HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta has just dropped a single and visualizer for "Assimilation Agenda", a brand new track from his JASTA project, featuring Steve "Zetro" Souza from San Francisco Bay Area legends EXODUS. The banger is the first new music from JASTA since the release of the well-received project "The Lost Chapters, Volume 2", which dropped in 2019.

The song was recorded/mixed/mastered by Nick Bellmore at Dexters Lab Recording in Milford, Connecticut. It's the first track from JASTA's forthcoming new album, due out later this year.

"The whole album is a love letter to thrash but this song in particular is a great example of what’s to come and one of my favorites," says Jasta. "A duet with Zetro that will get the circle pits going HARD!!!"

The name Jasta represents one of music's most prolific and powerful reputations. As founder and frontman for Grammy-nominated monoliths HATEBREED alongside his countless collaborations, Jasta's reputation extends worldwide and well beyond music. From stints as the three-year host of MTV's "Headbanger's Ball" to his own popular podcast, the 2016-launched "The Jasta Show", he has become synonymous with both heavy music and hardcore culture. He remains the leading voice of the scene and amongst his peers.

In a 2019 interview with HardDrive Radio, Jasta stated about fans of heavy music not having an awareness of who he is in spite of his visibility as the frontman for HATEBREED: "It's a whole new generation of kids. In the 2010s, which, if you think about the music that's become popular since 2009 when HATEBREED did the self-titled album, until now, in 2010 when we did the KINGDOM OF SORROW album, there's two or three waves of bands, just in that one decade. So, you go, 'Wait a second.' Someone was just telling me about the band BRING ME THE HORIZON. They made a switch from being a heavy band to being sort of a more radio-friendly band in 2010. I looked that up and it was true. I thought, 'Just think about all the kids that that's their gateway band.' What happens is, they search other bands and they find SUICIDE SILENCE and they find KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, then they see SUICIDE SILENCE covered HATEBREED, and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's former singer does a song with the guy from HATEBREED. They have these weird ways, these weird gateways that they find other artists. It's amazing. I really feel like it's changed my outlook on everything. It's like we're living in… There's less gatekeepers."

He continued: "I remember being crushed when they said MTV2 is not going to play the HATEBREED video. That's part of the reason I wanted to be the host of the show ['Headbanger's Ball']. I was, like, 'If I can't get my video played, I've got to get in there somehow and try to change the system so that they don't look at us as just this screaming noise.' So, now, there's less — you can put a song up on SoundCloud; you can pay a guy… Shoutout to Paul [McGuire]; he did the video with Howard ['Chasing Demons']. We did it in our jam spot. It's got two million streams; it's got a half-million on YouTube. I've sold out every pressing of the CD. I did it totally DIY. That really started making me think, 'Wow, it's exciting. You don't have to go to a label and say…' I love all the labels; don't get me wrong. You don't have to pitch your project to somebody who might not be at that label in a year or two. I've had that happen with the HATEBREED DVD. They wanted to cut the budget on that. Luckily, we were able to get out of that deal and go to eOne and eOne gave us what we needed to do, and that DVD went number one. That previous company could of have had a number one DVD, but they didn't believe. They just see the name, 'This is crazy. This guy is yelling at me. He's wearing a bandana. What am I going to do?' Now, it's exciting, man."

Duff McKagan has shared a video of him performing an acoustic version of his solo song "Pass You By". The track is taken from McKagan's new three-track EP, "This Is The Song", which he released two weeks ago to honor Mental Health Awareness Month. The EP, which is available at all DSPs and streaming services, was produced by longtime collaborator Martin Feveyear (Mark Lanegan, Brandi Carlile).

"'This Is The Song' was written in the middle of a panic attack," McKagan said in a statement about the EP. "I couldn't breathe and couldn't see straight, and lately, I have thankfully found my acoustic guitar as a refuge. If I just hold on to that guitar, play chords, and hum melodies, I can start to climb my way out of that hole. For those of you who have never experienced something like this, count yourselves blessed. To those of you who recognize what I am talking about: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

McKagan's first new solo music in close to four years, "This Is The Song" follows his critically acclaimed sophomore solo album, 2019's "Tenderness", named by Loudwire as one of that year's "50 Best Rock Albums" and hailed by Rolling Stone in a three-and-a-half (out of four)-starred rave as "an album full of beauty and heart…It's music of conscience, heavy songs with a light touch."

In 2019, McKagan moved into his own recording studio, allowing him a long-hoped-for opportunity to "finally explore songs that I may have written the night before or some of those old riffs from years ago. This is a big deal for me." Along with "This Is The Song", the new EP includes the soulful "It Can't Come Too Soon" (featuring guest vocals from Seattle, Washington-based singer, songwriter, music educator, and community organizer Shaina Sheperd) and "Pass Me By", the latter inspired by distinctly modern confrontation with a gun-toting horsewoman while on a motorcycle trip through the Cascade Mountains.

A founding member of both GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER, Duff McKagan is, at his heart, a songwriter, penning a growing canon of vulnerable, confessional, and authentic material. Produced by three-time Grammy Award winner Shooter Jennings, "Tenderness" marked a powerful new chapter for the ever-evolving artist, taking on societal ills and his own personal transgressions against a rich sonic backdrop of Americana-fueled arrangements. Among the album's many highlights is the volatile rocker "Chip Away", which earned extraordinary praise from the Maestro himself, Bob Dylan, who recently declared the song a personal favorite.

"There's a Duff McKagan song called 'Chip Away' that has profound meaning for me," Dylan told The Wall Street Journal. "It's a graphic song. Chip away, chip away, like Michelangelo, breaking up solid marble stone to discover the form of King David inside. He didn't build him from the ground up, he chipped away the stone until he discovered the king. It's like my own songwriting, I overwrite something, then I chip away lines and phrases until I get to the real thing."

Along with his prolific musical efforts, McKagan is The New York Times best-selling author of 2011's "It's So Easy: And Other Lies" and 2015's "How To Be A Man: (And Other Illusions)", and the co-host (with Susan Holmes McKagan) of SiriusXM's popular "Three Chords & The Truth" radio show on Ozzy's Boneyard (Ch. 38). McKagan currently serves as a core member of a modern-day "Wrecking Crew" alongside Grammy Award-winning musician/producer Andrew Watt and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' Chad Smith, recording and co-writing on such recent albums as Ozzy Osbourne's "Ordinary Man" (2020) and two-time Grammy Award-winning "Patient No. 9" (2022) and Iggy Pop's acclaimed "Every Loser" (2023). What's more, McKagan — with Watt, Smith, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' Josh Klinghoffer — is part of the recently unveiled IGGY POP & THE LOSERS lineup, who made a high-profile televised debut earlier this year with an electrifying performance of the feverish "Frenzy" on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

This summer will also see GUNS N' ROSES traveling on an epic global tour set to touch down in the Middle East, Europe, and North America beginning June 1 in Abu Dhabi.

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates and activists across the country draw attention to the mental health issues that affect as many as one in four Americans. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose 22 veterans to suicide daily. Unfortunately, because of the stigma associated with mental illness, many people are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. Mental Health Awareness Month is a time when we work together to break through that stigma. We express compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues, and we draw attention to the proven methods that can help change their lives for the better.

