May 5 will see heavy speed metal giants, Savage Grace, return with a brand new studio album, entitled Sign Of The Cross, through Massacre Records. Today, the band release a video for the new single, "Rendezvous". Check it out below.


On their forthcoming album, Savage Grace are not only introducing their new vocalist Gabriel Colon - who is described as a blend of the early Rob Halford and the young Ian Gillian - but creating and moving into a new dimension of metal while keeping true to their authentic roots. Guitarist Christian Logue assembled the most incredible musicians from across the world to create the most devastating version of Savage Grace yet.


40 years of metal experience went into crafting each of the new album songs into classics they will soon become. In addition, provocative, thought-inspiring lyrics and powerful topics weave their way through this mesmerizing collection of songs.




Christian Logue comments: "This album is my masterpiece and a grand addition to my legacy of universally acclaimed classic metal recordings. Every song on this album is powerful, there is not one weak track on this record."


Sign Of The Cross was produced by Logue and was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow at Grapow Studios. Slated for a release as CD, ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on May 5, 2023 via Massacre Records, pre-orders are available at this location.





Tracklisting:


“Barbarians At The Gate”
“Automoton”
“Sign Of The Cross”
“Rendezvous”
“Stealin’ My Heart Away”
“Slave Of Desire”
“Land Beyond The Walls”
“Star Crossed Lovers”
“Branded”
“Helsinki Nights” (CD Bonus Track)


“Rendezvous” video:





“Star Crossed Lovers” video:





“Automaton” video:

ALICE COOPER guitarist Nita Strauss spoke to the WHMH Rockin' 101 radio station about her recently released single "Winner Takes All", featuring a guest appearance by the legendary rocker. The track is taken from Nita's upcoming sophomore solo album, tentatively due later this year via Sumerian Records.

Regarding how her latest collaboration with Alice came about, Nita said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The Alice Cooper touring camp, it's really like a family. I think a lot of people have this impression of legendary musicians like him that they're sort of unapproachable and untouchable, and Alice is the nicest and most approachable person in the entire world. So it didn't really feel like approaching somebody that was gonna say no; it was like I was talking to a friend. Alice has been really supportive of my solo stuff. He had me on [his radio show] 'Nights With Alice Cooper' when my first record came out. He obviously encouraged me to go out and tour with Demi Lovato and promote my own music and everything else. So I was really grateful that when we approached him with this song, he was totally eager to do it. I think he went into the studio in, like, two days and recorded it at his own studio in Phoenix. So it was a great experience all around."

Last month, Nita told the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast she "knew" that she wanted to do something with Alice for her next LP. "We have a lot of guests on the upcoming record," she explained. "There are some instrumental songs, like on the first record as well, but it's a lot of guests. And I thought, 'How cool would it be…?' — we all kind of put our heads together and thought, 'How cool would it be to showcase Alice's voice on very modern, heavy active rock kind of track?' 'Cause everything he does is sort of in that more classic rock kind of vein. Even the new music that he's come out with in the last few years has had that classic Alice sound. And I thought, 'Well, since we're not gonna get a song like this from Alice himself, let's bring a song to him. Let's make something for him.' So my first call was to Tommy Henriksen, who does a lot of the writing for the Alice project and the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES project, and I said, 'What key does he like to sing in? What's his vibe?' And Tommy gave me some options. And so we ended up dropping to a seven-string [guitar] and wrote this really mean heavy riff, like very driving, very get in your car and put the pedal all the way down and speed down the highway. And between Tommy and myself, we wrote the melody and the lyrics and sent it off to Alice. He loved it. And he loved it so much, and we sent it to him in Phoenix, and he was, like, 'Cool. I'm gonna go and record it.' I think he recorded it in his studio in Phoenix the next day, or within a day or two, was how fast it happened. And from there we were off to the races."

Nita continued: "The plan, actually, was not to release the song until the tour. We thought maybe we could just drop the song and show up on stage on the same day, kind of like old-school 'Wrestlemania'. But then, between his schedule and my release schedule and all the label politics and all that, [we decided to] put it out early, help promote the song, go out on tour and all that good stuff. So it all worked out for the best. The song had a super-strong first week, which is amazing. Alice sounds like a rock star, as always. And, yeah, I feel like it just went great."

"Winner Takes All" is the third song Nita has released featuring a star guest vocalist, the first being the enormously successful "Dead Inside" which featured guest vocals from DISTURBED's David Draiman and saw Nita become the first-ever solo female to have a No. 1 hit at Active Rock radio. She also returned to her instrumental roots last year with the release of single "Summer Storm", a fast-paced, emotive shred-fest. In October 2022, Nita dropped "The Wolf You Feed", an epic headbanger of a track featuring the insane vocal talent of Alissa White-Gluz of ARCH ENEMY.

Back in February 2022, Nita told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about her upcoming LP: "It's gonna be half and half — six tracks with vocalists and six tracks of instrumental [music]. We've been doing ['Dead Inside'] live on the solo tour and it's been getting a super-good reaction from our crowds."

In early December 2022, Nita told "The Mistress Carrie Podcast" about her decision to make the upcoming LP half vocal songs and half instrumental: "I did feel, and the label and everybody agreed, it's still important for me to keep my identity as a guitar player and not just branch off too much and go, 'Okay, well, now it's just guests.' Let me still have a little of what makes me me, which is the instrumental shred stuff. And the instrumental pieces that I've written on this record are, I think, better than anything I did on the first one — definitely more… I don't know if it could be more emotional but they're very emotional pieces of music and I think a little better crafted this time around. So I think all the songs in general are more well thought out, better put together this time around. And I do have some of my absolute favorite [singers guesting on it]. I have three amazing powerhouse female vocalists on this album so far."

Nita released 2018's "Controlled Chaos" to mass acclaim from fans and media alike, with Metal Injection calling it "a great debut that — as its creator intended — leaves no doubt", and Guitar World stating "'Controlled Chaos' is a panoramic view of Nita Strauss's many strengths".

Last month, it was announced that Nita would return to Alice's band for his 2023 tour.

The Alice Cooper North American tour, with an all-new show dubbed "Too Close For Comfort", kicks off in late April in Michigan and continues through late September, including a handful of August stadium shows with DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY CRÜE, followed by a co-headlining late summer "Freaks On Parade" tour with Rob Zombie.

Nita spent eight years playing with Alice before joining Demi Lovato's band last summer,

Strauss played her first full live show with Demi on August 13, 2022 at the Grandstand at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois.

Nita made her live debut with Demi on July 14, 2022 with a performance of "Substance" on ABC's Emmy Award-winning late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".

Strauss had been playing with Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth MÖTLEY CRÜE tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker's former bass player and WINGER frontman Kip Winger.

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley is undergoing a triple bypass surgery following his recent heart attack.

