KIX drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant rejoined his bandmates on stage for one song during the band's set on Sunday (April 30) aboard this year's Monsters Of Rock cruise. It marked his first live appearance with KIX since he collapsed onstage six months ago.

Fan-filmed video of Chalfant performing "Cold Blood" with KIX on Monsters Of Rock can be seen below (courtesy of Andrew Shaner).

On November 18, 2022, Chalfant apparently suffered a heart attack during KIX's concert at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, Virginia. Chalfant was unconscious and carried offstage before performing the last song of the show.

For its recent live appearances, including the Monsters Of Rock cruise KIX has been using drummer Matt Starr, who has previously played with Ace Frehley, MR. BIG and BLACK SWAN, among others.

Two months ago, Chalfant shared a social media update on his health, saying that he was "working hard to get back into playing shape" and admitting that he had encountered "a couple of setbacks." He added that he didn't know if he would "ever be able to get back to where" he was before. Chalfant went on to praise Matt Starr as "an amazing drummer/vocalist" and said that he was "humbled and honored that [Matt] has agreed to help us out."

Back in September 2021, Chalfant suffered a heart attack at his home and was rushed to the hospital. He had immediate surgery to insert two stents in his heart then another surgery the next day for another stent.

KIX was founded in 1977 and released its first, self-titled album on Atlantic Records more than 40 years ago. Their breakthrough came with 1988's "Blow My Fuse", which sold nearly a million copies, thanks to "Don't Close Your Eyes". The band continued to ride the hard-rock wave until 1995, when KIX took a hiatus. Nearly 10 years later, KIX reunited and started touring regionally. A 2008 performance at the Rocklahoma festival led to more gigs and the release of a live DVD/CD called "Live In Baltimore" in 2012. In 2014, KIX released its seventh full-length album, "Rock Your Face Off", the band's first studio effort since 1995's "Show Business".

Jazz Sabbath, the jazz trio helmed by Adam Wakeman that plays jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath songs, has released their version of "Orchid" for International Jazz Day.


"Orchid" was the bonus track on the 2022 mono Record Store Day edition of Vol. 2, only available to those who were able to get a copy last year.
Until now. The track is available on every digital platform from today. This is the stereo version; the mono version will forever only live on vinyl.


"Orchid" first appeared on 1971's Master Of Reality. Jazz Sabbath's version is close to the original in length; under 2 minutes. Unlike their version of "Paranoid", which is almost 8 minutes.




Stream "Orchid" here, and listen below.

BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T, has completed recording its new album, "Merciless". The follow-up to 2020's "Carnivore" is tentatively due later this year via Century Media.

Earlier today (Monday, May 1),Ice-T tweeted: "FYI... I just finished the final Vocals for the NEW @BodyCountBand album 'MERCILESS' this weekend.. Now the album just has to be mixed.. Stay Tuned.. Coming soon!"

Last October, Ice-T told Darren Paltrowitz, host of the "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz", about the upcoming BODY COUNT LP: "Will Putney's producing again. We've had three consecutive great albums working with Will; he understands. I call him 'the Dr. Dre of metal,' because he has the ability to produce different groups but make them sound like themselves, but just better.

"We did 'Carnivore', and right [when] our first date of touring was supposed to start, COVID hit," he continued. "COVID hit, shut down all the stateside tour; 35 European festivals shut down; and we didn't really get to really perform the album; we didn't get to go out, and that kind of sucks.

"You make albums to perform 'em; you don't make 'em just [to sit at home]. And we won a Grammy on that one. That was great; that was a great accolade. It kind of took the sting out of dropping an album to a dead scene; it took the sting out of it. But then the label's, like, 'Okay, we'll do another album.' And I'm, like, 'Wait a minute. We didn't even really get this one out good."

Regarding how he goes about recording vocals for a new BODY COUNT album, Ice-T said: "Usually when I do songs, I'll do the songs but I don't complete 'em. Like, if there's gonna be three verses, I'll sing two and then I kind of live with them, and maybe that way I can think about how I wanna end the song and how I wanna change it up.

"I'm at a point now… When I first used to do albums, I would do, like, 20 songs and then try to pick 12. Now I'm very difficult to find the music, so by the time I pick 12, those are the 12 songs. I'm not doing a whole bunch of recording just to find that… I know what I'm doing. I'm like that photographer that knows how to just wait until the right moment to take the picture: 'Okay, that's one… two.' Versus the guy [who takes a bunch of pictures one after the other]. I don't need to do that.

"So the 'Merciless' album is sounding pretty hard, though," Ice-T added. "We named the motherfucker 'Merciless'."

"Carnivore" continued the path of its uncompromising and critically acclaimed predecessors, "Bloodlust" and "Manslaugther", in pairing Ice-T's impassioned and socio-critical lyrics with thick guitar riffs and nods to metal and hardcore greats like SLAYER, METALLICA, PANTERA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Guest musicians on the LP included Amy Lee (EVANESCENCE),Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER),Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Riley Gale (POWER TRIP).

BODY COUNT was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, which was held in March 2021 in Los Angeles. BODY COUNT was nominated for "Bum-Rush", a track from "Carnivore".
FYI... I just finished the final Vocals for the NEW @BodyCountBand album 'MERCILESS' this weekend.. Now the album just has to be mixed.. Stay Tuned.. Coming soon! 💥 pic.twitter.com/qXq7vOSgUK

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) May 1, 2023

Tom Keifer's #KEIFERBAND has released the official music video for the song "Untitled". Drawing inspiration from the classic album cuts of the '70s vinyl era, "Untitled"'s unconventional, nearly six-minute arrangement is the antithesis of today's radio single format. Written by Tom and Savannah Keifer, the heavy, dark jam and lyric of "Untitled" screams a cautionary tale of evil, deception and the consequences that follow.

The video for "Untitled", produced and edited by Joshua Smith, is stylized in the black, white and red colors of the "Rise" album art and illustrations, painting the message of the song with an edgy, haunting, in-your-face performance.

Along with the "Untitled" music video premiere, Cleopatra Records has announced the release of a special edition splatter-designed vinyl of #KEIFERBAND's critically acclaimed album "Rise" with a 20-page 11"x11" full-color illustrated lyric booklet that's due out July 7. F

2023 will commemorate the ten-year anniversary of #KEIFERBAND and ten years of incredible memories with their fans. The band will be celebrating the milestone this year on their "Live Loud 2023" tour along with WINGER and John Corabi. Plenty of high-energy shows combining all the classic hits of CINDERELLA and new favorites from the solo releases are set to launch June 15 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Buckhead Theater. The lineup varies for some shows.

