In a new interview with The SDR Show, Dave Mustaine was asked how many MEGADETH albums he thinks he has left in him. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I was talking about that the other day. If it takes two years between an album — let's just say it does, if I'm able to put them out fast — it'll probably be three years, but let's just say it's two years. And I put an album out. We've still got about a year left on this one [2022's 'The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!'], at least. So that'll take us into '25. We've got all kinds of anniversary tours that we are planning right now. 'Rust In Peace' is gonna be 25 years old, I think, or 30 years old next year, and all kinds of shit like that. And then if we get ready to go into the studio, let's just say it takes a year to do that. That's '26. Another two years, that's '27, '28. And then we go back into the studio. Again, we do two more records. I'll be 70 by the time '31 comes around now."

The 62-year-old musician continued: "Now, do I think I'll be able to continue making music? Because of the advancement of modern medicine right now — stuff like medbeds," apparently referencing the conspiracy theory that secret beds exist that can miraculously heal humans and extend life, "and all of the crazy new developments that they've made for people with different chronic illnesses, me with chronic pain and with the cancer… It's in remission. I don't act like, 'Oh, poor me.' 'Cause it's not 'poor me', man. I won. I fucking won. I beat cancer, and I'm gonna keep fighting to keep it outside the door. Say I do three records, and that's nine years. It's gonna be a while from now. I'm realistically thinking, what kind of shape am I gonna be in in my 70s? And I've gotta tell you, I feel really good right now. I'm still rolling and still training and still doing my cardio and eating well, hardly drinking at all and just taking really good care of myself. So I think, unless something really wrong happens, I see myself living till I'm in my 80s or maybe 90s, if I'm lucky."

Mustaine revealed his throat cancer battle in June 2019 on social media, saying the doctors had given him a 90 percent chance of beating the illness.

He later shared that he went through 51 radiation treatments and nine chemotherapy treatments, determined to overcome the disease so he could continue to play music.

MEGADETH played its first concert with new guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari on September 6 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 36-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

Mäntysaari stepped into MEGADETH as the replacement for the band's longtime axeman Kiko Loureiro, who announced in September that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland.

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.

In addition to Mustaine and Mäntysaari, MEGADETH's current lineup includes former SOILWORK drummer Dirk Verbeuren and bassist James LoMenzo.

In September 2022, MEGADETH's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!", debuted at the top of the charts during its first week of sales, taking the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 as well as number ones on Top Album Sales, Top Current Albums Sales, Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums. "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" was the highest-charting MEGADETH album of all time around the world, notching No. 1 In Finland, No. 2 in australia, poland, Switzerland, and Scotland, No. 3 in the U.K., and more.

MEGADETH's previous top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 were "Countdown to Extinction" (No. 2, 1992),"Youthanasia" (No. 4, 1994),"Cryptic Writings" (No. 10, 1997),"United Abominations" (No. 8, 2007),"Endgame" (No. 9, 2009),"Super Collider" (No. 6, 2013) and "Dystopia" (No. 3, 2016).

MEGADETH received its thirteenth Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" for the song "We'll Be Back" from "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!".

MEGADETH won the 2017 Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for the title track of the band's 2016 album "Dystopia". This marked the group's twelfth Grammy nomination in this category (including nominations in the discontinued "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category).

Finnish folk metallers KORPIKLAANI will release their new studio album, "Rankarumpu", on April 5, 2024 via Nuclear Blast.

KORPIKLAANI's twelfth studio LP is once again full of tasty folk metal and its different flavors, but it also offers new spices. Perhaps the ancient gods of joyful music have decided to bless their own sons with some new miraculous extracts?

"Whenever I start writing something new, the material always finds its own path without any forcing — that stuff just comes from somewhere deep inside me, completely naturally", states KORPIKLAANI's Jonne Järvelä.

"Anyway, when I started to come up with the material for 'Rankarumpu', I set myself a goal. A couple of previous records, especially 'Kulkija' (2018),were a bit slower as a whole, so this time I wanted to benefit from a bit faster tempos — a bit like the old KORPIKLAANI."