"This Is The Song" EP track listing:

01. This Is The Song
02. Pass You By
03. It Can't Come Too Soon

ALICE COOPER guitarist Nita Strauss will release her sophomore solo album, "The Call Of The Void", on July 7 via Sumerian Records. The official music video for the LP's latest single, "The Golden Trail", featuring a guest appearance by IN FLAMES vocalist Anders Fridén, can be seen below.

Regarding the album's title, Strauss shared: "Have you ever been at the top of a high building and had the fleeting thought, '… I could jump right now?' This feeling is sometimes called 'The Call Of The Void,' also known as 'high place phenomenon.' It's not a suicidal impulse, rather the exact opposite — a subconscious decision to live your life, to step back from the ledge, and take control. As researcher April Smith aptly put it: 'An urge to jump affirms the urge to live.'

"I wanted the follow-up to 'Controlled Chaos' to be exciting, new, and fresh, to take listeners to a new place and take myself somewhere new as an artist too. We have some amazing collaborations on this album with incredible musicians, as well as the instrumental guitar music that first inspired me to play.

"Some pieces of music come into the world gracefully and easily. This album is not one of them! 'The Call Of The Void' was born kicking and screaming, a labor of love for sure, but also of blood, sweat and plenty of tears. I couldn't be more proud of the end result. Making this album helped me learn and grow so much as a musician and songwriter and I'm excited to finally unleash it on the world."

On the collaboration with Fridén, Strauss said: "When I was first learning how to play guitar, IN FLAMES were my BEATLES, my first favorite band. Anders's iconic vocal style is burned into my mind! To write a song like this and have him sing on it, as a kid who grew up with IN FLAMES posters on my walls, is an absolute dream come true."

"It was a lot of fun to collaborate with Nita on 'The Golden Trail'," added Fridén. "She's an amazing guitar player and I can hear the history of metal flowing through her fingers."

"The Golden Trail" is the fourth song Nita has released featuring a star guest vocalist, the first being the enormously successful "Dead Inside" which featured guest vocals from DISTURBED's David Draiman and saw Nita become the first-ever solo female to have a No. 1 hit at Active Rock radio. She also returned to her instrumental roots last year with the release of single "Summer Storm", a fast-paced, emotive shred-fest. In October 2022, Nita dropped "The Wolf You Feed", an epic headbanger of a track featuring the insane vocal talent of Alissa White-Gluz of ARCH ENEMY. This past March, Strauss released "Winner Takes All", featuring a guest appearance by Alice Cooper.

Back in February 2022, Nita told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about her upcoming LP: "It's gonna be half and half — six tracks with vocalists and six tracks of instrumental [music]. We've been doing ['Dead Inside'] live on the solo tour and it's been getting a super-good reaction from our crowds."

In early December 2022, Nita told "The Mistress Carrie Podcast" about her decision to make the upcoming LP half vocal songs and half instrumental: "I did feel, and the label and everybody agreed, it's still important for me to keep my identity as a guitar player and not just branch off too much and go, 'Okay, well, now it's just guests.' Let me still have a little of what makes me me, which is the instrumental shred stuff. And the instrumental pieces that I've written on this record are, I think, better than anything I did on the first one — definitely more… I don't know if it could be more emotional but they're very emotional pieces of music and I think a little better crafted this time around. So I think all the songs in general are more well thought out, better put together this time around. And I do have some of my absolute favorite [singers guesting on it]. I have three amazing powerhouse female vocalists on this album so far."

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

In March, it was announced that Nita would return to Alice's band for his 2023 tour.

The Alice Cooper North American tour, with an all-new show dubbed "Too Close For Comfort", kicked off in late April in Michigan and will continue through late September, including a handful of August stadium shows with DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY CRÜE, followed by a co-headlining late summer "Freaks On Parade" tour with Rob Zombie.

Nita spent eight years playing with Alice before joining Demi Lovato's band last summer,

Strauss played her first full live show with Demi in August 2022 at the Grandstand at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois.

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

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

"The Call Of The Void" track listing:

01. Summer Storm
02. The Wolf You Feed (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
03. Digital Bullets (feat. Chris Motionless)
04. Through The Noise (feat. Lzzy Hale)
05. Consume The Fire
06. Dead Inside (feat. David Draiman)
07. Victorious (feat. Dorothy)
08. Scorched
09. Momentum
10. The Golden Trail (feat. Anders Fridén)
11. Winner Takes All (feat. Alice Cooper)
12. Monster (feat. Lilith Czar)
13. Kintsugi
14. Surfacing (feat. Marty Friedman)

Photo courtesy of Atom Splitter PR

In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner was asked if the songwriting process within the band gets easier with each successive album release. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Easier in some sense — you know kind of what to expect. But on the other side of things, it becomes harder. You've gotta match what you did before. You've gotta make another record that's better songs, better production. So it raises the bar. Especially the last record [2018's 'Firepower'] seemed to connect with a lot of people around the world; it was well received by a lot of people. So how can we make a record that's better than that one? That's the goal going in. So it's harder in some senses as well."

Regarding the songwriting contributions of PRIEST's touring guitarist Andy Sneap, who stepped in for Glenn Tipton after the latter announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower" due to his battle with Parkinson's disease, Faulkner said: "Well, Andy, he doesn't contribute on the writing sense. Andy stepped in for Glenn on the live sense and then he's part of the production team for the record. So it's the same as it's always been in terms of the two guitars — me and Glenn, and before that it was K.K. [Downing, original PRIEST guitarist] and Glenn, and obviously the vocalist was Rob [Halford]. It's the same with this. Glenn's been able to contribute in the writing as well — fortunately. Obviously he's got some challenges with the Parkinson's, but his brain's still intact. So he's been able to contribute. We've been very lucky."

As for a possible release date for the new PRIEST album, Richie said: "We haven't got a date yet. We're almost finished the tracking, the recording of it. And then we've gotta mix it, we've gotta master it and stuff like that. Then, obviously, it's the actual manufacturing of the record. So we don't know how long that's gonna take; that's out of our hands, really. But it shouldn't be too long now. We're excited to get it out to the world."

Last month, Faulkner told George Dionne of "The Rock Is George" podcast that Rob was "still doing a few vocal touch-ups here and there. The majority of it is finished," he said. "And then you've got things to consider — like the turnaround on vinyl nowadays is six to nine months. So even if we finish the record today, as I'm talking to you, and we give it to the record label, we're looking at six to nine months before the vinyl is ready. So that's a bit of a challenge to contend with. But it's almost finished. It's sounding great. We've gotta select the track listing and album artwork and stuff like that, which is exciting. So, yeah, it's coming out, but I can't tell you exactly when, 'cause I don't actually know."

In March, Faulkner told Canada's The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the new PRIEST material: "I've said this before, and the Internet — the sharks got hold of it… I would definitely say, and Rob said it as well, I said the word 'progressive', and the Internet tore me apart. But they haven't heard it. When I said 'progressive', I'd say it's a little bit… instead of, let's say, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, chorus, finish, it might do verse, musical part, musical section, bridge, chorus, musical section, back into the verse. It doesn't stay on the path; sometimes it goes off and plays it a little… Like the old '70s PRIEST used to, like the 'Sinner' and stuff like that; it used to go on a bit more of a musical journey. Which I think is great — it's interesting.

