THE LUCID, the four-piece hard rock band featuring bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH),vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (SPONGE),guitarist Drew Fortier and drummer Mike Heller (RAVEN, FEAR FACTORY),has released another new song called "Mumps". It is the second single from THE LUCID's upcoming EP, "Saddle Up And Ride", which will arrive on January 27, 2023.

From the ferocious vitriolic sonic assault of the title track to the epic off-the-wall and out-of-left-field "Sweet Toof", "Saddle Up And Ride" showcases the various genres the eclectic quartet have tackled for this release, including country, thrash, rap and funk.

Violent J, one half of the legendary rap duo INSANE CLOWN POSSE, is featured on the EP's title track as well as the album closer "Sweet Toof".

Fortier states: "We are thrilled to join forces with an iconic artist like Violent J. He added such a kick-ass and dangerous element to 'Saddle Up And Ride' and 'Sweet Toof'. J has without a doubt taken THE LUCID to another level."

He continues: "As far as live shows go, we had to cancel those shows back in May 2021 due to my cancer situation resulting in surgery which I have fully recovered from, but with David and Mike looking to have a busy 2023 with KINGS OF THRASH/DIETH and RAVEN/FEAR FACTORY, respectively, it's looking like the most pragmatic route would be if Vin and I team up for some acoustic shows to promote THE LUCID, so be on the lookout for that."

"Saddle Up And Ride" was produced by Mike Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert and features artwork by Alex Sarabia.

"Saddle Up And Ride" track listing:

01. Deep Country
02. Saddle Up And Ride (featuring Violent J)
03. Mumps
04. Risk Machine
05. Sweet Toof (featuring Violent J)

Ellefson confirmed earlier in the year that THE LUCID was working on new material as a follow-up to THE LUCID's self-titled debut album, which was released in October 2021 via SpoilerHead Records.

"The Lucid" was also produced by Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert.

Ellefson previously stated about the LP: "It's been a real blast making a record with these guys and I must say that it's refreshing to explore some new musical avenues… to step out a bit from what each of us have done stylistically in our own careers. There was an effortless synergy that came with creating these songs together which is always amazing when working with new people."

During a November 2020 appearance on "The Chuck Schute Podcast", Ellefson stated about how he got involved with THE LUCID: "Drew sent me a track and said, 'Hey, can you throw a bass on here?' And I was writing a new ELLEFSON solo record at the time, so my studio ears were on. I was plugged in and ready to go. He sent it over and I was, like, 'Yeah, this is freaking cool, man.' I'd seen Drew play, I know his BANG TANGO history and the other stuff he's done. But this was really cool stuff that spoke to me. And then he called me up and he said, 'Hey, Vinnie is gonna come in and write some vocals and lyrics and lay down some tracks.' And it turned into a thing."

"I love [Vinnie]. I love SPONGE," David continued. "He's such a rock star. He's just a cool guy. And he writes such great lyrics — very trippy lyrics. He's the type of lyricist I'd never worked with before, so it's fun with that. And Drew is a great guitar player. Mike Heller — he's good friends with [MEGADETH drummer] Dirk Verbeuren. And Dirk's, like, 'Mike's awesome.' They're good friends. We all met in L.A. We got the songs together and we all met in L.A. in mid-July [2020]. I plugged in and banged out 10 songs in two days. And it was fun. Mike was very good in the studio; he really knows his way around."

As for THE LUCID's musical direction, Ellefson told VWMusic: "It's definitely a rock album. It may trend slightly into metal with songs like 'Damned' and 'Deaths Of Despair'. It’s not a thrash metal record. It's not a doom or a power metal record or any of that kind of stuff. I just think it's just a straight-up hard rock record."

Fortier was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May and subsequently underwent surgery.

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH in May 2021 after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.

David was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest exit.

In the 37-minute video below, MEGADETH's Kiko Loureiro breaks down the guitar solo in the song "We'll Be Back" which appears on the band's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!".

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine discussed Kiko's contributions to "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" in a recent interview with Jovem Pan Entretenimento. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Kiko's songwriting contributions have been great. Kiko had his influence on every song with the solos. There are several songs that we wrote together, and there are some parts that I helped him, and there are some parts that his stuff was great just like it was. It's like I've always said: 'When we do things, it's your way, our way [or] my way.' So Kiko [brought in] some riffs, and several of them were his way; they were great just like they were. And then there was a couple that needed a little bit of some help, so it was our way. And there was no my way, 'cause Kiko's a great, talented player and he's very musically gifted. So I can have him help me in a lot of areas that I don't know what I should do."

"The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" sold 48,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked MEGADETH's eighth top 10-charting album. Of "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!"'s 48,000 units earned for the week, album sales comprised 45,000, SEA units comprised 3,000 and TEA units comprised a negligible sum.

MEGADETH's previous top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 were "Countdown to Extinction" (No. 2, 1992),"Youthanasia" (No. 4, 1994),"Cryptic Writings" (No. 10, 1997),"United Abominations" (No. 8, 2007),"Endgame" (No. 9, 2009),"Super Collider" (No. 6, 2013) and "Dystopia" (No. 3, 2016).

Two months ago, the Brazilian-born Kiko spoke to Heavy Music about his increased number of songwriting credits on "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" compared to the first MEGADETH album he appeared on, 2016's "Dystopia". He said: "In the beginning, in the very beginning [of the songwriting process for 'The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!'], even before we got together in Nashville in 2019, I was selecting riffs. I'm always somehow creating stuff. And then sometimes it's more MEGADETH; sometimes it's not very MEGADETH. So when I record ideas — it can be a simple idea — I try to label them, that's, like, 'MD', that's more MEGADETH-like.

"When I met Dave [Mustaine to begin working on 'Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!']… Before going to Nashville, I was bringing some ideas and recording this with the producer in a way to present the riffs and guitar ideas… The way Dave works with his ideas, he kind of organizes them, labels the riffs, the names; he's pretty organized," Kiko continued. "So then I started working the same way, putting my ideas with the names and the tempos. That's the way Dave organizes his ideas; he has his way. So I put my ideas into his way of organization with the producer. So I think that's the first step. So I was bringing some ideas that I had. I re-recorded them. And then I was adding more ideas. So all those guitar riffs from 'Night Stalkers' or 'We'll Be Back' and 'Célebutante' and 'Killing Time', they came from those ideas, from those ideas that I brought before getting together. And then when we got together, we started listening to the ideas and kind of assembling them and structuring them. Dave had, of course, a lot of ideas. And then [drummer] Dirk [Verbeuren contributed his ideas] as well.

