Stratuz is an atmospheric death/doom metal band based in Venezuela and they have issued their new live video for “Back To The Sun“. The track comes off of their album Osculum Pacis, which was released in April 2022. Having disbanded in 2006, and reformed in 2019, this latest offering pushed them to increase the technicality of the playing and work harder in the studio. Many years away from the scene led them to experiment with other musical currents, nourish themselves, and create inspirational, gloomy, and engaging music. 


They comment on the single “Back To The Sun“:


“It could be said that it is a kind of ritual, where a living master who has left a deep mark among his followers through his teachings is bid farewell, and these, as a sign of respect, prepare his return home, the abode from which we all come. It is the closing of a cycle of transformation, transmutation, life and death or death and life.”




Stratuz invites you to become immersed in their universe of sound and delve into the themes of the human being from existential, philosophical, and religious points of view. Awaken your senses with eleven tracks that ebb and flow through dreary gutturals, majestic choruses, and heart-pumping riffs.


The band is currently preparing to continue promoting their latest album Osculum Pacis in Venezuela and other countries. Order the album on Bandcamp.


The live video for “Back To The Sun” was taken from their memorable performance this past March 10 in the Venezuelan city of Caracas, where they were accompanied by a string ensemble and a choir.

In advance of their upcoming US tour with Elder and labelmates Ruby The Hatchet, Nashville psych-metal power trio Howling Giant have released the soaring digital single “Sunken City” as a first taste of their sophomore full-length, which is scheduled for autumn this year.





"'Sunken City' was one of the first songs we wrote for our new record and we’re excited to play it live on tour with Elder and Ruby The Hatchet", drummer Zach Wheeler writes. "The track showcases some of our favorite riffs, licks, and songwriting to date, and we're very much looking forward to everyone coming out to hang with us on the road and hear 'Sunken City' live!"







Line-up
Tom Polzine – guitar, vocals
Zach Wheeler - drums, vocals
Sebastian Baltes – bass, vocals

NPR's Ailsa Chang recently spoke to METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich and bassist Robert Trujillo about their latest album, "72 Seasons", and the band's four decades of music making. You can now listen to the chat below.

Asked what parts of early METALLICA he and his bandmates have let go of as they have all evolved individually, Ulrich: "I guess the first things that come to mind is stuff around health. Just the late nights and the shenanigans, all that have pretty much all fallen to the wayside. The one thing that we also share is that, as we get older, we become very comfortable sharing who we are to the world. And I enjoy it because, when I am on stage or representing the band, you do feel good about what you're contributing, and you know you're not letting your brothers down."

Ulrich also talked about how the members of METALLICA sound compassionate when they talk about each other in interviews and how much they talk about loving each other and forgiving each other for mistakes now. Asked how he thinks that vulnerability fits into metal, Lars said: "Well, I don't look at it like vulnerability in metal. I look at it as four guys who are sharing an experience together and have been for the better part of 40 years. And we play music, first and foremost, that we really enjoy. We love each other endlessly, and we enjoy playing music together. And the vulnerability and that transparency that we're comfortable with, you know, is something that we're actually quite proud of."

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 Ulrich, it is METALLICA's first full-length collection of new material since 2016's "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".

In the seven years since the arrival of "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", METALLICA has reissued some of its classic albums, released a second live album with the San Francisco Symphony, commissioned a covers album featuring the likes of GHOST, VOLBEAT, WEEZER, Corey Taylor and THE HU, and landed on the Billboard songs chart with "Master Of Puppets" after a prominent placement in the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things".

METALLICA's "M72" world tour will feature two-night stops in nearly two dozen cities. Presented worldwide by Liquid Death and Blackened American Whiskey (in North America only) and promoted by Live Nation, the 46-show trek will launch in Amsterdam on April 27 and will include shows all over Europe and North America through 2024. Each "No Repeat Weekend" on "M72" will feature two completely different setlists and support lineups. The "M72" tour will feature a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocates the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, as well as the "I Disappear" full-tour pass and the debut of discounted tickets for fans under 16 years of age. Opening acts for the tour include PANTERA, MAMMOTH WVH, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ICE NINE KILLS, ARCHITECTS, VOLBEAT and GRETA VAN FLEET.

For Rimouski, Quebec, Canada’s Vortex, delivering a story is of utmost importance and unsurprisingly their last two albums The Asylum (2016) and Lighthouse (2018) have been epic concept albums set to their signature orchestral blackened melodic death metal. The third installment in their discography is The Future Remains In Oblivion, which builds on their sound with added black metal influence, a heavy dose of aggressiveness and a buildup of intensity and emotion as the storyline progresses. 


The first single “First Blood”, premiered exclusively through BraveWords, is the sixth chapter, out of eight and the band shares what can be expected:


“The single is a war and survival song. It has aggressive black metal riffing and vocals in its verses, atmospheric orchestral melodic death in its choruses, huge choirs, epic soloing, it has all what Vortex does at its best. We can’t wait to show how we have evolved since the last album. This is war. The survivors of the cataclysm are coming again, but this time in greater numbers and much more prepared. ‘This battle brought us our first suffering. In this battle, our first blood, our first deaths’.”




Watch and draw "First Blood":





When it comes to writing, Vortex starts with the story first, something worth talking about. Each song becomes a chapter and then the music can start to form based on the feeling of the tale. That process is diversified, sometimes the orchestra is the backbone of the song and sometimes it’s added once the drums and guitars are all written. All the band members participate in different degrees to the writing process, bringing their own influences into the mix.


The songs you will encounter on this upcoming release are aggressive, but Vortex also has a strong melodic approach and a lot of orchestrations combined with guttural and black metal vocals, and diverse guitars that alternate between howling shreds and beautiful, emotional riffs. It is recommended for fans of Shadow Of Intent, Septicflesh and Dimmu Borgir. Find preorders here.


In additional news, Vortex will be performing in the Wacken Metal Battle Canada Eastern Final on Friday, April 21 in Montreal, QC at Piranha Bar alongside Fracturus (Montreal), Turbo (Halifax), Serene Dark (Ottawa) and Strigampire (Trois Rivieres).





Tracklisting:


“From The Sun”
“Downfall”
“The Fool”
“The Walls”
“Our Possible End”
“First Blood”
“The Future Remains In Oblivion”
“When No More Words Will Be Heard”


(Photo: Freeman)

Legendary AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter Joe Perry kicked off a short U.S. tour with his THE JOE PERRY PROJECT last night (Saturday, April 15) at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Joining Joe in the 2023 lineup of THE JOE PERRY PROJECT are EXTREME's Gary Cherone on lead vocals, AEROSMITH backing singer Buck Johnson on keyboards and vocals, Jason Sutter (Cher, Chris Cornell) on drums and David Hull on bass.

The tour will make stops at the House of Blues in Boston on April 16 and New York City's Webster Hall on April 18 before concluding on April 22 in Pontiac, Michigan at The Crofoot Ballroom.

Fan-filmed video of the Mashantucket concert can be seen below (courtesy of the Toshi Aizawa YouTube channel).

Last week, Perry released a new single, "Fortunate One", featuring vocals from THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson. Co-written and recorded in London with Joe's sons Tony and Roman, the song contains a bluesy riff that glides over raucous piano as Robinson's gritty delivery instantly takes hold. Reaching a climax, Joe's deft guitar playing gives way to an earworm of a solo.

Perry will release a new album, "Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII", on May 26 via Roman Records. The LP will be made available via all DSPs as well as on vinyl which was not the case when he dropped "Sweetzerland Manifesto" in 2018. The new LP includes six new tracks and alternate vocal appearances and mixes from the earlier version.

"Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII" serves as the perfect companion and spiritual successor to the original "Sweetzerland Manifesto". Joe wrote and recorded the bulk of the material for both versions at the Los Angeles home of fellow "Vampire" Johnny Depp back in 2017. During a few months at "Sweetzerland", he experienced a groundswell of creativity and welcomed various collaborators into the fold, including vocals courtesy of David Johansen (NEW YORK DOLLS, Buster Poindexter),Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK) and Terry Reid. Johnny served as executive producer, while AEROSMITH's go-to producer Jack Douglas, Bruce Witkin and Joe's sons Tony and Roman also contributed to production.

Throughout his career, Perry has achieved permanent iconic stature in the pantheon of rock. He has helped to drive AEROSMITH, over the course of four decades, to sales of more than 150 million albums, critical acclaim, four Grammy Awards (one of which includes the guitar-based instrumental "Boogie Man") and induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Perry's work with AEROSMITH has resulted in an unending array of accolades and honors. Beyond their Grammy Awards and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction, other key milestones over the over-50-year history include: 12 MTV Video Awards; two People's Choice Awards; six Billboard Music Awards; eight American Music Awards; 23 Boston Music Awards; and an Academy Award nomination for "Best Song", "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" (from the soundtrack to "Armageddon").

October 2014 saw the release of Perry's first book "Rocks: My Life In And Out Of Aerosmith", which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list at No. 8. Throughout the book, Perry reflected on his career with AEROSMITH and his life as a musician, husband and father.

Carmine Appice says that Mick Mars's lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE "vindicates" him when it comes to his comments about the guitarist's exit from the legendary rock band.

When Mars, a co-founding member of MÖTLEY CRÜE, announced his retirement from touring with the group last October as a result of worsening health issues, he maintained that he would remain a member of the band, with John 5 taking his place on the road. However, in his lawsuit, which was filed on April 6 in Los Angeles County's Superior Court, the 71-year-old musician said 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. In his lawsuit, Mars also alleged that he was the only bandmember to play 100 percent live on their most recent tour, claiming MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx "did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour."

Mick's lawsuit came less than a month after Carmine told Ultimate Guitar that he had been talking to the guitarist about his exit from MÖTLEY CRÜE: "Mick told me, 'When I was on 'The Stadium Tour', I was not happy,'" Carmine said. "Basically, everything was on tape; it was all planned out and ultimately a lot of crap. And Mick is a pretty good player, and so to now let him loose and play the way he wants, that was never going to work for him. The truth is that everything has been weird for a while with MÖTLEY CRÜE, and Mick didn't like that everything was on tape. Mick told me that people that came to see it could tell that it was all pre-recorded and that everything was on tape.

"When you play in a stadium like that, you can hear a lot of things come to the monitors or what doesn't. And with Vince's [Neil] vocals, bass, drums, guitars, and all the other stuff, it was obvious that it was all on tape. And Mick was pissed off and said, 'I can play these things. I want to play them. I don't want to make believe I'm playing them.' So, I think that's one of the reasons why he said, 'I'm done.' Sure, the disease that he has doesn't help, and it doesn't make life easy on tour, but Mick can play all the licks, and he was allowed to."

When Ultimate Guitar asked Appice to clarify that "Mick wasn't getting along with the rest of" MÖTLEY CRÜE, Carmine said: No, he wasn't. He had his own means of travel and would travel alone on a bus while the other guys flew everywhere. He said, 'Man, these guys are pissing their money away, flying to every gig.' They were all busy still trying to be rock stars, and Mick just wanted to play the music. Mick wasn't interested in wasting time and money flying everywhere, so he traveled by bus. Their lifestyles are different than his, and so there were a lot of disagreements. I think he was just done. They were supposed to have done their last tour, and then they came back. Then they did 'The Stadium Tour', and that was apparently supposed to be the last. So, when they came back again, he said, 'You can do it. I'm not going out with you for this.'"

