During an appearance on the latest episode of Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons spoke about former U.S. president Donald Trump, on whose "The Celebrity Apprentice" show he was once a contestant.

"For the record, when [Trump] first ran in 2016 and got elected, I was happy," Gene said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I knew the guy from before then, seeing him in clubs and stuff like that. And for the record, he had Bill and Hillary [Clinton] at his wedding and Howard Stern went to his wedding. He's not a politician. But my point, I wanna say for the record, and people will tell you who know me, 'Oh, yeah, Gene was happy that Trump won.' I was. I didn't want Hillary [to be president]. I thought, 'Oh, a businessman is coming in. He understands how to run things.'"

When Maher pointed out that Trump doesn't understand how government works and doesn't care to learn, Gene said: "I agree. The person that I saw first coming into power is not the person I saw within a year or two of that… But I changed, the way lots of people changed."

Gene went on to question current U.S. president Joe Biden's fitness for the job at age 80.

"I thought Biden was gonna come in and be a major force," Simmons said. "I've got some big reservations about the man — not about his ethics and morality, but just about his physical ability to do all that."

After Bill expressed his surprise at Gene's "ageism," which refers to stereotypes, prejudice and/or discriminatory actions or practices against older persons that are based on their chronological age or on a perception that the person is "old," Simmons fired back with: "I am an ageist. I am an ageist, depending on the vibrancy and the mental alertness of what you've got. There's a certain age you can't look at a person and not say, 'Okay, you're X number of years old. Now, how sharp are you?' You're talking about the most powerful person on the planet… I'm not talking about policy. Communication skills are flat. There is such a thing as the cult of personality. And I like the man, but the ability to communicate a message is nil."

When Maher countered that Simmons is implying that words are more important than the deeds, Gene said: "Initially, yes. Because the first impression you have of a female walking up to you before you talk with her is the impression. And then you find out where and who and what she [is like]. As a male, you understand that. And the first impression I have of somebody coming on screen is the Nixon-Kennedy debate. [People] weren't listening to what the debate was all about. Nobody understands political platforms. All they saw was the five o'clock shadow of Nixon and the little beads of sweat. That's all they remember. And Kennedy was a good-looking guy who was able to put a sentence together. Do people remember what the political differences were? Not in the least."

Elsewhere during the chat, Gene went on to say that he is one of the more than sixty percent of the U.S. electorate which doesn't necessarily identify with a major party.

"Generally speaking, I'm a centrist," he said. "I don't like AOC [New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] and I'm not a fan of [Vermont senator] Bernie [Sanders], but I think they're both fine people. I do like [Utah senator] Mitt Romney and [Wyoming congressperson] Miss [Liz] Cheney, I do like that, and both sides hate you for saying those things, because they both want you to align yourself with what the marching orders are. 'If you're a Democrat, it means this. You're a progressive.' I'm not a progressive. I know that business has to involve people who don't agree with you."

This is not the first time Simmons has been critical of Trump. This past May, he told SPIN: "I know the previous [U.S.] president," he said. "I knew him before he entered politics. Look what that gentleman did to this country and the polarization — got all the cockroaches to rise to the top. Once upon a time, you were embarrassed to be publicly racist and out there with conspiracy theories. Now it's all out in the open because he allowed it."

Simmons went on to say that he and Trump "knew each other" before "The Celebrity Apprentice", "in clubs and all that. You have a different responsibility when you're just a citizen or an entrepreneur," he added. "You don't make policy. It doesn't affect life and death. When you get into a position of power, it does affect lives.

"I don't think he's a Republican or a Democrat," Gene said of Trump. "He's out for himself, any way you can get there. And in the last election, over 70 million people bought it hook, line and sinker.

"The current president [Joe Biden], I like the ethics and morality — not a charismatic guy, unfortunately. The first word I keep hearing from people, even friends is 'feeble.' I don't think he should run next time. So then who's around? There are no stars and invariably people vote for stars, not even what they believe in. The cult of personality. Americans are star obsessed: 'Kylie's got a new lip gloss? Fuck!'"

Simmons previously touched upon his feelings about the Trump presidency in August 2021 while speaking to Yahoo!'s Lyndsey Parker about the negative response he gets from some of his fans every time he shares his pro-vaccine stance on Twitter.

"It's been politicized," he said. "The gentleman who was in office, the former president [Donald Trump], I knew before the political world. It's the same person I knew before; the stripes of a tiger don't change. And the unfortunate thing is that… Look, we all lie to some extent, but what happened the last four years was beyond anything I ever thought imaginable from people who had lots of power — not just him, but the administration, everybody. And unfortunately, that disease — The Big Lie notwithstanding — has really infected a large portion of the population."

Asked to elaborate on his comment that Trump is "the same person" he knew when he was a contestant on Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" series, Gene said: "We were in a restaurant together, and I happened to be with an attractive young lady. And he walked up and said, 'Hey, Gene, you and I, we're exactly the same. We like the hot chicks.' That was a strange thing to say, but yeah, I guess that's true. But I think it's the same person. And maybe that was the appeal and continues to be. People are sick and tired of politically correct language and stuff.

"In a political dialogue, if somebody spews complete fiction and QAnon stuff, you wanna be able to have somebody who says, 'Are you out of your fucking mind? Did you just shit your diapers and forget to wipe it?'" Simmons added. "We're looking for that politician who just says instead of watching your language. Because the other side will spew garbage and lies and everything."

Back in 2019, Simmons said that Trump had "forever changed" politics. He added that "earth has never been in better shape" than it was in the summer of 2019. "I know — climate change and a polarized political thing — but there are no more world wars," he stated at the time. "I mean, imagine what London looked like 60 years ago. This is the best of times. Unemployment in the United States is the lowest it's been in 50 years — 5-0. When I rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange at their behest, the Dow [Jones Industrial Average] was about 8,000. It's almost 27,000 today. More people are working. More people are making more money. Unions are more powerful."

In the past, Gene had defended Trump's occasional off-color remarks and frequently outrageous statements, saying: "I don't know anybody here who hasn't said stupid things publicly or privately. You've said potty words and so have I. So I'm gonna give the guy who was duly elected a chance to show us what he can do, and then I'll judge his legacy."

Simmons said that he "didn't necessarily vote for Trump or [Hillary] Clinton" in the 2016 presidential election, adding that "it's really nobody's damn business" whom he voted for. "I think you'd be surprised by my choice — but he's President Trump, because even if you don't like the man, you must respect the office of the presidency and the will of the Electoral College," he said.

In 2017, Simmons confirmed that KISS was invited to perform at Trump's inauguration but turned it down because it was "not a good idea."

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the upcoming release of Dennis Ward and Khymera's new album, Hold Your Ground, on February 10. A new single and video, "Firestarter" is out today. Watch the video below, and pre-order/save Hold Your Ground here.


On Hold Your Ground, Dennis handles lead vocals, bass, and keyboards and is joined by guitarist Michael Klein, keyboardist Eric Ragno, and drummer MIchael Kolar, with Pete Newdeck contributing backing vocals. As has come to be expected with Khymera and Dennis, Hold Your Ground is another fine slice of high pedigree melodic rock.







