Don Dokken (DOKKEN),Andrew Freeman (LAST IN LINE, GREAT WHITE),Nate Peck (FIREHOUSE),Lorraine Lewis (FEMME FATALE, VIXEN) and James Durbin are among the singers who performed at an all-star tribute to legendary vocalist Jack Russell, a founding member of the multi-platinum rock band GREAT WHITE, on March 25 (postponed from the originally announced January 14 due to the California wildfires) at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. Tony Cardenas-Montana, CTO of leading music technology company VNUE and longtime member of GREAT WHITE as well as Jack's touring band, played a key role in helping to organize the event, video of which can be seen in two parts below.

The tribute was hosted by comedian/actor Hal Sparks ("Queer As Folk", "Dude, Where's My Car") and benefited the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the Defeat MSA Alliance.

Jack Russell, a California native, was a multi-platinum recording artist known for his passionate and soulful voice. Jack brought unforgettable performances to chart-topping hits such as "Rock Me", "Save Your Love", "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", "House Of Broken Love", "Desert Moon", "Lady Redlight", "Call It Rock N Roll" and "Angel Song". These classics resonated on radio and MTV, solidifying Russell's place as a prominent figure on the rock scene. The multi-platinum success of "Once Bitten" (1987) and "...Twice Shy" (1989) cemented his status as an icon of 1980s rock.

Russell's death was announced by his family in a social media statement on August 15, 2024 — eight days after his passing.

The news of Jack's death came less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.

Russell was performing with his version of GREAT WHITE when a pyrotechnics display sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people at a 2003 concert in Rhode Island. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Guitarist Mark Kendall, who founded GREAT WHITE with Russell in 1982, later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Guitarist Ty Longley died in the blaze.

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

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

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

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

Russell's autobiography, titled "The True Tale Of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative", was released earlier last year via Gatekeeper Press. Penned by author Katelyn Louise "K.L." Doty, it features a sentimental foreword by Lita Ford, with additional commentary from Eric Singer, Eddie Trunk, John Kalodner, Kip Winger and others. The book, with a cover photo by legendary rock photographer Mark Weiss, is available in paperback, hardcover and e-book form.

For more information, visit www.jackrussellbook.com.

Hey friends, here it is! The rescheduled date for "A Celebration of the Music and Life of Jack Russell" show at the...

Posted by Tony Cardenas-Montana on Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Multi-platinum rock icons HINDER have shared their inspired single "Bring Me Back To Life", along with announcing their highly anticipated seventh studio album, "Back To Life", out May 23. The track, which follows the success of the band's heaviest track to date, "Everything Is A Cult", leans more into the melodic pop-rock space than perhaps the band ever has. It's the track that infused the celebrated quartet with new-found life and inspiration for a full album, forthcoming in 2025.

"When you've been writing songs for over 20 years, sometimes you run out of things to say," confesses drummer and founding member Cody Hanson. "In life in general, it's easy to become complacent and uninspired. That's why 'Bring Me Back To Life' is such an important track, not only for the album, but for our band as whole. After writing an entire album and then throwing it away in 2020, we had become discouraged and decided that we weren't going to release any new music, much less an entire album. However, as soon as we wrote 'Bring Me Back To Life', everything changed. Sometimes, it just takes one special song to breathe life back into a band, and this song became the catalyst for the entire album. Needless to say, we are very excited for the world to hear this one."

After a stacked 2024 that included more than a hundred tour dates, performances with CREED, THREE DOORS DOWN and DAUGHTRY, and the release of focus tracks "Live Without It" and "Everything Is A Cult", HINDER have hit the ground running in 2025. The band kicked off their U.S. headline run with support from SALIVA, KINGDOM COLLAPSE and Kelsey Hickman last month, highlighted by an intimate, packed-to-the-gills performance at Los Angeles's storied Whisky A Go Go. Now, the band will gear up for their highly anticipated seventh studio album, produced by Hanson and vocalist Marshal Dutton at BarCode Studios in Oklahoma City.

Lately, HINDER are feeling the intensity of a new energy. Nearly two decades into their career, the band hasn't just endured as a fixture of modern rock — it's evolved. The versatile Oklahoma City-based quartet creates emotionally compelling rock, from hard-hitting anthems to subdued, contemplative ballads. Now the band is looking to the future.

HINDER's story begins in 2001, when Cody Hanson (drums),Joe "Blower" Garvey (lead guitar) and Mike Rodden (bass) met and activated their musical chemistry. The 2005 hit "Lips Of An Angel" from the band's debut album "Extreme Behavior", since certified three times platinum, topped the charts and remains a radio mainstay. Powerful lead vocalist Marshal Dutton joined them in 2015. Throughout their discography, HINDER has embodied an ethos of defiance and tenacity through gutsy lyrics, rousing melodies, and soaring choruses. Each album in their musical journey has reflected a progression, from the grittier early days of "Take It To The Limit" to the more introspective and exploratory energy of their most recent album, 2017's "The Reign".

HINDER emerges from the storm more focused and resilient than ever. With a renewed sense of purpose and drive, and still never afraid to take risks, HINDER is poised to continue forging its legacy as one of rock's most enduring and dynamic bands. The bandmembers' resilience and adaptability have kept them at the forefront of the modern rock scene for nearly two decades, and they will continue — in fact, they're just getting started.

Photo by Doug Schwarz

In a recent interview with The Hair Metal Guru, POISON drummer Rikki Rockett was asked about the possibility of new music from the glam metal icons. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know. I am sitting right here. I would do it in a minute. I have a little studio out here… So I'm ready to work. I love touring and I love recording. I love the involvement on both ends of the music business — not the business part; I hate the business part of it. But playing and recording, anytime, man. I'm good to go."

POISON's last album of new material was 2002's "Hollyweird". An album of covers, "Poison'd", followed in 2007.

Back in 2018, POISON bassist Bobby Dall said that the band "should" be making a new studio album but claimed that he didn't know if it would happen. "I'm not going to bullshit you and say there's any [new music] in the process [of being made]," he told All That Shreds. "Would I like there to be? Yes. But, it's a matter of everyone having the time. Everybody in the band has other commitments. Some members have younger children than others. So between those two issues, it's difficult, and, you know, [there are] health issues as we get older. Should we be making a new record? Yes, definitely. But will it happen? I don't know."

In a 2017 interview, Rikki acknowledged that part of the reason the band hasn't been motivated to work on new music has been the fact that fans rarely show interest in hearing fresh material performed live when classic rock groups go on tour. "We could write the second coming of 'Talk Dirty To Me', and I don't know if people wanna hear it or not, and that's a frustrating thing; it really is," he said. "AEROSMITH was able to do it, but not everybody is. I mean, even THE ROLLING STONES have had problems with that in the last few years. So… I don't know. But I do think it's important to stay viable. For the 'über fans,' it's always a really, really good thing. And that's what you do it for — you do it for you, you do it for the real fans, the real true fans."

More recently, Rockett admitted that he and other members of POISON harbored some resentment toward frontman Bret Michaels, whose frequent tours as a solo artist caused the band to take a five-year break from the road.

"I think we need to get away from each other and do other things, but at the same time, I think he spent a little too much time away," Rockett said. "There's definitely some resentment, but not resentment like I want him to fail. I want him to do good. I just want POISON to be important too, and I would like [him] to put a little more energy into POISON."

Last October, Rikki confirmed to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that POISON is planning to return to the road in 2026 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band's debut album, 1986's "Look What The Cat Dragged In".

A month earlier, Bret told Arizona Republic about POISON's plan to tour in 2026: "Yeah, that would be incredible. We've just got to work out all the moving parts. But all original members. There's so much planning goes behind that. When I'm out as Bret Michaels, it's simpler because I'm making all the end decisions. When you're in a band like POISON, it's a committee. You go in there, and you figure it out together. You make sure everyone's good. And hopefully, we can make that work in '26."

Asked if things were "good" between him and his POISON bandmates during the 2022 "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE and Joan Jett, Bret said: "Absolutely. I want to be very clear. Other than an occasional throwdown fistfight — I'm not making this up — we're like best friends. But there's no gray area. All of a sudden, we'll get in a fistfight. But the next day, we'll go out and play. We'll work it out like a band of brothers. 'The Stadium Tour' was amazing. We were having fun. We didn't get too many soundchecks. We just dealt with what we were given and were grateful to be there. DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY, they were amazing. They played great. But we just came out, and we knew we had one hour at 6 o'clock to go out there and give it everything we had. And it was one of the only stadium tours that from Live Nation's lips to everyone's ears, it was 98 to 100% filled when POISON went on."

Earlier in September, Michaels released a statement via social media in which he said that he was planning to "perform limited shows" in 2025 to focus primarily on his health, "starting with my diabetes which needs a tune-up, not to mention a little R&R." He added that 2026 "would be the perfect" time for a POISON 40th-anniversary tour, "with 40 awesome limited dates to go out, play real live hit songs, and rock the world."

Bret's explanation came two days after Rockett revealed on social media that Michaels was no longer interested in touring with POISON in 2025.

POISON's long-delayed North American trek with DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally planned for 2020 and later moved to 2021 and then to 2022.

In 2018, POISON completed the "Nothin' But A Good Time" tour with CHEAP TRICK and POP EVIL.

Photo credit: Mark Weiss

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward have opened up to Rock Candy for the magazine's latest expansive cover story marking 50 years since the release of the band's seminal sixth studio album, "Sabotage", in 1975.

