Sammy Hagar has weighed in on the disparaging comments that David Lee Roth has made about Wolfgang Van Halen.

While speaking with People on Saturday ahead of MusiCares' "Person Of The Year" ceremony and concert held in honor of Jon Bon Jovi at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Hagar said: "Look, if you really think about what [David] said, it's like do I sense a little tinge of jealousy in there or something? Does he feel like he's left out or something?

"I mean, honestly, the only thing I can say without being cruel is he needs to find a new dispensary," Hagar jokingly added. "That one's not working for him."

Last month, Roth posted an audio clip to YouTube in which he blasted Eddie Van Halen's son for allegedly engaging in unpleasant behavior and making poor decisions during VAN HALEN's final tour.

"This fuckin' kid," David said, "he's complaining the entire tour like I'm not paying enough attention to him on stage." Roth continued: "He's complaining to everybody around me — the business manager, the security guy, the clothing lady — 'Dave's not paying enough attention to me.'

Roth went on to recount an incident at the New York stop of the tour where Wolfgang allegedly "commandeered a couple of monkeys to go in back, behind my back, over to the side of the stage and throw out these two great dames that I invited to be my guests to the show.

"In fact, you aren't gonna believe this shit. This fuckin' kid, what he doesn't know is that these two dames work for the accounting firm that represent him, not me. But as usual, he, just like his uncle and his uncle's brother, stiffed them for tickets."

Roth later told a similar story that allegedly took place at Los Angeles's Hollywood Bowl at the last-ever show of VAN HALEN's final tour. According to David, just as he and the rest of VAN HALEN were about to launch into "Ice Cream Man", Wolfgang had another female guest of Roth do "the walk of shame" and got her ejected from the venue.

With Wolfgang on bass, VAN HALEN embarked on lengthy tours in 2007, 2012 and 2015. The band's final run of shows took place in the summer and fall of 2015. The North American trek included 41 concerts beginning on July 5, 2015 and ending on October 4, 2015.

Back in December 2021, Wolfgang, who joined his father Eddie Van Halen in VAN HALEN at the age of 16 for the band's 2007 reunion tour with Roth, replacing Michael Anthony, was asked about David's retirement in an interview with Consequence. He said: "Dave is a… he's very much a one-of-a-kind [chuckles] sort of guy. We don't really talk, if ever. We were always cordial on tour together, but it's not like I've spoken to him at all in the last six years. But, I mean, he's fucking David Lee Roth. I'm so happy for him and for everything that he's accomplished. And he's just a phenomenal… He'll always be one of the best."

In November 2020, Wolfgang told Rolling Stone about his relationship with Roth: "We're cordial. But it was very business-related. You know, we were always cool, but we really only ever saw each other onstage."

Last year, Wolfgang implied in an interview that David Lee Roth was largely to blame for a proposed Eddie Van Halen tribute concert never materializing. He told Rolling Stone at the time: "What I can say is that there was an attempt at doing something. But, you know, I don't like to speak negatively about people, but there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to VAN HALEN. After being in VAN HALEN for a long time, I really have strived to have an environment where there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with. It's just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. But, you know, from my time in VAN HALEN, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. And, I think, that's what happened.

"I would love to just sit here and say everything and say the truth," he continued. "There are plenty of interviews my dad did, where he straight up just said everything. And people hated him for it and thought he was lying. So I could just say shit, but people have already decided how they feel about things, facts or not. So I can say the facts. But that may not align with how certain people feel. I know how VAN HALEN fans get. They are very motivated by which specific people they like in the band. And it's just not worth it. Just, we made an attempt, and some people can be hard to work with, and made it not happen."

Wolfgang went on to say that he "would really like to do something" for his father, but that the tribute concert idea "never even got off the ground."

"Look at anything that's happened with VAN HALEN," he said. "And look how things have fallen apart. You know? The fact that in my tenure, in VAN HALEN, we managed to do three tours, put an album of original material and a live album out is a fucking miracle.

"People love to pin every decision VAN HALEN has ever made on Dad," he continued. "But Al's the brain. Al has been the guy forever. He's the dude. When it comes to VAN HALEN, Dad just wanted to play guitar. But, you know, Al's mentality, and it's the mentality that VAN HALEN took for the entirety of its band, is that there's nothing worth talking about unless it's happening. So the reason that nothing has been talked about from VAN HALEN, the official channels, is because nothing's happened. And I know how that will stir people up and piss them off. But that's how the operation is run."

Asked what he would say if someone were to assume that the main problem was a certain singer with three initials — referring to David Lee Roth — Wolfgang replied: "I would say 'Do your research on the history of VAN HALEN, and come to your conclusions.'"

Eddie passed away in October 2020 at the age of 65. He had been battling throat cancer and died surrounded by friends and family at a Santa Monica, California hospital.

VAN HALEN had been inactive since it completed its U.S. tour nine ago.

In early 2019, rumors were rampant that the classic-era lineup of VAN HALEN would reunite for the first time since 1984. It has since been revealed that a health setback involving Eddie was responsible for the tour not materializing.

Boston-based hard rock band, Silent Season is excited to announce the signing of a new deal with earthprogram/Virgin Music Group. They’re focused on releasing new music and playing many shows this year, with other exciting plans.


"earthprogram is excited to be working with Silent Season, the band has a rich history of writing and recording, touring, and radio play, all the things that attract us to a great band with great music." as stated by Mike Glaser, Partner and General Manager of earthprogam.


Silent Season hails from Boston, Massachusetts and has been working hard to build their brand and grow their fan base since 2008. They have played many shows with national artists and have toured with bands such as 10 Years, Gemini Syndrome, Sevendust and Twelve Foot Ninja, while enjoying airplay on digital and terrestrial stations such as 107.3 WAAF, Music Choice, Sirius XM Octane, Sixx Sense and more.  




“We’re excited to partner up with earthprogram/Virgin Music Group to finally release new music in 2024. Getting to work with such an experienced team that includes music industry veterans such as Jason Jordan, Joel T. Jordan, Mike Glaser and resources from the Virgin Music Group, puts the band in a great position to be successful in an already extremely competitive industry.” As mentioned by David Pappalardo, Drummer of Silent Season. 
With a strong social media presence, ~10 million total streams in counting, countless shows logged, Silent Season is ready to take on their next career challenges and work hard to make substantial noise within the hard rock scene. Stay tuned for the first single release date.


Find out more at silentseasonmusic.com.

In a new interview with Joe Matera, former HIM frontman Ville Valo spoke about a possible follow-up to his debut solo album, "Neon Noir", which was released in January 2023 under the VV banner. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "The album came out about a year ago. We played 120 gigs last year and there's about 30 to go. So, I'm still fully focused on this one. I am strumming and humming new ideas, but I haven't really started properly focusing. I think it's unfair for the tour, and it's also… I find it extremely hard to live in the future and in the present at the same time, like working on what might happen in three years. It's sort of like when this is over, then I can let my imagination bloom again and get into sort of like overdrive and then let the new music take over and then I'll forget all about the past music. Keeping it all happening at the same time, my brain doesn't kind of compute it all. I'm not a great multitasker."

Earlier in the month, Valo told The Rockpit about the response to "Neon Noir": "Well, the operation in its entirety has been quite — I've been awestruck and I've been exhilarated. I'm really pleasantly surprised because there were so many things… HIM was such a big part of who I am and still is such a big part of who I am, I wasn't sure whether I can pull off writing a good song by myself, or to perform it with a new set of lads behind me playing it. And I didn't know how people were gonna react. For obvious reasons, I was hoping that it wouldn't be a tribute act in a way and that it wouldn't be just about the HIM songs. And I've been really pleasantly surprised that there seems to be this new generation that never had the chance to see HIM, and some of the newer generation, they seem to be gravitating towards 'Neon Noir' more than the HIM tracks, which is great. So there's all sorts of people in the audience. There's people from between 18 and, let's say, 68. It's great that there's all sorts, and that makes each and every night a bit different. Not to say that there would be grannies on Tuesdays and teenagers on Wednesdays, but it keeps on changing. Also, the cool thing about HIM was the fact that different albums had different levels of success in different parts of the world. So, an album called 'Dark Light' was quite a success in the States, then an album called 'Love Metal' was quite a success in the U.K., and an album called 'Razorblade Romance' was a huge success in the Central Europe area. Then the 'Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666' was quite massive here in our home country [of Finland]. So, different songs have different meanings to different audiences and people, and that makes it always a positive struggle."

He continued: "It's been really, really nice because I couldn't really wish for more. And then the fact that we've been able to travel quite a bit. We played 120 shows last year, which is a lot for me. I've never been a part of a tour, like an IRON MAIDEN sort of thing, the way you do 300 shows in five years. So, there's 30 more or so to go before we finish off a Royal Albert Hall in London on, I think the 10th of May. And, yeah, it's been… I couldn't really hope for anything more. It's been amazing, especially after the pandemic. And there's so many things that influence the overall exhilaration, so to speak."

HIM completed a farewell tour in 2017, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career.

A little over a year ago, Ville told Radio Bob! about HIM's split: "I think it was the right call to call it a day with HIM. We'd done it for a long, long time and it started to sort of, like, wither away a bit. It was maybe our interest and maybe just sign of the times. We'd been together for such a long time that we were ourselves really surprised that it lasted for such a long time."

"Neon Noir" came out via Heartagram Records, distributed by UMG/Spinefarm.

Valo's show at the iconic and historic Royal Albert Hall in London on May 10 will mark the end of his promotion around "Neon Noir". The concert will not only be the "Neon Noir" finale but also wrap up Valo's reincarnation.

"The idea behind VV and 'Neon Noir' was to symbolically finish what HIM started, and after the bangs and whimpers at the Royal Albert Hall, it's time to reshuffle the pieces of the puzzle once again and give Herbert West a shout," he said in a press release.

"I had no expectations whatsoever when releasing music under the banner of VV, so I've been quite shocked to see people still find my kind of racket enjoyable, warts and all. Touring has been way less painful than I dared to hope, and as we say in Finland, it fits my arse like a glove. A mourning glove from a bygone era."

Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, OVERKILL), Jon Dinklage ("Clockwork Angels" string ensemble), Joe Bergamini (drum instructor, author), John Wesley (PORCUPINE TREE) and Seven Antonopoulos (OPIATE FOR THE MASSES) are among the guests who performed with YYNOT, considered one of the premier RUSH tribute bands, at this year's "Bubba Bash 2024", a charity concert in celebration of RUSH's late drummer Neil Peart on the fourth anniversary of his passing. Proceeds from the show, which was held on January 6 at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania, will go to benefit Cedars Sinai Hospital in memory of Neil.

Professionally filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of YYNOT).

The progressive rock band YYNOT was the coming together of award-winning guitarist/songwriter/producer Billy Alexander and Florida-based virtuoso bassist Tim Starace. In 2015, after seeing Tim post videos of his mind-blowing and accurate RUSH bass covers, Alexander approached him about forming an online collaboration. With the addition of drummer Mike Hetzel and vocalist Adi Argelazi, YYNOT delivers a well-deserved "throat punch" in both their live shows and recorded material with their original progressive rock and "note-for-note" vintage RUSH covers while adding their own swagger to the mix. Their debut album and latest release, "Resonance", have garnered praise from the rock world including Prog magazine and Classic Rock. The records have continued to sell in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Brazil and more. YYNOT has accumulated devoted fans all over the U.S. and abroad.