Tracklisting:


"Don't Wait For Love"
"Firestarter"
"Hear Me Calling"
"Sail On Forever"
"Our Love Is Killing Me"
"Hear What I'm Saying"
"Believe In What You Want"
"On The Edge"
"Could Have Been Us"
"Runaway"
"Am I Dreaming"


"Firestarter" video:





Lineup:


Dennis Ward - Lead Vocals, Bass, Keys
Michael Klein - Guitars
Eric Ragno - Keyboards
Michael Kolar - Drums
Pete Newdeck - Backing Vocals

During a recent appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, legendary Danish heavy metal singer King Diamond spoke about the differences in the songwriting styles between MERCYFUL FATE and his namesake band. He said: "Well, Hank [Shermann, MERCYFUL FATE guitarist] is a different type of songwriter than Andy [La Rocque, KING DIAMOND guitarist] is. And, of course, I write a lot myself, especially for KING DIAMOND I do about two-thirds of the music and all the lyrics. And then MERCYFUL FATE is — we're doing it a little bit more like the old days, like 'Don't Break The Oath' maybe, where I will probably write three or four songs, and Hank will be doing the rest, whether it's five or six or whatever. So, he will do a little bit more music than I will do, and I do still all the lyrics.

"I was always the one that was swinging this big scalpel around, kind of," King continued. "Whenever Hank came with some riffs and ideas for putting a song together, I would often sit there and — I wouldn't say I would 'steal' some of his solo riffs, some of the riffs that he was gonna play solo [over], but it often happened that they were better to sing to than the ones I was given for vocals, you know? So we would do these exchanges and kind of, 'Hey, can I sing over this instead 'cause it's much better to sing over?' 'Oh, sure. I'll fix another piece up for me to play a solo over.'

"So it's still the same right now, I would say. It's very much the old-fashioned way we're doing it now. 'The Jackal Of Salzburg', the new [MERCYFUL FATE] song [that we have been playing at recent shows], when I first heard it, I think it was seven minutes and 24 seconds, and now that it's finished, it's about eight minutes and 54 seconds. So it's almost nine minutes. So, from me listening to it, and then Hank had a very nice response to it when finally I said, 'Try these and these and these things. He said, 'Okay.' And then he went back to the studio and started working on all this stuff and then he came back and said, 'Man, it sounds so MERCYFUL FATE right now.' … Suddenly it just was right.

"So it's both of us that have these things that they work very well together, these ideas," King added. "And we understand each other. It's the same with Andy; it's just a slightly different style that Andy has. And that's good, because that gives, of course, a purpose to be with KING DIAMOND also, for being able to write songs and stuff like that. We have this very special songwriting relationship with me and Hank, and also me and Andy. And now we have definitely been re-experiencing the way we used to do it in the old days, 'cause that's exactly how we've done this new stuff."

MERCYFUL FATE kicked off its first North American headlining tour in over two decades last month. Stepping in on bass for MERCYFUL FATE at these shows was Becky Baldwin, a British musician who has previously played with FURY, TRIAXIS and CONTROL THE STORM. She filled in for MERCYFUL FATE's regular bassist Joey Vera, who was unable to make the trek due to a scheduling conflict with his longtime band ARMORED SAINT.

In 2019, it was announced Vera would be replacing original MERCYFUL FATE bassist Timi Hansen for the band's summer 2020 European festival appearances due to Hansen's cancer diagnosis. Hansen passed away in November 2019 and MERCYFUL FATE's 2020 summer festival appearances were rescheduled for 2021, and then to 2022.

MERCYFUL FATE's North American tour, which featured support from by KREATOR and MIDNIGHT, wrapped up on November 16 in Atlanta, Georgia. The tour followed MERCYFUL FATE's stunning headlining performance at this year's edition of Psycho Las Vegas.

MERCYFUL FATE debuted "The Jackal Of Salzburg" in Germany this past June.

The band's current lineup is King on vocals, Hank and Mike Wead on guitars, Bjarne T. Holm on drums and Vera on bass.

KING DIAMOND is continuing to write material for its long-awaited new album. Titled "The Institute", KING DIAMOND's first studio LP in 16 years is tentatively due in 2023 via Metal Blade. It will be made available as a two-LP horror concept story, with the second part arriving at a later date.

Back in November 2019, KING DIAMOND released its first new song in 12 years, "Masquerade Of Madness".

KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the band's last album, 2007's "Give Me Your Soul … Please".

KING DIAMOND released a DVD/Blu-ray, "Songs For The Dead Live", in January 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The set captures 1987's seminal "Abigail" album in its entirety, twice, and in very different locales: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. The performances feature KING DIAMOND's current band, comprising of guitarists La Rocque and Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and drummer Matt Thompson.

In a new interview with Wichita's T95 The Rock Station, DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan was asked if he and his bandmates might focus on releasing singles in the future as opposed to full-length albums, as has been the case for much of DISTURBED nearly three-decade career. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's hard to give an answer to that. Back in the day, in our day, you [went] from albums to cassette tapes and cassette tapes to CDs and CDs to MP3s. I know that the hardcore fanbase loves to have the whole body of work.

"I can't really say [what we will go]," he continued. "I know that, yes, today's environment seems to just gravitate towards the singles and just [releasing] one [song] at a time. And for the artists themselves, it's frustrating to put your blood, sweat and tears, and all this time and effort and budgets into making a full album if seven songs don't see the light of day — if you only put out three singles and you have 10 songs on an album. So it's frustrating to think that you put all that work and effort and the same amount of energy into those other seven tracks that maybe a handful of the hardcore fans will love but the average listened may never get to. So, that's a tough call. It's really hard to say what the future's gonna hold for us on that. So, we'll see. I can't say one way or the other. But it seems like it's kind of headed in that direction for most."

DISTURBED singer David Draiman previously floated the idea of focusing on singles and EPs in a November 2021 interview with HardDrive Radio. At the time, he said: "We live in an environment right now and in an age where people's consumption of music has been very soundbitish and very track-driven and very single-driven. And there's definitely some beauty towards continuing to try and [make] things like concept records and telling a long story over the duration of a series of songs — there's huge merit to that — but I think that when you write 10 songs and three of them actually get worked at radio and maybe, if you're lucky, the fans are really familiar with half the record and the rest ends up sitting on a shelf, and if you do end up pulling it out one day, it's like an obscure, weird moment during the set, and it's almost like gratuitous for yourself. I don't wanna do that anymore. I wanna make everything count. I wanna make sure that we get the biggest bang for everything we're putting out there. I think that that should be easily attainable. It seems to be where the environment is going, and it seems to be — whether we like it or not — what the digital age has funneled us into."

DISTURBED's eighth studio album "Divisive", arrived on November 18 via Reprise. The LP was recorded earlier this year with producer Drew Fulk (MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, LIL PEEP, HIGHLY SUSPECT) in Nashville, Tennessee. The follow-up to 2018's "Evolution" includes the three recently released singles "Hey You", "Unstoppable" and "Divisive". Donegan's divorce inspired the "Divisive" song "Don't Tell Me", which is a duet with HEART's Ann Wilson. In two decades, it breaks ground as the first-ever guest collaboration on a DISTURBED record.