On March 15, Sixx, who has not given any interviews about Mars's departure from CRÜE, apparently responded directly to Appice's comments, writing in a tweet: "Love how people talk FOR us without talking TO us. This is why the media has lost credibility. Obviously by printing BS they make money off of advertising and we're not into that clickbait game. When the truth comes out it will be FROM üs."

He added later that same day: "A washed up drummer trying to speak for us? And bottom feeder media running with it to make money off of lies? Welcome to the sad new world of LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME."

On March 17, Sixx took part in a Twitter question-and-answer session and was asked by one fan: "Is what Carmine Appice said true?" the CRÜE bassist replied: "A washed up drummer speaking for our band without any of the facts is as ridiculous as bottom feeder media running with stories without fact checking. When you hear the truth it will be from us."

Now, in a new interview with Goldmine, Carmine was asked if the reaction to his comments about Mick and MÖTLEY CRÜE surprised him. He responded: "Oh, it's been unbelievable. Did you see what came out since then between Mick and the rest of the band? I'm sure you did. It's all so sad, but it vindicates my story, which I never thought would start an entire viral Internet thing. The response that came out of it was amazing, and his [Nikki Sixx's] response of calling me a 'washed-up drummer' was pretty wild and pretty hurtful. But I got a great response from people through their comments, and a lot of people are behind me, so it's all good. That said, I did get a cease-and-desist letter from all these lawyers who work for MÖTLEY CRÜE, so I can't go into too much detail. I have to be careful with what I say, but then again, we're not really talking about details; we're just talking about what happened."

Carmine went on to say that he was "very surprised" by Nikki's reaction to his comments. "I didn't think he'd go there, all things considered," he said. "It really was a surprising thing because we were friends. And after the fact, I challenged Nikki Sixx to a jam-off, but I got no response. I'm not surprised, as I could jam circles around all of them. I'm sure of that. But yeah, what he said was sad because we were friends, but I guess we're not anymore. I got texts from Derek Sherinian saying, 'Man, what the hell is wrong with Nikki?' and Stephen Pearcy apparently said to Nikki, 'Dude, what the hell are you doing here? We're all friends.' And then I started to see a ton of responses from other musicians who said that they don't like Nikki, and the rest of those guys too much and that the fans have been getting on MÖTLEY a lot… I read that and was like, 'Oh, my God. I didn't know that.' I really didn't know about any of that stuff, so I had no way of knowing that this whole thing would get as big as it did."

In response to Mars's lawsuit, CRÜE's manager of 29 years, Allen Kovac, told Variety that Mars is coming out with a list of allegations "to gain leverage in a smear campaign on MÖTLEY. He's attacked the band, and he's done it in a slanderous way, with false accusations and misrepresenting the facts to the fans. Mick is not the victim. The victims are MÖTLEY CRÜE and the brand, which Mick is so prideful of." But, he added, "What's upsetting to me is not Mick, but his representatives, who have guided Mick to say and do harmful things to the brand he cares about so much, MÖTLEY CRÜE. He has a degenerative disease and people are taking advantage of him. It's called elder abuse."

Kovac continued: "Mick's representatives have no idea what they've created, but I've stopped the band from speaking about this, so they're not gonna turn the fans against Mick. But I am going to make sure that people understand that Mick hasn't been treated badly. In fact, he was treated better than anyone else in the band, and they carried him and they saved his life."

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.

Regarding Mick's claim that he was the only CRÜE member to play 100 percent live on their most recent tour, Kovac told Variety: "Everything is live with Nikki's bass playing and Tommy's drum playing. When they've used loops, they're still playing. There are augmented vocals, which were (recorded) in the studio and are backgrounds behind the two ladies who are singing and (other background vocals by) John 5 and Nikki Sixx, and before that Mick and Nikki." He described the pre-recorded vocal layering as where "you multi-track and you do gang vocals with, like, 20 people, just like all the other bands do with background vocals. They've got background vocals in the mix. That's the truth.

"But Nikki played his bass and always has," Kovac continued. "Vince was singing better than he was before (on the latest tour). That was in reviews. Now, John 5 is playing like who John 5 is. I've heard John 5 perform and I heard Mick perform. Both are great guitar players. Unfortunately, Mick is not the same. He hasn't been the same for a long time. Which was in reviews! You see that the professionals knew. DEF LEPPARD (which alternated headlining spots on tour) knew. And (Mars) caused a train wreck up there, because he would play the wrong songs and the wrong parts, even with the guide tracks. When he played the wrong song, it wasn't Nikki Sixx that had a tape; it was the soundman bringing it into the mix so the audience could hear a song, even though the guitar player was playing a different song." He says audiences "would hear it at first, but (sound engineers) would fix it so that we could keep the song going. I heard it. I'd go to the sound board."

STAIND has released a brand new single, "Lowest In Me", from the band's upcoming album, "Confessions Of The Fallen".

"Confessions Of The Fallen" — STAIND's first new studio album since 2011 — will arrive in September via Alchemy Recordings/BMG.

The hallmarks of the sound the band established close to 30 years ago are all there — Aaron Lewis's vocals flexing from melodic keening to a hellacious roar, Mike Mushok's ferocious guitar muscling the track forward, Johnny April and Sal Giancarelli propelling it with industrial-strength energy. But sliding through are some new touches, electronic flavorings that give the song, as well as the rest of the 10-track album, a refreshed and contemporary sensibility, letting us know that it's still STAIND but that STAIND has not been in a time capsule since its self-titled effort in 2011.

"I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date," Lewis says. "You can certainly recognize the band but at the same time you can hear that we've been paying attention and understand what kind of sounds and approaches we can use that maybe weren't around the last time we did this." Adds Mushok, "It's undeniably Aaron's voice, and same for the songs. We got together and spent a lot of time focusing on direction, and we really like how it turned out."

Last December, Mushok told the Loaded Radio podcast about the musical direction of STAIND's new material: "It's a little bit more modernized, I think. I think that was something we kind of wanted to do. There's a little bit more of an electronic element on there, which is something new for us, but I feel like everybody is kind of doing that. But I think it's cool. It's not overused. I think the songs are really good. I'm really happy with it. I can't wait for people to hear it."

Mushok also talked about his working relationship with Lewis, saying: "We've been doing it for a long time. It's great to be back and doing that… I think that we definitely respect each other. It's kind of always been that. I think that STAIND's really kind of been… For the most part, I bring some music in and he decides what he likes and what he wants to write to, and we kind of take it from there. That being said, he's come in, obviously, with some amazing songs as well. So it's been a really good writing partnership, I feel."

Last September, Mushok told Atlantic City Weekly that both he and Lewis will continue to pursue other projects — Mushok with SAINT ASONIA, the band he co-founded in 2015 with former THREE DAYS GRACE singer Adam Gontier, and Lewis with his country solo career — alongside their long-running outfit.

"Aaron's built up a great following and great career that he'll fully pursue," Mushok said. "If we can do some STAIND shows in there, it would be great. If we can find a week here or there or maybe a tour every now and then, I'd be cool with that. Like we are looking to do a [STAIND] record, so we'll see how much we do to promote that. Honestly, I'm kind of taking it as it comes, one day at a time. It's hard to plan, you know what I mean. Who would have thought the world would shut down? So you've got to take it as it comes."

In 2021, STAIND supported KORN on a U.S. run of dates.

In June 2021, Mushok told Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio that he and his bandmates were working on their first studio album since 2011's self-titled effort. "There's a bunch of [new] songs kicking around," he said. "It's just kind of [a matter of] sorting through that stuff and seeing what, if anything, we like, and figuring out… I imagine, having not put out a real record of new music in 10 years, we're gonna be pretty critical of what it is and wanna make sure that it's great."

In March 2021, Lewis told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he "would certainly love to" have the new STAIND album released in the not-too-distant future. "All of our plans that were kind of semi on the books and on the table, everything just had a year taken off of it [due to the pandemic]," he said at the time. "We were gonna have a record come out sometime in 2020 or certainly in 2021, and there was a schedule that was on the table that, just like everything else, got burned to the ground as soon as [the lockdown] started."

STAIND has released seven albums since 1995, the latest being 2011's self-titled effort. The band has had a number of hit songs during its first two decades, including the Top 10 smash "It's Been Awhile" from the No. 1 album "Break The Cycle". Follow-up LPs "14 Shades Of Grey" and "Chapter V" also topped the Billboard chart.

STAIND released its first album in nine years, "Live: It's Been Awhile", in May 2021 via Yap'em/Alchemy Recordings. The "Live: It's Been Awhile" album was accompanied by "The Return Of Staind", a two-part global streaming series in partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents. The series launched with STAIND's "Live: It's Been Awhile (From Foxwoods)" concert, which streamed globally on May 1, 2021. The "Live: It's Been Awhile" album and concert were recorded at the band's comeback show at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut in October 2019. The never-before-seen concert celebrated the band's reunion after a five-year hiatus. STAIND also performed its iconic multi-platinum 2001 album "Break The Cycle" in its entirety for a May 8, 2021 streaming event, exactly 20 years after the album's release. The "20th Anniversary Of Break The Cycle, Performed In Its Entirety" took place at Mill 1 in Open Square in Holyoke, Massachusetts, bringing the band back to their Western Mass roots.

STAIND played its first full live show in five years in September 2019 at the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

STAIND and GODSMACK recently announced a 25-city co-headlining 2023 tour, produced by Live Nation. The trek kicks off on July 18 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, Missouri, with stops across the U.S. before wrapping up in Austin, Texas at Germania Insurance Amphitheatre on August 31.

SPIRITBOX has released a brand new song, "The Void", and its accompanying visualizer. The track features the band's calling card of complex, multi-layered soundscapes and gloriously ethereal, hugely catchy vocals whilst also furthering their incredible ability to release music that is immediately recognizable as SPIRITBOX but simultaneously sounds unlike any of their previous releases.

SPIRITBOX is currently on the road for its first ever U.S. headline run - the completely sold-out "Eternal Blue" tour, where the new track has been making its surprise live debut to much excitement from fans.

Speaking on the official release of "The Void", SPIRITBOX vocalist Courtney LaPlante shares: "'The Void' is a song that came about very quickly. I didn't have to fight with anything to write it, and when that happens, I don't argue with it. It's a type of song that I've been wanting to write for a long time. I've heard it hundreds of times now, and it makes me so happy every time I hear it. It's been such an amazing experience playing this song on our tour, and watching people hear it for the first time in real time."

The "Eternal Blue" tour 2023, produced by Live Nation, began in Vancouver on April 10 and will culminate in Minneapolis on May 10.

SPIRITBOX is continuing to support its debut album, "Eternal Blue", released in September 2021 via Rise Records and Pale Chord. Since the arrival of "Eternal Blue", SPIRITBOX has been conquering the live arena one mind-bending performance at a time. Prior to the "Eternal Blue" tour, they played major festivals in the U.S., Australia and Europe, several sold-out, one-off headline shows in major cities such as London, Los Angeles and Munich and toured with the likes of UNDEROATH, GHOST and LAMB OF GOD.

Once done touring the U.S., SPIRITBOX will hit Europe for a run of shows with GHOST in France, BRING ME THE HORIZON in Budapest and Paris, two co-headline shows with MOTIONLESS IN WHITE in Germany, standalone headline shows in Milan (Italy),Munster (Germany),Haarlem (Netherlands),Eindhoven (Netherlands) and Helsinki (Finland),several major festivals and finally the U.K., where they will play a run of headline shows supported by LOATHE and BRAND OF SACRIFICE.

