On December 2nd, 2022, Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann performed a solo show at the Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2022 in Toluca, Mexico. YouTube user Rammenstein95 has assembled multi-cam fan-filmed video of his entire show. It can be viewed below.


The setlist was as follows:


"Skills In Pills"
"Fat"
"Ich Weiss Es Nicht"
"Allesfresser"
"Knebel"
"Golden Shower"
"Blut"
"Praise Abort"
"Ach So Gern"
"Gummi"
"Steh Auf"
"Ich Hasse Kinder"







In November 2020, an update from Lindemann - the duo of Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann and Pain / Hypocrisy mastermind Peter Tägtgren - indicated they had decided to go their separate ways:


"As Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren confirm today, the two artists have ended their collaboration on the project Lindemann. Both will be pursuing their own plans in the future. Lindemann and Tägtgren are currently working on a final joint release, a live DVD of their show in Moscow 2020, which will be released in spring 2021. Till Lindemann will be active under the name Lindemann within a new set-up in the future."


Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren released two album under the Lindemann moniker; Skills In Pills (2015) and F & M (2019). They released a total of seven singles and eight videos.

Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his solo power metal cover of Gary Moore's "Running From The Storm", taken from the 1989 album, After The War. Check it out below.





Pro-shot video Sabaton performing at Resurrection Fest on July 1st, 2022 in Viveiro, Spain has been shared by festival organizers and can be viewed below.




The setlist was as follows:


"Ghost Division"
"Stormtroopers"
"Great War"
"The Red Baron"
"Bismarck"
"The Attack of the Dead Men"
"Soldier of Heaven"
"Steel Commanders"
"Carolux Rex"
"Resist and Bite"
"Night Witches"
"Dreadnought"
"The Last Stand"
"Christmas Truce"
"Primo Victoria"
"Swedish Pagans"
"To Hell and Back"

The grand finale of Atrocity's Okkult trilogy, Okkult III, is out now via Massacre Records. Order here, and check out Micki Richter's guitar playthrough video for "Malicious Sukkubus" below.





Guest musicians on the Okkult III album include: Elina Siirala (Leaves’ Eyes, Angel Nation), Zoe Marie Federoff (Cradle Of Filth, Catalyst Crime), Robse Dahn (Equilibrium), Misstiq, Jonah Weingarten (Catalyst Crime, Pyramaze) as well as Igor Górewicz.




Killer production by Alexander Krull at Mastersound Entertainment. Striking horror sound effects provided by Emmy Award-winning Canadian sound designer Katie Halliday (Saw, Stranger Things, Star Trek: Discovery).


The lyrical concept about the dark side of human history, obscure stories and mysterious places is spun further on Okkult III. "We look deep into the mental abysses of the serial killer Józef Cyppek from Szczecin, Poland, in the 1950s ('Cypka'), experience the great conspiracy of the Schwarze Reichswehr after World War I ('Born To Kill'), dive into the world of modern ghost conjuring ('Faces From Beyond') and into the occult machinations of the Vatican and the Order of the Knights Templar ('Bleeding For Blasphemy')," says Atrocity.


Okkult III is the culminating conclusion of the Okkult trilogy, and a self-proclaimed German death metal masterpiece.





"Desecration Of God"
"Fire Ignites"
"Born To Kill"
"Bleeding For Blasphemy"
"Priest Of Plague"
"Malicious Sukkubus" (feat. Elina Siirala & Zoe Federoff)
"Lycanthropia"
"Faces From Beyond"
"Cypka"
"Teufelsmarsch" (feat. Robse Dahn & Misstiq)


"Fire Ignites" video:





"Malicious Sukkubus" video





"Desecration Of God" video:





"Born To Kill" video:





"Faces From Beyond" video:

German metal vets Grave Digger brought their hefty heavy metal to Wacken Open Air 2022. Check out pro-shot footage of the band performing tracks “The Dark Of The Sun”, “Hell Is My Purgatory”, and “Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)” below.





Grave Digger recently released an audio visualizer for "Symbol Of Eternity", the title track of the band's studio album released in August 2022. Check it out below:







Symbol Of Eternity is available as CD, Vinyl, Boxset, Download and on all streaming platforms via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records! Get your copy here.





"Battle Cry” lyric video:





"Heart Of A Warrior" lyric video:





"King Of The Kings" video:





"Hell Is My Purgatory" video:

In a new interview with Robert Cavuoto of Metal Rules, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante was asked if his packed 2023 touring schedule with PANTERA will delay the release of ANTHRAX's long-awaited follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings" album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're actually going in two weeks to start recording the record. But it probably wouldn't come out till '24 anyway. But the good part about it is we are going in to start recording it. So that's awesome."

Elaborating on why it has taken so long for ANTHRAX to complete the writing process for a new LP, Charlie said: "If we didn't get hit with this whole global pandemic thing, it would have been out probably two years ago, three years ago. But we all know what happened. But now, being that some of the songs were [written] before the pandemic hit, they're old to me. So now there's a bunch of new songs that kind of came in the mix. So that's a good thing. You can never have enough… We're still working on the older ones because we really like a lot of those."

This past January, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian told Metal Edge that he and his bandmates had "11 musical arrangements", as well as "some" lyrics, that they were working on for their next album. "Obviously, I'm going to be working on more words and we're getting there," he said. "I'm hoping at some point we'll be able to get into the studio [this year] and record them."

Benante also loudly wondered if ANTHRAX could focus on releasing EPs in the foreseeable future as opposed to full-length albums, as has been the case for much of the band's four-plus-decade career.

"What if it wasn't a full album?" the drummer asked. "If we released six songs and then we released another six songs. I know from a record company's point of view that really doesn't work, but in these days…"

"Yeah. It's all so different now," Ian said, jumping in. "SLIPKNOT's saying now why even make full albums anymore. I get it. I get all sides of it. I still love a full album, but at the same time I totally understand the idea of what's the point of giving someone 11 songs. Most people don't listen to albums anymore. So, yeah — why not parse it out? I don't know. All I know is at some point in the next few months we'll probably have 14 or 15 things and then we'll have to decide when we're going to record it and how we're going to release it."

"Think about it," Benante continued. "If ANTHRAX released five songs and you have these five songs, and you absorb it in such a different way nowadays, too. I think that may be the way to go, rather than give everybody 11 songs and it's like, 'Oh — I only had a chance to listen to the first four or five.' I don't know. I just think maybe the business model is different."

"And even for us, playing songs live it's like, you put out a record with 10 or 11 songs on it with the idea that, 'Oh man, I can't wait to play this one live and I can't wait to play this one live,'" Ian added. "On 'For All Kings', we definitely didn't play all of those songs at any point. I think there's maybe six songs on the record that got played – and that's it. I almost feel like you're wasting them. I understand album tracks, but if you put out just five songs it would be easy to play all five of those on a new tour."

"And easier to digest, too," Benante agreed. "You would appreciate it more if it was just five songs and, 'These five songs are fuckin' killer. I can't wait for the next five songs,' knowing that we will release another five or six."

Earlier in January, Benante told Ruben Mosqueda of We Go To 11 that ANTHRAX was planning to enter the studio sometime this spring to begin recording the new LP.

"Between the PANTERA [tour dates in 2023], we're gonna be working on this record, this ANTHRAX record," he said. "We're hoping to have it finished before PANTERA go to Europe [in late May]. I have a little window after that, before [PANTERA's stadium tour with] METALLICA starts. At least if I get my drum tracks done, then the other guys can continue to work on it. That's the plan. Unless something else happens, but hopefully nothing will happen."

Last November, ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello told SiriusXM that the band is "not in a rush" to record the new album. "We wanna make sure it's the right record," he explained. "We can't just throw out something that's not ready. So we're gonna really make sure it's the right record and live with it for a little bit. We have some brutal stuff and some cool stuff coming up — very heavy — we've been working on. Everybody can say that when they're working on a record. But the proof is in the pudding. I'm pretty proud of what we've come up with so far."

In August, Ian praised the production quality on some of the band's recent albums, including 2011's "Worship Music" and "For All Kings". He said: [On] 'Worship [Music]' and 'For All Kings', for me, we've really kind of found our sound. We've got this base level where we're at right now with [producer] Jay Ruston where we know it's gonna be great, and then we could push it even further. Especially with the songwriting that we have right now, going into what will eventually be a new ANTHRAX album, it just lends itself to even a more aggressive production which I think we will have no problem accomplishing."

