Black/doom metal project In A Forest Dark has officially joined forces with Wormholedeath Records. Led by the mastermind multi-instrumentalist, Mário Pereira, known for his work with Eternal Mourning, In A Forest Dark is poised to unleash a torrent of haunting and immersive soundscapes upon the world. The project's debut album, Buried Giant, is set to be re-released on October 20th.


Mário Pereira expressed his excitement about this collaboration, stating, "I am very happy to announce my unholy pact with the mighty Wormholedeath Records! It's an honor to join the team. Together with Wormholedeath Records, I'm positive that 'In a Forest Dark' will ascend to new heights, unleashing dark sonic creations upon the world. Prepare yourselves for an immersive journey through the realms of doom, black, and gothic metal. The darkness awaits."


At the core of In A Forest Dark lies the conceptual masterpiece, Buried Giant. This album weaves an intricate tapestry of doom and black metal elements, seamlessly entwined with haunting gothic influences, birthing a fusion that embraces both the sublime darkness and melancholic beauty. Inspired by Kazuo Ishiguro's evocative novel The Buried Giant, the music delves deep into the realms of mystery and enchantment. Each composition, a mosaic of soulful melodies, atmospheric layers, and emotive lyrics, creates an all-encompassing sonic journey.







Mário Pereira's artistic vision transcends mere musical composition. With In A Forest Dark, he introduces listeners to an immersive sonic voyage into the depths of doom, black, and gothic metal. Channeling the essence of The Buried Giant, the debut album is a testament to his unique ability to translate literature into captivating soundscapes. From conception to production, Pereira commands every facet of this auditory masterpiece, inviting audiences to traverse the veiled dimensions of the human experience.


The music video for "Where My Heart Went" offers a glimpse into the sublime darkness and melancholic beauty of In A Forest Dark's sound

In a brand new interview with Baltimore's 98 Rock radio station, Jacoby Shaddix reflected on PAPA ROACH's cover version of the AEROSMITH classic "Sweet Emotion", which the singer and his bandmates performed at the 2002 MTV tribute to the legendary rockers, "mtvICON: Aerosmith".

"So MTV, back in the day, asked us to come do this thing to honor AEROSMITH," Jacoby recalled. "And what was the song? 'Sweet Emotion'. They were, like, 'We want you guys to do 'Sweet Emotion'.' And I'm just, like, 'Let's go.' But that's, like, big shoes to fill. We just hacked our way. It was bad. It was not good."

Asked if he and his PAPA ROACH bandmates had a chance to speak to the AEROSMITH guys after the performance, Jacoby said: "It's funny 'cause our drummer at the time [Dave Buckner] ended up marrying Mia [Tyler], one of Steven's [Tyler] daughters. And so that was like the beginning of a relationship that happened at this place."

Circling back to AEROSMITH's reaction to PAPA ROACH's rendition of "Sweet Emotion", Shaddix said: "I could tell that they were just kind of, like, 'Hmm, that was loud.'

"We were young numbskulls playing, like, I mean, nu metal," he explained. "We weren't, like, classic rocker vibe, you know? And so we did our best, but it just wasn't good enough. It just wasn't good."

At the "mtvICON: Aerosmith" taping, PAPA ROACH guitarist Jerry Horton admitted to a few nerves prior to taking the stage before AEROSMITH.

"I don't normally get nervous," he told MTV at the time. "But it's one thing to cover a song from a band, it's another to cover it while they are listening to it."

Back in 2015, the Audioeclectica blog dubbed PAPA ROACH's cover of "Sweet Emotion" "one of the worst renditions of a great song. Their version of 'Sweet Emotion' will forever be put next to Celine Dion's version of AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long'," the blog post added.

Mia Tyler and Dave Buckner wed during an AEROSMITH concert in Las Vegas in 2003. They split up two years later, explaining in a joint statement that their lives were "heading in different directions and they each want[ed] different things for their futures."

Mia is the half sister of "Lord Of The Rings" actress Liv Tyler.

It was the first marriage for both Tyler and Buckner.

Metal Mania continues to grip the Wargaming world, as World Of Tanks Modern Armor (WOTMA) welcomes the legendary band IRON MAIDEN as the final act of Metal Fest. First the might SABATON began Metal Fest, then mosh monsters MEGADETH brought the thunder to the show. Now IRON MAIDEN storms the Metal Fest stage for the big finale!

WOTMA's Metal Fest, an immersive in-game music event, will amplify its adrenaline-fueled experience with a heavy metal double-down encore, featuring branded tanks and awe-inspiring commanders. The Metal Fest event is a three-act extravaganza, with each act showcasing a powerhouse band. SABATON led Act 1, MEGADETH took the spotlight in Act 2, and now, IRON MAIDEN closes out the massive festival as the headliner for Act 3.

From September 12 to October 3, IRON MAIDEN offers players an unparalleled hard rock experience. As players embark on the quest to conquer challenge stages, they'll unlock a trove of exclusive rewards that truly embody the spirit of IRON MAIDEN.

The IRON MAIDEN-themed Senjutsu TO-55 flamethrower tank brings fire-shooting damage to enemies in the game's World War II battles. Following in the "Senjutsu"'s tracks is the "A Matter Of Life And Death" (AMOLAD) tank, a Cold War vehicle exclusive to World Of Tanks Modern Armor that was designed specifically for this event. Both tanks truly embody the power and commanding force that make IRON MAIDEN the metal legends they are.

IRON MAIDEN's iconic figurehead Eddie appears as a 3D Hero Commander, his guttural growling voiceover sending shivers down the spine as his rage comes to the fight.

There will also be a gallery of 14 different Eddie 2D Standard Commanders to collect. Each one is meticulously designed to pay tribute to Eddie, who has appeared on all IRON MAIDEN album covers to date.

Additionally, tankers will feel the fever of the coming battle with the resonating power of two IRON MAIDEN songs, "Brighter Than A Thousand Suns" and "The Writing On The Wall". These metal anthems will echo through the garage as the triumphant prelude for those who own these epic IRON MAIDEN tanks.

World Of Tanks Modern Armor is a team-based massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored combat. Players immerse themselves in fierce 15-v-15 tank combat with opponents from around the world, fight it out on a variety of maps, and take command of their preferred vehicle out of over 900 tanks from 11 different nations.

World Of Tanks Modern Armor is played by millions of players worldwide and is available on PlayStation4 and 5 and on Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X. World Of Tanks Modern Armor can be downloaded for free by all PlayStation Network and Xbox Live account holders, with stunning 4K resolution and HDR support on PlayStation4 Pro, PlayStation 5, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.

IRON MAIDEN is a British heavy metal band that formed in London in 1975. They are one of the most iconic and influential bands in the history of heavy metal music. The band is known for its energetic live performances, elaborate stage setups, and their distinctive figurehead Eddie, which has appeared on most of their album covers.

Ozzy Osbourne has offered an update on his health after undergoing extensive spinal surgery and other treatment following a fall at home in 2019 that aggravated injuries he suffered in a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.

In the first episode of the newly revived "The Osbournes" podcast, the 74-year-old BLACK SABBATH singer revealed that he will need to undergo a fourth operation as well as get an epidural injection.