"Eternal Blue" rolled in on a global tsunami of critical acclaim, from perfect score reviews and features everywhere including Spin, Forbes, Billboard and Alternative Press to multiple front covers including Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Alternative Press, Rock Sound, Distorted Sound, Pollstar and Revolver. The album spawned a string of hit singles, including "Holy Roller", "Constance", "Circle With Me", "Secret Garden" and, most recently, "Hurt You". To date, "Eternal Blue" has clocked up 235 million streams.

SPIRITBOX followed the release of "Eternal Blue" with the three-song "Rotoscope" EP, in 2022. The "Rotoscope" title track came accompanied by an official music video shot by Max Moore, which has received over 3.1 million YouTube views so far. The EP has clocked up 24.9 million streams.

To date, SPIRITBOX have accumulated over 395 million career streams across platforms and 76.4 million YouTube views. They were also nominated for two Juno Awards, for "Breakthrough Group Of The Year" this year and "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" last year.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

EXTREME's latest single "Rise" has seen unprecedented success following its debut on March 1 alongside a fiery music video which has received over two million views to date. The critically acclaimed song, from their new album "Six", due out June 9 via earMUSIC, has earned praise from international top tier media outlets, including Consequence, Classic Rock, Music Radar and Guitar World, in addition to accolades from such fellow musical peers as Brian May (QUEEN) and radio personality Howard Stern while peaking at No. 3 on the classic rock charts.

The band — Gary Cherone (vocals),Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Badger (bass) and Kevin Figueiredo (drums) — has today (April 19) shared two new singles along with dazzling videos to accompany each: "Banshee" and "#Rebel".

"Banshee" is a seductive classic hard rock tune with a chugging rhythm section, playful guitar wizardry and electrifying vocals that testify to the power and inspiration of the female form and spirit." "#Rebel" takes on scathing so-called keyboard warriors with its head-nodding beat and searing dive bomb lead guitar runs catering to the harder edges of EXTREME's sound. "We're calling out those trolls who can't back up their words," explains Cherone.

EXTREME will bring "Six"'s music to audiences across the globe on the "Thicker Than Blood" tour. The trek will see the band visit North America from August 2 to August 29 and Australia from September 6 to September 13, where they will be joined by special guests LIVING COLOUR. EXTREME will also continue to bring the "Thicker Than Blood" tour to audiences in Japan from September 17 to September 26.

A special BLABBERMOUTH.NET presale will begin on Wednesday, April 19 at noon (12:00 p.m.) local time and end on Thursday, April 20 at 10:00 p.m. local time. When prompted, type in the presale code "SIX" to access tickets before the general public. General on-sale will be Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. local.

On "Six", EXTREME swings between unapologetic fits of fret-burning hard rock and intimately introspective balladry. For the recording of the Bettencourt-produced 12-track album, the members buckled down at his home studio in Los Angeles to channel the electrifying eclecticism that defined their seminal output with a 21st century twist.

This dynamic affirms the iconic Boston quartet as one of rock's most unpredictable, undeniable, and unbreakable groups whose songs course through the very fabric of popular culture. They're the rare band whose music has appeared in an actual cult series a la "Bill & Ted" as well as the Netflix juggernaut "Stranger Things". They've sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100, 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. However, their dynamic approach hits harder than ever on "Six".

EXTREME tour dates:

Apr. 29 - May 4 - Cape Canaveral Trailer Village, FL - Monsters of Rock Cruise
May 6-7 - Columbia, MD - M3 Rock Festival
Jun. 2 - Sao Paulo, BR - Best of Blues and Rock Festival
Aug. 2 - Portland, ME - State Theatre #
Aug. 3 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom #
Aug. 5 - Boston, MA - Roadrunner #
Aug. 6 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount #
Aug. 8 - Reading, PA - Santander Performing Arts Center #
Aug. 10 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom #
Aug. 11 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theater #
Aug. 12 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theater #
Aug. 14 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall #
Aug. 15 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater #
Aug. 17 - Gary, IN - Hard Rock Live #
Aug. 18 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre #
Aug. 19 - Cedar Rapids, IA - The Paramount #
Aug. 21 - Denver, CO - The Ogden #
Aug. 22 - Albuquerque, NM - Revel Entertainment Center #
Aug. 24 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues #
Aug. 26 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency #
Aug. 28 - Portland, OR - TBD #
Aug. 29 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox #
Sep. 06 - Perth, AU - Regal Theatre #
Sep. 08 - Adelaide, AU - Hindley Street Music Hall #
Sep. 10 - Melbourne, AU - Forum #
Sep. 12 - Sydney, AU - Enmore Theatre #
Sep. 13 - Brisbane, AU - Fortitude Music Hall #
Sep. 17 - Sendai, JP - Sendai Gigs
Sep. 19 - Yokohama, JP - KT Zepp Yokohama
Sep. 21 - Tokyo, JP - Hitomi Memorial Hall
Sep. 25 - Nagoya, JP - Shimin Kaikan Hall
Sep. 26 - Osaka, JP - Zepp Namba

# with LIVING COLOUR

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has released the official music video for "Not Forgotten", an instrumental song taken from his latest solo album, "Quantum Leap".

The "Not Forgotten" clip arrives the day before the launch of Gus's "Electric Guitarlands" European tour, also featuring Michael Angelo Batio (MANOWAR),Rowan Robertson (DIO) and Andy Martongelli.

Says Gus: "Hey everyone! I'm really excited about the 'Electric Guitarlands' tour that kicks off tomorrow! Not only it's my first solo tour in 4 years, but it'll be my first time presenting material from my latest album 'Quantum Leap' on stage. The album came out during the pandemic and I haven't had a chance to tour this, until now. Moreover, I get to share the stage with legendary guitarists Michael Angelo Batio and Rowan Roberson. Italian shredder Andy Martongelli rounds up the bill and this is going to be a guitar event you don't wanna miss! We will all play individual sets with a full band plus you'll get to see all of us jamming and improvising on stage together! Hope to see you out there at a show!"

"Quantum Leap" came out in October 2021 via AFM Records. Shortly before the LP's release, Gus stated about the effort: "It's my first all-instrumental solo album. So this means there's no vocals at all, no guest singers; it's just me and my guitar… I'm really excited about this album. It was about time that I stepped up and did a full-on instrumental guitar album. A lot of people have been asking me and pushing me to do this. And to be honest, I always turned it down. But I think the recent situation with the pandemic and the fact that everybody, we all had to stay locked in in our houses and we went through months of quarantine and lockdown, that kind of sparked ideas and got me to… Music was my only gateway, basically, so that's what I did; I just made songs. I couldn't fly to another country and meet with other musicians and do pre-production or anything like that, so I just decided to write stuff on my own and just make a guitar album. There's a lot of cool stuff on there — different stuff. Obviously, my style is all over the place. I tried to push the envelope a little bit and explore some new things."

Regarding the other musicians who appear on "Quantum Leap", Gus said: "I have two amazing players with me on the record. One of them you already know. It's Dennis Ward [PINK CREAM 69, UNISONIC]. Dennis has worked with me in the past. We've worked together the past five years, actually. We've done two FIREWIND albums together. He's been co-producing and co-writing with me. And also my previous solo record, 'Fearless', he played bass and he sang. He's a great singer. He's a multi-talented guy. He mixed and mastered the record and also played bass on most of the songs. I played bass on a couple of the tracks. I also did the keyboards. And I also have a great drummer from England, [Jan-]Vincent Velazco. He's great. He plays amazingly."

As for why he chose to name his new solo album "Quantum Leap", Gus said: "I liked the title. It sounded nice. It was something different. 'Quantum leap' means when you're taking a big step, so for me, making an instrumental album and letting my guitar do the talking was a big step for me, for once. I've always worked with singers and collaborated with many people, but this time, I decided to just let the guitar be a voice. So this was my quantum leap."

In September 2019, Gus issued a digital-only solo EP, "Live In Budapest - Part 1", consisting of four tracks recorded on the guitarist's headline European tour in support of his "Fearless" album. The world tour saw Gus and his band share stages around the world with legendary guitarists like Richie Kotzen, Vinnie Moore followed by his own headline dates and a massive tour as special guest of Los Angeles rockers STEEL PANTHER.

"Fearless" was released in April 2018 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2015's "Brand New Revolution" marked Gus's first release since exiting Osbourne's band in 2017.

On "Fearless", Gus joined forces with Ward and drummer Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE).

FIREWIND's ninth, self-titled studio album was made available in May 2020.

Prior to the LP's arrival, the band parted ways with guitarist/keyboardist Bob Katsionis and singer Henning Basse.

FIREWIND's current vocalist is Herbie Langhans, who has previously played with AVANTASIA and SINBREED.

The Live Rock Music Concerts YouTube channel has uploaded 4K video of FEAR FACTORY's entire April 15 concert at the Belasco theater in Los Angeles, California. You can now watch the footage below.

FEAR FACTORY's just-completed "Rise Of The Machine" U.S. tour as the support act for STATIC-X marked the Dino Cazares-led outfit's first run of shows with new singer Milo Silvestro and touring drummer Pete Webber.

The Italian-born Silvestro recently joined FEAR FACTORY as the replacement for the band's original singer Burton C. Bell.

Webber was filling in for FEAR FACTORY's longtime drummer Mike Heller who was unable to make the trek due to "scheduling conflicts."

FEAR FACTORY's setlist for the Los Angeles concert was as follows:

01. Shock
02. Edgecrusher
03. Disruptor
04. Dielectric
05. Powershifter
06. What Will Become?
07. Archetype
08. Demanufacture
09. Zero Signal
10. Replica

The 42-date North American trek also featured DOPE as well as select dates with MUSHROOMHEAD and TWIZTID.

In a recent interview with Revolver, conducted prior to the start of the tour, Silvestro was asked if he was feeling nervous about taking the stage as the singer of FEAR FACTORY. He responded: "Yes, a little bit, but I always thought that being nervous is part of the game. My dad always told me, the moment that you're not scared of going onstage, you better quit music. I think it's supposed to be a really emotional thing, an emotional [moment in] your life. Also, the fact that it's my very first tour experience, my very first FEAR FACTORY experience, my first huge [musical] experience in general, of course that makes me a little bit nervous. But the good thing is that Dino and also the fans, fortunately enough, are making me really comfortable. I want to say thanks to them because they've been amazing. You're always scared about the hating, the negative comments and stuff, which I started seeing because my name had been leaking even before [I got the job] because of the [vocal] covers [I put on YouTube]. People were like, 'Oh, this guy is really good, so maybe it could be him.' Some haters started popping up: 'Oh, he's fucking garbage.' At first I was a little bit scared — and of course Dino had been preparing me for a long time. 'Be prepared. Either in a good or bad way, it's going to be a shitstorm.' But fortunately enough, [when] the announcement came out, [the reaction] was 99.9 percent positive. The negative comments were mostly about [how] this band without [the] previous singer is not FEAR FACTORY anymore. They just need to change the name, blah, blah, blah. Maybe one or two guys were like, 'I don't like him. He sucks.' But nothing that big to fuck with my brain or make me insecure. I was really happy to see literally thousands of people — either friends of mine, people that I know from Italy and totally unknown FEAR FACTORY fans — going, 'Welcome to the family, dude.' It was a really amazing love showering. I'm so thankful and so humbled for that."

