THE QUIREBOYS singer Spike (a.k.a. Jonathan Gray) has announced plans to record a new album featuring the last songs he co-wrote and recorded with the band's original guitarist Guy Bailey. Bailey died earlier this month after an illness. No cause of death was revealed.

On Wednesday (April 26),Spike took to his social media to write: "As QUIREBOYS founder, frontman and songwriter I'm delighted to announce that the original band are going into the studio next month to record a new QUIREBOYS album, featuring the last songs that I co-wrote and recorded with Guy Bailey.

"This news follows the return of the original QUIREBOYS line-up last year, with the physical release of an official QUIREBOYS Christmas single and a sell-out London show promoted by Live Nation with me, Nigel Mogg, Chris Johnstone and Rudy Richman. That night, we were joined on stage by Guy Bailey for what was to be his last public appearance before his tragic death on 6 April 2023.

"Following the split with recent band members last Spring, I immediately reassured you the fans that I have never left the band, I hold the trademark and that I would reform the original QUIREBOYS band. Last summer I wrote songs with Guy Bailey and demo'd them for a new album — as, one by one, Nigel Mogg, Chris Johnstone and Rudy Richman announced their return to QUIREBOYS.

"Guy Bailey was deeply upset by events of last year and he wanted to respond by writing new songs with the return of the signature QUIREBOYS sound. The writing between us was just like the early days, spontaneous and natural. It was his wish that the music we wrote together last summer was recorded and completed in its entirety, so the band will return to the studio to finish the new album. We have one of the greatest producers in the world and a few very special friends joining us who adored Guy.

"The new QUIREBOYS album will be dedicated to Guy Bailey, my best friend and a musical genius. Without him there wouldn't have been any QUIREBOYS hits that live on to this day.

"I promised Guy Bailey I would record this album, and so with his blessing, I will take his music legacy forward with not only this album, but future albums to come, along with live international tours and shows, as that was and always has been his wish. So we're keeping rock 'n' roll alive in his name for years to come.

"God bless, Spike, x"

Bailey and Spike formed THE QUIREBOYS in 1984 and were responsible for writing many of the band's signature songs, including "Hey You", "7 O'Clock", "I Don't Love You Anymore" and "There She Goes Again" from THE QUIREBOYS' classic debut album "A Bit of What You Fancy". After THE QUIREBOYS split in 1993, Bailey was part of the British band's brief reunion in 1995 but wasn't included in THE QUIREBOYS' lineup when the group reformed in 2001.

Last May, Spike and Bailey announced that they had reunited and were writing a new album together which they said would be released under THE QUIREBOYS name.

The reunion between Spike and Bailey came just weeks after THE QUIREBOYS announced they had parted ways with Spike. In response, the singer said that he was fired via a letter signed by three bandmembers and he accused his former bandmates of trying to "re-cast events". He also vowed to continue recording and touring under THE QUIREBOYS name.
Spike announces new Quireboys album featuring final songs written with Guy Bailey

Image credit: Bianca Cecilia pic.twitter.com/gHJtAIoypP

— The Quireboys Spike Official (@SpikeQuireboys) April 26, 2023

In a new interview with SiriusXM host Tommy London on SiriusXM's Hair Nation, legendary rocker Alice Cooper spoke about his upcoming follow-up to 2021's "Detroit Stories" LP, saying: "The album that's gonna be coming out very soon [features] the touring band — [guitarist Ryan] Roxie and [drummer] Glen [Sobel] — you know, all the guys — [guitarist] Tommy [Henriksen] and [bassist] Chuck [Garric] and [guitarist] Nita [Strauss]. I said, 'I wanna show this band off.' So we did an album in the studio, and very, very, very few overdubs in it, because the band's so tight. And I wanted them to all do the writing with me. I said, 'Everybody, bring in songs, 'cause I want everything in-house.' And [Alice's longtime producer Bob] Ezrin produced it. I mean, it's a great guitar-driven rock and roll album. I'm very, very proud of this album. And it's coming… It'll be out this year."

Regarding a possible title for the new Cooper album, Alice said: "I think it's gonna be called 'Road'. Because this is the band that's on the road, and most of the songs are about the road.

"There's a lot of funny stuff on there," he revealed. "There's a couple of heartbreakers. I think when you hear the album, you get a feeling of what it's like to be on the road."

Cooper also once again confirmed that he is working on a second new album, but added that he "can't talk about" it right now. "I promised I wouldn't talk about it," he explained.

Alice previously spoke about his upcoming LP last month during an episode of his "Nights With Alice Cooper" radio show on Planet Rock. At the time he said: "There's another album coming out that's really gonna knock you out. Everybody really likes it, the people that have heard it so far. It's just a rocking rock and roll album."

Last year, Cooper spoke to Germany's Rolling Stone about how he ended up working on two new albums with Ezrin. "A lot of those were born during the plague," he said. "We couldn't go touring for 18 months, so what's a musician gonna do? Well, they're going to write songs. Everybody has a studio in their house. So we were writing songs and doing demos. And at the end of this whole thing, I got in touch with Bob and said, 'Here's 30 songs.' And we decided, 'Okay, let's do two albums.' But the two albums are definitely two different angles of coming in to Alice Cooper. One is very hard rock; the other one is hard rock but it's twisted. And that's all I can say about it right now, because there's a couple of really important things about both albums."

Back in January 2022, Cooper told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about his new music: "I'm working on two albums right now, actually — two studio albums. They're two entirely different kinds of albums, but they're Alice Cooper pure rock and roll albums. The two albums will really be hard rock albums."

