Former GREAT WHITE singer Jack Rusell says that he would like to "at least shake" the hand of the band's founding guitarist Mark Kendall once again before one of them dies.

Russell exited GREAT WHITE in December 2011 after he was unable to tour with the group due a series of injuries, including a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis. Jack largely blamed these injuries on his alcohol and painkiller addictions as well as the prednisone drug he was prescribed.

During an appearance on today's (Monday, January 15) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Russell was asked if he a part of him would like to reconnect with Kendall at some point and possibly even play together again. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, of course there's always that thought. Just because I look back and some of the best times in my life were when me and Mark were hanging out when we were young kids and then started the band and were just playing around. We were making little tapes like we were doing interviews…. We were just playing. And it was a great time, 'cause we always knew we were gonna pull it off. I don't know how to tell you why, but we always knew we were gonna, and we just kept going and going and going until all of a sudden we were there. And we had so many great times. And I would love to at least shake his hand before I kick off."

Asked when the last time was that he spoke to Kendall, Russell said: "I haven't spoken to him in years. I haven't seen him in years. The last time I saw or spoke to him was at the court thing that solved the [dispute over the GREAT WHITE] name and logo. We showed up at the logo and the name thing at the court in L.A., and he was there. We agreed on what we were gonna be, and [rhythm guitarist/keyboardist] Michael [Lardie] was on the phone, I think, like this, and [drummer] Audie [Desbrow] was on the phone, I think, and Mark was there. We shook hands, and that was it."

Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. A short time later, Russell was countersued by guitarist Mark Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell now performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE.

In an interview with T Stone of the radio show "Sonic Boom" onReal Rock 100.3 The Fox in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jack was asked how he feels about the fact that there are now effectively two versions of GREAT WHITE touring and making new music. He responded: "It's weird, man. I mean, it doesn't bother me — except when Mark goes out there and starts talking shit about me. Every time he gives an interview, he goes out there and starts talking some kind of shit about me. It's, like, dude, it's been 12 years. Get over it.

"It is too bad," Russell added. "We were best friends, we were brothers for years. And now it's like the guy won't even pick up the phone and speak to me. It's horrible. It makes you feel really bad. And every time I pick up a paper or [I see] something on the Internet [where] Mark's [giving] an interview, he's always talking shit about me. It's, like, dude, talk about yourself. Talk about how great your album is or how great your band is. Leave me the fuck alone. I'm not bagging on you."

Asked by T Stone why he thinks it's that way for Kendall, Russell replied: "I don't know. Maybe he's just pissed off that I'm still doing it. I mean, the first article they did after I left the band was, 'Oh, he'll never pull it off.' And it's been, what? 12 years now?

"The way I look at it is you do what you do," he continued. "Have a good time. Be happy that you're able to do this. Be happy that you're lucky enough to be able to do this — especially when there's two versions of the band."

When T Stone noted that "it's gotta be especially tough" for GREAT WHITE "trying to do it without the actual voice of the band," Jack said: "That's the one thing, I think, that separates the cover bands from the original bands — is the voice. 'Cause that's the one thing that you need. You take Steven Tyler out of AEROSMITH, I don't care who you put in there, it ain't gonna be AEROSMITH… The only time I've ever seen it work was with Sammy Hagar — and just 'cause Sammy is a better singer [than David Lee Roth]. And they wrote some really great songs. But give me a fucking choice, I'd go see David Lee Roth [before] I would [see] Sammy. And I love Sammy; he's a great guy. Dave's a great guy too."

In June 2022, shortly after GREAT WHITE announced that it had parted ways with singer Mitch Malloy, Kendall dismissed the idea of reuniting with Russell, telling Dr. Music in an interview: "[People say,] 'Why don't you patch things up with Jack?' What people don't understand is we never even got in fights [with Jack]. In 25 years together, we might have gotten in two arguments. The thing that took him out is the horrible demons of addiction, and it's really affected his health. I just saw a video the other day where he's not even standing — he's using wheelchairs and he's sitting in a stool. So for us to go back to that, it just feels dark. I'd rather remember him… 'Cause I'm very proud of our career — I'm very proud of the past. I'm so lucky to be a part of it. And I wanna remember it like that, where he's flying around on stage and getting the crowds pumped and singing his heart out — not a sick person. So going to that…"

In November 2022, Russell ruled out the possibility of him reuniting with his former bandmates, telling All Access Live! With Kevin Rankin: "As far as the fans are concerned, for the most part they've been really cool about [there being two versions of the band]. It is what it is. Of course most of them would rather see us back together. There are a few people that, for whatever reason, like a new guy better, which I don't understand. That'd be like me saying I like somebody better than Steven Tyler in AEROSMITH. Or, 'Get rid of that Robert Plant schmuck [in LED ZEPPELIN]. Let me hear somebody else.' I don't know. To each his own. Some things just defy explanation or logic. But for the most part, I think, people would like things, to see them back to where they were, which will never happen. Those days are gone, and anybody out there that's hoping and wishing and praying, it's not gonna happen; I'll tell you right now. Both camps agree [on that]."

Russell went on to say that he chooses to stay away from speaking disparagingly about his former bandmates. "I don't jump on the drama train," he said. "Unfortunately, there are still people that do, in my other band, that still choose to pass along negativity. And I'm not gonna say anything bad about anybody. It's, like, why? We were all huge friends for years. We accomplished one of the hugest things you can ever accomplish together — something that's almost impossible we pulled off. We were on five major labels, so we did it five times. Usually you lose one and you're blackballed. And we were on five different major labels. So there's something to say for that. I never was gonna let up until I was done."

Malloy had been in GREAT WHITE for nearly four years, having joined the group in 2018 following the departure of Terry Ilous.

Ilous, frontman of '80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after stepping in for touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).

The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012's "Elation" and 2017's "Full Circle", before Terry was dismissed from the group.

In 2018, Desbrow told ListenIowa that there was never any discussion about possibly bringing Jack back after Terry's exit from GREAT WHITE. "Not at all," he said. "We've already moved on from that. We've gone through a lot of stuff with that over the years, and the fact that he sued us in federal court for the name, and we spent a lot of time and money, you just don't return from that. People tell me that they've seen his latest shows, and it's just hard to look at because his health isn't as good as it could be. We've got a really grueling schedule, and it's hard enough for me, and I'm semi-healthy. [Laughs] I couldn't imagine someone in his condition doing what we're doing. We did shows with him toward the end, and he was in and out of a wheelchair and crutches, had to be carried up stairs, was falling asleep onstage. It just got old. It's a business, and we have families to support and mortgages to pay. You can't go to work messed up 24/7 and still be able to work there."

