SHADOW & THE THRILL, the modern blues-infused, groove-laden, hook-filled melodic rockers launched by Tony Cardenas-Montana in 2018, continue working on the follow-up to their acclaimed debut album "Sugarbowl". In the meantime, the slow-drip release of singles from the work-in-progress continues, as last summer's "Supermodel" is succeeded now by the stunning "Hangover Sex".

Because, while Tony admits that SHADOW & THE THRILL's "future is largely dictated by the past of the man behind the band", he is not afraid to challenge those expectations.

"This one's gonna hurt. In a good way", he says of the song. "While somewhat autobiographical, it is a track most of us can relate to — that otherworldly, punishing feeling the morning after a wild adventure involving questionable substances and even more questionable actions.

"The lyrics define a raucous evening with a potentially salacious outcome, when reality steps in, motives are put in check, and intimacy is more than the act itself," he explains.

"I'm excited to get this one exposed to everyone. The spirit of this track has stayed intact since its inception. Through multiple personnel changes, and multiple attempts to track in the studio, the song survived and thrived to the end. The vibe is alive!"

Tony's career has spanned decades and has garnered him a Grammy nomination, numerous RIAA-certified multi-platinum and gold awards, Billboard-charting credits as both a writer and musician, and world tours and performances alongside GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash, TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider and members of KISS, DEF LEPPARD, WHITESNAKE and MÖTLEY CRÜE.

And SHADOW & THE THRILL is destined to continue that streak. Rockandbluesmuse.com described "Sugarbowl" as being "as good or better than the greats of old… a killer project from… multi-dimensional musicians who have their take on rock music fully locked down." Rockatnight.com compared the band to "that shiny classic muscle car that doesn't have to light 'em up to grab your attention", while Music Life magazine raved about "an energetic and diverse selection of original material."

And there's more in the can, with another single already poised to follow "Hangover Sex". As Tony says, "I think this one will resonate with my core fans, fans of the GREAT WHITE era, and we always want to welcome new listeners to the fold."

Tony first came on the scene as the bassist for GREAT WHITE on the tour for "Once Bitten…" and was part of the band through its most successful period. After spending time away, he reunited with original GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell, first playing bass and then guitar in JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE.

In a new interview with Chris Akin of the Classic Metal Show, NAZARETH's founding bassist Pete Agnew spoke about the band's latest addition, singer Gianni Pontillo, who joined the Scottish rock legends in December 2025 as the replacement for Carl Sentence. Pete said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "This man fell into our lap. It was a gift from the gods. Gianni is an amazing vocalist, and he's an amazing vocalist for NAZARETH. He actually creates the NAZARETH sound that people would want to hear. This is the guy that's really filled the slot of [founding member] Dan [McCafferty]. He's got an amazing voice. He's a much younger guy as well — Gianni's only 48 — but his favorite period of rock comes from the same time as us. All the songs that we like is all the same thing. So he's an amazing singer. He's a very nice man, which is great. And, he just came along at the right time."

Pete continued: "I'd never known the guy up until about a year and a half ago, when he was first pointed out to me, and I was absolutely blown away when I heard him singing. And the great thing is all the fans are absolutely in love with him.

"We've only played half a dozen shows [with Gianni so far], I think, and everybody's raving about — not just him; about the band in general," Agnew added. "It's really lifted the spirits of the band and the whole atmosphere of the thing. There's an atmosphere of rejuvenation. It feels as if we just had some really nice medicine. [Laughs]"

Elaborating on the renewed excitement he and the rest of NAZARETH feel about having Gianni in the band, Pete said: "You can go up and go through the movements, if you like, and go through the motions and play everything correctly, and everything can be fine, or you can go up and when somebody really creates a great mood, it raises everybody's game. What's happened now is the guys are really enjoying playing these songs again. And when I'm playing — I mean, I never ever thought [I would get so much enjoyment out of playing] 'Hair Of The Dog' really that much anymore. When I'm playing it, it was kind of automatic. And it's not like that, doing it with Gianni. I feel as if we've just done the album. It's just great. It's just having this great vocalist singing these songs again. And it's just lifted the spirits of everyone in the band — and everyone around us. I mean, the whole vibe of being on tour… It's hard to describe it, but the whole road crew and everybody, it's like a different band now. We're really, really excited about it, as you can hear."

NAZARETH completed the 2025 leg of the "Bending The Rules" tour on December 17, 2025 in Berlin, Germany.

Pontillo had previously played with PURE INC., THE ORDER and SOULS REVIVAL and has taken part in all-star productions such as "Rock Circus" and "This Is Rock" by Das Zelt. Since 2019, he has also been the frontman of the German hard rock legend VICTORY. In 2023 he launched a new project called PONTILLO & THE VINTAGE CREW.

In 2015, Carl became the new singer for NAZARETH after founding member Dan McCafferty had to retire due to illness.

Carl's latest solo album, "Silent Angels", came out in 2024.

NAZARETH originally formed in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1968, releasing its eponymous debut album in 1971. The band broke big when, after supporting DEEP PURPLE on tour, they released the Roger Glover-produced "Razamanaz" album in early 1973 to critical and fan acclaim. They then released an impeccable string of hit records, including "Loud 'N’ Proud", "Rampant" and the smash hit "Hair Of The Dog", which came out in April 1975. The album included evergreen songs such as the title track (later covered by GUNS N’ ROSES on their "The Spaghetti Incident?" album) and "Love Hurts". The band has continued to release albums and tour the globe since, coming up on their 58th year of existence in 2026.

Image and video credit: MrJayGatsby

Brazilian metallers ANGRA staged a reunion of the band's "Rebirth" lineup at the 2026 edition of the Bangers Open Air festival on April 26 at Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo. In addition to a performance by ANGRA's most recent lineup — featuring longtime vocalist Fabio Lione, who had fronted ANGRA for 13 years — fans witnessed the long-awaited reunion of the lineup that recorded the "Rebirth" (2001) and "Temple Of Shadows" (2004) LPs, featuring the return of guitarist Kiko Loureiro, singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi and drummer Aquiles Priester. ANGRA also introduced its latest addition, Brazilian singer Alírio Netto (ex-SHAMAN, QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA),who officially replaced Lione last November.

Fan-filmed video of the Bangers Open Air concert can be seen below.

The setlist for the show was as follows:

Act I: Alírio Netto (vocals),Fabio Lione (vocals),Rafael Bittencourt (guitar),Marcelo Barbosa (guitar),Felipe Andreoli (bass) and Bruno Valverde (drums)

01. Nothing To Say (Alírio Netto on vocals)
02. Angels Cry (Alírio Netto on vocals)
03. Tide of Changes - Part I (Fabio Lione on vocals)
04. Tide of Changes - Part II (Fabio Lione on vocals)
05. Lisbon (Fabio Lione on vocals)
06. Vida Seca (Fabio Lione on vocals)
07. Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush cover) (Alírio Netto on vocals)
08. Carolina IV (Alírio Netto on vocals)

Act II: Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi, Rafael Bittencourt (guitar),Kiko Loureiro (guitar),Felipe Andreoli (bass) and Aquiles Priester (drums)

09. Nova Era
10. Waiting Silence
11. Millennium Sun
12. Heroes Of Sand
13. Ego Painted Grey
14. Bleeding Heart
15. Spread Your Fire
16. Acid Rain
17. Rebirth

Act III:

18. Silence And Distance (André Matos intro on the piano with his images shown on the screen; Netto, Falaschi, Loureiro, Barbosa, Bittencourt, Andreoli and Valverde)
19. Late Redemption (Netto, Falaschi, Barbosa, Loureiro, Bittencourt, Andreoli and Priester)
20. Carry On (Netto, Falaschi, Lione, Bittencourt, Loureiro, Barbosa, Andreoli, Priester and Valverde)

Lione officially joined ANGRA in early 2013 as the replacement for Falaschi.

Loureiro left ANGRA in 2015 to join MEGADETH and toured and recorded with the Dave Mustaine-led group for more than eight years before his exit from that band in September 2023.

Falaschi appeared on four ANGRA studio albums — "Rebirth", "Temple Of Shadows", 2006's "Aurora Consurgens" and 2010's "Aqua" — before quitting the band in May 2012, explaining in a statement that "there comes a moment in a man's life when it is necessary to make a radical decision in order to move forward with dignity and renewed energy." In 2006, Falaschi established his own band, ALMAH, and garnered international success. Following Falaschi's departure, there were discussions within the band's management about the possibility of original ANGRA singer André Matos returning to the fold. ANGRA eventually enlisted Lione as its third vocalist.

Priester was a member of ANGRA from 2001 to 2008 and he played on the "Rebirth", "Temple Of Shadows" and "Aurora Consurgens" albums.

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of ANGRA's "Holy Land". The band will celebrate this anniversary with a special concert on September 23 at L'Olympia in Paris, France. This night will be divided in two parts: one during which ANGRA will perform "Holy Land" in its entirety, and another set covering the highlights of ANGRA's rich catalog. This show will also be a tribute to Matos, who passed away in June 2019, and will include an appearance by Loureiro, who will perform with Bittencourt, Andreoli, Valverde, Barbosa and Netto.

O Angra será headliner do Bangers Open Air no domingo (26/04) e escreverá mais um capítulo histórico do metal brasileiro...

Posted by Angra on Saturday, November 22, 2025

During a May 1 livestream on his official YouTube channel, former GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin addressed his decision to retire a year and a half ago following the tour supporting the band's "Lighting Up The Sky" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "With the GODSMACK thing, I tell you, people, it ended beautifully, and there was no hard feelings. And GODSMACK 2.0 is coming, with Wade Murff on the drums and Sam Koltun on guitar. And it's gonna be badass, 'cause I know [GODSMACK frontman] Sully Erna, and he's badass, and he'll make a badass record. And GODSMACK will persevere, 2.0. And no hard feelings on this side, because it's all love."

Shannon continued: "For those who don't know or may be watching me for the first time, the touring — I've been touring for 40 years. And I wanna again say to [OASIS's] Noel Gallagher: I'm not that dude that's sitting here whining [and] bitching about it. It was the greatest years of my life, the last 40 years in this music business, touring my ass off, and make a record, tour, make a record, tour, make a record, tour. Boom. Until it wasn't… And so I stopped. And it was okay. And Sully understood, 'cause he knew me from the WRATHCHILD days, since 1986, [198]7, we met. That's for real. There was no cell phones or Internet, people. We wrote our numbers down after having met one another, and stayed in touch for 17 years before I joined GODSMACK. So, we were friends way before that, and so now we're friends way beyond that. And that's important, I think, especially in the moving on."

Larkin added: "I always try to put my foot in the other shoe. And I would've been upset too at first. And there's a bitterness that you feel when your homeboys leave your band. But you understand the reason. And it's not any of the usual reasons that break bands up, which is sex, drugs. And when I say 'sex', it's some dude in a band hits on the other guy's wife or worse. Shit like that happens and breaks bands up. We've seen it many times. And then it's always drugs; there's always drugs in rock and roll. And that's just the way it is, and the way it should be, probably, because we have the proof in music. People talk about AEROSMITH, one of the greatest bands of all time and perhaps the greatest American rock band. And still some of their greatest music was made under the influence of drugs. And you can't deny it that something was different from point A to point B. And so ]I'm] not trying to say I'm pro drugs — I'm not. I'm pro pot. I am pro marijuana. Pro weed. Always have been."

In April 2025, Erna released a statement in which he said that Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola had left GODSMACK "on good terms, but for no other reason than to fulfill their desire to live a more simple and quiet life away from touring." Erna said he and bassist Robbie Merrill were "excited to explore new directions", and they at the time recruited EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt and DOROTHY guitarist Sam Koltun for a European tour in the spring of 2025.

GODSMACK released a new live album and Blu-ray, "Live At Mohegan Sun", on May 1 via Primary Wave. Captured during GODSMACK's sold‑out October 26, 2024 performance at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, it marked the last performance featuring the classic GODSMACK lineup of Erna, Rombola, Merrill and Larkin.

During an April 23 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Erna talked about GODSMACK's latest additions, Koltun, who previously toured with the band in Europe in early 2025, and Murff. He said: "Sam's on board now full-time, and he's gonna be the new player from this point forward. And the drummer that we chose, his name is Wade Murff. He's worked with DAUGHTRY and some other acts. A fairly under-the-radar kind of guy. A strong player. A great dude. Really good with attention to details, as Sam is."

Sully continued: "I have complete confidence in this, although we start rehearsals next week. I'm just really confident that this is gonna be just as good, if not better than ever, because these guys came in with the right attitude. They honored the catalog, they honored the playing. They didn't try to reinvent it. And as you know, a guitar can sound like a guitar, a drum can sound like a drum. Until you replace the vocalist, that's when the sound really changes. So I really feel that the fans will be able to come and enjoy the music as they have always known it, because it won't sound foreign to them, like there's a new singer singing GODSMACK stuff. And plus their showmanship even elevates it a little bit more. I mean, Shannon's hard to replace. He's the GOAT [Greatest Of All Time]. If you see that dude play, he's a tough cookie to replicate or replace live visually. But this guy, Wade, he's strong. He's got some great chops, and he's really playing the stuff solid. I'm very happy to take them on tour and introduce them. And this is gonna start the next chapter in our life here, GODSMACK 2.0."

