In a new interview with Australia's May The Rock Be With You, CANDLEBOX frontman Kevin Martin was asked to name a song that he wishes he could have written. He responded in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That's a hard one, because there's like seven or eight that I could choose. I would say 'Let It Be' by THE BEATLES, because the sentiment of that song is worldwide. And I think as a society right now, we could use more music like that. So I'm gonna say that's the song. Even though I'm the bigger [THE ROLLING] STONES fan that I am a BEATLES fan, I just think that there's something magical about that song. It comes on and I leave it on; I don't change it. And [LED ZEPPELIN's] 'Stairway To Heaven', same thing. God, I wish I would have written that."

CANDLEBOX first formed in 1991 and helped lay the groundwork for the grunge genre, alongside notable bands such as PEARL JAM, SOUNDGARDEN, NIRVANA and others.

CANDLEBOX has sold over seven million albums worldwide, scoring the megahits "Far Behind" and "You", which have garnered over 100 million streams, decades after their initial release. The band's 2021 album, "Wolves", had been in the top 10 on two Billboard charts (Hard Music Albums and Alternative Albums).

CANDLEBOX's final studio album, "The Long Goodbye", arrived in August via Round Hill Records. The LP's first single, "Punks", is a cautionary message to young bands that they won't be the hot new thing forever.

CANDLEBOX — Kevin Martin (lead vocals),Adam Kury (bass),Brian Quinn (guitar),Island Styles (guitar),BJ Kerwin (drums) — recently completed a U.S. farewell tour, crossing the country with fellow rockers 3 DOORS DOWN as direct support on their massive "Away From The Sun" amphitheater tour in addition to various headlining shows.

The Dead Daisies have released a new video, recapping their adventures in 2023. Watch the band's "2023 Year In Review" below:





The Dead Daisies' next show is scheduled for Saturday, June 29 at Hellfest 2024. Keep up to date with the band's complete live itinerary, here.

The legendary black metal band Shining will reissue their 2012 record Redefining Darkness via The Sinister Initiative.


The label writes: “The Sinister Initiative have finally managed to give an audial upgrade as well as an equally magnificent visual touch-up to the one Shining album...


“VIII / Redefining Darkness will finally be available again in March, and only distributed by our few, yet 100% approved by ourselves, distributors on deluxe DIGIPAK, followed in May by three limited Gatefold Vinyl Editions, all including a lyric insert and an exclusive A3 poster. Preorders will begin on January 25.”




Redefining Darkness features a perfect lineup: Niklas Kvarforth on guitars, keyboards, and vocals; Peter Huss on guitars; Christian Larsson on bass; and Ludwig Witt on drums. Each of the six songs features a different guest appearance. The guests include the album’s producer, Andy La Rocque of King Diamond; Hoest of Taake; Rob Caggiano, formerly of Anthrax and Volbeat; Peter Bjärgö of Arcana; Andreas Huss, the brother of Peter; and the revered pianist, composer, and conductor Olli Ahvenlahti.


Of course, Shining is Kvarforth’s brainchild. Over the years, Kvarforth’s genius has shaped and reshaped the music world in countless ways. A fearless innovator, Kvarforth is in a league entirely of his own. Through The Sinister Initiative, Kvarforth and Tuomas Tahvanainen plan to unleash other glorious sonic nightmares upon the world in 2024. This year will be a glorious period for TSI.


Last year, TSI released Shining’s self-titled masterpiece with the help of Napalm Records, Høstsol’s Länge Leve Döden in conspiracy with Avantgarde Music, the eleventh-anniversary edition of VII / Född Förlorare, and the expanded reissue of 2012’s Lots of Girls Gonna Get Hurt.


 




 

 
 

 


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In a new interview with Brutal Planet Magazine, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares spoke about the band's plans to make a new studio album in 2024. The effort will mark FEAR FACTORY's recording debut with the group's latest addition, Italian-born vocalist Milo Silvestro, whose addition to FEAR FACTORY was officially announced in February 2023.

"We've been working on stuff in between tours and stuff like that," Dino said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "We wanna try to get something out as soon as possible, but it may be it may be a little bit of a while because we have a lot of touring coming up — a lot. If you go to fearfactory.com and go to tour dates, you'll see it's getting filled up and filled up most of this year. I'm trying to stop at the end of June so we can go straight into the studio and start recording. But we're pretty much booked from now to the end of June, and it's gonna be a good six months."

Asked if he and his FEAR FACTORY bandmates are writing songs right now or if they are also working on music while on tour, Dino said: "A little bit of both. On this [upcoming] MACHINE HEAD tour, we're gonna set up a little studio in the back of the lounge [where] we're gonna be able to write and record and get some ideas down. Sometimes it's kind of hard, especially for Milo, 'cause he's gonna be singing every night. So, he would only really be able to do stuff on the days off, or something like that, because you've gotta rest your voice. When we're touring as much as we do every day, playing every day, it's wear and tear on the vocals. That's the most sensitive thing. So we try to take it easy. But still, it's enough to get some ideas down and stuff like that."

Regarding whether Milo is a "good lyricist", Dino said: "Oh, yeah. He's got some other little projects that he works on and the lyrics are really good. So we're not gonna have any issues with that. That was one of the main things that a lot of people have been complaining — not complaining, but the Internet type of bitching. It was, like, 'Okay. Yeah, he could sing great live. He could do all the songs great live. But what's it gonna be like when he does the record? How's his lyrics gonna be? How's this gonna be?' Relax. It's all gonna be good. Don't worry."

Cazares went on to say that FEAR FACTORY fans can definitely expect to hear new music in 2024. "We've gotta at least put a single out before the end of the year," he said.

Last fall, Dino told Nyva Zarbano that Milo "brings obviously a freshness that FEAR FACTORY needed. The last singer that we had [Burton C. Bell], obviously he had a lot of vocal issues and he really couldn't sing or do any of this kind of heavy touring," he explained. "It just was a big setback for us. So bringing Milo into the band, obviously he's got a great voice, he's very talented, he's a multi-instrumentalist. He could play more than one instrument. The kid's very talented. Of course, the story is I found him on the Internet. He was releasing videos of him doing FEAR FACTORY covers and he was posting them on all the FEAR FACTORY fan sites. And I saw him there, and I was, like, 'Okay, that's really got my attention.' But we had many people audition, but he was the one that really stood out. And he's a huge fan of FEAR FACTORY. And he pretty much learned from listening to our older vocalist. So he learned a lot of his stuff. And so, I mean, if you close your eyes, you think it's the original singer."

In a separate interview with Australia's "Everblack" podcast, Cazares was asked if Silvestro was "getting more comfortable" with his position as the frontman of the long-running California metal act. Dino responded: "Oh, yeah. I mean, from the first day, we talked about a lot of stuff. Before the tour started, we rehearsed, and we were, like, 'Okay, these are the kind of things that we've done before. And I think you need to do this, this, this.' And he goes, 'Okay.' So then the first day [of the tour] comes, he just goes wild. And I'm, like, 'Oh, shit.' I was, like, 'Calm down.' I go, 'You don't need to go insane everywhere. Just focus on singing, focus on getting everything, giving the crowd all equal attention,' blah, blah. There's certain things you just gotta teach him a little bit, right? And so he pretty much nailed it the first day."

FEAR FACTORY played its first headlining concert with Silvestro and touring drummer Pete Webber on May 5, 2023 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

Earlier last year, FEAR FACTORY completed the "Rise Of The Machine" U.S. tour as the support act for STATIC-X marked the Cazares-led outfit's first run of shows with Silvestro and Webber.

Webber has been filling in for FEAR FACTORY's longtime drummer Mike Heller who is unable to play with the band due to "scheduling conflicts."

Last fall, FEAR FACTORY completed a European tour. The 44-date trek marked the band's first European shows since 2016. Joining them on this run were BUTCHER BABIES from the USA and IGNEA from Ukraine.

FEAR FACTORY and MACHINE HEAD will join forces for the "Slaughter The Martour North America 2024" tour in January and February. Additional support on the trek will come from Sweden's ORBIT CULTURE and Louisville, Kentucky's GATES TO HELL.

In a new interview with eonmusic, Alex Skolnick talks about his brief stint with Ozzy Osbourne, how Gary Moore influenced one of his most infamous solos, and Metal Allegiance's upcoming show at the House of Blues in Anaheim. An excerpt follows...


eonmusic: We're running short on time, and I have to ask you about the Ozzy gig in 1996; it almost happened, and you even played a gig in Nottingham with him, didn't you?


Alex Skolnick: "That's exactly right. Yeah, he was going through guitar players apparently like crazy. And yeah, and it was never spelled out. It was one of those things like; 'what? I'm not sure what's going on. I know I'm invited to fly to London'. The whole thing just had this big mystery to it. But I gradually figured out; 'okay, there's an audition process happening'. And I don't think they were flying a lot of players out, I think they were trying a lot of players out that were based in the UK, but they flew out a few players who were known at the time, that had a reputation, and I guess because I was known from the magazines, and from the work with Testament. And yeah, it was just being in that world for by about a week, like the audition, like to stick around; 'we're going to keep you around; there's going to be some rehearsals. Oh, we're going to do a show'."




eonmusic: How did you feel it went?


Skolnick: "It's kind of a long story. I've told it before, but it seemed like it went really well, and the crew and everybody said he looked really happy on stage. But I just always got a sense from Sharon [Osbourne] that, you know, she was really looking to replace Zakk Wylde. And, you know, she made suggestions about how low, how to hold the guitar and lowering the guitar, because Zakk, and Slash and other players, they play with the guitar down, and that's never been my thing. And just knowing what I know about the entertainment business now, I think, yeah, I think she was used to that."


Read more at eonmusic.


Metal Allegiance began as a celebration of heavy metal, powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community’s most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself.


On January 25, the band will re-assemble at The House Of Blues in Anaheim, California for the band's 10th anniversary celebration (which will also coincide with the return of the Winter NAMM show). The night will be sponsored by Dean Guitars, ddrum and Heavys Headphones, with opening acts being Dieth, Held Hostage and Quor.


