Fan-filmed video of HELLOWEEN's May 6 concert at Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany can be seen below (courtesy of Bernd J. Schuster's YouTube channel).

HELLOWEEN will return to the U.S. and Canada this spring as part of the "United Forces" world tour alongside supporting special guests HAMMERFALL. The trek will commence on May 13 in Dallas, Texas and wind its way through a total of 13 cities, the journey drawing to a close on June 3 in San Francisco, California.

In a recent interview with Belgian Jasper, Michael Kiske spoke about his personal chemistry with the other members of HELLOWEEN before and after the initial "Pumpkins United" tour, which saw the band reunite with Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen. He said: "At first I thought the idea [was just to do a tour with the classic lineup]. At first I thought, without firing [Kiske's replacement] Andi [Deris] or anything, they just wanted to make a 'Keeper [Of The Seven Keys]' tour or something like that. But I realized it doesn't make sense because you create another HELLOWEEN that is sort of in competition with the HELLOWEEN of the last 20 years. And it was pretty quickly clear to me, 'It doesn't make sense. I agree.' Jan [Bayati, HELLOWEEN's manager] was putting that to me that it doesn't work: 'You guys have to do it together.'

"It's so great now," Kiske continued. "It has so many benefits. I get along with everybody. I have a special relationship with each individual. It's normal [because] everybody is different. I have a different relationship with Kai. We meet on a specific level, like we always have. That hasn't changed. My relationship with Weiki [HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath] is completely different to how it was, because Weiki is completely different. I'm different too, but he has changed completely. He used to be a troublemaker; he used to be someone [who would play] games behind your back. He's not at all like that anymore. The only thing he cares about is smoking a cigarette and having a good time. And he sticks out of all arguments and fights, and that has completely changed. He's like the most easygoing person ever. And Markus [Grosskopf, HELLOWEEN bassist] is pretty much the same; he's just matured. He can express himself a lot better than he used to. When he was young, he wasn't able to put [his feelings] into words. But now he can. But he grew up too; he has matured too.

"The most important thing for me is that I get along with Andi so well," Kiske noted. "We even hang out privately. When we rehearse, for instance, we always sit together eating something, or somewhere outside or drink something or have a coffee or whatever. And that's perfect. And so you function on stage too, because all that works out. And that is something that I'm really happy with. If it wouldn't have been that way, I don't think we would still do it.

"We only made contracts for until after the first tour. We only made contracts for the 'Pumpkins United' tour. I think it was ending in 2018 or something, and the contracts were over. So if anybody wouldn't be up for it anymore, you would be free to leave. But since everything went down so well… we kind of thought, 'Well, how about a record?'"

Kiske's first album back with HELLOWEEN, 2021's self-titled effort, landed in the Top 10 in more than 10 countries, including Germany, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. The cover artwork for the LP was painted by artist Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH and SODOM, among others.

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, the latest HELLOWEEN LP was recorded in part at the H.O.M.E. Studios in Hamburg (where everything started in 1984). The same recording console used for such HELLOWEEN albums as "Master Of The Rings", "Time Of The Oath" and "Better Than Raw" was utilized to record the band's new material. The effort was mixed at the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, RAMMSTEIN).

"Helloween" saw the legendary German power metallers going "back to the roots," with the band recording fully analogue and Daniel Löble playing the drum kit previously used by HELLOWEEN's original drummer, the late Ingo Schwichtenberg, on the legendary "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" recordings.

The "Pumpkins United" tour marked the first time Kiske had played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, had been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set featured several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including "Kids Of The Century", "Rise And Fall" and "Livin' Ain't No Crime". Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sang a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including "Ride The Sky", "Judas", "Starlight" and "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)".

During an appearance on the latest episode of the "Let There Be Talk" podcast with rock and roll comedian Dean Delray, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted spoke about his decision to reactivate his NEWSTED project for a May 20 concert at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Newsted, who plays bass and sings in the project, will be joined at the gig by original NEWSTED members Jesus Mendez Jr. (UNDERLORD) on drums and Jessie Farnsworth (UNDERLORD) on guitar, along with new guitarist Humberto Perez.

According to Newsted, the setlist for the Revolution Live concert will consist mostly of newer songs that NEWSTED fans have not heard before. Describing the material as "quite punk," he explained: "I put together this kind of MOTÖRHEAD-flavored thing about a year and a half ago and wrote these MOTÖRHEAD-flavored songs on bass as the first instrument. I took the main three Philthy Animal drum beats and just picked that one and make a song and pick that one and make a song, and go around a couple of times and write that many songs. So I wrote some fun songs. And now we mix those in with 'Soldierhead' and 'Heroic Dose' and the ones from the videos that people know, but mostly playing new songs. And they are way less complex — way less complex than FLOTSAM [AND JETSAM], METALLICA or even the [early stuff from] the NEWSTED band or ECHOBRAIN certainly. Just real punk rock, straight ahead like MOTÖRHEAD — a lot of fast stuff, a lot of double bass. Most of them are pretty quick. It's just fun, though — fun as fuck."

Back in February 2014, Newsted canceled an appearance at Australia's Soundwave festival with NEWSTED, citing "private and personal circumstances." The cancelation followed more than a year of intense touring and promotional activity surrounding the release of NEWSTED's "Metal" EP and follow-up album, "Heavy Metal Music", both of which were positively received by the critics and fans alike.

Asked by Delray if the Fort Lauderdale concert will be a one-off or if there are plans to do more shows or recording new music in the future with NEWSTED, Jason said: "This is gonna be the gauge. Is it possible for them to spring me back into it like they did [when I played with METALLICA in 2011 at the 30th-anniversary shows] at the Fillmore [in San Francisco]? This we will find out on May 20th, if they bring me back. If they bring me back, then they do, and if they don't, they don't, and here I am and I'm still happy. It's gonna be a crazy fucking show. We've been working hard on the songs, and I'm ready to give it."

Elaborating on his reasons for bringing NEWSTED back, Jason said: "It is actually only selfish — self-absorbed, self-centered, narcissistic, whatever this is right here [in my head], I have to prove to myself I can do it. I have to show myself that I can do that for these new songs that I have. I can take it to the people. I need that.

"I've played with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND for the last 10 years. I learned to play acoustic guitar, wrote some songs with violins and female singers and all this colorful, wonderful shit… I stepped out of that in February of this year, stepped back into the metal to see if I can still throw the shit down. And that's what it comes down to. So if I'm able to feel good about it, get that response back that this could be worth it again, cool… But the people will decide for me."

Last month, Jason told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about how he arrived at the decision to bring back NEWSTED after a decade-long absence: "Kind of by happenstance and how we keep chasing it for fun. That's always been our thing — playing with whoever, whenever.

"About a year ago at this time, THE CHOPHOUSE BAND played at the Maltz Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, and Jesus Mendez, the drummer NEWSTED, and Jessie Farnsworth, the guitarist, guested at the end of that program. And they came over to HQ, and we jammed a bit on the side. And I think that seed got replanted. And so I had to finish with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND album, so I did that. And then [I] got these guys back together a couple of weeks ago again. And it was an epiphanous kind of trip — everybody smiling at each other and happy that we're still alive and everything. So it's really mostly for feeling alive and marking the tenth anniversary [of the formation of the band] and being brothers again."

As for why he abruptly stopped doing NEWSTED back in 2014, seemingly without an official explanation, Jason said: "I think I should have asked for more help — in 20/20 hindsight. I've worked hard to protect the legacy, as it were, I guess, if that's the term. It's important as an outsider, insider and otherwise, for the opportunity that I've been given. I try to be really careful about what moves I make. I really didn't want to coattail anything from anywhere. And I wanna do my own thing and try to do it with Chophouse Records and my own stuff and wear so many hats so many different times. I jumped into ECHOBRAIN project, which is something that was kind of already assembled. VOIVOD, obviously, was already very assembled. The NEWSTED band was a fresh thing. Since FLOTSAM [AND JETSAM], that's the only thing I've been a founder of since that time. I didn't wanna ask for help from the people I could have, and I think that's probably what it comes down to. It would have been better for my head and my overall [mental health] if I could have worn less hats and been able to concentrate more on my show."

STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok, who joined NEWSTED in March 2013 and played on "Heavy Metal Music", told "The Jasta Show" in a 2019 interview that Jason ultimately pulled the plug on the band because it wasn't financially viable for him to continue playing.

"I think he was happy with it [creatively]," Mike said. "I think the touring thing was hard. I don't think it was exactly what he expected it was going to be. But listen, it was fun. I really enjoyed him. I really enjoyed our time together and playing. We're still friends; we still communicate… We were playing smaller places, but the shows were always good; they were always fun. I just think it cost him a ton. 'Cause he was footing the bill for everything. So I think that at the end of the day, he's, like, 'I'm doing this 'cause of my passion for it and what I love, but I'm bleeding here.' We had this European tour that I think cost him a bunch."

