In a new interview with Brazil's Headbangers News, ARMORED SAINT frontman John Bush was asked if he had ever taken any singing lessons to help him develop such a unique vocal approach. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " Well, I've done some training through the years, mostly just for voice preservation. As you get older, this is more demanding. It's like an athlete, and you've gotta be fit. And, obviously, the older you get, the more challenging it is to sing heavy metal music. It's very demanding. And I'm 61 years old now, so I'm not a young spring chicken. And my voice is different than it used to be, although a lot of people, they say, 'Oh, you sound the same.' Not really — I actually sound lower and I have this kind of more mid-range sweet spot that I kind of sing most of my stuff in that range. But it's all very complimentary and I'm grateful for those comments that people make."

Addressing the fact that some people consider him to be one of the top singers in heavy metal, Bush said: "People like [IRON MAIDEN's Bruce] Dickinson and Ronnie Dio, of course, and [JUDAS PRIEST's Rob] Halford, as far as I'm concerned, these guys are the kings of metal, and to even come close to being in the same kind of ballpark with them is a big honor. But I just try to do my own thing. I think for me, through the years, what I always strive to do is just sound unique, have my own kind of style. I kind of model a lot of my singing after those people, but also guys like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Some of my favorite singers are from the old-school soul world. And so I've always kind of wanted to sound like a combination of a heavy metal singer and an R&B singer. Anybody who has a unique style to singing and sounds original. I think that's the most important thing. I tend to really like those type of singers mostly. I don't really know about the range; I don't really have the music knowledge about all that stuff. I just know it's about trying to sound unique and original."

Bush also talked about his singing approach with ANTHRAX, which he fronted from 1992 to 2005, and then again for several shows in late 2009 and early 2010. He said: "Someone like [classic ANTHRAX singer] Joey Belladonna has a really unique voice. His voice is very distinctive; when you hear it, you know it's him, which is cool. And that's kind of what I try to do for myself. And our voices are very different, so when I joined, it was, like, 'Oh, now this kind of raspier, kind of gruff singer is now in the band.' And Joey's voice is a little cleaner and higher. But distinctive both of them are and different. So it did change the sound.

"I mean, let's face it, somebody like Sammy Hagar changed the way VAN HALEN sounded, and certainly Ronnie Dio did [with BLACK SABBATH], and Brian Johnson [did with AC/DC], even though Brian's voice is similar to Bon's [Scott], but it was, again, very distinctive, both those guys," John explained. "You change a singer in a band, and the sound's gonna change a little bit. It is just the way it is."

Following two festival performances — Bangers Open Air in São Paulo, Brazil and Sonic Temple festival in Columbus, Ohio respectively — ARMORED SAINT will enter the studio next month to begin recording its 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 U.K. shows before returning to the States to support legendary guitarist Michael Schenker on his "My Years With UFO" U.S. tour. ARMORED SAINT will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its 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. Presales will be announced in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, check out additional "Delirious Nomad" merch items at this location.

Last June, ARMORED SAINT released a rendition of "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)". The classic track was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by PEOPLE in 1970. Additional covers include THE FOUR TOPS (1974),SANTANA (1978) and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (1989).

"One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)" was produced by Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston and mastered by Maor Applebaum.

ARMORED SAINT released the "Symbol Of Salvation Live" CD/DVD in 2021 via Metal Blade Records. The release came in celebration of the seminal album's 30th anniversary. "Symbol Of Salvation Live" was a combination live album and video of the band playing the album in its entirety at New York City's famed Gramercy Theatre during its 2018 tour.

In July 2023, ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

In May 2023, ARMORED SAINT's long-awaited documentary, Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers", had its world premiere in the band's hometown at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Japan’s Lovebites have announced vinyl reissues of their four full-length albums and four EPs.



The albums were previously available on vinyl, but in limited quantities. Releases included in the campaign are The Lovebites EP, Awakening From Abyss, Battle Against Damnation, Clockwork Immortality, Electric Pentagram, Golden Destination, Glory, Glory, To The World, and Judgement Day.



The reissues will be available on August 12 via Victor Records and Tower Records. Each vinyl is limited edition on colored vinyl. A special synthetic leather record bag is also available.

The power metallers will perform at the hallowed Budokan in Tokyo on March 29, 2026. Applications to attend the show for non-Japan residents are available here.

For the first time in 20 years, ANTHRAX will share a stage with BLACK SABBATH when the pioneering New York thrash metal band performs at SABBATH's "Back To The Beginning" concert, set to take place on Saturday, July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. ANTHRAX toured with BLACK SABBATH on the legendary heavy metal band's 1986 "Seventh Star" tour, which was also ANTHRAX's first arena tour. The last time ANTHRAX was on the same bill as SABBATH was in 2005 at the Download festival in the U.K.

"I'm a huge BLACK SABBATH fan," said ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante, "and BLACK SABBATH was so, so instrumental in the sound of ANTHRAX back in the day.

"Back in '86, when we were working on our third album, we wanted to do a B-side of a BLACK SABBATH song. 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' was the song that we chose. We did it as a B-side, we played it live, and it became a big thing for us.

"Growing up Catholic, in a Catholic household, my mom did not appreciate BLACK SABBATH. One day when I came home, my sister took me to the record store and I got one of those iron-on BLACK SABBATH t-shirts, it was the cover of 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'. I got it home, my mother saw it, she made my sister take me back to the store and return it. She would not have it in the house because it had the '666' on it. I was still a BLACK SABBATH fan so I had to kind of keep it hidden from my mom."

"I discovered BLACK SABBATH when I was about eight years old, sitting in my uncle's room at my grandparents' house," said ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian. "My uncle was 17 or 18, had a big vinyl collection and blacklight posters all over his walls, and I thought he was the coolest dude in the world. I would go through his albums, pull records out and he'd play them for me. I remember pulling out this record that said 'BLACK SABBATH' on it, the album cover was kind of scary, so I asked him 'what's BLACK SABBATH?' And he said, 'oh, they're acid rock…" and I didn't know what that meant…I thought maybe that was the terminology back then for a genre. And then he put the album on. Everyone knows how that record starts, with the sound effects and the rain and the bell, and then the band kicks in…there's nothing like it. At that point in time, the scariest, heaviest thing I'd ever heard in my life. Maybe still to this day, when that song 'Black Sabbath' kicks in, there's just nothing like it. I started playing guitar when I was about 10, and Tony [Iommi] was definitely an influence, so I'd try and figure out how to play 'Iron Man' or 'Paranoid'. Just listening to the records, Tony Iommi was essentially my guitar teacher."

"I'm definitely a huge SABBATH fan," said ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna, "and over the years I have covered many SABBATH and Ozzy [Osbourne] songs.

"We toured with SABBATH on the '86 tour, and it was so electric. That was a huge tour for us, and we were just overwhelmed to be part of it.

"That ANTHRAX was asked to be part of SABBATH's 'Back To The Beginning' concert is quite a big honor."

"I heard about SABBATH through my friends at school," remembers ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello, "who said the band was great. Plus, I thought the album cover was scary as hell.

"Although I love most BLACK SABBATH albums, that first one, 'Black Sabbath', is still my favorite because it was my introduction to them, and the songs are still amazing. I'm also a HUGE Geezer [Butler] fan. I grew up on his playing, and I'm honored now to say he's a friend. Geezer was and still is one of my main influences on bass. He always puts beautiful musicality and melody into everything he plays. His bass lines make you want to play bass. He is also an amazing person.

"It's an honor to be part of this show and I'm very grateful to BLACK SABBATH and Sharon Osbourne for asking us to be part of it."

"I'm absolutely, 100% a BLACK SABBATH fan," said ANTHRAX guitarist Jon Donais. "I was an Ozzy fan first because I grew up in the '80s, and of course, Ozzy was on MTV all the time, so he's who I got into first. And then, my teen years were in the '90s, and I started getting into BLACK SABBATH.

"When I start to lean into a band, I usually get the band's greatest hits or some kind of compilation. But my first BLACK SABBATH album was 'Sabotage', which is actually my favorite SABBATH record. 'Sabotage' was a little darker than the others, and I would listen to it all the way through as soon as I put it on. A good friend of mine and I went to the same college, and we'd be up until three or four in the morning just listening to 'Sabotage' and then having to get up for school the next day, and that sucked."

Last month, Ian spoke to Guitar World magazine about ANTHRAX's participation at the "Back To The Beginning" charity event. The concert will mark the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH's last-ever performance and Ozzy's final appearance as a solo artist. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello will serve as the "musical director" at the show.

Ian told Guitar World that he first heard about this historic event from Morello. "I texted him back and said, 'Dude, yes! Whatever it is, I'm in. What's going on… what the hell?'" Scott said. "He said, 'As soon as I have more information on what song and who you're playing with, I'll let you know.' Then he said, 'We're just starting to get this together now. Sharon [Osbourne] asked me if I would be creative director and help put it all together.' A couple of days later, he sent me a list of people involved, and I saw there were other bands involved. I said, 'Okay,' because I had no idea; I thought it was just gonna be like SABBATH and Ozzy, and then maybe a bunch of all-star lineups. I saw other bands but no ANTHRAX, so I'm like, 'Well, shit, I'm already involved…' I said, 'How about getting ANTHRAX on this? I'm not the only SABBATH fan in the band.' Tom said, 'Let me get right back to you…' Literally, like five minutes later, he said, 'You're in."

Regarding what fans can expect from "Back To The Beginning", Ian said: "I'm on a couple of other SABBATH songs as well, in one of the all-star lineups that I get to be in. I don't know how any of the production stuff is working.

"They're going to have seemingly 200 different things going on before SABBATH gets on stage — but I don't have to worry about that stuff. I just have to know the songs."

"Back To The Beginning" sold out in less than 10 minutes in FEbruary. The concert will mark the first time that the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH — Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — have played together in 20 years.

Also set to appear at the event are METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, TOOL, SLAYER, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX and MASTODON.

In addition, there will be a performance by a "supergroup of musicians" including Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS 'N' ROSES),Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS),Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT),K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST),Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE),Wolfgang Van Halen (VAN HALEN, MAMMOTH WVH),Andrew Watt, Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),David Ellefson (MEGADETH),Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR),Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE),David Draiman (DISTURBED),Frank Bello (ANTHRAX),Jonathan Davis (KORN),Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM),Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE),Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT),Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Sleep Token II (SLEEP TOKEN) and Papa V Perpetua (GHOST).

Ozzy — who hasn't played a full show since late 2018 — announced his last-ever performance on February 5.

Proceeds from the "Back To The Beginning" show will support Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa.

The original lineup of BLACK SABBATH last performed in 2005. Since then, SABBATH has played in partial reunions but never in its original lineup.

The legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman was diagnosed in 2003 with Parkin 2 — a very rare genetic form of Parkinson's. During a TV appearance in January 2020, the singer disclosed that he was 'stricken" with the disease which occurs when the nerve cells of the body degenerate and levels of dopamine are reduced. Dopamine is an essential chemical that is produced by these nerve cells which send signals to different parts of the brain to control movements of the body.

Ozzy's health issues, including suffering a nasty fall and dislodging metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident in 2003, as well as catching COVID-19 three years ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.

While Osbourne's health issues forced him to scrap most of his live appearances, the musician said he would return if his condition improved.

Despite his health problems, Osbourne has performed a couple of times in the last three years, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022.

Photo credit: Ignacio Galvez

Svart Records will bring Havukruunu‘s 2015 debut album Havulinnaan back to the market on June 6, 2025.

Havulinnaan is filled to the brim with raw, bleak, unforgiven heavy metal mixed with spells from the very depths of the misty Finnish forests.

