Kerry King says that he was angry over the prospect of SLAYER calling it quits when the subject was first broached. Asked in a new interview with Metal Hammer magazine for his reaction when the conversation to end the band arose, the 58-year-old guitarist said: "Anger… what else? It was premature. The reason I say 'premature' is because my heroes from my childhood are still playing! I can still play, I still want to play, but that livelihood got taken away from me.

"But, anyway, on to the next chapter, I guess," he continued. "We were on top of the world, and there's nothing wrong with going out on top of the world, it's a good way to go out. So, bravo for that. But do I miss playing? Yeah, absolutely."

In the same interview, King also hinted that SLAYER fans will be happy with the musical direction of his yet-to-be-announced new band. "If you know my work, you know what it’s going to sound like."

Back in October 2021, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt, who spent almost nine years touring with SLAYER, told Metal Hammer that he agreed SLAYER retired too soon. "We were still playing at the top of our game, we were totally killing it," he said. "The band had a lot of years left in it, but I guess when it's time, it's time. When you decide to walk away from something, walk away. I can't tell anybody they made the wrong decision. Better to go out on top than go out unable to play your own songs, and this shit isn't easy. Playing 'Angel Of Death' at 70 years old would be fucking hard. But it was time for me to come back, let's put it that way. I was really missing my first family."

SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya talked about his possible retirement in a 2016 interview with Loudwire. He said: "At 35 years, it's time to collect my pension. [Laughs] This is a career move." He continued: "I'm grateful that we've been around for 35 years; that's a really long time. So, yeah, to me, it is. Because when we started off, everything was great, because you're young and invincible. And then there came a time where I became a family man, and I had a tough time flying back and forth. And now, at this stage, at the level we're at now, I can do that; I can fly home when I want to, on days off, and spend some time with my family, which is something I wasn't able to do when [my kids] were growing up. Now they're both older and mature. So now I take advantage of that." Araya added: "Yeah, it just gets harder and harder to come back out on the road. 35 years is a long time."

Tom also revealed another reason for his diminished enjoyment of the touring life. He said: "There's things that have gone on in my life that have made me change how I play as a bass player. I had neck surgery, so I can't headbang anymore. And that was a big part of what I enjoyed doing what I do — singing and headbanging. I liked knowing that I was one of the fucking badass headbangers. That played a big part. Now I just groove with the music, which is cool, because I'm grooving with the music and the feel of the songs, so that's changed a little for me."

Last July, Kerry told Metal Hammer that he "won't be dragging [his] feet much longer" when it comes to going back on the road with his post-SLAYER project.

Two years after he revealed that he had more than two records' worth of music written for his new band, King stated about the new material's direction: "You know me, so you know what it's going to sound like. I played this new song for a buddy, and I said to him, 'If there's anything I've written in the last few years that sounds like SLAYER, it's this.' And he said, 'That sounds like you could have pulled it off of any SLAYER record.' I actually made that riff up backstage at a SLAYER show. We were walking to the stage and I got my phone out and recorded it so I wouldn't forget it."

While King was reluctant to reveal the rest of the lineup of his new band, he confirmed the involvement of SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph.

King went on to say that he expects his new band to start out by playing "much smaller" venues than SLAYER did at the end of its four-decade run.

"Had it have been up to me then I'd have been out in 2020," he said. "But that thing called the pandemic fucked everything up for everyone. You know, I waited on that, because it had to run its course. I didn't want to be the guinea pig; I didn't want to learn how to tour again. I already did my dues; I don't want to have to prove myself again.

"Have I been dragging my feet? Yeah, because I wanted this [pandemic] shit to get sorted. I won't be dragging my feet much longer."

SLAYER played the final show of its farewell tour in November 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles. One day later, Kerry's wife Ayesha King said that there is "not a chance in hell" that the thrash metal icons will reunite for more live appearances. In August 2020, she once again shot down the possibility of her husband and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya sharing the stage ever again under the SLAYER banner.

After Ayesha shared three photos of Kerry holding their cat in slideshow-type Instagram post, a fan wrote: "No Tom, No SLAYER Kerry. Stop thinking SLAYER without @tomarayaofficial". Ayesha then replied: "don't worry, they'll never be SLAYER again! You can rest easy".

That same month, Bostaph confirmed that he is involved in a brand new project headed up by Kerry. Paul told Australia's Riff Crew that the new band will "sound like SLAYER without it being SLAYER — but not intentionally so. I mean, Kerry's been writing songs in SLAYER his entire career, and he has a style," he explained. "And that style, as a songwriter, you just don't change your style because your band is done… So, all I can say is if you like heavy music and you like SLAYER, you'll like this."

Just a few days earlier, Kerry told Dean Guitars that he had plenty of musical ideas for his upcoming project. "I've been very, very lucky with riffs in 2020," he said. "Maybe because I can't go anywhere — I don't know — but riffs have certainly not been a problem. And looking forward into the future, what that means for me is I'm gonna be able to cherrypick the best stuff. And it's good stuff. I've got more than two records' worth of music, but to be able to go through that and cherrypick the best 11 or 12 [songs]… That first record should be smoking."

When SLAYER first announced that it was embarking on its final tour back in January 2018, Ayesha assured fans that they would "always get music" from her husband.

King has said in previous interviews that his post-SLAYER musical efforts would not be much different from the sound fans have grown accustomed to hearing from him.

"If someone quit, I'm not going to go around with a made-up SLAYER," he told AZCentral.com back in 2010. "But my next band would sound like SLAYER, that's all I know."

SLAYER's final world tour began on May 10, 2018 with the band's intention to play as many places as possible, to make it easy for the fans to see one last SLAYER show and say goodbye. By the time the 18-month trek wrapped at the Forum, the band had completed seven tour legs plus a series of one-off major summer festivals, performing more than 140 shows in 30 countries and 40 U.S. states.

METALLICA's music was streamed 1.6 billion times on Spotify in 2022. This marks the fourth year in a row that the band's songs were played more than a billion times on the digital music service in a 12-month period.