BRITISH LION, the side project of IRON MAIDEN bassist and founder Steve Harris, has released a live video for the song "Legend". The clip was recorded during BRITISH LION's European tour this past summer, which included an appearance at U.K.'s Download festival as well as headlining performances at clubs throughout Germany, Poland, Spain and France.

"Legend" is taken from BRITISH LION's second album, "The Burning", which came out in January 2020 in digipack CD, double gatefold vinyl and digital download formats via Explorer1 Music (E1). The LP was recorded, engineered and mixed at Barnyard Studios by Tony Newton and produced by Steve Harris.

As previously reported, BRITISH LION will embark on an 11-date tour of the U.K. in January 2023. Special guests at all shows will be CONEY HATCH. Additional support on the tour will come from AIRFORCE.

BRITISH LION last played live in the U.K. at the aforementioned Download festival to a packed Dogtooth Stage following a headline pub and club tour of late 2021.

In October 2021, BRITISH LION withdrew from a U.K. tour with THE DARKNESS, citing "completely unacceptable" tour "protocols."

BRITISH LION's first U.S. tour took place in January and February 2020.

BRITISH LION comprises singer Richard Taylor, guitarists David Hawkins and Grahame Leslie, Harris on bass and keyboards, and drummer Simon Dawson.

Asked by the Tampa Bay Times what the itch is that BRITISH LION scratches that he doesn't get in his job with MAIDEN, Harris said: "I suppose playing small clubs and being close and personal with the audience. I love playing big places as well. I enjoy them all, and I'm very lucky that I can do them all. But also, it's clubs that I never played with MAIDEN, even in Europe. There's a famous club called the Milky Way in Amsterdam, which I managed to play with BRITISH LION, but I never did that with MAIDEN. There's places that I'm playing on [the U.S.] tour that I've never played before. So it's all new ground. It's a challenge. It's nice. I like a challenge."

In a 2020 interview with Bass Player magazine, Harris said that he loves playing small clubs. "I'm very lucky that I can play all types of gigs; massive gigs and small ones as well," he said. "It's a change. I'm not trying to conquer the world with this band; there's not enough years left in me to do that anyway."

Asked if the different venues present a different set of challenges, Steve said: "I actually think it should be the same, whether you're playing for 200 or 200,000 people, you know. To me, there's no difference. You still give 110 percent wherever you're playing. We had one gig where the promoter just didn't do [anything]. I think we had, like, 95 people in there, but it was still a great gig, one of the best of the tour. It doesn't matter. We're still going for it, and I was proud that we went out there. It was fantastic."

In a new interview with Alamo True Metal, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill was asked what it was like to reunite with original PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony earlier in the month. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The whole thing was magical. It was way different to what I thought it was gonna be. I didn't know it was gonna be such a large event, for start. It was loads of people — your paying public, if you know what I mean, not just the stars and the celebrities down at the tables in the front there. So that was a real big surprise — the actual scale of it all.

"It was a joy to do at the end of the day," he continued. "It was great to see Ken again. I hope he feels the same. [Laughs] It was very, very quick. We saw him for an hour or so on rehearsal day [two days before the induction] and then another hour or so on the show day. And then everybody went their separate ways. But it was nice to see Ken. Les, I hadn't seen Les — wow — since 1980, probably; 1979, 1980. But it was good to see him again and good to shake everybody's hand."

Speaking about the first time he saw K.K. and Les just prior to the Rock Hall rehearsals, Ian said: "I went over and said hello to Ken, said hello to Les. That's about as far as it went, really. So did Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer]. Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist], he was rather frail on the day, so he just sort of sat on the sidelines until he had to do his thing. And of course Richie [Faulkner, PRIEST guitarist] — Richie's gregarious; he was on the same side of the stage anyway, so he was talking to Ken a lot. But yeah, it was all very professional. It was all well done. At the end of the day, we put on a great performance, and we all got the gong, which was great news. [Laughs] "

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at this year's Rock Hall, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

The JUDAS PRIEST members who got inducted include current members Halford, Hill, Tipton and Scott Travis (drums),along with former members Downing, Binks and late drummer Dave Holland.

Halford, Hill, Tipton and Travis were joined by Binks, Downing and Faulkner for a three-song medley consisting of "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".

Earlier in the month, Halford was asked in an interview with the San Antonio Current if performing with Downing at the Rock Hall ceremony helped put aside some of the acrimony that K.K. has shown about not being in band for these last few tours. Halford responded: "I think we should let the music speak for itself, really, because as you'll see from the performance, you'll see that all of that other stuff is irrelevant. All the things that have been said and suggested just float off into the air. What matters is what's going down on that stage at that time you're performing together. And there he is on my right-hand side. It just felt like he was always there. Look behind me and there's [Les], and the memories just are overwhelming. But, more than that, you're focusing on the moment that you're back together again and playing live. It was really a whirlwind. We were in each other's company for a very, very short space of time. We had very little time to communicate. But for the purpose of the induction of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame together, it was absolutely crucial that K.K. and Les were there. They were inducted, they needed to be in the room. And more than that, we were thrilled that they took the opportunity to say, 'Yeah, we'll come and jam on stage again with you guys.'"

PRIEST was inducted into the Rock Hall by fellow rock legend Alice Cooper, who described them as "the definitive metal band." He added: "They defined the sound we know of heavy metal and their sound is unmistakable. And what can you say about Rob Halford's voice? Never have screams covered such a range. Is there any emotion that he can't express?

"They're electrifying on stage and one of the hardest-hitting live bands in the history of rock and roll. PRIEST has carried the flag of hard rock and heavy metal proudly for something like 50 years, never wavering or following trends or pretending to be anything but exactly what they are," Cooper said. "They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue."

In his acceptance speech, Halford told the crowd: "I'm the gay guy in the band. We call ourselves the heavy metal community which is all-inclusive, no matter what your sexual identity is, what you look like, or what you believe in or don't believe in. Everybody's welcome."

Halford also addressed the fact that PRIEST recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, saying: "We should get out another 50 years, but the joy about music is that it lives forever. And that's the reason why we're here. We live for heavy metal. We live for music. And we're living for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

In a separate interview with Lauren "Lern" Elwell of the KSHE radio station, Halford said it was "good" performing with Downing and Binks at the Rock Hall. He added: "We hadn't seen [Downing] forever. And I've still yet to watch footage of that. All I remember is my brief interactions with K.K., because I'm always running around the stage like a mad drag queen. My interactions with Ken and with Les, it was great. It felt wonderful to have that moment together after such a long time. And that just shows you the power, the weight, the vibe that the Rock Hall suggests you try to attempt. Try and recapture something of the essence that it really part of why you're here, why you're being inducted. I was just so happy that Ken and Les showed up, because they needed to be there. It was entirely their choice, but I said it makes absolute sense if you're in the room and we're playing together. And we did, and it was magical."