In October 2022, GREAT WHITE officially named Brett Carlisle as its new lead singer. Carlisle joins the band as the replacement for Andrew Freeman, who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Per Wiberg will release his new solo album, The Serpent’s Here, on the new date of March 15 via Despotz Records. In advance of the record’s release, Wiberg today offers up brilliant new single, “Dead Sky Lullaby.”


Wiberg comments, “I’d like to think ‘Dead Sky Lullaby’ is good traveling music, a kraut/space rock rager that boasts a Hawkwind-meets-Sonic Youth vibe with a big chorus in the vein of Killing Joke. It was recorded live in the studio, it shows, and it definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s kinda divided into two parts with different type of choruses, the first part’s a bit wilder and the second has more of an epic melodic feel to it. It’s all tied together by the apocalyptic lyrics and a beat that could go on forever and ever and ever… enjoy!"


As an unrivaled musical alchemist, Wiberg’s work has illuminated an array of now-classic albums over the years performing with the likes of Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, and Candlemass, as well as Clutch/The Bakerton Group, Switchblade, and Kamchatka, among others, for over thirty years. However, it’s Wiberg’s solo conjurings that serve as the zenith of his musical voyages.




In 2019, Wiberg released his debut solo offering, Head Without Eyes. A record of Nordic prog submerged in a gnawing stew of jolting guitar notes and emotive melodies, Wiberg’s debut laid bare an unexplored sonic landscape that surpassed the successes of his past and solidified his strong presence as a unique solo artist in his own right. Wiberg followed Head Without Eyes with his equally stunning 2021-released All Is Well In The Land Of The Living, But For The Rest Of Us… Lights Out EP, a compelling celebration of innovative rock at its finest. Expanding and further evolving his vision, Wiberg expertly composed the definitive and established paradigms of traditional progressive rock with spirited and electrifying twists of dark tone. The Metal Observer hailed, “a great EP that serves as a fitting soundtrack to these strange, dark times,” adding, “its thick, otherworldly atmospheres represent a gloriously dark and hallucinated take on Scandinavian prog that weaves together Wiberg’s many musical influences and takes them to the next level of dark melodic exploration.


The Serpent’s Here continues Wiberg’s innovative trajectory boasting six consuming tracks, plus a fantastically gloomy rendition of Warrior Soul’s “The Losers,” that are at once grim and surreal; airy yet ominous. Wiberg paints vivid sound tapestries with his clever sense of dynamics and thoughtful lyricism. Each song moves with alluring subtlety and suspense, not unlike the conventions of classic film noir. And while Wiberg strays far from the traditional musical constructs, there’s an inescapable melodicism and intrinsic catchiness to his output that makes even his most experimental outpourings seamlessly accessible.


“The music has a strong familiar identity I’d say,” notes Wiberg, “It’s heavy in its tone but this time a little braver, up-tempo, loose, and ‘rock’n’roll’ compared to the previous two albums. Overall, this is the most epic sounding of my stuff so far. Things are more defined. I worked hard with lyrics and vocal arrangements this time.”


On The Serpent’s Here, Wiberg is joined by drummer Tor Sjödén (Viagra Boys) who played drums on the previous EP, as well as bassist Mikael Tuominen (Kungens Män). Basic live tracks (drums, basses, grand piano) were recorded at Studio Gröndahl by David Castillo and, as with previous releases, the record was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Blacklounge Studios.


“All songs are built from rough song sketches that I showed Tor and Mikael,” elaborates Wiberg of The Serpent’s Here’s writing process. “The idea was that they could improvise. All basic tracks were recorded live in an afternoon to give it that extra spontaneous energy, and then I’d layer keys, guitars, and vocals on top of what we recorded. Overall, there are more guitars this time as well as two basses on the majority of the tracks.”


Stay tuned for more track teasers from the record to be revealed in the weeks to come.


Find preorder bundles at the Despotz Records webshop.





Tracklisitng:


“Dead Sky Lullaby”
“The Serpent’s Here”
“Blackguards Stand Silent”
“This House Is Someone Else’s Now”
“He Just Disappeared”
“Follow The Unknown”
“The Losers” (Warrior Soul cover)


"Dead Sky Lullaby":





“The Serpent’s Here”:





(Photo – Soile Siirtola)

Verona On Venus will release its debut album, Popular Delusions, across all major music platforms on January 19. Popular Delusions represents the entry into frontman status for Mike Spreitzer, who for the last 20 years has been known and recognized as the lead guitarist of the groove metal band DevilDriver. Verona On Venus released its first single, “Rodent” on December 1, 2023, followed by the “Monarch Acid Test” release on December 15, 2023, with outstanding reviews from media, fans, and peers. 


Popular Delusions showcases Spreitzer’s powerful vocal abilities and music writing with a variety of range and technical structure to each track. The album begins with a heavier melodic metal sound and progresses to an industrial-inspired style that wraps up with a cover of Acid Bath’s “The Bones Of Baby Dolls”. Popular Delusions sets the landscape for future single releases to be expected in 2024 that embody the eerie, heavy, and industrial sounds alike with provocative lyrics and vocals as heard on this debut album.


“Popular Delusions is music for people who are reasonably not crazy, most of the time,” says Spreitzer. “But in all seriousness, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I'm equally elated to share my music as I am pleasantly anxious about it all." 




Since the announcement of Verona On Venus, there has been excitement surrounding the release of the album and the compelling creative that started with the release of the two band announcement teasers, Part 1 and Part 2. These videos served as the prequels to the debut single music video for “Rodent”. 


Album artwork by Jayson Won at UNKN Creative / art inspired by Emil Melmoth:





Tracklisting:


“Rodent”
“Dead Heroes Hang”
“Floods Of Burden”
“The Hate Ballet”
“Dirty Cigarettes”
“Red Dead Rose”
“Popular Delusions”
“Monarch Acid Test”
“The Bones Of Baby Dolls”


“Rodent” video:





“Monarch Acid Test” video:

Dark Funeral frontman Heljarmader has been hospitalized with thrombosis (blood clots) and will miss the next two shows with his other band Grá.


The 40-year-old singer said in a social media post: 


Who wants to live forever? I've just returned from a really close conversation with Death himself but I'm not dead or dying yet. I suffered from a pretty severe thrombosis (blood clot), luckily I got hospitalized in time and I got the treatment needed to manage my condition, there's also a long term plan in the making for maximum recovery. I'm being well taken care of and have the right people, and family, right here with me. Please respect my privacy.




