Star-studded noise-mongers FANTÔMAS — who feature in their ranks FAITH NO MORE/MR. BUNGLE frontman Mike Patton, MELVINS guitarist Buzz Osborne, MR. BUNGLE bassist Trevor Dunn, and MR. BUNGLE/ex-SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo — reunited Wednesday night (May 24) in Oakland, California at the final show of MR. BUNGLE's "Geek Show" tour with MELVINS.

Patton, Dunn and Lombardo were joined on stage by Osborne, along with MR. BUNGLE guitarists Trey Spruance and Scott Ian, for a rendition of MR. BUNGLE's "Sudden Death" before the musicians launched into FANTÔMAS's cover of Henri Mancini's "Experiment In Terror", which originally appeared on FANTÔMAS's 2001 album "The Director's Cut".

FANTÔMAS last played a full show in 2017 at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California as the support act for TOOL. Lombardo was unable to make that gig due to his touring commitments with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and was replaced by MELVINS drummer Dale Crover.

Formed in 1998 by Patton, FANTÔMAS released four studio albums, including its latest effort, 2005's "Suspended Animation".

In a recent interview with Stereogum, Lombardo said that playing the FANTÔMAS material when he first joined the band "was a challenge." He added: "[Patton] explained it to me that the songs are like reading a comic book. In one box, you have dialogue, but then you have a lot of little action moments going on. So each box is a song. When I received the cassette, because back then we received demos in cassette form, I listened to it, and I was like, 'I need to sit and transcribe this.' I've never had any formal music education, so I had to decipher what was going on on this album, and it moved so quickly that I knew I needed some reference, some notes. I remember buying a music notation book, and I remember having to write everything down. The entire cassette, all of the songs. And I showed it to Patton, and he was like 'What the fuck? You did this?' I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'This is amazing!'"

He continued: "It was challenging. I remember, there was this one little section, and I was overthinking it, is what it was. And that happens to musicians and drummers. It's really easy, but you overthink it, and you can't do it for some reason. You can't get the right time. And it was only three hits in this tiny little half-a-second moment, and I couldn't do it. I was like, 'Damn, Patton. You're gonna have to record this.' And it was super easy, and after time went on and we started playing the song live, I was beating myself up for it. I couldn't believe it, I was like 'This part is so easy. Why couldn't I get it then?' But man, it was challenging, and I loved every minute of those recording sessions. It taught me how to approach my drum record. A lot of that work helped me, because I was there for all the recording of all the drums and everything for the FANTÔMAS records, so I was able to see [Patton's] process, and it was very educational moment for me."

FILTER frontman Richard Patrick has revealed to Soundsphere magazine that the band's long-awaited new album, "The Algorithm", will arrive in August. Regarding why he decided to drop the previously announced working title for the project, "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats", Richard said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was just too long. I thought it was kind of funny because it was long, but then I just realized it's just too much to say."

As for the inspiration for "The Algorithm" title, Richard said: "That's indicative of just where we are as a species on the planet and the whole A.I. and everything and where we are digitally in the world."

Earlier in the month, Patrick spoke about the lyrical themes covered on "The Algorithm" in an interview with Lancer of Watertown, New York's 94 Rock WOTT radio station. Asked what inspired the latest batch of FILTER songs, Richard said: "America. Just social media, America, divisive behavior. We're all in this together. The ultimate message is we're all in this together, bro. We're all on this tiny little planet. And it's fragile, it's being polluted, the people on it are fighting. We live a very, very, very beautiful life for 70 years or so, and then we pass on. And let's take advantage of this time and work together and protect each other and help each other. And that's the ultimate message of the record."

Originally conceived in 2018 as a collaboration between Patrick and fellow FILTER founding member Brian Liesegang, the project was given a tentative title, "ReBus", as a nod to FILTER's 1995 debut, "Short Bus", before being changed to "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats" and later to "Murica" and then back to "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats".

Earlier this month, FILTER released a new single, "Face Down", via Golden Robot Records. "Face Down" followed the release of "For The Beaten", which was the first FILTER track to be issued by Golden Robot in October 2022. Written by Patrick, "Face Down" is classic FILTER — a tight song with loads going on, including some killer drum fills and a restrained vocal delivery that seems ready to explode at any given point as the song progresses. The track lets you know early on where it is headed and locks you in from the start without ever becoming predictable. It will appear on FILTER's upcoming album, which is expected to arrive in 2023.

"'Face Down' speaks to the hate and negativity plaguing the world today," said Patrick. "I wrote it after being inundated with lies, deceptions, and pure vitriol I saw on social media. I'm pumped. I can't wait for everyone to hear the full album."

For the first time in its 30-year career, FILTER will present "California Screamin'" — a full concert global stream performed live on location in Los Angeles. HITKOR will be the official on demand streaming partner for the show, which will take place June 17. The live performance will include special guests, classic songs FILTER has not performed in over 25 years and the debut of brand-new material.

"I've been itching to do a live stream since things shut down a couple years ago but I got caught up in the studio working on our new album," said Patrick. "When Scott [Donnell, CMO HITKOR] came to me and told me about HITKOR, and then invited me down to see MINISTRY do their thing, I was sold."

"California Screamin'" tickets are $14.99 and All-Access passes are $19.99. For this special engagement, FrontRow advanced ticket discounts are $9.99 and $14.99, respectively, and are available until Friday, June 2. Purchase only at HITKOR.com.

Last September, Patrick reunited with his former bandmates in NINE INCH NAILS for the first time in over 25 years. Patrick, the first guitarist to ever tour with Trent Reznor and NINE INCH NAILS, was in the band for four years before departing to form FILTER.

Patrick's career is a vision of multifaceted creativity, which he has delivered throughout his 30-plus years producing music professionally through his band FILTER, various collaborations, side projects, super groups, scoring films and writing for soundtracks.

Patrick's initial foray into the public eye was as NINE INCH NAILS' first touring guitarist. Patrick had met Reznor in the late '80s in a music store in Cleveland. The two became close friends and then bandmates. Patrick played with the band from 1989 to 1993, appearing in numerous music videos including "Down In It", "Head Like A Hole", "Wish" and "Gave Up".

FILTER's debut album, "Short Bus", was released in 1995 and went platinum, largely due to the success of the first single "Hey Man Nice Shot". The follow-up, 1999's "Title Of Record", also went platinum driven by the huge crossover success of the song "Take A Picture". FILTER's third album, "The Amalgamut", is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The album spawned such classic songs as "Where Do We Go From Here" and "American Cliché".

In 2006, the ARMY OF ANYONE project — a supergroup led by Patrick with Dean and Robert DeLeo of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and Ray Luzier of KORN — came to light, releasing one album and a tour before each went back to their respective bands. Patrick refocused on FILTER, releasing "Anthems For The Damned" in 2008, "The Trouble With Angels" in 2010, "The Sun Comes Out Tonight" in 2013 and "Crazy Eyes" in 2016, and two singles in 2020.

FILTER has just kicked off a six-month-long tour crisscrossing the United States and Canada before a planned trip overseas to play in Europe and Australia in 2024. FILTER's tour plans so far include headline shows, festival appearances and a place on the "Freaks On Parade" tour with ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER and MINISTRY. The band will be offering a limited number of "Filter Fanatic" VIP packages that include exclusive merch, signed tour posters, used gear items, meet-and-greets and photos with the band on many of the dates. More information and tickets are available at www.officialfilter.com.