Based in Los Angeles, Murff reportedly began playing the drums at age 4. He credits LED ZEPPELIN's John Bonham and VAN HALEN's Alex Van Halen as having sparked his interest in rock drumming. But it was SLAYER's Dave Lombardo and PANTERA's Vinnie Paul Abbott who fueled his desire to become a hard-hitting metal drummer.

When asked about his playing style, Wade said: "Don't get me wrong, I appreciate technique and precision, but I love seeing drummers that hit hard and play with a lot of heart and physicality. Live, I always want to play on the edge between control and chaos; something could break at any moment, someone might get hurt... especially me. [Laughs] Seriously though, I'm committed to delivering that type of show every night, no excuses."

Wade has built a solid reputation as a go-to drummer for established acts, seamlessly filling roles in live performances, tours, and recordings. His credits include work with DAUGHTRY, PRONG, Sebastian Bach, ORGY and Doyle (of the MISFITS).

In a recent interview with TalkShopLive's The Rock N Roll Channel, Erna stated about Rombola and Larkin's exit from GODSMACK: "[Shannon] gave me the best years in this band. Tony as well. Those guys are just irreplaceable, as far as I can say, because they're truly like brothers, and they always will be. And there's no bad blood.

"A lot of people are, like, 'Oh, what happened? You had a falling out?' No, there's nothing," Erna explained. "They got to that point in their lives where they just didn't wanna tour at this level anymore. It's hard work. The road is a lonely place. Shannon got sober several years ago. It just didn't feel fun for him anymore. The body gets beat up. We put ourselves to a lot, emotionally and physically, and they just wanted to go enjoy their lives now. And so we gave each other a big hug, and we wished them the best. We honor and respect their decision. And I think you're gonna feel every bit of that emotion on ['Live At Mohegan Sun'], because these guys, [director] Dan[iel E.] Catullo [III] and his whole team, [editor] Leslie [Atkins], and everybody who was a part of making this film happen really captured visually everything I would want a fan to see in a show, along with this retirement party that we did for Tony and Shannon and how emotional that was. I mean, our families were there, our daughters were there. I cried at least 12 times already, just watching the cuts, trying to get the edits right. 'Cause it's 30 years of my life, and they were truly the best parts of my life. So, yeah, closing that chapter, it took me a minute to kind of get ahold of it, but it's coming. It's a double live album. It sounds great. It looks great. It's everything I think you're gonna want. And I really hope everybody goes out there and gets it to experience it."

After the interviewer noted that it's almost unheard of to have two members leave a band "on good terms" after two or three decades, Erna admitted: "I'm not gonna lie — I had some bitterness at first. From the day they said, 'Listen, this is the last one. I think we're gonna finish this record. We're gonna finish the touring cycle, and then that's it.' … And even though I understood it, and they had my blessing, they had my respect, and it wasn't anything that kind of fell out on bad terms, it didn't sit with me well. 'Cause I felt like I'd worked so hard my whole life. I felt like I built this amazing thing with these guys and gave everyone their dream and they took mine away. And I was kind of experiencing that emotion for a while. And I found myself okay with it, and then really mad about it, and then finding my acceptance with it and then not finding my peace with it. And it was really like an emotional rollercoaster for me. And I'm still kind of on it a little bit, because I don't really know what the future holds. But me and Robbie sat down. We had a good talk, and we felt like we have a lot of gas left in the tank. And we wanna get out there and honor the catalog, honor the music, honor this thing that we built and give the fans that."

He added: "I feel good. I feel like I'm 25 years old. I'm not ready to go anywhere yet. So we're gonna run this a little bit longer, and we're gonna see how things go."

Referencing the fact that GODSMACK recently announced "The Rise Of Rock" 2026 tour, a North American run featuring special guests STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and DOROTHY, Sully said: "We have a strong lineup right now. I wanna mention this — this is the first time I've said this on any platform. So you and the fans are hearing this for the first time. But we have welcomed in a new guitar player named Sam Koltun, who's amazing. He was actually playing with Dorothy. He's played with some other bands along the way. And he came in for an audition. And I gotta tell you, the guy blew our mind. His attention to detail, his performance, his playing really elevated the frontline a little bit more than it was. And he's just an incredible guitar player. So I want people to know that, 'cause I want them to welcome him into this project. He really loves the band. He honored the music. He honored what Tony played. And, and I gotta tell you, it sounds identical. It's incredible how well he can play the stuff and put his own little flair to things. And for the first time we're gonna mention Wade Murff, who is gonna be the new drummer at this point. And again, great guy, great player, strong, looks great visually.

"I think for people that are gonna come see GODSMACK now, they're gonna really feel at home when they hear the band and how we sound because I don't think much has changed in that aspect, but there's this new breath of life now too," Sully added. "There's this thing that's been like recharged, and it's exciting."

When the interviewer speculated that Sully may have felt a "sense of betrayal" over Shannon and Tony's decision to leave GODSMACK, Erna clarified: "I wouldn't say 'betrayal', though. That's a harsh word, man. It was just a decision. It was a lifelong decision. Listen, Shannon has been on — what? — 40 albums. The guy's played with [BLACK] SABBATH, UGLY KID JOE, WRATCHCHILD AMERICA, you name it. He's done a lot of work, man. But listen, from the beginning, GODSMACK has been a blue-collar work-horse band. We were never a part of the MTV culture. We were never part of the VH1 culture. We were never a part of the pop scene. We were a blue-collar workboot band, and we made our career on touring and radio. And that is much harder than people may think, compared to the pop artists that go out there and just — whatever — they pop up and they sell a bazillion records and they're the favorites to the Grammys or whatever else was out there doing their thing, and they don't tour like we did, man. I can promise you that. The only band that even came close was PANTERA, and they even came to us at one point when they'd seen our schedule. They go, 'Holy shit. You guys just play a lot of shows.' And we're, like, 'Isn't that what everyone does?' They're like, 'No, not that many.' Seven in a row, one day off. Nine in a row, one day off. 11 in a row, one day off. That shit went on for three years, man. And we were like robots. So I'm really proud of what we built here, and I have no regrets. If this whole thing ended tomorrow, dude, I'm good. We lived a good life out here. But the reality is it's not gonna end tomorrow. We're gonna go out there. We're ready to run again. Everything is good. The band sounds great. And we're really excited to bring these new guys out and have some fun with them and with the audience."

Promoted by Live Nation, "The Rise Of Rock" 2026 tour will kick off Sunday, May 10 in Bristow, Virginia at Jiffy Lube Live and make stops across the U.S. and Toronto, Canada, including Austin, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, and California, before wrapping Saturday, September 26 at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, Idaho.

Larkin joined GODSMACK in 2002 after cutting his teeth with WRATHCHILD (later WRATCHILD AMERICA and SOULS AT ZERO) before getting picked up by UGLY KID JOE in time for a taste of their zenith.

Tony had been the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for GODSMACK since the mid-1990s following the departure of Lee Richards.

GODSMACK's latest album, "Lighting Up The Sky", was released in February 2023 via BMG. The LP was co-produced by Erna and Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALICE COOPER).

Following the strong response to his recent singles "Bad Bones" and "Born To Break", Swedish vocalist Erik Grönwall — best known for his two-year stint with SKID ROW — now releases the third single from his upcoming solo album "Bad Bones", the powerful and deeply personal "Praying For A Miracle".

Out today, the new single reveals another side of Erik's songwriting, one that is more vulnerable, reflective, and emotionally charged, while still carrying the signature vocal intensity that has defined his career.

Known worldwide for his powerhouse voice and commanding stage presence, Erik has made his mark as the frontman of SKID ROW, H.E.A.T, and through his work with guitar legend Michael Schenker. With "Bad Bones", he steps fully into his own artistic identity, presenting a body of work built entirely on original material.

Erik says: "'Praying For A Miracle' is about being pushed to a point where you feel like you have no control left — when everything comes down to one last chance and all you can do is hold on and hope. For me, it's deeply personal. It takes me back to the moment I stepped on stage with SKID ROW for the first time, just five months after my bone marrow transplant."

"Praying For A Miracle" is available on all major digital platforms.

While earlier singles introduced the attitude and defiance of "Bad Bones", "Praying For A Miracle" highlights the emotional depth of the album — offering listeners a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped Erik both as an artist and as a person.

Alongside his work in the studio and on stage, Erik has built a global audience through his highly successful YouTube channel, where millions have followed his journey and connected with his voice on a deeply personal level. With his new original material, that same connection now takes on an even more powerful meaning.

With two sold-out hometown shows at Cirkus in Stockholm and a growing list of festival appearances across Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, Erik continues to build momentum leading up to the release of "Bad Bones" on May 22.

"Bad Bones" track listing:

01. Born To Break
02. Bad Bones
03. Praying For A Miracle
04. Who's The Winner
05. Lost For Life
06. Twisted Lullaby
07. Save Me
08. Hell & Back
09. How High
10. Written In The Scars

In a recent interview with Roppongi Rocks' Stefan Nilsson, Grönwall stated about his upcoming solo album, on which he worked with his producer and former H.E.A.T bandmate Jona Tee: "It was just one of those things that I've built my career in bands, I've loved being in bands, but I also asked myself, who am I as a songwriter when I release my own music? 'Cause I did a solo album after [appearing on the competition show] '[Swedish] Idol', but I have to say that was more Sony Music's album. And to be fair against the people I worked with then, and I didn't really know what I wanted to do either. So it was kind of, like, 'Okay, you have a guy who can sing stuff, probably. What do we do? Maybe this.' And then we just put it out there. And it was way too fast. We put it out just to get it out for people to shop for Christmas. [Laughs] So, yeah, it wasn't from the heart. But now it is. And I've never been prouder of an album than I am right now. I've really taken the time, and Jona has been next to me. And I've been experimenting. I've been soul searching, like, 'What if we do this? No, that doesn't feel right. This, no. Okay.' And then I realized that who I am as an artist is everything I've done so far, combined — H.E.A.T, SKID ROW, Michael Schenker. It's not that hard. It's rock and roll. If you can count to four, you can do rock and roll. 1, 2, 3, 4 — it's done. That's all you need."

Grönwall, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021, also spoke his decision to join SKID ROW in early 2022 and his eventual departure two years later. He said: "For me, it was an obvious 'yes' [when I was asked to join SKID ROW], but I think what people have to understand is that I got the question five months after my bone marrow transplant against leukemia. [I had a] new immune system, new blood type — [I went through] a total reset of the immune system. I weighed 55 kilos [around 121 pounds] after all the chemo. And I got the question. If the question came a month before, earlier, a month earlier than that, I wouldn't have been able to do it. So it was perfect timing, but still the worst timing. So for me, it was a yes, but it was also one of those, like, 'If my doctor says no, I'm not gonna do it.' Because … health always comes first. So that's what I try to live by. And sometimes it's hard in this business because you've got beer in the fridge. So it was a yes for me, and I wanted to do it."

Erik, who auditioned for "Swedish Idol" back in 2009 by singing a cover of SKID ROW's "18 And Life", continued: "SKID ROW has been one of those fans that I've been listening to when I grew up. I love the band. I had a lot of fun in that band, but it was really hard for me to… Here I am doing what I love, my dream, and I get to do it with one of the bands that I grew up listening to. And it was just so surreal. And I did the '18 And Life' when I auditioned for 'Idol' and it was just, like, 'Is this happening? It's surreal.' But at the same time, I had this voice in my head saying, 'Health first, health first.' You gotta respect the guy who went through all the shit at the hospital, the guy who fought for his life. You have to stand up for that guy now. And I felt like it was really hard to say 'no' to touring and to doing shows, because you don't wanna be that guy. You don't wanna be the typical singer. [Laughs]"

Asked if his departure from SKID ROW to focus on his health was also an "easy" decision for him, Erik said: "It was harder. It was really hard. And also because I had a really good time in the band and still have a lot of respect and love for the guys. But, for me, I asked for… I wasn't saying 'no' to touring completely. I was just saying I need a month off at home in between tours. Just 'cause I was still doing checkups at the hospital and I still do it. I actually have one in February coming up. So I kind of felt like I was everywhere and I didn't really take care of myself. And that became stressful because knowing what I've been through, and I don't know what can happen if… It's very unpredictable. Cancer is very unpredictable. So I just wanted to take care of myself, recuperate, have that time. I was still living in Sweden, so [I] just [wanted to] have that time to really take care of myself. So, [what I asked for was] one month off and three weeks on the road, one month off, three weeks on the road. But they are a touring band, and that didn't work for them. And that's completely fine. No hard feelings. That was just something I needed. And then that happened. I decided to take a step back and started doing more stuff on YouTube."

Erik added: "I love singing and I love putting stuff out on YouTube, doing songs I love, interpretations. But then I also found a love for writing music again. So I asked myself after SKID ROW, like, who am I? Who am I? Because I've always built my career in bands. So what do I sound like? And that's what we're gonna find out now."

A year ago, Erik opened up about his decision to exit SKID ROW, telling Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic: "It was a really, really tough decision. And if I could have stayed in the band, I would. It just got to a point where I was, like, well, if I'm gonna respect the guy who went through all of this and respect my own values, I just had to make that decision. But it was the right decision, but it was a hard decision."