A heart bypass surgery, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is used to improve blood flow to the heart. A surgeon uses blood vessels taken from another area of the body to bypass the damaged arteries.

The term triple bypass refers to the number of coronary arteries bypassed in the procedure. In other words, a triple bypass means three coronary arteries are bypassed.

Blaze suffered a heart attack at his home on March 25 and was rushed to the hospital. As a result of the health setback, the singer's shows for March and April were postponed.

Earlier today (Thursday, April 13),Mark Appleton and Christopher Appleton, who handle the management and concert bookings, for Blaze's solo band, released the following statement via social media: "As you know, since his heart attack, Blaze has been awaiting heart surgery. This week he was transferred to a specialist heart unit, & this afternoon has been taken down to the operating theatre for a triple heart bypass.

"This is the first major step at the start of his treatment & recovery.

"Blaze is an absolute Warrior & I know you will all join us in sending him your love, support & energy towards a successful operation & a very positive recovery to good health afterwards.

"It will be several hours before the operation is complete but we will update you again as promised, as & when we have more news.

"Thank you everyone. You know how much your support means."

The 59-year-old Bayley fronted IRON MAIDEN from 1994 until 1999. The two MAIDEN albums he appeared on, "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI", sold considerably less than the band's prior releases and were their lowest-charting titles in the group's home country since 1981's "Killers".

Since leaving IRON MAIDEN in 1999, Bayley has released a number of albums, including several under the moniker BLAZE and more than a handful under his own name. He also appeared on 2012's "Wolfsbane Saves The World", the first album of new material by WOLFSBANE since the group's self-titled 1994 effort, and a follow-up LP, 2022's "Genius".

Blaze's latest studio album, "War Within Me", came out in April 2021. The LP was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze's studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton's studio in Greater Manchester.

Last month, Blaze told Metal Planet Music 's Gary Spiller about some fans' initial reluctance to embrace his era of MAIDEN: "I think that the girlfriend or partner analogy is the best. It's when your girlfriend or boyfriend leaves you for someone, and they are perhaps slimmer with more hair, more interesting and better looking, it doesn't feel good. And you lose your favorite singer from your favorite band, and I think that's awkward as well.

"There's a certain percentage of fans from that era, I'm their first MAIDEN singer, and I always will be, and they'll always have that affection for me," he continued. "But there's another group of fans who go, 'My favorite singer left my favorite band. I don't want to look at the replacement.' … And what is good is that after so many years and the 'Senjutsu' album coming out, people have good back and they've looked at the Blaze Bayley era of [1996's 'best-of' album] 'Best Of The Beast' and 'Sign Of The Cross', 'The X Factor', they've done that, and they've come back with a different look. And then they check out what I'm doing now.

"Since [leaving] MAIDEN, I've made 11 studio albums of my own. It's over 25 years ago [that I joined MAIDEN]; it's nearly 30 years now. It's just five years [that I was with MAIDEN]. With WOLFSBANE, we're back together, and we're together longer than I was in IRON MAIDEN.

"It's nice that it's so well thought of and people are still interested," Blaze added. "I've learned a lot. The experiences that I had have affected me and I've learned. And if you listen to my 'War Within Me' album, my new album, you can tell the IRON MAIDEN influence on that; you can absolutely tell. I'm not ashamed of it. I'm, like, well, this is what I enjoyed and learned in MAIDEN, and you'll hear parts of that and hints of that in the 'War Within Me' album. You'll also hear the development of me as an artist, going beyond that.

"So it's nice that people are still interested in that brief part of the MAIDEN history that contains me. And a lot of people think very nicely of me. But there are still a lot of people that absolutely hate me."

Blaze went on to say that his era of MAIDEN still plays a big part in his live show, particularly as he nears the three-decade mark since he first joined the band.

"What's nice is that when I do my anniversary setlist, which a lot of festivals asked for, then I can play songs in my set from those two albums that MAIDEN have never played and will never play," he explained. "And they are my songs, personal to me. So that's really, really cool. So if you did get into those albums and you like those albums, then you'll come and see me and go, 'Oh, actually, I've never heard'Como Estais Amigos' live.' So it's a really cool thing.

"Last year, we got a lot of really wonderful German festivals, and we played the anniversary setlist. And then afterwards, on my own tour, people came that saw me on that anniversary setlist and the festivals, they came and saw me do my Blaze Bayley concerts and really enjoyed it. And they got into 'War Within Me' album and my trilogy and a lot of things. So it's good, really.

"I'm very lucky to have actually had the top job in my field, to have attained the absolute top," Bayley added. "For me, I wanted to be a heavy metal singer, and by some quirk of faith, a lot of luck and a lot of help, then I managed to become the lead singer of IRON MAIDEN, which, for me, is the top job in the world for a heavy metal singer. And I got that job. So that's fantastic that I was able to get that. And I played huge venues all over the world and stadiums and theaters and everything."

HEALTH UPDATE

As you know, since his heart attack, Blaze has been awaiting heart surgery. This week he was transferred...

Posted by Official Blaze Bayley on Thursday, April 13, 2023

Gene Simmons is doing "okay" after he had to take a break and play sitting down during Wednesday night's KISS performance in Manaus, Brazil. Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley told the crowd that the bassist/vocalist was sick. Simmons's illness reportedly forced the band to halt the show for several minutes, but that he was eventually able to finish the performance.

Earlier today, Gene issued the following update on his condition via Twitter: "Ok, kids. Not a big deal. Thanks for your kind wishes. Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song. We got back on stage in 5 minutes & finished the show."

Christina Vitagliano, the founder of KISS Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas, as well as the coordinator at Gene Simmons Axe Ltd., wrote in a separate post: "Hey everyone, The big guy is ok! Apparently, extreme humidity, bad food, and a stage full of fire don't mix well when you're dressed head-to-toe in a Demon costume. All is good. Gene's tough!"

According to the Brazilian news site G1, Simmons asked at one point during the show for a member of the road crew to bring him a chair. From that point on, he performed the set while sitting down.

Before KISS took a short break during the concert, Stanley told the crowd: "We're gonna have to stop to take care of him, 'cause we love him, right? Let's give Gene a really loud 'Gene'." He then added that he and his bandmates would return to the stage "a little bit later."

According to Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda, KISS came back on approximately five minutes later, with Gene greeting the audience in Portuguese: "Manaus, all right!", adding "Thank you."