The three musicians recall the stresses and strains of going though litigation with their former manager, while at the same time trying to create new music that was designed to push the boundaries of what the Birmingham group had previously deemed possible.

"We were obviously immensely pissed off because we had hardly anything to show for five years of constantly touring, writing, and recording," Butler explained to Rock Candy editor Howard Johnson. "It was difficult dividing time between creating music and time spent in lawyers' offices, with QCs, and in law courts. But with our backs against the wall I think some of the songs on 'Sabotage' were the angriest that we'd ever written."

"It wasn't easy, because as it turned out the court case happened smack bang in the middle of recording 'Sabotage'," says Iommi. "One minute you'd be worrying about whether a riff was right for a song, the next you'd be sat in court."

Yet despite such immense outside stresses, SABBATH were absolutely determined to forge ahead on their musical journey.

"We were in an experimental phase at the time," says Butler. "We'd introduced different instruments on the [previous] 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' album, and once again were looking for new directions. Synths were relatively new at that time, so we had a go at introducing them on some songs. It was fun playing around."

With their backs against the wall, SABBATH dug deep to produce some of the most exciting rock music of the '70s — or any other decade.

"'Hole In The Sky' and 'Symptom Of The Universe' are two of my all-time favorite BLACK SABBATH songs," confirms Geezer. "I still love playing them, and they really come alive when we perform them live."

"I was really, really happy with the writing," says Ward. "I think we were expanding, allowing ourselves to expand. We'd come a really long way from the song 'Black Sabbath', as great as that song is. I thought the richness of what we were doing on 'Sabotage' was brilliant."

You can read the exclusive BLACK SABBATH "Sabotage" story in issue 49 of Rock Candy, together with in-depth stories and interviews with Billy Squier, ANGEL, MACHINE HEAD, Don Airey, L.A. GUNS, JETHRO TULL and more.

For more details, visit www.rockcandymag.com.

Rock Candy is a 100-page, full-color bi-monthly rock magazine, created in the U.K. It covers the sights, sounds and smells from the greatest era in hard rock music, the '70s and '80s. It is the brainchild of respected U.K. rock journalists Derek Oliver, Howard Johnson and Malcolm Dome — all frontline writers for the legendary Kerrang! magazine in the golden era.

Posted by Rock Candy Magazine on Friday, March 28, 2025

In a new interview with Chile's SonarFM radio station, BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale confirmed that "mental health" is a "huge topic" on the band's upcoming album, "I Beat Loneliness". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think that it's such a relief that mental health is being given the attention that it deserves. We have lots of problems with mental health from people of all ages, from young kids all the way through to grown men, grown women, adults. There's lots of problems and terrible, crazy suicide rates. I mean, you can't believe it how many people commit suicide and how often.

"For me, always, to be a songwriter is to be as honest as possible, and it's ironic, you go as far inside yourself to be as honest as possible so that it actually weirdly connects with people," he continued. "The further away you go from people and just talk to yourself, you get out things that weirdly resonate with other people; they connect with other people."

Referencing specific tracks on "I Beat Loneliness", Gavin said: "Songs like 'We Are Of This Earth', which is a crazy song — very atmospheric kind of meditation on being human and how hard it is. We have a song, 'Everyone Is Broken', which is the only song that is in standard tuning. So it's sort of more universal. Everything else is super detuned and for people that like kind of weird, darker, heavier music. And I think that it's a really cohesive, cohesive record. And I'm really proud of it. Everyone was incredible on it."

Rossdale added: "I did a bunch of it before we went on tour, 'cause I didn't wanna go on tour, do the greatest hits and be creatively bankrupt, like lying, like, 'Oh, I don't create anything. I just re-sing these songs.' I felt too guilty on that. So I wrote a bunch of songs for that tour. Then when I came home, obviously I wrote a bunch more, and I just finished those up and we finished it. And then we've done the artwork; I just finished the artwork, I think, today. We actually got a beautiful web site where everyone, you go and put this web site in and it gives you any country around the world for suicide helpline."

Last month, Rossdale told São Paulo, Brazil's 89 FM A Rádio Rock radio station that "I Beat Loneliness" will include 12 songs. He said at the time: "We did a few new songs [during the last session]. I did a few before I left for tour. Then I went on tour, came back, and so, yeah, I think [there will be] 12 songs."

He continued: "I know that everyone [says] no one cares [about full albums anymore] and it's [all about] these singles, but I think that if I like an act, if I like a band, I just wanna hear their body of work. I don't wanna hear just one song. I'm a musician, so I wanna know what 12 ideas someone has, not just one idea. And so I'm excited for that. But I understand most people just listen to one song and move on, with so many bands. But [I'm] very excited about it."

Asked what fans can expect to hear on the new BUSH album, Gavin said: "Oh, it's in a similar vein to [2022's] 'The Art Of Survival' and [2020's] 'The Kingdom' — super detuned, super heavy, but there's moments of light. And so it's not like angst [all the way through], but it's just very… It is very sort of centered on people's mental health and well-being and those kind of challenges, because it becomes more and more apparent, people suffering more and more. So music is often the way that people — it's like a medicine. So it's really good to have heavy subjects within the songs, but the songs have loads of hope and light and lift you up. I want people to come see us and have a great experience. It's not a doom-and-gloom [collection of songs]; it's a sort of a, how do we fight the good fight?"

Gavin also spoke about the inspiration for the "I Beat Loneliness" title, saying: "The reason why I like that title — [there's] a song called that — is because anybody who has a degree of melancholy in their heart, and it's normal; sometimes you feel good, sometimes have a melancholy. And it's good to be reflective. You can't be smiling like a moron the whole time, like a maniac, so the idea of beating loneliness is that it's impossible, because you can't. But it's beautiful 'cause the idea is that if you feel you beat it, it's like a respite, and you're not in that mindset. But it's all temporary, because you come back and that sort of feeling can flood in. But I just like the idea 'cause it's impossible."

In January, Rossdale told Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada's 104.9 The Wolf radio station about "I Beat Loneliness": "I'm so thrilled about the record. It's successful to me because I'm really proud of it. And I think that people who like the band will be really, really into it and we might get some new fans as well. But it's good to feel fulfilled by when you make a record, and not, like, 'Oh, man. I should've done this, should've done that.' I think it's really good."

Earlier in January, Gavin told iHeartRadio's JD Lewis about the "I Beat Loneliness" title: "Well, it's one of those weird titles. It's an infinite title because you can never beat loneliness; you can just only beat it temporarily.

"I feel that the connection with the band and the power that we have, from talking to a lot of people that see us, is people can kind of connect with the music and connect with the words and make their own narratives about it," he continued. "But we've created this blueprint for people through the years.

"More and more mental health has been sort of brought to the discussion kind of around us all at the moment — people are talking about people's wellness a lot. And I've always been into that human-condition thing since the beginning of BUSH — it's like music of complaints and hopes and sort of disappointments and aspirations and all that stuff. So it's just like living.

"A lot of people are struggling so much that it's just such an ironic title, I thought," Rossdale added. "It's one of those things, when I thought of it and it just came, I was, like, 'Oh my god, it's a precious phrase.' And I just like that idea of that sense of bravado that you've beaten loneliness, because we all suffer from melancholia or whatever, and I think that's a healthy thing because it makes you reflective and sort of appreciative of the good times. And I'm not a negative person — I'm really positive — so I just think that you have to go through this sort of like storm clouds to get to the good bits. And so the title just stuck with me."

Rossdale also talked about the importance of youth mental health, especially as it relates to his three songs Kingston, Zuma and Apollo. He said: "I think it's absolutely essential, because I think that what happened is that with COVID, one of the biggest things for kids is COVID took away all that socialization. So all those two, three years where they were meant to be sort of learning how to be with their peers, I noticed with my own kids, that was taken away from them. They didn't have that time. And so I think that's been a real struggle for people, for kids especially, to learn how to adapt, how to be social, because they haven't had the same things that maybe we had. We didn't grow up through a pandemic. And so that is what really affects me. And kids are so mean — bullying in schools, ostracization, all that stuff. Kids are mean. And the way the world is set up is really scary for that."

Gavin went on to speak about the dangers of social media and how it is not an accurate reflection of society but more like a funhouse mirror distorted by a small but vocal minority of extreme outliers.

"Social media, expectations, people feeling they're not having a fulfilled life 'cause they look at Instagram or wherever and they see people with these great lives, when we all know that those lives are kind of hollow and have their have their troubles as well," he said. "But things are portrayed that people just get lost in that sort of rat race of thinking that they've gotta try and keep up with their friends. I mean, I look at Instagram and I'm always, like, 'Man, I need to live better.' I'm just, like, 'No, no, don't fall for it. Don't fall for it. Your life is fine. You have great things going on.' So I think that's where it's really difficult for kids, the sense that they're not in the right place at the right time. They're generally [of the opinion that they're] in the wrong place at the wrong time and everyone else is having a great time. And that's super dangerous for people to think that."

Rossdale previously talked about the "I Beat Loneliness" title in a December 2024 interview with Voice Of America's (VOA) "Border Crossings". Regarding why he chose to call the new BUSH record "I Beat Loneliness", the 59-year-old musician said: "Because I think that everyone is struggling the whole time." He added: "It's funny because when I reflect on the career that I've had and the songs that I've written, they do say that most people write one song over and over, and my theme that I've always dealt with is sort of people's mental health and their feelings and kind of the landscape of the landmines of hurt that we all live through. Everybody has so much broken stuff that they just sort of put the face on, go out and deal with it. But everybody having these crazy triggers — you see that suicide rates are insane, suicides among the military, the ex-military, men three times more likely to commit suicide as women. It's just people are hurting. And so my literal simple role in life, in that sort of Japanese concept of a vocation, is really writing songs about people and about feelings. And it's funny because when I began, it wasn't like that. You could just complain in songs, but I always wanted to have this sort of sense of hope, this sense of help and support and close community and people and love and friendship and kindness. And so I've written like that.