“What I need to tell you though, and this is the reason I feel obligated to make this ordeal public, is that I will not be able to perform on two of my upcoming shows and for that I am very frustrated. We don't know exactly how extensive this will be, but as of now I will definitely not be able to do the Grá shows in Athens (Jan 26) and Stockholm (Feb 3). I am not allowed to by the medical team that is taking care of me, as it could put my health at risk. However! The shows WILL be executed by the rest of the band and Niklas will step in on double duty with guitar and vocals so the gigs are NOT cancelled. I do encourage you all to go and enjoy them, you are being given a unique performance and by doing so, you support Grá and you also support me.


“Regarding future shows, me and my medical team are certain that I will be fully recovered in time and to fulfill everything else that is on my schedule.


“Thank you for understanding and I will tell you more when I can. Right now this is all there is to be said and I need time to rest to recover, thanks for your time. /Heljarmadr”


In the Chaoszine clip below, Dark Funeral frontman Heljarmadr reveals his story as a metal vocalist.





Dark Funeral performed "Leviathan" from their 2022 album, We Are The Apocalypse, during their set at Bloodstock 2022. Watch professionally-filmed footage below:





Watch the band perform "Nail Them To The Cross" at the same show:

Vltimas have been legends since the dawn of metal. Rune Eriksen took hold of axe-wielding duties for the second coming of Mayhem. Flo Mounier has been drumming for Cryptopsy since their earliest exhumations of the Canadian underground. And who could forget David Vincent, the larger-than-life vocalist for Morbid Angel.        


Having already made history, some metalheads may have stroked their beard and wondered if there could possibly be any new realms for this band to conquer. But on their new album, Vltimas ascend to truly epic heights.


A visualizer for the new song, "Scorcher", can be viewed below.




Some metal songs prefer to slowly unfold before blowing out your ear drums. But rest assured, "Scorcher" is not a slow burn. Sure, the guitars lure you in with a smoky seance. Once Rune tightens those chords into icy black tremolo picking though, Vltimas take off like a bat out of hell. The amps crank up; Flo fires off blast beats that are hot enough to singe an angel's wings, while David Vincent unleashes a miles-long battle cry.      


"Satan laughs as worlds collide!"


His growl is so massive, so heartless, you'd better believe that he's talking about himself.


"'Scorcher' brings to life a fantastic story of the great purge that's coming our way", says Vincent. "Humanity has been sleepwalking toward this reckoning for centuries. There will be no refuge, nor mercy granted".





Epic will be released on March 15 via Season Of Mist.


Available formats:


- Digital Download
- CD Digipak
- 12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
- 12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Skull Gold
- 12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Dracula
- 12" Picture Vinyl


Pre-order here, pre-save here.





Tracklisting:


"Volens Discordant"
"Epic"
"Miserere"
"Exercitus Irae"
"Mephisto Manifesto"
"Scorcher"
"Invictus"
"Nature's Fangs"
"Spoils Of War"


"Miserere" video:





Extreme metal powerhouse Vltimas (pronounced 'uhl-tuh-mas') assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Epic, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, Vltimas fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles "Miserere," "Scorcher," and "Invictus" showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness.


"We wrote every bit of Epic together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas," offers Vincent. "The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I'd say to the guys, 'I need to capture this.' So, the magic [of Vltimas] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we're doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie."
 
While the members of Vltimas are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they're together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he's got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it's the moody, angular attack of "Miserere," the wicked groove of "Mephisto Manifesto," or the dark fury of "Nature's Fangs," the chemistry and enterprise of Vltimas is undeniable.


"The main goal [of Vltimas] is to be real," Eriksen reveals. "To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don't believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For Epic, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and 'playful' flair."


Vltimas was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian's fingers still itched with infernal fury. Vltimas was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, Vltimas had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, Epic spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent's brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.


"Everything we're doing and messaging is about strength and honor," says Vincent. "These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they'll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn't say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I'm not a short attention span guy, and I don't appreciate it. Epic is holistic and meant to be experienced that way."


Epic was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. Vltimas tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—Epic was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer "Spoils of War," Epic is an absolute beast.


"Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode," Eriksen says of the sessions. "We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there's always another idea popping up."


Vltimas brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize Epic. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the "impossible triangle," projects effortlessly. In Epic, the group will dominate. There's no escape from "Miserere," "Mephisto Manifesto," "Scorcher," and "Invictus." Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, Vltimas into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.


"[Epic is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal," offers Eriksen. "All combined into one album."


"I want to be as emotional and honest [with Vltimas]," Vincent adds. "I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. Epic is strength."


Lineup:


David Vincent - Vocals
Rune Blasphemer Eriksen - Guitars
Flo Mounier - Drums
Ype TVS - Bass
João Duarte - Guitars

In a new interview with Jai That Aussie Metal Guy, IN FLAMES singer Anders Fridén spoke about the evolution of the band's sound. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I am aware that not all people follow us from album to album, even though there's a majority that do. And some people don't understand why we're trying this or that. But it's just like… For me as a songwriter or being part of the band, I need to evolve, I need to do something else. I can't just stay in the same place all the time. And that's what I love about music. And that's why I joined a metal band or wanted to be part of a metal band in the beginning because I thought everything was free — you can do whatever the fuck you wanted. It was just later in life I realized, 'Oh, there's all these rules.' I didn't sign up for these rules. Even though I appreciate the people care that much, but I don't wanna be part of those rules. I'm fine with people having rules — 'I'm into this' and 'I only listen to this' — and that's fucking cool. Do whatever you want. But I didn't sign up on those rules. So I wanna do and I wanna take IN FLAMES to a lot of different sonic territories, even though I don't wanna ever lose the sense of melody in writing and so on."

He continued: "I think through all our albums, there's this underlying theme of melody and aggression, even though it appears on every album in slightly different ways. But I really feel we have a sound that you can recognize, which, to me, it's the most important thing. You hear it, 'Oh, that's IN FLAMES.' People don't say, 'Oh, well, that sounds like AC/DC, but it's IN FLAMES.' It is IN FLAMES — no matter what it is, good or bad, whatever, it is IN FLAMES. So, yeah, at the end of the day, it's not going to be an album, a song. It's gonna be, like, we made something out these different chords and it sounds like IN FLAMES and we created a sound that traveled the world, which, to me, it's rewarding to know that."

Last year, IN FLAMES parted ways with bassist Bryce Paul and replaced him with Liam Wilson (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN).

Wilson made his live debut with IN FLAMES on June 7, 2023 at the Release Athens festival in Athens, Greece.

IN FLAMES' latest album, "Foregone", was released in February 2023 via Nuclear Blast. According to a press release, the LP "combines the greatest aggressive, metallic, and melodic strengths of their landmark records with the seasoned songwriting of their postmodern era."