In April 2022, Scott confirmed to Metal Injection that ANTHRAX had a few songs already written for the upcoming LP. "All I can say is we will get in the studio when we're ready," he said. "I think we're getting there. I think we have great songs. I think people will be very happy.

"Not to make a weird comparison, but it's our third record back together with [singer] Joey [Belladonna]. Actually, it's an odd comparison. I should just say it's our third album since our kind of our reboot in 2010 and our third album back in the day was 'Among The Living'. I'm not saying that this is [like that album], because it's not 'Among The Living II' in any sense, but I just think we have some great songs and there's like a fucking mountain of great riffs. I think people are going to be very happy."

Ian previously discussed ANTHRAX's upcoming LP during a July 2021 appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. At the time, he said: "We've been at it for a little while now. We actually started writing in '19 — pre-COVID — and kind of stepped away from things when COVID happened. We were all separate and apart and we would kind of revisit some of the demos, but we weren't actively working on it.

"Yeah, it's the same as it's always been," he said. "I would have to think by the time we get to the other side of the writing process and we decide we're ready to go record it, I would have to assume it's certainly going to represent this time in our lives. And the world having gone through a pandemic, I would imagine certainly that's in some way, shape or form going to come out through this next record. I can't tell you how yet, but I would have to think it's going to."

ANTHRAX celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021 with a number of special activities and events. Formed by Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four".

"For All Kings" was called by some critics ANTHRAX's strongest album to date. Its arrival followed a five-year period during which the group experienced a rebirth of sorts, beginning with ANTHRAX's inclusion on the "Big Four" tour, and continuing with the release of comeback LP "Worship Music".

ANTHRAX and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recently completed a 24-date tour, making stops in all new markets, with both bands playing headline sets. Joining ANTHRAX and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY as special guest on this run was EXODUS.

Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein's band, Doyle, performed at the 2022 edition of Bloodstock Open Air. Professionally-filmed footage of the band performing the 2017 song, "We Belong Dead", can be viewed below:





The Original Misfits, one of the most influential, genre-defining bands to emerge from North America, have announced a limited run of shows for 2023 kicking off on June 24 in Tampa at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre with Megadeth, hitting the band’s home turf of NJ at the Prudential Center in Newark on July 8 with fellow New Jersey natives The Gaslight Anthem, followed by a performance at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on July 15 in Phoenix with AFI. All three dates will also have support from Fear.




The tour will give fans the rare opportunity to see the horror punk pioneers in their fiendish glory, live on stage as well as mark the first time the reunited Original Misfits have visited the states of Florida and Arizona, featuring the classic lineup of original singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig and original bassist Jerry Only with longtime guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein.


Visit the ticket links for each show below and use password FIEND to walk among the very first to score tickets to the latest chapter in the Misfits legacy of brutality.





Dates:


June
24 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (Tickets)


July
8 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center (Tickets)
15 - Phoeniz, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (Tickets)

Morten Veland (Sirenia, Mortemia and founder of Tristania) has released the second Mortemia song from The Covid Aftermath Sessions today. The track features Ulli Perhonen on guest vocals and Nils Courbaron on solo guitar and is available on all digital platforms.





Morten Veland:




“I am proud and honoured to introduce Ulli Perhonen and my great friend and Sirenia bandmate Nils Courbaron as my special guests for The Covid Aftermath Sessions. This new song is called ‘The Endless Shore’ and will be available on all digital platforms on the 31 of March 2023. Ulli has a really beautiful and expressive classical voice that fits perfectly for this track, and Nils have made an epic guitar solo for the song. I feel truly privileged and thankful to have Ulli and Nils on board this project, and I am really pleased to be sharing this song with you all. You can enjoy ‘The Endless Shore’ on all digital platforms now.”


Ulli Perhonen:


“I'm proud to be part of Mortemia's brand new song ‘The Endless Shore’. I've been following the project for a while now, listening to brilliant collaborations with awesome vocalists like Zora Cock, Heidi Parviainen, Madeleine Liljestam and many many more. I was surprised and thankful that Morten asked me to do the vocals here and that I can now also contribute to the Mortemia songs, along with Nils Courbaron on solo guitar. It’s a great honour for me and I hope you will like Mortemia’s soundscape combined with Nils’s and my contribution. Enjoy the song and let us take you to the endless shore …”


After 11 years of silence Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist Morten Veland activated his solo project Mortemia during the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic, this time with a brand new concept consisting of collaborations with multiple guest singers. The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions was a series of singles released on a monthly basis, each song featuring a well-known and highly profiled guest singer from the metal scene. Now he is ready to endeavor on the next project entitled The Covid Aftermath Sessions, once more the project will feature multiple amazing guest singers.


So far the following singers has contributed for his collaborations: 


Madeleine Liljestam  (Eleine)
Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN, Dark Horse White Horse) 
Alessia Scolletti (Temperance, ERA)  
Liv Kristine (Liv Kristine, ex-Theatre of Tragedy, ex-Leaves Eyes)  
Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side of the Moon)
Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers)
Maja Shining (Forever Still)
Erica Ohlsson (Metalite)
Heidi Parviainen (Dark Sarah, ex Amberian Dawn)
Zora Cock (Blackbriar)
Linda Toni Grahn (Anima Veil, ex Follow the Cipher)
Caterina Nix (Chaos Magic)
Federica Lanna (Volturian)
Ulli Perhonen (ex-Snow White Blood)

Singer-songwriter-keyboardist Christine McVie, who enjoyed a long tenure in the London-bred band Fleetwood Mac before becoming a key contributor to the group’s multi-platinum success of the late ‘70s, died November 30, 2022 after a short illness. She was 79.


According to the singer’s death certificate and will, obtained by The Blast, McVie was diagnosed with, ‘metastatic malignancy of unknown primary origin,” which essentially means cancer had spread in her body where the primary source or tumor is not detected. The National Institute of Health describes it as, “a metastatic tumor for which the site of origin is not suggested by a thorough history, physical examination, chest x-ray studies, routine blood and urine studies, and histologic evaluation.”


Unfortunately, McVie suffered an “ischaemic stroke” which ultimately caused her death. The cancer is listed as a secondary cause of the musician’s passing.




This specific type of stroke is described as “a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. A blood clot often forms in arteries damaged by the buildup of plaques (atherosclerosis). It can occur in the carotid artery of the neck as well as other arteries.” It is the most common type of stroke.


Read more at The Blast.com.


Following McVie's passing, Fleetwood Mac shared the following: “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”









 

Kingdom Collapse has partnered with Oxide Records for the release of their upcoming single, “Anything”, out April 21. Pre-save here.





Frontman, Jonathan Norris says, “We’re excited to be partnering with our good friends at Oxide Records! I believe the industry has really changed over the last several years and Andrew (Wetzel) at Oxide seems to stay ahead of the curve in his approach to the business.”




"I'm very excited to be teaming up with a dedicated, hard working band like Kingdom Collapse. Talent + tenacity, watch this band do great things," says Andrew Wetzel, President of Oxide Records.


From the looks of the teaser, the music video features a cameo from none other than Disturbed’s John Moyer:





Alongside the release of their new single, the band has upcoming appearances on several of this year’s biggest rock festivals, including Rockfest and another that is still to be announced.


Kingdom Collapse has been touring viciously with bands such as From Ashes To New, Fire From The Gods, Adelitas Way, Nonpoint, Hinder, Attack Attack, and more.

Earlier this year, Daughtry joined forces with Halestorm's Lzzy Hale to release a cover of the Journey hit, "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)".


Last Monday (March 27), Lzzy joined Daughtry during their show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England to perform the single. Fan-filmed video can be viewed below:







Stream the "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" single here, and check out an official lyric video below.

Israeli, tech-death metallers, Structural, present the front cover and tracklisting for their upcoming album, Decrowned, which is set for a worldwide release on June 23 via Swedish label ViciSolum Records.


The front cover was designed by the talented artist, Giannis Nakos (Remedy Art Design), who has captured the essence of the title of the album to perfection.







Tracklisting:


"Balance"
"Your Damnation"
"My Grass Is Greener"
"And The Earth Has Rested"
"Utopia"
"White Lilly"
"Purge Of Sanity"
"Ascetic"
"Turbulence"
"Rebirth"
"Puppeteer"


First single/video from the album will drop on April 21. Stay tuned.


Following in the footsteps of acts like Lamb Of God, Nevermore, Periphery and Arch Enemy, Structural delivers an intense and mind-blowing fist of technical death metal, adding layers of fantastic melody on top. Aggressive riffing and intense energy fill the loudspeakers and with the brutal growling of Nadav Zaidman, the experience is complete.