At the time, the now-75-year-old singer expressed hope that the first of his new LPs would arrive later that year. "It's kind of like the old days when you're touring and putting out records at the same time," Alice explained. "It kind of takes me back to when you're doing 'Love It To Death' and then you tour for 'Love It To Death'. While you're doing 'Love It To Death', you're writing 'Killer'. When 'Love It To Death' is over, 'Killer' comes out and then you go support that. And while you're doing 'Killer', you're writing 'School's Out'. So we're kind of piggybacking everything. And I kind of like that. It keeps everything moving. I don't like those big chunks of time when there's nothing going on."

Released in February 2021, "Detroit Stories" was recorded with Ezrin, mostly in Royal Oak with Detroit musicians and featuring a mix of original material alongside covers of songs by Bob Seger, the MC5, Mitch Ryder's DETROIT and OUTRAGEOUS CHERRY.

In 2018, Cooper issued "A Paranormal Evening At The Olympia Paris", a recording of his December 7, 2017 concert at the world-renowned Olympia venue in France.

Alice also released two albums with HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, 2015's "Hollywood Vampires" and 2019's "Rise".

Impressively, Saskatoon, Canada’s Despite The Reverence has been together writing and performing for over 10 years now with the same lineup and as of this year, has produced five full-length albums. The most recent addition to their catalog is Stress Of Evolution, a 12 track, neck-breaking monster of an album that builds on all of their previous work. The latest video out is “War Machine”, five minutes of thundering drums, wild solos, and groovy riffs.


The band details:


““War Machine” is another heavy rocker and packs a lot of energy. The song comes in with a roar and pounding guitars, bass, and drums. The verses quiet down but only for a moment and really to give more emphasis to the rest of the song. By the time the bridge hits in the middle, the song is full steam ahead. A ripping solo followed by a halftime but heavy-beaten ending wraps the song up. The lyrics are powerful and strong and the outro has a ring to it with the feeling of royalty.”




Despite The Reverence wanted the album to be dynamic from heavy to melodic and accomplished that with a mixture of tempos, styles, and instrumentation. They cite that variety is the spice of life and they tried to bring everything under one roof creating unique and interesting compositions which flow together under a common concept.


When playing live, they are very professional and love putting on a big live show including lights, smoke, and stage backdrops. They write the set to flow together and generally do not take a lot of pauses or chit-chat. They figure the fans are there to hear the music so they keep the songs flowing as they play with high energy and intensity. They are recommended listening for fans of Pantera, Tool, and Black Sabbath.


Stress Of Evolution is available on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


"Cyborg"
"Khali Yuga"
"Surprise Kill Vanish"
"Primate Centurion"
"Killing Plebs"
"Fears Of Our Fathers"
"Stress Of Evolution"
"Human Obsolete"
"Thinning The Herd"
"War Machine"
"At My Door Knocks Death"
"Disco Death Tech"


"War Machine" video:





"Cyborg" video:





"Primate Centurion" video:

ATTILA, Atlanta's most notorious dealers of metalcore brutality, have released a brand new single, "Bite Your Tongue". In what will be an exciting surprise for fans, a large portion of the track features clean vocals from frontman Chris "Fronz" Fronzak for the first time on an ATTILA release.

While pushing the boundaries of what has come before, the new song is still an undeniable ATTILA-level banger, maintaining their unique brand of powerful, intricate riffing, driving, ten-ton-heavy drumming and of course, it's fair share of Fronz's signature screaming.

Speaking on the new track, Fronzak shares: "'Bite Your Tongue' is about standing up for yourself and standing up for what you believe in. People will try to push you around but we will never back down. There are some people in this world that spew bullshit and say things that aren't true to please others. Not me though. If I say it, I mean it."

ATTILA will hit the road next month for a series of tour dates, including shows at Bamboozle, Welcome To Rockville, Sonic Temple and Blue Ridge festivals. Full dates below.

"Bite Your Tongue" heralds the dawning of a whole new chapter for ATTILA and their multitude of fans. Keep it locked for more exciting announcements coming from the band soon.

ATTILA members Fronzak, Chris Linck (guitar) and Kalan Adam (bass) have been churning out metalcore anthems for nearly two decades, shaping and defining the genre as they go.

Formed in Atlanta in 2005, ATTILA has released eight studio albums, including the band's infamous 2013 smash hit "About That Life" which debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 22. The band is best known for its uniquely aggressive heaviness, incendiary, high-energy live shows and tongue-in-cheek attitude. Their music has amassed over 265 million streams and nearly 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

ATTILA has continued to thrive and evolve over the years, cementing their status as one of the most influential bands in the modern metalcore genre. The release of "Bite Your Tongue" is just another step in their evolution, with plenty more to come, including a few surprises.

Photo credit: Lauren Robey

Legendary drummer Carl Palmer is recovering from a heart procedure.

The 73-year-old musician underwent an atrial fibrillation ablation, a treatment for an irregular and chaotic heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. The procedure uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart to block the faulty electrical signals and restore a typical heartbeat.

On Wednesday (April 26),the following message was shared via Palmer's social media: "This morning, Carl underwent a successful Ablation procedure to restore sinus rhythm as he was previously in Atrial Fibrillation.

"Carl would to thank his Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Tushar Salukhe, who performed the procedure, and all the wonderful attending staff on the Sir Reginald Wilson Ward at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London who have been looking after him today."

Palmer, who was voted by Rolling Stone as one of the 10 greatest drummers of all time, is a founding member of both EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER and ASIA. Since he began in the business in the 1960s, Palmer has sold over 50 million records. In 2011 he began working with a three-piece power trio. In 2019, the group added vocals from guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and Palmer.

Earlier in the month, Palmer, in association with the estates of his EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER bandmates Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, announced "The Return Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer" 2023 summer tour. Launching its second U.S .tour in July, the shows will actually again reunite ELP live on stage through modern technology.

