Athens based symphonic metallers, Fallen Arise, are currently in the studio recording their new full-length album. The band has issued a new studio update video. Ccheck it out below.


The band shared: "Good morning, friends! This is a new short video where Gus and Spyros give a sample of the making of our next album. It is in the composition phase, we are collecting the music themes we have written and making them into songs. This album will be a collective work from all the band members who are already working hard on it."


Watch the new studio update below.







Earlier this year, keboardist Gus Dibelas checked in from the studio:


"Hello everyone! We are really proud to share with you that we have already started the creation of our next album! We look forward to its development and of course to see you on the road in 2023! Many thanks to Lizard Sound Studios and Dimitris Karpouzas for the hospitality!"


Check out the promo video below.





Fallen Arise  were formed in 2009, combining a theatrical atmosphere with a progressive approach and a heavy-metal-alike heaviness. The band  has toured across Europe and Russia with established acts including Nightwish, Fates Warning, Paradise Lost, Destruction, Sepultura, Skindred, Moonspell, Serenity, Leave’s Eyes, Xandria, Katatonia, Pain of Salvation and Insah.

Finnish industrial metal band Pentatonik is back with a new name and line-up. Now called Alfa Pentatonik, the band has released the first single, "Korjattu Totuus" (translated: "Fixed Truth") from the upcoming EP, Gamma 1 which will be released later in 2023 via Inverse Records. 


The band comments: "Our first new song ('Pelkojemme Perintö') was almost like a tribute to older Pentatonik, and now it’s time to kick up a gear and show more metallic style. 'Korjattu Totuus' tells about propaganda and people who have unlimited power."


Listen to "Korjattu Totuus" via streaming services found here. 







Pentatonik is a Finnish industrial metal band that was formed in the beginning 2000 and it is now coming back with full force. The band has been on a break since 2006, when their last EP, Hellä, was released and band members went separate ways.
 
Pentatonik made a comeback in 2007, but life got on the way again and the only release was the Pohjakosketus EP, which was published only on JP Immonen's (Walhalla, Iron Frost and Aria of Sorrow) Soundcloud account.
 
In 2012, Pentatonik got their second album, Lopullinen Ratkaisu (transtalted: Final Solution Of Mankind) ready. It was started with the original band members before their 2006 breakup and was finished by JP and AP. The album was released as a digital download, and it was used to collect money for the Torture Victims.
 
2022 was a new start to the band. JP Immonen (the only original member and founder of the band) started to go through old files and create new music for the band and to honour the original Pentatonik, named it Alfa Pentatonik. Janne Partanen (Hautajaisyö, Marraskuun Lapset & Uhriristi) was found to do vocals and also lyrics.
 
Alfa Pentatonik is currently making new songs and remaking old ones. As a new beginning the band released "Pelkojemme Perintö" (translated: "Legacy Of Our Fears") a hard hitting songs that takes inspiration from Rammstein and Ministry. The song tells about evolution and how it has made us who we are.
 
Alfa Pentatonik started working with Inverse Records and their new EP Gamma 1 is set to be released later in 2023.


"Pelkojemme Perintö" 

In a new interview with The SDR Show, WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale was asked which projects he is working on at the moment that fans can expect to see in the coming months. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, there's something we've got planned, obviously. It's a very, very big year. I've got something planned for October… And I'll be doing significantly more promo. It's a lot to talk about. It's gonna be very interesting.

"I've just been working with — I'll give you some little clues — an amazing string quartet, beautiful women out of the Reno Philharmonic and a great string arranger called Jeff DePaoli. [Producer] Tom Gordon and I were sitting, like, 'If we do another 'Unzipped' [WHITESNAKE's 2018 collection of rare and previously unreleased acoustic performances], this will be great with a string quartet. Get me a string quartet.' [Laughs]"

This past April, WHITESNAKE released a legacy retrospective, "Still Good To Be Bad". The collection was made available in different configurations, a few days after the 15th anniversary of "Good To Be Bad", the band's tenth studio album and its first in over a decade. The first collection is a 4-CD/Blu-ray with two new versions of the original album (one remastered and the other newly remixed),a selection of rare and unreleased studio and live recordings from the period, and videos all the music videos, interviews, and electrifying live performances from the "Good To Be Bad" world tour. Three other versions of "Still Good To Be Bad" were also made available. The album's 2023 remix was released on vinyl as a double-LP and a single CD. "Still Good To Be Bad" also came as a 2-CD set that includes the remixed and remastered versions of the album. The new alternate mixes also feature new background vocals from the "Hook City Harlots", Cami Thompson, Misty Rae and Jackie Landrum, plus the "Hook City Horns" with Rick Metz on saxes and the trumpet of Joshua Reed.