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

JUDAS PRIEST was on the ballot for Rock Hall induction in 2020, but failed to receive enough votes to make that year's class.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was also on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list.

Ace Frehley is putting the finishing touches on his new solo album for a tentative early 2023 release.

The original KISS guitarist offered an update on the LP's recording progress while sharing a list on social media of his "Best 10 Sci-Fi Movies Released Up Until 1960". At the end of the message, he wrote: "My New Studio Record is nearing its completion! Hopefully it will be out Spring-Summer 2023!!!"

Back in November 2021, Ace said that he had collaborated with his longtime friend Peppy Castro on "some heavy songs."

Peppy reportedly taught Frehley how to play guitar and previously collaborated with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons as a songwriter and performed on Frehley's and KISS frontman Paul Stanley's solo records.

In December 2020, Frehley told Talking Metal Live that he would start recording his next all-original album the following year. The record will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne. At the time, he said that had "been writing all along. Plus, I have tracks that I've already recorded that I have to revisit and decide whether they have a chance to make it on my new studio record — [if they] have to be rewritten or [they're] just good the way they are," he explained. "And I've got people sending me song ideas constantly… So, little by little, it's an ongoing process, and it evolves as it goes."

Earlier in 2020, Frehley told Canada's iHeart Radio that he had "only written about three songs" for his next LP, and he added they were "not finished." He said: "Now that I'm [living] on the East Coast [after moving to New Jersey from Southern California], my engineer only lives an hour from me, Alex Salzman, who worked with me extensively on this last record, and he played a lot of bass guitar as well, So it's gonna be even easier, 'Origins Vol. 3' and the next [original] record."

Frehley's latest release was "Origins Vol. 2", the sequel to his 2016 collection of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist.

"Origins Vol. 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down", DEEP PURPLE's "Space Truckin'", LED ZEPPELIN's "Good Times Bad Times", THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression", among others. A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track. Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Simmons's bass playing.

….Happy Holidays To All My Fans!!!…Here’s an Early Christmas 🎄 Present from the Aceman!!💫❤️

….My List of the Best 10...

Posted by Ace Frehley on Monday, November 28, 2022

Currently on tour in Europe with POWERWOLF and WARKINGS, DRAGONFORCE has dropped a new video today for fans as a special holiday surprise. Inspired by the Skyrim game, the epic clip for "The Last Dragonborn" can be viewed below. The track is taken from DRAGONFORCE's latest album, "Extreme Power Metal", which came out in September 2019. Produced in Los Angeles, California by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited, the LP was also recorded, in part, on guitarist Herman Li's livestream channel on Twitch with participation from the fans.

"The Last Dragonborn" is the first DRAGONFORCE music video to feature new bassist Alicia Vigil, who checked in from the road with the following comment: "It's been an honor and an incredible experience playing with these guys the last few years. I'm excited to be a part of their upcoming album with them, plus continue touring — and everything else in between — as an official DRAGONFORCE member!"

This past March, Li told Finland's Chaoszine that DRAGONFORCE had "a lot of music written" for the follow-up to "Extreme Power Metal". "We haven't recorded it," he said. "So we're actually gonna look for a new record deal at the moment to do it.

"We don't do music for money, so we only release stuff when we want to and it sounds good," he explained. "We're not on a hamster wheel: 'You've gotta release an album every two years.' It's hard to be creative when you just force yourself to make good music, and every artist knows.

"We don't just make music now; we're content creators at the same time. We have a pause on YouTube at the moment, but we were posting every week before that. So if you want something — an art form; I don't know if you can call YouTube 'art form' — if you want something from us, there's always something coming from DRAGONFORCE, even if it's not new music.

"When it comes, it'll be a good album that we'll be proud of," he added.

A month later, Li told Elliott Fullam of Little Punk People about new DRAGONFORCE material: "Well, you know, it's gonna be epic, triumphant, fun and catchy and uplifting. We're gonna carry on sounding like DRAGONFORCE."

DRAGONFORCE's platinum-selling single "Through The Fire And Flames" brought the London-based Grammy-nominated extreme power metal group international acclaim and was featured as the most challenging song on "Guitar Hero III".

In March 2019, the "Through The Fire And Flames" music video reached a new milestone: it surpassed one hundred million views on YouTube — DRAGONFORCE's first music video to do so.

"Through The Fire And Flames" is the leadoff track from 2006's "Inhuman Rampage" album, which was officially certified gold in July 2017 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies.

DRAGONFORCE's 2020 European and North American tour dates marked the band's first with Vigil, who joined DRAGONFORCE in January of that year.

In August 2019, DRAGONFORCE parted ways with longtime bassist Frédéric Leclercq. He has since joined German thrashers KREATOR.

Photo credit: Alice Baxley

Former ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 has uploaded a video of him playing along to "Wild Side", a song from MÖTLEY CRÜE's sixth album, "Girls, Girls, Girls", which was originally released in 1987. The 52-year-old rocker captioned the clip: "It's Motley Monday kids here is Wild side, hope everyone has a great week @motleycrue".

The latest video share comes a week after John 5 posted a video of him playing along to the "Girls, Girls, Girls" title track and two weeks after he uploaded a play-along video for "Too Fast For Love", the title track of MÖTLEY CRÜE's debut album, which celebrated its 41st birthday on November 10.

Last month, MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx praised John 5, saying he "checks all the boxes" as Mick Mars's replacement following the latter's decision to no longer tour with the legendary rock act.

Sixx commented on John 5's addition to CRÜE while answering fan questions on Twitter. Asked why the band chose John 5, who is one of the credited co-writers on the three original songs on CRÜE's "The Dirt" soundtrack, Sixx said: "He checks all the boxes. He's a insane player. Has respect for our music, is funny as fuck and has history with us and we've written some pretty big hits together."

Sixx also addressed Mars's announcement that he was retiring from touring because of his long struggles with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases.

"He's been a soldier along with us for 4 decades," Nikki said about his longtime bandmate. "We will continue to carrying our legacy to Generations of fans and honor Micks request for us to keep touring as Motley Crue."

In addition to co-writing the three songs on "The Dirt", John 5 collaborated with Sixx and Desmond Child on Meat Loaf's "The Monster Is Loose". Last year, Sixx and John 5 launched the L.A. RATS supergroup in which they were joied by Rob Zombie and drummer Tommy Clufetos.

The 71-year-old Mars — whose real name is Robert Alan Deal — served as MÖTLEY CRÜE's lead guitarist since the band's inception in 1981.

A day after Mick announced his retirement from touring, remaining members Sixx, singer Vince Neil and drummer Tommy Lee vowed to "continue the legacy." In a statement, they said: "While change is never easy, we accept Mick's decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health. We have watched Mick manage his Ankylosing Spondylitis for decades and he has always managed it with utmost courage and grace. To say 'enough is enough' is the ultimate act of courage. Mick's sound helped define MÖTLEY CRÜE from the minute he plugged in his guitar at our very first rehearsal together. The rest, as they say, is history. We'll continue to honor his musical legacy."

