Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson has weighed in on bands who rely heavily on pre-recorded tracks during their live performances.

In recent years, more and more artists have been given a pass for relying on pre-recorded tracks, drum triggers and other assorted technology that makes concerts more synthetic but also more consistent. For better or worse, pre-recorded tracks are becoming increasingly common for touring artists of all levels and genres and they're not just used in pop music — many rock artists utilize playback tracks to varying degrees.

Speaking to the Syncin' Stanley YouTube channel about some rock acts' reliance on pre-recorded tracks, Ellefson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think most of my friends in the big groups who are out touring are doing the best they can to sing and play to provide a top-level show. I'm not so concerned about friends my age and older who are out playing huge legacy shows, because people wanna hear them [sounding] great. They're paying big money. Same way [when] you go to Las Vegas and see a show, you expect top-notch entertainment, and that's what I think they're doing. What I find really odd is young bands who are playing everything sort of in the box, if you will, with digital processors rather than amplifiers, running backing tracks, in-ears. I find that's a little stranger in a small club, to hear a band that has all their backing tracks. Some bands, they need it, 'cause it's part of their show; it's part of their schtick. But I find it's interesting that younger bands are doing it more than legacy bands. So I think rather than focus on a couple of legacy bands who have come out and said, 'Hey, we're running track so we can make our vocals the best they can be,' hey, God bless 'em. They were forthright. You know what you're getting. They're not hiding anything. But young bands that are doing different theatrical things, running tape, it's not even a bad thing; it's just part of their show. They've set the tone from the beginning, that, 'Hey, we wear costumes. We wear outfits and different things. And we run backing tracks.'"

Ellefson added: "So, that's my opinion on backing tracks. If you need it for your show, use 'em. If you don't, don't use 'em. It's entertainment. It's show business. You're selling a ticket to a customer, a fan who is expecting top-notch entertainment.

"So, there you have it. That's my view."

In March 2020, SHINEDOWN guitarist Zach Myers said that "90 percent" of rock artists use at least some pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. He told Rock Feed: "It bothers me that it bothers people. I'm, like, 'Why does this bother you?' It's the way it is. People have been doing this since the '80s. And we want the sound to be the best it can be. Could we go up there, just the four of us, and put on the best rock show ever? Of course. But that's not how we wanna do it."

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has previously said that he is "one of the last people" who are still not using pre-recorded tracks at their live shows. "I don't know how much longer I can say to you that I don't use tapes onstage, because I don't, and I never have," he told Consequence Of Sound. "And I still don't. When I have opening bands, and they're using tapes, and then I come out and I don't use tapes… sometimes, it makes me feel stupid, because I'm like, 'What am I doing, when all these kids half my age can come onstage and do all of my moves, but they don't have to warm up for an hour before the show, or weeks, before the first show?' Sometimes, I'm like, 'Why do I even bother, if the public is so used to this other way?' It's becoming very rare to come see a good band that's actually a real band — that's not miming or doing silly moves while a tape is running. It just becomes more rare as the years go on."

In 2019, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith said that he doesn't "agree" with certain rock artists relying on pre-recorded tracks during their live performances. "I tell you what, I see it with a lot of younger bands, and I don't think it's a good thing at all," he told the New York Post. "I mean, the music is getting too technical now. You have computerized recording systems, which we use, but I think we use them more for convenience than because we need to. We've toured with a couple bands that use tapes — it's not real. You're supposed to play live; it should be live. I don't agree with using tapes … I think it's a real shame."

One musician who has been open about his band's used of taped vocals during live performances is MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx, who said: "We've used technology since '87." He added the group employed "sequencers, sub tones, background vox tracks, plus background singers and us. [MÖTLEY CRÜE also taped] stuff we can't tour with, like cello parts in ballads, etc.... We love it and don't hide it. It's a great tool to fill out the sound."

In a 2014 interview, MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars admitted that he wasn't comfortable with the fact that his band used pre-recorded backing vocals in its live shows, claiming that he preferred to watch groups whose performances are delivered entirely live. "I don't like it," he said. "I think a band like ours… I have to say '60s bands were my favorite — '60s and '70s bands — because they were real, like, three-piece bands or four-piece bands, and they just got up there and kicked it up. Made a mistake? So what? Sounded a little bit empty here or there? So what? It's the bigness and the rawness and the people that developed and wrote the songs and made them and presented them. To me, that's what I really like. I mean, I could put on a MÖTLEY CD and play with it all day long. I don't wanna do that."

