During a panel about the upcoming BON JOVI docuseries "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story" at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, California on Friday (February 9),Jon Bon Jovi opened up about the vocal injury he experienced that threatened "to bring everything to a screeching halt."

"I pride myself on being a true vocalist," he said. "I've sung with Pavarotti. I know how to sing. I've studied the craft for 40 years. I'm not a stylist who just barks and howls. I know how to sing. So when God was taking away my ability, and I couldn't understand why, I jokingly said the only thing that's ever been up my nose is my finger. So there was no reason for this."

Elaborating on his vocal injury, he said: "One of my cords was literally atrophied. So my vocal cords, they're supposed to look parallel. So let's pretend one of them looks as thick as my thumb and the other one is as thick as a pinky. So the strong one was pushing the weak one aside. And I wasn't singing well. So my craft was being taken from me."

He continued: "Fortunately, I found a surgeon who was able to do this really cutting-edge implant to build the cord back up. It's still in the process."

While the documentary was being filmed, the singer was unsure he would ever be able to sing professionally again.

"I say in the film in the latter episodes, 'If I just had my tools back, the rest of it I can deal with,'" he said, according to USA Today. "I can write you a song. I can perform as well as anybody, but I need to get my tools back."

Regarding where he stands in his recovery, he said: "I'm 19 and a half months into my rehab and Friday night [February 2 at the MusiCares 'Person Of The Year' ceremony) was the first time I'd sung in public. Saturday morning was the first time I'd woken up without multiple voices in my head. That was the best feeling. It was just me. So I'm a work in progress."

He added: "But, boy, do we have a great film and I've got a damn good album and I feel really great about all of it. Give me this last piece of the puzzle and it's going to be a joy to go back to work."

Jon said that "Thank You" is a warts-and-all account of the 40 years of BON JOVI that includes plenty of interview footage from current and former members of the band, including departed guitarist and co-songwriter Richie Sambora.

"One thing we agreed on Day One was this was not going to be a VH1 puff piece," he said. "This had to tell the truth. This had to have all the warts in it in order to tell the truth.

"Without arguing over editorial stuff and letting [director Gotham Chopra] do his thing, there were some punches in the nose," he said of his bandmates' interviews. "But I got over it."

"Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story" will debut April 26 on Hulu.

During an appearance on today's (Thursday, January 11) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson spoke about the various versions of the band's cover of Nancy Sinatra's 1960s song "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", which was originally written by singer, songwriter and producer Lee Hazlewood. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We did the original version on [MEGADETH's debut album] 'Killing Is My Business[… And Business Is Good!]' back in — recorded it in '84 came out in '85. And Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH guitarist/vocalist] had — tongue in cheek — kind of put in his own inflection and maybe a bit of a rewrite on some of the spin on the lyrics. And it went largely unnoticed for many, many years. But the author of the song, Lee Hazlewood, he then raised an issue. And here's what I've learned about this, 'cause I've actually sat on some symposiums and some committees about this stuff with legal people. And, of course, the name that comes up is 'Weird Al' Yankovic [the American musician best known for his parodies of songs and music videos by other musicians] How did he get away with rewriting these songs? And apparently he went to everybody and asked their permission. And as I'm told, the one person who said no to him was Prince, of all people; he would not let him sort of make a parody."

Ellefson continued: "So what I learned about this, 'cause, again, this song of MEGADETH that I was a part of, it became one of these songs that… Apparently, if you change the lyrics without the author's permission, it's an issue. And specifically, you can't make a parody or any sort of kind of ribbing of the lyrics without the author's permission or else it's a cease-and-desist. So he did come to us, Lee Hazlewood did come to us and say, 'Hey, cease and desist.' And so to get around it was… I guess we could sort of mute [the parts where the lyrics were changed]… I think 'Killing Is My Business' is the first reissue we did back in 2001, and it's unlistenable. Even me, when I'm listening to it, I'm, like, 'My god. Stop this, please.' And so finally when we did the third version, 'Killing Is My Business[… And Business Is Good] - The Final Kill' [in 2018], Dave went in and actually re-sang the lyrics in its original format so as not to have any problems. So there's, I guess, technically three versions out there of that song from us."

Back in 2018, Mustaine spoke to Billboard about his decision recut the vocal for MEGADETH's cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" for "Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good - The Final Kill". He said: "We originally put the song out with a combination of my lyrics and Lee's lyrics, and his camp cashed a check for 10 years. Then, all of a sudden, they said, 'You need to take the song off the record because you've made this vile and offensive version.' And I said, 'You know what's vile and offensive? That you guys cashed the check for 10 years before you said anything.' They wanted to have the song come off the record, but rather than do that, we just went in and beeped out all of my words and left his words in there. Now we've got this third version that has the original lyrics that Nancy sang. As much as we wanted to send a message to Lee Hazlewood's camp, we didn't want to send that kind of [misogynistic] message to our fans. So when we had the opportunity to go back and fix it, I figured, 'Yeah, let's go in and do that.'"

 "Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!" was originally released in 1985 by Combat Records. The album was remastered and re-released in 2002 via LOUD Records with the band's preferred cover art.

"Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good - The Final Kill" was completely restored to Mustaine's intended vision. Remixed by veteran metal mixer Mark Lewis (WHITECHAPEL) and remastered by Ted Jensen for an optimal listening experience, the 2018 version revealed unheard parts and performances throughout the record.

"The Final Kill" was described as "the complete vision of Mustaine," who contributed liner notes delving into the struggles during that time period as well as some of the surprising moments during the remixing sessions.

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH in May 2021, days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.

Nita Strauss, the guitar shredder for the ALICE COOPER band, joined the 2024 lineup of "G3" — Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai — on stage last night (Friday, February 9) at Orpheum in Los Angeles, California on to perform a cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Foxy Lady". Fan-filmed video of her appearance can be seen below.

Earlier today, Nita's fiancé, drummer and manager Josh Villalta shared a few photos and video clips from the Orpheum concert, and he included the following message: "We were supposed to be out of L.A. about a week ago. Last week I got an email from Mr @joesatriani asking if @hurricanenita would come down and play Foxy Lady with him , @stevevaihimself , and @officialericjohnson for G3 to be filmed for their upcoming DVD. How could you say no to that?! Of course extended our stay and came down!

"What a night filled with all the notes, all the sweeps, and tons of good energy. Thanks to the G3 crew for the awesome hospitality and being so kind. It was good to see some familiar faces and meet some new people as well.

"Got to see @zzsatriani jam with his Dad on stage for the 1st time , which was just so cool. @jasonreevesrichardson came out to jam on Goin Down and Foxy Lady.

"Thank you to @dougmacarthur77 for letting us hold and play Steve's Hydra guitar along with Evo.

"If you don't know …. Steve Vai is the reason she ever picked up the guitar. Satriani and Eric Johnson played a huge role in her guitar upbringing as well. So to see Nita up there with them just made me so happy… so proud… so moved.

"If you want something … go get it, dream big, and it will happen.

"What a great night! Now time to get ready for tour!"

Back in October 2021, Nita was the featured guest on BBC's "The Rock Show With Johnnie Walker" during the "Rock God" segment. Nita picked Steve Vai and stated about her choice: "Steve Vai has been my favorite guitar player since I first started playing guitar and always been my biggest inspiration because of not just his technique but the joy and passion in his guitar playing. That's something that I try to emulate in my own playing every day, and I think all guitar players could benefit from that as well. So, Steve Vai, you are my rock god."

In a 2018 interview with Sweetwater, Nita talked about how she was inspired as a teenager by Vai's performance in the 1980s film "Crossroads". She said: "When I watched that movie, I was super into gymnastics. I was an alternate on the Junior Olympic team — that's how serious I was about doing gymnastics. The next day after watching that, I walked into the gym where I had been going as a child. Let's say that practice started at 5 o'clock. I walked in [at] probably 5:10, 5:15. My coach looked at me like, [taps wrist], and I said, 'I know. Yeah, yeah, I know.' And I got my stuff out of my locker and I left, and I never went back. All I did from that moment forward was play the guitar. I never even thought about doing anything else. I loved it. I was that kid that was practicing every hour of the day. You could not take the guitar out of my hands. At the dinner table, under the cover with the lights out after bedtime, I was always playing. Taking the guitar to school, practicing at lunch... I didn't start out being any good at this instrument. Everybody starts out at exactly the same level, and that's something I love about music. No one can do your push-up for you. No one can practice for you. No one can run those hours of scales for you. No one starts out any better than anyone else."

Nita also cited Vai as the inspiration for her debut solo single "Pandemonium", saying: "Steve is actually the reason I did 'Pandemonium'. I was so focused on launching WE START WARS, my original band, and I always wanted to do a solo record. All my heroes are instrumental guitar players, but I sort of had that 'I'm not ready' feeling — I was like, 'I don't feel like I'm the guitar player that I want to be when I put this out.' That's just called fear. Fear has no place in what we do here. The first time I met Vai was at 'Generation Axe' [his 2016 tour with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi]. Steve said, 'I'm putting together this compilation of female guitar players. Would you be willing to contribute a song to it?' I said, 'Oh yeah, absolutely. I definitely have something.' [My boyfriend/manager] and I were walking to the car, and he goes, 'So, do you have something?' I said, 'No. Not a clue.' [Laughs] 'I have nothing. I don't even have an idea.' But I went home, and in the next few days, I formulated what would become 'Pandemonium', and I had so much fun doing it."

Conceived in 1995 by the multi-Grammy-nominated Satriani, the inaugural "G3" tour took place in 1996, bringing together three of the most iconic and virtuosic guitarists of their time: Satriani, Johnson and Vai. Known for their incredible technical prowess, musical innovation and unique styles, the "G3" tour was a celebration of guitar mastery and proved extremely popular, captivating audiences worldwide. Though the lineup has continually changed over the last 29 years since its inception, Satriani is celebrating "G3" in 2024 by reuniting the original trio: Satriani, Johnson and Vai. The tour hit 12 cities before winding up with a pair of shows at the Orpheum in Los Angeles.

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

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Tonight is the first of 2 G3 shows at THE ORPHEUM THEATRE in Los Angeles with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson!...

Posted by Eric Johnson on Friday, February 9, 2024

To coincide with what would have been Cliff Burton's 62nd birthday on February 10, Super7 has released a highly detailed and intricately sculpted Ultimates! action figure of the late METALLICA bassist.

Product description: Known as "The Major Rager" bassist from the band METALLICA, Cliff Burton is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in heavy metal music. The latest 7" scale, highly articulated Cliff Burton Ultimates! figure is inspired by the fantasy "Superhero Poster" art by designer Juan Machado.

Featuring intricate sculpt and premium paint detailing, the figure comes with two interchangeable heads and multiple interchangeable hands, as well as an assortment of accessories including a bass guitar with removeable energy effect, a lightning hammer, and more.

Add the "Superhero Poster" Cliff Burton Ultimates! figure to your collection so Cliff can continue to rock for all of eternity!

* Inspired by the fantasy "Superhero Poster" art by designer Juan Machado
* Figure is 7” scale and highly articulated, and features intricate sculpt and premium paint detailing
* Includes multiple interchangeable heads and hands, and accessories including a bass guitar with removeable energy effect, a lightning hammer, and skull ring punch effects
* The perfect gift for any Metallica fan or collector, collect the entire lineup of music legend figures by Super7!

Accessories

* Bass guitar
* Bass guitar energy effect
* Guitar strap
* Lightning hammer
* Skull ring punch effects
* 2x Interchangeable Heads
- 1x Neutral Head
- 1x Screaming Head
* 9x Interchangeable Hands
- 2x Fists
- 2x Gripping Hands
- 2x Open Hands
- 2x Bass Playing Hands
- 1x Bird Flipping Hand (right)
* Soft goods t-shirt

Cliff was asked to join METALLICA in 1982 after the band saw him perform with his group at the time, TRAUMA.

The bassist was not willing to move to Los Angeles, where METALLICA was based, so they decided to move to the San Francisco area so that he would join.

Burton played on METALLICA's first three studio albums — "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets" — and co-wrote classic songs like "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Creeping Death" and "Master Of Puppets".

His life was tragically cut short at the age of 24 in a tour bus crash on September 27, 1986 in Sweden.

Burton's initial replacement in the group was Jason Newsted, who stayed in the lineup until 2001. Robert Trujillo joined in 2003 and remains in the band to this day.

February 10, 2018 was proclaimed "Cliff Burton Day" by Alameda County supervisors. The late METALLICA bassist would have turned 56 years old on that date had he lived.

Back in 2016, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Seattle's KISW 99.9 radio station about Burton's tragic loss when METALLICA's tour bus skidded on ice while the group was on tour in Scandinavia and Cliff was thrown out the window and crushed. Lars said: "We were so shocked and stunned that we didn't know what hit us. And, like most, I guess, kids in their early 20s who get ambushed with that type of thing, we jumped into a bottle of, in this case, vodka, for me, and stayed in there for quite some time. We weren't mature enough or seasoned in life enough to know how to deal with this other than just to sort of, basically, almost hide behind the alcohol and compartmentalized it. So the next few months were very difficult, and it was crazy, but we just put the blinders on and started auditioning bass players. And we knew in our hearts that Cliff would be the first one to kick us in the ass and tell us to keep going, if he could see us mope. And so there was no moping; we just kept going the best we knew how to."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was asked in an interview with TeamRock what he thinks Burton might have thought about the drastic changes in its look and sound that METALLICA made through the 1990s and early 2000s with albums like "Load", "Reload" and "St. Anger". Hetfield replied: "Well, I certainly would have thought there would have been some resistance, for sure. I think the 'Black Album' was a great album and I appreciate the fact that we did have the balls to do that… I would certainly think that the 'Load' and 'Reload' [era], I would have had an ally that was very against it all — the reinvention or the U2 version of METALLICA."