Grönwall went on to say that both he and the members of SKID ROW "took a risk" when they decided to work with each other. "I remember once saying to [SKID ROW bassist] Rachel [Bolan], like, 'Wow, you guys took a really big risk with me.' And he was, like, Yeah, but you took it that times four' or something, 'cause there are four [other] people in the band. But the thing is we found each other right away. And I still think we were so good for each other. They helped me and I hope I added value to SKID ROW. It feels like it. And they added value to Erik Grönwall, the Grönwall business. So it was a really, really good relationship we had, and we had a really good thing going. But they definitely took a big risk."

Elaborating on the factors that were involved in his decision to leave SKID ROW, Erik said: "I understand it's hard to grasp how what a bone marrow transplant comes with or a leukemia treatment comes with. There's so much, and it's not like there's any blueprint for it. It's just, 'Okay. Today this is happening to your body. Okay, we've gotta check what that is.' And it's blood tests every month, every third month, every six months. And it's a big thing. And it's a lot to keep keep track on, obviously. But we were really good for each other. And those guys were very extremely generous from day one. Very democratic. It was democratic from day one. It wasn't like I was the hired guy. I was part of the band. So they made me feel really good about that. And I wanted to be a part of the band as well. There's a lot to say, obviously, but we had a really good thing together."

Regarding why SKID ROW turned down his proposed touring schedule of three weeks on the road, including traveling, and then one month off, Erik said: "I can't speak for them, obviously. I gave them a proposal that I thought would be manageable for me, but it didn't work for them. And they have to do what they do, and they've been doing this for a long time, and they somehow always manage to come back again. So it's not for me to say."

Erik added that he really wanted to make things work, given the circumstances, but he was given no choice but to leave.

"I can also feel saddened that we ended up here," he said. "But I think we really tried to find a solution. And at the end of the day, everybody's gotta do what they feel is best for them."

Grönwall also spoke highly of SKID ROW's original singer Sebastian Bach, who hasn't fronted the group since his 1996 departure.

"I've always said, from the day I joined SKID ROW, I was, like, if I meet [Sebastian], I'm gonna shake his hand and just say, 'Thank you for the inspiration,' because he was a vocal inspiration for me when I grew up," Erik said. "And I will say it again, what he did on [SKID ROW's] 'Slave To The Grind' [album] — [one of] top three best vocal performances of all time in rock and roll history. That was insanely good. So, for me, it was a privilege to go out and sing those songs. There's a lot of stuff going on vocally, which makes it fun, obviously. It's not fun on bad days, though. When you have a cold, then it sucks — then it's the worst job in the world —but on good days, it's great."

SKID ROW's longtime friend Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) handled lead vocals for the band's four concerts in late May 2024 and early June 2024, two months after Erik's exit from the group.

At the time of Grönwall's departure, SKID ROW members said in a statement that they were "proud" of what they had "created and accomplished with Erik" over the previous two years" and wished "nothing but the best to him and his health."

In January 2025, Erik told Finland's Chaoszine about his exit from SKID ROW: "Leaving the band was one of the toughest career decisions I ever had to make. I loved being in that band. It didn't hurt waking up being the lead singer of SKID ROW. But I would still be in the band if that was an option.

"I left to respect the person who went through the leukemia — I mean, the person at the hospital," he explained. "I promised myself that I would always put my health first. And when I felt like I couldn't do that being in the band, I just had to make that decision.

"I loved my time in the band. I had so much fun with the guys. We clicked right away, and I will always look back at that time with a smile, for sure. And I would have loved to stay in the band. But given the circumstances, we just couldn't find common ground in terms of how much we should tour."

Grönwall went on to clarify that he was always open to continuing with SKID ROW if an agreement had been reached regarding how much time to spend on the road.

"I'm not sure if it's been said in any interview, but, for me, it was never about not touring at all," he said. "I just wanted to have more time in between to recover. So, my suggestion was three weeks on the road, including traveling, and then one month off, three weeks on the road, including traveling, one month off, just to have that time in between. But they didn't find that feasible, and that's totally fine. I mean, SKID ROW has been doing this since before I was born. [Laughs] They have a recipe. I totally respect that they didn't find out feasible at all. But it was what I needed, and here we are."

According to Erik, leaving SKID ROW has given him "a lot of freedom" to pursue other projects.

"I won't stop being an artist," he said. "I can pretty much do whatever I want. And I like that. I'm not signed to any label right now. I don't wanna be. I like that kind of independence, freedom. Maybe there will come a time when it makes sense to sign with someone, but right now I'm doing everything from [my home]. It's nice to wake up, just go downstairs, put on some coffee, get in here and sing, and then go to the next room here and record the video and put it on YouTube. It's kind of convenient."

In a November 2024 interview with Chris Akin Presents, Bolan and SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo addressed Erik's exit from the group. When host Chris Akin noted that Grönwall's explanation for exiting SKID ROW sounded a little "fishy" to him and other SKID ROW fans in light of the fact that Erik had immediately announced that he was releasing his autobiography and was planning to go on tour with Michael Schenker in 2025, Rachel said: "Well, I'll put it this way: we understand exactly what you're saying. And I'd be a liar if I said sometimes I don't feel the same way. We were told exactly what he announced to the rest of the world via his YouTube channel. That's exactly what we were told. That's exactly what he sent in a text to Snake. I'm not gonna sit here and shit talk the guy because it's not gonna do anything. But we had a really, really, really good thing going, and we're here now."

Bolan continued: "You're not the first person to say this to any of us. We've all been DMed and a lot of fans thought think the same thing, and, like I said, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I thought the same thing at times, but we're just going by what he told to us."

Snake chimed in: "Obviously, we had to postpone and cancel some shows. There was definitely some health issues with him while we were out there. But what Rachel is saying is 100 percent true. This is what we were told, and we made attempts to figure it out, how we could do this where we could cut way back on the touring, but it just wasn't economically feasible for anybody — it just couldn't be done. And, yeah, we had a really, really good situation, but he was the one who left."

Bolan and Sabo also touched upon the fact that Grönwall released a demo version of a song called "Can't Kill What's Dead" which Erik said he co-wrote with his producer Jona Tee for possible inclusion on a new SKID ROW album while he was still in the band.

"Yeah, I heard the song for the first time in [Erik's October 2024] post," Rachel said. "So I'm not even sure what he was talking about."

After Akin clarified that Erik said "Can't Kill What's Dead" was one of three songs Grönwall co-wrote with Tee for potential inclusion on a new SKID ROW album, Rachel said: "That's creative wording. That's for sure."

Added Snake: "That's news to us. I mean, I guess we would have to play on it for it to be on a SKID ROW record."

Rachel continued: "Yeah, I saw the post and I was, like, 'Huh. Okay.' I was as confused as everyone else. I'm, like, 'Okay.'"

The English version of Grönwall's autobiography, "Power – Music, Death, Life", was made available in December 2024 via HarperCollins.

Grönwall, who was a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T. for nearly a decade before exiting the group in October 2020, announced in September 2021 that he was cancer free after receiving a bone marrow transplant one month earlier.

Grönwall sang on four H.E.A.T. studio albums — "Address The Nation" (2012),"Tearing Down The Walls" (2014),"Into The Great Unknown" (2017) and "H.E.A.T II" (2020).

More recently, Erik sang on two of Michael Schenker's albums, 2024's "My Years With UFO" and 2025's "Don't Sell Your Soul". He also toured Europe and Japan with the legendary German guitarist.

In September 2021, just four months before joining SKID ROW, Grönwall released his new cover version of "18 And Life" via all streaming platforms.

In 2018, Grönwall debuted in the U.S. for 10 million viewers in NBC's live broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". Along with John Legend, Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles and others, Erik played the key role of Simon Zealotes.

In late March 2022, SKID ROW released its first single with Grönwall, "The Gang's All Here". The song is the title track of the band's latest album, which arrived in October 2022 via earMUSIC.

SKID ROW played its first show with Grönwall on March 26, 2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada as the support act on the rescheduled dates for SCORPIONS' "Sin City Nights" residency.

Grönwall lives in Knivsta, a city in Uppsala County in east central Sweden, with his wife and their son.

In a new interview with Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation, KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque spoke about the status of the band's forthcoming horror trilogy, part one of which is titled "Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920". Asked if fans can expect "Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920" to arrive anytime soon, Andy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That's a question [that should be put] to [KING DIAMOND's namesake frontman] King [Diamond]. As you probably heard, we've been working on that for ages. But my part of it is that back in 2022, I had a bunch of songs, pre-production with the right recording guitars, some keyboards from [early KING DIAMOND collaborator] Roberto Falcao, actually. I asked him to do a few things on my songs. So I had, like, eight songs that I sent off to all the members in the band — pretty much ready to start recording, with vocals and the real proper drums and bass from Pontus [Egberg, KING DIAMOND bassist] and stuff, even though I played some bass on it, and [I used a] drum machine [for the demos] and all that stuff, just like a guideline. And we talked about it, and King wanted to use, like, three of those songs. And so I guess now he's finishing up his part of it, which is gonna be, like, five or six songs on the album. So that's what we're waiting for."

La Rocque previously discussed the status of the next KING DIAMOND album this past March in an interview with "Reckless" Rexx Ruger of the Pod Scum podcast. Asked if "Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920" will still be released in 2026, Andy said: "I really hope so. That's our goal. We have most of the songs. I sent [King Diamond, KING DIAMOND's namesake frontman], I think, eight songs, like, four years ago, and we decided to use three of those. And we actually played one live from those songs. And as soon as he's done with this stuff — he's gotta write five songs, I believe, and he's got a lot of the stuff already written down, with the lyrics and everything. As soon as that's recorded and arranged from his side, we can put the right guitars on, the right drums, bass and everything. So I really hope it won't take very long before we can continue working on that. And if that's the case, we can start recording soon, and during the summer, [and] then we have a chance for it to be released at the very end of the year."

Regarding how he approaches playing the new KING DIAMOND material from a guitarist perspective, Andy said: "It depends. Nowadays King has usually a request for me to play the song the way he would like it to be played. So I probably play my songs a little bit different than his songs, because I know, that, for example, he [doesn't] like when I play the rhythms with like a vibrato kind of thing at the end of a riff or whatever, because that might be interacting with his vocals that comes on later. But on my songs, I just do what I feel is right to do. I mean, if it's good for the song, it's probably good. And if it doesn't fit, when he puts the vocal on, I change it. But first of all, I just write what comes out of the heart. I don't really care what other people think about the style or whatever. I just write my stuff, and it's kind of based in the '80s. I mean, standard tuning — we don't tune down with KING DIAMOND, so it's standard tuning, pretty straightforward. And, melodies [are] super essential. I think it's so important to have melodies in the songs, and create space for melodies, too, for the vocals. That's really important."

Last June, Andy told the Heavy Demons radio show about the KING DIAMOND songwriting process, Andy said: "[I] pretty much [come up with] a complete demo with a programmed drum track and some keyboards on and some rhythm guitars. And I try to make my demos as complete as possible with everything — except for the vocals, of course — but sometimes even with some solos that we can use on the album even, and the right guitar sounds, and hopefully the right keyboard sounds too. When it comes to King's stuff, he's a little more basic with a few of the things. For example, the guitars — he lets me re-record the guitars. And then I put solo on, and then Pontus, the bass player, puts the bass on and all that stuff. So it's a little bit different, but it's quite complete anyway, from his side. You totally understand what he wants with the feel and the atmosphere of the song. And once that's done and we're okay with the arrangement and stuff, we send that out to the other members in the band so they can start recording. For example, Matt [Thompson, KING DIAMOND drummer] has his own recording studio in Dallas, where he lives. So when he gets the demo from us, he just mutes the drums, put his drums on, and sends it to me so I can fix the drums and set up a good sound on everything. Same with the bass player and also with Mike [Wead], the other guitarist — kind of the same procedure. And once the drums are done and we're okay with everything, King is doing the vocals. So that's about it. And then, of course, we can go in and change a few things too. If something needs to be added or changed — a rhythm part on the guitar or solo; whatever needs to be changed — we can do that whenever. So it's a pretty creative procedure."

Last year, La Rocque spoke to Finland's Chaoszine about the new KING DIAMOND songs "Electro Therapy" and "Spider Lilly" which were first performed during the band's fall 2024 U.S. tour. He said: "We were kind of done with these songs. That's why we decided to try to play them live and see how it works out. And that's what we did. So, for example, 'Spider Lilly' is gonna be on the album. And we play that live. And it's also released on video. So, yeah, that's how we do it. We don't have to wait for a whole album. We thought, 'We need to put out something now for the fans.'"

During the same chat, La Rocque addressed his previous comment that he wanted the next KING DIAMOND album to have a more organic sound, similar to how it was on some of the band's early efforts. Asked if he and his bandmates will have to do a lot of "tweaking" in the studio to achieve this sound, Andy said: "Not really. That's what we don't do this time around. We don't do a lot of tweaks to it. It's organic also in the way of the playing is not like copied and pasted, stuff like that. It's more relaxed play. And there might be some things you hear that are like, 'Oh, yeah…' We're gonna keep that… Because that's what we had back in the '80s too when we recorded an album. Everything wasn't perfect — more organic, and not everything triggered and sound like everyone else. But we want a more acoustic, kind of more of the acoustic drums, and stuff like that, to make it a little bit more organic. It doesn't have to be perfect everywhere. It's good, but some things might not be a hundred percent, only 99.99, you know what I'm saying? But that's also to make everything like a more loose or organic feel to it. Of course it's gonna be good. We don't release anything that we're not happy with."