Explaining that he is "really thankful" for the "great experience" of playing with Jason, Mike praised his former bandmate, saying: "Jason is a hard worker, man. We would practice 10 hours, he'd record the whole thing, and when we were done, he wouldn't walk out of the control — he'd sit there and listen to it. I'm, like, 'Dude! Come on, man.' I mean, there's a hard work — I'm a hard worker, but this guy was next level."

"Heavy Metal Music" sold nearly 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was made available in August 2013 in North America via Chophouse Records/Collective Sounds and in Europe through Spinefarm Records.

Jason left METALLICA back in 2001 but was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, along with guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett, and the man who replaced him, bassist Robert Trujillo, in 2009.

Multi-platinum-selling band, Finger Eleven, is thrilled to share the official music video for their latest single, “Together Right”, off the forthcoming collection of hit singles from Craft Recordings. Spanning over two decades, Greatest Hits highlights the group’s diverse range with fan favourites, including the record-setting Quintuple Platinum (Canada) hit, Paralyzer, and JUNO-nominated One Thing, plus chart-toppers like Falling On and Living in a Dream. As a bonus, the 12-track set also offers a previously-unreleased cover of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” (a longtime live staple), as well as “Together Right”. 


The song’s accompanying video, exclusively premiered through BraveWords, opens in a factory, as uniformly-dressed workers move like cogs in a machine. But it soon becomes clear that not everyone is happy in their monotonous existence. “The video takes place in a world where everything is the same,” explains lead guitarist, James Black. “Efficiency and conformity are mistaken for unity. But real connection, between two people, is WAY more powerful than people idly following a routine.”


allowfullscreen="true">




“‘Together Right’ is about unity,” explains frontman, Scott Anderson. “It’s about the bonds between people and how far that bond can extend before it’s broken. The song has an optimistic-sounding chorus but it’s really a desperate plea from one party to another asking please stick around, let’s go down with this ship together.” Recorded in Toronto last year with drummer/producer, Steve Molella, the song packs a punch with anthemic guitar-driven hooks and high-energy handclaps.


Director, Martin Klapperbein, shares: “Shooting the music video was an unforgettable experience… Drawing inspiration from the film adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, we created a cohesive design that beautifully showcased the choreography through the wardrobe, colour tones, titles, and casting choices. This project was definitely a group effort, and I'm so grateful to have worked with such a dedicated and talented cast and crew.”


Greatest Hits arrives on CD and digitally on June 16, while the vinyl edition (the band’s first-ever vinyl release) will follow on August 25. A limited-edition Blue Smoke pressing will be available exclusively via the band’s website and CraftRecordings.com, and indie record stores will carry an exclusive Yellow Marble variant. All formats are available to pre-order here. 


Finger Eleven, which currently includes original members, Scott Anderson, Sean Anderson, James Black, and Rick Jackett, plus drummer Steve Molella (who joined the band in 2013) have remained active on the road and enjoyed their legacy as one of Canada’s biggest bands. Between 1995 and 2016, Finger Eleven was among the top 75 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 25 best-selling Canadian bands in Canada – as evidenced by Greatest Hits. Today, they show no signs of slowing down. This summer, they will appear at a variety of festivals across North America.





Tracklisting:


"Good Times"
"Paralyzer"
"Together Right"
"Living In A Dream"
"I'll Keep Your Memory Vague"
"One Thing"
"Above"
"First Time"
"Falling On"
"Slow Chemical"
"Drag You Down"
"Welcome To The Machine"


"Together Right" visualizer:





(Photo - Jesse Milns)

Australian electronic rock outfit Voyager have been honored by the Perth Symphony Orchestra’s Inneka with a stunning performance of their song “Promise” ahead of their long-awaited Eurovision debut. The epic string arrangement features incredible electric cello, violin, and viola solos backed by a breathtaking view from Perth’s Optus Stadium and is an incredible show of support for band. Watch the performance:





Voyager will perform last in semi-final 2 of Eurovision on Thursday, May 11 at 3 PM EST/12 PM PST, which can be viewed here. More information on the broadcast and how to watch the competition can be found via Eurovision’s website. For the first time in Eurovision’s history, fans from the United States are eligible to vote for their favorites here.




“Perth Symphony are beyond excited to send this gift of love and support to Voyager from our beautiful home in the most isolated city in the world. Australia will be cheering you on and could not be prouder of you all, rocking it out on the world stage. GOOD LUCK VOYAGER!” - Creative Director – Perth Symphony Orchestra, Fiona Campbell


“We’re truly speechless after seeing this incredible show of support from the Perth Symphony Orchestra and our beautiful State. This epic string version of our song "Promise" moved us to tears and we cannot be prouder to be ambassadors for Australia, Aussie music and particularly our incredible WA music scene!" - Voyager


Last week, Voyager announced their first album in four years, Fearless In Love, will be released July 14 via Season of Mist. The album’s sweeping vocals paired with emotive lyrics inspired by the grit and glam of ‘80s and ‘90s film overlay heavy guitar riffs and percussion to create a sonic journey that pushes the boundary of what fans have come to expect from Voyager.





Fearless In Love tracklisting:


"The Best Intentions"
"Prince Of Fire"
"Ultraviolet" ft. Sean Harmanis of Make Them Suffer
"Dreamer"
"The Lamenting"
"Submarine"
"Promise"
"Twisted"
"Daydream"
"Listen"
"Gren (Fearless In Love)"


"Prince Of Fire" video:





(Photo - Mike Dann)

Post-death metal band Pandrador has unveiled the second single off its upcoming sophomore album Seiðr. Entitled “Valediction Of Exalted One”, it is now available to stream via all major digital platforms. 


The band has also released a guitar playthrough video to the track.


The band commented: " ‘Valediction Of Exalted One’ is a direct continuation of what Hvergelmir has started. The meaning of the song is not unambiguous, although those who have ever felt ‘unimportant’ in their lives will perfectly understand every word in the lyrics. Musically speaking, it is the definition of the direction taken by us on the new album."




Seiðr will be the band’s second full-length album and will be released on May 26 via Pagan Records. The album is both a continuation of the well-received debut Ov Rituals, Ov Ancestors, Ov Destiny (self-released) and the opening of a completely new chapter.


Pandrador is a four-piece death metal band formed back in 2015. The group established their presence in the scene with the demo Śmierć Baldura in 2017. With each of their releases, they decided to present a different style but bound with a common extreme metal foundation. The combination of these styles is also present in the band’s lyrical themes, which use Scandinavian cultural heritage as a carrier of the stories told - both from the present and the past.


Preorder at pagan-records.com.





Tracklisting:


“Asgardsreien Leaving Valhalla”
“Towards The Black Einherjar”
“Midgard’s Bane”
“Frelsari”
“Nithstand Of Sleipnir”
“Nvergelmir”
“Valediction Of Exalted One”
“Helferdast”
“Seidr”


“Valediction Of Exalted One” guitar playthrough video:

Behold Ethereal Void, a triad of malevolence hailing from the dark corners of Ontario, Canada. Their macabre melodies blend together the harmony of death metal with a sinister groove and progressive flair, all in worship to the gaping maw of the void. Born from the emptiness beyond time and space, they defy the norms of mortal ears with a sound that defiles all that has come before. They are ready to unleash their third album, Gods Of A Dead World, which promises to be unlike anything they have done before.


They are now streaming their second single “The Voiceless” and share the background of the track: “Conceptually, this song is about a mass exodus of people from another realm, silently venturing onward to an unfathomable destination. It is definitely one of the more chaotic songs on the album, countered by what could generously be called a thrashy riff in the chorus. The theme is a little more abstract, dealing with a mass exodus of people in a different existential realm.”







Ethereal Void are inspired by the darkness alive within humanity and within the universe as a whole. Throughout their discography, they explore the concepts of entropy, decay, void, and ruin. This third album diverges from their first two and they expect that it will be a welcome change for existing fans. It is more raw, visceral, and primitive than before.





Tracklisting:


"Overture To Annihilation"
"The Faceless"
"Seeds Of Hatred"
"The Art Of Ruination"
"Psychosomatic Suicide"
"Decay" (Interlude)
"Return To The Void"
"The Brown Stone Spire"
"Gods Of A Dead World"


"Seeds Of Hatred" lyric video:

Death/prog metal band, Subterfuge, will release their new album, Philosopher, this Friday, May 12. The video for the first single, "Seven Kingdoms", can be viewed below.;


Philosopher is the final chapter of an unique musical trilogy started with their previous albums: Projections from the Past (2018) and Prometheus (2019). On the album, the band combines death metal elements with heavy and progressive metal and additionally spiced it up with parts of saxophone.