"So 'I Beat Loneliness', it's just probably the best title I've ever written because, of course, it's self-fulfilling in its impossibility," he continued. "'Cause you can't say you beat loneliness, 'cause if you say you beat loneliness, it means that you're a really melancholic person who beat loneliness for about 20 minutes, and it's coming back the next day like a boomerang. So I just like that idea of that bravado. It's strength. It's not bravado. It's strength in the face of adversity."

2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the release of BUSH's six-times-platinum debut album, "Sixteen Stone".

Last summer, BUSH celebrated its 30th anniversary with an extensive North American headline tour. The "Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour" kicked off on July 26 in Bend, Oregon and included shows at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Most of the dates were produced by Live Nation. Jerry Cantrell and CANDLEBOX were the special guests on all dates.

BUSH released "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" in November 2023 via Round Hill Records. The set included a new song called "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere", which was written by Gavin and produced by Rossdale and Corey Britz.

With over 24 million records sold, one billion streams and a procession of No. 1 singles, the band — comprising Rossdale, Chris Traynor (guitar),Corey Britz (bass) and Nik Hughes (drums) — stand tall as rock outliers whose imprint only widens as the years pass. "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" (Round Hill Records),their first-ever greatest-hits collection, provides an expansive view of their incredible legacy with 21 tracks spanning nearly 30 years — from their breakthrough hit "Everything's Zen" to the aforementioned "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere".

"Loaded" included iconic hits from each of BUSH's nine studio albums as well as "Mouth" (The Stingray Mix) from the 1997 remix album "Deconstructed" and a cover of THE BEATLES' "Come Together" that saw a very limited release in 2012.

BUSH broke up in 2002 but reformed in 2010, and has since released five albums: "The Sea of Memories" (2011),"Man On The Run" (2014),"Black And White Rainbows" (2017) and the aforementioned "The Kingdom" and "The Art Of Survival".

"Black And White Rainbows" was crafted after Rossdale went through a divorce with pop star/reality TV judge Gwen Stefani in 2015.

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez (courtesy of 2b Entertainment)

Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and Chip Z'Nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) have teamed up under the moniker ELLEFSON Z'NUFF to deliver a fresh take on a classic rock anthem by CHEAP TRICK.

The track "Downed" originally appeared as a hidden bonus track on Ellefson's 2020 "No Cover" album, but has been remixed and is now available across all digital streaming platforms.

Musicians appearing on the track:

Vocals: Chip Z’Nuff
Bass: David Ellefson
Guitars: Drew Fortier
Drums: Mike Heller
Guest Vocals: Vin Dombroski

"Downed" was produced by Ellefson and Drew Fortier. It was mixed and mastered by Alessio Garavello at Rogue Recording in London, England.

Ellefson reflects on the project: "It's always a thrill to go back into our record collections and pay homage to the artists who inspired us. CHEAP TRICK are absolute legends, and 'Downed' is one of those deep cuts that had a huge influence on me and so many others. These covers are a tribute to the songs and musicians who shaped our careers."

In December 2024, Ellefson released a powerful rendition of "Ah! Leah!", a beloved track by Donnie Iris, also with Chip Z'Nuff on vocals along with Stephen Shareaux of KIK TRACEE.

Ellefson recently launched the 2025 installment of his "Bass Warrior" European tour.

"Bass Warrior" sees Ellefson gracing select European cities with a captivating evening of cherished classics, deep cuts, and insightful storytelling from his illustrious career. This journey encompasses his role as a co-founding member of MEGADETH, his ELLEFSON solo material, and more.

Accompanying Ellefson on this tour is Italian guitarist and musical director Andy Martongelli, a longtime friend and collaborator who has been by Ellefson's side during his solo ventures, "Basstory", ELLEFSON-SOTO and ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE tours across Europe. On drums is Roberto Pirami (Michael Angelo Batio, Rowan Robertson, Gus G.),on vocals Titta Tani (EHFAR, ex-drummer of Claudio Simonetti's GOBLIN),and on rhythm guitar Walter Cianciusi (Geoff Tate band).

Ellefson was originally in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, when the group briefly broke up because MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine suffered severe nerve damage that left him unable to play.

Mustaine reformed MEGADETH 21 years ago. Originally setting out to record a solo album, Mustaine enlisted studio musicians to play on what ultimately became MEGADETH's 2004 "The System Has Failed" comeback album, subsequently recruiting former ICED EARTH bassist James MacDonough to take Ellefeson's place for the album's touring cycle.

Ellefson sued Mustaine in 2004 for $18.5 million, alleging that the MEGADETH guitarist/vocalist still owed him substantial merchandise and publishing royalties. In January 2005, the case was dismissed in court, and five years later, Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH.

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH nearly four years ago after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.

FOREIGNER singer Kelly Hansen has released a new statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his absence from the band's upcoming Latin American and Canadian tours. The 63-year-old vocalist, who has fronted the legendary rockers for the past two decades, said: "We had a great start to our touring year with a sold-out run in Florida, and I am so looking forward to continuing my journey with this incredible band. We will be headlining the pre-race concert at the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 12 and continuing through the year with over sixty more shows.

"However, some residency issues have forced me to limit appearances outside of the USA this year and this means that I will miss some international shows," he explained. "FOREIGNER's upcoming South American run will feature our incredible bandmate Luis Maldonado, who has been recording some of our hits in Spanish, and he will be handling most of the lead vocals along with [original FOREIGNER singer] Lou Gramm who will be guesting with FOREIGNER for those shows. I know they will smash it!

"FOREIGNER is touring Canada in the fall as a prelude to the launch of a production of 'Juke Box Hero', the musical featuring our songs, and I unfortunately will miss that one too. Luis Maldonado will handle the lead vocals but in order to focus attention on the musical, we have asked Canada's own Geordie Brown, who starred in the original workshop productions in Calgary and Edmonton and the sold-out run in Toronto at the Ed Mirvish Theater, to sing a few songs in our set. I know Luis and Geordie will do a great job on this leg, and I can't wait to hear how it goes!"

Gramm most recently joined FOREIGNER's current lineup on stage at the end of the band's March 15 concert at the BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida to perform two of the legendary rock group's classic songs, "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Hot Blooded". Fan-filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

Gramm previously said he planned to retire at the end of 2024, but later revealed that he was in talks to make appearances at "select" tour dates with FOREIGNER's current lineup in 2025. Bassist Rick Wills and drummer Dennis Elliott are also expected to appear at some shows, including FOREIGNER's upcoming Las Vegas residency.

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

The 74-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year.

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Hansen in 2005. Guitarist Mick Jones, the only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012. In February 2024, Jones revealed on social media that he was battling Parkinson's disease, which explained his absence from FOREIGNER's live shows since 2022.

FOREIGNER's 13-city Canadian tour will begin on October 21 in St. John's, Newfoundland and conclude on November 7 in Kelowna, British Columbia. The tour includes a stop in Brown's hometown at Halifax's Scotiabank Centre on October 24. Canadian rockers 54-40 will provide support.

The last time Brown joined FOREIGNER on stage was for a surprise appearance on the final night of the band's "Cold As Ice" tour in Halifax in March 2019. Brown has stayed in touch with the band in recent years and was in Cleveland this past fall when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

FOREIGNER singer Kelly Hansen has revealed that he will be forced to miss the band's spring 2025 Latin American tour, which is scheduled to kick off on April 28 in Mexico City. He said in a statement: "Some issues have forced me to limit appearances outside of the USA this year, and this means, unfortunately, I will miss FOREIGNER's South American run. However, our incredible bandmate Luis Maldonado has been recording some of our hits in Spanish and he will be handling most of the vocals along with [original FOREIGNER singer] Lou Gramm who will be guesting with FOREIGNER for those shows. I know they will smash it!"

Gramm most recently joined FOREIGNER's current lineup on stage at the end of the band's March 15 concert at the BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida to perform two of the legendary rock group's classic songs, "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Hot Blooded". Fan-filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

Gramm previously said he planned to retire at the end of 2024, but later revealed that he was in talks to make appearances at "select" tour dates with FOREIGNER's current lineup in 2025. Bassist Rick Wills and drummer Dennis Elliott are also expected to appear at some shows, including FOREIGNER's upcoming Las Vegas residency.

Gramm addressed the possibility of playing shows with FOREIGNER in 2025 during a November 2024 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". He said: "FOREIGNER's management asked me, Phil Carson asked me if I would be interested in doing some shows with the band. And I said, 'Well, I said I'm ending my band at the end of June because I don't wanna be on the road anymore. I'm not sure, whether I'm out with my band or your band, it's still on the road.' I said, 'I'm not sure I would be up for doing that.' But I said, 'Talk to me more about it.' He was telling me that they wanna do a substantial tour of the world, which doesn't appeal to me. I don't wanna be out for eight or ten months again without seeing my kids and without being able to drive my cars. I had this planned out that I would wrap up my career in June of next year and then have the summer to play with my cars and see my kids and start the rest of my life. So I'm not sure I wanna go out on the FOREIGNER farewell tour with the new band. And I told Phil I would think about it. And he says that he will come back to me with the particulars, 'cause they're going around the world and stuff."