On June 28, 2022, WHITESNAKE scrapped three shows on its spring/summer European tour due to Coverdale's infection of the sinus and trachea. Three days later, the rest of the trek was also called off. At the time, David blamed the decision on "continuing health challenges, doctor's orders, and our concern for everyone's health and safety."

David was not the first member of WHITESNAKE to fall ill during the group's spring/summer 2022 European tour. Guitarist Reb Beach missed several shows on the trek in June 2022 after being "under the weather." On June 25, 2022, WHITESNAKE canceled its show at the Rock Imperium festival in Spain due to the fact that drummer Tommy Aldridge "went down" and "was bad enough at the time to have missed the first show ever in his career," according to Coverdale.

WHITESNAKE launched its farewell tour on May 10, 2022 at Dublin, Ireland's 3Arena. The band's 14-song set, which was part of a European tour with special guests EUROPE and co-headliners FOREIGNER, marked WHITESNAKE's inaugural performance with the group's two latest two additions, keyboardist, guitarist and backing vocalist Dino Jelusick and bassist Tanya O'Callaghan.

Coverdale had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.

Prior to the pandemic, WHITESNAKE had been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.

In a new interview with Tommy Carroll of the WGRD 97.9 radio station, SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor was asked to back up his previous claim that his upcoming sophomore album, "CMF2", will be "the best rock album of this year and the next." He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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, who has previously worked with STEEL PANTHER and ANTHRAX, among others. 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 first single "Beyond", which arrived in May, with the full-length LP due on September 15.

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.

"CMF2" is Taylor's first album for BMG and the first on his own label imprint, Decibel Cooper Recordings.

In support of his new album, Taylor has announced his 2023 tour featuring special guests WARGASM, OXYMORRONS and LUNA AURA on select dates. Produced by Live Nation, the 28-city tour kicks 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.

Rudy Lenners, who was the drummer of the SCORPIONS from 1975 to 1977 and appeared on the albums "In Trance" and "Virgin Killer", has released a book called "Still Loving You". In book, the Belgian musician tells his story for the first time, reflecting on his life before the SCORPIONS and opening up about his passion for music, not only through his concerts as a performer, but also through his later work as a producer and a coach.

In a 2015 interview with Scorpions News, Lenners talked about how he ended up joining the SCORPIONS. He said: "At the age of 22 I wanted to be a professional musician and I was searching for a band outside my country (Belgium) and thanks to a booking agent in Luxemburg, I've heard that they looked for a drummer. At that moment they were on tour in France. The first (negative) try was in Lille (France). The second and the third were done in Belgium. After a hard work meanwhile, I was directly engaged after the third try by the band for a tour in Europe. It was late 1974. The day after, I settled down in Hanover in North Germany. At first I only spoke English with them, the German language came later. My acceptance in the band was good except maybe in the beginning the language barrier."

Regarding his departure from SCORPIONS, Lenners said: "I decided to leave the band for personal reasons after a concert in Basel, and after that, the band asked me to choose together [with them] the following drummer [to replace me]. After three months, from England came Herman [Rarebell]... and my last concert with SCORPIONS took place in Paris."

Rudy denied that health issues played a part in his decision to leave SCORPIONS. "[It was] just for me a mature and reflective decision," he explained. "In fact, it took time to bring Herman into the band because of several tries of drummers around Europe. Big advantage with Herman: he was German (no more language barrier) and, of course, a good drummer."

After his time in SCORPIONS, Rudy played drums and vocals on a Jacques Ivan Duchesne LP. In 1982, he recorded a seven-inch single with the band BETSY BALL. In 1983, he played drums and vocals in a band called K-WEST. In 1984, he produced, played drums and vocals in the band STEELOVER, for the album "Glove Me". In 1991, he founded the band SUCH A NOISE.

To order a signed copy of the book, send an e-mail to [email protected] Non-signed copies are available from Amazon, with cheaper shipping costs.

"Dio: Dreamers Never Die", the first-ever, career-spanning documentary on the life and times of the late legendary metal icon Ronnie James Dio, will be released worldwide by Mercury Studios on DVD and Blu-ray+4K and as a special deluxe edition featuring the DVD and Blu-ray packaged with exclusive merchandise on September 29, 2023. All of these configurations of the film will include a 20-minute selection of deleted and extended scenes restored from the cutting room floor to create a special fan experience.

The limited deluxe edition will be packaged in a two-piece lift-off lid box containing both the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of the film plus branded DIO merchandise that will include logoed trading cards, guitar picks, lapel pin, coasters and a fold out poster from the film.

Additionally, fans will be able to purchase the film along with bundles of exclusive "Dreamers Never Die" merchandise, including a limited-edition screen print movie poster, "Dreamers Never Die" t-shirts, hoodies, trucker hats and beanies, etched beer stein, mousepad, tote bag, replica of "Dio Way" street sign, and word magnet set as well as a raglan shirt and dome pin celebrating Dio's first band, ELF.