Some media outlets and fans had speculated that heat exhaustion contributed to Gene feeling unwell. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET),the temperature in Manaus at the time of the concert was between 26.9 degrees Celsius (80.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.
Ok, kids. Not a big deal. Thanks for your kind wishes. Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song. We got back on stage in 5 minutes & finished the show. 🤟😎 https://t.co/yMJXOEn8uB

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) April 13, 2023



Hey everyone,
The big guy is ok! Apparently, extreme humidity, bad food, and a stage full of fire don't mix well when you're dressed head-to-toe in a Demon costume. All is good. Gene's tough! 🤟🏻

Posted by Christina Vitagliano on Thursday, April 13, 2023



VEJA! 😳 Gene Simmons passa mal em show da Kiss em Manaus e banda interrompe apresentação.
SERÁ QUE FOI O CALOR??!! 🤨

🎥 Reprodução/Twitter

Posted by Portal Holofote on Thursday, April 13, 2023
Gene Simmons, baixista e vocalista do Kiss, passa mal e show é brevemente interrompido na Arena da Amazônia. pic.twitter.com/nphJEj1PQo

— A Crítica (@ACritica) April 13, 2023



#KISStory 12 de Abril de 2023

KISS fechava o MONSTERS TOUR MANAUS, que ainda tinha o Sepultura e Scorpions como atrações; O evento ocorreu na Arena da Amazônia.

Fonte: KISSConcertHistory.com

Posted by KISS Dressed to PLAY on Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Finnish Seinäjoki-based metal band, Mortyfear, have released a new single and music video, "Kaunankantaja". The track is taken from as-yet-untitled upcoming studio album. 


Check out the video below.


Vocalist Janne Keskitalo comments: “After our latest album, the fire for making new music was strong in us all the time. We took a breath and thought what we would like to do. We considered between making more new music and live shows and it did not take too long when we found ourselves making new sounds and ideas for new songs. This time the process was way different than when making My Dystopia because nowadays we live close to each other. It brought a new, kind of easiness and naturality, to the composing process.




'Kaunankantaja' (which means 'grudge bearer' in English) had its birth when me and our guitarrist Jorma sat in front of a synth and wanted to make something raw and primal. After this we relied to the same process as on the last album, which gives the opportunity for everyone in our band to give their own and unique touch to the music as a whole. Finnish language was a natural choice to the song and I could not think of a better way to express the atmosphere in the lyrics and in the song. Finnish language has always been a part of Mortyfear and the time was right to bring it more strongly - even to the songs still in process. As in this song, the future songs will have the presence of death and deathwish in lyrics as the soundscapes and composing are part of our own unique way to express us. Like it has always been and will be ”


 


"Kaunankantaja" is available via streaming platforms found here. 





Mortyfear was founded in the late 90’s in Ostrobothnia, the rugged heart of Finland by Tapio Laitila. In 2018, Mortyfear renewed it’s line-up and began to work passionately on their second full-length album, My Dystopia, which was released in the summer of 2021 by Inverse records. On My Dystopia, the band developed the unique Mortyfear sound to even more chaotic and haunting direction, and the album was praised in music media around the world. After that, Mortyfear has been actively practicing and composing new material.

Earlier this year, progressive death metal legends Atheist re-released their entire discography, comprised of four albums that span the band's 30-year career, on all streaming services worldwide. The return to digital platforms was the first phase of a comprehensive re-issue campaign.


Today marks the second phase, with which the band is offering their albums in various physical formats with all-new revised layouts. All four studio albums will be available on CD and vinyl on July 14 via Nuclear Blast.


Atheist's Kelly Shaefer comments, "We are proud to bring the musical catalog of Atheist to the mighty Nuclear Blast. We couldn't ask for a better place to land the musical creations of Atheist that now span over 30 years. It's exciting to know that our music will be made available on all formats by the biggest metal label on EARTH!"







The albums will be available in the following formats:


Piece of Time (1990)
- CD Jewelcase
- Red w/ Brown & Yellow Splatter Vinyl (Limited to 1500)


Unquestionable Presence (1991)
- CD Jewelcase
- Sea Blue with Yellow and Light Blue Splatter Vinyl (Limited to 1500)


Elements (1993)
- CD Jewelcase
- Purple w/ Blue Splatter Vinyl (Limited to 1500)


Jupiter (2010)
- CD Jewelcase
- Yellow w/ Blue & Brown Splatter Vinyl (Limited to 1000)


Pre-order the albums on the vinyl or CD of your choice here. Listen to Atheist's discography here.

British singer, Lee Small (Phenomena, The Sweet, Lionheart, Shy), will release his new digital single, "The Last Man On Earth", tomorrow (Friday, April 14).





The title track of his new solo album, The Last Man On Earth - to be released internationally on May 26 via Metalville Records - is a real AOR killer that can easily hold its own in international comparison with the big names of the scene. With its crisp hooks, a chorus that guarantees a catchy tune, and a fat production, "The Last Man On Earth" has everything for a future genre classic. The official lyric video for the song can be viewed below.




Because of his melodic voice, Lee Small is often compared to artists like Glenn Hughes, Bobby Kimball, or Steve Walsh and belongs to the most established artists of the AOR scene.


The Last Man On Earth is the album that Lee has wanted to realize throughout his career: a melodic rock feast in the classic style of Journey and Toto. The songs were recorded in London, Los Angeles, and Texas in 2022 and mixed & produced by Tom Cory (Sweet). With its crisp hooks, catchy choruses, outstanding solos, and fat production, The Last Man On Earth has all the ingredients for a future genre classic.


The album graces a wealth of the best musicians around, including Dan Reed as duet partner on one song, guitarists Steve Mann (MSG / Lionheart), Tommy Denander (Bobby Kimball), Charles Berthoud on bass, and Edu Cominato (Geoff Tate) as drummer. Fabrizo Sgattoni (guitar), Mika Gronholm (guitar), Micke Nilsson (guitar), Marshall Harrison (guitar), Sony Stevan (keyboards), and Rossano Capriotti (keyboards) were also involved in the recording as guest musicians. The cover artwork comes courtesy of Tristian Greatrex.





The Last Man On Earth tracklisting:


"The Last Man On Earth"
"Neon Heartbeat"
"Let's Go Together"
"You're Not The Only One"
"Here We Go Again"
"In & Out Of Love"
"Midnight Rain"
"Heaven Sent"
"Silhouettes"
"Revolution Road" (featuring Dan Reed)
"Wings Of Destiny"
"The Nakatomi Heist"
"The Big Unknown"


"The Last Man On Earth" lyric video:

Former ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes has officially joined U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER, the two bands fronted by original ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider. Baltes has been playing bass for U.D.O. since last September, initially as a temporary replacement for U.D.O.'s then-bassist Tilen Hudrap who was hospitalized after the band's show in Munich, Germany.

Baltes says in a statement: "Since my departure from ACCEPT, I kept myself very busy writing and recording for film/TV productions and various artists around the globe. That's how I reconnected with Udo working on his solo album 'My Way', the U.D.O. album 'We Are One' and the DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG album 'Arising'. Since Stefan Kaufmann [guitar; ex-ACCEPT drummer] was also involved, it all had a very familiar feeling. That's why when Udo called me in September to fill in for his injured bass player I did not hesitate. The set list had mostly U.D.O. songs which I was not familiar with and a few ACCEPT tunes. When I arrived in Berlin a few days later for the first show, I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. But as soon as we all took the stage standing next to Udo, it felt like home: His voice took me right back to where it all began. It was a total surprise for the audience at first, but as we played on I realized they were as happy as I was to see Udo and me together again. Over the next three months, I really got to know Sven [Dirkschneider, drums], Dee [Fabian Dee Dammers, guitar] and Andrey [Smirnov, guitar] as extremely talented musicians but also as very humble and respectful guys. It all feels very authentic. That made my decision to say 'yes' very easy when Udo asked me to join the band permanently."

