Get your denim and leather jackets ready for Ambush and their Napalm Records debut, Evil In All Dimensions, out September 5.

Marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their relentless quest for speed, Ambush captures the classic essence of heavy metal – championing the genre’s roots while setting a new benchmark for modern heavy music with their signature high octane vocals and riff driven anthems.

“Evil In All Dimensions”, the title track and first single, is an exhilarating 80s inspired heavy metal ripper refined with sleek, modern production. Taking listeners through a terrible nightmare that becomes reality, the song kicks off the record with thunderous drum fills by Linus Fritzson and powerful licks from guitar-virtuosos Karl Dotzek and Olof Engqvist. “Evil In All Dimension” arrives with a thunderous official music video and is now available on all streaming services worldwide, as well as a strictly limited 12” maxi single, available here. To make this special collector’s item even more special, Ambush include a non-album track and a cover of Diamond Head’s “Canterbury” as a B-side.

The evil in this world can’t hide – Ambush will take care of it with relentless heavy metal power!

Ambush about the new single “Evil In All Dimensions”: “Have you ever woken up in anguish from the fact that in your dream you did something terrible. Something so evil that – even if it was just a dream – you could not forgive yourself for even giving birth to such horror in your mind? What if you suddenly realize that your dream is reality?”

Watch the official music video for “Evil In All Dimensions” below.

Evil In All Dimensions is undeniable proof of Ambush’s unwavering passion and talent for the genre. Now, with Napalm Records as their partner, they are primed to take the world by storm. Ambush wield an arsenal of of 80s metal prowess: with whipping drums, sharp guitars, and high-pitched vocals, “Come Angel Of Night” explores themes of reconciliation when the damage seems irreversible, culminating in a soaring solo that highlights the band’s musical power. Bassist Oskar Andersson hypnotizes listeners with his infectious grooves in the brooding “The Night I Took Your Life”, while “Maskinovka” features an anthemic, standout performance from vocalist Oskar Jakobssons. The track’s mid-tempo groove personifies the difficulties of standing up for truth in a world shaped by manipulation.

In addition to their undeniable talent to revive fast and glorious 80s headbangers, the Swedes also surprise with the gripping power ballad “I Fear The Blood”. A song to pump your fist to, vacillating between themes of escapism and self destruction, amidst the battle against one’s inner demons. Founder Oskar Jakobssons screams his soul out in this heavy-hearted and honest masterpiece, which creates the perfect moment to wave your lighters in the air, passionately belting along.

Ambush about the album: “We are stoked to unveil Evil In All Dimensions – our long awaited 4th album. For us the album feels like a new dawn where everything is possible and steel rules the world. We regard it as the proudest moment in our hellbent strive for Heavy Metal mastery, and we hope that you guys will appreciate it!”



Evil In All Dimensions will be available in the following formats:

– 1LP Marbled Yellow Orange – limited to 300 copies worldwide (Napalm Records Mailorder only)
– 1LP Marbled White, Viola, Royal blue – limited to 300 copies worldwide (Napalm Records Mailorder only)
– 1LP Gatefold Black
– Digipack & Shirt Bundle
– 6 Page Digipack
– Digital Album

Pre-order here.



Evil In All Dimensions tracklisting:

“Evil In All Dimensions”
“Maskirovka”
“Iron Sign”
“The Night I Took Your Life”
“I Fear The Blood”
“Come Angel Of Night”
“The Reaper”
“Bending The Steel”
“Heavy Metal Brethren”

Steve "Zetro" Souza has opened up about his latest departure from EXODUS, saying that he "definitely" has "no desire" to play with the band ever again.

Three months ago, it was announced that EXODUS had parted ways with the singer and had been rejoined by Rob Dukes.

Souza joined EXODUS in 1986 after previously fronting the band LEGACY (which later became TESTAMENT). He remained in the band until their hiatus in 1993, but rejoined them for two years from 2002 to 2004. Dukes had joined EXODUS in 2005 (following Souza's departure) and remained until 2014, when Souza rejoined.

Souza discussed his most recent split with EXODUS during a new episode of his Zetro's Toxic Vault YouTube series in which he is joined by his longtime friend and co-host Walter Morgan. Addressing the reasons for his departure, Zetro said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been doing this since 1986 —1986, in June, I joined EXODUS for the very first time. I was 22 years old. I'm now 61. So to have kind of a rollercoaster ride in music has actually been kind of exciting,. It kept my life going. Certain things happen and certain things go on, and you kind of have to deal with them as they happen, like anything."

Clarifying that he "did not quit" EXODUS and "was let go", Souza continued: "I don't read much of what goes on the Internet. With no disrespect to anybody, I don't give a fuck what anybody thinks about me or what you say… But I was made privy by my son of something Gary [Holt, EXODUS guitarist and main songwriter] had responded to me saying that I didn't quit; I was let go. And I have to agree with his analogy. Being in a band is like a marriage — it truly is — and the marriage was over. And it was. Now, I was never gonna quit, meaning maybe I guess I would never leave the marriage, for whatever reason. But I truly think that it was probably the right thing for me especially, and I hope it's the right thing for them as well."

Regarding his mindset after his latest departure from EXODUS, Souza said: "People were calling me — my friends and my family — asking me if I was okay. And I was fine. I was, like, 'I'm great.' I'm really, really happy and more content. And again, we're in April now, and this went down in January. And actually, I knew in December — I knew before anybody knew, before it was announced. And I was cool with it."

Speaking directly to the EXODUS fans, Zetro said: "I'm gonna miss you guys. I really am. But for me, my life has changed a lot. What I liked when I was younger in my twenties and my thirties are not necessarily what I'm into anymore. I love my family. I mean, I came home and got married to Vickie, who I've been with for 17 years, and she is the love of my life. And you know how hard it is to go away from the love of my life at this point, at 61 years old for five weeks, six weeks at a time? It wasn't easy for me, even though it may not have shown on stage, and it definitely didn't show when I was with you guys, with you fans, and anybody that approached me because I would never want anyone to have an awful experience with me. But I think it was time, honestly.

"I had told Gary, and I told them that I would like to do this till I was 70 and probably not much more than that, but I think in the back of my mind I think I was kind of already done with the rigorous life of touring, 'cause it's very demanding," Souza admitted. "And the business doesn't care about what you have going on. [I'll] give you an example — in 2016, my mother died and I was in El Salvador on tour. I should have been at her bedside, but I wasn't, because I had to do this. I've had dogs pass. I've missed graduations from my children. Any musician that has been in my position can absolutely relate with this, because it is part of it. And a lot of times people don't necessarily think of that. And then there's the guys, there's the musicians that really like to do this, and they'll go out and they'll hit it hard. They'll go from one thing to another."

