Frontiers Music Srl  announces T3nors, a very special new AOR project. Two of America’s greatest AOR singers, Robbie LaBlanc and Toby Hitchcock join forces with one of Sweden’s finest AOR singers, Kent Hilli to form the vocal trio of T3nors. These absolutely outstanding vocalists have come together on one glorious melodic rock album, Naked Soul, which will be released on February 10.


A single and video, "April Rain" is out today. Watch the video below. A second single, "Strength To Carry On" is also out now. Listen below. Pre-order/save Naked Soul here.


The story behind this record actually dates back quite a few years as Frontiers has been wanting to do a “three tenors” type of record for quite some time. Given the extremely high level of AOR vocal talent that the label has worked with in the past and continues to work with today, the idea never really lost steam. The issue was always finding the right pairing of three singers and the timing for the individual singers to have availability in their schedules to record. With the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, everyone's availability, for better or for worse, became more flexible and the idea started to become reality.




Pairing Robbie, Toby, and Kent together seemed an ideal team up and all three were enthusiastic about the idea when approached to participate. The rest, as they say, is history.


Kent Hilli is the newest of the three singers on the scene, but has quickly made an impact with the albums he has released with his main band Perfect Plan, as well as being the new frontman for Giant, solo material, and guest appearances with Restless Spirits, the melodic rock project from Lords Of Black guitarist Tony Hernando.


Toby Hitchcock is an American singer known for his solo albums as well as his work with the esteemed melodic rock genius Jim Peterik in Pride Of Lions.


Robbie LaBlanc is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his work with Blanc Faces, Find Me, a project with The Murder Of My Sweet drummer/producer Daniel Flores, East Temple Avenue, and more.


If you are a lover of all things AOR, the T3nors' debut album is a can't miss release.





Naked Soul tracklisting:


"April Rain"
"Naked Soul"
"Nights"
"Time Is Coming"
"Silent Cries"
"Torn"
"I Could"
"Mother Love"
"Set Fire To The Rain"
"Stand For Love"
"Strength To Carry On"
"April Rain" (Robbie’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)
"I Could" (Toby’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)
"Strength To Carry On" (Kent’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)


"April Rain" video:





"Strength To Carry On":





Lineup:


Robbie LaBlanc - vocals
Toby Hitchcock - vocals
Kent Hilli - vocals
Francesco Savino - guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - bass, additional keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals
Jacopo Martignoni - drums


- Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino

Those Damn Crows wear their heart on their sleeves with the release of their deeply personal and moving new single, "This Time I'm Ready". The song lays bare intense feelings around loss and grief, in the group's most revealing and vulnerable track yet, while losing none of the rock heft they're renowned for.


The single forms the midpoint on their upcoming, latest studio album, Inhale/Exhale, which is set for release worldwide on February 17 via Earache Records. "This Time I'm Ready" is released today and available now on all streaming platforms.


Frontman Shane Greenhall shares, "'This Time I’m Ready' is a song about a one way conversation I have with my Dad. He’s been gone 11 years now but as anyone who’s ever lost and grieved somebody close, you never stop talking to them as they were (and will continue to be) a huge part in your life. I think the whole grieving process can be both mentally and emotionally brutal, with long lasting effects. Everyone deals with pain and grief differently, I believe it’s made me stronger and genuinely given me more incentive and desire to go do the things I want to do... ‘This time I’m ready, light the fire in me."




The official video was filmed and directed by Nathan Roach (Coal Poet Media) with additional filming by Shaun Hodson of Loki Films. Watch the evocative video below.


Shane continues, "In the music video, myself, Lloyd, Dave, and Ronnie show our own personal stories and individual truths dealing with the loss and grief of our loved ones. For me… I believe that if I hadn’t experienced real loss in my life when I did, I’m not really sure if I would’ve been consciously capable of living my best life now. You don’t imagine what life would be like without a certain someone in it, but when it happens… then!… then you realize just how much we take for granted. Trauma will change you; grief will give you a perspective like nothing else, relentlessly force-feeding you the conflicting reminder of just how brutal, yet beautiful, life can be."


For support with or more information on bereavement, you can access a useful list of resources on the Mind website here.





Inhale/Exhale is available for pre-order worldwide now at earache.com/thosedamncrows on an immense number of formats including: a collector's edition bundle (which will house a burnt orange and black splatter vinyl with alternate fire carousel cover, exclusive to this edition); limited edition coloured vinyl with an exclusive 12-page booklet (clear with black smoke, purple, yellow), plus blue and white splatter vinyl with alternate blue sky carousel cover; signed CD with exclusive 12-page booklet and alternate fire carousel cover; a cassette collection of the band's full discography; USB; and digital download. HMV carry two more exclusive formats: CD with alternate blue sky carousel cover and black vinyl with alternate fire carousel cover. A green vinyl format exclusive to indie stores is also available.