The material was recorded in an expanded lineup: Kinga Lis (vocals and violin), Mateusz Drzewicz (vocals), Tyberiusz łodwicz (guitar) and Witold Nowak (guitar) were joined by Karolina Kozar (keyboards, flute), Krzysztof Marchwacki (bass) and Łukasz Dziubiński (drums). Their unique musicality, talent and ideas combined with the rest of the band created an absolutely magical mix that fulfill the Philosopher album.




It’s an album different from what you've heard before - it’s eclectic and progressive, gentle and powerful, full of contrasts.


The band announces: "We are taking you to the world of Story Metal where no one has been before, a world of light and darkness, joy and sadness, a world filled with questions that are better left unanswered..."





Tracklisting:


CD1:
"Sic Mundus Creatus Est"
"Seven Kingdoms"
"Mask Of Madness"
"Whisper"
"New Kind Of People"
"Perfect System"
"Poor Man’s Dream"
"Philosopher"


CD2:
"Conflict"
"Course For Annihilation"
"Locked In Dreams"
"Letter Of A Dead Man"
"Depth Of Existence"
"Hide Your Dreams"
"No Epitaphs"
"Harmoniously Resonant"


"Seven Kingdoms" video:

On the first single taken from the forthcoming MER Redux Series instalment, Superunknown Redux, Italian drone doom art collective Ufomammut present their sizzling deep fried take on Soundgarden's "Let Me Drown". Listen to the track below.


The massive double album, Superunknown Redux, has been scheduled for release on July 14. Pre-order here.


Parallel to Superunknown Redux, Magnetic Eye Records will release the by now customary companion album entitled "Best of Soundgarden Redux" that contains further 15 cover versions of deep cuts and all-time classics from across Soundgarden's extensive catalogue recorded by more exciting artists.




Ufomammut comment: "Something was happening to underground music at the end of the eighties", guitarist Poia muses. "It was a time when a particular branch of rock music was becoming more granitic, powerful and real, free from the clichés of classic metal, and inspired by a more raw, punk attitude. Seattle was the epicenter of that 'sonic earthquake' and those waves reached the world and also Italy, at the outskirts of rock, at the beginning of the nineties. This storm changed our lives, forever. We were doomed and decided to form a band, inspired by both the classics of rock and by the new bands we began to love. This link with the past made sense. Also, King Buzzo in an interview once said that 'Nirvana were The Beatles, while Soundgarden were... Led Zeppelin'."


Urlo adds: "We still remember the first time we listened to 'Badmotorfinger', just after it released way back in 1991", the vocalist recalls. "The riffs, the drums, Chris Cornell's vocals slapped us in the face. Soundgarden took the rock of that period to a different level. And with 'Superunknown' they reached perfection. It is a unique and unattainable record. We take it as a big honour to have the chance to pay tribute to those giants and open this album with 'Let Me Drown', a song that sounds perfect in Soundgarden's hands. We began to play it as it was, but immediately understood that making the piece too similar to the original wasn't the way. So, slowly, little by little, we deconstructed it. We tried to understand the spirit of the song, and did our best to transform it into our own vision: a thunderous desperate vortex, inspired by both music and lyrics. Dealing with Kim Thayil's riffs and Chris Cornell's voice was a challenge, but also a very interesting, deeply satisfying experience. We think that, at the end, we’ve created a very Ufomammut song with the backbone of a great Soundgarden classic."





Superunknown Redux tracklisting:


Ufomammut - "Let Me Drown"
High Priest feat. Bobby Ferry (16) - "My Wave"
Marissa Nadler - "Fell On Black Days"
Somnuri - "Mailman"
Valley Of The Sun - "Superunknown"
Frayle - "Head Down"
Spotlights - "Black Hole Sun"
Horseburner - "Spoonman"
Witch Mountain - "Limo Wreck"
Beastwars - "The Day I Tried To Live"
Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - "Kickstand"
The Age Of Truth - "Fresh Tendrils"
Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom feat. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), Igor Sydorenko (Stoned Jesus), Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Eleven), Albert Kuvezin (Yat-Kha) & Utelo - "4th Of July"
Dozer - "Half"
Darkher - "Like Suicide"


"Let Me Down":





(Photo - Francesca de Franceshi Manzoni)

Industrial metal pioneers, Fear Factory, have solidified their importance and have become champions of the metal community. The band recently announced that Re-Industrialized and Mechanize will be available as reissues on June 23 via Nuclear Blast Records.


In celebration of the reissues, the band releases a remixed and remastered version of "Depraved Mind Murder". Watch the visualizer for the single below, and stream the single "New Messiah" here.







Re-Industrialized will be available digitally and in the following formats:


- 2 CD Jewelcase
- 2 LP
 * Silver
 * Clear w/ Black Splatter (Limited to 750)


Pre-order/pre-save Re-Industrialized, here.


The Re-Industrialized reissue features a brand new remix (with live drums), by Greg Reely (Demanufacture, Obsolete, Mechanize), new artwork, and 6 bonus tracks.


Tracklisting:


"The Industrialist"
"Recharger"
"New Messiah"
"God Eater"
"Depraved Mind Murder"
"Virus Of Faith"
"Difference Engine"
"Disassemble"
"Religion Is Flawed Because Man Is Flawed"
"Enhanced Reality"
"Human Augmentation"
"Fade Away" (Recharger Remix by Rhys Fulber and Dino Cazares)
"Noise In The Machine" (Difference Engine Remix by Blush Response)
"Landfill"
"Saturation"
"Passing Complexion"


"Depraved Mind Murder" visualizer:





"New Messiah" lyric video:





Mechanize will be available digitally and in the following formats:


- CD Jewelcase
- 2 LP
 * Smoke
 * Beer w/ Black Splatter (Limited to 750)


Pre-order/pre-save Mechanize here.


Mechanize will feature the album as well as three bonus tracks.


Tracklisting:


"Mechanize"
"Industrial Discipline"
"Fear Campaign"
"Powershifter"
"Christpoitation"
"Oxidizer"
"Controlled Demolition"
"Designing The Enemy"
"Metallic Division"
"Final Exit"
"Martyr" (Re-recorded version)
"Crash Test" (Re-recorded version)
"Sangre De Ninos" (Re-recorded version)

Alternative heavy rock band, The Nocturnal Affair, has released their newest single, a dark re-imagining of the 1997 Depeche Mode hit single, "It's No Good". Listen below.


Produced by John Moyer (Disturbed), the band’s crushing and melancholic musical style is an ode to darker alternative music torchbearers like Type O Negative, HIM, David Bowie, Gary Numan, and Nine Inch Nails. They capture a uniquely haunting sound steeped in downtrodden melodies enveloped in the darkness.


Released on Madison Records with distribution via The Orchard / SONY, "It's No Good" is the first single from their upcoming EP, which will be released in the fall of 2023.







The Nocturnal Affair will be touring with Smile Empy Soul on their 20th Anniversary Tour, alongside opening act The Stone Eye. Launching May 20 in Mountain Home, AR, the tour winds through the the US into June, wrapping up in Little Rock, AR on June 17.

Pride Of Lions, the revered melodic rock band featuring legendary songwriter and The Ides Of March member Jim Peterik, together with powerhouse vocalist Toby Hitchcock, are back with their seventh studio album, Dream Higher, out on June 16.


Once again, Peterik shows why he is a world class songwriter and musician on this new batch of stunning melodic rockers. And his partner in crime in Pride Of Lions, the talented Toby Hitchcock is in as fine a vocal form as he has ever been, belting out these songs with the authority and finesse that only he can.


Watch a lyric video for the title track, "Dream Higher", below, and pre-order/save Dream Higher here.




Jim Peterik has never lost his verve for melodic rock, a style of music he inarguably helped forge. Pride Of Lions showcases everything that you should love about the genre: powerful vocals, thanks to Toby Hitchcock, and unforgettable melodies.


Since the start of Pride of Lions, Jim Peterik wanted to take listeners back to the glory of his best, most successful songs. His name is rightfully in the pantheon of great songwriters in melodic rock due to his love for melody and driving rock. His phenomenal rise to the top was borne on the back of amazing songs he co-wrote like “Eye Of The Tiger” from the film Rocky III ( an indelible classic), “The Search Is Over”, “High On You”, and “I Can’t Hold Back”. Further hits from films followed like “Burning Heart” from Rocky IV and Jim co-wrote the theme song of the seminal animation classic Heavy Metal with Sammy Hagar. A long lasting and fruitful relationship started in 1980 between Jim and the southern-rock group .38 Special, where he co-wrote their platinum hits “Hold On Loosely”, “Caught Up In You”, “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys”, “Fantasy Girl”, and “Rockin’ Into The Night”. Jim has also written with the beloved Lynyrd Skynyrd.





