New Jersey-based Voidscape will release their debut EP, Odyssey Of Spite, at the end of March through Nefarious Industries, today releasing the record’s details including the cover art, pre-orders, and lead single, "Burden Of Breathing",


Formed in 2017, Voidscape delivers a strain of melodic death metal that is catchy yet scathing. Having previously released a demo and a single, guitarist Rob Torres, drummer Justin "Ninja" Spaeth (Tombs, Abacinate), and frontman Mike Ximenez (Replicant, Windfaerer) now present their debut EP, Odyssey Of Spite. Here, Voidscape administers bitter-sweet leads, monstrous riffs, and verses of human despair inflicted by viscous howls. Each composition is a melancholic journey rife with introspection and heaviness. The EP was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Rob Torres at his own Frightbox Recording in Passaic, and completed with artwork, photography, and layout by Mike Ximenez.


With the lead single, Ximenez writes, “‘Burden Of Breathing’ is about experiencing anxiety and being overwhelmed by existence. Your spirit is being hauled around by a mortal sack of cells with pain receptors and you’re hyper-focusing on the negative, unpleasant experiences. It’s about yearning for an escape when the pressures of life are getting you down. The world seems insane and sometimes it’s best to take time and disconnect from the zeitgeist. Don't forget to breathe. Keep driving that cell sack and see where it takes you.”







Odyssey Of Spite will be released on CD, CS, and digital formats on March 31st. Find pre-orders, links to streaming points and more at Nefarious Industries.





Tracklisting:


"Grief Eclipse"
"Burden Of Breathing"
"Ludlow"
"Extinctionborn"
"The Unsaved"


(Photo by Michael Ximenez)


 


 

Oceanlord have sealed their fate by singing a forbidding deal with Magnetic Eye Records. The tentacled Australian doom triumvirate will soon release their debut full-length via the eldritch label.


Oceanlord comment: "From the shadows, we herald the release of our debut album through Magnetic Eye Records,” writes guitarist and singer Peter Willmott on behalf of his fellow cultists. "Get ready for a voyage into the abyss of cosmic terror. The release is imminent, we ready ourselves for a journey beyond the veil of reality."


Jadd Shickler welcomes Oceanlord: "By the great old ones, doom is often brutal and annihilating, yet some is also dark and bleak as well as wistful, melancholic, crushing and somehow also strangely uplifting", the Magnetic Eye director writes. "Oceanlord are of that second type with their epic, haunting yarns that feel as old and inexorable as the sea. This label stakes its existence on pushing outward at the boundaries of our favorite sonic styles, and we're extremely eager for our endlessly dedicated and enthusiastic supporters to embark on this exciting voyage into the unfathomable depths that Oceanlord explore."




Lineup:
Peter Willmott – guitar, vocals
Jason Ker – bass
Jon May – drums

If you are a death metal fan, Graceless shouldn’t need an introduction. Three full-lengths and two split EPs have granted the Dutch ensemble a respectable reputation across the globe. Closer to home, the four piece has played countless live shows since their 2016 inception. 


The rock solid line up -unchanged since day one- has delivered ferocious, high energy live performances at Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Into the Grave, Party San Metal Open Air, Ruhrpott Metal Meeting, Stonehenge, SDF2021 and many more festivals and clubs.


Joining forces with Listenable Records in 2023 is the next thundering milestone for Graceless. Tirelessly working on their fourth full-length, the next chapter for Graceless will be another step deeper into the abyss that started with Shadowlands (2018), via Where Vultures Know Your Name (2020), to Chants from Purgatory (2022).




The band comments:


The forthcoming album will add yet another layer to what some reviewers have called ‘the Graceless sound’: guiding the listener through ever darker catacombs of doomed melancholia while proudly striking a blunt death metal hammer. We are ready to descend further down. Are you coming with us?"


Listenable Records will also reissue the band’s three first album in all formats.

Dutch progressive death metal legends Phlebotomized and Hammerheart Records have announced the new album Clouds Of Confusion. The artwork is done by Andrey Khrisanenkov from Armaada Art and the album is recorded at Soundlodge Studio by Jörg Uken and Bartok Industries by Rob op `t Veld.


Clouds Of Confusion is set for a release on CD, LP and digital on May 26.







Hammerheart Records states:


“If you are a death metal fan that still craves for the ‘90s, you need Clouds Of Confusion. It does not get better than this if you love what Phlebotomized did in the past. If you need to bang your head check out Clouds Of Confusion for some real old school death metal. For those of you who need not mindlessly bang their head, who can allow things like atmosphere and intelligence to occasionally enter into your realm, you will really appreciate this just as well. 


“But still, we would not justify what Phlebotomized delivers on this great album, because there is so much more to hear and discover. Something that is rare these days, an album that grows, an album that reveals something new with each spin. Perhaps it is again an album ahead of its time, although it is definitely looking back in time just as well.”

Introducing the band Remnant, with an eclectic mix of metal genres. Debut single “The Will To Survive” is the first taste of what's to come from a few seasoned musicians stretching across two continents. 


Growing from brainchild Ilias Papadakis, and with the talents of Lorde Heathen, long time rhythm section Brent & James, and the multi' talented Bill Staley adding his magic.


The band states: “Upcoming songs will be out soon to rattle your ear drums.  We hope you enjoy!”







Lineup:
Ilias Papadakis-rhythm/lead guitars (Memorain)
Lorde Heathen- all vocals, grunts and growls (Zimmer's Hole, West of Hell)
Brent 'Deadly' Smedley- drums and triangle (Out of Darkness, Iced Earth, Oracle)
Bill Staley lead guitar (Out of Darkness, Artizan, Farewell To Fear) 
James MacDonough - bass guitar (Megadeth, former Iced Earth, Oracle)

Haiduk, the solo project of Luka Milojica is an unrelenting, hypnotic force that greets listeners with a barrage of death-infused black metal that is prominently displayed on the latest release “Diabolica”, which was released in September 2021. Now, Haiduk is releasing the next video music video for the track “Sea Of Fire”. The entirety of Haiduk's discography, which spans four full-lengths, takes place in the fantasy medieval realm of Callost, the different albums feature maps, descriptions, and stories set in the world. 





Milojica explains the album and single in further detail:




"It’s about the depths of hell and the journey demons take to enter the world. The first ten songs on Diabolica are aggressive and meant to tire the listener. Your mind is then more vulnerable to a hypnotic track like ‘Sea Of Fire’ which is a slow descent but gets darker the further you go."


Like the album art depicts, Diabolica is an eruption of pent-up anger and power. Every song on the album is about building momentum and speed and blasting the listener with constantly evolving riffs and melodies. With pure speed and relentless riff attacks, the album crushes and keeps you on edge through aggressive arrangements as well as melodic and hypnotizing parts that create a mysterious atmosphere.





Haiduk was created to be the channel for Milojica’s dark musical desires, turning his ideas into a solo project inspired by acts such as Vintersorg and others from Sweden and Norway. Lightning-fast, and bursting with energy, Haiduk is recommended for fans of Bolt Thrower, Vomitory, and Dissection.


Diabolica was released on September 21, 2021, and is available on Bandcamp.

Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the upcoming release of Cross Country Driver's The New Truth on March 17.