Keifer's story begins as the singer-songwriter, guitarist and frontman of hard rock heavyweights CINDERELLA. His signature voice, guitar and bluesy, no-B.S. arena-shaking songwriting, played an integral role in moving records to the tune of 15 million worldwide. Tom Keifer is enjoying continued success recording and touring with #keiferband — Tom Keifer, Savannah Keifer, Tony Higbee, Billy Mercer, Kendra Chantelle, Jarred Pope and Kory Myers — releasing two critically acclaimed solo albums, "The Way Life Goes" and "Rise".

"Rise", released in September 2019 on Cleopatra Records, features the rousing, rollicking rock singles "The Death Of Me" and "Hype". Both singles landed in the Billboard Mainstream Rock Top 40. Keifer's deep-seated roots shine through to the very core on "Rise", something that was embedded at the very heart of his music created during the multiplatinum CINDERELLA days.

"When this band came together, we all felt a bit like broken souls, each with our own unique story," Tom explained. "If you ask anyone in the band, they would all say this band came along at just the right time. Every human who walks this planet faces challenges and extreme adversity they have to overcome. As a band, we feel fortunate to be able to face those things together. There is a piece of every band member in the 'The Death Of Me' as well as throughout the entire 'Rise' album."

The common thread to each song on "Rise" is the intuitive interplay between each member of #keiferband, a tight but loose collective that's spent the last few years on the road honing their live craft together. "Rise" is the studio-bred equivalent of a band just now realizing the full scope of its powers.

"We were trying to capture the feeling of what people have witnessed live with this band," Keifer explained. "There's an off-the-rails, real live feel to 'Rise' — and that's what we were going for. It shows a real kind of angst and reckless abandon that we tried not to polish too much. And when we pull it back on the ballads, it's more about the emotion, the soul, and making people feel something in a different way."

"To me, the perfect rock and roll record is perfectly fucked up," Keifer said with a hearty laugh. "You try to make each record interesting and different. I don't ever want to make the same record twice, even though there's a common thread between them. Everything doesn't have to be perfectly in place, but there is a balance you try to strike. Sometimes there may be something about it that's technically not 'right,' but there's a vibe, an energy and an attitude to it that I always try to preserve."

In March 2022, Keifer said that he was "not prepared" for the 2021 passing of CINDERELLA guitarist Jeff LaBar. Jeff was found dead by his wife, Debinique Salazar-LaBar, on July 14, 2021 inside his apartment in Nashville. He was 58 years old.

"I've gotta tell you, you're never really ready for that kind of loss; you're not prepared to hear that kind of thing," Keifer told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". "And everyone is still trying to grieve and process it. It's an emotional topic. Jeff was just such a passionate, amazing person, musician, human. He had a huge heart. And it was a tough one, man. It still is, for everybody."

Tom continued: "Jeff and I had a really good relationship throughout out career. Obviously, in bands there's times when you have differences; that's part of being in a band. It's true what people say about bands — that they're like a family, but, honestly, it's like that and even more intense, because there's so many different facets that inform the dynamics between bands; everything from business to creativity and everything in between. But despite any differences that we've had over the years, and the band in general, as I've always said, we've never aired anything like that.

"Jeff and I had a great relationship," Keifer repeated. "I loved Jeff — I really did — and have so many great memories of our journey together. He was amazing, and not just what he contributed to the music. Jeff had such a great sense of humor, and some of my favorite memories with Jeff are just kind of cutting up together on the bus. We were both big movie fans and could quote pretty much all our favorite movies. And we'd sit in the front lounge and quote 'Arthur' and 'The Big Lebowski' and 'Caddyshack'. He was just a really passionate, really fun guy to be around, and obviously, an amazing performer. He was a huge part of CINDERELLA.

"Like I said, you're never ready for that. And everyone is really honestly… I'm in touch with Eric [Brittingham, bass] and Fred [Coury, drums] regularly — everybody close to him — and we're still trying to process it. We really are."

Although CINDERELLA hasn't released a new studio album since 1994's "Still Climbing", the band started playing sporadic shows again in 2010 but has been largely inactive for the last few years while Keifer focused on his solo career.

Photo credit: Tammy Vega

Astral Sleep hails from Tellus, Finland. The group has wreaked havoc on the metal genre since 2005, and is thus currently one of the oldest doom metal bands from Finland that is still active. Their mission is finding eternal bliss in the world on its inevitable trajectory towards doom.


Astral Sleep's music fuses various styles into an unique entity dubbed "Astral Doom Musick." The boundaries of different sub-genres of doom are ripped apart, mingled with pieces of metal, jazz, rock, and noise and sown back together into the monstrosities that they are. The lyrical themes span the realms of dreams and astral planes, but entail also philosophical takes on life and death, the end of the world and the very essence of existence and soul.


The bands fourth album, We Are Already Living In The End Of Times, is set for release via Sliptrick Records later in the year. Check out "Torment In Existence" from the album below.







Astral Sleep are:


Markus Heinonen – Vocals, Guitars 
Jaakko Oksanen – Bass 
Jiri Pyörälä – Drums 
Santeri Kangasmetsä – Guitars 
Rolle Heinonen – Synths

Halifax, Canada's The Bloody Hell are sharing their new DIY music video, "Hide Away", to follow their two previous videos, "Nobody Cares About America Anymore" and "When You're Gone", that they worked and collaborated with a digital artist and a stop motion artist to bring the songs, stories, and videos alive.


For the new video "Hide Away", the band decided to go full DIY to capture the energy and image of the band and song, in a more stripped-down and raw visual approach. It was shot in January/February of 2023 by the band themselves and edited together by guitar player/singer Ian Kean in a true DIY fashion.


Drummer Kean Cantfell comments: "The main challenge with doing the video ourselves was making it not look like it was just four guys in their jam space. We didn't have much of a budget for this project but with some cool camera techniques and fancy editing, it achieved that goal quite nicely. The video is dark, personal, and moves quickly, which is a great visual representation of the song itself. DIY or die."




The video is in support of their latest album, Nobody Cares, released in November of last year.





Since forming in 2017, The Bloody Hell has gotten dirtier and more polished at the same time, with the band infecting fans with their pop-cultural hooks and concepts, while the guitars keep getting louder and the vocals becoming uglier. The Bloody Hell is pretty much what would happen if George Thorogood sang for the Misfits, but all the songs were written by Tom Petty.


With their super catchy horror rock songs about drinking and heartache, The Bloody Hell play at a punk rock speed with a lineup that features vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean (guitar, vocals), guitarist and pianist James Densley also known from Bubbles and The Shit Rockers, the band fronted by the character Bubbles from the hit TV show The Trailer Park Boys, drummer Kyle Cantfell (Elektric Mistress), and bassist Joe Woods (Root Cellar).