Asked if Hetfield was personally comfortable with the more "alternative" image and music METALLICA made on those albums, the singer/guitarist replied: "No, no, not at all. There’s some great, great songs on there but my opinion is that all of the imagery and stuff like that was not necessary. And the amount of songs that were written was… it diluted the potency of the poison of METALLICA. And I think Cliff would have agreed with that."

Burton's huge talent and achievements were chronicled in book form with the 2009 global publication of "To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton", written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver and published by Jawbone Press. The foreword was provided by METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett.

To Celebrate Cliff Burton Day - Super7 Ultimates Wave 2 - Pre-Order Only - live today at 8pm UK, 9pm EU, 12noon PST, 3pm...

Posted by Probity Worldwide on Saturday, February 10, 2024

During a recent appearance on the "Marvin" podcast, AVENGED SEVENFOLD's M. Shadows was asked which he prefers: headlining arenas or performing at huge festivals. "I think both have their perks," the singer, whose real name is Matt Sanders, said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "Both are interesting. I think in terms of knowing that you sound good and having control over everything, it's gotta be smaller places. Even if you do some of those like warehouse sort of like — something like the Forum [in Los Angeles], which is built out for music now or things that are smaller than that, those have the sweat and the energy, and you know it sounds good 'cause you can kind of get a vibe. Some of those festivals, it's just being projected and then projected again and then projected again, and you're seeing like the fist raise up and then everyone's on like a four-second delay and you're just, like, 'I don't know what these people are hearing. Maybe it's good, maybe it's not.'"

He continued: "A lot of stuff for artists is just confidence, and if you know it sounds good and you know you're killing it, then that that feeds into this sort of circular energy back to the audience. And festivals, you can get it, but I definitely find myself questioning while I'm on stage, like, 'What is even going on here?', 'cause sometimes stuff's just getting hit back at you. But there's great festivals and then there's ones that you just know are just awful, and you're just, like, 'Please get me out of here.' I can tell by our sound guy back there just… You can tell if he's doing this [makes vigorous motion with both of his hands over an imaginary sound board], we're in trouble."

Back in April 2023, M. Shadows reflected on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's experience of sharing the stage with METALLICA on an entire U.S. tour seven years ago. He told Jason Bailey of Audacy Check In: "Well, that was definitely a little more uncomfortable, because you're not in your setting and you're in the daylight and you don't have your toys with you and you're playing a quick set. And you're the opening band. So it's a different thing. Because when you're headlining, everybody's in the palm of your hand before it even happens. When you're opening for METALLICA and the place is sort of like slowly filling up, half the venue's full, you're in the daylight getting hit by the sun, so you almost have to go to war. You might have some people in the pit that are into this, but there's a lot of skeptical arms crossed, like, 'I don't like these new bands. I don't want anything to do with this. I'm waiting for the real metal gods to show up.' And so it's really a lot more feeling like you're going to war."

Shadows also explained why he and his AVENGED SEVENFOLD bandmates initially turned down the opportunity to open for METALLICA before finally agreeing to support the San Francisco Bay Area metal legends on their 2017 "WorldWired" tour.

"We have only headlined for so long," he said. "And one of the things that we heard early in our career, and one thing we respected immensely about certain bands, is if you headline, people think of you as a headliner, and if you go and open for people constantly, they'll always think of you as second fiddle. So the idea of opening and taking all the toys away, everything everyone had ever seen — my question to [METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich] was, 'I don't think this is the right look for new people getting into AVENGED SEVENFOLD. This isn't where we're at.' But to a lot of mainstream people, it was, 'Oh, you're the band that opened for METALLICA,' which put us on a higher pedestal, which was weird to me. And so the conversation just went, 'We're not gonna do that.' Then they would call [our agent] and offer more money, and we were, like, 'We're not gonna do that.' Then it eventually became, like, 'Okay, we're gonna do that because we'd be idiots not to.' But I still walked away from that tour extremely grateful but extremely, I think, right about taking that tour. It did put us in that weird position of, 'You're second fiddle to this.'"

Next month, AVENGED SEVENFOLD will launch the third leg of the band's "Life Is But A Dream…" North American tour, featuring support from POPPY and SULLIVAN KING. The trek begins March 6 in Buffalo, New York, with stops in Toronto, Ontario; Raleigh, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and more before concluding in Newark, New Jersey on March 31.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD has been touring in support of its latest album, "Life Is But A Dream…", which sold 36,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD made its first festival appearance in five years on May 19, 2023 at Welcome To Rockville at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD's first concert since June 2018 took place on May 12, 2023 at AREA15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The second leg of AVENGED SEVENFOLD's extensive "Life is But A Dream…" North American tour included stops in Nashville, Denver, Austin, and more before concluding at Fort Worth's Dickies Arena on October 15, 2023. Produced by Live Nation, the trek featured support from FALLING IN REVERSE.

To date, AVENGED SEVENFOLD has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart (2010's "Nightmare" and 2013's "Hail To The King") to go along with over a billion video views and a billion-plus Spotify streams, as well as multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio.

The Rock & Metal From The Front Row YouTube channel has uploaded video of ††† (CROSSES)' February 9 concert at The Ogden Theatre in Denver, Colorado. Check out the clips below.

††† (CROSSES) is DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno's project with FAR guitarist Shaun Lopez.

††† (CROSSES) released its sophomore album, "Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete.", last October via Warner. The follow-up to ††† (CROSSES)'s 2014 self-titled album features guest appearances by THE CURE vocalist Robert Smith and El-P of RUN THE JEWELS.

"When we started working on 'Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete.', there was so much more light coming in my life, for numerous reasons," Moreno said in a press release. "There's a lot more optimism. Even the darker themes are more romanticized and not coming from a place of despair."

††† (CROSSES)' current U.S. tour kicked off Wednesday night (February 7) in Salt Lake City.

††† (CROSSES) issued its self-titled debut in 2014. In 2022, the duo released the six-song "Permanent.Radiant" EP, which was later made available as a remixed version with reworked songs courtesy of Hudson Mohawke, Machinedrum, Suicideyear and Away.

In December 2021, Lopez confirmed that ††† (CROSSES) had signed a new deal with Warner. That same month, ††† (CROSSES) dropped its cover of Q Lazzarus's "Goodbye Horses" as a digital single. The track was previously covered by ††† (CROSSES) back in 2014.

Prior to "Goodbye Horses"' digital arrival, ††† (CROSSES)'s last release was a cover of "The Beginning Of The End" by '90s electropop band CAUSE & EFFECT. Made available in December 2020, it was the first new music from the alternative band since its 2014-released, self-titled record.

Moreno told The Pulse Of Radio how he got involved with the group in the first place, which was started by Lopez and Chuck Doom. "Shaun and Chuck were working together for a while before I came into the picture, and I just so happened to come in one day," he said. "These guys were, you know, writing some stuff and I heard it and I liked it right off the bat, and I sort of weaseled my way [Laughs] into the project. I think their idea was to get a bunch of different singers to, you know, just write different tracks, and... it didn't happen."

Moreno told Rolling Stone about ††† (CROSSES)' sound: "By listening to the music, you can tell that a lot of the influences come from the new-wave era. That was basically the scene that I came up on. I just happened to wind up in a metal band when I was 15."

Asked about ††† (CROSSES)'s heavy use of the cross in the band's imagery and songtitles, Moreno said: "I think a lot of bands are influenced by religious symbolism and not even necessarily Christianity or Catholicism. Our band definitely doesn't follow any of those. It's more of the aesthetic. The art, the way it works. The initial name of the band was going to be HOLY GHOST. But at the last minute, another band came out with the name, so Shaun suggested CROSSES. It's a very strong symbol. Three crosses is great. It's great to look at, there's three of us in the band."

††† (CROSSES) made its live debut in January 2012 at The Glass House in Pomona, California.

the haunting, dark wave-and goth-influenced sound of Chino Moreno (Deftones' frontman) and Shaun Lopez's (Far) side...

Posted by The Ogden Theatre on Wednesday, January 24, 2024

In a new interview with The Rock N' Roll & Coffee Show, former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate talked about the possibility of a new solo album in the not-too-distant future. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I haven't made one since… The last real album that I did was, I think, 2017, 'The New Reality'. And that was the last full-length album I did. And yeah, I haven't made an album in a while. I'm kind of feeling the need to make one, but then again, it's so much work — so much work."

Tate went on to say that he has a studio at home. "I have a studio I take on the road as well," he added. "And I use that quite often. In hotel rooms and whenever I'm sitting around, I like to mess around in my studio for the day or the afternoon. It makes for a nice day off."

As for how much music he has accumulated for a possible new solo album, Tate said: "I've got a whole bunch of stuff written and sitting there waiting. I just can't decide what to do with it… I don't really know the exact number [of songs I have], but I know it's over 40."

Geoff also confirmed that he is working on a new album from his SWEET OBLIVION project. "I'm not sure when it's gonna get finished, but some time by the end of the year, I think," he said, adding that the SWEET OBLIVION albums that have been released thus far have been "different and interesting."

Released in December 2017 via Frontiers Music Srl under the OPERATION: MINDCRIME banner, "The New Reality" was the third and final of a concept album trilogy exploring international politics, the world economy and social ethos.

In 2019, Geoff released the self-titled debut album from SWEET OBLIVION via Frontiers Music Srl. The project saw Tate teaming up with a stellar cast of Italian musicians led by Simone Mularoni, the mastermind of prog metal masters DGM. The second SWEET OBLIVION album, "Relentless", arrived in April 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl. That time the production was handled by Italian metal maestro Aldo Lonobile (SECRET SPHERE, TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON, ARCHON ANGEL).

Back in February 2023, Tate told Riff Crew that he had a new "solo album" that was "almost finished," but he offered no further details about the LP's musical direction or a possible label home.

Tate has released two solo albums so far, 2002's "Geoff Tate" and 2012's "Kings & Thieves".

Geoff has also released three albums under the OPERATION: MINDCRIME banner: "The Key" (2015),"Resurrection" (2016) and the aforementioned "The New Reality".

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012.

Tate was replaced in QUEENSRŸCHE by former CRIMSON GLORY singer Todd La Torre.

Tate underwent an aortic valve replacement in the summer of 2022.

Finnish cello metal band, Apocalyptica, have shared a new video of "On The Rooftop With Quasimodo" from their performance at St. John’s Church in Helsinki 2021. Check it out below.


"Deathzone" from the same show can also be viewed below.


"On The Rooftop With Quasimodo" is taken from Apocalyptica's 2010 album, 7th Symphony.










Apocalyptica recently released a new single and music video for “What We’re Up Against” featuring Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd.

In a new interview with Metallerium, EXHORDER frontman Kyle Thomas was asked about the changes in the band's lineup in recent years. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Currently, the lineup that we have, fortunately, three of us — myself, Jason [VieBrooks, bass] and Sasha [Horn, drums] — we've been working together now since late 2017. So, we're coming up on seven years that we've been working together. So, for EXHORDER, that's a long time for anyone to work together because we broke up so many times in the past. [Laughs] It's hard to have consecutive years where people are happily working together. So, we've got Pat O'Brien [guitar, ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE] playing with us right now. Pat is definitely our guy, and Pat seems to be really happy where he is."

He continued: "The thing that's difficult working with Pat isn't a personal thing; it's just having to work around the difficulties that have come to be from him having some legal issues a few years back. So travel is a very delicate thing for him right now where there's a lot of places where we're not even sure that he can travel yet. So we've been fortunate to have people like Waldemar Sorychta and Apollo Xydias help us out with playing shows in Europe and Mexico. And Waldemar is about to join us in South America, since, Pat, unfortunately, cannot go. So we're playing in Mexico City, Central America, South America. We're really about to start hitting that.

"But, moving forward, to answer your question, Pat is the guy that we ultimately want to be playing all of our shows with us," Kyle added. "We're happy with him, he's happy with us. He toured with us in the United States, and we really, really had a great time, got along well and the people just love him. People are so happy to see Pat back in action, and that makes me happy for him."

O'Brien made his live debut with EXHORDER at the 2022 Maryland Deathfest. The gig took place three months after guitarist Marzi Montazeri left EXHORDER, explaining at the time in a statement that he "decided to no longer be a part of it."

O'Brien made headlines in December 2018 when he was arrested for burglary and assaulting a police officer while his Florida home was in flames. At the time, police said he burglarized a house and charged at a deputy with a knife.

O'Brien, who was born in Northern Kentucky, allegedly broke into a Northdale, Florida home and shouted that "the rapture is coming" before pushing a woman to the ground. He ran toward a responding deputy with a knife and was subdued with a stun gun.

Less than half a mile from where O'Brien was arrested, a fire broke out at the house he was renting, sending flames billowing into the night sky from the roof.

The owner of the home where O'Brien was arrested wouldn't go on camera but told ABC Action News he thought the guitarist was hallucinating when he spoke to him and claimed "someone was after him." The homeowner added O'Brien seemed scared and at one point even hid in his closet.