"Dio: Dreamers Never Die", which world premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, enjoyed a special event theatrical release in more than 600 cinemas worldwide last fall and is available on Showtime.

Of the film, Reel News Daily wrote: "This film stunned me from the first frames. I expected to like it, but I never expected to fall madly in love with the film and the man. This is truly one of the best music docs I've seen. I can't recommend this film enough."

"Dio: Dreamers Never Die" delves deep into the singer's incredible rise from a '50s doo-wop crooner to his early rock days in ELF and Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW, to replacing Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH, and finally cementing his rock star status with his own band, DIO. The film incorporates never-before-seen footage and personal photos, as well as offering intimate scenes with his closest peers, family, and friends, among them Wendy Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Glenn Hughes, Vinny Appice, Lita Ford, Rob Halford, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk and Jack Black, as they bring viewers inside the life of one of rock and roll's true heroes and most beloved figures.

Dio's widow and longtime manager, Wendy Dio, who executive produced the film, commented: "I wanted this documentary to be authentic, for the fans to see the roller coaster ride that was Ronnie's life — the good times, the bad times and everything in between, especially including events that even the most diehard fans would not have known about. It's all in there, right up to the very end."

In addition to SXSW, the film was showcased at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, IFF Boston, DocsLisboa International Film Festival, the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival in Korea, the Athens International Film & Video Festival and Gimme Shelter Film Festival in Athens, Greece. Last October, it won the Audience Award at the In-Edit International Music Documentary Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain.

Fully authorized by the artist's estate, "Dio: Dreamers Never Die" was directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton ("Framing John DeLorean", "Believer", "Last Days Here"),produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, and executive produced by Wendy Dio for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG.

Ronnie James Dio, who died of gastric cancer in 2010, reigns as one of the most influential rock artists of all time and one of the greatest vocalists ever. With an illustrious recording career spanning from the 1950s through to the 2000s, the documentary follows his trajectory from sideman into singer, songwriter and frontman of not one, but three, of rock's internationally-renowned, multi-platinum-selling arena attractions: RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and DIO. Famous for popularizing the 'devil horns' hand gesture that is now synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal music, Dio was known for not wavering in his pursuit of his rock and roll dreams and continues to influence a new generation of music artists. His fans the world over remember him not only for his massive talent, but for his kindness, resulting in millions of dollars raised for cancer research in his memory via the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund.

Argott and Fenton said: "People who have conviction, talent and heart like Ronnie James Dio are in short supply these days. It is refreshing to share his inspiring story of believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. As lifelong Dio fans, it is incredibly humbling to bring Ronnie's journey to the screen, and we can't wait to share it with audiences."

During an appearance on an April 2023 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Wendy said about the bonus footage that will be available with the "Dio: Dreamers Never Die" DVD and Blu-ray: "The thing was there was so much material that we had, it would have been a five-hour movie. So a lot of the stuff, unfortunately, had to [be] cut out. But there's different stories — Simon [Wright, former DIO drummer] talking about Ronnie, there's some Jack Black content, there's some content about me saying some different things. There's some content with Wyn Davis, who was Ronnie's engineer that's revealing different things about stuff. There's lots of interesting stuff that was in there, but we had to cut a lot of stuff out because it just would have been way too long. But now they're getting to have the bonus stuff, extra stuff that would have been included if we had time."

Speaking about the response to "Dio: Dreamers Never Die", Wendy said: "I went to the premiere in London, and Tony Iommi [BLACK SABBATH] was there and a bunch of other guests were there, lots of other musicians. And around the world everybody can't wait, because they only saw it in theaters for two days, and then it was gone. And so now they've all been waiting with bated breath for the DVD to come out. So everybody's very, very excited about it. We got 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes [the online review aggregation service that allows both critics and the public to rate movies], which is unheard of."

Wendy went on to say that making "Dio: Dreamers Never Die" was "a bittersweet journey, but I wanted the fans to see certain things that even the diehard fans didn't know about Ronnie, which were in there — the accident [1968 car crash that killed guitarist Nick Pantas], the doo-wop days — things that even the really, really hardcore fans didn't know about certain things that we wanted to put in there," she explained. "It's a journey through life, and, as I said, it's a bittersweet journey, but I think Ronnie would be happy and proud of it… I'm very, very happy with it."

Asked in an interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio about her previous comment that her mission in life now is to carry on Ronnie's legacy, Wendy said: "I just think that Ronnie was always overlooked during the time that he was alive. And after his passing, I just felt that his music was something that he wrote for the fans, he performed for the fans. He loved his fans and that should continue on and carry on. That's one of the reasons why we did the documentary, was so that people could understand him, understand his life and where he came from and the trials and tribulations he had. He wasn't an overnight success. He paid his dues, for sure. And also to get his message out there. Ronnie's message was always, like, follow your heart, follow your dreams [and] don't give up."