Three and a half years ago, Portnoy spoke to World Prog-Nation about how Peart influenced him on a musical and personal level. He said: "I spent 20, 30 years idolizing him and being his biggest fan. And all those years, it was mainly the drum kit — the drum kit was such a fascination for me. He always built such amazing kits and put so much thought into it. I'd always get the tour programs where he'd write about the kit and what the new things were on it, and I would just look at those photos. Most other kids were looking at Playboy centerfolds; I was looking at Neil Peart drum kits. And then, obviously, his playing — it goes without saying. I learned how to really develop parts and orchestrate drum parts to build and change and develop within the song. So that was the biggest stuff for me as a fan. And then later on, once I got to know him, I was so inspired by what a gracious person he was."

Mike added: "He had this reputation that he was sort of quiet and isolated and private, and he was, and it was very important for him to guard that. But once you were somehow allowed into that inner cicle, he was always so sweet and kind and generous. He'd always send me holiday e-mails and he would always send me his new books and stuff like that. It was a relationship that I'll always cherish and I was honored to have."

During an October 2021 interview with TWISTED SISTER bassist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza's Internet show "22 Now", Portnoy once again spoke about a hypothetical scenario in which he would be chosen to tour with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as the replacement for Peart. Asked if he would be interested in taking that gig, Portnoy said: "Of course. That would be a dream to play with those guys. But I don't wanna see the Blabbermouth headline right now, me thinking that I deserve the gig. I'm not saying that. You're asking me a question. Hypothetically, of course, it would be a dream come true. Neil was my hero, and always will be, and Geddy and Alex are as well.

"I don't think in a million years they'll play [as RUSH] without him; I really don't," he continued. "But in a hypothetical dream scenario, I mean, come on — of course. But I don't think in a zillion years it will happen. But it's a nice dream to hypothetically wonder about. But I honestly don't think it would ever happen. But who knows? You never know.

"As much as hypothetically it would be fun, it would be amazing, it would also be an impossible role to fill," Portnoy added. "It's a no-win situation. Really, it would be impossible, 'cause his fans are as obsessive as they get — and count me amongst them. So, yeah, that would be a tough one."

Mike also talked about RUSH's final tour which concluded at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. Peart indicated at the time that he wanted to retire while he was still able to play well, along with a desire to spend more time at home with his young daughter.

"They went out on such a high," Portnoy said. "Their last tour was a farewell tour. I don't think anybody expected Neil to pass, but they wanted to stop touring, so they really went out with such an amazing tour. That tour was just so well done, so perfectly executed, and they went out with all three of them still at the top of their game. So I give them all the credit in the world for that. It's just sad that Neil didn't get many years to enjoy the retirement before he got sick. That saddens me."

In February 2020, Bello commented on Peart's passing, telling the "Come To Where I'm From" podcast: "I didn't expect that. I didn't see this coming at all. That's one of my guys. And as a bass player, too, I'll say that. That's the guy I try to lock in bass with… Just think about these crazy things that he did outside the box and experiment and made it look easy. I mean, think about it.

"I'm so sorry I didn't see that last [RUSH] tour. I wasn't home. That last tour, I was never home when they were [near my hometown], and I regret that.

"Man, talk about a loss," he added. "It just breaks my heart. You just want more. 'Cause I don't think there are people like that around. There's never gonna be another RUSH. That came organically.

"Growing up in the Bronx, I'd come home from school, [go over] to my Uncle Joe's deli, worked till eight o'clock. Eight o'clock, eight thirty, I'd grab something to eat, go right to my room and learn a RUSH song."

RUSH announced Peart's passing on January 10, 2020, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

This is happening TONIGHT!!! A tribute to our hero, the late great Neil Peart, and the music of Rush…The show is already...

Posted by Mike Portnoy on Saturday, January 6, 2024

Starting off 2024 in style with our SOLD OUT Bubba Bash!

Posted by The Keswick Theatre on Saturday, January 6, 2024

Mark your calender!
Bubba Bash 2024 - 1/6/2024 at The Keswick Theatre
Tix - https://bit.ly/3t5RW8h
Featuring YYNOT,...

Posted by YYNOT on Friday, November 10, 2023

AC/DC has announced the initial details of the group's first tour dates in eight years.

The legendary band's lineup for the "Power Up" European tour, which will kick off in May and run through August, will consist of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group's touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.

Says AC/DC: "We are thrilled to finally announce the 'Power Up' European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff.

"The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can't wait to see you all out there."

Tour dates:

May 17 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 21 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 25 - Reggio Emilia, Italy, RCF Arena
May 29 - Seville, Spain, La Cartuja Stadium
June 05 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Johan Cruyff Arena
June 09 - Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 12 - Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 16 - Dresden, Germany, Messe *
June 23 - Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 26 - Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 29 - Zurich, Switzerland, Letzigrund Stadium
July 03 - London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 07 - London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 13 - Hockenheim, Germany, Ring *
July 17 - Stuttgart, Germany, Wasen *
July 21 - Bratislava, Slovakia, Old Airport
July 27 - Nuremberg, Germany, Zeppelinfeld *
July 31 - Hannover, Germany, Messe *
August 09 - Dessel, Belgium, Festivalpark Stenehei
August 13 - Paris, France, Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
August 17 - Dublin, Ireland, Croke Park **

Tickets go on sale on February 16 at 10:00 a.m. except * on sale at 11 a.m. local time on February 16 and ** on sale at 9 a.m. local time on February 16

AC/DC's first show in seven years took place on October 7, 2023 at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

AC/DC recruited Laug to perform with the band at the three-day event.

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.

In its announcement about Laug's addition to the band's Power Trip lineup, AC/DC 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 Chris 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.

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist." At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC's singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, the now-76-year-old Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer's hearing problems.

Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and "miniaturizing" the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.

Chaney is best known as the bassist of JANE'S ADDICTION and as a member of Alanis Morissette's touring and recording band. Chaney was also a member of TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS and CAMP FREDDY, as well as being a prolific and versatile session musician, having played with artists including Joe Cocker, Shakira, Slash and Avril Lavigne to Sara Bareilles, Gavin Degraw, Cher, SHINEDOWN and Celine Dion. Chaney is also a founding member and partner in the all-star supergroup ROYAL MACHINES along with Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION),Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY),Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL).

Bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement at the end of AC/DC's 2015-2016 "Rock Or Bust" tour, which also saw Johnson leaving. However, Williams — and Johnson — took part in the recording sessions that resulted in "Power Up". Both of them were also part of the AC/DC lineup that performed at Power Trip.

During an October 2020 interview with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, Cliff was asked if Johnson's departure from the road was what led to his desire to stop touring. Cliff responded: "It was before then. I spoke to Angus about it initially. I was at a point — and this is at the beginning of the 'Rock Or Bust' tour — that I just felt, for me, it was time to hang it up. I knew that I didn't wanna keep doing these two-year tours, and I didn't wanna hold them back, so I made them aware of the fact that this was gonna be my last go-round. It was a tough tour to finish. God bless Axl for coming in and helping us out, finish it up. He did a great job. And at the end of that, I was definitely — that was it for me. Done — just done. That compounded the whole thing."

According to Williams, he wanted to take part in the recording sessions for "Power Up" as a tribute to Angus's late brother, founding AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on "Power Up".

"If 'Back In Black' has [late AC/DC singer] Bon Scott all over it, for me, 'Power Up' has got Malcolm Young," Cliff said. "This is for him. And it's the band that we played together with for 40-plus years. And I wanted to do that — I wanted to come back and do that.

"We did some rehearsals earlier [in 2020] before this darn COVID thing popped up, and we had great rehearsals," he continued. "The band was playing really well. So [they asked me], 'Do you wanna do a few shows? 'Sure'. A few shows. We were planning on doing that. Everyone goes home to their respective homes, and bang, we've been here ever since [because of the coronavirus-related shutdown]."

Cliff went on to confirm that his commitment to AC/DC was only for "a few" dates in support of "Power Up".

"For both [my mental and physical] health," he said. "I definitely have some physical issues, which I won't bore you with the details of. But, yeah, it's tough. I'm very grateful for everything. It's been fantastic. But I just don't wanna do that anymore."

Williams previously revealed that a "terrible" bout with vertigo contributed to his 2016 retirement. He also admitted the return of both Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd convinced him to rejoin the group. "It was like the old band back together," he told Rolling Stone. "It was not like starting over again, but as close to the band that's been together for 40-plus years as we can possibly make it. I didn't want to miss that."

The follow-up to 2014's "Rock Or Bust", "Power Up" was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and "Rock Or Bust".
We are thrilled to finally announce the ‘POWER UP’ European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VTVMKdweNX

— AC/DC (@acdc) February 12, 2024


The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can't wait to see you all out there. Tickets on sale Feb 16 — go to https://t.co/jugYO74nWI to learn more.
(2/2)

— AC/DC (@acdc) February 12, 2024

Singer Keith St John has announced his departure from KINGDOM COME after a five-year run with the band.

St John joined KINGDOM COME in 2018 after original vocalist Lenny Wolf opted not to be involved in the group's reunion alongside drummer James Kottak, guitarists Danny Stag and Rick Steier, and bassist Johnny B. Frank.

St John's exit from KINGDOM COME comes just a month after Kottak died at the age of 61.

Earlier today (Sunday, February 11),St John released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "I really loved every single moment on stage working with James and the guys for the last five years. I am so grateful for every time we took the stage together and created that pure magic that truly touched the stars. I want to say thank you to all the new fans and especially the older deep fans that accepted me and took me in!"

He continued: "I brought my A-game to help James with his vision of getting KINGDOM COME restarted and I can say I did my very best for the brand. But since James's recent passing, my head's been in a tailspin as we'd been friends for around 30 years and there was nothing more anyone could have done to help him to save himself. It's been such a tragic loss for all who he once touched with his superhuman talents. I will always miss him dearly. I was still pretty out of it and traveling the road when regrettably some recent communications hit me that made it obvious that it was time for the band and me to simply go our separate ways."

St John added: "Danny Stag, JB Frank and Rick Steier are truly timeless forces in the world of rock and roll and I hold those three gentlemen in the highest regards. We definitely played some of the most amazing kick-ass shows together.

"To my brothers in the KINGDOM COME band that are carrying on with it, I wish for them the very best! To all those who are reading this, I will see you down the road apiece…and again, thanks to our fans that supported us on this journey."

Earlier this month, Stag, Steier and Frank launched a new web site at kingdomcomerockband.com where they revealed that they will carry on under the KINGDOM COME banner with the addition of two new members, vocalist Ezekiel "Zeke" Kaplan and drummer Matt Muckle.

The all-new KINGDOM COME is promising to kick off 2024 "with a new touring lineup, new personnel, a new album, and a brand-new live tour," starting on March 15 at The Lamp Theater in Irwin, Pennsylvania, followed by an appearance at The Mercury Music Lounge in Lakewood, Ohio on March 16.

