Catalan atmospheric metal band, Foscor, have released a cover of "This Twilight Garden", originally created by The Cure for their 9th album, 1992’s Wish, as the B-side for its first single, "High".


Says Foscor: "It's always exciting to share new music with you... and despite this is a new cover of a 90's icon, we really hope you may recognize Foscor in this The Cure translation...


"For some reason, this love song resounds in our hearts since we heard and read its content decades ago... Its foggy ambience, subtle care of the details and sweet description of the acts, perfectly match with the way we have always conceived music in Foscor. Even more during these last years since “Les Irreals Visions” conception, and our creative future was chosen.




"Probably Fiar's favourite The Cure song, we always wondered how could only be featured as a B-Side on that album, without the fair recognition it deserved... At the end, this is a song all The Cure fans know and value for its beauty, which now we try to translate into our language, celebrating the milestone it is.


"The gross visual connection chosen for the visualizer has obviously nothing to do with the real lyric content... but from our hearts sets and shows a trace of things to come... our next album. Love in capital letters as an act of closure for our trilogy you will discover at due time. At the end, we all love the beauty of darkness and the tragic world we live in.


"30 years mean too much time for too much things, but is worth celebrating when the purest emotions are involved in a song and band like The Cure.


"Once again, we hope you enjoy and share the celebration! To all of us, and for many more years of tragic darkness..."


Download/stream the track here, an official visualizer/lyric video can be viewed below:

Cult Japanese black metal legends, Sigh, have released a video for "Shoujahitsumetsu", featured on their new album, Shiki, released back in August via Peaceville. Watch the new clip below:





Shiki, an opus of dark & eclectic blackened heavy metal, shrouded in traditional eastern influences, marks the latest chapter in the Sigh legacy and includes some of the band’s heaviest and darkest material for some years; a fine hybrid of at times primitive black metal akin to early influences such as Celtic Frost amid more epic melodic heavy metal riffing and solos. It will take you on a journey through the strange and the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles & experimentation throughout their career. Highlighting that Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field whilst maintaining their old school roots.




The word "Shiki" itself has various meanings in Japanese such as four seasons, time to die, conducting an orchestra, ceremony, motivation, colour. The two primary themes for the album are "four seasons" and "time to die". The concept and artwork is based around a traditional Japanese poem, and on Shiki Mirai explores how at this stage of life he himself is going through autumn, with winter coming soon, and so empathizes with the contrasting sentimental feelings from watching cherry blossoms (a symbol of spring) in full bloom.


Joining Mirai and Dr Mikannibal for this release are Frédéric Leclercq of Kreator, plus US drummer extraordinaire, Mike Heller of Fear Factory and Raven, along with an appearance by longtime member Satoshi Fujinami on bass. Shiki was recorded across multiple studios, and mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD studios in Germany. The album utilises a whole host of instruments to give further texture and dynamics to the compositions and eerie atmosphere, incorporating traditional oriental instruments such as the Shakuhachi & Sinobue flutes.


Sigh, featuring mainman Mirai Kawashima, Satoshi Fujinami & Kazuki Ozeki formed in 1989/90 and following their initial demos, Shinichi Ishikawa was brought in, and Sigh set about recording the masterpiece debut Scorn Defeat for Euronymous’ Deathlike Silence Productions, going on to become one of the country’s greatest and most revered metal exports.


Shiki is available on CD / black vinyl LP / limited edition green vinyl LP and digital. Order here.





Tracklisting:


“Kuroi Inori”
“Kuroi Kage”
“Shoujahitsumetsu”
“Shikabane”
“Satsui – Geshi No Ato”
“Fuyu Ga Kuru”
“Shouku”
“Kuroi Kagami”
“Mayonaka No Kaii”
“Touji No Asa”


"Satsui" video:





“Mayonaka No Kaii”:

Swedish rockers, Creye, have announced the release of their new album, their third overall, III: Weightless, on February 17. A new single and music video, "Spreading Fire: has been released today. Watch the video below, and pre-orders/save III: Weightless here.


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


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




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





III: Weightless tracklisting:


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


"Spreading Fire" video:





- Produced by: Jacob Gustafsson


Lineup:


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

In a new interview with Louder Sound, Venom frontman, Cronos, discusses the birth of black metal, the success of former support band Metallica, and why there’s zero chance of the classic lineup getting back together. An excerpt follows...


Q: You haven’t spoken to Jeff Dunn and Tony Bray in 20 years, so the odds on a reunion are… what?


Cronos: “Less than zero. I owe them nothing, and they’ve got nothing I want. We still get fans saying, ‘The Venom Legions want the old line-up back together!’ We tried in the 90s and it wasn’t well received. The last thing I want to do is get onstage with those other two doddery old fuckers and put on a sub-par performance. I’m getting better album sales now, so why the fuck would I want to go back to that? I just want Venom to be great.”




Q: But after all you achieved together - changing the course of heavy music, and influencing so many great bands that followed - don’t you feel sad that there’s no relationship between the three of you now?