The heavy metal legends' social media revealed their latest streaming feat on Saturday (December 31),adding that "You guys have outdone yourselves once again! 137 million hours of METALLICA were streamed on @spotify in 2022, up by more than 20 million hours from last year. Whether you're new to METALLICA, or you've been listening for the past 41 years, we'd like to extend a huge 'THANK YOU' to the entire METALLICA Family."

Back in December 2012, METALLICA made the first nine of its studio albums, as well as various live material, singles, remixes and collaborations, available for the first time on Spotify. The move was significant because Sean Parker, who co-founded Napster, later sat on the board of Spotify. METALLICA waged a battle with Napster more than a decade earlier over the illegal sharing of the band's music, which resulted in both legal action and a battered public image for the band.

At the press conference in New York announcing the Spotify deal on December 6, 2012 Parker and METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich appeared together and seemingly buried the hatchet. Ulrich said, "When [Parker] and I saw each other a few months ago. We could see that we had been put down as adversaries. We realize we had much more in common and sitting down was long overdue . . . We were younger, maybe somewhat more ignorant. We sat down and had a heart to heart."

In a statement at its web site, METALLICA said, "We are extremely proud to be a part of Spotify, who not only has a proven track record, but is by far the best streaming service."

METALLICA is able to make these deals directly since, as of 2012, the band has complete control over the master tapes of all its audio and video recordings. The band has also launched its own label, Blackened Recordings.

METALLICA's two 40th-anniversary concerts were held at San Francisco's Chase Center on December 17 and December 19. The two shows featured different setlists. They were part of METALLICA's "San Francisco Takeover", a four-day citywide celebration of the band's 40th anniversary that also included a film festival, photo exhibit and curated lineup of smaller venue shows featuring other acts.

Formed in 1981 by guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, METALLICA has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and generating more than 2.5 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on literally all seven continents. The band's several multi-platinum albums include "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning", "Master Of Puppets", "… And Justice For All", "Metallica" (commonly referred to as The Black Album),"Load", "Reload", "St. Anger", "Death Magnetic" and "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", released in November 2016 and charting at No. 1 in 32 countries.

METALLICA's awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and its 2009 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In June of 2018, the band was awarded one of the most prestigious musical honors in the world: Sweden's Polar Music Prize.

METALLICA's 12th studio album, "72 Seasons", is due on April 14, 2023 via the band's own Blackened Recordings. Produced by Greg Fidelman with Hetfield and Ulrich, and clocking in at over 77 minutes, the 12-track "72 Seasons" is METALLICA's first full-length collection of new material since 2016's "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".

Photo credit: Tim Saccenti

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Californian rockers BUCKCHERRY will release their tenth studio album in June. The first single from the effort will arrive in March.

BUCKCHERRY revealed a timetable for the band's follow-up to 2021's "Hellbound" in a social media post on Wednesday (January 4). The group wrote: "Welcome to 2023!! Hope you're ready, because we've got big plans for this year starting with our March/April run with SKID ROW. Tickets and VIPs are on sale NOW for all shows. Response so far has been GREAT and we are currently working on more shows with SKID ROW for later in the year.

"New music, you say? We got you. The first track and video from album number 10 will be coming your way at the beginning of the tour with the full album set for release in June!

"Much more tour info will be coming in the upcoming months so stay tuned and we will see you at the Rock Show!!"

BUCKCHERRY's new album was once again helmed by producer and songwriter-for-hire Marti Frederiksen, who has previously collaborated with AEROSMITH, DEF LEPPARD, Jonny Lang and Sheryl Crow, among many others.

BUCKCHERRY vocalist Josh Todd told Australia's Silver Tiger Media about the band's upcoming LP: "It's just a new body of work. It's where we're at today. The songs are really well written, and I think people are gonna really, really love it. There is no overall [lyrical] theme… You'll enjoy it."

Regarding BUCKCKERRY's songwriting approach this time around, Todd said: "The formula for us is to have no fillers — having a great record from beginning to end. That's what we want — we want to be able to have these unforgettable songs and melodies. And if they don't sound great, we just don't put 'em on records."

In August, BUCKCHERRY announced that Todd and guitarist Stevie Dacanay (a.k.a. Stevie D.) would head to Nashville in late September to finish the writing process for the band's tenth studio album. The band was scheduled to begin recording the effort on November 4.

Frederiksen previously produced "Hellbound" as well as BUCKCHERRY's fourth album, "Black Butterfly", and co-wrote "Sorry", among other songs, with the band.

BUCKCHERRY and SKID ROW will team up for a co-headline "The Gang's All Here" tour in the spring. Performances kick off on March 9 in Bowler, Wisconsin and continue throughout the month, with special guests NO RESOLVE providing support on select shows.

"Hellbound" came out in June 2021 via Round Hill Records. The follow-up to 2019's "Warpaint" was recorded in the fall of 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee.

In the summer of 2020, BUCKCHERRY recruited JETBOY's Billy Rowe as its new guitarist. He joined the group as the replacement for Kevin Roentgen, who left BUCKCHERRY in July of that year.

In 2019, BUCKCHERRY enlisted Francis Ruiz as its new drummer. He joined the group as the replacement for Sean Winchester, who exited BUCKCHERRY after laying down the drum tracks on "Warpaint".

Earlier last year, Todd told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he and his bandmates have never had the luxury to slack off on their work habits, even during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"When you're in a band, it's like it's your business. So if you just sit around and wait for people to tell you what to do, then you're not running a good business," Todd said. "We've always created opportunities within ourselves. We have to make schedules, we have to stick to them. We have to show up and work hard. We're so used to doing that because people have written this band off many times and we have many peaks and valleys in the BUCKCHERRY career. We have come back from a lot of adversity and had a lot of success. And we only did that by believing in ourselves and working hard because no one else is going to do that except us."