Inhale/Exhale tracklisting:


"Fill The Void"
"Takedown"
"Man On Fire"
"Wake Up (Sleepwalker)"
"This Time I'm Ready"
"I Am"
"See You Again"
"Lay It All On Me"
"Find A Way"
"Waiting For Me"


"Man On Fire" video:





"Wake Up (Sleepwalker)" video:

Royal Hunt have released a video for "Live Another Day", a track from their new studio album, Dystopia - Part II, out now via King Records (Japan/SE Asia) and NorthPoint Productions (EU/N & S America). Watch the video below, and get the album in music stores or at royalhunt.com.


The second and final part of the concept again features guest performers: Mats Leven (TSO, Skyblood, Vandenberg), Mark Boals (Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt), Henrik Brockman (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N´Tribe), Kenny Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez) and Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP).


Royal Hunt keep expanding their trademark sound. As the story which inspired the project - Ray Bradbury´s classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” - gets more intense towards the end, the music turns into more dynamic, heavier direction. Once again the guest singers add even more dramatic contrasts to an already cinematic yet solidly rocking soundscape. Simply a “must have” for any symfo/prog/power fan out there.







Tracklisting:


"Midway (Resumption)"
"Thorn In My Heart"
"The Key Of Insanity"
"Live Another Day"
"The Purge"
"One More Shot"
"Scream Of Anger" A) "Hit And Run"  B) "The Thrill Of The Chase"
"Left In The Wind"
"Resurrection F451"


"Live Another Day" video:





Lineup:


André Andersen - keyboards
DC Cooper - vocals
Andreas Passmark - bass
Jonas Larsen - guitars
Andreas HABO Johansson - drums

In a new interview with Spain's RockFM, DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan discussed his apparent unwillingness to perform the band's classic song "Child In Time" live. He explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "No, no. It's not possible. I could drop the key down, but it wouldn't sound the same. I always make the analogy… When I was young, I used to be an athlete, and I used to do the pole vault; that was my sport. And when I was 25, I couldn't do the pole vault anymore. At 26, no, forget it. I can't do it.

"I always thought of 'Child In Time' not as a song but more like an Olympic event. It was so challenging. But yeah, when I was young, it was effortless. So we got to the point when I got to about 38 years old, and it just didn't sound right. So I thought, 'Better not to do it badly. Better not to do it.' So it's been the same, and I never looked [back].

"When I was 38, when I made that decision, I thought, 'My god. I'm nearly halfway through my life now,'" Gillan added. 'And it made me think about the future. Do I want to be a singer for the rest of my life? Well, of course. I must. I've been singing since I was five years old in a church choir, or since I was eight. And my whole family was musical — singers, musicians. And so, what do I do then? I don't wanna just be known for this scream, as it was called; I don't wanna be screaming when I'm 80 years old or 70 years old. It's undignified. But here I am, at 77, and I'm still screaming — up to a point. But the control element and the elevation of that note is beyond me, to be honest."

"Child in Time" was originally featured on DEEP PURPLE's 1970 album "Deep Purple In Rock". It was last performed by the band on its 2002 European tour.

DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover previously talked about Gillan's reluctance to perform "Child in Time" during an August 2020 interview with Noise11.com. At the time, he said: "This happened quite a few years ago. He drew a line in the sand. He said, 'I'm not gonna sing that song anymore.' And that was a personal decision. And we have to abide by that, because he's our singer, and we respect that.

"We wrote that song when we were 24, and when you're 24, you can do things a lot differently than you can when you're 74," he continued. "I think it was also spoiled a little bit by politics in the band back in the days. Ian Gillan, one night, couldn't go on and he said, 'I've got a cold. I can't do 'Child In Time' tonight.' And [then-DEEP PURPLE guitarist] Ritchie [Blackmore] went on and started playing the opening chords. Of course, the audience went nuts, and Ian was forced to do it. So it became a bit of a cause célèbre. And as Ian got older, he tried to do it, but we didn't wanna cheat and have the top harmony played by a sampler or a guitar or something like that. And so he said, 'That's it. I'm not singing that song ever again.' And it's not that he's not proud of it; it's just that he doesn't wanna sing it. And this was… I don't know how long ago this was… Ten, fifteen years ago."

Two months ago, Irish guitarist Simon McBride joined DEEP PURPLE as the permanent replacement for Steve Morse. McBride had previously toured with both Gillan and PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey,

In July, Morse officially left PURPLE to care for his wife, Janine, who is battling cancer.

Morse's announcement came four months after the guitarist said that he would be taking a hiatus from the band, in the hope of rejoining his bandmates once his wife's health improved. He was then replaced on the road by McBride.