The last time Metal Allegiance played at The House Of Blues Anaheim was in 2020, right before the world shut down.


“When Metal Allegiance first came together in 2014, no one could have guessed that ten years later, we’d be planning this anniversary show. The world feels different now than it did then, but we’re still here, music still unites and that is cause to celebrate. Among the many MA highlights over the past decade have been our shows in Anaheim, which always create a lot of great memories. This time will be no exception and no better way to mark our ten-year milestone. See you there!” -  Alex Skolnick


Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Also available is a VIP upgrade package, which will include:


• Early access into the venue
• Exclusive pre-show Meet & Greet with members of Metal Allegiance
• Personal photograph & autograph signing with members of Metal Allegiance
• Collectible show poster (which they'll happily sign for you)
• Official Meet & Greet VIP laminate
• Crowd-fee access to the merch booth


VIP packages can be purchased here. Please keep in mind that this is a VIP upgrade only.  A ticket to the concert is required to attend pre-show meet & greet.


“I never in my life imagined a band like MA would exist, let alone write and record one record… here we are a few records, an EP and many shows/tours later celebrating our 10th year of existence. Pretty surreal. It’s been a minute since the ‘Core4’ have been in the same room. Excited to see my brothers, jam and laugh w/ them again. Only one place to kick off the festivities and that's our home away from home at the House of Blues in Anaheim Cal-i-forn-i-A.” - Mark Menghi


Since the band's inception in 2014, Metal Allegiance is comprised of the core 4 members of (Mark Menghi – bass, songwriter, Alex Skolnick – guitars, David Ellefson – bass, and Mike Portnoy – drums), and has issued two full-lengths (2015's self-titled debut and 2018's Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty) and an EP (2016's Fallen Heroes).


In addition to Menghi, Portnoy, Skolnick, and Ellefson, the show will feature John Bush (Armored Saint), Chuck Billy (Testament), Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer), Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves / God Forbid), Hel Pyre (Nervosa) and Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth), among others in addition to their usual unannounced surprise guests.


Members of Metal Allegiance are certainly looking forward to the show:


“Metal Allegiance’s annual Anaheim shows are always one of the metal events of the year! This will be our return to Anaheim for the first time since our last show there weeks before the world shut down at the beginning of 2020, so I can’t wait to get back and throw down with my metal brothers and sisters once again! \m/” - Mike Portnoy


“It’s hard to believe it's been 10 years since we started Metal Allegiance out on the Motorhead Motorboat Cruise, but here we are, a couple of albums and a whole bunch of shows later, celebrating the strength and resilience of heavy metal together. Looking forward to the show as everything is back in the swing during NAMM 2024!” - David Ellefson


“Great to be part of this killer 10-year event with MA. The head-banging doesn't get any better than this!” - Bobby Blitz


“I am thrilled to get the band back together for a 10th anniversary Metal Allegiance throwdown! We look forward to another memorable show with all our friends!” - Troy Sanders


“So stoked to be able to return once again to Metal Allegiance for the 10-year anniversary of the world's foremost collection of metal maniacs, all sharing a stage together! It’s been way too long, I am fired up for this! Bring it on!” - Gary Holt





For more information, visit MetalAllegiance.com.

Insight Editions has set a May 7, 2024 release date for "Silver Surfers", the final book from late RUSH drummer Neil Peart.

Peart shares one last love letter to his beloved classic car collection and gives readers a glimpse of his lifelong passion for cars in this extraordinary collection.

For Neil, cars were a lifelong passion. Now, in Peart's final work — a never-before-seen piece completed before his untimely passing in 2020 — he writes about his beloved "Silver Surfers" collection; the joy of collecting these exquisite, rare, and important sports cars, and the even bigger joy of driving them. He first traces the roots of his auto obsession, taking us back to where it all began, with a 1969 Lotus Europa; through the cars he bought when the band first made it big and even his first "family car," before taking us on a tour of the Silver Surfers themselves — a rare collection of the best sports cars from the 1960s. From a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 to a classic 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, each is a gorgeous silver (with the exception of one: a black 1964 Shelby Cobra whose patina Neil loved so much he wrote, "I am not going to paint it").

Gorgeous images of the cars and photos curated by Neil himself accompany his warm, personal story of building the collection, the friends he made along the way, and what it was like to be behind the wheel of these classics. Neil’s final work is a love letter to these cars that meant so much to him, and to the passion of the road that fueled his life.

Widely considered one of the most innovative drummers in rock history, Peart was the backbone of the legendary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band RUSH. Neil's virtuosity behind the kit was equaled by his talent as the band’s lyricist. Affectionately dubbed "The Professor" by the fans, he tapped into his love and deep knowledge of poetry, literature, philosophy, and science to pen such classics as "The Spirit Of Radio", "Free Will" and the self-described autobiographical "Subdivisions" and "Limelight".

Neil's talent for the written word, passion for the open road, and desire to chronicle milestones in his life led to the publication of seven memoirs, including "Ghost Rider: Travels On The Healing Road", "Roadshow: Landscape With Drums" and "Traveling Music: Playing Back The Soundtrack To My Life And Times". Collaborating with Kevin J. Anderson, Neil also wrote the novel "Clockwork Angels", a fictionalization of RUSH's 2012 album of the same name, and a sequel, "Clockwork Lives". "Silver Surfers" is the final work of Neil's long and prolific writing career.

On January 7, 2020, Neil passed away after a private, three-and-a-half-year struggle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Carrie and daughter Olivia.

In a new interview with Dawn Osborne of TotalRock, NIGHT RANGER guitarist Brad Gillis spoke about the multigenerational appear of the band's music. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Probably 15 years ago or more, we were seeing a lot more younger kids come to our shows, and we'd have the meet-and-greets, and the kids would come back. And I ended up asking 17-, 18-year-olds, or whatever, I said, 'Hey, how'd you get into NIGHT RANGER?' And there was a few different reasons, and I thought it was interesting. One of them was… Some of the kids would say, 'I'm not into the '90s grunge thing. It's depressing.' Other kids would say, 'Hey, man, my parents have been playing your music and DEF LEPPARD and JOURNEY around the house since I was growing up. And I got into it and dig it.' And other kids would just say, 'Hey, man, it's fun, positive music.' And when you've got, like I said, bands like JOURNEY and DEF LEPPARD and crazy, more wilder stuff like MÖTLEY CRÜE, I mean, these kids kind of get into that stuff. And it's not some of the downer music that came out in that grunge era. A lot of the stuff in that era I liked myself, but a lot of it I didn't care for much; it was just too much of a downer. And I think music should be more of a positive feel."

He continued: "You've got these parents that raised their kids. They're off to college or away. They're married and with kids. Now they're home alone. They wanna relive that decade of decadence, the '80s. So they're coming to the shows, 'cause they have no kids to worry about and they wanna relive those old memories from the '80s."

Last summer, NIGHT RANGER supported POISON frontman Bret Michaels on his 2023 "Parti-Gras" tour. Also appearing on the bill were JEFFERSON STARSHIP, Steve Augeri (former lead singer of JOURNEY) and Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY).

NIGHT RANGER released its 12th studio album, "ATBPO", in August 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl. "ATBPO" stands for "And The Band Played On", an ode to making music during the COVID-19 era.

NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (vocals, bass),Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals),Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars),Eric Levy (keyboards),and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

In a recent interview with Ralph Rasmussen of Radio Bypass, Blades spoke about what keeps him and his NIGHT RANGER bandmates motivated to make new music more than 40 years after the group's formation. He said:  "You know what? We're just gonna keep creating and coming out with albums and doing stuff until somebody says we can't. But right now people are letting us do what we wanna do and we're just gonna keep having a blast doing it. That's the way to do it.

"You've gotta keep creating," he explained. "You've gotta keep moving. We're like sharks — if we stop swimming, we die, just sink to the bottom. So we're just gonna keep creating and rocking and rolling and touring and doing it and doing it and doing it. That's what we wanna do."

Blades, who was promoting NIGHT RANGER's recently released live album and concert film "40 Years And A Night With Contemporary Youth Orchestra", was also asked if there are any plans for him and his bandmates to write and record a follow-up to 2021's "ATBPO" album. He said: "Yeah, we're pooling ideas together right now. We're coming up with stuff and thoughts and everything like that. Like I said, you can't stop us. I mean, we just keep going and going and going. And somebody will send me a track or I'll send somebody a track, this and that. 'I've got an idea.' 'I've got an idea.' 'How about this idea?' 'How about that idea?' You never know. And then suddenly, the next thing you know, we're making a record. So, I don't know. I mean, we'll see what happens."
 

Two members of the pioneering progressive metal act FATES WARNING, singer Ray Alder and guitarist Jim Matheos continue to brave new waters with NORTH SEA ECHOES. Today, the duo is proud to announce the release of their debut album, "Really Good Terrible Things", due out February 23, 2024 via Metal Blade. The band is pleased to share the first taste of the upcoming record with their new single, "Open Book", which is out today.

The first single off the record, "Open Book" kicks things off, and was also the first song written for "Really Good Terrible Things".

Matheos shares: "With Ray's lyrics about ending and beginnings, it felt like a good mood to start off with."

Alder adds: "The line 'we're a cloud behind the moon' is referring to the fact that we are all basically an impossibility. Yet here we are. And we will go on until we can't. I'm speaking of inevitability."

Alder and Matheos's musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes FATES WARNING for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 ("No Exit") and 2020 ("Long Day Good Night"). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with REDEMPTION, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of FATES WARNING, the lineup debuting with 1984's "Night On Bröcken" on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with FATES, Matheos's myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former DREAM THEATER keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band KINGS OF MERCIA, a lineup that's been termed "a hybrid; it's heavy, but not metal."

"Throughout 'Really Good Terrible Things', Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy FATES WARNING fans will recognize," says Jeff Wagner, author of the FATES WARNING book "Destination Onward". "Yet there's a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here," Wagner concludes.

"Really Good Terrible Things" shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership.