Dirkschneider adds: "I have a very long friendship with Peter Baltes which has never been shadowed by the disagreements with ACCEPT over the past few years. The arguments were exclusively with another person and his wife. It should be clear to everyone who is meant! All other ACCEPT members have always been united in friendship.

"It meant a lot to me when Peter spontaneously helped us out on some U.D.O. tour dates last year. From the first day, I experienced the great feeling and trust from the past with him again. A feeling that always connected us throughout the years in ACCEPT.

"I'm aware that Peter had many lucrative offers from other bands on the table, all of which he had turned down over the years. To be honest, he can't earn these sums with us. It means even more to me that he still decided to stay with U.D.O. and to also join DIRKSCHNEIDER as bassist. This shows me that he has a real metal heart beating in his chest and that friendship and fun are more important to him than money. Thank you, Peter!

"We are very happy that after so many years you are finally having fun on stage again!"

DIRKSCHNEIDER is the name of Udo's band which performs ACCEPT material exclusively.

Although Udo announced eight years ago that his initial DIRKSCHNEIDER tour would mark his final time performing ACCEPT songs, he has continued to play select shows under the DIRKSCHNEIDER banner.

Udo previously spoke about his renewed collaboration with Peter in a March 2023 interview with Australia's Silver Tiger Media. He said: "Yeah, [Peter] was helping us out on [U.D.O.'s] European tour and South America. Our [previous] bass player Tilen, he had a serious health problem. He was collapsing in Munich at a show [last September]. And then for us, it was, like, 'What can we do? Stop the tour or try to get a [new] bass player?' I was already in contact with Peter. I did together with him a classic album with the German armed forces, and we did [the] DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG [project], so I was in contact with Peter. Then I called him and said, 'Peter, I have a problem — a serious problem. I need a bass player. And maybe can you help us out?' And then he said, 'Yeah, okay. Give me one day.' And then he said, 'Yeah, I'll do this.' And it was a lot of work for him to do all these U.D.O. songs. And then he said, 'Yeah, I'll help you out, as long as you're looking for a new bass player.' But we will see. I get the feeling that he wants to join the band. And he had so much fun. He said, 'Wow. This is great. I have so much fun with this band. It's really nice.' We will see."

Udo went on to say that he is "happy" to be playing with Peter again.

"Peter is a great bass player — for me, one of the best in heavy metal," Dirkschneider said. "He's a legend. And of course, I worked with him for a very long time together. He's a good singer, he's a good songwriter. Maybe we will see what the future will bring. So, you never know."

Udo also touched upon the fact that the current lineup of ACCEPT only features guitarist Wolf Hoffmann from the band's original incarnation.

"I don't wanna say anything wrong, but I think now we [in U.D.O.] are more ACCEPT than ACCEPT is at the moment," he said. "There's only one [original ACCEPT member] left [in ACCEPT]; that's Wolf Hoffmann. So, [it's] interesting — yeah, very interesting."

Last month, Baltes said that he was "extremely unhappy" toward the end of his four-decade tenure with ACCEPT. The 64-year-old German-born musician discussed his decision to leave ACCEPT in an interview with Scott Itter of Dr. Music. He said: "The statement that came from the band literally five minutes after I announced that I'm leaving [back in November 2018], that I wanna spend more time with my family, well, that wasn't true. No, no. I was extremely unhappy. And I found out a few things. I'd been in the band forever, and I found out in the end, in this incarnation of ACCEPT, I wasn't even really a member; I was a hired gun. And it's these things that come out where you don't have any input, insight, and you start getting bitter. And there's no reason to, but somebody else's ego is just so big or whatever — two of 'em — that it just takes them there, and they just need to control everything and have everything and you name it. That's what got Udo out back then, and I think in the end it hit everybody. So I was the last one standing, but I couldn't stand it anymore. I needed happiness in my life, and there was no happiness there. It was just a dead horse. So I left after the tour. And in my case, it was the best I ever could have done."

Baltes also talked about what it was like to play bass for U.D.O. on the group's fall 2022 European tour.

"In retrospect, when I stepped on stage in Berlin [in September 2022] with Udo after so many years — the last time was 2005, I think — it was a moment that I can't even describe it," Peter said. "We went on stage first, and then Udo comes, and he starts singing. And the first note brought me back instantly to our days when we played little clubs. The man is such a legend, and his voice… And it's nothing to do with you're short, you're tall, you're fat, you're skinny, none of that — you're in shape or you're not — none of that matters to me, to him and the audience. [What is important is] when something is authentic. And that's what got me at that moment. I was, like, 'Man, this is the real deal.' I wasn't used to that; I wasn't. I totally forgot. And you can into this where you think, 'We've been doing this all our life.' No, we didn't. We played kind of like it, with people that kind of sound like it. But no. He's the real deal, and the power that comes out of his voice is second to none. Sheer power, meaning volume, power. Bruce Dickinson [IRON MAIDEN] has power. When he sings, you can see it — he has power. Some singers, they have power. And Ronnie [James Dio] had power. Udo has power. That's certain power that just captivates you in your ears, in your stomach, and you go with it."

Baltes was replaced in ACCEPT by Martin Motnik.

Two years ago, Hoffmann was asked by SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" if he had had a chance to talk to Peter since his departure from ACCEPT and if he had gotten clarification on why Baltes left the group. Wolf said: "No, man. That's kind of the sad part about it. He kind of made that decision alone, and we never really had a sitdown and a man-to-man talk that I was hoping we'd have. He just announced it to the world, and that was it, and at that point, it was almost too late. I have to respect his decision.

"I miss him very much, and I think he's always gonna be my buddy or whatever," Wolf continued. "But right now, we don't really have much in common. Because when somebody leaves the band, it's usually that we never really see them much again, as sad as it is. I wish we would, and maybe one day we will. But right now, we don't, really. But we didn't have any fights or anything. I can only speculate why he left the band, but I'd rather not."

Hoffmann was also asked if he was surprised to see Baltes working with Udo on some new music in 2020. He responded: "Yeah, I probably shouldn't say much about that. Again, I can only speculate what that was all about. At the end of the day, we do our thing, and everybody has to know for themselves what they wanna do. Yeah, let me not say as much about that as I can, please."