"Foregone" was the second IN FLAMES album with Paul and drummer Tanner Wayne, the first with ex-MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick, and the third with Grammy-winning producer Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THREE DAYS GRACE). Mike Plotnikoff (ALL THAT REMAINS, WARBRINGER) engineered at Benson's West Valley Recording Studios. Joe Rickard (10 YEARS, STARSET, DIAMANTE),who played drums for IN FLAMES from 2016 through 2019, handled mixing duties.

Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions are delighted to announce that France-based black metal band, Griffon, will be releasing their second album on February 16. Entitled De Republica, this sharp, melodic work is also a plunge into the history of France and its revolutions.


The artwork is by Adam Burke (Nightjar Illustration), who also designed the artwork for Griffon's debut album. De Republica is now available for pre-order, here.







Tracklisting:


"L’Homme du Tarn"
"The Ides Of March"
"La Semaine Sanglante"
"A l’Insurrection"
"La Loi de la Nation"
"De Republica"


Griffon came into being at the end of 2013, thanks to the artistic collaboration of Sinai and Aharon. Their first release, an EP, saw the light of day in 2014, marking their musical debut.


In 2016, the band released their debut album, entitled Har HaKarmel, exploring themes related to the decay of paganism. In 2019, they released a split in collaboration with Darkenhöld, under the aegis of Les Acteurs de l’Ombre.


Continuing their momentum, 2020 saw the release of their second album, dubbed ὄ θεός ό βασιλεύς, distributed by Les Acteurs de l’Ombre. This album delves into the relationship between politics and divinity.


Lineup :


Aharon – Chant
Sinaï – Guitare
Kryos – Batterie
Antoine – Guitare

Progressive rock/metal enthusiasts, brace yourselves for a rare musical sonic journey. Quantum, the innovative and boundary-pushing Swedish progressive rock band, is thrilled to announce the release of their full length debut album, Down The Mountainside.


Scheduled to hit the airwaves in April of 2024, this musical odyssey promises eight elaborate and intense compositions, spanning 45 minutes of captivating soundscapes that seamlessly transition from acoustic serenity to explosive grooves.


Led by bass player and singer Anton Ericsson, Down The Mountainside delves into the depths of human psychology with lyrical themes centered around the alter egos and masks that individuals in society wear to navigate their everyday lives. The album's themes explore how these personas impact individuals psychologically, leading them to a breaking point. However, Quantum's social commentary extends beyond the individual, addressing how this behavior shapes the overall attitude of the society we live in.




Check out the teaser for Down The Mountainside below.


Down the Mountainside is a timeless progressive rock masterpiece that feels both fresh and innovative. The album will resonate with seasoned prog enthusiasts as well as captivate the ears of listeners from more modern schools of music. Quantum's ability to blend elements from various genres, including prog rock, metal, late romantic era classical music, and jazz, results in a coherent and captivating musical experience.


The album features mesmerizing guitar solos from the brilliant Richard Henshall and Tom MacLean, both esteemed members of the band Haken. Their contributions add an extra layer of brilliance to an already stellar musical offering.


Pre-order Down The Mountainside here.





Tracklisting:


"The Hivemind & The Cockroach"
"On The Verge"
"Down The Mountainside Pt. 1"
"Moths & Leaves"
"Abstract Bliss"
"Dots"
"Down The Mountainside Pt. 2"
"The Last Stone"


Teaser:





Quantum was formed in 2016 by Anton Ericsson, Olof Simander, and Fredrik Reinholdsen. Since then, the band has undergone various line-up changes, with Anton remaining the constant member and primary songwriter. The current lineup includes Anton Ericsson on bass and vocals, Marcus Lundberg on drums, and Samuel Walfridsson and Kalle Segerborg on guitars.


In 2020, Quantum garnered attention with the release of their EP, The Next Breath Of Air…, featuring some of their favorite tracks to play live. The EP helped them build a small but loyal following across the globe.


Down The Mountainside is poised to be a milestone in Quantum's musical journey, showcasing their evolution and mastery of the progressive rock genre. Brace yourselves for an album that pushes boundaries, challenges norms, and invites listeners into a world where music transcends conventional expectations.

German heavy metal/power metal unit, Hammer King, are back with a brand-new bombastic full-length full of true headbanger hits. The new offering, entitled König und Kaiser, continues the storyline of the band paying homage to the mighty Hammer King, and is set for release on March 22 via Napalm Records.


Today, Hammer King unleash the first new album single, “Hailed By The Hammer”, together with an official music video.
 
Hammer King, led by ex-Ross The Boss vocalist Titan Fox, was formed in 2015 and has convinced the scene with their previous offerings and live performances at Summer Breeze Open Air and beyond, following their highly acclaimed 2022 release Kingdemonium. On König und Kaiser, the band is flanked by noteworthy guest features from the likes of The Tribune of label mates Warkings, with whom Hammer King is heading out on a huge European tour in spring 2024.


Hammer King on König und Kaiser: "Welcome to the era of König und Kaiser! 2024 will be a busy year for Hammer King as we are blessed to release our new album, König und Kaiser, at the very beginning of our first big tour. We will join the mighty Warkings for 14 shows through central European countries and will make sure we Hail as many new fans as possible with the King's mighty Hammer! Therefore, here it is, the kick-off single for the next chapter in the legend of the Hammer King: 'Hailed By The Hammer’. Thou all shalt be! See you on tour, God bless the King."




Watch the video for “Hailed By The Hammer” below.


Hammering, fast-running double kick drums meet speed riffing on the 10 new metal hymns, crowned by memorable sing-along choruses that are meant to be sung with a fist raised in the air. On König und Kaiser, Hammer King continue their collaboration with Charles Greywolf (of genre giants Powerwolf), who recorded the new album at Studio Greywolf and produced it together with singer Titan Fox. König und Kaiser was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, infamous for his work with bands such as Amaranthe, Arch Enemy and Volbeat, to name a few. The album artwork is once again created by Péter Sallai.


With König und Kaiser, Hammer King presents yet another powerful album that is sure to cement the band’s standing in the scene. Join Hammer King in worshiping the Hammer King!





König und Kaiser will be available in the following formats:


- 1 CD Digipak
- 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl
- Digipak + Shirt
- Digital Album


Pre-order here.