Fire marshals found a large cache of weapon, locked safes and potential explosive devices inside O'Brien's home, including 50 shotguns, 20 semiautomatic rifles, two Uzi-style firearms, 20 handguns and two flamethrowers. Authorities also discovered thousands of rounds as well as additional weapons.

O'Brien, who had been a member of CANNIBAL CORPSE for more than two decades, was released from Hillsborough County jail on December 14, 2018 after posting a $50,000 surety bond. Several days earlier, at a hearing, a judge told the now-58-year-old musician, clad in an anti-suicide vest with his hands and ankles chained together, that he would first have to pass a drug test before he would be allowed to post bail and leave jail.

In March 2021, O'Brien was sentenced to time served and five years of probation and ordered to pay $23,793.45 in restitution. He was also ordered to get drug and alcohol evaluations and render 150 hours of community service. In addition, O'Brien was ordered to abstain from using alcohol and controlled substances and to be subject to random testing.

In a June 2022 interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Thomas spoke about O'Brien's first appearance with EXHORDER and how the crowd reacted upon seeing the guitarist re-emerge on stage more than three years after his arrest.

"He was as apprehensive about it as anybody," Kyle said. "Having not been onstage for a while, he wondered, 'Are these people going to want me around?' We were, like, 'Come on, Pat. You're Pat O'Brien. These people want to see you.' I can appreciate how he felt about it after all he had been through. I could imagine there was an intimidation factor about it. We got up there and he said, 'I think I'm going to lay low in the back, get up and play and be done.' As soon as we got onstage and people saw him, the place went nuts. I said to the crowd, 'Hey, look, you all know Pat, right? Show Pat some love.' And they went nuts. They adore this man. Who wouldn't? If you ever met him, he's one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. He's one of the greatest at what he does, too. Then he started taking pictures with people and talking [after the gig]. He had a big smile on his face. That was so worth it. Here was a guy who needed a good break in his life and we needed help from him to get the show done. It couldn't have been any more perfect."

During an appearance on a June 2019 episode of "The Jasta Show", the podcast hosted by HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta, CANNIBAL CORPSE frontman George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher expressed his shock over O'Brien's arrest, saying: "I don't wanna speculate about what could have happened that night, but it could have been way worse — for him.

"When people were seeing [TV reports about] it — I think on the Tampa news, they were pretty good with him," he continued. "They just said he was one of the best guitar players in death metal in America, and in the world, and he's highly respected. And they didn't really trash him at all. And they showed him on TV."

Fisher went on to say that most of the CANNIBAL fans were very supportive of Pat while he was dealing with his ordeal. "In the metal world, I think in general, 95 percent [of the people], everyone was, like, 'Get well soon,'" he told "The Jasta Show". "I didn't spend too much time reading stuff online, because that's when you get people who just wanna say nasty stuff just to be nasty."

At the time, Fisher said that he and his bandmates were looking forward to O'Brien's return to CANNIBAL CORPSE. "We love him," he told "The Jasta Show". "We want him back. But when I saw him in the court with the vest, dude, I cried. Because we just got home from tour… We wish the best for him, and we're just waiting to see [what happens]. He's got a road ahead of him still with legal issues, and that's out of our hands. We support him 100 percent; we're behind him 100 percent."

In early 2021, it was announced that O'Brien had been replaced in CANNIBAL CORPSE by Erik Rutan, one of the death metal's most acclaimed guitarists who is known for his time as part of MORBID ANGEL throughout the '90s and early 2000s, as well as handling vocals/guitars for HATE ETERNAL.

Shortly after the Houston-based Montazeri announced his departure from EXHORDER, the remaining members of the band — Thomas, bassist Jason VieBrooks and drummer Sasha Horn — said that they and Marzi had been "moving in different directions" and assured fans that they would "continue to thrive"

Thomas is now the sole remaining founding member of EXHORDER, which released its debut album, "Slaughter In The Vatican", way back in 1990. In February 2020, EXHORDER parted ways with its original guitarist Vinnie LaBella, who wrote much of the material on 2019's comeback album "Mourn The Southern Skies". The remaining members of the group later issued a statement saying that they would fulfill their "touring and recording obligations for 2020 and beyond."

EXHORDER released two albums in the early 1990s through the Roadrunner label — the aforementioned "Slaughter In The Vatican" and 1992's "The Law" — before breaking up, with Kyle going on to form FLOODGATE and also briefly appearing live as the vocalist for TROUBLE, which he later joined on a full-time basis (and is still a member of).

EXHORDER, which is cited by many as the originator of the riff-heavy power-groove approach popularized by PANTERA, completed a U.S. headlining tour in late 2021 during which it performed "Slaughter In The Vatican" in its entirety.

EXHORDER will release its fourth full-length album, "Defectum Omnium", on March 8 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to "Mourn The Southern Skies" features 12 tracks and cover artwork by Travis Smith (KATATONIA, OPETH).

Vince Neil says that he immediately embraced the idea of MÖTLEY CRÜE canceling its retirement to headline a U.S. stadium tour.

CRÜE fans who shelled out for the band's 2014/2015 "farewell" tour were led to believe that the group would never return after playing its final concert on December 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band touted the signing of a pre-tour "cessation of touring" agreement as cementing the fact it truly was the end of CRÜE's life on the road.

During an appearance on yesterday's (Friday, January 19) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Neil was asked how he felt about coming out of retirement and playing shows again as part of the CRÜE's 2022 summer stadium tour with DEF LEPPARD and POISON. The 62-year-old singer responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We sat around for — what? — five years without doing anything. I was always [doing shows] with my solo band, but I thought it'd be fun. I was in. They said, 'We're gonna get together and do some stadiums.' And I was, like, 'Okay, that sounds pretty cool.' 'The Stadium Tour' got us out to more people, so it was a lot of fun."

When "The Stadium Tour" was first announced in December 2019, CRÜE said the Netflix biopic "The Dirt", about the band's formative years, sparked a renewed interest from younger fans who wanted to see them live. Asked if he felt that it was inevitable that MÖTLEY would start up again, given the success of the movie, Vince said: "I didn't even think about it. I didn't even think about MÖTLEY at all. I thought the movie was great, and a lot of people liked it. And I guess it was inevitable. Because you get so many fans watching the movies, and at stadiums you can tell, because there's kids with their dads and their grandpas — a young kid, like six, seven, eight years old, to 68 years old. It's a lot of fun. It's good to see those little kids out there doing the devil horns and stuff."

Vince's MÖTLEY CRÜE bandmate  Tommy Lee reflected on the band's decision to cancel its retirement during a June 2020 appearance on SiriusXM's Debatable. At the time, the drummer said: "[As far as we were concerned] that was it. 2016 — I'll never forget it. I think it was New Year's Eve. Staples Center [in] L.A. That was it. We all said goodbye. That was the dopest 32, 33 years of our lives. We're out. This is the best way ever to go out — on top. Mic drop, boom, see ya. We're out. And that was it. We're done. We didn't really speak to each other for probably a year. Everybody just went and did their own thing. And here it is four years later, [concert promoter] Live Nation asked us if we'd like to do a stadium tour, and all of us were, like, 'Ehhh…' And then we thought about it for a minute. We were, like, that is the one thing that this band has never done. Yeah, we played stadiums on festivals all over the place, but our own stadium tour? We were, like, 'Hold on. Let us think about this. Okay.'"

Lee also said the success of "The Dirt" movie was the biggest catalyst in getting him and his bandmates to reunite.

"The movie … really [inspired] a whole new generation of kids that are probably… I know, 'cause I've talked to many of them; I stay in touch with a lot of fans, and they're, like, 'Dude, is that really what it was like in the '80s when you guys were around?'" Tommy told Debatable. "And I'm, like, 'That's exactly what it was like.' They're, like, 'Oh my God.' That newer generation feels like they missed out, and they did, because shit isn't like that anymore, man. It was a free-for-all back then — anything went. And I think they wanna be a part of it and see it and witness it. So, yeah, there's this whole generation of kids that that movie has brought into the fold now that are super pumped to come and see what we do, come to see that life that we lived. And [they] probably can't believe we're all still alive. [They're] going, like, 'These guys are still doing this shit. What are they, cockroaches? You can't kill these motherfuckers.'"

In December 2019, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx said that he and his bandmates "missed each other" in the four years since they played their last show. He said: "Honestly, I don't think any of us thought, when we were on 'The Final Tour', we would ever get back together. We weren't really getting along at that point. We had been together 35 years, and it had been a lot of years on the road. I don't think we took a lot of time for ourselves off; we were just constantly touring for all that time. And when it came to the end, we broke the band up and everybody went their own ways. I think we really needed that break, and it was during the making of 'The Dirt' movie, we started working on the script, started being on the set, we started hanging out again together. And I think we really started to realize — without even talking about the music — how much we missed each other. And then that got us to go in the recording studio, which is where the whole thing always starts for all of us. And we wrote a bunch of new music, and had a blast in the studio. And then the movie took off. And our fans were super stoked, but we also got a new generation of people. And that kind of started the conversation. But it really was from the heart. We missed each other, to be honest with you, and we missed being in a band together."

"The Stadium Tour" was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus crisis.

Back in December 2021, Sixx said that the chance for the group to headline a U.S. stadium tour was the primary reason he and his bandmates decided to cancel their retirement. Speaking to the 98.3 CIFM radio station, Sixx said: "It was pretty interesting. We knocked it on the head because we felt like we had said everything we wanted to say. We felt that we were young enough where we had time left on the clock to do other stuff. And I think it ended in a really good way.

"We never intended on getting back together," he continued. "It was the movie [MÖTLEY CRÜE biopic 'The Dirt']… We always knew we were gonna do the movie. And then getting in a studio and making music was, like, 'That was fun.' I was, like, 'Yeah, we'll do some songs for the movie.' And we got the movie. 'It's been great.' High five. 'Tommy call me for sushi.' And it started — it just started rolling and rolling. Now there's, like, 83 or 84 million people who've seen the movie, and the phone calls started coming in from around the world.

"We owed it to ourselves to have that conversation, 'cause if three of us were, like, 'Let's go do it' and the fourth was not, that's what the contract was about," he explained. "We couldn't leave two guys behind and go out and have two versions of MÖTLEY CRÜE. So it was an exciting time, something to celebrate. And if there was any hem and hawing, it was around the idea of going and doing arenas. We've done arenas, we've done festivals. We just felt like it isn't gonna get any bigger than how we ended it. And then came the, 'No, no. They wanna do stadiums.' And we were, like, 'Ah, well, that's a little different conversation.' 'And DEF LEPPARD wants to do it with you. The whole thing.' So then it was us and DEF LEPPARD talking, and what do they see. We've played many shows together before, so it was fantastic. And then I think eight [shows] went on sale and sold out, eight more sold out, eight more sold out, and everyone was, like, 'This is gonna be a great run.' And I figured that was gonna be it. And then COVID came and knocked it on its heels, like everybody else, or a lot of people. And then we decided not to tour [in 2021] because we weren't comfortable enough yet personally, and maybe it wasn't the right thing for the fans, in our opinion, or for our crew. So during that time, we got to start talking more [about], 'What's Europe look like?' 'You know what? We love Japan. Wow. What a show in Japan.' MÖTLEY CRÜE and DEF LEPPARD. And those are huge shows in Australia."

Early last year, MÖTLEY CRÜE recorded three new songs with legendary producer Bob Rock, including "Dogs Of War" and a cover of BEASTIE BOYS' "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)".

MÖTLEY CRÜE debuted its cover of "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)" during a "secret" June 30, 2023 club performance for 450 lucky fans at the Underworld in London, England.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's last studio album was 2008's "Saints Of Los Angeles", which was followed by a 2009 "Greatest Hits" compilation.

In 2018, MÖTLEY CRÜE recorded four new songs for "The Dirt" movie, including the single "The Dirt (Est. 1981) (Feat. Machine Gun Kelly)", "Ride With The Devil", "Crash And Burn" and the band's own spin on Madonna's "Like A Virgin".

John 5 joined MÖTLEY CRÜE in the fall of 2022 as the replacement for the band's co-founding guitarist Mick Mars. Mick announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE in October 2022 as a result of worsening health issues.

Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS),a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis. After years of performing through the pain, he informed the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE in the summer of 2022 that he could no longer tour with them but would still be open to recording new music or performing at residencies that did not require much travel.

When Mars announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE, he maintained that he would remain a member of the band, with John 5 taking his place on the road. However, the now-72-year-old musician filed a lawsuit against CRÜE in April 2023 in Los Angeles County's Superior Court claiming that, after his announcement, the rest of CRÜE tried to remove him as a significant stakeholder in the group's corporation and business holdings via a shareholders' meeting.

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider says that "something is lost" when artists enhance their show by relying too heavily on backing tracks during their concerts.

In recent years, more and more artists have been given a pass for relying on pre-recorded tracks, drum triggers and other assorted technology that makes concerts more synthetic but also more consistent. For better or worse, pre-recorded tracks are becoming increasingly common for touring artists of all levels and genres and they're not just used in pop music — many rock artists utilize playback tracks to varying degrees.