In January 2021, Hoffmann told Australia's Metal Mal that he was "a little bit heartbroken" when Baltes left ACCEPT. "I felt it was not only a sad day for ACCEPT, it was also a sad day for rock and roll, or heavy metal, in general, because I thought we were gonna be doing this until the sun goes down — I don't know; until forever," he said. "But he all of a sudden decided otherwise, and he made that decision, and that was it. And that's sad, but what can you do, man? I decided, along with everybody else, the show must go on, and we continue without him. So this is what we did. And here's the new album — without Peter. But it's still sad. I still miss him sometimes. It's just the way it is."

In November 2019, Hoffmann told Powermetal.cl that he no longer kept in touch with Baltes after the bassist exited the group a year earlier. "Unfortunately, when somebody leaves the band, they're always kind of out of sight, out of mind," Wolf explained. "It's very sad. I wish it wasn't that way, because we've been friends for so long. But the reality is I haven't really heard from him — even though I reached out a couple of times. He's almost like he wants to disappear or he wants to leave the music business altogether. It's sad and I still don't quite understand what really happened. But it is what it is, and we move on."

Three years ago, Baltes and former ACCEPT drummer Stefan Kaufmann were part of the songwriting team for U.D.O.'s album called "We Are One", a collaboration with Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, the military band of the German federal armed forces.

Photo credit: Martin Häusler

On Wednesday (April 12),the third of METALLICA's four-night residency on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the Rock And Roll Hall of Famers performed "Master Of Puppets", the title track of their third album, which came out in 1986. Check out video of the performance below.

METALLICA kicked off the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" residency Monday night (April 10) by sitting down for a chat with host Jimmy Kimmel and performing "Lux Æterna", the lead single from the band's upcoming album, "72 Seasons". The following night they played "Holier Than Thou", a song from their self-titled 1991 album, better known as The Black Album.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has the distinction of being the longest-running late night program still on the air.

Last Friday, when METALLICA first announced its "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" residency, the band wrote on social media: "In a first for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, it's 'Metallica Week,' as we will be the musical guest each night, beginning on Monday, April 10, through Thursday, April 13. We'll be playing live for all four shows, and you'll also catch us on the couch, chatting with Jimmy one night. Keep your eyes peeled for other sightings during the broadcast, as we really don't know what else Jimmy will get us involved in!"

METALLICA previously appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in 2021 when they read one-star reviews of their classic Black Album on the show. More recently, Kimmel hosted METALLICA's "All Within My Hands" benefit concert and auction in December.

"72 Seasons" will be released April 14 via METALLICA's own Blackened Recordings. Produced by Greg Fidelman with Hetfield and Ulrich, and clocking in at over 77 minutes, the 12-track "72 Seasons" is METALLICA's first full-length collection of new material since 2016's "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct". The album will be released in formats, including 2LP 140g black vinyl and limited-edition variants, CD and digital.

METALLICA and Trafalgar Releasing will hold a worldwide "72 Seasons" listening party. For one night only on Thursday, April 13, "72 Seasons" will be played in full in surround sound, exclusively for cinema audiences worldwide — with every one of the new songs featuring its own music video and exclusive commentary from the band.

The "72 Seasons" global premiere sees METALLICA and Trafalgar joining forces once more, having previously worked together on the October 2019 worldwide cinematic release of "S&M²", which documented METALLICA and San Francisco Symphony reuniting to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their original "S&M" (Symphony & Metallica) concerts and releases.

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

Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen kicked off her tour in support of her debut solo album, Paragon, on April 11th at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Fan-filmed video from the show can be viewed below.


Floor: "The first show of my sold-out club tour couldn't have been any better! Thank you Paradiso, Amsterdam for the amazing energy. Let's keep this momentum going all tour long."


The setlist on the night was as follows:




"Fire"
"Storm in a Glass" (Northward)
"Invincible" (live debut)
"Euphoria" (Loreen)
"Armoured Wings" (live debut)
"Slow, Love, Slow" (Nightwish)
"Bridle Passion" (Northward)
"While Love Died" (Northward)
"Energize Me" (After Forever)
"Paragon" (Northward)
"Storm" Play Video
"Hope" (live debut)
"Our Decades In The Sun" (Nightwish)
"Strong" (After Forever)
"How's the Heart?" (Nightwish)
"Me Without You"
"The Calm" (live debut)
"Face Your Demons" (After Forever)
"Let It Go" (Kristen Anderson‐Lopez & Robert Lopez)
"Come Full Circle" (live debut)


Encore:
"My Paragon"
"Daydream" (live debut)

















Floor released Paragon on March 24. Paragon showcases Jansen's impressive vocal range and powerful voice on a diverse collection of pop-infused tracks and emotional ballads influenced by the sounds of her career. The album has something for everyone and is a must-listen for fans of Jansen.


With its mix of influences and powerful vocal performances, Paragon is an album that will appeal to fans of pop music and metal alike. It's the perfect addition to any music collection, and a must-have for fans of Floor Jansen and Nightwish.


Paragon is available digitally and physically on CD, vinyl, and a limited edition deluxe box set. The album is available on all major streaming platforms and at music retailers worldwide. You can order the album here.





Tracklisting:


"My Paragon"
"Daydream"
"Invincible"
"Hope"
"Come Full Circle"
"Storm"
"Me Without You"
"The Calm"
"Armoured Wings"
"Fire"


"Daydream" video:





"Me Without You" video:





"Storm" video:





"Fire" video:





"Invincible"

"Inspired by what I consider one of the most disturbing paintings ever made, the track deals with power-hungry old men and their ruthless disregard of life and consequence in their quest for a glorified place in history."


The above description by Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen of "Saturn Devouring His Young",  the newly released track taken from Vulture Industries' upcoming album Ghosts From The Past, is apropos of the situation in which the world finds itself today. The album will be released on June 16 via Dark Essence and distributed via RedEye.







Written at a time when the band was undergoing considerable changes in their personal lives, coupled with the arrival of the Pandemic, and all the turmoil that went with it, Vulture Industries' fifth full-length album. Ghosts From The Past, understandably took longer than normal to write.


Despite struggling to find a sense of direction, the band's lineup of Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen on vocals and keys, Eivind Huse on guitars and vocals, Øyvind Madsen on guitars, Kyrre Teigen on bass and vocals, and Tor Helge Gjengedal on drums , have produced an album that is essentially a piece of their collective soul.


It was a struggle well worth undergoing because the band's fifth full-length album is their strongest to date, and  marks a new direction for Vulture Industries, one that tends more towards the darker side of hard rock but which still maintains their unique and unmistakable sound.





Tracklisting:


“New Lords Of Light”
“Saturn Devouring His Young”
“This Hell Is Mine”
“Deeper”
“Right Here In The Dark”
“Not By Blood But By Words”
“Tyrants Weep Alone” 


"Saturn Devouring His Young":





“New Lords Of Light” video:

Incendiary — Brendan Garrone, vocals; Brian Audley, guitar; Rob Nobile, guitar; and Dan Lomeli, drums — recently announced their new album Change The Way You Think About Pain. The album arrives on May 26 via Closed Casket Activities. Preorder at closedcasketactivities.com.