Written and performed by Rob Lamothe (Riverdogs), James Harper (Fighting Friday), and Zander Lamothe (Logan Staats Band), The New Truth is an old-school-rock rollercoaster of an album. New single and video for "Rio Tularosa" feat. Mike Mangini and dUg Pinnick is available below.


This gutsy, continent-and-generation-spanning musical adventure features inspired performances not only from the aforementioned trio at the core of Cross Country Driver, but by friends such as Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), Greg Chaisson (Badlands), dUg Pinnick (King's X), Rhonda Smith (Jeff Beck), Jimmy Wallace (The Wallflowers), KFigg (Extreme) and more.




Two-and-a-half years in the making, The New Truth was mixed by Grammy-award winning musician/mixer/engineer/producer Nick Brophy.


Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Last In Line, Riverdogs) joins on guitar and vocals on "Risen" and summed up the album best when he said, “Lush, rich, deep and spirited. No one makes records like this anymore. Bravo!”


Rob Lamothe has shared stages with everyone from Guns N’ Roses to members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has toured throughout Europe close to 30 times now. Riverdogs, Rob’s Los Angeles-based rock band, reached global cult status three decades ago and found a new generation of listeners after signing with Frontiers Music Srl a couple years ago for the release of the album, 'California', which received critical acclaim from media and fans alike.


James Harper has been a mainstay in the New England music scene for over 20 years and is known for his high energy performances and chameleon-like ability to play and write in any style. He has performed thousands of shows with one of Boston’s best bands, Fighting Friday, and has written and released countless songs with them, as well as Funk Piranha, The Funeral Puppets and others.


Pre-order/save The New Truth here.





The New Truth tracklisting:


"Wild Child" ft. Mike Mangini, Greg Chaisson, & Jimmy Wallace
"So Fly" ft. Greg Chaisson, Jim Hoke, & Jimmy Wallace
"A Man With No Direction" ft. dUg Pinnick & Jesse O’Brien
"Traces Of The Truth" ft. Greg Chaisson & Jimmy Wallace
"I Won't Look Back" ft. dUg Pinnick
"Rio Tularosa" ft. Mike Mangini & dUg Pinnick
"Shine" ft. Mike Mangini, Greg Chaisson, & Jimmy Wallace
"Off The Rails" ft. Rhonda Smith & Jimmy Wallace9. Long Gone ft. Kfigg, Greg Chaisson, Carl Ayotte & Jimmy Wallace
"Real Love" ft. Mark Hill, Chad Cromwell & Jimmy Wallace
"Risen" ft. Vivian Campbell & Rhonda Smith
"Everything Forgiven" ft. Rhonda Smith & Jimmy Wallace
"My Goodness" ft. Justine Fischer


"Rio Tularosa" video:





"A Man With No Direction" video:





Lineup:


Rob Lamothe - Vocals, Guitar
James Harper - Guitar
Zander Lamothe - Drums

The masters of Chinese progressive metal band OU (pronounced "O") have unveiled their most recent video, "Dark 暗" from their 2022 debut album one.





Recordings for the group's planned sophomore album have begun. Renowned progressive metal artist/producer Devin Townsend will oversee the production of this impending masterpiece.




Drummer Anthony Vanacore says this about the song:


“‘Dark 暗‘ captures the enigmatic essence of universal darkness in a haunting melody, reflected masterfully in the artistic and contemplative music video. It poignantly portrays the awe-inspiring power of darkness, captivating the viewer with its stunning imagery.”


Hailing from Beijing, China, the group combine a variety of elements and influences (Devin Townsend, The Gathering, Radiohead to name a few), to create their extremely unique sound.


Formed by drummer and songwriter Anthony Vanacore, the idea behind OU came from each member having a long history of playing in local house bands and seeking new challenges in their growth as musicians. Vanacore would go on to recruit talented guitarist and fellow house band veteran Jing Zhang, as well as highly sought-after bassist Chris Cui, with the three of them laying the initial groundwork for the song structure and creative approach. OU recruited highly talented singer Lynn Wu to front the project, who brings with her ethereal vocals that contrast with the dynamic and engaging music, delivering a powerful and soaring sound. On their debut, OU set out with only one clear goal in mind, and that was to make certain that every song had its own unique identity.


one is available as Ltd. Edition CD Digipak, 180g Gatefold LP Edition and as Digital Album.





"Travel 穿"





"Mountain 山"





OU lineup:


Lynn Wu – Vocals
Anthony Vanacore – Drums, Producer
Zhang Jing – Guitars
Chris Cui - Bass


(Top photo - Frank Mao)

Babylon A.D. is back. The band has announced the new live concert recording, Live Lightning from Perris Records, to be released on March 17. The new album includes their top-ten rock-radio classic hits “Hammer Swings Down”, “Kid Goes Wild", “Bang Go The Bells” from their debut release, their hit “Bad Blood” from the Nothing Sacred album and songs from their studio albums American Blitzkrieg, The Lost Sessions and their last release Revelation Highway are all featured. 


The fourteen hard rocking tracks on Live Lightning showcase the high-energy, powerful live performances that Babylon A.D. is renowned for and the band plans on hitting the road in support of the new album.


Derek Davis, Babylon A.D. lead singer, "We are really excited about this release. The band's sound engineer recorded three of our shows and then we went about listening to all the tracks we had recorded. The best sounding tracks came from The Empress Theater in Vallejo CA and Swiss Park Music Hall in Newark CA. We had sixteen songs to choose from and we settled on fourteen. Every studio album we have released is represented so it’s a good mix of songs. It was really cool putting the final mixes together, hearing the songs fresh with a few the surprises and a few mistakes here and there kept it interesting and real. 




“The band is booking shows now and plan to do a lot of dates this year and keep the energy we have alive. We can’t wait to start playing again, the only thing good that came out of the whole Covid lock down is the songwriting time we used. We are in the rehearsal stage for a new album and we have demos of fifteen songs already and plan to narrow that down to ten to twelve of the best tracks. We plan to release the new studio album early next year. Babylon A.D. is back! And we are ready to start a fire.”





Tracklisting:


“Saturday Night”
“Hammer Swings Down”
“One Million Miles”
“Bang Go The Bells”
“Sinking In The Sand”
“Desperate”
“Maryanne”
“She Like To Give It”
“Bad Blood”
“Crash And Burn”
“Shot Of Love”
“Love Blind”
“Sally Danced”
“Kid Goes Wild”

Mezzrow are back after 30 years! Mezzrow built themselves a name in the thrash metal scene during the late eighties with their demo tapes, Frozen Soul and Cross Of Tormention. In 1990 they released their classic debut album Then Came The Killing through Active Records, a subsidiary of Music For Nations. The album is still today considered as one of the best, if not the best, thrash metal releases from Sweden and Scandinavia. This classic album was re-mastered together with all their demos, and released through Hammerheart Records in May 2022. 


During 2021 Mezzrow rose from the ashes, when bass player Conny Welén (ex-Hexenhaus) and singer Uffe Pettersson (ex-Rosicrucian) decided to make a new mark in the thrash metal world of today and have together with new guitarists Magnus Söderman (Nightrage) and Ronnie Björnström (ex-Defiatory, ex-Aeon) written new killer songs, which have pure thrash metal top-class written all over them. 


“Of course we have a bit of a new and updated sound, more mature and dark, but it’s still old school thrash metal from the Bay Area that lays the foundation. We refuse to downtune the guitars and you can definitely hear what Uffe sings! Some of the songs are actually a bit melodic, but in a thrashy kind of way. So don’t worry, we don’t do any ballads,” comments Conny Welén. 