In November 2022, the band released their long-awaited follow-up to their 2018 debut self-titled album. Entitled Nobody Cares, the sophomore record took about 3 years to complete due to Covid restrictions, lockdown, and all the madness that was the pandemic. This latest album features The Bloody Hell's signature sound of raspy aggressive, catchy horror, and politically charged antics over nine tracks that clock in at just over 28 minutes. From tracks like "Hide Away" with its fast punky driving riff and slick earworm guitar lead to "Barbra" a cover of an old Canadian punk song by Vancouver legends Modernettes to even having saxophone on "G" along with added piano on "As Above" and "So Below", punk fans will find it to be an energetic and passionate sonic experience that conveys stories from lived experiences that many can relate to.


"With this album, we feel our sound has evolved nicely from the previous record released in 2018. We have worked hard to shape our songwriting and storytelling abilities and that is thoroughly displayed over the nine tracks on this album. Our songwriting has progressed and we hope that people hearing us for the first time will find something in our sound to relate to or sing along with." adds vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean.


Suitable for a variety of fans, The Bloody Hell cites influences ranging from Misfits, Nirvana, and Motorhead, anyone who enjoys a fun and dirty romp with a bull horn of grungy vocals.


Nobody Cares is available on all digital platforms, and on cassette here.





Tracklisting:


"As Above"
"Hide Away"
"When You’re Gone"
"Barbra" (Modernettes cover)
"G"
"Nobody Cares About America Anymore"
"Rulers of the Night"
"Dead to Me"
"So Below"


"When You’re Gone" video:





"Nobody Cares About America Anymore" video:





(Photo - Ian Kean)

In 1997, Long Island, NY's Pyrexia unleashed one of their OSDM classic records, System Of The Animal. Set to unleash a re-recorded 25th-anniversary edition of the album with its current band lineup that consists of Chris Basile (guitar), Shaun Kennedy (bass), Jim Beach (vocals), and John Glassbrenner (drums), the punishing brutal death metallers are sharing a new lyric video for the track "Purging The Nemesis".


Stream the track on here, and watch the clip below.


Band co-founder and guitarist Chris Basile say about the track: "This track is probably the most ferocious on the album. Pure brutal death metal, vintage 1997. Only this time you can hear the riffs and feel the drums."







The 25th Anniversary edition of System Of The Animal was recorded at Chapel Sound on Long Island, NY, and was mixed and mastered at Demigod Studios by Miguel Tereso. With System Of The Animal 25, Pyrexia provides the blueprint for OG Brutality. It's fierce, angry, and in your face. This album will not leave your playlist. So put on your moshing shoes for this one. Heads will be banging and elbows flying.


"This album was ahead of its time in 1997. I don't think a lot of people were ready for such a mix of Brutal Death Metal VS. Beatdown Hardcore. When people hear this material with the production we put together with Demigod Studio, combined with the fact that the music was written in the mid-90s. I think it puts Pyrexia in a whole new light for a lot of people. I think the songwriting is really going to stand out for listeners bored with bands that put out the same album over and over," says Basile.


System Of The Animal 25 is due out on June 6t via the band's label Gravitas Entertainment. Album pre-order (CD, vinyl) is available here.





Tracklisting:


"Confrontation"
"Downsized"
"System Of The Animal"
"Closure"
"Purging The Nemesis"
"Day One"
"Unscathed"
"G.F.Y.S. (Go Fuck Your Self)"


"Unscathed" lyric video:





(Photo - Jim Wertman)

Today, Chris Caffery presents the new single, "May Day", the first new song by the Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist in five years. The official video can be seen below.


Chris Caffery comments: "We all have times in our lives when we may need to call for help. This help may need to come from friends or family, from the lord or from within yourself. The world has gotten darker and more evil as we enter deeper into cyberspace and the future. People and things are not always as they may seem. Images of yourself can even have the mirror show you as a stranger. You may feel at times like you are living a nightmare and the only place you are safe is in your dreams - a role reversal from living the dream and falling asleep into the nightmares."


Continuing, Caffery adds, "Dark and evil shapes can rise into your life, ones you never saw coming. They can be demons inside friends, strangers, or even yourself. Time to exorcise the demons and reach to the sky for the power within. The only true way to move forward is to give that final goodbye. Not to yourself, or your friends, but the evil inside of all of us. Ignoring the darkness and being saved by the light is the true meaning and message of my 'May Day' - a call for help within myself - because in the end, only I can determine whether or not I will live the dream or the nightmare! Peace!"





 
Lineup:


Chris Caffery - all guitars and vocals
Brian Tichy - drums
Sean McNabb - bass


Recording info:


Produced, engineered, and mixed by Chris Caffery
Drums recorded by Brian Tichy; additional drum engineering by Aldo Linoble
Bass recorded by Sean McNabb
Music and lyrics written by Chris Caffery

Singer, songwriter and guitarist, founding member of the Original Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman, has taken to social media after the passing of his brother, Tim Bachman, last Friday. Randy wrote:


"I haven’t posted because my heart has been heavy but the news has announced my brother Tim passed this weekend. I am the last of my family on this side with all my memories of our life growing up in Winnipeg. So grateful for that. I’m sure my parents welcomed him home with my other 2 brothers who have passed in quick succession since the pandemic. I was the oldest. Rest in Peace, Timmy with mummy, daddy, Gary & Robbie." #family #Winnipeg #Canada #RIP







uDiscover Music reported that Tim Bachman, one of the founders of Canadian rock favorites Bachman-Turner Overdrive, died at the age of 71. His son Ryder announced the news in a Facebook post on April 28th.


“My Dad passed this afternoon,” he wrote, having previously revealed that his father had been in a hospice after fighting brain cancer. “Thank You Everyone for the kind words. Grateful I got to spend some time with him at the end. Grab yer loved ones and hug ’em close, ya never know how long you have.” His brother Robbie died in January.


Guitarist / vocalist Tim Bachman was born on August 1, 1951 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and played in the later line-up of BTO’s forerunners, Brave Belt. He co-founded the hard rock figureheads in 1973 with brothers Randy and Robbie Bachman, and Fred Turner. Signing with Mercury Records, they achieved Top 10 success in Canada with their self-titled debut that year, on which Tim co-wrote and sang lead vocals on "Down And Out Man". The album also contained their Billboard Hot 100 debut, "Blue Collar" and later achieved gold status in the US.














(Top photo - Ryder Bachman)


 

On April 28th, German rockers Fair Warning shared the sad news that guitarist Helge Engelke has passed away at age 61:


"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we have to inform you that our dear friend and guitarist, Helge Engelke, has passed away unexpectedly yesterday, on April 28, 2023. He died in hospital after complications occurred with a colon tumor which only had been discovered two days before.


Speaking for all of us, this is a tremendous loss, both as a friend and colleague, as well as a gifted artist, always full of great new ideas and concepts. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and love go out his beloved wife Olatz and daughter Maialen.