Havukruunu’s Stefa had this to say about the upcoming reissue:

“INTO THE CONIFEROUS CASTLE….. Ten years ago, we didst unleash an abomination of immortal-worship, improvised guitar solos and a first glance of a certain type of spiritual freedom, the very first full-length Havukruunu album Havulinnaan and thus began our search. Experience our then meandering worry anew, through this humble, slightly remastered reissue through Svart Records.”

Havulinnaan is available on Svart exclusive Black & White Marble vinyl, limited Clear & Blue Marble vinyl, classic Black vinyl, CD, and Cassette Tape editions.

Preorder at the Svart Records webshop.



Tracklisting:

“Talven mustat tuulet”
“Kuvastaja”
“Rautalintu”
“Aavevalo”
“Terhen”
“Uni kuin unho”
“Tuuletar”
“Havulinnaan”

Pink Floyd At Pompeii – MCMLXXII, the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben, returns to cinemas in spring 2025. Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision will release the concert film in select cinemas and IMAX worldwide from April 24 and tickets are on sale here.

Digitally remastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage, with enhanced audio newly mixed by Steven Wilson, the upcoming theatrical release presents the definitive version of this pioneering film.

Pink Floyd At Pompeii – MCMLXXII is accompanied by the live album, set for release by Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music, on CD, Digital Audio, and for the very first time in Dolby Atmos and on vinyl, from May 2.

Watch the official video for “One Of These Days” below:



Pink Floyd At Pompeii pre-dates the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon. The film documents what Pink Floyd did before they became giants of the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic – where their music remains celebrated to this day. Set in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy, this unique and immersive film captures Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. Filmed in October 1971, the performance marked the very first live concert to take place at Pompeii, and features the vital “Echoes”, “A Saucerful Of Secrets”, and “One of These Days”. The breathtaking visuals of the amphitheatre, captured both day and night, amplify the magic of the performance. Additionally, the film includes rare behind-the-scenes footage of the band beginning work on The Dark Side Of The Moon at Abbey Road Studios.

Nick Mason said, “Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii is a rare and unique document of the band performing live in the period prior to The Dark Side Of The Moon.”



The film has been meticulously hand restored, frame-by-frame, from the original 35mm cut negative – discovered in five dubiously labelled cans within Pink Floyd’s own archives. This momentous breakthrough unearthed the very film that rolled through the cameras during those sweltering days amidst the ruins of Pompeii over 50 years ago.

Led by Lana Topham, Director of Restoration for Pink Floyd, the team’s mission was to preserve the integrity and beauty of the original picture. The film was scanned in 4K using advanced techniques to ensure the finest, sharpest detail. Colors were enhanced, and every frame was meticulously reviewed and repaired, maintaining a natural and vivid appearance with minimal grain adjustments.

“Since 1994, I have searched for the elusive film rushes of Pink Floyd At Pompeii, so the recent discovery of the 1972 original 35mm cut negative was a very special moment. The newly restored version presents the first full 90-minute cut, combining the 60-minute source edit of the performance with the additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments filmed shortly after,” said Lana Topham, Director of Restoration for Pink Floyd.

The film also features stunning sound quality with a new theatrical and home entertainment mix by Steven Wilson in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos that enhances the film’s depth and clarity, preserving the authenticity and spirit of the original 1972 release. Wilson’s aim was to remain faithful to how the band would have sounded on those scorching hot days in 1971.

Wilson added, “Ever since my dad brainwashed me as a kid by playing The Dark Side Of The Moon on repeat, Pink Floyd has been my favourite band. They are my “Beatles”, deeply ingrained in my musical DNA. I first saw Pompeii from a grainy print at a local cinema. It made an incredible impression on me with its untethered and exploratory rock music made by four musicians that seemed to epitomise the notion of intellectual cool. It was an honour to remix the soundtrack to accompany Lana Topham’s incredible restoration of the film, which looks like it could’ve been filmed yesterday.”



The accompanying album release Pink Floyd At Pompeii – MCMLXXII will see the performance presented as a full-length live record for the very first time. The 2025 remix by Steven Wilson is newly available on CD/LP/Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Audio/Dolby Atmos from May 2.

Pink Floyd At Pompeii – MCMLXXII is presented by RM Productions and directed by Adrian Maben. It is executive produced by Reiner Moritz and Michelle Arnaud. Sony Music Vision is the distributor.

Tickets are on sale at pinkfloyd.film. Visit the event website for more information and ticketing details for IMAX® and standard format cinemas.



Album tracklisting:

Side A
Pompeii Intro
“Echoes – Part 1”
“Careful With That Axe, Eugene”

Side B
“A Saucerful of Secrets”
“Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun”

Side C
“One Of These Days”
“Mademoiselle Nobs”
“Echoes – Part 2”

Side D
“Careful With That Axe, Eugene” – Alternate take
“A Saucerful Of Secrets” – Unedited

Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE will release their long-awaited new full-length, "Harbingers", on June 13 via Metal Blade Records.

Produced by Peter Wichers (SOILWORK, ALL THAT REMAINS, NEVERMORE),"Harbingers" offers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement of the early 2000s. Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring founding frontman Chris "OJ" Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with "Harbingers", BYZANTINE is a crown jewel in their impressive seven-album discography. Notes Ojeda, "After twenty-five years of riding the struggle bus, we're ready to show the rock and metal world what we're truly about."

The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens — the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album's title, "Harbingers", which means "ones who usher in great change."

The record's first single, "Floating Chrysanthema", envisions a bleak dystopian future where artificial intelligence becomes sentient and overpowers mankind, essentially enslaving us all.

"Our bassist Ryan brought this song to the band," says Ojeda, "and we thought it hit like a sledgehammer making it the perfect introduction to our new music. Peter Wichers had a big hand in helping craft this song into its final iteration."

"Harbingers" will be released on CD and digital formats. Find preorders at metalblade.com/byzantine.

"Harbingers" track listing:

01. Consequentia
02. A Place We Cannot Go
03. Floating Chrysanthema
04. The Clockmaker's Intention
05. Riddance
06. Harbinger
07. The Unobtainable Sleep
08. Kobayashi Maru
09. Irene

It has taken years of ups and downs for BYZANTINE to reach the point of creating "Harbingers". Discovered early on by LAMB OF GOD's Chris Adler, the band quickly released their debut full-length, "The Fundamental Component", in 2004. The record boasted a raw fusion of Bay Area thrash and Southern-tinged groove metal and set the tone for their future sound. Their 2005-released "…And They Shall Take Up Serpents" offering marked an even more blistering evolution. However, turmoil ultimately led to BYZANTINE's breakup, announced just one day after the release of their third album, 2007's prophetic "Oblivion Beckons".

Reforming to release the independent albums "Byzantine" (2013) and "To Release Is To Resolve" (2015),the band saw the latter dominate SiriusXM's Hard Attack Devil's Dozen for weeks, also earning them the No. 1 spot on CMJ's Loud Rock chart. Notably, BYZANTINE became only the second independent band to achieve this feat following CLUTCH's indie release "Earth Rocker".

In 2017, BYZANTINE made their Metal Blade debut with "The Cicada Tree", faultlessly merging multiple genres into their progressive groove sound, a signature blend now synonymous with the band. With "Harbingers" raising the stakes and a revitalized lineup in place, Ojeda confidently states, "If you've slept on BYZANTINE for the past twenty-five years, 'Harbingers' will awaken you."

BYZANTINE is:

Chris Ojeda - vocals
Brian Henderson - guitar, vocals
Tony Rohrbough - guitar
Ryan Postlethwait - bass, vocals
Matt Bowles - drums

Photo by Jason Adams

In a new interview with Rock Feed, AVENGED SEVENFOLD singer M. Shadows addressed the experimental nature of the band's latest album, "Life Is But A Dream…" Written and recorded over the span of four years, it was produced by Joe Barresi and AVENGED SEVENFOLD in Los Angeles and mixed by Andy Wallace in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. The album is a journey through an existential crisis; a very personal exploration into the meaning, purpose and value of human existence with the anxiety of death always looming.

Regarding how concerned he and his bandmates were about the fan response to "Life Is But A Dream…", M. Shadows said: "Dave Farrell from LINKIN PARK — we were at dinner probably a year ago and we were talking about 'Life Is But A Dream…', and he said… We were in this really nice restaurant and there was a bunch of people around. And he says, 'If you were to take your record right now, or any record that you love, and show it to everybody here, how much weight would you put behind any of these people's opinions?' And the answer's zero.

"And so, at the end of the day, we're not making art by committee," he explained. "This isn't art by committee. It's not, like, everybody give us your ideas and we're all gonna kind of morph the same thing. We have A.I. to do that now; you're gonna be able to take your favorite records and A.I. can spit out something sort of like it. But you need artists and creatives to keep pushing the boundaries. Some things are gonna work, some things aren't. But at the end of the day, even if something doesn't work, it might spark in someone else, 'Oh, that was bold. Where can I push limits a little more?' And I think that's how this whole space thrives. And so for me, I couldn't care less about [other people's opinions], but one rule I made myself a long time ago is I listen to the positivity equally to the negativity, meaning I don't care about either. If a review is a 10 out 10, cool. It could be bought and paid for. Cool. It doesn't matter. If it's a zero out of 10, it also doesn't matter. So I think that you can't just walk around with all your good stuff and then ignore the bad. You have to kind of ignore them both, in my opinion."

Back in December 2023, AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Synyster Gates told Metal Hammer magazine about the fan response to "Life Is But A Dream…": "I think with an album like this, time is on its side. I've been using this analogy: both of my parents' favorite band is THE BEATLES. My mom hates everything post-'Sgt. Pepper's', my dad couldn't care less about the early stuff. They both still respect the fuck out of it, but it's not for them. So, for my mom, 'Sgt. Pepper's' was the death of THE BEATLES, and I think for a lot of people, this is the death of AVENGED SEVENFOLD. But for a lot of other people, it's a birth. The birth of a different band."

Asked whether he's read any of the comments about the album online, Synyster said: "Funnily enough, I thought it could go either way. We've actually had really amazing support from the press, so I don't want to make people think that we feel like we aren't supported by the press at all. I actually feel it's good that it just hasn't been ignored. Even the bad reviews, people have talked about it. People are still interested in us, so that's all I could ask for, really. The negative comments, I feel they're the minority. I think people have been really thoughtful in considering this album."

M. Shadows previously discussed the reactions to "Life Is But A Dream…" in June 2023 during an appearance on the "Let There Be Talk" podcast with with rock and roll comedian Dean Delray.

"With our new record right now, all you see are 10-out-of-10 reviews and zero-out-of-10 reviews," M. Shadows said. "But it's the best way to be because the people that hate it absolutely hate it. It's one of those things where, in 2023, having a zero out of 10 is actually better than anything you could ask for, because people are talking, and it's a weird society we live in at this point."

"All artists can do is be a reflection of themselves at any point in time," he continued. "There's nothing worse than when people are trying to put you in a box and want you to write the same music you wrote when you were in high school or 20 years old. Those were reflections of who we were back then; we were aggressive, young kids that were just kind of all over the place making a certain type of music. And every record kind of changed. But this one in particular — much more musical in terms of not having to have one foot fully in metal. It's got so many different eclectic influences that we've had our whole life that we never really were able to kind of quantify. Like if you think about THE RESIDENTS or MR. BUNGLE, all these different things that we were growing up listening to. And I think is just where we're at right now. It's a different type of record. The philosophy, all of it, is different, and so it's not gonna appeal to people that want the same thing or more of the same or they're there in their life right now. It doesn't mean they're not gonna get here. Maybe they're just not here right now. Maybe it's our job to put our arm around them and say, 'Hey, we're up the street at this bar. And let's hang out here. This is what we're doing now.'