Structural have been on several European tours and are constantly expanding their live-assets. Many more live shows await in the future.


Lineup:


Nadav Zaidman - Vocals
Shani Friedman - Guitars
Tomer Dembinsky - Guitars
Koren Esco - Bass
Vadim Sergyenko - Drums

Ascending British hard rock sect, Wytch Hazel, will release its new album, IV: Sacrament, on June 2 via Bad Omen Records. Recorded with longtime producer Ed Turner (Purson) and tracked in a converted Baptist chapel in rural Wales, the record is a resounding achievement and glittering treasure chest that builds on the momentum of the band's celebrated 2020 album III: Pentecost.


Each Wytch Hazel album has embodied that old-fashioned notion of unstoppable progress culminating in this, their fourth outing; the point where youthful years of febrile creativity and progressive momentum culminate in a masterwork for the ages, setting the seal on an early signature sound while opening it up to future possibilities.


Preorder on Bandcamp.




In advance of the new record's release, Wytch Hazel unleashes a music video for the new song "Angel Of Light". Created by Wild Stag Studios (Angel Witch, Rick Wakeman), the clip features Wytch Hazel performing in a devout setting, showcasing the radiant energy of its purified live sets.


Led by vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Colin Hendra, Wytch Hazel is a singular source of hard rock/heavy metal dominion, offering a never ending quantum of mediaeval melodic structures and to uplifting hymns, 'IV: Sacrament' is overflowing with indelible ear-worms the likes of which must be heard to be believed. And believe, you shall.


"I've blown my own mind a bit," Colin states, "and even after all this painstaking work, I still feel like I've only scratched the surface of what Wytch Hazel could be doing musically. I wish I could have a month to work on one song, and go on a tangent a bit. I will in the future, it's going in the right direction. It's some of the most honest songwriting I've ever done, and the lyrics come from a darker place, I think. I'm getting older, that comes through in some lyrics: 'see my body breaking', 'I'm digging deeper', 'time's running out…' - I struggle to see the positive a lot of the time, so the songs end up being negative, the subject matter coming from constant striving."


It's these deeply personal lyrics, coming from a place of faith and conviction, which make Wytch Hazel stand out further from the modern herd; although we've been bombarded with the cartoon diabolism of the 'occult rock' revival for the best part of two decades, no other band has dared to offer the other side of the story. Yet lest any heathen headbanger start to fear any kind of evangelical conversion agenda, Hendra expands on his position: "Music is created for all, it's a common grace for everyone," he affirms, "which is why the music that shows the glory of God the most, in my opinion, is not music created by Christians. It's Black Sabbath, you know!"





Tracklisting:


“The Fire’s Control”
“Angel Of Light”
“Time And Doubt”
“Strong Heart”
“Deliver Us”
“A Thousand Years”
“Gold Light”
“Endless Battle”
“Future Is Gold”
“Digging Deeper”


“Angel Of Light” video:





(Photo: Sam Scott Hunter)

Atlanta, Georgia-based progressive death metal band, Dååth have released a playthough video for their new single, "No Rest No End". Check it out below:





Metal Blade Records recently announced the signing of Dååth.




Said the band: "After 12 years on hiatus, we agreed that if we're bringing Dååth back, we're doing it right. That's why we're so excited to announce that we've signed to our dream label, Metal Blade! From day one, they understood and backed our vision for the future, have an inextinguishable passion for the genre, an incredible staff, and are one of the reasons Metal is on the map and thriving. We're excited to add to the growing metal history Slagel & Co have forged with unstoppable determination. Dååth signing to Metal Blade couldn't be a better pairing - we're taking this to its full potential, letting nothing and nobody stand in our way. If you're not going all out, what's the point?"





Check out the single, "No Rest No End", below. Go here to see where you can stream or purchase the track.


The band began their journey in 1999 and stayed busy for just over a decade before taking a hiatus in 2011. In that time, Dååth released four studio albums (Futility - self-released 2004, The Hinderers - Roadrunner Records 2007, The Concealers - Century Media 2009, Dååth - Century Media 2010) and toured throughout the world with band's like Dark Funeral, Naglfar, Zyklon, Dragonforce, Goatwhore, Chimaira, Throwdown, Dying Fetus, and Devildriver making a lasting impression with the metal community and its many subgenres. Dååth also landed a coveted spot on Ozzfest playing before tens of thousands of fans in outdoor amphitheaters across the US in addition to the infamous and long-running metal tour, Summer Slaughter.


In their time, Dååth managed to create an extensive fanbase worldwide with their unique brand of experimental death metal, which makes it no surprise that the metal community lit up once rumors of the band's return began to surface online. The metal community only continued to buzz with support as members began making posts teasing new material. The metal world made it clear they were ready for the return of one of the strongest progressive death metal bands of the first part of the 00's.


Dååth is now back with an updated lineup and stronger than ever, which can be heard in the group's new single "No Rest No End". The track features guest solos by Rafael Trujillo (Obsidious, ex-Obscura) and Spiro Dussias and was mixed by Jens Bogren (Sepultura, At The Gates, Kreator, Dimmu Borgir), Mastered by Tony Lindgren (Enslaved, Katatonia, Leprous, Wardruna), with Vocal Production by Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Wage War), and Engineering by John Douglass (Megadeth, Alluvial, The Contortionist). Fans can expect to hear the next stage in evolution of Dååth's brand of melodic and progressive death metal.


"'No Rest No End' is the reason Dååth is back." comments guitarist Eyal Levi. "When the writing began, I was looking for proof that we still had it. The last thing I want to do is put out music that sounds like a bad cover of our back catalog. When this song came together, it was clear that we needed to see this through. 'No Rest No End' is the pinnacle of everything I've wanted to do with this band and features our full lineup firing on all cylinders: crushing riffs, orchestrated to the max, an infectious chorus, insane solos, my favorite metal drummer, baroque insanity, signature clean guitars, and an incredible mix. It's the most ambitious song we've ever written or recorded and we're just getting started. Enjoy!"


Vocalist Sean Z adds, "The first time I heard 'No Rest No End' in demo form, I was blown away! I immediately knew exactly what I wanted to do vocally. The words practically flew off the page. During every step of the creation process, the song was an obvious masterpiece. It's meant to be heard, and it's meant to be played loud!"


Jesse Zuretti who handles orchestration, synth, and guitar says that "'No Rest No End' is what happens when everyone involved pushes themselves to their extremes. In metal, we often pride ourselves on how difficult something is to master - and this song is the pinnacle to that thought. We all showed up at our very best to make 'No Rest No End' our masterpiece. From the orchestration standpoint, we took this to cinematic & baroque levels in one song. The guitars were also deeply challenging and equally fulfilling to track. Not to mention the Michelin rated guest solos." While the band's new drummer Krimh calls it "a furious ride with the perfect title, 'No Rest No End.' At least that's how I feel while playing this song. From a drumming perspective - you better get your running shoes on because this track makes you work hard! It has fast double bass, blast beats and a ton of groovy parts. It is definitely one of our strongest songs and with its many layers you will find new things each time you listen to it."





Dååth lineup:


Eyal Levi - Guitar
Sean Z - Vocals
Krimh - Drums
Jesse Zuretti - Orchestration, synth, guitar
------
Dave Marvuglio - Session bass


(Photo - Alex Morgan Imaging)

Founded in 2020 in Kuopio, Finland and combining melodic death, heavy and folk metal, Swansong are bringing their very own blend and something new to the metal scene. Powerful melodies with hard-hitting riffs revive the ‘80s and ‘90s and at the same time the old school elements get a fresh & modern twist with female death growls and screams. 


Signed to Noble Demon, the band is currently preparing for the release of their debut album, which is set to see the light of day in the fall of 2023. Featuring experienced musicians from such bands as Verjnuarmu, Tornado, Carnal Demise and Sadistic Forest, Swansong's upcoming debut is a release not to be missed.







With the music video for the new single "Awakening", the four-piece today offers a first insight into their soon to be released album. 


Swansong on "Awakening":


"Get ready for a journey through the dark woods: Awakening is the first single from Swansong's upcoming debut album. A track with haunted screams, aggressive guitars and powerful melodies."

Almost two years to the exact date that Edmonton, Canada's Juliet Ruin released their 2021 EP Dark Water, the band is ready to unveil new music with their first single of 2023 entitled "Give Me The Crown". The song has the band's trademark sound of coarse meets melodic djent metalcore.