Today, the band has shared "Echo Of Nothing." Listen to the song, which probes a politically significant topic, below.


""Echo Of Nothing' was inspired by the migrant crisis in the EU stemming from the conflicts in Syria and Libya, among others," the band states. “The struggles and prejudice these individuals faced when coming ashore is well-documented. Less well-known is the plight of those who were captured en route and brought back to their home country, only to be held in prisons and labor camps under inhumane conditions. The song looks at how this mistreatment often breeds resentment, contempt and, ultimately, violence."




Audley weighs in about the album as a whole, saying, "The goal with this album was to refine our songwriting and deliver it more aggressively. The expectation for a hardcore band on their fourth LP may be to start sanding the edges off and becoming more polished and anthemic. We wanted to go the complete opposite direction and make them sharper.  Will Putney understood the assignment from the first day we stepped into his studio. He helped us execute on our goal by bringing out the most aggressive elements for the abrasive production the songs called for."





Tracklisting:


“Bite The Hook”
“Jesus Bones”
“Echo Of Nothing”
“Host/Parasite”
“Lie Of Liberty”
“C.T.E.”
“Collision”
“Rats In The Cellar”
“Santosha (Illusion of The Self)”
“Change The Way You Think About Pain”


"Echo Of Nothing":





“Bite The Hook”:

In a new interview with Clint Switzer of "On The Road To Rock", JOURNEY drummer Deen Castronovo, who famously completed court-ordered drug rehabilitation in 2015 after being arrested on domestic violence charges, spoke about how his faith and sobriety have given him a new outlook on life. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't take anything for granted now. I mean, honestly, bro, and I'm not blowing this up or hyping it, I should be dead. The amount of drugs that I was using would have killed a rhino. I mean, I was in deep. And I'm just grateful to be alive. I give all glory to Jesus Christ. If it wasn't for Christ pulling me out of that, I'd be dead. So for me, yeah, every day is, like… I go around with my drum tech, every once in a while, at these [JOURNEY] shows, and I'm, like, 'Dude, I'm back in the band. Isn't this amazing?' We pinch ourselves. I used to do that before, but now, dude… I'm grateful to have my wife back, my kids and my grandkids. And to be able to do what I love and make a living doing it, man, there's nothing better. Nothing better."

The now-58-year-old musician was dismissed from JOURNEY in 2015 following years of alcohol and drug abuse that led to him being sentenced to four years' probation for a variety of charges involving his now-wife.

Castronovo later admitted that he emotionally, verbally and physically abused his now-wife and said that he will always be indebted to her for calling the police after his 24-day methamphetamine binge.

"Domestic violence is really a choice, and it is calculated," he said in a 2015 interview with Statesman Journal. "The drugs and the alcohol exacerbated it immensely, but there's no excuse for what I did. I deal with it every day, and it's deeper than regret or remorse."

Deen spent 15 days in jail following his arrest, which he said scared him straight, and he lost his JOURNEY job. While still in rehab, he received a phone call from the band's manager letting him know he was being fired.

"They had to," Castronovo told Statesman Journal. "They have an impeccable legacy, and I tarnished that. They didn't fire me to punish me. They fired me because they love me and they wanted me to get help. They knew I couldn't do it and be on the road."

Castronovo returned to JOURNEY in July 2021 and has been performing with the band ever since, initially sharing the drum duties in the group with Narada Michael Walden.

In March 2021, Castronovo revealed that he was on opiates for over a year while waiting to get his back surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2015 booking photo courtesy of Marion County Sheriff's office

The long-awaited return of Adult Swim’s favorite heavy metal adventure, Metalocalypse, arrives with a nationwide tour of the series’ on-screen band Dethklok. A full-length original film, written and directed by Brendon Small, Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar, a companion soundtrack and Dethalbum IV will also arrive this year.


King Diamond, who is featured in the Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar film, took to social media to share his excitement.


He says: "I am thrilled to announce that myself and Livia Zita are taking part of this new #Metalocalypse movie! Thank you to our dear friend, Brendon Small for having us."

Dethklok will kick off their 29-date national tour on August 30th with Japanese kawaii metal pioneers Babymetal as co-headliners and virtuoso guitarist Jason Richardson as support.




“It’s very surreal having so much new Metalocalypse and Dethklok this year with the trifecta of the tour, movie and album,” said Small. “I’m so excited to get on the road with the powerful Babymetal, and to celebrate all the hard work that team Metalocalypse and Dethklok put in over the last two years and beyond!”


The Babyklok tour will also include appearances at Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, VA (September 10th), Louder Than Life in Louisville, KY (September 23rd) and Aftershock in Sacramento, CA (October 7th).





August
30 - Houston, TX - 713 Music Hall
31 - Dallas, TX - South Side Ballroom


September
2 - Orlando, FL - Orlando Amphitheater
3 - Atlanta, GA - Coca-Cola Roxy
5 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Municipal Auditorium
6 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
8 - Pittsburgh, PA - UPMC Events Center
9 - Wallingford, CT - Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10 - Alton, VA - Blue Ridge Rock Festival
12 - Philadelphia, PA - The Mann Center
14 - Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
15 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
17 - Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
18 - Toronto, ON - RBC Echo Beach
20 - Grand Rapids, MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe
21 - Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
23 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life Festival
24 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave/Eagles Club
25 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
27 - St. Louis, MO - Saint Louis Music Park
28 - Omaha, NE - Steelhouse Omaha
30 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium


October
1 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
3 - Vancouver, BC - PNE Forum
4 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater
7 - Sacramento, CA - Aftershock Festival
8 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort
10 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theater
11 - Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater


Ticket information and VIP packages can be found at thebabykloktour.com.


Also coming later in 2023 is Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar, an original full-length movie written and directed by Brendon Small (Metalocalypse) and produced by Titmouse, Adult Swim, and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.


The film stars Small, Tommy Blacha, Victor Brandt (Metalocalypse), Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (Grammy Award-winning musician), King Diamond (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate), Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series, The Machine), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Jon Hamm (Confess: Fletch, Top Gun: Maverick), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Amy Lee (Evanescence), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Juliet Mills (Passions), Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live), Raya Yarbrough (Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem - A Klok Opera), and Livia Zita (2022 winner - Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Award).


The all-new animated movie begins after the heroic rescue of Toki Wartooth; Dethklok frontman Nathan Explosion finds himself traumatized in a brutal professional and romantic flat-spin, all while he is tasked with fulfilling the prophecy and confronting the ultimate songwriting challenge to save the planet. Can Nathan Explosion look beyond his brutally damaged ego to save his band, stop the Metalocalypse, and finally face the ultimate evil: Salacia?


