Step into the heart of human despair with Damon Systema's “Harvest Of Tears”, the first lyric video from their debut album, Ate.


Drawing from Aeschylus’ "The Persians", the song channels a lamentation born of hubris, weaving crushing riffs and haunting melodies into an epic confrontation with loss and retribution.


With its evocative lyrics and cinematic visuals, the lyric video plunges listeners into the emotional depths of Damon Systema’s mythological narrative, blending the timeless themes of the Greek cycle - Hybris,

Coimbra, Portugal-based progressive thrash/death metal band, Destroyers Of All, is proud to release its new single, entitled “Ritual”. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming album, In Darkness We Remain, whose release date has not been revealed yet. “Ritual” is accompanied by an official video, which can be viewed below. Stream/download “Ritual” here.





“Ritual” takes you on a dark odyssey of occult and mysticism, blending the groovy essence of the band's early sound with their unrelenting modern aggression, creating a visceral, unforgettable experience that bridges past and present.




Destroyers Of All is a Portuguese progressive thrash/death metal band founded in 2011. The band’s sound blends diverse musical influences from various styles ranging from thrash, death, and even black metal, to hard rock and progressive metal.


In 2013, the band debuted with the Into The Fire EP, which was very well-received by the specialized press. In 2016, they released their first LP Bleak Fragments, which received critical acclaim for its progressive and technical approach to the sound.


In 2019, Destroyers Of All released the second LP The Vile Manifesto, featuring a

Avantasia continues with track-by-track description of a new song from the upcoming Here Be Dragons album. Magnum’s Bob Catley stars on “Bring Me The Night” – a tribute to the late Tony Clarkin.





Sammet writes: “Track by Track: ‘Bring On The night’ was written on the evening of July 6th, 2024 within a few hours as a heartfelt tribute to Magnum and the late Tony Clarkin. I dive deeper into the background story in the Artbook version of the new album, but in brief words: the song came to me within minutes in an almost spiritual way, and I just had to capture it and turn it into an Avantasia tune. 




“I wanted to do it justice and used the sounds and keyboards played on classic ‘80s Magnum records, and of course there would be only one singer in the world, who could sing that song with me, the undisputed king of magic, the storyteller on a storyteller's night: my dear friend and partner for 25 years now, Birmingham's finest: Mr. Bob Catley. It's such a wonderful song, anthemic, melancholic, quite a bit ‘80s... or better: timeless. This kind of approach and the magic you feel when a piece of music is given to you out of nowhere and it all comes together, those are the sacred moments in music that drive me. 


“Bob had tears in his eyes when he sang it, and I was trying to hide mine behind my goggles when I was sitting next to him. It's just so beautiful. Bob, I love you for rocking my world and being the friend and inspiration you are, I can't wait until March to hit the road with you again!”


Sammet on "Everybody's Here Until The End" with guest singer Roy Khan:


“Track by Track: ‘Everybody's Here Until The End’! When the album was almost done I felt that we had a lot of furious and fast material, and I thought that I was still in need of a grand finale for an epic ending, something conciliatory and big, and I sat down on my piano and started to play a ballad which would eventually grow from a piano piece into a monumental power ballad. It's a very personal song but eventually I wanted a duet partner who would add more depth. And I reached out to an old acquaintance to the Avantasia family, the mighty Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot) to help me shape this song to an amazing finale of an enchanting album. I think it's one of the most moving and emotional, and yet biggest ballads I have ever done.”


Sammet on "The Moorlands At Twilight" featuring Helloween's Michael Kiske:


“Track by Track: ‘The Moorlands At Twilight’ is a really rampant speed metal anthem with my lovely brother in Avantasia since the early days, Michael Kiske delivering a killer vocal performance. I guess that type of music is just in my DNA and even though it's a classic Avantasia song I think that the atmosphere is different to anything we've done before. I can hear some early Helloween influence in there, even though the song is very unique with its playful neo-classical elements and wild approach. Also, the lead guitars are extreme and quite virtuous: Sascha Paeth and Arne Wiegand have delivered an extensive, fast and hymnic axe battle that made my jaw drop. When ‘power metal’ is done like that, I absolutely love it!”


Sammet previously described "Here Be Dragons" featuring Geoff Tate:


"Track by Track: ‘Here Be Dragons’ is the longest song on the album and features a great duet with my good friend and one of my vocal heroes since his early days in Queensrÿche, Mr. Geoff Tate, who’s outdone himself on the track. It’s a groovy mid-tempo song with enchanting melodies, orchestral elements, big keyboard passages and a powerful guitar riffing driving the main parts of the song. Even though you can hear some classic Dio, Queensrÿche and even Marillion elements in there, it’s a typical Avantasia song and a very unqiue one. It has two different choruses and a very emotional and big sounding mid-section. The song wasn’t meant to be that long, but there isn’t a single note I would change or leave out if I listen to the final result now.”


Rock and metal flagship, Avantasia, will release their 10th studio album and Napalm Records debut, Here Be Dragons, on February 28. They recently unleashed the energizing first new single, “Creepshow”.


The new track is one of the catchiest songs of Avantasia’s career so far, and it arrives with an exciting, cinematic music video. The guaranteed future hit rings in a new era of Avantasia and will be an integral part of Avantasia’s spectacular live shows.


In their 25 years of existence, Avantasia has become one of the biggest leading forces in metal, boasting nine successful previous albums (such as the #1 charting Moonglow), worldwide sold-out arena tours and headline shows at all of the most important metal festivals. Here Be Dragons is sure to exceed all expectations as the most powerful Avantasia album so far.


Tobias Sammet on the single and video: "'Creepshow' is a perfect single. It’s short and catchy, and it emphasizes a facet of my work that has taken a backseat in my music in recent years. It’s light-hearted and the opposite of melancholic. And it's fresh, boisterous and unabashed - a straightforward kick-ass anthem. Also, even though it may seem like a reminiscence of my earlier writing, I think we managed to turn the whole thing into a trademark Avantasia tune, as we accentuated with the music video. We rented a haunted castle in North England and celebrated a night in the world of spectres and undead creatures. This is the most vibrant and eccentric music video I’ve ever shot in my entire career, not dead-serious, but certainly of serious quality! I can’t wait to play 'Creepshow' live on our tour next year, I can already see the whole venue jumping up and down and screaming along!”


Watch the official music video for “Creepshow”:





Featuring absolute Avantasia essentials such as spellbinding choirs and theatrical symphonic metal elements, multitalented mastermind and frontman Tobias Sammet also surprises fans old and new with plenty of intriguing fresh soundscapes. Here Be Dragons gives the celebrated Avantasia sound that has been carefully crafted over a quarter of a century an exciting and powerful spin. The new album is the most consistent and concise piece of art that the band has ever crafted.


Avantasia is not showing any signs of slowing down - soon after the release of Here Be Dragons, the band will head out on an extensive arena tour across Europe, promising to deliver fans an immersive experience with their biggest and most epic production ever.


In grand Avantasia tradition, the new full-length is rich in vivid storytelling and cinematic atmospheres, not to mention the highest level of musicianship. Opening track “Creepshow” is without a doubt one of the catchiest songs in their career. The energizing future hit truly welcomes the listener into the new era of Avantasia and will be an integral part of the band’s spectacular live shows. In contrast, the incredible title track “Here Be Dragons” is a classic Avantasia song, and at almost nine minutes, is by far the longest on the album. The cinematic dark soundscapes of “The Witch” captivate and support the song’s storyline perfectly. Emotional, multifaceted vocal performances mesmerize on “Avalon”, while the heavy metal number “Against The Wind” serves as further proof of the versatility of Avantasia’s sound. Remaining well-balanced and cohesive, Here Be Dragons is undeniably Avantasia’s most powerful album so far.


The 10-track offering was written and composed in its entirety by Tobias Sammet himself, produced and recorded by Tobias Sammet together with Sascha Paeth, mixed by Sascha Paeth and mastered by Michael Rodenberg. The stunning cover art was once again created by acclaimed British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Here Be Dragons marks another masterpiece in the Avantasia catalog, leaving both fans and critics speechless and proving the band’s standing as a main force in the world of rock and metal!


Here Be Dragons is now available for pre-order in several exciting physical editions, with bonus albums included in select limited formats, like a 3CD hardcover artbook with 96 pages, over 160 pictures, drawings of Rodney Matthews and extensive stories to accompany the music and pictures. 





Here Be Dragons will be available in the following formats:


- 3CD-Artbook – large format, hardcover book incl. 96 pages, over 160 pictures and extensive stories and liner notes
- 3LP Vinyl Box incl 72 Pages 12" Booklet – strictly limited to 500 copies
- 1LP Glow in the Dark Vinyl incl 12'' Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
- 1LP Yellow/Orange Marbled Vinyl incl 12'' Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
- 1LP Blue/White Splattered Vinyl incl 12" Booklet + Poster + Slipmat – strictly limited to 500 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive ROW
- 1LP Orange incl 12'' Booklet     
- 1LP Black incl 12'' Booklet         
- Tape – strictly limited to 100 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive           
- 2CD Mediabook              
- 1CD Digipak       

During an appearance on the latest episode of "The Mistress Carrie Podcast", British guitar sensation Sophie Lloyd spoke about how legendary Eddie Van Halen changed rock guitar, from popularizing "finger tapping" to modding out his guitars. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was what no one had ever really heard before. I guess when I was growing up, there was other artists that were doing kind of what he was doing. I'm sort of maybe a bit too — I was a bit too young or I was born too late to like experience the true, like, when it first came out. But even now, and that's just a testament to how amazing he is, his technique is still so unique and no one can get it exactly like he could, and get the feel exactly like he could. So I think that's why he's such a staple. It's stood the test of time and still inspires new guitarists today. They still kind of have that moment of before Eddie and after Eddie, even though there's people that do similar things, but he's still just so unique in everyone's eyes."

Regarding where she thinks a guitarist's tone comes from, Sophie said: "That's a good question. I think, for me, it's not even so much from the guitar or the equipment. It's from your hands and from your fingers and how you do different things. My vibrato is completely different to B.B. King's vibrato or something like that. The stylistic is so different and you do develop your little nuances — you develop licks that you that you know inside out, so they always sort of pop up in your playing in some way or another. Everyone kind of develops these things that are so unique to them, and I think that's the sign of like a really successful guitarist, is when they can kind of pick up anything — literally you could pick up some broken guitar off the street and start playing and it sounds like you. If Steve Vai probably picked up any old guitar, if he picked up B.B. King's guitar, he could sound like Steve Vai, even though it's on a [Gibson] 335 [guitar] or whatever. So I think that's really where it comes from, is your own expression of how you decide to form the licks, of just your little micro nuances that you have that make your playing really specific."

Asked who the women were that she saw playing the guitar that taught her it was possible, Lloyd said: "I think a big one for me was Orianthi. It was just after the 'This Is It' documentary with Michael Jackson. We went to the cinema and saw that, 'cause my mom was a big Michael Jackson fan, so we went to the cinema and saw that. And that was kind of the first time I'd really seen a woman that looked kind of similar to me as well just absolutely kind of rocking out, playing the craziest solos on such a massive stage with a massive artist and just absolutely owning it. And she was almost the star of the show. And that was a really unique moment where it was just so special to see. And then I got really into her and started listening to her music. And, yeah, her career has just been so inspiring, and the fact she's still just absolutely killing it, still playing live all the time, releasing incredible music. And she's just, yeah, an absolutely massive inspiration for me."

Sophie released her debut full-length album, "Imposter Syndrome", in 2023. The LP saw Lloyd teaming up with some of rock's biggest names and her own personal heroes to create a stunning collection of work spanning a variety of genres from the rock and metal world. Released totally independently via her own Autumn Records, the album debuted at No. 3 in the rock charts and 11 in the indie charts, receiving rave reviews in the press.

Last October, Sophie played her debut headline show at a sold-out London Underworld. Sophie also announced a concert at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California on January 16, 2025.

"Imposter Syndrome" featurea blazing singles and guest collaborations like "Judge And Jury" (featuring THEORY OF A DEADMAN's Tyler Connolly),"Fall Of Man" (featuring TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy),"Do Or Die" (featuring Nathan James),"Lost" (featuring Cole Rolland),"Runaway" (featuring STEEL PANTHER's Michael Starr),"Hanging On" (featuring Lauren Babic)", "Imposter Syndrome" (featuring HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale) and "Let It Hurt" (featuring BLACK STONE CHERRY's Chris Robertson).

Rock Duck Radio producer Mark Christopher Garrett has shared a compilation of "forgotten" Savatage songs. Check it out below.


"Savatage has a lot of classic hits; these are not them. These Savatage songs are the lost and forgotten songs discarded in one way or another from their intended release album. Some have been released on special or limited edition album runs, others are alternate takes on familiar Savatage songs that were released. Either way, here they are in one place, Savatage: The Forgotten Songs."


Tracklist:




"Criss Oliva Guitar Intro"
"Target"
"Living On The Edge Of Time"
"Lady In Disguise"
"Before I Hang"
"Stranger In The Dark"
"Fighting For Love"
"The Message"
"Metalhead"
"Larry Elbows" (alt. take)
"Jon Oliva Rap"
"Criss Oliva Guitar Outro"





The legendary Savatage (Johnny Lee Middleton - bass, Chris Caffery - guitars, Al Pitrelli - guitars, Jeff Plate - drums, and Zak Stevens - vocals) have announced tour dates across Europe for summer 2025, with a mix of festival appearances and headline shows.


Says Zak Stevens: "As you can imagine, there are so many special things about these shows that are racing through my mind. We get to play a series of headline shows for the first time in over twenty years that will put us right back in front of all of the unbelievable fans who have given us so many unforgettable memories over the last three decades. Here’s our chance to directly give back to everyone who’s been there supporting us all these years! All the great festival shows are going to be off-the-charts amazing. It’s even hard to imagine the scale of excitement that’s going to take place with those shows."


Savatage mastermind Jon Oliva expressed his disappointment at not being able to join the band for the shows, but shared his excitement, stating: "I am very excited for the guys to be doing some shows. Unfortunately, due to health issues, I will not be able to join the guys for this run. Hopefully, this is just temporary. I will continue working in the studio on new music for the future. These shows will be awesome and I will be working with them to get it all ready for you. I know everyone is going to love it!!! Me and the guys are very excited and ready to kick ass! So from me, thank you all for the support for all these years and we can’t wait to rock you!"


For further details, including ticket/festival links, head to Savatage.com. Find a video trailer below.

SNOT guitarist Mikey Doling has taken to social media to share a video message in which he once again explained the reason for the band's decision to not reveal the identity of its new lead singer prior to the reunited band's first comeback show, which is scheduled for January 17 at the Parish room at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California.

SNOT has announced five club shows in January, February and April 2025, leading up to the band's appearance at the Welcome To Rockville festival in May 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. SNOT will also play at select European festivals next summer.

In addition to guitarists Doling and Sonny Mayo, bassist John "Tumor" Fahnestock and drummer Jamie Miller, SNOT's 2025 lineup will include the aforementioned new singer.

Mikey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Hey, what's happening? Mikey here. I wanted to come on here while I'm driving to Las Vegas. I'm doing a lot of thinking and thinking about how grateful I am to have SNOT back.

"I'm so fucking excited to get out there and start playing again with my brothers, the original lineup of SNOT, with our new singer, of course, who y'all will know who he is after the January 17th show at the Anaheim House Of Blues Parish room.