After breaking up in 2013, the Swedes of Vomitory reunited again five years later to continue to bring old school death metal to the world – check out a performance of three tracks, “Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize”, “Regorge In The Morgue”, and “Chaos Fury” – from Wacken Open Air 2022.





In any serious conversation about death metal, the name Vomitory has to come up. Following their inception in 1989, between 1996 and 2011 they dropped eight of the most blistering albums the genre has spewed up, the quartet parting ways in 2013. However, the band's retirement turned out to be short lived, returning to stages in 2019 to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, and now they drop their first new full-length in twelve years, the monstrous All Heads Are Gonna Roll.




For a preview of the album, a video (directed by Marcus Svensson / dpmarcus.com) for "Raped, Strangled, Sodomized, Dead" can be viewed below:





Boasting the classic Vomitory sound with a few new twists and turns, it is everything their faithful could have hoped for, the band having taken their time before committing to it rather than rushing in. "We weren't feeling any pressure, it was rather about making a decision whether we should continue as a band, i.e. release new material, or simply put the band back in the grave again," explains drummer Tobias Gustafsson. "We wrote a few songs first just for the fun of it, to see if we still 'had it', before we made the final decision to continue and make a new full-length album."


All Heads Are Gonna Roll is best described as "fast, grinding, D-beat, fist-in-your-face death metal", it features fresh aspects that are uncommon to Vomitory records. "One thing in particular we did was to try to build distinct choruses in the songs, which is something we didn't put too much effort into earlier," explains drummer Tobias Gustafsson. "We have also spent a lot more time working with the backing vocal arrangements, which we certainly think paid off very well. It brings something new to our sound. We have also tried to write more straightforward riffs, like we did in the early 2000s."


The instruments for the record were tracked in the band's rehearsal space, on a mobile studio setup engineered by Mats Lindström, and was self-produced. This allowed them to work at their own pace in the hours that worked for them, rather than having this dictated to them as would be the case if they had rented a studio. "Although we had a lot of flexibility to choose our working hours, it was still crucial to keep the recording schedule as strict as possible, because it was so easy to say 'let's do it tomorrow instead'." For vocals, they went to Leon Music Studios and engineer Rikard Löfgren, which was where they recorded their last three albums. They brought in good friend Christian Fredriksson (Vulkan) to play some guitar solos, but otherwise it is entirely their own work. With vivid horror movie-inspired artwork - with a hint of anti-religion thrown in for good measure - All Heads Are Gonna Roll really is the whole package for death metal fans, and a stunning return to form after so many years between releases.





All Heads Are Gonna Roll, out May 26 via Metal Blade, can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:


- Digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl
- dim gray marbled vinyl (limited to 700 copies)
- crimson red marbled vinyl (limited to 500 copies)
- clear w/ red & white splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- silver w/ black splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- red w/ purple splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies) Sound Pollution exclusive


Cover art by Giannis Nakos.





All Heads Are Gonna Roll tracklisting:


"All Heads Are Gonna Roll"
"Decrowned"
"Ode To The Meat Saw"
"The Deepest Tomb"
"Piece By Stinking Piece"
"Raped, Strangled, Sodomized, Dead"
"Dead Man Stalking"
"Disciples Of The Damned"
"Dead World"
"Beg For Death"


"All Heads Are Gonna Roll" video:





Vomitory lineup:


Erik Rundqvist - vocals/bass
Urban Gustafsson - guitar
Peter Östlund - lead guitar
Tobias Gustafsson - drums

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Willcox, are inviting fans to their upcoming "Toyah & Robert's Rock Party" dates - May 26 & 27 at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester, UK. Watch the video below, and get tickets for the shows here.





Toyah & Robert's Sunday Lunch is going on tour throughout the UK in September and October. The couple will be accompanied by a live band, with Fripp on guitar.




Tickets are available here.





Says Toyah: “When people ask, 'What is the show going to be?', it’s going to be about the hundred years of musical experience we have between us.”


Watch the "Toyah At Home" video below, where Toyah and Robert introduce the tour concept:

Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band who recently wrapped up a U.S. tour, which was preceded by a performance at Aftershock 2022, have released “Night Flight,” a new song, and its accompanying video.





“This is a song we’ve been playing live for some time, but have not recorded or released it until now,” explains singer/Nemophila founder Mayu of the new track. “Please take a look at the video as well, as it does a great job capturing the spirit of the song.” In March, preceding the band’s SXSW show, Nemophila released the single, “Rise”.




Today’s arrival of “Night Flight” coincides with the release of Seize The Fate, a concert film featuring Nemophila’s February performance from Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity.


Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is Mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi-san (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).





(Photo – Michael Nambu)

Singer, dancer, actress and author Tina Turner, often referred to as the "Queen Of Rock 'N' Roll", passed away on May 24 after a long illness. She was 83. Mentalist and former Blind Guardian drummer, Thomen Stauch, pays tribute to Turner with the new video below.


Says Thomen: "That was sad news yesterday, May 24th, 2023! Tina Turner has passed away at the age of 83 after a long illness. A few weeks ago I recorded a drum cover video of 'We Don't Need Another Hero', which I don't want to withhold from you any longer. This performance is dedicated to Tina Turner! I would have preferred to share it with you on a positive occasion, but unfortunately that's not the case. You were a legend when you were alive and even more so now. You will never be forgotten! You're simply the best! RIP, Tina Turner!"

Whitesnake returned in 2008 with Good To Be Bad, the band’s 10th studio album and its first in over a decade. Fans embraced the comeback, pushing the album into the Top 10 in the UK and flocking to shows on the band’s massive world tour. Today, album tracks like “Best Years” and “Summer Rain” have taken their place in the band’s live repertoire alongside global hits like “Here I Go Again” and “Still Of The Night.”


The band has released the official live video for the above-mentioned "Best Years". Watch below:







Whitesnake explores the group’s 2008 return with the legacy retrospective, Still Good To Be Bad. The collection is now available in different configurations. The first collection is a 4-CD/Blu-ray with two new versions of the original album (one remastered and the other newly remixed), a selection of rare and unreleased studio and live recordings from the period, and videos all the music videos, interviews, and electrifying live performances from the Good To Be Bad world tour.





Three other versions of Still Good To Be Bad are also available. The album’s 2023 Remix is released on vinyl as a double-LP and a single CD. Still Good To Be Bad also comes as a 2-CD set that includes the remixed and remastered versions of the album. The new alternate mixes also feature new background vocals from the “Hook City Harlots,” Cami Thompson, Misty Rae & Jackie Landrum, plus the “Hook City Horns” with Rick Metz on saxes and the trumpet of Joshua Reed.





Whitesnake founder and lead singer David Coverdale played an integral role in making the new collection, serving as its executive producer. In the set’s liner notes, Coverdale traces the creative spark for Good to Be Bad back to 2003 when he reconvened Whitesnake for a tour celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary.


“We went out for two months and came back nine months later, and I had a big smile on my face and felt really energized.... I thought—‘Wow! I’ve got thirty years of music here that I can go out and play, and I don’t have to promote a new record...I can just have fun out there.’”