Dream Higher tracklisting:


"Blind To Reason"
"Dream Higher"
"My Destiny"
"Find Somebody To Love"
"Another Life"
"Renegade Heart"
"Driving And Dreaming"
"Through It All"
"Everything To Live For"
"Generational"


"Dream Higher" lyric video:





"Blind To Reason" video:





Lineup:


Jim Peterik- Lead & Background Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Toby Hitchcock - Lead & Background Vocals
Ed Breckenfeld - Drums & Percussion
Mike Aquino - Lead & Power Guitar
Bob Lizik - Bass
Christian Cullen - Keyboards & Orchestration

THE WINERY DOGS, the powerhouse trio consisting of guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen, bassist/vocalist Billy Sheehan and drummer/vocalist Mike Portnoy, have released a music video for the song "Breakthrough". The track is taken from the band's critically acclaimed and aptly named third album, "III", which was released February 3 on the band's Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard) and is available on all digital formats. The first two videos from III, "Mad World" and "Xanadu", were filmed in Los Angeles last November.

"We wanted to release a third video for the album and honestly, it wasn't easy to decide," states Kotzen. "We went with our song 'Breakthrough', because it's already in the live set and is a song our fans have been talking about with us during our meet and greet sessions. Particularly the lyrics and the storyline, 'Because we're who we are, we'll never be what we were,' feels like it is resonating with folks. Rather than do a full-blown script video with actors, we went with a performance style video of the song. Our longtime friend and videographer, Vicente Cordero, came out to visit us on the road and we told him to 'shoot it all. Get as much footage as you can and we shall put something together.' Here it is…we hope you dig it."

The second leg of THE WINERY DOGS' "202III World Tour" included sold-out shows throughout Latin America, and it concludes tonight in Monterrey, Mexico. They'll head out for the third leg, West Coast U.S. dates, beginning May 17 in Los Angeles, California at the Regent Theater before heading over to Europe for two runs in both the summer and fall. Ticket and VIP package info can be found on the band's official web site.

In a recent interview with Robert Cavuoto of Myglobalmind, Portnoy said that THE WINERY DOGS could not exist without any one of its three members. He explained: "[That's] especially [true] with a trio. I mean, if you have a band of four or five people, maybe you could sub somebody out if somebody's sick or somebody can't do a tour or whatever. But when you're down to only three people, those are usually three distinctive personalities. You look at RUSH, look at ZZ TOP, look at THE POLICE, look at KING'S X — I mean, these power trios… CREAM… You have to have those three personalities to make up that sound and style. And it's the same with THE WINERY DOGS. I don't think we could sub out any of us for a show or for a tour. It has to be Mike, Billy and Richie or it can't be THE WINERY DOGS."

"III" is the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed and Billboard-charting album "Hot Streak", which was released October 2, 2015 on Loud & Proud Records via RED (a division of Sony Music Entertainment). After landing in the Top Five on many of Amazon's pre-order charts, including No. 1 on the Amazon BestSellers/Hard Rock chart and No. 1 on the Amazon Pre-Orders/Hard Rock Albums charts, it sold 30% more than their 2013 self-titled debut, landing them on various Billboard album charts including No. 2 on "Top Current Alternative Albums," No. 5 on "Top Current Hard Music" and "Top Hard Music Albums," No. 6 on "Top Current Rock Albums" and "Album Core / Genre Rock," No. 15 "Top Current Physical Albums," No. 16 "Top Current Albums," and No. 30 on the "Top 200 Albums" chart.

Upon its release, "Hot Streak" racked up rave reviews. Allmusic.com hailed, "'Hot Streak' is the trio's second album, and its loose, friendly feel shows that the trio doesn't feel compelled to rely on instrumental pyrotechnics. The bluesy, soulful 'Think it Over' would appeal to those who admire THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, while 'Captain Love' shows that the band also has some hard rock energy to unleash, and the title track lets fly some of the technical proficiency that its members are known for." And GuitarInternational.com praised, "'Hot Streak' picks up where their debut CD left off, but showcases the band coming into their own with straight-ahead rockers like 'Oblivion', 'Captain Love' and 'Devil You Know'."

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Germany's Feuerschwanz have unleashed their second new single, “Berzerkermode“, together with an official music video. The band is set to release their upcoming studio album, Fegefeuer, on July 7 via Napalm Records. Just like on the #1-charting 2021 album Memento Mori, on their  new full-length, the band distances themselves from their past in comedic medieval folk by delivering an earnest metal record.


The catchy Viking party anthem “Berzerkermode“ calls for the listener to join the celebration and “party like a Viking”. The entertaining official music video is full of action, and one can spot features from influencer scottywartooth, also known as TikTok Jesus, and bodybuilders - including Miss Universe.


Feuerschwanz on the epic new music video: “Pump like a viking - Feuerschwanz are in berzerker mode! Our latest work is about martial masculinity, steeled wannabe-vikings and Valkyrs on steroids. To celebrate the ultimate Berzerker party, probably the most famous dweeb in the history of the world becomes a protein-laden bodybuilder in the Viking gym! Don't try this at home. Berzerker mode ON!“







Formed in 2004, the band has gradually shifted from their roots in comedic medieval folk into a much more serious direction. With the switch to Napalm Records ahead of the release of Das Elfte Gebot (2020), Feuerschwanz set their sights entirely on metal - soon becoming one of the most relevant German bands in the genre today. The band’s enormously successful previous album of original music, Memento Mori (2021), even stormed the official German charts, peaking at #1. On Fegefeuer, Feuerschwanz spice up their medieval inspired folk metal with true heavy metal influences.


Fegefeuer kicks off with outstanding opening track “SGFRD Dragonslayer”. Lyrical references to the legendary Siegfried Dragonslayer combine with heavy riffing and Nordic mythology. Successor “Bastard von Asgard” features beautiful vocals by Eluveitie’s Fabienne Erni. The catchy viking party anthem “Berzerkermode” calls for the listener to join the celebration and “party like a viking”, while the first three tracks, as well as heavy “Highlander”, are best proof of the band’s evolution from comedy rock to metal. Other tracks like the intense title track “Fegefeuer”, Lord of the Rings battlechant “Uruk-Hai” and “Die Horde” will be long-time fan favorites.


Fegefeuer stays lyrically true to trademark topics, exploring long forgotten legends and heroic battles, and shows off the band’s extraordinary musical skills. The album will be available in various formats, with some containing the live bonus album Live in Wacken 2022, which includes a recording of their co-headline show from the holy fields. With their new release, Feuerschwanz clearly confirm their outstanding position at the top of the German metal scene.





Fegefeuer will be available in the following formats:


- Deluxe Box incl 2 CD Mediabook with 40 pages booklet & 2CDs (Fegefeuer & Live In Wacken 2022), resin BIC lighter, letter of indulgence, trading card, flag - strictly limited to 2000 units worldwide, exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder
- 2-CD Mediabook Bundle incl. 0,5l jug (height 16cm, weight 1kg) & Mediabook, incl 40 pages booklet, 2CDs (Fegefeuer & Live In Wacken 2022) - strictly limited to 500 units worldwide, exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder
- 3-CD Earbook (Fegefeuer, Live in Wacken 2022, Instrumental) with 48 pages booklet - strictly limited to 1000 units worldwide, exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder and EMP
- 2-LP Red, Black Marbled Vinyl Gatefold Deluxe Box, incl 2 Vinyl (Fegefeuer & Live in Wacken 2022), 24 pages booklet, cloth bag, Record Butler - strictly limited to 500 units worldwide, exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder and EMP
- 2-CD Mediabook Bundle incl. patch & Mediabook, incl 40 pages booklet, 2CDs (Fegefeuer & Live In Wacken 2022) - strictly limited to 300 units worldwide, exclusively available via Feuerschwanz Shop, Napalm Records Mailorder and EMP
- 2-CD Mediabook, incl 40 pages booklet, 2CDs (Fegefeuer & Live In Wacken 2022)
- 1-LP Gatefold Black
- 1-CD Jewel Case, incl 24 pages booklet
- 2-MC Music Cassette Red transparent - strictly limited to 300 units worldwide, exclusively available via Feuerschwanz Shop, Napalm Records Mailorder and EMP
- Digital Deluxe Album
- Digital Album


Pre-order here





Fegefeuer tracklisting:


"SGFRD Dragonslayer"
"Bastard von Asgard"
"Berzerkermode"
"Knochenkarussell"
"Fegefeuer"
"Die Horde"
"Uruk-Hai"
"Highlander"
"Morrigan"
"Eis & Feuer"
"Valkyren"


"Bastard von Asgard" video:





Various limited versions come with the bonus CD, Live in Wacken 2022, recorded during the band's co-headline set at Wacken Open Air 2022. Other versions include the instrumental version of all 11 album tracks.