"There are so many psychological things that go into if people like records or not or if they don't or what they're listening to at the time. And it's not really our job to figure that out; it's just our job to put something out that we totally back and we appreciate. And we'll see where it goes. It's hard to really talk about it, 'cause there's really no right or wrong answer. It's okay to hate this record."

The 43-year-old Shadows, whose real name is Matt Sanders, went on to cite a few other examples where certain records represented a departure from the sound and direction that fans expected their favorite artists to go.

"There's a few records I think of, for my era and my age, when they came out. One is 'Pinkerton' by WEEZER," he said. "They blew up with the 'Blue' album, and then they put out 'Pinkerton', which is why one of my favorite records of all time — it's dirty, it's lyrically uncomfortable, it's all these things. That's one. And then 'Disco Volante' is one from MR. BUNGLE. MR. BUNGLE was already weird with the self-titled [album], but 'Disco Volante' was just, like… Mike Patton is not even singing; he's just making noises the whole time. It's like them messing around with keyboards. It blows my mind. 'Yeezus' is one for me with Kanye [West]. He put out pretty much a heavy metal record. Everyone in hip-hop hated it, and now it's one of his essential records. But there's always those things that kind of stand outside the box and outside the norm and they ruffle feathers and people have knee-jerk reactions. And I think this is definitely one of those. But you've gotta make sure that it's backed up with musicality. It's gotta be backed up with some depth. It can't just be weird for weird's sake. And I think that's a lot of people's go-to on this: 'I hate it because they're just trying to be weird.' It's, like, no, actually, we're not. 'They're trying to be prog.' It's, like, prog is the last thing on our minds. We don't care about that. All we care about it writing shit that feels cool.

"People overthink it and they try to even put these things in boxes," Shadows added. "And I think prog has even become its own box, which sucks, 'cause prog should be so many different directions. Why does prog have rules? The world is funny. People like to put things in a box so they can kind of discuss it better, I guess. But this record is kind of boxless, I guess."

M. Shadows previously discussed AVENGED SEVENFOLD's songwriting approach on "Life Is But A Dream…" earlier in June 2023 in an interview with Lou Brutus of HardDrive Radio. At the time, he said: "We were just looking for really bold moments — in life, in art, in film. Things that we could sort of wrap our minds around an audio representation of how we were feeling about certain things.

"At this point, playing around with melody, playing around with tones, playing around with left turns, curveballs was really appealing to us.

"I think we've proven to everyone, whether they like the band or not, that we kind of know the rules of music, and this record, we were able to just go break all the rules," he continued.

"Mike Shinoda [of LINKIN PARK] put it to me really perfectly — I love his insight on a lot of things — and he said, 'This record is like you guys throwing paint at the wall, but if a fourth-grader was doing it, you'd say that's just paint on the wall. But because of everything you've done before, we all know you know how to make a beautiful painting, so this record is actually really special because it's not just paint on the wall. You guys have broken all the rules and done things in an abstract way. But we wanna listen and pay attention because we know what you guys have done before.' And I thought it was an interesting way of putting it, 'cause those [LINKIN PARK] guys — Dave ['Phoenix' Farrell] and Mike — have been big fans of this record. And I think that was a cool way of putting it."

M. Shadows added: "We kind of just really wanted to push the boundaries — the musical boundaries, the lyrical boundaries, the themes — and we didn't want anything on the record to sound generic or phoned in or not exciting. We wanted to redo everything we've ever done, where even the song lengths and the way we kind of put these little pieces of ear candy, but we get away from it quick. Or staying away from three choruses, or if there is three choruses, they're all vastly different. And really thinking about turning the traditional landscape of how you would normally put a song together on its head, but do it in an interesting way — not just to do it, but just to do it in a way that we think people will enjoy and give them sort of a reason to get to the end of songs or get to the next song on the record. And I think that was just a mindset this time, was just a little different — really looking at those things."

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

In a new interview with The Rockman Power Hour, RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson insisted that he still has a modest view of his place in the music world, despite his status as one of the most legendary rock musicians of the past half century. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "You get a lot of celebrity thrown at you and all of that stuff. It's just normal in this fan world. But honestly, I'm just a guy who loves playing guitar, and I always have, since I was 11 years old. I feel so lucky that I have that, and it's not about having a successful career or any of this.

"I play guitar every day. I play usually for — I don't know — three or four hours a day," he explained. "I play for an hour before I go to bed every night. I like to have a little puff, and then I sit down. I keep a couple of guitars in the bedroom, and I go back and forth — it's nylon string one day, steel string [the next day] — and I play for an hour, and I'm lost. And I don't play scales or I don't practice. I just play guitar because it's so fucking amazing to be able to do that. And I'm gonna do it until my last breath. I know that. And I don't attach any kind of specialness to it. It's just blessing for me that I can do that. And then if I can apply it to other people's music and use my skills that I've learned over the years to do something to make their music better, that's a real gratifying experience for me.

"I work on a lot of different projects," Lifeson added. "I'm working on a project now with some of the guys from BARENAKED LADIES and the RHEOSTATICS on a Great Lakes documentary, and it's all jam based, so we have hours and hours of jamming and now we're editing and putting it all together. Wow. What a great experience that is, because it's not being a big shot. It's there playing with other great players, making great music, and everybody's contributing. And that's the essence of being a musician and being a part of this whole musical world. It's not about being a big shot."

RUSH drummer Neil Peart died in January 2020 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 67 years old.

RUSH waited three days to announce Peart's passing, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

Since Peart's death, Lifeson and Lee have not recorded any new music or performed live under the RUSH name, although both of them confirmed that several drummers reached out to them in the days after the legendary drummer's passing about the possibility of stepping in for Neil.

Lifeson made his mark on the music industry over 50 years ago, redefining the boundaries of progressive rock guitar. His signature riffing, copious use of effects processing and unorthodox chord structures befitted him the title by his RUSH bandmates as "The Musical Scientist." While the bulk of Lifeson's work in music has been with RUSH, he has contributed to a body of work outside of the band as a guitarist, producer and with the release of his 1996 solo album "Victor". Lifeson ranks third overall in the Guitar World readers' poll of "100 Greatest Guitarists" and is also included in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time."

ENVY OF NONE, the band featuring Lifeson, Andy Curran (CONEY HATCH),Alfio Annibalini and singer Maiah Wynne, released its second album, "Stygian Wavz", on March 14 via Kscope.

Photo credit: Richard Sibbald (courtesy of Kscope)

The official CHILDREN OF BODOM book will be published in August via the London, U.K.-based publisher Rocket 88.

The book tells the story of the Finnish melodic death metal pioneers as an oral history in which bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman, drummer Jaska Raatikainen and early guitarist Alexander Kuoppala plus other former members, their friends and colleagues recall the 30-plus-year history of their career.

For the first time, members of the band tell the story of CHILDREN OF BODOM in their own words. Henkka, Janne and Jaska recall the founding of the band with their lost brother, guitarist/vocalist and main songwriter Alexi Laiho and the struggles, adventures and triumphs they experienced in the more than 30 years that followed. Drawing on personal memories and new interviews with the band conducted by Finnish best-selling author and longtime friend of the band Timo Isoaho, the official CHILDREN OF BODOM book tells the whole story, warts and all, of the groundbreaking melodic death metal band.

The book is available in two deluxe editions; the Signature is signed by Henkka, Janne, Jaska and Alexander, and preordering gives you the chance to have a name printed in the book — only at childrenofbodombook.com.

Henkka, Janne, Jaska and Alexander said in a statement: "Since we stopped making music and suffered the tragic loss of our brother Alexi, we've been remembering so many great times that we had together, and you can now read about those times in this book. It tells the full history of CHILDREN OF BODOM in our own words."

In December 2023, Seppälä and Wirman hosted a listening party for CHILDREN OF BODOM's latest live album, "A Chapter Called... Children Of Bodom (Final Show In Helsinki Ice Hall 2019)", at the Bodom Bar & Sauna in Espoo, Finland. The LP, which was recorded at CHILDREN OF BODOM's final concert on December 15, 2019 at the Black Box in Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland, was made available via Spinefarm.

During the question-and-answer portion of the event, Wirman and Seppälä discussed their mindset going into CHILDREN OF BODOM's final concert, which took place a year before Laiho passed away due to alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue. Furthermore, Laiho had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system. He had suffered from long-term health issues leading up to his death.

Janne said: "I felt a sense of relief onstage [at the final concert] 'cause I was very tired of Alexi's problems and constant problems with one guy. And then this guy who was our best friend and who wrote all the music, all of a sudden from 2016 on, just became someone I didn't recognize anymore. He was a different person, and he was so overcome with his disease and problems and it got to the point in 2019 we decided that this can't go on anymore. And then this was the last show. It was short notice, and we [originally] had so much better plans for how to say goodbye to all the international fans, how to do a proper farewell around-the-world tour [during 2020-2022] and whatever. But now, something we did not know, was [that] the pandemic [would happen], obviously, and that would have canceled all of those plans anyway."

Added Henkka: "So it was kind of, like, in a way we are lucky that we had this confrontation within the band that made us decide to drop [the group] earlier than we were supposed to and have this final show that was recorded. Because if you would have kept on the original plan with Alexi that let's do a farewell tour until 2022, I think it was, so then the pandemic would have ruined everything. And we probably would have never had this kind of last proper souvenir."

Asked if it ever entered their minds that they could take a long break away from each other and then maybe regroup at a later date, Henkka quipped: "That would have been like a mature way of dealing with it." Janne said: "Our manager at the time, Steve, did ask me that, at the eve of the last show, Steve asked me that, 'Are you ever gonna play with Alexi again?' And I said, 'I would only [play with him] if he would seek help and become fully sober.' And I knew that wasn't an option, that he had decided at that point, unfortunately, that he's just gonna die by his addictions, which is horrible. And it's very sad, but I knew him well enough that there was no way that he's gonna get better. And then that's why somehow it was also a relief for me at the last show. I realized that I need to let go."

Added Henkka: "The problems were pretty bad — I mean, within the band, all the relations. And I don't think anybody could see a future anymore. So [putting the band to rest] was the only option at the time. I'm sure that Steve, our manager, had some hopes of a reunion show within some years, of course, because he's a businessman [laughs], but it didn't even cross my mind at that time."

Continued Janne: "That's why I said that at the time I said that I will never play again with Alexi, 'cause I knew that he will not get sober, he will not get help for his problems. And then it would've been a totally different opinion. If somehow any of us would've felt that, 'Okay, Alexi is gonna get help. He's gonna get better,' all of us would've been, like, 'Okay, fine. Let's give him a couple of years and then let's get back together.' But that was not foreseeable at the time."

Added Henkka: "At the time it was, it was an impossible point."

Released with the blessing of Laiho's estate, the concert album completes the legendary band's career which began in Espoo, Finland in 1993 as INEARTHED. Over their career, CHILDREN OF BODOM released ten studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, two compilation albums and one DVD. The final lineup of the group upon their split in 2019 consisted of Laiho (lead guitar, lead vocals),Raatikainen (drums),Seppälä (bass),Wirman (keyboards) and Daniel Freyberg (rhythm guitar).

In a July 2023 interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Wirman opened up about the string of events that led to the band's 2019 demise and the deterioration of Laiho's health.

