In a new interview with Radio Forrest, a radio DJ on 96.9 The Eagle in Boise, Idaho, SAVATAGE guitarist and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist and musical director Al Pitrelli was asked if he ever had any interactions with legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Only one. Years and years ago, when Jake [E. Lee] left [Ozzy's] band, and I don't even know what year this would be — '87 maybe, '88. And Max Norman was Ozzy's producer, I think, on the 'Blizzard Of Ozz' and the 'Diary [Of A Madman]' album. And I had known Max in New York City, and he called me up and he goes, 'I'm recommending you to [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon to be one of the people that they look at to replace Jake.' And I was, like, 'Oh my God. Fantastic.' Coincidentally, I ran into Sharon and Ozzy somewhere in New York City, I think. I said, 'I don't mean to interrupt you guys.' And I introduced myself to Sharon. I said, 'Listen, my name's Al Pitrelli. Max Norman put my name into a hat for potential people that were gonna audition for you guys. I just wanna say thank you for the opportunity, but whatever happens, good luck to you. Love you guys. Respect always.' And Ozzy nodded and smiled, and Sharon shook my hand very graciously and said, 'Thank you.' And that was the first and last time I ever spoke to him, because a very famous photographer named Mark Weiss recommended Zakk [Wylde], and I think when Zakk walked in the room, it was all over. And Zakk was the perfect choice for Ozzy back then. If you put me or Zakk in there, put Zakk in there for what Ozzy needed at the time."

After Forrest noted that it must have been "overwhelming" just to know that Pitrelli was being considered for the gig, Al said: "Well, it was nice because that's an accomplishment. People were looking at you at that level. I certainly didn't see myself at that level yet. I mean, you're talking about Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee, and then subsequently Zakk Wylde. But all of a sudden, it's, like, 'Well, people are paying attention to me. I should probably keep working really, really hard.' And then not too long after that is when Steve Vai turned around and recommended me to replace him in David Lee Roth's band. Dave's, like, 'You're my guy.' But he got caught up in some film that he was doing. And then Steve reiterated that thought to Alice Cooper when Alice needed a musical director and Alice hired me. It's been a nonstop kind of just, like, 'pay it back' situation. Everybody takes care of each other when you're out there, if you come from the old neighborhood."


Circling back to his encounter with Sharon and Ozzy, Al said: "I remember like Sharon was so sweet, a genuine smile. Ozzy was a gentleman, only the way Ozzy could be, and everybody was just kind and considerate. Here I am — not starving, but some young kid from Long Island dying to get in the business and they were sweet for five to 10 minutes."

Pitrelli has been part of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA since its inception in 1995 and subsequent first album, 1996's "Christmas Eve And Other Stories". Currently, he is the lead guitarist and musical director of TSO West and the co-musical director for studio recordings.

After leaving Berklee School of Music in Boston in the early 1980s, he recorded and toured with Alice Cooper, where he served as the legendary rocker's musical director, ASIA, MEGADETH and others.

Pitrelli got began working with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA's late founder Paul O'Neill in the mid-1990s after joining the progressive rock group SAVATAGE.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA sells out arenas throughout the country every November and December, thanks to its mix of melodic rock, classical chops, keen storytelling and flamboyant showmanship. Complementing the baroque sonic attack are lasers, pyrotechnics and flames.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Steven Tyler is expected to join his longtime AEROSMITH bandmate Joe Perry on stage during THE JOE PERRY PROJECT's opening set for THE WHO at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, September 17. Tyler will make an appearance as a surprise special guest, and he will sing three songs with Perry.

As previously reported, Tyler and Perry recently announced a collaborative new single, "My Only Angel", with British singer, songwriter and musician Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Richard Harrison.

Tyler, Perry and Yungblud previously came together on September 7 for a performance honoring the legendary Ozzy Osbourne with a medley of his greatest hits at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

THE JOE PERRY PROJECT, featuring Perry with musicians from AEROSMITH, THE BLACK CROWES and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, played eight dates in August.