Asked how he planned to win those skeptical fans over, Milo said: "I get that certain people are skeptical, because as a fan of music, as a metalhead and a fan of music in general, I know that metal fans are so dedicated, so crazy about their music, which is a good thing. It's almost like a religion. When your favorite band changes singers or a guitar player or whatever, you can feel a little bit sad about it. It can be hard to move on. I had favorite bands of mine that changed either singers or drummers. Maybe I was so affectionate to the style of that musician, and then I had a hard time moving on. But then once I found myself in this position of being the actual guy that is replacing the previous one, now I realize even more that, yeah, sometimes it can be tough for a fan. But it's just something that you either get over, or you don't care about the band anymore.

"What I want to say to [the doubters] is, I know you're skeptical, and it's totally understandable because the FEAR FACTORY vocal legacy is so iconic. The vocals were so identifiable and iconic and it's like replacing James Hetfield in METALLICA. What I want to say is that it's okay to be skeptical, but we are making sure that we're going to do this right. ... I've been working hard these past three years on the vocal style to make sure even the small nuances [are accounted for], how [Bell] pronounced certain things, how he goes from that note to that other note, how he pronounced certain screamed words. Also, from a vocal effects standpoint, we're making sure that everything sounds exactly like the record. I brought a bunch of effects, which I'm a bit of a freak about because I also run a studio. I like to tweak some shit, so I brought them a bunch of shit. Dino, at first, was like, 'What the fuck is this?,' but then he was like, 'Okay.' I was like, 'What if we recreate some of the vocal effects on the record, the beautiful delays which are parts of the vocal legacy?' Songs like 'Self Bias Resistor', the beautiful chorus has got a lot of deeper delay. That's part of the vocal sound. That's also what makes FEAR FACTORY's trademark sound."

Earlier in the month, Cazares told "The Jasta Show" about the band's vocalist search: "A lot of females stepped up. And there was definitely some females in the top five that I almost chose. But it did take a long process for me to find somebody. I was touring with SOULFLY [as a session guitarist] around late 2021 up till recently. And in that process I was looking for singers, and I was very meticulous, because I know how important it is for FEAR FACTORY fans that I pick the right guy. And I believe, and I know that I got the right dude. So I'm very happy [about] that."

Cazares went on to say that he "definitely" considered "guys [who] were in other bands" but that he thought "there would be a lot of scheduling conflicts, if the guy is in another band, and then we wouldn't be able to tour as much. What it somebody wanted us to do something like the Milwaukee Metal Fest, I wouldn't be able to do it because the singer has another gig somewhere else," Cazares explained. "So I wanted a guy who was fresh off the boat, new-school guy. I like discovering new talent. There's a lot of talented people out there, and they just never get the shot. So I wanted to give kind of an unknown guy a shot, or an unknown person a shot."

Dino previously told RichardMetalFan that he wasn't "afraid" of replacing someone like Bell. "I've been there before," he said. "I'm ready to move on forward. I look forward to it. I think it's gonna be fucking ripping. It's gonna be killer. I'm gonna put out some more heavy shit. So I don't think anybody needs to worry. The vocalist I got is amazing. He's younger; he's in his mid-30s. He's at his vocal peak, I think. He's there and ready to go."

In September 2020, Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, saying that he "cannot align" himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect.

FEAR FACTORY's latest album, "Aggression Continuum", was released in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP, which was recorded primarily in 2017, features Cazares and Bell alongside Heller.

Following a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances, FOO FIGHTERS return with "But Here We Are", out June 2 on Roswell/RCA.

A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything FOO FIGHTERS endured over the last year, "But Here We Are" is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family. Courageous, damaged and unflinchingly authentic, "But Here We Are" opens with newly released lead single "Rescued", the first of 10 songs that run the emotional gamut from rage and sorrow to serenity and acceptance, and myriad points in between.

Produced by Greg Kurstin and FOO FIGHTERS, "But Here We Are" is in nearly equal measure the eleventh FOO FIGHTERS album and the first chapter of the band's new life. Sonically channeling the naiveté of FOO FIGHTERS' 1995 debut, informed by decades of maturity and depth, "But Here We Are" is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life.

"But Here We Are" is available for preorder now, with all preorders including "Rescued" as an instant grat.

"But Here We Are" track listing:

01. Rescued
02. Under You
03. Hearing Voices
04. But Here We Are
05. The Glass
06. Nothing At All
07. Show Me How
08. Beyond Me
09. The Teacher
10. Rest

This past December, FOO FIGHTERS vowed to carry on as "a different band" following the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins.

The Dave Grohl-fronted outfit addressed its future while sharing a New Year's Eve message on social media.

The FOO FIGHTERS wrote: "As we say goodbye to the most difficult and tragic year that our band has ever known, we are reminded of how thankful we are for the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us.

"FOO FIGHTERS were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life. And for the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music. Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we're going to be a different band going forward.

"We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you and we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he'll be there in spirit with all of us every night."

Hawkins was found dead in March 2022 in a hotel room in Colombia, shortly before FOO FIGHTERS were due to play a festival in Bogotá. He was 50 years old.

No cause of death was announced, although a toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including opioids, marijuana and anti-depressants.

Investigators did not say whether the mix of drugs was a factor.

Hawkins had been the FOO FIGHTERS drummer for 25 years, taking over from original drummer William Goldsmith in 1997. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.

FOO FIGHTERS staged two tribute concerts in honor of Hawkins. The first tribute concert took place September 3, 2022 at London's Wembley Stadium. A Los Angeles concert was held on September 27, 2022 and raised money for Musicares and Music Support charities and served as a farewell party for Hawkins's adopted hometown.

Other notable tributes to come in the months following Hawkins's death included a segment at last year's Grammy Awards, a drum circle in Taylor's hometown, and a live performance of the FOO FIGHTERS song "My Hero" by more than 1,000 musicians.

In a new interview with Colombia's El Expreso Del Rock, Irish guitarist Simon McBride, who recently joined DEEP PURPLE as the permanent replacement for Steve Morse, was asked how he landed the much-coveted gig. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I know [PURPLE keyboardist] Don Airey very well. I played with Don for [about] 10 years now. And I also know [PURPLE singer] Ian Gillan very well, and I played with him off and on. I also know Roger [Glover, PURPLE bassist] and I know Paicey [PURPLE drummer Ian Paice] as well. I've known them all, I've played with them all, but never at the same time. And I get on very well [with them]… I think I was kind of the natural fit for the band because… as I know Don and played with him and played with Gillan and I know the rest of the guys. We all get on very well. But, yeah, it was still… When I got a call to do it, it was just a bizarre feeling. I think I was jumping for joy."

Regarding how he feels being a member of such a legendary band, McBride said: "It's a great thing to be part of DEEP PURPLE. The name DEEP PURPLE is just iconic, and I'm very lucky that I can put my name through that, as being a part of it. But, yeah, the guys are great, and all the crew. It's like a big family on the road. And we all have a lot of fun and we all get on very well. Yeah, I'm very honored to be a part of the whole thing."

Simon previously recounted the initial call he received to fill in for Morse in an October 2022 interview with Andrew Daly of Vinyl Writer Music. At the time, he said: "Well, there was talk of me stepping in for Steve temporarily towards the end of 2021, but I never really thought much of it. I never thought much of it because it was always a case of, 'It may happen or it may not happen,' because it depended on Steve's wife's condition as to whether he would be able to tour. But it just got to the stage where Steve decided enough was enough, and he needed to look after his wife, which is an amazing thing he's doing. So, I knew it was possible, but I didn't know for sure; I only really found out recently that I was being confirmed as a permanent replacement."

McBride went on to say that the chemistry was "immediate" between him and the other members of DEEP PURPLE. "We had a few days of rehearsal in May [2022], and that's all we needed. And then we did a few shows in Israel, and places like that, which were my first shows, and all we had was those few days of rehearsal. I know Don very well, and I've played with Ian [Gillan] and Roger for a long time, so it clicked quickly. But yeah, it was a funny thing — we did the three or four days of rehearsals, but we really only needed one. After the first day, we all looked at each other and said, 'Well, we think it sounds pretty good. We don't really need two extra days.' We got to work straight away, and everybody was very happy. It helps that I'm a very easygoing person, and I get on well with everybody, I think. So, there was never an issue or a thought about if I would get on with them or not. And as I said, I've met them before, knew their personalities, and knew what to expect, so it's been a great atmosphere."

Last August, McBride spoke to the "Scars And Guitars" podcast about what it has been like for me him to step into the shoes previously filled by Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin, Joe Satriani and Steve Morse. Regarding his approach to playing DEEP PURPLE's classic songs, Simon said: "At the end of the day, for me, with this gig, there's been lots of people saying, or asking me will I play like Ritchie or will I play like Steve or will I do this like Tommy or Satriani or whatever. So that thing initially kind of confused me a little bit; I didn't know what to do. It was only when I was talking to [DEEP PURPLE keyboardist] Don Airey about it, and he just said, 'Forget about it all. Just be you. Play your own thing.' That's it. Which I did. And I kind of started to relax a little bit and just be myself.

"When you start to think about who else has been in the band, you get a little bit confused what to play or when to play or what to do or 'should I play this like Ritchie?' or 'should I play it like Steve?'" he continued.

"Everybody has their own opinion on the guitar players in DEEP PURPLE and which ones worked better or whatnot. I [am] respectful to everybody who's played there, because they're all good players — every single one of 'em — so whether it's Ritchie or Tommy or Steve, I just kind of [am] respectful to what they've done in the past, and I just do my own thing most of the time.

"There's certain things you have to play. Like 'Highway Star', for example, I'm not gonna play anything different to what's there in the original, because why the hell would I? [Laughs] That's my attitude. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

McBride, who had previously toured with both Gillan and Airey, among others, added: "I learned a lot from Don Airey over the years, playing with him, because when he plays some of the Jon Lord parts, he's, like, 'Well, have you heard the keyboard solo?' I was, like, 'Yeah.' And he said, 'Well, why in the hell would you change it?'

"Some people can be, like, 'Oh, I need to do my own thing.' And I go, 'Well, I'm sorry. But these guys spent a lot of time in the studio, or wherever it is, creating these pieces of music that fit the song. So why would I be so arrogant to say, 'I'm gonna change that just because I wanna play my own thing'? 'Cause I know, really, I wouldn't come up with anything better.

"It's case of just… I just go on and do my thing and I don't really think about it too much, what people say. People will either like me or hate me. I don't know."

As for the response he has gotten from the DEEP PURPLE fans, the Irish blues-rock guitarist said: "To be honest, everybody's been so nice and so cool and so kind, especially on the social media stuff where it's all been very positive. You get the odd negative one, but I don't read a lot of it anyway. But it's really cool that people accept me, because it is a legacy band and they've been around a long time. I really appreciate that people are digging what I do, and I feel it every night onstage. Some of the shows we've done, some of the audience reaction has been incredible.

"We played a show in Macedonia. We came off. We did an encore and stuff. And then 20 minutes later, the audience are still shouting," he recalled. "I'd never heard this my entire life — 15, 20 minutes of 10 thousand people shouting for more, just constantly, and they wouldn't leave. Even Don Airey and Roger Glover were standing there in shock, going, 'We haven't heard this in a long, long time.' I'm not saying that's all for me; I'm just saying that's just for the band.

"I'm very [happy] that people like what I'm doing because it is always hard stepping into a band where you've had [laughs] Ritchie Blackmore, Steve Morse, Joe Satriani and Tommy Bolin. They're not small names by any means, so it's always very… I think if you just play and have fun, that comes across and people respect that and people will really see.