This is exactly what "Rankarumpu" is all about. Of course, KORPIKLAANI sometimes slows down and gets seriously emotional, but for the most part "Rankarumpu" — as a whole, probably the band's catchiest album to date — rushes forward at a faster pace.

One of the most wonderful features of "Rankarumpu" is related to the folk instruments. Although KORPIKLAANI has done one or maybe even a couple of unforgettable things in the realm of folk metal, this time new permanent member Olli Vänskä's violin and Sami Perttula's accordion may surprise even die-hard fans.

"Rankarumpu", like the two previous records, was executed with recording/mixing engineer and producer Janne Saksa. It seems that the collaboration between the band and Saksa has reached a whole new level with "Rankarumpu".

In other news, KORPIKLAANI has revealed its massive touring plans for 2024, starting with an extensive U.K. tour with ALESTORM and HEIDEVOLK in February and March, two album release shows in Mexico on April 5 and April 6, followed by a North American tour with VISIONS OF ATLANTIS and ILLUMISHADE (featuring members of ELUVEITIE) in April and May, a good number of big European summer festivals and a European tour towards the end of the year.

Photo by Peero Lakanen / edited by Jan Yrlund

As the holiday season unfolds, the legendary blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa extends a special musical offering to his fans worldwide. His digital Christmas compilation album, Merry Christmas, Baby, is set to bring the festive spirit to homes, available for a limited time as a free download.


This compilation is a unique blend of holiday classics reimagined through Bonamassa's blues lens, along with original tracks that resonate with his signature style. The 2023 edition is particularly special, as it includes three new tracks, adding fresh vibrancy to this yuletide collection. Stream the entire album now.


The release of Merry Christmas, Baby follows the successful conclusion of Bonamassa's 2023 tour, a testament to his enduring presence in the world of blues and rock. This tour was a journey of musical excellence, spanning 88 shows over 180 days. Joe and his band traveled a remarkable 65,500 miles, crossing the Pacific twice and the Atlantic six times, delivering unforgettable performances across the globe. The tour not only showcased Bonamassa's unparalleled guitar skills and soulful vocals but also highlighted songs from his latest studio album, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, a tribute to his blues roots and two decades of musical mastery. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, marking Bonamassa’s 27th #1.




In Merry Christmas, Baby, listeners are treated to a diverse range of holiday songs. The album opens with an alternate take on the title track, offering a new perspective on this festive favourite. The Irish rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and the orchestral version of “O Holy Night” showcase Bonamassa's ability to blend traditional holiday melodies with his unique blues-rock flair. These new additions are accompanied by beloved tracks from previous years, including the soulful “Lonesome Christmas” and the rhythmic “Christmas Boogie (One Little Kiss).” The inclusion of Dion's "Hello Christmas," featuring Amy Grant, and “You Know It’s Christmas,” a collaboration with Bonamassa, adds a joyful spirit to the album.


Aside from his musical endeavours, Bonamassa continues to make significant contributions through his Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA). This year, the foundation has been instrumental in supporting musicians and music education, hosting a range of initiatives including fundraising auctions and the KTBA at Sea IX Cruise Sweepstakes. These efforts have not only helped preserve the blues genre but also ensured that the next generation of musicians receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive.


As 2023 draws to a close, Merry Christmas, Baby stands as a reflection of Joe Bonamassa's commitment to his craft and his fans. This compilation is more than just a holiday album; it's a celebration of the joy, warmth, and spirit of the season, delivered through the strings of one of the most revered guitarists in the blues-rock arena. Fans and music enthusiasts are encouraged to download and share this festive gift and immerse themselves in the rich, blues-infused renditions of holiday classics.