Regarding the split with St John, KINGDOM COME wrote: "KINGDOM COME has decided to part ways with vocalist Keith St John in order to allow him to devote more time to BURNING RAIN, 'Raiding The Rock Vault', and his solo projects. We sincerely wish him only the best, and thank him for his invaluable contributions to getting KINGDOM COME back up and running again in 2018."

Kottak, who was open about his battle with alcoholism, died on January 9. No cause of death has been given.

KINGDOM COME had used a different drummer, SLAUGHTER's Blas Elias, instead of James for most of the band's shows in the last year and a half due to Kottak's deteriorating health.

KINGDOM COME's most recent touring lineup consisted of St John and Elias alongside Stag, Steier and Frank.

Kottak's daughter Tobi told TMZ her father passed away in Louisville, where he lived until 1987, although further details about the exact circumstances weren't immediately available.

In addition to SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, Kottak had toured with such bands as WARRANT and even DIO for a short run. James was also involved in various other projects, including the 1990s band KRUNK in which he sang lead vocals and played guitar.

Kottak was married to Athena Lee, the sister of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010.

Last month, St John told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about Kottak's passing: "He went through his ups and downs, obviously. And in the end, it seemed like he was really trying to pull it back together. I know he was just through a 48-day program, trying to do the rehab thing."

St John explained that KINGDOM COME had been forced to use a different drummer "after a certain level of [James's] playing going away, which was just heartbreaking, 'cause really when he came out, he was like the second coming of [John] Bonham or something, in the '80s. And it was just heartbreaking to see him struggling to play," he said. "I mean, of all things, this is James Kotak; he was right on top. And the decision to — I can't say — just part ways with him, put it that way, until he got better and get another guy was tough — probably tougher for the other guys, 'cause they had a really long history with him, especially one of the guitar players, Rick Steier, who grew up with James down near Louisville, Kentucky, which is where he's from. This is a guy that was his partner in crime, quote-unquote, for all these years, even off the stage and off the road. But finally, we just had to do it, man. It just got to that point where we didn't wanna see him embarrass himself, and it just wasn't good for the band, promoters weren't liking it. So, yeah, we had to bail."

Posted by Danny Stag on Thursday, February 8, 2024

https://kingdomcomerockband.com/home

Posted by Danny Stag on Thursday, February 8, 2024

Come see us perform this one on March 15th at the #lamptheatre in Irwin Pa and March 16th Cleveland Ohio mercury music lounge . #kingdomcomeband @followers @highlight

Posted by Matt Muckle on Friday, February 9, 2024

South Carolina's Egyptian-themed death metal titans NILE are preparing to mix their new album at a Nashville studio with producer Mark Lewis, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER and BAD WOLVES, among many others.

Earlier today, NILE share a short video of founder Karl Sanders (guitar, vocals) as he was getting ready for a drive to Tennessee to begin mixing the band's tenth LP.

"I'm on my way to Nashville to go mix the new motherfucking NILE record with Mark Lewis," he said in the clip. "Got a trailer full of gear, car full of gear, coffee to go. I will be back when metal is made."

Last October, NILE announced its new touring lineup. Joining Sanders and longtime drummer George Kollias are Dan Vadim Von (MORBID ANGEL, INCANTATION) on bass/vocals and Zach Jeter (HIDEOUS DIVINITY, OLKOTH) on guitar/vocals.

Last June, Sanders spoke to Headbangers Latinoamérica about the progress of the recording sessions for NILE's tenth studio album. Asked how the studio work is coming along, Karl said: "Very well. George finished all his drums. He did an amazing job. When people hear this, they are not going to believe that it's a real live human doing all this stuff. But it's George. People who have seen him live and in the flesh can believe. So he's done probably the best album of his career with this new NILE record."

In July 2022, Sanders told Guitar World magazine that he and his bandmates had 10 songs written for the follow-up to 2019's "Vile Nilotic Rites". Earlier that same month, NILE announced the departure of bassist/vocalist Brad Parris.

Originally hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, international death metal legends NILE have become one of the most revered names in the worldwide heavy metal scene today, combining extreme traditional and technical death metal styles with their trademarked blend of Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern soundscapes and historical mysticism.

"Vile Nilotic Rites" was released in November 2019 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded and produced by Sanders at Serpent Headed Studios in Greenville, South Carolina, with the exception of the drums which were recorded at Esoteron Music Studios in Athens, Greece with engineering handled by Jim Touras and George Dovolos. The album was mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis at MRL Studios. For the album artwork, the band returned to artist Michal "Xaay" Loranc who had worked with the band for over 10 years.

In September 2021, NILE announced that it had signed a worldwide contract with Napalm Records.

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In a new interview with Steve Black of "Chop Shop", guitar wizard John 5 — a huge KISS fan and an avid memorabilia collector of the band — spoke about attending the legendary rockers' final concert ever, which took place on December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I really wanted to go to the show. And I just got home from Australia [from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE] and I was, like, 'God, the last…' That flight to Australia is so long; it's, like — I don't know — 126 hours or something like that. So, I got home and the KISS show was right around the corner. So I was, like, 'Okay' — I don't know — I was really exhausted and everything. And I was kind of like bumming around the house, a little depressed and stuff, so my wife said, 'Get in an Uber. [We're] going to the airport. You're going to the show.' So she surprised me."

He continued: "I took a really late flight and got to New York at six in the morning and was just loving it and looking at all the stuff and blah blah blah, having a good time. [I] got to the show, and it was the very last show. And it was emotional for me, because I was, like, 'This is the last time they're playing 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Shout It Out Loud' and 'Love Gun'; it's the last time they're gonna play these songs with makeup. So, it was an incredible experience.

"But here's something really cool," John 5 added. "At the end of the show, I was at the soundboard, and I was waiting for everyone to leave, and everyone's going [one] way and I was gonna go [the opposite] way and I was gonna leave through the little backstage area. So I was making my way through. And it took a while for people to leave and stuff like that. So it was a good 20 minutes — I was just sitting there and saying hello to people. And so I finally get there, and I'm going back there and I see [KISS bassist/vocalist] Gene [Simmons]. And he's, like, 'John, John.' And I go over to him and talk with him and I thank him for all the music and the memories and all that stuff. And we just chatted for a while, and we took a picture. And then I watched him go in his dressing room. And I was talking to a couple of people and the door opens in and out with crew people coming in and out and I could see him taking his stuff [makeup and stage clothes] off. And I was, like, 'Did I just get the last picture of Gene Simmons with makeup on?', from the last show. And it's on my Instagram. And it was something very special."

John 5's KISS collection reportedly includes clothing, promotional items and merchandise that was originally made available between 1973 and 1983. The guitarist showcases this massive collection in an Instagram account dedicated solely to it, named "Knights In Satan's Service."

In an interview with Ultimate Guitar's Justin Beckner, John 5 said that the most valuable item in his KISS collection is Simmons's costume from 1974. "That was like his first costume, and you would know it well if you saw it; you would know it right away," he said. "It's on the cover of 'Hotter Than Hell'. I mean, it's been in a zillion pictures. It's the one with the skull and crossbones on his back, and he's got the bat wings, and he only had one. Now they have multiple costumes, just in case something happens, but they were very poor back then, and he would carry this costume on the subway with him. I guess that would be my favorite piece."

Asked if he got the costume right from Gene, John 5 responded: "Actually, yes. They had a big auction back in the day. So there's quite a collection, and it is a part of history. I mean, KISS is almost like this… the makeup and the logos are almost as recognizable as McDonald's."

Later this month, John 5 will embark on a tour with his solo band THE CREATURES. Support acts on the trek, which will kick off on January 26, 2024, at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California and wrap up on March 1, 2024 at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California, will include former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, LILIAC, Jared James Nichols, Nikki Stringfield and VAN HALEN tribute act THE ATOMIC PUNKS.

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Swedish multi-instrumentalist Per Wiberg has offered up his latest single, "Follow The Unknown." The track comes by way of his impending new full-length, The Serpent's Here, slated for release on March 15 via Despotz Records.


Wiberg comments, “‘Follow The Unknown’ is the last song on the album and puts an end to a loose story that started with Head Without Eyes in 2019, the last piece of the puzzle so to speak. Musically, it’s heavy, doomy, and out there with a cool live in the studio feel. The melodic vocals lead the song with kind of a singer-songwriter vibe but instead of the traditional Americana backdrop picture, it’s something along the lines of Melvins jamming with Pink Floyd and Motorpsycho. Once again, there’s the top-notch creative mix by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge that endorses the wild playing by Tor Sjödén on drums and Mikael Tuominen on bass, enjoy!”


As an unrivaled musical alchemist, Wiberg’s work has illuminated an array of now-classic albums over the years performing with the likes of Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, and Candlemass, as well as Clutch/The Bakerton Group, Switchblade, and Kamchatka, among others, for over thirty years. However, it’s Wiberg’s solo conjurings that serve as the zenith of his musical voyages.




In 2019, Wiberg released his debut solo offering, Head Without Eyes. A record of Nordic prog submerged in a gnawing stew of jolting guitar notes and emotive melodies, Wiberg’s debut laid bare an unexplored sonic landscape that surpassed the successes of his past and solidified his strong presence as a unique solo artist in his own right. Wiberg followed Head Without Eyes with his equally stunning 2021-released All Is Well In The Land Of The Living, But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out EP, a compelling celebration of innovative rock at its finest. Expanding and further evolving his vision, Wiberg expertly composed the definitive and established paradigms of traditional progressive rock with spirited and electrifying twists of dark tone. The Metal Observer hailed, “a great EP that serves as a fitting soundtrack to these strange, dark times,” adding, “its thick, otherworldly atmospheres represent a gloriously dark and hallucinated take on Scandinavian prog that weaves together Wiberg’s many musical influences and takes them to the next level of dark melodic exploration.


The Serpent’s Here continues Wiberg’s innovative trajectory boasting six consuming tracks, plus a fantastically gloomy rendition of Warrior Soul’s “The Losers,” that are at once grim and surreal; airy yet ominous. Wiberg paints vivid sound tapestries with his clever sense of dynamics and thoughtful lyricism. Each song moves with alluring subtlety and suspense, not unlike the conventions of classic film noir. And while Wiberg strays far from the traditional musical constructs, there’s an inescapable melodicism and intrinsic catchiness to his output that makes even his most experimental outpourings seamlessly accessible.


“The music has a strong familiar identity I’d say,” notes Wiberg, “It’s heavy in its tone but this time a little braver, up-tempo, loose, and ‘rock’n’roll’ compared to the previous two albums. Overall, this is the most epic sounding of my stuff so far. Things are more defined. I worked hard with lyrics and vocal arrangements this time.”


On The Serpent’s Here, Wiberg is joined by drummer Tor Sjödén (Viagra Boys) who played drums on the previous EP, as well as bassist Mikael Tuominen (Kungens Män). Basic live tracks (drums, basses, grand piano) were recorded at Studio Gröndahl by David Castillo and, as with previous releases, the record was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Blacklounge Studios.


“All songs are built from rough song sketches that I showed Tor and Mikael,” elaborates Wiberg of The Serpent’s Here’s writing process. “The idea was that they could improvise. All basic tracks were recorded live in an afternoon to give it that extra spontaneous energy, and then I’d layer keys, guitars, and vocals on top of what we recorded. Overall, there are more guitars this time as well as two basses on the majority of the tracks.”