"So that's what I can say. I've said it before: it's a little bit more progressive; it's a little bit more musically, not experimental, but it's got a few more riffs in there," he explained. "[There's more] intricacies, there's more solos, there's more riffs, which, I don't think that's a bad thing, as a guitar player."

In February, Halford spoke to the SiriusXM's Ozzy's Boneyard host Mark Strigl about PRIEST's musical evolution on the band's upcoming album. He said: "That's what we love about PRIEST, isn't it? I've always said we're the band that can kind of rip the skin off your face with 'Painkiller', and then the next second we can be your 'turbo lover', or we can go and 'break the law' or we can become 'the sentinel'.

"We've always had so much fun and adventure with not only the albums, but the songs within the albums," he continued. "It's part of who we are. And making these little microcosms of our personalities within the songs especially, all those names that I've referenced just, they've each got like a little mini-movie going on in your head when you think of the lyrics and the message, and then it's all supported by incredible music working together.

"That 'Firepower' record was a real pure effort on our part to do a little bit of reflection and reinforce a lot of the things that we've loved about PRIEST from day one," Halford explained. "That's not to say we went, 'Okay, let's get a bit of a vibe from 'Rocka Rolla' here.' And then, 'How about some 'Sad Wings Of Destiny'?' And 'Don't forget 'Point Of Entry'.' It was none of that. It was just really this overall umbrella of things that we've achieved in metal, and just using that in the back of our minds as we went through from song to song to song. And I wanna say it made it a little bit easier. And what I mean by that is when you have a focus and a direction and a template on which to work from, then you can keep going back to that and going, 'Okay, this is where we're focusing the ideas and the creativity,' and so on and so forth. So that's how 'Firepower' came together like it did. That album, to me, as a PRIEST fan, is as important as, say, 'Painkiller' was in reaffirming this band, and also what 'British Steel' was in reaffirming this band. And what I mean by reaffirmation is that it's like a football team or a basketball team. That team has been there forever, but you're bringing these ideas, you're bringing these moves, and then you go, 'Yeah, these are the things that make that band great.' 'These are the things that make this team great.' And because I overthink everything, that was my thought philosophy behind 'Firepower'. So you've got that in the back of your mind when you're trying to write this current album. And it can be a mind game."

Rob added: "You always wanna do better when you're in a band. Every band goes, 'This is the greatest record we've ever made,' as you should say, because that should be your logic behind whatever you're doing at that given moment in time, giving it a thousand percent so you stand by that statement: 'This is the best thing we've ever done, as of right now.'

"So what's what we're trying to do with this next one. And the substance of it is great, man. I mean, again, you've got all the things that you need from this band. And it's so difficult to talk about music, isn't it? All I can say is — you can tell by the way I'm expressing myself — there's a tremendous amount of belief and love and thought and power and riffs and crazy drums and screams. Man, it's just roaring again. But it's also got those familiar elements of some of the previous material. That's not to say that we're doing 'Firepower' Mark 2 — we're not. But we're in the home stretch. It feels wonderful. I listen to it every day. I've still got a lot of work to do myself, but the foundations of all the instrumentation are so thrilling to listen to. And it feels good.

"We wrote so many songs, like we always do — we overwrite, overwrite, overwrite — and then we curate the best things that we need to work with. So we have an album-plus worth of material, and it's roaring; it's roaring, man. It's on fire."

Halford previously about what fans can expect to hear on the band's upcoming LP in January in an interview with Metal Express Radio. At the time he said: "When you're in a band, you're always trying to better yourself; you're always trying to say, 'This is the best album we've ever made.' It's just a natural thing to do. And I'm aware of the great success and love that was given to 'Firepower'. And so how do you deal with that? Well, firstly, you have to let that go. You have to let that go, because it's like you're chasing after something that's elusive. What's the point of trying to emulate something that you've already done? We've just gotta do like we've always done with PRIEST, the way that every album has its own concept, every album has its own thing. 'British Steel' isn't 'Painkiller'; 'Painkiller' isn't 'Point Of Entry'; 'Point Of Entry' isn't 'Nostradamus'. So this album is shaping up to be its own thing."

He added: "It's great. It's a really good album, and I know our fans are gonna love it."

Last November, Faulkner told Robert Cavuoto of Metal Rules about the musical direction of PRIEST's upcoming LP: "You know what? The Internet seems to know everything these days about what the new album's going to sound like based on a couple of words that [we've] put out there [in previous interviews]. I think we've used the word 'progressive', and everyone thinks it's gonna become 'Nostradamus' [PRIEST's controversial 2008 symphonic heavy metal concept double album about Nostradamus], or RUSH, which is two different things. I've definitely used the word 'progressive' [to describe the new PRIEST material 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."

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."

In February 2022, Halford was asked by Remy Maxwell of Audacy Check In if he agreed with Faulkner's 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 2022, 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."

Two years ago, Halford confirmed that PRIEST's next album would see the band reuniting with the "Firepower" production team consisting of 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. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess spoke to Indonesia's BTV about the band winning its first-ever Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, which was held in April 2022 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. DREAM THEATER was nominated for "The Alien", a track from its 2021 album "A View From The Top Of The World". DREAM THEATER's previous Grammy nominations were for the song "On The Backs Of Angels", from 2011's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album, and the single "The Enemy Inside" from 2013's "Dream Theater".

Rudess said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It feels amazing. It feels really great. The Grammy thing is kind of different than a lot of other things. I mean, for many, many years, DREAM THEATER was not part of that kind of commercial world. We had our career and we were very satisfied with our fanbase and doing everything that we did. And something like the Grammys seemed like it was on another planet for us. But it is reality that everybody in the world knows about Grammys. It means something to people. And it's a door opener, if you will, on so many levels. So it was really, really exciting. To win, that was great. And especially because the Grammys are something that's voted on by your peers. So it's so flattering. It's an honor to be voted for a Grammy from the other people in our industry. So it's wonderful. It's really, really exciting."

This past January, DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci told Ollie Winiberg of "The Heavy Hooks Show" about winning a Grammy: "It really is something you have to kind of just scratch you head, like, 'Did that really happen?' and take it in. In fact, today, when we were doing soundcheck, it's, like, 'Okay, what song do you wanna do?' We always a little bit of the songs. And I said, 'How about the Grammy Award-winning song 'The Alien'?' And everybody's ears perk up. It's, like, 'Oh, yeah. That happened.' … That's how bizarre it is. You're, like, 'What are you talking about?'"

John also reflected on the moment when he first heard DREAM THEATER's name announced as the winner of the "Best Metal Performance" Grammy. He said: "That was a surreal moment. The [other DREAM THEATER] guys didn't go to the Grammys that year. It had been postponed because of COVID. It had been moved from L.A. to Vegas. And it was sort of scheduled in between two DREAM THEATER tour legs. Nobody was really sure [how it was going to be]. So my wife and I went — my wife Rena. It's, like, 'Let's go to Vegas for five days. How bad can it be? If we win, awesome. If we don't, we'll hang out in Vegas.' So she was there with me. And when they announced it, I was, like, 'What?' And all of sudden, I'm running up to the thing in my suit.