"Alexi's downfall started in 2016," Janne said. "I don't know what caused him to do that. He told me but didn't tell anyone else in the band — he made sure no one else was in the room — and told me, 'Dude, from now on, I'm going to drink until I die.' I said, 'Fuck, man. You can't say that to me.' He said it another time in 2018. I knew that was what he was doing — he said he wouldn't take any help for his medical issues. He was going to keep drinking. That's what he did, which is fucking crazy."

Janne continued: "A lot of people who haven't had a family friend or work buddy or someone who is sick with alcoholism, a lot of people don't understand you cannot help the person who doesn't want help. He had decided he didn't want help and would keep drinking until he died. That's what he did."

Wirmen then detailed BODOM's final years, beset by infighting largely stemming from Laiho's substance abuse issues. "The last years were pretty bad," he said. "There was a lot of bullshit. It's so crazy because he was in such a good place a couple of years before. He was happy about being sober and on tour, and the shows were good. I don't know what happened to him. Something pushed him over the edge where he decided, 'Fuck it. I'm going to keep drinking.'"

Alexi's ashes were buried in December 2021 — nearly a year after his tragic passing. He was laid to rest at the Malmi Cemetery, a large cemetery located in the Malmi district in Helsinki, Finland.

Alexi and Jaska founded CHILDREN OF BODOM in 1993, and the band was one of the most internationally acclaimed metal acts in Finland up until their very last farewell concert. In 2020, Alexi put together BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT, which recorded three songs and shot one music video, all of which were released posthumously.

Besides CHILDREN OF BODOM, Laiho had played in such acts as WARMEN, SINERGY, KYLÄHULLUT and THE LOCAL BAND. Awarded with a Metal Hammer Golden God and several other international prizes, the guitarist was also the main star, leading a group of one hundred guitar players at the Helsinki Festival in 2015 in "100 Guitars From Hel" — a massive concert piece he composed.

In 2022, Wirman, Raatikainen and Seppälä discussed publicly for the first time the circumstances that led to the band's split and ultimately Laiho's death. In an interview with Finland's Helsingin Sanomat, the three surviving members of CHILDREN OF BODOM said the real reason for the band's breakup was not that they wanted to stop touring in order to spend more time with their families, which is how Laiho explained it to Helsingin Sanomat in November 2019. Instead, what caused the group to split was Laiho's substance abuse, and that is also what eventually killed him a year after they went their separate ways.

Laiho's addiction began to take a serious toll on CHILDREN OF BODOM in 2008, when the band was the support act on a SLIPKNOT tour. In the ensuing years, Laiho promised his bandmates that he would not drink on the road anymore. Although he kept his word for a few years, Alexi "went into a tailspin again in 2016," according to Wirman. Laiho, who had a substantial income as COB's main songwriter (all other income, from gigs to merchandise, was split equally),repeatedly complained that his income was declining and threatened to pull himself out of the limited liability company, AA & Sewira Consulting Oy, he and the other members formed in 2003.

After CHILDREN OF BODOM's manager brought up Laiho's substance abuse at a business meeting in New York in early 2019, Alexi refused to go into rehabilitation but did agree to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with diabetes, and he began taking medication to treat the condition.

In the summer of 2019, Laiho filed an application with the Finnish Patent And Registration Office to register the CHILDREN OF BODOM name to Laiho. This infuriated his bandmates who saw this as an attempt to hijack the name and brand that was controlled by the group's LLC.

During CHILDREN OF BODOM's tour of Russia in October 2019, Laiho "was hitting the bottle like back in 2008," his bandmates told Helsingin Sanomat.

"I told Alexi that you don't usually drink starting at breakfast before a gig, and now you don't even warm up with the guitar before going on stage like you always do," Raatikainen recalled.

Laiho later apologized and stopped drinking for the last concerts of the tour.

"His hands were shaking for two days, but the gigs in Moscow and St Petersburg went pretty well," Raatikainen said.

Raatikainen, Seppälä and Wirman decided to go with Alexi's wish from a few years back and buy him out of the LLC. Laiho retained the rights to his music and was paid royalties on performances and record sales as before, but sold his part of the LLC that owns the name of the band and the merchandising rights.

According to the trio, Alexi was sober for CHILDREN OF BODOM's entire final tour of Finland in December 2019 and he "exchanged cordial messages" with them even after the start of the pandemic.

Alexi's sister Anna Laiho told Helsingin Sanomat that the three surviving members of CHILDREN OF BODOM "have the full support of our family."

Anna, Alexi's Australian wife Kelli Wright-Laiho and a few close friends attempted to get him professional help in the fall of 2020, but he refused.

"At heart, he was a warm and caring person, always ready to help others. But he had his demons, and he wanted to fight those alone", Alexi's sister said. "He wanted to make his own choices. For better or worse."

The Oracle, Godsmack’s fifth album, was the band’s third consecutive number one on the Billboard 200. The record’s first single, the adrenalized “Cryin’ Like A Bitch,” became an anthem for the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

The Oracle is a special entry in the Godsmack catalog, as it’s the band’s first album written entirely collaboratively. It is also Godsmack’s first album produced by Dave Fortman, who produced both of Evanescence’s multi-platinum albums, along with albums by Superjoint Ritual, Mudvayne, Otep, Simple Plan, and Slipknot. The 10-track album is a white-knuckle ride through thrash metal, hard rock, and blues-rock that concludes in classic Godsmack style with the majestic power ballad, “The Oracle.”

On May 2, experience The Oracle like you’ve never heard it before with exceptional remastered audio. Fans can choose the timeless appeal of a standard black vinyl, or dive deeper into the experience with the deluxe limited-edition gatefold colored vinyl.

The deluxe edition, titled Saints And Sinners, pays homage to the album’s original working title and features an exclusive 7” single of “Whiskey Hangover,” which rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and it is backed by the seething bonus track “I Blame You,” making it a must-have for fans and audiophiles alike.

Pre-order The Oracle vinyl here.



The Oracle tracklisting:

Standard Edition

Side A
“Cryin’ Like A Bitch”
“Saints And Sinners”
“War And Peace”
“Love-Hate-Sex-Pain”
“What If?”

Side B
“Devil’s Swing”
“Good Day To Die”
“Forever Shamed”
“Shadow Of A Soul”
“The Oracle”

Saints And Sinners Deluxe Edition

Side A
“Cryin’ Like A Bitch”
“Saints And Sinners”
“War And Peace”
“Love-Hate-Sex-Pain”
“What If?”

Side B
“Devil’s Swing”
“Good Day To Die”
“Forever Shamed”
“Shadow Of A Soul”
“The Oracle”

7” Bonus Vinyl:

Side A
“Whiskey Hangover”

Side B
“I Blame You”

With over 20 years of chart-topping success, the Boston rock band has cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve accomplished a staggering 13 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio, including the tracks “Surrender,” “Soul On Fire,” and “Truth” from the band’s most recent album Lighting Up The Sky. Additionally, they’ve enjoyed 24 Top 10 hits at the format–the most of any act since February 1999 – as well as four Grammy nominations and were named Billboard Music Award’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Selling over 20 million records worldwide, the band has released eight studio albums: Godsmack (1998), Awake (2000), Faceless (2003), IV (2006), The Oracle (2010), 1000hp (2014), When Legends Rise (2018), and Lighting Up the Sky (2023).

In 2023, the Massachusetts-bred quartet took a victory lap with their eighth studio album Lighting Up The Sky, dropping one more classic album as they ascend into the celebratory portion of their career. The powerful storytelling of Lighting Up The Sky covers boy-meets-girl, obstacles in relationships, the polarized political climate and the state of the world, betrayal, connection, rebounds, and more.

During an interview following SMITH/KOTZEN's March 5 acoustic performance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen revealed that "Black Light" — the group's current single and latest music video, and the co-title track of SMITH/KOTZEN's forthcoming second album "Black Light/White Noise" — nearly died on the cutting room floor as he and guitarist/vocalist Adrian Smith (also of IRON MAIDEN) were writing material for the record.

"Funny enough, that song almost didn't survive," Kotzen said. "I knew there was something that was cool about it, and I kept pushing Adrian on it, but Adrian [was] like, 'There's something wrong. Something's off.' It was the rare time where I couldn't see it clearly. I was like, 'What doesn't he like about this?' And then one day, I'm like, 'The chorus is wrong. The lyrics are wrong. I get it now.' The music was right, and the beat was right. Everything else was right. It was just [that] what we were singing was wrong.

"We muted the vocals, and I left the room and [Adrian] started messing around," Kotzen continued. "We were at my house doing this, and I was upstairs and I heard him do the verse and I came running downstairs. I busted into the room. I interrupted him and I said, 'Hey, that's it. Whatever you doing, keep doing that.' Sometimes you try something and go, 'Oh, scrap it,' and go to the next thing. I said, 'Don't erase that. Keep doing that. Save that.' And then I went away, and they come upstairs and say, 'Oh, I think I've got something.'

"Then we talked about the chorus. [Adrian] came up with the idea of [the title] 'Black Light'. 'What do you see under the black light?' And I felt like we had this conversation where I don't know who said what, but it was revealable [quoting the song's lyrics] 'under a black light, I see your colors come through; you've got a fine way of hiding the truth; black light, I see the devil in you,' whatever the next line is. Now we've got a story, and now we've got a song, and now we put it together."

Added Smith, "Sometimes, if you've got a strong title to get behind, it sort of gives you a focus to finish the song, I think."

Kotzen went on to discuss the significance of songs' lyrical content and the need for artists to have – as he titled his 1997 solo album – something to say. "[On] this new record, there's a song called 'Heavy Weather'," Kotzen said. "I had it demoed with fake singing, and [Adrian] said, 'I like the chorus. It sounds like you're singing "heavy weather." 'Oh, you mean like a thunderstorm? How can we write a song about that?' Then we started talking, and it's like, 'How about you came up in your time, and you faced a lot of adversity and a lot of things you had to fight and struggle through to get to where you're at. Now, you've got a child, and the child is kind of born into this luxury that you've earned, and they're complaining about things – but you've never faced heavy weather in the way that I have.' That's the thing that I love the most about writing – not so much the riff and how heavy it is. I like the story, because to me, that's what a song is. When we do the riffs and we've got a melody and a good hook, a cool attitude and the beat's cool, [that's fine], but what the fuck are we going to say? If you don't have anything to sing about, that means nothing needs to be written right now. So, you go take a break. For me, I go outside and work on the property – rake leaves or whatever the fuck it is I do. Then you get an idea – 'Okay, that's what I'm going to do.'"

SMITH/KOTZEN's second album, "Black Light/White Noise", will be released via BMG on April 4.

Recorded at The House, Los Angeles, California, produced by Richie and Adrian and mixed by Jay Ruston, the ten-track album is a masterclass in modern rock, with Adrian and Richie's prodigious talents as songwriters, musicians and vocalists on full display.

The official music video for "Black Light", produced and directed by Kevin and Richard Ragsdale a.k.a. The Ragsdale Brothers (DAUGHTRY, Dorothy feat. Slash, THEORY OF A DEADMAN),features the duo performing with bassist Julia Lage and drummer Bruno Valverde, alongside acclaimed Russian acrobat, contortionist and former Cirque Du Soleil performer Gyulnara Karaeva.

Last July, Smith joined Kotzen on stage at the Islington Assembly Hall in London, England to perform THE YARDBIRDS classic "Shapes Of Things".

SMITH/KOTZEN released the "Better Days …And Nights" EP in September 2022 via BMG. The effort comprised five previously unreleased live tracks, plus for the first time ever on CD, the four studio tracks featured on their sold-out, limited-edition 12-inch vinyl EP, "Better Days", released in conjunction with Record Store Day in November 2021.