Cronos: “Yeah, of course it’s sad. But we had a blast, and I’ll cherish those memories.”


Read the full interview at Louder Sound.


Venom wrapped up their 2022 tour schedule with a performance at Knotfest Columbia on December 9.

In a new interview with QFM96's "Torg & Elliott" radio show, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was asked if he has ever met somebody famous that he was "in awe" of. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes, that has happened, and it was [THE BEATLES legend] Paul McCartney. I didn't know what to say to him. I mean, for the first time I was absolutely tongue-tied. And then [fellow BEATLES legend] Ringo Starr walked in beside him. And it was Paul that spoke to me, 'cause he heard me talking to somebody. And he said, 'Hello, Geordie.' You know, because they call us Geordies, with the accent. And I went, 'Hello, Paul. Sir Paul. Your honor. Your majesty.' I didn't know what [to call him]. [Laughs] I just came across like I was breaking a friend's teeth in — I couldn't speak. So it was hard. And then we became friends, which is even harder to describe. If you're in a hotel and somebody like McCartney says, 'Fancy a spot of lunch, kid?' And you go, 'Yes.'"

Back in April 2015, Johnson said that he had received words of support from McCartney ahead of AC/DC's headlining appearance that year at the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival.

"I ran into him downstairs [at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, California]," Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. "He goes, 'Brian, you get on that stage and I'm telling you, you see all these kids looking for the hip-hop acts. Then they see you, and they're like, 'Who's he? Oh, yeah — me dad talks of him.' But he said it's great because you're doing your thing, and eventually all the kids go, 'He's cool, this dude!'

"It kind of takes you right back to the start, when you had to win over an audience," the singer added.

When Johnson appeared on "Joe Walsh's Old Fashioned Rock 'N' Roll" radio show, he was asked to name his favorite song in the world. He said: "Right off the top of me head, the thing that makes me smile every time I hear it is 'Get Back' [by THE BEATLES]. And if you listen to Ringo's drumming on there, it's sensational."

Brian is currently promoting his long-awaited autobiography, "The Lives Of Brian", which arrived in October — a year later than originally planned.

The book was published in the U.K. by Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of Penguin Random House, by publishing director Rowland White. It was published simultaneously in the U.S. by Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins.

Johnson joined AC/DC in 1980 after the death of previous lead singer Bon Scott.

His first album with the band, "Back In Black", went on to become the biggest-selling rock album of all time.

Veteran thrashers OVERKILL performed a brand new song called "Wicked Place" during their December 9 concert at the Ruhrpott Metal Meeting in Oberhausen, Germany. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

"Wicked Place" will appear on OVERKILL's 20th studio album, "Scorched", to be released next year.

The name of the upcoming OVERKILL LP was revealed last Friday by drummer Jason Bittner in a social media post. He shared a few photos of the band's appearance at Ruhrpott Metal Meeting and included the following message: "Last one of the year!!!! See you in 2023 with 'Scorched' - the 20th album in the OVERKILL catalog!"

This past August, OVERKILL singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth told Neuborn Open Air Festival about the band's upcoming LP: "Well, I wrote the record three times — my end of the record, I wrote it three times — and I destroyed the first two of them, because it was being influenced by the pandemic, and I don't think we've ever been those type of people. I started listening and I said… I'm not the most upbeat person when it comes to the presentation of music, but I think that if you compare OVERKILL to other bands in this scene, we don't always take the negative road; we try to take the positive road for things. And the pandemic led me to go on a different path, and I didn't wanna do that. So I tore the whole record down and rewrote it once I saw that stuff was opening… But it made me feel more comfortable with the fact that, okay, this is fresh, it's current. It's not something that was written in 2020. It was written in fucking '22, and it's gonna be recorded in '22. So it's a good feeling right now."

Earlier in the year, OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni told Hardrock Haven about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's 20th studio album. He said: "I had almost all of it written when we went out on the tour before COVID, 'cause that's where we were in our cycle. So I had to have my part — the music for the record — pretty much done. I had two songs left that I had to do when I got back home. 'Cause that's where we needed to be, 'cause the record was supposed to come out in the fall of that year or whenever. But then we were, like, 'We've got a little extra time.' And then we had more extra time."

He continued: "It was funny, because usually I'll kind of demo up everything at home, all the songs, and I'll send it out to the guys, and then they'll learn the stuff from the demo and then we'll get together and play. [And then we'll decide] 'Maybe it should be faster or slower' — we kind of noodle around till it feels good in the room. But we weren't able to do that 'cause of COVID. But now that it's taken so long, we could have done that. So, I don't know exactly… This one's still gonna be a bit of an odd record 'cause it was kind of done all remotely — everything. We're gonna put out a record of songs that we've not one single time stood in a room and played together."

As for the musical direction of the new OVERKILL material, Verni said: "Compared to the other ones… It's hard to say. It's maybe got a little bit more SABBATH-y kind of parts in it, a little bit more doomy.