KISS lead singer Paul Stanley, who has been struggling to hit the high notes in many of the band's classic songs for a number of years, has been accused of singing to a backing tape on KISS's ongoing "End Of The Road" tour.

Back in 2015, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons slammed bands who used backing tapes for not being honest enough to include that fact on their concert tickets.

"I have a problem when you charge $100 to see a live show and the artist uses backing tracks," Simmons said. "It's like the ingredients in food. If the first ingredient on the label is sugar, that's at least honest. It should be on every ticket — you're paying $100, 30 to 50 percent of the show is [on] backing tracks and they'll sing sometimes, sometimes they'll lip sync. At least be honest. It's not about backing tracks, it's about dishonesty.

"There's nobody with a synthesizer on our stage, there's no samples on the drums, there's nothing," Gene continued. "There's very few bands who do that now — AC/DC, METALLICA, us. I can't even say that about U2 or THE [ROLLING] STONES. There's very few bands who don't use [backing] tracks."

Over the last year, Scardust have been teasing a “Secret Project” on their social media channels, asking their fans to guess what the secret is about. Today, the secret is finally revealed. A magical fairy tale or heavy progressive complexity? Why not both?


"We didn't have to think too much about this one, our fans did it for us,” explains singer Noa Gruman. “Over the years, they have called us ‘Disney Metal’ on so many occasions while describing our music, we felt like we owed it to them and to the rest of the world!"


Scardust is proud to present "Evolution Of The Disney Princess - But She's METAL". A journey through the years, chronologically representing the different Disney princesses, backed up with the band's heavy and complex instrumentation, Noa's versatile singing, and the epic Hellscore choir. All this goodness is brought to life in a complementary one-take video, emphasizing the evolving medley concept.




Between writing and recording their next album, and while touring again after the pandemic pause, Scardust were able to put this project together and even document the entire process. A recording VLOG can be found below, and soon after the video release, a behind-the-scenes video will pop up as well. Additionally, the song is available for streaming and download on Bandcamp and various other digital platforms.








Scardust’s last album, Strangers, was released in late 2020 and despite the world’s Covid setback the Israeli quintet persevered through the challenges presented to them and recorded and released a phenomenal effort described by Dead Rhetoric as “captivating from start to finish.” Their sophomore record, Strangers, presented a unique concept album built of complementary song pairs working from the outside in resulting in something fresh which received strong critical and fan approval. Seven music videos were presented and the band played shows in their native land, as well as various spots throughout Europe culminating with an appearance at Wacken Open Air Fest.


Noa Gruman is also recognized as a verifiable talent and has also been a featured guest lead vocalist on albums from noteworthy artists including Therion, Amorphis, Orphaned Land, Gloryhammer, Mike LePond, Winterhorde, and Subterranean Masquerade.


Lineup:


Noa Gruman - Vocals
Yadin Moyal - Guitar
Aaron Friedland - Keyboards
Orr Didi - Bass
Yoav Weinberg - Drums

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz has weighed in on the fact that PANTERA's surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) have united with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

Anselmo and Brown, along with Wylde and Benante, are headlining a number of major festivals across South America, North America and Europe and staging some of their own headline concerts. They will also support METALLICA on a massive North American stadium tour in 2023 and 2024.

According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn't tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It's unclear what changed his mind.

Adam discussed his views on the PANTERA comeback in an interview with the RRBG Podcast. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Obviously, I'm a firm believer that the two guys that are missing are two of the most crucial [members].

"I think as long as it's done tastefully and with respect to the two brothers, I feel like it's a good thing. 'Cause it can be seen as a celebration of their music, and I think that's good," he continued.

"I grew up with PANTERA, and I've always thought Dimebag was one of the greatest guitar players in metal ever. [He was] another one of those guys, you just hear him play and you're, like, 'That's Dime.' You know exactly who's playing. Such personality.

"PANTERA just put that stamp in metal music so hard, and its importance is so tremendous," Adam added. "You just make sure you do not disrespect that legacy, man. Don't do it, man. Don't do it. As long as it's done tastefully. Do everything the right way."

Dutkiewicz went on to say that his appreciation for PANTERA's music was affected in the wake of the January 2016 incident when Anselmo made a "white power" gesture onstage during his appearance at "Dimebash".

Anselmo performed the PANTERA classic "Walk" at the January 22, 2016 event at the Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, California in honor of Dimebag. As he left the stage, he made a Nazi-style salute. He appeared to say "white power" as he made the gesture, but he later claimed he was referring to drinking white wine as part of an "inside joke" and was reacting to the audience members up front who he said were taunting him.