"So it was a good environment," Loureiro added. "We bring in our ideas but we put our ideas in the way Dave likes to organize them, which is very methodic, which is very good. So it was a good thing for me also. Because he thinks songs in chunks, in parts. If I'm gonna write a song myself, I kind of play a part; then I try to get inspired with another one. And then this part inspires me to the third one. And I try to keep it going and I try to get the same momentum… I try to feel the music, feel the song and I try to finish the song. Dave doesn't work like this. He creates a good part, he stops and records that good part. He doesn't keep trying to, 'Oh, what's the next part of this one?' and get inspired and be jamming forever. He just keeps that one, and then he labels that… He's very organized and methodic. Even songs like 'Célebutante', I created a song like this one part after the other, and then I cut it in chunks, so it's easier to understand as well. So also because Dave sometimes, he sings on top, sometimes he's, like, 'Oh, let's put a solo on top of this.' Then we start messing around with those ideas. It can be, like, 'Oh, this can be an intro but can [also] be a pre-chorus.' And then you start labeling the way you feel the parts. It's pretty interesting. It's a bit different than I did in the past."

Kiko previously talked about the MEGADETH songwriting process in a September 2022 interview with Andrew DiCecco of Vinyl Writer Music. At the time, he said: "I think doing 'Dystopia', I was very new in the band — I was like five days new in the band. I met Dave, and then, like a week later, I was there at the studio learning the parts and open for suggestions. So it was already a thing for me to have some credits, some collaborations, with Dave on 'Dystopia'. And now, of course, after so many years of understanding MEGADETH better, not only Dave and getting the confidence from Dave but also understanding the fans, the band, the catalog, and playing the songs… As a metal fan, I know MEGADETH, but, of course, after four or five years of playing so many different countries and seeing fans' faces and their reaction, playing the songs from the '80s and the '90s, you understand the band better. So when you bring ideas, you know, 'Okay, this will fit. This is MEGADETH. I know what I'm bringing is still something completely related to MEGADETH.' I think Dave just felt like, 'I'm in a safe place with those guys.' So, I was always bringing ideas and giving suggestions — not only in the ideas that I brought but also his songs and his guitar stuff; I would say something. No fear, you know? I think creating a creative environment is like feeling that you're in a safe place because you might give an idea that's not good, that sucks, but it has to be okay to receive a 'No, this doesn't fit.' It has to be okay, and then try again and propose something else. And then vice versa — the person who is receiving that idea has to be open to be, like, 'Okay…' Maybe the person doesn't like the idea that much but can say, 'Okay, let's try.' So, it's both ways, right? We have to be open to receiving a no, and the other person has to be open to trying the idea, even if, at first sight, the idea is not that great.

"I think I understand Dave," he continued. "Sometimes — it's hard to explain — he has a very artistic vision of things. Bringing elements that you have no idea where he is coming from; [it] can be colors, can be an old movie, can be the soundtrack of something that I don't know, an old TV show — things like that. And then, when you listen to the theme of the old TV show, it has no correlation to what the riff is presenting. But there's something there that reminds him. So you have to give time to understand what the person is thinking. Sometimes it's just a feeling of, 'I want something like that intro of that old TV show from the '60s.' Then it's, like, 'Let's hear that. Let's go there.' Then, I think, because I have my past music experience with other composers or me writing my songs, I know that. So, I kind of understand where he is coming from, so I think Dave feels safe saying those crazy ideas out loud. Then it's a creative process, and everybody is free to bring their own ideas. Then I think Dirk [Verbeuren, drums] felt, 'You know what? I can bring some ideas, too, because that's a cool environment.' So, during the process, [Dirk] just brought some riffs — because he plays guitar — and then Dave helped him get what he wants because he has certain guitar techniques. So, then we play, and it's, like, 'Oh, we can refine your idea.' The same goes when we suggest a drumbeat, and then Dirk goes and plays something like one hundred times better, but coming from what we are suggesting. So, that's a mutual collaboration."

MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine has shared a video of him "writing the bass line" for the song "Dogs Of Chernobyl". The six-minute track, which features lyrics loosely about animals left behind after the 1986 nuclear meltdown, appears on the band's latest album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!", which came out in September.

This past summer, Mustaine reflected on the decision to fire bassist David Ellefson last year following a sex video scandal and bring in TESTAMENT's Steve DiGiorgio to re-record Ellefson's bass tracks on "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!"

"I don't really talking about him anymore," Mustaine said about Ellefson. "I like telling the funny stories, but I really don't like talking about that part of things, because the guy that I know and love was a different person.

"Making the change to Steve, we needed to do that; we needed to do that for so many reasons. On the outside looking in, there were a few people that were saying that I did the wrong thing, but I'm sorry — for my personal convictions, I just couldn't have that around us. And even if it wasn't true, I didn't want that in my life.

"When Steve came in, he was a wonderful breath of fresh air because he could play the parts [on the new MEGADETH album]. And the parts that were on the record that were there… I did an interview recently and the girl says, 'Why did you change Dave's parts?' And I thought, 'You can't be that stupid. I have to change the parts.' I didn't say that to her, but I was thinking that.

"First off, the majority of the bass on the record I played," Mustaine explained. "And it's demo tracks — we didn't have all the record recorded yet. When I was in my studio with [engineer] Chris Rakestraw and I'm writing the guitar parts, I picked up the bass and plunked along with it. I mean, it wasn't terrific, but it was the parts. So when anybody came in to record the parts, whether it was Steve or Dave, the parts were already written and recorded.

"The part about DiGiorgio coming in, it was cool because there was just so much bad going on at the time," Mustaine added. "It just seemed like the record was gonna keep getting delayed and delayed and delayed. But I believe there's a spiritual vacuum in my life and that whenever things get really bad, there's a breakthrough ready to happen. And I know that when things get bad like that, it's kind of a challenge for the universe to see if I'm gonna stop living my life on the right side of things, if I'm gonna start trying to force things to happen again. And that's not who I am anymore. I think right now we're sitting on some of the best years ahead of us ever. I feel great. I think I'm playing really well. My relationships with most of the people in my life are really doing good. And I think that the band's trajectory has just continued to go upward."

Ellefson laid down his bass tracks on MEGADETH's sixteenth LP in May 2020 at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

In July 2021, Mustaine announced during an episode of his Gimme Radio program "The Dave Mustaine Show" that Ellefson's bass tracks would not be used on the new MEGADETH LP.