May God bless Helge's soul."


Guitar legend Uli Jon Roth paid tribute to Engelke via social media with the following message:


"Dear all - unbelievably, one of my best long-time friends, Helge Engelke, passed away very suddenly yesterday. It was completely out the blue and unexpected for all of us and it is an immense loss beyond description. He was unique and there will never be another Helge.


He was a true multi-talent and master of many very diverse things. Not only a great guitarist, but also a producer, song-writer for both Fair Warning and Dreamtide - and on top of that he was an excellent photographer with a superb eye for visual magic. Whatever he did, Helge did to perfection.


Above all, he was a true friend - not just to myself - but to a large circle. He was also close to my brother Zeno and worked with him a lot back then. Apart from that, he was an invaluable help to myself over all the years, ever since 1987, and he assisted me in many things in the studio. Helge also mixed my two Scorpions Revisited projects beautifully.


Helge Engelke knew many things, and had a clearly defined opinion about just everything under the sun, and most of the time I think he was right because he had very good natural instincts and was very level-headed. Above all, he was a truly good hearted human being. One of the best I ever had the honour to meet and one of the most generally helpful persons imaginable. I am not exaggerating - on the contrary - words are not enough to really describe his natural desire to be helpful whenever he saw a need. And his input was always totally constructive and of the finest quality.


Helge delivered excellence as a basic standard whatever he did. This was a normal rule of life for him, although he never bragged about it. It was just his natural way of being. It came as a natural desire to do things right and to do them justice and it came from deep within. Whenever a helping hand was needed, Helge was there with active advice and more. His work ethic was second to none. An incredibly hard worker, he tackled every single technical problem in the studio that arose and would not stop until he solved it. It was amazing and impressive. I don't know how many hours we spent over the phone in all these years when I needed technical assistance in the studio environment, which was often the case. He never complained, although I'm sure my questions about the minefield that is Pro-Tools and other programs - many of which he had mastered completely - would have driven most people insane. Not so with Helge - his patience was practically endless. He never gave up before a solution was found. Helge was most generous with his time and his patience was that of a saint.


The most tragic loss was the fact that he was also a PERFECT father and husband to his to his dear wife Olaz and their beautiful young daughter, Maiallen. It is so sad, because they were the perfect family. Which is a rare thing to see.


My heart goes out to them, and I wish my dear friend a great new journey in the vast sky of Spirit Land where he dwell.


Thank you for everything, Helge! We all love you!"


Engelke recorded eight studio albums with Fair Warning between 1992 and 2016. He formed Dreamtide in 2001 following the break-up of Fair Warning in 2000, and kept the band running when Fair Warning reunited in 2005. Dreamtide's final album, and possibly Engelke's last recorded work, was  the 2022 album, Drama Dust Dream.

Award-winning writer D.X. Ferris has launched "Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast And Half-Assed Audiobook". "Talkin' Slayer" is the first podcast dedicated entirely to SLAYER, the thrashiest of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands.

"Talkin' Slayer" weekly episodes begin May 2, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Jeff Hanneman, SLAYER's co-lead guitarist, songwriter, and most acclaimed lyricist. Episode 1 describes how Hanneman influenced the band's career, art, and overall trajectory. Episode 2 will focus on his life and personality. Two trailer episodes describe the podcast and what listeners can expect.

"'Talkin' Slayer' is written, deeply researched, mostly rehearsed, and lightly edited," explains Ferris.

Distributed by Spotify's Anchor service, "Talkin' Slayer" will be available at all major podcast outlets.

The weekly podcast will begin with a series of episodes about SLAYER, its members, and how the band changed heavy metal and influenced popular culture. Starting with episode six, the show will tell the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order.

Ferris's research includes original interviews with the band members, friends, and rivals — in addition to archival material from hundreds of zines, articles, books, and podcasts. "Talkin' Slayer" is about how SLAYER happened, when things fell apart, how they put it back together, and what it all means.

"This is an all-killer, no-filler podcast," says Ferris. "The show is listener supported. I will not read stupid ads three times and episode… or ever. I will not talk about myself for 20 minutes every episode. I will not flirt with my co-host — in part because that is stupid, but mostly because I don't have one. The music hits, the show starts, and I talk to you about SLAYER. It's what we do. It's all we do."

Episodes feature a deep, rotating selection of interstitial music by U.K. thrash band CHUPACABRA. Based in Bristol, CHUPACABRA features ex-WYTCH members Heather Taylor and Nige Savage.

"If nothing, this show has riffs," says Ferris. "'Talkin' Slayer' offers some production value. I love podcasts. But it's a bummer when you listen to two episodes of a show in a row, and you're already tired of their music. Our music changes every week."

Ferris is an Ohio Society of Professional Journalists Best Reporter of the Year. He has written for publications including Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, The AV Club and Decibel magazine.

He has written nine books. Two are about SLAYER.

His debut as an author was the first English-language book about the heavy metal heroes. First published in 2007, "Slayer's Reign In Blood" is part of Bloomsbury Academic's prestigious "33 & 1/3" series which features different authors writing about classic records. Ferris's volume was the first installment to cover a full-on heavy metal album.

Ferris's second book about SLAYER was originally published in 2013, on 6623 Press. Newly updated, the third edition is titled "Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, Postmortem Remastered Edition". This version of the book adds a new chapter about the band's final release, last concert, and opaque breakup. When finished, the podcast "Talkin' Slayer" will stand as an expanded audiobook version of the band bio.

The new edition of the book includes updated career statistics, revised chapters, and a visual redesign. The book also features exclusive, previously unreleased images by "Murder In The Front Row" photographer Harald Oimoen and SLAYER cover artist Albert Cuellar, who later worked with Tim Burton.

SLAYER formed in Los Angeles in 1981. The demographically diverse band immediately joined the vanguard players of the emerging thrash metal movement. The elite fraternity of groups called the "Big Four" thrash metal bands also included METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. Fiercer and darker, SLAYER smelted together the technical proficiency of classic rock, the elemental aggression of hardcore punk, and the violent grandeur of heavy metal.

In 1986, SLAYER shockingly signed to rap label Def Jam, which was home to Rick Rubin, who became the group's longtime producer. SLAYER was Rubin's first rock band; he went on to work with numerous Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, including U2, Johnny Cash, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and METALLICA. 1986's instant classic album "Reign In Blood" granted SLAYER lifetime status as metal gods.

But soon the classic lineup fractured, reunited, and embarked on a turbulent, influential career. The 2006 album "Christ Illusion" scored SLAYER two Grammy Awards. In 2013, original drummer Dave Lombardo and the band split for the third and final time. That May, Hanneman unexpectedly passed away. Two years later, the group released their final album, "Repentless". In 2019, under circumstances that remain unclear, SLAYER became the first of the Big Four bands to end their career as a group. SLAYER's discography includes 11 original studio albums, a classic EP, and a polarizing album of punk covers.