The 2025 lineup of THE JOE PERRY PROJECT features AEROSMITH guitarists Perry and Brad Whitford with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers' touring keyboardist/backing vocalist Buck Johnson, along with THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson on lead vocals and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' Robert DeLeo on bass and Jason Sutter on drums.

Perry and Tyler performed together for the first time in nearly two years at a private concert the singer hosted on April 30 in San Francisco, California. The event was a benefit for Janie's Fund, the initiative Tyler created in order to bring hope and healing to girls and young women who have experienced trauma.

Prior to the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, Tyler most recently appeared at BLACK SABBATH's "Back To The Beginning" charity concert, where he performed three songs alongside several other iconic musicians. The AEROSMITH singer covered "The Train Kept-A-Rollin'" with Ron Wood, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo and Travis Barker, before belting out AEROSMITH's "Walk This Way" and LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" with a nearly identical lineup of backing musicians, except for Barker being switched out with Chad Smith from the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS for these last two songs.

In a recent interview with WBUR's Jim Sullivan, Perry once again spoke about the possibility of AEROSMITH playing one final concert, a year after the legendary rockers announced that they were officially retiring from touring due to Tyler's vocal injury. AEROSMITH made the announcement on August 2, 2024 — nearly one year after the now-77-year-old singer fractured his larynx during a September 2023 show. Perry said about the likelihood of another AEROSMITH performance: "I would bet that there's an AEROSMITH show left. There's been talk about doing a documentary; that might be part of it. I've been spending a lot of time with Steven and he just doesn't want to tour and he can't tour. It's tough. I'm not sure I would want to go out and book another 40-city tour. It's a long way to the top and staying there takes it out of you, especially an AEROSMITH tour."

This past June, Perry told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he is "always hoping" for another AEROSMITH concert "but going on the road, it's a big deal pulling that together. It's one thing to sit there and look online and see who's touring and stuff, and there's dates that show up, but there's so much planning, and what it takes out of you physically, it's a lot more than people realize," he explained. "It's one thing when you're doing it when you're 25 or 30, but it's another when you're starting to get up there like us. It's a really physical thing, going out on stage. And all that energy that you're putting out, that you're transferring to the audience, it takes something out of you in a physical and emotional way. And all of that energy that you give, that's flowing out there, that's making people feel good, it takes it out of you."

Perry added: "We talk probably a couple of times a week, and [Steven and I] played together up at a charity up in San Francisco [in late April]… So I don't know, man. But we're talking about it. I mean, except for anything on the calendar, we're all alive and well. So, we'll just have to see. I know there's gotta be at least another AEROSMITH gig, and I'm not looking forward to putting the setlist together for that one. But I don't know, man. We'll just have to see. I've always played like every show's the last one. I hate to sound like it's a downer, but I give it up every night."

Asked by host Eddie Trunk if Tyler seems well enough to be able to play a full AEROSMITH concert and whether he thinks Steven "would like to do that", Joe said: "I think he would. I think it's just a matter of getting there. We're up there [in age], man. And it's a lot. It was interesting, with COVID and everybody being home for that length of time, it was, like, 'Oh, so this is how other people live.' Actually sleeping in your own bed every night and hopefully not feeling shitty from COVID. In the beginning, it was pretty bad. But it really, really opens your eyes. I don't think I've gone a year without something on the calendar and having to be somewhere. So that's the bigger picture. [We enjoy being home] or doing other things. We all have stuff we like to do. And you can't [do those things when you are touring], whatever it is. So, I've got enough left in me. I still wanna do it. But right now, for [THE JOE PERRY PROJECT], I'm gonna be taking it out [this August] and giving it up, and I'm just glad I've got these guys to open up enough time to come along. So, we'll see what happens."

AEROSMITH's "Peace Out" tour came to a halt after what turned out to be a final gig in Elmont, New York on September 9, 2023. That show came just three dates into the trek, which was supposed to last through February 2024. Tyler said in a statement at the time that the injury caused bleeding but that he hoped he and his AEROSMITH bandmates would be back on the road after postponing a few shows.

The rescheduled "Peace Out" tour was due to begin September 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with special guests THE BLACK CROWES.