Lou elaborated on his reasons for not wanting to go on an extended tour again, saying: "I just don't feel like I wanna travel. I'm not sure that the world is a safe place to be touring right now in the way that the state of the world is. So, I don't know. I don't get a real good feeling about doing that. If it was just the States, I would consider it. So I know we're gonna talk. I also wanna know what my compensation would be. If I put an end to my touring for my career, it wouldn't be really an end if I was gonna pick up and go out with the new FOREIGNER for a FOREIGNER farewell tour. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it. It would be much more interesting to me if it was members of the original FOREIGNER with augmented instrumentation, like another guitar player or something, rather than go out with another band that calls themselves FOREIGNER. I have a tough time wrapping my head around that."

Asked how many songs he would be expected to sing if he was to appear as a guest on FOREIGNER's 2025 tour, Lou said: "Well, I asked Phil, and he was talking about me doing about five songs. And I says, 'Well, I'd like to do 'Jukebox Hero'.' And he goes, 'I'm not sure about that.' I says, 'I definitely wanna do 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.' And he said, 'I don't think so, no.' And I says, 'Well, I definitely would like to do…' — I can't remember what other song it was, but he goes, 'Hmm, I don't know about that.' So it sounds as if he talked to Kelly about it and Kelly made his claims on certain songs… I couldn't do 'Hot Blooded'. Every song I suggested that I would like to do, he told me he didn't think so. I think he told me what I couldn't sing. And then I would just have to pick from what's left. Mind you, there's a lot of great songs that are left, but there's particular songs that are my trademark songs, and if I can't sing 'em, I don't wanna be out on the road… I suggested four songs, maybe five songs, and he says, 'Not that one. No, I don't think so.' So I just stopped there, because I figured I could keep going for a while and he would keep telling me the same thing. It would be, 'I don't think so, Lou.' 'Pick another one, Lou,' blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean, how do I pick songs that I helped to make famous, and he's telling me, 'Not that one.' [Laughs]"

He added: "It's frustrating, but I don't want it to be frustrating. I've been thinking about it for about a month; that's when I found out that I couldn't sing my own favorite songs on the tour. So I think I'm just gonna tell 'em that I'm not interested."

Asked if he thinks they have concerns about his ability to sing some of FOREIGNER's classic songs, Lou replied: "No. Their concern's about Kelly's ego."

In October 2022, Gramm was asked during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" what he thought of Hansen, who has been in the group for two decades. "I think he's a good singer," Lou said. "And he sings those songs okay; he sings them good. But he mimics my style right down to the ad-libs, and I'm offended by that… I just think that if he's gonna sing the songs, he could sing the melodies that are familiar, but when it comes to the ad-libs and all the little things that set me aside as a vocalist when I sing them, he should make his own up. He should have his own ad-libs that are his own; he doesn't have to mimic me."

Gramm's latest comments echoed those he made a little over two months earlier when he told John Beaudin of RockHistoryMusic.com about Hansen: "Kelly is all right. He's a good singer. But I think Mick really told Kelly, when he first got in the band, that he had to study me, because he sings those songs with the same musical innuendos and vocal licks and ad-libs as I have. He's mimicking me. His voice doesn't sound like me, but he's singing the songs the way I would sing them.

"Some people say, 'Well, take it as a compliment, Lou.' I don't take it as a compliment," Gramm continued. "You're a singer with a big band like that — use your voice and your style. Don't hang your coat on my hook.

"I don't think he should sing the songs verbatim like me," Lou added. "Maybe sing a couple of parts. But let his own influences show — show the fans that he's the new singer now, not me."

Asked what it was like to share the stage with Hansen and other members of the current and original FOREIGNER lineup in 2017 and 2018 to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary, Lou told RockHistoryMusic.com: "It was okay. [Kelly] was bouncing off the walls. He couldn't stand still or sit still. After a song ended, I couldn't even get a word to thank the audience or tell 'em that I was happy to be part of the reunion. At the end of the song, the last song hit, and there wasn't a quarter of a second of space before he was yapping away to the audience… It was, like, 'Jeez, will you quiet down for a minute?'"

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

The 74-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year.

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Hansen in 2005. Jones, the only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012.

Gramm and Jones's June 2013 performance of "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Juke Box Hero" at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City marked the first time the pair performed together in a decade after Gramm left FOREIGNER for a second time. Hansen has fronted the group for the past 20 years.

In other news, FOREIGNER has announced that the band's three-disc set "Can't Slow Down" has officially achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The 2009 set, which included 12 brand new songs, a collection of remixes, and a live DVD, has added a major milestone in the band's illustrious career.

Originally released on September 29, 2009, "Can't Slow Down" is a comprehensive package that showcases FOREIGNER's dynamic range, from remixed hits recorded by the original band to an epic live performance video and 12 new songs featuring Hansen's stellar vocals. The new songs included "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love", which were both featured in the Top 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

The new song set was produced by Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen. The new recording of "Fool For You Anyway", a song that originally appeared on FOREIGNER's first album was produced by the legendary Mark Ronson. The band lineup for this release includes Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson, Tom Gimbel, Michael Bluestein and Brian Tichy.

Said Mick Jones: "I am so thrilled that FOREIGNER has received this milestone recognition for an album that contained twelve entirely new songs from the current FOREIGNER. It is especially important to me since my stepson, Mark Ronson, produced 'Fool For You Anyway' for this record. His amazing talents as an artist, producer, and songwriter continue to make me so proud."

Hansen said: "I am blown away at the news of this fantastic accomplishment! Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen did such an amazing job producing this record, and being a co-writer and singing all the lead vocals has been a high point for me professionally."

As previously reported, Nova Scotian singer-actor Geordie Brown will join FOREIGNER as they embark on a 13-city Canadian tour this coming fall. The trek begins on October 21 in St. John's, Newfoundland and concludes on November 7 in Kelowna, British Columbia. The tour includes a stop in Brown's hometown at Halifax's Scotiabank Centre on October 24. Canadian rockers 54-40 will provide support.

FOREIGNER's upcoming Canadian tour serves as a prelude to the re-launch of their stage musical "Jukebox Hero: The Musical", which is set to go into production in 2026. Brown originated the lead role in the 2018 workshop production of the musical in Calgary and Edmonton, before a sold-out run at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2019.

Brown proved himself worthy not only to audiences, but also to Jones, who had this to say: "I was most impressed by Geordie's performances of 'Juke Box Hero: The Musical' in Canada. He is not only a consummate vocalist, but a verified Broadway actor to boot. We look forward to welcoming him at our shows on FOREIGNER's 2025 Canadian tour."

Brown is also a theater director and creator, and is known to East Coast Canadian audiences for his productions of "Stan Rogers: A Matter Of Heart" (Neptune Theatre),"The Songs Of The Rat Pack" and "Could I Have This Dance" featuring the music of international music icon and fellow Nova Scotian Anne Murray.

The last time Brown joined FOREIGNER on stage was for a surprise appearance on the final night of the band's "Cold As Ice" tour in Halifax in March 2019. Brown has stayed in touch with the band in recent years and was in Cleveland this past fall when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

"I count myself so fortunate that they're bringing me along on this next chapter with the musical, and this Canadian tour," said Brown. "Right now, I'm most looking forward to our Halifax show, for my hometown crowd."

🇲🇽Foreigner en México!🇲🇽
con Lou Gramm vocalista original

🗓28 de abril
🌎 Arena CDMX

🗓30 de abril
🌎 Auditorio Telmex...

Posted by Eventos Musicales en México on Friday, February 7, 2025

Legendary rock and roll band BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE has released its first new music in over 25 years with "60 Years Ago", a new single reflecting on the vibrant Winnipeg music scene that produced some of the most influential songwriters of all time. The single arrives as BTO gears up for their "Back In Overdrive Tour 2025", a massive tour consisting of 22 shows across Canada which kicks off next week on April 1 in Victoria, British Columbia. They'll be joined by APRIL WINE and HEADPINS, two fellow Canadian rock bands, who will open in support. Proceeds from "60 Years Ago" will go to The Bridge To Nowhere charity ride, produced in partnership by Brothers Of The Fork and Hockey Helps The Homeless.

"As a thank-you to Winnipeg, the city that shaped us, I wrote a song called '60 Years Ago'," Randy Bachman states. "It features Tal Bachman, KoKo Bachman and me, with Fred Turner on vocals, and features an incredible guitar solo from Neil Young. This song is our tribute to Winnipeg, the place where we grew up as teenagers in the '60s, a time when the city's music scene was exploding. It was the Liverpool of North America, a melting pot of incredible talents. Everyone I've talked to who spent time in Winnipeg and witnessed that musical explosion is excited to hear this song, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it."

In 2023, Bachman revived BTO, the legendary rock and roll band behind worldwide hits such as "Takin' Care Of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet", and has continued to tour throughout 2024, and now into 2025. Led by Bachman, BTO has recently revamped its lineup.

"BTO has truly become a family band again," Bachman exclaims. "My son Tal Bachman on guitar, my daughter-in-law KoKo Bachman on drums, and our friends Lance Lapointe on bass and Brent Knudsen on guitar. We sound better than ever. We're playing all the hits, as well as diving deep into the album cuts, and the response from fans has been incredible.