König und Kaiser tracklisting:


"Hailed By The Hammer"
"The Devil Will I Do"
"König und Kaiser" (feat. The Tribune)
"Future King"
"Kingdom Of Hammers And Kings"
"War Hammer"
"Divided We Shall Fall"
"Kings Of Arabia"
"I Want Chaos"
"Gates Of Atlantia"


Bonus tracks:


"The Last Of The 7 Wars"
"König und Kaiser – Titan"
"König und Kaiser – The Tribune" (feat. The Tribune)


"Hailed By The Hammer" video:





Hammer King are:


Titan Fox V - vocals/guitar
Gino Wilde - guitar
Günt von Schratenau - bass
Dolph Aidan Macallan - drums


(Photo - Anne Swallow)

In a recent interview with the "Fantasm" podcast, DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken spoke about the inspiration for the title of the band's latest album, "Heaven Comes Down". He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's just a crazy world right now… It's like all the demons are coming out and the whole world's a mess. And it really is. I can't watch the news. Fentanyl addiction, fentanyl from China and Russia. People overdosing. Every day on the news, somebody gets shot. Children are getting… Crazy bastards, these right-wing guys go into grammar schools and assassinate children. That didn't happen in the '80s. I don't remember that on the news — a 20-year-old's carrying around an AK-47. What the hell? Everything changed."

Don went on to discuss the so-called #MeToo moment of Spanish soccer which happened last August when the head of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales kissed star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's World Cup victory. Hermoso later said that she didn't consent to the kiss and added in a statement that she "felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression, an impulsive, sexist act which was out of place and with no consent on my behalf." As a result, Spanish prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into whether the kiss was an act of sexual assault.

"In the '80s, it was all about girls in short skirts and push-up bras," Don said. "Nowadays, I told the band, I go, 'If a girl comes backstage and she's dressed to the nines, you can't comment and say, 'Wow, your ass looks good in that miniskirt,' or, 'Wow, your boobs are hanging,' something like that. They'll sue you.

"I mean, this whole PC [politically correct] thing has gone too far," Dokken continued. "If women are dressed like that, you would think it's because they want a compliment. Now, look at the Spanish women's football team [which] won the World Cup [for the] first time in history. And all the coach did is just give her a kiss, a little kiss. And she said, 'I didn't agree to that.' And it's on the news and goes to the government and they fire him. It wasn't like he grabbed her ass or he stuck his tongue in her mouth. He just gave her a kiss because he was excited. They won. And I said, 'Well, wait a minute. In Russia and France, when you meet somebody, they kiss you on the left cheek and the right cheek.' That's just French and Russian culture — and Spanish. So the guy was excited. They won. And the girl goes public and said, 'He shouldn't have kissed me. I wasn't down with that.' And I'm, like, 'It was just a peck.' And it's on CNN every five minutes. And they fire his ass. I'm, like, for one kiss. That's bullshit."

Dokken added: "Everything is PC. Gotta be careful what you say. You can't say anything to a woman or they'll say you're a misogynist and you're a dog and 'I'm gonna sue you.' I mean, look at all these senators and congressmen that are getting sued because of inappropriate behavior. I'm, like, whatever. The world's fucked up. So I tell the band, 'Be careful. Don't say anything about their butt hanging outta their miniskirt or they'll sue you.'"

Earlier this week, Hermoso told a judge at the Madrid court that the kiss forced on her by Rubiales following Spain's victory over England in the final in Sydney was "at no point consensual" and that she had come under pressure to defend his actions.

Judge Francisco De Jorge is investigating Rubiales on allegations of sexual assault and coercion.

"Now, everything is in the hands of the justice system and that's all I can say," Hermoso told reporters while leaving court. "The judicial process will continue its course, and thanks for the support that many of you had given to me."

Rubiales eventually resigned as head of the Spanish soccer federation despite his denial of wrongdoing and his assertion that the kiss was consensual.

The judge will reportedly hear testimony from other players, coaches and federation officials before deciding whether to start a trial.

DOKKEN's 13th studio album, "Heaven Comes Down" came out on October 27, 2023 via Silver Lining Music. The follow-up to 2012's "Broken Bones" was produced by Bill Palmer and Don Dokken and was mixed by Kevin Shirley (AEROSMITH, IRON MAIDEN).

Wade Black’s Astronomica have released the video for first single from their upcoming The Awakening album. Watch the clip for “Darkness Falls” below.


The band comments on the song: "'Darkness Falls' is dedicated to all those suffering from the mental illnesses that have plagued our world. Everyone goes through trials and tribulations in life. Unfortunately, you cannot fix everything all the time. Whatever your emotional downfall is, it slowly takes over and drains you of your essence. Our message is that human will is strong and, in the end, you always move forward and conquer your problems."







For three decades, Wade Black has triumphed and stayed metal recording and touring internationally in bands such as Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf, Seven Witches, Leash Law, and Chalice of Sin. Neither a stranger to change nor afraid of being a catalyst for it, Wade is announcing both changes and some very enticing teasers of things to come in 2024.


Born out of over a decade of writing, recording and touring together: After working closely for over a decade, Wade and guitarist Rich Marks have developed a song writing style that is out of this world and the reason, they chose the name Astronomica. They believe it’s the best way to describe their sound.


Looking to the Future: They are looking forward to bringing music that captures the heart, mind and imagination of their fans, taking them on a journey to far off places and inspiring them to be their best!


The Awakening will be released on March 8th as Digipack CD, Curacao transparent vinyl limited to 300 copies worldwide, and digital streaming/download format. Pre-order here, pre-save here.





Tracklist:


"Deceiver"
"Protectors of the Realm"
"Destiny"
"Monsters"
"Hellwalker"
"Darkness Falls"
"Fate or Faith"
"Chasing After"
"Letter From Hell"
"Sirens"


Lineup:


Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Guitars, Bass and Additional Keyboards
Patrick Johansson - Drums
James Fox - Rhythm Guitars, Additional Guitars and Keyboards


Touring lineup:


Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Lead Guitars
Ryan Bales - Rhythm Guitars
Kyle Sokol - Bass
Luca Caracciolo - Drums

Sid Falck has released a new song, "Enemy Within", with special guest Dano Hibbs (Breeding Thorns), with a nod towards Foo Fighters, under the Falck name.





Sid Falck: “I was actually trying to write a punk song, super simple and straight forward. And as I was moving along with the process, I realized, just how influenced I apparently was, by Dave Grohl and the way he combine punk with hooks. He’s brilliant at that. 'Enemy Within' is simply about how we as humans, are our own worst enemies, both with how we live, the things we do and the decisions we make. Once again, Dano Hibbs did the lead, and as always, it’s excellent.”




"Enemy Within" can be downloaded here for “set your own price”, making it a free download, should you so choose. "Enemy Within" is / will also be available on all streaming and digital platforms.


