going to do it — that and a lot more [laughs] — there in Brazil [during our upcoming joint tour]."

Tarja also elaborated on her friendship with Marko, saying: "It's a new relationship with him, because he's not the same person anymore than he was in the band. He has changed a lot, and many years have passed by. I've changed myself. Life has changed us. So it is a new relationship, let's say. And it had made me very happy to get to know him better after all these years."

Last November, Tarja admitted to Chaoszine that she was "nervous" before performing "The Phantom Of The Opera" with Marko at Z7 Summer Nights. "I believe that he was nervous as well to meet up with me, but we were both very excited to go back to the stage and to sing the song," she said. "We sang 'Phantom Of The Opera' in Switzerland for the first time. Then we went over to Finland to perform it again, did a show together there — he with his band and me with my own. Wow. It was pure emotion. I think it was really beautiful, but it made me kind of… I was, like, 'I'm in peace,' sort of. The feeling was great. I think it was even more for Marko, because I saw him standing there after my concert, when I finished my set, and he came like almost in tears, saying that this was important. We reconnected, and it's great. Now I'm really looking forward to have this tour [with Marko] in South America in March [2024], and I'm sure you will see something else happening also. Yeah, you'll hear."

Turunen was fired from NIGHTWISH at the end of the band's 2005 tour by being presented with an open letter which was published on the NIGHTWISH web site at the same time. In the letter, the other members of NIGHTWISH wrote: "To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with emotions have become much more important."

NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen later called the decision to part ways with Turunen "the most difficult thing I ever had to do." For her part, Tarja said the way she was kicked out of the group proved that her former bandmates were not her friends. "Maybe one day I'll forgive, but I will never forget," she said.

In 2019, Turunen dismissed Internet chatter about her possible return to NIGHTWISH after her December 2017 onstage reunion with the band's then-bassist/vocalist Hietala during a "Raskasta Joulua" concert in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

"I know a lot of fans would love to see something happen, but it's a very long distance away," she told Kerrang! magazine. "Personally, I don't see anything happening with me and them, to be perfectly honest. Marko came a little later into the band; he wasn't there since the beginning. He was always a guy I was close to. Me and Tuomas Holopainen, however, haven't seen each other in a long time… but we have been in touch. It's not bad. The past is what it is; we can't change that. We can only change the future."

NIGHTWISH's authorized biography, "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996-2006", was published in Finnish in 2006 and in English three years later.

Turunen's husband, Marcelo Cabuli, and his business partners later sued the parties behind the book for defamation. Named in the lawsuit were the publishing house Like Kustannus Oy and the author of the book, Marko "Mape" Ollila. Cabuli and his Brazilian business partners argued that the book includes false accusations and insinuations that have caused them suffering and financial problems.

The book blamed Cabuli for the events leading up to Turunen's dramatic expulsion from the band in late 2005.

In 2011, the Helsinki District Court dismissed Cabuli's lawsuit, ruling that the book — which criticized Cabuli on only a few of its 380 pages — did not detrimentally affect his work or reputation in South America. In addition, the court determined that Ollila did not maliciously portray Cabuli in a negative light.

Nearly two years ago, Tarja was asked in an interview with Top Link Music manager and concert promoter Paulo Baron and music critic Regis Tadeu if she would consider doing a tour with NIGHTWISH if all of her former bandmates apologized to her about how their split happened and invited her to share the stage with them again. She responded: "It is very, very hypothetical that all what you said will happen, first of all — it's very, very hypothetical.

"I'm living in a world, like we are all living in a world, that things happen without us noticing," she continued. "I mean, I can't really close any doors in that sense; I'm not that kind of person any longer. I learned so many things in this life already. I take them as they are.

"So I don't know. It would be very hypothetically possible," she added. "It would be unlikely to happen."

Hietala announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January 2021, explaining in a statement that he hadn't "been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now." He has since been replaced by session bassist Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN),who made his live debut with NIGHTWISH in May 2021 at the band's two interactive experiences.

In an August 2022 interview with Finland's Chaoszine, Hietala revealed that he went through a dark period in his life, which included depression, insomnia, anxiety and an eventual attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. Speaking about how he eventually came to the realization that exiting NIGHTWISH was the right thing to do, Marko said: "It was a long process. Of course, the COVID year that was there, where I had a lot of time for soul searching, it obviously gave me the last incentive that I need something else, that if I just continue with this I'm just gonna get sicker and sicker. But, of course, it's a process.

"I've been chronic depressive since 2010 [or] 2011, so I've been on a permanent medication ever since," he revealed. "Sometimes you get used to the meds [and] you will need more. We did raise [the dosage] during the years also, but it just didn't work. And now that I started to do… I had psychotherapy for over four years now, and then I also talked to psychiatrists and some doctors and did that also in Spain. Then my psychiatrist here in Finland said that I should do these ADHD neuropsychological tests, which I then did in Spain. And, okay, I got it."

Hietala reiterated that he "had been thinking about" leaving NIGHTWISH "for a while" before making the final decision. "Because I had a lot of weight. And I tend to… With the attention disorder, it tells me that when there are lots of trouble, then the disorder makes it into a real chaos," he explained. "There's a shitload of stuff coming and going and no peace anywhere. And for a year or two, I was already waking up every night at three o'clock to bad dreams and anxiety. So I'd say that the whole process probably started already with my former divorce [in 2016]. That was a very sad time when you think about your kids and your broken homes and all that. And then, when I started to get clear from that, then there were, well, all kinds of things. I don't really wanna go any deeper to what kind of things I'd gone through, but I'd gone through enough."

Acknowledging that making NIGHTWISH's latest studio album, 2020's "Human. :II: Nature.", was a "difficult" experience for him, Marko denied that his mental state at the time resulted in a diminished role for him on the final LP. "I think the original idea was to have that… we'll do a couple of [solo vocal appearances], or one solo for me and Troy [Donockley], and the rest Floor [Jansen], and then the harmonies; that was the idea originally for that," he said. "So I don't know if it affected. I think it was sort of as planned. But at that time I already had serious trouble with concentrating and serious trouble with a constant black cloud over my head."

In July 2022, Hietala told Finland's Iltalehti that he had not kept in touch with NIGHTWISH since his departure or followed the activities of his former band.