"But the point I wanted to try to get across [in my Grammy acceptance speech] was that we've been doing what we do for a long time the way we do it, sort of against all odds, and we built a career out of it, and then to achieve that sort of recognition from that community was really just great," John explained. "Because it's not like it was some sort of pop version of us that we attempted to do that got out there. It was probably one of the most complicated songs we ever wrote. So my point was, do what you do, believe in what you're doing, and do it with a ton of conviction. And then when those sort of moments happen, it feels that much more satisfying."

In April 2022, DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie told Myglobalmind that "it was overwhelming" to finally win a Grammy Award. "It was quite surreal and it took a while for it to sink in — I think a couple of days before I was, like, 'Wow. Okay. So this actually did happen. I guess the third time's the charm, 'cause we were nominees a couple of times before for 'On The Backs Of Angels' and 'The Enemy Inside'.

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

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

That same month, Rudess told VWMusic about DREAM THEATER's first-ever Grammy win: "It was very exciting to get that Grammy, as we've been nominated three times. And I have to say that I didn't really expect to get it because I was getting used to being nominated and not getting it. The other reason I thought we wouldn't get it is that DREAM THEATER is really prog metal, and we were in a metal category. I mean, that was the best category for us, but I thought maybe the voters would sort of stick together in that more traditional metal frame of mind. I was really pleased that we got that kind of recognition and validation, and it's the one award that definitely makes a difference. In a musician's life, a Grammy can affect your whole career. It changes the way you do business with people, and the way people deal with you. It's a really big deal. I definitely have to say that it feels really good. We are riding high over it for sure."

Regarding "The Alien", Jordan said: "What's interesting about that song is, as you know, it's not necessarily like the most commercial kind of song — it's definitely not commercial at all; it's in this odd time signature. When we started, Mike [Mangini] was doing this crazy time signature thing on drums that inspired us to get the song off the ground. The next thing you know, we were all writing our parts, and it came together. It actually was the first thing that we wrote for the album, so it kind of flowed out from there. It's cool because it has all the classic DREAM THEATER elements in it, and that's what I really liked about the song. It has the unison between me and [guitarist] John Petrucci, it has the keyboards, the great guitar leads, and these crazy meters, but it also has a solid hook. I was glad that we decided to put that out there when the record came out, and have that song be the one that was out front because I think it tells the DREAM THEATER story really well."

On September 22, Finland’s Hexvessel return with their sixth album, Polar Veil, a cold, metallic hymn to the Sub Arctic North. Haunted by primal forest spirits, Mat “Kvohst” McNerney summons the ghosts of his past in a jaw-dropping, unheard-of rebirth of style and sound. At once unmistakably Hexvessel, Polar Veil is also steeped in the nocturnal atmosphere of McNerney’s past, churned in the cauldron of black metal, ritual folk psychedelia and doom rock, and echoing with shivering Gothic undertones.


Holed up in a home-made studio in his log cabin during the winter of 2022, McNerney drew on all the fundamental elements of his music career as a shamanic shapeshifter, with only the isolation of nature’s solitude as inspiration. Painting an aura with Polar Veil which resonates with solitary reflection and themes of personal spiritual transcendence, Hexvessel’s new album is a bold statement from an artist who continues to reinvent and explore nature mysticism through music.


“Nature represents freedom, darkness and the call of the wild. Black metal has always been at the borders of my sound and playing, at the heart of everything I do. Tradition, nature, ritual, mythology, mysticism and philosophy, along with clashing and jarring chords have always been synonymous with Hexvessel. It was natural with Polar Veil, finally now as we reach the zenith of the journey, that these influences surface to the human ear, and with the freezing cold guitar sound that the climate here demands.”




Polar Veil features Nameless Void from Negative Plane, performing the guitar solo on the song "Ring" and on "Older Than The Gods", Okoi from Bølzer provides guest vocals. At first an unlikely partnership but one that makes total sense as the album deepens, and threads can be drawn that reveal the place Polar Veil is coming from.


When the components of the medicine are familiar but brewed in a completely novel concoction, the resulting side effects can be deliriously intoxicating. Peer behind this Polar Veil for a breath of fresh tundra air.





Polar Veil is pressed on exclusive limited edition transparent lake green vinyl, wider release limited transparent ice clear natural vinyl and standard issue blacker than midnight wax variants and each comes with a large scale 12 page booklet featuring artwork by Thomas Hooper.


Pre-order here, and watch a video for the single "Older Than The Gods", below.





Tracklisting:


"The Tundra Is Awake"
"Older Than The Gods"
"Listen To The River"
"A Cabin In Montana"
"Eternal Meadow"
"Crepuscular Creatures"
"Ring"
"Homeward Polar Spirit"


"Older Than The Gods" video:





(Band photo - A.H.)

FOO FIGHTERS played their first official concert with new drummer Josh Freese Wednesday night (May 24) at Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion At Meadowbrook in Gilford, New Hampshire. The band launched the 21-song set with "Rescued", the lead single from FOO FIGHTERS' upcoming album, "But Here We Are", and performed three other cuts from the LP, "Under You", "Nothing At All" and the title track. The rest of the concert included the first performance of "Cold Day In The Sun" in five years, and frontman Dave Grohl's daughter Violet joining the band onstage for "Shame Shame".

The setlist was as follows:

01. Rescued (live debut)
02. Walk
03. No Son Of Mine
04. Learn To Fly
05. Times Like These
06. Under You (live debut)
07. The Pretender
08. But Here We Are (live debut)
09. Breakout
10. The Sky Is A Neighborhood
11. My Hero
12. This Is A Call
13. All My Life
14. Nothing At All (live debut)
15. Shame Shame (with Violet Grohl)
16. These Days
17. Cold Day In The Sun
18. Monkey Wrench
19. Best Of You
20. Aurora
21. Everlong

FOO FIGHTERS will next perform this Friday (May 26) at the Boston Calling festival at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts. There will also be a few other festival stops, including Bonnaroo in June, Festival D'Ete De Quebec in July, Outside Lands in August, the Ohana, also in August, and Chicago's Riot Fest in September.

The band revealed Freese as part of its new touring lineup on Sunday (May 21) during a pre-tour livestream called "Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts". Freese was unveiled as the drummer during the livestream after comedic cameos by Chad Smith of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Tommy Lee of MÖTLEY CRÜE and Danny Carey of TOOL.

Freese was most recently drumming for Danny Elfman but was recently replaced by Ilan Rubin. Freese was also touring with THE OFFSPRING up until last year, with former SUICIDAL TENDENCIES drummer Brandon Pertzborn stepping in to officially replace him a couple of weeks ago.

Freese replaces longtime FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who tragically passed away in March 2022 at the age of 50.

Freese previously played with the FOO FIGHTERS at the tribute concerts to Hawkins in 2022.

Freese is a veteran session drummer who has performed with GUNS N' ROSES, A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUDDLE OF MUDD, NINE INCH NAILS, WEEZER, PARAMORE, THE REPLACEMENTS, Sting and THE VANDALS, among many others. He has also played more than 300 recordings ranging in genres from pop to rock to country.