The tour continues the successful run of show which began in November and December 2022. After exploring the idea of a hologram tour in detail, Palmer (with the estates of Emerson and Lake) opted for what they felt was a more honest approach using live footage of Keith and Greg on massive video walls alongside Carl (and his band) playing live on stage. The voice and instrumentation of Greg Lake and the unmistakable keyboard mastery of Keith Emerson will be mixed with Palmer's onstage live drumming to magically reunite ELP once again.

Emerson and Lake passed away nine months apart in 2016, leaving Palmer to carry on the band's enormous musical legacy.

Says Palmer: "The film ELP made of its sold-out run at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1992 had everything we needed to make these tours happen. We were able to use just the camera shots of Keith and Greg, with the sterling audio tracks of their performances resulting in a combination of film and onstage performance of my band that brings back the magic of ELP."

After establishing themselves in bands such as THE NICE, KING CRIMSON and THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN, ELP was formed in early 1970 as one of rock's first (and biggest) supergroups. With record sales of over 50 million and decades of sold-out tours through the 1970s and again in the 1990s, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER has remained one of the best-selling classic rock bands of all time. The band's complete recorded catalog, now under the direction and distribution of BMG, continues to be a steady force on the international music scene. The tour will coincide with the new BMG box set of classic ELP hit singles pressed on vinyl with reproductions of the original picture sleeves.

The tour is being launched with the full approval of the Emerson and Lake estates, as well as the various managers who have represented the members of the band. "Welcome Back My Friends - The Return Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer" will be focused on the U.S. and Canada through the rest of 2023, and eventually play all over the world where ELP toured throughout its career.

This morning, Carl underwent a successful Ablation procedure to restore sinus rhythm as he was previously in Atrial...

Posted by Carl Palmer on Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Loosegroove Records recording artists, Seattle-based band, BRAD, are proud to announce the release today of their new song and the title track from the upcoming LP, In The Moment That You’re Born. Listen here, watch a video below.


SPIN exclusively premiered the video with Jonathan Cohen who noted, "The title track is one of the heavier Brad songs ever, with Smith singing in a lower register than usual atop Gossard and Keith Lowe’s swirling guitar attack. Hagar says the song comes from a weekend recording session about five years ago and that Smith’s vocal offers almost a gospel vibe. Sonically, it harkens back to Smith and Hagar’s other project Satchel, which was often active in parallel with Brad in the ’90s."







The song is the first new music from BRAD in over a decade and is being released 30 years to the day since their critically acclaimed debut album Shame was released in 1993. Shame featured original music that stood as a counterpoint to the music that was coming out of Seattle during that time. To further mark the anniversary of that landmark LP, pre-orders have begun for limited-edition vinyl reissues of the music. The vinyl will be available in various packaging configurations and released on July 28. Pre-order here.


The new single perfectly encapsulates the band's ability to craft songs that skirt around the boundaries of genre creating a unique sound. The late Shawn Smith’s vocals, croon over impressive instrumentation from guitarist and Loosegroove Records founders Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) and drummer Regan Hagar (BRAD, Satchel, Malfunkshun), along with bassist Keith Lowe.


The loss of Shawn in 2019 was a blow to the band and the musical community that he played such an intrinsic role in. This song and the subsequent release of the new LP stand as a celebration of Shawn’s immense talent.


Stone says, “Shawn's lyric from years ago about it never fails. ‘You always return to the scene of the crime.’ Well, BRAD has always been good at looking back and returning as well. Cherishing those times in the past, where we allowed ourselves to experience the magic of creation together, with all the sense of adventure, fear and fearlessness, insecurity and bravado.”


Regan Hagar, who is the drummer in the band as well as a founder and creative director for Loosegroove adds, “I’m moved by Shawn Smith once again. And Stone's guitar work on this track kills me every time I listen.”


The LP, In The Moment That You're Born features 10 new self-produced recordings with vocals recorded by Shawn Smith in recording sessions prior to his 2019 passing. The tracks include a new version of “Stars N’ You”; written by the late Seattle musician Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone, Malfunkshun). The song was originally recorded for the 1986 “Deep Six” compilation by Malfunkshun and also featured BRAD drummer/Loosegroove co-founder Regan Hagar.


In The Moment That You're Born was recorded and mixed by Floyd Reitsma at Studio Litho in Seattle (except for the title track, which was mixed by Josh Evans). The artwork was created by Hagar and includes photos taken by famed Seattle photographer Lance Mercer.


(Photo - Daniel Zetterstrom)

Professionally-filmed footage of Guns N' Roses performing "Patience" live at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA, on September 3, 2017 is available for streaming below. The show was part of the band's Not In This Lifetime tour.





Guns N' Roses are featured in Billboard's recently released  recap of the 10 highest grossing tours in Billboard Boxscore's archives.




"Over nearly four decades, Billboard Boxscore has charted the biggest tours in the world. From Whitney Houston and Billy Joel in the ‘80s to SZA and Post Malone in 2023, artists have topped Boxscore charts in Vegas theaters, international stadiums, and everything in between."


The list of the 10 highest grossing tours in the Boxscore archives is ranked by total earnings, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. All 10 have grossed more than $400 million.


#9: AC/DC - Black Ice World Tour (2008-10)


Gross: $442 million
Attendance: 2.8 million
Shows: 107


"The Black Ice World Tour was something of a comeback for the hard rock legends. The tour and its namesake album were the first for the band in eight years. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the time away worked, pushing AC/DC to an all-time high of $2.4 million and 26,000 tickets per show."





#4: Guns N' Roses - Not In This Lifetime... Tour (2016-19)


Gross: $584 million
Attendance: 5.4 million
Shows: 158


"The title of GnR’s comeback tour was apt, as the band shocked the world by reuniting most of its classic ‘80s lineup, getting Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan back together. The reinstated lineup paid dividends, first conquering the Americas in 2016, then Australia and Europe in 2017, and then all over again in 2018-19."