The anniversary ended, but the tour buses kept rolling as Whitesnake remained in demand on the road. As a result, in 2006, the band released Live...In The Shadow Of The Blues, a concert album that also introduced four new studio recordings. Those songs raised fans’ hopes for a new Whitesnake studio album, the first since 1997’s Restless Heart.


Coverdale enjoyed a newly forged creative friendship with electrifying guitarist Doug Aldrich...After initially saying he wasn’t interested in new projects...after three years of touring, he felt the need for new music...not only for the fans, but also to reinvigorate himself.


He found the perfect writing partner with Doug Aldrich. Not only as a co-writer but, as a co-producer, too...


“Doug & I got on so well, I suggested we sit down with our acoustic guitars & see what unfolded...I was thrilled how effortless it was to create new Whitesnake music with him...”


So, it was that in 2007, Coverdale, guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, keyboardist Timothy Drury, bassist Uriah Duffy, and drummer Chris Frazier began recording tracks for Whitesnake’s 10th studio album, Good to Be Bad. Celebrated by both fans and critics, the record was named “Album of the Year” at the 2008 Classic Rock Awards.


Still Good To Be Bad explores the creative process behind the record with 28 different mixes and alternate versions of album tracks, all but one of them previously unreleased. High points include “If You Want Me,” backed by the Hook City Harlots and Horns and a version of “All For Love” that features a different guitar solo by Aldrich. The collection also includes “Evolutions”, a disc of unreleased recordings that presents a guide through the genesis of each song, from initial ideas with rough vocal melodies, lyrics and riffs through to finished demos and full band production versions.


The Blu-ray delivers a variety of Whitesnake video footage, including live tracks from the band’s 2008 European tour, acoustic performances from the era, and an interview by Eddie Trunk. New songs like “Best Years,” “A Fool In Love,” and “Can You Hear The Wind Blow” come to life in these incredible live performances. The Blu-ray also features promo videos for “Ready To Rock” and “Lay Down Your Love.”


Order here.





Super Deluxe tracklisting:


CD 1: New Remix
"Best Years"
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow"
"Lay Down Your Love"
"If You Want Me"
"All I Want All I Need"
"Call On Me"
"Ready To Rock"
"Summer Rain"
"Good To Be Bad"
"All For Love"
"All I Want Is You"
"Got What You Need"
"A Fool In Love"
"Dog"
"‘Til The End Of Time"


CD 2: New Remaster  
"Best Years"
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow"
"Lay Down Your Love"
"If You Want Me"
"All I Want All I Need"
"Call On Me"
"Ready To Rock"
"Summer Rain"
"Good To Be Bad"
"All For Love"
"All I Want Is You"
"Got What You Need"
"A Fool In Love"
"Dog"
"‘Til The End Of Time"


CD 3: Alt Mixes and Various Versions
"Lay Down Your Love" w/ Hook City Harlots
"If You Want Me":w/ Hook City Harlots
"Call On Me" w/ Hook City Harlots
"Good To Be Bad" w/ Hook City Harlots
"All For Love" w/ Hook City Harlots
"Got What You Need" w/ Hook City Harlots
"A Fool In Love" w/ Hook City Harlots
"If You Want Me" Tommy Aldridge drums
"Ready To Rock" Tommy Aldridge drums
"All I Want Is You" Tommy Aldridge drums
"Dog" Tommy Aldridge drums
"All For Love" Doug Aldridge alternate solo
"Summer Rain" Unzipped


CD 4: Evolutions
"Best Years"
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow"
"Lay Down Your Love"
"If You Want Me"
"All I Want All I Need"
"Call On Me"
"Ready To Rock"
"Summer Rain"
"Good To Be Bad"
"All For Love"
"All I Want Is You"
"Got What You Need"
"A Fool In Love"
"Dog"
"‘Til The End Of Time"


Disc 5: Blu-ray / DVD
"Ready To Rock" (Promo Video)
"Lay Down Your Love" (Promo Video)
"Best Years" (Mini Concert From 2008)
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow" (Mini Concert From 2008)
"Lay Down Your Love" (Mini Concert From 2008)
"A Fool In Love" (Mini Concert From 2008)
"Got What You Need" (Purplesnake Video)
"Call On Me" (Purplesnake Video)
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow" (Purplesnake Video)
"All For Love" (Purplesnake Video)
"Best Years" (Purplesnake Video)
"Can You Hear The Wind Blow" (Cutting Room NY Live Acoustic)
"All I Want All I Need" (Cutting Room NY Live Acoustic)
"Lay Down Your Love" (Cutting Room NY Live Acoustic)

Symphonic metal unit, Sirenia, have revealed the third and final new single, entitled “Wintry Heart”. Ranking at the top of their genre for more than 20 years, the band will release their eleventh studio album, 1977, on May 26 via Napalm Records.


Fast-paced single “Wintry Heart” gives a bittersweet taste of early 90’s vibes, roaring guitars and synth melodies, exploring a new style like never before. The single comes with an exciting performance music video.


Morten Veland on “Wintry Heart”: "'Wintry Heart' is a powerful, melodic and more up-tempo song. I also find it to be very energetic - it's definitely one of the songs on the 1977 album that I really look forward to performing live. The chorus also has a great hook line. I hope you'll enjoy it!"







Captivating album opener “Deadlight” is followed by “Wintry Heart”, and “Nomadic” that represents Sirenia's characteristic dark and heavy side as shredding guitar riffs alternate with playful interludes while relentless drums and symphonic electronic elements go hand in hand with one another. “A Thousand Scars” marks a totally new fusion for Sirenia, as heavy symphonic tunes dressed as remarkable rock riffs and poppy rhythms dance together with the feathery light vocals of Emmanuelle. With the eerie and epic tunes of “Fading to the Deepest Black”, the song is reminiscent of their last album, Riddles, Ruins & Revelations (2021). Kicking off with vertiginous blast beats and a mesmerizing performance by Emmanuelle Zoldan, a warm vocal interlude by Morten Veland supports the song's stunning atmosphere before it leads into an impressive guitar solo. Following their operatic symphonic highs, the heavy side of SIRENIA is not forgotten and appears especially towards the end of their 11th record.


1977 will be available in the following formats:


- Digipak Album
- Digital Album


Pre-order here.





1977 tracklisting:


"Deadlight"
"Wintry Heart"
"Nomadic"
"The Setting Darkness"
"A Thousand Scars"
"Fading To The Deepest Black"
"Oceans Away"
"Dopamine"
"Delirium"
"Timeless Desolation"
"Twist In My Sobriety" (Bonus track)


"Deadlight" video:





"Twist In My Sobriety" performance video:





Sirenia is:


Morten Veland – Vocals, guitars, bass, synth, programming
Nils Courbaron – Solo Guitar
Emmanuelle Zoldan – Vocals
Michael Brush – Drums


(Photo - Cécile Delpoïo)

FOO FIGHTERS have unveiled "Show Me How", the third track to drop in advance of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers' eleventh album, "But Here We Are", due out June 2 on Roswell Records/RCA Records.

Featuring a guest vocal appearance by frontman Dave Grohl's daughter Violet Grohl, "Show Me How" is a serene dream pop number that stands in sharp contrast to its predecessors "Rescued" and "Under You".

The official "Show Me How" visualizer, directed by Tim Kellner, can be seen below.