FOO FIGHTERS' 11th album, "But Here We Are", will be released on June 2 on Roswell/RCA.

Hawkins was found dead in a hotel room in Colombia, shortly before FOO FIGHTERS were due to play a festival in Bogotá.

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

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

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

FOO FIGHTERS staged two tribute concerts in honor of Hawkins. The first tribute concert took place September 3, 2022 at London's Wembley Stadium. A Los Angeles concert was held on September 27, 2022 and raised money for Musicares and Music Support charities and served as a farewell party for Hawkins's adopted hometown.

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



But Here We Are 05/24/34
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Gilford NH
🎥 fooziefotos

Posted by Foozie's Foo Fighters News on Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Here we go!

5:30pm Doors Open
7:30pm Taipei Houston
9:00pm Foo Fighters

Poster by Jason Malmberg

Posted by Foo Fighters on Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Ted Nugent, Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK),Jack Blades (NIGHT RANGER) and Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) were part of the KINGS OF CHAOS lineup that performed this past Monday (May 22) at the Hendon Rocks party for select global ICSC Las Vegas retail conference attendees at The Chelsea in Las Vegas, Nevada. The set included a rendition of the song "Coming Of Age" from DAMN YANKEES, the 1990s supergroup that both Nugent and Blades were part of, alongside STYX's Tommy Shaw and Michael Cartellone. Video and photos of the performance can be found below.

Blades shared a few photos from the event on his Facebook page and wrote in an accompanying message: "A bit of a DAMN YANKEES reunion with The Motor City Madman Ted Nugent & myself belting out 'Coming Of Age' with the help of the great Matt Sorum & fellow NR brother Keri Kelli!

"A fun KINGS OF CHAOS gig in Las Vegas at the Hendon Rocks private party! Carmine Rojas & Robin Zander of CHEAP TRICK joined us as well!"

During a March 2023 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Shaw was once again asked about the possibility of a reunion of the DAMN YANKEES. He responded: "I think we kind of ran that thing until the wheels fell off of it. And I'd like to just keep it like that. It was a fantastic run. It was just wild and wooly. We made those two records. The first record, that was the shit. The second record, it just started to lose the thing that it had on the first album. And I think everybody else knew that it was probably time to go back to your regular job."

Pressed about whether he would be open to revisiting DAMN YANKEES for a one-off tour or concert, Shaw said: "Michael is a permanent fixture in LYNYRD SKYNYRD, and DAMN YANKEES without Michael Cartellone just wouldn't be right. And we [in STYX] do 90 to 120 shows a year, and you have to go home some time. It's like having two wives, your two families.

"As far as I'm concerned, we had our day. We had big records, we sold a lot of records, we got a lot of airplay, and I just don't know how we would be able to fit all that in," Tommy explained. "I wouldn't wanna tell the guys in my band [STYX], 'Sorry, guys. We can't play any shows for a few months.' 'Cause that's what everybody wants to do."

DAMN YANKEES formed in 1989 and released two albums, an eponymous debut and the 1992 follow-up "Don't Tread". Hit singles included "Come Again", "High Enough" and "Coming Of Age".

DAMN YANKEES has reunited twice since its early-'90s heyday — in 1998 and 2010.

In 1999, A&R guru John Kalodner tried to reunite the DAMN YANKEES for a new album for the Portrait Records imprint, but Shaw's commitments to STYX prevented him from taking a major part in the writing and the recording. Kalodner later told Melodic Rock about the aborted effort: "I didn't think it was quite good enough, and at the time with 80's style rock, you'd have to come up with something pretty spectacular. I was disappointed in the record mostly because of Tommy Shaw's non-participation. I say that was probably the greatest problem. Tommy was totally an integral part of it. He was busy with STYX and it was sort of my mistake because I just couldn't control him. It's one of those projects that I failed on. I mean the buck stops here. It lacked the input of Tommy Shaw."

Shaw previously discussed a hypothetical DAMN YANKEES reunion during a June 2020 appearance on "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". At the time, he said: "Well, we never broke up… We are all still best of friends. [So] who knows? It's hard, because with STYX, we work so much, and to do that [a DAMN YANKEES reunion], it would mean putting [the members of STYX] out of work for a while. So it's a tough one. But every once in a while, we wind up on the same stage."

Asked if he feels there is some "unfinished business" with DAMN YANKEES creatively and whether he would like to do a record or a song with the band to "put a button on it," Shaw said: "Well, we can always do more. I don't think you can ever put a 'we're done' button on any of the members of the DAMN YANKEES. Who knows? Never say never. And we haven't said never."

End Reign makes their Relapse Records debut with their explosive album, The Way Of All Flesh Is Decay, out July 14. Masterminded by underground music fixture Domenic Romeo (Integrity/Pulling Teeth/A389 Recordings) and featuring an all-star cast of musicians and contributors, End Reign fuses apocalyptic hardcore with vicious metal in a deadly collision of the classic and the modern.


“Inspired by the post-apocalyptic feeling my surroundings provided at the time during lockdowns (the roads were empty…no one was outside…it was a lot like the movie ‘Last Man On Earth’) I wanted to create a band whose aesthetic reflected that isolation and desolation. That's how End Reign was born.”


Watch End Reign’s “Desolate Fog” music video, directed by Jeffrey Sisson (Exhumed, Gruesome), below.




Domenic Romeo comments on “Desolate Fog”: “This song was written with the intention of being the album opener.  The whole first part before the vocals come in was inspired by the final scene in Tales from The Crypt (1972).  The part where the crypt keeper tells his entourage that ‘they are here for allll eternity’ before they fall into the abyss one by one.  The intro also pays homage to my favorite Overcast song ‘Begging For Indifference’ before launching into a death / black metal ride that falls off the track and bursts into flames….only to fall off again and burst into even more flames….oof.  I was listening to Mayhem ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ a lot when I wrote this, it’s pretty evident in some of the riffing.  I had to stop though...that record gives me the creeps.”


The Way Of All Flesh Is Decay physical pre-orders are available here. Digital downloads/streaming here.





The Way Of All Flesh Is Decay tracklisting:


"Desolate Fog"
"Chaos Masked As Order"
"The Hunger"
"Divine Abysmal End"
"Serpent Messiah"
"House Of Thieves"
"Giving Life To Tragedy"
"Chasing Divinity"
"When Death Comes Crawling"
"The Night Creeps Upon Me"


"Desolate Fog" video:





Taking musical inspiration from ’80s linchpins Amebix, Bathory, Slayer and Cro-Mags, End Reign sees the talents of Mike Score of New York metalcore kings All Out War, Adam Jarvis of grind titans Pig Destroyer and Misery Index, former Bloodlet bassist Arthur Legere and Exhumed/Noisem shredder Sebastian Phillips joining Romeo to bring his vision to life.


Score’s lyrics explore the psychological torment of being trapped between opposing realities. “Most of the album, especially songs like ‘The Hunger’ and ‘Death Comes Crawling,’ deal with being caught between two worlds—the living and the dead, heaven and hell, what was and what is to come,” the vocalist explains.