Dee addressed some rock acts' reliance on pre-recorded tracks in a new interview with Barry Robinson of Classic Album Review. The singer said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[FALLING IN REVERSE frontman] Ronnie Radke and [ex-SKID ROW singer] Sebastian Bach had a dust-up a few months ago over the fact that FALLING IN REVERSE uses tracks, like so many bands are using tracks now. And the old guys are screaming, 'That's not rock and roll,' and Ronnie Radke was making fun of Sebastian's age. 'Listen, Grandpa…' But the fact of the matter is something is lost when it isn't the guys — or girls — on that stage making all that noise. When it's used to embellish, especially with newer music, the stuff is so much more layered and thicker — I mean, we can go back to QUEEN; when I saw QUEEN and they got to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and they got to the middle, just throw on the tape because there's no way we're gonna do that live. I was a huge QUEEN fan. So, that was an embellishment. But when it's used to replace, because the person can't do it anymore. And we're seeing more and more of that — singers who can't sing their own songs."

Snider continued: "Listen, you don't gotta stay on the stage. Step aside. Walk away. There's plenty of other bands that would love to take the spot.

"So, the embellishment thing has been going on with DEF LEPPARD now. These bands have been doing it for years. But then there's this — and I don't wanna point fingers at bands. I'm trying to be a more mature elder statesman of rock and not actually point fingers anymore. My wife said, 'You've gotta stop that. You've got to stop mocking specific bands.' Just in general, we know the names. We've seen the videos on YouTube. We've seen the car wrecks of the band losing the sync with the tape and all that, and they're not even singing anymore, they're not even playing anymore. It's just lip syncing."

KISS frontman Paul Stanley, who had been struggling to hit the high notes in many of the band's classic songs for a number of years, had been accused of singing to a backing tape on KISS's recently completed "End Of The Road" tour.

Back in 2015, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons slammed bands who used backing tapes for not being honest enough to include that fact on their concert tickets.

"I have a problem when you charge $100 to see a live show and the artist uses backing tracks," Simmons said. "It's like the ingredients in food. If the first ingredient on the label is sugar, that's at least honest. It should be on every ticket — you're paying $100, 30 to 50 percent of the show is [on] backing tracks and they'll sing sometimes, sometimes they'll lip sync. At least be honest. It's not about backing tracks, it's about dishonesty.

"There's nobody with a synthesizer on our stage, there's no samples on the drums, there's nothing," Gene continued. "There's very few bands who do that now — AC/DC, METALLICA, us. I can't even say that about U2 or THE [ROLLING] STONES. There's very few bands who don't use [backing] tracks."

In February 2023, KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee defended Stanley's vocal performance on "End Of The Road", explaining that the "Star Child" "fully sings to every song" at every concert. He explained: It's enhanced. It's just part of the process to make sure that everybody hears the songs the way they should be sang to begin with. Nobody wants to hear people do stuff that's not real, that's not what they came to hear."

When McGhee was asked to clarify if he was "actually saying there are backing tracks that [Paul is] singing to," Doc said: "He'll sing to tracks. It's all part of a process. Because everybody wants to hear everybody sing. But he fully sings to every song."

In March 2020, SHINEDOWN guitarist Zach Myers said that "90 percent" of rock artists use at least some pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. He told Rock Feed: "It bothers me that it bothers people. I'm, like, 'Why does this bother you?' It's the way it is. People have been doing this since the '80s. And we want the sound to be the best it can be. Could we go up there, just the four of us, and put on the best rock show ever? Of course. But that's not how we wanna do it."

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has previously said that he is "one of the last people" who are still not using pre-recorded tracks at their live shows. "I don't know how much longer I can say to you that I don't use tapes onstage, because I don't, and I never have," he told Consequence Of Sound. "And I still don't. When I have opening bands, and they're using tapes, and then I come out and I don't use tapes… sometimes, it makes me feel stupid, because I'm like, 'What am I doing, when all these kids half my age can come onstage and do all of my moves, but they don't have to warm up for an hour before the show, or weeks, before the first show?' Sometimes, I'm like, 'Why do I even bother, if the public is so used to this other way?' It's becoming very rare to come see a good band that's actually a real band — that's not miming or doing silly moves while a tape is running. It just becomes more rare as the years go on."

In 2019, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith said that he doesn't "agree" with certain rock artists relying on pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. "I tell you what, I see it with a lot of younger bands, and I don't think it's a good thing at all," he told the New York Post. "I mean, the music is getting too technical now. You have computerized recording systems, which we use, but I think we use them more for convenience than because we need to. We've toured with a couple bands that use tapes — it's not real. You're supposed to play live; it should be live. I don't agree with using tapes … I think it's a real shame."

One musician who has been open about his band's use of taped vocals during live performances is MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx, who said: "We've used technology since '87." He added the group employed "sequencers, sub tones, background vox tracks, plus background singers and us. [MÖTLEY CRÜE also taped] stuff we can't tour with, like cello parts in ballads, etc.... We love it and don't hide it. It's a great tool to fill out the sound."

In a 2014 interview, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars admitted that he wasn't comfortable with the fact that his band used pre-recorded backing vocals in its live shows, claiming that he preferred to watch groups whose performances are delivered entirely live. "I don't like it," he said. "I think a band like ours… I have to say '60s bands were my favorite — '60s and '70s bands — because they were real, like, three-piece bands or four-piece bands, and they just got up there and kicked it up. Made a mistake? So what? Sounded a little bit empty here or there? So what? It's the bigness and the rawness and the people that developed and wrote the songs and made them and presented them. To me, that's what I really like. I mean, I could put on a MÖTLEY CD and play with it all day long. I don't wanna do that."

Ahead of his first solo album in 19 years, The Mandrake Project, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson spoke with The Telegraph about public school, his time as an airline pilot, and being accused of Satanism. An excerpt follows...


The Telegraph's Matt Mills reports: After he spent his early education hopping around schools in Sheffield, they eventually sent the youngster to public school.


“I developed my own sort of mini-terrorist organization,” Dickinson laughs. “I sent two tons of horses--t to my housemaster. I was beaten but it was absolutely worth it. Six strokes of a cane and your a--e would bleed, but it was definitely worth it, seeing two tons of steaming horses--t on the front steps of this ornate Georgian facade and thinking, ‘I did that’.”




Have metalheads ever falsely perceived him as a “posh boy” for his public school education? “No,” Dickinson says, laughing again. “I wasn’t a posh lad at all, which is why [my classmates] kicked the s--t out of me at school. I thought they were a bunch of posh c---s, and I told them that.”


He adds that heavy metal being working class is a stereotype, because, “with the exception of Black Sabbath, probably, none of the big heavy metal bands are anything other than bourgeois.”


Read more at telegraph.co.uk.


Dickinson recently announced a series album signing sessions at hmv stores across the UK.


Held in partnership with Planet Rock, Bruce will be personally signing copies of The Mandrake Project at five stores in early March.


The events kick off at the stroke of midnight on Friday, March 1 at hmv Cardiff – the exact moment The Mandrake Project is unleashed to the world. Bruce will then travel to London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Manchester for further album signing events.


"Planet Rock is excited to bring you some special programming around the signings, which we will announce in due course."


Access to the Bruce Dickinson signing sessions is limited, and you can visit hmv.com right here to find out how to attend.


Bruce Dickinson’s hmv signing sessions in association with Planet Rock:


March:


hmv Cardiff – Friday 1st at Midnight
hmv Oxford Street, London - Friday 1st at 6 PM
hmv Vault, Birmingham – Saturday 2nd at 11:30 AM
hmv Meadowhall, Sheffield – Saturday 2nd at 5 PM
hmv Manchester - Sunday 3rd at 2 PM





Dickinson recently released the second track from his forthcoming solo album, The Mandrake Project. Watch the official video for "Rain On The Graves" below:





Across ten inventive, expansive and absorbing tracks, Dickinson and his long-term co-writer and producer Roy Z, have created one of 2024’s defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, The Mandrake Project sees Bruce bring to life a musical vision long-in-the-making, and features some of the finest vocal performances of his career.


Recorded largely at LA’s Doom Room with Roy Z doubling up as both guitarist and bassist, the lineup for The Mandrake Project was rounded out by keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce’s last solo studio album, Tyranny Of Souls, in 2005.


The Mandrake Project is Dickinson’s seventh solo album. It will be released on March 1 via BMG worldwide on multiple formats. Pre-order here.





The Mandrake Project tracklisting


"Afterglow Of Ragnarok"
"Many Doors To Hell"
"Rain On The Graves"
"Resurrection Men"
"Fingers In The Wounds"
"Eternity Has Failed"
"Mistress Of Mercy"
"Face In The Mirror"
"Shadow Of The Gods"
"Sonata (Immortal Beloved)"


"Afterglow Of Ragnarok" video:





Bruce Dickinson and his phenomenal band will bring the music of The Mandrake Project to life with a major headline tour this spring and summer.


The Mandrake Project tour dates:


April
18 - Diana Theater - Guadalajara, Mexico
20 - Pepsi Theatre - Mexico City, Mexico
24 - Live Curitiba - Curitiba, Brazil
25 - Pepsi On Stage - Porto Alegre, Brazil
27 - Opera Hall - Brasilia, Brazil
28 - Arena Hall - Belo Horizonte, Brazil
30- Qualistage - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil


May
2 - Quinta Linda - Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
4 - Vibra - Sao Paulo, Brazil
18 - Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow, UK
19 - O2 Academy - Manchester, UK
21 - Arena - Swansea, UK
23 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK
24 - O2 Forum Kentish Town - London, UK
26 - L’Olympia - Paris, France
28 - 013 - Tilburg, Holland
29 - De Oosterport - Groningen, Holland


June
1 - Barba Negra - Budapest, Hungary
3 - Arenale Romane - Bucharest, Romania
5-8 - Mystic Festival - Gdansk, Poland *
5-8 - Sweden Rock Festival - Solvesborg, Sweden *
9 - Rockefeller - Oslo, Norway
11 - Grona Lund - Stockholm, Sweden
13 - House Of Culture - Helsinki, Finland
14 - Noblessner Foundry - Tallinn, Estonia
16 - Huxleys Neue Welt - Berlin, Germany
17 - Grosse Freiheit 36 - Hamburg, Germany
19-22 - Copenhell - Copenhagen, Denmark *
22 - Summerside Festival - Grenchen, Switzerland *
24 - Zeltfestival Rhein-Neckar - Mannheim, Germany *
25 - Circus Krone - Munich, Germany
27-30 - Hellfest - Clisson, France *
30 - Rockhal, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg


July
3-6 - Rockharz Open Air - Ballenstedt, Germany *
5 - Ippodrome Delle Capannelle, Rock In Rome - Rome, Italy *
6 - Bassano Del Grappa, Metal Park - Vincenza, Italy *
9 - E-Werk - Koln, Germany
13 - Hala - Zagreb, Croatia
16 - Kolodrum Arena - Sofia, Bulgaria
19 - Kucukciftlik Park - Istanbul, Turkey
21 - Plateia Nerou - Athens, Greece (supporting Judas Priest)


* - festival performance


Bruce Dickinson’s touring band features guitarist Roy Z, drummer Dave Moreno, bass-player Tanya O’Callaghan and keyboard maestro Mistheria. For more information regarding the tour click here.


(Photo - John McMurtrie)

Former Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his weekly cover, this time taking on the KISS classic, "Detroit Rock City".





Swedish metal masters Sabaton recently checked in with the following announcement:




"After seven amazing years in the band, our guitarist, Tommy, has decided to leave Sabaton to pursue his own path. We wish him nothing but the best on his journey. We have been a close family and we will continue to support him in the adventures that await him in the future.


Tommy joined the band in 2016 but he has been a close friend of Sabaton ever since our first meeting at the end of a concert in 2005. As a valued member of the band, he has contributed to countless immortal memories. Tommy’s departure from Sabaton will not be effective immediately. He will stay on to ensure that all goes smoothly with the handover to our next guitarist.


While a small part of his large heart will always remain within Sabaton, we all know that he must follow his dreams.


Even though we will not wake up daily in the tour bus next to him, we are sure that our paths will cross again many times in the future, both on and off the stage.


Fly on your wings and strings brother!"


Pär, Chris, Hannes and Joakim


Johansson issued the following statement:


"My dear friends! After seven glorious years of heavy metal, I have decided to step down as the guitarist of Sabaton. This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.


As many of you may know, I do a lot of things outside of Sabaton. I play with another band, perform with various artists, and have a career as a singer that I’ve put aside for years to focus on Sabaton. After doing this for seven years, I feel it’s time to start following my heart. This means I will no longer tour with my brothers in Sabaton and will not meet all you lovely Sabaton supporters on the upcoming tours with the band.


I will never quit playing music. I’ll still be touring with Majestica and other projects, but not on the same level as Sabaton, of course. I am sure I will meet you lovely fans on the road again in the future.


My brothers in Sabaton and the best crew in the world will forever be my second family, and I will miss spending time with all these wonderful people. We had so much fun together every day. I’ve come to learn so much about life, about music and about touring that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.


A massive thank you to all you lovely Sabaton fans for accepting me as the new guitarist in 2016. I am certain you will accept the person who takes over after me.


All the best to you all and I’ll see you again soon!"

Smoking Snakes, the electrifying sleaze metallers hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, have issued their debut album, Danger Zone via Frontiers. Order the album here, and watch a video for the new single, "Run For Your Life":





Smoking Snakes are known for their high-energy performances and a sound that pays homage to the golden era of rock while infusing a contemporary edge. With their upcoming debut album, Danger Zone, the band aims to solidify their place in the sleaze metal genre and captivate audiences around the globe.