View the full list, and find out who lands on top, at Billboard.com.

Last year saw the release of The Arrival, the debut studio album from Swedish metal supergroup Dampf, which features members of Hammerfall, Crowne, and Dynasty. Propelled by singles like “The Other Side” and “Who Am I?”, the band performed at several festivals in Finland and Sweden on the strength of their first LP.





Now, Dampf are back with the first single off their yet-to-be-announced follow up to 'he Arrival. The new song, “No Angels Alive”, describes a world full of evil forces and adversity.




“It's finally time to write Chapter 2 in Dampf's history, and first up is ‘No Angels Alive’,” says Martin “E-Type” Erikson. “In reality, the work on the new album is just an extension of the first record. We simply continued to write, produce, and develop Dampf's sound and melodies, and suddenly, in that process, we were finished with our second album. What's new and exciting is that we are now a group with permanent members where everyone has been able to contribute and thereby put their own signature and expression on the songs. The expression ‘No Angels Alive’ means that evil survives in this world for no reason and the good die young.”





Watch the music vdeo for "No Angels Alive" below, stream the track here.





Dampf are:


Martin Eriksson - vocals
Jona Tee - keyboard
Love Magnussen- guitar
Pontus Edberg - bass
David Wallin - drums
Olivia Thorn - backing vocals
Björn Åkesson - vocals
Sam Söderlindh - guitar

With over 50,000 albums sold, 700,000+ monthly Spotify listeners, and more than 100 million streams, American hard rock experts, Throw The Fight, have already developed impressive numbers throughout their band history.


Three years after the release of their latest album, Settle Your Sins, the band marks their return with the upcoming full-length, Strangeworld, out June 30 via Long Branch Records. Produced by Josh Gilbert and Joseph McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Bad Wolves, Light The Torch, Upon A Burning Body), the record is a potent distillation of the strengths of their catalog and a huge step forward to the future.


Today, the band release their new single, "Obey", alongside a music video - marking the third track released off Strangeworld - following the singles "Cover Your Tracks" and "Hourglass".




Singer Kade Katz comments: "‘Obey‘ is about feeling like you are stagnating. It's the sense of being dissociated from life as it moves around you - the feeling of forced complacency.“





With a diehard audience earned the old-school way, and modern rock anthems suited for the digital age, Throw The Fight celebrates two decades of passion and perseverance. Mixing soaring melodicism and heavy bombast without ever sacrificing hooks, this Minnesota outfit was built to last.





Strangeworld will be released as LP Edition incl. transparent vinyl with blue streaks, CD Edition, Stream and Download. Exclusive T-Shirt+CD/LP Bundles are available for pre-order at the Long Branch Records Shop. Pre-order Strangeworld here:





Strangeworld tracklisting:


"Cover Your Tracks"
"Obey"
"Lost Without You"
"Sorry, Not Sorry"
"Hourglass"
"Shadow Self"
"Lost In The Lies"
"Snake Mountain"
"Wake Up!"


"Hourglass" video:





"Cover Your Tracks" video:








Throw The Fight are:


Kade Kastelitz - Vocals
Ryan Baustert - Guitar/Vocals
Kris Weiser - Guitar
Jeff Baustert - Drums


(Photo - Rick Fisher)

Greek black metal legends, Rotting Christ, have released an official anniversary video for "The Opposite Bank", featured on their 1996 album, Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers. Watch below.


Says the band: "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers becomes 27 years today and we celebrate this by creating this little video for you. Hope you will enjoy."







Rotting Christ performed at at The Gramercy Theatre in New York, NY on March 10 as part of their Under Our Black Cult tour. The band have released a recap video, directed by Guilherme Henriques. Watch below:





In late 2022, Rotting Christ dropped a surprise EP, The Apocryphal Spells Vol. I, via Century Media Records. This first volume of songs is a collection of studio and live bonus tracks that were previously only available on select physical products; now, fans can stream these rarities for the first time online here.


Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) commented: "My dear friends, I can proudly announce a compilation of rare Rotting Christ tracks that have never been released on digital platforms before. We have now the opportunity to release them via the first part of a compilation: The Apocryphal Spells. Thanks for your attention, and I hope you will enjoy them, as we also did, recording them back in the days. Spirit Up!"





The Apocryphal Spells Vol. I tracklisting:


"Astral Embodiment"
"Moonlight"
"Phobia"
"Tormentor" (Kreator cover)
"Flag Of Hate/Pleasure to Kill" (Kreator cover)


Rotting Christ was founded by Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) and his brother Themis Tolis (drums) in 1987. Starting out as death/grind, the Greeks embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length, Thy Mighty Contract (1993), was released.


On the following seven albums [spanning a ten-year period from Non Serviam (1994) to Sanctus Diavolos (2004)], Rotting Christ steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status.


With their highly acclaimed ninth album, Theogonia (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since.

In a brand new interview with Marci Wiser of the 95.5 KLOS radio station, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett was asked what he needs at this point in his life to feel completely satisfied and fulfilled. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I meditate. And I meditate a lot. I meditate sometimes a couple of hours a day. I've been meditating for about 25 years now."

He continued: "My beliefs and my outlook on meditation is pretty extreme, I would say. I've come to believe that meditation is what we are, and when we're not meditating, that is, like, the dream. [Laughs] And I've come to the conclusion that meditation is pure consciousness, and everything is pure consciousness. And I also believe in unity of being, which means that we're all connected. But even more than that, we're all the same being. I believe that, and I believe that with my heart. It really dictates how I am day to day and how I treat people. Because if I believe that we're all connected and we are all one, then when I talk to you, I'm basically talking to myself. And when you look at me and into my eyes, you're seeing a version of yourself back. That's how deep I believe it is. And I also believe that consciousness, what people believe is our soul or spirit, it's energy, and energy is never destroyed; it just changes. And so I believe that consciousness is everything and eternal. And being in present and in the moment contains all the possibilities that are available in life."

