Italian power metallers, Frozen Crown, have released a new single, "Victorious", taken from their forthcoming album, Call Of The North. Check it out below.


The album will be released on March 10th.







Frozen Crown recently checked in with the following update:


"Here we are! Our fourth album, Call Of The North, will be out March 10th! Which song title inspires you the most? Let us know. First single and videoclip out in December! Grab your signed copy right now here.





Tracklist:


"Call Of The North"
"Fire In The Sky"
"Black Heart"
"Victorious"
"In A Moment"
"Legion"
"Until The End"
"Now Or Never"
"One For All"
"Far Away"


This fourth album is going to sound 100% Frozen Crown, melding together elements from our previous three albums, and purposely featuring no guest appearances, to consolidate the band sound while bringing at the same time unseen features (like acoustic ballads and epic choirs) on the table.


Be ready for memorable refrains, heavy downtuned guitar riffs, intricate symphonic parts, and a tense and epic battlefield atmosphere.


Once again produced by Andrea Fusini at Fusix Studio, Call Of The North will be out on Scarlet Records (EU/US) and Marquee Avalon (Japan) and released in digipak CD and in limited edition turquoise and purple vinyl (and, of course, in digital version on all streaming platforms)."


"Call Of The North"

British heavy metal legends, Saxon, have unveiled the first single, “The Faith Healer”, from the upcoming More Inspirations, set for release on March 24 via Silver Lining Music.


Following the release of Inspirations in 2021, More Inspirations is the second ‘deep dish’ serving of the influences which have fed the mighty Saxon’s immensely successful 40+ year career. The first single is an astonishing take on The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s “The Faith Healer”.


Frontman Biff Byford comments “We used to see The Sensational Alex Harvey band play this back in the day, they started the set with it, such a fantastic song and fantastic band… big influence!”




Listen to/watch “The Faith Healer”, the “making of” video directed by Jay Shredder, below.


Whether getting feral with The Animal’s “We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place”, letting loose a high-octane take on Alice Cooper’s “From The Inside”, or laying down a ferocious tribute to KISS’ “Detroit Rock City”, More Inspirations is a joyous trip into the sounds which galvanized the Barnsley boys and continue to get spun on home stereos and tour buses.


Produced by vocalist/co-founder Biff Byford, with Seb Byford helping record the music alongside mixing engineer Jacky Lehmann, More Inspirations also includes enthusiastic takes on Alice Cooper, Rainbow, ZZ Top and Cream, as well as a thunderous “Razamanaz” by Nazareth, a tasty take on The Who’s “Substitute”, and a thick groove take on Uriah Heep’s “Gypsy”. Whether this is your first dance with such classic songs, or you’ve come to see where Saxon were born, More Inspirations delivers the goods and then some.  


Saxon’s More Inspirations will be available on 12” Black Vinyl, CD Digipak, digital formats and special D2C bundles; to pre-order head here.





Tracklisting:


"We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place"
"The Faith Healer"
"From the Inside"
"Chevrolet"
"Substitute"
"Gypsy"
"Man On the Silver Mountain"
"Detroit Rock City"
"Razamanaz"
"Tales of Brave Ulysses"





- Produced by Biff Byford
- Recorded by Seb Byford and Jacky Lehmann
- Mixed and Mastered by Jacky Lehmann, www.audiosound.de
- Mastered for vinyl at Abbey Studios, London


Following the success of the Seize the World Tour 2022, Saxon will be back on the road in March 2023 for a string of European dates, with special guest’s German metal titans Rage.





Saxon lineup:


Biff Byford - Vocals
Paul Quinn - Guitar
Nigel Glockler - Drums
Doug Scarratt - Guitar
Nibbs Carter - Bass

HIM mastermind Ville Valo (VV) has released the official music video for the title track of his debut solo album, "Neon Noir". The LP was made available today (Friday, January 13) via Heartagram Records, distributed by UMG/Spinefarm.

Last April, Valo released the first single from "Neon Noir", a song called "Loveletting", which marked his first new music in over two years, following the release of the three-track "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" EP, also released under the VV banner, in March 2020.

Like "Neon Noir", "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" bore a strong musical resemblance to HIM and featured the tracks "Salute The Sanguine", "Run Away From The Sun" and "Saturnine Saturnalia".

Regarding the lyrical inspiration for "Neon Noir", Ville told Kerrang! magazine: "I wouldn't call it 'suicidal', but most of the stuff was written during the pandemic, and there weren't many rays of sun hitting me. Everybody was in the mental gutter. Times were tough. This album was the kind of like the lifebuoy for me. It gave me a reason to wake up every morning and work on something else and try to shut the world outside. When I was working on the music, maybe it was selfish to a certain extent, but also it was a matter of survival."

He added: "It seems that mankind needs a bit of a breather from all this shit, myself included. So I tried to put all that frustration onto paper. And if it's love and darkness, and all sorts of things like that, that's probably because it's my vocabulary. Hopefully, the words have been rearranged in a fresh order this time around. But me trying to do something completely different, just because, that doesn't make any sense to me at all."

"Neon Noir" track listing:

01. Echolocate Your Love
02. Run Away From The Sun
03. Neon Noir
04. Loveletting
05. The Foreverlost
06. Baby Lacrimarium
07. Salute The Sanguine
08. In Trenodia
09. Heartful Of Ghosts
10. Saturnine Saturnalia
11. Zener Solitaire
12. Vertigo Eyes

Back in April 2022, Ville told Metal Hammer that "Loveletting" was one of the more mellow songs on "Neon Noir". Ville said: "I've always been shit with picking singles — I'm always wrong, so I let the label choose that and everybody was smiling when they heard it the first time, so they suggested it. I'm hoping the next one will be a lot more rock 'n' roll, harder hitting."

Regarding the musical direction of "Neon Noir", Ville told Metal Hammer: "The new stuff definitely does sound like HIM. But I did write most of the songs, so… I'm to blame for that. It's a continuous journey from HIM for me. A lot of people when they move on to solo projects want to distance themselves from the past, burn bridges and start their solo career. It's different for me. VV is me building a bridge between HIM and the future. That's what 'Neon Noir' is."

Ville spoke to Spotify about why it has taken him so long to complete "Neon Noir". "Since the pandemic hit, I started working on the album," he explained. "I actually learned how to record — I learned how to record drums and bass and guitar because I wasn't able to get any musicians; I had to do it solo — literally solo. So I'm really sorry but it did take me two and a half years to get the album done. 'Loveletting' is the first single. It's kind of what I normally do — it's a loud love song; it's a very sad and melancholy wistful one, but sort of maybe light at the end of the tunnel which is hopefully not the oncoming train.

"So there's not much new under the sun of VV, but I love it. [Laughs]"

VV's headline tour dates will take place this year across Europe and North America. Naturally starting in Helsinki, Finland, the 2023 extensive run reaches the U.K. in March before heading to America come April.

HIM completed a farewell tour in 2017, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career. At the time, Ville explained to Kerrang! magazine why the band decided to call it a day. "We were tired of the same shit," he said. "When you've done it for a long time, at some point it doesn't taste good anymore. We started working on some stuff, it didn't sound good enough, and we didn't get the teenage buzz you're supposed get."

Formed in 1991 by Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as "love metal" (also the title of their fourth album).

HIM in 2015 parted ways with its longtime drummer, Mika Kristian Karppinen (a.k.a. Gas Lipstick),and replaced him with Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger (formerly of HERRA YLPPÖ & IHMISET).

Four years ago, Valo teamed up with guitar legend Esa Pulliainen to record an album based on songs by the late, legendary Finnish singer Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki. The self-titled album by VILLE VALO & AGENTS was released in February 2019 and was followed by a short tour.