The band states: "It's our aim to start writing a new chapter for the music we love. We aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, but at the same time, we are using our own experiences and passion for the sleaze genre and are committed to keeping it alive"


Produced by Jakob Herrmann, known for his work with acclaimed acts such as Anthrax, In Flames, and Machine Head, Danger Zone promises to be a sleaze metal masterpiece. Herrmann, who honed his skills with Hardcore Superstar, lends his signature touch to the album.


In 2022, Smoking Snakes made a thunderous entrance onto the music scene, grabbing attention with a self-released demo that cranked up the volume to 11. Their distinctive blend of powerful old-school rock with a modern edge garnered acclaim, drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as W.A.S.P., Ratt, Dokken, and KISS. Recognizing their potential, Frontiers Music eagerly welcomed Smoking Snakes onto their roster.


With a perfect blend of raw energy, infectious melodies, and a commitment to the essence of sleaze, Smoking Snakes are poised to make a significant impact on the global music scene with Danger Zone.





Tracklisting:


"Angels Calling"
"Sole Survivors"
"Run For Your Life"
"Lady Lucky"
"Excited"
"Restless And Wild"
"Sorrow, Death And Pain"
"There Is No Tomorrow"
"Who Am I"
"We Are Alive"
"Rocking To The Morning Light"


"Angels Calling":





"Sole Survivors" video:





Smoking Snakes are:


Brett Martin - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Andy Delarge - bass, backing vocals
Stan Ricci - drums, backing vocals
Leo Razor - lead guitar, backing vocals

In a new interview with Cassius Morris, ex-KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was asked how he feels about the fact that his recording career has now outlasted that of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and even that of KISS itself. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, getting sober was probably one of the major stepping stones for me to keep myself going. I'm much healthier now than I was 10, 15 years ago. But Paul and Gene, over the years, have always kind of dragged my name through the mud. To try to validate the fact that they had Tommy Thayer in the band, they used to make statements. You can look 'em up in videos — there's dozens of 'em — where they say, 'Oh, Ace wasn't up for the job.' 'Ace was unemployable.' 'He was always late.' And that got to me. And to this day, it still bothers me, but it doesn't hold water."

Ace, who is preparing to release a new solo album called "10,000 Volts", continued: "I made this statement before this record even started. I said, 'This album's gonna embarrass them,' because they can't do a record this good. I dare them to."

Last October, Ace was asked by ZackAttack of the 93.5 FM MAX classic rock radio station in Muncie, Indiana if he expected that his solo career would have this kind of longevity when he signed his first solo deal. Ace said: "It was hard in the beginning, but now I've picked up a lot of steam. In fact, I remember when I first signed with eOne Music — now they sold the record company to MNRK Music Group, and I'm still working with the same people — but I remember the guy that got me signed to the label, he told me that, before [2009's] 'Anomaly' came out, he said a lot of people said to him, 'You're not even gonna get the record.' Because Paul and Gene have pretty much tried to destroy my credibility by calling me a drunk and a drug addict and somebody who's not dependable. But if that were the case, how did I make five albums? And I've been touring steadily for the last 10 years plus. It doesn't make any sense. They contradict themselves all the time. Now they're putting me down and saying if I came up and played with them on the farewell tour, it would mar their performance. Paul said on 'The Howard Stern Show', you might as well call the band PISS instead of KISS if I got up on stage with them. Well, when this album comes about, it's gonna make him look like an imbecile."

The 11-track "10,000 Volts" LP was produced by Ace and Steve Brown (TRIXTER) and will be released on February 23, 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music).

Ace released the single "10,000 Volts" on November 28. The track's music video — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — has garnered more than 850,000 views on YouTube.

Ace's next all-original album will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne.

"Origins Vol. 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down", DEEP PURPLE's "Space Truckin'", LED ZEPPELIN's "Good Times Bad Times", THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression", among others. A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track. Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Gene's bass playing.

Photo credit: Jayme Thornton

In a new interview with The Rock N' Roll & Coffee Show, CRIMSON GLORY guitarist Ben Jackson spoke about he band's new lineup, which also includes Jeff Lords (bass) and Dana Burnell (drums) along with the group's latest additions, lead vocalist Travis Wills of the Dallas, Texas progressive power metal band INFIDEL RISING and guitarist Mark "Borgy" Borgmeyer of the Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida hard rock act THE LOST BOYS. Regarding how CRIMSON GLORY decided to become active again, Ben said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There was this really great singer named Mystique, a guy from Greece, and he was brought to our attention by a friend of ours. And the guy Mystique really caught our attention, got us kind of interested in maybe doing something with the band again. He sounded a lot like [original CRIMSON GLORY singer] Midnight, which was appealing for us at first. And then we worked with the guy for almost a couple of years, writing some songs and discussing the possibility of him joining the band. And ultimately it didn't really work out with him. We didn't really agree on everything we were doing with the songwriting, but he was a cool guy. But it didn't really work out, so he's gonna go ahead and do a solo album. And we wish him well with that. But that's kind of what got us reinterested, actually, is our friend bringing this guy to our attention. And when it didn't work out with him, Jeff and Dana and I were already kind of amped up with some of the new songs that we were working on. And we said, 'Well, we'll find somebody and we'll just do this.' And we did. We looked at a couple other singers before we kind of happened upon the guy we have now, Travis."

Asked what excited him about Travis, Ben said: "Well, what excited me was, I guess, he sent us a version of him singing one of our classic songs, 'Painted Skies', and it sounded really good; he was really capturing the emotion of the song. And he didn't sound exactly like Midnight, like he was trying to copycat him; he kind of had his own sound, his own voice, but he was really, really nailing it and sounded really good with it. So I was, like, 'This guy is something else.'"

On the topic of CRIMSON GLORY's new music, Ben said: "Right now we have two songs fully recorded, mixed, mastered, ready to reveal to the world. We've already put one out ['Triskaideka'] with a lyric video… The second one is called 'Indelible Ashes', [and that will be released] pretty soon, probably another month off."

Asked if there are plans for CRIMSON GLORY to release full record at some point, Ben said: "Yeah, we're writing and working on a bunch of other songs right now. We've got probably another half a dozen songs in the pot. And things are coming together really well. We have a couple faster ones, one that's maybe a little more ballady. Just trying to create some nice diversity in the album, like we had in our earlier albums, too."

Jackson also touched upon the lack of involvement of CRIMSON GLORY's founding guitarist Jon Drenning with the band's current formation. Asked if Jon is contributing to any of the music writing, Ben said: "No, not this time around. He's just completely away from it. Around 2012, when we were sort of writing with [former CRIMSON GLORY and current QUEENSRŸCHE singer] Todd [La Torre] for what we were gonna make a new album with Todd, we started planning some specific evenings in which we'd all write together, and Jon was just not showing up that much. He came to a few and then sort of slacked off on it. And that's one of the reasons that led to Todd just kind of pulling out and going full force with QUEENSRŸCHE. And that was over 10, 11 years ago now, and we haven't really had any contact with Jon in the last 10 years — any of us. We wish him well and everything, but, yeah, I think from the time his son was born, he just kind of removed himself from the music business and wants to play the dad role. And that's understandable. It's not really in his priority list right now to be doing music and records and stuff."

Regarding a possible label home for the new CRIMSON GLORY music, Ben said: "Yeah, we put out the one song, made a lyric video and just put it up on YouTube to just see how people would react to it. And we've already had a couple of labels reach out to us and make some offers. We just wanna take a little time and think about it before we just jump on the very first deal that's presented to us. We just got the single out within this last month, and we're just gonna let it ride for a little bit, maybe get the second one out. We're busy working on the rest of the songs. We're writing and demoing and sharing ideas with each other. And we'll just see what other labels might come into the mix of the conversation over the next two to four months or so, and I'm sure a deal will be reached between us and somebody."

Jackson also seemingly ruled out the possibility of CRIMSON GLORY releasing a full-length album without the backing of a record company, saying: "There's good and bad things about being on a label and also doing it yourself. But I think with a label that there's so much they can do for us that we probably wouldn't have time or the resources to do on our own."

This past December, Drenning said that he "would have loved to be a part of" the band's reformed lineup, but that his family life has prevented him from being involved in the legendary progressive power metallers' comeback.

Drenning made his comments one day after it was announced that CRIMSON GLORY was returning with new lead vocalist, new guitarist and immediate plans to release two new singles.

On December 23, Drenning released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "I wish Ben, Dana and Jeff all the best. I would have loved to be a part of this new chapter, but my priorities are not in sync with the band at this juncture. Indeed, being a father has shaped my priorities in ways I could never imagine. Mark Borgemeyer is a good friend and I can't think of a better candidate to fill my shoes. I share the same enthusiasm as the fans, and there may be another surprise for them around the corner…stay tuned."

CRIMSON GLORY will play some select European live concert dates in October 2024, including an appearance at Germany's Keep It True Rising IV festival.

CRIMSON GLORY had been largely inactive since La Torre officially quit the band in February 2013.

La Torre, who joined Seattle-based progressive metal icons QUEENSRŸCHE in June 2012 as the replacement for Geoff Tate, became an official member of CRIMSON GLORY in April 2010 and played a number of shows with the Florida metal act during the two-and-a-half-year period prior to his exit.

A "raw" version of a new CRIMSON GLORY demo track titled "Garden Of Shadows", featuring La Torre on vocals, was released in September 2012 and was supposed to appear on the band's new concept record, which was expected sometime in 2013.

In announcing his departure from CRIMSON GLORY, La Torre said that his involvement with QUEENSRŸCHE "had nothing to do" with his decision to leave CRIMSON GLORY, adding that the "main reason" for his "resignation" was "primarily" due to the latter band's "inertia status."

La Torre made his first public appearance with CRIMSON GLORY at ProgPower USA X as one of 17 guest performers paying tribute to Midnight.

Midnight passed away in 2009 due to long-term health complications.

Wade Black sang on CRIMSON GLORY's 1999 album "Astronomica" and took part in a subsequent European tour.

David Van Landing replaced Midnight briefly for the U.S. tour in support of CRIMSON GLORY's third album, 1991's "Strange And Beautiful".

Sammy Hagar has weighed in on the disparaging comments that David Lee Roth has made about Wolfgang Van Halen.

While speaking with People on Saturday ahead of MusiCares' "Person Of The Year" ceremony and concert held in honor of Jon Bon Jovi at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Hagar said: "Look, if you really think about what [David] said, it's like do I sense a little tinge of jealousy in there or something? Does he feel like he's left out or something?

"I mean, honestly, the only thing I can say without being cruel is he needs to find a new dispensary," Hagar jokingly added. "That one's not working for him."

Last month, Roth posted an audio clip to YouTube in which he blasted Eddie Van Halen's son for allegedly engaging in unpleasant behavior and making poor decisions during VAN HALEN's final tour.

"This fuckin' kid," David said, "he's complaining the entire tour like I'm not paying enough attention to him on stage." Roth continued: "He's complaining to everybody around me — the business manager, the security guy, the clothing lady — 'Dave's not paying enough attention to me.'

Roth went on to recount an incident at the New York stop of the tour where Wolfgang allegedly "commandeered a couple of monkeys to go in back, behind my back, over to the side of the stage and throw out these two great dames that I invited to be my guests to the show.

"In fact, you aren't gonna believe this shit. This fuckin' kid, what he doesn't know is that these two dames work for the accounting firm that represent him, not me. But as usual, he, just like his uncle and his uncle's brother, stiffed them for tickets."

Roth later told a similar story that allegedly took place at Los Angeles's Hollywood Bowl at the last-ever show of VAN HALEN's final tour. According to David, just as he and the rest of VAN HALEN were about to launch into "Ice Cream Man", Wolfgang had another female guest of Roth do "the walk of shame" and got her ejected from the venue.

With Wolfgang on bass, VAN HALEN embarked on lengthy tours in 2007, 2012 and 2015. The band's final run of shows took place in the summer and fall of 2015. The North American trek included 41 concerts beginning on July 5, 2015 and ending on October 4, 2015.

Back in December 2021, Wolfgang, who joined his father Eddie Van Halen in VAN HALEN at the age of 16 for the band's 2007 reunion tour with Roth, replacing Michael Anthony, was asked about David's retirement in an interview with Consequence. He said: "Dave is a… he's very much a one-of-a-kind [chuckles] sort of guy. We don't really talk, if ever. We were always cordial on tour together, but it's not like I've spoken to him at all in the last six years. But, I mean, he's fucking David Lee Roth. I'm so happy for him and for everything that he's accomplished. And he's just a phenomenal… He'll always be one of the best."

In November 2020, Wolfgang told Rolling Stone about his relationship with Roth: "We're cordial. But it was very business-related. You know, we were always cool, but we really only ever saw each other onstage."

Last year, Wolfgang implied in an interview that David Lee Roth was largely to blame for a proposed Eddie Van Halen tribute concert never materializing. He told Rolling Stone at the time: "What I can say is that there was an attempt at doing something. But, you know, I don't like to speak negatively about people, but there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to VAN HALEN. After being in VAN HALEN for a long time, I really have strived to have an environment where there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with. It's just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. But, you know, from my time in VAN HALEN, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. And, I think, that's what happened.