"We can't wait to tour Canada in April and May and show off this powerhouse lineup. The BTO sound is BACK!!"

BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE will also perform hits from THE GUESS WHO, the iconic classic rock group which Bachman co-founded with Burton Cummings. The BTO legacy lives on, promising unforgettable performances and a continued impact on the ever-evolving rock landscape.

Bachman has become a legendary figure in the rock and roll world through his talents as a guitarist, songwriter, performer and producer. Bachman has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards around the world. His songwriting has garnered him the coveted No. 1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and over the course of his career he has sold over 40 million records. Randy's songs have been recorded by a broad range of artists and have been placed in dozens of TV shows, films and commercials. Impressively, his music has provided a veritable soundtrack of the last thirty years of popular music.

BTO recently announced a U.S. tour as well, which includes co-headline dates with southern rock pioneers THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND, with the '70s/'80s hitmakers JEFFERSON STARSHIP as the special guest.

BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE press photo credit: Shimon Karmel

According to Forbes, TWISTED SISTER has sold its remaining recording copyrights, trademarks and other name, image and likeness rights to Warner Music Group. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

TWISTED SISTER guitarist and manager Jay Jay French, who had been involved in every aspect of the band's business for decades, told Forbes contributor Lewis Schiff that the decision to sell the rights in September 2024 was "driven by several factors, including the aging of the bandmembers and the fact that none of their kids wanted to continue in the TWISTED SISTER business."

TWISTED SISTER's deal with Warner Music Group came nearly a decade after singer Dee Snider sold his Snidest Music music publishing catalog of 69 songs — including the band's classic rock anthems "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" — to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

The songs in the catalog have been featured in numerous national commercials, films, television and the Broadway musical "Rock Of Ages", which had a three-year residency at the Venetian and then a one-year residency at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas until January 2017.

Regarding why he chose to sell his publishing catalog in 2015, Dee said during a June 2023 appearance on the "New Theory Podcast": "It's math. And I was told there'd be no math [laughs] in rock and roll… But when you are getting your royalty checks every year, and they're big — I'm in the 50-percent tax bracket between state [and federal taxes] — so they're chopping off 50 percent. But capital gains on a sale of property is, like, 15, 20 percent. So if you can — they call it multiples. They give you 10 years' worth of royalties in advance, or whatever that number is. When you do the math, you look at it and you go, 'Okay, I'm gonna save 30 percent on taxes.' It's not even guaranteed that 10 years from now… I believe these songs will still have value. They're taking a chance. And I can take this chunk of change and I can invest it and secure it and make it my retirement fund, which I did. So it goes from being a thing that comes in and you're getting half of it taken away by the government every six months to a thing, guaranteed, 'Okay, I know I can work with this.' So a lot of people are doing it for just that reason."

Snider went on to say that "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" are "the two most licensed songs of the '80s. They're like where 'We Are The Champions' and 'We Will Rock You' were in the '70s," he explained. "At first, there was a lull after the demise of the band and when grunge came in. But all of a sudden, I guess it was in the mid-to-late 1990s, this retro thing started, and there was this resurgence. And so we started getting this licensing. And that was great. And it just kept going. But now the song has transcended, particularly 'We're Not Gonna Take It', and it's become… It's almost a folk song. Not like it's acoustic, but folk in the sense that it just is a staple. And so it's now taken a life of its own, so it's not even a retro thing anymore. It just keeps popping up. So you get a movie like 'Ready Player One', Steven Spielberg's movie, and there it is in all its glory. I'm, like, 'Thank you, God.'"

"We're Not Gonna Take It" and "Stay Hungry" were the biggest hit single and album, respectively, in TWISTED SISTER's career. Snider said "We're Not Gonna Take It" is now part of America's cultural fabric. "[It has proven] itself to be a folk song," he said. "It was just in that Steven Spielberg movie, 'Ready Player One'; it was the finale of that movie. Here, all these years later, the big finale of Steven Spielberg's big movie, and the guys holds up a boombox, and the entire battle scene is set to 'We're Not Gonna Take It'."

In a 2018 interview with SiriusXM's Eddie Trunk, Snider said that he is now glad he didn't got an offer for the catalog a couple of decades ago when he really needed the money. "I bottomed out in the '90s; I was dead broke," he said. "If I had been made an offer for anything, for nothing, I would have sold. [But] there was zero interest — zero. [That stuff was thought of as] buried and over. No one saw it coming back. Metal was a dirty word. You couldn't touch my catalog with a 10-foot pole — thankfully, because I would have [done it for] pennies [on the dollar]. Because I was broke."

"We're Not Gonna Take It" has been used in commercials for hotel chain Extended Stay America, Claritin, Walmart, Stanley Steamer and Yaz birth control.

The song's lyrics say in part "Oh you're so condescending/Your gall is never ending/We don't want nothin'/Not a thing from you."

"We're Not Gonna Take It" was first released as a single (with B-side song "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll") on April 27, 1984. The "Stay Hungry" album was released two weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single made #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, making it TWISTED SISTER's only Top 40 single, and the song was ranked #47 on VH1's "100 Greatest '80s Songs".

"We're Not Gonna Take It" was written solely by Snider. As influences for the song, he previously cited the glam rock band SLADE, the punk band SEX PISTOLS, and the Christmas carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful".

DISTURBED changed the course of hard rock music when lead singer David Draiman opened his mouth in 2000 on "Down With The Sickness", a song from the band's debut album, "The Sickness". Now Draiman and his DISTURBED bandmates are celebrating 25 years of that seminal LP, touring across the world in honor of the album's anniversary.

Rounded out by guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer, DISTURBED sat down with Live Nation to talk about the tour, honoring the album, and how their fans have changed their lives. Oh, and that signature "Oh, ah, ah, ah, ah." Check out the report below.

 Donegan said about celebrating "The Sickness" after more than two decades: "It's very therapeutic for us. All these songs, they're all personal, they all mean something, and a majority of the songs try to spin positivity into it, even if it's a dark subject or a breakup. It's overcoming those tough times in life. So it's helpful for not just us, but luckily the fans too."

Wengren added: "We're very sentimental. We appreciate everything we've ever achieved, even 25 years later." Dan concurred, saying: "We still have our moments where we have to pinch ourselves that this career has been going as well as it has for this long. Good times."

DISTURBED kicked off the U.S. leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" on February 25 at Ford Idaho Center Arena in Nampa, Idaho. The trek celebrates 25 years of DISTURBED's seminal debut album which launched the band into public consciousness and is one of the most important and influential heavy metal albums of all time. Each night features two sets of music, opening with DISTURBED playing the five-times-platinum "The Sickness" in full, followed by a full set of greatest hits. Openers on the U.S. shows include THREE DAYS GRACE, SEVENDUST, DAUGHTRY and NOTHING MORE, depending on the date.

Earlier this month, DISTURBED announced the European leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" with support from MEGADETH.

Since "The Sickness" was released in 2000, the album was certified five times platinum by the RIAA, spent a total of 106 weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart, and Revolver named it one of "Top 25 Debut Hard Rock Albums." Billboard said of the title track upon release: "'Down With The Sickness' is, of course, the quintessential DISTURBED song, harnessing all the band's seethe and its now-famous tribal beat and guitar chug into three and a half minutes of alt-metal mayhem. It's menacing, it's rhythmic, it's rebellious."

DISTURBED recently announced the 25th-anniversary edition release of "The Sickness". To commemorate the anniversary, the band reissued the five-times-platinum-certified LP on March 7, exactly 25 years to the date of their original release.

On February 21, DISTURBED released a new single, "I Will Not Break", via the band's own label, Mother Culture Records.

OPETH was honored in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category at this year's edition of the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent),which was held Thursday night (March 27) at Annexet in Stockholm. The bands were nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2024.

"Best Hard Rock/Metal" nominees were as follows:

* AMARANTHE - "The Catalyst"
* HORNDAL - "Head Hammer Man"
* NESTOR - "Teenage Rebel"
* OPETH - "The Last Will And Testament"
* SKRAECKOEDLAN - "Vermillion Sky"

You can see video of OPETH's acceptance speech below.

"The Last Will And Testament", OPETH's fourteenth studio album, was released last November via Reigning Phoenix Music/Moderbolaget. The LP was written by OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (THE HEARD, ex-CRUCIFIED BARBARA). "The Last Will And Testament" was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (GHOST, THE HELLACOPTERS),engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (KILLING JOKE, ROBERT PLANT) and OPETH, with Boman, Åkerfeldt and the rest of OPETH mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on "The Last Will And Testament" were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (EGG, KHAN) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returned to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, QUEEN) also revisited mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Åkerfeldt rolled out the red carpet for storied flautist and JETHRO TULL mainman Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4", and "§7". Joining Anderson, EUROPE's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2", while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".

"The Last Will And Testament" is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves through the patriarch's confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-ridden girl who the family have taken care of. The album begins with the reading of the father's will in his mansion. Among those in attendance is a young girl, who, despite being an orphan and polio-ridden, has been raised by the family. Her presence at the will reading raises suspicions and questions among the twins.

"The Last Will And Testament" is the darkest and heaviest record OPETH has made in decades, and it is also the band's most fearlessly progressive. A concept album recounting the reading of one recently deceased man's will to an audience of his surviving family members, it brims with haunting melodrama, shocking revelations and some of the wildest and most unpredictable music that Åkerfeldt has ever written.