Photo credit: Juha Mustonen

DIEHUMANE, the new "avant garde alt-metal" band featuring Rick Hunolt (EXODUS) on guitar, Garret West on lead vocals, Sal Abruscato (TYPE O NEGATIVE, LIFE OF AGONY) on drums, Joshua Vargas on rhythm guitar, bass, piano, programming and Greg Hilligiest Jr. on keyboards, samples, additional guitar, will release its debut album, "The Grotesque", on May 5 in partnership with producer Ulrich Wild's label WURMgroup and The Oracle Management, the management company of COAL CHAMBER and DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara. The LP was produced and mixed by Wild.

"The Grotesque" track listing:

01. The Executively Dysfunctional
02. King Of Nothing (The Bruiser)
03. Standing At The Edge Of Forever
04. Shell Shock
05. The Death Knell
06. Epitaph
07. Oblivion
08. The Vanishing
09. Ghosts
10. Aphasia
11. Nevermind
12. Crossroads
13. The Descent
14. The Devil Sings
15. Sparrows
16. Skeletons
17. Stardust Blues

The first single, "Oblivion", can be streamed below.

Vargas states: "'Oblivion' is our take on a song that's been written a thousand times; self-loathing, the lack of will to push forward, and isolation. It was one of the first songs written for this project at the end of 2020 and was the track that got the party started. This is the quintessential DIEHUMANE song; weird, moody, abstract, and heavy."

West adds: "What started as a simple hobby file sharing project between friends culminates in the moment we have all been waiting for. Finally, we can answer the question on what we sound like. The track is such a broad scope of our abilities and it was the obvious first choice to put on display as a single."

Hilligiest says: "After years of hard work and impatiently waiting, I am thrilled to finally release some music. I honestly can't wait to see what the response to this is. What we have been listening to for roughly two years in its various stages, the world can finally hear."

Hunolt states: "After a lot of hurdles and preparation, we are finally ready to release. I have been blessed to be given an opportunity to play with a bunch of very talented guys and cannot wait for the world to experience a fresh twist on the metal genre."

Abruscato comments: "The first moment I heard the rough track of 'Oblivion', I was hooked. I knew I was going to create some killer drums for this song. I'm very excited for it to be coming out. I'd like to thank Oracle Management, WURMgroup and all the fans around the world that are going to enjoy this track."

DIEHUMANE was founded in Galveston, Texas at the end of 2020 by Vargas and Hilligiest as a way to deal with the loss and isolation of that year. From there it snowballed into something massive, with West, Hunolt and Abruscato all joining the fold.

DIEHUMANE is a band that swims about as far away from the other fish as it gets. It combines elements of doom metal, jazz, industrial, blues and prog. Imagine if CELTIC FROST got into a car crash with A PERFECT CIRCLE, NINE INCH NAILS and TYPE O NEGATIVE while listening to PINK FLOYD on the radio. DIEHUMANE is heavily rooted in mood and atmosphere, from the brooding to the cathartic, from the hopeless to hopeful. Love them or hate them, it's a musical ride that you can only get from them.

Wild said: "I'm incredibly excited and honored to be part of DIEHUMANE's debut album. I'm always interested in artists who create their own genre-defying brand of music, and DIEHUMANE did just that with 'The Grotesque'. Their music is incredibly dynamic, and goes from hauntingly beautiful to absolute destruction with everything in between. A true musical journey."

Fafara added: "When I heard the record for the first time, I immediately restarted it for the second time. This is one of the most unique musical offerings in metal at this point — completely its own sound, lush and unforgiving in artistry. There will be big things on the horizon once the public gets attached to this band! Oracle is proud to represent DIEHUMANE."

Said Hunolt: "To be honest, being in a band wasn't even on my mind at the time a dear friend called me and said, 'Hey, I know these guys looking for a guitar player.' He sent me some raw tracks, and I listened for about a month before I replied, and it was the music that I was looking for. It gave me the ability to express myself musically and, even more important, was radically different than anything I have ever played. Music needs 'different' in order to evolve. [There's] so much talent in this band, and I can't wait for you to experience DIEHUMANE."

Added Abruscato: "I am looking forward to the release of this very different and unique album I had the pleasure writing/performing the drum tracks for. It's different from what I have done in the past and it's been fantastic to be a part of it with everyone in the band, Ulrich Wild/WURMgroup and The Oracle Management. I feel folks will be blown away."

Stated West: "I grew up listening to Sal and Rick. Then Dez took us into his flock with The Oracle and Ulrich (a powerhouse responsible for many of my favorite records) made it his mission to make us sound pristine. What we have here is something special. I just hope people find it as special as we do."

Said Hilligiest: "I want to thank Ulrich and Dez both for taking interest in us and helping us get it out there. I'm just happy to finally get it out to people's ears. We've been hearing this album in many different forms for two years now, it's time to let everybody else in the world hear it as it is meant to be heard. I hope you all like it as much as we do."

Commented Vargas: "Typically the formation of a project and subsequent creation of an album marks the beginning of something, whereas this one starts with the end, and actually ends with the beginning of something. All of these songs began as a way of dealing with complete and total isolation in 2020 and the loss of what life was before that year, and ends marking the beginning of something awesome, and the album sounds like exactly that. Recording began in a dingy townhome in Galveston, Texas and ended in fucking Hollywood. The musical journey we all took on this album is something I wouldn't trade for world. Big thanks to Ulrich Wild (WURMgroup) and Dez Fafara (The Oracle Management) for going on this crazy journey with us. I'm so happy with this album that I don't even care if anyone hates it."

Hunolt — the other half of the famed EXODUS "H-Team" who is on every studio recording from 1985 through 2004 and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs such as "A Lesson In Violence" and "Deliver Us To Evil" — left EXODUS after the band's highly acclaimed 2004 reunion album, "Tempo Of The Damned". Following his departure, Hunolt was replaced by HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus.

Rick discussed his exit from EXODUS during a November 2021 appearance on "Put Up Your Dukes", the podcast hosted by ex-EXODUS singer Rob Dukes. He said: "During the recording of 'Tempo', Gary [Holt, EXODUS guitarist] had just gotten clean a little while prior to that, and I was still using. But I've gotta say, Gary Holt — my hat's off to the man for… He never sweated me. Not once did Gary say, 'Dude, you're a piece of shit. I'm gonna fire you from the band if you don't get your shit together.' He never said nothing. He let it take its course, you know what I mean?

"I was a mess," Rick continued. "We all were, but everybody got better, and I didn't. I fell down the rabbit hole even worse, I think, because I was just so depressed. I couldn't stop. I don't know what was up… To the point where I was gonna lose my position in the band I'd been in for over 20 years — my best friends, my life. Yeah, it was dark as fuck.

"One day, after spending my life, giving everything that I had and the whole world to EXODUS, one day I woke up and I wasn't in EXODUS anymore," Hunolt added. "And that morning was, like… Dude, I can't even describe the emotions that I [was feeling]. I woke up and I wasn't in EXODUS anymore, dude. It damn near took me out, bro."

Rick revealed that he went through a particularly difficult period after splitting with EXODUS. "I had to reinvent myself at 40-plus years old, [with] two little kids," he said. "I ended up moving out of Oakland. I had to get the fuck out of there, 'cause we were living at the studio; it was bad. And then we moved in with my wife's mom and I got a job at the [discount chain] Dollar Tree and I ended up working there for, like, two or three years. I mean, I can go on and on and on. But long story short, I met a guy who knew who I was and offered me a job on his ranch. And the rest is history. He taught me how to live my life and make money."

Hunolt makes a guest appearance on EXODUS's new studio album, "Persona Non Grata", which was released in November 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Photo credit: Anthem In Art Photography

January 27, 2023 sees New York-based thrash metal titans TOXIK to reissue some highlights of their career-spanning back catalogue. Formed in 1985, TOXIK belong to the founding spearheads of progressive thrash metal.

For the first time ever, the band’s much acclaimed records In Humanity (2014), Breaking Clas$ (2017) and Kinetic Closure (2019), will be available on vinyl through Massacre Records! Furthermore, their box set, III Works, comprising three discs: The In Humanity recording sessions with original singer Mike Sanders, an expanded version of their Breaking Clas$ EP as well as Kinetic Closure, will be coming out as a 3-CD Digipak and digital formats.