Hammett added: "That's what I believe. And if people want to find out more, there's a name for what I believe, and it's call non-duality or idealism. It's a relatively new school of thinking that's based on teachings that go back two thousand years or so. But non-duality today says that you don't need to go into a cave for 30 years and meditate; you can do it, if you have the right guidance, in 10 minutes. And that is huge."

Kirk went on to say that he really loves talking about spirituality, adding that "I know my spirituality can be very, very challenging for people. And some people will just [go], like, 'Huh?' But if you're saying 'Huh?' and you're curious, it's worth looking into."

Asked if there are any good books that he recommends, Kirk said: "Oh, yes. 'The Direct Path' by Rupert Spira. The book changed my life."

METALLICA's eleventh studio album, "72 Seasons", was released on Friday (April 14) via METALLICA's own Blackened Recordings. Produced by Greg Fidelman with guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, it is METALLICA's first full-length collection of new material since 2016's "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".

Hammett released his first solo EP, "Portals", in April 2022. The all-instrumental four-song effort was recorded in Los Angeles, Paris, and Oahu and was produced by Hammett, who drew inspiration for the songs from horror movies, classical music, and the work of Ennio Morricone, whose "The Ecstasy Of Gold" has been opening METALLICA live shows since 1983.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

In a new 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 (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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)".

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.

Swollen Teeth - the rapidly ascending four-piece straight from the bowels of hell - are back to detonate another explosion of brutality with new single “EMPTY” today. Their latest offering comes with a new music video featuring live performance footage capturing the raw energy and intensity of their live shows.


The band, who have been steadily making waves within the heavy music scene since the release of their debut single, “SWOLLENTEETH” have repeatedly taken things to the next level with each release from their upcoming, self-titled EP produced by Slipknot's Sid Wilson. Today, the band have also launched their brand new merch store, featuring a range of exclusive designs that fans won't want to miss (available here) and vinyl preorders for the EP here.







In the words of the band themselves,


“‘EMPTY’ HAS LANDED. With heavy respect we can’t wait to throw our horns down with you. This one is “FOR THE FA/W\ILY”. - /W\  


Swollen Teeth are gearing up for a string of headline dates across the US, on their FOR THE FA/W\ILY Tour, including a highly anticipated set at Bonnaroo. Tickets for all shows are available now from the band's official website.


“EMPTY” follows previously released singles “LETHAL” “CAR CRASH” and “SWOLLENTEETH”, which was released back in January.


Since their release, the tracks have clocked up nearly 200,000 Spotify streams and 140,000 YouTube views and have been included on Spotify's All New Metal and New Blood Playlists, Apple's Breaking Hard Rock, Fresh Blood and Breaking Metal Playlists and Deezer's Metal Radar playlist.


The collective will release their debut, self-titled EP, a brutal, visceral, roundhouse kick to the gut of the modern heavy music landscape, produced by Slipknot's Sid Wilson, on Wednesday, May 9. It will be the first release to come out on Blowed Out Records, the new label venture between legendary producer, Ross Robinson (Korn, The Cure, Slipknot, Glassjaw, At The Drive In and countless others), artist Ghostemane and Bill Armstrong (SideOneDummy).


Commenting on his excitement about the project, Sid Wilson shares, “After all these years, when I thought I’d never find another group of humans outside of Slipknot that knew the formula to transparency thru frequencies, and not thru appearance, I discovered Swollen Teeth. This is trü-Metal!” 


Ross Robinson adds, "Sid and I listening to roughs in Iowa, emotions ran high - I found myself getting chills throughout my body to that familiar molten metal pulse I love so much - this time that force is known as ‘Swollen Teeth’ - hunger + talent have that vibration I can’t ignore - Bill, Eric, and I (‘Blowed Out Records’) are totally committed to rip it out there for the long haul..”





Tracklisting:


“EMPTY”
“CAR CRASH”
“BIKE RIDE”
“SWOLLENTEETH”
“LETHAL”


"EMPTY" video:





“LETHAL” video:





(Photo: Hallway)

Blessed Curse has released the new single and lyric video for “Throne Of Bones,” the second sampling of the Nor Cal group’s new album. Recognized for their deadly thrash metal the trio strike back with another ruthless outing filled with crunchy guitars, bellowing vocals and hammering drums complimented by a lyric video created by Raf Orteaga at Ecliptic Visions (Ayreon, The Absence, Hecate Enthroned) which can be viewed below, while the digital single is on all streaming/download platforms.


“‘Throne Of Bones’ is a malicious track about an individual who meets with a witch that teaches you how to change your physical form into something sinister to get away with brutal murders,” explains guitarist/vocalist Tyler Satterlee. “With this power this person literally constructs a throne of bones of his enemies deep in the woods, gleefully sitting upon a bloody chair of vengeance.”


“‘Throne Of Bones’ is one of those tracks that has a great end cap feel to it,” furthers drummer Derek Bean. “Finalizing the album, it definitely brings an intense closure to an intense record. Loaded with all the dark imagery, heavy riffing and pounding double bass that the band is known for I couldn’t be happier with how the song delivers on all of the B.C. strong points. All the while it is still pushing the boundaries of what we do to keep progressing with heavy music without abandoning what we’re all about.”




“Throne Of Bones” follows up “Street Freaks,” the first self-released song the Sacramento-based outfit issued last year as work began on what eventually became the anticipated new full-length, Pray For Armageddon. Anticipated because it’s been 6 long years since Blessed Curse released the Beware Of The Night EP, and 11 since the group’s full-length self-titled debut. Productivity and output hasn’t been the band’s forte, but their core metal belief and dedication is and the band has played all over Northern California plying their trade and fans continue to support and anxiously await more new music.