As a special highlight, fans can also anticipate the release of two full-length albums this year. WaterTower Music will release both the film soundtrack, Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), as well as Dethalbum IV around the launch of the film. Meanwhile, fans can summon Dethklok by streaming the Metalocalypse: Dethklok Complete Collection playlists.

Japanese legends Boris have shared the official “Nosferatou” music video. “Nosferatou” is from Boris’ 2022 full-length Heavy Rocks & their split LP with Rocky And The Sweden. Video footage is from the band’s last US tour in Los Angeles & San Francisco.





Additionally, Boris begin their Spring EU/UK headline tour dates on April 29 through June 8. Find dates and tickets at borisheavyrocks.com.







Heavy Rocks (2022) is out now on LP/CD/CS/Digital. Order at Relapse.com.


(Photo: Yoshihiro Mori)

Legendary rockers KISS briefly halted their concert in Manaus, Brazil on Wednesday (April 12) after Gene Simmons fell ill. Video posted on social media show the bassist/vocalist seated during part of the performance, which marked the opening concert of the Brazilian leg of the band's "End Of The Road" farewell tour, with SCORPIONS and SEPULTURA also on the bill.

According to the Brazilian news site G1, Simmons asked at one point during the show for a member of the road crew to bring him a chair. From that point on, he performed the set while sitting down.

Before KISS took a short break during the concert, KISS frontman Paul Stanley told the crowd: "We're gonna have to stop to take care of him, 'cause we love him, right? Let's give Gene a really loud 'Gene'." He then added that he and his bandmates would return to the stage "a little bit later."

According to Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda, KISS came back on approximately five minutes later, with Gene greeting the audience in Portuguese: "Manaus, all right!", adding "Thank you."

Some media outlets and fans have speculated that heat exhaustion contributed to Gene feeling unwell. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET),the temperature in Manaus at the time of the concert was between 26.9 degrees Celsius (80.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to late 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

Former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry is putting the finishing touches on his collaboration with country music legend Dolly Parton.

Parton recently said that she was making a rock album in order to celebrate her induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Tentatively titled "Rock Star", the LP will include covers of classic rock tunes like "Open Arms" by JOURNEY, "Purple Rain" by Prince, "Can't Get No Satisfaction" by THE ROLLING STONES, "Stairway To Heaven" by LED ZEPPELIN and "Freebird" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

Earlier today (Wednesday, April 12),Perry shared an Instagram photo of him in the studio with five-time Grammy-winning producer and engineer Chris Lord-Alge, and he included the following message: "Chris Lord-Alge @chrislordalge and I putting the final mix moves on my 'Open Arms' duet with the one and only Dolly Parton @dollyparton Sincerely, Steve Perry #dollyparton #duets #mixing".

When Parton was inducted into the Rock Hall, she mentioned several artists during her speech that she wanted to collaborate with on her rock album and revealed that she and Perry would be singing "Open Arms" together.

"Open Arms" originally appeared on JOURNEY's seventh album, 1981's "Escape". The track, written by Perry and JOURNEY keyboardist Jonathan Cain, was also featured on the soundtrack to the sci-fi film "Heavy Metal".

"Open Arms" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was covered by various recording artists, including Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow, R&B group BOYZ II MEN and Celine Dion.

Other rock musicians who are expected to appear on Dolly's album include JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford, who joined Parton on stage at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony to perform her classic song "Jolene", as well as MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx and guitarist John 5.

Speaking to TotalRock, Rob said: "After the show, her manager came up to me, Danny [Nozell], and he goes, 'She's doing a project, like a rock album. Would you be interested?' I said, 'Yeah. Here's my number.' And then, out of the blue, like four weeks later, and suddenly [there's] ideas for some more work."

During an appearance on "The View", Parton also shared that she collaborated with a number of fellow iconic artists on the album, including Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Steve Perry, John Fogerty, P!nk and Brandie Carlile.

"If I'm gonna be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I'm gonna have to do something to earn it. So I'm doing a rock and roll album, and I'm having a lot of the rock stars that I met that night be on the album with me," Parton explained.

Dolly Parton photo credit: Stacie Huckeba

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A post shared by Steve Perry (@steveperrymusic)

An early instrumental version of a new FEAR FACTORY song called "Roboticist" can be streamed below. The track was made available late last month to promote Toneforge Disruptor, a virtual guitar rig plugin and standalone app that simplifies guitar tone and provides all the necessary tools for guitarists, mixers, and producers to create detailed metal tones. Developed in collaboration with Dino Cazares, the guitarist for FEAR FACTORY, it is the first virtual rig to offer DI Match Technology, String/Tuning Mode calibrations, and AI-matched Dino Cazares tones using a Neural Network algorithm. The plugin also includes an Autonomous Dynamic System, a built-In Dynamic EQ, three Amp Channels, a redesigned Cab Room, and a complete suite of effects pedals.

Cazares told BLABBERMOUTH.NET about "Roboticist", which was mixed by longtime FEAR FACTORY collaborator Damien Rainaud: "Initially it was just going to be a instrumental for the plugin, but it came out so good that I decided to make it a song for the new album. Maybe the album will be called the 'Roboticist'. It fits so well with our concept."

FEAR FACTORY's next LP will be the band's first with new singer Milo Silvestro, whose addition to FEAR FACTORY was officially announced in late February.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canadian thrash metal band, Aggression, has inked a worldwide record deal with Massacre Records.


Aggression was formed in Montreal, Quebec, in 1983. Following a few iconic demos and first full length record releases, numerous concerts with legendary acts such as Anvil, Celtic Frost, Voivod, Nuclear Assault, Agnostic Front, Sword, D.R.I., Possessed, Dark Angel, Crumbsuckers, Sacrifice and many others, Aggression was on track to become one of the forefathers of the 80’s thrash metal movement. If the band’s concerts were beyond impressive, parties were legendary. However, due to substance abuse, legal matters, and reckless behavior, the band was declared “disbanded” by 1989. After a brief reunion in 2005, Aggression resurrected for good in 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia.


Over the past 9 years, this rejuvenated act had some great musicians come and go, but the current line-up of Denis “Sasquatch” Barthe (vocals, guitar), Dave “Watts” Watson (guitar), Kyle “Viking” Hagen (vocals, bass) and Ryan “Quatchi” Idris (drums) is the strongest yet.




The “new” Aggression has played over 250 shows in North America and Europe with amazing bands such as Brujeria, Venomous Concept, Cattle Decapitation, Zimmers Hole, Venom Inc, Toxic Holocaust, Midnight, Carcass, Havok, Warbringer and countless others.


“Aggression is honoured to join the Massacre Records family alongside blood brothers Sword, long time friends Oz and many other amazing acts.” Says the band about their signing with Massacre Records. “It’s been quite the journey getting here however someone once said that it is a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. Here we are…”


Watch out and stay tuned for many more band news and updates to follow soon.