Ozzy said: "My lower back is, I'm going for an epidural soon because what's happening, what they've discovered is the neck has been fixed, below the neck there's two vertebrae where the bike hit me and disintegrated, there's nothing left of 'em."

After Ozzy's son Jack asked, "Are they fusing discs?", Ozzy replied, "I don't know what the fuck they're doing". Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon then said that she wasn't sure about the technical term.

"All I know is right now, I'm in a lot of pain, I'm in a lot of discomfort," Ozzy continued.

Ozzy and Sharon confirmed that this will be "surgery number four" for the 74-year-old musician, who expressed optimism about the upcoming procedure.

"I said to the doctor yesterday, you know what I've heard, which I have, people have discs replaced that are worked on and they become the strongest things in the bone," he said. But Sharon clarified that the doctor said they don't know if the surgery will work or not.

Ozzy also explained why he has always walked in a way that sees his head lead his body, saying: "In my back, the two discs, and the muscles on my shoulders have separated from my skeleton, and that's why I lean forward as it's like gravity is bringing my head forward."

This past July, Ozzy canceled his appearance at the upcoming Power Trip festival due to his ongoing health issues.

Ozzy's health issues, including catching COVID-19 a year and a half ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.

While Osbourne's health issues forced him to scrap most of his live appearances, the legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman said he would return if his condition improved.

This past April, Ozzy was photographed walking without his cane in Los Angeles. According to Page Six, the 74-year-old singer looked unbalanced as he walked alongside his carer, who picked up flowers during their daytime stroll around the neighborhood and held them out for Osbourne to take a whiff.

Osbourne's previously announced European tour with guests JUDAS PRIEST, originally set for 2019 and then rescheduled three times, was officially canceled in early February. The trek was scheduled to begin in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3, and include gigs in Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and London, before finishing in his original hometown of Birmingham on June 14.

Despite his health problems, Osbourne has performed a couple of times in recent months, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022.

Symphony Of Heaven has released their new single "In Anger's Midst". With a sound that also leans into melodic blackened death realms, the band delivers a dynamic and powerful track. 


The band talks about the new single: "'In Anger’s Midst' is about going through such a dark time in one’s life that you feel on the verge of being out of control, lost, and that if you don’t get yourself out of that hole you’ll regret what you might do or become."







The track also fits into the band's pseudo-historical world that bleeds through their music; the lore of Ordo Aurum, a pseudo-historical Christian Order. Within this realm the lyrics of the song come from a document written by Grandmaster Nicolaus Farel, in 1919 after the death of his parents and family to the Spanish Flu in Europe. The surviving document has recently been uncovered, having been kept in the London Lodge until this time.


"Symphony Of Heaven's philosophy is rooted and exists within a Christian worldview and mindset, as the majority of our members have been Christians," explains the band. "Our lyrics have always tried to deal with the dark realities of life on this earth, yet with hope at the end."





 

Austrian death metal powerhouse Fallen Utopia continues their relentless march towards the release of their third full-length album, Ruin, set to drop on November 11, 2023. As a tantalizing prelude to this sonic behemoth, Fallen Utopia presents their latest single and video, "What My Soul Recoils My Tongue Shall Tell".


This powerful track offers an enticing glimpse into the depth and intensity of Ruin. Fallen Utopia's mastery of the death metal genre with a modern twist is evident in every riff, every beat, and every lyric. "What My Soul Recoils My Tongue Shall Tell" carries the raw energy and thematic weight that fans can expect from the upcoming album.







As with Ruin, this single is a narrative chapter in itself. The lyrics explore themes of inner turmoil, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. Fallen Utopia courageously pushes the boundaries of their genre, creating a sonic journey that intertwines unrelenting aggression with profound introspection.


The album's cover artwork, a creation of Pierre-Alain D. of 3mmi Design, invites listeners to delve deeper into the impending darkness of Ruin, making the anticipation for the full album release all the more electrifying.





Tracklisting:


"What My Soul Recoils My Tongue Shall Tell" 
"Artificial Life Creation"
"Regicide"
"Interlude"
"The Work Of Giants"
"The Curse Of Akkad"
"Entering Utopia"
"My Name Is Legion; For We Are Many"
"Meister Frantz, Executioner Of Nuremberg"
"The Drought"


For further details, visit Fallen Utopia on Facebook.


 

Toronto's Slik Toxik have announced the CD reissue of their debut album, Doin' The Nasty, on France's Bad Reputation Records. 


"This one is a hybrid with songs from the original EP, Smooth & Deadly, as bonus tracks," comments the band. Order your copy now at this location. The artwork and tracklisting are as follows:







"Big Fuckin’ Deal"
"Helluvatime"
"Sweet Asylum"
"White Lies / Black Truth"
"Cherry Bomb"
"Marionette"
"It’s Not Eazy"
"Crashed"
"By The Fireside"
"Blood Money"
"Cheap Nicotine"
"Midnight Grind"
"Rachel’s Dead"


Bonus Tracks: 


"Riff Raff"
"Mass Confusion"
"Rachel’s Breathing"


Doin' The Nasty was originally released in March 1992 via Capitol Records / EMI. It reached #61 in Canada and was certified gold by the CRIA. "Helluvatime", "By The Fireside", "White Lies / Black Truth", and "Sweet Asylum" were released as singles and they all had accompanying music videos. The album won the 1993 Juno Award for Best Rock Album Of The Year. At the 1992 MuchMusic Video Awards, the "Helluvatime" video won the People's Choice Award for Best Video of the Year and Best Metal Video Award.


"20+ years later, Doin’ The Nasty is an album that is still a fucking blast to listen to," emphatically states Bad Repuation. "The production is perfect, the band plays absolutely amazing, and the songs are so well thought out, well written, and perfectly executed. Slik Toxik is a band that may have never rose above the horizon to make their presence known, but Doin’ The Nasty serves as a reminder that some of the greatest albums ever made are the ones you never even knew existed."











Slik Toxik:


Nicholas Walsh - vocals
Rob Bruce - guitars
Kevin Gale - guitars
Neal Busby - drums
Patric Howarth - bass
Dave Mercel - lyrics


 

Pennsylvania based, dark melodic metal band, Reign Of Z, has released the official music video for their heartbreaking new single, "Nothing Gold Can Stay". Written by Roz, Justin Spauldin, and Steve Sopchack, with lyrics from front-woman Zosia West, the deeply moving new single poignantly expresses the life-shattering pain and trauma of loss and grief.


With an equally impactful music video directed by Tom Flynn and produced by the band, "Nothing Gold Can Stay" is both beautiful and desolate, with equally impactful and tear-inducing visuals, while ultimately reminding listeners that loss only hurts because of the beauty that precedes it.


"This is a song for those who’ve loved tremendously, unapologetically, and knew no bounds. This was one of the biggest heartbreaks and took the longest to write because she needed the perfect lyrics to encapsulate her memory. This isn’t for the faint of heart, this is for the ones who had to pick up the pieces caused by grief." - Zosia West

To celebrate a decade of rock - along with the return of vocalist John Corabi, and the arrival of new bassist Michael Devin - The Dead Daisies embarked on the Resurrected tour with dates in Canada and the US. The band have released the video below, recapping Week 3:





Watch recap videos for Weeks 1 & 2 below:










The Dead Daisies perform next on October 31 at Umeda Club Quattro in Osaka, Japan. Find the band's complete tour itinerary here.

