Washington D.C. metallers DARKEST HOUR will enter the studio this May to begin tracking their eleventh full-length album. In a move that signals a massive sonic statement, the quintet has tapped producer Mark Lewis (WHITECHAPEL, TRIVIUM, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CANNIBAL CORPSE) to helm the sessions at his Nashville, Tennessee studio.

DARKEST HOUR guitarist Mike Schleibaum says: "The idea of working with Mark is extremely exciting. He's been a part of many very successful and legendary metal records, and having his input and vision on all this is going to be important to making this very special album, unique, classic, and perfect!"

Lewis adds: "I'm extremely stoked to finally get in the studio with my old friends in DARKEST HOUR. Something that has been talked about for ages is happening at the right time. This album will crush!"

Schleibaum continues: "I'm in love with how this record is so thrashy and aggressive, while still maintaining that core melody we are so known for. It's like the best combination of all the DARKEST HOUR albums into one, and it's such a joy to watch all of it come together. The chemistry of the band is on fire right now, with everyone bringing something unique and special to the table. The guitar solos are next level; the band's drumming and rhythm section is just locked in insanely tight, and I'm really excited about where John took everything lyrically this time. Truly something special and magic in these songs."

DARKEST HOUR vocalist John Henry adds: "It may seem that after 30-plus years and 10 albums, it could be hard to find the inspiration to create something fresh and new feeling, but that couldn't be farther from the truth with this album. In an era where art feels threatened by technology, the answer for us was to keep it as organic as possible, and you can hear it. This is the sound of five friends getting together and collaboratively creating, and maybe most importantly, having fun while we do it. Putting these songs together made me feel like I'm 15 again. For me, it's the perfect balance of new and classic DARKEST HOUR, and having Mark Lewis, who produces some of our favorite modern metal music, on board is exciting beyond words. Really can't wait for the world to hear this!"

Coinciding with this announcement, DARKEST HOUR has confirmed it has has re-upped its global partnership with MNRK Heavy, the label home of the band's critically acclaimed 2024 release "Perpetual | Terminal".

Scott Givens, MNRK's SVP of rock and metal, says: "We are excited to once again partner with DARKEST HOUR as they begin crafting their new album." MNRK's director of A&R Kyle Frey adds: "We are ecstatic to deepen our relationship with DARKEST HOUR and continue representing such an influential band on the MNRK roster. Their legacy is built on boundary-pushing consistency and resilience, and after 30 years together, they continue to fan the flames of inspiration in this new era, poised to deliver a landmark career highlight album."

Following three decades of defining the intersection of melodic death metal and hardcore, DARKEST HOUR continues to deliver music that is as vital as it is visceral. DARKEST HOUR clawed their way out of the DMV area (Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, encompassing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) in 1995. Throughout the ensuing years, they tallied tens of millions of streams and quietly built a diehard fan base. Circling the globe, they packed hundreds of shows and touched down on every continent, save Antarctica. Along the way, they notably notched five Top 3 debuts on the Billboard Heatseekers albums chart. 2017's "Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora" marked the group's third No. 1 bow on the latter in addition to crashing the Top 10 of the Top Vinyl Albums chart.

Photo credit: Chris Condayan

During an appearance on SPIN magazine's Lipps Service With Scott Lipps podcast, original FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm was asked about his current relationship with the band's founding guitarist Mick Jones. He responded: "It's pretty good. He's in end stages of Alzheimer's. So our conversations are… I can't tell how he is. He's distant."

Gramm, who has been performing with FOREIGNER as a special guest at select shows on the band's 50th-anniversary tour, told News-Press in separate interview that he is touring with FOREIGNER in honor of Jones, who was previously said to be battling Parkinson's disease and was unable to appear.

"This FOREIGNER is Mick's creation," Gramm said of the band's current lineup. "He played with them for, I don't know, 25 years or so. And he's unable to play any more. He's in the end stages [of Parkinson's disease].

"The last time I talked to him, I told him that I would go out with the band for the 50th anniversary," Gramm revealed. "And that made him really happy. I think it's an honor to go out anyway. So I couldn't be happier. I'm doing it in the name of the band and for Mick… I think it's the right thing to do, and I like singing those songs. And this version of FOREIGNER is very good."

Gramm went on to say that he enjoys performing with the current version of FOREIGNER. "They're great guys," he said. "They play the music the way it's supposed to be played, and everything's comfortable… They love the music. They play the music right, and they're very friendly, you know? They stay very close to the parts that were on the albums. And so for the audience, it's like hearing the record. That's what I like, too. That makes it easier for me to sing."

Gramm had previously been very open about his issues with Jones, especially after the singer's final departure from FOREIGNER in early 2003. But in the months after FOREIGNER's "life-changing" induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in October 2024, Gramm told Billboard magazine that he had a change of heart.

"Ever since [the induction] it felt like, personally, I had to find a way to let go of some of the things I've been holding on to for years — and, like the song says, let it be," he said.

Jones stopped performing with FOREIGNER in 2023, and he revealed his Parkinson's disease diagnosis a few months before the Rock Hall induction. Jones was unable to attend the event because of his deteriorating health. Gramm later said: "I feel bad that [Mick] couldn't have performed at the Rock Hall Of Fame, but good enough that he's certainly aware that we are in the Rock Hall now. And I hope he feels great about it, because it has a lot to do with him."

Over the years, Gramm had admitted holding a grudge toward Jones over the disputed songwriting credits on FOREIGNER's hit song "I Want To Know What Love Is". The power ballad, which is credited solely to Jones, was released in November 1984 as the lead single from the group's fifth album, "Agent Provocateur".

"It's very difficult, because we worked our tails off together, writing most of those songs," Gramm explained during a 2024 interview with VPR Rocks. "And I think we were the focal part of the band too, so the live show was very important and stuff. And I thought we had a very good friendship during most of those years. But after that 'I Want To Know What Love Is' [disagreement over songwriting credits] happened, it was different."

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

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

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Kelly Hansen in 2005. Last May, Hansen announced during the band's performance on the season finale of NBC singing competition "The Voice", that he would be leaving the group at the end of the legendary rockers' summer 2025 tour. In a moving segment that aired nationally, Hansen introduced FOREIGNER guitarist Luis Maldonado as his official successor — a moment that symbolized both an end and a bold new beginning for the powerhouse group.

Before Luis joined FOREIGNER, he was best known as the guitarist for TRAIN and for his work with Lisa Marie Presley.