Live in Wacken 2022 tracklisting:


"Intro (Das Elfte Gebot)" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Memento Mori" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Untot im Drachenboot" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Metfest" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Ultima Nocte" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Schubsetanz" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Methämmer" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Dragostea Din Tei" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Rohirrim" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Das Elfte Gebot" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Warriors Of The World United" (Live in Wacken 2022 / feat. Melissa Bonny)
"Die Hörner Hoch" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Extro" (Live in Wacken 2022)


Feuerschwanz are:


Johanna - violin, hurdy-gurdy
Hauptmann - vocals, guitar
Hodi - flutes, bagpipes, guitars, vocals
Hans - guitar
Jarne - bass
Rollo - drums
Musch Musch - dance & performance
Myu - dance & performance


(Photo - Stefan Heilemann)

In a new interview with Brazil's Heavy Talk, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson was asked if he spoke to the band's leader Dave Mustaine "about a solution" before he was fired from the group in May 2021, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I got one call: 'You're fired.' [Laughs] And I said, 'What the fuck, man?' I said, 'Some shitty fucking people just dropped a bomb on my house. And that's it? It's not even true. It's fucking bullshit. And this is how you treat me?' It was non-negotiable. I mean, I asked. I said, 'I'm gonna take care of it. Let me just deal with it. And it will fucking be done. We'll be ready to go on the road in two months, and everything will be fine.' And it was. Because it was just false allegations and bullshit. But [Dave] didn't wanna know about it. I think he was getting pressure from some other people around him. And it's too bad it went that way. Because it was really nothing. I took care of it. And then once the word came out that I was fired, then it turned into this big fucking thing, which, quite honestly, was very damaging and very hurtful and not fair. I'm glad I don't have that fucking amends on my shoulder, because that was fucked up.

"Look, I have no choice but to have to forgive it so I can move on. I really don't," he continued. "So I don't know what more to say about it other than that. Look, at some point… The damage was done. So you move on. We're all human, and it is what it is. You can't lament it. I've watched how he's treated his dismissal from METALLICA, still bitching about it 40 years later, and I think it looks fucking pathetic. And it's, like, 'You know what? Fix you shit and move on.' And that's how I've chosen to deal with it: fix your shit and move on. And that's why I put out four records in the time the last fucking MEGADETH record came out, and I think every one of 'em are as good or better than the latest MEGADETH record. I think the quality… And part of it is I'm working with great people. Whether they're famous or not doesn't matter. I'm working with good people. They're safe, they're reliable, they're truly men of integrity, and I think that really makes a big difference. I feel safe around them. And the creative process is fun. It's not restrictive. It's unlimited. And so this creative explosion has happened. And again, listen, I'm not trying to be in 85 bands — believe me, I'm not. But it's interesting that there was this sort of post-MEGADETH season here where all these records came out. And rather than try to limit them and restrict them, I'm, like, 'Fuck it. Put 'em out. Let's go.' In a lot of ways, it's turned out okay. It's been fine. And I'm okay. People ask, and I'm, like, 'I'm okay.' It was kind of a weird ending."

Ellefson added: "I mean, look, I knew three things when I met Dave: one, our band was gonna be successful; two, it was gonna be a lot of work; and three, one day this is gonna end really badly. I just could tell. [Laughs] Even at 18 years old, a kid from the farm, naïve as I was, I went, 'Yeah, all three of those things.' And I was right: check, check, check. I certainly didn't see it ending like that. And part of me, I always kind of go, 'Is it really the end of the story?' I mean, look at how it ended in 2002. In 2004 and [200]5, we were in litigation over business matters and stuff, and I ended up going back to the band. So I'd rather not disrespect it and be pissed about it. These are things that you work out privately, not publicly. And the press liked to have a field day with it because it was good clickbait there for a season. But the truth of it is Dave and I aren't talking about it anymore, and that's why I'm not talking about it anymore. At some point, you move on. You let the music do the talking now."

Shortly before Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH, he released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan. He also filed a report with the police department in Scottsdale, Arizona alleging unlawful distribution of sexually explicit images of him by unknown offenders. In the report, Ellefson admitted that he had been exchanging sexual text messages with a Dutch teenager, who captured a video of several of their virtual "masturbating encounters" without his consent and shared them with friends. (According to Ellefson, the woman was 19 at the time of their first virtual sexual encounter.) Ellefson, who lives in Scottsdale, first became aware of the video on May 9, 2021, when the claim "David Ellefson of MEGADETH is a pedophile" appeared on Instagram. Ellefson told police he was notified on May 14 by MEGADETH that the band would be parting ways with him. Three days later, he was fired.

Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — released a statement on May 24, 2021 announcing the bassist's departure from the band. In the statement, Dave said: "We do not take this decision lightly. While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward."

Two days after Mustaine announced Ellefson's latest departure from MEGADETH, the bassist released a follow-up statement in which he vowed to file a "defamation lawsuit" against the person who "illegally posted a very private video" of the bassist and made "false allegations" against him. He also said he was working with the police in Scottsdale "in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted the video. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Ellefson wrote. He went on to say that he was "taking this time to be with my family" and wished his "bandmates" the best with their tour.

Last month, Ellefson was asked by Spain's The Metal Circus if he thinks he was "a victim of unnecessary criminalization" when he was fired from MEGADETH two years ago. Ellefson said: "A hundred percent. Fucking a hundred percent I was. Everything about that was just not okay. [Laughs] But you can spend your life trying to get justice, trying to go down that road, and it's kind of like it always just follows you. I had some good advisors around me, and at some point, it's, like, 'Look, it is what it is. What happened, happened. Just move on.' Life is lived forward, not backward… Own your shit and move on. Which is what I did. The night that a video was put out of me that I knew nothing about, and there it was. And all of a sudden, it's, like, hey, own your shit. All right. Whatever. That happened. Move on. And don't sit there and try to go back and do some spin control or call the publicists. 'Cause that's what some people wanted to do. And I was, like, 'Fuck that.' It is what it is. Just fucking own it and move on. And I'd like to think there's more integrity in just 'own your shit and move on.' … Let that situation help you get better rather than just sit around and hate on everyone."

Pressed about whether he looks back on what happened and thinks what he did was "bad", Ellefson said: "First of all, I'm entitled to a personal life, and I didn't do anything to anyone — period. And that's just the bottom line. And some people set out to really hurt me. And I don't really wanna keep digging this up, because now we're doing the very thing I'm talking, which is not digging it up. We've moved on from it. It is what it is, it was what it was, and I certainly set out to prove what it wasn't. And that's the path I took.

"I think the bigger picture here… 'Cause I think right away… Look, I came forward and [said], 'It is what it is. Sorry. It's embarrassing.' But the fact that I was discounted from my band was clearly… I think people can see, because [the announcement that I was being fired] was personally signed [by Mustaine]… There was other resentments and other things behind that. And I think that's what became clear. And again, I did my best to try to mend that fence and to fix that, but he didn't wanna know about it. So it is what it is.

"I have not spent the last two years walking around saying 'fuck you' and ta-da-da-da-da. If anything, hey, I wish you well. Get on with your life. If that's what it is, then it's better to go our separate ways."

Asked if he is happier now than he was before, Ellefson said: "Very much. And in fact, outside of you and me talking about this, I don't even think about MEGADETH anymore. I really don't — I don't think about it. That whole thing, to me, it's dead to me, to be honest with you."

He continued: "I wasn't unhappy before. I knew what I was walking back into when I came back to MEGADETH. I knew what I was walking back into in 2010, which is why I agreed to only go back for one month and do the 'Rust In Peace' [anniversary] tour. And essentially I saved the day, because they didn't have a bass player, and they were about ready to go play the 'Rust In Peace' album. And [then-MEGADETH drummer] Shawn Drover, who recently was under some pretty shitty attack by a certain person we know, Shawn Drover did the right thing bringing me to MEGADETH. It was the right move for the band, for the legacy, for the fans, for the 'Big Four', for everything around it. Shawn Drover is a hero to MEGADETH. And he brought me back. I agreed to do it for a month. It went well, so we agreed to go to South America. It went well. We agreed to carry on, and we just kind of took it one tour at a time. And that carried on for another 11 years. So as much as there's some recent scrutiny about I should have never been brought back… Well, apparently I should have been, and apparently I should have never been out of there in the first place. And the two times that I've not been there were not of my doing. The first [exit] was over the change of financial splits, and then the second time was clearly of something much bigger — personal grudges and resentments toward me. But that notwithstanding, I knew what I was walking back into. And we had a lot of good times. There was a lot of fun in the 11 years that I came back. Not so much in the recent years. The last couple of years were pretty shitty and pretty difficult, especially trying to make that record [MEGADETH's 2022 album 'The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!']. It was very clear I was not invited into it. I was not welcomed. Clearly Dave did not want me to be part of that story, of that album. And I knew it. So, again, I'm a big boy. I get it. I see it. So that's why when I was dismissed, it was kind of, like, 'Well, all right. Move on from that.' That's why I'm not bitter about this. Now, it didn't end the way I thought it would, but oh, well. MEGADETH's over again. Well, now what? Move on. So I'd already been down this road once before."