Morse effectively took over Ritchie Blackmore's DEEP PURPLE slot in 1994 and had since been in the group longer than Ritchie.

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "Turning To Crime", came out in November 2021 via earMUSIC. The LP contains DEEP PURPLE's versions of great rock classics and musical jewels — including songs originally recorded by Bob Dylan, FLEETWOOD MAC, Bob Seger, CREAM and THE YARDBIRDS — carefully chosen by each member of the band.

In a new interview with Brian Edwards, founding JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about the fan and media response to the group's music and visual presentation when he and his bandmates first came on to the scene in 1969 near Birmingham, United Kingdom. He said: "It wasn't metal back then. It was something that evolved over probably 10 years. It was probably [PRIEST's 1980 album] 'British Steel' when everything jelled… The music was always getting heavier as we started out. The last thing we wanted to be was another blues band, because that was the big thing at the time; it was progressive blues and heavy blues and things like that. CREAM, FLEETWOOD MAC, FREE, even [Jimi] Hendrix — they were all blues-based, really, and we didn't wanna be another one of those; we wanted to be different. So we went on the heavier side of things — probably because of the area we were brought up in; very industrial — steel works and car factories, coal mines, it was all there. And we went from there. And it evolved over the years. In the early days, before we could afford stage clothes, there were satins and velvets and things like that, multi-colored shirts. And then, about 1980 and 'British Steel', everything jelled. We had been wearing leather for a couple of years before then. The music sort of focused at that point; we were on our track then."

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Singer Rob Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn 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 Richie Faulkner.

Hill married Rob's sister, Sue, in 1976 and they divorced in 1984. Together they have a son, Alex, who was born in 1980. Hill lived in Florida while he was married to his second wife, Letitia. They had a daughter with the same name.

Ian is joined in PRIEST's current touring lineup by Halford, guitarists Faulkner and Andy Sneap, and drummer Scott Travis.

The members of PRIEST have dealt with various health setbacks in recent years. Halford recently publicly revealed that he battled prostate cancer during the pandemic. He previously mentioned his cancer battle in the new chapter added to the updated paperback edition of his autobiography, "Confess". In "Confess", Halford revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing symptoms for at least a couple of years.

Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during the band's performance at the Louder Than Life festival in September 2021. Faulkner was rushed to the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital where the cardiothoracic surgery team needed approximately 10 hours to complete a life-saving surgery.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". He was replaced by "Firepower" producer Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

The estate of PANTERA drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott has issued a statement in support of the reformed band's upcoming shows — but stopped short of calling it a "reunion."

PANTERA — featuring surviving members Rex Brown (bass) and Philip Anselmo (vocals) along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) — will headline a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and stage some of their own headline concerts beginning in December 2022.

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

According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, Vinnie Paul 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.

Earlier today, Vinnie Paul's estate released the following statement via the drummer's social media: "There can never be a PANTERA reunion without Vinnie and Dime. However, there is no better way to celebrate and honor Vinnie and Dime's legacy, than to bring the music of PANTERA directly to the fans. We are honored that Charlie and Zakk, their very close friends and musical brothers, will share the stage with Philip and Rex, to unleash the power of PANTERA live around the world."

Longtime PANTERA producer Sterling Winfield, reportedly one of the people who control Vinnie Paul's estate, shared the above statement on his personal social media and he included the following message: "Here's the press release that the 'media' said we had already done six months ago. It was just posted about five minutes ago for the first time EVER.

"Don't believe everything the media tells you. Choose for yourselves. Enjoy it with open arms, minds & hearts. Or don't. The choice is yours. But don't make that choice for someone else."

A week ago, Winfield posted about the private PANTERA rehearsal he and several other people attended in New Orleans on November 21, calling it "something very special" and saying that his doubts were "silenced." He wrote in part: "I wasn't prepared for how classy, thoughtful and honorable it was presented to me and the other fine folks in attendance.

"I don't think other people, the general public, are going to be prepared for it," he added. "All of these people that have been talking negatively about it either online or in the media, without knowing a single thing about it. I honestly hope it either knocks them on their collective asses and that they eat their words, or that they simply regret not going as it passes them by."

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.

According to TMZ, Vinnie Paul left the bulk of his estate to his longtime girlfriend Chelsey Yeager and his best friend; Charles Jones got 38% while Chelsey walked away with 37%. The rest was split between Vinnie's tour manager (10%),drum tech (5%),producer (5%) and friend (5%). In addition, Vinnie gave his interest in Dimebag's estate to the guitarist's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney.