FOREIGNER's current lineup consists of Luis Maldonado (lead vocals/guitar),Jeff Pilson (bass),Michael Bluestein (keyboards),Bruce Watson (guitars) and Chris Frazier (drums).

In a new interview with Victor M. Ruiz of the Signals From Mars podcast, Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G, who served as Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist from 2009 to 2017, was asked if he was invited to the "Back To The Beginning" charity event, which took place on July 5, 2025 at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The concert marked the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH's last-ever performance and Ozzy's final appearance as a solo artist. Gus said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No, no. I wasn't asked."

Pressed about whether that was "bittersweet" to him, Gus replied: "Not as much, man. And I don't want this to come off the wrong way — of course I would've loved to be there. Who wouldn't? Don't get me wrong — I would've definitely loved to be there. I really wanted to see Ozzy one last time, to give him one last hug. But at the same time, I realized that probably I wasn't really needed there. There were so many people there. So this is one factor. So it didn't really bother me in that sense. My mindset was more as a fan. When I saw the press release, I'm, like, 'Oh, cool. Ozzy's finally doing his last show. This is cool.' Because I know how much he really wanted to get back on stage. I'm like, okay, this is cool. He finally decided he is gonna do this, and he's gonna go out in the biggest way possible.' So as a fan, I was like really excited. And then the second thing was, man, I had my kid the day before the show in Birmingham. We were expecting my first baby. So, yeah, I think even if I was invited, I probably would've had to sit out of the rehearsals or something. I think it was one of those situations where I came to the realization, 'Well, this is really not meant to happen for me. I have really something much more important that I should be attending.'"

After Ruiz noted that Gus is one of only five or six guitarists who have recorded full studio albums with Ozzy over the course of the legendary singer's career, Gus responded: "Yeah. And this is a good way to just look at things, because I hear this a lot about me with Ozzy, like, 'Oh. It's such a pity that you didn't do a follow-up.' 'It's such a pity you were not there on the last [show].' And I'm thinking, 'Well, you're trying to look at it from the half-empty glass.' I always think, like, how incredible, how fantastic that all this even happened for me. So how incredible that I even got to do a whole album. And I was originally signed to do an album and a tour, and I ended up being with the Osbournes for about seven years, playing on various tours and one-off shows and whatnot. So I got a lot more time with Ozzy on stage and off stage than I was offered originally or even promised. So, I have no complaints."

Addressing the fact that big hitters like Nuno Bettencourt, George Lynch, Alex Skolnick and Buckethead had all either been considered or auditioned for the Ozzy gig over the years and failed to secure the coveted spot, Gus said: "You hear all these stories from all these incredible legendary players, how they auditioned, they did one gig or they did one audition, they were offered the gig and then somebody changed their mind and those guys never got the gig. And I've read a lot of those stories since Ozzy's passing, a lot of stuff surfaced. I'm, like, 'Wow, they must have auditioned everybody' [laughs] 'in Hollywood. They must have, at some point, hired everybody and fired them.' [Laughs] So you see, just by putting all these stories together, how rare this was. Like, what were the chances of a guy like me, a kid from Greece, not even from America, from a small, small country, that has really no history in heavy metal to even get to that level, to be there in that room with them and to get the stamp of approval. So, to me, it means that everything, man. It's like one of those stamp of approvals that is for life."

In October 2022, Gus was asked in an interview with Czech Republic's Backstage TV how he looks back on his time with Ozzy. He said: "It was really good times. It was a really highlight of my career, obviously, playing at such a big level and, of course, to play with one of the fathers of this music, heavy metal. So, just to be a part of that legacy is incredible; it's mindblowing. I still cannot believe it happened. I learned a lot.

"I'm not a guy who thinks so much about the past," Gus explained. "I think I have evolved since then; I have become a better musician, better person, better performer. That was a big stepping stone for me. I look at those days with a lot of joy, and I have nice memories, nice feelings about Ozzy and Sharon [Ozzy's wife and manager] and the [rest of the] Osbournes; they treated me very nice. And it was some of the best years of my life with them; I got to see and experience things that not many musicians do, so I was lucky in that sense. But I'm doing my thing now and I've had my own thing for a long time. And I'm happy where I'm at in life right now."

In late 2021, Gus was asked by Guitar World how he found out he was no longer in Ozzy's group. "Sharon called me at home," he said. "I was kind of expecting it. They had announced a festival, and I was waiting to hear back what was going to happen. And then eventually, she gave me a call. I think it was in the middle of the night, because we have such a time zone difference. She called me in Greece, and said, 'I just wanted to let you know personally, so you don't find out online, we're going to do the farewell tour, and Zakk [Wylde] is coming back for that.' And I was, like, 'No worries at all. No problem.' And I thanked her for everything they had done for me. We're still on good terms, so, no problem at all."

In 2018, Gus told TrueMetal.it that "it was a little bit of a relief" to find out that Ozzy was getting back together with his longtime axeman Zakk Wylde. "I was just kind of tired of waiting around for all these years, not hearing anything about potential tours or recording activities," Gus said. "Of course, [Ozzy] was very busy with BLACK SABBATH — I understand that — but then in between of all that, there would be all these one-off [solo Ozzy] shows popping up and I had to make myself available for that. But there was never any… I felt like there was no… I didn't see stuff coming up for the future, you know? So, as much as I loved being in that band and working with him, in a way, it was a little bit of a dead end for me, speaking personally. Of course, now he's gonna go on a big tour again and do his farewell thing, and that's great for him, but it was not a creative thing for me."

It was announced in April 2017 that Wylde would be rejoining Ozzy's backing group for all his upcoming solo show dates. Osbourne's most recent touring lineup also included Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass, Tommy Clufetos on drums and Adam Wakeman on keyboards.

Gus, who played on Ozzy's 2010 album "Scream", told TrueMetal.it that part of his frustration stemmed from the fact that he wasn't told far in advance when his services would be needed by Ozzy, making it difficult for the guitarist to make long-term plans with any of his other projects. "There was never any definite announcement, like, 'Hey, guys, we're gonna see you next year' or something; it was always, like, 'We'll see what happens,'" he said. "So that's a bit of an uncertainty right there, and, of course, I had my own band [and] I had stuff to do, but I could never really book stuff too far ahead into the future just in case something [with Ozzy] came up. So it was really hard to get some info at some points… Anyways, you know, that's how it is; that was the situation. So, yeah, in a way, like I said, it was a relief, because now I can totally control what I'm gonna be doing, and that's a much nicer feeling."