Up-and-coming German hard rock band, Wucan, have signed a worldwide record deal with the SPV label, Long Branch Records. The quartet from Dresden recently entered the German album charts for the first time in their career with their latest album, Heretic Tongue, followed by impressive performances at numerous European festivals.


"Wucan expands our artist roster as a highly motivated and promising group that knows how to win you over, especially live," comments Long Branch Records label manager Manuel Schönfeld. "Wucan innovatively merge the most diverse rock genres to create a legendary sound for today's time."


Wucan manager Karl Walterbach adds: "With Long Branch Records / SPV, Wucan has now found a label partner that is perfectly positioned internationally. This allows us to make optimal use of the global networks of our booking agent, MAD Tourbooking/Berlin. The first result will be a small UK tour in October 2023. We are looking forward to the upcoming cooperation."




Wucan are here to break up ossified genre conventions. Using 1960s rock rubrics, the band reaches past that traditional Anglo-American heritage, leaning instead, into the rock history of East Germany. Who out there can recall East German hard rock bands such as Babylon, Berluc or Blitzz? It is legendary names like these Wucan pay homage to, and with virtuoso bandleader Francis Tobolsky, deliver the freshest new spirit in the German rock scene.





Wucan & SPV / Long Branch Records (from left to right): Karl Walterbach (Management Wucan), Alexander Karlisch, Philip Knöfel, Francis Tobolsky, Tim George (all Wucan) & Manuel Schönfeld (SPV/Long Branch)


 


Wucan are:


Francis Tobolsky - Vocals / Guitar / Flute / Theremin
Tim George - Guitar
Philip Knöfel - Drums
Alexander Karlisch - Bass

Conceived in 1995 by the multi-Grammy-nominated guitarist Joe Satriani, the inaugural "G3" tour took place in 1996, bringing together three of the most iconic and virtuosic guitarists of their time: Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. Known for their incredible technical prowess, musical innovation and unique styles, the "G3" tour was a celebration of guitar mastery and proved extremely popular, captivating audiences worldwide. Though the lineup has continually changed over the last 29 years since its inception, Satriani is celebrating "G3" in 2024 by reuniting the original trio: Satriani, Johnson and Vai. The tour is set to begin on January 23, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona, hitting eleven cities before winding up with a pair of shows at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Artist ticket pre-sales are set to begin on September 13 at 10 a.m. local time (code: R3UNION) with local presale on September 14 at 10 a.m. local time. The public on-sale is Friday, September 15 at 10 a.m. local time. VIP packages will also be available.

Excited to share the news, Satriani commented: "Reuniting the original 'G3' line up is a dream come true for me. I can't wait to take the stage with Eric and Steve again!"

Added Johnson: "It's going to be an honor to reunite with Joe and Steve and do the 'G3' tour together again. I'm proud to be a part of it."

Vai stated: "It's always an honor to contribute to a 'G3' tour, and to be with Joe and Eric again playing on stage is like living life to its fullest!"

With every incarnation of "G3", each guitarist performed their solo sets, showcasing their individual brilliance, and then collaborated for a mind-blowing jam session that left fans in awe. Over the decades, the tour has received much critical acclaim and the chemistry between the three guitarists on stage was undeniable, creating an unforgettable experience for guitar enthusiasts and music lovers alike. Each edition of the tour brought its own unique flair, showcasing the ever-evolving landscape of guitar playing while highlighting the talents of the iconic players from different generations and genres. It continues to be a hallmark event for guitar aficionadas across the globe.

Since its inception in 1995, "G3" has featured many iconic guitarists, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg and Phil Collen, along with many other special guests, including Al Di Meola, Tony MacAlpine, Johnny Hiland, Keith More, Chris Duarte, Andy Timmons, Neal Schon, Gary Hoey, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Johnny A, George Lynch, Patrick Rondat, Guthrie Govan, Alejandro Silva and Eric Sardinas.

The "G3" tour expanded its reach beyond the U.S., venturing into different continents, allowing fans from all corners of the globe to experience the magic of this guitar extravaganza. With each passing year, the tour attracted new talents and saw the return of beloved guitar heroes, further solidifying its reputation as a must-see event. The tour also became a platform for collaboration and experimentation, with guitarists often jamming together and pushing the boundaries of what the instrument can do. The camaraderie among the performers and their shared passion for guitar music created an atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration on stage.

"G3" 2024 tour featuring Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai:

January 23 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
January 25 - Highland, CA - Yaamava Resort & Casino
January 26 - Scottsdale, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Ballroom
January 27 - Las Vegas, NV - Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
January 29 - Spokane, WA - First Interstate Center for the Arts
January 31 - Seattle, WA - The Moore Theatre
February 01 - Salem, OR - Historic Elsinore Theatre
February 02 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Reno
February 03 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
February 05 - Fresno, CA - Saroyan Theatre
February 07 - El Cajon, CA - The Magnolia
February 09 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre
February 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre

For more information on shows, ticketing and VIP packages, visit G3tour.com.

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Video of FLAT BLACK performing two new songs, "Lightning" and "It's Over Now", at some of its recent live shows can be seen below.

FLAT BLACK is the new band formed by ex-FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook. He is joined in the group by singer Wes Horton, bassist Nick Diltz and drummer Rob Pierce.

In an interview with Jake Daniels of the Rock 100.5 The KATT radio station conducted at this month's Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, Hook stated about how FLAT BLACK came together: "Well, I was pretty hell-bent on starting a new band. Music's in my blood. It's a part of my DNA, and I just knew that… I didn't really care how long it took. It just had to be potent. And so, one [musician] at a time… I found Rob first, and he's awesome. And then, of course, Nick; he's from Los Angeles. All my guys are just stellar players. And I wanted to have a good pack of songs. And so here we are."

Regarding the importance of getting along with his bandmates on a personal level, Hook said: "Well, it was a bit of a prerequisite to find guys that were mentally stable and free of drama and that we could hang. It's all about the hang. When you're on tour, you're stuck in this submarine, this rolling submarine, for 18 months. It's important that everyone is compatible. The personalities, I wanted to be very specific about that this time around… We're getting along great."

Last month, FLAT BLACK released the official music video for the song "Halo". "Halo" and the other previously released track "It's Your Lack of Respect" will appear on FLAT BLACK's debut album, which will arrive in early 2024 via Fearless Records. The LP, produced by Hook, was recorded at both Hook's home studio and The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas.

"I feel like FLAT BLACK is a secret I've been keeping for three years," Hook previously said. "It's finally time to unleash this band on the world."

Having left his prior band in February 2020, which was right before COVID-19 put the entire world on pause, Hook wanted to assume creative control and let his musical free spirit soar in a project that was truly his. He opted to gamble on himself. With great risk comes great reward and the decision to form FLAT BLACK clearly worked out in his favor.

"As a musician, I crave freedom and I wasn't ready to stop creating," Hook shared.

"Life is short," he continued. "We all want to feel satisfied and happy with what we are trying to accomplish in life."

The pandemic shutdown allowed him the opportunity to assemble the right musicians and carefully craft their debut album. FLAT BLACK is armed with an arsenal of riffs that'll rattle your teeth loose from your gums, stadium-sized hooks, arena-ready anthems, and choruses that are guaranteed to touch a nerve. All of those factors combined make FLAT BLACK poised for success.