Aggression is:


Denis “Sasquatch” Barthe - vocals/guitar
Dave “Watts” Watson - guitar
Kyle “Viking” Hagen - vocals/bass
Ryan “Quatchi” Idris - drums


(Photo - Shimon Karmel)

San Diego, California hard rock / metal band, Seventrain, have released a lyric video for the song "One More Reason", from their new self-titled EP, which was released independently on March 1.


Guitarist Eric Horton comments: "'One More Reason' is about someone's tolerance being pushed way beyond their limits, being taken advantage of, bullied, abused physically and or mentally. The chorus there's one final warning letting the abuser know if their behaviour doesn't stop immediately, they will be gravely sorry for their actions. Not about revenge, but more like payback, teaching them a painful lesson to respect people. Standing up for yourself. Showing that you won’t be messed with..."







Seventrain EP details below.





Tracklisting:


“So Far”
“Rollercoaster”
“One More Reason”
“Save My Soul”


“So Far” lyric video:





“Save My Soul”:





Lineup:


Eric Koonze - Vocals
Dave Odegaard - Guitars
Eric Horton - Guitars (ex-Cage)
Greg Rupp - Bass
Calvin Lakin - Drums

George Thorogood has canceled the next leg of his 50th-anniversary tour dates with his band, THE DESTROYERS, so that he can undergo an undisclosed operation.

"George has been diagnosed with a very serious medical condition that will require immediate surgery and quite a few weeks of recuperation and healing," the band said in a statement earlier today (Tuesday, April 11). "You, our fans, mean the world to us, and we know this news is not want you wanted to hear, but rest assured GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS will be back. We'll keep you updated as we know more."

The next leg of GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS' North American tour was scheduled to kick off April 27 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and wrap May 21 in Big Flats, New York.

Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

The guitarist, songwriter and singer, who turned 73 in February, launched his 50th-anniversary tour on March 17.

Another leg of the "Bad All Over The World - 50 Years Of Rock" tour is slated to begin in July.

"Bad All Over The World - 50 Years Of Rock" features Thorogood and Jeff Simon (drums, percussion) with longtime DESTROYERS Bill Blough (bass guitar),Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone).

Since 1976, GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS have sold over 15 million albums, built a catalog of classic hits, and played more than 8,000 ferocious live shows. They broke records with their "50 Dates/50 States Tour", delivered landmark performances at Live Aid and on "SNL", and became mainstays of radio, MTV, and stages worldwide for more than two generations. Through it all, they've remained one of the most consistent — and consistently passionate — progenitors of blues-based rock in pop culture history.

With more than 20 studio and live albums to their credit, GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS have achieved platinum and gold success with eight. In the past few years alone, the band released a top-selling limited edition seven-inch single for Record Store Day and saw the reissues of their legendary "Bad To The Bone", "Born To Be Bad" and "Greatest Hits: 30 Years Of Rock" albums on 180-gram colored vinyl. Thorogood himself received the 2018 B.B. King Award from the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and his solo debut "Party Of One" — which critics called "brilliant" (Spin),"electrifying" (Guitar Player),and "chock full of classics" (Music Connection) — became George's fastest-selling disc in over 20 years. In 2020, Epiphone created the George Thorogood White Fang' ES-125TDC premier signature model guitar, and GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS "Live In Boston 1982: The Complete Concert" was also released — an album that Classic Rock said "may well be one of the great live albums, entirely superb and a master class in live performance."

"It's easy to write a song, difficult to write a good song, and even harder to write a great song," Thorogood previously said. "It strikes home that I have the ability to write some pretty great songs, and there's a real sense of achievement to that."

With great sadness, we must announce the cancellation of our Canadian & U.S. tour dates from April 27, 2023 through May...

Posted by George Thorogood & The Destroyers on Tuesday, April 11, 2023

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale, who has made a number of guest appearances in recent years alongside such artists as DAUGHTRY, APOCALYPTICA, THE HU, Eric Church, Lindsey Stirling, SHINEDOWN, Machine Gun Kelly, BLACK STONE CHERRY, SEETHER, ADRENALINE MOB and STONE SOUR, was asked in an interview with The SDR Show how her collaborations usually come about. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm requested, and I either say yes or no. It's a lot more yeses than it is nos, obviously. But I was just thinking about that the other day, 'cause I still have two on my plate that I have to record this month. And I'm, like, 'Man, people are gonna be just so sick of me by the end of this year.'

"It's interesting, 'cause I remember when we were coming up in the scene how that was Corey Taylor [SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR] for a couple of years, where it's, like, Corey Taylor was on everything," she continued. "And I remember thinking, I'm, like, 'Man, it would be cool to be wanted that much.' So I'm very grateful for it. It's a beautiful thing. And it's fun. You get to do stuff with the people that you love. And sometimes you get to just kind of put a different flavor on it. Especially with some of the collabs that I've been doing that are outside of rock. What I realized — 'cause they all give me the same speech; they're, like, 'We don't want you to cater to…' If it's country, 'We don't want you to cater to country. You're here to rock. This is what you do.' And what I realized is that it doesn't matter whether you're a pop star or a rap star or a country star, everybody wants to be a rock star. Everyone wants to put on a leather jacket and do that. So it's kind of great being able to represent the genre as well."

Back in 2014, Hale spoke about her penchant for collaborating with other artists during an interview with Carnival Of Madness. Asked whom she would like to work with that she hadn't yet, Lzzy said: "I'm a very 'do what I want, when I want, with whoever I want' type of gal. If I believe or admire someone, regardless of the genre, I will be very happy to work with them.

"Lindsey [Stirling] is a shredder," she added. "She's the real deal, and even when everyone said she'd never make it, she moved forward and did it anyway. I have a responsibility as a musician and a girl to support that. Next, I'd love to work with Eminem and I'd love to bring P!nk to the dark side."

This past December, HALESTORM released a deluxe edition of its latest album, "Back From The Dead". "Back From The Dead: Deluxe Edition" includes seven previously unreleased B-sides, including "Mine", a 1980s-inspired rocker. "Back From The Dead: Deluxe Edition" is available digitally, on CD, and cassette tape, marking the first time that the album has been offered in those physical formats.

Lzzy and her brother Arejay (drums) formed HALESTORM in 1998 while in middle school. Guitarist Joe Hottinger joined the group in 2003, followed by bassist Josh Smith in 2004.

In December 2018, HALESTORM was nominated for a "Best Rock Performance" Grammy Award for its song "Uncomfortable". Six years earlier, the band won its first Grammy in the category of "Best Hard Rock/ Metal Performance" for "Love Bites (So Do I)".

In a recent interview with Troy Culpan of May The Rock Be With You, Lzzy expressed her hope that she and her bandmates will have "a new record — kind of — set and figured out" by the end of 2023. And "maybe [even] done," Joe said, adding that "the gears are" turning with regard to writing the follow-up to "Back From The Dead".