The pre-sale of all upcoming TOXIK reissues are now available at the following links:

III Works (3 CD Digipak) – https://lnk.to/toxikIIIworksreissue
In Humanity (LP) – https://lnk.to/inhumanityvinyl
Breaking Clas$ (LP) – https://lnk.to/breakingclassvinyl
Kinetic Closure (LP) – https://lnk.to/kineticclosurevinyl

The official music video for the song "Let Me Be" from VENAMORIS, the project featuring legendary extreme metal drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, FANTÔMAS, TESTAMENT, MR. BUNGLE, MISFITS, DEAD CROSS) and his wife Paula, can be seen below.

"Let Me Be" is taken from VENAMORIS's debut album, "Drown In Emotion", which will be released on February 10. The LP was recorded and produced at Ritmo Studio by Dave Lombardo. Drum overdubs were recorded at Studio 606. It was mixed at Ritmo Studio by David A. Lombardo and mastered by John Golden at Golden Mastering.

"Drown In Emotion" features guest appearances by Tyler Bates (JERRY CANTRELL, MARILYN MANSON),Roberto "Ra" Díaz (KORN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES),Jack Gibson (EXODUS),George Pajon (BLACK EYED PEAS, CAIRO KNIFE FIGHT) and Tim Stewart (LADY GAGA, DAMNAGE).

Track listing:

01. Let Me Be
02. We Fall
03. This Is Me
04. Crimson Tears
05. Misguided
06. Drowning Emotion
07. I Love It
08. In My Silence
09. It's Gone
10. Tell Me How You Know
11. Oceans
12. So Good

Founded in 2021 by what can only be called, astral influence, VENAMORIS was launched a result of some persistent persuasion on Dave's part. The 57-year-old musician, who is in charge of drums and production on the record, explains: "Several months after meeting Paula in 2010, she hesitantly shared with me her past decade-long career as the lead backup singer for Wayne Newton. She later played me some of the demos she recorded throughout the years, and I was floored by her sonically soothing, rich tone and natural, instinctive ability to harmonize. I was determined to persuade her to return to her creative self. It's been a deeply gratifying journey witnessing this music come to life."

Canadian-born singer/songwriter Paula Lombardo, who performs vocals and piano for this project, bursts with vulnerability and intimacy, addressing a broad scope of emotion: anger, healing, pain, hope. It's evident that VENAMORIS was founded out of love, passion, communication, respect, and trust. One person thriving in music encouraged the other, who had abandoned music to find their way back. It is the result of many late nights with too much wine, and even more truth laid bare: an aural couple's journaling generously shared with the world.

Last month, Dave collaborated with his wife on a "love song" called "The Gift". On December 19, the Cuban-born musician shared an Andy Wallis-created video for the track via his YouTube channel, and he wrote in an accompanying message: "A romantic love song for the holiday season, written by my wife and I."

"The Gift" was written and recorded by Paula and Dave Lombardo and was mastered by John Golden of Golden Mastering.

During a recent question-and-answer session with the readers of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Lombardo was asked if he would have joined SLAYER guitarist Kerry King's new band had he been approached about it. He responded: "I knew that was coming. I am, right now, working on too many other projects and I wouldn't be able to accept. New DEAD CROSS, MR. BUNGLE… the pandemic put a lot of stuff on hold, so we need to play some catch-up there. Besides that, he's got Paul Bostaph [playing with him], and I don't think he would have the need to ask me."

Lombardo was also asked if he would play with SLAYER again if the band reunited and wanted him to be part of the lineup. He said: "I don't think that's ever going to happen. But, yeah, I'd listen to whatever it is they had to say. That's it. You can't go any further than that."

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 Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001.

Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER's tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained.

SLAYER played its last-ever show in November 2019 at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Lombardo rejoined TESTAMENT last year.

On March 10, the 25th anniversary edition of Blackmore's Night's Shadow Of The Moon will be released via earMusic. This incredible album was lovingly restored, remastered and remixed after the original master tapes were discovered. Find a lyric video for "Greensleeves" (25th Anniversary New Mix) below.


Released back in 1997, it was a groundbreaking, radical departure from Ritchie Blackmore's previous work, but ultimately became something of a milestone in his career. Candice Night's beautiful voice and gift for storytelling complement the music perfectly, creating a timeless album.


Blackmore’s Night were founded in 1997 by legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and award-winning lyricist and singer Candice Night to stage and explore their love for traditional Medieval and folk-rock music. Together, they created a band that like very few others is a prime example of truthfulness and creative integrity.




The band’s debut album Shadow Of The Moon (1997) was not only Blackmore’s deliberate radical cut from his previous life as celebrated rockstar in Deep Purple and Rainbow; it was a ground-breaking statement of his artistic ideals: mainly acoustic music, influenced by the songs of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance with a touch of genius that made them sound contemporary. Shadow Of The Moon was a milestone album. It encompasses everything that Blackmore’s Night stand for to this day: beautiful melodies and warm atmospheres that are able to reach the soul as well as joyful songs to dance to and to celebrate.


The 25th Anniversary Edition of Shadow Of The Moon was converted in HD audio from the original recording, and it has been fully remixed, allowing the original performance to shine in its original glory. The original iconic artwork has been refreshed and reworked to celebrate the anniversary. Two previously unreleased acoustic recordings will be part of this reissue: “Spirit Of The Sea” and “Shadow Of The Moon”, both recorded in an intimate home session by Candice and Ritchie in 2022. All physical first print editions will also carry an exclusive “Shadow Of The Moon” documentary on DVD as bonus.


“It’s hard to believe that 25 years have gone by since the snowy nights spent by the fireplace writing these songs. Much has changed since those early days, but the magic of the music still shines as brightly as it did back then. We feel truly blessed to have been able to bring these songs to the world, and do so again, in this remixed reissue proving they truly do stand the test of time. For 25 years we have graced historical venues stages worldwide and now we are able to revisit again, with you, this beautiful version of “Shadow Of The Moon”. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed revisiting those early days. We find that the songs are still timeless...” - Candice Night & Ritchie Blackmore





CD tracklisting:


"Shadow Of The Moon" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"The Clock Ticks On" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Be Mine Tonight" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Play Minstrel Play" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Ocean Gypsy" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Minstrel Hall" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Magical World" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Writing On The Wall" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Renaissance Faire" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Memmingen" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"No Second Chance" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Mond Tanz" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Spirit Of The Sea" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Greensleeves" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Wish You Were Here" (25th Anniversary New Mix)
"Shadow Of The Moon" (Ritchie & Candice Anniversary Home Session)
"Spirit Of The Sea" (Ritchie & Candice Anniversary Home Session)


Bonus-DVD:


- Documentary: The story of “Shadow Of The Moon” (30 min)
- Music Video Clips “Shadow Of The Moon”, “No Second Chance” & “Renaissance Faire” (with optional audio commentary by Candice Night & Ritchie Blackmore)


"Greensleeves" (25th Anniversary New Mix) lyric video:





"Shadow Of The Moon" (Ritchie & Candice Anniversary Home Session) lyric video:





"Shadow Of The Moon" (25th Anniversary New Mix) lyric video:





Trailer:

During an appearance on the January 9 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", legendary drummer Carmine Appice spoke about the physical challenges of recording and performing hard rock music at the age of 76. Asked if still hits his drums as hard as he used to, Carmine said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I still hit hard. But my singles are slower than they used to be, so I make it up with different combinations that I do. If you listen to the KING KOBRA record that's coming out and the other record, the instrumental record, you'll hear a lot of energy. And CACTUS. I did 'Parchman Farm' at 243 beats per minute, which is pretty fast. And I play it live, and there's no problem doing that stuff.