Looking ahead to 2024, Bonamassa fans have much to look forward to as the artist announces his upcoming tour dates. The spring US tour will see Joe performing at a series of iconic venues, starting on February 19th in Louisville, KY, and continuing through key cities across the US. The tour promises to bring Joe's unique blend of blues and rock to an eager audience, culminating with a special Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea IX cruise. In April, Bonamassa will head to the UK, performing at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London. These performances showcase Bonamassa's continued evolution as a musician and his unwavering dedication to the blues genre.


For more information on Joe Bonamassa, his latest releases, and his philanthropic work with KTBA, visit his official website here. The free download of Merry Christmas, Baby is available for a limited time, inviting listeners to experience the magic of the holidays through the lens of a blues legend.





Tracklisting:


"Merry Christmas, Baby" – Alternate Take (New Track)
"Christmas Boogie (One Little Kiss)"
"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" - Irish Rendition (New Track)
"Lonesome Christmas"
"O Holy Night" - Orchestra Rendition (New Track)
"Hello Christmas" (Dion feat. Amy Grant)
"Santa Claus Is Back In Town"
"Bring Back My Cadillac"
"Christmas Date Blues"
"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"
"You Know It’s Christmas" (Dion feat. Joe Bonamassa)
"O Holy Night"
"Christmas Comes But Once A Year"
"Merry Christmas, Baby"





(Photo - Adam Kennedy)

DEF LEPPARD has shared a professionally filmed video of the band's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" performance from November 11 at Giants Stadium in Sydney during the Australian leg of LEPPARD's "The World Tour" with MÖTLEY CRÜE. Check out the clip below.

DEF LEPPARD and JOURNEY will join forces for a summer 2024 North American tour. The 23-date trek will begin on July 6 in St. Louis, Missouri and hit cities including Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles and more before wrapping in Denver on September 8. Openers include STEVE MILLER BAND, HEART and CHEAP TRICK, which will vary by city.

DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY CRÜE have completed several legs of "The World Tour", which included U.S. dates with Alice Cooper.

DEF LEPPARD's latest album, "Diamond Star Halos", sold 34,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release in May 2022 to land at position No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the band's eighth top 10 LP.

Of "Diamond Star Halos"' 34,000 units earned for the week, album sales comprised 32,000, SEA units comprised 2,000 (equaling 2.7 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs) and TEA units comprised less than 500 units.

DEF LEPPARD's previous Top 10 albums included "Pyromania" (which peaked at No. 2 in 1983),"Hysteria" (No. 1 for six weeks in 1988),"Adrenalize" (No. 1 for five weeks in 1992),"Retro Active" (No. 9; 1983),"Rock Of Ages: The Definitive Collection" (No. 10; 2005),"Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" (No. 5; 2008) and "Def Leppard" (No. 10; 2015).

In a new interview with Chris Akin Presents, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars spoke about his ongoing battle with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When I see myself, especially on the past couple of years, like the [MÖTLEY CRÜE] farewell [tour in 2015] and 'The Stadium [Tour]' that just happened [in 2022] and I see myself on film, I absolutely am not digging it at all. I don't like the way I look. I don't like the way I can't move. I was like, I can look down on my guitar, but I can't bend my head to see, so I have to look down. And when I walk on stage, it looks like a praying mantis with a guitar or something. [Laughs] It's kind of messed up. It's hard for me to look at myself that way 'cause I don't feel that way. But I see it."

Mars, who is promoting his upcoming debut solo album, "The Other Side of Mars", went on to say that his disease hasn't affected his creativity or ability to play guitar.

"My brain's as sharp as ever," he said. "These new ideas — this is a weird way to explain it. My brain, my mind, my ideas are expanding beyond what I figured, but it's still my idea, my creativity. The stuff is growing as a solo artist. And I'm not in this shell confined to one type of [sound]. This stuff, if it was any different, wouldn't sound right. I can do anything I want, take it where I want. And if people are digging it, I'm loving it. And if they're not, it's okay too, because that's what's in my mind."