BUCKCHERRY burst on to the scene in 1999 with its now-classic self-titled debut album. Hit singles "Lit Up", "For The Movies", "Dead Again" and "Check Your Head" brought the celebration back to the party scene, recalling the gritty glam impact of MÖTLEY CRÜE but with a Gen X-demanded, modern self-awareness . Later albums continued to develop their reputation for volatile, mercurial themes and infectious hooks; such singles as "Crazy Bitch", "Everything", "Too Drunk" and "All Night Long" became screaming choruses for fans across the world. With their irreverent and bawdy lyrics, delivered with Todd's whisky weathered vocals, paired with filthy guitar riffs and high-energy, throbbing bass lines, BUCKCHERRY has sustained a hard-earned reputation as a not-to-be-missed live presence with regular touring schedules alongside such legends as MÖTLEY CRÜE and PAPA ROACH.

Skid Row + Buckcherry: The Gang's All Here Tour – Tickets on sale NOW!

Welcome to 2023!! Hope you're ready, because we've got big plans for this year starting with our March/April run with SKID ROW. Tickets and VIPs are on sale NOW for all shows. Response so far has been GREAT and we are currently working on more shows with Skid Row for later in the year.

New music, you say? We got you. The first track and video from album number 10 will be coming your way at the beginning of the tour with the full album set for release in June!

Much more tour info will be coming in the upcoming months so stay tuned and we will see you at the Rock Show!!

Get Tickets at buckcherry.com
LIMITED VIP Packages available at: http://bit.ly/VIP_Buckcherry

Posted by Buckcherry on Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Belgian melodic death metal band, Mordkaul, have released “For I Am Machine”, the first track from their upcoming album, Feeding The Machine - Part 1.


“For I Am Machine” is about man becoming a machine in today’s society. Heart and mind are biochemical engines. Replace endorphins with gasoline and become pure machine.


Where the songs on Dress Code: Blood were heavily inspired by the iconic Swedish death metal bands from the 90's, "For I Am Machine" is one of those songs that go a step further than that. Expect more aggressive dual vocals, shredding solos and a full arsenal of blast beats and groovy parts.




Feeding The Machine - Part 1 was recorded at the end of summer 2022 at Project Zero studio by Yarne Heylen. Just like with Dress Code: Blood, mixing and mastering was done by Dan Swanö. Release of the album is planned for February 16.

JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon says that he won't "take orders" about how to run the band he co-founded in 1973.

The 68-year-old musician made the comment one day after he hinted that JOURNEY's co-founder Gregg Rolie will make an appearance on the band's upcoming 50th-anniversary tour, presumably in the place of longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, with whom Neal has been publicly feuding.

"No one is going to dictate to me at this point what I can and cannot do in regards to JOURNEY," Schon wrote on Twitter. "I haven't been here and not here to take orders- never have and never will. It's my band and I'll own it as I should and make the right changes as needed." When one of Neal's Twitter followers asked him who was trying to "dictate to you," Schon replied, "Have a guess."

Earlier this week, Schon addressed Rolie's participation in JOURNEY's upcoming run of dates in a social media post. After Neal shared a graphic for JOURNEY's 50th anniversary on his Facebook page, a fan commented: "I am SO looking forward to this. Please tell me Gregg Rollie is coming along for the ride! He's the better keyboard player and a co-founder it only seems right. Timing couldn't be better either!!!!" In response, Neal wrote: "you'll be seeing him".

Neal's latest post came just a couple of weeks after Cain fired back at Schon when the JOURNEY guitarist called him a "hypocrite" for performing the band's 1981 hit song "Don't Stop Believin'" at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. Cain, whose wife, Paula White-Cain, is the former president's self-styled spiritual adviser, played the track in November with a backup chorus of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

"Neal Schon should look in the mirror when he accuses me of causing harm to the JOURNEY brand," Cain said in a statement. "I have watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his — and his wife's — bizarre behavior."

An attorney for Schon sent a cease-and-desist letter to Cain after he performed at Trump's Florida estate.

The latest legal move came a few weeks after Schon filed a lawsuit against Cain in California state court, alleging that Cain set up an American Express card without telling Schon and that "millions of JOURNEY funds have flowed through it." Cain, for his part, accused Schon of misusing the card, citing his "excessive spending and extravagant lifestyle."

A month earlier, former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry took legal action against both Schon and Cain, asking them to stop registering federal trademarks on the names of many of the band's hits.

Rolie was JOURNEY's first singer, though his role quickly diminished when Perry arrived in 1977. Gregg left JOURNEY in 1980, just before the band achieved its commercial heights.

Back in 2019, Rolie told Rolling Stone magazine that he left JOURNEY "because I didn't like my life anymore. I've said this a million times and I know there's people that say, 'That's not the reason.' But I left because I was unhappy with what I was doing in my own life. I loved the management. I loved the music. I loved what we built. I just wasn't happy, so I had to blow the horn on it and just stop it.”"

He continued: "Everyone thinks it was because Perry came in and started singing all the leads. My God! Again, I was spread so thin with all these keyboards parts and singing leads, he was a welcome sight to me. And he could sing like a bird! It wasn't too hard to figure out. I was never against it."

Rolie went on to say that he was drinking too much and that he wanted to start a family. He also said that he was happy about the fact that JOURNEY became a household name after he moved on. "I felt very proud that I helped to build something that went to that extreme," he said. "I've always felt that way. Yeah, without me doing this, that might never have happened. But it's not about me. It's about all of it. It's a misconception in this business of, ‘Who does what?' We all did something."

JOURNEY's tour with TOTO will kick off on February 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Presented by AEG Presents, the "Freedom Tour 2023" will make stops in Austin, Montreal and Memphis before wrapping April 25 at the brand-new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

The 2023 run includes rescheduled dates in Washington, D.C., plus Hartford, Toronto and Quebec, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus.
No one is going to dictate to me at this point what I can and cannot do in regards to Journey. I haven’t been here and not here to take orders- never have and never will. It’s my band and I’ll own it as I should and make the right changes as needed. NS pic.twitter.com/VKFXSrhOvQ

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) January 5, 2023


Have a guess..

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) January 5, 2023


pic.twitter.com/w8LcNMcocU

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) January 5, 2023

Neal Schon says that fans can expect to see JOURNEY co-founder Gregg Rolie on the band's 50th-anniversary tour.