The first new song to be released was "Rescued" — which has generated raves including "driven by a fresh sense of pathos and urgency" (The New York Times),"FOO FIGHTERS have never sounded more vital" (Consequence)," "one of the FOOS' most immediate, emotional songs" (Vulture),"delivers everything fans have come to know and love" (Revolver) and more.

A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything FOO FIGHTERS endured over the last year, "But Here We Are" is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family.

Produced by Greg Kurstin and FOO FIGHTERS, "But Here We Are" is in nearly equal measure the eleventh FOO FIGHTERS album and the first chapter of the band's new life. Sonically channeling the naiveté of FOO FIGHTERS' 1995 debut, informed by decades of maturity and depth, "But Here We Are" is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life.

"But Here We Are" track listing:

01. Rescued
02. Under You
03. Hearing Voices
04. But Here We Are
05. The Glass
06. Nothing At All
07. Show Me How
08. Beyond Me
09. The Teacher
10. Rest

FOO FIGHTERS played their first official concert with new drummer Josh Freese Wednesday night (May 24) at Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion At Meadowbrook in Gilford, New Hampshire. The band launched the 21-song set with "Rescued" and performed three other cuts from the "But Here We Are" LP, "Under You", "Nothing At All" and the title track. The rest of the concert included the first performance of "Cold Day In The Sun" in five years, and Violet Grohl joining the band onstage for "Shame Shame".

FOO FIGHTERS will next perform this Friday (May 26) at the Boston Calling festival at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts. There will also be a few other festival stops, including Bonnaroo in June, Festival D'Ete De Quebec in July, Outside Lands in August, the Ohana, also in August, and Chicago's Riot Fest in September.

The band revealed Freese as part of its new touring lineup on Sunday (May 21) during a pre-tour livestream called "Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts". Freese was unveiled as the drummer during the livestream after comedic cameos by Chad Smith of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Tommy Lee of MÖTLEY CRÜE and Danny Carey of TOOL.

Freese was most recently drumming for Danny Elfman but was recently replaced by Ilan Rubin. Freese was also touring with THE OFFSPRING up until last year, with former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES drummer Brandon Pertzborn stepping in to officially replace him a couple of weeks ago.

Freese replaces longtime FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who tragically passed away in March 2022 at the age of 50.

Freese previously played with the FOO FIGHTERS at the tribute concerts to Hawkins in 2022.

Freese is a veteran session drummer who has performed with GUNS N' ROSES, A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUDDLE OF MUDD, NINE INCH NAILS, WEEZER, PARAMORE, THE REPLACEMENTS, Sting and THE VANDALS, among many others. He has also played more than 300 recordings ranging in genres from pop to rock to country.

GODSMACK was joined by AEROSMITH guitarist Brad Whitford on stage during GODSMACK's concert last night (Tuesday, May 23) at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee for covers of AEROSMITH's classic power ballad "Dream On" and THE BEATLES' "Come Together". Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Back in July 2019, GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna paid tribute to AEROSMITH, crediting the legendary rockers with playing "an enormous role in sculpting me to become the musician I am today."

Erna made his comments afer attending an AEROSMITH concert in Las Vegas, where the iconic band was in the middle of its "Deuces Are Wild" residency.

Sully took to his Facebook page to share a few photos of the show and included the following message: "Some info you may or may not know about me... Seeing @aerosmith tonight with my Manager Paul in Vegas was such a walk down memory lane for both of us. Not only have we built the GODSMACK brand together over the years, but we're both #Boston boys and have been friends now for 30 years and grew up listening and studying this band since we were teenagers. We've been going to AEROSMITH concerts since we were 14 hrs old and AEROSMITH Rocks was literally the first album I ever bought. I even remember smoking my first joint to the song 'Last Child'.

"I've seen AEROSMITH at least 10 times throughout the years and the photo of @joeperryofficial inside the Live Bootleg Album holding up his B.C. Rich with his hair in front of his face and that blonde streak was single handedly the photo that made me want to grow my hair long and go from just being a musician to being a 'rockstar.' This band and their music has meant everything to me over the years and has played an enormous role in sculpting me to become the musician I am today. Their presence, attitude and musicianship is by far some of the coolest and iconic ever known.

"I don't know how much longer they'll go for, but I just feel grateful that their music has been embedded into my veins and have been a huge part of my life! Thank You @aerosmith for all the music and inspirations you've given all of us Rock Musicians over the last 50 years! Talk about 'Legends Rise'? These guys have risen, fallen, and rose again to become bigger and better than they were before. They've been on the top of that mountain for decades. And they continue to inspire all of us over and over again. Yes, we're still super fans! But it's also nice to know that I didn't waste the last 37 years of my life idolizing the wrong band. #proud to be #boston ! What a fun and emotional night!"

In 2018, Erna told Classic Rock magazine that AEROSMITH's 1976 album "Rocks" was a huge influence on him growing up. "I'd been a musician since I was three and a half years old, and I was raised on blues and more jazzy music," he said. "A friend played me 'Last Child' from 'Rocks'. I think it was the first time I smoked a joint, and it was a really life-changing point for me, because it really lured me into the world of rock. It was super-cool for a young kid."

In a new interview with RadioactiveMike Z, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio program "Wired In The Empire", JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner was asked when he first discovered METALLICA's music. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think it was [in my] early teens. When I was getting into heavier music, stuff like [JUDAS PRIEST's] 'Painkiller'; I was introduced to the 'Painkiller' record. I can't remember if it was 'Master Of Puppets' or '…And Justice For All'. I just remember that syncopated, heavy stuff from METALLICA. And, obviously, the flying V… [METALLICA frontman] James Hetfield is one of my top five guitar players. For a lot of people, it's lead guitar players, but one of mine is Hetfield, the way he crafts and plays riffs. And, obviously, in the early days, he played that white V. And, yeah, [he was] just a massive influence. He is, for me, the integrity of METALLICA. He's the frontman, the integrity, the mouthpiece. And I'm a huge METALLICA fan."

He continued: "Obviously, the new [METALLICA] record had come out. I haven't actually heard all of it yet. But I'm excited to hear it. I've heard some of the singles that they've released. And they're doing their thing now where they're releasing a video for every song and really creating a connection to each one. So, yeah, they've always been a band that goes against the grain, and I've admired them for that. But I love the music. I've always been a METALLICA fan."

When RadioactiveMike Z noted that Hetfield's downpicking playing technique is legendary, Faulkner concurred. "Yeah, I could never do that," Richie said. "I always look for ways of getting around it and making up excuses why I couldn't do it. And I don't really have an excuse, except that I'm a lazy boy. So I can't do that downpicking. But he's a master at it, and it definitely creates a sound for them."

Faulkner joined JUDAS PRIEST in 2011 as the replacement for the band's founding guitarist K.K. Downing.

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

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

Last September, Faulkner revealed that he underwent a second heart surgery in early August 2022 to fix "a hole in the repair."

As previously reported, Faulkner will sign copies of ELEGANT WEAPONS' debut album, "Horns For A Halo", on Saturday, May 27 at 5:00 p.m. at Grimey's in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information, visit Grimeys.com.

"Horns For A Halo" will be released on May 26 via Nuclear Blast. The LP was recorded with singer Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW, MSG),bassist Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) and drummer Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST) and was helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT, EXODUS and MEGADETH, among many others.