Reactivated Santa Barbara-based metal/punk rock hybrid SNOT is continuing work on the band's long-awaited new studio album. The upcoming effort is being recorded with producer, engineer and mixer Chris Collier and will mark SNOT's first release with new singer Andy Knapp, who made his live debut with the band in January 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Earlier today (Sunday, April 19),SNOT guitarist Mikey Doling shared the following update via his Facebook page: "We're currently working on a new SNOT album and the writing process is going exceptionally well or I should say fkn killer!

"Restarting the musical SNOT engine isn't as challenging as expected, the creativity is flowing effortlessly, like back in 1995! It's stankalicious funk, punk, and high-energy rock 'n' roll with sprinkles of what we used to call lounge jams. Andy Knapp's impact and talent, on this album has been hi level, he's crushing it!

"Stepping into the great [late SNOT singer] Lynn Strait's role is virtually impossible, but Andy's done it head first, professionally and with class and my god he's owning it big time.

"Working with my brother the bass monster John 'Tumor' Fahnestock offers a realistic perspective I need. He reels me in when I'm veering off the road. It's always comforting working with ma bro Tumor!!

"[SNOT drummer] Jamie Miller, what can I say... this dude is in BAD RELIGION and still makes time to do this album with us. Without Jamie it just wouldn't have the SNOT feel and groove...

"Love you, my brother Jamie Miller. Thank you for always standing with SNOT!

"We're looking forward to so many great things to announce and I'm excited to eventually release this album!!

"Thanks for the support and love; it keeps me striving & thriving!"

Last fall, Fahnestock told Australia's Heavy about SNOT's return to the live stage and the band's plans for the coming months: "Well, I think things are a lot different now. We're pretty much saying SNOT is back at this point. We finally found, in Andy, what we basically were dreaming of having. And I'm not saying anything negative on the past singers that we had. Before, when we put SNOT together, it wasn't, like, 'We're reforming. We're back,' anything like that. We were just more doing it for fun, for the love of music, love of Jamie and Mikey and myself playing together. And we were, like, 'Let's go out and play the songs,' but it wasn't seriously saying, like, 'We're back and coming back to here to stay and swing,' like we are now. And, like I said, it's a blessing to have found Andy and what he's doing. And, obviously, the response from the fans has been nothing but positivity."

Asked what it was like returning to the live stage under the SNOT banner, Fahnestock said: "Yeah, coming off this last tour and seeing the response from the crowd, it brought tears to our eyes. And it brought tears to their eyes, to our fans. I'd look out and see people crying, and there are 16-year-olds and they're singing our songs and they knew all the lyrics and they're fucking losing their mind. And I wasn't expecting that at all. And it wasn't that way 10 years ago when we ran through those areas. Yeah, a lot has changed. I think there's a big resurgence now of bands from the '90s, the late '90s, getting a whole resurgence. And I see it a lot, and it's a good thing — it's a really good thing. I think that style and the ['90s] metal thing is actually coming back now and being embraced."

Reflecting on how the latest SNOT reunion came about, John said: "There was a festival in the U.S., and it's kind of where this all started, and it's called Sick New World. And I went there, and it was SYSTEM OF A DOWN and COAL CHAMBER and INCUBUS and all the bands that came up in that era. That's when Mikey and I again started getting a fire under our ass, thinking, 'Dude, if we could only find the right singer, we could do this again.' And we did. So we're back."

Asked if the new SNOT music follows the same "eclectic" direction as the band's 1990s output, John said: "Exactly. It's how we write. It's crazy. Mikey picks up a guitar and it smells like SNOT, bro. It's fucking eerie. And what's really eerie is I could hear Lynn. Like, 'What would Lynn do on this?' In my head I could hear him, 'cause it sounds like he should be there. So, yeah. It's crazy."

In September 2025, Doling told Ore Bihovsky of TotalRock's "Louder" radio show about SNOT's return to the live stage: "I'm really excited, first of all. Just having SNOT back — [I] never expected it. We found a new singer who's amazing, and he made it all possible. And we put some tickets on sale and they're all selling out, all the shows, and we're pretty blown away. We're very grateful to be doing it and super stoked."

Asked how it feels to have Knapp fronting SNOT, three decades after the band's formation and 27 years after the passing of Strait, Doling said: "Honestly, it feels kind of like it used to, with Andy. Andy brought energy to the band that we haven't seen or had since Lynn Strait… Having Andy in the band, he's brought that energy again to us. The shows are full of energy. It's wild, man."

After Ore noted that this is the first time that he has heard the members of SNOT say that the band is officially "back", Doling clarified: "Well, before, when we [played gigs with other vocalists], it was more like we wanted to fucking just get together and play. We weren't really focused on new music or promotion or selling shows. We didn't give a shit. We just wanted to go out and play. This time, we feel like we found the right singer. Also, that it's the right time to actually bring it back full blown. So we're getting in the studio, we're recording new music, we're booking tours. We've got the booking agent. And we're just going full-on, man, and it's great."

Asked about new SNOT music, Mikey said: "It's funky. It's punk. It's got attitude. It's cool. It sounds like old SNOT. And we're trying to keep it like that. We don't wanna change the sound. We wanna keep it like 1996, '97 — lots of wah pedal, lots of grooves, some heavy punk influences. It's cool."

In April 2025, SNOT recruited Doc Coyle (GOD FORBID, ex-BAD WOLVES) as the band's touring guitarist after the group's split with Sonny Mayo.

The news of Mayo's departure was broken by Doling, who stated in a video message at the time:  "Sonny Mayo has decided to quit SNOT. SNOT doesn't fit into his life right now, and he just wants to focus on himself and his life. And SNOT's just too busy for him to be able to continue.

"So I'd like to wish Sonny Mayo the best of luck in his future, and I wanna thank him for all he's contributed to SNOT over the years. We love you, brother," Mikey continued.

"That being said, our very, very good friend from GOD FORBID, formerly BAD WOLVES, Doc Coyle, is going to be filling in on guitar for the upcoming shows. And we're excited to have him on board. And thank you very much, Doc Coyle."

SNOT disbanded in 1998 following Strait's death, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, "Get Some". The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait's tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, "Strait Up", was a fitting tribute from Strait's peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.

SNOT in 2014 recruited Carl Bensley (VITIATE, CONSUME THE FIRE) to sing for the band following the departure of Tommy "Vext" Cummings (ex-DIVINE HERESY, BAD WOLVES).