In a separate interview with Fistful Of Metal magazine, King stated about the status of the long-awaited new KING DIAMOND album: "Well, for starters, the original name that we had picked was 'The Institute'. However, that has now changed to 'St Lucifer's Hospital 1920', since the start of the U.S. tour. There very well may be a track on the album called 'The Institute'… I just want to make sure that it's the best material I've ever released. Right now, we are gearing up to film the next video for the single 'Lobotomy'. Other songs that are completed are an intro track called 'Under The Surface', 'The Institute', 'The Nun', 'Faceless' and, of course, 'Spider Lilly'. There's another track, which I'm not sure is going to be on the album yet, called 'Deep In The Darkness 1920'. Andy has been working on at least five tracks, one of which has as monster chorus that we plan to record with a choir. The plan is that this album will be the first of a trilogy, and I already have all three album titles."

In December 2024, KING DIAMOND released a studio version of "Spider Lilly". It was a first-time mixing collaboration with Arthur Rizk, who also mastered the track. The music and lyrics were written by King Diamond.

The official music video for "Spider Lilly" was directed by My Good Eye Visuals. Part of the clip was filmed at the very haunted Pennhurst Asylum outside of Philadelphia on a travel day during the band's 2024 North American tour, two days before Halloween. It was only King himself and actress Jodi Cachia who could participate on that specific day, together with producer David Brodsky, Allie Woest and their crew.

KING DIAMOND performed "Spider Lilly" live for the first time at the kick-off concert of the band's 2024 North American headlining tour.

In October 2023, KING DIAMOND released a music video for the 2019 single "Masquerade Of Madness". The clip was directed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest of My Good Eye Visuals.

A month after KING DIAMOND released "Masquerade Of Madness" in November 2019, La Rocque told The Metal Voice that he came up with the music for the track first before passing it off to King, who "needed to arrange a few things and change just a small few things for making it work with his vocals. And then, of course, he wrote the lyrics for it," the guitarist revealed. "So we [went] a little back and forth until he felt like, 'Okay, this is cool, man. This is the right key to sing in,' and all that."

KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the band's last album, 2007's "Give Me Your Soul … Please".

"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.

KING DIAMOND released a DVD/Blu-ray, "Songs For The Dead Live", in January 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The set captured 1987's seminal "Abigail" album in its entirety, twice, and in very different locales: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. The performances featured KING DIAMOND's current band, comprising of guitarists La Rocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and Matt Thompson.

Photo by Jeremy Saffer

In a new interview with Brazil's Ibagenscast, Dave Mustaine once again spoke about his decision to include his version of "Ride The Lightning", the title track of METALLICA's 1984 album for which he got a co-writing credit following his 1983 departure from the band, on the final MEGADETH album, simply titled "Megadeth". Regarding why he chose this particular METALLICA song to record, Dave said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "I've got a really good explanation for you. That was one of the songs that I wrote with [METALLICA frontman] James [Hetfield], and just like the other songs that I wrote, something happened when I left. Parts were changed, credits were assigned to other people, and I thought of all the songs, 'Ride The Lightning' showcased my guitar talents the best: the spider chord that I invented, the grunting chords. Those were things that bands weren't doing. And it happens in 'Ride The Lightning'."

Mustaine continued: "I've always thought that James was an excellent guitar player, so when we set out to do the song, we figured we needed to do it as good or better than the original. And we figured, how are we gonna do that? METALLICA's an amazing group. So we sped it up just a little bit, made it a little bit more frantic, and then we kind of spiced up the solo a little bit. And then, at the end, there's some drum fills that the METALLICA guys had played, and I told [MEGADETH drummer] Dirk [Verbeuren], I said, 'Have fun there. Just have fun.' So he did a drum fill at the end in the four spots that there's drum fills. And I think that they're really stunning drum fills. They may be similar to the original stuff, but I'm not sure how similar. And he recorded his parts, and I love it."

Mustaine also addressed the possibility of MEGADETH performing "Ride The Lightning" at some of the concerts on the band's farewell tour, including the recently launched South American leg of the trek. He said: "Now it's just a matter of us playing it live and when in the set it would be played and how many times do we wanna play it? I mean, we may not play it down [in South America]; we may only play it once down here. I don't know. It has to be right, because the first time we play that, people are gonna record it and it's gonna go around the world. And I don't want a version of a song that we did that almost everyone says is better than the original, I don't wanna go out there and play that song and have a little lack of confidence. I wanna go out there and own it. I wanna be the fucking boss.

"And going back to why we did that song — it's kind of closing the circle, paying my respects to the band that I was a founding member in," Dave added. "And love me or hate me, they'll never be able to erase me. And I think that when people can look with acceptance and fondness of the two bands and not try and keep something that I don't wanna keep going. I don't wanna have a feud. I've put that to sleep so many years ago. So, yeah, I wanted to do something that was — just show some respect, 'cause it doesn't matter to me if he cares, if he likes it; it matters what I do and that I show respect and close the circle."

MEGADETH played "Ride The Lightning" live for the first and second time during its headlining concerts on April 26 and April 27 at Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia. Video of the performance can be seen below.

During a February 2026 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Mustaine offered a slightly different explanation for why he decided to include his version of "Ride The Lightning" on the final MEGADETH album. He said at the time: "Well, we were past the halfway point in the album. 'Cause that song ended up being song number 13. And when the time came to do that, we were talking about — what we usually do is a rendition of somebody's song that we like or something like that, or a remake. And when I was talking with [my son] Justis [who is part of the MEGADETH management team], he had said, 'Why don't you do 'Ride The Lightning'?' And I kind of looked at him like, 'Hmm.' And then I thought about it. I said, 'That's probably a good idea.' And I said, 'Let's try it.' We tried it. It was cool. And I said to the band guys, 'Okay, if we're gonna do this, let's make sure that we do it as good as the original or better.' 'Cause we gotta do that. If we're gonna honor those guys by doing a new version of the song that I did with James, I think it's important to make it as good or better. And what we did was we sped it up a little bit, and the drum fills at the very end, I told Dirk, 'Have fun there. And you can beef it up if you want'. And I talked to Teemu [Mäntysaari, MEGADETH guitarist] and I said, 'The guitar solo that's in there, try and stay close to it, if you can.' 'Cause it really is Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] doing an improvisation of what I was doing. 'So, let's have fun with it.' And the solo was a little different — close to the original that Kirk did, but it was a little different. And then there was the singing. James and I have instantly identifiable voices, but they're not at all alike. And I was listening to James sing, and it was fun for me to be able to listen to his vocal parts and break it down and hear how he sings, and then to go back and approach the song and try and sing in my style, which I do believe I put my DNA on that."

Mustaine continued: "It would've been different if I would've done a song by a band I was in that I didn't write. That's kind of like doing a weird nepotistic cover song. But this is one of my songs. So, yeah, I loved doing this. I loved writing it with James, and I loved playing it with MEGADETH."

Mustaine co-wrote the song "Ride The Lightning" with Hetfield, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich and then-METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton.

"Mechanix" was the original version of "The Four Horsemen", the METALLICA song that was co-written by Mustaine and included on METALLICA's debut album, 1983's "Kill 'Em All". METALLICA wrote new lyrics and renamed the song "The Four Horsemen" after Dave was kicked out of the band. The track "Mechanix" later appeared on MEGADETH's debut album, 1985's "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!".

In a separate interview with Spain's MariskalRockTV, Mustaine also spoke about his decision to include his version of "Ride The Lightning" on "Megadeth". Regarding why he chose to record "Ride The Lightning" at this point in his career, Dave said:  "Probably 'cause it was the most emblematic of my guitar influence. The spider chord — you know how I do the spider chord. And then there's something called grunting, where I'll hit the chord a half a step below the note I want to go to. I'll fret it and I'll slide into it… It's way heavier. So, to me, I call that grunting. So spider chords and grunting are in 'Ride The Lightning'."

Mustaine continued: "Having written so much of the songs with [METALLICA] — people think I wrote a lot, but on that record ['Ride The Lightning'], it was 'The Call Of Ktulu', which used to be called 'When Hell Freezes Over', and [the title track] 'Ride The Lightning'. And the previous album [METALLICA's 1983 debut, 'Kill 'Em All'] had four songs on it [that I co-wrote]."

Asked if the guitar solo in MEGADETH's version of "Ride The Lightning" is "very close to the original song" because current METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett copied Mustaine's solo from Dave's original version of "Ride The Lightning" with METALLICA, or if Mustaine simply "wanted to respect" Hammett's work by reproducing Hammett's solo from the 1984 album, Dave said: "I think Kirk — if you listen to [METALLICA's 1982] 'No Life 'Til Leather' demo and then you listen to the 'Kill 'Em All' record, it's pretty clear that that Kirk had some instruction [about how to approach the guitar leads on that album]. Was it note for note? No. But it was pretty close. So, when the opportunity came to do 'Ride The Lightning' [with MEGADETH], I didn't really feel like I knew the song very well anymore, and I don't remember what I played on for that song, for 'Ride The Lightning'. I had a hard time finding anything that I played on either. So we just figured, 'Fuck it. [Current MEGADETH guitarist] Teemu [Mäntysaari] and I'll split the solo up, and half of it'll be for him and half of it'll be for me,' and it turned out so that [Teemu] did a little more than half."

In December 2025, Mustaine told Guitar World magazine about his decision to include his version of "Ride The Lightning" on "Megadeth": "The main reason I chose to do this was to close the circle and pay my respects to my partners. I thought this was a really great way to do that.

"Whenever we select any other band's music to go on our albums, sometimes there's a lot of thought behind it and sometimes there's not. This was one of the ones that we thought long and hard about, because all I wanted to do was play the song I wrote with the guys in METALLICA," Mustaine explained. "I wanted to pay my respects to James Hetfield, who I think is an amazing guitar player, and Lars Ulrich, who was an excellent songwriter. I remember when I was there and we were putting these songs together, Lars didn't just sit there; he was very instrumental in making these songs.

"Of course, when we got into making demos of these songs, it was fun to do the recordings, but we were never really able to do a full-on produced version of 'Ride The Lightning' [while I was in METALLICA], and I would have loved to have heard that.

"I gotta tell you — listening back to James's original vocal performance, it was really tremendous," Dave added.

"Anyway, there's no big strategy; I have respect for the guys, and I just wanted to show that. And it's a hell of a song."

Mustaine previously talked about his version of "Ride The Lightning" during an appearance on the December 5, 2025 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". Dave said at the time: "We're managed by three men — Danny Nozell, Steve Ross and Justis Mustaine. And we were talking with management, and we were just kind of yacking about what the cover song was gonna be on the record, 'cause we always did cover songs on our records. But this wasn't a cover song, because I wrote it with James. And it just became clear that I should do this, because if I'm going to ride off into the sunset, I wanna pay tribute to the band that I started in, and I wanted to make mention about what I think about James."

Mustaine continued: "I think [James is] an exceptional guitar player. I remember the day that I saw him play guitar for the first time. We were playing at the Whisky [A Go Go in West Hollywood, California]. And we had a guitar player with us, and his name was Brad Parker. And the night of the show he changed it to Damian Phillips. And he showed up at the Whisky in mid-1980s Rudy Sarzo garb. And I thought, 'Wow, that's not gonna go down.' And I looked at him and he had a giant feather earring. And I thought to myself, 'This guy's not gonna be here very long.' So I go to rehearsal, after the show, the next rehearsal I go and there's no Brad, there's no Damian, nobody. It was just James playing guitar — like a motherfucker. And I thought, 'How did this happen? How did this guy go from singer to a great guitar player like this?' And I was excited for me. I was excited for the band. And we started playing then."

As for how "Ride The Lightning" was chosen as the song for MEGADETH to record this time around, Mustaine said: "With the track, choosing that, I figured it should be something that I had something to do with, but I didn't know it was going to turn out like that. Something off of 'Kill 'Em All' would've been obvious, and we already did that [with 'Mechanix']. And so I was thinking about 'Ride The Lightning', and there's only a couple songs on there that I wrote. And I didn't think that 'The Call Of Ktulu' would be the right move, 'cause that's not even how the song was when I was in the band; they changed it so much, so it's not the way that I remember it. So we started doing 'Ride', and it just felt so great, listening to the tracks, listening to James's singing, listening to how the song structure was. It was just great. I loved it. And I've always believed when you do a song from somebody, you've gotta do it as good or better — you've got to. So we sped it up a little bit and we beefed up a couple parts, just to make them a little bit more modern. And there you have it."

Mustaine also previously talked about MEGADETH's version of "Ride The Lightning" last October in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. He said at the time: "It wasn't really that I wanted to do my version. I think that we all wanted it to turn out a certain way, and for me, this was about something so much more than how a song turns out. It was about respect."

Speaking specifically about Hetfield, Mustaine added: "No one ever talks to me about that. One day he's a singer, the next day he's this fucking powerhouse and I've always respected him as a guitar player. So I wanted to do something to close the circle on my career right now, since it started off with [Mustaine's band before METALLICA] PANIC and several of the songs that ended up in the METALLICA repertoire, I wanted to do something that I felt would be a good song."