Recorded over a year at Landmine Studios with Len Carmichael at the helm, End Reign’s full-length debut features vocal cameos from Romeo’s longtime collaborator and Integrity bandmate Dwid Hellion, Full Of Hell’s Dylan Walker and—incredibly—Ed Ka-Spel from avant-rock fabulons The Legendary Pink Dots.


The result is one of 2023's most aggressive and enthralling albums. “This album is like riding a rollercoaster in a theme park based on all the extreme music I’ve enjoyed throughout my life,” Romeo says. “I hope that any fans of our musical family tree will enjoy the ride as much as we did.”


End Reign Is:


Mike Score: Vocals
Domenic Romeo: Guitar
Adam Jarvis: Drums
Arthur Legere: Bass / Backing Vocals
Sebastian Phillips: Guitar


(Photo - Blake Roemer)

Kansas is excited to announce the addition of violinist/guitarist Joe Deninzon to the band. He is replacing the departing David Ragsdale.


Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on the “Viper” seven-string electric violin. Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius, which has just released their sixth album—a box set with double live CDs/DVD-Blu-rays - Behind The Curtain (Live At ProgStock) (Melodic Revolution Records). He can be heard on over a hundred albums and jingles as a violinist and string arranger.


Deninzon has performed and/or recorded with The Who, Bruce Springsteen, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore, Alex Skolnick, Smokey Robinson, Les Paul, Peter Criss from KISS, Michael Sadler, Renaissance with Annie Haslam, Kurt Elling, and as a soloist with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York City Ballet. A BMI Composer’s Grant recipient and winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, he has written solo works for violinist Rachel Barton Pine, and in 2015, premiered his Electric Violin Concerto with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.




Joe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University and a Master’s in Jazz Violin from Manhattan School of music.


Kansas original member and drummer Phil Ehart comments, “We are extremely excited for Joe Deninzon to be the newest member of Kansas. We believe Kansas fans will enjoy what Joe will bring to the band. We are excited to kick off the Kansas 50th Anniversary Tour. As the paragraph in the band’s first album said, ‘Kansas Is A Band’ and we remain so to this day.”


Deninzon adds, “As a lifelong fan of Kansas, I am overwhelmed and humbled to have been invited to join this legendary band! I have the deepest respect for Robby and David and will do my best to honor and build on their musical legacy.”


Joe Deninzon’s first performance with the band will be in Pittsburgh, PA on June 2 at the Benedum Center during the premier date of the Kansas 50th Anniversary Tour - Another Fork In The Road.


Ticket and VIP package information can be found at KansasBand.com.





Tour dates:


June
2 - Pittsburgh, PA - Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
3 - Baltimore, MD - The Lyric Baltimore
9 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
10 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
16 - Fort Wayne, IN - Embassy Theatre
17 - Detroit, MI - Fisher Theatre
29 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall


July
1 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center
7 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
8 - Indianapolis, IN - Clowes Memorial Hall
14 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre
15 - Chicago, IL - The Chicago Theatre
21 - Wausau, WI - The Grand Theater
22 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater
27 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland Theatre
29 - St. Louis, MO - The Fabulous Fox Theatre


August
4 - Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Place
5 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theater
18 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
19 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
25 - Denver, CO - The Paramount Theatre
26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Eccles Theater


September
6 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
8 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount Theater
9 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
12 - Boise, ID - Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
14 - San Francisco, CA - Golden Gate Theatre
16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Orpheum Theatre
17 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
19 - Tucson, AZ - Fox Tucson Theatre
22 - Albuquerque, NM - Kiva Auditorium
24 - El Paso, TX - The Plaza Theatre


October
12 - Worcester, MA - The Hanover Theatre
13 - Brookville, NY - Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
20 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
21 - Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
26 - Huntsville, AL - Von Braun Center - Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
27 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre


November
3 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
4 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center
16 - Dallas, TX - Winspear Opera House
17 - Tulsa, OK - Tulsa Theater


December
1 - Savannah, GA - Johnny Mercer Theatre
2 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre


January
12 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
13 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center
19 - Fort Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
20 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
27 - Melbourne, FL - Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
28 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Steve Lukather and The Players Club / Mascot Label Group have released he second reveal in front of the release of Lukather's new studio album, Bridges. The song, "Someone" was written by Luke, Joseph Williams and David Paich. Lukather performed guitars, bass, and the lead vocal, with Williams contributing keys, background vocals and percussion. David Paich contributes keyboards while Shannon Forrest appears on drums.


Luke shares, “I am so happy and grateful for the reaction to the new music. Here is another song that is a co-write with Joe, Paich and I. Hope you like it.”







His ninth solo album, Bridges, could not be more accurately titled. Luke shares, “I see it as a bridge between my solo music and Toto Music. The fact that Joseph Williams, David Paich and I wrote most of the record, and the fact I invited many of the old Toto gang to come and play, co-writers like Randy Goodrum and Stan Lynch brings all this together. It also proves that most of my old pals and I are still great friends, and I wanted to do a record ‘in the style of,' as Toto will never record another studio album. This is as close as we will get.” He continues, “We still love writing and creating and recording together, and we will no doubt continue to work with each other on our respective solo works. It's complicated, and at the age I am now, I do NOT wish to do anything complicated.”


Amongst the repertoire recorded, “Far From Over” is a co-write with his eldest son Trevor. Luke reflects, “It’s funny…when he was born 35 years ago, I looked into his eyes before I cut the cord and said to myself, 'I wonder IF he will follow in my footsteps?' He sure did! It is a joy beyond belief cause he really is f*cking good! I wish I could say I taught him everything but I didn't. He is the only one of my four kids that has gotten into music (so far), and made it his life. He has a natural gift that one can’t learn. I could not be prouder than I am.”





Over the course of Luke’s career, both Stan Lynch and Randy Goodrum have frequently co-written with him. On Bridges, both of these prolific writers once again have collaborated. Lynch, of Heartbreakers fame co-wrote multiple songs with Lukather / Paich / Williams, and Goodrum with Luke alone on “All Forevers Must End.” As Luke offers, “These guys are the guys that come in and write the lyrics way better than me. I knew they would bring it as always and they did. They are also dear friends as well, and we love working together. I do have input to the lyrics. I give them ideas of what I wanna say and they articulate my feelings into the music, and then perhaps once I see their first drafts we talk about it, edit here and there, and the end result is what we have on this record.”


Bridges presents deep roots and branches from Toto’s family tree. Past and present members contribute on both the writing and performance side. Joseph Williams has writing credits on six of the songs, while David Paich does on four. Williams performs on all recordings contributing background vocals, synths, percussion or keys pending on the track, while Paich plays keyboards on five. Drummer Simon Phillips performed on “Far From Over,” “Not My Kind Of People,” “When I See You Again,” and “Burning Bridges.” While Shannon Forrest returned to play on “Someone,” “All Forevers Must End,” “Take My Love” and “I’ll Never Know.” Both old friend and former member Lee Sklar and Gov’t Mule bassist Jorgen Carlsson perform bass on a couple of tracks, while Luke himself performs on several others. On “Far From Over,” Trev Lukather performs guitars, bass, background vocals, and synths. Current Toto keyboardist Steve Maggiora co-wrote “Take My Love” and performs all keys alongside singing background vocals on that track. Luke shares, “Some people think cause someone has left the band or moved on to their own thing that we stopped being friends or stopped wanting to work together. I think this proves that is not the case, and I wanted to make music with my old friends, alongside having a laugh or two. It was a lot of fun and it also has a sound that is familiar.”