Elaborating on his reasons for wanting to spend less time on the road, Zetro said: "I've changed over the past few years, even in the last 10 years since I've been back. And I think I'm more interested in what's going on in my house and around what I'm doing here. I like to see my dogs every day. I have three pugs that absolutely love. I have a grandson now. I never get to see them. I wanna see my wife every day. I wanna sleep in my bed every day. It's been something that mentally has gone on and changed. But again, I would've never quit because I'm not a quitter in that type of respect. Everybody's, 'Oh, well, you quit in 2004.' No, I had to leave the band because I had a union job, three little kids and a wife, and I was trying to balance working as a foreman, as a union job, being a father, coaching baseball and soccer, and being a husband and playing in EXODUS, and I couldn't balance all three. The thing that I loved the most was playing in EXODUS, but, unfortunately, it could not take care of my wife and my kids and ballerina signups, baseball signups. The business wasn't paying that much at the time, so I needed to go and take care of my family… So coming back into the band in 2014, kids are grown, I'm set in my job. I was very, very excited. And again, I had a really good time over the last 10 years playing in the band. And it was one of those things that I have to say I'm kind of glad that I've ended up where I'm at right now, I don't like airports anymore. I don't like sleeping on the tour bus anymore… So I'm not saying that this was a decision that I would've made, but I'm saying for myself and to have a few months to look at it, it was definitely the right decision."

Souza went on to say that EXODUS fans should continue to support the band now that Dukes has returned to the group.

"I look at it now as, what about all you guys that are big fans of Rob's era? Just think — now you get to come back and see Rob maybe for the next 10 years and see him continue on," Zetro said. "So if you were fans of his era, like you were fans of my era, or both eras — I know there's some of you [that are] 'I'm [Team] Zetro' or 'I'm [Team] Rob', or whatever, 'I'm cool with whatever EXODUS does,' I get it. And I totally understand that, and I respect every one of you for those things. But now maybe for the last part of the band they get to enjoy Rob and Rob's era of the band. I mean, Gary's gonna continue to write music and record music. And Gary Holt doesn't know how to write a shitty riff. Okay? So you EXODUS fans know what you're gonna get from that, and that's what I have to say."

Souza also addressed the possibility of another reunion with EXODUS down the line, saying: "Will I ever grace the stage with them? No, definitely not. I think it's been done. This was the third time that I had joined the band, so I think it would be a bit redundant to try to do this or do this again. So just so you guys wanna know, I have no desire to do that ever again. It's been done. If you saw my last concert in Los Angeles at the Regent [in December 2024], then you truly saw the last concert that Zetro will ever sing with EXODUS."

Zetro added that he went out on top, both in term of his live performance with EXODUS and his relationship with the band's fans.

"If you saw us on the last tour with HAVOK, then, honestly, I was singing better than I've ever sung through the years," Souza said. "So I don't feel that it was something that, vocally… I did my job — I did my job quite well — and even they'll tell you that. And the fans, you guys know that I bring it. Every time I come, I bring it. And that's just the way it is. And if you walked up to me for a picture or an autograph, I never would say no and I've never pushed you guys away. I would hang out and talk to you about stuff. How many of you fans have spent time after the show talking to me about whatever? Horror, movies, metal sports, whatever. I'll sit out there and talk to you guys 'cause I've never considered myself above anybody."

Asked what specifically he didn't enjoy about the touring lifestyle, Zetro said: "Too much time in the day. Waiting to wait. It's a lot of waiting. Going to an airport, waiting four hours for the flight, getting on the flight for five hours, getting to where you've gotta go. Then you have another six-hour layover before you have another five-hour flight. And line one, line two, security this, security that. I don't have the patience for that anymore. The bus — I know this sounds very pompous. I was very fortunate to get to tour in a bus. I know bands that do not tour in buses… But for me, the bunk started to be very, very uncomfortable. And the only time I could get in there was when I truly had to sleep. But as soon as I woke up, I got up. So there's too much time in a day for you to go to museums or comic bookstores or me to go buy toys and whatever I do on the road. It is just a lot of downtime, and I feel as now 61 years old, I wanna do other things in that downtime. And I don't wanna be doing this, and all of a sudden I end up getting sick or my wife end up getting sick and one of my children, and I have to come home and I've got six months to live, or they've got six months to live and I've missed all of this with them and I missed it all. I don't want to do that anymore. I've missed too much over the years, and it's just kind of where I've been mentally — especially the last few years I've been thinking about that."

EXODUS played its first concert with Dukes in nearly 11 years on April 5 at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dukes previously joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005),"The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007),"Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS's classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).

In a recent interview with CBS SF, Holt was asked if there was any thought of even considering a different singer with the band after parting ways with Zetro. Gary said: "You mean now? No. I don't like change, for one. I never intended to make any of these vocalist changes. Not Rob the first time, and not Steve [now]. But at 60 years old, all of us, we all demand to be happy and be surrounded by happiness. We did some amazing music with Steve back. Amazing. [EXODUS's latest LP] 'Persona Non Grata' is my second favorite album in our whole catalog. But we're moving forward."

He continued: "I didn't want to bring in a young guy. Yeah, we could have brought in some 30-year-old guy who's young and has abs and can still jump off drum risers. [Laughs] That sounds appealing, but I like familiarity. Rob keeps me laughing, and he's an amazing singer. And he's one of my best friends. So that was kind of a no-brainer. I mean, I don't know how much longer we could play this kind of ferocious stuff. Over the years, we've just gotten faster and the songs have gotten harder to play as the arthritis gets worse. So we're going to just keep going for it as long as we can."

After interviewer Dave Pehling noted that Holt wrote in his just-released memoir, "A Fabulous Disaster: From The Garage To Madison Square Garden, The Hard Way", that the EXODUS members were at the best place that they had been in their whole career, Gary said: "It's one of those things. And I've got nothing but love for [Zetro]. It's not like the last time he left the band, when it was on really bad terms. At 60 years old, this job gets fucking hard. And if you don't like to travel, and no longer like to be out on the road and and you want to cut the touring way back and all that, we can no longer make a living at this. We literally would have to go get day jobs. That's pretty much what happened. One guy wasn't enjoying it anymore. And none of us enjoy being away from home all the time. It sucks. My happy place is being around my family. I can speak for all of us, Steve included. But while I can — this whole age thing — while I can still tour for six weeks and crush it and go out and play seven, eight, nine shows in a row, I'm going to do it. Until I can't, and then I'll slow down. But if we start slowing down now, eventually it's just going to come to a stop."

When EXODUS announced Souza's latest departure on January 15, the band wrote in a statement: "We thank Steve for his years fronting the band and all the killer music we made during that time. We wish him only the best in the future and much success with anything he does.

"And please help us welcome Rob Dukes back to EXODUS! We are beyond stoked to have Rob back ripping up the stage with us and he's looking forward to crushing everything like only he can.

"Next chapter begins, new record rolls along as planned and the beatings will continue."

Although EXODUS rarely gets mentioned alongside the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — the aforementioned "Bonded By Blood" LP inspired the likes of TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, VIO-LENCE and many others to launch their careers and is considered one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time.

Music legend, Carlos Santana, was hospitalized after collapsing during the soundcheck for his Tuesday (April 22) show at the Majestic & Empire Theatres in San Antonio, Texas. The show was postponed.

Majestic & Empire Theatres shared the following message last night:

“Santana is postponing his Oneness Tour 2025 show at the Majestic Theatre tonight (Tuesday, April 22, 2025) in San Antonio, Texas, Michael Vrionis, manager said. He has been taken in for observation in San Antonio.”