"I'll be honest, I stopped listening to PANTERA for a while after that whole thing with Phil," Adam said. "I don't agree with that. So, yeah, I stopped listening to PANTERA for a while."

Back in March 2016, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach was also critical of Anselmo's actions at "Dimebash", telling Artisan News: "It shouldn't rock the metal community; they should have known. The guy [Anselmo] has done this before. It's not a surprise. What's a surprise is backstepping. If that's what you are, and that's what you're all about, then so be it."

He continued: "To me, there's no place for that in music, but that's just my opinion. I think it's terrible. I wrote a lot of songs about actively fighting against racism.

"Every time I get this question, my answer is the [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE] song 'Hate By Design' [about prejudice and discrimination being passed on from generation to generation]. Just read the lyrics. There's your answer."

Leach went on to say that Anselmo's actions have not affected his opinion of PANTERA as a whole. He explained: "PANTERA is a legacy, absolutely. But, to me, PANTERA was a band; it wasn't just Phil. It's PANTERA. I'm not gonna hate PANTERA because of what one person did. But, you know, the way I think about it now, he dug his own grave, and good luck to him."

The reformed PANTERA played its fourth concert without Rex Sunday night (December 18) at Knotfest Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil. The show took place six days after Rex confirmed that a positive COVID-19 test forced him to miss PANTERA's performance at Knotfest Chile in Santiago on Sunday (December 11). Filling in for him at both gigs was CATTLE DECAPITATION bassist Derek Engemann, who also plays with Anselmo in both PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS and SCOUR.

The new PANTERA lineup made its live debut on December 2 at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest and also performed on December 6 at Monterrey Metal Fest in Monterrey, Mexico.

In a recent interview with U.K.'s The Telegraph, SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo were asked by writer Ian Winwood whether Ian was "in the company of wealth." According to Winwood, both men answered, without hesitation, with the word "yeah." Millionaires, Ian wondered. "Yeah," they said. And how about multimillionaires? "Yes," was the response from Bolan, while Sabo said: "Almost."

Rachel added: "There's a very popular American DJ, who will remain nameless, who talked shit about us on his show saying that we all live in tents. And I'm, like, well, then I've got two very nice tents."

Bolan previously touched upon people's misconceptions about SKID ROW's financial status this past July in an interview with Fistful Of Metal magazine. Asked if it is still viable to make a living as a musician these days. Rachel responded: "People have this misconception that everyone in the band is broke, and we're not. We had some massive songs, which I guess they forgot about, and we sold nearly 23 million records [laughs], so we're not broke by any means. I heard some woman say, 'Oh, they live in tents', and I'm, like, 'Okay. I've got a couple of tents, one in Jersey and one down in Atlantic City, and they're nice tents, y'know?'

"We never had to go back to day jobs; the albums keep selling, and we make good money on the road," he explained. "That's another misconception that we play for peanuts; it's a lot of peanuts. [Laughs] Don't slip on the fucking shells."

Back in 2015, Sebastian Bach told Rodney Holder of Australia's Music Business Facts that only three of the members of SKID ROW's classic lineup were part of the band's record deal with Atlantic: Bach, Bolan and Sabo. "And so, those agreements are done before you go into the studio," the singer said. "You have entertainment lawyers that speak to each other about what's happening and then you sign everything and then you go do it. And the ironic thing is, I haven't been in a room with Rachel Bolan in [more than] 20 years, but we are still in a business relationship together. We have the same accountant, and I get statements and we get… It's very strange, 'cause we are close together in a business sense — still, and forever — but I don't even have any relationship with the guy. So it's very strange and weird."

Asked if he "did okay" financially as a member of SKID ROW, Sebastian said: "We all did okay. When you sell 20 million records, everybody does okay. I mean, that's how many albums we sold and videos, singles… But, you know, we signed a publishing deal with [Jon] Bon Jovi's company, which gave him an extremely large cut of the first album. 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."

Regarding whether he sees himself as a businessman, Bach told Music Business Facts: "Definitely. I am the president of Get Off My Bach Productions, and I am the boss in my band. I have a crew, I have a guitar tech, drum tech, soundman, tour manager, monitor man, band members… So, yes, I am a businessman. It depends on what interview I'm doing, you know, how I'm gonna answer that, as I said before. But, of course I am… Here's one thing that I should tell you: I sign my own checks. If this is a business article about business, here's something I'll tell you: you be the person that signs your checks. And that took me years to figure out. I had, in SKID ROW, accountants that sometimes I didn't even really know that would handle all the money and sign my checks for me. And you know what? That's not cool. I would say one of the greatest feelings I have is I'm the guy that signs my checks for my company — nobody else has that power, and people have tried to get it. And I'm, like, 'No, I'm the guy that signs checks for Sebastian Bach.' And so that would be a piece of advice that I would say would be good to keep."

Bach fronted SKID ROW until 1996, when he was fired. Instead of throwing in the towel, the remaining members took a hiatus and went on to play briefly in a band called OZONE MONDAY. In 1999, SKID ROW reformed and, after a bit of shuffling over the years, featured a lineup consisting of Bolan, guitarists Sabo and Scotti Hill, alongside drummer Rob Hammersmith and singer Johnny Solinger. SKID ROW fired Solinger over the phone in April 2015, a few hours before announcing ex-TNT vocalist Tony Harnell as his replacement. Eight months later, Harnell exited the band and was replaced by South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart, who previously fronted DRAGONFORCE, TANK and I AM I. Theart was fired from SKID ROW in February and was replaced by Erik Grönwall, who was previously a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T.

SKID ROW's new album, "The Gang's All Here", was released in October via earMUSIC.

DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie spoke to The Heavy Hooks Show about the band winning its first-ever Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, which was held in April at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. DREAM THEATER was nominated for "The Alien", a track from its 2021 album "A View From The Top Of The World". DREAM THEATER's previous Grammy nominations were for the song "On The Backs Of Angels", from 2011's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album, and the single "The Enemy Inside" from 2013's "Dream Theater".

After joking that he "already sold" his Grammy on eBay," LaBrie said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Do you know that you have to sign a waiver [before you get the Grammy statue]? They send you a contract — it's whatever, a document — and you have to sign it. And in that document, the literature reads that if you are ever… 'Cause there's a serial number with each Grammy, obviously, and if it's found that you sold that particular Grammy, you will be fined — severely… They're not saying [how much the fine would be]. I don't know. I have no idea. But I would imagine it would be severe enough, not to mention embarrassing. And why the hell would you want to? I guess with somebody like Bruce Springsteen — what does he have, like, frickin' 20 Grammys? But still, at the same time, it's something to be proud of."

Grammy-giving authority the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences requires winners to sign a contract of sorts which forbids them to sell their prizes, though they may be passed on within the family when that particular artist dies

Several years ago, NARAS's publicist Jerry Sharell confirmed to the news site Vocativ that each Grammy statue is "legally owned by the organization" and that the artist only has the right of possession. The verbiage in that agreement explicitly states that by accepting the award, you agree that it is "for your own personal, noncommercial purposes” and that "sale, auction, public exhibition, reproduction or other public or commercial exploitation of the Statuette," without permission from the Academy, is prohibited.

A few days after DREAM THEATER won its Grammy, LaBrie told Myglobalmind about the experience: "Well, it was overwhelming, the feeling, and it was quite surreal and it took a while for it to sink in — I think a couple of days before I was, like, 'Wow. Okay. So this actually did happen. I guess the third time's the charm, 'cause we were nominees a couple of times before for 'On The Backs Of Angels' and 'The Enemy Inside'.

"When it happened and our name was called and then [DREAM THEATER guitarist] John [Petrucci] went up on stage, I thought he did an amazing acceptance speech," he continued. "He was well poised and well worded, as always; he's a very intelligent individual.

"It's an amazing feeling. I guess it's another level of recognition for us and another feather in our cap, so to speak," LaBrie added. "But, no, it's just a great feeling and it's affirmation as to the kind of band that we are and how we've been around for some time. And it's good to get that recognition from the Grammy [Awards]."

Ché Aimee Dorval is best known in rock circles as one half of Casualties Of Cool, the country rock project launched by Devin Townsend in 2012. Dorval also toured with Townsend as part of his live band for the Empath album, released in 2019, and recorded vocals for a few of his Quarantine Project  single released during the pandemic. Dorval also appears on Townsend's new Lightwork record.


Dorval's new solo album, The Crowned, was initially slated to be released in November 2022. It has now been confirmed for January 20th, 2023.







Tracklist:


"The Crowned"
"Falling Under"
"Loveless"
"Want That Soul"
"Blood Red Son"
"Sensibilities"
"Sorta Loves Me"
"Try"
"Sleeping, Stoned"
"Lionize"
"What is Enough (Desired and Adored)"


Ché Aimee Dorval was raised in Vancouver by her mother, a plethora of hippie Aunts, punk rock Uncles and a colourful extended family. Think Little House on the Prairie meets the Lost Boys. Ché's childhood was one of constant creativity and adventure, instilling in her a strong sense of individualism that she took out into the world and onto the stages of local clubs in Vancouver. She lived the troubadour life and became embroiled in the Toronto indie music scene. As she grew and spread her wings, music took her around the world, both as a solo artist and with her critically acclaimed band Casualties Of Cool, a joint venture with prog behemoth Devin Townsend, who she recently collaborated with again by featuring on his latest album Lightwork alongside Nile Rodgers.


The nomadic lifestyle led to her working in LA with hitmakers Greg Wells, David Foster and Kara Dioguardi; performing with Michael Bublé, Kim Churchill and Dan Mangan and releasing music with industry heavyweights Andrew Loog Oldham (Rolling Stones) and Tom Sarig (Lou Reed).


Pre-pandemic, Ché was working with Bob Rock, who produced half of the album. When we emerged from lockdown, Ché had self-produced the rest. This album tells a story of an artist’s evolution and growth.


"Blood Red Son"





"Falling Under"





"Loveless"

Greg Puciato’s debut solo album, 11/11/22 Los Angeles, is streaming now exclusively via Bandcamp, with preorders for the vinyl version of the 11-song album available now here.


11/11/22: Los Angeles by Greg Puciato


Puciato has also shared an additional video from the namesake performance, a clip that features guest vocalist Reba Meyers (Code Orange).







11/11/22 Los Angeles is available on a number of highly-limited (250 copies) vinyl variants: neon green splatter on clear, blood red over electric blue, neon magenta over milky clear, opaque black on clear with neon orange platter, and black splatter on transparent blood red. The album will arrive on additional streaming services following its vinyl release in the spring.


Joining Puciato and Meyers for the live performance are Nick Rowe (guitar), Chris Hornbrook (drums), James Hammontree (guitar), and Jeff “Manwolf” Geiser (bass).


"You don't get many first shows,” says Puciato of his November 11 outing at Los Angeles’ Don Quixote. “Having the ability to properly document one and get high quality audio and video... I didn't wanna regret not doing that. It's gonna be killer to look back at this 100 or even five shows from now and see how much further along the live versions of these songs are. When I hear these recordings, I instantly feel transported to that room, that night, with my bandmates onstage and friends and everyone there in attendance. A lot of love and support and passion and hard work and talent in the room. I hope it does the same for you if you were there, and resonates as strongly for people who weren’t able to attend. I can't wait to do more of this and see everyone again and more of you in other places down the line."





11/11/22 Los Angeles tracklisting:


"No More Lives to Go"
"Deep Set"
"Lowered"
"Do You Need Me to Remind You?"
"Absence as a Presence"
"Never Wanted That"
"Down When I’m Not"
"All Waves to Nothing"
"A Pair of Questions"
"Evacuation"
"September City"


"Deep Set" (Live) video:





Greg Puciato came to prominence as the singer of The Dillinger Escape Plan, quickly becoming one of music’s most unpredictable and versatile vocalists. Throughout his career he has been equally adventurous when choosing his projects. From the metal-centric Killer Be Killed, to the brooding, R&B-infused electro outfit The Black Queen, onto his two remarkable solo albums (2020’s Child Soldier: Children Of God and 2022’s Mirrorcell), and recently, his work with Jerry Cantrell, Puciato has amassed a dynamic and impressive body of work.


(Photo - Stephen Odom)

During an appearance on this past Monday's (December 19) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was asked if he and his bandmates will ever play live again. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm not answering that. Why should I? First of all, there's five members in this band, and to ask one member isn't fair."

When asked by host Eddie Trunk if he personally would like to play with AC/DC again, Johnson: "Eddie, I cannot answer that. I've been told not to by everybody. It's the official line."

Pressed about whether he would like to make another AC/DC album as a follow-up to 2020's "Power Up", Brian said: "It's gettin' tabloidy here. You're gettin' tabloidy."

He continued: "If I say one thing, it'll be blown out of all proportion. You just can't afford to talk now. There's too much blabber on the Internet. And I'm not on any kind of Face-thing or social media at all — never have been. It's just gossip."

Johnson hasn't performed with AC/DC since he departed mid-tour in 2016 amid revelations he was suffering from hearing loss. He was replaced on the remainder of that tour by Axl Rose.

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with the GUNS N' ROSES frontman as a "guest vocalist." At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC's singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

Johnson wrote in his recently released autobiography "The Lives Of Brian" that he has never seen any of the widely circulated videos of Rose's performances in the band.

"I'm told that he did a great job," Johnson said, "but I just couldn't watch — especially when you've been doing it for 35 years. It's like finding a stranger in your house, sitting in your favorite chair. But I bear no grudges. It was a tough situation. [AC/DC guitarist and co-founder] Angus [Young] and the lads did what they felt they had to do. That said, after the band released a statement confirming that I was leaving the tour and wishing me all the best for the future, I couldn't relax or concentrate on anything. It was just always there.

"Part of the pain of it was that I blamed myself," he admitted. "For most of my career, I'd been in the loudest band in the world. I'd flown constantly. I'd flown even when I knew I wasn't well.

"For a while, people would ask me if I was depressed, but depression is treatable. My hearing loss wasn't. What I was feeling wasn't depression. It was something closer to despair."

"Power Up" was released in November 2020. The LP was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and 2014's "Rock Or Bust".

To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer's hearing problems.

Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and "miniaturizing" the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.

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),will apparently release a new song early next month.

On Tuesday (December 20),THE LUCID shared an Instagram graphic of the group's logo along with the date of "1.3.2023" and captioned it: "#comingsoon".

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 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.

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Rotting Christ frontman/founder, Sakis Tolis, has released the video below, stating: "This is a song that consists exclusively of words with Greek roots, so it can be understood and read from both Greek and English speaking listeners! Hope you will enjoy this version of my "it's all Greek to me" song!"


Watch a lyric video for "The Origin", made by Wolf's Path Media Creations, below:







Tolis recently checked in with the following update: "My dear friends, I would like to  announce my first attempt to perform live as a solo artist in the glorious Inferno Music Festival in Norway early next year. I will perform my first solo album, Among The Fires Of Hell', and songs that have never been performed from Rotting Christ and Thou Art Lord. Look forward to seeing you all there and meanwhile stay tuned for live updates from Rotting Christ. Spirit up brothers & sisters!"





Sakis is featured on Insomnium's new single "White Christ", from their upcoming ninth full-length, Anno 1696, out in February via Century Media Records. Check out the official video below:

Frontiers Music Srl recently released the debut album, We Belong To The Stars, from Sweden's Ginevra, a new group comprised of vocalist Kristian Fyhr (Seventh Crystal), guitarist Magnus Karlsson (The Ferrymen, Primal Fear), bassist Jimmy Jay (H.E.A.T.), and drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (ex-Eclipse, Nordic Union).


Order here, and watch a new video for "Masquerade" featurning Chez Kane below.


Ginevra came to be after Kristian Fyhr sent Serafino Perugino, Frontiers Records President, some songs he had written for consideration to be used on future Frontiers' label projects. One particular song, "My Rock N' Roll" jumped out at Perugino and he asked Fyhr if he would be interested in fronting a new band that would craft an entire album in a musical direction illustrated in that song, which was substantially different from Fyhr's main band Seventh Crystal. The final results brought Ginevra's sound under the same big umbrella of excellent Nordic melodic hard rock like H.E.A.T, Eclipse, Crowne, and the like, but without necessarily sounding like those bands. Ginevra is hooky and melodic, but mostly heavier and more guitar/riff oriented than traditional melodic rock. Perugino thought that Magnus Karlsson, who contributed to the songwriting for the album as well, seemed the perfect fit to play guitar for Ginevra and when approached about participating, he was keen on the idea.




With a powerful vocalist like Fyhr and a monster guitarist like Magnus Karlsson, whose resume speaks for itself, a top notch rhythm section needed to join the fold. Jona Tee, whom Frontiers has worked with as a musician and/or producer on releases from New Horizon, Crowne, and Temple Balls, recommended his H.E.A.T. bandmate Jimmy Jay for the bass position and he was the perfect fit. For the drum stool, Magnus Ulfstedt, who has played with Eclipse, Nordic Union, and Jimi Jamison, was asked to join the band and complete this excellent Swedish foursome.


Kristian Fyhr first came to the label's attention with Seventh Crystal, the other band he is lead vocalist for. Seventh Crystal's 2021 debut album, Delirium was a real breath of fresh air in the melodic rock scene considering the band managed to acknowledge the traditions of the genre, while also bringing in modern hard rock elements. Fhyr has also contributed to the songwriting of recent albums from the label, including Giant's Shifting Time. The pairing of Fhyr's vocal and songwriting talents with Karlsson's stunning guitar playing and songwriting has birthed something truly special and melodic hard rock fans can look forward to yet another gem from the ever fruitful Swedish hard rock scene.





Tracklisting:


"Siren’s Calling"
"Unbreakable"
"Apologize"
"Masquerade" Feat. Chez Kane
"Break The Silence"
"Brokenhearted"
"We Belong To The Stars"
"I’ll Be Around"
"Falling To Pieces"
"The Fight"
"My Rock’n’roll"


"Masquerade" feat. Chez Kane video:





"Apologize" visualizer/b-roll video:





"Unbreakable" video:





"Siren’s Calling" video:





Lineup:


Kristian Fhyr - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Magnus Karlsson - Guitar, Keyboards
Jimmy Jay - Bass
Magnus Ulfstedt - Drums


Additional musicians:


Chez Kane - Vocals on "Masquerade"
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards


Produced, mixed & mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio
Executive Producer / A&R - Serafino Perugino

Black Hole's new album, Whirlwind Of Mad Men, was released last month via Rockshots Records. The band have released the video below, a symphonic metal tribute to Iron Maiden's classic tune, "Fear Of The Dark". The cover features former Helloween guitarist, Roland Grapow.





Formed in the East of France, Black Hole is a collective of musicians who play and perform for the pleasure and passion of metal above all. Their new album Whirlwind Of Mad Men follows their two EPs Victim Of Illusion (2000), Children Of The Sun (2006), and their first full-length 2018's Lost World (Via Nocturna). Since their inception Black Hole has supported bands like Nightwish, Rage, Evergrey, John Oliva's Pain, Firewind, Circle II Circle, Jeff Scott Soto, Nightmare, Vulcan, Killers, Shakra, Tankard along with performing on multiple festivals in France (Foire aux Vins, Festival Fracass), Germany (Regio Jam), and Belgium (Devil's Rock for an Angel).




Their sophomore full-length Whirlwind Of Mad Men navigates between heavy and power metal with melodies carried between the vocals and guitar solos along with being supported by solid rhythmic parts and great orchestral pieces which give intensity to the compositions. The diversity of all the songs allows listeners to travel through various atmospheres and contexts. The album's goal is to give feelings of power while mastering strong emotional moments.


The new album also features new member Christophe (keyboards/orchestrations), adding more epic and orchestrated tracks. A collaboration that promises to be more interesting than their previous record Lost World. Mixing and mastering were helmed by Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween, Masterplan) who also added a guitar solo on the album's cover track of Iron Maiden's "Fear Of The Dark".


"We are very happy to be releasing this powerful symphonic metal album. We have worked hard to deliver a high-quality product. The lyrics, the moods, the symphonic arrangements, and the performances of each individual give a special resonance to this record. The overall sound and the sound of each instrument has been an essential point throughout the genesis and we are proud of the finished product. The visual side is not to be outdone. The high-quality artwork represents well the universe of the themes and the general atmosphere of the album. We hope that fans will take as much pleasure to listen to it as we did to conceive it," adds the band.


Order at the Rockshots Records webshop.





Tracklisting:


“Chasing The Kraken”
“Walking With The Devil”
“Dark Horizon”
“Whirlwind Of Mad Men”
“Legend Of Justine”
“My Precious Dream”
“Never Surrender”
“Breaking The Rules”
“Line Of Sight”
“My Friend”
“Deliverance”
“No Return”
“Fear Of The Dark” (Iron Maiden cover)
“Dream On” (Aerosmith cover)


“Never Surrender”:

AXS TV has shared the video below, in which Sammy Hagar takes a drive through NorCal where he tastes some vino at the Mountain Winery and catches up with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Later, Sammy and Billy are all smiles while they jam out to the ZZ Top staple, "Waitin' For Te Bus".





Sammy Hagar & The Circle's new album, Crazy Times, is available now via UMe. Order here.







Tracklisting:


"Intro: The Beginning Of The End"
"Slow Drain"
"Feed Your Head"
"Pump It Up"
"Be Still"
"You Get What You Pay For"
"Crazy Times"
"Funky Feng Shui"
"Father Time"
"Childhoods End"
"2120" (bonus track)
"Father Time" - Acoustic Demo (bonus track)


"Father Time" video:





"Funky Feng Shui" video:





"Crazy Times" video:





"Pump It Up" video:

Rockshots Records announce their signing of Italian melodic death band, Embryo, for the release of their fifth album, A Vivid Shade On Misery, on March 17. For the album's recording, the band recruited international drumming powerhouse George Kollias (Nile).


The fifth full-length follows the band's 2017's A Step Beyond Divinity (Art Gates Records), 2015's self-titled (logic(il)logic Records) that featured Fleshgod Apocalypse's drummer Francesco Paoli, 2010's No God Slave, and their 2006 debut Chaotic Age.


Since the band's inception, Embryo has toured across Europe with Melechesh, Keep Of Kalessin, Tribulation, Nile, Immolation, Ragnarok, Monuments Of Misanthropy, and Suffocation along with performing on festivals such as Masters of Rock (CZ), and Total Metal Festival (Italy).




Embryo began writing their fifth offering in 2020 with George Kollias, and entered the Domination Studio in July 2021 with producer Simone Mularoni, and engineer Simone Bertozzi.


Monolithic, intense, powerful, technical, and melodic this new album features eight brand new tracks and is another concept album like its predecessor, A Step Beyond Divinity. The band is inspired by historical Italian figures of the Renaissance era and their tormented lives, their absolute genius, and the gifts they gave to the world. While the previous album was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, this new work is totally inspired by Michelangelo Merisi alias Caravaggio, an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life.


"With A Vivid Shade On Misery we want to have listeners dive into our world by giving them brutal and atmospheric music melted together in the way we love to do plus having Kollias drum on this new album, one of the best drummers in the world, is just an absolute honour. Overall, fans will find this album has the "Embryo" matrix, there's no doubt about that. It will be a more direct record and its songs make up a pattern that takes the listener on a journey through torments and anxieties, but which at the same time gives him pure energy," adds the band.


From the band's first album to today, Embryo's music has evolved over the years. On the first record, they were more brutal and messier, now their compositions are much more “thought out” and brilliant. If they had to use one word to describe their compositional evolution they would say "sharp".


Recommended for fans of Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Death, and Dimmu Borgir, Embryo will be sharing singles and videos in the coming months in lead up to the record's release.





Tracklisting:


"Pride"
"Highest Fame"
"Darkest Lights"
"The Seed Of Lividity"
"MMDC"
"Medusa"
"Vanitas"
"Concrete Visionary"


Current lineup:


Roberto Pasolini - Vocals
Eugenio Sambasile - Guitars
Simone Solla - Keyboards
Gabriel Pignatta - Bass
George Kollias - Drums (guest)

The grand finale of Atrocity's Okkult trilogy will be available early next year. The new album, Okkult III, will be released on January 20 via Massacre Records. Pre-order here.


Guest musicians on the Okkult III album include: Elina Siirala (Leaves’ Eyes, Angel Nation), Zoe Marie Federoff (Cradle Of Filth, Catalyst Crime), Robse Dahn (Equilibrium), Misstiq, Jonah Weingarten (Catalyst Crime, Pyramaze) as well as Igor Górewicz.


Check out the new single, "Malicious Sukkubus", featuring Elina Siirala and Zoe Marie Federoff below. Watch for the official video to surface later today.







Killer production by Alexander Krull at Mastersound Entertainment. Striking horror sound effects provided by Emmy Award-winning Canadian sound designer Katie Halliday (Saw, Stranger Things, Star Trek: Discovery).


The lyrical concept about the dark side of human history, obscure stories and mysterious places is spun further on Okkult III. "We look deep into the mental abysses of the serial killer Józef Cyppek from Szczecin, Poland, in the 1950s ('Cypka'), experience the great conspiracy of the Schwarze Reichswehr after World War I ('Born To Kill'), dive into the world of modern ghost conjuring ('Faces From Beyond') and into the occult machinations of the Vatican and the Order of the Knights Templar ('Bleeding For Blasphemy')," says Atrocity.


Okkult III is the culminating conclusion of the Okkult trilogy, and a self-proclaimed German death metal masterpiece.





"Desecration Of God"
"Fire Ignites"
"Born To Kill"
"Bleeding For Blasphemy"
"Priest Of Plague"
"Malicious Sukkubus" (feat. Elina Siirala & Zoe Federoff)
"Lycanthropia"
"Faces From Beyond"
"Cypka"
"Teufelsmarsch" (feat. Robse Dahn & Misstiq)


"Desecration Of God" video:





"Born To Kill" video:





"Faces From Beyond"





(Photo by Stefan Heilemann)