Ellefson added: "I think, for me, I always knew when I came back to the group that don't look for your happiness here. Enjoy it. Be thankful for it. It's gonna end. You just don't know when or how, but it will end one day, and it did. So when it happened, I was able to just kind of move on from it and get away from — again — shitty people that did shitty things to me and just kind of close all that down and move on. So I think now there's just a lot more joy in my life. I make music I like with people I like. I'm excited about it."

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

Ellefson was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest exit.

During a brand new chat with That Metal Interview, Richie Faulkner was asked if he got any pushback from JUDAS PRIEST fans when he was initially recruited to replace Kenneth "K.K." Downing in the band more than 12 years ago. The guitarist said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Oh, of course, yeah. The Internet is the Internet, and that's part of the world we live in now. But you do what you do to the best of your ability. I got the gig — the guys in the band picked me — and you've gotta go with that. And of course, there's gonna be negativity.

"Replacing K.K. after 40 years, replacing anyone after 40 years is gonna be a shock to a lot of people who've been with the band for that long. So I totally understand it," he continued. "I probably would have been the same. But I think people understood I wasn't there to replace anyone as such. He left, and I was there… I could never replace Ken. Ken's Ken. I've gotta respect his legacy and do my own thing moving forward, and that's all I can do. But of course you're gonna get negativity. That's part of the world we live in today."

Faulkner added: "People that have been with PRIEST at the time for 40 years, you can imagine, man — they love the band so much, they've been with the band for so many years, and all of a sudden there's a big change like that. Not everyone is gonna be happy about it. And we've got the ability now to voice our opinion publicly, and that's just what it is. As I said, I might have thought the same if — I don't know; I'm trying to think of a different situation or something else where I might have thought the same. If something that had been around for 40 years changed like that, I might have had the same kind of opinion. It's just a natural human emotion, for sure. But it's 'cause they care so much."

Faulkner, nearly three decades Downing's junior, joined PRIEST after K.K. left in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Back in 2019, Faulkner dismissed the criticism he received for supposedly trying to look too much like Downing. "Obviously, you get the [haters] — the 'clone' comments," Richie told the "Let There Be Talk" podcast. "I've got long blond hair, playing a flying V [guitar]… [Michael] Schenker, Zakk [Wylde], K.K., Randy Rhoads — all those guys. To say I was a Ken clone was fairly narrow-minded. There's tons of guys who have flying Vs and long hair.

"The thing is if I had dyed my hair black to be different, I would have been shot down," he continued. "You've gotta be real; you've gotta be who you are. And I grew up on Ken, I grew up on Glenn and the guys that I mentioned. So you've just gotta be who you are. And I grew up with those guys, and I'm not ashamed. I wear it on my sleeve — they're all my influences, and I'm not afraid of that… There's no point in trying to hide it. But it's gotta be natural as well. And I think somehow it worked out organically. I didn't try to copy him. And as it goes on, you always try to do your own thing and make your own statement."

Four years ago, Downing said that he felt like he was "being cloned" when he first found out he was being replaced by Faulkner.

Downing, who announced his retirement from PRIEST in April 2011 after nearly 42 years in the job, admitted to the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast that he was taken aback when he first saw his replacement.

"Richie, as far as I know, is a nice guy and obviously an excellent player," Downing said. "I was a bit disappointed when, basically… I think the idea was to replace me [with a lookalike], so I did feel as though I was kind of being cloned. But I'm not sure that was exactly fair to Richie. I mean, I could be off the mark here, but I think Richie had the right to bring himself to the stage with his own… portray his own image and ability to play the instrument the way that he does. But it is what it is."

He continued: "When Glenn retired from touring [in early 2018], the same didn't happen — obviously, [Tipton's replacement] Andy [Sneap] doesn't look anything like Glenn; he doesn't wear the same clothes, the red pants, guitars or anything like that. So I don't really know what's going on. But it is what it is."

In a 2011 interview with the Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Halford stated about Faulkner's physical resemblance to a younger Downing: "People are saying, 'It's a clone. You've got some of K.K.'s DNA.' It's just the way it turned out. We made, like, a secret search. When we knew K.K. was not gonna be making the tour, we did a lot of secret, kind of, searching for another player. And Richie just happened to be the guy. And he just happens to look a little bit of the K.K. image, you know?! I think it would be silly to say, 'We looked for a guitar player that looks like Ken.' What we want is a very good metal guitar player, and that's what Richie Faulkner is."

Greatest Hits Radio has revealed the Top 300 most-streamed songs by UK artists from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Dubbed the 'Coronation Countdown', the full chartwas revealed across the Bank Holiday weekend.





Greatest Hits Radio’s Network Content Director, Andy Ashton added: "This special Coronation chart has provided a fascinating insight into which of the Greatest Hits from UK music royalty not only stand the test of time but continue to connect with new audiences through streaming. These legendary songs and the legends that made them live on at Greatest Hits Radio and in the hearts of our listeners as they are re-invented, re-released and re-loved all over again."




The full Top 300 Countdown is available to view and listen again to online at greatesthitsradio.co.uk.


The UK's Official Charts has published a portion of the chart. Weighing heavy on "The Official Top 40 Most-Streamed Songs Of The 70s, 80s And 90s By UK Artists" are AC/DC, Queen, and Fleetwood Mac.


Queen appear five times on the chart ("Bohemian Rhapsody" - #2, "Don't Stop Me Now" - #3, "Another One Bites The Dust" - #13, "Under Pressure" with David Bowie - #16, and "We Will Rock You" - #39.


Fleetwood Mac land on the chart with four songs ("Dreams" - #4, "Everywhere" - #5, "The Chain" #7, and "Go Your Own Way" - #10).


AC/DC log three positions on the chart ("Thunderstruck" - #18, "Back In Black" - #21, and "Highway To Hell" - #28).


You can view the complete Top 40 chart at OfficialCharts.com.

Hungarian avant-garde metal act, Thy Catafalque, have released the new song, "Testen túl", from their upcoming album Alföld, out June 16 via Season Of Mist. Listen below:





Meaning “The Earth,” Alföld is grounded in the project’s heavy beginnings. While the record takes a cue from Thy Catafalque’s early days, mastermind Tamás Kátai’s modern progressive instincts shine through, elevating the record beyond the realm of metal as-you-know-it and once again creating a cutting-edge sound that’s far ahead of its time.




Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"A csend hegyei"
"Testen túl"
"A földdel egyenlo"
"Alföld"
"Folyondár"
"Csillagot görgeto"
"A felkelo hold országa"
"Szíriusz"
"Néma vermek"


“A Csend Hegyei” video:





“Néma Vermek” video:

On May 6th, 107.9 The Fox presented the second annual Rock From The Heart concert in Fargo, ND featuring Sebastian Bach to raise money and awareness for aortic health. The show took place at the Avalon Events Center.


Fan-filmed video is available below. The setlist on the night was as follows: 


"Big Guns"
"Sweet Little Sister"
"Here I Am"
"18 and Life"
"Piece of Me"
"The Threat"
"American Metalhead"
"Monkey Business"
"Tom Sawyer" (Rush)
"I Remember You"
"Slave to the Grind"
"Stuck Inside"
"In a Darkened Room"




Encore:
"Youth Gone Wild"





Sebastian Bach's tour schedule is as follows:


May
28 - Boatnik 2023 - Grants Pass, OR
30 - House of Blues - North Myrtle Beach, SC


July
21 - Northern Lights Music Festival 2023 - Escanaba, MI


August 
4 - Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa 2023 - Minnedosa, MB


September 
1 - FanBoy Expo 2023 - Orlando, FL


 

Renowned death metal band Avulsed is back with their second new song after an eight-year hiatus, titled "Intergalactic Gore Wars". The official lyric video can be seen below.





Two months earlier, Avulsed released an official lyric video for "Vile Evil Rotted Over" - the first new music from the band in eight years.




"The song is dedicated in loving memory of Verónica Vázquez (vocalist Dave Rotten's wife) whose life was taken away by the vile evil called Cancer on February 28th, 2022... but she's now eternal in our hearts," says the band.





For further details, visit Avulsed on Facebook.


 

Nexorum, the blackened death metal machine based in Trondheim, Norway, has issued the official video for their new single “The Pestilential Wind”. The song is taken from their sophomore album Tongue Of Thorns, which will be released on May 19, 2023 via Non Serviam Records.





Stream / download “The Pestilential Wind” at this location.







“Behold ‘The Pestilential Wind’, the latest offering from Nexorum. As the haunting melodies and guttural vocals intertwine, one can feel the presence of Pazuzu, the ancient Babylonian demon of the southwest wind, summoned forth by the band's infernal incantations. The blistering beats and eerie guitar riffs create a maelstrom of sound that takes the listener on a journey through a desolate wasteland, ravaged by the disease and suffering that the Pestilential Wind brings. This is a song that drips with malevolent power and unbridled fury, leaving all who hear it in awe of its dark majesty. Join Nexorum on this unholy quest, and let the Pestilential Wind carry you away into the deserts of old,” comments the band.