While he was alive, Vinnie Paul had repeatedly dismissed talks of a PANTERA reunion, telling Germany's EMP Rock Invasion in 2014: "People are selfish, man. They want what they want; they don't care what you want. And it's unfortunate that people go, 'Oh, wow, man, they can get Zakk Wylde to jump up there on stage and it's PANTERA again.' No, it's not, you know. It's not that simple. If Eddie Van Halen was to get shot in the head four times next week, would everybody be going, 'Hey, man, Zakk, go play for VAN HALEN. Just call it VAN HALEN.' You see what I'm saying? I mean, it's really selfish for people to think that, and it's stupid. It's not right at all."

He continued: "They call it a reunion for a reason. It's called bringing the original members back to what it was. So there's a lot of these things that they call reunions that aren't really reunions. They've got one dude from the band floating around in them, you know. That's not a true reunion. With PANTERA, it'll never be possible."

He repeated those same sentiments a few months later, telling PlanetMosh in a separate interview: "Without Dimebag Darrell, there is no [PANTERA] reunion. And that's all there is to it. We were a very influential band, and we touched millions and millions of people with that band, but it's over. People really have to come to grips with that, and that's all there is to it. If all of us were still here, then the possibility would truly be there, but since it's not, you know… It's selfish of the fans to want something that they can't have. And they don't ever understand that, and I get it. There's things I want in this world too. You know, people in fucking hell want ice water, but they're not gonna get it. So… Anyways, I'm glad that the people who have decided to follow me in HELLYEAH do, and hopefully more of them will. And the ones that wanna live in the past are gonna live in the past."

Up until his passing in June 2018, 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.

Haney in 2011 called on Vinnie and Philip to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag.

Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Haney told the producers of "Behind The Music Remastered: Pantera" that she forgave the singer after they found themselves unexpectedly face to face at a concert in California.

PANTERA will play its first show in over 20 years this Friday (December 2),a co-headlining slot at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest.

There can never be a PANTERA reunion without Vinnie and Dime. However, there is no better way to celebrate and honor...

Posted by Vinnie Paul on Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Here’s the press release that the “media” said we had already done six months ago. It was just posted about five minutes...

Posted by Sterling Winfield on Wednesday, November 30, 2022

I witnessed something very special tonight.
I had my doubts before arriving in town yesterday evening.
But tonight,...

Posted by Sterling Winfield on Monday, November 21, 2022

During an appearance this past Monday (November 28) on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show", METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich discussed his Danish upbringing and how his relationship with his parents has shaped who he is. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My dad was a professional tennis player, and he traveled around the world. And my favorite thing, when I was growing up, was to travel with him. So I spent the first six or seven years of my life basically on the tennis tour traveling around and hanging out backstage and locker rooms and on tennis courts. At that time, it was the Rod Lavers and the John Newcombes and the Ken Rosewalls and all those crazy-cool tennis players. And then kind of as my dad got into the later years, being around Jimmy Connors and Guillermo Vilas and Bjorn Borg and some of those guys in the '70s, I thought my dad was the coolest guy in the whole fucking world… I thought my dad was literally superhuman. And I was also an only child.

"When I came to America, when I met James [Hetfield, METALLICA frontman], when I met the other guys in the early years of the band and some of my friends when I landed here, there was that kind of rebellious thing. It was a big part of everybody who was 16 or 17; you were sort of rebelling against your parents. I never had that. I thought my parents were the coolest people in the world. Now, obviously, I've done therapy, and there were some issues, as you do a deeper dive into it… Denmark is a very liberal country, very safe country, so I'd say the flipside of my issues was I often was left alone and [I] may still carry some issues of abandonment. And I think part of the reason that I love being in a band and feel so safe with James, Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] and Rob [Trujillo, METALLICA bassist] and the rest of the METALLICA organization is I love being in a collective. They are the brothers I never had. And that safety in numbers.

"I would travel on the tennis tour with my dad, as I started school in Copenhagen," Lars added. "They would write letters to the headmaster, to the principal at school: 'We think it would be great if Lars came and traveled on the tour for a couple of weeks and he would learn some things and we would do homework and all that type of stuff, and follow the school work.' And then I would come home after being gone — and I'm talking, like, fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade now. So now I'd come home after being in the U.S. for two or three weeks, or some exotic place, and I remember walking into school and all the kids kind of pointing at me and going, 'Oh, you think you're so cool, traveling around the U.S. with your parents.' And I would get a little bit of that kind of bullying and so on, and some of that stuff definitely lingers for deeper conversations with therapists."

While still living in Denmark as a teenager, Ulrich played tennis professionally and could have gone on to a career as a tennis star, but chose music instead.

METALLICA was formed when Ulrich, who had moved to Los Angeles, placed an ad in a local paper called the Recycler looking for other musicians to play with. The ad was answered by Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of the band LEATHER CHARM.