Mick previously discussed his illness last month in an interview with Jonathan Clarke, host of "Out Of The Box" on Q104.3, New York's classic rock station. At the time, he said: "I'm fine. My AS is what it is. There's nothing I could do about that. The hard stuff, like flying here and doing this — that crap is a little difficult for me to do nowadays 'cause I'm almost a solid bone now. It got a little rough, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna do a lot of music. As long as my brain and my hands and legs work, I'm never stopping."

Asked about the chances of him doing some limited live performances in support of his upcoming debut solo album, "The Other Side of Mars", Mars said: "I would say if there was one-offs or a residency for a couple of nights or whatever, I could do that. But it's the flying around. And then you get, like, let's say Japan. And it's like a 12-hour flight or something. And it's just, like… I mean, getting older with this crap. I'm not 30 anymore; I'm 72 years old."

This past April, Mars filed a lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE, alleging his longtime bandmates were trying to kick him out of the group and reduce his ownership stakes because of his illness.

Mars told the band last year he would be unable to tour because of his disease. The guitarist "just could no longer physically handle the rigors of the road," according to his lawsuit. But he said he would be able to perform with them in a "residency situation" and record with the band.

In response to Mick's decision to retire from the road, the lawsuit claimed, MÖTLEY CRÜE announced that Mars was "retiring" from the band and would be replaced by former ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5. Mars claimed he had no intention of retiring from the group, and accused CRÜE bassist and main songwriter Nikki Sixx of gaslighting Mars by alleging the guitarist had "some sort of cognitive dysfunction."

"The Other Side Of Mars" will be released on February 23, 2024. The effort will be made available via Mick's own label 1313, LLC, in partnership with MRI.

Birmingham, Alabama rocker Jacob Bunton collaborated extensively with Mars on "The Other Side Of Mars".

Bunton had previously worked with former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler and CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer, and has songwriting credits with Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler and Smokey Robinson, among others.

Bunton sings lead on all but two of the 12 songs on "The Other Side Of Mars".

Other guests on the LP include WINGER/ALICE COOPER keyboardist Paul Taylor, KORN drummer Ray Luzier, and Brion Gamboa, who handled lead vocals on the songs "Undone" and "Killing Breed".

Bunton previously fronted the Alabama bands MARS ELECTRIC and LYNAM.

To mark two decades of rocking the world with their True Norwegian Balkan Metal, the unrivalled ambassadors of madness, TrollfesT, are dropping a compilation as wild as their journey. From ancient demos to fresh live jams, unreleased gems, bonus tracks, and even a couple of remixes - this collection has got it all!





Staying true to their chaotic selves, TrollfesT delivers an album bursting with joyous fun and kickass musicianship. They plow the metal field, harvesting nothing but the good stuff. Picture this awesomeness on an exclusive picture disc vinyl, adorned with artwork by Jonas Darnell and Terje. It's a must-have for any TrollfesT fanatic and, for the rest, a splendid wall decoration at the very least. Time to join the TrollfesT madness!




Speaking of madness & K.A.O.S, first single is an insane and utterly mad cover version of Korpiklaani's "Happy Little Boozer". Bonded by Booze, endless late night shenanigans and a few too many hangovers, influence this Balkan madness.


20 Years In The Wrong Lane is out now. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Atlantis" (Recorded during Kaptein Kaos)
"…Skogsfest" (Recorded during Brumlebassen)
"Smoldering Failure" (Recorded during Flamingo Overlord)
"A Shot Of Trolljoy" (Recorded during Flamingo Overlord)
"Drinking Beer" (Recorded during Flamingo Overlord)
"Happy Little Boozer" (Cover - Recorded during Flamingo Overlord)
"Dance Like A Pink Flamingo" (Remix)
"Der JegerMeiste"r (Recorded during Happy Heroes)
"Drinking Song From Hell" (From Drinking Game From Hell)
"Gigantic Cave" (Live in Salzburg 2018)
"Flamongous" (Live in Trondheim 2022)
"Kjetteren Afterski" (Remix)


"Happy Little Boozer" video:





Live dates (with Tyr, Æther Realm, The Dread Crew Of Oddwood)