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lynn died in died in a car accident in December 1998 as he attempted to drive across Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The 30-year-old singer died instantly after his 1992 Ford Tempo was broadsided by a southbound full-size pickup truck about noon. Also killed was Strait's small bulldog, SNOT's mascot Dobbs, who adorned the cover of the band's debut album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some". Strait, a Santa Barbara resident, was crossing the highway after visiting his girlfriend in the community. Lynn apparently pulled into the path of the truck, which was going about 65 mph. The impact sent Strait's car spinning into the center divider where it stopped, a California Highway Patrol officer told the Los Angeles Times at the time.

Cummings fronted SNOT in 2008-2009 before he and Mayo exited the group amid "strained relationships."

Press photo courtesy of SNOT

We're currently working on a new SNOT album and the writing process is going exceptionally well or I should say fkn...

Posted by Mikey Doling on Sunday, April 19, 2026

In a new interview with Cassius Morris, ex-QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate was asked how he found his "vocal range" during his teenage years. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I found my vocal range rather early in life. A friend of mine had a band and they needed a place to rehearse. And I had become recently responsible for my grandmother's house while she was on holiday. And so I was, like, 18 years old and I invited the band to rehearse at my grandmother's house over the summer, which was kind of crazy idea to do. Anyway, they rehearsed in her living room, and it became a band house. And she would call me now and then and goes, 'How you doing with my house? Everything okay?' I'm, like, 'Everything's great, grandma. It's beautiful. Don't worry.' [Laughs] Anyway, the singer for the band got really ill and couldn't sing. And the guitar player said to me, 'Gosh, I can hear you singing in the other room. You have a nice voice. And you can sing RUSH. And we wanna play a lot of RUSH. We wanna play this '2112' album that has just come out.' And he says, 'You can sing that.' I go, 'Yeah, I can sing it. No problem.' So I started singing with them. And so I found that I could sing really high, like Geddy Lee, and I could sing also very low, like Joe Cocker. And so I just found out, just by trying to sing different songs. And I've just been kind of working on it ever since."

Tate also talked about the changes in the music industry over the course of the last four decades, particularly as a growing number of artists choose the independent route and record their music at home studios as opposed to signing with a record label.

"It's completely different now," he said. "Yeah, absolutely different. Every commercial platform is different. The way you distribute music, the way we listen to music has really changed. With the invention of these little guys [earbuds], this really changed things 'cause they sound so good. The technology has progressed to a point where people wear 'em all the time now. Going about their daily business, they're listening to music, they're listening to a podcast, they're listening to the news, they're having a phone conversation with somebody else. They always have that earpiece in. And it's the way the world is working these days. And we try to make our music fit within that technological parameter as well.

"If you listen to, say an older album like [QUEENSRŸCHE's] '[Operation:] Mindcrime' that came out in 1988 — one of the very first digital records ever made; I think one of the first five actually released — and it sounds so, shall I say, antiquated by today's standards, just because of the progression in recording, and the progression in the technology has changed so much now. The bass response, the bass frequencies that we can explore and experience now are leap years away from where we were in 1988. The analog-to-digital converters were just really at the beginning of their development. And now they've got — I don't know — version 22 now that we're using. It's just really, really changed. Really changed."

Tate will release the third chapter in QUEENSRŸCHE's classic "Operation: Mindcrime" album series, "Operation: Mindcrime III", on May 3. The LP's first single, "Power", was made available in late March.

"Power" was written by Geoff and his guitarist/producer Kieran Robertson. It features vocals by Tate, drums by Rich Baur, bass by DISTURBED bassist and "Operation: Mindcrime III" co-producer John Moyer, guitar by Dario Parente and Amaury Altmayer, and synths and strings by Tate and Robertson. It was mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California.

Released under Geoff Tate's own name and not under the QUEENSRŸCHE banner, "Operation: Mindcrime III" is once again a concept album with a storyline following Nikki, a drug addict-turned-assassin manipulated by a shadowy figure known as Dr. X. However, unlike the first two installments, "Operation: Mindcrime III" will tell the tale from the perspective of Dr. X, "how the story happened from his point of view," according to Geoff. "Which is kind of interesting, I think, because we've only heard it from Nikki's point of view, and he's been sort of this victim throughout the whole story."

Originally released in May 1988, QUEENSRŸCHE's third studio album, "Operation: Mindcrime" took the quintet to an entirely new level. The concept, revealed through the songs, revolves around the character of Nikki, a recovering drug addict disillusioned with a corrupt society. Drawn into a cult-like revolutionary group headed by Dr. X (voiced by the late and beloved British actor Anthony Valentine),Nikki is manipulated to assassinate political leaders until his friendship with nun Sister Mary finally opens his eyes to the truth. Regarded as one of the greatest concept metal albums of all time, "Operation: Mindcrime" was certified platinum in 1991 in the U.S. and was ranked in the "Top 100 Metal Albums Of All Time" by both Kerrang! and Billboard magazines. Rolling Stone included it on a similar list, noting that "nearly 30 years after its initial release, 'Mindcrime' feels eerily relevant."

The original "Operation: Mindcrime" album weaved themes of religion, drug abuse and underground, radical politics. By contrast, 2006's "Operation: Mindcrime II" was regarded as an unnecessary sequel that many felt cheapened the original album, despite being a decent record in its own right.

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012. Guitarist Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.

Tate's replacement, Todd La Torre, has released four albums thus far with QUEENSRŸCHE: 2013's "Queensrÿche", 2015's "Condition Hüman", 2019's "The Verdict" and 2022's "Digital Noise Alliance".

Image credit: Scott Perry's Live Rock Music Concerts

In a new interview with Chile's Sonar FM radio station, DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was asked if he is planning on attending any of the shows on RUSH's upcoming "Fifty Something" comeback tour. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Absolutely. I cannot wait to see it. I'm so curious what it's gonna be like. They're one of my favorite bands of all time. And I had the honor of becoming friends with [late RUSH drummer] Neil Peart for the last 10, 15 years of his life. And, yeah, I'm so happy that they're gonna do it again. And I absolutely plan on going to see the shows and supporting them."

Asked what goes through his mind, as someone who has toured and performed at the highest level for decades, when he hears that a band like RUSH is going to tour again, Portnoy said: "Well, I'm happy to see them reunite. For the fans it's important, because all of the classic bands are going away. RUSH is thankfully coming back, but a year ago if we were having this discussion, we would say there is no RUSH, there is no VAN HALEN, there is no more BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER retired, MEGADETH is retiring, SEPULTURA is retiring. So, yeah, we need our heroes to keep playing if they can, if they're able to."