The statement continued: "We will carry out Mick's wish and continue to tour the world as planned in 2023. No doubt will it take an absolutely outstanding musician to fill Mick's shoes so we are grateful that our good friend, John 5 has agreed to come on board and join us moving forward. We'll see all you Crueheads out on the road!”

John 5, whose real name is John William Lowery, said: "I'm honored to carry on Mick's legacy and am looking forward to playing these songs."

In his statement, Mick said that he had decided to step back from live shows due to his "ongoing painful struggle" with ankylosing spondylitis and while he will continue to be a member of the band, he cannot "handle the rigors" of touring life.

The statement read: "Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band MÖTLEY CRÜE for the past 41 years, has announced today that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis, he will no longer be able to tour with the band. Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine."

John 5's involvement with MÖTLEY CRÜE as the band's new guitarist was first reported as a rumor by the Metal Sludge web site on October 7.

Speculation about John 5 replacing Mars gained strength after the longtime ROB ZOMBIE guitarist failed to appear with the shock rocker at this year's Aftershock festival in Sacramento. Rob was instead joined on stage by returning guitarist Mike Riggs for the first time since 2006.

John 5 has performed MÖTLEY CRÜE songs a number of times in the past. Back in 2018, John 5 was joined by Sixx along with ANTHRAX's Scott Ian and his wife Pearl Aday at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California to play a cover of "Shout At The Devil". Earlier this year, the guitarist ran through renditions of both "Home Sweet Home" and "Kickstart My Heart" at various shows on his U.S. tour.

In a new interview with NME, EVANESCENCE frontwoman Amy Lee spoke about how being outspoken about sociopolitical and socioeconomic issues in and outside of her music has resulted in her being labeled a "bitch" by some people. Asked if that kind of criticism is something she cares less about as she gets older, she responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's not that I care less; I just feel more confident in my decisions. And I guess, yeah, I care less when I think people don't get it or don't understand. I go, 'I'm not gonna worry and change what I believe or who I am because somebody might misunderstand or call me a bitch or whatever.' I'm not one — I'm confident that I'm not one. And I think that no matter what you do…

"I don't know… Especially when you're on a large stage… It was harder for me to understand this when I was 21 and we were just starting," she admitted. "But you can't expect everybody to really know you. They get to see a part of you and they get to see your music and they get to hear your voice and see the piece of you that is shown. But there's more to all of us. Just like I don't know them. So you've gotta kind of not be mad when people don't understand.

"[You just have to] be strong," Amy added. "When you know you're doing the right thing and you know you're being true to your heart, just don't think about it."

In August 2020, EVANESCENCE released a single, "Use My Voice", which was written to celebrate the power of speaking out in order to promote more justice in the world. The track, featuring contributions from THE PRETTY RECKLESS's Taylor Momsen and HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale, was chosen by HeadCount in the USA to encourage voters to register, check their registration, or find out about their remote voting options amid the COVID-19 pandemic at UseMyVoice.org.

Asked in an interview with Lisa Sanchez of the KLAQ radio station if she was concerned about potentially alienating some fans by speaking out on political issues, Lee said: "Well, first of all, we have an incredible team with us now, and my manager is so supportive about things like that. The art has to come first. And that's a given in everything that we've been doing about being true to ourselves.

"[EVANESCENCE's new] album's called 'The Bitter Truth' for a reason. It's not about showing your prettiest side; it's about showing your realest inside and being more of your true self on the outside at any cost.

"I feel like there's a way that you can have a strong opinion and still be respectful to your fellow humans that don't necessarily agree with you.

"We all have different family members and friends that don't believe exactly like we do and aren't on the same political path, or whatever, in this moment when things are so controversial and crazy," she continued. "But we can still love each other and we can still respect each other and we can certainly still listen to each other, and that's how it's all gotta start. And I feel like that's an important line in 'Use My Voice' — if we can't talk about it, we'll just keep drowning in it.

"I think that this is a year and a moment for awakening and conversation, and I wanna be a part of that.

"I got to a point in the studio — we were working on the song, and I just felt convicted by my own words.

"Being silent right now is a statement in itself and not one that I wanna make," Amy added. "So we can do that — we can be true to ourselves and still leave room for other people's beliefs as well. But I do think it's important right now to stand up for what you believe in, and also find your own information. Open your eyes and ears."

In May 2020, Lee said that she was " angry, horrified" and "ashamed" over the murder of George Floyd in police custody as well as then-U.S. President Donald Trump's response to the subsequent protests and riots.

Just three months earlier, Lee opened up about her political views for the first time, explaining that she couldn't "stand by" and keep her mouth shut while her "country's freedom is taken away." He decision to speak out was apparently prompted by the GOP-controlled Senate's vote to acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment without calling witnesses.

She wrote at the time: "I do not accept lying, cheating or bullying from my government… Accepting this abuse says it's okay for our leaders to lie to us, cheat on us, make decisions without our input, and silence us when we try to speak up. This isn't about your policies or beliefs, it's about our freedom."

Lee added: "I will never bow down to a dictator."

"The Bitter Truth" arrived in March 2021. The LP was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, who also worked on 2011's self-titled LP.

Black Star Riders have announced the replacement for Stone Sour / Corey Taylor guitarist Christian Martucci, who departed the band earlier this year.


Sam Wood, from Wayward Sons, joins the band and his first dates will be the UK shows this coming weekend in London (Earache Records' 35th Anniversary party) and Trecco Bay in South Wales for Planet Rockstock.


Ricky Warwick comments: “I first saw Sam back in 2019 when Wayward Sons were guests to Black Star Riders and I was absolutely blown away! I had Sam join me for some Fighting Hearts dates a few months back and knew he was the guy for us. If ever there was a new Guitar Hero waiting in the wings, then it’s Sam! Black Star Riders have had some of the world’s finest guitar players in their ranks and Sam is truly up there as one of them. We couldn’t be happier!”




The line-up for the two aforementioned shows together with the 10th Anniversary UK tour in February 2023 will see Black Star Riders welcome back guitarist Scott Gorham and original drummer Jimmy DeGrasso for the celebrations.


Ricky adds: “We are really looking forward to playing with Scott and Jimmy again and this is the only time you will get to see us all together again for this 10th anniversary of the band. After February, Zak St. John will be with us for all future dates. The set list will be tracks from the new album Wrong Side Of Paradise to start the show, then we welcome Scott on stage for the 'greatest hits' set to celebrate our 10 years.”


The 10th Anniversary UK tour takes place in the following cities:


February
11 - Belfast - Limelight
13 - Nottingham - Rock City
15 - Norwich - UEA
16 - Ipswich - Corn Exchange
17 - Manchester - O2 Ritz
18 - Wolverhampton - KK's Steel Mill
19 - Leeds - O2 Academy
21 - Cardiff - Tramshed
22 - Bristol - O2 Academy
23 - Glasgow - SWG3
24 - Newcastle - O2 City Hall
26 - London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire


Special guests are Michael Monroe and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons on all shows except Belfast where Trucker Diablo open.