The follow-up to 2019's widely acclaimed "In Cauda Venenum", "The Last Will And Testament" is set in the shadowy, sepia-stained 1920s. It slowly reveals its secrets like some classic thriller from the distant, cobwebbed past, with each successive song shining more light on the stated machinations of our dead (but definitely not harmless) protagonist. The emotional chaos of the story is perfectly matched by OPETH's vivid but claustrophobic soundtrack, which artfully winds its way towards a crestfallen but sumptuous finale. Masters of their own idiosyncratic musical domain, OPETH have never sounded more unique.

"The Last Will And Testament" is destined to be a milestone in OPETH's illustrious recorded history. The band's first out-and-out concept record, it features guest cameos from JETHRO TULL legend Ian Anderson and Joey Tempest, frontman with Swedish rock gods EUROPE. Only one of the album's eight songs has a title: closing ballad "A Story Never Told". The rest are simply labeled as numbered chapters in this slowly unfolding saga of deceit, recrimination and betrayal. Enigmatic, unsettling and immersive, "The Last Will And Testament" is a turbulent, prog metal tale like no other.

Making his recorded debut alongside OPETH's long-established lineup of Mikael Åkerfeldt, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson, bassist Martin Mendez and keyboard maestro Joakim Svalberg on "The Last Will And Testament" is new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, who joined the band in 2022.

In a recent interview with Bloodstock TV's Oran O'Beirne, Åkerfeldt stated about the "The Last Will And Testament" album title: "Yeah, well, it is a concept record that basically starts with the… The whole record is about the reading of the last will and testament of this main character that's passed away — a rich, old fuck. Conservative, old, stern, noble patriarch who passed away, and the record starts when he summoned his three children to go through with solicitors, his last will and testament."

Asked how he came up with the concept for the new OPETH album, Mikael said: "It's not completely my idea. I got interested in the topic even on the last record. There's a song on there called, the English title was 'Universal Truth' — I think we did a video for that one — which also dealt with kind of those types of, like how blood's not always thicker than water, how money can drive family members into chaos. So I got interested in that topic. And also along comes the TV series 'Succession', which is, I'm not sure if you've seen it, but a great TV series about a power struggle between siblings taking over after their Murdoch-type father."

He added: "It's interesting. And it also helps me if I have a theme of sorts if I'm gonna write lyrics. Otherwise, I end up writing stuff, I don't even know what they mean."

In a separate interview with Marcus Schleutermann of EMP, Åkerfeldt was asked how "The Last Will And Testament" is different from other OPETH albums. Mikael said: "I don't know. It's weird. That's not really different for us, I guess. But I'm doing some of the screams again, which I haven't done for a long time. And there's some guests on there. Ian Anderson from JETHRO TULL is on there doing spoken word and playing flute. And Joey Tempest [of EUROPE] is on it. But, yeah, it's a concept record. Somebody said it sounds claustrophobic. It's a claustrophobic-sounding record. And there's a lot of ideas. It's a restless record. There's not meandering stuff happening all the time. Even I don't really know the songs yet. But, of course, I would say that, but I think it's good — it's a good record."

Regarding Joey's contributions to "The Last Will And Testament", Mikael said: "Tempest doesn't sound like Tempest on [EUROPE's biggest hit] 'The Final Countdown'. I had him over at my house. I asked him, 'Could you sing a few lines?' 'Let's push the record button,' he said. At the time I didn't have the lyrics ready, so I was, like, 'I'm sorry. I have to record it from somewhere else.' But he's really going for it. He sounds amazing. I mean, I'm a big EUROPE fan, being Swedish. I love them. And I think for him to be on this record, it's a bit different by his standards because it doesn't really sound like a EUROPE record at all."

Asked if he and Joey are friends, Mikael said: "I guess. I guess we're friends. Yeah. He sent me a text one day. It's, like, 'What's up?' And I was, like, 'Hey, Joey Tempest.' And we met at festivals, and he invited me over to his house. I mean, we know the EUROPE guys. Fredrik, one of his best friends is [John] Norum, the [EUROPE] guitar player. So, we're good friends with the whole band. But, yeah, Joey Tempest, we hang out every now and then."

Asked if the songs on "The Last Will And Testament" all stand on their own or if they are all connected in some way, Mikael said: "They are connected lyrically, but also to a certain extent that one song bleeds into the other, which I always liked anyways. It's basically the reading of a testament. So it's like paragraphs. There are no real songtitles on there. It's a bit odd by our standards even. But you could, of course, extract any song from — we don't have to play the whole record."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Waltteri Väyrynen (@waltsunfyre)

Visionary musician, composer, and producer Devin Townsend performed his rock opera "The Moth" live for the first time on Thursday, March 27 together with the Noord Nederlands Orkest (North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra) symphony orchestra at De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands. A second performance of "The Moth" will take place tonight (Friday, March 28) at the same venue.

Fan-filmed video of the March 27 concert can be seen below.

This show is exclusive and is only being performed in Groningen; it will not be staged anywhere else in the world.

Townsend is renowned for his groundbreaking fusion of metal, progressive rock, and ambient music. With a career spanning more than 30 years, he has pushed the boundaries of musical genres and collaborated with world-famous orchestras, establishing an unparalleled artistic legacy.

For his latest project, he has teamed up with the Noord Nederlands Orkest and composed "The Moth", a "rock opera" he has been working on for years, which represents his lifelong ambition. "The Moth" tells the story of the human experience from birth to death, comparable to the transformation of a caterpillar into a moth. It symbolizes the human quest for meaning and offers perspectives on the fear of death through analogy and narrative. Ever since Townsend witnessed large musicals such as "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Phantom Of The Opera" in the 1970s, he has seen this project as his calling.

"The Moth" has been in the making for over a decade, and Townsend has been building towards it for 30 years. Now, he has shared the stage at De Oosterpoort in Groningen with no less than seventy musicians from the Noord Nederlands Orkest, a sixty-member choir, and his own band, which includes Mike Keneally, Joseph Stephenson, Darby Todd and James Leach.

In a recent video message, Devin stated about "The Moth": "I have been working on this for ten years.

"Now let me tell you how it started. I had to start by figuring out, I had to start taking classes. 'Cause when I was a teen, when I was a kid, my dream was always to make sort of a modern opera, in a way, with modern themes, modern instrumentation, and a lot of the things that I had been fascinated by in my youth — 'Phantom Of The Opera', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Paint Your Wagon', all those sorts of things, were really impactful to me as a youth because the emotions were so broad that it was easy for me to understand. It's always very obvious when you're watching these sorts of things when something is happy, when something is sad. And I had to start from the very beginning, 10 years ago, learning how to write, how to navigate the logistics of and how to deliver on time an opera, I guess, in some sense. Starting with I had to take lessons in composition, because although I know how to write music, of course, I never knew theory. So when I was working with orchestras, for example, with smaller projects like 'Deconstruction' or even the one in Bulgaria. I had to learn the language so I wasn't wasting time because it's so expensive to work with these choirs and orchestras. So, I started taking lessons about 10 years ago. And I finally figured out how I could pull off making this uncompromised musical statement with hundreds of people — creatively no boundaries, nobody telling me what to do. The only way I could do that was to do it myself. So, my friends, I've invested everything I have into making 'The Moth', into making this facility so I could make 'The Moth', in order to get the best players, in order to get the best orchestras, in order to get the best artists.

"For much of my life I've been wanting to do these things, which is such epic scale, but then whenever I say to somebody, like, 'Hey, this is what I want,' they said, 'Well, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD' or 'you're a heavy metal musician,'" he continued. "And up to this point, there's been a lot of doubting that my capacity to not only pull it off musically, but also logistically — it requires a certain type of mentality, I believe. And so in the beginning, when I was proposing making operas and making these kind of heavy metal, crazy orchestral things, the reaction to that from people was, 'Well, we don't feel that you are capable of doing that,' or, 'We don't feel like you're ready to do that', or, 'It requires a level of expertise specific to this type of musical vocation to pull it off, which you don't have. Therefore, if you wanna do it, you have to hire somebody for exorbitant amounts of money.' So, I said, 'Fuck it,' and I put together a team of about 12 people, and I have funded it independently from the very beginning to the very end.

"North Netherlands National Symphony And Choir … proposed this to me about three years ago. They said, 'Listen, if you're serious about this, we're one of the most elite orchestras in Europe. And if you're serious about it, we're willing to take a chance on your vision.' And so I said, 'Let's do it.' And I built a place to make 'The Moth'. I put together teams so I can delegate each aspect of it — choirs go to this team, orchestra goes to this team, scoring goes to this team, orchestrating goes to this team, the band themselves. Everything needed to be sort of logistically set up ahead of time so that you could have a strategy about it. Because, for example, trying to deliver the choir parts in a timely fashion, the way that it ended up happening is the choir required the delivery of their musical scores prior to the orchestra. And the orchestra needed to get it prior to the band getting it. So I had to write the music with teams in different locations at different times, and it's almost like concurrently five jigsaw puzzles. And the hope is that when they're all together, it will create the vision that I've been following for so long.

"'The Moth' is a story, I guess, about transformation, obviously, steeped in sort of existential nebulousness, which is — I don't even know if 'nebulousness' is a word, but that's kind of where I've been for my whole life. And when somebody said, 'Okay, do you wanna do this 'Moth' project?' At first, I had this vision of it being this kind of obscene thing, but then the more I started getting into it, the more I recognized that the format could yield unbelievably intense things.