In May 2021, Holopainen said that Hietala's decision to leave NIGHTWISH "came as a bit of a surprise." He told Finland's Kaaos TV: "Marko informed us in December [of 2020 that he was leaving the band]. And even though he has been very open about his state and problems during the past years, it still came as a bit of a surprise for us. So it was a really tough pill to swallow. And for a few days, I was actually quite confident that there's no coming back, that this is it. I remember talking to Emppu [Vuorinen], the guitar player, and we were, like, 'You think this is it?' 'Yeah, I think this is it.' I mean, enough is enough. So much has happened in the past. Something that broke the camel's back, as they say. Then, after some time had passed — a few days — we started to think that it's been such a ride of 25 years, with so many ups also, that this is not the way to end it."

Tuomas elaborated on NIGHTWISH's reasons for carrying on, saying: "I think we still have something to give, and that's the main point. The music is still there. We felt that there's still so much music that needs to come out from this band that, 'Okay, let's give it one more shot.' And then finding the new bass player was really easy."

He added: "It's not like we do this just because we need to do it and there's nothing else to do. On a personal level, I feel that there's still so many stories and melodies that I want to share with the world with one lineup or another, so that's why you want to continue and keep on going.

"I've said this a million times, that a lineup change is the ultimate energy vampire, and that's how it really felt and still feels."

In June 2021, Jansen spoke about Hietala's exit from the band in an episode of her "Storytime" YouTube video series. She said: "That was a very sudden surprise that, of course, was not fun at all. But we understand — I understand — it was a necessary thing for him to do. And from there, we had to think of how to continue without him, and that also, in preparations towards the virtual show, that was a huge challenge."

In December 2020, Hietala was crowned the winner of the fall 2020 season of "Masked Singer Suomi" — the Finnish edition of the popular masked singing contest. He was disguised as Tohtori — the Doctor.

In the summer of 2021, Holopainen said that NIGHTWISH would split up if the band's current singer Floor Jansen ever chose to leave. Holopainen, who formed NIGHTWISH in 1996 with guitarist Emppu Vuorinen and Turunen, made the comment while discussing the departure of Hietala.

Pressed by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about his 2019 statement that NIGHTWISH would disband if another member opted to depart, Tuomas said: "That's how I felt back in 2019, and that's also how I felt when Marko left. I take my words back when it comes to that. But if it would be Floor leaving, that's it, it's the end of NIGHTWISH. Absolutely, 100%."

The Jim Powers YouTube channel has uploaded video of JOURNEY's entire February 18 concert at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Check it out below.

According to Setlist.fm, JOURNEY's setlist was as follows:

01. Only The Young
02. Guitar Solo
03. Stone In Love
04. Don't Stop Believin'
05. Lights
06. Send Her My Love
07. Who's Crying Now
08. Escape
09. Mother, Father (Deen Castronovo on vocals)
10. Let It Rain
11. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
12. Piano Solo
13. Open Arms
14. Faithfully
15. Girl Can't Help It (Jason Derlatka on vocals)
16. Guitar Solo
17. Wheel In The Sky
18. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
19. Be Good To Yourself
20. Any Way You Want It

JOURNEY features founder Neal Schon (lead guitarist),Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals),Arnel Pineda (lead vocals),Jason Derlatka (keyboards, vocals),Deen Castronovo (drums, vocals) and Todd Jensen (bass).

Since the group's formation in 1973, JOURNEY has earned 19 top 40 singles, 25 gold and platinum albums, and has sold over 100 million albums globally. Their "Greatest Hits" album is certified 15 times-platinum, making JOURNEY one of the few bands to ever have been diamond-certified, and their song "Don't Stop Believin'" has been streamed over one billion times alone.

JOURNEY was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017, and 2018's co-headlining tour with DEF LEPPARD was the band's most successful tour to date, landing them in the Top 10 year-end touring chart with more than one million tickets sold, and earning them the prestigious Billboard "Legends Of Live" touring award. March 2019 saw the release of "Escape & Frontiers Live In Japan", a live DVD/CD set from their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo featuring the band's first-ever performances of the albums "Escape" and "Frontiers" in their entirety. JOURNEY has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and were inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall Of Fame. Additionally, the band is the subject of the award-winning documentary "Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey" about the band's resurgence upon adding Pineda as lead singer after Schon discovered the Philippines native on YouTube.

JOURNEY will team up with DEF LEPPARD for a 2024 stadium concert tour of North America. The 23-city tour opens July 6 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and concludes September 8 at Coors Field in Denver. The opening act for most of the tour dates will be fellow Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Steve Miller and his band. Two other Rock Hall inductees will alternate as opening acts for the seven shows Miller is not playing — CHEAP TRICK and HEART.

Journey’s Freedom Tour 2024 is on their way to you, Baltimore! See you soon for an unforgettable night at CFG Bank Arena on Feb 18. Tickets on sale now!

Posted by Ed Mac on Sunday, November 19, 2023

Rotting Christ have released a music video for their new single, "Like Father, Like Son". Watch the clip below.


Says the band: "We can proudly present to you the first video clip from our upcoming album, Pro Xristou. A song inspired by the strong relationship between a father and son. Covered by a temple of soulful melodies, 'Like Father, Like Son' gives you a taste of the epic metal sound behind our new album. Thanks for your attention. We hope that you'll enjoy our new creation, as there are many more to come! Stay tuned for updates!"







Rotting Christ have stood the test of time. While their name has caused plenty of gatekeepers to clutch their pearls, Sakis Tolis and has brother Themis have risen from Greece's blackened catacombs to one of metal's most formidable bands.


This year, Rotting Christ are celebrating 35 years of evil excellence with their 14th album. ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) is bound to hold a revered place in the band's heretical history. Always true to their name, with Pro Xristoy ("Before Christ"), the band pay tribute to the last of the Pagan kings by offering up more towering, gothic, melodic black metal.


Now that Rotting Christ are closing in on four decades, some followers might've wondered if there was any sacred ground left for them to conquer. But Pro Xristoy is a testament to a band that's still on the rise.     


"This album was inspired by the might of ancient pagan wisdom", says Sakis. "It's a tribute to those who resisted the coming of Christianity, which destroyed all the values, traditions and knowledge of the ancient world".


Pro Xristoy comes out May 24 via Season Of Mist.





Tracklisting:


"Pro Xristoy (Προ Χριστο?)"
"The Apostate"
"Like Father, Like Son"
"The Sixth Day"
"La Lettera Del Diavolo"
"The Farewell"
"Pix Lax Dax"
"Pretty World, Pretty Dies"
"Yggdrasil"
"Saoirse"
"Primal Resurrection" (Bonus Track)
"All For One" (Bonus Track)


In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: Rotting Christ. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,3000 concerts around the globe.  Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision - an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.


Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embraces refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to bush boundaries.