Wendy also talked about her first reaction to seeing "Dio: Dreamers Never Die", saying: "When they put the film together and we had a private screening for me, it was my first chance to see all the little bits put together, and it was very bittersweet. I broke down and cried. And it was just exactly how I wanted Ronnie to be portrayed. They had done such a magnificent job. And that was just really, really — after all the hard work we all put into it, it was, like, 'Woah.' I think the fans are absolutely gonna love it."

Ronnie James Dio passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer, who was recording and touring with BLACK SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

Dio's autobiography, titled "Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography", was released in July 2021 via Permuted Press.

Greek melodic rock/metal band, Hand Of Fate, have released their new single, "Evergrey". A music video for the song can be viewed below.


Hand Of Fate was formed in December 2014. The formation of the group was almost fatal, since to the initial existence of three of the total five members, the other two were added almost automatically.... as if they were driven by the circumstances of the moment. And since it seems that all the threads of developments were moved by the "hand of fate", the band's name also arose from this event.







With main influences of epic, symphonic, rock and metal sounds, they move musically in a melodic rock/metal style, listening to their need for expression and adapting it to their own needs. Their main goal is expression through their own character, style and creation.


Their first album, Messengers of Hope, was released about a year ago and is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon and other digital platforms as well as in physical form CD.  


In September 2019, they shared the stage with Gus G, at his concert at Mylos, in Thessaloniki. At the present stage, after the somewhat forced hiatus of the last two years, they are working on new ideas and planning live performances as well.





Band lineup:  


Alexandra Anagnostopoulou: Vocals  
John Hatzidimos: Lead Guitar, programming  
Tasos Gerasimou: Rhythm Guitar, backing vocals  
Sotos Sofidis: Bass  
Teo Koutsos: Drums

MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine has paid tribute to the band's former drummer Lee Rauch, who passed away on Friday, June 23. No cause of death has been revealed. He was reportedly 58 years old.

Earlier today (Tuesday, June 27),Mustaine took to social media to share an early photo of Rauch behind his drum kit, and he included the following message: "One of MEGADETH's very first drummers, Lee Rauch, has passed away. He played on the recording of our 'Last Rites' demo tape in early 1984, and I can remember the good times during our rehearsals at Curly Joe's studio in LA.

"Farewell, my friend, till we meet again someday."

Lee's passing was announced by his brother Chris Rauch in a social media post on Friday. He wrote: "Today is a very sad day, we lost my brother William Lee Rauch.

"Lee was a very strong man of faith so I know he is with God now. He was an Awesome drummer, who helped launch one of the biggest metal names in history by being the first drummer for MEGADETH, playing along side Dave Mustaine, Kerry King and David Ellifson. His heart was set on making it big and came very close numerous times.

"Lee was a very loving and giving individual who was extremely hard working, he continued to play drums later in his life for the church which made him happy. He was a loving son and a very honorable man. Most of all, he was my brother and though I didn't always keep in touch the way I should have, I loved him very much and he will be greatly missed to my core.

"I love you brother, good journey. Hope you enjoy that setup they've got up there for you bro, bet its not as big as your blue set was though, lol.

"There will be a memorial service held for Lee, when we have the date and time I will relay it here. Please keep our family in your prayers."

In a 2004 interview with Bob Nalbandian, Mustaine was asked what happened to Rauch in the years after he left MEGADETH. Dave responded: "I don't know. He wasn't necessarily an original [MEGADETH] drummer. He was a guy that we really liked, and then one day sitting on the steps of Billy Cordero's house, when David Ellefson and I were squatting...we just kind of met this kid, went to his house and filtrated his bedroom and never left for a couple months. Lee was telling us how he had given his soul to Satan, and I know enough about black magic that if you really do the actual act of giving your soul to Satan, you have to have sex with Satan to consecrate the deal. You had to have sex and have a Satanic priest take the embodiment of Satan on so he can sodomize you. And I asked him, 'So, who was the priest?' And he said, 'My priest was a guy named David.' I was like...'I'm out of here!'"

Rauch was featured on MEGADETH's first demo, 1984's "Last Rites", which consisted of three tracks. The lineup on the demo was Mustaine, Ellefson and Rauch. Rauch also performed with MEGADETH, alongside Mustaine, Ellefson and Kerry King (SLAYER). That same year, Rauch left MEGADETH due to internal conflict and was replaced by Gar Samuelson. After exiting MEGADETH, Rauch performed live with DARK ANGEL but never recorded anything with the group. He was also a member of WARGOD, which was launched by guitarist Michelle Meldrum.