In October 2021, Ellefson told The Metal Voice about MEGADETH's decision to replace his parts on "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!": "They did what they did. I don't think they had to do that. I asked them not to. But they did what they did. It's the path they chose."

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH in May 2021, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on TwitterEllefson was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest exit.

"The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" arrived on September 2 via UMe.

ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna's JOURNEY tribute band called BEYOND FRONTIERS (formerly JOEY BELLADONNA'S BEYOND THE BAND and JOURNEY BEYOND) performed last night (Wednesday, December 28) at Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Video of the concert can be seen below.

BEYOND FRONTIERS will play two more East Coast shows this week:

Dec. 29 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
Dec. 30 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally's

A year and a half ago, Belladonna spoke to "The Johnny Dare Morning Show" about his JOURNEY tribute, which also features keyboardist Doug Carter, bassist Paul Arntz, guitarist Matt Basford and drummer Justin Ward.

"We're working on some recordings so we can be like a normal band and put stuff up on the site — maybe do a video," Joey said. "We've got interest in playing shows. We're just trying to figure out when and how, that kind of thing. The band's still together. We record at home. Everybody's all in different places at the moment. We only did one show, so we can't wait to do it again, 'cause it's gonna be fun."

Belladonna also touched upon his reasons for launching a JOURNEY tribute band, saying: "People ask why the hell I do it. I just like the songs. I've liked the band forever. And I just wanted to do it because I think it's a cool challenge and it's just fun music. I can't think of many bands that I'd like to do a whole evening of without trying to dress up and do everything they do. We just wanna be a band that plays that music. I don't care about the whole lookalike-type stuff. It's just about music. That's really all it is."

In an April 2020 interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Belladonna stated about his approach to singing material that was originally written and recorded by Steve Perry: "Obviously, when you do [something like this], there's always open ground for [people to say], 'You didn't do that part, 'You didn't do this.' [But] I didn't wanna copy it note for note. Sometimes I just like to do my own thing with it. Represent it and do what you can, but I love to mess around with things. Not so much to try to be too different, but just make it cool and do it your own way versus trying to get every note. I'm sure some guys study every second of it. Even with ANTHRAX, I do songs different a lot of times. It's just fun that way. To do things off the cuff is fun for me versus trying to follow everything… I can study it all day, but I just don't feel like doing that. I wanna have a little fun doing my own thing with it."

Belladonna's JOURNEY tribute made its live debut in March 2020 at The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia.

When he is not busy touring and recording with ANTHRAX, Belladonna has been spending time playing drums and singing for a classic-rock covers band called CHIEF BIG WAY. The upstate New York-based group, which also features Dave Mickelson on bass, Joe Precourt on guitar and John Goodwin on keyboards, plays versions of songs from JOURNEY, AC/DC, ZZ TOP, BOSTON, CHEAP TRICK, FOREIGNER, PINK FLOYD, VAN HALEN, COLLECTIVE SOUL, THE WHO, THE DOORS, SHINEDOWN and BON JOVI, among others.

In a 2005 interview with MusicDish, Belladonna was asked about the rumor that he came to the table with a JOURNEY tune during his 1985 audition for ANTHRAX. "Actually, what happened was I went into the room and they said, 'Just go on in,' and they hadn't heard me sing," he said. "They'd heard of me and they asked me to come in, but we were going in to start tracking and stuff, to get the mic set up and all that and they said, 'Let's get you in there and get you warmed up.' I hit the mic and belted out some JOURNEY… I think it was [the song] 'Lights'. I didn't know what the hell I was getting into in the first place. I just wanted to lay some vocals or something. Just to kinda give an idea and that's what happened. It wasn't really anything more than that. I just kinda belched it out. I think I did 'Oh Sherrie' [written by Steve Perry], too, or something. I dunno why, but I just did. It was something off the top of my head I could do a cappella and it was kinda challenging. I thought maybe in range or something that would be kind of intriguing. It was definitely one they weren't expecting."

ANTHRAX's 2013 EP "Anthems" EP included the band's cover version of JOURNEY's "Keep On Runnin'" alongside classics by RUSH, THIN LIZZY, AC/DC, CHEAP TRICK and BOSTON.

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Rolling Stone is exclusively reporting 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 Aerosmith 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.

Swedish death metal stalwarts The Crown have a new drummer. An official statement from the band reads:


"Sometimes things come to an end. We have decided to part ways with Henrik (Axelsson), he has been a kickass drummer and a solid Viking Punk in this band for 7 years. We part on mutual, good terms and would like to thank him and wish him all the best for his future.


As for the rest of us - We have onboarded an amazing drummer in Mikael Norén, an old friend of ours that previously also played in Impious together with Robin. We believe that we will make one hell of a team for 2023. We can't wait to see you all. The Crown Never Dies! Cheers!"




The Crown 2023 line-up:


Mattias ”Arvid” Rasmussen - bass
Johan Lindstrand - vocals
Marko Tervonen - guitars
Mikael Norén - drums
Robin Sörqvist - lead guitar


Henrik Axelsson, who played drums for The Crown from 2014 - 2022, has issued his own brief statement:


"It’s been a pleasure for 7 years! I wish all the best to the boys in their future adventures. Hope to see you somewhere on the road."


Catch The Crown live as part of 70000 Tons Of Metal - The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise. Their eleventh sailing will be hosted on board The Freedom Of The Seas from Miami, Florida to Bimini, The Bahamas from January 30 to February 3, 2023.


Previously announced acts include: Nightwish, Rotting Christ, Korpiklaani, Månegarm, Kamelot, Uli Jon Roth, Kreator, Novembre, Fallujah, Warbringer, Obscura, Oceans Of Slumber, Melechesh, Nightmare, Evergrey, Sirenia, Jungle Rot, Feuerschwanz, Visions Of Atlantis, Abysmal Dawn, Amorphis, Cynic, Destruction and Fractal Universe.





Organizers for the 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise recently checked in with the following update:


"Over many years it has become an annual tradition that 3,000 crazy Metalheads from over 70 Nations worldwide, representing The United Nations Of Heavy Metal, meet in person in Miami, Florida to celebrate the beginning of a new year. Together with 60 Metal Bands from all over the world, they take over one massive cruise ship! This unique event is called 70000 Tons Of Metal, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise!


Due to unfortunate world events in the past two years we could not celebrate these treasured moments... but the wait is over!!!