Vrionis said: “It is with profound disappointment that I have to inform you all that tonight’s show in San Antonio has been postponed. Mr. Santana was at the venue (Majestic Theatre) preparing for tonight’s show when he experienced an event that was determined to be dehydration. Out of an abundance of caution and the health of Mr. Santana, the decision to postpone the show was the most prudent course of action. He is doing well and is looking forward to coming back to San Antonio soon as well as continuing his US Tour. Thank you all very much for your understanding. The show will be rescheduled soon.”

The San Antonio Fire Department told TMZ that they responded to the Majestic Theater at 5 PM, CT for a report of an elderly patient who had reportedly fainted and transported them to the hospital with a non life-threatening condition.

Santana is scheduled to perform tonight (Wednesday, April 23) at Smart Financial Center Sugar Land, TX. Find his complete tour itinerary here.

After turning heads with their crushing rendition of Motörhead’s “Iron Fist”, UK thrash legends, Onslaught, return with the second single from their upcoming double-album Origins Of Aggression, which is due out on May 23 via Reigning Phoenix Music.

This time it’s personal. “In Search Of Sanity”, a re-recorded version of the band’s 1989 title track, explodes back to life in 2025 with a vengeance. Packed with towering riffs, mind-blowing solos, and vocal lines sharper than ever, this modern take breathes new fire into a thrash anthem – while keeping its roots raw and intact.

Guitarist and founding member Nige Rockett opens up about the song’s return: “This new recording of the title track from the album of the same name has completely blown me away… It’s like night and day compared to the original version. It’s common knowledge that I’ve never been a huge fan of the album overall. Don’t get me wrong – I love the songs, but at the time it just wasn’t an Onslaught album in terms of the production, vibe, and everything else that surrounded this particular release. It’s always been my dream to re-record the whole album and to finally make it sound like a real Onslaught record – the way it should have sounded the first time around. Here it is…! Tons of aggression and anger, a real heavy thrash song with all the necessary components. I hope you dig the new lease of life this track now has, as much as we do!”

Listen to the song here, and watch the video below:



“In Search Of Sanity” [2025 Version] is the second of three singles leading into Origins Of Aggression – a full-throttle retrospective featuring re-recorded classics and influential punk and metal covers, all delivered with a modern-day brutality.

Disc 1 features a fine selection of ten re-recorded tracks from Onslaught’s early days [1982-1989], while Disc 2 presents a colourful bouquet of cover versions of punk and metal songs that lead fans through the range of bands – from the Dead Kennedys, The Exploited and Discharge to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and beyond – defining the group’s sound.

Origins Of Aggression can be pre-ordered [formats: 2CD-digipak, coloured vinyl, digital] or pre-saved on your favourite digital service provider (DSP) worldwide, here.

Cirith Ungol is pleased to unveil their live video of “Relentless.” The track and footage appears on the band’s upcoming Live At The Roxy offering, set for release on April 25 via Metal Blade Records.

One of the world’s most iconic music venues – the Sunset Strip’s Roxy Theatre – hosted a legendary 2024 gig by one of the world’s most iconic heavy metal bands: Cirith Ungol. The one-night-only performance was an album release show for the band’s 2023-released Dark Parade LP. It captured the lineup at the height of its considerable powers, performing Dark Parade in its entirety, along with a set of classic songs including “Join The Legion,” “Frost And Fire,” “Black Machine,” and “Atom Smasher.” The end result is a stellar live album and DVD.

On “Relentless,” co-founding drummer Robert Garven comments, “The Egyptian and Hindu guitar scales have always intrigued me for their exotic sound, so I wanted to come up with a sort of snake charmer melody for a new song. First I came up with a rhythm that is reminiscent of ‘The Fire’ off of the One Foot In Hell album. Next came the accompanying signature lead on top. It fit well and stuck, so we built the song from there creating simple, straight forward, rockin’ verses, choruses, bridges, and solo sections. I’m pleased with how it turned out. Relentless, overwhelming, forever black… Our many and treacherous demons thwarting our every effort to stay sane in an insane nightmare. Prayers? Realty? To whom and why? A twisted path to our inevitable downfall, despite the frail attempts at avoidance. The future leads nowhere? As of now it seems likely, Eternal and Black.”

Watch the “Relentless” video below:

Slaying audiences across North America on his "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" tour celebrating 20 years of "Transylvania 90210", Wednesday 13 has just unleashed the biggest surprise in his bag of tricks — brand-new single "No Apologies" featuring FASTER PUSSYCAT's Taime Downe. The track appears on the band's upcoming full-length album, "Mid Death Crisis", out this Friday, April 25 via Napalm Records.

"No Apologies" wastes no time ripping into a heavy rock rager, laced with fiery guitar leads and even more searing lyrics. The fast-romping anthem is an unapologetic exorcism of toxic demons and even more toxic people, and arrives alongside a new music video, also featuring Taime Downe.

Wednesday 13 comments: "This is the most rock 'n' roll song I've written in years. I wanted to go back to my roots, and my roots are '80s glam. The name at the top of that list was FASTER PUSSYCAT, so it made total sense to have Taime Downe guest on this track. Having one of my rock 'n' roll idols alongside me in the studio was an honor. We whipped up a nasty little middle finger salute to ourselves on this one, and the result is 'No Apologies'."

After returning in 2022 with his widely acclaimed full-length album "Horrifier", as well as several major tours supporting his solo work and celebrated MURDERDOLLS-centric shows, world-renowned fearsome frontman Wednesday 13 is back with another slew of harbingers of horror to slay the masses.

The Duke Of Spook himself dubs "Mid Death Crisis" as a fun, campy, "leave-your-brain-at-the-door" rager and a true return to his hard-rocking roots! Produced by guitarist Alex Kane (LIFE, SEX & DEATH, ENUFF Z'NUFF, ANTIPRODUCT) and mixed by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, PRONG, DEVILDRIVER) the album oozes infectious 1980s sleaze metal energy.

Eerie introductory track "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" vibrates with electricity before industrial-tinged "Decease And Desist" kicks in full blast. Wednesday 13's trademark crooning wastes no time entering the fold as he careens through the high-octane horror anthem, before tracks like "Rotting Away" and "Blood Storm" ensnare with metallic goth-punk energy that will have crowds moving wall to wall. Featuring Downe on guest vocals, standout heavy rocker "No Apologies" is a fast-romping exorcism of toxic demons, while the triumphant mini-murder ballad "Decapitation" riles up listeners with a catchy lead riff before making a hard left into a theatrical bridge straight out of a sinister '60s sock hop! Ragers like "In Misery", "Xanaxtasy" and "Sick And Violent" explore various genres of metal, injecting the album with elements of gripping heaviness for any listener, while downtempo stunners "I Hurt You" and "My Funeral" approach a more pensive territory.

Although its title, "Mid Death Crisis", may suggest otherwise, the Duke Of Spook shows zero signs of stopping on this refreshingly powerful and multi-faceted entry into the Wednesday 13 hall of horrific history.

"Mid Death Crisis" track listing:

01. There's No Such Thing As Monsters
02. Decease And Desist
03. When The Devil Commands
04. Rotting Away
05. No Apologies (feat. Taime Downe)
06. Decapitation
07. In Misery
08. Blood Storm
09. Xanaxtasy
10. I Hurt You
11. My Funeral
12. Sick And Violent

WEDNESDAY 13 is:

Wednesday 13 - Lead Vocals / Guitar
Jack Tankersley - Guitar
Troy Doebbler - Bass
Mike Dupke - Drums
Ashes - Lead Guitar

Photo credit: Anabel DFlux

Ashes Of Ares featuring former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow and bassist Freddie Vidales have announced a European tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of IE’s Dark Saga album.

The band says, “Happy Wednesday! – Here is a teaser announcement that an announcement is coming:

“A dream of many fans is now coming true, as the European audience will have the opportunity to hear and witness the entire epic The Dark Saga album on stage.

“The monumental 1996 album that has brought so many memories and joy to metal fans will be played from start to finish, yes all 10 songs, along with songs from our forthcoming album.
Be sure to check back here tomorrow, when we will announce our first date in October. Guess where this is going to be.”

German power metal veterans PRIMAL FEAR will release their new album, "Domination", on September 5 via Reigning Phoenix Music.

To celebrate this announcement, the lead single "Far Away" has officially landed on streaming platforms worldwide. Packed with all the signature elements of a classic PRIMAL FEAR anthem — soaring melodies, thunderous drums and bass, and a blistering twin-guitar solo — the track also carries a powerful sense of yearning, brought to life by Ralf Scheepers's unmistakable vocals. Filmed at Dennis Ward's Kangaroo Studios in Karlsdorf-Neuthard, Germany, where the "Domination" recording sessions took place in late 2024, "Far Away" is also available now as a performance-style music video on YouTube.

Scheepers explains the meaning behind the single: "It's an expression of faith and trust, no matter where or what. We all know this feeling of missing someone so much, not being able to see or hear him/her every day — especially as musicians whilst touring."

Going strong for nearly three decades, PRIMAL FEAR was founded and is still led by Mat Sinner (bass, vocals) and Ralf Scheepers (vocals),who have never let down their global fanbase. Relentless and constantly pushing their limits, PRIMAL FEAR ensure that no two albums ever sound the same. After "Code Red" (2023) hit some of the highest chart positions of their career, expectations for the next release were higher than ever. Now joined by Italian/Cuban sensation Thalìa Bellazecca (ANGUS MCSIX, ex-FROZEN CROWN) on guitar and André Hilgers (AXXIS, RAGE, SILENT FORCE, SINNER, BONFIRE) on drums, the quintet was more than up for the challenge. And as "Domination" makes clear, no obstacle is too great for PRIMAL FEAR's powerhouse songwriting trio — Sinner, Scheepers and Swedish guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who also rejoins the band's live lineup after several years away.

From the hard-hitting opener "The Hunter" and first single "Far Away" to the uplifting mid-tempo anthem "Tears Of Fire" and the epic ballad "Eden" — featuring a guest appearance by AD INFINITUM's Melissa Bonny — "Domination" delivers on all fronts. Add in neck-breakers like "Scream" and "Crossfire", and the reflective, string-and-piano-driven closer "A Tune I Won't Forget", and it's clear: PRIMAL FEAR aren't here to reclaim the crown — they're here to prove they've never left the throne of heavy/power metal royalty.

"Domination" was recorded in autumn 2024, produced by Mat Sinner and co-produced by Ralf Scheepers as well as Magnus Karlsson. Rounded off by multiple PRIMAL FEAR mixing/mastering engineer Jacob Hansen at his own studios in Denmark, the album artwork was designed by Death.Milk.Designs.

"Domination" track listing:

01. The Hunter
02. Destroyer
03. Far Away
04. I Am The Primal Fear
05. Tears Of Fire
06. Heroes And Gods
07. Hallucinations
08. Eden (feat. Melissa Bonny of AD INFINITUM)
09. Scream
10. The Dead Don't Die
11. Crossfire
12. March Boy March
13. A Tune I Won't Forget

Bonus track (physical only, excluding jewel case CD)

14. Bridges Will Burn

Warming up at five select summer festivals, PRIMAL FEAR will return to the live front with its longest European tour since 2018. Reigning Phoenix Music labelmates ELEINE have been confirmed as special guests.

In August 2024, guitarists Alex Beyrodt and Tom Naumann, drummer Michael Ehré and bassist Alex Jansen announced their departures from PRIMAL FEAR, writing in a statement: "Dear fans and friends of PRIMAL FEAR, we unfortunately have to inform you today that Alex Beyrodt, Tom Naumann, Michael Ehré and Alex Jansen, who helped us on bass for the last two years, are no longer part of the band PRIMAL FEAR. Triggered by decisions within the band that we do not agree with, this step was anything but easy for us to take. We would like to make it clear that despite the differences of opinion, there was no argument or bad blood.

"We would like to thank you for the time we spent together, the numerous albums, the tours, shows and festivals that have taken us around the world together, and of course for the love of the fans. We wish Mat and Ralf all the best for the future!"

Formed by Sinner in 1997 as an outlet for Scheepers (who had left GAMMA RAY and was a rumored candidate for the then-open JUDAS PRIEST vocal spot, but was considering early retirement from metal),PRIMAL FEAR has emerged as one of the most consistent European metal bands, rarely straying from its core PRIEST-styled power metal sound.

PRIMAL FEAR 2025 is:

Ralf Scheepers - vocals
Mat Sinner - bass, vocals
Magnus Karlsson - guitars
Thalìa Bellazecca - guitars
André Hilgers - drums

Photo credit: Heiko Roith

Metal gods Judas Priest performed at Vibra São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil on April 20. Fan-filmed video of their entire show can be viewed below.

Setlist:

“Panic Attack”
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”
“Rapid Fire”
“Breaking the Law”
“Riding on the Wind”
“Love Bites”
“Devil’s Child”
“Saints in Hell”
“Crown of Horns”
“Sinner”
“Turbo Lover”
“Invincible Shield”
“Victim of Changes”
“The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” (Fleetwood Mac)
“Painkiller”

Encore:
“The Hellion / Electric Eye”
“Hell Bent for Leather”
“Living After Midnight”

Finnish progressive metal band, Oddland, are thrilled to share their new single and official music video, “Freefall”, available today via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch the official video below, and stream/download the song here.



The band commented on the new single: “’Freefall’ paints a picture of a repeating nightmare in sleep paralysis that feels like you are forever falling, without a way out. Like a broken record, you are forced to relive it again and again, but with the difference that you can’t get up and change it. Hopefully people will find this song a pleasant ‘nightmare’ that you really don’t mind listening to again and again!”

The song was mixed and mastered by the Grammy nominated producers Carson Slovak & Grant McFarland from Atrium Audio (August Burns Red, Lorna Shore, Candlebox). The video for the song was shot by the band in various cities during Oddland’s European tour with Soen in October/November 2024, with additional cinematography during the tour’s last concert in Gdansk, Poland by Dariusz Feluz, who did an amazing job capturing the intense atmosphere on camera. The final editing and special effects were added by the band’s drummer Ville Viitanen.



Founded in 2003 in Turku, Finland, Oddland’s forward-thinking delivery melds aggressive tones, spacious textures, and glorious melodies into a seamless and cohesive entity. Following a string of successful demos, the band was signed to Century Media for the 2012 debut album, The Treachery Of Senses.

Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö, the record was greeted with a barrage of critical acclaim, and was praised as the best prog-metal record ever recorded in Finland.

Oddland recorded the magnificent follow-up album Origin at Fantom Studios (Insomnium, Korpiklaani, Oranssi Pazuzu) after which it was mixed and mastered by Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, Dimmu Borgir) and release worldwide through Sensory Records in 2016.

Containing a bit more than forty-five minutes of music, the album bears a theme which ties deeply into the lyrics and extensive artwork, with a separate piece of art being created for each of the nine songs, by Egyptian artist Mohammed Essam.

Oddland have performed at several festivals including FME, Tuska, Headway, Næstved metalfest and Progpower Europe, been touring Europe three times, both as support act for Persefone, for Manticora and as split headliner, in addition to many shows alongside the likes of established acts including Soen, Leprous, Swallow the Sun and Omnium Gatherum. It’s a great live band that leaves nothing to be desired.

In February 2022, the band signed with the brand-new German label Uprising! Records (a sub-label of Target Group) and released their third album, Vermilion. With an insanely amazing production that takes the listener into the universe of Tool and mixes that super production with a perfect blend of musical twists that would startle any Leprous, Pain Of Salvation or even Faith No More fan, you just can’t go wrong with these Finnish masters of prog.

Vermilion is nothing short of a production-wise masterpiece that combines all that prog-lovers love about prog. Mixed and mastered by Carson Slovak and Grant Mcfarland (Black Crown Initiate, Rivers Of Nihil, a.o.), with an eerie artwork, created by drummer/multi-talent Ville Viitanen, this album sees Oddland lifted to higher levels within the world of heavy metal.

Oddland is:

Sakari Ojanen – Vocals, guitars
Joni Palmroth – Bass
Ville Viitanen – Drums
Jussi Poikonen – guitars

Armored Saint played their biggest Wacken Open Air show so far in 2024. Below you can watch professionally-filmed footage of the band performing “End Of The Attention Span”, “March Of The Saint”, and “Reign Of Fire”:



Watch the full show at Magenta Musik, here.

Armored Saint will enter the studio next month to begin recording their long-awaited ninth studio album, tentatively slated for a spring 2026 release through Metal Blade Records.

In September, the band will join W.A.S.P. for a trio of UK shows before returning to the States to support legendary guitarist Michael Schenker on his My Years With UFO US Tour. Armored Saint will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of their second album, Delirious Nomad, with a five-song micro set of songs from the record throughout the tour.

To further commemorate the cornerstone record, the band is making available a special Delirious Nomad wrapped guitar from Dean Guitars. Each guitar is signed by the band.

The impressive figures speak for themselves: Axel Rudi Pell has been part of the Steamhammer/SPV family for 39 years, initially from 1986 to 1989 with his erstwhile band, Steeler, and since then consistently as a solo artist. This remarkable consistency, which has produced 42 releases to date, is not about to change. The Bochum-based guitarist, composer and band mastermind has extended his decades-long contract again and has also announced two studio albums with the Hanover label.

Pell comments: “There’s never been any question for me about staying with SPV, for almost 40 years I’ve had an exceptional team behind me that stands for passion and excellence and has always allowed me complete musical freedom. There’s great trust and a strong friendship between SPV and myself, which I will be more than happy to continue.”

Axel Rudi Pell is currently on tour with his band and will then start working on his upcoming album.

Pell adds: “From May 2025, I will be sifting through the best riffs and hooks from the various ideas I’ve collected to write songs that will be in line with the tradition of my previous albums, but are also guaranteed to include a number of exciting new features. The studio recordings are scheduled to start in August 2025 and the new album is set to be released at the end of January 2026.”

Just a few weeks later, from March 2026, the Axel Rudi Pell band will be on tour again.

Steamhammer label manager Olly Hahn is also delighted to continue this successful collaboration beyond 2025, stating, “Thanks to Axel’s signature on his extended contract with Steamhammer/SPV, our 39-year journey will continue. I can’t think of another artist who has been with the same record company for such a long time. Thank you, Axel, for your loyalty and our easy collaboration! Here’s to the next five years at least!!!”

The whole SPV team is excited about the extension together with Axel.

Slavic black/death metal institution, Hate, are pleased to unleash the title track of their forthcoming new full-length, Bellum Regiis, set to drop on May 2 via Metal Blade Records.

With a dozen ferocious and lauded albums since 1996’s Daemon Qui Fecit Terra, Hate’s lucky thirteenth album, Bellum Regiis, finds the unrelenting Polish quartet forging a bolder and more aggressive style than ever. Bellum Regiis’ nine songs see vocalist/guitarist ATF Sinner, guitarist Domin, drummer Nar-Sil, and bassist Tiermes honing a modern sound rife with eerie atmosphere and depth. Produced by David Castillo (Candlemass, Carcass, Dark Tranquillity, Katatonia) at Stockholm’s Grondahl Studio, Bellum Regiis is lyrically a more “humanity focused and personal” album than 2021’s Rugia while its songs are timely aural and visual exploration of, according to the vocalist, “a struggle for power and everything that comes with it.”

Bellum Regiis roughly translates to “A War of Royalty” or “A War of Kings” and the title track encompasses the LP’s leitmotif. “As a song, ‘Bellum Regiis’ has both a deep melancholy and a sense of grandeur,” notes the frontman. “The vocals laid down by Eliza Sacharczuk [a renowned singer and voice teacher who runs a holistic arts center in Bialystok] give the song a strong sense of time. Whether that’s nostalgia, reminiscence, regret, or preparation for the future is in the eye of the beholder. These wars, these struggles, have been ongoing since the dawn of our existence. Whether they are futile or not, they are scars on our very nature. ‘Bellum Regiis’ represents the whole album in the best way possible.”

Consisting of vocalist Therese Damberg, her brother Marcus Damberg on guitar, Hampus Steenberg on bass and Kent Svensson behind the drums, Teaser Sweet have already made some waves in the Swedish metal scene.

They originally started out in 2013, when Marcus Damberg asked his sister and former bass player Christoffer Cardell “shouldn’t we start a band?” The initial line-up was completed by Kalle Krantz on drums. Before writing their own material, they used to play KISS cover songs. After recording a demo, they took to the stage and eventually released three albums and an EP: Hit And Run (2015), In The Night (EP, 2017), Hypnotized (2018), and Monster (2020).

For the new album, Night Stalker, Teaser Sweet has inked a deal with High Roller Records. Therese Damberg’s powerful yet melodic vocals at times sound like a cross between Acid’s Kate, Leather Leone and Johanna of Lucifer. However, she herself sees it in a different light: “If I must name a female singer, it is Doro Pesch that I love to listen to. Otherwise, it’s male singers that catch my attention, such as Rob Halford with his great feeling and attitude in his vocals.”

When asked about the big number of high-class female-fronted or all-female hard rock and metal bands in Sweden – from Crucified Barbara and Slingblade to Thundermother and The Gems –, the singer searches for an explanation: “Hard to say what the reason is for that. My guess is that Swedish women probably have an ear for hard rock and a confidence to follow their own path. ABBA laid the foundation for female singers from Sweden, and it is natural that hard rock bands have female singers just as there are bands with only men.”

Apart from being influenced by the music of Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Dio and even latter-day Europe, a song like “Deep In The Woods”, with its galloping bass work, owes a lot to Iron Maiden. Therese laughs: “You have a really good ear, that’s correct!” Elsewhere, numbers such as “Cold Is The Fire” and “Turn Me On” are also full of great hooks, making Night Stalker the band’s best album so far.



Tracklisting:

Intro
Night Stalker
Deep In The Woods
Living In Sin
Blue Sky
Eat You Alive
Turn Me On
Killer Machine
Cold Is The Fire

“Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, here we come,” begins a just-issued update from Metallica. “We’re taking the stage at Yas Island on December 6 after F1 qualifying – the night before the race.

Tickets to the After-Race Concerts are exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders. Get a ticket for the race + our show here.

If you already have a ticket to the race, Golden Circle upgrades are also available now at abudhabigp.com.”

Prior to performing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on December 3, Metallica will play Bahrain for the first time ever. Tickets for that show at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre will be available via the venue on Thursday, April 24, at 4 PM AST (2 PM BST / 9 AM EDT).

Following one of the most successful comebacks in underground death metal history with their crushing 2023 release The Rebirth, death metal pioneers Deteriorot are back with another punishing visual installment. Today, the band unveils their powerful new music video for “Political Evocation”, the latest in a three-part series promoting The Rebirth.

A stark shift from the band’s usual themes of the supernatural and the undead, “Political Evocation” dives headfirst into the decaying fabric of modern society. Set against a backdrop of searing riffs and thunderous rhythm, the track delivers a scathing critique of political obsession, religious fanaticism, and the false realities curated through social media. The video itself is a cinematic assault, combining brutal performance shots with original film sequences that amplify the song’s message.

“The song lyrics are an observation of how society can get lost by obsessing over politics, religion, and falling into the trap of being divided while another side of it is oblivious and living in a fake social media world worshiping influencers and trying to be one themselves.”



But that’s not all — fans can rejoice knowing that Deteriorot is deep into post-production for their upcoming full-length album Awakening. Unlike the long waits between their past releases, the band is charging full speed ahead, ensuring that the flames reignited by The Rebirth continue to blaze.



Tracklisting:

Undead (Intro)
Dark Embrace
Return To Rot
A Nameless Grave
The Rebirth
Reanimate
Political Evocation
Hauntings
Unholy Rebirth

U.S. thrash metal quartet, Executionist, have unleashed a visualizer video for “Wheels Of War”, the second single from their forthcoming album, Sacrament Of The Sick.

Stream “Wheels Of War” now at this location.



Executionist will release its debut full-length album, Sacrament Of The Sick, on May 16. In the four years since the release of their debut EP, the band has sharpened the blades of its attack, both in terms of songwriting and performance.

Sacrament Of The Sick is a monumental step forward from Executionist’s previous material. Improved production, performances, and writing have made the Executionist sound nearly unrecognizable compared to the band’s debut EP, Destined For Destruction. Each track was meticulously crafted and poured over in Executionist’s home studio, and the final product shows that it was worth every ounce of attention. With a clear focus on melody and tighter songwriting, Sacrament Of The Sick is a sonic journey sure to leave a lasting impact on the listener.

Pre-order Sacrament Of The Sick on Bandcamp. Artwork by Mitchell Nolte:



Tracklisting:

“Ultionum”
“Edge Of Annihilation”
“Wheels Of War”
“Serrated Shadows”
“Divided We Stand…United We Fall”
“Thy Kingdom Come”
“Strange Aeons”
“Palace Of Kings”
“Sacrament Of The Sick”
“Coup De Grace”

“Serrated Shadows” video:

In a brand new interview with Eonmusic, Candice Night, who has been married to Ritchie Blackmore for 17 years but has been together with the legendary DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW guitarist for 36, discussed her musical partner and husband's health status, saying that he'd rather be remembered for how he was in his prime. During the chat, the elusive BLACKMORE'S NIGHT guitarist also chimed in to heap praise on his favorite band. The interaction took place while Night was talking to Eonmusic's Eamon O'Neill about her new album, "Sea Glass".

Speaking about Blackmore's health, Night said: "Right now Ritchie is having a quite a few medical issues. Believe it or not, he's going to be 80 in on April 14th, which is mind boggling, because he doesn't look and he certainly doesn't act it still. But you know at that age, some medical stuff starts catching up with you, and he actually had a heart attack about a year and a half ago, and he's got six stents in his heart at this point. And we're battling arthritis and some gout issues."

Night confirmed that this, along with another issue, prevents Blackmore from travelling on planes for gigs. "He's still got his back problem that he's had, so travel is difficult for him because of all that sitting," she explained. "And standing on stage, even standing with the guitar is tricky, although I do see a lot of people even younger than him at this point in the industry, showing up in wheelchairs. I don't think he wants to be thought of like that or remembered like that. I think it's great that people still get to see those people; I would still go hear them, just to be under the same roof and hear what they sound like, but we'll see. Maybe if we can get some of these medical issues under control, maybe I can get him back on a plane, but as for right now, they actually warned him a couple days ago not to fly. So, who knows? You know, put positive energy, out there in the universe, and]hope that maybe we can get him back on there."

During the chat, Ritchie chimed in to comment on his favorite band. "He's wandering through with his boiled egg right now," said Candice, "[Speaking to Ritchie] What? THE POGUES? Oh, he said, one of his favorite bands is THE POGUES, I should mention that". The man in black then could be heard saying that the band's perennial Christmas favorite, "Fairytale Of New York" is his favorite song from the crossover folk act.

Read the entire interview at Eonmusic.

Coronary stents are primarily used to treat coronary artery disease, a condition where plaque buildup narrows or blocks the arteries supplying blood to the heart. By inserting stents for the heart, doctors can effectively restore blood flow and alleviate symptoms.

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT plays "Renaissance music," or "medieval music," with most of the tunes featuring lyrics conjured by Night and melodies crafted by Blackmore.

Ritchie, Candice and their two children reside on Long Island, New York, near Port Jefferson.

Blackmore is a co-founder of DEEP PURPLE and wrote many of their most memorable riffs, including "Smoke On The Water", but he has not played with the group since his 1993 departure.

DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice said in a 2017 interview that there was "no point" for the band to consider a reunion with Blackmore, explaining that he wouldn't be able to guarantee that every day with the notoriously moody guitarist would be fun.

Blackmore is a co-founder of DEEP PURPLE and wrote many of their most memorable riffs, including "Smoke On The Water", but he has not played with the group since his 1993 departure.

During his time away from PURPLE, Blackmore established the neo-classical band called RAINBOW, which fused baroque music influences elements with hard rock before gradually progressing to catchy pop-style hard rock.

Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT in 2016 to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of RAINBOW.

In addition to Blackmore and Night (backing vocals),the most recent incarnation of RAINBOW included singer Ronnie Romero, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT) and backing singer Lady Lynn.