"I wanted to let y'all know the reason that we haven't let you know who the singer is, is strictly because social media can be brutal and they would just go right to his — I don't know; his Facebook, Instagram or whatnot — and start scrutinizing him before he even got on stage with SNOT.

"I'll tell you this: he's no one you know, he's not some big famous rock star or vocalist, because that's what I'm hearing a lot of people are thinking. They're thinking that's the reason we're keeping it a secret. It's not. We found a guy who's extremely talented, extremely cool people, and he just does it right. He's incredible. I am very confident that y'all will be very happy once you see what he does with SNOT.

"Anyway, January 17th at the House Of Blues, Parish room, Anaheim, and then the next night, January 18th, at San Diego, Brick By Brick. There are still some tickets left for that show, if you wanna come out. We'd love to see you there. Get those tickets before it sells out, 'cause it's gonna sell out. And then, February 8th, in SNOT's hometown, Santa Barbara, at SoHo. That show is already sold out.

"So, yeah, looking forward to getting on stage and kicking some ass for y'all. And I wanna thank you so much for your support. And let's have a kick-ass 2025."

Upcoming SNOT shows:

Jan. 17 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues (with ADEMA, SICKSENSE)
Jan. 18 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick (with ADEMA, SICKSENSE)
Feb. 08 - Santa Barbara, CA - SOhO (with SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, PETMEDZ)
April 25 - Denver, CO - HQ
April 26 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
May 18 - Daytona Beach, FL - Welcome To Rockville
Aug 8-10 - Kortrijk, Belgium - Alcatraz
Aug. 14-17 - Carhaix, France – Motocultor

Asked in a recent interview with The Kevin Powell Podcast how SNOT plans to announce its new vocalist, Doling said: "Let him come on stage. That's it. And figure out who he is on your own. If he says his name, great. But the last thing I wanna do is go on the Internet and put his name out there, and then people go to his social media and whatnot and start scrutinizing him before he even gets on stage. Because that's what will happen. I mean, you're living in the shadow of the great Lynn Strait [SNOT's late vocalist]. So it's gonna be a rough road for him. He's gotta prove himself on stage first. And, we're giving him that comfort. 'Cause like I said, if I said his name right now, we'd have a lot of people just going right to his social media.

"But he's awesome," Doling continued. "Let me just say when he sent me his audition reels, tapes, recordings, I was blown away like I've never been blown away since [the demise of the original SNOT lineup]. And I sent it to Tumor first thing, my right arm, my bass player from SNOT. He usually doesn't like anything. He's very cynical. He's the greatest guy ever, he's my brother, but he's a cynical person at times. And he called me right away and just said, 'Holy shit balls.' That's a quote. 'Where'd you find this guy? We found our dude. We found him.' And that's how it went down. Then, of course, I sent it to Jamie and Sonny, and they both agreed he's the guy. And here he is. We got him."

SNOT disbanded in 1998 following Strait's death, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, "Get Some". The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait's tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, "Strait Up", was a fitting tribute from Strait's peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.

SNOT in 2014 recruited Carl Bensley (VITIATE, CONSUME THE FIRE) to sing for the band following the departure of Tommy "Vext" Cummings (ex-DIVINE HERESY, BAD WOLVES).

Reflecting on SNOT's original split and 2014 comeback, Doling told The Kevin Powell Podcast: "Un-fucking-fortunately, our singer Lynn Strait, the great, mighty Lynn Strait, who I miss and love so much, he passed away in a car accident and it put a halt to SNOT. We just couldn't go on without him at that point. And so we stopped for many years. And then we kind of got back together with some friends, and it wasn't real serious — [we] just [played] some shows. I don't really wanna say their names right now, but they're cool people and they helped us out."

As for how SNOT's latest reunion is different from the band's 2014 comeback, Doling said: "This one, it's serious. We're back-back. We got the booking agency. We got high-level shows and festivals. This is the real deal for us. We're back right now. And, yeah, that's where we are right now. And we're hungry to do it again. I'm very excited about it."

Doling previously discussed SNOT's reunion during an appearance on an episode of the "Talk Toomey" podcast. Regarding how the band's comeback happened, Mikey said: "Well, let's see. About a year ago, I was seeing the festivals that were coming in 2024, and I was noticing there were so many bands out there from our genre. You have the COAL CHAMBERs, the MUDVAYNEs and just so many bands out there killing it. And I'm sitting there thinking, 'Man, SNOT, it's time that we get on board with this.' So I talked to the dudes. We didn't even have a singer at that point. So anyway, so I reached out to the band and said, 'Hey, man, I think we should find a singer and play some festivals and have some fun.' And they were, like, 'Yeah, well, we're in if you can find us the right singer.' So, I looked around for a while. I had no luck. But I kept looking. And then I reached out to Alex Gilbert over at TKO — it's our booking agency — and I asked him, I said, 'Hey, man, I'm currently looking for a vocalist. And if I put all this work into putting SNOT back together, would you be interested in booking some shows and festivals for us?' And he said, 'I'll put the feelers out there and let's see how it goes.' So, a year went by. I didn't hear anything back. I kind of thought, 'All right. No interest.' So about three months ago, Alex called me. So I'm looking at my phone, like, 'Whoa, it's Alex from TKO.' I answered and I asked him how he's doing. And he said, 'Hey, man, I'm getting a lot of interest for SNOT. It's a lot. Everybody I talk to wants the band.' So I told him, 'Look, man, we're into it.' I didn't even let him know we didn't have a singer yet at that point. And I said, 'Let me get back to you. I'll talk to the guys.' So I instantly jumped on social media for a little something about looking for a vocalist for SNOT. And I got a lot of response. I got, like, eight videos and audio of dudes who just didn't fit. What they did is they would sing with the album, 'Get Some', and it just didn't fit. So I almost kind of gave up. And so right there at the end, before I threw the towel in on the whole thing, a friend of mine from Santa Barbara hit me up, texted me and said, 'Hey, I found the guy for SNOT.' And, I was, like, 'Yeah, sure,' in my mind thinking, 'Yeah, yeah. Right. Right.' So I jumped on the phone with him — let's say it's a girl, with her — and she said, 'I saw a guy. He has a band. And he reminded me of Lynn. It was goosebumps,' she said. And I said, 'Cool.' And Lynn is one of his favorite all-time singers. So, she put me in contact with him. And, again, I asked him, I said, 'Look, we're looking for a singer. Do me a favor. Set up a camera, microphone and sing along to 'Get Some', our album. And so about three or four days go by and then I get some videos on my phone. So I'm watching the video, and immediately it just punched me in the face how good it was. I was, like, 'Wow, this is the guy.' What he did is he set up in front of his — he has a little rehearsal spot, drums and amps, and he put 'Get Some' through his P.A. system and he wrapped the cable from the microphone around his arm and laid into it as if he was doing a show. He did, like, five songs and he was absolutely incredible, nailing it. He looks right. He's got the whole punk vibe that we're looking for. And he just nailed it, man.

"Singing like Lynn Strait is not easy, man. And he absolutely fucking rocked it, to the point where I had to sit down; I was so blown away. And so I immediately contacted Tumor, John Fahnestock, bass player for SNOT. And Tumor, [he is the] best guy in the world, but [he] hates everything. I sent it to him, and he called me right away. He was, like, 'Dude, holy shit. You found our guy.' That was the first thing he said. 'Who is it? Is this real?' I was, like, 'It's real.' So then I sent it out to the rest of the guys, Jamie and Sonny, and, and yeah, boom, it's there."

Doling added: "So, I talked to the [singer] guy, which I'm not gonna give up his name yet. I'm gonna keep that on the DL [down low] right now for a while until we start doing some shows. People can figure it out on their own. I don't want them knowing too much yet. I wanna keep it tight for now. But anyway. So then I contacted Alex at TKO and he started talking to promoters and we're just getting 'yes', 'yes', 'yes' all over the place right now. And we're gonna start doing some shows, man."

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lynn died in died in a car accident in December 1998 as he attempted to drive across Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The 30-year-old singer died instantly after his 1992 Ford Tempo was broadsided by a southbound full-size pickup truck about noon. Also killed was Strait's small bulldog, SNOT's mascot Dobbs, who adorned the cover of the band's debut album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some". Strait, a Santa Barbara resident, was crossing the highway after visiting his girlfriend in the community. Lynn apparently pulled into the path of the truck, which was going about 65 mph. The impact sent Strait's car spinning into the center divider where it stopped, a California Highway Patrol officer told the Los Angeles Times at the time.

SNOT's most recent U.S. tour, during which the band performed "Get Some" in its entirety, kicked off in late November 2014 in Palm Desert, California and wrapped in late December 2014 in Pomona, California.

Cummings fronted SNOT in 2008-2009 before he and guitarist Sonny Mayo exited the group amid "strained relationships."

https://www.ticketweb.com/event/snot-with-special-guests-at-brick-by-brick-tickets/13930953?pl=brickbybrick

Posted by Snot(Band) on Thursday, January 2, 2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DELirNjSJuO/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Posted by Snot(Band) on Sunday, December 29, 2024

Former SANCTUARY guitarist Sean Blosl has died at the age of 58. According to a brief obituary on The Chronicle, Blosl passed away on August 26, 2024 in Seattle.

Blosl formed SANCTUARY in 1985 with his cousin, fellow guitarist Lenny Rutledge. He played on the band's first two albums, 1988's Dave Mustaine-produced debut "Refuge Denied" and 1990's "Into The Mirror Black".

On Tuesday (December 31),Rutledge shared the following message via the SANCTUARY social media: "It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle.

"I have struggled with posting about this news. I am not a fan of the social media death announcements, but I realize that even though I think this is a private family matter, Sean was also a very important part of the Seattle music scene.

"Sean was my cousin, but to us we were much more like my brothers. We had a musical dream when we were kids that became a reality. Without Sean by my side I don't know if I would have had the opportunity to make this musical journey.

"It is very difficult to sum up a lifetime of love, memories and experiences but I will always remember Sean as an inspiration and a teacher.

"RIP Brother. I will see you on the other side."

While touring in support of "Into The Mirror Black", Blosl left SANCTUARY and was replaced by Jeff Loomis.

Shortly after, pressure from Epic Records to fit in with the flourishing Seattle grunge scene caused disagreements between bandmembers regarding their musical direction. In 1992, SANCTUARY officially disbanded.

After SANCTUARY split up, singer Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard and Loomis formed NEVERMORE in 1992. NEVERMORE recorded seven studio albums before going on hiatus in April 2011.

In 2010, four of the founding SANCTUARY members — Dane, Sheppard, Rutledge and drummer Dave Budbill — came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that they decided to reunite permanently.

SANCTUARY's third studio album, "The Year The Sun Died", was released in October 2014, about three years before the passing of Dane. The singer had died in December 2017 of a heart attack in São Paulo, Brazil, where he was recording his second solo album.

SANCTUARY toured North America with ICED EARTH in February and March 2018 as a tribute to Dane, with WITHERFALL vocalist Joseph Michael filling in on vocals.

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in...

Posted by Sanctuary on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

DOWN, the long-running heavy metal supergroup featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower and bassist Pat Bruders, has entered the studio to begin recording its new album, tentatively due later in the year. A couple of photos from the studio can be found below.

In a recent interview with That Metal Interview, Windstein stated about the status of DOWN:  "I've been in DOWN world [for the last few months] kinda, writing with DOWN and finishing up the writing for the album that's [gonna come] out [in 2025] at some point… We've got 10 new songs, man. It's awesome."

In April 2024, Windstein, who is also the frontman of CROWBAR, told Concrete Spew about the musical direction of the new DOWN material: "It just sounds like DOWN. I mean, it sounds refreshing because we haven't done it in so long, gotten together with me and the guys and done it in — fuck — 12 years or something. So it sounds like DOWN, I think, to me, it sounds more old-school DOWN. And the reason I say that is I think we got to a point where… Like, the 'NOLA' record is so simple, and it just wrote itself; it was so simple. And that's how this is coming about, which is great."

He continued: "We're not overthinking it. We're not trying to make things too complex. Phillip's not trying to write so many lyrics and things. We just kind of got away — I hate to say 'got away', 'cause anything we do is DOWN, but, to me, we kind of got a little bit… We needed to go back and look at each other and just go, 'Let's just get in a room and do it like we did from the beginning.' And that's what it feels like to me. It's very magical. The ideas and the working together, just bounce off of one another, it's a natural thing."

DOWN played its rescheduled concert at Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort And Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico on September 27, 2024. The band was originally supposed to perform at at Inn Of The Mountain Gods on June 20, 2024, but the show was called off due to a pair of rapidly growing wildfires which were converging on a village inside a tribal reservation in the state. As a result of the postponement, DOWN played two pop-up shows in Louisiana — on June 20, 2024 at Southport Hall in New Orleans and on June 21, 2024 at Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge.

When DOWN's concert at Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort And Casino was first announced in April, the band said that Windstein would sit out the show due to his commitments with CROWBAR. Filling in for him at the June 2024 gigs was former DOWN guitarist Bobby Landgraf. Windstein was able to rejoin his DOWN bandmates for the rescheduled Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort And Casino show.

Prior to Southport Hall, DOWN's last concert took place in September 2022 at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, Virginia.

DOWN made a handful of rare live appearances in the spring and summer of 2022. The band launched a three-date U.S. run of shows in May 2022 at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. After playing in Atlanta and Dallas immediately after Rockville, DOWN took a three-week break before regrouping for three European festival appearances in June. The aforementioned appearance at that year's Blue Ridge Rock Festival followed in September 2022.

In August 2021, DOWN took part in a very special in-person live and virtual experience. "NOLA Town Throwdown" was held at the Fillmore in New Orleans, Louisiana and featured fans attending the show in person as well as watching it in real time from the comfort of their living room.

In August 2020, DOWN celebrated the 25th anniversary of "NOLA" with a special livestreamed event. Dubbed "The Quarter Century Throwdown", the high-production, multi-camera event took place using cutting-edge streaming technology to create a one-of-a-kind virtual concert experience.

A founding member of DOWN, Windstein left the band in 2013 in order to focus on CROWBAR and his family life. He was replaced by Bobby Landgraf, DOWN's former guitar tech who was previously in GAHDZILLA MOTOR COMPANY, a 1990s outfit also featuring Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, WATCHTOWER),and HONKY.

Windstein announced his return to DOWN in 2019, with the band confirming a number of festival appearances for 2020 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "NOLA", all of which were later canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which swept the globe.

Prior to the August 2020 livestream, DOWN's last live appearance took place in August 2016 at the Psycho Las Vegas festival in Las Vegas.

The supergroup hasn't issued anything since the arrival of the "Down IV – Part Two" EP in May 2014.

"Down IV – Part Two" sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release in May 2014 to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous EP, "Down IV Part I – The Purple EP", opened with around 12,000 units in September 2012 to land at No. 35.

"Down IV – Part Two" was recorded at Nodferatu's Lair — Anselmo's home studio — and produced by Michael Thompson. It was released via Down Records/ADA Music.

DOWN will support DANZIG on a string of live shows on the U.S. West Coast in late March 2025. Additional support on the trek, which will include cities DANZIG has not played in many years, will come from ABBATH and CRO-MAGS.

Photo by Tomoko Inoue (courtesy of Earsplit PR)

Kirk and Pep laying down some magic today 🤘

Posted by Jimmy Bower on Friday, January 3, 2025

Pep and I laying down some Down Guitars!!!

Posted by Kirk Windstein on Friday, January 3, 2025

Arizona thrash metal veterans SACRED REICH are preparing to enter the studio to begin recording the follow-up to 2019's "Awakening" album.