But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any  and  all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατ? Τον Δα?μονα Εαυτο?, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek,  English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.


In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristoy.


Pro Xristoy (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style - melodic, yet harsh at times - reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.


Lineup:
Sakis Tolis: Guitar/Vocals
Themis Tolis: Drums
Kostas "Spades" Heliotis: Bass
Kostis Fouk: Guitar


Guest Musicians:
Amdroniki Skoula - Vocals (on "La Letra Del Diavolo")
Nikos Kerkiras - Keyboard
Christina Alexiou - Choir
Maria Tsironi - Choir
Alexandros Loyziotis - Choir
Vasilis Karatzas - Choir
Andrew Liles - Narration (on 'The Apostate', 'Pretty World, Pretty Dies')
Kim Diaz Holm - Narration (on 'Ygdrassil')


Recording Studio:
Deva Sounds Studios (Athens, Greece)


Producer:
Sakis Tolis


Sound Engineer:
Fotis Bernando
Aggelos Karatzas


Mixing:
Jens Borgen at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)


Mastering:
Tony Lidgren at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)


Artwork Artists:
Thomas Cole - Artwork
Adrien Bousson - Digital Processing


Biography:
Sebastien Gamez


(Photo - Chantik Photography)

Melodic death metallers, The Absence, have released a new single, “Communion Carbonized”, from their upcoming self-titled album. This marks the second single from the group's new album and focuses on their high intensity sound. A lyric video for the song is available below, created by Andrea Mantelli.





For twenty years, The Absence has been flying the flag of melodic death metal in Florida, and the flag continues to fly to this day. The group, which now forges on as a power-trio of Jamie Stewart (Hot Graves) on vocals, Jeramie Kling (Inhuman Condition, ex-Venom Inc) on drums and backing vocals, and Taylor Nordberg (Deicide, Inhuman Condition, Umbilicus) on guitar and bass, will release their sixth, and self-titled album on March 29 on Kling/Nordberg’s own Listenable Insanity Records, with digital distribution through Blood Blast Distribution.  




The artwork for the album was done by Dan “Babe Ruth” Goldsworthy (Inhuman Condition, Corpsegrinder, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Accept). The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jeramie Kling and Taylor Nordberg at Smoke & Mirrors Productions in Spring Hill, Florida.


The album will be available on CD at Bandcamp, and digital platforms. The band will also release a disc of bonus material containing a re-recorded version of “Necropolis”, an Iron Maiden cover, acoustic renditions of Absence songs, and some other hidden gems.





The Absence tracklisting:


"Communion Carbonized"
"The Silent Eye"
"Vagrant Death"
"Planetary Mortuary"
"Surface Of A Dead World"
"Grieving Winds"
"Fleshwalker"
"Escape Artist"
"Breeding Hysterics"


"The Silent Eye" video:





(Photo - Deidra Kling)

Gothic sensation, Contracult, has just unveiled their latest single, "My Episode", now available on all major platforms courtesy of Art Is War Records. Listen below. The single is from their upcoming EP The Process, due out on March 1.


Delving into the intricate realms of the human psyche, "My Episode" takes listeners on a poignant first-person odyssey, shedding light on the challenges of navigating life with Bipolar Disorder. In the haunting lyrics, vocalist Travis Bacon articulates, _"'My Episode' is a first person journey about living with Bi-Polar Disorder. While existence is a constant struggle, we're only as sick as society makes us."







This is the all-encompassing motive behind the 2-piece industrial metal band Contracult. Comprised of the scorching stylings of Travis Bacon and Nicholas Emde, the Los Angeles-based goth outfit has become a beacon for dark culture, creating a safe and reliable space for fellow outcasts.


Discussing themes of pain, mental health, kink/BDSM, queerness, and the discontent of artistry in the modern world, Contracult takes pride in offering something different, fresh, and hot to the touch. Having found themselves playing in a metal band dubbed White Widows Pact, Bacon and Emde realized their shared interest in industrial music's big hooks and fierce guitars.


Although it wasn't necessarily a popular sound, it fuelled their fire. "Be the band you want to hear even if it's contrary to what's popular at the time. Be the contrary, contradict, Contracult," notes the band. Today, Contracult has amassed thousands of monthly listeners across streaming platforms while exploding stages at Welcome to Rockville 2021, Louder Than Life 2021, and Aftershock 2021.

TESTAMENT played a special set focusing on the band's first two albums, 1987's "The Legacy" and 1988's "The New Order", on February 18 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.

According to Setlist.fm, TESTAMENT's setlist was as follows:

The New Order

01. Eerie Inhabitants
02. The New Order
03. Trial By Fire
04. Into The Pit
05. Disciples Of The Watch
06. The Preacher
07. A Day Of Reckoning

The Legacy

08. Over The Wall
09. The Haunting
10. Burnt Offerings
11. Raging Waters
12. C.O.T.L.O.D.
13. First Strike Is Deadly
14. Do Or Die
15. Alone In The Dark
16. Apocalyptic City

In a recent interview with Michael Spedden of the 97 Underground radio station, TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy spoke about the band's recording and touring plans for the coming months, including a visit to the European continent in the summer. He said: "That's the norm. We usually go to Europe every summer. So right now we're on kind of a time restraint because we're working on a new record. We're writing it right now. And we have to get it done and record it before we leave in July. That's our goal. So right now we're working hard on that. So there's only a few shows before July, which is these two one-offs, the special shows we're gonna do in Connecticut and West Virginia; one's at the Foxwoods and one's at Hollywood Casino. And those shows we're gonna play [TESTAMENT's first two albums] 'The Legacy' and 'The New Order' in their entirety, because in March we're gonna re-release those on Nuclear Blast Records. So, we really wanna take time off, get a break from writing a record — come out, celebrate these early records with us — and then get right back in the studio and finish recording. So, we're looking forward to it. Going out and playing live is what we do. We love it. So to take a break and go do some fun stuff like this, we're looking forward to it."

Last month, TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick told Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2020's "Titans Of Creation" album: "Well, we got delayed a little bit by the fact that 2020 basically didn't exist [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. It's a year that went away. And then there was so much touring to make up for. And for about a year of that, we had Dave Lombardo [ex-SLAYER] on drums, which was fantastic. And he's become a great friend and a great musician, but he's also spread very thin in many different bands. And now we have Chris Dovas [playing drums with us]. And he's a guy old enough to be any of our sons. But he is just unbelievable. He really brings the right energy. I mean, he brings the energy that the music had in the early days. So, yeah, we've been working with him on new material. I know Eric's [Peterson, TESTAMENT guitarist] been getting together with him. Eric has been on the East Coast a couple of times and we've gotten together and hashed out material. So between their sessions and my sessions and the recordings that we have, there's a lot of sketches that are done on digital audio workstations. There's a lot — there's a lot of stuff. I made a list and there's almost a couple of dozen sketches that just need to be consolidated and arranged. [We have to] find the best parts, develop them a little more, add vocals, but it's definitely well on its way."