"I'm [44], so I kind of grew up in that old-school playing method anyway. 'Cause I grew up in the '80s and '90s, so I guess I'm still part of that older generation, if you wanna call it. So the way that I play would still fit very well, whereas maybe some of the new, modern players wouldn't fit. I don't know.

"Yeah, the response has been brilliant. I can't complain at all. And I thank every single person that has said a nice thing about me."

In July 2022, Morse officially left PURPLE to care for his wife, Janine, who is battling cancer.

Morse's announcement came four months after the guitarist said that he would be taking a hiatus from the band, in the hope of rejoining his bandmates once his wife's health improved. He was then replaced on the road by McBride.

Morse effectively took over Ritchie Blackmore's DEEP PURPLE slot in 1994 and had since been in the group longer than Ritchie.

McBride, who is guitar player, singer, songwriter and a band leader all in one, hails from Belfast in Northern Ireland —a place that resonates of the best music traditions like Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher, as well as bands such as THIN LIZZY, STIFF LITTLE FINGERS and obviously U2. His biography tells many stories — from his band touring with no sound engineer, driver, or roadie, playing 30 shows in 35 days, to him regularly sharing stages with Gillan and Airey.

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "Turning To Crime", came out in November 2022 via earMUSIC. The LP contains DEEP PURPLE's versions of great rock classics and musical jewels — including songs originally recorded by Bob Dylan, FLEETWOOD MAC, Bob Seger, CREAM and THE YARDBIRDS — carefully chosen by each member of the band.

In a new interview with George Dionne of "The Rock Is George" podcast, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner was asked about a possible timeline for the release of the band's follow-up to 2018's "Firepower" album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know exactly when [it will be released]. I know when we would like to have it out. Rob's [Halford, PRIEST singer] still doing a few vocal touch-ups here and there. The majority of it is finished. And then you've got things to consider — like the turnaround on vinyl nowadays is six to nine months. So even if we finish the record today, as I'm talking to you, and we give it to the record label, we're looking at six to nine months before the vinyl is ready. So that's a bit of a challenge to contend with. But it's almost finished. It's sounding great. We've gotta select the track listing and album artwork and stuff like that, which is exciting. So, yeah, it's coming out, but I can't tell you exactly when, 'cause I don't actually know."

Last month, Faulkner told Canada's The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the new PRIEST material, Richie said: "I've said this before, and the Internet — the sharks got hold of it… I would definitely say, and Rob said it as well, I said the word 'progressive', and the Internet tore me apart. But they haven't heard it. When I said 'progressive', I'd say it's a little bit… instead of, let's say, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, chorus, finish, it might do verse, musical part, musical section, bridge, chorus, musical section, back into the verse. It doesn't stay on the path; sometimes it goes off and plays it a little… Like the old '70s PRIEST used to, like the 'Sinner' and stuff like that; it used to go on a bit more of a musical journey. Which I think is great — it's interesting.

"So that's what I can say. I've said it before: it's a little bit more progressive; it's a little bit more musically, not experimental, but it's got a few more riffs in there," he explained. "[There's more] intricacies, there's more solos, there's more riffs, which, I don't think that's a bad thing, as a guitar player."

In February, Halford spoke to the SiriusXM's Ozzy's Boneyard host Mark Strigl about PRIEST's musical evolution on the band's upcoming album. He said: "That's what we love about PRIEST, isn't it? I've always said we're the band that can kind of rip the skin off your face with 'Painkiller', and then the next second we can be your 'turbo lover', or we can go and 'break the law' or we can become 'the sentinel'.

"We've always had so much fun and adventure with not only the albums, but the songs within the albums," he continued. "It's part of who we are. And making these little microcosms of our personalities within the songs especially, all those names that I've referenced just, they've each got like a little mini-movie going on in your head when you think of the lyrics and the message, and then it's all supported by incredible music working together.

"That 'Firepower' record was a real pure effort on our part to do a little bit of reflection and reinforce a lot of the things that we've loved about PRIEST from day one," Halford explained. "That's not to say we went, 'Okay, let's get a bit of a vibe from 'Rocka Rolla' here.' And then, 'How about some 'Sad Wings Of Destiny'?' And 'Don't forget 'Point Of Entry'.' It was none of that. It was just really this overall umbrella of things that we've achieved in metal, and just using that in the back of our minds as we went through from song to song to song. And I wanna say it made it a little bit easier. And what I mean by that is when you have a focus and a direction and a template on which to work from, then you can keep going back to that and going, 'Okay, this is where we're focusing the ideas and the creativity,' and so on and so forth. So that's how 'Firepower' came together like it did. That album, to me, as a PRIEST fan, is as important as, say, 'Painkiller' was in reaffirming this band, and also what 'British Steel' was in reaffirming this band. And what I mean by reaffirmation is that it's like a football team or a basketball team. That team has been there forever, but you're bringing these ideas, you're bringing these moves, and then you go, 'Yeah, these are the things that make that band great.' 'These are the things that make this team great.' And because I overthink everything, that was my thought philosophy behind 'Firepower'. So you've got that in the back of your mind when you're trying to write this current album. And it can be a mind game."

Rob added: "You always wanna do better when you're in a band. Every band goes, 'This is the greatest record we've ever made,' as you should say, because that should be your logic behind whatever you're doing at that given moment in time, giving it a thousand percent so you stand by that statement: 'This is the best thing we've ever done, as of right now.'

"So what's what we're trying to do with this next one. And the substance of it is great, man. I mean, again, you've got all the things that you need from this band. And it's so difficult to talk about music, isn't it? All I can say is — you can tell by the way I'm expressing myself — there's a tremendous amount of belief and love and thought and power and riffs and crazy drums and screams. Man, it's just roaring again. But it's also got those familiar elements of some of the previous material. That's not to say that we're doing 'Firepower' Mark 2 — we're not. But we're in the home stretch. It feels wonderful. I listen to it every day. I've still got a lot of work to do myself, but the foundations of all the instrumentation are so thrilling to listen to. And it feels good.

"We wrote so many songs, like we always do — we overwrite, overwrite, overwrite — and then we curate the best things that we need to work with. So we have an album-plus worth of material, and it's roaring; it's roaring, man. It's on fire."

Halford previously about what fans can expect to hear on the band's upcoming LP in January in an interview with Metal Express Radio. At the time he said: "When you're in a band, you're always trying to better yourself; you're always trying to say, 'This is the best album we've ever made.' It's just a natural thing to do. And I'm aware of the great success and love that was given to 'Firepower'. And so how do you deal with that? Well, firstly, you have to let that go. You have to let that go, because it's like you're chasing after something that's elusive. What's the point of trying to emulate something that you've already done? We've just gotta do like we've always done with PRIEST, the way that every album has its own concept, every album has its own thing. 'British Steel' isn't 'Painkiller'; 'Painkiller' isn't 'Point Of Entry'; 'Point Of Entry' isn't 'Nostradamus'. So this album is shaping up to be its own thing."

He added: "It's great. It's a really good album, and I know our fans are gonna love it."

Last November, Faulkner told Robert Cavuoto of Metal Rules about the musical direction of PRIEST's upcoming LP: "You know what? The Internet seems to know everything these days about what the new album's going to sound like based on a couple of words that [we've] put out there [in previous interviews]. I think we've used the word 'progressive', and everyone thinks it's gonna become 'Nostradamus' [PRIEST's controversial 2008 symphonic heavy metal concept double album about Nostradamus], or RUSH, which is two different things. I've definitely used the word 'progressive' [to describe the new PRIEST material in previous interviews], purely because it's got a few musical turnarounds that 'Firepower' doesn't have. But that doesn't make it a RUSH record. It just makes it — instead of, like, a verse into a bridge into a chorus, there might be a couple of more musical passages in there to make it a bit more… interesting; might be the wrong word. I don't know. You've gotta be careful with the words you use these days. So it's not 'Firepower 2', but it's the same band a few years later, so there's obvious connections to the last record. But it's not 'Firepower 2' by any means."

Richie continued: "No PRIEST records have sounded the same, but it's got a common DNA. And you always try and make the next one sound a bit better — or whatever 'better' may be; 'better' is subjective. So, is it better written? Are the lyrics better? Does it sound better? And 'better' is always subjective. So it's hard to pinpoint, really. But it's a bit more of a musical adventure than the last one, I'd say. But then again someone might listen to it, when it does come out, and have a totally different interpretation of what it is. So it's always tough to sum up your own music without sounding up your own butt."

Asked if longtime PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nine years ago after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier, will play on the band's album, Richie said: "He will be, yeah. I don't think he's recorded his guitar parts yet, but he's definitely involved in the writing of it. Obviously, we're all aware of his challenges with Parkinson's, so we were adamant that if he couldn't play that particular day that he was involved in the writing. He'd share his ideas with me and I'd kind of be his… he would share his ideas through me."

In October, Halford told AXS TV's Katie Daryl about what PRIEST fans can expect from the upcoming LP: "The same energy, the same vitality, the same determination, and it really is, again, another affirmation of what you love about JUDAS PRIEST. If you listen to any album from PRIEST from 'Rocka Rolla' in the '70s up to the 2000s with 'Firepower' and everything that went on between there, whether it was 'Turbo Lover' or whether it was the 'Painkiller' or '[You've Got] Another Thing Comin'', all of these pinpoints connect the dots of this great 50 years of metal, this journey that we're on. And it ain't over yet, folks, because that means another album and another tour. And we can't wait to keep pouring out the metal, 'cause that turbo power isn't gonna get turned off anytime soon."

In February 2022, Halford was asked by Remy Maxwell of Audacy Check In if he agreed with Faulkner's comment that the band's upcoming album will be more musically "progressive" than "Firepower". He responded: "Yeah, the metal is there. But here's the thing: we've tried our best not to replicate anything that we've done. From 'Rocka Rolla' all the way through to 'Firepower', each record has had a distinctive character. And it's tough because fans go, 'We want another 'Painkiller',' 'We want another 'British Steel'.' And [it's, like], 'Dude, we've already done that.'

"Fans know that we're a band that is always full of adventure and trying new stuff," he continued. "And so, yeah, this has got probably some more progressive elements that we've never really delved into before. And that's exciting, because, again, it gives us and our fans another opportunity to see a different side of PRIEST. But it's still metal. There's just more of it. There are more notes than there were before."

Also in February 2022, Faulkner told Canada's The Metal Voice about the overall sound of the new PRIEST music: "Whenever you start a record, you never know how it's gonna turn out. So you might start with an idea of what it's gonna be, and as it kind of rolls on, it comes out something different. So you don't quite know. And also it's really hard to sum up your own music, I find, without sounding really pretentious. But I think this one — it's not 'Firepower 2', I don't think. It's its own thing, it's its own animal. If anything, I would say it's a bit more progressive in places, and in places it's got a bit more of that 'Killing Machine' swagger."

Faulkner added: "I know everyone says, 'Oh, is it the next 'Painkiller'?' or 'Is it the next…?' whatever… I don't know if they'd ever done it, but I know we've never done it when I've been in the band; we've never tried to recreate an album. It's always we try to create an album that stands on its own legs. So I think it's definitely a little bit more progressive than 'Firepower' and, as I said, in places it's got a little bit of that 'Killing Machine' angry swagger attitude going on."

Two years ago, Halford confirmed that PRIEST's next album would see the band reuniting with the "Firepower" production team consisting of Andy Sneap, longtime collaborator Tom Allom and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH).