The band's recording plans were revealed on December 31 in a New Year's Eve social media post by SACRED REICH bassist/vocalist Phil Rind. He wrote: "Bring on 2025! We are headed into the studio to record a new record. We are planning for a late August release. We can't wait for you to hear it.

"Lots of touring in the works with some killer bands. Looking forward to getting back out on the road in '25 & '26 after spending most of the last year working on new music.

"We hope you all have a killer New Years and we'll see you on tour in 2025! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year filled with peace and love."

In June 2023, SACRED REICH guitarist Wiley Arnett spoke to The Meista - Brews & Tunes about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to "Awakening". He said: "It's been an amazing process. We didn't do a record for a long time for several reasons, but one of the biggest is the well had kind of run dry. We lean hard on Phil for a lot of the writing — a hundred percent of the lyrics and almost as much music. And if he's not feeling it or inspired, then there's really nothing for us to say. And after a long time sitting away and then coming back and starting to do the reunion shows, we got a taste of it again. And then a crazy world — our kids are getting older, moving out, graduating high school. It was easy to talk yourself out of getting busy in a band over the years. So between a lack of inspiration, no new ideas and a sense of, 'We should be at home doing important stuff,' we definitely did part for a while. But 2007, we got back out. We went nearly 10 years just banging out old songs — 'Surf [Nicaragua]', 'The American Way', 'Death Squad', 'Independent'; all the old stuff — having a blast. Every show felt like a high school reunion for us, seeing guys with the wizard stripes, just like us, and just reminiscing about all the great times or that time they saw us in New Jersey in 1989 or '91 or somewhere in France. And it's been so cool to go back and reignite those connections. And it was just inspiring. And then global events.

"We've always been a political band," he continued. "I think when you look at 'Awakening'… Some people were, like, 'Oh, Trump came around. All of a sudden they were inspired again.' If you look close at 'Awakening', there's a little splash of it, but it's really not the theme these days. We certainly reserve the right, 'cause we're so motivated that way to try to make people who might not hear those messages actually hear 'em through metal.

"But it feels good. It feels inspired. It doesn't feel pushed. It feels natural. It would have been ideal for us to record or release something by the end of this year, but we felt pressure for that, and we resisted it. We were, like, 'No.' It's not the best strategy on paper, but it's just gotta come when it feels right. We play the songs we love. We enjoy our most success when we're pleasing ourselves and then we find the people who agree with us. So we're kind of figuring out our stuff. 'Awakening' was a great start. We've got two more records on our current deal. And, obviously, we're not writing the third one just yet. But the second one, I think we've got six or seven songs that are all the way there. We'd like to see 10, 12 songs. Of course, we never get that high. But that's a goal. And we don't really write songs for throwaway. We're not one of those bands who do 20 [songs] and pick their favorite 10. We just write until we feel like we've got a record, and then we book studio time. So we're moving right along. We're feeling pretty inspired.

"We got pretty busy [in 2023]," Wiley added. "It's been crazy. We started off in March in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, which was quite the adventure. We'd never been to a couple of those spots, like Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore, Vietnam — we'd never been to any of those places. So it was pretty frickin' amazing. And then [we] came home and did the U.S. tour and now we're preparing to go [to] Europe. So that can stifle creativity. We're not one of those bands with the headphones in the backstage [or] in the basement in a club writing the new record. It seems to happen when there's time off. The smoke settles. We calm our thoughts and be creative. So we're just coming off about a month of that. It's been a crazy time. But we can feel the momentum picking back up."

"Awakening" was released in August 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The LP was produced by Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, POWER TRIP and CODE ORANGE, among others. The album marked SACRED REICH's first release since the return of drummer Dave McClain.

"Awakening" was described in a press release as "a timeless collection comprised of blistering thrash, crushing grooves, killer solos and socially conscious lyrics that demonstrate a true understanding of everything that matters most in the world today."

"Awakening" was engineered by John Aquilino and was mastered by Maor Appelbaum.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Bring on 2025! We are headed into the studio to record a new record. We are planning for a late August release. We can’t...

Posted by Sacred Reich on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Swedish rock quartet THUNDERMOTHER has released a new single, "Bright Eyes". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Dirty & Divine", which will arrive on February 7, 2025 via AFM Records.

THUNDERMOTHER comments: "This song has the quintessential THUNDERMOTHER sound, and the vibe people associate with us, and we're super proud of the recording and the outcome of the song that we really worked on hard in the studio!"

A blistering onslaught of loud, proud and gritty hard rock, "Dirty & Divine" marks the start of a new era for THUNDERMOTHER. This album showcases the THUNDERMOTHER recording debut for both frontwoman Linnea Vikström Egg and drummer Joan Massing. "Dirty & Divine" also welcomes bassist Majsan Lindberg back into the fold.

THUNDERMOTHER have always been committed to the electrifying euphoria of real, organic rock 'n' roll. Over the course of 15 years and five widely acclaimed studio albums, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most vivacious and vital hard rock bands around, with a never-say-die spirit and collective charisma that underpin everything they do. These women are rock 'n' roll diehards, and "Dirty & Divine" takes that ethos up a notch. The sixth THUNDERMOTHER album crackles with gritty authenticity and unstoppable passion. For guitarist and founding member Filippa Nässil and Linnea, their newly forged partnership has been an unequivocal success.

"We've been working on this a long time, maybe a year and a half," says Filippa, who was pregnant during the "Dirty & Divine" recording process and is now a "thunder mother" for real. "As soon as Linnea came into the band, we started sending demos to each other, and we did loads of writing, which was great, because she's a fantastic songwriter. I was sending her the music and she was sending me these amazing lyrics and melodies. It's been fun to work with someone that good! On the last album we had outside songwriters because we didn't have that kind of synergy in the band. Now I send Linnea music, and then just kick back, because it is guaranteed she'll send lyrics and melodies that just crush the song."

"Dirty & Divine" illustrates perfectly all that is new and improved for THUNDERMOTHER. As the first two singles already made clear ("Speaking Of The Devil" and "I Left My License In The Future"),every one of the album's ten, sweat-soaked songs are dripping with potential to saturate and satisfy rock fans. Meanwhile, the decision to record the new material live in the studio has reaped its own rewards. "Dirty & Divine" is the sound of a kickass rock 'n' roll band doing it for real, and loving every raucous second.

"There is still that genuine THUNDERMOTHER feeling, with my guitar playing and all of that," says Filippa. "It's still got a '70s vibe, but the melodies are catchier and the vocals are obviously different. We're always evolving, never standing still. I think this is the best album we've made so far, and I'm very picky! [Laughs] We recorded it in Copenhagen, with Søren Andersen producing again, and we recorded eight songs in four days. So this was the quickest recording we've ever done, and the best outcome."

In support of "Dirty & Divine", THUNDERMOTHER will embark on an extensive European tour, kicking off in Hamburg, Germany in early 2025.

"Dirty & Divine" track listing:

01. So Close
02. Can't Put Out The Fire
03. Speaking Of The Devil
04. Feeling Alright
05. Take The Power
06. I Left My License In The Future
07. Dead Or Alive
08. Can You Feel It
09. Bright Eyes
10. American Adrenaline

THUNDERMOTHER is:

Linnea Vikström Egg (vocals)
Filippa Nässil (guitar)
Majsan Lindberg (bass)
Joan Massing (drums)

The new THUNDERMOTHER lineup made its live debut on April 20, 2023 by playing a "secret" show at Pub Anchor in Stockholm, Sweden. The latest THUNDERMOTHER incarnation played its first "official" concert on April 22, 2023 at Ski & Rock in Sälen, Sweden. They then kicked off a series of European shows as the support act for the SCORPIONS.

In February 2023, it was announced that singer Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson and bassist Mona Lindgren were exiting THUNDERMOTHER and were forming a new band together. At the same time, Nässilrevealed that she would continue with a new THUNDERMOTHER lineup.

In early 2023, Mancini, who joined THUNDERMOTHER in 2017, gave several interviews in which she described her time with the group as "six tough years" and "a very bumpy ride". She also said that Filippa decided to fire her from the band without consulting the other members of THUNDERMOTHER, a move which they perceived as "very disrespectful towards them, being that they believed that we were a democracy and that we had a say in these things," according to Guernica.

In March 2023, Mancini, Johansson and Lindgren announced that their new band would be called THE GEMS. They have since signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records and have issued their debut album, "Phoenix".

Photo credit: Mats Vassfjord

In a recent interview with Podpokas, original AC/DC frontman Dave Evans was asked how the band got its name. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we were happy rehearsing [in late 1973], and a guy that wanted to manage us called Alan Kissack, he said, 'Hey, guys, I've got a show for you coming up in a few weeks. And he said it's New Year's Eve, 31st of December [of 1973], at the famous Chequers nightclub, the number one nightclub in Australia. New Year's Eve at midnight, and it was the best gig in Australia. And we had to get a name because it was only in a few weeks. So we went, 'Oh, okay.' So we were a band, but we didn't have a name. So we started tossing names around between us, but no one could agree. I had some really great names, but they didn't like them. Anyway, so we didn't know what to do. So, what we said is the next rehearsal, which was the next night, that we'd all come with three names each, and we were gonna put them in a hat and we'd pick one out. And whatever it is, that's what we were gonna call ourselves. 'Cause we needed a name quickly. So we said, 'Okay, okay.' So, the next rehearsal, I came with three names in my pocket… But anyway, it didn't matter. Because what happened was when we all arrived together, [AC/DC's founding rhythm guitarist] Malcolm Young said to us, 'Look, my sister-in-law' — [his] older brother George's wife — 'has suggested a name.' And we said, 'Okay, what is it?' And Malcolm said, 'AC/DC'. And I thought quickly, and I thought it's an easy name to remember, AC/DC. And it was on the side of a lot of electrical appliances. AC/DC means alternate current and direct current. Alternate current means batteries. Direct current, plug it into the wall. And I had a portable record player, which had AC/DC on the side. So I could go to the park and just do it by batteries, then go back to the house and plug it in. AC/DC. Yeah, a lot of appliances were AC/DC. And I thought, free advertising — free advertising everywhere. I thought, 'Wow, free advertising on the side of all these appliances, and it's easy to say, and it means power.' And so it all went through my head very quickly. And I said yes. I said, 'Great. I love it. I love it.' And then [then-AC/DC drummer] Colin Burgess, the famous Colin Burgess, he said, 'Yeah, I like it too.' And then [then-AC/DC bassist] Larry [Van Kriedt] said, 'Okay, I like it.' And so Malcolm looked at us and said, 'Well, shall we call ourselves AC/DC?' And we all put our hands up, and it was unanimous. And so we said, 'Okay, we are AC/DC.' And we all shook hands. And we were AC/DC. And those three names [that I came up with], I went home and threw them away."

In the past, it had been reported that AC/DC got its moniker when Malcolm and his brother, AC/DC lead guitarist Angus, were hunting for a catchy name, and their sister Margaret saw the letters AC/DC on either her sewing machine's power adapter or on the back of a vacuum cleaner. The Young brothers reportedly thought it was a good name for their band, because "it had something to do with electricity, so it seemed to fit".

Dave recorded AC/DC's first two singles, "Can I Sit Next To You Girl" and "Baby, Please Don't Go". But in October 1974, less than a year after AC/DC's first gig, Evans was out of the band. He was replaced by Bon Scott, who sang on AC/DC's first six studio albums and became a legend himself after his death in 1980.

Evans discussed his time with AC/DC in an interview with Brazil's Guarda Volume podcast. Speaking about the way his time with the band ended, Dave said: "We were very young — we were all very, very young. And our ambitions were forever. I didn't go, 'Oh, I'm gonna be in a band.' No. I had my whole career, my whole life to sing. I've been singing since I can remember. It ain't gonna stop because of a band I was with, I split from. I was in bands before AC/DC, of course. I was with bands before AC/DC. I split. VELVET UNDERGROUND [not to be confused with Lou Reed's group] I was with, a top band. AC/DC, Okay, I kept going. RABBIT, my own career. I never thought about splitting or stopping to sing. It was just another band I was with, but a very successful band. We had a hit record, 'Can I Sit Next To You Girl' was named as the best Australian group record of the year. First up. Great. Fantastic. It was a hit record. And to have a young band, first record, against all the other bands in Australia, [named] the best Australian group record of the year. That was fantastic. But there were different reasons why I split from the band, mostly because I wasn't getting paid any money."

He continued: "The manager was the third manager at that time. We weren't getting paid for the shows, and we were doing the biggest shows in Australia. The Sydney Opera House, the famous Sydney Opera House, Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Festival Hall down in Melbourne, all the shows. Where's the money? Show me the money. No money. We toured with Lou Reed from the USA. [We played] the biggest venues, sold out — all sold out. How about some money? No money. So in the end, I couldn't stay with the band, because I was paying off my car in Sydney, paying my car off, my flat, and I'm working hard. So we had a bit of a meeting one night and had a few drinks and stuff. And the manager was there. And he was making money because he was getting money off the top. The rest of the money, I don't know what happened to it. We didn't have any. So, the manager, nice new permed hair, new jeans, bell bottom jeans, leather valise, flying around the country, us in trucks. He had the money. We had no money. So at, I said to him, 'What's happening here?' I confronted him. We were all bitching about it. And he got up and smart-mouthed to me. So I got up and bang, knocked him down. And the other boys got me and pulled me off the manager. So it was decided that when that tour we were on finished that this had to be resolved. This had to be resolved. I said, 'If I'm not getting paid, I am not gonna go on tour again.' So I said, 'I'm not going.' Who would? I'm not stupid. So at the end of the tour, no resolution. They weren't gonna give me what I wanted. So I split from the band. I said, 'Well, that's it.' I said, 'Okay. See you later.' I wasn't gonna take it."

Elaborating on his reasons for walking away from AC/DC, Evans said: "It's like any job. If you're a carpenter or you're a teacher or something, and they don't pay you, what are you gonna do? 'Oh, it's okay.' No. How are you gonna feed your children? No children for me, but if you had children, how would you feed your children? How would you pay your car off? You can't. And you're working hard. [AC/DC founders] Malcolm and Angus Young lived at home with their parents. They lived at home with their parents. They didn't have to pay any money. I did. I had my apartment in Sydney, so I had to pay. Otherwise I was gonna lose it. My car, they'd come and take it away. But Malcolm and Angus, [they had] no car. And they lived at home with their parents. So it didn't matter so much to them, but it mattered to me. And I wasn't gonna take it. So I stood up for myself."

Regarding the iconic singer who replaced him, Dave said: "Poor Bon Scott. Bon Scott joined the band and he went through a lot of crap too. And he ended up dead. He was working, working, working, working, working, working. And he was depressed, sad. He looked happy, 'cause he was drunk all the time. Bon Scott drank all the time. Alcoholic. You see photographs of Bon Scott, he's always got a bottle or a drink all the time. Sad. Sad. But it killed him in the end. But he was going through a lot of hell, too, with the band.

"I spoke to Bon Scott after he joined [AC/DC]," Evans revealed. "We had a private conversation about things, which will remain private. And so when I found out what happened to Bon Scott, when I read about it, and I spoke to his wife about it too — I saw his wife who told me what happened and stuff — I wasn't surprised. I was not surprised."