"It's a seething, yet amusing track about enduring revilement while maintaining a great sense of humour. An upbeat, sanguine song that implores the listener to be apathetic to judgment from people they'd never take advice from," adds the band.







This single is only the first of many planned for release this year in the lead up to Juliet Ruin's new record also to be unleashed later in 2023.


In additional news, the Juliet Ruin is slated to perform a hometown show this coming April 8th at the Starlite Room along with performing at one of Canada's decibel breaking open airs Loud As Hell Festival in Drumheller, AB on August 5 alongside Narcotic Wasteland, Necronomicon, Untimely Demise and more.





(Photo: Brandy Black)

In Flames performed at Knotfest Japan 2023 in Chiba on April 1st. Metal Justice Tokyo has shared video of the band's entire set. Check it out below.


The setlist was as follows:


"The Great Deceiver"
"Cloud Connected"
"Behind Space"
"Only For The Weak"
"Foregone Pt. 1"
"State Of Slow Decay"
"I Am Above"
"Take This Life"







In Flames are celebrating another major career milestone. The band's latest studio album, Foregone, has achieved phenomenal success on the international charts. The band scored a stunning No. 1 result in their home country Sweden, easily surpassing their competitors. The record also conquered the #1 spot in several other European countries, landing them the top position in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, proving their ongoing international success and the sheer devotion of their fans.


"We want to thank all the Jesterheads worldwide for the continued support especially on our new album Foregone!" states In Flames. "Can't wait to bring these songs live around the world! See you all very soon…"


Foregone is the band's 14th studio album and combines the greatest aggressive, metallic, and melodic strengths of In Flames' landmark catalog records with the seasoned song writing of their contemporary era.





Chart placement:


Germany #1
Switzerland #1
Austria #1 
Sweden #1 (Hard Rock #1, Vinyl #1, Physical #1)
USA Record Label Independent Current Album Charts #2
Finland #4
Norway #10
Scotland #15
Greece #20
Spain #20 (Vinyl #1)
Belgium (Vlaanderen) #20
Japan #21
Poland #24
Belgium (Wallonia) #29
Netherlands #60
Australia #63 (Digital #3, Physical #7)
France #63 (Physical #22, Vinyl #63)
United Kingdom #79 (Indie #6, Rock #3, Vinyl #23)
Italy #93


Foregone features artwork designed by Blake Armstrong. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"The Beginning Of All Things That Will End"
"State Of Slow Decay"
"Meet Your Maker"
"Bleeding Out"
"Foregone Pt. 1"
"Foregone Pt. 2"
"Pure Light Of Mind"
"The Great Deceiver"
"In The Dark"
"A Dialogue in b Flat Minor"
"Cynosure"
"End The Transmission"


"End The Transmission" lyric video:





"Meet Your Maker" video:





"Foregone Pt. 1" visualizer:





"State Of Slow Decay" video:





Lineup:


Anders Fridén - Vocals
Björn Gelotte - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Broderick - Guitar
Tanner Wayne - Drums
Bryce Paul - Bass

Swedish heirs of '80s hard rock, H.E.A.T, have released their new single, "Freedom," now available on all music streaming and download platforms.





Once again, the band shows its ability to blend powerful, high-energy riffs with heartfelt lyrics that touch on the themes of hope, courage, and perseverance. Listen to "Freedom" here, and below.




H.E.A.T have been making waves in the scene since their formation in 2007, earning a loyal fanbase with their electrifying live shows and catchy, anthemic songs. After the return of original singer Kenny Leckremo on vocals, and hymns of praise for their 2022 album Force Majeure, H.E.A.T promise to deliver more of the same energy in 2023.


"Freedom" is just a taste of what's to come, and fans can look forward to more exciting news and releases from the band in the coming months. Stay tuned and mark May 5 in your calendars.

LAST IN LINE — the band featuring frontman Andrew Freeman, bassist Phil Soussan (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE),and original DIO members Vivian Campbell (DEF LEPPARD) and Vinny Appice (ex-BLACK SABBATH) — played a record-release concert for its third studio album, "Jericho", last night (Saturday, April 1) at Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below (courtesy of the RocknForever1 and Tom deBlonk YouTube channels.)

"Jericho" came out on March 31 via earMUSIC.

Despite the past two years of isolation, "Jericho" was produced in the best hard rock tradition with great studio performances of an excellent all-star lineup.

Campbell explains: "With LAST IN LINE, just as we did with DIO, we cut the basic tracks live. It's important for us to capture the energy of the syncopation of playing together in real time — much like the energy of a live show. This record represents the best of both worlds: the spirit of an energetic band performance, and the more reflective and nuanced qualities of our individual performances, too."

Appice says: "All the musical forces of LAST IN LINE are combined here for a super-powerful new record. Press play and put your seatbelts on!!"

Last year, LAST IN LINE surprised with a unique version of THE BEATLES classic "A Day In The Life", which was released on the limited 12-inch silver collector's EP with the same name.

Last summer, Vinny told Metal Rules that LAST IN LINE's third studio album was helmed by Chris Collier, who has previously worked with KORN and WHITESNAKE, among other bands. LAST IN LINE's first two albums were produced by former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson.

The news of LAST IN LINE's partnership with earMUSIC was shared in February 2022 by Appice during an appearance on "Waste Some Time With Jason Green". Vinny also revealed that LAST IN LINE completed recording six more new songs in late January at Danny "Count" Koker's Desert Moon studios in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Formed in 2012 by Appice, Campbell and bassist Jimmy Bain — Ronnie James Dio's co-conspirators and co-writers on the "Holy Diver", "Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart" albums — LAST IN LINE's initial intent was to celebrate Ronnie James Dio's early work by reuniting the members of the original DIO lineup. After playing shows that featured a setlist composed exclusively of material from the first three DIO albums, the band decided to move forward and create new music in a similar vein.

LAST IN LINE's debut album, "Heavy Crown", was released in February 2016 via Frontiers Music Srl, landing at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Initially, the release had been preceded by tragedy when Bain unexpectedly died at the age of 68 on January 23, 2016. LAST IN LINE, honoring what they knew would be Bain's wish to keep the band moving, brought in Soussan and committed to sustained touring in support of the album before beginning work on the follow-up release, 2019's "II", which was also made available through Frontiers Music Srl.

In February 2021, Soussan told the "Pat's Soundbytes Unplugged" podcast about the musical direction of the new LAST IN LINE material: "The songs are another progression from the last album — the difference between 'Heavy Crown' and 'II', and now 'II' and whatever this next album is gonna be called. But it's definitely evolved even more; it's gone into even more of an evolution, but we are always trying to keep the characteristics of LAST IN LINE there. I mean, you can't shake those things — you can't shake Vinny's drumming, you can't shake Vivian's playing. And I'd like to say the same thing about myself, and, of course, Andrew."

Some of the early recording sessions for LAST IN LINE's third album took place in January 2020 at Steakhouse studio in North Hollywood, California.

The CMT Music Awards celebrated Southern rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD this past weekend with an all-star tribute combining country music's biggest stars and some of the rock genre's most recognizable names.

On Sunday (April 2),Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes honored LYNYRD SKYNYRD and original founding member Gary Rossington, who recently passed away, by performing the band's iconic tracks "Simple Man" and "Sweet Home Alabama". Johnson and Rodgers handled lead vocals with Gibbons, Slash and Haynes on electric guitar. LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd joined as "The Honkettes."

The tribute was introduced by legendary rocker Peter Frampton, who praised Rossington as a "Southern rock icon" who "helped define a band's sound, and he inspired millions of fans and musicians" before joining his fellow bandmates "in rock and roll heaven"

The CMT performance came on the 50th anniversary of LYNYRD SKYNYRD's first album.

Dale Krantz Rossington, band member and wife of late guitarist Gary Rossington, attended the performance alongside fellow LYNYRD SKYNYRD band members Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke.

Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown hosted the 2023 CMT Music Awards, which aired live from Austin, Texas's Moody Center on the CBS television network.

Rossington was the last surviving founding member of LYNYRD SKYNYRD. On March 5, his bandmates announced the news of his death in a statement shared on their social media.

"It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today," they wrote.

"Gary is now with his SKYNYRD brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does," the group continued. "Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family's privacy at this difficult time."

No cause of death was disclosed.

The guitarist had previously dealt with various heart problems throughout the years, including emergency heart surgery in 2021.
A night to remember…Gary Rossington and celebrate our brothers and sisters in Skynyrd. It was wild! #CMTAwardspic.twitter.com/scaFgnQAUC

— Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) April 3, 2023

HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale has expressed her frustration over laws and lack of access to basic mental health care contributing to gun violence in the U.S.