METALLICA officially formed in October 1981 and the band's first recording was "Hit The Lights" for the compilation "Metal Massacre".

Bay Area DJ Ron Quintana came up with the group's name: he was debating between using "Metallica" and "Metal Mania" for the name of his radio show and Ulrich encouraged him to use "Metal Mania" so that he could use "Metallica" for his new band.

METALLICA's first full lineup — featuring Hetfield, Ulrich, guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney — played its first gig on March 14, 1982 at Radio City in Anaheim, California.

In a new interview with Australia's Heavy, former HIM frontman Ville Valo weighed in on METALLICA's 2004 documentary, "Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster", which followed the legendary metal band through the three most turbulent years of their long career, during which they battled through addiction, lineup changes, fan backlash, personal turmoil and the near-disintegration of the group while making their "St. Anger" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "To be honest with you, METALLICA can do whatever they wanna do after the great albums they've made. And they were trying to survive as well, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's a ton of bands who've gone through very similar things. But METALLICA, for whatever reason, chose to do it in public. I think that's the main thing that is the issue here.

"I'm a very… a bit shy, or I don't wanna draw too much attention to myself, as we Finns usually, it's the way we are — a bit hermit-like," he explained. "So it feels so weird, the whole METALLICA thing, when it came out. Because in our culture, it's important to keep some stuff to yourself. Or the other way around — it's not necessary to open up everything [to the outside world]. But then again, maybe that was the thing they needed to do to be able to make great albums afterwards."

Valo then proceeded to take his METALLICA praise even further, saying: "I love Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer]. I think after [legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer] John Bonham, Lars is probably one of the most important drummers. He has such a recognizable style."

While initially helping METALLICA towards restoring band harmony, "Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster" showed "performance coach" Phil Towle, a former psychotherapist who was brought into the picture in January 2001 to help James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Ulrich repair their relationship with Jason Newsted, attempting to increasingly insert himself into the band's creative process, submitting lyrics for the album and even attempting to join them on the road. "Some Kind Of Monster" also documented Hetfield's spiral into alcoholism and decision to check himself into a rehab facility. Hetfield's re-emergence from rehab is when the film really gets into gear, with the chief worry in his mind whether or not he could do METALLICA sober.

Ville (VV) will release his debut solo album, "Neon Noir", on January 13 via Heartagram Records, distributed by UMG/Spinefarm. The LP will arrive four months after Ville released "Echolocate Your Love", the second single from "Neon Noir". Five months earlier, Valo issued "Loveletting", which marked Ville's first new music in over two years, following the release of the three-track "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" EP, also released under the VV banner, in March 2020.

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

HIM completed a farewell tour in 2017, closing the final chapter on the band's 26-year career.

ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello has once again weighed in on the news that PANTERA's surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) will unite 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, will headline a number of major festivals across North America, South 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 PANTERA's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Bello, who is Benante's nephew as well as his bandmate, discussed PANTERA's comeback in an interview with Eonmusic to promote his new solo EP, "Then I'm Gone". Asked whether ANTHRAX's new album — the follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings" — would arrive in 2023, Frank said: "What I can tell you is we'll know when the record's done. It's got to be right for us, and when we know what's right, it'll be it'll be done. Plus we also have some other things; Charlie's playing in PANTERA next year, so we're going to give him space to do that and let them do that, which is cool."

Asked about how he feels about seeing PANTERA return to performing live, given the long history between ANTHRAX and the Anselmo-fronted outfit, Frank continued: "Well, you have to realize ANTHRAX and PANTERA were family. It wasn't just friends hanging out; that was very much a family. I mean, we shared Thanksgiving dinners in Dallas with PANTERA; it was ANTHRAX and just the bands and crew. We lived with each other, so it was so very close. So you have to understand, to even think right now that Dime and Vinnie are passed, I don't put it in my head like that; I always think they're right here. I have to keep that right here because they're our brothers. I mean, honestly, they were very, very close to us."

Regarding Benante and Wylde's involvement with the reformed PANTERA, Bello said: "When this thing came up and I heard that they wanted Charlie, I said, 'Yes, of course.' Obviously, Charlie is the guy. And Zakk, because, as a fan, to see these songs played right, and with respect and as a tribute, the guys that they have in that band are the guys that I want to see. And I'm talking as a fan who stood on a lot of side stages for PANTERA, seeing them kill every show. There's a lot of videos with me on the side with Rex, doing shots with Rex during the show. So I know exactly what I'm going to be seeing, and I'm excited that they picked the right two guys. Zakk and Charlie are going to kill it, I think. I'm really excited. I want to see it, and I think it's a celebration. There's a younger generation that's never seen PANTERA, and it's all about the songs, man. Those songs deserve to be heard live, and I think it's going to be a great tribute done right. Phil, Rex — again, family. So I just think it's positive for metal, and I think people are going to love it."