"We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There's a good amount of chemistry there, I think," Matheos shares. "We both know what to expect from each other."

"Really Good Terrible Things" track listing:

01. Open Book
02. Flowers In Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I'm From
08. We Move Around The Sun
09. Touch The Sky
10. No Maps

NORTH SEA ECHOES is:

Jim Matheos - guitar
Ray Alder - vocals

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

In a recent interview with the "Scars And Guitars" podcast, OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy was asked about the band's split with guitarist Allen West more than a decade ago. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Allen was his own speed bump. He was his own enemy. He just made stupid choices and just couldn't keep it together. I'm sure it's been long documented with everything that happened with Allen and us, for God's sakes, my brother [OBITUARY singer John Tardy] and myself and Trevor [Peres, OBITUARY guitarist], we tried our best to keep him on track and to sit him down and say, 'Dude, isn't this important? Isn't this why we do what we do? We're finally making headway here. We're finally ready to get rolling on the road and become a band and become a powerful thing here.' And he just steered one direction while we were headed straightforward to trying to stay successful and stay organized and stay professional."

Asked if he and his bandmates are still in touch with Allen in any way, Donald said: "We're not. We've reached out over the years. It's been a decade, it's been 15 years probably. And over the years, one of us, all of us, we all tried to reach out to him and find him. He knows where we live, for God's sakes. John's house has been the studio for going on 25 years. So, unfortunately, we're not in touch with Big Al anymore."

West had had problems with alcohol and drug abuse over the years and even quit OBITUARY for a time in August 2005 because he was unable to remain sober enough to play shows. OBITUARY hoped West would sober up enough to work on the band's 2007 CD, "Xecutioner's Return", but the guitarist couldn't pull it off, and in May 2007 he was arrested and imprisoned after his fifth DUI (Driving Under The Influence) offense.

"If you've followed OBITUARY's history, it really shouldn't be any surprise about West's absence," John Tardy said in a 2007 interview with The Metal Forge. "If you look all the way back to 'Cause Of Death', you could see he had certain issues at the time. If I had to sum up the two years [after] we released 'Frozen In Time', I would say that [they were] a little challenging. His drinking was getting way out of hand. It was affecting us all personally, and affecting our shows with his poor performance onstage. It wasn't fun to be around him at times. It was bad. We would sit down and talk with him, and even beg with him to get his act together, and the very next day you would have a whole day where you simply couldn't get anything done because he was unavailable. There was something going on. His drinking got the best of him. In the end, he finally got himself one DUI too many, and in front of a judge, who by all means probably did the right thing by him, put him behind bars for a little while. That's given him plenty of the time to think about the next time he gets behind the wheel of a car when he's been drinking. He could kill somebody next time. As much as I certainly didn't want to see that happen, I think it was all just coming to a head. I think this was the best thing to happen to him."

After West's exit, OBITUARY utilized the services of guitarist Ralph Santolla, who had previously played with DEICIDE, DEATH and ICED EARTH, among others.

OBITUARY's current lead guitarist, Kenny Andrews, has been with the band since 2012.

OBITUARY's latest studio album, "Dying Of Everything", came out in January via Relapse Records.

Last year, Decibel Books released "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary", the fully authorized biography of OBITUARY. The book was written by David E. Gehlke, author of "Damn The Machine: The Story Of Noise Records" and "No Celebration: The Official Story Of Paradise Lost".

In a new interview with Robert Cavuoto of Sonic Perspectives, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was asked if he has ever considered doing a full album of guitar instrumentals. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I could, but I think the fans would get bored after a while. Somehow, someway, I've been able to maintain my vocals. In fact, a lot of people say my vocals are stronger now than they were 10, 15 years ago. It's probably because I've been on tour for so many years with whatever band I was working with, and I have to sing the majority of the song. Your throat is a muscle. So, I think my vocals are stronger now than they were way back when. And I don't have any problem hitting those notes in the studio. And if I do, we just retrack it."

He added: "[KISS frontman] Paul Stanley has a great voice. But I don't think, in the '70s, he thought about the longevity of the band because he used to sing songs that were at the peak of his range. And they sounded great, and Paul was a great frontman, but when you're in your 70s… He's only six months younger than me. And I know he had an operation in 2009 for polyps or whatever you get in your throat. And from what I understand, it wasn't successful. And it's unfortunate, because that's his bread and butter. And then the whole thing went on over the last several years about KISS using backup tracks. And it's unfortunate. It would be like I can't play guitar anymore because something happened. I've said it in numerous interviews —if I ever blew out my voice and I couldn't sing anymore, I'd just hire a new lead singer."

Asked if he has ever taken vocal lessons to help train him, Ace said: "No guitar lessons, no vocal lessons. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy."

Ace will release his new solo album, "10,000 Volts", on February 23, 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music). The official music video for the LP's title track — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — was released in late November.

Ace's next all-original album will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Gene's bass playing.

Frehley, who co-founded KISS in 1973, left KISS twice — in 1982 and again in 2002.

When all four original KISS members concurrently released solo records in September 1978, Ace's LP was the most successful, yielding the top 20 single "New York Groove".

In 2016, Frehley collaborated Stanley on a rendition of FREE's "Fire And Water". That track appeared on Frehley's covers LP "Origins Vol. 1", released that year.

In this classic clip from Rock & Roll Road Trip, Sammy Hagar and Alice Cooper discuss all things rock ‘n’ roll at Cooperstown in Phoenix, AZ.





Hagar recently announced The Best Of All Worlds 2024 tour, on which he'll be joined by rock heavyweights and longtime bandmates Michael Anthony (bass, backing vocals), Jason Bonham (drums) and Joe Satriani (guitar).




Produced by Live Nation and featuring special guests Loverboy, the 28-date tour will commence on July 13 in West Palm Beach, FL and will conclude on August 31 in St. Louis, MO.  For tickets and more details, go to RedRocker.com.


The tour follows on the heels of the chart-topping success of The Collection II, the box set released October 6 featuring newly remastered versions of the four consecutive #1 albums released during the Hagar era of Van Halen: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988),  For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge  (1991), and Balance (1995). A reminder to fans of the arsenal of hits, many which haven’t been played live since the band’s 2004 reunion tour. Collectively, Anthony, Satriani and Bonham have played together in nearly every phase of Hagar’s career including Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle, so fans can expect a setlist which draws from some of the biggest rock anthems of the last 4-decades, including, "Finish What Ya Started", "5150", "Your Love is Driving Me Crazy", "Best of Both Worlds", "Poundcake", "Sexy Little Thing", "One Way To Rock", "Right Now", "Good Enough", "Eagles Fly" and more. They’ve also enlisted legendary Australian musician, Rai Thistlethwayte on keyboard and backing vocals. The tour represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this band of brothers deliver one of the most legendary hits-packed live shows of their career.





Tour dates:


July
13 - West Palm Beach, FL - iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
14 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
16 - Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
19 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
20 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
22 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Broadview Stage at SPAC
24 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
26 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
27 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
29 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
31 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage


August
2 - Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre
3 - Tinley Park, IL - Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
9 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
11 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
13 - Spokane, WA - Airway Heights, WA BECU Live at Northern Quest
14 - Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Style Resort Amphitheater
16 - Wheatland, CA - Toyota Amphitheatre
17 - Concord, CA - Toyota Pavilion at Concord
19 - Los Angeles, CA - Kia Forum
20 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resorts Amphitheatre
22 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion
23 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
25 - Rogers, AR - Walmart AMP
27 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
28 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
30 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center
31 - St. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Dave Lombardo (SLAYER),Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS),Larry LaLonde (PRIMUS),Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS),Steve Gorman (THE BLACK CROWES),Jay Buchanan and Scott Holiday (RIVAL SONS) and Billy Rowe (BUCKCHERRY) are among the musicians who took part in "A Tribute To Bon Scott Of AC/DC" on Tuesday, January 9 at the Avalon in Hollywood, California.

The event, which was organized by rock and roll comedian Dean Delray, started off with Delray and Bill Burr doing stand-up comedy for 45 minutes before an all-star band performed two hours of Bon Scott-era AC/DC music.

Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of the Rockodile Channel YouTube channel)

Delray has been doing the Bon Scott tribute on and off for 40 years.

Dean's previous AC/DC tribute event was held on March 10, 2020, just days before the whole world shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Few rock singers were as unforgettable — and have proved as enduring — as Bon Scott. As the frontman of AC/DC from 1974 until his tragic passing in 1980 (at the age of 33),his "rock 'n' roll pirate persona," street poet lyrics, and striking image (one of the first rockers to proudly sport multiple tattoos) have made him an absolute legend. Additionally, Bon's vocals were featured in several pre-AC/DC bands, including FRATERNITY, THE VALENTINES and THE SPEKTORS.

But really, it is the quality of the songs of the "Bon era" of AC/DC that serve as his greatest legacy — "Highway To Hell", "Sin City", "Whole Lotta Rosie", "Let There Be Rock", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "TNT" and "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)"… the list is seemingly endless.

How does Bon measure up to rock's all-time great frontmen? Classic Rock magazine declared him "the greatest rock n' roll frontman of all time" in 2004, beating out the lofty likes of Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant and Axl Rose in the process.

Scott was invited to join AC/DC by Malcolm and Angus Young in 1974, and achieved international stardom before his death at the age of 33 from alcohol poisoning.

He sang on AC/DC's first six studio albums, including "High Voltage", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Let There Be Rock" and "Highway To Hell".

Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking at a club in London, just days after attending a session with Malcolm and Angus Young where they began working on music for what became the "Back In Black" album.

According to the AC/DC FAQ web site, Bon and the friend, a musician named Alisdair Kinnear, had been drinking the evening of February 19, 1980 and Bon apparently fell asleep during the ride home. Kinnear could not wake Bon, so he left him in the car to sleep. Kinnear awoke early in the evening on February 20, checked on Bon, and found him unconscious in the car. Bon could not be revived, and was pronounced dead.