This past February, Portnoy spoke to Brazil's Regis Tadeu about last year's announcement that RUSH's surviving members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had recruited award-winning fusion drummer Anika Nilles to fill in for the late Neil Peart this year as the Canadian rock legends embark on their surprise "Fifty Something" reunion tour. Addressing the fact that some RUSH fans had hoped Portnoy would be asked to play with Lee and Lifeson instead of Nilles, Mike said: "Well, I'd be lying if I denied that, of course, playing with those guys would be a dream come true. Of course. And I love and respect not only RUSH's music, but Neil Peart as a person and as a drummer. So if the hypothetical scenario ever occurred that they had asked me, I would've approached it with the utmost respect — believe me. But in a way I'm kind of relieved they didn't ask me, because that's a very tough role to walk into. I think for Anika, she's gonna have a lot of people making inevitable comparisons. There's no way around it. So that's gonna be a very tough gig to have. So in a way I'm relieved that they didn't ask me. [Laughs]"

Earlier in February, Portnoy denied that he ever offered his services to Lee and Lifeson, but made it clear that he would consider playing with them if asked, and if the circumstances were right. He told Metal Hammer magazine: "I read Geddy's book ['My Effin' Life', published in 2023], and he mentioned about all the drummers kind of offering themselves to them and how much it turned him and Alex off.

"I did send my condolences to Geddy and Alex after Neil passed, but I never once tried to throw my hat in the ring for Neil's gig. I realize that's a sacred role that should only ever be filled if Geddy and Alex choose for it to be so. And sure enough, here we are with them choosing to finally do so, which has been really incredible."

Asked by Metal Hammer if he would have played with Lee and Lifeson if the gig had been offered to him, Portnoy responded: "If they hypothetically ever approached me with it, of course, I would have done it with the utmost respect and honor. But frankly, I'm kind of relieved they didn't. First of all, filling Neil's shoes is going to be impossible. If anybody ever thought Mike Mangini [DREAM THEATER's drummer from 2010 to 2023] filling my shoes was tough, try filling Neil Peart's shoes. And I came back home to DREAM THEATER, which is where I belong. So if, hypothetically, if they had approached me with this reunion that they're doing, it would have put me in an incredibly awkward position because of the timing of it all."

In January 2026, Portnoy told Chile's Futuro that the prospect of Geddy and Alex touring with Anika was " extremely exciting. I, as a fan, can't wait to see how they do this and what it's gonna be like," he said. "Neil Peart was not only one of my biggest drum heroes, but he was somebody that I was honored to become friends with in the last decade or so of his life. So, yeah, as a fan of the band and as a friend of Neil's, I'm very happy to see them doing this, and I can't wait to hear what they do."

Portnoy went on to say that he has "never seen" Anika play in person, "but like everybody else in the world, as soon as the announcement was made, I started pulling up videos on YouTube and saw her playing with Jeff Beck and doing the jazz fusion kind of stuff she does," he said. "She's obviously a tremendous drummer, so I'm really curious to see how it sounds."

Regarding how many times he had gotten asked about his own hypothetical involvement with RUSH prior to last year's announcement, Portnoy said: "Before [Lee and Lifeson] announced their return, it's a question that I would get asked in almost every single interview for the last decade: 'Would you ever play with Geddy and Alex? Would you ever?' Of course. Those guys are my heroes. But in all honesty, I'm kind of glad that they didn't even ask me, because that would be way too much pressure, way too much pressure. So, it's much better this way. I get to enjoy it like a fan."

Five and a half years ago, Portnoy spoke to World Prog-Nation about how Peart influenced him on a musical and personal level. He said: "I spent 20, 30 years idolizing him and being his biggest fan. And all those years, it was mainly the drum kit — the drum kit was such a fascination for me. He always built such amazing kits and put so much thought into it. I'd always get the tour programs where he'd write about the kit and what the new things were on it, and I would just look at those photos. Most other kids were looking at Playboy centerfolds; I was looking at Neil Peart drum kits. And then, obviously, his playing — it goes without saying. I learned how to really develop parts and orchestrate drum parts to build and change and develop within the song. So that was the biggest stuff for me as a fan. And then later on, once I got to know him, I was so inspired by what a gracious person he was."

Mike added: "He had this reputation that he was sort of quiet and isolated and private, and he was, and it was very important for him to guard that. But once you were somehow allowed into that inner cicle, he was always so sweet and kind and generous. He'd always send me holiday e-mails and he would always send me his new books and stuff like that. It was a relationship that I'll always cherish and I was honored to have."

During an October 2021 interview with TWISTED SISTER bassist Mark "The Animal" Mendoza's Internet show "22 Now", Portnoy once again spoke about a hypothetical scenario in which he would be chosen to tour with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as the replacement for Peart. Asked if he would be interested in taking that gig, Portnoy said: "Of course. That would be a dream to play with those guys. But I don't wanna see the Blabbermouth headline right now, me thinking that I deserve the gig. I'm not saying that. You're asking me a question. Hypothetically, of course, it would be a dream come true. Neil was my hero, and always will be, and Geddy and Alex are as well.

"I don't think in a million years they'll play [as RUSH] without him; I really don't," he continued. "But in a hypothetical dream scenario, I mean, come on — of course. But I don't think in a zillion years it will happen. But it's a nice dream to hypothetically wonder about. But I honestly don't think it would ever happen. But who knows? You never know.

"As much as hypothetically it would be fun, it would be amazing, it would also be an impossible role to fill," Portnoy added. "It's a no-win situation. Really, it would be impossible, 'cause his fans are as obsessive as they get — and count me amongst them. So, yeah, that would be a tough one."

Mike also talked about RUSH's final tour which concluded at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015. Peart indicated at the time that he wanted to retire while he was still able to play well, along with a desire to spend more time at home with his young daughter.

"They went out on such a high," Portnoy said. "Their last tour was a farewell tour. I don't think anybody expected Neil to pass, but they wanted to stop touring, so they really went out with such an amazing tour. That tour was just so well done, so perfectly executed, and they went out with all three of them still at the top of their game. So I give them all the credit in the world for that. It's just sad that Neil didn't get many years to enjoy the retirement before he got sick. That saddens me."

RUSH will perform multiple shows in cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico, beginning June 7, 2026 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. These special "evening with" shows will find the band playing two sets each night. Each show will feature a distinct selection of songs and RUSH will build each night's setlist from a catalogue of 35 songs including their greatest hits and fan favorites.

After Lee and Lifeson announced RUSH's initial 2026 tour dates in early October, they instantly sold out. They then doubled the tour's length due to increased demand before adding even more dates to the trek.