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

In a new interview with McVay Productions, MORBID ANGEL guitarist Trey Azagthoth spoke about his mindset when composing music for his long-running death metal outfit. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The way I look at it when I write my music, if people don't like it, fuck you. Fuck you. Go listen to some other band. I write fucking music for myself. I don't write music for any fans, and if they don't like it, then they can just fucking move on to some other band or whatever. That's the way I look at it. I'm not really afraid, like, 'Well, I hope I'm catchy' and 'I hope this is gonna be trending' or whatever like that. Actually, I'm trying to do anti-trends… It's a big 'fuck you' to anybody that thinks they wanna follow trends or rules or things like that; they think that's important. Other than coming from yourselves."

He added: "I don't need other people to make me feel valid. I determine that by myself… If you don't like it, fuck you. That's the way I look at it."

MORBID ANGEL kicked off its 2023 U.S. tour on March 15 at Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola, Florida. The trek marks the band's first with drummer Charlie Koryn, who has previously played with ASCENDED DEAD, INCANTATION, FUNEBRARUM and SKELETAL REMAINS. The tour, featuring support from REVOCATION, will run through April 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In April 2018, Silver Lining Music released a special two-disc digipack edition of MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Kingdoms Disdained", featuring seven instrumental demo tracks previously only available as part of the deluxe box set.

"Kingdoms Disdained" was released in December 2017 via Silver Lining Music in the U.S. and JVC in Japan. The disc, which reunites founding guitarist Azagthoth with bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker, was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and produced by MORBID ANGEL with Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATE ETERNAL, SIX FEET UNDER, BELPHEGOR).

Joining Azagthoth and Tucker during the recording sessions for "Kingdoms Disdained" was drummer Scotty Fuller (ANNIHILATED; formerly of ABYSMAL DAWN)

MORBID ANGEL in January 2017 announced the addition of Vadim Von (guitarist/frontman of the American death metal band VADIMVON) to the band's lineup on second guitar. He joined the group as the replacement for Norwegian guitarist Destructhor (a.k.a. Thor Anders Myhren),who left the band eight years ago.

Azagthoth made headlines in 2020 after he was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge near his home in Florida. Several months later, he pleaded no contest to reckless driving as a reduced charge from DUI. He was also ordered to complete "DUI School", pay a small fine and perform 50 hours of community service.

A 50-year-old man died when the roof collapsed at a theater hosting a MORBID ANGEL concert in Belvidere, Illinois late last month.

Although the concert was reportedly sold out, the Belvidere Police Department said only 260 people were at the Apollo Theater on March 31 when the collapse occurred as a heavy storm rolled through the area. The capacity of the theater is around 1,500.

In total, 28 people were taken to local hospitals by paramedics and another 48 people sought treatment on their own.

All-star rock band KINGS OF CHAOS — with special guests — headlined the Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach's April 15 concert presented by Acura.

The show took place at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the plaza in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center adjacent to the Long Beach Convention Center and was free to Saturday race ticket holders.

KINGS OF CHAOS, the brainchild of GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum, is an international all-star band with a revolving lineup of top rock-and-roll talent. The lineup for Long Beach included guest vocalists Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR),Corey Glover (LIVING COLOUR),Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) and Rome (SUBLIME) along with guitarists Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES),Billy Duffy (THE CULT),Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR),Brent Woods (Taylor Hawkins),bass guitarist James LoMenzo (MEGADETH) and drummer Sorum.

"I was born in Long Beach right up the street," Sorum said as he took the stage. "After all the bands I've been in — GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, THE CULT — I decided to start my own band. It was a bucket list thing and I hope you all enjoy tonight."

Sorum also brought KINGS OF CHAOS to the Grand Prix in 2017, playing 90 minutes of hit songs to a big crowd in front of the plaza stage.

When KINGS OF CHAOS's performance at this year's Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach was first announced in February, Sorum said in a statement: "As Long Beach is my birthplace, this is a very special gig for me. KINGS OF CHAOS are excited to join this legendary event and we're putting together a once-in-a-lifetime show to make it even more memorable for fans of live music. Fast cars and rock 'n' roll! Does it get any better?”

"I'm so honored to be joining the KINGS OF CHAOS for a night none of us will forget," said Hale. "And to be surrounded by these lifers of live music for such a legendary event, not only will make this a true moment in time for the fans, but for myself as well! Thank you to all the boys for having me! Let's get loud!"

The Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach was headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In addition, the weekend included the Super Drift Challenge under the lights on Friday and Saturday nights, plus doubleheader action from Robby Gordon's SPEED/UTV Stadium Super Trucks, Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America and the new-for-2023 Historic F1 Challenge.

KINGS OF CHAOS had recorded just one song prior to the release of last year's "Judgement Day" single: a cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Never Before" for the 2012 tribute album "Re-Machined: A Tribute To Deep Purple's 'Machine Head'".

During an appearance on the "2 Hours With Matt Pinfield" podcast, Sorum talked about the project's formation. He said: "The music business is more difficult to navigate than ever, especially for a guy that's been around a while," he said. "I've had an illustrious career, but it's always been, like, super-high, super-low, like riding the wildest roller coaster ever known to man. [Laughs] Emotionally, it's been challenging. When VELVET REVOLVER broke up, for me, it was like, 'Oh my god, I can't believe I pulled off another band.' So it kind of knocked the wind out of me, and I didn't really want to jump back into doing another band or project right away.

"When I started doing KINGS OF CHAOS, it became strictly about fun," he continued. "I decided, 'I'm going to pull a bucket list, [and] I'm going to call guys that I never had the balls to call, and have no fear. There's one or two answers that you can get — yes or no. And you've got to be able to accept no. Don't take it personal. I called Keith Richards. I called Jimmy Page. I called [Robert] Plant. I didn't care. I was just, like, finding them and calling them. And some of them said yes — not Robert Plant, dammit [laughs] — but Steven Tyler, Robin Zander, Billy Gibbons, Joe Elliott, Slash, the DeLeo brothers. I go and play with my friends, and it's a blast."



Posted by Kirstin Tidwell Weathermon on Sunday, April 16, 2023



Kings of Chaos @ LB Grand Prix

Posted by Steve Schwartz on Saturday, April 15, 2023



Kings of Chaos @ LB Grand Prix

Posted by Steve Schwartz on Saturday, April 15, 2023



Kings of Chaos @ LB Grand Prix

Posted by Steve Schwartz on Saturday, April 15, 2023

With the Kings of Chaos at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach last night. Thanks to Mitch Davis and everyone in the AGPLB Media Group for a killer night (and weekend). #KingsOfChaos #agplb #lbgp #acura

Posted by Ronnie Lyon on Sunday, April 16, 2023

From the dark roots of Amebix, Discharge, and Nausea, a new twisted branch of thorns shoots from the alternate family tree. Neurot Recordings eagerly welcomes newly formed collective False Fed to the label’s ever-expanding roster and is putting the final touches on the band’s debut album for a Summer release.


In 2019 BC (before Covid), Discharge frontman Jeff Janiak reached out to longtime friend and musician JP Parsons to assist on a new project. The pair wrote and recorded various ideas before reaching out to Amebix guitarist Stig.C.Miller who joined them during the global pandemic. The trio utilized this new creative climate of physical restriction and went on to set the foundations for their first album, via file sharing home recordings, which would be arranged and produced by Miller. It was several months later when he would call upon Nausea, Ministry, and former Amebix drummer Roy Mayorga to complete the lineup. Mayorga went onto record drums, mix, and produce the band's debut album, Let Them Eat Fake.


In these unprecedented times of global restriction, fear, and the everlasting lack of faith in the hierarchy, False Fed has cultivated a heavy sound that is drenched in melody, aggression, and shrouded in darkness; an ominous and dystopian entity that is not bound by genre, yet still offers subtle hints to the creators’ lineage.




Janiak reveals, “When we were finishing up the recording of the Let Them Eat Fake album, the next big question to be was, ‘Who is gonna put this out?’ We all pretty much have punk rock backgrounds, but musically this album touched on something dark and different. So where do we go from here? We all have a lot of different influences, and it really shows on this record, so who is willing to put out an album that is so difficult to pinpoint a specific genre or stick a label on? Neurot Recordings was the first label that came to mind. They always put out releases by bands that were quite different and experimental. We contacted them and sent them our album and they totally ‘got it’ and believed in what we were doing and got behind the project. We are all thrilled to be working with such a great independent label that believes in the DIY spirit and isn't afraid to venture into new territory. We hope you all enjoy the album as much as we did in making it!”


Neurot owner Steve Von Till offers, “Releasing the False Fed album on Neurot is an amazing coming together of both heroes and friends from Discharge, Amebix, and Nausea. Discharge was my gateway to hardcore as a young kid looking for the heaviest music I could find. Their intense wall of noise, bleak imagery, and apocalyptic lyrics opened my mind to the possibilities. A few years later I would have my mind blown by Amebix. Even though they came from the post Crass anarcho punk world, they wielded unique heavy guitar tones with a strangely emotional, mystical, and even spiritual aura. Both were huge and foundational influences on myself and Neurosis. I met Roy on my first Neurosis tour to New York where we stayed and hung out with our crusty brethren from Nausea and their whole scene of good people. Those were formative years for all of us, and now all these years later this gem of an album which takes a moody, melodic, and almost gothic approach to their various pasts gives birth to something new and inspiring with an old soul.”


False Fed’s Let Them Eat Fake will be released on Neurot Recordings in the summer of 2023. Stand by for the album’s street date, cover art, audio previews, and more to be issued over the weeks ahead.


False Fed:


Jeff (JJ) Janiak – vocals
Stig.C.Miller – guitar
JP Parsons – bass
Roy Mayorga – drums

According to Billboard, METALLICA's "72 Seasons" is on track to debut at position No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart.

Based on midweek data published by the Official Charts Company, the band's eleventh studio LP will likely be METALLICA's fourth — and first in nearly 15 years — to top the U.K. chart

METALLICA previously hit No. 1 in the U.K. with "Metallica" (1991),"Load" (1996) and "Death Magnetic" (2008).

METALLICA's 2016 album "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", reached No. 2 on the U.K. chart, while several of the band's other efforts also landed in the Top 10: 1988's "…And Justice for All" (No. 4),1997's "Reload" (No. 4) and 2003's "St. Anger" (No. 3) and the orchestral live album "S&M2" (No. 2).

METALLICA's much-maligned collaboration with Lou Reed, 2011's "Lulu", peaked at No. 36.

"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 "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".

In the seven years since the arrival of "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", METALLICA has reissued some of its classic albums, released a second live album with the San Francisco Symphony, commissioned a covers album featuring the likes of GHOST, VOLBEAT, WEEZER, Corey Taylor and THE HU, and landed on the Billboard songs chart with "Master Of Puppets" after a prominent placement in the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things".

METALLICA's "M72" world tour will feature two-night stops in nearly two dozen cities. Presented worldwide by Liquid Death and Blackened American Whiskey (in North America only) and promoted by Live Nation, the 46-show trek will launch in Amsterdam on April 27 and will include shows all over Europe and North America through 2024. Each "No Repeat Weekend" on "M72" will feature two completely different setlists and support lineups. The "M72" tour will feature a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocates the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, as well as the "I Disappear" full-tour pass and the debut of discounted tickets for fans under 16 years of age. Opening acts for the tour include PANTERA, MAMMOTH WVH, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ICE NINE KILLS, ARCHITECTS, VOLBEAT and GRETA VAN FLEET.
Catch up with the Official Albums Chart update in full here ✅ https://t.co/EnnYUHnnDC

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) April 17, 2023

W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless says that he has been performing on the band's ongoing European tour with a herniated disc in his lower back.