"I go to the doctor's to get checked out," he continued. "My doctor said, 'Your heart's really strong.' I try and work out and eat good. And so far so good.

"I'm 76 years old, man. I never thought I'd be still rocking at 76 years old.

"Last year we did a show, and after my drum solo, which went really well, Vinny came out — my brother; we did a show together — Vinny comes out and says, 'What about my brother? 75 years old, playing a drum solo like that?' And everybody started cheering. So I felt good.

"Look, I'm gonna play until I can't play anymore," Carmine added. "That's why this year I'm gonna play with KING KOBRA and I'm gonna play with my instrumental band. I'm gonna play with CACTUS. I'm ever gonna do a 'Rod Stewart Experience' show, and VANILLA FUDGE, and all of it."

Appice is the original drummer of VANILLA FUDGE, with whom he still records and performs today. He has also played with CACTUS and BECK, BOGERT & APPICE, in addition to spending stints in the bands of Ozzy Osbourne and Rod Stewart, co-writing the latter's No. 1 hit "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"Carmine was named the 28th greatest drummer of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Appice is widely considered to be one of the most accomplished showmen in rock and is the recipient of numerous awards, including dozens of gold- and platinum-selling records. Carmine has broken new ground in every aspect of his career as a performer, as a teacher, and as a writer, and he continues to inspire drummers and listeners throughout the world with his originality and his unwavering dedication to the art of drumming.

Carmine's autobiography, "Stick It!: My Life Of Sex, Drums, And Rock 'N' Roll", was released in May 2016 by Chicago Review Press.

Under the moniker APPICE, Carmine and his brother Vinny released "Sinister", their first joint studio album, in October 2017 through SPV/Steamhammer.

Legendary rocker Sammy Hagar told Fox News' Neil Cavuto in a new interview that his music and business accomplishments have exceeded his wildest dreams.

"I've had so many dreams that I never dreamt, you know, come true," he said. "I, of course, all I really dreamt about was someday being a rock star, rich and famous guy, you know, and being able to take care of my mother and my family well, have a beautiful home, beautiful cars. That was it. You know, a gold record maybe on the wall."

The former VAN HALEN frontman went on to say that he's made his decisions without putting too much emphasis on the commercial aspect.

"My gut is really what guides me," he said. "If I feel something's right, I do it. If I don't, I don't do it. I'm not interested in doing things just for money. And I think that's part of the success. I'm passionate about what I choose to do with my time, especially at my age now. I'm going, 'How much time do I have to live?' I wrote a song called 'Father Time'; it's on my latest record, 'Crazy Times'. And it's all about that: how much time do I have left? I need to do things that are important to me now. I'm not success-, money-, fame-and-fortune-driven. Now I'm driven by things that I've never done that I wanna do."

In "Sammy Hagar's Paradise", Fox Nation and TMZ unite to deliver exclusive access to Hagar's 75th birthday bash while chronicling his success as a singer and businessman. The TMZ special, available for streaming on Fox Nation, covers Hagar's childhood, which included growing up in poverty, dealing with an abusive father and more.

This past November, Hagar admitted that he was thinking about how he will eventually retire from performing live.

The musician, whose raspy, soulful voice has been one of the most recognizable sounds in hard rock, from his early hits as a member of MONTROSE and a solo artist to his multi-platinum run as VAN HALEN's frontman in the 1980s and 1990s, discussed his plans for a possible retirement from the road during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". He said: "I've thought about it long and hard. And that's one of the reasons why I don't want to go out and tour too much next year, because it could be the last one, and I don't really know. My thing is I would never — I'm saying never say never. Well, right now I'm gonna say I will never announce a farewell tour, go do a big, long tour and then keep going and keep going, like all these other people do. It makes me sick to do that. I would rather not say nothing and just… when I do my last show, it's my last show. I might say it then, but I'd rather not make no pre-announcement, in case I wanna keep going.

"I'm so glad you asked that question. It's been on my mind real hard," he continued. "How do you go out? Do you just go away? I don't know. I'm too public of a figure and I have too many businesses and things to where I can't just go away; somebody's gonna catch me somewhere. They're gonna say, 'What are you doing?' So it seems like I almost have to make an announcement, but I'm not solid with that yet, and it's not time yet. But I am thinking that way. How am I gonna do it when it's time? And I don't know. I'd rather just say one show, 'You know what? That's the last show. I'm done. I can't do it anymore.' I'd rather just say that."

When host Eddie Trunk asked Hagar to confirm that he will not do any "money-grab" farewell tours, Sammy responded: "The day I do something just strictly for money at this stage of my life, you can call me a greedy piece of shit. I do not need money, and it's not why I do things. I don't blame some people for doing things for money — you have to; you've gotta make a living, for god's sakes — but I don't have to. So at this stage of my life, no money grabs."

Hagar's second studio album with his Billboard chart-topping supergroup THE CIRCLE, "Crazy Times", was released in September via Ume. The LP found Hagar, fellow Hall Of Famer and VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, Grammy-winning drummer Jason Bonham and Grammy-winning guitar virtuoso Vic Johnson traveling to Nashville to record the album with eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb at Nashville's historic RCA Studio A. The follow-up to their much-lauded debut "Space Between", a multi-category No. 1 Billboard-charting album, includes 10 songs, nine of which Hagar wrote or co-wrote, along with a notable cover, "Pump It Up", a 1978 song by Elvis Costello and THE ATTRACTIONS. The song "Crazy Times" was written by the whole band along with Dave Cobb and recorded live.

For more than five decades, Hagar has been recognized as one of the best and most accomplished lead singers and songwriters in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band MONTROSE, to his multi-platinum solo career, to his ride as the frontman of VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT and his latest best-selling supergroup, THE CIRCLE, Hagar has amassed 25 platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide. Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like "I Can't Drive 55", "Right Now" and "Why Can't This Be Love", and earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Since launching his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, he's turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand. A pioneer in the spirits industry, Hagar's development and nine-figure sale of his Cabo Wabo Tequila to Gruppo Campari in 2008 is widely credited as the start of the celebrity-owned spirits trend. His portfolio of spirits now includes Sammy's Beach Bar Rum, Santo Tequila and Sammy's Beach Bar Cocktail Co., as well as several restaurants. Never one to hit the brakes, he's also found success in publishing, TV, radio and beyond, including five seasons of his hit TV show "Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar" and as host of "Sammy Hagar's Top Rock Countdown", his syndicated radio show that's broadcast on over 90 U.S. stations. He's also a New York Times bestselling author, a dedicated philanthropist and since January 5, 2022, the first Honorary Ambassador to Los Cabos, an honor he was bestowed in recognition of his longtime investment in the people and economy of Mexico.

Photo credit: Leah Steiger
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Swedish rockers, Creye, will release their new album, III: Weightless, on February 17. Watch a video for the new single "Air" below, and pre-orders/save III: Weightless here.


As with their last album, II, this new album sees the band’s songwriting and playing jumping by leaps and bounds to put them at the forefront of the Swedish melodic rock scene. With an album and live EP as well as multiple gigs under their belt, this lineup of Creye has truly gelled and that cohesiveness shines through on III: Weightless. Fans of the band's previous work certainly won't be disappointed and will also be thankful that the band has managed to evolve while staying familiar.


After releasing the Straight To The Top EP in early 2017, Creye signed a multi-album deal with Frontiers and released their self-titled debut album in October 2018. After announcing that August Rauer would be the new frontman for the band in late 2018, Creye toured in Sweden and Europe in 2019, including appearing at Melodicrock Fest, Frontiers Rock Sweden, and the Rockingham Festival. Creye regrouped in the studio in late 2019 to start working on the follow-up album to their self-titled debut. The plan was to refine and improve their songs and approach. The band’s strong determination to achieve this goal shone through on what would become their second album, II.




With III: Weightless, Creye's evolution as a premiere band in the Swedish melodic rock scene continues unabated.