Evans previously talked about his exit from AC/DC in a 2021 interview with DJ Grant from New Zealand's Galaxy 107 FM. At the time, he said: "You've gotta remember that Bon Scott did a lot of the songs that I already did, like 'Baby, Please Don't Go', we already did that. That's the song that I got Angus up on my shoulders, and, of course, he used to watch us doing our show, so he copied that. I understand that he copied what I was doing. And the songs too, and re-recorded them and re-wrote the lyrics to some of the songs that I had already put down. But he was told to do that. I know that he was under instructions to do this, so I don't really hold it against Bon Scott for that, because when he joined the band, he was washed up at the time, and he got a great chance to do something, and he did too. He did a great job, but his lifestyle just let him down."

Evans also talked about the enduring popularity of "Can I Sit Next To You Girl", which was originally released as a single in July 1974 and featured drums by Colin Burgess and bass by George Young (older brother of AC/DC co-founders Malcolm and Angus Young).

"It's one of those songs, I play it around the world — I still do, of course, every show I do — and people love the song," he said. "And it's amazing how many people say to me that's their favorite AC/DC song. I can't believe it. [AC/DC has] 'T.N.T.' and all those great songs, 'Highway To Hell' and all these other great songs, and fans come up to me and say that that's their favorite song."

Earlier in 2021, Dave was asked in an interview with The Rocker Diaries if he thought "that would be it" for AC/DC after Bon's death in 1980. He responded: "No, not at all. I mean, we all keep going. And AC/DC has had that many players through [the history of] the band. I don't know how many. 20? And three singers, plus a stand-in singer as well.

"We were always ambitious when we first started," he continued. "We always wanted to be the best in the world — all of us. And after me, Bon Scott got his chance. He did great with the band. And when he died, I just thought, 'Who are they gonna get?' I never thought [I would be approached about it] myself, because that's water under the bridge. And I was busy with bands as well at the time, and doing my own music and recording. I was just wondering who it would be. I had heard of [Brian Johnson's pre-AC/DC band] GEORDIE — just the name GEORDIE. I'd never heard of Brian. And then Brian popped up and, of course, the 'Back In Black' album came out, which was a massive album around the world, and they were off and running with Brian. But if Brian quit, they'd get another singer, and another singer. [They've gone through] different bass players [and] different drummers.

"The drive was always Malcolm Young," Dave added. "I remember Malcolm when I first met him. He was such a driving force. Just a tiny little guy — just a little touch over five foot tall — but, boy, he had a big heart and a big personality. And he was tough, too — Malcolm was very tough. And no matter what, he was AC/DC through and through. And, of course, once he passed away, which is very sad, AC/DC, of course, will never, ever be the same without Malcolm. How can it be?"

In May 2021, Evans released a new compilation album called "BADASS Greatest Hits". The effort contained "20 massive hits on one album," including Dave's version of "Rockin' In The Parlour", the song that originally appeared as the B-side of the "Can I Sit Next to You Girl" single.

In a recent interview with Switzerland-based videographer and photographer Alexandra Hernandez, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson shared insights into his relationship with the bass and how his approach to the instrument has evolved over time. He also discussed what brings him happiness, his thoughts on the evolution of music as well as his view of metal as a subculture and his perception of the metalhead community. Finally, he offered valuable advice for young musicians aspiring to create music and build a professional career. You can watch the chat in three parts below.

On the topic of exploring new musical things and what drives him, Ellefson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The truth of it is I'm an explorer. It's why I get on a plane, get on a bus and just go explore the world.

"Music is a representation of people. That's why when people call me to put a track down, which is how [Ellefson's] DIETH [project] started…

"Nothing makes me happier than to just see people in the audience be happy to be there and [to be] on stage entertaining them, performing for them, 'cause it's their night; they're the ones who paid for it. Us on the stage, we're the product they paid for. And so it's our job — kind of like a jukebox: you put the coin in and you select the song, and people go dance or drink and they do what they do. And it's the same thing with live music."

Ellefson went on to say that heavy metal fans are always among music's most passionate devotees.

"I've seen so many clubs. I remember the first time I saw it, I think it was 2001, MEGADETH, we were on a tour for 'The World Needs A Hero' [album]," he recalled. "Right after we played, they flipped the club over, and a DJ came in, [with] one cable plugged into his turntable, and they let a whole bunch of nicely dressed yuppies in and charged them all the same amount of money and sold them more drinks. So they had the metalheads and the rockers all day, and then they had the DJ. And it just happened to us on this tour. It was up in the U.K. It was kind of, like, 'Okay, let's get this heavy metal thing done so we can flip it over and turn it into a rave.' And I'd like to think that what we do is maybe a bit more artful than that. It's got a bit more injection into society and into people's lives than just to sort of, as the old hippie thing.

"I think that's one thing about metal music for sure — metal, jazz. There's certain eclectic kind of subcultures, and metal is not a mainstream music; it's a subculture," Ellefson continued. "And it's not meant to be mainstream. It's had its mainstream moments, but for the most part, it's a subculture, and people come because they're into it and they know the songs, they know the people involved in it, they know the words, some of them are musicians. I feel like maybe there's a bit more of an intrinsic connection between us. Even if it's rowdy and it's fist in the air and it's stage diving and it's rocking, it's a very interactive community. And for me it always has been. From the very early days of MEGADETH, when we started that band, the fans, it was as entertaining for us to watch them as it was probably for them to watch us because of how engaged and how rowdy they were, with pits and stage diving and all that stuff. So it brought out this very primal thing in people. That's been a fun thing to be a part of my whole career. And even we see it every night after night with [Ellefson's] KINGS OF THRASH [project]. It's fun to see that hasn't gone away. That's still part of who we are and what we do."

Last week, Ellefson unveiled a year-end holiday treat in the form of a fresh and dynamic rendition of the 1980s classic "Ah! Leah!" by legendary singer-songwriter Donnie Iris. The track features an impressive lineup, including vocalists Chip Z'nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) and Stephen Shareaux (KIK TRACEE),along with Drew Fortier (THE LUCID) on guitar and Paolo Caridi on drums.

This updated version of the radio rock favorite is now available on all digital platforms.

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

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.

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

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During an appearance on the "Lipps Service With Scott Lipps" podcast, SLAYER's Kerry King was asked to pick his top five guitar players of all time. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I would have a hard time numbering them, but I can come up with five. [DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW's Ritchie] Blackmore, [BLACK SABBATH's] Tony Iommi, [VAN HALEN's] Eddie Van Halen, without question. Probably my favorite one all time is [JUDAS PRIEST's] Glenn Tipton. And I think he's the most overlooked. 'Cause if you look at the leads he was doing and when he was doing 'em, he kind of innovated a lot of that stuff. Okay, so who's five? I'll go with a super-heavy hitter that's my bro and say [PANTERA and OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman] Zakk Wylde."

Back in 2015, King said that there was a distinct lack of guitar heroes in the hard rock and heavy metal scene, with many of the musicians at the time lacking the "vibe" that is needed to inspire others.

King, who co-founded SLAYER in 1981 with fellow guitarist Jeff Hanneman, bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and drummer Dave Lombardo, told LA Weekly: "During the decade before SLAYER, and decade after, there were guitar heroes … Ted Nugent, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Dave Murray, Glenn Tipton, Tony Iommi. Later on, there was Yngwie Malmsteen. You had guys in the '90s like Zakk Wylde and Dimebag Darrell … people that you would aspire to be."

He continued: "We were at a festival in South America a few years ago and we were watching a video feed of the band that was playing onstage. I was watching the screen and I just did not get why this band was popular at all. I pulled [EXODUS and SLAYER guitarist] Gary Holt aside. I pointed at the screen, and asked him, 'Hey, Gary, would you aspire to be these guys?' He said, 'Not at all.' It was because they were the most boring and lethargic guitar players I had ever seen. I would never want to be these guys. I'm looking at a lot of these bands and it looks like it's the road crew soundchecking to me. There's no vibe. There's nothing that gives you aspirations to be awesome."

Kerry, whose out-of-key lead guitar playing was described by one fan as "hitting random notes really quick while destroying your whammy bar," told Music Radar in a 2009 interview that "there's nothing that says playing out of key is wrong. Of course, if you're thinking of what's traditionally accepted and bound by the 'rules of music,' you might disagree. But, to me, anything that sounds good is right. Or anything that sounds weird is right. Bend the rules."

He continued: "I never would have written some of my cooler riffs if I got all hung on what notes are in tune or what notes go together."

King added: "Bottom line: whenever somebody says 'You can't do that, because it's musically incorrect,' just give 'em the middle finger and say, 'Fuck it, I like it.'"

King's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", was released in May. All material for the LP was written by the 60-year-old SLAYER guitarist. Helming the sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles last year was producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and BAD RELIGION, among others.

Joining Kerry in his new band are Mark Osegueda (vocals; DEATH ANGEL),Phil Demmel (guitar; MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE),Kyle Sanders (bass; HELLYEAH) and drummer Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS).

Following his recent tour with LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON and his first European headline tour earlier this year, King and his new band will hit the road for the 28-date North American headline tour in early 2025. With MUNICIPAL WASTE as special guest and ALIEN WEAPONRY supporting, the tour is set to launch in San Francisco on January 15, 2025, and wrap at House of Blues in Las Vegas on February 22.

In early May, the KERRY KING band performed its first live show at Reggies in Chicago. In the days following, the band went from playing an intimate venue to performing at the huge U.S. festivals Welcome To Rockville (Florida) and Sonic Temple (Ohio).

KERRY KING launched a European tour on June 3 — King's 60th birthday – in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The trek combined headline shows in the U.K., The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain but also festival appearances such as Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, Tuska, Download, Sweden Rock Festival and many more.

The SLAYER guitarist's solo band played its first concert as the support act for LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON on July 19 at the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas. The six-week "Ashes Of Leviathan" tour wrapped on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska.

NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams have revealed their plan to launch a "world search" for a vocalist and bassist for the reformed version of the band.

Their announcement comes just four days after Loomis and Williams both shared a one-minute video teaser containing various NEVERMORE-related imagery and what appeared to be the silhouettes of Loomis and Williams along with the text "Resurrecting The Dream". The teaser ended with the NEVERMORE logo along with the line "A New Chapter Rises" and the year "2025".

Two days after Loomis and Williams shared their video teaser announcing the NEVERMORE comeback, Priscila Sheppard, the wife of NEVERMORE's founding bassist Jim Sheppard, posted a statement on her Facebook page in which she revealed that Jim "has never been contacted about Van's plans with Jeff using the NEVERMORE name." She went on to say that "it is completely disrespectful of them to use the name NEVERMORE without consulting Jim Sheppard, as he is one of the founders of the band."

Earlier today (Tuesday, December 31),Van and Jeff both released separate statements via social media clarifying their plans for NEVERMORE and announcing that they were seeking new musicians to complete the revamped outfit.

Van wrote: "So, the NEVERMORE teaser has sparked a lot of positivity and some expected negativity. Let me (Van) address the negative first. Some people think it's disrespectful not to involve Jim or inform him of our plans. But those who feel that way don't know the history of the band or the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to this decision. While it may not have been the most ideal approach, the reality is that there hasn't been communication with Jim in years.

"We felt that sometimes, for the sake of a fresh start, it's necessary to move on from relationships that may no longer be conducive to growth or new beginnings. We made this decision with the intention of honoring the legacy of the band while moving forward in a way that felt right for us at the time. That said, we wish him good health and he is free to pursue whatever path he chooses. Without going into too much detail, I'll just say respect goes both ways, and certain things became irreconcilable over time for us. At this point in my life, I don't feel the need to explain myself further on this, so take from that what you will.

"As for why I'm revisiting NEVERMORE, it's simple, this band has always been my dream. To find a group of guys to be in a band with and travel the world and create music. After auditioning to the moment I was asked to join, it was a whirlwind of music, art, creativity, adventure, fun and camaraderie. Over the years, we made incredible music and amazing memories together. But as time went on, things spiraled out of control..trust, respect, and the joy of it all started to disappear. I always compare it to an analogy like having a cake and eating it too, but in our case, it turned into having a cake covered in shit frosting…You wanna eat it but it's covered in shit!.. The final breaking point came during the last leg of our European tour with SYMPHONY X, after which it was clear we couldn't continue as we were. After years of us building the best band we could for ourselves we couldn't get on the same page to fix it. Jeff and I went one way; Warrel [Dane, NEVERMORE singer] and Jim went another. There was no reconciliation. Warrel went to Brazil, Jim retired to Alaska, and years passed without contact.

"During this time, my personal life took a devastating turn when my wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We did everything to create a sense of normalcy for our little boy and we did our best to make her comfortable. Warrel would occasionally call from Brazil, and while we exchanged kind words during those calls, it didn't erase the past and I can tell that certain things haven't changed. Dore passed on in 2020, and her loss crushed me and my boy, we feel that loss still to this day. I personally feel like I am just starting to come out of a coma truth be told and thank God I'm finally seeing the light and grateful for who and what I still have in my life. I'll never be able to express the gratitude I feel for my family, close friends, and fans who helped me and my family through all the dark days. Thank you all so very much for helping me get through the toughest times.

"Through it all, Jeff remained one of my strongest supporters, and our bond deepened. Over time, we both missed the joy of creating and performing together. NEVERMORE was a huge part of that joy, something I'm tremendously proud of.

"For those calling this a 'money grab,' I have to disagree. Most musicians don't do this for the money. We've spent countless hours thru the years sweating, rehearsing, performing, and recording simply because we love it. This is what we chose to do in life because we've always loved it. That's what drives us, the passion for music, the connection with fans, and the creative process. If money comes from that, great but it has never been the focus, but we also have bills to pay like you.

"So here we are, Jeff and I want to honor NEVERMORE's legacy by finding musicians who can respect what Warrel and Jim brought to the band while helping us build a new chapter. And this isn't about replacing Warrel, no one can. But it's about finding someone who can honor his work while contributing something new. We want to give fans a chance to come together, celebrate the music, and sing those incredible lyrics again. And, hopefully, we can create new music that stands alongside the classics.

"I wish the situation with Jim were different, but the past has brought us here. I am personally focusing on positivity and positive people and will refuse to get tangled in the negativity of the past. If Jeff and I can find the right vocalist and bassist—musicians who respect the legacy and want to move forward with us—then this new chapter can be something truly special for all who choose to come along with us. This isn't going to be a cover band, or a tribute band, it's going to be the next evolution/chapter of a band determined to pick up the flag and carry on this thing we call NEVERMORE.

"I look forward to seeing you all again."

Jeff wrote: "I couldn't agree more with Van's statement. There have obviously been a lot of ups and downs with NEVERMORE's past history. I'd like to just remember the good ones, while carrying the torch with Van to yet another level of the band.

"My heart has always been in it for the music, touring and performing. I've had some great times playing with other musicians these past 10-11 years, but NEVERMORE has and will always be my personal portal to some of the best music I've ever done and created.

"No one can replace Warrel Dane. Bottom line. With his interesting melodies and charisma onstage, he was a force that was a huge part of the band both lyrically and spiritually. With that being said, we aren't looking for a Warrel Dane clone.

"We are looking for someone that can carry the older NEVERMORE tunes in his vocal style, and someone who can add something new and refreshing to the next chapter of the band. Obviously, this won't be the easiest thing to do.

"With all this being said, we are going on a WORLD SEARCH seeking two extraordinary musicians. One main lead vocalist, and one bass player to join the fold and help carry our legacy forward. We have since filled the position of a second guitarist, but more on that a bit later in another update!"

Vocalist auditions:

"NEVERMORE is known for its intense emotional resonance, and obviously this came through Warrel's unique vocal dynamics. We're looking for a vocalist who can deliver a wide range of tones and emotions with mastery and authenticity.