At the moment, the North American leg of the "Fifty Something" tour is scheduled to stretch into the fall and early winter, with sold-out shows in Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, as well as dates in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., to name a few. Lee, Lifeson and Nilles will then take the tour to South America and Europe in 2027. They also announced that keyboard player Loren Gold will be joining them. South American dates run from January 15, 2027 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to February 4, 2027 in Brasília, Brazil. The trek will then head to Europe starting February 19 in Paris, with dates running until April 10 in Helsinki, Finland.

Peart died in January 2020 after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 67 years old.

RUSH waited three days to announce Peart's passing, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

Since Peart's death, Lifeson and Lee have not recorded any new music or performed live under the RUSH name, although both of them confirmed that several drummers reached out to them in the days after the legendary drummer's passing about the possibility of stepping in for Neil.

When you're gathering guests for a RAINBOW tribute album, whom better to invite than some of the people who made RAINBOW such a great band in the first place?

That's what Cleopatra Records has done. Due on June 19, "Ride The Rainbow - The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" is an absolutely star-studded journey through the many faces of the Ritchie Blackmore-led legend, with stunning performances from no fewer than six RAINBOW alumni — Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White and Ronnie Romero. Plus Ritchie's wife and BLACKMORE'S NIGHT bandmate, vocalist Candice Night, and Ritchie's successor in DEEP PURPLE, Steve Morse.

As the subtitle says, it truly is "the ultimate tribute to Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW".

And to get the ball rolling, here's the fantasy league lineup of Bonnet, Airey and Daisley reuniting for the first time since the dawn of the '80s, to perform the title track of RAINBOW's third album that Daisley first appeared on, "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll", in 1978. The late Ronnie James Dio was the frontman on that record, but, of course, Bonnet and Airey know it well… they joined the band for its next album, "Down To Earth", but "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" remained a concert favorite throughout their own time with the band.

The rhythm section here, too, is legendary. Daisley is here, of course. But there's more. Back when Ritchie was first starting out with DEEP PURPLE, VANILLA FUDGE were one of the nascent band's biggest influences. Keyboard player Jon Lord caught the American group's first London performance in 1967, and was convinced, "We were going to be an English VANILLA FUDGE." Drummer Carmine Appice, here taking a break from his current duties with CACTUS, was a founder member of the FUDGE.

"I always liked 'Long Live Rock 'N' Roll'," says Carmine. "It had a CACTUS boogie, easy for me to play...it kicked ass then and now!"

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, on the other hand, was but a youth when RAINBOW launched in 1975. But, he recalls, "I heard the RAINBOW 'Rising' album as a kid and became a lifelong RAINBOW fan! It's a great honor to play on this song and to pay tribute to this historic band."

The full liner notes for "Ride The Rainbow - The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow" were written by Jason Myers of classic metal revivalists ICARUS WITCH.

Track listing:

01. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll - Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Carmine Appice, Don Airey
02. Man On The Silver Mountain - Sebastian Bach, Doug Aldrich, Bob Daisley, Carmine Appice, Mick Box, Jonathan Cain
03. Stargazer - Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Jürgen Engler, Joe Bouchard, Ronnie Romero
04. Lady Of The Lake - ANGEL
05. Rainbow Eyes - Mike Tramp
06. Since You Been Gone - Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Graham Bonnet, Jürgen Engler
07. Kill The King - Rick Wakeman, Bob Daisley, Vinnie Moore, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler
08. The Temple Of The King - Steve Morse, Phil Soussan, Ronnie Romero, Simon Wright, Jonathan Cain, Kevin James Morse
09. Jealous Lover - George Lynch, Vinny Appice, Andrew Freeman, David Ellefson, Jonathan Cain
10. I Surrender - Eric Gales, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Phil Soussan, Don Airey, Chris Adler
11. Catch The Rainbow - Doogie White, Derek Sherinian, Chris Poland, Vinny Appice, Bob Daisley
12. Street Of Dreams - Paul Shortino, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Bouchard, Fred Aching, Jonathan Cain
13. Stone Cold - Vivian Campbell, Joe Lynn Turner
14. I Surrender - Marcus Nand, Candice Night

RAINBOW, led by Ritchie Blackmore, became synonymous with some of the most well regarded and popular charting rock songs of the 1970s and 1980s. From "Stargazer" and "Man On A Silver Mountain" to "All Night Long", "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" and "Since You Been Gone", each year in the decade of RAINBOW was marked by some of the best songs and performances captured both on record and in concert.

Passing through the band were some of the best the genre had to offer. Vocalists Ronnie James Dio and Graham Bonnet, bass player and producer Roger Glover and drummer Cozy Powell, each brought their individual talent to the table to record some of rock's best-loved hard rock on those albums and singles.

Romero, who is originally from Chile but is now settled in Romania after living in Madrid, Spain for a number of years, made his live debut with RAINBOW in June 2016 after he was selected to front the latest version of the band Ritchie Blackmore had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

In addition to Romero and Blackmore, the most recent incarnation of RAINBOW included STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT),and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

The two shows RAINBOW played in Germany in June 2016 were caught on camera to produce "Memories In Rock - Live In Germany", which was released in November 2016 via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, and digital formats.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES have released the official visualizer for "Revenger", the latest single from their upcoming seventh studio album, "Vindicate", which is due on May 8 via Spinefarm. The track, which features a guest appearance by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn, frames vengeance as fantasy and delusion, following a self-styled avenger convinced that retribution could deliver justice. "Revenger" further showcases the versatility of BLACK VEIL BRIDES, comprised of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton and drummer Christian Coma.

Biersack comments: "I have always been interested in the sort of ethical dilemma that we have culturally of cheering for justice. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to write lyrics from the perspective of someone who is trying to seek out the ultimate form of justice."

He continues: "Because I was writing from someone else's voice, this felt like the kind of song that would be best served by having someone else's voice on the song. So, we brought in Robb Flynn of MACHINE HEAD. The reason he came to mind first was of course his voice, tonality and style I thought was perfect for this. He is also someone who was one of the first real defenders of BLACK VEIL BRIDES. In the early days when we were getting absolutely shit on by every other metal band, Robb Flynn and MACHINE HEAD stood up for us and said positive things about us and has maintained that for years and years."

Andy adds: "I think it's one of my favorite songs on the record."

A companion novel called "Revenger", written by Biersack and distributed by Simon & Schuster, is available for purchase.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES recently made headlines when the track "Woe & Pain" from "Vindicate" was used in the hype package between Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for "Wrestlemania 42".