"SLAYER's career is an uncompromising model of possibilities," says Ferris. "Together, SLAYER was a group of people who were dedicated to doing what they wanted to do, how they wanted to do it. And they refused to do anything they didn't want to. They wanted to make pure, relentless heavy metal. They did it. And they showed generations how to do it. SLAYER is a band of brothers — which doesn't mean they're best friends. I like writing about achievers and rule breakers and underdogs. And in a way, SLAYER's career as artists is more comparable to an athletic team or a workplace drama."

"Talkin' Slayer" logo by Jason Shenk of Midwestern Authenticity Consultants

Former ICED EARTH singer Tim "Ripper" Owens says that Jon Schaffer "screwed up" by being involved in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Owens, who joined ICED EARTH in 2003 and stayed in the group for four years before being fired in December 2007, addressed his time with the band in a new interview with Riff Crew.

Asked if he "saw it coming" that Schaffer would be involved in something like the Capitol riot, Owens said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Listen, he's known for being out there a little bit. We didn't get along, and, obviously, I left the band. I haven't talked to him hardly since I left. But no, I really didn't see it coming. It's a shame he did it. He knew he was wrong. He probably knows he's wrong; he screwed up. Obviously he would have been better off going into the inner city and looting a building and burning it to the ground and stealing TVs. He probably would have got off and not had any trouble. Unfortunately, he did something else and he got in trouble for it. And you know what? He was wrong and he did it. Even though they opened the doors for him and said, 'Come on in,' you can't go in; that's just the way it is."

Reflecting on his time with ICED EARTH, Tim said: "[Jon] and I, we weren't eye to eye politically and other things. But I'd never seen any of that. We didn't talk politics. It was a different time, politically, when I was in the band too. People weren't as crazy back then. Now everybody's filled with hate and anger. I mean, if they don't like what I say, people e-mail me that they hope my family dies… People do dumb and stupid and crazy things. Like I said, you'd be better off burning down a cupcake shop, some small business, and you'd okay."

Last November, Owens was asked in an interview with The Shred Shack if he would ever consider rejoining ICED EARTH if he got the call. He responded: "No, no. And contrary to his issues he has… It wasn't a good falling out.

"People don't realize that it's been a long time since I was in ICED EARTH," Owens explained. "It wasn't a good ending. And career-wise, I've moved on, and I do my thing now.

"No, I would never do ICED EARTH again. No," Tim reiterated.

Owens previously reflected on his split with ICED EARTH in a December 2021 interview with Metal Mythos Aftershock. At the time, he said: "It wasn't a very good parting. I was leaving to go to [Jon's] house to record a new record. And I walked back into my house to grab something and I got an e-mail and I looked at it and it said, 'Brothers and sisters… You're fired,' or whatever. It's the same e-mail he sent Blabbermouth at the same time. And it wasn't a good falling out. It was two weeks before Christmas. It wasn't good."

Owens continued: "Two weeks before that, [Jon] sent me an e-mail saying, 'Listen, I really need to teach you how to be a frontman and teach you how to do things.' And Wendy Dio, who was my manager at the time, was beside herself. She kept saying, 'Get out of this thing, man. You've gotta get out of this thing.' And it was unfortunate that it ended like that — two weeks before Christmas with an e-mail that's the same e-mail he sends Blabbermouth. I was kind of sad, but life goes on, and you move on to the next thing. And I think two days later I was recording a new Yngwie [Malmsteen] record. So it's kind of, like, everything moves on for a reason."

Owens had also discussed his departure from ICED EARTH in a 2012 interview with Australia's Loud. He said: "It was handled poorly, I think, the situation. It could've been handled good and everybody could've looked good in the situation. But it was handled poorly, I think… I started getting all the blame when things weren't the same. Or things weren't what Jon thought they could be. And then, of course, it all came down on me. None of the blame ever came down on Jon. I'm fine with that, but the funny thing is that nothing really changed when I left anyway. I read numbers and I talk to agents, and the crowds are the same or smaller now. I think it was also me wandering a bit, knowing that ICED EARTH was kind of like a solo project. It's really Schaffer's band, and I knew that. And I started having my own: I started doing BEYOND FEAR, and pushing BEYOND FEAR when probably I should have been talking about ICED EARTH. I think Jon read a lot of that and he read into it that my heart and soul wasn't into ICED EARTH."

Schaffer addressed Owens's exit from ICED EARTH in a 2008 interview with Metal Exiles. At the time, the guitarist said: "Tim was great to work with in the studio, and from a standpoint of performing live, he was great as far as being an incredible vocalist, but he was not a true believer in this band. It was a job for him, and ICED EARTH is not about that… He was more interested in doing his solo thing — that was where his head was at — and it was becoming more and more obvious. This band was a means to an end for him."

In April 2021, Schaffer pleaded guilty to his role in the U.S. Capitol riot. As part of the plea deal, Jon entered into a cooperation agreement with the government.

Following the initial reports that Schaffer was involved in the riot, his ICED EARTH bandmates distanced themselves from his actions. Singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton later posted separate statements on social media announcing their resignations. BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch also quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, his long-running project with Schaffer. The allegations also apparently affected Schaffer's relationship with his longtime record label Century Media, which had released albums from both ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS. As of mid-January 2021, the Century Media artist roster page did not list either band.

Sweet & Lynch, the musical union of vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet (Stryper, Iconic) and guitarist George Lynch (Lynch Mob, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), have have released a third single from their upcoming third album, Heart & Sacrifice, out May 19.


Watch the video for "Leaving It All Behind" below, and pre-order Heart & Sacrifice here.







“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the new Sweet & Lynch album, Heart & Sacrifice. It’s diverse, complex and flows beautifully. Every song has something to say in its own unique way. George has always been one of my favorite players and it’s an honor to work with him again. It’s also an absolute pleasure working with Alessandro. We’re able to bring all our own contributions and contribute to create an amazing set of songs and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Get ready for Heart & Sacrifice!,” says Michael Sweet.


Sweet & Lynch first emerged with their debut album, Only To Rise, in 2015. The album cracked the Billboard Top 200 and came in at #6 on the Top Hard Rock Albums, #17 on Independent Albums, #18 on Top Rock Albums, and #4 on Christian Albums charts.


Their sophomore album, Unified, followed in 2017, landing at #53 Top Current Albums, #13 Top Current Rock Albums, and #8 Record Label Independent Current Albums on the Billboard charts. While plans for a third album were always on the table, the project went on a slight hiatus while the guys concentrated on their other musical endeavours. 2022 proved to be the year where the creative juices for Sweet & Lynch began to flow again and work on what would ultimately become Heart & Sacrifice began.