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In a new interview with Friday 13th Metal, KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque offered an update on the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's long-awaited new album. Titled "The Institute", KING DIAMOND's first studio LP in 17 years is tentatively due before the end of the year via Metal Blade. It will be made available as a two-LP horror concept story, with the second part arriving at a later date. Andy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We have songs. I sent [KING DIAMOND's namesake frontman] like a bunch of songs a long time ago, actually. And we started working on that, with arrangements and such. And then the MERCYFUL FATE tour came in between, and they've been busy with that. And I think they're gonna be recording one or two singles with MERCYFUL FATE. But I talked to King just like a week ago, and he said that he was gonna be starting yesterday or something like that. So he's starting with setting everything up and he's gonna start to record the vocals for MERCY songs, and soon as he's done with that, we're gonna continue with KING DIAMOND. So we have songs; they just need to be a little bit arranged. And, of course, King has a lot of riffs and ideas in his head. So he needs to get that down to the computer and do some riffing and stuff. So we started it, but it's a long process to have it good and to have it the way we want it."

Asked if the KING DIAMOND album will in fact be a 2024 release, Andy said: "It's impossible to say. That's something you actually have to ask [King]. I really hope so. But as soon as we're done with a couple of songs, we'll probably release those. And that's all I can say."

Last October, KING DIAMOND released a music video for the 2019 single "Masquerade Of Madness". The clip, which was directed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest of MyGoodEye Visuals, can be seen below.

At the time of the video's release, King commented: "'Masquerade Of Madness' was released digitally in 2019 before our North American tour. During rehearsals, we took one full day to film 'Masquerade Of Madness' with David Brodsky and Allison Woest. We spent all day and all night recording while performing the song with our full tour stage show choreography. After the tour, Covid happened.

"The video was all but forgotten as the world came to a standstill — we never saw a single frame from all the footage. Years later, as things began to pick up and writing began for both new MERCYFUL FATE and KING DIAMOND records, we wondered, what happened to that video from four years ago? So we decided to check in with David Brodsky and a couple of weeks later, we had the first cut of the video.

"I was speechless! I had nothing to criticize and after just a few notes from Andy La Rocque, the video for 'Masquerade Of Madness' was finished! There's so much mood and black and white is used in a perfect way with Jodi's performances. The visuals fit the music flawlessly and this is now among my favorite KING DIAMOND videos along with 'Sleepless Nights' and 'Welcome Home' — and not to forget of course, our double live DVD."

A month after KING DIAMOND released "Masquerade Of Madness" in November 2019, La Rocque told The Metal Voice that he came up with the music for the track first before passing it off to King, who "needed to arrange a few things and change just a small few things for making it work with his vocals. And then, of course, he wrote the lyrics for it," the guitarist revealed. "So we [went] a little back and forth until he felt like, 'Okay, this is cool, man. This is the right key to sing in,' and all that."

Earlier in October, La Rocque spoke to "The Metal Podcast" about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's long-awaited new album. Titled "The Institute", KING DIAMOND's first studio LP in 17 years is tentatively due in 2024 via Metal Blade. It will be made available as a two-LP horror concept story, with the second part arriving at a later date. Andy said: "The last tour we did was in the U.S. And we jumped off that tour in December 2019. And that was right before the pandemic broke out. So since then we haven't been on the road — I mean, not a single show. We've been composing some songs and I've been trying to survive with bands in the studio, because that's what I do. When I'm not out with KING DIAMOND, touring and writing music for KING DIAMOND, I'm a music producer — mostly metal, of course, as you can imagine… I'm constantly working with things, you know, I mean, I'm writing riffs for KING DIAMOND all the time, and what does not fit for a KING DIAMOND song, it ends up like something else in my library of songs."

At the 2022 Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom, King spoke to Bloodstock TV's Oran O'Beirne about his plans for "The Institute". "Something with KING DIAMOND, we have a very special thing [planned] for that album," King said. "It's gonna be a two-album story. But KING DIAMOND, we are building something that you will never have seen on a stage before — not that way. And with the light guy, he's never done it that way either. … It's very different, very sick. You will not have seen musicians standing on stage in that type of light. It's gonna be very dark. They have to learn to play in dark areas. It's crazy. I know that our light guy, he can't wait for us to do it. I showed him some pictures that have the kind of feelings I want, the kind of backdrops I want, stuff like that. … This is gonna blow people's minds when they see it, I am a hundred percent sure."

La Rocque, whose real name is Anders Allhage, discussed his vision for the new KING DIAMOND album with The Metal Voice, saying that it will be filled with great "melodies, of course. Super important. Without melodies, there is no music," he explained. "I'm also envisioning a more organic sound of the album. If you look back to the older albums, when Mikkey [Dee] played [drums for the band], for example, it's, like, a little bit up and down in tempo, and that makes it dynamic and also organic. So that's one thing that I would like to hear on the next album, for sure. But building up a dynamic, kind of organic feel, the drummer is a really important thing here, of course. And I know that Matt Thompson [current KING DIAMOND drummer] is the right guy to do this, for sure."

In March 2019, King told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show that the next album from his namesake band will be "absolutely gruesome" with a story set in a 1920s mental institution. "I chose that because I think it's a very creepy scenario," he explained. "And some of the things that go on that we're gonna show onstage is also things that certainly was going on back then, when medicine was beginning to take a beneficial turn in history and actually being able to help human beings live longer. But there was some experimentation going on, too, that was absolutely gruesome. Some of that is involved in the story, but it's something totally different. Once you get to the second part of the story, you will begin to suddenly understand that, 'What the hell is going on here? What is this really about?' 'Cause there's a whole different story that will not come to you till second part. But in the first part, you're gonna get to know a lot people at a certain place… Some of it takes place here, this world, and some of it takes place in a parallel world. And there's a correlation between what happened to me and what happens to some people in this place and where they suddenly appear. And you will find out why they are there, how they appear there and the places down the road. I won't say too much right now, but it's gonna be very creepy."

KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the band's last album, 2007's "Give Me Your Soul … Please".

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.

KING DIAMOND released a DVD/Blu-ray, "Songs For The Dead Live", in January 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The set captures 1987's seminal "Abigail" album in its entirety, twice, and in very different locales: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. The performances feature KING DIAMOND's current band, comprising of guitarists La Rocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and Thompson.

Photo courtesy of Andy La Rocque's Instagram

In a new interview with Sweetwater, former DIO and current DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell was asked what it was about Gary Moore's playing style that was such a huge influence on his own guitar-playing approach. Vivian responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The intensity. He just was all in. He was committed to playing."

He continued: "There's a certain thing about playing. I'm a very, very physical player because of my influences. When I started, Rory Gallagher was my first album, first concert, also my second concert, also my third and my fourth and my fifth, 'cause nobody else came to Belfast in the '70s. So I used to see Rory at [Belfast's] Ulster Hall every Christmas; he'd do a series of shows. But Rory was a very physical player. He was a blues player. He bent the strings, heavy strings too, pinch harmonics, so a very heavy approach with the right hand, palm muting. And then, when I discovered Gary Moore's playing, it was that times 10 or times 100, whatever — just really, really, really physical, intense vibrato, heavy, heavy, palm muting."

Vivian added: "When I went to L.A. the first time [in the early 1980s] when I was doing making the 'Holy Diver' album with Ronnie [James Dio] and the guys, there's so many great guitar players. And we were just talking before we went on air here about some great guitar players in L.A. who are just, like, 'Oh my God. This is unbelievable. How do you play like that?' And the way they play like that is 'cause they barely touch the strings. And I just couldn't do it. So I spent several years — my first years in L.A. — being intensely frustrated, trying to reverse my style, 'cause I wanted to play like those guys. I wanted to play like Paul Gilbert, but I couldn't because I'm too heavy handed or hamfisted; depends how charitable you might be feeling."

Vivian was with diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2013.

Campbell — who before joining DEF LEPPARD in 1992 was well known for his work with DIO and WHITESNAKE — went public with his Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in June 2013.

Vivian underwent three separate spells of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, only for his Hodgkin's lymphoma to return.

Five years ago, Campbell underwent spine surgery.

Vivian and his DEF LEPPARD bandmates were finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2019 — 14 years after the British rockers first became eligible.

DEF LEPPARD's latest album, "Diamond Star Halos", arrived in May 2022 via UMe.

During an appearance on today's episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson opened up about the severity of longtime physical ailments. For the past couple of decades, the now-70-year-old Canadian musician has been suffering from psoriatic arthritis, a chronic, autoimmune form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation and occurs with the skin condition psoriasis.

Lifeson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I would say that's slowly getting worse, as to be expected. I have psoriatic arthritis, and I've been dealing with it for quite a while — for almost 20 years. I'm on two biologics [biologic drugs for the treatment of arthritis], so sort of like a double whammy in dealing with it. And it's been very, very effective. Despite the side effects and all of that, it's been a really effective regimen for me, and it's really helped my hands. I have times where the inflammation has its own mind, and that's when you'll see me shaking my hands [while I am playing]. But it is what it is, and I can still get by, and I'm so used to it, I don't really even think about it that much anymore. "

Lifeson also talked about the possibility of him returning to the road, either with his RUSH bandmate Geddy Lee or with another project. He said: "[After] 40 years of touring, I'm not interested in touring anymore. I enjoyed it when we did it. There were lots of ups and downs. The gig is great, the show is great, and for the other 21 hours in a day, you're just waiting for those three hours. And it gets tiring, especially when you have a family and you have loved ones at home that you're estranged from for months and months and months at a time. I don't miss that aspect of it. Do I like playing in front of people? Yeah. I still like that — maybe not to the point where I have to do it. But when [Geddy and I] did the Taylor Hawkins benefits and we did the 'South Park' thing in Denver, and I do these Christmas shows with Andy Kim and lots of great musicians that I get to play with, then it's fun. I really enjoy that, and it's controlled, and it's great. To make a big deal and do a tour and get back into that thing, I don't really have an interest in that. I know Ged would like to play again and he would like to spend some time writing. But beyond that, honestly, we haven't talked about anything beyond just getting together and having a coffee and just bashing out a few notes."