III: Weightless tracklisting:


"Glorious"
"Air"
"One Step Away"
"The Game"
"Spreading Fire"
"Weightless"
"How Far"
"In The Shadows"
"Stay"
"Dangerous"
"Pieces"


"Air" video:





"Spreading Fire" video:





- Produced by: Jacob Gustafsson


Lineup:


August Rauer - Lead Vocals
Andreas Gullstrand - Lead Guitar
Fredrik Joakimsson - Rhythm Guitar
Joel Selsfors - Keyboards
Gustaf Örsta - Bass
Arvid Filipsson - Drums

Former DEEP PURPLE and current RAINBOW guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has paid tribute to British guitar legend Jeff Beck following his death on Tuesday (January 10).

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, who rose to prominence with THE YARDBIRDS, died "suddenly" after contracting bacterial meningitis, his representative said.

Ritchie took to his social media on Thursday (January 12) to write: "First met Jeff Beck around 64-65 and it was a session where we were both playing guitars and Jimmy Page was producing. I couldn't believe how incredible he was, not only with his technique but his sound too. I became a fan of his ever since. He could reach up into the stars and make magic with his playing. His choice of notes were always absolutely perfect.

"This whole thing is a shock. We shall always remember Jeff as the best rock and roll player."

Having cultivated one of the most influential careers in rock history, Beck was universally acknowledged as one of the most talented and significant guitarists in the world, and has played alongside some of the greatest artists of rock, blues and jazz.

Over the course of his distinguished 50-plus-year music career, he had earned an incredible eight Grammy Awards, been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time," and been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice — once as a member of THE YARDBIRDS and again as a solo artist. In the summer of 2016, the guitar virtuoso celebrated his five decades of music with an extraordinary concert at the famous Hollywood Bowl.

Speaking when he was inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the second time in 2009, Beck said: "I play the way I do because it allows me to come up with the sickest sounds possible. That's the point now, isn't it? I don't care about the rules. In fact, if I don't break the rules at least 10 times in every song, then I'm not doing my job properly."

Beck famously replaced Eric Clapton as THE YARDBIRDS' lead guitarist in 1965 and later went on to form THE JEFF BECK GROUP, which featured Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. Their two albums — "Truth" (1968) and "Beck-Ola" (1969) — would become musical touchstones for hard rockers in the years to come.

The constantly evolving Beck's next move — a power trio with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice, which released "Beck, Bogert And Appice" (1973),once again shattered people's preconceptions of what a rock guitarist was supposed to sound like.

1985's "Flash" kept Beck in the spotlight as he earned the "Best Rock Instrumental" Grammy for the song "Escape". A second Grammy came with Jeff Beck's "Guitar Shop" with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas, and a third for "Dirty Mind" from the "You Had It Coming" album in 2001. 2009 saw the release of the platinum-selling "Performing This Week… Live at Ronnie Scott's", which earned a Grammy for "A Day In The Life".

Beck's astonishing 2010 solo album, "Emotion & Commotion", brought about two additional Grammy Awards; Beck was nominated in five categories before bringing home three: "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for "Hammerhead" and "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for "Nessun Dorma", both from "Emotion & Commotion", and "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals" for "Imagine", his collaboration with Herbie Hancock.

His "Rock 'N' Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul)" album was nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album". In 2016 he released "Loud Hailer" and in 2017 "Jeff Beck: Live At The Hollywood Bowl" was released, both to widespread critical acclaim.

The eight-time Grammy winner is survived by his wife Sandra.

First met Jeff Beck around 64-65 and it was a session where we were both playing guitars and Jimmy Page was producing. I...

Posted by Ritchie Blackmore Official Site on Thursday, January 12, 2023

OPETH leader Mikael Åkerfeldt has paid tribute to British guitar legend Jeff Beck following his death on Tuesday (January 10).

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, who rose to prominence with THE YARDBIRDS, died "suddenly" after contracting bacterial meningitis, his representative said.

Mikael took to his band's social media on Saturday (January 14) to write: "Another legendary musician has passed, and yet again we find ourselves in a state of shock. Not only was his passing sudden and unexpected, we also lost one of the most influential and innovative guitarists ever. Personally I've been a fan of his early solo records for a long time, 'Truth' and 'Beck-Ola'. Pivotal rock classics in my view. I've also enjoyed his time with THE YARDBIRDS, especially 'Roger The Engineer' from 1966. Great stuff. On top of that, Fredrik [Åkesson, OPETH guitarist] has played his more recent stuff a lot on the road, and it's been more than enjoyable. To hear a musician of his status (and age) still searching for new ways. He still seemed endlessly curios in what he could do with his instrument.

"A memory springs to mind. Even if I never met him in person, myself and [Martín] Méndez [OPETH bassist] were sat on the table next to Jeff and Ronnie Wood (FACES, ROLLING STONES, and of course the Jeff Beck band) at the Classic Rock awards in London. The two of them were deep in a loud conversation, crying with laughter throughout the night. I couldn't make out what they're talking about, but I'd have loved to be a fly on the…table, for some eavesdropping. It was nice and highly inspirational to see two old friends of that status (and age) hanging out like they probably always have.

"From what I gather Jeff was 'just a normal' bloke, but with abnormal abilities. That's something I have always appreciated myself, and ultimately how I'd want to be if I'm ever in possession of 'abnormal abilities'. Right now, I'm just a normal bloke. Kind of.

"Anyways, we wish to extend our warmest condolences to Jeff's family as well as to his friends and fans."

Having cultivated one of the most influential careers in rock history, Beck was universally acknowledged as one of the most talented and significant guitarists in the world, and has played alongside some of the greatest artists of rock, blues and jazz.

Over the course of his distinguished 50-plus-year music career, he had earned an incredible eight Grammy Awards, been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time," and been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice — once as a member of THE YARDBIRDS and again as a solo artist. In the summer of 2016, the guitar virtuoso celebrated his five decades of music with an extraordinary concert at the famous Hollywood Bowl.

Speaking when he was inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the second time in 2009, Beck said: "I play the way I do because it allows me to come up with the sickest sounds possible. That's the point now, isn't it? I don't care about the rules. In fact, if I don't break the rules at least 10 times in every song, then I'm not doing my job properly."

Beck famously replaced Eric Clapton as THE YARDBIRDS' lead guitarist in 1965 and later went on to form THE JEFF BECK GROUP, which featured Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. Their two albums — "Truth" (1968) and "Beck-Ola" (1969) — would become musical touchstones for hard rockers in the years to come.

The constantly evolving Beck's next move — a power trio with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice, which released "Beck, Bogert And Appice" (1973),once again shattered people's preconceptions of what a rock guitarist was supposed to sound like.

1985's "Flash" kept Beck in the spotlight as he earned the "Best Rock Instrumental" Grammy for the song "Escape". A second Grammy came with Jeff Beck's "Guitar Shop" with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas, and a third for "Dirty Mind" from the "You Had It Coming" album in 2001. 2009 saw the release of the platinum-selling "Performing This Week… Live at Ronnie Scott's", which earned a Grammy for "A Day In The Life".

Beck's astonishing 2010 solo album, "Emotion & Commotion", brought about two additional Grammy Awards; Beck was nominated in five categories before bringing home three: "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for "Hammerhead" and "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for "Nessun Dorma", both from "Emotion & Commotion", and "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals" for "Imagine", his collaboration with Herbie Hancock.

His "Rock 'N' Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul)" album was nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album". In 2016 he released "Loud Hailer" and in 2017 "Jeff Beck: Live At The Hollywood Bowl" was released, both to widespread critical acclaim.

The eight-time Grammy winner is survived by his wife Sandra.

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Guitar legend Uli Jon Roth, who has been called "an anti-hero shredder in the proto-metal age", is featured in a new career-spanning interview with Guitar World. An excerpt is available below.