ELEGANT WEAPONS's current touring lineup consists of Faulkner, Romero, Dave Rimmer (URIAH HEEP) on bass and Christopher Williams (ACCEPT) on drums.

Julien's Auctions, the acclaimed auction house to the stars, held on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 the industry's premiere music auction event "Music Icons", featuring a spectacular line-up of over 1,200 pieces of music history from rock royalty owned and used by the likes of Kurt Cobain, NIRVANA, Elvis Presley, THE BEATLES, Michael Jackson, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Lifeson, Freddie Mercury, LED ZEPPELIN, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, KISS, MÖTLEY CRÜE, Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz and more, with special collections from Amy Winehouse, Bill Wyman, Bette Midler and Julian Lennon, sold in front of a live audience at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City and online with thousands of bidders, fans and collectors from around the world participating at julienslive.com The three-day auction event will close on Sunday, May 21 with the grand finale, "Property From The Special Collection Of Global Icon Janet Jackson".

The headlining item at the auction was a lefty black Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, smashed by one of the most influential artists of all time, Kurt Cobain, during NIRVANA's seminal "Nevermind" era which sold for an astounding $595,000 nearly ten times its original estimate of $60,000. The reassembled but unplayable guitar signed by all three members of NIRVANA, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, with additional inscriptions to Mark Lanegan (of SCREAMING TREES) by Cobain that read: "Hell-o Mark! Love, Your Pal, Kurdt Kobain / Washed up rockstar" as well as the inscription Boddah Lives engraved to the neck plate (referring to Cobain's childhood imaginary friend) is housed in a black hard case with "Abort Christ" written on the top in white block letters and includes a white Ernie Ball guitar strap. Another NIRVANA highlight was a setlist for their April 17, 1991 performance at OK Hotel in Seattle, Washington which sold for $50,800, twelves times its original estimate of $4,000. Believed to be handwritten by Dave Grohl, the set list marked the band's debut performance of their breakthrough hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" before its release. The list was written in pink marker on the back of a printed "Guitar Lessons With Tommy Rose" flyer advertisement and included songs such as "Big Cheese", "D-7", "Love Buzz", "About A Girl", "Immoodiuum", "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "In Bloom". NIRVANA headlined this benefit concert with FITS OF DEPRESSION and BIKINI KILL, just five months before their seminal breakthrough album "Nevermind" was released. An oversized NIRVANA promotional poster for the 1991 "Nevermind" album, signed by all three NIRVANA band members additionally sold for $10,400.

Another sensational highlight was a circa 2002 Gretsch Irish Falcon electric guitar, stage-played by U2's Bono which sold for $238,125. The guitar signed by all four members of U2 was donated by Bono when he was honored as the MusiCares Person Of The Year in 2003. A devotee of the Gretsch 6196 Country Club, Bono commissioned ten Irish Falcon electric guitars from Gretsch in 2000.

Another guitar hero and his signature axe rocked the auction stage this weekend — Eddie Van Halen and his Charvel EVH Art Series 78 electric guitar, which sold for $114,300. The 2004 red, black and white striped instrument was stage-played by Eddie Van Halen during the final concert of VAN HALEN's 2007 and 2008 tour featuring David Lee Roth who was back in the lineup for the first time since 1985. The performance where this guitar was used on stage was part of Quebec City's Summer Festival on July 3, 2008.

Michael Jackson's one-of-a-kind, custom-made ensembles representing why he was not only The King of Pop but also The King of Style took center stage with the appearance of his custom made black-military-style-jacket with gold hardware embellishments, stage-worn by Jackson during the 1992-93 "Dangerous" world tour which sold for $117,000. Renowned designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins designed Michael's looks for the tour, using leather and metal hardware for the costume's embellishments and surface design. Other notable MJ pieces included a military-style jacket worn by Michael Jackson to a 1992 media event ($53,975) and a custom-made space jumpsuit worn by Michael Jackson in his role as Commander Jackson, a space police officer in the 1993 Sega simulator ride film "AS-1 Scramble Training" ($35,750).

An arsenal of guitars from a behemoth of rock icons roared back onto the auction stage such as a circa 1987 candy apple red signature Aurora electric guitar from the personal collection of RUSH legend Alex Lifeson ($82,550); a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe electric guitar used by Lenny Kravitz in the early '90s during his "Let Love Rule" period and 1990 John Lennon memorial concert ($52,000); a right-handed Melody 500 acoustic guitar belonging to LED ZEPPELIN's Jimmy Page circa 1960s-1970s ($63,500); a 1971 Zemaitis resonator acoustic guitar, custom-made for Ronnie Lane ($50,800); a vintage 1959 Olympic white Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, owned and used by MÖTLEY CRÜE's Mick Mars from his early days with the band through 2002 ($45,500); a 2003 candy apple red custom Hamer K.K. Downing Vector electric guitar, used extensively by Downing live on stage with JUDAS PRIEST ($25,400); a circa 2015-2018 "cracked mirror" Ibanez Paul Stanley PS1CM electric guitar, stage-played by Stanley during KISS's 2017-2018 "Kissworld" tour ($11,700); and more.

The inimitable style and larger than life persona of The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, reigned once again this weekend with his oversized 18K Gold fire opal and diamond ring owned and stage-worn circa 1970s during his Las Vegas residency dazzling the auction stage at $45,000. Other items from the legendary icon included: Elvis Presley's black Ray Ban reading glasses ($11,700); a14K Gold "TCB" pendant necklace given by Presley to the singer's close friend Cliff Gleaves, circa 1970s ($13,000); his Stetson western hat worn in his role as "Joe Lightcloud" in the 1968 film "Stay Away Joe" ($22,225); a custom-made corduroy waist-jacket worn by Presley in his role as "Guy Lambert" in the 1967 film "Double Trouble" ($25,400) and more.

Beatlemania swept across the auction stage with items related to the Fab Four's most popular songs and iconic eras topping the charts such as: a music lyrics sheet of THE BEATLES' song "Baby You're A Rich Man" handwritten by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Mal Evans, which sold for an astounding $65,000 thirteen times its original estimate of $5,000; an original limited-edition brick from Abbey Road Studio Two in London, England ($11,700); an RIAA certified sales gold record award presented to THE BEATLES for the sale of more than one million copies of the iconic pop single "Help!" ($22,750),a gold record award presented to the THE BEATLES for selling more than one million copies of "Can't Buy Me Love" ($19,500) and more.

Another top moment of the auction included the presentation of Julian Lennon's private collection of BEATLES treasures and historic personal items from his father John Lennon. Highlights included several RIAA certified sales gold record awards presented to the THE BEATLES such as the gold record award for selling more than one million copies of their album "Hey Jude" realizing $91,000, eighteen times its original estimate of $5,000; the gold record award for selling more than one million copies of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" ($65,000 thirteen times its original estimate of $5,000); the gold record award for selling more than one million copies of their seventh studio album, "Revolver" ($39,000),the gold record award for selling more than one million copies of their album "Yesterday And Today" ($22,750) and more. Items related to THE BEATLES' landmark 1969 film "Yellow Submarine" made an exuberant appearance at the podium including a group of original mounted animation cels such as two images from the "Nowhere Man" sequence (one sold for $22,750 and another for $19,500, twenty-four times its original estimate of $800) and the gold record award presented to the THE BEATLES for selling more than one million copies of "Yellow Submarine" ($35,750). Other items from Julian Lennon included: his vintage Honda Z50AE Monkey Bike ($16,250); a gold record award presented to the THE BEATLES for selling more than one million copies of their ninth studio album "The Beatles" (referred to as The White Album) ($39,000); a gold record award presented to John Ono Lennon for selling more than one million copies of "Imagine" ($29,250) and more.