The origin stories of the rest of the players are indicative of a lifelong love of music and plenty of road-worn experience. The desire to play courses through their veins and propels them forward, which is why they all meshed so well with Hook.

Horton was introduced to music at age 13, thanks to his sister and Guitar Hero. He honed his vocal chops by playing in local bands and making online videos. Various music industry friends and acquaintances would become the connective tissue between himself and Hook. Horton knew he wanted to be a frontman, and FLAT BLACK afforded him that opportunity. Wes loves the fact that his bandmates prioritize songcraft — and that allows him to be the singer he has always wanted to be.

Diltz, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, is the son of a legendary rock music photographer who brought him to concerts during his formative years. He recalls being inspired by watching a VHS video of U2 performing at legendary venue Red Rocks. Seeing fans clamoring for a piece of Bono in the footage is a vision that never left his head. This first exposure to the power of a true rock icon solidified Nick's destiny as a live performer.

Pierce hails from Nashville, a.k.a. Music City. His dad was a race car driver and his grandfather was a pastor. He grew up racing go karts and at first, wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps until he joined the fourth grade band and was bitten by the music bug. He chose the snare drum over the saxophone and from that moment on, music was the only thing that mattered. Rob got his first drum kit at age 11, which he set up in his dad's car shop. He learned to play his instrument next to 1,000 horsepower engines, which influences his highly energetic style to this day.

The chemistry between the players in FLAT BLACK is palpable. And while FLAT BLACK's songs are built to take up real estate in the brains of fans for weeks at a time, the true nature of the band's material is meant to be experienced live. FLAT BLACK are now ready to hit the road and bring these brutal bangers to the masses live and in the flesh.

FLAT BLACK made its live debut on August 24 at the FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, California as the support act for GODSMACK.

FLAT BLACK is:

Jason Hook - Guitar
Wes Horton - Vocals
Rob Pierce - Drums
Nicholas Diltz - Bass

In October 2020, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH confirmed that it had officially parted ways with Hook eight months earlier during the band's sold-out European arena tour. He has since been replaced by renowned British virtuoso Andy James, who made his recording debut with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on "Broken World", a song that was included on the second installment of the group's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2".

After his recovery from emergency gallbladder surgery at the end of 2019, Hook had to leave midway from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's tour of Europe to address further complications.

Jason, who joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in 2009, said about his exit from the band: "As for the reason I'm leaving… well, there really isn't just one. I've been in bands my entire life and I feel like I've done all the good that I can here. It's time to pass the baton and move on to new challenges."

Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter, actor, and New York Times best-selling author Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) has shared the official visualizer for "We Are The Rest", the fourth new song off his soon-to-be-released sophomore solo studio album, "CMF2".

Due on September 15, Taylor's first album for BMG and the first on his own label imprint, Decibel Cooper Recordings, "CMF2" was produced by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, AMON AMARTH),who also helmed STONE SOUR's 2017 LP "Hydrograd" as well as 2020's "CMFT".

"Together we have great ideas, great energy, and are quick to try everything," Taylor says of his studio collaborator. "We're not afraid to tell each other if it's a good idea, or also a bad one; we have that kind of trust. It's rad."

Throughout "CMF2", Taylor sings, plays lead and rhythm guitar, piano, and mandolin.

The 13-track opus packs the energy, experimentation, and forthrightness that's defined a career which has seen him sell more than 12 million albums with his Grammy-winning band SLIPKNOT and several million with chart-toppers STONE SOUR.

"CMF2" track listing:

01. The Box
02. Post Traumatic Blues
03. Talk Sick
04. Breath Of Fresh Smoke
05. Beyond
06. We Are The Rest
07. Midnight
08. Starmate
09. Sorry Me
10. Punchline
11. Someday I'll Change Your Mind
12. All I Want Is Hate
13. Dead Flies

In a recent interview with Tommy Carroll of the WGRD 97.9 radio station, Taylor was asked to back up his previous claim that "CMF2" will be "the best rock album of this year and the next." He said: "Dude, this album's got everything, man. I mean, it doesn't sound like everything else, which apparently is contagious in this industry. It's not produced like everything else. It feels alive. The songs are incredible. The production, the performances… I mean, this album chews up the first album and spits it out. It's probably one of the best things that I've ever done, and I'm really, really proud of it, man. I'm proud of the work that me and [producer] Jay [Ruston] did. And people are going to… Even if it is a slow burner out of the gate, people are gonna remember this album."

Taylor began tracking the follow-up to 2020's "CMFT" LP in early January at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada with Ruston. Joining Corey in the studio was the rest of his solo band — bassist Eliot Lorango, drummer Dustin Robert, along with guitarists Christian Martucci and Zach Throne.

Twenty-six songs were recorded for "CMF2", including "Beyond" and "Post Traumatic Blues".

The official video for "Beyond", as premiered by Rolling Stone, was shot at a remote location within California's Mojave Desert. Captured through the lens of director Dale "Rage" Resteghini (HATEBREED, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, TRIVIUM),the video finds Taylor trudging around the desert as a musing Uncle Sam intermingling with members of the band and the CHERRY BOMBS, the all-girl dance group featuring Taylor's wife Alicia Taylor, all the while being surrounded by different versions of himself from through the years — before culminating as a live performance for a mass of fans in the round.

The song "Beyond" harkens back to 2006 in some shape or form. Taylor knew the song was special, but never found the time to bring the tune to its potential.

"CMFT" featured the No. 1 Billboard mainstream rock single "Black Eyes Blue" and streaming sensation "CMFT Must Be Stopped" (feat. Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie). The LP hit No. 6 on Billboard's U.S. Top Rock Albums chart.

In support of his new album, Taylor recently embarked on his 2023 tour featuring special guests WARGASM, OXYMORRONS and LUNA AURA on select dates. Produced by Live Nation, the 28-city tour kicked off on August 25 at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, making stops across the U.S in Detroit, Orlando, Dallas and more before the final headline show in Los Angeles at The Wiltern on October 5.

In a recent interview with TotalRock's Neil Jones, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2019's "Atonement" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're still at demo stages, but we have quite a bit of demos. And Jesse's [Leach, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer] been writing and rewriting and going back to the little chopping block. We decided to have everybody in the band become a part of the lyric writing too. So Jesse will bring ideas. We say, 'We like this. We don't like this. This is the idea. Carry on with that.'"

Asked how the process of making a KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has evolved over the years, Adam said: "In the past, I took a lot of it on my shoulders, to handle a lot of the duties. But I think the last record, in particular, everyone was just — they felt like a bit detached almost, because I was doing almost everything on my own. And I think they're just, like, 'We don't even feel like we made a record.' So they wanna be more of a part of the production process and the writing process. So I've made sure to keep everybody looped in and in the same circle. Communication's key to anything."

He continued: "I do my best to try to make something that we're kind of proud of. So, at the end of the day, it's up to me to make sure that everybody in the band is happy and we're all going in the same direction."

As for the musical direction of the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE material, Adam said: "We're still doing what we do. We're just trying to push the boundaries and shake it up a little bit and make it not the same thing we've been doing for 20-something years."