Elaborating on his reasons for recording "Ride The Lightning" for MEGADETH's final album, Mustaine said: "Our intentions were pure. I didn't have any reason I was going to say, 'Oh, hey man, this thing that we've had for 40 years where you guys will never tour with me, me doing the song is going to change things.' That wasn't it at all. It was more about: This is my life going forward. I want to do things that are respectable. And I think doing something where we can pay honor to the guy that … I mean, I hate to say this, because it's just so fucking arrogant, but the guitar playing in METALLICA changed the world."

In a separate video message, Mustaine said: "So on the new album we recorded 'Ride The Lightning', and the reason we did that was, obviously, it's a song that I had a lot to do with writing it. And James and I, when we were working on the song, it became clear to me, when James first started playing guitar, how good of a guitar player he was. And I thought it would be really cool to close the circle to show respect, to play the songs that I've written with METALLICA and to honor our friendship, even though it's been strained and ruined from emotions over the years when we were not necessarily friendly. But one thing I've always had is I've always had a tremendous respect for James's guitar playing andLars's songwriting. So, it was cool to do this and add it to the record. We sped it up just a little teeny bit, and we kind of played around a little bit with the solo and Teemu and I both tossed it back and forth to each other. So, you might hear a little bit of some differences with the tempos and, of course, I sing different from James too. But once again, it was about completing the circle and just showing what James and I, as guitar players, did to change the world."

Mustaine was a member of METALLICA for less than two years, from 1981 to 1983, before being dismissed and replaced by Hammett.

Mustaine was not inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with METALLICA during the April 2009 ceremony at Cleveland, Ohio's Public Auditorium. Ulrich later explained to The Plain Dealer that Mustaine "never played on any METALLICA records. No disrespect to him. But there [were] half a dozen other people that were in the lineup in the early days. We thought... the fair thing to do would be to include anybody that played on a METALLICA record." He added: "Dave Mustaine was in the band for eleven months, predominantly in 1982... I'm not trying to play it down. I have nothing but respect and admiration for his accomplishments since."

Power metal vocalist ZP Theart, the founding voice of DRAGONFORCE and former frontman of SKID ROW, has released the official music video for his high-voltage new single, "Electric Beings". Following the massive success of his recent solo debut "Dark To Light" and his 20th-anniversary reimagining of the DRAGONFORCE anthem "Through The Fire And Flames", Theart continues to push the boundaries of his sound with this latest offering.

Collaborating once again with the acclaimed Swiss producer and multi-instrumentalist Syndrone, "Electric Beings" serves as a sonic bridge between Theart's speed-metal roots and this cinematic, modern cyber-style landscape. The track showcases the "untouchable" vocal authority that has defined his career, featuring soaring high notes and a newfound grit that has only matured with two decades of metal mastery.

"Step by step, we are building something truly special for 2026," says Theart. "Working with Syndrone has opened a door to a sound I've wanted to explore for a long time, it's all really exciting and I'm looking at the future with a whole new perspective".

"Electric Beings" is available now on all major streaming platforms.

DRAGONFORCE's platinum-selling single "Through The Fire And Flames" brought the London-based Grammy-nominated extreme power metal group international acclaim and was featured as the most challenging song on "Guitar Hero III".

In March 2019, the "Through The Fire And Flames" music video reached a new milestone: it surpassed one hundred million views on YouTube — DRAGONFORCE's first music video to do so.

"Through The Fire And Flames" was the leadoff track from 2006's "Inhuman Rampage" album, which was officially certified gold in July 2017 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies.

Theart has carved out one of the most distinctive vocal paths in modern metal. He first exploded on to the scene as the founding voice of DRAGONFORCE, shaping the band's trademark blend of turbo-charged guitars and sky-high melodies. Across albums like "Valley Of The Damned", "Sonic Firestorm", "Inhuman Rampage" and "Ultra Beatdown", his vocals became the backbone of a sound that pushed the power metal group into the global spotlight and to RIAA gold and platinum certification. The era-defining anthem "Through The Fire And Flames" became a worldwide phenomenon, appearing in video games "Guitar Hero III", "Fortnite" and even the movie "Minions 4", while their single "Heroes Of Our Time" earned a Grammy nomination, cementing Theart as one of metal's most recognizable frontmen.

After his departure from DRAGONFORCE in 2010, Theart launched I AM I, exploring a more hard-rock-driven sound, and briefly joined NWBHM veterans TANK, adding his intensity to their 2015 album "Valley Of Tears".

In 2016, he surprised many by stepping into American hard rock as the new vocalist for SKID ROW. Initially touring with the band, he became their official frontman in 2017 and spent several years performing internationally, injecting fresh energy into their revered live shows. He also ventured into gaming-inspired metal, lending his voice to Riot Games' virtual band PENTAKILL as the character Karthus on their 2014 album "Smite And Ignite", proving his versatility across mediums. He also recently collaborated with YouTube sensation Stevie T on the viral hit "Isugaku Never Say Goodbye".

From speed-metal pioneer to hard-rock frontman to digital-era metal icon, Theart has spent more than two decades proving he can command any stage and any genre. His return isn't just a comeback, it's the next chapter in a legendary career built on relentless energy and intensity, a visceral force of vocal power and a presence that demands attention, ready to set the world on fire once again.

Theart, who hooked up with SKID ROW in 2016 following the departure of Tony Harnell (TNT, STARBREAKER),was abruptly fired from SKID ROW in February 2022 and replaced by ex-H.E.A.T frontman Erik Grönwall.

Fans can stay updated on upcoming tour dates and new music at the official ZP Theart web site.

Former MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover joined ACCEPT as a "special guest artist" at the German/American metallers' first 50th-anniversary concert of 2026 on May 1 at the Karmøygeddon Metal Festival in Kopervik, Norway. Video of the show can be seen below.

Drover will also play the following concerts with ACCEPT:

May 03 - Gothenburg, Sweden @ Filmstudion
May 06 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Cirkus

When Shawn's participation in the shows was first announced in April, ACCEPT said in a statement: "The one and only drummer Shawn Drover (ex-MEGADETH) will be the first special guest artist for ACCEPT's 50th-anniversary celebrations LIVE! Joining the band for the first three shows in May. An absolute legend and beast of a drummer, we are thrilled to have him join us on stage as part of this very special and unique year."

As previously reported, ACCEPT will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an extensive European tour in late 2026, marking a major milestone in the band's extraordinary five-decade career at the forefront of heavy metal. The dates form part of ACCEPT's 50th-anniversary tour, comprising 24 headline shows across 11 European countries.

The tour will see the band bring half a century of metal history to stages across Europe, performing for fans in major cities throughout Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann said: "It's incredible to be celebrating 50 years of ACCEPT, and taking this anniversary tour across Europe makes it even more special. The support from our fans over the decades has been overwhelming, and we can't wait to bring these shows to so many countries and celebrate this milestone together."

Special guests on the tour will be Swedish metallers DYNAZTY and U.K. up-and-comers TAILGUNNER.

Since joining ACCEPT in 1976 at the age of just 16, Wolf played a central role in the band. His instantly recognizable and signature guitar style not only created the ACCEPT "sound" but influenced a plethora of other highly successful bands and guitarists. Because of Wolf's unflinching dedication, ACCEPT has become one of the most significant bands in heavy metal. Not only did he lay the musical foundations for the band, he also carried it through both the highs and lows of an extraordinary 50-year career.

Alongside the anniversary tour, ACCEPT will release a special 50th-anniversary album later this year, featuring newly re-recorded classics, rare tracks and guest appearances. "Teutonic Titans 1976–2026" stands as a definitive statement of the band's legacy, forged in steel and driven by unmistakable riffs. Arriving September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records, the album delivers some of the most iconic songs ever written in heavy music.

Chronologically progressing through albums from their formative years, from "I'm A Rebel" (1980) to "Eat The Heat" (1989),ACCEPT present their songs with an all-new, all-star lineup, alongside the signature voice of Mark Tornillo and Wolf Hoffmann's unmistakable riffs. By enlisting a who's who of metal, no two songs on "Teutonic Titans 1976-2026" are the same. Every track features a different combination of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums, giving each classic a fresh edge.

Tobias Forge (GHOST) delivers a commanding performance on the track "Save Us" ("I'm A Rebel", 1980),joined by Ray Luzier on drums. Philip Anselmo (PANTERA),Kirk Hammett (METALLICA) and Mikkey Dee (SCORPIONS) tear through the speed metal classic "Fast As A Shark" ("Restless And Wild", 1982). "Balls To The Wall" surges with the powerful range of Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST),alongside the guitar work of Matthias Jabs (SCORPIONS),while the reimagined "Love Child" is elevated by Billy Corgan (SMASHING PUMPKINS) and David Ellefson (MEGADETH) (both songs from "Balls To The Wall", 1983).

Other guest stars on ACCEPT's extraordinary release include K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST),Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL),Hansi Kürsch (BLIND GUARDIAN),Chris Jericho (FOZZY),Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR),Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG),Ola Englund (THE HAUNTED) and Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE). The album also features a re-recording of "Hellhammer" ("Eat The Heat", 1989),performed by ACCEPT's current lineup: Wolf Hoffmann, bassist Martin Motnik, guitarist Philip Shouse and drummer Christopher Williams, joined by Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS) on vocals.

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In a new interview with Metal Mayhem ROC, TWISTED SISTER's founding guitarist and manager Jay Jay French confirmed that he and his bandmates will not go back to wearing the heavy makeup that characterized their early shows when they return to the road as part of their reunion tour later this year. He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No, we haven't worn [the makeup] in 15 years. We stopped doing that. And we stopped doing it because of a funny story, actually… It's actually very funny."

He continued: "We stopped with the whole makeup thing in 2008 completely by accident. We were playing on a bill in Holland [at the Arrow Rock Festival in Nijmegen, Netherlands] — a mega bill — a one-day festival with REO SPEEDWAGON, KANSAS, MOTÖRHEAD, WHITESNAKE, JOURNEY, TWISTED SISTER, DEF LEPPARD and KISS. In one day. Imagine that — one day. And it was in a gigantic field. And the tickets were 79 euros. Can you imagine that? For all these bands — all these incredible bands. All of 'em have tons of hits. JOURNEY, WHITESNAKE, TWISTED, MOTÖRHEAD, REO SPEEDWAGON, KANSAS. I mean, everyone's got hits — hits. KISS — hits everywhere. And the promoter goes, 'Yeah, this is gonna be a perfect day. Everybody's gonna do an hour starting at noon, and it's gonna be exactly two stages every hour on the hour.' So you had 50,000 kids in a field, and they would walk to one end of the field and then walk to the next for the next band, and then walk to the next for the next band and walk to the next for the next band. So our stage time at that show was four in the afternoon. KISS was seven. They were headlining. They were seven. So I think we were four in the afternoon. So we all get there [except for singer Dee Snider] a day before, and Dee decides to take the last plane flight out of New York to arrive in Amsterdam at eight in the morning and be driven to Nijmegen, which is two hours away, to do the show. So Dee goes to Kennedy airport, gets on the plane, he takes an Ambien [a medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of sleeping problems], goes to sleep. He wakes up seven hours later and he says to the guy next to him, 'Wow, man, what a flight. It didn't even feel like it moved.' And the guy goes, ''Cause it didn't. We've been on a weather hold for eight hours.' So the flight doesn't take off. And when it does take off, it arrives at 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon at Schiphol airport [in Amsterdam], and there's no way that Dee is gonna make it to the show. And the promoter is sitting there, and we're all sitting around with t-shirts and jeans. And the promoter goes, 'You know, if you don't play, you lost your money.' We know that. And so we're sitting there going, 'Well, I guess this is the only time it's ever happened, but it looks like we're not gonna be able to play.' And my tour manager/agent Danny said, 'What if we fly Dee in on a helicopter? We can get him in.' And it's a big field. So behind the stage was a huge field, and if we can get the police to agree to let the helicopter land behind the stage, Dee can get out in time and we'll do the show. So they agreed to do it."

Jay Jay added: "The problem of getting a helicopter in Holland is that when you get a helicopter in Holland, you get the helicopter in Holland. There's a helicopter, which cost a freaking fortune. So we get the helicopter. We're all sitting around the dressing room, like in t-shirts and jeans. It's 10 to four. We're thinking we're not going on. It lands. Dee comes out in t-shirts and jeans. The helicopter's so small, it won't take a suitcase. He's got no stage clothes, he's got no makeup, no nothing. So he goes, "Well, boys, let's come on stage and kill it.' Now KISS is headlining. It was the first time we'd played with KISS. So because I've known those guys for a million years and I auditioned for them, to me it was, like, 'Oh, let's just go up there and just rattle everybody's cages and screw 'em all.' So we went on stage with t-shirts and jeans — first time ever. So we do the show. People are kind of… I mean, I don't know if they were in shock, 'cause we did it in t-shirts and jeans, but the next day in the Dutch national paper, there was a huge center spread on the concert, and there was only one photo and it was us. The only band's photo was us. And it said JOURNEY was great, KISS was great, WHITESNAKE was great, everybody was great, but the only band that provided a quasi-religious experience was TWISTED SISTER. So we thought. 'Wow. Why are we wearing this crap?' And that was the end of it. And that was the end. And then I thought, 'Okay, I'm getting ready for the e-mails to come in. I'm ready for that onslaught.' [Only] one e-mail [came in], and a fan said, 'I thought you wore makeup.' That was it."