The line-up was completed by excellent drummer Jon Skäre (Defiatory, Hulkoff) and the band is currently laying the finishing touches on the recordings, which will be released in May 2023 on Fireflash Records, a new sublabel of Atomic Fire Records. 


The album was produced by Conny Welén, Ronnie Björnström and Magnus Söderman. The excellent mixing and mastering were done by sound wizard Ronnie Björnström (Sorcerer, Meshuggah, 220 Volt). The artwork for the cover must of course suit the music and therefore it was handled by the great Pär Olofsson who, among tons of other cool covers, recently did the cover for Exodus latest release Persona Non Grata. 


Things fell into place, and the time is right for Mezzrow to leave another exclamation mark on the metal map. “In 2023 there will be various singles and videos and finally the long awaited successor to our debut album Then Came The Killing from 1990. We also hope to be playing live during 2023! In other words: The future´s so bright, we’ve gotta wear shades.”





Tracklisting:


“King Of The Infinite Void”
“Through The Eyes Of The Ancient Gods”
“Summon Thy Demons”
“What Is Dead May Never Die”
“De Mysteriis Inmourtui”
“Beneath The Sea Of Silence”
“On Earth As In Hell”
“Blackness Fell Upon The World”
“Dark Spirit Rising”
“The End Of Everything”

Prior to LAMB OF GOD and KREATOR's February 19 concert at Jäähalli in Helsinki, Finland during the two bands' joint "State Of Unrest" 2023 European tour, LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe and KREATOR's Mille Petrozza visited the grave of CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Markku Uula Aleksi "Alexi" Laiho.

Blythe told Chaoszine about the experience (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was very nice. Of course I miss him. Our publicist at Nuclear Blast, and then another friend, when I was here at Knotfest, we discussed it, and they were, like, 'Oh, when you come back on this tour, we promise we'll carry you out there.' So, I went out there — me and Mille from KREATOR did — and it's snowing today, so it was very beautiful. I took a lot of pictures and lit a candle and just said hello to him. It's nice to go pay respects. I miss that guy. We put a lot of roads down with him, a lot of miles." Randy also showed off his "COB" tattoo on his left forearm, which he said he "earned."

Mille also talked to Chaoszine about going to Alexi's grave. He said: "It was very peaceful. The cemetery is very beautiful. It was all snowy. And Alexi's graveyard site had very nice gifts from fans and guitar picks. It was sad and cheerful at the same time. So, yeah, I guess Alexi would have liked us to go there and hang out with him for a little bit. And hopefully he's here in spirit tonight."

Alexi's gravestone, the bottom of which features a line from the CHILDREN OF BODOM song "Kissing The Shadows" ("So together in peace we shall be"),was unveiled last August at the Malmi Cemetery, a large cemetery located in the Malmi district in Helsinki, where the 41-year-old musician's ashes were buried in late 201.

Prior to the gravestone being installed, social media posts of Alexi's grave showed a candle sitting on top of his burial spot.

Australian-born music publicist Kelli Wright, who says she married the musician three years before his death, announced Alexi's burial in a social media post in December 2021. She wrote: "Finally, with extremely mixed emotions, I can announce MY late, unconditionally and forever loved husband's ashes were buried yesterday on our 4 th Wedding Anniversary. The family Laiho plot is where he was buried. Alexi and Kelli 2005 – eternity".

At the time of his death, Alexi was still legally married to his former SINERGY bandmate Kimberly Goss. In January 2021, Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported that Laiho tied the knot with Goss in February 2002, and the couple never officially divorced. Although Laiho filed for divorce in November 2002, he quickly withdrew the petition and never filed another.

According to Finnish law, Laiho and Wright would not have been able to legally wed, as Laiho and Goss had never terminated their marriage.

In March 2021, Alexi's sister Anna accused Kimberly of holding up the burial process, writing in a social media post that Goss was using "her legal rights as a widow, preventing grie[v]ing mother and father [from] bury[ing] their own son. Her selfish and narcissistic explanation is that she wanted to take part in the funeral and still wants to be present when the ashes are buried," she wrote. "But our family does not want this monster anywhere near us."

For her part, Goss, who lives in Chicago, Illinois, denied allegations that was "a 'gold-digger' who Alexi 'hated'," explaining that "this can be easily disproven through the beautiful text and video messages he sent me daily, right until the last day of his life. Messages so sweet, yet so heartbreaking at the same time. Heartbreaking because you can see how ill he was. I tried everything I could to help him. I often messaged people in Helsinki to check in on him because I was so worried."

In December 2021, Anna told Ilta-Sanomat that "the protracted dispute" over her brother's ashes was "over" and that she and the rest of her family welcomed the opportunity to focus on grieving her brother "in a new way."

Alexi passed away on December 29, 2020 in his home in Helsinki, Finland. He died of alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue. Furthermore, Laiho had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system. He had suffered from long-term health issues leading up to his death.

Alexi and drummer Jaska Raatikainen founded CHILDREN OF BODOM in 1993, and the band was one of the most internationally acclaimed metal acts in Finland up until their very last farewell concert in December of 2019. In 2020, Alexi put together BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT, which recorded three songs and shot one music video, all of which were released posthumously.

Besides CHILDREN OF BODOM, Laiho had played in such acts as WARMEN, SINERGY, KYLÄHULLUT and THE LOCAL BAND. Awarded with a Metal Hammer Golden God and several other international prizes, the guitarist was also the main star, leading a group of one hundred guitar players at the Helsinki Festival in 2015 in "100 Guitars From Hel" — a massive concert piece he composed.

Early last year, former CHILDREN OF BODOM members Jaska Raatikainen (drums),Henri "Henkka T. Blacksmith" Seppälä (bass) and Janne Wirman (keyboards) discussed publicly for the first time the circumstances that led to the band's split and ultimately Laiho's death. In an interview with Finland's Helsingin Sanomat, the three surviving members of CHILDREN OF BODOM said the real reason for the band's breakup was not that they wanted to stop touring in order to spend more time with their families, which is how Laiho explained it to Helsingin Sanomat in November 2019. Instead, what caused the group to split was Laiho's substance abuse, and that is also what eventually killed him a year after they went their separate ways.

Of The Light delivers art metal/rock music, infused with hard-hitting grooves and coupled with infectious melodious hooks. The act's newest single, "Live On", is powerful, hard-hitting, and emotionally charged with a message about suicide prevention and healing negative thought patterns that lead to depression and hurt.





"Live On" with its intense power and a particularly groovy intro that collides tom-heavy drum work and thick, distorted palm-muted guitars, is a prime example of Greg’s ability to traverse tension and resolve, with dynamic passages that effortlessly convey the darker lyrical themes presented throughout this track.




"The message I try to convey with my music and lyrics is adversity can be overcome. Set boundaries with people that aren’t for your best interests. Stop self sabotaging yourself." - Greg Telfeian


Listen to "Live On" on Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. Watch a video below:

Brian Tichy (The Dead Daisies, ex-Whitesnake) has released the new video below, along with the following message:


"From Feb 1. I sent this to a friend to show where I’m at with it. Couple mistakes, etc. I tried the following week to actually track it for real, and kept falling short. I’ll get it together soon... maybe tonight!
 