In a separate interview with Ore Bihovsky of TotalRock's "Louder" radio show, Adam said that he and his bandmates are still "demoing" and "writing" material for the next KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album. "We've been kind of busy with other side hustles and whatnot," he said. "But, yeah, [we've] just been taking our time and wanting to get Jesse in the right head space and get him comfortable. But we're pretty much ready to record now. We've just gotta wedge some time in between shows and tours and things going on within everybody's lives."

Asked if the challenges of staying productive during the coronavirus lockdown contributed to it taking this long for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE to come up with enough material for a new LP, Adam said: "Not necessarily. I've got a bunch of stuff going on. I've been writing a ton. But it was just more so pushing Jesse to get a little more, I guess just to vary it up a little bit more and maybe try to pull from other places for inspiration and just try to get some different lyrical content."

Last month, Leach told The Razor's Edge that KILLSWITCH ENGAGE had 14 or 15 demos ready for the next LP. But he added: "We're gonna be tossing out, like, four or five of them already to redo some stuff and to rethink some stuff just to make sure that everybody in the band feels like we're doing the best we can, and it does sound fresh yet familiar. So it's a challenge… You wanna please your fans, but you also wanna please yourself as an artist and as a band. So we're focusing on us first. And then my hope is that the fans will in turn be pleased with what we're doing because we are putting the effort in to ensure that it's something that isn't just a remake of something we've done before."

Asked if Dutkiewicz will once again be in charge of the production of the band's new LP, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE drummer Justin Foley told Forever Loud: "Yeah. We're pretty sure that we're gonna do it with Adam and Adam's gonna be the producer. I mean, it just makes sense. He knows what we're doing. We know how to work with him. We all know how to work with each other real well, and he obviously gets the band and what we're trying to go for. So it just makes too much sense not to do."

In July, Leach told Oran O'Beirne of Bloodstock TV about the band's next album: "I think we made some headway. Definitely some good ideas, some good demos. I'm revisiting some ideas. We had a great little meeting where all of us got together and listened and talked, which, to me, has been a great process. And I think it's gonna make this album a lot different than what we've done in the past, 'cause everyone sort of has their voice. We're taking more time with it. So, yeah, it is taking a bit longer but it gives me hope that the end result will be that much better because it is taking a little bit more time to do it. But I'm stoked, for sure. There's some bangers on there already."

During the same chat, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio revealed that he wasn't feeling very inspired in the early days of the coronavirus downtime. "During the pandemic, for me, I kind of wasn't able to do much at all," he said. "You'd think that that would be the best writing process, to be nervous about your future and not sure what's gonna happen next. But I was just locked in some sort of a mode where I couldn't even do graphic design; for about six to eight months, I didn't do anything. But I think after that, it definitely seemed to start flowing. Especially when we did the live gig at the Palladium [in Worcester, Massachusetts], the livestream that we did [in August 2021], that kind of helped make the juices work a little bit more. We learned a lot of songs from 'Atonement' that we actually never played live together before, so that was an experience. And I think that's what kind of jarred us into, 'Okay, let's get this thing moving again.'"

In June, Leach told Pete Bailey of Primordial Radio that the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album was "taking a lot longer than, I think, any of us anticipated, because there's a lot of quality control going on. And making sure that it's fresh; we're not repeating ourselves," he explained. "So that process has been a little arduous but I think necessary because we don't wanna put out something that people are gonna go, 'Oh, yeah. Another KILLSWITCH record. Whatever.'"

Regarding where he and his KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are right now with respect to the writing process, Jesse said: "We're solidifying a lot, but there's still some back-and-forth and looking at parts and rewriting the music. And then I'm revisiting a lot of the lyrics. I've actually rewritten a bunch of stuff. 'Cause we all got together and had a meeting, and all of us just kind of gave our input on everything, and I took notes. It's the first time, really, I think we've done that. But, again, I do believe that it's necessary at our stage in our career to really just kind of get all of our heads together to make sure that this record is gonna be what we all feel is a good representation of who we are right now."

On the topic of the lyrical inspiration for the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE material, Jesse said: "Initially, for me, I really wanted to put out something that was healing, something that could help people cope. But it's kind of turned into anger, it's kind of turned into frustration, it's kind of turned into seeing the greater deceptions of everything that's going on, the struggles of humanity. So I've kind of taken a turn for a little bit more of a darker topic than I initially had hoped for, but I think it's necessary. I think once I really sort of dug into myself, I realized that there was a lot that I was not tapping in to. And when I got honest with myself, I [said], 'You know what? There is a lot to be pissed off about.' And maybe that's the route; maybe that's the good therapeutic way to deal with it. You don't always have to sugarcoat things and let people know there's gonna be hope. Maybe it's just time to get your hands dirty and talk about some of the harder-to-deal-with topics, and that's kind of what I've been doing lately."

"Atonement" was released in August 2019 via Metal Blade Records in the U.S. and Sony Music Entertainment in the rest of the world. The disc featured guest appearances by former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones and TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy. It marked the band's third full-length release since the return of Leach, who rejoined the group in 2012.

In July 2021, Leach and Dutkiewicz released the second album from their TIMES OF GRACE project, "Songs Of Loss And Separation", via the band's own imprint label, Wicked Good Records, distributed by ADA Worldwide.

After a long break from touring and recording, veteran British metallers TANK will now be advancing forward with a formidable new lineup and a return to the U.S. for the first time since 1985 with an appearance at the 2024 Hell's Heroes VI Festival in Houston, Texas on March 21-23.

Joining TANK guitar duo Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans will be bass player Gav Gray, formerly a member of U.K. rockers THE ALMIGHTY and also the NWOBHM band TYGERS OF PAN TANG.

Says Gray: "I'd been on a hiatus and started to enjoy home recording, then Mick called: 'You wanna play bass for TANK?' I couldn't say no. Algy [Ward, TANK's late frontman] was an inspiration since seeing THE DAMNED supporting MOTÖRHEAD in Newcastle. I get that TANK had evolved over the years, but this was a real rock and roll band, a band that kept the name alive playing the music I grew up on with swagger, no nonsense and I can't wait to be part of it."

There's a welcome return for drummer Mark Cross to the ranks. Mark was previously with TANK on several of their European tours and has also occupied the drum stool for bands including SCORPIONS, HELLOWEEN and FIREWIND.

Cross states: "I'm really stoked to be back in the TANK camp and be part of the new production. I'll be laying down drums for the new album this fall and hit the road in 2024. We started this venture in 2011 (12 years ago) touring Europe and it always felt to me like an unfinished chapter when I left the band. Well, our paths meet again and I'm looking forward to working with Mick, Cliff, Marcus and Gav and play classic and new TANK songs for ya!"

Adds Tucker: "When we were looking for a new frontman, we were very fortunate to come across Swedish vocalist Marcus Von Boisman who was fronting his own band, KNIGHTS OF THE REALM. He came very highly recommended by HAMMERFALL guitarist/producer Pontus Norgren who thought Marcus would be ideal for TANK. He wasn't wrong! This is the lineup we've been looking for, and everyone is 100% dedicated."

Says Von Boisman: "I was really flattered when I was asked to join this legendary band! TANK! A band that has been an influence for so many through the years! We already have a killer album in the making and writing songs together has been so much fun! I'm looking forward to the release and the upcoming shows. Let's see how loud the TANK fans can scream!"