"I would love to just sit here and say everything and say the truth," he continued. "There are plenty of interviews my dad did, where he straight up just said everything. And people hated him for it and thought he was lying. So I could just say shit, but people have already decided how they feel about things, facts or not. So I can say the facts. But that may not align with how certain people feel. I know how VAN HALEN fans get. They are very motivated by which specific people they like in the band. And it's just not worth it. Just, we made an attempt, and some people can be hard to work with, and made it not happen."

Wolfgang went on to say that he "would really like to do something" for his father, but that the tribute concert idea "never even got off the ground."

"Look at anything that's happened with VAN HALEN," he said. "And look how things have fallen apart. You know? The fact that in my tenure, in VAN HALEN, we managed to do three tours, put an album of original material and a live album out is a fucking miracle.

"People love to pin every decision VAN HALEN has ever made on Dad," he continued. "But Al's the brain. Al has been the guy forever. He's the dude. When it comes to VAN HALEN, Dad just wanted to play guitar. But, you know, Al's mentality, and it's the mentality that VAN HALEN took for the entirety of its band, is that there's nothing worth talking about unless it's happening. So the reason that nothing has been talked about from VAN HALEN, the official channels, is because nothing's happened. And I know how that will stir people up and piss them off. But that's how the operation is run."

Asked what he would say if someone were to assume that the main problem was a certain singer with three initials — referring to David Lee Roth — Wolfgang replied: "I would say 'Do your research on the history of VAN HALEN, and come to your conclusions.'"

Eddie passed away in October 2020 at the age of 65. He had been battling throat cancer and died surrounded by friends and family at a Santa Monica, California hospital.

VAN HALEN had been inactive since it completed its U.S. tour nine ago.

In early 2019, rumors were rampant that the classic-era lineup of VAN HALEN would reunite for the first time since 1984. It has since been revealed that a health setback involving Eddie was responsible for the tour not materializing.

Boston-based hard rock band, Silent Season is excited to announce the signing of a new deal with earthprogram/Virgin Music Group. They’re focused on releasing new music and playing many shows this year, with other exciting plans.


"earthprogram is excited to be working with Silent Season, the band has a rich history of writing and recording, touring, and radio play, all the things that attract us to a great band with great music." as stated by Mike Glaser, Partner and General Manager of earthprogam.


Silent Season hails from Boston, Massachusetts and has been working hard to build their brand and grow their fan base since 2008. They have played many shows with national artists and have toured with bands such as 10 Years, Gemini Syndrome, Sevendust and Twelve Foot Ninja, while enjoying airplay on digital and terrestrial stations such as 107.3 WAAF, Music Choice, Sirius XM Octane, Sixx Sense and more.  




“We’re excited to partner up with earthprogram/Virgin Music Group to finally release new music in 2024. Getting to work with such an experienced team that includes music industry veterans such as Jason Jordan, Joel T. Jordan, Mike Glaser and resources from the Virgin Music Group, puts the band in a great position to be successful in an already extremely competitive industry.” As mentioned by David Pappalardo, Drummer of Silent Season. 
With a strong social media presence, ~10 million total streams in counting, countless shows logged, Silent Season is ready to take on their next career challenges and work hard to make substantial noise within the hard rock scene. Stay tuned for the first single release date.


Find out more at silentseasonmusic.com.

In a new interview with Joe Matera, former HIM frontman Ville Valo spoke about a possible follow-up to his debut solo album, "Neon Noir", which was released in January 2023 under the VV banner. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "The album came out about a year ago. We played 120 gigs last year and there's about 30 to go. So, I'm still fully focused on this one. I am strumming and humming new ideas, but I haven't really started properly focusing. I think it's unfair for the tour, and it's also… I find it extremely hard to live in the future and in the present at the same time, like working on what might happen in three years. It's sort of like when this is over, then I can let my imagination bloom again and get into sort of like overdrive and then let the new music take over and then I'll forget all about the past music. Keeping it all happening at the same time, my brain doesn't kind of compute it all. I'm not a great multitasker."

Earlier in the month, Valo told The Rockpit about the response to "Neon Noir": "Well, the operation in its entirety has been quite — I've been awestruck and I've been exhilarated. I'm really pleasantly surprised because there were so many things… HIM was such a big part of who I am and still is such a big part of who I am, I wasn't sure whether I can pull off writing a good song by myself, or to perform it with a new set of lads behind me playing it. And I didn't know how people were gonna react. For obvious reasons, I was hoping that it wouldn't be a tribute act in a way and that it wouldn't be just about the HIM songs. And I've been really pleasantly surprised that there seems to be this new generation that never had the chance to see HIM, and some of the newer generation, they seem to be gravitating towards 'Neon Noir' more than the HIM tracks, which is great. So there's all sorts of people in the audience. There's people from between 18 and, let's say, 68. It's great that there's all sorts, and that makes each and every night a bit different. Not to say that there would be grannies on Tuesdays and teenagers on Wednesdays, but it keeps on changing. Also, the cool thing about HIM was the fact that different albums had different levels of success in different parts of the world. So, an album called 'Dark Light' was quite a success in the States, then an album called 'Love Metal' was quite a success in the U.K., and an album called 'Razorblade Romance' was a huge success in the Central Europe area. Then the 'Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666' was quite massive here in our home country [of Finland]. So, different songs have different meanings to different audiences and people, and that makes it always a positive struggle."

He continued: "It's been really, really nice because I couldn't really wish for more. And then the fact that we've been able to travel quite a bit. We played 120 shows last year, which is a lot for me. I've never been a part of a tour, like an IRON MAIDEN sort of thing, the way you do 300 shows in five years. So, there's 30 more or so to go before we finish off a Royal Albert Hall in London on, I think the 10th of May. And, yeah, it's been… I couldn't really hope for anything more. It's been amazing, especially after the pandemic. And there's so many things that influence the overall exhilaration, so to speak."

HIM completed a farewell tour in 2017, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career.

A little over a year ago, Ville told Radio Bob! about HIM's split: "I think it was the right call to call it a day with HIM. We'd done it for a long, long time and it started to sort of, like, wither away a bit. It was maybe our interest and maybe just sign of the times. We'd been together for such a long time that we were ourselves really surprised that it lasted for such a long time."

"Neon Noir" came out via Heartagram Records, distributed by UMG/Spinefarm.

Valo's show at the iconic and historic Royal Albert Hall in London on May 10 will mark the end of his promotion around "Neon Noir". The concert will not only be the "Neon Noir" finale but also wrap up Valo's reincarnation.

"The idea behind VV and 'Neon Noir' was to symbolically finish what HIM started, and after the bangs and whimpers at the Royal Albert Hall, it's time to reshuffle the pieces of the puzzle once again and give Herbert West a shout," he said in a press release.

"I had no expectations whatsoever when releasing music under the banner of VV, so I've been quite shocked to see people still find my kind of racket enjoyable, warts and all. Touring has been way less painful than I dared to hope, and as we say in Finland, it fits my arse like a glove. A mourning glove from a bygone era."

Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, OVERKILL), Jon Dinklage ("Clockwork Angels" string ensemble), Joe Bergamini (drum instructor, author), John Wesley (PORCUPINE TREE) and Seven Antonopoulos (OPIATE FOR THE MASSES) are among the guests who performed with YYNOT, considered one of the premier RUSH tribute bands, at this year's "Bubba Bash 2024", a charity concert in celebration of RUSH's late drummer Neil Peart on the fourth anniversary of his passing. Proceeds from the show, which was held on January 6 at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania, will go to benefit Cedars Sinai Hospital in memory of Neil.

Professionally filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of YYNOT).

The progressive rock band YYNOT was the coming together of award-winning guitarist/songwriter/producer Billy Alexander and Florida-based virtuoso bassist Tim Starace. In 2015, after seeing Tim post videos of his mind-blowing and accurate RUSH bass covers, Alexander approached him about forming an online collaboration. With the addition of drummer Mike Hetzel and vocalist Adi Argelazi, YYNOT delivers a well-deserved "throat punch" in both their live shows and recorded material with their original progressive rock and "note-for-note" vintage RUSH covers while adding their own swagger to the mix. Their debut album and latest release, "Resonance", have garnered praise from the rock world including Prog magazine and Classic Rock. The records have continued to sell in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Brazil and more. YYNOT has accumulated devoted fans all over the U.S. and abroad.

Three and a half years ago, Portnoy spoke to World Prog-Nation about how Peart influenced him on a musical and personal level. He said: "I spent 20, 30 years idolizing him and being his biggest fan. And all those years, it was mainly the drum kit — the drum kit was such a fascination for me. He always built such amazing kits and put so much thought into it. I'd always get the tour programs where he'd write about the kit and what the new things were on it, and I would just look at those photos. Most other kids were looking at Playboy centerfolds; I was looking at Neil Peart drum kits. And then, obviously, his playing — it goes without saying. I learned how to really develop parts and orchestrate drum parts to build and change and develop within the song. So that was the biggest stuff for me as a fan. And then later on, once I got to know him, I was so inspired by what a gracious person he was."

Mike added: "He had this reputation that he was sort of quiet and isolated and private, and he was, and it was very important for him to guard that. But once you were somehow allowed into that inner cicle, he was always so sweet and kind and generous. He'd always send me holiday e-mails and he would always send me his new books and stuff like that. It was a relationship that I'll always cherish and I was honored to have."

During an October 2021 interview with TWISTED SISTER bassist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza's Internet show "22 Now", Portnoy once again spoke about a hypothetical scenario in which he would be chosen to tour with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as the replacement for Peart. Asked if he would be interested in taking that gig, Portnoy said: "Of course. That would be a dream to play with those guys. But I don't wanna see the Blabbermouth headline right now, me thinking that I deserve the gig. I'm not saying that. You're asking me a question. Hypothetically, of course, it would be a dream come true. Neil was my hero, and always will be, and Geddy and Alex are as well.

"I don't think in a million years they'll play [as RUSH] without him; I really don't," he continued. "But in a hypothetical dream scenario, I mean, come on — of course. But I don't think in a zillion years it will happen. But it's a nice dream to hypothetically wonder about. But I honestly don't think it would ever happen. But who knows? You never know.

"As much as hypothetically it would be fun, it would be amazing, it would also be an impossible role to fill," Portnoy added. "It's a no-win situation. Really, it would be impossible, 'cause his fans are as obsessive as they get — and count me amongst them. So, yeah, that would be a tough one."

Mike also talked about RUSH's final tour which concluded at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. Peart indicated at the time that he wanted to retire while he was still able to play well, along with a desire to spend more time at home with his young daughter.

"They went out on such a high," Portnoy said. "Their last tour was a farewell tour. I don't think anybody expected Neil to pass, but they wanted to stop touring, so they really went out with such an amazing tour. That tour was just so well done, so perfectly executed, and they went out with all three of them still at the top of their game. So I give them all the credit in the world for that. It's just sad that Neil didn't get many years to enjoy the retirement before he got sick. That saddens me."

In February 2020, Bello commented on Peart's passing, telling the "Come To Where I'm From" podcast: "I didn't expect that. I didn't see this coming at all. That's one of my guys. And as a bass player, too, I'll say that. That's the guy I try to lock in bass with… Just think about these crazy things that he did outside the box and experiment and made it look easy. I mean, think about it.

"I'm so sorry I didn't see that last [RUSH] tour. I wasn't home. That last tour, I was never home when they were [near my hometown], and I regret that.

"Man, talk about a loss," he added. "It just breaks my heart. You just want more. 'Cause I don't think there are people like that around. There's never gonna be another RUSH. That came organically.

"Growing up in the Bronx, I'd come home from school, [go over] to my Uncle Joe's deli, worked till eight o'clock. Eight o'clock, eight thirty, I'd grab something to eat, go right to my room and learn a RUSH song."

RUSH announced Peart's passing on January 10, 2020, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

This is happening TONIGHT!!! A tribute to our hero, the late great Neil Peart, and the music of Rush…The show is already...

Posted by Mike Portnoy on Saturday, January 6, 2024

Starting off 2024 in style with our SOLD OUT Bubba Bash!

Posted by The Keswick Theatre on Saturday, January 6, 2024

Mark your calender!
Bubba Bash 2024 - 1/6/2024 at The Keswick Theatre
Tix - https://bit.ly/3t5RW8h
Featuring YYNOT,...

Posted by YYNOT on Friday, November 10, 2023

AC/DC has announced the initial details of the group's first tour dates in eight years.

The legendary band's lineup for the "Power Up" European tour, which will kick off in May and run through August, will consist of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group's touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.

Says AC/DC: "We are thrilled to finally announce the 'Power Up' European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff.

"The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can't wait to see you all out there."

Tour dates:

May 17 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 21 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 25 - Reggio Emilia, Italy, RCF Arena
May 29 - Seville, Spain, La Cartuja Stadium
June 05 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Johan Cruyff Arena
June 09 - Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 12 - Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 16 - Dresden, Germany, Messe *
June 23 - Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 26 - Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 29 - Zurich, Switzerland, Letzigrund Stadium
July 03 - London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 07 - London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 13 - Hockenheim, Germany, Ring *
July 17 - Stuttgart, Germany, Wasen *
July 21 - Bratislava, Slovakia, Old Airport
July 27 - Nuremberg, Germany, Zeppelinfeld *
July 31 - Hannover, Germany, Messe *
August 09 - Dessel, Belgium, Festivalpark Stenehei
August 13 - Paris, France, Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
August 17 - Dublin, Ireland, Croke Park **

Tickets go on sale on February 16 at 10:00 a.m. except * on sale at 11 a.m. local time on February 16 and ** on sale at 9 a.m. local time on February 16

AC/DC's first show in seven years took place on October 7, 2023 at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

AC/DC recruited Laug to perform with the band at the three-day event.