March
28 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
29 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
30 - Boston, MA - Middle-East Downstairs
31 - Quebec City, QC - La Source de la Martinière


April
1 - Montreal, QC - Studio TD
2 - Ottawa, ON - Brass Monkey
3 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
4 - Detroit, MI - The Sanctuary
5 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
6 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theater - Studio B
7 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theater
8 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
9 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
10 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
12 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw
13 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
14 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
15 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone
16 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
17 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick
18 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
20 - Austin, TX - Come and Take it Live
21 - Dallas, TX - The Granada
22 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
24 - Orlando, FL - Conduit
25 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Hell)
26 - Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819


May
31-June 2 - Pilsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest





TrollfestT is:


Jostein "Trollmannen" Austvik – vocals
John "Mr. Seidel" Sagstad – guitars
Eirik "Trollbank" Renton – drums, bouzouki
Dag "Drekka Dag" Stiberg – saxophone
Alexander "Böesse Basshöl" Bøe – bass
Kai "Fjernkontrollet" Renton – accordion, keyboards
Fabian "Fabio Grimdrap" Jiru – guitars
Bjørn "Kjellkjé" Rønnow – drums


(Photos - Eirik Folkedal)

German hard 'n heavy metal band, CobraKill, recently signed to Frontiers and are set to release their second album, Serpents Kiss, on January 19.


The band has dropped a lyric video for the album track, "Razor Blade". Watch the video below, and pre-order the album here.


The band show excitement for the upcoming album: “Serpent's Kiss’ is a testament to our musical evolution. Recorded in the studio, it showcases a remarkable diversity, giving birth to infectious earworms right from the initial sessions. The album is a testament to our growth since our debut, radiating with creativity and displaying a newfound maturity. With drummer Toby Ventura taking the reins in production, mixing, and recording, we had unparalleled freedom to sculpt our sound. "Serpent's Kiss" undoubtedly marks a significant leap forward for us."




Formed in 2020, CobraKill swiftly garnered attention for embracing the sound, attitude, and ferocity reminiscent of iconic artists such as Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Lizzy Borden, and Ratt. Their ambitious goal is to reignite the flames of heavy metal's glory days from the '80s and conquer the world with their unique music. Drawing inspiration from the likes of these legendary bands, the quintet, featuring Nick Adams on vocals, Randy White on lead guitar, Tommy Gun on rhythm guitar, Crippler Ramirez on bass, and Toby Ventura on drums, not only captures the essence of the '80s but embodies it in both sound and appearance.


CobraKill's rise to prominence has been marked by electrifying performances and meticulously crafted songs. Fans attending their shows often describe the experience as magical, with many likening the atmosphere to witnessing the young Mötley Crüe commanding the stage.


The band's debut album, Cobratör, released in 2022, achieved remarkable success, selling out its physical format within weeks - a testament to the band's rapid ascent in the music scene.


CobraKill's music seamlessly blends metal, rock, sleaze, and glam, creating a sonic landscape that not only pays homage to the glory days of hair metal in the '80s but also asserts the enduring vitality of rock n' roll in 2024. Serpent’s Kiss promises to be an infectious rock record that will undoubtedly set the tone for the musical landscape in the year ahead.





Tracklisting:


"Above The Law"
"Bazooka"
"Concrete Jungle"
"Razor Blade"
"Monstrous"
"Same Ol’ Nasty Rock N’ Roll"
"Torture Me"
"Hungry Heart"
"Seventeen"
"Silent Running"
"Ride My Rocket"
"Velvet Snakeskin"


"Razor Blade" lyric video:





"Same Ol’ Nasty Rock N’ Roll" video:





CobraKill lineup:


Nick Adams - vocals
Randy White - guitar
Tommy Gun - guitar
Crippler Ramirez - bass
Toby Ventura - drums

During a recent appearance on "That Metal Interview" podcast, VIXEN singer Lorraine Lewis spoke about the band's recently released single called "Red". The official music video for the track, which was written and produced by CINDERELLA drummer Fred Coury, was directed by Drew Johnston and Vicente Cordero and edited by Ryan Conion.