Alex continued: "[Geddy] has a lot of stuff in his life. He's a very busy person. He's really enjoying this phase of being [a book] author. He's on the go, go, go, go all the time. And I'm here, and I'm playing on all these different projects. So, in a way, I've continued being that musician, and he's gone off to do other things. So, whenever he's ready, like usual, I only live five minutes away from him, like we have all our lives. I go over and hang out and we'll turn the recorder on and do some stuff, but there's no plan for a tour. There's no plan for anything. And I know rumors get started and people have their desires and lots of people would love to see us get back and play again. Well, I don't know. I don't know. Who knows? Maybe if we're together, we're messing around and we get excited… Certainly after we did those gigs, it was quite heady and very exciting. But I really love my life right now, and I don't know if I'm gonna disrupt it by being away from the things that I'm really enjoying, for any reason."

Lifeson also reflected on RUSH's final tour, which concluded in August 2015 in Los Angeles. According to Rolling Stone, the trek took the novel approach of presenting the band's music in reverse chronological order, meaning Alex and his bandmates — Lee and drummer Neil Peart — began the show with songs from their most recent albums and slowly worked back to their earliest material. As time went backwards, stagehands would swap out the backdrop to match the period they were visiting. That meant by the time they reached the encores, it looked like they were playing in the high school gyms of their youth.

"The last tour I thought was a terrific tour for RUSH," Alex said. "I thought we played really well. I thought the show was really fun. Going back in time to the beginning was a great way to celebrate the end of the band. I don't know if, at 70 years old, 10 years later, if I can play like I played back then. I haven't played that material in nine years. And if I can't play it like I played it nine years ago, then I really have no interest in doing it. I think RUSH has a strong legacy because of the way things ended. We ended on a high note, and that's the way people remember us. And I think that that also is partly the reason why so many people would love to see us back out, because that's the memory they have of us. We were dedicated to what we were doing. We practiced a lot. We were passionate. We played our hearts out. Physically, ten years later, at this stage, [after] these ten years, I don't know if we can do that. I don't know, can Ged sing like he did? Can I play guitar? Can he play bass like he did? I don't know. Unless we did a big rehearsal and tried to do all that stuff, we'll never know. But just thinking intellectually how this would work, I'm not keen on doing it, really."

Peart died on January 7, 2020, after quietly battling brain cancer for three and a half years. RUSH waited three days to announce Peart's passing, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

In 2022, Geddy revealed that Neil wanted to keep his cancer diagnosis a secret prior to his death.

Lee went on to say that he and Lifeson had to be "dishonest" to fans in order to protect Peart's privacy.

As one of the most successful Canadian music group in history, RUSH has performed before millions of fans around the world.

Lifeson made his mark on the music industry over 50 years ago, redefining the boundaries of progressive rock guitar. His signature riffing, copious use of effects processing and unorthodox chord structures befitted him the title by his RUSH bandmates as "The Musical Scientist." While the bulk of Lifeson's work in music has been with RUSH, he has contributed to a body of work outside of the band as a guitarist, producer and with the release of his 1996 solo album "Victor". Lifeson ranks third overall in the Guitar World readers' poll of "100 Greatest Guitarists" and is also included in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time."

Photo credit: Richard Sibbald (courtesy of Kscope)

In a wide-ranging, career-spanning interview in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine, Bruce Dickinson revisits his decision to rejoin Iron Maiden in 1999, and states that, at the time, he promised the band that they would "sweep away the past by doing an amazing future."

It was Maiden's manager Rod Smallwood who first proposed the idea of Dickinson rejoining the band following Steve Harris' decision to part company with Blaze Bayley in January 1999. The singer made it known that he would be open to discussing the idea, and agreed to meet with Harris, Smallwood and his former bandmates at Smallwood's home in Brighton for exploratory talks. Harris has subsequently admitted that he wasn't initially convinced that welcoming the group's prodigal son back into the fold was the way forward - "Rod was being his bombastic, bullying best, ’cause he knew I wasn’t into it at all" he confessed - and, as Dickinson tells Classic Rock's Mark Blake, the bassist made little attempt to mask his scepticism.

"Steve was very suspicious," the singer admits. "He said: 'Why do you wanna come back?' I actually said [laughing], I want to come back, Steve, because, in the words of my mates, ‘the world needs Iron Maiden’, and secondly I think we can make amazing music."

When Blake points out that, at the time, Maiden may have also needed Dickinson, the singer replies, "Probably. But there was no point in saying that, because it would have sounded like sour grapes."

"What I said was: We will sweep away the past by doing an amazing future," Dickinson recalls. "Though the first words out of my gobby mouth were: Of course we are better than Metallica! People said: 'You can’t say that.' I said: I just did. Then they started going: 'Maybe he’s right.'

"You’ve got to have that attitude, though," he continues. "It’s like Mick Jagger didn’t get to be Mick Jagger by sitting there going [apologetically]: 'Oh, we’re quite good, you know, we’re almost as good as The Beatles.' I also told them that we are not to just do ‘greatest hits’ albums, we are going to do a new album and it will be fucking great. And it was. Brave New World [in 2000] really delivered. So suddenly we’re off to the races again."

I AM MORBID, the band featuring former MORBID ANGEL members David Vincent (bass, vocals) and Pedro "Pete" Sandoval (drums),along with guitarists Richie Brown (EXMORTUS, THE ABSENCE, TRIVIUM) and Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, DORO),will perform MORBID ANGEL's classic debut album, "Altars Of Madness", in its entirety at this year's Milwaukee Metal Fest on Sunday, May 19.

The festivities will kick off with a pre-party on May 16 while the main festival will run May 17-19 at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event promises to have bigger headliners, more food, vendors, live podcasts and other surprises.

The festival returned to prominence in 2023 under the watchful eye of HATEBREED frontman and podcaster Jamey Jasta and Sound Talent Group's Tim Borror, as well as the team at The Rave/Eagles Club, where so many of the original festivals took place.

Fans can use code DEATH5 to save $5 on single-day tickets at therave.com/metalfest.

The daily lineup is now as follows:

Friday, May 17:

BLIND GUARDIAN
KAMELOT
SYMPHONY X
DESTRUCTION
MARDUK
HAMMERFALL
METAL CHURCH
INCANTATION
ETERNAL CHAMPION
PROFANATICA
VISIGOTH
UADA
BELUSHI SPEED BALL
NIGHT DEMON
NECROFIER
HELLWITCH
SILVA
ANCIENT ENTITIES
ILLUSION OF FATE

Saturday, May 18:

MR. BUNGLE
TESTAMENT
HATEBREED
KATATONIA
DEATH TO ALL (unique set #1)
DEICIDE
POSSESSED
THE RED CHORD
SOILENT GREEN (reunion)
SKINLESS
MARTYR AD
HEATHEN
DEVOURMENT
INTERNAL BLEEDING
CENOTAPH
CLOAK
EMBRYONIC AUTOPSY
EYES OF THE LIVING

Sunday, May 19:

SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL
AVATAR
IN FLAMES
I AM MORBID ("Altars Of Madness" set)
DEATH TO ALL (unique set #2)
LACUNA COIL
PALEFACE SWISS
BLEED FROM WITHIN
EXHUMED
IT DIES TODAY
ALLUVIAL
CASKET ROBBERY
VIOGRESSION
ERRORS OF HUMANITY
AMERAKIN OVERDOSE
BEYOND THRESHOLD

In October 2022, I AM MORBID parted ways with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (POSSESSED, DIABOLIC, UNHOLY GHOST) and replaced him with Brown.

Brown made his live debut with I AM MORBID at the Grita Fest in Colombia.

I AM MORBID's spring 2022 European tour marked the first time Sandoval and Vincent played together in 12 years.

Sandoval, who now lives his life as a born-again Christian, was forced to leave MORBID ANGEL in 2010 after undergoing surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Vincent told Invisible Oranges in a December 2013 interview that Pete had "found Jesus," which meant that Sandoval and MORBID ANGEL were no longer "compatible."

Sandoval has spent the last few years recording and touring with TERRORIZER, whose latest studio album, "Caustic Attack", was released in October 2018 via The End Records.

Three years ago, Sandoval released an Instagram video in which he addressed some of the most commonly asked questions regarding his time with MORBID ANGEL. He said: "I've been asked about who's my favorite singer or which era is my favorite one — the era with David Vincent or with Steve Tucker. Well, I wanna tell you that I love both eras. I had fun. I had a great time working with David Vincent, and I had a great time working with Steve Tucker as well. So, from 'Altars Of Madness' [1989] to 'Heretic' [2003], they're all masterpieces for me. We worked hard [on] those albums. So I'm telling you my answer that I don't have a favorite album, I don't have a favorite era, I don't have a favorite singer — I love 'em all. I had a great time in both eras with every album."

Sandoval added: "And as far as the album released in 2011" — referring to MORBID ANGEL's controversial "Illud Divinum Insanus" LP — "please don't ask me any questions about it, because I have no comments about it — no comments at all, man. I stay what I am, I did what I did, and I am so happy and grateful that I did what I did with these guys."

In a 2011 e-mail chat with Brazil's Som Extremo, Sandoval was asked for his opinion of "Illud Divinum Insanus", which incorporated industrial and electronic elements into MORBID ANGEL traditional death metal sound. "No comment! I don't play on that album," he wrote. He was then questioned about what he thought he would have done different on "Illud Divinum Insanus" had he played on the record. "More exreme deathgrind metal and less DJ, boring awful typical I care less industrial experimental same as everybody boring bull!" he said. "This is not what MORBID has been all about! ...Hmmmmmm, and I really care less...!"

Vincent left MORBID ANGEL in 2015. He has since been replaced by a returning Steve Tucker, who previously handled bass and vocals on MORBID ANGEL's "Formulas Fatal To The Flesh", "Gateways To Annihilation" and "Heretic" LPs.

In a May 2019 interview with Jorge Botas of the "Metal Global" radio show, which airs on the Portuguese public TV and radio broadcaster RTP, Vincent said that he had every right to perform MORBID ANGEL's classic songs with I AM MORBID.