Stay tuned for more track teasers from the record to be revealed in the weeks to come.


Find preorder bundles at the Despotz Records webshop.





Tracklisitng:


“Dead Sky Lullaby”
“The Serpent’s Here”
“Blackguards Stand Silent”
“This House Is Someone Else’s Now”
“He Just Disappeared”
“Follow The Unknown”
“The Losers” (Warrior Soul cover)


"Follow The Unknown":





"Dead Sky Lullaby":





“The Serpent’s Here”:





(Photo – Soile Siirtola)

Epic metal pioneers, Warlord, are on a mission in tribute to fallen bandmate, William J Tsamis, and return once more with Free Spirit Soar on May 10 via High Roller Records. New single and lyric video "Conquerors" is streaming below. A 7" single of "Conquerors" will be released on April 12.


With Free Spirit Soar, a brand-new studio album by Warlord with all songs having been recorded between March and September 2023, singer Giles Lavery and drummer Mark Zonder honor their bandmate, Bill Tsamis, who passed away in 2021. They are joined by Jimmy Waldo on keyboards/synthesizer, Philip Bynoe on bass and Eric Juris on guitars.


“We wanted to finish these pieces of music that were started ‘for Bill’,” explains Lavery, “and the material we felt was certainly strong enough to inspire us to do so.”




Regarding the guitar parts he specifies: “Bill is there where we could pull his tracks off the demo recordings, in much the same way the Beatles were recently able to rescue John Lennon’s voice from an old demo tape. however be assured this album is not "a demo", nor does it sound like one, our new guitarist Eric does most of the heavy lifting as far the recording, but all of the music was written by Bill and we stayed very very faithful to what he wrote.”


Preorder Free Spirit Soar at the High Roller Records webshop.





Tracklisting:


"Behold A Pale Horse"
"The Rider"
"Conquerors"
"Worms Of The Earth"
"The Watchman" (CD-exclusive track)
"Free Spirit Soar"
"The Bell Tolls"
"Alarm"
"Twin" (CD-exclusive track)
"Revelation XIX"


"Conquerors" lyric video:





Lineup:


Mark Zonder - Drums           
Philip Bynoe - Bass
Eric Juris - Guitars
Jimmy Waldo - Keyboards
Giles Lavery - Vocal

On May 3, New York's Imperial Triumphant will release a new version of 2018's Vile Luxury - remixed & remastered by longtime contributor Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts). Upon its initial release, the album set a new standard for the possibilities of extreme music; now, the trio returns with a fresh approach to this seminal record—often considered Imperial Triumphant at their most accessible—allowing stygian dimensions and monolithic intents to seep through. For a first preview, the redubbed video for "Swarming Opulence (Redux 1924)" is available below.


Regarding "Swarming Opulence (Redux 1924)", Steve Blanco (bass) comments: "The future, like everything else, is not quite what it used to be. From 2018 to 1924, timeless vision extends. Behold the single which truly pushed Imperial Triumphant into the spotlight of the new roaring twenties. Swarming Opulence: that which never stops consuming."


Artwork by Noah Meihoff:







Vile Luxury formats here:
--CD Digipak
--Hudson River Blue 2LP
--Chernobyl Radiation Neon Green 2LP
--Digital Album


To coincide with the release of Vile Luxury, Imperial Triumphant have collaborated with the avant-garde minds of House of Masks (AJ Good, Slipknot), Paleface & Company, Joshua Everetts, and the visionary talents of Trash Bag Ghosts to create the Masque of Mercury. The masks feature a brand new and reimagined design. Each highly collectible, an extremely limited hand numbered box displays the enigmatic and clandestine opulence of the collaborative and limitless talents between Imperial Triumphant and House of Masks. Purchase masqueofmercury.com.





(Photo - Shawn Brandon Media)

Reigning Phoenix Music is proud to announce the signing of high flyers, All For Metal. After their spectacular live debut at Wacken Open Air 2023, followed by an enormously successful tour alongside Italian power metal dwarves Wind Rose, the band have become one of the most promising newcomers of the metal scene.


But the era of All For Metal is actually just about to begin: They stand for a truly epic generation conquering the metal world resolutely. Ignited by unparalleled union and passion, the group are reaching for the main stages of the globe, and their mission is nothing but spreading the message of power, unity and undying love for metal! All together, the band are the incarnation of a new era within the metal universe; they are determined to conquer the hearts and souls of fans worldwide. Witness the ascension of a movement which revives the genre with never seen energy and dedication. Reigning Phoenix Music is pleased to welcome the band to its roster and looking forward to support the outfit on their further career path.







All For Metal enthusiastically comment on the new partnership: "Fans and friends! We're excited to announce Reigning Phoenix Music as new partner for our future endeavours! It's been a great start for All For Metal und 2024 will see us embark on even more adventures! Thank you for trusting in us, lets conquer the world with our slogan: It's All For Metal...and metal for all!"


RPM managing director Jochen Richert adds on the label's latest roster addition: "Could there be a better label home for a band named All For Metal than RPM? No one breathes music as we do! Additionally, I've accompanied them since their first riff; I am one of their biggest fans and supporters. That's why I'm very pleased that we can work on climbing the metal olymp with All For Metal."


Their sophomore offering is already in the works - and it will guide us to a different place musically and also visually: to Japan! The band want to take fans on this journey by recording a music video for new track "The Year Of The Dragon" in the land of the rising sun itself, but for this special mission, they need a lot of support and thereby invite fans to contribute to their ongoing crowdfunding campaign.


"Let's go on this journey together: We're aiming to produce the most unique music video in our history. We have the song, so now we only need YOU!" appeal the band.


Another exciting career chapter for All For Metal awaits this spring: They will be touring across Europe with labelmates Lordi from March until May. This run will be one for the metal books.


Find the band's complete tour itinerary here.





All For Metal are:


Tim "Tetzel" Schmidt - vocals
Antonio Calanna - vocals
Jasmin Pabst - guitars
Ursula Zanichelli - guitars
Florian Toma - bass
Leif Jensen - drums
Christina Schulz - showgirl
Luisa Lohöfer - showgirl


(Top photo - Patryk Kaszubski)

In a new interview with White Line Fever TV, SLAUGHTER bassist Dana Strum was asked about the status of the band's upcoming documentary. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are in the process of working with two major companies that you guys would know well that I don't wanna say because they both shouldn't know that. But they both have crazy interest in it. And one of them wants it tailored a little bit to them, and we've said we want it to be honest and real, and that may call the cards, because the real story is really true.

"For people that are listening that their parents either encourage them to play music or to do a podcast or to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be, [SLAUGHTER frontman] Mark Slaughter's father was really the one that I spoke to, and he has a great role in this thing, because in the end, if Mark's dad didn't love his kid and encourage his kid, I would have never met Mark. I actually spoke to the dad, just playing around and joking around, before his dad ever admitted to me, 'I want you to come see my son. You may be a guy that could just bring my son and squeeze him through this.' So it was really a story of this guy loving his son, and he appears in and out of the thing, because he got to see his kid go from a very small one-bedroom-type rehearsal environment to playing Madison Square Garden on the KISS tour. And not many parents quite get to see quite that."

Asked if the SLAUGHTER film will be "more documentary than a biopic," Dana clarified: "There's people that portray the younger versions, and watching some of that going down is interesting, because you're, like, '[It's] pretty fucking close.' Some of it is amazing. Some of the people study early footage and, I'm, like, 'Look, dude, the guy's got every fucking move you've made.' It's like seeing that QUEEN [biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody'], that guy [Rami Malek, who played Freddie Mercury] was so good, and they were all so good."

Dana also brought up one particular incident that will be covered in the SLAUGHTER film. He said: "It's important to us to bring those funny moments out, where a manager came in once to the studio and said, 'It's really too bad that [SLAUGHTER's classic power ballad] 'Fly To The Angels' doesn't have a chorus, guys. If it only had a chorus, it could be a big song.' 'Fly To The Angels' currently has about 44 million views on YouTube, unpromoted — very naturally. And every night we play it, people are crying, singing and relishing. But that's the truth. Now, if you listened to that manager guy at the time, you could have taken it into a whole another direction. And I looked over and I said, 'You know what's great about opinions? They don't really matter.' He just stared at me. He just stared at me, like, 'I'm gonna fucking kill you.' And I said, 'Well, either you're gonna kill me or you're gonna be thankful I stuck to my guns.' And [there were] many moments like that."

Asked if there is already a finished cut of the film that is being shopped to interested companies, Dana said: "There's not a finished cut, but the story and the interweavings of the story have been worked on for a good while. It's like a good movie — if you don't have a great story… Or a good song. If you don't have a good song, you can be a greatest band in the world, but people may not be able to hear you. So, it's that kind of thing. But the story, I think, is a really, really good story."

SLAUGHTER formed in 1988 from the ashes of Slaughter and Strum's previous band, VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, which featured former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent. The group's double-platinum debut, "Stick It To Ya", featured the hit singles "Fly To The Angels", "Up All Night", "Mad About You" and "Spend My Life". The band issued four additional full-length albums over the course of the rest of the decade, but it has not released any new music since 1999's "Back To Reality".

SLAUGHTER's current lineup consists of Mark and Dana alongside Jordan Cannata (drums) and Jeff "Blando" Bland (lead guitar, backing vocals).

Original SLAUGHTER guitarist Tim Kelly was killed in a car accident in 1998.

Last year, Mark credited SLAUGHTER's uplifting lyrics with contributing to the band's longevity.

"[During] the grunge era, there was some depressing stuff in there, and our music is a light and love and of a different mindset," he told the San Bernardino Sun. "I don't slag any of the alternative bands that came forward because they have their place and sound, and quite honestly, I enjoy them just like the next person. But I think that life should be celebrated, which is the key point with the span of SLAUGHTER. We're all about the celebration, more than getting caught up with what's wrong with the world."

In a new interview with Canada's The Metal Voice, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner spoke about the band's upcoming studio album, "Invincible Shield", which will arrive on March 8 via Sony Music. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think it's its own animal, as all the albums are. It's the character of the band that's been there for over half a century now. There's [singer Rob] Halford, [guitarist] Glenn Tipton, [bassist] Ian Hill, [drummer] Scott Travis. Scott's been there for 30 years. So there's that beautiful legacy that they laid down, along with [former guitarist] K.K. Downing and [former drummers] Les Binks and Dave Holland and all those guys in the past. And we're moving. We always try to do something a little bit different, whether it's musical or lyrical content or…. We always try to make it better, quote-unquote — better songs, better production, better solos, better melodies. We always try and strive to do something that's better than the last one. And it has its own unique quality."

Asked what his mindset was when it came to crafting his guitar parts for "Invincible Shield", Richie said: "Well, there's two sides to this. I always kind of do it the same way — I sit down with the guitar whenever. Like today, I might sit down with the guitar and a riff will come out or a section will come out. I'll come up with something that sounds strong and build on that. And I kind of let the guitar dictate what I'm coming up with. And we take those ideas and then get them in a writing session together with the three of us and we put those ideas out there and see if anything sticks. I've always done that with the three albums [I've done] with the band [so far], but what I did differently this time, we had a bit more time to develop riffs and solos and musical parts because of the lockdowns of the pandemic. So there were a few solos on this record which I actually worked out. I don't usually do that. I usually play some off-the-cuff solos in the studio … and you build it around them. But a few of them on this record I actually worked out."