Regarding VIXEN's studio sessions with Coury, Lorraine said: "I was in the studio with him. All of us recorded with him. He was great to work with. He was not easy on me with the vocal. I mean, he really wanted me to deliver. We worked really hard. He was really happy with the end result. I was too. And at the end of the day, when I got home, he messaged me and told me how great I was. And he said, 'This sounds great because you are great.' And he texted me that. And it meant a lot. 'cause, I mean, it's Fred Coury. [Laughs]"

As for how "Red" came together, Lewis said: "Fred presented that to us. We do have other songs that we have collaborated on, but he presented that to us. Roxy [Petrucci, VIXEN drummer] felt like it was a really good representation of us and felt that we could kill it. And so we decided that we would go in and record it. So we worked on that — gosh — about a year ago, to be honest with you. We did the video in April on the Sunset Strip and in downtown Los Angeles, in the historic core of downtown L.A., on a rooftop. We had a great director, Vicente, who has done a lot of videos. I mean, he did EXTREME's video, which you would probably notice their video. We were in the same location that EXTREME was in. It was an amazing studio. And so we did that. And then also with Drew and just a great team of people. It was two long-ass days of filming — gosh, probably a total of 24 hours it took to get that video done. And then lots of editing. And, yeah, we're so excited. It got released October 2nd… The response has been great — for the most part. People really dig it, which we love."

Elaborating on the fan reaction to "Red", Lorraine said: "The Internet is funny. Most people — 99. 9 percent of people — say positive things. You've got a small 0.1 percent of people that just like to talk trash and be shitty. I don't understand it. I don't understand the thought behind it. I have never written a bad, mean, shitty post to anyone, ever. I don't understand the mentality. If you don't like something, move on, whatever. But I don't know. Sometimes that 0.1 percent, they want to say something and you're just, like, 'Wow.'

"Someone wrote — I don't remember who it was, but someone wrote, 'I'll take a bottle of Lorraine Lewis and a Corvette to go,' which if you are a David Lee Roth fan, you know that [line]. So, I loved that comment so much. I thought that was great. Someone else said something that I saw that they said, 'The singer looks like they could be on 'The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills'. They might have meant that as a diss, but for me, I was, like, 'Yes, I love it.' I see it as a positive… This stuff rolls off of me."

She added: "You really can't hurt my momentum and you can't hurt my soul because I know who I am. I love rock and roll. I'm a positive person. I love living life to the fullest. And you can throw shitty comments to me all day long, but I'm, like, they don't pierce me. I look at them and I think to myself, 'Well, this is too bad that this person took the time to do this stupid thing and say this stupid stuff.' But I move on. It doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter. I hope that they'll come to a show. I hope that we'll win them over. And I prefer to just do my job, kick ass, and you either love me or you don't, and it doesn't matter either way. I'm having a blast."

Petrucci is the only remaining member of VIXEN's "classic" lineup.

Nearly two years ago, longtime VIXEN bassist Share Ross announced that she was "taking a hiatus" from VIXEN. Her replacement is Julia Lage, formerly of the Latin Grammy-nominated Brazilian rock group BARRA DE SAIA and wife of Richie Kotzen. Lage made her live debut with VIXEN on February 8, 2022 at the pre-Monsters Of Rock cruise concert at Magic City Casino in Miami, Florida.

In January 2019, VIXEN recruited Lewis as its new lead singer following the departure of Janet Gardner.

Lewis had already performed with VIXEN in March 2018 in Durant, Oklahoma while Gardner was recovering from surgery.

Prior to Lewis's addition to VIXEN, Petrucci, Ross and guitarist Britt Lightning (a.k.a. Brittany Denaro) vowed to "expand upon the VIXEN legacy while remaining true to our musical roots."

Gardner, Petrucci and Ross are considered to be part of VIXEN's classic lineup, along with founding guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, who died of cancer in October 2013.