An accompanying video can be viewed below:

The unofficial sound track music video for "Ain't No Rest in Rock N' Roll ('23)” was creatively crafted with clips from the cult 1994 movie Airheads starring Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler. This video is part of the Unofficial Sound Tracks series initiated by Danny Rexon, Crazy Lixx' lead singer and producer. In this series, Rexon reimagines Crazy Lixx' music as the perfect soundtrack for 1980s and 1990s movies.


Upcoming compilation, Two Shots At Glory, serves as a commemoration of Crazy Lixx' illustrious 20+ year career, featuring reimagined renditions of their iconic choruses, unforgettable hooks, and electrifying guitar solos, all while introducing some exciting new surprises. The album is due out February 16.







The compilation is introduced by reimagined classics from the band’s catalogue “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”, “Lights Out!” and “Fire It Up” in the past few months. All accompanied by UST videos that draw inspiration from a wide range of films, from blockbuster hits of the 90s to lesser-known 80s B-movies. They've gained immense popularity with both new and longtime fans, amassing nearly 10 million views in the past year. Some of these videos have even gone viral and climbed the official YouTube rock music charts.


Consistently releasing one album after another, Crazy Lixx, the Swedish hard rock sensation, has solidified its position as the forefront in the resurgence of '80s hard rock in Scandinavia. With staggering views in the millions for well-loved videos such as "Wild Child" and "Hunter Of The Heart" on YouTube, remarkable streaming figures for hit tracks like "Blame It On Love," "Hell Raising Women," and "XIII," and the inclusion of "Wild Child" in the Nicolas Cage horror film Willy’s Wonderland, Crazy Lixx is unwaveringly advancing in their quest for global dominance.


Pre-order Two Shots At Glory here.





Tracklising:


"Two Shots At Glory"
"Fire It Up ('23)"
"Invincible"
"Lights Out! ('23)"
"Sword And Stone"
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ('23)"
"Ain't No Rest In Rock N' Roll ('23)"
"In The Night ('23)"
"Only The Dead Know ('23)"
"Sympathy ('23)"
"Church Of Rock ('23)"


"Sword And Stone" video:





"Fire It Up ('23)" video:





"Lights Out! ('23)" video:





"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (’23)" video:





Crazy Lixx are:


Danny Rexon - Vocals
Jens Anderson - Bass
Joél Cirera - Drums
Chrisse Olsson - Guitar
Jens Lundgren - Guitar

Sweden's Secret Society have released their new single “The Serpent”, alongside an accompanying video.





“The Serpent” features an impressive array of guest artists, including vocalist Mark Boals (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire), keyboardist Joe Basketts (Shy/Tony Mills), and backing vocals by Emmy-winning singer/songwriter/producer/guitarist Paul Sabu
(Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Madonna). The single is mixed by Andy Larocque (King Diamond) at Sonic Train Studios and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room Studios. The video is crafted by Martin Wrigsjö MVS Visual.




A message states: "This single will blow you away with intelligent and positive lyrics written by Secret Society and Paul Sabu. It is the ultimate anthem for personal perseverance during life’s hardships and the current state of the world. The hard-driven chorus is beautiful and full of hope and illustrates the band’s ability to pack a punch while still delivering a positive message. Surrounded by blazing hell-fire and the Serpent, Mark Boals’ commanding melodic vocals urge you that the “Serpent is surrounding you, just lock up your heart and don’t let ’em through!” There’s an upbeat vibe with the tempo, the riffs are heavy, and the rhythms are intricate. It's been a pleasure to work with Mark Boals, Joe Basketts and Paul Sabu who co-wrote the song with us and and also always great with Andy Larocque who did the mix at Sonic Train Studios."


Stream the song here, watch the video below:

Norway's pioneers of avant-garde and progressive black metal, Borknagar, will release their monumental twelfth studio album, Fall, worldwide on February 23 via longtime record label partners, Century Media Records.


Today, the band release the video for "Nordic Anthem". The video was created by Marius Martinsen, Kenneth Williams and Lars A. Nedland via the production company High & Low.
 
"So many gods. So many beliefs. So much conflict," the band says about the track. "'Nordic Anthem' is about rejecting any kind of doctrine, religious or political. It's about going to your own nature, your inner core, and finding strength and freedom. Our perspective is a northern one — we're from the north, after all — but this is a firm stance that is universally applicable. It's about finding and trusting your own values, your own heritage, and standing up against gods and authorities trying to push doctrine to control you, or corrupt you. This is our collective anthem. We won't bend our knee to any god!"







Fall includes eight majestic tracks across 54 epic minutes of playing time, once again brilliantly mixed by Jens Bogren/ Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Kreator) and featuring stunning album cover artwork by Eliran Kantor (Testament, My Dying Bride, Sodom).


Borknagar founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments about Fall as follows, "We are extremely proud to present you all with our twelfth album entitled Fall, another chapter of our musical journey. In many ways, Fall represents a continuation of True North, but as always, we are pushing further and afar to seek even broader and more challenging horizons. Musically, we are loyal to our musical legacy, but we have most certainly walked through fire and ice to reach our highest peak yet. Although Fall represents a wide array of musical and lyrical ideas, the fundamental theme behind the album is based on the fascination and appreciation of the very outskirts of life. Those places, and those beings, in the vast periphery of our own existence that very few live to see or even learn to know about- but still are profoundly essential for our existence. With Fall, we seek to portray and cherish all that holds up and pushes boundaries - against the great fall."


Øystein G. Brun added the following words about the track, "From the day you are born, nature will do everything in its power to get you back into the ground. The lonesome struggle of being you or the mighty struggle of all life, will eventually tear you down from the inside - or from the outside. But for the short glimpse of time we endure, we all seek the ultimate heights of our very own existence. Our first single 'Summits,' from the upcoming album Fall, scopes in on this everlasting drama of life - where the drama unfolds - at the very outskirts of life."


Fall is the follow up to 2019's widely acclaimed True North studio album and will be available as limited first-pressing Digipak CD, Gatefold 2-LP on 180gr vinyl, and as Digital Album.


The vinyl edition of Fall will be available in the following variants:


- Gatefold black 2LP
- Ltd. Gatefold neon orange 2LP (300x copies, available from cmdistro.de + various other retailers)
- Ltd. Gatefold transp. bottle green 2LP (300x copies, available from EMP & Nuclear Blast)


Pre-order here.





Fall tracklisting:


"Summits"
"Nordic Anthem"
"Afar"
"Moon"
"Stars Ablaze"
"Unraveling"
"The Wild Lingers"
"Northward"


"Summits" visualizer:





Borknagar are (from left to right in photo at top):


ICS Vortex - Bass, Vocals + Choirs
Lars A. Nedland - Keys, Vocals, + Choirs
Øystein G. Brun - Guitars
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow - Drums and Percussion
Jostein Thomassen - Guitars


(Photo - Jørn Veberg)

Glam rock legends L.A. Guns rang in 2024 with a New Year's Eve show at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA. Fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below.