Masters of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll, Black Star Riders, have announced that their new album, Wrong Side Of Paradise, will be released via Earache Records worldwide on January 20, 2023.


The pre-order is now live. You can get your copy on vinyl, CD and cassette, with loads of limited exclusives from the Earache webstore.





"We’re most proud of the Collector’s Edition, which houses a half black/half white vinyl with lavish photo booklet, a bonus 2 track 12” of extra songs not on the album, 2 CDs including a rare signed edition, a cassette, USB and download," says the band.


The album, featuring 11 tracks, was recorded in the fall of 2021 at Studio 606 in Northridge California and Toochtoon Sound in Redmond, Oregon with producer and longtime BSR associate, Jay Ruston.


With Ricky Warwick on lead vocals / guitar, Robert Crane on bass, Christian Martucci on guitar and drummer Zak St, John, the band have released the first single and video, “Better Than Saturday Night” (with backing vocals from Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott). The video features a lightning-hot performance from the four-time UK Top 25 band, and teases the watcher into suspecting a standard rock video cliché before flipping it on its head with the entrance of the rough'n'tough Roller Derby Dolls. Watch below.


About the album Ricky says, “I am very proud of this record, Black Star Riders fifth release and the first with our new and exciting relationship with Earache Records. As with all BSR albums, Wrong Side Of Paradise is an anthemic statement of intent,  driven by ferocious guitars and thundering drums. I can only write about my own personal experiences, my families, my friends and how I see a world that is unraveling and changing faster than we can comprehend. That being said, I’m a firm believer in the power of positivity, something that echoes throughout this album."





Tracklisting:


"Wrong Side Of Paradise"
"Hustle"
"Better Than Saturday Night"
"Riding Out The Storm"
"Pay Dirt"
"Catch Yourself On"
"Crazy Horses"
"Burning Rome"
"Don't Let The World"
"Green And Troubled Land"
"This Life Will Be The Death Of Me"


"Better Than Saturday Night" video:








(Photo credit: Robert John)


 

Brazilian metallers, Angra, have released Ep. 04 of a video series on their Rebirth 20th Anniversary Tour. This episode focuses on Angra in Santiago, Brazil on July 7. Watch below:





Watch previous episodes below:













Angra perform next on December 2 at Brasuca in Campinas, Brazil. Find the band's live itinerary here.

Brighton Rock vocalist, Gerald Damian "Gerry" McGhee (pictured above), passed away after a battle with cancer on August 25, 2020. Storm Force, who's lineup features Brighton Rock guitarist Greg Fraser, paid tribute to McGhee at a recent show in Hamilton, ON (Canada).


A message states: "The band played the classic BR song ‘We Came To Rock’ to Gerald’s very enthusiastic, emotional hometown crowd. We all miss you Gerry!"







Last month, Storm Force unleashed a stunning re-working of "Uninvited", by fellow Canadian icon, Alanis Morrissette.


"What started as an impromptu jam while working on songs for the next Storm Force album, quickly developed into something really special we wanted to share right away!" says singer Patrick Gagliardi.





The new single, "Uninvited", is once again produced by Darius Szczepaniak and features legendary special guest keyboardist Ray Coburn (Roger Hodgson, Honeymoon Suite, Corey Hart). The single is available now on all digital services. The new album will be tentatively arriving in fall 2023.


You can stream and purchase the new single here.

Rufus Publishing has released a teaser video for the upcoming book, Deep Purple - The Visual History, available in summer 2023.


Renowned music journalist Chris Charlesworth has revised his original text from the 1983 edition of his book and added new Introduction and Aftermath chapters. The new look book has been completely redesigned and expanded to over 500 colour pages and now incorporates hundreds of photographs and images, some seen for the first time, including a series of unpublished images from the Made In Japan concerts from 1972.


Researched in 1982 through original interviews with members of Deep Purple, the book covers the period between the band’s formation in 1968 through to their eventual break-up in 1976. Forthright and remarkably detailed, it is the ultimate treasure trove of the era when Deep Purple established their legendary status. The book is also personally signed throughout by six of the original band members from this time: David Coverdale, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Ian Paice, and Nick Simper and comes in two editions, expected to ship at the end of June 2023.




Pre-order will launch on Wednesday, November 30 at 3 PM, UK time, here.

In a new interview with the San Antonio Current, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked if performing with original PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony helped put aside some of the acrimony that K.K. has shown about not being in band for these last few tours. Halford responded: "I think we should let the music speak for itself, really, because as you'll see from the performance — I think it's going to be on HBO soon — you'll see that all of that other stuff is irrelevant. All the things that have been said and suggested just float off into the air. What matters is what's going down on that stage at that time you're performing together. And there he is on my right-hand side. It just felt like he was always there. Look behind me and there's ['70s-era PRIEST drummer Les Binks], and the memories just are overwhelming. But, more than that, you're focusing on the moment that you're back together again and playing live. It was really a whirlwind. We were in each other's company for a very, very short space of time. We had very little time to communicate. But for the purpose of the induction of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame together, it was absolutely crucial that K.K. and Les were there. They were inducted, they needed to be in the room. And more than that, we were thrilled that they took the opportunity to say, 'Yeah, we'll come and jam on stage again with you guys.'"

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

The JUDAS PRIEST members who got inducted include current members Halford (vocals),Ian Hill (bass),Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums),along with former members Downing, Binks and late drummer Dave Holland.

Halford, Hill, Tipton and Travis were joined by Binks, Downing and current guitarist Richie Faulkner for a three-song medley consisting of "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".

PRIEST was inducted into the Rock Hall by fellow rock legend Alice Cooper, who described them as "the definitive metal band." He added: "They defined the sound we know of heavy metal and their sound is unmistakable. And what can you say about Rob Halford's voice? Never have screams covered such a range. Is there any emotion that he can't express?

"They're electrifying on stage and one of the hardest-hitting live bands in the history of rock and roll. PRIEST has carried the flag of hard rock and heavy metal proudly for something like 50 years, never wavering or following trends or pretending to be anything but exactly what they are," Cooper said. "They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue."

In his acceptance speech, Halford told the crowd: "I'm the gay guy in the band. We call ourselves the heavy metal community which is all-inclusive, no matter what your sexual identity is, what you look like, or what you believe in or don't believe in. Everybody's welcome."

Halford also addressed the fact that PRIEST recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, saying: "We should get out another 50 years, but the joy about music is that it lives forever. And that's the reason why we're here. We live for heavy metal. We live for music. And we're living for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

In an interview with Lauren "Lern" Elwell of the KSHE radio station, Halford was asked what it was like performing with Downing and Binks at the Rock Hall. He said: "It was good. We hadn't seen [Downing] forever. And I've still yet to watch footage of that. All I remember is my brief interactions with K.K., because I'm always running around the stage like a mad drag queen. My interactions with Ken and with Les, it was great. It felt wonderful to have that moment together after such a long time. And that just shows you the power, the weight, the vibe that the Rock Hall suggests you try to attempt. Try and recapture something of the essence that it really part of why you're here, why you're being inducted. I was just so happy that Ken and Les showed up, because they needed to be there. It was entirely their choice, but I said it makes absolute sense if you're in the room and we're playing together. And we did, and it was magical."