Gardner contributed lead vocals to VIXEN's most commercially successful studio albums — "Vixen" (1988),"Rev It Up" (1990) and "Tangerine" (1998) — as well as the group's latest full-length release, 2018's live album "Live Fire".

Photo credit: Mark Weiss

Norway's pioneers of avantgarde/progressive black metal BORKNAGAR have will release their 12th studio album, "Fall", on February 23, 2024 via longtime record label partners Century Media Records.

"Fall" includes eight majestic tracks across 54 epic minutes of playing time, once again brilliantly mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, AMON AMARTH, KREATOR) and featuring stunning album cover artwork by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, MY DYING BRIDE, SODOM),which can be seen below.

BORKNAGAR founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments: "We are extremely proud to present you all with our 12th album entitled 'Fall', another chapter of our musical journey. In many ways 'Fall' represents a continuation of 'True North', but as always, we are pushing further and afar to seek even broader and more challenging horizons. Musically we are loyal to our musical legacy, but we have most certainly walked through fire and ice to reach our highest peak yet. Although 'Fall' represents a wide array of musical and lyrical ideas, the fundamental theme behind the album is based on the fascination and appreciation of the very outskirts of life. Those places, and those beings, in the vast periphery of our own existence that very few live to see or even learn to know about- but still are profoundly essential for our existence. With 'Fall' we seek to portray and cherish all that holds up and pushes boundaries — against the great fall."

Today, the album's first single and opening track "Summits" is being launched and you can check it out in a visualizer clip created by Wanderley Perna of W Designer below.

Øystein G. Brun added the following words about the track: "From the day you are born, nature will do everything in its power to get you back into the ground. The lonesome struggle of being you or the mighty struggle of all life, will eventually tear you down from the inside — or from the outside. But for the short glimpse of time we endure, we all seek the ultimate heights of our very own existence. Our first single 'Summits', from the upcoming album 'Fall', scopes in on this everlasting drama of life — where the drama unfolds — at the very outskirts of life."

"Fall" is the follow-up to 2019's widely acclaimed "True North" studio album and will be available as limited first-pressing digipak CD, gatefold 2-LP on 180gr vinyl and as digital album with the following track listing:

01. Summits
02. Nordic Anthem
03. Afar
04. Moon
05. Stars Ablaze
06. Unraveling
07. The Wild Lingers
08. Northward

BORKNAGAR is (from left to right in photo by Jørn Veberg):

ICS Vortex - Bass, Vocals, Choirs
Lars A. Nedland - Keys, Vocals, Choirs
Øystein G. Brun - Guitar
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow - Drums and Percussion
Jostein Thomassen - Guitar

In other news, BORKNAGAR recently returned from a highly successful Latin American tour and has already announced a first string of festival appearances for 2024, while further international touring to support the release of "Fall" will be revealed soon.

METALLICA played its first-ever concert in Saudi Arabia last night (Thursday, December 14).

The heavy metal giants headlined the opening night of the three-day Soundstorm festival in Riyadh.

METALLICA's setlist was as follows:

01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom The Bell Tolls
03. Wherever I May Roam
04. The Memory Remains
05. Lux Æterna
06. Too Far Gone?
07. Fade To Black
08. Fuel
09. Orion
10. Nothing Else Matters
11. Sad But True
12. The Unforgiven
13. Seek & Destroy
14. One
15. Master Of Puppets
16. Enter Sandman

Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.

Other artists scheduled to appear at the event include Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown, H.E.R., BLACK EYED PEAS, J Balvin and Anne-Marie, as well as DJs Tiesto and David Guetta.

More than 600,000 people reportedly attended last year's Soundstorm.

Soundstorm, organized by Saudi music giants MDLBEAST, has been attracting some of the biggest acts in the region and the globe to Riyadh since its launch in 2019.

The festival site spans more than five and a half million square meters with park life areas for food outlets and street performers keeping festival goers entertained between sets at what's been dubbed "the loudest week in Riyadh".