The live songs were recorded during SMITH/KOTZEN's inaugural whistle-stop tour of the U.S. and U.K. at the start of 2022, which attracted unanimously rave reviews from fans and media alike, celebrating the duo's debut on stage together with stellar back-up from Richie's wife, internationally acclaimed bass player Julia Lage (VIXEN),and drummer Bruno Valverde of ANGRA.

Japan's metal bible Burrn! magazine reviewing the Whisky A Go Go show in Los Angeles pronounced it, "An amazing night….this rock n' roll band is very different from any other…totally unique …and bringing you great songs!". U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine said the show was a, "masterclass in guitar playing and performance".

The original EP tracks were produced by Kotzen and Smith and mixed by Kevin Shirley. The live tracks were produced and mixed by Kotzen and Smith.

SMITH/KOTZEN's eponymous debut album was released globally through BMG in March 2021 to media and fan acclaim, charting No. 10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart in the U.S., Top 20 in the U.K. as well as in other major markets such as Germany, Japan and Canada.

Smith is best known as one of IRON MAIDEN's principal guitarists, having also enjoyed success as a solo artist. Kotzen is the frontman for THE WINERY DOGS as well as having been the guitarist for both MR. BIG and POISON during his long and acclaimed career, which has to date seen him release more than 20 solo albums. Both artists are also prolific songwriters.

Photo credit: Piper Ferguson

Video of VIXEN's April 12 performance at Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen below (courtesy of Tom deBlonk).

In a September 2024 interview with Waste Some Time With Jason Green, new VIXEN singer Rosa Laricchiuta, who joined the band in June 2024 as the replacement for Lorraine Lewis, spoke about how she landed the gig with the long-running all-female rock outfit. She said: "So in fact, I planted the seed because… You know about the Monsters Of Rock cruise, right? I've heard so much about it, but I wanted to get on it. And I was just, like, 'You know what? For the first time in my life, I'm gonna use my contacts.' So I asked as many musicians as I could. I e-mailed and texted brothers and friends from TSO [TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA] and other musicians, and I'm, like, 'How can I get on the Monsters Of Rock cruise?' 'Here's a contact.' I wrote to my contact and I was, like, 'Hey, my name is Rosa.' I dropped all the names. 'I'm a singer with TSO. I know this guy. I've been praised by this guy and that guy,' and I dropped them all. And I've never done that before… So long story short, I heard back from my contact, which is the manager of VIXEN, and he's, like, 'Hey, Rosa. I know who you are.' And he's, like, 'Be patient. The lineup is already set. However, maybe we can figure something out.' Then I saw his number. So I'm, like, 'You know what? I'm just gonna call.' And I called up, left a message: 'Hey, it's Rosa. I wanna talk about the Monsters Of Rock cruise, how we can make this happen.' I hung up. He wrote back to me, like, 'I received your call, but just hang tight.' [He was], like, super cool and professional. It was, like, 'Okay, great.' Good vibes. And I left it at that. And I was okay with that. And then about — I don't know, I would say like a week later, I get the call and I'm, like, 'Hello?' He's, like, 'What a coincidence.' I'm, like, 'What are you talking about?' So he's, like, I'm a manager of VIXEN and I just spoke to…' So he spoke with another… You know how agents talk to each other, managers and all that. And somebody from Quebec had referred me to him, and he's, like, 'You come highly recommended.' I'm, like, 'What? From who?' I'm, like, 'What's going on? I don't follow.' And he's, like, 'I'm the manager of VIXEN and we're looking for a female singer. Would you be interested?' And while he's telling me this, I'm Googling VIXEN because I have no clue who they are. [Laughs] I wasn't like a rocker [growing up], per se. I love all music, and I sing all styles. So, I didn't know. And then I was, like, 'Oh.' So the first thing I said was, 'Holy shit, these girls are badass.' It's been my dream to be in an all-girls band. I have a brother. I've always wanted a sister, and now I feel like I have three sisters. I'm in another hockey team. Okay, a lot smaller. I love everything about VIXEN — everything. So that's how it happened. I planted the seed because of this Monsters Of Rock cruise."

Laricchiuta made her live debut with VIXEN on June 21, 2024 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California alongside GREAT WHITE, SLAUGHTER and QUIET RIOT. Asked in a July 2024 interview with the "All Bets Are Off" podcast with Robby Vegas what was going through her head at that first show, Rosa said: "Well, I was really excited because I'm all over the place because I'm so overwhelmed and it's all so surreal. But growing up, I always wanted sisters, so now I feel blessed to have three sisters. And I feel — this is funny, but I feel like I'm a part of an incredible hockey team doing what I love. [Laughs]"

As for the vibe on stage, Rosa said: "My heart was beating so fast and I was really grateful that the first show was only six songs. [Laughs] Oh my goodness. Of course it was adrenaline and the good stress. But, like I said, the girls really welcomed me from the start. And immediately, when we were on stage, I felt the energy. Britt's [Lightning, a.k.a. Brittany Denaro, VIXEN guitarist] infectious vibe, Julia's [Lage, VIXEN bassist] energy is just wow. And sometimes I had to tell myself, 'Rosa, focus on the crowd,' because I was so — I forgot. I was so lost in the energy that I forgot there's a good crowd in front of us. And then Roxy [Petrucci] on the drums, it's so fun. I just wanted to jump on her riser, but I couldn't because the riser was so incredibly high. And then the second and the third show, I had a moment. I like to look everyone in the eye. And I'm telling you, it's intense, it's amazing, but most of all, I'm having a blast."

Asked if she was aware of VIXEN's legacy prior to being asked to join the band, she said: "Sadly, no… The first thing, the first thing I said was, 'Oh my God. It's an all-female band. Is this really happening?' Because, again, growing up, I never had a sister, and I always dreamed of being in an all-girl, all-female band, always. And then the second thing that came out of my mouth was, 'This is so badass.'"

Laricchiuta is a singer, songwriter, and performer from Montreal, Quebec. After several years cutting her teeth with live shows, she auditioned for the third season (2015) of "La Voix", Quebec's version of the popular TV show "The Voice". Rosa had an instant connection with the legendary francophone rocker Éric Lapointe and chose him as her coach. Rosa showed a solid stage presence, with remarkable intensity and a voice so powerful it sent her straight to the Grand Finale where she shared the stage with DEF LEPPARD, Kelly Clarkson, Jean Leloup and her idol, Melissa Etheridge. She left a lasting impression as she won over millions of viewers who named her the new "it" female rocker of Quebec. She then released one album in the Quebec market before beginning work on her first English language album in 2016. That album, "Free", was released the following year and at the end of the year, she joined the popular American band TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA for their annual mega tour of the United States.

Laricchiuta's hard rock project BLACK ROSE MAZE released its self-titled debut album in August 2020 via Frontiers Music Srl.

During an appearance on the Battleline Podcast, Britt discussed the decision to part ways with Lewis. Asked what she would say to fans who are concerned that VIXEN bears little resemblance to the band that broke through in the late 1980s, with Roxy as the sole remaining member from VIXEN's classic lineup, Britt said: "Yeah, well, I think Roxy is definitely dedicated to maintaining the musical integrity of the classic VIXEN. And she said that. And I think for whatever reason, she feels that this change is gonna be a positive one… So, I'm excited. I trust her. She's been doing this a long time, and she knows what feels right."

Britt continued: "Sometimes things run its course. And, again, I'm not involved in in this decision or at liberty to really speak about … the reasons in it. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter, I guess. We're forging forward, we're forging ahead, and there will be new music. And I think it's gonna rock. So I'm very excited."

Britt went on to discuss the importance of getting along with VIXEN's new singer on a personal level, explaining: "At the end of the day, obviously you have to be talented, but just being a good person and being a cool person, 'cause we spend a lot of time together. I mean, that saying, musicians, we get paid to travel and then we play the gig, but what do we get paid for? The travel. I mean, I've flown to South America for one 30-minute show and then flown right back. So that's a lot of travel time and not a lot of playing. And that's a lot of time that you have to be with each other, and if you're with somebody that just drives you nuts, that's the worst thing ever. And then you can tell on stage too. So you know there's good chemistry when — you can feel it, is what I'm saying, on stage. And I think the audience can always feel it too."

In January 2019, VIXEN recruited Lewis as its new lead singer following the departure of Janet Gardner.

Lewis had already performed with VIXEN in March 2018 in Durant, Oklahoma while Gardner was recovering from surgery.

Prior to Lewis's addition to VIXEN, Petrucci, bassist Share Ross and Lightning vowed to "expand upon the VIXEN legacy while remaining true to our musical roots."

Gardner, Petrucci and Ross are considered to be part of VIXEN's classic lineup, along with founding guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, who died of cancer in October 2013.

Gardner contributed lead vocals to VIXEN's most commercially successful studio albums — "Vixen" (1988),"Rev It Up" (1990) and "Tangerine" (1998) — as well as the group's latest full-length release, 2018's live album "Live Fire".

More than three years ago, Ross announced that she was "taking a hiatus" from VIXEN. Her replacement is Lage, formerly of the Latin Grammy-nominated Brazilian rock group BARRA DE SAIA and wife of Richie Kotzen. Lage made her live debut with VIXEN on February 8, 2022 at the pre-Monsters Of Rock cruise concert at Magic City Casino in Miami, Florida.

In 2023, VIXEN released a new single called "Red". The official music video for the track, which was written and produced by CINDERELLA drummer Fred Coury, was directed by Drew Johnston and Vicente Cordero and edited by Ryan Conion.

Just Announced‼️
QUIET RIOT w VIXEN
Saturday, April 12th ~ 2025
Cannery Casino - Las Vegas, NV

Tickets on sale...

Posted by Vixen on Friday, February 7, 2025

URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box is seeking to recover a cross necklace that he says was snatched from his neck by a cyclist over the weekend. The 77-year-old British-born musician, whose band launched a South American tour on April 4 in Montevideo, Uruguay, took to his Facebook page on Saturday (April 12) to write: "Unfortunately I was walking back from lunch in Curitiba Brazil when a cyclist rode past me at speed and ripped off and stole my cross necklace that has great sentimental value to me. It is gold with diamonds inserted in the cross. If anyone has any information about this in Curitiba there would be a very worthwhile reward on its return. He may try and sell it or pawn it and thanks for reading this! Please contact me via www.uriah-heep.com or www.mick-box.net or even on Facebook."

Last September, URIAH HEEP announced its plans to embark on a farewell tour, dubbed "The Magician's Farewell", beginning with a seven-show U.K. run in February. Asked in an interview with Indie Power TV what led to the decision to stop touring around the world, Box said: "I'd say it was part the fact that we're not getting any younger. But the other big part was that it's becoming impossible to put these tours together now, the long tours that we used to do. Especially over in Europe, with Brexit and after COVID and things like that, it's got really, really hard, because previously we could travel freely through Europe, but now we can't because of Brexit. So, we now have to have carnets [international customs and temporary export-import documents] for equipment to get through to every territory, which they've only gotta get held up in one territory, and you lose the show. Things like that."

Mick continued: "With the advent of the world as it is today, bus prices have tripled, truck prices have tripled, everything's tripled. I mean, to give you an example as well with the airlines, apart from their cost going through the roof, we had 11 flights the other month and five of them were cancelled. So it's getting more and more difficult. So every show you've gotta go in a day early just to compensate for anything that may happen. So it's getting really difficult to put those long tours together. So it's kind of all come to a head, if you like."