Hale made her comments less than a week after a shooter opened fire at the Covenant School, a Presbyterian school in Lzzy's hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, killing three 9-year-olds and three adults.

On Saturday (April 1),Hale took to her Instagram to write: "A funeral was held today for 9-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus, one of three children and three adults killed in Monday's shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.

"I was on the other side of the pond in London when I heard about this tragedy taking place.

"My heart breaks for the families of those who were so suddenly and needlessly taken from us right here is my hometown of Nashville.

"I grew up in and out of private Christians schools and I'm so grateful for the life lessons I culled from that upbringing," Lzzy continued. "So, watching the police storm through the elementary hallways decorated with joyous Crayola art pieces on the very walls that just a few hours before were supposed to be a safe space for these little ones…

"And please let me raise my horns to the police officers that did everything in their power and more! True super heroes !

"I feel helpless and I'm so worn down from the sheer number of these attacks. There have been more than 130 mass shootings across the USA this year alone, and it's only April!

"This should not be the way our children should live," Hale added. "We should not have to be installing fold out barricades in our classrooms. Or fear going to a concert, or public event.

"This is a result of our young people for so many years NOT having easy access to proper mental health guidance and education, AND equally of them having far TOO EASY access to assault weapons.

"Our fellow humans are hurting, by not giving them / banning the options and tools they need to heal, you are leaving them with all you have offered…violence.

"This is preventable."

According to CNN, the number of U.S. deaths from gun violence in 2019 was about 4 per 100,000 people. That's 18 times the average rate in other developed countries. Multiple studies show access to guns contributes to higher firearm-related homicide rates.

The United States saw nearly 700 mass shootings in 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Between 1966 and 2019, 77% of all mass shooters in the U.S. used weapons they had obtained through legal purchases, according to a survey compiled by the National Institute of Justice.

Various studies have shown that more gun control will result in fewer gun deaths. After a mass shooting that killed 35 people in 1996, Australia imposed strict gun ownership measures and outright bans on semi-automatic and automatic weapons. Since the laws were passed, there has been only one mass shooting, a case in which a grandfather killed family members and then himself.

Gun laws are far stricter in other countries. In Germany, anyone under the age of 25 who wants to buy a gun needs to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, while In Japan, owning a handgun is illegal for private citizens.

The majority of Americans support stricter gun laws, especially in the aftermath of deadly school shootings.

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Reactivated Michigan hard rock outfit TAPROOT will release its seventh studio album, "SC\SSRS", on September 29 via THC MUSIC/Amplified Distribution. The follow-up to 2012's "The Episodes" was produced by guitarist/vocalist Stephen Richards at The Loft in Saline, Michigan.

The first single from the LP, "V\CT\M \ PLAY", can be streamed below.

"SC\SSRS" is the musical brainchild of Richards, who recorded and wrote the album over the last decade, first as material for a new TAPROOT release, then with the intention of a solo effort, before coming full circle back to TAPROOT.

Says Richards: "I had written most of this record to be the next TAPROOT release years ago, following 'The Episodes', when some health and other issues arose, we decided to take a break that turned into a longer than anticipated hiatus. After my mother's passing, I decided I needed to record these songs and share them with friends and fans that were interested in hearing what was next. I've spent the last six years doing as much as I could around my personal life to make it happen, and after all of the hard work, the other guys jumped behind me to support and we decided to get it out there and release what is the new TAPROOT record 'SC\SSRS'."

Bassist Phil Lipscomb adds: "Steve had all these great songs recorded that he'd originally written for the next TAPROOT record that he was planning to just release independently as part of his solo project, but we started talking, and I encouraged him that we should just do it as a TAPROOT record and pay it the respect that it deserves. And that's exactly what we did."

TAPROOT has also welcomed new guitarist Taylor Roberts, and the return of original drummer Jarrod Montague, who will join the band for select upcoming shows (with all other shows featuring longtime drummer Dave Coughlin of SPONGE) including the "reunion" appearance at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in September, and the "SC\SSRS" album-release party, which will mark the band's first club show in six years, on September 29 at The Machine Shop, in Flint, Michigan.

TAPROOT also recently announced the release of "Best Of Besides", a 17-track collection of remastered demos and rarities, mastered by Richard Easterling (TANTRIC, ZEN FROM MARS),in stores and digital May 5.

TAPROOT formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and went on to sign to Atlantic Records, releasing their Ulrich Wild-produced (STATIC-X, PANTERA, MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE) debut album "Gift" in 2000, followed by extensive touring including appearances on Ozzfest 2000 and 2001, and tours with DEFTONES, INCUBUS, PAPA ROACH, SLIPKNOT, MUDVAYNE, DISTURBED and LINKIN PARK.

TAPROOT's sophomore release, "Welcome", their first pairing with legendary producer Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, KORN, PRIMUS) which Rolling Stone called "a self-preserving transition from new metal to art metal," went on to sell over 500,000 copies and spawn the hit rock singles "Poem", which peaked at No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and "Mine", helping propel "Welcome" to over 50 million digital streams. The band continued heavy touring with ALIEN ANT FARM, CHEVELLE, joining DISTURBED on the "Music As A Weapon" tour, and LINKIN PARK. Richards also appeared on the track "P5hng Me A*wy" on LINKIN PARK's 2002 remix album "Reanimation".

2005 saw the release of "Blue-Sky Research", also helmed by Wright, the band's final release for Atlantic, which spawned the hit radio single "Calling", co-written with FAR vocalist Jonah Matranga, and saw the band collaborate with Billy Corgan (SMASHING PUMPKINS),Nick Hexum (311) and Stephen Carpenter (DEFTONES),with heavy touring again, with the likes of CHEVELLE, STAIND, P.O.D. and FLYLEAF.

TAPROOT released several more full-length studio albums, including 2008's "Our Long Road Home" (Velvet Hammer),2010's "Plead The Fifth" (Victory),with the single "Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)" reaching the top 20 on the Active Rock chart, and 2012's "The Episodes", while continuing to tour consistently through 2013, when the band went on an indefinite hiatus, returning only to play a sporadic handful of local Michigan shows, before reforming officially this year.
V\CT\M \ PLAY by Taproot

The Dennis Justus YouTube channel has uploaded video of THE WINERY DOGS' entire March 31 concert at The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia. Check it out below.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Gaslight
02. Xanadu
03. Captain Love
04. Hot Streak
05. Desire
06. Breakthrough
07. Time Machine
08. Stars
09. Damaged
10. Mad World
11. The Other Side
12. Bass Solo (Billy Sheehan)
13. The Red Wine
14. I'm No Angel
15. Oblivion

Encore:

16. Regret
17. Elevate

THE WINERY DOGS is the powerhouse trio consisting of guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen, bassist/vocalist Billy Sheehan and drummer/vocalist Mike Portnoy.

The band is touring in support of its third album, "III", which arrived on February 3 via THE WINERY DOGS' Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, "III" was once again produced by THE WINERY DOGS and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston.

In a recent interview with Robert Cavuoto of Myglobalmind, Portnoy said that THE WINERY DOGS could not exist without any one of its three members. He explained: "[That's] especially [true] with a trio. I mean, if you have a band of four or five people, maybe you could sub somebody out if somebody's sick or somebody can't do a tour or whatever. But when you're down to only three people, those are usually three distinctive personalities. You look at RUSH, look at ZZ TOP, look at THE POLICE, look at KING'S X — I mean, these power trios… CREAM… You have to have those three personalities to make up that sound and style. And it's the same with THE WINERY DOGS. I don't think we could sub out any of us for a show or for a tour. It has to be Mike, Billy and Richie or it can't be THE WINERY DOGS."

"III" is the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed and Billboard-charting album "Hot Streak", which was released October 2, 2015 on Loud & Proud Records via RED (a division of Sony Music Entertainment). After landing in the Top Five on many of Amazon's pre-order charts, including No. 1 on the Amazon BestSellers/Hard Rock chart and No. 1 on the Amazon Pre-Orders/Hard Rock Albums charts, it sold 30% more than their 2013 self-titled debut, landing them on various Billboard album charts including No. 2 on "Top Current Alternative Albums," No. 5 on "Top Current Hard Music" and "Top Hard Music Albums," No. 6 on "Top Current Rock Albums" and "Album Core / Genre Rock," No. 15 "Top Current Physical Albums," No. 16 "Top Current Albums," and No. 30 on the "Top 200 Albums" chart.