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

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

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

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

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

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist." At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC's singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, the now-76-year-old Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer's hearing problems.

Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and "miniaturizing" the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.

Chaney is best known as the bassist of JANE'S ADDICTION and as a member of Alanis Morissette's touring and recording band. Chaney was also a member of TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS and CAMP FREDDY, as well as being a prolific and versatile session musician, having played with artists including Joe Cocker, Shakira, Slash and Avril Lavigne to Sara Bareilles, Gavin Degraw, Cher, SHINEDOWN and Celine Dion. Chaney is also a founding member and partner in the all-star supergroup ROYAL MACHINES along with Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION),Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY),Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL).

Bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement at the end of AC/DC's 2015-2016 "Rock Or Bust" tour, which also saw Johnson leaving. However, Williams — and Johnson — took part in the recording sessions that resulted in "Power Up". Both of them were also part of the AC/DC lineup that performed at Power Trip.

During an October 2020 interview with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, Cliff was asked if Johnson's departure from the road was what led to his desire to stop touring. Cliff responded: "It was before then. I spoke to Angus about it initially. I was at a point — and this is at the beginning of the 'Rock Or Bust' tour — that I just felt, for me, it was time to hang it up. I knew that I didn't wanna keep doing these two-year tours, and I didn't wanna hold them back, so I made them aware of the fact that this was gonna be my last go-round. It was a tough tour to finish. God bless Axl for coming in and helping us out, finish it up. He did a great job. And at the end of that, I was definitely — that was it for me. Done — just done. That compounded the whole thing."

According to Williams, he wanted to take part in the recording sessions for "Power Up" as a tribute to Angus's late brother, founding AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on "Power Up".

"If 'Back In Black' has [late AC/DC singer] Bon Scott all over it, for me, 'Power Up' has got Malcolm Young," Cliff said. "This is for him. And it's the band that we played together with for 40-plus years. And I wanted to do that — I wanted to come back and do that.

"We did some rehearsals earlier [in 2020] before this darn COVID thing popped up, and we had great rehearsals," he continued. "The band was playing really well. So [they asked me], 'Do you wanna do a few shows? 'Sure'. A few shows. We were planning on doing that. Everyone goes home to their respective homes, and bang, we've been here ever since [because of the coronavirus-related shutdown]."

Cliff went on to confirm that his commitment to AC/DC was only for "a few" dates in support of "Power Up".

"For both [my mental and physical] health," he said. "I definitely have some physical issues, which I won't bore you with the details of. But, yeah, it's tough. I'm very grateful for everything. It's been fantastic. But I just don't wanna do that anymore."

Williams previously revealed that a "terrible" bout with vertigo contributed to his 2016 retirement. He also admitted the return of both Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd convinced him to rejoin the group. "It was like the old band back together," he told Rolling Stone. "It was not like starting over again, but as close to the band that's been together for 40-plus years as we can possibly make it. I didn't want to miss that."

The follow-up to 2014's "Rock Or Bust", "Power Up" was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and "Rock Or Bust".
We are thrilled to finally announce the ‘POWER UP’ European Tour. Angus, Brian, Stevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VTVMKdweNX

— AC/DC (@acdc) February 12, 2024


The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can't wait to see you all out there. Tickets on sale Feb 16 — go to https://t.co/jugYO74nWI to learn more.
(2/2)

— AC/DC (@acdc) February 12, 2024

Singer Keith St John has announced his departure from KINGDOM COME after a five-year run with the band.

St John joined KINGDOM COME in 2018 after original vocalist Lenny Wolf opted not to be involved in the group's reunion alongside drummer James Kottak, guitarists Danny Stag and Rick Steier, and bassist Johnny B. Frank.

St John's exit from KINGDOM COME comes just a month after Kottak died at the age of 61.

Earlier today (Sunday, February 11),St John released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "I really loved every single moment on stage working with James and the guys for the last five years. I am so grateful for every time we took the stage together and created that pure magic that truly touched the stars. I want to say thank you to all the new fans and especially the older deep fans that accepted me and took me in!"

He continued: "I brought my A-game to help James with his vision of getting KINGDOM COME restarted and I can say I did my very best for the brand. But since James's recent passing, my head's been in a tailspin as we'd been friends for around 30 years and there was nothing more anyone could have done to help him to save himself. It's been such a tragic loss for all who he once touched with his superhuman talents. I will always miss him dearly. I was still pretty out of it and traveling the road when regrettably some recent communications hit me that made it obvious that it was time for the band and me to simply go our separate ways."

St John added: "Danny Stag, JB Frank and Rick Steier are truly timeless forces in the world of rock and roll and I hold those three gentlemen in the highest regards. We definitely played some of the most amazing kick-ass shows together.

"To my brothers in the KINGDOM COME band that are carrying on with it, I wish for them the very best! To all those who are reading this, I will see you down the road apiece…and again, thanks to our fans that supported us on this journey."

Earlier this month, Stag, Steier and Frank launched a new web site at kingdomcomerockband.com where they revealed that they will carry on under the KINGDOM COME banner with the addition of two new members, vocalist Ezekiel "Zeke" Kaplan and drummer Matt Muckle.

The all-new KINGDOM COME is promising to kick off 2024 "with a new touring lineup, new personnel, a new album, and a brand-new live tour," starting on March 15 at The Lamp Theater in Irwin, Pennsylvania, followed by an appearance at The Mercury Music Lounge in Lakewood, Ohio on March 16.

Regarding the split with St John, KINGDOM COME wrote: "KINGDOM COME has decided to part ways with vocalist Keith St John in order to allow him to devote more time to BURNING RAIN, 'Raiding The Rock Vault', and his solo projects. We sincerely wish him only the best, and thank him for his invaluable contributions to getting KINGDOM COME back up and running again in 2018."

Kottak, who was open about his battle with alcoholism, died on January 9. No cause of death has been given.

KINGDOM COME had used a different drummer, SLAUGHTER's Blas Elias, instead of James for most of the band's shows in the last year and a half due to Kottak's deteriorating health.

KINGDOM COME's most recent touring lineup consisted of St John and Elias alongside Stag, Steier and Frank.

Kottak's daughter Tobi told TMZ her father passed away in Louisville, where he lived until 1987, although further details about the exact circumstances weren't immediately available.

In addition to SCORPIONS and KINGDOM COME, Kottak had toured with such bands as WARRANT and even DIO for a short run. James was also involved in various other projects, including the 1990s band KRUNK in which he sang lead vocals and played guitar.

Kottak was married to Athena Lee, the sister of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee, from 1996 to 2010.

Last month, St John told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about Kottak's passing: "He went through his ups and downs, obviously. And in the end, it seemed like he was really trying to pull it back together. I know he was just through a 48-day program, trying to do the rehab thing."

St John explained that KINGDOM COME had been forced to use a different drummer "after a certain level of [James's] playing going away, which was just heartbreaking, 'cause really when he came out, he was like the second coming of [John] Bonham or something, in the '80s. And it was just heartbreaking to see him struggling to play," he said. "I mean, of all things, this is James Kotak; he was right on top. And the decision to — I can't say — just part ways with him, put it that way, until he got better and get another guy was tough — probably tougher for the other guys, 'cause they had a really long history with him, especially one of the guitar players, Rick Steier, who grew up with James down near Louisville, Kentucky, which is where he's from. This is a guy that was his partner in crime, quote-unquote, for all these years, even off the stage and off the road. But finally, we just had to do it, man. It just got to that point where we didn't wanna see him embarrass himself, and it just wasn't good for the band, promoters weren't liking it. So, yeah, we had to bail."

Posted by Danny Stag on Thursday, February 8, 2024

https://kingdomcomerockband.com/home

Posted by Danny Stag on Thursday, February 8, 2024

Come see us perform this one on March 15th at the #lamptheatre in Irwin Pa and March 16th Cleveland Ohio mercury music lounge . #kingdomcomeband @followers @highlight

Posted by Matt Muckle on Friday, February 9, 2024

South Carolina's Egyptian-themed death metal titans NILE are preparing to mix their new album at a Nashville studio with producer Mark Lewis, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER and BAD WOLVES, among many others.

Earlier today, NILE share a short video of founder Karl Sanders (guitar, vocals) as he was getting ready for a drive to Tennessee to begin mixing the band's tenth LP.

"I'm on my way to Nashville to go mix the new motherfucking NILE record with Mark Lewis," he said in the clip. "Got a trailer full of gear, car full of gear, coffee to go. I will be back when metal is made."

Last October, NILE announced its new touring lineup. Joining Sanders and longtime drummer George Kollias are Dan Vadim Von (MORBID ANGEL, INCANTATION) on bass/vocals and Zach Jeter (HIDEOUS DIVINITY, OLKOTH) on guitar/vocals.

Last June, Sanders spoke to Headbangers Latinoamérica about the progress of the recording sessions for NILE's tenth studio album. Asked how the studio work is coming along, Karl said: "Very well. George finished all his drums. He did an amazing job. When people hear this, they are not going to believe that it's a real live human doing all this stuff. But it's George. People who have seen him live and in the flesh can believe. So he's done probably the best album of his career with this new NILE record."

In July 2022, Sanders told Guitar World magazine that he and his bandmates had 10 songs written for the follow-up to 2019's "Vile Nilotic Rites". Earlier that same month, NILE announced the departure of bassist/vocalist Brad Parris.

Originally hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, international death metal legends NILE have become one of the most revered names in the worldwide heavy metal scene today, combining extreme traditional and technical death metal styles with their trademarked blend of Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern soundscapes and historical mysticism.

"Vile Nilotic Rites" was released in November 2019 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded and produced by Sanders at Serpent Headed Studios in Greenville, South Carolina, with the exception of the drums which were recorded at Esoteron Music Studios in Athens, Greece with engineering handled by Jim Touras and George Dovolos. The album was mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis at MRL Studios. For the album artwork, the band returned to artist Michal "Xaay" Loranc who had worked with the band for over 10 years.

In September 2021, NILE announced that it had signed a worldwide contract with Napalm Records.

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In a new interview with Steve Black of "Chop Shop", guitar wizard John 5 — a huge KISS fan and an avid memorabilia collector of the band — spoke about attending the legendary rockers' final concert ever, which took place on December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I really wanted to go to the show. And I just got home from Australia [from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE] and I was, like, 'God, the last…' That flight to Australia is so long; it's, like — I don't know — 126 hours or something like that. So, I got home and the KISS show was right around the corner. So I was, like, 'Okay' — I don't know — I was really exhausted and everything. And I was kind of like bumming around the house, a little depressed and stuff, so my wife said, 'Get in an Uber. [We're] going to the airport. You're going to the show.' So she surprised me."

He continued: "I took a really late flight and got to New York at six in the morning and was just loving it and looking at all the stuff and blah blah blah, having a good time. [I] got to the show, and it was the very last show. And it was emotional for me, because I was, like, 'This is the last time they're playing 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Shout It Out Loud' and 'Love Gun'; it's the last time they're gonna play these songs with makeup. So, it was an incredible experience.

"But here's something really cool," John 5 added. "At the end of the show, I was at the soundboard, and I was waiting for everyone to leave, and everyone's going [one] way and I was gonna go [the opposite] way and I was gonna leave through the little backstage area. So I was making my way through. And it took a while for people to leave and stuff like that. So it was a good 20 minutes — I was just sitting there and saying hello to people. And so I finally get there, and I'm going back there and I see [KISS bassist/vocalist] Gene [Simmons]. And he's, like, 'John, John.' And I go over to him and talk with him and I thank him for all the music and the memories and all that stuff. And we just chatted for a while, and we took a picture. And then I watched him go in his dressing room. And I was talking to a couple of people and the door opens in and out with crew people coming in and out and I could see him taking his stuff [makeup and stage clothes] off. And I was, like, 'Did I just get the last picture of Gene Simmons with makeup on?', from the last show. And it's on my Instagram. And it was something very special."

John 5's KISS collection reportedly includes clothing, promotional items and merchandise that was originally made available between 1973 and 1983. The guitarist showcases this massive collection in an Instagram account dedicated solely to it, named "Knights In Satan's Service."

In an interview with Ultimate Guitar's Justin Beckner, John 5 said that the most valuable item in his KISS collection is Simmons's costume from 1974. "That was like his first costume, and you would know it well if you saw it; you would know it right away," he said. "It's on the cover of 'Hotter Than Hell'. I mean, it's been in a zillion pictures. It's the one with the skull and crossbones on his back, and he's got the bat wings, and he only had one. Now they have multiple costumes, just in case something happens, but they were very poor back then, and he would carry this costume on the subway with him. I guess that would be my favorite piece."

Asked if he got the costume right from Gene, John 5 responded: "Actually, yes. They had a big auction back in the day. So there's quite a collection, and it is a part of history. I mean, KISS is almost like this… the makeup and the logos are almost as recognizable as McDonald's."

Later this month, John 5 will embark on a tour with his solo band THE CREATURES. Support acts on the trek, which will kick off on January 26, 2024, at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California and wrap up on March 1, 2024 at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California, will include former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, LILIAC, Jared James Nichols, Nikki Stringfield and VAN HALEN tribute act THE ATOMIC PUNKS.