French went on to say that dropping the makeup was "the best thing that could have happened to us, and I'll tell you why. Because there were people that didn't like us 'cause of how we looked," he explained. "They wouldn't get past it, 'cause of the way we looked. Well, now we are not giving 'em a reason not to like us. So our popularity got even bigger. We became more successful. The shows got bigger, the offers got bigger, the festivals got bigger. And by the time we walked away in 2016, the average amount of people we were playing to was 75,000 a night, and it was up to 110,000 at the most."

TWISTED SISTER's 2026 reunion will feature the band's three core members: French, Snider and longtime lead guitarist Eddie Ojeda. Bassist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza won't be joining the celebration. Russell Pzütto, who has toured with Snider's solo projects, will replace Mendoza on bass. Joe Franco, who briefly played with the group in the mid-1980s, will sit behind the drum kit, stepping in for A.J. Pero, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 55.

TWISTED SISTER recently announced its first reunion concerts as part of the band's 50th-anniversary tour. The Snider-fronted act will perform at a number of European festivals this spring and summer, including at Sweden Rock, Copenhell and Graspop Metal Meeting.

French addressed Mendoza's departure in a statement to Rolling Stone, explaining: "Me, Dee and Eddie have performed as TWISTED SISTER for nearly 50 years with 10 different bass players and drummers. The band has never discussed internal realignment before and has no intention of doing it now. Suffice to say that almost all bands with a 50-year history have gone through realignment as a byproduct of time. We wish Mark well in his future endeavors."

Franco played on TWISTED SISTER's 1987 album "Love Is For Suckers". Mike Portnoy, who took over for Pero after he died near the end of TWISTED SISTER's 2016 run, is busy touring with DREAM THEATER and is unable to participate in the upcoming TWISTED SISTER live activities.

Three years ago, TWISTED SISTER staged a one-off reunion at the Metal Hall Of Fame in Agoura Hills, California. On hand to be inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame were Snider, French, Mendoza and Portnoy. Ojeda was absent from the event after contracting COVID-19; filling in for him was Keith Robert War. TWISTED SISTER played a highly charged three-song set consisting of the staples "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll" and "Under The Blade", as well as the anthem "We're Not Gonna To Take It".

TWISTED SISTER's original run ended in the late '80s. After more than a decade, the band publicly reunited in November 2001 to top the bill of New York Steel, a hard-rock benefit concert to raise money for the New York Police And Fire Widows' And Children's Benefit Fund.

In a new interview with Slowhands Rock Talk Show, original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo was asked if he and his then-bandmates paid attention to what the other "Big Four" thrash metal groups — METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — were doing, musically speaking, when they were all coming up in the 1980s. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " Oh, yeah. Absolutely. We would listen to it. We would listen and absorb, hear what they did. 'Okay, now let's go ahead and move on. And we're SLAYER.' There wasn't any plagiarism or any kind of — anything like that. What I think — well, at least what my mindset was to be the fastest, the heaviest and the most brutal band on earth.

"At the time that we were doing it, we were all so established in our own worlds that there was no need for any competition or any childish behavior that could spring up in the early days," Dave explained. "And even back then, even in the early days, we didn't have any kind of this feeling towards each other. We were just all metalheads, and we were a big family, like you see us all now. There was camaraderie. We all had the same vision and same drive to get to that one place, and that's on stage. That was it."

After one of the interviewers noted that "it's pretty cool" that all the other bands are still "rocking and rolling" all these decades later, Lombardo concurred. "That is. And a lot of us, we still keep in touch with all of them, which is great. I'm still friends — Jeez, with, of course, Gary Holt, the EXODUS guys, the TESTAMENT guys. We've known each other forever, and it's so awesome. And I even have friends that I grew up with in the neighborhood that were roadies for me in the early club days, when SLAYER was playing on Sunset Boulevard, the Troubadour. And I still communicate with them. And it's so awesome to have that."

Back in October 2023, Lombardo was asked by Metal Hammer magazine which of the bands in the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — was best. He responded without hesitation: "SLAYER. Ha ha ha! Who else could I pick?! We were brutal man, we were on top of our game, and if you watch the videos we were on fire. We really showed everyone else how it should be done — we tore everyone a new one."

In a 2011 interview with Geeks Of Doom, Lombardo denied that there was ever any competition between the "Big Four" acts. "I can't really speak for anybody else but there was never any rivalry from myself with the bands," he said. "I never had issues with any of them. I'm sure maybe with other guitar, er, musicians within the bands, maybe, of course there would have been. Twenty years, god, you can imagine the egos and the arrogance and attitude most musicians carry around with them when they haven't grown up.

When the interviewer pointed out that he very nearly said the problem between "guitarists", Dave said: "I nearly said that, yeah. [Laughs] Because, I don't know, I feel like drummers, we get along a lot better than guitar players do with each other. I've done the Modern Drummer drum festival, I've done all these various drumming clinics and things and there's one thing that we all have in common, which all us drummers have, is we like to share what we do. There's no secret. I think guitar players tend to be a little more secretive and a little more passionate. Well, maybe passionate isn't the right word, but they're a little more secretive about their tricks and whatever they do. And twenty years ago, man, I tell ya, it was the same thing."

That same year, Lombardo told Revolver about sharing the stage with the other "Big Four" bands for several gigs in 2010 and 2011, "There's camaraderie in this camp. In the metal world, there's camaraderie. I think it's really cool that it's come to that. Loving a style of music and doing a big festival like this really promotes the positive energy all these bands have to offer. Although some of us are a bit on the dark side — like, I'd say SLAYER, musically. But there is some good to the music."

In the same article, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich also denied that there was any rivalry between the four bands. "There was a time, sure, where there was a competitive edge to all of us, but I really don't feel that anymore," he said. "No matter how much anybody will push it in the press, or how many people don't buy it, I can tell you hand on heart that there's no competitive edge. It's not a bunch of 27-year-olds trying to see who's got the biggest dick. ANTHRAX, MEGADETH, SLAYER, METALLICA, we all kind of have our own little niche, our own little unique place. So it's not sorta like, Who's better at this? 'Cause at the end of the day we all do our own thing. And when it comes to drums, Dave Lombardo is, by far and away, God. There's no competitive edge, but if there was, Dave would win. Lombardo could kick the rest of our asses with just a whip of his little finger. So there was no competitive edge. That's the thing that I can truly say is the biggest difference now."

Lombardo, who has spent most of the recent years between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS, hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS and MR. BUNGLE, was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He was later replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001.

In a new interview with Mike DiGiorgio of Rochester, New York's 13WHAM, singer and guitarist Rik Emmett of legendary Canadian rockers TRIUMPH spoke about the band's recently launched first tour in more than 30 years. For the 2026 trek, TRIUMPH's original members Emmett and Gil Moore (drums, vocals) are being joined by guitarist Phil X, drummer and keyboardist Brent Fitz and bassist Todd Kerns. Phil X, whose real name is Theofilos Xenidis, is a member of BON JOVI and a former member of TRIUMPH, while Fitz and Kerns are both members of SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS. Original TRIUMPH bassist Mike Levine is not taking part in most of the 2026 tour dates after revealing in December that he has "a problem" with his hand that "precludes" him "from being able to really play well."

Asked if he thinks the people buying tickets for TRIUMPH's 2026 tour are fans who had never seen the band before or if they are longtime followers  who want to see TRIUMPH again and "relive some great memories," Rik responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's a little bit of both. I think that there are people that — I think there's grandfathers that wanna bring their grandsons and their grandchildren. We're literally sort of three generations in. And honestly, I think it's a question of the music being — the songs are the things that are dragging us all out. So I think that's the biggest thing that I feel, that people are kind of going, like, 'Oh, you haven't lived until you've seen TRIUMPH do 'Magic Power' or 'Fight The Good Fight' or 'Lay It On The Line' live.'"

Rik continued: "But the pressure from fans is an interesting thing because, of course, I can't do what I did when I was in my thirties, which is what most people remember. And so if they think they're gonna get to relive this guy in his red spandex pants or his jumpsuit or something, that's just not gonna happen. But I do feel like the resurrection of the band as a concert touring act is because there's these songs — and I really look forward to the chance of getting to play with different musicians and in a different kind of a circumstance. I mean, it's gonna be a big show. So there's gonna be a crowd that has lots and lots of different people with lots and lots of different expectations in every market. But I don't know.

"Back to your question, I think that there's probably gonna be much more repeat customers than there are people experiencing it for the very first time," Emmett added. "But, like I said, if they're dragging along the next generation or two, then there will be new fans. And so — I don't know. In some ways, I guess I'll have to mind my Ps and Qs a little bit."

Rik also talked about TRIUMPH's decision to hire Phil, Brent and Todd for the current tour, explaining: "Well, first of all, we felt like we had to build a bit of a safety net for ourselves. There are certain notes that I just can't hit, but there's this guy, Todd Kerns, a good Canadian boy from Saskatchewan, and he's been out with Slash and Alice Cooper. And he's a tremendous musician — guitar, bass, singer. And then Brent Fitz on drums, just because there are some songs where Gil goes, 'Well, I wanna come down front and sing.' So Gil Moore is from the original lineup. But there are gonna be double drummers. We're gonna be like the ALLMAN BROTHERS and the DOOBIE BROTHERS, and I'm sure that more than half of your audience doesn't even know who I'm talking about. But we'll have that for some stuff. And then Gil's gonna come down and sing a couple things. And Brent is amazing. He can play keyboards as well, so we kind of get a double-threat kind of guy there. Oh, and he can sing harmony too, so a triple threat. And then Phil X, who replaced me in TRIUMPH when I left. And Phil, he goes out with BON JOVI and plays all kinds of different things. And he's a tremendous guitar player with this absolutely unbridled enthusiasm for rock. So that's really good for me. It's kind of, like, I get this Phil X cattle project; it keeps giving me bursts of energy."

Addressing Levine's absence from the TRIUMPH tour, Rik said: "Mike Levine, his health has been up and down, in and out. I'm not sure he's gonna be able to join us for a lot of shows. The invitation is open, and there's a place for him whenever he feels like he might wanna do it, even if he just came and sat at a keyboard for a bit."

Emmett also talked about the skepticism from some fans about classic rock bands touring with, in some cases, one or two original members, or even no original members. He said: "I don't know. There are bands that are out there — JOURNEY, STYX, REO [SPEEDWAGON], DEF LEPPARD — and they have a catalog that is so strong that it becomes this compelling thing. So it's kind of like jukebox rock, if you're being cynical or skeptical. But what's wrong with a really great jukebox, if the songs are done with respect and they remain true to the spirit of the original? But I will deviate from that, because I feel like I'm a musician and a writer before I'm anything else. So a performer is part of it, and people wanna, 'Hey, I'd love to see [former JOURNEY singer] Steve Perry be able to sing 'Don't Stop Believin' in the original key and hit all the high notes.' But life is the way that it is. You don't get any younger. And so, from my perspective, I go, yeah, but these songs — I get a chance to reinvent them as I reinvent myself, given my circumstances. I'm 72 years old.

"The management company we work with, they also handle Peter Frampton, and Frampton went, 'Okay, I'm gonna go out and I'm gonna do just a farewell tour,'" Rik continued. "And he got out there and he told them, 'That 90 minutes I get on stage is the best part of my day. As long as I can keep doing it, please keep booking me. I wanna go back out.' And I feel like I'm already sensing that, when I'm in rehearsals. I mean, I tire more easily than I did. I'm working hard to have the same level of chops. I practice now more than I've ever practiced in my life. It's kind of, like, the veteran hockey player goes to the camp and he's gotta work way harder than the rookies just to be able to, compete. And I feel that. But I also feel like, how lucky am I, at 72 years of age, that I'm getting to chase this thing? How many other people my age get this opportunity? A friend of my wife said, they were talking on the phone, and she said, 'Most people when they retire,' and I retired about four or five years ago, but she said, 'Most people, when they retire, their lives get smaller. They kind of intentionally, they kind of shrink their lives to make it simpler and easier when they're retired.' She goes, 'Look at Rik. He's trying to make his life bigger.' And I think that's an easy way to say it, that that's the most fun of all, that I'm kind of going, 'Yeah. I'm gonna see if I can keep up with the 60-year-olds.'"

TRIUMPH kicked off its 2026 tour on April 10 in Orlando, Florida.

100% of the net proceeds of TRIUMPH's Orlando concert were donated to Make-A-Wish, to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The concert was held at Hard Rock Live Universal Orlando, and was part of the 23rd annual Celebration Exotic Car Festival, the world's largest exotic car charity event.

TRIUMPH's 2026 North American run of shows are celebrating the band's 50th anniversary, and feature support from APRIL WINE. The 2026 trek will continue with a series of dates in Canada, beginning April 22 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and running through a May 8 show in Calgary, Alberta. From there, the band will hit the U.S. starting May 13 in Rosemont, Illinois, and wrapping up June 6 in Boston. In all, 10 Canadian and 17 American cities are included on the tour.

Formed in Mississauga in 1975, TRIUMPH rose from playing high school auditoriums and rock 'n' roll bars to selling out iconic arenas, from Toronto's famed Maple Leaf Gardens to Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. Their virtuosic musicianship, soaring vocals, and dazzling, high-production live shows helped define an era of arena rock. Blending hard rock power with progressive ambition, TRIUMPH has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and earned multiple gold and platinum certifications, building a global following through headline tours and landmark festival performances, including the 1983 US Festival before 500,000 fans. With hits like "Lay It on The Line", "Magic Power" and "Fight The Good Fight" — combined with pioneering stage productions featuring pyrotechnics, laser lighting, and theatrical flair — TRIUMPH became arena rock legends, securing a permanent place in Canadian and international rock history.