Read the entire interview at Eonmusic.

Bello previously discussed his views on the PANTERA comeback in an August 2022 interview with the "Talk Louder" podcast, hosted by veteran music journalist "Metal Dave" Glessner and lifelong hard rock/metal vocalist Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS). Asked what he thinks about Anselmo and Brown touring again under the PANTERA name, Bello said: "Look, we've done a lot of touring with PANTERA in our day. We were family. You have to understand, ANTHRAX and PANTERA, we were very much a family. Dime played on a few of our records. We were very, very close to these guys, so Charlie also had a really close relationship with Dime — andVinnie. And we all did — we all did."

Frank continued: "They got the right guy [in Charlie]. If there's one guy to play drums, who'll play them the right way, the way it should be — and I think Vinnie would say this too; rest his soul… We were very, very close with these guys. This will be like another family member joining them and paying tribute to these guys.

"For me, as a PANTERA fan, yes, I'm stoked on it. I think Zakk's awesome. We talk about it every day. We're close with Zakk. We've known him for years. So this is a great time.

"I think it's a celebration of PANTERA," Bello added. "I'll be the first one in line for a ticket. I'll be loving this. I think it's a great tribute. Also, for the people who haven't seen PANTERA, these guys will do the right job of representing PANTERA, I think. If it was to be done, this is the right way, in my opinion. I'd wanna see this just because, man, it's gonna be done right and respectful and it's gonna be awesome. And just a little selfishly, I've been jamming with Charlie Benante for all my life; he's a relative of mine. It's great that a bigger group of people are gonna see how great he truly is as a drummer. I think people are gonna see that and [witness] something that we've known for a long time. It's gonna be a great thing. It's a tribute. I'm looking forward to it. I'm a PANTERA fan."

After McMaster noted that the PANTERA shows will be "emotional", Bello said: "Totally. And it should be. That's part of the tribute, right? Because we all miss them, and now maybe we can feel them again a little bit. That's the way I look at it, man. These riffs from Dime and [drumming from] Vinnie, you just feel it. It's really a feeling inside. They went way beyond music, those guys. You've gotta think about that. They went way beyond music. They touched you, in my opinion — they touched people inside. And that music is a celebration of it. So, yeah, I look forward to all these people, not only us fans that have seen them and hung out with PANTERA but the people who haven't had a chance to see it. I think it's gonna be a great representation of a tribute. I think it's gonna be beautiful."

Benante told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about how he plans to approach the PANTERA gig: "I can't go do this as the drummer from ANTHRAX because it would be a different sound completely. So the way I'm gonna do that is if you close your eyes, it's gonna sound like it's Vinnie, basically. And that's how it's gonna be. The sound is gonna sound exactly like him."

Wylde said that he had a similar mindset. "You approach it the same way as you do when I'm playing with Ozzy," he said. "Obviously I've gotta learn [Randy] Rhoads's stuff and I've gotta learn Jake's [E. Lee] stuff, and when I was doing the [BLACK] SABBATH stuff, you learn it and do it as faithful as you can. Charlie's gotta learn all of Vinnie's parts. You approach it as if you're in a cover band. When we do the ZAKK SABBATH stuff," referring to his BLACK SABBATH cover band, "I don't start changing lyrics midway through 'War Pigs'. You learn the songs — so that's what you do."

Talk about a possible PANTERA "reunion" intensified when Anselmo regularly joined Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to perform PANTERA's song "I'm Broken" during DOWN's 2014 stint on the "Revolver Golden Gods Tour". That buzz only got stronger after Brown joined the jam on May 23, 2014 when the tour swung through Texas.

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.

Brian Johnson's pre-AC/DC band GEORDIE has returned with a revamped lineup, now featuring singer Terry Slesser, and a new single, "Red, White & Blue". The track, which marks GEORDIE's 50th anniversary, was written by original guitarist Vic Malcolm (now resident of Cyprus) and is a precursor for a new GEORDIE album that's been in progress for some time.

It was while visiting lifelong friend Vic that Slesser — former singer of BACK STREET CRAWLER — laid down some vocals with Vic for an impromptu project that has now morphed into what will likely be a swan song GEORDIE album of typical rocking tracks from Malcolm.

GEORDIE, featuring original members Tom Hill and Brian Gibson, recently reformed for a run of festival appearances and recruited guitarist Steve Dawson.

Regarding how he came to be involved with the new GEORDIE, Dawson told VWMusic: "I'd known Tom for about 20 years, since I was in THE ANIMALS in the '90s. Brian [Gibson] had moved down to the Cambridge area in the '80s and settled there, so I didn't meet him until the band reformed in 2017. When the agent who used to book THE ANIMALS asked me what the GEORDIE boys were up to in 2017, I approached Tom, who in turn approached Brian [Gibson] to propose having another bash. We got together with a singer called Mark Wright, who ironically was from Lancashire, and it sounded really promising, so we decided to pursue it."