He added: "I'm always trying to find my own voice. I'm always trying to find my own thing to say. Coming in after K.K. Downing, who had such a unique voice, and Glenn as well, what am I going to say? That's always been my journey. So I mapped out some of the guitar solos on this record, which I don't usually do."

The official music videos for the LP's first three singles, "Panic Attack", "Trial By Fire" and "Crown Of Horns", can be seen below.

The release date for PRIEST's follow-up to 2018's "Firepower" was announced on October 7, 2023 during the band's performance at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

After BLACK SABBATH's "War Pigs" played as the intro to PRIEST's set, a graphic was displayed on the video screens announcing "Invincible Shield".

The cover artwork for the CD and vinyl versions of "Invincible Shield" can be found below.

In a recent interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Faulkner asked about his previous comment that the follow-up to 2018's "Firepower" would be "a little bit more progressive". He clarified: "I think 'progressive' means different things to different people, so it's not super, super complex DREAM THEATER magic, but I think it's complex and progressive in the way that there's some twists and turns and it doesn't really follow any scripts if it doesn't have to. There's two solos in [the LP's first single, 'Panic Attack']. There's a part in it that's 7/8 time [signature]. There's two kind of bridges. So it just goes out of the box a little bit, without being unaccessible, that's what I mean. So I think compared with 'Firepower', it's a little bit more progressive, a few more twists and turns along the journey of the song."

Asked what the inspiration was to make the music a bit more progressive this time around, Richie said: "That was the stuff we were coming up with. When I come up with music, it's usually the riffs first. I sit down with the guitar and the guitar kind of pulls it out of me, really, wherever it comes from. And it just so happened that some of those parts were a bit more unorthodox, time-changey stuff or different time signatures. And the record takes on its own character by itself. As you write a record, you might have an idea of where you wanna go, but the record takes on its own flavor by itself, and you go with that — you recognize where it's going and go with that. So, that's what we were coming up with, and sort of went with that mindset, really."

Regarding his own personal contributions to the songwriting process on "Invincible Shield", Faulkner said: "Well, it's a fairly shared thing. I'm not a lyricist, and obviously Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer] is, for example. Me and Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist] write a lot of the guitar parts and musical parts and Rob writes a lot of the vocals and vocal melodies. And Rob's got a great sense of phrasing as well. He might come in one day with an idea for a song and it's got some melody and it's got some timing and you can attach yourself to that timing and come out with a riff. So it's kind of — we get in a room, like me and you put a band together, and 'what have you got?' and 'what have I got?' and we put them together and come up with new songs. And it's fairly organic like that."

Richie also addressed the fact that the main "Invincible Shield" album contains 11 songs, with three additional tracks being made available on various versions of the album. He said: "We wanted to keep it around 10, 11 tracks on the main record. But the bonus tracks, we didn't wanna put them on the shelf never to see the light of day. We wanted to get them out. We wanted people to hear those as well without being part of the standard release. So we released everything we had in different formats."

Faulkner then elaborated on the musical direction of "Invincible Shield", saying: "It's a pretty intense record. There's no real moment where there's a ballad or something like that. It stays up there.

"When you release a record, it's exciting," he explained. "It's also scary at the same time, 'cause is it gonna be well received or not? You never quite know when you let it out in the world. So it's an exciting time, for sure."

Last June, Faulkner told Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio about the musical direction of the new PRIEST material: "There are definitely a few more twists and turns on this record. There are a few more musical parts. So, there might be a bit of... As I said, there are twists and turns. I've used the word 'progressive' before, and the Internet ripped me a new asshole. But it is progressive in the sense that it's not like verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus-finish. It's musical part-verse-musical part. It might do a few twists and turns, musically. It veers from the path of it, a bit like 'Sinner' or 'Tyrant' or something like that. So, it's a bit more '70s PRIEST, which I ichie e as a guitar player… It's '70s PRIEST, but it's not a retro album, by any means. It's the influence of '70s PRIEST in the progressive sense, but it sounds like PRIEST in 2023."

He added: "Every PRIEST album has kind of stood on its own, stylistically. It's had that DNA of JUDAS PRIEST, because the characters are so strong. But it's always been a little bit different — retaining that DNA but having its own character. So, this one's no different, really, in the sense that it's obviously JUDAS PRIEST, but it's its own animal; it stands on its own two legs."

In November 2022, Faulkner told Robert Cavuoto of Metal Rules that some PRIEST fans misconstrued his previous comments about the musical direction of the band's upcoming LP. He said: "I think we've used the word 'progressive', and everyone thinks it's gonna become 'Nostradamus' [PRIEST's controversial 2008 symphonic heavy metal concept double album about Nostradamus], or RUSH, which is two different things. I've definitely used the word 'progressive' [to describe the new PRIEST material in previous interviews], purely because it's got a few musical turnarounds that 'Firepower' doesn't have. But that doesn't make it a RUSH record. It just makes it — instead of, like, a verse into a bridge into a chorus, there might be a couple of more musical passages in there to make it a bit more… interesting; might be the wrong word. I don't know. You've gotta be careful with the words you use these days. So it's not 'Firepower 2', but it's the same band a few years later, so there's obvious connections to the last record. But it's not 'Firepower 2' by any means."

Richie continued: "No PRIEST records have sounded the same, but it's got a common DNA. And you always try and make the next one sound a bit better — or whatever 'better' may be; 'better' is subjective. So, is it better written? Are the lyrics better? Does it sound better? And 'better' is always subjective. So it's hard to pinpoint, really. But it's a bit more of a musical adventure than the last one, I'd say. But then again someone might listen to it, when it does come out, and have a totally different interpretation of what it is. So it's always tough to sum up your own music without sounding up your own butt."

In February 2022, Faulkner told Canada's The Metal Voice about the overall sound of the new PRIEST music: "Whenever you start a record, you never know how it's gonna turn out. So you might start with an idea of what it's gonna be, and as it kind of rolls on, it comes out something different. So you don't quite know. And also it's really hard to sum up your own music, I find, without sounding really pretentious. But I think this one — it's not 'Firepower 2', I don't think. It's its own thing, it's its own animal. If anything, I would say it's a bit more progressive in places, and in places it's got a bit more of that 'Killing Machine' swagger."

Faulkner added: "I know everyone says, 'Oh, is it the next 'Painkiller'?' or 'Is it the next…?' whatever… I don't know if they'd ever done it, but I know we've never done it when I've been in the band; we've never tried to recreate an album. It's always we try to create an album that stands on its own legs. So I think it's definitely a little bit more progressive than 'Firepower' and, as I said, in places it's got a little bit of that 'Killing Machine' angry swagger attitude going on."

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

CD cover:

Vinyl cover:

Symphonic metal titans, Epica, have shared their Latin America 2024 aftermovie, available for streaming below.


Says the band: "It's not a secret, that Latin America has some of Epica's favourite crowds and of course they could not wait to return in January and February of 2024, to visit Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and 70,000 Tons of Metal. Come along on this adventurous trip with us and take a look behind the scenes in this Latin America Aftermovie."







Recorded in early 2023 at the band’s biggest Dutch headline show to date, Live At The AFAS Live captures the electrifying stage energy of Epica with some of their biggest hits.





Recently released on all digital platforms, this will be the final sign of life before the band returns to the studio to write their new album. Stream the full EP on all platforms now, here.


You can watch the live video for "Code Of Life" (Live At The AFAS Live) below.


Guitarist Isaac Delahaye comments: “It’s always a pleasure to play this fan-favorite track, and to take the crowd with us while we build up to the massive groove and have a headbang party together. Enjoy listening & watching 'Code Of Life' as performed earlier this year in Amsterdam!”





Watch "Beyond The Matrix" from the same show, below:

Kings Of Thrash, featuring former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Jeff Young, performed at the historic Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on December 14.


Video of the band performing Megadeth's "Black Friday" joins previously posted footage for "Looking Down The Cross". Watch both below:










During a recent interview with Metal Express Radio, Jeff Young revealed he and David Ellefson are gearing up to release an album of all original material.


Young: "Everyone's saying Kings Of Thrash is coming out with an original album, and it's not Kings Of Thrash. Chaz (Leon) is our singer for doing the Megadeth stuff, but for the original stuff, Ellefson and I have been writing for over a year. We've been working on some (new) songs. We're using this guy from Brazil that's gonna blow you guys away. He sounds kind of like Dio meets Chris Cornell meets Rob Halford. He's got perfect pitch, so he never hits a bad note. It's crazy."

Former MACHINE HEAD and VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel says that he has kept his involvement with Kerry King's new eponymously named solo band a secret for the past four and a half years.

Less than a week ago, it was announced that the SLAYER guitarist's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", will be released on May 17 via Reigning Phoenix Music. All material for the LP was written by the 59-year-old musician, who was accompanied during the recording sessions by Demmel, drummer Paul Bostaph (SLAYER),bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH) and vocalist Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL). Helming the sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles last year was producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and BAD RELIGION, among others.

In a new Instagram Live video, Demmel spoke about how he ended up being approached to join Kerry's new band. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The way that this came about on my end was SLAYER was on its way through the [San Francisco] Bay Area [during the band's farewell tour] and they played San Jose. I think it was with maybe — NAPALM DEATH opened that one and LAMB OF GOD, and maybe even TESTAMENT played. I think it was maybe the last day of [that leg of] the tour. And this was maybe the summer of [20]18. And I knew that I was on my way out of MACHINE HEAD, and I had approached Kerry kind of, like, 'Hey, what are you doing after SLAYER ends? What do you got going?' And he was kind of, like, 'Ah, I'm sure I'm gonna keep playing with Paul. I'm probably gonna ask [then-SLAYER guitarist] Gary [Holt to play with me in my new band as well].' And that was about it. And so fast forward to my announcing that I was quitting MACHINE HEAD [in September 2018], and the same day Kerry shoots me a text, like, 'That's why you were asking me what I was doing next.' So it was no secret to Kerry that that's what I was interested in doing after. And when the call came to fill in for Gary [at several SLAYER shows in Europe in December 2018] and the way that I came through in that spot really showed those guys a lot. So, Kerry [and me], I remember we at a Raiders game against Denver, which was probably 2019, that he had said, 'Hey, this is what I'm thinking,' and where he committed to me being in the band. So it was pretty fucking awesome."

Phil continued: "So I've been waiting since August of 2019 to be able to announce [that I was in Kerry's new band]. A couple of people knew. [Kerry] wanted it to be a secret, so we didn't kind of share. So that was four and a half years of holding on to the secret. Some would say that it was the best worst-kept secret or the worst best-kept secret. But we're all pretty stoked to get this started."