Events of the past years led Nexorum down a much darker path, emphasizing the elements of black metal in the band's music. As the second horseman of Revelations is currently pushing the world closer and closer to the brink of nuclear holocaust, Famine is sure to follow. Now the end times draw near, Nexorum's upcoming album, Tongue Of Thorns, will serve as a sonic feast to stave off Famine. A fitting soundtrack when the Day of Wrath finally is upon us. 





Tracklisting:


"Shun"
"Solvet Saeclum In Favilla"
"The Pestilential Wind"
"Elegy Of Hate"
"Cult Of The Monolith"
"Eldritch Abominations"
"Sinnets Krig"
"Mother Of Ghouls"
"Wrath Of Zeal"


“Elegy Of Hate” official video: 





“Cult Of The Monolith” visualizer: 





Pre-orders:


- CD 
- Vinyl
- Bandcamp


For further details, visit Nexorum on Facebook.


 

Seven Kingdoms have released a video for the song "A Silent Remedy", taken from their latest release, Zenith, out on Distortion Music Group. The video was shot during the Powerwolf US/Canada tour with footage coming from New York, Worcester and Denver.


Commented Guitarist, Camden Cruz: “We are stoked to drop this video for 'A Silent Remedy'! Playing the shows with Powerwolf was a huge and memorable experience for us as a band, and we thought it would be very cool to capture this song over multiple shows and make a music video out of it. There is no way to explain how awesome those shows were, so what better way than to just simply show it to you?!


"Big shoutout to all the fans that attended and to those we met at the show! I also want to give a big shout out to our team for making this happen. Its a huge relief to find a solid and dedicated home here with Distortion Music Group. The level of work and push we receive from DMG is significant and has simply been unmatched.”

Brazilian modern thrash / death metal band Siriun was created to move the national extreme metal scene with an audacious proposal. The band debuts their new single “Deep Water Flow”, which arrives accompanied by a video clip with cinematographic projections, filmed in Rio de Janeiro, produced by Siriun, directed by Samyr Novelli and edited by Samyr Novelli and Felipe Sales.


The band brings a furious and exciting fusion with varied creative ideas within extreme metal, and the new single "Deep Water Flow" is a call from the unconscious, with a heavy, daring and chaotic proposal, along with the aggressive and very technical sound.







“The protagonist is being dragged by a spiral into deep waters that symbolize the depths of his unconscious. It is the summary of the alchemical journey described in the album, in which the neophyte protagonist, receives the call, is dredged into his own darkness, encounters the most primitive material of his essence and is thus initiated into the mysteries of existence,” comments the band .





For further details, visit Siriun on Facebook.


(Photo: Alessandra Tolc)


 

Ottawa, Canada-based hard-rock trio, The Space Between, have released a video for their new single, "Your Excuses", featured on their upcoming self-titled EP, out June 23.


“We recorded this video with our friend Andrew Parmalee in his home studio here in Ottawa after watching a video he had filmed for another band in this style. We really enjoy his work. We like how this style focuses on just us playing which highlights the music, and with the energy of this song, we feel like it's perfect having us all rock out in the video,” explains Tom Sergi (drums).


Watch the clip below.




Fiery, heavy, and jam-packed full of bangers with hard-hitting sounds and aggressive guitar work, the group’s debut EP takes listeners on a journey through themes of life, death, growth, regret, and self-preservation. Consisting of five tracks, it showcases top-of-the-line musicianship, articulate riffs, and soaring melodies. It was recorded at Audio Valley Recording Studios in Ottawa and engineered by Steve Foley (Chad Kroeger, Carly Rae Jepsen, Flo-rida) and co-produced by Foley and The Space Between.


To celebrate the release of the EP, The Space Between will be hosting a special release show on June 24 at Cafe Dekcuf in the heart of Ottawa with support from Varitones.





Tracklisting:


"Your Excuses"
"The Cage"
"Cut Through"
"So Happy"
"Time"


"Your Excuses" video:





Formed in 2022 and having already sold-out shows in their home city and Canada’s capital, The Space Between are ones to watch with their visceral blend of hard rock and metal. The group consists of three members, frontwoman and vocalist Maryn Pegan, guitarist James Shaheen and drummer Tom Sergi. Together, their explosive energy and stage presence grabs attention like no other. The Space Between are unafraid to challenge themselves and the status quo, making them a deadly mix and one hell of a powder keg ready to blow.


(Photo: Laura Collins)

Mentalist and former Blind Guardian drummer, Thomen Stauch, has released a drum playthrough video for the title track of Blind Guardian's Somewhere Far Beyond album, released in 1992. Watch below:





Thomen previously posted a drum playthrough of "Time What Is Time", also featured on the Somewhere Far Beyond album.

After a long hiatus, Obliveon, the highly acclaimed Montreal-based progressive metal band, is back with a brand new album. The album, set to be released in May 2024, is highly anticipated by fans of the band, who have been eagerly waiting for new music. The band is also launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the album, with various rewards for backers.





Obliveon has been a fixture in the Canadian and international metal scene since the late 80s, with a unique sound that blends intricate guitar riffs, technical drumming, and soaring vocals. The band's previous albums, including From This Day Forward, Nemesis, Cybervoid and Carnivore Mothermouth, have received critical acclaim and have become classics of the progressive metal genre.




The new album, which will be Obliveon's first in over two decades, promises to be an exciting addition to the band's already impressive discography. With the addition of new bass player Antoine Baril, fans can expect a fresh sound that stays true to Obliveon's progressive roots while also incorporating new elements.


The Kickstarter campaign will offer fans a chance to support the band and be a part of Obliveon's musical journey. Backers will have access to exclusive rewards, such as signed copies of the new album, limited-edition merchandise, and more.


"We are thrilled to be back and making music together again," says guitarist Pierre Rémillard. "The new album is something we've been working on for a long time, and we're excited to share it with our fans. We're also grateful for the support of our fans through our Kickstarter campaign, which will help us bring our music to the world."


Obliveon's new album promises to be a tour de force of progressive metal, and the Kickstarter campaign is a unique opportunity for fans to be a part of the band's journey. Stay tuned for more updates on the album and campaign, and get ready to experience the return of Obliveon.


Find the Kickstarter campaign here.


(Photo - Steve Gerrard)

Swedish hard rockers, S.O.R.M, have released their new single, "I Die For My Rock 'n' Roll", the first taste of the band's debut album, which will be coming out in 2023 via Noble Demon.





With "I Die For My Rock N Roll", the Swedish trio already sets the bar high in S.O.R.M style. With a top-class guest contribution by none other than Nick Petrino, the guitarist of Dee Snider, the track offers pretty much everything the rock n' roll heart desires and immediately makes you want more. Catchy melodies, memorable sing-alongs and the spirit of something that is more than just music.




The track is accompanied by a new music video, which you can watch below.


Says the band: ""I die for my rock n roll. The song is a statement. Never give up on your dreams no matter what. Don’t let anyone make that decision for you. In the long run it’s not worth it. So remember, follow your dreams!"

Long-running San Diego, California deathgrind outfit, Cattle Decapitation, has offered up a playthrough video for their latest single, "Scourge Of The Offspring". Watch below:





"Scourge Of The Offspring" appears on Cattle Decapitation's tenth studio album, Terrasite, set for release May 12 via Metal Blade Records. A new unboxing video can be viewed below:







Though many bands have tried, no one articulates the real apocalypse humanity is facing as vividly and succinctly as Cattle Decapitation. With 2019's Death Atlas, they reached the apex of this, perhaps leading some to believe they had no place left to go beyond such an achievement, but alas, they return with Terrasite, which is as bold a statement as they have ever made. Roaring to life with the savage yet hauntingly melodic "Terrasitic Adaptation" and advancing through the likes of the relentless "We Eat Our Young" and culminating with the ten-plus minutes of "Just Another Body," it's an album that constantly shifts dynamics and demands a variety of emotional responses.


The record pushes the Cattle Decapitation sound further into more epic and varied territory, and in the hands of vocalist Travis Ryan the governing concept takes a new and disturbing direction. "I wanted to do the 180° opposite of Death Atlas. I already had the concept idea from years back and since Death Atlas was so dark and brooding, I wanted a completely opposite effect - I wanted this to take place in the daylight. I've always found daytime horror to be really unsettling so I wanted to make sure what was going on on the cover took place in the light of day, which also finds its place within the lyrics."


When asked to elaborate on where he is coming from lyrically on this record, Ryan states frankly, "from a place of distress. Anger, rage, resentment, depression, anxiety, a poor outlook on our species both on a day-to-day level, a broader, worldly level as well as a philosophical level."