"I know Colin Richardson's gonna mix it," he added. "Poor Colin. We thought we were gonna do it, and then we pushed him off, and then we pushed him off again, and then we pushed him off again. An we said, 'You know what? We'll call you when we're ready.' So whenever that's gonna be, we'll call him again. But we're psyched about that 'cause he's just great. He's a great mixer and a great producer. So if nothing else, it'll sound great."

Richardson previously worked with OVERKILL on 1997's "From The Underground And Below", 2000's "Bloodletting" and 2003's "Killbox 13".

Ellsworth previously told 69 Faces Of Rock that the band's new album was tentatively scheduled for an April 2023 release, "followed by a European tour."

Regarding the sound of the new OVERKILL material, Blitz said: "It's gonna be hard to figure it out for me until it actually takes shape. It seems a little bit more eclectic for us. It's riff driven, not rhythm driven. The songs will contain two or three different riffs throughout it — the main [riff] and then two that are kind of secondary riffs, which I think is a little bit unique for us, to be singing over something like that. Heavy, of course. I mean, there's some sledgehammer stuff on it — that kind of big, thick groove. I think the other side of it is that it shows kind of experienced speed, would be the word. Some of them just take off."

In June 2020, Ellsworth told A&P Reacts that the band's new songs were "a natural progression from 'The Grinding Wheel' [2017] and 'The Wings Of War' [2019]. I think when we had done the 'Ironbound' record [2010], it almost became like a trilogy in there — it was kind of like 'Ironbound', 'The Electric Age' [2012] and 'White Devil Armory' [2014], and they seemed to be the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost kind of a thing," he said. "I think we kind of broke the mold a little bit with 'The Grinding Wheel', and then I think a little bit more with 'The Wings Of War'. And on this one, I see it way more. And what I mean by that is that we've used other tools from our toolshed in the past, and that's the slow grind that is coupled with that fast gallop. So it feels like a natural progression, but maybe two records ahead of what 'The Wings Of War' is. And that's probably as objective as I can be."

OVERKILL spent most of 2019 and early 2020 touring in support of its 19th studio LP, "The Wings Of War", which was released four years ago. The disc was recorded at Gear Recording Studio in New Jersey, SKH Studio in Florida and Jrod Productions with engineering handled by Verni and guitarist Dave Linsk. The album was produced by the band while Chris "Zeuss" Harris took care of the mixing and mastering. Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, SOILWORK, DEATH) was again enlisted to create the artwork for the album.

"The Wings Of War" marked OVERKILL's recording debut with Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM),who joined the band in 2017.

Greg Puciato, who has released both his critically acclaimed debut and sophomore solo albums in the short span of two years, has set a December 20 release date for his inaugural live album, "11/11/22 Los Angeles".

"You don't get many first shows," says Puciato of his November 11 outing at Los Angeles's 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."

A preview of the 11-song collection arrives today with the Jim Louvau- and Tony Aguilera-directed video for "Deep Set (Live)". Puciato noted: "'Deep Set' feels good to lead with. One of my favorite memories of the tracking of 'Child Soldier: Creator Of God' were the vocals to this song...incidentally recorded at the same time of year as this show. The song was always meant to feel loose and live; the recorded vocal was a front-to-back one-take that we did in a shed in Nick Rowe's [producer and live guitarist] backyard...so bringing it to life onstage with him, and Chris [Hornbrook] for the first time felt like a nice, symbolic full circle."

"11/11/22 Los Angeles" will be available exclusively via Bandcamp, with the album streaming on December 20, and vinyl pre-orders launching the same day. The collection will arrive on additional streaming services following its vinyl release in the spring.

Joining Puciato for the live performance, and featured in this video, are the aforementioned Nick Rowe (guitar),Chris Hornbrook (drums),James Hammontree (guitar) and Jeff "Manwolf" Geiser (bass).

"11/11/22 Los Angeles" track listing:

01. No More Lives To Go
02. Deep Set
03. Lowered
04. Do You Need Me To Remind You?
05. Absence as a Presence
06. Never Wanted That
07. Down When I'm Not
08. All Waves To Nothing
09. A Pair Of Questions
10. Evacuation
11. September City

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, on to 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 credit: Stephen Odom

The reformed PANTERA played its second concert without bassist Rex Brown Monday night (December 12) at Movistar Arena, a 17,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Santiago, Chile. The show took place just a couple of hours 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 were CATTLE DECAPITATION bassist Derek Engemann, who also plays with PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo in both PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS and SCOUR, and Bobby Landgraf, who previously played with Anselmo in DOWN.

PANTERA's setlist for the Movistar Arena gig was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:

01. A New Level
02. Mouth For War
03. Strength Beyond Strength
04. Becoming
05. I'm Broken
06. Use My Third Arm
07. 5 Minutes Alone
08. This Love
09. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit
10. Fucking Hostile
11. Planet Caravan (BLACK SABBATH cover)
12. Walk
13. Domination / Hollow
14. Cowboys From Hell

PANTERA's headlining concert in Santiago was originally scheduled for December 13 at the 5,400-capacity Teatro Caupolicán but was moved to a day earlier at Movistar after the Teatro Caupolicán show "sold out so quickly," the band said in late October.