Regarding how "From Hell I Rise" came together and his contributions to the album, Phil said: "Kerry wrote all the music. He wrote all the lyrics. They had pretty much all of it done for a while. Him and Paul worked on everything. He sent me parts. It was the slowest of the slowest rolls that I've ever been involved with, just due to the quarantine and the singer search. So it took a bit, and it's taken a bit for all of the reasons. I mean, there was a reason for all of it. So it got to a point to where all of us, the guys in the band, were, like, 'Have you heard anything?' 'No, I haven't heard anything.' It was almost like the swimming instructor when you're learning how to swim, and then the instructor keeps backing up. 'Come on, you can make it.' And you're swimming and you're swimming and you're swimming, and they keep backing up. And [it was] all worth it. They recorded the record. I was structuring solos at home. I have a home studio, and I was constructing my leads. And I had 'em done for a bit. And he'd give me a couple of more: 'Hey, why don't you see if you can come up with something over here?' And I wrote a couple of little harmony bits that you don't hear a lot in SLAYER. So I think that that's what sets this band apart, other than Mark's vocals, of course, is the melody in some of my solos. I wrote a few things and I sent 'em to him, and the solo you hear in 'Idle Hands' is the first one that I wrote. And so I had to ask him, I said, 'Are you gonna be okay with my style?' It's kind of different than from what [late SLAYER guitarist] Jeff [Hanneman] and Gary had done, and he was digging it. So I was glad that that was [the case], 'cause it's kind of what I am and what I can bring."

In last week's interview with Rolling Stone, Kerry stated about how Phil came to his new project: "Demmel came out with SLAYER at the end of 2018 to fill in for Gary for four shows. What he did for us, I don't think I could do for any band on the planet. He had basically two days to watch [SLAYER] play so he could know where the pyro was and the tempo of our set. I couldn't do that for JUDAS PRIEST, and I'm a giant PRIEST guy. With this, Bostaph said, 'Hey, what about Demmel [for the new band]?' I texted him. He's like, 'Yeah, I just got done with MACHINE HEAD the day before yesterday.' I went, 'Well, that's kind of perfect.'"

Asked how he and Phil play off each other, Kerry said: "He's more technical than I thought he was. He comes from California thrash like I do. He'd be, like, 'Do you think this solo is too melodic?' I'm, like, 'It's your lead. Unless it's offensively lame, I'm not going to squash it.' I like what he brought to the record, even though it wasn't much, since I didn't let him play rhythm guitar."

KERRY KING will be special guest on the upcoming LAMB OF GOD/MASTODON North American "Ashes Of Leviathan" co-headline tour. The six-week run will launch on July 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas and will wrap on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. KERRY KING will make the band's 2024 concert debut in May, first at the Welcome To Rockville festival (May 9),followed by Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival (May 16).

Photo credit: Andrew Stuart

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Revolution Saints, the band led by Journey vocalist/drummer Deen Castronovo, have released "Fall On My Knees", the third single off their new full-length album, Against The Winds. The track is accompanied by a music video.


Joined by fellow rockers bassist Jeff Pilson (known for his work with Foreigner and formerly of Dokken) and guitarist Joel Hoekstra (of Whitesnake and Night Ranger) the new iteration - Revolution Saints MKII - is here to rekindle the fervor for melodic rock.


Against The Winds, primarily produced and composed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (who also contributes on keyboards and background vocals), delivers what you would expect: captivating vocals, enchanting melodies, and hooks that will linger in your mind for days.




With this album, Revolution Saints exhibits a heightened sense of cohesion, energy, and emotion. They solidify their status as giants in the genre, and this album unquestionably reaffirms why they belong at the pinnacle once again.


Watch the video for "Fall On My Knees" below:





Revolution Saints was initially conceived by Serafino Perugino, the President and Head of A&R at Frontiers Records, to showcase the remarkable vocal talents of Deen Castronovo. While Castronovo had always been respected as a drummer, those who took notice of his background vocals and witnessed his lead vocal performances during Journey shows, soon recognized his exceptional singing prowess.


Revolution Saints was and continues to be, a platform to spotlight Deen's incredible vocal abilities. Order Against The Winds here.





Tracklisting:


"Against The Winds"
"Changing My Mind"
"Fall On My Knees"
"Can't End It Right Now"
"Lost In Damnation"
"Will I See You Again"
"Show Me Your Light"
"Save All That Remains"
"Been Said And Done"
"Diving Wings"
"No Turning Back"


"Changing My Mind" video:





"Against The Winds" video:

Skid Row frontman, Erik Grönwall, has shared the new video below, featuring a performance of the Baywatch theme, "I'm Aways Here", originally performed by Survivor vocalist, Jimi Jamison, who died of a heart attack at the age of 63 on September 1, 2014.













Grönwall previously shared videos featuring performances of "Rising Force" written by Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner, Whitesnake's "Still Of The Night", and Mötley Crüe's "Kickstart My Heart". See below:

Iron Maiden frontman, Bruce Dickinson, will release his first solo album in 19 years, The Mandrake Project, on March 1 via BMG worldwide on multiple formats. In the new video below, Bruce unboxes the limited blue vinyl edition of the album:





Across ten inventive, expansive and absorbing tracks, Dickinson and his long-term co-writer and producer Roy Z, have created one of 2024’s defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, The Mandrake Project sees Bruce bring to life a musical vision long-in-the-making, and features some of the finest vocal performances of his career.




Recorded largely at LA’s Doom Room with Roy Z doubling up as both guitarist and bassist, the lineup for The Mandrake Project was rounded out by keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce’s last solo studio album, Tyranny Of Souls, in 2005.


The Mandrake Project is Dickinson’s seventh solo album. Pre-order here.





The Mandrake Project tracklisting


"Afterglow Of Ragnarok"
"Many Doors To Hell"
"Rain On The Graves"
"Resurrection Men"
"Fingers In The Wounds"
"Eternity Has Failed"
"Mistress Of Mercy"
"Face In The Mirror"
"Shadow Of The Gods"
"Sonata (Immortal Beloved)"


"Rain On The Graves" video:





"Afterglow Of Ragnarok" video:





Dickinson recently announced a series album signing sessions at hmv stores across the UK.


Held in partnership with Planet Rock, Bruce will be personally signing copies of The Mandrake Project at five stores in early March.


The events kick off at the stroke of midnight on Friday, March 1 at hmv Cardiff – the exact moment The Mandrake Project is unleashed to the world. Bruce will then travel to London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Manchester for further album signing events.


"Planet Rock is excited to bring you some special programming around the signings, which we will announce in due course."


Access to the Bruce Dickinson signing sessions is limited, and you can visit hmv.com right here to find out how to attend.


Bruce Dickinson’s hmv signing sessions in association with Planet Rock:


March:


hmv Cardiff – Friday 1st at Midnight
hmv Oxford Street, London - Friday 1st at 6 PM
hmv Vault, Birmingham – Saturday 2nd at 11:30 AM
hmv Meadowhall, Sheffield – Saturday 2nd at 5 PM
hmv Manchester - Sunday 3rd at 2 PM





Dickinson and his phenomenal band will bring the music of The Mandrake Project to life with a major headline tour this spring and summer.


The Mandrake Project tour dates:


April
18 - Diana Theater - Guadalajara, Mexico
20 - Pepsi Theatre - Mexico City, Mexico
24 - Live Curitiba - Curitiba, Brazil
25 - Pepsi On Stage - Porto Alegre, Brazil
27 - Opera Hall - Brasilia, Brazil
28 - Arena Hall - Belo Horizonte, Brazil
30- Qualistage - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil


May
2 - Quinta Linda - Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
4 - Vibra - Sao Paulo, Brazil
18 - Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow, UK
19 - O2 Academy - Manchester, UK
21 - Arena - Swansea, UK
23 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK
24 - O2 Forum Kentish Town - London, UK
26 - L’Olympia - Paris, France
28 - 013 - Tilburg, Holland
29 - De Oosterport - Groningen, Holland


June
1 - Barba Negra - Budapest, Hungary
3 - Arenale Romane - Bucharest, Romania
5-8 - Mystic Festival - Gdansk, Poland *
5-8 - Sweden Rock Festival - Solvesborg, Sweden *
9 - Rockefeller - Oslo, Norway
11 - Grona Lund - Stockholm, Sweden
13 - House Of Culture - Helsinki, Finland
14 - Noblessner Foundry - Tallinn, Estonia
16 - Huxleys Neue Welt - Berlin, Germany
17 - Grosse Freiheit 36 - Hamburg, Germany
19-22 - Copenhell - Copenhagen, Denmark *
22 - Summerside Festival - Grenchen, Switzerland *
24 - Zeltfestival Rhein-Neckar - Mannheim, Germany *
25 - Circus Krone - Munich, Germany
27-30 - Hellfest - Clisson, France *
30 - Rockhal, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg


July
3-6 - Rockharz Open Air - Ballenstedt, Germany *
5 - Ippodrome Delle Capannelle, Rock In Rome - Rome, Italy *
6 - Bassano Del Grappa, Metal Park - Vincenza, Italy *
9 - E-Werk - Koln, Germany
13 - Hala - Zagreb, Croatia
16 - Kolodrum Arena - Sofia, Bulgaria
19 - Kucukciftlik Park - Istanbul, Turkey
21 - Plateia Nerou - Athens, Greece (supporting Judas Priest)


* - festival performance


Bruce Dickinson’s touring band features guitarist Roy Z, drummer Dave Moreno, bass-player Tanya O’Callaghan and keyboard maestro Mistheria. For more information regarding the tour click here.

Queen have released the final episode in their series, The Greatest Live. Watch below.


A message states: "As the curtain closes on our Queen The Greatest Live series, we look back at the 100 episodes to enjoy some of the iconic performances, songs and moments that illustrate just why Queen are The Greatest.  Thanks for watching!"







The latest 'Queen The Greatest' Pop-Up Store is now open in Tokyo, Japan. Check out the video below


The store's focus is on the relationship between Queen and Japan, and the store sells a variety of Japanese-themed products and reprinted items from previous tours. In addition to the items that have been sold at each location, there will also be many new items exclusively for this store. The main visual for the store is an iconic design created and directed by Brian May himself for Japanese fans.


Queen are currently on a five-date run of shows as part of their Rhapsody Tour with Adam Lambert. Tour dates and tickets can be found here.


Queen The Greatest Pop-Up Store Details:


Date: Saturday 1st February 3, 2024 - Sunday, February 18th 2024


Opening Hours: 11AM - 8PM


Location: OM169 Building, 1-6-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo


Directions:


4-minute walk from Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station on R Yamanote Line
4-minute walk from Exit 3 of Meiji-jingumae Sta. on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line
1-minute walk from Universal Music Store Harajuku toward Meiji-dori on Takeshita-dori

Melodic hard rockers, Lionheart, have released a lyric video for "Little Ships", the third and final single from their upcoming new album, The Grace Of A Dragonfly, out via Metalville on February 23. Pre-order the album here, and watch the new clip below.


"Little Ships", with its upbeat verses and memorable chorus hooks, tells the story of “Operation Dynamo” when, between 26th May and 4th June 1940, hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk with the aid of hundreds of “little ships” ranging from merchant fishing boats to yachts. The song’s anthemic choruses embody the miraculous success of the operation.







As soon as the previous album, The Reality Of Miracles, hit the shelves in 2020, Lionheart knuckled down to record the next one, deciding early on that this time they would produce a concept album. The record centres around WW2, but the band very much wanted to make this an anti-war album, while at the same time remembering those who fought for our freedom.