That reality is becoming clearer as today we launch pre-orders for Pray For Armageddon featuring ten new songs planned for an August 11 international release on CD and Digital, and for the first time on vinyl with 300 transparent orange copies being pressed. Preorder here.


“Pray For Armageddon is about sadistic religious impatience caused by sorcery. A shortcut to Judgement Day, three lycanthropic prophets invoke a global curse causing all people to commit horrific sin instantly everywhere. Triggering the maker’s wrathful punishment, our world is quickly ‘cleansed’ by sky-high waves of flame and destruction,” eerily adds Tyler.


Pray For Armageddon was produced by the band and recorded, mixed and mastered by Joe Johnston at Sacramento’s Pus Cavern Studios (Will Haven, Silversun Pickups, Dance Gavin Dance) and once again features the cover art of Marc Sasso (Dio, Morbid Angel, Halford).


“We were very fortunate to once again work with the amazing Marc Sasso, who also did our 2012 debut album artwork,” furthers Tyler. “Once again featuring the BC Beast ‘Larry.’ He was able to bring our apocalyptic vision to life showcasing three beast prophets overlooking a major city being obliterated after their wicked spell angers the Almighty… Btw, Larry is named after the Universal Monster character Larry Talbot, who tragically becomes cursed in the 1941 classic ‘The Wolf Man.’"


More information on Blessed Curse, their forthcoming album, and additional live shows will be revealed in the months to come by M-Theory Audio.





Tracklisting:


“Pray For Armageddon”
“Beheader”
“Subspecies”
“Lock Me Up”
“Skinned Alive”
“Street Freaks”
“Into The Dark”
“Aftermath”
“Graveyard World”
“Throne Of Bones”


“Throne Of Bones” lyric video:





“Street Freaks”:

In a new interview with Wyatt of U.K.'s Planet Rock, Nikki Sixx spoke about MÖTLEY CRÜE 's decision to hire John 5 to replace Mick Mars, the group's founding guitarist, who announced his retirement from touring with the group last October as a result of worsening health issues.

"I've been friends with John forever and I would make jokes, 'As long as you're a 5, I feel good being a Sixx.' Y'know, stupid best buddy jokes.

"Me and that guy have been either hanging out at each other's houses, writing songs… he plays (guitar) all day long. So, he comes over here and he grabs one of my guitars or brings his own and we just sit around and play and talk about the '70s and how great LYNYRD SKYNYRD and 'Scooby Doo' was."

He continued: "My wife just said that when Mick told us he was leaving the band and I told her I'd talked to Tommy [Lee, CRÜE drummer] and Vince [Neil, CRÜE singer], and everybody feels that John would be a great fit, and I hadn't called John yet because you had to be sure we were doing everything correctly. My wife said, 'Well, that's great.' I said, 'What do you mean by that?' She goes, 'Well, you'll be going on stage and you'll be on the phone to John.' And they're, like, 'You gotta go on stage!', and he'll be like 'Okay, call me back in an hour and a half.'

"So we're always chatting and jamming and the friendship is so wonderful. Him and Tommy are really close. Vince loves him. He's just a great guy and a great musician and he gives us a great opportunity as a three-piece so to speak to really lock in. He's just such a great guitar player."

Comparing CRÜE 's current musicianship to how it was while Mick was still in the band, Nikki added: "It's nothing against any other musician that you play with, just that when you play with new musicians you play differently. We're still playing the same songs that people wanna hear but it kind of like re-inspires you. And I'm sure the same thing would happen if they got a new bass player. They're like 'oh wow, he's attacking it differently.' So it's never about how bad anybody was.

"It's a nice time [for MÖTLEY CRÜE] and it's kind of inspired us to write a little bit," he added. "We love our history, we're very proud of everything we've done. We've always been really supportive of Mick no matter what Mick was going through. We're just happy with where we're at right now."

When Mars announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE, he maintained that he would remain a member of the band, with John 5 taking his place on the road. However, earlier this month the 71-year-old musician filed a lawsuit against CRÜE in Los Angeles County's Superior Court claiming that, after his announcement, the rest of CRÜE tried to remove him as a significant stakeholder in the group's corporation and business holdings via a shareholders' meeting. Specifically, Mars claims he was asked to sign a severance agreement that would divest him of his 25 percent stake in the band's various business interests in return for a 5 percent stake in the band's 2023 tour. This stake, the lawsuit alleges, would be reduced to 0 percent for future tours. Mick claims CRÜE's management later upped the offer from 5 percent to a 7.5 percent stake in the band's 2023 tour, which would remain contingent on Mars divesting himself from the band and their businesses. When Mars refused to sign the papers, the band took the dispute to arbitration "rather than a public lawsuit so that the public would not be aware of the deplorable manner in which they treated their 'brother' of 41 years," Mick claims in the lawsuit.

Regarding Mick 's lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE, Nikki told Planet Rock: "If a member of a band tells you that they can't tour because of health reasons, you have two choices. You can quit as a band [after] 42 years of work. Or we could look at each other and go 'are we done yet?!' We're really peaking and we understand [Mick 's] health issues.

"We wish him the best and we know that he's a little bit confused and being misled by representatives right now. But we still have to stay focused on why we're here."

Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS),a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis. After years of performing through the pain, he informed the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE last summer that he could no longer tour with them but would still be open to recording new music or performing at residencies that did not require much travel.

In his lawsuit, Mars also alleged that he was the only band member to play 100 percent live on their most recent tour, claiming Sixx "did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour."