Earlier on Monday, Brown released the following statement via PANTERA's social media: "I caught a very mild strain of Covid, but because of our own protocols, I simply do not wanna risk getting my brothers or the crew sick!! I'm feeling better & am on my way to a speedy recovery. Merry Fckn Christmas & see you all next year!"

On Sunday, Chilean radio station Futuro reported that Brown flew from Bogotá, Colombia, where PANTERA performed at Knotfest Colombia on Friday (December 9),back home to the United States to quarantine, thereby missing the remainder of the PANTERA shows in South America.

Joining surviving members Brown and Anselmo in PANTERA's reformed lineup are guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX).

PANTERA is next scheduled to play two shows in São Paulo, Brazil — on Thursday, December with JUDAS PRIEST and on Sunday, December 18 at Knotfest Brasil.

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.

It was first reported in July that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

The band will headline a number of major festivals across North America and Europe and stage 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.

Up until his passing, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.

Vinnie passed away on June 22, 2018 at his other home in Las Vegas at the age of 54. He died of dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease. His death was the result of chronic weakening of the heart muscle — basically meaning his heart couldn't pump blood as well as a healthy heart.

PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo joined SEPULTURA onstage last night (Monday, December 12) at Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile to perform the SEPULTURA classic "Arise". Fan-filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

SEPULTURA was the support act for the reformed PANTERA at the 17,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena. The show took place just a couple of hours after bassist Rex Brown confirmed that a positive COVID-19 test forced him to miss PANTERA's performance at Knotfest Chile in Santiago on Sunday (December 11) as well as the following day's concert. Filling in for him were CATTLE DECAPITATION bassist Derek Engemann, who also plays with Anselmo in both PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS and SCOUR, and Bobby Landgraf, who previously played with Anselmo in DOWN.

PANTERA's headlining concert in Santiago was originally scheduled for December 13 at the 5,400-capacity Teatro Caupolicán but was moved to a day earlier at Movistar after the Teatro Caupolicán show "sold out so quickly," the band said in late October.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser discussed PANTERA's comeback in an interview with Ireland's Overdrive. Speaking about the pushback by some fans over the fact that Anselmo and Brown are touring under the PANTERA name, he said: "I think it's so stupid that people try to judge the fact that there are gonna be some live shows. It's just so stupid. Their music is so fantastic, and there are countless bands all over the world that are jamming their songs every single day. Phil and Rex are gonna be doing it, and the actual family of the brothers are behind it, supporting it. So, how some people have negative things to say about it, it's something I just don't understand. The existing bandmembers, the existing crew, the family of Vinnie and Dime are all behind it, so, what's the problem? It's an amazing gathering of friends with Charlie and Zakk — they have a long history with that band. It's gonna be a big party, and I'd love to be part of it. In fact, we're gonna be playing with them at some festivals, and I'm very excited about that.

"Look, it's never gonna be the same, but people need to understand that even if the brothers were still alive, it would be different," he explained. "So my advice is, relax, go out with your friends, see the show, and sing '5 Minutes Alone' with Phil Anselmo. [Laughs]

"I don't understand what these people are complaining about. Just enjoy yourselves."

SEPULTURA recently completed the fall 2022 "Quadra" European tour with SACRED REICH and CROWBAR.

SEPULTURA comprises Kisser, singer Derrick Green, bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. and drummer Eloy Casagrande.

SEPULTURA was formed in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer with the band.

THE EXPLOITED frontman Wattie Buchan was rushed to hospital after collapsing on stage due a suspected heart attack during the band's concert in Colombia on Saturday night (December 10).

The 65-year-old punk legend, who has a history of heart problems, was performing the song "Army Life" with his bandmates at La Estrella Roja Calle 66 when he started feeling unwell, clutching his chest and bending down before dropping to his knees.

A spokesman for THE EXPLOITED later issued a statement to STV News saying: "The last gig in Colombia, Wattie had another suspected heart attack. He tried playing on but had to actually stop a couple of songs until he eventually collapsed. He got taken away to hospital in an ambulance but over 900 people refused to leave the venue until he heard he was alright.

"THE EXPLOITED are held as idols over here, and Wattie is seen as the king of punk. He has kept the punk movement alive when everyone in the press said it was dead. He is actually a living legend."

In February 2014, Buchan suffered a heart attack on stage in Lisbon, Portugal. Shows in August 2018 and September 2019 also had to be canceled due to Buchan's health problems.

A year after Wattie underwent a quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2014 following an onstage heart attack, the singer told I Probably Hate Your Band: "I thought I wouldn't be able to do gigs anymore, so I'm just glad I can still do gigs." He later told Tattoo.com about his heart procedure, "They cut my leg went right through my tattoo and put it back together," and added: "The most important thing in life is your health. If you don't have your health, you don't have fuck-all."

Following Buchan's collapse on stage on Saturday, THE EXPLOITED released a statement on its social media accounts.