A remarkable collection of MTV Video Music Awards through the different eras and continents of the iconic awards show telecasts included the 1993 MTV Viewers Choice Award VMA given to AEROSMITH for "Livin' On The Edge" ($11,700); MTV "VMAJ" Moonman from Japan ("Sumo award") given to THE BEASTIE BOYS for "Best Hip Hop Video" for their hit single "Ch-Check It Out" in 2005 at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan ($12,700) and the 2001 MTV "Moonman" Video Music Award for Best Male Video, for Moby's hit single "South Side" ($11,700).

Additional stellar highlights included (winning bids with buyer's premium):

* A New York Yankee's bomber jacket, stage-worn by Freddie Mercury during QUEEN's "News Of The World" tour stop in 1977 at Madison Square Garden ($57,150) and a pair of futuristic virtual reality sunglasses worn by the QUEEN frontman as the title character in the 1989 music video for QUEEN's single "The Invisible Man" ($32,500);
* A two-piece gold lurex suit, designed by costume designer Ret Turner, worn by David Bowie on the cover of Filter magazine in 2003 ($25,400);
* A Takamine acoustic guitar, used by Tom Petty while on tour circa 1981-1986 ($35,750);
* A small Basildon Bond brand "Handy Jotter" sketch book used by John Lennon that includes 18 sketches and drawings by John Lennon ($35,750);
* A Yamaha CP10 electric piano ($31,750) and a JVC RC-M70 hi-fi system with tape recorder ($10,400) used by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during the production of their final album, "Double Fantasy";
* A shell patterned D&G dress, worn by Amy Winehouse in the music video for "F*ck Me Pumps" off of her 2003 debut album, "Frank" ($26,000);
* A pair of wooden drumsticks, custom-made for and used by Ringo Starr ($22,100);
* An original MCI JH-16 prototype tape recorder machine studio used during the production of the sole DEREK AND THE DOMINOS 1970 studio album "Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs" ($57,150);
* Niall Horan's very first guitar, a Yamaha acoustic that played a significant role in his journey to becoming a founding member of ONE DIRECTION ($12,700);
* A black Gibson SG electric guitar donated by Gibson Gives with a colorful monster face hand-painted and signed by Robby Krieger of THE DOORS covering the entire front of the body $13,000);
* A 2010 Epiphone Lucille electric guitar signed by B.B. King ($10,400);A 1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz personally owned and driven by Neil Young ($13,000);
* A limited-edition 2015 Moog EMMS synthesizer commemorating the original version used by Keith Emerson of the progressive rock band EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER ($78,000);
* A framed display featuring a cymbal and two pairs of drumsticks used by Neil Peart with RUSH ($13,000) and more.

Photo courtesy of Homage PR for Julien's Auctions

This past Friday (May 19),GHOST released "Phantomime", a five-song EP which sees the Swedish occult rockers offering takes on IRON MAIDEN's "Phantom Of The Opera", GENESIS's "Jesus He Knows Me", TELEVISION's "See No Evil", THE STRANGLERS' "Hanging Around" and Tina Turner's "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)".

Speaking to France's FIP Metal about his approach to recording covers of other artists' songs, GHOST leader Tobias Forge said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Sometimes it's almost deflating working with covers, because you get frustrated how easy they are sometimes. And then you're, like, 'Fuck, I wish I was this efficient.' But then again, it's going back to school — reshape a little bit of what you thought you knew.

"Every now and then we have done these cover EPs with GHOST," he continued. "To a certain degree, I guess they have been retrospectively covering what I've liked for a long time, but on the other hand, we've done ['I Believe' by] SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO, which is obviously not a song that I grew up listening to; I think I heard it on FIFA [in] '05 or something. And this time around I think I just wanted to do a little bit more rock-leniant… Obviously, you and Tina Turner in there; that might not have been necessarily a rock song. But I purposely decided to, 'I'm gonna deliver five rock songs that will somehow embody, I guess, the origins of where I come from.'

"One key ingredient for a song, in order for me to get the spark that I wanna cover it, is that it has something — I'm gonna use the word lightly, but 'missing.' Something that I can, in one way or another, reshape.

"'We Don't Need Another Hero', I've liked that song for, obviously, forever. And I heard that this song could be so much more — I'm not gonna say 'better', but a more massive… it could have more of a hard rock, arena rock sort of presentation.

"TELEVISION, I love both 'Adventure' and I love 'Marquee Moon' a lot; I've liked them for a long, long time. The production, especially on 'Marquee Moon', is very, very soft. The band sounds like they're sort of in a room like this, and I felt that we could definitely do a stand-up version of that, something that's gonna be more like THE ROLLING STONES 1982 on steroids and cocaine."

He added: "'Jesus He Knows Me', the original, is obviously very uptempo, but it sounds like they're playing it with flower sticks — very, very soft. And most of the things that I made my version of, or our version of, most of the things, the components are in the original song, but they're just played in a very, very subdued sort of [way]… That was the guiding light throughout the recording — just to make it as energetic possible.

"The IRON MAIDEN song, obviously, was very energetic in its original form, almost to the point where I would say, from a producer point of view, where I tend to wanna finetune things, I think that the original version might be a little bit too all over the place. So I felt like if I can structure a few things, then it can definitely be a different version. So where you wanted TELEVISION really drunk, I wanted the MAIDEN song to be a little bit more sobered up, or not on alcohol — maybe on amphetamine instead.

"I've always loved THE STRANGLERS. I've always liked that record, and I've always felt 'Hanging Around', it had that sort of stomp that I like… I guess I could have done other STRANGLERS songs, but I just liked the fact that it also had that sort of slight little… It mentions Christ, so it's, like, yeah, okay, so it has a little bit of a religious flirt. So that checks the box; it makes it GHOST-ified."

"Phantomime" track listing:

01. See No Evil (TELEVISION)
02. Jesus He Knows Me (GENESIS)
03. Hanging Around (THE STRANGLERS)
04. Phantom Of The Opera (IRON MAIDEN)
05. We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) (Tina Turner)

GHOST is no stranger to covers, having previously tackled material originally written and recorded by THE BEATLES ("Here Comes The Sun"), ABBA ("I'm A Marionette"), DEPECHE MODE ("Waiting For The Night"), Roky Erickson ("If You Have Ghosts"), METALLICA ("Enter Sandman"), PET SHOP BOYS ("It's A Sin") and EURYTHMICS ("Missionary Man"), among others.

This past February, GHOST revealed details of its upcoming "Re-Imperatour" summer 2023 U.S. tour with special guest AMON AMARTH. Produced by Live Nation and FPC Live, the 27-date trek kicks off on Wednesday, August 2 in Concord, California at Concord Pavilion, with stops in Salt Lake City, Chicago, Cincinnati, Austin and more before wrapping up with the band's Monday, September 11 return to the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

GHOST is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "Impera", which sold 70,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the third top 10 album — and fifth top 40-charting set — for the Swedish act. The 12-song effort was produced by Klas Åhlund and mixed by Andy Wallace.

