Kings Of Thrash, featuring Megadeth alumni bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Jeff Young, recently returned from their Thrashin' Down Under Australian Tour as the band continue to tour the world, playing some of their most widely-known early material. Young, who only appeared on Megadeth's 1988 album, So Far, So Good... So What!, before quitting the band, talked about those dark and hazy days in our upcoming Streaming For Vegeance video interview.

“When I was in the band I was just the biggest guitar geek," he looks back. "I would just be in my room playing guitar, I was hiding in a bathroom at a Holiday Inn while ‘that guy’ was trying to sleep hungover in the room. And if you’re playing hockey arenas, I was able to set up in the shower. We had a little Marshalls so I would set up mini stacks in the shower and it had a great reverb. I was playing like every waking minute. And when you’re not doing that, you’re either at a record store doing a signing or you’re sitting on MTV, doing a photo shoot. We did a ton of phone interviews back in the day. All four of us will be doing a bunch of interviews a day. We are really working to promote the record, and spread the word.”


BraveWords: That was a pretty dark era for Megadeth. I’m guessing you weren’t lead party animal?


“I’m kind of like Ted Nugent, I don’t like to be here around drunk people,” Young says. “So I don’t like to be around fucked up people. That’s why I ended up rooming with Nick (Menza - drum tech at the time). I was just trying to be in it, but not of it. I was just trying to be the best that I could be, because the music is challenging right? I just wanted to play my best every night, the best show that I could give. And I knew that I couldn’t do that being buzzed. I was just amazed that they were trying to do that buzzed. ‘How are you getting up in the morning man?’ Because I hate that feeling. I don’t wanna go on stage feeling like that. Like hungover and ready to sleep. I want to be energized. We were just all on two different frequencies, so that’s why my duration in the band wasn’t long because I didn’t wanna be around that low vibration. It brings you down.”

Jeff Young will be on BraveWords' Streaming For Vengeance tomorrow (Saturday, August 5th) at 3:33 PM EST. You can watch/listen Streaming For Vengeance on the BraveWords Facebook page and the BraveWords YouTube channel.






Young gave BraveWords an update on the original material the band is working on.


"It’s not frightening at all,” he says about creating new music that measures up to the band classic repertoire. “We have five tracks in the can. David lives in Arizona and we have this amazing underground recording studio. And in Arizona with that heat, it’s great if you’re underground because it’s like an oven there. That first song that David and I started which was spawned by the Menza movie. That song has come to life, and it’s called “Bridges Burned” (which has its origins from a riff Jeff brought in back in 1988, intended for what became Rust In Peace). We were doing it on the road with Kings Of Thrash. We’ve kind of taken a turn to where we are going to proceed. And David has talked about it a little bit, so I guess I can be the next one to leak out the next bit of news. Kings Of Thrash are going to continue to do exactly what we do. Doing the best of the classic Megadeth that we were a part of. It’s part of our heritage. We’re doing extra stuff in the encore like Riot’s ‘Swords And Tequila’. We even got Rick Ventura, the original guitar player, joining us when we were in New York. And I think we inspired them because Riot Act are out on the road performing Fire Down Under and it’s entirety. We are expanding and doing Metallica songs and Def Leppard’s ‘Wasted’ which is on David’s covers album. So Kings Of Thrash is going to continue on this path and play as many shows that people want to see us. For the original material, we are going to use a different singer. We are working with somebody who is frighteningly good. He’s already finished the vocals on 'Bridges Burned'. It’s really brand new, so I can’t really say too much more about it. The originals, they have thrash elements, but there’s everything because David and I have lived 10 different lives since Megadeth. We’ve grown as musicians, so we’re gonna bring all that stuff and the energy we had in our 20s and combine that with everything that we’ve learned in our 30s 40s and 50s is in that music. There is a thrash element, and it’s got the speedy, shreddy stuff, but we had much more. It’s like a jambalaya. I just love the songs. Each of the songs are quite different, but they all sound like the same band.”





Kings Of Thrash “The MEGA Years” features Grammy Award winning bassist David Ellefson, along with guitarist Jeff Young, reuniting to perform the early thrash classics upon which the genre was built and defined in the 1980s. Showcasing the songs from the above mentioned albums in their entirety, Ellefson & Young stay true to material not performed live in several decades, along with the spirit of the era which launched one of the greatest genres of heavy metal music, and one of the biggest names in metal, the mighty Megadeth!


Says Ellefson, “I think we’ve assembled an energetic song list and group of musicians to capture the spirit of a genre we helped create & define so many years ago. Fans have been requesting these songs for a long time now and it seems like a good moment to bring them back to the stage”.


Jeff Young adds, “The mission here is to bring a connection of goodwill through the music, with a collaboration of musicians and friends in our community. Our thrash tribe casts a wide net to give people hope in a time when they’re looking for something positive and uplifting. What better way than to do that than through the music which has become the soundtrack to our lives.”

(Photos by Jeremy Belinfante and Kings Of Thrash)

Cyhra guitarist Euge Valovirta has launched a new series called In Depth via his YouTube channel, where he recreates a track (without vocals), plays it, and then goes through the production and mix. In the clip below he tackles the Anthrax classic, "Indians".










Cyhra recently released their new single, "If I". The track is featured on their new studio album, The Vertigo Trigger, out on August 18 via Nuclear Blast Records. Watch the new clip below:





The band recently issued the following message: "Cyhra would like to invite you to celebrate the release of our third full-length album, The Vertigo Trigger. The band will perform a full live show plus more special surprises will be added to the event soon. So please make sure you attend the event to make sure you'll get all the updates. Tickets will be released this Friday July 14th along with the release of our brand new single, 'If I'."


Go to this location for event information.


Founded by vocalist Jake E (ex-Amaranthe) and guitarist Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames), and with the addition of lead guitarist Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining) and drummer Alex Landenburg (Kamelot), Cyhra has already released two highly acclaimed albums which proof that the band have managed to create their own identity and sound.


Now in 2023, coming four years after their last album, No Halos In Hell, The Vertigo Trigger is Cyhra's third studio album, and their first featuring recently added guitarist Marcus Sunesson (ex-The Crown / Engel).


Recorded in the summer/autumn of 2022, The Vertigo Trigger is the band's darkest album to date. The album was entirely self-produced and mixed by guitarist Euge Valovirta, whilst the mastering was handled by long-term producer Jacob Hansen. This new album offers fans the classic Cyhra sound, full of the band's trademarks, but fresh and refined. The Swedes have modernised their song writing meaning that no Cyhra fan will be disappointed, making The Vertigo Trigger a more than worthy successor to their first two albums.


And although guitarist Jesper Strömblad isn’t a part of Cyhra's live shows currently, he was deeply involved in the writing and recording process of the album. Therefore, the band can hardly wait for his return as soon as he is ready again.


Pre-order or pre-save The Vertigo Trigger here.





The Vertigo Trigger tracklisting:


"Ready To Rumble"
"Let's Have My Story Told"
"Live A Little"
"1,000,000 Fahrenheit"
"Buried Alive"
"The Voice You Need To Hear"
"Life Is A Hurricane"
"If I"
"Fear Of Missing Out"
"Ashlight"
"Too Old For Fairy Tales"


"Ready To Rumble" video:





"Life Is A Hurricane" video:

Noveria has released a lyric video for “Descent” (featuring Angra vocalist Fabio Lione), second single taken from the new album The Gates Of The Underworld to be released on August 25 through Scarlet Records.


Produced by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, The Gates Of The Underworld will be released in the following formats:


- digipak CD
- digital




Preorder at scarletrecords.it.


The modern progressive metal agenda: Noveria’s goal is to create a complete headbanging experience with a melodic twist, combining massive and heavy riffs with dark atmospheric keyboards along with technically challenging solo sections and memorable vocal lines.