Alessandro Del Vecchio, who co-produced this release with Michael Sweet, plays bass on the album, while Jelly Cardarelli (Lalu) plays drums.


Michael Sweet helms the Grammy-nominated Christian hard-rock outfit Stryper, which he co-founded more than 35 years ago, as the band's vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter. To date, the band has more than 10 million career album sales worldwide. The venerable band ascended to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 charting singles like “Calling On You", “Honestly” and “Always There For You" and has in more recent years enjoyed an unparalleled career renaissance, delivering arguably the best albums of their storied career, including their 2022 album, The Final Battle.


Michael has released multiple solo albums, including a self-titled release in 1994, which yielded five No. 1 singles, Truth in 2000, the critically acclaimed 2015 project I’m Not Your Suicide (peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Hard Rock albums), and 2019’s Ten, which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. He recently partnered with Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Nathan James (Inglorious), Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake), and Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, ex-Ozzy Osbourne) in the supergroup Iconic, which was greeted with much adoration by rock fans around the globe.


George Lynch emerged from the '80s hard rock scene with the L.A. based group Dokken and went on to become a world renowned guitarist. Aside from Dokken, he also enjoyed great success with Lynch Mob, the group he founded after leaving Dokken.


Lynch has gone on to become a prolific (that is an understatement, to say the least) music creator, continuing with Lynch Mob, releasing solo albums, and a wealth of collaborative efforts over the decades. Those include, but are not limited to, KXM with dUg Pinnick (King's X) and Ray Luzier (Korn), The End Machine with Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, ex-Dokken), Mick Brown (ex-Dokken), and Robert Mason (Warrant), Sweet & Lynch with Michael Sweet (Stryper), Ultraphonix with Corey Glover (Living Colour), Dirty Shirley with Dino Jelusick (Animal Drive, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), The Banishment with Joe Haze, and many more.





Heart & Sacrifice tracklisting:


"Heart & Sacrifice"
"Where I Have To Go"
"Miracle"
"Leave It All Behind"
"You’ll Never Be Alone"
"After All Is Said And Done"
"Give Up The Night"
"Will It Ever Change"
"It’s Time To Believe"
"Every Day"
"It Rains Again"
"World Full Of Lies"


"Miracle" video:





"You’ll Never Be Alone" lyric video:





Sweet & Lynch are:


Michael Sweet – lead vocals, guitars
George Lynch – lead guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – bass
Jelly Cardarelli - drums


- Produced by: Michael Sweet & Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino

Van Halen singer, David Lee Roth, is back with another of his rather bizarre videos. This time, Roth grabs his top hat to perform a little dance to  "Con Calma", a song by Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee featuring Canadian rapper Snow. Watch below:





Roth included a cover of Wilson Pickett's "She's Looking Good" on his Diamond Dave album, released in 2003. The song was written by Carlton W Collins and Justin Dickens. He recently shared the video below, performing a little dance routine to his version of the song







Prior to that, David shared the video below, soundtracked by Garth Brooks' #1 country hit from 1990, "Friends In Low Places":

METALLICA played the second show of its "M72" world tour earlier tonight (Saturday, April 29) at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The trek sees the band playing two nights in every city it visits — with each "No Repeat Weekend" featuring two completely different setlists and support lineups. The "M72" tour features a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocates the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, as well as the "I Disappear" full-tour pass and the debut of discounted tickets for fans under 16 years of age.

METALLICA launched today's 16-song set in Amsterdam with "The Call Of Ktulu", and also performed three new songs from the "72 Seasons" album: the title track, "If Darkness Had A Son" and "You Must Burn!", the latter of which marked the first time that song had been played live.

METALLICA's setlist for the April 29 concert at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands was as follows:

01. The Call Of Ktulu
02. Creeping Death
03. Leper Messiah
04. Until It Sleeps (first performance since November 3, 2008)
05. 72 Seasons (first time in front of a live audience)
06. If Darkness Had A Son (first full live performance)
07. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
08. You Must Burn! (live debut)
09. The Unforgiven
10. Wherever I May Roam
11. Harvester Of Sorrow
12. Moth Into Flame
13. Fight Fire With Fire
14. Whiskey In The Jar
15. One
16. Enter Sandman

METALLICA is visiting a total of 22 different cities around the world and playing two nights in each city.

Opening acts include FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ICE NINE KILLS, MAMMOTH WVH, PANTERA, ARCHITECTS, GRETA VAN FLEET and VOLBEAT.

METALLICA promises fans who purchase a two-day ticket that they won't see the same song twice for a total of over 30 songs spanning the band's 40-plus-year career.

Each weekend offers a variety of "Enhanced Experiences", ranging from access to a meet-and-greet, production and stage tour, food and beverage in the "Black Box" lounge to early entry into the venue and the Snake Pit. The very popular "Black Laminate" is back, now known as the "I Disappear Ticket", and is the ultimate pass for the fan who wants to run away with METALLICA for multiple weekends.

A single "I Disappear" ticket purchase gives you access to as many of METALLICA's 46 headlining tour dates across Europe and North America in 2023 and 2024 as you choose. You decide how many shows you'd like to attend around the world, and for how long, and METALLICA will make it as easy as possible.

During an appearance on comedian Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, Lars Ulrich opened up about how a child custody arrangement with one of his ex-wives led to METALLICA embracing a touring schedule that involved playing shows for no more than two weeks at a time. The METALLICA drummer said: "Maybe in the last 10, 15 years, we came around — and this is no disrespect to our managers — but we came around the other side and basically said, 'Listen, we need to start putting some boundaries and some parameters around what we're willing to do,' because back in the day we would do three [or] four in a row and then have one day off and then three in a row and then one day off, and then have a week off between going to Europe and America. And finally, like I said, maybe around 15 [years ago], maybe around the [release of the] 'Some Kind Of Monster' [documentary], we took charge and said, 'We're willing to go out for this long, for this long,' and blah blah blah. And at one point, when I was fighting a child custody case between maybe '08 to '10, maybe, give or take, we did a whole world tour for two years around not being on the road for more than two weeks at a time. We would play in Europe for two weeks, then come home, play two weeks and then come home. We did an American tour a week at a time."

Ulrich went on to explain that because he "had 50-50 custody" of his kids, "there was no budging" on the amount of uninterrupted time each parent had with the children. "So literally I would take 'em to school Monday morning and we would fly and we would play five shows in America — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday," he explained. "Sunday night we'd fly home. I would be with my kids from that Monday morning for a week. And the rest of the guys in the band — God bless them — were gracious enough and kind enough to work with that. And it was a whole world tour for two years. So we were never gone for more than two weeks at a time."

NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen performed earlier today (Saturday, April 29) at the Johan Cruijf Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands as the support act for METALLICA. The 42-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, was the last-minute replacement for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, which canceled its appearance because the band's singer Ivan Moody is recovering from a recent surgery to correct an acute hernia injury.

Fan-filmed video of Floor's performance can be seen below.

Jansen's debut solo album, "Paragon", arrived on March 24. The LP showcases the Dutch-born singer's impressive vocal range and powerful voice on a diverse collection of pop-infused tracks and emotional ballads influenced by the sounds of her career.

With its mix of influences and powerful vocal performances, "Paragon" is an album that will appeal to fans of pop music and metal alike.

As part of NIGHTWISH, Jansen has landed two number one albums in Finland, and Top Five albums in Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Born in the Netherlands, Jansen joined her first band, one of the world's first symphonic metal bands, AFTER FOREVER, when she was only 16 years old. The group went on to release five albums from 2000 to 2007, before they broke up in 2009.

Jansen's next band, REVAMP, released two albums in 2010 and 2013, before she joined NIGHTWISH as a full-time member. NIGHTWISH's first album with Jansen as the lead singer was 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", which landed in Top 10s around the world. This was followed by 2020's "Human. :II: Nature." , which was also an international success.

Jansen has toured extensively with the band and appeared on three of NIGHTWISH's live albums "Showtime, Storytime", "Vehicle Of Spirit" and "Decades: Live In Buenos Aires".

In 2019, Jansen participated in the popular Dutch TV show "Beste Zangers" where she scored a big hit with "Phantom Of The Opera" together with Henk Poort. She was recognized with a Dutch Popprijs award — a prestigious accolade for artists that has made important contributions to Dutch music. In the same year, her first solo tour sold out in less than 24 hours.

Jansen performed live with NIGHTWISH for the first time on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon. Jansen officially joined NIGHTWISH in 2013.



Phantom of the opera....floor jansen 29/04/2023 Amsterdam

Posted by Monica Buoninconti on Saturday, April 29, 2023



Floor Jansen Amsterdam

Posted by Catharina Elisa Johanna Van Manen on Saturday, April 29, 2023

Metallica Amsterdam Day 2.

Supportband no.2.
Onze Nederlandse trots:
Floor Jansen !

Wat doet ze het geweldig, wat een fantastische stem!

Posted by Hoex Radio on Saturday, April 29, 2023

Thank you, Amsterdam! ❤️ Thank you, Metallica! 🤘

Posted by Floor Jansen on Saturday, April 29, 2023

Floor Jansen was gaaf in Amsterdam!

Posted by Patrick Donders on Saturday, April 29, 2023
From an incredible moment to an unbelievable opportunity! 🤘 Last year, James Hetfield caught the @NightwishBand set at @pinkpopfest and fist-bumped me afterwards. And now, I'm opening for @Metallica! 🤘🔥 It's an honor beyond words ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/UK1w5N98sv

— Floor Jansen (@FloorJansen_) April 25, 2023


I can't believe this is happening! 💛 I will support @Metallica on their M72 World Tour show on April 29th in Amsterdam. 🇳🇱🤘🏻 What a huge honor! To perform in front of over 50,000 fans in my home country is something I can't quite fathom. 🤩 Let's rock the @cruijffarena! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/TDJirZp5kO

— Floor Jansen (@FloorJansen_) April 24, 2023

Bay Area metal legends, Forbidden, recently announced their return and their first show at Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival in August.





One of the first things they wanted to do with this new version of Forbidden was to tell their side of the respective stories. Explain how it came together from each individuals point of view.




Forbidden documented and compiled hours of interviews with each member of the band. It was real and unprompted. Straight from the heart. Something that gave each of them a better understanding of one another and how they perceive their vantage points.


The rebirth of Forbidden is organic and unforced. Nobody pressed to do it. They all have great respect for singer Russ Anderson, his amazing talent and the past catalogue. These interviews served a greater purpose than standing together for a photoshoot before they all knew exactly how we felt going forward. New vocalist Norman Skinner came along at the right place and time. It was completely unexpected. Sometimes the universe opens up and shows the way. This is one of those rare occasions.


Here is part one of The Forbidden Rebirth Chronicles. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you do not miss future episodes.





Originally founded in 1985 as Forbidden Evil by singer Russ Anderson, guitarists Craig Locicero & Robb Flynn, basses John Tegio and drummer Jim Pittman, the quintet started playing house parties and Bay Area clubs such as the Legendary Ruthie’s Inn soon after.


After a couple of lineup changes (Paul Bostaph / drums & Matt Camacho / bass) in ’86, the band quickly rose through the ranks of Bay Area Thrash to gain a massive following and worldwide notoriety.


In 1986, the band added Glen Alvelais as the second guitarist. It was this lineup that cemented itself into the Bay Area scene and soon after recorded 1988 release ‘Forbidden Evil’ for Combat Records changing the band’s name to simply Forbidden.


In May of ’89 while on a European tour with Sacred Reich, Forbidden played their first appearance at the Legendary Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Netherlands. It was here that Forbidden made their European mark and recorded the Raw Evil EP.


The band returned Stateside and replaced Alvelais with Tim Calvert. Calvert was a missing ingredient that brought the band closer together asa team. They continued to tour the U.S. first with Exodus and then again with Sacred Reich with Calvert on second guitar.


The band went on to release Twisted Into Form in 1990, Distortion in 1994 and Green in 1996 however the band having gone though many lineup changes disbanded in 1997.


In 2008 Craig being inspired at a screening of the movie Get Thrashed, called the other members of the band and suggested getting back on stage to see if they could reignite the Forbidden machine. With Anderson, Locicero, Camacho back in the mix along with new additions Glen Alvelais and Gene Hoglan they played two sold out Death Angel shows in San Francisco.


Steve Smyth came into the mix in place of Alvelais and Mark Hernandez took Hoglan’s place, the band then released Omega Wave, the 5th in the catalog and went on a US tour with Overkill. European festivals were next but afterwards Hernandez had to walk away due to personal reasons leading to a tour cancelation.


Sasha Horn was the answer to fill the drummer’s spot.


After playing Bonded By Baloff with Exodus and one Bay Area show, Forbidden embarked for Chile to play the Metal Fest in Santiago. It was on this flight back home that Russ informed the band that he couldn’t tour anymore because of the physical toll it was taking on him. With that, the band dissolved once again for 11 years.


Fast forward to 2023. The once improbable and impossible happened. Forbidden is reforming with new blood! Locicero, Camacho & Smyth remain from the Omega Wave lineup.


New vocalist Norman Skinner will take the elite position that belonged to Russ Anderson. Norman shocked everyone who witnessed his performance of Chalice of Blood with LA thrashers Warbringer accompanying him as the band. It was undeniable to all in attendance. Norman grew up in the Bay Area. His first thrash metal show was seeing Forbidden at the Omni. Russ would point to Norman at shows and call him

“Little Russ” on the mic. It could ONLY be Norman Skinner that stands aside the band.