Germany’s Sculforge have checked in with the following announcement:

“We’re back and ready to party! After being busy all summer with nothing but vacations, tanning, cool drinks – and in Chris’s case, the question of how fast you have to be to escape an alligator without spilling his margarita – we somehow managed to bag a brand new song.

We all know how gloomy and uncertain times are right now. But still – or just because – we wrote ‘Unity Of The Galaxy’, a feelgood speed metal grenade, a sing-along bomb and simply a happy metal anthem that defies the mischief maker trend!

‘Unity Of The Galaxy’ is more than just a song ; it’s our version of hope a togetherness packed in 4 minutes for all of us out there!

Mark your calendars for October 3. Pre-save the song here and tell everyone about it!”

Warriors Of The Sea is a special release by Doro Pesch. With this album, the Metal Queen bridges the gap for her numerous fans waiting for a new studio album while launching her winter tour season.

For the first time in her over-40-year career, Doro is releasing an album as liquid-filled vinyl – a vinyl record filled with liquid that you can actually drink. Doro reveals: “The record is filled with Blue Curaçao! We first considered Rhine water, but the liqueur is simply better in color and taste!”



Warriors Of The Sea will be released on October 24, on Doro’s own label, Rare Diamonds Production, distributed by Edel. Besides the strictly limited liquid-filled vinyl version, it’s also available as CD digipak and picture disc vinyl.

The idea for this special release emerged following two sold-out Metal Queen Metal Cruises that were a huge success with fans in late May and early June. Along with a third cruise scheduled for June 6, 2026, these events created demand for more music.

The brand-new video for Doro’s single, “Warriors Of The Sea”, can be viewed below. The epic clip was directed by Peter Leukhardt, who captures the Metal Queen in action during the Metal Queen Metal Cruise 2025, among other striking settings.

“With ‘Warriors of the Sea,’ I wanted to create an anthem that goes straight to the heart,” explains Doro. “It’s a song that brings joy — on land and at sea, especially on one of the many metal cruises — and expresses a strong sense of unity.”

“Warriors Of The Sea”
“Touch Too Much”
“Tattooed Angels”
“Horns Up High”
“Seelied”
“Children Of The Dawn” (live)
“Fire In The Sky” (live)
“Revenge” (live)
“Above The Ashes” (live)
“Raise Your Fist In The Air” (live)

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has announced a new electrifying live album and concert film, "Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival", due on November 7 via earMUSIC.

"Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival" sees Slash bringing his love of the blues, his musical roots, to the fore with a full-throttle live album and concert film capturing his electrifying July 17, 2024 performance at the Mission Ballroom, Colorado. Touring as part of the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, Slash and the formidable ensemble known as SLASH'S BLUES BALL deliver a gritty, soulful set paying homage to the legends who shaped rock and blues.

The band features Slash on lead and rhythm guitar, joined by longtime collaborator Teddy "ZigZag" Andreadis (keyboards, harmonica, vocals),Tash Neal (rhythm guitar, vocals),Johnny Griparic (bass, backing vocals),and Michael Jerome (drums). Together, they tear through a blistering set of blues standards and rock staples, paying tribute to icons like Bukka White, Howlin' Wolf, Booker T. & the MG's, FLEETWOOD MAC, Freddie King, THE TEMPTATIONS, T-Bone Walker, Hoyt Axton, Robert Johnson, THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, Bob Dylan and Elmore James.

The set includes smoldering takes on "Parchman Farm Blues", "Killing Floor", "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Oh Well", "Big Legged Woman" and "Key To The Highway", followed by the slow-burn groove of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", the smoky soul of "Stormy Monday", and the gritty punch of "The Pusher". Slash also debuts a brand-new original, "Metal Chestnut", before diving into "Cross Road Blues" and a fiery rendition of "Stone Free". The encore features "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" and a blistering closer with "Shake Your Money Maker".

Intercut with candid, behind-the-scenes interviews, Slash reflects on his deep personal connection to the blues, sharing stories behind the songs and his reverence for the artists who paved the way. SLASH'S BLUES BALL delivers the blues like it's meant to be — loud, live, and dangerous.

"Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival" will become available in retail stores and online as 2CD+DVD digipak, 2CD+Blu-ray digipak and heavyweight black 3LP gatefold. Further exclusive formats will be available in the official album store.

The first single "Oh Well (Live)" is out today. Slash takes FLEETWOOD MAC's classic and transforms it into a searing live experience. Channeling Peter Green's blues roots while unleashing his own signature firepower, Slash delivers a performance that feels both timeless and fiercely alive — the perfect single to launch "Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival".

CD 1:

01. Intro
02. Parchman Farm Blues
03. Killing Floor
04. Born Under A Bad Sign
05. Oh Well
06. Big Legged Woman
07. Key To The Highway
08. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

CD 2:

09. Stormy Monday
10. The Pusher
11. Metal Chestnut
12. Crossroads
13. Stone Free
14. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
15. Shake Your Money Maker

S.E.R.P.E.N.T. is an anagram and stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N' Tolerance. The festival is a celebration of the blues, featuring an all-star lineup varies.

Slash formed the "S.E.R.P.E.N.T." festival to bring fans together to celebrate the spirit of the blues, and to perform with other blues artists he admires who share his love of the genre. Slash also has a strong desire to give back to charities that he has supported over the years, as well as to help lift marginalized communities that share his restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. A portion of the proceeds from each VIP package and "S.E.R.P.E.N.T." festival ticket sold directly benefited the following charities that Slash had selected: The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute and War Child. "S.E.R.P.E.N.T." festival had partnered with Plus1.org to support these charitable endeavors.

Slash's blues album, "Orgy Of The Damned", came out in May 2024 via Gibson Records. The LP features guest appearances by AC/DC's Brian Johnson, AEROSMITH's Steven Tyler, Iggy Pop, Chris Stapleton, THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson, ZZ TOP's Billy F. Gibbons, BAD COMPANY's Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato and Gary Clark Jr.Slash is backed on the album by prior collaborators Johnny Griparic (bass) and Teddy Andreadis (keyboards),as well as drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.

Although he grew up in England, Slash's American grandmother turned him on to the blues early on and he was immediately taken with B.B. King. At the same time, his parents raised him on a healthy diet of '60s British rock 'n' roll, from THE WHO to THE KINKS. Once he moved to Laurel Canyon, Slash found himself surrounded by rock and folk singers like Joni Mitchell, CROSBY, STILLS & NASH and Neil Young — all of whom eventually inspired his playing and songwriting. It wasn't until he began playing guitar himself that Slash realized all of his favorite musicians had been influenced by the same B.B. King blues records he'd listened to as a young kid.

AEROSMITH's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have announced a collaborative new EP with British singer, songwriter and musician Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Richard Harrison.

The five-track effort, titled "One More Time", will be out on November 21 and will be preceded by a brand new single, "My Only Angel", out this Friday, September 19.

"One More Time" track listing:

01. My Only Angel
02. Problems
03. Wild Woman
04. A Thousand Days
05. Back In The Saddle (2025 mix)

A short preview of "My Only Angel" is available below.

Tyler, Perry and Yungblud previously came together on September 7 for a performance honoring the legendary Ozzy Osbourne with a medley of his greatest hits at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.

Yungblud kicked off the tribute with Osbourne's "Crazy Train" before slowing things down with a cover of BLACK SABBATH's "Changes". Tyler then took the stage to sing Osbourne's hit ballad "Mama, I'm Coming Home", accompanied by Perry on guitar. Yungblud returned to the mic to duet with Tyler on the tune, which ended with pyrotechnics and Yungblud shouting into the microphone, "Ozzy forever!"

After the performance, both AEROSMITH and Yungblud shared a brief clip of Tyler and Yungblud embracing, with Steven saying cheekily, "We've got a secret!"

At the July 5 "Back To The Beginning" concert, Yungblud sang a version of "Changes", backed by EXTREME's Nuno Bettencourt on guitar, ANTHRAX's Frank Bello on bass, SLEEP TOKEN's II on drums and BLACK SABBATH/OZZY OSBOURNE touring keyboardist Adam Wakeman on keys. The original version of "Changes" appeared on SABBATH's fourth album, "Vol. 4", released in 1972.