Upon its release, "Hot Streak" racked up rave reviews. Allmusic.com hailed, "'Hot Streak' is the trio's second album, and its loose, friendly feel shows that the trio doesn't feel compelled to rely on instrumental pyrotechnics. The bluesy, soulful 'Think it Over' would appeal to those who admire THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, while 'Captain Love' shows that the band also has some hard rock energy to unleash, and the title track lets fly some of the technical proficiency that its members are known for." And GuitarInternational.com praised, "'Hot Streak' picks up where their debut CD left off, but showcases the band coming into their own with straight-ahead rockers like 'Oblivion', 'Captain Love' and 'Devil You Know'."

SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg has teamed up with Japanese artist Solid Blackline to create a new mask specially designed for the band's two Knotfest shows in Japan this weekend.

SLIPKNOT performed Saturday night (April 1) and will appear again tomorrow (Sunday, April 2) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba for Knotfest Japan. Both days feature SLIPKNOT as headliners, alongside a collection of Japanese and international rock bands.

Earlier on Saturday, Weinberg took to his Instagram to share a few photos of his new mask, and he wrote in an accompanying message: "It's an honor to collaborate with Japanese painter @solid_blackline for my mask this weekend, specially designed for @knotfestjapan. The organic, flowing shapes of his high-contrast designs evoke feelings of mysticism and beauty, balanced within the duality of chaos and order one feels as a visitor in this wondrous country.

"There's truly no better way to further immerse ourselves within everything that @knotfestjapan stands for — to share our love for Japan, and its rich artistic culture — than to welcome local talent through collaboration with our own expression through this weekend's performances.

"See you tonight, Tokyo!"

Earlier this year, Weinberg stated about the SLIPKNOT mask he used in connection with the band's 2019 album "We Are Not Your Kind": "My idea with it was to kind of take elements of this and act like there was this kind of ritualistic act of cleansing and bleaching it out. It definitely looks gnarlier than when it was first made. But that was the idea — kind of sharpening some elements of what this was, kind of burning away some of the burlap stuff. There's a patch with the logo on my forehead and I wanted to sharpen that and make it more like a carving."

As for the mask he had worn for much of the cycle for SLIPKNOT's latest album, 2022's "The End, So Far", Weinberg said: "That was definitely a step in a different direction. It came about after we had finished the record. And to me, that's always been what comes first... So finishing the record, what became evident to us was that this is the probably one of the most experimental things the band has ever done, and this very large leap in a new direction. I felt like this kind of characterized that."

Jay discovered SLIPKNOT when he was a pre-teen, through his father Max, of Bruce Springsteen's E STREET BAND, and leader of the house band on Conan O'Brien's talk show. He was hooked immediately and was a huge fan of SLIPKNOT by the time he was invited to Los Angeles to try out as replacement for Joey Jordison in 2013.

For the first few months after the release of 2014's ".5: The Gray Chapter", the members of SLIPKNOT had declined to name the musicians who were playing drums and bass on their tour, despite the fact that their identities were revealed as Weinberg and bassist Alessandro "Vman" Venturella by a disgruntled former drumtech for SLIPKNOT who posted a picture of a backstage call sheet on Instagram.

SLIPKNOT announced its split with Jordison in December 2013 but did not disclose the reasons for his exit. The drummer subsequently issued a statement saying that he did not quit the group.

Jordison passed away "peacefully in his sleep" in July 2021 of an unspecified cause. He was 46 years old.

Prior to joining SLIPKNOT, Weinberg was a member of AGAINST ME!, having played with the Florida-based act from November 2010 until December 2012.

Weinberg joined AGAINST ME! shortly after he was ousted from MADBALL and following the departure of AGAINST ME!'s previous sticksman, George Rebelo.

In May 2013, Weinberg filled in for KVELERTAK drummer Kjetil Gjermundrod during the band's North American tour because Gjermundrod had to bow out of the run after experiencing significant pain in his arm.

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LACUNA COIL has contributed a new song called "Never Dawn" to "Zombicide" publisher CMON's latest board game Kickstarter project. Designed by Nicolas Raoult, one of the designers of the original "Zombicide", "Zombicide: White Death" is a sequel to the fantasy spinoff version of Zombicide with a new wintery theme. The third installment in this series, it follows "Zombicide: Black Plague", which introduced the concept in 2016, and "Zombicide Green Horde", which came out in 2018. The game introduces new characters, mechanics, and challenges for players to overcome.

LACUNA COIL has spent the last few months promoting "Comalies XX", the recently released "deconstructed" and "transported" version of the band's third album, "Comalies".

"Comalies XX" was made available on October 14, 2022 via Century Media Records.

LACUNA COIL celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Comalies", by performing it in its entirety at a one-night-only concert on October 15, 2022 at Fabrique in Milano.

"Comalies" was originally released on October 29, 2002 through Century Media Records. The LP, which featured the band's breakthrough single "Heaven's A Lie", has reportedly gone on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States alone.

LACUNA COIL played its first show in front of an audience in more than two years on April 7, 2022 as the support act for APOCALYPTICA at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia.

Prior to the Atlanta concert, the last time LACUNA COIL played together was at the group's special September 2020 livestream event where the bandmembers performed their latest album, "Black Anima", in its entirety with no audience in attendance at the Alcatraz Club in Milan, Italy. That show was released as a live album, "Live From The Apocalypse", via Century Media.

LACUNA COIL hadn't played in front of a crowd since the completion of the band's South American tour in February 2020.

Photo credit: Cunene

🔥FINALLY ANNOUNCED🔥

Lacuna coil are now officially part of the @cmongames and #zombicide world with the brand new song...

Posted by Cristina Scabbia on Friday, March 31, 2023

Japanese pop metal band BABYMETAL has announced the addition of a new third member, Momoko Okazaki, who will go by the name of Momometal.

Okazaki had been a member of BABYMETAL's trio of backup dancers (along with Kano Fujihira and Riho Sayashi),known as "Avengers", since 2019, following the departure of one of BABYMETAL's original members, Yuimetal, in October 2018.

Momoko's addition to BABYMETAL was announced over the weekend during the band's show at the Pia Arena MM in Okazaki, Japan.

Momoko was once a member of SAKURA GAKUIN and participated in South Korean reality TV show "Girls Planet 999" as a contestant. However, the singer left the series after the show's first elimination round.

In 2018, BABYMETAL announced the departure of Yuimetal, who was formerly one of the members of the Japanese group's core trio. She exited the band, explaining in a statement that she would go on to pursue a solo career as Mizuno Yu.

BABYMETAL was formed in 2010. Their mission was to unify the world through heavy metal by creating a fusion of heavy metal and the Japanese pop genre. Their music contains a stunning mix of electronic pop, a pinch of alternative and industrial rock, and is leveled up by fast-driven heavy metal. Their live shows are ground-breaking and epic visual as well as sound performances. BABYMETAL continued to travel the path of metal with the international release of their three albums, telling the story of the mighty Fox God and his brave metal warriors.

A book about the first ten years of BABYMETAL, "Bessatsu Kadokawa Souryoku Tokushuu", was released in Japan in October 2020. It contains a long interview with Su-metal and Moametal as well as never-before-heard stories from band producer Kobametal from BABYMETAL's decade-long history, photos taken from live shows, a d

MORBID ANGEL has postponed its concert tonight (Saturday, April 1) in Joliet, Illinois, one day after one person was killed and at least 28 were injured, five of them severely, when the roof of the venue the band played in Belvidere, Illinois collapsed.

Earlier today, MORBID ANGEL released the following statement via social media: "On behalf of MORBID ANGEL, we want to first and foremost send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the individual who tragically lost their life last night in the venue roof collapse due to heavy winds from a Tornado.

"We lost a brother in Metal last night, and many were hurt and injured in this tragedy. We would like to express how truly thankful we are for those in attendance (Fans, Venue Staff, Bands and Crew) that assisted with getting people out and to safety. We want to thank the First responders (Fire, EMT, Police) that were on the scene quickly and were able to help in getting people out of the venue and to hospitals for treatment as quickly as possible. YOU ARE TRUE HEROES!

"At this time our minds continue to remain with all those who were injured and hospitalized, as well as everyone who was effected by the storms in the surrounding area. We truly hope for a fast recovery of all who were injured.

"As a result of the events of last night, we are working to re-scheduling tonight's show in Joliet, IL to Wednesday April 5th. With that said, our focus remains with the Victims of this terrible storm."

A 50-year-old man was killed in the collapse, officials announced. Of the 28 who were injured, two had life-threatening injuries, while two others had severe injuries, 18 had moderate injuries, and five had minor injuries.

The Belvidere Police Department said 260 people were in the venue when the collapse occurred as a heavy storm rolled through the area. The capacity of the theater is around 1,500.

Officials were notified by the National Weather Service of a tornado warning at 7:45 p.m. CT. The roof collapsed ten minutes later, according to Belvidere Fire Department chief Shawn Schadle.

Belvidere police chief Shane Woody described the scene when police arrived as "chaos. Absolute chaos. When officers are first on the scene, when the fire department and first responders get here, they do the best they can to control the chaos as much as possible," he said. "But ultimately, we go in, and ultimately try and find people, and save as many people as we possibly can — and bring them to safety as best as we can."

One person who was inside the theater when the collapse happened told Rockford Scanner: "It was in between sets. The first band had just played. People were going outside to smoke. And then all the people came running back in, 'cause the rain started coming down real heavy. Then all of a sudden the door that they came out of was swinging back and forth, slamming super hard. All the power went out in the building and the entire ceiling collapsed on everybody in the front area — right at the stage, on the stage, the people behind the stage; that sector of the building. When it came down, it blew me out towards the exit door. I crawled out a hole through the door and I escaped without a scratch; I don't know how I did. But there's definitely casualties and 50, about a hundred wounded — severely. It's horrible."

"Initially, I was confused because it felt like an earthquake, and I was thinking, 'Why would there be an earthquake right now?'" an audience member at the concert who narrowly escaped injury told The New York Times. "As soon as that happened. I watched as the entire roof collapsed on everybody, basically right where we were standing."

The concert was part of MORBID ANGEL's 2023 U.S. tour, featuring support acts CRYPTA, SKELETAL REMAINS and REVOCATION.

According to the venue's official Facebook page, doors were scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m., with CRYPTA set to perform at 7 p.m., SKELETAL REMAINS at 7:45 p.m., REVOCATION at 8:40 p.m. and MORBID ANGEL at 9:40 p.m.

The collapse was reported as severe storms with 90 mph winds blew through the area.

According to local reports, at least 20 ambulances were dispatched to the theater, which is located roughly 14 miles outside of the city of Rockford.

Photos and video taken at the venue show that the theater's marquee and façade had crashed on to the street, with debris littering the area as first responders worked to help the injured.

Belvidere is located in Boone County, about 72 miles from Chicago.

The Apollo Theatre opened in 1921 as a stage play, movie, and vaudeville venue.

On behalf of Morbid Angel, we want to first and foremost send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and…

Posted by Morbid Angel on Saturday, April 1, 2023

Update: I am safe from the Apollo ceiling collapse during last night's show, but barely. My leg is broken, two fingers...

Posted by Victoria Marceline Bella on Saturday, April 1, 2023

My best friend was at The Apollo Theater last night with her fiance when the roof collapsed, and she was buried under...

Posted by Rebecca Smith on Saturday, April 1, 2023

Singer Ryan McCombs played his third show back with DROWNING POOL on Friday, March 31 at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of Rocking H-Town Live).

The longtime SOIL frontman, who has lived in Swindon, England since 2018, originally joined DROWNING POOL in 2005 and appeared on two of the band's studio albums, "Full Circle" (2007) and "Drowning Pool" (2010),as well as a live album, 2009's "Loudest Common Denominator". He rejoined SOIL after exiting DROWNING POOL in 2011.

According to Metal Edge, McCombs will continue to front SOIL and will perform with both bands moving forward.

Said McCombs: "When I stepped away from music back in 2004, I only got back into the mix because it was with [DROWNING POOL members] C.J., Stephen and Mike, and because it was also a way for me to be a small part of keeping their music with Dave [late DROWNING POOL vocalist Dave Williams] alive. Just being back in the same room together after so many years, gearing up for these shows, was a quick reminder as to why I considered them to be my best friends in the business back in the day. As everyone living life can attest to, sometimes our days can get messy — but in the words of one Dave Williams, 'Everything happens for reasons, I just don't know…' Some of the greatest moments in my career came about as a member of DP and I'm really thankful for the opportunity to perform with them once again."

Added drummer Mike Luce: "I'm very happy that SOIL and DROWNING POOL are in a spot now where we not only co-exist, but are close enough as friends to move forward together. We support and respect each other enough for us to make sure they can keep doing what they do, and for them to allow us to revisit a bunch of these cool tunes we played a decade-plus ago, with the singer who we viewed as the archetype after Dave passed. We can't wait to get onstage together again and see where this leads."

"It's exciting as hell having Ryan McCombs rocking out with us again," said guitarist C.J. Pierce. "It's been 13 years since the last time we were in a rehearsal room together, and from the second we hit that first note it was like we never skipped a beat. I've never felt such a connection as musicians, true friends and family as I do with Mike, Stevie and Ryan. I can't wait to share the stage together again."

"Never say never," said bassist Stevie Benton. "It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since we shared a stage with Ryan. I think, deep down, we always knew this reunion would happen."

McCombs's bandmates in SOIL said: "Ryan has extensive history with both SOIL and DROWNING POOL, so when the opportunity arose for him to move forward as the singer of both bands, we knew we could make it work together. Both bands aren't kids anymore, and we've all grown as people, mended past hard feelings, and are approaching the 25-year marks. Ryan wants to work. He wants to tour and play as much as possible, and this allows him to do that. As Dave Williams said just days before his passing, 'Anywhere there is electricity for DP and SOIL to play together, let's do it…'"

DROWNING POOL's first new record since 2016, "Strike A Nerve", came out last September via T-Boy/UMe. It marked the band's third album with singer Jasen Moreno, who joined DROWNING POOL in 2012.

DROWNING POOL addressed Moreno's departure in a social media post on March 16, writing: "We appreciate everyone asking about Jasen. We can't speak for him but we believe he was just ready to move on to other things in life. Maybe he will make a statement. Maybe he won't. Regardless, we wish him the best."

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell was the featured guest on BBC's "The Rock Show With Johnnie Walker"during the "Rock God" segment. Vivian picked late THIN LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott and stated about his choice (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Phil was an absolute rock star. When Phil walked into the room, everyone noticed and he held everyone's attention.

"It was such an inspiration to me and to my musician friends," Vivian continued. "Growing up in Ireland, in Belfast in the '70s, it wasn't a fun place. But to witness this band, THIN LIZZY, get this international success, to be on shows like 'Top Of The Pops', but yet they were the cool band when everyone else was doing disco music.

"I met Phil Lynott so many times," Campbell added. "I had a band called SWEET SAVAGE. We were teenagers. We had pretty much a regular gig at a pub in Dublin called McGonagles, and on several occasions Phil got up with us and performed a LIZZY song, which obviously really helped our credibility. It really kind of helped us to look up to this man and to this band and to say it's possible to move beyond what it is that we see around us in our daily lives and to dream big. So thank you, Phil Lynott."

Vivian had previously credited his stint as the touring guitarist for THIN LIZZY more than a decade ago for inspiring him to launch LAST IN LINE, whose initial intent was to celebrate Ronnie James Dio's early work by reuniting the members of the original DIO lineup. After playing shows that featured a setlist composed exclusively of material from the first three DIO albums, the band decided to move forward and create new music in a similar vein.

Vivian told Rock Cellar Magazine: "In early 2011, I was a stunt guitar player for THIN LIZZY for a few months. DEF LEPPARD took all of 2010 and by the middle of 2011, Scott Gorham called me and asked if he could borrow me for a while to do a European tour with THIN LIZZY, and I jumped at the chance.

"THIN LIZZY were a favorite band of mine in my formative years," he explained. "When I was a teenager and really honing my craft and finding my style as a player, THIN LIZZY's music was probably what I disseminated more than anything else and the guitar players in THIN LIZZY were hugely influential to me; Scott Gorham himself, Brian Robertson, and in particular through my love of THIN LIZZY, I discovered Gary Moore for the first time. Gary was probably my ultimate guitar hero. So being onstage for a few months with Scott Gorham and Brian Downey and playing the songs and riffs of my youth, it really reconnected me with my instrument."

Duke TV has uploaded professionally filmed video of ACCEPT's January 18 concert at Bataclan in Paris, France.