"Times come and life works the way that it does," Vincent said. "And there are times when… It's like a marriage — sometimes they don't always work forever. But that doesn't mean that the children that we've had together, that I don't still love my children. Although Trey [Azagthoth, MORBID ANGEL guitarist and sole remaining original member] and I have some irreconcilable differences, that doesn't in any way preclude me from still having the love and the passion for all of my children."

Asked what he has to say to people who insist that he should not play MORBID ANGEL's early material without the other members of the group's classic lineup, David said: "There's examples of this very situation… I mean, when Ozzy [Osbourne] left BLACK SABBATH, that didn't stop him from playing 'Paranoid' every night, even though he didn't write the song. All of the songs that I'm singing I wrote. So I don't really understand that. But different people become attached to different things. And they have their opinion and I have mine. And I don't really consider this kind of negativity. I don't have it in my life."

Video of THE CULT playing the song "She Sells Sanctuary" on "The Howard Stern Show" can be seen below. The full exclusive interview and performance will air on the January 12 episode of the long-running SiriusXM program.

Last year, THE CULT singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy played a number of shows as DEATH CULT, the storied post-punk progenitor to THE CULT. The performances centered around DEATH CULT and its eponymous EPs and boasted a setlist that spans the three phases of the band — from SOUTHERN DEATH CULT to DEATH CULT and THE CULT's first two albums: "Dreamtime" (1984) and "Love" (1985).

They continue the celebrations of the tour and their anniversary with "Death Cult - 8323", featuring brand new songs including the searing track "Flesh And Bone" and the haunting cavernous "C.O.T.A." (Communion Of The Animals).

SOUTHERN DEATH CULT formed in 1981, releasing their sole, self-titled album posthumously in 1983. That same year, DEATH CULT formed, with Astbury joining forces with Duffy for a musical partnership that has endured for 40-plus years. The band released two 12-inches that same year, one being the DEATH CULT EP, which were subsequently combined and released as a CD. DEATH CULT is a vital transmission from the generation of Shamanic post-punk gothic futurists.

DEATH CULT became THE CULT in 1984, releasing "Dreamtime" that same year and going on to experience a career that has seen the release of 11 full-length albums, as well as numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications.

THE CULT's latest album, "Under The Midnight Sun" arrived in October 2022 via Black Hill Records. The LP was produced by Tom Dalgety (PIXIES, GHOST, ROYAL BLOOD). Dalgety is the first British producer THE CULT has worked with since its second album, "Love" (1985).

Born out of the ashes of the U.K. post-punk scene, THE CULT evolved to become one of the most influential and controversial rock bands of the late 20th century, selling millions of albums, headlining arenas and stadiums around the world, infusing innovative possibilities into the worlds of music and art, and quickly ascending through the ranks of the indie music world to achieve global status. THE CULT, whose music transformed from punk rock to post-punk, psychedelia, heavy dance music and transcendental hard rock, became one of the handful of important bands in the U.S. post-modern and hard rock communities, and was embraced by a generation that was waking up to the influence of 1960s and 1970s rock icons like LED ZEPPELIN, THE NEW YORK DOLLS and David Bowie.

The constant core of THE CULT is the "head and heart" of the band, Astbury and Duffy. Attitude incarnate, the chemistry between these two vastly different artists — equal parts genuine affection and palpable tension — remains the source of their long-standing partnership. Duffy grounds Astbury's esoteric side with a hard rock perspective, and there is no doubt that at all times, these two have each other's back. THE CULT's current lineup also includes former WHITE ZOMBIE, EXODUS and TESTAMENT drummer John Tempesta.

Bassist Scott Snyder, who joined GREAT WHITE in 2008, has been sitting out some of the band's shows after recently undergoing "major lower back surgery".

The 61-year-old musician, who also owns Rock Me Tattoo & Piercing in Riverside, California, took to GREAT WHITE's social media earlier today (Thursday, January 4) to write: "I know I've been very quiet lately, here's why. Some of you know I had major lower back surgery in December. This is something I've needed for years and couldn't put it off anymore. I'm recovering very well and would like to thank my band, family, friends, surgeon with his robot and especially my wife Angelique Snyder. Going above and beyond, she's a trooper, I wasn't a treat to be around. I love you babe. My boys GREAT WHITE will have a good backup bassist to cover me for a few shows. So please continue to support them. I'll be back asap. I'll be stronger, faster, taller and full of metal! Ha!"

Brett Carlisle was officially named GREAT WHITE's new vocalist in October 2022. Brett joined the group as the replacement for Andrew Freeman (LAST IN LINE),who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Carlisle has been playing guitar and singing since the age of eight and counts bands like VAN HALEN, SKID ROW and METALLICA as his main influences.

In May 2022, GREAT WHITE announced that it had parted ways with singer Mitch Malloy and had replaced him with Freeman. Malloy had been in GREAT WHITE for nearly four years, having joined the group in 2018 following the departure of Terry Ilous.

Ilous, frontman of '80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after stepping in for touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).

The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012's "Elation" and 2017's "Full Circle", before Terry was dismissed from the group.

This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, which features original GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell.

Hello all! 👋 I hope everyone had a great holiday season with friends and family.
I know I've been very quiet lately,...

Posted by Great White [Band] on Thursday, January 4, 2024

In a new interview with Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com, Paul Stanley's son Evan Stanley, who fronts his own band called AMBER WILD, was asked if there had ever been any discussions about him leading a new version of KISS following the legendary rock act's final concert in December. He responded: "No. It's the funniest thing. People keep asking that constantly, and it's, like, dude, you can look at like a thousand interviews where my dad says it, Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] says it, I say it, Nick [Simmons, Gene's son] says it. It's, like, no. That's my dad's thing. I'm busy with my thing."

He continued: "I appreciate it. I'm grateful for it. I love it. I'm a fan of the music. I'm a fan of the show. I've gotten to have a really unique and very wonderful life as a direct result of it. Do I wanna put the makeup on and be 'Baby Paul'? Fuck no. I've got my own thing going. And that's not a knock — I think there's someone out there who probably would wanna do that and would probably do an amazing job. But it's not me. I've not spent my life trying to be that. So, no — I've got too much other stuff going on."

KISS's second farewell tour, dubbed "End Of The Road", was officially launched in January 2019. Joining founding members Stanley and Simmons in the band's final lineup were Tommy Thayer on guitar and Eric Singer on drums. Thayer and Singer were replacements for original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, respectively.

Back in February 2020, Paul said that he believed KISS could carry on without any original members.

"There was a time when people said, 'KISS has to be the original four members.' Well, those people are 50 percent wrong," Paul explained. "And all of this is conjecture. I'm not walking away from what Gene and I have built over 45 years. I'm of the mindset that teams don't fold because their star pitcher or star hitter is gone. There's an amazing pool of talent out there. Can it continue? Absolutely."

Eight years ago, Stanley spoke about how he would go about finding someone to replace him in KISS. He said: "Honestly, I think all the KISS tribute bands are great, but none of them have a good 'Paul.' So I'd like to see somebody who incorporates what I've done with a lot of the things that inspired me. And it's not a matter of a puppet being me; it's somebody who comes in and contributes and adds something new to it while still following the template that's been set."

At the end of KISS's final show at Madison Square Garden, the band announced that the legendary rockers will continue as digital avatars. The technology, originally developed for ABBA's "Voyage" show in London, will allow KISS to stay "on the road" in retirement.

AMBER WILD started in January 2023 with one simple goal: make the kind of music they wanted to hear. After spending the year developing their sound on the Los Angeles club circuit, AMBER WILD made its festival debut at the 2023 edition of Aftershock in Sacramento.

Last October, AMBER WILD released a double-A side debut single "Breakout // Silver". The arrival of these tracks coincided with the first date of AMBER WILD's run directly supporting KISS on their "End Of The Road" tour in the United States.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Evan Stanley has always lived straddling the lines between multiple worlds: growing up, he split his time between school, touring the world with his father's band KISS and working as a delivery boy for his local deli. After school and a stint in New York, Stanley moved back to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.

Evan's mother is actress Pamela Bowen, who appeared in 35 episodes of the soap opera "Days Of Our Lives" and in a number of TV series, including "Loving", "McGuyer", "Cheers", "Matlock", "Beverly Hills 20210", "Land's End" and "Broken At Love". She also appeared in the KISS movie "Detroit Rock City".

AMBER WILD is:

Evan Stanley: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Marshall Via: Guitar, Vocals
Jake Massanari: Bass
Thomas Lowrey: Drums

RFK Media’s acclaimed alternative/modern rock artist Crashing Wayward has won the prestigious “Best New Vegas Rock Band” award at the annual Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards, in conjunction with the release of this new video and single – “Stranger Days” – from their debut album LISTEN!










“Closer” video:





“Breathe”:





(Photo - Julie Bergonz)

During an appearance on a recent episode of the "Riffhard" podcast, CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Rob Barrett spoke about the evolution of his live performance as he approaches his 55th birthday. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "You have to be aware of your abilities. It's the same as an athlete — you don't see any championship athletes still doing it in their 50s at the level that they did at their 20s. So you really have to be smart about trying to maintain that level as long as you can."

He continued: "I stopped headbanging probably four or five years ago. I felt like I had done it enough to the point where I just grandfathered myself in and I was, like, 'Hey, Tony Iommi ain't headbanging.' I think if your riffs are good enough, you don't need to prove yourself physically and visibly like that. And aside from that, all the other guys [in my band] are headbanging like crazy around me. So I just felt like I didn't need to do it anymore. And I play better live because I'm not halfway focused on, 'Oh, I need to headbang at this speed during this part.' It's like you're driving a stick shift — you've gota change gears with riffs. Now I'm just focused on the guitar and not having to do something else along with it."