The JOURNEY guitarist addressed Rolie's participation in the upcoming run of dates in a social media post earlier today. After Schon shared a graphic for JOURNEY's 50th anniversary on his Facebook page, a fan commented: "I am SO looking forward to this. Please tell me Gregg Rollie is coming along for the ride! He's the better keyboard player and a co-founder it only seems right. Timing couldn't be better either!!!!" In response, Neal wrote: "you'll be seeing him".

Neal's latest post comes just a couple of weeks after JOURNEY keyboardist Jonathan Cain fired back at Schon when the JOURNEY guitarist called him a "hypocrite" for performing the band's 1981 hit song "Don't Stop Believin'" at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. Cain, whose wife, Paula White-Cain, is the former president's self-styled spiritual adviser, played the track in November with a backup chorus of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

"Neal Schon should look in the mirror when he accuses me of causing harm to the JOURNEY brand," Cain said in a statement. "I have watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his — and his wife's — bizarre behavior."

An attorney for Schon sent a cease-and-desist letter to Cain after he performed at Trump's Florida estate.

The latest legal move comes a few weeks after Schon filed a lawsuit against Cain in California state court, alleging that Cain set up an American Express card without telling Schon and that "millions of JOURNEY funds have flowed through it." Cain, for his part, accused Schon of misusing the card, citing his "excessive spending and extravagant lifestyle."

A month earlier, former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry took legal action against both Schon and Cain, asking them to stop registering federal trademarks on the names of many of the band's hits.

Rolie was JOURNEY's first singer, though his role quickly diminished when Perry arrived in 1977. Gregg left JOURNEY in 1980, just before the band achieved its commercial heights.

Back in 2019, Rolie told Rolling Stone magazine that he left JOURNEY "because I didn't like my life anymore. I've said this a million times and I know there's people that say, 'That's not the reason.' But I left because I was unhappy with what I was doing in my own life. I loved the management. I loved the music. I loved what we built. I just wasn't happy, so I had to blow the horn on it and just stop it.”"

He continued: "Everyone thinks it was because Perry came in and started singing all the leads. My God! Again, I was spread so thin with all these keyboards parts and singing leads, he was a welcome sight to me. And he could sing like a bird! It wasn't too hard to figure out. I was never against it."

Rolie went on to say that he was drinking too much and that he wanted to start a family. He also said that he was happy about the fact that JOURNEY became a household name after he moved on. "I felt very proud that I helped to build something that went to that extreme," he said. "I've always felt that way. Yeah, without me doing this, that might never have happened. But it's not about me. It's about all of it. It's a misconception in this business of, ‘Who does what?' We all did something."

JOURNEY's tour with TOTO will kick off on February 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Presented by AEG Presents, the "Freedom Tour 2023" will make stops in Austin, Montreal and Memphis before wrapping April 25 at the brand-new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

The 2023 run includes rescheduled dates in Washington, D.C., plus Hartford, Toronto and Quebec, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus.

Posted by Neal Schon on Wednesday, January 4, 2023

SOULFLY has recruited Mike DeLeon as its new guitarist.

The Max Cavalera-fronted outfit announced DeLeon's addition to the group in a social media post earlier today (Thursday, January 5). SOULFLY shared a picture of Max and drummer Zyon Cavalera along with Mike, and it included the following caption: "Welcome Mike DeLeon, to the SOULFLY Tribe!"

Prior to hooking up with SOULFLY, DeLeon had been a member of PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo's solo band PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, which he joined in 2015 as the replacement for Marzi Montazeri. More recently, Mike filled in for Zakk Wylde at the first rehearsal for the fall 2022 PANTERA shows.

In August 2021, SOULFLY parted ways with longtime guitarist Marc Rizzo due to personal differences. FEAR FACTORY's Dino Cazares played guitar for SOULFLY on the band's most recent run of shows.

SOULFLY will embark on a massive U.S. tour later this month. The 57-date trek will run from late January to early April, and will feature support from Florida death metallers BODYBOX, Maryland progressive metallers HALF HEARD VOICES, Los Angeles industrialists DRIFT and Botswana metallers SKINFLINT.

SOULFLY is continuing to tour in support of its twelfth album, "Totem", which was released in August via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2018's "Ritual" was recorded at Platinum Underground in Mesa, Arizona by John Aquilino and Arthur Rizk with assistance from John Powers. Produced by Max alongside Arthur Rizk (KREATOR, MUNICIPAL WASTE, CODE ORANGE),the LP boasts guest appearances from John Powers (ETERNAL CHAMPION),Chris Ulsh (POWER TRIP) and John Tardy (OBITUARY). Rizk was also responsible for playing lead guitar on the record. The artwork for the album was created by James Bousema.

Last August, Max spoke to the "Talk Toomey" podcast about what it was like to make a SOULFLY album without Rizzo, who was in the band for 17 years before exiting the group. He said: "Whenever [anything] like that happens, it's an opportunity to do something different, bring in new blood. Especially [with] SOULFLY, there's always been that kind of motto of changing people from time to time.

"I love that the record had a little bit of struggle related [to it]. Those are some of my best records — the ones that are not easy sailing; they've got drama in it," he continued. "And 'Totem' is full of drama. The whole Rizzo thing was its own soap opera. It's, like, c'mon, man.

"So I saw this as an opportunity to do a couple of things. And we took the opportunity, as much as we could, by having Dino playing live [with SOULFLY]," he explained. "It was incredible. And then on the record itself, I had the opportunity to work with the ETERNAL CHAMPION guys, which I'm a big fan. And they kind bring that old-school heavy metal vibe to the solos — Arthur and John Powers. And I love it; I was totally on board with it. It sounded different, fresh and new and exciting. The stuff with Rizzo kind of was always the same — a lot of the stuff was sounding a lot the same — and this is new and different and exciting. And I felt fucking great when I was working on the songs and I would hear the solos coming in, and it was different and exciting. We just did whatever we could for the record.