Skolnick went on to say that there is no set timetable for the release of the next TESTAMENT album. "You can't rush it," he explained. "I think this band learned very early on, you can't rush it. Like the times in the past that the band sort of rushed to put out a recording, it never felt completely satisfactory. So sometimes it takes longer than it should, but you can always count on a good result."

Last August, Dovas was asked by Pod Scum if it was "unnerving" to step into a group whose list of previous drummers includes such heavyweights as Lombardo and Gene Hoglan. He responded: "It was, especially at first because I knew that a lot of eyes were on me, and also I looked up to the band since I was a kid. Especially Lombardo and Gene — those are two of my favorite drummers right there. So to be put in that situation of taking over for them, I felt like I had a lot of responsibility and a lot of… I felt like I had something to prove a little bit, and I'm still practicing a lot and I just wanna do the best that I can do. Right now I'm not really nervous anymore because I've done two full tours with them now and we're working on the [new TESTAMENT] album and the friendship has been developing now and we all get along super well. They've welcomed me with open arms and it's been great and the fans have been great. I've been putting hours and hours of practice into it to make sure that I can do the best that I could do. And I look up to Dave and I look up to Gene as well, so, yeah, I just wanna play the songs well live and keep making the band sound good."

Asked what his role has been so far in the creative process for TESTAMENT's next album, Chris said: "I don't know exactly what I'm allowed and what I'm not allowed to share yet, but what you've seen publicly, though, right now is that Eric and I have been working on a lot of stuff together. And so it's been really cool to get into their brains, in a way, and how they write stuff. I'm used to people sending me tracks with scratch MIDI drums or programmed drums or something, and I've gotta put my drums to them and then hop on a Zoom call and we can edit things and move stuff around. But with them, Eric and I, he set a timer at one point for, like, 20 minutes and we would just jam random ideas. And then sometimes we'd make mistakes and stuff and that would be cool, and we could take that… It's very organic, though, and it's very involved, I guess. It's a different way of writing and I'm super excited to be a part of that method of writing. And I could see why they're so successful for all these years, now finally being a part of this current writing cycle, I guess."

In July 2023, Peterson said that he and Dovas had spent a few days working on material for TESTAMENT's next studio album. Eric shared a few photos on his Instagram and wrote in an accompanying message: "Had a very productive week with the kid! Mr. @chrisdovas and I worked up new 7 jam ideas ranging from thrash to nwobhm mixed in w/ black thrash to dark heavy hard rock blues…let's see what happens! super stoked so far!"

Dovas shared the same pictures on his social media and he added: "New TESTAMENT material in the works! Eric and I have been working hard all week on new ideas. Stoked so far!"

In a 2023 interview with Loud TV, Peterson said that the new TESTAMENT material is shaping up to be "fucking killer." He added: "I'm a fan. For me, I wouldn't release anything unless I'm a fan of what I'm doing. I have to get goosebumps. When I hear it, I'm, like, 'Yeah.' And then, of course, I play it for friends. A few of them go, 'Ehh.' But most of them go, 'Fuuuck!' Except Chuck — Chuck goes, 'Eh.' And then four years later, [he goes], 'That's the best song ever. Write more shit like that.' I'm, like, 'Yeah, but four years ago you said that sucked.'"

Peterson was also full of praise for Dovas, who officially joined the band last year as the replacement for Lombardo. Eric said: "When we were auditioning for new drummers, his video tape was the number one for me. And then, of course, Dave Lombardo called us, so we just kind of pushed everything aside; we said, 'Okay, we'll try Dave.' And when Dave was, like, 'Oh, I've got this show coming up. I've got this show coming up,' I went back to my [videos], [and I said], 'Oh, yeah, this guy.' I remember the other guys going, 'Let's call Paul Bostaph.' 'Let's call John Tempesta.' And, of course, they would probably do it, but with the stipulation of, like, 'I can only do this date,' 'I can only do this date.' I called Chris. He was, like, 'I'm in. I'll do everything.' And so we tried him, and were just, like, 'What?!' Perfect tempo. Everything correct — bam, bam. Very polite. Really nice guy. I can't say enough good things about him. He's just a really good drummer. He's 24; he's my son's age. Young blood back in TESTAMENT. For me, too, he loves black metal, so he was, like, [into] blast beats. But he also graduated from a school called Berklee. So jazz… He's very fluent. He's not, like, 'Oh, I only know blast beats.' He knows blues… TESTAMENT's really diverse — we have ballads, we have rock songs, we have blast beats. That's just it — when he came to visit me before this tour, we were rehearsing for the tour but we would go back to my house at night, do some Jager really late at night and just start jamming at my house. And the next morning we were, like, 'Woah!' Really cool shit. So I'm excited for the next record. It's gonna be killer."

Lombardo, who was the guest drummer on TESTAMENT's 1999 studio album "The Gathering", formally joined the long-running San Francisco Bay Area act in early 2022. The former SLAYER drummer is currently a member of the MISFITS, MR. BUNGLE, EMPIRE STATE BASTARD and SATANIC PLANET, among others. He also played with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES from 2016 up until 2020.

Prior to joining TESTAMENT as a full-time member, Dovas previously filled in for Lombardo on the first six dates of TESTAMENT's summer/fall 2022 leg of "The Bay Strikes Back Tour". Lombardo was unable to make those gigs due to a scheduling conflict with the MISFITS.

TESTAMENT will play Foxwoods Casino on Feb 18th

Attention Metalheads of CT 🚨 TESTAMENT will play Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT this February 18th 2024! We're playing a SPECIAL set; THE LEGACY and THE NEW ORDER 🤘 Tickets are on sale now, don't miss out. https://www.testamentlegions.com/

Posted by Testament on Monday, December 18, 2023

Bloodstock Festivals has released footage of New Jersey's Fit For An Autopsy performing "Hellions" at the 2023 edition of Bloodstock Open Air. Watch below.


A message states: "Immerse yourself in the unparalleled ferocity of Fit For An Autopsy's breathtaking live show at the esteemed Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival, held on the memorable day of August 11th, 2023. Witness firsthand the electrifying surge of 'Hellions', a remarkable composition that shines brightly among their latest musical endeavours, showcased right here for your viewing pleasure. This track, known for its intricate blend of technical prowess and raw, unbridled aggression, encapsulates the essence of what makes this band a titan in the deathcore scene.