After Mars filed his lawsuit, Sixx responded on Twitter, writing: "Sad day for us and we don't deserve this considering how many years we've been propping him up. We still wish him the best and hope he find's [sic] lawyers and managers who aren't damaging him. We love you Mick."

According to Variety, Mars's attorney said he was warned by the band's lawyers that "if your client rejects the severance package that was graciously offered to him by the band, he will get next to nothing. I suggest you think about the repercussions of this decision… There is undisputed legal cause here for Mick's removal. Mick is unable to perform as a full-fledged band member. Among other things, as demonstrated during the last tour, he repeatedly forgets his chords, does not play the right song, plays chords of a different song while on stage, and so on."

Mick's filing claimed that MÖTLEY CRÜE filed an arbitration case against him in February, "essentially suing him" to prove that it had the right to fire him from the band.

"They clearly commenced an arbitration, rather than a public lawsuit, so that the public would not be aware of the deplorable manner in which they treated their 'brother' of 41 years," lawyers for Mars wrote in the petition.

Mick is suing MÖTLEY CRÜE so he can go over all the financial books and determine if he's getting what he feels he deserves.

Today, multi-platinum rap rock band Hollywood Undead share the music video for “House Of Mirrors” featuring multi-genre sensation Jelly Roll. Available exclusively on the digital version of Hotel Kalifornia Deluxe, the song is a story of self-reflection and was co-written with Jelly Roll in a studio session last year.


"I’ve been a fan of Hollywood Undead for a long time — it was surreal to get to work with them,” shares Jelly Roll. “Everything just clicked in the studio that day the record is a perfect representation of where we all were at that point in our lives."


“‘House Of Mirrors’ is a song of self-reflection and redemption,” Hollywood Undead’s Johnny 3 Tears shares. “No matter how far you run you can’t escape the person staring back at you in the mirror. One day we all have to face ourselves… and hopefully we can look back and not have to look away at what we see.”




Hollywood Undead will release the deluxe version of their eighth studio album Hotel Kalifornia on April 28 in both digital and vinyl formats. 


Hotel Kalifornia, originally released in 2022, represents “a juxtaposition between the ‘haves’ and the ’have-nots,’ highlighting the ongoing homelessness and cost of living crisis that is affecting the band’s home state of California.” Hotel Kalifornia saw placements on genre playlists such as Spotify’s Rock Hard, Hard Rock & Rock Rotation, Apple Music’s Breaking Hard Rock & New in Rock, and Top 40 placement at US Rock & Active Rock Radio with the standout single “City Of The Dead.”


Hollywood Undead will make several festival appearances, co-headline appearances with Papa Roach, and headline throughout the spring and summer worldwide with Bamboozle Festival, and international festivals including Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring, Nova Rock, Hellfest, and more. Find tickets and tour info at hollywoodundead.com.





Tracklisting:


“CHOAS”
“World War Me”
“Ruin My Life”
“Hourglass”
“Go To War”
“Alone At The Top”
“Wild In These Streets”
“Dangerous”
“Lion Eyes”
“Trap God”
“Happy When I Die”
“Reclaim”
“City Of The Dead”
“Alright”
“Evil”
“Salvation”
“First Class Suicide”
“Ransom”
“Break On Through”
“House Of Mirrors” (feat. Jelly Roll) (Digital Deluxe only)


"House Of Mirrors" video feat. Jelly Roll:





“Evil” video:





(Top photo: Cameron Nunez)

Napalm Records has announced the signing of Swedish symphonic metal pioneers, Therion. Following the release of limited vinyl reissues of the band’s classic albums Secrets Of The Runes, Lemuria, Sirius B and Gothic Kabbalah in autumn 2022, Therion is now joining forces with Napalm Records for the release of their new full-length later this year. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming album.


Therion states: "After almost 30 years of being signed to Nuclear Blast Records, it felt like it was time to try something new when we were out of the contract. Napalm Records is one of the biggest and best metal labels around and they have shown interest in Therion for many years, so when the time came to look around for a new label, it felt natural to start negotiating with them. We came to terms and now we are thrilled to start working with them and have great confidence that they will do an amazing job with the coming final album in the Leviathan trilogy."


Sebastian Münch, A&R, Napalm Records on the signing: “As a lifelong fan, it is with great pleasure that we announce the signing of Therion. As innovators of Operatic Metal, the band created timeless masterpieces with the albums Theli and Vovin. Recently, with the releases of Leviathan I & II Christofer started to tell a new musical story and a journey that we are very happy to walk together. Welcome to the Napalm family!“




Therion are:


Christofer Johnsson - guitars and keyboards
Sami Karppinen - drums
Nalle “Grizzly” Påhlsson - bass
Thomas Vikström - lead vocals
Christian Vidal - guitar
Lori Lewis - vocals


(Photo - Mina Karadzic)

In a brand new interview with Vintage Rock Pod, former RAINBOW and current ALCATRAZZ singer Doogie White spoke about his time working with legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. He said: "Well, I always got on well with him. It's not my name on the board. It's not me selling the tickets. It's him selling the tickets. I was in a very lucky position. He could have chosen any singer in the world to come and join him. But he chose me. And I'll be eternally grateful for that because it gave me a springboard to do [other things] — not so much with [Michael] Schenker but with Yngwie [Malmsteen] and ALCATRAZZ and things. It gave me a worldwide audience, and I've had a lot of work come from that worldwide audience and because of my collaboration with Ritchie — and, to some extent, Yngwie as well. And so I'll always be grateful to him for that."

Doogie went on to say that he "never really had any run-ins" with Ritchie. "We used to go to Blockbusters together when there was no football on," he said, referencing the throwback movie rental chain Blockbuster. "I used to go down to his house when we weren't doing anything. Go round to his house and we'd sit and watch 'The Princess Bride' or, you know, 'The Appointment' — I mean, just rubbish movies, the two of us walking round going, 'What's this one?' at Blockbusters. But we got on really well. And then one day, he just went [snaps fingers] and it was gone. And it was gone as quick as that.