The songs on The Grace Of A Dragonfly are sensational, with Lee Small’s emotional lyrics reflecting not only the pain and grief inflicted by war on ordinary, innocent people in every conflict zone, but also their strength, resilience, and determination. Supported by Lionheart’s superb songwriting, soaring backing vocals, beautiful twin-guitar harmonies, and atmospheric keyboards, Lionheart’s sheer power shines brightly from every one of the eleven songs, culminating in a heartfelt prayer for peace in the world.





Tracklist:


"Declaration"
"Flight 19"
"V Is For Victory"
"This Is A Woman's War"
"The Longest Night"
"The Eagle's Nest"
"Little Ships"
"Just A Man"
"UXB"
"The Grace Of A Dragonfly"
"Remembrance, Praying For World Peace"


"V Is For Victory" video:





"Flight 19" lyric video:





Lionheart lineup:


Lee Small (The Sweet, ex-Shy) - lead vocals
Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden) - lead guitar/backing vocals
Steve Mann (MSG, ex-Liar) - lead guitar/backing vocals
Rocky Newton (Grand Slam, ex-MSG) - bass guitar/backing vocals
Clive Edwards (ex-Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth & Wild Horses) - drums, percussion

Ozzy Osbourne, FOREIGNER, JANE'S ADDICTION, OASIS, Peter Frampton and Lenny Kravitz are among the nominees for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's Class Of 2024.

Other nominees are Mariah Carey, Sinead O'Connor, Cher, Sade, Mary J. Blige, A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Eric B. & Rakim and KOOL & THE GANG.

To be eligible for this year's ballot, each nominee's first single or album had to have been released in 1999 or earlier.

According to Rolling Stone, ten of the fifteen nominees — Mariah Carey, Cher, FOREIGNER, Peter Frampton, KOOL & THE GANG, Lenny Kravitz, OASIS, Sinéad O'Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade — are on the ballot for the first time.

Ozzy, along with the rest of the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH, was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2006, but the legendary heavy metal singer has yet to be recognized for his solo career.

Ozzy said in a statement: "I'm deeply honored to receive this news from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. To be one of the few musicians who's being considered for a second entry, now as a solo artist, is something I could never have imagined. After 44 years as a solo artist the fact that I can continue to record music and receive this recognition is something I am incredibly proud of."

The top vote-getters will be announced in late April and inducted in the fall during a ceremony in Cleveland.

The inductees will be determined by an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, historians, and members of the music industry, in addition to a fan vote on the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame web site.

The Rock Hall induction ceremony will stream live on Disney+. It will also be available on Hulu following its premiere, and will also receive a special airing on ABC.

Earlier today, FOREGNER's founding member, guitarist Mick Jones, said in a statement: "I deeply appreciate the recognition from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame committee. It is wonderful that FOREIGNER has maintained its presence all these years and brought the music to our fans. Getting this news today is an incredible endorsement of what we have achieved over time. I know I speak for my fellow FOREIGNER nominees, Lou, Rick, Al, Dennis, and the families of Ed Gagliardi and Ian McDonald."

Sharon Osbourne discussed Ozzy's absence from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist during a recent appearance on "The Adam Carolla Show". Asked by host Adam Carolla how the nomination process works and whether she has to lobby to get Ozzy in as a solo artist, Sharon said: "There are people on the board, and the people on the board have to go in, and it has to be on their list, and it has to be on more than, I think, half of the votes. More than half."

Sharon went on to say that she doesn't like to "beg" anyone for anything. "I will never beg, and I will never ask for favors," she explained. "I've never asked anyone for a favor. So, my thing is fuck you if you don't realize that somebody really deserves to be here. And you don't recognize that? Then, see ya."

When Adam pressed Sharon about whether she has done "any lobbying" to get Ozzy into the Rock Hall, she said: "We went to a dinner last year for the people who had been inducted in last year. They invited us to the dinner and we went. And people were saying to Ozzy, 'Oh, you've been inducted in,' and we were, like, 'No, actually. We were just invited for the food, so we're here.' That's as near as we've got, but no."

Sharon added: "They know that Ozzy deserves to be there. They know he's been a solo artist. You've gotta be doing it for 25 years. He's been 43 years as a solo artist. He sold nearly a hundred million albums as a solo artist. So where is he? Induct him."

Artists are eligible to be inducted into the Rock Hall after at least 25 years have passed since their first record was released.

In 1999, Ozzy attempted to take BLACK SABBATH's name off the Hall Of Fame's nomination list that year, deeming the institution's nod "meaningless."

In an October 1999 letter to the Hall Of Fame, Osbourne said: "Just take our name off the list. Save the ink. Forget about us. The nomination is meaningless, because it's not voted on by the fans. It's voted on by the supposed elite for the industry and the media, who've never bought an album or concert ticket in their lives, so their vote is irrelevant to me." He added, "Let's face it, BLACK SABBATH has never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine."

Back in 2005, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi told Launch he was not happy that SABBATH had not yet been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. "I'm pissed off about that," he said. "I think that's... you know, I don't normally go round blowing our own trumpet saying we are this and we are that. I'm not that kind of person but I really think we deserve... you know, to be in that. Because without us that kind of music wouldn't have existed. 'Cause a lot of bands that have sparked off from us wouldn't be around and there probably wouldn't be this king of music."

When BLACK SABBATH finally earned its induction in 2006, the band went in with LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Mike Davis and BLONDIE.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2014.

JUDAS PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the 2022 Rock Hall event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

Legendary Ozzy guitarist Randy Rhoads was posthumously inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during the 2021 ceremony. Rhoads, who played in Ozzy's band more than four decades ago, received the Musical Excellence Award at the October 2021 event.

In an October 2023 interview with "Good Day Rochester", the morning news show which airs on the Rochester, New York television station 13 WHAM, original FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm once again addressed the fact that the band is not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and had not even been on the ballot for consideration yet. He said: "Boy, I tell this story a lot… Mick Jones and the director of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were very close friends. Their families were close, they used to run together and have dinner with the families and see each other socially a lot. They were good friends. When we didn't get inducted with our peers, and most of the bands in the area that we were successful in had all gotten into the Hall Of Fame, Mick and our manager went to see… The guy who is the head of the Hall Of Fame is also the owner of Rolling Stone magazine; I can't remember his name offhand. So they went to see — they had an appointment, and they went to see him and asked him if there was something we had done or said or something that insulted him. They couldn't understand why we weren't brought up for induction. And it started to get heated, apparently. I was not there, but this is what I heard. And it got real heated. And when our manager and Mick got up to leave, [the head of the Rock Hall] said, 'It'll be a cold day in hell before FOREIGNER gets into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.' And that was about 25, 30 years ago now."

Two months earlier, current FOREIGNER singer Kelly Hansen told Houston Press about the band's exclusion from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: "As an entity, I find it unusual that a group of people can have an arbitrary standard from which they decide who is in this substantial sounding-titled Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They cite as one of their criteria as 'influence.' Well, how many people have picked up a guitar and tried to learn 'Cold As Ice' or 'Hot Blooded'? Or sing 'I Want To Know What Love Is' in a karaoke bar? This band has sold 80 million-plus records. And that's real records, not streams or downloads. That is the definition of influence."

Eligible since 2002, FOREIGNER has had a huge number of rock hits, including "Cold As Ice", "Double Vision", "Hot Blooded", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, with no wins.

In April 2023, FOREIGNER's manager Phil Carson addressed the group's absence from the Rock Hall one day after sharing an April Fools' Day post in which he claimed "the entire board of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame met especially to nominate FOREIGNER." In a follow-up social media post, Phil wrote: "Thank you all for your reactions to yesterday's spoof. While it was posted with a sense of humour, it was not without a touch of irony.

"FOREIGNER should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mick Jones groundbreaking song writing and production skills coupled with music sales and performances that eclipse most of their contemporaries should be enough to warrant FOREIGNER's nomination and induction. Mick founded FOREIGNER in 1977 and went on to conquer the world with as many Billboard top ten hits as FLEETWOOD MAC, just one less than THE EAGLES, and more than JOURNEY and most of the heritage band Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame alumni. He created the current version of FOREIGNER in 2005 and chose the amazing Kelly Hansen as the lead singer to breath new life into the songs he wrote and co-wrote. That band has performed around 100 shows all over the world each year since then and continues to play to sell out business as they continue the journey on their two year farewell tour.

"Please try to see them before they are done, but most of all, help us put some pressure on the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame board to do the right thing while their is still time for them to deliver a stellar performance at their well deserved induction.

"Thank you for listening."

In August 2022, Gramm was asked in an interview with Sleeve Saturday why he thinks the band has yet to get the Rock Hall nod. Gramm said: "I think it's less about whether we're qualified and I think it might be more personal now. I know that at some point when a lot of our compatriots were being nominated and accepted into it, the bands and the artists that came up when we came up that were inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame and we were left out, I believe that our manager at that time and Mick went to see the head of the Rock Hall Of Fame and had a discussion with him which led to some heated words. And as that discussion ended — I don't know who; it might have been Jann Wenner from Rolling Stone magazine, who actually was a very good friend of Mick's, I think he told Mick and our manager that it'll be a cold day in hell before FOREIGNER gets in the Rock Hall Of Fame. That's the way it ended up. And sure enough, I bet you 20 years has gone by since that."

Six years ago, Jones was asked by Tigman of the Q103 radio station in Albany if it means anything to him to get inducted into the Rock Hall. Jones responded: "Well, let's say it's not something I wrestle with or something that affects my life. Of course, it would be nice, but sometimes you wonder if it's a political thing more than a musical [thing] or [anything to do with] achievement. Because as far as achievements, we've certainly achieved a tremendous amount with the band. And we'll see. I guess someday. Who knows?"

The first trailer for Hulu's "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story", the first-ever docuseries on the band's history with full cooperation from all past and present members of BON JOVI, can be seen below. The docuseries is a ROS production, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra, and celebrates the band's 40th anniversary of its self-titled debut album which was released on January 21, 1984 via Polygram/Mercury Records, less than a year after forming in their home state of New Jersey.

The four-part, all-access series chronicling four decades of the iconic rock band BON JOVI premieres Friday, April 26 on Hulu in the U.S. and coming soon to Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories. Following one of the world's most iconic bands and its frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, the documentary gives us a view behind the music and the man.

As thrilling as the story of a once-in-a-lifetime talent is, it is even more rare that a legend like Jon Bon Jovi lets the world into his most vulnerable moments while he's still living them. Forty years of personal videos, unreleased early demos, original lyrics and never-before-seen photos that chronicle the journey from Jersey Shore clubs to the biggest stages on the planet. The series relives the triumphs and setbacks, greatest hits, biggest disappointments and most public moments of friction.

"Thank you, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story" is directed and executive produced by multiple Emmy Award winner Gotham Chopra ("Kobe Bryant's Muse", "Man In The Arena", "Tom vs. Time"). The film is also executive produced by Giselle Parets and Ameeth Sankaran for ROS, and it is produced and edited by Alex Trudeau Viriato, who played a critical, creative role in shaping the series.