But the journey doesn't end with 'Hellions'. Our channel is poised to reveal an array of additional tracks and the entirety of this monumental performance, ensuring that fans and newcomers alike can relive the intensity of that night. From the first note to the last, Fit For An Autopsy's set at Bloodstock 2023 was a masterclass in musical ferocity, blending death metal's brutality with hardcore's impassioned energy and technical metal's complexity.




Prepare to be captivated by the band's dynamic stage presence, as they not only blur but completely erase the lines between genres, offering a performance that's as thought-provoking as it is visceral."

Wake Up! Music Rocks, a division of Wake Up! Music, a leading independent record label, is excited to announce the signing of Los Angeles band, Venrez, a dynamic and electrifying rock band.


With their unique blend of hard rock, punk, and metal, Venrez has been making waves in the music industry and is now ready to continue their voyage with their new single, "Sip the Cup". Stream the song here, and watch the official music video below.







Formed in 2009, Venrez has been making a name for themselves with their high-energy live performances and powerful music. The Venrez rock band is comprised of Ven (as he is known to his friends) on lead vocals, Jason Womack on guitar and backing vocals, who has played with such acts as Fuel and Juliette Lewis and the Lick’s; Victor Singer on drums who provides the powerful beat; and Gabe Maska on bass whose undeniable talent has resulted in him becoming a fixture on the Sunset Strip.


The band has released four albums to critical acclaim and has toured extensively, sharing the stage with legendary acts such as Slash, Alice Cooper, and mega bands including Buckcherry, Fuel, Hardcore Superstar, Michael Schenker, and punk legend Richie Ramone. Though the lead singer Steven Berez entered the music business later in life, he is showing the world how it is done. Venrez has won a global following on their own terms by doing it the hard way, sweating it out in front of packed houses the world over.


Wake Up Music is known for its commitment to supporting independent artists and providing a platform for them to reach a world-wide audience of Nu Music Listeners. The label's founder and CEO, Pepper Gomez, expressed her excitement about the new partnership with Venrez, stating, "We are thrilled to have Venrez join the Wake Up Music family. Their music is profound, energetic, and truly embodies the spirit of rock and roll." She feels that Venrez and their unique rock sound will not only fit in at the Label, but will also thrive with the freedom that the Wake Up! Music, which focuses only on new music, offers its artist to create.


Venrez says, “The band is thrilled to have signed a record deal with Wake Up! Music Rocks as well as the soon to be released first single from our new EP title track with music video ‘Sip The Cup’.”


Venrez will release a 6-song EP commencing late February, 2024. Produced by platinum and Grammy award winning, Malcolm Springer and mastered by Ted Jensen. The music video was directed and shot by Hollywood cinematographer, Domonick Giorgianni of Domino Effect Productions. Tour date announcements will follow.


The signing of Venrez to Wake Up Music marks an exciting new chapter for the band and their fans. With the label's support, Venrez will have the opportunity to reach an ever growing audience and continue to make their mark in the music industry.

The award-winning progressive rock band, Big Big Train, will release their 15th studio album, The Likes Of Us, on March 1, . The album is the internationally-based group’s first full collection of songs since the unexpected passing of long-serving lead vocalist David Longdon in late 2021. Besides marking the debut of new frontman Alberto Bravin, a former member of the Italian band Premiata Forneria Marconi, it also heralds the beginning of a new relationship with InsideOutMusic, the group having self-released their music for almost two decades.


Today, the band's Gregory Spawton unboxes the new album. Watch the video below:







The Likes Of Us will be released on several different formats, including for the first time as Dolby Atmos mixed by The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord, while the stereo mixes were undertaken by the band’s regular engineer Rob Aubrey together with Alberto Bravin. The Dolby Atmos mix will come as part of the Limited CD & Blu-ray Mediabook edition that also contains the album as 5.1 Surround Sound & 24-bit high-resolution stereo.


The album will also be available as a Gatefold 180g 2LP (available in black, sky blue, olive green and orange formats), Standard CD Jewelcase and Digital Album. The stunning artwork was created by the band’s longstanding collaborator Sarah Louise Ewing, with layouts by Steve Vantsis.


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


“Light Left In The Day”
“Oblivion”
“Beneath The Masts”
“Skates On”
“Miramare”
“Love Is The Light”
“Bookmarks”
“Last Eleven”


"Love Is The Light" video:





"Miramare" video:





“Oblivion” video:





The band have announced UK & European tour dates for September/October 2024.


September
17 - Swindon, UK - Wyvern Theatre
18 - Newport, UK - The Riverfront
19 - Whitley Bay, UK - Playhouse Theatre
21 - Edinburgh, UK - Queens Hall
22 - Newark, UK - Palace Theatre
24 - Milton Keynes, UK - Stables Theatre
25 - Manchester, UK - The Stoller Hall
27 - Weinheim, Germany - Stadthalle
28 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
29 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij


October
1 - Oslo, Norway - Cosmopolite
2 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Viften


Big Big Train will perform for the first ever time in the USA in March 2024, including an appearance on Cruise To The Edge.


March:
1 - Fort Wayne, IN - Sweetwater Performance Theatre
2 - Rutherford, NJ - Rivoli Theater at The Williams Center
3 - Rutherford, NJ - Rivoli Theater at The Williams Center
5 - Boston, MA - Regent Theatre


Ticket links for these shows are at bigbigtrain.com.


Lineup:


Alberto Bravin - Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Nick D’Virgilio - Drums, percussion, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals
Dave Foster - Guitars
Oskar Holldorff - Keyboards, vocals
Clare Lindley - Violin, vocals
Rikard Sjöblom - Guitars, keyboards, vocals
Gregory Spawton - Bass guitar, bass pedals, 12-string acoustic guitar, Mellotron


(Photo - Massimo Goina)

Earlier this year it was confirmed that Birmingham, England's Becky Baldwin is Mercyful Fate's new bassist, replacing Joey Vera (Armored Saint) in the band lineup.


Today, Baldwin - who toured North America with Mercyful Fate in late 2022 - has shared a bass playthrough video for "A Corpse Without Soul".


Says Becky: "One of the more challenging covers I've tackled in this collection - mostly due to being one of the band's earliest recordings. The sound of the first EP does not have the quality of the following albums (understandably so!) so as much as I love the raw intensity of this recording, it makes picking out the basslines precisely quite a challenge! As well as recording to it, without the track isolation and ability to sync to a metronome which always helps with a rhythmic instrument. That could well be due to my own lack of computer skills... But never mind, their recording is raw, and so was this take!