The Gates Of The Underworld takes things to a personal level, each song featuring real life stories from the band as well as from the fans. The human condition is ever present with all its challenges and mysteries, explored through the lens of both scientific research and lived experience.


With their new album, Noveria will take you on a wild roller-coaster ride through a psychotic break, escaping a narcissistic relationship, the aftermath of surviving a heart attack, a near death experience, and much more.


Artwork by Nicolas Spreutels:





Tracklisting:


“Heritage”
“Origins”
“Descent” (feat. Fabio Lione)
“Venom”
“Revenant”
“The Gates Of The Underworld”
“Ascent”
“Overlord”
“Anima”
“Eternal”


"Descent" lyric video:





"Overlord" video:





(Photo – Matteo Ermeti)

Chicago, Illinois progressive heavy metal band Sacred Dawn have released their second new single "A Dream Within" and accompanying lyric video from their upcoming new album.


"A Dream Within" is taken from their upcoming new album Dismal Swamp scheduled to be released worldwide on September 29, 2023 via Qumran Records in North America and No Dust Records in Europe. It is the band's first full length album in over 10 years. The album will be available in a 160-gram transparent swampy green vinyl, CD, and all digital platforms.


A Dream Within is a juxtaposition between being awake and dreaming... and a subconscious mind making choices between light (good) and dark (evil). The progressive elements in the music take you on a dynamic journey as its starts off heavy and intense before taking you into dreamy atmospheric sonic experience The song follows the human experience and that fine line of right or wrong, good or bad... and ending up in the same place over and over again.







Tracklisting:


“Das Chaos Beginnt”
“Unintended Consequences”
“Truth Be Told”
“Blood And Treasure”
“A Dream Within”
“Let Chaos Reign”
“One More Day”
“The Lake Of The Dismal Swamp”


"Truth Be Told" lyric video:





Sacred Dawn is:
Lothar Keller (Vocals/Guitar)
John Vitale (Guitar)
Joey Vega (Bass)
Mike Mousel (Drums)

Hard rock / heavy metal artist Armagelion has released his standalone single titled "Sweet Pain". The song is taken from the upcoming debut Armagelion five song EP to be released in late 2023.





Armgelion comments:




“Armagelion is back!


“‘Sweet Pain’ is a powerful song about something we can all relate to: A love that kills us, and we enjoy at the same time. We embrace pain and make it sweet. ‘Sweet Pain’ keeps Armagelion's signature melodic hard rock style, adding a touch of power ballad to the Divine Beast's arsenal!”


“Sweet Pain” is the latest single to be part of Armagelion's debut EP, which will be released later in 2023. The Armagelion EP will include all four released singles plus one unreleased song.

Brazilian band Armored Dawn has released their newest single "Brand New Way", the title track for their forthcoming fourth album, which will be released in the second half of 2023. Different from the heavy theme of the last singles, “S.O.S.” and “Tides”, “Brand New Way” brings a more optimistic view of life, of how we shouldn't let ourselves be overwhelmed by defeats or by those who want to bring us down, as there is always a new beginning and a new path to follow.





As with the previous singles, "Brand New Way" was mixed by Chris Lord Alge (Muse, Green Day, Nickelback) and mastered by Ted Jensen (Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, Metallica), and again shows a great evolution in the band's sound. The music brings the characteristic identity that marks Armored Dawn's sound, expands horizons and surprises those who still don't know the band's music.




As is Armored Dawn's tradition, the new single also features a super-produced music video, directed by Rafael Agostino, also the band's keyboardist. The current lineup features Eduardo Parras (vocals), Tiago de Moura, and Timo Kaarkoski (guitars), Heros Trench (bass), Rafael Agostino (keyboards) and Chris Oliveira (drums).

French/Irish alternative rock-metal outfit Molybaron, known for their energetic, hard-hitting sound, will release their new album Something Ominous on September 15 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. The announcement of the new album comes following the success of the recent single and video “Something Ominous”.


Molybaron are also pleased to share the second single from the album. You can check out the lyric video for “Breakdown” below.


"Breakdown" is a heavy, pop-tinged track, with lyrics conveying the struggle of a mind on the edge of collapse, capturing a sense of isolation, confusion, and vulnerability that accompanies these dark moments. A rousing, emotional mix of melodies, driven by aggressive guitar riffs, crushing bass, and electronic synth-scapes, "Breakdown" is invigorating and immersive in equal measure.







Something Ominous comes as CD in sleeve pack, 180g black LP in 12’’ inch vinyl sleeve and digital album. Stream the singles and pre-order the album here.





Tracklisting:


"Something Ominous"
"Set Alight"
"Billion Dollar Shakedown"
"Breakdown"
"Anyway"
"Daylight Dies In Darkness"
"Dead On Arrival"
"Pendulum"
"Reality Show"
"Vampires"


"Breakdown" lyric video:





"Something Ominous" video:





In addition, Molybaron will support Soen on their upcoming Memorial Tour 2023 in Europe, starting September 20.





Formed in Paris, early 2015, by Dublin-born singer/guitarist Gary Kelly, Molybaron have become one of the most talked-about bands in the modern metal scene. Fusing together elements of alt rock, hard rock, and modern metal to create an eclectic, sonically dynamic experience, Molybaron deliver an intensely raw, original musical signature, appealing to fans across the genres.


Molybaron is:


Gary Kelly – Guitar/Vocals
Florian Soum - Lead Guitar
Sébastien de Saint-Angel – Bass
Camille Greneron – Drums

Downes Braide Association (DBA) announce the release of the second single and video, “Keep On Moving”, from their new album Celestial Songs, out September 8. Following their previous studio albums, Celestial Songs will be the fifth DBA studio collaboration for Geoff Downes (keyboards) and multi award-winning songwriter Chris Braide (vocals). The album will be released in three formats: CD, 2LP and Box Set.


“Keep On Moving” is an uplifting track that picks up on the themes of DBA’s previous album, Halcyon Hymns, as songwriter and vocalist Chris Braide explains: “It’s a nostalgic song in that it's looking back at a kind of formative period in time, a love letter to the past, really. There's a reference to Prefab Sprout’s ‘Cars and Girls’ which is one of my favourite songs.”


The mood for “Keep On Moving” is set by Francis Dunnery’s sensitive guitar work before multi-instrumentalist Dave Bainbridge (guitarist for the remainder of the album) shows his prowess on keyboards.




“The track has a great guitar riff,” says Chris, “and an arpeggio guitar picking out the riff, played by Francis. It gives it that kind of shimmery, summery feeling and the keyboard solo is wonderful. Dave Bainbridge played that solo and, I think, it's one of the finest moments on the album.”


While “Keep On Moving” forms a bridge of continuity to DBA’s previous output, Celestial Songs includes a lot of variety and, generally, leans more towards classic rock.





“We were aiming to get quite a bit more dynamics into this album,” says keyboardist Geoff Downes, “because there were some very quiet pastoral moments. I think it makes it a more interesting listen for people to get their heads around and enjoy. I hope people will appreciate it and get behind it, not just the songwriting and vocals but the overall instrumentation and musicianship is very high on this album. I know that Chris really likes the depth of chord sequences that I put together. This particular collection just really grabbed him and he got it up and running very, very quickly, so I was really pleased about that.”


You can pre-order all formats of Celestial Songs via the links below:


- CD
- 2LP
- Box Set





Celestial Songs tracklisting:


"Look What You Do"
"Clear Light"
"Keep On Moving"
"Darker Side Of Fame"
"Hey Kid"
"Will To Power"
"Heart Shaped Hole"
"Dear Petra"
"On The Run"
"Goodbye To You (Sister Shame)"
"Beyond The Stars"


"Clear Light" lyric video:





-  All tracks written by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes except “Keep On Moving” (Chris Braide/Francis Dunnery/ Geoff Downes) and “Goodbye To You (Sister Shame)” (Chris Braide/Andy Partridge/Geoff Downes)


- Produced by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes


About Downes Braide Association:


Downes Braide Association was formed as a studio-based project by Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and has previously produced four studio albums: Pictures Of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015), Skyscraper Souls (2017) and Halcyon Hymns (2021) and a live album Live In England (2019). The project draws on Downes’ and Braide’s rich musical heritage to create a delightfully accessible brand of progressive rock.