"We played football the day before the last show in Esbjerg in Denmark," he continued. "We played the show. Nothing was wrong. And then within an hour of us coming off stage, it was all sort of [shaky]... And I went home and just phoned him up and just handed in my resignation. I said, 'Unless I hear from you in 24 hours, I'm not doing it, I'm not doing this anymore.' And that was it. And I've never spoken to him since. But he's always treated me fairly."

According to Doogie, he did have one brief correspondence with Ritchie after his exit from RAINBOW. "I did contact him because I was owed some... We had a publishing agreement for the songs that I'd written, and I provided his management with the evidence that I was due funds, and they wouldn't pay," he explained. "So I just wrote to him directly and said, 'Look, man.' And he went "Okay, there you go.' The check was in the post. So I've always had a great respect for him for that reason."

White said that he is grateful to Blackmore for giving him a break and making it possible for him to have a career in music.

"He's very good at bringing new people in and taking people — not necessarily off the streets, but out of clothing shops, or out of being a coach builder or whatever," White said. "And then he sets you free to do [whatever]. He sucks you in, bleeds you dry and then sets you free, and you can go off and if you can find your wings, you can fly. Some do, some don't. And that's one of his great gifts to the world of rock and roll, is the amount of people who he has given careers to that you would maybe never have had of. And we've all got to be very grateful for that. I mean, David Coverdale could still be selling suits in Redcar. You know, Ronnie Dio could still be trying to get ELF to do something. You know, Graham Bonnet could still be crooning away in Australia. I could still be sleeping on somebody's floor in London. But he gave us all this opportunity to go out there and make something of ourselves. And if you grasped it, you grasped it, and if you didn't, you didn't."

White first came to prominence when he was asked to audition for RAINBOW, subsequently joining the band in 1994 and releasing the album "Stranger In Us All". Since then, he has worked with CORNERSTONE (a band he put together with former ROYAL HUNT member Steen Mogesen),YNGWIE MALMESTEEN'S RISING FORCE, TANK, and, more recently, MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST and ALCATRAZZ. His vocal range is rich and distinctive and he is certainly one of the great rock vocalists of his generation.

In an interview with Japanese music critic and radio personality Masa Ito of TVK's "Rock City" conducted in late February at Tower Records in Shibuya, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine praised the band's current lineup, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think this is — and not taking anything away from any of the past players, but we seem to fit the best together. I'm not saying that anybody's better than anybody else, because we're all really good musicians and we're all very nice people, but I think the chemistry is really important. And things that we want to do are more similar than any of the other lineups that we had. There's always somebody that wants something different. Not so with the four of us. We really want to play and entertain and be the biggest metal band in history."

MEGADETH's current lineup also includes Belgian-born-and-now-Los-Angeles-based drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who had played with SOILWORK for more than a decade before joining MEGADETH, and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who was previously best known for his work with ANGRA. Playing bass for MEGADETH is James LoMenzo, who was MEGADETH's bass player in the mid-2000s and stepped back in as a touring member for the 2021 leg of "The Metal Tour Of The Year". In May 2022, it was announced that Lomenzo was officially rejoining the MEGADETH family.

Last September, MEGADETH's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!", debuted at the top of the charts during its first week of sales, taking the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 as well as number ones on Top Album Sales, Top Current Albums Sales, Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums. "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" was the highest-charting MEGADETH album of all time around the world, notching No. 1 In Finland, No. 2 in australia, poland, Switzerland, and Scotland, No. 3 in the U.K., and more.

MEGADETH's previous top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 were "Countdown to Extinction" (No. 2, 1992),"Youthanasia" (No. 4, 1994),"Cryptic Writings" (No. 10, 1997),"United Abominations" (No. 8, 2007),"Endgame" (No. 9, 2009),"Super Collider" (No. 6, 2013) and "Dystopia" (No. 3, 2016).

MEGADETH recently received its thirteenth Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" for the song "We'll Be Back" from "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!".

MEGADETH won the 2017 Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for the title track of the band's 2016 album "Dystopia". This marked the group's twelfth Grammy nomination in this category (including nominations in the discontinued "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category).

During an appearance on the latest episode of "The Chuck Shute Podcast", former VAN HALEN and current EXTREME frontman Gary Cherone spoke about how he deals with online criticism in the age of social media. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I was in VAN HALEN, so all the criticism I got, nothing can hurt me."

He continued: "You've gotta… Not only that — just through your life, you could dwell on it.

"It's so funny, and I'm guilty of it — I'm sure [other] people are [as well] — you can get a hundred compliments but the one negative thing is the one you remember.

"You mature," Gary explained. "You get old enough to [where] it's just, like, listen, don't paint a picture and put it out in the world if you don't want criticism. Some people are gonna like it; some people aren't. Not everyone's gonna like EXTREME, and if it hurts my feelings, [it's not like I will say], 'Okay, I'll quit. I'll go home and I won't play anymore.' That ain't gonna happen."

The third VAN HALEN frontman, Cherone took over when Sammy Hagar left the group (or was fired, depending on whom you ask) in 1996.

Cherone's sole release with VAN HALEN, 1998's "Van Halen III", was a commercial disappointment. He was dismissed from VAN HALEN soon after the tour ended.

EXTREME will release new album, "Six", on June 9 via earMUSIC.

In addition to having its music appear in the Netflix juggernaut "Stranger Things", the Boston quartet has sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1, packed major venues on multiple continents, memorably performed at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in London, and regularly average over five million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Gary has also recorded and performed with Joe Perry, while EXTREME guitarist Nuno Bettencourt has recorded and performed with Steven Tyler and Rihanna.