METALLICA made its Middle East live debut in 2011 at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Park. They played the same venue two years later.

Before METALLICA performed in Abu Dhabi in 2013, drummer Lars Ulrich told The National: "When we were here a year and a half ago, it was really magical. Now, I don't say that everywhere… there were so many different nationalities — a great energy and shared experience.

"When we started playing, there were so many parts of the world where the type of music that we were doing was not really accepted. There were a lot of places where people didn't know what we were doing or didn't have enough infrastructure to support a band like us. But it's opening up. It's changing and the world is shrinking. It's great to be in the front lines."

In October 2022, Saudi melodic death metal band IMMORTAL PAIN became the first group to perform heavy metal at a large public event when it played at Comic Con Arabia.

Back in October 2019, Saudi Arabia's grindcore band CREATIVE WASTE played what is believed to have been the first public metal concert in the kingdom's history. At the time, CREATIVE WASTE frontman Fawaz Al Shawaf told Metal Injection: "Leading up to the show, people, especially bands, were skeptical for the longest time, because they existed in the old generation. A lot of them were being conservative. They were worried. No one's ready to take the risk. But, I mean, the ones who organized the show are actually basically newcomers and young. They didn't even know what grindcore or death metal was. So they weren't into extreme music, but they asked us, and I thought the idea was so crazy that I accepted it because it's a part of the change."

In early 2022, Saudi metal artist Meshari Sangora, who goes by the name "Dusk", told Mille about the metal scene in the kingdom: "Yes, there was and still is a metal scene all over the kingdom — from bands that were formed in the late '90s to the early 2000s and even up to today. Recently, places like Syrup in Riyadh and The Music Space in Jeddah have given the opportunity for indie musicians, including metal artists like myself, to express themselves. With all the changes that are happening and the continuous engagement on social media, more people are getting exposed to the genre. Which makes me see a great future for the metal scene and metal music in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia."
#Metallica's setlist on their first Saudi Arabia show on Dec. 14, 2023.#Soundstorm23pic.twitter.com/GDRWXMxfUH

— MarieFranceRemillard (@MFRemillard) December 14, 2023



We’re not done with 2023 just yet, as an amazing opportunity has just come our way to perform at a major festival that...

Posted by Metallica on Monday, November 27, 2023

In a new interview with Impact metal channel, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares and singer Milo Silvestro was asked about "the meaning of life." Dino responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, it's a long answer, but if I had to put it in simple words, love, happiness, being creative and working hard.

Added Milo: "Well, I pretty much agree on that. I would say, to me, it's a question that I ask myself pretty much every day. But I would say the meaning of life to me is like the endless search of happiness in a sense of not just the enthusiasm and joy, but also like serenity, which is an uncommon thing in nowadays world and sharing that goodness with people and making other people feel good, which is something that I'm really learning right now. I always thought it was a thing you would go for, but right now that I'm in this band and I see people smiling and crying with emotions and happiness because of us playing on stage, I'm really noticing how not just being happy, but sharing happiness with people and giving happiness to people who maybe need it, it's maybe the most important thing and the ultimate goal of this existence for me."

Dino continued: "And that's success. When you're able to use your art to express good feelings, no matter what feelings they are — whether it's sadness or happiness, 'cause music is all about emotions. And, yeah, people are really excited that we're here [on tour in Europe]. People are really excited that we're playing these songs and we're singing these songs how they are on the record. And people are like just, 'Wow' — they're just blown away. And that's a really good feeling for both sides. It's a good feeling for them and it's also a great feeling for us because we know that we're making them happy."

In October, FEAR FACTORY kicked off a European headlining tour with support from BUTCHER BABIES from the USA and IGNEA from Ukraine. The 44-date trek marked FEAR FACTORY's first European shows since 2016.

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.

Dino recently confirmed plans for FEAR FACTORY 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 Silvestro, whose addition to FEAR FACTORY was officially announced in late February.

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

Earlier in the 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."