"So the people involved with this. My god. So the band — it's the band I've been touring with: Darby [Todd], James [Leach], Mike Keneally, new guitar player Pete Rinaldi. Involved with this, I managed to work with an incredible orchestrator, Joseph Stephenson. I worked with Steve Vai… So he's helped with the intermission. I've got artists from all over the world, different time zones, putting together 'The Moth'. We tracked the drums in Gothenburg two months ago."

Devin added: "Here's the thing with 'The Moth'. To do this, I had to write it. and then the shows, originally, when I had proposed doing this, the people who were involved with this were kind of on the fence about whether or not it was gonna work, and there was lots of talk about liability and all these sorts of things, like, 'If this doesn't sell by March, you're liable for however much.' … And so I was, like, 'All right, let's try it.' And so we put it up and you guys rocked it for us. Holy cow. So the two shows sold out in four minutes, I believe. And then they said, 'Well, we can't do the VIPs,' but the VIPs sold out in seven minutes. This is all fantastic votes of confidence — not necessarily for me, but for the nature of this type of creative endeavor in the future. I've got these teams together, and if this works, my thought is I could do one of these every couple of years, and just creatively completely free, completely uncompromised, with the best players, the best work, the best sound. And up to this point I haven't been able to do it because no one wanted to take a chance. So I funded it myself, the show sold, we're good to go.

"Now here's the thing: the cost of this — if we're lucky, if we're lucky, we would break even on these shows. Even though it's sold out, even though the VIPs. So what does one do when one is debuting live a record of such scope that nothing that I've done even holds a candle to the scope of this. But usually what happens is you release a record and you can meticulously mix it and master it and massage it so that there's no rough edges and everything, and then you put it out and then you perform it. So what was proposed to me was, we do it the other way around. After ten years of writing this, the debut of 'The Moth' is actually this live performance. And what that throws into the works is just staggering amounts of logistical problems. It has to be recorded, mixed, completed lyrically, orchestrally, score, the band. Everybody has to know it. Everybody has to have the redundancy and the click tracks and all these things going so that you can have the orchestra. And the orchestra has a different click than the band. And the band has a different click than the visuals. And how you put that together logistically to debut that, without an album. So the first that anybody's going to hear of 'The Moth' is this show. So they proposed to me — because prior to this, we weren't gonna break even on the shows, which is fine. I'm cool. We haven't broken even for 10 years — on 'The Moth'. And someone proposed, 'Well, what would you think about doing a livestream?' And I thought, well, in the past, the livestreams have been so janky. And without control over the sound, it's like all of a sudden you got one loud kick drum and the guitars are wrong. And the nuance of this is so subtle that the proposition of doing a live stream of this was absurd to me. However, the more I started thinking about it, I thought, 'Well, fuck it, if we're actually debuting this' — what's the term my grandfather always used to say? God hates a coward. So we decided, I decided, we decided to do the livestream of the second night. Now, here's the thing with this live stream. I was, like, 'I don't wanna do it poorly. I don't want this to not be awesome.'

"So my plan for this is because of the amount of logistics and the amount of work — hundreds of people, literally, and I think there's probably a hundred and fifty people on stage of this too. So 'The Moth' is meant to be a vocal showcase, it's meant to be a kind of vocal tour de force, in a sense. I will be doing an acoustic, and with the band, augmentation of 'The Moth', so you've got a full two hours of entertainment. 'The Moth' itself, words can't describe how much work has gone into this.

"I forget how many tickets we have to sell for the thing to break even, for the livestream. I'm not even talking about the show, 'cause the live stream, it's all cross collateralized. So the livestream and the show and the merch and the VIPs, they all go to this pot with this choir, with this orchestra, with the visuals. We made this film. I've got 12 geniuses that I work with and we've been working on the stories and everything like this. And the first we're gonna hear from it is this livestream. And I forget how many tickets we have to sell for the livestream show we have to sell for the show to break even — something like 5,000. You know what? If it doesn't fucking break even, I don't care. I really don't. I'll figure it out. But it would be better if it did."

For more information on "The Moth" livestream, click here.

Townsend's career is one of many distinct eras. He's been the leader of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, the lynchpin of the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and the co-architect of country duo CASUALTIES OF COOL, all while maintaining his prolific and lauded solo project. More recently he completed work on "PowerNerd", a succinct but still progressive record that pulls from its mastermind's childhood love of vintage rock.

Townsend has an amazing variety in his musical style. He works in ranges of hard rock, progressive metal, new age and ambient. As a solo artist he has had a lineup of various artist working on his albums sporting his infinite variety.

When he revisited his music career, it was with the founding of the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. The project began with a series of four albums each written in a different style and released between 2009-2011. Afterwards he kept to the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and keeps releasing under this name.

Across all Townsend's bands and projects, he has released more than two dozen studio albums and several live ones. Similar in all of these are his versatile vocal delivery that ranges from screaming to an opera-esque singing. The same diversity appears in his writing. Townsend's musical style has roots in metal but draws elements from other genres into the material. Each album is written to express different aspects of his personality.

THE KOVENANT returned to the live stage for select live appearances, including at last fall's Eindhoven Metal Meeting festival and at this year's 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. THE KOVENANT, which won a Norwegian Grammy equivalent, called Spellemannsprisen, in 1999 in the category of "Best Hard Rock Album" for the "Nexus Polaris" LP, performed that effort in its entirety at both events with a lineup that featured all the original members back in action, including vocalist/bassist Stian "Nagash" Arnesen, female singer Sarah Jezebel Deva, drummer Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg, keyboardist Steinar Sverd Johnsen and guitarist Jamie "Astennu" Stinson. The band's set included tracks from "Nexus Polaris" and "Animatronic", along with classics from THE KOVENANT's debut album, "In Times Before The Light". Professionally filmed video of the "Jihad" performance from the Eindhoven Metal Meeting concert can now be seen below.

In a recent interview with Germany's Metal Hammer magazine, Nagash stated about how THE KOVENANT's reunion came about:  "Over the years, we kind of lost contact with each other 'cause we're so busy with other bands. Hellhammer has MAYHEM and some of the other guys [were involved with] other [projects] like ARCTURUS and DIMMU BORGIR. Sarah was involved with other stuff, like THERION and CRADLE OF FILTH and stuff. But over the years, we kind of glided apart a little bit, but it started very randomly that we started just talking together again, and we all just clicked very easily together. So it went very fast when we said, like, 'What if we actually fucking joined together again and started playing?' And everyone said 'yes' without hesitation. So we quickly started thinking, like. 'Fuck, how should we start this?' So we found a really great management — Håkon Grav, he does also EMPEROR and he used to work for Scream magazine, so I know him from there, in Norway. We managed to talk him into bringing us on, and it went just really fast from there. We just met, all of us had some quick rehearsals and it was like we never fucking stopped playing. It was, like, 'Did we play last month?, like this. It was like a natural chemistry between all of us. So it was really fun to play together."

Sarah chimed in: "It did really happen so fast. It's like all making phone calls and [sending] e-mails and reconnecting back to each other, and you're thinking, 'Oh, it's gonna take ages for any of this to come together.' And then suddenly you tell us about Håkon and then suddenly this show appears, this first show, and it's, like, 'Wow, that was really fast.' You didn't have time to think. So if you were thinking about backing out, it was tough, because your flights were booked. It was so, so fast. It's, like, 'Well, Sarah, can you do this? And Sarah, can you do that?' And I'm, like, 'Oh, I've gotta say yes now because I said yes to everybody else.' And it was so incredibly fast before that first show was booked, and then more shows were coming in and more shows, and it's, like, 'Well, this is it. It's happening.' It's like literally a matter of months, it was."

On the topic of how THE KOVENANT's first couple of shows went, Sarah said: "The whole process has been so simple. It didn't feel like hard work at all." Nagash concurred, saying: "Definitely not at all. It was so natural. We have such good chemistry amongst all of us. And everyone is dedicated more than a hundred percent. It's not possible to have more than a hundred percent, but it's, like everyone is super dedicated to it. And we all talked about it to say, like, we're not just going to do a few shows and then disappear again. We're already writing new material. We have plans for the future. There are so many more shows which have been booked already and confirmed, but we haven't announced them yet, 'cause contracts and you're not allowed to [say anything about it]. But I think a lot of people will be very surprised where we're gonna show up. It's a surprise to us too, 'cause our managers, they just contact us and say, like, 'Okay, you're playing in Mexico in the summertime' or 'you're going to the moon' or wherever. It's as much a surprise to us as it will be for everybody else." Sarah added: "And I think the level that we're playing on now is extremely high. I hate to bring the word 'age' into it, but we're older, we know what we want and we've evolved so much." Nagash continued: "I mean, without bragging or anything like this, we were already good musicians back then. 'Cause everyone has their super talents, like, Hellhammer, Astennu, Sarah, Sverd, they're all great musicians. So it can only have gotten better, right?"

Nagash went on to discuss the musical direction of the new THE KOVENANT material, saying: "The new stuff we're working on, it's not going to be another 'Nexus'. It will be similar because it's the same bunch of people, but the new music is a combination of all the albums. But it will be more metal, more extreme. It will be a little bit backwards in time from 'SETI' and 'Animatronic' stuff, but it will still incorporate all the elements but plus new stuff, 'cause we've all developed as people."