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany in June 2016 were caught on camera to produce "Memories In Rock - Live In Germany", which was released in November 2016 via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

After Ritchie left DEEP PURPLE for the final time in 1993, he reformed RAINBOW for one album (1995's "Stranger In Us All") and one tour, ending things in Denmark in 1997.

Blackmore didn't join his former DEEP PURPLE bandmates at the group's 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

Blackmore previously suggested that PURPLE's manager had blocked him from attending the Rock Hall induction ceremony, and he used that as an excuse for not attending the event.

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at Rock Hall, he was given several shoutouts during the induction speeches of the DEEP PURPLE members in attendance. In addition, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who inducted DEEP PURPLE into the institution, praised "Ritchie fucking Blackmore" for one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water".

In a new interview with the Inner-Strength Check podcast, frontman and founding member Kelly Shaefer of the pioneering technical metal act ATHEIST was asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to the band's "Jupiter" album, which came out in 2010 via Season Of Mist. Kelly said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We've got a tremendous amount of ideas individually, but collectively we've put together about six or seven songs."

Shaefer went on to praise the current ATHEIST lineup, which includes Yoav Ruiz-Feingold on bass, Alex Haddad on guitar, Jerry Witunsky on guitar and Dylan Marks on drums.

"I think it's really important, and I've touched on this in a couple of interviews over the last couple of months, that people have to understand that almost no band has all the original members," Shaefer said. "So people have gotta get over that. On the Internet, everybody just fucking hems and haws about, 'Ah, it's not the original guys.' It's, like, it's not with METALLICA, it's not with [JUDAS] PRIEST, it's not with [IRON] MAIDEN. No one. You'd be hard pressed to name me one band that has all the original members still the same — not ANTHRAX, not anybody. So you have to trust the main songwriters of the band, and myself and [former ATHEIST drummer] Steve Flynn and [late ATHEIST bassist] Roger Patterson were the real core of ATHEIST. And I, more than anybody, understand their contributions and their philosophies and templates for what constitutes an ATHEIST song. And being a guitar player myself, and being that I'm writing a lot of that guitar stuff, I need people to trust me to pick the right guys to be in the band to make a record with. And I couldn't have picked a better bunch of guys. I mean, the guys in this band right now, they each have their own individual bands that are tremendous, that have albums out. And they each have these different qualities that I find, as an arranger and a songwriter, it's almost like somebody giving you all these brand new colors to paint with and different kinds of brushes to paint with. And that's how I feel, like I have this tremendous palette of talent right at my fingertips. So they can play anything I can think of. Even if I can't play it, I can explain it to them. And they also have a different level of knowledge than I have. I don't read music. I learned everything by ear."

Circling back to the writing sessions for the next ATHEIST album, Kelly said: "I have four hours of just recorded riffs. I record on a nice little studio setup. And so that way I can play both guitar parts that I have in mind for whatever the song is that we're working on. And even in some instances drums. But a lot of times I'll record it to a click track, send it to the drummer and then let him react. And then when we get together and we get in a room, then we can really kind of finetune everything.

"I have a huge understanding of the quality level that ATHEIST needs to be at," he explained. "So with that said, though, all of this new material, much like every single ATHEIST album, is different. So there's not two ATHEIST records that sound identical at all. They're quite different, actually. And this one will be the same. But it'll be subscribing to that same philosophy of catching people off guard. Not tricking their ears, but sort of tickling their ears with different things that you wouldn't expect. The unexpected is something that I really love, and I love dynamics. I love it for it to be ferocious and then not, and then ferocious again.

"I know what ATHEIST should sound like," Shaefer added. "And if everybody just allows that to happen… And you're not gonna get a repeat performance out of us. You're gonna get something new. And it might take you a couple years to get used to it, but that's the way it was with 'Piece Of Time' and 'Unquestionable Presence'. It took 15 years for people to go, 'Ah.' Fucking finally. Or, 'Wait a minute. I understand now.' All those little things. Back then. when it first came out, it was not that well received and people were very confused by it. So it's really refreshing to go out now in this generation and get the love and appreciation from a lot of young bands. And it's nice. So sometimes it's nice to be the old guy. [Laughs]"

This past January, Kelly was asked by Altars Of Metal why it has taken 15 years for ATHEIST to come up with a new album's worth of material. He replied: "We've been having a lot of contractual problems for the last seven years, and that's why we haven't made any new music, is because the business of music has held us from doing that. So anybody out there wondering why we haven't had a new album in a while, it's because of the business. And we're working really, really hard to get that sorted out. But while that's happening, we're writing music and having a blast. And so I can't say enough about the guys in my band now; I just love them so much. And they have such attention to detail that I can't wait to take it around the world this year."

ATHEIST was formed in 1988 by Shaefer and drummer Steve Flynn. Followed by bands such as DEATH and CYNIC, they would define a sound that is a pillar of complex, progressive, jazz-infused death metal intensity, with supreme musical prowess — the genre celebrated and known today as "progressive technical death metal." ATHEIST attained that status thanks to its debut, "Piece Of Time" (1989),and second album, "Unquestionable Presence" (1991),both regarded as important benchmarks of the genre.

Last year, ATHEIST re-released its entire discography, comprised of four albums that span the band's 30-year career, on all streaming services worldwide. The return to digital platforms was the first phase of a comprehensive reissue campaign. The second phase offered their albums in various physical formats with all-new revised layouts via Nuclear Blast.

In a new interview with The Heavy Metal Sitdown, Wednesday 13 spoke about the enduring popularity of his former band, the revered glam punk icons MURDERDOLLS. When the interviewer suggested that the MURDERDOLLS never became as "big" as they should have been, Wednesday 13 said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Music's crazy and the world is crazy how things happen. With MURDERDOLLS, it put me on the map. For a lot of people, they're like you — they go, 'This is my favorite record,' and, 'Why was it not as big as GUNS N' ROSES or METALLICA?' But to you, it was. And to me, it changed my life.

"I don't think that it's had its time yet," Wednesday 13 continued. "There's a lot of bands that you'll see… I mean, I was wearing RAMONES t-shirts when I was in high school. Now people wear RAMONES shirts 'cause they got it at Walmart, and they don't even know who they are. And if the RAMONES were around, they would be an arena band right now instead of a club band. So with time, bands get bigger. And I'm noticing by my shows, playing out here every night, my front row is all teenagers with 'X's on their hands. They weren't there 23 years ago. So the teenagers have found Wednesday 13 and MURDERDOLLS. So I don't think we've got to the level that we're gonna get to yet. I think it's still to come. I know that may sound strange, but I predict that."

After the completion of the touring cycle for their 2002 debut album, "Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls", MURDERDOLLS went on hiatus so that guitarist Joey Jordison could focus on his other band SLIPKNOT, in which he played drums. In 2010, MURDERDOLLS released a sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", which did not feature guitarist Acey Slade, bassist Eric Griffin and drummer Ben "The Ghoul" Graves, all of whom toured in support of "Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls" but did not appear on any of MURDERDOLLS' records.

Wednesday 13 reunited with Griffin and Slade on stage for the first time in over a decade in August 2018 at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood. The event, which celebrated the life of Graves, saw the trio performing some of MURDERDOLLS' classic songs.