"So there was a bit of a struggle because of the whole Rizzo thing, and that's kind of worked in the favor of the record, I think," Max added. "'Cause you don't wanna fuck with me, man. You don't. You fuck with me, yeah, there's payback. I just kind of go in that fucking warrior mode and get angry and pissed off and good shit comes out of it, musically talking. So the record has that little bit of anger, a little bit of fire."

Welcome Mike DeLeon, to the Soulfly Tribe!

Posted by Soulfly on Thursday, January 5, 2023



Superstition !!

Posted by Soulfly on Thursday, January 5, 2023

Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the second album from Sweden's Crowne, Operation Phoenix will be released on January 27. Watch a video for the title track below, and pre-order/save the new album here.





Once again produced by Jona Tee (H.E.A.T., New Horizon), Operation Phoenix sees the collective delivering a stunning tour-de-force of melodic hard rock with hints of metal influence mixed in.




Comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), keyboardist/rhythm guitarist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe), drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles), and new full-time member, guitarist Love Magnusson (Dynazty), Crowne is a true force to be reckoned with. Operation Phoenix builds upon the rock solid foundation of their debut and takes it to a new level.





Operation Phoenix tracklisting:


"Operation Phoenix"
"Champions"
"In The Name Of The Fallen"
"Super Trooper"
"Ready To Run"
"Juliette"
"The Last Of Us"
"Just Believe"
"Roar"
"Victorious"
"Northern Lights"


"In The Name Of The Fallen" video:





"Champions" video:





Crowne lineup:


Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Love Magnusson – Guitar
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums


- Produced by: Jona Tee
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino

Three-time Grammy-nominated hard rock quartet, Nothing More, have released a lyric video for "Dream With Me", featured on the band's latest album, Spirits, released last October via Better Noise Music. Watch the new clip below.


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)

In the video below, drummer Thomen Stauch​​​​ (Mentalist, ex- Blind​​​​ Guardian) performs an alternate drum cover of Fifth Angels "Cry Out The Fools", originally featured on the band's 1986 self-titled album.


Says Thomen: Contact me by email, if you are interested in drum classes online or local and want to know more details about my fair prices, required equipment, a.s.o.! unterricht@thomen-drumchamber.com."







Thomen previously shared  drum covers of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls", and the Roxy Music classic, "Oh Yeah (On The Radio)". Watch below:

Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that Steven Tyler is officially out of the upcoming Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Power Of Love Gala.


Tyler’s manager, Larry Rudolph, confirmed Wednesday that Tyler will not attend the event, set for February 18 at MGM Grand Garden. Tyler continues to recover from recent health issues, and is not expected to make any public appearances until at least this spring.


Rudolph said Wednesday that Tyler continues to rest following some recent health concerns. The entertainment exec said, “Steven’s doctors have instructed him to take care of himself, but he will be back this year.”




Last month, Aerosmith canceled the final six shows of the “Deuces Are Wild” residency at Dolby Live. The band announced the dropped dates incrementally, ending December 7, citing the 74-year-old Tyler’s poor health. But he had still been part of the Power Of Love’s promotional campaign until this week.


By Tuesday, however, Tyler was no longer appearing on marketing materials for the gala. Tyler was announced last September as the night’s leading celebrity honoree, alongside philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the John Paul Mitchell Systems hair-care company.


The link to the announcement of that pairing on the Cleveland Clinic’s official website has been removed. There is also no mention of Tyler on the Keep Memory Alive website’s link to this year’s gala, though DeJoria’s name as an honoree remains on the site.


Ruvo Center co-founder Larry Ruvo offered no comment Tuesday when asked about Tyler’s status for the gala.


Read more at Las Vegas Review-Journal.


Rolling Stone recently revealed that a woman who claims to have had an illicit relationship with Steven Tyler in the 70s when she was a minor has filed a lawsuit against the singer, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit was filed following California legislation that temporarily waived statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse allegations.


In the suit filed in Los Angeles and obtained by Rolling Stone, the plaintiff Julia Holcomb alleges that Tyler convinced Holcomb’s mother to grant him guardianship over her when she was 16 years old, which consequently allowed her to live with him and engage in a sexual relationship. She claims they were together from 1973 until about three years later. The suit itself doesn’t name Tyler, naming the defendants as Defendant Doe 1 and Does 2 through 50. But Holcomb — who Rolling Stone mentioned in a 1976 profile of the band in reference to Tyler’s romantic life — has been public about her experience with Tyler in the past, and the lawsuit directly quotes from Tyler’s own memoir. In his book, without stating a name, Tyler similarly says he “almost took a teen bride” and that “her parents fell in love with me, signed a paper over for me to have custody, so I wouldn’t get arrested if I took her out of state. I took her on tour with me.”


In the suit, Holcomb alleges that she “was powerless to resist” Tyler’s “power, fame and substantial financial ability, and that Tyler “coerced and persuaded Plaintiff into believing this was a ‘romantic love affair’”. Holcomb alleges that she met Tyler (who would’ve been 25 at the time of their meeting) just after her 16th birthday when Aerosmith played a concert in Portland, Oregon, in 1973. Tyler, according to the suit, took Holcomb back to his hotel room, where they discussed Holcomb’s age. After he allegedly asked why she was out all night by herself, Tyler and Holcomb talked about her troubles at home. He then “performed various acts of criminal sexual conduct upon” her before sending her home in a taxi the next morning, the lawsuit states.


Tyler also allegedly bought Holcomb her own plane ticket to his next Aerosmith show in Seattle since she was a minor and could not legally travel with him across state lines, the suit says. After the Seattle show, Tyler allegedly performed more sexual acts on her, and Holcomb flew back to Portland the next morning.


By 1974, as the suit alleges, Tyler convinced Holcomb’s mother to allow him to become her guardian, which would allow him to more easily travel with her without criminal prosecution — a timeline that matches Tyler’s own comments from his 2011 memoir. Tyler allegedly told Holcomb’s mother he would provide better support than she was getting at home, promising to enroll her in school and give her medical care. Tyler “did not meaningfully follow through on these promises and instead continued to travel with, assault and provide alcohol and drugs to Plaintiff,” the suit claims.