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Gory Blister are a technical old-school death metal band from Italy, and their new album Reborn From Hatred is the catalyst for our poetic nightmares and horrific victories. The band just signed a worldwide deal with Eclipse Records and they just premiered a new music video and single entitled "Greedy Existence".


The band have also announced the availability of pre-orders for their upcoming full-length album. Reborn From Hatred. which is scheduled to be released on September 8 via Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Raff Sangiorgio and Gianluca D'andria, mixed by Ricardo Borges (Sepultura, Kreator, Carcass), and mastered by Peter Brussee (Steve Vai, Yingwie Malmsteen, Michael Bolton), and the music video was directed by Maurizio Del Piccolo. Watch the clip below.


"Greedy Existence is about a society dominated by greed and brutality, where people have lost their humanity and their choices are influenced by selfishness,” says lead vocalist John St John. “Despite this selfishness, there is still a truth to be discovered, and the negative aspects of the society we live in can be overcome if we are ready to face them and seek the truth. We picked this as the first single because it is very direct, and the best representation of our sound on this album. Lead guitarist Raff Sangiorgio continues, “We wanted to include some symbolism in the video, so the black background is a non place that represents (in metaphor), the greed that overpowers humanity, and the fast images throughout the music video represent the individual's frenzy in chasing their own selfishness, overwhelming anyone who stands in their way.”




The brutally-technical full-length release, Reborn From Hatred, contains eleven masterful songs, with artwork by Augusto Peixoto of Iron Doom Design. The music on the album screams for us to go hard, all the way, face-first into the den of our demons so we can wear their blood on our faces like war paint. The guitars on this record, while scorching, are patterned with such complexity, that there is a raucous intricacy to what is delivered as delicious and violent. The drum licks come in hurricanes of 4/4 and mixed meter time signatures, with the bass replacing our own pounding hearts. This is personal. Gory Blister are not just playing music, but providing our soundtrack as we walk through the fire. There’s a zombie in the funhouse, and we’re going in with baseball bats. There’s a rabid jackal loose in the gift shop, and we’re going in with a net. There’s a circus clown slaughtering people in the freak tent, and we’re going in with machetes, broadswords, and Mineral Mountain Battle Hatchets. The band never tells us to play nice, and like a muse inspires artists to create, Gory Blister shows us the way retool the darkness.


Pre-order / pre-save Reborn From Hatred here.





Tracklisting:


"From Ashes...
"Push Out The Venom"
"Relentless Fear"
"Profound Sedation"
"Unexpected Livings"
"This Blood Is Forever"
"Reborn From Hatred"
"Greedy Existence"
"Signs From Beyond"
"Generation Ship"
"...To Flames"


"Greedy Existence" video:





Gory Blister lineup:


Raff Sangiorgio (guitar/bass/synths)
Gianluca D'Andria (drums)
John St John (vocals)


(Photo - Maurizio Brioschi)

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has commenced the songwriting process for the band's next studio album. The LP will be the follow-up to "Persona Non Grata", which arrived in November 2021 via Nuclear Blast.

On Sunday (June 25),Gary shared an Instagram photo of his home guitar setup, and he included the following message: "Riffing out HARD AF…. Fully in writing mode now, assembling the pieces of the next album opener. Most brutal crushing thing ever. I am stoked. Very. WHY SO HEAVY".

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap. For the third time in the band's history, they returned to Swedish artist Pär Olofsson to create the album artwork.

"Persona Non Grata" was the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

Last month, EXODUS canceled its previously announced summer 2023 European tour so that Holt could "tend to his family" after his brother was recently hospitalized in Italy.

Holt joined EXODUS in 1981, shortly after the band's formation, and has been the group's main songwriter ever since. Holt has performed on every EXODUS album, and is considered highly influential in the world of thrash metal.

Holt began filling in for SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman at live shows in 2011, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS. Holt played on SLAYER's final album, "Repentless", which came out in 2015.

Three months ago, Hachette Books announced that it had acquired Gary's upcoming memoir. "A Fabulous Disaster: From The Garage To Madison Square Garden, The Hard Way" is described in a press release as "a no-holds-barred memoir from the preeminent thrasher's life in metal, from its humble (but not quiet) beginnings in the San Francisco Bay Area through today's current resurgence in worldwide popularity, as he lived big, played fast and crashed hard, written in collaboration with Adem Tepedelen."

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Grammy-winning rock band GRETA VAN FLEET has released a brand new track, "The Falling Sky". It is the latest song to be unveiled from the band's upcoming third studio album, "Starcatcher", due July 21 on Lava/Republic/EMI.