Throughout four albums with the Scorpions – Fly To The Rainbow (1974), In Trance (1975), Virgin Killer (1976), and Taken by Force (1977) – Roth upended the guitar scene by injecting Mozart and Bach where others might substitute B.B. King or Muddy Waters. With each successive record, Roth pushed the boundaries of exploration to regions unknown, deconstructing all that his peers thought they once knew.


Guitar World: The Scorpions' first record, Lonesome Crow, is more in line with prog-rock. What was your vision for Fly To The Rainbow?




Roth: "I honestly tried not to think about what Michael Schenker did before me. I didn't think about any of that. At that time, my plan was to play what I felt was right for the music on the table. Our version of the Scorpions felt like a new beginning, so I threw out what Michael did and looked forward from day one. But honestly, there wasn't much of a long term vision, it was very instinctual, and the things I played on Fly To The Rainbow came to me in the moment. An inner voice guided me through the music, and I just played what I felt.


I suppose that I might have looked toward the future at some point, and eventually, I had certain aspirations of what I wanted to do on the guitar, but not at that point. You have to remember, those were very early days, and I had only just picked up the guitar again after not seriously playing it for a long time. So, for me, it was a new beginning in several ways. Looking back on it, that album did send me down an exploratory road, but maybe that is not very evident on Fly To The Rainbow. But I will say that once I got my feet wet, I was consciously pushing the envelope of the electric guitar in various directions."


Read the complete interview here.

Multi-platinum selling English supergroup, Asia, announce they are to release for the first time ever on vinyl, Fantasia Live In Tokyo 2007, as a 3LP set. Recorded on Asia’s 25th anniversary 2007 world tour, and featuring the reformed original line-up, Fantasia Live In Tokyo 2007 is to be issued on vinyl as a 3LP set with booklet, including band photos, and sleeve notes through BMG Records on February 24.





Celebrating the 25th anniversary of ASIA’s formation, this exciting 18-track live show from their 2007 world tour features the reformed original lineup pooling the talents of lead vocalist/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson), Steve Howe (guitars, Yes), Geoff Downes (keyboards, Yes and Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer.




The setlist focusses on their globally successful 1982 debut album Asia and features key tracks "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor" and their worldwide anthem "Heat Of The Moment" along with select tracks from their second LP Alpha and one song each from the band members’ previous bands - "Video Killed The Radio Star", "Roundabout", "Fanfare For The Common Man" and "The Court Of The Crimson King".


Album artwork is by legendary designer Roger Dean, who produced all the Asia original albums covers.


By simultaneously celebrating their debut album alongside the legacy of their foundational bands, the four band members crafted a standing testament to their collective impact on the world of music. Fantasia is a clear reminder of the majestic legacy of this incredible band and to the artistic pedigree of the four original members of Asia.


For Asia fans, this exciting live show is an indispensable set. Pre-order here, and watch a video for "Only Time Will Tell", below.





Tracklisting:


Side A
"Time Again"
"Wildest Dreams"
"One Step Closer"


Side B
"Roundabout"
"Without You"


Side C           
"Cutting It Fine"
"Intersection Blues"
"Fanfare For The Common Man"          


Side D
"The Smile Has Left Your Eyes"
"Don't Cry"
"In The Court Of The Crimson King"
"Here Comes The Feeling"


Side E
"Video Killed The Radio Star"
"The Heat Goes On"
"Only Time Will Tell"


Side F
"Sole Survivor"
"Ride Easy"
"Heat Of The Moment"





Pooling the talents of bassist/vocalist John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, keyboardist Geoff Downes and guitarist Steve Howe, Asia immediately became the epitome of a supergroup of rock aristocracy and the natural heir to its members’ legendary bands of the 70s – King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Buggles and YES.


Leaving behind their progressive roots, Asia embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm.  The single "Heat Of The Moment" was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as Asia became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out.


A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed.


While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omegain 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours.


Steve Howe stepped back from Asia to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017.

Legendary rock band, Quiet Riot, has just re-released Rehab: Relapsed & Remastered via Red Samurai Music.





The album includes a previously unreleased track entitled "I Can't Hold On," originally written and demoed by Kevin Dubrow and Alex Grossi in 2003. The finished track features a hauntingly powerful vocal from DuBrow and is a semi-posthumous reunion of DuBrow, Frankie Banali, and Rudy Sarzo. The song was edited and produced by Alistair James, who most recently engineered for Joe Perry and Johnny Depp on the latest Hollywood Vampires release, Rise.




Available for the first time digitally. Download/stream here. The video for "I Can't Hold On" can be viewed below.


"The "I Can't Hold On" video honestly conveys the reason for Quiet Riot to carry on and Celebrate Frankie's and Kevin's memories and the Quiet Riot legacy,” says bassist Rudy Sarzo. "To play bass on "I Can't Hold On" with Kevin and Frankie 40 years after our Metal Health record sessions along with Alex Grossi is truly a blessing."


"It's so great to finally hear this track the way it was supposed to be done," says Alex Grossi. "I completely forgot about it until it turned up on an old iPod last summer. The way it came to life almost 20 years later is truly special and a perfect tribute to Kevin and Frankie."


At the helm of Red Samurai Music is Regina Banali, widow to the late Frankie Banali. "I am now the steward of Frankie's life work and the band, and it is very important to me to protect the Quiet Riot legacy," states Banali. "Rehab' was a very important recording to both Frankie and Kevin and a significant part of the soundtrack to the film Quiet Riot: Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back."





2022 saw the current lineup of Quiet Riot, which in addition to Sarzo and Grossi, includes vocalist Jizzy Pearl and Type O Negative drummer Johnny  Kelly perform nearly 70 shows, including headlining the opening night of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Monsters On The Mountain and the 15th annual Rocklahoma Festival. The band is currently booking an extensive tour for 2023 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Metal Health, which was originally released on March 11th, 1983.

Robin "Robbie" Bachman, founding drummer of BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE, has died at the age of 69.

The news of Robbie's death was broken by his brother and former bandmate, Randy Bachman.

"Another sad departure," Randy wrote on social media on Thursday (January 12). "The pounding beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad and brother Gary on the other side. Maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock 'n' roll machine and we rocked the world together."

BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE became a musical phenomenon with extraordinary global success. At the pinnacle of their career, the band's distinctive brand of stripped-down, blue collar, meat 'n' potatoes rock headlined some of the biggest arenas in the world — from New York's Madison Square Garden and London's Hammersmith Odeon, to Hamburg's Congress Centrum and the Falkoner Centret in Copenhagen.

Over the course of a four-year run, BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE sold in excess of 30 million records, earning a staggering 120 platinum, gold and silver discs, and notching up hits in more than 20 countries. The band reached No. 1 on Billboard's singles chart ("You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet") and album chart ("Not Fragile"),as well as scoring another handful of hits including "Taking Care Of Business", "Hey You", "My Wheels Won't Turn" and "Looking Out For #1".

BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE's 1974 lineup of Randy, Robbie, vocalist Fred Turner and guitarist Blair Thornton was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame in 2014.

Nine years ago, Robbie told the Toronto Star about BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE's success: "We didn't tell anybody they were wrong or anything was bad or don't do this. It was basically, have a good time, fun music. Just coming out of the '70s with the Vietnam War and all the political things going on — in Canada with Trudeau, and Richard Nixon and stuff like that — we just basically had enough of that stuff."

Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO has left us. I just got a call from Fred Turner and my youngest...

Posted by Randy Bachman on Thursday, January 12, 2023

Transatlantic - the prog supergroup of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas - recently announced the release of a new concert set entitled The Final Flight: Live At L’Olympia, for February 17. It was recorded and filmed in France on the last stop of a tour to promote the band’s fifth and most audacious album to date, The Absolute Universe. This was the multinational group’s first outing in eight years.


Now you can see the band performing "Rose Colored Glasses", originally featured on their much-loved album The Whirlwind. Watch below:







Released in February 2021 to unanimous praise, The Absolute Universe came in two alternate formats; an abridged 64-minute record known as The Breath Of Life, and a companion piece entitled Forevermore that added a further four songs, clocking in at an hour and a half. Though the foundations of both were shared, each format featured lyrics and music independent of the other.