Terrasite, which features the artwork by longtime collaborator Wes Benscoter (Vader, Kreator, Bloodbath, Hypocrisy), was produced by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Allegaeon) and includes Tony Parker of Midnight Odyssey handling piano and synths.





Terrasite will be available as a jewel case CD, digitally, and on vinyl in the following color variants:


- "The Fleshy Architect" Orange/Peach Marble vinyl (US exclusive)
- "Hadean Eon" Orange Blend vinyl (US exclusive)
- "Gomorrah's Flora" Green Blend vinyl (US exclusive)
- "Winds Of Solastalgia" Purple Blend vinyl (US exclusive)
- 180g Black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- "Pupa To A Nymph" LP1: Black Ash Smoke vinyl - LP2: Transp. Skin Marble vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 700 copies)
- "Irradiated Alight" Sunset Marble vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- "Living Death Spirituality" White w/ Purple Splatter vinyl (EMP exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- "Terrasitic Jizzplosion" Clear w/ Gold Splatter vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- "Life Finds A Way" Clear w/ Green + Purple Splatter vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)


Pre-order here.


Cover art by Wes Benscoter.





Terrasite tracklisting:


"Terrasitic Adaptation"
"We Eat Our Young"
"Scourge Of The Offspring"
"The Insignificants"
"The Storm Upstairs"
"…And The World Will Go On Without You"
"A Photic Doom"
"Dead End Residents"
"Solastalgia"
"Just Another Body"


"Scourge Of The Offspring" video:





"We Eat Our Young" video:





(Photo - Nick Van Vidler)

Australia's extreme metal titans THY ART IS MURDER have announced their long-awaited new album, "Godlike", due on September 15. "Godlike" marks THY ART IS MURDER's first 100% independently released record, to be made available worldwide via the band's own label Human Warfare.

THY ART IS MURDER has also shared the devastating new single "Join Me In Armageddon". Opening with a foreboding riff that feels like you're being marched into the arms of evil, heed the warning of THY ART when they advise to "dress warm for nuclear winter."

"'Join Me In Armageddon' is a song that started off with one idea, self destruction," says guitarist Andy Marsh. "I suppose throughout this record, we have ended up touching on a lot of themes that came to the fore these last few years, for us, and maybe you, as well. Loss, distance, doubt, pressure, and tension have made their way through our lives and now are intertwined and immortalized in this record — 'Godlike'."

THY ART IS MURDER ascended the ranks of extreme metal's top-tier bands with a meteoric underground rise as explosive as humankind's seemingly inevitable descent into doom and death. With "Godlike", Australia's most harrowingly brutal export since George Miller's "Mad Max" franchise invites audiences worldwide to join them in a fresh Armageddon.

The sixth explosive album in the band's arsenal, "Godlike" cements THY ART IS MURDER as death metal's modern torchbearers. A soundtrack to a divisive post-modern dystopia, "Godlike" sees THY ART IS MURDER explore new depths and dynamics without sacrificing an ounce of intensity or urgency the band have staked their career on.

Recorded with their longtime producer and mixer Will Putney, across the album’s 10 nihilistic tracks THY ART are masters of their craft as they deliver sharp stabs, guttural descents and groove with muscular athleticism and confidence. Frontman CJ McMahon gives his strongest performance ever as he belts through lyrics that thematically confront how cycles of violence continue over time and feelings of separation in a hyper-polarized world.

THY ART IS MURDER's thinking-person's blackened death metal has challenged, provoked and inspired audiences around the world. Through relentless hard work, THY ART have become one of the most successful extreme metal bands Australia has ever produced, making history on their own terms. Backed by an uncompromising discography, the two-time ARIA Award nominees have smashed chart records in their native country, becoming the first homegrown extreme metal act to debut in the Top 5 with 2017's "Dear Desolation".

Their electrifying and incendiary performances have seen the band do countless laps of the globe, becoming tourmates with genre titans like CANNIBAL CORPSE, SLAYER, KREATOR, LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and PARKWAY DRIVE, alongside playing crucial festivals like Summer Breeze, Download, Graspop Metal Meeting and Wacken Open Air.

"Godlike" track listing:

01. Destroyer Of Dreams
02. Blood Throne
03. Join Me In Armageddon
04. Keres
05. Everything Unwanted
06. Lesson In Pain
07. Godlike
08. Corrosion
09. Anathema
10. Bermuda

Minus Head Records has set a July 7 release date for the seventh full-length album from long-running Sacramento, California hardcore quintet WILL HAVEN. The official music video for the LP's latest single, "5 Of Fire", can be seen below.

Arguably the dimmest and most fierce material from WILL HAVEN to date, the ten songs on "VII" take longtime fans back to the band's earliest releases in their groove-heavy darkness, while the band continues to expand on their atmospheric and immersive qualities, forging a record that covers all the band's bases while still showcasing a forward-thinking unit forging a modern sounding album.

"VII" was recorded at Pus Cavern Studios in Sacramento, engineered by Joe Johnston (DEFTONES, DANCE GAVIN DANCE, HOODS),produced and mixed by Joe Johnston and WILL HAVEN, and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. The record also features guest vocals and additional lyrics on "Evolution Of A Man" by Reykjavik Osburn Bigfeather, and the final note of "La Ultima Nota" was played by WILL HAVEN fans.

Having released the album track "Wings Of Mariposa" last year as an early harbinger of what was to come with "VII", today a video for the album's second single "5 Of Fire" has been released. The new video was directed by David Owen Blackley of Her Name Is Murder Productions, who was also responsible for WILL HAVEN's "Foreign Films II" documentary released last year.

Guitarist Jeff Irwin states: "'5 Of Fire' is to me the blueprint for this record; it's heavy, chaotic, with different moods and tempo changes. We wanted to challenge ourselves by writing live in real time, and this song was the one to set that off. I love how it came out and I find myself going back and listening to it over and over again. I still find something new every time I listen."

Reflecting on the "VII" album, he says, "We began working on songs right before Covid hit, so we spent those years just messing around with ideas, riffs, and arrangements. The creation of this record was a bit of a process, but it gave us an escape from everything else going on in the world. To this day, I am still trying to wrap my head around this record. It's heavy, chaotic, mellow, beautiful, and dark. It's more of an art piece than your normal standard songs, and that's exactly what we wanted. I love hearing it in its entirety and am looking forward to performing all of the songs. It's even more of a journey when you hear it live."

WILL HAVEN is booking live events in support of the album, having confirmed a "VII" release show in Sacramento, California on the day the album hits stores, July 7. The band will also play Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama on August 23 alongside HATEBREED, TURNSTILE, BANE, PENNYWISE, YOUTH OF TODAY, JUDGE, TERROR, STRIFE, THURSDAY, and dozens more. Expect additional live updates to be announced in the weeks ahead.

"VII" track listing:

01. Luna
02. 5 Of Fire
03. For All Future Time
04. Evolution Of A Man
05. Paloma's Blessing
06. Wings Of Mariposa
07. Diablito
08. No Stars To Guide Me
09. Feeding The Soil
10. La Ultima Nota

WILL HAVEN is:

Grady Avenell - vocals
Jeff Irwin - guitar/keyboard/vocals
Mitch Wheeler - drums
Adrien Contreras - bass
Sean Bivins - keyboards/piano

Photo by Eric Rivera

In a new interview with "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern", former DEEP PURPLE and current WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale reflected on his friendship with legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio who died in 2010. "I met Ronnie in '73, '74 — God bless him," David said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "He was with ELF, who became RAINBOW. But they were on Purple Records, so we would take them all over the world as an opening act… I'd known Ronnie for two lifetimes."

Asked what he thought of Ronnie as a singer, David said: "Oh my God. He was fabulous. You listen to [Roger Glover's album] 'The Butterfly Ball [And The Grasshopper's Feast]'," which Coverdale had also guested on, "and that's Ronnie's voice. The darker elements, I wasn't — as much as they're beautiful singing, there were some things that I didn't think were him. But they were incredibly successful. But I've heard Ronnie sing just beautiful melodies and songs, and he was just amazing. But he made a super, super career, and gave me two guitarists. He said, 'What am I doing? I'm finding a guitarist, breaking them in and then you take them' [laughs] — with Viv Campbell and Doug Aldrich."

Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and DIO, died of stomach cancer in May 2010 at the age of 67.

Ronnie was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. The singer was diagnosed with cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

Ronnie's memoir, "Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography", was released in July 2021 via Permuted Press. It was written with longtime friend of 30 years and esteemed music writer Mick Wall, who took up the mantle after Ronnie's passing.

"Dio: Dreamers Never Die", the first-ever career-spanning documentary on the life and times of Ronnie James Dio, will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release in September.

"Dio: Dreamers Never Die" had its television premiere last December on Showtime. It is also available to stream via the Showtime app.