Are you ready to join us when we set sail on January 30, 2023 from Miami, Florida to the beautiful island of Bimini, watch 120+ live shows (yes you heard right, every band plays twice!) and live out every Metalhead's dream? Then book your cabin NOW at 70000tons.com.


When you are back in Miami on February 3rd, 2023 you may need another vacation after this vacation..."





The eleventh voyage of 70000 Tons Of Metal will take place January 30 - February 3, 2023 and sail from Miami, Florida to Bimini, Bahamas and back on board the Freedom of the Seas. Ticket prices start at USD 966.00 plus taxes and fees per person.


True to their claim, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise will include 60 bands over four stages. The festival boasts three indoor stages and most importantly, the outdoor Pool Deck Stage: The World's Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to sail the Open Seas featuring hot tubs incorporated into the stage itself. Fans can watch their favorite band perform on a world-class stage from the comfort of a hot tub. All shows are included in the ticket price.


The Freedom of the Seas is one of the largest passenger vessels in the world and offers numerous amenities and unique bars including a casual Sports Bar & Arcade as well as a more sophisticated retro "R Bar" serving up classic cocktails. There is a vast selection of cuisine available across a number of restaurants on board, ranging from formal à la carte meals to casual international dishes, sushi, Italian fine dining and savory steakhouse classics.


The luxury liner will sail to Bimini, The Bahamas: a chain of islands located in the north of The Bahamas, boasting picturesque white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and various attractions to indulge in: sport fishing, snorkeling & scuba diving, relaxing at the local bars and cafes, or getting pampered at a beach club.





Sailing on board the Freedom of the Seas, guests will enjoy complimentary fine dining, bars and lounges that never close, 24 hour room service and a host of on board activities.


With ten consecutive sellouts since the first voyage in 2011, this five-day, four-night Heavy Metal Music Festival and Caribbean vacation offers 3000 Metalheads the unique opportunity to mingle side-by-side with 60 world-class Heavy Metal bands.


Every band plays twice and all guests have unrestricted festival access to 120+ live performances, including the Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam, meet & greets with every band, intimate Artist Clinics & Workshops and exclusive premieres. All of this with no VIP areas on board makes it feel like everyone has a backstage pass. If that's not enough, festival goers even get a chance to explore a Caribbean dream destination with their favorite Artists.


For more information on 70000 Tons Of Metal 2023, including photos, FAQs (for booking, travel documents, payment, etc.), vessel amenities, event details and more, please visit 70000tons.com.








 

LAST IN LINE drummer Vinny Appice spoke to the "Nothing Shocking" podcast about the status of the band's upcoming third album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We got an EP that just came out. We actually did a cover of 'A Day In The Life', a BEATLES song. It's a little twist on that version. That was doing well. And the rest of the EP, there was a new song and two live songs from Europe that we did. And the album is coming out in March — I think March 31st — on earMUSIC. It's a German label. They're a really, really good label — actually planning stuff around this. And then we're gonna do some dates around that time as well — go out and do some gigs and promote the album. We've gotta work around DEF LEPPARD's schedule, because they're gonna go out again with the big tour.

"So things are good," he added. "LAST IN LINE is great. It's a great band. We have a lot of fun onstage [and] offstage. And that's when it's cool. When it's no fun anymore, then it becomes a job. I'm still having fun, luckily."

"A Day In The Life" arrived on November 11 via earMUSIC. The effort was numbered and limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.

Regarding how LAST IN LINE's cover of "A Day In The Life" came together, guitarist Vivian Campbell — who is also a member of DEF LEPPARD — told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk": "Going back to spring of 2020 when everything shut down, we talked about doing a cover song prior to that and we'd already started cutting the first six tracks for what will be the third album, which will come out early next year.

"LAST IN LINE always cuts tracks live and we look at each other in the studio while we do it; we have that push-pull dynamic going on," he continued. "Well, 'A Day In The Life' is the one exception to that; that's the one song that we didn't do that way. We kind of did it the DEF LEPPARD way by building on a track and reverse-engineering it. That was just out of necessity, 'cause this was in March, April, May of 2020 and we couldn't travel; we couldn't be together. So we basically built up the track that way and did it remotely. And that was an interesting thing for us, because, like I said, that's never anything we've done before or done since."

Asked if he was a fan of THE BEATLES growing up, Campbell said: "THE BEATLES were huge for all of us. The first song I ever actually learned how to play on guitar was 'She Loves You'. I remember working out the chords when I was a kid on holiday one summer. And I was well chuffed with myself 'cause I had actually figured that out.

"['A Day In The Life'] was a pretty ambitious song to take on," he admitted. "To be honest, I don't know how we really ended up on that one. We were discussing what would an appropriate and interesting cover for us to do. We didn't wanna do something from the genre, so it wasn't like we were gonna try and do an AC/DC song or something from the hard rock world. We decided we wanted to tackle something that would be a little left field. I've gotta say probably it was [bassist] Phil Soussan who came up with the idea for 'A Day In The Life', but we were certainly not in need of coaxing 'cause, like I said, we're all massive, massive BEATLES fans. And it is such an ambitious song to take on, with time changes and key changes and whatnot, especially to do it in the way that we had to do it — in this remote sort of fashion. But it was good in as much as it actually gave us some impetus to do something and to keep moving forward. Like I said, this was spring of 2020 and all of a sudden all plans were on hold. So it was a good thing for us to keep inching the band forward and keep making that progression."

This past summer, Vinny told Metal Rules that LAST IN LINE's third studio album was helmed by Chris Collier, who has previously worked with KORN and WHITESNAKE, among other bands. LAST IN LINE's first two albums were produced by former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson.

The news of LAST IN LINE's partnership with earMUSIC was shared in February by Appice during an appearance on "Waste Some Time With Jason Green". Vinny also revealed that LAST IN LINE completed recording six more new songs in late January at Danny "Count" Koker's Desert Moon studios in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Formed in 2012 by Appice, Campbell and bassist Jimmy Bain — Ronnie James Dio's co-conspirators and co-writers on the "Holy Diver", "Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart" albums — LAST IN LINE's initial intent was to celebrate Ronnie James Dio's early work by reuniting the members of the original DIO lineup. After playing shows that featured a setlist composed exclusively of material from the first three DIO albums, the band decided to move forward and create new music in a similar vein.