Box also spoke in more detail about the barriers British musicians face since Brexit when it comes to touring the EU. He explained: "Yeah, well, unfortunately, the government doesn't recognize how important music is to the world. We've got all these restrictions on. There's even a restriction that you can only stay out 90 days in 180 and things like that. All those things just knock you sideways when you try to put a whole run of tour dates together like we used to do for nine months of the year. It's very difficult."

Mick went on to say that URIAH HEEP will never stop playing live shows altogether. "Yeah, we'll always play festivals, we'll always do things like that, because it's in our blood to keep playing," he said. "But this is a total winddown over two to three years. And when you consider that you and I play in 64 countries, we've got a lot of flying about to do. [Laughs] But we hope to get to everyone we can with this final hurrah, if you like. But it's not that final, because, as we say, we're gonna continue playing probably in pockets rather than these lengthy tours that are now impossible for many, many reasons I just discussed."

Asked if touring America has become increasingly difficult as well, Mick said: "Yeah, the visa side of it is very expensive, of course. And then if you've got a [team of people working for you], which we have with our crew, you've got the flights and everything else to consider before you even play a note. So, those things are difficult, but not insurmountable.

"I think that in America, it's geared a lot better, with the tour buses and everything else, to make it possible," he added. "So, yeah, I don't think it's quite so bad because you don't have, like we do in Europe, to go into each territory, you have a carnet, like I say, for all our equipment to be cleared, whereas in America you can just keep on going. [Laughs]"

Last December, Box was asked by Planet Rock's Paul Anthony what he is planning on doing with his time once URIAH HEEP has completed its farewell tour. Mick said: "I guess we'll do [some] writing and go in the recording studio and do other aspects of the of the game, but as I say, we're still gonna be touring, still gonna be playing. It's just that we're not doing the really long stuff. We'll do it in sections rather than a whole long splurge."

As for the setlist for "The Magician's Farewell", Mick said: "I guess a setlist really writes itself to a degree, because there's so many songs that people expect to hear — you know, the 'Easy Livin'' to 'July Morning' and stuff like that and 'Stealin'' and whatever — so we kind of use that as the template. Then we'll add in some of the latest-album songs, and then build it from there. And maybe revisit something that we haven't revisited for a while, or even something we haven't played before. So we kind of just put it in the mixing pot, really. But it kind of works itself out because the popularity of the songs we've got, which is marvelous."

After Anthony noted that URIAH HEEP still records new music and is not known as "just a heritage act" which doesn't perform its more recent songs live, Mick concurred. "Well, yeah," he said. "I mean, when you look at it, we've got a lot of classic rock songs. And the new songs are soon to be classic, because it's only time that gives them that title. [Laughs] So, yeah, we look at it like that. And they merge very well, because it's the band doing what the band does, using the same template we had from day one, musically, and that's the Hammond organ, the wah-wah guitar, five[-part vocal harmonies], all that sort of stuff. We just apply that to each song and it's URIAH HEEP."

URIAH HEEP's farewell tour will run for approximately two or three years and will include performances in all parts of the globe.

In November 2023, Box was asked by Metallerium how he and his URIAH HEEP bandmates have managed to retain their trademark sound despite having gone through so many lineup changes over the years. He responded: "Well, I think, I think, basically, as long as I'm there, the band's gonna sound like URIAH HEEP. Because we created a template on how we sounded back in 1970 with our first album, '...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble'. So, we've continued with that all the way along the line. And I think a lot of the credit must go to Jay Ruston, our producer, because he understood where we come from, what we're all about, but he managed to make the album sound really fresh and today, and I think that's a marvelous achievement. So really, as long as we keep playing and writing good songs and doing good performances, and we get someone like Jay Ruston recording it, I think it will always sound fresh and exciting."

Regarding what has kept URIAH HEEP going for so long, Mick said: "I think the only thing that drives us on, it's only one word — it's called passion. And if you've got passion for what you do, then eventually you'll achieve it."

URIAH HEEP's 25th studio album, "Chaos & Colour", was released in January 2023 via Silver Lining Music. The LP was recorded during the summer of 2021 at Chapel Studios in London with the aforementioned Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, COREY TAYLOR, BLACK STAR RIDERS) at the helm.

"Jay was completely on board with what we are trying to achieve in the studio," Box previously said. "We're a band that has a fantastic heritage and to carry on that tradition it was vitally important that the band recorded in the studio all playing at the same time. Jay understood that and he pulled out the best of us as a band, as well as individual players, while getting us some amazing sounds."

URIAH HEEP's current lineup includes Box, frontman Bernie Shaw, bassist Dave Rimmer, drummer Russell Gilbrook and keyboardist Phil Lanzon.

URIAH HEEP debuted in 1970 with the release of one of hard rock's milestones, "Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble", and has since sold in excess of 40 million albums worldwide. They have constantly toured the world, playing up to 125 shows a year to more than 500,000 fans. The band's live set features the classic tracks from the '70s and is a musical journey from the band's beginnings to the present day.

Unfortunately I was walking back from lunch in Curitiba Brazil when a cyclist rode past me at speed and ripped off and...

Posted by Mick Box on Saturday, April 12, 2025

Fan-filmed video of BEHEMOTH's entire April 6 concert at Columbiahalle in Berlin, Germany can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01:00 The Shadow Elite
05:55 Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
11:45 Demigod
15:49 The Shit Ov God
21:52 Conquer All
25:45 Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
30:53 Ov Fire And The Void
36:23 Christgrinding Avenue
40:20 Bartzabel
47:31 Wolves Ov Siberia
51:03 Once Upon A Pale Horse
56:18 Christians To The Lions
1:00:48 Cursed Angel Of Doom
1:05:12 Chant For Eschaton 2000
1:11:38 O Father O Satan O Sun!

BEHEMOTH's "The Unholy Trinity 2025" features legendary Norwegian black metal pioneers SATYRICON as special guest. From the ancient lands of Greece, the ever-epic ROTTING CHRIST completes the trek

The tour launched on April 4 in Vienna, Austria and descends across major cities, including Berlin, Paris, London, and Stockholm, before culminating in Prague, Czech Republic on April 27.

BEHEMOTH will release its new album, "The Shit Ov God", on May 9 via Nuclear Blast Records.

BEHEMOTH have always been known for not shying away from controversy, and they most certainly remain true to this approach with their 13th full-length. Here's a band that, 34 years in, is releasing its most inflammatory and extreme record to date. Eight songs that go into the fathoms of humanity, divinity, and what defiance means in an age where individuality is prized but everyone is clinging to their saviors — musically, politically, or otherwise. The title of the album is in line with those sensibilities.

Intentionally polarizing, BEHEMOTH founder and frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski said of the title: "We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favor of a direct and polarizing statement. It's a defiant plunge into the depths, daring to seek the absolute even in the gutter."

But make no mistake, despite its apparent insubtlety, the album title gets a touch of genius when seen in combination with the strikingly clever artwork, which depicts an upside-down version of the most common Christogram "IHS."

Nergal commented: "I've reached a point in BEHEMOTH's journey and my own creativity where words and statements mean less and less. The true essence of who we are and what we stand for lies in our music, our art, our visuals, our sounds, our performances, and the ways we connect with you. I deeply believe BEHEMOTH represents transcendent, timeless art.

"The number thirteen — so magical and significant. If this were to be our final album, I could say I die a proud man. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the most refined, purest representation of BEHEMOTH. No filler, no excess — just the very best we have to offer, handed to you.

"Hail Satan."

BEHEMOTH meticulously chose the audiovisual artists involved on the album. Production on the album was helmed by the inimitable Jens Bogren of Fascination Street Studios (EMPEROR, ENSLAVED, KREATOR, ROTTING CHRIST et al.). Working closely with the band, Bogren's deft hand underscored the band's natural sound while sacrificing none of the mayhem and ferocity which permeates the band's essence. As is always the case with BEHEMOTH, the visuals were as carefully constructed as the sound. The band tapped long-time collaborator and partner in crime Bartek Rogalewicz (BLACK.LODGE.IS.NOW) as well as Dark Sigil Workshop to make the beautifully ominous and unique cover art.

BEHEMOTH's 12th studio album, "Opvs Contra Natvram", was released in September 2022. The LP was previously described in a press release as "a stark reminder of the rebellion, individuality, and unflinching self-expression that BEHEMOTH's phenomenal work imbues, shaped by a literary worldview."

Legions! The Unholy Trinity tour with Satyricon and Rotting Christ begins tearing through Europe this April! 🔥

Paris...

Posted by BEHEMOTH! on Friday, February 14, 2025

In a new interview with Riff X's "Metal XS", Mark Morton, guitarist and songwriter for the five-time Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling band LAMB OF GOD, spoke about the blues-inspired musical direction of his latest solo album, "Without The Pain". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have never completely defined myself as just a heavy metal guitar player. And when I say 'just', there are plenty of players that just play metal and they're phenomenally explosive, incredibly dynamic and creative musicians. And that's cool. And so I believe that's possible. But for me, I've never felt like metal was the only place my creative spirit lives. So, I think I have, over time, built up this ambition and this kind of desire to express my musical spirit and my creative ideas outside of the context of LAMB OF GOD — not in spite of LAMB OF GOD, just in addition to. I love LAMB OF GOD, I love heavy metal. It's been my life's work, really, musically, until recently where I really kind of started exploring some of the stuff that was more reflective of what my personal listening tastes are. And that's what you hear on this new record."

Addressing the fact that the songwriting process in LAMB OF GOD at times requires him to make compromises while maintaining his vision of the band, Mark said: "I think what we have been able to develop in LAMB OF GOD is a real trust with one another creatively. So typically, and it's not always the case, but typically if there's some debate going on and somebody feels really, really strongly about it, where other people aren't sure, that becomes pretty apparent. And if Willie [Adler, LAMB OF GOD guitarist] feels absolute about this musical thing that I'm not sure about, then I trust his artistry because I respect and admire him as a musician. And I think the same is true the other way. And the same with Randy [Blythe, LAMB OF GOD singer]. Him and I write lyrics together, and if he feels really, really strongly about a lyrical thing, then, yeah, you're the one singing it. Run with it. Your question makes it sound like it's this sort of liability that we have to give each other room. I think it's a strength."

"Without The Pain" marks a significant departure from Mark's work with LAMB OF GOD, diving into his southern roots and leaning heavily into the southern rock lane. The album features collaborations with artists like Cody Jinks, Jaren Johnston (THE CADILLAC THREE),Charlie Starr (BLACKBERRY SMOKE),TYLER BRYANT AND THE SHAKEDOWN, Travis Denning plus guitar solos from Grace Bowers, Jason Isbell, and more, making it a unique and exciting project that blends blues, southern rock, Americana and outlaw country influences with Mark's signature guitar work.

Last month, Mark was asked by United Rock Nations about his recent comment that he had been "waiting [his] whole life" to make "Without The Pain". Asked why it took him so long to finally write and record the effort, Morton said:  "Well, I think it's been a process for me to kind of get to the point where I've felt the confidence and the independence to make this kind of record. I made my first solo LP, 'Anesthetic', which came out in 2019, I think, and that was like my first published work outside of LAMB OF GOD as a solo artist. And while it was very different than LAMB OF GOD and that was the point, I think it was still kind of tied to metal roots and metal influences. And having had the experience of making that record and gaining the confidence in my ability and in learning that my audience was willing to go there with me, I think it gave me this sort of creative freedom to feel like I could lean into what is truly the music that I'm a fan of and the kind of music that I listen to, and have been a fan of, really, my whole life and that's kind of, really, at the foundation of my playing as a guitar player. I've always felt like I'm a blues player first. That's just the way I feel about it. So for me, it wasn't really uncomfortable at all to pursue this kind of music. It was more [that] it felt like something I finally could do after waiting for a long time to get the opportunity."