The band's return to the road follows a defining year honoring TRIUMPH's impact across generations. In June 2025, the band was celebrated with "Magic Power: All-Star Tribute To Triumph" (Round Hill Records, June 6, 2025),a 15-track tribute album featuring rock luminaries such as Phil X, Sebastian Bach, Slash, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna, Dee Snider, Lawrence Gowan, Deen Castronovo, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Keith, Mickey Thomas and produced by the world-renowned Mike Clink (GUNS N' ROSES, MÖTLEY CRÜE, WHITESNAKE).

Further solidifying their celebrated status, TRIUMPH was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame in October, a prestigious honor recognizing their enduring influence, masterful songwriting, and contributions to Canada's cultural legacy. This induction adds to their long list of accolades, which includes membership in the Canadian Music Industry Hall Of Fame (2007),the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame (2008),and Canada's Walk Of Fame (2019).

Emmett, who quit TRIUMPH — acrimoniously, in 1988 — over music and business disputes, went on to pursue a solo career, while TRIUMPH carried on with future BON JOVI guitarist Phil X for one more album, 1992's "Edge Of Excess", before calling it a day the following year.

Emmett was estranged, both personally and professionally, from the two other members of the legendary Canadian classic rock power trio for 18 years before they repaired their relationship.

After 20 years apart, Emmett, Levine and Moore played at the 2008 editions of the Sweden Rock Festival and Rocklahoma. A DVD of the historic Sweden performance was made available four years later.

Philip Labonte, founder and lead singer of ALL THAT REMAINS, is drawing attention to his 2024 op-ed, "The Silent Crisis: Why Society Is Failing Men And Boys", as new legislation introduced by Reps. Nathanial Moran (TX-1) and Derrick Van Orden (WI-3) reflects growing concern around the challenges facing men and boys in America. The op-ed was followed by multiple meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss how Congress can support boys and men across the country.

In the op-ed, Labonte highlighted rising male disengagement from education, work, and community, alongside increasing rates of depression, addiction, and suicide. His perspective is shaped by decades of direct interaction with fans, many of whom have shared personal struggles with isolation and lack of purpose.

"We are watching too many young men drift without direction or support," said Labonte. "If we don't take this seriously, we risk losing an entire generation not just of men, but of fathers and leaders."

Recent data underscores these concerns. According to the Pew Research Center, men now make up just 44% of college students, while the National Institute of Mental Health reports significantly higher suicide rates among men.

While the newly introduced legislation marks an important step in elevating these issues, Labonte is calling for broader awareness and action.

"This is a societal issue that requires real attention and real solutions," he added. "Acknowledging the problem is just the beginning."

Labonte is the founder and lead singer of ALL THAT REMAINS, a platinum-selling rock band with multiple Billboard-charting releases. He is also a contributor to "Timcast IRL", a popular podcast hosted by renowned American YouTuber Tim Pool, and an advocate for issues impacting men and boys.

Labonte reportedly identifies as a libertarian, even though his views often align with right-wing ideals, with a particular emphasis on his strong advocacy for the right to bear arms.

In a new interview with Brazil's Whiplash.net, SYMPHONY X vocalist Russell Allen, who recently released a deeply personal new ballad titled "Love Her Like I Do (Ava's Song)" in recognition of Autism Awareness Month, was asked if there are plans for him to release more solo material in the future. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, yes, there is. This song I wanted to get out because it's Autism Awareness Month. I wanted to get out, get the song out there to help raise awareness and stuff. And there is plans to do more work. SYMPHONY Xis in the middle of [making] a [new] record. But I've got a bunch of stuff that since I started writing this years ago, I do have other things that I'm writing right now and putting together. And so there is a plan to just release singles. I mean, it could be an album someday, but I'm not trying to make that a priority right now. The priority is just this one song and just to do something good with music, with my music for people. And that's it. I do wanna try and explore some other things. This song, obviously, if you know anything about me, is very different from what I'm known for and from what I do. But I think it opens up a doorway to my inner heart and expressiveness and sort of delicate and sensitive topics that I hope people will embrace, and it gives me the opportunity to hopefully explore other things like that."

"Love Her Like I Do (Ava's Song)" is a heartfelt track which offers an intimate glimpse into Allen's experience as a father raising a daughter on the autism spectrum, delivering a moving message of empathy, acceptance, and unconditional love.

"Love Her Like I Do (Ava's Song)" reflects the emotional journey of watching his daughter grow, navigate social challenges, and find her place in the world. The song blends Allen's signature vocal intensity with a tender, vulnerable performance, resulting in one of the most personal recordings of his career.

"The song was written over several years navigating the evolution of our daughter's life on the spectrum," Allen explained when the track was first released earlier in the month. "Observing her behaviors that most would consider quirky became normal to me and my family. It became increasingly difficult for her to make friends in her life, though we tried several groups and activities for her to explore. Her social anxiety would overwhelm her senses and she would just retreat into her 'world' and stim a lot."

Allen continued: "The heartbreaking moment for me was when she came home from school and asked, 'Why are the kids playing and having fun but not with me?' The fact that she was so aware of her situation was both enlightening and difficult for us, because we knew she couldn't change who she was for acceptance of her peers. But why should she? So the song became my wish — a father's wish — for my daughter to find a world full of people who would accept her and love her the way we do."

Released during Autism Awareness Month, the track aims to shine a light on the experiences of families navigating life on the spectrum while encouraging compassion and understanding. Through "Love Her Like I Do (Ava's Song)", Allen hopes to foster greater awareness and celebrate the beauty of individuality.

"Love Her Like I Do (Ava's Song)" is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Listeners interested in learning more about autism and how to support individuals and families in their communities are encouraged to explore resources from organizations such as the Autism Society Of America and Autism Speaks. These groups provide educational materials, support networks, and guidance on advocacy, inclusion, and understanding life on the autism spectrum.

Russell Allen is an American heavy metal vocalist celebrated for his powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and exceptional versatility across progressive metal, power metal, and hard rock. Born on July 19, 1971, in Long Beach, California , Allen has earned international recognition as one of the most respected and influential singers in modern metal.

Allen is best known as the longtime frontman of SYMPHONY X, which he joined in 1995. With Allen at the helm, the band achieved global acclaim through landmark albums such as "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" (1997),"V: The New Mythology Suite" (2000),"The Odyssey" (2002) and "Paradise Lost" (2007). His commanding vocal range and emotive delivery have been central to the band's signature blend of technical precision and melodic intensity.

Beyond SYMPHONY X, Allen has showcased his versatility through numerous collaborations and side projects. He formed the melodic metal supergroup ALLEN/LANDE alongside Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande, releasing several critically acclaimed albums that highlighted his ability to balance power with melody. He also fronted the hard rock band ADRENALINE MOB, further demonstrating his adaptability across heavier and groove-oriented styles.

In addition to his work in the metal and rock scenes, Allen has captivated audiences worldwide as a vocalist with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (TSO). Known for its elaborate live productions and symphonic rock sound, TSO has provided Allen with a platform to reach millions of fans through extensive arena tours, particularly during the holiday season. His performances with the orchestra showcase not only his vocal power but also his theatrical presence and emotional expressiveness.

Continuing to evolve artistically, Russell Allen is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of a new rock-focused project. This venture marks a return to his hard rock roots, emphasizing powerful melodies, blues-infused vocals, and high-energy songwriting while retaining the intensity and passion that have defined his career.

Allen's vocal style is often compared to legendary singers such as Ronnie James Dio, characterized by its rich tone, emotional depth, and commanding presence. His lyrics frequently explore themes of mythology, philosophy, and personal struggle, contributing to the epic and narrative-driven nature of his music.

With a career spanning decades, Russell Allen continues to influence the metal and rock communities through his recordings and electrifying live performances. His dedication to his craft and unmistakable voice have solidified his status as one of the premier vocalists in the genre.

Press photo courtesy of Secret Service Publicity

NONPOINT has released the official lyric video for its hard-hitting new single, "Is It". The track, which will be made available on May 8 on all major digital streaming platforms, serves as the first release from NONPOINT's upcoming full-length album, "The Last Word", arriving in late summer 2026.

Both NONPOINT and the band's independent record label 361 Degrees Records LLC are positioning "Is It" as the opening statement of a new era, setting the tone for the album's themes and energy of the new record. Rather than following a traditional rollout, the song is debuting in the form of a hand-drawn, animated lyric video, offering a unique visual experience that complements the song's message and listening experience while giving fans an early, immersive look into the creative world of "The Last Word".

NONPOINT singer Elias Soriano commented: "In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, 'The Last Word' is our way of saying we're just getting started. We're pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter."

Regarding the lyrical inspiration for "Is It", Elias said: "'Is It' is that internal conflict where you question getting too involved? Did I push too hard? Did I ask too much? It's that feeling of wondering if doing what you thought was right actually meant hurting the people around you."

Elias explained the bold concept behind his design imagery on the cover, saying: "This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever — musically, visually, and creatively. We're writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they've ever been, and the band feels focused and energized. The pencil on the cover represents what it's like to be handed one last tool and expected to fit everything you have left to say into it. Not because the ideas are gone, but because longevity often comes with assumptions and limits. 'The Last Word' isn't about accepting an ending. It's about challenging that narrative. If this is the pencil we're being handed, we're going to use it — and make sure the words written with it still matter."

NONPOINT performed two new songs, "Is It" and "Red Yeti", the latter of which features a guest appearance by SUMO CYCO frontwoman Skye Sweetnam, during the band's headlining concert Saturday night (April 25) at Ritz Ybor in Tampa, Florida. The show, which was part of NONPOINT's just-launched "The Outta Control Tour", featured support from SOIL and SUMO CYCO. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below (courtesy of IFM RAW).

This past March, Soriano told Super Cool Radio about the musical direction of NONPOINT's upcoming full-length album: "The overall vibe of the record is very, very heavy, very, very new feeling, especially with the addition of Jason [Zeilstra, guitar], addition of some of the textures and layers that we're playing with sonically just in the general mix of our music, keys and strings and stuff that we played with on our [2018] 'X' record that we fooled around with a little bit during the 'Heartless' [2023] and 'Ruthless' [2021] era. So, we're really gonna bring all those in the fold. But I think I took steps way, way back and really started to pay attention to what people were asking of me of the collabs that I was doing with them and having that epiphany of, 'Hey, maybe this is what people wanna see me do more on my record. So let me lean in that direction' and go really back to basics and go back to a lot of my cadence play, a lot of my lyric play, a lot of metaphors and double and triple entendres and things that make people hopefully want to re-listen and dig in and find a meaning in there somewhere."

He added: "It's all fun and games and great in the pit, and I love to excite people with trigger words, but at the end of the day, I want them to read further and have their own epiphanies."

Elias also talked about the NONPOINT songwriting process, explaining: "Well, from what the guys usually send, there's a song in there within the song. Sometimes it's just there. When it comes to what I see and what I translate into a song and lyrics and meaning, [it] usually comes from how the music paints itself in the room mood-wise — [how] aggressive [it is], how much of a rollercoaster it is. If it's more linear, then that's where I have to be the rollercoaster. If I can't find something that's more, maybe it rests on me to do that. So I like to allow the players and the other guys in the band to play and write stuff that they like themselves… That way they spend all the time, beat their heads against the wall, rewrite the riff a dozen times, and then finally get to this point. And then sometimes what they feel like might be a verse, may feel like a chorus to me, and I write a vocal line over top of it that, [which] now has them flipping their thinking on what they wrote because they expected it to be a chorus. There's this dance that comes with, 'Hey, write whatever you wanna write. But at the end of the day, it's my turn next to then be inspired by it enough to then lay something down that feels even exciting for me to wanna present.' And sometimes in its first incarnation, it doesn't always present itself that way. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it's just, like, 'Yeah, that's a verse. Yeah, that's a chorus.' It's really letting the current kind of take things where they're gonna go, and then me just steer to the most beautiful shore I can find."

Also in March, Elias told Rev. Tom Brice of Sportzwire Radio about his expectations for NONPOINT's upcoming full-length album: "I think people are gonna have fun with it. It's different than what's on the radio. It's different than what people are dropping right now. It's not what anybody else is doing. That's the best way I can describe it. It's NONPOINT. It's NONPOINT and it's only NONPOINT."

Soriano also talked about how he feels about the supposed nu metal resurgence in recent years, partly thanks to a whole new wave of exciting revivalists. He said: "I think people remember how fun it was back then. The music right now leans — it's decorating a time that's kind of sad. There's a lot of struggle and a lot of money problems in the world and war problems in the world, and mental health because of post-pandemic generation, and that is what paints new inspiration. So music, I think people are starting to remember, is for getting away from all that. So when you go to the playlist to find something, a lot of it doesn't inspire you to get creative, to get out of your funk, all that stuff. And sometimes you just wanna do it all for the nookie, you know what I'm saying? Gimme something to break. Put that fucking finger up your ass. That kind of whole time of music in the early 2000s was a spectrum of power and excess. I think fans and everybody, we all miss that. So, we definitely are trying to bring that back to this new music."