Keyboard wizard Geoff Downes was thrust into the limelight with the worldwide success of Video Killed The Radio Star in 1979. The single topped the charts in 16 countries for The Buggles duo of Geoff and Trevor Horn (vocals, bass guitar). They briefly joined prog legends YES before Downes became a founder member of the supergroup Asia with YES guitarist Steve Howe, ELP drummer Carl Palmer and the late John Wetton (vocals, bass guitar).


The Wetton-Downes composition “Heat Of The Moment” became a world-wide hit in 1982 heralding many years of success for Asia with their FM radio-friendly brand of rock. Downes later rejoined YES in 2011 and remains with the band alongside Steve Howe.


British singer-songwriter-pianist Chris Braide has recently returned to UK shores after many years based in California. He enjoys enormous success writing and producing music for film scores, advertising campaigns and working closely with artists including Sia, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Britney Spears and Marc Almond.


An Ivor Novello award-winner and Grammy-nominated, Braide has recently won a BMI Pop Award in Los Angeles for co-writing Sia’s Unstoppable, her eighth US Top 40 hit after making a surprise, and long, rise to the top having been released in 2016, becoming the biggest selling single in the USA.


(Photo - DBA)

SiriusXM host Tommy London (Hair Nation, Ozzy's Boneyard, Classic Rewind) recently joined Bret Michaels on the Parti Gras Tour date at PNC Arts Center in New Jersey for a performance of the Poison classic, “Nothin’ But A Good Time”. Watch below:





Earlier this year, Tommy London released his debut solo album, Emotional Fuse, available everywhere you steam/download music.




The album features ten infectious power pop/rock songs, including "Boom Boom Boom", the official theme of the 3ICE hockey league on CBS, and a cover of the Rod Stewart classic, "Infatuation". All nine originals were written by Tommy London and guitarist Matt Hogan, who also produced the album with John Fields (Pink, Jimmy Eat World).  
 
As the renowned frontman of NYC's The Dirty Pearls, Tommy has supported the likes of KISS, Cheap Trick, Mötley Crüe, The Darkness, Scott Weiland and many others, including opening for Lady Gaga, who he sang with as well, at New York's Citifield.





Tracklisting:


"Runaround"
"Boom Boom Boom"
"Sugar Red"
"Wicked Ways"
"Make You Love Me"
"Love Overdose"
"Vampira"
"You Belong To Me"
"Infatuation" (Rod Stewart Cover)
"Say Whoa"


"Make You Love Me" video:





"Sugar Red" video:





"Boom Boom Boom" video:





"Say Whoa" video:

Southern Californian melodic death shredders, Exmortus, have revealed the final single, "Storm Of Strings", ahead of the release of their sixth studio album, Necrophony, out August 25 via Nuclear Blast Records.


On their latest song, Exmortus puts their signature shred into a cover of legendary new age artist Yanni’s song “The Storm”, which was based off of the great Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi’s concertos, "The Four Seasons".


Commenting on the single, guitarist/vocalist Conan says: "We've been meaning to cover this piece for a long time and now it feels right for Necrophony. Honoring two artists at once, we give you a heavy metal shred version of Yanni's arrangement of Vivaldi's Summer Concerto. Enjoy the groove, enjoy the passion!"







Available for pre-order now, the record four years in the making finds the shredders at a new creative peak, re-born in the isolation of the pandemic and wielding a master craft of metallic savagery.


Commenting on the impending record, Conan says: "Necrophony was an album title idea for as long as I can remember. This Symphony of the Dead couldn't be realized for a collection of songs until now. Finally, we have our darkest and most classically inspired work yet, with artwork by the great Toha Mashudi to match perfectly. We returned to Sharkbite Studios to have the mighty wizard that is Zack Ohren aid us again in forging our metal, and resulted in the finest steel we're all proud to wield on the battlefield."





Necrophony tracklisting:


"Masquerade"
"Mask Of Red Death"
"Oathbreaker"
"Mind Of Metal"
"Storm Of Strings"
"Test Of Time"
"Darkest Of Knights"
"Prophecy"
"Children Of The Night"
"Beyond The Grave"
"Overture"
"Necrophony"
"Moonchild"


"Beyond The Grave" lyric video:





"Mind Of Metal" video:





"Oathbreaker" lyric video:





(Photo - Hugo Juarez; Juarez Photography, Heavy Defender)

On August 2, a giant tribute to Motörhead’s Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister took place, featuring a parade, communal toasts, and the enshrinement of his ashes at Lemmy’s Bar in the village of Wacken.


Despite wretched weather conditions, nothing could derail the thunderous celebrations, which saw band members Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee participate in an afternoon parade featuring several giant floats carrying hundreds of loud and raucous Motörhead fans.


The proceedings started at the festival site and headed through the town of Wacken to Lemmy’s Bar, where hordes of fans were waiting for the enshrinement ceremony, which saw Phil and Mikkey place Lemmy’s ashes, which are contained in a smaller version of his custom urn, in a specially-prepared glass display next to his personal items including his hat, boots, bass guitar, and Marshall stack.




Fans were also treated to a re-enacted version of Lemmy’s Dressing Room, which contained all his favorite things such as books, newspapers, whiskey, of course, and even his beloved Kinder Eggs with a toy, and the building itself was adorned with various Motörhead-themed murals, including one of Lemmy himself.


Later, at night onstage, headlining rocker Doro (an old friend of Lemmy’s) was joined on stage by Phil and Mikkey for “Love Me Forever” and “Ace Of Spades,” which saw the crowd go crazy and underscore the enormous presence Lemmy carries as an immortal man of the people. As the band played “Ace Of Spades” a flurry of drones flew above the stage forming Doro’s logo, Lemmy’s face, and the Lemmy & Wacken Forever logo. Throughout the day (and doubtless into the remaining days of the festival), toasts were raised in Lemmy’s name.


“Lemmy loved playing Wacken; there was a long relationship as we played for the first time in 1997 and returned many, many times,” said Mikkey Dee. “It is quite natural that he is returning now and has another place forever.”


“It’s great that Lemmy will be at Wacken forever among such good friends,” said Phil Campbell. “And I’m glad there’s another home where people can raise a toast to him.”


The Lemmy Forever at Wacken celebration was part of a wider movement that started at last year’s Hellfest, and sees Lemmy enshrined and celebrated at select spots around the world, which he loved and allowing fans a place to gather, remember, and honor him.

On August 4th, Iron Maiden brought The Future Past Tour to Wacken Open Air 2023 in Wacken, Germany. Fan-filmed video of the show can be veiwed below.


The setlist was as follows:


"Caught Somewhere In Time"
"Stranger In A Strange Land"
"The Writing On The Wall"
"Days Of Future Past"
"The Time Machine"
"The Prisoner"
"Death Of The Celts"
"Can I Play With Madness"
"Heaven Can Wait"
"Alexander The Great"
"Fear Of The Dark"
"Iron Maiden"




Encore:
"Hell On Earth"
"The Trooper"
"Wasted Years"

From Hell is a metal horror concept band in which each recording is intended to be its own horror story. From Hell's first full-length album, Ascent From Hell, is the musical tale of a corpse that wakes up in Hell and finds out he must go back to earth to find his soul that still lives on inside the body of a priest, and drag it back to Hell.