Asked if making a really personal album like "Without The Pain" is a form of therapy for him, Mark said: "I think some of it's personal, some of it's not at all. I think the songs are just the songs. I think sometimes there are songs that wind up being really personal. The last song on the record, 'Home', is extremely personal. There are components of 'Brother' that are lived experience and 'Without The Pain' has references to parts of my life. But then songs like 'Hell & Back' are really just a cool kind of story. And 'Come December' is not a personal experience; it's a story. That one's cool. 'Nocturnal Sun' is just very abstract. 'Forever In The Light' is pretty abstract as well. So I don't think they're all like directly autobiographical in a sense like that."

Mark continued: "Songwriting is such a strange thing because sometimes there are lines in a song that are lived experience, and they may appear in a song that isn't entirely autobiographical. So just because a part of a song is directly related to something from a songwriter's life — there's songs that are collaborative, so different people adding different things. And really it becomes more about the song than it does what maybe inspired one or another part of it. It's a weird kind of thing. But in the end, it becomes this unique thing and when it works best is someone listens to it and they make it about their own story, and that's when it works best. And how genuine or authentic it is to a direct lived experience is less important than it being a genuine and authentic representation of a feeling or an emotion."

"Without The Pain" was released on April 11 via Snakefarm.

"Without The Pain" track listing:

01. Hell & Back feat. Jaren Johnston of THE CADILLAC THREE (Mark Morton, Jaren Johnston, Josh Wilbur)
02. Brother feat. Cody Jinks (Mark Morton, Cody Jinks, Travis Denning)
03. Without The Pain feat. Matt James of Blacktop Mojo (Mark Morton, Jaren Johnston, Josh Wilbur)
04. Kite String feat. Travis Denning (Mark Morton, Travis Denning)
05. Come December feat. Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke & Jason Isbell (Mark Morton, Charlie Gray, Matt Connor)
06. Dust feat. Cody Jinks & Grace Bowers (Mark Morton, Jaren Johnston, Cody Jinks)
07. Forever In The Light feat. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown (Mark Morton, Tyler Bryant, Caleb Crosby)
08. Nocturnal Sun feat. Troy Sanders & Jared James Nichols (Mark Morton, Josh Wilbur)
09. The Needle And The Spoon feat. Neil Fallon of Clutch (Allen Collins, Ronald W Vanzant)
10. Home feat. Travis Denning (Mark Morton, Travis Denning, Josh Wilbur)

Mark co-wrote every song on "Without The Pain" except for the track "The Needle And The Spoon", which is a cover of the iconic LYNYRD SKYNYRD song. Throughout the album, Mark's songwriting explores themes of healing, growth, and self-reflection, with each track reflecting his journey of personal evolution. Drawing from his deep southern roots, Mark embraces the sounds of southern rock, blues, and outlaw country, while maintaining his signature edge — blending honest, raw lyricism with intricate guitar work. This album represents a true reinvention for Mark, as he embraces a more introspective and reflective phase in his career, marking his second solo release after his critically acclaimed debut.

The themes explored on "Without The Pain" are a natural progression from Mark's deeply personal autobiography, "Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir". In the book, Mark delves into his struggles with addiction, mental health, and the toll of his heavy metal career, offering a raw, unfiltered look at his life and the journey toward finding peace and redemption. "Without The Pain" picks up where the memoir left off, providing a soundtrack to Mark's continuing journey of growth and reconciliation.

DARK ANGEL bassist Michael Gonzalez has brushed off criticism of the group's comeback single, saying he is "proud" of the music he and his bandmates have created.

Last Friday (April 11),DARK ANGEL released "Extinction Level Event", the title track of their first new album in 34 years, which is due later in 2025 via Reversed Records. The LP was recorded and mixed at the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, executive produced by DARK ANGEL drummer Gene Hoglan, produced and engineered by Rob Shallcross and mixed by Mike Fraser.

Upon its arrival, the "Extinction Level Event" title track was met with a mixed response from DARK ANGEL's longtime fans, with one fan writing on Facebook: " I was just listening to 'Time Doesn't Heal' this week, man, Ron's [Rinehart, DARK ANGEL singer] vocals were top notch. Listening to this song i was like: 'Is that really Ron? What happened to his voice?' Let's hope the album has better songs, this one was boring and generical. Totally not worth waiting 34 years." Another fan chimed in: "All that hype, then this. yawn. No [late DARK ANGEL guitarist Jim] Durkin, no [DARK ANGEL]. Hang it up." A third fan wrote: "It's OK. if it was a young band, I would say that's a great start but for DARK ANGEL, it's disappointing. Nobody expects a new thrash gem like 'Darkness Descends' or a tech cult classic like 'Time Does Not Heal', but something like 'Leave Scars' would be awesome and respected."

"The Metal Command" radio show host Tony Webster offered a scathing review of "Extinction Level Event" on Facebook, calling it "absolutely horrendous. It's four minutes and 16 seconds of my life that I wish I could get back after listening to it," he wrote. "It's badly written, uninspired and right now most people are talking about how terrible it is."

Some of the DARK ANGEL fans were more complimentary of the band's new song, with one fan writing on Facebook: "Yeah vocals are a bit crazy but the riffs are on point." Another fan wrote: "The vocal is a bit different to what Ron Rineheart sounded like but that was 34 years ago. It sounds like DARK ANGEL which means they have their own particular sound rather than sounding like another 1,000 standard metal bands. I can't wait to hear the album." A third fan wrote: "It would have to grow on me but currently my opinion is contrived from their own formula with less altogether good vocals. No catchy phrasing or cohesive riffing. Doesn't mean it won't grow on me or that the rest of the album won't be good. Overall, I am pleased that they're back and hope they make a few more runs at it." A fourth fan said: "People can piss on this all they want but I like it. A few decades pass and people expect everything to stay the exact same? Bollocks. It's metal and crushes most of the new crap out there today."

After one person wrote on Facebook, "I gotta wonder if people are slamming on the new DARK ANGEL song only because their online friends are instead of forming their own opinions based on actually giving it a whirl", Gonzalez weighed in below the post, writing: "It is what it is. We made an album for us and where we are at now. Whether it's loved or hated, I'm proud of what we've done."

The "Extinction Level Event" title track was written by Durkin a decade ago, long before he suffered from severe liver disease, and, to the surprise of everyone, passed away in 2023.

"Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune," Hoglan said in a press release last week. "It is so DARK ANGEL and I'm just so excited about it. We made it the lead-off song on the record, not as a tribute to Jim or because of sentimental reasons — like, 'Here is the song that Jim left us' — but because it's just a totally killer song. He wrote it ten years ago, and by today's standards it's still ball-crushing."

The "Extinction Level Event" artwork and layout was designed by Cain Gillis, with concepts by Hoglan.

Earlier this month, Hoglan told the "Everblack" podcast about "Extinction Level Event": "It's a pretty ferocious record. I'm stoked with it. It took long enough for it to come out, but now that we're getting closer to the release, things are starting to get closer to finalized with it."

Durkin died on March 8, 2023 at the age of 58. An original member of DARK ANGEL, Durkin played on the band's first three albums — 1985's "We Have Arrived", 1986's "Darkness Descends" and 1989's "Leave Scars" — before departing the group in 1989. He was part of DARK ANGEL's lineup when the band reformed in 2013, and had been playing with them, on and off, ever since.

Prior to his death, Durkin had been sitting out some of DARK ANGEL's gigs. He was replaced at the shows by Hoglan's wife Laura Christine, who has since joined DARK ANGEL as a permanent member.

DARK ANGEL released two albums with Don Doty on vocals — the aforementioned "We Have Arrived" and "Darkness Descends" — before he exited the group and was replaced by Ron Rinehart (after a brief stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two more studio LPs — "Leave Scars" and "Time Does Not Heal" — before calling it quits in 1992.

California thrash metal pioneers DARK ANGEL will release "Extinction Level Event", their first new album in 34 years, later in 2025 via Reversed Records. The LP's first single, the "Extinction Level Event" title track, can be streamed below. It was recorded and mixed at the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, executive produced by DARK ANGEL drummer Gene Hoglan, produced and engineered by Rob Shallcross and mixed by Mike Fraser.

"Musically, lyrically, and vocally, I'm so stoked about this album," says Hoglan. "I'm really excited about DARK ANGEL right now, and everyone who's heard the new album is losing their minds.

The "Extinction Level Event" title track was written by DARK ANGEL guitarist Jim Durkin a decade ago, long before he suffered from severe liver disease, and, to the surprise of everyone, passed away in 2023.

"Jim Durkin left us with this badass tune," Hoglan says. "It is so DARK ANGEL and I'm just so excited about it. We made it the lead-off song on the record, not as a tribute to Jim or because of sentimental reasons — like, 'Here is the song that Jim left us' — but because it's just a totally killer song. He wrote it ten years ago, and by today's standards it's still ball-crushing."

The "Extinction Level Event" artwork and layout was designed by Cain Gillis, with concepts by Hoglan.

Earlier this month, Hoglan told the "Everblack" podcast about "Extinction Level Event": "It's a pretty ferocious record. I'm stoked with it. It took long enough for it to come out, but now that we're getting closer to the release, things are starting to get closer to finalized with it. So, everybody keep your eyes open. We just released the album cover and when we have some actual, actual, like 'here is the drop date for it', we'll be able to share that with everybody. Pay attention to the DARK ANGEL socials and all that, and there will be a release date. We're teasing it as 2025, so, hey, before December 31st, we are getting a DARK ANGEL record."

DARK ANGEL was originally scheduled to play new music for the first time since 1991 during its January 29 concert at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. However, that show ended up getting postponed due to the wildfires in the state.

In July 2024, DARK ANGEL officially entered the studio to begin recording its new LP. Two months earlier, Hoglan told Rocking With Jam Man that he had "been working diligently for the last couple of years on some projects that are gonna make DARK ANGEL fans really happy, I think. So, everybody, just sit tight," he said.

Asked what it has been like making new DARK ANGEL music more than 30 years after the release of the band's last album, 1991's "Time Does Not Heal", Gene responded: "Well, that's one thing. It's like we had a choice. I had an entire DARK ANGEL album written that was ready to start getting recorded after the 'Time Does Not Heal' record, and circumstances occurred where the band just had to dissolve. So, I had a bunch of material written. And when Jim Durkin and myself — Jim is no longer with us, but when we put DARK ANGEL back together and we started talking about, like, 'What do we wanna do for the future? Do we wanna write some new material?' And 'I've got some ideas, Gene, and you probably have some ideas.' And I have a number of songs that I sent to Jim. And when Jim heard that — I sent it to him on a CD — he freaked out and he was, like, 'My God, here's our new album. This is gonna be our next record. Hell yeah.' And he got really excited about that material. But I was, like, 'Hey, Jim, tell you what. I feel really strongly about my writing chops, and the songs I'm hearing from you right now are crushing. So how about we just write new stuff, get together and start writing new material?' And so we kind of went that route."