"I also gotta say, thank you all for the kind comments over the last month since being announced as the permanent bass player for Mercyful Fate! This has been an incredible start to the year, but my change in status won't prevent me from making these tributes to Timi. I want to keep sharing his original lines in playthrough videos until all my favourites are out there. Thank you for supporting me through this journey from fan to band member!"





In an interview with That Metal Interview Podcast, Baldwin talked about her experience touring with Mercyful Fate in 2022, and her feelings now that she's a full-time member. She also gives us an update on her band Fury, and their future plans and recordings.


On when we can expect new music from Mercyful Fate, Becky reveals: "My guess is gonna be toward 2025, maybe towards the end of 2025. But it depends how it all goes, 'cause King is working on a King Diamond album first, so we've got a little bit of time there. And they'll have to tour that as well, give it the full world tour treatment and everything. But there is something in the works. I've listened to (Mercyful Fate guitarist) Hank (Shermann)'s demos. He sent me, I think about nine songs, a couple of weeks ago and I've been listening through those. So it's on the way. It's all just been in the works for kind of a while, and now things are just starting to fall into place."

During an appearance on yesterday's (Tuesday, January 9) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Sully Erna spoke about GODSMACK's announcement that the band's latest album, "Lighting Up The Sky", will likely be its final collection of new material. Asked if there is a chance that he will change his mind about releasing new music in the future, Sully said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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."

GODSMACK will embark on the "Vibez Tour" in February 2024. The band is set to deliver a series of intimate evenings featuring acoustic/electric performances and untold stories in theatres across North America. The first leg is scheduled to begin on February 15 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, while the second leg will kick off April 9 in Valley Center, California.

"Lighting Up The Sky" was released in February 2023 via BMG. The LP was co-produced by Erna and Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALICE COOPER).

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.

Photo credit: Chris Bradshaw

Japanese rockers, Crossfaith, have returned with a roaring new single, titled "Zero". Watch the video below.





The song comes out of the gates swinging, throwing hellacious haymakers from start to finish. It finds the band continuing to cross-pollinate metal and industrial music into a DNA-distinct blend. The accompanying visual finds the band performing with a fierce fire in its belly that is utterly impossible to extinguish.




"After approximately one year of hiatus, we're finally coming back in the game," the band states. This song is filled with primitive energy, showcasing our distinctive style to the fullest. It becomes a music full of the desire to tear through the dark abyss with our own hands and be reborn anew."





Additionally, the band has announced Daiki Koide as its new guitarist. Koide issued the following statement about his new role:
 
"Since July 2022, I have been playing on many stages with Crossfaith as a support member, and I am delighted to announce that I have officially joined Crossfaith as a guitarist. I have known Crossfaith members for more than 10 years now, since I was a part of my previous band, Her Name Is Blood. Back when my own band broke up, I was struggling and seriously thought if I should stop pursuing a music career. However, Crossfaith was the one that reached out to me and brought me back on the stage. We have been making music and performing together on the same stage for a while, and I always felt like I was part of the band, but officially being the member now, I am ready to go all out without holding back. Everything I want to express will be poured into our new music. I am very excited to be able to express myself through music again. Please keep supporting us."


About Crossfaith:


"Playing heavy music is how I feel alive," says singer Kenta Koie. "We want Crossfaith to be the band making music that no one has ever heard before. Crossfaith formed in 2006 and released their debut album The Artificial Theory for The Dramatic Beauty in 2009, followed by The Dream, The Space (2011), Apocalyze (2013), Xeno (2015), and Ex Machina (2018). Each one saw the band blend its love of punk rock, metal, and electronic music in daring new ways. "Good art is how I express myself to other people. It's hard to talk from the bottom of my heart, that's why I write these songs," Koie says. In keeping with their progressive musical journey, 2020's Species EP saw the band continue to push their own sonic soundscape to new grounds. The band dropped the pandemic-penned single "Gimme Danger" in 2022.

Def Leppard brought their full 2022 Whisky A Go Go set exclusively to their YouTube channel for 24 hours only, starting on Friday, February 16. Although the clip has now been removed, the band are rolling out individual videos from the show.


You can now watch the band perform "Take What You Want" in this just released video:







Footage of Def Leppard performing "Kick" at the concert can be viewed below'





Def Leppard and Journey are teaming up for the Summer Stadium Tour 2024 with Steve Miller Band, Heart, and Cheap Trick. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame icons are once again coming together for a night of hits.


General tickets for all dates are on sale  here.





Tour dates:


July
6 - St. Louis, MO - Busch Stadium ^
10 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium ^
13 - Atlanta, GA - Truist Park *
15 - Chicago, IL - Wrigley Field *
18 - Detroit, MI - Comerica Park *
20 - Nashville, TN - Nissan Stadium *
23 - Philadelphia, PA - Citizens Bank Park *
25 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium *
27 - Pittsburgh, PA - PNC Park *
30 - Cleveland, OH - Progressive Field +


August
2 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre +
5 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park +
7 - Flushing, NY - Citi Field *
12 - Arlington, TX - Globe Life Field *
14 - Houston, TX - Minute Maid Park *
16 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome *
19 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Field *
23 - Phoenix, AZ - Chase Field *
25 - Los Angeles, CA - SoFi Stadium *
28 - San Francisco, CA - Oracle Park *
30 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park *


September
4 - Seattle, WA - T-Mobile Park ^
8 - Denver, CO - Coors Field ^


* with Steve Miller Band
^ with Cheap Trick
+ with Heart

Liv Kristine presents the official video for "Portrait: Ei Tulle med Øyne Blå". The song is the second single from the forthcoming reissue of Liv's solo debut from 1998, Deus ex Machina, which will be released for the first time on March 1 as a vinyl version and as a double CD with unreleased bonus tracks via Allegro Talent Music. Metalville Records will be handling the digital release of the reissue.





"Portrait: Ei tulle med øyne blå," based on a children's song from 1905, is a song in Liv Kristine's native Norwegian. In June 2023, a new interpretation was created together with Geir "Gerlioz" Bratland (Dimmu Borgir, God Seed, The Kovenant, Satyricon). "Portrait: Ei tulle med øyne blå" unfolds a lot of subtlety, magic, and the power of Liv Kristine's personal charisma.







1995 was the year in which a new star shone in the gothic metal sky with Liv Kristine. To this day, the Norwegian singer with her angelic soprano voice is considered an inspiration for numerous subsequent bands and artists.