When it comes to David Paich and Joseph Williams, the three remain close to this day. Paich remains the musical director of Toto although he no longer travels appearing at every show. Williams and Lukather are the Dogs of Oz, helming the career of the band in to the future. As Luke shares, “I have been working with both these guys since I was a kid. I revere their talent, and wanted to take pressure off myself. Joe produced the record so I could just be an artist. Paich is the guy that not only taught me how to make records, but he was the one that encouraged my songwriting in Toto, and really pushed me in every musical sense. And, I love these guys and it is so easy. We all like the same stuff and have worked together for most of our lives. It was like going back to summer camp with my best pals!” He continues, “Joe is a remarkable Producer and songwriter as is Dave so…I was able to relax and enjoy the process. Hence it may have a 'familiar' sound or style when this is all mixed together. Not intentionally…it's just what happens when we create together.”


Pre-order the album here





Tracklisting:


"Far From Over"
"Not My Kind Of People"
"Someone"
"All Forevers Must End"
"When I See You Again"
"Take My Love"
"Burning Bridges"
"I'll Never Know"


"When I See You Again" lyric video:





Over the course of five decades Steve Lukather has placed an indelible stamp on pop culture. Alongside his tenure as the only member of Toto to never take a hiatus from the band, he has performed on thousands of albums as a session musician. Amongst these musical contributions are some of the most successful, influential and enduring records of all-time including Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Additionally, he released a memoir titled The Gospel According To Luke which was a global best-seller. He continues to be Toto’s band leader, a long tenured member of Ringo’s All-Starr Band, and a solo artist.


Toto has enjoyed a celebrated global resurgence over the last decade. Through 2022-2023, the band will perform in front of close to a million fans. Their repertoire has 3 Billion+ streams at Spotify alone, with “Africa” counting for one billion plays on its own. Album sales exceed 40 Million copies. Toto is one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles, and 45 years in to a career enjoy a multi-generational fan base and still selling out shows around the world. Toto was inducted in to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.


For more information on Steve Lukather visit stevelukather.com.


(Photos - Alex Solca)

Star-studded noise-mongers FANTÔMAS — who feature in their ranks FAITH NO MORE/MR. BUNGLE frontman Mike Patton, MELVINS guitarist Buzz Osborne, MR. BUNGLE bassist Trevor Dunn, and MR. BUNGLE/ex-SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo — reunited Wednesday night (May 24) in Oakland, California at the final show of MR. BUNGLE's "Geek Show" tour with MELVINS.

Patton, Dunn and Lombardo were joined on stage by Osborne, along with MR. BUNGLE guitarists Trey Spruance and Scott Ian, for a rendition of MR. BUNGLE's "Sudden Death" before the musicians launched into FANTÔMAS's cover of Henri Mancini's "Experiment In Terror", which originally appeared on FANTÔMAS's 2001 album "The Director's Cut".

FANTÔMAS last played a full show in 2017 at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California as the support act for TOOL. Lombardo was unable to make that gig due to his touring commitments with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and was replaced by MELVINS drummer Dale Crover.

Formed in 1998 by Patton, FANTÔMAS released four studio albums, including its latest effort, 2005's "Suspended Animation".

In a recent interview with Stereogum, Lombardo said that playing the FANTÔMAS material when he first joined the band "was a challenge." He added: "[Patton] explained it to me that the songs are like reading a comic book. In one box, you have dialogue, but then you have a lot of little action moments going on. So each box is a song. When I received the cassette, because back then we received demos in cassette form, I listened to it, and I was like, 'I need to sit and transcribe this.' I've never had any formal music education, so I had to decipher what was going on on this album, and it moved so quickly that I knew I needed some reference, some notes. I remember buying a music notation book, and I remember having to write everything down. The entire cassette, all of the songs. And I showed it to Patton, and he was like 'What the fuck? You did this?' I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'This is amazing!'"

He continued: "It was challenging. I remember, there was this one little section, and I was overthinking it, is what it was. And that happens to musicians and drummers. It's really easy, but you overthink it, and you can't do it for some reason. You can't get the right time. And it was only three hits in this tiny little half-a-second moment, and I couldn't do it. I was like, 'Damn, Patton. You're gonna have to record this.' And it was super easy, and after time went on and we started playing the song live, I was beating myself up for it. I couldn't believe it, I was like 'This part is so easy. Why couldn't I get it then?' But man, it was challenging, and I loved every minute of those recording sessions. It taught me how to approach my drum record. A lot of that work helped me, because I was there for all the recording of all the drums and everything for the FANTÔMAS records, so I was able to see [Patton's] process, and it was very educational moment for me."

FILTER frontman Richard Patrick has revealed to Soundsphere magazine that the band's long-awaited new album, "The Algorithm", will arrive in August. Regarding why he decided to drop the previously announced working title for the project, "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats", Richard said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was just too long. I thought it was kind of funny because it was long, but then I just realized it's just too much to say."

As for the inspiration for "The Algorithm" title, Richard said: "That's indicative of just where we are as a species on the planet and the whole A.I. and everything and where we are digitally in the world."

Earlier in the month, Patrick spoke about the lyrical themes covered on "The Algorithm" in an interview with Lancer of Watertown, New York's 94 Rock WOTT radio station. Asked what inspired the latest batch of FILTER songs, Richard said: "America. Just social media, America, divisive behavior. We're all in this together. The ultimate message is we're all in this together, bro. We're all on this tiny little planet. And it's fragile, it's being polluted, the people on it are fighting. We live a very, very, very beautiful life for 70 years or so, and then we pass on. And let's take advantage of this time and work together and protect each other and help each other. And that's the ultimate message of the record."

Originally conceived in 2018 as a collaboration between Patrick and fellow FILTER founding member Brian Liesegang, the project was given a tentative title, "ReBus", as a nod to FILTER's 1995 debut, "Short Bus", before being changed to "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats" and later to "Murica" and then back to "They Got Us Right Where They Want Us, At Each Other's Throats".

Earlier this month, FILTER released a new single, "Face Down", via Golden Robot Records. "Face Down" followed the release of "For The Beaten", which was the first FILTER track to be issued by Golden Robot in October 2022. Written by Patrick, "Face Down" is classic FILTER — a tight song with loads going on, including some killer drum fills and a restrained vocal delivery that seems ready to explode at any given point as the song progresses. The track lets you know early on where it is headed and locks you in from the start without ever becoming predictable. It will appear on FILTER's upcoming album, which is expected to arrive in 2023.

"'Face Down' speaks to the hate and negativity plaguing the world today," said Patrick. "I wrote it after being inundated with lies, deceptions, and pure vitriol I saw on social media. I'm pumped. I can't wait for everyone to hear the full album."

For the first time in its 30-year career, FILTER will present "California Screamin'" — a full concert global stream performed live on location in Los Angeles. HITKOR will be the official on demand streaming partner for the show, which will take place June 17. The live performance will include special guests, classic songs FILTER has not performed in over 25 years and the debut of brand-new material.