Featured songs:

0:15 - Zombie Apocalypse
5:15 - Symphony Of Pain
9:55 - Restless And Wild

This past January, ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann was asked in an interview with Made In Metal if there are any plans for him and his bandmates to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ACCEPT's classic album "Balls To The Wall". He responded: "We've always stayed away from it in the past because we've always been so busy with working a current album or a new album. Five minutes ago [in this interview] you asked me about a new album [from ACCEPT], and now you ask me about [celebrating an] anniversary [of a previous LP]. So I can't do both. I have to [make] a decision [which way to go forward]. And usually we've gone with, 'Hey, let's make a new album. It's time for a new album.' And then we tour this album. So there's never been enough time to do all these anniversary tours so far. But that doesn't mean we won't do 'em one day."

Hoffmann previously dismissed the idea of performing a classic album like "Restless And Wild" or "Balls To The Wall" in its entirety, telling Metal Eye Witness in a 2018 interview: "Probably not. I mean, I've never been a huge fan of this whole idea. It seems to me like a marketing gimmick more than anything. Because in our age, we could have an anniversary every year. 'Cause it was 35 years [ago that] 'Restless And Wild' [was released], 40 years ago this, 30 years that — every year would be another anniversary — and, to be honest, we're so busy with promoting our current stuff that we don't really feel the need to do all that nostalgia stuff. Every year we have a new album, or every other year, and we've made four albums and a live album, so that's five, and I made a solo album — that's six releases in eight years. So I don't think we need to bother with any anniversary stuff at the moment. Maybe one day when we have nothing else, no other ideas. And we've done, actually, one show once where we played a complete album, and it was okay. But, quite honestly, I think we have a perfect setlist of old songs and new songs. I wouldn't rule it out, but at the moment, I've always said, why bother?"

Controversial at the time for its cover and some of the album's themes, "Balls To The Wall" was also ACCEPT's greatest commercial success, reaching No. 75 on the U.S. Billboard chart. "Balls To The Wall" was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for shipments in excess of half a million copies, partly off the back of the heavy rotation the title track's video received on MTV.

Taking much of its inspiration from the likes of fellow German hard rockers the SCORPIONS, as well as a debt to U.K. metal legends JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT at the time was fronted by the inimitable Udo Dirkschneider on vocals, backed by lead guitar heroes Hoffmann and Herman Frank and the backbone of bassist Peter Baltes and drummer Stefan Kaufmann.

Hoffmann is the sole remaining original member of ACCEPT, which he formed in 1976 in the town of Solingen, Germany with Dirkschneider and Baltes.

ACCEPT's latest studio album, "Too Mean To Die", was released in January 2021 via Nuclear Blast. The LP was the group's first without Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik. ACCEPT's lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, Philip Shouse, who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during 2019's "Symphonic Terror" tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner has once again opened up about the life-saving surgery he underwent more than a year and a half ago.

On September 26, 2021, the now-43-year-old British-born musician suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during a performance at the Louder Than Life festival, just a short distance from Rudd Heart and Lung Center at UofL Health - Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. It took the hospital's cardiothoracic surgery team, led by Dr. Siddharth Pahwa and also including Drs. Brian Ganzel and Mark Slaughter, approximately 10 hours to complete the surgery, an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement with hemiarch replacement.

Asked in a new interview with Ruben Mosqueda of We Go To 11 what his health has been like in recent months, Richie said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The health's great. I had to go in again last August and be opened up again, and they had to fix a couple of problems. But ever since then, I've been okay, really. Some people have said — like my other half, for example… I went down in September [of 2021], I think it was, and I was back out on the road in March [of 2022]. I went down under the knife again in August [of 2022], and we had two months off and I was back out on the road again. Some people might say it's a bit too soon. But the touring and the record — we've been writing the PRIEST record and the ELEGANT WEAPONS record — and everything that comes along with interviews and artwork and photos and video shoots and stuff, all the stuff that comes along with that, it serves as a focus for me. You never know what's around the corner, so if you've got something to say and stuff to do, do it. 'Cause in my case, it could have been all over that day. So I got another chance. So all of this stuff kind of serves as a focus and a motivator to get it done and do it to the best of your ability and push on."

Faulkner went on to say that he chose to stay busy while recovering from his health setback rather than take an extended time off from the road or the recording studio.

"People have different reactions to that kind of event," he said. "Some people are out of action for a couple of years. But I don't know — I was lucky, really. I'm relatively healthy. I don't smoke. I don't drink too much, anything like that. I was relatively young, so I was able to bounce back. And as soon as I could, I put a guitar back in my hands and started to play again. And I called management and said, 'I wanna get back with the record and finish the record.' It just served, as I said, as a motivating force to get back on the guitar or get creating or get a record out or whatever it may be, just to push forward."

Last December, Faulkner was asked in an interview with Mexico's El Cuartel Del Metal what it has been like being back on the road after his operation. Richie said: I've had a great support system, both at home and on the road as well. PRIEST and our crew have been really supportive. I've done everything that the doctors told me to do. I haven't rushed anything. I've done everything that they told me I could do, if you know what I mean. And I've been fine. The last surgery I had was in August and I had enough time to heal properly and get back out on the road with this one. I'm on medications, so that's all fine. So, yeah, I'm fine. As I said, I've had a great support system. I was very lucky. I was lucky just to get to the hospital in the first place, and I'm lucky to be here. There's people that weren't so lucky. It's one of those conditions that some people don't even get to the hospital. But I was lucky to get to the hospital. I was lucky to be worked on. And they saved my life. And I'm still lucky to be here playing metal for you guys."

Faulkner, who returned to the road with his PRIEST bandmates in March 2022, also reflected on the onstage episode that resulted in him being rushed to the hospital, saying: "I remember it well. I remember up until the point when I was in the ambulance, I think. I think I went into shock and everything kind of went blurry from there. But I remember playing. I remember the moment when it was about halfway through 'Painkiller' and something happened in my chest and I thought, 'That's a bit strange. That doesn't usually happen.' And it was obviously a big pain in the chest. And I remember, as I was playing the song, I went kind of light-headed. And I'd never fainted before, but I felt like, 'This is what it feels like. And I might faint soon.' I remember I was conscious of moving away from the side of the stage, because I thought if I fainted and I fell off the stage — the stage was quite high, so I thought if I fell off, I could do myself some damage. And I remember all that.

"What happened was at the end of 'Painkiller', I lift the guitar up into the air — usually I do that," he added. "And I think I tried to lift the guitar up, and I couldn't — I didn't have the strength because all the blood had gone; it was running out. It dissected, so all the blood was kind of doing different things. I didn't have the energy to lift the guitar, and I knew something was terribly wrong. But, again, luckily, there was a medic on hand with the ambulance and they got me to the hospital in time and they were able to save me. But I remember up until the point. But I didn't know what it was. I think if I would have known how dangerous it was, I would have gone straight off. But I didn't know. So I carried on playing. I just didn't know what it was, really."

In September 2022, Faulkner revealed that he underwent a second heart surgery in early August. He later explained to "That Fuzzing Rock Show": "They found something just before the European leg [of JUDAS PRIEST's world tour]. And it was basically a hole in the repair and there was a leak — I'd basically sprung a leak in there — and it was causing a sack to form around my heart. So they found it just before the European leg. And the surgeon said it was okay for me to do Europe, [so] I was actually touring Europe, playing Europe with this sack and a leak inside there. What that meant was when I got back from Europe, two days later I was back in the hospital for another open-heart surgery… But yeah, it was a bit daunting, to be honest, to be touring Europe knowing that that was going on. But you've gotta put your trust in the doctors, and it worked out okay."

Two weeks after his first surgery, Faulkner told reporters that he experienced a sharp pain as he was stepping off the stage. "That's when it exploded," he said.

"The more I read about it, the more astonishing it is to me to think that I even made it to the hospital," he added. "The amount of time when I actually go the pain and when I turned up in the hospital and when we were actually operating, it was quite a lot of time. The more I read about it, the more unbelievable — that amount of time — I don't know how I'm still around today."

Pahwha told reporters that the chance of survival for anybody with Faulkner's ailment is about 10%.

"There are about 70% to 80% patients who have their aorta ruptured and never make it to the hospital," said Pahwa.

Aortic aneurysms are "balloon-like bulges in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and torso," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dissections happen when the "force of blood pumping can split the layers of the artery wall, allowing blood to leak in between them."

After Louder Than Life, JUDAS PRIEST postponed the remainder of the U.S. dates on its 50th-anniversary tour, dubbed "50 Heavy Metal Years". The shows were rescheduled for March and April 2022.

Faulkner joined PRIEST in 2011 as the replacement for original guitarist K.K. Downing.

Richie was once the guitarist in the backing group for Lauren Harris, daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.