"Impera" landed at position No. 1 in Germany and Sweden, No. 2 in the U.K., Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, No. 3 in Australia, No. 5 in France and Ireland, and No. 20 in Italy.

Forge worked on the follow-up to 2018's "Prequelle" with Åhlund and Swedish co-writers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, whose credits include Madonna and Lady Gaga.

In January, GHOST released a new version of its song "Spillways" featuring a guest appearance by DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott.

"Spillways" is taken from "Impera", which was released in March 2022.

Photo credit: Jimmy Hubbard

In a new interview with HardDrive Radio host Lou Brutus, BEARTOOTH frontman Caleb Shomo spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's upcoming fifth studio album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is fully finished, turned in. I've been working on it for a very long time. I started working on it. [Last year's single] 'Riptide' was the first song I did for it, and, obviously, that's been out for a long time now — like eight, nine months. The first real, real intense writing session specifically for it was in late February, early March of '22. I went out to Los Angeles, and [recent single] 'Sunshine!' was the first song I wrote out there.

"It's so hard to put into words, what it is," he continued. "I think it's just one of those things that until people hear it, they're not really gonna get it. But it is very much a record for the people who have been following the story.

"Like I've kind of talked about, I've tried to make it, intentionally for a long time now, that these first five albums are kind of one big story and the story of my 20s. And it's all very linear. And the way it ends is amazing. It's crazy and not a happy ending to it. But the theme of the album as a whole is definitely a lot more hopeful.

"It was written during and after me really making all those big changes in my life and focusing on mental health and physical health and all of that," Caleb revealed. "And it's just manifested into a super-unique record. I did most of it in Los Angeles. I did a lot of it on tour. I mixed it kind of in Los Angeles and New York. I just finished — I mastered it at the Hit Factory, like finished the mix and master there not too long ago. I just went out and did a whole label showcase for it. I brought 'em out and explained the record and played it for 'em.

"We just have so many cool things coming up. I just cannot wait — cannot wait."

Shomo also talked about the sequencing of the songs on the new BEARTOOTH album, explaining: "There were certain things, going into this record, that I knew I wanted to do and I knew was important to the sequence. And honestly, in the sequence, there's just a whole story — it's just my last about 14, 15 months of my life; maybe 16 now. It's just that. It's just explaining those emotions and those feelings throughout the songs and through the highs and the lows.

"The beginning of the record is kind of trying to captivate these extreme highs of when I quit drinking and all my chemicals are realigning and my body is kind of starting to work better again and all this stuff. I had this three-month crazy, crazy high that I was on because of that. And that's kind of how it starts. And the middle of the record, it's kind of about that leveling out and having to deal with some really big things that happened in my life and dealing with the loss of somebody very important to me, and I discuss that. And then it kind of wraps up at the end with… I don't really wanna give away the ending, but I don't think it's at all what people would expect out of a BEARTOOTH record — in a very good way.

"I've never been more proud of any piece of work I've ever done. And I hope this isn't the case, but I think there's a chance this is the best record I'll ever write. And that's not to slight myself, but I just mean with my circumstances that I've been going through.

"This last year has been the most pivotal year of my entire life, even aside from all of the things I've done in my musical career and whatnot, just for me personally," Caleb added. "Honestly, during 'Below' and that kind of era, and even before that, I always kind of had it in the back of my mind, 'I'm probably gonna be dead in my mid-30s, late 30s of either suicide or alcohol related' or I don't really know. But I didn't have any self-love. And that has all completely shifted. And there's been a lot of work that went into that. And getting to explain that on a record just made for this incredibly unique thing. And obviously, I hope it is not my… I think I'm only getting started. But I think that it is a completely different animal — one hundred percent different animal. Obviously it's still a BEARTOOTH record and it's still me. But this is just kind of me showing the world what I'm fucking capable of. And I'm very proud of it."

BEARTOOTH was recently nominated for a Libera Award for "Best Heavy Record" for the 2022 hit single "Riptide", which has garnered over 20 million streams to date. They also wrapped an 18-date, sold-out tour of Europe, where they headlined some of their biggest shows to date, including the iconic Wembley Arena. It marked the band's most successful overseas run in its history so far.

Last month, BEARTOOTH kicked off a 38-date U.S. co-headline tour alongside TRIVIUM, which will include a triumphant return home at Sonic Temple festival in Columbus, Ohio. The band will follow the co-headliner with trips to Australia and Europe, while concluding 2023 with an appearance at Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, Virginia.

BEARTOOTH has released four albums thus far: "Disgusting" (2014),"Aggressive" (2016),"Disease" (2018) and "Below" (2021).

The Ohio act recently released a deluxe edition of "Below". "Below Deluxe" is expanded to include 32 tracks. For this edition, BEARTOOTH added two new bonus tracks, "Fighting Back" and "Permanently Sealed", as well as a refreshed version of current radio single "Skin (Alternate Universe Version)", which mixes acoustics and electrics. It also includes the full, 17-track live recordings from the "Live From The Journey Below" livestream, recorded at the historic Clyde Theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana in July 2021. An exclusive 52-track "Special Video Edition" Apple eMix bundle includes all the official videos plus the videos from "Live From The Journey Below".

BraveWords is hosting the premiere of Corvus Lore’s new music video for “Blind & Broken”.





Since Corvus Lore's inception in 2015, their goal has been to write music that is memorable, inspiring, and possesses the perfect blend of the various styles of rock music that they grew up on — keeping original rock music alive today. And people in the music industry are taking note. 




SoundwavesTV has referred to Corvus Lore as the Bay Area's buzz-worthy band in 2023. Internet show host Chris Akin recently published his interview with the band stating, "Why Corvus Lore is the NEXT Velvet Revolver!" Inspiring and eye-catching videos such as "Boxing Ballerina" have won "Best Music Video" category at the 2022 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. And their momentum keeps building — having shared the stage with notable rock legends like Tesla, Richie Kotzen, and Dizzy Reed from Guns n Roses, and Eric Martin. They have also made TV appearances on the KBFX morning show.


Their sophomore album, Lucida, scheduled to be release in July 2023 on Valley of Fire Records, contains nine new songs that will take you on a ride and make you want to set the needle back again and again. Keep an eye out for their upcoming shows in 2023.


Find more information about the band on Facebook, Instagram and corvuslore.com.

Since forming in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in late 2005, Orchid’s Curse has positioned itself at the forefront of the highly underrated East Coast metal scene in Canada. They ensure that every show leaves them drained of all they had and every album is created with the most care and the best team they can find. This determination and attention to detail is what makes their new EP The Decay a melodic death album you’ll definitely want in your rotation. 


The second single is “Dead Idols”, which the band details:


“Unlike the opening track, ‘Better Men’, this song gets right into it from the opening note. It is a four-minute melodic death and thrash-inspired banger. Lyrically this song explores society’s idolizations of people who may not deserve the adoration.”




Juxtaposed against the atmospheric opener and the sludgy and experimental track that follows, “Dead Idols” is yet another display of varied influences brought together seamlessly with care and dedication. In the early days, the band had more of a standard, mid-2000s metalcore sound. With each new release, the band has continued to progress and refine its sound. With “The Decay”, Orchid’s Curse continues this trend incorporating a multitude of sounds and influences across the heavy metal spectrum and beyond.