With anticipation building at every turn, BLACK VEIL BRIDES are preparing to release "Vindicate". From the opening organ introduction and dramatic soliloquy of "Invocation To The Muse" to the emotive finale of "Eschaton", the band deliver one of the most ambitious chapters of their career. Previously released singles, including "Bleeders", "Hallelujah", "Certainty" and "Vindicate", have already showcased the band's continued musical evolution while maintaining the theatrical intensity that has defined their sound.

The track listing for "Vindicate" is as follows:

01. Invocation To The Muse
02. Vindicate
03. Certainty
04. Bleeders
05. Hallelujah
06. Cut
07. Alive
08. Purgatory
09. Revenger
10. Sorrow
11. Grace
12. Ave Maria
13. Woe & Pain
14. Eschaton

In support of the new album, BLACK VEIL BRIDES will embark on its first North American headline tour of 2026. The 24-city run kicks off April 25 in Riverside and concludes May 30 in Worcester. Along the way, the tour will make stops in Seattle (April 28),Houston (May 5),Detroit (May 17),and New York (May 28),among others. Support on the tour will come from FROM ASHES TO NEW, TX2 and AS DECEMBER FALLS.

Like their band name suggests, BLACK VEIL BRIDES evoke transcendent visions of an impenetrable hereafter, intermingling with a steely focus on the dark passions and elusive mysteries of the here and now. A romantic fantasy first summoned in a small town by founder Andy Biersack — a creative who was fascinated with death rock, theatricality and monsters (both real and imagined). It wasn't until moving to Los Angeles that the unstoppable force the band is currently became finalized. The band (and its members Andy Biersack, Jake Pitts, Jinxx, Lonny Eagleton, Christian Coma) Instagram and Twitter accounts command close to 12 million followers between them. "The Phantom Tomorrow", the group's last full-length album, went to No. 1 on Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums chart.

In the hearts and minds of their fans, the band represents an unwillingness to compromise and a resistance to critics (personal and professional),fueled by the same fire as the group's own heroes, the iconoclasts whose creative output, once dismissed, is now canonized. Now after 15 years of leading the BVB Army, the next phase of BLACK VEIL BRIDES begins with a joyful "Hallelujah" and a definite sense of "Certainty" when "Vindicate" is released on May 8.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

Drumeo has shared a new video featuring Riccardo Merlini, a student of Mike Mangini (ex-Dream Theater) and considered to be the world’s fastest drummer. Check it out below:

“Take a sneak peek into the mind of Riccardo Merlini! Watch as he listens to ‘Rusty Cage’ by Soundgarden for the very first time and attempts to play along. What is he listening for? How does he immediately craft an appropriate drum part? Tune in and find out!”

The video includes Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron’s reaction to Merlini’s interpretation of the song.



Previously, Drumeo shared a video from their studio featuring Matt Cameron:

“Join us as Matt Cameron breaks down the drumming behind ‘Spoonman’, the Soundgarden hit that helped define the grunge era. Released in 1994 on Superunknown, the song’s iconic groove began in an unexpected place — with a real-life street performer who would ultimately change rock history.

In this session, Matt shares how that raw, percussive inspiration shaped the song, the creative choices behind the drum part, and why ‘Spoonman’ still stands as one of the most unforgettable grooves of the ’90s.”

Joseph Tholl is widely known as a Swedish multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He gained international recognition as a founding member and guitarist for the speed metal band Enforcer (officially leaving in 2019). Following his time with Enforcer, he formed Black Trip (later Vojd) and is currently playing guitar for Tribulation.

Following 2019’s Devil’s Drum, It Might Be Art is his second solo album (and the second for High Roller Records). It was recorded and mixed at Humbucker Studio, which he co-owns with Robert Pehrsson (who’s also on High Roller Records).

On It Might Be Art Joseph Tholl is singing, playing guitar and most of the bass, he also handles piano and synthesizer parts. Robert Eriksson (The Hellacopters) and Jakob Ljungberg (Second Sun) share drum duties on this album. Besides that, there’s a few guest appearances by musicians such as Johannes Andersson (Tribulation), Tobias Lindkvist (Tyrann), Pia Stjärnvind (Serpent Omega), Adam Zaars (Tribulation) and Robert Pehrsson (Dundertåget, Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker).

Joseph Tholl thinks that despite its broad variety It Might Be Art is still suitable for heavy metal fans: “I couldn’t see why not. I mean it’s not heavy metal. But I hope people will like it for what it is, a very honest and well-crafted melodic rock album.”

“It Might Be Art is both darker and brighter than Devil’s Drum,” compares the Swede both his solo albums. “Musically it probably sounds a little brighter and poppy overall. But then there’s songs like ‘I’m In A Darkness’ or ‘The Burial’, which are very dark.”

At times, influences of Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, New Model Army and Midnight Oil can be detected on It Might Be Art, leading Joseph Tholl to ponder: “It’s incredibly hard to name a few bands as influences, there’s just too many. Besides those bands you mentioned, there’s a mix of grunge, heavy metal, Swedish pop/rock, AOR etc., that I mold into my own kind of rock ‘n’ roll.”

Preorder It Might Be Art here.



Tracklisting:

“New Dawn”
“Oh The Madness”
“I’m In A Darkness”
“Invocation Of The Evening Star”
“Walking”
“It Might Be Art”
“I Syrenens Tid”
“Rebirth”
“On Velvet Waves”
“The Burial”

The GWAR family is coming together to support one of their own. Chuck Varga, known to fans as the Sexecutioner and one of the founding members of GWAR, is currently battling cancer. In response, the band and their extended community have launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in his honor.

Fans are encouraged to find a blood bank near them and either register as donors or give blood in Chuck's name. As a thank you, participants will receive a free exclusive t shirt designed by Chuck himself.

This campaign gives the GWAR faithful a way to show up in a real and meaningful way, helping save lives while honoring a character and creator who has given so much to the band's world.

Donate and get an exclusive t-shirt here.

Varga's work as the Sexecutioner has left a permanent mark on GWAR's legacy. Now fans have the chance to give something back. Find a blood bank, take part, and help make a difference. Give blood. Celebrate the Sexecutioner. Keep the legacy alive.

Varga was a founding member of GWAR, which formed in 1984, and as the intergalactic Sexecutioner, his job was "making sure the blood goes in all the right places." Varga sang in the band and created many of the group's costumes. He told Entertainment Weekly almost a decade ago: "I describe it as a full-body stunt mat. It gives me special powers. I have fallen off stage five feet onto a concrete floor and bounced like a Super Ball."