Dawson also confirmed that Vic was approached to take part in the reunion but "decided he couldn't commit to live work because of health reasons. He also lives in Cyprus, which complicated matters. However, he's still very much on board with regard to writing and recording, which is a bonus because he's a great writer."

Dawson also talked about Slesser's addition to GEORDIE, saying: "When Brian [Johnson] joined AC/DC, he was singing in the North East working men's clubs with a lineup that was basically his version of GEORDIE at the time. Tom and Brian's [Gibson] version featured a great singer called Rob Turnbull. Anyway, [Brian's] lineup, now in need of a replacement, recruited Terry in order to continue. However, they changed their name to THE DUDES, as the GEORDIE name seemed redundant without Brian [Johnson]. They were doing cover versions anyway. Incidentally, this was not the first time Brian [Johnson] was filled in for. Dave Ditchburn guested on the 'No Good Woman' album. He didn't replace Brian though. However, Tom Hill and Brian Gibson had left by then and weren't on that album. A few years later, Tom, Brian Gibson and Vic would reform GEORDIE with Rob Turnbull on vocals, and Dave Stephenson on second guitar. I guess that makes Rob the first official replacement for [Brian]."

Regarding GEORDIE's influence and importance, Dawson said: "GEORDIE's original chart success coincided with the glam rock era of the early '70s. However, anyone listening to the albums can tell that they are a good old classic rock band, just like SWEET if you took Chin and Chapman out of their equation. When I play with the band on stage, it's very evident to me that the songs are grabbing the audience from the get-go. It's catchy, it's rock and roll, it's fun and it's hard-hitting. It's very enjoyable to play. They carved their place in the cornerstone of rock music, and although maybe not as pronounced as [LED] ZEPPELIN, [DEEP] PURPLE, AC/DC, etc., it was nevertheless significant. Sadly, the band dropped off the radar for a long time, which has made the journey back especially arduous, compared to other bands who never stopped. We will prevail, though; it's too good not to."

GEORDIE will appear at select festivals in 2023, including the Newday festival in Kent.

Image and live video courtesy of YouTube user Terry Hagan

Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY will release a new studio album, "Dying Of Everything", on January 13 via Relapse Records. The LP's second single, the title track, can be streamed below.

OBITUARY comments: "We picked the title track for the second single to give fans a taste of something a bit different than that typical OBITUARY style and we are excited to showcase Ken's [Andrews, guitar] writing ability. When he and Donald [Tardy, drums] put their heads together and feel, it just adds some extra flavor and spice to 'Dying Of Everything' and can’t wait for the fans to hear it!!"

"Dying Of Everything" destroys in the time-honored tradition of early OBITUARY classics "Slowly We Rot" and "Cause Of Death", while maintaining the killer studio sound that the band has been perfecting in their own studio since 2007's monstrous "Xecutioner's Return".

"Dying Of Everything" track listing:

01. Barely Alive
02. The Wrong Time
03. Without A Conscience
04. War
05. Dying Of Everything
06. My Will To Live
07. By The Dawn
08. Weaponize The Hate
09. Torn Apart
10. Be Warned

Like just about every album in OBITUARY's vast catalog, "Dying Of Everything" is instantly memorable; it's a skill that OBITUARY have only improved upon over the years.

It's unusual for a band that's been around since the '80s to be doing some of their best work in the 2020s, but that's exactly what OBITUARY have accomplished through their do-it-yourself attitude and relentless touring on a worldwide level.

"I think it comes down to passion," vocalist John Tardy offers. "I say this all the time, but if something's not fun, I'm not gonna do it. And we're having more fun than ever."

This past February, OBITUARY drummer Donald Tardy confirmed to Finland's Chaoszine that the band had completed work on its long-awaited new studio album. Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2017's self-titled effort, he said: "It is fucking awesome. It is OBITUARY, absolutely 100 percent, meat and potatoes, but with Ken's [Andrews, lead guitar] influence and him being able to write a few songs with me on this one, he brings a much more old-school thrash metal feel. So it's fresh, it's killer, it's exciting on some of those songs, but then also the meat and potatoes, there are some songs that are so heavy on this record, man. I'm so proud of it. I can't wait for people to hear it. And the production — we recorded it at our studio and then we sent it off to Joe Cincotta, my boy who's done the last four albums with us. He did an amazing job; the sound of this record is fantastic. I can't wait for everybody to hear it."