In early 2019, From Hell began recording tracks for their sophomore album, entitled Rats & Ravens. The album was released on May 22, 2020 via Scourge Records. Then the pandemic hit and a massive European tour supporting Atheist was cancelled. Three times! But, as From Hell tells us, "things seem to be turning around and we’re eager to get out and play again and soon get back in the studio to work on a new record. We’d like to play a few shows first, since we never had the opportunity to support Rats & Ravens."


During the recording session for Rats & Ravens the band recorded “Come To The Sabbath,” a cover of the Mercyful Fate classic. From Hell shares, "We intended to release 'Come To The Sabbath' on the Rats & Ravens album, as the track fit so well with its concept."  




Of course, things didn't always go as planned in 2020. Now, the standalone "Come To The Sabbath" single drops today, August 4. Feast your ears!


Once upon a time, vocalist Aleister Sinn fronted Grandma, the King Diamond tribute band, and his experience pays off here. The overall musicianship is brilliant and From Hell are moving onward and forward. On deck is a cover of the KISS classic, "God Of Thunder", which will drop in the fall.





From Hell is:


Aleister Sinn – vocals and lead guitar
Stephen Paul Goodwin (ex-Vicious Rumors) – bass guitar
Steve Smyth (Forbidden, ex-Testament, ex-Nevermore, ex-Dragonlord) – lead guitar
Wes Anderson (ex-Blind Illusion) – drums

As previous episodes of The Greatest Live have already revealed, Queen’s kaleidoscope of influences meant almost no song was off-limits as a potential cover. From formative rock ‘n’ roll standards to classic showtunes, the band never ceased to surprise on the stage - but one song that obviously held era-spanning affection was “Big Spender”, showcased by this week’s archival footage from two of the band’s most famous concerts in 1975 and 1986. You can watch it in full below.


With its irresistible gold-digger lyric and fruity flourishes of brass, this timeless showtune was first performed on the Broadway stage in the 1966 musical Sweet Charity. But it’s more likely the song reached Queen’s Freddie Mercury via the definitive rendition by legendary Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey, the three-time James Bond soundtrack theme song star.


As Freddie told Hit Parader in 1977, the decision to expand Queen’s oeuvre was not taken lightly. “Sneaking my cabaret influences into our act was done slowly. Could you imagine me doing 'Big Spender' when we were first starting? As a rock band? They’d freak. Now we do more a combination of rock ‘n’ roll and theater.”




Having made that leap of faith, Queen never looked back. This week’s episode of The Greatest Live opens with footage from Hammersmith Odeon on Christmas Eve 1975, where the band teased the sell-out crowd - and the BBC audience watching at home - by walking offstage after the frenzied finale of “In The Lap Of The Gods”. Finally, with the atmosphere at fever pitch, the band returned to encore with “Big Spender”.


With Roger Taylor pounding his toms in a multi-colored clown wig, Brian May reimagining the classic brass motif as an anvil-heavy slide guitar riff, and Freddie playing provocatively with the cord of his kimono - before dropping the garment entirely - it’s a bravura performance topped only by the band’s show-stopping reprise, eleven years later, at Wembley Stadium.

In a new interview with Gibson Gear Guide, JUDAS PRIEST's Richie Faulkner was asked what piece of advice he would give to aspiring guitarists out there. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I've always been an advocate for, you don't need to know the latest mode or scale, or you don't need to know all the theory, anything like that. And I'm living proof of it. I don't know what I'm doing at all, apart from what I've found out by putting pedal to the metal and finding out via experience — gear, sound, what works, strings, picks. It's what works for you. I'm living proof. If I can do it, you can do it. Trust me. You don't need to know what mode this is before you go out. You don't have to be great to do, but you have to do to be great. You know what I mean? That's been my philosophy. So just get out there and do it. Experience. Make mistakes. Do what feels right to you, not what someone else tells you to do necessarily. Just get out there and play and what feels right. If I can do it, you can do it. That's what should be on my gravestone."

On September 26, 2021, the now-43-year-old British-born musician suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during JUDAS PRIEST's performance at the Louder Than Life festival, just a short distance from Rudd Heart and Lung Center at UofL Health - Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. It took the hospital's cardiothoracic surgery team, led by Dr. Siddharth Pahwa and also including Drs. Brian Ganzel and Mark Slaughter, approximately 10 hours to complete the surgery, an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement with hemiarch replacement.

Last December, Faulkner, who returned to the road with his PRIEST bandmates in March 2022, reflected on the onstage episode that resulted in him being rushed to the hospital, telling Mexico's El Cuartel Del Metal: "I remember it well. I remember up until the point when I was in the ambulance, I think. I think I went into shock and everything kind of went blurry from there. But I remember playing. I remember the moment when it was about halfway through 'Painkiller' and something happened in my chest and I thought, 'That's a bit strange. That doesn't usually happen.' And it was obviously a big pain in the chest. And I remember, as I was playing the song, I went kind of light-headed. And I'd never fainted before, but I felt like, 'This is what it feels like. And I might faint soon.' I remember I was conscious of moving away from the side of the stage, because I thought if I fainted and I fell off the stage — the stage was quite high, so I thought if I fell off, I could do myself some damage. And I remember all that.

"What happened was at the end of 'Painkiller', I lift the guitar up into the air — usually I do that," he added. "And I think I tried to lift the guitar up, and I couldn't — I didn't have the strength because all the blood had gone; it was running out. It dissected, so all the blood was kind of doing different things. I didn't have the energy to lift the guitar, and I knew something was terribly wrong. But, again, luckily, there was a medic on hand with the ambulance and they got me to the hospital in time and they were able to save me. But I remember up until the point. But I didn't know what it was. I think if I would have known how dangerous it was, I would have gone straight off. But I didn't know. So I carried on playing. I just didn't know what it was, really."

In September 2022, Faulkner revealed that he underwent a second heart surgery a month earlier. He later explained to "That Fuzzing Rock Show": "They found something just before the European leg [of JUDAS PRIEST's world tour]. And it was basically a hole in the repair and there was a leak — I'd basically sprung a leak in there — and it was causing a sack to form around my heart. So they found it just before the European leg. And the surgeon said it was okay for me to do Europe, [so] I was actually touring Europe, playing Europe with this sack and a leak inside there. What that meant was when I got back from Europe, two days later I was back in the hospital for another open-heart surgery… But yeah, it was a bit daunting, to be honest, to be touring Europe knowing that that was going on. But you've gotta put your trust in the doctors, and it worked out okay."

Two weeks after his first surgery, Faulkner told reporters that he experienced a sharp pain as he was stepping off the stage. "That's when it exploded," he said.

"The more I read about it, the more astonishing it is to me to think that I even made it to the hospital," he added. "The amount of time when I actually go the pain and when I turned up in the hospital and when we were actually operating, it was quite a lot of time. The more I read about it, the more unbelievable — that amount of time — I don't know how I'm still around today."

Pahwha told reporters that the chance of survival for anybody with Faulkner's ailment is about 10%.

"There are about 70% to 80% patients who have their aorta ruptured and never make it to the hospital," said Pahwa.

Aortic aneurysms are "balloon-like bulges in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and torso," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dissections happen when the "force of blood pumping can split the layers of the artery wall, allowing blood to leak in between them."

After Louder Than Life, JUDAS PRIEST postponed the remainder of the U.S. dates on its 50th-anniversary tour, dubbed "50 Heavy Metal Years". The shows were rescheduled for March and April 2022.

Faulkner joined PRIEST in 2011 as the replacement for original guitarist K.K. Downing.

Richie was once the guitarist in the backing group for Lauren Harris, daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.