Holcomb further alleges that she was pregnant with Tyler’s son in 1975 when she was 17 years old but got an abortion after Tyler insisted she terminate the pregnancy following an apartment fire. In making the argument, he cited smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen to the baby. Though the suit claims a medical professional told her the unborn baby was not harmed by the fire.


Read the full report at Rolling Stone.

Internationally renowned rock guitarist Orianthi has confirmed to Eric Dahl of FOX17 Rock & Review that she is putting the finishing touches on a new studio album. "We started this one a bit ago," she said. "I've been back and forth just finishing up the mixes and adding songs to it. There's a lot of collabs on the new record too, [which is] very exciting. [There are] some really cool guests on it."

As for the musical direction of her new music, Orianthi said: "[It's] kind of more sort of blues/rock kind of thing."

Regarding a possible release date for her new effort, Orianthi said: "That's gonna be out [this] year for sure. I'm in the studio a lot right now working on a few songs I'm gonna add to it and then mixing it and putting it in a really good place. I'm very excited about that one."

Orianthi's latest studio album, "Rock Candy", arrived in October via Frontiers Music Srl. The LP followed 2020's "O" which was Orianthi's first new studio album in seven years and her first new music as a solo artist in six years. Sonically, "Rock Candy" was described in a press release as "a hard-rockin', blues-tinged, display of Orianthi's dazzling guitar playing and her soulful vocals."

Joining Orianthi on "Rock Candy" was the multi-talented Jacob Bunton, who produced the album. Additionally, he provided guitar, bass, keyboard, piano and violin playing through the course of the LP. Drummer Kyle Cunningham rounded out the recording lineup for "Rock Candy".

Orianthi's first major solo artist success, as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, was with the Geffen Records release of "According To You", which is now RIAA-certified platinum and has over 29 million streams on Spotify. Her music's ability to transcend time and remain relevant cannot be more clear than its recent resurgence on TikTok. There are over 110 million views on the "According To You" hashtag, making it a viral trend that is introducing Gen Z to Orianthi for the first time in a big way. Career-long fans are used to seeing their favorite world-class guitarist playing arenas with rock royalty and global superstars like Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Alice Cooper and more. The juxtaposition of her newly arrived online popularity and her lifelong pursuit of artistic credibility is the nebulous of this shining star.

Photo credit: Jim Donally
Thank you , the new album coming out this year is definitely bit more blues / rock .. recorded it at sunset sound . Strong possibly in the future I’ll make a completely blues record . I just love a lot of different styles 💜✌🏻 https://t.co/s7336pfejh

— orianthi (@orianthi) January 2, 2023

During an appearance on the latest episode of Knotfest's "She's With The Band", the show hosted by Tori Kravitz and Alicia Atout aiming to amplify the voices of women on stage, backstage and in the business, former Alice Cooper and current Demi Lovato guitarist Nita Strauss was asked about "a jaw-dropping misstep" early in her career and the lessons she learned from it. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Early in my career, I got a lot of really bad advice. I was a young guitar player. I started this career really, really young. I did my first national tour at 15 and dropped out of high school at 17 to try to do this full-time. And at the time, I had so many people telling me what I needed to do in order to be successful in this industry — people saying, 'You need to show more skin'; 'If you have a boyfriend, you can't say that you're dating anybody because you need to appear available'; all this kind of stuff. And looking back, obviously, that's not the kind of attention that I wanted to get; I wanted to be known as a guitar player, and that was it. So once I realized that, I went the complete opposite way and I started really dressing down. I dyed my hair darker — not 'brown brown' but darker, darker blond — to stand out less. And I'd wear a men's large t-shirt onstage and baggy cargo shorts and started touring with heavier bands. And I was, like, 'I don't wanna be a hot chick. I just wanna be a guitar player.' And that's not who I am either. And I kept getting pulled back and forth through this dichotomy of, like, 'No, you have to be the sex symbol,' and, 'No. You don't wanna be known for that. You have to just be a serious musician.' And the reality is where I am doesn't fit into either of those molds. And it wasn't until I started just dressing how I wanna dress and acting how I wanna act… And, yeah, if I have a boyfriend, I'm gonna tell the world about it because I love him. And I don't need to appear single and I don't need to have fans think they have a chance with me in order to be respected and have people coming to my shows. And once I just started embracing who I actually am as a person, that's when great opportunities and great successes started coming to me. And when I was trying to just fit into some mold or another mold, I was just chasing something that wasn't authentic; it wasn't really who I am. So I just wish that I could go back and tell my younger self, 'Stop trying to fit into what other people tell you you should be, and just be who you are.'"

Last October, Nita dropped a new single and accompanying music video, "The Wolf You Feed", featuring the vocal talent of Alissa White-Gluz of ARCH ENEMY. It was the second song Nita had released featuring a star guest vocalist, the first being the enormously successful "Dead Inside" which featured guest vocals from DISTURBED's David Draiman and saw Nita become the first ever solo female to have a No. 1 hit at Active Rock radio. She also returned to her instrumental roots earlier last year with the release of single "Summer Storm".

Nita made her live debut with Demi in July 2022 with a performance of Lovato's single "Substance" on ABC's Emmy Award-winning late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".

Strauss had been playing with Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth MÖTLEY CRÜE tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker's former bass player and WINGER frontman Kip Winger.

Nita released her debut solo album, "Controlled Chaos", in 2018 to mass acclaim from fans and media alike, with Metal Injection calling it "a great debut that — as its creator intended — leaves no doubt", and Guitar World stating "'Controlled Chaos' is a panoramic view of Nita Strauss's many strengths".

As well as performing with Cooper, Nita has also played with R&B star Jermaine Jackson, early MTV darlings FEMME FATALE, video game supergroup CRITICAL HIT and popular tribute band THE IRON MAIDENS.

In April 2020, Nita launched "Rock Guitar Fundamentals" — a three-module online guitar teaching program suitable for learners of all levels. The course is available at www.iwanttoplayguitar.com.