Setlist:


"Cannonball"
"Electric Gypsy"
"Over the Edge"
"Sex Action"
"You Betray"
"One More Reason"
"Diamonds"
"Speed"
"Like a Drug"
"I Wanna Be Your Man"
"Kiss My Love Goodbye"
"Never Enough"
"Crystal Eyes / The Ballad of Jayne"
"Hellraisers Ball"
"Rip and Tear"







Is there new L.A .Guns music brewing? "You bet your last guitar pick there is," answers Tracii Guns. "We're deep in the creative cave, crafting what's destined to be our most explosive album yet, set to drop in 2024. Prepare yourselves for a sound explosion that's going to tear the roof off the rock world. It's going to be legendary!"


"As we rev up our engines for another wild ride, we can't help but look back at the incredible year we've had – and it's all thanks to you. Your unwavering support fuels our fire and keeps the rock 'n' roll dream alive. We're amped to hit the road and see you in person. Remember, every chord we strum, every note we sing, is for you. Here's to rocking out together, now and forever!"


"Get ready to set your hearts on fire because we're hitting the road for a mind-blowing 30-show tour alongside the legendary Tom Keifer and the electrifying KK's Priest! This is going to be an epic journey of rock 'n' roll madness, and we can't wait to rock out with each and every one of you. Keep your eyes peeled for dates and cities – we're coming to shake the ground beneath you!"


To view the complete LAG tour schedule, visit this location.

Reformed Danish metal legends MERCYFUL FATE and their American bassist Joey Vera have "mutually" decided to part ways.

MERCYFUL FATE frontman King Diamond said in a statement: "Our friendship and respect for each other will always remain the same, and we all sincerely wish each other the absolute best for the future."

MERCYFUL FATE completed its first North American headlining tour in over two decades in November 2022. Stepping in on bass for MERCYFUL FATE at these shows was Becky Baldwin, a British musician who has previously played with FURY, TRIAXIS and CONTROL THE STORM. She filled in for Vera, who was unable to make the trek due to a scheduling conflict with his longtime band ARMORED SAINT.

In 2019, it was announced Vera would be replacing original MERCYFUL FATE bassist Timi Hansen for the band's summer 2020 European festival appearances due to Hansen's cancer diagnosis. Hansen passed away in November 2019 and MERCYFUL FATE's 2020 summer festival appearances were rescheduled for 2021, and then to 2022.

MERCYFUL FATE's North American tour, which featured support from by KREATOR and MIDNIGHT, followed the band's headlining performance at the 2022 edition of Psycho Las Vegas.

MERCYFUL FATE is currently working on a new album and recently gave fans a taste of the new material when they debuted a song called "The Jackal Of Salzburg" in Germany in June 2022 as well as at Psycho Las Vegas. The band's current lineup is rounded out by Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitars, and Bjarne T. Holm on drums.

MERCYFUL FATE was formed in early 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. They were later joined by guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen, and soon thereafter drummer Kim Ruzz would join to complete the band lineup. The band recorded two demos in 1981 and later signed with Rave On Records in Holland for the recording of their successful self-titled EP, released in November of 1982. The "Mercyful Fate" EP was soon in heavy rotation around core metal radio stations, launching a new breed of heavy metal with their unique sound.

The band joined Roadrunner Records in 1983 and their debut full-length, "Melissa", was recorded and released that same year. The following year, MERCYFUL FATE returned to the studio to record their now legendary "Don't Break The Oath" full-length, released in September of 1984.

MERCYFUL FATE embarked upon a two-month U.S. tour in support of the record, which took them across the States several times sharing the stage with the likes of MOTÖRHEAD and EXCITER. The shows had created a brush fire within the metal community. The band reaped recognition globally, closing the year with a five-date tour in Germany with MOTÖRHEAD, GIRLSCHOOL, HELIX and TALON.

MERCYFUL FATE's first concert of 1985 was in their hometown of Copenhagen at an old movie theater with a large capacity. The show sold out and their stage show exhibited a new level of distinction. The night was a huge victory and a new highlight for the band. By April of 1985, however, MERCYFUL FATE decided to part ways for each to pursue new challenges. The KING DIAMOND band was born and reaped critical acclaim the following years with five studio albums on Roadrunner Records. KING DIAMOND has since signed with Metal Blade Records and is going stronger than ever before.

In the summer of 1992, MERCYFUL FATE decided to reunite and penned a new deal with Brian Slagel and his label, Metal Blade Records. "In The Shadows" was released in 1993 and was an instant triumph furthered by a sold-out U.S. tour.

MERCYFUL FATE has gone on to release another five studio albums and have toured Europe, the U.S. and South America multiple times. The highlight of 1999 was their critically acclaimed album "9" which was followed by a European tour with METALLICA, where King Diamond and Hank Shermann joined the band onstage several times for the medley "Mercyful Fate" which METALLICA had recorded on their "Garage Inc." double tribute album the year prior. Tours in the U.S. and in South America followed, marking the band's last live performances for over a decade. MERCYFUL FATE then went on hiatus, but made a brief appearance when members joined METALLICA onstage in 2011 for their 30th-anniversary show in San Francisco, California.

Mercyful Fate and Joey Vera have mutually decided to split ways.

“Our friendship and respect for each other will...

Posted by MERCYFUL FATE on Tuesday, January 16, 2024

British heavy metal legends SAXON will release their 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", on January 19, 2024 via Silver Lining Music.

The official music video for the LP's latest single, "There's Something In Roswell", can be seen below.

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" sees SAXON investigate all areas of history and mystery amidst ten of their most confident and thunderously powerful songs and "There's Something In Roswell" is a true treasure amidst the jewels, with the sort of expansive groove and embrace which deserves arenas. The track is about the enigmatic events surrounding the 1947 crash of an assumed Army weather balloon in Roswell New Mexico, referred to as "the Roswell incident".

"It's such a great story. It's been around for years and years, and it's just what the song says: there must be something in Roswell because there's too much hoorah about it still," SAXON lead singer Biff Byford explains. "I like the tune as well; I think it harks back to '80s SAXON musically, a really good bridge between the classic 'Dallas 1 PM' era and 'SAXON 2023.'"