Asked if ever hurt himself while performing live or he felt like he was "getting close" to hurting himself, Rob said: "I didn't hurt myself. I mean, there was definitely times where I'd be, like, 'Jesus, I've pulled something in my neck' or 'My back's killing me' — something seemed out of socket for a little minute or two. But it wasn't to the point where the chiropractor was saying, 'Oh, it looks like you got in a car accident.' But I've heard some people actually have that said to them, and that's something that — you might end up not being able to walk eventually. I mean, it didn't scare me into not wanting to do it anymore. Sometimes, if you don't headbang at the right pace or something, it just doesn't look right, and I think I felt like I was getting to that point. I'd see videos and I'd be, like, 'Wow, I'm starting to look dumb doing that.' So I just stopped doing it."

Elaborating on when he decided that he had had enough of headbanging, Rob said: "Yeah, I think I did pretty well at least up to my 30s. As soon as I hit my 40s, though, it was just kind of, like, 'Damn, man.' I was almost, like — not dreading it, but just, like, 'Fuck, here we go. I've gotta fucking headbang again.'

"I still love playing guitar, but the headbanging became something that I didn't really wanna do anymore," he added. "I mean, when you've got Corpsegrinder [CANNIBAL CORPSE singer George Fisher] next to you doing those crazy headspins, nobody's looking at me anyway… I'd rather be heard, not seen."

CANNIBAL CORPSE's sixteenth studio album, "Chaos Horrific", was released last September via Metal Blade Records.

CANNIBAL CORPSE recently completed a month-long North American co-headlining tour with MAYHEM. The journey began on September 22 in Nashville, Tennessee and ran through October 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. Support was provided by special guests GORGUTS and BLOOD INCANTATION.

CANNIBAL CORPSE will support Swedish heavy metal icons AMON AMARTH on a North American tour this spring. The 24-date "Metal Crushes All Tour 2024", produced by Live Nation, is set to commence on April 21 and run through May 25. Additional support will come from OBITUARY and FROZEN SOUL.

Photo credit: Alex Morgan

Austin, TX prog-metal quartet Transit Method’s third full-length album Othervoid is out on February 2, 2024 via Brutal Panda Records. Today, the band shares the second single and official video for “Another Wasted Life”.


“Another Wasted Life” was filmed live at Independence Brewery in Austin, TX in November, 2023 and directed by Justin Wilson (“Psychometry” music video director).


Additionally, Transit Method have announced a Bandcamp Virtual Listening Party on January 31, 2024 at 7 PM EST / 6 PM CST where they will join fans to listen to Othervoid in its entirety before its release. RSVP here.




Transit Method elaborate on new single “Another Wasted Life”:


“'Another Wasted Life' was a great collaborative exercise in building a song backward. Charlie first presented the gnarled outro riff, which we offset with the slower, grinding riffs that make up the bulk of the song. Austin has a robust doom metal scene, and the first half of the song is a nod to that. Factor in the melodic choruses and thrashy, double-bass ending, and it’s a great sampler of Transit Method’s unique strengths.”


Othervoid marks the prog-metal quartet's most bludgeoning, infectious and ambitious album to date. Brothers Matt LoCoco (vocals/guitar) and Mike LoCoco (drums) are joined by new members Bryan Rolli (guitars/vocals) and live Panopticon violinist Charlie Anderson (bass) cementing the band's definitive lineup.


Othervoid's seven tracks show the breadth of the band's songwriting. The punk-metal riffs and dueling guitars of "Psychometry" evoke Mutoid Man and Iron Maiden, while the vocal harmonies and trad-metal gallop of "The Outside" recall Mastodon and Thin Lizzy. The album reaches its astonishing climax on "Frostbite," a shapeshifting, nine-minute epic inspired by the 2021 freeze that left millions of Texans stranded at home without power and claimed hundreds of lives.


Othervoid is the result of years of turmoil and triumph. With their future uncertain, Transit Method charged into the eye of the storm and emerged on the other side with the strongest album of their career. The path was challenging, unpredictable and exhilarating - just like Othervoid.


Album art by Marald Van Haasteren:





Tracklisting:


“Into Your Mind”
“Nightmare Machines”
“Psychometry”
“Another Wasted Life”
“The Outside”
“Savage Creatures”
“Frostbite”


“Another Wasted Life” video:





To celebrate the release of their third full-length album, Othervoid, Transit Method will headline at Hotel Vegas in Austin, TX on February 2, 2024. They will be joined by local titans Scorpion Child & Megafauna.


(Photo – Ismael Quintanilla III)

After a decade-long hiatus, Adelaide's iconic metal outfit A Murder Of Crows is set to reclaim the stage at Blood Sacrifice festival on February 3 at the Lion Arts Centre, alongside Forests Under Construction (F.U.C), Wings Of Thanatos, Sons Of Erebus, and more.


A mainstay of the Australian metal scene a decade ago, A Murder Of Crows gained recognition for their thrash anthems, heavily influenced by the likes of Metallica, Testament, and Kreator. The band shared stages with prominent acts such as King Parrot, Double Dragon, Alestorm, and Darkest Hour before taking a well-deserved extended break following the release of their EPs, The Twisted Path and Eleventh Hour.







AMOC is not only making a return to live performances but has also treated fans to a new single titled "Overthrone," set for release on all major platforms at the end of January. The track marks the first recording by lead guitarist Chris Reynolds, who has previously lent his production expertise to fellow Adelaide band Sons Of Erebus. 


Reynolds expressed his excitement about the return, stating, "It has been an awesome experience gathering the troops after a long break and picking up where we left off a decade ago. We are thrilled to share the stage with our new bass player, Jason Moon, a long-time friend of the band. We're also eager to debut 'Overthrone' and revisit some of our classic tracks. This new song encapsulates the thrash elements we are known for, with added life experiences sprinkled in over the last ten years. We cannot wait for Blood Sacrifice; it would be fantastic to see both familiar and new faces at the show!"


Joining A Murder Of Crows on bass is Jason Moon (Double Dragon/Acid Wolf/Echoes In Eternity), making his debut appearance with the band at Blood Sacrifice.

In a new interview with Metal Pilgrim, SAXON frontman Biff Byford spoke about the renewed popularity of the heavy metal genre in the past couple of decades. He said: "Yeah, I think there's been a massive resurgence in metal, and especially that New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, the British metal thing. So, yeah, I think we're all riding a wave at the moment that's looking good for bands. A lot of new bands, like BURNING WITCHES and things, now they're doing quite well. So, hopefully they can come up with a 'Number Of The Beast' or 'Wheels Of Steel' or something, or a 'Crusader' that gets them into the stratosphere. That's what they need. Whether you can do that these days, I don't know. But back in the day, it was all about getting a record deal. These days it's all about getting a million views on Instagram, which is the same thing. It's still promotion."

Asked if he thinks it is still possible for a metal band to skyrocket in this environment, Biff said: "I think it's possible, yeah. There's been some bands. AMON AMARTH are doing really well. GHOST have gone stratospheric. They're not really metal, but they've got metal roots. So it definitely can happen if you've got the right songs. You just have to have a lot of luck — a lot of talent and a lot of luck."

After interviewer Vladyslav Stadnyk noted that only a couple of bands from a particular geographical region usually become successful enough to sustain themselves while others fall by the wayside, Biff said: "That's the lottery. That is the music business. You can write the best songs in the world, and if nobody's heard them, then you may as well just play them at your local pub or to your mum and dad or something because you have to get it out there. Back in the day, the record company got it out there. Now, basically, young bands have to get it out there themselves — or go on tour with bands like us and get in front of an audience that already exists. That's one of the ways to do it — to go on stage in front of the headline act and blow them off, as we used to say back in the day. It's always good for the fans. Obviously if you're sat in the dressing room and somebody's going down incredible, you're, like, worried. 'What's happening here?' But you have to step up and take it and do better. This is what it's all about."

SAXON's 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", will be released on January 19, 2024 via Silver Lining Music.

Produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering, "Hell, Fire And Damnation" strides the perfect line between confident, current power, and gloriously irreverent flexing of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal muscle which SAXON co-created.

Last year, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler.

Brian has already joined fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford for several European shows but will continue to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

METALLICA has announced the winners of its inaugural "For Whom The Band Tolls" marching band competition.

In April, METALLICA challenged marching bands at all levels to craft the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances of the legendary heavy metal act's music. METALLICA partnered with sponsors to provide winning high school and collegiate bands funds for new equipment for their music programs. As part of the competition, METALLICA allowed bands to use their music for free.

Bands who entered the competition had access to a library of marching band charts for METALLICA songs, provided by Hal Leonard via sheetmusicdirect.com. The bands with the best performances won musical equipment for their school program, furnished by METALLICA and its sponsors.

High School and Collegiate winners were narrowed down to five finalists by professional judges, furnished by Conn-Selmer. METALLICA then selected the final prize winners in each category.

Says METALLICA: "WOW! Back in April, we challenged marching bands across the country to create performances incorporating METALLICA songs into their shows, and boy, did they deliver in a major way! The response blew us away and made for a heated competition, but the results are in. And the winners are…

* College (Division 1) - $75,000 in prizing: Auburn University

*College (Divisions 2 & 3) - $40,000 in prizing: Eastern New Mexico University -

*High School (Large) - $15,000 in prizing: Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN)

*High School (Medium) - $15,000 each in prizing: Tie

Boerne High School (Boerne, TX) -
Malverne High School (Malverne, NY) -

*High School (Small) - $15,000 in prizing: Oakton High School (Vienna, VA) -

*Fan Favorite (College) - $10,000 in prizing: Auburn University

*Fan Favorite (High School) - $10,000 in prizing: Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN)

"Massive thanks to all who brought METALLICA to their marching band programs, and congratulations to all the schools who claimed a prize!

"If this is the first you're hearing about this competition, here’s some background. Marching bands at high school and collegiate levels cranked their repertoires up to 11 to compete for nearly $200,000 in equipment by creating the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances incorporating our music.

"Over 450 schools accepted our challenge! Once submissions closed, fans from all over the country chimed in, casting their votes for their favorite performances, while professional judges narrowed it down to five finalists in each category. Finally, we — as in the members of METALLICA — chose the grand prize winners!