"Dynamic Range: Capable of singing high notes and resonant lows, blending power and vulnerability as the song demands.

"Expressive Depth: Beyond technical skill, we're looking for someone who can incorporate the raw emotion and haunting themes that define NEVERMORE's music.

"Stage Presence: We need someone who works well with an audience and embodies the intensity of the music in a live setting."

Bassist auditions:

"We're looking for a rock-solid player who understands how to create depth and drive in NEVERMORE's arrangements. Precision, groove, and the ability to lock in tight with Van is a huge plus. If you can contribute backing vocals, that would be great as well. Someone that can keep the rhythm section tight is all we ask.

"What we are looking for in both roles: Positive attitude...We want individuals who bring good energy to the band dynamic. We're seeking people who can maintain focus, professionalism, and respect for the music. Someone who is reliable, prepared and has a strong work ethic.

"You must be open to extensive worldwide touring with an active and current passport. A willingness to work together creatively, support each other, and represent NEVERMORE with integrity on and off the stage."

How to audition:

"Singers: Submit a video of yourself singing the song 'Born' and 'Sentient 6' from the 'This Godless Endeavor' album. Please feel free to sing as much of the song as you want. If you choose not to do the whole song, please at least sing a full verse and chorus of each song. Please also include a brief introduction about your background, influences, and what you can bring to the band. We encourage you to demonstrate everything to the best of your potential.

"Bassists: Should please play the songs 'Enemies Of Reality' and 'Inside Four Walls' while standing up focusing on tightness, technique and feel.

"Send us a PRIVATE YouTube link to your auditions to: [email protected]

"Along with Van, I'm very excited to see and hear from you. Thank you again to the fans all around the world for your kindness and support. Here's to an incredible 2025!"

NEVERMORE effectively split up in 2011 when Loomis and Williams announced their departure from the band due to personal differences with Dane and Sheppard. Warrel later described NEVERMORE in an interview as "the greatest band that alcohol ever ruined."

Dane died in December 2017 in São Paulo, Brazil at the age of 56 while recording his posthumously released solo studio album, "Shadow Work". The musician reportedly had a heart attack during the night and could not be revived.

According to guitarist Johnny Moraes, who played in Warrel's solo band, Dane had a history of addiction and other health issues. "His health was already very weak because of his diabetes and his problems with alcoholism," he said.

The instrumental parts for Dane's follow-up to 2008's "Praises To The War Machine" solo album were almost completed and he had begun laying down his vocals shortly before his death.

In a 2019 interview with Metal Master Kingdom, Loomis was asked if there were any plans to resurrect NEVERMORE without Dane. Jeff responded: "It's one of those things where I think NEVERMORE had such a special sound and it was simply because of all the musicians that were in that at the time. Van, me, Warrel, Jim. We had numerous different guitarists in the band throughout the years. We had Chris Broderick, we had Tim Calvert, who sadly passed away. A lot of good players. Steve Smyth, Curran Murphy. All these guys were a part of NEVERMORE in the past. Honestly, in my vision, it's important that you move on in your life. I really would like to remember the spirit and the attitude that we had as a band with the music and just move on from there. Because without Warrel, it's just not feasible, in my mind. [He is] sadly missed. He was one of my best friends. Things like that happen and it's a very sad situation. It really was. But we have the music to remember it all by."

In 2018 interview with France's Loud TV, Loomis stated about Dane's passing: "It's a sad situation with one of my best friends that I grew up being in a band with. [He was] one of the best lyricists in metal, I believe, that was ever out there — a fabulous person. He was a troubled person too at the same time; he had some issues. We had many great times together in the past, and we had many bad times, but I would say that the good times outweighed the bad. And in the end, we were talking still as friends, and we talked in the end before he passed away. We were on good terms. It's a very sad loss to the music community and he'll be well remembered as one of the great vocalists of a metal era."

Loomis added that Warrel had been "struggling with drinking and things like this" for years before he died. "I'm not getting into too much detail there," he said. "He had some troubles. I'm gonna miss him a lot. He was a great friend of mine and he was a wonderful human being."

Asked if there was any talk of a NEVERMORE reunion before Warrel passed away, Jeff said: "I think that once you do something for such a long time and you make your mark in the music world, sometimes things do have to come to an end. And, unfortunately, with my situation with NEVERMORE, after 18 years of being in the band, it marked kind of an end of an area. And for me personally, it was kind of moving on to another chapter in my life. There was talks, like maybe [in late 2016] about maybe doing a reunion show, but it never happened, of course. Obviously, now it's not going to happen."

Loomis "amicably" left ARCH ENEMY in December 2023 and was replaced by Joey Concepcion.

Jeff, who was the main songwriter in NEVERMORE, joined ARCH ENEMY in late 2014, but was not involved in the writing for the latter act's last two albums, 2017's "Will To Power" and 2022's "Deceivers".

An open letter from Van and Jeff:

So, the NEVERMORE teaser has sparked a lot of positivity and some expected...

Posted by Van Williams on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Steve Segal, who was a guitarist for Canadian rock legends April Wine from 1992 - 1994, has passed away. Details on his passing are currently unavailable.


April Wine's long time guitarist and now band leader, Brian Greenway, shared via Facebook, "Steve Segal. A friend and April Wine member '92-'95. May you R.I.P."







According to his "Artist Bio" at ReverbNation, Steve Segal was a Montreal-based guitar player, writer, producer, and engineer who has worked with April Wine, Aldo Nova, Celine Dion, The Ramones, Jon Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Michel Pagliaro, Niagara, Eric Lapointe, Roch Voisine, Robert Charlebois, Nanette Workman, and many others.


Steve started his career as a professional musician in 1977 playing for Quebec’s well-known rock ‘n roll diva, Nanette Workman.


In 1978 he started working as a studio guitarist, logging many hours in the studio with such talents as Michel Pagliaro, Nanette Workman, George Thurston (Boule Noire), Gino Soccio, and others.


In 1980, while living in New York City with Talking Heads' bass player, Busta Cherry Jones, Steve worked with members of the Talking Heads, and recorded two songs with the Ramones becoming the only other guitar player besides Johnny Ramone ever to record with the Ramones in studio.


After playing almost every club and theatre in Manhattan over the next two years,including shows with members of the Talking Heads, Joey Ramone, Busta Cherry Jones, Jimmy Rip, Bernie Worrell and others, Steve grew weary of the new wave and punk scenes that were so "in vogue" during that period, so he returned to Montreal to put together a small recording studio where he started collaborating with well-known Quebec hit songwriter Angelo Finaldi writing and producing French Quebec artists.


In 1984 Steve co-wrote, arranged, and played on a Radio Activitee top-ten single for Nanette Workman entitled "Bad Boy".


In 1988 Steve wrote, arranged, played and produced the award-winning Les Nuits S’ens Vient for Polygram recording artist Nico Matisse at Steve’s personal studio in Montreal. On this project, he worked closely with Corky Laing of the famed band Mountain who was head of A&R for Polygram Records at the time. Around the same time, Steve also recorded Alice Cooper’s “Freedom” in pre-production of the comeback album Raise Your Fist.


While touring Quebec with Michel Pagliaro from 1987 through 1989, Steve also spent many hours during his off-time recording with various Quebec artists such as Aldo Nova, Celine Dion, Michel Pagliaro, Marie Denise Pelletier, Patrick Bourgieous, 6AM, and Robert Charlebois. During this time Steve also performed and co-produced quite a few jingles for major companies such as Molson, Labatt, Chrysler, Rainbow Jeans, Laurentide and many more.


In 1989 Steve played slide guitar on Aldo Nova’s album Blood On The Bricks and worked one-on-one with both Aldo and Jon Bon Jovi who co-produced the album with Aldo at Le Studio in Morin Heights.


At the end of 1989, he left Quebec to tour 22 European countries over the next two and a half years with the Parisian rock band Niagara, with whom he also recorded a live 4-song CD in Germany


Upon his return from Europe in 1992, he was asked to join the Canadian icon rock band April Wine. During his 4-year, 2-album stint with April Wine, Steve also did sessions for others during his off-time, playing on several records including Eric Lapointe's smash debut Obsession. Steve also co-wrote the song "Better Slow Down" with Myles Goodwyn on the April Wine CD Attitude. After parting April Wine on amicable terms, Steve started producing local acts while still playing live around Montreal.


In 1995, Steve was hired by Aldo Nova once again, this time to play on Celine Dion's 17-million seller, Grammy award-winning album Falling Into You.


Some tributes to Steve Segal can be viewed below:

p>Trivium frontman Matt Heafy, who updates his official YouTube channel regularly, has shared a guitar playthrough clip for "Silence In The Snow". Check it out below.





Trvium and Bullet For My Valentine recently announced The Poisoned Ascendancy UK / Eu

In a new interview with the And Now The Band podcast, CANNIBAL CORPSE drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz revealed that he has been a vegetarian for 22 years. Asked what made him decide to stop eating meat, Paul said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I didn't wanna eat the animals anymore. That was as easy as that. I grew up, of course, a meat eater. A Polish family living in Buffalo, it's meat and potatoes. And there was nothing wrong with that; I loved it, of course. But then the older I got, I was just starting to, I guess, feel hypocritical, knowing that, man, I can never kill an animal to eat it, but yet I can turn my head and somebody else can do it for me and then I can enjoy it, eat it. And I was just really starting to get hypocritical in that view.

"I believe every animal deserves to live, and if I can not eat one and eat any, then I'll be happy with myself," he explained. "And that's when I made that decision 22 years ago to stop eating meat altogether. That was my mindset. It wasn't health reasons and it wasn't like I got sick or I hated it. I loved eating meat. I would have probably told you six months up until I was gonna become a vegetarian, if I didn't know at that point, but I would have said, 'Ah, there's no way. I bet you a million dollars. I'm never gonna be a vegetarian.' Things change. Things in your head change and your views change, I guess, and this one was a very strong one for me that made me just made that decision to do it. And it was actually one of the easiest things I ever did, which was kind of crazy. I thought it would be a little harder since you're eating meat your whole life and all of a sudden you're not. So, [I thought], 'Man, it's gonna be difficult. I gotta really…' But it wasn't. I was ready. Mentally, I was ready. So it was, like I said, probably one of the easiest things I ever did, actually, which is kind of crazy to think."

Asked if he noticed a change in his health when he went vegetarian, Paul said: "Not really. It was weird because, obviously, like I said, I didn't do it for those reasons. So I almost was, like, 'If I am unhealthy, I don't care. I'm gonna feel better as a person myself. And I'm hoping it's gonna affect me [in a positive] way. I guess, I always think hypothetically, like what if I went in to my doctor and he goes, 'Hey, you're gonna die tomorrow if you don't eat meat.' Okay. Well, then maybe I would consider it — maybe, maybe consider it — because it's causing me harm, I suppose. But if it's not, and here I am still doing what I'm doing, active, playing drums, playing death metal-style drums and all this kind of thing at this age, being a vegetarian for 22 years, I guess it's been okay. So I'd say my health overall has been kind of the same, which is good."

Paul went on to say that being a vegetarian is a lot easier now than it was two decades ago. He said: "Oh, of course. Yeah, there's so many more options. And just in a flavor standpoint, because, obviously, you can be healthy just as a vegetarian eating bland, eating just literally vegetables and fruits and things like that and beans and stuff. But it's good to know that there's so many great options being… Like I said, I love the taste of meat, and it's not necessarily healthier, like, say, the Beyond products or the Impossible products, if you can have a Beyond burger and go, 'Wow, this tastes like a hamburger to me,' well, I'm all for it because I love that flavor. So if I can get that flavor and it being not eating an animal, that's great. Like I said, it doesn't mean that's any healthier because it's vegetarian, but you'll still be able to get some proteins. So you've just gotta be careful, like anything else, moderation and be careful what you do and eat. And you've still gotta do the normal things — exercise, stay hydrated. I think that's the key as well. That's why maybe I feel like there was no transition or no change because I've really tried to do more in the other way. When I quit eating meat, it was around the same time I gave up drinking soda. And that, actually, was hard. Maybe not as hard as smoking, of course, but that took a month of willpower. Like, 'Oh, my God.' I I love Dr. Pepper. That was my thing. And I was, like, 'Okay, I've gotta stop. I know they're not good for you. I just need to stop.' And I still drink coffee, and I don't think I can ever give that up, but I'm not drinking coffee like I drank Dr. Pepper, where that's all you're drinking all day, if you're into Cokes and things. So, I gave that up, and I felt that was a huge success and a huge positive change, to just strictly drink water from that point on. How is that not gonna be better for you when you're just ingesting water all day as opposed to this soda that's just — who knows what it's doing your innards? Yeah, so, that was good. Making those kind of changes definitely helps. So I think, that definitely helped me in my situation. And for longevity purposes, I would think it would help for anybody."

CANNIBAL CORPSE's sixteenth studio album, "Chaos Horrific", was released in September 2023 via Metal Blade Records.

Since 1988, CANNIBAL CORPSE have been at the forefront of death metal, shaping and defining the genre. In 2021, they raised the stakes again with "Violence Unimagined". And in 2023, the band's thirty-fifth anniversary, they returned with its successor, the equally monstrous "Chaos Horrific", starting a new chapter in their storied legacy.

Mazurkiewicz named "Chaos Horrific" and his cohorts felt it was a great representation of the band. Subjects covered include fighting off hordes of zombies ("Chaos Horrific"),the selection of a random individual to be dismembered and sacrificed ("Summoned For Sacrifice") and the violent revenge of victims of human trafficking ("Vengeful Invasion"). The album artwork by longtime collaborator Vince Locke is also suitably CANNIBAL CORPSE-esque, featuring a chaotic tangle of the living and the undead, evoking the lyrics of the title track.

Photo credit: Alex Morgan

PRIMUS played the first concert since the recent unexpected departure of longtime percussionist Tim "Herb" Alexander last night (Monday, December 30) at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. Sitting behind the drums for the show was Bryan "Brain" Mantia, who previously played with PRIMUS when Alexander originally left the band in 1996.

In light of Alexander's latest departure, PRIMUS also enlisted musicians from frontman Les Claypool's side projects, THE HOLY MACKEREL and FROG BRIGADE, to perform during last night's performance.

Fan-filmed video of the entire gig can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows:

THE HOLY MACKEREL

01. Holy Mackerel (LES CLAYPOOL AND THE HOLY MACKEREL song) (with LES CLAYPOOL AND THE HOLY MACKEREL)
02. Highball With The Devil (LES CLAYPOOL AND THE HOLY MACKEREL song) (with LES CLAYPOOL AND THE HOLY MACKEREL)
03. Hendershot (LES CLAYPOOL AND THE HOLY MACKEREL song) (all three bands)

FROG BRIGADE (with Larry LaLonde)

04. Up On The Roof (THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE song) (with THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE)
05. David Makalaster (THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE song) (with THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE)
06. Riddles Are Abound Tonight (SAUSAGE cover) (with THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE)
07. D's Diner (THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE song) (with THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE)

PRIMUS (with Brain)

08. Restin' Bones (first time since 1997)
09. Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
10. American Life
11. Fisticuffs
12. Shake Hands With Beef
13. Jerry Was A Race Car Driver

Encore:

14. Here Come The Bastards (all three bands)
15. Cosmic Highway (THE LES CLAYPOOL FROG BRIGADE song) (all three bands)

With Mantia, PRIMUS recorded two studio albums — "Brown Album" (1997) and "Antipop" (1999) — as well as the covers EP "Rhinoplasty" (1998) and the original theme song for the TV show "South Park".