Last month, Hill was asked by the Detroit Metro Times if he thought there was any chance of ever reconciling with Downing and him rejoining PRIEST. Hill responded: "I think time is not on our side for that, you know? Never say never, put it like that. [Downing's] gonna be there at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame anyway. He's gonna get up and play some songs with us there. It might kickstart something; I don't know. On the other hand, he might pull us all apart. [Laughs]"

Earlier last month, Downing confirmed to Ultimate Classic Rock that his goal with the Rock Hall performance was "to represent the attitude and hopefully the legend of what JUDAS PRIEST is and has become and what it means to everybody who's been on that very long journey through the decades with the band. And hopefully it will just kind of remind people and bring back some cherished memories of the heavy metal parking lots all around the world."

Downing added that performing with PRIEST again would be like riding the proverbial bicycle, more than a decade after the guitarist last played with the band. "It's what I've done so many times," Downing said. "It's almost like cracking a beer, let alone riding a bike. It's embedded in me. It's what I do. So it'll be quite something to look forward to, just to get up there and crank the amps up and just do it once again, for that short moment in time."

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

JUDAS PRIEST was on the ballot for Rock Hall induction in 2020, but failed to receive enough votes to make that year's class.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was also on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list.

During a new appearance on the "Pat's Soundbytes Unplugged" podcast, NICKELBACK bassist Mike Kroeger called his brother, NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger, "one of the great rock songwriters of our time. I think he belongs in the conversation of the greats of this moment in history and of the last 20 years," he added. "And it's okay [if some people don't give him enough credit]. History will be the ultimate judge. And it's all right.

"We never got into this thing for accolades of our contemporaries or communities or award shows or any stuff like that; that's never really been the motivator for us, to, 'Oh, we've just gotta get out there and win a Grammy,'" he explained.

"This is another opinion. Art is an opinion. We create opinions to put out there and then people have their own opinions about that.

"Every person, I think, interprets a song in a different way, and I think that's kind of the magic of it," Mike added. "You can throw the same song at 10 different people, and you might get 10 different answers about what is it about to them, what does it mean to them, what does it make them feel. I think that's the great part about music."

NICKELBACK's history dates back to 1995 in Hanna, Alberta, where they got their start playing covers in a band called VILLAGE IDIOT, a nod to the small-town nature where they played and grew up. In 1996, Chad, alongside Ryan Peake, made the 10-hour trek west to follow Mike to Vancouver, British Columbia, where the band still resides and continues to make music today.

The band's numerous smash hits, coupled with worldwide sales of over 50 million albums sold, seals their status as one of the top-selling acts of all time and the second best-selling foreign act of the 2000s in the U.S., behind only THE BEATLES. The wildly popular smash hit "How You Remind Me" was named Billboard's "Top Rock Song Of The Decade", which was a contributing factor in the publication's decision to crown NICKELBACK "Top Rock Group Of The Decade" shortly after.

Beyond their Juno Awards, the group has received nine Grammy Award nominations, three American Music Awards, a World Music Award, a People's Choice Award and seven MuchMusic Video Awards. They were inducted into Canada's Walk Of Fame in 2007.

NICKELBACK's tenth studio album, titled "Get Rollin'", was released on November 18.

Following their successful European tour with Evergrey, Swiss-Italian cinematic/progressive metal outfit Virtual Symmetry has issued a new official video for "Fantasie Di Verita”, the epic song found on the band’s eponymous fourth album, which was released in September through Sensory Records.


Featuring eight immersive songs, Virtual Symmetry was recorded by the band, then mixed and mastered at Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni (DGM, Michael Romeo, Turilli Lione Rhapsody) and completed with artwork and photography by Kyrhian Balmelli.


The new video was directed by Giampiero Zappa. Virutal Symmetry vocalist Marco Pastorino writes, "We decided to release the video of ‘Fantasie Di Verità’, one of the most appreciated tracks from our latest album and one of the most requested tracks of the tour with Evergrey. We enjoyed every single day and every single moment of these 34 shows all over Europe. We can't wait to see all of you again next year."







 Virtual Symmetry artwork and tracklisting:





"Virtual Symmetry"
"My Story Unfolds"
"The Paradise Of Lies"
"Come Alive" 
"Butterfly Effect"
"Fantasie Di Verità"
"Rising"
"Insomnia"











(Photo by Kyrhian Balmelli)


 

Billy Sheehan says that MR. BIG has found a new drummer and is hoping to play some shows again starting next summer.

The 69-year-old bassist made the comment while addressing MR. BIG's decision to go on hiatus following the passing of Pat Torpey. The drummer died in February 2018 at the age of 64 from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Asked in a new interview with Conversaciones Necias if there are plans for MR. BIG to return to the road any time soon, Billy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes. We wanna play again. [Former MR. BIG touring drummer] Matt Starr did an amazing drumming job. He's fantastic. He was friends with Pat. When Pat couldn't play his kit but still could tour, he toured together with Matt and they were very dear friends. But we need a guy that has Pat's voice. And Matt's got a great voice but it's a different range. We need a guy [who can sing] way up here," he explained while raising his right hand just above his head. "So we found somebody. We'll let the world know about it soon. And we're hoping to do some shows maybe in the summer 2023."

Earlier in the month, MR. BIG singer Eric Martin opened the door for renewed activity from the band while speaking to Chile's Radio Futuro. Asked if there are any plans for MR. BIG to get back together, Eric said: "If you asked Paul [Gilbert, MR. BIG guitarist], he'd go, 'Oh, well. I don't know. Never say never.' And same thing, Billy would go, 'Well, you know, it would be a good idea.' But I'm here to tell you that there is a rumor. Did I start this rumor? I don't know.

"I believe that there are big things coming," Eric said cryptically. "I keep saying that, and I want people to believe me that we're not down for the count. It's not over. I think we've got some things to do."

Martin said earlier in the interview that he still gets asked all the time if there is any chance of him reuniting with his MR. BIG bandmates.

"I miss MR. BIG; I really do," he said. "I've been waiting for MR. BIG to maybe do something for the last four or five years now, since Pat Torpey passed away. And even though I've been doing it for years and years, incorporating MR. BIG songs in my set and playing my solo stuff, I like playing the songs of MR. BIG.

"The band, we've been on kind of a permanent hiatus for the last four years — four or five years — and I miss playing MR. BIG songs," he added. "People ask me to play solo stuff all the time, but the majority of people love the songs of MR. BIG — from the hard, fast rockers to those little spluffy, warm and fuzzy ballads. They love it. So I give the people what they want."

This past August, Sheehan said that MR. BIG was "strongly considering" playing some shows in 2023. Speaking to Dr. Music, Billy said at the time: "We might do some MR. BIG [dates] at some point next year. We're not sure. Possibly."