Guitarist Richie Sambora left BON JOVI mid-tour in 2013 in order to spend more time with his family. His exit came after he missed 13 shows on the band's 2011 tour when he entered rehab.

Sambora joined his former bandmates onstage in 2018 when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
We've got a story to tell. Here's your first look at our new documentary, 'Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,' airing April 26th on @hulu and internationally on @disneyplus. #BonJoviDoc#BonJovi40pic.twitter.com/lNNlsEEhM2

— Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) February 9, 2024

The 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival sailed January 29 to February 2 from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back, on board the luxury passenger vessel Freedom Of The Seas.


Fan-filmed video of Angra's entire pool deck set, courtesy of The Silverdude, can be viewed below.


Setlist:




"Nothing To Say" 
"Final Light"
"Tide Of Changes"
"Angels Cry"
"Vida Seca"
"Dead Man On Display" 
"Rebirth"
"Morning Star"
"Riding Into The Storm"
"Waiting In Silence"
"Carry On"
"Nova Era"

Following the release of their latest studio album, Firestar, German power metal force, Iron Savior, has unleashed a furious, new single entitled "Raising Hell".


“Those were the days
When Metal came out ways
Making me stronger
Day by day
We’ve been the warriors
To rule the gleaming city lights
Metal on our minds
We’re raising hell"
 
So sings Iron Savior frontman, Piet Sielck, but give ear and listen to "Raising Hell", streaming below and available on all digital services here.







Firestar features a wide range of influences from hard rock to pop, all calibrated to heavy metal trademark the band is known and loved for. But sometimes pure coincidence or seemingly inconspicuous little details can turn a very good album into an outstanding release. In the case of Firestar, it has come as a real surprise even for Sielck that the new songs surpass the material of the impressive 2020-album Skycrest. In fact, the cornerstones of the current offering were already set and pointed to a successful production within the tried and tested framework, when all of a sudden everything turned out rather differently: “Just before the recordings were finalised, I was inspired by the muse, totally of the blue. I wrote two more songs out of nowhere and changed a third one on the spur of the moment. And suddenly, ‘Firestar’ turned into an even better record,” Sielck recently said, admitting that this unexpected creative surge “triggered great emotions” in him.


Iron Savior have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar turned into a bonfire in many respects - Happy Release Day!


Order Firestar here.





Tracklisting:


“The Titan”
“Curse Of The Machinery”
“In The Realm Of Heavy Metal”
“Demise Of The Tyrant”
“Firestar”
“Through The Fires Of Hell”
“Mask, Cloak And Sword”
“Across The Wastelands”
“Rising From Ashes”
“Nothing Is Forever”
“Together As One”


"Together As One" video:





"In The Realm Of Heavy Metal" video:





“Firestar” video:





“Through The Fires Of Hell”:





Iron Savior is:


Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars)
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars)
Jan S. Eckert (bass)
Patrick Klose (drums)

British guitar sensation Sophie Lloyd has shared a music video for her latest single "Let It Hurt (Feat. Chris Robertson)". As well as writing the emotional lyrics for the song, the BLACK STONE CHERRY frontman Chris Robertson contributes some wailing, bluesy licks to complement Sophie's own rip-roaring solo.

"'Let It Hurt' is one of my favorite songs on the album," declared Sophie. "I had the main riff for this song written a couple years before the album just saved on my computer somewhere. Then when we started writing I was looking through my old archives and re-discovered this and we (Chris Painter and myself) wrote the rest of the instrumental in one day.

"We knew we wanted a really powerful blues/rock vocalist on this song and Chris Robertson just seemed perfect," she added. "He has one of the most incredible voices and sings with so much soul and feeling, I'm so honored to have him transform this song into something amazing."

Chris said: "When Sophie reached out about a collaboration, I was admittedly nervous. I had never written a song with someone I had never met in person before. What came to be was a track that I think we can all be proud of, a passionate, intense guitar-filled anthem about moving forward in times of darkness. I couldn't be more proud to be invited to be a part of Sophie's journey."

Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee, the video also includes a guest appearance from fellow Kiesel artist Cole Rolland, who takes up bass duties in the video.

"The video tells a story of connections you have with people around you and how the experiences you share have such an impact." continued Sophie. "It follows the story of a girl and her father driving and fixing up this car, making great, happy memories together. Then as the years go on and the girl gets older the father has passed on and is no longer with them, but she can still feel that connection and is reminiscing about all the good times they had together. I hope people can watch this video and get a sense of comfort that if they have ever lost someone, know they are always with them."

Released in November last year, Sophie's first full-length album "Imposter Syndrome" sees the guitar virtuoso teaming up with some of rock's biggest names and her own personal heroes to create a stunning collection of work spanning a variety of genres from the rock and metal world. Released totally independently via her own Autumn Records, the album debuted at No. 3 in the rock charts and 11 in the Indie charts, and received rave reviews in the press.

"Let It Hurt" follows blazing singles and guest collaborations like "Judge And Jury" (featuring THEORY OF A DEADMAN's Tyler Connolly),"Fall Of Man" (featuring TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy),"Do Or Die" (featuring Nathan James),"Lost" (featuring Cole Rolland),"Runaway" (featuring STEEL PANTHER's Michael Starr),"Hanging On" (featuring Lauren Babic)" and "Imposter Syndrome" (featuring HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale).

The 28-year-old Lloyd told Guitar World about the LP: "I always said this album was going to be me paying homage to my 15-year-old self. This is an album I wrote for that girl.

"I'm so fortunate to work with all of the amazing singers on the record, and I can honestly say I've been listening to them for years.

"I can't tell you how gratifying it's been — I'd write the songs, and then we'd send them off and hear back from the singers. They were, like, 'Yeah, I really dig this. I'm up for it.' It's all turned out better than I could have imagined."

Regarding the album title, Sophie said: "Well, the imposter syndrome is a thing. It's a phenomenon a lot of people experience in any field; not just music, but you basically feel like you're an imposter. You don't deserve to be where you are, and at any moment people will uncover you for what you are. I feel like I've broken out of that now. I proved to myself, like, 'Yeah, you're here for a reason. You're good enough.'"

Asked if she is thinking of forming a band with one dedicated singer, Sophie said: "That's what we're trying to think about: 'How do we tour this?' We've got a few ideas. We're not sure whether we want to get a full-time vocalist — well, maybe. I guess it's just about finding a vocalist that fits you and inspires you. We might try something where we have big screens and we get vocalists to record a performance. The violinist Lindsey Stirling does that. Visually, it's pretty amazing.”

"Imposter Syndrome" track listing:

01. Do Or Die (feat. Nathan James)
02. Pressure (feat. Brandon Saller)
03. Imposter Syndrome (feat. Lzzy Hale)
04. Let It Hurt (feat. Chris Robertson)
05. Runaway (feat. Michael Starr)
06. Fall Of Man (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
07. Lost (feat. Cole Rolland)
08. Hanging On (feat. Lauren Babic)
09. Avalanche (feat. Trevor McNevan)
10. Won't You Come (feat. Marisa Rodriguez)
11. Judge And Jury (feat. Tyler Connolly)

Toronto, Canada's Jupiter Hollow takes music to a whole new level. Led by the fearless Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, this powerhouse duo and live quartet featuring John Ryan Godfrey and Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh have been making waves in Canada since 2015 with their unique brand of progressive rock/metal.


With thought-provoking lyrics, unique vocal melodies, harmonies, powerful guitar riffs, unyielded songwriting, and the duo’s incessant desire to bring fans on a journey, there’s always something new to explore. Thus far they have two full-length albums under their belts: 2020’s Bereavement, and 2018’s AHDOMN, and have another one in the works. Planning to release singles over the coming months, Jupiter Hollow takes their time to ensure a polished, impressive offerings song by song. The band just wants nothing more than to make their art and share the experience with as many people as they can.


Presenting their latest single, "Cohesion", to follow their previous track "Distant Shadow", this new song represents the relationship between an artist who wants nothing more than to have the freedom and the ability to express, share, and grow, but is trapped by the demands of survival in an oversaturated society incapable of supporting the true diversity of each individual.




Musically, "Cohesion" is a complete 180 on level of aggressiveness, however still touches elements of beauty throughout the piece. Jupiter Hollow wanted to have a song that is heavy-hitting, while also having very melodic sections that break out into a sense of euphoria. The performance in the accompanied music video was meant to portray the different emotions and struggles a person may endure when dealing with mental health, having music as an emotional escape.


"Most of us are struggling out there in some way, and a lot of us are on the verge of giving up on everything because we don't have the life we dream of, constantly reminded everywhere we go by someone who is succeeding while we struggle to survive. So whether you're an artist, a mechanic, a doctor, or just a single mother or father with barely enough time for their family, let alone themselves, everyone deals with darkness in their life at some point. This song is a reminder that no matter what may get in the way, never lose focus on what makes you be yourself, and never give up on what gives you joy." adds vocalist Kenny Parry.

Former SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg has shared video of a reunited INFECTIOUS GROOVES rehearsing the song "Frustrated Again" in preparation for the funk metal band's 2024 concert dates.

Three months after Weinberg was fired from SLIPKNOT, the drummer announced that he will be joining INFECTIOUS GROOVES, the long-running outfit formed more than three decades ago by now-METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo alongside Robert's then-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bandmate Mike Muir.

INFECTIOUS GROOVES has scheduled two U.S. shows next month — March 23 and March 24 at the Garden Grove Amphitheater in Garden Grove, California — before embarking on a short tour of Australia in late March and early April.

Weinberg was recruited by INFECTIOUS GROOVES for the band's first live appearances since a one-off show in 2019 due to longtime drummer Brooks Wackerman's commitment to AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

"IG is beyond stoked and honored to be able to have the incredible Jay Weinberg to be the driving force as he beats the funk out of the drums on this run!" INFECTIOUS GROOVES announced on Instagram.

Added Weinberg: "It's an absolute honor to play with the legendary INFECTIOUS GROOVES on this incredibly exciting Australian tour! Playing with some of my favorite musicians, in one of the most beautiful countries, for some of the greatest fans of heavy music in the world…I couldn't be more thrilled to get started. See you all soon!"

In addition to Weinberg, Muir and Trujillo, INFECTIOUS GROOVES' 2024 lineup includes guitarists Dean Pleasants (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) and Dave Kushner (ex-VELVET REVOLVER).

INFECTIOUS GROOVES was formed soon after Trujillo joined SUICIDAL TENDENCIES in 1989. Muir and Trujillo got together with some friends to write song that centered more around the bass, but with the intent of giving everyone else a whole lot of freedom.

"SEX PISTOLS and PARLIAMENT were my two favorite bands when I was young," commented Muir. "People think they're completely different but I saw a lot of similarities, even if musically they were categorized as completely different styles. There's something beautiful about breaking rules that never should have been made."

INFECTIOUS GROOVES 2024 tour dates:

March 23 - Garden Grove, California @ Garden Grove Amphitheater
March 24 - Garden Grove, California @ Garden Grove Amphitheater
March 30 - Melbourne, Australia @ Forum
March 31 - Brisbane, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall
April 01 - Byron Bay, Australia @ Bluesfest
April 04 - Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall
April 05 - Sydney, Australia @ UNSW Roundhouse