Last month, Alexander shared a letter with Rolling Stone magazine explaining his decision to leave the band.

"A lot of times, you do something you love for a long time, and sometimes the passion turns into a job, and sometimes that job doesn't feel like it's your being anymore," he said.

He reflected on the impact his decision had on his physical, mental and family life.

"When I discovered that I'm struggling with all these things, I had to sit and think about exactly what am I doing," Alexander said. "I don't think I've ever chosen my path in life, I think I've just always thought 'I'm a drummer, I'm just gonna do music,' and things came to me, accepting whatever happens."

The news of his departure was initially shared on October 29 by his now-former bandmates, who claimed that they received an e-mail from him nearly two weeks earlier saying he had "lost his passion for playing."

Alexander joined PRIMUS in 1989 and left in 1996, then rejoined when they reformed in 2003. He exited the group again in 2010 but returned in 2013.

PRIMUS isn't planning to cancel any upcoming shows. For TOOL's "Live In The Sand" destination festival, they will be joined by the latter band's Danny Carey. As for their 2025 "Sessanta" dates, they are "searching for the 'greatest drummer on earth'."

In July 2016, Alexander revealed that he suffered a second heart attack after he previously endured a similar health scare in 2014.

A decade ago, Les Claypool's plan to reform the "classic" PRIMUS lineup — with Alexander and guitarist Larry Lalonde — was put on hold when Alexander suffered his first heart attack, a "minor" attack that resulted in the drummer requiring triple bypass surgery. To fulfill its touring obligations, PRIMUS recruited Carey to fill in for a few dates. Three months after open-heart surgery, Alexander rejoined PRIMUS on the road.

Happy New Years my Diabolical Friends.

Me and the illustrious Zombie Yeti Studios teamed for a couple of posters to...

Posted by zoltron on Monday, December 30, 2024

Stephen Pearcy played "Reach For The Sky", a track recorded during the sessions for RATT's 1984 debut album "Out Of The Cellar", live for the first time during the RATT singer's December 29 solo concert at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

"Reach For The Sky" was first included on limited-edition versions of the "Out Of The Cellar" 40th-anniversary release celebrating RATT's massively successful first studio album, which was made available on November 8, 2024 via BMG, in partnership with Rhino Entertainment.

Formed in Los Angeles, RATT was featured as an unsigned act on Uncle Joe Benson's "Local Licks Drive Time" show on KLOS-FM. This was their first time on radio and led to their signing to Atlantic Records.

Featuring the classic lineup of Stephen Pearcy (vocals),Warren DeMartini (guitars),Robbin Crosby (guitars),Juan Croucier (bass/vocals) and Bobby Blotzer (drums),RATT exploded on to the national scene in 1984 with the release of "Out Of The Cellar".

Featuring an undeniable hook and legendary music video, the lead single "Round And Round" hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Out Of The Cellar" reached No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200 and was certified triple platinum. Two more charting singles followed with "Back For More" and "Wanted Man".

"Out Of The Cellar" became a huge success, and after the album was released, the band went on a world tour, selling out stadiums and arenas worldwide and sharing a stage with acts such as OZZY OSBORNE, IRON MAIDEN, MÖTLEY CRÜE, TWISTED SISTER and more.

The limited edition of "Out Of The Cellar" was released on November 8, 2024 in red-and-black splatter vinyl with a lenticular cover and an additional neon orange 7" with the previously unreleased track "Reach For The Sky", as well as a limited-edition CD format with lenticular cover and unreleased track. Also available were brand new limited-edition color vinyl versions of the albums "Reach For The Sky", "Invasion Of Your Privacy", "Detonator" and "Dancing Undercover".

RATT returned in 1985 with its second full-length album, "Invasion Of Your Privacy". Certified double platinum and also reaching No. 7 on the Billboard 200, "Invasion Of Your Privacy" also featured the classics "Lay It Down" (No. 40 on Billboard Hot 100) and "You're In Love".

"Dancing Undercover" followed in 1986 as RATT toured North America with a then-brand new Los Angeles band called POISON as the opening act. Lead single "Dance" hit the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned another music video hit with "Slip Of The Lip", while "Body Talk" was featured in a key scene in the Eddie Murphy film "The Golden Child". "Dancing Undercover" became RATT's third consecutive platinum album and reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200.

1988's "Reach For The Sky" saw RATT return to the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 album charts, peaking at No. 17. Driven by the bluesy hit and MTV favorite "Way Cool Jr.", "Reach For The Sky" was also certified platinum and became RATT's fourth album in a row to move well over a million copies. "I Want A Woman" was also a successful single and the video captured the excitement and energy of RATT live.

RATT released its last full-length record of the Atlantic era, "Detonator", in 1990. Music was changing, but "Detonator" was still a success, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and going gold. It was the first RATT album to feature major outside songwriting contributions (Desmond Child, Diane Warren) and guests (Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Schenker). Lead single "Lovin' You's A Dirty Job" hit No. 18 on the rock chart while the power ballad "Giving Yourself Away" reached No. 39.

In 1991, they released the single "Nobody Rides For Free" from the hit film "Point Break", starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.

In January 2021, Pearcy told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he was open to the idea of making a new RATT album with all the surviving members of the band's classic lineup.

RATT hasn't released any new music since 2010's "Infestation" LP.

#760WJR invites you to experience two Rock n Roll powerhouses together on one stage, Stephan Pearcy of the band RATT...

Posted by WJR Radio on Friday, October 18, 2024

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have released a video message from singer Bruce Dickinson in which he says goodbye to 2024 and "The Future Past" tour and says hello to 2025 and the "Run For Your Lives" tour.

He says (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Hello folks. This is my tour pass for 2024. That'll get me anywhere in 2024, but I don't need that anymore now because 2025 is gonna be something special. Not just because of the tour pass. Honestly, we are pushing the boat out with the tour. Not that I need to tell anybody, 'cause basically the tour is sold out already. So for those of you who have bought tickets, which is like all of you, it's gonna be really, really cool. I'm really looking forward to it. We're gonna be doing stuff we've never, ever done before, and it'll be a setlist for the ages. So, I'll see you there. And it's not gonna stop in 2025. It's gonna roll into 2026 'cause there's parts of the world that we need to get to that we can't get to in 2025. So there you go."

This past September, IRON MAIDEN promised fans "a spectacular and elaborate new show" on its 50th anniversary tour in 2025 and 2026.

The "Run For Your Lives" world tour starts in May 2025 in Hungary, with dates announced so far going through July 2025 in Germany.

Dickinson said IRON MAIDEN's 50th-anniversary tour will see him and his bandmates giving "fans a once-in-a-lifetime live experience. This is a tour that's gonna put a smile on your face and a cheer in your throat. If you've seen us before, then get ready to take that experience to a whole new level. If you've never seen us before, then what the hell have you been waiting for? Now's your chance to find out what you've been missing! IRON MAIDEN's definitely gonna get ya!"

MAIDEN said it will "cover classics and fan favorites from the first nine albums, from 'Iron Maiden' to 'Fear Of The Dark', many of which we haven't played in years and many we will likely never play again in the future. We have already been hard at work for months putting together an even more spectacular and elaborate new show which will bring the songs to life more than we have ever been able to do before."

"Fear Of The Dark" marked Dickinson's last album before he exited MAIDEN and then later returned in 1999.

Earlier this month, IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris spoke to Music Radar about the "Run For Your Lives" world trek. He said: "It's amazing that this band's been going for 50 years. When you really think about it, it's insane. How many songs we've done, how many albums, how many tours… it's outrageous. And it's fantastic to see so many young people in the audience now. A couple of shows that we did recently, we had youngsters, real youngsters, like nine or ten years old, and then some others like teens or early twenties. So we're still generating new fans all the time. And I think that's because we put on a good, entertaining show. We're still playing really well. And for all those young people turning up, I think a lot of them — dare I say it — I don't think they've seen anything like it. We're seeing all these young people in the front row, and they must think we're ancient now. Well, we are, I suppose. You know, when I was 17, I thought that 25 was old."

IRON MAIDEN's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain played his last-ever gig with the band earlier in the month in São Paulo, Brazil.

The 72-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement on December 7 in a statement on MAIDEN's web site and social media. He also said that night's concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the iconic heavy metal act.

Despite the fact that he is stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he will remain closely connected to IRON MAIDEN and continue to be involved in "a variety of projects" with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

On December 8, IRON MAIDEN announced Simon Dawson as its new touring drummer. Dawson is a former session drummer and Harris's longtime bandmate in BRITISH LION.

Back in 2019, Harris told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that there has been no talk of MAIDEN retiring anytime soon, despite the fact that all the members are in their late 60s.

"We all feel that if we feel we're not cutting it anymore, then we'll discuss it and that will probably be the end of it," he explained. "But at the moment, we don't feel like that. We feel that we definitely still are pulling our weight, so to speak. We're just doing well. So far so good. I don't wanna tempt fate, but we are doing good."

In 2022, Dickinson told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show about MAIDEN's longevity as well as the group's multigenerational appeal: "We're not planning to retire at all, really. I think we'll probably drop dead onstage. I can think of worse places to drop dead. But no, we're not planning on retiring. We're all still firing away [with] loads of energy and loads of enthusiasm.

"With respect to our fans, we've got generations of fans now," he continued. "Even at [my] spoken-word shows, I can crack jokes about the age of the audience only because half the audience is, like, my age, but the other half of the audience is often way, way younger. So it's brilliant. We've got this whole intergenerational thing going. And, obviously, at the MAIDEN shows, it's even bigger, the emphasis on that. And huge numbers of women. It's fantastic. 'Cause it always used to be cliché, back when I was starting in the early '80s, that heavy metal was just, like, misogynist, male-dominated stuff… But no, it's not true. There's loads and loads of heavy metal fans who are girls."

The São Paulo performance marked the final show of "The Future Past" world tour, which began in May 2023.

During an October 3, 2024 "in conversation" event at Sydney, Australia's Crowbar, legendary vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes once again looked back on his 2016 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, where he was honored along with other former and current members of DEEP PURPLE. Regarding how he was treated by the other PURPLE musicians who were inducted that night, apart from singer David Coverdale, Glenn said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "There was no, 'How are you tonight?' None of that. There was no family vibe, there was no hugging, there was no handshaking, there was no, 'How're you doing, pal?' None of that. And it was fucking uncomfortable. Let me tell you, it was uncomfortable.

"When we were getting the awards, at the end, when we're all standing with these incredible lifetime awards, if you've seen the show, and this is the thing that really, really, really, really upset me to the point of tears, I went to congratulate [DEEP PURPLE frontman] Ian Gillan, and as I got close to him, he put his arm like this [out in front of him], 'cause he did not want me to get near him," Glenn recalled. "So I grabbed him like this [to give him a hug] and said to him, 'Oh shit.' I can't tell you what I said, but I thought it was very fucking stupid to do it on live TV where you have to show resentment or whatever you wanna call it. I was really upset. It didn't make me angry; it really hurt my feelings. Why did he do that? I don't know.

"Look, I have deep respect respect for all musicians, as I do with people and you guys in the audience — deep respect," Hughes added. "I get very upset. And I've had my fair share of crappy, weird things happen. I wasn't the nicest guy when I was drunk. But to do that to a family member whilst I was thanking and congratulating him on his award… He didn't wanna know it, didn't wanna fucking know. That was really rude."

Glenn previously discussed DEEP PURPLE's Rock Hall induction this past June in an interview with Guitar Interactive Magazine. Asked if he has since spoken to any of the other current or former members of DEEP PURPLE who were inducted that night, with the exception of Coverdale, Glenn said at the time: "No. I will never speak to any of them again — simply because they were rude. Both Roger [Glover, PURPLE bassist] and Gillan were rude to David and I. Very, very hurtful. I didn't give a fuck, actually, 'cause I knew they were rude to begin with. I was the only sober man there."

Glenn continued: "I don't care about those guys. Gillan was rude to me on stage accepting the award. I went to congratulate him. He looked at me in the eyes like I didn't exist. The guy has a problem with me. Period. I'll let him run with it. I feel bad for him. I'm really sorry about his wife [Bron Gillan, who passed away in November 2022, reportedly after a long illness]. I've tried to reach out to him. He doesn't wanna know. I've tried to make some kind of friendship with him over the last 40 years. He doesn't wanna know. David Coverdale and I don't exist to him.

"I wish him only the very best, but I have no time left for that behavior," Hughes added.

Four years ago, Glenn told Eonmusic that PURPLE's 2016 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame "was a little difficult, because of, let's call it personality problems. It was David and I holding hands, and the other guys, unfortunately. We just don't get along with the other guys at all. So, we kept ourselves to ourselves — David and Glenn, with our wives — and it was great. David and I, what a great time. And we closed the show with CHEAP TRICK and Sheryl Crow, and our friends in CHICAGO.

"You know, it's a touchy subject," he continued. "It was not an easy night for us. If you look at the body language, it's pretty obvious. But again, David and I have been thick and thin for so long; I just dearly love him. Regarding DEEP PURPLE, I have no idea what they're doing, and I don't really care."

Hughes's comments came less than two months after David expressed his exasperation at PURPLE over how he and Glenn were treated by their former band ahead of the Rock Hall induction. The singer, who played with DEEP PURPLE along with Hughes from 1973 to 1976, said: "Glenn Hughes and I were told, 'Well, we don't want you singing with us.' Initially, I'd spoken to Ian [Gillan] about coming up and singing the backgrounds of 'Smoke On The Water', because originally they were going to close the show. So, that suddenly was pulled. They tried to stop us doing speeches, and my wife was fucking furious, apart from the fact she spent a fortune on posh dresses. [Laughs]"

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich inducted DEEP PURPLE into the Rock Hall. PURPLE had been on the ballot three times and Ulrich has been championing their inclusion for years.

DEEP PURPLE's first three lineups were inducted into the Rock Hall, including guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Jon Lord, and various singers and bassists — Rod Evans, Gillan, Roger Glover, Coverdale and Hughes.

DEEP PURPLE's acceptance speeches included turns from Gillan, Glover, Paice, Coverdale and Hughes before the then-current lineup of DEEP PURPLE — Gillan, Glover, Paice, guitarist Steve Morse and keyboardist Don Airey — took the stage and played a short set consisting of "Highway Star", "Green Onions" (with an image of Lord behind them),"Hush" and "Smoke On The Water".

Known as the "voice of rock," Hughes spent key years of his career as the beloved bassist and vocalist of DEEP PURPLE, appearing on the classic albums "Burn", "Stormbringer" and "Come Taste the Band". More recently, he has been playing various hits and deep cuts from the DEEP PURPLE catalog, including "Burn", "Stormbringer", "Sail Away" and "Smoke On The Water", as part of his "Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live" tour, which was launched in 2017.

A couple of weeks after PURPLE's Rock Hall induction, Hughes was asked by Metal-Rules.com about the fact that he and Coverdale didn't perform with the band at the event. He said: "There is a band out there called DEEP PURPLE featuring Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover which was essentially Mark II. Every artist gets to do three songs. Now let me talk to you openly as there was a 99.9 percent chance that Hughes and Coverdale would not be invited to sing. I'm not going to name names, as there is a member who didn't feel it was appropriate that we should sing. So David and I braved it together as we were arm and arm all the way through. But I knew by the end of the night it would not happen. CHEAP TRICK closed the show and they invited us to play with Sheryl Crow and Grace Potter."

Hughes denied that he bothered by the fact that he didn't end up performing with PURPLE at the event. "Am I upset about not singing with DEEP PURPLE? Not at all," he said. "Everybody knows that David and I can sing. Everybody knows that we were in the band. All that mattered to me was accepting the award on behalf of DEEP PURPLE and the fans."

Glenn also talked about the absence from the induction of Blackmore. He said: "I can say that David spoke to Ritchie in 2012 during the first nomination. David asked him, 'When we get in, are you going to attend?' He said, 'Oh no, not at all.' David is my brother and he would have no reason to fib to me, but Ritchie had no intention of attending the Hall Of Fame. It had nothing to do with him and Gillan not speaking. He just didn't want to show up. Nobody stopped him, and you can't stop an artist from getting inducted unless the chairman of the Hall Of Fame bans you. The chairman of the Hall Of Fame reached out to Ritchie with both hands and Ritchie gracefully declined. He didn't say anything bad. He just said, 'Thank you. I'm not going to attend.' People need to know it was a gracefully done. There were two guys that didn't show up: Ritchie, who declined; and Jon [Lord, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist] who had passed."

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at the 2016 Rock Hall, he was given several shoutouts during the induction speeches of the DEEP PURPLE members in attendance. In addition, Ulrich praised "Ritchie fucking Blackmore" for one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water".

"It's a big disappointment for me that [Blackmore] wasn't here tonight," said Coverdale. "I e-mailed his manager a couple of days ago and extended a personal invitation. I never really got a response. Ritchie and I reconnected in 2012 after the loss of Jon Lord just to express my condolences and we buried the hatchet... which was great."

Gillan defended the band's decision to only perform with the group's then-current lineup at the Rock Hall induction, explaining that "there [was] no slight intended nor any desire to upset anyone" with this move.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony seemed like a rare opportunity for DEEP PURPLE to reunite with Blackmore, who wrote many of the band's most memorable riffs, but hasn't played with the group since 1993.

In a 2019 interview with Tales From The Road, Gillan dismissed Hughes's and Coverdale's comments about the Rock Hall, saying: "I've seen a lot of rubbish being spoken — it's not worth even rising to the occasion — but I hear David Coverdale and others talking about what happened at the Rock And Roll Of Fame. Well, we were very kind to everybody, the current band. And we did invite Ritchie to play 'Smoke On The Water' with us at the ceremony, but he declined. So, [those] are just opportunistic remarks from the others."

GLENN HUGHES VIP MEET AND GREET INFO + SET TIMES

For VIP meet and greet, Hardline Media staff will be there to greet...

Posted by Hardline Media on Wednesday, October 2, 2024

In a recent interview with Charlie Kendall's Metalshop, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about the multigenerational appeal of the band's music, with dads, moms and kids all attending PRIEST's concerts. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When you look out into an audience these days, it's not all old folks like myself. There's a hell of a lot of young faces, and they were probably dragged there initially screaming and yelling by their parents maybe, or their grandparents in some cases. But they're loving it, and they're singing along to the songs, and not just the new stuff — they're singing along to songs which are 40, 50 years of age. So they've obviously got an interest because they've delved into the back catalog and they've been listening to all this early stuff. And it's great news, not just for ourselves, of course, but for heavy metal in general. It's a very heartening thing to see, lots of young people enjoying themselves."

He continued: "We've always tried to take a step forward with each album. You just wanna get yourself better. We embrace new technologies and new gizmos and what have you; if it sounds good, we'll use it, [and] if not, it gets discarded. But when you're doing that, you stay current, and it keeps you relevant. And if you didn't know who we were and you listened to [PRIEST's last two albums] 'Invincible Shield' or 'Firepower', for instance, we could be any band — we could be any young up-and-coming band just trying to make it. And I think that's why we're attracting a lot of younger people, because of that — it's because of that relevance and because you can connect to them, and it is modern as opposed to… I mean, listen, some bands, they'll record the same album half a dozen times. People love them for it, and there's nothing wrong with that whatsoever. But we've never done that. We've always tried to take that step forward, as far as we're concerned — step sideways sometimes. [Laughs]"

Almost a year ago, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford also spoke about the multigenerational appeal of the band's music, stating during "in conversation" event in London, United Kingdom: "There are some metal maniacs that have been with us from day one. And if that isn't love and passion and support, I don't know what is. What's equally exciting is, we're at this place now where you'll look out to all our fans and there's everybody from every kind of demographic. And that's just really something that you don't expect when you begin your work in this band. You don't expect personally to get this far. And then to see how far your music has reached.

"Each of us kind of owns this music," Halford added. "It's very, very personal. It means something very special and unique to each and every one of us. So there's that part of the story as well, but particularly when you see — you go on a stage anywhere in the world, and you see a young metal maniac early into their teens with somebody from my septuagenarian years, and they're banging their heads together and they're doing this [flashing devil's horns]. That's just remarkable. And I think that's pretty much exclusive to our world, to a degree. And that just makes part of this big picture and story of JUDAS PRIEST even more real."

JUDAS PRIEST played the final concert of its 2024 tour on December 13 at Ex Theater in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan.

PRIEST will celebrate the 35th anniversary of its classic album "Painkiller" extensively live with the "Shield Of Pain" tour in 2025. This "rare" and "unique set" will include "beloved classics" and "will be defending the metal faith in a truly memorable experience throughout Europe" this summer, according to a social media post from PRIEST.

PRIEST's 12th album, "Painkiller" was recorded at Miraval Studios in Brignoles, France, and was mixed at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands. It was the first LP to feature drummer Scott Travis following the departure of Dave Holland.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest album, "Invincible Shield", entered the U.K. chart at No. 2, just behind Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine".

Prior to "Invincible Shield"'s arrival, PRIEST's highest U.K. chart achievement was with 1980's "British Steel", which reached No. 4.

PRIEST's 2018 album "Firepower" entered the chart at No. 5.

"Invincible Shield" was JUDAS PRIEST's fifth Top 10 album, after the aforementioned "British Steel" and "Firepower", as well as 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" (No. 6) and the 1979 live album "Unleashed In The East" (No. 10).

"Invincible Shield" landed at No. 1 in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as No. 5 in France, No. 8 in Italy and No. 16 in Australia.

During an appearance on AXS TV's "Vinyl Obsession" podcast, MÖTLEY CRÜE's new guitarist John 5 spoke about some of his favorite albums of all time, including VAN HALEN's classic 1978 debut and KISS's "Love Gun". Regarding "Van Halen", he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I bought this from cover alone, because it said 'Gene Simmons', and he worked on the record. And I remember putting this on, and I think maybe this record was the one that maybe gave me the biggest shock, because of the sound. Now, I was already playing guitar. And it was, like, 'Whoa.' It was like seeing a car, but then seeing a race car. You're, like, 'Whoa.' I mean, [Eddie's Van Halen's guitar playing] really freaked me out. And then with Dave's [Lee Roth] vocal and the sound and everything… Without these four guys, it wouldn't be the same — with Mikey's [Anthony, bass] vocals and his playing and Alex's [Van Halen, drums] playing."

Elaborating on what stood out to him about Eddie's guitar playing, John 5 said: "I remember I would get on Eddie's rig and I would get on his guitar rig, and it's all in the hands — it's just in the hands. It's in his attack. It's in his playing. That's why he sounds like Eddie. That's why when people play other people's music, you can hit all the notes, but it's just different with certain players, like Eddie, because there was an attack and there was a certain way he really hit the the strings. Same thing with Yngwie Malmsteen or people like that. They have a certain swing to them or a certain attack. And that's how it was with Van Halen."

As for "Love Gun", John 5 said: "I remember this vividly, going through Sears, and I was seven years old. It was June. And because the record was just coming out and there was a big display. Remember in the record stores when they had huge displays and they had all the records… And I just remember getting it and taking it home and playing this record and loving it.

"I bought this from the image alone," he revealed. "And a lot of people, a lot of musicians I know did the same thing. It was [KISS's] 'Destroyer' [album], though, for them; that was the record that that did it for them. But this was everywhere. So when you walked, that's what you saw — you could not not see it.

"These guys were masters of marketing — really," John 5 continued. "So after I got this and listened to it and obsessed on it, then I got everything — 'Destroyer' and the debut and 'Hotter Than Hell' and 'Dressed To Kill'. Now, 'Dressed To Kill', it was funny because I thought — I mean, I was so young; I was seven years old — and I thought 'Dressed To Kill' was the first record 'cause it was black and white. And I didn't know, 'cause I used to love watching all the monster movies and I understood that they were very old and it was before color, but I thought 'Dressed To Kill', which is the third record, was their first record 'cause it was black and white.

"This is what a stupid kid I was. I used to think when they played KISS on the radio, which was rare, I used to think that they would go to the radio station, set up, play and then leave," John 5 added. "So whenever they had KISS playing on the radio station, I was, like, 'We gotta get to the radio station. KISS is playing at the radio station.' So I was so stupid. I just thought that all these artists would just go, 'Hey, what's up, Ted Nugent?' We're gonna play our song.' But in my defense of stupidity, it kind of happened like that in the '50s and things like that. When they were on the radio, they would go and they would play live. It was those old shows."

This past June, John 5 released a new solo song called "A Hollywood Story". The track, and accompanying video, details John 5's incredible journey, from picking up his first guitar at the age of 7 to recording acclaimed solo material and touring the world with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford and — currently — MÖTLEY CRÜE.

The new track came after the release of the instrumental masterpiece "The Ghost" in October 2023 as well as a series of sold-out tour dates in 2023.

John 5 hit the road again this past fall on the "Strung Out" tour, with special guest TURNING JANE, beginning September 1 in Boston, Massachusetts and ending October 24 in Novato, California, with a number of Canadian dates. These new solo appearances were in addition to John 5's dates with MÖTLEY CRÜE, including Louder Than Life and Aftershock festivals.

For over 30 years, John 5 has been one of the most in-demand guitar players on the planet. As well as being a songwriter/guitarist for hire, John 5 has shared the stage as axe-man for Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Rob Halford. He has also worked with an impressive array of names, from all walks of music, including KD Lang, Rod Stewart, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, Tina Guo, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Meat Loaf, Dolly Parton and Ricky Martin. In October 2022, it was revealed that John 5 would be joining MÖTLEY CRÜE as their guitarist following the announcement that Mick Mars would be retiring. John 5 continues to tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE.

In a new interview with Belgian Jasper, THE HALO EFFECT bassist Peter Iwers was asked if he and his bandmates were thinking at all, prior to the release of the group's debut album, 2022's "Days Of The Lost", about the reaction from IN FLAMES fans, considering that THE HALO EFFECT features five former members of IN FLAMES — Iwers, Jesper Strömblad (guitar),Daniel Svensson (drums),Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals). He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we were reminded a lot. 'Don't forget that you all played together at one point' or 'you played in this band', and it's, like, we know, but that's not why we started THE HALO EFFECT. We started THE HALO EFFECT because we wanted to play together again, and some of us have never played together, and, obviously, this constellation has never played together. I knew there would be a lot of comparisons and there would be talks about rivalry and stuff like that. And if you know me and you know people around me, you know that there's no such thing as rivalry. I try to get along with everybody, and this is the case with IN FLAMES as well."

He continued: "There's no rivalry; there's no stuff like that. Let's just like get that out of the way. I still run a restaurant with Björn [Gelotte, IN FLAMES guitarist]. We still talk to each other a bunch of times every week and all that stuff. But with that said, when the album was out and that the feedback was so positive, I guess without thinking about it, without having any expectations, kind of like now [as we prepare for the release of the second THE HALO EFFECT album, 'March Of The Unheard'] — the music's done; I'm happy, I'm not nervous. Of course, when the actual response comes, if it's possible, I will always go, 'Ah, thank god.' But at that point, we were just happy because before 'Days Of The Lost' was out, we actually had it ready for about two years. We formed the band just before the pandemic hit, and then we were able to sit in the studio and in the rehearsal spaces and all those places to write music and take our sweet time. And then when we were done and we were ready to release it, we had to wait another year and a half or so before the actual plan could be started. And this time around we had songs that were written along the way and we had to schedule the studio time in a little bit more than before and kind of go in and focus more. But there was no stress. There was nothing like that. So I'm very eager to get the music out there. I'm not nervous. There will be some comparisons, of course, to IN FLAMES, as always, but also to the first record, as it should be. I'm just happy to get the music out. I've gotta say that."

"March Of The Unheard" will arrive on January 10 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Shortly after "March Of The Unheard"'s release, THE HALO EFFECT will embark on its first-ever headline tour in Europe. Industrial outfit and labelmates PAIN will be special guest on this tour and to round up this great package, melo-death shooting stars from Finland BLOODRED HOURGLASS will join as a support.

"Days Of The Lost" entered the official chart in Sweden in the summer of 2022 at position No. 1. This was believed to be the first time a debut LP from a metal act had ever topped the chart in Sweden in its first week of release. "Days Of The Lost" also landed at No. 6 in Germany.

Asked in a June 2022 interview with Australia's "Scars And Guitars" podcast if he would agree that "Days Of The Lost" is, in some ways, a "spiritual successor" to "Reroute To Remain", IN FLAMES' sixth album, which came out in 2022, Peter said: "Ooh, interesting. I haven't really thought about it. When you make music, like we do, you tend not to overthink stuff — you just go in and you write music and kind of know that what comes out will sound a certain way because of the style that we are playing and how we are playing and performing our music. So I haven't really thought about it, but maybe — maybe. It was definitely nothing intentional. We just went in. We had a bunch of ideas and we came out with a bunch of songs that happen to sound a certain way. But none of us really overthought it and it was never meant to 'it's gonna sound like this' or 'it's gonna sound like that.' We just [went], 'Let's write this music and see what happens.' And because of, like I said, how we're playing, it will sound a certain way."

Added Daniel: "A lot of people like to analyze music, and, of course, it sounds Gothenburg metal-ish because we all are from that genre and we are some of the people that kind of created it. So, of course, it will sound Gothenburg metal-ish, IN FLAMES-ish. And then which era, I don't know. And as Peter said, we don't really think about how it should sound. This is how we sound today, and with our legacy this is inevitable, that we sound as we do."

Continued Peter: "Obviously, people like to do a lot of comparing between us… It's a difficult topic to discuss because none of us have — even though we've all been in IN FLAMES at some point, none of us have really thought about this as what you're saying. But then a lot of people that we speak to say it. So it's a little hard to take in, as we've been very thorough in just writing music. But I'd say it's a little flattering to hear it."

Photo credit: Linda Florin (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)

Jack Moore, the son of rock legend Gary Moore, has released a new single with plans to launch a debut album in 2025.

In partnership with up-and-coming vocalist Quentin Kovalsky, "In My Shoes" was created when the duo toured Europe together performing a tribute show to Belfast-born Gary Moore, who is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Jack said: "'In My Shoes' was inspired by the relationships between parents and their sons, and how they guide you through life. It explores the themes of the values they imbue in us, and how we put them to practice in our own lives."

Gary Moore, widely celebrated as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, sold over five million albums during his career. Known for hits like "Out In The Fields", "Parisienne Walkways", "Empty Rooms", "Still Got The Blues" and "Pretty Woman", Gary made his mark as a heavy rock guitarist before evolving into a blues artist. He also performed with THIN LIZZY during two notable stints.

Gary Moore passed away on February 6, 2011, at the age of 58.

With its classic sound, "In My Shoes" channels influences from iconic artists and bands like Tom Petty, George Harrison, THIN LIZZY and THE TRAVELING WILBURYS — all of which shaped Jack's musical upbringing. The track's signature dual-guitar melodies even pay homage to THIN LIZZY's unmistakable style.

Having gained feedback from family and friends, guitarist Jack and Polish co-writer/singer Quentin are excited about the song.

Jack said: "We're proud of how the song came out and we hope people enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

"I worked on the track with Quentin while we had been paying tribute to my father around Europe with shows. We discovered that we shared musical inspirations so doing our own original project was natural.

"I think it's the start of an identity that we're comfortable with going for. The guitar and classic sound fit well with our style. I think my father would have loved this song. There's a nod to THIN LIZZY's unmistakable dual guitars in there too, and I think it's very much up my father's street in terms of style."

"In My Shoes" is now available on major streaming platforms.

Press photo courtesy of Alex McGreevy

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Posted by Jack Moore on Friday, December 27, 2024

Jack Moore, the son of legendary Gary Moore, joins forces with Quentin Kovalski to deliver a single that seamlessly...

Posted by Quentin Kovalsky on Sunday, December 29, 2024

Former NEVERMORE and ANNIHILATOR guitarist Curran Murphy has confirmed that he has officially joined VENOM INC. as the replacement for the band's founding guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn.

The news of Murphy's addition to VENOM INC. comes less than a month after Mantas announced that he was leaving the band in order to focus on his "health and well-being" after suffering two heart attacks in the space of four years, as well as to care for his wife, who is battling cancer.

In a brand new interview with Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic, Murphy — who made his live debut with VENOM INC. in May in Indonesia — stated about his status with the group (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Officially, with Mantas saying that he's taking a step back or stepping out, [VENOM INC. bassist/vocalist] Tony ['Demolition Man' Dolan] has offered me the position to play guitar for VENOM INC. And I have gleefully accepted.

"This last year has been awesome, all the shows traveling the world with Tony and [drummer Marc] Jackson, and playing these shows and working my ass off to play the stuff right, to play it as close to the record or, in some instances, to play it as close as how Mantas would play it live, to pay that respect," he continued. "And Tony has asked me to join the band. So I'm absolutely overwhelmed and thrilled to announce that I am the lead guitar player for VENOM INC. It's wonderful."

Murphy also addressed the inevitable criticism he and the other members of VENOM INC. will get for carrying on without Mantas, who was the band's founding guitarist as well an original member of pioneering U.K. metal act VENOM. Curran said: "Some people might say some negative stuff about it, this, that and the other, but I'll draw a parallel in regards to when Tony asked me to come in and, 'Can you fill in for Mantas?' And right off the rip, like even saying that, I got goosebumps, like, 'fill in for Mantas?' I mean, here's a guy and a band and a thing that has inspired my heroes: METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, SLAYER. That's my school, where I came from, the 'Big Four' [of 1980s thrash metal], TESTAMENT and all. You can trace that lineage all the way back to what VENOM started, to what VENOM did, and so for me to come in and help keep gasoline in the engine so the machine can keep running because, like Tony said, 'Hey, man, there's obligations. There's promoters that have booked [shows] and [fans have] paid money for tickets' and this and that. And it can't stop, but also Jeff needed to step back to help take care of his wife, like a man. Macho, like, 'I'm putting every everything about my life on hold to take care of my wife.' That's macho as fuck. And then, to be struck with that terrible second heart attack and to take all that pressure off of Mantas and say, 'Don't worry about anything. You don't need to show up. You don't need to get on a plane. Get right, get healthy, get yourself good.' And to bring me in — just the fact that Tony even called me.'

He continued: "I'm sure Tony's got a list of 20 guys that can do the gig, wanna do the gig, blah, blah, blah, but for Tony to choose me and hand me the opportunity just to fill in, and meeting fans on all these shows we played — South America, Indonesia, all over Europe, Poland, to meet these fans, and thankfully, wonderfully, not one of them has come up said, 'Well, I wish it would have been Mantas.' The only Mantas conversations I've had with these fans has been, 'How is Mantas? Is he getting better? Is he going to be okay?' And my answer has always been, I'm not filling shoes. I'm helping to keep the seat warm. I'm here to pay honor, tribute to that legacy and that legend and to do it as best I can so the fans aren't disappointed. 'Cause in my head, I think, 'Oh, man, they're gonna be bumming that it's not Mantas.' So I can't go up there and eat shit. [Laughs] I've gotta to do my very, very best to learn his solos as note for note as I can, to learn the songs as best I can. And my ego goes to the side, and it's all about… There's one song — 'Welcome To Hell'. When we were in South America, and we haven't been able to have rehearsals as a band [laughs] at all. So, we're down there. And there's a riff, the verse riff, I'm playing it, and the drummer, Jackson, he's, like, 'Hey, Curran, you're doing this one thing. And I know that it's probably right, but live, I do this accent with the chinas. Can you follow the guitar chords with that?' And I'm, like, 'Oh, what?' And learning to do that stuff right, and I've told both Tony and Jackson, like, 'Man, I have no ego about it. If there's something that Mantas does or did that's not on the records, or that you wanna hear, or that it should be heard, man, you're not hurting my feelings. You're not pissing me off. Fuck, you tell me.' Shit's gotta be right. Shit has to be how these fans expect. That's the most important thing."

In a recent interview with Metal Kaoz, Dolan was asked if Dunn was officially out of the band. Tony responded: "Well, he made a statement about a year, probably a year and a half ago when his wife was sick and a statement went out in the press that I didn't know was gonna go out, but he just said that he wasn't gonna do any shows until further notice. So he felt he wanted to express that to people."

He continued: "They live in Portugal. They're quite secluded in a lot of ways, [with] not a lot of friends around them. That's how he likes it. But he felt he wanted to stay there and be there for her, which, of course, you had to. But he put this statement out saying he wouldn't do shows until further notice. So I just took that on board. I thought, 'Well, there's no pressure. I'll just keep going. I'll keep the bus driving, the engines running.' And if she's better, because that's what we were hoping for, that she would be fixed, and when it's time, then we'll just carry on. Just come back and off we go. But I was at a point where I've got an obligation to the label, to the manager, to the agents, to the bookers. That's a lot of people who then don't make any money. So I have to keep it going. And you can't take an advance from publishing companies or from record labels and then just run away with the money. That's not how it works. So I had to keep working to push sales to pay them back for what they had generously given us as an advance. So, that was gonna happen."

Dolan went on to say: "Then it got to about halfway through last year, last season, or maybe it was just before the season, she was doing better and he felt really good and he started to run through the material. We had a Belgian festival coming up. It was gonna be the first one [with him back on stage]… And he felt good. He was looking good and he sounded good and he sounded positive. Then I didn't hear from him for three days. And then when I do get in touch with him, he's in hospital and he had a second heart attack. And, of course, physically you might be okay, but mentally that's two hits. And I think he just doesn't wanna die running through an airport or walking on a stage in another country, a million miles away from home. And I can understand that. So, again, we were back to, 'Okay, well, you don't wanna tour. So I'll do the touring. And then when the festivals come up, we'll just see if you feel good about doing them.' That was the idea. But then he was out of the game. So we just continued on while he stayed home and recuperated, really. And I kept sending him messages going, 'There's no pressure. Don't worry about anything. Just get well. And then when you're ready to go, go.' And I kept making sure he was okay for money and everything like that. And then last week or something, someone sends me an image from the Internet saying, 'Oh, why is Mantas not coming back?' And I was, like, 'Pardon?' And then I get to see this Blabbermouth thing where he said he's not coming back. And it was, like, 'Okay.'

"So I don't know. I don't know," Dolan added. "As far as I'm concerned, he's my brother. I love him. I don't want nothing bad to happen. But I just need him to be happy. And if he's happy being at home and recording in his home studio, his stuff that he does there, then fantastic. I can't make him go out. I wouldn't try and make him go out on the road against his wishes. But VENOM INC. is bigger than the people involved, and it means something. And there's new fans."

Asked if there is a chance that Mantas will still be involved with VENOM INC. in the songwriting capacity in the future, Tony said: "Well, we'd already done two albums' worth when we put the last album out [2022's 'There's Only Black']. So we'd overwritten, because it was supposed to go across two albums. That was the idea. The original idea was to have it as a double album. So, the first album [that was gonna] go out — it was all about Dante's Inferno and the nine circles of hell. So it was your journey through life, from life to death. And that was the idea. But very quickly, when he had his heart attack, that changed because the meaning of him not seeing any light and seeing there's only black, I was, like, 'Wow, that's it. 'There's Only Black'.' And so we went from there. But we still have those recordings.

"He's spent the year recording some of that material that is not VENOM-esque," Tony continued. "It's kind of rock/metal, I guess, or whatever you wanna call it. It's very him. And he loves doing that and he's singing. So if he wants to do that, that's fine.

"I've been writing more stuff throughout the year, so 2025 will see two live albums go out, an EP — a new EP with this lineup — and a new album," Tony revealed. "When we get to the album at the end of the year, if he still feels that he's doing what he does and he wants to just do that, then I'll let him do that. But if he feels he wants to push something down the tube, then absolutely. Because it was us, it was us. We were like a double act on stage. We were the Laurel and Hardy or whatever it is, or the Batman and Robin of music. So, it feels weird being without him there. So, however he wants to do it, I'll be open to however he wants to do it. As long as he's alive and he's okay and he's happy, then I'm happy. That's the point of everything. There's more things to life."

Dunn formed VENOM INC. nearly a decade ago with two other former VENOM members, Dolan and drummer Antony "Abaddon" Bray.

In his announcement that he was leaving VENOM INC., Dunn said that his "health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to myself and my family," but added that "there are also more personal issues which have influenced my decision."

This past May, Dunn revealed that he had suffered another heart attack on the morning of April 17. Despite this frightening event, the swift response from medical professionals at Abrantes UCIC and later in Lisbon ensured he received the necessary care promptly. An angiogram revealed issues with two valves, leading to the immediate placement of two stents.

The 63-year-old British-born musician, who currently resides with his wife in Portugal, previously suffered a heart attack and underwent a double bypass surgery in May 2018.

Mantas sat out VENOM INC.'s fall 2023 U.S. tour after revealing that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. He was replaced on the trek by Mike Hickey, known for his work with VENOM, CARCASS, CATHEDRAL and CRONOS.

VENOM INC. is not to be confused with the Conrad "Cronos" Lant-fronted version of VENOM, which is continuing to tour and make albums under the VENOM moniker. Joining Cronos in that group are Rage (a.k.a. Stuart Dixon) on guitar and Danté (a.k.a. Danny Needham) on drums.

VENOM's classic lineup trio of Dunn, Lant and drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray recorded four studio LPs, "Welcome To Hell" (1981),"Black Metal" (1982),"At War With Satan" (1984) and "Possessed" (1985),and live album, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (1986). Often cited by bands such as METALLICA, BEHEMOTH, CELTIC FROST and MAYHEM as major influences, they are one of the most revered bands of their generation. VENOM is still fronted by Cronos and headlines festivals all over the globe and continues to release new music while Dunn and Dolan had joined forces in the similarly named VENOM INC.

During an appearance on a recent episode of "The Jasta Show", the podcast hosted by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, Myles Kennedy (ALTER BRIDGE, SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS) was asked how long he can keep singing and performing. The 55-year-old vocalist/guitarist, who is based in Spokane, Washington, responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That's a good question. That's really tough to know. You know what? Here's the deal. As long as this [points to his throat] still works and this [grabs his hand] still can do something, I'll try and go as long as I can.

"I think I was the guy for a while where I was, like… Even the idea of the art of letting go, what that means to you and the many things — there's multi layers — is the idea of, like, well, I'm not a spring chicken anymore. Could I let this go?" he continued. "I don't know. Would I be okay with that? Who would I be? What would be my purpose? And I think that's the main thing where it's really the idea…

"I look at my folks, and they're getting close to their eighties now, and they've stayed busy. They still do their thing. I think they're finally gonna retire, but they just wanna keep going. And they're sharp as a tack. They still have their health. And the people I know who make it to that point in life, they have interests, they have purpose. That's the big one. And I think for me, how I'm hardwired, 'cause I'm a little bit neurotic. I struggle with my demons. And that's why I write, I need to write all the time, create all the time, because I need an outlet. And I think if I were to say, 'Okay, you know what? I'm cool. I can hang up. I'm not gonna do this anymore,' I don't know how healthy I would be mentally. I don't know if I could do it."

Asked if that would be the time for him to find a new passion or pursue something else that he has always wanted to do but never had the time, Myles said: "Brother, I've tried to find things. For a while, I was getting into horology, mechanical watches. I kind of picked that interest up from guy like Eric Singer from KISS, and I was, like, 'Oh, that's really cool.' And then learning about how all that stuff works and reading about it. But the problem is, is then I'd see my guitar sitting over there and be, like, 'I must have that now.' It's like an appendage. I can't imagine life… In fact, I had kind of a nerve injury not too long ago and it was kind of getting in the way of playing. And that really F'd with me, man. It was frustrating. 'Cause I used to play five hours a day. It's just all I would do. And then I was, like… oh, I was having all these problems with my arm, and blah, blah, blah. And it's fine now. I've found somebody who's really helped a lot. And I think that's part of where some of this came from. Like, well, what if you can't do this? Some singers, as they get older, they're fine. Some singers you just don't know. And I don't know what it's gonna be, but I think what I've figured out is the way I'm hardwired, I don't know how healthy it would be if I stopped."

Kennedy's third solo album, "The Art Of Letting Go", was released in October via Napalm Records. The LP marks the return of Myles, backed by his band comprised of Zia Uddin on drums and Tim Tournier on bass.

To celebrate the release of "The Art Of Letting Go", Myles Kennedy and his trio hit the road in support of the new album. A six-date U.K. run with support from Devin Townsend took place in November and December. Twenty more dates were added to "The Art Of Letting Go" tour 2024 all across Europe starting last October. The additional European dates featured support from BLACK RIVER DELTA and CARDINAL BLACK. The band will also be bringing the tour to North America with dates set for January and February 2025. The 2025 dates will feature special guest Tim Montana.

As a prolific songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and proficient guitar player, Kennedy tunes into the rhythm of his surroundings and goes with the flow. Fronting ALTER BRIDGE, his soaring vocals, open-hearted lyrics, and airtight riffs have fueled the group's global impact as a gold-certified, arena-filling force of nature over two decades-plus. On the microphone for SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS, his towering range has consistently stunned audiences since 2010. Becoming a celebrated collaborator, he's the rare presence just as comfortable on a track with DISTURBED, HALESTORM and SEVENDUST as he is with GOV'T MULE and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. It's why he's generated over one billion cumulative streams, earned gold and platinum certifications worldwide, uplifted countless fans, and Kerrang! christened him "one of rock's finest vocalists." It's also why he's carved out his own lane. 2021 saw him deliver his acclaimed sophomore opus, "The Ides Of March". It impressively notched a total of four No. 1 debuts across three countries, toppling the Billboard U.S. Top Current Hard Music chart, the U.K. Official Rock & Metal chart and Official Independent Album chart, and Canada's Hard Music Albums chart. Beyond generating 10 million-plus streams, it incited unanimous critical applause from American Songwriter, Guitar.com, Loudwire, Guitar World and more. RIFF hailed it as "a fantastic and must-listen record," while Classic Rock magazine awarded it "4.5 out of 5 stars," going on to attest, "'The Ides Of March' confirms Myles Kennedy as a musical powerhouse."