Atomic Fire Records is massively proud to join forces with Athens, Georgia based progressive power metal five-piece Theocracy. Formed in 2002 to spread their majestic metal in the likes of Stratovarious, Sonata Arctica and Symphony X, Theocracy released four critically acclaimed studio albums, building a loyal fanbase as well. Now teaming up with Atomic Fire Records, the band consisting of Matt Smith (lead/backing vocals), Ernie Topran (drums), Jared Oldham (bass/backing vocals), Jonathan Hinds (guitars/backing vocals) and Taylor Washington (guitars/backing vocals) are more than ready to take Theocracy to the next level.


Vocalist Matt Smith comments, "We are thrilled to be members of the Atomic Fire Records family. From our first meeting, it was obvious that they've loved and supported our music for many years, long before there was a possibility we might work together. This personal touch was very important to us, and combined with their impressive roster featuring some of our favourite bands, we are so excited to work together for this new album release and beyond!"


Atomic Fire Records A&R Markus Wosgien enthuses, "We're more than happy to welcome Theocracy to the Atomic Fire Records family! With their latest album »Ghost Ship,« the band created a milestone in power/progressive metal history and I remember very well that I had the CD on endless rotation in my car for several years - and it keeps blowing me away. It's just one of those records which you'd pick for a trip to a lonely island, it's an album that recalls why one has become a metalhead: Because such tunes make addicted, one needs to sing along to them, and they fulfill our hearts. With their upcoming new album, Theocracy have taken it all another step further and have reached a new level, without repeating themselves but with adding more diversity to their sound. The world stands in awe of an album full of hymns, beauty and pure magic once again.”




For more than 20 years, Matt Smith has been pouring his life blood into Theocracy, creating a legacy and back catalogue that grants him a safe space to breathe and develop his vision.


"It's my life's work," says Smith. "All I wanted to do since I was a kid was writing songs, so Theocracy existed in my mind for many years before the first album. It's the vehicle that has taken me all around the world and allowed me to exceed my wildest dreams by getting my songs out, and I am so thankful."


Theocracy's fifth studio album will see the light of the day later this year.


Theocracy are:


Matt Smith | vocals
Jonathan Hinds | guitars
Taylor Washington | guitars
Jared Oldham | bass
Ernie Topran | drums


(Photo - Ron Carson Jr.)

In a new interview with Shawn of "The Rockstar Radio Show" on 96.3 The Blaze, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli spoke about a possible musical direction for the band's upcoming follow-up to 2022's "Scoring The End Of The World" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are always gonna put out records that have a lot of variety. We're never, ever going to abandon the heavier stuff. We always have a few songs on the records that are just like the heaviest song we could do. I think the last record we had a song called 'Slaughterhouse' that was, like, in my opinion, top three heaviest songs MOTIONLESS has ever done this far into our career. So that's not going anywhere."

He continued: We're gonna have the songs that are the more like big sing-along moments, like 'Another Life' and 'Masterpiece' — the big, emotionally hitting songs that I think is really, truly what our fans want the most from the band. And then, you know, we're everywhere in between. We find ways to find everything in between and then push the envelope in directions we've never tried before. So, I think on our last record, 'Werewolf' would be a cool example of a song that was just, like, 'Let's try something completely new and different and do it our way.' And I thought it went well. We were really happy with it. So we'll find a way to do that with something else on the next one."

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE recently joined Grammy Award-nominated act IN THIS MOMENT for a co-headline run across North America featuring special guests FIT FOR A KING and FROM ASHES TO NEW. "The Dark Horizon Tour" sees the two bands alternating closing sets each night and performing at arenas and amphitheaters across the country. The trek kicked off July 8 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and will continue through an August 19 performance at MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

Later this fall, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will tour the U.S. with Louisville metallic hardcore crushers KNOCKED LOOSE, djent mainstays AFTER THE BURIAL and Australian metalcore unit ALPHA WOLF. The trek will kick off in MOTIONLESS IN WHITE's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 16 and will last over a month before wrapping up in Boston on October 29.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE recently earned two RIAA gold singles for "Another Life" and "Voices".

SEVENDUST was forced to play the first two shows of its summer 2023 tour with ALTER BRIDGE and MAMMOTH WVH without guitarist John Connolly after he contracted COVID-19.

On Wednesday (August 2),Connolly released the following statement via social media: "To the SEVENDUST family- I had to do something this week that I have never had to do in my whole career – I had to miss a SEVENDUST show.

"In all of our years as a band, I have performed in every SEVENDUST concert played. Sadly, I had to miss last night and tonight.

"As people that follow my social media know, I have been training for my upcoming New York City marathon. During one of those sessions, I was exposed to COVID. To prevent any possible exposure from myself to my bandmates: Lajon, Clint, Vinnie, Morgan, our crew, ALTER BRIDGE and MAMMOTH WVH and their teams, local staff and attendees – I made the decision to sit out the first 2 shows.

"I was watching tonight's show via FaceTime and my SEVENDUST brothers sounded great. I feel fine and am now testing negative. I am all packed and ready to board my plane tomorrow to meet up with everyone and I'll be back rocking with you all soon."

Connolly sat out SEVENDUST's performances on August 1 at Buffalo Outer Harbor in Buffalo, New York and August 2 at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

SEVENDUST released its fourteenth studio album, "Truth Killer", on July 28 via the band's new label home, Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2020's "Blood & Stone" was once again tracked at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, among others.

Originally known as RUMBLEFISH, then CRAWLSPACE, SEVENDUST emerged from Atlanta, Georgia's music scene in the mid-1990s and has had continued success ever since.

To the Sevendust family-

I had to do something this week that I have never had to do in my whole career - I had to...

Posted by Sevendust on Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Virgin Music has announced a partnership with the band INCUBUS for a special re-release of their critically acclaimed double-platinum album "Morning View" titled "Morning View XXIII". The band re-recorded the record and will be performing it in its entirety plus the hits at their previously announced show at the Hollywood Bowl on October 6.

Jacqueline Saturn, president of Virgin Music, says: "I am thrilled to welcome INCUBUS to the Virgin Music family. The re-recording of 'Morning View XXIII' will be a musical milestone for the band in their long and successful career. I am proud to have been there at the beginning of their career and now to be reunited with them marks a very special moment for us. We can't wait to share the new versions of their iconic songs with fans around the world."

INCUBUS originally released their critically acclaimed fourth studio album "Morning View" on October 23, 2001, and were met with an outpouring of love and acclaim from fans and industry alike. The album has been RIAA-certified double platinum and spent 60 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 2.

Lead singer and co-founder of INCUBUS Brandon Boyd says: "We are excited to partner up with Virgin to release 'Morning View XXIII', and we can't wait to perform it live for the fans at the Hollywood Bowl. 'Morning View XXIII' will give our fans a fresh new take on the songs and we look forward to sharing it with everyone when it drops on October 6th! It's also incredibly special to reunite with Jacqueline at Virgin who was with us at the very beginning of our career."

INCUBUS will perform "Morning View" in its entirety along with a selection of fan favorites. Supporting INCUBUS on this show will be ACTION BRONSON & HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE and PARIS JACKSON. INCUBUS began a U.S. tour on July 21, 2023 that will take them across the country playing multiple venues as well as festivals.

INCUBUS has released many multi-platinum and gold records throughout their career including their debut LP, "Fungus Amongus" (1995),"S.C.I.E.N.C.E." (1997),"Make Yourself" (1999),"Crow Left Of The Murder..." (2004) and "Light Grenades" (2006),"If Not Now, When?" (2011) and "8" (2017).

With over 23 million records sold and a legion of loyal fans, INCUBUS continues to be a mainstay fan favorite worldwide.

Photo by Julian Schratter (courtesy of Live Nation)

Patriarchs In Black - the project formed by Dan Lorenzo (Hades, Non-Fiction) and Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Quiet Riot) - have just put the finishing touches on their second album, My Veneration.


My Veneration will be released by Germany's MDD Records worldwide on October 6th. The cover art, created by Josh Anonymous, can be seen below.