LAST IN LINE's debut album, "Heavy Crown", was released in February 2016 via Frontiers Music Srl, landing at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Initially, the release had been preceded by tragedy when Bain unexpectedly died at the age of 68 on January 23, 2016. LAST IN LINE, honoring what they knew would be Bain's wish to keep the band moving, brought in Soussan and committed to sustained touring in support of the album before beginning work on the follow-up release, 2019's "II", which was also made available through Frontiers Music Srl.

In February 2021, Soussan told the "Pat's Soundbytes Unplugged" podcast about the musical direction of the new LAST IN LINE material: "The songs are another progression from the last album — the difference between 'Heavy Crown' and 'II', and now 'II' and whatever this next album is gonna be called. But it's definitely evolved even more; it's gone into even more of an evolution, but we are always trying to keep the characteristics of LAST IN LINE there. I mean, you can't shake those things — you can't shake Vinny's drumming, you can't shake Vivian's playing. And I'd like to say the same thing about myself, and, of course, [singer] Andrew [Freeman]."

Some of the early recording sessions for LAST IN LINE's third album took place in January 2020 at Steakhouse studio in North Hollywood, California.

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Snowy Shaw, has released his new collection, This Is Heavy Metal, Plain & Simple, on all digital platforms. Stream/download the collection here.


What is "This is Heavy Metal, plain & simple"?


As the title suggests we're not reinventing the wheel here by any means. It's classic metal, that range from hardr ock to death metal and everything in between, all according to Snowy Shaw (multi-talented worldwide underground superstar formerly of King Diamond, Notre Dame, Therion, Dimmu Borgir, Dream Evil, Mercyful Fate, Memento Mori etc.)




But! make no mistakes, Snowy is not what one would call a conventional or predictable man, and there are quite a few things that are exceptional and downright groundbreaking about this album (or collection of singles.)


First of all, instead of putting out a full length album of 12 songs, during the pandemic year of 2021 Snowy opted to swap things around and release one single each and every month (digitally) throughout the year and then in time for X-mas release a limited edition physical double vinyl and digiCD with the collection of songs, plus no less than four bonus tracks.


Where on each track he also invited special guest stars to contribute consisting of several of his teenage heroes, living legends, former bandmates and friends to as guest stars. Including members from King Diamond, Therion, Ozzy Osbourne, Dark Funeral, Mercyful Fate, Death SS, Doro, Hardcore Superstar, Mustasch, Torch, Dream Evil, Lillasyster, U.D.O, Arch Enemy, Sabaton, Soilwork, Raubtier, Erika, Ross The Boss, Amaranthe among many others


Sadly during the recording process some of his old heroes eventually had to cancel their participation due to health issues and even more tragically a few of them passed away. R.I.P. "Their legacy lives on."





Tracklisting:


"Of Hell And Fire" (January) (feat. Scarlet)
"The Heydays" (February) (feat. Gus G & Thomas Vikström)
"We Are The Survivors" (March) (feat. Olof Mörck, Marc Lopes & Alicia Grimoir)
"Tell Me, Tell Me" (April) (feat. Erika)
"Metallicus Tinnitus Satanicus (The Devil's Orchestra)" (May) (feat. Chaq Mol, Hank Shermann & Steve Sylvester)
"Black Blood (This Is Not A Lovesong)" (June) (feat. Björn "Speed" Strid & Chris Amott)
"Gladitor" (July) (feat. Dan Dark & Michael Moon)
"We Sold Our Souls To Rock N' Roll, That Is Our Religion" (August) (feat. The Necro Spiritual Choir of Corpus Christi)
"Weekend Warriors" (September) (feat. Ralf Gyllenhammar, Jocke Berg & Martin Westerstrand)
"If I Was King For A Day" (October) (feat. Andy La Rocque & Hal Patino)
"Guitarmageddon" (November) (feat. Bill Hudson, Rob Marcello, Pär Hulkoff, Thobbe Englund, Ira Black, Kelly McLauchlin, Stefan Lindholm & Kosta Papazoglou)
"The End Of An Era" (December) (feat. The All-Star Choir)

Portuguese death metal group Analepsy has debuted a music video for their song "Edge Of Chaos", which can be found on the band's 2022 album, Quiescence.





The vinyl version of Quiescence was released through Agonia Records. Miasma Records and Vomit Your Shirt issued the album on CD, MC and digital formats. Order your copy here.




Quiescence continues the space motif from Analepsy’s previous releases, but from a different perspective. There are no living creatures, only the deserted cosmos awaiting its own demise. The album features guest appearances from Ricky Myers (Suffocation, Disgorge), Angel Ochoa (Cephalotripsy, Disgorge, Abominable Putridity, Condemned) and Wilson Ng (Facelift Deformation, Vermicular Incubation).


The band commented: "We are delighted to present our most recent work: Quiescence! This has been a tight process, and despite all the changes the band went through, everything worked like clockwork. The essence of our music lives on!"


The recordings of Quiescence took three months (August - October, 2021), entailing the skills of guitarist/co-founder Marco Martins, guitarist/vocalist Calin Paraschiv (ex-Pestilence), bassist João Jacinto and ex-drummer Tiago Correia. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Recordings studio in Caxarias, Portugal. The cover artwork was created by Pedro Sena - Lordigan.





Tracklisting:


"Locus Of Dawning"
"Impending Subversion"
"Elapsing Permanence" (featuring Wilson Ng)
"Accretion Collision"
"Stretched And Devoured" (featuring Angel Ochoa)
"Converse Condition"
"Fractured Continuum"
"Spasmodic Dissonance" (featuring Ricky Myers)
"Edge Of Chaos"
"Quiescence" (Instrumental)


"Fractured Continuum" video:





"Spasmodic Dissonance" lyric video:





"Locus Of Dawning" video:





Analepsy's sound can be described as a crossover between old-school brutal death metal and modern melodic elements. The correct pronunciation of the name of the band is "uh-nuh-leh-psy" [ʌnʌlepsy], and it was chosen due to its (now obsolete) meaning: recovery of strength after an illness.


(Photo - Joël Martins)


 

Disney's Hollywood Studios in Bay Lake, Florida, will be temporarily closing the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith attraction.


A statement from Disney: "Beginning February 20, 2023, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be temporarily closed for refurbishment. This rocktastic attraction will resume its super-stretch limo rides in summer 2023."







About Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: Inside their Hollywood music studio, legendary rock band Aerosmith is wrapping up a recording session. When their manager tells them they’re late for a concert across town, the band invites you to ride along. Hop into their gleaming limousine and speed off into the night as Aerosmith’s hard-rock harmonies fill the air. Buckle up before zooming through the city on this roller-coaster style attraction.