However, when Transatlantic finally hit the road they opted to perform a third format of the album, a full-bells-and-whistles, 96-minute Blu-ray culmination of both takes known as The Ultimate Edition that had been released in 5.1 surround sound. Following that segment of the show Transatlantic took a short intermission and returned to the stage for a rollercoaster trawl through the remainder of their lavish catalogue. From the first note of "Overture (The Absolute Universe)" through to the medley based around the first two Transatlantic albums that closes the evening, the performance comprised 3 hours of music in total.


“Ever since the start of this band we have played for three hours, so that’s something we’re all used to,” states drummer Mike Portnoy, who grins whilst describing his own experience as “butt-numbing”. However, Roine Stolt is ready to admit that this time felt very slightly different.


“It was a great tour,” acknowledges the guitarist and multi-musician, “but when you include our spot at Morsefest [where besides performing The Absolute Universe the band also revisited their 2009 album ‘The Whirlwind’ and revised a cover of Procol Harum’s ‘In Held (’Twas) In I’ that had featured on their debut from 2000, ‘SMPTe’] I felt the challenge of learning, or re-learning, three-and-a-half hours of music before leaving Sweden. Now that I am getting slightly older, I was a little worried about playing for that long – it requires a lot of concentration: ‘Is this one in 7/8 or 9/8? Maybe we’ll play it in 13/8 and in a different key?’ But of course, once we got out there onto the stage, those thoughts went straight out of the window.”


With a chuckle, vocalist and keyboard wizard Neal Morse reveals that as the tour found its feet Transatlantic threw an additional curveball. “We started playing songs slightly differently to the way you've heard them on ‘The Ultimate Edition”, he grins. “So what you get with this live album is similar, but essentially it’s a fourth version [of the record]. When you play live, from night to night it helps to keep things fresh by jamming a bit and changing things up as you go. There are a few examples of that, for instance, the beginning of the last section that starts with ‘Belong’ is quite different than the record – partly because we couldn’t remember it! So we made up a new structure.”


“We’re always as well prepared as we can be but in a way Transatlantic is kind of a show band” points out bassist Pete Trewavas. “Playing alongside Mike who is a powerhouse on the drums, there is this raw power. If he wants to raise the energy that’s what we do. We’re all taking solos here and there, though we get the songs across we’re all showing off as much as we can”.


Filmed by Paul Green (who also shot their ‘Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London release), and mixed by longtime collaborator Rich Mouser, this set will be available as a Special Edition 3CD+Blu-ray Digipak (incl. 5.1 surround sound) & as a Gatefold 180g 4LP release. Both feature artwork by Thomas Ewerhard & photos by Nidhal Marzouk.


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"The Absolute Universe" Intro
"Overture"
"Reaching For The Sky"
"Higher Than The Morning"
"The Darkness In The Light"
"Take Now My Soul"
"Bully"
"Rainbow Sky"
"Looking For The Light"
"The World We Used To Know"
MP Intro
"The Sun Comes Up Today"
"Love Made A Way" (Prelude)
"Owl Howl"
"Solitude"
"Belong"
"Lonesome Rebel"
"Can You Feel It"
"Looking For The Light" (Reprise)
"The Greatest Story Never Ends"
"Love Made A Way"
"The Whirlwind Suite"
NM & RS Intro
"We All Need Some Light"
"The Final Medley"


"Owl Howl" video:





Lineup (on this recording):


Neal Morse - Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Mike Portnoy - Drums & Vocals
Roine Stolt - Guitar & Vocals
Pete Trewavas - Bass & Vocals


With: Ted Leonard - Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals

The Tangent have announced the release of Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017, on January 27 via InsideOutMusic. Collecting together tracks from three lineups of The Tangent, this 2CD & 3LP album collects together show recordings from 2004, 2011 & 2017.


Band leader Andy Tillison comments: "A Triple Live LP is the stuff of Bucket Lists, dreamed of doing one of these since I was a kid."


Watch the band performing "A Crisis In Mid Life" live in the UK in 2012, featuring the lineup of Andy Tillison, Luke Machin, Dan Mash & Tony ‘Funkytoe’ Latham, below.




The album will be available as a 2CD Digipak, a Gatefold 3LP+2CD & LP-booklet, as well as digitally worldwide. Pre-order here.


Included in its entirety is the 2004 Pyramids And Stars concert in Germany featuring the “Roine Stolt" lineup of The Tangent playing its way through the majority of the debut Music That Died Alone album along with (then) new material from their second album The World That We Drive Through.


Added to that, there are tracks from the COMM era lineup of the band at a concert in the UK - plus music recorded in the USA in 2017 by the band's current lineup. These originally appeared on the Southend On Sea and Hotel Cantaffordit’fan releases respectively.


All is presented inside a re-imagined Ed Unitsky sleeve, to create a package that fans are sure to love.


"This is a real, proper, live album" says Tillison. "It's candid, it's spontaneous, it has mistakes and things that are a bit too loud and things that are a bit too quiet. It's what happened on stage at three gigs at which "making a live album" never crossed our minds."





Tracklisting:


Side One
"The World We Drive Though"


Side Two
"The Canterbury Sequence"
"The Winning Game"


Side Three
"In Darkest Dreams"


Side Four
"The Music That Died Alone"
"Lucky Man"


Side Five
"A Spark In The Aether"
"A Sale Of Two Souls"
"Perdu Dans Paris"


Side Six
"A Crisis In Mid Life"
"Doctor Livingstone (I Presume)"


The CDs (included with the vinyl edition) also include all of the above with the addition of:


"Titanic Calls Carpathia"
"Two Rope Swings"





Credits:


Andy Tillison - Keyboards & Vocals (all tracks)
Jonas Reingold - Bass Guitar (all tracks except 9,10,11,13)
Luke Machin - Guitars & Vox (Tracks 8-14)
Steve Roberts - Drums (Tracks 8, 12, 14)
Roine Stolt - Guitars & Vocals (Tracks 1 - 7)
Zoltán Csörsz - Drums (Tracks 1 - 7)
Sam Baine - Keyboards (Tracks 1 - 7)
Tony 'Funkytoe' Latham - Drums (Tracks 10,11,13)
Dan Mash - Bass (Tracks 10,11,13)

Multi-platinum rock band THEORY OF A DEADMAN has released the official visualizer for "Ambulance", the latest single from its upcoming album "Dinosaur", available everywhere March 17 via Roadrunner.

"Dinosaur" track listing:

01. Dinosaur
02. Medusa (Stone)
03. Sick
04. Two Of Us (Stuck)
05. Ambulance
06. Sideways
07. Get In Line
08. Head In The Clouds
09. Hearts Too Wild
10. Summer Song

The release of the "Dinosaur" title track in October marked the chart-topping quartet's first taste of new music since 2020's acclaimed album "Say Nothing" and a return to form stylistically. The hard-hitting, riff-heavy track was produced by Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, YUNGBLUD) and was featured on various rock playlists across DSPs, including Spotify's Rock Rotation and Top Of The Rock, Apple Music's The New Rock and Breaking Rock, and Amazon Music's Rock Arena and Fresh Rock.

"'Dinosaur' takes us back to our roots with this riff-driven rocker," Connolly previously said. "To me, it feels like it could fit on any of our albums, but I will say if you like the old THEORY OF A DEADMAN, you'll love the new THEORY OF A DEADMAN."

"Rock is where we made our bed for all these years," added guitarist Dave Brenner. "It's been a while since we had an up-tempo in-your-face track like this — and it felt good."