It read in part: "[On] December 10th, 2022 during the end of the set Wattie collapsed on stage in Bogota, COL and was rushed into hospital by ambulance.

"Due to doctor's orders all remaining shows for 2022 have been cancelled.

"We apologize to the fans, promoters and everyone affected by this situation. Thank you for understanding. Also our London show on the 16th December will also be cancelled once again we are sorry about this but Wattie is exhausted and told to cancel all up coming gigs for this year."

Formed in 1979, THE EXPLOITED is widely considered to be one of the most influential punk bands of all time.

The group performed in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Brazil and Colombia as part of its fall 2022 tour.
Apologies to everyone that planned to catch us in Cali and London. We will try our very best to make it up to you all ASAP.
Wattie's health has to come first.

Huge thanks to the fantastic medical staff here in Bogota, your kindness is greatly appreciated.#punk#exploited#tourpic.twitter.com/DPEAZ6UjSo

— The Exploited (@ExploitedBand) December 11, 2022



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In a new interview with RadioacktivaColombia, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2018's "Firepower" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We were very fortunate, in a way. Me, Rob [Halford, vocals] and Glenn [Tipton, guitar] got together just before the pandemic. I think it was early 2020, just before the major lockdown happened, and we did a big writing session. So we got the majority of the material fleshed out — by no means finished, but we had the structures of the songs, a collection of songs there. So we got the majority of the ideas there. So that then, when the lockdowns happened, I could go away and work out musical parts and sort of flesh those ideas out. But the problem was we couldn't get back together to record them properly for another couple of years. So we had these ideas there for a couple of years before we could get back together and record them. But the ideas were there. We were lucky enough to have those ideas recorded in a demo form, really. So we had the ideas there before the lockdowns shut down. When the lockdowns opened up again, we got back on tour. So the challenge was to get them recorded while being on tour. But it was 2021, 2022 now, so the technological advances with recording allowed us to be able to do that."

Faulkner continued: "Some [of it was done] on tour. Some of us have recording studios at home now, so we can do 'em in between the tour cycles. So, for example, we would do Europe, and then we would go home and I would do the guitars at home, with Andy Sneap producing remotely. Or we'd go on tour again and Ian [Hill, bass] would do the bass on the road. And we'd do stuff like that. We did the drums in Nashville. So we were able to do those recordings a lot easier — we didn't have to be in one place. We were aware of the time. We had two years in lockdown and we needed to get this record started and recorded. And I think now we just need to do the vocals and a couple of bits of guitar and stuff. The majority is the vocals that Rob needs to do, and I think we're gonna do that early next year and get that finished and then it's done. So we're looking good; we're in good shape. And hopefully it's finished soon."

Last month, Halford told the Corpus Christi Caller Times that there was no specific inspiration for the band's upcoming LP. "We never really know," he explained. "I don't think we've ever made a plan, per se. We did a little bit with 'Firepower' because we wanted to explore our other classic elements with PRIEST. I think the only other time where we had a kind of blueprint was 'Painkiller'. We wanted 'Painkiller' to reinforce the ferocious metal power this band possesses. Besides those two, everything is just whatever happens. We get together, as we have done for all these albums, we meet at a studio, everyone brings their ideas — some days we start with nothing — and then we end up with a song that will live forever. It's just joyous. We always try to make an album that stands alone.

"['Firepower'] was so well-received and critically acclaimed," he continued. "It was kind of like, 'Is that it? Should we leave it there? Should we leave the party now?' But that record, along with the reception from our friends and in the industry, gave us even more energy and more determination to make another PRIEST album. And make one that's a strong piece of work to come after 'Firepower'."

Earlier last month, Faulkner told Robert Cavuoto of Metal Rules about the musical direction of the band's new material: "I've definitely used the word 'progressive' [to describe the new PRIEST music in previous interviews], purely because it's got a few musical turnarounds that 'Firepower' doesn't have. But that doesn't make it a RUSH record. It just makes it — instead of, like, a verse into a bridge into a chorus, there might be a couple of more musical passages in there to make it a bit more… interesting; might be the wrong word. I don't know. You've gotta be careful with the words you use these days. So it's not 'Firepower 2', but it's the same band a few years later, so there's obvious connections to the last record. But it's not 'Firepower 2' by any means."

Richie continued: "No PRIEST records have sounded the same, but it's got a common DNA. And you always try and make the next one sound a bit better — or whatever 'better' may be; 'better' is subjective. So, is it better written? Are the lyrics better? Does it sound better? And 'better' is always subjective. So it's hard to pinpoint, really. But it's a bit more of a musical adventure than the last one, I'd say. But then again someone might listen to it, when it does come out, and have a totally different interpretation of what it is. So it's always tough to sum up your own music without sounding up your own butt."

Asked if longtime PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier, will play on the band's album, Richie said: "He will be, yeah. I don't think he's recorded his guitar parts yet, but he's definitely involved in the writing of it. Obviously, we're all aware of his challenges with Parkinson's, so we were adamant that if he couldn't play that particular day that he was involved in the writing. He'd share his ideas with me and I'd kind of be his… he would share his ideas through me."