The 66-year-old guitarist/vocalist, whose real name is Steven Duren, opened up about his injury in a lengthy statement released via W.A.S.P.'s official web site earlier today (Tuesday, April 18).

He wrote: "I feel the time has come to address what has become an ongoing situation here in Europe for the '40th Anniversary World Tour'.

"It has become obvious to many of you that either watching the shows live or on YouTube that there is something physically wrong with me. There is. I've done my best to hide it, but there are times during many of the shows the pain is overwhelming, and it then becomes impossible to disguise.

"I come from a sports background that while growing up we lived with mantra's like, 'no pain, no gain', or 'don't explain and don't complain'. Right or wrong the last one here is what I try to live by. As boys we're told if you get hurt to 'spit on it, and rub some dirt on it', and just keep going. Most of the time we can. But, there are times, regardless of our desires, we simply cannot. I'm in the middle of one of those right now and I'm going to be as transparent as I can be to let you inside, and to let you know why you are seeing me at less than 100% in these shows. In addition to the physical pain there is also the personal pain and aggravation of knowing I'm giving you the fans less than 100% of all I'm capable of giving. For a performer like me this is extremely hard to do and also to admit to myself.

"For about the last 3 weeks I've been doing these European shows with a herniated disc in my lower back. For those out there thinking this is somehow age related, I assure it is not. It's been an ongoing situation stemming from when I broke my leg 10 years ago. I won't go into detail but I had a Doctor here in Europe do what should have been a simple procedure on me and he screwed me up really, really badly. Besides you all see me crawling up and down on Elvis [Blackie's mic stand] all night and that something few people can do at any age. An MRI done at a hospital in Berlin 2 weeks ago confirmed this disc problem.

"Not being a doctor I'll try to explain the best I can. When a disc becomes herniated it pushes out a jelly like substance against its outer ring. Then the wear and tear against that outer ring develops severe nerve pain as it begins to put pressure on the Spinal Cord. This creates mechanical compression of the nerves and releases chemical irritants that then lead to severe nerve inflammation. The MRI clearly has shown that the little holes that the nerve roots that attach to my Spinal Cord are extremely inflamed. Effectively the root nerves at the Spinal Cord are being choked and that leads to even greater inflammation that then moves from the Spinal Cord and can eventually go all the way down the leg and reach into the foot, causing numbness, weakness, and honestly... pain you cannot imagine. These doctors have all told me that nerve pain is the most severe of all pain. I am now a believer.

"Rest is one of the most common prescription's for injuries like this. But, this tour has suffered postponement after postponement. Never again will I have a '40th Anniversary Tour'. I told the Doctors, the Band and the Crew, if I can stand, then I'm going out there! Additionally I knew the fans, would never be able to understand why I just walked away in the middle of a tour like this. So now the time has come to tell you what these Doctors, my Band and my Crew have done to get me ready EVERY NIGHT to finish this tour. There have been several nights on this tour after the shows I could not walk again until the next day.

"After the MRI was completed it was determined I would need a series of Spinal Injections called 'Epidurals'. These are complicated injections that require the patient be in either a hospital or surgical center to receive them. The reason for that is if any of the injections go directly next to the Spinal Cord the patient can be paralyzed. It's an extremely tricky procedure. I promise you every time you're lying on that table you look around the room and see all that surgical equipment those thoughts run through your head. There's no way to avoid it. I received 2 Epidurals on the first day and then traveled to Tampere Finland to do the next show. I felt better than I'd felt in weeks and did the whole show, running around and climbing on Elvis and basically everything I do during the show… and it felt WONDERFUL! But, about an hour after the show I could not walk. So the next day we speak to the Doctors in Berlin and apparently I had undone most of the progress the first 2 Epidurals had done. I was told to take it easy during the show and I thought I did… but apparently not enough. I was then given an oral steroid that was strong enough to get me through the show in Helsinki. But 5AM the next morning I was back on a plane to Berlin, got 3 Epidurals at 11AM and was back on a plane headed for Sweden at 3 PM.

"These Epidurals are painful in themselves because when the medicine is injected it puts pressure in and around the Spinal Cord. When we were there on Saturday the pain was horrific and the nurse looked at the table I was on and it was covered in my sweat. The injections take about 20 minutes and it hurts badly the entire time. This nurse there saw my whole body was shaking and while the Doctor was doing the injections she reached over and started gently rubbing and caressing my left calf. I could not see her face but she could see the pain I was in and little she could do for me to stop it. I'm a big man, but I swear that I wanted to cry because here was a woman who had sworn an oath to help people anyway she can. It hurt so damn bad but just her touch was telling me she knew what was happening to me and that she was there for me. It was like an eternity of absolute hell and tenderness all at the same time. I will never forget her and that moment for the rest of my life.

"For the Band and Crew, you all don't see what great lengths these guys have gone through to get me and this show ready every single night. I see them all giving 110% trying to pick up the slack and there are times during the show I'll look around at all of them and I'll lower my head knowing what they are going through and pushing themselves to 'make it happen'!

"We are absolutely committed to finishing this European Tour. I'm scheduled for 3 more Epidurals in Berlin in 2 weeks. But there have also been logistical nightmares along the way that are direct results of the pandemic that still plague us and every other Band trying to tour in Europe. Those will be addressed in the coming days.

"So now if I haven't seemed to be quite myself on stage hopefully you'll better understand. I've been given every assurance by our Doctors here in Europe and in L. A. that I will be fine for the upcoming U.S. Tour. I'm a warrior and I pride myself as such."

W.A.S.P.'s massive European leg of the 40th-anniversary world tour is scheduled to wrap up on May 18 in Sofia, Bulgaria at Universidada Sports Hall.

Earlier this month, W.A.S.P. announced the North American leg of "The 40th Never Stops World Tour 2023". Produced by Live Nation, the 33-city run kicks off on Friday, August 4 at the Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo, California, making stops across North America in Vancouver, British Columbia; Omaha, Nebraska; New York City; Memphis, Tennessee and more before wrapping up on Saturday, September 16 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. Special guest ARMORED SAINT will join the band across all dates of the tour.

Blackie Lawless VIP meet-and-greet tickets will be available at WASPnation.com.

W.A.S.P. wrapped up its first U.S. tour in 10 years with a sold-out show on December 11 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. This marked the 18th sold-out shows for the U.S. tour, which kicked off in late October. W.A.S.P.'s performances included the return of the band's classic song "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)", which hadn't been played live in over 15 years.

Lawless has led W.A.S.P. as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold-out shows across the globe for four decades. He is joined by bassist Mike Duda and guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band span 28 and 17 years respectively, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester.

W.A.S.P.'s latest release was "ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol)", which came out in February 2018. It was a new version of the band's classic 1992 album "The Crimson Idol", which was re-recorded to accompany the movie of the same name to mark the 25th anniversary of the original LP's release. The re-recorded version also features four songs missing from the original album.

W.A.S.P.'s most recent studio album of all-new original material was 2015's "Golgotha".

British hard rock legends URIAH HEEP have released the official music video for the song "Golden Light". The track is taken from the band's 25th studio album, "Chaos & Colour", which was released on January 27 via Silver Lining Music.

"Golden Light" is a smorgasbord of soaring melodies, robust rhythm, luscious guitar lines, and brims with spiritual optimism.

Comments URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box: "We've always had positive energy in everything we do. It's always good over evil no matter where we look at it. That's what we're like as people, which is why it's always been a big part of HEEP to have that positivity.

"'Golden Light' is a typical melodic HEEP rock song," continues Box. "It explains that in this troubled world, there is a guardian angel shining down a light, to guide us through these difficult times. 'Appy days!"

"Chaos & Colour" is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and HEEP's famously generous keyboard foundation. It is, unsurprisingly, an album that found its extra thrust during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was as bizarre for URIAH HEEP as it was for humanity in general.

"The album title reflects that we were in chaotic times with being locked down, tours being cancelled, businesses folding, and all the chaos that was thrown into the world," explained Box, "and as far as I could see it, the only color people had was through music. It helped so many people get through those difficult years, using that strength and power which music has, to make those bad times not quite so bad."

There were still the looming specter of protocols and rules to follow in the middle of 2021, as the world tried to find its feet. HEEP slowly found their way into Chapel Studios in London during the summer of 2021 as restrictions were tentatively lifted, working once again with Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, COREY TAYLOR, BLACK STAR RIDERS).

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

Led by Box, it is no surprise that themes of light, love and, ultimately, positivity are constant through the album eleven tracks. "One Nation, One Sun" is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, "Fly Like An Eagle" takes the listener on a journey of meditation, while "Closer To Your Dreams" is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that "So many have tried but slipped away/Now it's time for you to have your say." During the entire album, Bernie Shaw's timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band's phenomenal artistry, rounding out exceptional performances throughout.

Produced by Ruston and engineered by Pieter Rietkerk, "Chaos & Colour" is a superb album of quality hard rock from the pioneers of the genre who continue to create top class material. Old fans will be reinvigorated whilst new fans will surely find "Chaos & Colour" an exceptional discovery.

Roger Waters today announced a special live broadcast of his "This Is Not A Drill" show from the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic on May 25. The worldwide live event will be distributed by Trafalgar Releasing in over 1,500 cinemas across more than 50 countries in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment. Tickets go on sale at 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, April 25 via www.ThisIsNotADrillFilm.com.

For one night only, Waters, founder member and creative force behind the golden years of PINK FLOYD, presents his "This Is Not A Drill" tour, live from Prague, in cinemas around the world. Billed as his first-ever farewell tour, the global cinema event, directed by Sean Evans, will give fans the chance to see and hear his critically acclaimed live show in full cinematic glory. A stunning indictment of the corporate dystopia in which we all struggle to survive, the live film will include 20 PINK FLOYD and Roger Waters classic songs, including "Us & Them", "Comfortably Numb", "Wish You Were Here" and "Is This The Life We Really Want?"Waters will also debut his new song, "The Bar".

Waters will be joined on stage by Jonathan Wilson, Dave Kilminster, Jon Carin, Gus Seyffert, Robert Walter, Joey Waronker, Shanay Johnson, Amanda Belair and Seamus Blake to deliver an unforgettable performance with a call to action to love, protect, and share our precious planet home.

"We are excited to give fans around the world the opportunity to experience such an iconic concert performance live on the big screen," said Tom Mackay, president, premium content, Sony Music Entertainment.

Tickets for the event will be available on Tuesday, April 25 when full cinema listings and times will be announced. Visit www.ThisIsNotADrillFilm.com to sign-up and get updates and further information.

As the primary driving force behind PINK FLOYD and acclaimed solo artist in his own right, Waters has created a body of work that has both mirrored and steered the collective unconsciousness. From the early days of PINK FLOYD (when the group pioneered the use of multi-media in their live performances and had the press coining terms like "underground rock" and "psychedelic music" to describe the experience) to the colossal $8 million staging of "The Wall" in a newly united Berlin in 1990, Waters has experienced the full trajectory of fame, from the giddy thrill of musical invention and the harrowing isolation of mega-stardom to the quiet satisfaction of pursuing his own authentic aesthetic goals.