Elaborating on where THE KOVENANT is in the songwriting process at the moment, Nagash said: "We already have lots of demos done. So, in the next several months now, we're gonna get together and put together maybe two or three songs, something like this, which we're gonna release early, to get people to know that we are actually back, not to just wait for a new album. And I think it would be unfair to put that much pressure on everyone in the band, 'cause I think a lot of people, when they hear that 'Nexus' lineup is back together that it will be a 'Nexus Polaris Number Two', which it will not be that, but it will be similar, as I said. So I think that by us releasing maybe one, two, three new songs before an actual album comes out, it will help us to be more easy, like it will be easier to create stuff for us, so we don't feel like, 'Okay, people want 'Nexus Two', so we have to do 'Nexus Two'.' But we already have lots of demo stuff prepared. I even have some stuff on my phone, new stuff. Some of the stuff sounds like 'Nexus Polaris', some of the stuff sounds totally new, some of it has hints of 'SETI' and 'Animatronic', the first album, but for sure it will be more extreme, it will be more metal. It will be experimental, but it will be darker and more metal."

THE KOVENANT will also appear at the Karmøygeddon Metal Festival in Kopervik, Norway in early May.

While the band faces challenges with the absence of founding member Psy Coma due to health issues, guitarist Knut Magne Valle from the legendary band ARCTURUS has stepped in to ensure that the magic continues to flow seamlessly.

THE KOVENANT was formed in 1993 under the name COVENANT by two black metal artists known as Nagash (Stian Arnesen) and Blackheart (Amund Svensson),who released the debut album, "In Times Before The Light" (1997). The band signed with the German record company Nuclear Blast in 1998 and recruited four other members to form an actual band: Astennu (of DIMMU BORGIR, CARPE TENEBRUM),Sverd (of ARCTURUS),Sarah Jezebel Deva (of CRADLE OF FILTH and others) and Hellhammer (of MAYHEM and others). With these new recruits, they released their second album, "Nexus Polaris", which was hugely successful and is largely considered their best album to date by fans.

Following a dispute with a Swedish electronic band of the same name, in 1999 COVENANT changed its name to THE KOVENANT. The name change also signaled a musical shift into an industrial metal-influenced sound.

In the beginning THE KOVENANT had a sound much similar to DIMMU BORGIR. Indeed, Nagash has played in the band and is a longtime friend to the lead vocalist Shagrath. On the "Nexus Polaris" album, the band developed a more industrial sound but still with a strong symphonic black metal influence. A re-release of "Nexus Polaris" was made in 2002. The original tracks were left untouched but two versions of "New World Order", a song from their 1999 album "Animatronic", were included as a bonus.

Gene Simmons spoke to Las Vegas Review-Journal about KISS's upcoming performance without makeup at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as part of the three-day "KISS Army Storms Vegas" event, which runs from November 14 to November 16.

"KISS Army Storms Vegas" celebrates the KISS fan club's 50th anniversary and will be the band's first live performance since Simmons, guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer wrapped up their "End Of The Road" farewell tour at Madison Square Garden in New York in December 2023.

"We will not do the makeup," Gene said. "We will hold true to the promise [of never playing another KISS show in makeup]. There's no stage show. There's no crew. We won't have 60 people levitating drum sets and all that stuff. This is more personal gathering of the tribes, where we meet them, greet them, maybe have a Q&A."

Regarding what else fans can expect from "KISS Army Storms Vegas", Simmons said: "There might be some KISS tribute bands, almost like a convention, if you will. So it's much more personal. And of course, we can't get by without playing, so we'll get up and do some tunes. What they are, how long, I don't know."

When KISS officially announced the "KISS Army Storms Vegas" event, the band said that Stanley and Simmons — along with "special guests" — would play at least one show "unmasked," meaning without their iconic makeup.

KISS's official "KISS Army Storms Vegas" announcement made no mention of Thayer and Singer, making it unclear if they will be part of the event.

There will also be question-and-answer sessions with Stanley and Simmons, as well as KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee, where they will share stories, behind-the-scenes moments and answer fans' most burning questions.

Fans can also expect guest performances, including from former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, as well as surprise appearances, guest sets and tribute bands.

KISS had previously set a 12-show residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022 but ultimately canceled all of the dates.

50 years ago in Terre Haute, Indiana, a small group of fans lit the spark that would become the loudest and proudest fan movement in rock history: the KISS Army. Now, five decades later — and 30 years since the first official KISS convention — KISS is cranking it up to 11 in Las Vegas for the ultimate celebration.

KISS Army VIP memberships give you first access to the best packages and limited tickets. The VIP pre-sale begins on March 28 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. As a VIP member, you will receive your exclusive pre-sale code via e-mail.

KISS Army and fan presale begins April 2 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. General on-sale begins April 7 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET.

Head over to kissarmystormsvegas.com now to explore your options.

Simmons told Rolling Stone in a November 2023 interview that the second Madison Square Garden "End Of The Road" concert would mark "the final KISS-in-makeup appearance."

Kulick was a member of KISS from 1984 until 1996.

According to Billboard, Kulick is one of only two musicians to have not worn makeup while a member of KISS, the other being Mark St. John.

Kulick had performed with the band again at their Kiss Kruise events in 2018 and 2021.

Simmons recently postponed nearly 20 dates on his forthcoming solo tour with the GENE SIMMONS BAND to 2026.

KISS has confirmed that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons will reunite for an event at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as part of the three-day "KISS Army Storms Vegas" event, which runs from November 14 to November 16.

Stanley and Simmons — along with "special guests" — will play at least one show "unmasked," meaning without their iconic makeup.

It is expected to be Stanley and Simmons's first joint concert since 2023, when KISS wrapped up its "End Of The Road" farewell tour at Madison Square Garden in New York.

KISS's official "KISS Army Storms Vegas" announcement makes no mention of the band's longtime guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, making it unclear if they will be part of the event.

KISS's unmasked electric show will be in honor of the 50th anniversary of the hottest fan club in the world, KISS Army.

There will also be question-and-answer sessions with Stanley and Simmons, as well as KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee, where they will share stories, behind-the-scenes moments and answer your most burning questions.

Fans can also expect guest performances, including from former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, as well as surprise appearances, guest sets, tribute bands and unforgettable moments that will make this weekend in Vegas a piece of KISStory.

KISS had previously set a 12-show residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022 but ultimately canceled all of the dates.

50 years ago in Terre Haute, Indiana, a small group of fans lit the spark that would become the loudest and proudest fan movement in rock history: the KISS Army. Now, five decades later — and 30 years since the first official KISS convention — KISS is cranking it up to 11 in Las Vegas for the ultimate celebration.

KISS Army VIP memberships give you first access to the best packages and limited tickets. The VIP pre-sale begins on March 28 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. As a VIP member, you will receive your exclusive pre-sale code via e-mail.

KISS Army and fan presale begins April 2 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. General on-sale begins April 7 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET.

Head over to kissarmystormsvegas.com now to explore your options.

Simmons told Rolling Stone in a November 2023 interview that the second Madison Square Garden "End Of The Road" concert would mark "the final KISS-in-makeup appearance."

Kulick was a member of KISS from 1984 until 1996.

According to Billboard, Kulick is one of only two musicians to have not worn makeup while a member of KISS, the other being Mark St. John.

Kulick had performed with the band again at their Kiss Kruise events in 2018 and 2021.

Simmons recently postponed nearly 20 dates on his forthcoming solo tour with the GENE SIMMONS BAND to 2026.

Image courtesy of 60 Minutes Australia

Guitar legend Steve Vai has collaborated with Los Angeles art collective SceneFour to unveil five incredible pieces of stunning electrifying visual art utilizing light-based technology built from his iconic multi-neck "Hydra Guitar" fretboard performances. A trailer for the collection can be seen below.

Each piece will be available in highly limited editions, all numbered and individually signed by Steve.

For more information visit www.vaiarts.com.

Vai comments: "I'm very happy to announce my collaboration with SceneFour to create some unique art pieces that capture performance in exotic light streams. They call it 'Rhythmic Expressionism', and we utilized their light capturing technique while I performed on the Hydra. Enjoy."

Ravi Dosaj, SceneFour art director, states: "Vai's dexterity and precision come to life on the canvas, igniting the viewer's retina. It's a honor to do this art with Vai."

Robert Bolger, SceneFour's head of A&R, says: "I'm really impressed with how these pieces turned out. Ravi really outdid himself. These works are very intoxicating to look at, Steve's fans and individuals who exhibit a deep appreciation and passion for art will be captivated by them. I'm really thrilled to be working with the legendary guitar wizard Steve Vai."

SceneFour is primarily known as the team responsible for the "Rhythmic Expressionism" medium, having released art collections over the last several years with a highly select group of drum and guitar legends, including Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Al Di Meola, Steve Lukather (TOTO),Steve Morse (ex-DEEP PURPLE),Carl Palmer (EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, ASIA),Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH),Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS),Rick Allen (DEF LEPPARD),Stewart Copeland (THE POLICE) and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER).

SceneFour goes beyond traditional art by deconstructing these "musical fingerprints" into individual color channels. These channels are then expertly manipulated and often reordered to create a visually stunning and mind-altering effect, providing viewers with an immersive, multi-sensory experience. By blending music with art, SceneFour is redefining the way we perceive creativity, offering a fresh and dynamic way to connect with the essence of music through visual art.

"Each guy's artwork looks drastically different because their styles and techniques are different," Cory Danziger, who co-founded SceneFour in 2004 with Dosaj, told The New York Times.

"Bill Ward's artwork is dark and there’s kind of a foreboding element to it, whereas Chad Smith's has kind of a light and airy feel to his playing. His arms are open and those pieces have a butterfly effect," Danziger said.