Legendary extreme metal drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, FANTÔMAS, TESTAMENT, MR. BUNGLE, MISFITS, DEAD CROSS) has joined forces with his wife Paula in a new project called VENAMORIS.

VENAMORIS's debut album, "Drown In Emotion", 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.

Rolling Stone recently released their list of "The 200 Greatest Singers Of All Time", and KISS' Gene Simmons has shared his opinion.


TMZ caught up with Simmons to find out his thoughts on the list. When the reporter noted that KISS were excluded from the list, Simmons responds: "That's OK. I was thinking of buying Rolling Stone."


He adds: Well, it's skewed. You have to consider who's popular and who's not, but if you really think about it, how good somebody sings may be part and parcel of what they do. For instance, if Jimi Hendrix - who had a long... well actually a short career, but he was very famous - would he make it on American Idol? What about Bob Dylan... and I wrote songs with Bob Dylan, I know the guy. Would he make it on American Idol?"




Gene continues: "How well you sing is not the most important thing, it's do you have style, do you have a fingerprint that says I know that voice immediately?"


Hear more from Gene below:



Introducing the list, Rolling Stone stated: "When Rolling Stone first published its list of the 100 Greatest Singers in 2008, we used an elaborate voting process that included input from well-known musicians. The results skewed toward classic rock and singers from the Sixties and Seventies. This new list was compiled our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation, where iconic Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar lands between Amy Winehouse and Johnny Cash, and salsa queen Celia Cruz is up there in the rankings with Prince and Marvin Gaye. You might notice that, say, there isn’t any opera on our list — that’s because our purview is pop music writ large, meaning that almost all the artists on this list had significant careers as crossover stars making popular music for the masses.


Before you start scrolling (and commenting), keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent. Sure, many of the people here were born with massive pipes, perfect pitch, and boundless range. Others have rougher, stranger, or more delicate instruments. As our write-up for the man who ended up at Number 112 notes, “Ozzy Osbourne doesn’t have what most people would call a good voice, but boy does he have a great one.” That could apply to more than a few people here.


In all cases, what mattered most to us was originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy. A voice can be gorgeous like Mariah Carey’s, rugged like Toots Hibbert’s, understated like Willie Nelson’s, slippery and sumptuous like D’Angelo’s, or bracing like Bob Dylan’s. But in the end, the singers behind it are here for one reason: They can remake the world just by opening their mouths."


Singers making the list that may appeal to BraveWords readers include:


#199 - Glenn Danzig
#181 - Bob Seger
#176 - Iggy Pop
#165 - Ronnie James Dio
#134 - Axl Rose
#129 - Rob Halford
#112 - Ozzy Osbourne
#109 - Roger Daltrey
#105 - Eddie Vedder
#82 - Steve Perry
#80 - Chris Cornell
#63 - Robert Plant
#52 - Mick Jagger
#32 - David Bowie
#26 - Paul McCartney
#14 - Freddie Mercury
#12 - John Lennon


Find out who else made the cut at RollingStone.com.

Texas Doom metal purveyors Stone Nomads has released and premiered the new official music video for the thunderous single “Fiery Sabbath” via BraveWords with the accompanying release of the digital audio extended single “Fiery Sabbath” including new epic bonus track “Gallows Walk” available on Bandcamp.





Raised in the Texas fields of doom, Stone Nomads have forged a sound blending colossal riffs, dynamic groove and all that is heavy… The band, based in Houston, mixes elements of southern sludge and doom metal on a stoned-out Sabbath trip, featuring Jon Cosky on guitar & vocals, Jude Sisk on Bass & Vocals, and Dwayne Crosby on drums. The trio released their debut album Fields Of Doom via Gravitoyd Heavy Music in 2022, and the doom metal scene took notice… 




The album was ranked #8 on the Doom Charts and saw the band playing festivals and regional tour dates with the likes of scene veterans Elder, Mothership, Spirit Adrift and more. In 2023 the band will embark on a US tour in support of a new album planned to be released mid-year.


Stone Nomads live:


January
27 – Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club (Fiery Sabbath Official Release Party)


February
11 – Arlington, TX – Growl Records
17 – Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club
18 – San Antonio, TX – Faust Tavern


March
10 – Houston, TX – 1810 Ojeman
14 – Austin, TX – Kickbutt Coffee 

In a new interview with Canada's The Metal Voice, SAXON drummer Nigel Glockler spoke about the band's plans for the follow-up to 2022's "Carpe Diem" LP. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're right in the middle of another album already… We're a ways off. The songs are being finalized as we talk, actually. But I think that we're gonna release it in '24. And then that will be [followed by] a big tour."

Pressed about how far into the process he and his bandmates are at this point, Nigel said: "We've done the writing. But it's just a case of recording it all now. But the writing process is the process that takes the time. Because you've got so many from ideas from everyone. Everyone [comes up] with ideas and we work on 'em, and that's what takes the time."

Glockler went on to say that the SAXON songwriting process "varies from album to album. But everyone puts their bits in," he explained. "And quite frankly, in a way it doesn't really matter who writes what; it's us five guys that make it what it is… No one brings in complete songs. People might bring in riff ideas or rhythm ideas, whatever, groove ideas, melody. So then we work through them all."

"Carpe Diem" marked SAXON's 23rd studio album, not including last year's covers set "Inspirations". The LP was produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) at Backstage Recording Studios in Derbyshire with singer Biff Byford and Sneap mixing and mastering.

Last month, Byford told Yorkshire Times that his proudest achievement so far is "that we are one of the biggest rock bands to come out of Yorkshire besides DEF LEPPARD. This will be my forty third year in SAXON, though I have been in bands for fifty years," he said. "We still have our fans from back in the day plus a whole new set, so I am proud we have an audience that still enjoys our music and that we are still relevant."

As for what motivates him to keep going, Biff said: "Playing live shows, writing great songs and releasing great albums. I think that became even more apparent during the lockdown as there was nothing else to do. It also gave us the chance to record new music."

Finland's Silver Bullet count as one of the most promising melodic metal acts of our decade. The third studio album, Shadowfall, will be released on January 20th through Reaper Entertainment .