As with the Patriarchs In Black debut, Reach For The Scars, Lorenzo and Kelly are joined by multiple singers and bassists. Karl Agell (Corrosion Of Conformity) is back, as is Rob Traynor (Black Water Rising). Mark Sunshine (Riotgod, Unida) sings along with hip-hop legend Darryl DMC from RUN/DMC on the track "Veneration". There's also appearances from John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society), Dave Neabore (Dog Eat Dog), Johnny Araya (yes, Tom's brother), plus a cover of "I Stole Your Love" by KISS, featuring Johnny Kelly's brother Danny Kelly and many more guests, including the project's first use of violin and keyboards.




"Johnny and I have recorded with well over a dozen musicians on our two albums and each person brings their own influences to this project," stated Lorenzo. "We're not  trying to please everyone, but I do feel like there's something on My Veneration for everybody. Kelly Abe, who was on the TV show Battle For Ozzfest, is a decade younger than us and he brings, I guess you'd call it a nu-metal sound to the songs he sings on. Sunshine is perhaps the most unique singer I've ever heard, and Karl... is Karl. How can you not love Karl's voice?" 


Regarding the album title My Veneration, Lorenzo said, "Obviously, it's a play on words of a famous song, but you don't hear the word 'Veneration' used often. I love the word and it describes my love and deep respect of making music."


The first single from My Veneration is the track "Veneration" featuring DMC, out August 25th. 





Check out a brief video teaser:





 

Disguised as progressive metal, Germany's The Hirsch Effekt are once more twisting habits on their sixth full-length album Urian, out September 29 via Long Branch Records. The new album dives musically deep into the increasingly obtrusive ambivalence between crises and everyday life.


Today, the band shares their new single "Otus" - marking the third track released off Urian - following the single "Agora" and the album's title track.


Bassist Ilja John Lappin comments: "It is January 2021, deepest winter, and Germany is in the middle of a second, long lockdown in the Covid-19 pandemic. The days go by, the snow still falls softly, the long winter takes more strength than ever. And so, the almost 10-minute long 'Otus' emerges as the first song of the album in its nearly final form as a song of contemplation, as a long journey through one's own self - in order to not succumb to the crept in self-destruction, but to embrace the hope for a better future."







The Hirsch Effekt, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Nils Wittrock (i.a. vocals, guitars), Ilja John Lappin (i.a. bass, vocals) and Moritz Schmidt (drums), plays an extremely variable style of music, as well as combines various elements to the utter peak of sophistication.


The end result is nothing less than a homogenous and enormous sound monster, nearly beating your speakers to death. Although the very first impressions coalesce into an epic, aggressive, and sinister sound, there is a specific personal touch and frankness in the German lyrics. They signify authenticity and closeness and stand out as a counterpart to the musical periphery.





Pre-order/save Urian here.





Urian tracklisting:


"Agora"
"Otus"
"2054"
"Urian"
"Stegodon"
"Granica"
"Blud"
"Eristys"


"Agora" video:





"Urian":





The Hirsch Effekt are:


Nils Wittrock (Guitar, Vocals)
Ilja John Lappin (Bass, Vocals)
Moritz Schmidt (Drums, Vocals)


(Photo - Vol Vincent)

Two week ago, UK heavy metal shooting stars, Tailgunner, released their debut studio album, Guns For Hire, which has hit the UK independent album charts at #50.


Today, Tailgunner are more than happy to announce Rhea Thompson, the Mancunian shred machine, to become their new permanent co-lead guitarist.







"We are thrilled to have Rhea in for the long haul! From the moment she stepped up in May, learning the set in 3 days she has felt like the missing piece of our puzzle, playing far beyond what we were used to from the second guitar, allowing us to sound so much bigger - n’ we know all of you who caught a show over the summer have been as blown away as we have", comments the band.


Rhea Thompson adds: “I’m immensely proud and thrilled to be joining the band, and being part of the revolution to put British heavy metal back on the map! I can’t wait to hit the road for the Guns For Hire tour, and I’m excited to be a part of Tailgunner’s journey!”


Now, Tailgunner look forward to heading into the first leg of the Guns For Hire tour this October with Rhea in place, n’ a band more well oiled, super charged n’ hungrier than ever before to deliver heavy metal mäyhem. "Gunners, ready yourselves. It’s all eyes to the skies, ready to fly like a Warhead. See ya on tour!"





Guns For Hire is available on three different vinyl (royal blue, crystal clear and as a picture disc) limited to 500 copies each, as well as on CD digipak (Europe only) and a CD Jewelcase (US only) and digital. At the Atomic Fire Records Webshop you can order any format along with an exclusive bundle shirt. Order here.





The band comments: "Our debut album Guns For Hire is the result of not only the time we have spent together as a band, but a decade of Blood, Sweat, Tears, Beers, Fights N’ Endless nights - All lit by a burning love for Heavy Metal. Now, Children of the Night, Marauders of Earth N’ Hells Vagabonds on July 14 we invite you to live it with us, told by the tale of these ten songs. heavy metal is the undying beast, it cannot be killed, it cannot be stopped, it soldiers on no matter what. Our friend the Warhead, brought to life on our debut album by the incredible Sadist Art Design in a cocktail of 50’s Horror N’ 80’s B Movie posters, is the personification of this music we are so proud to carry the torch for. Are you ready to carry it with us?”





Tracklisting:


“Shadows Of War”
“Guns For Hire”
“White Death”
“Revolution Scream”
“Futures Lost”
“New Horizons”
“Warhead”
“Crashdive”
“Blood For Blood”
“Rebirth”


"New Horizons" video:





“Crashdive” video:





(Top photo - Sam Singer; band photo - Artur Tarczewski)

Marty Friedman rejoined MEGADETH on stage for the second time in six months earlier today (Friday, August 4) at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The guitarist performed four songs with his former band: "Trust", "Tornado Of Souls", "Symphony Of Destruction" and "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due",

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine teased Friedman's appearance ahead of the Wacken performance, writing on social media: "Wacken! Make sure to head over to the faster stage. We have a special surprise for you. You're not going to want to miss it."

Prior to this year's Wacken, Friedman's most recent appearance with MEGADETH took place in late February during the band's first-ever gig at Tokyo, Japan's famed Budokan. Friedman came up on stage for three songs toward the end of MEGADETH's main set: "Countdown To Extinction", "Tornado Of Souls" and "Symphony Of Destruction".

Asked in a recent interview with The Aquarian Weekly what it was like to play with MEGADETH again, Marty said: "It was wonderful. What I think is great about MEGADETH is that being a legacy act, there's also new kids discovering them, and then they discover you and look to see what you're doing now, so they get that experience of Marty Friedman as well.

"I've always been rooting for MEGADETH and they really did great," he continued. "A lot of the things that they did in my absence led them to a very, very good place, and a lot because of Dave's effort and the bandmembers' efforts. When they made it to Budokan, I was just so glad to hear that. Then they offered me to play and it was just the cherry on top. I had such a great time playing with them. It was something that the fans enjoyed as much as I did."

Marty also reflected on the experience of performing with MEGADETH at Bodokan in a separate interview with The Entertainment Outlet. He said about sharing the stage with Mustaine again: "It was great. It was something that Dave and I both wanted from day one, and we got it. There was just a lot of good feelings in that building that night — not just between us, but you could see in the audience, there was just something different about it. People were screaming, they were crying, they were smiling. It was a little bit different reaction from a normal show. And it was a great moment, I think."

In late February, Marty hinted at another potential MEGADETH performance, telling Guitar World: "We [MEGADETH and Friedman] are both playing at Wacken Open Air festival in Germany this summer, so you never know."

Friedman also revealed that the biggest challenge he faced during his Budokan appearance with MEGADETH was performing his guitar solos the same way fans remember from his original stint with the band.