Over the course of their career, Orchid’s Curse has performed and toured with some of their favourite bands including 3 Inches of Blood and Goatwhore. Their ferocious passion is remarkable and no one should sleep on a chance to see them live. They are recommended for fans of At the Gates, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Burnt By The Sun.


Album preorder is available on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Better Men”
“Dead Idols”
“The Divergence Of Man”
“Divided By Everything”
“Pay To Prey”


"Dead Idols":





"Divided By Everything":





Orchid's Curse is: 
Josh Hogan - Vocals 
Brian Jones - Guitar/Vocals 
Keith MacLeod - Guitar 
Jason Szeto - Bass 
Alex Wrathell - Drums

With their impressive debut Blessed By The Light Of A Thousand Stars, Germany's Servant were one of the black metal surprises of 2021. These days, the quartet has completed the work on the follow-up, which is more than capable of fulfilling and even surpassing the expectations raised with the debut. 





Aetas Ascensus will be released on July 7 on MDD Records. Musically, much of the new material seems more furious and wild, although melody and harmony will again form the cornerstone of the almost 50-minute album. The record is a complex piece of music, bursting with a wealth of details. Those who already enjoyed the Scandinavian black metal influenced debut will love the successor. 




A first musical taste of the new material will be available soon - stay tuned.

Chilean heavy metal project Cathalepsy has announced the release of their new album Blood And Steel via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. 


Cathalepsy is in the process of bringing all the power of their music to the heavy metal fans! Luigi Ansaldi (Composer, Writer and Drummer) along with Fabian Valdés (Guitar and Bass), the main members of the project, managed to gather for Blood And Steel a plethora of first class metal musicians. 


Gust vocalists: Tim “Ripper” Owens (KK Priest, ex-Judas Priest), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer, ex-Riot), Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Firewind), Frank Beck (Gamma Ray), Giacomo Voli (Rhapsody Of Fire), Ivan Giannini (Vision Divine), Thiago Bianchi (Shaman, Noturnall), David Readman (PinkCream 69, Voodoo Circle), 




Guest solo guitarists: Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween), Ross The Boss (ex-Manowar), Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth, King Diamond, Testament), Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall), Thobbe Englund (ex-Sabaton), Jens Ludwig (Edguy), Danilo Bar (WhiteSkull), Sigurd Fylling (Legend Of Valley Doom), keyboardists: Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven and Hell, Black Sabbath), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot).


Blood And Steel will be released on July 14, 2023 as Digipack CD, black vinyl limited to 200 copies world-wide and digital streaming / download format. Preorder at roar.gr.





Tracklisting:


“We Are The Warriors”
“Heavy Metal Faith”
“Hammer Heart”
“Blood And Steel”
“Emptiness”
“Rockstar”
“The Final Battle”
“Song Of Ice And Fire”
“Hammer Heart (Orchestral Version)”

Five long years since the band's latest, self-titled offering, Finnish power metal masters, Frozen Land, return with a brand new studio album, entitled Out Of The Dark. The album will be released on June 16 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available here.


Out Of The Dark is basically a 7-song cohesive ensemble in the traditional power metal genre. But on the last two tracks it gets even more exciting! It's not a secret, Tuomas has a perversion for 90's Eurodance, and on the last album the band already covered E-types "Angels Crying". Now, the band even created their own songs mixing Eurodance and metal. But, don't take it too seriously... Frozen Land certainly doesn’t. Let's give ear, following a previously-released, first single, the album opening track "King’s A Bitch", today, Frozen Land have shared a music video for the song "Señorita".


"This is the most meaningful track in Frozen Land's discography," the band comments. "The tune and lyrics came to Tuomas after consuming about 0.7l of vodka. It was an awesome night, the birth of 'Señorita'. They say the northern star shined extra bright that night. We feel that the song is our "baby Jesus", actually. From now on we celebrate the birthday of the song giving presents to each other. A little 'Señorita' doll is also made and then crucified on a small cross."




Find the video for "Señorita" below.


Apart from the band's Eurodance affairs, Out Of The Dark is old-school power metal – period. It is a wet dream for everybody who started listening to power metal in the 90's. No fillers, no non-catchy choruses, and no uninteresting guitar solos guaranteed. The album was mixed by Nino Laurenne and Juho Mäntynen at Sonic Pump Studios, and was mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers Studios.





Out Of The Dark tracklisting:


"King’s A Bitch"
"The Prophecy"
"Dying Of The Light"
"Don’t You Ever Leave Me"
"The Northern Star"
"White Lightning"
"Out Of The Dark"
"The Slayer"
"Señorita"


"Señorita" video:





"King’s A Bitch" lyric video:





Lineup:


Tony Meloni - Vocals
Tuomas Hirvonen - Guitars, Backing Vocals, Vocals on tracks 8 & 9
Aleksi Salomaa - Bass
Antti Sorsa - Keyboards
Aki Kuokkanen - Drums





(Band photo - Hank J Newman and Fotolab Studio Italy)

In the video below from AXS TV, take a quick trip to Mexico with Sammy Hagar as he plays a fan favorite, "I Can't Drive 55," at the Cabo Wabo.





Watch the full episode of Rock & Roll Road Trip here.

Kinell formed as a challenge: Can you write and record original songs in the spirit and style of a band you love and still create something new? Saigon Kick bassist Chris McLernon and Action City Blackout guitarist Collin DeBruhl wanted to find out, starting with Thin Lizzy, Irish-born rockers who rumbled through the ‘70s and ‘80s on a mix of catchy songs and raffish charm that resonated on both sides of the Atlantic and influenced countless musicians. Check out the fruit of those efforts with single and lyric video for “Take It All” – premiered exclusively through BraveWords!





After demoing a handful of tracks, McLernon and DeBruhl had the makings of a forward-looking sound that built on classic trademarks: twinned guitars, rock ‘n’ roll bravado, irresistible hooks and a poet’s ear for lyrics and mood. They had a name, Kinell, a shortened version of an expression you’ve probably uttered yourself in moments of amazement or annoyance.




Seeking to fill out the rhythm section, Kinell enlisted a revolving quartet of phenomenal drummers: Barry Kerch (Shinedown), Ricky Sanders (Saigon Kick, STA), Eric Rickert (Souls Harbor, Skin Tight) and Marc Danzeisen (Riverdogs, Little Caesar), playing as only they could and collectively giving the songs punch and swing.


The result is Kinell’s energized and outgoing debut, Crash. Burn. Rebirth Produced by McLernon and mixed by multiplatinum producer Eric Bass, Crash. Burn. Rebirth. celebrates the past without being trapped by it. Order the album on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“What Might Have Been”
“Spatial Survival”
“Easy Come And Easy Go”
“Say Goodbye”
“Forever After”
“What Have I Done”
“Take Me Home”
“Kingpin”
“Take It All”


Lineup:
Chris McLernon - bass, guitars, lead vocals
Collin DeBruhl - guitar, vocals
Barry Kerch - drums on “Take It All”, “What Have I Done”, “Kingpin”
Marc Danzeisen - drums on “What Might Have Been”, “That’s The Way Thing Are”, “Forever After”, “Easy Come And Easy Go”
Rick Sanders - drums on “Spatial Survival”, “Take Me Home”
Eric Rickert - drums on “Say Goodbye”
Additional riot vocals - Ron Redick, Amy Haines, Laura Vanadore, Jack Hunter, Emily Richards