The Bay Area thrash / punk drum Legend Chris Kontos takes over the drum throne. In a long line of world renown drummers, Kontos is the most logical & qualified man for the job. Bostaph, Jacobs, Hoglan, Hernandez, Horn… World class talents. Now Kontos.





Management / Bookings Contact: Tim Healy - forbiddenmgmt2023@gmail.com

Canadian rock band Dali Van Gogh is proud to announce the release of their latest single, a cover of the classic Rush hit, "Tom Sawyer". The single is available on all major streaming platforms here.


"Tom Sawyer" was originally released in 1981 and has remained one of Rush’s most iconic songs. Dali Van Gogh’s rendition of the track promises to pay tribute to the original while putting their own unique spin on it.


“We are thrilled to release our version of Tom Sawyer'," said Rocky Moreau, lead vocalist of Dali Van Gogh. "Rush has been a huge influence on our music, not to mention my own personal journey, and this song has always been one of our favorites. We hope our fans will enjoy our take on this classic track."




Dali Van Gogh has been a mainstay of the Canadian rock scene since their formation in 2008. Their high-energy live shows and dynamic, guitar-driven sound have earned them a dedicated following both at home and abroad. With this latest release, the band looks to continue their upward trajectory and solidify their place as one of Canada’s top rock acts.


The single will be accompanied by a music video that will be released in a few weeks, which was directed by Keke Beatz. The video will feature Dali Van Gogh performing "Tom Sawyer" in a dimly lit studio, with moody lighting and dynamic camera work adding to the song’s intense energy.

Former After Forever guitarist Sander Gommans, who launched his HDK project in 2009, has released a new song called "Human Error" and a lyric video for the track. Check it out below.


Gommans: "'Human Error' is about the drive humanity seems to have to speed everything up, to gain maximum control, and to improve whatever’s possible. However, these unique and occasionally brilliant features might also  be the cause for humanity’s downfall.


It was quite a challenge writing this song since I wanted to combine my love for bands like Pantera and Dimmu Borgir with my past in After Forever. Doing the growls again and writing the death/ black metal-oriented atmospherical midpart brought me back to where it all began for me as a musician. The cool grooves by Joeri, the effective keyboard arrangements by Andreas, the sick guitar solos by Frank, and the awesome lyric video by Caz definitely added a lot to the magic of writing a song like this. I hope you enjoy it as well!"




 - Music, Lyrics, guitars, bass guitar, vocals, production, mix, and master: Sander Gommans 
- Drums: Joeri Warmerdam 
- Keys: Andreas Delvos 
- Additional guitar solos: Frank Schiphorst 
- Additional Sound FX: Bauke van Kooten 
- Video: Caz Reason 

Three-time Grammy-nominated guitarist and 25x Billboard chart-topper, Joe Bonamassa, joined Scary Pockets and vocalist Joanna Jones for a funk cover of AC/DC's "Back In Black". Check out the live-off-the-floor video below.





Bonamassa recently released a mind-blowing live rendition of “Mind’s Eye”, a standout track from his most recent studio album Time Clocks. Featured on Tales Of Time, his sprawling and expansive live concert film and album shot at the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, the psychedelic influences of the song were augmented by the stunning visual backdrop produced by the iconic Kevin Shirley, serving to highlight the beauty of the music.




The live video captures a stratospheric performance by the blues-rock titan, as his virtuoso guitar style and unique technique and flair elevate the evening to an almost heavenly high.


Tales Of Time will be released on April 14 via Bonamassa’s J&R Adventures in CD/DVD, CD/BR, vinyl, and digital formats. For more information and to pre-order, head here (UK and Europe), or here (North America). The live album will be distributed in the UK and Europe by Provogue/ Mascot Label Group.


“The song has a very Pink Floyd feel,” commented Roy Weisman, CEO of Bonamassa's J&R Adventures label, upon the song’s original release. “The whole Time Clocks record is about a journey, and ‘Mind’s Eye’ gives you a fun glimpse of what could be swimming around inside someone’s mind.”  


Watch the live performance video of "Mind's Eye" below. “This live show represents our most progressive and largest production to date, focusing on my most ambitious studio album to date,” adds Bonamassa. “My band was a force of nature on this show, and it truly was a special night.”





Tales Of Time CD tracklisting:


"Notches"
"The Heart That Never Waits"
"Curtain Call"
"Mind’s Eye"
"Questions And Answers"
"The Loyal Kind"
"Known Unknowns"
"Time Clocks"
"Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should"
"Evil Mama"


Tales Of Time DVD/BR tracklisting:


"Dawn Of Time" (Intro)
"Notches"
"The Heart That Never Waits"
"Curtain Call"
"Mind’s Eye"
"Questions And Answers"
"The Loyal Kind"
"Known Unknowns"
"Time Clocks"
"Evil Mama"
"Midnight Blues"
"I Didn’t Think She Would Do It"
"Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should"
"Mountain Time"
"Times Tail" (Credits)


Bonus Features:
"Dust Bowl"
Band Intros
"The Ballad Of John Henry"


Tales Of Time 3LP - 180 Gram Vinyl tracklisting:


Side A
"Notches"
"The Heart That Never Waits"


Side B
"Curtain Call"
"Mind’s Eye"
"Questions And Answers"


Side C
"The Loyal Kind"
"Known Unknowns"
"Time Clocks"


Side D
"Dust Bowl"
"Evil Mama"
"Midnight Blues"


Side E
"Just ‘Cos You Can Don’t Mean You Should"
"Mountain Time"


Side F
"I Didn’t Think She Would Do It"
"The Ballad Of John Henry"



"Mind's Eye" video:





"The Loyal Kind" video:

Arch Enemy have re-issued their Black Earth (1996) and Stigmata (1998) albums on limited edition picture vinyl via their official online shop. Go to this location to pick up your copies.


 


Both albums feature original Arch Enemy vocalist Johan Liiva and guitarist Christopher Amott.




 


In celebration of the releases, a new visualizer for "Bridge Of Destiny", taken from Stigmata, has been released and can be viewed below.


 





 


Black Earth tracklist:


 


"Bury Me An Angel"


"Dark Insanity"


"Eureka"


"Idolatress"


"Cosmic Retribution"


"Demoniality"


"Transmigration Macabre"


"Time Capsule"


"Fields of Desolation"


 


Stigmata tracklist:


 





 


"Beast of Man"


"Stigmata"  


"Sinister Mephisto"


"Dark of the Sun"


"Let the Killing Begin"


"Black Earth"


"Tears of the Dead"


"Vox Stellarum" (instrumental)


"Bridge of Destiny"