In March 1973, with Waters essentially helming the enterprise came "The Dark Side Of The Moon", which soared to No. 1 on the charts and remained on the Billboard 200 album chart for a staggering 741 weeks (just shy of 15 years!). (When Billboard's "catalog rule" was enacted, "The Dark Side Of The Moon", no longer eligible for the 200 list, entered the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart.)

The band released "Wish You Were Here" in 1975, "Animals" in 1977 and, in November 1979, Waters dropped "The Wall" on the world. "The Wall" spent more than two years on the charts, inspired a film, and generated one of the most elaborate stage shows in rock history. After "The Wall" came "The Final Cut", which Waters dedicated to his father.

Frontiers Music Srl will release Neal Schon's "Journey Through Time", a live concert recorded on February 9, 2018 at The Independent In San Francisco, California, on May 19, 2023. This is the show where Schon, founding member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted band JOURNEY, first debuted "Journey Through Time" along with two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and former JOURNEY and SANTANA bandmate Gregg Rolie. Joining Schon and Rolie were current JOURNEY member Deen Castronovo on vocals and drums, Marco Mendoza (THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE) on bass, and John Varn on keyboards and vocals.

Performing to a sold-out crowd for a benefit show to raise money for victims of the fires that had ravaged the North Bay area of the San Francisco region in October 2017, the band played songs spanning JOURNEY's entire catalog, largely focusing on the band's '70s repertoire, including the band's first three albums, "Journey", "Look Into The Future" and "Next".

You can now watch a performance video of "Just The Same Way", taken from "Journey Through Time", below.

Multi-Grammy-nominated Schon founded JOURNEY in 1972 and remains the sole consistent member, having participated in every album and tour to date. Before founding JOURNEY, Schon was also a member of SANTANA and has performed with a variety of other acts, including BAD ENGLISH, HARDLINE and HSAS, and with Jan Hammer and Paul Rodgers (BAD COMPANY, FREE). He has released 10 solo albums over the course of his career as well, with his guitar style being described as soulful and melodic and admired by such fellow legends as Eric Clapton and Prince. JOURNEY's worldwide sales have reached over 100 million records, making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time. Chart-topping hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'", "Open Arms", "Lights", "Faithfully" and "When You Love A Woman" are regarded as some of the defining songs of the rock n' roll musical canon.

"Journey Through Time" track listing:

01. I'm Gonna Leave You
02. Look Into The Future
03. Kohoutek
04. Daydream
05. La Do La
06. Line Of Fire
07. Walk's Like A Lady
08. Feelin' That Way
09. Anytime
10. Lights
11. Still They Ride
12. Separate Ways
13. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
14. Wheel In The Sky
15. Patiently (Medley)
16. Trial By Fire (Medley)
17. Stay Awhile (Medley)
18. Mystery Mountain
19. Of A Lifetime
20. Just The Same Way
21. Lovin' You Is Easy

Recording lineup:

Neal Schon - Guitar
Gregg Rolie - Keyboards, Vocals
Marco Mendoza - Bass
Deen Castronovo - Drums, Vocals
John Varn - Keyboards, Vocals

JOURNEY played its first concert of 2023 on January 27 in Durant, Oklahoma. The two-hour performance at the 3,000-capacity Grand Theater at the Choctaw Casino & Resort marked the band's first appearance since Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain publicly feuded over several issues, including Neal allegedly causing over $1 million in personal expenses to be charged to the band's shared American Express card and Schon demanding that Cain stop playing events for former U.S. president Donald Trump.

Last fall, former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry took legal action against both Schon and Cain, asking them to stop registering federal trademarks on the names of many of the band's hits.

Presented by AEG Presents, JOURNEY's tour with TOTO will wrap April 25 at the brand-new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

MÖTLEY CRÜE appears to have entered the studio with longtime producer Bob Rock to record some of the band's brand new music.

Late Monday night (April 17),CRÜE guitarist John 5 shared a photo of him laying down tracks in a recording studio. He also posted a picture of Rock in front of a mixing board. The accompanying caption read: "Let's do this @motleycrue #bobrock".

CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee shared the same photos on his Instagram page, along with one showing Lee, John 5 and CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx in the "big studio". He captioned the images: "Hit that mother fucking record button Mr. Rock!!! Go!"

On April 13, Sixx confirmed that MÖTLEY CRÜE was writing new music. Less than two weeks after tweeting that he and John 5 had spent some time "writing random riffs", the bassist returned to the social media platform to share an image of him, Lee and John 5 playing and recording in a studio, along with the caption, "Another killer songwriting day with Tommy Lee and John 5." He offered more information in a follow-up tweet, writing: "We are writing. The creative process of songwriting has always been the heartbeat of our band. We're gonna go in the big studio next week and record a few off the floor and see where it goes. We don't have a definitive plan at this point. Just letting the songs guide us."

John 5 joined CRÜE as the replacement for founding guitarist Mick Mars, who announced last October he would no longer tour with the legendary rock act because of his long struggles with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases.

In October, Sixx praised John 5, saying he "checks all the boxes" as Mars's replacement following the latter's decision to retire from touring. Sixx commented on John 5's addition to CRÜE while answering fan questions on Twitter. Asked why the band chose John 5, who is one of the credited co-writers on the three original songs on the soundtrack to MÖTLEY CRÜE's biopic "The Dirt", based on CRÜE's 2001 New York Times bestselling autobiography, Sixx said: "He checks all the boxes. He's a insane player. Has respect for our music, is funny as fuck and has history with us and we've written some pretty big hits together."

In addition to co-writing the three songs on "The Dirt", John 5 collaborated with Sixx and Desmond Child on Meat Loaf's "The Monster Is Loose". In 2021, Sixx and John 5 launched the L.A. RATS supergroup in which they were joined by Rob Zombie and drummer Tommy Clufetos.

A year ago, John 5, who previously played with MARILYN MANSON and ROB ZOMBIE, said that he was "so proud" of his involvement with "The Dirt" soundtrack. He said: "Me and Nikki wrote on that. And dude, I fucking MÖTLEY CRÜE, and it was so cool for it to come to fruition. And to hear Vince [Neil, vocals] and Tommy and Mick and, of course, Nikki doing that… I think that song really gave me a real excitement of collaborating with someone. And seeing the video and the history of it, it was really pretty incredible."

John 5 previously discussed his contribution to "The Dirt" soundtrack in a December 2019 interview with Milwaukee's 102.9 The Hog radio station. At the time, he said: "Me and Nikki are like two 15-year-olds who are just on the phone twenty thousand times a day and we hang out all the time. We'll go to the mall and we'll go ride bikes and we'll do ridiculous stuff like that. And so, of course, we like to play music together, and yeah, that's how that came about — writing music for 'The Dirt'. And those songs are killer."

He continued: "I'm so proud to be a part of MÖTLEY CRÜE history… And also, I wanna say, those guys — Mick and Nikki and Tommy and Vince — they just killed it in the studio too; it was, like, one or two takes. It's pretty incredible, it's pretty astounding what true professionals they are. It was really incredible."

Three years ago, John 5 was full of praise for Sixx, whom he called his "best friend." The guitarist told Outburn: "We love each other. He has inspired me and taught me so much about life in general. He's a phenomenal songwriter, lyricist, author, everything. He's always telling me to listen to this audio book or see this movie. He has a happy marriage, a happy life, a successful band he started from the ground up. He's one of the most inspiring people. He'll text me all the time to read something or try something. It's wonderful. He's a phenomenal photographer as well. I remember him telling me that he's going to take bass lessons again and get into playing with his fingers. He was so dedicated."

"The Dirt Soundtrack" featured four new MÖTLEY CRÜE songs, including the single "The Dirt (Est. 1981) (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)", and CRÜE's unlikely cover of Madonna's "Like A Virgin".

Earlier this month, Mars filed a lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE, alleging his bandmates are trying to kick him out of the group and reduce his ownership stakes because of his debilitating illness.

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Carrying the same raw energy since their 1991 inception, RANCID has been deemed by Stereogum as "incapable of making a bad album." Today, the Berkeley, California, punk stalwarts continue that streak with the announcement of their highly anticipated tenth studio album. "Tomorrow Never Comes" is due for a June 2 release via Epitaph, produced by longtime collaborator, BAD RELIGION guitarist and Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz.

Their first new music since 2017's "Trouble Maker", RANCID also shares the exhilarating title track and lead single today. Highlighting their collective ear for melodic rock hooks and catchy, sing-a-long choruses, the song is complete with the familiar wailing guitars and punishing punk rock rhythms that have solidified RANCID as the legends they are.

At a whopping 850 million catalog streams to date, fans and critics alike seem to agree that RANCID's brand of high-impact, no-frills punk still flows abundantly in their blood, while easily translating to a modern audience. Now embarking on their tenth full-length effort, this is evident throughout "Tomorrow Never Comes". With its sixteen blistering tracks barely making the two-and-a-half-minute mark, the album boasts the same gritty, straight forward punk-with-a-purpose that the world just can't get enough of.

On their last studio album, "Trouble Maker", Pitchfork explored the band's themes of "contemporary political turmoil–blue-collar identity crises, tense demonstrations, the ever-present shadow of the Man — through the prism of their rebellious past, a little more wizened but just as rambunctious as ever."

Punk News also raved, "RANCID makes a radical left turn from the norm, pushing far past the boundaries, not just of punk, but of the traditional rules of music itself, creating the most original sound to come out of any musical artist since Beethoven."

Throughout the last three decades, RANCID has remained fiercely independent, never losing their loyalty to their community or each other. Their music confronts political and social issues, while balancing personal tales of love, loss, and heartbreak with attitude. By carrying on the traditions and spirit of the original punk rock bands that came before, Rancid has become a legend and inspiration to punk bands that have come after.

"Tomorrow Never Comes" track listing:

01. Tomorrow Never Comes
02. Mud, Blood, & Gold
03. Devil In Disguise
04. New American
05. The Bloody & Violent History
06. Don't Make Me Do It
07. It's a Road to Righteousness
08. Live Forever
09. Drop Dead Inn
10. Prisoners Song
11. Magnificent Rogue
12. One Way Ticket
13. Hellbound Train
14. Eddie the Butcher
15. Hear Us Out
16. When The Smoke Clears

RANCID tour dates:

May 28 - Las Vegas, NV - Punk Rock Bowling
Jun. 02 - Rimini, Italy - Slam Dunk
Jun. 03 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Media Center Cvetlicarna *
Jun. 04 - Linz, Austria - SBAM Festival
Jun. 06 - Warsaw, Poland - Letnia Scena Progresji *
Jun. 08 - Hyvinkaa, Finland – Rockfest
Jun. 09 - Solvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
Jun. 10 - Stockholm, Sweden - Annexet *
Jun. 12 - Berlin, Germany- Columbiahalle *
Jun. 13 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof *
Jun. 15 - Vitoria, Spain - Azkena Rock
Jun. 16 - Clisson, France - Hellfest
Jun. 17 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop
Jun. 20 - London, UK - OVO Arena Wembley*
Jun. 21 - Manchester, UK - O2 Victoria Warehouse *
Jun. 23 - Ysselsteyn, Netherlands - Jera On Air Festival
Jun. 24 - Munster, Germany - Vainstream Rockfest
Jun. 25 - Tabor, Czech Republic - Mighty Sounds Festival

* w/ THE BRONX, GRADE 2

Sep. 21 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life Fest
Oct. 08 - Sacramento, CA – Aftershock