Speed through iconic Hollywood landmarks. Maneuver past traffic jams and swoop into 3 thrilling inversions - 2 rollover loops and one corkscrew - as the wind races across your face. Will you make it to the year’s biggest concert in time?


Your super-stretch limo is decked out with a 125-speaker, 24-subwoofer, 32,000-watt audio system. Each vehicle broadcasts different Aerosmith hit songs, including “Walk This Way,” “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Sweet Emotion” and “Back In The Saddle.” The classic “Love In An Elevator” was rewritten as “Love In A Roller Coaster” specifically for this rocktastic attraction.

SiriusXM has released the video below, featuring Bret Michaels performing "Your Mama Don't Dance", originally by Loggins & Messina, and featured on Poison's Open Up And Say... Ahh! album, released in 1988.





Hot off the heels of a massive stadium tour with Poison, for the first time ever, Bret Michaels is hitting the road for a limited run of live dates for his 2023 Parti Gras Tour. Michaels has created this tour with a Mardi Gras feel in celebration of his great fans and hit music. The renowned rockstar will bring a few of his rocker friends along for a mashup of all killer, no filler hits featuring special guests Night Ranger and Jefferson Starship with special appearances from Steve Augeri (former lead singer of Journey) and Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), plus a nightly surprise guest to rock your world.




Presented by Live Nation, the 12-city limited date run kicks off on Thursday, July 13 at the one and only Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI; known for its epic concerts and parties, going on to make stops across the US including at The Pavilion at Star Lake, in his birthplace of Pittsburgh (PA), Holmdel (NJ), Tinley Park (IL), Tampa (FL), and more before wrapping up in Charlotte (NC) at PNC Music Pavilion on August 6. The tour promises to be a modern day throwback to epic tailgate parties, positive energy, and a much needed nothing but a good vibe.


“After seeing Bret bring the party in every market of The Stadium Tour, this past year, we are looking forward to more of his ‘nothing, but a good vibe, high-energy performing’ on The Parti-Gras Tour next summer,” said Rick Franks, Global Touring Live Nation.


Michaels states, “I created Parti-Gras as a sincere and grateful thank you to the fans, friends, and family who have rocked with me over the years.  I promise to deliver positive energy, live, raw, real music, and all the bands will deliver sing-a-long hit after hit songs. Your voice will be hoarse after an epic, big, fun stage show.“


Tickets for the tour are on sale now at LiveNation.com. VIP Meet & Greet Tickets are available for Parti-Gras at BretMichaels.com.





Tour dates:


July
13 - Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre
15 - Burgettstown, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake
16 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
21 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
22 - Gilford, NH - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
23 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
28 - Maryland Heights, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
29 - Tinley Park, IL - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
30 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center


August
4 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
5 - Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
6 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion

In a new interview with T Stone of the radio show "Sonic Boom"on Real Rock 100.3 The Fox in Rapid City, South Dakota, former GREAT WHITE and current JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell was asked how he feels about the fact that there are now effectively two versions of GREAT WHITE touring and making new music. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's weird, man. I mean, it doesn't bother me — except when Mark [Kendall, GREAT WHITE guitarist] goes out there and starts talking shit about me. Every time he gives an interview, he goes out there and starts talking some kind of shit about me. It's, like, dude, it's been 12 years. Get over it.

"It is too bad," Russell added. "We were best friends, we were brothers for years. And now it's like the guy won't even pick up the phone and speak to me. It's horrible. It makes you feel really bad. And every time I pick up a paper or [I see] something on the Internet [where] Mark's [giving] an interview, he's always talking shit about me. It's, like, dude, talk about yourself. Talk about how great your album is or how great your band is. Leave me the fuck alone. I'm not bagging on you."

Asked by T Stone why he thinks it's that way for Kendall, Russell replied: "I don't know. Maybe he's just pissed off that I'm still doing it. I mean, the first article they did after I left the band was, 'Oh, he'll never pull it off.' And it's been, what? 12 years now?

"The way I look at it is you do what you do," he continued. "Have a good time. Be happy that you're able to do this. Be happy that you're lucky enough to be able to do this — especially when there's two versions of the band."

When T Stone noted that "it's gotta be especially tough" for GREAT WHITE "trying to do it without the actual voice of the band," Jack said: "That's the one thing, I think, that separates the cover bands from the original bands — is the voice. 'Cause that's the one thing that you need. You take Steven Tyler out of AEROSMITH, I don't care who you put in there, it ain't gonna be AEROSMITH… The only time I've ever seen it work was with Sammy Hagar — and just 'cause Sammy is a better singer [than David Lee Roth]. And they wrote some really great songs. But give me a fucking choice, I'd go see David Lee Roth [before] I would [see] Sammy. And I love Sammy; he's a great guy. Dave's a great guy too."

In June, shortly after GREAT WHITE announced that it had parted ways with singer Mitch Malloy, Kendall dismissed the idea of reuniting with Russell, telling Dr. Music in an interview: "[People say,] 'Why don't you patch things up with Jack?' What people don't understand is we never even got in fights [with Jack]. In 25 years together, we might have gotten in two arguments. The thing that took him out is the horrible demons of addiction, and it's really affected his health. I just saw a video the other day where he's not even standing — he's using wheelchairs and he's sitting in a stool. So for us to go back to that, it just feels dark. I'd rather remember him… 'Cause I'm very proud of our career — I'm very proud of the past. I'm so lucky to be a part of it. And I wanna remember it like that, where he's flying around on stage and getting the crowds pumped and singing his heart out — not a sick person. So going to that…"

Last month, Russell ruled out the possibility of him reuniting with his former bandmates, telling All Access Live! With Kevin Rankin: "As far as the fans are concerned, for the most part they've been really cool about [there being two versions of the band]. It is what it is. Of course most of them would rather see us back together. There are a few people that, for whatever reason, like a new guy better, which I don't understand. That'd be like me saying I like somebody better than Steven Tyler in AEROSMITH. Or, 'Get rid of that Robert Plant schmuck [in LED ZEPPELIN]. Let me hear somebody else.' I don't know. To each his own. Some things just defy explanation or logic. But for the most part, I think, people would like things, to see them back to where they were, which will never happen. Those days are gone, and anybody out there that's hoping and wishing and praying, it's not gonna happen; I'll tell you right now. Both camps agree [on that]."