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Swedish multi-instrumentalist Per Wiberg has offered up his latest single, "Follow The Unknown." The track comes by way of his impending new full-length, The Serpent's Here, slated for release on March 15 via Despotz Records.


Wiberg comments, “‘Follow The Unknown’ is the last song on the album and puts an end to a loose story that started with Head Without Eyes in 2019, the last piece of the puzzle so to speak. Musically, it’s heavy, doomy, and out there with a cool live in the studio feel. The melodic vocals lead the song with kind of a singer-songwriter vibe but instead of the traditional Americana backdrop picture, it’s something along the lines of Melvins jamming with Pink Floyd and Motorpsycho. Once again, there’s the top-notch creative mix by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge that endorses the wild playing by Tor Sjödén on drums and Mikael Tuominen on bass, enjoy!”


As an unrivaled musical alchemist, Wiberg’s work has illuminated an array of now-classic albums over the years performing with the likes of Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, and Candlemass, as well as Clutch/The Bakerton Group, Switchblade, and Kamchatka, among others, for over thirty years. However, it’s Wiberg’s solo conjurings that serve as the zenith of his musical voyages.




In 2019, Wiberg released his debut solo offering, Head Without Eyes. A record of Nordic prog submerged in a gnawing stew of jolting guitar notes and emotive melodies, Wiberg’s debut laid bare an unexplored sonic landscape that surpassed the successes of his past and solidified his strong presence as a unique solo artist in his own right. Wiberg followed Head Without Eyes with his equally stunning 2021-released All Is Well In The Land Of The Living, But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out EP, a compelling celebration of innovative rock at its finest. Expanding and further evolving his vision, Wiberg expertly composed the definitive and established paradigms of traditional progressive rock with spirited and electrifying twists of dark tone. The Metal Observer hailed, “a great EP that serves as a fitting soundtrack to these strange, dark times,” adding, “its thick, otherworldly atmospheres represent a gloriously dark and hallucinated take on Scandinavian prog that weaves together Wiberg’s many musical influences and takes them to the next level of dark melodic exploration.


The Serpent’s Here continues Wiberg’s innovative trajectory boasting six consuming tracks, plus a fantastically gloomy rendition of Warrior Soul’s “The Losers,” that are at once grim and surreal; airy yet ominous. Wiberg paints vivid sound tapestries with his clever sense of dynamics and thoughtful lyricism. Each song moves with alluring subtlety and suspense, not unlike the conventions of classic film noir. And while Wiberg strays far from the traditional musical constructs, there’s an inescapable melodicism and intrinsic catchiness to his output that makes even his most experimental outpourings seamlessly accessible.


“The music has a strong familiar identity I’d say,” notes Wiberg, “It’s heavy in its tone but this time a little braver, up-tempo, loose, and ‘rock’n’roll’ compared to the previous two albums. Overall, this is the most epic sounding of my stuff so far. Things are more defined. I worked hard with lyrics and vocal arrangements this time.”


On The Serpent’s Here, Wiberg is joined by drummer Tor Sjödén (Viagra Boys) who played drums on the previous EP, as well as bassist Mikael Tuominen (Kungens Män). Basic live tracks (drums, basses, grand piano) were recorded at Studio Gröndahl by David Castillo and, as with previous releases, the record was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Blacklounge Studios.


“All songs are built from rough song sketches that I showed Tor and Mikael,” elaborates Wiberg of The Serpent’s Here’s writing process. “The idea was that they could improvise. All basic tracks were recorded live in an afternoon to give it that extra spontaneous energy, and then I’d layer keys, guitars, and vocals on top of what we recorded. Overall, there are more guitars this time as well as two basses on the majority of the tracks.”


Stay tuned for more track teasers from the record to be revealed in the weeks to come.


Find preorder bundles at the Despotz Records webshop.





Tracklisitng:


“Dead Sky Lullaby”
“The Serpent’s Here”
“Blackguards Stand Silent”
“This House Is Someone Else’s Now”
“He Just Disappeared”
“Follow The Unknown”
“The Losers” (Warrior Soul cover)


"Follow The Unknown":





"Dead Sky Lullaby":





“The Serpent’s Here”:





(Photo – Soile Siirtola)

Epic metal pioneers, Warlord, are on a mission in tribute to fallen bandmate, William J Tsamis, and return once more with Free Spirit Soar on May 10 via High Roller Records. New single and lyric video "Conquerors" is streaming below. A 7" single of "Conquerors" will be released on April 12.


With Free Spirit Soar, a brand-new studio album by Warlord with all songs having been recorded between March and September 2023, singer Giles Lavery and drummer Mark Zonder honor their bandmate, Bill Tsamis, who passed away in 2021. They are joined by Jimmy Waldo on keyboards/synthesizer, Philip Bynoe on bass and Eric Juris on guitars.


“We wanted to finish these pieces of music that were started ‘for Bill’,” explains Lavery, “and the material we felt was certainly strong enough to inspire us to do so.”




Regarding the guitar parts he specifies: “Bill is there where we could pull his tracks off the demo recordings, in much the same way the Beatles were recently able to rescue John Lennon’s voice from an old demo tape. however be assured this album is not "a demo", nor does it sound like one, our new guitarist Eric does most of the heavy lifting as far the recording, but all of the music was written by Bill and we stayed very very faithful to what he wrote.”


Preorder Free Spirit Soar at the High Roller Records webshop.





Tracklisting:


"Behold A Pale Horse"
"The Rider"
"Conquerors"
"Worms Of The Earth"
"The Watchman" (CD-exclusive track)
"Free Spirit Soar"
"The Bell Tolls"
"Alarm"
"Twin" (CD-exclusive track)
"Revelation XIX"


"Conquerors" lyric video:





Lineup:


Mark Zonder - Drums           
Philip Bynoe - Bass
Eric Juris - Guitars
Jimmy Waldo - Keyboards
Giles Lavery - Vocal

On May 3, New York's Imperial Triumphant will release a new version of 2018's Vile Luxury - remixed & remastered by longtime contributor Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts). Upon its initial release, the album set a new standard for the possibilities of extreme music; now, the trio returns with a fresh approach to this seminal record—often considered Imperial Triumphant at their most accessible—allowing stygian dimensions and monolithic intents to seep through. For a first preview, the redubbed video for "Swarming Opulence (Redux 1924)" is available below.


Regarding "Swarming Opulence (Redux 1924)", Steve Blanco (bass) comments: "The future, like everything else, is not quite what it used to be. From 2018 to 1924, timeless vision extends. Behold the single which truly pushed Imperial Triumphant into the spotlight of the new roaring twenties. Swarming Opulence: that which never stops consuming."


Artwork by Noah Meihoff:







Vile Luxury formats here:
--CD Digipak
--Hudson River Blue 2LP
--Chernobyl Radiation Neon Green 2LP
--Digital Album


To coincide with the release of Vile Luxury, Imperial Triumphant have collaborated with the avant-garde minds of House of Masks (AJ Good, Slipknot), Paleface & Company, Joshua Everetts, and the visionary talents of Trash Bag Ghosts to create the Masque of Mercury. The masks feature a brand new and reimagined design. Each highly collectible, an extremely limited hand numbered box displays the enigmatic and clandestine opulence of the collaborative and limitless talents between Imperial Triumphant and House of Masks. Purchase masqueofmercury.com.





(Photo - Shawn Brandon Media)

Reigning Phoenix Music is proud to announce the signing of high flyers, All For Metal. After their spectacular live debut at Wacken Open Air 2023, followed by an enormously successful tour alongside Italian power metal dwarves Wind Rose, the band have become one of the most promising newcomers of the metal scene.


But the era of All For Metal is actually just about to begin: They stand for a truly epic generation conquering the metal world resolutely. Ignited by unparalleled union and passion, the group are reaching for the main stages of the globe, and their mission is nothing but spreading the message of power, unity and undying love for metal! All together, the band are the incarnation of a new era within the metal universe; they are determined to conquer the hearts and souls of fans worldwide. Witness the ascension of a movement which revives the genre with never seen energy and dedication. Reigning Phoenix Music is pleased to welcome the band to its roster and looking forward to support the outfit on their further career path.







All For Metal enthusiastically comment on the new partnership: "Fans and friends! We're excited to announce Reigning Phoenix Music as new partner for our future endeavours! It's been a great start for All For Metal und 2024 will see us embark on even more adventures! Thank you for trusting in us, lets conquer the world with our slogan: It's All For Metal...and metal for all!"


RPM managing director Jochen Richert adds on the label's latest roster addition: "Could there be a better label home for a band named All For Metal than RPM? No one breathes music as we do! Additionally, I've accompanied them since their first riff; I am one of their biggest fans and supporters. That's why I'm very pleased that we can work on climbing the metal olymp with All For Metal."


Their sophomore offering is already in the works - and it will guide us to a different place musically and also visually: to Japan! The band want to take fans on this journey by recording a music video for new track "The Year Of The Dragon" in the land of the rising sun itself, but for this special mission, they need a lot of support and thereby invite fans to contribute to their ongoing crowdfunding campaign.


"Let's go on this journey together: We're aiming to produce the most unique music video in our history. We have the song, so now we only need YOU!" appeal the band.


Another exciting career chapter for All For Metal awaits this spring: They will be touring across Europe with labelmates Lordi from March until May. This run will be one for the metal books.


Find the band's complete tour itinerary here.





All For Metal are:


Tim "Tetzel" Schmidt - vocals
Antonio Calanna - vocals
Jasmin Pabst - guitars
Ursula Zanichelli - guitars
Florian Toma - bass
Leif Jensen - drums
Christina Schulz - showgirl
Luisa Lohöfer - showgirl


(Top photo - Patryk Kaszubski)

In a new interview with White Line Fever TV, SLAUGHTER bassist Dana Strum was asked about the status of the band's upcoming documentary. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are in the process of working with two major companies that you guys would know well that I don't wanna say because they both shouldn't know that. But they both have crazy interest in it. And one of them wants it tailored a little bit to them, and we've said we want it to be honest and real, and that may call the cards, because the real story is really true.

"For people that are listening that their parents either encourage them to play music or to do a podcast or to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be, [SLAUGHTER frontman] Mark Slaughter's father was really the one that I spoke to, and he has a great role in this thing, because in the end, if Mark's dad didn't love his kid and encourage his kid, I would have never met Mark. I actually spoke to the dad, just playing around and joking around, before his dad ever admitted to me, 'I want you to come see my son. You may be a guy that could just bring my son and squeeze him through this.' So it was really a story of this guy loving his son, and he appears in and out of the thing, because he got to see his kid go from a very small one-bedroom-type rehearsal environment to playing Madison Square Garden on the KISS tour. And not many parents quite get to see quite that."

Asked if the SLAUGHTER film will be "more documentary than a biopic," Dana clarified: "There's people that portray the younger versions, and watching some of that going down is interesting, because you're, like, '[It's] pretty fucking close.' Some of it is amazing. Some of the people study early footage and, I'm, like, 'Look, dude, the guy's got every fucking move you've made.' It's like seeing that QUEEN [biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody'], that guy [Rami Malek, who played Freddie Mercury] was so good, and they were all so good."

Dana also brought up one particular incident that will be covered in the SLAUGHTER film. He said: "It's important to us to bring those funny moments out, where a manager came in once to the studio and said, 'It's really too bad that [SLAUGHTER's classic power ballad] 'Fly To The Angels' doesn't have a chorus, guys. If it only had a chorus, it could be a big song.' 'Fly To The Angels' currently has about 44 million views on YouTube, unpromoted — very naturally. And every night we play it, people are crying, singing and relishing. But that's the truth. Now, if you listened to that manager guy at the time, you could have taken it into a whole another direction. And I looked over and I said, 'You know what's great about opinions? They don't really matter.' He just stared at me. He just stared at me, like, 'I'm gonna fucking kill you.' And I said, 'Well, either you're gonna kill me or you're gonna be thankful I stuck to my guns.' And [there were] many moments like that."

Asked if there is already a finished cut of the film that is being shopped to interested companies, Dana said: "There's not a finished cut, but the story and the interweavings of the story have been worked on for a good while. It's like a good movie — if you don't have a great story… Or a good song. If you don't have a good song, you can be a greatest band in the world, but people may not be able to hear you. So, it's that kind of thing. But the story, I think, is a really, really good story."

SLAUGHTER formed in 1988 from the ashes of Slaughter and Strum's previous band, VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, which featured former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent. The group's double-platinum debut, "Stick It To Ya", featured the hit singles "Fly To The Angels", "Up All Night", "Mad About You" and "Spend My Life". The band issued four additional full-length albums over the course of the rest of the decade, but it has not released any new music since 1999's "Back To Reality".

SLAUGHTER's current lineup consists of Mark and Dana alongside Jordan Cannata (drums) and Jeff "Blando" Bland (lead guitar, backing vocals).

Original SLAUGHTER guitarist Tim Kelly was killed in a car accident in 1998.

Last year, Mark credited SLAUGHTER's uplifting lyrics with contributing to the band's longevity.

"[During] the grunge era, there was some depressing stuff in there, and our music is a light and love and of a different mindset," he told the San Bernardino Sun. "I don't slag any of the alternative bands that came forward because they have their place and sound, and quite honestly, I enjoy them just like the next person. But I think that life should be celebrated, which is the key point with the span of SLAUGHTER. We're all about the celebration, more than getting caught up with what's wrong with the world."