"I've been itching to do a live stream since things shut down a couple years ago but I got caught up in the studio working on our new album," said Patrick. "When Scott [Donnell, CMO HITKOR] came to me and told me about HITKOR, and then invited me down to see MINISTRY do their thing, I was sold."

"California Screamin'" tickets are $14.99 and All-Access passes are $19.99. For this special engagement, FrontRow advanced ticket discounts are $9.99 and $14.99, respectively, and are available until Friday, June 2. Purchase only at HITKOR.com.

Last September, Patrick reunited with his former bandmates in NINE INCH NAILS for the first time in over 25 years. Patrick, the first guitarist to ever tour with Trent Reznor and NINE INCH NAILS, was in the band for four years before departing to form FILTER.

Patrick's career is a vision of multifaceted creativity, which he has delivered throughout his 30-plus years producing music professionally through his band FILTER, various collaborations, side projects, super groups, scoring films and writing for soundtracks.

Patrick's initial foray into the public eye was as NINE INCH NAILS' first touring guitarist. Patrick had met Reznor in the late '80s in a music store in Cleveland. The two became close friends and then bandmates. Patrick played with the band from 1989 to 1993, appearing in numerous music videos including "Down In It", "Head Like A Hole", "Wish" and "Gave Up".

FILTER's debut album, "Short Bus", was released in 1995 and went platinum, largely due to the success of the first single "Hey Man Nice Shot". The follow-up, 1999's "Title Of Record", also went platinum driven by the huge crossover success of the song "Take A Picture". FILTER's third album, "The Amalgamut", is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The album spawned such classic songs as "Where Do We Go From Here" and "American Cliché".

In 2006, the ARMY OF ANYONE project — a supergroup led by Patrick with Dean and Robert DeLeo of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and Ray Luzier of KORN — came to light, releasing one album and a tour before each went back to their respective bands. Patrick refocused on FILTER, releasing "Anthems For The Damned" in 2008, "The Trouble With Angels" in 2010, "The Sun Comes Out Tonight" in 2013 and "Crazy Eyes" in 2016, and two singles in 2020.

FILTER has just kicked off a six-month-long tour crisscrossing the United States and Canada before a planned trip overseas to play in Europe and Australia in 2024. FILTER's tour plans so far include headline shows, festival appearances and a place on the "Freaks On Parade" tour with ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER and MINISTRY. The band will be offering a limited number of "Filter Fanatic" VIP packages that include exclusive merch, signed tour posters, used gear items, meet-and-greets and photos with the band on many of the dates. More information and tickets are available at www.officialfilter.com.

After breaking up in 2013, the Swedes of Vomitory reunited again five years later to continue to bring old school death metal to the world – check out a performance of three tracks, “Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize”, “Regorge In The Morgue”, and “Chaos Fury” – from Wacken Open Air 2022.





In any serious conversation about death metal, the name Vomitory has to come up. Following their inception in 1989, between 1996 and 2011 they dropped eight of the most blistering albums the genre has spewed up, the quartet parting ways in 2013. However, the band's retirement turned out to be short lived, returning to stages in 2019 to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, and now they drop their first new full-length in twelve years, the monstrous All Heads Are Gonna Roll.




For a preview of the album, a video (directed by Marcus Svensson / dpmarcus.com) for "Raped, Strangled, Sodomized, Dead" can be viewed below:





Boasting the classic Vomitory sound with a few new twists and turns, it is everything their faithful could have hoped for, the band having taken their time before committing to it rather than rushing in. "We weren't feeling any pressure, it was rather about making a decision whether we should continue as a band, i.e. release new material, or simply put the band back in the grave again," explains drummer Tobias Gustafsson. "We wrote a few songs first just for the fun of it, to see if we still 'had it', before we made the final decision to continue and make a new full-length album."


All Heads Are Gonna Roll is best described as "fast, grinding, D-beat, fist-in-your-face death metal", it features fresh aspects that are uncommon to Vomitory records. "One thing in particular we did was to try to build distinct choruses in the songs, which is something we didn't put too much effort into earlier," explains drummer Tobias Gustafsson. "We have also spent a lot more time working with the backing vocal arrangements, which we certainly think paid off very well. It brings something new to our sound. We have also tried to write more straightforward riffs, like we did in the early 2000s."


The instruments for the record were tracked in the band's rehearsal space, on a mobile studio setup engineered by Mats Lindström, and was self-produced. This allowed them to work at their own pace in the hours that worked for them, rather than having this dictated to them as would be the case if they had rented a studio. "Although we had a lot of flexibility to choose our working hours, it was still crucial to keep the recording schedule as strict as possible, because it was so easy to say 'let's do it tomorrow instead'." For vocals, they went to Leon Music Studios and engineer Rikard Löfgren, which was where they recorded their last three albums. They brought in good friend Christian Fredriksson (Vulkan) to play some guitar solos, but otherwise it is entirely their own work. With vivid horror movie-inspired artwork - with a hint of anti-religion thrown in for good measure - All Heads Are Gonna Roll really is the whole package for death metal fans, and a stunning return to form after so many years between releases.





All Heads Are Gonna Roll, out May 26 via Metal Blade, can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:


- Digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl
- dim gray marbled vinyl (limited to 700 copies)
- crimson red marbled vinyl (limited to 500 copies)
- clear w/ red & white splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- silver w/ black splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies)
- red w/ purple splatter vinyl (limited to 300 copies) Sound Pollution exclusive


Cover art by Giannis Nakos.





All Heads Are Gonna Roll tracklisting:


"All Heads Are Gonna Roll"
"Decrowned"
"Ode To The Meat Saw"
"The Deepest Tomb"
"Piece By Stinking Piece"
"Raped, Strangled, Sodomized, Dead"
"Dead Man Stalking"
"Disciples Of The Damned"
"Dead World"
"Beg For Death"


"All Heads Are Gonna Roll" video:





Vomitory lineup:


Erik Rundqvist - vocals/bass
Urban Gustafsson - guitar
Peter Östlund - lead guitar
Tobias Gustafsson - drums

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Willcox, are inviting fans to their upcoming "Toyah & Robert's Rock Party" dates - May 26 & 27 at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester, UK. Watch the video below, and get tickets for the shows here.





Toyah & Robert's Sunday Lunch is going on tour throughout the UK in September and October. The couple will be accompanied by a live band, with Fripp on guitar.




Tickets are available here.





Says Toyah: “When people ask, 'What is the show going to be?', it’s going to be about the hundred years of musical experience we have between us.”


Watch the "Toyah At Home" video below, where Toyah and Robert introduce the tour concept:

Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band who recently wrapped up a U.S. tour, which was preceded by a performance at Aftershock 2022, have released “Night Flight,” a new song, and its accompanying video.





“This is a song we’ve been playing live for some time, but have not recorded or released it until now,” explains singer/Nemophila founder Mayu of the new track. “Please take a look at the video as well, as it does a great job capturing the spirit of the song.” In March, preceding the band’s SXSW show, Nemophila released the single, “Rise”.




Today’s arrival of “Night Flight” coincides with the release of Seize The Fate, a concert film featuring Nemophila’s February performance from Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity.


Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is Mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi-san (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).





(Photo – Michael Nambu)