Russell went on to say that he chooses to stay away from speaking disparagingly about his former bandmates. "I don't jump on the drama train," he said. "Unfortunately, there are still people that do, in my other band, that still choose to pass along negativity. And I'm not gonna say anything bad about anybody. It's, like, why? We were all huge friends for years. We accomplished one of the hugest things you can ever accomplish together — something that's almost impossible we pulled off. We were on five major labels, so we did it five times. Usually you lose one and you're blackballed. And we were on five different major labels. So there's something to say for that. I never was gonna let up until I was done."

Malloy had been in GREAT WHITE for nearly four years, having joined the group in 2018 following the departure of Terry Ilous.

Ilous, frontman of '80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after stepping in for touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).

The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012's "Elation" and 2017's "Full Circle", before Terry was dismissed from the group.

Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. A short time later, Russell was countersued by Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell now performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE.

In 2018, Desbrow told ListenIowa that there was never any discussion about possibly bringing Jack back after Terry's exit from GREAT WHITE. "Not at all," he said. "We've already moved on from that. We've gone through a lot of stuff with that over the years, and the fact that he sued us in federal court for the name, and we spent a lot of time and money, you just don't return from that. People tell me that they've seen his latest shows, and it's just hard to look at because his health isn't as good as it could be. We've got a really grueling schedule, and it's hard enough for me, and I'm semi-healthy. [Laughs] I couldn't imagine someone in his condition doing what we're doing. We did shows with him toward the end, and he was in and out of a wheelchair and crutches, had to be carried up stairs, was falling asleep onstage. It just got old. It's a business, and we have families to support and mortgages to pay. You can't go to work messed up 24/7 and still be able to work there."

In October, GREAT WHITE officially named Brett Carlisle as its new lead singer. Carlisle joins the band as the replacement for Andrew Freeman, who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In a new interview with Colombia's W Radio, SKID ROW co-founder and guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo looked back on his childhood friendship with Jon Bon Jovi and how it inspired him and his bandmates to become better songwriters. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "First of all, [Jon and I] have been best friends since we were children. He grew up three streets away from where I grew up, so we've known each other for an awfully long time — well over 40 years now. His work ethic and his commitment to music and his perseverance showed me and showed us that it was possible to be able to have success in the music business. He was very, very helpful at the very beginning with our band and he's always been a great mentor to me. And he's always been one hundred percent honest with me regarding all aspects of our relationship. We would always play him our music that we were writing and he would always give us his honest opinion. And he was the one who, at the very beginning, was really pushing us to be better songwriters, to be better musicians, to be a better band. And he was the guy that really instilled in us that being just good isn't good enough. You've gotta aspire to be great. And that was him teaching us that."

Despite the fact that the 1989 debut album from the Sebastian Bach-fronted SKID ROW went five times platinum and produced several hit singles — including "18 And Life", "I Remember You" and "Youth Gone Wild" — there was initially a lot of bitterness surrounding its success, largely due to the fact that in return for the helping hands of Jon Bon Jovi, SKID ROW reportedly had to enter a publishing deal with Jon's then-newly established Underground Music Company in which they waived their rights to publishing royalties. All money was paid to Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. After a public dispute, Sambora gave his share of the money back to SKID ROW.

Around a decade ago, Bach reflected on the business arrangement he and his then-bandmates made with Bon Jovi, telling ArtScenics TV: "Bon Jovi took us on our first tour and we signed some papers with him that he got a cut of, if we made it big, that he would get compensated for helping us out. Nobody expected us to get as big as we got. Nobody thought that we would become a big band. That happens all the time in the music industry. Jon was, like, 'We'll take you on tour, but if you guys make it big,' then he gets a cut of it. So I was bitter about that for awhile, but then I realized that we probably wouldn't have made it as big, or maybe at all, if he didn't take us."

Back in 2015, Bach told Rodney Holder of Australia's Music Business Facts that he no longer harbored any resentment toward Bon Jovi over the publishing royalties generated by the "Skid Row" album.

"We signed a publishing deal with Bon Jovi's company, which gave him an extremely large cut of the first album," he recalled. "And when that happened, none of us realized it, really, and we were very bitter when we found that out. But our next record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, so quit your fucking whining. [Laughs] It's, like, I look back… He took us on tour… Nobody thought we'd make it. There was a million bands. We could have been BANG TANGO or TIGERTAILZ or… We could have been… There's a billion bands. We could have been BABYLON A.D. … Anyway, so, the fact that we were one of the bands that did make it was like a needle in the haystack. So for Bon Jovi to put us on the road in front of his crowd every night, that's how we made it. So he deserved to get paid for that. He could have taken any other band. So we re-did all those deals after the first album — for 'Slave To The Grind' and 'Subhuman Race' and the best-of album. We re-did all those."

SKID ROW's new album, "The Gang's All Here", was released in October via earMUSIC. It is the group's first LP with new vocalist Erik Grönwall, who was previously a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T.

In a recent interview with Darren Paltrowitz, host of the "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz", Sammy Hagar, who has become a successful entrepreneur, was asked if he would ever get into business with his THE CIRCLE and VAN HALEN bandmate Michael Anthony outside of music. The 75-year-old rocker responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No, I would never get into business with Mike outside of music because it could possibly ruin our relationship — what we do as entertainers and as artists and recording artists.

"There's something about business that — as much as I love family members, and I say the only people I can trust in the world a hundred percent is family, the business world can get ugly," Hagar — who founded the Cabo Wabo Tequila brand and restaurant chain, as well as Sammy's Beach Bar Rum — explained. "There's a power game to business that some people thrive on. And I hate it — I that part of business. People try to outdo each other or people try to put other people out of business. You build a Longs drugstore and right across the street they put a CVS and then across the street over there they put a Pharmaco. You come out with a new product in the spirits industry, and everybody copies you and they act like theirs is better and they did it first and all this stuff. That part of business I don't like. For some reason, rock and roll has less of that. So Mikey and I have such a great relationship on stage [that we keep our business stuff separate]. I promote his brands and he promotes my brands — for each other. But if we had one brand that we created together, it could end up into, 'That was my idea.' 'No, it's my idea.' … That shit happens, believe it or not, even with grown, wealthy men.

"So, I prefer to let Mikey do his hot sauce and I'll help him promote it," Sammy added. "I love the stuff. First of all, he's a pepper head. This guy could eat five habaneros right in a row. He grills 'em, puts salt and lime on 'em and eats 'em right off the stem… We call him Iron Mike. He's all good to go."