Elias added: "I think people are gonna hear our new record and they're gonna have fun. I really feel like they're gonna have fun again, in the way that we intend it to be, I feel, which is empowering, which is retrospective, which is painted with a little bit of self-awareness, a little self-growth and then some initiative and drive and motivation peppered throughout."

Last September, NONPOINT drummer Robb Rivera told Thunder Underground that he and his bandmates had "16 [or] 17 songs" ready for their upcoming LP. "We've got quite a few, and a lot in the can that we haven't gotten to yet," he explained. "We've taken our time with it. It's been two years we've been writing this thing, maybe even more. We just got a bunch of ideas. And next year it's gonna come out."

Asked if NONPOINT's next release would be a full-length album or if it will be another EP, as was the case with 2021's "Ruthless" and 2023's "Heartless", Robb said: "Full album this time. At least that's the plan. Right now I'm looking at maybe 10 songs, which is, that's a full album these days, I guess. The EP idea was a great experiment. We just wanted to try things out. It worked. Some people liked it, some people didn't. Me, I personally just like doing the singles. I just think you can focus on the one song. But I think we're so happy with this new music that we wanna put out 10 [songs]."

After the interviewer noted that NONPOINT used to release albums more frequently, Robb concurred. "Yeah, we were actually just talking about that," he said. "Every two years we had an album out. [It was a cycle of] record, tour, write, record, tour, write. It became too much. We never really took a breather. We did 10 albums that way. And so we took our time — well, we had to take our time with 'Ruthless' because of the pandemic. We were gonna release everything in 2020, and everything shut down. The EP was already recorded. We recorded in February [of 2020], and then the pandemic happened. So we shut down all plans. We had actually gone dark online. We were not gonna say nothing for a while. And then, so then when we decided to do [new versions of] 'Alive And Kicking' and 'Frontlines', quarantine version, just to be visible and stuff. And then we started putting merch, we did the masks and all this other stuff.

"But a full album, I think it's time," he added. "Since 2018 — it's eight years without a full album. But it's not like we haven't had new music. We put out two EPs, we put out [the 2024 single] 'Underdog', so we put out 11 songs, which is really, if you look at it, it's a full album. It's just done in parts."

NONPOINT is:

Elias Soriano (Lead Vocals)
Robb Rivera (Drums)
Rasheed Thomas (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Adam Woloszyn (Bass)
Jason Zeilstra (Lead Guitar)

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, original KISS drummer Peter Criss reflected on his appearance, along with Ace Frehley, at the August 1995 taping of the KISS "MTV Unplugged" special, which served as the catalyst for the historic 1996 KISS worldwide reunion tour. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We were on a tour, on our own tour, Ace and I. It was called the 'Bad Boys Tour'. And so we were touring together. And it was hard times. We weren't playing stadiums. We were playing, like, 500 seaters, and we were missing it — we were really missing the life. And they [the then-lineup of KISS], too, weren't doing great. They were playing these conventions — they were playing KISS conventions — so they were also not in the position where they used to love to be in that position. And so we got together and rehearsed. I looked at Gene's [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] eyes, and all I saw was 'ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching' rolling around in his eyeballs, when I did 'Hard Look Woman', and I went, 'I got a vibe here.' And I realized we still sounded amazing — we still sounded so good. The magic was still there. And I remember the funny thing is when we were [playing at the 'MTV Unplugged' event], [fans] were booing [then-KISS drummer] Eric [Singer] and [then-KISS guitarist] Bruce [Kulick]. And Ace was, like, 'Ah, shut up. They're part of the family.' And the fans, all of sudden, didn't want them guys; they wanted the [original] band back. And then two weeks later I was on tour with my band in Canada somewhere, and I got a call from [KISS's longtime manager] Doc McGhee, and he said, 'We wanna put the [original] band back. We wanna go back out on a reunion tour. I already know for a fact you already sold out two years, and it's gonna be around the world twice. [You'll travel in a] jet, all the perks, all the good stuff.' And I said, 'You're kidding me.' So I had to work hard. I had to relearn all the KISS stuff that I hadn't played in 17 years. I would get up in the morning and go to the gym. We took it real serious, so I had to go to the gym every day to get in shape again, which I was in shape, but really get in shape."

Peter continued: "I would go and have a drum coach. We'd work out for an hour. Then we'd go to rehearsal. And then I'd go home and watch old KISS movies, like back-in-the-day stuff to relearn kind of the movements and the way we were on stage. So it was a lot of work, man. But it was worth it. And when we finally were getting ready to do it, we looked in the mirror the day we went on the [USS] Intrepid [aircraft carrier] to announce it [at a press conference], it was like time stood still. We looked the same. It looked like we were ageless. We still looked like [we were] in our twenties. And we just looked at one another and said, 'This is gonna be so good.' And we got on the Intrepid, and there was a million photographers from all over the world snapping pictures. And we just knew we were gonna be on the ride of our life. We knew it was just gonna be great. And then I stayed with them for another eight years. And then it again got crazy, as it always does in bands — sometimes you can't change the spots on a leopard, especially with certain members of the band — and so Ace and I kind of ducked out again and said, 'I just don't want a part of this anymore.' But for those eight years with the 'Psycho Circus' tour and the other stuff and all, it was good. It was good. It was [KISS being] back in stadiums."

Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he's worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.

In addition to playing drums in KISS, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number the band's most popular and memorable songs, including "Beth", "Black Diamond" and "Hard Luck Woman".

Peter last appeared onstage with all three other original members of KISS when the group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014, though he and his former bandmates didn't perform at the event.

Criss and the other two surviving original members of KISS — guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and Simmons — received a Kennedy Center Honor at a December 7, 2025 ceremony.

Frehley died on October 16, 2025 after a fall at his New Jersey home. He was 74 years old. His cause of death was listed as blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall, according to a report from the Morris County Medical Examiner. The manner of his death was ruled an accident.

Peter released a new solo album, simply titled "Peter Criss", last December . The LP was co-produced by Criss alongside Barry Pointer, who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne, John 5, MÖTLEY CRÜE, Steve Stevens, Pearl Aday and Dolly Parton. Joining the legendary KISS musician on the LP are Billy Sheehan and Matthew Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.) on bass, John 5 and Mike McLaughlin on guitar and Paul Shaffer on piano. The record also features the talents of backing vocalists Dennis and Sharon Collins, and Cat Manning of CAT 5.

"Peter Criss" was Criss's first solo release since 2007's "One For All", which arrived 13 years after his previous solo release.

Criss, who was known as "Catman," released his previous solo CD, titled "One For All", in 2007. Peter produced the album himself for the first time, and was joined by guest musicians that included keyboardist Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee of "Late Night With David Letterman". The album featured a range of styles, from rock and jazz to blues and Broadway, and included covers of "What A Difference A Day Makes" and "Send In The Clowns".

KORN played its new song, "Reward The Scars", live for the first time on Saturday, April 25 at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Prior to launching into the track, KORN frontman Jonathan Davis told the festival attendees: "I know it's been a long-ass day, I know it's been a long-ass day, but it feels so good to be back playing for y'all.

"We've been out touring shit a little bit, but we've been stuck in a fucking studio for, like, five years, y'all," he continued. "We've been working hard. We had some good shit. We got rid of that, and we made some badass shit. Would you guys like to hear that song? It just came out."

KORN surprise released "Reward The Scars" last week as part of the soundtrack for the upcoming "Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred" expansion pack.

The "Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred" expansion pack is expected to drop in full for various gaming platforms on April 28.

KORN recently announced its first European headlining tour in more than a decade, set to take place later this year with support from ARCHITECTS, PIXEL GROUP and YOUTH CODE.

Following KORN's appearance at Sick New World, the band will embark on a Latin American tour with support from SPIRITBOX.

"Reward The Scars" marks the first new KORN music since the February 2022 release of the band's latest album, "Requiem". The LP, which was produced by Chris Collier and KORN, entered Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart at No. 1. The band sold 23,000 equivalent album units in the February 4-10, 2022 tracking week, according to Billboard. Of that sum, 20,000 units were from album sales. "Requiem" also landed at No. 2 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts. On the all-format Billboard 200, it arrived at No. 14.

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu announced in June 2021 that he would sit out the band's tour in order to "heal" after "falling back" on some of his "bad habits." He has since been replaced on the road by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Roberto "Ra" Díaz.

Despite the fact that he hasn't performed with his KORN bandmates for five years, Fieldy did play on "Requiem".

Since forming, KORN has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammys, toured the world countless times, and set many records in the process that will likely never be surpassed. KORN has continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans, and generations of artists around the globe.

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, ICE NINE KILLS frontman Spencer Charnas spoke about what it was like for him and his bandmates to tour stadiums around the world with METALLICA in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was amazing, man. If you go back to my love of music since I was a little kid — you got NIRVANA and you got METALLICA, and those were two of the bands that really got me into wanting to play guitar and wanting to learn how to play, either [NIRVANA's] 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' or [METALLICA's] 'Master Of Puppets' or something like that. So I'd always been a huge fan of theirs. I went to see them in '97 with my dad. We went to the Boston Garden on — I think it must have been one of the 'Load' album cycles. Yeah. The concert blew my mind. I can close my eyes and visualize being there; I remember it so vividly.

"It's kind of funny because I went to that show, and not too far after I went to see 'Scream'," Spencer recalled. "So it was like my love of horror being birthed as well as my love of, of metal. So getting the call to do that, the first show in Vegas, which was just one show at Allegiant [Stadium in 2022], if it all ended there, it would've been incredible. And then just getting the call [to do] more and more and more. And then to do the full world tour was incredible. The band and the crew and their whole team treated us great. And it was some of the most incredible experience of my life."

Speaking specifically about the "M72" tour's in-the-round stage design that relocated the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, Spencer said: "It took us a little while to get our sea legs, especially with a stage like that that's so unusual. It's like a big donut. And I think the first few times I was, like, 'Man, I'm getting winded.' I'm trying to run around this thing. 'Cause you're at a stadium. You're, like, 'Wow, I gotta really put on this show. There's so many people here, I gotta work 150 percent of my energy.' But what you realize is the video monitors, when you're in that vast, that large scale of a venue, they do a lot of the work for you. So you don't have to run around like a crazy person. Smaller steps can sometimes play bigger on camera."

Asked if the guys from METALLICA gave him and his ICE NINE KILLS bandmates any advice, Spencer said: "I remember talking to [METALLICA frontman] James [Hetfield] one of the first days. He goes, 'You guys figure out how to use the stage yet?' I was, like, 'Not really.' He was, like, 'Yeah, I'm still trying to figure it out myself.' But, yeah, they're pros. And they still sound and put on such a fantastic show."

On the topic of whether he ever gets stage fright, Spencer said: "Sometimes. It's funny — sometimes it's not the biggest shows that give you stage fright, but sometimes the smaller, intimate ones. When you're used to playing in stadiums or arenas, and then you go to a smaller one, you're, like, 'I'm kind of a little nervous.' But once the first song kicks in and kids are singing the words, you forget all about it."

Charnas previously discussed the METALLICA touring experience during a January 2024 interview with Mike Hsu of the 100 FM The Pike radio station. He said at the time: "Anytime anyone mentions it when I'm doing an interview, and I'm not B.S.ing here, I get chills. Because it takes me back to when I first saw METALLICA, which was, I guess it would have been the Fleet Center [in Boston] in '97; it just switched over from the Garden a few years before, I think. And I remember that concert so vividly. My dad took me to it. They were, if memory serves, I think they were on the 'Load' or the 'Reload' album cycle, and it feels like that concert was a week ago. I remember the way that Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] came out over onto the stage, and he was drinking a beer, and they had this, like, pyrotechnic kind of, like, accident, but it was part of the show. One of the crew members, I remember, fell down and was hung by his like feet by a wire and everyone was, like, 'Oh my god.' But it turned out it was all part of the show."

Spencer continued: "They were one of those seminal bands for me. They made me, along with NIRVANA, wanna learn how to play guitar riffs. And so when we got that call to be on a few shows at first back in 2022, getting that call a few months later, 'Hey, do you wanna do the whole world tour with us?' I mean, for someone who grew up on that kind of music and METALLICA being the pinnacle of that, it's such an honor. And I still have to kind of pinch myself every time we show up at one of those stadiums and realize, 'I'm not just going to see them. We're on the show.' And they've been so nice to us. They come into the locker room and say 'what's up' to us. And they're really sort of showing us the way of how, when you're coming up, you take bands out, and take the bands out that you think are cool, and you treat them great. And we've learned a lot from them. And we can't thank them enough, and also thank all of their crew and their whole team. They've just been so accommodating. And also thank you to our fans who keep coming out to those shows, to see us play with METALLICA. I see so many INK shirts in that crowd. It's just a huge honor."

This past February, ICE NINE KILLS released a new single, "Twisting The Knife", taken from the soundtrack of horror blockbuster "Scream 7" and featuring one of the film's stars, Mckenna Grace. The track was accompanied by a high-production music video, and it featured Roger L. Jackson, the voice of the iconic antagonist Ghostface in the "Scream" series, as well as franchise star David Arquette.

In March, ICE NINE KILLS released a 1980s-style glam rock single, "Hell Or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler: Pt. 2)", under the guise of spoof band GRAVE DIGGLER.