Today, the band presents the third single, "Creatures Of The Night", which will be officially released on January 6th via all major streaming platforms. The official lyric video for the song can be viewed below. 


The band comments: "Silver Bullet doesn't slow down. The European tour is coming soon, but before that we will release the third single from the forthcoming album, Shadowfall. 'Creatures Of The Night' is inspired by HP Lovecraft's short story The Shadow Over Innsmouth. With moody verses, bluesy guitar solos and a very catchy chorus, this is one of the most versatile Silver Bullet songs. Martin Wrigsjö did a great job once again and beautifully captured the mood of the music in the lyric video. "







Silver Bullet’s inception dates back to the year 2008 when the band was founded under the name of Dirge Eternal. Former Dreamtale vocalist Nils Nordling and ex-Turisas bass player Hannes Horma completed the pack and helped forging the full-length debut Screamworks that was released in mid-2016. The album’s guiding theme – classic horror movies – was masterfully transferred to the stage, with actors serving as zombie nurses, possessed little girls and even as a chainsaw-wielding lunatic, making Silver Bullet’s entertaining live shows an audiovisual experience. After a highly successful stretch of touring, the Finns returned with their second offering of powerfully orchestrated, riff-infused symphonic heavy metal in 2019. Though the backdrop of horror flicks was left behind, Mooncult nevertheless served as a real spine-chiller, offering a thrilling plot set in the vastnesses of Scotland.


With a new singer, Bruno Proveschi, at helm, Silver Bullet evolved into a versatile metal monster. Conquering festival stages like Rockfest, Saarihelvetti and Metal Capital Festival, brought them recognition they truly deserve. At the same time they were writing a new opus, this time without any limiting theme.


Working again with the metal powerhouse Reaper Entertainment Europe, Shadowfall truly solidifies Silver Bullet's status in the metal scene as one of the most promising melodic metal acts of the decade. With the new album, they are also launching Overtour To Armageddon, a full-fledged European tour consisting of 31 shows around Europe and in Finland.





Tracklisting:


"Overture To Armageddon"
"Shadow Of A Curse"
"The Ones To Fall"
"Creatures Of The Night"
"Soul Reaver"
"…And Then Comes Oblivion"
"Nighthunter"
"Dusk Of Dawn"
"Falling Dawn"
"The Thirteen Nails"


"The Ones To Fall" video:





Lineup:


Bruno Proveschi - Vocals
Hannes Horma - Guitars, Vocals
Henri Asikainen - Guitars, Vocals
Ossi Elonen - Bass, Vocals
Patrik Albrecht - Drums


(Photo - Pierre-Alain D./3mmi Design)

French nu-metal band Elyose have released a new single, "L’assemblée" (feat. Cocozher). The melodic, hard-hitting new track is accompanied by a music video, which can be seen below.


Elyose, a collaboration between guitarist/producer Anthony Chognard and singer Justine Daaé, will release their fourth studio full-length, Déviante, on February 9. Preorder at shop.elyose.com.


Speaking on the new album, Chognard comments, "It's the best album I've ever made, in terms of guitar performances as of musical production.




Daaé adds, "Anthony gave it a metalcore twist, which I'm absolutely in love with. The songs have been stuck in my head this whole year and I was singing them all the time!"


Elyose, a nu-metal band hailing from France, is a collaboration between guitarist/producer Anthony Chognard (ex-Smash Hit Combo) and vocalist Justine Daaé (The Erinyes). Anthony’s vivid songwriting and Justine's ethereal, feminine vocals in her native French result in a sound that’s punchy, modern, and emotional.





“L’assemblée”:

Starting the new year off strong, anonymous project Combustion 96 has released its latest single “On The Line” featuring Threat Signal vocalist Jon Howard. Building on the track’s class metal foundation, “On The Line” ebbs and flows with soaring guitars that capture the disruptive nature of the track, but ultimately, is highlighted by the chorus’ more stripped-back, melodic structure. Jon Howard shares of “On The Line”:


“When I first heard this song I knew it had to start with some intense screaming combined with very strong lyrical content. And let’s be honest, the world has been providing a lot of inspiration for that lately. But among this song's heavy chaos and anarchy, there is an uplifting melodic chorus that offers hope. With this song, I didn’t want to throw down all the negativity without shedding light on a solution and some positivity.”


“On The Line” was written by Combustion 96, Jon Howard, and Philip Näslund. The track was produced by Combustion 96 and Philip Näslund and mixed and mastered by Kristoffer Folin/Purple Skull Music.

FOO FIGHTERS have vowed to carry on as "a different band" following the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins.

The Dave Grohl-fronted outfit addressed its future while sharing a New Year's Eve message earlier today (Saturday, December 31) on social media.

The FOO FIGHTERS wrote: "As we say goodbye to the most difficult and tragic year that our band has ever known, we are reminded of how thankful we are for the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us.

"FOO FIGHTERS were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life. And for the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music. Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we're going to be a different band going forward.

"We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you and we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he'll be there in spirit with all of us every night."

Hawkins was found dead this past March in a hotel room in Colombia, shortly before FOO FIGHTERS were due to play a festival in Bogotá. He was 50 years old.

No cause of death was announced, although a toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including opioids, marijuana and anti-depressants.

Investigators did not say whether the mix of drugs was a factor.

Hawkins had been the FOO FIGHTERS drummer for the last 25 years, taking over from original drummer William Goldsmith in 1997. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.

FOO FIGHTERS staged two tribute concerts in honor of Hawkins. The first tribute concert took place September 3 at London's Wembley Stadium. A Los Angeles concert was held on September 27 and raised money for Musicares and Music Support charities and served as a farewell party for Hawkins's adopted hometown.

Other notable tributes to come in the months following Hawkins's death included a segment at this year's Grammy Awards, a drum circle in Taylor's hometown, and a live performance of the FOO FIGHTERS song "My Hero" by more than 1,000 musicians.
pic.twitter.com/IcYduS7ZY4

— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) December 31, 2022