GRETA VAN FLEET guitarist Jake Kiszka states about "The Falling Sky": "An unwavering warrior carrying on the endless, eternal, and impossible battle for salvation; these were the elements of symbolism associated with this particular track. In essence our fate is sealed, alike the stars that fall from the almighty heavens to the earth. This philosophy is carried through in the story of a bluesman, at the crossroads of the universe."

"Starcatcher" was written and recorded by the band — lead singer Josh Kizska, guitarist Jake Kizska, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kizska and drummer Danny Wagner — alongside Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile). Recorded at the legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, the band utilized the large recording room to capture the pure energy of their world-renowned live performances.

"We didn't really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual," Jake says. "If anything, the record is our perspective, and sums up where we are as a group and individually as musicians."

Throughout the 10-song collection the band explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness. "We had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe," says Wagner. "We wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world."

GRETA VAN FLEET took multiple concepts from critically acclaimed second album "The Battle At Garden's Gate" and brought them into "Starcatcher", although Sam's take on the new record's big ideas hint instead at new beginnings.

"When I imagine the world of 'Starcatcher', I think of the cosmos," he says. "It makes me ask a lot of questions, like 'Where did we come from?' or 'What are we doing here?' But it's also questions like, 'What is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?'"

GRETA VAN FLEET is best known for its renowned live performances, selling over one million tickets worldwide. They sold out their entire 2022 arena tour, holding a special energy between them and their devoted fans. With "Starcatcher" the band aims to capture that energy in the recording studio.

"Starcatcher" follows GRETA VAN FLEET's album "The Battle At Garden's Gate", released in 2021 to extensive chart and critical success. In the US, the album debuted at No. 1 Billboard Rock Album, No. 1 Billboard Hard Rock Album, No. 1 Billboard Vinyl Album, No. 2 Billboard Top Album Sales and in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. It was a Top 10 album in the U.K. and a major hit around the world.

GRETA VAN FLEET's debut LP, "Anthem Of The Peaceful Army", was released in 2018 to countless accolades including No. 1 Billboard Rock Album and Top 3 on the Billboard 200. Their "From The Fires" EP, released in 2017, won "Best Rock Album" at the 61st Grammy Awards.

Formed in Frankenmuth, Michigan in 2012, GRETA VAN FLEET consists of three brothers — vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka and bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka — as well as drummer Danny Wagner. Together they have performed across multiple continents and sold over 3.5 million records worldwide.

"Starcatcher" track listing:

01. Fate Of The Faithful
02. Waited All Your Life
03. The Falling Sky
04. Sacred The Thread
05. Runway Blues
06. The Indigo Streak
07. Frozen Light
08. The Archer
09. Meeting The Master
10. Farewell For Now

Photo credit: Neil Krug / Wilful Publicity

Geezer Butler has once again said that he was using the so-called "devil horns" years before Ronnie James Dio adopted it as his own.

The late BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW singer is frequently recognized for making the hand gesture mainstream — a staple at rock concerts for decades. However, Butler claims that Ronnie actually got the idea to use it after watching his onetime SABBATH bandmate make the sign at every concert.

"I always did it in the song 'Black Sabbath'," Geezer told The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn in a new interview (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "That was my thing. From 1968 onwards, I was doing the devil horns. And when Ronnie joined the band, on our very first live gig, everybody was doing the Ozzy peace signs to him," referring to original SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne, whom Ronnie replaced, "and Ronnie just didn't know how to respond. And he saw me doing the devil-horn thing in the song 'Black Sabbath'. And a couple of nights later, he says, 'I can't do Ozzy's V-sign thing. Do you mind if I borrow what you're doing, the devil-horn thing?' I said, 'Yeah, go for it.' So he did it in every song and made it his. He made it popular."

Butler previously discussed his use of the devil horns in a March 2021 interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". At the time, he said: "I've been doing that sign since — I've got pictures of me doing it since 1971. And I always used to do it in the breakdown in the song 'Black Sabbath' — just before it goes into the fast part at the end, I'd do that sign to the audience. And on the first couple of 'Heaven And Hell' tour shows, Ronnie was saying, 'When I'm going on stage, everybody is doing the peace sign to me, and that's an Ozzy thing. I feel like I should be doing something back to them.' He says, 'What's that sign that you do in 'Black Sabbath'?' And I showed him the devil horns sign. And he started doing it from there and made it famous."

Asked why he had never publicly revealed before that he was responsible for showing Dio the devil horns, Butler said: "I didn't really think much of it. As I say, I've got pictures of me doing it in 1971. And it was just an alternative to Ozzy's peace signs, I was doing it. And if you look at the 'Yellow Submarine' album cover [from THE BEATLES], John Lennon's cartoon character is doing it, in 1966 or whatever it was. So it's an old sign. I was just doing it 'cause [English occultist] Aleister Crowley used to do it."