Born in Yorkshire, Harrison first picked up a guitar at age two and began writing his own songs when he was ten. At 16 he moved to London, then spent the next few years struggling to define his musical vision. But after reconnecting with the firebrand artists that first compelled him to make music — THE CLASH, ARCTIC MONKEYS, N.W.A. — he felt unstoppably inspired. That inspiration lead to the eventual release of his 2017 debut, "King Charles". Since then, Yungblud has created his own blend of alternative rock: poetry, guitar-hooks and break-beats with a fierce determination to make a dent in pop culture.

Paramount+ has released a trailer for its previously announced documentary about Ozzy Osbourne ahead of an October 7 premiere in the U.S. and internationally, excluding Japan. The feature-length project, titled "Ozzy: No Escape From Now", will "reveal the devastating setbacks" the iconic singer had "faced since his fateful fall in 2019," according to a press release.

Directed by BAFTA winner Tania Alexander ("Gogglebox"),the doc began filming in 2022 during the sessions for Osbourne's 13th album "Patient Number 9" and continued through what the 76-year-British-born musician's final performance with BLACK SABBATH in his original hometown of Birmingham, England on July 5.

"I used to take pills for fun. Now I take them to stay alive," Ozzy, who died from a heart attack on July 22, says at one point in the trailer, which shows footage of Osbourne recording the title track for "Patient Number 9".

A few days after Ozzy's death, Tania and Phil Alexander, the creative team behind "Ozzy: No Escape From Now", told Rolling Stone in a statement: "We are truly heartbroken to hear the news of Ozzy's passing. Filming with him, Sharon, Aimee, Kelly and Jack for the last three and a half years will always be a cherished and remarkable experience — largely because we got to regularly witness Ozzy's indomitable spirit, his mischievous, irresistible grin and his masterful display of unique one-liners. We will always love you, dear Oz. And we send love and strength to Sharon and her family."

The documentary is being produced by U.K. production house Echo Velvet in partnership with the Osbournes and MTV Entertainment Studios. Gillmer and Amanda Culkowski are executive producing the project for MTV Entertainment Studios alongside Phil Alexander for Echo Velvet and Sharon Osbourne for Sharon Osbourne Management.

"Ozzy: No Escape From Now" will feature interviews with Sharon and the couple's children as well as Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH),Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES),Robert Trujillo (METALLICA),Billy Idol, Maynard James Keenan (TOOL),Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Zakk Wylde, producer Andrew Watt and friend/musician Billy Morrison.

"The last six years have been full of some of the worst times I've been through. There's been times when I thought my number was up," Ozzy Osbourne said in a statement when "Ozzy: No Escape From Now" was first announced in February. "But making music and making two albums saved me. I'd have gone nuts without music."

He added: "My fans have supported me for so many years, and I really want to thank them and say a proper goodbye to them. That is what the Villa Park show is about."

"This film is an honest account of what has happened to Ozzy during the last few years. It shows how hard things have been for him and the courage he has shown while dealing with a number of serious health issues, including Parkinson's," Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne added. "It's about the reality of his life now. We have worked with a production team we trust and have allowed them the freedom to tell the story openly. We hope that story will inspire people that are facing similar issues to Ozzy."

"This is Ozzy Osbourne like you've never seen before: an honest, warm and deeply personal portrait of one of the greatest rock stars of all time, detailing how the singer's world shuddered to a halt six years ago, forcing him to contemplate who he really is, confront his own mortality and question whether or not he can ever perform on stage for one last time," the documentary's logline reads. "Addressing his health issues and impact of his Parkinson's diagnosis, the film showcases the central role music continues to play in Ozzy's life — also proving his mischievous sense of humor remains resolutely intact despite it all."

"Given our storied past with Ozzy, Sharon and the whole family, we were determined to land this project and look forward to sharing it with his legions of fans and global audiences on Paramount+ later this year," Bruce Gillmer, president of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events for Paramount as well as chief content officer of Music for Paramount+, said in a statement.