After globally acclaimed albums and sold-out tours with Theatre of Tragedy, Liv Kristine signed a contract with Massacre Records in 1997 to realize her first solo album, Deus ex Machina.


At this time, she was completing a Master's degree in English and German studies and commuted between the University of Stuttgart and the recordings in the Illinois studio. At the same time, she continued to tour very successfully with Theatre of Tragedy.


October 27, 1997 was to become a very special date in Liv Kristine's career. On this day, she met Nick Holmes (Host, Paradise Lost). The chemistry between the two exceptional artists was right from the start, and so the jointly composed, beautiful gothic ballad "3 a.m." was the first song for the solo album Deus ex Machina, released in 1998. Although both Nick and Liv have a metal background, the fusion of their two voices created something very special.


But the other songs on Deus ex Machina also unfold a great deal of subtlety, magic, and the power of Liv Kristine's personal charisma. With "Portrait: Ei tulle med øyne blå," based on a children's song from 1905, there is even a song in LIV's native Norwegian on the album. In June 2023, a new interpretation of the song was created together with Geir "Gerlioz" Bratland (Dimmu Borgir, God Seed, The Kovenant, Satyricon), which can now be found on this new re-release of Deus ex Machina as an LP bonus track.


At the age of six, Liv Kristine showed a special receptivity and understanding of music and the different ways of singing. The song "In the Heart of Juliet" describes how she consciously and unconsciously experienced her childhood, the feelings of happiness, her love of magical melodies, the wonders of nature with its seasons and, most especially, the freedom of being. To this day, she describes the special experience of singing as "my magical bubble."


Since she was 15 years old, Liv has been performing with Theatre of Tragedy, Leaves' Eyes, and under her own name on stages large and small in over 60 countries, enchanting audiences with her clear and multi-faceted angelic voice.


To date, this has resulted in 15 albums and numerous collaborations. She was even honored with a Grammy nomination for her balladic duet with Cradle of Filth in 2005.


For Liv Kristine, both as a person and as an artist, authenticity and heart always come first. With the release of Deus ex Machina, she has already proven what a great, independent artist she is and has been inspiring and enchanting people all over the world for over three decades now.





CD Tracklist:


CD1
"Requiem"
"Deus Ex Machina"
"In The Heart Of Juliet"
"3 a.m."
"Waves Of Green"
"Take Good Care"
"Huldra Part I"
"Portrait: Ei Tulle med Øyne Blå"
"Good Vibes Bad Vibes"
"Outro"


CD 2
"In The Heart Of Juliet" (Forever Mix)
"Huldra Part II"
"Good Vibes Bad Vibes" (Dance on Mix)
"3 a.m." (Late Night Version)
"3 a.m." (Club Mix)
"3 a.m." (Radio Mix)
"3 a.m." (Single Edit)
"3 a.m." (No Loop Mix)
"Deus Ex Machina" (Alternative Remix)
"Deus Ex Machina" (Guitar Extended)
"Deus Ex Machina" (Remix)
"Sun In The Stream"
"Sun In The Stream" (Demo 1999)
"Inamorata" (Live)
"Inamorata" (Demo 1999)
"Huldra Part III"


Vinyl Tracklist:


Side A
"Requiem"
"Deus ex Machina"
"In the Heart of Juliet"
"3 a.m."


Side B
"Waves of Green"
"Take Good Care"
"Huldra Part I"
"Portrait: Ei Tulle med Øyne Blå"
"Good Vibes Bad Vibes"
"Outro"


"3 a.m." lyric video:

Linkin Park have shared a 30 second teaser via their social media channels for the song "Friendly Fire", featuring vocals by late frontman Chester Bennington. The song was recorded in 2017 during the sessions for the band's One More Light album but never released. No information on a release date is currently available, but stay tuned for updates.


Check out the teaser below.




🟢 20 “Friendly Fire” #FriendlyFireLP pic.twitter.com/YZVKAXKq9w
— LINKIN PARK (@linkinpark) February 19, 2024





In 2020, Linkin Park celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their breakthrough debut album, Hybrid Theory. They issued a previously unreleased song from the recording sessions for the album called "She Couldn't". Check it out below.


"It's incredible to think it's been 20 years since Hybrid Theory was released. All gratitude to our fans who made this epic journey we started 20 years ago possible. We dedicate our music to you. We rededicate our Hybrid Theory to you."





A limited-edition deluxe box set for the re-issue includes five CDs, three DVDs, three vinyl LPs, an 80-page illustrated book featuring unseen photos, a replica tour laminate, a poster of late Chester Bennington, and three lithographs of new art by Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn and Hybrid Theory art director and reissue art director Frank Maddocks.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (TSO),the multi-platinum rock group renowned for its dazzling holiday concert spectaculars, brought music and magic to more than just audiences — they spread holiday cheer with a total of $1 million in donations to local charities across the country during their recently concluded "The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve - The Best of TSO & More" winter tour.

Keeping with TSO's late founder Paul O'Neill's vision to spread holiday joy and support to communities in need, TSO remains one of rock's most charitable bands. For every ticket sold at their 104 performances in 62 cities, TSO committed at least $1 to support local organizations working to bring hope and help to their communities. This longstanding tradition has seen the group donate nearly $19 million since its touring debut, directly impacting countless lives.

One particularly heartwarming example emerged in Cleveland, Ohio. During TSO's sold-out shows at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, proceeds from ticket sales, along with a generous $65,000 contribution from local sponsor Minutemen Family Of Companies, amounted to a $90,856 for St. Augustine Hunger Center.

"We are incredibly grateful for TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA's long-standing commitment to supporting local organizations addressing unmet community needs," said Fredy Robles, chief program officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese Of Cleveland. "Here in Cleveland, we know one in seven people is food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will come from. We distributed 13,000 meals through our 2023 St. Augustine Hunger Center Christmas meals campaign, and we look forward to all that will come in 2024 thanks to TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA's generous gift."

The Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund said, "From the bottom of our hearts, the Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund (a 501 C-3 charity) thanks the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA for your ongoing generosity and support. With the $250,000 donated over the years, you've helped a lot of families in the Tampa Bay Area. God Bless TSO."

Beyond St. Augustine Hunger Center and The Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund, dozens of incredible causes across the country benefited from TSO's generosity. Notable examples include $38,338 being awarded to Tampa charities The Calta Family Foundation and Mason Dixon Christmas Wish; $35,786 being presented to Cincinnati charities the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, The Dragonfly Foundation, Toys For Tots, NewPath Child and Family Solutions, and The Music Resource Center; as well as $24,260 given in Columbus to Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Central Ohio and The Salvation Army in Central Ohio.