According to Geezer, the devil horns isn't the only thing that Ronnie took credit for that he didn't come up with on his own. "There's a lot of things that he nicked off me that he claimed that he was the originator," Butler told "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". "But he made it famous, so I didn't care. The [DIO] album title 'Sacred Heart'; that's where I used to go to school. And he called one of his songs 'One Foot In The Grave'. I jokingly said, 'We should call the album 'One Foot In The Grave'.' And then when he left [SABBATH], he called one of his songs that. He was very naughty about things like that. And when I did an autograph, I'd write 'Magic'. So Ronnie started writing 'Magic' as well. In fact, he called his [DIO] album 'Magica'. He was very naughty about things like that."

Asked if he ever confronted Ronnie about it, Geezer said: "Nah. Only about the devil horn sign."

Ronnie wasn't the only high-profile rocker to take credit for the devil horns. Back in June 2017, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark on the hand signal fans and rockers alike hold up during shows, in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended, the middle and ring finger are curled into the palm, and the thumb either sticks out from the hand like an errant branch from a tree or is also curled into the palm. Gene claimed the gesture was first used in commerce on November 14, 1974, which corresponds to KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour. He wrote in his signed declaration that he believes "no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance." Less than two weeks later, Simmons withdrew the application.

Most music fans slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.

During an appearance on the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast, Simmons said that his version of the hand gesture is actually "I love you" in American Sign Language, with the thumb extended, rather than the thumb holding two middle fingers close to the palm as popularized by Ronnie James Dio and used by everyone from rock stars to chefs as a salute of musical inclusiveness and triumph since the '70s.

"When [KISS] first started doing photos in 1973, in the last century, I was doing an homage," he explained. "I didn't know what to do with my hands… 'cause I had wings [as part of my costume] and I wanted to show the wings. So you spread your arms, kind of like a Christ-like pose, but I didn't know what to do with my fingers. So I did what an artist named Steve Ditko did with Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, both of whom did the hand signal. So when Spider-Man shot the webbing, he would do the two middle fingers. And the eternal Vishanti doing the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, that's Doctor Strange. So I was just giving an homage to Steve Ditko, and it caught on. And so when we were playing live, I wanted to wave back at the fans who were just, like, 'Wow, you guys are kind of hot shit,' but I'm holding the pick in my hand. So I'm trying to hold up both my fingers. And so they all started to do that. To this day, whether you're going to a soccer match in Ukraine or in Africa, or wherever, the fans may not even think about Gene Simmons, but they'll do a version of those outstretched fingers and stick their tongue out without knowing why. It's become the thing. I don't care if you're Rihanna or Chubby Checker, everybody does that stuff, although they may not realize it started with the powerful and attractive Gene Simmons."

Asked why he eventually decided to withdraw his application to trademark the gesture, Simmons told "Talk Is Jericho": "The uneducated, the uninformed and the otherwise passionate got so hot under the collar that I just didn't think it was worth it.

He continued: "People from the peanut gallery, and I love 'em… But the idea that everybody's opinion is worth the same as everybody else is… I don't wanna say 'bullshit,' but it's uninformed. You know, your car breaks down and some guy walks up and says, 'Here's what's wrong with it.' That's one opinion. The other guy that walks over is a mechanic who works on cars all the time. Both those opinions are not equal. One is more important because it's based on resume and qualification, and the other one is based on popcorn farts — he knows nothing. Well, your opinion is worth nothing, 'cause it's based on nothing and no experience. Mostly people that have opinions express them just because they have no qualification or resume.

"So, it just wasn't important enough for me to go do that, 'cause everybody's doing my hand gesture anyway — whether it's the Dalai Lama or the Pope. I win."

Simmons added: "But, truly, when somebody criticizes you or whatever, take a moment to think about, 'Gee, I wonder what they've done.' In other words, it's not what somebody says — who's saying it? If I get criticized as a bad person, as an example, by somebody standing next to me, that's not the same as the Pope or my rabbi or somebody in a ethical position of power. I might still object, but that's a qualified opinion."

Copyright lawyer Ronald Abrams told Forbes that it's unlikely Simmons would have succeeded in his attempt to trademark the "devil's horns" symbol, explaining that such hand gestures can't be trademarked unless they are part of a logo. Trademark attorney Michael Cohen with Cohen IP Law Group in Beverly Hills, who deals with trademark, patent and copyright infringement cases, concurred, telling the Los Angeles Times that it would have been very difficult for Simmons's application to be approved because the gesture has become "genericized."

Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley said that he had no idea why Simmons attempted to trademark the hand gesture, telling the Loudwire Podcast: "Well, you know, Gene elicits some very strong reactions from people. And what he does he does for the reasons that only he knows. So I can't really say that I have really any thought about it. It was really something that he wanted to pursue, and the reaction was how people felt about it. So I don't know why he pulled it, and I don't know why he started it. I really have no… I haven't asked him."