American death metal icons NILE played their third concert with their new bassist/vocalist Adam Roethlisberger on September 14 at Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, Virginia. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below.

Roethlisberger made his live debut with NILE on September 12 at the opening show of the band's U.S. tour with Canadian extreme metallers CRYPTOPSY in Raleigh, North Carolina. Support on the 25-date trek of the East Coast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest is coming from THE LAST TEN SECONDS OF LIFE and COGNITIVE.

On September 12, NILE guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders shared the following statement via social media: "Announcement time! We're very happy to welcome Adam Roethlisberger to NILE on bass and vocals. Adam has already put in an incredible amount of work, proving himself not only as a fierce player but also as a great teammate fully up to the challenge.

"We're sounding more powerful and heavier than ever, and we can't wait to unleash it for you on tour."

Roethlisberger added in a separate statement: "What an honor it is to play with the legends. NILE has carved a path so deep in the extreme metal world and I'm proud to do my part to help elevate this band to new heights."

Dan Vadim Von announced his departure from NILE on August 20, writing on his Instagram: "Decided to leave NILE to concentrate on other commitments. Thanks to all who attended the shows during my tenure as frontman, you were the best part of it. Working on new material for 2026. Stay metal."

Roethlisberger was a member of VITRIOL for over a decade, but exited the band last fall, reportedly due to a "long and difficult working relationship" with VITRIOL guitarist-vocalist Kyle Rasmussen.

NILE's tenth album, "The Underworld Awaits Us All", came out in August 2024 via Napalm Records. The LP was recorded with the lineup of NILE founding mastermind/guitarist Karl Sanders, longtime drum master George Kollias, vocalist/guitarists Brian Kingsland and Zach Jeter, and bassist Dan Vadim Von.

"The Underworld Awaits Us All" was once again produced and recorded at Sanders's own Serpent Headed Studios in Greenville, South Carolina. NILE returned to "Vile Nilotic Rites" engineer Mark Lewis (CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, WHITECHAPEL) for mixing and mastering.

"The Underworld Awaits Us All"'s art was once again envisioned and created by Michał "Xaay" Loranc, with reference to the cycle of life and judgment at its end.

Brandon Ellis is standing in for CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Rob Barrett on the Florida death metal veterans' U.S. tour this summer/fall. The trek, featuring support from MUNICIPAL WASTE, FULL OF HELL and FULCI, kicked off on September 15 in Nashville, Tennessee and will conclude on October 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Fan-filmed video of the Nashville concert at the Marathon Music Works can be seen below.

On September 2, Ellis shared the following message via his social media: "I will be playing guitar with CANNIBAL CORPSE this fall, standing in for Rob Barrett. I'm honored to help out and put on a killer death metal show for you all. See you there!"

Ellis announced his departure from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER in February.

Brandon, who made his name in fellow American death metallers ARSIS before replacing Ryan Knight in THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER in 2016, contributed to three albums during his near-decade stint in the latter group. Two of those featured the band's original vocalist Trevor Strnad, who passed in 2022.

CANNIBAL CORPSE's sixteenth studio album, "Chaos Horrific", was released in September 2023 via Metal Blade Records.

Since 1988, CANNIBAL CORPSE have been at the forefront of death metal, shaping and defining the genre. In 2021, they raised the stakes again with "Violence Unimagined". And in 2023, the band's thirty-fifth anniversary, they returned with its successor, the equally monstrous "Chaos Horrific", starting a new chapter in their storied legacy.

CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist/producer Erik Rutan has now helmed six of the band's albums, starting with 2006's "Kill". This is Rutan's second release as a full-fledged member, since officially joining in 2020.

"Chaos Horrific" was recorded at Rutan's Mana Studio in Florida.

California rockers PAPA ROACH and country-pop superstar Carrie Underwood have officially gone gold with their collaboration "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)", as certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America). The announcement fittingly came on World Suicide Prevention Day.