Asked if MR. BIG has found another drummer to step in for Torpey after utilizing Matt Starr for much of the recording sessions on MR. BIG's last studio album, "Defying Gravity", as well as on the road, Sheehan said: "Possibly. We're looking at a couple of people. We loved playing with Matt Starr — he was really great — but we need a higher-pitched voice. Matt's a great singer but he doesn't have the range that Pat Torpey had. And to make everything sound the way it did, we're gonna need that extra thing there. So that makes it a little difficult for us and it narrows the field down. But there's a couple of people we might look into. But we still don't know."

Billy added: "After we did the shows without Pat — the first time after we lost him — again, Matt Starr did a great job. But it wasn't Pat; Pat wasn't there. So I'm glad we took some time — a couple of years — to just kind of lay off of it. But a lot of people write all the time and they really wanna see the band. We would like to play for them too. So we'll see. Nothing's for certain at this point, but we're certainly strongly considering it."

In May 2020, Sheehan gave an interview to the "Music Mania" podcast in which he claimed that a "mastering problem" with MR. BIG's latest album, "Defying Gravity", which came out five years ago, made the LP "unlistenable." He went on to say that "the label ruined the record" by insisting on having the album and "putting it out when it's not ready." He explained: "If we had another day to get it to proper mastering and get it done right, it would have been fine. 'Cause I was there for the final mixes — I went in there every day and listened to mixes. Pat was there with us too. We went through the mixes, and they were sounding great. And, unfortunately, we got screwed.

"I've seen it before in many other situations with many other bands," he added. "We've got the marketing department and they're ready to go and they've gotta have the record now. And then I've also seen other bands just say, 'No. The record is not done. You're out of luck.' And I wish we would have just said that, because I just don't think the record had the kind of life it had when I heard the final mixes."

A short time later, Frontiers Music Srl released a statement clarifying that it wasn't the label responsible for "ruining" "Defying Gravity", which marked Torpey's final recorded appearance with MR. BIG.

"Defying Gravity" was released via Wowow Entertainment, Inc. in Japan and Frontiers Music Srl in most of the rest of the world.

After announcing his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2014, Torpey continued to write, record and perform with MR. BIG.

MR. BIG, formed in 1988, produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres — be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits include "Alive And Kicking", "Just Take My Heart" and the chart-topping ballad "To Be With You".

In February 2021, MR. BIG released a new live set, "Raw Like Sushi Mega Edition - Revive 2017: 2017 Japan Tour Official Bootleg Box". A complete collection of MR. BIG's 2017 performances in Japan, it features all nine concerts which took place between September and October of that year.

A-Z, the band formed by Fates Warning icons Ray Alder and Mark Zonder, have released a new lyric video for the track, "Borrowed Time", from the band's self-titled, debut album that came out in August 2022. Watch below:





In early 2020, famed former drummer for Fates Warning and Warlord, Mark Zonder, began working on new material with the vision of beginning a new, full-time band that would offer something different from his current catalog. The mission was to deliver straightforward, no-frills hard rock that speaks to a broader audience. The end result, which sees Zonder reunite with Fates Warning lead vocalist Ray Alder, along with bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, Warlord), guitarist Joop Wolters, and keyboardist Vivien Lalu, is A-Z.




Order the album here.





A-Z tracklisting:


"Trial By Fire"
"The Far Side Of The Horizon"
"The Machine Gunner"
"Rise Again"
"Window Panes"
"Run Away"
"Stranded"
"At The Waters Edge"
"Borrowed Time"
"Sometimes"
"The Silence Broken" (Bonus Track)


Album sampler:





"At The Waters Edge" video:





"The Far Side Of The Horizon" lyric video:





"Stranded" video:





"Trial By Fire" video:





"The Machine Gunner" video:





When Mark Zonder, famed former Fates Warning and Warlord drummer, started working on material in early 2020 he had a very clear vision for the band he wanted to put together. "I was thinking beer commercials, car commercials, and Cobra Kai. I wanted to have a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses and would lead to the ability to tour larger venues and build a second and third record off the success of the first. I did not want to hear things like, 'I don't hear a single, it is too proggy, I just don't get it, let me listen to it a few more times'. I knew from myself and the others that I would recruit, it would have some sophisticated music parts but the big hook was the main priority." The result was A-Z, and while Zonder is adamant it is not a supergroup that is doing a 'one and done' record it has a stellar lineup, reuniting him with Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, Warlord/Steve Vai/Ring of Fire bassist Philip Bynoe, guitarist Joop Wolters and keyboardist Vivien Lalu, the combination of these players stirring up a very specific kind of magic that could not be replicated.


Things came together smoothly from the start, Zonder sending drum patterns and grooves to first recruit Lalu, and he would write songs using guitar sounds so between the two of them they had basic song structures pretty quickly. Zonder knew Bynoe would jump on board as they have a long history and mutual respect and Lalu had worked with Wolters for years, recruiting him for the band. Both Wolters and Lalu brought in great musical ideas that were turned into songs. The goal was always the same: shorter songs and getting right to the chorus, no twelve-minute songs, and everyone found it easy working to this remit. With everything else coming together nicely, finding the right singer was the hardest aspect of the whole process.


"I had sent out a basic song to over 20 different singers, some popular named singers and some unknown, but completely struck out," says Zonder. "Then I just decided to call Ray as I was not sure what he was up to. I figured it could not hurt to get in touch. I do remember speaking with him back in the day and him talking about how he loved this kind of music. I sent him a track or two and he just killed it." Adds Alder, "I found this a chance to do something completely different than what I am used to, being in a prog metal band for 30 years. I find the blend of the 80s, 90s and a touch of 70s style of music very cool, and it is great to work with Mark after all of these years." Thrilled to have him on board, Zonder did not have a list of demands. "My only words to him were 'do whatever you want.' I was not going to tell him what to do. Same for all of the others guys. Yes, there has to be some editing and making decisions, but when it came to the music I just wanted everyone to do what they do best." The results are undeniable, from the high octane stomper "The Machine Gunner", to the gorgeous sway of "Rise Again" or the towering "Stranded", every track an anthem that sounds like only the biggest venues could contain them.


The band's name came courtesy of Alder - A-Z = Alder thru Zonder - and it fit straight away. "What I liked is that it did not limit what someone would think of the band. If we named the band Scary Serpent it would give a certain direction and I did not want people to prejudge the band and record," Zonder says. Likewise, self-titling the record made sense. "I did not want to give a direction idea to the audience. If we named the album Far Side of the Horizon, people would probably think 'prog band'. But if you named it The Machine Gunner, it would give a totally different direction for thought." For artwork, wanting to again get the best possible contributor, they turned to the famed Hugh Syme (Rush, Fates Warning), who delivered the vivid image of a zebra eating an apple, encompassing the band name in a sly way. "Again, hire the best people you can find and just let them do what they do. The artwork is absolutely fantastic and really fits the whole concept. He is truly the best. Just a great guy to work with."





A-Z lineup:


Ray Alder - Lead and Backing Vocals
Philip Bynoe - Bass Guitar
Vivien Lalu - Keyboards
Joop Wolters - Guitars
Mark Zonder - Drums