Concluding, Hagar reiterated: "No business together. We're in business already."

Back in 2014, Sammy told the St. Louis, Missouri radio station KSHE that Michael was his "favorite guy to party with." He added: "I like to play music with him, I like to drink with him, I like to eat tacos and hot sauce with him, and I like to just hang out and drive cars with him. It's, like, no matter what I wanna do, or what he wants to do, both of us are willing to do it. It's, like, 'Hey, you feel like going to eat some tacos?' 'Yeah, let's go.' 'Hey, let's go drive some cars.' 'Yeah, let's go.' We have everything in common. And so he's my favorite guy to hang with. So being on the road with him is just a joy. And being on stage with him is just a joy. He's just upbeat, positive all the time. I love the guy."

In a recent interview with Guitar World, Hagar said that Eddie Van Halen was "jealous" of the friendship Sammy had with Michael. He said: "Mikey is like my brother from another mother. So much so that back in the early VAN HALEN days, Eddie would get all jealous. Mike and I would get into these soulful conversations for hours, and Eddie would be on the outside looking in. Even in the early days, Eddie would say, 'Hey, I wanna hang out like you and Mike do.' And I was like, 'Cool, man. Let's do it. So, what's the problem?'… I guess Mike and I are cut from the same cloth. Eddie hated it, would get mad on stage, and called it stupid, but we had our inside lingo and were always very close."

THE CIRCLE's latest album, "Crazy Times", came out in September. The LP debuted at No. 6 on Billboard's Top Albums chart, Sammy's second top 10 in the last four years.

Chilean heavy metal band, Hell's Satans, have signed a licensing deal with Wormholedeath for their self-titled album, Hell's Satans, due for release on January 27.


The band speaking of the upcoming album stated: "It expresses everything we feel as a band in what is day to day, religion, beliefs, injustice, and our roots; It has many influences like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween. This album is a unique heavy metal with a lot of power and energy and the best thing is that it is in Spanish."


Hell's Satans, a band that fuses classic heavy metal and all the power of thrash metal. The content of the lyrics in all their songs expresses the current and transcendental reality of the history of society, as well as the free thought of the members of the band.




Originally from Villa Alemana, a city and commune in Chile's Zona Central, the band was founded in early 2008 by Patricio Cruz (vocals) and Christian Aros (bass). In those years the band was dedicated to playing covers and participating in not so crowded events, then in 2011 they began to compose their own songs, and made changes to their lineup, from that year the band imposed its style and energy on the increasing massive stages.


In the years 2020-2021, the management and recording process of the band's first self-titled album, Hell's Satans, began, musically produced at the Vardager studios in the city of Quilpué.





Hell's Satans tracklisting:


"Leviatán"
"Doble o Nada"
"Asesino Serial"
"Sueños Oscuros"
"Hell's Satans"
"Amulepe taiñ Weichan"
"Quema de Iglesias"
"Heavy Addiction"
"Luciferi Excelsi"


"Asesino Serial" video:





Lineup:


Eduardo Esteban Mariman Hidalgo
Nicolas Esteban Layana Diaz
Christian Andres Aros Henriquez
Nicolas Sebastián Velásquez Carvajal
Ricardo Patricio Cruz González

Back in August, Lamb Of God performed upon the Ronnie James Dio Stage at the 2022 edition of Bloodstock Open Air 2022, at Catton Hall and Gardens in Walton-on-Trent, England. Professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set can be viewed below.


Setlist:


"Memento Mori"
"Ruin"
"Walk With Me In Hell"
"Resurrection Man"
"Nevermore"
"Now You've Got Something To Die For"
"Contractor"
"Omerta"
"11th Hour"
"Omens"
"Hourglass"
"512"
"Ghost Walking"




Encore:
"Vigil"
"Laid To Rest"
"Redneck"

Serbian melodic hard rock band, The Big Deal, have released a cover of TNT's "Intuition". Stream/download the track here, and watch a music video below:





Frontiers Music Srl released First Bite, the debut album from The Big Deal. Order/save the album here.




The Big Deal, featuring two outstanding vocalists, Ana Nikolic and Nevena Brankovic (who is also a highly skilled keyboard/piano player), offers up a catchy, driving sound that will appeal to a wide swath of rock and metal fans from lovers of melodic rock and hard rock to symphonic and power metal fans. Guitarist Srdjan Brankovic, the band's producer and main songwriter, may be recognized by some fans from his work with progressive metallers Alogia, of whom drummer Marko Milojevic is also a member.


The Big Deal first came together when guitarist, composer, and producer Srdjan and keyboardist Nevena, who is an academic pianist and singer, started working with singer Ana Nikolic. Ana had spent the past few years fronting local bands, but after meeting Srdjan and Nevena, they started collaborating in the studio together on some songs. While working on some new ideas, Srdjan thought it would be interesting to include Ana's vocals in addition to Nevena's in the recordings they were working on. After a couple of songs were finished, they were overjoyed with the results and thus some of The Big Deal's first demos were born. These would eventually morph into the music that was presented to Frontiers and ultimately got them signed. To round out the lineup, the band brought in drummer Marko Milojevic and later, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Revolution Saints) on bass (who was instrumental in introducing the band to the label).


Both Srdjan and Marko are members of the most successful Serbian progressive metal band, Alogia. Throughout his career, Srdjan has played on many festivals and tours, recorded and collaborated on countless studio and live albums, and opened for some well-known bands such as Whitesnake, Ian Paice, Apocalyptica, Savatage, and more. He was also a member of Michael Matijevic's live band in Bulgaria. On his “Expedition Delta” and “Alogia” albums, he collaborated with names such as Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Mark Boals, Erik Norlander, Gary Wehrkamp, Fabio Lione, and Hansi Kursch, among others.





Tracklisting:


"Never Say Never"
"I Need You Here Tonight"
"Sensational"
"Top Heaven"
"Wake The Fire"
"In The Dead Of The Night"
"Rebel Lady"
"Power On"
"Bad Times, Good Times"
"Fallen"
"Lady Of The Night"


"Bad Times, Good Times" video:





"Top Heaven" video:





"Sensational" video:





"Never Say Never" video:





Album stream:





Lineup:


Nevena Brankovic – vocals and keyboards
Ana Nikolic – vocals
Srdjan Brankovic – guitars
Marko Milojevic – drums
Alessandro Del Vecchio - bass