PAPA ROACH was joined by Underwood on stage during the band's April 5, 2025 concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for performances of the band's songs "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" and "Last Resort". Professionally filmed video of the "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" performance has now been posted online and can be seen below.

This performance highlights PAPA ROACH's ongoing mission to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. In partnership with the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention all royalties from the song generated by both artists will be donated to AFSP in perpetuity. The performance represents a pivotal step in the band's commitment to using music as a force for healing and change.

Last year, Underwood teamed up PAPA ROACH to record a new rendition of the latter's 2022 track "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)", which continued the band's mission to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The new version of the song was released in August 2024, with Underwood sharing in a press release that she was "honored" to work with the rock group.

"I'm such a huge fan of Jacoby [Shaddix, PAPA ROACH frontman] and PAPA ROACH and was honored to be invited to record 'Leave A Light On' with them," Underwood said. "It's a beautiful song and the message behind it and the band's mission to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness has never been more important."

Shaddix was equally complimentary about Underwood, noting in the release that he and the other members of PAPA ROACH were "humbled that Carrie was open to our mission, and hearing the power of Carrie's voice in that recording session we were blown away. Not only is her vocal ability unequaled, but the impact of her voice brings a new meaning to our cause and will help people all over the globe."

"It's an honor to have a 'Rock Star' bring life to this track with us," he added.

Asked in an August 2024 interview with On With Mario Lopez how the Underwood collaboration came about, Shaddix said: "I was listening to SiriusXM Octane and she was doing an interview on Octane with this guy Jose [Mangin], and he's like a metalhead, right? And she was talking about her love for rock and metal music, and she brought up PAPA ROACH. And somebody had texted me, she's, like, 'Did you see this interview?' And I was, like, 'Oh, snap. What's up? Carrie's a fan. That's dope.' And so we had a show in Nashville, and I invited her and her husband out to the show. She came out to the show, loved the show. The wife and I were in Vegas and we checked out one of her residencies, and we rolled after her show and we just hit it off and became friends. And then one thing leads to another, and then we had this song and we hit her up, we're, like, 'Hey, we've got this song.' And we've always envisioned it with a female vocal on it, a duet. And she was all about it. And so it was just such a cool way that it came together and organically. It wasn't set up by the powers that be. And, yeah, she's just such a great vocalist. It was awesome."

Earlier this year, during PAPA ROACH's sold-out headline show at Wembley Arena, the band presented the Campaign Against Living Miserably with a £20,000 cheque raised during their U.K. tour.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CEO Bob Gebbia noted that the organization is "incredibly grateful to PAPA ROACH and Carrie Underwood for their commitment to providing those struggling with their mental health information and resources that can help."

"Leave A Light On" was first performed live during PAPA ROACH's "The Revolutions Live Tour" starting in September 2023, with 250,000 attendees at 30 shows. In each city, the song was preceded by an emotional video PSA delivered by Shaddix, who pledged a donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on behalf of each city’s attendees, culminating in a $155,000 donation at the end of the tour in Denver, Colorado. Following the tour, the band officially released the official video recorded on tour and subsequently renamed the single to radio as "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)", in conjunction with the AFSP's "Talk Away The Dark" campaign. Following the critically acclaimed tour, they pledged a perpetual royalty from the song's use, in any manner, to the AFSP, continuing their mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide long after the "Revolutions Live Tour" finished.

"We had a passion for this song from the time we finished it," Shaddix said. "When creating the set list for the final leg of the 'Ego Trip' album cycle, we really wanted to see if the live audience would connect with 'Leave A Light On' the way we did — and the best way to do that is to perform it to ten thousand fans a night! From that first show, it connected. We could see it on their faces. We instantly knew the power of this song and its ability to help 'leave a light on' for those who needed it most."

"Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" is taken from PAPA ROACH's tenth studio album, "Ego Trip", which came out in April 2022. The LP (produced by Colin Brittain, Nick Furlong and PAPA ROACH) also achieved three previous No. 1 singles: "Kill The Noise", "No Apologies" and "Cut The Line" featuring BEARTOOTH's Caleb Shomo.

Photo credit: Jeff Johnson