"The victors in each category will receive instruments and equipment for their programs thanks to our sponsors TAMA, KHS America, Zildjian, D'Addario Woodwinds, Evans Drumheads, ProMark, and Gator, in partnership with Sweetwater, Conn Selmer, and Hal Leonard."

To learn more about this competition, visit MetallicaMarchingBand.com.

The Metallica Marching Band Competition promises to be a yearly national challenge to marching bands of all levels to craft their most exciting, unique, and impressive performances of the band's songs.

NYC Rocks TV has premiered Chapter 1 of a new documentary film series on RIOT, titled "Immortal Soul: A Riot Tribute & Concert Film Series". Check it out below.

RIOT formed in the mid-1970s in Brooklyn, New York. By 1980, the band was poised to make it big and toured with many of the heavy hitters of the day. But poor management and bad timing created the perfect storm of missed opportunities for what should have been the East Coast's VAN HALEN. The band continued carrying on into the 21st Century in various formations with the only constant being founder and lead guitarist/songwriter Mark Reale. A cult fan following exists today that is extremely passionate about RIOT's musical legacy and believes the band deserves significantly more recognition.

This four-part documentary mini-series will explore the history and archives of the different eras of the band, spotlighting specific live performances from each era. The film centers around the Keep It True festival in Germany, where interviews with RIOT fans young and old illustrate this passion for the band. "Immortal Soul" also features interviews with longtime RIOT members Don Van Stavern and Mike Flyntz, as well as "New York rock" author/historian Steven Blush and Keep It True festival founder Oliver Weinsheimer. The final chapter of the series tells the origin story of the current day formation of the band, RIOT V, and how they are well suited to carry on the musical legacy of Reale for a new generation of fans.

Upcoming chapters:

* "Immortal Soul" chapter 2 "The Crimson Storm" premieres Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m. New York time

* "Immortal Soul" chapter 3 "Riot Metal" premieres Saturday, January 20 at 2 p.m. New York time

* "Immortal Soul" chapter 4 "Shine On" premieres Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. New York time

* Bonus chapter: "Mark & Guy Writing Jam 1994" (to be determined)

For more information, click here.

Reale died in January 2012 in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he had battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.

RIOT's original singer Guy Speranza died on November 8, 2003 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 47 years old. Often regarded as the best RIOT vocalist, he sang on the group's first three full-length albums — "Rock City" (1977),"Narita" (1979) and "Fire Down Under" (1981) — before being replaced by Rhett Forrester. Forrester himself left in the mid-'80s to pursue a solo career, only to be murdered on January 22, 1994 in Atlanta.

Singer Mike Tirelli, who toured with RIOT after Mike DiMeo officially left the band in 2007, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2008 and underwent treatment for this life-threatening illness. All the treatments were reportedly a huge success in eradicating the disease.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has announced the digital deluxe edition of "AfterLife", the band's critically acclaimed ninth studio album. Set for digital release on February 9 via Better Noise Music, the deluxe version will include the original 12 tracks recorded with the band's longtime collaborator, producer Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE) in addition to four bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of the album's songs "The End", "Judgement Day" and "Thanks For Asking" plus a brand new song, "This Is The Way", featuring the late rapper DMX. An official music video for "This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)" will premiere on February 9, 2024 to coincide with the release of the digital deluxe version of "AfterLife".

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory says about "This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)": "Music is meant to be shared, and it starts at the top with us, the artists. We have always embraced the mixing of genres, whether it be the remake of LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' featuring Tech N9ne as a guest or our collaboration with blues warrior Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country star Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May, the legendary guitarist of QUEEN, on the song 'Blue On Black'.

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

Upon announcement of the digital deluxe version of "AfterLife" today, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has premiered an advance listen to the previously unreleased acoustic version of "Judgement Day" which can be streamed below. The band previously partnered with Covenant House in November 2023 and released an official video for "Judgement Day" during National Runaway Prevention Month to help raise awareness about the Youth Homelessness Crisis.

"AfterLife: Deluxe" track listing:

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

As previously reported, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will embark on a full European tour of headline dates as well as festival appearances this summer. The tour also coincides with the European portion of METALLICA's "M72" tour on which FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH continues to tour stadiums around the world as special guest.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH celebrated the 10th anniversary of "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 1 & Volume 2" by releasing a limited-edition vinyl 6LP box set, as well as a digital version of the box set, on December 1, 2023.

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

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

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

Photo credit: Hristo Shindov

THE BLACK CROWES will release their new album, "Happiness Bastards", on March 15. The band's first full-length LP of new material in 15 years will be released via THE BLACK CROWES' own record label, Silver Arrow Records.

THE BLACK CROWES leaders Chris Robinson (lead vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar) worked on the follow-up to 2009's "Before The Frost… Until The Freeze" with producer Jay Joyce.

The first single from "Happiness Bastards", a song called "Wanting And Waiting", is being released on Friday, January 12.

In a statement, Chris said: "'Happiness Bastards' is our love letter to rock 'n' roll. Rich and I are always writing and creating music; that has never stopped for us, and it is always where we find harmony together. This record represents that."

Rich added: "This album is a continuation of our story as a band. Our years of experience writing and making music and touring the world are represented in this record, and we were brilliantly guided by one of the best producers in the business, Jay Joyce. I am incredibly proud of what we put together."

"Happiness Bastards" contains 10 tracks, including a guest appearance by Lainey Wilson, a Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter who rose to prominence after her music was featured on the television drama "Yellowstone". She was named the 2023 CMA Entertainer Of The Year.

"Happiness Bastards" track listing:

01. Bedside Manners
02. Rats And Clowns
03. Cross Your Fingers
04. Wanting And Waiting
05. Wilted Rose (featuring Lainey Wilson)
06. Dirty Cold Sun
07. Bleed It Dry
08. Flesh Wound
09. Follow The Moon
10. Kindred Friend

THE BLACK CROWES released an acoustic collection called "Croweology" in 2010. An EP, "1972" — a collection of covers — arrived in May 2022.

Joining Chris and Rich in THE BLACK CROWES' most recent touring lineup were returning bassist Sven Pipien, who played with the band live from 1997 up until the band's hiatus in 2015, along with Brian Griffin on drums, Joel Robinow on keyboards and Isaiah Mitchell on guitar.

In celebration of the culmination of their 2021-22 reunion tour, THE BLACK CROWES released "The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker Live", an ode to the band reuniting and following an epic two-year anniversary tour with over 100 dates worldwide.

A deluxe reissue of "The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion" arrived on December 1, 2023. The set included previously unreleased studio recordings, rare B-sides and a live performance from 1993 at Houston's Sam Houston Coliseum.

THE BLACK CROWES' debut album, 1990's "Shake Your Money Maker", was re-released in multi-formats sets in February 2021 through UMe/American Recordings. The album, fueled by singles "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard", "She Talks To Angels" and a cover of fellow Georgian Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle", has sold over five million copies.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

Former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones has completed recording his vocals for his collaborative new project with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.

Earlier today (Friday, January 12),Howard took to his Instagram to share a photo of him and Adam in the studio, and he included the following message: "Vocals are done, now Adam has some tracking and mixing to do. We can't wait to share all these songs with you."

Regarding how the project came together, Adam told Ore Bihovsky of TotalRock's "Louder" radio show: "[Howard] just hit me up. He was, like, 'Why don't you write some music for me?' And I was, like, 'Sure.' So yeah, we're working on a record right now."

As for when fans can expect to hear the first music from this new project, Adam said: "I've got so much on my plate right now. It's really hard to schedule anything particularly, like 'it's gonna come out at this point,' 'it's gonna come out at this point,' but we're just almost at a situation where we can maybe release a single. But I think the entire record's gonna take a little bit longer than expected. Because now I have to do double duty and record [the next] KILLSWITCH [album] at the same time. So I'll be doing that."

In August 2023, Jones took to his Instagram to write that "13 demos" were created for the as-yet-unnamed new group, which hoped to put the finishing touches on the record "as soon as possible."

Jones left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2012 and battled manic depression and bipolar disorder before forming a new project, DEVIL YOU KNOW, with guitarist Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and drummer John Sankey (DEVOLVED). Along with bassist Ryan Wombacher (BLEEDING THROUGH),they recorded and toured behind two well-received albums, 2014's "The Beauty Of Destruction" and 2015's "They Bleed Red". In 2017, the band changed its name to LIGHT THE TORCH.

Jones makes an appearance on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's latest album, 2019's "Atonement", contributing guest vocals to the song "The Signal Fire".

Jones discussed his previous mental health issues in a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer. He said: "For a lot of the time during the whole manic depression thing, I didn't realize how bad I was. I thought the high levels of anxiety I was experiencing was just my lot in life, I didn't realize that there was help on hand for me to be able to deal with that. I thought that I was just meant to feel really nervous around large crowds. Now it's like being a kid again, because I can deal with it, so I've got my passion back and it's great."

Asked what made him get back into music after leaving KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, Howard told Heavy New York: "Honestly, I think it was because I was just kind of tired of doing nothing and I don't do much else other than music. I felt like I needed to venture out because I was basically agoraphobic for three years. It's kind of well known. I went off the grid. I didn't have a cell phone for three years — I was gone. It felt, like, 'Okay, maybe I should dip my toe in. I don't have to do it full time. I don't have to do what I don't want to do.' That's all I was thinking. I started moving, I started doing things. It was definitely a struggle, especially for the first few years. I was, like, 'What am I doing?' There's been few things in my life that has been consistent other than music. I just did it. It just took some time, then all of the sudden, the spark showed up. I fell back in love with what I was doing. I really can't explain it. It just sort of happened."

Current KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach appeared on the band's self-titled debut and sophomore album, "Alive Or Just Breathing", before exiting the group. Jones took over on vocals for "The End Of Heartache", "As Daylight Dies" and the 2009 self-titled set before being dismissed from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 11 years ago and being replaced by a returning Leach.

In 2012, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio told Boston Globe that the band's split with Jones was necessitated by the singer's struggle with personal issues, including diabetes that had gone untreated for several years. "It became very apparent we had to move on without him," D'Antonio said. "Howard didn't quit."

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