For over two decades, TSO enthralled audiences with its captivating live shows, drawing in approximately 19 million fans to over 2,000 Winter Tour performances. Their ongoing dedication to charitable giving, exemplified by this $1 million campaign, added another layer of warmth to TSO's enduring holiday magic.

Cave, the original band founded by former Metal Church vocalist, Ronny Munroe, have released a music video for their new song, "Rat In A Hole". Check it out below:





Cave will soon release their new album, One. Details are forthcoming. The band previously released a music video for "Hero", as well as a lyric video for another song, titled "The Gold Crown". Watch both clips below:










Cave is:


Ronny Munroe - Vocals
Chris Lorey - Guitars
Roberto Palacios - Bass
Chris Schwinn - Drums

On May 27, 1972, Led Zeppelin performed at RAI in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Expanded and upgraded footage of Led Zeppelin performing at the venue has surfaced online, and can be viewed below.


On the night, Led Zeppelin performed the following setlist:


"Immigrant Song"
"Heartbreaker"
"Black Dog"
"Since I've Been Loving You"
"Celebration Day"
"Stairway To Heaven"
"Bron-Y-Aur Stomp"
"Dazed And Confused"
"What Is And What Should Never Be"
"Moby Dick"
"Whole Lotta Love"




Encore:
"Rock And Roll"
"Communication Breakdown"





(Thanks: Led Zeppelin News)

In a new interview with "The Card King Sports Variety Show", former DIO guitarist Craig Goldy confirmed that he got a call from WHITESNAKE's A&R executive in the late 1980s about joining the David Coverdale-fronted band as the replacement for John Sykes. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That was a trip. At the time, me and David Glen Eisley were working on a project together for Geffen with [Geffen A&R executive] John Kalodner. And so when [John] Sykes decided to [form] BLUE MURDER, I remember [BLUE MURDER drummer] Carmine Appice had invited me over to his house. And I'll never forget it — I was sitting next to Carmine and he was playing me the demos of BLUE MURDER. And they scared the crap out of me, because they were so good. [I was thinking], 'Oh, man. This is really gonna take off.' And when Sykes was singing, I just assumed it was a guide vocal, because, let's face it, he's not the best lead vocalist on the planet. He's the best guitar player on the planet, the best songwriter on the planet, but not the best singer on the planet. Nor is he the best frontman on the planet. I'm sorry, but that's just the truth. So Geffen wanted David Glen Eisley, because, at the time, Isley was at the top of his game. And when you put his voice, like you go and listen to my 'Hidden In Plain Sight' [1991] album [from CRAIG GOLDY'S RITUAL], listen to the song 'Over And Over', that's David Glen Eisley on a heavy metal song. When Isley sings on heavy metal, it's absolutely amazing. And Kalodner knew that. He sings circles, Isley sings circles around Sykes. Even the first GIUFFRIA record, listen to some of the screams at the end of 'Turn Me On'. I mean, the guy had chops that nobody else had, but nobody knew about. And, unfortunately, Sykes had been told what to do by Coverdale for so long, it was his time to call the shots. And that's what he did. But, unfortunately, he still should have had a lead singer and let Sykes be almost like the Glenn Hughes to Coverdale in [DEEP PURPLE's] 'Burn', 'Stormbringer' album type of stuff. And he didn't. So Kalodner was pissed. So, now David Glen Isley is out. But in the meantime, [Kalodner] leaves a message on my machine. I'll never forget it, walking in and hearing the… I turned on the machine to find out where my messages, who called since I was gone. I hear, 'Goldy, it's Kalodner. Don't sign any contracts. You're gonna be the next guitar player for WHITESNAKE. I'll call you back.' … He was the reason why AEROSMITH got back together again and got so big. The guy knew what he was doing."

The now-62-year-old musician went on to say that his pairing with WHITESNAKE ultimately "didn't go through. And in a way, I'm very glad because then [Kalodner] put me and David Glen Isley together back in the studio, and that's where some of those others really great gems came from. And then that's what was part of some of the stuff that I did that got David Lee Roth interested [in me], and the producer of PINK FLOYD interested, and Joe Lynn Turner and all that kind of stuff. So some of the failures actually brought in some great achievements. But that was the deal."

According to Goldy, he would be a good musical match for Coverdale, who has famously gone through at least a dozen guitarist during WHITESNAKE's four-and-a-half-decade career. "Now I've dropped the weight and everything, I'd be a great fit for WHITESNAKE, 'cause I love Coverdale's voice," Craig said. "But I'm not one of those jack-of-all-trades guys. That's what he needs — just like David Lee Roth. You get a guy in there who can play anything and look great and do anything he asks right off the top of his head, like Glenn Hughes does with THE DEAD DAISIES with [Doug] Aldrich. Those guys are amazing. Those guys can do anything. I'm not that guy. I'm just kind of like a stylized guy. I have limitations. My imagination has no boundaries, but the things that I like and I put my heart into have limitations 'cause I won't go there 'cause I'm just not a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy. I never wanted to be that. Otherwise I would have been David Lee Roth's guitar player, and I probably would've been WHITESNAKE's guitar player, but I wasn't a good fit, and they just figured that out. And I'm good with that. Just to be considered was great."

Goldy joined DIO during the "Sacred Heart" tour in 1986 after original guitarist Vivian Campbell was fired from the band following a contentious business disagreement with the legendary heavy metal singer and Ronnie's management. After joining DIO, Goldy became Ronnie James Dio's right-hand man and went on to co-write such DIO classics as "Dream Evil", "One More For The Road", "As Long As It's Not About Love" and many others.

For several years, Goldy played sporadic shows with DIO DISCIPLES, which is made up of former members of DIO, along with a rotating lineup of singers, including former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens.

Goldy played in VENGEANCE, ROUGH CUTT and GIUFFRIA before joining DIO. "Dream Evil" was the first DIO album Goldy played on, recorded in 1987, but he left the group shortly thereafter, returning in 2000 to help record "Magica". Craig had left to do solo work, re-emerging in 1991 touting his CRAIG GOLDY'S RITUAL project, a group that involved Mike Stone on lead vocals, bassist Tom Rucci, keyboard player Doug Allen and drummer Carl Marelli. He left DIO again shortly after the release of the "Magica" album due to family commitments, at which point Doug Aldrich stepped in. Aldrich then joined WHITESNAKE, facilitating Goldy's final return to DIO.