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" is an album which sees SAXON investigate all areas of history and mystery amidst ten of their most confident and thunderously powerful songs yet. Biff delivers his richest vocals in years, Nigel Glockler and Nibbs Carter on drums and bass, respectively, lay down the rhythmic law with bombastic power, and the guitars of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler are fresh and fiery, a perfect complement to each other, carrying an overall energy and fury which will have fans salivating. Musically, SAXON bring it all to the table. There's a furious tribute to actual heavy metal in the denim-and-leather-coated super-sprint "Fire And Steel", a wonderful nod to the NWOBHM's birth in the electric mid-pace "Pirates Of The Airwaves", but maybe the true treasure amidst the jewels is "There's Something In Roswell", with the sort of expansive groove and embrace which deserves arenas.

Produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering, "Hell, Fire And Damnation" strides the perfect line between confident, current power, and gloriously irreverent flexing of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal muscle which SAXON co-created.

"I think this album's one of the best he's done sound-wise, and he's done a lot of albums," Biff declared. "It has a really raw, vibrant sound... if you compress the total time making this album, it was four weeks tops… you can hear everything brilliantly, nothing's overcomplicated, nothing's over compressed. The guitar sounds are fucking immense, they're just great, raw guitar sounds. And we haven't done a lot of overdubbing on there, it's just playing. I really, really like it."

2024 promises to be a great year for SAXON, with the European tour alongside JUDAS PRIEST and URIAH HEEP kicking off in the U.K. in March, the arrival of the heavy metal masterpiece "Hell, Fire And Damnation" and the recently announced co-headline U.S. tour with URIAH HEEP titled "Hell, Fire & Chaos - The Best Of British Rock & Metal".

"Getting these shows in March 2024 with JUDAS PRIEST and URIAH HEEP meant it made sense to push and get the album made faster," says Biff, "so, we got on with it in haste and pulled it out of the bag. It was tricky, but I think it's safe to say we managed it well."

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" track listing:

01. The Prophecy
02. Hell, Fire And Damnation
03. Madame Guillotine
04. Fire And Steel
05. There's Something In Roswell
06. Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice
07. Pirates Of The Airwaves
08. 1066
09. Witches Of Salem
10. Super Charger

The cover art was created by Péter Sallai and can be seen below.

Early last year, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler.

Brian has already joined fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford for several European shows but will continue to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

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

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

During an appearance on recent episode of the "That Metal Interview" podcast, German metal queen Doro Pesch explained how she got the rights back to the name of her early band WARLOCK more than a decade ago after previously losing a legal battle with the band's former manager. The singer, who has released more than a dozen albums under her own name over the past three and a half decades, said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "WARLOCK and Doro, for me, it's one and the same," she said. "It's just we had a problem with the name for many, many years, but after 20 years, I got the rights to the name WARLOCK back."

"Our former manager, he died. He's not anymore alive," she continued. "And he was our merchandiser as well. And I think back in the day, back in the '80s, we sold so many t shirts and merchandising. And then one time he said, 'Hey, you guys know, we have to protect our name just in case that nobody else will call a band WARLOCK or whatever.' And then he said, 'Well, I go somewhere with all your passports.' We gave him our passports and then he was supposed to put it under our name, like the guys and me and the band. And then I was in America and doing [WARLOCK's] 'Triumph And Agony' album, which became really, really successful. And we did a long tour in Europe with Ronnie James Dio. And then suddenly my American manager, he said, 'Doro, I have to talk to you. There's something really serious.' And I thought, 'Oh no.' I hate when people say that. I said, 'Well, what can it be? The album is going well. Everything is so successful. We are on tour with my favorite singer, Ronnie James Dio.' He said, 'Well, your German manager, he left.' And I said, 'He left?' And yeah, he just split. And there was probably something going on, but when you're on tour and being a musician, you can't like cancel the tour. And I thought, 'Yeah, we will sort it out after the tour is over.' So we did the tour with Ronnie James Dio in Europe and then with MEGADETH in America. And then I was doing another album that was the follow-up of 'Triumph And Agony'. And we were in the studio, everything was really going well. We thought, 'Oh, man. This will be a big album again.' And great vibes, great songs. And suddenly we got a letter from a lawyer and said, 'Well, we cannot use the name WARLOCK anymore.' And we thought, 'Hey, it's our name. Of course we'll use the name. It's my name, it's our name.' And then we tried to do it, and we were hanging posters and doing the album, but that didn't happen. We got in so much trouble and then the people said, 'If we see one more time the poster with the name WARLOCK on, there's a lawsuit and you guys, you have to pay whatever, 50,000 dollars, something like that.' So, I thought, 'Okay, what can we do?' And I always wanted to do music for the rest of my life. And then the record company said, 'Well, how about we call it Doro?' Because they weren't interested in having another band name. They said, 'Well, another band name. We just built you guys up and maybe it's starting from scratch. So call it Doro. And then when it gets solved, next album, then WARLOCK again.' But that took 20 years. And my manager, the German guy, he went to Turkey and back in the day, there was no Internet, no cell phones. You could not get a hold of him. We could solve it. And the last thing I knew was, there was a journalist calling me from Aardschok magazine; it was in the Netherlands, very famous magazine. And he said, 'Doro, I have news for you. Your manager got killed.' And I thought, 'Wow, really?' He said, 'Yes, he got poisoned.' And I thought, 'Wow.' So it never really got solved with that guy. But I got the rights to the name back 20 years later."

Doro said that she was disappointed to see her former manager take advantage of her and her bandmates at a time when they were just starting to make their name in the music industry.

"When there was a little bit success, I saw it many times, a little, little tiny bit of success, then people go crazy," she said. "And then they see only the money or whatever. And he was a close friend. I was so sad. The money, I didn't care, but the name, I did care. And then we were friends before.

"So there was the story of that. I never wanted to do a solo career, never planned on it. But it took a long time [to get the WARLOCK name back], yeah. But I wanted to do music, of course."

Last month, Doro announced the digital release of "True Metal Maniacs", an exceptional song that tells about the deep connection with her fans. It comes along with a very special video with live footage from Wacken Open Air, the Monsters Of Rock festival in Brazil and her anniversary show in Düsseldorf.

"True Metal Maniacs" is one of the five bonus tracks from the recently released album "Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud", so far only been released on the physical products, and is included in the digital EP "Conqueress - Extended", which will be released on March 1, 2024.

"Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud" came out on October 27, 2023 via Nuclear Blast. The LP is described in a press release as "the result of intensive hard work that took the incomparable singer and songwriter back to studios in Miami, New York and Hamburg, amongst others. The album presents Doro at the height of her creative powers."

In June 2023, Doro released "Time For Justice", the first single from "Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud", along with a "Mad Max"-style video. The clip was filmed with director Mirko Witzki.

"Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud" arrived one day before Doro's 40th-anniversary concert at the Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf.

Photo credit: Jochen Rolfes