During an episode of her show "The Talk", Sharon Osbourne slammed Simmons for the trademark request, accusing the rocker of "trying to make money from posters and t-shirts." She said: "He's crazy. He's trying to get money from the merch where you see this [gesture] on merch, but actually this [symbol], in Italian, which has been going for hundreds of years, means 'the devil.' That's what it means. And so kids at concerts have been doing it for years and years and years. And in '74? Where were you in the '60s when they were doing it, kid, because they've been doing it forever."

Ronnie James Dio's widow Wendy also criticized Simmons for attempting to trademark the hand sign. She told TheWrap: "To try to make money off of something like this is disgusting. It belongs to everyone — it doesn't belong to anyone. It's a public domain, it shouldn't be trademarked."

Ronnie himself said his Italian grandmother often invoked the horns to ward off the malocchio (the evil eye),bad luck or malevolent spirits.

"Gene Simmons will tell you that he invented it," Ronnie once said. "But then again, Gene invented breathing and shoes and everything else."
So, Gene Simmons is trying to trademark the Devil's Horns? Ronnie Dio in 1980, and Geezer Butler in 1969. Nice Try.https://t.co/sjgcdCXmE5pic.twitter.com/jua8T0Licp

— 𝖇𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝖘𝖆𝖇𝖇𝖆𝖙𝖍 𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊 (@sabbathfans) June 14, 2017


Ok, here's one of the earliest records of the devil horns used by bassist geezer butler from black sabbath in 1971 pic.twitter.com/JjwW4oJDBk

— ✞ Honkerflyer.png✞ (@HonkerflyerXD) December 15, 2022


Just to clarify..I did not say I invented the ‘devil horns’ hand sign, I always used it in the song Black Sabbath. I merely shared an onstage moment between Ronnie and me. Ronnie made it famous, and it will always be associated with him, regardless of what anyone else says.

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) March 9, 2021


Also, I do not want people to think that I was dissing Ronnie in any way. He was one of my dearest friends ever, and I will always miss him and our friendship.

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) March 9, 2021

In a new interview with Mankato, Minnesota's "The Five Count" radio show, W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's next studio album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "From the time the U.S. tour ended [last December], we went straight back in the studio and we were working really hard to try to get it ready for August of this year, but it's just not gonna happen. It's one of those kinds of things that… I think we've got a big fish on the hook, and I don't wanna let it go before it's ready."

He continued: "I was talking to the guy that does the mixing for our records yesterday, and he asked me what I thought. And I said the best I could tell him would be spring of next year that we'll be ready for him. So if he starts in the spring, that means the soonest it would be ready would be summer."

Last October, Lawless talked to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about his vision for the next W.A.S.P. album. He said at the time: "What's in my heart right now, I want this to be a rock and roll record — an old-time rock and roll record. That's what I'm feeling. And it could be some sort of adverse reaction to what's going on in the world, maybe. I don't know; I don't really wanna think about it that much. I'm just following my gut right now. I want something that feels good. And that's where my head is right now.

"I learned years ago, you make records based on who you are at that moment," Lawless added. "And that's where I am at this moment. I wanna do something that feels really good."

W.A.S.P.'s latest release was "ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol)", which came out in February 2018. It was a new version of the band's classic 1992 album "The Crimson Idol", which was re-recorded to accompany the movie of the same name to mark the 25th anniversary of the original LP's release. The re-recorded version also features four songs missing from the original album.

W.A.S.P.'s most recent studio album of all-new original material was 2015's "Golgotha".

This past April, W.A.S.P. announced the North American leg of "The 40th Never Stops World Tour 2023". Produced by Live Nation, the 33-city run kicks off on Friday, August 4 at the Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo, California, making stops across North America in Vancouver, British Columbia; Omaha, Nebraska; New York City; Memphis, Tennessee and more before wrapping up on Saturday, September 16 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. Special guest ARMORED SAINT will join the band across all dates of the tour.

W.A.S.P. wrapped up its first U.S. tour in 10 years with a sold-out show on December 11, 2022 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. This marked the 18th sold-out shows for the U.S. tour, which kicked off in late October. W.A.S.P.'s performances included the return of the band's classic song "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)", which hadn't been played live in over 15 years.

Lawless has led W.A.S.P. as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold-out shows across the globe for four decades. He is joined by bassist Mike Duda and guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band span 28 and 17 years respectively, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester.

W.A.S.P.'s first live performance since December 2019 took place on July 23, 2022 at Skansen in Stockholm, Sweden.

Last month Lawless complete W.A.S.P.'s European tour while seated after suffering a herniated disc in his back.