"I’ve also played drums to this track on video so the goal is to put this performance in the same video as the drum play along so I can be Mr. “Look At Me! I’m On Drums & Guitar Playing A VH Song!” But I’m not so into video editing and all that, so it’s a bit of a chore. But, I put the time in so, might as well get it together. But man, it’s time to dedicate this kind of time to recording new music!


"But, challenging yourself to learn songs you love by amazing musicians only makes you better, and I’m decades behind what I should be capable of... Plus, if I don’t promote my guitar playing, then no one knows what I’ve spent most of my life doing besides drums, and I don’t like that something I’ve dedicated so much time to sits on the back burner indefinitely! Ha... like, I didn’t practice all these years to not try to make a thing of it!




"Hope u dig it…. The real take and video will be done soon!" 👍🏼🎊🎉🥁

Industrial metal pioneers FEAR FACTORY have selected Italy's Milo Silvestro to take the reins as vocalist for the band's next era.

FEAR FACTORY's Dino Cazares comments: "It's time to introduce the world to our new vocalist. The search was long and meticulous, but I know for sure we got the right guy.

"It is a big week for us in FEAR FACTORY as we make our final preparations for our return to the live stage touring across the U.S., beginning February 25th on the 'Rise Of The Machine' tour. We can't wait to get out on the road and start kicking some ass. 'The Machine Will Rise'."

Silvestro states: "This is a huge opportunity for me. I've been a fan of the band for many years and it feels very surreal but I'm excited to be part of it. I know I have some massive shoes to fill but I'm here to do it in the best way possible and give justice to the vocal legacy of this legendary band."

A short documentary about FEAR FACTORY's new vocalist can be seen below.

This Saturday (February 25),FEAR FACTORY will hit the road with headliner STATIC-X on the "Rise Of The Machine" North American tour. The 42-date trek will also feature DOPE as well as selected dates with MUSHROOMHEAD and TWIZTID.

In a recent interview with Australia's Wall Of Sound, Cazares once again opened up about his band's search for a new vocalist following the departure of Burton C. Bell more than two years ago. Regarding how he is preparing the new singer for the inevitable barrage of criticism once his identity has been revealed, he said: "I had a lot of preparation with him because he's gonna have to be able to not only fill some big shoes, which he can vocal-wise, but he's never been inside in that arena, where you're gonna have the media, you're gonna have Internet trolls coming after you. So that's one of the main things I'm getting him prepared for, because some people just can't handle that emotionally.

"If you're in a small band growing to be a bigger band, yeah, eventually you grow into all the Internet hate that you're gonna get, but he's gonna get it instantly and it's gonna be bombarded on him," Dino explained. "But I understand where some people are coming from, 'cause some people are not always adaptable to change. And Burton C. Bell definitely did have the legendary voice for FEAR FACTORY. But things change, people's lives change, and sometimes you've just gotta move on. And that's exactly what we've both done."

Cazares previously told RichardMetalFan, that Bell "always had one foot out the door" during his time with FEAR FACTORY. "He originally quit way back in 2002, and he ended up coming band into the band and restarting the band with the other guys without me," the guitarist said. "At least that's what I thought. But I don't know. I never really got the full story of why they did what they did. But to me, it always seemed like he always had one foot out the door, and I think that this was just his time to exit, for whatever reason. I mean, you have to ask him, really, to get [the full story of why he left]. But he pretty much left me to handle the rest of the duties for [FEAR FACTORY's latest album] 'Aggression Continuum'. And so now I'm moving forward without him, and the band's gonna go on without him, and that's just how it is. He's moved on, and so have I. Fans can cry all they want and people can want what they want. And I get it; I understand. He was in the band for many years, and he was the only vocalist on the record, even though he had quit the band two or three times before that. But he's gone, and I've moved on, and so has he."

Dino also talked about FEAR FACTORY's new vocalist, saying: "There's gonna be big shoes to fill. But I'm not afraid. I've been there before. I'm ready to move on forward. I look forward to it. I think it's gonna be fucking ripping. It's gonna be killer. I'm gonna put out some more heavy shit. So I don't think anybody needs to worry. The vocalist I got is amazing. He's younger; he's in his mid-30s. He's at his vocal peak, I think. He's there and ready to go."

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

Bell later told Kerrang! magazine that his split with FEAR FACTORY was a long time coming. "It's been on my mind for a while," he said. "These lawsuits [over the rights to the FEAR FACTORY name] just drained me. The egos. The greed. Not just from bandmembers, but from the attorneys involved. I just lost my love for it.

"With FEAR FACTORY, it's just constantly been, like, 'What?!' You can only take so much. I felt like 30 years was a good run. Those albums I've done with FEAR FACTORY will always be out there. I'll always be part of that. I just felt like it was time to move forward."

Pressed about whether there is any chance of a reconciliation with FEAR FACTORY down the line, Burton said: "I'm done. I haven't spoken to Dino in three years. I haven't spoken to Raymond [Herrera, drums] and Christian [Olde Wolbers, bass] in longer than that, and I have no intention to. I'm just moving forward with my life."

Cazares recently confirmed that he and the new FEAR FACTORY vocalist have begun work on material for the follow-up to 2021's "Aggression Continuum" album.

In February 2022, former NIGHTRAGE singer Antony Hämäläinen, who unsuccessfully auditioned for the vocalist slot in FEAR FACTORY, revealed in an interview that the new FF frontman was "a person from Italy."

"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.

Photo: Stephanie Cabral

During an appearance on the latest episode of Doc Coyle's (GOD FORBID, BAD WOLVES) "The Ex Man" podcast, IN FLAMES singer Anders Fridén was asked if he and guitarist Björn Gelotte are "tough to be in a band" with, considering all the lineup changes they've gone through over the years. Anders responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, maybe. That could be. Who knows? I'm very determined. know what I want. I know what to do. But I'm not always right. But I think there are different points in life. And things happen. We never fired anyone. It's just the way it is. That's a question for someone else, I guess. But I know what I want. I wanna take this band here, and then I go for that. I don't know how to answer [that question], really."

Fridén was also asked if IN FLAMES would ever tour with THE HALO EFFECT, the new project featuring five former IN FLAMES members — Jesper Strömblad (guitar),Daniel Svensson (drums),Peter Iwers (bass),Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals). He said: "I think we're on different paths, in a way. We are here on our fourteenth album and they have just released their first. And I don't know who's in the band anymore. Maybe. Who knows? I think we're in a different place. And why do they wanna be connected with IN FLAMES? They are forming their own band; they need to find their own identity. Let's say when they've done their fourth album, maybe we will do it, because then they become their own entity and their own band. And I think they need that, and they deserve to have their place too. The first album is fairly easy. And everything will be compared to that all the time — the same [way] it was for us.

"For us, it's not the first band with an ex-IN FLAMES member either," he continued. "I think people make [too] big of a fuss about it. We made [the latest IN FLAMES] album ['Foregone'] before hearing a single note of THE HALO EFFECT. It came really out of the blue. I heard it from someone else. And if they wanna do it, that's fine. Whatever. Everybody's entitled to do whatever. And it's fine. I am in this band, and I have my own path to follow."

"Foregone" was released on February 10 via Nuclear Blast. According to a press release, the LP "combines the greatest aggressive, metallic, and melodic strengths of their landmark records with the seasoned songwriting of their postmodern era."