In October, Halford told AXS TV's Katie Daryl about what PRIEST fans can expect from the upcoming LP: "The same energy, the same vitality, the same determination, and it really is, again, another affirmation of what you love about JUDAS PRIEST. If you listen to any album from PRIEST from 'Rocka Rolla' in the '70s up to the 2000s with 'Firepower' and everything that went on between there, whether it was 'Turbo Lover' or whether it was the 'Painkiller' or '[You've Got] Another Thing Comin'', all of these pinpoints connect the dots of this great 50 years of metal, this journey that we're on. And it ain't over yet, folks, because that means another album and another tour. And we can't wait to keep pouring out the metal, 'cause that turbo power isn't gonna get turned off anytime soon."

This past February, Halford was asked by Remy Maxwell of Audacy Check In if he agreed with Faulkner's recent comment that the band's upcoming album will be more musically "progressive" than "Firepower". He responded: "Yeah, the metal is there. But here's the thing: we've tried our best not to replicate anything that we've done. From 'Rocka Rolla' all the way through to 'Firepower', each record has had a distinctive character. And it's tough because fans go, 'We want another 'Painkiller',' 'We want another 'British Steel'.' And [it's, like], 'Dude, we've already done that.'

"Fans know that we're a band that is always full of adventure and trying new stuff," he continued. "And so, yeah, this has got probably some more progressive elements that we've never really delved into before. And that's exciting, because, again, it gives us and our fans another opportunity to see a different side of PRIEST. But it's still metal. There's just more of it. There are more notes than there were before."

Also in February, Faulkner told Canada's The Metal Voice about the overall sound of the new PRIEST music: "Whenever you start a record, you never know how it's gonna turn out. So you might start with an idea of what it's gonna be, and as it kind of rolls on, it comes out something different. So you don't quite know. And also it's really hard to sum up your own music, I find, without sounding really pretentious. But I think this one — it's not 'Firepower 2', I don't think. It's its own thing, it's its own animal. If anything, I would say it's a bit more progressive in places, and in places it's got a bit more of that 'Killing Machine' swagger."

Faulkner added: "I know everyone says, 'Oh, is it the next 'Painkiller'?' or 'Is it the next…?' whatever… I don't know if they'd ever done it, but I know we've never done it when I've been in the band; we've never tried to recreate an album. It's always we try to create an album that stands on its own legs. So I think it's definitely a little bit more progressive than 'Firepower' and, as I said, in places it's got a little bit of that 'Killing Machine' angry swagger attitude going on. But again, as I said, we're waiting to see what it turns out like, 'cause it could turn out completely different."

A year and a half ago, Halford confirmed that PRIEST's next album would see the band reuniting with the "Firepower" production team consisting of Andy Sneap, longtime collaborator Tom Allom and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH).

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

Tipton announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". He was replaced by Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

In a new interview with Germany's Rock Bottom, ANVIL frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow was asked if there are any plans for him and his bandmates to record a live album or DVD. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have no intentions of ever doing a live DVD. I honestly don't believe in live recordings or live videos. You wanna come see the band? Come see the band. I'm not gonna make it easy for you to sit on your couch and be a couch potato and watch me in your living room. Come to my show. That's how I feel about it.

"One can say maybe it would help increase sales," he continued. "I don't think it does. There's maybe two albums in the history of the music business — Peter Frampton '[Frampton] Comes Alive!' There's one album that sold millions that was a live album. I can't really name another one. So what's the point?"

A remastered edition of ANVIL's acclaimed documentary, "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil", received its premiere in conjunction with Beyond Fest on September 22 in Los Angeles at the Saban Theater, where ANVIL also performed, along with appearances from surprise musical guests, including ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian. This was followed by a question-and-answer session with Kudlow and ANVIL drummer Robb Reiner, producer Rebecca Yeldham and director Sacha Gervasi, moderated by Steve-O from "Jackass".

The remastered "Anvil! The Story Of Anvil" arrived in time for its 13th anniversary. It features remastered picture and sound, as well as a new exclusive epilogue interview with Gervasi, Kudlow and Reiner moderated by former MTV host Matt Pinfield.

"Anvil! The Story of Anvil" was named one of 2009's best documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent, including critics in Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Las Vegas, as well as the International Documentary Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the National Society of Film Critics. It also made the year-end Top 10 lists in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Village Voice.

"Anvil! The Story of Anvil" was the directorial debut of screenwriter Gervasi and was produced by Yeldham ("The Kite Runner" and "The Motorcycle Diaries"). The film follows Kudlow and Reiner and their band, ANVIL, which released one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982's "Metal on Metal". The album influenced an entire musical generation of rock bands, including METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX, who all went on to sell millions of records. ANVIL, on the other hand, took a different path — straight to obscurity. The film was both entertaining and touching as it followed their last-ditch quest for the fame and fortune that has been so elusive to them.

ANVIL's latest album, "Impact Is Imminent", arrived in May via AFM Records.