He continued: "For my elements of what I wanted DARK ANGEL to sound like, Jim Durkin is a huge influence on my writing style. So I wanted this to have a lot of the Jim Durkin influence on it. In terms of riffs, there's not as many from Jim as we were hoping for, but Jim's entire presence is all over the new DARK ANGEL material that I've been working on. And he's a huge guitar influence on me, as well as a lot of people. So, there's definitely gonna be a pretty hardy Jim Durkin influence. And I just wanna write a kick-ass metal album. So what I've tried to do is not go back 35 years or 37 years or whatever, 'Darkness Descends' or even 'We Have Arrived', those early albums, or 'Leave Scars' or 'Time Does Not Heal', I've not tried to duplicate anything from any of those albums, but I tried to put myself in the mindset of what if DARK ANGEL just kept writing albums for the last 30-whatever years, 32, 33 years, where would we be at now? And so that has been my approach on the new DARK ANGEL material."

Durkin died on March 8, 2023 at the age of 58. An original member of DARK ANGEL, Durkin played on the band's first three albums — 1985's "We Have Arrived", 1986's "Darkness Descends" and 1989's "Leave Scars" — before departing the group in 1989. He was part of DARK ANGEL's lineup when the band reformed in 2013, and had been playing with them, on and off, ever since.

Prior to his death, Durkin had been sitting out some of DARK ANGEL's gigs. He was replaced at the shows by Hoglan's wife Laura Christine, who has since joined DARK ANGEL as a permanent member.

DARK ANGEL released two albums with Don Doty on vocals — the aforementioned "We Have Arrived" and "Darkness Descends" — before he exited the group and was replaced by Ron Rinehart (after a brief stint with Jim Drabos in 1987). The band issued two more studio LPs — "Leave Scars" and "Time Does Not Heal" — before calling it quits in 1992.

Hoglan previously talked about DARK ANGEL's upcoming LP in May 2023 in an interview with Friday 13th. He said at the time: "Jim and I, we had gotten together a number of times to write some new material for DARK ANGEL. And we weren't able to get it down on tape too much. If DARK ANGELhas any new material, there's a song that he's got on there that is pretty darn DARK ANGEL-esque.

"In tribute to Jim, DARK ANGEL's new material will have a ton of his spirit all over it — his feel. Whether he actually wrote stuff on the new stuff or not, his spirit is very there. His imprint is felt throughout thrash metal, I feel. Even before I was in DARK ANGEL, I'd see Jim's influence on bands. Absolutely. So his legacy will live forevermore in the realm of extreme metal. His style will always be a part of DARK ANGEL, absolutely, big time."

Asked how the next DARK ANGEL album will compare to the band's previous efforts, Hoglan said: "Well, I can't really even comment on the fact that there might or might not be an album yet. But put it this way — if I were to have any new DARK ANGEL material, I would want it to be an extension of where the band is at now and where I'm at now. And I would probably approach the writing of it in a way as if DARK ANGEL never disappeared for a decade, two decades, three decades, or whatever it's been. It's just like we just kept doing what we do, and this would be where we're at right now. Which I would want to be putting out the most savage, heaviest material that DARK ANGEL could. And I'm no slouch with writing psychotic, heavy material. So I would be very, very excited with where DARK ANGEL's new material would be."

Photo by Alex Solca

In a new interview with Gustavo Maiato, SAXON frontman Biff Byford was asked if guitarist Paul Quinn, who announced two years ago that he was stepping back from touring with the band, is still contributing to the songwriting process in SAXON or if Quinn's replacement, DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler, is a "full-time" member of the band now. Biff responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, Brian's in the band full-time, but Paul's still sending ideas. He sent me an idea the other day for a song. It just depends how good it is, if we use it. I reject a lot of ideas until people come up with the one that I love.

"We always want to make better albums, so we're always looking for better songs, if you know what I mean," Biff explained.

As a result of Quinn's decision to step back from touring with SAXON, the band canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by Tatler.

Brian has been touring with fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford since mid-2023, but continues to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

Two months ago, Byford was asked by FaceCulture about a possible follow-up to the band's 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which came out in January 2024 via Silver Lining Music. He said: "We're writing. I've started writing the new album, writing lyrics and titles. The boys have sent me loads of ideas already. So I'm just making a short list of what music we should use, what style we should play in, what songs are slow, fast, medium, good guitar riffs. So, yeah, we're pretty far on. We'll probably start rehearsing the new album maybe June, maybe recording in January, February. So we'll probably have a new album out in late 2026."

Reflecting on "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which marked SAXON's first release with Tatler, Biff said: "I think it's been a natural progression with our following and the fans with our music. Brian coming into the band added a little bit of a different dynamic to the music writing. So I think that was for a good thing. I think the new album, 'Hellfire', has been voted 'Album Of The Year' on quite a lot of sites and things, so obviously we struck a little bit of good scene with the album, a good flow. So hopefully the next one will be just as good, if not better… Well, it can't always be better, but let's hope. I mean, 'Hellfire' is gonna be hard to beat. That's a pretty perfect album, I think."

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" was produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering.

In a new interview with "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, DISTURBED frontman David Draiman was asked to name something that he observed and took away from touring with Ozzy Osbourne in the past. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "So much. Ozzy is the godfather of metal. He's like a father to all of us. I love the man. I love his family. I couldn't have more reverence for any human being on this planet.

"I think that one of the times that definitely stays in my mind that taught me that sometimes you just need to find the strength to push through was one particular Ozzfest — I think it was our third one — and Ozzy wasn't feeling so well that day," he continued. "He was having a little bit of difficulty. And I remember Zakk [Wylde, Ozzy's guitarist] and Sharon [Osbourne, Ozzy's wife and manager] coming over to me, asking me if I would be willing to take over the set. And I'm, like, 'No. They want Ozzy. They don't want me.' I'm, like, 'I haven't rehearsed.' I said to her, 'I haven't rehearsed. I don't know all the songs by heart.' And she's, like, 'Well, there's a goddamn teleprompter on the stage. Just read the words.' I'm, like, 'Yeah, well, it's not that simple.' And then Ozzy had retreated back into his little vocal area, his little draped off area, and he was gargling and using a spray and trying to get himself clear. And he took a few more minutes and then he came back out and he started belting it out, and it's like he pushed through whatever frog was in his throat, and his face lit up, and the energy immediately changed. And he ended up not only finishing the set, but I think playing an additional 15 or 20 minutes, and, and it was inspiring — it really was."

Addressing the fact that he will appear at the upcoming "Back To The Beginning" charity show on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, which will mark the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH's last-ever performance and Ozzy's last appearance as a solo artist, Draiman said: "The man has been through so much. The man has done so much, and between Ozzy, SABBATH, you're talking about the most seminal frontman and the most seminal band for hard rock and heavy metal in existence.

"I couldn't be more honored [to take part in the show]," he added. "I couldn't be more humbled to be a part of it. And I'm going to be like a kid in a candy store that day. It's very, very surreal for me."

Last month, David told Billboard that he is "elated to be part of" "Back To The Beginning", "humbled and honored. It's the most seminal frontman and band for hard rock and heavy metal," he said. "The second record I ever bought, right after KISS 'Destroyer', was [SABBATH's] 'We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll'. I love Ozzy. I love the Osbourne family. They've been so supportive, such a huge part of we've become who we've become. We could not have done it without them, so I'm intensely grateful. We all are. I hope that I can just do my little part to pay tribute to their legacy."

DISTURBED kicked off the U.S. leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" on February 25 at Ford Idaho Center Arena in Nampa, Idaho. The trek celebrates 25 years of DISTURBED's seminal debut album which launched the band into public consciousness and is one of the most important and influential heavy metal albums of all time. Each night features two sets of music, opening with DISTURBED playing the five-times-platinum "The Sickness" in full, followed by a full set of greatest hits. Openers on the U.S. shows include THREE DAYS GRACE, SEVENDUST, DAUGHTRY and NOTHING MORE, depending on the date.

Last week, DISTURBED announced the European leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" with support from MEGADETH.

Since "The Sickness" was released in 2000, the album was certified five times platinum by the RIAA, spent a total of 106 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart, and Revolver named it one of "Top 25 Debut Hard Rock Albums." Billboard said of the title track upon release: "'Down With The Sickness' is, of course, the quintessential DISTURBED song, harnessing all the band's seethe and its now-famous tribal beat and guitar chug into three and a half minutes of alt-metal mayhem. It's menacing, it's rhythmic, it's rebellious."

DISTURBED recently announced the 25th-anniversary edition release of "The Sickness". To commemorate the anniversary, the band will reissue the five-times-platinum-certified LP on March 7, exactly 25 years to the date of their original release.

On February 21, DISTURBED released a new single, "I Will Not Break", via the band's own label, Mother Culture Records.

Finnish heavy rockers LEVERAGE will release their new album, "Gravity", on June 20 via Frontiers Music Srl.

After the arrival of the LP's first single, "All Seeing Eye", in early March, LEVERAGE has shared the second single, "Shooting Star", along with an accompanying music video, available below.

"Shooting Star" is a soaring, cinematic anthem of escape, defiance, and transcendence. The unexpected initial twist paves the way for a barrage of galloping riffs, thunderous rhythms, and towering vocals that echo the golden age of metal. This bold single blends mythic storytelling and melodic power into a new LEVERAGE sound that bridges past and future.

LEVERAGE lead singer Paolo Ribaldini commented on the new single: "'Shooting Star' stands out as one of the album's strongest and most surprising tracks, with Tuomas leaving storytelling aside and instead capturing deep emotions through music and lyrics. It feels like something the classic [Ronnie James] Dio-era RAINBOW could have created today. The song also highlights my bandmates' incredible performances and is set to become a live staple. I'm especially grateful to Marko and Taksu for their passionate work on the music video, which enhances the song's depth and offers fans an unforgettable experience."

LEVERAGE guitarist Tuomas Heikkinen added: "'Shooting Star' got started right after I had a Bigsby vibrato installed on my black Les Paul. I really like that twanging old school tone you get with it, and just started fiddling around basic chords. I really like it, I knew Paolo would nail the vocals exactly like I heard them in my head, and this song very much paved the way for the whole album, I knew we could now achieve sonic textures that were out of reach before".

LEVERAGE's future seemed uncertain after the untimely passing of singer's Kimmo Blom in the summer of 2022. However, founding member and main songwriter Tuomas Heikkinen decided the final hour for the band was not in sight yet. Outstanding singer Paolo Ribaldini (DELAIN, ex-SKILTRON) and violinist Lotta-Maria Heiskanen joined with the precise task to renew and refresh the sound of the band.

The resulting album, "Gravity", the band's sixth full-length in slightly less than 20 years, aptly showcases contemporary heavy rock sound, combining multiple influence from the genre's golden era with the band's own unique flair and personality. Plenty of ear-catching melodies delivered skillfully with a pristine top-of-the-line production.

LEVERAGE is neither a power metal band, nor an AOR band, nor a nostalgic tribute to the '80s. Instead of falling into one category, they have bent and redefined genre frontiers, thus developing their own style of heavy rock. The sonic stamp says "LEVERAGE", and it speaks louder than words.

LEVERAGE's history is carved deep into the DNA of the new album "Gravity": the grand melodic traditions of the debut "Tides" (2007) and the sophomore "Blind Fire" (2008),the symphonic flair of "Circus Colossus" (2009),and the darker, more mature tones of "Determinus" (2019) and "Above The Beyond" (2021) all find new life here. But "Gravity" doesn't simply revisit the past — it elevates it.

LEVERAGE's lineup now includes Tuomas Heikkinen (guitars),Marko Niskala (keyboards),Elias Ojutkangas (drums),Sami Norrbacka (bass),Paolo Ribaldini (vocals) and Lotta-Maria Heiskanen (violin).

"Gravity" track listing:

01. Shooting Star
02. Tales Of The Night
03. Hellbound Train
04. Moon Of Madness
05. Eliza
06. All Seeing Eye
07. King Ghidorah
08. Gravity