With sky-high hooks, riffs as thick as a 2x4, rumbling grooves, and a razor-sharp sense of humor, THEORY OF A DEADMAN — Tyler Connolly (lead vocals, guitar),Dave Brenner (guitar, backing vocals),Dean Back (bass),and Joey Dandeneau (drums, backing vocals) — have quietly persisted as an unapologetic, unbreakable, and undeniable hard rock force with major multi-platinum hits and countless sold-out shows in each of the past two decades. Jamming together in basements throughout high school, the band burst out of their small hometown of North Delta, British Columbia with the self-titled "Theory Of A Deadman" during 2002. In addition to the double-platinum breakthrough album "Scars & Souvenirs" (2008) and gold-certified "The Truth Is…" (2011),THEORY OF A DEADMAN have notched a procession of hits, including the gold-certified "All Or Nothing", "Bitch Came Back" and "Lowlife", platinum-certified "Angel", "Hate My Life" and "Not Meant To Be", double-platinum "Bad Girlfriend" and triple-platinum "RX (Medicate)". As the biggest smash of their career thus far, the latter hit, off their 2017 album "Wake Up Call", marked their third No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and garnered a nomination for "Rock Song Of The Year" at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Their impressive catalogue has also logged two Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 and amassed more than one billion collective streams on Spotify alone and over 675 million views on their official YouTube. In 2020, the award-winning band's seventh studio album, "Say Nothing", landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart and No. 3 on the Rock Albums chart. Plus, the album, featuring the chart-topping and powerful single "History Of Violence", earned praise from American Songwriter, Billboard, Alternative Press and Classic Rock magazine which awarded it four out of five stars.

Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine

Masters of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll, Black Star Riders, will release their new album, Wrong Side Of Paradise, worldwide via Earache Records on January 20. Today, the label is offering a free download of the collection, The Singles & More...


Says Earache: "It's just seven days until the biggest rock of 2023 so far - the inimitable Black Star Riders' Wrong Side Of Paradise, and what better way to celebrate than giving you a free album so you can see why we love them so much. Black Star Riders: The Singles & More... features 5 great singles, including "Better Than Saturday Night" (featuring Def Leppard's Joe Elliot on backing vocals) and the previously unreleased album track "Burning Rome"."







Tracklisting:


"Better Than Saturday Night" (Ft. Joe Elliot)
"Pay Dirt"
"Crazy Horses"
"Riding OUt The Storm"
"Catch Yourself On"
"Burning Rome"


Claim your copy of the free album here.


Wrong Side Of Paradise, featuring 11 tracks, was recorded in the fall of 2021 at Studio 606 in Northridge California and Toochtoon Sound in Redmond, Oregon with producer and longtime BSR associate, Jay Ruston.





Pre-order the new album on vinyl, CD and cassette, with loads of limited exclusives from the Earache webstore.





Tracklisting:


"Wrong Side Of Paradise"
"Hustle"
"Better Than Saturday Night"
"Riding Out The Storm"
"Pay Dirt"
"Catch Yourself On"
"Crazy Horses"
"Burning Rome"
"Don't Let The World"
"Green And Troubled Land"
"This Life Will Be The Death Of Me"


"Catch Yourself On":





"Riding Out The Storm" video:





"Crazy Horses":





"Pay Dirt":





"Better Than Saturday Night" video:

Three-time Grammy-nominated hard rock quartet, Nothing More, have released a lyric video for "Valhalla (Too Young To See)", featured on the band's latest album, Spirits, released last October via Better Noise Music.





Spirits’ 13 tracks consist of the band’s most focused, adventurous, and intense music, uniting introspective philosophical lyrics with unapologetically massive anthems. Order here.







Tracklisting:


“Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)”
“Tired Of Winning”
“Ships In The Night”
“You Don’t Know What Love Means”
“Don’t Look Back”
“The Other F Word”
“Face It”
“Best Times”
“Déjà Vu”
“Dream With Me”
“Neverland”
“Valhalla (Too Young To See)”
“Spirits”


"Dream With Me" lyric video:





“Déjà Vu” lyric video:





"Don't Look Back" lyric video:





“Best Times” video:





"You Don't Know What Love Means" video:





“Tired Of Winning” / “Ships In The Night” video:





“Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)”:





“Spirits”:





(Photo - Jody Domingue)


 

POISON drummer Rikki Rockett says that he is still cancer free, almost eight years after he was diagnosed with oral cancer.

Rockett offered an update on his health status via his social media on Monday (January 9). He shared a photo of him with Ezra Cohen, a medical oncologist and associate director for Translational Science at Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, California, and he included the following message: "Almost 7 years cancer free thanks to the best Dr. in the world, Ezra Cohen. Today is a good day!!! Thanks to God and modern medicine!"

Rockett was declared cancer free in July 2016 after undergoing experimental immunotherapy, which eradicated the tumor.

In June 2015, Rikki visited his primary care doctor with a sore throat. His doctor found a small tumor at the base of his tongue, and Rikki learned he had human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancer. He endured nine rounds of chemotherapy and 37 sessions of radiation therapy. The tumor initially responded, but returned three months later, spreading to his lymph nodes. Rikki then saw Cohen at UCSD Moores Cancer Center, who helped him enroll in a clinical trial of pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Rikki's tumor responded immediately. Just over two months into the trial, a scan revealed that his tumor had shrunk over 90 precent.

In 2020, Rockett told "Trunk Nation" that he was afflicted with the same type of cancer as what IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson and MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine had.

"It was base of tongue with an associated lymph node, which is pretty common as far as head and neck cancers these days," he said. "HPV-related head and neck cancers usually are base of tongue. There's a few people that I've sort of mentored or helped out, and many of 'em are musicians. And HPV is pretty rampant — it really is. If you have a kid, get 'em inoculated."

Asked what his symptoms were, Rikki said: "I had a sore throat that wouldn't go away. That was the main thing. And then I had a lymph node that was kind of sticking out. First, they tried antibiotics, and they didn't work at all — they didn't even touch it. So it was, like, 'Okay, we need to do a biopsy. We're gonna go down and scope and take a look.' And there was a lump down there. Then, after a few weeks, it started to get hard to swallow, 'cause the lump was getting bigger — the tumor was getting bigger. So I went and did the typical treatment for it, which is chemo and radiation, and it did not work. And by the way, it's a fairly curable cancer, especially with HPV — there's a high percentage rate of success with it, of cure. But in my case, it didn't cure, so my options were a whole lot less. My doctor told me recently — he didn't tell me this before — but he told me recently that I had about a 10 percent chance if I would have went down the regular path. But we didn't — we used immunotherapy, and it put it in remission in about 10 weeks. When it works, it is amazing."

Rockett first revealed that his tongue cancer diagnosis was caused by HPV — the most common sexually transmitted infection — in a 2015 interview. He said: "It is the number one leading cause of oral cancer these days. There's less and less of the truck drivers that chew tobacco for thirty years getting it, because people are more aware that that kind of stuff isn't good. So we are getting marathon runners and all these elite athletes with this. I have a friend that's a therapist, and five years ago, it was five percent of the people she treated, and now it's close to ninety percent."

He continued: "It can be spread sexually, but now they're saying that it can spread [through] deep-kissing and actually hand to mouth. I mean, if you see the Olympic swimmers, they swim and they smack their hand on the side of the pool for each lap, and their hands are full of warts and stuff from HPV. Now the wart kind of HPV is not the same as the strain that causes cancer, but it is spread almost identically. For men, you can't tell if you have it. For women, you can get a papsmear. But the doctor estimated probably it was 15 [or] 20 years ago [when I contracted it], and my body probably got rid of it, but it mutated itself and my body would probably see that again and get rid of it. But there's no way to tell who got it. I mean, I know a couple that's been married for 15 years and they've never cheated on each other, and they're pointing their finger at each other [after one of them was diagnosed with oral cancer], and it turned into a thing until the doctor sat 'em down and went, 'Look, you can get this so many ways.'"

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

Almost 7 years cancer free thanks to the best Dr. in the world, Ezra Cohen. Today is a good day!!! Thanks to God and modern medicine!

Posted by Rikki Rockett on Monday, January 9, 2023