Ozzy Osbourne has hit another career high with his first-ever career back-to-back No. 1 rock radio singles from his hugely successful and critically acclaimed "Patient Number 9" album (Epic). Today (December 12) the album's "One Of Those Days" (featuring Eric Clapton) reached No. 1 on the rock radio charts (Mediabase); it follows a No. 1 slot for the album's first single and title track, "Patient Number 9" (featuring Jeff Beck),released earlier this year.

"I'm fucking overwhelmed by the response that this album has had from everyone. I'm just blown away!" Ozzy says.

Last month, Ozzy was nominated in four categories at the 65th annual Grammy Awards. The "Patient Number 9" title track has been shortlisted for "Best Rock Performance" and "Best Rock Song", while the "Patient Number 9" LP is in the running for "Best Rock Album". Another track from "Patient Number 9", "Degradation Rules" (featuring Tony Iommi) is up for the "Best Metal Performance" Grammy.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, who has been held back from touring by a litany of health issues in recent years, previously has won three Grammy Awards and received eight nominations. In 1993 Ozzy won a solo Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for "I Don't Want To Change The World" and two Grammys as a member of BLACK SABBATH for "Best Metal Performance" in 2000 for "Iron Man" and in 2013 for "Best Metal Performance" for "God Is Dead?" from "13".

"Patient Number 9" — released September 9 and marking Ozzy's 13th solo studio album — triumphantly sets new career highs for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. The critically acclaimed album has topped his previous chart entries with record-breaking numbers around the world. In the U.S., the album debuted at No. 1 on multiple charts: Top Album Sales (Ozzy's first No. 1 ever on this chart),Top Current Album Sales (another first),Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Hard Rock Albums, Top Vinyl Albums and Tastemaker Albums charts; and at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Globally, the album charted at No. 1 in Canada (Ozzy's first-ever No. 1 there); career-high No. 2 entries in the U.K., Australia, Finland and Italy; No. 6 in the Netherlands and New Zealand; No. 8 in Belgium; and No. 14 France. Other highlights include No. 2 in Austria, Germany and Sweden; No. 3 in Switzerland; and No. 4 in Norway.

Working with producer Andrew Watt for the second time, Ozzy welcomed a dynamic A-list featured guests on the album. For the first time ever, BLACK SABBATH co-founder, guitarist, and riff-master Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album. The record also boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of PEARL JAM, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks. For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS appears on three songs. Old friend and one-time Ozzy bandmember Robert Trujillo of METALLICA plays bass on most of the album's tracks, with Duff McKagan of GUNS N' ROSES and Chris Chaney supplying bass on a few songs.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

In a new social median post, former Children Of Bodom members Jaska Raatikainen, Janne Wirman, and Henkka Seppälä look back on the band's first ever official video, "Deadnight Warrior". It is taken from the band's debut album, Something Wild, released in 1997.


Henkka: "'Deadnight Warrior' was the last song Alexi (Laiho) composed for the album. It was weird cos it was quite simple and short. Very different from the other songs. When the Spinefarm people were sure that it should be the video song I was surprised. But very soon I realized that it was a good choice!"


Jaska: "I remember we were freezing our asses off while shooting the video outside in the frosty winter night."




Janne: "The video was shot with a near zero budget which might have inspired the fake graffiti of asking the label for money."


Despite the tough circumstances, Ykä and Limppu did a great job filming this. Can you spot the fake graffiti Janne is talking about in the video?





As fans continue to mourn the death of Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho, who passed away in December 2020 at the age of 41, remaining members Jaska Raatikainen, Janne Wirman, and Henkka Seppälä recently shared the following announcement about an unexpected, but altogether welcome venture aimed at preserving the band's legacy:


"We toured actively from 1998 until 2019. We have visited a bar in almost every town we ever played in. From Hard Rock Café Tokyo to a dive bar in the outskirts of Milwaukee. Everything from the legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood to the Crobar in London UK.


Almost everyone in our profession dreams of opening their own bar at some point and we were no exception. When the active career of CoB was already coming to an end we started looking into it a bit more seriously. We had a warehouse full of memorabilia and we thought that a lot of people would want to see some of this stuff that used to be and still was very meaningful to us and the career of the band.


A thought of a museum felt a bit foreign but an idea of a bar that works as a museum displaying our gear and memorabilia seemed quite natural at this point. We had almost given up on this dream when the power duo of Jykä Peltonen and Kimmo Helistö emerged and were ready to provide us with their know how in the matter. Together we will build this unholy concoction of hard rock café and dive bar with a lot of Bodom in it. The new HQ of CoB will combine a museum and a bar but also include the possibility to experience the Finnish sauna culture. Situated naturally in Espoo only a stone´s throw away where the band started their career.


Bodom Bar & Sauna is being built in Espoo into a location with easy access to a Metro station. The establishment will also include three saunas. There will be no entry fee to the Bar and no age limit. There will be a fee for the sauna experience. We will open the Bar on 10.11.22."