In March 2021, John Tardy told France's United Rock Nations that OBITUARY had used some of the downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to work on material for a new studio album. "We've definitely been working on new tunes, and we've been taking our time," he said. "We didn't feel like releasing [a new album] now in the middle of the pandemic when you can't go on tour and support it is not what we wanted to do, so we're in no hurry. But by the time next year comes around, we're gonna be hitting the road again. We're getting tours set up, and we will be releasing another album next year before we hit the road and start touring again."

Asked what fans can expect from the new LP, John said: "I think it's just gonna sound like OBITUARY. [Laughs] You know us — we're kind of cavemen; we don't like to evolve too much. We like to change it up and do a little here and there, but we're getting too old to change too much, I think. So as long as it's heavy and pounding, then that's what you can expect."

Earlier this year, Decibel Books released "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary", the fully authorized biography of OBITUARY. In the book, David E. Gehlke — author of "Damn The Machine: The Story Of Noise Records" and "No Celebration: The Official Story Of Paradise Lost" — provides an unprecedented look at the death metal legends through all-new, in-depth interviews with bandmembers past and present, recording engineers, scene contemporaries and music industry veterans who've worked directly with the band throughout OBITUARY's nearly four-decade career. Packed with hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photos, as well as a foreword from Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA),the 328-page hardcover "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary" is exclusively available for order via decibelmagazine.com.

Photo credit: Tim Hubbard

THE ROLLING STONES have announced the release of "Grrr Live!" , the definitive live hits album from the band's career. Released on February 10 via Mercury Studios, the album will be available in various formats; 3LP black, 3LP colored white (Indies exclusive) 3LP red (d2c exclusive),2CD, DVD + 2CD, BluRay+ 2CD. The Blu-ray and digital versions will include Dolby Atmos.

The best live band in the world deserve the ultimate live greatest hits album and "Grrr Live!" is it, THE STONES at their best. The album features some of the greatest songs of all time, including "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)" , "Honky Tonk Women", "Start Me Up", "Gimme Shelter", "Sympathy For The Devil" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".

THE ROLLING STONES celebrated their golden anniversary in 2012 and 2013 by embarking on the "50 & Counting" tour, a 30-show itinerary for North America and Europe. On December 15, 2012, the band took the stage at Newark, New Jersey's Prudential Center for the final of four shows in the New York area. Featuring guest appearances by THE BLACK KEYS ("Who Do You Love?"),Gary Clark Jr. and John Mayer ("Going Down"),Lady Gaga ("Gimme Shelter"),Mick Taylor ("Midnight Rambler") and hometown hero Bruce Springsteen ("Tumbling Dice"),the concert proved to be one of the most memorable shows in the band's history.

Since its original airing on pay-per-view in 2012, this show has not been available to fans until now. The concert has been re-edited and the audio has been remixed. Three songs from the December 13 show (also in Newark) will be available as bonus features on the DVD and Blu-ray: "Respectable" (with John Mayer),"Around And Around" and "Gimme Shelter".

"Grr Live!" track listing:

CD1

01. Get Off Of My Cloud
02. The Last Time
03. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)
04. Paint It Black
05. Gimme Shelter (with Lady Gaga)
06. Wild Horses
07. Going Down (with John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr)
08. Dead Flowers
09. Who Do You Love? (with The Black Keys)
10. Doom And Gloom
11. One More Shot
12. Miss You
13. Honky Tonk Women
14. Band Introductions

CD2

01. Before They Make Me Run
02. Happy
03. Midnight Rambler (with Mick Taylor)
04. Start Me Up
05. Tumbling Dice (with Bruce Springsteen)
06. Brown Sugar
07. Sympathy For the Devil
08. You Can't Always Get What You Want
09. Jumpin' Jack Flash
10. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Kaltenecker-Marko, the Hungarian duo of Zsolt Kaltenecker and Adam Marko, released their debut album, Space Junk, in April 2022. The album is a unique mixture of prog, modern jazz and other electronic styles which manages to impress and engage the listener at the same time.


Today, the duo are pleased to share the new video for the track "Space Junk " which can be viewed below.







Zsolt Kaltenecker and Adam Marko are among Hungary's top musicians, and also members of the well-known instrumental band Special Providence who have toured with Haken, Spock’s Beard, and others. The duo invites the listeners to a special musical journe from prog, djent, downtempo to trip-hop and jazzfusion, many electronic styles are recalled live on two instruments, keyboards and drums. The minimal setup is really challenging and also gives air and space for the artists to showcase their abilities as musicians.





Tracklist:


"Secret Shifter"
"Doubt"
"Higher"
"Space Junk"
"The 7th Wave"
"Unexpected"
"Wormhole"
"Bill Murray"
"Bunuel"
"Lemuria"
"Dharma Bums"
"Glitches"
"The Way" 


Space Junk is available via digital platforms found here.