"In a way, it sounds stupid to say we wanted to be more 'metal,' because we always felt that we were," Fridén previously said. "Over the last couple of years, the world became even more hostile and evil in certain ways. We have a war in Europe. People, in general, are more stressed. All of that energy and anger helped fuel this album. We went in to make something on point, heavier, and yes, 'more metal.'"

Gelotte concurred: "We made an aggressive album. We kept the dynamics, some big epic choruses, heavy guitars, lots of kick drums, and melodies. That's who we are and who we've always been."

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

"Tanner is the best drummer we've ever had," Fridén said. "I don't say that to diss anyone that came before. Tanner has so much energy and there is so much stuff going on all of the time. Bryce is an amazing bass player, really, really heavy, with a good feel. Chris comes in with all of his knowledge of the guitar. His solos are way different from Björn's and the combination of those two guys just works perfectly. It's easy to do what I do on top of it because the foundation is so solid."

Songs like "State Of Slow Decay", "End The Transmission", "Bleeding Out", "Meet Your Maker" and "The Great Deceiver" pulsate with hypnotizing power and furious anger. There's desperation, a raw nerve exposed, brought on by the chaotic dystopia of post-pandemic society.

"This album is about lost time. Everything is going in the wrong direction," Fridén explained. "We can't make up for the lost time. That's why the album is called 'Foregone'. We're destined to end. That realization creates different emotions — panic, frustration, fear. 'Scary' isn't a horror movie or an angry metal guy screaming. The real horror is what's going on in the news from around the world. We are basically doomed. The album is about the few moments we have left and what we do with them."

The melodic guitars, crushing riffs, and high-speed tempos that define much of the IN FLAMES catalog first crystalized on their second album, "The Jester Race" (1996),complete with hints of the catchy choruses to come. "Whoracle" (1997) is the rawest and arguably heaviest IN FLAMES album from the 1990s. Metal Hammer declared melodeath masterpiece "Colony" (1999) "an undisputed fireball of an album." "Clayman" (2000) introduced synths and more prominent clean vocals, with accessible hooks, without sacrificing the band's overall intensity, resulting in their first Top 20 album in Sweden. "Reroute To Remain" (2002) took the groove element even further and broadened the American audience. "Soundtrack To Your Escape" (2004) expanded the arena rock bombast. "Come Clarity" (2006) is a perfect metalcore slab, as majestic as the American bands IN FLAMES inspired. Even as it stepped away from death metal, "A Sense Of Purpose" (2008) delivered some of the band's best and most eclectic songs. The gothic groove metal of "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" (2011) paved the way for the unapologetic arena rock of "Siren Charms" (2014) and "Battles" (2016),albums full of Active Rock hooks. Fans of the more aggressive side of IN FLAMES heralded "I, The Mask" (2019) as a return to form. "Foregone" masterfully, if improbably, manages to serve all sides of the IN FLAMES fanbase, with powerful force.

"We've had our fair share of times when we were trying to please others,” Fridén reflected. "'You should write with other people. You should go after radio.' We tried it but it wasn't for us. With this album, we didn't even think about anyone else or any of that." The major strength of "Foregone", and of IN FLAMES altogether, continues to lie in the long partnership between the singer and guitarist.

"Björn and I have 100 percent trust in each other," Fridén said. "He can give me a piece of music and know that I will give him something back he'll feel proud about. I know his way of playing and it's something I love singing on. He's from that Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page school of soulful, bluesy guitar players. And he has a good melodic sense. I know him inside and out and I love him to death."

Both men continue to follow their own compass. "It's impossible to please everybody. So the most important question to ask is always, 'Do we like it?'" Gelotte pointed out. "If I didn't like the music we play, I couldn't believe in it. It's a lot of time away from family. I wouldn't do this if I didn't love it. That's why we've been able to do it for such a long time; because we actually enjoy what we do."

The band built a stunning reputation with devastating, crowd-moving, inspired performances around the world at every major rock and metal festival imaginable, on festival tours like Rockstar Mayhem and Ozzfest, headlining multiple treks, and touring with their heroes, friends, and giants in the genre.

The band regularly headlines some of the biggest stages and festivals in the world. The list of IN FLAMES tourmates boasts SLIPKNOT, MEGADETH, JUDAS PRIEST, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, WITHIN TEMPTATION and LAMB OF GOD. (Over the years, they even took newer bands like GHOST and GOJIRA as support acts.)

"I'm really proud of what we achieved and that we never went away," Fridén said reflectively. "Sometimes you're loved, sometimes you're not, but we always pushed ourselves and created the music we felt was awesome. I'm so proud and happy with Bryce, Tanner and Chris, what they've brought into the band, on the recordings, and with their energy, and where IN FLAMES is at today."
@InFlames_SWE is 1 of my all-time favorite bands. Having the opportunity to speak w/ vocalist, Anders Fridén, is a tremendous privilege. He really opens up about their history, creative process, & everything that led them to their incredible new album, Foregone. pic.twitter.com/WhrH75jimO

— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) February 16, 2023

KORN singer Jonathan Davis makes a guest appearance in "70 Thorns", the new music video from Kim Dracula. The clip was directed by Jensen Noen, who has previously worked with FALLING IN REVERSE, ICE NINE KILLS, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and POP EVIL, among others.

Kim Dracula has surfaced from the flesh-eating diseases and torrential wildfires of Australia to create turbulent, creative art that mirrors the chaotic world around us. As for the person behind Kim Dracula, not much is known.

Blowing up in 2020, fans flocked to Dracula as he promoted his over-the-top compositions on social media with low-budget, yet impactful homemade videos which showcased long black and purple hair, garish makeup, demonic eyes, and a sardonic grin that promises nothing short of chaos and sensory overload. Dracula, however, was cultivating his sound and style long before pandemic outbreaks turned major cities into ghost towns.

After the success of his output on platforms like TikTok, Dracula's vision is finally able to come to life. On the first original track "Make Me Famous", we reach a gluttonous feast of violence, chaos and satire that makes Dracula's TikTok output look like Ed Sheeran. In addition to being extreme and multi-faceted lyrically and visually, "Make Me Famous" dwarfs Dracula's previous musical output by abrasively combining multiple styles, composed instrumentally by the members of Kim's band themselves, including metal, industrial, jazz, trap and Latin music in a single song without flying off the rails.

Kim says: "I've always had this vision. I've been wanting to combine these styles for over a decade, but it wasn't until recently that I actually had the resources to properly execute it."

Dracula's second release, "Drown", was a more melodic song that packed the same eclectic punch his making a name for, fusing styles such as post hardcore with synthwave, industrial, EDM and metal.

Between his musical composition, extreme visuals, and lack of desire to fit into any specific box, Dracula has earned a devoted following in all different communities.

"I don't care where you come from, what you believe in, or what you've done in the past," he says. "My art is for anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy it. There's enough division in the world already."

ANTHRAX's Joey Belladonna says that he "can't get down with" singers who lip sync during their concerts.

In recent years, more and more artists have been given a pass for relying on pre-recorded tracks, drum triggers and other assorted technology that makes concerts more synthetic but also more consistent. For better or worse, pre-recorded tracks are becoming increasingly common for touring artists of all levels and genres and they're not just used in pop music — many rock artists utilize playback tracks to varying degrees.

Belladonna addressed some rock acts' reliance on pre-recorded tracks in a Cameo video message requested by the Syncin' Stanley YouTube channel. Asked for his opinion on singers use backing tracks for their lead vocals, the ANTHRAX frontman said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I know that some people have no alternatives to enhance the quality and the likelihood of being a really great band night after night after night… But lip syncing the vocals? Eh. If I can't do it, I don't wanna be there. That's the fun part about being a musician, is to try to achieve that expectation of what you've been really working hard to get in the first place, is to be a great, great band and a great musician and just fight on each night to do a great job.

"If people go [to the shows] knowing that [the lead vocals are being lip synced], and they're okay with it, then what are we talking about? We're just trying to get through and be good. That's my take on it. I don't know what people really wanna do, if that's the case… I think one of the hardest things, too, it seems like there's a little bit of unfairness there. If two people are competing to do something, say, the same, or whatever genre of music, and one doesn't do it and one does it, then you already have the answers there."

Circling back to the topic of lead singers lip syncing, Joey said: "That part is tough for me. I can't get down with all that. I'd just as soon cancel or just not be out there at all. But as far as maybe some keyboards and a clean guitar or a synthy part, if you only have one hand to do one part and you want something just in the back… I like filling up the space — that kind of stuff… But the main singer? Ooh, that's tough.

"It's hard for me to judge. I don't wanna be the guy to put anybody in a place… We all have our opinions and stuff. You can just choose not to be there as a band and you can choose not to be there as a fan.

"There's nothing like people just getting together and jamming in a room and it sounds great and everybody's doing it and it sounds great and everybody's doing it and there's nothing there but them," Belladonna added. "That's the bottom line with our stuff. I worked a hell of a lot of years trying to get to that point, to mail it all in… What is that, really? All the bands that I've loved, it was all real. It was all genuine."

In March 2020, SHINEDOWN guitarist Zach Myers said that "90 percent" of rock artists use at least some pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. He told Rock Feed: "It bothers me that it bothers people. I'm, like, 'Why does this bother you?' It's the way it is. People have been doing this since the '80s. And we want the sound to be the best it can be. Could we go up there, just the four of us, and put on the best rock show ever? Of course. But that's not how we wanna do it."

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has previously said that he is "one of the last people" who are still not using pre-recorded tracks at their live shows. "I don't know how much longer I can say to you that I don't use tapes onstage, because I don't, and I never have," he told Consequence Of Sound. "And I still don't. When I have opening bands, and they're using tapes, and then I come out and I don't use tapes… sometimes, it makes me feel stupid, because I'm like, 'What am I doing, when all these kids half my age can come onstage and do all of my moves, but they don't have to warm up for an hour before the show, or weeks, before the first show?' Sometimes, I'm like, 'Why do I even bother, if the public is so used to this other way?' It's becoming very rare to come see a good band that's actually a real band — that's not miming or doing silly moves while a tape is running. It just becomes more rare as the years go on."

In 2019, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith said that he doesn't "agree" with certain rock artists relying on pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. "I tell you what, I see it with a lot of younger bands, and I don't think it's a good thing at all," he told the New York Post. "I mean, the music is getting too technical now. You have computerized recording systems, which we use, but I think we use them more for convenience than because we need to. We've toured with a couple bands that use tapes — it's not real. You're supposed to play live; it should be live. I don't agree with using tapes … I think it's a real shame."

One musician who has been open about his band's used of taped vocals during live performances is MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx, who said: "We've used technology since '87." He added the group employed "sequencers, sub tones, background vox tracks, plus background singers and us. [MÖTLEY CRÜE also taped] stuff we can't tour with, like cello parts in ballads, etc.... We love it and don't hide it. It's a great tool to fill out the sound."

In a 2014 interview, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars admitted that he wasn't comfortable with the fact that his band used pre-recorded backing vocals in its live shows, claiming that he preferred to watch groups whose performances are delivered entirely live. "I don't like it," he said. "I think a band like ours… I have to say '60s bands were my favorite — '60s and '70s bands — because they were real, like, three-piece bands or four-piece bands, and they just got up there and kicked it up. Made a mistake? So what? Sounded a little bit empty here or there? So what? It's the bigness and the rawness and the people that developed and wrote the songs and made them and presented them. To me, that's what I really like. I mean, I could put on a MÖTLEY CD and play with it all day long. I don't wanna do that."

KISS lead singer Paul Stanley, who has been struggling to hit the high notes in many of the band's classic songs for a number of years, has been accused of singing to a backing tape on KISS's ongoing "End Of The Road" tour.

Back in 2015, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons slammed bands who used backing tapes for not being honest enough to include that fact on their concert tickets.

"I have a problem when you charge $100 to see a live show and the artist uses backing tracks," Simmons said. "It's like the ingredients in food. If the first ingredient on the label is sugar, that's at least honest. It should be on every ticket — you're paying $100, 30 to 50 percent of the show is [on] backing tracks and they'll sing sometimes, sometimes they'll lip sync. At least be honest. It's not about backing tracks, it's about dishonesty.

"There's nobody with a synthesizer on our stage, there's no samples on the drums, there's nothing," Gene continued. "There's very few bands who do that now — AC/DC, METALLICA, us. I can't even say that about U2 or THE [ROLLING] STONES. There's very few bands who don't use [backing] tracks."

Earlier this month, KISS's longtime manager Doc McGhee defended Stanley's vocal performance on "End Of The Road", explaining that the "Star Child" "fully sings to every song" at every concert. He explained: It's enhanced. It's just part of the process to make sure that everybody hears the songs the way they should be sang to begin with. Nobody wants to hear people do stuff that's not real, that's not what they came to hear."

When McGhee was asked to clarify if he was "actually saying there are backing tracks that [Paul is] singing to," Doc said: "He'll sing to tracks. It's all part of a process. Because everybody wants to hear everybody sing. But he fully sings to every song."

KILL DEVIL HILL has signed with Ohio-based Legend Recordings. The label, which was founded by artist manager Chris Bianchi, has partnered with Ingrooves/Universal to release KILL DEVIL HILL's third album worldwide.

KILL DEVIL HILL was established in 2011 by former BLACK SABBATH and DIO drummer Vinny Appice and PANTERA bassist Rex Brown. After going through a few member changes, KILL DEVIL HILL's present lineup consists of Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE) on drums, Mark Zavon on guitar, Dewey Bragg on vocals and Matt Snell (ex-FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) on bass.

KILL DEVIL HILL's first single in nearly a decade, "Blood In The Water", will arrive on March 24.

Zavon commented: "We are beyond excited to release our first single, 'Blood In The Water', from our upcoming album. It's been a while since our last release, but we've been working hard writing and recording songs for this third record for a long time behind the scenes, and are really looking forward to sharing the finished product with our fans. We are proud to have partnered with Chris Bianchi and Legend Recordings for this release and are looking forward to working with them and Ingrooves to bring these songs to our fans worldwide. It's definitely some of our strongest material, and I can't wait to get out in front of an audience and play it live."

2023 will see KILL DEVIL HILL hit the road for select festival appearances and additional tour dates.

Shortly after he left KILL DEVIL HILL in early 2014, Vinny said that the band's inability to gain significant traction with its music was a major factor in his decision. However, more recently, Vinny has suggested that he exited the group because he "couldn't deal with" the fact that some of his bandmates were consistently tardy for KILL DEVIL HILL activities by an hour and a half or even longer.

Asked to respond to Appice's comments and address the fact that the drummer's explanation for why he left the band appears to have evolved over time, Mark told "J-Bunny's Music Hub": "Well, both [of his stated reasons] are true. And he's right. And there was [tardiness]. Dewey, our singer, at the time, was kind of going through some hard times and some personal difficulties, and he did have a hard time showing up sometimes. And even when we were on tour, he was — I don't know, man — just having a little bit of trouble. He's a totally changed man now, and now he's the first guy, anywhere we go, he's the one telling us, 'Hey, man, we're gonna be late for soundcheck.' But in those days, yeah, it was a little harder to wrangle him. So Vinny was right. And Vinny, he doesn't really put up with that. He's a name guy — he's got a history and a reputation. He's a pro. He's a star. So you can't blame the guy for that. I certainly didn't. I was the first one there [for rehearsals and live shows], 'cause I was stoked to play with those guys. Are you kidding me? Vinny Appice and Rex Brown in a room, and I get to play guitar?"

He continued: "So, anyway, I wish it could have kept going, but sometimes things don't work out, and everything happens for a reason. So I try not to question it. We've got great guys in the band now, and everything happens for a reason. So I'm looking forward to putting out this new record and people hearing what we can do without those guys in the band."

Vinny, who had previously played with BLACK SABBATH, DIO and HEAVEN & HELL, left KILL DEVIL HILL in March 2014.

KILL DEVIL HILL released its sophomore album, "Revolution Rise", in October 2013 via Century Media Records.

Fan-filmed video of THE WINERY DOGS' February 16 concert at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania can be seen below (courtesy of the Jim PowersYouTube channel).

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'."

February 16
The Winery Dogs
Tickets:...

Posted by Penn's Peak on Thursday, December 29, 2022

In a brand new interview with "The Chuck Shute Podcast", former WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp was once again asked about the possibility of a reunion of the band's classic lineup, featuring guitarist Vito Bratta. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I speak often to Vito and things like that, and him and I are on real good terms. I don't think either of us want a WHITE LION reunion. I also do not believe that a WHITE LION reunion would be an honest reunion where actually the four guys would come into the rehearsal with wide-open arms, saying, 'Bam! It's good to be back.' So unless the big hotel in Dubai offers us a million dollars, like they offered one of the guys from KISS, and then he says, 'Well, if I bring the other three for $4 million, will you pay?' 'Yeah, okay.' But that's not to say that maybe there wouldn't come the opportunity where Vito and I would do something, but I think both of us would want to do something new with the knowledge of what we have… What kind of song would we write today?"

Asked if Vito has fully recovered from his 1997 hand injury which prevented him from playing the guitar for a number of years, Mike said: "I can't speak for Vito. Vito will speak when Vito needs to speak. I know that he is playing, and he's also trying some other things and stuff like that. I will not force anything out of him. He will tell me when he will tell me."

Back in 2019, Tramp revealed in an interview that he had apologized to Bratta for trying to resurrect his former band without his onetime songwriting partner and bandmate.

The Danish-born singer hasn't played with Bratta since WHITE LION performed its last concert in Boston in September 1991.

In the 32 years since WHITE LION broke up, Bratta's public profile has been virtually nonexistent, while Tramp has remained active, recording and touring as a solo artist and with the bands FREAK OF NATURE, THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ and, more recently, BAND OF BROTHERS. Tramp also attempted to revive WHITE LION with the 2008 album "Return Of The Pride", featuring new members. Two years later, Tramp ceded ownership of the name WHITE LION to Bratta in an out-of-court settlement.

Speaking to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation", Tramp said that he and Vito are once again on speaking terms following his ill-fated attempt to bring back WHITE LION nearly a decade and a half ago.

"I have, over the past couple of years, been the one out there basically both admitting and apologizing that the only thing that I never planned to do in my career and wanted to do was go back and rehash a version of WHITE LION that had nothing to do with WHITE LION, nothing to do with the guys that played in the band," Mike said. "Mike Tramp's heart was not in it. It was just a moment of weakness, not believing enough in my solo albums. [You listen to] some guys saying, 'Hey, if you put a new WHITE LION together, you can play festivals and get much more money.' And then you fall for that and you engage in it and you go out there, and then you realize it's not what you wanna do. And then, of course, Vito did not want the name WHITE LION to be used without him being in the band. And it actually took a couple of years for me to really understand how much it meant to Vito. And when Vito one day told me in one of these conversations… First of all, he told me, 'Mike, I'm not against you. I just don't wanna turn YouTube on and see the title 'WHITE LION live in so and so,' and somebody doing 'When The Children Cry' solo and it's not me. WHITE LION was you and me, it was our band, we wrote the songs. That is the memories I want for the rest of my life.' And when he told me that, I had tears in my eyes and I totally understood it, because I had also gotten to that point that when we closed WHITE LION, we felt that this is where we wanted to stop it. There was something, going into the '90s, that didn't agree with the things we were looking at, and we wanted to somehow end it on a higher level than something that would not represent us in the future. But it just took many years to really understand it."

Asked if he understands why Vito doesn't want to play music professionally anymore, Mike said: "Yes, I do, because there are actually times when I also don't feel like doing it anymore. When all the magic around us, the stuff that made us fall in love with rock and roll — first of all, our heroes, then the industry, then the touring stuff — when all of that was really exposed that it was a two-faced kind of thing, that the people we thought loved us — and I'm not talking about the fans; I'm talking about the people that made money from us, and stuff like that — turned their back on us and stabbed us in the back, it really ripped us apart. And maybe it's just that I came from a different background than Vito, that I maybe was a little bit stronger or just of a different nature that I just fought back, but Vito just said, 'I just don't wanna deal with this.' And I understand now — I understand it from every conversation that I have with him."

Tramp also once again closed the door on a possible WHITE LION reunion, saying: "I can't be Mike Tramp 1988. I can't sing like that, and I'm not going up on stage and doing a half-assed job, which most of the bands out there are doing."

Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, WHITE LION released its debut album, "Fight To Survive", in 1985. The band had its breakthrough with the double-platinum-selling "Pride" album, which produced two Top 10 hits: "Wait" and "When The Children Cry". The band continued its success with the third album, "Big Game", which achieved gold status.

By the time WHITE LION released its final album, 1991's "Mane Attraction", alternative rock was in the ascendancy, leading to a swift decline of the so-called "hair metal" scene in terms of sales, popularity, radio play, and most importantly, relevance.

Mike will release "Songs Of White Lion", on April 14 via Frontiers Music Srl. As the title implies, the album sees Tramp re-imagining select cuts from WHITE LION's catalog.

Tramp will embark on the "Songs of White Lion" U.S. tour in May 2023 as well as participate in the original "Rock Meets Classic" tour in Germany this April.

RILEY'S L.A. GUNS has released a new single, "Rewind", digitally via Golden Robot Records. The track is taken from the band's upcoming sophomore album, "The Dark Horse", tentatively due mid-2023.

"Rewind' tackles the complex relationship lulls surrounding infidelity. "[It] is about how something so sweet can turn so sour," says RILEY'S L.A. GUNS bassist Kelly Nickels.

It's a tale as old as time: finding someone really special and becoming involved, then, as time passes, you learn they are cheating on you and stringing you along with lies. The feeling of frustration sinks in as you realize you have to end it and wish you could go back and "rewind" and make different decisions.