Bodom Bar & Sauna opened according to plan, and some attendees have posted photos from their visit, which can be viewed below. In addition, Tuonela caught up with Raatikainen, Wirman and Seppälä to discuss the venture. Check it out below.











Follow Bodom Bar & Sauna on Facebook for updates as they emerge.

According to City News Service, GUNS N' ROSES has sued an online gun store called Texas Guns And Roses, alleging that the name of the store's web site is "confusingly similar" to that of the legendary rock band.

The lawsuit alleges that Texas company Jersey Village Florist operates the online store texasgunsandroses.com that "primarily sells firearms and firearm accessories, such as ammunition, scopes, body armor, suppressors, and metal safes, and also sells clothing and backpacks "without GNR's approval, license or consent."

GUNS N' ROSES claims that Jersey Village Florist "selected and adopted defendant's marks for the purpose of confusing consumers into believing that it was connected or associated with, or licensed by, GN'R."

Lawyers for GUNS N' ROSES further allege that Jersey Village Florist purports to sell roses and other flowers as "a contrivance to purportedly justify" the store's "wholesale appropriation of the GUNS N’ ROSES mark. Notably, [Jersey Village Florist] has not sought registration of any of Defendant's Marks for any goods or services related to flowers, and Defendant does not prominently market flowers for sale on its Website."
David L. Clark, a Houston attorney representing Jersey Village Florist, told City News Service that "there's never been any confusion (between the band and the website) and they have no evidence of confusion.

"This is an attempt to run up costs and burn us out," he said. "Our client sells metal safes for guns and flowers, and have a one-stop website and absolutely no one is confused. Nobody thinks we're the band or there is some affiliation. We will be fighting back."

According to the lawsuit, GUNS N' ROSES filed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) — a neutral body that functions like a court for trademark matters at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) — a petition in November 2021 to cancel Jersey Village Florist's registration of texasgunsandroses.com "on the grounds that the registered mark is likely to cause confusion with the GUNS N' ROSES mark, falsely suggested a connection with GN'R, and was likely to dilute the GUNS N' ROSES mark.

"Notwithstanding GN'R's cease and desist letters and commencement of the TTAB proceeding, [Jersey Village Florist] has continued to use Defendant's Marks and intentionally trade on GNR's goodwill, prestige, and fame without GNR's approval, license, or consent," the lawsuit adds. "This is particularly damaging to GN'R given the nature of Defendant's business. GN'R, quite reasonably, does not want to be associated with Defendant, a firearms and weapons retailer. Furthermore, Defendant espouses political views related to the regulation and control of firearms and weapons on the Website that may be polarizing to many U.S. consumers."

The suit seeks unspecified damages and a court order prohibiting the use of the web site name.

Photo credit: Katarina Benzova

During a "VIP Experience" question-and-answer session before one of W.A.S.P.'s concerts on the band's ongoing U.S. tour, frontman Blackie Lawless spoke about his memories of playing with METALLICA on January 30, 1985 at Sherwood Country Club in Indianapolis, Indiana. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We had gotten there late. We had a long drive the night before. Nobody got soundchecks that day. We were scrambling to try to make it happen. So we were flip-flopping [with METALLICA] every night [on that tour] — one night they'd close, one night we'd close — and this happened to be one of the nights we were closing. The dressing rooms were all downstairs, and it was like a maze down there; I mean, nobody knew where they were. Usually you get in early in the afternoon, and everybody gets kind of a feel for what's going on, signs are posted with arrows going this way and that way, what's where. I'm in there shaving and I hear METALLICA's intro start. And I'm looking up in the mirror and I'm shaving; I've got the razor at my throat. The door flies open behind me. There's Cliff [Burton, METALLICA bassist] standing there with his bass on. Now, their intro was playing. And Cliff's standing there. He goes, 'Blackie, Blackie, how do I get to the stage? How do I get to the stage?' I didn't know. I hadn't been up there yet. And I looked in the mirror. He was behind me. And I said, 'Cliff, honestly, I don't know.' And he goes, 'Oh, fuck you, Blackie.' He thinks I'm busting his chops. Two minutes goes by. I'm still down there shaving. They are already into the first song, and I hear the bass finally come in."

W.A.S.P. recently embarked on its first U.S. tour in a decade. The trek coincides with the band's 40th anniversary and includes support from ARMORED SAINT and MICHAEL SCHENKER on select shows.

W.A.S.P.'s first live performance since December 2019 took place on July 23 at Skansen in Stockholm, Sweden. A week later (July 30),W.A.S.P. also played at Skogsröjet festival in Rejmyre, Sweden.

W.A.S.P. recently postponed its European 40th-anniversary tour, originally scheduled for spring of 2022, until the spring of 2023. The new dates will take place in March, April and May of 2023. All tickets previously purchased for the 2022 tour will be valid at the rescheduled 2023 shows.

Lawless has led W.A.S.P. as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold-out shows across the globe for four decades. He is joined in W.A.S.P.'s current lineup by bassist Mike Duda and guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band span 26 and 18 years respectively, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester.