In a new interview with Sweden's RockSverige.se, IN FLAMES' Chris Broderick was asked what he learned from the time that he spent as the lead guitarist for MEGADETH. He responded: "I took a lot away from it, because it really showed me that there is a lot more to music than the music, which I both appreciated and hated at the same time. Prior to that, I was just, like, I'm a musician. I'm a guitarist and I play the guitar.' And when I joined MEGADETH and got into that camp, it really showed me how interested people are in your personality and who you are as an individual, and that was shocking to me. How you present yourself and stuff like that. So that's like one of the biggest things I learned from my time in MEGADETH."

Only hours after drummer Shawn Drover announced his exit from MEGADETH on November 25, 2014 to "to pursue [his] own musical interests," Broderick revealed he also quit the legendary metal band, saying that he was leaving the group "due to artistic and musical differences."

Six and a half years ago, Broderick spoke to Ultimate-Guitar.com about the circumstances that led to his decision to exit MEGADETH. He said: "I wouldn't say it's necessarily artistic and musical differences as much as it is the ability to express my musical and artistic choices. Everybody knows that MEGADETH is really Dave [Mustaine] and that's fine."

He continued: "I knew that [Mustaine was captain of the ship] going in. But there comes a time where you're like, 'I've done this and it's great but I'm a musician and artist at heart and I need to express myself that way. So I need to have that outlet for myself and not just do it in support of another person.'"

Regarding how MEGADETH was run, Broderick said: "It wasn't a democratic or an equal band in terms of the decision-making process. And again, I was totally fine with that at the time. It was awesome for my career and it was great playing for all those fans but at some point, when do you decide you're gonna be a musician and really create your own music or are you just going to record what somebody else wants?"

Asked if he would stayed in MEGADETH if he had been given more input and creative freedom, Chris said: "Oh, yeah. Definitely."

Broderick previously told Zombitrol.com about the three MEGADETH studio albums that he played on, 2009's "Endgame", 2011's "TH1RT3EN" and 2013's "Super Collider": "Ultimately, I didn't feel the freedom to be able to express myself musically on those CDs. So, for me, I have fond memories of really, more [than] anything, getting out and meeting the fans and being a part of that live culture, where they were so nice, they were so welcoming to me. You know, when you fill in somebody else's shoes, not everybody's gonna be there to congratulate you. And I felt like, overall, the fans really did, and I appreciate that to no end. But as far as the discography goes, I don't feel like I really had a lot of creative input on that end."

In a 2015 interview with Guitar World, Broderick said that "there definitely was a dress code that [Mustaine] wanted to maintain for a MEGADETH look. For me, with everything in this camp, I saw very early on that Dave is the owner of the company and he is the one that has the right to say how the company is presented and how it should look. The only time we had any issues was when I didn't know a specific thing about how he wanted my appearance to be, and then I would find out as we went along. I saw it very early on as a job requirement and I felt that if the job is worth it to me then I would make those changes."

Regarding whether he had considered leaving the band in the past, Broderick said: "I was constantly weighing the positives against the negatives. I likened it to a lawyer that's working for a firm and finally wants to break out and start his own firm or a chef that wants to open up his own restaurant. You have to deal with the corporate mannerisms from the company you're working for. And once it gets to a point where you feel like you would be happier on your own, that's when you finally to cut the cord. I had been thinking about what to do for a long time, but up until I decided to leave, I always felt the positives outweighed the negatives."

Asked when that balance tipped, Broderick responded: "Not until the last quarter of 2014. I was dwelling on my lack of musical creativity in the band. Dave was getting ready to go in and do another CD and my heart just wasn't in it because I knew I wasn't going to have any artistic say in the definition of the album and the music. He was calling, saying, 'Hey, I want to get you guys down there.' The last thing I wanted to do was go down there and work on a partial CD and then say, 'Hey, this isn't for me.' It was just the right time to leave."

Broderick joined IN FLAMES in early 2019 as the replacement for Niclas Engelin.

Forged from the melting pot of Detroit's underground metal scene, Asylence is a well-oiled metal machine built with passion, intent, and ferocity like no other. They are gearing up to release their first full-length, Endanger Us All, next year and to whet the appetite of listeners they are dropping their single, “In Solidarity We Die”.





The track is guitarist Aaron Lumsden’s favorite track and for good reason. The guys really put their heads together on this one - musically this song just rips with a melodic twist on the chorus.




The band dogs into the meaning behind it: “The song to us sounds like it was written by the last person on Earth, writing the final texts about the tragic failing of humankind that brought us to our doom. It’s one of those songs where the message is pretty straightforward, that we are all eventually going to die so why not be good to one another and recognize each of us is the same lost creature on this planet? We are lucky children of this Earth, we are no better than the animals we share the planet with. We need to take care of our home, or we will lose it all.”


The timeline for writing the album was pretty wide with the pandemic hampering some of it, but ultimately it came together in the way it was meant to be. Each of the songs are personal, the riffs are impressive and the band confidently remarks that it is their best effort yet and anyone who likes what they do is going to love it. Listeners are going to recognize their signature sound for sure but they will be pleasantly surprised with some new angles that they decided to take with this one.


When it comes to live performance, fans can expect to bang their heads,, while taking in an onslaught of fast death metal he emphasizes a certain deathly serious vibe to the stage which translates gravely to the crowd; prepare to rock out while contemplating the meaning of existence.


The single, “In Solidarity We Die”, is recommended for fans of Devildriver, In Flames, and Amon Amarth. Find it on digital networks here, and watch the music video below:





Endanger Us All is due out on February 24. Stay tuned for further details.

Angry Anderson, frontman for Australian rock band Rose Tattoo, introduces the band's new guitarist with the following message:


"Brothers and sisters, over recent weeks we have been deliberating as to whom might come into Rose Tatt’s line up to fill the position left by Bob’s departure... well, the wait is over as we have decided on our replacement and I am very pleased to announce our own Ronnie Simmons as our new guitarist, our own because, for those that don’t already know, Ronnie was born and raised here in Australia being fed a daily diet of all things Aussie Rock by seriously responsible parents, Rose Tattoo played a prominent role in his musical education, he told me many years ago that some of the first songs he learnt to play were Rose Tattoo toons and since then he has held a dream of one day joining our band for some musical adventure so here we are welcoming a new player into our brotherhood who was raised on our music, no finer pedigree needed!


"Ronnie and I first met quite some years ago, he was still a pup, well compared to the rest of us he still is, so he brings his youthful exuberance as well as his well known wizardry which has positioned him in the Los Angeles rock scene. He regularly plays in Richie Ramone and the Faster Pussycat crew to name just two.




"In recent years, since relocating to LA, he has earned himself a reputation as a consummate player, his guitar skills are now well known, his stage presence is charismatic but come see for yourself on that one!..Girls.


"Ronnie will debut with the Tatt’s in February 2023. See ya there or be square!......Ango."

Golden Robot Records recently released a remastered edition of Rose Tattoo's Beats From A Single Drum album, available to stream everywhere and on limited edition vinyl.


Beats From A Single Drum features 10 remastered songs from the 1986 album including "Calling", '"Michael Oreilly'" and '"Suddenly'", with the latter track featured as the wedding song for Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie Minogue) on Neighbours. "Suddenly"was also featured in a wedding scene for the hit UK show Gavin and Stacey.


This era was defining for Rose Tattoo with a changed lineup, new members in the fold and Beats From A Single Drum released for the first time to great eagerness from fans and critics alike. The main contributing members of this album were Angry Anderson (vocals), Tim Gaze (guitar), Andy Cichon (keyboard/backing vocals) and Scott Johnston (drums/backing vocals). This pivotal time in Tatts history cemented the band as an established name and a force within the Australian music landscape.


This is not the first Rose Tattoo release Golden Robot has been involved with, previously releasing Tatts: Live in Brunswick (2017), Blood Brothers (2018) and Scarred for Live 1980-1982 (2018). The label was also home to the Tatts when they supported Guns N' Roses on their 2017 Australian stadium tour.


"We are truly excited to remaster what was the most commercially successful album for Rose Tattoo and Angry [Anderson]. Tatts will always be a rock n' roll institution with Angry being one of the most notable Australian front men of all time." says Golden Robot Records CEO & President, Mark Alexander-Erber.


Led by front man Angry Anderson, Beats From A Single Drum takes on a new life form to deliver a clear and familiar sound to Rose Tattoo fans. Beats From A Single Drum will be made available on vinyl in 2023, a must have for any serious record collector.





The vinyl will be available in 4 colours with a limited edition blue vinyl available for pre-order now. A further limited edition red vinyl will be made available in January, with black to follow in February and a limited edition USA exclusive green vinyl to be made available for pre-order in March.


Buy/stream Beats From A Single Drum here.





Tracklisting:


"Calling"
"Frightened Kid"
"Suddenly"
"Runaway"
"Winnie Mandela"
"Get It Right"
"Say Goodbye"
"Falling"
"Clear And Simple"
"Michael Oreilly"

KISS have released the rare video below, stating: "December 21, 1973 - We opened a 2-night stand at the Coventry in New York City. A planned 3rd night did not happen. Here's 'Deuce' from night 2."





Robomagic Live have announced that KISS will play their final UK dates ever in June / July 2023. Tickets are on general sale here.







Tour dates:


June
3 - Plymouth, UK - Home Park Stadium
5 - Birmingham, UK - Resorts World Arena
6 - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena Newcastle


July
5 - London, UK - The O2
7 - Manchester, UK - AO Arena
8 - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro


The complete KISS tour itinerary can be found here.

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has created "The Collection: Slash", a premium, hardcover coffee-table photo book where he tells the story behind the instruments he has used throughout his storied music career, on countless hit records, and on stages worldwide in front of millions. Due to arrive in January 2023, "The Collection: Slash" custom edition is available for pre-order in the U.S. via Gibson.com.

Few artists have had as profound an impact on modern music as the rock icon Slash. From GUNS N' ROSES to SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and VELVET REVOLVER to his latest collaborations with SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, Slash brings his inimitable style and swagger to each project and continues to influence countless guitarists and musicians across generations and genres worldwide. In "The Collection: Slash", the guitarist draws new insights into the stories behind the music through exclusive interviews with Mark Agnesi (director of brand experience at Gibson). At over 300 pages in length, "The Collection: Slash" is lavishly illustrated, a rare and collectible book with numerous photos of the guitarist and his impressive guitar collection, shot by the Gibson team and legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin, whose relationship with Slash extends back to an early GUNS N' ROSES portrait session from 1986. Written and edited by Gibson editor-in-chief Chris Vinnicombe, "The Collection: Slash" is a must-have for both Slash fans, as well as anyone who admires fine and rare guitars.

Only the highly collectible custom edition of "The Collection: Slash" is hand-signed by Slash and limited to 500 copies worldwide. The custom edition measures 297 x 420 mm (11.69 x 16.54") and comes inside a deluxe clamshell protective box with premium case candy inside the package including an Axe Heaven Appetite Les Paul miniature guitar, an exclusive Slash bandana, a guitar pick tin with Dunlop guitar picks, a cover poster, four guitar art prints, and a certificate of authenticity.

"It's been a blast working with Gibson to create a platform for me to talk about my favorite thing, guitars," says Slash. "This book is a great exposé of all the great guitars I've collected over many years."

"Launching Gibson Publishing in partnership with Slash for our debut book 'The Collection: Slash' marks an important milestone for all of us at Gibson Brands," says Cesar Gueikian, brand president of Gibson Brands. "We continue to leverage our iconic past and lean into the future creating more opportunities for music fans around the world to experience original storytelling. With Gibson TV, Gibson Records and now Gibson Publishing, we are organically growing our own media platform that continues to create compelling original content. I am proud of what our media team led by Beth Heidt, Mark Agnesi, Todd Harapiak, Lee Bartram, and Chris Vinnicombe have accomplished together with the extended team. And I am grateful to Slash and his team's partnership for our debut publication."

The stunning "The Collection: Slash" is the first official book release for Gibson Publishing which marks the next major step in the evolution of Gibson Brands' media platform which promotes music experiences to fans worldwide. As with the recently launched music label Gibson Records — which released SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS' acclaimed new album titled "4" this year — the first project for Gibson Publishing is this premium book with Gibson global brand ambassador and rock legend Slash. Gibson Publishing is committed to sustainable and environmentally conscious publishing and uses FSC-certified and recycled materials wherever possible.

Ozzy Osbourne recently talked to Billboard about his Grammy nominations for his album "Patient Number 9" working with Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, his plans after the 2023 Grammy Awards, and more. You can now watch the full chat below.

Addressing his recent health issues, Ozzy said: "The last four years have been sheer hell for me. I've been in such a bad… health-wise. Plus I got Parkinson's diagnosis. But I'm… you know, [it] takes a lot to hold me down."

Osbourne discussed his health in more detail in a separate interview with Forbes. Speaking about the fact that he couldn't tour at the beginning of lockdown because he had a neck surgery a year earlier, Ozzy said: "At the time I was thinking, 'Nobody could work, so at least I'm not on my own.' I couldn't work, neither could no one else. So I thought, 'I'll recuperate pre-tour, I'll be okay.' But I'm still fucking suffering now. Not as badly as I was by any means. But I got this thing where they put these leg things on you, bionics, and you do a few exercises and it corrects your walking. Because the problem I was having is balance along with stability. When they cut my neck they cut the nerves. This bionic thing that they do reprograms your brain so you can walk better… It's fucking scientific now. There was a point where I thought, 'I suppose this is it.' And I'd just kind of get up in the morning and doing nothing so I had nothing to get up in the morning [for] and do in the day. But now I'm working out with these new apparatuses, proving to be okay and I'm dying to get back on the stage."

Regarding his plans to return to the live stage, Ozzy said: "On the road is where it all happens for me. Some nights I'm good, some nights I'm not so good. I'm getting slowly better and I don't give a fuck if I have to crawl on the stage I will get back on that stage very soon. The date I'm putting in the books is May of next year. I'm going to get well by May. I've got to set myself a date."

Ozzy has suffered from several medical issues in recent years, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu. More recently, the 74-year-old — who now uses a cane in public — had major surgery to "determine the rest of his life," according to his wife and manager Sharon.

In a recent interview with SiriusXM, Ozzy said: "It is so fucking tough because, I mean, I want to be out there. I want to be doing it. This fucking surgery this guy did. Fucking hell, you have no idea. The thing is my head is all right, my creativity is okay, my singing okay, but I just can't fucking walk much now. I can't begin to tell you how fucking frustrating life has become. It is amazing how you go along in life and one stupid thing can screw everything up for a long time. I have never been ill this long in my life."

Ozzy added: "That surgeon told me if I didn't have the surgery, there would be a good chance I would be paralyzed from the neck down."

Ozzy's "No More Tour 2" farewell tour kicked off in 2018 and has been on hold since then, with the next dates set for May 2023.

Dave Grohl and Greg Kurstin held the first-ever live edition of their "Hannukah Sessions" project on December 5 at the 250-capacity Largo in Los Angeles, California. This year's event, which was presented by director Judd Apatow, with profits going towards the Anti-Defamation League, featured Jewish rockers presenting both their own songs and choice covers, with Grohl on drums and Kurstin on keys.

The concert was recorded, to be released as this year's "Hannukah Sessions" video series. The first track to be made available, a rendition of BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS' 1968 tune "Spinning Wheel", with Apatow on vocals, can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows:

01. Spinning Wheel (BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS cover) (with Judd Apatow)
02. Get The Party Started (P!NK cover) (with P!nk)
03. The Things We Do For Love (10CC cover) (with Inara George)
04. At Seventeen (JANIS IAN cover) (with Violet Grohl)
05. E‑Pro (BECK cover) (with Beck)
06. Heads Will Roll (YEAH YEAH YEAHS cover) (with Karen O)
07. The Spirit Of Radio (RUSH cover) (with Jack Black)
08. We Love L.A. (RANDY NEWMAN cover) (with Greg Kurstin)
09. Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody (LOUIS PRIMA cover) (with Kyle Gass)

Grohl and Kurstin originally launched the "Hanukkah Sessions" project during the pandemic. The inaugural "Sessions" featured covers of songs by BEASTIE BOYS ("Sabotage"),Drake ("Hotline Bling"),MOUNTAIN ("Mississippi Queen"),PEACHES ("Fuck The Pain Away"),Bob Dylan ("Rainy Day Women #12 & 35"),ELASTICA ("Connection"),THE KNACK ("Frustrated"),and THE VELVET UNDERGROUND ("Rock & Roll"),while the 2021 follow-up included a black metal take on Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)", along with THE RAMONES' "Blitzkrieg Bop", Barry Manilow's "Copacabana", THE CLASH's "Train In Vain", KISS's "Rock And Roll All Nite", VAN HALEN's "Jump", Amy Winehouse's "Take The Box" and Billy Joel's "Big Shot".

In a new interview with Sonic Perspectives, former HIM frontman Ville Valo spoke about how he came up with the logo of his VV solo project, which is said to be a spinoff of HIM's "heartagram" logo (best described as a combination of a heart and an inverted pentacle). He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I can't consider myself being clever. But I thought that it was quite a clever thing to do. I was messing about with the heartagram. I was trying to find a way how to use it, because this is definitely not me trying to burn my bridges. And when we [go] on tour, half the set will be the HIM songs and half the set will be the new stuff. It's a like a stepping stone between the past and the future, I call it.

"I think the heartagram is one of the better things I've been involved in creating, and I thought that it was interesting — not only interesting, but important to carry it along," he explained. "Because a lot of people have still it tattooed on their bodies, and it means so much more than just the band. I thought just updating it a bit, everybody will understand that both are as valid — the original heartagram or the V-gram, as I call it, or VV-gram.

"I can still smell the sweat of the guys from HIM, even though it's been a few years [since the band split up]," Ville added. "It was a big deal for me. It was such an important band for myself. We grew up together with the lads, and I thought that we ended it in the most beautiful way a band can — without being at each other's throats. So in that sense, I wanted to continue, sort of, the legacy, or whatever you wanna call it.

"A lot of people who start their solo projects or whatever, they wanna denounce the past and do something absurdly different, and this wasn't definitely the case. But then again, working on the [VV] album, I didn't have to compromise, scheduling-wise and sound-wise and whatever-wise — production-wise. So I was able to put all my musical perversions on the album and this time around have maybe a bit more of this alternative rock vibe in there on an occasion, and more of this early '80s, new wavey, THE CHAMELEONS, the more rock stuff, and then SISTER OF MERCY and SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES — those jangly guitars and all that stuff — which I wasn't able to force my way into the HIM albums so much."

VV's debut album, "Neon Noir" will arrive on January 13 via Heartagram Records, distributed by UMG/Spinefarm.

Ville has released three singles so far from "Neon Noir": "The Foreverlost", "Echolocate Your Love", and "Loveletting". The latter marked Ville's first new music in over two years, following the release of the three-track "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" EP, also released under the VV banner, in March 2020.

Like "Echolocate Your Love" and "Loveletting", "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" bore a strong musical resemblance to HIM and featured the tracks "Salute The Sanguine", "Run Away From The Sun" and "Saturnine Saturnalia".

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

Formed in 1991 by Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as "love metal" (also the title of their fourth album).

HIM in 2015 parted ways with its longtime drummer, Mika Kristian Karppinen (a.k.a. Gas Lipstick),and replaced him with Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger (formerly of HERRA YLPPÖ & IHMISET).

Three years ago, Valo teamed up with guitar legend Esa Pulliainen to record an album based on songs by the late, legendary Finnish singer Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki. The self-titled album by VILLE VALO & AGENTS was released in February 2019 and was followed by a short tour.

Photo credit: Juha Mustonen

IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain was diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer in 2020 and opened up about it in a single interview last year but otherwise kept it mostly under wraps.

The now-70-year-old musician received his cancer diagnosis after undergoing an endoscopy at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University Of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine. Within a week, McBrain's cancer was surgically removed and he now gets check-ups every few months to make sure the cancer hasn't returned.

According to the web site of University Of Miami Health System, which spoke to Nicko about his cancer battle around the release of MAIDEN's latest album, "Senjutsu", the drummer decided to get himself checked out after noticed a change in his voice that could not be explained by a performance or touring.

"When I play drums with the band, I actually sort of scream and yell while I play, like a Judo guy slapping the mat," McBrain said. "[But] when you are lying down in a quiet room and you speak and hear your voice in your head and have a cold, you sound different. This happened to me. I thought this is very reminiscent — this different sounding voice of mine — to when I finish a tour or after a show. I didn't have a cold or any symptoms of illness at all. I started to feel that I was clearing my throat more when I was in conversations. So, I just took it on myself to call my doctor."

David E. Rosow, M.D., FACS, director of the Division of Laryngology and Voice at the University of Miami Health System, who performed McBrain's endoscopy, said laryngeal cancer is extremely curable with excellent quality of life if it is caught early.

"Anyone who is experiencing a voice change that lasts longer than three weeks should see an otolaryngologist who can evaluate a person's vocal folds," Dr. Rosow said. "Many cases present with a voice change like Nicko's and often when the tumor is as small as one to two millimeters, which makes the tumor easier to completely remove. The prognosis with early (stage 1) tumors is excellent, with published cure rates of 95% and up."

McBrain, who had the cancer in a part of his vocal cords, said: "I thoroughly recommend that anyone who may feel there is something different with their voice to go and get it checked out. And don't put it off. It was very good for me that I caught it in stage 1."

Nicko isn't the first member of MAIDEN to beat cancer. Back in late 2014, IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed with throat cancer. The singer, who had a golf gall-size tumor on his tongue and another in the lymph node on the right side of his neck, got the all-clear in May 2015 after radiation and nine weeks of chemotherapy.

In a 2015 interview with Overdrive, McBrain admitted that he thought MAIDEN was over when it was discovered that Dickinson had a cancerous tumor. "Well, I'd be a liar if I didn't think for a minute that IRON MAIDEN [was] finished," he said. "[But] I thought more about the possibility of losing my friend than anything else, to be honest. Then later, I was thinking, 'God forbid if the worst ever happened, the legacy would be the last 16 albums.'"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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




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








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


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


Lineup:


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asked if he "did okay" financially as a member of SKID ROW, Sebastian said: "We all did okay. When you sell 20 million records, everybody does okay. I mean, that's how many albums we sold and videos, singles… But, you know, we signed a publishing deal with [Jon] Bon Jovi's company, which gave him an extremely large cut of the first album. And when that happened, none of us realized it, really, and we were very bitter when we found that out. But our next record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, so quit your fucking whining. [Laughs] It's, like, I look back… He took us on tour… Nobody thought we'd make it. There was a million bands. We could have been BANG TANGO or TIGERTAILZ or… We could have been… There's a billion bands. We could have been BABYLON A.D. … Anyway, so, the fact that we were one of the bands that did make it was like a needle in the haystack. So for Bon Jovi to put us on the road in front of his crowd every night, that's how we made it. So he deserved to get paid for that. He could have taken any other band. So we re-did all those deals after the first album — for 'Slave To The Grind' and 'Subhuman Race' and the best-of album. We re-did all those."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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







Tracklist:


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


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


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


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


"Blood Red Son"





"Falling Under"





"Loveless"

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


11/11/22: Los Angeles by Greg Puciato


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







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


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


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





11/11/22 Los Angeles tracklisting:


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


"Deep Set" (Live) video:





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


(Photo - Stephen Odom)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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