Golden Robot Global Entertainment founder and CEO Mark Alexander-Erber said: "As expected, another blistering assault by RILEY'S L.A. GUNS. I cannot wait for the world to hear their second album — it will definitely set them apart from all others."

To accompany "Rewind", RILEY'S L.A. GUNS will release a limited-edition bundle series of vinyls. With each single leading up to the release of "The Dark Horse", RILEY'S L.A. GUNS are putting out a limited-edition bundle, with bundle No. 2 out for pre-order today. Each bundle will include a limited-edition red seven-inch vinyl and a different-colored 12-inch of the upcoming album, with bundle No. 2 12-inch being a red and black splatter.

Last October, RILEY'S L.A. GUNS released a single called "Overdrive".

RILEY'S L.A. GUNS drummer Steve Riley said: "We are so excited about this second album from the band, 'The Dark Horse', and we feel we really took it up a notch with the songwriting, performances, and production after our well-received first album 'Renegades'. This first single, 'Overdrive', is a balls-out rocker and a great way to open this new album. We know you guys are going to love it, and we can't wait to see you out on the road in 2023!"

In April 2021, an out-of-court resolution was reached in the legal dispute over the rights to the L.A. GUNS name. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, guitarist Tracii Guns and singer Phil Lewis are continuing to operate under the L.A. GUNS trademark, while Steve Riley and his bandmates from the other version of L.A. GUNS are now operating under the new name RILEY'S L.A. GUNS.

RILEY'S L.A. GUNS features Riley alongside Orlando, Florida-based guitarist/vocalist Kurt Frohlich, bassist Kelly Nickels (a member of L.A. GUNS' "classic" incarnation) and guitarist Scott Griffin, who played bass for L.A. GUNS from 2007 until 2009, and then again from 2011 to 2014.

In January 2020, Riley was sued by Lewis and Guns in California District Court. Joining Riley as defendants in the case were the three musicians who performed in his rival version of L.A. GUNS; that group's manager, booking agent and merchandiser; and Golden Robot Records. The complaint, which requested a trial by jury, alleged that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS (referred to in the case docket as "the infringing L.A. GUNS") was creating "unfair competition" through its unauthorized usage of the L.A. GUNS trademark. In addition, Guns and Lewis were seeking relief from and/or against false advertising, breach of contract and unauthorized usage of their likenesses.

In May 2021, Guns discussed the resolution in an interview with The SDR Show. He said: "We ended up settling in a way where, basically, [Steve] licenses the words L.A. GUNS for free; I'm not even asking for a percentage of when he plays. I'm just saying, 'Hey, I could have taken your house. I could have taken anything you own. But I don't want you to die in the street, and I don't want you to be poor.' And I really love his son, Cole. It just got to the point with all this litigation…

"I live in Denmark half the time, so when we did this thing called a mediation, that mediation started at 11 p.m. Denmark time, and it was nine hours," he continued. "And I just had a baby. And my wife and my baby were in the bedroom, and I'm in the living room, and this is our first apartment there, which is, like, 72 square meters — it's tiny. And I'm up, and I'm doing this mediation. And finally, it just got to the point where [we were] just going back and forth, and I'm, like, 'How can I easily make it just make sense?' 'Cause in the end, they had no argument. 'Well, I'm in L.A. GUNS.' That was the argument. No, you're not — you're not in L.A. GUNS. You were hired by me. The bass player guy was hired by me. And it's as simple as that. But if you wanna pretend that you came up with the name or you formed the band or it was your musical vision or that you even wrote one fucking song, you can go live in that fantasy, as long as it doesn't infringe on my business."

In a separate interview with Sonic Perspectives, Guns addressed the fact that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS played at the M3 Rock Festival in 2019 and released a full-length album under the L.A. GUNS name, 2020's "Renegades". He said: "Dude, when they did those couple of shows, we got so much angry e-mail from our fans. People were, like, 'What the fuck? None of you guys were there!' We would have to explain it's a different band with the same name. When I say a lot, I'm talking over a thousand e-mails. Then they put out a record using the name L.A. GUNS, [and] the e-mails just escalated. That was the point where some from our family stepped who had unlimited funds, which we used to stop this. It was what we needed to do, and it is done. Can you imagine, now they have to make up their legal fees? In what reality is it worth it? For Steve Riley to spend $80,000, and they will never make that back with RILEY'S L.A. GUNS. There is no logic, and it's so bizarre."

In a new interview with Brazil's 89 A Rádio Rock, DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott was asked what kind of setlist fans can expect from the band's upcoming show in São Paulo in early March. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, look, in this day and age, whatever I say to you, all you've gotta do is go online and type in 'Setlist.com' and it tells you everything that we've been doing.

"We're not gonna change the set around too much, because it's a different crowd every night. And this is the one thing that critics of that situation never really take into consideration.

"If we were [playing to] the same fifty thousand people every night, we would change the set more. But it's always different people," Joe explained. "And you drop one song and play another one, and somebody will come on and say, 'Oh, they didn't play 'Photograph',' or, 'They didn't play 'Foolin''. They played something else instead.' So we can please somebody, an armchair critic. We're not gonna go there.

"We're obviously gonna be playing songs that people wanna hear. This is what THE ROLLING STONES ostensibly do, or [Paul] McCartney, or GENESIS, or U2 — anybody who's been around for years. DEPECHE MODE, QUEEN…

"[Fans] don't come to be educated in stadiums; they come to be entertained. If you're gonna educate people, you play a small place and play your entire new record to the ones that really care. What we do is obviously do a bit of a mixture of everything.

"We have a fantastic opportunity, over the next two years, to be actively promoting our latest album, so we're obviously gonna do that," Elliott added. "When we started the tour in America, we actually were doing four new songs out of the 16 we played — so 25 percent of the set was new material. In a stadium, it's unheard of. After 10 shows, we re-looked at that and decided we might wanna put one more older song in, so we cut it back to three. But still, we were playing three new songs in a 90-minute set, which is, I think, a wonderful thing for us to do. It's not overindulgent so that the crowd are going, 'I don't know this,' because you surround new songs with ones that they are familiar with. So an audience will forgive you four minutes of a new song if they don't know it, but half the people down the front do know it.

"So, it's a kind of a fine line you have to walk to get the balance right. So that's exactly what we will do in Brazil — we will be playing songs that you know, [and] we will be playing songs that we want you to get to know. But not too many new ones, and a nice balance of our back catalog from second album onwards."

DEF LEPPARD's latest album, "Diamond Star Halos", sold 34,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release in May 2022 to land at position No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the band's eighth top 10 LP.

Of "Diamond Star Halos"' 34,000 units earned for the week, album sales comprised 32,000, SEA units comprised 2,000 (equaling 2.7 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs) and TEA units comprised less than 500 units.

DEF LEPPARD's previous Top 10 albums included "Pyromania" (which peaked at No. 2 in 1983),"Hysteria" (No. 1 for six weeks in 1988),"Adrenalize" (No. 1 for five weeks in 1992),"Retro Active" (No. 9; 1983),"Rock Of Ages: The Definitive Collection" (No. 10; 2005),"Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" (No. 5; 2008) and "Def Leppard" (No. 10; 2015).

Last summer, DEF LEPPARD completed "The Stadium Tour" with MÖTLEY CRÜE and guests POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS. The 36-date trek was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus crisis.