Chuck likes to describe himself as one part comic book illustrator, one part special effects designer, two parts sculptor, shaken over some science fiction novels, poured into a rubber mask, and garnished with a twisted sense of humor. In 1985 he co-founded Slave Pit Studios and formed the theatrical rock sensation GWAR. He collaborated on eight major productions, over 1,000 live performances and co-authored two feature length films with two Grammy nominations and a gold record. At this time Varga performed as the Sexecutioner. His art has been described as "eye popping, twisted and over the top, way over!"

In 1995 he partnered up with Don Drakulich to form Hyperreal Productions, an art effects venture producing public sculptures and collectable figures. In 1997, Chuck moved to New York to work on Broadway and feature film productions. He would occasionally perform with GWAR and finally retired on Halloween Scumdog Reunion 2021. Along the way he befriended the likes of Joe Coleman and Robert Williams and many other outsider artists.

Varga met his soon-to-be-wife Bambi The Mermaid at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It was love at first sight and the two were married there in 2017. He merged his absurdist theatre with her neo-burlesque performances and became a staple at the legendary not-for-profit arts organization Coney Island USA where he reigned as resident Neptune.

Varga divides his time between fine art and underground theater projects, continuing to evolve the blend of spectacle, satire, and handcrafted fantasy that defined his GWAR years with a delightfully unwholesome splash of neo-burlesque charm.

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has unveiled "Tommyland Rides Again", a bold reimagining of his second solo album "Tommyland: The Ride", set for release on May 22 via BMG. This refreshed edition breathes new life into the original project, mixed by Tommy and Smiley Sean at Tommy's own Dolby Atmos-certified studio. They were able to give each track all the love and attention to create something that was just sonically impossible back in 2005. For the first time ever, the album will also be available across digital streaming platforms, including an immersive Dolby Atmos mix, offering listeners a richer, more dynamic audio experience.

On the reimagined record, Lee shares: "The cover art invites you to take a ride inside my twisted musical world and experience its new life after 20 years. And in Dolby Atmos."

The announcement is accompanied by the release of "Good Times (Feat. Butch Walker)" — the original album's lead single and theme song for "Tommy Lee Goes To College" — along with an HD upscale of its official music video.

"Tommyland Rides Again" will also introduce a brand-new bonus track, "Stupid World (Feat. Chad Tepper)", arriving alongside an accompanying music video. Tepper, a former professional skateboarder and alt-rock artist with a social following exceeding four million, brings a fresh, high-energy dynamic to the collaboration. His 2023 single "Rockstar Dreams Like Tommy Lee" makes the pairing feel like a natural full-circle moment, bridging influence and inspiration in a way that underscores the enduring cultural impact of Tommy Lee.

Originally released in 2005 alongside Tommy's book of the same name and his NBC hit series "Tommy Lee Goes To College", "Tommyland: The Ride" was a fully realized snapshot of Lee at his most wide-ranging. A record that blew past genre expectations and pulled in an all-star cast of collaborators spanning rock, pop, and punk. Produced by Lee and Scott Humphrey (MÖTLEY CRÜE, FUEL, ROB ZOMBIE),the album featured guest appearances from NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger, GOOD CHARLOTTE's Joel Madden, BACKSTREET BOYS' Nick Carter and Walker himself, among others.

Tommy Lee is the co-founder and drummer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, one of the most iconic rock bands in history with over 100 million records sold worldwide, a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and a Netflix feature film. He's been the star of three network series including "Rockstar", "Battleground Earth" with Ludacris, and NBC's "Tommy Lee Goes To College". A relentless creative force on and off the stage, Lee has released multiple solo albums, founded rap-metal outfit METHODS OF MAYHEM, and consistently pushed the boundaries of what a rock musician can be. MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Return Of The Carnival Of Sins" North American tour, celebrating the band's 45th anniversary, kicks off July 2026. For the first time ever, Tommy is making available to you the snare drums and cowbell he plays each night on the upcoming tour.

Photo credit: Brittany Furlan

Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE will release their new, self-titled album on August 28 via Spinefarm. The official music video for the LP's latest single, "Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)", can be seen below.

A storming anthem of defiance and devotion, "Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)" is a tribute to the immortality of rock 'n' roll and the icons who shaped it. Channeling the spirit of legends like Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD),Bon Scott (AC/DC) and John Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN),the track is a high-voltage salute to those who live on every time their music is played.

"When you play this riff, you give me back my hands… when you drop the needle, I'm back in the band," sings AIRBOURNE frontman Joel O'Keeffe, a line that cuts to the heart of the song's message: music never dies.

"A fan of MOTÖRHEAD brings Lemmy back to life by literally listening to his music and remembering who he was," Joel explains. "When we sing their songs, we give them heat and we put life back into them. We always say Lemmy's not dead — he lives forever."

"Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)" was produced by Brian Howes, who worked with the band on 2013's "Black Dog Barking" album; engineering, meanwhile, was handled by Canadian studio legend Mike Fraser (AC/DC, AEROSMITH, RUSH, METALLICA),with Zakk Cervini (DAYSEEKER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, ARCHITECTS, Machine Gun Kelly) taking charge of the mix.

AIRBOURNE announced the album in a truly original manner. See below the band's heartfelt letter to Lemmy, sharing their journey through this album's process and paying homage to their mentor and friend.

"Airbourne" track listing:

01. Gutsy
02. Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)
03. Here She Comes
04. Kid In A Candy Store
05. Sky High
06. Who Put The Rhythm In You?
07. Christmas Bonus
08. Last Man Standing
09. Rock 'N' Roll Ya
10. Bogotá
11. Hells Got No Vacancy
12. Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven

In a June 2025 interview with Louise Phillips of U.K.'s TotalRock, AIRBOURNE drummer Ryan O'Keeffe confirmed that the recording sessions for the band's sixth album were completed in April of last year.

"Airbourne" features AIRBOURNE's current lineup, consisting of Joel and Ryan, alongside longtime bassist Justin Street, and recent recruit Brett Tyrrell on rhythm guitar.

Tyrrell joined AIRBOURNE in 2022 as the replacement for Matthew Harrison, who stepped into the band in 2018 after the departure of founding member David Roads.

AIRBOURNE bassist Justin Street joined the band in 2004 as the replacement for Luke McKenzie.

AIRBOURNE is:

Joel O'Keeffe - Frontman/Lead Guitar
Ryan O'Keeffe - Drums
Justin Street - Bass
Brett Tyrrell - Rhythm Guitar

Photo credit: PR Brown