Adds Evans: "It really feels like we've got the right guys on board now so we can get to work and head back out on the road with the confidence of knowing we have the best lineup for the job. Gav and Mark are a really solid rhythm section and frontman Marcus has the voice and attitude that perfectly suits our music. Can't wait to get on stage with these guys and make some noise!"

TANK will soon be announcing tour/festival dates for 2024.

A brand new studio album is now being recorded for a scheduled spring 2024 release.

Four months ago, Ward died at the age of 63. He reportedly passed away on May 17 at a hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, United Kingdom after suffering from serious health issues for quite some time.

Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY have released the official music video for the song "Let's Get Wild" from their latest album "Vol. 10". The fourth video from the LP was directed and edited by Tom Flynn and Mike Watts, who did the previous three videos. "Let's Get Wild" was filmed on BUCKCHERRY's current tour at the Wisconsin Dells and other Midwest cities.

"Vol. 10" came out on June 2. The 11-song LP features 10 new BUCKCHERRY originals and, as a bonus track, a cover of the Bryan Adams classic "Summer Of 69". The album was produced by Marti Frederiksen and recorded at Sienna Studios in Nashville. The album was released in North America by Round Hill Records, in Japan by Sony Japan, and by Earache Records for the rest of the world.

BUCKCHERRY singer Josh Todd told Australia's Silver Tiger Media about the band's latest LP: "It's just a new body of work. It's where we're at today. The songs are really well written, and I think people are gonna really, really love it. There is no overall [lyrical] theme… You'll enjoy it."

Regarding BUCKCKERRY's songwriting approach this time around, Todd said: "The formula for us is to have no fillers — having a great record from beginning to end. That's what we want — we want to be able to have these unforgettable songs and melodies. And if they don't sound great, we just don't put 'em on records."

Frederiksen previously produced 2021's "Hellbound" as well as BUCKCHERRY's fourth album, "Black Butterfly", and co-wrote "Sorry", among other songs, with the band.

In the summer of 2020, BUCKCHERRY recruited JETBOY's Billy Rowe as its new guitarist. He joined the group as the replacement for Kevin Roentgen, who left BUCKCHERRY in July of that year.

In 2019, BUCKCHERRY enlisted Francis Ruiz as its new drummer. He joined the group as the replacement for Sean Winchester, who exited BUCKCHERRY after laying down the drum tracks on "Warpaint".

BUCKCHERRY burst on to the scene in 1999 with its now-classic self-titled debut album. Hit singles "Lit Up", "For The Movies", "Dead Again" and "Check Your Head" brought the celebration back to the party scene, recalling the gritty glam impact of MÖTLEY CRÜE but with a Gen X-demanded, modern self-awareness . Later albums continued to develop their reputation for volatile, mercurial themes and infectious hooks; such singles as "Crazy Bitch", "Everything", "Too Drunk" and "All Night Long" became screaming choruses for fans across the world. With their irreverent and bawdy lyrics, delivered with Todd's whisky weathered vocals, paired with filthy guitar riffs and high-energy, throbbing bass lines, BUCKCHERRY has sustained a hard-earned reputation as a not-to-be-missed live presence with regular touring schedules alongside such legends as MÖTLEY CRÜE and PAPA ROACH.

After nearly a decade, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD are reuniting for a concert in their hometown on January 13, 2024. The band's full-circle return will begin in the same place it ended, at the legendary Commodore Ballroom on Granville Street.

Tickets officially go on sale September 15 at 10 a.m. PST at livenation.com. Pre-sale tickets will be available on September 12 at 10:00 a.m. PST. Pre-sale code is "goatrider".

3 INCHES OF BLOOD announced its split in June 2015, sixteen years after the band's formation, writing in a social media statement: "Naturally, people will have questions as to why we have collectively made this decision. While our reasons are personal, just know we are all still good friends, but it is just time to move on."

3 INCHES OF BLOOD's last performance took place on November 7, 2015 at the Commodore Ballroom.

Formed in 1999, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD has released five studio albums — 2002's "Battlecry Under A Wintersun", 2004's "Advance And Vanquish", 2007's "Fire Up The Blades", 2009's "Here Waits Thy Doom" and 2012's "Long Live Heavy Metal". They also issued three EPs — 2001's "Sect Of The White Worm", 2007's "Trial Of Champions" and 2011's "Anthems For The Victorious".

After nearly a decade, 3 Inches of Blood are returning for a concert in their hometown of Vancouver Canada on January...

Posted by 3 Inches of Blood on Monday, September 11, 2023

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has shared drum-cam video of himself performing "Liberate" at Inkcarceration in Mansfield, OH on July 16, 2023. Check it out below.





The House Of Masks posted a video earlier this year featuring Weinberg sharing the history of the masks he has worn during his time with the band.




Weinberg replaced Joey Jordison as the drummer for Slipknot in 2014. He appears on .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), Day Of The Gusano (2017 live album, "All Out Life" (2018 non-album single), We Are Not Your Kind (2019) and The End, So Far (2022).

In a new interview with the "Scars And Guitars" podcast, THE HALO EFFECT frontman Mikael Stanne was asked if guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who has been battling addiction for more than a decade, will be part of the group's lineup when he and his bandmates tour Australia in November. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't think so. No. For Jesper, traveling is a big issue for him. So he won't be [going with us to Australia]. I don't think so. I would love to, and it would be awesome. And let's see. And I know he wants to, but he also knows that if you have addiction problems like he has, being on a 25-hour flight and stuff like that, it's just not the best environment for him. But we'll see. But I really hope so. It would be fantastic."

Asked if Strömblad is still part of THE HALO EFFECT's songwriting process, Mikael said: "Oh yeah. Oh yeah, absolutely. And that's what I love. He brings so much to it. And it's amazing to see. Going to the studio when we started kind of recording for the next album, Jesper's instinct is so kind of finely tuned and so kind of instinctual that we can sit and work on something that we've been working on for hours and hours and then Jesper goes in and says, 'Let me take a stab at this,' and it's solved. He just has this way of finding just the perfect kind of melody or the perfect rhythm or perfect riff to kind of like solve any issues we might have with a song. And it's amazing to see. So he contributed a lot to the new songs that we've been writing. And it's great to see."

A founding member of IN FLAMES, Strömblad quit the band in February 2010 in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Strömblad's THE HALO EFFECT bandmates have been supportive in his ongoing battle with the bottle, going so far as to hire THE HAUNTED's Patrik Jensen to fill in for him at any gigs he is unable to play.

THE HALO EFFECT recently completed work on its second album for an early 2024 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Back in 2022, Jesper opened up about his ordeal in an interview with A&P Reacts. Regarding the support he has received from his THE HALO EFFECT bandmates, Jesper said: "They have my back. They know that if we do some media stuff and I say that I have to bail because a panic attack is coming or something like that, they are, like, 'Yeah. Just go. We cover for you.' I have that net of people backing me up this time. So I'm gonna be on my feet and I'm gonna be on my full potential sooner than later.

"I got so much love," he continued. "I was so relieved to read the comments. It's not, like, 'Oh, not again. You never learn.' It was all just love. And that helps me a lot. And also that I have such a great support from the band and everyone involved with the band, that makes me also even more motivated to get well.