Graves, who also worked with PRETTY BOY FLOYD and DOPE, passed away in May 2018 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was only 45 years old.

The MURDERDOLLS did a number of major tours in support of "Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls". By the summer of 2003, the tenacity of the band was paying off. Tours with IRON MAIDEN, PAPA ROACH and the FOO FIGHTERS around the world and a Top 40 U.K. single with "White Wedding" made the band fan favorite in Metal Hammer, Metal Edge, Kerrang! and Rock Sound magazines.

Wednesday 13's new full-length album, "Mid Death Crisis", will arrive on April 25 via Napalm Records.

Wednesday 13 previously described "Mid Death Crisis" as a fun, campy, "leave-your-brain-at-the-door" rager and a true return to his hard-rocking roots. Produced by guitarist Alex Kane (LIFE, SEX & DEATH, ENUFF Z'NUFF, ANTIPRODUCT) and mixed by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, PRONG, DEVILDRIVER),the album oozes infectious 1980s sleaze metal energy, further accented by a blitzing guest vocal from FASTER PUSSYCAT's Taime Downe.

Photo credit: Anabel DFlux

This past Monday, April 21, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson took part in the Musicians Institute's MI Conversation Series with host Ryan J. Downey in Hollywood, California. During the chat, which can be seen below, Dickinson spoke about MAIDEN's upcoming "Run For Your Lives" world tour, which is scheduled to launch on May 27 in Budapest, Hungary. The trek will mark MAIDEN's first with new drummer Simon Dawson, who previously played with MAIDEN co-founder Steve Harris as a member of his BRITISH LION project. Asked if MAIDEN has already started rehearsing with Simon, Bruce said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we've already had a rehearsal with Simon on the last [MAIDEN] tour. Simon was tagging along with BRITISH LION, as Steve was doing shows [with both bands]. But it was kind of insurance for us because we weren't sure… We were hoping Nick [IRON MAIDEN's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain] was gonna make the tour, but there were some times during the show when, not so much his drumming, but his physical body was really… We were worried. We were, like, 'We do not want to end up with Nick in hospital, and we do need to have a backup.' And Simon was suggested by Steve, and we all went, 'Yeah, but how do we know it's gonna work?' So we said to Nick, 'Look, in the middle of the tour, we've got a couple of days in Portland, Oregon. We're gonna rent a rehearsal place and we're gonna just give Simon a go just to see if it works, just in case.' So we did. And a couple of us were, like, 'I don't know how this is gonna be, but hey…' And honestly, I was pleasantly shocked. I was, like, 'Wow.' We went through the whole set without a break. And this guy had not rehearsed with anybody. He just, like, turned up with MAIDEN. We went through the entire set of the tour that we were on at the time, and it was all there. I thought, 'My God, we could do a show tonight if we had to. That's unreal.'"

Explaining why Dawson was the right man to replace McBrain, Dickinson said: "The incredible thing was with Simon, which, obviously, when it was suggested, after Nicko decided to retire, or retire from live playing, that Simon should take over, and there were other drummers that people thought were kind of in the frame. And one of the reasons that we didn't pick those other type of drummers was 'cause, although they were very good drummers — nothing wrong with their drumming — they all wanted to sound like Nick. And you can't replace Nicko. You shouldn't even try to replace him. You don't want a Nicko clone. You want a drummer that plays the material but plays kind of their own style. And if I'm honest, if I closed my eyes at moments during that rehearsal [with Simon], it was like having [late MAIDEN drummer] Clive Burr back in the band, 'cause he's got that feel. It's that big band swing time feel. He has all the same influences and everything. And I was just, like, 'Oh my God. Wow.' So I'm actually really excited. We start [rehearsing for the tour] next — not next week. Hang on. I actually go back to Europe tomorrow. And then we've got, like, 10 days and then we start. So we will be going through it. I've got my little speaker set up in my little Airbnb at the moment. I've got the whole setlist on there."

Bruce went on to say that "Run For Your Lives" will mark the start of "a new chapter with Simon, and I look forward to it. There's no shame in that," he added. "We are doing the best we can do for the music.

"MAIDEN has always been greater than the sum of any individual part, which is kind of the way it should be, really, when you've got something like that," Bruce explained. "And we're also in the semi-unique position that we've never really had to — well, we've never really been darlings of any mainstream media. [We] have got to where we are now and getting bigger and bigger and bigger without, basically, anybody taking any notice of us at all."

Regarding the setlist and the production for the "Run For Your Lives" tour, Bruce said: "The show that we've designed is unlike any other MAIDEN show we've ever done. I should not say anymore, 'cause once we get to the first two shows in Budapest, then everyone will be all over the social media saying what they think about it and so on and so forth. But I'm really excited. It's like a whole new chapter for us, this new show. And we've never really done a kind of greatest-hits tour. And if there was one, then this would certainly be it. I mean, the first 25, 30 minutes, I kid you not, is gonna blow people's minds. They're [gonna go], 'I can't believe they're playing that, that, that.'"

He added: "We sold a million tickets in Europe for this summer, for basically two and a bit months this summer, and we are bringing it to the USA in '26."

McBrain played his last-ever gig with MAIDEN more than four months ago in São Paulo, Brazil.

The 72-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement on December 7, 2024 in a statement on MAIDEN's web site and social media. He also said that night's concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the iconic heavy metal act.

Despite the fact that he was stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he would remain closely connected to IRON MAIDEN and continue to be involved in "a variety of projects" with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

On December 8, 2024, IRON MAIDEN announced Dawson as its new touring drummer.

The São Paulo performance marked the final show of "The Future Past" world tour, which began in May 2023.

Last September, IRON MAIDEN promised fans "a spectacular and elaborate new show" on its 50th anniversary tour in 2025 and 2026.

MAIDEN said it will "cover classics and fan favorites from the first nine albums, from 'Iron Maiden' to 'Fear Of The Dark', many of which we haven't played in years and many we will likely never play again in the future. We have already been hard at work for months putting together an even more spectacular and elaborate new show which will bring the songs to life more than we have ever been able to do before."

"Fear Of The Dark" marked Dickinson's last album before he exited MAIDEN and then later returned in 1999.

Tapped to replace Clive Burr in 1982 after touring activities for the "Number Of The Beast" album concluded, McBrain brought a degree of finesse and technicality that was largely missing from IRON MAIDEN's early output. Whereas Burr was often lauded for his heavy-handed, punk-oriented style, McBrain was largely the opposite, playing with a degree of dexterity and flair that helped primary songwriter Harris take MAIDEN down more adventurous paths. He eventually became the third longest-tenured member of MAIDEN, behind Harris and guitarist Dave Murray.

McBrain spent his early drumming years playing for the likes of Pat Travers and French rockers TRUST, eventually falling on to the radar of Harris and MAIDEN during the group's initial European tour.

We had the legendary Bruce Dickinson 🎤 come by for our Conversation Series and give us deep insight into the Mandrake...

Posted by Musicians Institute on Monday, April 21, 2025

📣 Just Announced!

Brucedickinsonhq is joining us for the MI Conversation Series, this upcoming Monday, April 21st to...

Posted by Musicians Institute on Wednesday, April 16, 2025