"If there was any challenge at all, I guess it would be playing the solos the way the fans remember them, which is something I wanted to do," Friedman noted. "My playing has evolved so much since those songs came out, and there are so many nuances I would naturally do differently now. I had to resist the urge to play it like I would in 2023 and stick to the original way. For example, in a couple of those songs, I entered the solo on the downbeat, with the first note being the root of the chord. I would definitely avoid both of those things now, but apparently, I was fine with it back then."

A couple of days before the Guitar World interview, Marty was asked by Consequence if he would be open to playing with MEGADETH again, either onstage or in the studio. "Yeah, man, the door's open," he said. "I think the door has always been open. It's really just a matter of doing something that has meaning to it. Meaning for them and meaning for me. So, Budokan is sort of a no-brainer. But if something were to come up that would be a good thing for them and a good thing for me, and add value to it, then I'm all for it. As far as I'm concerned, their band is just kicking so much ass right now, I can't imagine them needing me for anything. [Laughs] But Budokan was wonderful. There's other things in the future. My door's open and we're on great terms, and I love all the guys in the band. It's very casual."

Former NIGHTWISH members Tarja Turunen (vocals) and Marko "Marco" Hietala performed a cover of "The Phantom Of The Opera" during their special August 3 concert at the Olavinlinna 15th-century castle in Savonlinna, Finland. Tarja and Marko both played individual sets at the event, with their rendition of the main theme from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical coming during Turunen's portion of the show. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Turunen and Hietala previously played "The Phantom Of The Opera" together on July 8 at Z7 Summer Nights in Pratteln, Switzerland.

Turunen was fired from NIGHTWISH at the end of the band's 2005 tour by being presented with an open letter which was published on the NIGHTWISH web site at the same time. In the letter, the other members of NIGHTWISH wrote: "To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with emotions have become much more important."

NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen later called the decision to part ways with Turunen "the most difficult thing I ever had to do." For her part, Tarja said the way she was kicked out of the group proved that her former bandmates were not her friends. "Maybe one day I'll forgive, but I will never forget," she said.

In 2019, Turunen dismissed Internet chatter about her possible return to NIGHTWISH after her December 2017 onstage reunion with the band's then-bassist/vocalist Hietala during a "Raskasta Joulua" concert in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

"I know a lot of fans would love to see something happen, but it's a very long distance away," she told Kerrang! magazine. "Personally, I don't see anything happening with me and them, to be perfectly honest. Marco came a little later into the band; he wasn't there since the beginning. He was always a guy I was close to. Me and Tuomas Holopainen, however, haven't seen each other in a long time… but we have been in touch. It's not bad. The past is what it is; we can't change that. We can only change the future."

NIGHTWISH's authorized biography, "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996-2006", was published in Finnish in 2006 and in English three years later.

Turunen's husband, Marcelo Cabuli, and his business partners later sued the parties behind the book for defamation. Named in the lawsuit were the publishing house Like Kustannus Oy and the author of the book, Marko "Mape" Ollila. Cabuli and his Brazilian business partners argued that the book includes false accusations and insinuations that have caused them suffering and financial problems.

The book blamed Cabuli for the events leading up to Turunen's dramatic expulsion from the band in late 2005.

In 2011, the Helsinki District Court dismissed Cabuli's lawsuit, ruling that the book — which criticized Cabuli on only a few of its 380 pages — did not detrimentally affect his work or reputation in South America. In addition, the court determined that Ollila did not maliciously portray Cabuli in a negative light.

More than a year ago, Tarja was asked in an interview with Top Link Music manager and concert promoter Paulo Baron and music critic Regis Tadeu if she would consider doing a tour with NIGHTWISH if all of her former bandmates apologized to her about how their split happened and invited her to share the stage with them again. She responded: "It is very, very hypothetical that all what you said will happen, first of all — it's very, very hypothetical.

"I'm living in a world, like we are all living in a world, that things happen without us noticing," she continued. "I mean, I can't really close any doors in that sense; I'm not that kind of person any longer. I learned so many things in this life already. I take them as they are.

"So I don't know. It would be very hypothetically possible," she added. "It would be unlikely to happen."

Hietala announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January 2021, explaining in a statement that he hadn't "been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now." He has since been replaced by session bassist Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN),who made his live debut with NIGHTWISH in May 2021 at the band's two interactive experiences.

In an August 2022 interview with Finland's Chaoszine, Hietala revealed that he went through a dark period in his life, which included depression, insomnia, anxiety and an eventual attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. Speaking about how he eventually came to the realization that exiting NIGHTWISH was the right thing to do, Marko said: "It was a long process. Of course, the COVID year that was there, where I had a lot of time for soul searching, it obviously gave me the last incentive that I need something else, that if I just continue with this I'm just gonna get sicker and sicker. But, of course, it's a process.

"I've been chronic depressive since 2010 [or] 2011, so I've been on a permanent medication ever since," he revealed. "Sometimes you get used to the meds [and] you will need more. We did raise [the dosage] during the years also, but it just didn't work. And now that I started to do… I had psychotherapy for over four years now, and then I also talked to psychiatrists and some doctors and did that also in Spain. Then my psychiatrist here in Finland said that I should do these ADHD neuropsychological tests, which I then did in Spain. And, okay, I got it."

Hietala reiterated that he "had been thinking about" leaving NIGHTWISH "for a while" before making the final decision. "Because I had a lot of weight. And I tend to… With the attention disorder, it tells me that when there are lots of trouble, then the disorder makes it into a real chaos," he explained. "There's a shitload of stuff coming and going and no peace anywhere. And for a year or two, I was already waking up every night at three o'clock to bad dreams and anxiety. So I'd say that the whole process probably started already with my former divorce [in 2016]. That was a very sad time when you think about your kids and your broken homes and all that. And then, when I started to get clear from that, then there were, well, all kinds of things. I don't really wanna go any deeper to what kind of things I'd gone through, but I'd gone through enough."

Acknowledging that making NIGHTWISH's latest studio album, 2020's "Human. :II: Nature.", was a "difficult" experience for him, Marko denied that his mental state at the time resulted in a diminished role for him on the final LP. "I think the original idea was to have that… we'll do a couple of [solo vocal appearances], or one solo for me and Troy [Donockley], and the rest Floor [Jansen], and then the harmonies; that was the idea originally for that," he said. "So I don't know if it affected. I think it was sort of as planned. But at that time I already had serious trouble with concentrating and serious trouble with a constant black cloud over my head."

Last July, Hietala told Finland's Iltalehti that he had not kept in touch with NIGHTWISH since his departure or followed the activities of his former band.

In May 2021, Holopainen said that Hietala's decision to leave NIGHTWISH "came as a bit of a surprise." He told Finland's Kaaos TV: "Marko informed us in December [of 2020 that he was leaving the band]. And even though he has been very open about his state and problems during the past years, it still came as a bit of a surprise for us. So it was a really tough pill to swallow. And for a few days, I was actually quite confident that there's no coming back, that this is it. I remember talking to Emppu [Vuorinen], the guitar player, and we were, like, 'You think this is it?' 'Yeah, I think this is it.' I mean, enough is enough. So much has happened in the past. Something that broke the camel's back, as they say. Then, after some time had passed — a few days — we started to think that it's been such a ride of 25 years, with so many ups also, that this is not the way to end it."

Tuomas elaborated on NIGHTWISH's reasons for carrying on, saying: "I think we still have something to give, and that's the main point. The music is still there. We felt that there's still so much music that needs to come out from this band that, 'Okay, let's give it one more shot.' And then finding the new bass player was really easy."

He added: "It's not like we do this just because we need to do it and there's nothing else to do. On a personal level, I feel that there's still so many stories and melodies that I want to share with the world with one lineup or another, so that's why you want to continue and keep on going.

"I've said this a million times, that a lineup change is the ultimate energy vampire, and that's how it really felt and still feels."