"I developed some kind of depression. I want to do stuff, but I'm not able to do that. It sounds weird, I know, but that's how the disease manifests itself. So I can never say, 'Oh, we have a show in two weeks. Okay, I'm gonna be there.' Maybe that day I'll have a good day, but I can never guarantee that from day to day. So that's what I have to adjust; I have to rewire. And there is some work left to do. But I have good doctors with me that help me out."

Regarding how he was going about dealing with his addiction differently this time around, Jesper said: "I've always been saying yes to everything, basically — like years ago, 'We're gonna do that thing. We're gonna do that show. We're gonna do that.' Okay, well, yes. And then I've been drinking to handle it. This is just an example. But now I'm just listening to my body, and if it says, 'No, but you shouldn't do this,' then I'm not doing it. And everyone is cool with it. And that feels so, so great, to have that support from the band. … And it's also very motivating for me to get well and come back on stage. I wanna be on stage rocking on stage. I'm so frustrated that I can't, but I have to listen to my body. There is a plan worked out, and if I just have discipline that I lack — I have to find it somewhere. But I am very optimistic. I am.

"Logically, I'm very happy — I know what is going on — but I cannot feel it," Jesper admitted. "It's weird and it's frustrating. And if you haven't experienced it, it's really hard to try to imagine [what I am talking about]. 'Hey, it's not that bad. Chin up.' If it was that easy, I would. But that's not the case. I have more good days than bad days; it's getting, like, more good days than bad days.

"I'm kind of a pessimist; I've always been. And now I say to myself, 'Why do I always wake up and say that it's gonna be a shitty day? I'm gonna wake up and say that it's gonna be a great day.' You never know what's gonna happen. A changed mindset — a rewired [brain] to get rid of the depression."

Strömblad went on to say that he is committed to getting better and conquering his demons once and for all.

"I have really good help. But it takes time," he said. "I would say that it's kind of post-traumatic stress that I have to go through and I have to deal with, that I always pushed ahead for the sake of the band or for the sake of a relationship or whatever. But now I have to think about myself a hundred percent. Because it's better that I sit out the tour and I come back and I am a hundred percent instead of me being always so-so. I'm kind of tired to be so-so. I wanna be on my full potential again. And I'm on my way — I am. I can feel it.

"The addiction, it led me to the depression, and that's a disease," he added. "And that's nothing to be ashamed of. That can happen to anyone at any point. And if I tell my story and I'm just honest with it, maybe it can inspire one guy to take that step and say that, 'Well, maybe I get the insight that I have a problem with alcohol' or 'I have a problem with drugs.' Because being a drunk in denial, that's like a full-time job, I tell you that… And I'm so tired of it."

THE HALO EFFECT, which also features fellow former IN FLAMES members Daniel Svensson (drums),Peter Iwers (bass) and Niclas Engelin (guitar),was officially launched in 2021.

THE HALO EFFECT released its debut album, "Days Of The Lost", in August 2022 via Nuclear Blast Records.

THE HALO EFFECT made its live debut in June 2022 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The show marked the first time in over a decade that Strömblad played with his former IN FLAMES bandmates.

THE HALO EFFECT's first-ever tour was as the support act for Swedish death metal giants AMON AMARTH and U.S. metallers MACHINE HEAD on 31 dates throughout Europe in the summer and fall of 2022.

Journeyman Welsh drummer Chris Slade, who has spent the past 60 years playing with everyone from Tom Jones to MANFRED MANN, THE FIRM and AC/DC, has clarified his recent comments on the latter band's announcement that it has recruited Matt Laug to perform with the Brian Johnson-fronted outfit at the Power Trip festival next month.

Hours after Matt's addition to AC/DC touring lineup was first revealed, the 76-year-old Chris took to his social media to write: "I know Matt as a very nice guy from my days of living in California. He is a very capable, teetotal drummer and will put the drums exactly where Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist] wants them..... At the back of the stage. I wish him the best of luck!"

Earlier today (Monday, September 11),Slade shared a follow-up message in which he wrote: "An update to my last post and in answer to some people who seem to have misunderstood and made comments which have inferred the contrary.

"I am not bitter or 'whining' and neither did I expect a call from ACDC. I merely wanted to say that I know Matt well and he will do an admirable job, because I knew alot of you would ask me!!

"Apologies for my stupid sense of humour, which some of you didn't get ..... My position in any band in 60 years has always been sitting down at the back of the stage......

"CHEERS! Slade".

AC/DC is among the headliners on a bill of veteran rockers who will take to the stage at Power Trip in Indio, California October 6-8. It will be the iconic Australian band's first gig since 2016.

The 55-year-old Laug is an American drummer who has played with many bands/artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Vasco Rossi. Matt moved to Los Angeles after graduating from South Florence High School in 1986 and after attending college in L.A., Matt became a sought-after studio drummer.

In 2001, Laug supported AC/DC as part of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT on the North American and European legs of the "Stiff Upper Lip" tour.

On Saturday (September 9), AC/DC shared a short audio snippet from the rehearsal sessions for Power Trip, and it included the following message: "PWR UP for Power Trip! Listen to the rehearsal of the boys powering up with Cliff Williams, who's coming out of retirement for the festival and Matt Laug on drums."

In its announcement, AC/DC offered no explanation for the absence of the band's longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group's comeback album, "Power Up", which came out in November 2020.

Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band's "Rock Or Bust" tour by Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC's drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album "The Razor's Edge".

Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

Slade originally followed Simon Wright in AC/DC's lineup, joining in time to play on "The Razor's Edge". When Rudd returned in 1995, Slade was shown the door and harbored some bad feelings about that for a while.

An update to my last post and in answer to some people who seem to have misunderstood and made comments which have...

Posted by THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE on Monday, September 11, 2023

I know Matt as a very nice guy from my days of living in California. He is a very capable, teetotal drummer and will put…

Posted by THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE on Sunday, September 10, 2023

Death metal overlords, Dying Fetus, have released their new album, Make Them Beg For Death. Recorded in Baltimore with longtime producer Steve Wright and mixed by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse), Make Them Beg For Death contains every Dying Fetus hallmark. The veteran death metal band’s ninth album is fast, intense, and brimming with unstoppable grooves. Find a full album audio stream below.


Order the new album here.







Make Them Beg for Death tracklisting:


"Enlighten Through Agony"
"Compulsion For Cruelty"
"Feast Of Ashes"
"Throw Them In The Van"
"Unbridled Fury"
"When The Trend Ends"
"Undulating Carnage"
"Raised In Victory / Razed In Defeat"
"Hero’s Grave"
"Subterfuge"


Album stream:





“Raised In Victory / Razed In Defeat” visualizer:





"Feast Of Ashes" video:





Dying Fetus have announced the "Make Them Beg For Death" US Tour, with support from The Acacia Strain, Despised Icon, Creeping Death, and Tactosa. The 26-date trek will make stops in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago before concluding in Baltimore on November 18. Tickets on sale now.