In June 2021, Jansen spoke about Hietala's exit from the band in an episode of her "Storytime" YouTube video series. She said: "That was a very sudden surprise that, of course, was not fun at all. But we understand — I understand — it was a necessary thing for him to do. And from there, we had to think of how to continue without him, and that also, in preparations towards the virtual show, that was a huge challenge."

In December 2020, Hietala was crowned the winner of the fall 2020 season of "Masked Singer Suomi" — the Finnish edition of the popular masked singing contest. He was disguised as Tohtori — the Doctor.

In the summer of 2021, Holopainen said that NIGHTWISH would split up if the band's current singer Floor Jansen ever chose to leave. Holopainen, who formed NIGHTWISH in 1996 with guitarist Emppu Vuorinen and Turunen, made the comment while discussing the departure of Hietala.

Pressed by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about his 2019 statement that NIGHTWISH would disband if another member opted to depart, Tuomas said: "That's how I felt back in 2019, and that's also how I felt when Marko left. I take my words back when it comes to that. But if it would be Floor leaving, that's it, it's the end of NIGHTWISH. Absolutely, 100%."

Finland! We are very happy to announce another addition to the Living The Dream Summer 2023, and a very special one!
See you at Olavinlinna castle in Savonlinna on August 3rd!
Don't miss it!

Posted by Tarja Turunen on Friday, May 26, 2023

France's Duke TV has uploaded professionally filmed video of former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes's June 24 performance at the Boston Music Room in London, England. You can now watch the Antoine de Montremy-directed footage below.

Featured songs:

00:13 - L.O.V.E. Machine
4:15 - Born Work Die
14:22 - Wild Child

In a recent interview with Dawn Osborne of TotalRock, Holmes was asked if having money and fame is important to him. He responded: "No. To me, the fame… I've had the opportunity, because of my parents [who] made me and my personality… I'm lucky I'm tall. I'm not bald yet. I look the way I do 'cause of my parents. I'm very fortunate to be who I am. I've got some friends that play guitar that will never be able to stand on the stages that I've stood on and played because their personalities — they just don't have what it takes. They play guitar. They wanna do it. But certain people… I'm lucky. I'm blessed to be who I am."

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, the guitarist returned to W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Chris has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

Holmes last year completed seven weeks of radiation therapy in his battle with cancer in throat and neck.

Last September, Chris told Canada's The Metal Voice that he hadn't heard from W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless since his diagnosis. He said: "Blackie could have helped to pay for some of my treatment, but [he didn't]. But Nikki Sixx [MÖTLEY CRÜE] did. He gave me a lot of money. He was the first one; he forked over 500 bucks, and I love the guy for it. Thank you, Nikki. I love him for that."

A few hours after Chris's diagnosis was made public in February, Lawless released a statement via W.A.S.P.'s social media in which he said: "The entire W.A.S.P. family are all optimistic of a positive outcome concerning the diagnosis for Chris. I certainly wish him the very best."

In 2021, Holmes told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that W.A.S.P. was "a group, a band" on the first LP. "And after that, the second album, it wasn't a group — it was a one-man show," he said. "And it's been a one-man show after that ever since. It's the way it is. Look at the records. It's the way it is in that band."

According to Chris, he, guitarist Randy Piper, drummer Tony Richards and Blackie were all part of W.A.S.P. initial management contract, but Blackie was the only one signed to the record label. "Everybody thinks we [all] signed to the label, but it wasn't [like that]," Holmes told "Trunk Nation".

Despite the fact that he only got songwriting credit on a couple of the songs on each of the first four W.A.S.P. records, Holmes was adamant that his input was essential to the band's overall sound.

"If I would have quit after the first album, the way I play guitar, the way I play is really important to writing those songs," he told "Trunk Nation".

"If I hadn't joined in the beginning, it would have never worked. Blackie told me that the first day, when he came and talked to me to play in W.A.S.P. He says, 'I've got this band. It's not gonna work unless you're in it.' He told me that to my face."

In February 2022, Lawless shot down Holmes's claim that the guitarist was "screwed" out of receiving royalties on the W.A.S.P. albums that he performed on. Lawless discussed Holmes's tenure with W.A.S.P. in an interview with "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". Asked to respond to Holmes's assertion in Chris's recently released documentary "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes" that he was financially taken advantage of during his time in the band, Lawless said: "I don't really know much about… I spoke to [former W.A.S.P. guitarist] Randy Piper a couple of years ago. I don't really know what's going on with the rest of the guys. And I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about with Chris about not being paid.

"Chris, at two different points in his musical career, received settlements from this band; he signed documents as such," Blackie explained. "And he was paid quite well.

"I haven't seen what you're talking about. The answer I'm giving you right now is based on what you just said to me."

The W.A.S.P. frontman went on to confirm that he hadn't seen Chris's documentary and was once again asked about Holmes's claim that there is money and songwriting credits that he didn't get that he's due. Lawless said simply: "That is not true."

During a November 2017 press conference in Moscow, Russia, Lawless was asked what he would say to those W.A.S.P. fans who continue to call for the band to reunite with Holmes. He responded: "People get divorced for certain reasons, and there's times when the kids want the parents to get back together, but sometimes it never happens. And this is one of those [times]. Sorry."

Swedish melodic metallers AMARANTHE will release their new album, "The Catalyst", on February 23, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort will be made available digitally and in different physical formats, including CD, vinyl and a 2CD special edition.

AMARANTHE guitar player Olof Mörck said in a statement: "So at last it is official! This has been a long time in the making, and more effort went into this album than any previous AMARANTHE record. You have already gotten a taste of what’s to come on 'Damnation Flame', but as the most varied and eclectic AMARANTHE album to date, expect the unexpected! We cover a lot of musical ground on 'The Catalyst', but the core of what we are about creatively is completely intact. It will be immediately obvious that you are listening to AMARANTHE, as much as it will be immediately obvious that this is both a leap forward as well as a step up. Can't wait for all of you to hear what we have been cooking, as well as seeing us perform these pristine new songs on the road SOON!"

"The Catalyst" is the most conceptually coherent piece of work in AMARANTHE's storied history. Dedicated to notions of transformation and revelation, it delves deeper than any previous album, as Mörck explains.

"We've done these things before, but we've never been as theatrical as we have this time," he says. "In fact, we all questioned whether we went too far this time, but I also figured that this band was always this way. Literally the first seconds of our first video was a big explosion! But yes, 'The Catalyst' is more theatrical than ever. We've never really been symphonic or orchestral before, but this time we just thought why not? Because we can! The key to this album is that we let go of the boundaries and decided to do something even more adventurous."

AMARANTHE has spent more than a decade establishing itself as a formidable, positive and fervently melodic force for metallic good. From their explosive self-titled debut in 2011 to the more sophisticated, streamlined likes of 2014's "Massive Addictive" and its immaculate follow-up "Maximalism" (2016),AMARANTHE have masterfully blurred the lines between melodic metal, crushing brutality, cinematic sweep and futuristic sparkle.

Led by the endlessly ingenious songwriting of guitarist Mörck and powerhouse vocalist Elize Ryd, their rise to prominence has been a joy to behold.

Widely acclaimed as a dazzling live act, the Swedes reached a new peak of creativity on 2018's hugely successful "Helix", an album that pushed the band’s vision to new heights, breadths and depths, while showcasing the brilliance of Elize and her co-vocalist, recent recruit Nils Molin.

Not just a glorious return but a wholesale upgrade for their exuberant sound, their latest offering, 2020's "Manifest", was the most daring, dynamic and unforgettable album that AMARANTHE had released to date.

AMARANTHE 2023 is:

Elize Ryd - vocals
Mikael Sehlin - growls
Olof Mörck - guitars, keyboards
Johan Andreassen - bass
Morten Løwe Sørensen - drums
Nils Molin - vocals