Dates:


October
17 - Cincinnati. OH - Bogarts    
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Roxian Theatre
19 - Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl
20 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
21 - Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819
22 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
24 - Orlando, FL - The Beacham
26 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
28 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
30 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
31 - Phoenix, AZ - The Marquee


November
1 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
2 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
3 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
4 - Sacramento, CA - Ace OF Spades
5 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
7 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
9 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
10 - Lawrence, KS - The Granada
11 - Minneapolis, MN - The Lyric At Skyway
12 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
13 - Detroit, MI -  St. Andrew's Hall
14 - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues
15 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
17 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
18 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live


(Photo - Tracey Brown)

Celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, Another Perfect Day is the sixth studio album by British rock band Motörhead. It was originally released on June 4, 1983 via Bronze Records, which would be the band's last full-length original album with the label. It is the band's only studio album to feature lead guitarist Brian "Robbo" Robertson, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy.


The 3LP/2CD 40th anniversary edition includes:


- Brand new half speed master from the original tapes.
- Full live show of a recently unearthed concert recorded at Hull City Hall on June 22 nd 1983.
- The story of Another Perfect Day told through previously unpublished and new interviews
- Never before seen photos and rare memorabilia




Due for release on October 27, you can pre-order the title in various formats here.





Tracklisting:


Another Perfect Day (Brand new half-speed master from the original tapes)


"Back At The Funny Farm"
"Shine"
"Dancing On Your Grave"
"Rock It"
"One Track Mind"
"Another Perfect Day"
"Off To War"
"I Got Mine"
"Tales Of Glory"
"Die You Bastard"
"Turn You Round Again" ("I Got Mine" B-Side)**
"Hoochie Coochie Man" (Live, "Shine" B-Side) **
"(Don't Need) Religion" (Live, "Shine" B-Side) **
"Climber" (Demo) **
"Fast One" (Demo) **
"Chinese" (Demo) **
"Climber" (Instrumental Demo) **


* All formats
** 2LP CD Exclusive


Live At Hull City Hall, June 1983 (Previously Unreleased)*


"Back At The Funny Farm"
"Heart Of Stone"
"Shoot You In The Back"
"Marching Off To War"
"Iron Horse / Born To Lose"
"Another Perfect Day"
"Hoochie Coochie Man"
"(Don't Need) Religion"
"One Track Mind"
"Go To Hell"
"America"
"Shine"
"Dancing On Your Grave"
"Rock It"
"Bite The Bullet"
"The Chase Is Better Than The Catch"


* All formats excluding 1LP

“No Gardens Grow Here” is the dismal new single from time-honored, Philadelphia-based black metal collective, Krieg. Delivered through a harrowing video, the song is the newest harbinger of the band’s long-awaited new LP, Ruiner, nearing October release on Profound Lore Records.


Krieg’s Ruiner is the first full-length from the long-running and iconic cult since 2014’s Transient and is a despondent expression that captures the classic band complexion which has solidified the band as a vanguard and pioneer of US black metal. Although Ruiner is the band’s first full-length album in nine years, Krieg has continued to remain active leading up to its long-awaited release through various splits, collaborations, and EPs. This all culminated in that moment for Ruiner to ultimately manifest itself.


Ruiner is unrepentant and remorseless black metal in the reflective manner Krieg and mastermind N. Jameson have always been known for. Most notably that of the savage and unhinged aura present in the triarchy of classic Krieg works, namely Destruction Ritual (2001), The Black House (2004), and Blue Miasma, (2006) while maintaining that harsh, sorrowful, and cold-blooded melancholic aura.




Merciless, despondent black metal psychosis destined to leave one desolate, Ruiner was recorded and mixed by guitarist A. Poole, mastered by Dan Lowndes (Resonance Sound), and completed with artwork by Rob Sheyder.


The new video for “No Gardens Grow Here” was created by Chariot Of Black Moth. N. Jameson writes with the song’s unveiling, “I was in the studio when Moonlight Butchery was recorded so that one tends to resonate more with me, which you can hear somewhat in the first bit of the song. It’s the cold void feeling when you realize everything is over, that you can do no more, that you’re just a ghost in your own life. These are the things I wanted to capture here.”





Ruiner will be released on LP, CD, and all digital platforms on October 13. Find pre-orders, pre-saves, merch, and more here.


Krieg is booking short runs of tour dates surrounding the release of Ruiner including Northeastern US shows hitting New York City, Providence, and Philadelphia November 10th through 12th. See the confirmed shows below and stand by for updates to post over the weeks ahead.





Ruiner tracklisting:


"Bulwark"
"Fragments Of Nothing"
"Red Rooms"
"Solitarily, A Future Renounced"
"Manifested Ritual Horror"
"No Gardens Grow Here"
"An Execution In The Kingdom Of Ideas"
"The Lantern And The Key"


"Solitarily, A Future Renounced":





Live dates:


November
10 - The Kingsland – Brooklyn, NY
11 - Dusk – Providence, RI
12 - Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA (with Bastard Cross, Cathedrals In The Night)





Krieg “Ruiner” personnel:


N. Jameson – vocals
A. Poole – guitar and leads
S. Riley – guitar
B. Durrant – bass
J. Dost – drums


(Photo - Kassandra Carmona)

North Carolina melodic death metal leaders, Aether Realm, will soon hit the road in the UK and Ireland with headliners Nekrogoblikon and fellow support artists Cage Fight. Today, in celebration of the upcoming tour, Aether Realm have dropped an entirely brand new single, entitled "Should I?", featuring none other than the iconic Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra).





The introspective new single follows acclaimed albums Tarot (2017) and Redneck Vikings From Hell (2020, #16 US Top New Artist Albums), and is chock full of epic bombast and undeniable groove, uniquely mixing melodic soundscapes with southern-fried metal riffage.




Frontman Vincent "Jake" Jones offers: "'Should I?' is a song about doubt. Way back in 2020, right after we put out Redneck Vikings From Hell, Aether Realm experienced a surge of new fans. However, this was coupled with an increase in the number of "anti-fans" - people that aren't content to simply not enjoy our music, but feel a strong need to convince other people not to as well. You might call them "trolls" or "haters" or whatever. You know the type. We were also navigating the music industry for the first time - the world of labels and contracts and generally feeling like a small fish in a big pond.


I hadn't really figured out how to deal with this transition. Some of it was getting under my skin, and I found myself doubting my choices and abilities. At the same time, the skeleton for a new track was coming together. I had been listening to a lot of Soilwork, and I think that showed in the songwriting. I definitely wrote the vocals with Soilwork's vocalist Björn Strid in mind but in a vague 'wouldn't it be cool if' way. The lyrics spilled out naturally, taking the shape of the question I ask myself every time someone tells me I should be doing something different than what I'm doing. Heinrich and Donny laid down guitars for a working demo, and we picked it back up in 2023 and started polishing it up. Our boys in Wilderun had just done a tour with Soilwork, and a connection was made. I shot my shot with Björn, and a short time later he responded that he dug the track and would do it.


Tyler and I tracked drums, vocals, and bass with Kile Odell at Top Track Studios and No Heroes Studios respectively. I think it came out pretty great, but I'm sure I'll hear someone tell me that I should write a different way. I think from now on I'll probably get some catharsis out of just responding with 'Should I?'"


Stream/download the track here. Watch the visualizer below:





Aether Realm is:


Vincent "Jake" Jones - bass, vocals               
Heinrich Arnold - guitar, vocals                    
Tyler Gresham - drums                     
Donny Burbage - guitar       


(Photo -  Bryce Chapman)